Denver Day 1

We left home about 9:00am to hit the road. I don't know what it is about cars but if I'm riding longer than 10 minutes, I'm dead to the world and (probably) drooling all over my neck pillow. My goal was to make it to Burley (45 minutes out) and still remain awake. I made it, but zonked out 5 minutes later. Matter of fact I took a nap three separate times during the 11 hour drive and let me tell you, it was bliss! Oh it felt so good!!

I've always known this since moving cross country a few times, and no offense to all those in blog world who live there but Wyoming is the absolute worst state/region/province I think there is in the world. Seriously, just 6 hours of pure barren nothingness. As the joke goes, behind every tree in Wyoming is a beautiful woman.

We made it to our hotel around 8:30pm. Lance was exhausted from driving all day and after a quick trip to the grocery store, we both crashed. Even though I took three naps throughout the day I still slept like a baby all night.

Babysitting Weekend

My oldest brother had his 30th birthday last week and his wife who is my best friend, Trish, really wanted to make it a big celebration for him. She decided to find UT Jazz tickets and make a weekend getaway together. She booked a really nice hotel for the following weekend and had everything perfectly planned as a surprise. I kept trying to persuade her that she needs to give it to him in a really cool way instead of wrapped up in a lame box, so she came up with The Amazing Birthday Race where she made four clues with different stops at their friends' homes. House #1 Joseph had to beat one of his friends at Horse, house #2 he had to play Rock Band and win, and house #3 he had to play tennis Wii and win. The following weekend I babysat the kids while Joseph and Trish left for the much needed birthday weekend getaway. This little Peytin went with them because he's still too little and darn cute at 4 months!I had so much fun with the three kids. They were begging me to paint and I had no idea what they were talking about so I followed directions and got the craft box down which was filled with kids' activities. Devin and Charity painted their canvases and I was quite proud of what a good job they did. Devin painted the entire thing and you had no idea it was a picture of dinosaurs. Charity chose a princess canvas and she painted it exactly like the picture. If there were no tubes of paint that had the color she was looking for, she learned how to mix two colors together to get the desired color. I think that was her favorite part, watching herself mix colors together. I definitely wasn't going to let Quentin get near the paints at 18 months so he colored in his book.

He's such a little ham!After naps we went outside for snacks and enjoyed the spring weather.Then we made door hangers which the kids decorated with markers and stickers.Sunday was interesting.....I didn't get much sleep so I was tired but I managed to get myself and THREE kids to church not only on time but ten minutes early! They were SO good during sacrament meeting, I was proud of them! For lunch we enjoyed chocolate chip pancakes followed by a much needed nap. I loved waking them up for my next activity. They knew easter was coming up soon so I made the kids stay in the bedroom while I stuffed and hid easter eggs around the house for a hunt. They loved it! Here they are with their baskets ready for the hunt! (I was trying to find whatever container I could throughout the house so I emptied Trish's craft supply baskets.....sorry Trish but I promise they were very gentle with them).Enjoying their finds!

I love being an aunt, it's the best thing in the world! I was so sad to leave the kids but we had a fantastic time together. Luckily I only live a few blocks from them so I get my dose of their smiles, hugs, and kisses often. Love these kids!

Oh the Constant Reminders

My house is a mess. I don't mean a small mess with shoes in the living room and a few dishes in the sink.....I mean our whole wardrobe is strewn about the living room, books on the floor and coffee table, purses and coats on the couch, mail strung everywhere, dishes all over the counters and sink and stove, and the list goes on and on. Don't ask me the last time I dusted or vacuumed. Don't ask me the last time I cleaned the bathrooms. Don't ask me the last time I mopped and really deep-cleaned the kitchen. It's filthy, it's gross, and it's utterly embarrassing. Ugh, how can I live like this?! It's disgusting!

Last month when my visiting teacher came over she expressed her feelings on this particular matter and it has stuck with me ever since: "You know I went over to such and such house and they have all these kids but yet I've never seen a more perfectly, immaculate house. There's no dust, no stray dirt in the corners, the carpet is always freshly vacuumed, the bathroom smells like a tropical paradise, you could eat off the kitchen counters and see your reflection on the floor, etc. etc. But while I was thinking and trying to resolve my will to that kind of dedication I thought to myself, you know I really want to spend time with my last baby and rock her and play with her and watch her grow up. I want to play soccer and baseball outside with my oldest and help my other two with their reading and numbers. If I spend all this time cleaning and making sure my house is perfect as well, I'll never get to watch my kids grow up. I'll never get to see when ______ starts crawling or when ______ starts to read. So I decided I can live with a somewhat messy house because it's worth it and I'll never regret that decision."

