Passionate, Productive and Possitive

Kaytlyn, The girl with the golden hair. Kaytlyn came to visit and help us pack and clean up for our move back to Zion. She is amazing. She is a "feel-good" kind of person. I could not imagine life without her.

Our Souveniers from California: Gus-Gus and Midnight
We love our newest additions. They have just given Christy more than I even know how to express.

My dear friend Ashley and I with our darling babies. We walked almost everywhere together: the grocery stores, the WIC offices, McDonalds, Kmart, La Cocina, and Collier Park. We had so many great adventures and made many unforgettable memories.

Christy and Wesley love visiting Grandpa and Siobhan in Ranchita. This was one of the beautiful sunsets out there. It's beautiful.



So, I went to California. I did great things. Great things happened to me. I saw a lot of things I never would have. I learned a lot of things that I never would have. I am so grateful I moved to California. But, one thing I did learn was that, until Zac Levi wants to settle down with this cute girl, California was too expensive for this single mom and her two kids.
I had a lot of trials in Cali. I lost my car and my babysitter in about the same month. My clientele picked up really fast at first, and then wasn't enough to sustain a lifestyle out there. I mean any lifestyle. I even checked out the riverbeds for a place to stay one month while facing eviction.
Through these trials I learned quite a few things though. My family will always be there for me. Maybe not the way I think they should, but they are there regardless; Life is too short to be taken too seriously; Walking is actually enjoyable. I LOVE walking. It's even better if you do it with a friend and her darling little boys; just because a boy likes me, doesn't mean he is worthy of my time; Home is having your children with you; childhood is short, toddlers will be toddlers, etc, etc. The list could go on.
I am grateful for the time I spent in Cali. And I would like to plan to go back sometime. Or maybe, Ashely and Zac could move here?
As for the time being, I am back in Orem, Utah. I love catching up with my friends. Aubrey, Deven, Heather and Caulene took me out to lunch at Cafe Paesan the day after we got into town. And as wonderful as the food was, the reminder that we could just pick up where we left off and continue with our friendships was wonderful. It was refreshing. I am so looking forward to spending more time with them.
I'm excited for the adventures to be had here in Utah. I'm already getting excited to sign up for Sundance Film Festival, Festival of Trees and all of the marvelous activities that Utah has to offer.
As much as I miss my dear family and friends in Ramona, I know that this is where the Lord wants me to be for now. So, I'm holding my head up high and saying "Here I am, Life, give me what you've got". I know I can measure up to whatever life has in store for me.

My goals are to be productive, be positive and be passionate.

So, lets do this!

Our life in pictures...again

This month we have had many adventures. The "ex" came into town for a day and we went to the Wild Animal Park.

Christy LOVED riding on the carousel (sp?) Isn't she just a doll?


Wesley got a hair cut! He looks so handsome. He is very much a "GQ" kindof guy, with a lot of rough and tumble in the mix.


This happens occasionally on our busy days after we have walked through town on some of our adventures.



Note to parents: dont get lice. Lice is a pain. It is yucky, yucky, yuck. And 30 dollars in quarters only does about 6 loads of laundry. I very much dislike doing laundry at the laundromat.

We have had many adventures within the past few weeks. I don't think we have had a dull day yet!

A vent of the "experts"

Some people need to keep their mouths shut.
If you don't like the fact that our kids watch Sesame Street, keep it to yourself. Or use tact. Do you know what that is?

Last night my dear friend, Ashley and I attended our Relief Society activity. It was a sewing activity, and because we had children, we sat in the back corner to keep our children entertained and out of the way. As we were leaving, we were discussing how we missed having the kids channels. Then the lady turned around.

"I would never let my kids watch that KUED trash!"
"Sesame Street is so NEGATIVE!"
"I can't believe your kids go to bed so late"
"Shouldn't they be in bed by 8:00?"
"Blah blah Blah"

Not that I'm really that sensitive, okay, maybe sometimes, but come on people! I don't feel I need to justify the fact that my children sometimes watch tv. Sometimes we even play video games. Shh....shame on me!

So, I was thinking, just what is the best thing to do for my kids?
I know, I'm not a perfect mom, but my children are happy and healthy, even when they watch tv. Granted a little tv is much better than a LOT of tv. But I don't think, at least in my household, that banning the tv is going to make the situation better or worse.

What do you think?
Does it make a difference for you, when you are single parents or parents with a non-involved spouse?

