Wow

OKay so I obviously fell of the face of the planet. Here is the short of it. Dan is in the last week of his semester....finally. I am trying to hold on for just one more day..... yes that song carries great meaning suddenly. We have one whole year until Dan graduates if all stays on track. So the big question is where will the next road take us? I'm sure we'll be here in Oklahoma for at least a year and a half longer....unless by some chance Dan gets a job right out of school. Weather here in Oklahoma is weird in the winter time.... it was 70 on Monday and yesterday it was in the 20s with a pleasant brisk wind... brrrrr. Today is bright blue skies and a frigid wind which makes me want to curl up and die.

I have been trying to keep myself and the kids busy while Dan has been crazy busy. I am working on a quilt for my mom-in-law for Christmas. Hopefully she doesn't see this before Christmas. Any friends who read this blog is prbably too shocked to move hearing I am actually sewing. Yes I have given in and yes I enjoy it....I know I know...shocker. I am still running and loving the sport. I did the Turkey trot with Alyson again this year and we had a jolly time. It wasn't nearly as cold as last time.

We are excited for my brother to come tomorrow and next week we'll be taking off to Utah. Long drive. It's okay though, it's been about a year and a half since we've seen everybody. I suppose we did see Dan's mom. She came in November and it was a blast.

Well I'd better close. Em has dance.

Life's Good

Well here we are, July 3rd. I know, it's been a while. Love the tune.

So May 8-16 we went on a family vacation to Port Aransas, TX. We stayed in a condo on the beach and loved having a week to do nothing but focus on each other as a family. We did some ocean fishing (Dan caught a stingray--which he released back into the ocean) which was really fun! We went to the Texas State Aquarium and had a really nice time looking at the marine animals. A little bit of souvenir shopping was fun and we got to try fresh shrimp....which interestingly tastes and chews differently than your frozen variety from the grocery store. It was hard to come back home and get into the swing of things again!

June flew by....I'm not sure where it went! Dan completed one course and is continuing on with his thesis class. Hopefully he gets it all ironed out before the summer ends. He also started on some contract work that will bring in a decent income if they keep him after his trial period. We feel very blessed! The Lord is looking out for us.

Emilie started tap/ballet last month and is enjoying that. She takes the class once a week. I can't believe how big she's getting! She is so smart, and so full of curiosity! She loves to learn about new things, and loves to do anything artsy. Some days I feel as if I don't have enough energy!

Ashton's starting to communicate a lot better now. He knows most of the actions to the song Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree! He loves "This Little Piggy" for his toes and will often grab a hold of them and do the little game his own way. He'll grab his little toes and say "Ah ba ba, Ah ba ba, Ah ba ba,......Weeeee!" At the wee part he rubs his hands on the sides of his head and then to his chest. So cute! He also makes faces at me sometimes to make me laugh. Such a happy boy!

I am working still in the morning and have acquired a new bike (it's a Trek). I bike to work some mornings and enjoy the challege. Round trip it's just over 12 miles so it's a good workout! I have a bicycle headlight that is bright enough to illuminate the road ahead of me. I wear reflective strips and have a rear flashing LED. Needless to say, I am visible in the early morning hours! I've been enjoying some new found friendships and so life seems to be a little more rose-colored. I enjoy our calling (as sunday school teachers) and our ward is pleasant.

Life is good. ;-)

Catch Up

Well I haven't written in ages so I have a ton of stuff to talk about, but probably won't be in chronological order.

Tornado: Last Monday night, we had our first real tornado drill. A big storm sept through in the middle of the night. Em came in our room at first to have help getting her blanket back on the bed. After that she came in because the power had gone out and the storm outside was scaring her. Both she and Ashton have night lights and so he naturally woke up as well. So I brought him to bed with me and held him while I listened to the storm outside. Em was camped out on our floor. I heard a high whistling from outside and nudged Dan because I thought maybe it was the siren, but he couldn't hear it. So I left Ashton with him and opened the front door to see if I could hear better. I could hear the same sound, but it wasn't the siren so I went back to bed. Shortly thereafter the tornado sirens went off and we all got up and got into Em's closet. Dan listened in on an AM/FM cassette player and informed us that the tornado had touched down 1.5 miles away. Luckily it passed us by. Honestly, I'd prayed earlier that we would be safe if there was one. No one was hurt. There was some damage to some homes, but I'd say generally everybody was lucky to have not been hurt who were in the path. The pic is of a house that was damaged.



