Happy Birthday to the best Mom-in-law EVER!

Today is my mom-in-laws birthday! I have to say that I am very blessed to have such a wonderful mom-in-law. She has always been there for us and is the best Meema to my kids. I look up to her for so many things. She is the kindest, most giving, loving, hardworking, fun, and sweetest lady I know. I love that she loves to dance, I love that she is a fabulous cook, I love that she is proud of her Mexican heritage, I love that she adores her kids and grandkids, and I love that I can call her my friend and my 2nd mom. She is absolutely beautiful inside and out. Happy Birthday July! That's Hoolie for you gringos out there.



Opening presents at El Gallo Giro, yummy Mexican food!


All the grandkids and Meema having ice-cream at Baskin Robbins! They love their Meema!

Wordless Wednesday! Dorito Face

TTA- Graduation, tell us about yours!

This is a picture that my dad did of me at my high school graduation. I graduated from American Fork High, go CAVEMEN!!!! This is not the original but it's actually pretty cool how he did it, he ended up painting parts of it. Cool gift from my very sweet dad.

So here are a few of my thoughts about high school graduation. I have to first say that I loved high school, everything about it. If you ask Jake, he couldn't wait to get out, but I on the other hand was a little bit of a social butterfly and loved being there. Ok so I have to brag just a little, but I did graduate with silver cords, ok there a few or a lot of you saying, "what the heck does silver cords mean?" Well let me tell you, it means that I had a GPA of 3.8, not too shabby. I have a lot of really great memories from high school, from times with friends, to being a cavette (drill team), to dances, my fav. teacher Mr. Allen for human biology, and just the overall feeling of not really having a care in the world, except if my homework was done or not. I really hope that when my kids get into high school they will love it just as much as me, and that they don't take after their dad on that one. LOL


This is me and Jake when I graduated from Utah Valley State College as a Registered Nurse. I graduated in 2000 and what a great and special day that was. I was DONE with all my schooling and was ready to acutally get paid for working instead of being there working for clinicals and just getting my hours in. Looking back it doesn't seem like it took as long, but going through it was honestly a little painful. Waking up at 4:00 a.m. to be to the hospital at 4:45 a.m., staying until 2:00 p.m., coming home to do homework, then leaving to work at 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., wow those were long days. I'm just greatful that Jake put up with me through all of that and now I am so thankful that I did it. What a cool accomplishment!

I've been tagged!!! 7 random things about me!

Ok so I have been tagged! I am supposed to tell you 7 random things about me. Some may be weird, funny, or plain just boring, but maybe there are a few things that you will learn about little ol me!

1. When I was 17 or so I left a gas station with the gas handle and hose still attached to my car. Yes I chalk this up to one of my dumb "blonde" moments. The funny thing is when I was driving home, people kept staring at "me" and I thought wow, I must look really cute today, (Ok this was when I was young and kind of cute). So I get home and start walking to my house and notice something sticking out of my car. DUHHHH! That's why everyone was staring at "me" and now what do I do? I was so scared I was going to get in trouble that I took it out and threw it in our shed hoping it would never be found.

2. The first 15 minutes of my very first day working at American Fork Hospital I passed out, cracked my nose, had a seizure, and peed my pants. Kind of a long story, but I really do know how to make a good first impression! LOL! My co-workers still to this day can't believe I showed my face the next day. What can I say, I love American Fork Hospital and wanted to still work there.

3. When I was little me and my best friend Brenda use to talk to a green man that lived in my basement. We would scratch on the vent and call for "Charlie" and "Charlie" would sometimes answer and talk to us. One day he even put his green hand outside my dads photo dark room to get green M&M's that he asked for. Years later we found out it was my older sister Jennifer. She really did have us fooled.

4. My very favorite place to vacation is Canyonlands in Southern Utah. I have SO many memories at this amazing, beautiful place. My family would go every year backpacking there and it honestly was the trip I looked forward to most. To this day, I LOVE taking my family there.

