My Mom {Peeps Post #11}

Today's peeps post is about one of my favorite people. My mama bear. Have you met her?


She's a world traveler, chef extraordinaire, a rock climber, an amazing mom. (just to name a few)

She stands by her convictions and beliefs. She loves, cares, and protects her family. She's hysterical, a fun person to be around, and would give you the shirt off her back if you needed it.

She's the funnest person to give a gift to, or share a talent with. She raves and makes you feel as if you are the most amazing person in existence. She cooks like no one's business. She can whip up a recipe off the top of her head and it will knock your socks off.

She's smart. My entire childhood I always knew I could ask her a question and she would know. Or find the answer. She is the best example of someone who practices what she preaches that I can think of.

She would do anything for her kids. She loves her husband and is an amazing example of a strong woman who has a strong marriage. She has always taught me to stand up for myself and be strong. To realize my value.

Something that amazes me is she knows how to do EVERYTHING. She cooks, sews, draws, rock climbs, and has a better top bowling score than I do. (In the 240's!) She went back to school to get her nursing degree just a few years ago. Not a lot of people would have the courage or the drive to do that.

My mom has such a witty sense of humor. She is the best person to get laughing, because it's infectious. My mom has a sense of humor that catches me off guard sometimes with how funny it is.

She amazes me with her strength. Have I mentioned she's pretty? Well beautiful really. She's a mom to be proud of. And I am. I can't imagine life without her. I wouldn't know how to live it. She helps me solve problems, she encourages me. She truly cares.

When I was little she made it a point to stay home so she would be there during the week, and so I would be able to have someone to come home to. She helped me with countless school projects and science fairs. She made the mediocre, magnificent.

In a world of mothers who aren't there for their kids, who aren't involved in their lives. I have a hard time fathoming why I get to be so blessed and lucky to have such an incredible mom. We have spent nights laughing our guts out until we are crying. We have been on adventures and a plethora of vacations. She has taught me the love of traveling and how important it is to know what else is out there and to appreciate what our country has to offer.

I love you mom. I hope you realize how much you affect my life and make it better. I really have been blessed with family. Mom you are my rock, I don't express my feelings very well, but you can rest assured that when I count my blessings and pray and thank Heavenly Father, you are one of the first names I mention.

Love you,

Lambkin

My Grandaddy

(Peeps Post #10)

Someone asked me a little while ago when I was going to do another peeps post. I try not to do it too often, mainly because I want them to be special. And it takes me a while to do them, because I want to include everything I love about each person. Which is hard! Anyway, here we go..

Meet my Grandaddy.. Dewey Black.


Look how handsome he was when he was younger. (Not that he isn't now.. I still think he looks rather dapper.)


My Grandpa has Parkinson's Disease. It's something that he has had to deal with for quite a while. It has not exactly been a fun thing. My Grandpa has always been very active. He loves golf. Wait.. he LOVES golf. Later in life he got into bowling and pool. I always thought it was so cool that my Grandaddy was a bowler. None of my friends Grandpa's did that. (Not to mention doing anything with Parkinson's is a trial.)

For as long as I can remember my Grandaddy had sold cars. He and his son (my uncle) owned Black's Auto Sales. I would love to go to his car lot and visit him at work and play. It was right next door to a gas station and I would go over and get treats and have adventures.

I have been lucky that since my Grandpa has retired we have grown closer. Some of my favorite memories with him are the bowling league we were in together or when he would come over to my parents house and we would play pool and just talk. My Grandpa always puts up with my shenanigans. He let's me tease him and since he has a full head of hair has even let me style it from time to time. (I have a picture, but can't find it at the moment)


Once I had to do a paper in college about Parkinson's and I wanted to include a picture of him with it. When I went over to his house, we had a full photo shoot. He is always willing to take goofy pictures and laugh with me.


