Panaca 2012

Dad and Grandma

4 generation picture

Sitting with Grandma in the home that she grew up in

Driving Grandma and Grandpa to the Summit for the big family Dutch oven dinner

Millie got to ride a horse

Love that smile!

Malibu Guymon Family Reunion 2012

The beginning of many trips to the beach

Cute cousins!

Ruth's first step in the ocean

Ruth spent most of her beach time under the canopy with me eating treats

Millie loved building sand castles and playing in the sand with all of her cousins

John spent most of his time at the beach catching some waves in the ocean

My favorite picture!

Welcome to Hollywood!

Ruth had the best seat in the house on our hike up to the Hollywood sign

Ruth was all smiles throughout the hike

Millie cried most of the way up.  

We made it!

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Santa Monica Pier

Our Beach Caravan

John took Millie on the Ferris Wheel

Topanga California 2012

Our little family with Grandma and Grandpa Guymon

Grandma and Grandpa's California home 

Grandma and Grandpa made ice cream cones for everyone at their home

Two of a kind!

Ruth just happy to be alive!

Playing follow the leader in what Millie calls, the Magical Princess Forest

Guymon Family Reunion
All good things must come to an end.  Until next year!

Orem Festival Days 2012

Orem City Baby Contest 2012

Each year during they Orem City Festival, a Baby Contest is held.  Last year we wanted to enter Millie,  but we were going to be out of town.  I completely forgot about this year until a couple stopped me in the Grocery Story and told me that I just had to enter Ruthie into the Orem City Baby Contest.  I went home and looked it up online, and sure enough, the contest was being held that Saturday.  I talked about it with John and we thought it would be fun.

On the day of the contest, we arrived and waited in the long line just to enter the building.  As we were about to pay for Ruthie to enter, we decided to enter Millie too. The age qualification was 0-36 months.  Millie was exactly 36 months, so we thought, why not!  We entered Ruthie into the 10-12 month age group and Millie into the 34-36 age group.  We felt good about our chances until we entered the gym.  There were hundreds and hundreds of children and parents waiting to be seen by the judges.  We just thought, well, we are doing this for fun anyway so let's just see what happens.

Judging was from 9-12 noon.  After our children were judged, we were excused and asked to come back at 3:30 for the award ceremony.  At 3:30, we entered the very crowded gym and waited for the announcer to begin.  We were told that if our child's name was called, that we were to make our way down the center isle to claim our prize.  We were also told that each First Prize winner would get to ride on the Baby Contest Winner float that night in the parade. 

We cheered loudly as "Ruthie Guymon" was called for First Place in her age group.  The room cheered loudly as Ruthie stood on John's hands smiling as he walked down the isle to claim her prize.  Millie and I stayed in the room as we waited for her age group.  By this time, Millie had fallen asleep in the stroller.  As the announcer called out "Millie Guymon" as the First Place winner in her age group, I jumped up and cheered.  Millie stayed asleep, but was quick to wake up when she got her prize. The prizes were gift baskets. Each gift basket had prizes worth $300.  They also got pink t-shirts to wear in the parade that night.  Each child could only have one parent accompany them on the float.  Because both girls won, however, all four of us got to be in the parade.  

The weather that night was cold and windy!  We bundled up and headed to the parade.  Millie wanted candy to throw out to the little children, so John bought salt water taffy to take with us on the float. Millie loved throwing out candy one piece at a time.  Ruth only lasted 15 minutes before the cold got too much.  Emily was in the parade too because of her achievement in the Timpanogos Story Telling Festival.  Mom and Dad Guymon came to support all of us, along with Mark, Kimmie and little Olivia. Overall, it was a fun experience!

Ruth has birthed 2 teeth!

Last week, Ruth birthed 2 teeth.  Compared to Millie, Ruth having only 2 teeth at 9 months is hardly any at all.  When Millie was 9 months old, she already had 6 teeth.  Oh well, we figure that the rate we are taking Millie's teeth out and the rate Ruth is getting them, they should even out pretty soon. ;)

All Grown Up!

Last night, I called Millie to come sit down for dinner. John and Scottie were already sitting down talking about their day and Ruthie was in her chair being pleasant as always. Millie had been helping me in the kitchen, but quietly stepped away to go upstairs for something. After calling her again to the table she said, "Just a minute". When she finally came downstairs, I told her to sit down in her chair because it was time to eat. Her eyes got really big as she said, "Oh no Mom, I can't eat. The food will ruin my lipstick!" She was serious too. Apparently she had been putting my makeup on while she was upstairs. John and I just looked at each other, smiled, and shared the same "just wait until she is 16" glance. It just reminded me that all too soon, she will be a young woman with her own grown up personality. Millie already talks and acts like a little adult. Soon, she will start caring about grown up things more than playing with her dolls, dressing up, reading stories with me, and just being a little girl. Sometimes I want to just hold her tightly so that she will never grow up. Other times I am ready to sell her to the highest bidder......or ANY bidder for that matter. ;) There is just something surreal about watching your first child grow up. And although I know that watching all of my children grow up will bring it's ups and downs, being a Mom is still the BEST job in the whole world!

