So I thought that I would highlight my true and faithful commenters on this post. My posse. I know I get an occasional comment from a friend or family member not listed below, and I LOVE hearing from them. But these are the commenters that always come through - rain or shine. These are the commenters who comment on everything from popcorn ceiling texuring to Mother's/Father's Day tributes to Jakob's jaw x-rays. These are the friends who come up with something to say when there seems to be absolutely nothing to say. They are tried and true. These are the people who would vote for me on 'American Idol'. Until they closed the phone lines. Someday we will all appear on Oprah together. These girls got my back. I think I've made my point.
Here they are, listed in order met:
Marcie
Marcie is my sister. We met when she was born when I was 2. I do not think it is a coincidence that my family is 'York & Mindy', Marcie's is 'Charles in Charge', and my brother, Will, was dating a girl named Grace. They broke up, but destiny has a way of working these things out. :) Marcie has been married a year and she and her husband, Jamis, are finishing up school at BYU-I. They are having many newlywed adventures that bring my own first year of marriage into remembrance. All I gotta say is, "I'm glad that's over!"Stina
Christina is my oldest and dearest friend. She already posted a little ditty about me on her blog, but neglected to include the 'Egg White/Egg Yolk Facemask' picture in her post. Maybe I'm the only one who held onto that one. We met at the beginning of 7th grade and were immediate friends. It's a good thing I made it into the advanced Math class or who knows if our paths would've ever crossed! Christina and I were bonded right from the start. We 
were into singing and musicals, as well as the only twelve-year-old comedic geniuses ever. We were like the Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David of the middle school. We lost touch a little bit after she moved to Utah in High School, but linked right back up, like no time had passed at all, during college. We're both married now to very similar kind and easy-going guys. They perfectly compliment our considerable knowledge and abundant talents. :)Denae
Denae and I met the semester at BYU after we had both been married. Fate brought us both to the MTC Laundry where we worked side by side making sure that the Elder's had crisp, clean suits. It was, and will forever be, the most amazing job any college student could ever have. There were the busy times each day where we would both have to be off our tushes working, but the majority of the time we just did homework, scrapbooked, and talked. We talked a lot. It was so fun to be able to compare first year dramas (well, I mostly shared mine and she listened with a nervous smile), and bond over all we have in common. One of my favorite memories was when Jakob and I were having a little tiff, Jakob called the laundry, Denae answered the phone, and got caught right in the middle of the drama. I can't believe we're still friends! A year or so later, she was divinely placed in our same ward in Wyview, and we have been bosom buddies ever since. I'd tell you more about Denae, but I think most of you have linked onto my blog from hers, so there's no need. She does, however, begin the Wyview Trilogy.The Moody Blogger
Wyview was, without question, the happiest time of my life to date. This is a very sad statement, but I can't deny it. It was a little piece of heaven on earth. Wyview is, rather was, a married student housing complex at BYU. For inexplicable reasons they turned it into another single housing meat market after we all left. I think the whole complex was too close to being translated, and the world just couldn't take that yet. Natalie is another treasured friend that I met at Wyview. I can't remember exactly how we met, but we were instantly friends. We would eat and play games together all the time, and jogged with our jogging strollers in tow. Just kidding. I really just walked behind her while she jogged. Jakob and I loved to walk around our little Wyview block and run into friends. As we would walk by their basement apartment, we would slow our pace and stare into the window, hoping this would send some sort of heat wave into the apartment, prompting them to come out and play. I seem to remember turning around and pacing outside for awhile. And then finally just going and knocking on the door. They are some of our greatest friends, and such good examples to us in many ways. And now, through her blog, we have stayed super-duper in touch, even though we're super-duper far away.Ni Hao
