Celebrate 8!

Rhiannon's big day has come! There is a lot I could say about this gift in our lives, who happens to be an awesome 8-year-old who can a-l-m-0-s-t wear my shoes and is a-l-m-0-s-t as tall as me. She is goofy, fun, gorgeous, sweet, super-smart, kind, and upright. One thing that keeps coming back to me is something my dad said about Rhiannon when she was a baby. He said, "Do you notice how Rhiannon brightens up any room she enters and puts smiles on everyone's faces?" She still does that!

We love you, sweetie! HAPPY 8th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stay tuned for pictures. We'll be celebrating for at least the next 8 days. :)

"One word"

1.Where is your cell phone? counter
2. Your significant other? fun!
3. Your hair? blondish
4. Your mother? awesome
5. Your father? ditto
6. Your favorite thing? family
7. Your dream last night? sinkholes...
8. Your favorite drink? water
9. Your dream/goal? exaltation
10. The room you're in? office
11. Your hobby? reading
12. Your fear? bugs
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? fit
14. Where were you last night? pool
15. What you're not? ungrateful
16. Muffins? pumpkinchocolatechip
17. One of your wish list items? unknown
18. Where you grew up? IdahoTexas
19. The last thing you did? walked
20. What are you wearing? clothes
21. Your TV? big
22. Your pets? none
23. Your computer? lifeline
24. Your life? fantastic
25. Your mood? content
26. Missing someone? relatives
27. Your car? van
28. Something you're not wearing? makeup
29. Favorite store? book!
30. Your summer? relaxing
31. Like someone? lots
32. Your favorite color? blue
33. When is the last time you laughed? this morning
34. Last time you cried? unknown
35. Tag? TraciAmeliaLydiaChrisLoganAndOrAmy

An anything-but-minor experience

Last night we met up with some friends to watch a minor league baseball game. With all the fun we were having, we hardly noticed the scoreboard (Potomac Nationals lost by 8 runs). Highlights of the game were the amazing, neverending fireworks at the end of the night, seeing Erik Estrada up close and personal, and watching the kids run the bases. VERY good times.

See the clapper in Rhiannon's hands? Those were all over the stadium and created constant white noise through the game. :)

"There he is, there he is!" Erik Estrada and others promoted children's Internet safety through the evening. He went through the stands and asked kids multiple choice safety questions. Sounds corny, but it was great.

"He (Erik Estrada) WINKED at me!"

Just one of many fireworks at the end. They just kept going and going and going!

Try to ignore me yelling in this. Towards the end of the clip, you can spot Wade (in cap and orange sweatshirt) rounding 3rd base with Rhiannon. It was easy to spot the two of them because Rhiannon stuck with her brother and encouraged him the whole run!

Lots more photos on Flickr...

Flash forward

We did an impromptu photo shoot in the kitchen tonight, and Rhiannon gave me the shock of my life. I took a close-up picture of her cute toothy grin and then took her ponytail out so she could have her hair down. The next thing I know she was doing all these cute modeling poses. Where did that come from, and since when did we have a tween under our roof?

(Yes, I was stunned by this pose, too.)

A beauty, inside and out!

Jackpot!

Wade had outgrown his one baseball cap a while ago, and we'd been holding out for the perfect one. Today we were shopping for a couple things for his Joy School graduation at a party supply store, and THERE it was, the PERFECT hat! Wade has worn his new Transformers cap almost the entire day, and when he's not wearing it he's carrying Leo (his lion) around in it.

Gotta love unexpected treasures!

They're everywhere!

Squirrels are all over the place here, nearly 365 days a year. They're cute, in a creepy way. They dig in the ground, climb trees, and run along the fence. Sometimes I see them on top of the hot tub cover, checking for pools of water to drink from. I think they're great, as long as they stay outdoors and stay far away from me. We see chipmunks, bluejays, robins, and cardinals daily in our backyard, too. The birds are my favorite, but they're too fast for my shaky camera-holding hands!

Bloom where you're planted

Good neighbors make me happy. This afternoon our neighbor Lori knocked on the back kitchen door and called for Wade to come help her plant beans in her garden. Wade was excited and very happy to assist!

