August 2017

A month of change.

I have been so focused on raising my children, I have neglected myself and my husband.  This is an easy thing to do.  Children are very demanding.  Your husband is gone for most of the day at work. When he comes home, you have a couple of quiet hours alone and then you go to bed for 6+ hours.  I would say, you get about 2 hours of husband/wife time each night.  But this is often distracted with technology or chores or laziness.  In Germany, it was difficult to go out or find date nights because we didn't have a lot of close friends without children or with older children.  Everyone we knew was in the same stage.  Now we are in San Antonio, and we have friends and we have lots of options for babysitters.

I have been trying to re-discover myself:

I love to dance.  I used to religiously watch Dancing with the Stars every season.  I used to go salsa dancing with my girlfriends in college at a local cafe.  I don't believe I was ever any good, but I loved it.

I wanted to do so many adventurous things when I was growing up.  I wanted to skydive, bungee jump, white water raft, visit the Pyramids, scuba dive in the Great Barrier Reef, ride in a hot air balloon, learn how to drive a standard vehicle, move to a foreign country, ect.  Fear took over.  I want to live everyday, like it was the last day of my life.  I do not want to regret anymore.

I have always been self conscious about my body.  Always.  What girl isn't? I have so many moles and so many scars from mole removal and surgeries.  I never appreciated my legs.  I always thought I was doomed to have the "Harris thighs".  My boobs have been turned into hanging mosquito bites after nursing two children.  And my stomach has never been muscular.  I want to change.  I want to quit complaining about what I don't like and fix it.

I love to accomplish a hard/achievable  goal.  I have always dreamed of being a nurse.  I knew BYU had a super hard program and I was determined to be accepted.  I graduated the nursing program with a 3.7 GPA in 2007.  I wanted to be an ICU nurse while I was in the army.  I always admired the nurses that worked in the intensive care unit and was determined to become one.  I worked my way into the unit and was accepted into the Army's ICU nursing program in 2011.  I graduated with highest score of all the ICU students.  I wanted to have a natural birth.  I waited to go into the hospital, until I felt ready, and both my children have been delivered without any medication in 2013 and 2015.  I have always wanted to run a marathon. I trained for one of the hardest marathons- Athens, Greece.  My goal was to complete under 5 hours, I got 4:50!  Right now, I am working on my Masters in Nursing Education.  This is a pretty tough goal, while raising two kids and soon to be working full time.  I am also taking yoga classes, and I have a few hard and achievable goals I hope to accomplish over the next few months.

I love theater.  When I played the piano, I always picked out music to play from musicals.  I loved to watch the movie version of musicals- West Side Story, The Wizard of Oz, Chicago, Hairspray, Grease, My Fair Lady, Mary Poppins, Annie, The Sound of Music, The King and I.  I was in show choir during high school.  I have never had a passion for acting, but I enjoy watching others showcase their abilities.  I have not been to many musicals- Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, The Lion King Junior.

I love 80's rock n roll.  I just do.  It makes me feel happy.  It could be that I was born in 1984?  I wish I could attend more concerts that play this awesome music!

I used to pamper myself.  I would go to the beauty school and get my hair colored at least twice a year.  I used to fake 'n bake in one of those cooking beds OR bought that lotion that makes you feel orange after you put it on.  I loved following the styles in magazines- heck I just enjoyed looking at fashion or pop culture magazines.  Over the last couple years I rarely got my hair cut or colored, put on make-up, dressed up, or did anything for just me.  Now is my time.

Lastly, money.  I have always been so careful with our money.  And I have no idea why.  I just like watching the number grow larger and larger.  Often, I would forego doing something because of the cost or the risk.  How awful is that!  Again, I want to live everyday like it might be my last- no regrets.  (I promise I will not blow money on stupid things like a Starbuck's coffee every morning or the more expensive brand at the grocery store).

I love my children.  I love my husband.  But, I need to spend a little time on me too.

