Braggin Rights

Two years ago yesterday I got married to the love of my life.

But our story starts about 10 years before that.

Not only were we high school sweet hearts but we started "going out" in 9th grade!!  Little did I know that day on the way to seminary when I said, "I thought you'd never ask me" that I was saying yes to eternity:)

We have grown up together and have had fun doing it.

Because he is the best husband any girl could ask for I have HUGE braggin rights and I'm gonna use em right now! 

• For as long as I have known Targhee when he says he's gonna do something, that means he's gonna do it and do it right.

• He is the most patient person I have ever met, next to my own dad.
• He knows how to work hard and he knows how to play hard.

• He has a strong, inspiring testimony of the gospel.  He simply lives it.
• He is always trying to do things that will make me happy.  That is top on his agenda.
• He makes for good competition in games.  He's pretty hard to beat.
• He still makes me laugh.

• He is the best dad.  And I really mean that.  He loves Leilani with such sincerity.  She loves her daddy too.

• He avoids contention like the plague which means fighting is very rare between us, and if there ever is a disagreement it is very short lived.

• He will always eat my dinners.

• Plus, he can do cool things like this.

He's my Mr. Incredible!

We went to Powder Mountain for an anniversary get-a-way.  It was very relaxing and just fun to be silly and lovey dovey with just the two of us.

We stayed at the Red Moose Lodge in Eden

Targhee modeling our room.

Targhee practicing his modeling skills

My turn to show off my skills

The happy couple

 What's more appropriate than playing the game of Life on your two year anniversary as life actually begins to get a little more real. (Now if only we actually got $100,000 every time we passed a "pay day")

Eating lunch at The Oaks up Ogden Canyon.

 I couldn't even fit my mouth over this sandwich.

Enjoying the beautiful scenery of Pineview Dam

First time up the lift. 

 I had an anxiety attack every time we got close to the top because I knew that meant I was going to be falling soon.

Targhee lookin like a pro-  I assure you, we were not.

 That's me...can you tell?

 Freezing our bottoms off.

 There are some perks to living in Utah and this is definitely one of them.

We ended our anniversary adventure at the temple. 
It was a wonderful way to begin our next year together and remember where we started.

Happy Anniversary!!

Four and a half hours to Chop It Off!

My neighbor and I were discussing possible hair options one day and decided it would be fun if we went to the hair salon together.  She made an appointment at the Layton hair school at 9:30.  Targhee, the best husband ever, said he would watch Leilani and her little boy too so we could go undisturbed.  We planned a normal 2-2 1/2 hours for our outing and said we'd be back soon.

We sat down in the salon chairs and two very quiet, and maybe a little nervous girls start to do our hair.  Because it was a school the girls could not do anything without the instructor's consent so the instructor came and talked with both of us about what we wanted and I said I was ready to chop it off.  Of course they give you a good lecture before you actually do something drastic but I was ready. It wasn't long enough to give away to Locks of Love or something so she asked if she could use it for instruction.  It took her about 30 minutes to tie elastics around pieces of my hair and chop it off.  The very fist chop, my heart started beating a little faster and my breath was a little shorter as I was thinking about how long I have worked to finally have "long" hair.  But, it was time. 

About a year ago, I was 9 months pregnant and did something drastic.  I wanted to dye my hair brown so I wouldn't have to keep up with the blond anymore.  It's too expensive and too time consuming.  My hormones kicked in and my hair soaked up all the color and turned almost BLACK.  Kinda scary since my eyebrows are so light- lol.  My mom practically disowned me.  Anyway, the color never really worked for me so it was time to accept my roots and return to blond.  The shy, quiet girl with shaky hands began highlighting my hair.  My neighbor just decided to get hers cut so two hours later (please note this was a cut that should have taken 30 minutes or less to do)  her hair was finished and I wasn't even half way done with putting the color in my hair.  Oh dear!  We drove together so she said she would just run some errands and I could text her when I was finished.

