The Torres Family

2011-08-29T14:43:00.001-07:00

First day or school.

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2011-08-14T12:44:00.001-07:00

A beautiful day!
Gabriel's baptism

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2011-08-09T08:23:00.001-07:00

Happy 7th Birthday Braxton!!

2011-07-22T17:04:00.001-07:00

Lost both front teeth us in Utah without me. She looks so big. Can't wait to see her.

First one!

Now the other one!

2011-07-08T10:38:00.001-07:00

My mini chefs helped me make breakfast.

The kids got to put and whatever sprinkles and write their initial and then we cooked it in.

2011-07-07T10:21:00.001-07:00

This is what she chose to wear to a birthday party outside in 110 degree weather.

2011-06-19T12:09:00.001-07:00

All worn out!! We had a fun exciting weekend.

2011-06-08T22:26:00.000-07:00

Life is good!

Memorial day up in Utah

The Big Day!

2011-03-25T22:04:00.000-07:00

Everything was so perfect. We had so much fun. Thanks to everyone who helped to make it the best day ever.

The Best Thing That Has Ever Happened To Me

2011-02-06T08:06:00.000-08:00

Last night after Alexa's birthday party, we laid down on the couch to watch Mama Mia and Alexa looks over and says, " Mom, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me." Then she followed with, " Isn't that funny, since I really happened to you?" She is so funny and makes all the hard work worth it. I love her so much and I am so proud of the smart little girl she is turning into.

I can't believe she is 6. It seems so old. The past few years just flew by. Hopefully it will start slowing down!

I guess I'm not a real princess...

2010-11-02T21:23:00.000-07:00

Tonight on the way back from the gym Alexa was disgusted when I didn't open her door for her. She just kind of huffed and got herself into the car. As we were pulling away she says, "I guess I'm not a real princess. People always open their doors and their mom's always tell them yes." I tried to explain to her that she was a princess, but I was the queen so she was going to have to find someone else to serve her. She didn't seem to see it that way. She must just think of me as the servant.

Speaking of princess, this was one of the first Halloweens where she wasn't a princess. She went with a lady I tutor for and they picked out a kitty cat costume. She was cute and we had a long and extended, but fun Halloween.

She may not be a "real" princess, but she was a real bulldog cheerleader and got to cheer at the football game. They did a camp at her school with the high school cheerleaders. She had so much fun and did such a good job.

Sleepy Head!!!

2010-10-14T23:34:00.001-07:00

I was looking through my pictures on my phone and realized that there were a lot of her asleep in the car. I was the same way. I still fall asleep when I get in the car.

First Day of School

2010-10-14T23:22:00.001-07:00

So cute!

She was so excited and loves her class.

She's right. She does make mom happy. She showed me this at open house. This is what she wrote on her day for the classroom journal.

She's Back!!!

2010-07-27T12:37:00.000-07:00

Alexa was in Utah for 2 weeks to visit her grandma. I missed her so much. It just isn't the same without her around. On her way back we met her and went up to Cedar Mountian for the weekend.

She had tons of fun at the parade and got soaked by the fire engine.

She caught the biggest fish with her Barbie fishing pole. (I couldn't get the picture to turn the right way)

I'm so LUCKY!!!

2010-07-12T11:21:00.000-07:00

Driving back from Utah yesterday Alexa said, "Mom you're so luck." I said why and she replied, "because you have me." She is right. I am so lucky. She is getting so big.

While we were in Utah at the farm by Zion National Park she lost her first tooth. It has been wiggling around for about a month and then Thursday she did something to make it bleed and it was just hanging there. Saturday night she came running out with her tooth in hand saying sorry. She said the was just checking on it and it fell out. She put it under her pillow and the tooth fairy, Goosalina, came and brought her $5 (more then I would have given, but I only had a $20 and it was late at night out of town. Luckily Aunt Bridget has a $5). We have a tradition in our family that each person gets there very own tooth fairy. Those of us up at the farm spent all night trying to pick a name. Since the goose is the only animal left up there David came up with the name. She thinks she is so cool.

Baby Trey's Finally Here

2010-06-28T20:10:00.000-07:00

Everything is GREAT!!!

2010-03-07T08:02:00.000-08:00

This blog is starting to look like every journal entry I have in my diary. They all start with, "I know it has been a long time, but....."

So here it goes. I know it has been a long time, but here is what has been going on in my life since I last wrote. A lot has changed. Luckily all of the new changes have been for the better. I have a new man in my life. I was really resistant at first, but over time(about a year) we became really good friends and then all of a sudden, here we are. It is great! He is great! His kids are great! Alexa is doing great! I couldn't ask for more.

Alexa turned 5 last month. I can't believe how big she is getting. Time is just flying by. I wish I could slow time down (although I am pretty excited for the fuure, so that might not be good to slow it down!). I want to enjoy every minute with her. She is just so funny and now she is getting older and so smart and even funnier. Here are some of her recent comments that had me cracking up.

-We were driving in the car and she was sick so she was half asleep and out of it, but I looked back in the rear view mirror and see her little head bobbing to the music with her eyes closed. Then she says, "Mom, I feel like this music is just a part of me. If it wasn't a boy singing, I would thing that I was doing the song." She does love music. She loves to dance and to sing and to make up her own songs.

-Her and I were watching tv the other day. We only get a couple chanels so for some reason we get the proactive commercial a lot. Alexa looked at me and says, "Hey mom, that's the stuff you have, but it doesn't work as good on you. It's ok, I still think you are pretty." Thanks kid. Luckily I know she really does think I am pretty, so I wont take it to harsh.

-Her other recent accomplishment was learning to blow a bubble. We spent all sunday morning last week learning how to blow bubbles with the pack of bubble gum someone gave her for her birthday. She is a fast learner.

In Trouble..

2009-10-11T11:22:00.000-07:00

I have been so busy lately and have not been on the internet, but I keep getting in troule for not posting so here it goes. We had a great summer. Lots of fun trips. School is back in. We just finished homecoming week so I think that I have a few months where my life wont be so busy.

Alexa started pre-school. She loves it. We are in the new house, but there is still a lot of work to be done on it.

I have been keping a list of funny things Alexa has said lately so her are the more recent ones.

-My cell phone has been having problems lately. Anyone who is around me knows that I keep it in my bra a lot. Well my mom was asking me if it wasnt working because it got wet. I said no and Alexa piped in with "except for boob sweat."

-I have been going with a group of singles to Stoney's to go country line dancing. I was telling my mom how Thursday is ladies night and that is why we go because we get in free. Alexa asked, "what about boys in dresses?"

-"I think Heavenly Father laughs at me when I do funny things"

-Alexa told me I could be her side kick

-Alexa told my sister KT she wished she would move so she could be Will's wife.

HA HA... I love my life!!!!!

No More Waiting!!!

2009-08-04T10:08:00.000-07:00

Well that's not totally true. Now I am waiting for Alexa to get home (she went to utah for one one, aka 11, day) and for all of my appliances to get here. I had to buy all new appliances and they were back ordered 3 weeks so I am waiting. Should be soon! I keep promising pictures. KT has better pictures on her camera, but here is what I have so far. It is a work in progress. These pictures are from a week or so ago. I will post more when it is all done.

Still Waiting...

2009-06-30T11:18:00.000-07:00

We are still waiting for our house to close. I am being told it should be this week, but we are having lots of fun while we are waiting.

Playing in the sprinklers.

Making homemade pizza.

Jumping on the trampoline.

Playing in the back yard.

And lots of swimming!!!

Give me an A!

2009-06-19T22:22:00.000-07:00

A L E X A

This was Alexa's idea to have my mom take pictures of her making the letters of her name.

Time is flying!!!!

