Running on a Prayer

In the 5 1/2 years Brad and I have been married we have had our share of car problems. Our first year of dental school we almost broke the bank with all the problems and each year we have at least one major thing happen. We always feel blessed when we can get away from the machanic for $500 or less! Which does not happen often at our house, and I am sure many of you can relate!

This past week, on Tuesday, I was taking the kids to gymnastics and I started my car (it had a hard time starting and this had been going on for a couple of weeks). The kids and I fed the neighbors fish and then loaded in the car to head out. Once I put the car in reverse it died on me. Instantly, I told Brad and Gabi we should say a prayer. Brad and Gabi folded their little arms and repeated everything I said. We cranked it up again and we had NO problems for the rest of the day. Brad pointed out when we got to gymnastics the car was working and our prayer worked!

The next day at 12:25 we headed out for pre-school, the car started and everything seemed fine at first, but then we got to a red light and the car stalled on me. I was the first in line and of course the light turns green immediately, I instantly panicked in my head trying to re-start my car and each time it would die as soon as I put it in gear. Finally, I said, okay kids lets say a prayer and so while at a green light cars behind me (not so happy by the way) we said a prayer and off my little jeep went. Now it died a couple of times after that, but we were able to make it SAFELY to pre-school!

To make a long story short, we figured out that if you put the car in park or neutral at a red light or stop sign it would not die, only when in gear...so we were able to make it home safely and Brad that day after work and taking the babysitter home! In fact, the next morning when I cranked the car it ran perfectly. We took it in and they could not find anything wrong with my car that would make it do what we described. They did replace the starter, but she made it clear the starter would not have caused the problems we described. I don't know if I had bad gas in my car or what, but what I do know is that my car was running on a prayer! I am thankful we can pray anytime and anywhere and that Heavenly Father will give us what we need. I am certainly not implying we will not have any more problems with our car, I am pretty sure we will, but I can certainly be thankful for a loving Heavenly Father protecting my family and listening/answering our prayers!

One big update

Gabi is 2...

This is unbelievable to me! How is it possible that my baby is 2 years old already! It would be impossible for me to adequately describe exactly what a joy Gabi is in our home. She has more personality than any one person could imagine. Here are a couple of our favorite things:

1. She is sassy (VERY SASSY)

2. A big talker--saying pretty much anything and everything

3. In love with her daddy

4. Gives the best kisses with the most pouted fish lips ever

5. She will drop on a dime and throw a BIG fit anytime you say the words 'no'

6. She loves her brother so much and they have this amazing brother sister relationship in which they swing from the best of friends to the worst of enimies, but you better not mess with the other because they will defend each other to the end

7. She knows how to work us over

For her birthday my mom was here which was amazing for me especially. We had a butterfly theme sort of and I had lots of fun making and decorating her cake! We had a couple of kids from our ward over to play and so it felt like a big bash! We ate hot dogs and hamburgers and played pop the balloon (bad idea after about 5) and pin the tail on the donkey. Also, the kids dressed up in their halloween costumes...although Gabi backed out at the last minute and did not wear her's. She got a kitchen from us and it has been a BIG hit! Her and Brad love to cook us stuff with all the food, plates, pots and pans that were presents at her party as well. She was one lucky cookie!

Painting pumpkins with Granny....

When Granny was here the kids wanted to paint pumpkins with her! They had a big time painting with Granny and making their beautiful pumpkins! The only problem was I put them outside to dry and it rained that night so the next day we looked out and their newly painted beautiful pumpkins were washed clean! Brad was hilarious...he looked out the window and said, "hey what happened...there's no paint" then immediately saying, "mom--dad told you it was going to rain...why did you leave them outside" Don't feel too bad for them, we turned it into a family activity after Granny went home and even bought another pumpkin so we each had one!

Carving & Painting them later...

Getting started

Brad helping dad!

Texas on the Back of Brads

My Pumpkin

It finally happened

I had forgotten to keep an eye out for this and sure enough it happened. Brad cut Gabi's hair and he also cut his! In fact you can tell more on him than on her.

