Anniversary weekend: Day 1

Can you believe it?! Only a couple more days and I will have been married for an entire year! Sometimes I still wake up and want to pinch myself to see if I'm dreaming. I spent the better part of about 15 years hoping and praying for the day that I would be sealed to my eternal prince. There were days/months when I'd given up that dream. Now I'm living my dream. That's not to say that this has been the easiest year of my life, but it has been the best. I know I've said it before, but Jeff is my perfect match. I truly believe that we knew each other long before we ever met in this life. He balances me out. He fills in the gaps of my heart and soul. I have learned so much from him...and have become a better person because of it. So...how did we spend our anniversary? I told Jeff that I wanted to be able to get away for a night or two and that he had to plan it. Now, if you know Jeff and I very well, you'll know that Jeff isn't necessarily the "planner" in the duo. In fact, on our honeymoon, I was up for about an hour after our dinner on the first night pouring over the excursion lists from the cruise to decide what we were going to do at each port. All the while, Jeff was sleeping soundly by my side. He jokes that he doesn't need to worry about the details with me around. Still, he did a great job! He booked a room at the Zermatt Resort in Midway. From there, he relinquished the planning duties to me. We left for Midway on Friday. We had planned to do a session at the temple prior to going up the canyon, but there were work emergencies that thwarted that plan. (It was actually a blessing to have the work because this is generally a slow time of year for Southwick Plumbing.) We were finally able to get away around dinner time. We stopped at Mimi's Café to have dinner before making our way to Midway (I had a coupon for a free trio dessert tray for our anniversary...I couldn't pass that up!).

 

Zermatt 

Our room 

Once we got to the resort, it was pretty late. We checked into our room and settled in for a quiet evening. It was nice being able to watch TV without interruptions or to be able to simply fall asleep without worrying about getting the kids to bed first. I love simply spending time with Jeff. I don't think I'll ever get tired of having him around. (As a fun side note, during our weekend away a Reeses Peanut Butter Cup fairy visited me. Jeff had secretly planted a dozen of these around our hotel room on different occasions for me to find. Each PB cup had a "thank you" sticky note attached to it listing all the different ways Jeff is thankful for me. I loved it! There was nothing surprising in the notes, but it is always nice to be reminded of those things.)





Basket"ball" and Masqeurade "Ball"

Today we went from two very different types of "balls". This morning Danny started his season of basketball. Dallin has been playing for a couple months now, but he is on an accelerated league. Danny is just playing for the City of Payson. He was so excited. I think he's going to have a tough time narrowing down his favorite sport because he loves being able to play them all. We'll see which ones he hones in on in a few years. It was a very different game than Dallin's. I had to laugh as I saw some of the boys struggle to catch onto simple basketball concepts. Still, it was fun to watch and Danny had a blast.

That night, Laurin had her Senior Dinner Dance at Salem Hills. Each year, the high school has one "stag" dance just for the graduating seniors. This year they decided to continue the tradition of a masquerade ball. Laurin looked glamorous and gorgeous! I can't believe she's already half way through her senior year! I feel I've only had such a short time with her and now she may be moved out on her own by the end of this year. It's crazy to think that just a year ago I was single and now my oldest is going to college! Man how time flies! In any case, Laurin (and her friend Callan) got ready at our house so I was able to snap a couple pictures of the dynamic duo before they left. They had a blast! I'm glad that she is able to have these fun memories of her high school years.

 

 



Lowes Xtreme Air

Today I took the kids (minus Laurin who elected not to go) and some of their friends to Lowes Xtreme Air. Because it was the end of their first semester, the kids didn't have school so we decided to celebrate that the year is half over! I enjoyed watching my kids have fun. Being home has made me realize how much I missed having them around. (PS - I got a new camera for Christmas so beware!)

Rachel, Amber, Danny, Jaemon, Dallin, Tanner, and Tyler

After we finished at Lowes, I took the kids back to our house to have pizza and play in the snow. I think I won some mommy-brownie-points today! I enjoy being able to do these fun things...and not always have to be the do-your-chores or don't-do-that mommy.

