Reno

HELP!

2010-04-11T16:21:00.000-07:00

So, much to my dismay, after several failed attempts to change the template on my blog, it is still unchanged. For some crazy reason, I can't change the template at all. I used this generic wintery template from CutestBlogOnTheBlock or something and now it seems to be stuck. I have encountered the same issue on my sister's blog that I am updating for her. Has any one else ever had this trouble? Can any one HELP?

Who Is Who?

2010-01-05T20:01:00.000-08:00

I have always thought it would be fun to do one of these posts...so here it is. Both of my girls in the same dress. Can you tell who is who? We think it seems pretty obvious. Do you?

Temple Square

2009-12-07T21:01:00.000-08:00

We sent Nat off to the MTC last Wednesday. We were able to spend a few last moments with her at temple square the night before. The lights were beautiful. Rhiannon was so relieved to see all of the other sister missionaries there; she thought, for some reason, that Nat being a missionary meant that she would have to turn into an "elder"...ha ha ha. It was comforting for her to realize that Nat can be a missionary AND remain female. These other pictures are the morning that she went into the MTC. We haven't heard from her yet but we are anxiously waiting. Yay for sister missionaries!!!

Wasn't going to share BUT...

2009-11-23T21:09:00.000-08:00

So I totally wasn't going to share this story, but my mom talked me into it tonight.

It starts like this---we had this mouse (that's the part I didn't want to share...I thought it sounded like we had a filthy house or something....but my mom assured me that lots of people are having this problem this year.) Dusty was the one to announce it's first appearance. I was cooking dinner one night, while he and the kids sat like ravaging wolves at the dinner table (JK) and we were having a very casual conversation with one another. And then it happened; that little bugger scurried accross the kitchen floor darting from under the fridge to under the dishwasher. I nearly lost Dusty that night, you see, we all have this terrible phobia of those disgusting little creatures. So Dusty ran Britt's jumper to pick her up, mind you she as a minimum of a ten foot distance from the scene of the event, to ensure her safety. He and the other kids took a perched position on the kitchen table as we began to contemplate what to do with the thing. You can imagine what kind of caos this little scene stirred up. Rhiannon and Cy nearly in tears staning next to the big burley man they call their father, waiting for their helpless mother to prove heroine. Sorry to disappoint, but I proved quite less than heroine. My only solution was to obtain a mouse trap IMMEDIATELY (or two). And that we did.

So the savage hunt for the little mouse began. We strategically placed multiple traps in hopes of tricking the nasty thing. After much research and wisdom from previous mouse hunters, we determined that we should add a touch of peanutbutter to the trap to ensure a garuntee success of Operation Mouse Removal. Upon awakening the next morning we experienced our first taunting from the small creature. It literally looked as if he had licked the peanutbutter from the trap managing to not set it. So again, we repositioned the traps and sat and sat and waited and waited, only to find, the following morning, another display of mockery. Still no capture of the beady eyed rodent.

Days began to pass with occasional sitings of the brave little mouse but still no capture. The interest from the kids in checking the trap began to decrease. We were nearly to the point of seeking out more drastic measures when the secrets of the little mouse friend were revealed. Let me back up just a little. Each night before bed I obssessively cleaned up the floors in the kitchen to be certain that I was not feeding this little house guest. And every morning when I would wake up I would find crumbs scattered about in front of the dishwasher. Silly me, I thought simply that I was too hurried the night before and didn't take the time to do a thorough enough job of sweeping and mopping. So each night to follow I would try to be more and more meticulous only to feel as though I had again failed. Then, the confessions from a sweet 5 year old girl tied all of the loose ended questions together.

Saturday morning I awoke to find Rhiannon ecstatic that the mouse had eaten the raspberry muffin crumbs she had left the previous evening. She then went on to so proudly declare to me that she had been routinely feeding the furry pest because she felt sorry for it. The mouse must have overheard the conversation and felt with no more enablers, he was doomed at last.

It was Saturday evening when little mouse made his suicide run...accross the kitchen floor right before, yet again, Dusty's very eyes. It was into a slight opening between the wall and my hutch that the mouse found a small crumb he had his heart set on; then the loud noises, and me and Dusty finding ourselves standing, yet again, on chairs to avoid the little vermon. It was a good thing that Nat was still living with us, Fearless Nat. We called her down to aid in Operation Mouse Removal only to find her joining us on a kitchen chair as well. We had a barbell in the kitchen for some strange reason, (you cannot tell me it was simply this little guy's time to go) and it later served as the weapon of choice to send poor mousey to the other side. Literally, none of us dared get a closer distance than on the direct opposite end of the barbell to the creature. It was then that our genious planned was put into action.

We carefully slid the trap to the only opening the poor mouse might have had to escape, keeping our safe 5 foot distance, mind you and then we just sat. I am not sure if words can truly paint a vivid enough picture for you to truly understand the circus-like-nature of this ordeal. It truly was nothing short of histarical. I won't petrify you with the grafic details to follow. Just know that little mouse friend is no more and it is for the greater good of my kitchen chairs and my sanity. And might I add, Dusty should be feeling extremely blessed to have such strong women in his life. Ha ha ha.