2009-06-17T08:32:00.000-07:00

I was driving home the other day and looked down and saw my miles on my car, 111111. For some reason this stressed me out. I didn't know if I should pull over or take a picture of it. I know this sounds stupid, but it was one of those moments where I realized that time is flying by, I am never going to get it back, and I wish there was someone going through it with me. I know I am whining about being single, but I can do that every once in a while if I want to.
Alexa is growing up so fast. We went shopping yesterday with my sister and a friend from work and she was trying so hard to be one of the big girls. We were looking at furniture (which I haven't blogged about it yet, but I bought a house. It hasn't all closed yet, but when it does I will put up some pictures.) and Alexa kept saying "I totally like this one," or "This one is so freakin cute."

When we were leaving to go home, my friend asked if we wanted to go to another store. I said, "I'm down." And then Alexa spouts back with "Well I'm up." After we cracked up at her, I think she was a little embarrassed and said, "I mean I am down like my mom."

We are having such a good time together now that I am off for the summer and we get to spend all day together. She is starting to read and loving books. Loves taking pictures of peoples feet. Loves using speed dial to call me from my mom's phone or text from my sister's I phone. Her newest tricks are being able to bounce on her bum on the trampoline and then bounce back to her feet, swinging all by herself, and snapping. She has been practicing at all of them for months and finally can do all three. I am so blessed to have her around, but I wish she would stop growing so fast.

Spring Cleaning

2009-05-05T16:23:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine from work, who I have been talking to a lot about the church lately just got baptized. I "got" to speak at the baptism. It has been a great opportunity to get to sit through the discussions and to feel the spirit. It is such a testimony builder to see others so excited about the gospel. Here is a group of teachers that I teach with who were all at the baptism.

We had a garage sale on Saturday. It was a lot of fun. We only made about $85, but it was all on things like clothes and toys. No big ticket items. Alexa's cousins came and helped sell Lemonade. It was a blast!

A Little Late!

2009-04-24T18:38:00.000-07:00

but HAPPY EASTER!!!
We went up to Zion National Park for the weekend with my cousin and her family and my parents. We had so much fun and it was beautiful up there.

Alexa's Many Nicknames!!!

2009-04-19T17:56:00.000-07:00

Alice in Wonderland-
We have had a lot going on the past few days. A friend that I use to work with up in Utah was in town so we went down to the strip and ate at the ESPN Zone and watched the Fountains. Alexa and Alice lived it. (Alice was conducting the fountains.)When I told Alexa that Alice was coming to visit she said, "is it the real Alice in Wonderland from Provo?"

Chuck and Joshy Washy-
We went to the park and to eat with some guys. Chucky, or as Alexa says, "Chuck" was brave enough to sit between the two kids in the back seat.

We went this weekend to go see my friend Jenny and her husband and baby who were up in Utah. No nick name for them, but Alexa did name her shoes after Jenny!!!

On our way back from Utah we dropped off Alexa to see her Grandma and some family. She wont be home till Tuesday so we will miss her.

A few other nick names that Alexa has given people:
My mom is the Bock Bock Grandma
Savany Wanny Love Heart
K.T. is now Kade
Uncle Will is her Cuddy Buddy
Grandpa is PuaPua
Her blanket is Slucy

Feeling Spiritually Fed!!!

2009-04-08T20:46:00.000-07:00

This past week has been a great one. Not only am I on spring break and don't have to work, but I also had the opportunity to go up to conference and hear from the prophet. I take for granted and probably really don't truly comprehend how lucky I am to have a living prophet here on earth and to be able to get guidance and instruction from him. A friend from work has been taking the missionary discussions and has committed to being baptized at the and of April. We got tickets (they are free, but it is hard to get in because so many people are trying to go!) given to us so that he could go and see what it was all about.

Driving up to Utah was a spiritual experience in itself. I had Alexa in the car and ended up having to drive a separate car by myself. The weather was bad and it was snowing and very windy. Around Beaver, Utah I hit some black ice and my car lost control. Amazingly I was able to stay calm as it was happening. It seemed like an eternity. Alexa and I were carrying on a conversation as it was happening to try to keep each other distracted. As we were spinning I told her I was glad we had on out seat belts. She then said to me not to worry because she had said a prayer. Her perfect little faith knew that we would be fine because she had prayed and asked Heavenly Father to keep us safe.

During conference, a new member of the quorum of the twelve apostles was called. I was really excited because my best friend's husband's uncle, Neil Anderson, was called. I have only met him once, but have heard a lot about him from my friend and he is an amazing man. As we were asked to sustain him as a member of the twelve, it reaffirmed my testimony that all of these men are called of God and are here to serve the Lord and to guide and direct us. I hope that I can take the things that I have learned this week and make myself a better person.

PS. A friend and I were interviewed while we were up there for mormon.org. If it ever shows up on their I will link it.

This Week!!!

2009-03-21T10:31:00.000-07:00

Alexa got new chores around the house (so did I). It has been fun though to come home and work together. The first day she had to vacuum the stairs. She looked so big and so cute.

That same night we were at the store and all the sudden she stared yelling, "I can't take it anymore." She has a pretty high pain tolerance so it scared me. She was saying her ears hurt and were plugged. I took her to the doctor for the first time since she was 18 months and found out she had double ear infections. One ear I guess is pretty bad. She stared antibiotics that night and has been doing good ever since. Poor thing!

Cute Alexa!!!

2009-03-15T21:17:00.000-07:00

Alexa's Fairy Party

2009-03-15T20:52:00.000-07:00

Alexa had a really fun birthday party with twelve of her little friends. I kind of started planning it late so I didn't think all the girls would come, but they all did. They all came in fairy costumes. My dad and I took all of the silk flowers from the whole house and put them in the room to make it look like a garden. Alexa wanted firefies so my dad had the bright idea to put white lights in the trees that blinked along with the music. It turned out pretty cute and they had a blast al dancing.

I don't feel 4?!?!?

2009-02-03T16:41:00.001-08:00

Yesterday my little Alexa turned 4. I can't believe it. The past few years have gone by so fast. She is not a little baby anymore. Not that she has ever been little! KT helped her get ready for the little dinner we had last night. She picked out a ballerina dress to wear and a crown and had KT do her hair all fancy. KT said she just kept looking in the mirror and saying how beautiful she looked.

At one point during the night she got really concerned and I asked her what was the matter. She said she didn't think she was four. She didn't feel four and she didn't think she looked four yet. I think she thought that some miraculous change would happen on "February 2nd, groundhog." (If you ask Alexa when her birthday is that is what she says.)

Vegas Baby!!!!

2009-01-21T17:25:00.000-08:00

My good friend from college came into town for 5 days this past week to visit. It was a blast. Alexa and her little boy had fun together. She loved to have someone to follow her around. She is obsessed with the idea of having a baby brother, but that isn't happening for a while.

We went to the Bellagio first and got to see the gardens and the fountains. I have always loved it there.

Jenny is a big Elvis fan. In college we use to dres up in honor of his birthday or other Elvis related holidays. We still always wish eachother happy Elvis Day on his birthday and mourn on his death day. Well it might also have to do that one of my best friends also died on the same day. This was as close to Elvis we were ever going to get.

We got to go to "the castle" (aka Excalibur) the last night for dinner and played some of the games. Alexa has been asking to go there for the past year every time we pass it on the freeway. It was a little crazy bringing both kids around and trying to take a picture. You can tell by the look on my face what it was like.

We are going to miss them, but it was so good to have her around and just hang out like old times. Now I need to start planning a trip out there to Florida. I have never been there before.

Winter in Vegas!!!

2008-12-29T10:36:00.000-08:00

Since I have been such a bad blogger this month, here are some pictures from the past few weeks.

We had a family reunion the weekend of my birthday up in Utah and got to see lots of cousins. Alexa and her cousin that was her same age had so much fun. They kept wrestling. I have never seen her act so tough.

It has been nice and warm. Alexa loves going and picking the tomatoes out of the garden. She really likes throwing the over ripe ones out into the dirt.

