Wow-is Christmas really over?!

Sorry it's been so long since my last blog. I'll be doing my last extra work day for my friend's maternity leave this week. I'm so glad I don't usually work that many days. I'm tired and all of my extra projects are sitting around collecting dust because I have no time nor motivation to work on them.

We had a very fun Christmas at our house. Drew loved his presents. He was so excited to have fruit snacks in his stocking that he ate both packages within minutes and then a short while later threw them up. Ai Ai Ai! He got a cell phone from his grandma and grandpa. It has a little voice that asks "Do you want to play?" and he always answers enthusiatically, "Yes!" His other grandparents gave him the cutest little horse set with a stable, truck and horse trailer. I'm sure we will get lots of fun out of that one. Aunt Cheryl and Uncle Robert gave Drew a cement truck complete with power tools to take it apart and put it back together. He has been "fixing" everything in our house ever since.

I love reading everyone else's blogs and hearing your updates. It is so fun to see what everyone else is up to. We wish you all a happy new year! For those of you in the snowy places like we are--good luck!!! Those drifts sure make driving exciting don't they?!

Christmas Time

I love this time of year--the music, the parties, the good food, the presents (giving and getting), and family memories. The only thing I don't like this time of year is the crowds in the stores and the extra traffic in town. This year I am doing my Christmas routine a little differently. One of the hygienists in my office had a little baby girl a few weeks ago and I have been covering some of her days while she is home on maternity leave. That means I am working 4 days most weeks. I don't have a lot of time for the things that can cause holiday stress like finding the right gifts or giving goodies to neighbors, so I am going low key and keeping it simple this year. The fun is going to be more in the experiences than the stuff. I plan on enjoying every chance I get to have fun with my family and friends. I am really excited for a relaxing Christmas. I hope that all of you are enjoying the holidays and not too stressed out to enjoy them. Simplify--it's great!!!

I've been decorating a little at a time and I just finished. Drew redecorates the bottom 2 feet of the Christmas tree everytime he sees it (hence the pile of ornaments on the floor). My favorite is the banister by the stairs. I know it's nothing elaborate, but I think it turned out cute. Not too many decorations, but just enough to help us get in the Christmas spirit I think. The story behind the donkey: it was something I inherited from my mom. I remember her putting it on the Christmas tree when I was younger and I would search to find the donkey and then move it around to different places throughout the time the tree was up. Apparently Drew likes the donkey too--the tradition lives on.

Quirks? Hmmm

I think I've been tagged and I'm supposed to name 6 things that make me quirky. I have decided I am either not quirky or I just don't realize what might make me quirky. But I'll try to think of something. Here goes:

1) I never go to the doctor. Even if I've had a cough for two weeks and I am starting to wonder if it will ever go away. I just figure I'll live and if I ever feel like I'm dying maybe I'll go see someone.

2) I already mentioned this in my last post. I have very vivid dreams and I often remember small details of those dreams. I love to share them with anyone who will listen.

3) I love carmel corn. I would eat it several times a week if I didn't have a loud dietary conscience saying--cavities, fat and sugar buzz--in my ear. I have the best recipe for chewy, soft carmel corn if anyone wants it. It is the best with a large glass of milk.

4) I am not afraid to talk baby talk in public (with a baby to talk baby talk to of course). If there are kids around, I love to get down on their level and be a kid again. Even if that involves making silly animal noises or acting like a crazy person.

5) I've only kissed on guy. Dustin is my one and only. Lucky guy :) Ha Ha

6) I can't parallel park. I nearly failed that drive in driver's ed and I have avoided the situation ever since.

i MIGHT BE CRAZY!

Last night I had the weirdest dream. I have very detailed dreams. Dustin is always amazed (and probably bored) at the details I can remember. I won't bore you with the details but it involved Paris Hilton. She was the leader of a group that I was going to travel with. She sent us detailed instructions on what to pack. A few of the necessary items: a yoga mat, a formal dress, and an assortment of purses. ??????? As I was packing my bag (in my dream) I was thinking how stupid each item was. I don't know why Paris Hilton was in my dream. I don't like her. I don't follow her celeb news. I have little or no knowledge about Paris. I think I might be going crazy. Oh well, at least I have a cute little boy who I am sure wouldn't mind being crazy with me. Here are a few of his recently "crazy" toddler moments.

Who said food was for eating? (Not a toddler!) Who wouldn't love smearing mashed potatoes all over their head?! And absolutely no fear. He climbs into this window sill all the time. What he lacks in fear is made up for in his mother. I have several mini heart attacks everyday watching him place himself in dangerous situations. My goal as a mother right now: Keep my child alive long enough to be able to set other goals as a mother.

