a weekend with a few

IF you didn't realize this already, I'm a little obsessed with family get togethers.  I can't get enough of my siblings and parents.  Any chance to see them, I'm freaking there.  So I was really excited to host a quick Merrifield party this weekend.  I have one sister moving to North Carolina and a brother moving to Wyoming.  I'll be the only child left in Utah.  Weird, huh?  So two siblings showed up Friday night, and then the other sibling and my parents arrived on Saturday. 

 

We ate too much, swam at the pool, played at the park, and just sat around visiting.  I cried when it was over.  I probably won't see some of them for a while.  It stinks.  I know my siblings wouldn't go for this but I secretly wish we all lived in the same town.  I'd be in heaven! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AND...Happy Father's Day to my wonderful Dad.

 

Thanks for:

Joining the church when you were 15.

Chasing off that other guy so Mom would date you.

Having your 5th child :)

Teaching me right from wrong, love, kindness, determination, hard work and confidence.

Teaching me the gospel, setting an example and honoring your priesthood.

Most of all...for just being a REALLY good Dad!

if you really knew me

My friend Kim (who I love dearly) posted this on her blog.  I guess it's been a "thing" with blogs.  I wouldn't know because I've been a little out of touch with the blogging world.  But I read hers, loved it, and missed writing about something besides special events with my children. 

 

Enjoy.

(from our trip to Blackfoot last weekend.)

 

If you really knew me...

 

You'd know that I absolutely positively loved food.  It rules my life.  When I wake up, I get excited thinking about what to make for breakfast.  I love to cook and bake.  I like to follow recipes and not follow recipes.  I love baked goods.  Bake and devour them in the same day is my motto.  Every event in my life needs to have food involved. (don't you love that I started with this?)

You'd know that I've never dyed my hair and that I hardly ever blow dry it.  Which explains my 26 year old hairstyle - long, blonde and straight. 

 

You'd know that I LOVE company.  I love to have friends or family over.  I am happy when it's just me and my kids at home all day.  But something about having friends or family come and stay is SO exciting!  I'm giddy with excitement over making a menu for the day which always includes snacks and desserts.  And when people need to spend the night, I can hardly wait to stay up late talking and then surprise them with a delicious breakfast!  (This kind of sounds like an invitation...take it as one!)

You'd know I can't decorate, sew, design, or create ANYTHING crafty!

 

You'd know that I'm self conscious about my weight.  I've always wanted to be skinnier.  I started thinking about my image and my weight way too early.  I try really hard to work out and eat right.  But my love for food hurts this part of my life :) 

You'd know that I'm more comfortable entertaining/teaching a group of children than a group of adults.
 

You'd know that I love music.  I love singing, playing the piano, and listening to the radio.  I love dancing to music!  Ask any of my closest friends, hubby, kids or siblings.  Dance parties are a MUST!  I love the way music brings out emotions and makes you feel like you can do anything!  I wish I were more musically inclined.

You'd know that most of my favorite things to do are very "lazy" - watching movies, reading, eating, visiting with friends.

 

You'd know that I become a little "too involved" in TV shows.  This goes for books and movies too.  Especially teenage dramas.   I love these different realities where a vampire can fall in love with you and not eat you, or two surgeons can fall madly in love while surviving bombs, gun shots, and plane crashes, or where teenagers fall in and out of love while playing basketball or trying to track down "A".  But I'm also a sucker for hilarious comedies.

You'd know that I love being a Mom.  Sure it's hard.  I complain about it too.  But it's all I've ever wanted.  I love being pregnant.  I love having babies.  I love all of it - nursing babies, rocking babies, kissing babies, even changing their dang diapers.  I love playing with toddlers and coming up with new games and activities to entertain them.  And I know I'll be sad when I'm done having children.  Being a Mom is definitely my calling here on this earth.

You'd know that I'm a summer baby!  If it's not 80 degrees and sunny outside, I'm at a complete loss with what to do.

And...finally, you'd know that I was afraid of marriage before James came around.  I had too many embarrassing and failed relationships which made me think I couldn't commit to an eternal marriage.  But I did.  And I'm forever grateful that James helped me see that I could.  Gosh I love him.

 



little behind

We've been up to a lot!!

 

James turned 31 a few weeks ago.  We went out for his birthday.  We ate wings and saw Iron Man 3.  It was so much fun!

  

Porter turned 3 the day after James' birthday.  He is so wonderful.  I can't believe he's already three years old.  He's brave and kind and hilarious!  We had a friend birthday party for him.  We made trains out of boxes and rode them around the "track" outside.  We decorated train sugar cookies and had a picnic outside.  That evening we had our own family party.  I'm pretty sure by the end of the day both of my kids were sugared out!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I turned 26 this past Saturday.  Weird.  I still think I'm like 18 and then I look in the mirror.  Two babies have definitely given me a few nice wrinkles and beautiful CONSTANT bags under my eyes ;)  We treated ourselves to donuts for breakfast and had a barbeque with our family that night.  That night before James and I went to dinner and a movie again!  We never get to go out...so twice in two weeks was AWESOME!

