Recent Happenings

I have to apologize...I've become a bad-blogger! Christmas is such a busy time, with the bad weather, the shopping, all the preparation...plus crazy Scentsy time and making jewelry too! Life gets a bit hectic. Let me give you a brief summary of the past couple of weeks.

*Lauren is off track, which has actually been nice, as I have had to stay up later than normal to get some stuff done, so it has been nice to sleep a bit longer in the morning. At night, we have enjoyed watching all the Christmas Specials that are on this time of year....as well as yummy cookies from Lauren's school fundraiser:
*As Matt and I were putting up all the Christmas decorations, Jamie thought (for some crazy reason) that he would shove this button UP his nose. We had no idea until the NEXT morning when I was bathing him, I noticed something shiny up there. I called Matt at work in a total panic. THANK GOODNESS WE LIVE 2 MILES FROM WORK! We thought we were going to have to go to the Emergency Room as our first attempts only shoved the button up further! FINALLY Matt got smart and used a paperclip to hook the button and remove it. I couldn't stop shaking after it came out, I think I shook the rest of the day!

*Oreo, the cat, has enjoyed the Christmas tree. What a silly cat!

*Matt's work, bought us family tickets to a Jazz game. We got to be on the floor and do the fan tunnel as the players entered. Jamie didn't know quite what to think.

Our family at Energy Solutions Arena. This was their first Jazz game!

My cute little girl had a blast!

They gave us all Jazz shirts to wear, the kids shirts were adult shirts and were huge on them. BUT Jamie wouldn't even let us take his coat off.

* Lauren had her Christmas dance recital. She did such an awesome job. She makes me get teary eyed everytime I see her dance.

We celebrated her performance afterwards at the Texas Roadhouse. Good times!

*I also had a sleepover with my sisters. I rented some scary movies, we had snacks and we stayed up late. They are so much fun, I am so lucky to have them! Aren't they cute!?

I also invited my friend Beth to be an adopted sister and join in our fun. She has become such a good friend to me the past few months, although it feels like I have known her forever! I was glad she was able to make it, even though she hated the movies I picked!

Sarah kept teasing me about my Snuggie! I tell ya, it is the coolest thing ever...but somehow everyone thinks it is funny! Here she is trying to imitate the Snuggie ads! Pretty good, eh?

My kids love Beth too. Or "Miss Beff" as Jamie calls her.

My sister Ashley is the weirdest sleeper ever. She had worked a 10 hour day and had been up since 5, so she was the first to crash. Believe it or not, she is sleeping here AND keeping her phone safe!

**Here is Lauren in her camo pants. Pretty stylish.

Okay, confession, I actually bought the two kids matching camo outfits. I know it is cheesy, but I love it!

Cute Lauren and her hairbow. She loves to have her picture taken.

*This month they started to build the house next to us. They did ALL of this framing in one week. The lady building the house is actually a First Grade Teacher at Lauren's school..so she could actually be Lauren's teacher next year! Cool huh? I met her the other day and she seemed super nice.

*We also got to travel to Clearfield to celebrate my Grandpa's 85th birthday! It was great to see almost all of my aunts, uncles, and cousin's on my dad's side. I wish we got to see each other more often!

*Last Saturday our little family met Beth and her family (hubby Josh and daughter Harbor) for dinner at the Olive Garden and then we all went to see Santa at Matt's Mom's friend Jewel's house. Lauren was shocked that Santa knew so much about her. Jamie wouldn't get near Santa! Lauren told Santa what he wanted...a scooter, and what she wanted, a Barbie house. Luckily, we even showed up at the same time as Matt's sister and brother and his wife and kids (sorry no pic...too crazy!) It was a bit hectic...but it was a good time for all!

*Okay, last entry. Tuesday night my parents had offered to take both kids overnight. WOW! It was great to have a night at home with just Matt and I...that never happens. Matt and I were up late, prepping Christmas stuff..when at 2 am there was an Earthquake. It was a 2.7, not huge, but not small either. It was really weird. It felt like a bomb went off or like a car hit the house. Matt knew right away that it was an earthquake and it was verified on the U of U Seismology site. The epicenter was about 4 miles away.