Around ONE o'clock PM, I am finally getting my hair washed and having a mild freak out moment because Targhee is supposed to be at work and my poor neighbor was sitting outside waiting for me and we were both ready to get home to our kids, but they hadn't even started on my cut yet. Not quite sure what to do, I called my Mom and by some miracle she was just 2 minutes down the road from my house.  She could watch Leilani so Targhee could go to work, but wait...she had her hair appointment at 1:30!  Oh man!  So I sent my neighbor home to pick up our kids and then she would have to drive all the way back to get me.  So what did my mom do?  She called my dad and said, "Get over to Monica's right now!  Not in a couple minutes, NOW!"  My obedient Dad, not knowing anything that's going on, rushed over to find two babies sound asleep.  Shortly after he arrived my neighbor knocked on the door and woke up her little guy.  Probably a little perturbed by now, she picked him up and drove all the way back to get me.  Poor thing!  (Thank you so much, Heidi!!) 

SOO after 4 and 1/2 hours of sitting in an uncomfortable salon chair.  This is the final product!

Ta da!

The sweet girl did nothing wrong...it just took her 5 years to get it done.

Always opportunities for funny stories right.

Just to remind you of the before

Reflections of CHRISTmas

I love this video.  The first time I saw it, it gave me chills. 

Merry Christmas!

He is the reason we celebrate this time of year and how grateful I am for that little baby who came to this earth for us so that we can all return to live with Him and our Father in Heaven again in joy and peace.

Doctrine and Covenants 76:40-43

"And this is the gospel, the glad tidings, which the voice out of the heavens bore record unto us—

That he came into the world, even Jesus, to be crucified for the world, and to bear the sins of the world, and to sactify the world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness; That through him all might be saved whom the Father had put into his power and made by him; Who glorifies the Father, and saves all the works of his hands."



Christmas Fun

Thought I would share some of our Christmas adventures thus far.

We decorated the tree while Leilani was taking a nap.  I wasn't sure how she would react and wondered if we were going to have to decorate it only half way up the tree, but when she woke up she pointed at it and said "oooh!!  Ba!"  She had just learned how to say ball and was very excited about all the "balls" on the Christmas tree.  She's been a very good girl and has since learned the word, No no!  She now looks at the tree and shakes her head while saying "na na na na!" Too cute:)

Our cute little nativity.  And yes, that is a Charley Brown tree behind it.

Stockings hung with care on the chimney...I mean bookshelf.  I made these last year and was so delighted when I opened our Christmas box and remembered we already had stockings:)

Hall out the holly!

Our wreath I made.  Still not sure if it is "finished" but it's on our door so there.

We went to Christmas Village on 25th street.  Nothing has changed since I was teeny, but it was still fun to have a night out together as a family.  Leilani was so happy to be out and more interested in all the people than all the lights. 
Very traditional Christmas, I'd say.  But the more I do things, the more traditional I realize I am. 
So Merry Christmas everyone!

Pure Joy

I have had so much fun these last couple days spending time with my family.  Every morning Targhee, Leilani and I get to eat breakfast together and play and just relax.  We have nothing pressing our time. 

I know I couldn't live like this forever, (I kinda always have to be doing something), but I think that's why I'm enjoying it so much is because I know how short our time is and I am trying to soak up every minute. 

The other day as I was watching Leilani play, I had the most pure feeling of joy that I think I've ever felt.  I was truly happy to be her mother and I could honestly say to myself that I was enjoying being a mom. 

Some of you may think I'm crazy that it's taken me almost a year to get to this point, but it has.  The first couple months of her life were very difficult for me.  I think I must have been too stressed out about everything to even think about enjoying it.  Around 7 or 8 months is when my stress levels started to decrease and I started feeling like a normal person again.  

Now that I think about it a lot of things changed at that time that allowed for progress. 

I started school, (believe it or not that helped me relax as a mother- haha- I guess I haven't learned how to be a full time stay at home mom yet).  

