~Indulgence~

For Marty's birthday, (back in January--I am so behind) we went to a Jazz Game. His brother has season tickets and invited us to attend a special box seat event with some pretty extravagant amenities. Seriously, the only thing lacking was the "red carpet!" The night started with VIP parking right next to the Energy Solutions Arena. Then....we entered the Arena and took the elevator to the "suite" floor where we found the O.C. Tanner Executive Club. They took our coats and invited us in with a warm welcome and friendly smiles. We were directed to our table which was adorned with gorgeous linens, plates, polished silver, and flowers. The suite was HUGE and it probably had 20 tables, some of which were right up against the glass wall looking into the arena. (so cool!) There were also box seats directly below us available to sit in with a even closer view. We even had our own concierge who took very good care of us. We were served salads, fresh fruits, fine cheeses, prime rib, crab, and decadent desserts. We got a great deal on this package but it still cost a pretty penny. Since the twins have been born we haven't done "BIG" birthdays like we used to and I thought it was worth it for my sweetheart. EXCEPT.....

A week prior to us attending this LAVISH event, I was up really early getting ready for something when I turned the t.v. on to watch the early morning news. (something I enjoyed doing in my working days). I immediately was overcome with grief as I watched the news broadcast images from the recent tragic earthquake in Haiti. I was overwhelmed by images of death, destruction, lost families, and the worst sight....CHILDREN lying in the streets, horribly injured with not a soul around. I felt so extremely scared and sad for what was happening. I imagined what I would be doing if this were happening to me and my family. I cried, and cried until my makeup was completely gone! I was a MESS! All I could ask myself was...HOW DARE I go to this lavish event while there are people at that very moment living their worst nightmare,... some having lost everything they have and those they love? WHO AM I to sit and watch over payed basketball stars play a game that means much less to me than most things, and do so while eating fine food and being pampered by my own personal servant? WHO ARE WE to spend this kind of money when it could be used to help people survive and recover. I was ready to demand a refund, not attend the event, and donate every dime of that money to Haiti! I was a MESS. I had my mind to call O.C. Tanner and give them a piece of my mind for offering such extravagant entertainment at such a high price when clearly there are so much more important things to do, and be, and give than just temporary pleasures! AND then,..I calmed myself down and realized even if I boycotted the event....they wouldn't return our money and it wouldn't make much of a difference to them. It was then that I decided to go to our church website where I was confident that they would have already seen the need and started relief efforts. I was so comforted when I read that they had sent enormous amounts of aid already and requested that members donate more humanitarian aid. It was the first thing we did that next Sunday.

So,.... we went to the event and actually had an incredible time. I loved giving that to my husband on his special day! BUT I have to say,...I will evaluate more so in the future, the "THINGS" that we do as a couple and family. Because they are just THINGS and while it was a memory, which I will treasure, I now understand better that simple memories, ones that aren't lavish and don't require a lot of money, are just as precious to me. Maybe even more.

~He's all HEART~

When Ethan was born, they found that he had a condition called ASD. Basically, there is small hole in between the two chambers of his heart. We have monitored it since birth, and he has been blessed with no complications. They said it would do 1 of 3 things. 1~it would remedy itself. 2~it would stay small and not affect him at all even through adulthood or 3~he would need laproscopic surgery (very mild) to patch the hole. Our past visits to the pediatric cardiologist have gone so well that we don't need to see her for another year! What a blessing!

Ethan has another "heart condition." He has the most tender heart in the world! He also has the most precious ability to forgive. The amazing thing about him is that he feels what others feel and is very sensitive to what goes on around him. He also has such an amazing gift of the spirit! He KNOWS who our Savior, Je.sus Christ is! Since he was so small, he was drawn to ANYTHING that had to do with Jesus. Some are given the gift of faith, or to believe, but for Ethan he has the gift to KNOW Jesus and I feel so blessed to have that as an example in our home. When your son opens the scriptures or a book about Jesus and stares and studys the things on the page, all one could think is that he has a different heart, one that is weaker, but in a humble, meek, and child-like way. One that allows him to be touched and moved to be more Christ-like even at such a young age. I sincerely hope this gift remains with him forever!