Coming home

Jeff and the kids left Arizona on January 2nd. The kids technically started back to school that day, but we convinced them to miss one day (which was harder than you may think when you have academically responsible kids!). I, however, stayed in AZ for another week. My sister had surgery on January 3rd. I wanted to stick around to help out with her kids and to spend more time with my parents. I really miss my AZ family. Until now, my nephew (Tyler) and niece (Kate) were like my pseudo-kids. I watched them grow from infants on up. Nichole said that both of the kids were a little worried and anxious about her surgery, but when she told Kate that I would be staying to help out, Kate smiled and calmed down. That melted my heart. I'm grateful that I had Jeff and my kids' support to be able to do so. I know I wouldn't have been able to stay if Jeff and the kids weren't so capable in handling things while I was away (although Dallin told Jeff by the end of the week that the house was "clean" but not "crisp clean" while I was gone. That made me laugh.). I was also able to see some friends that I hadn't seen in nearly a year (because other than the quick trip down in March 2013 I haven't been back to AZ since my wedding). While I missed Jeff and the kids (not the snowy weather!), I really enjoyed being able to help out and catching up with friends.

Nichole and I chillin' in bed...which was what was most comfortable for Nichole.

I came home on Thursday. Jeff picked me up at the airport and had a dozen roses and a gift. I guess I was missed! I can't believe I've almost been married a year to the man of my dreams. I feel so incredibly lucky to have him in my life. Being away from each other, we both realized how much we need the other person. I have always thought of myself as a strong, independent woman, but now that I finally have someone I can lean on and someone who I consider my partner and best friend, I realize how much stronger I am and can be with him by my side. I'm happy to be home and back in his arms. 

Fiesta Bowl!

After quite the New Years party last night, today was a more relaxed day. Jeff even slept in until after 8:00!! We had successfully convinced the kids (some were a little harder to convince) to stay an extra day in AZ before Jeff took the kids back to Utah. (I am staying an extra week to help Nichole out after her surgery and to see some friends.) Technically, they start back to school tomorrow, but luckily they didn't mind sticking around today. The girls spent the day in a Harry Potter movie marathon at my parents' house

Dallin, me, Danny, Jeff, Kelsey, Mark, Colton, and Tyler 

. Dallin joined the other boys (minus Jeff and Danny) at the movie theater where they watched the new Hobbit movie. Danny stayed with Jeff and me at my parents' house. My niece, Kate, also joined us. Papa took both Kate and Danny to the park to feed the ducks while I started cleaning up some messes and getting ready to pack up the Pilot. That evening, Ryan, Tyler, Mark, Kelsey, Colton, Jeff, Dallin, Danny and I headed to the Phoenix Cardinal's University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale to watch the Fiesta Bowl. Baylor University was going up against the University of Central Florida. UCF eventually won the game 52-42. I think this was the first time the boys have been in a professional sports stadium. At one point, Danny asked me if the entire population of Utah could fit inside. I had to chuckle a little with that question, but I assured Danny that Utah was still a little bigger than that. We all really enjoyed having that experience. I think the kids really enjoyed the vacation overall. I'm sure the girls were ready to get back to their bedrooms and their friends, but I think they enjoyed just relaxing (and all the easy access to shopping). I love watching the kids develop relationships and create memories with my family. I don't know why I have been blessed to be so lucky. I know 2013 had its extreme highs and lows, but I am constantly amazed at the resilience and openness (is that a word?) of the kids. They have been so great at opening themselves to new experiences and relationships. I look forward to another great year full of memories, family and fun! Welcome 2014!!

New Years Eve!

