Random-ness

Our lives have been kind of hectic lately. But what's new? haha. I thought I should give a few updates about the boys. Little things at this stage in life that I want to remember.

 

Cy has been really sweet lately. For awhile there he had this mean streak in him. Constantly pestering his brother and his cousin, Sterling. And I'm not sure what would trigger it, but at one point he had pulled two separate girls hair out... Eek. But thank goodness that phase has passed. He's now so kind to the point that he knows it and can almost get away with anything. Almost!

 

Cy's speech and words are improving everyday. But it's still so cute that it's not perfect. I love how he puts an "a" in between words. It almost makes him sound Italian.

 

His favorite show lately has been "Despicable Me". But the funniest part about it is the fact that he can't say Despicable. So whenever he wants to watch the show, he comes to me with his big brown eyes and asks with the softest voice "a watch a Mikkle Me's?" At times he has that down so good that it's hard to say no. I try to limit the boys on how much TV they watch (don't want their brains going to mush), but there are those days when you need them to be quiet (like when Jesse is studying or taking a nap).

 

Our favorite thing he says wrong is "LaLu". Which is "Love You" in Cy language. If I say LaLu to him first then he'll say back "LaLu Too". It's heart melting! 

 Ryker is just LOVING Kindergarten! I enjoy the fact that the mornings go really smooth (generally). I've given him 4 steps to complete every morning before we can leave for school. 1.eat breakfast 2. brush teeth 3. get dressed 4. make bed. And so far he just does it. I'm loving it!

Doing homework together has been fun and bonding for the two of us. He's really eager to learn. I'm amazed how quick he caught onto reading. It's unreal! We do have a few moments that certain words just stump him. But after a few minutes of sounding it out over and over again. He gets it.

Referring back to my post about his first day of Kindergarten. I mentioned that it wasn't my personality to cry by dropping him off. But I have to take that back. On his first full day of Kindergarten... I did cry. He got out of the car and said "Bye Mom I Love you!" Turned around and walked towards his class. All of a sudden a wave of emotion hit me. Completely catching me off guard. It's hard to describe because I wasn't feeling sad about it. I think it was more of a happy-spiritual cry. The whole drive home the tears just flowed. Even when I got home the thought about it would get me going again. I couldn't believe how emotional it made me.

Every morning that I drop him off to school he always tells me he loves me and that he'll miss me. It's just the sweetest thing. My heart swells every time.

 Can't wait for more of these moments (picture below) to happen. Jesse is near the end. But he's got one steep climb to get to the top before he can say he's done. I thought the past several months have been rough...the next few are going to be the worst. He still has to get his twenty 24 hour rides in for Paramedic school. He's going to have to schedule them on days that he isn't working. UGH! So if I thought I didn't see him that much recently, he's going to be gone even more.

When he's done with school, I wonder how he'll feel with all the free time he is going to have? Haha

 This past weekend I got to help this cute girl get ready for her first High School Dance.  She looked so pretty and was very excited to go!

I was 11 when she was born so it's been really fun to see grow up. Even though we are eleven years apart we have a really good relationship. Couldn't live without her. She helps me out SO MUCH! Especially lately! Living this single parenthood life has made me reach out to my family. And thank heavens for that. She has slept over on several occasions to be with the boys so I could go on a long run (I'm training for a half marathon at the moment). I couldn't do it without her. She's the best!

 Here's another Girl I couldn't live without! She was here for 10 days visiting and I loved it so much that it makes me wish she could be here permanently. Maybe someday?

She came with me last night to the Elementary Carnival! It was fun to let the cousins play together!

 Last Spring our bedroom flooded, which resulted in us taking the carpet out. And unfortunately we have been living without carpet until NOW! Living for a year and half with a concrete floor is really embarrassing to admit. But paying for Paramedic School became a priority.

So after we sold the old Toyota Pickup we purchased carpet for the bedroom. I decided it was time to give our bedroom a face lift. So here is the BEFORE>>>

 >>>>>AFTER. Ahh... So much better huh? I love it! I walk in and it feels like my Zen.

Labor Day Tri

Labor Day Morning I was able to go to one last Tri for the season. I was excited because this was the first race this summer that the entire Top Gear Team would be participating! From left to right...Jeff Lewis, Austin (Son of Timalee and Rolynn. This was his first Tri. He's not on the team, but he got to wear his dad's Iron Man Jersey so he looked pretty legit haha), Rolynn, Timalee, Sarah (she still needs to get a Top Gear Jersey), Ryan and myself. This group of people have brought me under their wing like I've been friends with them for years. I've really enjoyed being with them. They are all so cool and awesome! 