~My Brown Eyed Girl~

Nyah and Ethan have seen an eye doctor since they were 6 months old. When they were born, the doctors recommended that we take them in because they were preemies and might have some vision concerns if things weren't developed fully. Well,....Ethan had "tosis" which is the drooping of the eyelid, but nothing else. Since then, it has mostly cleared up and the doctor says he is doing so great! What a little stud! Nyah, on the other hand, was tested and they found that she was far-sighted. It was significant enough that the doctor said we would eventually need to put her in glasses to prevent cross-eyed or lazy eye vision. Oh how cute she would be in stylish little glasses!!

So we went into the doctor today, whom I LOVE, and found out that our sweet brown-eyed girl has improved so much in her vision. She went from being 5 diopeters (sp?) to only 2! He was so pleased and said that while we will continue to monitor it,...he isn't sure that she will need glasses afterall!
The fun part of it all was that she was so willing and obedient at the visit and she lovingly melted the heart of her opthamalogist. I am so proud of her!

~The Big 32

Today is my sweetheart's birthday. He turned 32! We met 10 years ago and my life has been so blessed because of him! How could it not? He is everything I need........He is funny, smart, gentle, strong, stubborn, spiritual, and shows such great love to all people! He has so much patience when it comes to my many weaknesses and continues to build up our family! He adores our babies and shows them every day how much he loves them. He takes being a Daddy very seriously which means the world to me.

Happy Birthday to the man I ADORE....

~Terms of Endearment

Okay,.so I have had the same nickname for over 30 years! (Some of you may already know it!) I wish I could say it was something darling or totally endearing,.but it is not. Instead, it is quite silly and only a nickname I could love. It orginally came from my older sister Paige who has nicknamed our entire family and comes up with the craziest names. This is the same sister who has continued on with the tradition and nicknames all her children and her nieces and nephews. You will often hear her unexpectedly refer to one of our little ones in this way: "hi my cutest little snuggle bug of the scrumptiousness of the lovees!" I honestly don't know where she comes up with these things, but these terms of endearment just lovingly and so easily roll off her tongue like it is a second language! It makes us all giggle and it is so precious with the little ones. So you'd think my nickname would be just as clever and full of wonder but again it is not!

Are you ready?..... My nickname is......BUBBA. I know,...I think I hear this most when moms are lovin' on their little boys. It came from "Bubbalicious" as in the bubble gum which was oh so popular when I was born, I guess. This name has stuck with me my entire life. My family, my neices and nephews, my roommates, and my dearest friends still call me BUBBA! Although it is not feminine at all, I have grown to love and appreciate it. Hey,...all of my neices and nephews said my name long before anyone elses (which automatically makes me their favorite, right?) and kids love it.

So why do I tell you this? Well, this trend has trickled down into our little family! and it just brings me JOY. (simple things seem to these days) Just a couple of days ago, I heard Nyah call Ethan..." Monkey-Moo-Moo." This is something Marty calls him! So for fun,..I thought I would record some of the twin's nicknames so I wouldn't forget.

Nyah:

Sweetest Baby Girl--Baby Girl--Princess Baby Girl, Nyah-Lo

Ethan:

Sweetest Lil' Pun'kin-- Pun'kin Pie--Pun'kin--Lovey--Bug--Bugaboo and Marty's favorites: Turkey Burger & Monkey-Moo-Moo

I love it when I hear Nyah call Ethan ..."Bug", or Ethan call my sister..." Mama-Shell" (her new nickname) It just makes be think that we are tied together, with our little insider terms of endearment!

Does anyone else do this?

~The Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

We have had the BEST holiday season this year! It has been FULL of family, friends, parties, service, AND the Spirit! Here is what we did this past holiday.....

