Happy Anniversary!

Today is my 14th Wedding Anniversary! Wow! Were does the time go? It seems like yesterday that I was 20 and in love for the first time. Going to Israel really was a great idea. David and I started out as good friends and I think that was a great way to begin a relationship. There really isn't anyone that I would rather spend time with or talk to. I remember talking to someone in Israel about David, this was before I knew that I liked him, I remember telling them that whoever married David Stohl would be a very lucky girl because he would treat her very well. At that time I never imagined I would be the lucky girl. I am so glad that I am. He really does know how to treat me. He is a great husband. I also have to say that I know how to treat and handle him too. I understand him better than anyone and we get along very well together. He needed a wife with a little bit of spit fire. David, I love you very much, you are my sweetheart and I think that we are a perfect fit. Happy Anniversary!

My Least Favorite Day!

Today has been a very looong day. It was come home from Lake Powell Day. I do have to say that I hate this day. (But it did go pretty smoothly.) My reasons for hating it are probably multifaceted. As a kid it was a very high stress day. My dad (who I adore) and I almost always had a fight on this day. He was a stressed out houseboat driver and I didn't think I deserved to be yelled at because he didn't like driving the houseboat. Thankfully Jason has taken over this job. (Don't be mad at me Daddy.) It is also a let down after a fun week at one of my favorite vacation destination. A long drive and a ton of clean up work at the houseboat and at home once you finally get there. I am now up late trying to catch up on my contest with Kim. Lets see if I am still in the running.

A Little Late

I am in a contest with my sisters about blogging everyday. I have been out of town and out of reach of a computer for the last week. Before I left I scheduled my posts so that I would not loose the competition. But I only got to Thursday. I had a very busy week and still tried to post so Kim I am wondering if I lost or you will be lenient? What do ya think?

Isaac's smokers hack

For the longest time Isaac has had a smokers hack. He coughs really hard and clears his throat like a grown man. We have always just chalked it up to a little bit of mild asthma. Well I have been wondering lately if Isaac has allergies. So a few days ago I took him to see a pediatric allergist. We went over the forms and I told him my suspicions and then they administered the scratch test. Isaac cried and was really angry at me the whole 15 minute wait time. He was carrying on like a crazy boy. When the doctor came back in he was quite surprised that Isaac was VERY allergic to almost everything. (All trees, all grasses, all weeds, some molds, cats, dogs, and horses.) I guess it is a good thing we no longer have Cleo and Zoie. He wasn't allergic to feathers but we are not having a bird. I am feeling sad for poor Isaac. And I am feeling a bit dense.

Summer Reading List

When I was in high school Jessica use to write me a summer reading list. I could sure use on now so I am asking that you to help create a summer reading list for me. What is on your must read list? Name me a few of your all time favorites. I would love to hear your suggestions. Happy reading this summer.

What is in your church bag?

I am looking for great ideas of what to pack in a church bag to entertain a little two year old. Lucy is now at the stage that she doesn't like to stay in sacrament meeting so she is loud and knows she will get taken out. Please HELP!

Happy Birthday Lucy!

Lucy,
I hope you have a great day. You are a special little girl and you make our family so happy. You are developing the cutest personality and I hope you will always be as darling as you are right now. Have a great day baby girl.
OXOXOXOXOX
Mom

New Calling

I have a new church job. I've had it for about two months now. I am the Secretary of the Relief Society. This is very new for me as I have not attended Relief Society for more than a month at a time since I was in college. I have always held callings in Primary and Young Women's. It should be nice for me to get to know the ladies in our ward better. It will also be a good reminder to study gospel topics for myself more regularly. I do miss my cute Primary class though.

Good-Bye Level 3

Truman has learned so much in his swim lessons the past few weeks. The other day he swam almost the whole length of the pool. He looks a little like a bug does swimming in water. His teacher is the swim coach for Isaac's swim team. She swam in college and is also getting an advanced degree in sports psychology. (I didn't even know that was a job but apparently pro athletes use them all the time.) She is very nice but is also all about the business; which is really good for Truman as he can be a bit silly at times. She said he should be ready for swim team next year. She has been teaching them different strokes. He now knows proper technique on more strokes than his mother. I am starting to think that I should be the one taking swim lessons. (I did have that episode during the Spudman you know.)

