A co-worker of mine came to work the other day wearing these sandals. Oh my, I fell in love instantly. I love, love, love shoes. Shoes are the one thing I can buy if I'm feeling a little fat or a little ugly. And then, viola, things are good again!
Anyhow, I was seriously tempted. My old self would already have bought them. They'd be on my feet as we speak. But, we've been working hard on our finances and we've been trying this new thing. It's called living within your means. Anyway, I've been dreaming about those sandals. Because, seriously, aren't they adorable?

On a separate note, I got my hair cut yesterday. What a disaster. I told her "I want the length just a little below my chin." She must have heard, "...just a little below my ears..." And boy howdy, is it short. Thank heaven that hair grows. Hideous is just NOT a good look on me. I'll post pictures soon.

When I was in elementary school, I was selected to work with the special education department as a "peer mentor." I loved every minute I spent in that program. I decided that I would love it if Heavenly Father blessed me with disabled children. I felt so strongly that they deserved parents who would care for them, and I knew that I would love soaking up the spirit that these children have.
Fast-forward to today. Nate is having a playdate with a friend from the YMCA. He's eight, and has Asberger's Syndrome, so they have a pretty similar ability level. They are great buddies, and I love that Nate has not even noticed that this friend is a little different from other kids. Nate enjoys spending time with him, and it made me remember the time when I'd wished for disabled children.

But now I know there is no way I could handle it.

We were in the car for about ten minutes before I had the urge to make them both get out. On the highway. And it wasn't just this friend, it was both of them. Making up songs in the back seat, which involved one of them singing loudly, and the other "giving it a beat."

I think raising a disabled child would require a level of patience and discipline that I don't have.

Today, I thanked my Father in Heaven for my children. I thanked Him for their minds, their healthy bodies, their social nature. I am truly blessed.

Ummm...a little late.

So here is a record of our Fourth of July, for posterity sake. :) We had a great day--had breakfast with our ward, soaked up some rays, enjoyed the local Festival, saw Wall-E, set off some fireworks (miraculously without setting anything on fire), had a great BBQ dinner, and enjoyed spending it with Thomas (my brother). The only downer of the day was when I burned my leg something fierce on our still-smoldering charcoal grill. Adam says it was likely a third-degree burn. I'm gonna have one heck of a scar, but I'm just glad it was me and not one of the kids. (Although I must admit, I was being such a baby that night, but it REALLY hurt! I just can't imagine what it feels like to have a large burn!)
Anyway, we were so glad to celebrate such a wonderful, meaningful holiday. I was grateful to be back in the USA this year and was able to reflect on how important this country is to me.

"Independence Day"

Nine-month-old Aidan decided to celebrate the Fourth of July with a little Independence Day independence. (He's crawling.)

Life as we know it is over. He's already managed to get into lots of trouble!

Mom--the video is for you!

"This Is The Best Day EVER!"

Nate and Tom at Sonic...just before they got brain freeze from Sonic Slushies.

This is Nate's favorite thing to say. He pretty much tells me every day that it is "the best day ever." Well, any day that involves friends, McDonald's, or swimming at Lifetime Fitness. But I absolutely love that he gets so excited about his life! He's pretty easy to please!
He has had a string of Best Day Evers because this weekend was jam-packed with awesomeness. His uncle Thomas (my brother) is in town for two whole weeks! (yay!) Nate has enjoyed having another big guy around. Tom is 19 and anxiously awaiting his mission call. (A mission call is an announcement of where he'll serve a mission for our church for the next two years. It's an assignment from the presidency of the Church.) We're hoping that the mission call will come in the mail on Monday and my parents will read it to him over the phone!
They've been busy playing MarioKart, lighting fireworks, jumping on the bed, eating S'mores, and such things.
Nate wishes his uncle Tom lived closer to us. So do I! But we'll enjoy him while he's here! (And make sure he gets his fill of Texas BBQ and Mexican Food before we send him back to bland Ohio!!!)

