Braver than their mother...

Growing up, I went through a rather L O N G phase where I was a ninny.

Honest to goodness, we have a video of all the kids after a day at Disneyland where my dad asked us what everyones favorite ride was. My brothers and sisters start shouting out various rides like, "Space Mountain!" or "Big Thunder!!". And there is my 9- year-old self, thinking real hard, then saying in a nasally voice, "Ummm...the monorail?" What the!?! Isn't that just transportation from point A to point B at the park?!? I'm still embarrassed...

So, I'm glad my kids aren't scared to experience life, as long as they are having fun, right? They tried some new things today on the boat, namely wakeboarding with their Uncle Russ. Here's Ty-guy:

And Ash:

Then we pulled out the old Bobsked where you go from tummy, to knees, to standing. Well, we almost got a shot of the standing part, but what can ya do?And here are the little girls just loving life on the boat.

Birthday Girl

S E V E N!! I'm still wondering how this all happens, as I feel like it was only a few days ago that your joining our family made me a mom and put me on my ultimate career path:)

What would I do without you?!? You are my right arm, my "what can I do to help", my buddy who I love to be with. I remember commenting to grandmother when you were still pretty little, "Is it a little bit pathetic, or the greatest thing in the world that my best friend in the whole world is a ONE-year old?"

I love you dearly, my twirling, singing, soccer-kicking, doll-loving, avid reading, tender, selfless, friendly, helpful, caring, loving little girl--who I finally have to admit--is not so little anymore!!!

I've loved watching you grow through the years. I love you more today than yesterday--if that's even possible. And am thrilled to continue to watch you as we all continue on in this journey.

Lunching Ladies

I love blogs. Reason number one right now is because it reconnected me with an old friend, which reconnected me with some more old friends for lunch today. There's nothing quite like being with people who have known you through awkward, finding-yourself years and who loved you through it all. And even better when it's so easy to pick up right where we all left off, reminisce about good times, talk about common joys and struggles, and feel like 13 years couldn't have possibly passed since we graduated (we all still feel so young--how could we possibly be in our 30's with broods of our own?!?). We're talking salt of the earth, down to earth, easy-peasy to be with people. So refreshing to reconnect and see how GOOD they still are and how GREAT they and their families are turning out!

Thanks again Julie, Mandy & Sarah. Let's do it again soon!

My baby boy

Ty-guy--I turn around and you are FIVE! How did this happen? You came into this world fast and furious and have been such a blessing in my life from the moment you took your first breath.

So as you blow out your birthday candles and make a wish, I have a few wishes for you, my only boy...
That you will find joy, sorrow, trials and pure happiness as you continue your journey through life. That you will always be a gentleman and honor all the women in your life. That you will learn early on that serving, helping and loving others is the true key to being sincerely happy.
That people matter more than things and making good choices avoids so much heartache. That you have a knowledge of the Gospel, know that you are a child of God and will honor your priesthood. That you will make good friends and have enough convictions & confidence in who you are that you won't be swayed easily by others--no matter how tempting.

That you will always remember just how many people are pulling for you and love you immensely. That you will know that you can always come home, no matter how tall or big you get, to a mom that will never tire of your hugs and kisses on the cheek.

As you are wishing for that Webkins with all your five-year-old might, know that your mom & dad wish for that and much, much more...

Fresh & Sweet

Truly, there is nothing sweeter than a babe fresh out of the tub--squeeky clean nose down to her sweet smelling toes. Ahhhh...

HE DID IT!!!!!!

So our LONG path towards self-sufficiency has finally arrived! We're coming up on anniversary number 10 folks, and as long as we've been together, Case has been a student or in training. While I'd like to be humble at a moment like this and not toot his horn, well... forget it.

"Rooty-toot-toot" Casey Owens graduated from residency!!!

When you're in college, people talk about how hard med school is. And they're right. It's harder, and yet more rewarding in so many ways than you can ever imagine. What no one even whispers about is residency. Because there is no way on this lovely, green earth that ANYONE whose survived it would trade spaces with anyone just at the cusp (sorry Ricky, Angela, Jared...oh the list could go on;) Here I speak as if I know, when even I only witnessed it. Long, hard hours and a life that feels like it lives at the hospital, particularly the first few years. Thus, quality family time was re-defined, shown lovingly by Ty-guy...

