Celebrating 4 Years....

Let me just start off by saying that this Anniversary was the best one yet and I have to thank my sweet husband for his kind words, he makes me feel like a princess. Our Anniversary always falls during finals week so it is so stressful!  Also just like last year Chris would be on his way to FL for a Rugby Tourney that weekend of our Anniversary. So needless to say it will be like this for the next 2 as well..LOL! We take turns planning our anniversary to make it easier and to make it more fun too. My husband is not known for creativity when it comes to these things but even with all his stress he certainly surprised me this year.

We first went to dinner and down town was packed so we had to walk a little ways to get to the restaurant since there was no parking. 

 We ate at the Woodfire Grill. It was really good and they had one of the best spinach dip I ever had. Some times it's weird being out with out no kids because you forget how great it is to spend some alone time and to have a real conversation with you husband. 

 I know I take Christians love for granted sometimes, don't we all? He is so good to me and spending quality time with him always makes me realize it more. I love my Herc! 

After Dinner we went for a walk on the downtown colorful bridge. It lights up at night all different colors and it's really cool to just over look the city. 

 

Chris kept telling me that he had a surprise in store for me but that we had to kill some time first. We have not had our favorite cold stone in quite sometime so we decided to and get some. This is one of our guilty pleasures. Every calorie is so worth it though..LOL! We tried this new cinnamon bun with white chocolate chips, grams, and pecans....YUMO! Chris thinks I am funny but I love eating their ice cream with their sample spoons because it is just like the right size of bite for me:) 

 Over ice cream we talked reminisced about our wedding and how it seems so long ago yet it just feels like yesterday too. In 4 years of marriage we really have been through so much and there is not other person I would rather go through it with.

 After that he said it was time for my big surprise. Chris programmed our songs that were played at our wedding in his phone so we listen to them on the way over...it was so sweet! We went over the bridge to Moline and starting driving towards down town where all these bars were. I kept asking, "what are we doing?" and he just kept saying, "you will see!" We pulled up to this very old building with a random little door and he said, "this is it!" I gave him a weird look and just went on with it. We had to climb a good flight of stairs and when we got to the top this is what I saw.....

Yup that is right, he surprised me with BALLROOM DANCE LESSONS!!!!!

I was in complete shock and kept asking him, "really really, you going to do this for me?" You see I have tried to get Chris to take ballroom before but he never wanted to. He told me, "I really really LOVE you because I am going to take ballroom dance with you!" I was thinking that exact same thing that he must really love me if he is doing this and what better way to show his love for me by doing something that I have wanted for so long that he does not really like. Yes sir, he is down right an amazing husband!

The lessons were good. We learned there are 2 different kinds of dance Rhythm and Smooth. We just got a little intro to all of the types of dance like waltz, fox trot, cha cha, tango, samba, and swing. 

It was really fun and I could not stop smiling and laughing of course because we kept messing up...LOL!

 We are going to do a lesson about once a month plus they have practice sessions and dance parties we can go to at the studio we are taking lessons from. I am so excited and believe it or not Christian said he really enjoyed it too. He probably did not want me saying that but he did. He told me, "this is something we can do together and as long and I am with you then it does not matter if this is not my forte!" I know he is the best. 

The night could not have been more perfect. Thank you so much babe for my big surprise! I could not have been more thrilled about it:) I love you to "infinity and beyond!" Happy 4 amazing years to us and many many more! 

The next morning Chris had to leave early to catch the bus for the Rugby torney in Ft lauderdale. They had a long bus ride, then a plane ride, then a long layover, and then another plane ride. Since it was going to be such a long day I made the team little treat bags for the way. It brought out my little "cheerleader" inside and I had a lot of fun making them. I guess the guys really liked them as well. Chris is still gone and I am lonely as I write tonight. He informed me that they won 2 and lost 1 and that it is nice and sunny where he is and he even got a sun burn...LOL!  He will be home late tomorrow night and then we are on break from school. Chris will be studying most of the break because when school starts again he will have his first board exams.  

Life is busy but we are plugging away....Go Dragons!

Thanks again babe for an awesome anniversary, get home soon because I miss your face!;)

Here is our song.....

To My Trophy Wife...

(Me holding up my Star Trophy)

4 YEARS WOW!!

We must be getting old...