Now, sweet Rhiannon fully understands that there will be a day in the future when she will have a pet but it will NEVER, and might I repeat NEVER, be of the rodent sort. Whew...peace at last.

Sister Aplanalp's Blog

2009-11-22T21:37:00.000-08:00

If you are interested, you can follow Sister Aplanalp @ http://www.sisteraplanalpcalledtoserve.blogspot.com/

Mixed Emotions

2009-11-22T19:29:00.000-08:00

So Nat moved out today. Wow! I didn't realize how hard this was going to be for me. I mean, ya, I did think that I would miss her and ya I totally knew how much she did for us but this just isn't going to be fun at all. The thing that is so important though is that I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that there are people waiting for her in Oklahoma and that is where the Lord needs her right now. I am so grateful for that assurance. This post is a shout out to Nat!!!-----

Thanks so much for all you did and all you are. You are a wonderful example for me and my family. Can't wait to hear all of your stories. We love you very much.

Love,

Megan

That Terrible "C" Word

2009-11-08T15:44:00.000-08:00

The above pictures don't necessarily relate to the what this paragraph will talk about but I wanted to include them.

So I have come to one of those walls. You know what I am talking about, right? A tremendously huge roadblock that the road I am traveling on has brought me to. It is one of those stone walls that has forced me to contemplate where I am at on that road and how I will move forward. There have been several things in my life that I have been struggling with and I have yet to take control and bust through them. Instead, I have conveniently figured out how to build a road AROUND them. So this week has I have come to a realization that CHANGE stinks but it is the only way I will get through this wall. I have come up with an action plan for each of these struggles and I plan to over come them. It has been an incredibly peaceful experience. As part of this experience I have learned that stating my plan out loud will help me to be accountable for all of my plans; therefore, I am telling all of you about this epiphany. And so my journey of CHANGE begins...

We have enrolled in a class called Financial Peace University to gain CONTROL of our budget.

I have signed up to be a part of an 8 week weight loss challenge to gain CONTROL of my health.

I have started a new calendaring system to gain CONTROL of my schedule.

And let me tell you...it feels so GOOD!!

CHANGE IS GOOD!!!

Here We Go...

2009-10-18T20:05:00.000-07:00

True to Megan-fashion- the following pictures are a mega-catch-up from the past couple of months... in no particular order.

Homecoming Parade. Kati, Orvena, Me, and Amy. We had a little float and handed out stuff to the crowd. (PS- part of what we handed out was invites to our open house--you are invited too! I will post more details shortly)
Me, Nat, Mom, Grandma. General Releif Society Meeting.

Nat, Sierra, Grandmas, Mom, Me. Salt Lake Temple.

Coy Cy.

Opening mission call. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Agan, Coy Cy.

Britt and Sierra.

Mission call arrives in the mail.

Logan Temple. Nat's big day.

Nat went through the temple in September.

More like Cy or Rhiannon? Still can't decide!

Goalie Rhiannon.

Trickster Rhiannon.

Blogger overload...read on.

2009-08-02T22:23:00.001-07:00

So I am playing catch up; be sure to read down all the way.

Blessing Day

2009-08-02T22:12:00.000-07:00

Brittain Avery was blessed today and it was a beautiful day. We had family come to support us in this great event and I was so grateful to see all of them. I would have liked to have gotten more family shots but this was the extent of what I got before everyone rushed to change out of church clothes....

My three kiddos... Cy's face looks silly but I was able to truly capture his personality in this shot!

Isn't this dress beautiful? It was hand made by a very talented lady in my ward. I LOVE it!

Beautiful baby, beautiful day!

This is our cute baby girl in her bath robe awaiting her blessing before church. This was too cute to pass up!

More parade watching

2009-08-02T22:05:00.000-07:00

24th of July parade...I guess our family really enjoys parades.

4th of July

2009-08-02T21:58:00.000-07:00

Fireworks...do you see the kid that still lives within dusty?

4th of July parade... best seat in the house!

Our brave and courageous Cy watching the fireworks...ha ha.

Cy chillaxin' watching the parade.

Rhiannon turned 5!

2009-08-02T21:38:00.000-07:00

Below are some pics of Rhiannon's birthday party...

Little Fairy Princesses

So my baby girl turned 5 on July 1st. It was a very traumatic day for me indeed! I cannot believe that she is going to kindergarten this year. Anyway, she wanted a Tinker Belle party this year so Dusty and I put our minds together and came up with something fun for here and her little friends. (And yes, I did say Dusty and I... I have the BEST husband in the world!!!) We came up with these fun little fairy wings, made from wire hangers and tights and we turned them in to fairies.

