I LOVE My Ma

This will be short. Right now my ma is caring for her father who is dying. She was just told he has 24-48 hours. He most likely will not wake up again. She has been with her parents for the better part of 2 months and is emotionally spent and yet she still gives. As she sat with the caretaker who comes in for a hour each day, she was reminded that hearing is the last of all our senses to go. So she continues to talk to him. What would you have to say? I am so grateful for a mom who is selfless, strong, giving, and above all a wonderful example. Heavenly Father sure did a wonderful job when she paired me up with her. He's such a smart guy. I want to tell all my aunties and uncles thank you as well for all they have given during this time. I love you.

The Bandan Zoo

The kids and I took and little vacation with Grandma Widing this week and went to the Oregon Coast and the Bandan Zoo. We had so much fun! The zoo was fantastic and so interactive. My kids absolutley love anything to do with animals so this was the perfect place for us! They were thrilled to be able to hold all kinds of animals and even pet a baby Bear cub. Thanks for the fun time Grandma, lets do it again soon!

Oh BOY!

What? You don't ride your bike naked, in the middle of the day, in front of just about every neighbor in 'da hood'? Well, maybe you should.

Me, Myself, & Ansen

I know all you mom's can relate when I say I am feeling a bit suffocated. Not by all 3 of my children, just 1 of them. Mr. Ansen. Ansen is currently going through what I have labeled as a "Mom and ONLY Me" phase. Typically at home Little Man is off playing with someone or something. Not lately. I can't make lunch without him dragging a chair over to stand next to me so he can give a death grip hug while I try to prepare plates. Making the bed is nearly impossible because Ansen thinks I need to be holding him and singing songs instead. No matter what I am doing I have to stop and give lots of kisses or recieve lots of wet kisses! Lastly...I can't recall the last time I was able to be in the bathroom by myself. Ansen will sit there in the bathroom and hold my hand or want to sit on my lap. Can a girl get some privacy? I really do like all the affection I get from him and I do love that he loves his mama but I also really love it when he only wants to be with daddy when daddy is home. So I will remember that I will long for these "mommy and ONLY Me" days probably not to long from now when he thinks he doesn't want to be with me and I will try to enjoy the moment. I still would really like to go potty by myself though...

The Earth Is A Movin'

Last night right after I put the ladies to bed, Ansen and I were playing cars on the floor when our house began to shake and sway a little. It only lasted about 10 seconds but there was some definite rumblings. The news came on and we had a 3.3 earthquake! The epicenter was about 15 miles from our town in a small town close to Jason's parents house. The funny thing is, they didn't feel a thing. So of course, because I am a complete nut, I am now feeling the push to get our emergency preparedness stuff more under control. I know, I know....it was a tiny little nothing earthquake but I am a little freaked out. What it had been bigger? I don't know about you but I need to get my rear in gear and get prepared!

*****Happy 10th Anniversary To Us!*****

Let me preface this by saying I did try and find a recent picture of Jason and I but they are all of Jason and the kids or me and the kids. Thankfully, Jayden is starting to find interest in taking photos. Anyway, back to me...I mean us!
That's right ladies and gentlemen TODAY Jason and I have been blissfully married for 10 years. So (again) I am going to make some of my famous "Memory Lists". This is purely for journaling purposes so don't feel obligated to read on, its just a trip down Memory Lane.

What we have done each Anniversary:
1. Dinner at Multnomah Falls
2. Accounting Lab and ice cream at the Seasider
3. Dinner Cruise in Honolulu
4. Dinner at Angels Table
5. Weekend in Seaside, OR
6. Weekend at Lost Lake, OR
7. Day of Shopping, movies and no kids
8. Dinner at Stanfords
9. Dinner at P.F. Changs and a movie
10. In a bit we are headed to Palm Springs for a week away

10 things I have learned:
1. Marriage is FUN, its not all business
2. It's nice to share 10 years of awesome memories with your best friend
3. You don't always have to be right
4. Its nice to be right
5. The stronger YOU are the better WE are
6. You CAN live with the in-laws, but do you want to?
7. I can go to bed angry and sleep just fine
8. Parenting is riot. It's hard, emotional and more rewarding than I thought possible
9. Some days it would be easier being single, MOST days its fantastic to NOT be single
10. No matter where we are or what we are doing, if you have a wonderful, supportive, kind, generous husband like I do by your side, things always work out the way we planned.

Without it needing to be said, I love Jason. I am grateful for our 10 years and I am so excited to see where the next 10 lead us. I love you babe, Happy Anniversary!