When I think of my Grandpa and his most memorable physical traits. The first thing that comes to mind is his hands. They kind of curve at the knuckles and are big and soft. Even now when I help him out to the car his hand dwarfs mine. He hasn't been in the best of health lately and has needed more help. He lives in an assisted living place. One night I was there just watching golf with him and holding his hand. As his hand shook from the Parkinson's my mind reflected on all the good times we have had together and I was overcome with happiness. I love my Grandaddy. I love his voice. I love his deep laugh. I love how he says things like "How in the sam hill!? ". I love how he taunts dogs and makes them bark. I love the time I have been blessed to share with him and continue to share with him. I am proud to have him as my Grandaddy.

This will always remain my favorite picture of the two of us. I love you Grandaddy.

My Hero

(Peeps Post #9) It's been so long since I have done one of these. You can refresh your memory here. I figured since it was such a big milestone birthday for my dad, he deserves a little extra today. Happy 60th papa schmappa.

It's too hard to do a peeps post about my dad. There are too many stories. Like when he would deliver batteries and take me along, and buy tons of junk food. (whatever I wanted) or the countless vacations we have been on. Or all of the good advice he has given me over the years. It's also hard because I have a soft spot for my dad. I get my "tearductitis" (as he calls it) from him.

There is too much I would have to cover. So instead this is what I have come up with. See my dad is one of the best poets I know. He truly has a gift. I don't think there was dry eye at my wedding breakfast when my dad read his poem for Bob and me. Now let's be clear that I am in no way a poet. I do not have half the talent he has. But I felt this was the best way to honor him.

I love you dad. I will never be able to get across how much you mean to me. But I thought I would try with a little poem..

Dad, do you know how much and how far I look up to you?
I try to make people feel special and included the way you always seem to do.

I wonder if people know how truly fantastic, humble, and talented you are.
How you could beat them at pool one handed or water ski from the back of a car.

I try to do as you do, when you play down to people or let them talk about what’s on their mind.
But I mostly fall short, I cannot compare, probably because you really are one of a kind.

We have a Dad who stands by us no matter what, who sent us on “races”
Who makes up silly names and stories about Chub, Mub, and Scrub. Just to see our smiling faces.

Who writes us poems for birthdays, weddings and more.
Who helps us realize how much he loves us all the way down to the core.

Every one who gets to know you considers themselves the luckiest boy or girl.
Would push, shove, climb, or tackle to give being your friend a whirl.

Heaven is to sit with you and hear all of your awesome stories without a peep from me.
To learn of your mischief, your fights, even when you let the air out of the tires and tried to wriggle free.

You have taught us by example how to treat those in need
Be kind to your mother, your teacher, your neighbor, do unto others has always been your creed.

You have always made me feel special, important,a princess, all around the tops
And for that I thank you forever and ever you’re my hero, dad, father and pops.

Grandmommy

(Peeps Post #8)

This is my Grandmommy

Isn't she pretty? I have always thought so. In fact whenever I was young and she would come to my programs at school, I would brag to all of the other kids that I had really young grand parents and point her out.

A couple things that will always stand out to me about her is that she can't have chocolate (sad huh?), and she always has her nails done.

I have had endless memories with my Grandmommy. I can remember going to her house and she would pay me a quarter to tickle her back. She would play games with me (Upwards was our favorite) She would show me her Christmas decorations she collected. But my favorite memory of all was that we shared a love for the artist Mary Engelbreit. My grandma always had her calendars and she would give me one every birthday. I always looked forward to my calendar.

Grandmommy compliments me all of the time. She tells me how much she loves my hair every time I see her. She tells me I am the all American girl. She makes THE BEST desserts, if I could plan a meal of whatever I wanted, her raspberry cream cheese dessert would be it. That would be the whole meal! She also makes these green cornflake Christmas wreath dessert things that are so good.

My Grandmommy is a ton of fun. I remember a certain trip where I somehow talked her into getting on a see saw. We couldn't breath we were laughing so hard. (I will dig up the picture and post it later) There was also a time when we were driving downtown and she didn't see a red light until she was in the middle of the intersection. She just froze and instead of running the light, she threw it into reverse and made the person behind her back up. We still laugh about that. Another time when I got bored she let me do crazy makeup on her as well as two pig tails on the top of her head. (I have that picture, but am not sure if she would let me show it!)

