The Best is Yet To Be!!

"As a new year begins and we try to benefit from a proper view of what has gone before, I plead with you not to dwell on days now gone nor to yearn vainly for yesterdays, however good those yesterdays may have been. The past is to be learned from but not lived in. We look back to claim the embers from glowing experiences but not the ashes. And when we have learned what we need to learn and have brought with us the best that we have experienced, then we look ahead and remember that faith is always pointed toward the future. Faith always has to do with blessings and truths and events that will yet be efficacious in our lives."
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
Jan Ensign 2010

Yep..It's one of those days

I swore I was not that girl and that it would never be me. I'm better than that. I'm stronger then that. I will keep my brave face on and continue to help everyone else and be happy while I do it, in spite of the pain my heart is going through. But I guess everyone is entitled to a day of wallowing right? Not me. Or so I thought. I am not here to complain by anymeans. I hate complainers and I have no right to complain about anything. Anyone who really knows Shayne and I knows that we are Best Friends, Soul Mates, Eternal Companions. We do everything together and share all of our secrets with each other. We love to stay up in bed laughing the night away..who cares how late it is or what time we have to wake up in the morning? We love doing spontaneous things, we love long car trips together, especially if we have great music that we can turn up and sing at the top of our lungs to. Who cares how we sound?! We love dancing together no matter how silly we look, thumbs up and all! ;) We love just being together even if we are both sitting on the couch reading a book. Bottome line, we are together. Like it or not, we are a package deal and that's how it will always be. And then I suddenly realized he has been gone nearly 8 months and it has been way too long since we have had the chance to enjoy any of those things. It hurts. Bad. Don't get me wrong, I am proud of my Soldier and grateful for the blessings, the friends and the opportunities we would not have had otherwise that being in the Military has brought us. But this time that we have been apart has made me realize how much we have missed out on. How much he has missed, especially his little boy growing. Has it been worth it? I am not trying to offend anyone, but we are not lifers. We can't be. We are not cut out for this being apart business. We knew that the first Summer he left for training. I don't want to just get used to my Sweetheart being gone because that is part of life. I need him all the time. Is that too much to ask? I don't care if we have to go to living the poor life. It would be worth it to have him home all the time. I can hardly contain my excitement about him coming home for a visit in a couple weeks, but I can't help thinking that it is only for 15 days and it is gonna go by fast. I know I sound like a whiner but I know he feels the same way. We are supposed to be together and do things together all the time and I can't wait until the day he is 100% mine again. I just miss him. That's all.

Let The Count Down Begin!!

I feel like I have a whole months worth of stuff to catch up on when in reality it's only about 2 weeks!! We finally came home from Bozeman and immediately got started decorating and preparing for Christmas!!! We broke down and bought an artificial tree that took way too long to put together! I'm not the pro yet like my Mom and sisters! Payson and I had a good time decorating it! He would cheer after each time he put another ornament on the tree!
One Sunday morning before church he noticed one had fallen off and quickly had to replace it!
We had the pleasure of having Ashley come up and spend Christmas with us! We had so much fun with her and can't wait for her to come back!!

Payson's first present was from Gramma Jen and Grampa Terry. We had to remind him there were lots more presents to open!!

Santa brought us cereal with our stockings and Payson was trying to sneak off with Mommy's!

This is just a random cute picture that Ash snapped of Payson! I can't get enough of this kid!!

We had alot of fun decorating cookies..even after Payson dumped out all of the sprinkles!

He really liked the frosting!

After hula hooping on the Wii Fit at the Gappmayer's we took a little trip to Manitou and found this giant Hula hoop! Ya...I still got it!

Payson even took a turn on the Wii!

It had snowed the day Ashley came to town so of course we had to go sledding!! Payson preferred to just play in it rather than sled!

Payson thought this was less scary than flying down the hill.

I swear it was fun!

Ashley and Payson's turn!!

Ashley and I decided it would be fun to go out at almost midnight and build a snowman...well the wind was blowing and it was freezing and all we got was a big hump!! All the snow is melted but that sweet hump is still in my yard!!