Then it got really cold and snowed about 6 inches. We actually had a snow day and school was canceled. It was pretty funny. Alexa had a blast out in the snow. She made snow angels and threw lots of snowballs. I was freezing. Luckily she finally settled for me sitting on one side of the glass doors and the was outside throwing snowballs at my face. She thought it was pretty funny and I thought it was a lot warmer inside. My ceiling at school actually fell in because of the snow so I have no classroom until they get it fixed!

Here is her cute little Christmas dress she picked out!

We painted a very colorful nativity. She loves to paint!

Alexa played the angel (along with the other girl cousins) in the annual Christmas Eve Nativity.

She took it very seriously. You can see her trying to flap her arms in one of the pictures.

Christmas morning it was hard to get her out of bed. My dad even accidentally set off the fire alarm cooking bacon and she didn't even flinch. But once she got up we had fun. She really loved her new undies. She kept saying " how did Santa know Ariel is my favorite princess?"

Santa also brought her the new Alexa Princess Barbie. It sings when you tough her hand.

Alexa got me a lot of really cute stuff. KT and Will took her shopping. She got me a princess puzzle that we could do together, my very own set of pom poms so we can sheer together, some stuff for my bulletin board at school, and a cute statue of a mom and daughter dancing. She made me this cute card. She is getting really good at writing and spelling. She is so smart!

The look on her face when all the presents were done! Lucky for her, she is in Utah now getting even more Christmas! We miss her!

Just my thoughts from today...

2008-12-29T00:09:00.000-08:00

My testimony of the gospel has always been an easy thing for me. Even when things have been hard, I have not really questioned whether the church was true. I have always been able to rely on my testimony. Today during Sunday school, we were reading from Moroni chapter 7 and the promise in there that if you "ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, He will manifest the truth of it unto you,…and by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." Later in the chapter it talks about some different gifts that people have and it became apparent to me that I have been blessed with the gift of faith and a testimony of the gospel. Although I know what I believe, the past few months I have felt the spirit less in my life. I was not really sure why, but it has just felt like I was numb to the spirit. I was just living life and just scraping by. I have been so busy with work and church and Alexa that I have not been as diligent with my scripture study and prayers as I should be.
I was talking with my parents tonight about life and felt like I was being a little silly for even feeling the way I was. My mom said you need to just pray about it. She told me to spend 30 minutes on my knees praying about it. So I did. Now I didn’t quit spend 30 minutes on my knees, but when I was done praying for just a little confirmation that I am on the right path, that I am doing the right things, and that the things that I am looking for would eventually come I pulled out my scriptures and decided to just let them fall open. I was just going to read until I felt like I had an answer. I was ready to read all night if I had to. I started reading in a short chapter in Alma about war and all these people dying, wasn’t sure how long I was going to have to read to get out of the violent war chapters which I don’t like so much. I got to the next page and my eyes filled with tears. It was Alma chapter 29.
This is a very important scripture to me. Several years ago, when I was in high school, my boyfriend was killed in a car accident. The night before he passed away, he was telling me about his favorite scripture and read it to me over the phone. He was getting ready to leave on a mission and was maybe going to use this on his little missionary plaque. The evening of his accident, before I had been told what had happened, I felt very dark and alone. I didn’t know what was the matter or what to do to get rid of the feelings I had so I picked up my scriptures and began reading. I read for a while and then my cousin came to the door so I threw my bookmark in and got distracted. An hour or so later I got the dreaded phone call that he had been killed in a car accident. I searched for days to find the scripture that he had read to me the night before. His mom wanted it for the funeral. I had several other people trying to help me find it. We couldn’t find it. Finally one night when things settled a little I went back to my scriptures and opened up to the bookmark and there it was Alma 29, "Oh that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, …..And behold, when I see many of my brethren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with joy; then do I remember what the Lord had done for me, yea, even that he hath heard my prayer; yea, then do I remember his merciful arm which he extended towards me."
The Lord is merciful. Not only was I able to have my prayers answered, but I was also reminded that the church is true and that Christ is my Savior and that he loves me. I don’t believe in coincidences. Things happen for a reason. I am so lucky to have had some wonderful missionary experiences lately which have allowed for me to reflect and to see the mercy of the Lord.

Fun Week!!!

2008-12-01T22:04:00.000-08:00

This past week has ben a lot of fun, but it has been really busy. I can't remember the last time I got a good night of sleep. I think I am running myself out, but I am sure having a good time doing it.

Last Weekend, Alexa and I went up to Utah and got to see some of our old friends. We went to the Chocolate Festival and how can that not be fun!!!

We had a great Thanksgiving. We made lots of pumpin pies and had lots of family over. We made a cute gingerbread castle with her cousins. Then they gave us a concert. It was so funny. She rocks out!!!

That night my cousins and I decided to start shopping at midnight and had a long day getting some great deals at Toy's R Us and Walmart. Then later that night my family suprised me with a birthday party. I had no idea. I can't believe they pulled it off.
The next day we all went to Opportunity Village and saw Santa. Alexa asked for the new Alexa princess barbie and a digital camera. She loves to take pictures and is pretty good at it.

Click here for a slideshow of our pictures.
http://www.slide.com/r/ypYIVC2p5j8L9KJ1wdBWlL9KHYKwClcZ?previous_view=mscd_embedded_url&view=original

2008-11-19T21:22:00.001-08:00

tonight at family prayers, Alexa prayed "that grandme wont get the dizzies" It was cute!!!

Sunday: Alexa's Favorite Day!

2008-11-11T22:26:00.000-08:00

On Sunday, Alexa had to give a talk in primary. This is the first time she has ever done anything like this. She is getting so big. She helped me write the talk and she did a lot of it on her own. She did such a good job. It was so cute. Later that night we decide to film her doing it so everyone could see. (No she didn't wear her pajamas to church!)

After church Alexa was singing a song that they have been practicing for the primary program next week. The song that goes "Onward, every onward.." she kept singing it with the wrong words, "Awkward, Aint it Awkward..." She is so funny.

The Fairy Godmother!

2008-11-05T21:39:00.000-08:00

Happy Halloween!!!

2008-11-02T00:08:00.000-07:00

We had a lot of fun the past few days. Thursday night we went to the trunk or treat at my mom's church. All of our cousins came and went trick or treating with us. No one could tell what I was. I have to get more pictures from my sister of us in our costumes because I forgot my camera. Alexa looked so cute and kept telling me how everyone thought she was so beautiful. Everyone did stop us and say how cute she looked. These pictures don't do it justice. Her wig was so funny. Her grandma sent it to her and she was so excited to wear it.
Friday I went with my cousin to go visit family and some old friends with the kids in their costumes. I now know how candy really does change the way a kid acts. I thought that it might just be one of those old wives tale that they get so hyper off candy, but the kids were so wild and just running around people's houses that we stopped at. It was all worth it though. We had a fun weekend!!!

First Time Voter!

2008-10-26T11:37:00.000-07:00

I went yesterday to vote early. This was my first time voting. Last presidential election I didn't get registered right in Utah. I was pretty excited to get to vote. As I was standing in line, there was a boy in front of me who looked realy young. He went up to the booth to sign in and they asked him if he was a first time voter. Of course he was and everyone started clapping and cheered for him. I was excited to be a first time voer, so I was waiting for my cheer. I got to the front of the line. They asked me to show them my ID and then gave me my card to go vote. They didn't even ask. I was kind of depressed that they didn't think I looked young enough to be a first time voter. Oh well.

Pumpkin Art!!!

2008-10-21T19:31:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we had a friend from Utah come down and visit. Alexa was so excited to see her. She came with us to Alexa's gymnastics and soccer and then we went to Walmart and got stuff to carve pumpkins. We got a little too adventurous and decided to do some complicated designs. Alexa really wanted a Cinderella pumpkin, so we gave it a try. I was actually pretty impressed with myself and my pumpkin. It turned out better than I thought it would. Alexa loved it. It looked really cool in the dark with the candle lit. It already got all shrivelled up and doesn't look like Cinderella any more.