Results

IN-N-OUT Wins!

A Little Poll

Tonight we went to dinner at Five Guys. I have been wondering which restaurant would win the best burger award. Five Guys or IN-N-OUT? I believe that I decided IN-N-OUT wins. Their burgers are the best. Simple and you can have a chocolate shake to go along with the meal. Five Guys is good but the last two times I have been there I have been a bit disappointed. Two times ago I ordered grilled mushrooms and grilled onions. The mushrooms were from a can and the onions were only grilled for about 30 seconds. I don't like raw onions or canned mushrooms. Tonight I ordered the cheeseburger plain. Lettuce, tomato, pickle, ketchup and mustard. I'm thinking plain it will be perfect right? It was pretty good but the cheese wasn't melted. I don't really get that. So that is why my vote is going to IN-N-OUT. Cast your vote now.

Gardening Tools

I came across an article in real simple magazine the other day and I thought it was a good summary of which type of garden tools everyone needs. I am definitely lacking in my collection, although I do have the hand pruners. They are a great tool and they make them in different sizes which is nice because I have small hands so the grip doesn't open as wide as on most other tools. I totally want that little rake. Doesn't it seem like it would be really useful? Check the article out.

What IS he doing?

This is a very funny picture of some random French guy walking down the street in Paris. I thought it was so funny so I decided to photograph it. Why would you do this? (Can you all tell that I am running out of blog ideas.)

Isaac's First Swim Meet

Backstroke. He does great especially when he remembers his arms.

After his very first race.

Isaac had his first swim meet tonight. He had such a great time. He swam in three events and I was pretty nervous for his first event. He took off and swam about half the length of the pool and then he started swimming to the edge for a quick rest every few strokes. He is such a funny boy. I was also a timer. I have absolutely no training in this and a few times the person possibly got a better time than they deserved because I was occasionally a little slow on the button. Isaac was making friends with people and having a great time.The meet was long. It started at 5:00 and ended at 9:30. So we have had a very full day. In fact I have this week jam packed. We will be ready for a vacation.

Piggie Pie!

I found this darling book a few years ago when I was buying a couple of books for Halloween. It is hilarious. Jessica has since given Isaac a few more books by the same author, Margie Palatini. She is so funny and very clever. I really wish that I were this creative. Another favorite of hers is Mary had a little Ham. Check them out. You will be impressed.

Yard Tours

We love to have yard tours in my family. A yard tour is simply walking around the yard and admiring different plants or trees. We will ask one another questions like what kind of a plant is that? Or what do I do about snails? Occasionally we will dig up a new start for someone else to plant in their yard. Gardening really is a soothing activity. There is a lot to be learned about life through tending a garden. I think that consistency is one of its best lessons. You have to be diligent about watering and weeding. You can't miss too often or the plants look bad. But plants are also forgiving. If you neglect them and then go back to tending them they usually recover nicely. My grandmother loved to garden. My mother and sisters all have beautiful yards. I am glad that I enjoy it. Thank you Mom and Grandma! Gardening is a wonderful gift. Here are some of my current favorites.

I love to plant and tend pots. I especially like these on my front porch this year.

I love shade plants. I wish I had more shade in my yard.

Organizational Tips #2

Isaac's closet

When I was a kid I loved to clean out drawers. Sadly it was my best talent. I now realize that it is a good talent to have. I wish I were even better at organization. David and his family are ultra organized. After being around them I realize that I have room for improvement. Here is a list of tips from friends and family I polled about staying organized. These are all things that I try to do. My life is much happier when I feel organized. I hate not being able to find something; it is so frustrating. I also think that the organization keeps me from feeling frazzled; anything to help while trying to raise my little family. If you have a good tip I'll add it to the list.

1. Alice

"A place for everything and everything in its place."

"If you don't have a place for it, get rid of it."

2. David

"A place for everything and everything in its place."

"If you don't have a place for it, get rid of it."

3. Sarah

"I use containers and labels for everything."

"Clean up your kitchen and pick up your house before bed. It starts the next day off right."

4. Amy Greene

"Tidy up your house before you go to bed."

"My day is much better when I get up and get ready for the day."

"Pack lunches, kids backpacks the night before."

5. Linda

"Make sure your kitchen is clean every night."

6. Rory

"If you don't use it, lose it."

