letters to lyza

Lyza 4 years old

Dear Lyza:

I have decided to try something new...start a new tradition. And as always, little one, you are my Guinea pig, my first attempt at this entire parent thing. So here we go on another test run of a tradition I have named Letters to Lyza.

Four years ago today I was scared. I didn't know what the future held for me. The only thing I knew was that I was about to become a mother. I was about to be changed forever.

"Mother" is a title that once you receive it, you carry it with you for the rest of your life. You are never "not a mother." You never stop caring or loving your children. This word "mother" comes to define you. Not in a bad way. Not in the way that you aren't still an individual with talents and goals. Actually, no I take that back, once you are a mother you stop becoming an individual in the selfish sense of the word. Yes, you still have your own desires. You want time for yourself and to harvest your talents and ambitions. But ever since April 30th, 2005 at 7:33 pm, I have ceased to look at myself as an individual. I am more of a package deal. I am a mother. Lyza you made me a mother.

It has been 4 years. Four years of being in awe of you. Four years of trying some parenting techniques that worked and some that didn't quite go the way we planned. Four years of being the proudest parents. Proud of you and your brother.

This last year your dad and I have seen you really come into your own. You became a big sister this year and have thrown yourself into the role perfectly. Seth idolizes you and always wants to be with you. You protect him already and I love that. Dad and I always talk about how you were designed to be the oldest child. You are naturally a take charge kind of girl. You watch over things and love to understand the "rules." You like to follow the "rules" for the most part but you have your moments of rebellion.

I see a lot of myself in you. Not in your physical appearance (it is obvious that you look like your dad) but in your personality and your strong will. I am not sure if you will love that you are like me, or resent the fact? Either way I see our similarities. I also see your dad in you. His love for life and for people. You have a kind heart just like he does. I am so glad for that Lyza.

This past year has brought some great highlights from you. Some of my favorite have been:

• You started preschool. You excelled immediately. You loved to go and see your friends. You took a particular fancy to a pair of blonde headed twin boys named Brock and Clark. They loved your blonde hair too. You learned to read this year. You were so proud of yourself.
  
  
• The size of our family increased by 4 imaginary siblings (Jack, Cody, Ainsa, and Hannah) and an imaginary dog named Purdi. Dad and I thought these imaginary friends would be with us for a day or two. But here we are 6 months and running and they are still a vibrant part of our family. However, Jack is definitely your favorite and is our constant companion.
  
  
• The sounds of singing and dancing filled the air in our house every day. I love how much you love music. Every time we would get into the car to go somewhere you would always ask me, "Mom, did you remember the ipod?" You wanted to hear your songs and sing while we were driving.
  
  
• Your favorite movie this year has been Annie. Lyza, we have literally watched it 100 times. You don't ever get sick of it.
  
  
• Your favorite foods have been peanut butter and honey sandwiches, grapes, and bean and cheese burritos.
  
  
• You danced in 4 dance concerts this year. During each one you performed so well. You never get scared to be in front of people. You actually quite like it.
  

I could go on and on about you. A mother could never get tired of writing about one of her children. The thing that dad and I want you to know and never forget is that we are proud of you and we love you. Sure there were moments this last year that tested our patience. You are a strong willed, independent person. You know what your want and you don't back down. That is what makes you Lyza.

So in this first Letter to Lyza I want to thank you. Thank you for making me a mother Lyza. Thank you for testing me. Thank you for being so important to me, that I get down on my knees every night and plead with Heavenly Father that I will do it right. Thank you for these 4 years.

Happy 4th Birthday Ly Ly!

Love you MORE, MORE!

Mom

i want to be this cozy!!

Oh to be this cozy in "mid afternoon."

I had to go in and wake Seth up today from his afternoon nap so we could get to an appointment. But who wants to disturb this sleep?

Disturb it??? I want to jump in the crib and snuggle up next to him?

