Celebrating Apart

5 years ago today I was slipping on a big white dress, getting my hair and make-up done, holding a gorgeous bouquet of red roses and saying "YES" to spending forever with the love of my life, my best friend, my Paul William.

At our reception the next day my new brother-in-law, Joshie, gave a beautiful toast and hoped that when we looked back on this day, our wedding day, that it would be the day we loved each other the least. That resignated with me more than I anticipated. I remember thinking it was not even possible to love him more than I loved him RIGHT NOW, this very instant. I had no idea the power our love had to multiply and for its roots to grow deeper and deeper the way it has over the last 5 years. Bringing Brooklynn and Maylee into our lives stretched our hearts that much more and enabled me to feel a stronger love and commitment to Paul then I can even describe.

I was and still am head over heals for Paul. It only took me a few days to realize that I wanted to spend the rest of my life and all eternity with this man. He is a perfect fit for me. He came into my life when I needed him the most and has continued to be that rock of support.

He has taught me the importance of forgiveness and to forgive quickly. He has built a home with me where I feel safe-in every aspect of the word-, loved, accepted, and appreciated. More than anything he has brought laughter into my life, and more joy than I ever felt possible.

Today is another milestone for us, one that I'm proud of, one that I'm grateful for. I wish we could be together today, but it'll make our reunion that much sweeter :)

Paul, today I want you to know that my heart yearns for you. I love you more than I ever have. I am blessed to call you mine. You are the BEST decision I ever made.

Happy Anniversary!

Florida Here We Come

It's been a whirlwind week to say the least. Paul has been doing business in Florida for the last several months and has traveled about 2 weeks there, 2 weeks home, and so forth. So, after much contemplation, prayer, and talks, we decided to take the plunge and move to Florida, Orlando area to be exact. But in order to do so we needed to rent out our home in Utah first. We advertised it and found some great renters rather quickly but at the last minute they backed out. Advertising comensed again. Days went by and then weeks went by with a few nibbles but nothing solid. I was beginning to think this move would not happen until at least the new year because let's be honest, few people move during the holidays, and my poor husband would have to continue traveling back and forth and perhaps miss out on some holiday celebrations with his girls. But to my surprise last Tuesday night, as I was preparing my girls for bed, my phone rang. A nice lady asked if our home was still available and if she could come check it out in about 30 minutes. I said sure (just enough time for me to straighten up the place). 30 minutes later I was giving her the grand tour and she wanted it! The kicker was she wanted to move in on Friday. After she realized that my husband was out of town (he's been in Florida for the past 10 days) and I'd have to do the move on my own, she said she could figure out a place to stay over the weekend, but would want to move in on Monday. The next day (Wednesday), paperwork was signed, rent and deposit were paid and the packing began! Thanks to great family and friends and an AMAzING ward it all got done and we are all moved out! My sweet cousin, Lana, is letting the girls and I stay with her untl Paul gets back into town next week. Afterwhich, we will be spending the holiday with the Giddings and then taking off to Orlando AS A FAMILY, TOGETHER, AT LAST!

The move is bitter sweet. I'm sad to leave my home, my neighbors, my friends, and family but happy to be with my Paul, happy for my girls to see their dad, everyday and night! Excited to have Christmas with just my little family of 4 for the first time. Excited to experience a new place and to take my girls to Disneyworld. I'm sure the void of missing Utah will be filled with new Florida adventures. As much as I love my house and the people that surround me there, I have learned that home really is where your family is. And I'm excited for the 4 of us to be together again everyday.

Day 2 at Park

It was a perfect Fall Day...and the day before Paul left back to Florida. He always gets sentimental right before leaving (understandably so) so we spend as much time ALL together as possible. At his request we went back to the Orem park. After feeding the ducks almost an entire loaf of bread and swinging on the swings, sliding down the slides, we noticed this rotating swing thing so we headed over and then found the perfect spot for picture taking. Brooklynn didn't cooperate very well but Maylee did (hence why there are WAY more pictures of her).

Can you even take this cute girl? I sure can't. Mmmm... I seriously want to eat her.

Loving me some tongue...just like mommy.

Picture Perfect.

There's those cheeks again.

Silly Girl.

This is the best of my uncooperative Brooklynn. She had more fun collecting leaves and dropping them on top of Maylee.

I see SO MUCH of Paul in her.

Sister time. Brooklynn with her evil grin... I wonder what she is really thinking.