My cousin's little girl came over while we were doing pumpkins and after we were done with the knives, they got to paint their own pmpkins. They were so proud!

Homecoming Date!

2008-10-12T09:28:00.000-07:00

This past week was homecoming week at Centennial. We have been pretty busy helping the freshmen with their decorating and float. It was fun to get to go to the football game with my family, but it is weird being on the other side of things. Alexa got to go on the float as a lion because their theme was animal planet. She had so much fun and thought she was pretty hot stuff. Her gymnastics teacher (Will's sister) is a cheerleader there and Alexa was screaming her name and go bulldogs the whole game. She was so cute.

Last night was the dance. I got to go for a few hours to chaperon. My good friend and Alexa came with me. When we were walking in a student said, "oh how cute that girl brought her little sister as her date." Yeah I guess Alexa was my date, but she is not my little sister. We all laughed, but then the best comment came when we went to go get the free family picture for staff members. We walk up and Alexa and I go stand in front of the backdrop and my friend just stood off to the side. The photographer asked if the other mom wanted to get in the picture too. What is this world coming to that they would even ask that.

Alexa's Art Work

2008-10-06T21:05:00.000-07:00

Alexa drew this sweet little picture today of herself praying. I just think it is so cute. She is becoming such a little artist.

Sad Sad Day!

2008-10-01T14:36:00.000-07:00

This website is for Elder Brown. You can get his emails and here about Uruguay.
http://elderbrown.groupbrown.com

This morning Tommy was set apart to be a full time missionary and left this afternoon to serve a two year mission , spreading the gospel in Uruguay. He flies straight into the Argentina missionary training center where he will study the language for three months and then he is off to Uruguay. We are so very proud of him. He is the first missionary in our family and well the first missionary on my mom's side of the family. He did such a good job on his talk in church on Sunday. We had lots of company in town and had so much fun talking and "screaming." If you were there that night you will know what I mean. I love my family!!!

I have been so busy with work and Tommy's stuff that I haven't had time to blog lately, but don't worry. Now that Tommy is gone I will have my very own laptop and can blog much more easily. We will miss Tommy (I mean Elder Brown) but it will be fun to see the blessings that come to our family because of his mission.

There is such joy in sharing the gospel. I have already begun to see a change in my life. Yesterday, a friend at work asked for a copy of the book "True to the Faith" which talks about the different areas of the gospel and what we believe in. It is a great reference book. He said he has been searching for something and this seems to be the answer to his questions. He is very interested in the gospel and we will see what comes of it. He is from Argentina and so he was really interested in Tommy leaving.

Soccer Champ!

2008-09-20T13:37:00.000-07:00

This morning Alexa had gymnastics and soccer. She looks so cute. She is getting so big. When they kick the ball into the goal, the teacher told them to yell "bulls eye." Alexa would yell "bulldogs." (That is our school mascot! She has been taught well.)

The Prima Ballerina

2008-09-11T21:04:00.000-07:00

Alexa learned that pose from the Wii Fit!

Alexa started her first ballet class today. She has been wanting to take ballet for over a year and I finally found a class the community center that was pretty cheap. She loved it. She picked out her outfit a few weeks ago and was so excited to put it on. I bought her a little ballet bag to carry her shoes in at the dollar store that she has been waiting to open. The class was fun. Alexa was very concerned about having her toes pointed. She definitely has the body of a ballerina. She is getting so tall. She will pass me up soon.

Poor Elizabeth!!!

2008-09-08T21:19:00.001-07:00

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am not the best at up keep on my car. It is not very high up there on my list of priorities. (I would way rather blog than clean my car!) It was starting to get bad enough that it was even bothering me so I had it washed Saturday and cleaned out the inside. It was so nice to have a clean car. Today the washing your car curse was in full force. Not only did it ran and get my car all dirty, but on my way home from picking up Alexa I was rear ended. I know many of you are assuming it was my fault, but for once, I was completely innocent! It isn't too bad. I will definitely need a new bumper, but I think that the damages stopped there. Later, Alexa decided to name my car. So my car is now officially known as Elizabeth. She then continued to say, "Poor Elizabeth. Elizabeth, you are my best car ever. I love you!" So Elizabeth is a little banged up, but I love my car too!

Started a New Class!

2008-09-02T21:28:00.000-07:00

For those of you who only read this to hear the cute stories about the cutest kid in the word, I will start with one of the many funny things that she said today. For the few of you who want to hear about me, you can keep reading.

--Today my dad was watching Alexa while I went to institute. They were working on putting together the swing set that they bought Alexa. Alexa asked my dad, "You're old, how come your legs don't look old?" He must have nice legs!!! Later she told me she thought they looked young because they are so white.

--Since I am not that good at writing in a journal, I want to try to record some of my feelings about institute. I started a Book of Mormon class today. I have already taken the class, but recently my dad gave me a blessing and said to turn to the scriptures to find answers. I think that through this past few years I have let myself become pretty numb to all feelings. I was too painful to live the life that I was so I put up this wall to try to protect myself. I have recently really seen that wall as I have started to date. I don't want to be let down so I just don't let myself be seseptible to anything that might hurt. Because of this, I think that it has made it really hard to feel the spirit. It is not that I have ever stopped believing or stopped having the gospel as a daily part of my life, but I think it has not been to the fullest extent. I have missed having those goose bumps and feeling the promptings of the spirit. In institute today, he started off by saying that within the next few years, every person in the class would be making very significant decisions in their life such as careers, spouses, education, etc that will grately determine where we will be and what type of life we will have. This is the most important time to be close to the Savior so that he can guide me where I should go so that I will be happy and have all those things which I desire. He then had us watch the movie "The Testaments" about the Savior's visit to the Americas. I love this movie. I have had some very important questions answered while watching that movie in the past. Every time I watch the part where the Savior comes and the people are so happy. I was so happy today as I too was able to feel the love of my Savior and get those little goose bumps that remind me that He is there and is willing to show me the way. I highly recomend anyone who is feeling discouraged or stuck, to watch this movie. My assigned reading for this week is 1st Nephi 1-14 if anyone wants to follow along and I will keep you posted about my experiences next week after class.

Every Time at the Grocery Store is an Adventure!

2008-08-29T15:22:00.000-07:00

(Alice...you know what I am talking about!) Today we went to get groceries with my mom after I got off from work. When we were there I whispered to my mom that I needed to get some tampons. Alexa heard and yells across the store, "TAMPONS, TAMPONS, TAMPONS, WHAT ARE TAMPONS? WE NEED TO GET TAMPONS!" She then also realized that it would echo really loud in that store so she didn't want to stop. I was laughing so hard I started to tear up. My mom was trying to get her to stop by explaining what they were and why we don't say that out loud, but that didn't work.

Making Life Simple

2008-08-28T18:48:00.000-07:00

Alexa is on this kick lately to shorten all of her words. Instead of calling her dolls her Barbies, they are her "Barbs." She recently got a new Tankiny, but to her it is called a "tank!" Today when I picked her up from my cousin Holli's who is going to babysit her Alexa informed me that she calls her "Holl." Why use the whole word when you can just abbreviate it.

No Regrets

2008-08-22T23:15:00.000-07:00

I can never get her with her eyes open!

