Logan's Roadhouse

Last night we went to Logan's Roadhouse for dinner (not just because of the name, although we really do like it, but because we love to try new restaurants), which is a steak house similar to Texas Roadhouse (very yummy!). The food and atmosphere were great except for the people who were sitting at the table across from us debating on whether or not they were going to call CPS on us.

To say the least, Logan was having a hard time. However, he is usually good at restaurants and I know that he is going to just get worse the more mobile he gets, so we figured that we had better take advantage of eating out while we can. To explain what happened, he was sitting in his highchair grabbing at anything in reaching distance when he grabbed hold of daddy's water and spilled it all down the front of him! At this point, we were almost done, but waiting for our dessert (most important part) and didn't find it necessary to rush out of the restaurant and change Logan into fresh new clothes (which I didn't have...I know, bad mommy) immediately! However, the people across from us had a different opinion and couldn't stop talking about how wet his pants were and what unfit parents we are.

We live in AZ, so it wasn't exactly cold and we were inside and going to leave within 10 minutes max...I don't think we were exactly abusing our child (who was as happy as a clam now that he had ravaged everything in sight)! We were just trying to have a nice little dinner out and I think it is so rude when people (usually older, without children, or whose children are all 30+) give you dirty looks and whisper about you every time your child makes one little peep, not even cry, mind you! They made us feel like anyone who has a child younger than the age of 10 is not welcome to go out to eat!

Sorry for the negativity, but I really allowed them to bother me. Does anyone else share in this frustration? With that being said, it was a good restaurant and we are not going to let anyone deter us from going out to eat as a family. Okay, I am off of my soapbox.
Ben took this picture with his cell phone, so sorry it is not very clear, but we just had to capture him at the height of his naughtiness (he is eating rice cereal and not foaming at the mouth)! We love our little guy so much:)

Logan Loves His Grandpas!

Today is Grandpa Bryner's birthday and we wish that we could spend the day celebrating with him. Luckily, Logan had such a great idea to post a picture of him wishing Grandpa "Happy B-day"...such a smart boy:) We love you and hope that you had a wonderful day!


Grandpa Bryner is already training Logan to play ball with the big boys!


On Monday, "Ampa" was in town for business which always means: Peter Piper Pizza, the park, and the "Orange Grove"...AKA FUN!


He gave Wade and Seth these "tough" tattoos for Valentine's Day (I wouldn't let him put one on Logan)...they loved it!


Logan got his "Ampa" for Valentine's Day!


The "Orange Grove" is by Jen's house and is the boy's absolute favorite place to go with their "Ampa." All they do there is search for oranges that have fallen off of the trees and throw them into the muddy pond water and try to make a big splash. Yucky, I know...such a boy thing!


Logan loves the "Orange Grove" too!

For Valentine's Day, Ben and I went to the Mesa Temple for a session and then to Cantina Laredo for some great Mexican food...it was a nice night.
I hope that everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day:)

He's Working On Something...

1996

It has now been 12 years today, since my mom passed away. I was 14 at the time and I had a lot of growing up left to do. Thankfully, my dad became the glue that held our family together and made it possible for us to be sealed for all time and eternity. I know that I will be reunited with my mom again, it is just a matter of when. Without that knowledge, I do not think that I would have been able to handle this life-altering trial. Through this experience, I have gained such an incredible testimony of the gospel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints, without which, I would be nothing and am forever thankful for.

Every year, this day comes and then it goes, but it will forever be a day that will remind me where I gained my testimony and learned what life is really all about. For my family, this was the way that we had to learn and I know it was meant to be.

I am thankful for a family friend that encouraged me to write daily in a journal dedicated soley to memories of my mom. Those memories are invaluable to me. Sadly, the memories of my mom fade more and more every year, but her spirit and comfort is always with me.

On this day in 2003, while I was attending Southern Utah University, I was given an assignment in English class to write a descriptive paper that used all five senses. I chose to write about my mom and here is the actual paper (sorry it is so small, but you can click on it to enlarge it):


I know I am not the best writer, to say the least, but any documentation of memories of my mom bring the biggest smile to my face and fill my heart with so much love. I miss her so much, but I know that she is with me through every step of my life and I hope to be like her someday.

A Few Tidbits About Me

I was tagged by Shandra...so, here it goes!

A. The rules are posted at the beginning.
B. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names; then goes to their blog and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged.