This is a picture of one of the sets of wings... I wish that I would have taken a closer picture, but I think you get the idea. Dusty made up an adorable story about how the fairies came to be and with each part of the story the girls recieved an item that helped to transform them into fairies such as a wand and wings and a little fairy crown/halo. We played some fun games and let the girls enjoy being little girls. It was a blast. She loved her 5th birthday party! Thank you to everyone that came and played with us.

At the Logan temple grounds.

2009-06-18T09:48:00.000-07:00

Since people are asking, I thought I would share "the story" of Brittain's arrival...

Most of you know that I have been dilated to a good 5 since I was about 36 weeks. When I found that out at my 36 week appointment I started getting my hopes up that my 9 month journey was nearly ending; I should have known better! It is not consistent with my pregnancy history for me to really see much happen too early. Anyway, I began preparing for her arrival at home and at work. I had a to do list 3 miles long that I chipped away at little by little each day. In addition to the list, I also had Rhiannon and Cy that helped keep my mind off of being pregnant; well sort of... Cy would remind me on a daily basis that Baby Brittain should come soon because she was making my belly HUGE! I just had to smile each time he told me that even though deep down I wanted to cry becuase I knew how right he was! I was gigantic!!! Anyway, after one trip to labor and delivery in Pocatello with contractions 3 minutes apart, just to be told to go home, and progression in dilation and softening of my cervix at each of my respective weekly appointments, we persevered the final 2 weeks as they seemed longer than even the entire previous 8 months. We were all anxious to meet Brittain.

So then on Saturday am before Dusty left for his labor and delivery clinical in Idaho Falls (imagine that huh) he told me that with school and his schedules today would be an ideal day as far as timing is concerned for me to have the baby. That is when I decided I was going to walk until she came! I got the kids ready and called Nat and we started walking. We walked to a park, while the kids rode their bikes, and just kept walking. We walked through the rain and the thunder and we kept walking even though we saw nasty gray skies that looked like they might even evolve funnel clouds. Needless to say, I am here to tell you, walking will do the trick. Dusty called me around 3 on his way home from Idaho Falls and we discussed my progress and he insisted that I get checked. I grabbed the bags, Nat called in to work, and as soon as Dusty got home we turned right back around for Idaho Falls. The contractions stayed steady at 3 minutes the whole ride there.

We got there, she checked me and said that we would for sure be having a baby soon. Dusty got out of speaking in church...ha ha. I think that is why he was so anxious to have her. J/K! The best part for us was the that Dusty was able to deliver her. He had bumped in to Dr. Leavitt during the course of his rotation and they had decided that he would coach him through it. He did amazingly well and it was one of those moments in life that could never be replaced.

Anyway...she is here and healthy and we are feeling truly blessed. Thanks for all of your thoughts, prayers, and phone calls!

Count Your Many Blessings...

2009-06-17T10:16:00.000-07:00

Blessing #1- Healthy baby girl born June 14th. 7lbs 14 oz.

You feel like you have always been a part of us Brittain Avery!
Blessing #2- A big sister that just can't get enough of this bundle of joy. Rhiannon has been such a tremendous amount of help as we are making this transition. She told the nurse at the hospital that she is "in love" with her new baby sister.

Blessing #3- A big brother that is also transitioning well to his new baby Brittain.

We are home from the hospital now after our terribly long two night stay and things are going fantastically well. Three kids is definitely an adjustment, but we are working through it minute by minute. I have tons more pictures on my phone that I need to figure out how to download and then maybe if I can catch a quick second between all of this new family stuff I will blog some more of the details. I just couldn't wait to let every one know Brittain Avery has arrived and is at home being loved more than you can imagine!

Catching Up

2009-03-26T21:14:00.001-07:00

I am sure everyone was beginning to wonder if I had forgotten how to blog...acutally, I was even wondering!

I just did a misc slide show to catch up on the past little bit. Some of the pics are from our little get away to Salt Lake. We had a fabulous time. We went to the Treehouse Museum in Ogden and for those of you that have never been, I HIGHLY reccommend it. (Thanks for the suggestion Zoey!) Among some other the other highlights were swimming at the hotel (of course), Under the Sea 3D at the IMax theatre, and just fabulous quality time together.

Things are going well. I feel like I am just getting more and more whale like by the day but we are really starting to get anxious for our new arrival.

Hopefully there won't be so much time lapsed before I update again.

2009-03-26T21:11:00.000-07:00

It's A Girl

2009-01-27T16:16:00.000-08:00

We found out yesterday that we are having a healthy (to date) baby girl in June! Yay... the ultrasound signifies the half-way mark! We are all very pumped about the news, well all but Cy. When the doc announced "Yes, that's definitely a girl!" Cy asked, "So--- it's not a boy?" He is still asking us today if there might be a boy in my belly. Poor kid. We are in the process of trying to convince him that a sister will be cool too. Anyway, the only disappointment is the fact that we had a boy name picked out but we are at a loss for girl names... oh well, there is still time to decide.

