Weddings, Babies and More!!!

Okay....so it's been more than a year since I posted anything worth reading and a lot has happened in our lives. Most of you already know everything...but, how about some extra details that I didn't put on facebook? Let's see, where to begin.....ahhh, its just too much! Facebook is so much easier!

How about bullet form?

* Austin joined the Army Reserves
* Ashley came home from her mission
* Sarah started High School
* Craig and Katie had a beautiful baby girl, Emma Lee Tyler
*Ashley went back to BYU-Idaho
* Austin got married to Jessica Lynn Liebziet
* Austin and Jessica had a baby...yesterday...Cole Austin Tyler
* We're moving in two weeks
* Christian's watch A LOT of television....so sad!!!
* Bruce and I are in school (and it sucks during the summer!!)

Okay so for those extra details that I didn't put on facebook....too much to write! I'd be here forever. Just know that I am in love with my grandchildren! I absolutely adore Emma Lee and really look forward to my Thursday evenings with her while Katie teaches Yoga! She is so fun! I'm anxious to get to know little Cole and discover what his personality will be. Hopefully he won't be quite as stubborn as his father!!! Christian is still a little apprehensive about the whole newborn baby thing, but he got over it pretty quick with Emma and is really attached to her. He loves to make her laugh. Last time Emma was here, we took her to the pool and Christian pretended to do some synchronized swimming for her....really funny!!! Emma just laughed at him! So fun!

New Post!!!

I thought I'd post something new for all of you to enjoy. Then I decided not to!

More info for Ashley

Hi Everyone! Ashley is in Santiago now. In her last letter, she said that she was serving in a very poor area and that her companion is Columbian. She didn't say whether or not her companion speaks any English! I've got more to share, but I don't have a lot of time right now. If you'd like to write to her, you can do so through www.dearelder.com It's free. On the left side of the page you can choose Pouch Mail (free) and then you fill in your return address and choose the mission that she's serving in which is Chile Santiago North. If you write to her NLT 12 noon on Thursday (Utah time) then it'll go out on Tuesday and she'll get it on Wednesday. You can always email her too, but she can't print out your letter, so pouch mail is always a good choice!

Email from Ashley!

I am here at the MTC on my first P-day! Writing my first email to my wonderful family! I hope everyone is doing well. I am learning so much here. I just wanted to let you know that I am doing well and that I don't have much time on the computer, so tell the kids I love them and that they should be good to you you because you do so much for them. I want to share with you my testimony with the very little espanol I have. Yo se que Cristo vive, y que su Evangelio es verdadero, y que El Libro DeMormon es verdadero y testifica de Jesucristo. Yo se que tiene un profeta en latierra hoy, y que Dios contesta nuestros oraciones. En el nombre de Jesucristo amen. Just a little something! I LOVE YOU ALL!!! Love,Hermana Tyler

You can send her an email at ashleytyler@myldsmail.net

Please write to Ashley!!

Hey everyone! Ashley got off safely to the MTC and despite a delayed flight, arrived on time.
I got to talk to her right before she entered and quickly realized that it would be the last time I'd hear her voice until Mother's Day....now THAT made me cry!! Anyway, I know she'd appreciate letters, cards, drawings from the kids, etc. So here's her address while she's at the MTC:

Sister Ashley Nicole Tyler
Chile Santiago North Mission
Provo Missionary Training Center
2005 N 900 E Box #289-0330
Provo, UT 84604

She will get a box number, but I don't have it yet. There's no need to wait though. I'm sure they can find her!!

Love you!
Wendy

Full-time Missionary!

