Michael & Whitney Jacob Family

She's having a Birthday, shoot Horray!

2011-12-13T21:40:00.001-07:00

I have been rather terrible at posting on this blog, I guess my other blog amoungst my regular busy life have take over. But I just thought I would do a fun little update. Plus I have some recent videos of my little girl that I think are just adoreable. I know parents tend to be a little biased about their kid being the cutest, but I think she is just so stinkin cute in these I couldn't help but share, and if you don't like them like I do, well, then I guess I am another one of those biased parents :)

On somewhat similar notes, my little baby is gonna be whoppin 1 tomorrow at exactly 8:58am! What? Why? When? How!! ? This year REALLY has gone by way too fast, and all those old cheesy cliques are ringing in my ears of "Time flies when you're having fun!" or "The older you get, the faster time goes!" They make you roll your eyes becasue you hear them so much, but they really are so true, especially for us this past year with our little angel!

So I thought I would share some fun highlight pictures and videos of our little princess in honor of her Birthday! Enjoy!

Only 8 days old!!

First time to go to church! She's so thrilled to go! :)

First smiles, only 4 weeks old!

Already having some attitude! 5 weeks old!

First pony tail! 1 month old!

So stinkin cute!

First Valentines day! 2 and half months old!

Spit bubble pro!

First swing ride! 3 months old!

First time trying solids! 4 and half months old! (don't you love how the sides of her hair all wore off?

First bike ride! 6 months old!

Love that face! :)

She's a good little pooper! :)

And a cute a little puppy!

This was when I thought she'd maybe have curely hair, but probably not...

Loves to clap! :)

Certianly loves to get messy!

And really loves her books!

It's been an absolute wonderful ride with this little stinker this past year! We are so blessed to have her in our lives! Happy Birthday little princess! One year down, many more to go!

Updated Pictures and Marine Graduation

2011-09-30T22:48:00.001-06:00

We made this yummy quiche the other day, and it was oh so yummy, we added spinach, tomatoes, eggs, peppers, and onions and the crust is a rice crust, I think this is by far one of my most very favorite things to have for breakfast...so I thought I would share :-)

In my last post I mentioned that I we went to Mesa Falls, so here are some pictures from our little trip, isn't it beautiful!!?

It made a beautiful rainbow!

Addie loved being in the outdoors

I am so glad we went, it was lots of fun!

Then in other recent news in our little lives, I was able to go to San Diego to see my little baby brother all grown up like and graduate from his intense Marine Boot camp training, here is the third boy back on the left side.

I am so proud of him, it was fun to hear all the interesting stories and times he had there, he's one amazing kid, and not just because he survived the intense camp! (Addie likes his shinny medal :)

Trying on his cool hat :)

This same weekend I also got to see my other little brother who I haven't seen in over two years, because he finally came home from serving a LDS mission in Texas. It was fun to see how grown up he is. My little brothers aren't so little anymore!

After enjoying the graduation ceremonies we enjoyed the beach! It was fun to go, I haven't been at the beach since I was about 10 yrs old

Addie loved it, even though it was super cold! :)

Here she is relaxing on the bed in the hotel, it was a fun little weekend with the family!!

Then on other notes, isn't she so cute? She got some new slippers that she loves to wear, but she is almost too big for them now, she is growing so fast!

She had her 9 month appointment earlier this week and she has gained 2.8 lbs since her 6month appointment up to a whoppin 17.2 lbs being in the 18th percentile. Then she has grown 2 inches to a lovely 27.5 inches being in the 55th percentile. And she has officially been outside of me longer than she was inside me, I can't believe how the time has flown by!

She's wonderful little angel (most of the time) and we feel so honored to be her parents!

Long past due....

2011-09-14T22:12:00.001-06:00

Isn't our little girl just adorable!? I LOVE LOVE her little laugh, I could listen to it ALL day! I couldn't help but share this little goodness.

So I realized it has been a very long time since I have posted on this blog, much apologies. I guess when life picks up and gets going, other things fall behind, and this blog has been one of them.

As a catch up, here is our life in a nutshell the last little while, since I haven't posted in a while!

Michael is amazing, and I am so honored to be his little wifey. He finished the spring semester here at BYU-I the end of July and we have been loving lots more time together now that he isn't in school for this fall semester. He still works full time, and is such a wonderful supporter! Also at the end of July we celebrated our 2nd Anniversary. Since I am Alumni now we got to take part of the BYU-I Alumni Day at Lagoon and got free lunch, 15% off our entry ticket, a free BYU-I hat and chap stick (that they threw out into the crowd and Michael caught), and wonderful trip down memory lane, since we went there together after we graduated from high school and before his mission. We also got to spend the night at a room in the Anniversary Inn, that has amazing fun decorated rooms that are based on a theme, ours was Aphrodite's Court. And to top it all off, this day was also baby free thanks to my lovely sister April, who watched our little girl so we could have a MUCH needed break!

In August we got to have a lovely visit with my Grandma Whatcott that I hadn't seen in over a year, she is such a wonderful lady! Then we also got to see my older brother Russell and his family and my sister Andrea and her little girls. It is so very uplifting to see family, especially since we don't live super close to family, it is nice on occasion to get out a few hours of driving to see some. Then we have been keeping busy with having lots of lovely quality time as a family. Addie was having a hard time getting used to Michael since she rarely saw him with him being gone at work and school all the time, and even when he was home, she was usually sleeping. But now that he is home much more, she has really gotten used to him and much more familiar with him and she sure loves her daddy! Now she can really tell when he isn't home, she'll have me walk her around the house with holding onto my fingers to support her to try and look for him when he is at work, I can tell when she misses him.

I have also been keeping busy on the side with doing crafty creative sort of projects so I don't completely loose my mind doing house wife/mothering related stuff all day. All the stuff I've been making I post on my other blog (which is also partly why I haven't been posting here much), if you care to venture that way, you can click HERE.

We have also been loveling the beautiful weather here. We were going to go camping, but we are a little nervous with taking Addie, so we'll probably push it till next summer. But we were able to take a nice drive to Mesa Falls and see some beautiful water falls. I have never been that close to a water fall that big, and it was so nice to be engulfed in nature. They also have a fun carousel here in town for only $1 rides so we took Addie and she loved it! And if nothing else, we just love going outside, our landlords have a beautiful backyard set up for us and other tenants here to enjoy and we can't help but going out there at least once a day to enjoy the beautiful flowers, ride the swing, and sometimes pick some yummy veggies from the garden. We really couldn't be more blessed with a wonderful place to live while being here. Now to only brace ourselves for winter that will be just around the corner (which hopefully won't come TOO soon!).

Well that's us in a nutshell for the past little while. I will try to write on here better, maybe I will try to make it a goal to write at least once a week, unless there is just isn't really anything that exciting to share about, but then again if I make the goal to post at least once a week that will give me a challenge to have a more exciting life to share :)

Anyway, I hope you have a lovely day! Thanks for stopping by!

Maybe it is, Maybe it isn't...

2011-06-24T22:55:00.000-06:00

Maybe today is my birthday, maybe it isn't. I find birthdays to be a very interesting thing, very interesting part of life. To some it is just another day in their existence, just another day that makes a new complete round of 365 days that they have been on this earth. To others it needs to be the next biggest, bestest, celebration their life has ever known. Based on the age the person is progressing to, it could mean big new steps in their life, while other years are, well...just another year. It is another reminder of how much you haven't fulfilled in your short time on earth, or on opposites ends (depending on how you live) it is a reminder of what a great fulfilling life you have had and how excited you are for the years to come.

They can also be one of those awkward days. Days you might secretly inside wanting to be shouting for joy, wanting a little party for yourself inside your little happy heart- content that you know it's your birthday and you feel happy about it. Or you could be one of those people that secretly keep that date to yourself, but hope that you aren't the only one that remembered this special day for yourself. You hope that you'll have good enough family and friends out there that will be able to remember it and send you birthday wishes without you having to awkwardly remind them, almost as a test to see just how good of a friend they really are. But at the same time, you secretly know that even if they don't remember your birthday, you know they are still a good friend, cuz well, hey- you probably don't remember their birthday either.

Depending on your lifestyle you might also have to deal with the singing and the partying. You might have a big party with cake, ice cream, and minor gift goodies from family, co-workers, or co-students in classes. You might have to stand up in front of lots of people singing to you in the most lovely off key awkwardness that you've ever heard- and have lots of fun enjoy YOU. It could be a day that could make you feel all the more special and glad you're alive, or on extreme opposites it could make you wish you were never alive and you feel like no one cares about you.

For me the days before my birthday are always interesting. I get this build up moment, wondering what it will be like, wondering how many people will remember, how many people will REALLY care to go out of their way to make it special for me- while at the same time trying to feel mature and not expect people to spoil me just because its my birthday, even though I secretly wouldn't mind being spoiled. It is an interesting day out of most days to try not let others actions toward me affect my self esteem, to not let myself feel lower and less than I am because they didn't remember me, while at the same rate learning how to be gracious in my gratitude for those that tried really hard to make it great. Also with our very much sense of entitlement society we live it is hard to not feel like you deserve amazingess for my birthday- but at the same time respecting the fact that it is just another day, and just because I happened to be born on this day doesn't mean I am better and deserve more and better than any other day. Long story short, I have very awkward mixed emotions and feelings about birthdays (well I guess not other's birthdays- i love making it special for others, I just have mixed feelings about my birthday), don't know why, just do. So in sums up of this lovely day, and this awkward rambling post, I will share my birthday with you in a day of pictures, oh and p.s.- it turned out to be a good day, despite all my mixed weird feelings.

Michael gave me my presents the night before since he was going to be gone from home all day, and didn't want to have to make me wait the whole day in anticipation for my presents...

Coming out to get my goodies...

First present- lovely hat looms for all shapes and sizes of heads- I have been wanting a nice set like this for a while, excited to finally get one!

All three movies of Chronicles of Narnia- love them!

A super fancy art set- the box has paint sets for acrylic, oil and water color, has some brushes, a wood and plastic paint mixing pallets, some canvases, and to top it all off- the box is an easel- I am pretty excited, defiantly more motivated now to pick up art work again, and soon!

A jewelry starter kit- something I wouldn't have thought of wanting, but I think it will be fun to experiment in this area (April, any fun ideas would be greatly appreciated :)

A lovely book that looked pretty good: "Mothering with Spiritual Power" by Debra Sansing Woods, excited to read it- I could use all the help I can get!

I know it's old school now days, but I have been really wanting one of these for a while now! It is so nice to be able to play a CD, or listen to the radio and have that extra background noise while Addie and I play in the living room, I think it will definitely help in making my days not feel so quiet and sometimes boring, plus when she gets older, it will be fun to use for having fun little dance parties!

Then this lovely morning, to start off this birthday I actually was greeted by my little girl at 3am, she was so nice in wanting to wish me a happy birthday so early in the morning and have a little snack. I am sure with all her goooing and cooing and crying she must have been wishing me a happy birthday- right?

Well, after getting more sleep after my lovely little girl's greeting, Michael made this lovely yummy breakfast for me before his long day at work and school (the poor guy had to have a test on my birthday :(

Then a little later in the morning, my visiting teacher came by and brought me this lovely brownie cake, we'll eat it tomorrow along with some homemade ice cream- yum, can't wait!

Then during Michael's break between classes and going to work we took advantage of this lovely coupon (sorry I didn't take a picture of the yummy goodness I got, cuz let me tell you, it was simply amazing!), and then got some pizza for lunch- it was a delightful break to get to see my hubby for lunch.

Then after I dropped Michael off to work, Addie and I went shopping! I got some generous money from my in-laws, and wanted to get myself some goodies for it. So I got some fun new outfits at DI, and then got....

This lovely Children's songbook CD, so I can listen to them throughout the day with Addie while we play- plus it will be nice to relearn some new primary songs too!

Along with the lovely generous money from my in laws, they also sent this book, it is full of nursery rhymes, recipes, games, songs and all sorts of "mommy" fun stuff

Amongst my shopping I got some lovely balls of yarn (the nice soft stuff!) to use for making hats

Today also happened to be a day that Michael's work was having a blood donating set up- so Michael donated (we don't know what the 23 is for, but we joked they wrote it for my age), I know it sounds weird, but I love donating blood- but since I can't because of breast feeding- it was a fun nice honoring sort of thing that Michael got to today instead!

See his noble, life saving arm!? He's my hero!

Then for Michael's dinner break we went to the gardens on campus- one of my all time favorite places on the planet- especially when it is summer and you can actually see the beauty of the gardens and it not be covered in snow- isn't is gorgeous?

Just love it!

I definitely want something like this in my future backyard home

Just oh so pretty, and I didn't even scratch the surface all the beauty that is in these gardens- there is oh, oh so much more!

Well the main reason we went to the gardens for his dinner break is because they were having "Alumni Days Picnic" here, and for only $1 lovely dollar a person, we got this lovely meal!

Yeah for my lovely family! (she is just excited to try and grab the camera)

And a good friend Minette came by and brought me this goodness for my birthday- she is so sweet!

Since Michael was so busy today, we will do more fun 'celebrating' type stuff tomorrow since he has the whole day off. So we are gonna go to Idaho falls and drop off my ring to Kay's jewelry and get my ring cleaned, re plated and re-sized! It has been super loose like this since the day he gave it to me. I purposefully told Michael to get it a size too big cuz I figured I was doomed to obesity later in my life. When I told him this at that time I didn't really, fully comprehend that I could actually have my weight in my my hands, I can control how my future turns on this. Me getting this re sized is my way of more fully committing myself to a healthy life and not letting myself get unhealthy and obese.

Speaking of bodies, while we are in Idaho Falls we are going to check out the Bodies exhibit at the Idaho Museum. I have been wanting to check this thing out for a while, and I am super excited to finally see it- I hear it is pretty amazing. And we might go out to eat on courtesy of Michael's work with a gift card to Wingers.

Best part of my day? It has definitely been great that I didn't have to do the dishes (only because I just refused to, I probably still should have), I didn't have to cook any meals, and the meals we did get weren't that expensive, that people really do care about me and send me good birthday wishes, but top it all off, that I got to have my birthday with my lovely little family- my wonderful hubby, and my little princess!

Maybe today was my birthday, maybe it wasn't :) overall it was a great day! :)

My lovely little napper....

2011-05-16T17:24:00.002-06:00

I would have to say one my biggest struggles lately with this little girl is trying to get her to take good naps. I have been reading a great book about how to get your kid to sleep, it's called "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" by Marc Weissbluth Md. It has been helpful in most ways to try and figure out how to get this little girl to sleep better, but in my little girls stubbornness, it doesn't always go well.

Well today she gave me a good laugh and I thought I would share. In the book it suggests to do a little routine before each nap or bedtime so that they can recognize "hey, this means sleep time because mom does this stuff before every time I go to sleep." It has mostly consisted of a diaper change, rocking and singing one song, read "Goodnight Moon" and then top off with a little feeding. So far it has been working pretty good, but getting some stubborn genes from both parents, it doesn't always work...like today for example.

I did the usual like I explained and then layed her down. She gave her usual cry out for like 5 min or less and then got quiet- yes! Victory, and I win again and on to doing my own things! Well not exactly so... After about 20-30 minutes of quiet I go to check on her to make sure she is still asleep and to my dismay (and good laugh too) this is what I found:

She scooted herself away from the blankets and into the corner

She pulled the bumper away from the corner and was playing with the strings

Finally recognized mom looking over at her- she was very engaged! :)

Who am I to think I can MAKE my daughter take naps when I want her to- this little girl has a mind of her own, and she is super good at using it!

She finally went to sleep now though- she has her own little system going on- I just need to tap into it and figure it out better :)

Anyway, thanks for stopping by! hope you have a great day! And until next time!....

Baby thoughts...

2011-05-10T22:19:00.000-06:00

It is amazing to me how different people treat you when you have a baby in your arms verses plain old you. Most the time I am ignored, never noticed, just the girl in the back, but having my little girl on hand-everyone wants to come my way- well probably her way.

It is also amazing to me all the different questions people ask me, or talk to me about because I am holding my baby or have a baby. Even complete strangers will ask these random questions, but some how it is all magically OK to ask these questions because they are about a baby. I am really curious to how this all magically became a norm. I am one that asks them too, but it recently dawned on me at how strange these questions can be if you really think about them. Or even more so, how SUPER weird it would be if a complete stranger came up to you, asked these questions about YOU, an adult.

These were some of the weird questions I could think of that I get asked all the time about my little girl, and how I think it would be SUPER weird to be asked about myself:

1. How much do you weigh?
2. How old are you? (especially if I was older and more self conscious about my age :)
3. How often do you poop?
4. What does your poop look like? Pasty? or more solid? Mustardy? or more like peanut butter? What color is it?
5. What size of clothes do you wear?
6. What size of underwear do you wear (in this one it would be baby's diaper size, basic same idea, right?)
7. How often do you eat? How many ounces do you eat?
8. Do you eat any solids? What kind are you on? ( I actually have heard it in this context for my little girl- "What do they have her on?"- what, are solids some kind of drug or something? I thought this question was a little interesting even for my baby)
9. How much do you sleep? How often do you wake up at night?
10. Can I hold you?

Anyway, I am sure the list could go on, but I just had the random thoughts about it all and it made me laugh thinking about it all- hopefully it could give ya a good laugh too. Can you think of any, or have been asked some weird ones?

Until next time!...

P.s. I am feeling better today in case you were wondering :-)

Blaa....

2011-05-09T13:21:00.000-06:00

Ya, that's right. Today is one of those blaaa....sort of days. I know they say that only you can decide how you feel, only you can be the one to decide whether or not you want to be happy, and how you feel. Well for the record, I don't care who or how "They" (whoever "they" is) say it, I don't feel very happy today, I feel very blaa, and I guess according to the standard, I chose to feel this way, even though I would rather feel better inside.

Curse you Mother's day holiday. Curse you for being a sentimental, mushy, happy, lovely day- full of fond memories, forcing us to think more about our Mothers. I love this holiday, especially since I am now officially a mother that can be celebrated. I also love my Mother and I am grateful for all the great mothers out there in the world. But I hate how it makes me feel, I hate longing feelings, the lonely feelings, the missing feelings, the total empty sort of feelings, and worst of all the jealous sort of feelings for all you out there that can still call your mommas, mothers day or not (and hopefully you call her more than just this day!), Even more so jealous that you can still be with her on mothers day, hug her, talk to her, laugh with her, cry with her, get advice from her, let her hold and play with your own kids, giving you a break, and know that it will be ok, because you know that there is already a bond with your kids and her, that's special and unique and you can feel trust to leave them with her. Curse you Mother's day for making my heart feel broken again..

I had a wonderful first Mother's day this year. I got to see my sister and her girls, was such a treat to see them. I got to have a nice long car ride with my hubby and girl. I got beautiful flowers and chocolates from my hubby, I got a very nice long nap, I got a very soothing and relaxing massage from my Hubby, and he made super yummy dinner of Meatloaf- mmmMM! So good, with mashed potatoes and corn on the side, and homemade chocolate and peanut butter ice cream for dessert- mmm! I enjoyed the every moments of it all- what a good day--but I hate the day after affects, I hate the slap in the face feeling that I can't call my Momma, I can't give her a hug and thank her for being the wonderful lady, for being the wonderful influence she has had on my life- even more selfish of me, I can't get a hug back from her- comforting me, encouraging me, telling me it will all be ok, telling me I can be strong and be the wife and mommy that my own little family needs. Telling me that even though it will be hard I can still make it.

Yes, today I feel very much blaa...maybe if I am lucky, I can "choose" to feel better before the day is over.

Happy Late Mother's day to all you lovely Mother's out there- your example means so much! And I hope you don't have a blaa day today- it's not my fav, and I wouldn't recommend it!

Until next time...

Little Fun Fiction

2011-05-06T21:29:00.000-06:00

I am gonna write this story in response to a challenge that Josh Hoyt put on his blog, for more details you can check it out HERE (it prob wont make alot of sense unless you read the instructions :) Either way, I hope you enjoy!

She jumped behind the remains of an old brick wall and leaned against it to catch her breath. After a few seconds she slowly turned around and glanced over the top of the ruins, just enough to see, while still trying to be discreet. No one was to be seen, she must of got the demon for good this time because there was no more movement. Just to be safe, she slowly walked behind the castle like remains, while panning her eyes around, it wasn't worth the risk to be seen again and use more energy to fight those nasty beasts.

"It's dinner time!"

After taking a good amount of distance cautiously, she began to feel safe again when she notices Gladice in the distance, thankfully it was her good friend and not the demons again.
"How many have you slain today, Gladice?"
"Enough to win me a medal, how about you Shela?"
"Just lashed my 30th, that's right, ten more and I will get a gold plated medal!"
"Good for you, that is quite the accomplishment, maybe we can find some more to get you that medal, let's go check out the quest station for more locations."
"Sounds like a plan!"

"I said it's dinner time!! Have you even done your homework yet?"

