I love the cutest blog on the block website. My sister in law first told me about it and I love it!! Who doesn't want a cute blog?? I may not ever post, but in just a few seconds I can transform my look to something completely new. When I first was playing with it back in the fall I was so excited thinking about the future holidayish possibilities. I couldn't wait for Christmas, birthdays, election day, etc... Now I know that I just changed it from the Christmas background on Jan. 22 but it was only to keep consistent with the rest of my holiday decor that actually still isn't put away.
Since discovering this, it's also made me wish that I had the same powers in my home. I dream of a button I could push to change the paint colors, re-arrange the furniture and put up holiday decor. A place where I could pick out a style from a million template choices. Maybe someday, maybe somehow, if only, if only..
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Thursday, December 11, 2008
ICE!!!
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| Make a Smilebox slideshow |
I'm having the best time having another adult around the pad during the day. Angey is so so helpful, more to come later about our adventures but here is a slideshow of our day at ICE! Angey was sad to see that there were no gold coats this year but only blue. Mallory came with us and was a trooper, she was all bundled up and snoozed away. I did give her the grace of sporting the blue coat on top of her stroller so she wouldn't feel left out. This is my first experiment using smilebox. I'm not sure how it will work. I only wanted a free design so you get the advertisement plug on the side and a neat snowman show at the begining.
Friday, December 05, 2008
I'll paint you a picture
It seems to be the most exciting times in my life are never captured with the camera because I lack the third hand to capture the shot. So instead I'll try to describe three times in the last week that I wish I had a picture of. Not because they were positive or glorious but so that I can remember that hard(or embarassing) times always pass.
Scene 1: Thanksgiving morning. Chris leaves for the Turkey Bowl early so that he can grab the donuts on his way. A quick kiss on the cheek, an I'll see you soon and a be sure to dress warm it's cold outside is what I get from him. Fast forward 30 minutes: Me and the kids unload, they take off running to cheer on their dad, I lag behind with Mallory in tow. We get to the game, I sit down catch my breath and realize that there are no other wives, there are no other children and that it's not very cold outside. I guess nobody here goes to watch, unlike other places I've lived. Did I really want to go, no, but I also didn't want to be the only unsupportive spouse. So there I sat with my children all dressed in our abominable snowmen outfits like the little brother in the movie "The Christmas Story" in the very nice and warm weather outside. At least we got a donut at the end.
Scene 2: Monday morning Mason starts with some non-stop coughing. It never ended. His nose was running non-stop, he had a fever and I had to make a trip to Wal-greens to stalk up on our cold supplies. The Dr. suggested a cool mist humidifier and in desperation to avoid taking him in for a breathing treatment I decided that after 4 kids it was time to buy one. While Charlotte was at piano I decided to make the trip since I'd only be outnumbered 3:1 instead of the normal 4:1. I can't convince Mason to walk (he really was feeling crappy) so in the little drugstore cart he goes. This only means that I have to carry Mallory in her lug-a-dug carseat, push the cart with 1 hand, and hope Rozlyn (dressed in her ballet clothes with tap shoes on) stays right besides me. So there we are making a huge scence, loading our cart with a humidifier, some otc drugs, a few boxes of tissues and a package of pull-ups, with Roz tapping every step of the way.
Scence 3: I'm at Hobby Lobby. You'd think that after my Wal-greens trauma that I wouldn't have left the house again for a week but I only lasted two days and I had to get back out. I thought that with Pet-Co next door as bribery Mason was sure to behave. We had the double stroller with Mallory and Mason and I had to carry one of those little tiny baskets. This should have really limited the amount of stuff I could buy but it didn't. Then I saw the garland I'd been wanting was on sale. My lucky day!! Why I thought shoving 27 feet of thick garland in a little tiny basket would work is beyond me but it doesn't mean I didn't go after it with a valiant effort. After failing miserably, I had an overfull basket, some stacked on top of the stroller so I coudln't see my children or the path ahead and an armfull as well. By a miracle I made it through checkout. All I had to do was load the van, to bad there was so much wind. Mallory's blankie blew away twice, and Mason's coat flew away once, all three times I abandoned kids and merchandise to chase after them. Every time I look at my beautiful stairs I'll remember my Hobby Lobby moment and the garland that was on sale that couldn't wait. (and also, the bribery didn't work, we had plenty of tantrums in the store to deal with as well)
Scene 1: Thanksgiving morning. Chris leaves for the Turkey Bowl early so that he can grab the donuts on his way. A quick kiss on the cheek, an I'll see you soon and a be sure to dress warm it's cold outside is what I get from him. Fast forward 30 minutes: Me and the kids unload, they take off running to cheer on their dad, I lag behind with Mallory in tow. We get to the game, I sit down catch my breath and realize that there are no other wives, there are no other children and that it's not very cold outside. I guess nobody here goes to watch, unlike other places I've lived. Did I really want to go, no, but I also didn't want to be the only unsupportive spouse. So there I sat with my children all dressed in our abominable snowmen outfits like the little brother in the movie "The Christmas Story" in the very nice and warm weather outside. At least we got a donut at the end.
