Happy Halloween

Last night was Halloween and it was so much fun!! We live in a neighborhood where every house is decorated and people get into the spirit of Trick or Treat. It was awesome to watch Jaiden (a.k.a) Tinkerbell, walk up to the houses and hold out her little princess trick or treat basket and ask for candy. She was wary of some houses (too scary momma, you come too?) But got more and more brave as the night went on. My sister and brother in law came too. It was lots of fun!! We ran in to a couple friends while on our trick or treat route. It is neat to live in a neighborhood where you know your neighbors!! Boy Jaiden sure looked cute!!! It is so fun to dress her up!! It's finally below 100 degrees, and since it is now November, hopefully it will keep dropping down!! Not to much to report. Jaiden loves preschool, and her two best buds Tanner and Sophia, who by the way are TOO STINKIN CUTE when they are all together. The three musketeers. I love it!! Jaiden is talking up a storm and her simple explanations are so sweet. She definitely is assertive and straightforward. I think she was sent to me to teach me how to be more like her!! I feel so lucky to be her mommy. Even though...it is tough...more often then not...it is worth it. She is my world, and without her I don't know what I would do..Literally. What did I do before her?

It's bath time...

You know when there are moments that you want to capture and drink up? I am having one of those. Jaiden and Randy are giving Sam a bath. It's quite a sight. Jaiden is still in her P.J.'s and Randy in his boardshorts. It's balmy and breezy outside, and there isn't a cloud in the sky. Jaiden is very observent as she watches the ways of dog washing that daddy is showing her. She is genteley petting sam A.K.A. washing him and now she is giving him a thorough firehose rinsing. I know it probably seems boring but it struck me. She is growing up so fast. All these precious moments are so fleeting. I wish for her that she'd have this innocence forever. When everything in life is exciting and simple. Where the cares are few and the laughs are many. I'm grateful for the angel Heavenly Father sent me. She is my world and I love her more and more each day.

And......

Well let's just face it. We all get busy. Sometimes I sit (rarely) okay stand and think, "If I could just get_____done then things would be great..." Usually the blank space of whatever that impossible daily task may be is proceeded by about five million other little things that also need to be done just to keep my world on it's axis. I have come to the conclusion that if I just let things be unfinished sometimes, I would feel more productive, strange as that may sound. Alas, raising a child is a handful in and of itself. So, I guess I should just let it go that my closets aren't totally organized and my pictures aren't all printed and layed out in a beautiful scrapbook. Which I might add is a talent I don't possess and wish I did. I guess you can't do it all.....
Jaiden is so full of life and exuberance!! I can't even tell you how much fun it is to watch her becoming her own little person. I love to listen to her interpretations of things, and the child like innocence in her explanations. The other day we were driving to the sitters (aka my mom!) and I was picking up food for the two of them. I asked Jaiden if she would like chicken fingers or a quesadilla, to which she so straightforwardly replies, "Chicken fingers and a quesadilla would be GREAT mom, thanks..." I couldn't help but laugh. She sure is precocious. I can see where she gets it..but that is a whole other story.
Jaiden is in LOVE with anything princess. We have "Enchanted" which is in my standards one of the cutest child movies I have ever seen. And I have seen many. Everyone knows I love Disneyland and Barbies just as much as the next girl. She will get in her little white dress up dress and put on her necklace that lights up and sit close as I let her to the T.V. and watch Enchanted. Then for ALL the dancing and singing she will stand and dance and sing along. Almost verbatim. It is uncanny how well she can remember lines and songs. This I must admit is one of my favorite things to watch her do. It makes me feel like a kid again myself. I use to do the same thing when I was little. I always wanted to be That princess in That movie. I would sing and dance to every song and recite the script before it even came out of the characters mouth. It's interesting to see all the similarities you have with your kids.
All is well in the Bill's home. Summer is winding down and Randy had a great 31st birthday that we celebrated with some friends and family. I am excited for fall, but I get ahead of myself. The true fall doesn't start until November when it cools off, but I do decorate in all my fall glory come September 1. That way in my world fall begins when it should. One last holiday weekend this summer then it will be September. I can't believe it!! This year has flown by!!!

Bubbly...