To celebrate graduating, the department put on a fun event at La Caille and we got to get all dolled up (Okay, as nice as a 1 month post partum lady can look!!) and enjoyed a wonderful evening with fellow residents. Each graduate is recognized with some kind words about them and as I looked over at Casey, he started to tear up (of course muttering something about how there was just SO much dust around here!:) But these are people that had come to mean so much to him. The nicest, most complimentary things were said about my husband and I was nothing shy of proud.

So now when I get that anesthesia bill and think "Holy smokes! For a procedure that only took 5 minutes", or a visit with my OB that lasted 10, I'm reminded that there are many hours, weeks, months and years of studying, training, & plain old surviving that took place so I could safely receive care. I know, I know, easy for me to say now that we're on the OTHER side of receiving the payment!

Oh, and as his graduation present to himself, he got a baby. "Baby Bree" you must be saying to yourself, right? Oh no, something a little bit faster...

Boys and their toys! Way to go, hon--I love you...

Baby Bree's 1 month photo shoot

So, lucky day...

My terrific backdoor neighbor called one day saying that her sister is starting up a photography gig and was looking for some newborns to photograph for her website.

Check. We happen to have one!!

Laurel did a great job and is so nice and easy to work with! Highly recommended! Here's her website if you are interested... http://www.laurelhansenphotography.com/


Try to relax Baby Bree!!:)

I've got a sweet sister...

A sweet post--love this girl.

Hamburg Bound

My baby bro, Russ got his mission call tonight. Love this kid and so proud of him...

The Pelo Post

Oh, I've been dreading this day for a while now. In all reality, I've been ignoring it like the plague itself and trying my hardest to pretend it wasn't going to happen. And no, it's not that school is out and I'm responsible for four kids to have a great, productive yet still lazy-enough summer. I'm actually looking forward to having them around...

It's what will be missing from that summer.

Me, Cami Russon & Mychael-Ann Pelo 2004

& this...

Ash & Gwen 7/06

just to name a few. We'll miss the entire Pelo family! It's hard to see such a good family leave, but even harder when they've BECOME family. Seven years worth of good memories to remind me of how blessed we've been to have them be such a tangible part of our life. When they left Virginia for Salt Lake, Heather, Cami, MA and I had a last hoorah with a night out at an ice cream shoppe. I remember coming home, snuggling up to Casey and starting to sob because the Pelo's and Dudley's had become so dear to me.

Heather, Me, Cami & MA 7/04

And to think--I've done it to myself AGAIN! I started writing this a few days ago, but it made me too sad. So, MA when you read this--know how much you mean to me. I'm a better mother, wife and friend because of your example & have been changed for good. Lucky Virginia to get you!! I think I'll go eat some ice cream...:)

The best kind of pet-ownership...

is babysitting (or chicken-sitting) for a weekend! The kids loved watching the Peterson's chicken a few weekends ago. Ash washed the cage each day and they all helped feed it and give it water and adored it. I think the Peterson's came home just about when the wonder of it all was wearing off, so I think 4 or so days is just the right amount of time to own a pet around our house! Thanks Peterson's!

Ash getting her nose pecked at!

And just because... this is a cute little mug and Tink is trying so hard to figure out how to be a big sister and loving her baby sis (maybe a little TOO much), and I need a reminder that she is still just as important and needing maybe a LOT more TLC since life is topsy-turvy for her right now. I love this little face!!!

She's Here!

The Sibs

So really, I have awesome brothers and sisters. I totally hit the jackpot with Casey's siblings too. And each time one of these siblings has gotten married, they've scored some really fun, amazing people that I love just like they've always been a part of the fam. So today, I'm doing a shout-out to a few that have accomplished some pretty big things. The others will just need to be a post for another day, because I could dedicate an entire blog to each and every one of them!

It's Ricky, the Brother!

Ricky "playing" with Ash 12/01
So proud of my little bro, Ricky. He survived 4 years of Med School in Wisconsin, and it's impossible to congratulate him without major props to his awesome wife, Katie as well. They did it TOGETHER--moved, supported her parents as mission presidents in Argentina, chose to leave their cush ward to serve in the Inner City Branch as YM President and Primary President, had my darling niece right before finals of 2nd year & Step I of Boards, followed just recently by my adorable nephew less than a month ago (doesn't Katie look so great!!). All while living the med student life!

Ricky & Katie @ graduation dinner 5/08

But I could never have explained to them how this experience would change them. How there's nothing in the world like being in the same boat with people that become FAMILY. How relying so heavily on each other would be "marriage glue". How they'd look back on this crazy rollercoaster-time of life with so much fondness and never wish one moment away from it, no matter how many hours of studying, then board prep, then time spent training (& sometimes being just a shadow of the docs), or how poor they felt. Because the good stuff always beat out the tough stuff, 1000%. I couldn't be more proud or happier for them.

