Woman to Woman "Share and important quote and what it means to you."

My most favorite quote is one everyone has heard of before, I'm sure, and is on my blog above our family pictures. "Life is not about how many breaths you take, but about the moments that take your breath away." I'm not much of a deep thinker. I feel I'm a pretty simple person so here is my take on my favorite quote.

I think too many times we go through life doing everything we think we need to get done. Then life quickly passes us by and we miss out on so much. The days I stop an look and listen to what is going on around me, my breath is taken away, by laughter, surprise, or complete happiness.

My kids are a big one of these moments. A day doesn't go by that they don't make me laugh about something. From Baby Bailey all the way up to my Berek, there is a sense of humor I love. They are so smart. My life would be very empty without them. So many moments in my life where I was so sad, my kids were here and made it all better. Yep, Moms are not the only ones that can make boo boos better, kids are wonderful at that too. My kids take my breath away daily. I am so blessed and lucky that Heavenly Father gave me the opportunity to raise such special little spirits. I love them!!!

Jared-you take my breath away. You are my sweetheart. My biggest love. Every moment with you is so fun and wonderful. You make me laugh harder than anyone I know. And you have taught me not to take life so serious, to have a little bit of good fun. Maybe that is why I love this quote so much now. You have taught me to love and remember the moments that take my breath away. I love you forever!!!

Now my brothers and sisters. I become a kid again when I am with them. Sometimes that is good, others it's kind of scary. We have great memories. I love them! They are such fun people to be around. We have been through a lot as a family and have come out on top. Through everything I've learned to appreciate all the little moments we have. I love seeing all of you and visiting.

Life is great. We have our daily to do, and sometimes it seems like the same routine over and over. But if we look a little closer, we will get to see the moments that can take our breath away, then we become refreshed and can tackle anything that comes our way.

Join in and read others! Leave your link at Lei and Morning Glory's blogs!

Makenna---Our Beauty Queen

Last week Makenna started the "Miss Tri-Cities Little Sister" program. They go 2 times a week and practice a dance, then on Saturday she got to meet her BIG SISTER. These are girls running for the "Miss Tri-Cities Scholarship Program" . So....... they ride with their big sisters in the 4th of July parade on back of a mustang then on the pageant day, they have to dress up (in a pageant dress) on go on stage with the girls running for Miss Tri-Cities. She is really enjoying it so far. She has met a lot of new girls and even gets to go to a pool party with them all. Aunt Kathy is making her dress. We're so excited for that. She made Leashas prom dress and it was GORGEOUS. It will also be her baptism dress. Oh and by the way, her baptism date is October 13th. Now you have all been told so there are no excuses that you didn't know about it. That is our exciting life for now. Football camp starts in July and football at the end of July. So we are looking forward to that.

Sunny Days

Makenna & Dallin

Tayler & Ainslee

Jared wakeboarding

Okay, so we've (I) have been really slacking with the whole blog thing but we have had good reasons for it. IT IS SUMMER!!! Do I need to say anymore?! We had family here a week ago for 2 weeks and it was GREAT (you guys come back soon) and the boat is 100% finished and delivered.

Yesterday was so fun. Jared had his once a week early day (only happens during summer break), the sun was out, no wind, and tempature in the 90's so what did we do????? Went out on the boat of course. We called some friends, hitched up the boat, and we were out of here. The water was like glass, I don't think the day could have been any better. We started out at 3:00 and got home at 7:30. Kind of short but 100% beautiful. Jared went first with his wakeboarding. It is so fun watching him. He makes everything look so easy. I wish I had a little bit of his talent then I'd be one awesomely hot mama. :) Then we pumped up the tube and let the kids loose. They had so much fun and I have a blast watching their faces as they fly over the wake with their thumbs up telling us to go faster. Brave, crazy little kids!!!!!

Happy Father's Day Jared

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  This post is for my Jared. I just wanted to have a little bragging session about the guy that is all MINE. Jared is a awesome person, if you already didn't know that.

  • He is very giving. It never mattered what we did or mostly didn't have, he always was willing to give and help someone out. It was never a question of should or shouldn't we, he just did it.
  
  
  • He has a good heart and always thinks the best of people.
  
  
  • He loves his kids. I know we all do, but he does in a way that every decision he makes has to do with how it will effect them now and in the future. He is so good at talking to them at their level, eye to eye. I know they listen to him because of that. He hugs and kisses them good bye every morning before work. I don't know if he knows how important that is to them. It can make or break their day!!
  
  
  • He is a wonderful husband. He loves me and shows me that every day, even when I am grouchy. He makes me feel beautiful (which is not that easy right now). I have learned to be careful about saying anything I want or like around him because if I do, it is not long till he gets it for me.
  
  
  • He is hilarious!! Jared can play the best jokes and does it well, ask our families. I love his prank phone calls, they are the best!
  
  
  • He is a good friend, a true friend. Yes, there is a difference. A true friend is always there when you need them and even when you don't.
    
  • He's a blast o be around. He can live up any room and he has some sweet moves!!
    
  • He is my best friend. I was lucky I found him and even more lucky I got to keep him. He brightens my day. He is definately my other half--without him I'd be lost.
  
  

  There is much more I could tell ya'll about him but it could take forever. These are just my favorites. I love you Jared!!! I hope you have a great day!

YEAH!!!!

We finally got our boat back!! We took it out on the water this morning at 11:00 to Fish Hook, with Andra and Ben. It was so fun!!! There's nothing like being on the water. The kids all went tubing, even Tayler and Alisse. I even drove the boat while Jared skied and wake boarded. I was a bit nervous at first but this boat is smooth like butta. I loved it. The time went by so fast though. The next time we looked at our watches it was 5:30. The day was great though--and the best part was Jared had a smile.. .. He was one with his boat. I wish I had some pictures to share of the day, but I forgot my camera in the car. Next time.

The Koch Girls

What a fun week! My two sisters, Kathy and Andra, and niece, Leasha, came up to visit. They all arrived on Monday afternoon and night, so come Tuesday we were ready for some fun. We started out our day going and getting pedicures. What a bonding experience, hahaha. It was Kathys first and she wasn't quite sure she wanted someone fondling her feet. A little peer pressure took care of that. Then off to the mall it was. Old Navy is a favorite of the sisters so much of that day was spent there, flipping through the clearance racks.

Wednesday of course we went shopping again. How could you not when there is a house full of girls. We took Leasha to Victoria Secrets and had her measured. Let's just say her bra was a bit small, right Leash. After that we stopped off at Azteca for some NACHOS mmmmm. We sat, ate, then I got a little bored, so I snuck away and told the waiter it was Kathy's birthday. That was hilarious. She saw the guy coming out with the big sombrero and smile thinking it was for the guy behind us. The smile slowly turned into panic, eyes bulging. It was a surreal moment, I laughed so hard I had rivers coming down from my face. That was the Highlight of the visit. We then came home and just chilled out.

Now that brings us to today. A trip to Costco (of course) and then we picked up the boat. Kathy had to leave as soon as we got home (9 hours of driving). To sum it all up---we had a blast. Together we decided one week out of every year we need to get together and be a little crazy. This was a well needed week and I loved it. Thanks guys for coming up, I miss you lots and can't wait till next year. Happy Birthday next week KATHY!!!

Jared's new baby

One thing Jared has looked forward to and wished for as long as I've known him was owning a boat. We'll it finally came true. His new baby. As you can see in the pictures, he is having a proud papa moment. He deserves it!! Jared has worked very hard and now it is paying off. I can't say that the rest of us aren't excited about it. We just want to live on the water for the next 3 months.