Hmmm....Something New

Ok everyone...Christmas is over and the next holiday on the loom is New Years. Often that brings to mind resolutions...and for me the ones that usually end up getting broken or forgotten. So this year I wanted to try something new. I want to see what kind of "different" new years resolutions we can all come up with that won't include losing those 10lbs gained over the weeks of festive Christmas goodies that were constantly beckoning us to eat them. Or going to the gym or saving money, you get the drift. For fun lets just set the bar a little lower and enjoy our new year resolves.

*So mine really should be the 10 lbs thing...but here goes

---As the night owl that I am, I vow to sleep like I've never slept
before.

So friends, family, talk to me...make me smile, I need some new year cheer.
Be creative and remember nothing like the usual.

May God Bless Us....Everyone

Christmas wishes from all the Fishers near and far. May we remember the true
meaning of the season, so that we can hold love and charity in our hearts now and thoughout the coming year.

9 YEARS ALREADY

One of the more romantic settings we've ever been in. Wow, have we already experienced 9 years of marital bliss?!? Time really does fly. I wanted to wish my partner, companion, and my best friend a very Happy Anniversary. So much has happened since that special day we were sealed in the Orlando Temple for Time and Eternity. I remember looking into your eyes that day and seeing forever. I listened to the words our sealer spoke and remembered thinking I couldn't be any happier. It definitely hasn't been an easy road at all times and yet those times I've felt have strengthened our relationship even more.
I've really been blessed to be staying with family. In fact today I was able to go with my parents again to the Temple. As I sat outside the Temple taking everything in I was remembering what happened and the feelings we felt on that day. It was so special to be there today and to think of my wonderful husband (of 9 years).
So what should we do for #10? Hawaii??
Happy Anniversary Sweetheart! I miss you!

Our little "Fish"er

Seems like an intersting post in December but just the other day I took off all floatation devices on Cora and she swam for the first time in my parents pool without any help from family or floats. The only part of the pool she can stand in and touch are the stairs. She actually swam from one end of the pool to the other into the 8ft deep water. I'm sure she was ready to do this before I took off her "muscles" but I think I was more scared to do it then she was. I am so proud of Cora not only for her new found swimming ability but for her courage especially after Darryl left to go back to Iraq. She is always hugging Shay and telling her about Daddy. She always wants to say all of the meal prayers and never forgets to say something special about her Dad. She is also quite the singer. She not only got to be in one Primary Program this year but my parents ward is having theirs tomorrow and I can't wait to see her doing one of the things she enjoys most which is singing. You are getting to be such a big girl Cora. Mommy and Daddy love you so much and are so proud of you!

Another Birthday

So I've heard after your 30th birthday you kind of stop counting how old you are on the ones to follow. So even if I'm not counting any more it still turned out to be a wonderful day. My Dad and I went to the Orlando Temple (I can't think of a better place to be on your birthday) while my mom watched the girls. Talk about peaceful. I had a couple of special birthday emails and phone calls, with an extra long distance call from Darryl in Iraq. He also had flowers delivered. What a sweet guy *bonus points. My sister in law and my nieces and nephew came to have dinner and share some cake. We almost set the house ablaze with all the candles..and somehow I even managed to blow them all out. Guess what my wish was?!? So thank you to everyone who made my day extra special.
* And the best birthday present Darryl gave us both (his bday 4 days before mine). On our Disney cruise at their own island we had open air (in a private cabana)massages. While we were having all of our kinks and knots worked out from a grueling 8 month deployment and 8 months as a single parent, we could look out and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the turquoise pristine water and white sandy beach. A little piece of Heaven. Wish we were there now! Thank you honey...that one scored major bonus points!