Last night my mom and sister in-law came over to my despicably dirty house. I was mortified! Since I work full time and run around like crazy with other projects, the only time I have to clean is on the weekends. Well, my brother and sister were out of town so I watched their kids over the weekend, thus I had no time to clean. I was planning on tackling the work before Lance and I had FHE on Monday but then Lance's sister came to town for FHE and dinner. The cleaning keeps getting put off further and further down the road. Last night after my mom and sister in-law left, I was really embarrassed but then I thought about the things I would have sacrificed to have a cleaner home: I wouldn't have babysat the kids and heard Devin excitedly say when he woke up,"Look Becky it's getting light outside! That means the earth is moving and the sun is coming up." I wouldn't have had dinner with Lance's family and seen little Sydnee shove pees in her mouth at a record rate nor heard Sage tell me how excited she is that she's starting to read. I wouldn't have had my mom and sister over to make jewelry, etc. The trade off is worth it to me. Call me lazy with mixed up priorities but I'm not Wonder Woman nor Mr. Clean.

It's So On!

The count down is on ..... Lance and I have two weeks left until we go to Denver! Technically we're going to Littleton, CO which is a little south of Denver where Lance is going to school. His mortuary science program is online and once a semester he has to go down there for labs. This time, I'm coming with him and it is going to be a superb vacation! At least for me, because after all, I have a week off of work and I don't have to go to school or the mortuary for labs. I've already started my packing list: nail polish, facial masque, bubble bath, chick flicks (at least 10), junk food (chocolate), and comfy pajamas. That's as far as I've gotten but I'm sure I'll add more grooming/girly/relaxing items to my packing list...

Oops

My sister is law has been going in and out of labor for the past week and a half, yep she's miserable and deepyl exhausted to say the least. My parents were out of town and I was the next person on the list to watch the other three kids just in case she goes into labor in the middle of the night. Monday night the contractions were hard and close together so I got the call at 12:30. I quickly drove to the house not far away, received the few instructions in case the kids wake up, and slept on the couch as my brother and his wife sped to the hospital.

Soon enough I heard the two youngest ones, Tyson 2 and Valarie 1, out of bed and running for mom and dad's room. I quickly grabbed the youngest and the pacifier which soothed her back to sleep in her own bed. Assuming Tyson went to find and sleep with mom and dad, I went in their room toward the bed and called for Tyson to come sleep in his own bed. Out of nowhere I heard my brother, "Becky, what are you doing?" It startled me and my face became beet red and thank goodness I was still half asleep because I felt like an idiot! Why are they back from the hospital so soon??? I just turned around and went back to the couch glancing at the clock and noticed it was 6:30am. Great, that made me feel like a bigger dork because that's about the time the kids wake up anyway!

When I got up I just had to ask all the details which turns out the labor stopped and they were sent home around 3am. I didn't hear a single peep out of them, not the garage door or their shoes or them talking or anything which means I must have really been out of it. I apologized for interrupting their sleep during the night trying to get Tyson, but they were so exhausted they didn't care. Thank goodness because I felt so dumb!

New Responsibilities

A few weeks ago I was put in as the young women's secretary at church, I'm a little nervous and a little hesitant because there are about 21 girls. In Charleston when I was in young women there were on average 3 girls, at most 8. So a little different. I'm so excited to work with the rest of the presidency, they are fantastic and wise women that I'm eager to learn from. I'm so excited to be around the girls, to play and teach and talk and laugh and learn together. I love these girls I am going to have so much fun!!

Last week we had New Beginnings and the girls put on a great press conference explaining to the parents the changes with the personal progress program. We ran through the program a few times before it started and dang Gina! These girls are hilarious and tons of fun to be around! I wasn't assuming it would be otherwise, but I had such a blast!! My jaw was aching from smiling so much and my stomach hurt from laughing so much. This one night has fueled me all week long, I'm loving it!

Inspiring

Earlier this week I read this quote and it spoke a world to me. I've kept it in my inbox all week because I've read it every morning and can't seem to get enough of it:

"Work is an antidote for anxiety, an ointment for sorrow, and a doorway to possibility. Whatever our circumstances in life, my dear brethren, let us do the best we can and cultivate a reputation for excellence in all that we do. Let us set our minds and bodies to the glorious opportunity for work that each new day presents."

