(A- man- duh)

It is my darling friend Amanda's 31st birthday today, HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMANDA!!!
Amanda, I am truly thankful for our friendship. I have learned so much from you, and I appreciate your generosity with your time and talents. You make the Midwest a little more bearable, and I mean that as a huge compliment!
I hope you have a wonderful birthday, love you, mean it.......

Girl interrupted...

The last couple of weeks have been a little "Crazy" for me, or actually I've felt as though I was going a little crazy, either way I hate to feel that way!
Let me go back for a sec...For the last three years, we have lived in a place (Chicago) that under different circumstances would be a really cool place to live, but because we are separated from both of our families, including two of our children for 10 months out of a year, it has handicapped me. What do I mean by handicapped, well I feel like I am never all the way right??? There's always something missing, nothing ever feels like I think it should? I don't see all of the really good things around me, but I surely never miss any of the bad! I have created an existence for myself that I can barely function day to day. It's weird and it sucks! Look, I take full responsibility for my feelings. I don't usually put blame on anyone or anything for "making" me feel a certain way- but for some reason I can not shake this and I feel as though it's consuming me...

I am constantly feeling sorry for myself, and I constantly complain about my situation. It's draining the life out of me and I'm sure my friends and family feel the same way every time I talk to any of them! Seriously, I can't believe people still answer their phones when I call.

Okay, so back to the "crazy" part of this post, the summer is over and with that came the return (to Utah) of two of our kids. Just try to imagine for a moment saying goodbye to two of your kids for 10 months.....................inconceivable, I know... I am also slammed in the face with perspective of what I have just written. I am truly thankful that I am allowed any time at all on this Earth with my kids...

I am heavy with thought and desperately seeking answers that I will probably not find. Or maybe I'm too focused on things I don't need to "focus" on! What ever it may be, I want to say thank you to all of the people who love me, especially to my Husband, who I'm sure feels a little "crazy" himself. I also want to thank my friend Chelsea for always finding the "good" in my life, and for making sure I see it! And I do, I see it- and I am so thankful for friends like her, that love you- good or bad, "crazy" or not so "crazy" And I also want to say to my darling Mom and Dad, don't you worry about all of the things I've just written, I just needed to see it on paper, so to speak, so that I could take a hold of it all, and begin making changes...

And for the pic of my son at the beginning of this rant, it just makes me happy- and I need all the happy I can get!

Papa referred to it as the "LAST" supper...

Some spread huh? How yummy do all of these treats look! That's what we thought, but don't get too ahead of yourself- all of these delicious looking cookies are for your DOGS!!!
Last night we went to dinner with Papa. We got there a little early so we decided to go into a few of the specialty boutiques around the restaurant. This particular store was called "A wet nose" it was so darling! We could have spent thousands on the cutest things you have ever seen for your beloved dog! But because of lack of "dough" the green kind, we only purchased a couple treats off of these platters. Poor Kain...

Anyway, we decided to go to a different restaurant last night. Instead of Benihannas,we went to P.F. Changs- not much of a stretch there, same kind of food, different place. But it was so good! Plus being able to see Papa again was wonderful! Especially for Avery. We don't really know what got into him last night but he was definitely in rare form! He was a maniac at dinner! Climbing on the table, making monster and dinosaur noises. Waving three sets of chopsticks around, almost poking Papa's eyes out! And then to top the night off, he spilled Papa's coke all over him and his phone!!! Yes, it was truly a pleasure to see Papa last night, I'm positive he felt the same way! Thanks again Papa, hurry back...

Our Hearts are at Home...

Last week, we flew to Utah to meet our newest little nephew ~Mavryk Blu~ He is pictured above in his Mommy's tummy, along with his Daddy and big brother Jett. Baby "Mav" was born August 1, 2007..........He courageously battled a kidney disease that would end his little life on this earth. We are so grateful to have been able to meet Mavryk, to hold him and love him. To kiss his little face, and feel is soft little peach fuzz shoulders. Kan and Ty- thank you for allowing us that time with your little angel... We love you all.

