What I HAVE and HAVEN"T learned: LONG!!!

Well, here it goes:
I run a lot, with the kids, and always ponder when we are doing so, the last few weeks I have thought about what I have learned in my life, and what I want to learn.
Here is what I have learned:
I have learned that money does not provide happiness, you do. I have learned that communication is the key to any successful relationship especially in marriage. (I am still learning how to communicate well though) I have learned that marriage is the most awesome thing ever, if I would just let it be. I have learned that things change and people change even though you want everything to remain the same. I have learned that after moving out and away from home, your family changes or you do, and it is and never will be the same. This one has been hard on me, I never thought that this would happen. I want things to remain the same, but we are ever changing people and moving world. "Who moved my Cheese" comes to mind, awesome book about change, if anyone is interested. It has taught me how to cope with some hard stuff. I have learned that when I am in a bad mood the whole family is. I have learned that I love DRAMA! (anyone surrprised) I have learned to love, now I wish I could let my guard completetly down and be loved. This one is a hard one for me, I need to realize that I am worth being loved, and I think we all need to know that we deserve this and that we are worth it, still working on this one for now, but I am getting better. Love is great, and so hard at the same time, it is a full time job. I have learned that running is a great thing, and I wish I would have picked it up in High School, or earlier. I was soooo extremely lazy, and at the time I thought I was sooo busy and that I was doing sooo much, not even close. I have learned I need to learn how to check my emotions, I am getting better, but there is still room for improvement. I have learned that having kids is so amazing and so amazingly hard at the same time. I have learned that pregnancy is sooo hard and wonderful all at once. I have learned that delivering a little person, wow that nothing compares to it. I have also learned that I am an emotional person. I have learned that taking a time out for yourself is an amazing gift. I have learned that sleep is sooo overrated! I have learned that when you get a hall pass, you better run with it! I am learning to trust Mike more with the kids, I know this should be a given but I am the one home all day, and when I leave, it just makes me nervous. (Mike is great, when I do come home, they are all laughing and having a great time.) I am learning to live in the season of your life. I think this is so hard to do, if you're like me, I am always looking at the next thing, I need to enjoy where I am at. I have learned to load the silverware in the dishwasher with the handles down, it cleans them better, I guess. (thanks Mike) I have also learned that the proper way to wash a car is roof to bottom, I didn't know I was doing it wrong all these years. ( thanks Mike) Also, for any cleaners out there, I have learned an easy way to clean a toilet, do the back first, then the top of the seat, then lift the lid, clean that and keep going down until you reach the bowl. It is great, and I only use 4 Clorox wipes instead of like 10! I have learned that Hailey is getting big, and I need to trust her she is a good kid, and I need to give her more credit. I am learning how to be happy with the life that I am in, and living. I am learning to smile more, and laugh more. I have learned how to keep a home clean with two little kids, which is not easy. I have learned how to cook and in doing so found out I love it. (minus cinnamon rolls, hahahaha California friends know this mistake, SORRY!!!!) I have learned that I wish I would have taken piano lessons seriously, I can only play the hymns, I guess that's all that's important, but still....I have learned that friends are truly angels and that they are sent by our loving Heavenly Father, I am so grateful for each and every one of you. You have all been a very important part of my life, and I hope that that continues. I have learned that hugging my kids or anyone for that matter is just what they need sometimes. I have learned that Ryker and Hailey are such great little people, they never stop making me smile. I have learned that I need to be an example, and good example for them which is sometimes REALLY hard. I have learned that the Temple is a wonderful place, and that I don't go enough. I have learned that service is a huge part of life, and it is amazing for all who partakes, the givers and the receivers. I have learned and still am learning to recognize our blessings, that is a hard one!
I want to learn:
To love myself, to for starters like the person I am. I am really hard on myself, and I just think there is enough negativity in the world, that I should be nice to me. I need to learn to deligate, I am terrible, I just do it myself, so I know that it is done and that it is done "right." I need to learn what the words "over exercise", "over achiever", well lets face it, "over everything" means. I need to learn to trust people, and not think that they are doing things with a hidden motive. I need to learn that people are not always going to like you or be nice to you and that that is okay. I am still trying not to be too sensitive, or take things the wrong way. That is a hard one, oh I am a tender heart. I never knew that this was a bad thing. I am still learning that weighing yourself 3 or 4 times a day is not necessary, which brings me to the next point, of learning that weight does not and will NEVER matter! (Our Heavenly Father wants us to be healthy and happy, and not crazy thinking about little things like that.) It really only matters what person you are inside, and I need to learn that. Some of the happiest times in my life, were and are eating ice cream!!! I am still learning how to be a mom, and a wife, and my own person. I quite haven't got that down yet. I need to learn to be more "chill", of a person, oh I worry about the silliest things. I need to think before I speak, "open mouth insert foot" should not be part of my life anymore. I need to learn to talk less and listen more. I also need to learn more about the gospel, it is why we are here, and I don't know what I need/want to.
I know that I am not a perfect person and that I need to learn and keep an open mind always. I am just saying this is what I have learned and want to learn, and now it's down in print, so it's official. I strive to be the best person in all that I do, and sometimes I fall short. I am sorry if I have ever fallen short with any of you, and for some reason hurt your feelings. Please forgive me, I am trying hard to "fresh start" everything, and make it a better finish.
I want to know what you all think about, our minds are "kids" all day, but we are people too, and our feelings do matter. I don't know if this is a silly post or not, but there goes my worry factor in me, I hope you all can get something from this, if not anything a good laugh at me for just barely figuring this out
UPDATE ON PICTURES:
Sorry, we have been crazy nuts helping the grandparents, and living the summer life. I am not promising anything but we don't have ANY commitments this weekend so cross your fingers with me! Sorry so long, thanks for listening to my heart.