This was by far one of the best Sabbath's I've ever enjoyed. It was a beautiful day, we were on time for church, the speakers were wonderful, the lessons in Gospel Doctrine & Relief Society were excellent, my children were all home for dinner, Grandma Lewis spent the day with us, we played Apples to Apples after dinner, and we had an awesome dessert (Brownie S'mores - yum!). But the icing on the cake was going over to President Wright's home this evening so that Ashley could be set apart as a full time missionary. Roxi and Bruce met us there. President Wright took Ashley and had her sit in the front of the room while he sat with us and talked to her about the service that she'd be rendering for the Lord. The Spirit was so strong. I didn't think it could be any stronger. I was wrong. When Pres. Wright was through speaking, he asked for Bruce (father) to stand with him to set Ashley apart. The blessing he pronounced on Ashley was powerful and I knew that it wasn't just our little family there in the room. Grandma Lewis said that she felt very strongly that were she to open her eyes, she would see the Savior standing there. Ashley will be a great missionary for the Lord. She is prepared. She is not afraid. She is willing to work hard. She knows who she is. She knows that she is supposed to go. She has a testimony.....it is her own. There have been several times in the last few months that I have been in awe of the depth of her knowledge of the Savior. She knows Him. She will help the people of Chile to come to know Him too. She leaves at oh dark thirty on Wednesday morning. So soon, yet I know for her not soon enough. Godspeed, Ashley.

Bruce says it's not fat....it's undefined muscle!!

So, yesterday I went up to Fitness Together (Craig's a personal trainer there) and I had Craig take all my measurements and put a program together for me to lose weight. Yes, it was just as embarrassing as you can imagine having my totally fit and healthy son find out just how totally unfit and overweight his mother is!! Anyway, I'm not going to post the results of the initial test right now, but suffice it to say that it was a BIG wake up call!! Even though I was completely depressed about the results, Bruce immediately told me that it's not as bad as all that.....it's not fat, just undefined muscle!! Isn't he sweet?! I have my work cut out for me, but with Craig pushing me to my limits and Bruce there for moral support, I'm looking forward to the work. Also, there will be no "before" pictures posted. I wouldn't want anyone to throw up!!!

Christian got blogged!

Two weeks ago we had some old friends we knew in Germany come for a visit. It was a lot of fun to get reacquainted with them and make some new memories. One of the new memories involved taking them to our ward Christmas party. It was about as memorable an event as can be expected of your typical Christmas dinner with the ward family, but there was at least one thing that gave it a little something more. http://jake.roeckerfam.com/?p=512 Gotta love it!!

Santa, PLEASE give them a lump of coal!!!

Yesterday was the longest day and unfortunately it's only going to get worse on the Santa set. My asst. manager tried to commit suicide on Saturday night and her daughter knew nothing about it until she was at work and understandably had a huge meltdown on the set. Austin and I left church early to take over. Now, for those of you unfamiliar with what the line for Santa is like, let me enlighten you. People start lining up about 30 minutes before we open and the line is usually about 1 1/2 to 2 hours longs. We only have one Santa that works all day with a couple of hour long breaks. How do we take care of Santa? We close the line early once we judge how long it takes from a certain point. If a customer is in line prior to us closing it, they get seen. If not, we have to turn them away or tell them to line up for the next session. That makes for ANGRY customers who seem to not care whether Santa ever gets a break. He's an old man, not a magical elf!! So, yesterday, we had the grandmother from *&*&%$ bring her grandson at 5:45pm. We still had a 25 minute line to get through prior to Santa getting a break before we began Pet Night @ 7pm. She created a HUGE scene. I called security for back up. Security was a woos (sp) and after talking to her for about 10 minutes, gave in instead of backing me. I might have gotten past that but the grandmother from *&^%$$ proceeded to tell everyone else that came up to the rope that they should insist as well. Security gave in second time. I told security that I didn't need their help anymore. No one else got past! We tried really hard to take a bad picture for the grandmother from %$*@*^, but unfortunately, her grandson was really cute and took a great picture on the 1st try.....dang it! Pet night started on time with a million dogs and two cats. It lasted past the 9pm close. I'm beat. Santa's beat. I'd like to know if a customer put my asst. manager over the edge...maybe I can blame her attempted suicide on the grandmother from #$%^@!!! Sorry for the rant.....

Texting & Driving do NOT Mix!!!

Teenagers (and some adults) really need to get a clue... texting while driving is beyond stupid. Don't worry, Ashley and I are okay, but as you can see by the pictures our car didn't fare so well. According to the insurance adjuster, it's a total loss. Any advice on what kind of car to purchase next???

I imagine the teenage boy driving the truck that plowed into us won't be driving for a while. Poor kid just got his license to drive and BAM....his truck didn't look too good either. As for the lady that I was pushed into...minor bumper damage to her explorer.

