I Almost Died

It is pretty great that we can go to the beach in March.  The beach is empty and a little cold.  I hesitate to use the word cold since I know a lot of the country still has snow.  I have a lot of beach photos but this beach day is a day Brody will talk about for a long time so I decided to remember it.

The waves were coming in strong because it was early in the day.  Brody is usually pretty cautious and stays to his knees and then runs back with the surf.  So, today was nothing out of the ordinary.  I was taking photos and then I noticed a wave knocked him down.  He quickly stood back up again and at the exact moment 2 waves from different directions pushed him over and pulled him out where the water was neck high.  Syd was close to him so I yelled for her to grab him but it was soon to deep for her.  I knew I was going in.  I threw my camera in the sand and started sprinting to the ocean.  My other kids knew I was not running because I was so excited to go in the ocean.  Luckily, Brody can swim so he was doing his best to stay above water as the waves kept bringing him out further and further.  Some guy running on the beach got there one second faster than I did and grabbed him...then I took him.  By the time I got there the water that was once to his knees was to my neck and was so strong.  I lost my footing as I was walking him in.  I was so grateful there are people in this world that are so nice and would save a stranger.  Some people just sat and watched...I would have probably been one of them if it was not my son.  I think that guy must be amazing because of how he responded in one split-second decision.  What do you say in that moment to someone who cares enough do that?  I think I said thanks and offered him a towel but was more concerned with educating Brody on the surf wave patterns and what to look for (as if he will remember or care).  I feel horrible I could not give that guy more praise but I will never forget him and will try to care more.  As we were walking in from the ocean...Brody kept saying (not crying at all)..."I almost died, I almost died!"  All day wherever we went, Brody told everyone he almost died today and tells the story.  The best part is what we reported to Scott when he called as he was out of town.  He asked did anything fun happen today?  Of course, he got "Dad, I almost died today...but mom is fast and saved me."

These photos are all right before the event.  I did not take anymore after that and made sure to do some runner stretches in case Mom was needed again.  Yes...he went back in.

Side note...when are you too old to hunt for sand crabs?...9...11...14 1/2...never.

The "Y"

Last night was a real slap in the face that time flies. And as my kids get older...I get older.

Last night, an information night was held about BYU and what high school kids need to do to get accepted.  So, Taylor and I attended together.  I wanted to wear my BYU alum shirt as a badge of honor but I tried to not embarrass Taylor.  I feel like I was just there and saw the Y on the mountain for the first time...nope, it was 20 years ago.  How old do you sound when people start a story with...20 years ago.  Old!!!

I learned that my dorms in the back are gone and torn down.  This memory is an old boyfriends "crotch rocket" (as we called it back then).  He bought it after I broke up with him and came by to just show me what I was missing now.   Good times.

 Loved my random classes..I took wilderness survival.  I have used this class about as much as I have used college calculus....Never.

 Dorm life...remember when floral was in?

Graduation day!!  I don't have many photos because 20 years ago we had film cameras and it was expensive to develop pictures.  Remember when you would take one photo of the moment (not 15) and hope it turned out?

 A long time ago I used to do nice things for Scott and surprise him...I know he misses that.  I put this picture in not to have Scott remember why he fell in love with me...but to notice the blanket on his bed.  I have always thought this blanket was ugly.  He loves it...

...and unfortunately our kids love it too and it will never die.

I miss my college days and my college friends.  It was so much fun and I hope my kids will get the chance to make some good memories and have good friends in college.

The Play

There are times as a parent you love watching your kids perform...then there are other times you watch them because you love them.  I won't say which time this was for me...I just really really love them.   Carly and Syd were in an elementary school play that they have been practicing for months.  I would tell you the name but I know you have never heard of it before.

Carly sang a duet and was not nervous as a head maid with a lot of speaking parts...

Her name was Bridgit or Gigit.

Sydney was a VIPea...notice my vinyl circles on her shirt.  

                                                 
                                                     These were the vegetables in a soup.

                         

My actresses that I love soooo much that I will watch them for 2 hours. 

Brody loves his sisters, but not as much as me because he played on Dad's cell phone the whole time...I will say when the crowd cheered or laughed he would fake cheer or laugh as if he was paying attention.

No More Brace Face

The ugliest face of the day she could make before her braces came off...