Leilani started to be completely mobile, (this stage would probably cause parents stress rather than reduce it, but Leilani has always been a very busy child and the fact that she could get where she wanted to go and when she wanted to made her a happier child and me a happier mom). 

I stopped taking the pill, (maybe TMI, but birth control has a history of making Bishop girls a little out a wack so making this switch helped me function as a person, mother, and wife). 

I recognized things that I was doing in my life that I didn't like and made the efforts to change them.  (Not an easy task, I think admitting my faults was the hardest part - to myself and to my husband, for support- but I sleep much easier at night feeling ok with myself rather than loathsome).

I am so grateful for the blessings in my life.  I know the credit does not go to anyone other than my Heavenly Father who knows me personally and knows what is best.  Not everything is perfect, in fact, far from.  But feeling like I am moving forward is always a time for a joyful heart and a grateful spirit. 

         

A Moment of Silence

I would just like to take a moment to appreciate the fact that I have survived this semester!! 

30 seconds please.....

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.....

....

....

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Ok I'm done:) 

Oh my goodness!  I have taken hard semesters before but never have I been a mom and and wife at the same time.  What a challenge!  This semester was especially challenging because for some reason I decided to do math as my minor (don't ask) and I had three very time consuming math courses. 

I've cried, (several times), with frustration and concern, but I did it!  I feel very proud of myself and can not tell you how excited I am for this next month.  Targhee and I will both be out of school and just be able to enjoy each other and the Christmas season with all of its craziness.

Time to whip out that Christmas want list and get crackin.

well, maybe in a second....

Right now I just want to sit and enjoy the feeling of not having to do anything:)    

Teaser

Thanksgiving is such a tease.  You get all into the holiday mood.  Lots of yummy food, lots of family, warm wishes and warm feelings everywhere.  And then it's like, "whoops, sorry, just kidding you have to go back to school and work.  Come back in a month."  OH MAN!!  Well, I don't wanna!  Homework is the last thing on my to do list right now (and yet it is the most prevalent). 

I want to decorate my house and tree in red and green. 

I want to make yummy treats and dip my finger in the chocolate while I cover delicious things with it and then take the delicious things to neighbors to see them smile.

I want to snuggle up with my hubby and little one to a Christmas movie and a cup of hot chocolate.

I want to go caroling.

I want to make blankets to give away.

I want to wrap presents and put them under the tree.

Ok, you get the point. 

But instead I have to study for lots and lots and lots of math.

All three of my math finals are comprehensive. 

So in a nutshell I have to try and remember EVERYTHING I've ever been taught in the past 4 months.

HA! Ya right! 

Nevertheless, my holiday want list will have to wait. 

By the way, Leilani thoroughly enjoyed her first Thanksgiving.  She knew exactly what it was all about!  EATING! 

And she ate and ate and ate and ate.  While all the rest of us were stuffed to the brim she was still stuffing her little face with yams.  It was very cute.  We had lots of family around so she had lots of cousins to keep her busy, which she loves.  I'm excited to celebrate Christmas with her.   

I wish...

I wish I understood my daughter better.

I wish I knew what made her happy.

I wish I knew what made her sad.

I wish I knew why when she is crying she doesn’t want me to hold and cuddle her but she doesn’t want me to put her down.

I wish I knew what pains she feels and how to ease them.

I wish I knew what food she likes and when she is full.

I wish I knew what thoughts she has when she stops and looks off in the distance for a period of time.

I wish I knew the special gifts she’s been given and how to help her develop them.

I wish I knew if she remembers her Heavenly Father and how much He loves her.

I wish I knew if she knows how much I love her.

I wish I knew if she knows I am doing the best that I can.

I wish I knew how to teach her all the things that Heavenly Father wants me to teach her.

I wish I had known the love of a mother before…

A bathtub and a tooth

What do a bathtub and a tooth have in common? 
They both cause grumpiness.

