For journeling purposes

Josh took his first CPA exam last Saturday. We won't know the results for 6 weeks. He feels like he did well. It was down in Casa Grande because no seats were available up here. So we made a day trip out of it and there was nothing for me to do with the kiddies so I decided to brave myself and take them to a movie. YEP, an ALMOST 2 year old and an ALMOST 11 month old and I went to the movies and saw "SHEK" aka "Shrek". Lilly kept yelling Shek through the whole movie. It was cute. Tate fell asleep at the beginning, after many silent prayers for OK behavior. Suprisingly they actually did pretty good. Tate woke up half way through, and I only went to pack up to leave once, but we ended up staying. Pretty sure I wouldn't make this a frequent outing. Lilly got a little scared when the lights went out, but she sat in a big girl seat, had her very own bag of popcorn and a drink, and was in heaven. I just love her. AND, I'm pretty proud of myself. Cheers!

Gila pronounced "Hee-la" Valley Temple

If you are LDS and live in AZ you probably know this beautiful temple will be dedicated to the Lord this Sunday, May 23rd. I feel so blessed to have attended another open house to one of these beautiful buildings. They truly are exquisite sanctuaries where one may feel peace and holiness. As I walked through this remarkable building I was once again reminded of the special feeling I feel when something is good. I was overwhelmed with love and peace and assurance that there is a God. He is aware this building has been built for the work of our ancestors to be done. He knows it is important, as do I. Though few may see its exceptional beauty inside, I hope I always remember how important it is for me to attend often. I was overwhelmed with love and admiration for the righteous and dedicated saints of the Gila Valley and surrounding areas in making it possible for this Holy House to be built. I am blessed to be a descendent of such strong, amazing people. My grandma Lilly and grandpa Ned are buried in Pima. I enjoyed paying tribute to their lives and visiting their grave. I love and miss them tremendously.
Those of us who were able to attend, am I really that much shorter than my mom? wowzer.

Doesn't it look so pretty against the Graham mountains? You'd think so if you are from here, mountains are a rareity!

Beautiful day and delicious mexican food, can't beat that!

My first Triatholon

May 8th marks the date of my first Sprint Triatholon. We swam 750 meters, biked 13.5 miles, and ran 3.2 miles. It was challenging-- but totally worth it! I decided back in January that I wanted to train for it. From January til April our family was sick 4 times, had bronchitis 2x, made 2 trips to the ER, both kids had double ear infections - TWICE, and I fell and hit my shoulder. I really didn't think I was going to be able to do it! I didn't get to train the way I wanted to, but I worked hard, and I really gave my best on race day. I feel so great that I was able to do it, and as I have heard from others, triatholons are addicting, and I am excited for my next one. (Hopefully it will be in a pool, instead of the nasty lake).

This was the transition area

Me getting marked, my number was 221
Sara and I, the girl who got me to do it!

A couple other friends that I found out were doing it, Amber and Marianne

They wrote our ages on our calves, which turned out to be a bad thing for me because I got to see how many people were older than me zipping by. I'm not in that great of shape I guess!

My family came to support me!

My sweet hubs

Adjusting to the water temp

I finished! My time was 2 hrs. 7 min. I wasn't really going for a time so I have no idea if that is even good, but I didn't care, my goal was to make it.

Special Thanks to my sister and sister in law for getting up super early on a Saturday morning to help me out with my kids! you guys are the best!

Thirty, Flirty, and Thriving!!!

My most amazing husband threw me a "suprise" birthday party on April 24th. Suprise in that I complained all week about how this was my 30th and it wasn't going to be a big deal and yada yada yada. So come Friday I decided to plan my own birthday since it didn't seem like he was because he has been so busy with work and school. (Which is no excuse) ( And yes, he started the Becker's program to take his CPA exam). So I started coming up with my own ideas and everything I said he told me didn't sound fun. I was apalled, afterall it is MY birthday. So he was coerced into telling me he had planned a "family bbq". Sounded fun to me. But what I didn't know (after swimming ALL DAY with my kids, and looking just lovely) people started showing up in my backyard. And yes, I was in my swim suit. I started to panic a little, but oh well. It was SO much fun and I love my brothers (including in-laws) and sisters who helped plan this party for me! It was such a special birthday! I love you so much Josh! Thank you!!!!!

About a month before I told him I wanted to throw myself a "thirty, flirty, and thriving" party

I wanted to end the night watching that movie... but I was pooped!

My handsome little man
My sassy little daughter, in her "teeny weeny, yellow polka dot bikini"

Steph planned a couple games, this was the egg toss. I lost, with the egg breaking all over my shoulder and hair... hey, atleast the egg is good for the hair!

Joel, Candice, Steph

Marie and Sara

Me and Jamie

Me and Kel

Jamie and Johnny
THE WINNERS OF THE EGG TOSS

Me and Katie and Tate

Me, my bro Dale, my sis Steph

Me and Shanda

My lovely face while everyone was singing to me, it was rather embarrassing

Me and my hot lover! Thanks so much babe! I love you!

P.S. Yes, that is remnants of my nasty bruise on my shoulder from Josh beating me the week before. JUST KIDDING! I had a little fall, with a nasty bruise.

LILLY JUNE meets lily june

Some of our dear friends just had a baby girl and named her Lily June...

Here the big one meets the little one for the first time.