Whew finally 32

So I had been saying I was 32 and one day in April Brant said Jana your 31. How do I get back those lost months? Something magical happens when you are a kid and you reach an age, I remember when Heath turned 3 and we wished him Happy Birthday, he asked if he was 3 now when I said yes he ran to his sister's room got a jump rope and tried to jump rope after a couple of tries and realizing he wasn't able to jump rope he threw down the rope and said I guess you have to be 4. As if you gain some new ability with each year. Heath came in and wished me a happy birthday and informed me I was 32 then asked "what can you do now that your 32?" I thought for a minute and told him I now had the ability to tickle with my toes, and I tickled him. I wish I woke up with the ability to can or sew, or better yet if I woke up and lost a dress size or 2 and gained a cup sizeJ. We determined that those magical birthdays end at 21 and don't happen again until 55!

My Birthday morning did bring me a surprise, my husband (who never misses a day of work) called in to spend the day with me. He had quite the agenda planned, I didn't know anyone could make a to do list longer than me. J I think he realized why I never seem to get everything done on my list either. He made me Breakfast, baked me a cake, did the dishes, and a few small projects around the house including cleaning and organizing cupboards. He spoiled me with compliments and a few gifts. (Thanks, Michelle for the Cupcakes,! You know me too well). He took me out to dinner and a walk and provided me great company and easy conversation not to mention butter mints, which I love. Then we had Cake with the kids and the Udall's.

I do have to post these pictures although I'm not thrilled about how I look, check out Heath's devious face, and notice how far away he is and then bam he's blowing out my candles. Sorry about the Root beer dust JordanJ. I had a very relaxing day and I felt very, very loved.

I agree with my friend Kamille your birthday should be celebrated all month. In addition to my splendid birthday; I also had a FHE spot light, which involved a flashlight in my face and several questions to answer. We looked through my baby book, and enjoyed homemade cantaloupe sorbet and watched a movie, of my choice.

I was also taken to out dinner by some friends. While we were having a fabulous girl's night out I couldn't help thinking. When we first moved here they were over the top too good to be true nice and I was shy and scared to death to get to know them. Now I am ridiculously attached to them. They really are that nice, which is especially surprising because now they really know me and they still chose to make some sacrifices and spend an evening with me. Thank you all so very much! These beautiful women are amazing they have watched my kids countless times. They are wonderful mothers who are so talented. They sew, cut coupons, can, garden, and bake; well they can pretty much do anything and

everything. There are so many things I want to learn from them and they are probably patient enough to actually teach me! Here they were spending an evening with me. I'm not sure how I can be surrounded by these strong and amazing women, who somehow make me, want to be better but accept me as I am. At some point I'm sure the realization will occur that I'm not contributing much and they will kick me out but they might even be too nice for that. At any rate I loved that evening!

Time really does move so fast 16 years ago yesterday my brother, Chad was taking me out for my sweet 16^th birthday, we went and saw the movie Speed. I was old enough to date and that same summer I would meet the man I would marry. (At the time I had no idea). And just last year so many things were up in the air we had sold our house, Brant was interviewing but nothing had happened yet. I have sure learned a lot this year and Looking back I realize there are a lot of things in my life I would have done differently but right now at 32, I'm heading in the direction I want to be going and I like who I am beco

ming, at least for today. Hopefully this year brings us to a new home, finds me expressing my gratitude more, and becoming a little more thoughtful like so many of my friends. And I wish for more magical moments as a mother and wife. And maybe, just maybe, this will be the year we will have our next baby placed in our arms! I don't want to end this too incredibly sappy. So just remember the smoke you see coming from Flagstaff is not from my birthday candles, I can tickle with my toes and if birthday wishes come true I'll be needing a new bra!

Look at that cute Root Beer float cake

    

PB & Daddy

Heath was set on matching Dad on Father's Day, before & After Church.

When Rianne was little she started to call Brant Honey, in my efforts to correct her—"you don't say honey, you call him daddy" when asked if she wanted jelly or honey, she answered "Peanut butter and Daddy?" Brant and the kids go together like peanut butter sandwich, perfect match. 

He is such a great dad! My kids don't even know how lucky they are to have Brant for a dad. He always keeps his priorities straight and puts his family first. I love that every bad dream, tummy ache or whatever wakes them up has them calling Dad or landing them on dad's side of the bed.

My kids believe Dad can fix EVERYTHING! His night stand currently holds a kids pencil sharpener, stuffed raccoon, tic-tac container (which was stepped on) and glass horse, missing a leg and a toy car in need of a wheel. Brant is not what I would call a handy man but he does seem to make everything better. I know that is certainly true of our home. I even tried to make his favorites for father's day and he started adding a little here and doing what he does. It tasted so, so good!

Did I mention he makes EVERYTHING better! Life is better when Dad's home, since summer vacation the most asked question… "When's Dad going to be home?" From the moment he walks in the door, they are all over him, Heath ready to wrestle and Rianne to tell him everything she has done that day. Sometimes I get a little jealous and want my turn with Dad, but I am so grateful that they adore their dad. I do too! 