Sunsations: Med Spa, Tanning, Day Spa

2009-01-15T19:58:00.000-08:00

Just a quick update on my job situation for those that were wondering... I am now managing Susations Med Spa, Day Spa, and Tanning and I LOVE IT! We haven't acutally opened for business yet, but I am certain I will love it even more when we do. All of the turmoil and stress of leaving my previous place of employment was more than worth it to have this perfect set up! Dusty has been helping me so much get things going, I could not have done most of it without his help and expertise. Anyway, I feel like I am back in "my element" so-to-speak and I couldn't be happier. I truly have a conviction that everything happens for a reason and this is but one more testimony of that in my life!

More about project 365

2009-01-15T19:52:00.000-08:00

So I guess there has been a request for more information on this endeavor I have undertaken. I saw the idea on a friend's blog; the website is http://www.beckyhiggins.com/. She has tons of fun stuff to look at there. She has come up with the idea of project 365 and with that idea she has put together an entire kit you can purchase to get you started. There is basically a two page spread per week of the entire year. The kit includes these plastic protector sheets to keep note cards with journaling in alongside the pictures from the week. I am doing mine digitally on a blog to keep up and then my plan is to print pictures and journal about monthly using my blog as a reference. I am totally excited about it and I can't wait to have my complete project at the year's end. Let me know if you decide to jump on board as well!!!

HULK SMASH

2009-01-14T09:40:00.000-08:00

Too cute not to blog!

2009-01-14T09:37:00.000-08:00

So here it is... my attempt at Project 365. Click on the link to the right to follow!!!

Inspiration

2009-01-11T20:09:00.001-08:00

So I finally got a new camera after ours was lost, AGAIN, on Halloween. AND, to add to my excitement, I have been inspired by the Becky Higgins Project 365 from Victoria's website.
So, tomorrow I begin...look for it!

Dustin-Megan-Rhiannon-Cy

2008-11-29T18:43:00.001-08:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Tag

2008-11-14T19:57:00.000-08:00

1. Where did you meet your husband? Our moms hooked us up...imagine that. (and who said arranged marriages don't work out--ha ha)
2. How long did you date before you got married? 3 months...I know, I know!
3. How long have you been married? 5 1/2 years
4. What does he do to surprise you? He constanly surprises me. Dusty has an amazing skill for the most thoughtful gifts, though. He always comes up with something I would never think of for my birthday and holidays.
5. What is your favorite feature of his? Most DEFINITELY his smile.
6.What is your favorite quality? His loyalty.
7. Does he have a nickname for you? explicit...ha ha.
8. What is his favorite food? Anything that has the word "burger" in it.
9. What is his favorite sport? football
10. When and where did you first kiss? At the good ol' in-laws. Classic huh.
11. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? Anything that includes us and together.
12.Do you have children? 1 boy, 1 girl, 1 on the way
13. Does he have any hidden talents? He is a meticulous cleaner.
14. How old is he? 26
15. Who said I love you first? He did.
16. What is his favorite music? He like a lot of different stuff but mostly 80s rock.
17. What do you admire most about him? His desire to do well in everything he does.
18. What is his favorite color? Blue
19. Will he read this? Nah, I don't even think knows how to look at our blog.
20. People I tag. Anyone that would like to.

Do you have plans for June yet?

2008-10-26T09:15:00.000-07:00

It looks like I do!

Quick Preview

2008-10-05T22:48:00.000-07:00

This is a quick preview of Victoria's work...I hope I don't get in trouble for posting in this not-so-good format! ;)

Family Pictures

2008-10-05T22:26:00.000-07:00

I just have to give a GIGANTIC shout out to our family photographer...Victoria Hale! Thank you so much for taking such awesome pictures! I haven't technically gotten them in a format that I can be using yet, I just saw them on her website and I was so dang excited about them I had to get them on my blog some how. She did a fantastic job!

Cute Little Slide Show

2008-09-05T21:43:00.000-07:00

We still do exist...

2008-08-07T18:51:00.000-07:00

I guess that it has been like an eternity since I have last blogged. I don't think I have any fabulous excuses, but I have had other stuff going on that has made me put it way on the back burner. Also, my camera died some time in June and I just BARELY got a brand new one. I haven't used it yet, but I definitely will!

In the time I haven't been on:

*Rhiannon turned four!!!
*Dusty finished summer school
*Cy has mastered the terrible two stage
*I got a different job (still at Gold's though)
*We've had tons of fun picnicing and park hopping as a family
*The kids have LIVED in their little pool
*and many other small little details that I won't bore you with

I still have a busy few weeks ahead but hopefully I will get a chance to use our little camera and post some pics. In the madness of it all, though, I have been keeping track of all of you on your blogs. More to come very soon...

Catching up

2008-06-22T21:43:00.000-07:00

So I guess my last post wasn't completely accurate; I didn't really "come back"! I have been crazy busy at work lately and playing with my kids in this warm summer weather as often as I can, so I haven't taken the time to blog like I thought I would. Acutally, Dusty just asked me tonight if I had given up blogging. I guess it seems as if I have, however, I have been missing it. I will try to be a little better. Our camera is on the fritz and I am not sure how much longer it will be with us, but I will do what I can.