Busy, crazy, couple of days!

Well, this week has turned out busier than I had thought. Tuesday night was young womens and grocery shopping, wednesday I went to my mother-in-laws home and finished two aprons, and then we went back to their home that night and Mike helped his dad in the garage, and Hailey and I painted nails and even got grandma involved. We had a lot of fun.
Today is the 24th of July, so we are having another busy day. We will go for a run in a minute, and get her buttons for her apron, and go to park day. Then we will come home eat lunch, sew her buttons on, and go shopping with Mikes mom, and then go to a fun BBQ and swim party. Our friends invited us over to their home for food and fun, what good times. Hailey had so much fun swimming, and eating chips. It was such GREAT food and friends, thanks a bunch Heidi and Joe! Ryker loved the Bumbo seat, thanks for letting us try it out, I have never seen them in use before, I am loving it. What a great idea, and mommy saver! (hands free anyone?) Then it was off to Volleyball and PIE-oneer night! It was soooo much fun. The kids came home pooped and I am wore out, but it was soooo worth it. I love going to do things and having fun people to do them with. Today was too busy and yesterday was crazy busy. I should thank Mike for coming along and being with us, he is a trooper, it was great being a family and spending time all together, it seems like we never get enough. I love him and all he does for us, and the fact that I can stay home with our kids, wow what a guy. Some might call me a financial drain!
Sorry no pictures yet, but now I have a lot more to post, so that's good right? I think tomorrow will be perfect, Friday fun night.
By the way, Ryker is almost crawling, he is scooting all over the place. Hailey says he's doing push ups, it makes me laugh. He gets on all fours and just rocks, it's cute. Ryker is also sleeping through the night, it's amazing. I love it!! Hailey is doing some funny things lately, she was in her "high tray", that is what she calls it, Mike came in to talk to me and told her he would not be very long, soon we heard from the kitchen, "for crying out loud, Mike, you have been in there forever." It made us laugh so hard, she just kept on repeating it. She is doing good, she knows all of her animals and her shapes. (I forgot to mention those last post, sorry I brag, I am just so proud of her.)

Busy summer blog!

