a little lAuNdRy RoOm update….

When we remodeled our house 5 years ago, the laundry room was totally overlooked. I am not really sure why but maybe I just had too much on my plate and thought what would I really do to it anyway (plus it is really just an oversized closet in our downstairs bath). Well, I finally had a vision and I couldn’t be more excited how it turned out. It is not fancy but it sure does help make laundry not so bad….

BEFORE:

There was  a GIANT hole by the dryer vent that my very sweet husband patched for me! The other side of the “closet” had a HUGE metal box that was nasty, there were no base boards and lots of clutter!

DURING:

 

AFTER:

I already had the paint and the base boards, so I bought the boards for the wall,  the cream basket and small brown basket (both wally word about 7 each). It just feel so much brighter and cleaner, oh, the little thing that can make a girl happy and for only 48.00!!!

06-16-98

YeS, that is 13 YeARs!

I honestly cant believe he is 13, sometimes I wonder where has all of this time gone? And even though I miss the day’s that he needed his mom, I am truly so proud of the young man he is becoming.

13 FuN facts about WyLiE  on his 13th BiRtHdAy:

1-He completed his first year of Jr. High

2-He served on the 7th grade student government

3-His accumulative GPA was 3.988 (yep just one A-)

4-He is a total goof ball but only around his friends

5-He has an awesome sense of humor

6-He ran on the Track Team

7-Had an amazing Football season

8-This spring he showed us his stuff on the Baseball field for the first time since he was 5

9-Is a very loyal friend

10-Had more birthday wishes on FB than anyone I know

11-Grew at least 5 inches this school year

12- He was on the Chess Club

13- Has a heart of GoLD!

 

Wylie,

tHirTeEN years ago I was handed the most beautiful baby boy I had eVeR seen, of course I am biased because I am your mom. But at that moment my whole purpose made sense. You where the reason I would fight, thrive and become the woman I am today.   You have made me a better person.

You have blessed my life ways I never could have imagined, you are such a great example in our family. I can only hope Payne is taking mental notes on how to behave when he is your age. Even though you are usually giving “things” up for Payne’s “wants”. You always take it in stride with the big brother role, I know right now it seems annoying but know that Payne will always remember your kindness.

I am so proud of all of your accomplishments and can only imagine what the future has in store for you. I love that you dream big and you heart is real. You have recently told me that you hope to go to the Air Force academy just like your big sister. The fact that you wish to serve your country at such a young age makes my heart swell. You are truly the greatest surprise I have ever received. I pray that all of your dreams come true. Happy thirteenth birthday Wy!

Love always,

Mom:)

jUsT liKE tHaT...

Last night I was having one of those moments, when everyone couldn't get to bed fast enough, no one wanted to go and I was at the end of my rope. I had asked Payne several times to pick out a movie so we could get in bed. When the nice voice didn't seem to work any more I threatened, if you come out of your room one more time.....a few moments later I  heard someone in the kitchen.  I stormed out of my room demanding to know what he was doing. He said in the saddest voice, getting my OWN chocolate milk since no one else will.... at that moment I realized he made his own milk, no spills, no mess. He started his own movie and got his Jammie's on just like he was asked. 

Just like that my little boy had become a BIG boy!

It's amazing how fast he is growing up!

I am totally giving credit to a "chore" chart that we started a couple of weeks ago to help Payne become a little more independent and earn a little money. He is really into it, we have small tasks that are easy for him to accomplish and he is really proud of himself when he gets to put a star on the chart.  

a side note:

This photo is from Valentines day, Payne wanted to send his cousin Laney a picture of him showing her that he LOVED her, and he does!

 He wears these glasses faithfully. they are not real glassed just borrowed from the 3D movie he had seen that day. He wears them because Laney has glasses too! see he loves her....

Donut Falls

My Brother in Law Matt had a friend in town from Brazil and he wanted to show him around a little so we joined them on a little outing up Provo Canyon to Donut Falls.