I can't believe 2013 is over! It has been a year of highs and lows. I suppose any year is like that, but this was the year that my life changed forever. Jeff and I took the opportunity to return to the temple that we were sealed in. I couldn't think of a better way to cap off the year. While we were inside, we reflected on our journey. I still could not have dreamed of finding a more perfect prince. Jeff has been the one constant in a sea of change. Sure there have been moments of disagreement and adjustment to being a married couple, but he has been my anchor this year. I went from living the single life to being married with kids in a matter of minutes. I left my parents, Arizona, my home, my career, my friends, everything and moved to Utah where I had to find new purpose, new friends, and carve out a new way of life. There have been moments when I felt certain that one or all of the kids didn't want me around. There were moments when I wondered if I was truly strong enough to handle all the chaos I had assumed. There were devastating moments of sorrow as I mourned the loss of my unborn child. Yet, through it all, there were moments of laughter. There were family trips and a vacation to Boston with Jeff. There were memories created with my family, as well as Jeff's. There were times when the awkwardness of being a "new, blended" family dissipated as the kids and I enjoyed being together. I can't begin to describe the depth of gratitude I feel to my Father in Heaven for those moments of tender mercies amongst a year of chaotic changes...and through it all, there was Jeff - my eternal love, my constant anchor.

After our temple trip and breakfast date (we went to Crackers...another favorite), Jeff and I returned to my parents' house. Jeff decided to stick around to finish chopping down the various tree limbs (I think he was really playing the whole time because he had to rent a cherry picker type machine to get the high branches). I took the girls to yet another mall on our quest to find Laurin a dress for her senior dinner dance. Nichole (who has been a complete saint in allowing the boys to stay with her the whole time!) took all the other kids to Main Event, an event center that has everything from a ropes course, to bowling, to mini golf, to rock climbing, and more.

Laurin literally shopped til she dropped! 

Once the girls and I have finished scouring the mall and successfully found the dress (among other small purchases), we met up with Jeff, my parents, Michael, Jenn, Krystle, Jordan and Nolan to eat at Joe's BBQ (another AZ favorite) before heading to Nichole's for more food and festivities.

Notice that we're eating OUTSIDE in DECEMBER! 

Dips 

Desserts 

Burgers and veggies

At 6:00 p.m., the New Year's festivities began. Each year my sister plans several games throughout the evening to keep everyone entertained and awake until midnight. She is AMAZING! At 6:00 p.m., we started by going to the park to search for the "time bags" that would give us clues as to the games we would be playing each hour on the hour. The bags have a clock on the front with a certain hour. At the top of that hour, we open the bag that contains some clues as to the games we'll be playing. The boys LOVED it! (A little too much at times. I had to remind them on occasion that they're only games and that it was meant to just have fun. The Southwicks are a little competitive!) The girls seemed to enjoy the games until about 10:00 then sort of fizzled out. Amber still joined in but Laurin went to sleep. Still, I think they all enjoyed the evening overall. Here are a few (ok...maybe more than a few) pictures from all the games and events of the evening.

Back row L-R: Dallin, Colton, Tyler, Kelsey, Laurin

Front row L-R: Kate B., Kate, Danny, Amber 

The boys 

The girls 

Our fun family photo! 

The love of my life and I 

All the kids...plus baby New Year (aka Nolan)

"Snowball" fight (with crumpled up paper balls) 

Making "snowflakes" for the next relay.

Snowman Wrap! 

At 11:00 p.m., we set off the only legal kind of fireworks you can in AZ. It wasn't anything like Stadium of Fire, but the boys had fun and I enjoyed watching them. 

When we finished setting off fireworks, we returned indoors (I have to admit it was a little chilly outside) where Nichole gave all of us a paper to record our goals, wants, and needs for 2014. On the paper, it also prompted us to come up with a word to describe what we would like for 2014. With all the chaos of 2013, the word that came to my mind was simply Serenity. Now, being a mother of four I realize that may be a lofty goal, but I also realize that I can do much to accomplish it. I have learned so much over the past year. I have learned to be patient, to seek out the positive, and to accept those things that I don't need to change. I think as I strive to perfect those serenity will naturally follow. Nichole also gave us little strips of paper on which to write our greatest wish. At midnight, we taped those wishes to a balloon and let them go. Finally, the kids grabbed sparklers and noise makers to celebrate the New Year! It has been a stupendous (I'm trying out new words because "amazing" just isn't hacking it any more) way to ring in a new year! I am really looking forward to 2014. I pray that my greatest wish will come true. Happy New Year!!

This year I finally got my New Year's kiss...and not these kind!