Reminiscing...

For the 4th of July, Ty, Trace, Tori and I ( joe had to stay home and work) spent the weekend in a small town in Nevada called Panaca. Its a funny name but if you've been to either Caliente or Pioche then you've seen Panaca. My brother and sister and I spent many summers and visits to this small town where our grandparents lived as well as our aunt and cousins. My sister and I can spend hours recounting the memories that we have of our time spent there along with our cousins. My grandfather passed away when I was only 14 (i think?) But my grandmother passed away February 2007. Over the weekend that we were there, we visited the grave site with the new headstone and a wave of emotions over came me...

My Grandma was slightly on the unorthodox side. Children were to eat last at every meal, us girl cousins were always "too fat to stay inside or in the kitchen" and she catered to the hard working men. But don't get me wrong, I loved my grandma. Maybe it's because that was all I knew, but although there wasn't physical evidence that she loved me, it was just understood.

Visiting Panaca now is 100% different than when I was growing up. Grandma's house is gone...it was a very old house that needed constant repairs and needed to be sold. So several years ago my dad bought another house for her to live in 3 blocks down the road (which my parents now use as their vacation home.) When we were up there a few weeks ago, my brother made the comment "when I think of going to Panaca, I think of grandma's old house. Not this new one." My aunt who still lives there said she does too. Every time I drive past the lot that Grandma and Grandpa's house once stood I feel an absence. My grandma started getting sick years before she died. She suffered from dementia and later Alzheimers. The grandma I have memories with growing up in the old house was not the grandma that I was around in the few years before her death. It's times like these, thinking about her or being in that small town that makes me miss her...

some of my favorite memories of Panaca (can you remember any of these, Jenna?):

• sneaking Grandma's ginger snap cookies out of that cookie jar under the counter
• "exiled" to the sun room to eat our dinner (children should neither be seen nor heard)
• 4 words: COPS IN THE BASEMENT!
• climbing court rock and it never getting old
• grandpa taking us to The Spring on the tail gate of his truck or walking there when nobody would give us a ride...
• grandma's famous cooking, i.e. her chicken soup, home made bread, "hot cakes"
• all the curse words we heard under grandma's breath and then her soft humming of some random song
• fighting over who got to sleep where
• running through sprinklers in the field
• telling jenna (and maybe even megan) that the reindeer down the street were "alive" and you believed me...i'm laughing just thinking about that!
• oh the flatulence!
• the "merc" and all the 1 cent candies we would stock up on

To Grandma, Erin, Kate, Taylor, and Jenna: Thanks for the memories!

SPOTLIGHT: All About Trace

As I have previously posted (about 3 months ago), I spotlighted my oldest child, Ty. But as one friend so kindly commented to me, I do have two other children and need to finish what I have started. Just so I clear up any confusion, I think on a methodical level. I am only putting the spotlights in order of age, not in preference...not that Ty isn't my favorite child right now. Since Trace is technically second oldest, he is the next to be spotlighted. And on another note, as some of you know, it was more than just two eggs dropping that got me twins. Basically, it wasn't coincidental that I was blessed with two babies at once. I think that God knew that if He didn't send the two of them down at the same time, then one of them wouldn't have made it at all. So, I've never really got used to the term "twins" in referencing Trace and Tori. I remember having a conversation with my mom shortly after they were born. I said "mom, there isn't one thing similar about these two except that they share the same birthday." She agrees. They are nothing more than "womb-mates." With "twins" it's hard NOT to compare everything that they do since they are doing they are supposed to be doing and going through the same things at the same time. I find myself doing that but always have to remind myself that if wasn't for God's divine plan, they wouldn't have shared their birthday. In my spotlight I hope to individualize them, really just for me. Sorry for my rambling...here is:

TRACE CHRISTOPHER UTLEY

Its a strange experience to carry more than one baby at a time. The normal swimming around feeling that is enjoyed with one baby just isn't felt with multiples, at least in my experience with it. I only felt small, slow movements-nothing jabbing, poking, rolling, jumping, etc. One positive of being pregnant with more than one baby, I got to see my bundles of joy through my monthly ultrasound. Early on I noticed that one was always more active than the other. I really wanted at least one girl and since Ty was an active baby, I immediately thought that the active one (baby B, at the time) was the boy and the other was my sweet, precious, mild girl...not the case! Poor Trace was baby A, the one that just hung out quietly on the ultrasound monitor, the one that was constantly being kicked by his sibling. He just took it all and still does.

Trace is the child that makes enduring multiples more endurable. He is a very happy, chilled out kid. For the most part, he can go with flow of life at ease. I love this trait about him but have realized that he can get lost in the shuffle and can get overshadowed by his two other siblings. Trace is always looking for something fun to do, something fun to play with. His resent obsession is any kid of ball.When he is sad, a smile will always cross his face when I show him a ball. His motto in life should be, "when life gets you down, go have a ball!" (i know i'm corny.)