5. I put my foot in my mouth A LOT!! Ask my husband especially, but my family and friends will also say this is true. I really don't think before I say a lot of things and honestly don't mean to do this, but sometimes it just comes out.

6. I kind of have a crush on Vince Vaughan. Ok Ok, I know what you all are thinking WHAT and WHY???? But there is just something about him that I think is cute and sexy. And Yes, Jake is ok with this.

7. I've been to over 50 concerts in my life. I am some what of a music fanatic, at least I use to be, and loved going to concerts. There's just something about dancing with loud awesome music being performed. In fact this summer Jake and I are going to Jack Johnson and Dave Matthews (of course!) You will have to ask me sometime my wide variety of concerts that I have been too. Way fun.

So I hope you enjoyed my fun little facts about me. If you have any questions about any of them and want to know more details, feel free to ask. Hasta Luego!

Proud Momma!

My sweet handsome little Dallin graduated from preschool last night. I seriously just watched him sing his heart out and I melted. To be honest, I wasn't sure that he would participate, let alone sing, and this boy belted out the songs. I seriously had tears in my eyes, (yes I am just a tad bit cheezy and sappy), but all the sudden he just seemed so grown up. Where has the last almost 5 years gone, and how did my little baby boy grow up to be such a sweet and so so so special little boy. I was definitely a proud momma tonight. Now it's time for kindergarten, boo hoo the tears will really come then!


The fam!


Dallin and Ms. Liza, (oops her eyes are closed)


Proud Momma, (and of course Mya had to run and be in the picture, she can't miss out on the moment, LOL)


Meema and Grandma Sis, they are always there to support our family!


Dallin and Grandpa Tom


Aunt Ange, Uncle Shane, and Dallin's cool cuz Dax!


Aunt Koriney and Aunt Beka!


Kylee has a little crush on Dallin!


Kylee, Ana, Tori, and Dallin. All the girls just love Dallin!

TTA- Answer the following with only one word!

1. Where is your cell phone? Car....................
2. Your significant other? Eternal.......................
3. Your hair? Blah....................................
4. Your mother? Friend.................................
5. Your father? Awesome..................................
6. Your favorite thing? Kids..........................
7. Your dream last night? Funny........................
8. Your favorite drink? Fresca...........................
9. Your dream/goal? Vacations (lots of family ones)......
10. The room you're in? Office..........................
11. Your children? Precious.....................................
12. Your fear? Sickness...................................
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Comfortable...........
14. Where were you last night? Meema's...................
15. What you're not? Witty.............................
16. Muffins? Poppyseed......................................
17. One of your wish list items? Playroom.(with a pimped out climbing wall).........
18. Where you grew up? American Fork...........................
20. What are you wearing? T-shirt........................
21. Your TV? Entertaining.....................................
22. Your pets? Old...................................
23. Your computer? Helpful..............................
24. Your life? Special...................................
25. Your mood? Calm...................................
26. Missing someone? nephew.............................
27. Your car? Thrashed....................................
28. Something you're not wearing? Shoes................
29. Favorite Store? Walmart..............................
30. Your summer? Exciting.................................
31. Like someone? friends................................
32. Your favorite color? Yellow.........................
33. Last time you laughed Mya........................
34. Last time you cried? Anniversary (a good cry though:)).........................

Happy Anniversary to us!

Our Wedding Day!

11 years ago today Jake and I sat across each other in the Mt. Timpanagos Temple and were married for time and all eternity. I love more than anything that I can say that I am married to my best friend.

Jake and I met when we were in the 5th grade. He was the cute new boy that moved in. We did the whole "will you go with me, check the box yes or no" and the rest is history. We dated in high school and then I waited for him on his mission! He was definitely worth the wait. Jake has always been such an amazing guy, always a friend to everyone, and always there for you. I am so proud to be his wife and want him to know how truly blessed I feel to have the relationship that we do. You know at times I have thought "oh I've known Jake since 5th grade we can make through anything", marriage is still constant work even though he is my best friend, but there is nobody I would rather work at with than my eternal buddy. Today I feel truly blessed as I ponder back our amazing, wonderful, trying, awesome, fun, eventful, and oh so blessed 11 years. I love you babe!