Alexa came home today. Yea!!!!!! It is so good to have her home. She seems like she grew so much just in the last week and a half. While she was gone, a friend of my parents came over and we were discussing the gospel. He read an article titled "May We So Live." (click here to link to the actual article. It was really good. I highly recommend it.) In the article it talked about death and how we can live our lives in a way that we need not fear. This was a great message, but the thing that really touched me was the part about living without regret and giving service. You could hear his voice start to crack as he was speaking and I was holding back the tears. The spirit was so strong in the room. There was a story about this old lady and this feud that she had with her neighbor. They were neighbors since they were newly married little couples just starting out and something happened to start the battle. In the local newspaper the grandmother used to write in to the "Dear Abby" type column where anonymously other locals would write back solving each other's problems. The grandmother made a dear friend through the column and they would write each other regularly. Using their pen names, they became best friends. This is where you thing the story gets good and you can kind of predict what happens, but then there is a turn for the worst. The neighbor from the horrible feud passes away. Because they were neighbors it was customary to go and help the grieving family so that is what the grandmother did. She was asked to help clean the office where she found a scrapbook full of her letters to the column. The woman next door who she had spent all of these years hating was actually her one true friend.
I know it is a sad story, but it just reminded me how important it is to love you neighbor and to live your life in a way that you have no regrets. Since I have moved to Vegas, I almost daily have to explain why my last name isn't Brown anymore and yet I am not married. There are so many people who knew me as a Brown. They then always feel awkward for asking, but it doesn't even seem weird or uncomfortable for me. I have had some things happen the past year that I didn't want. Things have not gone according to my "plan," but I have absolutely no regrets. I am so grateful for Alexa and the life that I have. I don't think I would have really changed a thing. I have learned so much in the past few years that I would never have understood. I am so grateful to my Savior for all that He has done for me and for the comfort he has given me. I only hope that through serving others, I can begin to show Him my gratitude for the love He has shown me.

Missing Alexa!

2008-08-16T12:04:00.001-07:00

Alexa left Tuesday to spend a week and a half with her Grandma up in Utah. This is the longest she has ever been away. It feels so empty here without her running around and without all of her funny little comments. She called the other day and told me that she get to get her fingernails painted and they have a white flower with a pink dot in the middle. She is having a good time, but we all sure do miss her here.
I started my first week of orientation at my new school. I know I have been kind of pessimistic about the whole changing schools thing, but I am finally really getting excited. I will definitely miss my old students and the teachers that I worked with. I have been worried that I would just kind of get lost in this big old school. A lot of the teachers seem so much older than me and since I went there for high school it might be a weird working relationship at first, but my prayers have been answered. At the new teacher orientation stuff I met a girl who will be in the room next to me and has the same prep as me and she just got baptized and goes to one of the other singles wards. We have had a lot of fun together. I am glad I will have someone to do stuff with and to get ideas and help from.

Just a Little Bit Perfect!

2008-08-11T00:08:00.000-07:00

I already blogged today (although it is after midnight so technically it is tomorrow), but I had to write this down before I forgot it. Tonight during family home evening, we were making brownies and I was distracted so I didn't get the first part of the conversation, but my family was talking about a perfect world or how this isn't a perfect world. Alexa piped in and said, "My world isn't perfect, but my world is just a little bit perfect."

I know it doesn't really make sense, but it kind of sums up the way I have felt lately. Today in church we were having this same discussion. How can the Lord say that if we keep his commandments then we will be blessed yet why do bad things happen to good people. Shouldn't we have a perfect life if we are keeping the commandments? We all have trials in our lives. Some are bigger than others, but through Christ we can overcome any obstacle that may come.

Life isn't perfect right now, and it will probably never be perfect. There are a lot of circumstances that I wish were different that I just don't have much control over, but life sure feels perfect. I am contradicting myself. That is where Alexa gets it from, but when I see the wonderful life that I have and Alexa, all the things that aren't so perfect don't seem to matter and LIFE IS PERFECT!

Every Precious Moment

2008-08-10T10:31:00.000-07:00

We have had a very fun filled week. This was our last week before work starts again and Alexa is going to visit her grandma. We used every moment this week for fun.

We got to go to F.A.O. Schwartz with my cousin and her friend and their kids. The kids had so much fun running around and looking at all the toys. All of them were mesmerized by the Jack-n-Box. They would laugh every time it popped up. I was worried that going there could turn into a huge fit. I thought the kids would want everything they saw, but Alexa was so goo. She amazed me. She would sit in her stroller until we were ready to stop and play with a display. Like my mom said today, "She finds joy in the silliest little things." I wish we could all be like that and see the joy that is all around us in this world.

When Tommy was little we use to put him in my parent's tub and fill it with bubbles and let him play. It is crazy to think that he is now old enough to go on a mission and that I have a daughter that is playing in the tub. My mom filled the tub with bubbles for her and then did rag curls. Alexa loves her curly hair.

Yesterday, we went to the Lied Discovery Museum. I use to go there when I was a kid and loved it. We took Alexa's friend and my other cousin and her family came. It was a blast. I think my dad had the best time there. He loved to try all the exhibits and see how they worked. Alexa was more concerned with looking pretty and having everyone watch her. She said her favorite was going grocery shopping, but she liked dancing on the stage, singing in the booth, and went in the wind tunnel twice.

I am so glad I get to act like I am 3 and just play and have no worries. Now that the school year is starting I might have to act like a grown up, but I will always have time to play!

Chocolate Solves Everything!

2008-08-04T23:31:00.000-07:00

Today I was really feeling stressed. I am usually a pretty easy going person and don't get to stressed often, but with being out of town so much the past few weeks, some other crazy things going on in life, and school starting this week I have been feeling overwhelmed. I was venting to my mom today and just listing off my "to do list" as I was getting ready to run out the door. Alexa come in to the room with a bag of chocolate and said "mommy, I have a list of things to do. I have to eat this chocolate, give you a hug, give you a kiss, and go to bed tonight." She then come over and offered me some chocolate and gave me a big hug and kiss before I ran out the door. How could life get any better? She is so smart. I am so glad I have her to remind me how simple life really is. All we need is each other and a little bit of chocolate and the rest will all just fall into place.

Last Family Trip :(

2008-08-04T10:49:00.000-07:00

With Tommy leaving in 2 months for his mission to Uruguay, we decided to take one last family vacation all together. I have been wanting to go to the San Diego Zoo for a long time to take Alexa there, so we headed down there Thursday and spent the weekend there. We had a great time at the zoo!!!

OUR FAVORITES:
Alexa loved it and couldn't pick a favorite animal. She said she liked them all the same. She doesn't want to hurt any of their feelings, but she really loved getting her pictures taken in the cut out things. We stopped at every single one!

My favorite animal is the Koala. I can still remember going to the San Diego Zoo when I was a kid and going to the Koala exhibit and my grandma bought me a t-shirt. You can't see the Koalas very well, but that is where we are.

Tommy's favorite animal is a lion (well h says now that it is a dog, but it use to be a lion when he was little), but they were asleep and you couldn't see them very well.

KT loves the monkeys. She has a huge stuffed monkey collection in Alexa's room. It is kinda creepy! The monkeys were fun to watch though. It is so weird how human like they act.

My mom and Will like the Polar Bears. We were lucky and got there right as they were feeding them and saw them eat this huge bone with meat. It was really hard to take pictures of them though.

My dad said his favorite animal was my mom!

The next day my family went to the San Diego temple early in the morning and then we went and spent the day at the beach. Alexa made songs up about the beach the whole way there. This morning after we are already home she asked if we could go to the beach again today. She loved the water and playing in the sand. She played all day!!! We got to meet up with some of my mom's old friends from work and BBQ on the beach. It was so nice. We will have to go back soon.

Sunday morning we got up and went to church. It is always nice to go to an unfamiliar ward and see how familiar it really is. We are all brothers and sisters and we are all more similar than we think. Then we got to see my cousins and their kids that live out there. They are so much fun and we don't get to see them often enough.

It was such a wonderful trip. I am so blessed that I have the best job and can just pick up and go where I want for the summer. Now it is time for me to get back to the real world since school starts next week!

We Ran Away!!!

2008-07-31T14:26:00.000-07:00

Last week Alexa and I decided to run away for a week before I start work again. It was totally unplanned, but we had so much fun. We went up to Provo to our old neighborhood and saw all our old friends. I am so lucky to have such a great group of friends. I couldn't have made it through the past year without them. Alexa loves all her little friends too!!!