Thesme are a few random pics that I did not include in my last post! While we were in Bozeman we got to go to Em's first Basketball game as a Lady Hawk!!

Payson didn't want to wait for us to dish him some ice cream...Think I could sell this to Wilcoxen's to use as advertising?!?

And of course super exciting news....We got to see SETH AND JAYNE over break!! It had been a year and a half since we have seen them and it was SO GREAT to be with them again and be able to finally meet Ollie. t was just like old times being together again and I cannot wait for it to happen again! We are so blessed to have such amazing friends!

OH and I cut off all of my hair!

Payson and I were just doing a little dancing while we decorated!!

And the best news of all is SHAYNE COMES HOME THIS MONTH!!! I have waited 7 months to say that. Well he is only coming home for his mid tour leave but at least we get to see him for a bit!!! The countdown has begun and he should be home on the 25th!!! Thanks again to everyone for all of the wonderful Christmas gifts and for helping these last months fly by!!

Happy 2nd Birthday Payson!!

I know I have a lot that I need to catch up on from Christmas but today is Payson's brithday and I cannot believe he is already 2!! Where does the time go? It seems like it was just recently that we found out the shockingly unbelievable news that we were expecting him! I will never forget that day and the roller coaster of emotions we went through while we waited to go to the DR and know if it was real! I will also never forget the look on Shayne's face of pure joy when we heard his heart beat for the first time and Dr. Bradford told us everything looked great!

And then came the night that I was in complete denial about being in labor and Shayne practically had to drag me to the hospital! He wheeled around my room in a chair more excited then a kid in a candy store while he called everyone to let them know Payson was about to make his arrival!

Then he came with no problems or complications and they actually trusted us to take him home!

Somedays it is still so hard to believe that Heavenly Father has trusted us with one of his sweet children! Especially this one. I cannot believe Shayne and I went 5 1/2 years without him in our lives. I could never imagine life without him now! Since Shayne has been gone, Payson has helped me stay happy and gives me something new and exciting to look forward to everyday! After 2 years I still continue to thank my Heavenly Father everyday for this sweet little boy and the blessing that he has been in our lives!

Thanksgiving and Then Some!

So it finally happened! Shayne was promoted to 1st LT this week! I am so proud of him and for all of the hard work he has been doing. I was sad to miss his first promotion ceremony but there will be another in 18 months! He is still doing great and staying positive! We are on the count down to R&R...56 days, give or take a few!! We can't wait!! Payson and I flew up to Bozeman for Thanksgiving to spend time with the Family and run our annual 5K....alright, well I walked most of it but finishing is all that counts! I think my time was 45 something!

Thank goodness we had Jonathan out there to capture proof of Macy and I running at least a little bit! ;) Then of course we had to stop for a quick chat with him before running to the finish line!

Almost there!!

Somehow I forgot to post the picture at the finish line! Oh Well!! So earlier today Payson wanted some chips! I thought he might like some ranch cooler ones. They are Shayne's favorite! I opened the bag and handed it to him and he said "Dip it, salsa." Payson LOVES to dip things and he especially loves Mommy's salsa! I tried to tell him that those chips were not to dip but he didn't care. So I gave him some salsa and he ate the whole bag! I love this kid so much!

Payson and I were supposed to go home yesterday but we decided at the last minute to stay and extra two weeks!! I absolutely love being in Bozeman and I have loved this time with Grandma Heap! She is so stinking funny and I could listen to her stories all day!! Em made the basketball team so we are super excited to be able to watch a few of her games while we are here!!

I totally forgot to say that Friday morning Jonathan and I woke up bright and early to hit up the black Friday sales!!! We always have a blast together!! We were at the mall and saw the huge display to take your picture with Santa. Of course it was closed so we decided to hop the gate, put the self timer on the camera and take a picture! I thought it made the perfect headline picture for this time of year! We were cracking up at ourselves!! When we were at Target, a news camera man was stalking us and then ended up interviewing me....Jonathan very slyly stepped away! Anyway, my interview didn't make it on the news but a shot of the two of us shopping and my quote did! Good times!