TTA- Summer Memories!

The best part about summer is my birthday. This is me when I turned 3 years old and my mom and dad surprised me with this shiny, awesome red tricycle. I love having a summer birthday and lets face it, I love birthday's!


Summer is my favorite time of year! When I was little summer meant that you were outside all day long and didn't come home until it was dark! One of my favorite things that we use to do was go and hang out in our hut. We lived by an orchard and a big field with a stream and these big trees that my neighbors made this awesome hut in. We would spend hours up there playing in the water and climbing the trees. It was so carefree and honestly I have some of the best memories with friends there.

Also summer meant Steel Days for American Fork. This meant the parade, the carnival, and FUN!!!! My family always looked forward to this time of the summer, we love our annual Steel Days!


Always being outside playing with friends! Notice Brenda wearing the same yellow and green jumper, she wore that thing honestly everyday. We still laugh about it!



Going on hikes with the family!

My dad always took us kids on hikes and loved being outdoors. I have always loved that about him and appreciate that he has instilled the love for the outdoors in me.





This is one of my very best friends Brenda. We are only 6 weeks apart and lived right across the street our whole life. Still to this day we are best friends. I love that I can say I have had a best friend for 32 years, wow that makes me feel old. This is us on our annual walkathon we did every summer.



Riding my "Wild Rose" bike! Oh the memories I have on this bike!



Sleep overs with friends! We had the funnest neighbors and I loved when we would have sleep overs with a group of us. Life just seemed so carefree back then. I have some of my greatest memories as a child and especially in the summer. Woo Hoo for summertime!!!

Happy Mother's Day to me!!!

There is nothing more precious to me than handmade gifts from my kids. This mother's day was so sweet because both Tay and Dallin made me very special gifts. Tay made the picture of flowers out of his hands and Dallin made this so sweet picture frame with his adorable picture. I treasure these gifts more than anything in this world. I love how excited they get to give them to me and the look on their faces when I hug them so tight. Thanks my best buddies ever! I think I am probably the luckiest mom there is, shhhh don't tell the other moms! LOL


Me and my beautiful sweet kids on my special day! I truly couldn't ask for better kids and I am so greatful for the opportunity I have of being their mommy!



The kids gave me this bird feeder and wanted to hang it outside the window of the office because in their words, "mom you can watch the birds from the office since you are on the computer a lot!" How thoughtful huh? Or are they telling me something????



Me and my precious, sweet, loving, beautiful, and very special momma! I love that I get to honor such a strong and amazing woman.


The best mom's I know. My mom, sister Jennifer, and sis Ange! I have learned a lot from my mom and sisters and want them to know I love them with all my heart and would do anything for them. They are truly my best friends!

Woo Hoo! Stimulus check!

How excited am I that my stimulus check came today!! I wish that I could say that we were going on a fun vacation, or even that we were going to buy some new things for the house, someday! But I am just excited to have a little breathing room, whewwwwwww! Ok even though I don't have a political bone in my body and I don't really know anything about President Bush, I am going to say THANKS President BUSH for this money!!!

TTA- Mom's Day

This is a tribute to my mom, my mom-in-law, and for the greatest joy I have of being a mom to the best 3 kids ever!


This is me as a baby with my momma! I truly have the best mom ever. More than my mom being my mom, she is my best friend. There really isn't a day that goes by that I don't talk with my mom. She has been such an example of love, kindness, compassion, strength, and enduring even when so many trials have been thrown her way. She is so sweet with my kids, and they just adore their Grandma Sis! She is always there for me and my little family and has done so much for us. I love her more than words express and am so greatful for the opportunity I have of being her daughter. I love you mom!


This picture was taken when me and my mom went to Arizona to see the Broadway show "WICKED!", The best play there ever was! This trip was so special to be with my sweet momma! And yes I am pregnant!


I know I just put this picture in, but I wanted to show my beautiful mom and how much my sweet Mya loves her Grandma sis.



