Meet Tank :) He is the new addition to my lil' family... A.K.A. Cacey and his girls.. But Ariah told my parents that he pretty much belongs to the 4 of us.. I think it's cute! So yes, I do claim him too!



Tank is 2 yrs old. He belonged to Cacey's cousin who breeds bulldogs. He can't produce babies... He hit his you know what on a cement wall when he was a puppy and has had problems ever since... Anywho... Cacey was going to buy a pup from Mandy when the litter gets here in a couple months... But when she said she needed to get rid of Tank he figured it was a good opportunity.. Tank is house trained and he knows allot of commands. he is a good dog and he is sooo loving! I really enjoy having him around and I can't wait for summer to come so we can play outside with him for longer than 20 minutes at a time :)



Man it's been a busy month... Lots going on! But it's been good for the most part..... Cacey found a renter to move in the basement so the first couple weekends in February were taken up by trying to get the basement in order... cleaning it our and getting things organized to put a kitchen in downstairs....

Dad's birthday was on the 13th and we had a surprise 50th birthday for him at La Cocina with a bunch of family and some of his longtime friends...It was really allot of fun!

Valentines day was low key.. I got to spend it with Cacey and we went to his grandmas house to see her because it was her birthday. And then we just cooked dinner at his house and watched some movies.

Other than housework, family time, and a new dog.. Not much has been going on. I do have a horrible case of spring fever though! Cacey and I got the girls out in the back yard the other day raking leaves and pruning bushes! Gosh it felt good to get out there! I love yard work! I don' care what it is, but it just makes me happy. I told Cacey I can't wait for spring to come so I can plant flowers. I love weeding and planting flowers. It's rewarding to see a beautfiul yard and to know that I took part in it! The girls are even excited to get their hands dirty with me! Hopefully it warms up sooner than later!




I popped my rib out of place the other day so I have been trying to get that kink fixed... The chiropractor told me that I can't work out for a week! It sucks because now that it's not an option... I really really wanna go ! LOL Maybe just some speed walking?! :)

We will have to see what is in store ..... I hope you all have a wonderful week and weekend! Stay warm and keep smiling!!!!!

Bitty!

Happy Birthday Bitty!!!! I can't believe we are so old?!!!! :) It's crazy to me to think that we have been around each other for so long... And even through our falling outs.. We have managed to make some great memories that I am sure we will still talk about when we are 80! So in honor of you on your birthday I have taken the time to jot down some of the things that I will always remember .. and things that I am truly grateful for! :)

1. It’s a given…The wonderful candy sales where your mom lost money and we gained because we undersold everything! LOL
2. Dusk til Dawn.. I will never forget the year my allergies were out of control and I got that horrible bloody nose and my make up was running like crazy so I looked like I got punched in the face right before we drove into the lot!
3. The time you called Zack after we broke up and told him how big of a piece of crap he was for cheating on me.
4. Building a fort next to the Bluffdale house.
5. Locking me in the basement and telling me that the kid who murdered his step mom and sister next door was going to get me.
6. Making me watch the Changeling… I still hate looking in bathtubs late at night because of you…. Oh and I am still afraid of the dark.
7. Seeing the picture fly off your bedroom wall and hit the closet.. Yes Sheila J your house really IS haunted.
8. Doing cart wheels on the lawn at night in the Taylorsville house.
9. Listening to ICP on the way to a football game.. Your mom was horrified lol.
10. Hanging out with you the summer before I went to high school In some ways I wish I would have decided to go to Grantsville with you, but in other ways I am glad I didn’t.
11. The famous Cabbage patch moment lol… If you would have given me the doll back like I asked.. I wouldn’t have squirted you in the ears! And it would have saved me a beating from my parents!
12. The airport… enough said lol
13. Going to Kid Depo (AKA hell) with you. I don’t know what I would have done if I had to experience that alone. LOL
14. When we got the comb stuck in my bangs right before the Fun Dome… I looked like an idiot when I had to chop them off to get the comb out!
15. Trying Sushi with you for my first time! Cacey and I still owe you!
16. Singing songs to our moms on Mothers Day. Or harmonizing together when we’d sit in the hot tub LOL
17. Trick or Treating with you all those years.. It didn’t matter if it was in Grantsville or Salt Lake; we always had a great time!
18. Having heart to hearts…. We never really did until we were out of high school. But they are still some of the best conversations and I will remember them forever.
19. Going to bond fires in the old cattle yard with all the football players.
20. The day trip to Wendover.
21. Playing in the irrigation water at the Duplex.
22. Getting baby sat at grandma’s making flower arrangement and pushing each other around on the tricycle and in the wheelchair lol. I just talked about that with her the other day and she said she was always so embarrassed that someone would see us and recognize us as her grandchildren.

