A Valentine Surprise

My sweet hubby brought home each of "his girls" a rose for Valentine's Day. John even had all the thorns taken off for Hailey and Kate. Pretty darn sweet huh?

A Heart Pizza from Papa Murphy's ($6.99, are you outta your mind?)

A quick pic from my little b-day party. Ice cream cakes are my favorite! Oh ya, as a funny side note the envelopes under my arm contain the money I successfully lost and then found again.

I know this picture has nothing to do with this post, but I just had to include it. Hailey got dressed up in her favorite Belle dress as usual and Kate felt a little left out. They wore these dresses for most of the day.

One Honest Person

I was still kind of upset about losing the large wad of birthday cash, so this morning I called all the stores we went to and gave them my name and number in hopes that someone felt like being honest. One woman said, "Not to be pessimistic, but that is a lot of money, I don't think you will ever see it again!"
I forgot my phone on our venture out today but found a new voicemail when we got home. I started screaming as a woman from Macy's told me a man had called about finding the money. He was willing to meet me anywhere to return it! Turns out that he and his teenage daughter were shopping and he found it lying on the floor.
I was happy to give him 50 dollars even though he said we didn't need to give him anything. He eventually took the money so he could take his kids out for pizza (what a sweet dad). I think about the example of true honesty that he showed his daughter and it makes me happy there truly are good people in this world!

Birthday Blooper

Before I even begin to explain the following story I just want to thank my sweet husband for a wonderful birthday even with our "small" mishap. As you read this story, please enjoy the theme song to John's favorite show......"The Apprentice."

So after opening some sweet gifts to begin with and blowing out candles on my ice cream cake he then proceeds to tell me we are going out to eat and then to the mall for a shopping spree while a babysitter watches the kids.

Ecstatic at the thought of buying a shirt or two for the first time in months I gathered ALL of my birthday money. Yes, money from my husband, mother-in-law, and my saved piano money all went into a small money envelope. No small amount, a sum of 380 dollars. I am embarrassed to even disclose of this information because this amount is too much for anyone to spend even if you are celebrating a birthday, however, the following events describe why the amount is needed to tell the story.

After dinner we drove straight to the mall. I grabbed my envelope full of cash and not wanting to lug around a diaper bag or my planner I asked him to put it in his pocket. I watched as he dropped it neatly inside his inside coat pocket. Giddy as a school girl I skipped into the mall holding my husband's hand.

We proceeded to shop at all of my favorite stores but knowing this money could go fast I put everything on hold in order to check all my options. I finally decided I wanted the shirt from Gap and asked the salesperson for the items on hold for Melanie. I told John, "I need the money." His hand went inside his pocket and then he said, "Oh my heck!" I told John to stop fooling around. The man was waiting for me to buy my items. After a couple minutes I realized he wasn't joking.

Long story short, John had draped his coat over his arm and it had somehow fallen out. AHHHHHHHHHHH! What a complete nightmare. We retraced our steps, but with no luck. As I sobbed, John cussed (something he never does) under his breath and kept telling me he had just ruined my birthday. It was really my fault for not putting it in my bag or in my coat pocket that actually zips!!!!

Well, John went straight to the ATM and pulled out the exact amount that was in the envelope and said that if he had lost anyone elses money he would pay them back and that was just what he was doing for me.

Earlier John had bought a pair of badly needed pants for Hailey with his card. We found out the money was lost and the mall was about to close. He said, "So help me if we leave this mall without getting something for you!!!" We went back to Gap with our "new" stash of money and I bought a couple shirts with mascara stained eyes.

John and I came to the conclusion that things like this just happen sometimes and we need to roll with the punches. At least we didn't get a speeding ticket, run into the back of a car, or get a root canal (oh wait, I already did that a couple weeks ago). HAHAHAHAHA

We are now laughing about our stupidity although the pain of knowing our money is gone still stings a little. There are a lot of things to be grateful for. I have two beautiful girls, a sweet husband, family, friends and the gospel. My husband's optimism is contagious and I hope I can be more like him everyday. Thank you John for helping me laugh because if it weren't for your attitude I would be crying!!!! I prefer to look on the bright side because thinking about the lost money really just makes me sick.

Kate is Now Feeding Herself!!

