My neighbor. Emily is awesome. She is such a great friend to me, and I honestly don't know what she gets out of our friendship because I definitely get more out of it than she does! I'm so grateful that she doesn't judge me or criticize me, even though I'm sure she thinks I am crazy sometimes!
Emily is talented. She is creative. She is nice! Emily is the one who helped me with Phineas' room and all the fun colored dots. She also took maternity pictures for me and spent hours and hours editing them to make me look pretty. She always offers to bring me food and sometimes she just shows up bringing me lunch, always at the right time. Emily is service-oriented and not selfish at all. She is constantly thinking of others (me) and how to help. When she says she is willing to help, she really means it and always follows through.
I really enjoy her company. When she comes over we talk for hours and it feels like minutes. Our husbands don't love it, but we don't care! Once she brought over her ukelele and taught me a few chords and a song. She was so patient with me while I tried to get the hang of it. She had to show me over and over and over, yet she never gave up.
Emily is fit. She has a rockin bod, and she works to maintain it. She's done triathalons and is always looking forward to the next race. I love/hate it when she comes over to show me the dresses she has bought to ask my opinion on which ones she should keep and return. I can't handle how awesome she looks! Makes me feel like a huge fat lard. And having kids isn't an excuse; she's had two and still looks amazing. So, I always tell her to keep all the dresses, since she can pull it off.
I love how Emily loves to educate herself. She is constantly reading and researching, and it shows. She knows so much about everything! Photography, photoshop, business, finances, fashion, crafts, etc! I love learning from her.
I'm so glad Emily and I are friends, AND that we live next door! It makes it easier to see each other and hang out. It's not as often as I would like because we are busy or sick, or I'm just being lazy with Phineas. But I love Emily just the same! She is a wonderful friend and a great person. I wish I was better at words to express how grateful I am that she is my friend. I appreciate how she has reached out to me and befriended me. She's definitely the cooler one in our relationship, and I look up to her so much!
Monday, March 12, 2012
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
mama and papa cook
My father and mother-in-law.
They are awesome. I am so lucky to have such good in-laws! Did you know that my parents and Trav's parents were good friends throughout highschool and college? Well, they were! My dad and Paul were best buds growing up. My dad told me that they would talk about being friends forever and sharing grandkids someday. Now it has come true!
Paul and Carolene are so wonderful. They are great listeners and give good advice. I know that when I share my feelings with them I won't be judged or criticized.
They have raised 7 amazing children, Travis being the best, of course. :) They are such good examples to me of parenting. Carolene is so gracious and classy and so very generous. When Travis and I were engaged, we would often hang out at their house (since Trav still lived at home). Friends of the cook children would come over and always raid their fridge and eat leftovers or whatever they could find. I always felt uncomfortable doing this because it wasn't my home so it's not like I would just open the cupboards and see what I could make! But at Carolene's house, she really means it when she says, "make yourself at home." I think it took me a good 3 years before I finally felt comfortable opening the fridge and eating leftovers. And I love it.
I love how their home is a gospel centered home. They always reel me back in when I've gone off the deep end and encourage me to be more positive - a trait they definitely passed on to Travis!
Paul and Carolene are supportive and respectful. I'm so grateful to them for raising such wonderful children and an awesome son. Paul adores Carolene and treats her with respect. He was a great role model for how his sons should treat women.
Sunday dinners are awesome at their house. There are SO many people and lots of crying babies. Somehow Carolene always ends up with a baby in her lap at dinnertime and allows us parents to eat first. It's so sweet of her, especially considering that she makes the dinner and she eats it last! Paul and Carolene are awesome grandparents. They loooove the kiddos and it's sweet how they play together.
I'm lucky to have such great in-laws. I'm happy I don't have any problems with them or that "in-law" drama everyone talks about. They are amazing people and I love being a part of their family!
They are awesome. I am so lucky to have such good in-laws! Did you know that my parents and Trav's parents were good friends throughout highschool and college? Well, they were! My dad and Paul were best buds growing up. My dad told me that they would talk about being friends forever and sharing grandkids someday. Now it has come true!
Paul and Carolene are so wonderful. They are great listeners and give good advice. I know that when I share my feelings with them I won't be judged or criticized.