Easter: Easter was a good time. Em was about as excited about Easter as she is at Christmas time! She's into the easter bunny and all that. I love how into holidays she is. We tried going to a easter egg hunt at Hafer Park and it was a nightmare. There were 50,000+ eggs advertised but they had sectioned off areas with piles of eggs. There were thousands of people. Em didn't even get to pick up her own egg. Parents were getting stuff for their kids. It was ridiculous! We had our own hunt at home! It was nice and relaxed. We no longer are curious about commercialized easter egg hunts.

Shopping: A bit off the last topic! We went shopping at Kohl's recently and I decided to hit the bra section. Em was enamored by some polka dot one that she saw and asked me if I liked it. I hadn't noticed it. We went back to the bra section after I'd tried some on and she went and grabbed it and showed it to me. I told her that it was nice (not my style), but too big. She asked if she could wear it so I went ahead and let her put it on and I latched the back. Of course it was huge on her, but I figured I'd humor her! I drew the line at the hot pink lace panties she wanted to put on after that. She went running off with them when I said no and I think some people saw us. They were probably either amused or annoyed that this little girl was running around with a giant polka dot bra and panties in her hand while her mom chased desperately after her. Mental note: Never again.

Race: I ran in the St. Paddy's Day Race of the Great Plains last month and finished in 36:02 or something like that. Not bad. I shaved some time off from my last 5 miler so I am pretty happy about that. I was third in my division, but received a second place trophy because they don't give out two awards to the overall winners of each age group. I am running the OUHSC Miracle run this Saturday. It's a 5k and I'm hoping to do really well.

Haircut: Today Dan gave Em some scissors because she said that she wanted to do some crafts. Well she went to her room and decided during this time that her hair was bugging her so she cut off a chunk that was hanging in her eyes. (She told me the reason when I asked her why she cut her hair). She hid the hair in one of her play purses. She has bangs now. She did a pretty good job because it took me a while before I noticed what she had done. We were amused after the initial shock! Here is a picture of the aftermath. Not too bad!

School: Dan is on his last leg of the semester. He is super busy, but holing up quite well. It's been a pretty intense semester and we aren't going to be this busy again. Dan will take lighter loads because there isn't enough balance.

Vacation: We are going on vacation to Corpus Christi next month. It's badly needed because we have been going going going. It'll be nice to relax and get away for some pure family time.

Ashton has started his speech therapy. We are hoping that it is effective. We have to do parallel talking (speak out loud when we are doing something, describe our actions) with him. I'm sure he won't mind the extra attention!

Well that's it for now!

A Day of Ahhh

Saturday the 1st of March was AWESOME! I ran the Deer Creek Classic here in Edmond with Alyson. It was so much fun! I set a new PR of 21:32 (I believe). I was the second woman over the finish line and took first place in my division. I am ecstatic! Alyson beat her presumed time by about 3 minutes and so she did fabulous as well!

Following the race later in the day I went and redeemed my gift certificate at Cottonwood Spa (my Valentine present from Dan :-). I got a 1.5 hour massage and it was amazing!

And in the evening to top off the day I went out with my friends Brandi and Alyson for a girl's night/celebration of my birthday. We saw Penelope and ate at BJ's restaurant. It was delicious and we had a incredible time. Many laughs!

Yesterday I painted mine and Emili's finger nails. While she was waiting for them to dry she asked "Mom will you pick my wedgie? My nails are aren't dry." And then she said nevermind because she discovered that they were in fact dry. I was quite taken aback, but was very amused! I informed her that I would NEVER pick her wedgie.

And tonight brings our first of severe weather season. There is a tornado watch and there are supposed to be wind gusts of up to 65 miles an hour. The storm is just now moving in and we are waiting for it. Hopefully there won't be any twisters!

Well that's it for now!

Drive Test

Okay so word of the now wise. DO NOT let your driver's license expire! I did and have taken the written and driving tests. I failed the driving test today. How embarrassing is that?! I let go of the steering wheel to loosen the zipper on my jacket. I then didn't come to a full and complete stop at the stop signs (I thought I had....but I guess not!). So I am incredibly frustrated. Oh well. I'll try not to get pulled over or anything for another week. The people working at the public transportation are very grumpy. Maybe they need to retire!