Trying on Some Cowboy Boots

(pause my music playlist to view videos)

Kate loves shoes! I usually find her in her room trying on a new pair. Her favorite are Hailey's cowboy boots. She got frustrated near the end because she knew I was there, but she does it on her own all the time because she is always wearing them!!

After a little help from mom...

A Simple, but fun Birthday Party

Once again, Hailey was spoiled with presents from everyone (thank you) and she had a blast opening them. We decided to wait until next year for a friend party simply because mom is let's just say it...lazy. We had the Mendenhall fam over for cake and ice cream and Hailey absolutely loved it!

My cake decorating skills. A chocolate cake with strawberry frosting and Hailey's polly pocket princesses as the cake toppers. Hmmm.. Next year maybe Jason could help me?

Hailey and Kate loving the new princess shoes for her birthday! Kate put them on herself!

One Special Day...

Happy Anniversary John!

Happy Birthday Hailey!

Four years ago today was the best day of my life, I was married to my best friend. I love you babe! Thanks for being the best husband and father that I could ever ask for.

Three Years Ago Today...My sweet little Hailey was born

Doodlebops Live

"We're the Doodlebops, Ya, Ya!" We had a blast going to Doodlebops live in Indianapolis for Hailey's early birthday present (one of Hailey's favorite t.v. shows). Thank you Amy for finding the tickets for us!

Hailey and Gracie

Santa Came Early at the Heiner Home

On December 19th we celebrated Christmas due to a last minute decision (and good ticket prices) to go to Utah/Idaho for Christmas.

My two happy little sweeties

Don't ask me why Hailey wanted a band aid on her face but she is happily sporting it in every Christmas picture.

Before we left to Utah/Idaho we let the girls go out for a spin. Hailey is still learning how to drive it. She went around in circles the whole time, loving every second of it.

Thank you Grandpa and Grandma Heiner!!

We flew into Salt Lake and stayed with Grandpa and Grandma Heiner for a few days before we headed to Rexburg, ID for Christmas day. Hailey lived in the playhouse when she wasn't snuggling with Grandma and Grandpa Heiner of course.

We were lucky enough to make it to the Radford family Christmas party this year. We had so much fun! It was so good to see everyone.

Ryan, Melanie, Lisa (sporting her darling new do...she cut off like 9 inches)

Kate hanging out with Grandpa

Grandma, Mom, Mike and Nancy (minus Dave, Liz broke her leg snowmobiling)

Cute little Taizee (spelling?)

Grandpa and Grandma Sparks

All I can say is, what a special experience. Thanks to Mom, we were taken on a personal tour inside the Rexburg LDS temple before the open house and the dedication.

I have to tell a special little memory while we were inside the temple. My mother posed for this picture painted by Del Parson. She is Mary, the one kneeling. Well there are several of these paintings hanging inside the temple. Hailey saw one of them and said, "Nana is talking to Jesus!"

Nana gave in and let Hailey open a couple of presents early! Lets just say the girls were spoiled this year in the Rigby home.

"Twas the Night before Christmas"

Sipping Santa's Milk

Thank you Nana and Grandpa Rigby for all the fun presents. Hailey loves her little princess castle!

Kate love the boots Nana gave Hailey.

We headed back to Utah after a wonderful time at the Rigby home. We watched Logan play basketball against University of Utah. Hailey loves seeing Logan's basketball games. She is always worried about making sure she has her ticket to get into the game! Thank you Grandpa Rigby for driving us! Thank you Greer family for letting us stay at your home!

Fun at the Smith Christmas party in Morgan, UT.

Hailey loved Mark!

We made a quick visit to the Dalby home. It was so much fun to see their new house and visit with our old friends.


Hailey and Ella were born just a couple days apart!

Jana and I go way back. Back to those days in Minnesota when our husbands were out selling and we were sick to our stomachs (pregnant). Thank you Jana for being such a sweet friend.


Kate and Arlene.


Addie, Jane and Hailey

This picture will forever remind me of Brig's little high pitched voice singing the chipmunk song. "Christmas, Christmas time is here, time for love and time for cheer, we've been good but we can't last, hurry Christmas hurry fast."

Miya and Hailey bonded near the end of the trip

Hailey's home while at the Heiner house

Jess and Gio blessed beautiful little Alessandra while we were there. We are so glad we decided to fly home!


Hailey can't get enough of little Alessandra