My little rant....'cause I can!

Ok, so here's the deal. I have been really emotional this week (we'll blame it on PMS!) Mostly, I have been in a bad mood, & feeling worn out. So, I am going to vent a little today, because it's the only thing I can think of to help me feel better.

First, Mat has been working nights the past three weeks or so. Our days around here go something like this. Mat takes Kat to school (it's really the only time she sees him, sad huh?) then comes home and hangs out for a bit. We usually both do few household work items ex. dishes, laundry, picking up toys. Then he hops in the bath and gets ready for work. We eat lunch and then he heads to work. The rest of the afternoon I try to entertain Emma in some fashion, usually a movie for 'quiet time' and then we head out to pick up Kat from school.. the rest of the day I try to keep the peace between the girls and in the mean time, make Kat do her homework, make dinner, get the girls baths and ready for bed. Hopefully by 8 o'clock they are both asleep so I can breath for a minute! Mat gets home at 10:30 as I am trying to say awake for him!
I know when Mat reads this he is going to feel guilty that he isn't here more, and I know he hates the schedule right now. I know that we just have to live this way for a bit, and then hopefully he will get a better schedule. I am ok with it, really! I just need to feel bad for myself for a minute! I know there are lots of moms and dads that are all alone in raising kids; I know that there are tons in similar situations; I know that I am not the only one; I know that I am lucky to have a husband who loves me and my girls; I know that this is just something we have to deal with;
I KNOW ALL OF THIS!
It just doesn't make it suck less...

So, in being completely worn out from all of the drama that two little girls can dish out, it has made me very emotional. I think I am going to make a list as I type, maybe the good things and not so good things. Maybe that will help me sort things out a little. Bear with me.

Good Things:
* I have a new found gratitude for Mat and all he does for me - not having him around has made me realize all he really does do for me!
* Thankful for having a pool! Sounds silly, I know! But on the days that I feel like I am going to crack, and we go out and spend time in the pool, I usually feel rejuvenated. The sun, the relaxation, the calming & cool water on a hot day, the lack of fighting while we are in the pool, being out of the apartment for a bit - whatever it is, it seems to work!
* Thankful for bed time! (and thus, quiet time)
* So thankful for the church!!! We have some great neighbors who help keep me grounded. I see what others may go thru and makes me realize I have it pretty good. I am also thankful for visiting teaching - going and receiving! This past week has been great because I have gotten to visit with a lot of young moms like me and it is just great to visit and feel that special 'sisterhood' of being in the church.

Not so good things:
* I feel soooo worn out. I can't quite put my finger on why I feel so worn out. That's part of why I feel frustrated by it! If I knew what it was, then I could work on fixing it!
* I have been feeling homesick the past little while. I haven't told Mat this, because then he starts to worry about me! But, over Memorial Day weekend we hung out with my Aunt Cathy and my cousin Trish who lives down here and my cousin Julie who came to visit with her family for the weekend. We had a lot of fun! Kathryn got to know some of my cousins and thier kids and they played together great! We went to the park and played at a splash pad and we went and had a BBQ with them. It was a lot of fun!!! So why does it make me homesick? Because I missed doing it with my mom and family. I also later talked to my mom and she said she had a bunch of family over to her house for a big BBQ. I felt so left out! I sound crazy huh? I feel so lucky to have some family down her and so honored that they would invite us to be with them. We had so much fun and so I still feel conflicted inside. But it is the truth. I feel homesick!
* Today at church I was so emotional! A return missionary spoke today, she just returned this past week. She had the Spirit so strong! Then in RS the lesson was about Apostasy. Again, I was on the verge of tears. It hit so close to home and made my heart ache for those who have chosen to leave the Gospel. It still aches as I think of what they are missing and the blessings that they are not recieving!