This is the first time I had ever been and can’t really say it was as amazing as I had hoped but Payne LOVED playing in the water (i think he was a fish in his last life).

 

this is my favorite picture….

 

Payne and Uncle Matt

pReSchOOl….

In late summer, Payne started his 2nd year of preschool with his best friend Syd. I think the this was the best decision I have ever made for him. They go in the afternoon and carpool with her mom (which Payne loves) On days that he  doesn’t want to go, she shows up and everything changes. She is his rock.

I see a long future for these two, just saying;)

sUnDanCE…

In the early days of Fall we took a trip up Provo Canyon to one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. Sundance.

Payne had gotten his shirt all wet so we made our way into the gift store, which I could have spent hours, and found him a souvenir.

The view from the ski lift

My Brother in Law Matt, his friend from Brazil and Payne.

I don’t know why, but I have a thing for signs

definitely can’t wait until we go back!

diGGer fOOtBaLL ‘10….

If there is one thing I love, it is little league football. 

Mostly because I love watching Wylie excel at something that he originally had no interest in. This year he really took off. He ran, he scored, he blocked, he tackled he did all the things that he said he was not going to be good at.

This year he proved that his size was not really and “issue” he proved to himself that hard work pays off and he can do anything he chooses.

By no means did his team win every game but they were a hard working bunch, that tried and got better each game and came out with a tremendous amount of pride.

and sometimes when the loss seemed too much…

a good dad was there to put his arm around you

and let you know that he is proud of you.

5….

We celebrated Payne’s fifth birthday with all things train…. because that is his one true love.

He met all of his friends at “This is the Place Monument”

Payne and his “other” love Lucy

  They played “train” and of course Payne was the Engine

Once everyone had arrived we enjoyed a delicious boxed    lunch of train shaped PB&J’s, pretzels, grapes and Payne’s favorite, chocolate milk

everyone got some train accessories

and off to the trains they went……

riding the “big” train

waiting for the small train

Payne’s dream…ringing the train bell, actually it would have been to drive

cute cousin’s, he adores that girl!

he is really into this ride?

after about 5 or more rides, I am actually guessing more, we headed over to the petting zoo.

Followed by a serious amount of hand sanitizer,  we enjoyed some amazing cupcakes

                                   and cake balls

and finished the perfect day off with lots of presents and birthday wishes.

Five, couldn’t be better!

oNe moRe sLeeP...

Tonight I put my baby to bed with one more sleep before his 5th birthday.  He has been on the count down for 26 days or should I say nights, almost everynight he would ask me "how many more sleeps until my birthday?" How I love this boy, this boy who was my baby, this boy who has grown so big so fast it makes me wonder were all of this time has gone. I will never be able to recall everyday and know where each moment has gone but I do know that tomorrow we will be out of sleeps and he will be 5.

I LOVE YOU BUDDY!!!!

LOVE ALWAYS MOM 

wYLiE...

I thought I would give a little update on what is going on in his world.....

It has been a little over a month since he started Jr. High and he absolutely loves it!  The night before his first day, he had laid his clothes out and packed his book bag. This is not typical Wylie fashion, I would say he is more of a fly by the seat of his pants kind of guy.  I felt like it was Christmas eve....

Last week was Parent teacher conference and I could not have been more proud. How was I  lucky enough to have been given one of the greatest kids EVER.  His teacher's told me how much they enjoyed having him in their classes, how he loves to participate, is always very courteous and not to mention he is pulling straight A's. 

He has joined the Chess Club and the Cross County team.  I was so happy that he took an initiative to search these options out and be part of something at school.  He is planning on running for student council this fall and can't wait to participate in the after school art program once he is done with Cross Country.  He is also playing football four days a week and LOVES it. I love that he is "sporty" yet kind of "nerdy", ha ha...

One of the many things I admire about him, is that you can put him in any situation and he will come out with a new friend or two. He has made lot of new friends at school this year and some are even 8th graders. I would say that is huge in the Jr.H world.