So I was at Sub King today with Jaiden and there was music in the background. I don't know, but how is it possible for songs to apply more than one person? Well the two songs I am referring to are "Bubbly" by Colbie Caillat and "I'm yours" by Jason Mraz. Now I feel these about both Randy and Jaiden of course in different lights. I realize how lucky I am. It's starting to get more and more frequent. I am already pretty sensitive (I know some of you are giggling) but believe it or not lately the strangest things shed new light or get me a little choked up. Speaking of which if you don't mind having puffy eyes for approximately 2 days (depends on your tear level) watch P.s. I love you....It has to be one of the most deep emotional movies I have ever seen. That's huge for me..up until now that title belonged to Titanic...(I know..I'll never let go Jack....) but seriously, life is short and I am realizing that we need to savor each moment, for we are never sure of our last. Anyways enough deep speak!! I am loving everyday that passes, trials and all. Life is good, and I am lucky

Slacker, big time...

Okay so as if there isn't enough crazy stuff going on in ordinary life...I have lately been feeling overwhelming guilt that I haven't updated my blog..LOSER!! Seriously though if I could get up at 5 am and go to bed at 12am I might just get everything on my to-do list done. But I digress...onto the latest info on what's been up in the Bill's life....
Well last I left we had a magical adventure at Disneyland. We came home and the next day left to the River for a week!! What a blast!! Weird weather though, I arrived on Tuesday night with Randy (about 12:30...I know were nuts!!) and Randy returned home on Wednesday to continue to work...got to love that we have a responsible party in our house!! We got there so early so we could secure a spot right on the River. We have learned in our short stint with our place at the river that the early bird catches the worm, or the river spot in this case. Then on Wednesday afternoon a storm rolled in!! It was 62 degrees!! IN THE END OF MAY...IN THE DESERT NONETHELESS!! AND THAT WAS THE HIGH!! Needless to say I was completely unprepared clothing wise and had to have my sweetie bring up some sweaters and the like. So when Randy arrived on Friday it had been raining all day. I had to get out of the trailer...there is only so much to do in a 32ft trailer!! But it did force me to relax..which is rare, very rare these days.
So we headed of to the pool. Okay before you think I have officially left the reservation, the pool is covered and heated. So we went swimming for a bit while we waited for Randy to come. My sister, her husband and my brother arrived later that evening and my good friend Stephanie the next day. It really is a true joy to have experiences with the people you love. That is what life is all about!! Not necessarily the places you go, but the memories you make there!! Oh look how sappy I am.. It was really fun. The gang left on Monday morning and we stayed and hung out just the three of us ( and Sam of course, our four legged family member) for an extra day. We sat on the beach and enjoyed the calm. P.S. the weather returned to normal by Saturday afternoon. I must admit it was kind of cool to have such cool weather in May....We all know we have a good 6-7 months of EXTREME heat to follow!! Unfortunately when we returned home I had come down with a pretty bad bacterial infection in my throat and had to go to the doctor. After a week instead of it getting better, it got worse and I have to go to a Ear Nose and Throat specialist to clear up the problem..literally. I will spare you the horrifying details but it did involve cutting and needles while I was awake. Pat on the back to me that I didn't pass out and that I agreed it needed to be done. After a few weeks, now my throat is back to normal and I am feeling great!! As for Jaiden she surprises us everyday with her new interpretations of life and her view of it and has become EXTREMELY busy with wanting to know what is going on..all the time. "Mommy, what's that noise..what you doing...where's daddy...who's that...what's that..." you get the picture..but boy she sure is smart..I don't know whether to be afraid or glad...All I know is I wish I could bottle up the moments, the precious ones when you realize that this small person will soon grow and leave and that this time is to be savored!! Like when she's watching Peter Pan with me and she leans over and say's "Momma, I love you." or when she stretches out those small arms and say's "Momma, I need you." Something I hope that never changes. But I love her so much and I realize there will be times when I need to let her figure it out on her own..I'm scared of that, but it is inevitable. For now, I want to save her from every scary dream, scraped knee, and playground mishap...and it feels good she lets me.
Randy's busy busy with work, however he has been able to set aside some time to hang with us. It is bittersweet to have someone who is so willing to sacrifice for our family. Sometimes those sacrifices are time we get to spend together, but we try to make the most of out of the time we do get!! But there is no end to our appreciation for all he does for our family!! WE LOVE HIM!! Jaiden is still missing her recently moved Gramma and Gramps and frequently says "We need go to Texas okay mommy, we go see Gramps and Gramma okay mommy!!" And so we must as I know how much mutual love there is between those three!! I LOVE IT!! Darn time and distance, if only we could be like Peter Pan and pick up and fly wherever we want...oh and never grow up....Picture's will follow soon I am just glad to get on and update!! Until next time..I promise it not long, at least not as long as last time.