We had our big Grand Opening at the gym yesterday and it seemed to go really well. I did a little marketing on the radio which turned out to be pretty fun. I was nervous at first but I guess it turned out okay.

Last week Nat, Brice, Sierra, and myself took the kids swimming at Ross Park. It was TONS of fun and we are already planning to get back there some time next week. Sierra spent all week at our house which was also lots of fun.

I guess there is no really big news...oh wait...for those of you that hadn't heard, NIKI is getting married! (Dusty's little [and only] sister) We are all really excited for her.

Tomorrow Dust and I are sneaking away to take the kids camping. We can not wait. So if you aren't able to get a hold of us for a couple of days, that is why. I hope you are all doing well and I hope to hear from you soon.

I'm Back...

2008-06-02T13:38:00.001-07:00

So it really has been forever since I've updated. We have just completed the GIGANTIC move from our preview center at Gold's Gym to our brand spankin new facility. It was a few extremely long days but it was actually quite fun. We opened for business this morning and it went well. The new Kids' Klub is bright and airy...I LOVE it. There are actually windows in this one which helps enormously. My lovely little grandparents were so sweet and took the kids for me for a few days last week so I could get things moved and organized over there. I still have a quite a bit of "management" loose ends to clean up, but as for taking kids and stuff, we are back in business. Anyway, that is what has been comsuming me for several weeks now so hopefully things will get back to normal soon. I will post some pics of it all in the next couple days.

Once in a life time...

2008-05-15T19:42:00.000-07:00

Cutting Grandpa's hair.
Grandma helping.
Snip, snip, snip.
Finished! Pretty snazzy huh.

It's not very often a three year old girl gets permission to cut her Grandpa's hair! She had a blast.

Sunshine Makes Me Happy!

2008-05-05T20:33:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to post a few pictures from our sunshiney weekend.

Always posing!
Look at that...Cy, you know you're not supposed to have pop.

Book of Mormon Stories

2008-05-05T09:13:00.000-07:00

Tonight Rhiannon, Cy, and myself were all sitting together in the front room enjoying a nice chat about life while Dust was outside taking care of some ward business. The kids were in their pjs and it was a little past their bed time. It didn't look like Dusty was coming in any time soon so I suggested to the kids that perhaps I should get them to bed tonight. Now you have to understand the routine in our house: Dusty ALWAYS rocks the kids before bed. It's been his time alone with them because he isn't able to have many moments like that during the day.

So the ritual always begins with each of the kids choosing two songs that Dusty sings with them as he rocks each one individually. Then, he tells a story from his mission to England just before they lay down to sleep. My motherly duties end right after scripture study and prayer and then we part our ways as they make the trek upstairs to have daddy put them to bed. It's truly one of the most precious things I have ever witnessed! Even though it makes me feel terrible when they cry for daddy if I ever have to substitute, I am willing to take the blow as I know how much this daddy time means to each of them.

Anyway, back to tonight...so the kids and I are chatting and I suggest that it's getting late and I may have to take them up to rock them Rhiannaon, being the intuitive little thinker that she is begins stalling. She's like, "Mommy, you wanna hear the song I'm gonna choose for daddy to sing to me tonight?" Because of the sweetness of her tone, I couldn't resist. And so she began singing Book of Mormon Stories. She sang the first verse nearly word for word---and then the second verse began (posted above). I was laughing hysterically by the end of the song. I asked her where she learned that version and she just smiled and said, "That's what Daddy sings to me!"

When Dusty finally got inside I asked him where he had learned that verse of the song and he told me he had to make it up one night impromtu. One night he sang the first verse to her and that didn't seem to be good enough. She told him that there was more to the song and because he didn't know it, he just made it up. I thought it was totally creative; so creative, in fact, that I didn't believe that he made it up. (So if any of you have indeed heard it before, please clue me in.) I am so grateful that my children have such fabulous father figure in their lives. I love ya Dust. I thought this was an absolute documentable moment and I couldn't wait to share it with all of you.

True friends are difficult to find, hard to leave, and impossible to forget.

2008-05-03T19:49:00.000-07:00

Cy and his adorable friend Haley.

He is going to miss her tons!
Too bad their family trees connect because they'd be such a cute little couple ;) This weekend had been one of change for us. Some of our best friends in the whole world left Pocatello to start their lives in Preston today. We are so happy for them as they are getting their "life-after-Pocatello" started, but we are going to miss them terribly. Dusty and I have been talking about how hard it is to see friends that you grow to love leave the area when we still have over a year left here. We know that we will remain life time friends, but it just won't be the same in Avalon Park without them. I keep trying to convince her to blog but she hasn't quite caught that blogging fever yet, but it's bound to happen sooner or later right?