July 2017 in Utah

While I've been partying in Utah all summer, Bryan has been slaving away in San Antonio.  We bought a nice sized home in Converse that needed a little TLC.  Bryan arranged to have the house painted and some sheet rock repairs before he got there.  Then afterwards, he has arranged for carpet installment, granite counter tops with under mount sinks and new appliance.  He has put in new floors, tiled the bathrooms and kitchen/pantry, installed toilets, and cleaned up the yard.  Plus, he has been going to work full time.  He is amazing! It looks soo much better than what it did online.  There was a lot of different colors throughout the house.  Btw, we purchased this place without ever seeing it! 

Floors and carpet

Paint job and carpet

 Finishing up the floors

 Meanwhile, this is what Rebekah and the girls have been up to.  On the 4th of July, we hiked donut falls in Big Cottonwood Canyon.  The girls did most of the walking on their own.

 Kate learned how to make Mormon jello.

There was a fireworks ban in my parents neighborhood, so we went to some friends in South Jordan to celebrate the holiday.

Crazy morning hair and a HUGE scratch on her face from a fall on the cement. 

 We spent a lot of time at all the cool splash pads in Utah and Salt Lake county.

 Pegasis at Highland Glen with my neices.

 Splash pad fun.

I visited SLC capital building for the first time.  I had a meeting with one of my representatives to discuss taxing sugary drinks.  He did not go for it, but that it okay.  It was a great learning experience and I got an A+ in my class.

 Ahlborn Family Reunion part I at Bear Lake, Idaho

 We got to celebrate Jane turning 2 at the family reunion.  Lots of helpers with the presents and eating cake.

 Jane had another birthday party at the local splash pad with my side of the family, plus Amy.  We had lots of cupcakes, lots of presents, and lots of water.  It was perfect.  Jane loves Moana and she looks super cute in her Moana dress.

 Amy, Emma, and Alice

 We celebrated Pioneer Day (July 24) hiking up Stewart Falls in Provo Canyon.  The hike was a little long for the little ones, but they did it and I am so proud!  We went with Dad, Kim, Norah, Zander, Linsey, Daphne, McCartney, and Ezra.

 Grandma turned 100!  She had an amazing birthday party at the Garden Park ward in SLC and so many people (younger than her) came to visit.

 Ahlborn girls (Amy's two, my two, and Michael's two)

 Kate and her cousin Alecia

 I got to visit with my BFF's from high school.  It was so nice seeing them and catching up.

 My parents' neighborhood pool had a Moana party with a real live Moana.  She was amazing and danced for all the littles.

We had a great July!

Jane turns 2

Jane has been such a joy to watch grow up.  I have been more relaxed raising her than with Kate.  As a mom, you feel so much pressure to be perfect.  To raise these perfect little beings and follow all the guide lines set by pediatricians, society, the church ect.  Jane has taught me that there will always be another way to do things.  She has tried my patience over and over again.  She is typically found with a pouty face.  Her naps are rarely over 2 hours.  She has no interest in the potty.  She loves cheese.  She asks to see Kate every time I pull her out of her crib.  She loves to brush her teeth.  Jane still uses a pacifier to sleep.  She is 26+ pounds and a little on the short side.  She is so gosh darn cute and has the whiniest voice, but we love her to pieces!

This is Jane's last night as a one year old.  We were staying up in Bear Lake for the Ahlborn family reunion.

 Both my girls love Moana.  So, we had a Moana birthday party at a splash pad in Lehi, Utah.  Jane wore her Moana outfit and looks so darn cute!

 Cheese!

 The food, cake, and Linsey.

 We invited McCartney, Daphne, Ezra, Norah, Zander, Emma, and Alice.

The best gift ever! My kids are still fighting over who gets to hold her and make her sing. Thanks grandma!

Happy Birthday Jane! You make life so exciting!

June 2017 in Utah

We have been keeping ourselves busy here in Utah. 

Kate's been taking some gymnastic classes. 

 We've been enjoying sunny, warm weather and cooling off with sprinklers. 