I asked the kids what they thought of when they thought of each grandpa

Grandpa Funny Fred

Heath said: I think of cows and his swing, Ria said: I think of him at the table, when we eat, and giving me rides on Pepper. My dad would do anything for anybody! He is honestly the most generous man I know. He has made countless sacrifices for his kids and grandkids to have what they want. He totally shares my sense of humor, so my kids don't miss a beat when he calls them Sam or hides their plates.

After Rianne was born my dad drove 2 hours just to see her, (this is a real sacrifice for a dairy man) then he was too scared to hold her. We made him anyway and it is one of my very favorite pictures!

Grandpa Jeff

Heath said: he let me feed the fish, Ria said: I think it is cool I have a grandpa who is a REAL cowboy, I also like to sit on his lap and watch shows. He can dream as big as the kids and makes anything seem possible. Rianne just said this week "when are we going to see grandpa Jeff? "I have a few ideas I need to run past him, business stuff".

Grandpa Brown

Heath said: I like that he goes with grandma Brown, I asked where does he go with her? Heath said "to set the table so we can eat what we picked grandma to make". Funny kid! Ria said: I think of his shoes, buying things from my store, and paying me to pick up sticks in his yard.

I love love love this man, I sincerely hope that Brant will grow up to be just like his dad and he is well on his way. He is absolutely the most patient man ever! Grandpa makes the best Donald duck sounds. He can be found pulling the kids around the yard in the wagon attached to the lawn mower. He is great to be right in there playing with them, making great memories. I also love to hear him pray, they are so powerful and profound to me. I also love how he is always saying how lucky he is to have his wife and how good she is to him. He has a great sense of humor. He gives the best hugs! Every time we leave Grandpa's house Ria and I are in tears! He is a wonderful Grandpa, but I am grateful every day for the example Brant saw in his Dad to be the Dad he is!

We had a blazing Father's Day-- Here is what the fire looks like from our house on father's Day.   

Scream and Shout

School is out! I finished first with my finals the first part of May. After my first year on my masters, I am pleased to report… drum roll please….a 4.0! I can't believe it myself.

Heath was next with preschool closing ceremonies, which does make me think of the Incredibles and that we really do celebrate mediocrity! So this kid,

Yes, this kid pictured, got the award for being Mr. Responsible. That is Incredible! Here he is receiving his award.

I don't know when the kid I drop off becomes that responsible kid but I am pleased he did so well in preschool.
Rianne's final day of 2^nd grade was June 2^nd. She didn't receive any major awards, just good grades and advancement to 3^rd grade. But this is no mediocre kid. I was walking with her to the bus stop one morning and I said I can carry your backpack for you, then when I put it on I asked "Ria, why is your backpack so heavy?" her answer "Oh that's my scriptures" Our conversation went a little like this: Mom: Ria why are you taking your scriptures to school?
Ria: we get free reading time.
Mom: how long?
Ria: 15 minutes.
Mom: No, I mean how long have you been taking them to school?
Ria: a few weeks now.
Mom: So, what are you reading about?
Ria: Joseph and his brothers
Mom: What do you think?
Ria: They were pretty mean, yesterday they put him in a pit.
Mom: Oh.
Heath: ha, how could he fit in a pit?
Ria: it's in the scriptures Heath so it's true!
Heath: Was it a peach pit?
I explained how some words have more than one meaning. I feel so blessed that I get to share those little moments with my kids and that they walk in truth! I don't know if I would have been brave enough to take my scriptures to school. Ria continues to amaze me, with her unwavering faith. Even with a recent disappointment she said "we should thank Heavenly Father because it must not have been the right thing." I often wonder who is raising who? The words to a song come back to me, "Come little Child and TOGETHER we'll learn". I think I'm doing more of the learning.

Now for the scream and shout: What a wild school's out party at the park! My kids had such a good time!

Eating? doughnuts on a string. I wondered how they would handle the shaving cream fight. They loved it and both got right in the middle of it. Although I got this picture of Ria at the beginning

by the end her hair was covered and she was even going after the fire fighters and getting soaked with the fire hose.

Heath said, "it hurts when it gets in your eyes". I said, "next time you'll have to wear glasses". (Not that Ria used her's) Heath: "No, they should use silly string!" What a blast, Bring on the summer!

Weekend wanderings

Brant knew I was missing family and really wanted to be somewhere else. He went to great lengths to make sure I had some fun! First he packed an awesome picnic to be enjoyed after our hike. He took us on a hike inner basin and even let the kids bring along some friends. (as you can see, we had to carry them all the way :)!

He knew I would love all those aspen trees, it really was beautiful. If that wasn't enough we got to have a BBQ and summer baseball game with friends. He also went to work pleasing me by working on some tasks that have been on MY list for awhile. We also got to enjoy another BBQ on Monday and it really was fun!

I still wish I would have been at family events that weekend but I did have a great time. I appreciate all your efforts, Brant you are the best!