I haven't blogged in forever! I kinda miss it. I was thinking yesterday about how my kids are going to look back and remember me. I'll admit, it scares me a little bit. Ok, a lot! 

I believe I'm a pretty decent mother. I mean I've managed to clothe, feed, keep them alive, and love them. Kadence turned 17 this year and started his senior year, and Kourtland turned 14, and started the 9th grade. I'm struggling with the fact that they're so grown up. Especially the fact that Kadence will be leaving for 2 years at some point this summer. I just want to follow them wherever they go, but at the same time I can't wait for them to be gone. (that's where the "decent mother" comes in) HA! I just don't think I'm prepared for this next phase of life. 

I tell you all that because, yesterday while watching a movie I made the comment to Kadence that he was being lazy. He said, "oh, Ok, coming from the laziest person in the family?" Touche, dude! Touche! It's funny because it's true! I have become so complacent over the last few years. I stopped being on top of the house cleaning because I got so frustrated that they wouldn't keep up the basics of cleaning up after themselves. I thought, I'll show them! Nope, doesn't work! Don't do it! They don't care. They don't mind living in filth. Grrrrr! That lead to mean mom blowing up just to get the house cleaned up.  I'm happy to say that we had a weekend a few weeks ago that we cleaned and it wasn't the next version of war! We've actually managed to stay on top of it for a few weeks, so hopefully that can remain. They still super suck at cleaning up messes, but I've just done it for them for too long. Old habits die hard! A word of advice for you moms of young kids: make them clean up and do chores! I'm still praying my daughter in laws don't hate me! 

So starting today, October 1st, I am going to make a few goals for myself. I don't want my kids to remember me as being lazy! I am by no means the perfect mom, but I hope and pray they always know that I love them and want only the best for them. Matt and I have done our best to make a happy and fun home. I hope that's what they remember the most. Nights spent watching stupid movies and TV shows, laughing at each other, and spending time together. I also hope that one day soon they will realize how much they love each other, and how lucky they are to be brothers! 

We don't pretend to be anything we aren't. We are a happy, sarcastic, busy, loving family! 

Being a mother has been one of my greatest achievements. It saved me! It has been the hardest and the easiest job all at the same time. I wouldn't change a single thing!

Family Pictures

We took a few pictures on Thanksgiving morning. The weather was supposed to be a little warmer so we didn't get very many! Here are a few of the decent ones!

WOW! I stink at blogging lately!

Well, let me see if I can catch you up on the summer. We went on vacation to Utah. We were able to see family and friends. it was a great time. I love Utah so much. We spent a big chunk of the time in St. George and I've decided (and told Matt) we will retire there! So about 35 years from now I'll be eternally happy in the sun of St. G. We went hiking, swimming, jumping. We of course ate A LOT!

I was able to see one of my Rexburg girls and we took her to Vegas with us! That was a first and I was so not impressed. We spent more money there in 1 day than we had in 3 or 4 days of vacation. And I had more fun hiking and swimming! It was good to see her and get to spend some time with her. I miss you Becky! Come visit soon!

We also went to Springville and spent a few days with Joseph and Chana. We were able to have a cookout with some AR friends that live in UT. It was fun to see them and hang out just like old times. While there I was able to see my oldest BFF, Renee! I miss her a ton too. Crazy how life gets so busy, but we can always pick right up as if we talked all the time. (which we should)

I'm sure I'm leaving something out, but I just needed to put something on this silly thing. I will fill in the blanks as I remember them! In the mean time...enjoy a few pics from vacation!

I know! I know! It's been awhile since I've blogged. I've had a lot going on in the last few months.

In the last few months I've come to know heartbreak on a whole new level. You just cruise through life and swing at the curveballs as they come to you, but nothing could have prepared our family for the curveball we were thrown in April. As most people know my brother Joseph and his sweet wife Chana lost their baby boy Freddie in April. He was born 17 weeks early and he just wasn't strong enough to fight that battle. He lived a week and then went on to a much better place, I know it! He was so sweet, so perfect. I've never in my life felt that kind of pain and I'm just the Aunt! Freddie's parents handled it with great strength and grace. I love them both! I miss them, I wish I lived closer to them so that we could play all the time! They are wonderful parents and I know that Little Freddie is up there instructing his younger siblings and telling them all about their wonderful parents waiting for them! I'm so grateful for our eternal family and I know that we will get to hold and squeeze and kiss that sweet boy one day! Here's a picture of the sweet guy and his parents.