The Magic of Disney...

What an amazing place Disneyland can be. Especially when you see it through your child's eyes!!

I personally love Disneyland. The wonder, the enchantment. It seems to be a place where even adults seem to turn back to kids even if only for a moment. We were sooo excited to go and Jaiden was even doing the countdown. (3 more days till Disneyland!!) We arrived on Friday late afternoon and spent the first evening in downtown Disney. We ate dinner and Jaiden was so happy and excited because we were right next to Disneyland. We woke up first thing on Saturday morning (6 am) so we could get to Disneyland early to run to Finding Nemo. It was a really hot day and pretty crowded so I am glad we went there first. Then we went to Fantasyland and also so the Princess's who taught Jaiden how to be a princess!! In the late afternoon we headed to California Adventure, where I got food poisoning!!! YUCK!! I just wanted to get better for Disneyland the next day. Sunday, we again, woke up early and were off and running. With the help of an entire bottle of Pepto Bismol, I made it!! We were back with the princess's in no time. Jaiden was such a doll!! Not one melt down!! And believe me it's hard to be 3, even at Disneyland. She got to drive the Mark Twain boat, pull the whistle and ring the bell!! It was great!! We went on Pirate's of the Carribean and the Jungle Cruise!! Then Randy and I rode Space Mountain, (thank you ride share!!) and I got to ride on Thunder Mountain, 10 min wait can you believe it!! Fantasmic was awesome but Jaiden is definitely a scaredy cat just like me!! She was literally shaking when the evil witch turned to a dragon!! All good things must come to an end so at 10 p.m. we headed home!!

Monday was Jaiden's actual birthday, and she was so happy all day!! When she woke up I asked what she would like to do and she said "See my friends, Tanner and Sia, and maybe later cake..."

It was so cute!! So we had a nice relaxing birthday. We went to Tanner's to swim and then came home and had Pizza and cake with family. She got a bike!! The princess one!! She can't wait to ride it!! She was super hyper by the end of the night, it was like she realized how much fun she was having!!

This week we go to the river, to begin the summer of bummin at the river!! Jaiden loves the sand and the water. She could sit in the dirt all day and make sand castles and dig. I love to watch her amazement ever time she finds a seashell!! I started getting ready for the trip last week and I'm all packed and ready!! It should be so much fun...The heat is here and summer is upon us. Was it just me or wasn't it just Christmas?? I am so glad to be so lucky to live in such a great place now with friends and family surrounding me. You all make my world sooo much better!! We will be gone for a week, but I am sure I will be back with exciting stories and adventures to share!! Happy Memorial Day!!

I love this crazy life!!

Okay so here I am it's 7:00 a.m. and my daughter is buzzing around the house!! She wakes up happy and ready to go. I realize that this month is going WAY to fast. Last I left, we were going to Stagecoach. It was amazing!! I loved Rascal Flatts and Carrie Underwood!! Gretchen Wilson also was amazing. I loved seeing all of it!! Eagles were cool too!! It's pretty cool to hear music live you have been listening to your whole life!! I lost my voice and I am still nursing it to health. So sorry if you haven't heard from me, it's because I can barely speak!! But it is getting better everyday...(Crazy it's been a week!!) Well Jaiden will be 3 on the 19th and I can't believe how fast time goes by. We will be going to Disneyland for 2 days!! I don't know who is more excited me or her!! She says " I go see princess's and mickey and minnie and friends and family. Gram and Gramps too, okay?!" Her vocabulary shocks even me. She is getting smarter everyday. Next weekend we will go to the river for Memorial Day and I am excited. Every year around this time, I start itching to go!! I love the sun the sand the water the toys, the whole nine!! It is a great time to be with Family!! Well I am going to post pictures later, but I am still alive, believe it or not.

I CANT EVEN TELL YOU!!!

