If only I had known!

I have some advice for all you single gals out there. Before you marry some man you should really get to know him. Now I know you think that you will get to know him by spending more time with him but in reality you should spend time with... his brothers. Then you will be exposed not to the "I-am-really-trying-hard-to-woo-you" boyfriend but also to the harsh reality of the men of the family!

Case in point (and in this case the only case because I only have one husband).

My brother-in-laws. I have a whole slew of them. If I had only taken a break from hanging out in la-la land with Dave and spent more time with them I would have known more before I was married. (Don't get me wrong. I would have married him no matter what because he is actually a champion among men!) But. I just would have known a few things for certain.

"Things I Would Have Known About Dave by Hanging With His Brothers"

• Rollins Boys are PICKY eaters (Nate only ate Cheerios, Pizza and rolls before his mission)

• Rollins Boys are shy (None of them would speak to me until I was actually in the family, except Mark)
• Rollins Boys are opinionated (Mark tried to convince me that the landing on the moon was a hoax)
• Rollins Boys are STUBBORN (Bryan refused to hold Aaron when he was a baby. I haven't tried with the following 3)
• Rollins Boys like to play games (This would have really been a disappointment because Dave is the only one not to get this gene!)
• Rollins Boys have great singing voices (Except Dave. He just needs some training, right Mom?)
• Rollins Boys are extremely loyal (They will always have my back. Although I would prefer not to know what they are doing behind it!)
• Rollins Boys are extremely stubborn. (Paul and I talked about relationships for 2 hours without him saying 1 helpful comment)
• Rollins Boys like the Simpsons (I hate it)
• Rollins Boys like science fiction/fantasy books/stuff. (I read Enders Game because it was a goal that I had to read 1 book from all the areas in the store while at Deseret Book and that was the one that Blake thought I would be ok with reading.)
• Rollins boys consider shorts in winter normal.
• Rollins boys are overly stubborn. (Mark will argue any point even if he figures out he was wrong just because he will never admit he was wrong)
• Rollins boys can be sensitive although they would rather die than admit it and will mock each other relentlessly for it.


• Rollins boys are big teases.
• Rollins boys wink in the cutest way. (Although Bryan has never winked as far as I know!)
• Rollins boys have great memories. (Nate is actually the only one with a fantastic memory now that I know them better, Mark forgot his anniversary. really.)
• Rollins boys are all flirts. (You would never guess it but it is true!)
• Rollins boys are very generous with those they love. Or so I hear from those they love.
• Rollins boys are funny. Or so they think.
• Did I mention they are stubborn? Here is Paul when I asked him to hold Joe-Joe. He said no way. So I just put the baby on him and he still refused to hold him and told me he would not be responsible if Joe rolled off.

Stubborn. It is the Rollins boy theme.

And I should know. I am now living with 6 of them.

They have learned from the best. And I love them all!

Be There!

Did you know that a few months ago I was kicked out of the Salt Lake Temple. Ok, I wasn't really kicked out I really never got in! It seems that the expiration date isn't just a suggestion as my brother Mitch and I discovered. They mean it and no tears or threats of never returning will budge them. Ok I didn't threaten to never return. At least not out loud. I realized it wouldn't really punish anyone other than me and maybe my mom if I never went back.

So Mitch, wanting to calm my tears, offered to buy me lunch. I loved the lunch but I loved hanging with my brother even more! We made it back for pictures. And after all that is really the most important part. Ha. So I felt really bad about missing my cousins wedding but I felt really, really bad when Mom starting crying and making Mitch and I promise that we would do anything we could to be in the Celestial Kingdom. Sheesh.

Last night I had a great night with some of my in-laws. We got to go to the temple and then out to dinner with Dave's parents, and 3 of his brothers, Mark, Paul and Nate and Brittney who is Mark's amazing wife (who got a darling haircut, but I digress). We went up to the Bountiful Temple (remember I am never going back to that other one) (just kidding Mom!) and it was wonderful, of course, to be there. I have always loved the temple. I love the symbolism and the peace and the inspiration that comes when I am there.

This time at the temple is the first endowment session that I have been to since my dad died. I have done initiatories and sealings and baptisms but not the endowment. It has taken on new meaning for me. You see I know that I have someone on the other side waiting for me. Dad will have my reception there very well planned and I hope it doesn't stress him out and I hope he doesn't mind if I am late! As time goes by there will be even more people that I love waiting for me also. It made me realize that the horrible feeling that I had not being with my loved ones at that wedding would be nothing compared to the feeling of not being able to be with family and friends whom I love and adore forever!

So once again Mom was right. I'll try my hardest to be there. You be there too.

My loves of August!

Some of my absolute favorite people were born in August! How do I love them? Let me count the ways. Or list them.Grandpa Lael Carter!

