My Mom

This picture was taken as Sean and I were leaving our wedding reception. I don't know what we are talking about or what I am holding/doing for that matter. But I love this picture. This is a perfect depiction of my mom, always there, ready to give some advice (whether I want it or not!), and support before she sends me on my way.

Batting 1000

I LOVE this guy. 2 weeks ago when he came home to see us, the first thing he said when I picked him up at the airport was, "You look skinnier, have you lost weight?" That's one for one right there! Then while he was home, he let me sleep in, he got up with Carter during the night, and he let me go on a 21 mile bike ride! 3 more hits for Sean! This whole week has been pretty crummy, working til 1 or 2 am every morning, getting up about 3am with Carter every night (since Sean left as a matter of fact), and driving far places to get to schools. I was out with my mom this morning and when we came home she drove around to the front of the house to get the mail. As we pulled up, she said, "what's that on the front doorstep?" I walked up to the front door and yelled back to my mom, "looks like Dad sent you some flowers." But I got a HUGE smile on my face as I saw my name on the box label. Sneaky Mom, Sean had told her so she purposely drove me to "get the mail." That's five for five. He's batting 1000 people!

I don't know what we are laughing about in the first picture, but that's one of the things I love most about Sean, he always makes me laugh! Even while he's in LA, he's still making me laugh!

I won!!

I can't believe it! This is the first Giveaway that I have won. This is so exciting! I can't wait to read it!

Mom of the Year

**yes, he is wearing my clothes in the picture. He wanted to wear my "biking clothes" for our biking expedition**

I have not been grocery shopping since the end of December (I am not counting the one quick trip I made for bread and milk). Other than that quick stop, I literally have not been grocery shopping until today. It's been great. The only reason I went today is because the husband is coming home tomorrow and I thought he might like some food when he gets here. With all the money I saved from not shopping, I bought myself a trainer. This is something to put my bike on to make it stationary. Supposedly, I am doing a bike race next Month but I have only been able to bike once now that the husband is gone. I set it up tonight and Carter got on his bike and rode for a few minutes while I rode mine. Great mother-son activity, right? Well it only lasted a few minutes. Carter then asked for an ice cream cone, said he was tired from the ride and needed a treat. How could I pass that up? I made him an ice cream cone and got back on the bike. After a few minutes I glanced back at him only to notice that the ice cream cone was knocked over on the table and he had the carton of ice cream at the table with the ice cream scoop happily eating away. And like any good mother, I asked what he was doing. To which he replied, "I can't do it, I need to try again" as he took another bite. So without another thought I let him continue eating from the carton while I rode my bike. Afterall, I thought, wow I've taught him really well, he keeps trying if he doesn't succeed the first time; he should be rewarded. I finished my biking and then his cone.

New Calling

Today I was called to be the Gospel Doctrine Teacher. Wow.

Something Cleverish

My best friend from BYU, Emily, is in the book "Something Cleverish." Her friend is having a giveaway for the book. I actually know a few people in the book and think it will be some great reading and it's for a great cause. Go check it out here.

Oh, what do you do when your Daddy's gone?

I go on a fun trip to Sierra Vista to see my Uncle Spencer and Aunt Marlee. I spend lots of time at Nana and Grandad's house. I sneak into my mom's bed to sleep every morning!

I play in the dirt with my cousins.

I have my cousins spend the night and have a bonfire, roast marshmellows, and go hottubbing.

I get a new bike and love riding it all over the place!


I chill out in my stroller while my Mom and Aunt Stephanie take turns pushing me during the 2 mile fun run at Youth Olympics.
I miss you Daddy, and ask where you are every day, but boy am I having lots of fun while you're at work!!!




Love, Carter

Happy Birthday Sean!

Since we couldn't be with you on your birthday, we celebrated you by making brownies and watching the Cardinals move onto the Superbowl!!!

We hope you enjoyed your day at your Home Away from Home. We miss you!!

What did you do Today?

My day started out like any normal day: wake up, get ready for work, have breakfast with Carter, drive close to 2 hours to a school, give a presentation to 3rd graders. This is where it gets crazy! I decide to make a surprise visit to a teacher that I knew was having problems with our program earlier in the week. I walk into his room (which is full of 7th grade math students) and say hello. As he stands to greet me, he begins choking. I watch for a moment as he struggles to cough and get the food out of his mouth. I watch as his struggle turns to panic. He is no longer able to breath and cannot dislodge the food in his throat. His eyes got really big as he looked at me in a state of panic. He turned around and without thinking or saying anything, I wrap my arms around him and perform the Heimlich Maneuver! I do this a couple of times until the food is dislodged and he is able to breathe again. I then hit his back several times as he coughed to get the rest out. When he had recovered he left the room for a drink of water. I stood there in a state of shock until one of his students said, "did he just choke?"

I am still a little shocked that I performed the Heimlich Maneuver on someone today. I didn't even know I knew how to do it! The teacher jokingly said that this should be a journal writing experience. I figured he meant I should blog about it to the world!

It's Official

Check it.

The Valley Metro Ride

above: Sean and kid (aka Cameron)
above: Sean, Keith, Steve, and Carley
above: Grandad, Spencer, me, and Carter
above: waiting to get on the next train

My family and I went downtown today to ride on the light-rail that opened. The rides are free until December 31st so we thought we would take advantage of it. All of us loaded the train (Nana and Grandad included) and went down to the Diamondbacks Stadium and back. We then headed to Costco for some yummy pizza and ice cream. Carter loved the "choo choo ride," except for the ride back which was so crowded, we had to stand the whole time!