Grandmommy is an amazing woman. She is someone I look up to a great deal, for her faith, her patience, her humor, her kindness, her love. I love you Grandmommy. (I won't post the picture of you with the beehive and bell bottoms...even though that will always be my favorite picture of you!) Thank you for all of the love and hugs. Cait

Brennie

(PEEPS POST #7)

It's been awhile since I have picked out one of my "PEEPS" so I thought it was high time..


Meet Brenda. One of the nicest, most thoughtful and talented girls you will meet. She and I have been friends for about three or four years now. We met in a singles ward. Anyone who knows Bren knows a few things..

-That she is your most trustworthy friend (this girl will NOT say anything to anyone if you tell her not to, trust me I have tried to get things out of her!)

-She has got your back, no matter what. If you called her at 2 am and told her you needed her, she would be at your door in minutes.

-She is such an amazing chef!

We decided one day that she was going to teach me to cook better. We would get together every Sunday night after the singles ward and make dinner. Those were some of the funnest times in my life. We would cook, and have people over to eat and play games.

I don't see my Brennie as much as I would like. Did I mention this girl is a hard worker? She currently has three jobs! I don't know how she does it. Often I wish I could hop in my time machine and go back to our time together when we would stay up and laugh and talk. She gives the best advice. She is always the girl I go to when I am trying to figure out a tough situation. She knows how to make things better. And if she can't then she makes good treats that make me feel better anyway! I felt like the luckiest girl when she offered to make me this cake for my bridal shower. (my wedding cake was brown with pink dots, so she made this one to match. Just shows how thoughtful she is.)

Brenda, I love you girl. Thank you so much for being such a great friend. I know you are always there for me, and remember that even though I am married and live further away, that if you need me, I will be at your door step in minutes. I love you tons. (and miss you like crazy, let's have a girls night soon where we make bad for us food, and chat into the wee hours like old times!)

Every girl should have a Bren in their life!

(we call her Brennie, because she used to live with Bonnie, and one day I called out to them and got confused and called them Brennie and Bonda, since then it just sort of stuck)

Zachary Finnegan

(peeps post #6)

Zack is my nephew. He is one of the funniest, smartest kids you will meet. He is my favorite little kid to photograph because he will usually pose and he is so freakin adorable that you can't help but take a million pictures. Case in point...

We went to Disneyland together recently, when we would get bored standing in line, I would say okay Zack, be angry, now be surprised, be happy, you get the point. Bob made fun of me because I had a million pictures saved in the camera from that trip.

Zack makes me happy. I crave him. (as I do with all of my nieces and nephews) He has such a fun personality. The other day I called his house and he answered by saying "Hello, who is this?" after talking to him for a short while I asked if he could take the phone to his mom so I could talk to her. He told me that he couldn't because it was attached to the wall (like I was an idiot for not knowing that already) Then he said "okay bye Aunt Caity" (right before he hung up on me his Dad snatched the phone from him). He is such a character and I love it. In Disneyland Zack would get so tired from walking that we would stop, lay on the ground (no matter where we were) and throw his arms and legs out and say he wasn't going to walk another step.

Zack is my little buddy, I wish he would come and live with me. I would take him to work and let him answer all of my phone calls. He would be better at dealing with all of my crazy customers.

I love you Zack! (Finn)

Oh, brother..

(random peeps post #5)

Travis is my brother. He goes by a plethora of names. George, Travis, Trav (what I usually call him), Babe (by his wife), Dad (by his kids). Travis has been one of those people that have helped me become who I am. Helped me to develop a sense of humor, encouraged me to try new things, (sometimes forced me!), toughened me up. I am really blessed to have him as my brother. I dug up some old pictures and thought this peeps post would be better with me telling about him through photographs...

Trav used to make me diaper box trains, fix a jump rope to it and pull me all over the house. Growing up with him I saw so much talent and creativeness. Sometimes he used it for evil when he would tell me I could play with him and his friends, and then they would put me in a sleeping bag and toss me down the stairs in it. (talk about toughening me up!)

