A little copying & pasting!!

Some of you may or may not know my sister in law Amy. She's married to my brother Devin. She has an exraordinary talent. Writing. Putting her thoughts and feeling into words, beautifully on paper. Something I've Always struggled with, expressing my feelings, Pulling words from the jumbled mess in my mind, and having it in order & actually make sense.. If you're one that enjoys delightful, funny, heartfelt posts, I encourage you to visit her blog. It will keep you thoroghly entertained! She recently posted and I love what she wrote. It's truely how I feel too, and I'm sure how mos parents feel. So I just have to copy & post it on my blog to share with you. I just love it! Hope you don't mind, Amy!


All Worthwhile

I thought I knew what happiness was supposed to be; a sandy beach-front cabin, coconut drinks, no tan lines. A hefty savings account, an immaculate house surrounded by acres of perfectly manicured lawn. Vacations in Europe, walking sandal-footed across ancient cobblestone pathways in Tuscany, quietly absorbing a sinking sun while holding my sweetheart's hand. Maybe a cruise or three while we bask in the glow of our responsibility-free existence...
Then my first child arrived and I looked into her infant face and saw what was to be the remainder of my life...my new happiness; being a mother.
By the time my son came along, I had already realized the silly list of things that were supposed
to be the most happy in some one's life didn't hold a match light to the moments I had experienced or was bound to experience with my children.
Its the little things.
The big things.
The things that don't matter to anyone else.
The things that you will forever kick yourself for.
The things you don't ever want to forget.
Most often, it is just...things. Flickers of life that tattoo a part of your being into the eternities.
I know I'm never going to remember everything. I curse the human capacity to retain large amounts of information, especially when bits and pieces of my children's lives flit in and out of retention all day long.
Savanna said this...
Dakson did that...
Before long they'll be fiercely independent and I'll long for the days when my worst frustration was getting Daks to hold still long enough to get him diapered.
Its all just a series of moments, I suppose. Remembering what we can and enjoying what we're given.
I may not be in New Zealand free-falling with a parachute, but I know the feeling. I feel it a little more everyday as my babies grow into children and that gust of life hits me in the face with every sunrise.

Andy turns FOUR!!!

Andy turns 4 today!! I can't believe how fast the time has gone! We had a little party for him last night & he was SPOILED!! Grandma & Grandpa Shepherd gave him a BYU uniform, complete with pads and helmet. Grandma & grandpa Bailey gave him new camo for hunting. He looks SO dang cute in them!!! Brandon & I gave him a new bike. And everyone else gave him cute stuff & spoiled him!! Thanks to everyone for coming & supporting our little guy!

And last, but certainly not least, Maddex is potty trained.(well, sort of) We made him a "potty chart" which works really well. Every time he went potty he got to put a sticker on the chart. He filled it up completely, so he got a surprise! The downfall: he will only go #1 in the potty and NOT # 2. Any suggestions on how to get him to go #2 ??? I would appreciate some advice!!!

IT"S A........

BOY!!!!!!!!

Ok, no surprise there. We found out yesterday that we are indeed having another boy, as I had suspected. This pregnancy has been just like my previous ones. Horrible sickness & vomiting( who says "you don't experience morning sickness with boys"???!!!). Same food adversions and cravings.
As soon as the ultrasound tech pulled up the side view image of our little one, I spotted a little something sticking up! I said "It's a boy", and she said " you've seen this before, havent you!" Yes, I've seen it before!
We are so grateful for this opportunity heavenly father has given us, by sending us another sweet little spirit. Our house will be even more wild and crazy(if that is possible) and we are deffinately in for an adventure!
Anywho, we can't wait to meet him & see what he looks like! At least we know that we make em' cute!

Sneek Peek Craft Fair Jewelry

Here are just a few pics of some of the jewelry I have made for the CandyCane Village boutique craft fair in Spring City this friday(10:00-6:00) and Saturday(10:00-5:00) These pics DO NOT do my jewelry justice. SO much more beautiful in person! As of now I have 60+necklaces made of all legths, colors, styles, etc. I have earrings, bracelets, baby bracelets, toddler bracelets & little girl bracelets. So if you are a jewelry lover, come take a look. It's located at Spring City hall. And even if you're not a jewelry lover, come anyway. There will be a wide range of fun stuff too see! Home decor, crafts and more, so come and have fun!