Things to be grateful for: that no one was seriously injured, insurance, friendly police officers, apologetic fathers (the kid's dad was sooo nice), awesome EQ pres who stopped to help and took Ashley and me home, cell phones (not to text while driving, but to call 911 in an emergency!), undamaged Christmas presents that were in the trunk, awesome neighbors who checked on the kids.....this is the short list in addition to the many, many things I'm always grateful for!!

Cub Scout Beginnings!

Christian is officially a Bobcat and on his way to earning his Bear in cubscouts. This was taken at Pack meeting a couple of weeks ago. I got to paint his face with different colors that represented different qualities that a cubscout has. He only got to put a little line of white down my nose. I don't remember what it signified, just that he thought it was great to put paint on my face!!

Traitors!

Ashley and I are traitors of the worst kind. As you all know, we work with Santa taking pictures of terrified toddlers, but tonight we couldn't resist visiting with a famous Santa from a competing mall. He was very jolly and even gave us our picture as a Christmas gift from from him. Ho Ho Ho!!! Merry Christmas! But please, shhh....don't tell anyone!

You may be wondering how it is that Ashley and I could sneak away to see Santa without Christian. Well it's really no surprise...Christian is at the ripe old age of eight and has no interest in seeing Santa - not that he doesn't believe or anything, he's just too cool now to be seen on Santa's knee! Besides, Bruce, Christian and Austin are camping with the Hopewell sons and grandkids...can you say "BBBRRRR"? That leaves me and my girls with a weekend free to shop, shop, shop!

Sister Ashley Nicole Tyler, you have been called to serve.....

in the

CHILE, SANTIAGO NORTH MISSION!!!!!!!

Missionary papers are in!!!

Ashley's papers have been submitted to the bishop! All that's left are the interviews. My guess is that we'll know in about 3 weeks where the Lord will have her serve.

I Belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints!

Christian was baptized and confirmed on Saturday, October 11, 2008 by his dad! I am so thankful that Bruce honors his priesthood and has been worthy to baptized each of our five children. In the past, I sometimes wondered if children at the age of 8 can really make a decision of such magnitude, but I have a testimony that they understand enough and that they feel the spirit. They really do make a choice...it is not just a "right of passage." It has been really special to talk with Christian about the decision he made. He knows that it was right...not just because of what we said, but because he felt it.

Oh Yeah....I'm it!!

I am: a daughter, sister, mother, wife, friend, confidante
I think: deep thoughts (lol)
I have: great kids and a wonderful husband
I dislike: housework
I miss: army life
I fear: lack of job security
I feel: content
I hear: Sarah Palin...no wait...Tina Fey...no wait....Sarah...no, Tina
I smell: Homemade oatmeal raisin cookies...yum
I crave: craving satisfied with the above answer!
I cry: easily....I've even been known to tear up at a commercial
I usually: get up early
I search: the internet way too much
I wonder: when Craig and Katie will make me a grandma
I regret: using my credit cards when I shouldn't have
I wish: I was a size 8 again!
I love: chocolate (that's where the size 8 went!)
I care: about other people feelings
I always: procrastinate
I worry: about my kids all the time
I am not: very creative
I remember: every detail of all my children's births except Craigs...they put me out for that one!
I believe: Jesus Christ is my Savior
I sing: silly songs that I make up when I'm in the shower
I don't always: make dinner...we have a lot of "fend for yourself" nights
I write: in my journal.....yearly at least!
I win: some
I lose: a lot
I listen: to country music and talk radio
I don't understand: how television works!!
I can usually be found: at the computer
I need: hugs from my children
I forget: why I went upstairs!
I am happy: when my family is together
I tag: Jessica, Jeni, Elisa, Diane & Chrissy

It's Great to be 8!

Christian has reached the ripe old age of 8 years. We had a very small yet very LOUD party for him yesterday after school. Who knew five boys could make so much noise. I was thrilled when they all went home!