Leilani is getting her fourth tooth so she has been a little under the weather lately and she doesn't like to do it quietly.  I can't really blame her.  I'm a complainer too.  She must have got it from her mom.  I've been letting her suck on ice cubes and Tylenol doesn't seem to be doing much.  Does anyone have any suggestions that worked for their kiddos?

This was at the grocery store today.  She was a beast the whole time.  People were choosing different aisles to go down just so they wouldn't have to listen to her scream.  She has a problem sitting in the cart the correct way anyway.  Even with the belt on she will still wiggle her way out and stand up.  A lady even had the audacity to say, "Oh are you not happy? (to Leilani)  She's trying to climb out of the cart. (to me)"  I gave her a half hearted smile and said, "Yup! She sure is."  Anyway, I finally gave in to the bad Mom side and let her get in the back of the cart.  People were looking at my strangely but whatever. 

 This is her tonight.  (p.s. she never cuddles!)  My life saver at the moment is her favorite movie (she claps and does a dance every time I turn it on)

Yup, Baby Einstein Day on the Farm

So, what does a bathtub have to do with grumpiness, you ask?  Usually it doesn't.  Usually it's a place of serenity and quiet peace after a long day.  In fact, soaking in a long hot bath sounds heavenly right now, but yesterday right before church our drain clogged.  Fantastic...  Targhee worked on it the best he could but to no avail.  Luckily we are renters so all we have to do is call our maintenance guy and over he comes, but after lots of banging and clanging he called me into the bathroom with bad news.  He's going to have to cut in from the ceiling of our downstairs neighbors and reach the pipe from there.  He said, "It shouldn't take more than a day", but I know better than to believe the estimated fix it time from a fix it man.  I've been around my mom's remodeling enough to know that these things always take longer than suspected.  So we'll see how we do without a bathtub for a while... if you pass us in the next few days, just ignore the smell.

This picture cracks me up.  "Hey Dad!  Whatcha doin?  Can I help?"

Birthday! Birthday! Who had a birthday?

I DID!!

And it was fantastic.  When birthdays are on Monday that means you get to spend the whole weekend partying:)  Targhee took me out to dinner Friday night to an "authentic" Italian restaraunt called Zucca's.  It had gotten the best resaurant of Northern Utah award so I wanted to try it.  I'm sorry to say I was disappointed.  I guess I'm not a true Italian because the food didn't hit my "oh yummy" spot and and service was less than par.  My water cup never got filled, our bread was burnt on the bottom, and we didn't get our main dish for over an hour which means we missed our reservations for a play at a local playhouse, and my desert wasn't even sweet!  Who wants a nonsweet desert for their birthday?  Not me!  But, in comparison to the food my company was wonderful.   I always love spending a night out just Targhee and me every once in a while. 

My sister and her husband came in from Sacramento for the weekend which made it even more wonderful.  And on top of all that, she came with news....she's pregnant!  Whoo hoo:)  We're so excited for her. 

I went over to my parents on Saturday and we all played games and then went to eat at Cafe Rio. Then later that night they came to my house for even more games.  Ya we know how to have fun!

Sunday was the BIG family party where me and my brother in law, Aaron, have shared our birthdays for many many years.  Natalie and Tif and their families came to my parents and we played MORE games and had yummy lemon poppyseed cake. Mmmm! 

Monday I of course had to go to school but when I got home Targhee suprised me with presents and more sweet deserts (which don't count on birthdays). 

Please excuse the mop on top of my head.  My hair was all curly and cute that morning but it was snowing pretty bad up on campas and I got caught without a hood or umbrella.  So this is what you get.

 Later that night we all went to the Brick Oven (yes my weekend was filled with lots of food.  My family knows the way to my heart) 

Leilani was so saturated with sugar from the weekend's events she was beyond hyper Monday night, but because of her excessive energy she did  THIS!

Anyway, my 25th year started off pretty good so hopefully that's a foreshadowing for the next 12 months. 

Thanks everyone for making it a great day!