-President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Pink Flamingo

Check out my new favorite earrings HERE!

Kindergarten or College?

We are still quite relieved and so thankful Lance got his apprenticeship license! Seriously, many months of praying and fasting, I'm just so grateful! Over the weekend we watched the opening ceremonies to the winter Olympics together while Lance worked on shaping various parts of the face. Let me explain: he's taking a restorative arts class where he learns how to reconstruct the body, mainly the face. His final project is a plastic skull in the resting position that he has to construct a face onto out of really hard clay/wax (reminds me of little kids playing with play dough in kindergarten). And guess who the skull has to look like? Yep, me. A few weeks ago as part of the assignment, he look four pictures of my face from various angles. I had to keep my face in a relaxed pose with my eyes closed and after he printed those out, it gave me a preview as to what I would look like in a casket. Kind of a creeping feeling.

While we were watching the opening ceremonies we both practiced making lips and no offense Sweetie but my lips turned out better than yours. :) Last week he had to practice making noses and I think he's pretty much got those down so I'm anxious to see what his assignments are this week. The ear? Perhaps the eye and eyebrow?

Oh Happy Day!

Guess what we received in the mail this week?! Besides the shoppers survey that promises a $10,000 giveaway, the usual junk from every credit card company, and the timely and altogether annoying bills.........................we received.........................{SQUEAL!}......................Lance's apprenticeship license!!!!!!! After a year of the unknown and possibilities of moving he's landed his apprenticeship at the local funeral home(s). (Technically he works for two of them). His apprenticeship is one year which means after he takes the state board exams in 2011, he'll be licensed! It's such a relief and so exciting! The bad news is the corporation still can't guarantee him a job after he's licensed so there's still a possibility of us moving but for the next year we're staying in Twin. The unfortunate news is we don't get the usual benefits of regular apprentices which is a bummer but right now I'm just glad he's got the apprenticeship. Whew!!

Spring Fever

As of late I cannot wait for spring. I hate the gloomy gray clouds, the rainy/snowy mist, and the dead trees. It's utterly depressing! To get ready for spring I organized and de-cluttered this weekend. All three of our garbage cans were overflowing with useless junk, I filled our car with things to donate to the DI, and we've listed several other large furniture items on craigslist. I got such a huge sense of relief and accomplishment after I finished it all, the junk was literally driving me crazy! Aaaaaaaahhh, now I just want to stay indoors and enjoy the freshness of each room not to mention escaping the misery of the weather.

The best part? I finished it all before Lance got home from work so I was able to surprise him. He was just as thrilled about it as I was. Later on during the day when I got home from running errands he bought me some roses and chocolates as a thank you for all the hard work I did on the house. What a Sweetie, I love my guy!

New Designs

New jewelry designs HERE!

Interesting Blog

There is a new blog that is quite interesting and gives a brief explanation as to why death rituals are the way they are. I have a sneaking suspicion the anonymous author is Lance, so you should enjoy it and link to it! Read it HERE

This is Why I go to Church

Last week we heard some news which is a set back for Lance's school. (Long story short, he'll have to do more schooling before he's licensed. I had it in my mind that he'll be done this year but that's no longer the case). I was devastated when I heard it. I don't know why it affected me so much but it just crushed me and I felt like burying myself in a hole. I was in tears and I was beyond ready to throw in the towel.

Yesterday in sacrament meeting Michelle gave a wonderful talk in which she gave a few analogies. The second analogy I definitely needed to hear and this is it (paraphrasing):

I have children. When I count them I have 6. All 6 children have needs. Everyday at 5pm when I'm trying to fix dinner all 6 of my kids tell me each of their needs. I cannot fulfill all of them at that point in time and so I hear complaints and whining, "You never have time for me, you don't love me, you never pay attention to what I'm saying, you love her more than me!" And then I think that each of these children live in a loving home with a roof over their heads. Each of these children have clothes folded nicely in their drawers. Each of these children have dinner to eat at some point between 6 and 9pm. They have a lot of blessings and their basic needs have been met. It's the same with each of us as children of our Heavenly Father. When we pray we tell Him all of our needs and sometimes it might feel like He loves our neighbor more than us or he doesn't listen to what we are saying. But in reality, we need to open our eyes and hearts and realize all the blessings he has given us and all the needs and prayers that He has answered.