Scene 2: Monday morning Mason starts with some non-stop coughing. It never ended. His nose was running non-stop, he had a fever and I had to make a trip to Wal-greens to stalk up on our cold supplies. The Dr. suggested a cool mist humidifier and in desperation to avoid taking him in for a breathing treatment I decided that after 4 kids it was time to buy one. While Charlotte was at piano I decided to make the trip since I'd only be outnumbered 3:1 instead of the normal 4:1. I can't convince Mason to walk (he really was feeling crappy) so in the little drugstore cart he goes. This only means that I have to carry Mallory in her lug-a-dug carseat, push the cart with 1 hand, and hope Rozlyn (dressed in her ballet clothes with tap shoes on) stays right besides me. So there we are making a huge scence, loading our cart with a humidifier, some otc drugs, a few boxes of tissues and a package of pull-ups, with Roz tapping every step of the way.
Scence 3: I'm at Hobby Lobby. You'd think that after my Wal-greens trauma that I wouldn't have left the house again for a week but I only lasted two days and I had to get back out. I thought that with Pet-Co next door as bribery Mason was sure to behave. We had the double stroller with Mallory and Mason and I had to carry one of those little tiny baskets. This should have really limited the amount of stuff I could buy but it didn't. Then I saw the garland I'd been wanting was on sale. My lucky day!! Why I thought shoving 27 feet of thick garland in a little tiny basket would work is beyond me but it doesn't mean I didn't go after it with a valiant effort. After failing miserably, I had an overfull basket, some stacked on top of the stroller so I coudln't see my children or the path ahead and an armfull as well. By a miracle I made it through checkout. All I had to do was load the van, to bad there was so much wind. Mallory's blankie blew away twice, and Mason's coat flew away once, all three times I abandoned kids and merchandise to chase after them. Every time I look at my beautiful stairs I'll remember my Hobby Lobby moment and the garland that was on sale that couldn't wait. (and also, the bribery didn't work, we had plenty of tantrums in the store to deal with as well)
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
30 and 2.5 weeks!!
Me with my kung fu face and Po, in the driveway, when I drove up I thought I was coming to collect him as a birthday present.
Finally 30!! Now 30 and 2.5 weeks since it took me so long to post about this. So far in life my age hasn't bothered me. In fact I've always looked forward to getting older like I did when I was a little kid. I've always been immature, so a bigger number has to help my cause. Or maybe it's because as a youth leader I'm often mistaken for one of the youth (like being asked to dance when I was chaperoning).
Anyway, my birthday was the best, so much fun!! I'd been showered with presents all week, that had to stay unopened but that I could look at to get me excited. On Wednesday, two days before, one of my presents went missing. It ended up being a real scavenger hunt, better then Chris could have planned because Mr. Mason put it in an unknown spot and wouldn't offer us any clues. We searched all night, everywhere, before giving up. I could see the panic in his eyes. It was found late Thursday afternoon in the bottom of the toy cabinet.
Birthday day started with the usual breakfast in bed. For lunch I went to Papa Murphey's and got myself two large take-n-bakes to eat by myself. It seems so glutinous, but I couldn't decide which kind I wanted so I had to get two and heck, it was my birthday. Chris then called and told me he was taking a half day and on his way home. Happy Birthday to me! I got to go out alone, he picked the kids up from school, decorated the house, made me a cake, etc. I told him that if nothing else happened the rest of the day that I'd be perfectly satisfied, I really was having the best day!!
Thursday night he started his quest to find a babysitter so he could take me out Friday night. He called alot of girls who said no. I coudln't watch the rejection any longer so then I called a few. I started to get angry because no one was available and I felt like telling people it was my birthday and guilting them into it, but I didn't. Come to find out all of the babysitters were busy watching my friends kids so they could come to my big SUPRISE party. Friday he found a sweet lady from the ward who he said called and offered because she saw it was my birthday. He told me he had a fun place to take me and the only clue he'd offer is that there'd be people we knew there and that we were going to get our pictures taken. I guess he knew how mad I'd be if I showed up in my sweatpants without makeup to a house full of 30 people for my party looking like a slob. Well played Chris.
The suprise really was a big suprise. He was so tricky. It was so much fun to see lots of friends, eat really good food. Chris was the star party planner covering every detail, keeping it hush, ordering the cake. Should I be worried about just how deceiving he was?? The suprise made me feel so loved, to know that he wanted my day to be special and was willing to go through all the effort to make it happen, having to think way ahead of time. Thanks to everyone who contributed, to those who stole every possible babysitter so they could make it, I'm sp glad you were all there, to Amy for being the most excellent hostess complete with delcious food(I even showed up to her house during my alone time and she had to clear everything out, the cake, balloons, food, I even opened her fridge wandered around, went into the garage and she showed no signs of panic), to Jon for sacrificing your driveway so Po could join us, to Sarah for being the photographer, for all the gag gifts and good gifts alike, for the well wishers that couldn't make it, and mostly to Chris for making it all happen, you win husband of the year - hands down!
Busted!!
Still suprised!!
Embarrassed that there was a montage of old pictures and scrapbook pages on display. This was Chris's idea and he had rounded them all up, I didn't even know that he knew where I kept the stash.
