SPT--The First Thing That Attracted Me To You Was.....

Our Wedding Day
Dec. 27, 1995

Hmmm this was a tough one to narrow down. Was it....

14 years later do we look the same?
Your devilish handsome looks?

Your compassion?

Your dark edgy side?

Ability to have fun?

Your poise?

Your mean cooking skills--especially Thai food?

Your wit? OR...

Canyon Lake
June 1995

Your adventurous fun side taking me to the lake on our first date?

Because ALL of these traits attracted me to you, it wouldn't be fair to leave any of them out. All of these make up the Doug I know and love. Love you honey!

Nine In 2009

It never fails Jared has some sort of "sports" cake for his birthday
The request this year was a Cardinals cake, this is as close as I could get.

Nine years ago today our Y2K baby was brought into the world. I look back at how much Jared has changed, yet some things he does remain the same. Here are NINE favorite memories I have of you over this past year.

His new favorite shirt

(I know they stunk, but he still loves ASU)

1. We discovered since he began to play sports at how much he thrived at them. It doesn't really matter which one specifically, as long as it involves running, competition, AND getting a trophy at the end. Jared played machine pitch baseball for the first time, then moved on to kid pitch within a few months. (after we moved to Arizona) We realized that your left-handedness may be a good reason to keep you in baseball. Playing catcher, shortstop and pitcher were your favorites. These of course all involved being in the CENTER of the game.


2. If it were up to Jared he would have played tackle football this year as well. As a parent I just couldn't commit to the time and energy it took to get him there. (sorry bud!) He just started basketball and already he has been practicing his lay-ups religiously. Dad is especially excited that you FINALLY got on a team that "connects" and works well together as players.

3. Your personality has remained the same since you were a small little boy. From the moment you entered into preschool you have been a people pleaser. You still worry at the most minor things, but if you didn't, you wouldn't be my son.


4. Jared is our "lunch" child which means that is his favorite meal of the day. If I allowed it, I think he would eat Subway EVERYDAY. Seriously. However, each birthday there is a request for a special breakfast, this years choice french toast and eggs.

5. This is the first year Jared gets to go on a special "outing" with dad. He hits the ski slopes tomorrow to try snowboarding. I know he will do great because Jared is one of those kids that tries something and it instantly connects.

6. Jared has had the opportunity to ride his bike to school since moving to Arizona. He was the only one who didn't get a bike for Christmas, so for his birthday he requested a "trick bike" This turns out to be a double bonus for his brothers since they can ride on the back.

Jared and his cousin Aaron
(another lego star wars junky)

7. Jared has always loved Star Wars AND legos, but now he has gotten really into collecting and building them. He will spend hours (and still does) building and recreating. In fact over October break he built the entire Indiana Jones 800 piece set over 2 days by himself. I still can't believe I didn't take a photo of it! Jared received 4 new lego sets for his birthday, you can just imagine the excitement.

Jared getting his wolf badge

8. Last year Jared started cub scouts. We went from only attending 2 den meetings in Texas (there was no leader) to attending weekly. Thankfully we had a few months and crammed through to get your wolf badge. Lucky for me I now get to have you in our bear den. We are proud of your efforts at striving to be a loyal scout!

Weston, Luke and Jared
(before church a few weeks ago)

9. Jared may never admit it, but he has a spiritual side as well. Last month I witnessed my what used to be "shy" boy to go up to the stand and bear his testimony. Each Sunday it never fails that he is the first one up and ready for church.

Jared, we are so lucky to have you in our family. I want you to know that your dad and I are very proud of you and love you very much! I hope you have a GREAT 9th birthday bud!


good deed Tuesday: took Doug a Sonic drink.
good deed Wednesday: remembered to say my prayers morning and night.
good deed: went visiting teaching.

Father's Day

Lake Powell, Cookie Jar
Summer 1995
(Doug set the tripod up)

Father's Day holds a special place in my heart. Not only for all the men in my life, but it also happens to be the weekend that Doug and I went on our very first date. I remember it like it was yesterday. His wit, charm, and looks won me over instantly. From our first date we were inseparable for the entire 1995 summer. It's amazing that I was able to go to summer school that year (microbiology) because we literally played each day. August came along and it was time for Doug to head back up to BYU for fall semester. My heart sank at the thought of Doug heading back up to the dating field and onto his more studious tasks. I stayed behind and continued going to ASU. We had talked about marriage, but nothing was really official. By the end of September he had flown home for Memorial Day weekend with a ring in hand to propose. Originally he talked about getting married the following summer. However, I wasn't about to do a long distance relationship for an entire summer (he was on a full ride scholarship at BYU).

Our first dance

After little persuasion we set the date for December and were married on the 27th. Our first year of marriage was like most others, an adjustment. Despite my desperation to get out of the house from my parents and be on my own for the first time, I was also 1000 miles away from AZ. And I had weather issues, hello, SNOW--cold weather! It was hard. Provo brought on several great memories, friends and by the following fall I was baby hungry. I admit Doug wasn't completely sold on the parenting thing right away, but again he wasn't hard to persuade. Doug's first Father's Day came in June 1998 (Taylor was born in July 1997).

