Oh dear am I behind!

I know, I know. I have been THE WORST blogger EVER lately! Actually, not true. There are plenty of you out there not doing so well with regular posts either!
But I just wanted to say: new posts coming soon!!! I promise. (I think).

Today has been one year...

...since we moved to Utah. One long year. I mean that in a good way. It's just that most people think we have been here longer when I tell them that. And a lot has happened in that one year. Our girls are one year bigger and older. So are we (older, not bigger:)). Travis has had a job he loves-- the biggest blessing. We bought a home. Just to name a few; It's been a busy year.

One year exactly.

I consider August 16, 2008 to have been a big deal for us. Compared to something else that happened on that day, it's nothing. On that same day, something very heartbreaking happened to another family. Heartbreaking, but it has a happy ending (not that their story is over, it's just that it is a story full of hope, that could have ended much worse). If you have never heard of the NieNie Dialogues, you are missing out. Stephanie Nielson is my hero. I don't know her, I simply blog-stalk her. (I mean this in the most innocent, non-creepy way, I promise. It's therapeutic to read other people's blogs. So many wonderful, funny, uplifting stories to read!) I came upon her blog because my sister-in-law posted about her back around Mother's Day, I think. And I had seen the "I read Nie Nie" button before. But it wasn't until more recently that I visited her blog. And then I got hooked on Nie's sister CJane's blog, too. Love my daily dose of these ladies! Gotta have it!! (And their blogs have lead me to many others. But they are the two I follow religiously.) Anyway, we moved to Utah last summer and got our TV hooked up and news of Stephanie and her husband's airplane crash was on the news. I remember hearing about it several times. And I will never forget it. I remember seeing their family photos on the news. What a cute family going through such a life-changing, awful trial. And now I like to follow her and her family's adventures of getting back to what is normal daily life for them. She is such a strong woman. There are no words to describe how I admire her. How my heart breaks for the struggles she has had to overcome. She is a young mom of four. And since coming upon her blog, I have gone back years, reading her posts since she first began blogging. I have spent HOURS reading them. If you come to my house, you can tell...I need a cleaning lady! Anyway, I just wanted to celebrate our being in Utah a year, but more importantly, I am privately celebrating Stephanie's surviving and overcoming. I know she still has a ways to go, but she has come so far. I am thankful for the lessons I can learn from her. To not take any day, moment, -anything for granted. To find pleasure in the simple things. When I am having a bad day, I know it's nothing to what many people have had to go through. I am truly blessed. I have no right to complain (this does not mean, however, that I won't complain. I am human. And I am a woman. And I think that gives me some right. Okay, maybe that doesn't seem valid, but c'mon? It's just human nature.) Nie Nie's life is a beautiful love story full of triumph and hope. She has touched thousands (probably more that that!) of lives. And I am but one person in that huge following, but I am so grateful for her and the strength and example she is. I think she was an incredible woman before her accident, but she is even more inspiring having gone through the nightmare she did. She has incredible family who has done so much for her. I wonder if I could have done what they have? Had I been in their shoes. I mean, sometimes you have no choice but to live, and do what needs to be done, but what struggles!! I just can't imagine. But I am grateful for the lessons that can be learned from this tragic event and for the things they (Nie and CJane) teach everyday about being moms, women, etc. Today's relief society lesson was about "Relief Society: Divine Organization of Women" How fitting that this is an anniversary for me, an anniversary for Nie, and the wonderful blessing she is in so many lives! And more importantly, the blessing that I might be able to be in some one's life. You never know who you will touch or who you can help or uplift. I hope I can do the same for others :)

Per Skyler's Request...

Videos! Nothing that great....but Uncle Skyler wanted some. Boring for most people. But not when you love these little girls. Riley is a spaz when I get the camera out. I am not sure if she thinks it is awesome or what...but I would call it annoying. hehe....