*Well, I am sure that I will have to blog soon, as I will have about a million Christmas pictures to share. Christmas is so much better with kids, and mine are at a great age.....pure joy and excitement!! It brings out the kids in ya! SO..Merry Christmas to all of you out there! I hope you catch the Christmas Spirit..and you get more BUMHUGGING than HUMBUGGING. Ha! That isn't inappropriate is it? This is what happens when I function for a month on less than 5 hours of sleep a night and too much candy. Seriously though MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Christmas Card Photos

Every year for my birthday, we get our pictures taken at Kiddie Kandids. This year, with my birthday being on Thanksgiving. We went the day before my birthday. While this used to be a fun event that I would look forward to, I have come to dread it because of one word: Jamie. This year, he was no different. What could have been a simple thirty minute session became a dreadful three hour ordeal. I have no idea why he hates pictures so bad! I am so surprised that we got any decent shots. I don't exactly LOVE these pics, BUT they were the best we were gonna get. The ladies at Kiddie Kandids were sooo patient. Despite ALL the crying...Jamie during the session and me at the end. Here are the shots we ended up with.
I am impressed that his face is not red or tear-stained, I guess that his expression tells it all!

During his tantrum, Matt and I decided to get a shot of the two of us, since there was space on our session. We haven't had a professional shot of us in 6 years, so I guess this was a nice surprise.

Since Lauren looked so cute and was behaving so well, I decided to get a shot of her too. Sorry these pictures are so grainy, I had to have my mom scan these because there is no longer a way to download them off of Kiddie Kandid's website. Even through it is blurry, I still think my little girl is adorable and sweet looking. I can't explain how much I LOVE her!!!

So, those will be some of the photos we will be sending out this year. Only those of you blog readers will know the high price at which they came. Up next on my to-do list, another Jamie un-favorite...SHOPPING. Oh boy! Merry Christmas to all, anyway!

Birthday Thanks!

Since my birthday fell on Thanksgiving, I thought it would be appropriate to name 32 (my age)things that I am thankful for.

First, I am thankful for everything that The Lord God has given us. For his unconditional love, forgiveness. Without Him, none of this list would exist. 2. My husband Matt is my life. He is my friend, my partner, my everything! I am so lucky to have found him. He makes me a better person. He is fun, he is handsome, he is a good listener. He loves me no matter what.

He is a great father. He is good at everything he does! He is amazing and I love him so much!

3. I am thankful for my daughter Lauren. She is my little buddy. She is smart, funny, articulate, sweet, cute, and fun-loving.

She is my perfect little angel!

4. I am thankful for my son Jamie.

Although at times he is a handful, other times he is affectionate, funny, attentive, and he LOVES to laugh. And he is so stinkin' cute!

5. I am thankful for my parents. They are the BEST. Can I say that they are perfect?! They always seem to know what to say, and what to do...when I was a kid and now! They are patient, loving, easy-going, supportive, and reliable. Now that I am a parent, I have a new appreciation of all that they have done for me over the years...and I never remember them complaining, or losing their patience! I wished that I could say the same for myself! They always seemed to sacrifice so much for us....even now! They are such wonderful grandparents! I think my kids would rather be with them than us!

Okay this should be #11 but, the pictures uploaded weird. SO...I am thankful for boating. I love going boating. It is great to have the wind blow my hair, breathe the clean air, it just always makes me feel alive.

6. I am thankful for my siblings...(and my niece). My brother John paved the way for me in almost everything I have done. He is smart, cool, and funny. My niece, Alysia is also very funny, sweet, and loving.

My sisters are also amazing to me. They are beautiful, fun, determined, stylish, and SKINNY! They are such good friends to me, and I am lucky to stay close to them no matter what. It is great to have people who can relate to you in so many ways. They are the best!

7. Okay, this is to represent my extended family. I have a HUGE family! I love having a big family, and I loved that when I got married I got an even bigger family. I have family in ten states, all across the country, and even outside of the USA. It would be great if they all lived here, but it makes the time that we do spend together, even more valuable. I am thankful for all my family for sure!

Another one out of order..lets call this #13....I love the color white. Especially a nice, clean white shirt!

#8. I am thankful for my nieces. Alysia (19) in the picture above with my brother. Also, Isabella (3) and Madeleine (8 months) BELOW. I love little girls and I am thankful to have so many in my life! I just found out today that I will become an aunt again in June of 2010. Matt's sister is going to have a baby and I am so excited!