It was a very fast week for us, it always is when we go home. We had so many things to do while we were there and we didn't finish half of them! But even with that said, it was so good to be home! I tried to post just a few of the pictures from the weeks events...

I always take a million pictures of Jett and Avery when we have them together. They only get to see each other a couple times a year, so it's very important to me.

My Dad celebrated his 80th Birthday!!!! Yikes! If you notice the cake reads "90th" birthday? No it wasn't a mistake, he wanted it to say that. Why? Well, My Dad's Dr. told him he wouldn't live to see his "90th" birthday, so he decided to prove him wrong and celebrate it anyway!

Very funny Dad, very funny! I love it, but I want to be there for your REAL 90th! I hope it was a great birthday Dad! I was so happy to be there to help celebrate with you! I miss you terribly!!!

This picture is of my niece Nikki and me. For some reason we hardly ever take pictures together? So from now on, we will take pics every time we see each other! I miss you too Nik... Not that you'll ever see this, because for some reason you don't read my blog???? How rude!

Trista (niece) Me, Steph (future sis in law) Colby (yellow shirt, favorite sis) Cara (back row, another favorite sis) Nikki ( niece, best friend, worst blog follower)

Jett and Avery, ready for the movie to start! Troy and I hadn't seen a movie in a theatre for THREE YEARS! So it was a real treat to see "Underdog" in the theatre! It was also Avery's first movie in a theatre... Yeah, we need to get out more!

Of course we went to our very favorite restaurant PAGODA, twice!!! Thanks Nana and Papa! I also want to make mention of Troy's brother Ty's girlfriend, that we met for the first time on this trip. Her name is...................MEGAN!!!! Can you believe it? We have the same name. Why do I think this is a big deal? Because if they get married, she TOO will be MEGAN DOEZIE! So we call her "number two." Anyway, we really love her, and welcome her with arms wide open! Even if it means sharing my name!

Awwwwww...

The fam outside of Pagoda...

The Corvette! My son Avery is almost three years old. He is yet to be potty trained, and still drinks milk like it's going out of style. But he can spot and name every Corvette, Mustang, Jeep, Hummer, Mini Cooper, and Harley he sees on the road. Whether driving or parked, he yells out the car or bikes name!

So you can imagine the tremendous joy he must have felt, when Papa pulled out the Corvette so that he could take a ride! He was elated!!! Troy said the entire time they were driving he would say "Go faster Daddy!"

These are pictures of a very "dry" Little Cottonwood Creek. This is actually Nana and Papa's back yard. They were down there bringing up very heavy rocks, for a very special reason that I can not disclose at this time.

"Stick-um-up"

We went to a children's museum at the Gateway Mall that was just as much fun for Nana, as it was for the kids...

The future in News broadcasting...

We had the pleasure of dropping by our friends Chelsea and Mike's house. We met them here in Chicago, but they now live in Utah. It was so great to see them, and have a chance to talk and laugh, and laugh, and laugh... I love you Chels, I miss laughing with you...

Here I am, pictured forever on the wall of shame, I mean "Fame"

Whenever were in Utah, we try to make it up to LaCaille
The girls love to sip on virgin daiquiris and eat chocolate dipped strawberries and eclairs!

Avery, however prefers to drink straight from the gun! That's my boy!!!

Michelle, Me, and Shannon- pictured here in the bar. A very busy place at LaCaille. The only thing missing was my friend Tami. We worked together every night, sharing our tables and tips... They use to call us the "Twin Towers" because we were both so tall (not FAT) and people thought that we were really twins! Anyway, after 9-11, no-one really called us that anymore...

After this pic was taken, we took Jay and Hallie home. It was as horrible as ever to say good-bye to them. We can hardly wait for the day that we again live in Utah. Our hearts ache everyday, to be close to our families!

We can't thank you all enough for all that you do for us! We love you always and forever...