For those of you who didn't already know this, Christian has been in a band since summer....he plays guitar. He is the best guitarist EVER according to the other band members. So, can you guess what he wanted for his birthday? A Gee Tar! Now I've got to find someone to teach him how to really play and not just pretend. He is awfully cute when he's strummin' away! Man, I wish we'd kept your guitar, Jake!!!

Also, everyone please mark your calendars. Christian's baptism is on Saturday, October 11 @ 4pm @ the stake center. We'd love to see you all there to share this special day with us.

Editing wedding photos is hard work!!

This is a picture of Sylvia & Lee after they were sealed a few days ago. Since the Angel Moroni had been cut off the picture, we tried our hand at painting him in. We had so much fun, we added a few touches to the picture!

I've been tagged!

What are you listening to right now? Morning quiet before everyone's awake.
Guilty Pleasure: Ben & Jerry's Phish Food
Favorite Food: Anything Tex-Mex
Habit I want to break: Just broke it...no soda/caffeine for 10 days straight!!
Habit I want to keep: It's kinda silly, but I've gotten hooked on Little House reruns every morning - so much so that I even record them if I'm going to be gone!!
Married or Single? Happily Married for almost 23 years
Are you Happy? Very much so!
Biggest Pet Peeve: Not being able to get through to a "Live Person" on the phone without pressing 1, then 3, then 2, then 9, then all of a sudden the automated system says "good-bye" and I have to start all over again!!! UGH!
Chocolate, Vanilla, or neither: Definately chocolate!
Dream Vacation: There's castle in Germany called Dornröschenschloss Sababurg that offers a 2 night stay. The guidebook says: The castle is said to be the setting of the Sleeping Beauty legend. You'll almost start to believe the tale when you see the Italianate turrets of the castle. The park is said to be the oldest zoological garden in the world. The wilderness of ancient oak and beech trees, along with the tall ferns, adds to the fairy-tale atmosphere of the area. In the castle courtyard, where sweet-smelling briar roses still bloom, you half expect to see the prince coming to awaken Sleeping Beauty. You have a candlelit 5 course dinner in the castle, go on a private tour of the castle and gardens, sleep in a beautiful suite, have breakfast in bed.....it is my fantasy "short" vacation for me and Bruce!!
Worst Vacation Idea: 5000 mile road trip with the kids and no husband (last summer!!)
Favorite Book: Too hard to choose....DaVinci Code, Harry Potter Series, anything by John Grisham...
Favorite Music: Country
Person You Admire That’s Not a Relative: Juliette Holdaway. If you're interested in why, just ask!
People you tag: Chrissy, Roxi, Jeni, Jessie, Elisa, Diane

Caffeine withdrawl migraines...ugh!

Okay. I'm addicted to Dr. Pepper. Well, actually I'm addicted to the caffeine in Dr. Pepper. Dr. Pepper is just my fix of choice. There should be a 10 step program for caffeine addicts...Cafanon would be a good name. So, why did I decide to quit? Good question. Saturday night I was over at Ira's and I happened to get on the scale in their bathroom and discovered that I had gained 8 lbs since Craig and Katie's wedding. 8 pounds Monday morning I was watching the Today show and there was a woman on who weighed over 500 lbs. That's past tense because she doesn't weigh that much today. Anyway, she decided to just eliminate one thing each month to help her lose weight. The first to go was soda. She lost 40 lbs in one month. Pretty impressive. Since it was still early morning and I hadn't had a chance to go to my favorite watering hole for a Route 44, I decided that there was no time like the present. So no Dr. Pepper. I did great. Sunday...no DP, Monday...no DP, Tuesday.....frickin' migraine that wouldn't go away!! Wednesday....the worst migraine I've ever experienced. Finally Bruce made me take some Excedrin Migraine (it has caffeine in it..ugh). Then Craig and Bruce gave me a blessing. Anyway, I'm so angry that I've let this happen to my body that I don't have ANY desire for the best drink on Planet Earth. Okay, maybe just a little!! But I am committed. I gave up DP to lose weight, but the upside is that I'm detoxing from the overload of caffeine in my body. So here's a challenge for all you DP addicts that read this blog....and you know who you are....how about joining with me and we'll create our own little CAFANON and maybe lose a few pounds in the process. By the way, today's been a good day...no headache so far! DAY 5! WAHOO!