Triathawhat?

BJ ran his first triathalon this last weekend and I'm so proud of him! He and a bunch of his buddies decided to do it awhile ago and what do you know, they did it. I watched them getting ready to start in the water and I couldn't help but feel nervous for them.

The sprint that all of the boys did consisted of 1/2 mile swim in open water, 12.5 mile bike ride, and a 5k run. He gets to do all of the fun stuff, but I loved being there. The atmosphere was really intoxicating. (Left to Right) Rich, BJ, Logan, and Michelle (she competed in a relay for the women's sprint).

Coming out of the water after finishing the swim. I've never been so relieved to see him in my life. Another swimmer died in the water before he came in and Rich's dad helped to give him CPR on the shore. All the spectators, including myself, were terrified that it might be their loved one. Thankfully, they revived the man and got his heart started, but he was still unconcious when they took him away in the ambulance. We found out that he passed away later.




Here he comes! This is one of the only pics of me on here. I was on my feet the whole time, but Livi and I had a lot of fun squirting each other with the spray bottle.
BJ only had a mountain bike that his friend had lent him, so he had to work a bit harder, but he made it to the end! He realized at the end of it all what a great achievement that was in his life and wants to do it again, or at least get into biking more. I would also like to jump on that wagon (as soon as I'm able) and whip myself back into shape. I'm definately not the girl I was in high school anymore!

There he goes, starting the last stretch of the race. He stopped for a sec to tell me about a bad cramp in his leg that started on the swim. It took us a few days afterward to get the muscle to relax.



BJ is running through the finish line in this picture. The end at last! I am so proud of him for finishing!

This is us after the race. BJ was so glad it was over!
They all look tired, but happy to have done it! It was fun for all of them to be there cheering each other on. (left to right) Rich, Jon, Logan, and BJ.

Zoo Day!

We took Livi to the zoo today and had so much fun! Her favorite part was the monkeys (not surprising considering they are her favorite animal). Anyway, here are some pics of us at the zoo!
This is us in front of the Elephants... yeah, I'm huge I know.






Here is BJ and Livi in front of a huge elephant that makes some pretty fun sounds. We didn't really get to try it out because it was comandeered by some other kids.







This is a monkey coming
to check Olivia out.
They were fascinated with eachother.


Here's Livi playing in the spider web at the playground in the zoo. She loves to climb, so this was one of our highlights.



Here she is, too playing in the turtle shell. Isn't she cute?

My hubby...

Okie dokie--now it's BJ's Turn! Olivia's actions, whenever he walks in the house, speak for us all. She squeals a very clear, "Daddy!" and runs as fast as she can to greet him.
We are so blessed as a family to have someone like him as the leader and patriarch. He does a great job and treats us so well. He works so hard so that I can stay home and is never slow to let me know that he appreciates me. I've never known someone more willing. I mean, he actually cleans the kitchen and mops the floors! Last week he had to work early and had to leave church early. He whipped through the house and made it nice for me so that I could relax on my Sunday. I was dreading all of that as I walked in the door (those with Toddlers may relate--doing anything is not an easy task, even sitting to type these little things).
When I walked through the door, I cried because I was so exhausted from being 8 months pregnant and wrestling with a toddler for 3 hours--not looking forward to coming home to make a spectacular dinner and tidy up. I am constantly surprised at how thoughtful he really is.
So, the least I can do is try to be the best wife I can and not sweat the small stuff. Sometimes I worry that I'm the one that's not appreciative enough. Anyway, I hope this isn't boring for anyone, but I think he's spectacular and I wanted everyone to know why. I love you Beeg, you really are my best friend.

BJ's Dad...

No Father's day Tribute would be complete without BJ's Dad. What a guy! We are so grateful that he's around to be there for our little ones. He's such a great example of living righteously and truly loves his family. We are so grateful for him.

It takes a lot of faith to do as he has done with his family over the years, and I am so grateful as the wife of his oldest son, for his example of what a husband and father should be. I know that BJ looks up to him a lot and models himself likewise. Thanks for everything Papa Wright!

Remembering Linsey's Dad

Well, I've been thinking about my Dad a lot lately. Sorry if it bugs anyone when they talk to me and I bring him, up... but it's never going to change. (this pic is me, not Olivia)
What can I say? I love the guy. Anyway. I've just been really missing him as I watch Olivia growing up. I keep going over my last conversation with him the night before he died and how I told him how excited I was for him to have her so close and to be with her during this fun part of her life that she is in now. I think that's what hurts the most.
Everyone says, "Oh, he still knows them..." or "They will know him..." but I want him to be a direct influence on their lives. (My Dad, July 2, 1944- March 7, 2007)

Maybe that's why I talk about him all of the time. So that my kids can kind of get a feel for what he was like. I just miss him so much. I would give anything just to give him one more kiss on his dimply cheeks or one last hug, or hold his hand just one more time. I'm just grateful that he is so memorable and was such a huge part of my life. Thanks for loving me, Dad, you are the best!

