~It's All About the LITTLE Things~

10/8/2010

***KINDNESS OF STRANGERS***

I was at Walmart (closest and cheapest store to us) getting stuff to make a pasta salad for my Brother-in-laws wedding dinner that was that night. I was trying to decide what salad dressing to get (comparing price with size) when I noticed this cute young mom with an adorable little boy that looked like he was about Braxton's age. We both looked at each other and smiled and said how cute each others kids were.
To be honest, if she hadn't had her little guy with her I probably wouldn't have even noticed her.
Anyway... as she was passing us with her cart I quickly grabbed 2 things of Kraft Poppyseed salad dressing put it in the cart and smiled a little good bye smile to the cute little boy. I went up and down a few more isles grabbing what I needed and then decided it was time to go. I was in a little bit of a hurry to get home and get things ready for the dinner.
I was on my way to check out but because I was in such a hurry I wanted to make sure that I didn't forget anything. I pulled the cart over to compare my list with what was in my cart when I looked up and saw the woman from earlier coming towards me with her cart and cute little guy. She pulled her cart next to mine, started looking through a little organizer and said "Would you like some coupons for your salad dressing?" I told her that would be awesome if she had any she wasn't going to use and made sure that she was sure she wanted to give them to me. She pulled them out and said "I even have two". I thanked her over and over again and again asked her if she was sure she didn't want them to which she replied "My family doesn't eat very healthy as you can tell by what is in my cart. Their going to expire and I would rather that they got used than just thrown away." We then went on our separate ways.

I was so thrown off by her kindness. It took me a couple seconds to realize what just happened. Once it sunk in I couldn't stop smiling or thinking about it. It wasn't a huge thing that she did but it made me feel good that she was thinking about me, who she didn't even know, and was willing to share her savings. I don't remember how much the coupon was for but my savings isn't what was most important!

Thank you so much to the kind lady at the grocery store for your random act of kindness.

IN THE HEADLINES

Jerry Sloan Resigns as Jazz Coach

Phil Johnson (assistant coach) stepped down with him

There are a lot of speculations as to why he is leaving the team and with only a few months left in the season. May believe it is due to players and their disrespect and wanting to run the team - mainly one in particular but no names mentioned (Darron Williams). Apparently Darron and Jerry have had some pretty big blowups with one of the last ones being that Darron totally went against a play Jerry had set up and decided to run his own. Of course no one involved with the Jazz including Jerry will come out and say that is why. His main reason for leaving is that he is tired and will be 69 in a few months. He's ready to move on. Jazz owner Greg Miller said they tired many times to talk him out of it and that "this was his time and his decision".

Jerry is a hard worker. He is very loyal, dedicated and never gave in or up and expected the same out of his team. He had great interaction with his players and he never bad mouthed anyone - even when asked about Darron he wouldn't say anything about it except that the got in arguments with other players as well. The arguments weren't anything new.

When Jerry was asked about his team he mentioned the Stockton/Malone era quite a bit. He talked about how hard working they were and how much they enjoyed practice- they would come early to practice and stay after - also how much fun they were to watch! However he didn't mention much about his current team. They apparently weren't into practice as much as the older team. They weren't as into the whole team idea and more about themselves.

Because he is such a hard worker it is strange to see him leave mid season (they tried to get him to stay at least until the All-Star brake to give them time to figure things out and he said "no") and two days after agreeing to a contract extension. He never quit and he never let his team quit.

Jerry Sloan decided last night that he was done. When he told Phil, Phil said I'm leaving with you. Management asked Jerry to sleep on it and come back this morning to talk about it. When he showed up this morning he hadn't changed his mind.

Ty Corbin is now the new Jazz Head Coach and found out in a meeting at noon then had the announcement press conference immediately following at 3 . It happened so quickly.

I don't know about you but I don't remember the Jazz without Jerry. He was the team! It's sad to see him go but it's even more sad to see him leave this way. I feel he deserves so much more than what he got - a press conference with a lot of confusion and disappointment.

Some random/interesting facts about Jerry

• Many of the players on his current team weren't even alive when Jerry became coach


• He spent 23 years running 1 NBA team

• The Utah Jazz and Jerry Sloan relationship began back in 1988 when he replaced head coach Frank Layton

• Only head coach in NBA History to win 1000 games with one team 1127 with Jazz; 1221 when you include his time with the Bulls

• He took over a team with two great players (Karl Malone John Stockton) They helped Sloan get two Back to back NBA finals; the first in 1997.

• Loss with both teams was 803; His winning percentage is 60% - the 7th best percentage in NBA history

• only 1 of 3 NBA coaches to have at least 15 straight winning seasons

• Longest tenered coach in professional sports

• lead Jazz to 16 straight post season appearances. The run ended in 2004

• Never got NBA coach of the year

• In 1997 after Jazz lost to Bulls in the finals his wife Bobbie reported she was diagnosed with Breast cancer.

