Utah State Fair

You go the fair to see all the weirdos ........(thanks Brielle for all the pictures)

but the weirdest yet coolest thing we saw were sealions, I guess we don't need to go to SeaWorld after all thisyear :)

Hayes Family BBQ 2010

My dad's sister Shawna was in town from Tennessee so we all got together for a BBQ in Layton Park. My very talented cousin Emilie took some photos of the entire gang!

Shawna, Kim (my dad), Sandy, and Penny- its been a while since they've all been together.

New songs....

I LOVE music... its amazing how much it can effect my mood. I haven't had music on my blog for a long time because I got always have to turn everyones music off, or mine so there isnt more than 1 song playing at once..... so I hope it doesnt annoy any of you. But I like having all my favorite songs accessible so when I need a pick me up I just open my blog.... I put the playlist at the top so its hopefully easy to turn off if you don't share my love for these songs... but if you haven't heard some of the songs on my playlist you should listen - all of these songs I could listen to over and over and over all day- LOVE THEM!

One of them Jen introduced me to on her niece's blog, its called Brielle and it is really good. Brielle is my music girl, she shares my love for music and she knows so many songs and who sings them. When I was little my mom was always amazed at how many songs I knew every lyric to and Brielle is totally like that- I LOVE that about her!! :)

I'd also really love to hear what some of your favorite songs are, I'm always looking for more music to listen to :)

answers to prayers

I deleted a post I did yesterday, not because I didnt mean what I said but because I wasn't sure I wanted those thoughts to be stored forever and printed in a book at the end of the year. I also wonder if the unknown people reading my blog really cared about my ramblings.... but come to find out if I have some amazing friends that share similar thoughts, care enough to reach out, and love me! imagine that :)

While I think it feels strange to share personal feelings on such an impersonal media (who knows who is reading???) And the few that I know check my blog regularly like my in-laws and grandparents etc, probably don't need to know all my "dirty laundry". My posts are usually so information based and more as a "scrapbook" for our family.

I would love to start being more introspective and communicative in my posts. Yesterday was a really good day for me to really think about my feelings and talk about things that have been weighing on my mind and it was very therapeutic. I am feeling much more positive and excited about my life today.

I have so much to be thankful for!! I have the most amazing beautiful daughters. Katie is just growing in so many ways. I watch her with her friends and she is so caring and sweet. She loves everyone and will be friends with anyone. She has really come out of her shell in the last few years and I am amazed at how much she is willing to try and do. Just this morning I walked her to school and stayed to chat with a friend while she played on the playground and when I looked she was doing the monkeybars (with some help from Addison)! I would never have thought that my shy timid leg clenching girl would be so brave and outgoing.

Brielle has always been outgoing and adventurous. She is never shy about meeting new friends and she LOVES playing! She is developing such a sense of herself and has opinions about everything. I love to watch and listen to her, she is so smart and witty. She is going to do so great in school.

So while I sit home and cry about how I miss my kids, I am so excited for them at the same time. I wish we could go back in time and do the last few years over again but I can't wait to see what is in store for us in the next few years. I wish I could keep them home with me all the time but I know thats not fair for them and they have proven to me that they are excited and happy to be learning and stretching their world. So I am going to enjoy the times I do have them with me and know that in a few more years they will be even more grown up and I'll look back at now and hopefully have no regrets :)

As for other struggles in my life I need to have more trust in my Heavenly Father that he will fulfill promises he has made to me and Greg in our patriarchal blessings and that if we do all that we can do that we will be taken care of. So far he has, and I know it will all work out. And every day when I struggle with whatever it is that day, I can pray to him and receive comfort and help and I'll make it through. Yesterday he answered my prayers by sending friends to lift me up, so thankyou!

And then there was one...

Brielle started preschool today at Mrs. Emily's. She was so excited to go especially since Katie started school. I dont' win the mother of the year award though. I feel like I am just barely floating by recently and I can't really seem to get my brain working right. I had kindof forgotten that Brielle was starting school today and I had a PTA meeting to go to and a Dr appt scheduled. I was going to have a friend of mine take her to school and pick her up but last minute I felt guilty so I took Brielle to PTA for a minute and then left and dropped her off and then cancelled my Dr's appt till next week. So even though Brielle wouldnt let me do her hair or pick out her clothes, and we couldnt find her new school shoes, we made it to school and she was Happy! It is going to be so wierd having a few hours to myself 3 days a week. I'll let you know later if I am enjoying it or not.

Recent Happenings...

About 2 weeks ago we had an amazing double rainbow. I didnt get a great picture but it was so awesome in person. I can't remember the last time I saw a good full rainbow, but a double rainbow this bright that stretched clear across the sky was a good reminder that God loves us! :)

We went to Swiss Days over the weekend. There is always fun stuff to look at, but the only thing we purchased was the pie- YUMMY!!! I'm not sure if Katie and Addison enjoy being together??? what do you think...

Memorial Day we had the Paris' over for a BBQ... and roasted some HUGE marshmallows.

Its GREAT to be 8!

Katie's best friend Addison got baptized on Saturday. We are so proud of her! Addison and Katie even sang a song for everyone after the baptism. I'm so glad Katie has friends that are a GREAT example to follow! Just a year and half and she'll be doing the same thing (CRAZY!!)