We are so excited for Easter!!! Millie is really excited about the Easter Bunny and hunting for Easter eggs. Since she is older now and understands more, it will be fun to help her understand, aside from all the eggs and candy, WHY Easter is truly special. What a wonderful time to think about the Savior and all that He did for us. Happy Easter!!!!

Te amo Juan

John está en el avión en su camino hacia México. Voy a perderlo mucho. Después de diez días, estaré feliz de tenerlo en casa. Divertirse John!!!!!

Silly Millie!

So John and Scottie have a nightly ritual where they call each other funny names before going to bed. Millie has picked up on it too and thinks that it is so funny and has begun to chime in with them. It is really quite funny to listen too, however, Millie has started to say the funny names outside of the house. To Millie, everyone is her friend so there are no boundaries.

Today at the store, a cute old couple came behind us as we were checking out. Of course the sweet little old woman started talking with Millie and telling her how cute she was. Millie responded with, "Thanks, ya punk!". I couldn't tell if the old woman had understood what she said or not but just in case, I quickly explained that Millie likes to be silly. The old woman asked Millie about Ruth and if she was her baby sister. She than asked Millie what her name was. Without missing a beat, Millie began singing our version of the Babcock name song:

"M. I. L. L. I. E.......spells Millie, Millie Guymon".

The old couple both smiled and thought it was so cute. Millie was acting nice and sweet, so I wanted to hurry and finish before she started being silly again. After what seemed like an eternity, my groceries were processed, bagged and I had finished paying. As I pushed my cart away, I breathed a sigh of relief thinking that we were in the clear. However, I was wrong. After I took only a few steps, the old woman waved and said, "Bye Millie". Millie quickly turned, waved and said, "Bye ya old goose!".

So Proud!

We have been teaching Millie about testimonies. We have been explaining to her what a testimony is and the kinds of things you can share in a testimony. Because yesterday was fast Sunday, Millie noticed that all of her friends (the single adults in the ward) were getting up and bearing their testimony. She asked me if she could go up and share hers. I was a little hesitant because we had only been teaching her about them for 2 weeks and only being 2 1/2 years old, I didn't know what she would say. I also didn't want her to get up and be silly or shy and then not want to do it. I want her to share her testimony whenever she wants to, so I didn't want to tell her no. After getting John's attention on the stand and silently mouthing my predicament, he mouthed back that if she wanted to, let her get up. So, when there was a break in the line of students getting up to share their testimony, we hurried up to the front and sat in the chair waiting for our turn. When it was our turn to get up I whispered to Millie another reminder to be brave and reverent because a testimony wasn't silly. We got to the pulpit, I handed Ruth to John, I picked up Millie so that she could speak into the microphone, and then I held my breath. To my shear amazement and joy....this is what I heard:

"I'd like to bear my testimony. I know the Church is true. I love Jesus. I know Jesus loves me. I love the Book of Mormon. I love my Mommy and my Daddy and my baby Roofie. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

We were so proud of her! The room was silent as the sweet words came out of her mouth. John said that he almost teared up because it was so special. She is growing up so fast. I can already see that any day now, I am going to wake up and find that she is already a young woman. Until then, I need to make sure I enjoy the everyday moments.

Best Dream Ever!!!!

Millie had a late nap Saturday. Not only was it late, but it was long. Like, almost 4 hours long. Millie has always been a champion napper, but sometimes we have to wake her up so that she will go to sleep at night. When we realized that her nap was reaching the 4 hour mark, John went into her room to wake her up. I could hear them talking for a while and then they came out. John had the following conversation with Millie:

John: Wake up Millie

Millie: Hi, Daddy.

John: You slept for a long time. What did you dream about?

Millie: Jesus.

John: Oh, you did? What did you do with Jesus?

Millie: We played hide and seek. Jesus tickled me and He was funny.

John: Did you have fun playing with Jesus?

Millie: Yes. Jesus is my friend. He loves me.

I don't know about you, but to me that sounds like the best dream ever! I have no doubt that Millie, and all children everywhere, still have a really close relationship with Jesus. I am grateful that He loves little children so much. His love for them leads me to believe that He also has a sense of humor. At least I hope so. Why, do you ask? Because that night while Millie was saying her bedtime prayer, she said; "Please bless Daddy poop, Mommy poop, and Roofie poop".

Potty trained before three....good job Millie!