Chris posing with his decoy he used to get us to the party.
Monday, November 03, 2008
Halloween, Airplane Ride, Daylight Savings Rip-Off
Halloween was so fun. I'm feeling sad that it's already over and that we don't get to celebrate for another 363 days. I almost took the decorations down this morning but decided it could wait a few more days. We had so much fun dressing up and got alot of attention out trick or treating. Let's just say that we got the star treatment and our friends, not so much. We made many poor political jokes along the way, (i.e. re-distributing the candy when we got home), even posed for some pictures and shook many hands. So the long awaited pictures.
From left to right: Joe B. - Liz (she was Barack and looked awesome but got to hot in the mask) Barack - Clint, John - Chris and Sarah - me!
I don't know if I like the kiss, the thumbs-up or the inappropriateness of it all better.
Saturday morning Chris was out helping a family move when our friends called to ask if he wanted to go on a "joy" ride. Private planes really do scare me, I've heard so many stories about plane accidents. I asked him not to die, gave him a kiss and away he went with a smile on his face. When he came home (yea!!) he showed me some pictures and video of the landing with that fancy newly discovered record button. Chad, his friend, was in the pilot's seat. What?? This was his friend whose previous flying experience involved a remote control airplane that he managed to crash into a lone standing tree in a large field. Chris could see the look of panic on my face. He's such a dare devil who thinks he's invincible and only fear in life is being buried alive. Completely the opposite of me, I could go on the Dr. Phil show for all of my worries. I'm glad he had fun and survived!
I'm still filling ripped-off by dalight savings. The one free hour of sleep I'm entitled to a year was overshadowed by Mallory's baby blessing, company in town, and getting four kids plus myself ready for church by 9:00. Did we really get an extra hour, because I totally missed out. I didn't even get to look cute for my big comeback, I looked gross. I wish we could re-do this next weekend. Mallory on the other hand looked beautiful and Chris gave her an awesome blessing.
From left to right: Joe B. - Liz (she was Barack and looked awesome but got to hot in the mask) Barack - Clint, John - Chris and Sarah - me!
I don't know if I like the kiss, the thumbs-up or the inappropriateness of it all better.
Saturday morning Chris was out helping a family move when our friends called to ask if he wanted to go on a "joy" ride. Private planes really do scare me, I've heard so many stories about plane accidents. I asked him not to die, gave him a kiss and away he went with a smile on his face. When he came home (yea!!) he showed me some pictures and video of the landing with that fancy newly discovered record button. Chad, his friend, was in the pilot's seat. What?? This was his friend whose previous flying experience involved a remote control airplane that he managed to crash into a lone standing tree in a large field. Chris could see the look of panic on my face. He's such a dare devil who thinks he's invincible and only fear in life is being buried alive. Completely the opposite of me, I could go on the Dr. Phil show for all of my worries. I'm glad he had fun and survived!
I'm still filling ripped-off by dalight savings. The one free hour of sleep I'm entitled to a year was overshadowed by Mallory's baby blessing, company in town, and getting four kids plus myself ready for church by 9:00. Did we really get an extra hour, because I totally missed out. I didn't even get to look cute for my big comeback, I looked gross. I wish we could re-do this next weekend. Mallory on the other hand looked beautiful and Chris gave her an awesome blessing.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
My Record Lengthy Post
Go ahead and skip to whatever is of interest to you
Good laughs from Roz (1st - I'm starving her, 2nd - Not everything with nipples can be milked)
Cleaning with newspaper
The record button
I get by with a little help from my friends
Halloween
I voted
Good laughs from Roz:
1st - Rozlyn has turned into a new kid since starting school. She has always been so sweet and helpful around the house. Let me just say that someone else is currently living in her body. Where did my Rozlyn go?? Please, please come back!! Until then I guess I can amuse myself with her stories. Yesterday morning she refused to eat her delicious breakfast of cream of wheat because it wasn't what she wanted. She does like it and eats it all the time but was being so stubborn. After school she told me how hungry she was because she missed snack. I ask where she was during snack to which she replied - the nurses office. I guess she went for a stomach ache, the nurse asked if she was hungry, Rozlyn said "Yes", she asked if she ate breakfast, Rozlyn said "No", she asked what was for breakfast, Rozlyn said "nothing", did your mom give you breakfast, "no". You get the idea. Thanks for painting a sweet picture of me.
2nd - My friend called after dropping off Rozlyn to report a funny story. Poor Chris is kind of the victim in this one. Rozlyn was talking about how Mallory takes a bottle from Chris. Since she's such a chatterbox you always get alot more information then necessary. She said how Mallory doesn't like the milk from Chris because it's so hairy. Liz was confused and tried to clarify the "hairy" part, to which Rozyn summed up "You know hairy, because he's got hairy boobs" Contrary to Greg Faulker in Meet the Parents Rozlyn has yet to learn that no, you can't milk everything with nipples.
Cleaning with Newspaper
Cleaning glass/mirrors with newspaper really does work the best. I've heard this a million times but have never tried it. I always stuck with my paper towels and always had streaks no matter how hard I tried. I'm the biggest fan of the newspapers, it made me so happy, I'm so glad I tried it. Just windex, wad up some newspaper and away you go. It's amazing.