Yup, we have been married a for four years today.. How time flies when you are having fun.  We started this tradition of us alternating writing about each other each year, and I always feel at a loss to put my feelings for Kerri in to words. It has been 4 of the best years of my life thanks to my little m-i-l-f.  Kerri is an amazing wife and mother and you can tell how much she loves our children just by the way she looks and plays with them.  I told her when we got married that I felt like I had won the lottery.  Now it is like my winnings have just doubled.  She has made me a better man and helped me be a better father than I ever thought I could be.  She is our families spiritual rock, keeping us firmly attached to the Iron Rod and Gods plan of happiness.  Oh and did I mention that she is HOT and just simple beautiful!! Who Else's wife looks like mine after 2 kids? Even with out any make up and pj's she still looks delicious! Needless to say I still get butterflies in my stomach when I look at my lovely wife. I can't leave this girl alone for a minuet and she has guys hitting on her and every where we go and she turns people heads with her beautiful smile!  With Kerri there is always sunshine! Her gitty personality brings out the best in me and everyone! She has a heart of Gold and her compassion and tolerance for other is unbelievable, I need to be more like her.  I am so grateful for her passion to take care of the well being of our family. If it was not for her I would still be eating chicken, egg whites, and tuna fish all day everyday..LOL! She is a great cook and is always looking for ways for us to eat healthy and live a more well lifestyle...so thankful for that! Can you just tell how much I love my wife? I do so much. Kerri you truly are amazing thank you for giving me your FOREVER and being all mine, Lucky Me!!

  

Tap Tap Tap!!!!

Top 10 Love list 2011

Besides my family I have a few "loves" I would like to share with you since its LOVE month and all.

1. Turbo Kick: I had the opportunity to teach at an RS activity this month for the first time in years. I have been hard core weightlifting and cardio for a while now but teaching it made me realize how much I miss and love it. We are going to be setting up a more permanent Turbo Kick schedule so I can start teaching again. I am super stoked about it.  

2. Yogurt Cheese: I make this stuff like its going out of style. I love it! It so yummy and very good for you. I use for substitutes for mayo, cream cheese, and sour cream. I even use it in recipes to make my own ranch, tartar sauce, Alfredo, and horseradish. Stay tuned on our wellness blog because I am going to do a video and "how to" make it post on there! 

 3. Nikken: Everyone know how much of a fan I am of Nikken and their technologies never seem to fail our family. I recently have gotten their Organic Skin Care System and Shower Head. Can't tell how how much I love them both. The skin care is Eco certified organic which that is hard to come by and it makes your skin feel so supple, dewy, and fresh. The shower head has helped so much with my dry skin, I feel so hydrated after I show now, and not to mention its nice to smell like a chlorine hot tub when I get out of the shower...LOL! These technologies are so amazing!! 

4. Skin Care: My new fav is also Alba un-petroleum for your dry dry skin. My lips get really cracked at the ends and this has helped. I also use it in under my eyes and on my for head to prevent wrinkles. You can also use this on diaper rash too. As you can see I have moved more towards Organic everything and I have fallen in love Aubrey Organics baby line. Everyone usually says they miss the baby smell when it comes to switching over but this one has some yummy smelling oils in it and make babies skin feel so soft. Love both of these things.   

 

5. Sorbie Smoothie: Everyone always tells me "your hair smells so good!" This product would be the reason why. Not only does it smell good but it gets out all the unwanted frizz and makes your hair feel so much smoother. Can't live without this stuff. 

6. Flower Accessories: A couple of weeks ago I learned how to sew these! I love flowers! I love wearing them in my hair, pinning then on a jacket or hat, and I also love the flower head bands too. It's a perfect way to dress up any outfit. 

7. Feather Earrings: I am so excited these are in style. I also love any feather accessories they have for your hair too. I remember my Mom used to wear these. They are so fun and fashionable!! 

8. Noise Makers: My kids could not go to sleep with out this. I love it because it drowns out any other noise and makes it so I can get some things done when they go to bed...even vacuum! It calms my kids right down when they are going to bed. These are heaven sent! 

 9. Pandora: I am addicted to this. I love that it plays the same music of that sort but different songs. It's awesome! I got my gym mix, cool down, and you can even listen to Church hymns! Love this!

 10. The Buckle: Lets face it, I could spend all of the money I owned here if I could. They are the only store that carries my jean size of 24-25 inch waist by 29-30 length that actually fit! Jeans are hard to come by for me. All of their clothes are adorable! Love this store way way too much! 

OK, there is my love list! Now do yours, it's fun and I would to see the stuff you "LOVE!"