• She Died in 2004 from pancreatic cancer

• Jerry Remarried in 2006 to Tammie

• Sloan coached 26 seasons - 23 with the Utah Jazz

Thanks for some fun years and great games Jerry!

Birthday Boy + Breakfast in Bed

1/29/11


I Love when birthday's fall on the weekend. It makes it so much easier to celebrate it over a couple of days - making it last longer.

On Friday night (1/28/11) we went to the Jazz game.
I wanted to try and surprise him but on Thursday night he said "Do we have any plans for tomorrow night?" I of course said no, because we didn't have any plans that he needed to know about. Then Nate said "Well, Derek has an extra ticket for the game tomorrow night and is wondering if I want to go with him." I thought for a second and said "Well, what if I got us tickets for the game?" He had a surprised look on his face and asked "Really?" I responded with "But you can go with Derek if you want. That's fine" He of course decided to go with me which I was very happy about! I felt bad that I ruined Dereks plan to take him for his Birthday. What a great friend.
This game was the first time we have been to a game together all season. It was so fun and the Jazz even won ending their horrible loosing streak! We decided to splurge a little since it was Nate's birthday and we don't go to games often by each getting pretzels and sharing a large sprite, a wannabe Cafe Rio smothered pork burrito and ice cream.


My parents were so wonderful and kept Braxotn over night for us. I was so excited to be able to sleep in on Saturday - not having to work or get up with Braxton. Little did I know I would wake up to the smell of bacon and Breakfast in bed! How lousy am I. I felt so bad that the Birthday Boy was bringing Me breakfast in bed! Breakfast consisted of bacon, eggs and hash browns and was DELICIOUS. I have such an AMAZING husband. We layed around for a few hours and then it was off to pick up Braxton.


We had a Birthday Lunch on Saturday at Rodizio Grill. (their lunch prices are SO much cheaper than their dinner prices) I wanted to try and surprise Nate with this too but it didn't' work out. I had to tell him in order to make sure that the rest of the family coming would like it. I was a little sad. We were joined by Nate's parents, Grandma Carolyn and Grandpa Rich as well as Kristin's dad and Jason. (Lexi had a gymnastics meet in Lehi so Kristin's mom was there with her) We were so glad that those who came were able and willing to join us!
That night we went to Nick and Jaley's and played games and had pie with them and Aly and Tracy. Games are always fun and it was nice to get out - Thanks guys.


On Sunday we had our families over for Nate's Birthday dinner consisting of Tacos and Bryans famous spanish rice! It was so nice because EVERYONE was able to come - all of our parents and siblings. We have the best families and it's so nice that we can all do things together.


I was so bad and the only Birthday weekend pictures I got were on Sunday when we had our families over and they were only of the little ones. I definitely slacked this year - no pictures, no surprises (he was still surprised with the plans but they didn't go through the way I would have liked) and breakfast in be for me.....

~Braxton LOVES to walk around with his train

and Brynnlee decided to take advantage~

~Braxton got some good practice in for his Birthday. He's now going to be a pro with his smash cake!~

~And Braxton LOVED the practice~

~Look at that mess~

~Gabe enjoyed his cupcake just as much~

~and was just as messy~

~Our MESSY boys~

Nate got Jazz tickets, Risk and candy for a game night and a bike from Braxton that he still needs to go and pick out!

The Latest with Braxton

Braxton is becoming such a fun little boy! He is learning so many new things.

• He has a smile that makes you smile and a scowl that also makes you smile!
• He LOVES his dad - the last couple of days he has put the word dada with seeing Nate. This morning after getting Braxton up I was taking him into our room to see Nate and as soon as we turned the corner into our room he got a huge grin and said "dad". It was so sweet!
• Mama = dad; Last night we tried to get Braxton to say mama (I have heard him say it 2 or 3 times about 3 months ago) every time we would say mama he would respond with "dad"
• He has learned to hit; he only hits his mom and it's usually in the face right between the eyes on the nose. He always gives a good scowl before he does it making it so hard not to laugh as your trying to tell him that hitting in not nice.
• Because of his sudden interest in hitting he has learned a new word! Whenever he hits me I grab his hand and with my other hand I point my finger at him and say "We don't hit. We need to be nice. Be nice" Well the Sunday after Nate's Birthday (1/30/11) we had our families over for dinner. We were sitting around talking when Braxton decided to play Jungle Gym on Chloee (who was laying on her side) by climbing all over her. When he decided he was done he sat on the floor right inside her stomach and hip area, stuck his finger out at her and said two or three times "Be nice. Be nice" in his cute, attempting words voice! We all looked at each other with that "did he really just say that" look only to hear him say it a couple more times!
• Braxton LOVES to eat. He doesn't care what it is as long as he gets some. He is not picky what so ever! If he sees someone eating anything he feels that you are obligated to share with him. A couple of weeks ago we were with some friends and having pie for dessert. Tracie was the first to get a slice and on her way to the couch to eat it she walked right past Braxton. He eyed her plate the whole way to the couch and once she sat down started crawling as fast as he could toward her to get a taste! He especially loves Nutri-grain bars, gold fish, mac and cheese with hotdogs, bananas and anything sweet.
• He is obsessed with ANYTHING that has buttons (keyboards, phones, remote controls)
• A couple of weeks ago my cell phone was on the table for Braxton to play with - when I turned around to check on him he was holding it up to his neck and tying to talk to it!
• He has just started to actually play with his toys the last couple of day
• He as been "dancing" for about a week - it's more like head banging but it's so cute.
• He has gotten really good with waving bye
• When we say "Love you" he leans toward you and opens his mouth to give you a kiss
• When you say "Oohh" he lays his head into you to give you a hug
• He says "mmmm"when he eats
• He makes the yucky sound (the "ca" in the back of the throat)
• He has a crazy smile where he clenches his teeth and squints his eyes