It's My Turn

This is kind of a crazy picture I would never normally put on my blog but the main reason it's up because I was tagged a little while ago and wanted to spill some of my personal beans. Thanks for the opportunity April!
So here goes:
1~first of all the picture might say it all. I'm such a goofball. I love to have a fun time and love to laugh. Sometimes it's so funny to look at my blog...I think who is this serious person writing these things and what did she do with Laurie? To see me in action, the 2 people in this world that bring out this personality trait in me the most would be my brother Tim and my sister Lisa. We can find humor in the smallest things and enjoy almost anything. For a good time come and watch Napolean Dynamite w/ me even if you hated it.
2~I love playing sports. I had three athletic brothers in my family, so I grew up playing soccer and also played in high school.
I also played basketball in high school and church ball too, which in all actuality was just as physical as the high school games. I always wanted to play volleyball but it was the same season as soccer :(. I am a wannabe tennis player. I remember every spring in high school playing tennis with friends and we would have our own little wimbledon.
3~I also love to sing. If any of you have seen the movie the Wedding Singer I guess that is secretly what I want to be. I love singing and I can remember when I was little listening to my walkman in bed (ok that dates me) before falling asleep dreaming that I was first singing to my husband at my own reception, and that everyone would want me to sing at their weddings too. Hmm funny now that I type it out.
4~I LOVE food. I kind of have this weird obession about looking at recipe books. They definitely have to have pictures though. I subscribe to a quick cooking magazine and can't wait till it comes in the mail so I can look through all the recipes, and you would think make them....but usually not. Ask me why...maybe because I don't have all the ingredients. If I could be anyone or have anyone's talents it would be Rachel Ray. She is so down to earth and could be your neighbor next door kind of girl...but boy can she whip up a quick meal and make it look so easy.
5~I guess I'm kind of doing the true confessions thing so here is another one similar to the one above. I kind of am a magazine freak. Not at all the Inquierer types of magazines(OK maybe People)...but definitely a little bit of everything else. Womans Day, In Style, Fitness, recipe magazines. I can hardly go thru the checkouts at the grocery store without picking one up and flipping through it. I did find a frugal way to look and not have to buy with my obession...I just go to the library and get my fix every once in a while. Darryl really prefers that choice.
6~I love Holiday cartoons. Yes, it wasn't Cora plopped in front of the TV watching Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving a couple nights ago....that was me. Maybe it reminds me of my childhood and how for pretty much every holiday my Dad made sure we all got our fill of the Peanuts cartoons and other holiday cartoons of the sort. Maybe that's who I get it from. Anyway...I love them all...the Valentines, Easter, The Great Pumpkin, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
7~Last but not least...what else can I say about myself? Ok I pretty much love reality shows with Amazing Race and Survivor being the top 2, actually the only 2 I watch. I would love to try out for either if our situation in life right now would permit (which it doesn't). So maybe in the future when Darryl gets home and we are near family..keep watching you might just see me on Prime Time (making a fool of myself but having lots of fun).
PS~I also love Peter Cetera even if you can only hear him on elevators and easy listening stations now a days. Darryl and I went to his concert w/ the Seattle symphony Orchestra before he left and we were in the 2nd row. Loved it and sang along with almost all the songs. Darryl sang this one to me (pretty discretely though). ; )


I tag anyone on my list of blogs that hasn't done this yet.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARRYL

It's hard to believe you've only been in my life for over 10 years now. Seems like you've always been there. Since that first moment when we met when I couldn't help but smile after we were introduced. You have made my life so full. The way you care for people and want to help them. Your childlike faith. Your friendship and love.
I'm glad we were able to celebrate (and eat cake) before you left. Still wanted you to know we are thinking of you today, loving you today, and are so happy to have you in our lives. And by the way you look great for 3_?!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Sweetheart!!!

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just a few things I am most thankful for:

My Testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
My loving husband
Our sweet Girls
Our good families
Our Health
Our country
wonderful friends

Thanksgiving wish:
http://www.cpmsglife.org/tg/2006tdm1.html

*On a side note.. The Thanksgiving holiday
has always held a special place in my heart.
I'm very thankful for Thanksgiving
because back in the year 1974 it fell on the 28th
of November and my mother gave up her
Turkey dinner to deliver "one". (J/K mom).
You and Dad don't make turkeys!