On a more positive note, we did get to see some friends that we haven't seen for a while yesterday. Victoria brought her kids by yesterday and it was SO good to see them. Em and Adam are getting so big and so dang cute! It was so good to see you guys. Let me know how Joe likes your hair Victoria! ;) I didn't get any picture because I was so busy doing hair...I hate it when that happens!

A thought from our stake conference-

2008-04-27T19:31:00.000-07:00

You can tell but never teach until you practice what you preach.

More randomness from Megan...

2008-04-24T20:11:00.000-07:00

“Under the plan of heaven, the husband and the wife walk side by side as companions, neither one ahead of the other, but a daughter of God and a son of God walking side by side. Let your families be families of love and peace and happiness. Gather your children around you and have your family home evenings, teach your children the ways of the Lord, read to them from the scriptures, and let them come to know the great truths of the eternal gospel as set forth in these words of the Almighty.”
( Ensign, Mar. 2001, 64.)

“This is my prayer for all of us—'Lord, increase our faith.' Increase our faith to bridge the chasms of uncertainty and doubt. . . . Grant us faith to look beyond the problems of the moment to the miracles of the future. . . . Give us faith to do what is right and let the consequence follow.”

There has been a lot for me to think about as several events have transpired in my life the last little bit. It seems like there are so many times when I think, "that will never happen in my family" or "no, never to us!" But you know, the Lord does have a plan and some times things do happen that may seem hard to swallow. I have always known that He is there, and I will never doubt that, but at times I guess I just believe it more than others. Now, I know that I need to increase my faith and I know that the Lord allows for me to do this through trials, but some times the trick really is to do what is right and let the consequence follow.

Truly, that is what this life is all about. It's about Dusty and I walking side by side learning to roll with the punches and trusting that the Lord will provide; even when it seems difficult. It is about my children. It is about us as an eternal family unit working together to ensure no seats are empty. I guess some times I have experiences that ground my faith and realization of the truly important things in life; I am grateful for those growing times. I am grateful for all of the small moments that I share with my little family and I am especially grateful for the impact that President Hinckley had on my life. The above quotes have brought me a lot of comfort in times of great need.

I guess I am not completely certain of the reason for this post...maybe just to say that I am thankful for my little life and the people that are in it...which is to say---thanks to all of you reading this!

Happy Birthday Cy!

2008-04-20T22:17:00.000-07:00

Update...

2008-04-20T20:50:00.000-07:00

Let's see, it's been over a week since I have last posted so I guess it I will just have to start from the beginning---

Dusty sprained his ankle terribly at last week's soccer game. He is embarrassed about how it happened for some silly reason so he hates when people ask about it. I hate that it puts him out of comission in the coaching world as the responsibility falls down hill to me. He does a much better job at taming the wild 3 year old soccer stars than I do, so I am hoping for an extra speedy recovery. Pretty nasty looking huh.

Next,

I was feeling a little drastic this week, and thus, Rhiannon got a haircut! A nine inch haircut to be precise. We were having a stressful hair morning so I threatened to just cut it. In rebuttle, Rhiannon just chimed, "Fine, cut it." Dusty happened to be home in the midst of all of this and he just encouraged us to get the issue resolved, and from his perspective, chopping made complete sense. In the heat of the moment I thought I might have regrets, but I have actually really enjoyed it. I think its adorable and she had gotten millions of compliments. It's much easier and takes a lot less time which is ideal for Rhiannon. So, there you have it, a hormonal day at the Reno household; well the beginning of the day anyway...

Then later on in the day---

The hormonal rage continued on. I chopped my hair off as well. I am having a lot of fun with it, and suprisingly enough, I don't miss it much either. So we are all through being drastic for a few weeks, I hope. Until next month I guess ;)

Also this week, we had planned on going to the circus for several days. We had gotten Rhiannon all hyped up and excited for the event so when we got to the doors with our "free coupons" and realized that tickets were nearly $30 PER PERSON, and there was more fine print on the ticket than the naked eye could see, it was more than devestating to try to explain to her that we didn't feel that we could justify an expenditure such as that on our college budget. We felt like terrible parents as we didn't follow through with what we had promised...life lesson, don't underestimate the cost of the circus just because it's in Pocatello, Idaho.

I am currently trying to finish a project that has been stretched out over the course of the week as well. I am stuck right now and maybe a few opinions would help me complete it. What do you all think?

Add star to top? leave plain but cut the dowel down? or add dowel cap to end? Dusty thinks a star would make it too much--what do you think?

Anyway, our week was topped off with a nice weekend-long celebration of Cy's birthday. I will post a slideshow of those festivities shortly.

All Skiwampus...

2008-04-08T22:00:00.000-07:00

I can't figure out why my tag post is so messed up. Just ignore my computer/technological illiteracy. I don't really know how to fix it but I'm sure you get the idea.

I've Been Tagged (like forever ago--sorry Rachel)

2008-04-08T21:15:00.001-07:00

Use only google images...

