20 years ago. . .
I was 16. Wow what a big year. I got my drivers license (after taking it 2 times). I could finally date yeah! I even got a car for my birthday. I have no idea why I was so blessed to have received a car but I was completely shocked and surprised. I don't even know what kind of car it was (being such the car buff that I am). All I know is that it was a bright yellow car with a stick shift. It was so fun to drive! I kind of think that Chris Smith, my boyfriend at the time taught me how to drive a stick but the timeline doesn't add up unless I got the car when I was 17 which kind of makes sense too. What is sad is that I don't remember my first date. It must have been real memorable. I guess I cheated though because I was allowed to go to Preference before I was sixteen but who did I go with?? I'm hoping my sister Shannon remembers all the details for me. I remember having a fun treasure hunt on my birthday with my friends: Tammy Larson, Matt Grimmer, Treven Fowler, and several others? (maybe Amy Eslick?) Amy, who was my best friend at the time had to move to Tampa, Florida. She left the end of our Sophomore year. I was miserable. After Amy moved, our other friend Kristy Ryan had a personality change and became quite mean to me and made the last two years of high school for me miserable especially since we were on the same cheerleading squad together.
10 years ago. . .
I had been married for almost 7 years. Cortlynd was 4 1/2, and Hunter was 1. We were living in a Town home in Orem. Darren was working with his Dad in concrete, for what seemed like all the time. We had two great couple friends. First Carrie and Thann Illum. We had met them a year and a half before. Carrie had actually taken me to the hospital and been by my side until Darren finally arrived when I was about to deliver Hunter. We loved to hang out with them. We would have them over for dinner or to watch a movie which I and even Darren would sometimes fall asleep to. Our other set of friends were Becky and Steve Dougherty. They had a daughter named Jessica that Cortlynd became best friends with. Cortlynd was taking Jazz/Ballet had been reading for a year or more and was melting every ones heart that she came in contact with. Hunter was his cute self walking and talking with that amazing smile of his. It must have been somewhat uneventful because I don't remember much except trying to be a good mom taking the kids to the library often, to the park, and reading to them lots. I have always felt like life was busy but looking back it seems like that year was a slower year. I wasn't working or going to school which was quite unusual for me. It was the first year that I could just be a mom. Actually I guess I did start Mark Kay, which was a fun outlet for me. Looking back I can't believe I had the guts to start it because I was afraid to call for pizza. (That was the big joke back then) Darren has always been so amazing and allowed me to try new things and aspirations. He has always given me the confidence that I could do anything I put my mind to.
5 years ago. . .
I was pregnant with Gavin (due in 7 weeks) and living at the pool with the kids. -It was the only fun thing I could stand to do in the heat of the summer and still have fun with my kids. Cortlynd was 9, Hunter was 6, and Graham was almost 2. We were living in Highland in the first house that we built, and I mean we did all the work ourselves, or at least 70% of it or more. We had awesome next door neighbors the Compas's who had kids close to ours in age except for Cortlynd. What was great about this pregnancy was that Kandice (my neighbor) was also pregnant at the same time. There must have been something in the water that year because there was 6 of us that were due within a few weeks of each other. Kandice and I within a few days of one another. Several of us would walk together every morning, or should I say waddle. It was quite the sight to see in fact one of our neighbors finally took a picture of us because she saw us every morning from her window. I did everything I could think of except take caster oil, I even tried jogging and jumping on the tramp which only brought me pain and discomfort but no baby. This was the only pregnancy with which we did not end up moving a month before I was due. I was praying every night for a child who was going to be a peacemaker and hoping that I could be a good mother to 4 children since at the time Graham had wanted nothing to do with me. I was heart broken all the time because since he was 16 months old he would wake up every morning crying for his Dad, who of course was already gone for work usually leaving between 4-5am. I would try to pick him up and comfort him but he would scream at me and tell me to go away. I would have to leave him in his crib until he would let me get him. -This among many other things thankfully only lasted a couple of years. Over all it was a great year especially after Gavin was finally born.
3 years ago. . .
We had just sold our home in Highland. Hunter had just been baptized the week before we moved to Heber. We moved into a small three bedroom condo and were just about to build our second home. It was another long 7 months while we built this house which we did tons of the work again in fact after work Darren would go over to the house and usually work until 11 or 12 at night. After feeding the kids dinner I would take dinner over to Darren and help him work. The kids had to fend for themselves a lot while we put blood, lots of sweat, and tears, into getting the house done. Cortlynd was amazing as always and helped in taking care of her brothers and making dinners or cleaning up so that we could finish our house. Cortlynd was going into middle school which in Heber meant the 6th grade, Hunter was in 3rd, Graham also started preschool which was a big thing for him. -He loved it but would give a hard time going often crying and saying he hated it clinging to me as I would try to get him to stay. He finally felt comfortable about halfway through the year. Gavin on the other hand begged to go even though he was only 2. It was crazy and very busy driving to Lindon and highland 3-5 times a week for dance, baseball etc. and living in such tight quarters. We were also living as minimalists since there was no room for many toys etc. but we became real close as a family.