After I heard and processed that analogy a few minutes, my heart sank. I felt so blessed and happy! We may have had a set back with Lance's schooling, but at least he's in the program. We may not have an apprenticeship yet, but at least his boss is trying to pull every string imaginable and is working both with the corporation and the state to get Lance licensed. I'm so thankful for Lance's boss, Trent, who has been so good to us. I'm so thankful that Lance is in school and even though it'll be longer than expected before Lance will be licensed, at least we're working toward that goal and each step we take brings us a little closer to the finish line. Thank you so much Michelle for softening my heart and helping me realize what I have right in front of me.

Who Doesn't Love a Good Challenge?

This weekend Lance's siblings were all in town for the last of the Christmas festivities. They have decided to have a Cox Family Biggest Loser Challenge! Whoever loses the most weight by Kempton and Bonnie's wedding (April 10) will win the funds from the pot and the title of the Cox Biggest Loser. Each participant contributes $10 towards the pot and weighs in tonight, the weight loss is calculated by the percentage of body weight lost.

For Christmas I gave Lance a stationary exercise bike, because during the winter months its hard to walk/bike outside when its dark by 5pm so now when he's awake and on call at 2am he can still exercise for the day. Yesterday I went grocery shopping and stocked our fridge of all things healthy and tonight I'm hiding all the holiday treats. My man is going to win!

Ring Out, Wild Bells

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky, The flying cloud, the frosty light; The year is dying in the night; Ring out, wild bells, and let him die. Ring out the old, ring in the new, Ring, happy bells, across the snow: The year is going, let him go; Ring out the false, ring in the true. Ring out the grief that saps the mind, For those that here we see no more, Ring out the feud of rich and poor, Ring in redress to all mankind. Ring out a slowly dying cause, And ancient forms of party strife; Ring in the nobler modes of life, With sweeter manners, purer laws. Ring out the want, the care, the sin, The faithless coldness of the times; Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes, But ring the fuller minstrel in. Ring out false pride in place and blood, The civic slander and the spite; Ring in the love of truth and right, Ring in the common love of good. Ring out old shapes of foul disease, Ring out the narrowing lust of gold; Ring out the thousand wars of old, Ring in the thousand years of peace. Ring in the valiant man and free, The larger heart, the kindlier hand; Ring out the darkness of the land, Ring in the Christ that is to be. Alfred, Lord Tennyson

No Rest for the Weary

Today dawns root canal #2. I swear the poor boy will be in dentures before the weekend.

Oh Fancy

Our christmas was fantastic, I took a few days off work and enjoyed being at home with Lance. Although the flu plagued us and family alike, we still made it to the South Hills to view the lights, ate yummy food, had our traditional christmas sing along, and I got to talk with my brother Scott who's serving in Germany/Switzerland.


Lance spoiled me rotten with 3 date nights, a fabulous purse that my sister in-law made (pictures to come of that, you've got to see it!), lots and lots of Bit O Honey, and drum roll please ................................................ a cricut! Oh yeah, my man and mother in law love me! I always use my mother in-law's cricut for various craft projects so it'll be nice to have my own so I can quit being a thorn in her side and interrupting her projects. I'm so excited to use it!

Bad news is that a few days before christmas Lance had been complaining of a tooth ache. It got worse and worse by the day and even though the dentist office was closed, I left a message to make an appointment as soon as possible. He had to have a root canal and is still on the fighting mend taking pain killers every 4 hours which doesn't seem to alleviate the pain at all. What a trooper, he still went in to work today.

We are so blessed to have wonderful parents who treat us well during the holidays and who are so supportive of us while we're in school. As if school isn't hard enough, they make it so much easier and I don't know what we'd do without them. We're so gratefil for them, they really do make all the difference!

I just posted some new jewelry designs, click HERE or on the link at right.

Charming, Aren't We?

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Merry Christmas!

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Baby It's FREEZING Outside

Oh the weather outside is frightful and there's nothing delightful about it! The snow never melts, the wind chill cuts me to the bone, and it literally takes me hours to warm up once I'm inside. I'll admit I've become a little unconsoling with the weather, it puts me in a foul mood and I absolutely dread going outside. It takes every ounce of will power within my being to drag myself out of my warm, comfy bed in the mornings. Not to mention going to work because that implies I have to actually touch the frigid steering wheel which emanates the cold through my gloves. Ugh, and to think we have about 4 more months of this!

