I am Proud to be an American!

On Thursday night we had the great pleasure of attending our kids' school music programs. Chansey and Eathan were in seperate programs because they are in different grades, so we got to watch both. At first, we wondered how we were going to sit through two, fourty minute programs with both of our little ones, but it ended up turning out great (thanks in no small part to my mom and dad :) We were so glad we went because the message was wonderful! They were patriotic themed programs where the kids learned various patriotic songs and poems and learned how to play various musical instruments. Some of the songs they sang were America the Beautiful, Yankee Doodle, The Star Spangled Banner, I am Proud to be an American, and God Bless the USA. The older kids even dressed up like some famous people from U.S history with amazing costumes and then read poems that they wrote. The first graders memorized a song with all of the states and their capitals, and the third grade memorized a song called "Fifty, Nifty United States" where they had to learn all fifty states in alphabetical order. I remember learning that song when I was little, so it was fun to hear Chansey sing it. The most touching part of the program though was when the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th graders paid tribute to all of the people who have served or do serve in the armed forces. They learned a song for each... the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Marines, and U.S. Airforce. Then they sang them and asked the members of the audience to stand if they had served or were serving in the branch of the military for which they were singing. It was very touching as a lot of people stood and sang right along with the kids. I really lost it though when my own dad stood up... I had forgotten that he served in the army, so when I looked over and he was standing and singing along, I couldn't hold back the tears!

Anyway, suffice it to say that I am so thankful that my children (and I) were able to participate in this! I am thankful that they go to a school that is not afraid to salute our flag and honor our country and proudly sing... I am Proud to be an American!! Children need to be proud of their country and the people who have risked their lives to help protect it!! And, I am proud to live in "...the land of the free and the home of the brave...!!"

You're the Meaning in my Life... You're the Inspiration!

A couple of years ago on Valentine's Day, I gave Todd a CD (yes, that's right, we still buy CD's) of Chicago's Greatest Love Songs. Well, ever since then, he has had the CD in his truck and listens to it all the time. It has a lot of great songs on it. Since my kids ride with him a lot, they have become very fond of the CD. In fact, they usually ask to listen to it as soon as they get in his truck. Anyway, on our way home from Grandma's house a few weeks ago, we were all jammin' out and found ourselves singing the song "You're the Inspiration" together. My kids know every word and I am sure you all know it too!) Well, I found it to be a really special moment as I realized something... my kids (and husband) really are my inspiration. And at that moment, we were all having fun, getting along, and essentially telling each other how much we love each other without even realizing it!
When I first had Chansey (8 1/2) years ago, I thought I knew everything about how to be a good mom. While I admit I knew a few things, I didn't know much compared to all that I have learned since then. My kids really have taught me more than I ever thought I needed to know. And now, I become more and more humbled by them each day as I realize that I have so much more to learn. I love my kids all so much for so many reasons. I am so lucky to have four healthy and happy kids. I hope I can spend my time focusing on the things in life that really matter and not waste time worrying about, or trying to change the things that don't matter. Kids grow up too fast. I want to enjoy them to the fullest extent that I can while they are so sweet and innocent! So, I hope when they grow up, they will look back and know that they were loved and that I took the time to cherish each of them.
So, to my kids: when times get tough, no matter where you are, or what you are doing, never forget... MOM LOVES YOU!

Happily Forever After!

I heard some wonderful advice last week so I wanted to share it with everyone. Let me give you a little background...

My best friend from my pre-marriage years, Kirsten, got married last Friday. She married an awesome guy here in the Mesa Temple. A week before her wedding, I had the opportunity to go through the Temple with her when she received her endowment. I was especially lucky because I was able to be her escort. This was quite an amazing experience... I felt the spirit so strong that day. I wish we had the opportunity to hear the counsel that I heard that day more often. It was more uplifting because I wasn't nervous or anxious like when I first went through. I won't share what I heard here, but I will say that I am very thankful for the opportunity that I have to attend the Temple. Going there truly makes me a better person and that is why I make it a habit to go often. (I really need to be a better person)

So the real point of this post is to share with everyone what I learned during the marriage ceremony. The person performing the sealing said something wonderful, yet simple. And I haven't been able to get it off my mind, so I thought I better make note... He paraphrased a talk given by Gordon B. Hinckley. In it, President Hinckley gave four steps to a wonderful marriage. Here's what they are...