She Once Was Blind, But Now She Sees

Miss Braley now wears glasses. Full time. All day. No breaks. It's an adjustment but she is doing great. The first little bit was hard because she said they hurt her eyes. I panicked thinking they messed up somehow and her vision was fine but the doctor assured me that she will have a few minor headaches while her eyes adjust to seeing properly. Isn't she so stinking adorable? She is the proud owner of two pair...there was no way we were going to risk the "oops, my glasses broke and I can't see anything going on at school..." scenario. So in true Braley fashion, one pair is pink (top picture) and the other is purple(bottom picture). She loves them. Jayden is a tad jealous, but to be honest I am too! I always wanted glasses when I was going up but I am cursed with perfect vision. I guess that is Jayden's lot in life too. So while Jayden and I dream of glasses, Miss Brays will be the one most like dreaming of contacts and Lasik...But for now, she is so dang cute.

4th of July

We love the 4th of July. We love small town parades and the feeling of living in a country that is free. We love those who founded our country, those who serve our country, and those who defend our country. WE are proud to be Americans and proud of what that means. We are aware of our many blessings and hope that we do not take them for granted. We admire those who give up so much just to come live here to enjoy our freedoms. We are grateful to be able to practice our religion freely. We are thankful we can vote. We are humbled by those who lost their lives so we may live ours. We are grateful to have the opportunity to reach out to the world and teach, lead, and inspire. We are grateful for our nation and love celebrating it's birthday. Happy 4th of July!

Diary Of A Crazy Mom

Dear Diary,
I think I am crazy. Last night I threw Jayden a 7th birthday party here at home. Jayden wanted to have a "Girl's Only" party and have a "Girl's Night In" theme. Okay, I thought. That sounds doable. So we planned on having pizza, doing nails, playing games, and watching a episode of Hannah Montana. (side note: Jayden has just discovered Hannah and has declared herself Hannah's biggest fan...its really rather cute coming from my otherwise un-girly daughter.) So Jayden sent out 14 invitations and I expected about half to come. No, all 14 showed. It was about 85 degrees in our house and I was not excited about spending the evening inside. Thankfully, the girls thought it would be just as fun to spend 1/2 the time playing outside climbing trees, riding bikes and scooters, playing follow the leader and learning a few cheer leading moves--thanks Sarah! For dessert we had brightly colored cupcakes and a sprinkle bar. Everyone was able to decorate and create whatever they wanted to their own little sweet treat. Jayden had a great time and I am glad she doesn't have a birthday for another year. To make the evening a little more crazy Jayden and Braley had their Best Friends Jessica and Lisa their cousin Emily spend the night.
"When should we have Jayden's birthday party?" I said
Jason replied, "Why don't you do it while I am out of town next week since she wants girls only." "Sure, why not" I said.
MESSAGE TO JASON: Sleep with one eye open because I am coming for you!

Look Who's 7 Today!

That's right folks! Today Miss Jayden Kahaulani turns 7 years old! Can you believe it? I can't---it really does seem like yesterday that she was born. Jayden is such an amazing little girl, but I guess she's really not "little" anymore. Next year she will be baptized. So forgive me for a moment while I get a little emotional and express why I LOVE Jayden.

#1 ~Jayden is fun! She is always finding a reason to goof around. Being silly with her sister, brother and friends is what she does best. Jayden brings a lot of humor into our family. She loves to laugh and I love to see her happy.

#2~Jayden is adventourous. The picture above is a few months old but it proves the point that anything with wheels should be riden standing up. Bikes, trikes, horses on wheels..why sit when you can stand? She loves to rock climb, bike (without hands), skate board, and swim in the deep end. I think we may have an X-Gamer on our hands.

#3~Jayden is a giver. She is the reason we pull the car over to give money to the homeless as often as we do. She is the reason the lady at our off ramp has a coat and a pair of gloves, she is the reason the homeless man with the dog has a new colar and leash for his pup, she is the reason I am remided to serve.

#4~Jayden is kind. She is always concerned about the feeling of others. She was the assigned "1st friend" is her 1st grade class. She was given this task because of her ability to show friendship to each new student without having to be reminded or asked.

#5~Jayden is emotional. When she's happy, she's happy. When she's sad, she's sad. When she is grumpy...back up. Emotions may run high but you always know where you stand with her.

#6~Jayden is a great sister. Being the oldest is not always easy but she does a woderful job at it. Braley and Ansen LOVE her to pieces. She brightens their days and is so caring towards them. Braley and Ansen really do adore her.

#7~Jayden loves animals. Not just loves but LUVVVSSSS animals. Her favorite animal is a monkey. Why? Because it climbs just like her. When Jayden goes to college she wants to become a Primaologist. Someones who works with monkies, like Jane Goodall.

We love you Jayden!!!! Happy Birthday! Here's to another eventful year!