I Voted!!

Just a quick post to let you all know that I voted. Don't you think it's so awesome to live where we can cast a vote and participate in the choosing of our leaders. I'm not sure why, but I felt really excited about the chance to vote today. Maybe it's the chance to end this long, drawn out political campaign or maybe it's the realization that I am blessed to live in a democracy. Whatever it is--go and vote today!!!!

Tagged by Nancy (I think)

4 movies I could watch more than once:

1) Singin' in the Rain

2) Raising Helen

3) Music of the Heart

4) One Fine Day

4 t.v. shows I watch:

1) The Cosby Show

2) Reba

3) Army Wives

4) Law & Order

4 things I love about my husband:

1) He's a hard worker

2) He loves me

3) He helps me

4) He makes me laugh

4 places I've been (prepare to be impressed):

1) Brazil

2) San Diego

3) Glacier National Park

4) Phoenix (the Grand Canyon)

4 places I'd like to go:

1) Brazil (again, only this time to play instead of work)

2) Hawaii (or anywhere with pretty beaches)

3) East Coast

4) anywhere new!

4 things I look forward to next year:

1) Getting Drew potty trained (I hate diapers)

2) Getting more of my yard finished

3) Working on & accomplishing some of my many goals

4) ?????

4 people I tag (only if you want to):

1) Cassie

2) Heather B.

3) Jeanne

4) Cindy

Mary's Fan Club . . .

For the last several years I have looked forward to volleyball being a major part of my entertainment thanks to my little sis Mary. She plays libero on Rigby's team. They made it to the state tournament again this year-Go Rigby!!! They played well and we had a blast cheering them on. Mary you are my most favoritist volleyball player ever. Thanks for all your hard work and practice that make you so fun to watch!!!

Great Job Rigby!! Nice Work Mary!!!

Yummmmm!

I know this is a little late, but I had to share my cute little scarecrow. He loved dressing up. He loved ringing a few doorbells. He was so cute saying, "Tweat". And he loooooved the treats. Good thing we only went to four houses so there wasn't much candy to worry about.

Kids are so much fun! When Grandma England came over to see him in his costume we couldn't get him to say "treat" for her so she pulled out the bag of candy she brought for him and he immediately said, "Yummmmm!" What a kid? He definitely inherited my sweet tooth!

Something to look forward to...

Where's Pollyanna when I need her? I think typically these blogs are supposed to be cheery and upbeat and make everyone happy for us, but I am not afraid to share my not so Pollyanna moments. These last few days the "venom" of life has gotten the better of me and left me grouchy.


It started at my little sis, Mary's, volleyball game. She is a Senior at RHS and I am soooooo going to miss watching her volleyball games each fall. They were playing in their district competition to see who would go to the state competition. My dad has accepted the responsibility this year of being a line judge at each of their home games and it just so happened that districts were hosted by Rigby this year. So, there was my dad being a line judge. And to my left up in the stands was a family from the opposing team (who shall remain nameless) who proceeded to criticize my dad and his calls. When I could take no more I leaned over and said, "Please be careful what you say, that is my dad making those calls and I think he is being more than fair to everyone." The criticizm continued and vulgarity was thrown in too. I finally got up and moved (in a very angry fashion). I came home feeling the "venom". (Mary you played awesomely by the way! Nice job!!)

Unfortunately, the venom found its way into my place of employment. First, I love where I work and who I work for. But I've recently become aware of some office issues that I really wish could get worked out. I came home from work Thursday and Friday with more "venom".

Then to top it all off, Drew is sick again. I promise I am a clean mom. I'm not "extreme" clean, but we wash our hands several times a day and or house is cleaned thoroughly at least once a week.


But, there is hope. My thoughtful brother Miles is really good at winnning radio contests and he won tickets to the Lady Antebellum concert in IF on Monday night. He realized he had to work late that night and thought of Dustin and I. I gladly accepted the tickets. Thank you, thank you, thank you Miles!!! You gave me. . .
something to look forward to!!!!!

Oh no! Snow!!!!!!

Not so ready for the snow thing yet, but we decided to see what Drew thought of the white stuff. As you can see, he luuuved it!!! We built and destroyed a snowman in less than ten minutes (such a boy)! He cried when it was time to come in. I'm glad at least someone can enjoy it.

As for myself, I got one of my wishes/needs: new glasses. They're kind of funky--not what I thought I would pick out, but they are growing on me. It's always such a hard decision picking out frames. They will be right there on your face for everyone to inspect/judge for the next year (or more if you get eye exams the way I do). I did get contacts this time though. It will be nice to leave the frames aside occasionally.

