Moms... What did you give up?

This week I got a bladder infection. I have had a few over the past two and a half years. It was never to the point of visiting a doctor until now. He asked me how often they happened and I said, "I never got one until after Kira was born." He smiled and said, "THe things mothers give up for thier children."

That got me thinking. I would rather have bladder infections then not have Kira. No question.
So moms out there, what have you given up?

With Brookelyn, I have a spot under my scar where I have no feeling. I am numb to anything. It is weird to feel a finger going across and then all of the sudden stop and then start again on the other side.

With Kira the infections.

I am not asking for lack of sleep, no me time, and stuff like that. What have you given up other than that?

Good thing it is all worth it. Otherwise things might be difficult. It also helped me deal with this a little better.

A day late

This should have been posted yesterday but I didn't get to it.

Six years ago today, my sweetheart asked me to marry him. My life has been complete with him in it. I love him so very much and I am grateful to have him in my life.

It's Offical

Our house is really on the market. If you want to see pics here is the link.

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/Soda-Springs_ID_83276_1115555021


It is so weird and cool at the same time. I can't believe we really are moving.

House Hunting

There are three posts so please scroll down and read them all.

This past weekend we finished our house, put it on the market, and went house hunting. Only those of you who have seen our house can truly appreciate all that Arik, his dad, my dad, and Garrett have done. The downstairs bedroom is amazing and no longer scary. The bathroom looks great and it is so clean. The kitchen is completely different. We put new doors in from the garage to the kitchen and from the kitchen to the backyard. A Brother from our ward came and painted everything. He did a great job. Our house looks great and no longer feels like our house. It really is time to move.

It is now on the market and I am constantly cleaning up so that everything looks good when I go to bed.

We went house hunting in Pocatello and found nothing. Two were promising but at the very end of what we want to pay so we will keep looking. Next weekend we are going again.

Tomorrow I head to Boise for three days to grade state math tests. So exciting. I also get to see our new niece Macey. I am excited for that!!!

Life is crazy and as long as I have Arik keeping me straight, All is well!!

Christmas Lights

When I first went to BYUI, we started going to the lights at Christmastime. When I met Arik that is where we got together. We went every year for 5 years and then stopped for a couple. This year I was determined. We were able to arrange meeting up with our friends the Severinsens and then the Allreds. We were able to meet Steve's new wife, Melissa, and loved her. She compliments Steve very well. I am happy for them.

Here is Lil and Libby. The pic of the whole Severinsen family was too blurry (sorry guys). Brookelyn, Libby and Rob. Brookelyn loves Libby and wanted to be with her wherever she went.
The Bagshaw family. Brandee and her family didn't bail on us like the rest of our family did.

Our family. I love them so much. We also had a teaching moment. Brookelyn asked why we got married in the temple. I told her it was so that we could be a family together forever no matter what happened to us. She looked at me and said, "Thank you mom, I love you and want to be with you forever." Instant tears. Then she said, "Someday I will get married in the temple too." Smiles and tears.

Steve and his wife, Melissa.

Kira and Arik. The namesake catching a ride around Temple Square.

Better Late then Never Christimas 2009

Okay these pics are out of order and for some reason it is not letting me put them in order so sorry. I know that these are exetremely late but life has been so crazy and flying by that I can not believe that we only have one week left of January. So here it is. Christmas 2009. We had Christmas in Lehi with my grandparents and my parents, sister (Melanie), her three kids, and Garrett (brother) came up from Texas. Brandee (sister) and her family were there also. There are 15 of us. Seven 4 and younger. It was a mad house and Grandma and Grandpa were awesome about everything. Many late night games and total fun. All in all a great BOWEN party/Christmas.

Brookelyn with her big present from Santa. At our house Santa leaves one big present and then little presents. Brookelyn was so excited that Santa left her a note!!

Every time that Brookelyn opened a present she said, "It is my favorite. I am so happy I got this." No matter what it was. She made a big deal about every present making mom and dad and all those that got her something feel so speical and successful.
Kira always walks away with dad's tools and he can't find them. So this year, Kira got her own tools and workbench. Santa did well, but four of the tools made lots of noise and drives me crazy. What was Santa thinking??

Another picture of Brookelyn's note from Santa. She wanted to make sure we got a pic of it.

When one person wakes up we wake everyone up. Considering my girls were the only ones woken up they seemed happy. Here they are waiting to go out and see what Santa left.

So happy in the morning, must be her daddy's girl.

Each Christmas Eve we do the Nativity play, like about everyone else. All the children get to do it. Usually my Aunt Lisa and Aunt Julie do everything. They decided this year to pass the torch to Brandee and I. So nice of them to do that!! :) So here is the cast.

Kira was one of the Wisemen and did such a good job. I was proud of her and Brookelyn.

Brookelyn was a shepard and loved carrying the sheep with her.

Brookelyn and Lily followed Kayla around everywhere. Lily wanted Brookelyn to be her best friend. Brookelyn kept telling her that she was her cousin so she couldn't be her best friend. Lots of tears over that. Drama at age 4. Watch out world.

Christmas was great. my husband was wonderful to me as always. I was grateful for the time I got to spend with my family as I don't get to see most of them very much. I love them so much. ALL of them.

Weird, huh?

Most of you know that we are in the process of putting on house on the market so that we can move to Pocatello. People are slowly starting to find out here and most keep asking why are you moving? They wonder why I would want to leave my job (which really is very nice) and we have a great babysitter. Arik can commute they say. I am getting a little frustrated with them. I love to spend time with Arik and we do a lot of things together. Arik is one of those cool, amazing dads that actually like being a part of his children's lifes and wants to see them and be around them. Last week Arik got home at 7 pm or later. The girls go to bed at 8. He hardly saw them. Brookelyn would ask me, "Do I get to see dad today at all?" It broke my little heart. So when people ask why are we moving the answer is.. "I love to see my husband and do things with him. If we move I will be able to do that. If we don't we will never get to see him and he will miss all the fun things like soccer and school plays." Weird isn't that I actually like to spend time with my husband and that he likes to spend time with us.

I know that some people don't have a choice and they have to have those schedules, but we have a choice and we chose to move so that we can see each other. Weird, huh?