2 years ago. . .
We had been living in our beautiful home for about 7 months trying to decorate and make it feel like a home. We were still traveling to Lindon for Cortlynds Ballet classes 3 times a week and I was going to Highland for my dance group once a week. I had started going while in Highland 2 years prior and this year we were finally performing for enrichment nights one to two times a month. It is a wonderful group of women who share their testimonies through word, dance, and song. Hunter was involved in soccer, basketball, and baseball. Graham went to preschool again and thankfully didn't have quite the hard time as he did the previous year but still would have his moments since it was a new teacher and new situation. As the designated family travel agent I was planning our trip to New York with my sister Shannon and her family to see Darren's Dad and step Mom Karen on their mission and see the Hill Cumorah Pageant and other church sites. We also got to go to New York City and see the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, and other fun things in the city. Darren and I also got to go on our 2nd cruise to the Southern Caribbean with our friends Carrie and Thann who had moved to California. It was an absolutely amazing trip. Beautiful islands, scuba diving, kayaking, snorkeling, relaxing! I can't wait to go again!
1 year ago. . .
Last year We got to go to Disneyland but it seems like it has been even longer than that. We went with My parents, Brad and Gabs, Vaughn and Kayla, and Matt and Shannon's family. It was so much fun- waking up early, running from ride to ride, standing in lines in the hot sun, kids crying; WAIT their is no crying in Disneyland, it's the happiest place on the earth! No really I do love it and so do the kids. We even got to go to the beach and Sea World! Cortlynd quit dance and was convinced and maybe a little cohoerst into being on the swim team. Hunter also started a swim team and the two of them actually liked it. Wow sometimes mothers do know what their kids will like. Graham started Kindergarden and loved riding his bike to and from school. I finally had to put a stop to it though when we had about a foot or two of snow and after getting the bike/walking trailer stuck so many times where the paths and sidewalks weren't cleared and Graham ended up late and Gavin and I froze to death he finally consented to the fact this wasn't going to happen until the snow was gone (which didn't happen until what the end of April?) Gavin started preschool and loved going for the most part except when a couple of the boys there started picking on him. I found a new passion (besides my family and dance) was road biking. Darren had been telling me for several years that he thought I would enjoy biking but I finally was convinced by some friends and actually trying it out. It is quite exhilerating especailly going downhill! The other amazing thing Darren and I were blessed to do was to go to Hawaii. It was purely breathtaking!
So Far This Year. . .
I completed my first Century (a 100 mile bike ride)! I convinced Darren to get a bike so that he can go with me too. It lasted for a month or so and then summer came and he quit due to his early rising (4-5am), working late, and working in the heat. We've enjoyed going to St. George and having some family time. We just got back from Nauvoo and the surrounding areas learning about the great love and sacrifice of the early saints. We are so blessed it is hard to even describe.
Yesterday. . .
We tried to give Darren a Surprise party for his 40th! Needless to say he figured it out but we had a fun time in spite of the threatening weather. We had friends and family come and celebrate the "Olympic" event. Thanks to all who came. We had fun games and I always go a little overboard. Next time I told Darren to remind me to just have a "boring" birthday party the kind where people just come together and talk/hang out. I think people had fun but it never plays out like I think of it in my head.
Today. . .
Sunday's are always my favorite day. I never feel guilty not getting my "stuff" done. I feel like I can relax and spend time even resting on occasion. Today I got to go into the nursery and help. It actually was kind of fun. I love spending time with my family and watching my kids play. We even watched some Olympics!
Tomorrow. . .
I will leave at 8am to take Hunter to Soccer practice and then drive to Highland for our 3 1/2 hour dance rehearsal. Then off to run a few errands meanwhile my kids (all but Gavin) stay home to hopefully get some of their things done while I'm gone; including biking 2 miles to their piano lessons and then back. What amazing kids I have. I will start getting ready for Cortlynd's and my trip to New York! Whoo hoo!
In the next year. . .
Keep on keeping on. We will have 4 kids in 4 different schools. Cort in 9th and Jr. High, Hunt in 6th in Middle school, Graham 1st in Elem., and Gavin in Preschool. It's going to be a busy year. Cort will be on the 9th grade swim team, Hunter will move onto the Gold swim team and comp soccer, Graham will start the Silver swim team in the fall or winter and wants to do gymnastics again after watching the Olympics. I plan on doing another century, this one will be held in Heber so come cheer me on! This next year 2009 will be a big one for us too Cort will turn 16-driving and dating, Hunt 12-priesthood and young mens, Graham 8-baptized, and Gavin will be 6.
