Remember When...

This post is some of my random thoughts and pictures of the last week. It has been a week of reflection in many ways. Last week I brought Brayden to Rexburg, to go to EFY. Rexburg is where Ira and I met 18 years ago. I had the intentions of going and showing Brayden around campus before leaving him for the week. As it turned out, we didn't have time for me to give him the grand tour. When our family went the next week to pick him up, we spent the night and the next day in Rexburg. Ira and I wanted to walk around campus and "reminisce" and show our kids our old stomping grounds. As we walked around campus, it was barely recognizeable - some things weren't recognizeable at all. So instead of us showing our kids around... Brayden showed us around. BYU Idaho is a beautiful campus, and in some ways - I wish I could go back to that time. (Only I would want to know everything I know now - I really don't want to relearn some of the hard lessons of life I've had to learn along the way). But 18 years ago, life seemed simpler...and I miss that simplicity.

I remember when... this kid would call me "mommy", and wouldn't want me to leave his side.

But...I had to leave him for the week (much to his total excitement and my excitement for him...mixed with a bit of emotion that he's growing up).
I Remember When... my dad would take us to Dawnata Hot Springs and play games with us in the water, while we called to my mom who was sitting on the side "Mom, watch me." Now Ira is the dad playing with the kids, and I took on the role of my mom who watched my kids million tricks in the pool.

(I'm usually in the pool with them, but since Ira was there this time...I took advantage of sitting on the side and doing what I like to do best - take pictures).

When we went to get Brayden, we stayed the night at a hotel in Rexburg and swam in the pool.

I Remember When... Ira and I would walk hand in hand across this campus in our dating days. I remember when I would walk from class to class, I would hope that I would cross paths with him. When I would happen to see him, I remember how my heart would skip a beat because I was falling in love with this red headed guy with such a soft voice and beautiful eyes.

I Remember When... it was just we two.
Now it is we six! (and the sign used to say "Ricks College")

I Remember When... these two didn't mind me dressing them alike. This particular morning, I had brought matching clothes, and Jarin had a melt down for an hour because he didn't want to be dressed like his brother. *sigh*

I Remember When... a carousel was the greatest thing E.V.E.R! It was a real treat to get to ride one of these, and I could go on them over and over again. This carousel is in a park in Rexburg, and I got dizzy even watching the kids on it - no way would I get on one now...does that mean I'm getting old??

I Remember When... I loved these water parks. Oh wait...I don't remember that - cuz they didn't have these COOL splash pad parks when I was a kid. But I'm sure I would have loved them... if only :). This splash pad is at the same park in Rexburg. We need to get us one of these parks in Smithfield!

I Remember When... Ira was still in his 30's...that seems SO long ago! Ha ha ha. We celebrated his "real" 40th birthday this week. (Remember when we had his surprise party back in June - well August is the real deal). We made it a family affair, and went to a movie and had a little party. Jarin and Ira decided he should have a "Tron" birthday party. So Jarin and I found some Tron paper cutouts online, and Whaalaa...a Tron party was formed. And as Jarin said, "We don't have THAT many birthday candles - that is too many".

I Remember When... we had the painters come paint the main part of our house one and a half years ago - and I didn't want to pay for the small bathrooms. I figured it would just take a short time to paint those two small rooms. Well...we finally got it done (well, actually, it's not done, done. I'm waiting for a couple walls to dry as I write this).

I Remember When... I would build forts out of every blanket and chair in the house. I absolutely loved it. So what can I say when my kids ask if they can build one? Of course I can't deny them the privilege of so many "adventures" when their imaginations take over.

I Remember When... I would spend summer days with my friends. These kids are best of friends, but they moved away. So when summer rolls around, we exchange kids so they can have those summer memories with their friends.

I have so many wonderful memories of my life past. I love to think back on them and "Remember When". But even more...I love to create new memories. One of my favorite quotes is from "Kung Fu Panda" when he says that today is a gift, that's why they call it the present.