                                                                   Not so ugly after

                       

Congrats Taylor!!!  Congrats to me...one kid in braces paid for...3 to go, not so good.

Proposal--Take 2

I was just thinking lately how my life has been so routine. Nothing out of the ordinary has happened in a long time. Nothing good, nothing bad. Then, out of the blue, Scott told me he had won a contest and I have to be ready at 5 on Sat night to go out for a free dinner at the Melting Pot. Awesome!...a free dinner...when does that happen? I started asking him questions about the contest and he said he couldn't tell me anything about it...weird...but I will take the dinner.

First, the Limo arrived at 5pm to pick us up for dinner. The kids got a ride around the block and some Sunny D's to drink. They had a 5-minute dance party with the funky lights inside. I was so excited for the kids to get this fun treat and excited for my fondue that awaited me. I think the last time I was in a Limo was high-school so it was fun. I rolled down the windows so all could see who was in the Limo...Am I the only one who wonders this when I see a Limo? I thought for sure Scott could tell me now what the contest was about...nope...he was actually really quiet...too cool...i guess.

We made it to the restaurant and they led us to a table filled with roses and candles. Sooo nice I thought.   As I started looking through the menu...Scott knelt down on one knee and a photographer and videographer all took their place. Bright lights everywhere...how do the Kardashians do it? The contest was called the Melting Pot's "Pot the Question"...get it "Pop the question"? He proposed again and honestly I can't tell you what he said because I was in shock...I felt like I was 21 again and it was the first time. Then I got my grand prize (besides him)--a brand new diamond ring.  Holla Holla!!! I get to go and pick it out myself from a jeweler. I am SOOOO excited for my ring and in case you are wondering I said "yes" again to him. In a week or so The Melting Pot will publish our video and photos so all can see my reality TV. I am excited to see it myself because it feels like a dream.

This was his entry for the contest... 

Well, I need to RE-PROPOSE.

  After all these years of marriage, i have carried with me a huge regret from the way this union started. I totally flubbed the way I asked her the first time I proposed.  I've

been looking for an opportunity to do it right so she can replace those earlier memories with a great one!


We made a connection at the Rose Bowl parade many years ago and a few months later we were engaged.  Because there were delays with getting the ring done, i had grandiose plans and then the window closed for those plans.  Then the ring finally came and I didn't want to wait any longer.  So, I pulled my car over and proposed on the side of the road having buried her ring at the bottom of her favorite dessert--a Slurpee from 7-11 (since we made our connection on the side of the road overnight at the Rose Bowl  parade).  She is always embarrassed when she tells people our "story" and I wanted to improve things a little if at all possible.  She is stuck with me--she shouldn't have to be stuck with that story.  I would love the opportunity to make amends.  She deserves a better story  than what a starving college student could provide at the time in 1996.           

Disneyland Dork

I really feel like my kids are Disneyland spoiled.  I think I went to Disneyland twice in my life as a child.  We would wake up really early and leave at closing...just to make sure we got every hour out of my parents dollar.  My kids can't count how many times they have been.  When Carly was younger we asked her where she wanted to serve a mission....she said Disneyland.  I was also trying to explain to Sydney what feeling "the Spirit" meant in relation to the gospel a couple of years ago....  I thought I did a really good job at explaining it.  "Oh, Mom, I feel that every time I go to Disneyland."  I do recognize workers and we do know some tricks or secrets... so I guess I am a Disneyland Dork. However, I DO NOT own any clothes with the Disney logo or characters on it.  Nothing in my house would give me away.   

 Look at Scott with a goatee...I miss it

Taylor and Carly 

I don't bring my camera often because we don't want to look like tourists.  My very first "Mom lie" happened many years ago at Disneyland.  My girls would always ask me if they could wear their princess dresses to Disneyland.  What a pain for me...so I told them that princess dresses were not allowed on rides because they were worried they would get snagged and shut the ride down.  They would even see kids walking around in princess dresses and say they must have not known the rule.  I had to finally confess, but by this time they did not want to be dorks and walk around in costume.

Brody can be a Disney Dork all he wants...he is my baby.  Life is not fair. 

Christmas in Feb.

I can't take down my Christmas cards yet and it is February.  I am such a dork! 

I love them.