Random thoughts~

This post will seem so random, I just have so may thoughts as of late.

I am in love with this time of the year--I always have been since I was a child. I loved Christmas and all the fun traditions that go along with it. Now that I have a child it seems so magical. I love seeing how Ryder is so excited and as each day passes it is so hard for him to contain. Rick and I have decided to stay home this year. I had mixed feeling at first just for the simple fact I have always been home ( that is my parents home) since I was a child. We both wanted to start our own family traditions with Ryder. I had a hard time letting go of being at home with my parents. I thank my parents for creating such wonderful memories for me to always treasure. I am also looking forward to Rick and I creating those for Ryder. 

Life sure has been full of some unexpected heartache and also surprises. Rick and I honestly thought we would have more kids by now but that is not the case. This will someday be a different post. I just like to keep my thoughts on this close to me for now.  

I was just called to be the Primary President and I am so nervous but yet excited. I feel so blessed to be at the point in my life where I am now. I truly feel that the gospel helps me to be a better person and that Rick and Ryder help me want to be a better person. It feels good to be in a good place. 

I am looking forward to a fun filled holiday!

Ryder's Birthday

It sure has been a crazy but fun birthday week for Ryder. I remember as a child how fun it was when it was time for my birthday. I wanted to make sure that I created those same memories for Ryder. I really enjoyed planning and getting everything put together for him. At times I think I was more excited for his birthday than he was. :)  He had pre-school on the day of his birthday so I was able to bring an all about me poster & treats for him. Rick and I had decided to have his friend birthday party on the day of his birthday. It is crazy to have 10 4-5 years old all at once, but it sure did make Ryder's day. I had decided to have them decorate their own cupcakes & then play games. 

We had Ryder's family party on Saturday. It was a packed house but it sure did touch my heart to look around and see all the family that comes to support Ryder. Ryder has been blessed to have cousins around his age. He sure does love each of them. 
I come from a really good family, whom I love so much. I was also blessed to marry into a really good family. At the birthday party I looked around and thought how blessed and lucky Ryder is to be surrounded by so many good people. My main concern in life is to make sure that Ryder is raised to be a good boy. I know that the people that are in his life are very good people and that he has a good foundation to start on.,

Rick and I were told that it was a miracle that we were even able to get pregnant with Ryder. So as we celebrated his birthday this week it makes me very thankful for the Lords tender mercies.

Gratitude

It seems like when the month of November rolls around you start hearing all about gratitude. I often think that we should focus on it more than just one month out of the year. I think because the holidays are quickly approaching, we need to take a step back from our busy lives and be grateful.

I thought I would list some things that I am grateful for. Please keep in mind that some may seem silly but I am truly grateful for them. :) They are in no particular order.

1. Rick Lyman~ I am truly blessed to have you by my side
2. My son Ryder~  I never knew I could love someone this much
3. The gospel~ I am a much better person because of this
4. My mom and dad~ it is a true blessing to have such good supportive parents
5. My sister~ I LOVE having a sis
6. My brothers~ They are all the world to me
7. The gym ( my workout routine)~ I thrive on this
8. McDonalds Diet Coke~ I am addicted
9. Work~ I am fortunate that I can work from home
10. My in-laws~ I am lucky to have married into a good family
11. Candy Cane Hershey Kisses~ my new addiction
12. Nicole Merrill~ my life long friend
13. Emily Gibson~ my other life long friend
14. My neighborhood~ I live in a great neighborhood
15. All my nieces & nephews~ I love them ALL so much
16. Ryder's kisses~ I love when he gives me kisses
17. Ryder's singing~ he is a rapper, he makes up his own words to songs
18. My new and old friends ( you know who you are) ~ they are such good people
19. Idaho~ it is a good state
20. Ricks love~ it completes me
21. Walks~ I love going on walks with Ryder and my friends
22. Family gatherings~ they are so much fun
23. The savior~
24. Nike shoes~ they are so comfortable
25. Phone calls from my siblings~ I love hearing from them
26. Ryder's prayers~ they are so innocent and sweet
27. Hostess white powdered donuts~ my favorite splurge when I have been good ;)
28. Dates with Rick~ it makes you remember all the excitement
29. Mommy~ I love that word
30. Service~ it is important to do

Good Kid!

Rick was asked to speak at an Eagle Court of Honor last week for a young men that he has worked with. As I was sitting there listening a few things came to my mind that I kept thinking about. As I looked around I could not help but wonder what type of boy that Ryder will end up being. My prayer is that he will turn out to be a good kid that does right by others. There are so many things that I want him to be--I am sure all mothers have big dreams for their children. I want him to be a boy full of energy and life. I love that he is a boys boy and by that I mean he loves to sit and dig and play in the dirt for hours.  He loves to play baseball with his dad. His all time favorite thing is to ride his two wheel bike all over.  He loves to go to his races & to pop wheelies. He loves all things boy. I want him to keep loving all those things. Most importantly, I want him to be kind to everyone--I pray for this. I see too many kids these days that are mean and are bullies. I would be devastated if Ryder ever did that. I want him to treat everyone with respect. I believe that all people deserve that. I want him to have a kind heart. I try to teach him that all the time. We went up to City Creek and as we were walking there was a homeless man and he was crying as he told us his story. Well, Rick gave him some money and we went on our way. For days after that Ryder  kept telling me that  he was worried about the man. I hope he always keeps that thoughtfulness in him. I pray that he always has a good heart.
I do know that as kids get older they change. They sometimes end up with friends that can be bad for them. I was lucky enough to have a best friend since 8th grade that was a good influence. I think a lot of the problems these days comes down to parenting. My job as a parent is to continue to teach him to be the good boy that he is and the good man he is yet to become.

