Happy Birthday Kesley... a little late!

Just a quick and overdue update... My oldest baby turned 15 on Sunday. I am just in shock she is so grown up. Kesley, I love you so very much and I am so proud of what a beautiful young woman you have become. You are so much fun to be with and I love just hanging out with you talking and laughing. You are one of my very best friends. I hope you know that I am always here for you and even though things are rough right now, I will always do my best to do what is right for you.


We had a nice dinner at Bill & Bonita's Sunday evening and spent time with the family. Kind of low key, but Kesley seemed fine with that. She and I are going out to dinner this next weekend with her best friend who also turned 15 this weekend.


Some birthday pictures...

FYI

My posts may be few and far between for awhile. I'm going through a rough time and don't think I can keep up with this blog right now, but don't worry - I will be ok. I just need to take some time and figure some things out. Love to you all. Rachel

Friday FIVE

1. Children's Tylenol & Cold - 2 of my kids have colds, which mean all 4 will soon have colds, which means Scott and I will also have colds soon. This medicine stops runny noses & helps them sleep. 2 very good things.

2. Texting - Kesley reminded me I need to pick her up today (yeah, I had forgotten!) and I've been texting an old high school friend back & forth all morning. So great to chat with your thumbs.

3. Lean Cuisines - I am trying not to eat as much bread in my diet, so what to make for lunch in place of a sandwich? These are quick and easy and Albertsons has them on sale for $1.88 each this week. My freezer is stocked. Oh, and I love them for "eating at my desk at work lunches" too!

4. Madonna's New CD: Hard Candy - We don't buy CDs anymore (itunes is all you need), but this CD is awesome and I love every song. Yes I have loved Madonna since her early days - her music, not her acting or her books! I guess I am and always will be a material girl at heart.

5. Jergen's Shimmer Lotion - not only is this an awesome moisturizing lotion, but it adds shimmer to your skin. Not like glitter, but very subtle. I love it - beware though, it is hard to find!

7 years ago...

I still get tears in my eyes when they replay the towers being hit. I still hold my breath as they crumble and fall. The hair on my arms stands up when I think of all the people who died in that tragedy and all the families and lives their deaths affected. My heart aches for them. It still seems so surreal - like it was supposed to be a Hollywood movie. My brain still can't quite grasp all that happened that day, even seven years later. My prayers will continue to go out to ALL of those who were affected.

Tagged by Tasha

Sure, I'm game - but I don't have much time, so I'm using very short answers..


20 years ago.....

1. I was a sophmore at Bountiful High.
2. I was 15 (almost the same age as my oldest child!)
3. Scott and I hung out a lot - he was always one of my best friends.
4. I was totally addicted to Depeche Mode and INXS.

10 years ago.....

1. I had been married for 3 years.
2. I was in between jobs and loved being home with Kesley, almost 5.
3. We had barely begun the infertility/adoption rollar coaster.
4. We went on a fabulous vacation to Disneyland with my parents and brother.

5 years ago....

1. I was mom to Dallin (3) and Kelsey (almost 10).
2. We lived in Woods Cross, UT
3. I paid off all my student loans (woo-hoo!).
4. Scott and I went to Boston/Cape Cod - just us!

3 years ago....

1. Hallie was a baby and we were just enjoying her in our family.
2. Dallin started Kindergarten and Kes was in 6th grade.
3. Scott quit the Highway Patrol.
4. We sold our trailor. :(

1 year ago...

1. Audrey had joined our family and I was glad to be done with pregnancy/nursing for good!
2. We had been in our new home for 4 months.
3. My work schedule changed and I now job share.
4. Must have been boring - I can't think of anything else!

This Year....

1. I have completed several big projects and am getting ready to start another.
2. My mom moved in with us - so far, so good!
3. My work schedule changed again and I work 2 days a week (5 off in a row isn't half bad).
4. Scott and I have been married 13 years.

Yesterday...

