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!

i never had a chance

I always imagined that my children would love their mother the most. Not that I didn't want them to love their father, but I always imagined that the "mom" was the "favorite" and that the "dad" was there for discipline and the occasional daddy-daughter/son date. And why wouldn't you love the "mom" the most. I mean we made you in our bodies, we gave you life, we sit up nights worrying about your future.

In my little family, this idea and expectation is not true. Actually not even close to being true.

My theory is...that Steven secretly met with Lyza when we were all up in heaven together. I think they made a secret packed to love each other the most. (I am sure there were promises of candy and presents involved) They agreed that they would have "that" connection. Lyza promised she would light up anytime his name was mentioned, would open up and talk to him about things that she wouldn't talk to her mom about, and most importantly would give him that "look." This look would be the way she reminded him of their promise made up in heaven together. This look would say to her daddy..."Remember, I promised, you would be my favorite."



This is a picture I found of Lyza when she was 10 months old, it was at this moment I knew...

I NEVER HAD A CHANCE!

the cougs

I always have said that the years I spent dancing at BYU on the Cougarettes were some of the most magical years of my life. If I could repeat a portion of my life again, for sure it would be these years.

I got to go to the Cougarette Concert with some of my "former" (not old) Cougarette friends. It is funny that we could be apart for years and instantly pick up were we left off.

The night was refreshing, the concert amazing, and the cougs...hilarious as always. Now if only I could fit into those costumes again!!

we reached double digits...

Seth 10 Months Old

Today my little Seth reached a milestone. He clicked that little number over from 9 months to 10 months old. Why does that seem like such a big moment? Why does it feel like he can no longer be called a baby...but must be refered to as a "toddler?" Well never mind the double digits or not...he will still be referred to as "the baby" by me for many more months (and possibly years) to come.

For such a long time I longed for a little version of my husband to come into my life. I loved having Lyza first don't get me wrong. I could not have asked for a more perfect "first child" for me. But on the flip side of that...who wouldn't want to raise a "little steve?" I sure wanted to. I wanted to see how my husband would have looked like when he was younger? I wanted to be reminded of him when I looked into my son's face. Heavenly Father heard my pleas and sprinkled my Seth with pixie dust before sending him to me... and poof I have my little steve.

Seth, what strides you have made in this last month. You have...

Learned to love sleeping in your bed.

Figured out how to open up cabinets. (not my favorite addition)

Stopped loving the bottle.

Learned to sign a total of 4 new signs (thank you, dog, ball, milk)

Found a best friend in your sister

Learned how to blow kisses on mommy's neck

Enjoyed table food during family dinners

Said you first word (ball) and made daddy so proud

Double digits or single digits...toddler or baby...Seth brings such happiness to us each day.

I mean who wouldn't find joy in this???

i love to see the temple

It is so "me" to get my family all together, all dressed up, and loaded in the car to go and see the new Draper Temple.

What part is so "me", you may ask?

Well it is so me to get an event planned and organized...and then forget to actually take a picture in front of the main attraction (ie: the temple) for documentation. Well at any rate, here is a picture of us waiting our turn to go inside the temple. So Seth and Lyza this is what you looked like the day mom forgot to take a picture of you outside the Draper Temple.

I am so glad we got to go inside and show Lyza the Temple. She has always wanted to see "where mommy and daddy got married." so this was a great opportunity.

The best line of the day from our entertaining toddler was when we entered the Celestial Room. She of course loved the huge chandelier that hung 3 stories from the ceiling. As we pointed this room out to her, she said in her not so "reverent" voice: "Hey, this is the room that Belle and the Beast danced when Belle was in her beautiful yellow gown." "Well, kind of ?" we replied.

It was such a fun day and completely worth the time. Oh, and after waiting 2 hours to actually get through the temple, the cookies and water never tasted so GOOD!

my day of origin

Yesterday was the day I came into this world some thirty-one years ago.

I often wonder what the world was like on the day I was born. Was life simpler? Not as many cell phones and gadgets and such that kept us from just enjoying a delightful conversation with a friend outside on our back porch? Did my mother feel the same way about me when I was born as I have about my children? Was she overwhelmed with the idea that she was in charge of this human soul? Did she wonder, like I do about my own little ones, what will she make of herself?

I wonder if life was simpler then?

But here we are decades later, celebrating yet another day of my origin...and what a fun celebration it was.

My husband put together a small gathering of family to celebrate with us. We ate food, talked awhile, and yes we ate cake!!



Here are some random pictures of our gathering. Again, I didn't remember until the party was almost over to start taking some snap shots.



And now for the cakes! To say these cakes were fantastic would be a grave understatement. I happen to live in a neighborhood of very talented people. We have doctors, businessmen, and oh yeah...we have our own baker! No seriously she is a baker. And she definitely has the right day job. Visit here to read all about her!



Oh and did I mention that I love this woman...and that I miss the North Carolina woman and love her too. They are my best friends!!



Oh and did I mention I REALLY love this one??? Because I do!

So as "my day" concludes, I always wonder if the infant that came into the world 31 one years ago would be proud of the life I have lived. I am sure there is much she would be proud of and much she would think, "we could have done better." To that little baby I say...we will keep trying.

To everyone else...thanks for the Birthday! I loved it.