You rock Drew!

Yesterday my baby brother gave his farewell talk to prepare to leave for his mission. He is going to the Phillipines Quezon City Mission. I am really excited for him. I remember what it was like for me… wow 9 years ago ( boy that went fast) scared, apprehensive, excited, sad, basically a big bundle of emotions.  Ever since he got his call back in June, I have been feeling so weepy for him to leave. I keep thinking if this is how I am with my brother I am going to have to be knocked out when my own children leave. Two years is a long time and frankly I am rather fond of Drew, he has always been a great brother to me. Every time I go out to my car to leave he helps me out with the kids  without being asked, when I was pregnant and was at my parent’s house by myself he would get his shoes on and brave the cold weather to walk with me to the car so I wouldn’t slip on the ice, when I had my miscarriage I remember how sensitive he was to me and just let me hug him and cry. He is constantly there for me, whenever I have needed someone to watch the kids or whatever, he is willing and he actually likes hanging out with this old boring lady. I am really going to miss him. I cry everytime I think about going to my parent’s house and him not being there to talk to or play with the kids. I am very blessed to have such a great family especially to have Drew as my brother and I know he will be a great missionary. We love you Drew.

Shirts for graduation say it all.

Megan tagged me so I guess this seven things about me.

I fell out of a car on a busy street when I was about eight years old while riding from one store to another shopping with my mom and sisters. It all started when my sisters and I would race in and out of the store so as to have a quicker escape I had  my hand on the door handle and when my mom switched lanes quickly I fell out onto the road with tires screeching behind me. I got up and ran after my mom screaming “Mom don’t leave me!!” Mom being too confused by what was going on  couldn’t think to stop. Surprisingly enough, I didn’t break anything. I did however break my arm falling off my shoes on my mom’s two step porch while yelling at Jake  and falling off my sister’s bed when I was 14 months old.

The drinking cups that we use daily came from NPS in Salt Lake at the price of 5 cents a cup. Printed on them is a  list of six items that are “The Great Things About Publix Premium Certified Beef” ( I won’t bore you with the details and honestly I have never read the six reasons myself).

I love ground beef but the thought of ground turkey makes me gag. I know it is better for you and I don’t know why it seems so disgusting but it does.

I have only been toilet papering once and it was on a date when I was 20 years old. I didn’t know the guy whose yard we were vandalizing, but part way into the process I caught a glimpse of someone not belonging to our group standing next to me watching me. All I could say was crap and laugh as I realized it was the home owner. It was a blast I wish I could do it again. 

I started working at age 15 at a Senior Citizen’s Center and have always had one or two jobs at a time. My least favorite job was working for Deseret Book doing phone orders. Curse those Deseret Book guys. My favorite was doing Physical and Occupational Therapy  Aid work at EIRMC and in Utah for Mountainland Rehab at St. Joseph’s Villa. It was there I actually tried to convince a monk he should join the church and asked him if he ever wanted to get married and have kids.  No, I was not hitting on him and yes, he was okay with my questions, you get pretty close to your patients in that setting.

One of the things I love to do when we are at the toy department is read the names on the Cabbage Patch Kid’s birth certificates.  I love CPKs in fact Tyler gave me one for Christmas last year that walks and talks a few phrases and that was my favorite gift.

One of my favorite things to play on when I was in grade school was the giant stripes. It was a pole with chains hanging down with handles on them. You would grab them and everyone would move at once and it would spin but as more fun one person would wrap their chain around everyone else’s and then when we would start running it would swing the person really high up in the air.  it was a riot! Sure alot of kids would get hurt but what’s a few broken bones and concussions when you have memories like this to look back on.

I don’t know who to tag so if you want you are more than welcome to do this if you want.

The beginning of the Tyler Ashcraft family.

I decided now that I have written about my children it is time I made a few comments regarding my sweet husband. It is really hard writing my feelings for Tyler down for all to read because the things I feel for him are too sacred and special to be laid on the table to be judged of men and plus I could never do it justice so instead I will answer some questions I found on Megan’s site and maybe add my own things to it as well.

1- Where did you meet your husband?

I met him at Artco in Rexburg. It is a place where they make wedding invitations ironically enough. He had missed his orientation the day before and so he came to mine. Apparently, there were supposed to be more people there but it ended up being just the two of us and so when we went on a tour of the plant, they used our names on a mock invitation. I remember during the tour thinking how polite and kind he was.

2- What was the first thing you said to your husband?

“You’re a returned missionary?!?” For anyone who has seen Tyler especially right after his mission he looked like he could have been in junior high. In fact, I remember thinking why don’t they hire college guys I can meet instead of these little high schoolers. As soon as I found out he was a returned missionary you can bet I perked right up.

3-Where was your first date?