The first day we got there I got to go get my hair dyed. I am really blond now! Back to the old Alyssa color. While I was there, Alexa went to her friend's house. She was so excited because she got to wear her friend's bikini since I wont let her buy one. When I drove up she tried to cover her tummy. She is already trying to rebel!

My best friend from college is moving to Florida in a few weeks, so we spent a lot of time with her and her little family. We got to go to this little water park. Alexa had a blast on the slides! She is such a little fish now and has stopped being so scared of the water. I also got the stay with another friend from my old ward. We stayed up all night talking. I miss you girls!!!

When we were at the water park they made anyone under 4 wear a swim diaper. Alexa was not to excited about that. She thought it was really weird!

Alexa was really excited to see her Grandma and her dad. And she loved the pony ride. I am so scared of horses, but she just loves them. In a few weeks she gets to go see her two lambs that are at her grandparent's house. She is sad that they are growing up without her.

My cousin has a new little boy! He is so cute and such a happy baby. Her is a picture for you guys who haven't gotten to see him.

On the way home we got to stop in Cedar and see an old friend who was in town from Missouri and stayed with her family at their cabin. I also got to see some other friends that I use to work with who have moved to cedar. (Yuck, I have no makeup on!)

We had such a fun trip. Everything was so perfect and we got to see so many people. I am so grateful for the wonderful people that I have around me and hope that we will always be friends. I couldn't make it without you girls. There are lots of you who I didn't get to see, but I love you guys too!!! Now it is time to plan another trip!!!

Adult Tag!

2008-07-18T16:35:00.000-07:00

Tag you are it!!!
1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Heart Attack

2008-07-15T10:18:00.000-07:00

We may have gotten egged Saturday, but Sunday night my mom got heart attacked by the girls in her Young Womens group for her 50th birthday. There were hearts all over the house and in the yard.

(We tried to take family pictures, but Alexa kept standing up and posing like a model.)
Speaking of her 50th birthday, I keep forgetting to write about her party. We had a good time and there were so many people there. I was not prepared for that, but luckily my family was there to help. We did a little program and listed my mom's 50 favorite things. So here it goes...
#50 The song "Baby Baby" by Amy Grant
#49 The color Blue
#48 Christmas
#47 Lambs (She had one when she was a little girl)
#46 Toyota Cars
#45 Cheating at the game Uno
#44 BYU
#43 Chocolate
#42 The movie "White Christmas"
#41 Chocolate Ice Cream
#40 Clearance Racks
#39 Wandering Walmart in the middle of the night
#38 Egg-n-toast
#37 Talking
#36 Sleep
#35 Singing or humming to babies
#34 Ketchup
#33 Excedrin
#32 Apple Cake
#31 Lladros
#30 Juggling
#29 Bees
#28 Making Smoothies
#27 Making Milkshakes
#26 Rag Curls
#25 Getting new purses for her birthday
#24 A clean house
#23 Nerd Dancing
#22 Car Dancing
#21 Pole Bending in the car
#20 The Farm up in Zion
#19 Baby Quail
#18 Giving Alyssa self help books
#17 Young Womens
#16 Girls Camp
#15 Toilet Papering
#14 Getting her education
#13 Opera Singing
#12 Salads
#11 Learning new workout tricks
#10 Her parents
#9 her sisters
#8 The Garden
#7 Shopping
#6 Sunday Dinners
#5 Being with people
#4 Being a grandma
#3 My dad singing and playing the guitar
#2 Family
#1 The Savior

Mom, I love you and I am so glad to be here in your home. You have been such a great example to me and a great friend. I love you!!!

I am so mad!!!

2008-07-13T08:32:00.000-07:00

My poor parents made it through three teenagers and we were never egged(toilet papered a lot, but never egged)! Early this morning as my dad was on his way to church for some meetings he called me to let me know that we had been egged and that I needed to get up and clean it up. Of course my car was the only one out on the street so it got most of it and then there were a few on the cement and one on the entry way pillar. I am so mad that I had to get up early on my only day to sleep in and to go out and scrub my car. Who would egg our house? There are no teenagers around here and I hope adults know better, because it was not funny. On the positive side, my car was in need of a wash!

On a lighter note, this weekend, one of my good friend from Provo came to visit. Alexa has been wanting to go to "New York" for the past like year after seeing Madagascar and Enchanted. We finally went with our friends who were in town to the New York, New York Casino on Thursday and she was so excited to see the Statue of Liberty.

Long Fun Weekend!!!

2008-07-09T16:34:00.000-07:00

We had a great 4th of July weekend. Friday, for the 4th, we got up early in the morning and met my cousins at the petting zoo out in Old Nevada. While we were waiting to leave we took pictures in the new clothes from Grandma Traci. I have a hard time getting a normal picture of her. She is always moving. The "zoo" was about 30 minutes out side of Las Vegas. It was really HOT!!! There were fake gun shoots (not very fun), but the kids loved the petting zoo. The animals I think were a little slow or handicapped, but Alexa didn't seem to mind. You can see the huge tumor on the deer that loved Alexa.

After the zoo we went swimming (Alexa is doing so much better about going in the water. She even went down the water slide and will put her face in the water without crying. Thank you Tommy!!!) and then over to my aunt's house for fireworks and a bike parade. The kids decorated their bikes and drove them around. They were so cute.

Saturday, we got up early again. Alexa had gymnastics. She was by far the best one in the class. She can do a somersault all by herself and would climb up the wall to do a hand stand. She loves the bar and could do a flip on it with a little bit of help. She loved her new patriotic gymnastics outfit from Grandma Traci. She is the only kid that actually wears real leotards.

Then we went out to Pahrump where my cousin lives. They had a BBQ and then the city of Pahrump puts on the best firework display. It was the best fireworks I have ever seen. I love fireworks!!!
Sunday was my mom's 50th birthday! I threw her a surprise dinner. I anticipated about 30 guests, but there were at least double that. It was a little crazy, but it all went well. I will write about that later when I get the pictures back. It was a fun weekend!!!

Swimming Lessons

2008-07-04T10:53:00.001-07:00

Alexa has always been such a fish. She loved the water and had no fear! About two weeks ago she fell into a jacuzzi while waiting for some kids I watch that were doing swimming lessons. She was fine and could get her mouth out of the water and the kids pulled her out before I could even stand up. She seemed to brush it off really quick and I didn't think much of it, but she is so afraid of the water now. She wont even let me hold her in the water. My brother Tommy teaches swimming lessons so he started lessons with her to try to get her water safe on Monday. She has had a hard time still and screams when she gets in the water, but she will at least let Tommy hold her in the water now and can hummmm while he puts her face in the water. She doesn't like it, but she can do it! Hopefully the more she swims, the more comfortable she will be and will get more confident in her skills. I just want her to enjoy the water like she use to. It is so hot here and you have to be in the water!

Another Funny Blind Date Story!

2008-07-03T17:18:00.000-07:00

So I went on this blind date last night with a guy from my new singles ward. As we were walking up to the restaurant, I opened my purse to put my phone on silent when a huge spider comes crawling out. I screamed and dropped my purse. Luckily the guy I was with was able to fling it out of my purse and into the restaurant. I am always making good impressions!

This is the thing that was in my purse. I am told it is a wind scorpion!

Alexa's Song

2008-06-29T11:34:00.000-07:00

Last night Alexa asked my mom if she wanted to learn a new song. She said repeat after me, "I" and my mom said "I" and this went back and forth until she put together the following song...

"I am a child of God
And he is hilarious
Because he has sent me here!"

I don't know where she comes up with the things she does, but she is pretty hilarious and I am glad that she has been sent here to me!