 All the cousins are trying to win Jane's affection- Moana you tube videos are the trick!

 The girls got all fancied up for a Disney fun run at Thanksgiving Point. 

 The girls loved meeting Elsa, Anna, Cinderella, Moana, and Aurora up close. 

After race picture.

 Kate has also been taking swim lessons.  She is doing quite well!

The best part of all is that we get to hang out with our cousins all the time.

Our last days...

We were very busy the last few days before our departure from Europe.  

Bryan and I didn't prepare at all for the 1/2 marathon in Karlovy Vary, but we both did okay.  The scenery was beautiful during the run.

Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic

The day after the race, I got to experience a beer bath.  You bath in beer and can drink beer and eat beer butter on beer bread.  Quite interesting, but a cross off of my bucket list! 

 The girls got to visit their cousins one last time and play dress up!

 We got to meet the newest addition to the Izu family, Charles.  Super tiny, but not really.  

 We will miss traveling with this crew.

 One last hang out with our kindergarten friends.

 Good-byes to the best candy giving neighbor and friend- Regina.

And lastly, a good-bye for daddy at the airport in Baltimore.

Ireland

We all flew into Ireland (from Scotland) and headed to the southwest coast.  

We spent a gorgeous day bike riding around Killarney National Park.  The girls rode on the back of the bikes and enjoyed every second.

During our bike ride, we past the beautiful Muckross Monastery 

and lakes.

Afterwards, we stopped for the famous Murphy's ice cream.  The flavours are fantastic- sea salt, honeycomb carmel, butterscoth- but the prices are outrageous!

The next day, we drove around the ring of Kerry.  Beautiful views and quaint little towns.  The best part was veering off the beaten path and finding castle ruins and beautiful beaches.  

Waterville in the background.  Wonderful little town on the ring of Kerry that Charlie Chaplin would visit frequently.

At the very end of the day, Bryan got a little too close to the edge of the road and popped two of our rentals' tires. TWO!! Luckily, we stopped right next to a resort that had a playground and the girls were able to play while we waited for the tow truck.  We got new tires and headed back to our hotel.  Little did we know, the GPS took us through the Gap of Dunloe.  This twisted, cliffy road was not something my mother enjoyed at all, but it was so much fun driving down it.

Another day, we went to Dingle.  This is probably my favorite little town.  Colorful buildings, sailboats, awesome food, and one of the best little kid playgrounds.

This is the only dolphin we got to see in Dingle however, no Fungie!

We spent a very, very rainy day in Cork and Blarney castle.  I kissed the famous Blarney Stone.  Kate really wanted to do it as well, but there was an age limit.  The stone is quite a distance away and was actually very scary.  

Our drive to the Cliffs of Mohr was quite exciting.  Again, the GPS led us on a different path than we were expecting.  The road just kind of ended and we were at a dock.  Fortunately, it was a ferry port for vehicles and would be there to pick us up in 45 minutes.  Phew!

This might be our only family picture in Ireland.  Whoops!  The cliffs were amazing! but the weather was not.  Super windy.  I was so nervous the night before visiting the cliffs, dreaming about my children running or jumping off the edge.  The main area is very kid friendly.  There is a wall the surrounds the cliffs, making you feel more secure.

Bryan walked the entire cliffs.  This was the one place that he really wanted to visit in Ireland and he was dog sick.  Poor guy.  It was definitely worth it though.

Let me just say, looks can conceiving.  I was so excited to see this tomb- poulnabrone dolmen- and then I got there and I was couldn't believe how small it was.

The rock formations around the tomb were really interesting and fun for the girls to jump from.

Our last couple days were all about Dublin.  My mom and I tried some non-alcoholic beer at the famous Arther's pub.

My dad and I poured the perfect Guinness at the Guinness Museum and Store House.  

We saw the Book of Kells and the amazing Long Room at Trinity University.  Highly recommend.

And, of course, St. Patrick's Cathedral.