me and my boys

Yep, all this no blogging, and look where catching up got me...

So, yes, I admit I am a horrible blogger these days. Multiple times a day I log into my igoogle account to check email, google docs and my reader feed, and I am always reminded that I need to post too. But missing the traditional Christmas blog post, then the New Year's "I make a resolution to post more" blog post, and the "I went to New York again" and the "I'm so busy with school and life" and well, here we are... The wrap up post.

Upon looking at my blog today I noticed two things:

So this is the post where I talk all about how great Mason is since he just had a birthday. Don't get me wrong, Mason is a super kid in my eyes. I've always said how he was so meant to be the older brother - he's responsible, helpful, can do pretty much anything on his own...but in an attempt to keep this post somewhat interesting to people besides myself and his grandparents I'm going to list eight recent events in Mason's life. (My creative writing professor said I need to work on using concrete images over abstract ones anyway, so here you go Professor Nielsen...)

So I saw my friend's blog, who did a post she stole from her friend's blog, and I decided to steal it for my blog. It's my decade, in a nutshell.

2000

Graduated from high school, started college two weeks later, had my first roommate - who turned out to be a pathological liar, got my first job (woohoo Mervyn’s) and bought my very own cell phone (that nokia you could switch the faceplates on – don’t act like you don’t remember it).

Then I had my favorite roommate, Amanda (yes, she is who I stole this post idea from) who was not a liar and was clean like me. We lived in Hinckley Hall, I tried to be crazy and carefree, I got put on academic probation and I rode on the back of motorcycles with no helmet – because everyone knows at 18 nothing bad can happen to you.

I learned I couldn’t successfully work more than 20 hours a week while going to school and having friends.

2001

I decided I was too cool for the dorms, and moved into apartment #107 at King Henry, all by myself again. I found a wonderful boy to date, we fell in love, got in a fight, broke up, had our issues, worked them out, got back together and decided to get married. I got a job as a telemarketer, and then at a jewelry store called Argento – probably still my favorite job to this date. I tried classes from childhood development to computer science to interior design, trying to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up.

I learned mistakes have consequences.

2002

I got married, moved to Salt Lake, quit going to school, had a baby (4 weeks earlier than expected). I watched Erik go to school and work. We became the apartment managers.

I learned what it’s like to not sleep through the night, and that marriage isn’t perfect, but it sure is fun.

2003

I felt like Erik was too busy and I wasn’t busy enough so I got a part-time job back at Argento, which turned into a full time job. We were sealed in the temple, Mason turned one, we moved back to Orem. I worked while Erik finished school. I had the craziest visiting teaching companion ever.

I learned how much Mason loved his dad and that a one year old can fall down half a flight of concrete stairs and come away without a single scratch.

2004

I found out I was pregnant, attended Erik’s graduation, took my first trip to Hawaii and raised the white flag (I quit my job). We bought a condo in Pleasant Grove, Milo was born, I re-remembered what it was like to not sleep through the night, found out what it’s like to have two kids (wow) and helped start Rudy’s PriceLine Motors.

I learned my husband has the best memory in the whole wide world and faux painting techniques are not where my talent lies.

2005

I started taking trips with Erik to pick up cars and drive them back to sell. We decided to take the step to home ownership, put our condo on the market and sold it to the first couple who walked through. We moved out two weeks before Christmas into my parent’s basement while trying to find a house. I worked for the holidays at Banana Republic (awful commute from my parents, but the best discounts ever). Erik and I stayed in the basement while the kids stayed upstairs. Milo cried at least once every single night –

I learned how to run up two flights of stairs really fast.

2006

We found a house in American Fork and moved in two months later. I got a job at Home Depot because I: a) don’t like staying home and not working, b) they offered insurance to their part-time employees. I watched Erik get sick off and on from March to December. We found the best dog in the history of all dogs and we bought him and changed his name to Marmaduke (it was Rage – totally not fitting).

I learned how to do yard work.

2007

I found out my husband had Leukemia. I didn’t even know what Leukemia was, but it made me cry. I watched Erik go through three rounds of chemo, full body radiation and a bone marrow transplant – then remission. Mason and Milo became the most non-shy children ever. We moved into a hotel downtown, then a condo, then back home to American Fork. I quit my job at Home Depot when Erik went to the hospital; I started a job at Mountain America after we got back home.

I learned how valuable family and friends are to us, how important we were to each other and how much I need prayer.

2008

Erik started getting back into the dealership, I quit my job and we took a trip to New York to pick up a 4Runner – my best birthday ever. By May Erik’s medical news started sounding less happy. In June I heard Erik’s prognosis go from years to months – but in reality he only had days. I watched my husband go from seemingly perfectly healthy to completely helpless in less than a week. Then I made arrangements for and attended his funeral. I was lost and confused and sad all the time.

I decided to try running away for a couple weeks, and hopped a plane to England. While there I attended a singles ward – where I heard someone quote President Hinckley saying something about how we need to seek all the education we can get. I decided then and there that I needed to go back to school – and I needed to go back real deal. I came home and applied. And I dyed my hair black.

I learned the value of a good friend.

2009

I started school. I applied for Graphic Design – fail. I applied for Advertising – pass. I took trips to LA and New York and even a road trip with just Mason and Milo all the way to San Diego – and I found out that leaving town makes me happy and is my form of antidepressant. I got angry, sad and confused – but found happiness and peace and faith.

I learned that school plus kids plus life really stresses me out, I am an emotional merry-go-round, I like my hair long, I despise laundry, my house survives with crumbs on the floor, and that sometimes it’s ok to ask for help (so I’m told).