This is the same neighbor who went crazy with a Harry Potter theme for Halloween, puts leftover bagels in her lawn and trees for squirrels and birds, and occasionally drops by delicious things from her kitchen. She's just one of many kind friends we've made here.

An Indiana Jones moment

This morning I filled up the kitchen sink to wash some dishes that I'd left sitting overnight. I got the surprise of my life when I reached down for an item and saw this huge (I'm talking AT LEAST 2 inches long) centipede crawling over it. DIS-GUST-ING. It reminded me of a moment in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, when

this woman

had to put her hand through a creature-infested hole to grab a lever that would save Indiana and his sidekick from getting crushed. Maybe I wouldn't have been so freaked out if I hadn't watched that recently. Oh, well. Thankfully the day got better.

I taught my last Joy School lesson for the "semester," and then Wade and I drove some friends up to BWI Airport. It was my first time driving on the freeway since we've lived here, and I survived! :)

We've got a lot to look forward to the next few weeks. Minor-league baseball game, Wade's Joy School graduation party, Rhiannon's birthday and baptism and all that those two events entail. We'll keep you posted!

Happy Anniversary to us!

11 years ago today Jason and I were married! We were sealed in the Bountiful, Utah temple. I had to laugh at these pictures--we've changed some! But I also realized that I love my husband more now than I did during those dating/engagement/newlywed days. And I didn't think that was possible!

Halloween 1996, a month before we got engaged. Jason was a strikingly handsome "Peter Priesthood," and I was a giddy "Molly Mormon."

Wedding Day! May 16, 1997

Surrounded by family and friends on the steps of the temple. I like to think that Rhiannon and Wade were celebrating up in heaven, too!
(Jason will appreciate my photo doctoring--my cousin on the front row had a t-shirt that said "B.U.M." across the front. :))

"Someday when I'm a daddy..."

First things first, we are so grateful that our cousin/nephew Max is okay. Man, what a tense couple of hours that was yesterday, but I'm sure I felt only a tiny part of what Derrick and Traci were going through. We love you guys and are so happy yesterday ended on a calmer, happier note.

Second, many happy birthday wishes to Tommy! We were thinking of you yesterday!

Third, I thoroughly enjoyed reading everyone's blog tributes to their mothers. Thank you!

And, lastly, here's what I was going to send out yesterday, when my mom called about Max. I decided to hold off; some things are a LOT more important than updating one's website.

Rhiannon brought home this art project from school on Friday. It immediately found a place on the fridge and sure brightens up the kitchen!

Even better, though, was this Mother's Day card that she made. She drew a picture of me, so that I could look at myself in the mirror. Too cute!

Yesterday Wade wanted to take his suitcase to preschool instead of his backpack. He thought he was the coolest kid on the block carrying it out of the van and up the steps. Then later he said, "Someday when I'm a daddy I'm going to take this suitcase with my stuffed animals and animal notebook to work with me!" He was very excited about his idea, and I, of course, had to come rushing up here to share it with you all before I forgot it.

Jason and I will celebrate our 11th wedding anniversary on Friday. We're going to see Iron Man, and I am so excited!!!

I (heart) my hubby!

My mother-in-law is the BEST!

I don't have any mother-in-law horror stories to share. Zero. Zilch. Nada! My mother-in-law is the BEST!!! Here are just a few of the things that I love about her:

1) Her unselfishness. Deb spends 110% of her time thinking of and helping other people. I'm in awe of her. Few details are missed, whether it's putting chocolates on our pillow when we're staying at their home (an inside joke), planning fun activities for her grandkids, doing lots of babysitting, etc, etc! I'm sure I only know a small part of what she does, day in and day out.

2) Her laugh. One thing I really look forward to is watching Jason and his mom together. I can usually count on Mom laughing so hard that she cries (in a good way). I love that.

3) Her incredible organization skills! About a week after we brought our baby girl Rhiannon home from the hospital, we moved into our new home in Ridgecrest. Grandma Deb was there every step of the way, holding my hand as I figured out how to care for Rhiannon, helping us clean out our old place, and getting everything organized and put together in our new home. That's just ONE example of MANY times her skills have been a blessing in our life.

