Don't Lose Your Mind...

Just the Right Amount of Jolly

I'll be brief. I know a lot of people who like looking at pictures 100% more than they like reading. Christmas was fun, Christmas Eve was a blast, and there was snow for all of it. We hope you all had a grand holiday...

We All Fall Down...

Once you’ve been tagged, you have to write a note with 16 random things, shortcomings, facts, habits or goals about you. At the end choose 10 people to be tagged, listing their names and why you chose them. You have to tag the person who tagged you.

1. I expect a lot from people.
2. I love birthdays and holidays and think everyone else should too.
3. Traveling: should've done more of it before I had kids.
4. On the above statement- my biggest personal dream is to go to England for at least two weeks.
5. I get mad at myself for being vain, because it is pointless.
6. Communicating: I need serious help with expressing my feelings. Writing is my only solace and also gives comfort to my friends and family. Otherwise I might be considered weird.
7. Money has created wrinkles and cellulite on my body.
8. I have watched the new Pride & Prejudice about 25 times.
9. I am addicted to playing card games online, and we own a Wii?
10. Food: is a particular addiction for me and I take full advantage when I'm pregnant.
11. Someday I would like to be a veterinarian.
12. Thirteen is my favorite number.
13. School: keeps me busy. Prevents me from my hobby: reading for sport.
14. I don't understand people with ADD/ADHD: which is pretty much every person in my family. Probably explains the lack of communication.
15. I love my family, no really I love my family.
16. Relationships: can't live with them, can't live without them.

Due to the fact that my Aunt Denise tagged me on this one and then proceeded to tag everyone else I know- that leaves me with like three people. So, I tag anyone who reads this, that might be ten people and it might not.

Oops, There Goes Another Year

I honestly feel bad for people who don't have birthdays around the holidays. Some might say that it is awful, I don't agree.

Thank you to everyone who gave me a call, text, sent a card, and all of the above. Some highlights:

1. Heath bought me a Miche Bag (how embarrassing that my husband knows more about me than fashion, I had no idea these bags even existed).

2. Ever since we have moved here three years ago my Mom has given me the EXACT

same birthday card. :)

It was hard to leave our house yesterday, what with all of the snow. My parents took us to dinner at the Zermatt and afterwards we spent the night playing games on our new Wii.
Uneventful- yes but memorable nonetheless.

Thanks again to everyone, for all the nice wishes and love.

Our Sweet Little Alien...

I thought perhaps some select relatives would be interested in this. :)

The first picture of our new baby.

We are not finding out the sex until the day I deliver, but my Aunt already pointed out that it isn't too much of a surprise that we have sex...

Thanksgiving '08- Casper, Wyoming

Proof of our trip to Wyoming to spend the all important Thanksgiving with Heath's family. Lots of people, excellent food (no thanks to me), and entertainment to boot. I hope you all had a great holiday!!

Kalea and McKenzie.

Jesse.

Coleen has no face- we were unable to get a picture of her.

Heather & Isaac.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Went to Bed at 2:00 (am)

My friend Amy turned me into one of those people, last night. Those people who (for whatever reason) choose watching a movie at midnight, over sleep. See the movie if you like the series, because every Twilight fan should. Remember: movies are never as good as books and you will probably enjoy it. Edward is SOOOOOO MUCH better looking in my imagination. Finally- you might want to wait awhile and let the crowds die down a little. I give Twilight 2 out of 5 Cedric Diggorys, I mean Edward Cullens.

39 Again

Happy Birthday to my Dad,

our Friend, and Bumpa...

Ramblings...

I'm sorry for the lack of posts, I've been busy (yes) and there isn't anything to post about. Can you believe I've been debating with myself whether or not I should post anything about the election? I really am glad that it's over. Of course I am elated about Obama winning (I know I said I didn't care- I really did, but you all knew that didn't you?). Good luck to you Mr. President Elect, you're going to need it.

Now for a topic that has been bothering me as of late:

-Proposition 8-

I've tried to have an open mind, but sometimes too much "openness" allows brain spillage. I'm sorry to a majority of people I love for standing strongly against something you stand so strongly for.

I don't understand how people can preach for love and acceptance in this world and at the same time make it impossible for others to realize these things? Against the law to be wed? Don't you think the bigger punishment would be to allow marriage? :) Seriously. Who cares if homosexual people want to find their happily ever after, the same way the rest of us do? Isn't it their right as citizens of this country (just as it is ours) to achieve life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? I want desperately to understand why this is so important to you and why you think it threatens your own marriages... Personally, I think God has more important things to do than sit around worrying about same-sex marriage not while genocide, child-predators, and people trafficking still occur EVERY SINGLE DAY! I wanted to remain neutral, however due to my ignorance and fear of mob-mentality I played a small role in this atrocity.

Peace and love be with you all.

Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee

This is the first Halloween that I have not dressed up, ever. With the busy life I have and the excitement of taking McKenzie trick-or-treating it became last on my priority list. McKenzie had fun taking candy, literally taking candy, from strangers. Not once were the words "Trick-or-Treat" uttered from her lips. Heath and I said it plenty in many failed attempts to get her to say it, oh well maybe next time. Below is a picture of Heath dressed as I don't know- The Grim Reaper? He was really scary.

It's Here...

Maybe I'm the only one who feels this way, but the best part of Halloween as a kid is putting on your costume and parading around the school like nobodies business. Unfortunately those carefree days of the past are gone. I have to go to work today- a classroom full of excited kindergartners will never know the joy of the Elementary School Halloween parade. Quite sad indeed.

Happy Halloween!

The Beginning of Fun...

Amy, Will, McKenzie, & I took a trip to the hottest place in town on Monday. Seriously though, everyone in Heber was at UVU Wasatch Campus enjoying the free and overcrowded festivities held there in light of the upcoming holiday- you guessed it, "wear a ridiculous puffy shirt and/or skirt that makes your diaper fall off" day. Good times were had by all, rest assured. Will looked quite dashing.

Culture is Fun, Not Boring...

Denise, her friend Claudia, and I all went to the Capitol Theater on Monday evening. We saw the most remarkable Opera, Madame Butterfly. To say that the music and singing was beautiful would be an understatement. B.F. Pinkerton's son was played by an actual actor and I don't think there was a person in the audience not captivated by his most impressive performance. He couldn't have been any older than five or six years old and he stole the show!! Thanks Denise for inviting me along, I had a wonderful time.

It's A Birthday.

Happy Birthday Uncle Blaine!

When I think of my Uncle two things come to mind: camping/4wheeling & laughter. Thanks to you (and your wonderful family) for all of your help and here is to many years feeled with the two items mentioned above!!

Duncan

Our family lost a very special member this weekend. Not one person could ever say they were the same after meeting him. Disease afflicted his body but nothing disrupted his radiant personality and ability to make everyone he came in contact with smile. He was a bright spot in all of our lives and will be missed. This person, the boy with the smile.

Where are those D**N sleeping pills...

This is the bright spot in my dull little life (not literally: but I do so look forward to watching The Office every Thursday). I understand the point of "debates" my question to the under thinking over paid fat cats running the networks, "Why must we show the painfully obsolete and irrational conversations assumed to be a political necessity on EVERY SINGLE CHANNEL?" Could we possibly get away with one network showing this horrific display of feather spreading, I think so and I dare anyone to challenge me on this thought. All I want to see is JAM- not PADEN.

Believe It

Disappoint it did not.

The Stork...

It's true. Heath & I are expecting a visit

from this fellow next year. We are so excited! Our second child is due at the beginning of April.

Right now I am 13 weeks. Last week we heard the heart beat for the first time. I think anyone who has been pregnant knows how big of a milestone this is- it makes it real.

Without "jinx"ing it: I have not thrown up once and have had mild nausea- for those of you who know what I went through during my first pregnancy, it's a miracle. Certain people are convinced this is a sign the baby is a boy. I'm not so sure. I will be happy with either, honestly.

McKenzie knows there is a baby in Mommy's tummy but I don't for a second think she has the slightest clue what it means.

Tag, Isn't This What Blogs Are For?

My cousin Jessica (J., that's right friends I have TWO cousins named Jessica and I love them both- of course I would never tell anyone which is my favorite) tagged me. Frankly- she is lucky that I even looked at her blog because lately she has been kind of a slacker when it comes to posting, but who am I to judge. Her blog is one of my favorites to read because of her exceptional creativity. Nothing is worse than tagging someone and them not responding- it means they don't read your very well thought out and time consuming posts, how dare you?!

How To Play This Game of Tag: 1. Post these rules on your blog. 2. List: 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 goals, 3 current obsessions/collections, 3 random surprising facts about yourself. 3. Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names.

I will try not to be too predictable:

Joys:
1. Reading- I couldn't live without it, however lately I have been barely getting by. This has always been a way for me to "escape" to far off places and live in different shoes.
2. My Family- I have to agree with Jessica, there are a lot of people (particularly on one side) to look up to and admire. I always have a good time when we get together. This also includes the family that lives at my house, they are the reason I wake up in the morning- literally, McKenzie is an alarm clock of her own.
3. Games/Movies- I love playing games! I'm not competitive at all- it's true I really could care less if I win or lose. I would love a big family just so that I could play games with people, finally! Surprisingly being an only child doesn't offer a lot of choices as far as partners go. Movies are my favorite pastime besides reading for the same reasons.

Fears:
1. Hair- Mostly I am terrified of being hairy. It is an unfortunate trait that runs high in my genes. Thick, dark, grow like a weed in places you wish it didn't... hair. The razor is my friend.
2. Disability- I like walking, talking, and using my mind. I would be disappointed if I wasn't able to do any one of those things. To be clear: I'm not afraid of people with disabilities.
3. Spiders/E.T.

