It is OVER!!!

Woo-hoo!!! The past few weeks have been crazy leading up to yesterday, and now I can breathe! The Primary Program for the Edmond 3rd Ward is over! Yesterday was THE day, and I have to say it went off without a hitch. I couldn't believe how smooth it went. I sat on the front row, just in case something went wrong I could jump up and save the day! But it was completely unnecessary. Not only were all of the kids prepared, but their messages were so touching and sweet. I don't think (at least of the women and most of the men) there was a dry eye in the building! I had seen it 4+ times, and it still put me in tears. And as a proud mom, I have to brag Brenna did GREAT! Here is her little speaking part (which she wrote): "I know I am a child of God because Heavenly Father made me and I am like Him". She was one of the few Sunbeams you could completely understand and didn't have a problem stepping up to the mic. Also, while she sang, she stood with her little arms folded, emphasizing every syllable of each song. It was too sweet.
I am SO grateful for such a supportive Presidency! I could not have managed this without them, especially with such a new baby. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! Now, onto the next project...Sharing time for next week! (And Brenna is giving her first talk in Primary)

Ryan's Tag

I have been tagged by my lady lover so I guess this is how she gets me to talk.
1. Corporate America and I don’t play well. I have been out of college now for 3 years and in that time I have worked for 5 different companies. Sitting in an office space and acting like things are interesting to me is unpleasant. Don’t get me wrong I get my work done, but I do it with little effort because I know that the reward at the end of the project is … another boring project.
2. I am still a kid at heart. There is still nothing more fun for me to do then play sports and be out on the town or visiting friends. I am always ready for the next exciting adventure. I love to use my free time playing dumb video games (that’s probably why Sarah hasn’t gotten me a Wii yet). I am like one of the young men at church every Wednesday night. They always come to me to tell me stories and laugh about things that they have done because they say I'm not a “Real Young Men’s Leader”
3. I am more outgoing in groups. This one drives Sarah crazy because I am a different person when we are in public settings. She says she like being out in public with me because I will actually talk to her. Things are always more fun when there is a group of people and or a captive audience. I love to make people laugh and feel good. I am a people pleaser. Just don’t put me in situations where people would get mad at me and want to talk it out because that is where I close my mouth. Confrontation is evil. I just don’t like the way it makes me feel.
4. Soccer is life. I will do anything to play or watch soccer. Sarah got tired of me going to my indoor soccer games about 2 years ago so I talked her into playing on a co-ed team with me. Now I still get to play!! I will watch a game on TV just because it is on. The teams don’t matter, the age doesn’t matter, just the fact that there is a soccer game on TV is enough for me. Which leads to the next one…
5. I Have Dreams about Soccer. I am currently working with my friend to open up a state of the art soccer facility in my home town of Edmond, OK. We have everything going in the right direction so far. Now is the time when we start looking for investors. (more money than I have) Never mind the fact that I will be in debt up to my ears and I will probably have to work more hours than I am working now. I don’t care because I will finally be able to leave behind the corporate crap and work for myself and promote soccer. Could life get any better?!?
6. My Wife and Kids mean everything to me. With out Sarah by my side life would lose its luster. It’s nice to go home every night to a happy, joyful, clean and loving home. Only Sarah could make our home such a joyful place. I love all of her little quirks that I so frequently find, (even though she hates it when I point them out, but since there is a captive audience here goes), like Sarah saying “all of the suddenly”, or the way she paints my legs with her toes every night but gets upset if I do it to her. Or, when I make fun of the mistaken words that come out of her mouth, the list could go on a lot longer but I don’t want to get scorned tonight. My life would not have meaning with out Sarah. She makes me a better person. Then there is Brenna, I can’t even start to describe the amount of joy she brings to my life. The way she cuddles with me when I read to her and the way she gets excited when I walk through the door, she reminds me of a puppy dog waiting for its owner to come home. And then there is Cannon, my little chunk! He is getting bigger by the day and I am so excited to start playing soccer with him. I hope I don’t make him hate it. I can’t believe how lucky I am to have the Family that I have.

So I did it now everyone who has read this is tagged so hop to it and write some stuff.

Tagged

I have been tagged by a good friend, and so I guess I have to talk about myself... I always find it very difficult! :) Here we go, six things about me:
1. I always bite off more than I can chew. I am a joiner. I love being involved, and feeling helpful. If there is a need of a volunteer, my hand is usually first up. Which can be a great quality, when done in moderation. But I can't stop myself. I add too much to my plate, then get extremely frustrated with what "other people" need me to do and how little they're helping, get it done by the skin of my teeth, then start all over again. It's a vicious cycle.
2. I have a professional dancer trapped in my body. Don't get me wrong, I am a decent dancer and I LOVE to dance. But I love watching shows like, "So You Think You Can Dance". And while I watch I can feel my inside dancer want to break free, and sometimes I fool myself into thinking I can make it look just like them. I get up and start dancing with Brenna, then realize my body can not do what I think it can! Which leads me to my next one.
3. I love to do what I can do well. Now this sounds normal right? It's more than just that. I don't like to do things I can't exceed at. I will always try something new, and if I don't pick it up quickly, I typically give it up. I don't like people seeing my inability to do anything. The one exception is playing indoor soccer with Ryan. I'm sure I am making a fool of myself, but I have fun. And I am determined to get better at it.
4. Cleaning is therapeutic. I love to clean. If I get frustrated with anything, I start cleaning. Ryan can immediately tell when I am mad at him, because I get quiet and start cleaning or tiddying up. Even bathrooms. Possibly I love it because you see immediate results. It is the absolute worst right before I have a baby. Rachelle caught me, while pregnant with Brenna, cleaning our already clean heating vents with a q-tip! I go crazy nesting!
5. Fall is my favorite. My favorite season is Fall. I love the leaves, the weather, the comfort food that is now ok to eat, sweaters and pants, and the smell of crisp autumn air. (Sounded almost poetic right?) I love the big three holidays: Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Just thinking about it all, gets me very excited! Hooray it is Fall!
6. I am head-over-heels in love with Ryan! Now I hope this doesn't surprise you! I should love my husband. But I still feel like a silly sophamore in college who can't wait for her boyfriend to come home from work so we can make-out! (Too much info, sorry) He is my absolute favorite person to be around. And I dare say, one of my favorite things about Brenna and Cannon is how much they remind me of Ryan. I've even heard people comment on how silly it is how much I talk to him while he's at work, or how we like to do everything together. But I don't care, I love him! (Flash back to the puppy love in college).

