Favorite Aunt Awards

I have a lot of people to thank for this award... obviously my sisters and brother who made it possible for me to be an aunt. All the times they have come over or we got together so I could play with the kids. All of the activities and things we have done together that I was included in. And of couse I'd like to thank my little nieces and nephews for making me, Lindsay, their favorite aunt. (sorry sisters ;) )

I'll have you know that it hasn't been easy. I've been wrestled with, trapped, changed dirty diapers, put kids in time out, punched/slapped hard enough to get a bloody nose, got hit in the face so hard while dancing that my tooth stabbed through my lip (I didn't realize at first because my niece was crying and I kissed her head better-then realized the blood was from me). I've been bit, stuck at the Nintendo for days, my things taken from my room, homework colored on, had a blow out all over me, thrown up on, peed on, my phone drooled on so it stops working, have had the "booger badge" on my shoulder, and much much more.

"Favorite Aunt Award" you ask? Seems like i'm bitter, yes...but that's not the case. This is a small list of things that make me love them more. I know that sounds weird, but it's true. I think these things happen so I recognize that my babies are not perfect (hard for me to believe). They make me grateful for the times I DO have with them, the fact that they want to play with me, the fact that they want to be like me, and the fact that they love their aunt. I'm so grateful to be the favorite aunt of 10 little guys that I love like crazy! Here are a few reasons why it's the best thing in the world- and to show that there is a better list of things than the first one I listed...

When I walk in the room and they yell my name and run to hug me, the first time they say my name, playing nintendo with the boys, when they tell me i'm beautiful and they love me, all of the funny/adorable things they say, when they ask me to play with them-no matter what it is, when they make cards for me- sometimes at random times, when they fall asleep in my arms, when they want to listen to my music and wear my clothes so they can be like me, when I walk in the room and they share all of their toys, when they want me to read to them, when they prefer me over someone else, when they cry when I leave the room, when they ask their parents if I can 'babysitter' them, when they make me crafts, when they want to sit by me, when they have 'cuddle time' with me, when they have sleepovers with me and steal the whole bed, when they give me hugs and kisses, when they hold my hand, when we 'fight' to see who loves who more, when they are my constant shadow, just to name a few..

Maybe my Favorite Aunt Awards are from BOTH my lists. The medals/badges I get are cereal necklaces, bruises, kisses, bloody noses, pictures they draw of me and the kids, pee-blow outs- throw up, sea shells or rocks they collect and share, boogers on my shoulder. I'm grateful for it all because being an aunt is the best thing in the world!

Thanks kiddos. I love you most. :)

Ode to Abigail

I realize I posted like...yesterday, but the day after the boating trip was one of my best friends birthday. I'm behind on the days...but hey, at least I got to post right?
Tuesday was Abbey Maughan's birthday! This birthday was different because I could really only text her and celebrate... She has moved back East for the summer with her parents and is having a grand old time. (she has an awesome blog that documents great stories-go ahead and creep if you want) However, I miss her a ton. It seemed like after she left-everyone was gone and there was nothing to do. For reals. Abbey is one of the prettiest girls i've ever seen. She is so smart and so much fun- a few reasons why I was so intimidated by her at first... I was so scared to talk to her because I was just "Russell's twin" and would never get up to her level. Well, Russell is a smarty-pants and Abbey (and ocassionally Ellen) would come and study math with eachother and I would just sit and eat or do my homework nearby so I could ease my way into at least talk to that pretty Abbey. Well, if there was a time that I would be in the other room, Abbs would text me and tell me to come in and say hi, or would hear me sing and say I had a good voice (what a suck-up hehe). She was so outgoing and willing to branch out, thank goodness for that. We became best friends really quickly and I loved every minute of it! From sitting around talking, watching chick flicks, listening to music (aka-me listening to her amazing voice), I could do anything with Abbs and have a blast! I was able to open up to her so quickly and tell her everything! She is an incredible listener, is so understanding, and honestly wants to help. She loves to plan things and is a stresser, which at times can be hilarious. She can just laugh at herself when I try to calm her down. It's the best! Abbey is the kind of person that is always ready to get up and do something fun! She's always there to talk to and is so fun to listen to as well. Especially about the gospel. Wow, this girl knows her stuff... I was always blown away at our Preach My Gospel study group or in just every day activities. She really sees the church in everything and applies the teachings so well. She amazes me. Abbey really does make me want to be a better person. I hope I can be at least half the person she is now. Really, she is going to be something big later in life- look out world. I miss her like crazy and can't wait to see her again.Happy Birthday Abbey. Thanks for everything.

Miss you beautiful. Friendly love you.

Boating

Thought I might post... This week my parents, Russell and some of our friends and I went boating! It was so much fun to be out there in the water with some of my favorite people. Here are some pics-

supporting the flip flop tan lines

My baby. This was my old life jacket..I was forced to get a new one last year

Sick of my hair flyin everywhere- naturally I put my jersey on as a dew-rag..thing

Me pretending to be good at wakeboarding

As you can see, I just laugh and sing instead of anything cool

My cute boys excited to jump in