I love this man. As far as I am concerned he can do no wrong. I have been told that he is far from perfect but I don't believe it much! He can do anything and fix anything. He works harder than most men 50 years his junior! He loves all generations of his children and we all know it. He has this way of making you feel like you are his absolute favorite. I am pretty certain that I am the actual favorite however! I love the way he walks everyone to their cars though I don't know if he does it so he can wave goodbye or so he can see who runs over his sprinklers on the way out. I love how he loves my grandma. I love how he smart and sharp and involved in the times. I love how carefully he listens to me and although some might say it is because he can't hear very well I'm pretty certain it is because I am his favorite. I love the way he laughs and shakes his head like he is so amused or amazed at whatever you are telling him. I love how he still bosses me around as well as his grown children. I love how he can talk to anyone at any store for hours on end. I love how he is never to be hurried. I have known him for a long time so that is why this list is so long. I love my Grandpa! My father-in-law Gary Rollins! I love this man for man, many reasons! I love how he has learned to go with the flow. He doesn't get riled up very easily which makes it nice to be around him. I love how he takes care of his wife. I love how he cooks and does dishes! He has set a great example for his sons and I benefit from that example every day! I love how he is one of those guys who will give you everything including the shirt off his back if you need it! He is so generous. I love how he loves to travel. He always enjoys seeing the sights and sharing it with us all when he gets back. I love how he has taken a really hard childhood and made himself into a better man. He has been a fantastic father and has helped give his children the foundation and the security that he never had. That takes a strong man. I am thrilled to be a part of his family and I love him tremendously. My brother-in-law Bryan! Let's be open and honest here! When I first married in to the family Bryan scared me. He was big and burly and quiet and I didn't know how to deal with an older brother. Now I know better. He is kind and doesn't tease near as much as the younger boys do. He is a more subtle tease. He still likes to tease don't get me wrong. I love how he has inherited his parents generosity. He is so kind and generous to the boys on their birthdays and I appreciate that right up until he finds the biggest and loudest toy he can possibly find to get them. He is sensitive also. Although I am sure he would deny that. For example he brings the drinks to all the family parties. Well he heard me say once in passing that I loved red cream soda and the very next time we got together he had a few different varieties for me to choose from. He is a good guy with a soft heart and that is why I love Bryan! Another Brother-in-law Mark!

What can I say about Mark! I have known him a long time. Long before Dave and I even dated. I think I loved him (as a brother!) even before I knew I loved Dave. Mark makes me laugh. That is one reason why I love him. I have many memories of laughing with and at Mark for many years. I also love how he also has a serious side. I love to hear his many opinions on things. He has a few of those (opinions, I mean). I love to watch him play the devil's advocate. I love to watch what a fantastic father and husband he is. I love how he cares about his family both immediate and extended. He is always willing to help and is so generous to those he loves. Who would have thought that the silly boy who was too stubborn to wear a coat to a very snowy football game or who would wrestle and lose very graciously or who would insist on getting his revenge by dumping a cooler of water on someone who had spilled but a few drops on him or who could sing and imitate a slide show would become a brother-in-law whom I love lots and lots!

I am alive and trying to survive!

Oh my stars! I am so tired! I haven't posted in a while because I have been so swamped. I honestly can't believe how much has been going on at our house. Here is a summary:
We went to the Bountiful parade for the 24th. We watched the parade with Sara and Jenn and some cousins. Josh pushed a handcart in the parade.

Later that night I had a wonderful chance to visit with some old and dear friends from Chi Theta Chi. Love these gals. We had a great 24th at my wonderful in-laws home. We watched fireworks both big and small. We watched Mark and Brittney destroy the bathroom, and we watched Aaron, Josh and Dave jump over things! We played with cousins and we had our yearly visit with the Hallman's and Erik! The tired demolition crew. He makes those Olympic hurdlers look so weak!

We started swimming lessons with some cousins and also did tennis lessons without cousins.We went to Lagoon. Josh went to Scout Camp. So did Dave for a few days. Just long enough to never ever want to be Scoutmaster! Josh and I also got to go to the Bountiful Temple for his first time doing Baptisms. It was fun to be there with him. Football has also started. sigh. Last week a huge portion of my time was spent planning for, getting ready for and actually attending the LDSBA Convention. It is quite the event! LDS Bookstores from all over the world (yes, there are LDS bookstores all over the world!) come for 3 days to see all the new stuff that is available to sell. Alyssa and I spent so much time together framing, packing, setting up, selling, framing some more and laughing hysterically! It is a good thing that I like that girl. We would literally be together until 1:00 in the morning to turn around and be together at 8:00 that same morning not to be apart until 6:30pm. Yea, I totally stole this from your blog!