There are so many great memories Brit! I could make a list for days. But I guess the main point of this list was to show you how blessed I feel to have someone in my life for as long as you have been. We were inseparable when we were little. And though there have been some bad times… There have been so many good. Thank you for always being my protector, and my best buddy. Thank you for always sticking up for me and being on my side no matter what. You have been there for me through the roughest times in life and that is something that I am truly grateful for. I miss seeing you as much as I did when we were little. And when we have kids I hope they can be as close and you and I have been all these years.… We always talked about that…

I hope you have a great day. And I hope you know that no matter how distant we become I will always love you and cherish the memories that we have.

Happy Birthday!

Love always,
Your baby cousy

#1 dad

On the 13th of this month, my dad turns 50! :) And since I won't be able to make my list on his birthday, I figured I would post it a little early.... So here we go...

50 things about my dad that I love!

1. 1. I love the way my dad laughs at his own jokes. I do the same thing! But it’s different because my dad has a contagious laugh that will make you laugh no matter what.
2. The fact that he loves my nephew more than anything. His eyes light up even if he hears his name.
3. The fact that he never let his arthritis get the best of him when it came to me and my sister… I still remember playing kick ball for a daddy’s daughter date when I was little.. And my dad fell. I instantly started crying because I knew he was in pain. But he just got right back up and assured me that he was ok even though I knew he wasn’t.
4. His work ethic. My dad is one of the hardest workers I know. It doesn’t matter if it is at his job or around the house, he takes pride in what he does and makes sure he does the best that can be done.
5. His willingness to help anyone without anything in return.
6. His personality. My dad is one of the goofiest/funniest people you will ever meet. He can make anyone smile.
7. When rocks out with Sheila to KISS.
8. How he says he is the “baby whisperer” and shows me how he used to put my sister and me to sleep.
9. He is magic.. Or at least I thought he was as a kid because he could drive the truck without the key in the ignition.
10. When we were moving from out West Jordan house and he assured me that it would be ok. I would make new friends, and I could take my bike with me.
11. He is the perfect candidate of a wonderful husband. He does it all.. dishes, laundry, cooks, cleans, yard work, house work…. He always tells my sister and me that we can’t compare other guys to him because most guys are not like him … And it is so true! My mom just lucked out I guess!
12. The smell of his white truck. It smelled like life savers and sheet rock. I love that smell still to this day.
13. How he always has Neccos in his jacket pocket in church so we can eat them in sacrament meeting
14. How mellow he is. It takes him allot to get upset.
15. That he makes every vacation more memorable than most. He takes everything in. And I love that because I feel like I get that from him
16. That we look nothing alike. But I did get his feet
17. He was always willing to help me with all of my big projects throughout school. Even if it meant proofing my papers 11 o’clock at night.
18. When he lost his job and was out of work for a year, he still did side jobs every day of the week so he could provide for our family as much as possible! He made sure we had what we wanted, not just what we needed.
19. And I will always remember cooking dinner with him that year. LOL We ate beef every night.. More casseroles than one can imagine.. But he never complained…. That was one of my most memorable years of my life. That was the first year that I truly felt close to my family.
20. Going to work with him when I was little. I always thought it was so fun to go see his co workers and color with them.
21. Him doing my hair when my mom was in the hospital. And yes he did a good job.
22. When I used to “fake” sick in elementary and he would come and get me.
23. Watching home movies as a family. He lives in the memories and likes to go into depth about what he was filming.
24. Sunday morning breakfast. I have always loved waking up to the smell of his cooking.
25. When he use to make me perro. I don’t know what, but it always tasted better when he would make it for me.
26. That he is a jack of all trades. I honestly don’t think there is anything that he can’t do.
27. When he drove me to my ex boyfriends house at 1 in the morning just to make sure he was safe…No ordinary dad would have done that for a boy they despised!
28. Teaching me to drive a stick shift ! I was horrible and I will be the first to admit it!
29. He has always been proud of my sister and me in everything we have done.
30. How he makes fun of me for watching lifetime!
31. His mush! He really does make the best mush in the world!
32. Even when he doesn’t agree with something that I choose to do, he keeps quiet and still shows support.
33. His love for the church. He has always accepted every calling with open arms.
34. The fact that he lets me learn from my own mistakes but never says I told you so.
35. How much he loves my mom. It’s nice to have parents that are still together and in love after 27 years.
36. Driving back from Arizona with him and Chelsea. J He never complained once. And he even let us play the “honk your horn” game with truckers! LOL He has fun and he knows it!
37. The fact that he likes to hunt but doesn’t anymore because he is married to a “tree hugger” … I think that is cute
38. He lets Chloe ride on the lawn mower with him. But she is going to have a rude awakening when she is replaced by Jaxon!
39. The fact that even when he has a stressful day at work, he never takes it out on the family.
40. How he treats Cacey and his girls. I was so afraid to tell my parents about Cacey because of our age difference. And honestly at first they were not that happy. . But they took things better than I thought they would. And now they actually like him more than anyone else that I have ever dated! And my dad is always joking with Cacey and the girls and giving them a hard time which is nice because he couldn't really do that with my ex's. My family loves having them over to the house. And I love being able to have everyone I love together so often.
41. Dancing with him at my sisters wedding. Even though it wasn’t “my day” he still took the time to make me feel important too.
42. Letting me find myself on my own terms.
43. The fact that he truly doesn’t care what anyone thinks of him. It makes me smile because I think more people need to be like him in that sense.
44. People watching with him. I love to hear the comments he makes. They always make me laugh.
45. He is always honest.
46. Seeing tears in his eyes as we walked through the Draper Temple. That was life changing for me. I gained a stronger testimony that day.
47. How he never rushes to get off the phone with my family. It doesn’t matter what he is doing when we call, he always makes time to talk to us.
48. Being forced to listen to Neil Diamond in the car was always a funny but brutal experience.
49. When he shows Jaxon things around the house and yard. I can’t wait to have kids that he can do that with.
50. He is always trying to point out the good in everything. Even when it's hard to see.