After checking the quest station they realize the closet nest of demons is just 20 miles away. Running 20 miles could never be easier with the simple use of her finger tips. They were there within 5 minutes and it was game time, it was time for her to get her medal!
"Look out! Oh good one, you got him!"
"I know right, I have the best demon fighting skills around, you better watch it! 31..32...33...Almost there"- as she counts the demons being shot with arrows with her perfect aim. "34...35...36...37...This couldn't get any easier, I am a pro, I own this!!"
"Shela, you are doing so good, you are such an inspiration, how did you get to be so good!?"
"I was born with these mad skills- everyone beware! Muahaha :) lol, 38...39..."

--------------------------------------------------The screen goes blank-------------------------------------------------

"I said its DINNER time and you haven't even touched your homework yet!? How in the world are you supposed to get good grades spending countless hours on that stupid game? You've been at this for 5 hours now. The semester is almost over and you're failing in half your classes!! Let's go, and I am confiscating your laptop...no more dumb dragon fighting for you young lady, we've got more important things to worry about!"

Amber, aka Shela, the best demon fighter in virtual space, slowly walks behind her mother, head down and in deep despair.
" I know I will never be good enough...."

Anyway, hope you all have a great day!

Until next time!...

New Giveaway!!

2011-05-02T22:14:00.001-06:00

I love giveaways and thought I would share in the fun!

My good friend and Brother-in-law, Joshua Hoyt, has a blog that expounds on the psychology of people and life and uses this as a way to help those out there wanting to become better writers for their novels and I think it is also a great way to just look at your own life and seek improvements. It has great insights and facts that are fun to read and relate to.

After a long hard month of putting his blog more out there, he has reached a 100 followers!! Congrats!! To celebrate he is having a giveaway for a $15 gift card at Amazon.com. To join you can go here: The Forsaken Petal Blog Giveaway! Congrats again Josh! So fun!

So come join the fun and check out his blog! You won't regret it!

The Jacob Gym and other things....

2011-04-19T21:19:00.000-06:00

So I guess I am feeling not as lazy tonight and thought I would update pics of our little rearranging of the furniture I mentioned in the previous post. Whoppie-Do! I know it really isn't that big of a deal, but if you really know me, you know how I like to rearrange furniture every couple of months for a fresh new clean feeling. Plus now that I am cooped in this house all day it can get old fast and I like changes every now and again! Anyway, long story short- here it is- if you care to see :)

This is how it was previous:

Drum roll...... And here it is now:

The couch on the left we just got from Michael's work- it is really a futon!! Cool huh!?

And the best part that I like about the new arrangement is the TV is no longer in the picture (literally not in this pictures and also in real life :) Yes, that's right, we threw it in the can! OK, so not in a can, but just put it in the basement for storage. We hardly ever watch TV anymore, especially not in the main room, if we ever watch something it is usually online. So what's the point of having it in there, plus I have never really liked how our furniture, or couches always faced the TV, like it is saying "hey look at me! I am the center of the room, I am the focus- not you!" Well Mr. TV, sorry to burst your bubble, but not anymore, now our living room is "visiting" focused, so the couches face each other allowing all to enter be able to see each others faces better and have nice chats (now I just need people to actually visit me, ha ha :)

And to add another little bonus on top of all the excitement...behind the couch that isn't a futon, we have, drum roll....

The "Jacob Gym!!!"

Additional fun decorations I added to the blank wall. If you also know me well, I don't like blank walls! If you can't read the words it says: "For Health and Strengh...We Praise thy Name O' Lord"- since it is our little gym, get it!?

Yep that's right! We have our little corner for workouts complete with a work out trampoline, treadmill, an exercise bouncy ball, jump rope, yoga mat, and "perfect push up" things (that is more of Michael's though, it is too tricky for me, I like girly push-ups) oh and I must not forget, also comes with a nice little park across the street with a paved path I can run/walk on- when it actually warms up enough! With little Addie and her random schedule it has become impossible these days to get out of the house to the gym or just in general. So this is our alternative and I love it because I don't have to feel awkward in my goofy exercising ways in front of others and I can do it all on my own time clock (or Addie's time clock) without leaving the house. That's right baby fat, and life long build up of excess fat- you are not gonna get the best of me!!

Well anyway, that's all folks. I hope you have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

Until next time.....

I just Blogged, type, type....

2011-04-18T22:22:00.000-06:00

Here I am, sitting here in front of our computer. The little girl is tired and long gone to bed, it has been a busy day and I am also very tired, waiting for my lovely hubby to get off work in 31 minutes. So much has been going on, yet so little at the same time.

I don't normally like to share these sort of things, but I just loved this so much and it really made my day and couldn't help but want to share. Michael and I like to send little love notes to each other. We even have a book/journal dedicated to writing sweet nothings to each other and then hiding it not so discretely so the other can see and read and remember how much we love each other (not that this is the only way we have to remember this, that would be silly if we had to rely on a book to remind ourselves of our love :). Well sometimes we are lazy love note writers and will just type something on the computer and email, or if we are even more so lazy, we'll save a word document on the desktop and again not so discretely, hope the other will see it. So long story short, this is what Michael left for me this morning before going to work: My love note (click on it to see it).

Is that cute and cheesy or what!? I thought it was funny how many "heart couples" he put on there :)
And even better I got a text from him later that said: "I just texted, click click, to say, click click, I love you! I love you!" Isn't he adorable!? Well whether you think so or not, I am glad he is and he's mine!

Tomorrow is the beginning mark of another long and hard semester ahead of us, he will be gone from about 7-7:30am to about 10-10:30pm Mon Thu Fri, with only getting to see him during his 45 mins of dinner break time. I know our situation isn't much different than alot of couples and families out there, but it doesn't take away from the fact that I am not very excited about it and it will be hard. Not to mention this will be a summer semester, so it will be so nice out and I will just want to steal him and play outside and enjoy the outdoors with him instead of him being locked up in classes and work all day. On the same note I am also so grateful for him. He works so hard to get good grades in trying to get scholarships and get his degree, plus his normal work as well that doesn't always have the most friendly hours, or the most friendly situations. I don't think I could ever ask for a better wonderful guy!

Our little girl was officially 4 months yesterday! Has she really be with us that long!? Has she really be with us that short?! It's funny how it seems like its been an eternity with her, yet not that long either. She had another doctor appointment today. She has gained a whoppin 2.5 lbs since her last appointment, her had circumference has grown .5 inches, she has grown 2 inches taller although she is on average in the 15-20th percentile, so she is a little tike for her age, but still growing. She also got some more shots today, I will never stop hating watching that, especially when she screams afterwards. Her legs seemed way more sore today than her last check-up, but it gave her a really good nap afterward, and she is sleeping like a log now! She can roll over now, but not a ton- she is still mastering the skills of it. She loves to stick her tongue out all day long and suck on her fingers- does that sound like teething or what? She cries alot, but overall is a pretty amazing happy baby and she is such a treat to have in my life and the opportunity to raise her and care for her- I just hope I am being a good match for her in being the Mommy she needs! :)

Now here we come back to me. I am sitting in front of our computer. It has been a long day but a good day. It is now 10:02 and my lovely hubby should be home soon. This last Sunday I was asked to serve as a secretary in the primary of our ward/church. I was very surprised, I always thought those sort of callings were for people that were older and more dignified, I guess I am getting older, but definitely not more dignified. But it will be a new good change, that will keep me busy on top of my other normal busy. I got to rearrange the furniture in our living room today. This made me happy, I don't always like change, but that is a fun change I can control and it feels good- maybe I will put up a picture sometime of the new look- but I am feeling too lazy to do it now. Long story short, even though I like to complain alot, I am happy and grateful for my life.

My hubby is home now, so this post is officially over! :) It's hubby time now!

Until next time....

Lovely Memories

2011-03-24T14:04:00.000-06:00

In my recent extra free time with Addie sleeping better, I have been having fun going down memory lane with lovely home videos my brother made me a copy of. So I thought I would share some of my fun down the lane.

Here is me telling a lovely story of Three Little Bears: Enjoy! :)

Hope it made ya smile! Until Next time!.....

Fun Giveaway!

2011-03-18T12:52:00.000-06:00

So I have a local friend who does hair on the side of being a wife and mommy to three little cuties and she has this neat blog where she puts out advice and tips about hair- which is so great to have on hand- especially if you are always looking for ways to save some mula like me! Anyway, long story short she is doing a giveaway for a free hair cut or $10 off a color! What a great deal huh? Well to enter you can do so at the following link:

http://lookhotintheburg.blogspot.com/2011/03/new-giveaway.html

I guess the only down side though is it probably won't work too well unless you live in Rexburg- or you could still enter and it would be a great way for you to get your hair done and come visit me all in one- what a deal!! :)

Loving the simple things...

2011-03-15T16:46:00.000-06:00

First off, isn't he so cute!? He always makes me laugh, I feel so blessed to be married to such a goof!

Second off, now isn't she so cute!? I tried putting her hair in a pony tail today (as you can see below), and this is what it looked like after taking out the hair tie- I just love her long hair! I could almost braid too, but she moves WAY too much!

I also love that I get this little cute thing all day to make me happy too, she is a real keeper!

After bath time- I love her different expressions, they are so fun, and I think there is a chance she could have curly hair!! What do you think?

On other notes, look how tiny she used to be! I look at her brand new baby pics and she doesn't even look like the same little gal! On Sunday I had to take a trip to the mother's lounge and another mom came in with a new born, I didn't ask how old he was, but I was guessing like 2-3weeks old, and he was TINY compared to her! My little girl is growing up!!

On other notes- Thankfully, she is still kinda tiny, I don't want her to grow up too fast on me now! She still fits in some of her newborn outfits and look how little she looks in her little bouncer toy thing- makes me laugh that her feet still have several inches to go...yeah, she's got shorty parents! It will be a little while before she starts using this sucker! :)

I am loving that the weather is starting to warm up!!! We have had pretty good days of 35-45 degrees and it feels so great! I know by warm standard that doesn't sound very warm, but when you are used to SUPER cold, this is a nice warm day, especially if the sun is out! We have been trying to take advantage of it and going out for walks in the park that is conveniently located right out our door. Here above is after we got back from a walk- the poor girl has been stuck inside too much of her life- she had a hard time adjusting to all this extra light!

We really like "Cars," its a fun show, and we just happened to see it in theaters together back when we were young-ins before his mission, so we also have good sentimental memories with it. I bought this puzzle from the dollar store- I forgot how addicting these things can be!

When you have a super busy hubby, a tight budget, and a time demanding little girl, your date ideas can be very...different, but fun just the same! We did this last night (we didn't plan on finishing it, but it was just so addicting we had to finish, good thing it was only an easy kid one, otherwise we might not have gotten ANY sleep!).

I titled this post "Loving the Simple Things"- as of late it has been really hard for me to not feel grouchy and I guess selfish would be a good word for it. Michael is gone a lot, and I am with Adalea a lot. As much as I really appreciate all of Michael's hard work to get his education and provide for us, I want him with me more- WA AA( this is me whining)!!! But I know that I won't always get it that way- so I am trying to be more grateful for the simple things, because I really do have a lot to be happy for. I love that he is around enough and aware enough to still make me happy and laugh, even if he is stretched in million different things with school and work assignments. I love that Adalea is such a happy little girl and makes me happy, even if I want to be selfish and have "me" time, I really do cherish the moments I get with her!

If life where easy then it wouldn't be hard! It is hard with our situation, but I also think life wouldn't be happy if it wasn't hard. And I am happy with my Husband, I am happy with my little girl- I am happy with my life!

Anyway, hope you have a great day! Until next time!.....

Am I really a Parent?

2011-03-07T20:23:00.000-07:00

Isn't she so cute!? I love her little laugh! I haven't been able to get her to chuckle good like this one since recording this, but she will still give small laughs on occasion, and she just melts me every time, and her darling little smile, she is just so fun and we really do feel so blessed to have her!

It isn't always easy, that is for sure, but that's just with the territory of life anyway- right? Who said anything in this realm or world would be easy? When it is really hard and really frustrating I just have to remember how sweet and wonderful she can be (like in this video).

It also makes me feel so grateful for her when I hear about those sad stories about people's babies randomly dying, with or without notice, and each day I get to have her, it makes me that much more grateful she is still her with us and bringing us joy into our lives. Even though she has been with us only a few short months I can't imagine our lives without her. I pray every day that I get to keep her one more day, and that we'll get to be lucky and have her long enough to raise her till adulthood and that she'll out live us. Each morning I get her after a good nights rest she brightens the start of my day with her happy excited smile and it makes me so grateful that nothing scary happened to her in the night and that she is still with us. She really is the best and greatest blessing we've received so far.

In the church we hear the phrase "that you may have joy in posterity" all the time, and for the longest time I never really thought much about what this meant, or even cared to think very deeply about it, but now being a parent I can really see a whole new level of joy- in that as hard as things can be with her at times, it is those hard times that make the great times all that much wonderful, and it really is a "joy" to have her- kinda along the lines of opposition in all things that for all the hard, there are also really great times too!

I have also noticed that it is so easy to get excited in the simplest things about her. In the just the last month she has progressed so much. She can reach up her arms and hit at her toys, she can make lots of fun spit bubbles with her mouth, she can follow objects with her eyes really well when they move, she can follow directions of sounds, she can push up her head and chest for a few moments on her arms. She can really do so much now in comparison to what little she could do when she was born. Even though in adult eyes it really seems so little and maybe insignificant to do these little things, she really has progressed so much. It is such an honor to be with her every day and get to see and help her in these little mile stones.

Never would I have thought of being a parent as so hard, yet so amazing then I could ever comprehend. I really feel blessed and I really feel so grateful to have her in my life.

I hope you have a happy grateful day!

Until next time....

Sleep...

2011-02-28T23:03:00.000-07:00

Today (well more like every day) I have been thinking about sleep, so here are just some random thoughts on it...hopefully I won't put you to sleep- hahaha, get it? Cuz I am talking about sleep! Ok anyway, back to sleep...

It is such an interesting part of our existence. From the time we started growing in the womb we were sleeping 90% of the time, when we finally are born we sleep so much, some doctors refer to babies in being in a "sleeping coma" and then when they grow a little more out of that, it is still one our primary functions of our lives for the first few months: eat, poop/pee, and yes, you got-sleep! And even in the first few years of life it is so vital to ones development that the little tikes need several naps on top of the normal sleep through the night.

Then you move onto your older ages like elementary or middle school and you no longer need the long naps in the day, but still need a good substantial amount through the night.

Then on to high school and college age. In my college years I took a course titled Adolescence and I remember very distinctly when we talked about sleep in this class. Did you know that adolescence go into a massive growth spurt that their brains and bodies are developing at the same rate that a little child is developing within their first three years of life? Yet it seems to be a prominent stage where youth wanna party and stay up late all the time- where at the same time they prob need as much sleep as a little toddler is getting. Moving a little more in the college age years and growing a little more out of the need to sleep as much, its like it shifts into a more careless, carefree stage where sleep is of no importance. I don't know about you, but when I was younger and single I could go all night long, playing with friends, staying up late to do homework, or even working late, and would still be about 80% functional for the next day. Even after I got married, sleep was great to have occasionally in good quantity, but if there were things we needed to stay up late for, or if just felt like staying up watching movies or something, we had all the energy in the world to do so. Yet somewhere in here you still need some sort of sleep- just enough to get you by, and then you can keep going.

Then life throws you the hard ball of all hard balls when it comes to sleep...a little beautiful baby, who like mentioned earlier sleeps a ton, also likes to wake up every few hours which thus interrupts your own precious sleep. You can be the very same people as above mentioned, where you could get by easily with very little sleep by staying up late, playing, watching movies or doing homework, but there is a strange and unique transformation how even though you might have been that same person, some how having a baby into the picture makes sleep SO much more needed and so much more desired and becomes ESSENTIAL to your existence. From the day that little angel is born you count down the days, you try different techniques, you do everything you can in your possible power (without damaging them of course) to help encourage the day to come that that little one will FINALLY sleep through the night- thus allowing you to sleep as well. Nothing else in your world will make things more complete and that much more function-able then when you finally can get a decent nights rest. When the day finally comes and continues to stay that you can finally get some amount of consistent rest through the night, your life can finally get back in order and you are back on the road to living a much more manageable life again.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, I am relieved to announce that I think we are finally getting to that point. Yes, that lovely point where our own little angel is sleeping a substantial amount of time through the night, and we are slowly but surely starting to feel normal again. This last week has been a superb success in that she would finally be down for the night around 9:30pm (10 the latest) and would last till 5am the next morning, wake up to eat, and would then last again till around 8-9am!! I don't think I have ever loved and appreciated the yumminess that sleep can have until now and it has the most beautiful flavor!

Sleep is a wonderful thing when you can get- so to you all- cherish it while you have it! And I hope you have many yummy sleepful nights ahead of you!

Till next time...

I lost 20 lbs in 8 weeks!

2011-02-14T09:50:00.000-07:00

Yes that's right! This was me with this ripe pot belly:

Towards the end of finishing my college degree and then after graduation I starting going downhill in a rapid weight gain and I slowly struggled and over the course of 9 months gaining all this extra weight. I finally got to a point that I decided I needed a change and I couldn't get rid of this weight on my own, so I went to the hospital to have a procedure, and now have been trying to get back on track again by eating healthier and slowly exercising again.

Now I am back to where I was before the long nine months of weight gain, minus a few more and back in all my old clothes again!

Here is me now after the whole process:

Please note this weight loss program is not intended for everyone. especially males, and may not have exact or similar results- I think I just got lucky!!

Anyway....I hope you all have super happy healthy days! :)

A New Understanding...

2011-02-01T11:29:00.000-07:00

This past month, being my first official month, of being a new mommy, I have learned lots of new things (as you could read from my post about my new little teacher), but there is one thing that comes across my mind on occasion, that has really brought me new understanding.
I am not sure if it is my upbringing, or if its just my own personality, but I have a tendency (which drives me nuts) to be maybe a little extra judgemental towards others (I am a very sorry if you have ever been a recipient of my harsh judgements). I am not a very good one at imagining myself "in the other persons shoes," and it is just so much easier for me to judge harshly towards others for their certain actions and think of them as bad people. Well, one of these areas happens to be towards parenting. Being child-less my whole life until now it was so easy to sit back and look at others and wonder "how could they treat their kids that way!" or "how could any parent ever do such a thing to their little child!" And even being a fresh new parent, while still in the hospital, I remember watching the cheesy acting videos they require you to watch, and in particular I remember watching the one about Shaken Baby Syndrome, and think how could a parent be so dumb!?

Well, a month in, and I have a better understanding. I am not saying that I would ever let myself shake my child, but if the circumstances where right, I could now easily see how a parent in their frustrations and desperation would give in to something like that, especially if they didn't understand the consquences. Or like those teen moms that get to the end of their ropes and throw their babies away in the garbage. I could never bring myself to doing that to sweet Adalea, but now having a greater level of understanding, I could see how one could give in. I am not trying to say that because I understand, that it is at all in the slightest "OK" that they do these sort of things, but simply that I can understand better now. To explain what I mean a little better let me share with you the following...

A few nights ago, Adalea and I had our worst so far. She has been getting pretty good so far in sleeping enough to let me sleep enough to manage and get by, but then we had one heck of a night. Every time I finally got her to sleep to lay her down she would start to cry and wail again. I am not sure that I really ever got much sleep that night, and if I did it was only because I decided to just hold her and let her sleep in my arms and I slept in that position (so not a very good quality level of sleep). In the constant battle of this night of trying to win her over to sleep in her bed, and then her immediately waking up again (with her sometimes painful crying), I felt like I was gonna loose my mind. I was so tired, so exhausted. All could do was just cry and wail and whine myself. I didn't know how much more of this I could handle without totally loosing it. And then I thought to pray, it was the only thing left I could think of to do without wanting to just totally run away and abandon ship. I didn't feel any miraculous thing change, but all I remember later from this was that I finally made it through the night, and later that morning I finally got a nap to help compensate, as small as this was, it was a definate answer to my prayer. This was a hard night, and so far my hardest (I am sure I will have more to come....) and I thought I was going to loose it. Now imagining how hard this night was, I pictured in my mind what it was like to be a teen again, and how frustrating all the different emotions you experience and all the drama of fitting in and finding friends, and the adjusting hormone stages. Then on top of that I tried to picture what it would be like to not know who God was, or the impact he has in my life. I tried picturing what it would feel like if I didn't know about God's plan and purposes of this life, in bringing in children to this world, and their special spirits. I tried picturing what it would feel like, thinking that my mom was gone forever and thinking that because she died she is gone and has no way of helping me in this life, even in unseen spiritual ways. I tried to picture what it would feel like if I felt totally alone and that no one cared and that it didn't matter what I did, because no one was watching and no one would know. I tried picturing what it would feel like to not have a loving supportive husband to help me and provide for us.

Instead of judging, I tried to picture myself in the shoes of someone who had all the worst case circumstances built up against them, that would make hurting a child, hurting their OWN child, something so easy to give into the temptation. And then I also tried picturing what kind of person I would be and feel AFTER giving in. Even with all the worst circumstances of it being so easy to do such an act, I would imagine the reality of it all would hit them sooner or later, they would realize later in a more sober mind what they had done, and I could imagine for a moment how hard it would be. I could imagine the guilt and the pain would be so hard, so intense, I am sure some would never want to live with themselves again.