4) Her grandmothering. Quotes from Rhiannon and Wade: "She's nice!" "I love her!" "She's very pretty!" "She plays with me!" "She's a very nice grandma!" "She is a GOOD grandma!"

5) Her unexpected calls while she's out shopping. :) I love Mom's unexpected calls when she's out shopping, buying little gifts for her grandkids and wanting to get things just right. We are super spoiled.

6) Cushing Family Game Nights. Get the Cushings together around Grandpa Rod's table, along with some games and Grandma Deb's never-ending supply of goodies and treats, and you've got non-stop hilarious fun.

7) Her love and friendship. I love that Mom gives her friendships with others very high priority. She has tons of best friends that she has known for YEARS. And I feel very, very blessed to be not only her daughter-in-law but one of those lucky friends, too.

You are the best mother-in-law on the planet, and you are Jason's "favority Mommy." ;) Happy Mother's Day--WE LOVE YOU!

My mom is the BEST!

I will never be able to top my brother Derrick's bouquet of flowers that he sent to Mom on his mission on his own birthday to thank her for giving birth to him. (Can ANYONE top that? :)) But in my own way, I wanted to let my mom know (and the whole blogging world, for that matter) how much I love her and appreciate her.

Here's my list:

"How to Be the World's Best Mom"

1. Be at home. Even when money was tight and Mom needed to supplement the family income, she worked jobs at odd hours so that she could be home for me and my brothers. I can't remember a day when Mom wasn't there, seeing me off in the morning, waiting at home to hear about my school day, or being woken up when I got home at night. She was there at the crossroads for me, and I think it has made all the difference.

2. Love your husband. Mom and Dad are STILL madly in love and each other's best friends. There's nothing more to say about that.

3. It's fun to be a girl. Living in a house full of boys (even if they are awesome!), it was always a treat to have girl-time with my mom, whether we were shopping for dresses or material for dresses, watching romantic movies, talking about boys, etc, it was always sooo fun!

4. It's healthy to escape every once in a while. Into a book, that is. I think I love to read because my mom sure did a lot of it. I think she'd be happy to know that me and the kids go to the library ALL THE TIME, sometimes 2 or 3 times a week! :)

5. Teach by example. I've learned the importance of a lot of things from what my mom did, rather than what she said, things like going to the temple, paying tithing, trusting in the Lord and having faith, keeping the commandments. Mom is "steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works."

6. Make your kids feel like a million bucks. Mom still does this for me, especially when we talk on the phone. She always sounds thrilled to hear my voice and makes me feel SO great. If you need a pick-me-up, call Donna! :)

7. Enjoy the moment. As I've typed this out, I've had a lot of memories come rushing back of times with my mom. Making snickerdoodles, watching "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers," getting my hair done on my wedding day, crying with my mom in the hospital when Rhiannon was born, watching her dig out Fisher Price toys and puzzles to play with Rhiannon and Wade. It gives me a lot of comfort in my own motherly journey knowing that the memories that come to mind the fastest are good, happy ones.

I hope my mom knows that I think of her all the time, not just on Mother's Day. You're the best, and I love you!!!

When in Rome...

...take lots of pictures! Yep, Jason is in Italy for business. He'll be in meetings most of the time but will squeeze sightseeing in when and where he can. He emailed us these pictures--I had to share!

Any Gladiator fans out there?

(the TV-edited version, of course? :))

Jason will have to correct me on this, but I think this is the Pantheon.

Rhiannon and Wade got a big kick out of this picture!

It just didn't work out for me to go with him this time. Keep your fingers crossed that I can go next year! :)

An Urkel moment

This is for anyone who's ever been a teensy bit distracted, stressed, or muddled. I'm really putting myself out there. It's nothing big, just an Urkel moment...

Yesterday I washed a load of laundry...

without

putting any

clothes in the washer.

Life will sure be interesting in the next 30, 40, or 50 years! :)