Blessed Number Six

We must’ve done something right to get you, Baby Annie.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for coming to our family!! You make our little family complete. You are beautiful. And funny. And happy. And sweet. And I adore you so much it makes me ache.

You came quickly. When you decided it was time, then it was time. No time for silly things like remembering to grab my phone or getting an epidural. It was a full moon the night you were born and it is a night I will never, ever, ever forget. We got to the hospital room and nine minutes later…voila! What an entrance!

Every minute since then has been full of joy and gratitude. For you. You will always be very loved and protected if your big brothers and sisters have anything to say about it. You’re pretty lucky to have them.

This year has come and gone too quickly, but not before I could enjoy everything about you. I love your teeth. I love your smile. I love your toes and how they curl up when you’re happy. I love how you reach for me and Dad. I love your belly button. I love your perfectly-shaped head. I love your beautiful eyes. I love feeding you and holding you. I love how you say, “Uh-oh”. I love watching you discover new things like toys and crawling. I love watching you with Daddy.

Happy Birthday Sweet Annie!!

Church Ball

So, I decided to speak up in Elder’s Quorum one Sunday and say I would be the Elder’s Quorum Basketball Coach (and play) for the Senior’s team. We started in December and held a few practices. The games started in January. Our first game we had 14 players show up. As the player/coach I decided not to play and try to give the other 13 guys some playing time. I have a lot of respect for coach’s out there. Long story short, we ended up splitting the quorum up in two teams. I coached one of the teams. Our team ended the season with a 5-2 record and qualified for the regional tournament. We won our first regional game when Zac scored 11 points in the last two minutes (we were down 3). I have shifted from a scoring threat to more of a facilitator/educator/defender on the floor…maybe it had something to do with being the coach. In the end, it was a good experience. I was only thrown out of one game. Not bad for a rookie coach who took an elbow in the face running down the court and decided to retaliate. So, cheers to Church ball. I’m reminded why it’s been 12 years since I played last. It’s hard for that activity to support the family when the games are played at 10:00 and my kids are asleep and Marci waiting up hoping I didn’t embarrass the family much. I learned my elbow skills and knee driving skills from Justin (via Grandpa Nielsen) I learned my clutch skills from Peach, I learned my intimidation skills from Ethan, I learned my strategy skills from Dad, I learned my problem-solving nurturing skills from Mom (used scarcely – full disclosure), And finally, I learned how to have fun and laugh it off from Jake.

Beau's new Easter Garb...Dr. Watson! And the Gang!

Jazz Dancers

Once in a while, we’ll get season tickets to the Jazz games. Because there are so many games, we usually split them with someone, but we can still call ourselves season ticket holders. No matter that our seats are about three rows from the very highest point in the arena, there are other perks. 10% off at concessions, discounts in the store, and sometimes something really cool….

Like a free dance clinic for the girls with the Jazz dancers.

Joe took the boys and did taxes (thank you). I took Koko, Emma, and Camri to the clinic, it was a blast!

Getting ready to dance…

Their cute teachers…

They worked as a complete group at first…

Annie got comfy and took a little nap.

Then split up into age groups. Camri’s group…

That girl has some moves!

Hugging her cute partner.

Emma’s group:

Girl can dance!

Koko’s group:

Cute girls!!

Fuzzy finale, strike a pose!!

The dancers gave them signed pictures and we were on our way.

It was a fun way to start a Saturday!!

Dear Joe,

Today is hard. You might even call it a merde day. The appointment was long this morning, I have carpool, the kids are tired, and Beau is totally on one, he won't stop whining and refuses to fall asleep.
BUT...
I'm trying to focus on the positive, because by golly, there's a bunch of it.