This is my sweet mom-in-law July holding Mya just after she was born. I wanted to say a few things about her because I honestly couldn't ask for a better mom-in-law. She has always been there for me and my little family and would do anything for us. I am greatful for my friendship with her and that my children have a close relationship to their Meema! She is so full of life and such a caring person and I want her to know that I love her very much, she really is the best. Plus it helps that she is the best Mexican cook around, LOL!!!



As I start to write about my first experience of becoming a mother there are tears in my eyes. I remember the excitement and I remember being scared at the same time. Jake and I didn't find out what we were having so when we were in the delivery room and my sister yells, "It's a Boy!" I felt this overwhelming peacefullness come to me. I remember tears streaming down my face and looking into Taylor's eyes and right then and there I would forever be greatful to him for choosing me to be his mommy. He is honestly the sweetest most sensitive and loving child there is, I am so proud to be his mom!

This picture was taken the day after I had Taylor and a lot happened in between. There were minutes that Jake actually says he was afraid he was going to lose me. To sum it up, I hemorrhaged really bad. Nurses came running in, giving me shots in my legs, pushing down on my stomach to remove the clots, and infusing fluids. It was probably the scariest moment I have ever had. The Dr. came and explained to Jake and I that I was minutes from going to the OR to have my uterus taken out. How thankful I am that my Heavenly Father was protecting me and that I still had and have the opportunity to be a mommy to my beautiful babies.



This picture was taken awhile after my sweet baby Dallin was born. How excited we were to have a little bro for Taylor. Dallin was born with a head full of CRAZY black hair that stuck up everywhere and the darkest beautiful eyes ever. We didn't know that we were having another boy and I remember I cried with joy as my sister and the Dr. screamed, "It's a BOY!!" Dallin has brought our family so much joy, he is such a little character. Life just wouldn't be complete without our little Dally Boy around. I am so thankful to be his mommy and to learn from his imagination.



This picture was taken as they laid Mya on my chest just after she was born. I have to say with Mya being born I felt this completeness, (even though I do want more children), I felt that here with my sweet baby daughter in my arms I was COMPLETE! She was the most beautiful dark haired perfect baby girl! I am so thankful for the opportunity to be her mom and can't wait for our mommy daughter friendship to grow. She has me wrapped around her little finger and there is nothing in this world that I wouldn't do for her. I love my Mya with every ounce of my being!


I am so greatful for my 3 beautiful children! For their example to me of how to live life to the fullest and to enjoy the small things. They are my world and they are my joy. There is not a day that goes by that I don't thank my Father in Heaven for my kids and for the opportunity to be their momma. I love you with all my heart and soul Taylor, Dallin, and Mya!

Proud to be her Aunt!

Mya and sweet Grandma Sis!

My fam! Mom, Alecia, Brittany, Andrea, Jennifer, Ange, Shayla, Me




On Saturday we had a shower for my niece Brittany who is having a little boy in about 4 weeks. She will be naming him Brighton, what a cute name. I am really proud of the young woman that Brittany has become, she has had a rough ride, but the last couple of years has made right choices that have really brought her happiness. I am proud to be her Aunt!

Ready to pop!


Mom and my sweetest Aunt Ever, Sue!


Brittany by the cute diaper cake and yummy food!


Jennifer, Brittany, and mom!

This is what happens when cousin Shayla tends Mya!

Pretty little thing!

So when cousin Shayla comes to tend she loves to play make-up with Mya. Shayla was so nice to watch my kids for a few hours today while me and Ange went to the Womens Expo. We went mainly to get the great deals at the Close To My Heart exhibit, and I have to say they were AMAZING deals. When I got home not only was my house clean, kids fed, even laundry folded (thank you Shayla), but to my sweet 1 year old daughter looking like she was 16. I have to say she did look adorable, but not something I am ready for in the next little while. Shayla loved playing make-up with Mya and got her all dolled up. I'm glad the girls had fun! We love our sweet cousin (niece) Shayla!!

Mya looking oh so pretty helping Mommy vacuum!

My cute neice Shayla with Mya.