Merry Christmas!

We had a very Merry Christmas this year and hope you did too! Here is Carter at Nana and Grandad's house on Christmas Eve acting out the Nativity as Grandad read the story. A special visitor stopped by with an early treat for all the cousins! Carter actually liked Santa this year!
Christmas morning at our house. I LOVE our tree this year. 
Opening gifts. It is definitely so much more fun watching your kids open presents. Carter was so excited this year and loves his kitchen, train set, race cars, and scooter the most. 


Oh and I guess I was good this year too, because I got everything on my list, and more! I am so lucky to have a great husband! 

I hope your Christmas was as great as ours! 

Don't open your presents early!!

I saw this on a friend's blog and thought it was a great analogy for this time of year. I think I often want to have everything figured out so I can plan or prepare or just know what may or may not happen. And now especially, with Sean leaving for 7 months I am finding myself anxious to know what the future holds for us. But I will be much better off if I have faith and take life one day at a time.

"Christmas Presents and a Lesson on Lifeby Hilary WeeksI have many wonderful Christmas memories and one not so wonderful Christmas memory. It was the year I spoiled the surprise. I couldn't help myself. It happened when I was about 17 years old. Everyone was gone so I had the house to myself. With Christmas only a few days away, the presents were piled high under the tree. I had looked to see if there were ample gifts with my name on the tag, and sure enough, there were plenty. As I passed by the tree, the gifts seemed to call, "Open me...open me!" What was a girl to do? Well, I'll tell you what this girl did at least...I took every single present up to my room. I shut the door. Then I carefully removed the tape and wrap from each package and peeked inside. An outfit from my mom. Pajamas from my grandma. (Like that was a surprise.) A new journal. And a several other thoughtful, wonderful gifts. After I finished re-wrapped the gifts, the guilt and regret set in. "Why? Why did I do that!? I just ruined Christmas! Now there would be no surprise Christmas morning!" Let me tell you, it was not worth it. I have experienced other things that were "worth it" such as, eating that third piece of blueberry cobbler with ice cream. Now, that's worth it, but opening your presents two days before Christmas definitely was not. Sometimes, now, I wish I knew what was ahead in life - if I could just see around the bend, even just a couple of days or weeks. Sometimes I would really like to know what the future holds. But I guess that would spoil the surprise. So, even when I'm feeling anxious about days to come I need to trust, not try to figure out or fret, I just need to wait and open the gift of each day, one at a time." ~by Hillary Weeks

Graduation Present

Once I found out that Sean was moving into an apartment in Louisiana I decided that for his graduation gift I would have some pictures of Carter and I taken and then frame them.  My SIL, Katie took them for me. I think they turned out great. Here are some of my favorites. 

HE DID IT!

Sean graduated from ASU, from the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering, in Construction Management on Friday. He has worked hard over the last few years to get to this point. I am so proud of him (and so excited that he is done!). 

First, here is a picture of the cupcakes I made for Sean's graduation party. Can you tell what they are?
The Klippel Family
The Collins' family (a big thanks to all who came to graduation and the after party!--we had LOTS of fun).
The proud family!
The graduate

Surprise...

Cajun chicken anyone?

I hope Sean likes it. We found out this week that Sean will be working in Fort Polk, Louisiana starting January 7th through the end of July. He will work 10 days on and have 4 days off. On his 4 days off, he will fly home to see us. Since I am still working full time, Carter and I will stay here and live part time with my parents to help out with my hectic work schedule. Sean and I will leave with a Uhaul at the beginning of January to drive to Louisiana and get him moved into an apartment. I will then fly home, and begin counting down the days to his return. Funny how you have one plan set in your mind, and then life takes you in a completely opposite direction. 

All I Want for Christmas...

I stole this idea from Emily. A triathlon top (a pink one!)
Yes, gummy bears. But not just any kind. Black Forest Gummy Bears from Costco. I like to have these with me when I drive to schools throughout the state-to help me stay awake. So a nice big bag from Costco would be a great stocking stuffer!
A jewelry box
A pink necklace to go in the jewelry box.
A Kitchenaid

A Camelpack for running. 

Just some ideas. (hint, hint Sean)

The Polar Express

Last weekend we went up to our family cabin for the weekend. It was so cold, it was fun to sit by the fire and drink hot chocolate. On Saturday we went to Williams to go on the Polar Express. First we went to the town's light parade and then we waited and waited and waited for the train to come. Carter was so excited it must have seemed like forever to him, waiting for the train to came. Once it came, he kept saying, "all aboard." We got on and had hot chocolate and cookies (just like the movie), went to the North Pole, Santa came on the train and gave everyone a bell, and we sang Christmas Carols all the way back to the station. Carter was exhausted by the end of the night. When we left he said, "bye choo choo train, I'll miss you." The kid loves trains.Notice that Carter and I are wearing our pajamas (again like in the movie). Sean did not want to join in on that fun. But most people were in pajamas--Sean definitely missed out on that one!

Check these out

Go check out these puzzlekins and the contest that is being held for a free giveaway. They are so cute! If she gets more than 50 responses she will give away 2 more! Carter absolutely loves puzzles. So does his cousin Hunter, who Carter has for Christmas. So go sign up, but I hope I win! ;)