Ok, since Rachelle and Sheena have already been tagged, my 6 are: Ashley D, Gale, Brooke B, Daisha, Brie and my hubby Ryan! We'll see if he actually does it.

Tutus and Turtles Drawing

I found a website I love, and now check almost every day! It is Tutus and Turtles. It features fun and practical products for baby, kids and moms. I thought they needed to know about Arbonne's baby line, which I use and love. They tried it and of course loved it! So they are featuring it on their website, and doing a drawing for the Body Wash, Body Lotion, and my favorite, the Diaper Rash Cream. These products value at $42! You need to check out their website, and while you're there, enter the drawing! And of course contact me if you also want to try any of their products.

It was an accident!

Brenna loves to help me cook. And she will find any excuse to make some goodies...sounds like someone! Last Sunday, the Primary highlighted a friend for his birthday, and she immediately said, "Let's make E-why (Eli) cupcakes"! And of course I didn't get around to it until Saturday morning. So I pulled out the chocolate cake mix, had her help me add the eggs, oil and water. We mixed it, then filled the cups and popped it in the oven. I always let her get a lick of the spatula. Then the phone rang. I made the mistake of leaving her in the kitchen, alone, with the spatula and the remaining batter! When I came back in, this is what I found:

Her pajama's were spotted with chocolate cupcake batter, and she was sporting a chocolate handle bar mustache! There was even batter on our kitchen tile floor! And when I asked her what she was doing, she said:

It was an ACCIDENT!

I wonder about kid's thought processes! But she knows that when it is an accident, she doesn't get in as much trouble. I thought it was too funny to get mad...I just know I need to watch her more closely!

Orr Family Farm

Friday night we visited the Orr Family Farm with Ryan's sister, Heather and her family. We had a blast!

No, this is NOT a real cow! But the utter feels pretty life like! It was a lot of fun for the kids to milk a "cow" without the worry of being kicked!


They also had a carousel, and of course Brenna always picked the prettiest horse (which usually had something pink on it!)

These were a blast! They had a small asphalt track which you would peddle these manual go-carts around. You peddle like a bike but ride like a go-cart. It was a work out, but a blast! Especially when Brenna's 5 year old cousin would swerve in front of you so you wouldn't pass him! But Brenna's poor little legs could barely move such a big piece of machinery!

Hallelujiah!!!

Finally! After 2 months of forcing a binki into his mouth and praying it will stay in, I think he's got the hang of it! I am SO grateful! Hopefully now he won't over eat, or use me as his pacifier!

Tea Time

Actually, pink lemonade time!!! Because Brenna was an amazing girl on a very crazy and hectic day, I promised to take her to Inspirations Tea Room. It is a cute little restaurant with a boutique and Bed and Breakfast. They first served us yummy scones, then brought out pink lemonade in a quaint little tea set. I ordered Chicken Salad Sandwich on a croissant, and Brenna ordered the Princess April meal (PB&J cut out in the shape of a butterfly with sprinkles, fruit, cheese, chips and a cookie). It was a fun mom-and-daughter-outing, and our little man slept the entire time.

Octapus Hair

Here is my hair before. I had never had LONG hair, and this was the longest it has ever been! I was so proud of myself, but absolutely SICK OF MY HAIR!!! Cannon is getting old enough to grab and hold on. Also, I was getting the affects of his acid reflux all down my hair. So I decided to chop it! Taa-Dah!

I LOVE IT! Brandi (her blog is on my links) did an awesome job, and I couldn't be happier! She cut off almost 9 inches on my longest layer! And now for an explanation of the title, "Octapus Hair". That night, when I was putting Brenna to bed, she was playing with my hair studiously. Then she thoughtfully said, "Mom, you have octapus hair!" Isn't she a riot? I love her to death and her crazy imagination!

Sensitive Ears

We went to Toby Keith's restaurant in downtown Oklahoma City last weekend with the Dickmans. You eat in a large room (almost like a barn) and it is very loud. They also have a live band on the weekends. The Dickman's little boy danced around and had a ball. Brenna spent most of the time with her hands over her ears! Country does make your ears bleed!

What a beaut!

Brenna is definitely a girly-girl. She loves make-up, painting her finger/toenails, getting her hair done, dressing up in frills, etc. I don't know where she came from! She begs me everytime I do my make-up to put some on her, and finally I gave in. Doesn't she just exude confidence? And she was very upset when she learned her lipstick had worn off. Oh boy, we are in for it!