Hello Everyone!
This post is going to be very busy, just a warning. So, a lot has been going on at this house this month. We hosted a party up at my mom's house for everyone. A little background is needed to explain this: my sisters and I gave "parties", "get togethers" for christmas last year instead of gifts. These are what we have done so far, we have had Chinese New Year, Zoo Day, and mine was suppose to be ice blocking and ice cream, but when we found out no more big ice blocks were being made, I didn't want to have to half cheek it! So, we ended up doing BBQ, ice cream, volleyball, and fireworks, it was so much fun! I am so grateful that we did this, it has been good times with family all year, instead of a gift that we probably wouldn't have even used, how sad is that to say?
This weekend was my softball tournament, I guess we placed first! This was the only game that I missed, and it was the final one, I took one for the team, and we took a little vacation up to Bear Lake, it was a lot of fun. This was our little familys' first time up there. We went with my ENTIRE family cousins and all. Such good times. Thanks for all the fun, food and great company. Thanks to Mike for helping out with the kids all weekend and letting me play with Hailey in the lake. Mike was so awesome, Hailey and I also got to swim in the pool, and I got to go for a run alone, it was something that I never get to do, I found myself missing the kids.
Well if that isn't enough, we have upped my miles, we run 4 everyday. I love to run, and love how I feel after. The kids love the double stroller. Today I stopped and checked on the kiddos and Hailey was holding Rykers hand, soooo cute. I love my kids. They are the best.
Ryker is now 8 months old. He is saying daddadadda and sitting up all by himself. He is rolling and scooting everywhere. He and Hailey laugh sooo much together, it is so fun to listen to that. Hailey is doing awesome. She is pretty much potty trained accidents every now and then, but not too bad. She knows her whole alphabet, and can recognize her letters. She can write her name, and count to 20. she can recognize 1-5numbers, I am working really hard with her. She is such a beautiful little girl, and so sweet. We do have our bad days, but all in all she is such a fun little girl, and such a great big sister.
We are just busy with yard work and young womens now. We have a pond, and yes weeds grow, so that means me weeding. I have been in the pond this year at the beginning of the summer, and they are back, waders back on so soon? I love yard work so this is great. Mike watches the kids while I do what I love, mowing and weeding. Sometimes I weed with Ryker in the baby carrier, I know die hard, right? Tonight is yard work night, but tomorrow we will post pictures promise, I want you all to see what a beautiful place we were at.
I also got a retainer, I know I worry so much about my smile! I want my teeth to stay in place, and they would move with my other one. So, I got a top and a bottom one, they are the invisaline kind, they are awesome. My teeth are going to be straight before I know it. I have to wear them for two months straight, it has already been a week, so it is going great. I can't eat with them, so it is great on the diet situation also. This will be my last dental thing for awhile, I got my gums fixed also. They were too low on one side of my mouth, and they made my teeth look so not straight, so I got them burned and cut basically, it is called a gingivectomy. It is awesome, loving my smile now. I will have to post a before and after. Mike said he can't really tell, but I sure can. I have had retainers since I was 7 years old, I figure I have invested so much of my life on my smile, why let it go now? I will be satisfied soon. Now on to saving money for fixing the kids smiles, Mike and I had very crooked teeth. Haileys teeth came in crooked. Thank goodness for dentists, and dental insurance!!!
So big news for me, I made an apron! I know crazy as it sounds, yes Mikes mom helped me sew my apron. This week I will sew one for Hailey that matches. They turned out really cute. I was really proud of myself. I bought some fabric for a ruffle one also for little Hailey, it is going to be so cute. I even got some truck and safety cone fabric, I am going to make Ryker one. I have so many ideas and so little time to do it all. Thank you Nancy. It was fun working with her, and hanging out at her house. Hailey ran through the sprinklers with Collin and Ryker was an angel.
I need to go get dinner going, I have blogged too much today. Next post will be nothing but pictures! (so exciting)

It was about time!!

Well as you can see we have a new look. Mike and I (and of course the kids), were invited to a best friend/cousin dinner tonight. Well I got talking blogs, and Mandi was like I can help you....did she ever! Thank you for the well needed upgrade on our blog situation. The food was great and so was the company, thanks a bunch.
Thanks to Mandi I have blog buddies, cute pictures and can get from blog to blog without going to other peoples to do so, I cheated for so long, secrets out! I will hopefully be putting pictures on soon, I just need to sit down and concentrate, I know I can do it. Thanks for everything, you guys are awesome!
More to come, once I remember how to do things!!!

I can do it myself, MOM!

