Ryan just celebrated his third birthday.
Ry, you are becoming so independant. You follow behind my every move undoing work that I have just completed, insisting that "RyRy do it". You take on tasks as simple as opening your own door to more complicated things like fastening your seat-belt. You have to push your own shopping cart, throw the balls for the dogs, feed the dogs, put on your own shoes, unwrap your own gum and tuck yourself in at night. I'm trying to keep up with your fast pace, but you're growing and changing so quickly.
You learn so many new things each day. Birds, shapes, letters and numbers are some of your favorite subjects. You can count forward and backward (10-1). We sing the alphabet together every night before I sing to you "You Are My Sunshine" and "Do-Ray-Me". I often wonder if you will remember these simple things that we do together every day and night. Have you created your first long-term memory? I treasure the time that I spend with you so much. I find that the simplest of times are some of the sweetest moments of my life.
A few of my favorite moments which will, no doubt, be long-term memories for me are watching you interact with Markie, seeing how happy you make Grandma and Grandpa (both pairs), seeing your face light up when Dada comes home from a long day at work so that you and he can finally have light-saber wars, and the stories and songs that you and I share before you doze of to sleep. The moment that comes usually once per night when you tip-toe into our bed-room to crawl into bed with us is something I look forward to, even though it compromises my space to a whopping 6 inches of bed, you insist on snuggling so closely to me. Just to hear you breath and occasionally sleep-talk fills my heart with happiness. The other night, in a deep sleep, you said "get me gum". I had to open my eyes and look at you to know if you were serious.
Ry, I have so much excitement for your future. I know that you will accomplish amazing things in life. You are capable of greatness. I wonder what you will make of this world. You have already made my life so meaningful.
Happy Birthday!
Love,
Mama.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
June 1st, 2008
Birthday Weekend
We spent the weekend of Ryan's Birthday at Grandma and Grandpa Ritzman's cabin near Duchesne. The scenery was beautiful, the weather was pleasant and the company was ideal. Ry got a fully equipt Black and Decker tool bench. Once he laid eyes on that tool set the rest of the weekend was spent hammering and sawing away.
Climbing on the rocks:
Little Sadie found a cool place to rest while Leo and Lola kept a watch-out:
The Gang:
A Helping Hand:
Monday, May 26, 2008
Trains and Museums
Munchkin was excited to be on a "choo-choo" train. Let me introduce you to Trax, Thomas the choo-choo train's brother. He goes way fast! We rode from Murray to the Gateway to spend the day at the Discovery Childrens Museum. 
A Munchkin-sized kitchen:
The best part of Munchkin's day was the time he spent with the helicopter. He could push a big, red button to start the helicopter's engine. Dada hung out in the air-traffic controllers booth and spoke over the intercom to the pilot of the helicopter. Munchkin even took tuns and shared with other kids when they wanted to be the pilot. What a boy. 
Saturday, May 24, 2008
My Main Squeeze
I've been tagged.... Thanks Lyndsey and Erika
What is his name? Jeremy
How long have you been together? He saw me first snowboard in 1997, the rest is history.
Who eats more? No contest, ME
Who said "I love you," first? Jeremy
Who is taller? Jeremy is 6'4", I am 5'10"
Who is smarter? Jeremy at math, Me at science
Who does the laundry? I hardly did any laundry while I was in school. I am tying to re-learn the skill :(
Who does the dishes? Mostly me, but Jeremy does what he can to help
Who sleeps on the right? Me
Who pays the bills? Jeremy has been in charge of ALL bills because I haven't made any money while in school, I have spent a lot though.
Who mows the lawn? My Dad :) He does such a great job too!
Who cooks dinner? I usually do dinner, Jeremy does breakfast
Who drives when you are together? It's a toss up. We each make each-other crazy with our driving.
Who is more stubborn? JEREMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Who kissed who first? Jeremy couldn't resist all this.
Who asked who out first? Well, since I already had a long term boyfriend, Jeremy and I had to keep it on the down-low. Our relationship was very discreet for a while. Then he (my x) showed up at my cabin early one morning and got into a physical argument with Jeremy and ALL his friends. After that, Jeremy and I could go out any time we wanted.