The record button
My handy dandy digital camera takes video. I know I'm Wilma Flinstone when it comes to technology so I'm strictly a point and shoot kind of girl. Who cares what all those buttons are for, I'll never need them because I'll never know how to use them. Each time I get a new "toy" I have great intentions to read the users manual and get full use out of the product. So today at Mason's Halloween parade, he was being hilarious. He was walking so so so slow, with his eyes closed. I guess he thought that if he couldn't see us we couldn't see him. He was the leader of the line and that line wasn't going anywhere! He kept walking in the wrong direction and crashed into a chair before being redirected. He even was waving with his eyes closed. I was dying of laughter watching him and wishing so badly that I had brought a video camera to capture the priceless moment. When I mentioned this to my friends they told me my camera could probably do it and voila, we've got video. It didn't start until they were making their third loop, I also let it run to long and ignore my voice of excitement at my newly acquired skill. Mason is the "grazing" giraffe in front with his eyes closed and being held by the teacher (to speed the parade up).
I get by with a little help from my friends:
Or alot. I am surrounded by the best friends. They have been so generous of their time in helping me before and after having this baby. I've always been a social girl and depend more then my fair share on the friends. I really didn't see my kids for two weeks after I got home. My friend Liz who carpools with me refused to let my drive or pickup for three weeks, I was granted privileges back only after begging, I didn't cook for a month and the list goes on and on.
Today my car wouldn't start and of course I freaked out because I thought the world might end if Mason missed his Halloween parade. My friend Heidi graciously packed up her son, came way out of her way and hauled me, Mallory, car seat, car seat base, huge diaper bag, Mason, booster seat, huge school bag with lunch box and nap mat to his school which was way out of her way. She knows I'm crazy but never mentioned it once or made me feel bad. (She also took Mason last Friday so me and my girls could go to a birthday party and see the topless Zac Efron in HSM3. It went long and she kept him for an extra hour hauling him around on her errands.) I digress...she dropped me off at his school and even offered to come back and get me when it was over. I passed because how much can I put one person out in a day. So there I was with all of my gear on the sidewalk looking like a hobo because I knew Tanya was inside and without asking her knew she'd be willing to take me home when it was over, because she does anything and everything for me whenever I need it. She even boiled chicken for me once because she knew I prefered it over canned. What a friend!
Fall is my favorite time of the year. Since Mallory was brand new when the season started Debbie hooked me up with loads of cute Halloween things so my home could be festive when I wasn't up to it. If there is anything cute or well decorated in my house it is because Debbie has held my hand and performed a rescue mission to help me along. She's amazing, you can check out more of her stuff on her blog and just look at my entry way, I'm in love with it!!
There's a million more kind stories not listed here. So to each of my friends those mentioned, and so so many more, I say thanks. I've been brought to tears with the kindness you've shown to me.
Halloween:
Speaking of Halloween, just look at these adorable kids. Charlotte was Fairy Vidia. She was so happy to have sparkly hair and high heels. Rozlyn was me, a mom. I love making the kids costumes but couldn't commit this year. I told Rozlyn I'd buy her one instead and gave her a million choices. She just kept saying she wanted to be a mom. The good news is that it was totally free!! We were also all glad the Mrs. Brady wig made a comeback for a 2nd year. Mason saw this Giraffe costume in Babies R Us back in August when he had his pictures taken. It was love at first sight. I tried to distract him with many other possibilities but with no success. Why?? I don't know but I think I'm the nicest mom in the world for buying it, I mean really a giraffe, why??
I voted:
I did it!! This was such a hard decision for me. It seems like such a no-brainer for everyone else, they love Obama or they love McCain. I myself was more of a fence sitter, unimpressed with either candidate. I knew I wanted to vote and needed to do it early but couldn't find the motivation to do it. McCain is certain to win Texas so why go through the effort when I have little love for both men. If I keep my vote secret then it really won't make a difference but if I share who I picked and why, put a sign in my yard then maybe it will. In the end, I voted for John McCain. I was a little emotional in line to vote, I felt a great deal of grattitude for this nation and that we all get the right to vote. Democracy is a blessing and I'm proud to be an American, there's no fence sitting on that.
Good laughs from Roz (1st - I'm starving her, 2nd - Not everything with nipples can be milked)
Cleaning with newspaper
The record button
I get by with a little help from my friends
Halloween
I voted
Good laughs from Roz:
1st - Rozlyn has turned into a new kid since starting school. She has always been so sweet and helpful around the house. Let me just say that someone else is currently living in her body. Where did my Rozlyn go?? Please, please come back!! Until then I guess I can amuse myself with her stories. Yesterday morning she refused to eat her delicious breakfast of cream of wheat because it wasn't what she wanted. She does like it and eats it all the time but was being so stubborn. After school she told me how hungry she was because she missed snack. I ask where she was during snack to which she replied - the nurses office. I guess she went for a stomach ache, the nurse asked if she was hungry, Rozlyn said "Yes", she asked if she ate breakfast, Rozlyn said "No", she asked what was for breakfast, Rozlyn said "nothing", did your mom give you breakfast, "no". You get the idea. Thanks for painting a sweet picture of me.