I was 16. Wow what a big year. I got my drivers license (after taking it 2 times). I could finally date yeah! I even got a car for my birthday. I have no idea why I was so blessed to have received a car but I was completely shocked and surprised. I don't even know what kind of car it was (being such the car buff that I am). All I know is that it was a bright yellow car with a stick shift. It was so fun to drive! I kind of think that Chris Smith, my boyfriend at the time taught me how to drive a stick but the timeline doesn't add up unless I got the car when I was 17 which kind of makes sense too. What is sad is that I don't remember my first date. It must have been real memorable. I guess I cheated though because I was allowed to go to Preference before I was sixteen but who did I go with?? I'm hoping my sister Shannon remembers all the details for me. I remember having a fun treasure hunt on my birthday with my friends: Tammy Larson, Matt Grimmer, Treven Fowler, and several others? (maybe Amy Eslick?) Amy, who was my best friend at the time had to move to Tampa, Florida. She left the end of our Sophomore year. I was miserable. After Amy moved, our other friend Kristy Ryan had a personality change and became quite mean to me and made the last two years of high school for me miserable especially since we were on the same cheerleading squad together.
10 years ago. . .
I had been married for almost 7 years. Cortlynd was 4 1/2, and Hunter was 1. We were living in a Town home in Orem. Darren was working with his Dad in concrete, for what seemed like all the time. We had two great couple friends. First Carrie and Thann Illum. We had met them a year and a half before. Carrie had actually taken me to the hospital and been by my side until Darren finally arrived when I was about to deliver Hunter. We loved to hang out with them. We would have them over for dinner or to watch a movie which I and even Darren would sometimes fall asleep to. Our other set of friends were Becky and Steve Dougherty. They had a daughter named Jessica that Cortlynd became best friends with. Cortlynd was taking Jazz/Ballet had been reading for a year or more and was melting every ones heart that she came in contact with. Hunter was his cute self walking and talking with that amazing smile of his. It must have been somewhat uneventful because I don't remember much except trying to be a good mom taking the kids to the library often, to the park, and reading to them lots. I have always felt like life was busy but looking back it seems like that year was a slower year. I wasn't working or going to school which was quite unusual for me. It was the first year that I could just be a mom. Actually I guess I did start Mark Kay, which was a fun outlet for me. Looking back I can't believe I had the guts to start it because I was afraid to call for pizza. (That was the big joke back then) Darren has always been so amazing and allowed me to try new things and aspirations. He has always given me the confidence that I could do anything I put my mind to.
5 years ago. . .
I was pregnant with Gavin (due in 7 weeks) and living at the pool with the kids. -It was the only fun thing I could stand to do in the heat of the summer and still have fun with my kids. Cortlynd was 9, Hunter was 6, and Graham was almost 2. We were living in Highland in the first house that we built, and I mean we did all the work ourselves, or at least 70% of it or more. We had awesome next door neighbors the Compas's who had kids close to ours in age except for Cortlynd. What was great about this pregnancy was that Kandice (my neighbor) was also pregnant at the same time. There must have been something in the water that year because there was 6 of us that were due within a few weeks of each other. Kandice and I within a few days of one another. Several of us would walk together every morning, or should I say waddle. It was quite the sight to see in fact one of our neighbors finally took a picture of us because she saw us every morning from her window. I did everything I could think of except take caster oil, I even tried jogging and jumping on the tramp which only brought me pain and discomfort but no baby. This was the only pregnancy with which we did not end up moving a month before I was due. I was praying every night for a child who was going to be a peacemaker and hoping that I could be a good mother to 4 children since at the time Graham had wanted nothing to do with me. I was heart broken all the time because since he was 16 months old he would wake up every morning crying for his Dad, who of course was already gone for work usually leaving between 4-5am. I would try to pick him up and comfort him but he would scream at me and tell me to go away. I would have to leave him in his crib until he would let me get him. -This among many other things thankfully only lasted a couple of years. Over all it was a great year especially after Gavin was finally born.
3 years ago. . .
We had just sold our home in Highland. Hunter had just been baptized the week before we moved to Heber. We moved into a small three bedroom condo and were just about to build our second home. It was another long 7 months while we built this house which we did tons of the work again in fact after work Darren would go over to the house and usually work until 11 or 12 at night. After feeding the kids dinner I would take dinner over to Darren and help him work. The kids had to fend for themselves a lot while we put blood, lots of sweat, and tears, into getting the house done. Cortlynd was amazing as always and helped in taking care of her brothers and making dinners or cleaning up so that we could finish our house. Cortlynd was going into middle school which in Heber meant the 6th grade, Hunter was in 3rd, Graham also started preschool which was a big thing for him. -He loved it but would give a hard time going often crying and saying he hated it clinging to me as I would try to get him to stay. He finally felt comfortable about halfway through the year. Gavin on the other hand begged to go even though he was only 2. It was crazy and very busy driving to Lindon and highland 3-5 times a week for dance, baseball etc. and living in such tight quarters. We were also living as minimalists since there was no room for many toys etc. but we became real close as a family.