After all this thought process and new eye opening understanding, there was one thing I just couldn't picture in my mind with the rest of the scene, and this part makes my heart cry out to those poor suffering people. We are all human and we all make mistakes, but I just couldn't imagine what it would be like to not have the Atonement. I couldn't imagine what it would feel like to not know that a caring person, a perfect Savior took on those pains, took on those sins and those heartaches so that we can be free and strong again, no matter what horrible things we've done, no matter what painful lives we've experienced. I couldn't imagine what it would it would feel like to not know Christ, or at least not know that he is there, and it just breaks my heart, thinking of others that might possibly feel like they don't have Him in their own life, or even know who He is. I can't imagine what it would feel like to have done something so sad and horrible, but then feel like you are stuck with that wrong for the rest of your life and there is no turning back on what you've done, no repenting and getting a clean slate. Before this new understanding, it was easy for me to think of people being just "bad people" or just "good people." But with this new understanding I believe that all or most people are relatively good and want to do good things, but end up in circumstances that they are weak and make "bad" choices. It is hard not to take that one bad choice and look at them as a horrible person, it is hard to not let that one thing, that one decision define them for the rest of their life. But that is the beauty of the Atonement, of our Savior, that is doesn't have to be that way.

I love our little Adalea so much, and it has been the best new phase of my life I could have ever imagined embarking into. But it is hard, as much as it is beautiful and wonderful being with her, it is also just as hard and frustrating. But in a new understanding I am grateful for my Savior, for a kind loving brother who knows SO much of what I am going through and can help me along the way. I am so grateful I know God is real and has a plan for each of us, and each of our families and that we don't have to jump totally in the dark on these new adventures in our lives alone.

I am grateful for new understandings. And the next time I read an article or hear the headlines of someone "hurting their child," I will have a new understanding it wasn't easy for them, my heart goes out to them, hoping that some day they can know and understand the impact their Savior has in their life, and even though they gave into the moment of one bad mistake, their lives don't have to be ruined forever, that they don't have to let that one mistake take over the rest of their lives. My heart goes out to the poor child that had to suffer under that influence of their parent, and hope that the damage wasn't too much for them, but with my new understanding, my heart also goes out to that parent, and hope they can find the light.

Making Home Like Heaven in 2011

2011-01-21T16:52:00.000-07:00

I like making new year resolutions, and it has actually been a regular thing my family has done as long as I can remember. But as great as they have always been, they haven't always been effective. Growing up, even though we would do them as a family, they didn't always seem effective because we would write our goals in our lovely large Family Home Evening journal and then never look at it again till a year later to see how well we accomplished them. Seems a little contradictory to write them down, shut the book and hope that we passed the test a year from now. Don't get me wrong, I know my parents had good intentions in wanting us to set meaningful goals, but I have felt as of late that maybe there could be a better approach to it.

I heard once of a family that would make a theme for their family for that year and then try to live up to that theme throughout the year. I really liked the idea and I thought this could be a great way for us to remember a little better our goals. So we started this in our own little family last year. In my partially crafty-sided brain, I also thought it would help (at least for me) to make some kind of symbol, or object to help me remember, so last year we made this:

The idea of having a theme is that, even if we couldn't remember our goals, if we at least remembered our theme, then we could strive to make daily actions that worked towards that theme- so for this one, we wanted to be "Gems," in that we wanted to be a "better, shinier (not literally), happier people"

Our lovely goal box we made, and of course decorated, to help us remember our theme

We put little objects inside that related to our goals, in helping us remember to keep those goals by looking at the object

Well, comparatively speaking, I think it worked fairly well compared to other years, but we lacked some element of helping us. We put the objects in to help us remember, but we never actually wrote down our goals in a noticeable place, so even though we had the objects, by the end of the year, I forgot what some of the objects stood for, and we didn't exactly find an object for all our goals, so some of them were forgotten all together.

So as a step up from last year, we kept with the theme idea, but this year we wrote down our goals, and will put them in two different locations in house so we can see them often plus wrote them on pieces of papers and put them in this year's "crafty resolution can!" I have also created a calendar and outlined the different times of the months and throughout the year we want to accomplish our goals. The calendar will also be up in a frequently viewed area. Well see how this goes, but I have a good feeling we might actually have a good turn out this year- and if I remember, I will blog about this a year from now to let you know how it all went!

So here is this years theme and our goals:

Theme was partially inspired by Michael's parents, thanks! :-)

Our goals:
-Build up food storage
-Play uplifting music more often
-Daily scripture study and prayer
-Read General Conference talks on Sunday (have all talks re-read by the time the next conference occurs)
-Keep the house clean and maintained
-1 hour of indexing every other Sunday
-Go to the temple at least every other month
-Create and enhance our Mormon.org profiles
-Write in our journals and Adalea's baby book each week
-Complete a service project every other month
-Watch previous week's BYU-I devotionals on Sunday (since Michael has to work during the live showing)
-Convert VHS tapes and family videos to DVD
-Create and follow our years family mission plan
-Write letters to family and friends every other week
-Invite someone new to our house every new semester
-Get to know and serve our neighbors more
-Sift through movies and other media to remove that which does not invite the spirit
-Serve faithfully in church callings and complete home and visiting teaching each month
-Create and add to savings account for a future Mission
-Have one date night out of the house at least once a month
-Create a budget and savings for future mortgage down payment

So there we have it. I know it prob sounds like a lot, but with my new game plan with our calendar set up I think we'll be able to accomplish them. Besides, with me not being in school anymore, I still got my "homework-get-it-done" mentality and I don't want to loose it or for it to go to waste, so laying it out on our calendar (like my own personal syllabus) and working on them together I think it will work great.

Anyway, just wanted to share, and hopefully come the end of this year we can be a better people, and will have hopefully made improvements in...

"Making Our Home More Like Heaven in 2011!"

Hope you have a great and " home heavenly-like" day!

Till next time....

Back to School.... and I have a new lovely little teacher...

2011-01-14T20:45:00.000-07:00

So Adalea is officially four weeks old today! Wow can you believe I have been a legit Mommy for a whole and complete month!? I still can't.

This last month has been full of lots of interesting times and also lots and LOTS of learning. I have heard people say that no amount of schooling could ever prepare you for the roll of a parent, and boy do I believe it even more so now. Getting a "Child Development" bachelor's degree means squat now compared to the intense schooling I enrolled myself in as a parent...

Here are many things I have learned or done this last month in relating to my new roll as a parent, that have been introduced by my wonderful new teacher: Adalea....

1. Poop is really yucky (OK, so this part I already knew, I didn't need Adalea's help on that), but it doesn't take that long to get used to it, so much that it doesn't seem to phase me much anymore...

2. Did you know that car seats "expire?" And here I thought it was only the food that goes bad.

3. A creepy heartbeat sound + wave like sound can be downloaded from the Internet and works wonders in making the painful crying sound stop

4. I am very unfunctionable on 2-3 hours of sleep and can very quickly resort to child like behaviors of whining and crying (Michael can attest to this)

5. I have learned how to get some decent amount of sleep in a sitting position, since I spend most of the night in that position breastfeeding

6. Its a really REALLY good idea to wait to change a poopy diaper a good 10-15 min after you hear all the tooting/squirting noises, just saying, that's all...

7. Babies have a sixth sense of knowing when you want to get something in particular done, especially something that requires the use of two FREE hands. When they recognize you want to do this particular two free hand task, they do everything they can to prevent you from doing so

8. Having a nice set bed time is impossible because it is run souly by the eating and crying habits of a darling little girl

9. My one handed typing skills have greatly increased, in fact I am writing this now one handed because my other hand is currently being occupied holding a little angel...did I mention the whole six sense thing, and two FREE hands?

10. My abilities to multi-task have increased enormously- it is amazing what still can be accomplished with a little one latched on (i.e. last week I was eating breakfast, breast feeding, and having scripture time with Michael all at once)

11. Naps are ESSENTIAL to my existence right now

12. Cloth diapers aren't as bad as I dreaded ...as I mentioned before, poop is yucky-but is easy to get used to

13. As wonderful as breast milk is for a baby's health and nutrition, formula does wonders when I need a break!

14. Getting in the car seat time=not fun time for all of us, she doesn't like getting strapped in, I don't like to hear her scream and cry like crazy

15. It takes a great amount of extra planning to go anywhere or do anything outside the house than it ever did before the parenthood phase

16. Date nights have suddenly acquired the taste of the "forbidden fruit." Before parenthood we could have dates whenever we wanted but rarely took advantage of that. Now that we really want date night, we seem to struggle to find it, and it takes so much more work to acquire it!

17. The ability to get shopping done has taken on a whole new level, if she isn't fed and asleep and snugged in the car seat before we go, it's a nightmare!

18. I am going to have some awesome rock solid buttocks and strong back muscles soon from all the rocking I do when I can't get to the rocking chair

19. Adalea's smile melts my heart and I wish I could just squeeze her all day!

20. KY Jelly works wonders as a glue in holding cute little bows on a baby's head. And because of it's water base nature, it washes out really well too

21. Pretty bows, flowers, and dresses are lots of fun and cute to put on a little darling girl, but are not as user friendly when you have to bundle her up in lots of warm winter clothes

22. Just because they cut the umbilical cord at birth, she still has me wrapped around her fingers and is attached in more ways than one than during pregnancy

23. Babies are expensive- physically, mentally, emotionally, and all the above-lly...but are worth every amount, every cost

24. Hymns are a beautiful invention, they help her calm down and me calm down in the most desperate situations

25.There is no description for the wonderful feeling of having a small teddy bear sized individual curl in a little ball and cuddle on your chest and just melt with you...this makes all the hard times worth it!

Yes, even though I just graduated from college I am back in school and back for a long long....long time and I have a lovely new teacher:

I just hope that I can learn all that I am supposed to, all that I can possibly absorb from this little angel.

Until next time, I hope you have a wonderful day!

So I'm a Wimp...and I still got a baby out of it!

2011-01-06T12:21:00.000-07:00

Most of you, if not all of you, who read this probably already know that we finally had our baby, our little girl, our little Adalea, but I thought I would put a little more detailed version of how everything went in her birth.

Thursday, Dec 16th:
Did some final finishing touches with work to officially pass it on to my replacement. Made some Christmas treats for people from church. When Michael got home at 6pm, we went and delivered the treats. Had dinner. Micheal got a hand crank popcorn popper so we made ourselves a yummy batch of popcorn and enjoyed it while watching some movies (at this point of the day I hadn't really felt any contraction pain yet).
Around 10:30pm I started feeling some minor, yet still painful blows in my lower back area. Still to this day I had never felt a painful tightening feeling on my stomach, so I never was sure when/if I ever had contractions. Thinking all this back pain MIGHT be contractions we kept watching movies and staying up to see if it all continued. I was also feeling some minor leaking down below, and thought it might be my water breaking, but since it wasn't a huge gush of water flow, we weren't too sure. As we went on through the night the back pains become more frequent and more painful and by 1:30-2am can you say OUCHY MAMA!!! We decided it was time to finally go to the hospital.

Friday Dec 17th, starting at 2am:
We headed to the hospital, that conveniently happens to be about 500ft away from our house (I always talked about how "fun" it would be to brag about how we walked up hill in the snow to the hospital to have her- but after starting the labor pains and it also being super cold 10 degrees, it didn't sound so fun anymore and drove)
We get to labor and delivery to check in and I get examined by the meanest of all the nurses on staff, we figured they put the meany one in front to weed out all those who aren't really in labor. As she is examining me she asks on a scale of 1-10 how painful the contractions are. I said the minor ones are like maybe a 4 and the more painful ones are like an 8, she gave me a look like I was the biggest woose she'd ever seen and said, "we'll just call them a 5. Honey, you don't even know what pain is, you are just in the beginning of your labor and come a couple of hours you are gonna feel like a semi ran over you!" I was so glad I had a nice comforting nurse to start me out-NOT! Man alive I was not happy with her! Maybe she was right in that I was in the just beginning stages, but everyone is different and she had no idea what I was feeling, and it HURT, I was very urked at her....anyway, I could go on for a long time about this lady, luckily she concluded that I really was in labor and was there to stay so I could move on to the nicer nurses. Let me tell ya, it really does make ALL the difference in the world how the whole labor waiting game goes when you have nice supportive people in the room!
So they escort me into my own personal delivering room, and got hooked up to monitors to make sure the baby was OK and that my contractions were still consistent. I must add it is not super fun to sit while feeling labor pains (luckily they let me get up and move if I wanted to)...well I guess there really isn't any particular position that makes it any fun, it just HURTS! I really REALLY wanted to get in the nice jacuzzi they have to help relieve the pain, but because I was having a slow water break leak, they didn't want me to get in for fear of me or the baby getting an infection...I was devastated- I have gone this whole pregnancy without getting any relaxing bath sort of relief because of our standing shower (well of course except the kind generosity of April and Keri letting me use their baths once) and I was SO ready for this nice relief and I couldn't have it (at least they let me go after she was born, it felt AMAZING!!). We also tried having soothing music playing, tried using the birthing balls, tried lots of different things but of course it just always hurt. The thing that did seem somewhat relieving and was also very comforting was having Michael hold me and put pressure against my lower back where all my pain was. It meant so much to have him there through this all, I don't know that I could have done it without him. He was also my good breathing couch, if it wasn't for him reminding me to breath I would have just held my breath cuz it hurt so bad!

So the pain continued on through the early morning every 2-3 min and ever more so painful. I don't know if it is a Mormon cultural thing or just a woman cultural thing, but what is it about doing this whole thing without the medicated pain relief? It seems like whenever woman talk about their birthing experiences, one of the first things people always ask each other was "did you have an epidural?" Is there like some kind of hidden "I am better than other people because I DIDN'T have one!" or for those that give in and get one, why does it seem to be an unwritten feeling "I am a failure," or "I wasn't good enough or strong enough." I have yet to understand the feelings and pressures behind the pain relief women get or don't get for their births. Anyway....

That's great for those out there that have been able to successfully give birth without that extra pain relief, I really do hope it was a good experience for them, especially for all the extra pain they went through. But I was a wimp and caved in. Me and pain just don't get along very well. I had every intention of wanting to try doing it all on my own, but I guess I was one of those that wasn't strong enough cuz around 5am I was ready for an epidural. According to my nurse, because I was feeling all of my contractions in my back, the baby was probably positioned "posterior" which if I remember right her face was in an upward direction, which is opposite than the normal direction. She was still facing head down, so she would be OK coming out, it is just that because of how she was facing is what made it really painful for me in my back, and I never once during the whole labor felt any pain in the front stomach area. So anyway long story short, I got an epidural because it just hurt way too much for my liking. And let me tell you, it was the best decision out of the whole labor process, that thing felt AMAZING! Once that it finally kicked in, I didn't feel a thing! It felt so good I was even able to take a little nap while we waited for me to get more dilated, after a long night, that little nap was GREAT!!!
Then around 7:30-8ish the nurse comes in to check me and sure enough I was dilated to 10cm and fully effaced- it was pushing time! It took a little while for the nurse to get things together, but then we started "practice" pushing, so that by the time the doctor finally would come in, we'd be ready. The technique the nurse was having me do made it really awkward and hard, then the Doc came in to see how things were going, he gave me a look like "oh boy, at the way this girl is going, we are gonna be here a while!" so he gave me a few pointers of repositioning my legs to see if it would help make the pushing go easier. He left and said would be back in a while since he figure this was gonna take a while. After trying the new technique the baby was starting to come out much faster and after two good pushes they said they could see her head starting to surface and almost come out. Surprised at how quickly things picked up, the nurse told me to stop pushing so she could get the Doc in time. When he got in the room they had me push again while he got suited up for this lovely bloody show. She was coming out so quickly the Doc had to rush in getting ready and barely got to me in time to catch her. I only had to push for about 30 min total (and the bonus part of it all, because of the epidural, I didn't feel a thing!!)
8:58am- Little Adalea popped out, Daddy cut the cord, I got to hold my lovely messy bloody little girl for a few seconds, they cleaned her up and then I got to hold her again for a good hour or so while they cleaned up and got us ready for our new room, and while I tried to feel life back into my legs again.

It is so weird to have gone through that all, it now being two and half weeks since it all happened, it is so crazy to think about it all and did that REALLY happen!?
I look at our little angel Adalea and think, "where you REALLY inside me for 9 months, and now came out to play!?" All within a matter of hours of her coming out, my life has officially changed forever. In many cases I still feel like the same me, sometimes I still feel like the little girl at home still, being spoiled by my own mommy- but things have changed, and life has moved on, and now I get to be a mommy who spoils her little girl (but of course not too much ;)

I feel very blessed that I live in a day and age where there is medical technology and pain relief, cuz I am pretty sure I would have been one of those many that just died in child birth, cuz it just hurts so super much! I feel blessed to have a wonderful supportive husband, he has been there through it all in the pregnancy and now in being a daddy, he has been so wonderful!

Overall, I am grateful for the Atonement of Christ, that has his loving support around us all the time, it boggles my mind that he felt this pain, and this pain times millions of all the other women in this world that had babies- I also couldn't not have made it through without his grace and his peace!

Anyway, sorry it's been a while since the last post, but things have been a little more busy ;)
Hope you have a great day!

P.S. her name is pronounced: Add (like in math)-uh-Lee-uh....in case you were wondering!

Domestic Ventures!

2010-12-01T14:00:00.000-07:00

I know there are prob a lot of people that think I am crazy, or weird, I wouldn't blame you/them, cuz well I am in the same category of thinking I am weird too...but back to what I getting at, I like to do things creatively, or in other words I like to create. I don't know why but I have always had the fun desire to be a "toughy" or do things the hard way, I guess in a sense to do it and then say: "hey, look what I did," (because most people in their right mind prob wouldn't do it, especially because of the extra work it would cause them) or maybe I like doing things this way because I get more of personal satisfaction from working harder for a nice end result. Overall I like to create/make/build/invent things even if it is more work in the long run than just buying a similar product instead, so call me crazy if you want, I don't mind, cuz I know I feel a little crazy about it all sometimes too.

Anyway, long story short, with my recent life schedule changing of being home LOTS more often than I have ever been used to (now that I've graduated and just finished my internship) I have been finding different fun sort of things to experiment with at home. One- to keep myself busy, Two- to keep me from wanting to go shopping or something all day and blow our money ;) and Three-back to what I was saying earlier, I like the feeling of the roughing-toughing it out and being more "domestic" for lack of a better word.

Long story short again, I created a separate blog from this one where I will share different things that I have been working on or have made, that I thought would be a fun "domestic" thing to share. Since I have been doing lots more of "domestic" type things, being at home more, and having lots of fun with them too, I wanted to share what I've been up to. Normally I'd prob just share them all here on this blog, but because I have been doing lots I thought it would be a fun idea to just create an entirely new blog and devote that one just to sharing things of my "domestic ventures." I know I have a couple of blogs going, and it prob fits into my "Whitney, you are just crazy" category, but oh well, I like blogging and sharing, and this is how I'm gonna do it, so if you wanna join in on reading things from my "domestic ventures" you are more than welcome to, and if you have any ideas too that's always fun, I like ideas- or if you would like me to share your ideas too I'd be glad to!

Anyway, long story short, after many long stories made short- I created a new blog to share my "Domestic Ventures!" To read more about it you can click the following link: Domestic Ventures, or you can click on the "Domestic Ventures" tab at the top of this page and there is a link in there you can click on as well.

Get ready for the ride of your life reading all the crazy things I've been up to (or will be up to!)
And I hope you have a great day!

Happy Birthday Honey Buns!

2010-11-18T17:53:00.000-07:00

That's right! Michael had his birthday, yesterday, the 17th, and is a whoppin 23 years old!

Boy, I tell you what, it is so hard coming up with ways to surprise your spouse when you eat, sleep, and live in the same place, use the same computer, have similar schedules, share bank accounts, and have very limited space in hiding things, and to top it all off, they don't let you know much of what you want (or say nothing at all), but despite it all, I think he had a great birthday!

I had it all planned out, I finally got the one thing he requested, I used my old credit card from my single days (the only money outlet he didn't have access to!) and ordered it online, luckily it came when he was at work so I could hide it before he got home, I got all the decorations in a nice closet ready to go, and I got all the supplies to build him a nice cake the day before while he was at work. Everything was set and my mind, my plans, everything was going my way...but of course, as hard and as much as you plan things out, they never really turn out that way, do they? Here is how things really went....

Week before his birthday: He erased the "laptop skin" from his Amazon wish list (the only item he told me he wanted), me trying to be inconspicuous ask:

Me: "Why did you erase that?"

Michael: "Because you already bought it for me" (he told me later that he said this only to be funny, and didn't really know I bought it)

(me, getting defensive, wondering how he could have figured I bought it when he didn't have access to my credit card):

"What!? How...No, I didn't buy it!!"

Yes, by my "caught" response I gave away surprise number 1.