Who proposed? Jeremy. It was the 2002 Olympics. We were at the Gateway before heading into the medals ceremony that evening where Sheryl Crow performed.
Who has more siblings? Me, I have seven sisters
Who wears the pants? The Munchkin wears the pants!
Now, I tag Floor (just roll with it, Floor)
The Recreation of...
These next two posts are intended for my hygiene friends. Anyone is free to look, but please don't judge me by what you see here. 
Now that we're graduated...
I can finally show the video which was made on the day of our clinical board exam. Here are two of my fellow hygiene students recreating a daily occurence seen in our clinic. The likeness to the actual people being depicted is uncanny. Well done ladies.
This video contains some explicit footage. Mom, be warned.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Red Butte
These are Munchkin's awesome cousins from the famous Bug-n-Bear blog. View Bug-n-Bear to see more pictues of our day at Red Butte Garden. 
This lady-bug landed on Munchkin's cheek, which really freaked him out. He reached his hand to his face to find out what was tickling him, when he realized that he had just grabbed a bug his whole body shook and shivered until the bug was on the ground. With gentle coaxing from his cousin, Destiny, he came to terms with the lady-bug and let it crawl on him. He was so proud of himself after that. He had concurred the lady-bug. I'm so proud of you, Munchkin!
Saturday, May 10, 2008
My New Bicycle
Grandma and Grandpa Ritzman are letting me use their bicycle to learn how to ride. They gave me a great lesson at their house and then let me take the bike home. I am having so much fun with it. I had my first tumble this evening while practicing my new skills in the back yard. I cried, but Mom said that I will learn from my fall and that everything will be alright. I love riding this thing!
Friday, May 09, 2008
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Peculiar Eating Habits
Munchkin doesn't eat food, but he loves paper, dog biscuits and pencil erasers.
Friday, May 02, 2008
I DID IT!!!
Yesterday was a great day. It began by performing my final presentation for the Dental Hygiene program, my very last obligation in order to obtain grades necessary for graduation. After driving home from school I pulled into my driveway and noticed that the mail had come and was still in the mail box...
Let me side-track ever so slightly:
I haven't mentioned this, but I had been waiting for a certain piece of mail for two weeks. The results to my clinical board exam was here and just screaming "open me". I had knots in my stomach because I was quite certain that I had failed that exam. Not as a result of my own abilities, but more related to circumstances out of my control; e.g. having my first patient declined as a possible candidate due to insufficient calculus and my second patient having a condition called "mottled enamel" which provides rough surfaces even after two and a-half hours of scaling. I about died trying to get those surfaces glassy smooth, much to my dismay, they never arrived at that point. For two weeks I have been nervous about seeing that envelope in the mail, yesterday was the day.
So, I finally had the results in my hand. I wanted to open this in private so that nobody would see the look of horror, defeat and absolute sorrow on my face when I saw my results. I ran back to my dark garage and sat in my car (with shut doors) while I opened the envelope. I pulled out a thick card that read "Dental Hygiene Success Card". I read on and this card had MY name on it. I read it again, yes that is MY name. OK, what is the score? 90%! Holy F@$%ING S&*T, I DID IT!!! I passed, and not just by squeeking by, I killed that exam despite my many challenges.
So, that whole "passing my board exam" made me happy. Later that evening I went to my commencement ceremony and that made me happy too. All in all, one of the best days EVER!!!
Now I can get on with my life.
AAAHHHHHH!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Salt Lake Community College, Dental Hygiene; Graduating Class of 2008
I have emerged from the long, dark tunnel that was the Dental Hygiene program. I must say, my absence from blogging was much needed, as the Dental Hygiene program nearly killed me. It was the most challenging two years of my life and on some days I thought I was in Hell. It feels great to have accomplished such a task and I look forward to my future as a Dental Hygienist.
I intend to reintroduce myself to the world as a friend, a family member, a blogger and a Registered Dental Hygienist. A sincere thanks to those who haven't given up on me or my blog. On the blog this summer you can expect pictures of warm, sunny days and articles of my experiences as a new Dental Hygienist. There are amazing things ahead! Stay tuned... 
