It Takes a Village

The sun came out this week and so did all my mommy friends. We got to go to the spray park twice this week and attended a birthday party and two play dates. I love it when a big group of Mormon mommies get together. All of a sudden, it doesn't matter whose kid is whose; you simply take care of everyone. I love knowing that Max has friends who will be a good influence on him, and that those friends have parents who I can trust. It also helps that I love sitting around and talking with all their moms! I hope this can continue all summer- give me enough social interaction to get me through the long, cold, germ-infested winter. 

Father's Day

Wow! Three post in one week; that's, like, some kind of new record. However, I had to write something quick for father's day because I've been blessed with wonderful men in my life.

For all those who don't know, my dad and I are exactly alike, both in the good ways and in the bad. We're both very driven and very organized and maybe a teensy, weensy, tiny bit neurotic :) He's the one person who really "gets" me, and he always has. I've always been a daddy's girl and probably always will be.

Next is, of course, my wonderful, loving, slightly crazy, amazing husband, Darreck. Darreck and I, although our world view is very similar, have very different personalities. He's outgoing, uninhibited, and the life of the party. He's very passionate about everything he does, and he's really loud (which is a long-standing joke in our house). He talks a mile-a-minute all the time and can make a joke out of anything. Totally unlike me, but also totally what I need in my life. Darreck is also the world's greatest dad- no, seriously! He really is! I'm such a lucky girl to have him.

Last but not least, every father's day I also spend a lot of time thinking about my Grandpa Jack. He's my mom's dad and, although he passed away when I was eleven, he's still one of the most influential people in my life. I was his princess and there wasn't much he wouldn't do for me. I blame the fact that I'm a spoiled brat directly on him. Everyone else remembers him as this tough, gruff guy, but he was a giant teddy bear to me.

Happy Father's Day to all the dads and all the ladies lucky enough to have great men in their lives!

5 Wonderful Years!!!!

Yesterday was our fifth anniversary, and it was an exciting milestone for us. Our path to our wedding was, um, challenging but looking back now, it seems worth it times a million. I'm so lucky to have such an amazing husband. I still wonder how I managed to get a guy who feels the same as me on religion, politics, money, children- almost everything. Darreck makes me laugh and makes sure I have fun everyday, which is something I need in my life. I've spent these last years watching both Darreck and I grow and change, and I'm so thankful we've been able to do it together. Watching him stretch and grow makes me so optimistic about the man he's becoming. Darreck makes me proud, and I can honestly say that I love him more now than I did when I married him; I love him even more now than I ever thought I could.

Okay, enough gushy, lovey stuff. More about how we celebrated! We were planning on going on an overnight trip to either Glacier or Fairmont Hot Springs, but the forecast for everywhere was horrible. We decided that we would rather wait out the storms than spend  money and not have fun. Instead, we left Max with my parents and went on a progressive dinner. We started with sushi at our favorite Thai place and then went to a Greek restaurant we've been wanting to try. We got a big sampler platter so we could try a little of everything, and most of it was really good- most of it ;) The plan for dessert was to try another new restaurant, but we were way too tired so we settled on frozen yogurt. We don't get to go out on dates enough, so the evening was really a treat. I was so glad we got the chance to spend some time alone together.

I'm so optimistic and excited about our future together. Five years has gone remarkably fast, especially the last two since Max was born. I really hope our future will hold even more good memories, more kids, and more money :) I really can't complain about anything- we have an amazing life and have been incredibly blessed.

PS- just thought I would add some blast from the past pictures. The top two are our wedding day and the last one is from our (very cold!) honeymoon in Glacier.

Swimming Lessons

It's that time of year again- swimming lessons! Max is having more fun this year and screaming a lot less. He's also the oldest in his class this year and the only boy, just the way he likes it!

A Sad Goodbye

For the past year (or so) we've been babysitting six (or so) hours a week for a family in our ward. They have two little girls, one a year older than Max and one a year younger. We've had a great time with them, and Max especially has really enjoyed having someone his size to play with on a regular basis. However, today was the last day we got to spend with them before they move to Ohio for their dad to pursue even more school (he's already a dentist). It was sad saying goodbye, but we made a lot of fun memories over the past year.

However, now I need to find another way to get Max some little playmates. He's reached that magical age where hitting becomes commonplace and "mine" is his favorite word. His nursery leaders say he's only aggressive when provoked, but they're also really nice women who know I can be a little protective. I know he's doing the normal toddler thing, but having playmates this past year has helped his social awareness, and I want him to keep it up. So, now I have to actively look for friends for him, and that just seems like a lot of work!

Week in Review

It's been a busy first week of summer in our house. Thursday we attended Kayla's sixth grade graduation. At first I was skeptical, really, who needs a sixth grade graduation? But the program was really special to all of them, and it left me really impressed with their school. She even won a presidential educational achievement award, as if we would except anything less. It was also interesting to watch an entire group of sixth graders in the same room at the same time. It's so easy to peg the types- the jock, the smart kids, and the little twits who will turn into the mean girls next year. I had a really great childhood, but I still wouldn't wish middle school on my worst enemy. I feel more than a little bad for my sister next year. That's why we brought her flowers :)

Thursday night we celebrated Tim's birthday, which actually isn't until June 10th. Unfortunately, he's going to be gone a lot for work up until the real day, but it's the big 5-0 and we had to celebrate. 

 Saturday Kayla, mom, Max, and I went to drop Kayla off at 4H camp. It brought back a lot of very fond memories from my years in 4H. I made some of my best friends through that organization, and camp was one of the highlights of my year. It's still held in the same place, so I got to walk back through my old cabins and catch up with some of the same adults who ran it back in my day. Just another of the advantages of returning  home!