Day before birthday: I got off work at 3 and had just under 3 hours to get frosting/decorating supplies and build and make the cake before he got home at 6pm. Finished an hour before but now had to "erase" the smell that a cake was baked, so I started dinner and turned on our candle warmer hoping the two smells would do the job. It worked well for the kitchen and front room, but not so good for the bedroom and bathroom; he comes home and first thing on entering the bedroom runs back into the kitchen and asks where the cake is....surprise number 2 demolished ( I should have known better anyway, he is a big chocolate cake fan, so he has a special chocolate sense, I prob couldn't have hid the smell no matter what).

1 am, morning of his birthday: I had placed all the decorations and presents in one closet before he got home from work the day before (only reason he didn't sneak around here was cuz I gave him strict orders to just leave it alone and let me surprise him!). Being pregnant I have had the consistent need to go pee in the middle of the night at around 1 am, since I do this every night I had it all planned out, that he wouldn't think much more of it than me just going to do my usual peeing, and because he has become conditioned to the sound of me getting up, and usually sleeps right through me being gone, I figured what a better time to start the decorating and last minute surprising before the official big birthday day. So I get up, grab one thing I forget to put in the closet the previous day, walk towards to the door, and yes, of course my clumsy fingers loose grip of the item (just before exciting the room), making a very loud noise, and bringing my lovely sleeping beauty up to full sitting position and fully awake asking, "is everything OK?"

Totally disappointed with myself that I keep blowing my cover, I tell him everything is fine and I am just going to pee! Hoping he went back to sleep I go pee, and quickly put out the presents and set up my decorations and the cake. Then go back to the bathroom and flush, hoping to make him think I was peeing the whole time, and go back in the bedroom. Upon first entering the room, he is still in the same position as leaving him, still sitting up and asks: "are you done setting everything up now, is it safe to go to the bathroom?" He knows me too well, and surprise attempt number 3...gone.

Being the lovely gentleman that Michael is, he didn't go into the kitchen where I had set everything up, until we woke up later, and put on a great "surprised" appearance. Later in the day he told me could hear me doing everything in the middle of night and knew I wasn't "peeing" that whole time. With these creaky wooden floors and skinny walls, he prob could have heard me even if he was fast asleep, oh well, he was a great sport about it!

Him being so cute, being excited to open all his presents!

Showing off his "laptop skin," the one thing he requested, he was very proud to put it on the laptop, now its all ready for school, nice and protected.

This surprise attempt had lost his surprise a long time ago, I actually had started this Missionary Quilt for him for his last birthday, and got mostly done (just didn't bind it or hem it for his last b-day, but of course he quickly found out about this one long before his birthday) so in a sense it was a surprise for him that I finally finished it and gave him the finished product this year, but other than that this one was no surprise.

My only successful surprise, a tie I got for him that I found on the school's bulletin board, and bought several months ago. He had no idea about, prob mostly because I actually forgot about it myself since I bought a while ago and hide it very well. If it wasn't for me happening to reorganize my sock drawer a few days before his birthday and finding it again, he might have got this present a little late- tells you how many socks I got!

I felt really bad about "hiding" my spending from him in getting the laptop skin on my personal credit card, and didn't like the idea of hiding things from him, especially money related things, we've been really good at being open with each other and keeping track of money this way, so after making the purchase I agreed to cancel the card so I wouldn't be tempted any more to keep things from him, so as a birthday treat I let him cut up my card- it actually felt pretty good ;)

This was a lovely present he got from his parents, a thermometer to let you know what the temp is inside and outside: this will be fun to have around, especially when the real heart of winter hits here, then we can know how extremely cold it is outside, and how much we want to just keep staying inside!

Another lovely present from his parents, a Card Shuffler, which will be perfect for our little family, we are far from beyond in having mad shuffling skills! Now with this thing we can cheat!

Blowing out the lovely cake! We have been watching Star gate SG: 1 on line in our fun spare time, so I made him a chocolate pyramid cake (don't worry it wasn't solid pyramid, that'd be a lot of chocolate if so!) with a message inside, it kinda caved in though before we could get to the message, it was a lovely "I Love U!" written with chocolate syrup. Another side note- it is kinda awkward singing "Happy Birthday" by yourself, it will be nice when the baby gets older and can sing with me.

Overall it was a pretty great day (at least that is what he kept telling me)! He got work off because he has to work this Saturday, he was allowed to pick which day of the week he wanted off as his "Saturday" and of course chose his birthday! We found out our car needed some re-calls fixed so we took the car in first thing (nothing like getting your car fixed for free, especially since they generously washed and vacuumed it when they were done!) While waiting for it to be done we finally watched Toy Story 3, pretty cute! Then walked to return it. Made cookies together for our Home and Visiting teaching families, finally got the car back, went to one of Doc appointments, heard the exciting news that the baby is no longer Breach!! (hopefully it will stay this way!!) and got some fun reminders/warnings from the doctor about when to go the to hospital (crazy to think I am finally far enough along it could come any time now!). Came home, got a 5 Buck take home bake pizza, (we were gonna make Cincinnati Chili, as a missionary memory treat for Michael, but neither of us felt like cooking by dinner time), adding some of our own lovely toppings, had cake and ice cream and enjoyed the rest of the evening getting to cuddle and enjoy watching some more Star gate.

Michael said it was the "best birthday ever," I hope it was a good one for him, because he deserved it. He really is such a great blessing in my life, and I am so glad he was born, so that I could have him in my life.

Anyway, hope you have a great day and a great birthday too, whenever it comes up ;)

Till next time.....

Drum Roll.....

2010-11-09T22:47:00.000-07:00

So they finally finished the remodeling of the public library here and did the ribbon cutting for it yesterday. I was gonna go, but kinda forgot about it, I tend to forget about a lot of things lately, especially if I don't write in my planner, and then even more so if I don't actually look at my planner, which I did neither for yesterday. Anyway, we were also called Fri, cuz we were invited for a special VIP look at the new addition to the library and see all the photos that were entered into the contest. We also didn't go to this because of a stake self reliance fair we went to.

Long story short, we finally went to the library tonight, for their week open house sort of thing to celebrate the new remodel and show all the photos that were entered in the contest. And they also had displayed the winners of each division of the photo contests. They had an overall winner, adult winner, young adult winner, and youth winner with each category having a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. And drum roll.....

Ya, it felt pretty good, especially since I didn't expect anything to come from this and it was kinda just something fun on the side. Thanks to my lovely wonderful husband- couldn't have done without my new fancy camera he got me!

Anyway, was pretty excited and just had to share, hope you have a great day!

Mascaraed!

2010-11-04T18:01:00.000-06:00

I know this thing was a while ago, but I was waiting till I got our pictures back from the school before I posted on this, and now that they are finally available....They are the wrong format and can't be uploaded here...urg, oh well.

Anyway, yes we went to a Mascaraed Ball! We've been wanting to go to a school dance together up here, since we first started dating, and it hasn't happened till now! I was highly encouraged by one of my lovely sisters to do things now that I would think would be extremely hard or impossible to do once the baby comes, I've decided to call this my "Pregnancy Bucket List," and when I saw this event listed on the school website, I didn't want this one to pass us by, and it was lots of fun!

Here is the beginning of our masks we wore on the lovely occasion...

My masks finished product, sorry I didn't get a pic of Michael's, he just painted his brown to match the pin strips on his suit, which you can see in the other picture....

Us, just before leaving the ball! (Again sorry for not being able to put the school pics in, they have a nicer shot of our whole outfits, and my lovely plump belly ;)

A fun decoration they had, I think all they did was carve out the windows, painted it gold an added these stick things, I thought it was a cute idea!

On other, yet similar thoughts....Thinking about this ball being in Oct, it made my mind refresh back to a few years ago that we once upon a time went to dance together as well, and was actually the beginning of things being stirred and mixed between us, yes here we are, exactly 5 years previous where our love for each other just barely started blossoming, like a little seed, or a tiny little bud on a flower, he he okay, enough of the cheesy talk, but I thought it was a fun coincidence that it was the same month 5 years ago, and we didn't even plan it that way, and we didn't even plan the same matchy matchy redish colors we happened to wear for both! Anyway, good times, good memories!

And of course can't forget the interesting group we had...boy was that interesting times, and WAY too much drama. Long story, interesting night, but I had fun with Michael!

Anyway, hope you have a great and wonderful day!

What Love Means....

2010-10-21T14:23:00.000-06:00

So I was doing some spring cleaning this morning, or I guess "Fall" cleaning, and amongst all the fun of seeing random weird pictures and remembering what a big dork I was from reading my journals, I came across this paper I found, I am guess it was a forward email or something that I liked enough to print off and stash in my stuff. But I just thought it was so great I couldn't resist posting it. So here it is:

"What Love Means to a 4-8 Year Old..."

"When grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love."
-Billy age 4

"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different, you just know that your name is safe in their mouth."
-Bill age 4

"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other."
-Karl age 5

"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs."
-Chrissy age 6

"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired."
-Terri age 4

"Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss."
-Emily age 8

"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen."
-Bobby age 7

"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate."
-Nikka age 6

"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday."
-Noelle age 7

"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well."
-Tommy age 6

"My Mommy loves me more than anybody, you don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night."
-Clare age 6

"Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken."
-Elaine age 5

"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford."
-Chris age 7

"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones."
-Luaren age 4

"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross."
-Mark age 6

"You really shouldn't say 'I Love You' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot! People forget."
-Jessica age 8

And last but not least:
"A four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said:
'Nothing, I just helped him cry.'"

Anyway, just thought these were too cute not to share! Hope you have a super day and are "Feeling the love!"
Love y'all!

Exhibit Round 2: Trees!

2010-10-14T10:26:00.000-06:00

Another month has gone by, and another exhibit has come up, and will be up till the end of October! Here is a little taste of what I was able to throw together for this exhibit, entitled: "Trees!" And I am down to just two more weeks of my internship, with a little extra paper work for it all, and then I am done- and set for getting my diploma in the mail prob in Dec/Jan some time (that is if my internship coordinator doesn't slack too much and put off grading my assignments pushing it on to winter semester, grr....) Anyway, here are some pics of the current exhibit:

The Lovely title for the room

This quote was already on the wall, as a regular part of the room, but I thought it was very fitting for this exhibit!

Here is a display case with a photosynthesis diagram I put together, and then you can't really see them, but the side black rectangles have pictures of a variety of different trees and the leaves that they produce, and then a small description of the different kinds of products that we get from those particular trees: "What Would Our World be Like without Trees!?"

Here is another diagram that talks about other functions within the tree, and how to count the rings in a tree and what it means, and then of course a log that they actually count from.

Here I transformed our reading loft into a "Ranger Station" where the children can pretend to over look the forest and make sure there are no fire dangers. Or they can act out however they'd like ;)

Here is the craft section, or at least the display part of it, these are all different examples of crafts that were made out of products that were made from trees, mostly newspaper, but also egg cartons, paper bags, toilet paper holders, etc. This is a great way to see how we've been blessed with lots of things from trees!

Here is the "Construction Zone" where the children can act out however they want, but to get a sense of we are able to build buildings and other important things primarily because trees provide us with lumber to build.

Here is the "Grateful Tree" where children, or anyone, can write on a leaf why they are grateful for trees, here are the leaves we've collected so far!

Here is the logging/smokey bear zone. We wanted to make a section that showed how were are able to get lumber from trees in the forest, but couldn't really figure out how to depict this very well, but there are some logs and a fake ax that they can pretend to chop at the tree. Then we have smokey the bear that we were able to borrow from the forest service. They were kind enough to go through a lot of loop holes just to let us use him for the month- The forest ranger people had to call all the way up to Washington DC to get the "OK" for him to visit us for the month- apparently he's a pretty valuable symbol! ;)

Here is another article that went to the paper about the exhibit, sorry if you can't read it. Pretty exciting to have, even though it is a routine thing for them to have an article each month.

Another cool natural part of the room, that actually goes really well with this months exhibit. I did some research on tree dating and if this tree was real, based on its circumference, this tree would be about 180 years old, give or take a couple years!

Thank you for joining us on the virtual tour today of the Rexburg Children's Museum, with the Tree exhibit, hope you have a super great day!!!

Old People....

2010-09-28T15:19:00.000-06:00

Just some random thoughts...but I have been thinking about old people lately. Absolutely nothing against cuz I think they are great people to be around and learn from, but I guess lately I have been observing them a little more closely lately. Working in the museum for my internship I have had quit a few older people come in to the museum. Even though my internship is primarily intended for me to work with children, because the children's section is inside the main museum, I have to do a fair share of helping in the regular museum as well, and especially since as of late with school starting and such, there are more adults coming in than children, it doesn't hurt for me to help a little. Back to old people- many of them come into the museum and they come from all over, surprisingly many even come from far east as much as the east coast, and even the eastern countries. And I have noticed a large but interesting difference between how older people enjoy the museum verses the younger guests. I have some groups of older people that will literally stay for HOURS, reading every little thing about every little object, and then intently observing each object as well. A younger aged group could easily be in and out of the museum within an hour usually less. Where do they get their patience and endurance for being there for so long when you think they would be the ones with less energy to enjoy it like a younger age person could. Or does it take such little little energy to browse through a museum that it is just the right level of energy using, where for a younger more energized person can't handle such lower levels of non energetic activity that they want to use as little of it on a museum and enjoy the rest of it on something more engaging? Or are they more intrigued with being in the museum because it is more close to home to them than it would be for a younger person? I guess I am not necessarily looking for a particular answer on this, or even really know what I am asking about, other than I guess I just think it is interesting how older people seem different than younger people this way, and it makes me wonder what I will be like when I am in the old people category and what kind of things will they be having in museums by then?

ajarnforum.net

Just random thoughts....hope you have a great day!

Frugality: to be or not to be

2010-09-24T11:47:00.000-06:00

I saw this and thought it was pretty funny, it matches well with my title ;)

So we have been thinking, talking, discussing, all the above for a while now about ways that we can improve our eating habits, and our budgeting and I think we have certainly improved since we first got married, but every now and then we get a little, maybe "worn out" would be the term, for trying to be good about it all, ALL the time, and will spend a little extra here and there and get a thing of ice cream, or go get a 5 dollar pizza, and as much as I enjoy eating our little random splurges (especially when I am REALLY craving it!), I still end up getting/feeling frustrated with myself, that we weren't strong enough to resist and keep being good. So anyway, long story short, of all this thinking and trying to improve being on my mind, we went to a non-credit, life skill sort of class on campus last night that they offer every semester, and it was titled: "Meals on a Dollar a Day." And one of the first things the teacher mentioned is what does it mean to be frugal? I know we hear or use that word a lot, but I guess I hadn't really sat down and really thought through it's meaning, or at least its meaning to me personally before. I have some thoughts towards it, but I am still trying to figure out what it means in my own life, but according to a google search it means:

"Avoiding unnecessary expenditure either of money or of anything else which is to be used or consumed; avoiding waste."

-For me I think of frugality as using food storage, and making things stretch and last and work to it's last straw before you have to replace things. I think it means being healthy but being wise, and can be inexpensive too. I think at the heart of it, frugality could be like following the simple basics of the word of wisdom, in all its forms!

Then the teaching pointed out that yes it is very good to be frugal, and it has lots of great benefits, yada, yada, but the idea of it really won't matter or sink into our lives unless you have a reason to be frugal and set concrete goals towards making it happen. Which makes sense, and I hear those goal type things all the time, but I guess hearing it that one more time last night was enough for me to really think it through and REALLY want to make a commitment this time.

I have a tendency to be half hearted committed in minor things of life, so that when I end up failing, the crash wont be so hard because I wasn't really committed anyway, but if I make it through, then it is all the more exciting because I did so well and wasn't even committed anyway! But either way I think I am still cheating myself and I deserve the benefits of a fully committed goal whether I fail or succeed, and I guess really, as long as I keep trying, even with slip ups, I am still on the succeeding path, right?

With the help of some new recipes, and a few website suggestions of recipes, and better managing money, I am going to be more frugal; I am going to budget better and eat healthy!

Goal#1: I am going to try at least one new recipe a week, and progress towards doing a new recipe per day. (With my random work and internship schedule, I better start small!)
Goal #2: I am going to be better at drinking water, and drink 8-10 glasses a day
Goal #3: I am going to start sprouting wheat and other seeds to add additional nutrition to my daily diet
Goal #4: I am going to keep up on my dishes so that I won't be as easily tempted to go out to eat, or splurge
Goal #5: I am going to put better planning into breakfast meals, to give ourselves a healthy start each day (besides, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, it deserves better planning and considerations!)

I know this prob doesn't look like much of a change, or a start, but I gotta start somewhere, right? I think we are doing okay, but I want to be doing better.

I want to be frugal because our budget depends on it. I want to be frugal because I want us to stay out of debt. I want to be frugal because I owe it to my body to be healthy, and eat better things that aren't expensive. I want to be frugal because I want to be there for my husband and children now and years and years down the road when I am old. I want to be frugal because countless good honest church leaders have encouraged us to be, and I want to be obedient towards those commandments. I want to be frugal because I need to be!

We'll see how this goes....

oh and if you are interested here are some websites she gave us: www.eatwheat.com and www.dollaradaymeals.com

Internship Exhibit Round One

2010-09-14T12:28:00.001-06:00

I am coming down to my half-way point in completing my internship, and hopefully by the end of this week I will have completed one round of an exhibit for my internship in the Children's Museum in the Teton Flood Museum. It has been great fun putting things together for children to come and enjoy as they visit, so I thought I would share a little taste of the exhibit I just completed for the last month, that will be coming down for the next one to be put up.

Here was the theme for this last month. With our extremely limited budget, we had to be really creative in putting things together for this, so with some great help from careers in the community, they helped donate/let us borrow things for this exhibit, and the kids seemed to love it!

Here is our reading loft that I transformed into a "house on fire" so that the children could dress up in the real firefighter clothes and pretend to put it out.

I was able to find a pretty nice blood pressure gage and stethoscope at DI for only a $1! It really helped to giving us a nice "Doctor/Nurse" section so kids could pretend in this realm!

Here is a display case we have in the room, I transformed it into a fun map that has side descriptions of different careers that are in Rexburg. I am not sure that kids really paid much attention to this one, since the dress up part was so much more fun, but maybe some of the older kids did!

Here is our "Mail Carrier" corner, where we have a real mail carrier bag and hat and a lovely mailbox that kids could pretend they were mail carriers. Plus it can be a nice side tribute to my dad's own career.

I know this could easily look like a regular kitchen, but this is our "Chef's Corner" where kids could pretend they are chefs, and it was actually a very popular section, maybe because they could relate to it the most by seeing their parents cook.

Some Dress up hats that the local police station let us barrow for the kids to play with!

A lovely box car fire truck I put together, I know it's not much, but with a limited budget and limited skills, not much else you can do!

And two box police cars, I think the kids enjoyed playing with them!

I know it isn't much, but its been fun and I have been learning a lot! I just hope that the kids have too, cuz that's the whole point of this anyway, right?

And then on a fun side note it was put in the local newspaper, again I know it isn't saying much, cuz it's only small Rexburg, and I am pretty sure they do an article on the museum every month anyway, so its nothing new or exceptional, but at least from my side of things it was a kinda fun treat to be quoted in the newspaper (although I know Ang you get to quote your whole stuff in a paper by all those articles your write! so this is prob nothing to you ;)

Anyway, long story short, my internship has been going great, I've been enjoying it! One exhibit down, two more to go! The next one I am putting up this week is on "TREES!!" Maybe I will post on this one as well, as soon as it comes together!

Hope you have a great day!

The Photos are In- Cross your Fingers!

2010-08-25T10:09:00.000-06:00

I know I still have a few more days before I could turn in the pictures for the contest, but these next few days will be busy with camping, internship stuff, and working on campus, so I went ahead and printed them and sent them off, here are the ones I put in and thanks for all your suggestions! Maybe one of them will win?! It doesn't really matter to me if they do, even though it would be cool, I just had fun getting involved with something different than the norm!

"Always New Hope"

Pic number 1

"A Man to be Remembered"

Pic #2 I know this one is kinda blurry, and yes Ang, I do tend to take blurry pics, but I promise it is because of my camera, it is a piece of crap-we just got a new one, so they should be better from here out! Michael really liked this one, and since it was about the guy who started Rexburg, we thought it might go well for the judges, we'll see...

"Breath and Believe"

And lastly pic #3, a new one I put together yesterday (with my new camera, Michael got for me for free through his work, he's so good to me!), it is in my lovely backyard from where our landlords make it look so BEAUTIFUL!

Anyway, thanks for all your help and suggestions, I really appreciate it, we'll see how it all turns out and if nothing else it was a nice change of pace in my life!

If anything comes of it, I'll be sure to post on it!

Hope you have a great day!