I love SNL!!!

Like most of you I am incredibly sick of election time. I am tired of hearing Mccain call us "my friends" and I am tired of clicking past the Obama channel on Dish network. I just wish we could vote now and end it all and then. . . .

I realize that it is 10:35 PM on Saturday night and I drop what I am doing to tune in to SNL and their opening political skit. And it doesn't disappoint. I feel much better after having a good laugh. Maybe I can wait a little longer until elections. A few laughs at the expense of those who want to call themselves our leaders could be fun. So keep it up SNL--you really know how to make lemonade out of lemons.

I love the Fall!

Dustin is finally home. He and his dad got a moose together. It looks like it was a big one. We took a family drive up through Swan Valley and had a picnic at Indian Creek today. The leaves are starting to change colors and it was so pretty. Drew had fun throwing rocks into the creek. Life is good again. My family is together and my favorite season is coming on. It is cool how going through a tough moment can make you appreciate the good moments so much more. It makes you realize how much you've been missing out on and taking for granted. My eyes are open to my blessings again--we'll see how long it lasts!! :)

The best. . . The worst. . .

I am of the opinion that becoming a mother brings the greatest joys of life. I am also of the opinion that motherhood holds some of the worst moments in life as well. I have just survived a little of the latter. Yesterday would rank up there as one of the worst days of my life. Now I want you to understand that I know there are much, much worse things that could happen and I will take this recent trial to any of those, but I hope I don't have to relive this experience for a long, long time. Now that I have this huge intro here's what it all comes down to: the flu! Drew threw up 14 times yesterday!!!! I changed my clothes 4 times and Drew's 8 times. I did three loads of laundry washing blankets, pillows, clothes and rags. I've cleaned my rug with four different cleaners and I will probably use them all again tomorrow just for safe measure. By the end of the day I was so drained. My mom stopped by with some Gatorade for Drew and I was sooo grateful for the visit. She took over for a couple of hours reading Drew stories. He loves to read stories with Grandma. Even my poor mom didn't escape the destruction--sorry mom, I know you've been thrown up on before, but you should be past those fun times after raising 8 of your own. So far today our score is zero. Hopefully it continues and proves to be a twenty-four hour flu that is over for good. So, of sorts, I feel like I have lived through a rite of passage for moms. I feel for those of you with more than one sick child at a time (I'm sure my day will come). And I am especially sympathetic for those of you that do this all as a single parent. Dustin gets home tonight and I will gladly end this run of single parenting. Thanks for letting me share my trial--here's hopin' the bug misses all of your homes!!!

I'm a hunting widow

Okay so I'm only a "widow" for 2 weeks. Dustin left for his once-in-a-lifetime, "dream" hunt in Alaska early yesterday morning. He and his dad are hoping to bring back big moose heads to put on their walls. Dustin's will hang happily in his shop (I just can't handle the fright of walking past a dead animal on the way to the bathroom late at night!) I have two hopes for their adventure: they survive (no major injuries or death--other than their prize animals of course) and they have a great/marvelous/amazing time (making it worth the large price tag). Okay, so, I don't really understand the enjoyment in hunting: no shower, stinky, sweaty, way to long, way to cold, camping trip. Not to mention the killing an animal part. No offense to those of you who do enjoy it, but it's just not my thing. But, it is Dustin's thing and he really is living a dream so I am happy for him. And, I am learning a new appreciation of the meat Dustin brings home--it's way better than anything I could buy in the store! Anyway--I love you and miss you Dustin--not that you will be reading this anytime soon being out in the middle of nowhere as you are, but maybe you can catch my loving vibes tonight as you shiver in your tent listening for scary bears that I sincerely hope are not hungry for stinky men out for their moose. Hopefully these next two weeks go by quickly!

My first "tag"!

So my sweet sister-in-law Cheryl tagged me and here goes The eight. . .

Things I am passionate about. . .
1. Dustin
2. Drew
3. The rest of the great people I call family
4. How the money gets spent
5. Music
6. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
7. Food--mostly sweets
8. Flossing

Words or phrases that I say often. . .
1. What? (Trying to make sense of Drew's "words")
2. I love you
3. How often do you brush and floss your teeth?
4. Don't touch that!!!
5. Noooo!!!
6. I'm so tired!
7. Drew is out of milk
8. Shhh! Drew's sleeping

Things I want to do before I die. . .
1. Learn to play the guitar
2. Live in a real home (not the back of a shop--even though I love the beautiful work you did Dustin)
3. See as much of the world as I can
4. Make as many friends as I can
5. Teach my children the things they need to know to succeed in life
6. Go to a Celine Dion concert (she has an amazing voice!!!)
7. Write music to share with others
8. Do all that I can. . . (2 Nephi 25:23)

