Tuesday Tell All.

How do you find the strength to do what you know in your heart is right - and how has that strength evolved over the years or how has it been learned?

Wow, that is seriously a tough one!  My first thought was that I am a chicken, I am too afraid to not do what is right. But after pondering it a bit more I realized that doing what is right is downright terrifying at times and running away would totally be easier.

When I am at a crossroads, I turn to Wade for strength and advice, and once I have had a chance to calm down/ meditate about it (and talked with my bestie and sisters) I go to the Lord. Over the last few years I have learned that the Lord is aware of me and that he will provide a way; which makes moving forwarding in the right direction an easy decision. Of course, just because it is the right direction doesn’t mean it isn’t trying, hard, or even terrifying.  As the hard times arise I look back at the answers I have received in the past and that helps me remember His purpose and to keep moving forward.  As I have recorded answers from my Heavenly Father I have been able to draw strength from them when times get rough and to renew my faith to continue on.

Tuesday Tell All.

So what are some of your favorite foods, and what foods can't you stand. How have you tastes changed over the years?

I love food, so much so I choose to make it my career. I love food that  makes me feel good, happy, and healthy. I like pretty much all kinds of food and love to try new things. The only food I don’t like is shrimp, I simply cannot eat it without gagging, the texture is just wrong—all slimy and crunchy, bleck! Texture is my down fall with food, I am not a picky eater but I am picky about how food is prepared. If meat is too chewy I can’t get it down, because of that I rarely eat meat and could easily be a vegetarian.

Some of  my absolute favorite foods are avocados, gorgonzola cheese, crab, salmon, yams, and dessert (any and every kind) . Back in college I was pretty extreme in my eating and would not eat treats or junk food. I even told Wade on our first date that I wouldn’t go for slurpies. Since then I have realized it is all about moderation and I have embraced my sweet tooth—maybe too much!

I love that food and meals offer bonding time as families. I enjoy making meals for my family and sitting down together and sharing our day. I really feel that healthy eating has to be established in the home, early on in life and I try to promote healthy eating with Wyatt every day.  I also like that food can offer such excitement and joy in life, and I love sharing those moments with my family: making a special meal that celebrates a holiday, or just a warm traditional Sunday dinner, and I really love making cookies for those I love.

Tuesday Tell All.

Do you wish you lived somewhere else. If so, where would it be, and what would it be like?

I really love a lot of things about Texas. Right now the wildflowers are blooming and casting their spell of happiness all over me. The warm climate is another thing I enjoy about living here; I do not miss the snow, not one bit. I am a country girl and Texas make me feel right at home with it’s cowboy boots and pick-up trucks. I used to dream of living in Texas and we have been so blessed to be here the last 2 years. If we end up here for good I wouldn’t be upset, but being so far from family and friends motivates me to dream about moving “home to Utah” or closer to home anyway. I am not ready or willing to give up the warm climate which limits my options but St. George, Utah or Las Vegas are high on our lists of final destinations.  Both St. George and Vegas are a short drive home for holidays or weekends and certainly our friends and family will want to escape the never ending winters and visit us frequently.  Wherever we end up I want it to be out of the way, on a piece of land that will give our kids the chance to be outside having adventures.

Family Golfing Trip

 This weekend we all went golfing; I dusted off my  pink golf bag, shoes, and glove and golfed it up with the boys.

 There is nothing I love more than seeing these two together. Seeing Wade and Wyatt share in their love for golf is so fun for me and for them!

 Uncle Scott taught Wy how to wash his golf balls; he likes everything about golf, even clean up.

We drove out to Bandera to play. Oh, how I love this small town. I really enjoy being out away from the traffic and craziness in the city. As I spent the morning admiring the views, I couldn't help but dream about the day when we will have our house out here, or somewhere like it.

Sea World

Our first trip to Sea World this season, and to quote Wyatt "this is awesome!"

Tuesday Tell All.

Did you have a nickname as you were growing up? If you did, what was it and why did they call you that? Have you had other nicknames as an adult? What do family members call you now?

Growing up my older Brother, who I happened to think was THE.COOLEST. PERSON. ALIVE., started calling me Paulywog. I adored it and somehow that simple nickname truly made me feel special. To this day I love nicknames, to me nicknames are reserved for those who really love us—a symbol of closeness. I don’t shorten acquaintances names unless they insist or that is how they introduce themselves to me.  But for a close friend or family member having a more personal name is a token of love for me.

As I have gotten older, Paulywog, has been forgotten but for those who I am closest with I am Pauly. To Wade I am often referred to as Paulyanna, or Pauly.

Wade is such a short name it is hard to find a nickname that works. Wader is one he has had since childhood—but he doesn’t like. Still when I hear Wader I think of Wade’s favorite Aunt Raena and because of her it lives on.

Wyatt had bunches of nicknames when he was small; Superchunk and WyWy lasted the longest. When I hear Superchunk, I instantly see Wyatt as a 6 month old with rolls on top of his rolls. He was the chunkiest baby I have ever seen.

I am certain I have mentioned my obsession with baby names, one of my criteria is that a name needs to have a suitable nickname to make it on my list.

Tuesday Tell All.

What is your earliest memory of school, what did you love about the first week of school, who was your favorite teacher, subject, or playground game?

