MAYLIN2007

Tonight I could hear music coming out of the bathroom. I used the plug from the curling iron to unlock it (I know watch your privacy at my house), and found Maylin sitting on the pot listening to music on Austin's IPhone. I told her that she needed to go to bed and Austin needed his phone back. She said, "Okay. Let me just pause it." She proceeded to push the center button which activated his phone. It had timed out so his security password login came up. She typed it in! Seriously, I didn't know she knew that many numbers, how to recognize them, let alone TYPE them in on an IPhone. Okay, I couldn't believe she could remember them! Then she went to the IPod icon and paused the music. She then went back to the main screen. "There. Its ready to go back to Austin," she said with a smile. Yea, she is smarter than her mother.

We got a new kitten, as you could see from a few posts back, anyway, Maylin LOVES this kitty. I am afraid she loves it to pieces...literally. The cat never walks anywhere. She carries it all.the.time. I worry the cat will forget how to walk at all. Today, Maylin found her dolls bike helmet and put it on the cat. She said it was protecting the cat. I said, "It probably is bugging the cat. Take it off. Cats don't wear helmets." She said, "How do you know?" I said, "I have never seen a cat where a helmet." She said, "I guess you've been looking at the wrong cats!" So there. He does look kinda cute in his helmet. His name is Whiskers Junior after our Whiskers that died earlier this year. We call him Junior for short.  

Yesterday I went to my TRX class. I had causally mentioned to the teacher the week before that I wish I could focus on the fat just below my rear end and at my upper thigh. It is really an annoying bulge. So, this week she told me class was going to focus completely on that area. Everyone in the class groaned and told me thanks a lot. She had us the WHOLE HOUR doing squats,jumps, lunges with and without the TRX straps, and leg lifts while in the straps of the TRX. Holy Moses, as Austin would say! It was so hard!!!!!!! Last night I started "feeling" it in my rear end and upper thigh. By night fall,it was worse. I could not sleep and would wake up every little bit because those areas H.U.R.T. Rolling over was a nightmare. This morning, UGH....my rear end and upper thighs are SO SORE. I can hardly move without moaning. I was going to try a Hip Hop exercise class tonight, but I don't think I can hip or hop at all.

Tonight Austin (who worked 10 hours today), his friend Ryan and his cousin Casin (who is living with us) were down stairs with Alex doing the "Insanity" workout video. Jay and I were outside talking to some old friends who had stopped by for a quick visit. When we finished we went inside the house and there was a neighbor girl standing in our kitchen. She said to me, "Where is your pantry? I am supposed to make protein shakes for the boys downstairs." Ummmmm......really? Didn't know there was a girl in my house and since when are they having a random girl come into my house to make them drinks? I told her to go downstairs and I would make them what they needed. Weird.

Today is the 3rd year anniversary of Austin's last open heart surgery. It is a bitter sweet day. Sweet because its been three years and he is doing well. Bitter because when they did his surgery and replaced his tricuspid valve, they had only been doing it for 3 years and really couldn't tell us how long it would last. They could really only give us a 3 year guarantee. Here we are...at 3! We are hoping, however, that we will get at least 10 more years out of it! Happy anniversary! This photo was actually taken on the 29th of July, the day after he had his defibrillator put in. I love how these two kids are interacting. Its sweet. It reminds me of days during that period where things were looking up. This is probably my most favorite picture that was taken during that time. Austin wanted to wear this shirt down to his 2nd surgery in a week. I thought it was so telling of what kind of boy he is. It says, "It is better to be wise and happy, than stupid and miserable." It...

(Mesa Falls) I wanted to share our fourth of July story, of watching fireworks at the cabin, but I forgot. Life just slipped in and wiped my mind clean. Glad I remembered. It is too good not to write down so I have it in my permanent file. While in Island Park we heard they were having a firework show over the reservoir at some sort of lodge. We called for directions and me and my parents led the way (my dad drove) and Jay and kids followed. It was pouring rain the whole drive!! When we got there, there were cars lining the forest. Jay talked to a lady and she said for $10 a car, we could drive into the lodge to park, and enjoy free food and drink (as free as the $10) and watch the fireworks. Jay paid for both cars and told them what the other car was and that two old people would be in the front. You could tell it was going to be a good night because the lady said "for two old people, I will let them in free! We love grandparents." She handed back a $10 to Jay. We all drove...

Took Maylin and Alex and their cousins to play in the water sprays downtown. It is so nice to cool off when it is hot outside.        