15 "Breast" Months

Yup, this little guy or should I say big boy is officially done nursing! I am not sure how I feel about it. I think reality has set in that he is not a baby anymore...sniff sniff! I just let him wean him self, he slowly got down to one feeding a day and then he just kept pushing me away when I would offer it. 15 months is not to shabby if I do say so myself! Treyson was done at 10 months and I was not going to force him to keep doing it just like I was not going to force Porter to keep doing it. I am in a little bit of pain, I been having some leakage but all is all I am glad he is done. He seems more independent now and he is sleeping a lot better at night. When he is really upset sometimes he will pull at my shirt for milk because he just want is for the comfort but I just give him a sippy cup instead. 

 He takes a sippy cup just fine. He loves juice and water but he will only drink milk the way his brother drinks it...with ovaltine in it! Trey loves chocolate milk but thanks to Gramps Cutler prefers ovaltine. I am glad because it is healthier then regular chocolate syrup or powder. Since Porter saw me putting it in his brothers cup he had to have some too. I guess it fair right. Both of them cannot tell the difference between cows and goat milk and they also love coconut milk too.   

 Sometimes when I think about it, it just seems crazy that I produce milk to feed someone else. I am so thankful that I was able to do it for so long. I do enjoy nursing, its one of the best things God created. It's so good for you and your baby. Thanks Porty for giving me 15 "breast" months! 

 PS. Porter goes nuts over the protein smoothies we make. He always get a smoothie mustache when he drinks it that is really cute. When we are drinking it he will sign and say, "peese peese peese (please)" like 100 times...LOL!  If we do not give him any he will look at us like, "come on, hurry up, its my turn!" 

The reason I am writing about this today is because I just heard on the news that Mrs. Obama is giving tax cuts for breastfeeding moms. I mean ya it would be nice to have a tax cut but is it really necessary? Why do moms need a tax cut to breastfeed their babies when they should be doing it anyways? I know she wants to do it because of her push for childhood obesity. Studies have shown that if you are breastfeed you are least likely to be obese. I believe that is true but if we are going to fight obesity then it need not to start with breastfeeding! Lets start with the food companies dumping, gmo's, high fructose corn syrup, and artificial crap in our food. Also do you ever see commercials promoting breastfeeding? No, you see commericals for formula and prescriptions drugs. We are a microwave and TV society so start advertising breastfeeding then! Also I would like to add that I was NEVER breastfed. My circumstances did not allow me to be breastfed since I was raised by my grandparents. Do I have a problem with obesity? I might it I did not watch my diet and lifestyle habits right? So breastfeeding did help me not be obese it my lifestyle choices. I am just saying breastfeeding is not the cure to obesity! I remember struggling so bad with Trey trying to nurse. I was so hard and I cried a lot. He did not master until he was about 3 months of age and even then he was not as good as Porter was at it. I remember people saying its OK to give him a bottle but I was so offended and I did not want to give in, I did not anyone else feeding my baby when I was trying to help him learn to breastfeed. I also remember people saying "just give him formula" and again I just did not want to give up on myself and my baby! Yes we have formula for a reason and I believe some Moms must use it but I believe breastfeeding one of the best gifts you could ever give child. The benefits for you and baby are endless. The bond between mother and baby when breastfeeding is such a beautiful thing. When Porter latched on right after birth I was in heaven but if he would have struggled I would have fought for breastfeeding with him too! Now having said that I am thankful for breast pumps and that this technology can help you when you need it and to have extra milk. Having extra milk has always saved me when I was not able to breastfeed my children. So I guess when I am trying to say is I am not sure how I feel about Mrs. Obama proposal, I have mixed feelings. I just find it funny that she wants to give tax breaks for breastfeeding yet she totally believes in pro choice...LOL! You can not breastfeed a baby if you abort it! She also wants to do this because breastfeeding is the lowest among African American women. Imagine that! Do you think its because they cant or they choose not to? Please don't think I am being racist here because that is not my intentions, but seriously!!! By law your work place has to give you time to pump your milk if you choose to go back to work but studies have shown that many women just choose to stop which is their choice right? My final thoughts are I am not sure a tax break will fix the problem they are trying to solve. What are your thoughts and feelings?  

Happy "Lovers" Day!

First, I just want to say how much I love my two little lover boys. 

Porter Bear and Treyson Bear! 

 They bring so much joy and pizazz in my life! 

