"That girl has an opinion on everything"

During my first year at BYU-Idaho I made friends with a guy named Noah in a foundations class. We sat next to each other for the semester, hung out a few times, and even went skiing with Molly and a guy I do not remember. We saw one and other on campus over the years and were always very friendly, boring, boring, boring, I got married and he transferred to Provo.

So now like 6 years later Molly calls me to tell me has ran into him in Provo and they went on a (horrible) date.  One of the opening lines of date was... ," How is Tracie, that girl had an opinion about everything?".  I laughed at the story and told Jordan. His response, " well if that does not sum you up I'm not sure what does."

I think there is a negative connotation with being someone who forms opinions and sometimes makes the choice to share where they stand. By no means do I think it's ever kind or remotely appropriate to force your opinion on someone. There is a growing issue with that in our society today. However, I think it's vital that we know where we stand on almost any issue, or at least know how to get to a point where are can make an informed opinion. 

It's good to have opinions, it means you have a mind that thinks.  And in my opinion, he could have used a better opening line.  Just Saying.


"There is something reassuring about standing for something, and knowing what we stand for." -Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley

You may not agree with me, but at the very least, you will understand that your differing opinion is wrong.
-Stephen Colbert

Unrelated baby picture/ your face after reading this pointless post

At least he didn't make a huge mess.

I nap every other day. My kids nap every single day. It how we survive. I try to wake up before my kids, but I know I've slept too long when I'm woken up by yell whispering in my ear. 116% of the time my kids find me before they venture down the hall. 

So when I woke up to silence I was sure I had woken up first. But then I heard little feet in the playroom. And before I panicked that someone was stealing the Dora puzzles I went to investigate. And found this. 

Bo. Bo dressed in all new clothes, including undies purchased during a failed attempt at potty training over his diaper, who had enjoyed playing with everything his placement in the pecking order does not allow for during madilyn's waking hours. 

And he was just peachy about it. 

His punishment? Chips and salsa with mom. 

And now being held to the standard of always dressing himself. Buttons and all. 

The promise land.

In late 2016 Columbia SC will have everything Jordan and I consider essential to sustaining the Dickamore way of life. 

Temple

Airport 

Costco

When Jordan and I knew we would be leaving idaho and getting back into construction we were trying to decide where geographically we wanted to be. We knew we needed the above three to support our lifestyle.  You know, the lifestyle of a growing Mormon family with flight benefits. 

We most assuredly did not think we would be coming back to South Carolina. We both were actually really interested in Philadelphia.   But as we were being drawn to Columbia we new it had our número uno request, a temple. Oh and a job ha. 

So I'm just going to go out on a limb here and say that a Costco coming to our town is Heavenly Father's gift to the Dickamores for following his promptings to move here. Your are welcome Midlands, we are happy to share its beauty and almond butter with you. 

Sometimes when my kids nap I miss them, but when they wake up I wish they would sleep for 15 more mintues.

Jordan and I are a big fans of the 5 year plan.  We make a new one about every 4 weeks.  At first I was just thinking we were the most flaky and indecisive couple ever, but then as we were talking about that little issue it occurred to us... well life was completely different 4 weeks ago. 

To some families a year doesn't really bring that many changes.  Every couple of years might bring a new couch or a graduation.  But us, every year of our marriage has brought another kid.

This week I can be lazy about sweeping, Tucker doesn't crawl yet.  Next week there is a good chance he will stop belly flopping and be unrolling the toilet paper every time I turn my back.  Bo can still barely talk.  Really he just grunts, shouts, and signs.  I'm telling ya, it is milestone mania up in here.

Why in the world are we constantly trying to plan out the next five years, when TECHNICALLY we could have 4 more kids?! I should put some of that effort into planning our next four meals. 

Really, I had a point to this somewhere.

Anyways, I know while it is good to look to the future, and it does need attention from time to time, I sincerely need to try harder enjoy this time in life. I have had an overwhelming desire to soak in and try to remember all their little personalities, if I don't record them, these couple of years are just going to be a blur.  The first couple of months of Bo's life already feel like a blur to me, and I don't want that.  I want to remember these special times, I love that we do have tons of pictures to look at and have memories and feelings come back in floods, but I also know I need to record more of it all.

 I won't always be dripping in babies, and while I will say that sounded like a dream come true during the 45 min scream fest that was our drive today, at the dinner table it was a little sad to think about.  I think a change I need to make, is to show gratitude to Heavenly Father by enjoying and soaking in these early years of parenthood and marriage, because I know they are a blessing from Him. 

I say birthday, you say party

I turned the big 25 in April.

A couple of weeks ago Jordan asked what I wanted to do for my birthday. I listed off buying various clothing items, new running shoes, make-up, and a bled tec. I also mentioned it might be fun to go camping. 

Apparently a four hour road trip and kids not sleeping in their own beds sounded like more fun than shopping. 

This is coming from the man who brought my engagement ring in no more than 15 minutes. While wearing carhartt  overalls. So maybe I should not be surprised.

Anyways, we've been wanting to check out North Carolina so I found a park up there. Too far never again.  I think our road trip max is 3 hours. Not four. Four hurts. 

We did have tons of fun and were really super proud of ourselves for A.) actually doing it and B.) thinking we should do it again soon, but much much closer. 

One of the best choices we made was not doing a camp fire and just using our camp stove. Seriously, no smoke smell, no trying to keep smoke out of kids eyes, and kids out of fire. And 1000 times easier to clean. 

Bo and Tucker slept like rocks, like to the point Jordan was a little worried about Tucker. Madilyn was cold and didn't sleep well. 2 out of 3- I'll take it.  

The first day we played at the camp, drove the scenic route around some farms, and set up camp in the rain. A pretty fun day. Remember only one kid is verbal, we keep things super low key. 

The next day we were able to visit a few small farms that were participating in a sustainable Ag tour. We are always up for learning more, and seeing how differnt farms run. Mainly we learned we want to add goats, well at least baby goats. Madilyn and I were enjoying them so much I forgot to take any pictures. She held them like a puppy on her lap and licked her face, played chase, and she gave them sweet hugs. She loves calves but they are still huge compared to her, the kids were just perfect. 

My actual birthday was on a Tuesday, which is our busiest night of the week. Jordan has two hours of meetings for ward mission stuff, and I have young woman's for the last hour of his meetings. So nothing major. Lots of love from family and friends during the day. 

Mother's Day is always just a few weekends after my birthday and Jordan always does great and wonderful things with the kids that day, and I almost always enjoy it more. Plus he shops for Mother's Day. We sure have been enjoying all the things a blend tec can do.