Trace adores his older brother. He loves to be involved with anything that Ty is playing with. At times, he's pushed away but I can only hope that their relationship will grow and strengthen. Even though they have such different personalities, I hope that it will balance them out when they are older and grow to be very close.

Trace was the first of the two to smile and it's a great one! Along with that smile, is a great laugh. I had to wait a lot longer than I did with Ty to see him smile but it was well worth my wait! I love to see him smile and it just makes me want to smile back. Trace was also the first one to walk! Which I was really surprised about since he didn't start crawling until he was 10 months or so. He is a very determined kid and will hopefully use that determination to overcome hurdles in his life to come.

I love to snuggle Trace and he loves to snuggle me back. He's a very affectionate child (takes after his father.) I love you Trace!

S.O.S.

Dear {anyone}:

I am having a hard time tyring to entertain my 3 year old boy. I am finding that he is bored a lot during the day and that boredom is turning into destructive chaos. I don't like sitting him in front of the television but at times find that is my only saving grace. Does anyone else have this problem or is it just me? I'm feeling totally alone on this one. A lot of people tell me its his age and that he's a boy but there has to be games or activities that others have used that seems to mentally stimulate and entertain a 3 year old at the same time. If any of you mothers of little boys out there have any suggestions, I am willing to take it.

Sincerely,
Desperate Mother

P.S. I have used some ideas from a friends blog and have seemed to help a little but it's starting to lose some excitement.

My 100 list...

Just like I saw on a friends blog, I decided to write 100 things about me that you may or may not know about. Hopefully you enjoy my crazy list and not decide that I'm just another weirdo...so here it is:

1. I have never lived anywhere else than fabulous Las Vegas!

2. A quarter of the blood that runs through my veins comes from northern Italy...you can say that I'm Italian.

3. I would love to be a professional chef.

4. When I was little I had imaginary friends...and I still remember their names.

5. I didn't like my husband the first time I met him.

6. I started dating Joe before he left on is mission and wrote to him when he was on it...sort of like waiting but totally different.

7. I was a very shy girl growing up.

8. I was baptized in a river in New Mexico.

9. I went to school to be a nurse...

10. I worked at an airport for 10 years.

11. I know how to fly an airplane.

12. I flew an airplane to Catalina Island...

13. I love to eat breakfast for ANY meal!

14. My favorite restaurant is Original Pancake House...well one of them at least -it's in my top ten.

15. I've never thought of myself as a good mother...despite what others may see.

16. Patience is NOT one of my virtues!

17. I'm very comfortable inside my comfort zone. I don't take change very well.

18. I'm a member of the 3 Sisters Club.

19. My 2 sisters and I are the 5th generation of 3 sisters. Sorry Tori, you're not part of that club.

20. I've recently started running again and realized how much I love it and missed it. (and I lost 20 pounds, too!)

21. My high school was called Basic High School. It was for accelerated students and was academically challenging...juuust kidding!

22. I have had several things happen in my life that I said would never happen...never say never I guess.

23. I never wanted to stay and live in Las Vegas.

24. I said I would never wait for a missionary...but I dated a lot!

25. I never wanted to get married in June. June 1st is our anniversary.

26. I never wanted more than 2 kids...but I don't think I had much control in this one.

27. I said I would never name my kids with the same letter. Technically this is not the case since Tori is really Victoria. But Tori is the only name she knows.

28. I will NEVER own a mini van!!! I may have just cursed myself but so far I'm holding strong to this one!

29. I own a Doberman Pincher named Kona-I love my dog!

30. I think I'm a dog snob. I don't think I can "stoop" to another breed of dogs. Sorry if this may offend someone...

31. I think my friends are the greatest and love all the fun we have together! When is the next GNO?

32. I love hanging out with friends...even if we do absolutely nothing, I still love it!

33. I would give anything to be a make-up artist...I love make-up...

34. Although I made fun of them in high school, I'm a girly-girl through and through! I love pink!

35. I'm the third oldest in my family, but I'm the oldest girl.

36. I love, love, love music!! I can tolerate pretty much anything.

37. I love to read! I'm so glad I got this trait from my mom and grandma.

38. I'm the 6th generation girl to have the middle name Anne (with an "e") Tori is the 7th.

39. I absolutely love a clean house but procrastinate to get there. But when I do get there, I love the feeling of sitting in my clean house. I hate the feel of crumbs on my feet when I walk so I will spend hours getting every last crumb off the floor.

40. I married into a great family and absolutely adore my mother-in-law.

41. My mother-in -law is one of my heroes.

42. I started playing the piano when I was 7. I started taking lessons when I was 8 and continued with them until I was 20 years old.