Picture Contest

2010-08-20T10:12:00.002-06:00

So in my ventures to find more things to do with my free time now that school is done I discovered there is a picture contest coming up. They are remodeling our local library and as a part of the re-dedication of the new addition they are going to announce three winners of photos that have been turned in previously, and these three photos will be hung up for display in the new addition, I think somewhat permanently. I know my photo skills aren't super (especially since my camera is super ghetto) but I thought it would be fun to try out. The due date for the photos is Saturday, Aug 28th. So I guess in my nervousness that any of these pics would have some chance to win (not that I am all in it for just winning-its been fun along the way too ;) I was wondering if I could get some input on these few that I am considering turning in, and if they would even be worth turning in. I am allowed to turn in three, so shout out which of the following you might think would be worth turning in, or non for that matter too. There isn't any prizes for this thing other than the delight of having a picture on display in a public building, so if you help me figure out what which ones look best, and any of them win, then you can join in my delight of having it hung up ;)
Anyway, long story short, here is what I got so far, let me know what you think- input would be nice, especially from you pros!

Picture number 1: of Bear Lake a couple of years ago

Picture number 2: of a bird in the museum where I do my internship

Picture number 3: I think this one kinda speaks for itself

Picture Number 4: the Christos in the Idaho Falls Visitor Center

Picture Number 5: Eye See You!

Picture Number 6: Some Random Ducks at Lake Powell (from a while ago)

Picture Number 7: A globe at the museum, with lighter settings

Number 8: same as above with darker settings

Number 9: again speaks for itself

Number 10: again at Lake Powell a couple years ago

Number 11: Patsy's Porch, a place on campus (where I got the pic for the happiness quote, and where Michael proposed ;)

Number 12: again at the museum- stop and smell the flowers!

Number 13: the Lily Michael proposed to me with (we did a re-enactment a while ago so we could take pics, whereas we didn't the first time ;)

Number 14: Again at the museum, this guy (both the stature and picture in the back) is Thomas E. Ricks the guy that founded Rexburg and the college as Ricks College before it was BYUI

Number 15: Same as above, but with different effects

Number 16: again at the museum-this thing still plays!

Number 17: At bear lake a few years ago

Number 18: Again at Bear Lake

Number 19: At the Carousel ride

Anyway, thanks for looking, if it wouldn't be too much trouble just let me know which three out of them all that you like the best or if I just need to start from scratch all over again ;)

Hope you have a super day!

Thanks!!!

Getting excited!

2010-08-18T11:16:00.000-06:00

I guess I have been excited all along, but different things have been coming up that has made things have reason for more excitement! And you are prob wondering what I am talking about being so excited about? Well if you know much of my situation it really wouldn't take much to know that I am talking about being excited for our little one-our little girl at that (at least we think). Reasons I've been feeling more extra excited lately:

1. We have been slowly but surely getting some bare essentials to build up our supply and get ready for the baby. I know it is kinda early, but I figure we'll be saving money on it all, cuz the stuff we've already been buying we've been getting really sweet deals on, and as far as bigger stuff goes all we lack now is a good crib (which doesn't have to be a super rush since we have a bassinet to hold us off for a few months while the little one is still little!

2. My lovely sister Andrea gave us some pics back (thanks again so much Ang!) from our wedding that are of us (as in Michael and I, not Andrea and I, ;) when we were little so she could make a video of us. So after not seeing this pics for a year now, it has been so fun to look back at how adorable Michael was as a baby, I guess I was kinda cute too...but I overall I still see more weirdo than cute!! Here are some of my favs:

Isn't he just so cute!! Love his darling chubby checks!

What a handsome and dashing little tike!

Isn't his smile in this one to die for? (He's the little one)

As a wee lad, so peaceful and sweet ;)

Now here is another story...I will be sure not to put big bows like this on my girl ;) What a big cheese I was!

I know I am such a weirdo....and I will be doing lots to help make sure our kids don't have nasty teeth like this...so embarrassing ;)

This is as young as my baby pics go, all my little baby pics got burned. But with the two of our genes (especially with Michael's) we're bound to have some decently cute kids, right?

3. Not only seeing pics of what our little one might look like, but actually seeing lots of babies (or hearing about lots) has also been really exciting. Amazingly enough, this last week we knew of 4 different couples that had babies, two of which we got to see in person(if getting to see babies in person doesn't make you baby hungry, I don't know what else does, too bad for my stinking cold I got I wasn't able to hold either of them-but I most certainly plan too once I feel better!!!!!!), and the other two have seen pictures of their little ones- all so cute! Plus just recently found out of three closer people in my life that are also expecting little ones, which has just really all added to the excitement.

4. Upon earlier suggestions from sisters to write in a journal about my pregnancy, now that I finally have more free time being done with school I have been starting a journal/baby book to hopefully make up for lost months in not writing, and to also keep it going on through the pregnancy and also through till they're 18 and give it to them as a present for their 18th b-day (hopefully I'll remember to keep it up!). It has been lots of fun putting it together, especially since I am making it on my own and didn't buy one that already has the "fill in the blank" stuff. Here is a look of the outside cover:

5. And last, but of course, not least...getting another ultra-sound has increased our level of excitement (especially since it was so nice to finally have an ultrasound that they didn't have stick up me and could just rub on my tummy ;) We were very excited to find out what it was, and even though we were almost positive that it was going to be a boy, we are very excited to have a little girl (we think- she was crossing her legs funny, it isn't a 100% guarantee) and it has been fun to think of and look at different names...which we'll keep to ourselves for a the time being ;) And besides, with these cute pictures, how could you not be excited....

Doesn't the spine look so nice and straight and healthy? ;)

I Love looking at this cute tiny foot, like you could just reach up and tickle it!

Amongst all the excitement I am also kinda scared some days (more or less most days). I know in a sense you could say I've been preparing for something like this my whole life with the Great Mother I got that devotedly raised us to be good moms, working in preschools/day cares, being a nanny for two years, and getting my Child Development degree, but still, I don't think anything I go through could've fully prepared me for the realities of being a parent, and I am still scared out of my whits (no pun intended ;)! I just hope and pray that I can in some degree be the parent they will need me to be!

Anyway, thanks for listening (or I guess reading) my blabbering for the day, hope you have a good one!

One year and 8 loaves

2010-07-31T17:43:00.000-06:00

Normally I wouldn't be blogging on such a joyous day as this, the day we get to celebrate our one year anniversary of being married- can you believe it has already been a year? Where has the time flown, flew, flied- which ever one would be the right context. Anyway, normally I wouldn't be doing this today, but Michael had to work tonight from 4 to midnight, so it left me home with trying to find things to do in the mean time, and of course today being today, our anniversary, I have been thinking alot about our past year together, and thought blogging would be a fun thing to fill my time.

So here are some random things that has come to my mind about our last year together:

1. We lived in a cozy little trailer the start of our marriage (cozy as in it got so cold we had to cuddle a lot to keep warm, although we would prob have cuddled anyway ;)

2. We had our first camping trip together at brown creek, but got so cold and lazy we didn't even bother setting up a tent and slept in the car, we prob shouldn't have waited till almost winter to go camping ;)

3. We had our first experience with trying to balance holidays with family, fun times especially since both parents live in the same town- it's amazing how both families do things SO differently, yet things went smooth and great!

4. We rented our first moving truck ever. It cost us more than two months worth of rent, hopefully we wont have to rent one of those again anytime soon!

5. We officially moved away from our hometown together, but because of driving circumstances we couldn't ride with each in the same vehicle the whole 18+ hour drive (it doesn't normally take this long, but because it was winter, the roads were terrible!), it was a long blizzardary solo driving ride!

6. We both started school and work together in lovely Idaho (well Michael started brand new, I just started another semester).

7. We went to our first ward together away from anything familiar, aka the wards we were used to in our hometown. (still getting very much used to the ward!)

8. We walked to school and back every day for two semesters straight- allows for great talking and exercising time, I would highly recommend it ;)

9. I became pregnant 8 months into being married- the little tike is moving right now as I type, it must be trying to say "hello" ;)

10. We started the wonderful opportunity of being ordained as ordinance workers in the Rexburg Temple to work every Saturday (if you would have asked me a year ago if I thought I would be doing this, I would have given a big NO- I used to think this kind of stuff was only for really old people that had nothing better to do, but either way I am glad we have the opportunity!)

11. We had the neat opportunity to attend two family weddings - we each had a sibling that got married this year! And also the neat opportunity to see a good friend from high school get married!

12. I was able to graduate from college, which a year ago, I didn't realize I was this close to getting my degree ;)

13. We had our first calling together as nursery workers (started it in Lakeside, still doing it in Rexburg).

14. I have realized that in the past year, Michael has cooked more meals by FAR than me, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner- I wasn't lazy all the time, I promise. I just tended to have a busier schedule than him a lot of the time, and he is just so good at it why should I stop him! But this fact prob wont be the same come next year when he will be the really busy one- which has already started!

and last but not least:

15. It has occurred to me that over the course of the year that we have been married, we have only bought 8 loaves of bread and it is not we never eat bread, because we certainly eat lots of bread! I love to make bread, so each week I make our bread, and over the year we have only bought 8, simply because either I couldn't get to the flour that week (it was being moved), we ran out of yeast, or we had a lot of company and figured it would be easier for the time being to just buy bread. Another fact I wouldn't have thought possible a year ago!

Overall I am indeedly grateful to be married to my best friend, wouldn't have traded this last year for anything, and I am excited for the years we'll have together to come! One down, eternity to go!

Hope you have a great day too!

Graduation Celebrations and Fourth of July Fun!

2010-07-24T16:03:00.007-06:00

Yes it has finally come, I was able to walk for my graduation from BYU-I with an Associates of Science in Professional Preschool Education and a Bachelors of Science in Child Development! My graduation for my Bachelors degree isn't OFFICIALLY legit until I finish my internship (which I just started yesterday) this December, but they let you walk and get your "diploma cover" if an internship is all you have left for your degree. I figured it would be more accommodating for visitors to come in the nice summer than in the bitter cold Dec when it will be more official. It feels weird for me to think I have been in school non stop (with of course the usual given summer breaks) since I was five years old, and now I have (or will very shortly have) a Bachelor's degree, I feel too little to have come this far- how did I get here anyway!? I hope that I serve my degree justice by using my knowledge wisely with my future rearing of my children and hopefully sometime down the road using it within the community to help other families and children.

It is certainly going to be a new adjustment for me to rearrange my life schedule that is no longer mainly focused on school and work. I am excited for the new adventures ahead of me that life has to offer!

And last but least, thanks for all that made the time and sacrifice to come all this way to support me on my graduation and for your generous gifts, I really appreciate it! It really meant a lot to me that you came, even if I did squeeze you in my tiny apartment! It was nice for once to be able to treat you guys in my own home than to always be the one going your way and bumming off your food and beds! Anyway thanks again for coming, it was great! (and thanks Ang for letting me bum your pics ;)
Thanks Keri, Kenz, and Clohe!

Thanks April, Josh, Jonathon, Thomas, Tamar, and Tessa!

Thanks Dad and Kelly!

Thanks Brian, Kaylie, and Emma!

Thanks Ang, Lindsey, Holland, and Halle!

And of course Thanks to my wonderful Michael, couldn't have made it this far without him- wouldn't want to either! He is such a great wonderful supportive husband and I love him to pieces! Now it's my turn to help support him through his degree- he is gonna do so great!

Thanks to two of my really great professors! (sorry for the blurriness) Couldn't have done it without them!

Me with one of my good friends Kallie that was in the Preschool Program and with the Child Development program with me, so we've been at this from the beginning of our degrees! Congrats Kallie!

Had the fun pleasure of graduating the same time as one of my good ol roommates from back in the singles days, so we had to get some pics together, in front of the sign of our Apt where we met and roomed together! Good times, Congrats Carol!!

On another side note: I know it was a while ago, but here are some pictures of our Fourth of July parade, it was a pretty sweet situation, because we didn't have to deal with crazy parking or long walking, it started less than a block from our house- All we had to do was walk outside! Yeah for all the brave nice people to let us have a day off from work and school so we can watch random floats go down the road and get candy thrown at us!

Here is just a few of the floats, or at least the ones I liked best!

This was probably my favorite float, it is not every day you see a giant shopping cart driving down the road!

I can't count on my hand how many countless tractors went through the parade, welcome to Idaho!

Now here is Michael's favorite, I am not sure why they had Star Wars characters come through or what company they were representing, but it was fun to see how realistic their costumes were!

Long story short, thanks for all those who support my graduation and Happy Fourth of July ( a month ago!) Hope yours was fun too!

The Grass is Greener on the Other Side-Literally!

2010-06-28T18:24:00.006-06:00

So again here is another post about something Michael and I notice on our daily walks to and from school each day. I guess that is where my most thought provoking parts of my days occur- being at work and school is too overloaded to find something there to blog about from. Anyway....we actually noticed this several weeks, even months ago, but I just hadn't much time or pictures to blog about it till now.

There is a particular house we pass by as we go to school and it very much sticks out for one minor detail- the lawn. If I was back in AZ it prob wouldn't be that noticeable because every random person actually has a nice lawn (or a nice clump of green weeds that they are trying to pretend is their lawn). But here in Rexburg, EVERYONE has a nice, clean cut, bright green, lawn. Even if you have apartments full of students: single or married renters, some how with their busy lives they still have nice lawns whether their landlords maintain it or they volunteer. The green is EVERYWHERE and it is just gorgeous!

So with that in mind, walking past this particular house each day is like a sore thumb, a really bright red hurting thumb, or at least a really obvious one! This particular house has a very distinct yellow brownish lawn, still kept to nice short length like all the others, but this one is far from green. And the crazy part is how definite the line is on where their lawn is and their neighbors' lawns are- the line is straight, one side bright green the other bright yellow. I don't think their lack of watering would be a problem-because it has been raining quit frequently lately, so I don't really know what would make their lawn so defiantly yellow, and straight down the line. Its almost like there is a yellow grass curse just on this house, and it has been purposefully cookie cutter-ed out! It is so bizarre to see each day. I happen to know the family of this home somewhat from my ward, and they are a great sweet family, with an adorable little girl (who happens to be in my nursery-a happy cute one) so I don't mean to bash the nice wonderful little family, but they have just been sadly given the yellow lawn curse, and in literal senses the grass is greener on the other side (of the property line) for them.... On an entirely different but fun note, we have owls that live in the trees right outside our house. Growing up and coming from AZ, I never thought I would be able to see an owl in real life, but they are around very frequently. My camera quality between my digital one and my phone aren'r the best for getting shots of birds high in the trees, but here is a small glimsp of one of several owls that like to hang at our place!

So theres my random blogging for the day, hope you have a wonderful day and that you can enjoy the grass in your life-even if it contains some yellow brown grass curses!

5 Extra Credit Points....

2010-06-18T18:27:00.002-06:00

www.dreamstime.com

So funny story, just had to share, just had to share.....

I was in my science class today and we were talking about Diabetes, and my teacher had to throw in this funny story which I will now share....

He was teaching some kind of human science class or something, and he did a project where they all could do a pee sample and test the pH and as a "fun" experipent of what he called it. There was a jokster sort of guy in the class that wanted to have fun with it, so he talked with the teacher on the side ahead of time about letting him put apple juice in his cup while everyone went to the bathroom. So the teacher decided to go along with it. If there is a extra amount of sugar in the urine then the pH stick/strip will be a more brownish sort of color. So when this jokster put his strip into his cup it turned black (from all the amount of sugary apply juice of course) the classmates around him started getting excited, inquiring from the teacher what this could mean. So my teacher said: "well it either means you have a bad case of diabetes, or the strips are bad, I just realized they exprired a few months ago, so they might not be accurate. The only real accurate way to test it now is for you to drink it." So, since the student, knowing his cup was really apple juice, chugged it, grossing out the class....

Well then after this incident, my teacher shared the story with some colleges, and one loved the idea and wanted to do it with his class too. So he found a good prospect from his class, hooked him with the apple juice and proceeded as planned. This time around, just before the student was going to drink the cup he said, "well, I guess I will only do it if you give me 5 extra credit points," the teacher agreed and the student drank it again grossing out the class. Then within minutes of the student drinking it (before the teacher had a chance to explain what really happened) a nervous girl in the front said "I could really really use 5 extra credit points!" and she chugged her cup too, but hers was really the urine!!! I died laughing, I am still laughing, anyway, just thought it was so funny I had to share! Hope you have a wonderful day and is filled with good levels of pH in your pee ;)

A Cat in a Window Sill...

2010-05-20T21:22:00.004-06:00

I don't know if it is my nature of being human, or in my genetic nature to be noisy or curious, but there is a part of me that loves to be a people watcher. I don't intend this post to be mean or critical, but maybe more of appreciation in humor.

Michael and I walk to school and back every day, which has been a real treat, it is a nice simple way for me to feel like I am staying somewhat active, especially since when I get to school I sit all day in classes. But besides this all, one of my all time favorite treats of walking is we always pass this one house about a block from our own house. Because of our early morning school schedule our walking to school always start very early in the morning, which is about the same time, the man of this house goes to work. When we first turn on to this street in our walking, the car is always turned on, ready to take its owner to work when he gets out. Then proceeds my favorite part...

As we get closer to walking past this house, without fail the man will run out in a fun tip toe run (I wish I had a better way to describe how fun his run is to watch) and as he runs he turns to wave at a very large window with the currants open. In our curiosity we have taken closer observation on this and have discovered that he is not waving to another person, but a cat that sits, bored looking, blank stared sitting in the window sill. I like cats, but I guess I never thought of being so persistent at waving goodbye to one every day without fail as this man does.

The interesting part is, we have also discovered this man to be in our ward, so we know that he has a wife, and this again has brought up our curiosity as to why he is so consistent with his cat. I suppose even if he does have a wife, maybe he still has the potential of having lonely side to him that feels a close connection to his cat. Or maybe he has just acquired a close connection with this cat anyway despite his relationship with his wife, and maybe even though the cat appears bored, it might really enjoy having a wave good bye every morning. This part I am not certain about other than I have come to the conclusion that I appreciate the scene.

Again I don't mean to sound mean or making fun of this man's behavior, but I guess as mentioned earily, I write this in appreciation, that seeing him run so....different as he runs and waves to his kitty, it makes me laugh and smile, and always makes my days start out good, just to be able to watch. Maybe that's why I like to be a people watching, because others behaviors that I find different, I sometimes find humorous, and finding these makes my day.

Anyway, hope you have a great day and can appreciate your kitty too...if you have one ;)

New Do, New Place, New News!

2010-04-25T18:46:00.006-06:00

The supposed warmer weather, and as a treat for finishing the winter semester, I was ready for a trim and a chop. Here is a not very styled look of my new do, but I like either way, it's so much easier to take care of now! So we also moved into a new apartment, but it is in the same house. Before we were down stairs, now we are up! Was up man? We are up!! hehe okay anyway... I know I have already shown an outside view of this place, but this time you can actually see the grass, and it is super pretty!

Here is our stairway up to our place. Alot of people had a hard time finding the upstairs neighbors before, so I thought I would try to more clearly define that we live up there. "Welcome to the Jacob's"!!

There is a landing halfway up our stairs, and I thought it would be fun to put a message board in case we aren't home, which we usually aren't during the day, not that we'll get visitors, espeically during the day.. but it was fun making it!

Here is a more disitant view of the lovely landing....

The first room you enter is actually our bedroom. Little different, but true. We pushed our bed to the farther corner behind the door so it wouldn't be too terribly ackward to see when you first walk in. The purple thing in the corner is our bed, then you see the piano, desk and shelf (out of the picture) when you come in.

The next room that you run into is our quaint little kitchen, that reminds me alot of the home, since it is ALL wood.

Then down the hall is our larger/largest room as the dinning, TV, receiving sort of room, which is also ALL wood. It is pretty fun, except we can't really put pictures up, which is my FAv, oh well...

Here is another lovely view of the large room.... Oh and of course we have a bathroom too, but figure that wasn't totally nesscary for the tour... ;)

And lastly, some/most of you who read my blog prob already know, but in case you haven't heard, we are pregnant! (We'll offically I am, Michael isn't pregnant, that'd be weird and wrong, but his the lovely daddy!)

I will put more detailed updates about it on my other blog www.heroicpregnancyjourney.blogspot.com , if you care to venture that way ;).

So that's it for us in some recent news. Hope you have a super day!

We're Coming out of the Closet!

2010-04-08T19:30:00.005-06:00

Hehe, well more like we are letting you look IN our closet, and the pictures our coming out to you! We should embrace our differences right? Well I guess this a fun simple way I am embracing some differences Michael and I very much have with each other!

When I took these pictures I was laughing for a while because I thought it was pretty funny how different Michael and I are in this area, espeically since it is opposite of the norm. So you prob won't laugh as hard as we did about it, but thought maybe you'd enjoy it. hehe....

So here is a glance at our closet, this is my half (well more like my 3/4 ), and these are just my shirts and dresses (not including all the pants I have and defineatly not counting all the tons of PJ's I have!!)....

Then you have Michael's half (more like 1/4) and notice how much neater and more organized they are than my side? Also notice how he has like 5 shirts verse my 20+, oh and he only has two PJ's and two jeans, the rest of his pants go with his suits. Oh it gets better.....

Now here is the 3/4 of my floor of the closet, ya, I am not very organized, as long as I can still close the closet door, I don't care so much how it looks inside....

Now look at Michael's 1/4 of the closet. The suitcases are there just being stored since we didn't know where else to put them, my shoes have to have all their space cuz there are so many of them He is so much neater and cleaner than me, hehe, he's so good! Now for the whole view...drum roll....