They have raised 7 amazing children, Travis being the best, of course. :) They are such good examples to me of parenting. Carolene is so gracious and classy and so very generous. When Travis and I were engaged, we would often hang out at their house (since Trav still lived at home). Friends of the cook children would come over and always raid their fridge and eat leftovers or whatever they could find. I always felt uncomfortable doing this because it wasn't my home so it's not like I would just open the cupboards and see what I could make! But at Carolene's house, she really means it when she says, "make yourself at home." I think it took me a good 3 years before I finally felt comfortable opening the fridge and eating leftovers. And I love it.
I love how their home is a gospel centered home. They always reel me back in when I've gone off the deep end and encourage me to be more positive - a trait they definitely passed on to Travis!
Paul and Carolene are supportive and respectful. I'm so grateful to them for raising such wonderful children and an awesome son. Paul adores Carolene and treats her with respect. He was a great role model for how his sons should treat women.
Sunday dinners are awesome at their house. There are SO many people and lots of crying babies. Somehow Carolene always ends up with a baby in her lap at dinnertime and allows us parents to eat first. It's so sweet of her, especially considering that she makes the dinner and she eats it last! Paul and Carolene are awesome grandparents. They loooove the kiddos and it's sweet how they play together.
I'm lucky to have such great in-laws. I'm happy I don't have any problems with them or that "in-law" drama everyone talks about. They are amazing people and I love being a part of their family!
Friday, March 2, 2012
the brothers (in law)
I have some awesome brothers-in-law. I have LOTS of them, six to be exact!
Ryan. He is crazy. He is full of energy and it never stops. He is crazy about biking and has his own bike shop, too! He's good at what he does and is a great example of being healthy and exercising. Ryan's personality is a young child in a grown man's body. I admire how everything is made into a fun or exciting event when he's around. His passion for life is quite overwhelming sometimes! He loves his wife, Christy and is a super fun dad. I can tell that there is never a dull moment in their house!
Tyler. He is quite well to do, and it's because he is smart and motivated. He keeps me abreast of current events in the world and especially having to do with politics, of which I usually know nothing about! Sunday dinners are so fascinating when he brings up topics of politics, history or gospel doctrine. I always pretend I know what he's talking about but really I have NO clue!! I mostly just sit there watching the conversations fly across the table like a ping-pong ball and I'm always amazed. He is a great dad to his 3 boys and they love him so much. Tyler makes me want to be a "go-getter" and not stop until I achieve my dreams. I'll get there someday!!
Harold. Oh Harry, or Big H as some of the family calls him. Harold is awesome. He is married to Kellee and their are such a model couple. He dotes on her like you would not believe! He treats her so well as only some of us can only dream. Harold is also wicked smart and very passionate. Hailing from the south, he definitely displays the wonderful southern hospitality to all he meets. He remembers what I tell him and always follows up on what's happening in my life, and he seems genuinely interested! I appreciate that so much!
Jeffrey. He's the one that is most like Travis in hobbies and other interests. Jeffrey is super talented. He can draw and paint amazing artwork! He even drew a picture of me for Christmas one year. (Travis asked him to draw it for me). It was amazing! I've never had a picture drawn of me that actually LOOKS like me! Jeff is funny. Hilarious actually. He is outgoing and has tons of friends. Oh and don't get me started about the ladies! They swoon over him and there is quite the line-up of girls, I'm sure! Jeff is a good friend to Travis, and it's hilarious how they "fight" and wrassle. (aka wrestle).
Parker. Trav's little mini-me! We always say that Parker is Travis, but upgraded. So we call him "Travis 2.0." He is the upgraded version because he is taller than Trav, has dimples (oh so charming), does well in school (where Travis mostly goofed off), and is becoming quite well-rounded. Parker is the history guy. He knows so much about history and loves to share his knowledge with the family. I'm constantly amazed at the amount of information he is able to retain! Parker is 17 (so weird to me!) and when I joined the family he actually was my height. Now he is more than a foot taller than me. Parker is an awesome uncle to his nephews and niece and I see him doing great things in life!