My dad is the most amazing father I could have asked for. He is someone that I admire most in my life. I was always a mommy’s girl when I was little. But as the years pass, I grow to understand and love my dad on a completely different level. He is more than just a parental figure. He is my friend, role model, and one of my heroes. I have always been difficult to deal with in ways. I have always respected my parents in the sense that I never snuck out or anything like that. But I have always had a mind of my own way and did my own thing… But he has always loved me and accepted me as I am. He has always been there when I needed someone to fall back on. Never saying I told you so, but always making sure that I was ok. He has always put our family first and that is something that I love most about him. Even during the hard times, when we didn’t have allot of money and he made sure we had more than necessity's. His strength, knowledge, love, and, understanding are the things that make him such a great father. I truly feel blessed to have a father like him to look up to. Life hasn't always been easy, but I know that I have made it through what I have because of the support system that I have at home.

Thank you for always setting such a great example of what a family is all about. Thank you for always loving me unconditionally and never turning your back on me. I couldn't have asked to be brought in to a family that is filled with so much love. I hope one day to set the same examples to kids of my own.

Love you always,
Nicki (kiddo, punky brewster, and the newest one "dumb" :))

Soulshine and sunshine

So today is absolutely beautiful! The sun is shining and the air is warmer than is has been in a while! I didn't take any pictures, but I put some one here that make me smile and remind me of the sunshine.

I call this one Soulshine.


Flaming Gorge





I am loving it! This weather is definitely what I needed to lift my mood up. I have been kind of down lately. Not sure why.. I mean I have a pretty great life. I have a wonderful family, a job with great benefits, a car, great friends, and an amazing boyfriend. I think it just might be because I am ready for a change of scene. I am ready to get out of town for a few days. And I really miss Chelsea. Even though we talk all the time, it's hard. And I know that it's part of life. And I am glad that she is up in Washington doing her own thing...I just miss the hugs and the memories we used to make on a daily basis.