Baking Bread for Papa!

Anyone who knows Payson knows that he will do just about ANYTHING for chocolate! This is something he must have gotten from Grandma Mary. He loves any and ALL chocolate! The other morning we decided to make some chocolate applesauce bread to send to Shayne. After I was done pouring the batter into the jars, there was still some left in the bowl. I ran up stairs real fast and when I came down this is what I saw! Payson had snatched the bowl and spatula off the counter and was headed for the living room to have his "snack!" AS soon as he saw me, he hit the floor and decided to dig in right there!

When I said his name he looked at me and said "pease" so at least he was kind if asking! There is no way I could have gotten mad at him. This sweet little boy keeps me on my toes all the time and I look forward to what kind of suprises each day will bring with him!!

Payson has two blankets that he likes to sleep with. This one was actually mine when I was little. He calls it "Red Bobo." He likes to bring it downstairs with him after he wakes up from his nap and snuggle with it until he is completely awake. Yesterday however, he decided to drag it around all afternoon! I really don't want him to be one of those kids with the "blanky" or in his case, Bobo, But this is just another one of those things that I think is so cute! I think I might start calling him Linus..like on Charlie Brown! Thankfully he does NOT suck his thumb though!

Halloween Has Come and Gone Already?!

So I feel like I had been looking forward to this trip for so long and now it has come and gone. What and AMAZING weekend it was though! First of all I had the wonderful opportunity to escort an amazing girl through the Temple. I was honored to be able to be with her on that special day. I am so proud of her and of the woman she has become. I can't believe it has been 11 years since we met and we are closer now more than ever! Thanks again for including me on your special day!! Love you girl! This is Panks, Jessie and I at the Temple! That night the rest of the Family came up to my Mom's so we could start our weekend of fun!! We had all been counting the days til we could all be together again, but then we all had to get sick that same week!! Go figure! I think most of us had started to get better by the time we got there except the Warn's! We still had a good time inspite of it! Payson was able to go Trick or Treating for the first time with his cousins! We all dressed up as the T-Birds and Pink Ladies!

Me and my little T-Bird!

All the boys! Travis, Terry, Payson and Brandon!


All the girls! Mom, Me, Tab, Stevie, Jessie, Emily, Maddy and Lizzy!
Maddy decided she wanted to be the "Sandy at the end of the movie" so she is all dressed in black!

Payson was having a hard time carrying his bag because it was almost as big as him!

He was trying so hard to stay up with the Girls!

Trick or Treat!!

Once we came home, sang a little karaoke and put the kids to bed, we got out Quelf!! This game is so fantastic for anyone who has never heard of it! Just take my word for it! We still are not real sure what Mom was doing but she had to hold her arm like this for the entire round. The bad thing was that it was the LONGEST round ever!!

Seriously, My Family is so incredibly awesome!!

I let my nieces play with my camera one day and got it back with over 100 new pictures on it! This was one of them and I just had to post it because it was so cute! I am thinking these must be Payson, Maddy and Lizzy footprints!

The next day I got to give everyone haircuts!! Payson and Travis especially needed them and Lizzy and Maddy wanted new do's! All 3 of the girls looked super adorable!! We drove into town to see Cody and of course he wanted In n Out! Payson's Papa was not very happy that we went without him so he decided that when he comes home we are taking a road trip to AZ just so we can go to In n Out!! He cracks me up!!

We stumbled across this car that Payson probably would have stayed in all day if I let him! Especially since right now, red is his favorite color!

Alright! Well that's all for now! I have a SUPER FANTASTIC picture of Jessie in this AWFUL bejeweled jacket at Savers but she would probably never speak to me again if I posted it!! We continue to hear from Shayne daily and he is still doing great! We are coming up on our halfway mark and can barely believe it!! Thanks again everyone for your continued prayers in behalf of our Family!!