BLUE WITHOUT YOU

So this is more for me to just get it out there and out of my heart. As a lot of you know Darryl left to go back to Iraq this last Thursday. I've been putting on a brave face for Cora and Shay trying to be strong and not let my sad feelings show. Until today and it hit me as I was washing Darryl's civilian clothes knowing he won't be wearing them again for quite a long time. It also seemed hard that I have his clothes here and yet he is a world away (obviously he doesn't need his fun clothes in Iraq.)
We just heard from him yesterday for the first time since Thurs. and he made it there safely, so that was a relief. While he was home on R & R his whole Brigade moved to Bacraba (sp)? one of, if not the most dangerous spot in Iraq right now. So it made saying goodbye to him even harder on Thursday.
It's definitely hard the 1st time letting him go during a deployment...but then the 2nd time you know what it entails and it's almost harder. The time we spent with Darryl was like a dream. It really did go by too fast. Every moment you try to savor more than the last. When we first met Darryl at the airport to begin his R&R it was euphoric...one of those moments in life when you feel it should definitely have background music like in the movies. In the airport before he left again was one of those moments too...when you wish time would just stand still. Just watching him holding the girls, kissing them it was so hard to hold it together. Then before he was about to board just holding him before we let him go. Nothing around us was important...just our family holding on tight, until a gentleman came up to thank us...thank him for his and our sacrifice. More people in fact had spoken to us while we were waiting with Darryl and it was greatly appreciated. In fact I know it helped Darryl to get back on the plane to go to such a harsh place and continue what he's been doing for the past 8 months. That what he is doing does make a difference to people and that they weren't afraid to tell him.
Some of the things I will miss the most will be the small things like holding his hand. Having him next to me. Being able to hug him. Looking into his eyes. You better believe I took full advantage of his R&R and really
appreciated being able to do all of those things and then telling him that.
Then there was Cora's prayer last night. She blessed the food and started to tell Heavenly Father how grateful she is to have Shay here, Mommy here, Grandma and Grandpa here, and She said Daddy...paused not here, I miss my Daddy and he's in my heart. Jesus loves him in Iraq. Amen. Both my Mother and I had tears streaming down our cheeks. How sweet children are and how tender their hearts.
So anyway I figured I'd get this out of my system before Thanksgiving because we really do have so much to be thankful for.

Disney Cruise to the Bahamas

A-maz-ing! It really was like a dream come true. First of all having Darryl there with us and the whole experience was so much fun. We really didn't want it to end, especially Cora. I was a little ify on the cruise thing since we had never been on one and Cora and myself are prone to motion sickness. We were wondering if this was a disaster waiting to happen. We were really lucky to just miss tropical storm Noel...wouldn't have wanted to see those ocean swells. The service was awesome from our servers right down to our room service people who left animal towels and chocolates on our beds everynight. The Disney shows in the evening were fabulous. I was really impressed. Cora came with Darryl and I while Shay went to Flounders Nursery. Cora was so cute and sang all the princess songs. Darryl was so impressed that she knew so many of the words. (ok-so I admit it, I was singing along too).
The food...now that is something in and of itself. Let's just say if you are on a diet you better have pretty good self control. Ever since I could remember I've wanted to see crystal clear water, the Bahamas delivered. Just beautiful. We loved being together and it was a wonderful way to create some new memories, especially ones to look back on and treasure these next 6 to 7 months until Darryl returns home again.

So "HAPPY" on Halloween

Together At Last

Reunited. We are so excited to have Darryl home with us, words cannot even express. More photos and stories to come. Welcome Back Daddy!!! We are truly blessed to be together as a family again.