What is worse is that it took me a day to figure it out. I was so caught up in watching the Republican National Convention last night that I let the kids play in the basement w/out me. First and last time for that. So this morning I went down to pick up and noticed some hair on the floor...at first I thought it was just Gabi's but then realized Brad had also played barber to himself!

What is a mom to do? I guess I should try watching my kids instead of the RNC.

From the Mouth of Babes

So I heard some pretty funny stuff while in Texas this trip. Kids say the funniest stuff here are just a few!

Situation: Haleigh and Gabi are both called Lulu so it gets confusing for them. It is lunch time and we are sitting beside each other at the table.
Me: Lu what would you like to drink
Haleigh: Are you talking to me or her? (in a very serious thirsty voice)
Me: You
Haleigh: Juice

Situation: Driving to my mom's house with the grandkids so I could get some time with them without their parents. Of course Granny's house is the perfect get away!
Hannah: (holding a water bottle) Aunt Toto, I have to drink alot of water or my stomach gets overheated. When your tummy is overheated it hurts!
Me: Well then you better make sure you drink so your tummy stays cooled down.
Haleigh: Aunt Toto, I don't have to drink all the time, but sometimes if I don't drink a little my tummy gets overheated too! But not all the time!

Situation: Me picking on Haleigh about eating hot dogs for dinner. Haleigh does NOT like hot dogs.
Me: Okay, lets have hot dogs Haleigh
Haleigh: I don't like hot dogs
Me: I know you like hot dogs you don't have to tell me sweetie, I said lets make some
Haleigh: No, I don't like hot dogs.
Me: Okay...I am making them, have some patience
Haleigh: Aunt Toto why do you pick on me about hot dogs...I don't like them!
Me: Laughing because she is so cute and hilarious!

Situation: Gabi beating up her cousins
Haleigh: Gabi is mean! :-)

Situation: Driving to go swimming at the Harris's house
Brad: Bill where are we going
(Bill is papaw and I do NOT know why he said this because I call my father in law Mr. Harris)

Situation: Brad screaming for his Mamaw to find out where she is
Brad: Mrs. Harris...where are you Mrs. Harris!
(This does make since b/c I call my in laws Mr. & Mrs. Harris...I guess I am just going to have to start saying Mamaw and Papaw)

There were tons of other funny situations...but it is late and my mind is wondering, but you get the picture.

Catching Up

Here we go to the Rodeo! Brad did such a good job riding the sheep this year and even got 5th place! That's right we have a rodeo star on our hands. The 5th place ribbon was pink and our man's man son would not accept...so thankfully his cousin Hannah loves pink and she had a couple of 6th place ribbons from her events and so they traded! Brad also did the stick horse race and lead line (thank you Aunt Brandi for taking him around the barrels) and he had so much fun, but I thought the mutton bustin was the best!
Gabi did the stick horse race and while she did not place, we were really booking it! She wanted to do everything that Brad did and she was so upset b/c I only registered her for the one event, but I told her there is always next year!

Uncle Robert was happy to oblige with a horse ride in between events at the rodeo and my kids did not want to get off! They were so content and happy to be lead around on the horse.
Not only did we rodeo but we also went swimming with all the kids together which was SOOO much fun! I loved watching them because Garrett, Hannah, Haleigh and Kenady swim so good! Brad is still working on this swimming, and Gabi is just like whatever...she likes it, but she is all about being held while doing it. One time while I was catching the kids as they jumped off the diving board, Papaw (my dad) had Haleigh and went to far into the pool and was screaming for help as he couldn't swim and hold Haleigh! I was laughing because he was 2 inches from the edge of the pool and he could have just grabbed hold, but it was so funny and thankfully no one was hurt!