My favorite color:

My favorite animal:

I guess it's kinda sad, but I don't really care for a ton of animals all that much...sorry!

Bad Habit:

Favorite Food:

I just have too many...that's my problem!

Favorite Hobby:

Crafts and

My Kids!
My kids are a huge part of so much of my time and I thoroughly enjoy being their mother, so yes, they are totally my hobby.

Favorite Song:

My favorite song is constantly changing. I love a ton of different music so it just depends what's new and my mood at the time. I have been listening to this new girl Leona Lewis a lot lately. I love the song Bleeding Love. Check it out if you haven't heard it.

Favorite Author:

I don't really like to read books a ton, but I love magazines. If I am looking for casual, easy reading, I always grab a copy of the Hers Muscle and Fitness Magazine off the stand. I love it!

Favorite Dessert:

Banana Splits!!!

Picture of ME:

I don't care for pics of myself, but I thought I could publish Rhiannon's work...here is a recent pic courtesy of our little Rhiannon!

Whew, that took a little bit! I tag: Sandi, Mandy, Kwinnae, and Ashley.

Soccer Saturday

2008-03-30T19:43:00.001-07:00

Dusty and Rhiannon had their first soccer game yesterday and it was an absolute blast!! The weather was freezing cold, but the kids were tough and played anyway.
This is Coach Dusty reminding Rhiannon which goal to score in. Most of the game was spent reminding the children which direction to go.
Here is Rhiannon trying to figure the whole soccer thing out. I asked her after words if she had a good time and she said, "Soccer is way fun, but I don't really like running!" Needless to say, Dusty is planning on incorporating a little conditioning into the next practice! Ha, ha, ha.
(I've added several posts today so be sure to scroll all the way down to catch them all.)

Just Bein' Cute

2008-03-30T19:31:00.000-07:00

Spring Break

2008-03-30T19:17:00.000-07:00

Our Little Spring Break Getaway

2008-03-30T18:33:00.001-07:00

We decided to get away on Wednesday at 10 am and we were gone by noon. It was totally last minute, but it was more than needed. We left from Poky and went to Sandy, Utah. We ate dinner at the Mayan Adventure. The kids loved it. We got to see a couple live diving shows and eat some really yummy food.
Me and the kids outside of The Mayan.
The kids absolutely loved swimming in the hotel. We could barely pry them out when it was time to leave.
We also got to go to an aquarium while we were there. It w as so much fun getting away with our little family. We are going to miss Dusty as he has to return to school tomorrow. Our spring break turned out to be a blast. (...aside from Dusty's trip to Urgent Care on Monday with a small spell of Bronchitis. He is feeling much better now though!)

Easter Saturday

2008-03-22T16:17:00.000-07:00

Easter Bunny Day

2008-03-22T14:00:00.000-07:00

Today is the day we did the Easter Bunny at our house. He came and visited us this morning. The kids were fortunate enough to get a small basket of goodies from him. We have decided to do the bunny thing on Saturday so Easter Sunday we can focus more on the spiritual side of the holiday. The kids had a great time and it will be especially great to have it all out of the way tomorrow.

We colored eggs last night. Watching Cy try to be delicate and use finesse was the most commical part of the whole experience. I think he pretty much cracked every single egg he attempted to color---good thing they were hard-boiled or we may have had a catastrophe on our hands. It's so fun having a little family and starting traditions!

We Just Can't Get Enough Pink

2008-03-03T07:23:00.000-08:00

These are the pics of Rhiannon's new PINK soccer cleats, shin guards, and ball. Soccer starts in a few weeks for her and she can't wait. Grandma Kelli and Grandpa Dwight got her these adorable accessories. Dusty will be coaching her little league soccer team this spring and we are all looking forward to it!

I Love My Big Sis

2008-03-03T07:16:00.000-08:00

This is a pose that really shows how Cy is constantly looking to Rhiannon for, well for everything. Can you see him trying to copy her every move?
Funny faces for the camera. (Rhiannon thought this would be a nice touch!)

2008-03-02T20:26:00.001-08:00

Spring Fever

2008-03-01T21:00:00.000-08:00

Look at those teeth.
Sun + Snow Hat...Doesn't make much sense huh?

It really wasn't that warm outside on Thursday but we had the sun shining and we couldn't pass up the opportunity reunite with the bikes outside. Cy was so upset when I made him come in. Spring can't arrive quickly enough for us.

This Random Moment Brought To You By Megan...

2008-02-19T20:57:00.000-08:00

These pictures were taken within the last couple of months but they aren't extremely recent. I was just uploading some pictures online and thought that since I am new to blogging I would just add a few of my favorites even though they weren't taken too recently. I guess I just want to catch up!
This was Halloween, obviously.
Just a favorite of mine.

Love At Home

2008-02-19T15:13:00.000-08:00

I really don't have a good reason for posting this; I just love it when my kids love each other!!!

Pretty In Pink!