So, now that I have cried my eyes out (again), I do feel a little better. I know that I have so much to be greatful for! Mat is finally working, we have insurance again, we are all healthy and happy (most days!), we have an awesome ward, I love my husband and girls so much!
I know that Christ is my Savior, and my Brother. I know that Families are Forever!!! What a blessing to know that I will see my sister again! And that we will all be reunited, even those who may stray, will one day see the light again and feel the love of a Heavenly Father that loves them and will welcome them home. I love the Gospel. I know I am not perfect, far from it. But, I have felt the love of my Father so strongly that I can not deny it. I know that times are tough, we all have trials. But that is part of our test here on Earth. I pray that I can cling to my testimony and grow stronger from it, because I see the Evils of the World all around and it frightens me! The strong will get stronger and the weak will get weaker. I hope I can be one of the Strong! I have Faith in myself! I know I am strong, though some days I don't feel that way!


Thanks for listening to me rant. I know it was more for my benefit, than those that look at our blog! And I didn't mean for it to become testimony meeting! I guess when it comes down to it, it usually is the closeness of the Spirit that makes me cry!

I have almost updated my blog!!!!

I have almost finished updating you with all of the pics I have taken over the past month or so! I apologize that it is all in one long posting, but it was easier that way! Now, I just have to post pics from Em's birthday and I will be completely caught up! (I'll save that for tomorrow!)

So, enjoy the many, many pics of my cute family and the goings on of our life in Nevada!

Thanks for visiting!!!

Student of the Month!!!

Kathryn got picked as Student of the Month for May!!!

She got to havea pizza party with the Principal this last week!

She is such a good student and even with moving has kept straight A's!!!

Her teacher tells us she is an 'inspiration to the other students'!

She has also had notes sent home from her Music teacher saying how she is such a good example and a great singer and performer!

We are so proud of her and all she does!

Love ya kat!

YogurtLand!

Last week, while Mat was at work, I took the girls out for ice cream (frozen yogurt actually). We went to YogurtLand at the outdoor shopping Mall I work at. Yummy!

We were going to play at the kids play land there, which is really fun and even has water fountains to play in. But the park was closed that day....????? Still not sure why. I have never seen in closed before. So we walked around and played on the bridge and by the water for a bit.

It was a fun Girl's Night out!

School Carnival

Kat had a Carnival at School last week and we went for Family Night. We got pizza and pop for dinner there. Then we went and played a bunch of games. It was a fun night together! (At least until Kat started pouting that she wanted to play more games! Apparently, $10 worth of tickets is not enough. However, it was hot and Mat and I were pretty sure that $10 was just fine!)

Em trying to throw the Bean Bag into the frying pan. (Gotta love PTA games!)

Kat playing the Frying Pan Game!

Picking Prizes!

Big Cheese!

Emma picking a duck in the Duck Pond Game!

Pink-a-licious Party!

The girls got invited to a "Pink-a-licious Party" at Karen's house while we were up in Utah in April. (Apparently, there is a book about Pink-a-licious. We have not read it, but it is kind of like Fancy Nancy, only Pink!) Everything was pink! Pink cupcakes, pink balloons, pink streamers, pink glitter, pink EVERYTHING!!! They had a lot of fun, mostly because they got to hang out with their cousins, Ellie and Ryan.

Thanks Grandma and Karen for a fun Party!

Emma is still talking about the Pink Elephants!

Decorating Pink Cupcakes!

Em likes Pink Frosting!

Yum! Em's cupcake all finished!

Yup, Dancing on the Pool Table!!! Must have been a Pink Dance!

Playing Pink games on the trampoline.

Karen. Crazy, Crazy, Karen!!!

Poor Dog....Bath Time!

A typical night at our house consists of torturing the poor dog....and having bath time!

Tea Party!

Kat really wanted to have a Tea Party, so she set all this up all by herself! The girls had a fun time playing together (Yes, it can actually happen!)

Marshmallows and punch! Nice! With a baby blanket as the table cloth! Priceless!

Feeding the Ducks!

We met up with my cousin, Trisha and her new baby, London & my Aunt Cathy and Uncle Glen. We went to a park to feed the ducks and play! It was a fun afternoon!

Hi! We are the Wilsons!

Thought I should give you an update on our fam. Let's call this a 'Christmas Letter' in May! (You know, like the family Christmas cards you get that have the low down on everything you should know about everyone!) Here goes!