Our Summer So Far

Snacks in the tent bed, watching movies

Swimming in the backyard with friends!

Eating yummy foods!

Aidan's first bath in the big bathtub--LOVED splashing in the water!

Birthday Parties Galore!!

We're lovin' summer over here! We got passes for our local pool and are so excited to spend the summer playing in the Texas sun!
We're also looking forward to our vacation to Utah next month!

Dear Adam,

Father's Day 2008

Well, so here we are, the parents of two boys. Love you, honey. You're a great husband and a fantastic father. Let's have more kids...we sure do make 'em cute, baby.

And to celebrate your 5th Father's Day, I've compiled a bunch of photos that make me smile, make me laugh, or make me glad you're my "baby daddy."

Happy Father's Day!

Every boy needs more than a father...he needs a Dad.
Millcreek Canyon, Utah Oct 2006

Fresh From Heaven!
Aidan and Daddy, Oct 2007

Hay Ride at the Farmstead, Kansas City style
April 2006

Handsome!
May 2005

Nate and Daddy
Millcreek Canyon, Oct 2006

Before you were a daddy, you were my fiancee!
Calgary, May 2001

Teaching all things important!
Canoe Men
Colorado, July 2006

What a stud!
Utah Lake, July 2001

Nate and Daddy
Canadian Rockies, Summer 2007

At Mt. Rushmore....chilly!
December 2006

Daddy and Sweet Baby Aidan
December 2007

The Guys at Grandma's
October 2007

This picture has nothing to do with being a father, but it cracks me up every time!
"Blue Steel"
August 2006

Dallas Arboretum
April 2008

Nate and Daddy
Kansas CitySafe in Daddy's Arms!
Daddy and Aidan, Spring 2008

A Whip and A Loaf of Bread

What do the two things in my post's title have in common?

They were both Father's Day gifts that my husband received this year.

The whip...well, it was what Nate picked out. He saw that Indiana Jones whip that made a cracking sound and played the Indy theme song, and he just had to have it. When Mom told him that it was not to be his, he got creative and decided to give it to Dad for Father's Day. That way they could share it.

The Loaf of Bread...Adam has been begging me to make him homemade bread. Shockingly (especially to those of you that know my family owned a bakery when I was in high school), I never have made bread for him. The closest I've come is Pilsbury Crescent Rolls. This all seems so silly as I write it down, because really, bread isn't that difficult. I've just always had some excuse...my kitchen is too small, I have no bread pans, yadda, yadda. But Adam had thought of it as such a big deal that I decided I needed (kneaded? haha) to save it for a special occasion. Since I didn't have any other ideas, I made it for Father's Day! He was over the moon about it, and although it was an ugly loaf, it tasted really good! I'll post a picture, but I do so reluctantly. It is seriously an ugly loaf.

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

My Dad, during his 50th Birthday Party, December 2007

Sweetly Reading to Niece/Nephew at a Family Party

My Mom and Dad, December 2007
Dad with Baby Eli, July 2006

I just love my Dad. What a great man he is!



The past few years, I've really begun to understand all he's done for me, and all he continues to do. I'm so blessed to have a wonderful father!


And I'm so thankful that he is such a special Grandpa to my boys.

Dad and Nate on our cruise, October 2006
Reading stories, Spring 2006

Superhero Grandpa, Dec 2005

Making Grandpa's Famous Cookies! Spring 2006

Thanks, Dad, for all you are and for all you do! Happy Father's Day!

To The Fathers In Our Lives

Thank you all for your selfless service on our behalf.
We're so happy that you're all a part of our eternal family!
We're thinking of you on this Father's Day!

We wanted to say a little about each of these amazing men.
Unfortunately, these little blurbs do not do them justice, but I'll try anyway.


Adam's Father, Terry:
Adam's father is generous and works very hard for his family. He is, and always has been, very devoted to his wife and children. He is quick to laugh and it's earned him the nickname "Big Ter." Adam's dad is a remarkable businessman and has his own very successful business in Calgary.


