The Obvious

   Sometimes I'm bad at figuring out the obvious. For example, it wasn't until I was in Italy, standing with "The David" statue right in front of my face that I realized the statue was created in reference to the story of David and Goliath. Another example is the time in my high school English class that I got picked to be "Helen Keller." I was so excited to read the role of Helen Keller in a play we were reading because I just loved acting. I was let down. (Helen Keller was mute). So imagine my surprise when my sister and I went to the Riverwalk in downtown San Antonio and it turned out to just be a path that you walk on along a river. No wonder I couldn't find an exact address to plug into my GPS...

 Despite my initial disappointment, it was fun to get outside and go downtown.

    We also decided to walk from wherever we were along the river to the Alamo because we didn't want to pay for parking again. I love this picture of Kyle and Alli laughing together. Kyle loved Bubby the first two days she was here and then started teething again so he turned into a momma's boy.

I won't mention how long Kyle played on this tree before we found this sign. Bub at the Alamo. It looks like she's framing the cop.

   Alli was so impressed with the Alamo that she could not get off the phone with Sam. She just had SO much to tell him about it! :)   Don't mind our nasty hair. It was so humid outside. I think I'm going to stop doing my hair until November!
Now is where the real adventure begins. The Obvious #2 on this outing: Don't forget where you park. I remember Alli saying, "Jen, how are we going to remember where we parked?" as we were walking to the Riverwalk.... On our way back from the Alamo we totally didn't know where the parking lot was in relation to a) the Alamo b) the point where we came up out of the Riverwalk and c) all of downtown that we circled. We had a couple nice people stop and ask us if they could help us find something, but the problem was that all I could tell them was that we parked our car somewhere next to a building! It was so embarrassing but Alli and I stayed positive as we saw restuarants for the second and third time. After about twenty minutes, and just a few minutes before the rain started, we found the car.

  It has truly been a blessing to have my sister here for a couple of days. I feel so lucky and am so grateful for all of her help. She has taught Kyle to sign "thank you" and she even changed one of Kyle's dirty diapers while I was getting ready. I couldn't believe it! We are going to miss her.

So Excited

   Today my little sister graduated from BYU. After she graduated from high school she entered college as a sophomore because of her AP credits and somehow this year was her last. The funny thing is that she thought this was her junior year until a couple of months ago.  Bubby (aka Allison) is the greatest sister in the world.  I am so proud of her for working so hard but I actually love her so much because instead of flying home to AZ after graduation to see her boyfriend, she is coming to see me first!!!! She arrives tomorrow and I can't wait. What a sacrifice, right?

  This may also be an excuse to post pictures of her and the bf Sam. I think they're great. 

Congrats Bubby!!

American Idol

I think I've been watching too much American Idol.    Kyle picked up our Guitar Hero microphone the other day and started going around the house singing into it. It's so funny to watch. I couldn't figure out where he learned how to do this because we rarely use the microphone and Kyle's usually sleeping when it is busted out. The only conclusion I have come to is that he's picked it up from when I watch American Idol! Take that Adam Lambert! (I hope he doesn't win the competition).
   On another note, Tim's finals start next week. I can't believe we almost have our first year of law school behind us. Kyle and I sure miss having Tim around. We can't wait for summer!

Yesterday

1. My goal everyday is to not have to turn on Baby Einstein. To achieve this goal I walk around the neighborhood ten times, let Kyle run up and down everyone's driveways, give Kyle really long baths at random times in the day, take Kyle to the bookstore so he can demolish the kids section, let him sit at the computer and bang on the keyboard, etc.
Yesterday he watched Baby Einstein three times.

2. Kyle really loves fruit, meat and candy. I try to not to give him too many sweets. Sometimes I give him treats just for the few minutes of silence that follow. 

Yesterday he ate three bags of fruit snacks and one bag of M&Ms.

3. I have a few stubborn baby pounds over a year later that I need to lose. On Tuesday my friend Cara brought me my ultimate favorite thing-- Serranos bean dip-- all the way from AZ.  Tim never got any. 

Yesterday I finished it all by myself.

4. I completed my taxes over two weeks ago and mailed some forms to Utah. 

Yesterday, the day taxes were due, a postal worker returned them to me because it needed more postage.

5. Kyle hasn't had an "explosion" out of his diaper in quite some time.
Yesterday he did.

I'm glad yesterday is over.

Round Up

Here's a long post! Kyle was a lucky boy and participated in 3 Easter Egg Hunts this year. Each one was a different experience.

#1- We met with some of our neighbors at the park for the hunt. This was Kyle's first egg hunt. Maybe I should have practiced with him at home. We let the kids loose on the baseball mound and the first thing Kyle found was a baseball. It was the only thing he really cared about too. I was trying to take pictures and teach him what to do at the same time since Tim was at school. He didn't come home with too many eggs because this little girl found the best hiding spot, his bucket. It was hilarious. Unfortunately Kyle decided to be the freak show and go into hysterics when we were taking the group shot. I love the M&M drool.#2 This was at a friend's house and Kyle did much better. Tim helped him out and they both enjoyed the candy together. I did search through his eggs to find the Rolos. It's a big stretch for Kyle to reach the ground...

