A Quarter of a Century

So I'm going to do something that I hate - write a post with no pictures. But alas, I feel I have to include this post for my family, especially my kids, to read later in life, so in the blog it goes.

On the 14th I turned 25. I've never been one to be concerned with aging. It's inevitable so why fight it? Plus I feel like I have a lot to show for being 25 so that part wasn't a big deal to me. I will admit I'm not huge on getting closer to being 30 then I am to being 20. =/

So I woke up in the morning to have my mother-in-law knock on my door about 5 minutes after I woke up. Mark had mentioned something about her wanting to take me shopping or something so I wasn't completely surprised. Then he gets home from work (he was working nights) around 8:15 and gives me my present - some new frying pans which I desperately needed. Then he tells me I have an appointment at The Essence of You at 9:00 so I better get going. So I got to go get a facial which is my absolute favorite thing about the salon.

When I got home I was getting into my dresser drawers and discovered Sobe bottles filled with tootsie rolls and airheads (love it) and best of all, love notes from my hubby. Mark doesn't just write your typical love notes either and it was probably my favorite present of the day. I took a little siesta and woke up from my nap to a knock on the door and found my sister, Miss, at my house. She informed me we were going shopping. Yea for shopping with sisters! Mark had stashed away a bunch of cash and Miss and I went to lunch and then went shopping and it was oh so wonderful!

The surprises didn't end there! At 6:00 my four best friends showed up at my door and we went to dinner at Olive Garden. It was SO great to get to visit with them and of course the food was delish. I got home thinking how wonderful my day had been and that it was so nice to have a day that was completely for me from start to finish. As I walked in the door I noticed the house had been decorated (something I do for everyone else on their birthday) and as I was looking around in surprise my sisters all jumped up from behind my kitchen counter and surprised me! They had cheesecake with fresh raspberries for me and we played games and laughed till we cried. It was the absolute perfect ending to the perfect day.

I've taken the time to write all this stuff, which I'm sure is quite boring to lots of people, for one reason - I want my kids to find someone who recognizes the importance of taking care of them. All the things I did on my birthday were absolutely wonderful and so much fun. But what meant the most was that Mark had obviously spent so much time planning a whole day for me and taking care of every detail. I've always thought that you can tell a lot about a person by the way they take care of their significant other. Mark may have his faults and not be as "sociable" as some people would like him to be. But the way he treats me should speak loud enough for everyone to know what a wonderful human being he is. I couldn't ask for a better husband and father and I truly want my boys to be like him and my girls to marry men like him. He is amazing and I am so grateful to have someone in my life that loves me the way Mark does. Love you Baby.

What We've Been Up To

Messing

Camping

Swimming

Regressing

Climbing

Sleeping

Transgendering

Primping

Dressing

Decorating

Dancing

Playing

Loving!

Reminder

I'll be going private this weekend. If you've already given me your email you don't need to leave it again but if you haven't make sure you let me know. If you don't want to leave your email send it to jenn.carlson@gmail.com. If I know you (or anyone related to you) I'll add you!

New Pictures!

Jackie did the kids' pictures last week and boy oh boy am I excited to post these! Despite some whining we definitely snagged lots of keepers! Thanks Jackie! (www.jaclyndavis.com)

Going Private

Yep, I'm joining the ranks and going private. I've had weirdos comment and it freaks me out that they might know all these things about my family through my blog. So...if you want to still view my blog be sure to send me your email. If you're uncomfortable leaving it here you can email me at jenn.carlson@gmail.com. Seriously people - if you read my blog but never leave comments I don't care. Don't be shy. I'll add you if I know you. Or your spouse, or sibling. I just don't want the people that I have no clue about looking at my posts. The change comes August 1st.

Sleepless Summer

Why am I still awake at 11:15 pm? Probably because of this:

and this:

and this:

That's right! We're headed back to Cali for a vacation this September! Mark's brother called us today and told us they're getting sealed September 25th, which just happens to be right around the time Mark has four days off. So he's taking off another two days and we're packin' it up and heading out for some much needed family time and most importantly - to be there for Sean and Crystal on their special day. "Excited" doesn't even begin to describe what I'm feeling. Make way all my Cali peeps cuz I'm coming back to say hello! I have the feeling tonight isn't the first night I'll be losing sleep over this trip.

A New Perspective

Last night I got on Facebook for the first time in months and I found out that a boy that I knew from primary when I was primary president passed away. He was 9 years old and was involved in a tubing accident and died within a few short hours. The thing about this sweet boy, Max, is that he was truly the most amazing little boy I've ever met. He knew more about the gospel at age 7 then most adults. He always had the most awe inspiring answers to our questions and he was kind to everyone around him. Once he came to our house with his dad, who was our home teacher, and he accidentally spilled a candle and got wax on our carpet and a stuffed dog. He cried and was broken hearted because he felt so bad about it and he just kept apologizing. He was truly special in every way.

I have pretty much been crying non-stop since finding out and suddenly everything looks different to me. I can't believe I have been complaining about weeding a huge garden when Ryan and Leanne Harris are getting ready to bury their firstborn tomorrow. I am ashamed at myself for being so impatient because my kids don't do what I ask them to do as soon as I ask them to do it when it may be one of the last things they hear me say to them. My heart aches at the thought that such unexpected accidents can happen to anyone, anywhere, any time. I'm truly blessed that I have not had to deal with any trials of this kind in my own life, thus far. Every day is a gift and I realize now that I need to try my hardest every day to not sweat the small stuff and just focus on what really matters - my family and the gospel. The rest is just STUFF. It doesn't matter. It gets in the way. Who cares if my baseboards are scrubbed and my furniture is dusted? It doesn't matter. I know I'll have relapses, probably lots, but I am determined to learn from this tragedy and realize what the important things in life are.

4th of July

Mark worked this weekend but the kids and I tried to still have a fun holiday. Friday was Mark's last night before going back to work so we got the kids out of bed when it was dark and did some fireworks. They both loved watching them but Weston was definitely not willing to try out the sparklers. Maybe next year. We went to the parade the next morning and they both did really good. Weston absolutely loved the helicopters! After lunch and naps we did some snaps outside which Saydi didn't care about but Weston loved. Then I decided that since we couldn't go camping we'd bring camping to us. About 30 seconds into setting this up I was ready to quit. The kids were crawling all over it and it was harder then it looks to get it set up by myself. But I'm nothing if not determined so I pressed on and the kids were so happy afterwards! I moved Weston's extra mattress into it and had every intention of letting him sleep in there but he threw one too many fits before bedtime so unfortunately, he had to sleep in his bed. Mean mommy.

Sunday was pretty much business as usual except for the ridiculous fireworks going on outside all night. Thank goodness the kids didn't wake up. It did turn out to be a pretty fun weekend. It would have been better if my kids weren't fighting non-stop and testing the limits. I swear something happened overnight and we are now full steam ahead in the terrible two's. Yuck. I know I'm supposed to learn patience from my kids and we are all hoping that lesson will be learned SOON!