Goals:
1. Raising my children to be productive members of society.
2. Finishing college- maybe even a master's degree? Who knows.
3. The top 100 novels. Go Denise & Lindsey!!

Obsessions/Collections:
1. The Office.
2. Blogging.
3. McKenzie.

Random Facts:
1. I have two tattoos (Heath was supposed to buy me a third, but he hasn't).
2. The three movies that had an impact on my life are: Schindler's List, Glory, & I Am Legend.
3. I talk to myself a lot.

I hope you learned something about me today, otherwise you just wasted like ten minutes that you will NEVER get back, ever. Ever. After two years of blogging all of my personal thoughts and commenting on everything, none of these things should be surprising. Seriously though- I want to see the Secret Life of Bees and anyone interested should contact me. Shocker Alert, the five people I tag are: Amy Nicoll, Becky, Nicole Rees, Denise, & Annie Ojeda.
I just realized something- I hope Jessica doesn't have a friend named Lindsey Harvey otherwise I smeared egg on my face. Honey- eat oreo cookies for breakfast, lunch, and dinner while metabolism is still on your good side. Good luck at the Girl Scout thing!!

Love It...

Fall is by far one of my favorite things. The aromas, the sites, the weather, the impending arrival of major holidays!! It is reminiscent of home, baking, family, and love. If you ask me- it doesn't last nearly long enough. Happy Autumn...

So True.

Happy Birthday.

I am the worst Granddaughter ever! I didn't forget Granmere's birthday I just forgot to post about it. What a wonderful and amazing person she is, obviously traits that didn't pass on to me?! Plus, she is the only person I can talk politics with (besides Heath) which is a great relief- sometimes it is hard standing on the opposite side of the fence. Granmere thanks for your continued love and support and Happy Birthday.

Saturday Night, It's True I Went Out...

I honestly can't remember when the last time I went "out" on a Saturday night was. My Aunt Denise was gracious enough to invite me along on a music appreciation outing. We attended Abravanel Hall's tribute to Beethoven's Ode to Joy. What an experience! The music lover in me could not help but appreciate the work that went into this performance. The conductor was amazing, the symphony remarkable, and the vocalists were indescribable- really you just had to be there. Thanks Denise for a fantastic night of culture and I really am looking forward to our next adventure!! P.S. Thanks to my parents for watching McKenzie.

It begins...The battle.

I'm never sure what constitutes a blog entry, I've personally come to accept anything in my life that is out of the "ordinary" as exciting and therefore worth sharing. Yesterday my child, my first born used the toilet (I don't mean to flush for the thousandth time a handful of just toilet paper) I mean really used the potty. As a first time parent and someone with limited exposure to toddlers I had no clue how thrilling this could be. This is the start of no diapers and more independence, for everyone involved. Now, seeing as this momentous event took place at our friend Amy's house- who knows if it will ever happen again. Really though, who cares?! At least I know now she is capable, in fact she's a genius. Anyone with experience on this subject is asked to add a comment regarding any potty-training tips/advice for us "new" parents with a two-year old that is obviously interested in the potty. Honestly, we have no clue what we are doing.

Alright, Already...

So I've FINALLY figured out how to achieve getting more than 3 comments on my posts- don't post anything for a week. Becky: Yep. Amy: Yep. I don't like writing much on here- who really cares what my kid's doing or whatever...Somewhere 3 people are actually going to read this. Here's an update on what is going on: I try to work full time at the store (P.S. Mom no laughing). I'm taking 12 credits at UVU (Drawing, Race & Minority Relations, Meteorology, Computers). I have a two year old that is smarter than all get out. Nothing really exciting and no new pictures. Heath is working full time at the restaurant and part time at the flight center. Hopefully our schedule will slow down soon, probably not. Anyway we are grateful for all of the wonderful people in our lives that help us accomplish these many tasks. The only thing to post about are the current political issues facing our great nation and because the majority of you don't see eye-to-eye with me I've decided just to leave it alone. Probably best, people get defensive ("what" you might say? Not me, I'm cool- yeah right) and frankly a little irrational when it comes to some of the topics/people running. It will be interesting. So, that's all for now. I'm done. Hope all is well with everyone. P.S. The holidays are coming up and I'm SUPER excited about taking McKenzie out trick-or-treating for the first time! She of course has no clue what this is and what she will have to endure the night of. Oh well. Everyone wears masks lady, literally (that is my nonchalant way of being "intellectual" and "insightful").

The Secret Life of Bees

One of the few books that has deeply touched me. I am just a little excited to see the movie. Can we say, amazing cast?!

Fuzzy Carnivore Lake, We Had Fun For a Week

The three of us took our annual summer vacation to a little place called Bear Lake. We had a lot of fun and saw a lot of interesting things (people in swimsuits who should not be in swimsuits).

We had a shake almost every night. Of course, I was the only one who gained like 14 pounds because of it. (Totally and completely worth it).

Clearly, the spoon was not working fast enough.