Irion Fam 5/08

I love you Ricky--I could say a million great things about your work ethic, how smart you are and how easy it is to just be around you. But the greatest compliment I can give you is how impressed I am with how tender, nurturing and loving you are towards your wife and kids. Your priorities are spot on and I look up to you in every way. Way to go Doc!

Lindsay & Russell

Russ & Linds 9/06

Doodles & Russcabus are graduating from High School & Seminary. I remember thinking that it really wasn't that big of an accomplishment when I was graduating. I mean, really, you just wake up and go to school every day, get decent grades and next thing you know, your throwing your cap in the air.

Russ snuggling with Ty-guy 10/03

But it's more than that. It's watching them grow up into REALLY great people. People that I admire immensely. People who I used to tend all the time, change diapers for, feed rice cereal to. Who loved me for me--even during the ugly phase of 8th grade;) Suddenly I turn around and they are--gulp--adults. Preparing for a mission this summer and for BYU. That love my kids & my family whole-heartedly which makes me love them even more. Even though they have been best friends from the beginning, I always felt that I had a special bond with each of them, only to find that each of my siblings feel that way about them! We're ALL dreading them leaving the nest like it was our own kids growing up because we'll genuinely MISS them! They are rock solid in the gospel, athletic, kind-hearted, hard-working, selfless, and cute to boot! They are so different from each other but somehow each is the total package.

Tink & Lindsay 4/07

Seriously--could there be any better capstone to our family than the twins?!? Look out world--you won't know what's hit you and you'll never be the same. I for one am changed for good because they bless my life so immensely. Love you guys!!!!

And then I stepped in poop...

"Seriously?!? Did I really just step in poop? FOR THE LOVE!!!"

This was the end to what we'll chalk up as "One of those days." The sad thing was, it wasn't in the backyard where the neighbor's dog occasionally relieves himself. It was in my FRONT ROOM and somehow from my 1 1/2 year-olds diaper. YUCK!!!! This after a lovely late afternoon where I had seriously lost it--Mommy Dearest lost it!

Not sure if it was the fact that I'd gained 3 1/2 pounds since my last doctor's appointment (ummm yes, that was only a week ago, thank you very much! All baby, all baby, all baby--right?), or a 4 1/2 year old son turned destructo-boy that tipped the scales, but I was just GRUMPY! So to get out of the funk, I took the kids to the library. We only stayed 15 minutes because someone did something that apparently was a tragedy in my glass-is-half-empty state. So, I thought "Maybe if we go to the park with the handful of books we managed to grab, I'll be able to sit and peruse through my book (ironically "Piggy-back Rides & Slippery Slides", a book about being a fun mom)." The fun lasted for all of 12.7 minutes. The rest of the evening was spent rather enjoyably by my barking Drill Sargent orders of eat dinner, pajama's, potty and don't you dare get out of bed.

Once everyone was down, I started picking up the remnants of the toys that prove that kids do indeed live here when I stepped in the present that escaped from the sides of my lovely daughters diaper.

Want to know the sad thing? While relaxing in the tub to unwind and obviously clean myself off, the guilt that always rears it's ugly head rushed in--"Wow, what a fun mom you are! This is awesome timing--days before Mother's Day. You're kids will have some LOVELY things to say about their dear, sweet mother! Dear Mom-- You have the loudest voice, and are so good at using it. Love, Ty". I kept having the image of building blocks being gently placed one on top of the other--proudly making them into a tower that grows taller and taller, and me coming in with one fell swoop and undoing in seconds what took months to build.

It's a good thing to have these quiet moments after a storm to realize how childish I was acting. I knew that motherhood would be both the most rewarding and hardest thing all rolled up into one messy, sticky, beautiful ball! Or more appropriately 3 lovely little faces. We just never know HOW hard and HOW wonderful and HOW quickly one emotion could change into the other. Thankfully the next day was 100x's better than the one before, I've apologized (again) for the way I acted and the kids surprisingly still love me with their perfect, forgiving spirits.

Maybe sometimes I need to step in poop every once in a while to appreciate the blessings that the everyday moments bring. My kids are my greatest teachers and I need to work harder & take better notes when I fail the quizzes so that I'll hopefully be stronger, better and wiser. Sounds like the kids are up--time to go pick up some blocks and start re-building!

Happy Mother's Day to all of you! Hope you're thoroughly spoiled!