To end out the Wyview trilogy, I present to you Michiko, or Ni Hao as she is sometimes known. Michiko and Jeremy moved into our same building. Our paths crossed many times on our evening walks as she was trying to encourage that baby out. Our hubbys played basketball together frequently, so we bonded over that and our babies. We kept in touch after the Wyview magic ended. And, in the unconventional way in which blessings can come, I was gifted with a little piece of Wyview - a Wyview I thought was lost forever - when they made their way into our exact same ward two years ago. Everything has been coming up roses since then, and I am feeling a little anxious as I anticipate their move at the end of the year. Everyone wants to be Michiko's friend, so it's been challenging making sure everyone knows where we stand. After all, I think I am the only one around here who has seen the picture of her with pink hair. Or was it red? Michiko, you have to show me that picture again!!!!!Emily
Emily is a friend that I met out here. Unfortunately, I have to use another photo from Jakob's 70's themed surprise birthday party. Not my best looking night. But grown-up friends definitely don't take their picture enough together, I've decided. We need to take our cue from Emily's blog and get in our finest, poofiest dresses, head to the studio, and document our friendship in a professional way. Emily and I became friends because Kobe and her son were part of 'The Fantastic Four', a group of 4 three-year-old boys who were inseparable at nursery, playgroups, sunbeams, preschool, etc. The group has dispersed through moves, but Emily and I remain close through phone calls and blogs. One of the best perks about having a friend like Emily is that she knows everyone out here where she used to live, but she doesn't live here anymore. And somehow that completely justifies me keeping her up to date on the happenings and drama of our mutual acquaintances. Gossiping, basically. Plus, she totally had my back on a recent showdown that took place out here, and for that I will forever be grateful!Tom and Rachel
Rachel is my brand-spankin' new friend. She is so brand new, that we don't even have a picture together. But, if we did, I'm sure it would resemble this Photoshopped 'friends for life' shot. While we haven't spent too much time together, we have bonded through blogs. Plus, our husbands have done enough bonding for the both of us at work, where they breathed the same air for most of the year. She has the most adorable little girl, and, although she's already spoken for by numerous young men, I'm sure one of my strapping boys will get her in the end. So that's my posse! Thanks, girls, for all your kind comments. Sometimes I'll write a post and wonder, "What could anyone possibly come up with to say about this?" And then you do. Keep bloggin', ya'll!
Last week my mom got to come out for a five day visit. It was so good to be able to see her! She and Timmy are back from Thailand and in Utah, and my mom took a couple weeks to go and visit her girls. It was a wonderful treat!
My boys got sick, of course, so we mostly just hung low at the house and ran a few errands. But that's kind of how we like it anyway. Just to be able to spend time together. We caught up on some chick-flicks and TV series and stayed up way too late talking. It was like a long slumber party! Thanks for the great visit, Mom!
On a totally unrelated note, I am hosting an 'Uppercase Living' party this Thursday. The product is the vinyl lettering that can be put on boards or walls and it looks like custom paint work. They sell them at every 7-11 in Utah, but once you leave the state it's pretty difficult to find. I LOVE this stuff, so I'm really excited. My house will basically look heavily tattooed when I'm finished. Like that guy on 'Prisonbreak'. If anyone wants to check out the website and order anything, the info is below. No pressure, of course. I truly don't care if you order anything, I just genuinely like this kind of stuff so I want to make sure everyone knows about it.
Two SEPARATE blankets to sleep with at night. 
He ignores my long, stringy brown hair covering the shower walls. I ignore his tiny shaved whiskers all around our bathroom sink.
He takes the kitchen. I take the living room.
He makes ALL phone calls and pays the bills. I do painting and all drill work.
He is watching 'Starter Wife' with me. I am watching the Presidential Debate thingies with him.
Couple Prayer Schedule: Mindy = T, Th, & S. Jakob = M, W, F, & Su. Holding the Priesthood buys him an extra day.
He always drives. I answer all the kids' questions during the drive.
He reads to the boys every night. I prepare the FHE lessons.
He frequently gives me the BEST massages! I....compliment his massages.
Happy 8th Anniversary, Honey! I love you!.jpg)
I have great memories of growing up and my relationship with my dad. When I was younger, my strongest memories of my dad have to do with music. He was always listening to music. I especially remember 'The Beatles' and 'The Beachboys' on whenever he was doing work or projects around the house. There was also a ton of other 60's and 70's music playing that I should know, but don't.
My parents perfectly demonstrate the concept of yin-yang in many ways. Where my mother was so great with us as young children, my father was so perfect at raising teenagers. He was always called to work with the youth in the church when I was younger. He just knows how to communicate and understand teenagers so well.