Yesterday Em said something really cute. We were folding a load of laundry and she was doing her pajamas. She said, "Mom we can just call these PBJ's instead of PJ's, I know that's a sandwich, but that's okay." It made me giggle. Kids say funny things sometimes.

I'm running in a race tomorrow morning. I am hoping to do well! Later Alligator.

Sunshine in February

I'm still waiting for it to be truly winter here! February has been a fairly pleasant month. Today it's supposed to hit 62. I am planning on doing some running outside this week while I can. I don't mind the milder winters here. I did experience some home sickness this week when I looked out over the mountainless landscape of Oklahoma. I look forward to the mountains of Utah again.

I've read recently that Oklahoma is on the top 10 list for weight problems. I can understand why. There's not much to do recreationally unless it's at a restaurant. I have to say there are a lot of parks and green space so I do have to admit that I enjoy that!

March brings in the severe weather month. We've only heard about the phenomenal storms that pass through. This past Sunday we discussed emergency preparedness for Family Home Evening. Emilie was quite unsettled after we were done discussing it and so we comforted her.

I turn 28 on Saturday. Years have just gone by leaps and bounds since I graduated from high school. Ten years. It's hard to believe. I don't feel old and venture to guess that it would take a lot for me to feel aged!

This past Valentine's day was a lot of fun! I made a homemade Valentine coloring book for Em and a heart-shaped cookie out of the cookie dough that Dan made (he makes the BEST cookies). Dan gave the kids identical lovey dogs which just varied in color. Em loves it and Ashton isn't really old enough to appreciate. That's okay though. It's still fun! Dan gave me a giftcard to Cottonwood Spa (very nice) meant for a 1.5 hour massage, so I'm excited about that! I made Dan a homemade spa coupon book wherein I will be the one to massage along with some candy and massage oil. No need to say what we both like! It was very pleasant. Low key.

Dan is incredibly busy with school right now. He does really well on keeping up with things. I think this will be his busiest semester. I am hoping to start school in the fall at UCO. I've been accepted so now I have to meet with an advisor. I would like to enter in the Mass Communications department and do their Photographic Arts emphasis. It has all the classes that I would want to take so I'm going to hope that it all works out!

Oh and here is a picture of Emilie in her "100 Days" celebration hat from school. :-)

Frigid Five

Well I did it (Rachel)! I ran the Frigid Five at Mitch Park. I beat my Turkey Trot time of 39:-- and came out with 36:41. I'm really excited about it! My goal is to beat that time again. Hopefully this coming month will bring this to light. Maybe 34:00 will be my next goal. Maybe 30:00! Who knows! I love the atmosphere of road races. It's so much fun to experience the adrenaline. Mingling with other crazy runners who are obsessed with PR's and the race day shirt. Speaking of which, the shirt from this race is awesome... Of course Dan dragged the kids along and supported me. I love him! At home Em put on some black gloves, her tennies, and pinned a 8x11.5 sheet of paper on which she had written a 100. She confidently told me that she was a runner! She ran around the house a for a minute and then she changed to something different. It was quite adorable!

Anyway this week has been pretty good. I finally got my hands on book three of Stephanie Meyer's series which starts with Twilight. I love the books! They are so much fun to read.

Dan is working hard on his studies and seems overwhelmed at times with all that he has to do. He is a hard worker so I know he'll be fine. It's inspiring to see him work so hard.

Em and Ashton are in good health. Em is loving school! She celebrated her 100th day of school this past Thursday. She made a big white hat and wore it around Wal-Mart until she grew self-conscious of ladies smiling and complimenting her on it. It was pretty cute! Ashton seems to be getting new teeth and is growing and incredibly active. He entertains himself really well and so that is nice!

Karate Kid

Dan and I were talking in the kitchen while I was making lunch (this was last week) and we somehow started talking about the Karate Kid. I asked him if when he was a kid if he ever imitated the kick after the movie. We started joking around about it and at the same time (I turned towards him) we started lifting our arms like graceful birds and lifted one leg slowly upward and then we both hopped to the opposite foot and KICKED out. Well needless to say I collided my foot into his shin and I totally busted my toe! It was my middle toe on my left foot. I crashed to the ground and was laughing so hard and in pain at the same time. Dan was laughing too and trying to see if I was okay. We're such nerds sometimes!