The weather was even a little chilly. We had a great time!

#3 The last egg hunt was a treat because it was out at some property where we got to spend the entire time outside. It was the perfect place for Kyle. He got to ride a tractor!   At the Egg Hunt Kyle bypassed the eggs, put down his bucket and chose to spend the entire time on the Go-karts. He was in HEAVEN and would not move from that steering wheel.

Here we are eating because once again I could not get Kyle to move.

   When we went on rides Kyle was totally relaxed and wouldn't move a muscle. He was sitting on my lap during the rides and every now and then a quiet little laugh would come out. It was too cute.

We had so much fun and loved getting away from our usual routine.

   Today in Primary I read a book to the kids about the Resurrection. It was nice to spend a good 45 minutes talking about the Resurrection and why we celebrate Easter. It is neat to see how much 5 and 6 year olds know about Jesus and all that He did for us. Tim and I both know that Jesus lives and are grateful for His example.

We hope you had a great Easter!

Happy Easter!

The Easter Bunny did come, I promise.

So Soft

My clean laundry was wrinkled one minute after I put it on the ground to fold, but I didn't mind. It was too cute.

Best Wife

   Basically I get the "Best Wife" award for at least the month of April. Last Saturday (the day before TRay's b-day) we were shopping at Sports Authority before Conference so that TRay could buy some basketball shoes. Apparently it was also the opening day of another Sports Authority store, so to celebrate they gave us these scratch-off coupons to shop with. We got one for $10. The store employees were also playing trivia games. I loved it. Well, there was also a table with cookies and a raffle for $100 gift card. You had to be present to win. We got there at 9:30, I knew we'd be there at ten when the drawing was. I filled out cards and told Tim, "I think we're going to win. I feel it in my arms." I was SO nervous. As more and more people entered the store I felt our chances decreasing, but at the same time my arms don't lie. I couldn't shake the nervousness!
   Fast Forward a half hour: "Attention customers, we have just completed our drawing and the lucky customer is Tim Ray. Will you please come to the front of the store." Tim and I both looked at each other in complete shock and the best part is that he took the cart and ran to the front with the biggest smile on his face. I started shouting, "It's his birthday! It's his birthday!"        

       The lucky b-day boy got new shoes and a sweet Nike shirt for free with $30 left to spare on the card because we also had a "Get $25 off when you spend $100" coupon. It was the best birthday gift ever! I can't say I wasn't a little mad they didn't call my name.

Here are a few pics from his b-day on Sunday. We had Andy, Hillery and Sadie over for breakfast and conference:

Kyle loading up on Tim's sour candy spray.

Kyle loves his Aunt Hillery. We are going to miss them.

Happy

    I'm so tired. I haven't stopped since Friday. We are having fun though, so that's what counts. Just had to share this picture before I went to bed. Hugh was opening his egg and Kyle was already working on his. He's just like his dad!

Hope your week is off to a good start!

Big Day

Today is the one that I love's birthday. TRay is 25! He is such a good husband, father, student and best friend. He really works so hard to do well in school and learn as much as he can. Kyle and I count down the minutes until he's home each day. Kyle's favorite thing is to go outside and watch his car pull up and then sit on Tim's lap and play with the steering wheel. Tim is so selfless. He always wants what's best for Kyle and I and will do all that he can to make us happy. One of the things I love most about him is that he has always treated me well. We are so lucky that his birthday is on a Sunday this year so that we can celebrate with him home all day long. Actually, we started celebrating on Friday and have had an incredible weekend but I'll post about it later.





Happy Birthday TRay!
(and Happy Birthday to my beautiful sister-in-law Candace. We love you!)

To Laugh or To Cry

I was trying to find a certain quote by Sister Hinckley today, when I came across this one: 

"The only way to get through life is to laugh your way through it. You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh. Crying gives me a headache." 

— Marjorie Pay Hinckley

I wish I would have read that earlier, might have saved me a headache. It just really hit home and put a smile on my face. I miss President Hinckley and his sense of humor and the love he shared for his wife, but I am excited to hear from President Monson this weekend.

This was another great quote: 

"We women have a lot to learn about simplifying our lives. We have to decide what is important and then move along at a pace that is comfortable for us. We have to develop the maturity to stop trying to prove something. We have to learn to be content with what we are." 

— Marjorie Pay Hinckley

I've had this running list in my head for a good couple of months of things I've wanted to get done around here and goals of mine, and quite honestly it's been wearing me out! I've started writing stuff down and already I feel lighter! Not ten pounds lighter, but lighter. I have a couple of things I need to work on being content about. I'll just add that to the list :). j/k 

And here is the quote I was looking for:

"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. 

I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. 

I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children. 

I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden. 

I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. 

I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived." 

— Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Doesn't she just have a simple, yet powerful way with words? Ah, I love it.