We went to the Mongolian Grill and then went to the Green Belt afterward to go rollerblading. (For you out of towners the Greenbelt surrounds the falls by the temple.) Of course we didn’t do much rollerblading, instead we just sat and talked. Then we went up to Rexburg to meet his family and talked to his parents the rest of the evening. Originally, I had asked him out to go to a neighborhood BBQ with me. It was the first time I had ever asked anyone out and my friend pumped me up by saying, “the worst he could say is yes then you would have to plan a date.” So when I asked him out he was in his cubicle so I knelt down as to not hover over him and asked him.  When he said yes I thought “Oh crap, now I have to plan a date.” and I kept saying “Are you sure?”

4-Where was your first kiss?

After I had finally decided to go on my mission with only one month left until I had to leave, Ty and I went on a drive so I could tell him I was going to be gone for a while which he already knew and then by accident we kissed. It was sweet.

5-How long did you date for?

If we count my mission, exactly two years to the day, he asked me to marry him. If not, we only really knew each other six months before we were engaged but only dated four of those months. After we were engaged we spent the next 7 weekends together getting reacquainted before we got married.

6-Where did you get engaged?

Out in front of our old Stake Center in Ucon. He came to pick me up to go to the temple really early in the morning with him which I begged him to go later but he wouldn’t budge. (Note: I had only been home a week from my mission when he proposed, and the time difference was four hours so waking up at 5:00 to make a 6:00 session was like waking up at 1:00 in Hawaii). Nevertheless, I got up and got ready only for him to be late, needless to say I was cussing his tardiness. So when we finally left my parent’s house I said, “Well we aren’t going to make the 6:00 session, so do you want to watch the sunrise and then go to the 7:00 session?” Of course this being his plan all along agreed to it. So we got off an exit that had a place for us to park and watch the sunrise which happens to be the church we went to when we lived in Ucon. Once the sun came up Tyler read me a poem he had written which I loved and then he asked if he could give me a hug. I leaned over just in time to see him get out of the car. I thought okay, whatever. He got me out of the car and hugged me then knelt down on one knee and asked if I would be his wife to my excitement I said yes. Later he pulled out the ring or rather a solitaire that held the diamond that is in the wedding band I am wearing today. The rest is history.

7- How did the reception go?

It rocked! My parents decorated and catered everything it was perfect. We had a Hawaiian reception with plastic leis my old companion handed out at the door, a grass hut my dad made that held the gifts, a fountain tropical scene you would find in the Polynesian Culture Center my mom put together, grass skirts surrounding the table, a band of Hawaiians singing Hawaiian music, real flower leis straight from Hawaii my friends sent over for the wedding party to wear, and awesome food that was as close to Hawaii as Idaho can get. The only thing that sucked was our photographer had complications with her camera so we have only one or two really visible, great pictures of the reception so all I really have is memories of all the hard work my parents went to to make Ty and I’s day perfect. Let that be a lesson to all, don’t rely solely on the photographer for pictures.

I just want to say after being married to Tyler for over 7 years now, I can honestly and without any reservations or hesitations say that it has been the best 7 years of my life. I feel his love daily. He makes me feel beautiful even if I have put on weight, he is constantly making comments about how great I look. He works hard so I can stay at home with the kids which is the only thing I have ever wanted to do.  He has provided me with more than I can imagine.

We have a neighbor that lives next door and he works in Rawlins, Wyoming in the oil fields and his wife and kids live here. Naturally, because he works in the oil fields he makes a lot of money so every time he comes home which is only once or twice a month for 2-3 days at a time he goes out and buys things for his family. Their yard and drive way is cluttered with two huge camping trailers, a big water skiing boat, a four-wheeler for each of his five kids including one for the two year old that can’t drive it yet, an above ground pool, hot tub, sod for over an acre of land,  and (get this) six vehicles all within a year or two old for he and his wife to drive. Living next to these people gets pretty hard for a couple who only own one car and haven’t been able to go anywhere farther than Idaho Falls or Rexburg for a more than a year and we only do that in moderation due to gas prices and find that the only thing we get to spend money on is medical bills or bills for our home. But I wouldn’t trade what I have for all that they have ever, because what I have is a husband who comes home to me every night and holds me, who lets me know how much he appreciates what I do, who is faithful to the gospel, is striving to follow the prophets counsel on a daily basis and is my best friend. Being the avid M*A*S*H fan that I am there is a quote Col. Potter says that goes “I don’t care how poor a man is, if he has family he is rich.” By having Tyler as my family forever I would have to say I am just about the wealthiest person out there. I love you Ty.

All because two people fell in love.

P.s. The title is personal joke between Ty and I. Sorry about any confusion it may have caused. I do know my husband’s name…now. lol

Well today is my Marriah day. Boy it is a good thing I only have three kids right now because the other two were rotten on the days I wrote about each of them  and wouldn’t you know  they are still rotten on the day I write about Marriah while she is being good.

