I've been tagged

The rules:
1. List three items in each category
2. Tag three other people you would like to hear from
3. Get to know your friends and family
Joys
1. My family. I have such an awesome family! They are always there for me in any way that I need them. I don't know what I would do without them!
2. Friends. I have alot of great friends. Each one of them is so special to me and has something unique to bring to our friendship.
3. The Gospel. I don't know where I would be if I wasn't a member of this church. I know that everything good in my life comes from living the gospel.
Fears
1. Cancer. Just about every type of cancer has affected someone in my family.
2. I have a fear of dying. I am not so scared to die, but I am terrified of leaving my children without a mother.
3. Birds and bugs. I know it is crazy, but they really scare me!!
Goals
1. Get into shape! I have finally come to the realization that giving it 50% isn't good enough anymore, I have to give it my all!!
2. Getting on an actual schedule. Anybody who knows me knows that I am not a morning person and if you call before 9:00am chances are you will wake me up!! I love sleeping in, but I waste so much of the day. With school starting next month I need to get my family on a schedule.
3. Getting and keeping my house clean and organized. I know it is never ending! It just used to be so much easier, now with more bodies and stuff in our tiny house it just always looks like a mess!!
Collections/Obsessions
1. Scrapbooking/picture taking I have settled way down, I just can't keep up anymore, but Nick had 4 albums when he was one.
2. Beading. I love buying and collecting beads. I have alot fun making Chloe bracelets to match all of her clothes!
3. Willowtrees. I have alot, not all, I still need more!
Random facts
1. My real name is Mary. That explains why my family calls me Marty, Marty Beth, Maree, and pretty much anything else that they think will make me mad.
2. My kids match most of the time because they have to. It used to be just because I liked the way they looked, but now if they aren't matching or at least in the same color scheme, I think they look like raggy little muffins!!!
3. You can tell from the time, I am a night owl. Trying to change, to wake up earlier, but that isn't going so well.
Ok, I tag Danielle (ALL of them), Kim, and Lauren

[Name Change]

Last week Nick came up to me and asked if he could change his name. I quickly asked him what he wanted it to be changed to and he replied, "Ryan". Luckily that is his middle name and not just some name that he liked. Not wanting to make a big deal about it I said, "sure". So again last night he came to me while we were at my mom's house for dinner and he wanted me to announce to everyone that from now on he would like to be called Ryan. Chris was totally against calling him anything other than Nick. I think it is because his family always called him Ryan growing up (it is his middle name too) and he hated it. I think I finally talked dad into it for Nick's, I mean Ryan's sake. I figure how long can this last! Plus I have always gone by a shortened version of my middle name, so whatever makes the boy happy!!

We survived!

This last week I had the opportunity to go to girl's camp. And yes, I mean opportunity! My mom watched all four of my kids while I got to go bond with the girls in our ward, my two sisters, and my sister-in-law. We had a great time canoeing, swimming, hiking, laughing , and crying together.

This year's theme was "Sweet is the Work" focusing on service and each ward was a candy. We were Extra gum. I came home with a desire to serve more. No matter how small our service is, it does make a difference.

This was my first time at camp as a leader and it was a lot of work, but so worth it to see the girls grow so much in just a couple of short days. On Thursday night we had testimony meeting and it was so awesome to see the girls just filled with the spirit, so much that they couldn't speak through the tears. These girls are such a great example to me, always lifting me up, and making me want to be a better person.

A bonus was having 3 of my sisters there. Jenny was a YCL for the first time and totally impressed me with her ability to lead. Everybody kept telling me what a great job she was doing. She has such a sweet heart and it really showed this week. Katie was with her ward, which was just one campsite down from us so that was neat. She also impressed me. Normally she stays to herself, but she was so outgoing every time I saw her she was smiling and just so happy to be there. She learned to shoot a bow, rather well in fact, and taught Amber too. My little sisters really are my best friends, they are always there for me, and I couldn't have asked for better sisters!

[happy july]

the 4th of july is my favorite day

a big birthday bash for the U. S. of A.

I think that the 4th of July is my all time favorite holiday! There are so many fun traditions for my kids without all the stress of some of the other holidays!
This year we woke up early and went to the stake breakfast and bike parade. The kids were so excited to have their bikes all decorated. It was super hectic, but so worth it to see how happy my kids were.

Later in the day we went over to my mom's to swim and BBQ. My mom always goes all out for the holidays, so this was no exception. The backyard was all decked out with red, white, and blue. And she even put together patriotic goodie bags for all the kids.

We swam, ate good food, and had a great time as a family. And of course the day wouldn't be complete without the fireworks. Chris, my dad, and my brother, Josh lit up the sky and helped all the kids do poppers and sparklers.

I think this day was super special because our family was all back together. My kids have their cousins back. I have my brother back and things couldn't get any better!

I hope everyone had a fun and safe holiday weekend!

A Fun Day

Every month Nick's class has a "Parent Involvement" activity, and the last one for this school year was bowling. The kids had a blast bowling for 2 hours. They had bumpers up, so that helped and they have these nifty little ramps for little kids to help them bowl. Bowling wouldn't be complete without nachos, I think that is Nick's favorite part. And then we were off to the movies. I don't take the kids to the movies too often by myself because Coop is a handful, but since we were already there, Juli and I took the kids to see WALL-E. It was a really cute show. And that is what Nick calls a fun day!!

Cooper

Yesterday Cooper turned 16 months and I was thinking about how big my baby is getting. I have never had a 16 month old before without either being pregnant or already having a newborn, so I just don't know what to do yet!

Cooper is finally walking now. I think it became his main source of transportation while we were in FL. He still walks like he is drunk, but it is the cutest thing ever. Everyday he shows us a little more of his personality. Just his smile makes my day!

Ever since he had tubes put in is ears he has been the happiest little guy. I wish we didn't wait so long to do it, it makes me sad thinking of all the months that he was so miserable. Cooper is such a sweet spirit and I am so thankful that he is mine!

My mom, my sister Katie, Cooper, and I flew to FL to help my brother move back to Las Vegas. It was alot of work, but I would definitely do it over again to have my brother and his family back! We missed them so much!!

Luckily Cooper was great pretty much the whole time. He learned knuckle bash, high five, fold his arms, stick his tongue out, clap his hands, and put his hands on his head all on command. His very favorite thing to do was clap his hands and then fold his arms really fast. And of course he wanted me to do it too. He thought it was hilarious. So, for about 3 days straight that is what we did!

After being in the car the first day I think I got a little bored. That is when I started taking pictures out the window as we were driving (of course while Cooper was sleeping). I was very impressed with my sunset picture and I really love the one with the cool clouds. Even though I have driven to Florida more than once before it was still neat to see all the different scenery.