In mourning...

I'm not a big jewelry fan...well, other than big earrings. I like the way it looks, just not the way it feels. I only wear my wedding ring out in public, and I usually leave the band off all together. As soon as I get home it usually comes off, and I have designated places on both floors that I usually stash it. This was also the case at my parents house in Utah...or so I thought...until my ring wasn't in either stashed places...or in any other spot or square inch in the entire place (believe me, I looked!). I still get nauseous when I think about it. And I'll be shopping in the cubic zirconium section at Target this week...

5:30 am workouts
the most comfortable bed in the world
schedules
routines
healthy food
cleaning
cooking
friends
neighbors
SC2 ward
rolling hills
no traffic
green everywhere
Spring Creek Park
Whilpple Dam
love
play-time
art time
quiet time
nap time
Nick
Chase
Brad

so good to be back
HOME!!!


PS- Happy 6th anniversary to the man I love...

Utah fun...

Don't you hate blogging from a computer that's not your own? My pictures are all out of order and this computer won't let me switch them! Anyway, here's a rare picture of the 4 of us taken at Wheeler Farm last week. This one and the one of my Grandma were taken by Katie...

I've spent the last 4 evenings with this beautiful woman, whom I'm named after, and some of her descendants. I've always loved my Grandparents and my appreciation for them continues to grow as I get older. I always miss my Grandpa at these events, and on Sundays, and on any special occasion in my life. What wonderful examples they've been to me...

Gail Joy Warren Dudley

I hate my camera. Ghetto. Not that I'm that great of a photographer, but seriously?! Why are half of my pictures fuzzy? You get what you pay for, I guess. Anyway, yesterday Chase found Nick's church socks and insisted that I put them on him. He wore them all day. They made for an awesome outfit...

I really really like these two...
Like I mentioned above, we went to Wheeler Farm the other day. My kids loved seeing the animals and "driving" all the old tractors...
Chase and Calahan, searching for and picking up rocks...

Brad and I went away for a couple of days last week FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 3 YEARS! Needless to say, it was very much needed and also highly appreciated. Here we are standing in the exact spot where Brad proposed over 6 years ago...
And the Utah fun isn't even half-way over yet! Being spoiled by my parents, having Tim and Katie and boys right downstairs, hanging out with my siblings...I honestly think we could all live in the same house forever...and that I could stay here forever!

Oakcrest...

Once upon a time I worked at a magical and beautiful place called Oakcrest. Actually, twice upon a time, as I did it the summer of 2002 and 2003. I dare say that Oakcrest (an LDS girls camp for 12 and 13 year olds) is something people don't understand the significance of unless they've worked there, so I won't even try to describe what exactly it is and what it means to me. I'll just say (as cheesy as it sounds), that I grew up there. I gained a solid testimony of the LDS church there. I discovered who I was and what I wanted out of life there. And last Sunday I got to go back with two of my best friends, Lindsey and Becky, that shared those same experiences with me, to give a little fireside to the 2009 staff. It made me feel old...and it made me feel grateful.

Sisters...

One of the things I miss most about living in UT is Millcreek Mondays. Each Monday my family goes up Millcreek canyon with the Anderson's and James', two families that I grew up with and whose homes I felt as comfortable in as I did my own. Brad and I even planned our UT trip so that we could be to as many Millcreek Mondays as possible. Tonight did not disappoint.

Amber (known to most people as Lynny) was born 10 days before me right down the street from me. I think every childhood memory I have includes her. We spent countless hours together climbing trees, playing Robin Hood and Little John, 'My Little Ponies,' swimming, and barbies. And although we hung out with different people in junior high and high school, she will always be one of my best friends. She was on a mission when I got married and her absence was keenly felt. She feels as much like a sister to me as my own sisters do, and is one of those people who I can not talk to for a year and we can pick up when we see each other like we'd talked yesterday. I admire everything about her and was so glad I got to see her tonight and that we get to go camping in Mill Hollow next week (something we did every year growing up!).

I have to admit that despite my love/hate relationship that I seem to have with Utah, when the plane finally touched down last week, I felt like I was home. Who knows where we'll end up in a few years, but it's nice to know that I'll always have this place and these people here to visit. Here's to a great few weeks...

My month long vacation

Dear Burglars in my neighborhood,

It's true. I'm out of town for a month. Please feel free to rob me. I could probably get better stuff from my renters insurance. Just leave the photos. Oh, and Brad will be home soon, so you better be quick about it.