Patrick. (Liz's husband.) Patrick is awesome. He is hilarious and always has amazing stories which result in gut-busting laughter from all present. Patrick is always fun to be around and that guy has style! It is reflective in his dress and house, although Liz often takes credit, he's the one that decorates and moves stuff around! I think of all my brothers-in-law, we are the most similar. We have similar temperaments, habits, ideas about life, and most of all, we both love Lizzie like crazy!! Patrick is the baby whisperer. He can calm Phineas down better than I can! Once he came over with Liz to help out. I took a shower (Phineas was screaming when I handed him to Pat) and after my shower, not only was Phineas calm, he was ASLEEP! Patrick definitely has a way with children and his nephews LOVE uncle Pat.
I love all my brothers by marriage. They are wonderful example to me and such good friends/brothers to Travis. We look up to them and the way they live their lives. We have such an amazing family!
Ryan. He is crazy. He is full of energy and it never stops. He is crazy about biking and has his own bike shop, too! He's good at what he does and is a great example of being healthy and exercising. Ryan's personality is a young child in a grown man's body. I admire how everything is made into a fun or exciting event when he's around. His passion for life is quite overwhelming sometimes! He loves his wife, Christy and is a super fun dad. I can tell that there is never a dull moment in their house!
Tyler. He is quite well to do, and it's because he is smart and motivated. He keeps me abreast of current events in the world and especially having to do with politics, of which I usually know nothing about! Sunday dinners are so fascinating when he brings up topics of politics, history or gospel doctrine. I always pretend I know what he's talking about but really I have NO clue!! I mostly just sit there watching the conversations fly across the table like a ping-pong ball and I'm always amazed. He is a great dad to his 3 boys and they love him so much. Tyler makes me want to be a "go-getter" and not stop until I achieve my dreams. I'll get there someday!!
Harold. Oh Harry, or Big H as some of the family calls him. Harold is awesome. He is married to Kellee and their are such a model couple. He dotes on her like you would not believe! He treats her so well as only some of us can only dream. Harold is also wicked smart and very passionate. Hailing from the south, he definitely displays the wonderful southern hospitality to all he meets. He remembers what I tell him and always follows up on what's happening in my life, and he seems genuinely interested! I appreciate that so much!
Jeffrey. He's the one that is most like Travis in hobbies and other interests. Jeffrey is super talented. He can draw and paint amazing artwork! He even drew a picture of me for Christmas one year. (Travis asked him to draw it for me). It was amazing! I've never had a picture drawn of me that actually LOOKS like me! Jeff is funny. Hilarious actually. He is outgoing and has tons of friends. Oh and don't get me started about the ladies! They swoon over him and there is quite the line-up of girls, I'm sure! Jeff is a good friend to Travis, and it's hilarious how they "fight" and wrassle. (aka wrestle).
Parker. Trav's little mini-me! We always say that Parker is Travis, but upgraded. So we call him "Travis 2.0." He is the upgraded version because he is taller than Trav, has dimples (oh so charming), does well in school (where Travis mostly goofed off), and is becoming quite well-rounded. Parker is the history guy. He knows so much about history and loves to share his knowledge with the family. I'm constantly amazed at the amount of information he is able to retain! Parker is 17 (so weird to me!) and when I joined the family he actually was my height. Now he is more than a foot taller than me. Parker is an awesome uncle to his nephews and niece and I see him doing great things in life!
Patrick. (Liz's husband.) Patrick is awesome. He is hilarious and always has amazing stories which result in gut-busting laughter from all present. Patrick is always fun to be around and that guy has style! It is reflective in his dress and house, although Liz often takes credit, he's the one that decorates and moves stuff around! I think of all my brothers-in-law, we are the most similar. We have similar temperaments, habits, ideas about life, and most of all, we both love Lizzie like crazy!! Patrick is the baby whisperer. He can calm Phineas down better than I can! Once he came over with Liz to help out. I took a shower (Phineas was screaming when I handed him to Pat) and after my shower, not only was Phineas calm, he was ASLEEP! Patrick definitely has a way with children and his nephews LOVE uncle Pat.
I love all my brothers by marriage. They are wonderful example to me and such good friends/brothers to Travis. We look up to them and the way they live their lives. We have such an amazing family!
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