MILLIE IS COMPLETELY POTTY TRAINED!!!!!!!! It's about time. I was hoping to have her potty trained by 2, but now she is 2 1/2. I have been trying to get her potty trained for almost a year. Was I faithfully diligent in trying to potty train her every day over the last year.....no. So I certainly am partially responsible for how long it has taken. I had just tried everything I could think of and it didn't seem to work. I even made it super comfortable for her on the toilet and let her play games. Still.....nothing. So you could say I mentally gave up and was not going to push it anymore. However, about four weeks ago, after a trip to Grandma and Grandpa Goodell's, I decided that it was time to put on my game face and put more effort into getting her potty trained. Well, after hours of sitting by her while she sat on the potty, asking her every 5 minutes if she had to go, finding her hiding under the table after going in her panties, rushing her to the toilet, and countless underwear scrubbing sessions in the bathroom sink, it finally just made sense to her. I am so proud of her!!! We don't even have any accidents during the night. (knock on wood) She wakes up every morning and tells me she has to go potty. She even holds it when we are out of the house shopping, at Church, or just driving around, until I can get her to a bathroom. She is so proud of herself when she goes in her potty. She calls it her "potty train". Way to go Millie!!!! You really are a BIG GIRL now!

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LDS Business College

Be advised that because this is somewhat of a journal, my thoughts may ramble on. So, every once in a while I get a call from LDS Business College to have an interview, or to come and speak with some of the students about my time there at the college. In fact, if you were to Google "Rebekah Barlow", you can read one of the articles written about my family. Anyway, several weeks ago, I got a call to come and speak on an Alumni panel for their career day. It was this morning. I talked with students about my time there and how they could make the most of their experience. John and the girls came with me. My Mom came to watch, as well as my niece who is currently enrolled at LDSBC. They are having classes and presentations all day long from business owners and executives. We were asked to send in a picture and a professional biography. I just chuckled and thought that I better make up a "professional" biography quickly and get it in. You can read it below.

LDSBC has always been a big deal for my family. My parents saw the value in attending this amazing institution before going on to a 4 year college. We were able to get in, get out and move forward with a solid degree. Eleven of my brothers and sisters graduated from LDSBC with a degree in Accounting. (In fact, we all took accounting from the same professor.) They then went on to BYU to get their 4 year degree in both Accounting and Business. There would have been 12 Barlow's, but I have a handicapped older brother who did not go. I was on my way down the "4 year accounting degree path" when after one semester at BYU, I fell in love with the man of my dreams and got married. I felt that it was more important for me to keep my great paying job at the Church Office Building, stick with my 2 year degree in Accounting and Business, and put my husband through school so he didn't have to work. This has been a great blessing for our family. This April, John will be graduating with his Master's while everyone else who started with him will only be graduating with a Bachelor's. We have been very fortunate that John has been able to put all of his focus into his schooling.

Back to LDSBC, my oldest brother Gary was Student Body President during his time there. My third oldest sister Michelle, was the first woman Student Body President in almost 100 years. I had two other brothers, Josh and Jonathan, who were voted as Mr. LDSBC during different years. All of my other siblings were very involved in some way or another. The Barlow name was certainly a part of the school long before I got there. In fact, there is a picture of my family hanging there at the school. There is also a picture of me hanging in one of the commons areas, which I think is kind of funny. I think it's there because when it was my turn, I too wanted to be highly involved. During my time at LDS Business College, I was Student Body Vice President, won the first ever LDSBC Idol and was voted "Woman of the Year" by the students and faculty. I helped organize all the activities, ran several committees, planned service projects and helped with many of the devotionals and Alumni dinners. I had a wonderful time at LDS Business College and feel that much of who I am today is because of my experience there.

LDS Business College means a lot to me and my family. It will always be a part of our family legacy. LDS Business College is currently celebrating 125 years of experience. Congratulations LDSBC! You have touched many lives!

Rebekah Barlow Guymon

Rebekah Barlow Guymon was born on July 13, 1984 in Bountiful Utah. Rebekah is the youngest of twelve children. In 2002, after high school graduation, Rebekah decided to be the 11^th Barlow child to attend LDS Business College. While attending LDS Business College, Rebekah was on the Student Council, was the first ever LDSBC Idol and voted “Woman of the Year” by her peers. Rebekah graduated in 2005 with an associate’s degree in both Accounting and Business. Using the experience gained at LDS Business College, Rebekah went on to work in the Correlation Department at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake. She served a full time LDS mission in Warsaw, Poland between 2005-2007. Upon returning home from her mission, Rebekah worked in the Church’s Human Resource Department as an assistant to the Director of Compensations and the Director of International Services. In July of 2007, while still working in the Human Resource Department, her future father-in-law Ron Guymon, who was a Director in HR, set Rebekah up with his son. On Feb 1, 2008, Rebekah and John Guymon were married in the Salt Lake Temple. After about a year and a half, Rebekah moved over to the Administration Building to work in the Seventies Office as an administrative assistant to the Secretary of the Seventy and Presidency of the Seventy. On May 23, of 2009, Rebekah “retired” from working at the Church to give birth to her first daughter, Millie Jane Guymon. On August 5, 2011, Rebekah had her second daughter, Ruth Ashley Guymon. Rebekah and her husband live in Provo, UT while her husband John finishes his Master’s degree in Civil Engineering at Brigham Young University.