I'm so thankful for my family and glad that I was able to be out there to meet Freddie and kiss and touch him. To spend time with him at his bedside in the hospital was truly amazing. He was such a cute little guy. He had huge feet and hands and the cutest nose. Anyone who knows me knows I love my babies! I was so looking forward to spoiling him and had already made a headstart! So I'm sure there will be a fight when we get to see him again b/c I'll have some making up to do! :o) I love you Little Freddie!!!! Your FAVORITE AUNT Mandy!

About 2 weeks after our emergency trip out to AZ, we had a trip already planned out there for Josephs graduation. Congrats to him! He is now a graduated golf pro! How exciting is that! So we were able to go back out for that and also attend Freddies graveside service. It was beautiful. Wonderful words were expressed, we released balloons for him and cried yet again for this sweet baby.

A few weeks after we got back from Josephs graduation, Christina had her baby! I know. I told you it's been a crazy few months! Christina had an adorable little girl on May 18th! Madilyn Lea Clark is sooo cute! She is the first girl after 5 boys! So you know she will be and is spoiled! I might have gone a little overboard on the hairbows and tutu's and cute outfits, but hey! It's just too fun! I can't help myself! Here is a cute picture of her...




Isn't that adorable? I haven't got to officially meet her yet and I'm going a little bonkers over that. I have got to Skype with her. Christina likes to tease me by saying isn't she cute? Don't you wish you could hold her? Isn't she so tiny? blah! blah! blah! So we are leaving in July for a week so that I can hold her until my hearts content. And then I will try to sneak her in my luggage home. I'm sure they won't miss her at all! Right?


The other exciting thing that has happened in the last few months is that....Matt FINALLY got a teaching and coaching job! It's even at his alma mater so he is in heaven! So now we can get on with life and stop wondering what we should do if we he didn't get a job this year. I'm so proud of him and I know he will be great! He will show them what they missed out on 3 years ago when they didn't hire him the first time! As for me, I'm just adjusting to being alone more! He will be so busy with basketball and possibly soccer that I'll hardly see him. It's a good thing I love sports and don't mind to watch! I can handle it, he's happy and that's all that matters to me! I know, I know, I'm such a good wife! :o) But, feel free to tell me you think so too! ha!

Well, that about catches you up. I'm ready for summer and getting my tan on. YES!!!!

Sometimes life is hard.....

Today I wish I could just run away and lay on the beach and watch the sun set. And let all my worries wash away with the waves.....

Pin Up Calendar Photo

Ever wonder what I'd look like as a Pin Up Girl? Well, wonder no more! We had a photo shoot for derby and made a calendar that we sell at bouts and local retailers. It was a lot of fun to get all dressed up. I don't like photo shoots much at all. I'm so not photogenic, but we got a few shots that weren't horrible. So enjoy!

"Don't say that word!" ....Lukas

I know that boys think potty humor is funny and they probably always will. While I myself love a good poop and don't mind talking about it, I think I might have reached a gross out point. Like a icky-gross stop saying that kinda grossed out. You know like certain words that gross people out. I've always been severely grossed out by the word UDDER. It sickens me. I don't like looking at them, talking about them, hearing the word, etc.

I think I might have a new one that makes me shudder. Kadence came home from school earlier this week talking about DEFECATION and how it means POOP. Of course, Kourtland thought it was terribly funny and they started thinking of all the ways they could work it into a sentence. Sure they had my Mom and I laughing, but it kinda got old after awhile. But, you know that isn't the end of that story, right?

THEN came the song!!!!! They worked that word into a song and continued to sing about POOP. I'm pretty sure I've never giggled and wanted to hurl at the same time until that point.

I love my BOYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love that they have such great personalities. I know sometimes they say things that make me and others cringe, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I love the free spirits that they are. It's fun to see them start to grow into young men and more and more they remind me of Matt and all his friends when they were kids.