1. Never Criticize Your Spouse

2. Never Go To Bed Angry

3. Pray Together

4. Keep The Courtship Alive

If all people everywhere could follow this advice to some degree, I am certain that the world be a better place! I hope I can use this information to become a better spouse and teach by example so that my children will do the same!

A Tale of Two Riders

Todd on his dirtbike about to land a jump...

Brian in the air in mid-jump...

I decided to post a blog entry about this because one of my favorite things in life is seeing Todd enjoy himself and have a hobby. Recenlty, Todd and his long-time friend Brian Brock rode their bikes at Brian's house and one of their other friends took some awesome pictures. The above two shots are just a couple of them.

I suppose Todd's interest in riding dirt bikes is part of the reason why we met...

Brian's sister Kirsten has been a best friend of mine for almost 12 years. One day (in the summer of 1998) I went over to hang out with her after work. Brian was there and we were talking. He said "My friend Todd Breinholt is coming over you have to meet him... he is cool...he likes to ride dirt bikes" Apparently, they had recently become reaquainted after Todd got home from his mission and together began the hobby of owning and riding dirt bikes. So, that day, Todd came over, we met, I thought he was awesome, and the rest is history!

When we were dating and first married, Todd and Brian used to go riding together a lot! I remember spending a lot of time sitting in the desert with Kirsten while they rode around. We would take pictures and just hang out. We lived in an upstairs apartment when we first got married and Todd kept his bike on the patio. So, we would wheel it up and down the stairs every time they went riding... now those were fun times!!

Much to everyone's disbelief, it does not scare me that Todd has chosen this as a hobby. He is pretty safe (I think :) and like I said before, I love watching him enjoy himself. Also, I love seeing him in his riding gear!

Memories...

Since I just started my blog in January, I decided to go backwards a little bit and journal some fun memories that our family has from the last few months. I went through the pictures that I recently downloaded from my camera and chose a few to post here. The story at the end of my post tells about the picture above... I posted the pictures in the wrong order! oops!

This was one of those "Kodak moments" that I will never forget... Spencer was just about 5 weeks old and he was sitting in his swing. He started to fuss, so I asked Eathan if he would get him while I finished up what I was doing in the other room. (My kids really are so helpful with the baby :) Anyway, he quieted down pretty quickly so I went ahead and finished what I was doing. When I came to get the baby so I could feed him, this is what I found (see pic above) Eathan was cuddling with him and he had gone back to sleep. Eathan had his eyes closed at first also, but he opened them when he heard my messing with the camera trying to snap a picture. So, no one can tell me that boys aren't sweet and tender hearted... at least not my Eathan. He really has a knack for calming Spencer down. Thanks buddy!

There is a funny story behind this picture... This year before Christmas, Todd took Eathan Christmas shopping and I took Chansey. We decided to let them buy something for each other and Bella and the other parent. So, we came across the Phoenix Suns jerseys in a store and Chansey stopped dead in her tracks and said... "I want to get that for Dad, he'll love it! He loves Steve Nash!" So, I couldn't resist, I had to let her get it even though I wasn't sure Todd would love it. I knew it wasn't really his style even though we all love the Suns. Then we found out that Eathan was dying to have a Steve Nash jersey, so when Todd and I were Christmas shopping alone, we decided to buy him one and give it to him for Christmas. I decided to ask Todd if he would ever want a Suns jersey (even though I already bought him one) just to see what he would say. He answered me with a definite "No!" I just bit my tongue... I didn't know if I should take it back, or what. So, I waited until Christmas morning to see what his reaction would be. I figured he could take it back if he wanted to. Anway, Christmas morning, he opened it and got really excited so that Chansey knew he was glad to have a gift from her and he made a big deal out of the fact that him and Eathan had the same shirt. He didn't have the heart to take it back so as you can see by the picture, they both wore their shirts that day and it really was cute. What a good daddy!