Our family
Taylor 10 days old

I could see the minute he laid his eyes on Taylor he was instantly in love. I can't quite describe or pin point exact words, but he has been a wonderful father from the get go. I can't solely give him all credit, he had a great example his own dad, Dale. I will be forever grateful for all the people that made him the man he is today.

Easter 2000

With a medical journey goal we left Provo after getting into Tulane Medical school in 1998. In the year 2000, (2 years later) we had our first son, Jared. Doug really isn't one to cry, but that was maybe the 4th time I actually saw tears coming out of his eyes. He was the proud father of a son.
Our parenting didn't stop at two, although I had several people comment, "Now that you have one of each, you are done!" Deep down I knew that I would at least have one more join our family.

Luke's birth
I'm looking quite scary--yikes!

Luke proved to be difficult from the get go. (if you met him or know him you would understand) I was fortunate enough never to have to deal with fertility issues, however Luke didn't come when I would have liked him to come. It made me realize things happen for a reason, Luke was born June 2003. We were thrilled to bring another boy into our home. I always knew I would have a house of boys (it was a gut feeling). Dr. Wen (my ob) actually gave Doug the honors to completely deliver Luke, it was something special both of us will never forget.

Despite his crazy, busy schedule Doug has ALWAYS, and I mean always put his family first. He may be wearing green most of the time (aka scrubs), but there hasn't been a day that has gone by that he doesn't make time for his family.

Our free spirit as we like to call him, Weston came 21 months after Luke. This was definitely our first "not planned" child, but we couldn't imagine life without him. He keeps us on our toes ALL of the time and keeps us laughing on a daily basis.

Father's Day 2006

So, Doug's life as a Father started nearly 11 years ago today. I think I can speak first hand for him that it's not always easy being a parent, but the good times definitely out way the hard ones.

I guess this shows, photos aren't always perfect eh?

In honor of Father's Day I would like to list 10 things (written by my children) why they love their dad.

1. He likes to play cards with me. (Taylor)
2. Encourages us to do our best. (Taylor)
3. He plays catch with me. (Jared)
4. Helps me improve on things like school. (Taylor)
5. We like to watch his favorite show with him (Whose Line Is It Anyways?)-(Taylor)
6. He likes to go golfing and play video games with me (Jared)
7. I like when he plays Nintendo with me (Luke)
8. I like when he tickles my face at church with paper (Weston)
9. I love when he gives me zurburts on my tummy. (Weston)
10. I like when he lets me draw on his phone (all)

Happy Father's Day, We Love You!!

I Missed The Boat........AGAIN!

A few years ago we lived next door to our dear friends Eric & Chanel. I've always thought they make a great team because Chanel has some very creative ideas as does her husband. They are also perfectionists at what they do. Seriously. It amazed me when they pulled up to move in next to us, because they were towing a wooden sailboat along with their moving truck. I thought it was an "odd" thing to bring to medical school, but after getting to know Eric and the way he works it all made sense. Making things of that nature is his hobby and he was in the process of finishing it up. (I even remember Chanel sewing the fabric for the sail--amazing!) He later finished it and set sail at Lake Pontchartrain with his girls. He has a nitch for wood and has created some pretty cool things. For starters, he has taken scraps to make a wood frame for an old American Flag. I remember when our quilting group was getting into red working and needed light boxes. He copied the design from someone that owned one and made one for his wife. He said he would make me one if I got the supplies, umm that never happened. I am kicking myself for that.

Taylor and Haley playing princess tea party
(I couldn't find the photo I was looking for--drat!)

As their girls got older he decided instead of buying a swing set to make a clubhouse. Let's just say it was the hit of the neighborhood and put our tree swing to shame. Taylor spent countless hours over their playing with Haley. Good times. This brings me to something he did last Christmas. Kristi's FIL has made ginger wood houses for their family in the past.....Eric decided to get the dimensions and make their own family one. He even went as far as making them for their home teaching families as gifts. What a treasure. I mentioned briefly to Chanel last year that he really should sell them. This year they did just that and he made over 90 or some crazy number. Before they started selling them Chanel said if you want Eric will make you guys one for cost, umm again never got her the funds and kicking myself all over. So today instead of decorating a precise awesome ginger wood house, ala Eric we decided to go for the old school way.

Just look at that candy stash--yikes!

Taylor and I went to the store yesterday and bought the "edible" things to make graham cracker houses for FHE. I opted not to get the kit this year because they are never really that yummy to eat. After all, isn't that the point of making them, to indulge in a sugar high? So maybe come next June (when they are selling them again) I will be on top of my game and purchase one of Eric's finest pieces!! Until then, we will be eating frosting and graham crackers.

Doug with his masterpiece house

As you can see we clearly ran out of graham crackers to make complete sets. Oops, I guess I wasn't thinking too clearly. The kids were still able to use their creativity with candy. I think it ended up being just fine. Doug was very proud of his masterpiece aka the compound church if you will :) Looking at Jared's alone made me ill. We decided it looked more like a box of candy than anything.