And when I referred to Baa Baa Black Sheep as "Beautiful" what I meant was...."where are my ear plugs? haha. Oh well. Sometimes she stays on tune okay :) But when she starts belting it....No WAY! Just trust me when I say she has come a long way. She used to be tone deaf, I swear. Isabelle on the other hand, when she tries...she can sing on tune. Love it :) And obviously we need to work on the words a little bit. It takes time.
I asked the girls to sing "Jesus wants me for a sunbeam" but instead of singing the whole song, they decided this was more fun. Silly girls.

Frustrations!!!

I am frustrated. Bet you couldn't tell by the title of the post or anything, huh? UGH. I am feeling a bit overwhelmed. I don't like to be negative, especially when I am posting for the world, or my family, to see....but hey, a girl can't be perfect all the time. In ten weeks I will be a Licensed Massage Therapist (assuming I pass my national certification exam on September 21st, that is). I am very looking forward to starting this business. The problem is, and I have said it before, you have to have MONEY to make money. I have saved every single tip I have received from massage clients. Every penny. But it only covers 1/2 the cost of my seated on-site chair I want. That's pretty good, really. But it's not good enough. Because I don't want to have to wait to have that chair. It will be helpful in getting clientele. I was doing really, really good at being patient. But then today...I received an email about a volunteer opportunity for massage therapists right here in American Fork. At a brand new chiropractor's office. Tomorrow, they are having some sort of grand opening or something...and they are looking for massage therapists to give seated massage. This doctor is new to Utah and therefore has not made any connections with massage therapists here SOOOO...he is looking for a good therapist to refer his clients to. OH MY GOSH! Talk about an amazing opportunity. This guy will HAND me his clients!! And I have NO CHAIR. I want to cry. I want to participate. I want this doctor to see me work. For him to see how much I love helping people and love the work I do. But no....I have no chair. I am depressed about this. And I am frustrated...because I have no money...to help me make money. I am in no way saying we are struggling. We aren't, Travis makes enough to make our house payments, pay all the bills, take care of the basic needs of our family (AND I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR THAT). But there isn't exactly a lot of money left over after those responsibilities are fulfilled. I guess I just hope that eventually I will have that chair and build clientele on my own one of these days. But can you understand how I would be frustrated???

A quick update...

I know I have been terrible at posting lately... but you would be too if you were in my shoes. This has been my heaviest quarter at school. I am a part time student but I actually have 11.5 credits. That is only a half credit away from being considered full time. So you add that onto my already busy life of wife, mom, housekeeper, cook, etc....well, I think you get the idea. I am not super woman, people, and I can't do it all!! I am having so much trouble keeping house lately especially. And my kids are suffering too. Thank goodness eleven weeks from now I will be a graduated, licensed massage therapist! Yes, that means you have 11 weeks to get a free massage. Trust me, you should be taking advantage of this!!! (if you live close by, of course).
Finals are this week. I have one on Tuesday, one on Wednesday, and one on Thursday. Luckily, I finished up one class last week. I had my Trigger Point final which I was scared out of my mind about but guess what? I breezed through it and maintained that 4.0 somehow. WHEW. I think the finals this week I have remaining should be less stressful than that one since it was the class I least enjoyed this quarter.
Not much is new. The girls are cute as ever and growing everyday. Talking rarely stops. Riley's vocabulary is of course expanding and she forgets nothing. But Isabelle is really impressing too. Speaking full sentences sometimes. I am amazed with them both daily and the things they come up with. I wish I would write down the things they tell me. But I don't and then I forget. Although, the other afternoon we were out running errands when Riley declared, "I'm so hungry, mommy. I want the Olive Garden." Yes. She is my daughter!!! We share a love of Olive Garden. Then again, who doesn't love it there??! Here are a few photos from the month of July. I have been so slacking on photo opportunities lately.
Isabelle wearing Trav's goggles. HAHAHA I love this pic!
Riley actually requested I take a picture of her.
All sprawled out
Izzy snuggling with Aunt Randee
All the other aunts should be jealous... Randee is quickly taking the position of favorite!
Riley wanted in on this photo-op.
Messy Spaghetti face. But she is oh-so-irresistible anyway!