First day home

I actually am very excited to write about Marriah. Excited to introduce you to our sweet little baby girl. Not too many of you know her and although it will be hard to write about a 5 month old because I am just getting to know her personality as it emerges myself, I have come to really cherish who she is and am anxious to tell you about her.   Marriah was a bit of a surprise but at the same time both Ty and I knew now was a great time to be pregnant and I kept getting feelings that we needed to have another baby just before we found out she was coming. As I mentioned in my past blogs Jacob got his name from Tyler’s ancestry and Elizza’s name came from both of our families and so  it was only right to turn to familysearch.org for Marriah’s name. The morning I took the pregnancy test and found it positive, I immediately got on the internet  and searched our family history for a name.  I had a feeling she was a girl from day one but later Tyler always makes me doubt my intuition. So initially i had a feeling to go on my mom’s side of the family to start searching. I began looking under her dad’s name and as I looked down his pedigree chart I spotted the name Nancy Marriah spelled just like that ( remember we have a double consonant tradition for our girls) and I remember getting this feeling like that’s the name and just being thrilled. She is my Grandpa Jack Ivie’s great grandma.

Unfortunately, he passed away many years ago so I wasn’t able to ask him about what kind of woman she was. One night, I was on the internet trying to find any information I could on this Nancy Marriah so that i could tell my Marriah about the woman she was named after.  I have no Idea how it happened except with a little prayer and research I got in touch with a lady who told me that Nancy was raised by an alcoholic stepfather and she emerged from a difficult childhood and married a thirty year old man at age 14 1/2.  That is all the information she had on her. I would love to know more. I think the thing that I  learned most about her from the information that lady gave me was she seems like a survivor. I realize her story isn’t as heroic as my other two children’s name sakes but I really do have a testimony that that is what we were supposed to name our baby, maybe in time we will understand why.

Hello pretty girl!

Marriah’s middle name is Bliss which is what she is all about. I have always loved that name and bugged Tyler to let me name one of our daughter’s first names Bliss and he would always say no; over time I was able to wear him down to being able to use it as a middle name which I am content with. I have to admit I felt a little guilty giving Elizza a middle name that meant in all her beauty and then giving Marriah a name that just meant happy. i was afraid that when she was older she would resent me and say, “Oh, so Elizza is beautiful and I am just happy;?!?” Until I looked up the definition of bliss. Bliss- perfect happiness; heavenly joy; the ecstasy of salvation; spiritual joy.  I remember reading that and actually tearing up, granted I was pregnant but I don’t think that is what made me cry.  I remember thinking that is what everyone on this earth is looking for, not beauty and that is ultimately what our Heavenly Father wants for us.  So now if Marriah ever comes to me with attitude and says something about it I will say, “yeah, but you have what everyone wants and everyone is looking for and to me that is way more priceless than beauty.” Sorry Elizza.

This picture just doesn't do her smile justice.

Now you know where we got her name.  Marriah is exactly her name -she is a survivor, I mean hello she has two older siblings that are always rough with her, carrying her around like a little rag doll and dropping her, feeding her big kid food while mom is out of the room, getting sat on by her older sister and constantly getting things taken away from her. I mean the poor girl will probably never learn to crawl or walk because I rarely lay her on the ground out of fear what will happen to her next.  But like I said she survives and is very tolerant and patient with big brother and sister. Bliss exemplifies Marriah to a tee. My older two children were terrible babies, constantly crying.  Jake took the day  and Elizza was a night cry-er- an all night cry-er.  I really thought that was how all babies were until Marriah came into our lives. i have never seen a better baby in my life and I am blessed she is our third. There is definitely something to be said about the third being overwhelming.  You are out numbered you are always needed by someone, you are low on sleep, and the older two take advantage of feeding times and make double the trouble but Marriah has made it  bearable because of her good nature and easy going attitude. Oh, how I love her. Don’t get me wrong I love my other two but Marriah has become a breath of fresh air for me.  I don’t think she will ever know how happy I am to have her here and now. She is constantly smiling with the most beautiful toothless grin I have ever seen. When Tyler was in the ER, she kept grinning at the doctors and nurses that were treating him. They would get so distracted by her happiness they couldn’t help but laugh and play with her. Over and over again Tyler would have to bring their attention back to him. Amusingly enough this happens a lot. She just radiates joy.  She absolutely loves her brother. To her, Jacob is gold, he was the first to make her smile and laugh and is constantly grabbing her attention when he enters the room. Elizza on the other hand is tolerated. I hope their relationship gets better as they age.

The other thing about Marriah is she is very obedient. Two weeks before she was due I cleaned up the house and did the laundry and then  told her, “Okay now you can come i am ready.” A couple of hours later my water broke and the next morning she was here. Also, whenever I want to sleep I would say, “Okay Marriah, I want to get some sleep so you need to sleep through the night.” and she would.  She is just great, I just pray she won’t be a terrible teenager because she is so good now.  I love Marriah and wish each of you could get to know her and experience the joy yourselves. I love you my sweet little ’Riah.

Jake, Elizza, and Marriah playing around in the tent.

Marriah’s theme song -This song is from the movie “Paint your Wagons”  but I wasn’t able to find the video from the movie so this will have to do.