A mixture of sorts--bleh!

We also made our traditional cookies for Santa Claus. I saw this over on Sara's blog and couldn't resist. How cute are they?

cookies for Santa

So we weren't the best decorators, but it was still a fun activity. As we were finishing up the Gordon's stopped by to bring their gift over. I'll I have to say is oh, my did they go over board this year. They arranged a basket of gift cards for all the restaurants we frequent. Thanks guys--and I can't believe we will only be neighbors for 30 more days. That is just SOO sad :(

good deed: watched my friends little girl during sacrament mtg

Skeletons in my closet

We all have some skeletons from our past. Some memories we choose to forget others we have laughed and learned from. I speak of them because I posted about a crush I had in junior high the other day and he randomly came across my blog. Isn't that crazy? As I was searching for some pictures last night I came across mine and Doug's journals from when we were dating and first married. I became engrossed in reading them and found them to be so interesting. We both spoke of spiritual experiences, feelings of frustrations, first fight, trials, fall out with friends, etc. I came to the realization that we both sucked at the consistency of our journal entries. Mine for instance, would be for two consecutive days and then the next entry would be a year later. Of course I tried to fill in a year of detail. Umm, that doesn't work. As we all know even missing a week of blogging can be overwhelming. You always forget the fine details of the day even if they are silly. When I was looking for pictures of Doug I was so sad to find hardly any. I guess that is what happens when you are the baby of six children. I am proud to say I think Weston (#4) has and will have plenty of pictures to choose from someday. Yet another reason to pat myself on the back for keeping a blog journal! And now on to the point.........

Doug and Linda
Junior Prom MVHS

About a year ago we were rummaging through some old boxes from our attic that we had brought home from Doug's moms house. We found old jersey's, trophies, yearbooks, papers and then I came across a box of "love" letters. Fun memories. He had two girlfriends Kristi and Linda in h.s. and from his mission. I couldn't help but chuckle on many. I love you...blah blah blah. Remember those days of foolishly being in love with someone? He was embarrased and said I am throwing them all away. I tried to get him not too, but he couldn't stand me to read them. (I was reading them out loud in kinda mocking voice). I on the other hand, I have saved many of mine. Just for fun. I think it's fun to look back on those days. I often chuckle at the signatures from my year books from various guys. Remember the "call me" this summer or I think "your hot" "stay in touch" entries? I really don't see any harm in doing so. After all why should we throw away our past? I personally find it fun to reminence on old times. In fact, I found a few pictures the other day. I was flooded back with memories of all the people I went to jr. high and h.s. with. I often wonder where they are, who they are married to, how many kids, etc.? And since I don't live where I grew up I am really out of the loop so to speak. Fast forward until today..........

Jenny & Nate
Junior Prom MVHS

It's funny how one particular item in our home has caused a lot of conversation, to be exact it is a ceramic pencil holder I got as a gift from a guy (okay steady boyfriend) in high school. He made it for me in a ceramics class and wrapped it up in a box for Christmas one year. I will say several people don't know or remember me by my name, but a light bulb always goes off when they find out I went out with "Nate Stringfellow" for three years. It was one of those relationships you would hate your kids to get into. Remember that advice to date around not just one person? I disobeyed all of those rules. Come on we were blindly in love!! Looking back, I am surprised we lasted as long as we did since I wasn't LDS at the time. His parents really hated that, but he continued to sneak around and do it anyway. Remember those days? Nothing was going to tear us apart (INXS). I went to I think 6-8 dances with him. That pretty much is ALL the high school dances. Much of my highschool memories involved Nate whether it was the shedding of tears, happy times or bad. Sad, but true. I even sent him on a mission as a non-member to find out he would come home after two weeks! He called me from the MTC and said he was coming home. I replied, "NO YOU'RE NOT!" By then he had already made up his mind. I swear his parents resent me for that to this day. One will never know. Our relationship pretty much fizzled after his homecoming, for some reason him coming home was a big turn off. I felt he was a quiter and really needed the mission to grow. I think that was the best decision I made at that time in my life. A year later I joined the church and well the rest is history. Funny how things work out for the best.

The skeleton jar

I really have disposed of all old flame gifts, except pictures of course. I won't get rid of my memories and nor would I ever make Doug. I think it's fun to look and reminence about the past. But, the ceramic pot remains on the counter. Not for sentimental reasons, but for pure purpose. Is that so wrong? Doug doesn't really care, he often teases me that we have a keep sake from an old flame on the kitchen counter. And to counter act we did have a plastic pail (Kristi filled with goodies when Doug broke his jaw in 10th grade)I used to wash our car with up until last year from his highschool flame. We had to get rid of it because it got a crack in it. I really did love that pail. So, there you have it my confession of a 15 year old pencil holder. At least one of my skeletons is officially free and in the open! This could be good therapy, stay tuned more skeletons to come at a later date.....or maybe I should just say hi each post I write about a skeleton. Hi Nate!

good deed: sent my dad's birthday package :)