 Aren't they just the cutest little valentines you ever seen? I love them so much!

Can't forget about my other Valentine...Hercules!!

We got a babysitter for Saturday night and got gussied up to go to the Church Valentine Ball.

 The theme was "Cafe in Paris"... how perfect! The food was pretty yummy too. The missionaries from the steak were our severs and we thought that was pretty cool as well.

We had a good time. Chris gave me a fake flower from the decorations on the table and said, "happy valentines day!" LOL. How sentimental! He told me it was very thoughtful because he said it would last forever like our love...ha ha ha! Gotta love my hubbers! 

The decorations were so adorable and it really looked like we were in Paris. We even had live entertainment. It was like we were in a little piano bar or something.

Of course we danced the night away. The music was not partially our favorite but we still shook our tail feathers a little. I love dancing with my Christian, I fit perfectly in his arms:) I am so glad we got to go this year it was so awesome! 

  On Sunday, we made yummy cupcakes. The boys had fun helping.

 They both devoured them. Treyson only the frosting mainly...LOL!

 Porter went to town and had frosting from head to toe as well. Messy boys!  The rest that were left we gave to our awesome neighbors because we love them!

 On actual Valentines day Chris had school and some lengthy boards to study for so we did not do anything out of ordinary. Chris felt bad and wrote, "Why is it that some guys are completely retarded when it comes to Valentines day, especially this guy...sorry hunny forgive me of my stupidity...Pleeaase!" I told him not to worry that I would just want one of my silly soaps to get my romance for the day..LOL! Lets just say he is hopelessly romantic..haha! He did come home with a new gym shirt for me and then he ask like a little high school boy if I would be his date at the gym. Of course I accepted! We had a great work out together and the boys were so excited to go to their favorite daycare to play. Trey got a Valentine balloon from the gym that he was really thrilled about too. Best V- day gift ever...my biceps are killing me today!!!

After the gym we deiced to go to Red Robin for dinner. They have a great menu and even really healthy choices. I love their strawberry lemonade though...its amazing! 

It was a great "Lovers" Day/weekend I must say. Hope all of you had a great V-day and love was the word of the day:)

Jax Attack

Jax has been a little stinker lately. He knew thing is to run off and roam the neighborhood. Most people love him and they come over and tell us how great of a dog he is.  Our close neighbors love him and they consider him like their own but not everyone feels that way. He loves to play with the neighbors dog and they keep each other company but lately he has been wanting to find some other fun. Here are a couple of scenarios that have happened lately....

Scenario 1-- Jax jumped the fence and took off sprinting when he found out we were leaving. I had to drop Chris off at practice and run some errands so our neighbors said they would watch our for him and let him in if they found him.  Well like 45 min later I get a call from this lady who was not very nice. She said she had our dog and I told her if she would just let him go then he would come back because we had our friends looking for him. She would not and told me I better hurry up and come get him and that she already called the Humane Society! I told her that I was on my way and to tell the humane society not to come. Also I was clear across town and since I don't drive much I do not know my way around. I asked for her exact address and she would not give it to me for safety reasons but then I convinced her that I really needed it. Mind you I have both my kids screaming in the background while talking to her on the phone. Anyway, the GPS took me a weird way to her house and her house garage was on the corner of road and you had to go back to the next street to get to her front door. I kept trying to call her to tell her I was lost but she did not pick up. When I finally figured out where it was I knocked on the door and she came out and said, "you took too long they came and got him about 2 minuets ago!" I look at her and was like, "really, your kidding me!" She then decided that she was really cool and started yelling at me and threatening me to get off her property. LOL, I just laughed at her and told her she was a joke for person and that she should learn some Charity and people skills because it would help her out a lot in life. I was very upset and my kids were still screaming. Very frustrating. Who does that? She knew I was on my way, yet she could not wait 2 more minuets for me to get there? Good Grief, some people in this world! So, anyways long story short I ended up having to pay 60 bucks to get him out of the humane truck...ya...he was not even at the pound yet. I had to wait at the humane society for the truck to pull up to get him and at first they were not going to give him to me because they were closed. Yes it was a long night and very annoying.  Jax was in mega trouble after that. 

Scenario 2- Again we were leaving and Jax this time bolted out the door and ran off! AHH! We had a seminar to conduct so again our neighbors said they would help us. About an hour later we get a call from a very nice women named Anglea. She was very pleasant and gave up lots of pointers to help him not run off anymore. She really likes him and always calls us if she sees him running in the alley ways. This was 100 % turn around from the lady I dealt with before. We ended up leaving our seminars early to take care of the doggy business. Again very frustrated but so glad someone was nice to about it.