The Little Mermaid

2008-06-29T10:42:00.000-07:00

Anyone who knows Alexa or has been around her for more than 5 minutes, knows that she loves the little mermaid. She was known in nursery for singing the "Ahhhh ahhhh ahhhh" tune and telling them her name was Ariel. Her favorite pajamas that she wears every night have the little mermaid on them and she has like 5 different mermaid Barbies that she totes around everywhere Because I turned my taxes this year at the Mandalay Bay they gave out free tickets to the Shark Reef that expired June 30th. We got to go twice this week to the Shark Reef with them. Alexa was in heaven!!! She sat on my dad's shoulders and listened to every single exhibit on the portable speaker thing.

There was one part where you could touch some sting rays and these baby sharks. She wouldn't touch them, but was so fascinated with them. I wanted her to get to touch them so I kept pressuring her to do it. She finally said that if I touched it then she would. (If you know me, then you know that I was probably more scared of them then she was!) I was trying to be the brave mommy so I did it and then she said "I was just kidding" and wouldn't touch them.

Her favorite was when we got to the sunken ship which is the main exhibit with like 400 big sharks and a few sea turtles. There was one shark who had a crooked fin. She kept saying "Mom that poor fish has a broken arm." There was a part where the floor is see through and you are walking over the sharks. She just started singing her favorite "Ahhhhh ahhhh ahhhh" tune and then got on the floor and started pretending she was swimming like a mermaid. She drew a pretty large crowd and even recruited some other kids.

Some Big Firsts Today!!!

2008-06-21T10:59:00.000-07:00

Today has been a big day for us. Alexa started gymnastics this morning with "Ms. KT". (KT, my sister, is teaching a gymnastics class at the rec. center and it started today.) Alexa was so excited to go. On the way home she asked me if later today when KT was done with her other gymnastics classes if she could go back to being her aunt.

A few weeks ago my parents finally planted some grass in the backyard. Alexa looks at it everyday and scares the birds away who are trying to eat the seed and the bunnies who are eating the grass. She has been waiting to get to go on it. Today she got to run through the sprinklers for the first time and walk on the grass.

Another big first for our whole family is my brother, Tommy got his mission call today. He will be the first missionary on my mother's side of the family. Her parents were converts so he will be the first Mooney missionary serving in Uruguay. He will be speaking Spanish and reports to the Provo MTC on October 1st. We are so proud of him!

Best Dad Ever

2008-06-15T22:11:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to tell my dad (although I am not sure if he looks at this) how much I love him. He has been a great father and grandfather. Since everyone seems to like the pictures better then reading what I have to say, here are some pictures that sum him up.

When I think of my dad I think he is the most kind and gentle person I know. He has always loved little kids and was always there to play with us or hold us when we were little. (Well actually he still does it) He loves music and has taught all of us to love music. He would have us sing along while he played the guitar and I loved that. Now that I am a parent, I realize the sacrifice my dad had to make to get his education. He went back to college and also worked full time and was in the middle of building our house by himself like 15 years ago (I could really be wrong on the year, but either way he had three kids and that is hard!) He taught me the value of getting my education.

My dad is also I big goof ball. Sometimes his jokes are hard to understand, but I think he is so funny. When we were little, we were at the beach and we were all supposed to make a sand castle and then we would judge who was the best. I though I was so clever making a dinosaur until we saw my dad's. He had made a toilet. It was so realistic. This other picture was from a really bad day that I was having. (You can't tell by the picture thanks to my dad) It was right when Garth Brooks was real big and KT and I had gotten in a fight about something and I was mad up in my room and my dad come in singing Garth Brooks and had a drawn on beard and microphone. He always makes us laugh.

Last, but not least, he is a great grandpa (or Papa as Alexa says). They love to play together and especially go out in the snow together.
Thanks Dad for all you do and happy Father's Day!!!
Love You!!!!!!

Improvising!

2008-06-15T21:52:00.000-07:00

Today was our first day at our new ward. So far I have decided to go to the singles ward here. I have never been to a singles ward other then a BYU ward which is a creature of its own. I have never felt so nervous to go somewhere. I think I was more nervous to go to church today than I was on my first day of teaching. It just seems so weird to be going to a singles ward with Alexa, but they have a nursery and primary so it is perfect for her. I am going to try it for another week or two and then decide if it is where we are supposed to be. When we were getting ready this morning I was already stressed just because I was nervous and then Alexa had a hard time getting ready. She had a specific outfit she wanted to wear, but in the process of getting ready she ripped one of the ties on her dress. I wanted to just change her dress, but that wasn't happening. She wanted it fixed right then. We were already late for church. My brother and I ran around the house trying to find a needle and thread, but all my stuff is still paced and he had no idea where my mom would keep that. Finally he said why don't we just staple it so we did. It lasted long enough to get us to church, but it was ripped again by the time we got home. Grandma sewed it!!!

Don't Wait!!!

2008-06-10T16:04:00.000-07:00

The past few days have been a little crazy with the move and then trying to get settled in here in Las Vegas. I know that I have been a little negative about the whole move and having to live with my parents, but I wanted to take this time to tell my parents how much they mean to me. This morning I got a text message from one of my friends from work letting me know that our other friend from work's mother had passed away last night. This was not unexpected. Her mother had been battling cancer and was not expected to make it through the week. She had said she wished she knew it was her last week because she would have said a lot of different things to her mother before she went into a more coma like state. I hope that nothing like that will happen anytime in the near future, but there is never a bad time to tell the people around you how much they mean to you.
I have the most amazing parents. They have stood by me through everything and were always willing to drop everything and do whatever I needed. I have never had to question my parents' love for me or for Alexa. I couldn't ask for better grandparents. Although they do spoil her a little bit.
As Alexa told me, "They love me! And we slide down the snow and they think I'm a little cowgirl and like a lollipop. They always know what to do with Tommy! And they think I am silly and a lucky duck! And that's all I have to tell you." (Just some background, Alexa just can't stop talking about the time they took her to Mount Charleston and went sledding and she is obsessed with the word lollipop. The rest of the quote was just what came out of her mouth when I asked her what she thinks of Grandma and Grandpa.) Thanks mom and dad and thanks for letting us stay with you. Love you!!!!

We're Here!!!

2008-06-09T18:10:00.001-07:00

We are finally here in Vegas!!!! Have lots of stuff to move in and organize.

Alexa Is So Talented

2008-06-06T00:32:00.000-07:00

Here is another funny video from her concert she gave us tonight.

"You Never Get Impressed"

2008-06-05T23:56:00.000-07:00

My mom is on her way driving up here now so she shouldn't need an Alexa fix, but I wanted to write down some of the funny things Alexa said. We have been packing all day and so she (and I) was going a little stir crazy. My friend from work came over and helped entertain Alexa while I got a bunch of packing done. She kept saying funny things to her.

--She told my friend that she really needed to change her clothes. We asked why and she just kept insisting that she needed to go home and change her clothes. Finally she said that she looked silly in her clothes and that she needed to go change. Sometimes I worry about the things she is going to tell people. She does not have the filter to always know that it isn't nice to say something. --When I was trying to get her in bed she was really resisting. (She knows Gammy and Papa are on their way, but they wont be here till like 3 in the morning) I found her wandering the house and she said she couldn't find the bed and she was looking for it so she could go to bed. She just wanted any excuse to stay up. We are both excited to see my mom and dad.

--She was making up a song about every random thing that she would see. For some reason she kept saying the line, "Mom you never get impressed!" I try hard to be a good mom, but sometimes I feel like you never know the mental damage you are doing to your child. (Me taping it probably didn't help)

Best Day Ever!!!