Adam's (Maternal) Grandfather, Gerald Melchin:

Grandpa Melchin is such a sweet man. I love the spirit that he carries with him. There is a warmth and a kindness that he radiates. Grandpa Melchin served in the first quorum of the Seventy, and has served as a mission president and a temple president.

My (Paternal) Grandfather, Boyd Busath:

I love my Grandpa Busath! He is quick to laugh and to say something kind to you. His easy-going manner instantly lets you know that you are with someone you can trust, someone to whom you mean the world. He always seems to have all the time in the world to hear about his grandkids and what is important to them. He is dedicated, too--just look at him BBQ-ing in the hailstorm! (The family dinner must go on!) My Grandpa Busath served in the US Navy, and was stationed in Japan when my father was born. He worked as a CPA and is super smart (I wish that had been passed on to me!!)

My (Maternal) Grandfather, Kenneth Burnett:

I love my Grandpa Burnett. He is refined, classy, and such a remarkable man. He has such an eye for design, and his home is always impeccable. I love his laugh and his sweet manner. He was the youngest member ever (at age 13) of the Utah Symphony!

And my step-grandfather, Walter Arabasz:

Walter joined our family several years ago when he married my Grams. He is such a gentle person. He is wise and kind, and I enjoy conversations with him because he always knows just what advice to give (and what advice to leave unsaid!) He works for the University of Utah in the seismology department, and is warning Utah about the impending earthquakes that are due in the valley. Perhaps some of you Utah-ites have seen him on the news!

Happy Father's Day to you all!

And The Winner Is...

Congrats to the winners of my Comment Contest...

Becca
Laurel
Lisa

That's right...the three of you that played, won!

And to the rest of you...pitiful. I think I'll do another one when it's not the first week of summer vacation. And I'd better see more comments next time! Seriously.

The winners get a special treat in the mail. I'll post what it is after you receive them (don't wanna ruin the surprise!)

Comment Contest!

Okay, so a great friend of mine, Megan, hosted a comment contest on her blog and I won! I'm pretty sure it's the first thing I've won since the costume contest (circa Halloween 1993).
Anyhooo....I'm adjusting it a little, to make it even more fun.

The rules/objectives are thus:
-You post a comment on this post
*Include your name
*Tell me something that will make me laugh out loud, or that will make me smile. Topics could include how we met, a shared memory, a time I made a fool of myself, or, if you don't know me very well, you could tell a joke. :)
-In one week, I'll put all the names in the hat and randomly draw a winner (or two or three, depending on my mood...haha).
-The winner will receive a surprise in the mail, perfectly tailored to them. It could be homemade, store-bought, something to eat, something to wear, or something completely useless. But it will be personal.

This is open to all readers--whether you have a blog or not. You can post a comment as an anonymous person (but you won't win if you don't include your name!!!)

Good Luck!!

Just a few random things....

We had a FABULOUS Memorial Day celebration on Monday. In the morning, we went for a few hours to our local water park. It was really fun to take Nate on the water slides, and he was so brave! I was expecting him to really freak out, but he kept wanting to go again and again. Plus...after he and I (and Aidan) went twice together, he was brave enough to go by himself! I was one proud momma. (Oh--we're talking about the "mini" water slides, made for little kids. But still...it's a miracle he went by himself!)

My friend Rhonda posted about the great relationship her kids have. I've been thinking about the same thing around our house lately. My boys get along so well. Aidan lights up whenever Nate is around, and he loves to be with his older brother. Likewise, Nate is such a fantastic big bro. He takes good care of Aidan, and lately he's been including him when he plays. It melts my heart. I loved walking in today and finding this:

The boys are camping out together. Nate made sure Aidan had some toys to play with!

I just can't get enough of this sweet face.

This cracks me up. We set up this mirror for him to play with and he's giving kisses.
I'm lucky enough to get a few myself. It's the best part of my day!


OK--this hasn't been super exciting, but at least our families can see what we've been up to this week. Miss you all! Love you!