Ten on Tuesday - Maya

Maya turned 8 on Thursday.  I can't believe that my baby is 8 years old.  It kinda of makes me feel old.  Well here are a few things about her!

1.  Maya LOVES One Direction - they are a pop group from England and I think there are 5 boys.  They sang at the closing ceremony of the olympics and they looked into the camera and pointed and she screamed that they were pointing at her.  She likes them so much - she got 2 of their dolls for her birthday.

 2.  Maya loves to take my camera and take pictures of herself!  She also loves to take my cell phone and pretend like it is hers.  She also is the one who asks me the most - when is she going to get one.

 3.  Maya is a dare devil - she will try anything once.  Whether it is food, doing something - she does not care.  She will try it once and more of the time love it and can't wait to do it again.  She especially loves whatever Bryant is eating/drinking - she likes so different food because of him!

 4.  When she was little and up until she was 4 1/2 years old - she would suck her two fingers.  We would hear her coming down the hall and in her bed at night.  She also - from the picture above - cut her very slow growing hair! 

5.  Maya had the least amount of hair in our family.  That is the only way that I can tell the difference between some of her and Madi's baby pictures.

6.  Maya LOVES claim chowder, playing games and riding bikes.  She loves being with other people and gets bored watching movies and TV at home (unlike her two sibilings!)

7.  She is in second grade with a boy teacher and she loves going to school.

8.  I tried to upload a video that I took of Maya on her birthday eating her cake - she asked Bryant if she could eat it like a pig, and she did - she loved every single minute of it!

9.  Maya - you know exactly how she is feeling - she never hides her emotions and can be the happiest, most exciting person one minute and then the next she is the saddest thing you have every seen!

10 - Random Thought (Thanks Karen) - I had a weak spot for green, red or purple laffy Taffies - I know that they are nasty - But I can't help it!

Ten on Tuesday - better late than never

This has been a crazy day but it is almost over!!

1.  Conference - I know that  I am truly an old person - I love listening to General Conference.  I love listening to the inspired words and love to hear what they have to tell us.

2.  Love President Utchodrf's talk on enjoying the journey.   I seem a lot lately to be focusing on when this happens....  I love the reminders that he gave us.

3.  Elder Holland's talk - really made me stop and think.  It is amazing to me how he always seems to say the right thing that I need to hear.

4.  Brother Bowden's talk - there seem to be quite a few people who I know who have lost a child this past year.  His words seemed to ring with such truth and hopefully provide comfort to those families who need it.

5. October Break - this is the first time in quite a few years that we have not gone anywhere.  3 years ago - to Utah to see my parents before they left for New York.  2 years ago - we went to Navuoo and Minnesota, last year to New York for the most amazing fall weather EVER!

6.  I worked due to the tax deadline of Octber 15th.  Bryant did a great job with the kids and took them to their favorite places for lunch.

7.  They went mini golfing and enjoyed lots of time swimming on swim team.

8.  There was a sleep over at the Rapiers on Friday night

9.  Saturday and the last day of fall break - ended with a bang and a swimteam swim party at Rhodes with access to the flowrider - Max's best day ever!!

10. Random fact - one sip of dr. pepper makes EVERYTHING better!

Ten on Tuesdays - Running

I am in training for a half and full marathon so I have a lot of time to think while I do these longs runs and I thought I would list my top ten things about me and running.

1.  I hated to run growing up!  I didn't like it and never thought that I would run very much.   Even before I got married I ran at the McClintock track and still hated it,

2.  In February of 2009 I went to cheer on Kim and Kris when they were running this Ragnar thing - had no idea what it was about, but saw them along with a long lost friend Julie - and it really hit me how much I needed to run.  Let me just say that there were tears involved - not quite sure if happy or sad tears.

3. The next week I started running and training for my first race in years!  Kris provided me with an amazing schedule and motivation and I ran in Pat's Run in April of 2009.  It was 4.2 miles and I never could have imagined that I could have ever done it.

4.  After that I was running more but not during the summer - it was way too hot.

5.  Next came So Cal Ragnar in 2010, Del Sol and NW Passage in 2011 with Del Sol in 2012.  I also ran a half marathon in 2010 too.

6.  Looking back, I realize how happy running has made me become.  I now know why Julie always is smiling because she runs and is an amazing runner.

7.  Running has increased my self confidence - it has taught and is teaching me that I can do hard things.  I sure hope I learn the lesson well in March of 2013 with my marathon.

8.   It has made me feel better about myself both physically and emotionally.  I love the "long runs", it gives me time to think (which can be scary) about things that I normally don't think about.  I like how I look when I have been running and running makes me want to eat better because I don't want to undo all of my hard work.