2008-06-04T22:14:00.000-07:00

Here is just the most recent picture I have of Alexa. It is from a few days ago. She was so upset, I can't remember why, but I just think she is so cute even when she cries. (It sure didn't make her too happy that I was taking this picture while she was crying)

I figured I would write one last time before I have to return my laptop back to my old school since I am leaving. My parents are coming up tomorrow to help me move and then I will have their computer, but it wont be the same. So today my neighbor and I had appointments to go get pedicures. We decided to leave at 10:30 this morning so we could stop at a store on the way and then get some lunch. We wanted to have a nice little fun day together before I leave. We left Alexa and her three kids with her husband (which I was so impressed, he never complained and was so willing to do it so we could have a nice day!) and we took off to pamper ourselves. The hours just passed by and we didn't get home until about 10:30 pm. We decided to go back to the mall afterwards and then to her mom's who does massages and this wax stuff. It was fun to be pampered today! I have the best friends. I am going to miss them.

Last year, my friends who I was with today, her sister-in-law was killed in a gas explosion here in Utah. She was in her house with the people from the gas company and it exploded. Luckily her 18 month old daughter was fine and her husband was not home, but her and the Questar Gas worker didn't survive. My friend has started a website about protecting your homes form having this same thing happen to you. It is scary, but it could have been anyone. Please check out this website and see what you can do to keep your family safe!!! http://detectorssavelives.com/index.html

Suprise Tears!!!

2008-06-01T21:06:00.000-07:00

When I moved to Provo it was a very temporary thing. I never thought I would miss this place. I hate the cold and didn't really love the snow. As I have been packing up my house and saying goodbye to my friends, I realize how much I love this place. I know I keep boohooing about how I am leaving, but I am sad about it. I have the perfect little house decorated just the way I want and a cute little backyard for Alexa to play in. We had friends over tonight for dinner and ate out in the back while the kids ran around and wore themselves out. Most importantly I have the best friends up here. They have gotten me through a lot this last year.

Today was my last week at church and it was sad saying goodbye. I have had a really tough time in this ward for the past three years. I was kind of the odd ball and never felt like a part of the ward. For the last few years I have been in activity days in my ward and today the bishopric figured out that I was leaving and so they just walked up and told me thanks and that I was released. I never realy felt like this calling was that big of a deal or that it meant so much to me, but when he said that I just started crying. I could tell by the look on his face that he didn't quite know what to do. I realized right then how much I love those girls and especially the ladies that I have gotten to work with. I have made some life long friends with the women that I have served with.

I feel like a really shy person and it is hard for me to just go make friends. When I would tell my mom how hard it was for me in this ward, she would always say, "make sure you do your calling and your visiting teaching and you will make friends." Visiting teaching, that one always changed because the people in the ward changed so much, but I can truely say now that serving in my calling is what has saved me this past year. If I had not been there I wouldn't have had such an awsome babysitter for Alexa. All of us leaders had girls the same age and they are just best friends. Alexa is really going to miss them too. Here is a picture of all of them on Cinco de Mayo playing in the big backyard after a picnic.

I am nervous to move down to Las Vegas where it should seem familiar, but really everything has changed. I have been gone for so long it seems like everything will be different, but (Mom you don't have to say it) I know if I just do my calling and my visiting teaching it will be great and I will make some new girl friends although the ones up here will be hard to replace!

Alexa Fix for my Mom!!!

2008-05-30T20:00:00.000-07:00

My mom is getting really excited for us to come. Only one week left before we make the big move down to Las Vegas. I am starting to get really anxious and excited about going too. I have really gone back and forth about this decision. I love my life up here. I have some of the most amazing friends up here who I am really going to miss and it will be really hard to ever find another job that is as rewarding as working at Independence. Today was my last day of work and it was so sad to say goodbye to everyone and to clean out my classroom. Eventhough it will be really sad to leave here, I know that now is the time to head back to Las Vegas and settle there.
My mom left a comment that she needed an Alexa fix so here are a couple funny things she has said the past few days.
--We walked to the cemetery on Memorial day to watch my students do the 21 gun salute. It was raining and we were late so we were hurrying. Alexa looked up at me and said, "Mom, you better hold my hand. I don't want to lose you."

--Today Alexa got to go to school with me and help me clean out my room. She thinks it is so cool to go to school. On the way home she said to me, "I am so smart mom. I know everything that I know." I laughed so hard. She is smart!

Weird???

2008-05-25T19:28:00.000-07:00

Wow dating at this point in my life is so weird. So I went on a first date yesterday and it was really nice. He took me to the zoo which is one of my favorite things to do. While we were there, who do we run into???? My ex-mother in-law who was watching Alexa. I didn't think it was that big of a deal, but everyone else in the situation felt uncomfortable.

My Adopted Children

2008-05-24T00:09:00.000-07:00

I have had a very long, but very rewarding day today. At school we had an end of year assembly today and a dance. They did such a good job with everything that they did. Let me give you a little bit of a background for those of you I haven't talked to lately. I work at an alternative high school in Provo, Utah. I love it! The students have some unique challenges, but have overcome so much. I teach math and I am the advisor of the student council called Lion's Council. This is the first year that they have really had this program and so prior to this they have not learned the skills of leadership. Them putting on the dance and the assembly all on their own is such a huge accomplishment for them. As we were setting up for the dance I just looked at them as they were making the balloon arch and they were so proud of themselves and I felt like a proud little mommy. My cute little students have been such a big support to me through everything this past year. Although my job can be stressful and unrewarding sometimes, it has been a constant for me and I just love all the students and all the people that I work with. I am really going to miss everyone when I leave.

Tonight at the dance, I invited a friend to come and help chaparone(?) and one of my students walked up to him, went to shake his hand, and pulled him in. He whispered in his ear "that is my teacher, you treat her right or else." On my way home from the dance I was talking to my mom and she was talking about a garden that she was going to start planting. Some how the conversation turned to how most of the time, the seeds you sow don't grow until you are long gone and you don't get the reward of seeing the beautiful flower. I am so glad that I have gotten to see my students grow so much this year. They are such strong people and I have learned a lot from them.

Sorry about the whatever signs, but the student in the middle is the one from the story above. He has so much potential. He just passed my class this term for the first time. I am so proud of him!!!

Makeovers!!!

2008-05-22T23:08:00.000-07:00

With Alexa gone, I have had a little extra time. Today was the Senior Banquet at school and so we all had to dress up. My friend Alice and I decided to get ready together. Sometimes she thinks that I am crazy because I like to get to curl her hair and do her makeup. (She doesn't like to do it!) We were going to dye her hair, but we ran out of time. We decided to spend our time playing Mario Carts on the Wii instead. I too have recently changed my hair back to blond. (Mom here are some pictures so you can see it!)

My New Blog!!!

2008-05-21T21:58:00.000-07:00

Well I never thougth that I would start one of these because now I will spend way too much time on the internet. Plus I think my mom is probably the only one who is going to read this. (Hi mom!) I have such a hard time setting aside time to journal and never write down the cute things Alexa does and says, so this way I can show her my blog someday and she can see how funny she was. The reason I finally had time to start this tonight is because she is staying the weekend with her Grandma Traci. It is coming close to the end of the school year here and so there are lots of things I have to be at for work. She loves to go get to stay with grandma instead of having a babysitter each night. Plus now maybe I can finally get some packing done. We have only about two and a half weeks left here in Provo and then we are making the move down to Las Vegas.

Well I know this is a little late, but the whole reason I started thinking about making this blog was becasue Alexa said the cutest thing the other day and I wanted to remember it forever. Last Sunday, on Mother's Day I was a little stressed and expecting to have a horrible day. This was going to be my first holiday as a single mom and well Alexa isn't really old enough to think to do something for me. (I know I sound really selfish, but I just assumed it would be a tough day) We had a busy day and woke up early to take a friend to the airport and then headed to church. As we were walking into church Alexa looked at me and said, "Mom, it is such a beautiful day." I nodded my head and tried hurrying her into church since we were late. She continued by said, "It's because you are here." It just melted my heart and made my day. I love being here mom and little things that she says and all the hugs and kisses she loves to give make being a mom and loving her really easy.