I love it because I find him a sleep a lot like this (a la hands behind head) but he also enjoys this pose as he is being lathered up and scrubbed in the tubby! When you are relaxed you are relaxed.

look mom i'm reading

Is this the moment that I have been waiting for? Is this her right of passage from being a toddler to becoming a child? It sure feels like everytime I turn around she is accomplishing something new for the first time, learning a new word (some I like, some I am not glad she now knows). She is defintely letting go of her need to be dependent on us for everything. And now she can READ? What is next? Will she stop wanting to hang out with us on Friday nights because her friends are doing something cooler? Do kids these days even use the word "cooler" anymore? Oh I am not sure I am ready.

How proud of her I am. She has a love of learning and I am amazed at 3 1/2 years old she is well versed in all of her take home books. I love that when I am reading a book to her and stumble on a word she tells me to "break the word up mom." Oh of course little one, thanks for the advice!

For now we are getting used to our new little reader, but I am really scared for the day she asks me to help with her Algebra or Geometry homework. How dissappointed she will be when she learns how little of that I remember. Don't worry we can always drive to her Aunts house!

She say's, "look mom i'm reading"

I hear, "look mom I am getting married and moving out. You are only going to see me once a week and on holiday's if you are lucky. I'll try to remember to call you and tell you about my life, but don't wait by the phone I'm pretty busy."

Seriously they are going to be grown and gone by tomorrow, I can feel it.

winning the lottery

Have you ever played the "Lottery"? I have...I played it last week. Now this Lottery had high stakes and was worth a ton of money. I went in thinking the odds would be in my favor, but as I investigated further into the situation I realized I would be playing against the odds for sure.

This is how this Lottery played out...

Once upon a time a little girl named Lyza was born. She had beautiful blonde hair and a love for music. She especially loved the music she called "Elphaba." She would ask to listen to this music everyday. She knew the words to almost all of the songs and would act out the part of Glenda (the other girl with blonde hair) whenever the music was on.

One day her parents heard that the musical WICKED would be coming to their city. However, they were not in the business of paying OUTRAGEOUS prices for tickets to see this great musical. I mean, they have seen it before and LOVED IT, but seriously.

However, her parents heard of a Lottery drawing for tickets to see the musical. This Lottery happened every night before the show. The cost for these tickets...$25. This was exactly the amount they wanted to pay for their little child to see this show.

So one day Lyza's mother asked Lyza if she would like to have a Mother/Daughter Date with her? Lyza was so excited. Lyza's mother got everyone dressed up and ready to go. She took her charming son to spend the evening with grandparents, and Lyza and her mother were off in search of their winning ticket.

Lyza's mother didn't think many people would be entering this Lottery. She chose a night in the middle of the week and also thought that with the "recession" and everything, people would not be as interested.

Oh how Lyza's mother was wrong. They entered their tickets in this Lottery along with about 600 other people!!!



Here is a view of just a small section of the people lining up to win the Lottery as well.

As you can probably guess after all of the names had been pulled from the hat, Lyza and her mother sat on the side of the street empty handed. All 20 tickets went to other people who seemed equally excited that they had one their Lottery. As Lyza's mom sat outside the theatre empty handed with a little girl with tears in her eyes (not quite understanding why she didn't win) she thought of the next best thing...ICE CREAM. Lyza quickly forgot about not getting a ticket when the mention of Ice Cream came into play.



All smiles returned once the ice cream was in hand.



Even though their names didn't get pulled from the hat, and they didn't get to see Elphaba fly in the air and "Defy Gravity"...Lyza's mom realized that she definitely still WON THE LOTTERY!

THE END!

P.S. Lyza did tell her mom that she kind of likes her Daddy/Daughter Dates a little bit better then her Mommy/Daughter Dates. She said that she doesn't ever cry on the dates with her Daddy?

Spring Concerts

Spring is here, well kind of...in between all of the snow storms..., so that means that Spring Dance Concerts are here as well. In our house that means costumes, curling irons, and make up. It also means that mom and dad get to watch their little girl dance and enjoy herself. What parent wouldn't want to see that. Here is our first dance concert for The Dance Club that was at Timpview High School on April 10th. Lyza had such a fun time and always tells us that she loves everyone clapping for her. She did such a great job.