To the left is a picture of Todd and the kids on their way up South Mountain. (some nice tourist took the picture for them) Above is a picture of the kids at the top of the mountain. A couple days before Christmas, Todd decided to take them to hike South Mountain. They had a blast!! It was a much needed break for me at the time, because I had a few last minute errands to run before Christmas so I took Bella to my mom's to take a nap and I went out for a little while with just Spencer and I. The kids were really tough and didn't complain or have a hard time at all. Then a few days after Christmas Todd took them hiking again. Only this time, they went early in the morning so they could see the sun rise. They woke up at 4:30 and got to the top just in time to see it! Todd even packed hot chocolate in his backpack so they could attempt to stay a little bit warm. The picture at the very top of the post is right after the sun came up that morning. It is fun to have an adventurous dad!

Batter Up!! ... We Brought in a Ringer!

Our family had a fun morning yesterday as we attended Eathan's first baseball game of the season. I snapped the picture above about a millisecond after he got his third hit! He has played baseball several seasons before, but until now, it was more like a whole bunch of kids standing aroung waiting to hit the ball or sit down. There are still some players who aren't into it like Eathan, but it is fun to finally see them learn how to play and show some skills.

In the league we play in, 5 and 6 year olds play coach-pitch. There are no strike-outs at this age, but if they can't hit the ball after several pitches, they are allowed to use the tee. They had four innings, so Eathan was up to bat four times. He got a hit every time! Only once did he not hit the ball on the first pitch.

Also, they do not have outs in the field, they are still just learning to field the ball and throw it to first base. So, the first baseman really has the most work to do. And this time, Eathan played first base... he did AWESOME!!! He caught a lot of the balls that were thrown at him and really did a good job covering the base. I tried to catch a shot of him throwing the ball, but I snapped it a little early. So, the first picture is of him getting the ball out of his glove about 1 second before throwing it. We were all very proud of him. All of the hours playing baseball in the backyard with his dad have finally payed off :) We hope he continues to focus and get better so he can play when he is older!! Eathan we are so proud of you!!!

Tag!!... You're it!

I've been tagged by my friend Lindsey who I have known longer than anyone else in my life (besides my family of course.) So, even though this is embarassing, here goes...





1.) Where were you 10 years ago? In March of 1998 I lived at home with my parents and worked at Arizona Federal Credit Union. 1998 was eventful...I was dating a guy who I soon became engaged to in April then soon after that I broke it off. (Thank goodness!) I met Todd in August of 1998 and we were engaged in October! (love that guy!)





2.) Five things on my to-do list...

Play with Bella (everyday)

Finish my taxes (today)

Clean my house (today)

Go to the Temple (every week)

Finish the Book of Mormon as a family (this year)




3.) Five snacks I enjoy...
Cheese and Crackers
Wheat Thins baked Veggie Chips
French Fries
Bread
Homemade Cookies



4.) Three of my bad habits... (It's hard to only list three :)

Procrastination

Eating late at night

Not washing my face at night







5.) Five places I've lived...
There's only two... Mesa, AZ & Gilbert, AZ. I have lived in a total of 8 different houses though... 7 of which were in the last 10 years.





6.) Five jobs I've had...

Paper Route

Tempe $ Cinemas

Desert Schools Federal Credit Union (yuck!)

Arizona Federal Credit Union (yea!)

Dazzle Me Up Jewelry :)

7.) Five things you don't know about me...
I love beets.
I can type 65 words per minute.
I have 14 nieces and 14 nephews.
I want to run a marathon.
I hate shopping.

Tag 5 people:
Sarah Wright, Aften Wright, Amy Gooch, Coartney Wright, Laurie Ray



YOU'RE IT!!