2008-02-19T13:46:00.000-08:00

These are some pictures that I will be sure to save for black mail's sake later in life!

Cy has had an unusual need to wear Rhiannon's clothes lately.
Yes, yes those are Rhiannon's pink Dora shoes!
Our rough, tough little boy...

I don't think he'll truly appreciate these until later.

Idea!!!

2008-02-14T16:06:00.001-08:00

So I mentioned previously that we've had a lot of time here in the house this week. (Thus the reason for 3 postings just today.) I've been thinking, I really enjoy looking at people's blogs when they have posted craft ideas or whatever. It stimulates my craft inspiration, or lack thereof, so I thought I'd share some of my recent projects in hopes that people will be willing to share more of their ideas with all of us. I love seeing how other people decorate so if you are will, blog your craftines so I can check it out!

The shelf that you saw above was made all the way from scratch by me. (With a small amount of help from Dusty.) He was such a peach and for Christmas he got me a couple of different saws. (yah, yah, saws for ME huh? I think this was his favorite Christmas for shopping!) Anyway, I have a blast doing the wood craft thing and I'm learning a lot. Pictured above are some wooden blocks with paper modge-podged on them.
The other side of the shelf up close.
These are little metal rustic stars on twisted wire attached to wooden blocks. I don't know how cheesy this is so maybe I'll wait to see if any comments are posted before I bore everyone with other stuff. Like I said before, I hope that others share some of their fun stuff too. Let me know what you all think. I think I am done blogging for the day...the sounds of sad, ill children are beckoning me!

Valentine's Day Love

2008-02-14T15:49:00.000-08:00

I caught them actually lovin' on each other opposed to rompin' on each other and I thought this was definitely a noteworthy (or picture worthy rather) moment. I guess my children actually do love one another after all...who knew!

Rhiannon wishes you all a happy Valentine's Day!

And Cy...not so much!

The "stay-inside-cuz-we're-too-sick-to-be-outside" Blues

2008-02-14T14:06:00.000-08:00

-- This is little Cy being sad cuz he can't go out to play in our fresh snow. He's had pneumonia this week so we haven't been to work or anywhere really--not even Wal Mart! Now, that's sad.
Awww! That's so sad isn't it?! There he is fantasizing out the window about snowmen and sleds and snowballs. He also really likes watching the snow plow dig us out.
We can't wait until spring shows its smiling face. The walls of our humble little home are beginning to close in on us. I told Dusty just today that we are truly grateful for our quaint little job that we have to go to a couple days a week. I think the kids look forward to it even more than me. Don't get me wrong, we love being home, it's just not as much fun when you HAVE to stay here because you are quarentined.

Eyes wide shut

2008-02-12T19:59:00.000-08:00

So are you seeing a trend? I just figured out that Cy purposely blinks when I take a picture. I thought it was just the flash, but I am now discovering that when I get my eye all focused in the camera and tell them to "say cheese" he thinks that means smile and close eyes. I thought that was pretty funny! Rhiannon, the poor girl, holds her smile for 45 shots while I keep asking for "just one more picture" because the flash made Cy blink again. Ha ha ha, really, he just automatically closes his eyes when the camera is in veiw. It's no wonder her smiles fade over time!

Catching Up

2008-02-10T21:21:00.000-08:00

I will be getting some pictures of Dusty on here soon. He isn't here with us all that much because of school and stuff so there aren't many prime photo opportunities, but I'll see that I get something.

Just a little side note: For those of you that are just catching up with us, Dusty is currently in the RN program here at ISU. And yes, it is indeed as busy as they said it would be! I am managing the nursery (day care) at Gold's Gym and loving every minute of it. The kids get to go with me so they feel as though they each have their own career as well. It's acutally quite funny because Rhiannon frequently asks, "Mom, are we working the entire shift today, or do we need to leave a little early to take care of some errands?" Those are her business management skills at their finest! A young up and rising entreprenuer she is!

Weebles Wobble But They Don't Fall Down

2008-02-10T21:02:00.000-08:00

I thought this was a hilarious video of Cy trying to walk in his puffy snow pants. It's not a long clip, but it gives you the idea nontheless.

Winter Fun

2008-02-10T19:21:00.000-08:00

Since I am new to this blogging stuff, I thought that I would publish some not so recent pictures to catch up. These are pics of Rhiannon and Cy New Year's Eve at their Grandma Reno's enjoying the cold Idaho winter snow. I played outside with them as long as I could stand feeling my limbs numb and then I bribed them indoors with a cup of hot chocolate. It was a fun morning.

Happy Cy

2008-02-10T19:16:00.000-08:00

This is Cy. I swear he generally is a happy boy, he just chooses not to be when we break out the camera. I can get cute pictures as long as he doesn't know that there is a camera present so look for those in future posts.

Our Little Rhiannon

2008-02-10T19:10:00.000-08:00

Meet Rhiannon. This is a pretty cheesy smile but she gives us many of those on a daily basis so I thought I'd share one with you all.