43. I taught myself how to play the organ.

44. I love playing guitar hero...anyone up for a challenge?

45. I can entertain myself...if I'm out somewhere and others might be bored I can always find something to amuse myself. I love to people watch!

46. Ty was born ON his due date.

47. The fact that I have twins is either luck of the draw or God's will, one of the two, but no infertility drugs were used.

48. I believe that Disneyland is THE happiest place on earth! Who wants to go with me?

49. I love to travel anywhere!

50. I love taking road trips...although now that kids are involved the love has subsided a little.

51. I have a hard time keeping my opinions to myself. Thinking before I speak is not a strong point with me.

52. I'm not offended easily.

53. I can go camping any time, any place-I love to camp!

54. I love to take pictures, I just wish I was better at it.

55. I consider myself to be a good friend...

56. I love to cook but hate cleaning up the mess.

57. I used to think that we lived inside the earth until my dad educated me...last year...haha!

58. I love having a little girl, but ONE is all I need or can tolerate!

59. I wish I wasn't a procrastinator but I am!

60. I like to set goals but I never accomplish them.

61. I want to run a marathon in my life time. (And by run I mean run the whole 26 miles. Not run for a while and then walk a little and then run some more, 'cause then I would have to say that I ran and walked a marathon.)

62. I don't advise anyone to start their own business in the dental lab industry.

63. I own half of a business called Desert Crown & Bridge but I don't do half the work.

64. I cherish the time when Joe isn't working...that's all he does it seems...

65. I'm an early-to-bed-early-to-rise kind of person. But I love staying up late when fun is involved.

66. I love, love, love Christmas time!! There is a feeling in the air that makes me truly happy!

67. I love listening to Christmas music and would even listen to it in the summer when I was younger until my mom made me turn it off.

68. I love the rain--better yet, I love the smell of the desert when it rains. There's nothing like it in the world!

69. I'm a sucker for homemade cookies!

70. I am not a baker in the slightest.

71. I'm addicted to blog surfing...you know you all are, too!

72. I am a very curious person-or maybe its borderline nosy...

73. I can spend hours (and I mean hours) people watching.

74. I feel that I am more a sheep-I like to follow the crowd. But at times I might break off and do my own thing for a minute.

75. I only have a few shows that I have to watch. Currently it's SYTYCD and Deadliest Catch.

76. I have a tattoo...yes, my parents did find out and no, it's not a pleasant story...but when is it pleasant when your parents find out you did something stupid...but I still like it and don't regret it...

77. I love getting pedicures.

78. I can go to Sonic anytime of day or night for one of their drinks...my faves are strawberry limeade, lemon-berry slush, and strawberry cream slush.

79. I hate the color of my eyes.

80. I can't live without Burt's Bees lip balm.

81. I love to dance but can't. If I'm in a really laid back mood or have some alcohol in me you might catch a glimpse of my stellar moves...but I don't drink.

82. I can't live without my DVR and don't know how I did before I had it.

83. I don't have an appendix...

84. I have a brother who is on a mission in the Kiev, Ukraine mission.

85. I love to eat food but I'm not willing to try new things...I just like what I like.

86. I like black and white photography.

87. One of my most embarrassing stories involves a guy, my bra, and some padding...

88. I might be addicted to diet coke...or just coke...from Sonic with their crunch ice...yummy!

89. I love taking Sunday afternoon naps...

90. I miss my Sunday afternoon naps!

91. I love to shop!! Let me know if anyone is up for a shopping trip!

92. I love make-up! (Did I say that already?)

93. I love to go to the beach but I despise going into the water at the beach.

94. I'm obsessed with air fresheners. I have them everywhere!

95. I love taking hot bubble baths but never have the time to do it.

96. I totally copied my 100 list from someone else's 100 list...

97. I was totally lying on the above entry...

98. I don't like snakes or spiders...or creepy, crawly things in general.

99. Getting old frightens me a lot!

100. I love watching movies!! Good or bad I'll watch them all...and I'm a sucker when it comes to corny chick flicks...they just make me feel good!

Make a 100 list of your own and tell me random facts about yourself. If you want, leave me a comment about my random facts! Thanks for reading mine!

Hmmm....so it's been a while?

Wow! Almost 3 months? Where did the time go...oh yeah...3 kids 3 and under, a crazy/stressful business, and utter laziness on my part. What can I say...for those of you who see me on a regular basis, i.e. church...i guess that's pretty much it (man, i need to get out more), know that my intentions are there to post more but just can't find the time...just in case all of you crazies out there want some good excuses as to my "disapperance" drop me a line. I think I might be able to whip some out that just might suffice!

As far as more posts go...well my intentions are really good! I actually have a long list of things that I need to blog about so...stay tuned!