Being a single mom is a lot harder than I ever could have imagined, and so I'm always looking for different ways to do the right thing. But what I have found is there are a lot of different parenting techniques, not one of which is the Right way, or the Only way, or the Best way. In my opinion, children are as different as the techniques that are out there. And only you - their legal guardian/mom/dad/etc - know the best way to work with your kids.

Although, I do find it funny, that many of the people and books that I have heard/read that want to offer me their advice are from those who have never been parents themselves. Not that they can't have great ideas, but I do find it a little offensive when they claim to be experts or drs, or whatever.

Okay, I'm done with my little vent. But what do you think? Thoughts?

It's possible that I love technology more than boys...

I have learned so much through these past months of being here in Ramona. As you know, from reading my blog, I've learned about being an adult, about loving my family. This month I've been trying to focus on all the things I have to be grateful for. Not that I have been very good at it lately. But this morning, as I was sitting around at work, I went through some of my favorite church puplications. Gordon B. Hinckley's, “A Prophet’s Counsel and Prayer for Youth,” has always been a favorite of mine. I love the "Be's".

1. Be grateful.

2. Be smart.

3. Be clean.

4. Be true.

5. Be humble.

6. Be prayerful.

Under Be grateful, it says this:

"Be grateful.

There are two little words in the English language that perhaps mean more than all others. They are “thank you.” Comparable words are found in every other language, such as gracias, merci, danke, obrigado, domo.

The habit of saying thank you is the mark of an educated man or woman. With whom is the Lord displeased? He names “those who confess not his hand in all things” (D&C 59:21). That is, those who walk without grateful expression. Walk with gratitude in your hearts, my dear friends. Be thankful for the wonderful blessings which are yours. Be grateful for the tremendous opportunities that you have. Be thankful to your parents, who care so very much about you and who have worked so very hard to provide for you. Let them know that you are grateful. Say thank you to your mother and your father. Say thank you to your friends. Say thank you to your teachers. Express appreciation to everyone who does you a favor or assists you in any way.

Thank the Lord for His goodness to you. Thank the Almighty for His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, who has done for you what none other in all this world could do. Thank Him for His great example, for His tremendous teachings, for His outreaching hand to lift and help. Think about the meaning of His Atonement. Read about Him and read His words in the New Testament and in 3 Nephi in the Book of Mormon. Read them quietly to yourself and then ponder them. Pour out your heart to your Father in Heaven in gratitude for the gift of His Beloved Son.

Thank the Lord for His marvelous Church restored in this great season of history. Thank Him for all that it offers you. Thank Him for friends and loved ones, for parents and brothers and sisters, for family. Let a spirit of thanksgiving guide and bless your days and nights. Work at it. You will find it will yield wonderful results." (Gordon B. Hinckley, “A Prophet’s Counsel and Prayer for Youth,” New Era, Jan. 2001, 4)

Although life isn't necessary going the way I want it to, there are many things I am grateful for.
Here's a short list:

• Family - I love my family. My children are my whole world. My sisters and brother are amazing. My mom is one smart cookie. And my dad is so supportive and understanding. My Aunts are awesome. Christy and Siobhan sure know how to make me smile and are great listeners. My Uncles are pretty darned cool too. And I have the cutest Grandpa in the world. And my Grammie, I love getting letters from her. Even my cousins are amazing.
  
• Friends - I don't even know how I got so lucky in this department. I mean, Aubrey has been my friend since we were what, like 11 or 12. She's pretty and smart, She also has good taste in music and her whole family is like my second home. I love the Harrison family. I miss our Thursday Dinners. Heather, Deven, Aubrey, sometimes Caulene, and I would get together and take turns making dinner. I love them. Ashley has been my lifesaver out here in Ramona. I don't think I could laugh so hard with anyone about being dirt poor and facing homelessness with as much class as we do. Okay, maybe there's no class about it. But I'm pretty sure that the streets and sidewalks of Ramona would be less beautiful without me and my waddling pregnant friend walking through town. Jenn has also been a lifesaver. She has been a source of much relief, especially for my children. It's so good to know that I can have my children be somewhere safe. And I appreciate having someone to talk to.
  
• Jasper, my dog. I love my poodle. I love the companionship and the security that comes from having a canine in the house. Even if he is small. (Sylar's mom found him! So, I'm down to just one dog, again!)
  
• Facebook and Twitter -I love being able to just voice about anything. Even if nobody really reads it, I'm grateful to have somewhere to openly vent to everyone and noone all at the same time. It's also great to connect with all these wonderful people!
  