I planted boysenberries. My first time at growing this berry. Today I picked my first fruits. I should have waited on the lighter colored fruit. They were sour. The darker ones were delish.  

Trying not to focus on our dog/neighbor issues. When Alex gets home from Boy Scout camp we will put him up for sale. Animal control came by today. Yep. Better not say another word.Cuz the word may not be very nice..... So here is cuteness. A new kitty. We got him a month ago. His name is junior. In this picture, Maylin is taking it for a ride in a stroller. Thought I would post something nice and soft.  

Jay's brother's family has been here the past few weeks. The day before they left we went downtown and did some touring. We also went out to eat at a fun touristy spot. Maylin and I shared the best lemon cake ever! The food was really good too, but that dessert!!!! After that we took a hike to Ensign Peak. The views were great. We hiked near sunset so we could watch it. It was so cool to see the full moon come up so quickly and it was beautiful to watch the city lights come on. Someone had been up on the hike recently and sprayed graffiti everywhere. Austin had done the hike just weeks before and was sad to see the damage someone had done to such a great spot. The kids enjoyed the views and the hike...okay there was more complaining on the hike than enjoying, but making it to the top seemed to take some of that away. You can click on the collages to see the pictures larger.         One of my most favorite parts was when we were touring the Conference Center which is ...

Here are pictures of Austin working on his summer job. He works on a farm because he wants to go into agriculture and physics and focus on improving irrigation, pesticide sprays, solar irrigation etc. He thought the job on the farm would give him some first hand experience. He loves it. But what it has given him is heart trouble. Every time he works and weeds a 1/2 acre with a hoe, he has irregular beats that wipe him out for days. OR we end up in the emergency room. His boss is letting him man the vegetable/fruit store next week rather than kill himself in the fields. So, here is what happened today, that led me to really wonder what is going on in people's minds .       The health insurance people called today to see how Austin was doing from his last ER visit. I told her he was still having trouble, but we think we have it linked to the physical labor he is doing at his job. She asked what he did and I told her he worked on a farm. She asked me if his "FUNCTION WAS LOW...

Alex had a friend over today and they were bored. I suggested they make boats to float down our waterfalls and stream. I found them lots of various supplies and they went to work. Here is what they came up with. Alex's friend's boat (the green balloon boat) had a little umbrella like you would get in a drink on top, but it fell off and was lost to the sea. The boats did very well and the boys were quite proud of themselves. I thought it was quite ingenious to keep their boats afloat with balloons.         When I planned our backyard I tried to design it around what I loved about my backyard when I was younger and that was a backyard where my imagination could create an entire enchanted world. I used to have a big weeping willow tree and when the branches would get long they would touch the ground. My dad wouldn't cut them for awhile because he knew how much I loved them. It was like a big cave under there. My friend and I would tie the dangling branches together to m...

My honey can do anything. While on our trip he caught 3 beautiful Rainbow Trout. What a guy.        

I just really have to take a moment and say how much I love my family. My kids and my husband are the world to me. I love my extend family with all my heart too. Even though we live far away I get such an enjoyment in talking on the phone to my sister or parents. I love it when my other family members comment or look at my blog. It makes me feel like they really care about us. I really put my family first. I rarely do anything without my family. What my children are doing, how parents and grandparents are feeling is my first priority. I love to check in on my nieces and nephews blogs and see what their cute children are up to. It fills me with JOY! I get to see my family the most, obviously they live just 4 hours away, but my nieces and nephews and their families are much farther and it can go a year or two between visits. I got to spend a few minutes with my great-niece Claire the other day. She was just darling and I miss her. Seeing her little face brought back so many childhood mem...

Kens is still in bad shape today. The steroids are making her sick and the Benedryl is making her sleepy. Her rash is a bit better, but not as much as she hoped. Anyway, we spent the day with cousins. The girls shopped, got pedicures, and ate lunch. I ate at a place in the mall that had Greek food. I had a lip-smacking gyro. Man, it was so good. The boys went ice blocking at a park (bought the big ice blocks at the store and dragged them to a huge hill at a local park. They got some great video of themselves.), golfed and watched movies. It was a nice day. I wish Kens had felt better so she really could have enjoyed the day.Jay went to a movie by himself. Oh yes, our neighbors that moved let us buy their pool table. The pool table professionals moved it over to our house today and set it up! It is so nice and it was a thrill for the boys! I wanted to post a few more pictures of the cabin. My sister put in a swing set recently. It was great. The kids loved it. It was amazing to watch Ma...