2 years ago. . .
We had been living in our beautiful home for about 7 months trying to decorate and make it feel like a home. We were still traveling to Lindon for Cortlynds Ballet classes 3 times a week and I was going to Highland for my dance group once a week. I had started going while in Highland 2 years prior and this year we were finally performing for enrichment nights one to two times a month. It is a wonderful group of women who share their testimonies through word, dance, and song. Hunter was involved in soccer, basketball, and baseball. Graham went to preschool again and thankfully didn't have quite the hard time as he did the previous year but still would have his moments since it was a new teacher and new situation. As the designated family travel agent I was planning our trip to New York with my sister Shannon and her family to see Darren's Dad and step Mom Karen on their mission and see the Hill Cumorah Pageant and other church sites. We also got to go to New York City and see the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, and other fun things in the city. Darren and I also got to go on our 2nd cruise to the Southern Caribbean with our friends Carrie and Thann who had moved to California. It was an absolutely amazing trip. Beautiful islands, scuba diving, kayaking, snorkeling, relaxing! I can't wait to go again!
1 year ago. . .
Last year We got to go to Disneyland but it seems like it has been even longer than that. We went with My parents, Brad and Gabs, Vaughn and Kayla, and Matt and Shannon's family. It was so much fun- waking up early, running from ride to ride, standing in lines in the hot sun, kids crying; WAIT their is no crying in Disneyland, it's the happiest place on the earth! No really I do love it and so do the kids. We even got to go to the beach and Sea World! Cortlynd quit dance and was convinced and maybe a little cohoerst into being on the swim team. Hunter also started a swim team and the two of them actually liked it. Wow sometimes mothers do know what their kids will like. Graham started Kindergarden and loved riding his bike to and from school. I finally had to put a stop to it though when we had about a foot or two of snow and after getting the bike/walking trailer stuck so many times where the paths and sidewalks weren't cleared and Graham ended up late and Gavin and I froze to death he finally consented to the fact this wasn't going to happen until the snow was gone (which didn't happen until what the end of April?) Gavin started preschool and loved going for the most part except when a couple of the boys there started picking on him. I found a new passion (besides my family and dance) was road biking. Darren had been telling me for several years that he thought I would enjoy biking but I finally was convinced by some friends and actually trying it out. It is quite exhilerating especailly going downhill! The other amazing thing Darren and I were blessed to do was to go to Hawaii. It was purely breathtaking!
So Far This Year. . .
I completed my first Century (a 100 mile bike ride)! I convinced Darren to get a bike so that he can go with me too. It lasted for a month or so and then summer came and he quit due to his early rising (4-5am), working late, and working in the heat. We've enjoyed going to St. George and having some family time. We just got back from Nauvoo and the surrounding areas learning about the great love and sacrifice of the early saints. We are so blessed it is hard to even describe.
Yesterday. . .
We tried to give Darren a Surprise party for his 40th! Needless to say he figured it out but we had a fun time in spite of the threatening weather. We had friends and family come and celebrate the "Olympic" event. Thanks to all who came. We had fun games and I always go a little overboard. Next time I told Darren to remind me to just have a "boring" birthday party the kind where people just come together and talk/hang out. I think people had fun but it never plays out like I think of it in my head.
Today. . .
Sunday's are always my favorite day. I never feel guilty not getting my "stuff" done. I feel like I can relax and spend time even resting on occasion. Today I got to go into the nursery and help. It actually was kind of fun. I love spending time with my family and watching my kids play. We even watched some Olympics!
Tomorrow. . .
I will leave at 8am to take Hunter to Soccer practice and then drive to Highland for our 3 1/2 hour dance rehearsal. Then off to run a few errands meanwhile my kids (all but Gavin) stay home to hopefully get some of their things done while I'm gone; including biking 2 miles to their piano lessons and then back. What amazing kids I have. I will start getting ready for Cortlynd's and my trip to New York! Whoo hoo!
In the next year. . .
Keep on keeping on. We will have 4 kids in 4 different schools. Cort in 9th and Jr. High, Hunt in 6th in Middle school, Graham 1st in Elem., and Gavin in Preschool. It's going to be a busy year. Cort will be on the 9th grade swim team, Hunter will move onto the Gold swim team and comp soccer, Graham will start the Silver swim team in the fall or winter and wants to do gymnastics again after watching the Olympics. I plan on doing another century, this one will be held in Heber so come cheer me on! This next year 2009 will be a big one for us too Cort will turn 16-driving and dating, Hunt 12-priesthood and young mens, Graham 8-baptized, and Gavin will be 6.