This is the view of my side, so lovely anit it?

And this is the full view of Michael's super clean and organized side!

I do clean, occasionally, but I think Michael is more passionate about than me and I love him for it!

Anyway, hope you enjoyed a fun glance at our personal lives, and hope it gave a little laugh too (even if it is a little one through your nose ;)

Have a super day!

Skeptical or Crazy?

2010-03-30T21:36:00.002-06:00

I had a very wierd happening the other day, so I thought I would share my boggle-mindedness. We were on campus all day in and out through classes, and at the endings of our day Michael needed to do some group meeting projects, so I decided to go to the Preschool computer lab and put in some hours at work. I have been working on updating the supplies catolog, working away on the computer. I was wearing a skirt this day, so with my lacking pocketness I put my phone on the computer desk area, very near the moniter so I could keep track of time and await for Michael's text for when he would be done. I really honestly don't remember leaving the room during all of this before I noticed all of a sudden that my phone was gone. There were only three to four other people in the computer lab, and they were all on the other side of the room, away from the computer I was at. There is a slit chance I left the room to unlock a room for a girl that needed to get in a closet, but I am almost positive that I helped her after I notice my phone being gone, not before. The whole situtation was crazy that I think my mind is playing games on me or something! So I anxiously looked anywhere and everywhere that it could have gone without me noticing it. I felt like I was going mad. I walked by the other girls in the room and noticed that two of them both had the same phone as me. Being skeptical and anxious asked if I could look at their phone, I felt so dumb by the expressions they gave me, and even more so when I noticed it was indeed their own personal phones, not mine. Not really knowing what else I could do I went back to work and waited for Michael. When he found me after his meetings I told him of my distress and he suggested to me that I probably just left it at home thinking I remembed to bring it. Thinking that this could be possible, and that the above situation of putting my phone by me was just in my head, I put my mind to rest. Then we went to a 3 hour play performed on campus, trying to forget about my phone.
We returned home and quickly realized that I did have my phone eariler, but again felt more crazy because I couldn't in the slightest contemplate how it so magically disappeared. In our attempts to find my phone at home Michael called it several times so we could listen for the ring tone. No sound. Then within 5 minutes Michael got a call on his phone coming from my phone, but not from me dailing him. It was a nice gentleman in the library reporting that he found this phone and would hold it for us if we came to the library right then. Excited that we finally found it we rushed over. The man said he found it on a random desk in the library, and thought it would be courtious to return it.
Indeedly grateful to have my phone back, I am still intensely confused at how my phone disappread and got from point A: sitting nicely next to the computer moniter in the computer lab in the Clark building, to point B: on a random desk in the Library of which I did not enter that entire day.
Either I am skeptical of someone temporaily stealing it without me noticing it somehow, or I have simply lost my mind.
For some strange reason I seem to have the re-occuring circumstances of my posestions disappearing, and generously reappearing: First my car, now my phone, what's next? My house?
Let's hope not...

Have a wonderful day!!

Let me Introduce you to Cha Cha

2010-03-27T16:51:00.009-06:00

My family has monthly get togethers and for this month, March, from the inspiration of April wanting to having a talent show, I wanted to do something fun and creative. I have a mexican man puppet, and a big computer box, and random supplies, so put it all together and what to do got? Bibbodey-Bobbdey-Boo! (I had to through that in there) You have a puppet show!! Since the little mexican man couldn't do a show very well on his own, I decided to make him a girl, here is her story, how Cha Cha came to be...

Le me esplain...no...le me sum up...the equation is simple, see for yourself:

+ + =

Then all the above plus... + += Then all the above plus...

(These arms and legs I got from a WWF doll, and the fancy material came from my grandma Webb's stash....hehe)

+ (drum roll....)

Equals:

Cha Cha!!

Now for an additional fun side note, here is the stage she performed on

(Built with the help of my lovely husband Michael, and my good friend Maria)

Hope you enjoyed the show, and it wasn't too slow, now I am gonna go cook my dough!

Have a great day!

The Story of my Favorite Pen

2010-03-04T21:11:00.005-07:00

Yes, it is true, believe it or not, my favorite Pen has come to its doom...

Out of the kindness of Michael's heart, he let me use this pen. It was one he used to have for work as a server at the country club resturant. I learned to love this pen. It wrote so smooth and slick. It had a perfect fit for my fingers as I wrote, espeically with its gentle squishy grip thing. We soon became close friends.

Then I went to this three hour long first aid training, that I needed to get for my Head teacher position next semester. I brought with me my favorite pen in case I would need to take notes or fill out information. It stayed with me long enough to write a check out for the course fee, but then soon after I am not sure what happened to it, I was simply being careless and didn't give it the attention and care it needed. I missed it and wondered what happened to it. It was like a little kid letting go of a pretty balloon that they loved, but they didn't see where it floated away to.

Then two girls walked in late: annoying number 1 and super annoying number 2. Within five minutes they easily put themselves at an 8 on the annoying scale, 10 being the worst. I try to be a nice person, but it doesn't always go over well, espeically when it is late at night and I am tired and not in the mood, espeically since I lost dear pen. So for whatever reasons I let annoyings get under my skin. I am convinced there are just some people out there that have such distict personalities that it is hard not to get annoyed with them right away. I am prob one of these kinds of people to some other people, so I shouldn't be one to talk, but I guess for lack of better explaniations, I just wasn't in the mood for annoying number 1 and number 2. And to my lovely joys, super annoying number 2 sits next to me, ehhh.

The course continues on and long through the night. We have to do different partner practice exercises so we can properly experience and understand different scary situations to be more properly trained. Since super annoying number 2 sat next to me, she ended being my partner, joy. It took everything in me to not just want to ignore her all together, I know, I was being really immature.

About halfway through the class, I magically noticed my happy favorite pen--like finally seeing the balloon in the distance, but to my awful, terrible horrible dismay, it was in the hands of super annoying number 2--the balloon is now far gone, never to return, there is no hope for it now to return to the child's hands. How it got from my possession to her hands I do not know, but my heart sank deep, real deep. It was torture to watch her fiddle with it over and over through the remainder of the course. I felt like I lost a dear friend, never to see or to be with again. If super annoying number 2 didn't bother me already, now seeing my precious pen in her hands made me want to cry.

I left the course feeling sad and dismayed, not only did I lose my dear favorite pen, but to super annoying number 2. If I ever see her on campus again, I don't think I will ever be able to look at her the same. Again, I know, I am being very immature. Sorry...

I am very distraught and I will miss my favorite pen. But I guess I should move on, although I will never find another like my favorite pen.

Even though my favorite pen doesn't look this one, I thought the picture was fitting, in symbolism of it going to its awful grave, its doom of being with super annoying number 2 the remainder of it's days. I just hope she will take care of it.

The End.

Have a good day, and I hope you don't loose your favorite pen...

Got the Jobs!!

2010-02-18T12:22:00.002-07:00

We are both pretty excited, we thought we'd share that we both got jobs lined up. Michael got a job at Melucha (spelling?) which is a call center for different kinds of lotions and things made out of this special plant called Melucha, thus the name. He starts training next week and will be work part time hours for now, but over time he can work in more, and they are very flexible with school hours and such so it will work great for school semesters, and if he wants he can work full time when we aren't in school, which is also great!! As for Whitney, me, even though I have a current job this semester as the Preschool lab assistant, I just found out that I got hired for a part time Head teacher position for next semester. I will be doing similar things like when I had student teaching classes with the preschool, but this time I actually get paid for it (and great pay, better than any pay I've ever had!! WHoot Whoot!), where before it was only credit towards graduation, I guess this summer semester they didn't have enough supervisor student teachers so they had to hire a few to get buy, so I am in!
Anyway, we are both really excited, and just thought we'd share the good news!

Hope you have a super duper day!

Values Worth Living For

2010-02-16T18:22:00.003-07:00

In my English class we were assigned to write a Sythesis paper (basically a stongly support opinion paper) on whatever we liked, so I thought for fun I would share what I wrote. Hope you enjoy:
Here's my Paper:
What is the importance of life without any sort of underlying meaning to it? We go through life day after day, week after week; going, moving, sleeping, eating, reading, writing, talking, and what does it all amount to? If we don't have some sort of deeper meaning or base underneath what we do on daily mundane tasks, then why do we do them at all? The underlying questions are: what are values, how does one acquire them, and what benefits do they have?
If we do not have values then what do we have? Values are the foundation for our very lives, without something to build on then life becomes robotic and almost meaningless. Values are solid beliefs in an idea, person, or thing. Without having value towards the task of our daily lives, our daily lives lose their value. Values should be a motivation to complete the very tasks that are ahead of us, they should be the unwritten law deep in our hearts that we run by and may even use to encourage others to run by as well. Values cannot be fully developed without a foundation on Christ. Values are not worth having without Christ as that solid foundation. Values can be gained through dedication, opened understanding, and a complete willingness to live by them and put them to the test.
Values are the core of what we believe and the motivation behind what we do. If we do not know what our values are then how can we implement them as a motivation for what we do.
First off, all must have value in something, or we would not do anything. Everything we do, we do because we have some sort of value towards those actions. The actual quest should be to obtain value in those things that result in the greatest joy. If you do not know what your values are, then write them down. You may be surprised to find what your values are in. Even if you did nothing but slept all day, you would show that you at least have value in sleep. After realizing what you value, the journey is then to find whether or not what you currently value is in line with what will bring you the greatest joy and if it is worth it to change. There are great many values worth having in this life. On a more nobler plain of having values, M. Neil Brown, in his book, Asking the Right Questions, puts it this way: “Values are ideas that someone thinks are worthwhile...Usually objects, experiences, and actions are desired because of some idea we value...Values are standards of conduct that we endorse and expect people to meet” (Browne,12). After we have figured out what it is we value, we can then take a deeper look as to what would like to value more and what we can do to increase this value in our hearts towards those things.
A great example that comes to mind of someone with real determined values, one that really put his values to the test, was the Prophet Joseph Smith. It is completely evident that he had strong values or he would not have given up so much for what he valued and believed in. He valued life as a gift from God that we should hold dear and fight for the laws and ways that God so graciously laid for us. Joseph knew that even though his values would require a lot of him, it was worth it. He knew it was worth it because he valued eternal life and the blessings of living a noble life filled with obedience and respect towards God. I could not have said it any better than Jeffery R. Holland, in a devotional given at Brigham Young University titled “However Long and Hard the Road,” who explained all the hard work and devotion Joseph went through to defend his values.
He stated:
He [was] called into the battle of his life, for life itself...He [was] driven and hunted and hounded. His enemies [did] rail and ridicule. He [saw] his children die and his land lost and his marriage tremble. He [was] languish[ed] in prison through a Missouri winter...Finally he walk[ed] the streets of his own city uncertain who, except for a precious few, were really friend or actually foe. And all that toil and trouble, pain and perspiration end[ed] maliciously at Carthage—when there simply were finally more foes than friends. Felled by balls fired from the door of the jail inside the one coming through the window from outside, he fell dead into the hands of his murderers—thirty-eight years of age. (Holland, 4)
Why would someone go through so much unless he had value towards what he was defending, for what he was dying for. He valued the gospel of Jesus Christ and all the blessings restored in it. He knew that it was true and was of great value, and he knew there was no way he could throw in the towel and give up on this great valuable work. Holland also reminds:
Though nothing in our lives seems to require the courage and patient long-suffering of those early Latter-day Saints, still almost every worthwhile endeavor I can imagine takes something of that same determination...The baking of life's best cakes takes times.Don't despair of tarrying and trying. And don't 'burn your lips' with impatience.(Holland 5)
Even though most normal human beings will never go through the greatness that Joseph suffered, our values require our dedication. Yet at the same time they require our willingness and our patience. Hopefully the worthy things we value will be valued our entire lives. If we are willing to value them our whole lives through then the quest for them will ultimately be completed.
Like any good thing worth having, it requires work and dedication. If nothing else, our values should have that committed support from our hearts to achieve them. In a commencement address at Boston College, given by David McCullough, McCullough greatly expounds on the importance of learning and the great affect it has on our very lives. He makes it clear that if we do not seek knowledge then what else is there worth seeking in this life. In his address he quotes Abigail Adams in saying: “Learning is not attained by chance. It must be sought with ardor and attended with diligence” (McCullough, 2). The word ardor means “with extreme energy or vigor,” or the synonym for it is “passion.” Like the pursuit of learning, the pursuit of values takes just as much “passion” or dedication. We cannot sit idly thinking that we will naturally or automatically have values without any effort. We may gain simple values like enjoying being able to do nothing, but to have real solid values like integrity, courage, love, etc. it takes real devoted interest, desire, and the absolute willingness to practice these values in our actions.
Values are very important to living a fulfilling life, and they can be wonderful ground work for being a noble and respected person. But if our values are are not in some way linked or founded on Christ, in the long run these values simply wont be as affective. “The people who keep asking if they can't lead a decent life without Christ, don't know what life is about, if they did they would know that 'a decent life' is mere machinery compared with the thing we men are really made for”(Lewis, 4). If we don't have real solid values in Christ, values based on Christ, then we end up becoming machines, doomed to go about in this life with no meaning or purpose. In the article previously quoted, C.S. Lewis poses a deep question that I believe is necessary for anyone to consider who is in the quest for obtaining values, especially those built on Christ. He asks: “The question before each of is not 'Can someone lead a good life without Christianity?' The question is, 'Can I?'”(Lewis, 2). No one is required to form their own deep committed values to live by, but in the same sense of this question asked by Lewis I would like to pose a question as well: 'Is life worth living without having values for yourself?'
Life will be full of trials and heartaches, joys and triumphs. The real benefit of all these phases of life is knowing that we went through then with the right perspective in mind. Life filled with deep sincere values makes life a blessed journey. Dedicated sincere efforts can help one find the values that will benefit them personally for their life time. When that person has found those beliefs that will shape them and build through a life full of oppositions, then that person will have the ability to help others in the quest of finding values. Values built on Christ, built on the one and only true rock and foundation, are the real values worth seeking in life. These values are the real values that may be at times the hardest to obtain because they will require the most sacrifice and patience from us. “Morality is a mountain which we cannot climb by our own efforts; and if we could we should only perish in the ice and un-breathable air of the summit, lacking those wings with which the rest of the journey has to be accomplished”(Lewis,4). Not only will a life without values built on Christ not be worth it, it will would only bring us a end of cold and bitter results. Christ provides us with the wings to make our values sore and fly us home. Values are worth having, because life is worth living in all its fullest benefits.

Works Cited:
Browne, Neil M. and Sturart M, Keeley. Asking the Right Questions. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2010.
Holland, Jeffery R. “However Long and Hard the Road.” Devotional of Brigham Young University, Provo, UT. 18 January 1983.
Lewis, C. S. “Man or Rabbit.”
McCullough, David. “The Love of Learning.” Commencement Address for Boston College, Boston, MASS. 19 May. 2008.
Trimble, John R. Writing with Style. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2000.

Just Thoughts.....

2010-02-02T18:55:00.003-07:00

It is kind of funny, and maybe even ironic, when sentimental thoughts tend to shift onto sentimental days with significant memories, although I guess this isn't always true, because it can be just as easy to think sentimentally on non sentimental days. Anyway...I guess what I am trying to get out is it happens to be my parents wedding anniversary today,and it happens to be one of those sentimental days that I just miss my Mom a lot.
Where I work on campus I spend a lot of time organizing supplies that people are too lazy or to busy to put away from the preschool and in this room is where all the stressed out busy preschool teachers usually work on their upcoming lessons. And I don't know exactly why it is so common in this room, but it seems very evident, and it is a very daily occurrence, that these stressed out lesson writers will call their moms to talk about their stressed out lives while they work on their stressed out lessons. Since I usually keep to myself in my puttings away of things, it is very easy to listen in on their conversations, or at least get the gist that they are talking with their mommas. I usually don't think much or care that they ramble on about their lives within my ear's distance, but for reason, back to the sentimental factors, it kind of bothered me to hear it today. I might be easier to say I am just a meany and say it bothered me because these silly young girls don't know what stress is, and they are just complaining too much for nothing, but I think when it really comes down to it, I am just jealous, nasty green jealous and wish that I could call my mom too.

I wish that I could call my mom too when I am stressed even though the eavesdropper next to me might think my life is overrated,I wouldn't care because I would know that my mom would care.
I wish I could call my mom when I am bored with homework and Michael is in class, just to talk.
I wish I could call my mom and tell her about all my fears about being on my own, and the even more fears of when I'll have to (get to) be a mom some day and ask for all the juicy advice.
I wish I could call my mom and tell her about our funny house, and the cold weather, and all my excitements/frustrations in getting ready to graduate.
I wish I could call her and tell her all about my graduation stuff, and know that she was long ago planning on being there for me when it comes, and that she would have all these crazy posters and bells to keep with her in the stand. And when she'd visit I know I'd I have a fun battle with her in trying to not let her hide twenty dollars in our house somewhere, and in the end she'd still leave with twenty dollars hidden somewhere, because she always won this game.
I wish I could call my mom and tell her how annoying I think my English class is, and how it makes me feel like I went back to the second grade.
I wish I could call her and tell her about our fun temple ventures every week, and actually talk about all those "secret" things in a sacred way, that I was always too young to talk to with before.
I wish I could call my mom and tell her about my ward and how awkward it's been so far, while at the same time getting encouragement from her for me to get out of my dumb bubble and make friends, instead of expecting others to reach out to me.

I could really go on all day of all things I wish I could say if I could just pick up the phone and call my mom, but reality hits and know that won't happen, at least not in this life. But despite my frustrations it makes me appreciate the loving husband I have, for his understanding, even though he doesn't fully understand, for luckily not having to see his mother leave this life. It makes me appreciate his willingness to drop all his homework (even though he has a lot) and just squeeze me and hold me till all my "I wish I could talk to my mommy" tears have flooded out and are wiped away and I can feel better again.
I might not be able to call my mom right now, but I am glad I have a husband that loves me and cares for me and will be there for me to hear all my " I wish I could" list of things, and tells me that "everything is going to be okay".
So in sentimental honor of my parents anniversary, I am glad I have found a good husband that I hope to live worthy of and spend the rest of eternities with. And in the end, everything will be okay.

Hope you have a wonderful day.

Welcome to our humble aboad....

2010-01-28T12:52:00.009-07:00

Welcome to our lovely home! I like to document the places we live for memories sake (it must be something inherited "and this one...and this one..." sorry you prob wont get this unless you're my sibling and have watched our only family videos of our house that burnt down ;) So I took pictures last night of our fancy place up here and just thought I'd share in case any one cared to see where we venture!
Here is the outside! Ours is the one on the bottom with the big windows. But after April we'll be on the second floor in the cozy little attic!

Here is where we first come in (the mud room in the back entrance) and the stair case that leads to the upstairs place were we'll be soon.

Here is our lovely kitchen with a bazillion cupboards of all shapes and sizes, this picture doesn't do justice for the numerous ones in our kitchen, more than half are empty because we just don't know what to put in them!

Right close to the kitchen down our one foot hallway is our lovely Lou, where we spend our good quality time with ourselves. Definitely the tiniest part of the house!

Just down the other way of our one foot hallway is our bedroom. Here is our ginormous bed Michael's parents gave us. Like the canopy bed? Well I love it! Michael made them (with a little of my assistance) for Christmas! He is such a sweetie, and he even consented to getting them in purple to match the quilt my family made for our wedding and pillows I made. I think it tweaked him a little on the "too girly" scale, but he was still willing and even came up with it, he's so thoughtful!

Here is the other side of our room with the lovely seventies flower wall paper. And yes our attempt to having some kind of shelf/dresser is really just our moving cardboard boxes with some material on it, it works for us!

Just down the other direction again of our little one foot hallway is the spare um/treadmill room/fill with extra random boxes room that we don't know where to put. It is pretty handy to have the extra space, but we don't have much to fill it with!

Out past the short hallway we go into the lovely TV/dinning/family/piano/front/everything room. Here is a little decorative set I have, we don't have much self space to decorate or the ability to put new holes in the walls, so we have this little arrangement on the floor (yes i know it isn't really child proof, but that of course doesn't really make a difference, unless someone wants to come visit ;)

Here is the piano part of the big everything room, where I get to hear my lovely pianist husband serenade me while he practices for church :)

The main part of the everything room where the lovely shag carpet is most visible. We love the roominess of it all!

Here is another angle of the everything room where we eat dinner and spend most our time doing homework! Good quality time, let me tell ya!

So that is pretty much it. We like it and are glad we found it. Just thought I'd share a little of it.

Have a super day!

Christmas, Idaho, and other updatings

2010-01-24T10:54:00.006-07:00

So it has been a little while, like it usually is when I meander this way into the blog world, so I thought I would give a little updates with pics of different things of our "firsts" in our first year. And sorry about the non-sequential order of my pictures, I couldn't figure out how to put them in nice order, so OH well!
Our first Halloween, and our first pumpkin carving! (you can't see it of course, but we got another pumpkin and made our first pumpkin pie together from scratch). We didn't do a whole lot, but it was still fun. Michael's mom broke her foot this night so our watching Halloween movies was postponed and we went to visit her in the hospital, and then watched the movies later that night. We dressed up as "Apple Jacks" I wore a shirt with Apples on it, and Michael wore a shirt with "Jacks" on it (from the game, with the bouncy ball and weird X things). We didn't feel like going around trick or treating, so only his parents and random people in the hospital got to see our coustumes, but it was fun!