Here are the kids minus Gabi growling in the front yard! It was such a funny picture...Gabi got sick of it and just walked off. She is a character. It was so hard to leave the kids because who knows when we will get to go home again and they change so much each and every time I see them. They are hilarious and say the cutest things! I will post some below.
After a fun time with the Dawson side of the family, we headed to the Harris side and the 1st thing we did...you guessed it we went swimming. The kids have so much fun and while I got into trouble over and over at the pool, I had fun too. First I was wearing shorts and had to take them off...I was not happy to wear a bathing suit bottom that was exposed...but thought heck I don't know these people and so I just let my big huge hinny hang right on out! It is really white, so maybe they were blinded by that and couldn't see it that well! Next, after I was compliant with the show your hinny requirement, my father in law told me to go down the slide with Brad, so I get on the kiddy slide to which I hear a loud whistle blowing and a young kid screaming at me "Ma'm you are too big for that slide"! My father in law stood there smiling, but swore it wasn't a set up...I am not so sure! We had a big time and the kids were exhausted after swimming, but we still managed to play in the yard when we got home!

Mamaw and Papaw have riding toys for the kids and they also have Poncho, which was a big hit for the kids. They chased him...stalked him and overall drove that dog crazy while we were there. Brad was really good with him, but Gabi was a little rough. She would punch him and pull his leg and then try to kiss him. So the kids were constantly being reminded to play soft. Poncho slept with us 2 nights and Brad was so excited. He had a bell on the first night and Brad got up at 4:30 complaining that Poncho needed to go to sleep and then the second night we decided to take his collar off and things were much better!

Not only did we hang out with the Harris Family we also had tons of company come to see us while we were down, Aunt Helen, Mr. Bill, Aunt Barbara, Debbie, Aunt Charolette, Uncle Jim, Uncle Roland and Dottie! We also got to see Aunt Pam!!!! We always love seeing family and appreciate everyone coming down to see us and hanging out with us!

We came home on August 5th and were the last flight out by US Airways that day because of a tropical storm and guess what...my kids slept almost the entire flight! Are you kidding me...it was just amazing...I kept thinking...I am so lucky...I can't believe this. Of course the last hour they were awake was interesting, but hey...it was 4 hours of it! They were exhausted from almost 2 weeks of fun in Texas and since we have been home they have already said they want to go back! We love Texas and our family! Thank you for a great trip!!!

Palmyra Trip

So this year we decided to drive up and see the Palmyra pageant! We were CHEAP and did it in one day, but it was so amazing! We decided to leave at like 5am and when we finally got up at 9am we decided to leave at 10am! It took about 4 hours to get there and for anyone who knows me, knows I am not a good car rider, but I did pretty good!

The first place we went was to the JS Farm and toured the houses and the Sacred Grove. It was so exciting to be in a place where so much of the restoration of the church occurred. It was amazing. My favorite place was the Sacred Grove. It is beautiful...absolutely beautiful. It looks and feels like stepping into a beautiful picture! When we were just about to exit the Sacred Grove, it started POURING rain! We were soaked and since I was in white shorts...I got pretty dirty very quickly!

After the JS Farm, we headed for the Palmyra Temple. This temple is just absolutely beautiful!!! I would love to go in someday. It is such a small but yet big temple.

After the temple we headed to the Hill of Cumorah, and walked up the Hill to see the monument, and then back down (I thought going down the hill was scarier than up), and then we went over to the visitors center. The kids were tired and cranky so we just decided to park for the pageant and then wait 2 hours for the play to begin. We sat on the grass at the back, but honestly, I don't think there is a bad seat for the play. The pageant was AWESOME and what made it even better was knowing that it is put together in a week and then they start performing for 2 weeks. Only a WEEK to put together that amazing play...well I mean with the actors I am sure there is much preparation before that week, but getting 750+ people ready in a week is no small feat!

The trip home was harder...Brad even let me drive home the last 2 hours because he was so tired. We made it home and zonked out! The trip was fast but oh so worth it!

The kids and I leave for Texas this week and Brad is going to be in another rodeo this coming weekend, so I will have to share pictures from that when I get them!

Pictures Galore

Gymnastics Update...
So while week one was not so great, weeks 2 & 3 have been much better. I could not flip the picture (sorry about that) but Brad had a really good time once he finally got the nerve to participate. What was even better was he totally did everything the instructor asked him to do and he was really trying hard to do everything she said. Gabi on the other hand was so upset that Brad was doing something that she threw a huge fit...so being the great mom I am, I let her play in make-up! She has not really ever done this, but she thought it was great. She even had a little mirror and kept examining how well she was doing putting on her make up! What a cutie! After week 2, I enrolled Gabi in the Tuesday class as well that runs at the same time and was nervous about it, but in week 3 both did pretty good. They wanted to be together, but they each managed a whole 50 minutes without each other!