2nd - My friend called after dropping off Rozlyn to report a funny story. Poor Chris is kind of the victim in this one. Rozlyn was talking about how Mallory takes a bottle from Chris. Since she's such a chatterbox you always get alot more information then necessary. She said how Mallory doesn't like the milk from Chris because it's so hairy. Liz was confused and tried to clarify the "hairy" part, to which Rozyn summed up "You know hairy, because he's got hairy boobs" Contrary to Greg Faulker in Meet the Parents Rozlyn has yet to learn that no, you can't milk everything with nipples.
Cleaning with Newspaper
Cleaning glass/mirrors with newspaper really does work the best. I've heard this a million times but have never tried it. I always stuck with my paper towels and always had streaks no matter how hard I tried. I'm the biggest fan of the newspapers, it made me so happy, I'm so glad I tried it. Just windex, wad up some newspaper and away you go. It's amazing.
The record button
My handy dandy digital camera takes video. I know I'm Wilma Flinstone when it comes to technology so I'm strictly a point and shoot kind of girl. Who cares what all those buttons are for, I'll never need them because I'll never know how to use them. Each time I get a new "toy" I have great intentions to read the users manual and get full use out of the product. So today at Mason's Halloween parade, he was being hilarious. He was walking so so so slow, with his eyes closed. I guess he thought that if he couldn't see us we couldn't see him. He was the leader of the line and that line wasn't going anywhere! He kept walking in the wrong direction and crashed into a chair before being redirected. He even was waving with his eyes closed. I was dying of laughter watching him and wishing so badly that I had brought a video camera to capture the priceless moment. When I mentioned this to my friends they told me my camera could probably do it and voila, we've got video. It didn't start until they were making their third loop, I also let it run to long and ignore my voice of excitement at my newly acquired skill. Mason is the "grazing" giraffe in front with his eyes closed and being held by the teacher (to speed the parade up).
I get by with a little help from my friends:
Or alot. I am surrounded by the best friends. They have been so generous of their time in helping me before and after having this baby. I've always been a social girl and depend more then my fair share on the friends. I really didn't see my kids for two weeks after I got home. My friend Liz who carpools with me refused to let my drive or pickup for three weeks, I was granted privileges back only after begging, I didn't cook for a month and the list goes on and on.
Today my car wouldn't start and of course I freaked out because I thought the world might end if Mason missed his Halloween parade. My friend Heidi graciously packed up her son, came way out of her way and hauled me, Mallory, car seat, car seat base, huge diaper bag, Mason, booster seat, huge school bag with lunch box and nap mat to his school which was way out of her way. She knows I'm crazy but never mentioned it once or made me feel bad. (She also took Mason last Friday so me and my girls could go to a birthday party and see the topless Zac Efron in HSM3. It went long and she kept him for an extra hour hauling him around on her errands.) I digress...she dropped me off at his school and even offered to come back and get me when it was over. I passed because how much can I put one person out in a day. So there I was with all of my gear on the sidewalk looking like a hobo because I knew Tanya was inside and without asking her knew she'd be willing to take me home when it was over, because she does anything and everything for me whenever I need it. She even boiled chicken for me once because she knew I prefered it over canned. What a friend!
Fall is my favorite time of the year. Since Mallory was brand new when the season started Debbie hooked me up with loads of cute Halloween things so my home could be festive when I wasn't up to it. If there is anything cute or well decorated in my house it is because Debbie has held my hand and performed a rescue mission to help me along. She's amazing, you can check out more of her stuff on her blog and just look at my entry way, I'm in love with it!!
There's a million more kind stories not listed here. So to each of my friends those mentioned, and so so many more, I say thanks. I've been brought to tears with the kindness you've shown to me.
Halloween:
Speaking of Halloween, just look at these adorable kids. Charlotte was Fairy Vidia. She was so happy to have sparkly hair and high heels. Rozlyn was me, a mom. I love making the kids costumes but couldn't commit this year. I told Rozlyn I'd buy her one instead and gave her a million choices. She just kept saying she wanted to be a mom. The good news is that it was totally free!! We were also all glad the Mrs. Brady wig made a comeback for a 2nd year. Mason saw this Giraffe costume in Babies R Us back in August when he had his pictures taken. It was love at first sight. I tried to distract him with many other possibilities but with no success. Why?? I don't know but I think I'm the nicest mom in the world for buying it, I mean really a giraffe, why??
I voted:
I did it!! This was such a hard decision for me. It seems like such a no-brainer for everyone else, they love Obama or they love McCain. I myself was more of a fence sitter, unimpressed with either candidate. I knew I wanted to vote and needed to do it early but couldn't find the motivation to do it. McCain is certain to win Texas so why go through the effort when I have little love for both men. If I keep my vote secret then it really won't make a difference but if I share who I picked and why, put a sign in my yard then maybe it will. In the end, I voted for John McCain. I was a little emotional in line to vote, I felt a great deal of grattitude for this nation and that we all get the right to vote. Democracy is a blessing and I'm proud to be an American, there's no fence sitting on that.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
My troubles
1. Why am I wired and wide awake all morning when Mallory is sound asleep and I'm home alone and when it's 3:00 and on, all the kids are home, I'm dead tired and really need a nap. I even just laid down buy Mal because I know I'll be exhausted later on but got bored because I'm not sleepy right now. Any really boring books to recommend those usually put me to sleep no matter what time of day it is.