He is becoming such a big boy and surprising us with something new everyday

The Panties of......

.........MANY COLORS

Chloee was in heat the last 3 weeks of January and with that comes time to get her underwear out.

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*We were able to Breed her this cycle!! Now we just keep our fingers crossed until we find out if it worked or not.*

**Thank you Jason for letting Duke come over to play and spend the night so many times**

Superbowl XLV

STEELERS VS. PACKERS

____________________________________________________

Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers & Green Bay Packers

Location: Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas

National Anthem: Christina Aguilera

Half Time Show: The Black Eyed Peas with Slash and Usher as guests

Final Score: 31-25

2011 Super Bowl Champions: Green Bay Packers

We had a little Super bowl party with both of our families at my parents house! (It is so nice that our families get along so well and are so close)

I can't honestly say that I watched much of the game or even the commercials which are the BEST part! I thought I watched most of the half time show until I was talking to some people at work about it. I didn't understand most of what they were talking about and then realized I must have missed most of that too. No one at the party was big fans of either team but everyone was going for the Steelers - except for Kyler!

Watching the game

We had a lot of different things going on during the game including

• Studying (I have my first Patho test on Thursday)

• Some Pool

• and Lots of chatting

THE FOOD = THE BEST PART

Sami's yummy cupcakes

Brax......

......and one of his favorite toys (any form of a stick)

Some Family Pics

~Thanks mom and dad for hosting such a fun get together!~

First Steps....

2/5/10

On Saturday Braxton took his first 4 steps!! It was so fun! We were at Sami and Zach's apartment getting the tour when we decided to give it a try. Luckily Braxton was also willing to give it a try. He took about 4 steps two different times on Sunday as well but nothing since. After he would go on his little walk he would get tired and become uninterested very quickly. I keep thinking that I want him to walk - that we can't wait until he does. Then I realize what I'm asking for and realize that I'm totally okay with him taking his time!

Zach and Sami Patch

January 7th, 2011 Sami Mather and Zach Patch became husband and wife! What a great day it was. I got my first pedicure with the bride and other bridesmaids that morning. Then it was off to the reception center for set up! By the time we left the building looked like a whole new place - it was BEAUTIFUL!! (My mother-in-law helped with the set up and did a fabulous job! She LOVES decorating for weddings, has so much fun stuff and does a GREAT job)


After set up was complete we ran around and finished up the rest of the last minute things - getting lunch, picking up altered tuxes, haircuts, etc. Then back to the reception center (The Gathering Place at Gardner Village) to get ready for the ceremony. When I got there Sami's hair lady was there with her doing her hair and make up. As the ceremony got closer to start and more and more people started to come Sami started to get a little frustrated with her bridesmaids. The Brides room was the worst located room ever!!! It was right outside the ceremony room so anyone walking by or hanging out could see right in when the doors were opened. NOT GOOD!!! Well, right before it started I decided to try and sneak in to grab one last thing. As I was approaching the door I noticed Jason hanging out in the corner by the door staring off. When I walked past him and broke his stare he said, "Tell Sami good luck for me" in the sweetest voice I've ever heard come from a 12 year old boy! I'm not going to lie, I got a few little tears in my eyes. The ceremony was beautiful and the reception was amazing! What a great day!

-The Beautiful Bride and her groom-

-Sami and her flowergirls-

-Sami and her Bridesmaids-

-Me and Sami-

-He had a LONG day-

(Nate and I actually left to go on a drive for about 45 minutes at the beginning of the reception so that Braxton could get a nap. He was so much more happy after!)

-What a stud-

- My boys-

- The Candy Table-

- The FAMOUS Cupcakes-

- Table Decore-

-Picture Table-

-The Cake table.....

....and BEAUTIFUL Cake-

-Book signing table-

~Congratulation Mr. and Mrs. Patch - We are so happy for you and love you both so much~