 Chicca picture! Getting our transition area all set up.

 I went into this race with one goal. To beat my time from May (which was 1 hour and 16 minutes)! I did this exact same course for my very first Tri (The Splash N Sprint) and all I wanted to do was go out there strong and create a new P.R. for myself. The whole race I was feeling strong but not exactly sure of my time because I got stopped to wait for a train! AHHH FOR THE LOVE! But when I found out they'd take the time I sat waiting for the train to pass off of my overall time, then I looked at it like a free break. haha. Comparing this race to the first one I did back in May, I felt stronger throughout the entire thing and was able to finish strong.

When the results were up I found my name in the age division on the paper. My time said 1:14:...Putting me in 1st place in my age division! Woot Woot! Every Tri I have done this summer I have placed either 2nd or 3rd. Which is fantastic. But that 1st place sure sounded good. What a great way to finish out the season!

 

I hung around to get my lunch box award. Haha. I think they were going with the "Labor" Day theme. Everybody got a finishing medal so they give out something for the people who placed in their age division. The funniest part is the men and women who placed overall received sledge hammers. Haha it makes me laugh!

 

Anyway, when I saw my time on the paper I thought that they had already adjusted my time being behind the train. But when they called my name and announced my  name and time they said 1:12:55. Ah! Even better.



Oh wait... it gets better. A few days later when I was looking online to see my results better. I found  my time to be even faster than they'd announced! Say What? I shaved off almost 5 minutes from my very first Tri. 

This is my dear friend Hillary who I  met in Hair School. Over the years we have stayed in contact by going to lunch once a month. After my first Tri I told her all about it and how much I loved it. She told me it inspired her to do one and so she signed up. I'm so proud of her! And I'm so glad I could be there to see her finish and cheer her on! 

This summer has been fantastic. I'm sad to see it come to an end.  I love that I have been blessed to be on this team. It's given me great opportunities that I otherwise wouldn't have been able to do. With all the craziness of Jesse's work and schooling, these opportunities couldn't have come at a better time. It's given me something to do for myself so I can stay strong for my Man and my two energetic boys!

Breaking Tradition

Three years in a row now the Smith Family has gone to Moab over Labor Day Weekend. This year that tradition was broken. At first we were all talking about going to Capital Reef for a change of scenery, but looking further into every body's schedules (especially Jesse's), going far away wasn't going to be an option. So Mom did some research and found a condo in Eden that they could trade their time share for.

 

We all met at Pineview Reservoir late Saturday Morning (Aug 31). The afternoon was spend paddle boarding, canoeing, playing in the sand, hanging out, eating lunch and enjoying each others company.

Very few and far between do Jesse and I get to spend more than 24 hours together. So we were looking forward to a few days together. It'll be so so nice to have him around more once he finishes Paramedic School. November will be a welcomed month. So far 2013 has brought us quite the adventure. It hasn't been easy at times, but our goal is to come out of it having become better than when we started. I am blessed and I am grateful for the challenges and trials to help me learn and grow. And I am grateful to be by this man's side every step of the way. He's strong, diligent, smart, hardworking and motivated. All the while looking good while he does it all. How Does he do it all? I'd pass out from being overwhelmed. And he acts like it's nothing. I need to take some lessons from him.

 

Pretty sure I'm the luckiest girl to have landed a mother-in-law like Heidi!

Tyson is still young at heart. Playing in the mud with the three grandsons. A boy's dream!

After several hours in the hot sun the boys (and the adults) were pooped. So we headed up to the condo to get dinner going. I had to giggle at these two cousins. They were having a blast jumping on the beds like little monkeys. We all comment how much fun it is to see these two grow up together. They are only 6 months apart, so I feel like they are going to be buds for a really long time.

As the night goes on we slowly start to see each of our sunburns. Poor Emily, I swear anytime we are ever in the sun she gets REALLY sunburned. This time it was really funny because you could see exactly where Andrew had sprayed. He gave her zebra legs. 

The plan for the rest of the weekend was... Nothing! Which is fantastic! Sometimes it's nice not having anything to do. We were all lounging in our cozy clothes all day. Playing card games, chatting, munching on goodies, laughing and just enjoying us all being out of reality for a split moment.