Now I understand!

Growing up one of my chores, along with my sis. Gretchen, was weeding. Oh the dreaded weeding, that seemed never ending. For those of you that remember my parents last house, in Newman Lake, you understand how this was no small chore. My Dad was always there working along beside us though. I remember asking him one exhausting day, why he liked weeding so much. He was always out working in the yard (still does). He told me that one day when I had a house of my own, that I'd understand. I remember thinking, yeah right I'll never choose to weed. Well, that day has come. Though I still don't love it, the reward is much greater! There is just something about a newly weeded dirt bed that I can't get enough of. I have to confess that I keep checking out our yard :) So yes Dad, I finally understand. Thank you for dragging me out to weed, love you!

Little Chef

We bought this play kitchen off of Craigslist at the beg. of summer and just recently got around to fixing it up! It just needed a little TLC, and I just have to say how much I love spray paint :) It is so convient and it comes in so many diff. colors/finishes. We resprayed all the handles, sanded and sprayed the oven door. (it was too hard to find the right pink, as you can see on the headboard) I would still like to add a design to the headboard/backsplash. But Jenna loves it just the same. She is constantly "baking" now and makes delicious muffins and cupcakes!

Jenna modeling the kitchen in her pj's!! And yes, she slept in that whole outfit :)

The other night before bed, Jenna was "making" Chad and I some cupcakes. She held out Chad's and said "come hurry and eat it before mommy gets it!" We couldn't stop laughing. My daughter knows my sweet tooth all too well, even pretend food apparently.

Octopus!!

I Just completed my last 2 open water dives today. The weather was great again. One of the highlights was seeing an octopus that has been hanging out under an old sunken boat. It was a pretty good size too! We watched it for awhile, pretty amazing. I got to go down to 58 ft. today. 60 ft. is the most we are certified for. I thought it would be scary, but really once your under the water, everything seems the same. Except for the pressure :)

So, I am now scuba certified!! I really can't believe I did it. This is something I never thought I would do. But I am really happy that I did. Thanks Chad for talking me into it!!

Also, thank you to my good friend Kristin, who watched Jenna today while I did my dives! You are a lifesaver. Let me know when I can repay the favor :)

My first open water dives

OK, so here is a fun little recap of my morning. Chad and Jenna came along to watch and cheer me on. The weather couldn't have been more perfect. Wearing the wet suit was a bit different. Pretty confining, took some getting use to. The first dive, we just did a few skills and then toured around underwater. The second dive we passed off a lot more skills and then toured around again. I had some trouble equalizing on the second dive, but fortunately worked it out.
Things I want to remember: It was really relaxing swimming around, looking at everything. It wasn't scary seeing different sized fish swim by. Very easily distracted by all of the plant life and animals underwater.
Things I saw: lots of starfish and sun starfish. A quite large and long Lingcod (type of fish), remains of an old boat, diff. types of sea anemones (metridium farcimen, I had to look it up), a whole fish skeleton (very odd), and a bunch of diff. small fish. Now I need to learn the names of the diff. underwater plant life and fish :)
I actually had a lot more fun than I was expecting. Looking forward to my last 2 certifying dives.

A week of firsts

First day of Preschool (second yr.)

When I picked her up from class the first thing she said was "Can we go to preschool again Mom?" She then told Chad over the phone "Preschool was great, I had a lot of fun!"

First day of Ballet class.
When I picked her up from her ballet class, she told me "I didn't like it." But then proceeded to tell Chad all night that she had fun. So, mixed feelings on dance. Which suprises me a bit. I took this picture after class though, so I think she had a little fun :)

My little girl is growing up fast! I sure hope I can keep up.

Scuba update

To be fair to Chad, I thought it would be nice to update everyone on how my classes are going.

I have actually been having a lot of fun. As I mentioned before, the first class was rough. And getting a cold hasn't helped out a whole lot. The second class I wasn't able to equalize my ears, due to having a cold. But I was able to pass off the skills in the shallow part of the pool.

Then this last Tues. I was finally able to equalize and do the skills at the bottom of the deep end. It is really quite the experience.

The funniest part is when, while underwater, the instructor signals to you "are you OK to do..." and then they signal a specific skill. And then you respond by giving them the OK signal and then perform the skill. But what I am really thinking is "NO, I am not Ok, but I don't really have a choice do I!"

I just have one more class and then 2 separate days of open water dives. Open water meaning out in the Sound. Honestly, I can't even imagine what the open dives will be like. I'm a little frightened. But, my dive instructors do such a wonderful job of making it fun that I am sure it'll be fine.

I've even started thinking of asking Santa for some dive equipment. I guess I am getting hooked!

fun site for kids

www.friend.lds.org

Has anyone else checked this out yet?

I just noticed it on the back of the Friend magazine for this month. Jenna has been having a great time with the puzzles :) Enjoy!

A little brag moment

This turned out so adorable, I had to share it. My sister Chelsea, who is a sophmore at BYU, just made this cake. She made it for my cousin Roseanne's baby shower. I can't get over how stinkin' cute it is! Good job Chels, your amazing :) Your turning into quite the crafty chick!

My new adventure

So as many of you know I was pursuaded, tricked, however you'd like to look at it, it wasn't my idea, into getting Scuba certified. Chad has been certified for 2 yrs. now and would love more than anything to have me be apart of that underwater world :) And since we are not pregnant and have no idea when that will happen I guess now is as better time than any.
I had my first class last night. It was a mix of classroom work and pool work. I was able to pass the skills in the water thus far. I didn't feak out and loose it, so I would consider it a good night. However, I was extremely exhausted afterward and a little sick to my stomach. I didn't eat much prior to the class due to nerves, very bad idea. I have 3 more classes/pool dives and then 2 open water dives in the sound.
The verdict is still out whether I will love this as much as Chad. I'll keep you all updated.