We had a snowstorm yesterday. The roads were incredibly icy! I witnessed one car accident, and I talked to someone today who had witnessed two. I think some people here just don't know how to drive in conditions like this. I have been broken out of the world of spring-like weather. (Spring-like for Utah anyway). I keep thinking it's later in the year than it actually is. It's really nice to have milder winters. The wind can be very cutting at times, but I'll trade it for bitter cold anytime! Some people express surprise when I complain about the cold because I've experienced colder weather. What can I say? I'm a baby.
Emilie has been battling allergies and ear infections over the winter. I hope that she doesn't have to have tubes put in her ears. Hopefully the Claritin will work. Ashton has learned to climb up on chairs in the past week or so. He loves to climb up to Dan's work desk and push the buttons on his computer. Em and Ashton love to run around and make loud noises. They chase each other through the house. Em will climb into Ashton's crib in the morning and get him dressed for the day. She'll play with him and then she'll find something for herself to eat. All this goes on while Dan sleeps. Em is a great big sister, and Ashton loves her.

We are enjoying our church calling as sunday school teachers of the 12-14 year-olds. There is one boy and the rest are girls. I think he feels slightly outnumbered, and would probably be very uneasy if it weren't for Dan! They're a great group!

Well that's it for now.

Baby Jacket

Well, Dan has been sick for a couple days now and is currently on the upswing. Yesterday was a difficult day for him. Lots of aches and pains and other bodily dysfunctions that nobody wants to hear about.

Yesterday at lunch we had fish tacos. I was pitting some olives and cutting them up on my taco when Dan noticed what I was doing and said, "Hmm, I'd like some of that too. Would you mind doing some for me too?". Being the nice wife I am I said okay. Em noticed and said, "Why can't you cut your own olives daddy?" Dan then replied, "When daddy's sick he can't do anything." Em let a short laugh and said, "Daddy do you need a baby jacket?!" Needless to say I burst out laughing and Dan pretended to be all offended that Em had just in essence called him a baby. He then told her that it was a good thing that she had a sense of humor because so did her parents!

Yogurt

You know, kids are so funny sometimes. Ashton has had issues with eating lately. He's become quite picky. He used to love yogurt and now he is off and on about it. While Ashton was munching on a banana Dan put a dollop of blueberry yogurt on the end of it. Ashton looked at his banana and got this very disgusted look on his face and then started whining loudly. He dropped the banana and it landed in his own lap. We were laughing because of how openly grossed out he was.

Emilie went fishing with Dan at Arcadia Lake today. They fished off the dock inside the smallish building. Dan said Em caught a fish before he even had his own line ready! What a pro! The people fishing thought she was a true "fisherman". :-) Dan said she sang songs such as the ABC's (he can't remember what others) while she fished. She's our adorable daughter. He had a good time hanging out with her.

Out With the Old in With the New

Happy New Year one and all! We brought in the new year with great friends and great food...so needless to say it was nice! We are so excited that a new year has begun because with each new year brings endless possibilities. New years resolutions need to be made (and, ahem, kept).

We are looking forward to our trip to Utah in May. My beautiful sister Beka is engaged and in love. We are so happy for her and so excited to meet the new addition to the clan. It'll be great to visit with friends and family and keep those connections tight.

School starts up again this coming week! Yay! Dan will start his second semester and we are hoping that he will pull off another 4.0! (I am fiercely proud of him!) Our first few months here have been quick, but very enjoyable. It's great to be in a new environment and experiencing a different culture.

I'm back to work again after a break and it's comfortably the same as always. I know it's crazy but I don't mind getting up at 4:00 A.M. to work. As long as I get to bed at a reasonable hour then I am good to go. I am STILL working on Em's quilt. My hobby is going slowly, but that's okay. Who's in a hurry anyway? Anyone who knows my last quilt experience can understand why I am taking so long. I am scared to sew those squares together!

Our kids are growing and healthy. Em is loving preschool and playing with her little brother. She surprises us every day with how grown up she thinks she is! Ashton is still our non-stop bundle of cuddles and joy. We love them both and are excited they are in our family.

Well, I'll write more when there's more to say.