Okay, so today is a rarety. I am going to talk mainly about me on this blog. I AM GOING TO STAGECOACH AND I CANT EVEN TELL YOU HOW EXCITED I AM!!! I get to see rascall flatts, the eagles, carrie underwood, TIM MCGRAW :), trace adkins, gretchen wilson...well go to stagecoachfestival.com to see the rest!! My sweet darling wonderful husband is the one who suggested it, and he HATES country...boy you know someone loves you when they committ to 3 days of music they hate. I will say he can tolerate the eagles and tim mcgraw, but who can't? If you don't like those two you have some music appreciation gene missing from your DNA. Anyway you can tell i am excited as I continue to ramble!!

Jaiden is growing up so fast. Last night she says to me, "mom now it's your turn to get in your p.j.s and go to bed, okay?" Boy am I lucky!! She is my darling little girl. You know how you wish for something about your child, whatever it is. I wished she had a long torso (wish granted) because mine is non-existent and I always look at the swimsuit models and wish I had more than two inches of a torso. My legs literally come up to my ribs almost...I know wa wa...anyway, it seems like Jaiden got everything I wished for in her...I was really scared she wasn't going to be a girlie girl, I'm pretty girlie but I also LOVE to do the whole rough and tumble thing (camping,dirt biking, anything outdoor really, and I LOVE sports, of all kinds...) So I kind of wished she would be like me a little ( poor thing :) ) so we could relate. Well she loves all the things we've exposed her to so far (camping, river) and loves to dig in the dirt, but then she'll come home and get in her dress up clothes. I really do feel blessed. She is also VERY strong willed, which hopefully if channeled correctly will turn out good for her. Strong will is a great attribute ( of course better if it works in the parent's favor..joking) Well I digress, I just love her and could probably talk about her forever, after all she is what I do all day, (and sometimes all night). Till next time..I'll definitely be listening to country till then......

Friends make it better

I am so grateful for all my great girls!! Sometimes we have our ups and downs, but on the days when you just don't feel too great, there is always a friend to uplift you. I enjoyed a bunch of laughs with my friend Liz, who always makes me feel better!! (of course that is why she is my friend!!) It's also great that Jaiden gets to play with her bud Tanner at the same time. I swear they have baby crushes on each other, they are so sweet to each other. I got to enjoy watching Jaiden eat cheesecake last night, which just happens to be Randy and I's favorite!! ( NoTE: I am not a sweets person but cheesecake, come on!!) They sat at the end of the counter and gobbled up every luscious bite, and I may have snuck a bite or two. Randy's busy with work, but we are thankful for that. Jaiden's 3rd b-day is just a few weeks a way and I am in a toss up if we do the much asked for (by Jaiden) Polka dot Beach party, or a trip to Disneyland (which she also asks for everyday since our last trip on her 2nd birthday) what's a mom to do. They both sound fun!!

The art of eating spaghetti

It was another weekend that passed by far too quick. Why is it that as I get older time goes faster? Anyhow we had a fun time eating out at the olive garden and I just think that pasta is one of those foods that everyone has a different way of eating (or attacking or enjoying, depending upon the eater). When Jaiden got her food she insisted that she eat with a spoon. Which might be difficult since she was having fettuccine alfredo. But you've got to let them try to do it their way right? After several failed attempts she agreed that a fork would work better. Randy even got her to put the fork in and twirl the pasta then put it in her mouth. It's amazing how something that small can be so cute!! We also when shopping for patio furniture, now all we need is a patio, and maybe an idea of where to begin with what we are doing with our backyard. But, we do have grass!! So we are getting somewhere! While being bored out of her cute little two year old mind at the patio store, I noticed Jaiden playing hide and seek with an imaginary friend in her stroller. This went on for several minutes before she realized she had an audience. She also likes to pretend to spot sizzles (dog from her FAVORITE cartoon Charlie and Lola) at the grocery store. She tells me "Go get him" and I proceed to the spot where she was pointing and pretend to put sizzles next to her in the grocery cart. She is getting quite the little imagination, which I love to enjoy! It's pretty neat watching the world through her eyes. Tonight we had cinnamon french toast for dinner and then did a little grooving around the living room. We definatley enjoy my husbands talents with home audio systems!!! Just thankful to have a great family and friends. Life is good.

Early to rise...