ENOUGH PICTURES, ALREADY MOM!!!!
Riley fell asleep on the couch one afternoon with her feet between the back cushions. Just thought she looked so sweet. She rarely naps anymore. And she gets absolutely lost on our over-sized sofa!

Stuff from a few weeks back...

In June (for Father's Day weekend, to be exact) my dad was in town visiting.
The girls always have so much fun when Grandpa Gary visits!

Another recent happening was Riley getting a nice shiner on her forehead. I didn't hear this happen...so I was surprised to check on the girls playing one afternoon and see a bruise on Riley's forehead. I promise there was no crying...

Anyway, I asked her what happened...but what do you expect an almost 3 year old to say? All I could get out of her was that she "bonked" her head on "the door". So. There you go. She hadn't even realized it left a mark until I showed her in the mirror. Then she got a really concerned look on her face!
The day it happened...

A little harder to see it here...
And a couple days later...

Finally, one picture of Isabelle. She is so sweet! And oh, how she loves her blankie!

Mondays are for posting...

...and putting off all the things you had wanted to get done! I was going to start working out again today. I read an article a couple weeks ago that said you are more likely to stick with a workout/diet plan if you start it on a Monday...well, here is another Monday come and gone. Ok, I know Monday isn't over yet...but if I didn't work out early enough in the day, forget it...it is a lost cause. And although I have procrastinated somewhat, I DID clean our shower, do a couple loads of laundry, and put dinner in the crock pot, so I guess it isn't a total loss....

Now for the posting!

On Thursday evening we left for Southeast Idaho. We spent the night at Aunt Dot and Uncle Rich's house in Shelley. Thanks again for sharing your home with us! The girls loved playing with the dogs and the puppies are absolutely adorable!!!

Then Friday morning we got up and made a few stops in Idaho Falls where Adam and Darcy were shopping for the day. After that we made an essential stop in Rexburg at Craigo's where we had lunch with a friend. Oh my gosh! I miss Craigo's!!! It was delicious!

Friday afternoon we finally made it to our destination: West Yellowstone, MT where Darcy and Adam are spending their second summer working for the Playmill Theater. I was able to see two of Adam's shows. And Travis and the girls joined me for one on Saturday, I went to Friday night's show of "The Secret Garden" by myself. Heavenly. Anyway, Riley did really well and I think maybe we have a budding dancer/singer/actor (no surprise there). Isabelle was still a bit young to appreciate it all. She sat really well for the pre-show entertainment...but not long into the show, she had had enough. Thank you to Darcy for keeping her in the box office with her!
Saturday morning we went into the park...and it was so full of tourists (shocking...busy on a holiday weekend! HA!) that we soon turned around and changed our minds. What a bummer. We went to a Bear and Wolf museum that was pretty awesome though and at least THERE, the girls were able to see some animals!

And now, for a plethora of pics!
One of the bears we saw, enjoying some frozen KoolAid



I couldn't help it, but looking at these wolves all I could think of was NEW MOON coming out this fall!!!!!!!


I LOVE LOVE LOVE these pics of Riley's face!

Family pic!! Awesome massive teddy bear. These pictures were taken Thursday night on our way... I thought for sure Isabelle would go to sleep. WRONG. She didn't go to sleep until probably 11 pm that night at Aunt Dot's house. And that was just the beginning of her horrible off schedule weekend!

Hiding under her blanket!
This is Riley pretending to be asleep! Sweet, funny girl!
This was Saturday in the car after we turned around to leave the park due to the high volume of traffic. Isabelle got in a 10 minute nap. That's it. That was her ONLY nap on Saturday. The rest of the day was absolute torture. For her and us.
Riley and Uncle Adam, whom she adores.

Adam is gonna be such a good dad! Can't wait for that baby in October! YAY for a new cousin!!! And for the first BOY cousin!

Apple juice break!