• Technology. I love my computer, I love internet. I love my refrigerator. I love gaming in the middle of the night because I can't sleep. It's important to take out that frustration somewhere. I love my Iphone.
  
• Food, mostly in the form of chocolate or La Cocina. I wouldn't complain if it were italian either.
• CHUCK - I love laughing.
• TV on DVD - I don't get any channels in my apartment. And I love rewatching my favorite shows. Chuck, Psych, House, Chuck, Heroes, Bones, TruBlood, Chuck
• My apartment - I'm so grateful for a roof over my head.
• My feet and my double stroller - they get me everywhere!
• The Gospel - I'm grateful for my faith. Without it I would have nothing.
  

Well, that's a good list for now. If you weren't mentioned, it's not because I don't love you.

I am grateful for all that I have and depending on the day, I'm even grateful for the trials, because I know that they will only make me stronger. I do wish though that my life would be a little more boring and I wouldn't mind having someone to share all this excitement with once in a while. You know, a special someone. But that will come in time, I'm sure. It has to. God has promised that he wont give us trials that we aren't capable of handling. So, I am certain that these trials will pass and that there is something greater, a light at the end of the tunnel, after all this "garbage".

We had an earthquake this morning here at 4:04. It was a 4.4 earthquake.

This last week, I was doing my usual drive to Castaic for the "dropping off kids" point, I had my Aunt Christy with me! We were driving through traffic, well, more like stopping in the traffic. That's something I've learned about LA. There are very few times during the day that there arent at least 1,000 people on the road. Anyway, as we were stopped and complaining about life and traffic and such, this motorcycle zoomed on past us. The girl hanging on back was also hanging out her backside. My pictures didn't turn out so well, so I'm not posting them this time, but just picture it yourself. Poor thing is going to have quite the fanny-burn. I'm not sure what was covered.

Since I have moved out here to Ramona, I have spent a lot of time with my family. and oh how I love my Auntie Christy Lynn. She is easily my best best friend! I feel so blessed to be out here to help her out and be helped out. Actually, I love ALL of my family, including the people that are adopted into our family. :-)

I think as I grow older, I am learning that about life. There isn't anything more important than family. Nope, nothing could be as delightful as holding your own baby, advice from your father, or having a girls night with sisters. I LOVE FAMILY!

I'm very grateful that I have my family. Especially since I became the single mom. I don't know where or what I would be without the support of my family. And the ever patient listening skills of my Auntie Christy Lynn. I LOVE YOU!

Adulthood can be harder than it looks....

Sometimes it's hard to be an adult. For instance, just now as I was coming back from taking my dogs out for a "potty break", I thought I would stop and say hi to my neighbors. They are really friendly, and Wesley was asleep. So, as I was standing there discussing chocolate balls, babies and other important issues the world was facing, a great deal of blood started dripping down my leg. Lovely. I won't go into great detail, not here, but to make a long, embarrasing story short, it reminded me of "I'm a grown ass woman" and sometimes, I have to deal with these things. Geeze!

So now that we are done laughing at my gross, yet funny, embarrasing moment (you are done laughing, aren't you?) I want to just unload a little. And maybe share some light, that I have recently found.

This past month I've seem to just upset a lot of people. First there was my facebook status that caused me to lose a friend. And this last week I played a key role in divulging some unintended drama. I was victim in a gossip chain, which I didn't handle properly and a minor battle began. Although I am not really a key member in this small war (and I hope the parties involved will excuse me for adding this story to my blog) I did have a role in this battle.
I had the opportunity to be an adult and admit that I had done something that wasn't necessarily my right/priviledge, what ever you may call it.
Actually, I have had many, many moments since I moved here to this little town of Ramona where I had to put on that role of "Adulthood". Some may say it fits, some may find out that I am infact, a fraud. I'm really not as mature as I may seem. I still enjoy a great deal of running and romping around in my pjs having a dance party. I spend most evenings, after my children have gone to bed, reading a comic book, surfing the web for my next favorite super hero to be made the next "big thing" by the movie people, or playing violent or lego-oriented video games. I dislike confrontation. Very much. Recently, I have been a stalker to a celebrity. Although, I don't know that driving past his house once, counts as a stalker, but I felt like a creeper. And still feel a little guilty for that. Actually, sometimes I wonder if guilt is just a part of being and adult. Boo! I don't like it.
So anyway, back to my real story. You know, the gossip chain. Well, as God would have it, I was reading my scriptures this morning. I've just gotten to The Book of Mosiah (it's in the Book of Mormon). King Benjamin gives a most wonderful sermon. He speaks of service, of loving our brethren (and sisters!). He speaks of mourning with those that mourn. Comforting those that stand in need of comfort. He speaks of a loving Heavenly Father whom we serve by serving each other. I remembered that although the past few chains of events have been rather ugly, feelings have been hurt, mean things have been said. I find it comforting that God still loves me.
I have found that although I have been a key starter for this, so called battle, I can now step back. I can step away and make a commitment. To God. To my friends and to myself.
Guys, and Girls, Lets put away the GOSSIP. It's mean, its unneccessary, and it just stirs up feelings. I am not declaring myself to be perfect at this. I am after all a woman. And lets be honest what woman do you know that hasn't enjoyed a good piece of gossip?!