Flaming Gorge Weekend trips!


Playing football in Alaska


Exploring Caves in Alaska!



People wonder how we can be so close and be so different.. And Sometimes I wonder myself. But then I remember that we have been there for one another through thick and thin for the past 13 years. And even though we are so different, we know and understand each other better than almost anyone. It seems like every time one of us is down the other is always there to pick up the mess... She is my twin soul :) and I couldn't ask for a better friend.



When she came home last I did realize how different our lifestyles are from one another these days... Me being in a relationship with someone who is older and has kids... I can't hang like I used to LOL. I am somewhat of an old lady these days... And she of course is still Chester... Still wild and crazy.. Hard on the exterior and a big ball of emotion on the inside :) ... But the fact that she never changes is one thing that I love most about her. She is a great friend and will always have a special place in my life.



I know that she will probably never read this.. But I want her to know that I couldn't picture my life with out her in it. She is a big part of who I am today. And I am so glad that I have a friend who can laugh with and at me and who will cry with me. Her leaving was one of the toughest things I have had to go through... But since she left.. I have realized now more than ever how grateful I am to have the one and only Chester as my best friend. There is not a day that goes by that I don't laugh because of something that reminds me of her. There really is no way to describe her other than... She is Chester lol. She has a sailors mouth, a punch that can make a grown man cry (I have seen it happen), a strut for any pair of heels, and the biggest heart ever. I hope she never changes. Because I love her just the way she is :)

lump in my throat

It’s one of those days where the feeling of un-appreciation causes you to get that lump in your throat that you feel will never go away. Where things working out against you cause your eyes to well up with tears… It’s one of those days for me when I feel like hiding out… Shutting myself off from the world so that I can think things through and just take time to truly be angry… I hate being angry. But I also can’t be happy all the time either... I know that is selfish and stupid… But sometimes I just can’t help but feel this way.

How do you turn things in your favor when you wish for them to be different? How do you get others to treat you the way you treat them? And if they don’t ever catch on to it.... Do you stop treating them that way? Do you treat them they way you feel they treat you? I mean why put others first in your life if they never take the time to notice… Or take the time to make you first in theirs right?

Shed some light

“To be persuasive we must be believable; to be believable we must be credible; credible we must be truthful.”

I saw that quote today and it kind of goes with what has been going on in my life..... Lately I have been so frustrated over lies that have been said about me and others. Usually I wouldn't care, but they were said by someone whom I have considered a friend for most of my life..... I know, it clashes when you say it in your head. But I have grown up around her... And always known her to be that way.i have always known her to tell stories about her life to make it seem more extravagant... And have always just said "Well that is just how she is.. And I know the truth." But recently some things were said about me and others that I have taken to heart. Things that hurt me...Things that aren't true in the first place.. But also things that she had no right to say about me. Things that were far worse than anything I have or had going on in my life at any point....I am not perfect and I make mistakes. But I will be the first to admit it when I am in the wrong. And I try to treat everyone the way that I expect to be treated.... Even to those that talk badly about my life and the choices I make... When they should really be focusing on themselves and bettering their life.

Now I am not one to play the blame game or the "top that" game... I don't go around saying "Well you did this and I never have so that makes me a better person".... But I also don't tell lies about other people...Especially those I consider friends. But I feel that you can not rightfully judge someone unless you have walked in your shoes... So there fore she has no right to judge my life, or of those I care about most.... And I guess in a way, I don't have the right to judge her either. But how do you not become angry with someone like that? How do you let go of what they say about you, with out wanting to understand why they said it??? And more importantly when do you start to trust them? How do you let them back in to your life and trust that your best intentions are part of theirs? ....... Enlighten me...

I thought that I would post a picture of the latest work of art .... I was inspired by Cacey's brother for this one. He has been going through some really rough times lately and he is trying to get back on top of things. So this picture represents the just that. He being the ship pushing through the see of troubles. It was an experiment, and in my opinion it turned out quite nice. He seemed to like it so I can't be happier about that.




I have really been trying to draw and paint more. It seems to help me allot. It's kind of like my own dose of therapy... Or an escape from the real world. I would love to draw as much as I used to... Hopefully I will keep that mind set and keep with it.

I hope you all have a wonderful day and try to bring your escape into your lives a little more these days!