2. I've given up my #1 BYU fan status for the night. They're in Fort Worth and I'm not going. I never thought the day would come. My world's greatest husband even offered to go with me, sit in some parking lot with Mallory and text me when she got hungry so I could run out and feed her. Can you believe the sacrifice he was willing to make for me? To ease my sadness I'm enjoying the game in the comfort of my own home and treating myself to some pizza. The trouble is I can't decide if I should just do pizza or get some wings to go with it and am not sure where I should order it from. Seems dumb but honestly I've been thinking about it all morning (every time I remind myself of the game).
3. Should I vote for Joe the Plumber or Joe Six-pack?
I do realize that I have a really really great life for which I feel extremely blessed when these are my top three problems for the day.
2. I've given up my #1 BYU fan status for the night. They're in Fort Worth and I'm not going. I never thought the day would come. My world's greatest husband even offered to go with me, sit in some parking lot with Mallory and text me when she got hungry so I could run out and feed her. Can you believe the sacrifice he was willing to make for me? To ease my sadness I'm enjoying the game in the comfort of my own home and treating myself to some pizza. The trouble is I can't decide if I should just do pizza or get some wings to go with it and am not sure where I should order it from. Seems dumb but honestly I've been thinking about it all morning (every time I remind myself of the game).
3. Should I vote for Joe the Plumber or Joe Six-pack?
I do realize that I have a really really great life for which I feel extremely blessed when these are my top three problems for the day.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Funny Journal Stories
I have a little journal I keep for each kid where I write down all the funny things they say and do and big life accomplishments. We spend lots of Sunday's reading them outloud and laughing about the crazy things they've done in years prior. Here are two recent Roz stories that were to good to not go public. (and not very PC)
#1
Roz - Mom, if my friends have brown skin does that mean they were born in Mexico??
Mom - Maybe
Roz - so do you think it's a good idea if I see someone with brown skin to say "hola"?
(it made me smile and wonder what her definition of brown skin is, she has every ethnic group in her class and all of their skin is brown, so who knows, there's going to be some confused little cute Indian girl when Roz says "hola" to everytime she sees her.)
#2
Sunday night we were going over the 4th Article of Faith and trying to help the kids remember the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel. They guessed faith, repentance and baptism by immersion but were hung up on the fourth. Chris and I tried to prompt them by singing the song and seeing if they could fill in the blanks. As soon as we got to fourth, laying on...Rozlyn interupts with "a seed" and Chris and I keep singing the right words, laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. Rozlyn said in an excited way "oh I was so close, I guessed laying on a seed, but it was really laying on a pan for the gift of the Holy Ghost". Apparantly her whole life she's heard and thought you had to lay on a pan to get the Holy Ghost. She was sure going to be confused in March at Charlotte's baptism, good thing we could clarify. I now can't get the song out of my head, and of course I have to sing "laying on a pan" because it makes me laugh.
Charlotte now has a journal of her own and those entries are precious as well. Here's what she wrote on Sunday. (I left her spelling and grammer unedited, including her lack of periods, I know she inherited these weaknesses from me)
"Mom had a baby it was a girl her name is Mallory Jane Graham she is adorabel she has a breathing whisler in her throght Dad dosen't like it he said it was to sleep wit her doing it mom loves it she said she always falls asleep with her diong it. she was the tallest one and the chubbiest one dad called her chubs in the hospital. then he stoped and strted calling her malpal thats her nickname now caus every buddy in her family calls her that sometimes I call her Malls but not often"
Maybe I need to get out more but it totally cracked me up.
#1
Roz - Mom, if my friends have brown skin does that mean they were born in Mexico??
Mom - Maybe
Roz - so do you think it's a good idea if I see someone with brown skin to say "hola"?
(it made me smile and wonder what her definition of brown skin is, she has every ethnic group in her class and all of their skin is brown, so who knows, there's going to be some confused little cute Indian girl when Roz says "hola" to everytime she sees her.)
#2
Sunday night we were going over the 4th Article of Faith and trying to help the kids remember the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel. They guessed faith, repentance and baptism by immersion but were hung up on the fourth. Chris and I tried to prompt them by singing the song and seeing if they could fill in the blanks. As soon as we got to fourth, laying on...Rozlyn interupts with "a seed" and Chris and I keep singing the right words, laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. Rozlyn said in an excited way "oh I was so close, I guessed laying on a seed, but it was really laying on a pan for the gift of the Holy Ghost". Apparantly her whole life she's heard and thought you had to lay on a pan to get the Holy Ghost. She was sure going to be confused in March at Charlotte's baptism, good thing we could clarify. I now can't get the song out of my head, and of course I have to sing "laying on a pan" because it makes me laugh.