Dear Everyone else who cares,

The best part about having your husband be a professional student is that he gets somewhat of the traditional student breaks -- a week off for Thanksgiving, a month at Christmas, spring break, and, oh yes, SUMMER BREAK! He actually still works everyday during each of these breaks, but he does take some time off and his schedule is much more flexible. So while he will not be gone for a month like I will, we are taking advantage of the time we have before school picks up again in the fall. This week we are in Ohio, and here's a bit of what we've been up to:

Nick has been enjoying his wonderful cousins. Preston and Ella make the best of playmates.

Aunt Mallory is always willing to play with the kids and take them on adventures outside. We're all lucky to have her. And if anyone out there is looking to hire an awesome art teacher, she's available. :)

We took the kids fishing a few days ago. Here they are practicing their casting form.

This was Nick's reaction when I told him to look at me and smile. He told me I had to be quiet because I was scaring the fish away.

I LOVE my father-in-law. The man is hilarious and is such a fun Grandpa.

Ella caught her first fish!

Nick has been playing hard and having a ball. After sleeping 12 hours one night, he woke and asked for some breakfast. I put him in this kitchen chair, went to get his milk, and found him asleep when I came back. He NEVER falls asleep like this and I was shocked! He slept for 2 more hours on the couch!

Wonderful Miranda turned 18 this week! All of the adults went kayaking down the Little Miami River on her birthday and had a blast (but have no pictures since my camera is not waterproof!)!

Yes you read that sign correctly. Today we went to a dairy that has a petting zoo, batting cages, a fun play area, an ice cream shop, and, you guessed it, miniature golf. I think the name is so clever!

It rained off and on today, which provided for Chase's favorite activity: jumping in puddles.

Chase loves animals and was in heaven at the petting zoo.

Nick, practicing his milking skills.

Mally and Grandpa Jeff

Grandma Debbie and Chase

This was Nick's first time mini golfing and he loved it!

This is what he did every single time he got the ball in the hole.

Chase watched everyone else for about 10 seconds, then begged a ball and a club off of Mal and Grandma and joined in the fun.

Quick Chase update: He turned 18 months last week and had his well-child check up. He's 26 pounds (55%), and 35 inches (off the charts). And I don't even have to record his head measurement because it is still off the charts, just like Nick's. My nice pediatrician always says "Room for all those brains, right?" Sure. He's talking up a storm now and will literally repeat ANYTHING you ask him to. Words he says by his own free will and choice include: Mama, Dada, Nick, Chase, ball, bear, dog (ruff ruff), please, cow(mooo), cat (meow), chicken (bok bok), monkey (ah ah ah), thank you, grandma, grandpa, Miranda, baby, flower, car, airplane, ice cream, night night, bye bye, water, milk, cracker, apple, bread, play, book, again, more, ect. He also sings "Bob the Builder" and bits and pieces of "ABCs" and "I Am a Child of God." He loves animals, balls, Nick, and being outside. And we love him to pieces.

Are you even KIDDING ME...

This summer something new has happened. Every Wednesday night I have a date with me, myself, and I...and my TV. I am not a TV lover. I'm sure I have mentioned before how I think I would throw it out my window if certain members of my family would let me. But I am in LOVE with 'So You Think You Can Dance.' I am by no means a dancer. My high school friends would emphatically agree with this fact! :) But when my best friend Jen (who is a dancer) came to visit in May she introduced me to this show and I am hooked. I had NO IDEA that dance could be so moving. I seriously cry every week. C-R-Y. ME. I KNOW. I can't remember a time in my life where I cried once a week!

Now I find myself counting down the minutes 'til Wednesday night at 8:00. I've already checked their tour schedule to find out the nearest city they're coming to. And I'm already plotting to drag Brad to the concert while his mom babysits (they're coming to Colombus) and I just sit their and cry my eyes out (like I did when I went to the Mormom Tabernacle Choirs Christmas Concert in high school {my poor boyfriend}...or like the time I went to see my beautiful and talented cousin portray Cosette in Les Mis in NYC {the poor strangers who were sitting beside me}...or like the time...well, you get the idea. I think it vitally important to our marriage that Brad also experience an equally humiliating experience with me, don't you?). Every time I am so moved by music and the arts I find myself wishing, no, praying that my children are one day so inspired and moved by something that they're brought to tears. It's undescribable.

Tonight Melissa and Ade danced a number about a woman fighting breast cancer and it was INCREDIBLE. I'm sure it will be all over the internet tomorrow, so if you missed it tonight find it and WATCH IT! And grab a box of tissues...