For some insane reason which I cannot explain, I woke up at 5:30 am. I think it's because I miss my darling husband and that is about the only time we have alone together, early in the morning or late at night when Jaiden is sleeping. It was so nice to cuddle..I love him so much!! The world is so beautiful and peaceful early in the morning, the sky slightly purple orange and hazy and the nip still in the air. It's also nice to have an hour to myself of peace and quiet before my little firecracker wakes up raring to go.

I have to admit, I went and peeked in her room at her sleeping and I was in awe. They are so beautiful and innocent (note to self, remember this when patience is being tested by aforementioned child) But these moments seem to pass so quickly. The other day she dressed up in one of her princess dresses (thanks grams and aunt jaime, it's her favorite thing next to dollies) As I stared at her, I had a vision of her getting married!! If the next few years go as fast as the first three.....well lets just live in the moment for now!! Yesterday Jaiden went to her little friend Sophia's house, who she has been asking to see everyday since conference when they bonded, and much to her excitement her other b.f.f. Tanner was there too!! PARTY!! They chased each other on the trampoline and jumped in glee like children do. I even joined them for a few bounces myself. They painted with watercolor and all wanted sippy cups with water AND ice. Jaiden was sitting in the push car (or as we we call it the flinstone car) at a stand still. She still quite hasn't learned how to push herself with her feet, even though she's had the same car of her own since she was 1, ahhh my damsel in distress. Tanner was riding Sophia's bike around, and he comes to a screeching halt and says "Are you okay, I'm here." I just love watching those two together. Jaiden is also developing the love of the word why (much to to my dismay) however she is young and curious and a product of me who also, without always using the word why, per say, wants an answer for everything. Well mommy duty calls, so until next time..

here we go...

Well I have finally given in. After hearing about, and reading my friends blogs I to have decided to join the blogging community. It's funny how fast time goes once you have children. My daughter is going to be 3 next month and I have already been married 7 years. So I figure maybe, just maybe I should start documenting some of the day to day happenings in this little family we have created. Randy is busy with work and we are thankful for that!! But Jaiden and I miss him when we don't get to see him as often as we would like!! Jaiden has gone from baby to total toddler overnight. I don't know when it happened, but she is now speaking in full sentences. It's pretty amazing!! We live in a wonderful neighborhood now and she is enjoying having all of her favorite playmates so close, Tanner and Sophia especially!! We've really enjoyed watching Jaiden blossom into a full on little girl. The other day we were at Trader Joe's and she belted out a very dramatic "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" start to finish. And of course, applauded herself and said "I did it mommy!! YAY!!"
Okay, so potty training is an absolute necessity, but there is lack of courage and motivation on my part. But Jaiden seems to be ready. She has announced on several occasions that she would like to use the potty. So I hurry and take off the diaper, sit her little bum on the potty and turn on the water. Last time she looked at me with the utmost seriousness and said, "sorry mom, it's not working."
Randy took a recent trip to Mexico City for one of his guy adventures with his best friend Mark. They said it was awful because nobody spoke english, so they basically went to their one event and hung out at the hotel most of the time. Especially the day they both came down with a nasty case of montezuma's revenge (which by the way ended up with a trip for both to the doctor's after coming home :( Randy called me from the airport, at which he arrived 5 hours early because he wanted to be sure not to miss his flight!!
We had company 2 weeks in a row and loved it!! Our friends that moved from California to Georgia stayed with us. We miss them so much!! As soon as they arrived Jaiden wanted to be with Mary 24/7 and when she would leave her sight, she would exclaim "Where'd my Mary go?" But lucky us, we got them for 3 whole days and got to throw Mark the big "40" Birthday party at our home. (Basically we provided the house, they brought the party!!) They left early Saturday morning and Jaiden woke up and said, "Where did our party friends go?" Then Randy's parents came and stayed for a few days after recently moving to Texas. It's been hard on Jaiden since we use to live across the street from them. We arrived to the airport early so that we could be at the gate to greet them. Lot's of tears and kisses!! Jaiden missed her gramp's and grandma soooo much!!
Jaiden's new favorite song is "Wouldn't it be nice" by The Beach Boys. I explained to her one day in the car that this song is how mommy felt about daddy before we got married. So recently she said to me "Mom, play daddy's song LOUD!!" Too cute!! But, today we played the song 5 times in a row, not so cute. Jaiden loves her dollies and is becoming quite the mommy. She likes to pretend feed her, and bath her and take her for lot's of walks around the house. She keeps me busy but I wouldn't trade a minute!!