Charlotte now has a journal of her own and those entries are precious as well. Here's what she wrote on Sunday. (I left her spelling and grammer unedited, including her lack of periods, I know she inherited these weaknesses from me)
"Mom had a baby it was a girl her name is Mallory Jane Graham she is adorabel she has a breathing whisler in her throght Dad dosen't like it he said it was to sleep wit her doing it mom loves it she said she always falls asleep with her diong it. she was the tallest one and the chubbiest one dad called her chubs in the hospital. then he stoped and strted calling her malpal thats her nickname now caus every buddy in her family calls her that sometimes I call her Malls but not often"
Maybe I need to get out more but it totally cracked me up.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
That tricky husband
Yesterday we were hanging out in the kitchen and Chris pulls out an envelope and asks me if I wondered what was in it. Way back when we got our 20 week ultrasound I begged and pleaded to let this baby be a suprise. I'd always found out in the past and knew this might be my last chance to have the suprise. I tried to convince Chris for the 20 weeks prior but he never consented. A week or so before the ultrasound he realized I'd given up my fight to convince him of how fun it would be and he came up with this plan. We have the ultrasound, the tech writes down what it is with a picture and puts it in an envelope for us to take home. This way he could look if he "needed" to and I could be suprised. Part of the deal was that I couldn't know where the envelope was and I couldn't know if he knew or not. A month later I found the envelope, in a drawer all sealed up. I was proud of Chris that he hadn't looked and I guess I convinced myself that he wasn't going to look and kind of forgot about it all together.
So he looked!!! He knew what it was a month early. That rascal, I'm so proud that he was able to know without me ever finding out or leaking any clues at all. The poor guy had to spend many nights up late discussing the impossible boy names. I'm so happy that he was able to know and that I was able to be suprised and it worked out for both of us. What a tricker!!!
Here are some more picutres just for fun. I can't believe it's almost been two weeks!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Presenting Mallory Jane
Here are lots of pictures to introduce you to our newest addition, Mallory Jane. She made it to earth healthy and happy on Monday Sept. 15 at 3:36 p.m. weighing in at 7lbs 14oz and 21 inches. My heart was so full holding my little girl for the first time. The fourth time around was as emotional as the first, probably more so. I got choked up when it was time to start pushing, just knowing I was about to have my baby, that she would soon be safe in my arms. The delivery was the best, I'll share in greater detail in the future. For now here are pictures of what went down.
Pictures taken right after church, before we went to the hospital. (We had a special meeting with President Uchtdorf that day, amazing!!! I was so glad labor held off and I could attend)
Holding Mallory I wondered how she could all fit inside of me and then I see this picture and can see there was plenty of room
Me and my coach. Being induced is such a date!! When else have we had 12 hours with no where to go but to sit there and hang out together? I love this guy!
Our newest arrival all cleaned up
Dr. Leveno with us, he honestly was the best Dr. I'm so glad I found him. (Thanks Amy!)
I love the chubby belly, we were all laughing at her rolls, and check out the size of her extra large juicy cord
The whole gang, it seems like so many people, and they're all mine.
Home and happy.
There's a brief sampling of our joy. So many more to come.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Houston we have a problem!
Hey Houstonians, if any of you need to get away our house is just a short 4-24 hour drive away depending on conditions.(bad joke) It looks like they're telling everyone to hunker down but if you lose power and want to get away you're all more then welcome. We may not be the Holiday Inn but we have clean sheets, warm showers, cold cereal, lizards in our guest bath, air conditioning, clean water, Blue Bell in the freezer and Sprinkles cupcakes close by. So come one, come all and don't hesitate. My big belly is seriously the hurricane tracker, if you want to know when the next big one is going to hit just check out when we're expecting next. My births more accurately predict the hurricanes then those weather guys. Good Luck friends!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Family Pet
So anyone who knows me also knows my fear of all living things other than people. For some reason animals just really scare me. I'm afraid of anything unpredictable startling me. One of my cute friends who I was walking with 6 years ago still has the dog she chased away for me to this day. I know there are many more of you who could tell stories about defending me from the "wild". You're all really better friends because of it! Chris likes to harass me with some article that was in the Ensign a few years back that talked about how we need to learn to love animals on earth because the celestial kingdom will be full of them. I have no comments on that. So a few years back we had our first pet, Vince the goldfish. I'm amazed that I came to love him so much. I don't know my fish well but he had a great personality and we all loved him, even me. The day he died was such a sad one, I didn't know how to tell the kids and how to pay an appropriate tribute to the little guy. It's been a few years since then, the kids continually ask me for a dog, bird, cat, anything. It's funny how kids change you because I've already made an agreement with them that once we're done having babies and everyone in the house is potty trained we can get a pet.
So last Thursday I'm in one of our bathrooms and I see this:
I didn't know what to do with him. Today is his one week birthday of being a member of our family. The kids run in there every day after school to check on him. He only runs down the drain if a shadow crosses him or he hears a loud noise. But don't worry, he soon makes his way out. So while I felt so humane in not closing the drain or turning the faucet on I need to do something more accomadating. Right now he has Mason's toilet seat as his only toy. At some point we'll have guests that need to use that shower. I'm sure at some point the little lizard will need some food. Should he become a part of our family or should Charlotte, not me, find a way to get him outside??