~Marty took his Mom to see "Scrooge" at the community theatre! Our nephews Austin, Tanner, and Adam had parts in it!
~Took the Young Women Ice Skating. I didn't skate! Hey,..I was a designated driver and I couldn't drive injured. :) And...I didn't have socks....
~Took the twins to Temple Square to see the lights! They loved the big tree and nativities set up in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. FYI: Go watch the "Plan of Happiness" presentation on the 2nd floor of the visitors center! It is SO good....
~Went to see the Festival of Trees with Marty's side of the family. Cayden and Sydney (cousins) were so cute with Ethan and Nyah and I actually had a spare hand to shop a little!
~Went on a Youth Temple Trip
~Attended our Ward Christmas Party
~Attended Marty's Seminary Christmas Party! The twins were TERRIFIED of Santa! In unison, they screamed when he walked in the door. Good eats though and we LOVE the families Marty works with!
~Had a "Spa Night" with the ladies in my Ward. Mercy River performed and treated us to a spirtual spa! It was fantastic and filled my spiritual bucket!!
~Enjoyed getting to know some new neighbors at a neighbor Christmas Party! We laughed so hard our cheeks hurt!
~Had a Christmas PJ party with my our Young Women! It was so fun...
~Went to "Scrooge" with my sister this time! LOVED it!
~Had our 1st annual Schroader Christmas Karoke Party at Marty's Mom's church building! It was awesome! We ate, sang, and did a gift exchange. We had so much more room for our BIG family!
~Went to Temple Square with the Nelson family and saw the lights! Cold,...but fun!
~Attended the 25th Annual Christmas Sing-a-long at the Energy Solutions Arena. Cool story: We went with Marty's family (his brother and neices and nephews were in town) and had a pretty big group. We arrived and there were hardly any seats left and unless we split up, we wouldn't have had a seat! So,.....Marty (my deal-makin, charasmatic honey) went to see if we could get into some box seats. It was a free event...It was Larry Miller's dream to fill the place,...so why not sit in seats that were available. Long story short,...We sat in box seats, right above the stage and had a perfect view! And...we got free hot dogs and drinks! Jon Schmidt, Robert Bowden and Orchestra, and Big Budha were there performing. Now that is fun!
~Used our Free Night Stay at the Holiday Inn Express in West Valley with the kids and had a little mini vacation. They have a water park attached to the hotel, so we were able to go swimming.
~Spent Christmas Eve with Marty's family and played some games....
~Woke up Christmas morning and opened gifts from Santa and eachother. Ethan was so excited about his basketball hoop that he fell to the floor and just stared at it! Nyah, my little organizer, started to sort her "groceries" in her new grocery cart! It was a joy
~Went to Grandpa house to play with the whole family! Missed Mom.....so much!
~ And now.....we are trying to catch up on Sleep and clean up all the messes we have made. Oh,...we love this time of year!

~~The UNTHINKABLE~~

I've officially STOPPED scrapbooking! (Gasp,...I know!) Due to lack of time, materials, and funds to pay for such an expensive hobby, I have since focused more on journaling moments and making simple photo albums! I KNOW,...I've committed the most grevious sin here,.but I have to tell you that I would much rather document all the wonderful things (and not so wonderful) that we do as a family than still be stuck trying to finish my scrapbooks from early married life. I still haven't finished the twins first year (I've done like 3 pages) and they're 2 1/2! I actually feel quite empowered right now! My goal is to document life as we know it while saving money and keeping my sanity. And just so you know,....I admire all you diehards out there that have perfect scrapbooking habits! I will continue to marvel at your genius and beautiful books! (Machelle,...I'm talking to you!) As for me,....I just need to SIMPLIFY!

In an effort to journal for myself and my littles,....I have decided to play catch up and do a mass blog entry! So these next blog entries are more for me,...but enjoy nonetheless!