WARNING!!! This is a very long post and I appologize in advance! Read at your own risk!

Mat started his job with Allegiant Airlines a few weeks ago. He loves Y his new job!!! He is a Customer Service Agent right now. Though he is hoping to move up quickly. He had training for two weeks, then last week he was paired up with someone to start taking calls, and this week was his first official first week. He is working nights, so that is an adjustment for us all. But, he is happy to be finally in the field that he loves - Travel. The benefits of him working for an airline aren't bad either! Unfortunately, Allegiant does not fly to SLC! So, basically, we can fly lots of great places around the country, but not home to Utah! What? Crazy, I know! But, we get some cheap fares with other carriers too, so that will be nice!

Right before he started working, he finally got a church calling. He is the Deacons Quorum Advisor and Assistant Scout Master. For you that know Mat, this is a little funny. He doesn't like scouting. He likes camping and stuff, but not scouting. So when he got this calling, I thought he would say no. But, he is determined that whatever he is called to do, he will do it. He goes to activities and teaches the lessons on Sundays, but with his job and working nights, he hasn't gotten involved that much with the Scouts, yet! He will be awesome with the boys though. He has a lot of knowledge to share and help them pass stuff off. I am proud of all he does and the example he sets!

Ashley is me! I am still working at Old Navy, though hardly at all right now. With Mat working 1-10 it makes it hard for me to have any availability to work! But, I don't want to quit because I have been there for more than 4 years and I don't want to give that time up! They are good to work with me though, and I have a couple upcoming weeks off. So, that will be nice.

I went home to Utah the end of April with the girls and my Aunt Cathy. We had a fundraiser for Healing Hearts (which you probably know if you looked at my blog the past couple of months!) So, I went up there to help out with that. We raised almost $4,000! So, I think it was a success. It was nice to be up there, but I didn't feel like I got to do everything I needed to. Plus, by the end of the week, I was exhausted! I guess I take Mat totally for granted! He had to stay back home for work, and so I was a single parent for a week. Yikes!!! Not something I ever look forward to again! It is always nice to go home, but I am glad to be back down here where our home is! (I guess Vegas is growing on me!)

Kathryn is in First Grade. She is such a trooper! I know that it has been so hard on her to have to make new friends down here, but I finally see the light shinning in her eyes again. When we first moved down here, she did not like school. She would say she was sick, or didn't want to go to school all the time. But, now that she has made some friends, and is feeling more comfortable, she is a happy girl again. We went to a school carnival and she kept saying 'hi' to all these kids, and that's when I knew it was ok; that she is fitting in.

Her grade are awesome! She got strait A's on her first report card here! Amazing! Her teacher even wrote a little note saying that 'she is an inspiration to the kids around her'! Awww! That makes a momma proud! (And reminds me of some of the blessings Mat gave her in her blessing when she was a baby!) She also got picked as Student of the Month this month! Just on Thursday she got to have a pizza party with the principal! She is a good girl!

Emma is our little stinker. She just turned three yesterday. She has been in a tumbling class since we moved down here and absolutely loves it! She is always asking if today is 'umbling'! She has learned a lot of good skills, like hanging like a monkey and jumping on a trampoline! Seriously, she is great at it and this next session we need to move her up, cause it's not a challenge anymore! So cute!

We are still in the process of potty training. She is stubborn (and a little lazy) and hasn't had any desire to really do it. The past few weeks though, she has gotten a ton better! We went and picked out big girls panties and I think that helped. (Sadly, the smallest size I could find even falls off her little bum!) She stays dry most days, with a wet accident once every few days. Haven't had any 'messy' accidents - yay. So, we'll keep working on it and spending lots of time sitting on the potty!

Yesterday was her last day with her 'binky'. I kept telling everyone that when she turned three I was taking it away. And that I did! The Binky Fairy came last night and there will be no more binkies in our home!!! I felt bad come bed time, she cried for a good ten minutes - the saddest cry I think I have ever heard! Then she finally cried herself to sleep! Oh, it was heartbreaking! But, I stood my ground and it is over! She asked for it before bed tonight, but I reminded her that it was gone. She got a little mad at me, but not too bad! Hopefully, by the end of the week she won't even remember!