One week later we got to experience the Spring Dance Concert for Showcase Dance at Davis High School on April 18th. Lyza got to dance with her darling cousins and again had such a great time. She danced to "I won't grow up" (wish that was true) and "It's a Hard Knock Life." Again it was such a fun experience.

Thanks to everyone who helps teach Lyza, she is surrounded by such great teachers in her life.

Until next time...

it's spring, it's winter, it's spring, it's winter...seriously!!

Two weeks after Easter and this is how we have to dress to go to the park. Glove, hats, coats and blankets, and we still could only stay and play for a second before the chill was too much.

Even with the cold wind and frigid air, both Lyza and Seth had so much fun playing. Lyza learned how to "pump" herself on the swing. Thanks in part to her cousins Jaicee and Halle. And Seth got his first turn on the swing with dad.



I love the look of pure joy on the faces of my children. This is what I imagine the faces of Angels look like in Heaven.
BOY ANGEL...



GIRL ANGEL!

*Seth's first ride of the swing video below*

eggs, peeps, chocolate..oh my!!

Lyza (3) & Seth (11 months) Easter Morning 2009

We love Easter at our house. It is so much fun to get together with our families and to celebrate the resurrection of The Savior. Or as Lyza says, "He woke up from the cross."

Here are some pictures of the new outfits that made it to our house care of Grandma and Papa Bull. Thanks so much!!

We had two Easter Egg hunts, one at each grandparents house, and yes tons of candy.



Spring is here and we are so excited. We are grateful for family and friends and for our Savior who gave the ultimate sacrifice for us. HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!!

are you asking me out?

Remember back in the day (the dating days) and Wednesday would come around? Why Wednesday you ask? Because Wednesday was kind of the "unannounced" day when the phone would ring and the date would be set up for the upcoming Friday or Saturday night. Out of respect for the "datee", the "dater" would allow for this allotted amount of "pre-planning" time. It was always so exciting if the phone rang on any given Wednesday, and on the other end of the line was the voice! The voice of the boy you were hoping it would be. There would be the initial greeting on the phone and a few minutes of chit chat, and then he would get to the business at hand.

"I was wondering if you were busy on Friday night?" he would say.

"No, I don't have any set plans yet, why what is going on?" you would reply.

"Well, I was wondering if you would be interested in going with me to ________?" he would say.

"Oh, I would love to, that sounds like so much fun." you would reply.

As you got off the phone you could barely contain yourself. You knew the rest of the week would be fantastic as you looked forward to your Friday night date.

Well, last Wednesday evening my phone rang. And on the other end of the receiver was exactly the voice I was hoping it would be. The conversation started as usual, we had a bit of small talk and then he got down to the reason for his call.

"Are you busy this Friday night?" he said.

"Oh, I am not sure? I will have to check my schedule of dirty diapers and carpool, but I am sure I could clear the night." I replied.

And just like that HE asked me out.

I have to be honest it has been awhile since I have been asked out. The phone doesn't ring on Wednesday night as frequently as it has in the past. But when it does ring it is always the voice on the other end that makes me so excited.

So as I hung up the phone my thoughts turned to the most important thing...what am I going to wear?

When Friday came around my date fulfilled all of my expectations. The date was well planned, we had great company, and amazing conversation. It seems that I am never disappointed whenever I go on a date with this certain man. He is polite, the greatest gentleman, and he insists on paying. Oh, and best of all, he always kisses me goodnight!!

Our date started off at my favorite restaurant, eating my favorite food with my favorite friend and her husband.

Then we went to the Jazz Game and sat uninterrupted the entire time! We talked, we cheered, we held hands.

I could never get sick of dating this man.

Gee, I hope my phone rings again this Wednesday night!

what the world needs...

...less News Stories to scare us about the SWINE FLU....




....more pictures of babies wearing beanies!!




I couldn't resist!