I'm trying to quit

I don't know what it is about this pregnancy, but I am sooo addicted to smarties! I love their crunchy goodness and they have just a little tang to them with the perfect texture...I'm always so sad when I finish a pack. You think I'm kidding. Here's a picture of some empty wrappers.
Yep. I ate them all... and then some.
I started swimming lessons with Olivia this last week. It's a parent/tot class and she thoroughly enjoys them. It's fun for her to be around the other little tots and a great way for me to get the weight off my back for a little while and get some excersize. Next year we plan on enrolling both of our kids and BJ will go, too. It's such a great way to get them in the water and learn about safety with little ones underfoot.
My due date is creeping closer and closer and I'm getting larger and larger. Where in the world are my feet!?
My sister had her baby 2 1/2 weeks ago, 4 weeks early, and my mom hopped a flight as soon as she could to be with her. This means she'll be back earlier for me... hopefully before my baby comes. I don't know how I'd do it without my own mommy, especially this time around because of Olivia. I'm super excited, but getting a little nervous.

Special Olympics

A couple of days ago, BJ had the opportunity to run with the torch for the special olympics this year. They asked Bountiful PD to run it and he was one of the officers that was asked to run. It was fun to see. He said an Elementary school came out on the road and cheered them on, and it was great to see all of the people with special needs who ran as well. They were all so excited. Here are a couple of pics of the finish at the Wal-Mart in Centerville.

Prayers at picnics

Okay, I just got yelled at for not updating our blog. So, I'm here again, almost 5 months later, to update again. I just visited our new doctor in Layton today. We are so excited and really like him. He's super supportive of my VBAC--so, hopefully, no more c-sections for me! I'm about 25 weeks along, so in about 3 months, we'll have a new little one! We have narrowed the names down to two. We are waiting to see what he looks like. It will either be Daniel Jay, or Ethan John.

We just got finished with a busy busy weekend of celebrating our 4th anniversary and lots of driving to go see BJ's sister's (Rachel) new baby, London Kate. She is beautiful and we are excited for them. Poor Olivia didn't get a decent nap or nights sleep the whole weekend and we had a little freak out last night, but all is well today. We all relaxed, went on a picnic and enjoyed the weather.


Oh, one more thing, cute moment... Today at the park, we pulled out our lunches and told Livi it was prayer time. She proceeded to fulfill her ritual of folding her arms and saying "MeMeh" (for "amen") and then looked around at us for a minute, folded her arms again and, in her own language, started and finished a whole new prayer of her own, complete with "Jesus, MeMeh". So, technically, I guess she said her first prayer all by herself today! It was so cute! I can't believe she is almost 16 months old!

Happy New Year!

I don't really know what to say on here today... I finished Olivia's First Year Baby Book last night. It's just missing some pictures. I can't believe how fast time flies. Her birthday was so fun!
Don't pay attention to the backwards 1--I put it on there when I was looking at it upside down. I don't think I've ever seen a one year old that actually got excited about the things they got. She is so cute these days. She is still walking as she has been. As long as she has stuff in her hands she's fine, and she is talking all over the place! Yesterday I took her to her one year check. The nurse came in to give me my insurance card back and I said, "thank you". Olivia responded with her own, "thank you!". How adorable! That is not the first time she has said it, but I'm just so excited to see her emerge as an individual. What a great time in our lives! I was rocking her last night for bedtime and just had this overwhelming sense of gratitude and peace for the opportunity that I have to be here on this earth and for opportunity to be entrusted with children. I'm so grateful that Heavenly Father has trust enough in me to give me children to bring back to him. I want so badly to do that. To raise my children to be soldiers of Christ. I told my cousin a few weeks ago that what I wanted to teach my children the most was the true meaning of charity and what it means to have Charity, "But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him" (Moroni 7: 47). I'm just so grateful to be able to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life and to have the freedom to worship him as I please. I am increasingly conscientious of the fact that all that we have--everything--comes from Heavenly Father. To keep his commandments and strive to build and return a strong family unto him is the least that I can do in my gratitude for him and for the Savior. That being said, I'm looking forward to this new year of new beginnings. I have been feeling a strong sense of change in the air ever since last year and it's not over yet. My family is in a season of change and for the most part it is wonderful. We have officially announced to our families that we are expecting our second baby in August and hope that you all share in our excitement. I always thought it was cheesy when people talked about their second child and how they didn't know how they could love a second as well as the first--I now know that feeling--but I also feel that sense of love for this second one as well, just as I did in pregnancy with Olivia. Anyway, I hope that you all have a wonderful new year and that you can all strive to keep that spirit of Charity from this last season in your hearts throughout the year.

By the time we got the party started for B-day, it was well into naptime. What a tired girl!

Gonna walk and talk

Well, we are a little anxious for the holidays. We have been having so much fun and our house finally looks and feels like home. I can't wait for visitors to come and take part in it. I feel like I'm so organized lately! I actually have all of my Christmas cards finished, my house is clean and everything finally has a place! I'm just trying to get together some addresses so that I can get everyone updated. I can't believe this was us only a year ago! So much has changed...

Olivia is trying her best to walk these days. She's doing pretty well and her personality is really starting to show. What a funny girl. She loves to tease and be chased and tickled. It seems like we hear nothing but giggles for the most part. Of course she has her moments, but we couldn't have asked for a better baby. She is so sweet and special. She loves to give hugs and little pats on the back. The above picture was taken just before Thanksgiving.