A little M & M action

Don't worry I haven't forgotten about these two...

Musings on expectations / Modern day lollipop kids

ex·pec·ta·tion[ek-spek-tey-shuhn]–noun
1. the act or the state of expecting: to wait in expectation.
2. the act or state of looking forward or anticipating.
3. an expectant mental attitude: a high pitch of expectation.
4. something expected; a thing looked forward to.
5. Often, expectations. a prospect of future good or profit: to have great expectations.
6. the degree of probability that something will occur: There is little expectation that he will come.
7. Statistics. mathematical expectation.
8. the state of being expected: a large sum of money in expectation.

Has anyone ever thought about how much expectations play a role in many outcomes we may have in our lives? Expectations often determine our emotional state...i.e. we're happy if our expectations are met and sad if they are not met. Is it a good thing to set high expectations? I think there are certain times that we do need to have high expectations and then other times we really need to readjust and just roll with the punches. In this journey having the triplets I can honestly say that it has been better than what my original expectations were. That's where a combination of throwing high expectations out the window and having a little faith and hope come alive(that's another story in of itself). If you think about it there are very few things we have control over. I felt like the only thing I had control over was being faithful, diligent in keeping to the strict bed rest guidelines and the calories I put into my body. The rest had to come from a higher place and I just had to hope that it would work out even if it were not within my expectation parameter. How many times have things felt so unobtainable but because of certain elements things have just worked out. Coincidence I think not..
Now back to expectations and my little boys. When my sister takes pictures I do not use faith as a way to measure the outcome. I fully set high expectations because I know she is in full control over her camera and there is no way I will be let down. I guess like it says above in the #4 definition that an expectation is something expected; a thing to look forward to and I CAN'T EVEN BEGIN TO EXPRESS HOW EXCITED I WAS TO POST THESE PICTURES TONIGHT!! Annie, you fully met my expectations with the beautiful photos and if you don't feel like you met yours well then maybe it's time to readjust your thinking. I do want to note that at first I was a little bummed when the boys broke their lollipops after 1 second(I guess my expectations were set a little too high:-). After I thought about it I guess I'm kind of glad they did. There is something very liberating about letting go of perfect and the picture below seems to illistrate that. Just look how happy they are and that's all the matters.

PS. - There's going to be more picture to follow. I just have too many ants in my pants to wait to post the whole series. Also a special shout out to Stacey and her bro Matt for bringing those suckers all the way from Disneyland. I could not find those stinkin lollipops anywhere (ok 3 stores) so I called my friend Stacey and she made a phone call and we were in business. She has the hook ups!!! Ironically I did end up finding more @ the Dollar Tree 4 hours before the shoot. Anybody ever heard that one song by Alanis Morisette?(just had to throw that one in there)

Back to school special

So funny. My friend found a site that you could plug your picture into yearbooks dating from 1950 to 2000. Nice 80's hair. One of them is from the year I graduated, can you guess which one? If I had a scanner I would for sure post the picture of me leaning on the year I graduated, AWESOME. You know you all have one of those too. Go, Fight, Win TOROS:-) Mom I'm so glad you finally retired the wall of senior pictures. PS the zazu face is for you Liza.

Tasty but healthy..your kids will love em and so will you!

These have to be the tastiest things ever. I'm not kidding people who don't eat a healthy diet even love them. My kids love them plus they are getting whole raw ingredients without all the junk. I order them by the cases. They're not the cheapest but well worth the price.http://www.perfectfoodsresearch.com/index.html

Ingredients
Peanut Butter*, Raw Unheated Buddy Bee Honey*, Milk Protein, Egg Protein, Rice Protein, Dried Whole Food Powders (Sunflower Seed*, Sesame Seed*, Flax Seed*, Rice Bran*, Rose-Hip*, Orange*, Lemon*, Grapefruit*, Tomato*, Apple*, Bell Pepper, Papaya*, Mango*, Black Cherry, Cranberry, Fig, Alfalfa*, Celery*, Spinach*, Parsley*, Mint, Kelp*, Dulse*), Olive Oil*, Sunflower Seed Oil, Sesame Seed Oil*, Flax Seed Oil*, Pumpkin Seed Oil, Almond Oil, and Rice Bran Oil. *denotes organic ingredients
Suggested Use
• 1 whole bar for meal replacement• Half of a bar between meals • 1 whole bar in addition to meals for serious athletes