Scenario 3- It was Sunday and so we went to Church as usual. One of us must have left the door a little cracked because Jax pawed at the door until it came open and somehow bolted his way through the screen door. I'm not even sure how he did it because our screen door is very heavy and you have to push the handle to even open it. Yes, Jax is one smart puppy!!! Well when we came back from Church he was not where to be found. Chris went looking for him and again we found the pound truck loading him up and had to pay 75 bucks to get him off this time. UGH!!! 

This was the third strike and I about had it with Jax so we have been working really hard at not getting him to run off. He has been doing so good for weeks now but not today!!!

Today Scenario: I let Jax out to potty at around 9am and he goes over to play with the neighbors dog because he is out and I watch him and he is doing fine. I then call him to come in and he takes off. Really? Not again! I then bundle up and go out looking for him because I do not want to pay a 100 fine for him. Porter was down for a nap and I put a movie on for Trey so I could go and try and find him. I know I probably should have done that but I have no car so what else was I to do? I looked for him for about 20 min and I went to Angelas to see if she saw him and she said that she did see him in the alley way but has not seen him in a while so she thought we had him. Oh great! Finally I go back because I am freezing and everything is fine at home. Kids are good. I call the humane society to see if they have them and they tell me no but they got a call for him about 2 hours ago but when they went to look for him he was no where to be found. When I heard this I became worried because I was thinking maybe he was road kill or hurt really bad. I have no clue what else to do but just wait for Chris to get home to go look for him or wait for the humane society to call me. Well, about a couple hours later (1pm) Jax shows up at the back door just panting away and happy like nothing happened! OOOO Jax you are a dead dog today!! LOL. I punished him but I could not help but laugh and think maybe he has the dog catchers figured out too? I bet he hid from them when they came around. What a little stinker!! Really Jaxson why do you have to be so smart? He is too smart for his own good. I am so glad he is safe and we did not have to pay 100 fine!!

Now, having said all of this drama about our Pooch, we do love him. We are dog lovers what can I say. He really is such a good dog so I don't know why he is in this stage of running off especially when its cold outside. He never did this in the summer! Anyway, I'm not sure we could picture our life without Jax. Yes he is a lot of work and its like having another kid sometimes but we just adore him. Sometimes Jax even gets more love from Christian then I do. Man's best friend right? Jax loves his cuddle time with is master that's for sure. What wrong with this picture? LOL, before I married Chris he told me that he has a soft spot for dogs...big dogs...not Field goal kicking dogs that I grew up with. If you can kick a field goal with it he does not consider it a dog, he considers it a pest or a rat..LOL! I am not sure if I knew what I was getting myself into but nevertheless Jax has been a great dog for our family! 

 Jax loves our Children and that is the best thing about them. He plays with them and protects them. The other day Trey was playing "dragon trainer" and he was the trainer and Jax was the dragon. Jax just played along and let Trey's ride him and stab him with his fake sword. He did this with no growling, snarling, or barking, but with a "help me" look on his face..LOL!  

 Trey loves his "Jaaaxxxxsiiiin!" They are best buddies. He is sometimes very rough with Jax but they play together so cute. I don't know any other dog that would be the way he is with kids. 

 Porter also loves his "Dudda Down." We call Jax Bubba Brown so that's how Porty tries to say it..LOL! Porter malls him all day long, pokes his eyes, and pulls his jowls. Jax does not mind, he is used to it. Porter goes and lays by him all the time and snuggle together.  If you are wondering why my Children are covered in endless dog hair its because they can not keep their hand off this mutt all day! They do love their doggy Jaxson Bear that is for sure. He is their partner in crime. They give him kisses and hugs all throughout the day and I sure Jax appreciates it when he gets them since he is mostly a jungle gym for them..LOL!

Oh Jax Attack you are a pain in my behind and sometimes I wan to strangle you! I would kick you to the curb but I could not bare the looks on my kids faces if you were not around anymore. I love your stinker hairy butt but please try and not to run off anymore you get me and yourself in trouble! Sleep on it! 

Ill just end with one of my hubs favorite dog jokes. 

If you tied up your wife and your dog and put them in the trunk of your car for a long time who would be the most excited to see you when you opened it? HAHA! 

"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself!"

Josh Billings