Maybe in 2010 I will learn how to successfully juggle school and children and a clean house. Maybe I’ll also find out where I fit in society as an undergrad studying, single, 27 year old mother of two. Or maybe I’ll learn what it’s like to be a normal girl and how to handle normal boys (big ones, not my children). Probably none of the above – but one can always hope!

“Always think of what you have to do as easy and it will become so.” – Emile Coue

...and most of the other foods associated with Thanksgiving. Emily Fact: mashed potatoes with some sort of meat and veggies are one of my most favorite things. My other favorite thing is to be warm. I also like having fun and trying something new. And never saying I can't do something.

So this Thanksgiving I wrapped all those things into one. I decided at 10:00 am Tuesday to take the boys on a road trip to San Diego to visit my sister and her family. I picked up Milo from school at 11:30, went home and packed, picked up Mason at about 1:30, stopped by my mom's for some portable DVD players and we were on our way! It turned out to be a pretty good drive too. Mason even commented at one point (more early on in the journey), "this is so fun!"

After a couple gas stops, a drive down The Strip and dinner at the Rainforest Cafe - we arrived at my sister's house at about 2 am. The drive was SO worth it! The kids loved playing with their cousins every day. We took a swimsuit beach trip to Del Mar, had a HUGE, delicious meal for Thanksgiving, took a non-swimsuit, shell-hunting trip to Mission Beach, had a day in Balboa Park (which included a visit to the aerospace museum and an awful, awful puppet show), and ate dinner right on the beach.

I asked Milo which part was his favorite and he told me "that place we went to eat dinner. The one with the jello and the grapes." Yep, we took a 12 hour drive so Milo could eat at a Sweet Tomatoes.

Well, I enjoyed the fact that I never saw my breath when I went outside and I got to walk in sand and swim in the ocean - and that was definitely worth the drive!

Thanks Manning family - it was lots of fun!

Mason once told me that he wants to be a police officer when he grows up. He also said that when he is, he won't give me any tickets. Thanks Officer Rudy, you're the best.

And this is Milo handing out treats. Actually, he was yelling at everyone he could see and telling them to come get treats from him. Then at one point he came in and said, "Well, Halloween is over".

Milo's Birthday!

Wednesday my little Milo-pants turned five years old. He also took off the training wheels, for real this time (he did it a few weeks ago, but had Mason put them back on the next day). And true to his Milo-ness, he told everyone his birthday was really Saturday, but we were celebrating it on Wednesday (Saturday was his party).

For the party, Milo requested Spiderman at our house. As presents, Milo said he'd like a puzzle.

For the party, Milo's mom ran around all week in-between going to school, doing homework, attending a concert, applying for the advertising program to find Spiderman theme items and whatnot to pull off a home party for nine short attention span children.

So, one bag of Cheetos, nine cans of silly string, one giant spiderweb (made of crepe paper), half a container of Neapolitan ice cream (Milo's choice), a couple dozen presents and five bags of trash later...I took a short nap at the kitchen counter.

Within the week Milo also celebrated his birthday being the line leader at school, having lunch at the Harley Davidson place with me and dinner, with Mason and I. at the "peanut place" (Milo's name for Texas Roadhouse). He also informed me Thursday that he was now 5 1/2.

Here's a few pics of the birthday adventures...

Milo at dinner. He told me the next day really wished he could have told Hollie she was pretty (Hollie was our very nice waitress).

My favorite picture of Milo riding. Mason was so nice helping him get started and telling him how good he was doing.

This one is a little blurry, but the look on Milo's face is awesome.

Milo playing with a few of his presents - the ninja swords were the highlight!

So, to make a long post longer, I can't end without saying a few words about my Milo.

Milo is still the silly kid. Easy to please, easy to get his feelings hurt, always able to brighten your day. He will try any food once, no reservations to taste or texture (some of his favorites are Havarti cheese, coconuts and mac & cheese). I've been worried he keeps getting skinnier and that someday he'll lose his little cheeks; I often ask him if he'll just stay little. So far, he seems to keep growing up but keeps me somewhat content with his funny comments.

Here's some of the one's from this week - keep in mind this is just a sampling...

-If I didn't have any ears, my hat would fall down.

-Are you anyone's mom? (yes Milo, I'm your mom.) But are you anyone else's mom? (yes, I'm also Mason's mom) But I mean, are you anyone else's mom?

-I switched flip flops to ride my bike, these one's will protect my feet better.

-I just pulled a piece of food out of my teeth with my finger.

Love you Milo-head!

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)

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.

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!

Ha. I tricked you all. You thought I was going to post something about the playoffs, or the actual team didn't you? Well, while I am no NBA smarty, I do know that the Jazz are out already. So there.

My actual post starts out with a story about our family trip to Red Mango. If you don't know what Red Mango is, you are missing out. It's super yummy. I had my doubts the first time I walked in. Then I ordered. Then I ate it. Yum. Ooooo. Just thinking about it makes me want some. So of course I naturally sign up to get their texts about deals going on (I seem to do this quite frequently now that my texts are unlimited, I have sort of an addiction.) Then tonight I get a text saying they are opening tonight and between 7-9 I could go in and get a free yogurt. Well, it just so happened that Mason's soccer game was over right about 7:00, so over we headed. I expected one free yogurt and then I'd pay for the our other ones. Not only did we get all our yogurt (and toppings) free, they also had....

are you so excited?

Thurl Bailey!

Now, I'm not a big Jazz fan, as you may have caught from my previous comments, but my kids thought it was really cool that a "real basketball player" was there for them to meet. And obviously I couldn't pass up the chance to get my silly short kiddos in a picture with a crazy tall person.

And since I'm sure you'd like to know my secret Red Mango combo...any flavor with mango chunks or pomogranate seeds.