Momma's don't let your babies grow up to be comboys

A very long time ago back in '97 before I was married, somebody asked me to go on a date to the Payson rodeo. I "accidentally" didn't go with him. Well fast forward 11years and this same guy finally got his date except this time 5 little rodeo clowns tagged along. When I saw the movie Sweet Home Alabama I really could relate. Small town redneck boy and big city girl. Except the girl realizes she does have some small town ways in her heart. I guess I too have some small town in my heart. Does liking Dwight Yoakam or having 2 friends that were NFR rodeo queens count? Anyway, Payson boasts the oldest continual rodeo. This was the first time I'd been back to Payson in 12 years. I think the trees shrunk. The kids had fun. It wouldn't have been as fun without all the others who cames along. Honorable mention to Kelly, Hope & Mary who took turns wrestling our kids.

Do you need to cool off??

Because of her...

We were able to go here...





Thank goodness for both of the above summer reliefs. I love you Mary!

Good times in the neighborhood

I think my kids were trying to get me hauled off today. We won't say any names (starts with an M) but one of my daughters and her side kick tag teamed me. Whose kid tells practically a stranger that their mom hurts them followed by her sidekick chiming in on cue telling the same lady that her mom dosn't let her cry??!!?? I guess the same kid who now refers to their Nana and Baca as "your parents". Seriously, she asked, "Are your parents coming over tonight?" I'm scared, they're 3 for pete's sake. What ever happened to Reading Rainbow, Mr. Roger's Neighborhood, Brady Bunch, Wallace and Ladmo, old school Scooby Doo, Bewithced and the Smurfs. Times have changed.

Did I happen to mention that the stranger lady worked with kids for a living and with the state? Good thing black and white are 2 of my favorite colors. Except doesn't Sherriff Joe likes the color pink or something?




Any whoo still love the partners in crime!!!

3 Amigos

Seriously, Does anybody know where I can get some sombreros or Mexican bullfighting outfits for Halloween?

Baby A - (AKA Christian)

Baby B (AKA Wells)

Baby C (AKA Bridger)

Tribute to Mom! Top 10

10. Where there's a will there's a way. She can alway acomplish what she puts her mind to.

9. Hard working and very self reliant.

8. Strong, not in the muscle way but the way that counts.

7. Selfless

6. Both smart & wise (there's a difference)

5. Fun...I'm craving another trip in the convertible. Last time was Los Angeles and Magic Mountain. Remember we didn't even have any hotel reservations until we got there. Up for Santa Barbara and then up the coast a ways?

4. Creative

3. Organized

2. Thoughtful

1. Best friend (everyone thinks she's my sister)

I could not live without my mom. I know this has been quite a year for her. She basically put many things in her life on hold for me. She took care of me and the girls while I was on bedrest. She was dedicated to serving me and I attribute much of the success with the triplets to her. She was at half of my doctor's appointments. Recently while in Utah she came into my house and not only had she deeped cleaned (Mary too, that's another post) but sewed & hung some drapes, organized my pantry and stocked up on baby food and other necessities to name a few. I was in tears. These things are just touching the surface and is not an adequate enough reflection upon my MOM. She has led the way through her great example and hope to be half the woman she is. What a legacy she has already left to me and my family. I am so thankful that she took me on to be her daughter. I have so much gratitude and love for my mom. You're the BEST!!

FLASHBACK!! Some favorite pics from the last year.