In kindergarten my older sister, who must have been in 4^th grade, somehow got the job of walking me to school and dropping me off at my class--this very well could be my first memory all together. I am surprised at how much I remember about this day, I was wearing a maroon velvet jacket and I braced myself at the gate to the playground and would not budge. My poor sister didn’t know what to do with her tantruming little sister and I can still remember feeling so upset and determined not to let go of that gate!

Eventually, I got over my fear of school and the following year I had the most amazing Teacher, Mrs. Skills. She was just so perfect, sweet and pretty. One time in class we were having a real Tea party. She knew that I was Mormon and didn’t drink Tea  so she brought  kool-aid  just for me. I am pretty sure Kool-aid is way better than Tea anyway—especially for a 6 year-old!

When we moved from California to Utah I was in the 4^th grade. That is when I was introduced to marbles. Since it snowed so much in Utah, for recess the children stayed inside and played marbles in the halls.  I don’t think I had ever owned a marble before but suddenly I collected them and had bags of them. Each day we would compare our latest marbles and try to win or swap for cooler ones.

Next week I'll have Wade share for Tuesday Tell All.

Happy Pancake Day!

I love that a stack of pancakes can make my little boy overjoyed!  He must get that from me, or maybe it's all the sugar in the syrup....

Tuesday Tell All

What’s in a Name? How did you get your name or/ choose your children’s names.

I LOVE baby names, I think I should include it on my list of hobbies because I love it so much! I am always in search of the PERFECT name. Without boring you with all my current favorites I’ll tell you about my name and Wyatt’s and how they came about.

I am number 12 of 13 kids. My parents had started on the letter K with their firstborn and continued on with K for the next 3. For a normal family that would be the whole family all with K names. Well they kept it up and when number 5 came they moved down the alphabet and L was the logical next step. 3 L’s later they moved on to M and after 3 M’s they skipped to P. They knew I would be a P name but good P names are hard to come by. They were down to 2 choices: Penny or Paula and thankfully they chose Paula.  My middle name is Diane and was originally my older sister’s middle name. She had been named for two of my Mom’s sisters Margaret and Diane = Margaret Diane.  My Father didn’t believe girls should have middle names and when he was blessing her (LDS babies are given a name and a blessing in Church) he left out the Diane. Being the next daughter I inherited the name from my Aunt and kind of from my older sister as well.

Wade claims there is no story behind his name- I even checked with his Mom and he is right! However, his middle name was after his Dad, Kevin. I am so glad that Kevin, Wade and Wyatt have this link together.

Long before we were expecting we had our baby names picked out. I am a very sentimental person and knew that we would give our children family names.  I would think and talk about names constantly and Wade would humor me, after all we weren’t even pregnant. We knew that for a boy we would use Wade’s middle name, Kevin, after Wade and Grandpa Kevin.  I can still remember the moment when Wade suggested the name Wyatt. That was it! Wyatt Kevin would share initials with Daddy, Wade Kevin!.  We had the name, now we just needed the baby… but that’s a whole different Tuesday Tell All.

Valentine's Day

Although holidays today seem more like organized opportunities for businesses to sell me stuff, they do give me much needed reminders.  Christmas reminds me of Christ and his value in my life, 4th of July and the blessing of living in this country, Thanksgiving and recognizing that I have more than I deserve and that it comes from God.  Today is Valentine's Day and naturally it reminds me how much I love those around me and how much I am loved.

I love my immediate and my extended family.  I am blessed to still have both sets of grandparents whom I love and appreciate.  I have great Aunts, Uncles and cousins.  I love very very much my parents and brothers.  They are endlessly supportive of me.  On more than one occasion they have stepped in to catch me when I have needed them.  I know that I dont say it nearly often enough but I love them each very much and could not see my life with them. 

I want to devote most of this post though to Paula and Wyatt.  Together they are the most perfect examples of giving love that I could imagine.  They never stop giving.  Wyatt is always happy to see me and never gets tired of my company.  He instantly forgets any of my imperfections when I lose my temper or am less than gentle.  He never hesitates when I need help.  He springs to his feet and loves just being involved when I say I need him.  His smile alone is enough brighten my life for the rest of my days. 

Paula is perfect.  She loves me perfectly.  She is perfectly patient, kind and selfless.  She never stops serving me or Wyatt.  Her nonstop juggling of work, school, and church is completed perfectly on the back burner while she puts our family first.  Perfect love is the only way all that could be done while maintaining one's sanity!

My love for them is often understated.  That is why I am thankful for Valentines day because it give me (a manly man) the opportunity to tell them that I love them more than life itself.  My only desire in the world is to make Paula happy and to provide Wyatt with a life that is worthy of his joyful spirit.  I wish I were better at writing it and saying it, I just hope that the best I can do will be enough to convey to them the smallest measure of what they mean to me.  I am confident that no man has ever been blessed with little family as perfect as mine.  I pray that I might be worthy of your love for one more year!

Happy Valentines Day!

Love

Wade

Wyatt was assigned the Prayer in Primary today.  We practiced, practiced, practiced all week. He did awesome with only a little help.  Mommy and Daddy were so proud!

Good Grades= Ice Cream!

 

It's that time again: Preschool Grades!  Wy got awesome marks and is seriously getting so smart. Of course, we needed to celebrate, what better than a trip to the ice cream shop--plus it's tradition!