10 years ago:
I was a sophomore in high school, cheering on the JV squad, on the Dance Company team, and driving around in "The Boat" (1985 Buick Le Sabre) getting into all sorts of trouble!

Snacks I enjoy:
Pretty much anything chocolate (ice cream, candy, nuts, cookies, brownies, etc., etc.)!

5 things on my to-do-list today:
1. Take care of Logan (play, feed, change, love...it sounds like I am taking care of an animal, but how else do you explain taking care of a child?:)?)
2. Exercising was on my list, but didn't quite happen today (that one is usually the first thing to go if something else comes up...I know I'm bad) because I ran out of lunch food so I met Ben for lunch at Cafe Rio (Yes, we do have one here too and I still love it!)
3. Shopping at Walmart (always a joyous occasion)
4. Laundry (the never ending task!)
5. Make dinner and get Logan ready for bed (eat, tubby, story, and off to dreamland between 6:30-7:00 PM)
6. Mutual (I am a Mia Maid advisor in Young Women's)
I'm sorry I listed more than 5, but my to-do-list can go on for days! It doesn't seem like there are enough hours in the day to accomplish everything...does anyone else feel this way?

Things I would do if I were suddenly made a billionaire:
1. Ensure all of my friends and familys' security for life
2. Donate to the church and charities all around the world
2. Travel around the world, shop, enjoy things that I normally wouldn't do (spa treaments, laser hair removal:), Lasiq eye surgery, buy couture clothing, dine at up-scale restaurants, etc.)

3 of my bad habits: (which, I am working hard to improve on all of the following)
1. Staying up late...this is killing me, but I can't seem to change this one no matter how bad I try!
2. Being late (my sister, Jen, really hates this about me)
3. Making exercise my last priority

5 places I have lived:
1. Sandy, UT
2. Cedar City, UT
3. Henderson, NV
4. Gilbert, AZ
5. I have only lived in 4 places so we'll have to leave this one blank and see where life takes us!

Jobs I have had:
1. Filer for a law office (I think I had this job for like a month in high school?)
2. Good old Trendwest Resorts (Telemarketing, which I was awful at!)
3. TKJ (Living Coordinator for People with Disabilities)
4. Tanning Salon in Cedar City (I got fired from this job, which is a long and stupid story, but devastated me because I had never been FIRED before and still haven't...thank goodness!)
5. Convergys (In-bound telemarketing...I must have been a glutton for punishment!)
6. Walmart Pharmacy Technician (Cedar City, Las Vegas, Gilbert)
7. Now, I'm your friendly Walmart Pharmacist (I work every Monday for 12-13 hours)
8. Mom (the most important job in the world!)

Things people don't know about me:
I have done a tag similar to this one before, so you can refer to that if you want to, but here are a couple others I could think of:
1. I eat the same thing everyday for breakfast and lunch
Breakfast: Carnation Instant Breakfast drink (chocolate, of course, and very yummy!)
Lunch: Turkey sandwich (with light mayo, mustard, and provolone cheese on whole wheat low-cal bread), 28 raw almonds (Yes, I count out the exact serving size!), two fruit leathers from Costco (to satisfy my sweet tooth), a Fresca, and a bottled water (I know I'm weird, but I actually adopted this lunch from Jen and I look forward to it everyday and I am bummed when I run out of my lunch supplies!)
2. I really am into the Presidential Campaign and I want Mitt Romney to win (I'm sure that is not much of a surprise)! I actually, am helping a friend run around fliers door-to-door to advertise for the "Super Tuesday" primary election on February 5th. Also, I have been watching all of the debates and Fox news coverage, reading up on each candidates views, and even listening to AM talk radio! I know, this is not like me, but I am really enjoying it! Politics are very interesting and like soap operas...so much for The Young and the Restless (no, I am just kidding about that one)! If you haven't gotten into the race yet, I recommend giving it a chance and you'll see what I am talking about.

I am tagging: Anyone who wants to participate in the fun!

President Gordon B. Hinckley

The 15th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gordon B. Hinckley, passed away today. We love and will miss our Prophet, but we know he is in a much happier place with his sweet wife Marjorie. He no longer will be "the last leaf on the tree."

Enjoying AZ Weather!!!

The weather here has been ranging from 60-80 degrees daily, which has been wonderful for going to the park, riding bikes, and just enjoying being outside. If anybody wants to escape from the cold UT (or any where else) weather, you're welcome to come and visit before it gets ridiculously hot here!