Well, it has been a bit wild at the palmer house lately. For the last week Ryker and I have had many of sleepless sleepovers, and crying nights. It started off with a fever and then the fever disappeared, but cranky baby did not. I was tired of getting up with Ryker for the 6th day in a row, so off to the doctor he went on Tuesday. I thought he was just teething, but I wanted a justified answer to why WE weren't sleeping. He ended up having a double ear infection, and a sore throat, and yes he is teething, he is getting his VAMIRE teethe first. So, off to the pharmacy, loving the drive thru thing at Walgreens. Then we gave him his first dose. Last night with two days worth of antibiotics in his system, he slept until almost 6 am, it was amazing. I am a much better mom, when I get some sleeep. So, I thought lets go for a run and go to the park, we all need a outside day. I love my rus, even on hot days like this. Ryker is a much happier baby today, he and Hailey woke up talking to eachother, well as best as Ryker can. It was so sweet.
Today, and most days lately, little "Bugsy" (Hailey) wants to do everything by herself. Well, we went to the park, she needed to go potty, so I was helping her on, we put her fold up potty seat we take everywhere with us, helps me with the whole germ thing. Everything good right? WRONG, she got off, by herself, rubbing on the seat, so being a good person, I wiped off the toilet seat, then to my surprise, she is on the floor bear butt and all, putting on her own panties and shorts. I got her up as quickly as possible, and washed hands. Then we had lunch, she took out her straw and dropped it and put it back in her mouth. Needless to say after the FUN day at the park, we left for home. I called my mom in a panic, and said what do I do? I said I need to bath her right? So I wiped off her bumb with a wipe, and got her in the tub, clean panties and dance outfit on, she is all good, but MAN, she throws me for a loop.
Is it time for a nap yet?

A LITTLE BOY crazy?

So, this is going to be a little post, but I think I should let you know. A couple of weeks ago we were getting ready for church, and Hailey said to me "mom lets bring my binoculars" (spelling?), and I said why? She said "I want them to look at boys in sacrament." I said we don't do that, and she said why? I changed the subject as fast as I could. It made me laugh, but we sit on the front row with the grandparents so I didn't think that would be very appropriate. Funny, but not good. This past saturday we had a young women breakfast, I serve in the beehives again, its the best calling, so fun. I was busy in the kitchen, and I come out to check on the family, and I hear Hailey "1, 2, 3, chase boys!" It made me laugh so hard. She chased these two boys the entire time, holding hands and all. This morning I was texting Mike and she grabbed my phone, and said "lets text boys mom," it made me think I need to post to let people know of all these funny times. Then I got thinking, how do I stop her? What am I teaching my kids?

Busy with Summer, how 'bout you?

Well I know I have not kept ANY promises, so I am not going to promise anything else, I will just do it when I get the chance. Sorry to all of you who are waiting for pictures of the kids. I feel bad, I just don't know how to do it, and when Mike is home well we just don't have time for it. I know excuses, excuses. I will try harder, it's not a promise I will just try.
Anyway to give you a quick update....
Ryker is growing and kind of sleeping at night now. He was having a hard time at the beginning of this week, but for the last two nights, he just woke up once. He is eating peaches, bananas, applesauce, sweet potatos,carrots, squash, pears, and I still nurse. He is starting to put his legs under his butt and scoot, it is so funny, he goes forward on his face. Hailey never crawled, she army crawled, remember? I have a lot of fun with him, he is a good little guy. He is so content, he just cries when he is hungry and at 3:00 in the morning!! He is starting to hug, and that makes me so happy, he just smiles and laughs, he is such a joy to me.
Hailey is loving the summer. We are part of a play group that gets together at different parks, in different cities every week, it is a lot of fun and we enjoy it. She is getting along with friends so well, I am happy about that. I worry about her, but I see the way she is around other little kids and I am very proud of her. It was so funny, this little girl pushed her and she turned around and said "hey you can't push me", then she came over to me and wanted a hug. She is doing excellent with the whole potty thing, to be very frank, it is about damn time!!! I cannot believe how hard she has been to potty train. I hope we have hit success, no accidents for like a week, and she tells me everytime she needs to go, even when we are out places, it's amazing. I keep a accident calender, I know what a nerd, but I got counting, 18 accidents in March, 12 in April, and 10 in May, and none so far in June. We will have to make another trip to Chuck E Cheeses. She is quite a little helper, a little mommy to all of her "Ryker" baby dolls, and she loves to cook, her specialty is "blue soup for Jesus", she loves her "spicies", she is so funny. I sure am glad that I get to stay home with my kids and see them grow, and raise them.
Mike and I will be celebrating our 6th anniversary, at the end of the month. We are headed for a day trip with the kids, we are so excited to be a family out of the house, and shopping!!! I can't wait. We love each other so much, marriage is not always easy, but if you can get through the tough times, you can get through anything. In words of Dr. Phil "do you want to be right or do you want to be happy." I have to remember those words quite often. I am sure glad that he puts up with me, thanks for the good times we have had together, and thanks for growing with me. I am so grateful for the father he is to my kids, he is so great and I know that Hailey and Ryker adore him. Happy Anniversary and Happy Father's Day. I love you.