Fallpalooza

So we've officially hit the 7 month mark! I've really been trying to keep busy before our trip to go see Darryl. We're trying not to just sit around and let the anticipation and anxiety get the best of us..or I should say just me. Everyday the weather has been nice we've headed out on a little adventure. We've taken some fun pictures and I had a hard time narrowing them down.
In the last few weeks the girls have changed so much and it just makes me even more anxious for Darryl to see them. Cora has had a growth spurt and now needs new pants again. She is learning so much in Primary and in Preschool and tells me what's she's learned daily. And Shay is just talking up a storm (baby talk) voice infections and everything. She's always wanting to make us laugh. Her personality is just shining through. They both think it is hillarious to tackle Mom when we're hanging out in the evening. I definitely can't wait for Daddy to take over in that department(although I have enjoyed it more than I've let on). I can't wait to see them play with him, have him chase them...and especially the Daddy dog pile. It's amazing how many things I have taken for granted when we were together as a family. It also amazes me how many things he did around the house and now that I've been doing everything I see how much he contributed to our family and running our household. There was a testimony given on Sunday that I've been thinking a lot about. And the message was to not only cherish and honor our parents but actually vocalize our feelings and tell them how much we love and appreciate them. I will consiously make an effort not only to appreciate Darryl but vocalize these feelings as well. This definitely has been a learning year for me in a lot of areas.

Out and about on a fall afternoon

So when we heard the weekend weather was going to be nice we planned a full day for Saturday to get out and enjoy some autumn events. We heard about Lattins country mill and cider farm down in Olympia and decided to give it a try. We really had a nice time. We saw some cute farm animals, rode a wagon pulled by Clydesdale horses to the pumpkin patch, and even waited in line for some homemade apple fritters and cider. Yum!

Then we took a drive to see the leaves by the state capitol. We are so grateful for the seasons....Cora said "Heavely Father sure painted the trees so pretty on His picture."

14 Days till we see Daddy!!

Somewhere Out There

So we're six plus months into Darryls deployment now. We've really made some good progress and definitely have a good amount of time behind us. We're anxiously awaiting our visit with him on his R&R break at the end of October. This is the way I am journaling for now, so I wanted to write about some of things that have been noteworthy during our time apart.
~Soon after Darryl left Cora was invited to a friends birthday party. The invitation was deliverd in a glass slipper with the invitation rolled up like a scroll inside the shoe. She would unravel the scroll and clear her throat and say "hear he hear she....my Dad has gone away, flew into the sky. But I can be brave, I can be strong." It was so cute I wish I had filmed her doing it. Maybe I could get her to recreate it. Hmmm
~This picture of Darryl and the girls was taken right before he left...melts my heart. We took this picture and put it on some pillow cases for the girls and I so that we could hug Daddy (our pillows) goodnight. We took a family photo and made a pillow case for him so he could hug us too.
~Shay loves the telephone. If I forget to put it up high...she'll take it any chance she can get, to grab it and just start pushing random numbers. The cutest thing is when she puts it to her ear and says "hi Dada". She's been doing that since Darryl left. Love it and I have filmed her doing that.
~Everynight when Cora sees the moon she says Darryl is there looking down at our house. Hmmm...moon/Iraq....I'm happy with her thinking he's on the moon at this age. Anyway on that note I thought it was appropriate for the Somewhere out there song.
~Cora has a small birthmark on the back of her left arm that resembles a small heart with an arrow going thru it..
(crazy I know, but true). So she pointed to her chest the other night and said Jesus is in this heart, then pointed to her arm and said Daddy is in this one.
28 Days and counting

Sometimes it just takes a smile to lift your spirits

“What is Autumn? A second spring, where the leaves imitate the flowers." -Albert Camas

So fall is here. One of my favorite seasons. I think I say that at the beginning of every season (except winter, but I take that back because Christmas time is one of my favorite times of year too). Some of my fondest memories of family and traditions involve fall and all that comes with it. The leaves turning colors....fall hikes. Sweaters. Family pictures each year in front of the big oak tree in the backyard. I'm kind of partial to our east coast falls in Maryland with all the brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows. Hay rides....hot cocoa. Warm indian summers with golden afternoons and football or soccer games in our back yard. As I get older the nostalgia of it all intensifys too. My poor kids. If you take a close look in the first picture you'll see Shay looking kind of upset that her Mom stopped the van on the side of the road to plop her in the grass and take a fall picture of her spontaniously. Fun fun. Good thing I had my camera.