We got to spend Christmas with Andrea and her family, and while there we went to mall for a little. They still had the Santa displays up so we had fun getting pics in them! Here are the cute little girls!

Simply priceless, she is so cute!

I couldn't figure out how to rotate this picture, so sorry, but here's us on the nice big Santa chair, I sure love him!

Again sorry about the rotating. Ty was so kind to help us move to Idaho, so he came to join for Christmas at Andrea's with us too. Here he is showing off his awesome coin pouch thing Michael gave him for Christmas. Such a cheese.

Lindsey...enjoying the real goods before opening the other presents! Dig em out good Linds!

Our lovely stocking stuffers! Almost makes me want to get a nose job!

Before we left lakeside we built our first ginger bread house (and surprisingly Michael's first one EVER!) it is pretty lame i know, but we had fun! Especially eating it when we were done!

This was a way back in Oct 09, but this was our first camping trip together! It was super cold, but lots of fun!

This was in Sept 09, Laci Thompson, now a different last name that i can't think of at the moment, was kind enough to let us come to her wedding, it was great being able to see a live sealing and actually enjoy it without being so nervous you can't think straight, or remember what anyone else told you, so it was fun watching Laci look that way, and us being able to just peacefully enjoy it. Andrea Brooksby also came, it was like a good ol high school buddies reunion!

Aside from all the random pictures, we are officially back in Rexburg (well back for me, since I've lived here before, but all new to Michael)! We have been in school for almost a month now, classes are going good, but I think I am slowly starting to get senioritic again (like back in high school in senior year) Cuz as far as I can see I will be able to graduate in July!!! I am so excited and ready for it to come, but I gotta stay focused and stick out these classes so I can still get to it! But everything else is going well, I am working very part time on campus and Michael is dedicatedly looking for a job, I am sure something will work out sometime. We live in a lovely old house that was built in like the 30's with bright green shag and a spastic kitchen light, and our upstairs neighbors make weird noises all the time, but we love it here cuz it is cheap and roomy! We are getting used to our new ward, even though people in the relief society still call me a "young woman" but other than that we are getting used to it, and trying not to feel to new and awkward. We enjoy our daily walks to and from to school every day in the lovely bitter cold mornings/evenings. So this is us in a nutshell of a few months. Can we ask for anything more? I submit to you that we cannot!

Have a great day :0)

Bordom + New laptop = Making weird Videos

2009-11-30T08:44:00.002-07:00

So Michael's parents were nice enough to buy us new laptops to help us out with school, and so I have taken this time as an opportunity to get familar and used to it before we get back to crazy school in idaho. Well anyway, long story short, I got creative and made this silly video in tribute to my old car that I got in an accident with ealier this year. Hope you enjoy! ;)

Oh and hope everyone had a great thanksgiving! ;)

Nursery, toliets, and Foundations!

2009-09-19T14:22:00.003-06:00

Yes that's right, we got new callings finally, and we are in the nursery! I figured that was what it would end up being and I am glad it is! We were called and went in the same sunday, last sunday, so i felt a little unprepared cuz we had to jump right in, so it felt a little crazy, but the kids are fun and I get to be with my wonderful husband for the whole church block now so i think it is going to be great! It is also lots of fun to see how great Michael is with the little kids, all the little boys follow him around and play with him, it is so fun! It will be lots of fun to see how the future sundays go with the kids!

On another kids note, last night i went with Brian and Merika to thier elder's quorm family party because Michael was working and they were so nice to invite me, so i wouldn't have to be home alone while michael was gone. Anyway while we were there Brandon's and Merri's primary pres was there and telling them about some funny things they say. I guess they were talking about the song "How Firm a Foundation" in primary one day and the teacher asked what "Foundation" meant, and Merri raised her hand and said, " I know! It is a kind of puppy!" She is a crack up!
Then another day the teacher was talking about gratitude and asked the kids what they were thankful for and Brandon raised his hand and said " I am grateful for toilets!", it's so true, but I guess we don't always think about it! So thanks to "toilets," "Foundations," and adorable children, I have had my good laughs in for a while.
Hope you have a wonderful day!

Trying to Make Trailer Trash, Look not so Trashy...

2009-09-09T17:30:00.007-06:00

So since I haven't been able to find a job yet here, and am only taking a few classes on the side to keep me busy I have learned to find other meaningful things to keep me busy while Michael is gone away at work, so here is some documentation of one of my adventures- trying to make the outside of my home look not so hideous! It was a lot of fun making it look nicer, although it left me terribly sore pulling weeds for hours, but still it felt great at the end. So I thought I would share some pics, and sorry for the low quality pic, my real camera has been dying on me- so these are from my phone- enjoy!

Here is the mess of weeds and junk before I jumped into the work!Here is another shot of the mess...... I found some random scrap metal and wood amongst all the junk and thought I would put it together and make something nice- it's amazing what you can make out of crap! ;) Drum roll....and here are the after shots of long hours of weed pulling and wracking (and eventually getting smart and borrowing a weed eater ;) and painting and adding some flowers:

Here's another shot, that looks pretty similar, but a little different angle:

Anyway, here was some of my fun adventures, I know it isn't much, but it felt great to get something around this junk yard looking a tad bit better.

Hope you all have wonderful days!

One Month Mark!

2009-09-03T12:38:00.002-06:00

Can you believe it- we have been married now one whole month (plus a few days)! It feels like it has been so much longer, only because it has just been so wonderful! We feel so blessed to have each other, and the future that we'll share together! Things have been going pretty good in our small little trialor that we've been so graciously offered to live in for cheap. It is fun to have all our lovely little critter friends that come around, and our alarm clock chipmunk that sounds like a bird, and cricky floor that makes you feel like you'll fall in if you walk in that spot one more time, and our fancy powerful frigde that freezes as well as the freezer (which can sure make for a stink when you want cearal in morning cuz the milk will be frozen solid!), our lovely yard around us that makes us feel like we are a part of the junk yard and no matter what kind of nice yard work we try to do there, it will always look like a crappy junk yard, and I think you get the idea of what a lovely place we get to share! But no matter how crazy that part is, we are so glad that we get to be there together! I got to live here before but when I was single, in and out of roommates, but I must say no matter how crapy a place it is, it is ten times over better and amazing because I get to share it with a wonderful husband! And we are excited for super fun times ahead!

Way WAY too long!! But Way WAY great times! ;)

2009-07-22T20:22:00.009-06:00

So I am finally finished with all my finals of the second semester since I last posted, and actually have a moment to breath and write something here, and in all sad honesty haven't had a moment to spare in these last 7 months to even get on here to even read other's blogs (sorry) let alone right a new one to up date, but here I finally am! And there is no telling how often I will write after this one, but I hopefully plan to be better at this blogging stuff since things will be calming down now (for a little while). Well where do I begin....SO SO much has gone on in these last few months, in a quick sum up I pretty much started offically dated one of my very best friends from high school shortly after he got home from his mission, and not too much longer after that we were engaged and are now only 8 days away from being sealed for time and all eternity..."starting at forever and ending at never.." (cheesey quote, but I love it! ;) I know I've missed a lot of the juicey details in it all, but I think if i went more into them I would either bore you or gag you from all our wonderful cheesiness! I don't think I have ever felt so complete and so full of life since things have come together so wonderfully for Michael and I, oh yes, Michael Anthony Jacob, my soon to be, (how could I forget to mention his name! ) I never thought I could be so blessed to be marrying my very best friend who I can talk to and share everything about, both goods and bads, sads and glads, and for hours and hours on end, I have broken so many phone conversation length records with him than I ever thought possible in my life, and we still never run out of things to talk about, which I guess is the exciting part of sharing a life with someone is growing and sharing memories and getting to know each other more and more and growing and learning together every day! I truly feel blessed and feel so honored for things to be going the way they have been and will continue to go! I don't know all the details of how our lives will roll out together, but I am excited to make the most of it one day at a time! Well I guess this is it for now, and in the back of my mind plan to be better at posting, but I wouldn't count on it till a little while after the wedding, at least a couple of weeks, maybe more...we'll see! Ta-Ta for now!

Ahh....he's so great!

This was the pre-engagement ring ;)

The offical annocement,thanks to the AMAZINGLY talented Andrea, my sister! (thanks so much ang!)

Only eight more days and counting! Sealed for time and all eternity! Yeah for life! and it is only the begining! ;)

Breathing.....

2009-01-22T13:27:00.002-07:00

So I have officially been back in super full time school and work life again now for about 2 weeks and it has been quit the adjustment, though a good one. I have never taken 17 credits at once before at a university level along with working on the side, and it is simply become a draining process for me, but despite it all I know I will make it through and it will be worth it especially if I make it worth it in each moment. It is hard not to feel stressed and overwhelmed with daily amounts of homework and tasks and duties with my job promotion, but at the same time it is hard not to be grateful through it all. I am grateful for stressful times because it makes me appreciate my Savior more and it helps remind how much more I need Him and I can't go a day without his help and support. I am grateful for stressful times because it makes me appreciate the temple more and the absolute most needed support that I get from being able to go. I am grateful for stressful times because it reminds me to be grateful for the blessing I have to learn and grow from each moment and each person, and that I have breathes within me to enjoy each moment.

Thanks for all the amazing support of family and friends, I appreciate you all so much!

I've made it!!

2009-01-06T21:20:00.006-07:00

So I have officially made it safely back to good ol' Rexburg! Can't you tell!? Or did I end up in Hawaii or the Lovely South American Jungles?
Believe it or not this beautiful jungle is in the smack dab center of all the bitter cold! I think it will be my new escape for the next several months when the cold might seem too much!

But I think the real term for where I am at could be close to like: "Iceburg", or to a new phrase I recently heard from my roommates is "The Snow Globe" or to this picture maybe even Narnia!

(see the lovely lamp post!? Hehe sorry I've been a fun Narnia kick cuz my roommates and I watched it for FHE on Monday! Oh good stuff!)

But It is great to be back! I felt right at home being back in my old apartment, with three of my roommates being ones I have had before, and then three new ones this semester who all are wonderful gals! I was able to completely unpack and get settled within the first day on Monday, and then I have been busy the rest of Monday and Tuesday, getting books and all the necessary supplies for classes starting! Then today was the true whamo tester! I think this is gonna be an insaneo busyo semestero!!! I will be taking 17 credits, with my four credit class (the preschool lab class) being the hardest of all the preschool courses (from what I've heard) and after going through this class today I know I am gonna have a lot of work ahead of me! I know I prob get little sympathy with going for a Preschool degree, and then Child Development, cuz the cores have a going reputation for being "cake" classes- but despite it all, I know it is gonna be a hard one for me- but I know it will be worth it too, I just need to take some good breathers and work hard, hang on and most of all trust the Lord and I know I will make it through! I am also so very excited to be close to the temple again! I was able to go on Tues before the rush of school life and I think I will still be able to squeeze it in my schedule for at least once a week again! I know many probably get sick of my ramblings about the Temple so much, but it is ultimately my favorite place in the world and where I get my true source of strength to go on and keep standing tall, and even more it gives me a greater peace in missing my mom, and I know she is always close there- the less I go the more it hurts and the harder life becomes, so logically it becomes a great solution to help me carry on, not to mention it helps a little with the great GREAT work that needs to be done!

Anyway, lovin life, working hard, staying busy, and managing the cold all in between! Hope you all have a wonderful day! God bless!

I Believe in Santa.. I do... I do!

2008-12-26T22:43:00.006-07:00

Isn't Christmas time just wonderful!? To be fully encompassed with giving and receiving and even more remember our Savior and what He ultimately gave to us!

This Christmas I had a new insight to giving and receiving and yes even Santa. Growing up we never really did the whole Santa thing very much, and so the older I got the more I had the harsher look on Santa, and that it was taking away from the real reason of Christmas-celebrating Christ's birth. But this year I had a nice different look on him (Santa) and all that he has come to be. After opening presents at my dad's house I was happy to get nice new things, but I felt like it was my turn to give back and I came up with an idea that I wasn't planning on before but it just came together, and it turned out to be a fun exciting time. For many years my Dad has had a full on Santa outfit. My dad still had presents that needed to be taken to my sister's house for her family. So I had the brilliant idea that he should suit up and be the Santa to bring the presents over. It took several hours of convincing, but when he finally gave in it turned into being a lot of fun: (here's Santa's little helpers ;)
So after about an hour we finally got my Dad suited up:

Before we had the final delivery we had to have a little fun with it (It's not every day your dad dresses up- in fact I've never in my life seen him dress up in a Santa suit!)
Here's Ty with good ole' Santa fully set and suited!
And to finish off the fun with photo's I had to get my first ever picture with Santa!

Sorry I didn't get any pictures of him actually going on his lovely "sleigh" and off to visit and deliver the presents to my sisters, but it overall turned into a lot of fun and the kid's loved to see him. It was priceless! ;)

So basically what I am getting at is- despite my slight frustrations for how Santa has kinda taken over Christmas- I am becoming slightly more in favor of him. Simply put it- if he brings for good happy fun times with family, if he brings for great memories and an overall stamp of Love, appreciation, and ultimately the gift of giving, and if all in all Santa is about helping us be better people....then I believe in Santa I DO!

Hope you all had a great Christmas and will have a wonderful new year with amazing opportunities to learn from the simple moments life offers to teach us!

Virtual Christmas Card ;)

2008-12-23T22:44:00.004-07:00

So I had some extra time on my hands and thought I would do a last minute Christmas card and figured the Internet would be the fastest way to send it out to you all! Hope you have a wonderful Christmas Y'all! Love ya!

The Temple Lights!

2008-12-20T09:17:00.006-07:00

So I know I should have gone to see these sooner since I live like fifteen minutes away, but I didn't finally make it till last night (with the nice accompaniment of Maria Tenney to come too!)! But I am glad I finally did! The temple lights are beautiful, and the temple is too of course! So here is some shots from it, even though you could probably look at some online or go yourself, but anyway, here are some lovely shots from my camera phone:

Here is the life size nativity, but the quality of this one is too fancy, but it was really cool in person!

Here are the lovely wise men coming their way, they were pretty cool, and my favorite part about them is they had different color hats, they were all yellow/white lights except for their hats, one was blue, green and a reddish pink. If I was a wise man I think I would vote for a cool color hat too!

Here is the lovely temple with the lights in front! I just loved how the lights where EVERYWHERE!

And last but not least, my favorite! I thought it was SO AMAZING how the reflection looked so much like the real deal, I wouldn't be surprised if people would get confused and think the temple was on the ground, although that would be a little silly, hehe, maybe that's just my weird mind going! But it was so beautiful!!! I love the temple, especially when they are decorated with beautiful lights!

Hope you all can come and enjoy them sometime too! And if not, enjoy them here! Hope you all have a Merry Jolly Superbly Wonderful Christmas this year with many opportunities to serve and touch others!

Until next time.....

Awarded

2008-12-09T21:00:00.003-07:00

Here are the rules that you agree to when you accept this award:“When you receive the prize, you must write a post showing it, together with the name of who has given it to you, and link them back. Choose a minimum of 7 blogs that you find brilliant in their content or design. Show their names and links and leave them a comment informing that they were prized with ‘Honest Weblog’. List if you can and/or dare at least ten honest things about yourself. Then, pass it on!”

My dearest lovely sister April awarded me! So I guess I am supposed to write some honest facts about myself? I am guessing what this "Award" thing is about, so here I go:

1. On of my favorite highlights from working at the cafeteria is when I am doing the dishes and I get to wash the strainer. I love to push it down under the water and pull it up and see the water fall through all the holes, kinda childish i know, or maybe more like cheesey, but there is something about this sensation that brings me back home to my childhood years of loving to do the dishes with Keri and Andrea with our washing pet rocks in the window (long story, but great memories!). And there is just something about watching the water fall through the holes that is so fun to me!

2. I have a weird obsession with checking other people's license plates, and seeing when their plates expire, or which state they are from, and see if I can come up with some sort of phrase or sentence with the letters on other people's plates. I think this obsession started when I was about 11 or 12 when I had a goal to see every license plate in the united states. I wrote down all the states and marked them off as I saw them, and yes soon enough I did see all of them (even hawaii and alaska, beleive it or not- but don't ask me what they look like now, i dont remember- it was one time shot!)! It didn't take me long too, especially after taking a trip with the fam to provo, a major college town were people come from all over! And I guess I look at plates still!

3. I have always wanted to make my own wedding dress. Not just because my own mom did, but I just thought it would be a neat accomplishment, and cheaper, and I could it make EXACTLY the way I want it! I am hoping that I will still be able to follow through and that the stress of all the planning wont keep me away from making this a reality- when the time comes of course. ;)

4. I have always wanted to go ski diving. For some reason I love the sensational of feeling like I am flying! Maybe some day I will get my chance! If not I am sure when we are resurrected we can arrange something fun like that? Who knows, hehe!

5. I have always had a dream of when I own my own house that I will be able to create some kind of amazing jungle with beautiful flowers and plants and trees and veggies and just have a wonderful place that would be peaceful and calm and have a nice bench and it'd be just a great place to go to and escape from the world and all the troubling around! and of course a cute white picket fence or something cute of the sorts to go around it too!

6. Sometimes I have fun day dreams of wanting to find a water bed tub and fill it up with air to make a big fun bouncy mat sort of thing to jump and play on- just like the old days! Man I don't know how Mom ever let us do that, that was so dangerous! hehe

7. The Golden seven, hmmm...one more thing.....oh I have always wanted to learn to play songs on the piano with my feet or standing backwards or something weird and abnormal and still be able to play like they are real songs! I think this one will take a lot of practice!

So there you have it! I award.....drum roll....:

1. Andrea Brooksby

2. Aubrey Borego

3. Becky Montoya

4. Tiffany Lee

Good luck and have a nice day!

Why Does God Love Us?

2008-12-07T20:44:00.002-07:00

Why does God love us? This question has been very heavy on my mind this last week and first started racking my brain on Tuesday while in my Intro to teaching seminary institute class. Because this semester is coming to a close all the students in this class had the opportunity to put to test everything we've been taught by teaching the whole class for fifteen minutes on an assigned scripture block. I was assigned Hebrews 12, which focuses largely on the chastening God bestows upon us and that He does it out of love for us. I was pretty nervous giving this short lesson, largely because I feel like I wasn't prepared as much as I should have been, but the part that really through me for a loop was towards the beginning one of my classmates, in trying to play the role of a seminary high school student, asked this very question: "Why does God love us so much?" I kind of mumbled some things out off the top of my head in the intent to get back to what I had planned to talk on and continued through my lesson, but since this lesson the question has still been deep on my mind (maybe I should't have been so quick to move on with my lesson, oh well too late now). Don't get me wrong I KNOW that God DOES love us, no matter what we go through, no matter what mistakes we make, no matter what choices we make, good or bad, overall yes I know He unending loves us all so much- but the "WHY" has been really getting to me, why does He anyway? Why do we? Then in recent events this last week, my dear wonderful cousin gave birth to her first born after only being pregnant 26 weeks, and the little guy was only able to live for about two and half days before he returned home. How is it that we can so quickly learn to love someone so much for such a little time- I was only able to see him after he passed on, and just looking at him, holding him, touching his sweet precious little hands and feet, it was all so overwhelming, and yet so peaceful. Not really know much about this little fellow I immediately felt such a love for him, and I can't even imagine the love my cousin and her husband were able to feel for this precious child, their first born. Maybe I will have a much better understanding of this when I become a mother myself and feel that immediate love that comes when being a parent. What is the phenomenon of love, how does it all really work anyway? I am sure this will be a life long quest that will stick to be on my mind for a long time- and maybe that is one of many lessons of life- to understand how to love and why we do it, and even more why God does it. I think I have heard in the scriptures, it says that "God is love", maybe that's why He can give it so freely to us, because that is who He is. Maybe because He understands us and what we have gone through, do go through, and ever will go through. Maybe this understanding, this compassion brings this love, or does understanding and compassion come as a result or after math of His love? Because He IS love? I don't expect to figure this out right away, and maybe this is where I need to exercise more faith, and just know that even though I may not know the "why" I can still rely on the "what" and that is that He does indeed love us so much!

I hope this wasn't too deep and overwhelming, maybe I am trying to hard to eat the meat before the milk, I am not sure exactly- but it has been on my mind a great deal and wanted to share it. Hope you have a wonderful day!