We spent a few days up at East Canyon with Tricia and her kids. We had a great time swimming almost constantly! Every now and then we did other things like mini golf and playing at the beach with Andrew, Sam and Lauren. Thanks Mom for letting us use your condo!"Yea, I still look good. Did you see my legs?"Uncle Andrew methodically threw in Josh, Jacob, Kass and Sam into the lake. The thing that has most consumed our lives is that in the last 2 weeks we have completely remodeled 2 rooms. The amazing thing is that neither room was at our house. We did a bathroom at my in-laws house and a bedroom now office at my mothers house. Don't ask me how we manage to do both projects during the same weeks but that is how we roll! So I would literally go from painting one room, drive madly into Sugarhouse to paint another. What a joke! My in-laws have needed a new bathroom for a while so my crazy brother-in-law, Mark, took on the project. We were among the helpers until he left on vacation then we took over the mudding, taping and painting. It still isn't finished so no pictures yet! Then my Mom was cruising through the Greek Islands so we remodeled a bedroom and turned it into an office as a surprise for her. Alli was the instigator of this small project and I was the one that made it a huge project. Thank heavens Alli loves me. We did do a lot, but it turned out great!Alli has hidden decorating skills!My favorite thing is the missionary wall. These are the 6 missionaries from our family. Mom wanted a mission room so this wasn't just our idea. We stripped wallpaper, two toned the walls, put up crown moulding, put in a fan in the middle of a decorative, "recessed" square, put in a rug from Sara and Brad, decorated, and hung some pictures. It really did turn out nice.

Fabulous February!

What was fabulous about February?
1) Sledding at Soldier Hollow!

Dave's work had a winter party at Soldier Hollow. For those of you who don't know Soldier Hollow is a Olympic venue which has converted somewhat into a little resort. Part of the fun is several giant tubing runs complete with a couple of tow ropes. The party starts at 8:30 pm and when we got there it was a chilly 17 degrees! We were all bundled and had a fabulous time. The only tears came when Joe lost his mittens on the way up the tow rope and when Alex got taken out by the tuber behind him. We enjoyed the freezing cold snow blowing in our faces and the hot chocolate! What a great night!

2. Sam's Baby Blessing!
Mark and Brittney blessed little baby Sam this month. He is so darling and unlike most of the Rollins boys was very vocal during the blessing. We are so happy that he is here and healthy and we are equally happy that Brittney is doing better also. It is amazing what Mom's will do to get their little ones to the earth!

3. Valentines Day!
For the record Dave and I don't get into the whole Valentines thing. He says "Why would I let some commercialized holiday dictate how and when I should show my love for you?" So as far as the romance department goes this holiday isn't it! It however was a very stressful holiday for me. I had 2 Valentine parties at school and Josh had his 6th Grade Dance.
1:00 1st grade
It is amazing to me that I can find a craft that will take me about 2 minutes to do at home and I worry and worry about how it is not going to take the 15 minutes allotted to me at the 1st grade Valentines Party and then I end up finishing 24 projects because the kids took 10 minutes to decide which paper color to use!! Oh well, the point is to be there with Jonathan and have him answer questions like "Is your Mom the boss of the Principal?" (PTA President, remember) He thought that was so funny.

2:30 4th grade

I think I am doing so well getting 2 games, 1 craft and the treat all arranged so that I can just help (probably with the craft. see above) Only to have the treat person completely forget and doing a last minutes dash to Dick's Grocery Store to beg for 3 dozen Valentines Cookies (gotta have enough for the 8 kids after school) The only comment I get from the kids is "We only get Milk to drink!" Lucky for them the treat lady remembered that night and brought doughnuts the next day! She apologized and get this she was at the Doctors because she is having trouble remembering things!! I am not lying!

2:30 6th grade Valentines Dance
This is huge deal for these 11-12 yr old kids. They practice different dances all year long and then they get dance cards and all the boys have to ask the girls for dances and fill up their card. The Hokey Pokey and the Bunny Hop are the two favorites. The Swing and the Macarena are also up there. The Waltz and the Foxtrot not so much. Josh told me before that he was only going to ask girls who were shorter than him to dance. Then his teacher told him he had to ask at least 3 different girls. So that plan wasn't going to work. Poor short Josh. The dance was a huge success and it was absolutely hilarious! I kept running in during the party to take pictures and laugh. I am POSITIVE that Josh appreciated his mom that day! Josh is a lot like his Dad. He dances without ever actually looking at his partner and only talking to his friends near (or not so near) by.

4. Family Dinner!

Sara (Brad's wife) and Nate (Dave's brother) both had birthdays this month. We celebrated when Sara and Brad came to town on their winter break (another happy event in Feb.) We went out to dinner on Saturday to celebrate both of these birthdays! It was very fun to have both of my both my fun families represented at dinner. We missed Alli and Mitch and Haley and Bryan, Susan, Mark and Britt, Deb and Jason and Mom and Dad Rollins. It was one of those fun nights where we laughed a lot!

5. Nate and Sara!

It is a tradition in the Rencher and Rollins families to get together once a month for birthdays. Part of the Rencher tradition is telling the birthday girls and boys why we love them. I though I would do that once a month for my siblings and parents. So here goes.

I love Sara because she has a great laugh and a great outlook on life. She is positive and fun and is a support to everyone. She is good mom, wife, daughter-in-law and sister-in-law. I love how she makes family a priority. She is a great fit in our family and I am so excited that she will be closer to home soon!


I love Nate because he is generous and sensitive (it is true). He is funny (sometimes) and he likes to play games of any kind. He is smart and so it is fun to talk with him about different things. He has an incredible memory which is sometimes good and sometimes not so good. I am glad that I am a part of his family.