9.  I have realized that it truly is a Sherwood family thing - my dad and mom run/walk all them time.  Of my siblings at least 6 of us run on a constant basis and the other 3 do lots of other outdoor activities (hiking, soccer, chasing after kids etc).  

10.  The best thing of all is the Bryant is starting to run with me and I love it when we run together, he pushes me and I push him.  I have met the most amazing people because of running and I am a much happier person today because of running!

Next week - conference and October break!

10 on tuesday - Max's 10th BIrthday!

 1.  Maxwell Bryant Rockwood came into our lives 10 years ago today!  I can't even imagine our family without him.  He is one amazing kid!  So here are ten pictures showing him off.  The one about is when he was one years old.

 2,  Max loves to fish (as long as the fish are biting).  He and Bryant go ever year before fathers and sons and make a whole weekend of it.  They alaways go to the same fishing spot, then go eat food at the same diner in Payson.  Max really loves spending time with Bryant!

 3,  Max loved spending time with Henry this summer.  He loves playing with little kids and has a great time with them.  He also loves spending time with Matt who has been his best buddy since they were born!

4.  Max and animals - here he was a little worried that the swam was going to bit him but he loves catching lizards, geckos almost any crawling thing as long as they are not too gross!

 5.  Beach - Max went to Hawaii this year and his most favorite thing was to play in the waves at the Hukilau beach!  He also loved playing in the sand.  He loves swimming and does it every summer!

 6,  Shooting - he has an amazing shot!  He loves to hit soda cans and watch them explode.  This board in the picture above -he shot right through it!  He definately takes after Bryant with this!

 7.  October 2005 - 3 years old.  He has been a great kid at all ages.  He likes school and is always a head taller than most of the kids in his class!  He loves recess at school and plays kickball, football and basketball.

 8.  Wants to be like his dad.  He really loves spending time with Bryant - he truly is a great kid with a loving and tender heart. 

 9.  Makes us laugh and loves being with his sisters.. He does not like to sleep by himself so may times I will find him asleep on the floor in their room.  Likes to have his bedroom door open so that he can look into their bedroom. 

10.  Max, you are the greatest kid we could have ever asked for,  You love to play anything electronic, jump on the trampoline and be with people.  You make us laugh by your crazy things that you do.  I am so glad that you came to our family 10 years ago today! 

10 on Tuesday from my kids

I figured that it was time for them to help me with this blog.  So they each are going to tell two things that have happened to them in the past and then I will finish out the rest

1.  Madi - She is currently swimming with MAC - Mesa Aquatic Club on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays.  She swims with Tacy and loves it.  I don't know how my parents got all of us kids to all of our different activities!  I sometime have trouble with the 3 of them.

2,  Madi - I am barely taller than Max,  We measured on Saturday and I still have him by the slimest of measures!  

3.  Max - I am envious that Madi is still taller than me,

4,  Max - One week from today I will be a double digit, so please send presents.

5,  Maya - I am 2nd grade and I have the greatest boy teacher ever!!  Named Mr. MacLay.

6.  Maya - I have Lydia Hall (from my primary class) in my class.  She is awesome!

7.  As you can tell the kids have lots of important things to say.  But I am grateful for their input and their wanting to help blog.

8.  Madi has become more independent this week.  She know has her own email address (which I can  see who she has sent an email to and who sends one to her - so far only Bryant and I have written her)  If you want her email address, let me know and I will send it to you.

9. Running - I have been running a lot again - I have a 1/2 marathon in November and a full marathon  in March.  I got fitted for a new style of shoes and I have really enjoyed them - but still Brooks!!!!

10.  Bryant - he has been running again too and I really enjoy running with him.  I know that any day he will kick my bum when he runs but for right now, I still have the upper hand!

ps - my favorite kind of ice cream is min chocolate chip but at Baskin Robbins, I like Cherry Jubliee

Things I have learned about marriage from my parents

Today my parents are celebrating their 48th Anniversary!!!  They must be doing something right - so I have decided to share 10 things that I learned from them about marriage and hopefully  I am doing some of them right.

1.  Always go on dates.  This is one of the first things that my parents told me when I got engaged to Bryant but I always remember them goin on Friday night dates.  For a while it was to Pizza Hut and they went there so much that the waitresses knew their names.  Later it was to Wendy's.  It does not matter where you go, how much or little you spend - but go and spend time with the person who you love the most.

2.  Arrive to church early.   We always got to church between 20 to 30 minutes early and We sat up front in the chapel.  Now in my own family, we get to churc early but we don't sit up front.