But seriously, I think if we try our best at keeping some of our thoughts and feelings to ourselves, or even vent it out to someone you trust if needed, but avoid spreading untruths, or even partial truths. I think if we do this, we too can find peace like King Benjamin's people. To be worthy of the blessings our Father has promised if we are to be humble and "childlike". Because Adulthood is just too hard.

-Aimee

*You can find the story of King Benjamin and his sermon here. Start at chapter one and keep reading until you feel warm and fuzzy. It will come, promise! ;-)

Still surviving, Still massaging, Still walking!

Before I really blog about our recent happenings, I do want to clarify and apologize for somethings. Yesterday I posted on my facebook a small letter, "Dear Facebook Friends, your obssesion with Farmville is getting old and boring. But I'm not! So talk to me instead! ;-) Love, your Real Life Friend, Aimee". This offended someone, and I want to apologize because I have had this issue before with posting on facebook with someone. I decided to blog it, because I want to make sure that anyone who has been offended will maybe understand the place I was coming from and the intentions of my "post". I enjoy a good deal of sarcastic humor and just silliness. I did not mean to hurt anyone's feelings, tell anyone how to conduct their social lives or try to put myself above anyone else. I posted this, because my aunt and I were discussing facebook earlier that morning and found it kind of funny that there were many posts of people playing Farmville. So, I just was going off of that.
It was also brought to my attention that some see me as a fake, a bragger, and over all not a very good friend. I am sorry for the actions or words that have been said and done to give off this vibe. I am grateful for ALL the people in my life - past, present, future, etc. Every person I have come across I have learned something great and have added it to myself. I don't mean to hurt anyone. And I don't think I am better than anyone.

...And with that, I would like to update my blog with some pictures and brief explanation of the fun things we have been up to.

All of our sickies are gone! The quarantine is over! ...I hope is stays that way!
I can not believe how quickly children grow! Christy is now 4 and is preparing to begin kindergarten in the Fall. She is so excited and can hardly talk about anything else.
Wesley is 2 and 1/2, he's into EVERYTHING. He's an escape artist, loves to sing and dance and ride his bike. He loves our neighbors, his aunt 'Bon' and his aunt 'Cheeestywynn'. He thinks every person that even remotely resembles my mom is "gwamma". It's so sweet!



Here Wesley is preparing for his favorite event of the day (or night) - Mealtime!



Christy is modeling her new "key necklace" I brought home for her from the Caitlin Crosby concert!

Christy, Wesley and I love to eat out - when finances and time allows. One of our new favorite places is Bollweevils. They have pool tables, a few games and of course deep fried zucchini....Mmmm.....

Caitlin Crosby and me

This dog is Sylar. He was a stray dog that found our home. I took him up and down A street and B Street. I took him to the vets around town, put an add in the paper and talked to the pet stores, neighbors, anyone and everyone I could think of or see. So, I am currently housing an extra animal at my house.
He's a lab/german shepard mix. And a big snuggle bug. Wesley likes to go sit on top of him on the floor and they just snuggle. It's so cute. And he's so good with my kids.
Oiye! I am such a sucker for the canines...:-)

We have been a busy little bunch. At the moment I am considering some different options and directions to take us. We love being in California, but I don't love being in Ramona. We may head up to Burbank this summer, maybe a new apartment here, or possibly (but not likely) a move back to Utah.
We're still carless, but have adapted well to walking and am researching public transportation often.

I hope all is well in your neck of the woods... ;-)

Love, Aimee