Things I've learned. . .
1. Life is not fair (I learn this over and over and over again--it's starting to sink in)
2. It's best to just say what you need to say at the right time than hold it in until it either escapes or explodes at a not so appropriate moment
3. Daily flossing really is necessary to have truely clean teeth
4. The sacrifice and work invovled in becoming a parent is totally worth it because the sweet little people make life so much more meaningful and fun and exciting
5. Honesty is the best policy, but some people just don't really want to know/hear the truth
6. Endurance is easier than stopping and starting over and over again (this applies to many things!)
7. Music has power to motivate (for good and for bad)
8. Don't let other people's opinion of you go to your head (most of the time they are being way to mean or way to nice)
*Disclaimer--ok so maybe I haven't truely learned all of these (except for the flossing thing) but I am working on them!

Places I would love to go or see. . .
1. Hawaii
2. Havasupai Falls-they look gorgeous!
3. The Sacred Grove
4. Alaska (right now would be good--I miss Dustin!)
5. The other 40 beaches of Florianopolis, Brasil that I didn't make it to
6. The places the Savior walked
7. An M&M factory (it's a nickname thing)
8. Eastern U.S.--New York, Boston, Washington D.C.
*And many, many more places!!

Things I currently need or want. . .
1. Company (I miss Dustin)
2. New glasses--mine are soooo old!
3. Sleep
4. Milk and dog food (for my two "babies")
5. Food storage
6. Wisdom (to use in parenting, my Young Women's church calling, and marriage and more)
7. More Jolly Time Kettle Mania popcorn (my new addiction)
8. Someone to tune my piano

People I tag. . .
1-8. Well, how about anyone who happens to read this and wants to share :)

Winnie the Pooch

This summer we decided to add some fun to our lives (mostly for Drew's sake) and got a puppy. Drew loves her!!! They are so cute playing together. Today I finally grabbed my camera to capture their fun. They mostly torture each other. Drew makes Winnie yelp with his tight squeezes and Winnie can knock Drew flat on his back when she races over to jump on him, but they still seem to enjoy each other's company. They squeal with delight when they see the other coming. What is it about little boys and their little dogs that is sooooo cute!!!

Nap time!

It is amazing how little I can get done in a day since Drew came into my life. I love him, don't get me wrong, but he is sooo clingy. He has to be by my side all day long. Playing by himself just doesn't seem to cut it for more than 15 minutes at a time. He probably needs a sibling. I'm definitely not making any announcements! I'm not quite ready to hug the toilet all day again. Anyway, I've come to cherish nap times. They are short and sweet most of the time, so I have to be choosy about how I spend my free time and blogging was forgotten for awhile. Dustin and I celebrated our 3rd aniversary on the 13th of August. To celebrate we went hiking in Grand Teton National Park and then to the Bar J Wranglers dinner show near Jackson. It was a lot of fun. I highly recommend the show. I hadn't ever seen them before and they are very talented and the food wasn't too bad. I guess it is supposed to be similar to what the cowboys ate out on the trail, which I was a little worried would be very nasty, but it was good. Drew also got two new teeth this last week. This is never a fun experience. He had a permanent runny nose and bad disposition for a few days and then the teeth finally popped through-8 down and 12 to go. He also got a haircut on Saturday. He was starting to look like a girl with his long flowing hair, so I decided to bite the bullet and asked my mom to help me give him a trim. I dread haircuts because it is usually a 15 minute wrestle to hold his head still as he screams and my mom clips as fast as she can. He surprised us all this time by holding perfectly still and even laughed when Aunt Sara asked if it tickled. We were done in 3 minutes! Yahhooo!

What am I doing?

So, I thought I would never join the blogging trend. For one, I feel like I am going through a major antisocial phase of life and who would actually care to read my blog??? Two, even if someone suprises me and wants to read my blog--what do I write??? My life is not exciting or interesting. BUT, I have enjoyed reading friends blogs and I have been able to catch up with friends I haven't seen or heard from in forever. So, in an effort to return the "fun" I have had reading blogs, I will try to make my life more interesting or maybe I will throw in a few make believe stories just to keep things "fun".

This is me and my busy little boy, Drew. He is all boy and almost always busy. The trick is to keep him busy doing things that are safe and clean (by clean I don't mean not messy but able to be cleaned up successfully when the activity is over ). Drew will probably be the most common subject of my blog because his life is way more thrilling than mine and he's a lot cuter than me too. So I'm starting my blogging experiment. Hope it goes well!