My Latest Drug

I love you so much. You're the first thing I think about when I wake up in the morning and the last thing I remember about my day when I'm getting ready for bed. You make me happy! Just thinking of you makes me smile. You are so sweet and always there when I need you. You're like an addiction or a drug, I crave you at every waking moment......

Nightmare Before Christmas

12 Drummers Drumming

Thanksgiving was wonderful with two turkey dinners with both of our families.

Lance has been studying like crazy for finals. Yay, almost done with the first semester!

Our external hard drive died and we lost TONS of stuff.

My sister in law had her fourth baby. He's so cute and tiny, they named him Peytin.

Its hard to eat healthy with holiday treats around all month long, despite my attempt at cooking healthy meals.

I have been working a lot more so I can pay Santa for gifts.

My sister was down for thanksgiving and we had a kids craft day with our nieces and nephews. We made foam puppets on a stick and put those capsule thing-ys in warm water so they could watch them grow. The kids loved it and I was exhausted.

It's freezing cold and doesn't show signs of stopping.

I've been making and completing jewelry orders left and right.

I saw New Moon with my sisters in-law. I wasn't in love with it but still love the books. I think I like the Twilight movie better but will still probably buy the movie.

I smashed my finger in my desk drawer at work. It really hurt.

We're still keeping our fingers crossed that a miracle will happen and Lance will start his apprenticeship. Right now its not looking good because of the economy.

And a partridge in a pear tree.

My Top 7

Top 7 Reasons Why I Love the Holidays

1. I love studying and remembering the birth of the Savior. I love that nearly every home has a statue or figurine of the nativity and every primary or preschool group puts on a play reenacting it. Christ's love is particularly evident through other's selflessness and charity. Its humbling and warm to me.

2. I love the feel in the air. Not necessarily the cold, brisk wind but the feel of love and family. Work is taken off so families can be together, effort is made to strengthen relationships, neighbors and friends go out of their way to give to each other and like the decor I have hanging on my front door: all hearts go home.

3. Lance and I started dating shortly before christmas in 2004 so its a very sentimental time for us. We love to reminisce of our dating days and still go on specific dates each year as tradition during the season.

4. I love gift giving because I'm really good at buying things for Lance. I know what he wants before he realizes he wants it so its fun to watch his expression when he's opening gifts. Last year we didn't have a christmas because we had just moved back home and didn't have money so I'm looking forward to it this year, especially Lance's expression at what I got for him.

5. My favorite tradition was adopted on December 24, 2004 when we were dating. Each year the Cox's have a sing along where they bring out the huge book Readers Digest of Christmas Carols, and sing every song around the grand piano. No joke, EVERY song. I love it because his family is so musically talented and it moves me to tears. I think some of the most sacred and reverent music ever written about the Savior are found in christmas hymns and carols.

6. Christmas trees are absolutely beautiful! I love to turn off all the lights, get a warm blanket, and sit on the couch just staring at the christmas tree in silence. It's relaxing and nostalgic, I could stare at it for hours.

7. I love the yummy food! Juicy ham, warm pies, and I love the smell and taste of nutmeg which is my favorite spice and often used in holiday cooking.

Recent Drama

Weird sunday morning, check it out HERE.

Love/Hate Relationship

Lance found this website which I have a love/hate relationship with. Go ahead, check it out for yourself. In fact I double dare you to try it and see what you think. We both wanted a way to monitor what we eat so we know what nutrients we are or are not consuming and what things we need to back off of. It's basically a food journal and it automatically tells you where you are at with calories, carbs, fat, protein, fiber, sugar, and sodium. It's quite an eye opener! I've been trying it out just for fun and find that my occasional dessert is not so occasional but rather with every meal. I'm a chocolate girl, what can I say? There's also a way to find out how many calories you burn while exercising, they give fitness tips, track your weight loss goals and monitors how you're progressing. I know there are all kinds of gadgets and software programs that are expensive to track all of this stuff but we like this website because its free. Try it out HERE.

Fall Bliss

My dearest brother was married over the weekend to his sweetheart Lynn. It was such a beautiful wedding! The bride was gorgeous, the groom was head over heels, and everything in between was perfect. Unfortunately, the lighting was bad so my pictures didn't turn out very well. They are so happy and so perfect for each other!