3.  Make memories as families - i have a million memories from my childhood - we went on amazing vacations, drove across the united states to be with our cousins, and have gone to places like Herkimer Diamond mine (bust) and any warm beach (major hit) and can have fun at any of them because we were together as a family.  Bryant and I have tried to do the same with our kids.

4.  It's okay to kiss in front of your kids - I was embarrassed when I would see my parents kissing each other when I was growing up.  Then I went to college to where I had a roommate who had never seen her parents even hold hands.  It is good for kids to see you kiss so that they know that you love each other.  I never doubted it with my parents and my kids will never doubt it with me and Bryant.

5.  If one of you it being grouchy, it is okay to send them to their room.  I still remember the time that Dad did this to mom.  And Bryant has done it to me.  There are times when we need to do it and later they will appreicate it - I know that I did.

6.  Support each other - My parents always supported each other in things that they did, whether church stuff, work stuff of family stuff.  That makes you a better person when you can do the things that you love/like/have to do and know that there is at least one person supporting you and cheering you on.

7.  Serve each other - I recently heard that a person thought that my dad was sick because of the way that my mom takes care of him.  That is what they do, they serve each other.  Which kind of goes along with support each other.  There are day when one seems to do more than the other but that is what is some great about marriage - there is only one score card and it is for the two of you.

8.  Serve others - I can't even begin to count the number of people who have been served by my parents - whether by cinnamon rolls on birthdays, a place to sleep on the floor the night before Pageant started, being a cheerleader for someone who needs it.  They have dedicated their lives to service of others ad hopefully as their child, I have learned a little bit by their example.

9.  Don't talk bad about your spouse - I can't ever remember my parents saying bad things about each other.  I think the worse was "Zot on you Bill"  I hope that my kids can say the same things for me and Bryant.

10.  Love each other - My parents love each other so much and they are an amazing example to me of love.  I hope that when 36 more years go by and Bryant and I have reached our 48th wedding anniversary that we will be able to look at my parents and see even more things that they have taught me!

LOVE YOU MOM AND DAD!!!

10 Shots on Sunday - kids surprise!

Bryant and I have been planning on taking the kids to Hawaii ever since we came back in 2009. Everything fit into place this year and we surprised them with a trip there instead of going to school on the last day. So, be prepared to see a lot of pictures from our trip. We had tons of fun and loved the beach! I think it was my mom's Uncle Dick that said save like crazy and blow it on vacations. Well we did and the memories that we have will last a life time.

Madi's collection of crabs, sea worms and other stuff from oceam

Family at the Pineapple Maze - it has gotten much better since 2001

Bryant harnessing his inner pineapple

Bryant and Madi in the early morning searching for crabs!

First morning there - waiting to feed the fish

My two Hawaiin men in the twiner shirts

We spent every morning on the beach!  The beach is the best place for kids to play and play!

Max loved to make as many sand towers as he could until the water hit them!

Madi looking for more crabs and fish!

We arrived on Thursday aroung noon.  We went to Boss Frogs and rented snorkel stuff for all of us.  We used them almost everyday and saw a ton of fish and even got to swim with a sea turtle.  Next was off to Costco to get food for us to eat!  It's amazing that in Costco in HI, you can get a hot dog and drink for 1.50 and pizza for 9.95 and rotissorie chicken for 5.99 - same as in AZ.  Once we were loaded up with food.  We went to our hotel.  It was the Marriott Beach Club at Ko Olina.  We had a one room condo - that was almost 1000 sq feet.  There was a full size kitchen, washer and dryer and places for all to sleep!

When we got there - our room was not ready so we changed into shorts and took to the beaches.  The kids were drawn to the ocean like magentics.  They could not believe that they were there and loved playing in the water.  The hard part was to trying to keep them dry until we could change into swimsuits.

Once we got checked in, we got dinner and swam in the pool.

Friday - we spent the whole day at the beach, snorkeling, playing in the sand and totally enjoying ourselves!

Saturday - THE Swap meet.  Need I say more for those who have been there.  There is a swap meet at Aloha Stadium on Saturdays and Wednesdays.  The kids could not believe everything that was there.  They each had saved their own money and were very particular as to what they bought.  It was lots of fun and a great way to spend part of the day.  The rest - at the beach snorkeling, finding out that someone had gotten ahold of our credit card and dealing with that too. 

Sunday - Hawaiian church is a one of a kind experience.  After learning a little too much about a family, church finished and we headed over to the Laie Temple.  More pictures on the next post from there as well as the rest of our trip!