Blackberry Picking

Here in WA in the summertime it is a tradition to go pick blackberries growing in the wild. We went this past week because the weather has just been beautiful. I picked the berries, Cora caught frogs, and Shay just kept eating the berries out of the bucket. I'm hoping to find a good blackberry jam recipe and send it over to Darryl in a care package Yum!

Cora's Day With Mommy

Cora and I enjoyed a special day together at Wild Waves last Saturday. I have to say it was the best time to go if you are going to go. It was the military weekend so we got in for $10. The Puyallup fair just started that Friday so we figure everyone must have gone there because we were riding all the rides by ourselves. It was a ton of fun. I loved spending this time with Cora, it was like I was a little girl again. To see the excitment in her eyes and just have her look at me and hold my hand it was just perfect. I'm so glad she loves to ride the rides like I do. She even wanted to get on the roller coaster, but wasn't tall enough. Maybe next year my daring little darling. They do grow up so fast. This day was a great reminder just to take time to enjoy your children and treasure each moment. P.S. If you look at the picture with Cora in the car...she is looking over at the roller coaster and I pictured her thinking and all I get to ride is this car that goes in a circle. Her face cracked me up.

One Day Her Prince Will Come

Our sweet Cora. Today we went on a frog hunt with our neighbor Evan. And look what we found. Cora has no fear of little slimy animals (unlike her Mom who jumps when she finds a frog while watering the flowers). She didn't want to go inside because she didn't want her new found pet to leave. Finally we both agreed the frog needed to meet up with his family and eat his dinner too. I was happy to see that after we came inside she wanted to put her Sleeping Beauty dress on. It's nice to see Cora is so well rounded.

Shay is 13 months old

Wow...it is so hard to believe little Shay is getting to be such a toddler. She is walking pretty fast for a new walker of just a little over a month. She says words or mostly voice inflections such as uh-oh, thank you, Mama, and Dada. She also has been a true Mama's girl and has learned the sign for more and uses it mostly to ask for more food or drink. A girl after my own heart. She looks for Cora the first thing when she wakes up in the morning. When we walk out the door and see the neighbors, she does the cutest high pitched voice and says "HI". It is so precious.

We also have seen that Shay loves to make people laugh especially her older sister Cora. She looks up to Cora and wants to do everything Cora is doing. I love watching them as they interact as sisters.

Cora and Logan

Another one of my favorite photos this summer. My sister Lisa took this picture. She is the photographer of the family. It was so nice to have her the boys and her talents with us this summer.

Darryl's Dealings in Iraq

So.... not my favorite thing to see Darryl holding in a picture, but I love the graffiti on the tank. With all the computer/communications work Darryl does I sometimes forget he carries a weapon at all times. It's takes a little getting used to seeing him and "the gun" in every outdoor picture. The whole gun thing kind of reminds me of Wilson in the movie Castaway. Ok I guess he's not on an Island and there are other people there to talk to. Not sure where I was going with that. Must be getting late. ; )
Hard to believe he'll have been in Iraq 6 months in the middle of September. He's doing well, keeping busy, helping build morale for the troops and those he serves with. Just typical Darryl, my social guy. We're so proud of him and the difference he is making just by being his friendly self. We can't wait for his R&R to begin in about 2 months. We miss you Darryl!

One of my favorite photos this summer

Our little Munchkins

It's hard to believe it is the last day of August. Despite Darryl being in Iraq, we've really had a nice summer. Especially with our visitors,Darryl's sister Rebecca, my sister Lisa, Logan and Van, and my parents. We also enjoyed a nice trip to see Darryl's family at Flathead Lake in MT. We tried to get outdoors as much as possible and enjoy the blue sky and sun that we miss so much come the winter months in WA. Here are my 2 little beach women. They've changed so much even from the beggining of the summer.