7. Jeremy

"Iron your clothes right when you take them out of the dryer."

8. Kim

"Only touch it once." (Don't pick something up and move it from one place to another. Pick it up and put it away.)

9. Jessica

"Everything needs a place."

10. Wade

"Keep your garage clean, it helps keep your house clean."

"Keep everything off the garage floor."

11. Jocelyn

"Color coded file system."

12. Kathy

"Do your laundry once a week. It is so nice not to have to worry about the laundry everyday."
13. Nicole

"Organize your clothes closets. Take out what doesn't fit. Use the same type of hangers. Like things together. Shirts, shorts, pants. Utilize the space. Hang double rods."
14.Faye

"Make your bed right when you wake up. It takes two minutes and makes all the difference in a room."

"Make sure your kitchen is clean before you go to bed."

15. Jen

"A place for everything."

16. Tara

"Write everything down."

"Get as much done the night before as possible."

17. Lori

"Do as much as you can the night before."

"Write everything down. I keep a notebook in my purse."

"If you are in charge of an event, arrive at least 1 hour early."

"Different bags for different things" (Work bag, errand bag, church bag.)

18. Kim S.

"Fly Lady"
19. Sue

"Make friends with your garbage can."

Truman's Personality Shots

I was going through some pictures to have an enlargement made and was looking at all the photos my friend Erin took of Truman just shortly after he turned one year. It made me kind of sad because he is getting so big but I think the pictures really show off his personality. You will look at them and think they are so Truey.

He has such a curious expression.

Laughing and being SILLY!

I love this one.

I am sorry to say that he is living up to his name.

A habit we are STILL working on. If he quits I'll buy him a DS.

I wonder what he is thinking.

Cute!

"I want to be a dentist."

He is a great boy. I love him to pieces. Even when he bawls.

Your Already Wet Anyway, Right?

Isaac has been swimming on the swim team. My friend Nicole talked me into having him do it with her daughter and then she ended up not being able to do it. He usually goes down with one other little girl from our neighborhood so I usually only have to drive a couple times a week. Isaac's friend has been out of town this week so I have had to drive everyday. It has also rained everyday. And it has been cold. I feel a little bit mean making him swim in the cold and rain but they do not cancel unless there is lightning. He is making great improvements in his swimming.

(His hair is out of control. That subject may be my next blog.)

Truman is also taking swim lessons with his cousins Jack and Daniel. So I spend all morning at the pool. I am hoping that the weather will improve so I can have a few days of enjoyment before the lessons are over. I also can not wait for my friend Sarah to return from her vacation. I need a carpool partner.

Update

The caffeine withdrawal headaches are gone (Yea!) and so is all my energy. When does it come back? When do I start feeling better because I am not drinking soda? I am at day 10. It would help if I hadn't given up my sweets too.

Missing Happiness...

Okay, I'll admit that my family has a bit of a soda pop drinking problem. How could we not we are started on the sauce at a pretty young age. I just turned 35. (WOW!) I decided to give up soda for awhile. (I know that I have been known to do this in the past so don't laugh.) Soda pop drinking is a social thing for me. I love to go and get a drink. I have done this a lot with my family and with friends. Me and my kids love to swing by Jardine's for a drink. It is also a big stress reliever. If things aren't going well a soda really makes everything better for me. So this week has been hard for me. I am still getting little headaches but I think they are improving. The real trick will be sticking to the program at Lake Powell. I'll keep you posted.

Everyone loves a good Beverage.

Don't you just love opening a nice cold beverage and hearing the pop. I also love to pour a soda in a glass of ice until it is about ready to overflow and then feel the bubbles tickle your lip. When I was little we would always take the first sip and say taaahhhhh... The other day my dad stop by and he was teaching Lucy all of these little pleasures. It was pretty cute.

Watch out for SNAKES!

Anyone who knows David well; knows that he HATES snakes! I always joke with him that if there was a snake and it was close to one of our kids I would have to be the one to save them. It isn't really a joke though because he really hates them that much. The other night David was going to bed and he was moving all the pillows off the bed and what did he find but this:

Truman had left his dad a surprise for a joke. I thought it was super funny and David actually did too. Although it did scare him a bit. The next night it was on my pillow. David found it again. I guess I am raising a comedian.