 

I'm thinking summer has finally arrived in Logan.  And we are living it up!  We bought a season pass to the little zoo down the street from us.  We walk to the park EVERY morning and play until lunch.  And we tried out the new splash pad today...it's awesome!  I was the only Mom wearing my swimsuit.  That was even cooler.  But I insist on being tan in the summer!

 

Summer is my favorite.  I feel like I'm a much better Mom in the summer.  Is that weird?  There's just so much to do and we're much happier playing outside.  I LOVE IT!

 

AND...I started my 8 week training/diet yesterday.  I'm doing pretty good.  I ran my 3 miles yesterday and I haven't eaten any breads or treats yet.  That alone is a freaking miracle!

will you hold me to it?

So...I'm going to do something.  And I need you guys to be sure I stick to it.  Because I'm pretty sure I've set weight goals and running goals a thousand times.  But this time, I'm FREAKING serious and I don't want to fail.

 

I want to lose some weight.  I'm not going to tell you how much.  Heck, I'm not going to even post a before picture...maybe when I have an "after" picture to post right next to it.  :)  I also want to run a half marathon.  I've run a 10k.  I'm set to run a 15k in about 5 weeks.  The half marathon is in 8.

 

So this means I have 8 weeks to train and lose the magical weight loss number.  I've got it all set up.  A training schedule for 8 weeks.  A list of foods to eat.  A few work out videos to change up my exercise routine.  And then I need you.  If I call you and talk about making cookies, tell me NO!  If you call me...ask me about my schedule.  But don't be mean if I'm not doing so hot (I don't respond well to criticism).  Just kindly say, "Tiff, you wanted to lose weight...so DO IT!" :)

 

Will you hold me to my goals?  Please do...because I REALLY want to do it!

And maybe you could do it too?  Doesn't have to be running a half marathon in 8 weeks but some kind of life changing decision that could make you feel AMAZING?!  It could be fun :)

what to even call this post?

Yesterday James and I ran a 10k.  It was my first race.  I had wanted to run a half marathon this month.  But the training just did NOT happen!  However I was really proud of my 10k.  My goal was to run the whole time, and I did!  I'm hoping to run a few more races this summer...maybe even that half marathon I'm just craving to do.

 

Today is Mother's Day.  James made me breakfast, helped the kids make a poster, bought me a banana cream pie, a handful of plants, and made dinner AND did the dishes all day.  At the end of the day he said he was so tired.  Huh?  But really it was such a nice day.  I enjoyed it - thanks James.

 

The primary children sang in sacrament meeting.  Did you know I'm the chorister?  Its pretty much my favorite calling ever.  I never want it to end.  Ever.  The children are hilarious.  I love to sing.  Except I'm not anything fancy when it comes to music...so primary is perfect - very forgiving :)

My children are my life.  I feed them, dress them, help them go potty, change diapers, take them to the park, play with them outside, tickle, wrestle, and kiss them.  Porter is very much a little boy now.  He walks, talks, and handles his life like he is a little boy - no more baby or toddler in him.  He's tough and yet he is usually pretty gentle and kind to his little sister.  Paige is just adorable.  Her little personality makes me so happy - she is happy and silly.  I never want it to end.  I want them to want to be with me forever.

 

I'm sorry I have not been a very good blogger lately.  I feel like I'm fallen out of being addicted to blogging.  Which can't be a bad thing, right?  I forget my camera everywhere we go.  I've lost interest in coming up with clever little posts.  I'll try harder....for all of those people who read my blog (Mom, Rachelle...maybe a few friends from college)

 

Anyways, I hope all you mothers had a special day.

 

MOM - Happy Mother's Day.  I miss you.  Wish we lived next door to each other...really, I do.  You're the best.

we were gone for a while

I only blog when we've done something amazing.  And the past two weeks have been pretty amazing!

 

I took the kids and went to St. George for a week to play with my parents.  I'm selfish like that ;)  Its warm there!  We were shorts and flip flops and got sunburns.  I can't wait for summer!

 

 

 

Then we met James and his family in Hatch.  His parents have land and a cabin there.  We've decided to build a little bunkhouse next to their cabin.  So we're working on that.  I'm lucky to have a strong, talented husband who can build ANYTHING!

 

 

6 in the temple

We were in St. George last week...with my whole family!  That's right - my five siblings and our spouses and our children and my parents were together...for my brother, James's wedding.  He's the best brother in the world.  And it was awesome to be there.  He's the last child in our family to get married.  And he sealed the deal - all 6 of my parents kids were married in the temple.  I'm pretty proud of us :)

It was an awesome weekend. Thursday was the wedding. And it was filled with pictures, matching clothes, tears of joy, lots of laughing, old friends, LOTS of family, and yummy food.   Everyone thought Paige was the cutest thing ever and Porter just talked away.  I absolutely love his wife, ShaeLee and I'm excited she's apart of our family.

 

After the wedding we spent the rest of the weekend partying. Swimming, hiking, playing in the sand dunes. It was amazing. And warm. Why oh why do I live in a place that has winter? 

I'm sad we don't all live closer. One day?