One more thing: AWESOME prices on my jewelry! NOTHING over $20!!! It's a steal!

HALLOWEEN 2009

This year for halloween Andy was a "cowboy sheriff", Maddex was his favorite character "Mickey Mouse", Brandon was Satan & I was Satan's mistress(it's safe to say,we were a weird bunch). This was the first time I've ever dressed up as something evil, and I must admit, it was kinda fun to be the bad guy for once. We bought some freaky contacts. Brandon's were the freakiest. It took me a while before I could look at him for more than an instant of a second. We had our annual pumkin carving party at my parents house the night before halloween. On halloween, we took our kids trick or treating, and afterwards we went to a halloween party that Kev & Tosh threw. It was way fun. Sadly, I didn't take pics, but my sis-in-law Amy did, so if you would like to see some cool couples costumes, you can visit her & Dev's blog.

ummmm....................ya

The craziest thing about it, this was actually planned.............ya, we are crazy.

I'm 11 weeks. Due the 17th of May. I've been quite sick with this one. Swine flu + morning sickness= pure hell. I wouldn't recommend trying it.

Bailey Update...

I realize that I haven't been too great lately on updating the ol' blog, so I thought I'd better get it done.

These past couple months have been super busy! Here are a few things we've been up to:

Brandon: Softball, hunting, softball, hunting, softball...well, you get the jist! Oh, and of course working to support his family!

We've had fun spending time with each other in the mountains! Fall, being my fave season, has been very enjoyable & BEAUTIFUL, though the last couple weeks, I've missed it. We (the kids & I) had the unpleasant opportunity to experience the dreaded "swine flu". Yes, of course we would have to get it.....but the good news is that we lived and have almost fully recovered(after tamiflu & breathing treatments)

Andy: He has been thoroughly enjoying preschool, and LOVES learning! My smart & bright first-born will turn FOUR next month! He loves his younger brother, and watches over him. Oh, and he has also become a professional tattle-tell!

Maddex: What can I say about my baby..he's not a baby anymore. Infact, he is almost as tall as Andy. He has the cutest personality & he is SO LOVING! He can also talk your ear off!

Me: the usual...following my family around! I've been a total slacker on the jewelry making, but I've started to do more & I will have a jewelry booth set up at "The Candy Cane Village" craft fair in Spring City on Nov. 13th & 14th. So come take a look! I will post another reminder when It gets closer!

And here are the kids school pictures. I thought they turned out way cute. If you can't tell, Maddex is on the left and Andrew on the right!

Josie's Wedding

My very good friend Josie(which also happens to be Brandon's cousin) got married in the Manti Temple this weekend. Brandon & I were able to attend the ceremony & it was amazing. It was such a good feeling & we are SO HAPPY for josie & her new husband Mark!!!

Here is the BEAUTIFUL bride with our roommate from snow college days, Tricia. Tricia caught the bouquet!

A few weeks ago, Josie asked me if I would make her wedding cake. I knew it would be a challenge, but I accepted. Her colors were Black & white & her flowers were calla lilies.(which made an absolutly beautiful and classy wedding by the way) I was so afraid I'd mess it up, and That would be unacceptable cause Josie deserves a pretty wedding cake. But, with a few prayers and much determination, it turned out quite well. So here it is...my first wedding cake:

First Day of Preschool

Andy Started preschool this week! Yes, thats right, my baby boy is in school!!! I can't believe how fast time has gone! It doesn't seem that long ago that the nurse handed me this beautiful( though very beat-up looking) baby boy & said " Here, meet your son". He has brought so much joy to his family with his bright smile and outgoing personality, and we're so proud of him & love himSSO MUCH!! He loved his first day, even through the disappointment of preschool being held in a "regular house" with "no school bus".

Had to fit a few pics of my darling little Maddex in here too!! Next year, they'll both be in preschool!

8 THINGS TAG

I haven't been very good at keeping the posts coming, so hopefully this will get things started again. Thanks Jenni!