Blessings:
-Koko's darling glasses (at the discounted rate, small miracle!!)
-Dinner's made.
-I exercised today. Hard. And I haven't cheated with food yet.
-Laundry is about halfway clean. Glass half full.
-I filled up the windshield washer fluid in my car. I know it's easy, but I'm still very proud of myself.
-I found my keys in your jacket hanging in the garage. I literally said to Dakota, "I need to find my keys so I can get the mail" as I was walking by your jacket. It occured to me to look in the pocket, and there they were. Tender mercy.
-Your movie came "Dan in Real Life".
-I love you very much.

This is just the beginning. I am working on looking at the positive, even though, let's face it, the negative is way more interesting to talk about. Nonetheless, I'm trying to do better in this area.

I love you.
Marci

Bonne Anniversaire

To my BFF,

My Bestie,

My Darling,

You’re almost as old as me. Almost. But you’re infinitely more wise. You magically turn a gray day into a happy one. The kids adore you, they want to be like you when they grow up. You make everything easier, even when Sacrament meeting is last.

You take care of me and the kids, …and your family, and your friends, and your neighbors, and even strangers. I have very specific examples to prove that I’m right about each of those. But you wouldn’t want me to brag.

Your legs make me drool, in a good way. So do your eyes. Someday I want to be able to go running with you and keep up. Thanks for choosing me.

Eternity is worth fighting for with you by my side.

I love you so much!!

Happy Birthday!!

Do you see what I see?

It looks like Spring to me!!! Hurray!!

I’ll Tell You What…

For my birthday, Joe gave me a gift. An amazing gift. A gift of love. A trip to go see my sister in Kentucky. She’s lived there, oh, ten years or so and I’ve never been. They usually come to Utah, in fact, they are coming later this year. Boy was I glad it was my turn.

Kentucky is awesome!!

I took Annie and I do believe she likes to fly. On the last leg of the trip (between Chicago and Louisville) I sat by a very southern gentleman. He said, with his cute southern accent “Well, that baby girl is just so precious, I’ll tell you what!!” probably 14 times. I’m sure the last 6 or 7 times, it was the alcohol speaking, but still, it was a nice compliment. Flying over the Grand Canyon…

The Bells generously opened their home to me. It was so fun to see Lisa, Scott, Lindsey, Erin, Brayden, and Ethan…they are just cool!!

We got to see the kids play basketball…it was their final games of the season. Ethan and Annie were immediately best friends. Oh, I wanted to sneak this kid home with me. He is so darling!! It was like a big long family dinner that you just wanted to stay and visit and talk and laugh and play. Saturday, we had girls night out. Scott and the kids watched Annie so Lisa and I could go play. After pedicures and sushi (yum!!), we returned to find a very happy Annie hanging out with the fam. Sunday was church and it was fun to see Scott (who’s in the Bishopric) conduct and Lisa teach the Young Women’s Lesson. It was Fast Sunday, and I was lucky enough to hear Lisa, Scott, and Lindsey all bear their testimonies. Lindsey just got her Patriarchal Blessing and it was very cool to hear about her experience.

Monday, Lisa took me to the sights of Lexington. It is such a beautiful city!! Note to self: Come back when the horse races are in full swing. It’s just beautiful there!! Rolling, green hills as far as the eye can see….big, beautiful churches everywhere….even the fences were pretty. As die-hard Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives fans, we had to go eat at Wallace Station. It was featured on the show and the food was heavenly!!

We got one Wally Burger and one Big Brown. Oh, and a cheesecake brownie, but who’s counting? YUM! Then on to Old Kentucky Chocolates. These horses are made out of fiberglass, then sponge-painted with chocolate. That’s hard core! We got some dark chocolate covered potato chips sprinkled with a dash of sea salt. Sorry, no pictures, they didn’t last long…they were THAT good!

It was cool to see so many BYU fans (and nary a Utah fan, just sayin’). Of course, they are loyal to home turf, too… Annie loved every minute of it. Look at my cute sister!! And her cute kids!! And their cute toys :) Thanks Lisa and Scott for making me feel like I was home again. I surely did love Kentucky, I’ll tell you what!!! Love you Bells, can’t wait to see you in June!!