Yes, Paul almost kicked me. Guess I was a little too close.

Makes me so happy.

Pushing sister again.

Happy, happy girl.

It really was one of those days that helps you get through the tough ones. And we needed it!

Park day

My friend Amy Clark introduced us to this FABULOUS park in Orem. We liked it so much we went two days in a row! The girls got to feed the ducks, play on the slides, swing, and run. It was a perfect afternoon spent as a family. So nice and peaceful- I love those moments/days. And more than anything I LOVE to watch Paul play with his girls...push them on the swings and love on them. Those moments always allow me to take a step back, take a deep breath, and realize what is MOST important in life and I really am blessed with one AMAZING family that I am so grateful for everyday, but especially days like these two... (Second day in another post because I went a little picture happy).

Isn't this the cutest pond? You can even fish here.

Can't believe I got all 3 of them to look at the camera at the same time and yes I mean all3- Paul is just as difficult as the 2 girls!

Paul will hate this picture of him (sorry babe), but I had to document Maylee's smile!

She was so chill in the swing. She would have stayed there all day I bet, and even take a nap.

The laughter and smiles just made my day!

Yes I know... a mini-me.

She is so brave on slides now...it took her awhile but she LOVES them now.

Brooklynn LOVED pushing her sister. It was too cute.

Sunday = Logan = Funday

Brooklynn loves Sundays. This is why. Nursery, friends, Logan and Anna! When she realizes it is Sunday she gets excited to go to church, then go to nursery and then go to Logan. Those are her exact words. She knows the order of events. She knows what each location looks like. I think she lives for Sundays. Which makes me glad.

Dancing after church...excited to get in the car and leave for Logan. She is always telling Paul and I to hurry and get in the car so we can go!

That smile is amazing! Love her.

Maylee loves Logan too and ALL the toys!

Story Time

As often as possible we like to engage in story time at the Provo Library. This last week daddy was able to join us and we loved every minute of it.

OBSESSED with those cheeks! I squeeze them and kiss them ALL day long...literally.

Happy girl on the "magic story rug".


Oh the joy that fills my heart watching my girls smile. When they are happy, I am so happy!

Happy Halloween!

In typical Utah/Mormon style, Halloween was celebrated on Saturday the 30th, since the actual holiday fell on a Sunday and can you believe that Friday was a great day and Sunday was a BEAUTIFUL day, but Saturday it rained like cats and dogs and the wind was so strong, an umbrella was pretty much useless. Poor Maylee didn't even get out of the car, and Brooklynn went to two homes (or rather two cars cause our neighborhood did more of a trunk-or-treat). She was so excited though to have her little bit of candy in her pumpkin- which of course she ate one right after the other that evening, but I didn't mind because it was only 5 pieces. But with the holiday being rained out, I was happy I didn't really go ALL out this year (not like I ever really do- I'm not much of a Halloween person).

Brooklynn the witch and Maylee the giraffe.

The tail was the best part.


After our brief trick-or-treating, we went to a neighbor's house for their annual hot dog roast. We got to visit with friends and eat some food
(hooray for not having to make dinner that night!).
Then the giraffe fell asleep in my arms so we went home and vegged the night away :)


Hopefully next year the weather will cooperate and Maylee will be walking then so I'm sure it will be more fun!

Pumpkin Patch

Paul and I took the girls and went with some friends (The Rammells and Balls) to a pumpkin patch WAY down in Santaquin a few weeks back- right before Halloween. We rode a little tractor over to a field of pumpkins, where there was also a maze (which Brooklynn was completely OBSESSED with and could do it on her own). I think the girls really enjoyed themselves...and Uncle Cody too. Brooklynn had previously already picked out a pumpkin with Gran, so this time we got a tiny little pumpkin for miss Maylee Kate.

It was pretty chilly that day so the girls were bundled up warm. And thank goodness daddy had the idea to bring blankets cause it was chilly riding over to the field.

She was snuggled up like this the WHOLE time- hardly made a peep. I think its safe to say she had fun.

Oh daddy!

Running through the maze...again and again. She would say, "Mommy, this way!" If I made a "correct" turn she would say, "Yes mommy that's right- good job!"

Just the 4 of us (and uncle Cody's shadow)
I LOVE family outings and with Paul traveling with business so much these days we savor these times WHENEVER we can.

Picking out a pumpkin for sister.