Archive for June 2009

spiffy smatt


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My youngest sister has joined in on the blog world. Yesterday she posted something about Milo - I figured it was like a free post for me if I provide the link. I'm so clever.

So check it out. Stacie should have an excellent blog since she recently graduated from the University of Utah in journalism - she's a pro now!

Click here. Or here.

I have a 7-year old?!


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Yep, Mason turned seven today. Wow. It's not even so much seven that makes me crazy, it's more the fact that next year he'll be eight. That always seemed like such a big kid age to me. Then I think that by the time I'm done with school he might be double digits. A double digit child? Ahhh!

Today was Mason's day. He had a bowling party with friends and cousins, played with his new toys, ate dinner at the restaurant of his choice (Tepanyaki) and offered free face painting to the neighborhood.

So now it's time for my Mason tribute.

Mason came into this world, exactly one month before his due date, after almost a week of contractions and two false delivery room visits (the second time they actually told me I was going to have him, then sent me home the next day. It was fun.) A few days after being born he was checked into Primary Children's Hospital for a few days to be treated for jaundice. Then he had the most sensitive skin, ever. Then at about age two he started having asthma, something he now does nebulizer treatments for every day and night - more if he has flare ups.

But this kid has never slowed down. He's always been outgoing, full of energy and unafraid of any stunt - things I had a very hard time understanding in the begining but have since learned to accept as Mason being Mason. He loves to do stunts on his bike, trade pokemon cards, buy hotwheels, build legos...and countless other boy things that can keep up with his energy level.

There was no question Mason was sent first for a reason. He's responsible, loving and helpful -getting especially excited when he can remember things that I forget (he has an incredible memory & mine is getting worse by the day). You can't get anything past him, he understands things so well - this is both good and bad for adults. He's always asked lots and lots of questions - and lately he seems to be able to answer many of them on his own, funny kid.

And tonight he talked me into letting him sleep in my room, his arguement: it's his birthday. Clever kid.

Happy 7th Birthday Mason! (even if that does me I keep getting older too)

Party time.


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Mason never waivered once in his birthday party choice. He wanted a bowling party. I thought it was a little funny since he never really goes bowling, but I didn't have to clean my house or think of games to play for hours - so no compliants from my end.


The other request from Mason for his party was that his Poppy come and do face painting. Mason sure knows how to please a crowd of kids!

And no Rudy event is complete without some Milo-ness. If you're wondering what in the world he's doing...he's showing how strong his muscles are. He did this after pretty much every turn. Notice the ramp to help him bowl? Yep, you're super strong Milo.

This was probably one of my favorite points of the party. Mason missed one candle and one of the boys yelled out, "That means you have one girlfriend!" haha!

Mason enjoying his cake next to is super rad bowling pin. The bowling alley gave us this to have all the kids sign for Mason.

Future Cougars?


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Today I decided to take the boys with me to school. No, not class - I'm not that crazy. I just needed to go sell my books from last term and buy my new ones for next week (makes me so happy to do this). So I figured since I leave the boys to go to the magical land of school so often, I should let them see exactly what this magical land looks like.


On the way down Mason asked if I drive that far to school every time. Yep. Then we got to campus and I realized I left my wallet at home. Rookie mistake, so I was told. Since I don't have time tomorrow or Friday to return my books I was forced to drive home, get my wallet and drive back to campus. It made me about as happy as buying new textbooks.

I parked and walked the same way I do for school - halfway up to campus and both the boys were asking why it was so far away.
First stop: a family of ducks. They were at the fence but started walking away when the boys came up, you can still set them in the distance.

Stop #2: My first class of the day...10 bonus points if you know what building this is in! Milo liked the fancy desks that swiveled from the side.

The boys doing a little teaching. They said they really wanted to leave their drawings for my teacher to see.

We made our way to the Wilk, ate at the Cougareat, used the restroom, returned books, bought books, (Milo had a short conversation with a guy working there, after which I had a short conversation about not touching people you don't really know - Milo said he just wanted to see what is lanyard felt like.) got some candy from the bookstore, cleaned candy off the faces and hands, used the restroom, walked through the library to see the "underground" library, visited my other classroom (Milo wondered why those desks didn't swivel) and back to the car.

This is the famous Tree of Wisdom statue on campus. These are the last two pictures taken, so the fact that the boys are still smiling means we didn't wait too long to leave.

After campus we drove by the apartment complex Erik and I lived while we were dating, the dorms I lived in and the apartment complex we lived in while Mason was a baby.

The boys had fun seeing everything, I had fun sharing it with them - and it didn't rain the whole time we were there, pretty lucky considering it was raining on and off all day long!

and here we are


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one year.

So weird to think about I don't even really know what to say.

Maybe it's because it happened to fall on one of the busiest days of my whole school life. Or because this busy day happened to come right after a very late night which in turn made me very tired. Maybe because today feels pretty much like it has every other day for the last year. Or because my super busy day hasn't really ended because I have two final papers to write. Or because I'm so tired but busy that I feel like I can't even think straight on any given day.

I miss you every day Erik. Sometimes I think I should have acted a little more needy so that you had to stay around to help me. The boys still talk about how you used to throw them on the bed. And that one time you tried to throw me and I fell off (they still think it's so funny). And Milo loves to bring up how he has green eyes just like you. And Mason is trying his hardest to fill your shoes (and I see you in him almost every day). Always opening my door, unbuckling my seatbelt, reminding me to lock the car. And don't worry, they both tell me I look pretty and that they love me all the time.


Alright, for someone who didn't have anything to say, I sure can say a lot. I'll stop now. Because otherwise I could go on for quite some time, and no one really wants that.

And just so you know, I can only do this because I don't do anything alone. Thank you for your help. Everyone.

ps. A few people have been wondering, so - after a few problems and a lot of waiting, the headstone is finally here. Not exactly what I had envisioned, but that's what I get for being a perfectionist.