Youth Conference...


I got to go to the last part of Youth Conference this past weekend and it was amazing. I drove up Friday after Brad got home from work and got to go to the dance and hang out with the youth, who had all worked so hard cleaning up one of the parks in Philly, and they were not complaining or moaning, but so excited to show me their posters and tell me what all they had done that day and the day before! They were so excited and the dance was SO much fun! I loved seeing them talking to the youth from other wards and making friends. It was so awesome!

They were all dancing and with youth from all different wards and hugging and smiling and laughing, which was just absolutely amazing. I stayed the night at the Cross's (thank you so much)! It was my very first time staying away from both my kids overnight. I went to girls camp with Gabi last year and left Brad but had never left both of them. I was gone 23 hours but hey...who is counting. Anyway, the next day, Saturday morning they had a service activity which was making blankets for children who were either sick and in hospitals or had been removed from their homes. This was my favorite part of YC by far. I watched our youth start cutting and working on those blankets and then when they finished...they went around and started helping other tables who had not completed theirs. The idea of service was imbedded in their hearts and I don't even think most of them realized what they were doing. They were just helping because they knew it was the right thing to do! After the activity and a lunch, we had the testimony meeting. I think each time I am surrounded by youth my testimony grows! I watched these amazing youth stand up and bear their testimonies of service and of how it helped them focus on others and help them realize all their blessing. Each youth was so aware of the Savior and the service he gave to each of us and how when they were serving they were following the example of the Savior and being his hands! It was just an absolutely amazing time and I love hearing the youth bear their testimonies, so innocent and sweet! I am so very thankful I got to go to YC this year!

Also, it was Quany's 17th birthday, and everyone sang Happy Birthday! Yeah!!!














After Youth Conference
When I got home, Brad was taking the kids to lunch at Wendy's...they had slept in until like 10:30 and so lunch was much later, here were my two cuties after a day without mom. Totally fine and enjoying their time with daddy! Brad did rat out his dad when he told me that daddy bought him and Gabi ALOT of candy and that they had so much fun eating candy and playing with daddy! Glad to know they are okay without me, but I sure did miss them! After they ate we headed home and shortly after decided we would try a family bowling trip! It was interesting...it wasn't bad by any stretch just interesting. Gabi is still a little young I think and Brad was totally into it...in fact, he fell because he went past the line and the lanes were good and greased up! I kicked butt of course because I did used to bowl in a league you know...(if you played with me at the retirement party...that was just a bad night) :-) !! We played one game as a family and then decided to just let Brad play since he was having so much fun. We kept telling him how good he was and he kept saying, "how come you guys haven't taken me to bowl before, I am so good" we were just like, I don't know but you are GREAT! He was so proud each time he got the ball down the lane at an amazing 3 mph! Thank goodness for bumpers right!






Like Birds of a Feather???

Just a cute picture of the kids at the zoo. They have this love/dislike relationship and so one minute they are hanging out and playing and the next they are trying to take the other down! It is fun and cute when they play and challenging when they fight! I normally yell...which doesn't really help, but it's my normal reaction! I love the moments when they are thick as thieves though...Brad gets Gabi into so much and she thinks he hung the moon. He will get her to run around the kitchen table (which is a no, no) and she just laughs and laughs the whole time and when I tell them to get out of the kitchen, he will say, "come on Gabi" and she just runs right after him. While I don't always feel lucky in that moment, I do love and am so thankful for our two little monkeys. Their personalities are so much fun and while half the time I don't think I have the parenting down even half right...we do love them so very much and are so thankful they are in our home!

DISCLAIMER: Big Brad told me my grammer is horrible in my posts...so let me apologize now. I normally just type and post...but maybe I will try harder in the future of course to work on this to make my posts an easier read! :-)