Siblings

I am not too sure why but as of late I have found myself thinking a lot about siblings. I know that I have been blessed and that I am very fortunate to have five brothers and one sister. I love coming from a big family. Don't get me wrong, it has its ups and downs filled with many mixed emotions, but I would not trade it for anything in this world. What I love the most is that we are all close knit and that feels good. I think that is why my heart breaks for Ryder--because I want him to have that so bad.
Growing up, there were many times we did not get along--that comes with the territory. My youngest brother Ronny would come with me everywhere.  My friends adored him.  My sister lives in Idaho and there have been so many times that I had wished we lived closer. I would love to go to lunch and go over and hang out at her house. I ache for that at times. It is nice because when we go to Idaho we always get together and we always talk at last once a week. Let me tell you about my little brother Don (I call him Donny)- I have always felt protective of him, I tell Rick that I feel like I am his mom. When he got married, I was sad and my heart broke. I remember at the time that I told Rick that I felt like a mom losing her son. I can't even think about the day Ryder gets married.  He always texts me on Mothers Day & says "Happy Mothers Day" and he always checks in to see how we are. I love that & I love that bond that we all have. I enjoy when my other two brothers Jeff & Rocky check in. I am blessed that Rocky trusts me to take his kids when he needs me to watch them. It is fun to hang out with Jeff when we go to Idaho to visit.
Now that we are all grown and married I have been lucky enough to have wonderful sister in laws & a brother in law.
I look at Rick and his siblings and the tight bond and friendship that they have--it is neat to see. I feel in life that people come and go so it is important to nurture and maintain relationships with your siblings. I love my family with all my heart and I know that I have been blessed to have them in my life.

Our Bugga

Ryder

I have so many thoughts that I just do not where to begin with this post. I know that I am blessed to have been able to give birth to Ryder and to raise him. When Rick and I found out that we were pregnant we were thrilled. We started calling the baby Ryder before we even knew what we were having ( it is a good thing we had a boy). Rick used to race motocross so I think that is why he liked the name so much. I always wanted a boy.  I truly think that it is because my little nephew Mason was so full of mischief and naughtiness but yet such a good little boy. I also would hear fun stories from my good friend Emily about her son Dallin. I just remember always thinking it would be so much fun to have a little boy. He was a tough baby because he did not sleep very well at all but now he is almost four and just perfect.  I never knew you could love someone as much as I love Ryder. I love him more than words can express. My heart breaks at times for him because I want so badly for him to have siblings. There are a few times when I will be walking outside & he will ask, "mommy are we having a baby today"? I have to tell him not today and I am not sure if that day will ever come. Rick and I both come from large families and what a blessing that has been. It is so much fun to have family gatherings and to have that bond. I have four brothers and one sister, they are some of my best friends. My birthday was the other day and my brother Donny called and texted a few times to make sure I was having a good day--I loved that. We have each others backs and we love each other--that is the way it should be.  I want Ryder to be able to experience that relationship with siblings more than anything. I know I hold him a little closer because he is all I have right now.

Let me tell you about Ryder. He may be shy when he doesn't know you but that little boy is so fiesty at times that it makes a mommy proud. He is very smart and I always tell Rick that he takes after him. He loves to push the limit as of late--that does not go over well with Rick :). He loves to play with his friends. We have been very fortunate to live in a neighborhood where there are some little boys that he loves to play with.  He knows how to ride his bike without training wheels and boy is he fast. He is a total boys boy and oh so sweet at the same time, and I am proud to call him my son.

Our start

Our Life

I have decided to create a blog about our life.  I have had so many thoughts come to my mind and at times wanted to capture them. I will first tell a little bit about ourselves. 
Rick and I were both older when we met and eventually got married. Before then, I had often wondered if I would ever get married or even have kids. I can honestly say that I am thankful that  I had waited for that "right person" as some may say. Rick is honestly one of those rare good guys. I am not just saying that because I am married to him but anyone that even knows him can attest to that. We started trying for kids right away. As I had mentioned we were both older. I was able to get pregnant with Ryder after 5 months. I absolutely loved being pregnant. At the time I worked full-time in Ogden at Aspen Homes New Construction.  I enjoyed every minute of my pregnancy, I loved it. We had the name Ryder picked out right away. At the time we had no idea if he was going to be a boy or girl but " Ryder" is what we called  the baby. I may have been odd but I really wanted a boy. I thought boys were so fun and full of energy. We were blessed when Ryder was born. I loved him the moment I saw him and to this day I can't ever imagine loving someone as much as I love him. Rick and I had planned on having three kids. My heart aches for more kids, but that is a whole different subject.
I lived up North when I met Rick and he lived in Alpine. When we got married we got a home in Traverse Mountain. Utah County was so different to me and I at first I hated it. I know that is a strong word but that is how I felt. I now love it. It is so pretty and peaceful and an all around nice place to live. I have met so many wonderful people here. Ryder has so many cute little friends. Rick and I are happy to be at this place in our lives. The wait may have been long but oh so worth it.