So last Thursday I'm in one of our bathrooms and I see this:
I didn't know what to do with him. Today is his one week birthday of being a member of our family. The kids run in there every day after school to check on him. He only runs down the drain if a shadow crosses him or he hears a loud noise. But don't worry, he soon makes his way out. So while I felt so humane in not closing the drain or turning the faucet on I need to do something more accomadating. Right now he has Mason's toilet seat as his only toy. At some point we'll have guests that need to use that shower. I'm sure at some point the little lizard will need some food. Should he become a part of our family or should Charlotte, not me, find a way to get him outside??
Friday, September 05, 2008
The Proof is in the Pics
It's the final countdown!!! 10 days!!! My emotions really are mixed, there's a part of me that loves being pregnant and I really feel this emptiness when it's over. Of course I'm so thrilled to hold my little one, see what they look like, how they smell, hear their cry sound, look at all their features and assign them to a parent and most of all know what sex it is!!! This really has been so fun keeping it a mystery. I'm glad I did it once. I don't want the baby to be in neutral green/yellow/brown everything so I've resisted shopping beyond the take home outfit (one for each sex). Yesterday I went a little crazy, (remember I had no kids from 9-2) and found myself in the Gymboree Outlet. I guess I accidently stumbled upon it, oops! I now have many neutral items, but still cute, in my possession. When I showed Chris my great finds, I was told to hold onto the receipts because they were fine for a girl but no son of his would be aloud outside the house in them. Why are there such strict rules for boys but we don't care about girls?? It goes beyond clothes and that we dress our girls in blues, it even applies to names, girls can have boy names, but boys can't have girl names. Why can girls be tough, sporty and masculine with low voices but boys can't be wimpy with high voices. I'm off on a tangent now.
Back to names, if you have any suggestions we'll welcome them gladly. Also we welcome any opinions on names we should definately avoid. (and if you feel inclined go ahead and guess the sex, date, weight and any other opinions you have on our newborn)
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
For documentation sake
It's hard to believe that I have two kids in school. Even though Rozlyn was ready two years ago to go with Charlotte I still had a hard time letting her go. I don't know which would make me more weepy, if they were holding onto my leg, crying and not letting go or if they ran in there as confident as can be waving goodbye without looking back. Rozlyn was definately the latter of the two options and I was definately weepy.
Here's the big girl!!
The PTA threw a "Tears and Cheers" party to cover any emotion a mom might be feeling on that first day. I took home a souvenir of tissues with a poem that said
"It's my first day of kindergarten and I'm excited, aren't you?
I'm going to be just fine Mom and Dad and hope that you are too.
But if you find you're missing me and start to shed a tear,
Take this tissue and remember that 2:55 is near!
I thought it was so cute.
Here's Charlotte in her classroom with a real desk!! She feels like a big kid on campus and had no hesitation about walking herself to class (big stuff I know!). I'm pretty sure she was embarassed that I was snaping photos from the hall.
Day 1 complete!!
Here's the big girl!!
The PTA threw a "Tears and Cheers" party to cover any emotion a mom might be feeling on that first day. I took home a souvenir of tissues with a poem that said
"It's my first day of kindergarten and I'm excited, aren't you?
I'm going to be just fine Mom and Dad and hope that you are too.
But if you find you're missing me and start to shed a tear,
Take this tissue and remember that 2:55 is near!
I thought it was so cute.
Here's Charlotte in her classroom with a real desk!! She feels like a big kid on campus and had no hesitation about walking herself to class (big stuff I know!). I'm pretty sure she was embarassed that I was snaping photos from the hall.
Day 1 complete!!
On My Own
Here I am sitting at the computer all alone in the quiet of my house. I just went to the store to buy two things, conditioner and trash bags, it took all of five minutes. I should have spent a little more time in the aisles doing something crazy like buying something on sale just because I could. It's been over 7.5 years since I've enjoyed this kind of luxury/lonliness. It's only been an hour and twenty minutes since I dropped Mason off, I still have 3 hours and forty minutes left. Last week when I took the girls to school I was all sad and emotional. Today Mason distracted me by wetting his pants on the way. It offered a little bit of comic relief and feelings of I can't believe this just happened to distract me a little bit. I quickly stripped him down, wiped him off the best I could and pulled out the handy spare clothes in the van. I guess we'll fake it til we make it or he gets kicked out of school.
Here are some pictures to celebrate my guy, my buddy, my comic relief, my sensitive son who is always showing concern for him mamma. Lately I've been taking lots of deep breaths, not because I'm tired or frustrated but because I can't breath. It never fails that he asks me "mom, are you o.k?", "mom, why did you make that sound?" "mom, whats the matter?". Oh how I love him!!!
Here he his playing in his wrinkly shirt that's been shoved in the corner of the van for a few months waiting for an emergency like we had today.
Here's one more cute picture from his birthday, he was very into making his wish. He was very serious when he told his sisters that they couldn't have a wish, only the birthday boy got one. In case you were wondering what the wish was...to go camping. Would I be the world's best mom or what if I pulled that one off at 9 months pregnant?
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