8 Things I look forward to:

1. Fall (my favorite season)
2. vacation
3. Christmas
4. Maddex potty trained
5. Having a daughter(maybe someday?)
6. Not having to worry about getting pregnant
7.bedtime
8. remodeling

8 Things I did this weekend:

1 Went shopping
2 Girl's night!(buncos)
3. Watched brandon play ball
4. paintd my toe nails
5. loved on my boys
6. church
7. read books
8. held my CUTE nephew

8 Things I wish I could do:

1. Cook amazing dinners
2. Make poop disapear with a magic wand!
3. Get paid cash for being a mom!
4. Lose 30 lbs in one day
5. Silence stupid people
6. erase tatoos( just to clear things up, I don't have one)
7.buy Brandon a truck
8. afford a maid

8 shows I watch:

1. Everybody loves Raymond
2. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
3. Handy Manny
4. Special Agent Oso
5. Dora the explorer
6 Wonder Pets
7. Imagination movers
8. The Backyardegins

(yes, I am a loser)

8 Places I'd like to travel:

1. Alaska
2. Northern Cali
3. The east coast
4. Italy
5 Africa
6. Germany
7. Paris
8. the moon

8 Things I'm grateful for:

!. Andy
2. Maddex
3. Brandon
4. Gospel
5. Family & friends
6. good health
7. magic erasers
8. hairspray

8 people I tag: Tosha, Amy, Steph, Sarah, Sha, Kristi, Kellie, Julia

I need your help!

So, this is kind of a random post, but I need help...with my hair. Those of you that know me know that I have long hair, and that I highlight it every 6-8 weeks.(just the roots) Well it is in WAY bad condition. It's been thinning, breaking etc, and is VERY dry. I also refuse to stop highlighting it...it's how I want it, so that's not an option. Cutting it off isn't an option either( though I am willing to take a few inches off). So, I guess what I need from you is suggestions on how I can help it get healthy, without going my natural color or chopping it all off.I use Aussie DEEEEP conditioner, and have realized that without it, it would probably all be broken off. Does anyone know of any miracle treatments, conditioners, oils, etc. that would really make a difference? I need to reverse this damaging procces before I end up bald!!! Please help by giving me suggestions if you can! Thanks.

My funny three year old...

Andy has a bad habit of waiting last minute to go potty. When he's just about unable to hold it, he'll start dancing. Well, I was at my moms house today making jam, and we could tell Andy needed to pee. My mom said "Andy, you better hurry & go to the bathroom. Somebody's dancing." So Andy runs to the bathroom, comes back out & says" Grandma, there's nobody dancing in that bathroom!!"

OUR EXTREMELY BUSY JULY

This month has been crazy busy! But before I get into

what we've been up to this month, I thought I'd post some pics of our house & yard. When we bought this house 3 yrs ago, we really didn't know quite what to do with the extra large, weed-infested flower beds. Knowing it would cost too much to fill with flowers & shrubs, we found a way to fill them, low cost. The front of our home, we planted pumpkins & squash. (the flowerbeds are MUCH larger than this pic shows!

We already have pumpkins growing like crazy....

This year I tried something new with the little flower bed by the driveway. I bought a box of wild flower seeds. I watered them like crazy, and for the longest time, they just looked like weeds. When they started blooming, I was over-joyed! So if anyone has a flower bed that they don't know what to do with, I highly recommend trying this wild flower mix. I think it gives a yard a nice "country cottage" look. I got them at walmart...

Brandon took 3 wks off work, starting the end of June. We went on two camping trips during that time. From june 29-July 2nd, Brandon and I took a mini vacation to Park City. It was so much fun & nice to get away without kids for a few days. Sadly, I forgot the camera :(


We had a wonderful 4th of July celebration with family. Again....I didn't take picures:(

We also went to a Bee's game. Grandpa Bailey bought Andy a Bee's hat & he got it signed by bumble.(the mascot) And, you guessed it. I yet again....forgot the camera:(

Brandon played in the Lamb Days mens softball tourny, and won the tournament!

We also went to the Ute Stampede. Brandon won these large, unattractive stuffed animals by making baskets...

We Celebrated my 24th Birthday on the 11th.

Brandon surprised me with this AWESOME gift!!!! It extends larger than the pic shows( leaf) and I have two more chairs coming.......it will be so great to have six chairs!! This table fits up to eight chairs.......I think I know what I'm going to ask for, for christmas;)

These pics are in my living room. My other table & chairs were still in my kitchen when these photos were taken.

The leaf..........

To celebrate my B-day, we went up the mountain & had bb-q turkey & dutch oven with my family.

CUTE baby Dakson..

my mom & her grand-kiddles(minus Dakson)

My dad & Dakson

Devin cookin turkey..

And there it is! JULY IN A NUT SHELL!