His way with words helped me get through a lot of troubling times, and it also was always so inspiring whenever he would give a talk or Fireside for church. He is always so eloquent and entertaining when he speaks. He approaches every subject in a new and interesting way. Or he's able to take a simple story and see the lessons that can be learned from that experience. He's given talks on how to give talks. I wish that I had his gift. But sometimes, when I have to give a talk, I call and ask for his ideas or what he would do, and then secretly record our conversation so that I can use his exact words when I speak. Genius.
My dad always took us on the most awesome and creative vacations. We pushed hand-carts across Wyoming for a Pioneer reenactment, we took the train down the east coast, and we spent a few weeks being actors in the Hill Cumorah pageant, which has now become a family tradition. One of the last things I love about my dad is that he is always working on something. He has refinished floors, worked on old cars, built a hand-cart, built an extension off his house, and many more things I can't remember. He can fix almost anything and has helped me make right some of my home improvements gone bad. I think I try and emulate his talent with every project I undertake, and I recognize that I'm probably just trying to earn his approval and make him proud.
I love you, Dad! I hope you are having a wonderful Day!
I would also like to give a little shout-out to another great father, my Grandpa Matthews. My Grandpa is known throughout the world as an amazing, generous, and kind man. He is so happy all the time, and always someone that I could turn to. I think my Grandpa sneaks a peak at this blog every once in awhile, so I just want to say that I love you, Grandpa! I can't wait to see you later this summer!
Lastly, I would like to say a little ditty about my babies' Daddy, Jakob. I think I've mentioned at least a dozen times what a great dad he is on this blog. And it is worth repeating. I have learned that not every dad relishes in time spent with their small children. I, myself, consider it a little challenging to make time to 'play' with my kids. But Jakob loves every second. And now that they're getting a little older, it's even more fun to watch them all together. I couldn't have found a better father if I had custom designed one myself. I love you, sweetie! Happy Father's Day!
Last Saturday we took our first trip to the reservoir this summer. It's only five minutes from our house, and I wish I took the boys more. I love being there with them and seeing how happy they are. And I love being together as a family. It's just all that darn prep work that makes me all anxious and overwhelmed and we just don't make it out there as much as we should. But everyone had such a blast on Saturday, that I hope to go more often this summer.
From the moment our feet touched the sand, Kobe and Luke were off and headed straight into the water. I don't know what it's like at real ocean beaches, but the water in this lake is FREEZING!!!! I am amazed that Kobe and Luke's bodies could handle the shock of that water, but it never seemed to faze them.
Doesn't Kobe look like an old-fashioned muscle man? That kid's body is built for something!
This was Jude's first time at any sort of beach. He loved it. He took a moment to examine the sand and wiggle his toes around. Then he wanted to follow his brothers and test out the water. Right when his feet stepped in, he started to cry. He's never felt a bath like that! So we mostly just wadded on the shore, and eventually he got used to it. He loved throwing the ball into the water, seeing it splash, and then watching the waves push it back to him. He would giggle with delight. He loved to play in the sand, and tried a taste, too!
Jakob played a lot with Kobe and Luke. Throwing balls into the water for them to race and get. Kobe and Luke have gotten to be such good friends and they play really well together. I love to see them joke and wrestle with each other (when it's in a completely friendly and loving way, of course). 
Getting wet isn't my favorite thing. And being in a bathing suit isn't in my top ten list of things I love. But I really had a great time with my family. There are so many stages of parenting, and I am really enjoying this one where my boys are growing, playing, learning, and just plain fun to be around. 
I do have to say I was shocked - SHOCKED - when I got home, looked through the pictures from the day, and saw what I truly look like in a swimming suit. I have been doing pretty good on my diet, and feeling more comfortable in my skin. And I, of course, stood in front of the mirror before we left and checked out every angle of myself in my bathing suit. I'm not delusional. I know I'm no Gisele. But I felt confident that I wouldn't gross anyone out at the beach that day. But, after I studied the pictures, I have come to the conclusion that I must have a 'skinny mirror' in my mind. I'd say it takes off 10-15 lbs. But it does comfort me to know I'm not the only one. We definitely saw a few 'skinny mirror in my mind' bikinis frolicking on the beach that day.
