"Tooboo Bugs"

Tyli LOVES bugs. Honestly, I can't tell you how many hours I have spent potato bug hunting this spring. She loves holding them, having them "tickle" her hand, and collecting them in a "tup." She especially likes finding "baby tooboo bugs." Even though potato bugs are her favorite, anything that crawls appeals to her. She also collects lady bugs, ants, snails, and beetles. Fortunately she steers away from bees and spiders. Luckily we don't have any frogs, snakes, etc. by us or who knows what I'd find crawling around my house.

If you visit us, don't be surprised if you find us in the backyard looking exactly like this.

This is a typical collection of potato bugs, ants and snails. I have to confess that snails really gross me out and I try to put them into the trash can as soon as possible.

Oops. Ty is showing me how this one "bumped" his head.
Poor bug had been dropped several times.

Ty is just examining this bug. Unfortunately it didn't quite pass the "Tyli" test. What she thinks is his bum is really him all squished up.

Race For the Cure

A couple of my friends wanted to race in the Race for the Cure this year. Jon and I decided to do it as well. Three of my closest friends' mothers or mother-in-laws have had breast cancer. My own grandma had breast cancer. Luckily they all have survived. It is unfortunate that this is such a deadly disease. It was great to support this cause. I pray that myself, my family or my friends will never have to experience this for themselves.

The exciting part of the race is that I finished it with my fasted 5k time of 28:40. I know that if any serious runners are reading this that time is probably something to scoff at. I was thrilled though! I was only two minutes behind Jon. Stacy and I ran the whole race side by side which was really fun! She kept me going that's for sure. Even though I wanted to die by mile three somehow I made it over the finish line. The best part is that I felt great after! It was really fun. I loved sharing that with my friends.

Jon was great! He wasn't intimidated by all that pink!

Look how happy we look. This was obviously taken BEFORE the race.

Nat and I sportin our twinner jackets.

18,000 people showed their support for this cause. It was pretty cool to be a part of it. There were definitely some interesting surprises. I don't think I've ever seen so much pink in one place. Too bad Tyli had to miss it. She would have loved it!

Women's Conference

Jon gave me the best anniversary present ever, a fun day with my friends. I got to spend the day with some of my lifelong friends (and some new friends) at BYU attending women's conference. Sister Beck the BEST talk on families. It was amazing! I really came away with a new desire to try harder with my family and do everything I can to help all of us survive in this crazy world. Their have been times when I have felt that Satan was literally beating against me and my family and I know that the term "war against the family" isn't just a phrase. In her talk Sis. Beck encouraged every to FIGHT!! If she really was asking us to head to battle at that moment I think every person there would have armed themselves and headed out to war. I really have tried to personalize it for myself and consider the small things I can to do arm my family. If only the easy things weren't so hard!

I also attended several other classes that were very motivational and inspiring. The thing I loved most about them all were how positive they were. I just left feeling like if I am trying my hardest than that is good enough! I don't need to be perfect in everyway to feel happy and loved. It is something that is common sense but somehow the comparisons start and before I know it I am not as good as anyone else. It was just really nice to be reminded of simple things.

Even though I loved the classes, the very best part of the day was spending it with some incredible women! They just each have such a great perspective on life. I felt like I had spent the entire day at a therapy session. As I discussed concerns and problems in my life they each had words of encouragement and comfort. It really was just what I needed. Thank you friends!!

So my eleventh anniversary I spent selfishly for myself. Thank you Jon for being the best husband and giving me this awesome day!

The great gals I got to spend the day with. Emily Reed, Elise Pehrson, Jenny Dutson, Kathryn, Melissa Nosler, Me

Isn't this amazing! This is at the end of the conference.

Eleven Year Anniversary!

Who knew eleven years could pass so quickly? Jon and I have been together for so long I barely remember life without him in it. We have been so happy together. Don't get me wrong, we have definitely had our moments, but looking back we have been very happy! If I think of the Jon and Jodi that were married on this day eleven years ago, I imagine two very excited, happy, young, naive kids.

Then I think of all that we have done over the years we have had together. I remember our first years of marriage with it's challenges of being dirt poor, working day and night, going to school, somehow surviving and struggling. With that I remember the closeness of driving each other to work because we had one car, working together to figure things out, camping and playing whenever we got a spare minute. Then I can recall the overwhelming joy that accompanied the birth of each of our sweet girls. I will never forget the tenderness with which Jon held both Madi and Tyli after they were born and happiness that surrounded us.

What I have loved most about the past eleven years is that I have been able to spend them with my best friend. I love that somehow we have been able to withstand all of the crap that the world has thrown at us and have even become closer to each other and to our Heavenly Father. I appreciate that Jon still treats me like a queen, and has every single day we have been together. I love that he forgives me for my mistakes even before they happen. I love that he loves me for who I am and never wants to change me.

I love you Babe! Thank you for EVERYTHING! I can't wait for the next eleven years together!

Jon spoiled me with these beautiful flowers. :)