Thanksgiving rejectamondo

2008-11-28T16:57:00.000-07:00

So each time a thanksgiving dinner meal comes this curiosity keeps running into me, so I thought it would be an interesting thing to post on. Why is there is always the "Cranberry" sauce (that never really looks like sauce to me, it always looks like round jello slices or some kind of jelly)? Each Thanksgiving dinner I've ever been to, someone is assigned to bring this thanksgiving addition, but every year it never fails to sit in it's lonesome. This dish unendingly becomes the one part of the meal that always seems untouched. We always bring it, cuz of tradition I suppose, but each year no one eats it, so we keep it in the tradition of wasting money on food that no one eats. How does it fit in the tradition anyway? Just a curious random thought. And to top it off I got a pic of the one and only cranberry from the Whatcott thanksgiving dinner, and well seemed pretty untouched to me, and this was taken after all 30 plus family members went through and got their food. Ok so maybe I should stop complaining and just be thankful for the cramberry sauce, cuz that's what this holiday is about anyway, right? being thankful for ALL that we have even if we dont like it or use it or EAT it! Happy Thanksgiving!

Scattergories

2008-11-24T20:40:00.000-07:00

Scattergories: This is harder than it sounds, just erase my answers and write your own. The answer to each question has to start with the letter of your first name. Try to have different answers if the letter of your first name is the same as mine. Don't use the same answer twice, If you can't think of something try and bluff your way through.

1. Your first name: Whitney
2. A boys name: Walter
3. A girls name: Wendy (I actually get called this alot at the daycare I work at, "Miss Wendy")
4. A 4-letter word: Went
5. A color: White
6. A food: Whataburger meal?
7. A place: Whales
8. A sport: Wall Ball
9. An occupation: Windmill Watch Guard
10. A beverage: Water! The best!
11. An article of clothing: Watch...or wig?
12. Something found in a bathroom: Walls, windows, wet stuff
13. A reason for being late: Wasting time- it's usually my biggest reason for being late!
14. Something you shout: What!!? Why!!? Who!!? you pick which one works best! ;)
15. A wild animal: Willaby Wallaby Woo- An elephant sat on you! ok so maybe not, how about a Walrus

Man, W's are easy! This was cake! Now I tag anyone and everyone who will read this. I actually got this in an email, thanks Kendra, I thought it would be something fun to blog about sense my life isn't really eventful enough to blog about! But anyway have a great day!

Attitude of Grattitude!

2008-11-13T22:12:00.000-07:00

Well I really liked the post that my Auntie, aka Tia Rhea put on her blog and wanted to copy her, which is also copying someone I don't think I know, but anyway, it was a great idea, and I wanted to add my own two cents of gratitude especially since it has been a while since I've posted, and what a more better thing to post about right? So here we go!

Things I am grateful for or things that make me happy:

1. Spending time with my family- especially when we get to spend endless hours playing games, working hard on some project, eating and more eating, did i mention eating? and yes even sometimes tickle fights...even though I usually get the worst end of the deal- i love to laugh no matter hard it hurts!

2. Learning new facts no matter how insignificant they may seem (i.e. IHOP stands for International House of Pancakes, I had a good kicker out of discovering that fun fact!) My list could go on in this department!

3. Playing the piano vigorously especially when no one is watching! (sometimes I have fun day dreams while I play of being a famous crazy piano player on stage and I get really into it....dun...dun...DUN! I can't imagine life without being able to play, I am glad I stuck to it and learned when I did!)

4. Helping someone out in any way, shape, or form!

5. Going to the temple- it is ultimately my favorite place on earth and would take up residency there if I could! I am so grateful that so many temples have walk-ins for baptisms so I can go whenever I want/need to!

6. LETTERS, LETTERS, and MORE LETTERS! I love them so much, and not just from a particular source ;), but from lots of sources, there is just something about hearing from those I admire, respect, and love that makes my day, and I could just read them over and over late into the night...wait I already do that, he he, but they really are great!

7. When Heather makes awesome desserts, when they aren't just awesomely yummy, but when they are decorated amazing too, it just makes me fill so peachy inside-almost like a peach cobler!

8. Coming home from work or class and getting to spend time with Heather and Zach, and having story time together, and sharing our two favorite things for the day, I can't think of anything more that completes my days than getting to do this!

9. Reading the scriptures and conference talks, I am not a big reader, but sitting down to read the most amazing words available ALWAYS makes my day better!

10. To have two jobs, even though some of you may have heard me complain about many things about my jobs, I really feel blessed to work and earn and save, I am kinda oblivious to a lot of things going on in the outside world sometimes, but from what I hear the economy isn't doing too hot, and so I am grateful I was able to find work!

11. Prayer, I seriously can't imagine a life without it, and I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who cares so much!

12. Ice Cream!! Any flavor! I couldn't end this list without mentioning this- one day I want to shake the man or woman's hand whoever invented it, Ice cream is truly a blessing in my life!

13. Dishwashers! It was so nice to be able to turn on the dishwasher tonight and not have to do anything else to insure the dishes get clean, after a VERY LONG day at work of washing MANY dishes by hand, it was such a relief to just turn the nob!

14. A nice place to live! I am so grateful for Heather in you putting my up for a few months, I know I am TERRIBLE at showing it, and me just saying it might not mean much either, but honest, honest- I am grateful to live in your fancy house, to learn from your awesome example, and to get to spend time with an amazing little Zach who always makes my day!

Well I really could go on and on into the night listing it all, but remember I got to go re-read my letters on and on into the night, hehe, just kidding, well actually prob not kidding, hehe, anyway I just love life, and the blessings in it, I was pondering the state of gratitude the other day and I think it is the ultimate test of life, so so many other things would be clearer and great if we could always be grateful for what we have- I know I am far from being able to pass this test, cuz I am quit the whiner, but I guess I can only work at it one day at a time and maybe by the time I'm 94 and half I will have somewhat mastered being able to be more grateful- but hopefully I will get it down sooner than that!

Thanks Rhea and Rhea's friend for the idea! I needed some more gratitude in my day!

Picture Tag

2008-10-24T14:33:00.000-06:00

THE RULES: You have to post the 4th picture in the 4th folder in your pictures folder. Then give a brief description before you tag a few others. So here it goes!

This is at my good friends Alyssa and Kevin Maketta's wedding reception, and here is all the lovely bride's maids and maid of honor with the of course the lovely bride in center! It was a fun night, but wearing the heals made me officially decide that for my wedding I am gonna wear comfy shoes like slippers or tennies, or even more fun would be to wear like crocks!! I'll just make my dress long enough so you can't see them and then I wont be hating the evening because my feet are gonna die! Well anyway, that was a long description! it was fun a night, but hate the high heals!
I tag:
April, Heather, Andrea, Kendra, Rhea, and anyone else! it's fun to see what pic you end up with!

Have a super daY!

Could I ask for Anything more?

2008-10-23T15:57:00.000-06:00

Hey Yall!? So it's been a couple of weeks so I thought I would check in. The last couple of weeks I felt kinda blaaaa.... and it's my own doing, i have just been in one of those modes recently where i over analyze and over think and then over worry and stress and then I become a not so fun person to be around, so then I end up being cooped inside to spare the outdoors of my not so fun-ness, but I decided I need to snap out of it. I think I tend to be an very ungrateful person, and I really have been blessed with so much. I have been blessed to live in a great house with my awesome sister, I have a car that drives, I have a job, and have gotten another one (my autism one hasn't really given me hours, so I was able to find another one, working at a daycare, i start next week, thanks to the help a great friend!) I have the love and support of a great family and great friends, I am in the process of getting my education in a field that fascinates me, but even more than it all I have a wonderful Father in Heaven who loves beyond imagination and will be there for me no matter what, and everything I will go through has a purpose in making me the queen, He know I can be! I just love it all! Could I ask for anything more?! I don't think so! Except for more opportunities to share and help others! Yeah for life! I hope you have a great day- becasue you deserve it!

Tagged

2008-10-08T18:05:00.000-06:00

2 Tags for the Price of 1

8 Things I am passionate about:

1. Gospel- the whole works!

2. Family

3. Playing piano

4. Sewing

5. Going to school ( finishing/getting education)

6. Trying new things

7. Taking notes/journel writting/writing letters

8. Looking at license plates and noticing the numbers/letters, expiration dates, and the state issued (dont ask why- i dont even know why, just one of those things that has stuck with me!)

8 Words or phrases that I say often:

1. What?

2. Huh? (I am part deaf, which if you know me well enough- you already knew this!)

3. Ok/sure

4. sorry

5. Excuse me (mostly at work, we have a tiny kitchen to work in)

6. Cool cool

7. oh man

8. thank you/thanks

8 Things I want to do before I die:

1. sky diving/ride in a hot air balloon

2. Have a family of my own, be a good wife/mother

3. go scubba diving

4. go on a cruise

5. go to venice and ride in a gondola

6. build a piano

7. Have a gazebo and a white picked fence in my yard

8. go on a misson

8 Things I have learned

1. Never say never

2. You can never judge a person/place/thing by first appearance

3. You'll never know until you try

4. With the Lord's help all things are possible

5. Things will ALWAYS work out, even if its not how you think or plan it to

6. Anything can be fun if you have the right attitude about it

7. There are amazing people with good in them everywhere you go- you just gotta open your eyes and see!

8. Sometimes its fun to procrastinate and have a little fun before going back to work

8 Places I would love to go or see:

1. Venice, Italy

2. All the temples in the world

3. To the sacred grove

4. Disney World

5. Lego Land

6. New Zealand

7. London Bridge

8. Statue of Liberty

8 Things I currently need or want:

1. To save money super bad!

2. To get in shape again

3. To live my life to the fullest- one day at a time

4. To get letters- i love letters!

5. To get on a better sleep schedule

6. To have a family in the gospel

7. To make some new outfits

8. To spend more time with my family

8 People I tag:
I dont even know eight people who acctually look at my blog that hasnt been tagged already-
maybe:
1. Andrea Brooksby
2. Aubrey Borego
3. Jolyn Cavey
4. Anyone else wanna try? I dont mind- go for it, it is fun!

...A. Attached or single? Single

B. Best friend? Christ, lots of people,

C. Cake or pie? hmm...depends on the occasion

D. Day of choice? Sunday

E. Essential item? keys

F. Favorite color? does the rainbow count?

G. Gummy bears or worms? hmm...both

H. Hometown? Lakeside, AZ

I. Indulgence? helping people out

J. January or July? January- love the winters! (especially January cuz I'm excited to go to Idaho!)

K. Kids? Pressently: nada

L. Life isn’t complete without? Gospel, Friends and family

M. Marriage date? Hmm.... I would like to know the very same thing myself!

N. Number of brothers & sisters? 4 brothers, 4 sisters

O. Oranges or apples? both, I love fruit

P. Phobias? getting old and being full of regrets

Q. Quotes? "To have a more meaningful life, start giving more meaningful prayers"

R. Reasons to smile? Chocolate, letters, hugs, family, friends

S. Season of choice? All, i like having variety

T. Tag some peeps! Your guess is as good as mine

U. Unknown fact about me? when I drive long distances on of the best things that keeps me awake is not listening to upbeat songs, but is actually listening to classical music- the other songs put me to sleep more. ( I like the classical cuz I like to pretend I am the chorister leading the music, and I get really into it!)

V. Vegetable? all of them, they are so yummy1

W. Worst habits? getting distracted from the things I need to get done,

X. X-ray or ultrasound? I've had an X-ray of my mouth and of my spine/neck, it was pretty awesome to see, except not so much when the chiropractor told me how messed up it was. It would be fun to get an Ultrasound though!

Y. Your favorite food? Pretty much anything, I love food!

Z. Zodiac sign? Cancer

AMAZED!!!

2008-10-06T18:31:00.000-06:00

So I don't think I know of any other way to put it than I was simply AMAZED at conference! I don't think I have ever listened to a conference weekend of talks that was filled with so many different talks that all touched me deeply and helped in my various different struggles that I have in my life. I feel so blessed to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and know of the wonderful opportunities to listen to living prophets give and share Divine messages that God himself wants all of his children to hear and to know. There was one talk in particular that I felt like every word was directed towards me, and in my own personal perspective from listening to his talk, I felt a very powerful overwhelming feeling that Heavenly Father knew I needed this talk, and made sure each word was prepared in such a way that it could help me. I know God the Father lives, and loves each and everyone of his children, including me; despite my many numerous faults and enormous weaknesses he still loves me and wants the best for me. I know Christ lives, I know He lived and died then rose again that we may all have a chance in making it through this life. I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is His one and only true church on this earth and He stands at the head to lead and govern wonderful leaders who in return lead and direct us. I know these wonderful leaders are our living prophets, and the church could not be what it is without them. I can't imagine a life without such a knowledge, nor do I ever want to imagine such a life- but I want to help others feel and enjoy the love of our Savior, and also have the joys of living His way. Another great blessing and tender mercy I felt from conference was the choir sang my all time favorite song: "I Feel My Savior's Love," I can't even describe how desperately I needed to hear that song at that moment, it was an absolute answer to my prayer and aching to feel a sense of peace and love again. I don't know why I let discouragements of life bring me down, maybe because I am human and am full of MANY faults, but whatever the reason I am forever grateful for a loving Father who has a loving Son who wants the best for all of his children.

I also want to apologize to everyone in eyes view of my blog if I have ever done anything to offend you or hurt you or have done any kind of damage to you. Like I mentioned before I am human, and am entitled to MANY flaws, I can't even name them all- because in my own selfish pride I don't really notice most of them. But with all my heart I am sorry for any pain I have caused, there is nothing I hate more of my actions than when I have made others feel worthless, low, or hurt in any way, shape, or form. I love you all more than words can express and only want the best for you just as our Savior does.

I love my Savior, I love my God. They have done so much for me; I feel so overwhelmed. I never want another day in my life to go by where I don't try my very best to please Them and help Them in Their great work and cause of truth. I am ashamed for the many days in my life that I laid idly by thinking "someone else" could do the work. There is a work I personally can and should do- every day- and I want to do everything in my power to live worthy of the Spirit's direction to help know what it is I can and should do- every day! I want to live every day like it is my last- because one day it will be my last.
Anyway- I just felt like sharing this with you all. I love you all very much and appreciate the amazing influences you are in my life. I hope that you have the best possible day you could ask for- because you deserve it!

God Bless!

Love

Whitney

The Adventures of the Past few days!

2008-09-28T21:46:00.000-06:00

So I have officially had three days being a lunch lady at Irving Elementary! My first day I had the lovely privilege of wearing a hair net! We can wear one every day if we want to, but we can also wear a visor too if we want- so that's what I've been wearing after the first day.

It has been lots of fun so far being a lunch lady- the ladies I work with are super nice and fun to talk with, they all have been very helpful in my adjustment process, and one lady has a pretty cool new york accent! I had an awesome contemplation on my second day- it was so weird, cuz i don't feel choacky like this very often, but when it comes on, it comes on strong! so as I was standing in the cafetiera next to the milk box, making sure the kids get their milk and something from the salad bar and I looked out over the cafeteria at all these little tikes- we provide food for around 45o kids, just 450 kids of this country, 450 kids that will all have different dreams and hopes, different potentials- different lives- different futures all together! And just looking over these kids made me feel a little leaky- I couldnt help but feel an overwhelming hope and excitement for these kids that they have the best lives that they could ever hope for no matter which way they lead! It was just a wonderful awesome feeling!

Then Friday I had the fun honor of going to my very first major league baseball game- for the one and only D-backs (thanks again for the ticket heather!)

Walking in the high stadium made me feel a little quizzy at first, but it was an awesome view! And they had cool fireworks for the homerooms, and then I think my favorite part was the organ dude, I didnt know they still did the organ music throughout the games, so that was fun! I am glad Heather invited me!
Then Saturday while Heather was at Edge Fest I had the awesome privilege of having Zach the whole day to myself! It was so much fun! We got to ride the fun train and carousel out our backyard park, and then play bowling with water bottles, and played baseball in the front yard, and then we went to his friends birthday party at Chuck E Cheeses (which was really cool, I've never been before so it was a blast!) and the little girls family was really neat, they were very kind and welcoming and fun to be around! Then we headed home and had dinner and did some craft stuff, then we went swimming ( we needed to cool off, it felt super hot!) then we went to the park again for the "So Long to Summer" party that the town put on, they had fun inflatable rides and slides and all sorts of fun stuff, kinda like a carnival, but not as big, and they had a live band and Ice cream (that was my much needed favorite part!) and then we went home! Zach crashed around nine so he missed the fireworks the park put on at ten, but i got to watch it through the window! It was an overall awesome day, Zach is a sure fun awesome kid! I am grateful for where I am at and all the amazing things I am learning! Life is sure great! wouldnt want a different one!

Got a JOB!! Actually two!

2008-09-23T13:43:00.001-06:00

So I think I have learned a whoppin lesson this last couple of weeks here...first of one patience. Especially in the Lord's timing! Things wont always happen when i want them to, but they will happen, and they will be good and it will always work out, I know it always does! And second I think i have learned to have a calm break and breath for a few weeks without having a ton of overwhelming things to worry about, and as much as i felt ancy and desperate through it all, it was great to relax and take things slow! So anyway, besides all this, when i thought there would be no job to be had in this area i got flooded with two in a matter of a couple of days! And I start tomorrow! I will work mon-fri for three hours a day at an elementary school cafeteria, wahoo! It was the strangest job interview I've ever had! I had to do a math portion to add some numbers, then i was actually tested if i could count back money change with real play money- that was weird but fun. Then I had to do this agility test and lift random trays up and down for twenty times and a push a cart back and forth, and then do some bends up and down and some squats, and then i had to be timed for it all too- very different, kinda strange, but still fun, the lady interviewing was nice enough to put a fan blowing on me during the whole time so it wasn't that bad- but if i do this kind of manual labor durning my job, i am gonna definatly get in shape!! So there is that job and I start tomorrow! And my other job is not as consistant but i think it will start soon and will be good! I will get to go to different homes around in the valley and work one on one with children with Autism and teach them new skills and then also give parents relief for a couple of hours if need be. Anyway, over all I feel blessed that I can get to start working and saving, And i feel silly for not make more of the time i had waiting until all this came about, but I am grateful for Heavenly Father's tender mercies in blessing me to have work now, and for His love in helping me through it all, I know He loves and cares for me, and each and every one of us in all our respective lives, and that there is nothing we go through that he doesnt notice and care about! Anyway, I hope you have an amazing day!

Fun Weekend in Lakeside!

2008-09-22T08:35:00.000-06:00

So I had the chance to go to lakesides two weekends in a row- first to go camping, which was pretty awesome! And then second to go to one of my good friends wedding reception and be a bride's maid. It was so great to see family again, and to be a part of all this! I didnt get pictures of the camping, sorry but my camera is kinda uselss, so the pictures I have are ones that my good friend Andrea Brooksby sent me- so here is some documentation on pic of this past weekend with my friend's reception, and then also when we headed back to the valley sunday night....enjoy:

Just me- durning the reception, and my lovely boque (i dont think i know how that spells) that I got to carry around the whole night! Wahoo!

Andrea Brooksby and I at the reception- it was a great fun night! ( I have more pics of the reception, but again, my camera is pretty sad so I am not sure I will get to put them on here, sorry!)

So on our way home sunday night, almost in town we got a flat tire! (It was fun to listen to- it was the first time I have ever had the privilage of listening to what a flat tire sounds like!) so this is us trying to figure out what to do- because andrea's jack wasn't working we goofed around waiting for her brother-in-law to come to our rescue- so we had fun playing around while we waited, thus the reason for the other strange pics:

While we were waiting we all took turns popping our heads out of the trunk, it was great fun! You should try it sometime!

I also got to feeling a little hungry while we were waiting- so I went for the first thing close by- hehe, of course i didnt really eat it, that would just be discusting!

While we were waiting for Andrea's family, a nice cop came to our rescue! He had this awesome hydrolics (again spelling, sorry) jack that lifted the car in like a total of three pumps, it was pretty awesome! It made me wish I was inside the car for the ride while he did it! He fixed it pretty fast for us- it was great help! Nice police man!

While we were waiting for him to fix the tire we were yet again a little bored- so i had the privlage of touching the police car- it was a pretty awesome thrill- it's not every day that you can say you touched one! But no worries, now I can say I have! it was pretty amazing!

So here were some of the adventures that i had this weekend! So the moral of the story-next time you have a flat tire dont get mad...get bored and have a fun time with it!

New Do!

2008-09-17T22:18:00.000-06:00

So after talking to ape i guess i gotta keep up to date on this thing, i guess i forget sometimes that i even have it, hehe! But i guess of recent events in my life (not a whole lot- just the usual job search, going to classes, and more bordom!) i got a new hair cut from my wonderful hair stylist- Ashley! (thanks ashley!) and i love it lots! espeically getting used to this heat a shorter length has helped tons, and it is lots easier to fix as well! And of course it was great to have a good chat during the whole process! So if you need a new hair do- i vote Ashley! Here is a semi sorta veiw of what my new hair cut looks like- in case i dont get to see ya on a regular basis and if you care to look!

Well that's all for now- hope you all can have a simply amazing day! Choa!

Fun Pictures!

2008-09-02T22:21:00.001-06:00

Hehe, so I found this website thanks to Taylor Dahl, and it is lots of fun, it is called yearbookyourself.com you upload a pic of yourself and they put it on a old pic of others. Anyway, here is a few fun ones that I did to myself:
Just thought I would share! hope you enjoy! hehe