Well, that was a lot of typing! Sorry it is so long! And if you read through the whole thing, you must really love us (or really be stalking us)! Either way, we love you too! Hopefully in the next couple of days I can post pics of Em's Birthday and some stuff we've been up to. Until then, only life to be lived!

Thanks for reading!

Neglectful....so sorry....let's update!

I have been very neglectful lately, when it comes to my blog that is.

I have noticed a lot of people have been neglectful.

Maybe because it if finally warming up (it's been warm here for a while now - today 101! Yikes!) and everyone has spring fever.

Maybe people are getting out and spending time with people, instead of stuck inside with nothing better to do than blog.

Maybe people are over it.

Who knows?

I will tell you why I have been neglectful. (As I hang my head and try not to be too embarrassed about spilling my guts on my blog! Oh, well. That's what blogs are for right?)

I am obsessed with Facebook. Why? Well, it's easier than blogging, because you can post simple sentences instead of paragraphs, and all in one place you can stalk everyone you know that is also on Facebook instead of hopping from one blog to another. It is very convenient, though addictive!

I get all caught up in the games and quizzes, that although very insightful, they are time wasters!

So, that is why I have been neglectful.

I am so sorry.

I shall try to update you all on the fascinating adventures that have been going on here lately.

(Though, I promise, there hasn't been too much going on lately!)

So what is your excuse? Why have you been neglecting your blog?

I really do want to know!

Reasons I love being a mother!

Since it is Mother's day, I figured I would share some of the reasons I enjoy being a mother!
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There's never a wrong time for a Tea Party!

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An excuse to still feed the ducks!

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Christmas Mornings!

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You always have someone to snuggle with!

(Even if you don't really want to!)

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You can always send the kids to Grandma and Grandpa's when you need a break!

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Picnics in the park!

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Being an Aunt is almost as much fun!

(I love my nieces so much and miss them lots!)

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Your hubby feels guilty if he doesn't send you flowers once and a while!

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Watching my girls grow and learn!

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Hoping that my girls will someday be best friends like I was with my sis.
(There's always hoping, right?)

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How can you not love being a mother when you see this face???

Or this one???

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Watching their daddy become their Hero.

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These girls make me want and need to be a better person and a good mom.

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Realizing how much my own mom loves me.

Only when you are a mother can you appreciate how much your mom gave up, lived for, worried about, tried to be the best she could, loved....you.

Happy Mothers Day!!!

I love you, mom!

Our Fundraiser!

Our Bambi Chugg Thomas Healing Hearts Foundation Fundraiser last Thursday was awesome!!! We had a lot of fun and raised almost $4,000!!!

These were the comedians who performed for us. They were so funny! I apologize, because I did not write down their names. They have all been on Comedy Central and other Comedy shows. They are all either from Utah or have Utah ties.

My mom and me. :)

My Aunt Cathy, my mom's friend Karen, and my mom.

Thanks Aunt Cathy for driving up to Utah with me and for helping us out!

Waiting for the show to start, and for the room to fill up!

Thank You to everyone who came to the show,

donated items or time, or supported us in any way!

We can't do it without you!

A special Thank You to Wiseguys Comedy Club and the comedians who performed! They donated the night and their time to us!!! That's amazing!

Some of the baskets that we auctioned off that night. We raised over $2,000 just from the Auction! Thanks everyone who bid on the items!

We had a lot of charitable donations for our baskets and auction items.

We also had a raffle for a brand new BBQ Grill!

My mom spoke for a couple of minutes on what our Foundation is and where the money goes. W do not pay any salaries with the money raised; all time spent on these events is volunteer time. Most of the money goes to educate the public, and we try to find other women like Bambi that can not afford to pay all of their medical expenses. All money raised goes back into the community!

Auctioning off the baskets and items!

We had a lot of fun and hope all that came did too!

Thanks again for everyone's support!