I can't believe how much my boy has changed in such a short time, I am so excited to see what the future has in store for such an amazing young man!

This guy…

I think I have mentioned how much I adore him and how I never want him to grow up.

Well once again he showed me what a great kid he is.

We were lucky enough to score two extra tickets, thanks to my dad, to the Ute's first game of the season.

I called to let him know I was on my way to pick him up and he had gotten all decked out in his “U” gear, new jeans, new shoes and a hint of his cologne. He even brought his I-Pod for tunes on the drive there. It was like a date!?!

of course we had to take a picture…

 

Wylie had to take a picture or 10 billon of the field…

he even snuck in one of himself that is over exposed. He knows way more than I when it comes to technology.

I have to say that I can’t remember the last time I had that much fun at a football game. We cheered hard, we gave high fives, we did touchdown dances and we had some funny conversations. He told me things about school and his life that if we weren’t there at that moment I may have never known. Nothing important, just stuff but it gave me another reminder how important one on one time is.

As sad as I am that he is growing up so fast and before I know it he will  be taking a girl on a real date, I am happy that he is becoming such an amazing young man. I LUV him!!

fUnNies

it’s Friday, I am sure we could all use a good laugh so here are some direct quotes from Payne.

and because the picture is funny too!! This was in JUNE, yes his hair is pink from Wylie party the night before and he has snow boots and a jacket on, why, who knows.  But he is his own man;)

As we are driving through who know where, my husband says to Payne. “look there is a corn field, where corn on the cob comes from. Payne, “WHAT  corn comes from a FARM!!” (city life, we should work on expanding his horizons)

Me, “Payne we have a surprise for you.” Payne, “Are we going to St. George?” (not quite, but I guess he misses his cousins)

About his name tag from school, he said “ I am glad I didn’t get BLUE!” Why? “Because BLUE is cougars, ugh…” (as if I was just supposed to know, but man his dad has him brain washed, in a good way of course)

Me, “Payne do you have your seat belt on?” him:“NO!”  me: “Why” him: “cause my brother is screwing with ME!” (no, comment.)

as Payne came upstairs, I could tell he was upset. I said “what is wrong” he reply’s “ I just think its FUNNY that they won’t let me turn off the light.” (I just think its funny, direct quote from me!) I guess he really does listen sometime.

I went to pick him up the other day from his friends house. After going to preschool with her, being in the same class and  going to her appointment at Primary Children’s to take a tour of the Hospital, I said come on Payne, lets go.” in his saddest voice “But I haven’t seen her all day!” (he has it bad! ha ha)

Last but not least, yesterday in the car he was talking to himself and I hear him say, “today is my lucky day” so I chimed in and asked him why? “because I didn’t have to go to school!” (it is going to be a LONG 14 years!)
Happy Friday!!!!

cAtcHing UP part II

Next, We were able to go to the Pioneers Day parade this year. Thanks to our favorite friend Nicole for letting us invite ourselves and our neighbor and to her very sweet husband who slept out to save a spot, the perfect spot I may say.

Best Friends:)

Payne’s Favorite, of course, was the Train

He kept calling the floats with the city’s royalty on them, “the Princess floats”

Our hero’s

Watching through a child’s eye was such a magical experience.

 

Also, Payne learned to ride his bike without training wheels literally within 30 minutes of taking them off.

To which his dad saw fit to run out and get him a NEW big boy bike. I love that the next morning he ran out the door to ride in his PJ’s.

Payne couldn’t be happier and he spends most of his day riding. I would say he is officially pro!

 

And lastly, Payne has found a new love, our neighbors snake. Yes snake… ugh! I am not fond of it but he is truly  fascinated with it.

We have “snake” sitting time. They let him bring their snake to our house when he wants to play with it. But they had to tell him that he can only come over twice a day otherwise he was over there every half hour or so. It was hilarious!

Our brother even likes it….

and of course the dog wanted to see what it was all about too.