Not that this was one of my favorite pictures but because whenever I looked @ it represents the great triumph I felt that day. That picture was taken the day the babies were born. I had just made it through 4 months solid bedrest worrying that whole time whether or not that babies would come too early or not be healthy. I was on a strict diet that consisted of 4000 calories per day. It was not that easy to do but 70 pounds later it sure seem to have payed off. I remember thinking I would be the luckiest lady around if the babies were in the upper 4 pound range so when they came out as heavy as they were it made for a very happy day. I could barely walk that day so Waylon wheeled me around in a wheelchair. We even stopped by Paradise Bakery to pick up some cookies. I was planning on having them 1st thing after I had the boys and could eat. Too bad Waylon dropped them all over the parking lot of the hospital (not a good thing to do when a big woman is about to have triplets). No worries though dad (aka Mike Dog) came to the rescue with a dozen more.



Most of the following pictures were captured by my sis Annie. She has such a talent I feel so blessed to be the recipiant of that her photo skills.

This was one of the funny pictures Newsweek magazine got when they included us on an article they've been working on with families that had multiples. We were the triplet family that they included. It has never been recorded that one doctor had ever delivered triplets, quads, quins, and sextuplets all within a month until our doctor did that very thing. That was part the spin with the story. As far as I know it has never been published yet. The girls were out of control but it made for some memorable photos.

Sweet Bridger Baby!

Seriously makes my heart melt.

Whenever I've had a rough day I just look @ this on my nightstand before I to bed and say "You can do it". I should paste it to every room in my house so I don't forget:-)

Crazy!! I still didn't think it was for reals. If you noticed I was a little glazed.

Christian on Nana's white chair. Heavenly!

TAGGED - A little late but Mom I won't let you down.

Ok fine I'll play!

Game
Rules:Each player answers the questions themselves. At the end of the post the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment letting them know that they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answers.

The Five
Ten years ago…
1. Thinking it was such a treat to go to Taco bell & dollar movie in Provo.
2. I was the sugar momma to my husband because I rolled in the dough.
3. Worked for Robert Redford @ Sundance Group.
4. Gearing up for our 3rd Lake Powell trip that summer.
5. Wondering what I'd be doing 10 years from now.

Five things on today’s “to do” list
1. Get Christian's new cast on.
2. Grocery shop.
3. Pick up new dishwasher.
4. Get house ready for Mandy to come over.
5. Work on project for somebody that I like ALOT!

Five snacks I enjoy
1. Perfect Foods Bar (Oh yum!)
2. sesame seed bar
3. yogurt with slivered almods, fresh berries and sprouted wheat
4. salsa & chips
5. Sea salt pita chips with hummus.
Oh and anything with nuts!


Five things I would do if I was a millionaire…
1. Get a cabin
2. Take lots of trips (I'd go to Mamas Fish House in Hawaii today)
3. Oh set some money aside for missions & school for the kiddies
4. Start a venture of some sort - revenue generating
5. Donate and then buy a new car that was industructable to a bowling ball:-)

Five places I have lived…
1. Mountain View California
2. Los Gatos California
3. Highland Utah
4. Mesa Arizona
5. Provo Utah

I tag... Melanie, Courtney, Shelley, Tiffany, and Michelle - haha

Anybody like vampires? Girls get away!!!

Anybody read the Stephanie Meyer Twilight books? Seriously, I can not believe how many people have jumped on the band wagon. My Mom and all of my sisters have read the whole series. When they announced the release of the final book of the series my family was so excited that they used it as an excuse to have a girls get away. Even though I did not order a book oh yes I was @ Barnes & Noble with the family & yes it was midnight and yes there were bunch of crazys (maybe I should not say crazys but devoted fans who like to dress up and stuff). Hey anything was worth hanging out with the girls though. We stayed @ the historic Biltmore Resort. Since I like the architecture and design of Frank Lloyd Wright, then you can imagine I was very excited to check this place out. It was so much fun playing by the pool. It really didn't matter where we were as long as we had each other. I think the highlight was when my Mom presented us with a gift that was definetly a labor of her love. She made us our own personalized bags for the 1st annual Vance girls get together. They are beautiful and I can't believe how much work she put into them. I sure love my Mommy. Can't wait for next year.



Thanks to all that made this event happen!! Especially Waylon @ home with all kids.


Biltmore Resort..very Frank Lloyd Wright.




Somethings never change.


The night just begins @ midnight.


Crazy that there was a life size chess set. Perfect photo opp with the release of the new book.



Fun in the sun!