1. I worked 10 hours.
2. We tried to have FHE - the little ones have very small attention spans.
3. The girls and I made cookies.
4. I ate too many cookies and too much dough.

Today...

1. I am again working (shhh... don't tell, I am taking a much needed break!)
2. Kesley is home "sick". Third absense since school started. (((help)))
3. I have headache from drinking too much diet dr pepper yesterday.
4. I hope my mom makes dinner so I don't have to.

Tomorrow....

1. I need to do laundry!
2. I am taking my girls on a walk if it isn't raining.
3. I really need to work in my yard.
4. I don't have to work!!! :)

Next Year....

1. We hope Scott has a different job.
2. My mom will have a new house (and I get my basement back).
3. Hallie starts pre-school.
4. I hope I've lost 10 pounds!

This really made me think! I tag Shelly, Kate and Elizabeth (only if you want to).

It's the small things

Raising a teenager is hard. It can be SO frustrating and can seem like there is so much you give and then you receive very little in return. So I am trying to really appreciate the little things. Kesley got paid today and like any almost 15 year old girl she wanted to raid the mall. I served as chauffer for her and her friend - no big deal. Today I am totally wiped out though and she noticed that I had spent most of the day cleaning and was exhausted. She suggested we stop by 7-11 and she bought me a Diet Coke BIG GULP. Never has a drink been more appreciated and meant so much. I savored every swallow and was able to drive to the mall and back without falling asleep and killing myself. Thank you, Kesley!

Friday FIVE

Five things I love about September...

1. Fresh fruit and vegetable stands. Last night we had fresh corn on the cob, fresh baby red potatoes and fresh peaches. SOOOO GOOD!!!


2. Back to school. The kids got so bored by the end of August. I like the routine of school and homework and bedtimes (not that we are all that great at keeping them, but we strive!)


3. Cooler nights and crisp mornings. We've needed jackets each morning and Dallin doesn't want to wear shorts to school since he rides his bike. I L-O-V-E opening the windows and letting cool fresh air in my house.


4. Darker earlier. Summer is hard since it stays light so much longer - the little girls can't settle down for sleep. Right now it's dark at 8:30 p.m. - the perfect bedtime for them!


5. Leaves changing color. Since we've already had some light snow in the northern Utah mountain tops, the leaves changing color is right around the corner. I love living right by the Wastach mountains and watching for the first signs of red and yellow leaves. We always go for scenic drives to see the beautiful fall leaves.

State Fair

I'm not a huge fan of the fair, but since today was opening day, admission was only $2 and kids 5 and under were free. So my mom and I took Hallie and Audrey to see the animals and eat lunch. I actually had way more fun than I thought I would. We wandered around looking at all the cheap crap they have for sale and mingling with the awesome array of freakishly strange people that usually hang out at fairs. The highlight for the girls was riding the miniature horses. Hallie was beyond excited and Audrey being the dare devil child she is got right on and LOVED it. I honestly don't think the fair is worth it to pay full price, but for $4 to admit us all and $5 to park the car - it was TOTALLY worth it!!!

Lake Powell

We were so lucky to spend the weekend in Lake Powell with our good friends, Eric and Holli Jones and their four kids. Some of the pictures we took...

Malibu ski boat and the houseboat

Dallin, Scott & Audrey on the watercraft

Hallie, Audrey, me & Scott

Scott wake-boarding

Kesley & Tazia jumping off the houseboat

Me enjoying the boat ride

Sawyer, Camrynn & Hallie

Jace, Dallin, Jenna

Holli and I

Eric & Sawyer

Kesley & Tazia

Swimming

We're Back!

Actually we got back late Monday night - really late, it was almost Tuesday morning. Lake Powell was great. We had some bad weather on Sunday, but the water temp was 81 degrees and the houseboat was beautiful. We were down in Wahweap by Page, Arizona. It was a very relaxing trip and we wish we were still there! No pictures yet - our camera batteries died and we took a ton of pictures with our friend's camera, but are waiting for them to email them to us. Hopefully sometime this week!