Something that I thought was really cool about my baptism was that Travis got to baptize me, and my Dad got to confirm me. It was such a special experience to have the two men in my life at that time that I looked up to the most, be a part of such a big event in my life.

This is just one I thought was funny. Mainly because I am not sure who let us out of the house like this, but Travis, the 80's called and they want their pink hat, shirt, and short shorts back...

Travis and I have been on countless adventures together. Some of my fondest memories growing up were the times we went to Moab in his Scout and four-wheeled. Whenever he would take me rock climbing and put up with me screaming that I was scared. Going to Zions and hiking the Narrows more than once and jumping off things that my mom the whole time was pleading us not to jump off of. I think he is one of the main reasons I turned into such a thrill seeker.

He is the only person that can talk me into doing pretty much anything. Still to this day he does it. Last week I was wearing high heels and he said that we were all going to play tennis and I was coming. To which I replied "Um, I don't have any shoes". You would think we would leave it at that, but I was forced to wear shoes that were FAR too large for my feet, and we ended up playing tennis anyway!

Travis loves his girls so much. (and maybe a boy soon?) He is a great Dad, it amazed me how he just stepped right into the "Father Role" and has done an exceptional job with his kids.

Travis, I know we don't say this very often, but I love you very much. You are someone that inspires me, and pushes me. For that I am so grateful. You are truly someone I look up to.

Thank you,

Caito (let me know when filming starts for Sabotage)

Auntie Connie

(PEEPS POST)

Connie is my aunt. She is one of those people that will always laugh with you. You can crack a joke and she will always laugh. On her last birthday (she was turning 25 again) Her husband made a big deal and decorated her car, and put a sign on the back of it with her cell number, and wrote something saying to call Connie and wish her a happy birthday. So I found out about this and called her and used a silly high pitched voice and tried to fool her. I think at first she was a little scared. And then she suddenly said "Wait! Is this Caity?" We laughed so hard!

Connie is a mother of three and a grandmother of three. A while back her two sons died of muscular dystrophy. She is someone I will always look up to, with how she has handled that extremely tough situation. She was so good to those boys. She has stayed so strong with the whole thing.

One thing that really reminds me of Connie, is her mini Christmas village and her elaborate Christmas trees. I would go over to her house when I was younger and soak up all of the Christmasy stuff. I loved it! I love Christmas, so it was a delight to go over during the holiday's.

(Connie, I love ya and will call you next birthday, and try to disguise my voice better!)

Hardworking Dave

(random peeps pick number three)

Dave is my father-in-law. I really did luck out on my in-law situation. You always hear these stories about how people can't stand their in-laws. I really love mine.

Dave is one of the hardest workers I know. That man can just go and go and go. He seems somewhat like a particular bunny, now if I could only remember it's name hmmm...

Dave is so willing to help out whenever needed. It seems from the first moment I met him, he loved me like a daughter. Dave is incredibly generous. He has helped us out so much, and I hope he realizes how much we really appreciate it and him.

Bob's parents live in Washington, and we don't see them nearly as much as we would like. It's always fun when Dave takes trips out to see us. He spoils us and always takes us to dinner. It doesn't matter how much we insist on paying, he refuses.

A favorite memory with Dave is last time we went to Washington he took us out on his boat and we had so much fun. He is always there with his camera and always makes sure to send us the photos and videos he takes. We went to this sandy area and jumped in the water (even though it was freezing!) and he made sure to catch every moment of me screaming from shock of that blasted cold water!

Dave is a fellow Diet Coke addict, which is great. There is never a trip to Washington that there isn't a bunch of coke stock piled in the fridge.

Dave is an awesome chef. We have spent two Thanksgivings together and numerous other meals and every time I am delighted with the spread. Dave smokes meat that is to die for. He also deep fried our Thanksgiving turkey. That man, knows what he is doing! So good!

One great thing about Dave is he is always making sure to give hugs goodbye and hello. He really cares and loves the people in his life. I really do love him, and look up to him. I hope that I can be half as good of a daughter-in-law as he is a father-in-law.

Thanks Dave! (Make sure you name your new cows and don't tell me when they have to go on "vacation"!)