9. No picture for this...but I am thankful for friends. For me, every person you are friends with, leave an impression on you forever. Friends mean so much to me, they are like family that you get to choose. It is nice to have someone that you can relax and laugh with, or someone to lean on, to cry to, to whine to. Right now, in particular..I am especially thankful for Heather Lyons and Beth Landgrebe. They are the girls I talk to nearly everyday...the ones I would be lost on a daily basis without.

10. I am thankful for my pets. My dog Pepper (14 years old) and our cat Oreo (almost a year). I think that pets make a home, a real home. Pepper is loyal and sweet and causes no trouble. Oreo is funny, playful, and causes a ton of trouble. I am also thankful that these two get along so well with each other...snuggling every night.

#12..I am very thankful for my health. I am also very thankful that my family and most of my friends are all in pretty good health. I think that it isn't something you appreciate until it is gone..and my recent scare with the kids and me being sick sure helped remind me to appreciate NOT being sick.

#14. I am thankful for the house that I live in. It is my dream house. I still can't believe it is mine!

#15...I am thankful for Discover Card. The job that I have had for 13 years now. They have taken care of us over the years. I also love that it is down the street from my house! I am also thankful for the actual Discover Card, I use it for everything and LOVE the Cashback bonus. He he he!

#16...I am thankful for Weight Watchers. The best diet out there in my opinion. I guess that I can finally brag and say that I have lost almost 20 pounds since 9/09/09 doing the Weight Watchers method.

#17. I am thankful for dancing. I think that I will always consider myself a "dancer". It is my passion in life. I love EVERYTHING about it, formal dancing, dancing in the car...watching dancing, coaching dancers, or even seeing my daughter grow in it. In my life it has brought me self-confidence, many friends and lots of experiences. If I could be doing anything I wanted as a career, it would revolve in some way around dancing...if only.....

18. I love SOCKS! I hate sandals and can't wait to change into socks when I do wear them. I also MUST sleep in socks. I have socks on constantly. I also love funky socks and oh, socks that match my outfit make my day!

#19...I also can not live without my neck pillow. It may sound crazy and I have no idea why..but in order for me to sleep, I have to have something nuzzled under my chin. The neck pillow works perfectly. The one pictured below is in much better shape than the one I use. Poor Matt must deal with the rag of a neck pillow that I have to drag everywhere with me.

20. I also can not live without my reality shows! I must watch nearly every single reality show there is. There are a few that I have seen every single episode of every single season..like So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing With the Stars, America's Next Top Model, The Real World, America's Best Dance Crew. Matt and I also LOVE Big Brother, Amazing Race, The Mole. I could just go on and on....

21...I am very thankful for contact lenses. I HATE wearing my glasses and I am so thankful for this wonderful invention that helps me see and feel like a normal person.

22. I love where I live. I am thankful that I live in Utah. I love the weather here, the opportunities, the conservative place that it is. It will always be home.

23..I am thankful for Sushi. I am thankful that I gave it a couple of chances..because now it is my favorite. MMMMM....and my favorite place to eat..Teppanyaki...I am thankful for that place and for the one day a year I get to go there...usually my birthday.

24. I am thankful for SOFTLIPS. This is the best chapstick ever. I put some on every night before bed. Ahhh..menthol.

25. I am a very sentimenal person, so I am thankful ever so much for the invention of pictures. I love to remember the past and all the memories. I am thankful that I have been the owner of a digital camera for a year now. I love my Nikkon COOLPIX that I won at work. Go me!

26...I am thankful for Diet Dr. Pepper. Especially in the bottle. I look forward to my one daily treat with much anticipation! All this goodness and NO calories. THANK YOU!

27. Okay, I am also thankful for junk-food. Being on a diet, you always tend to have a love/hate relationship with junk-food. At least with Weight Watchers, you can have a LITTLE of the bad stuff. My favorites are those Reeses Eggs or the Trees or the Hearts, whatever season it is, I just love them so much more than the regular cups. I could go on about other goodies, but I will stop there before I cheat! But oh how sugar makes me happy...much thanks for that!

28. I am thankful for hobbies, things that keep me busy and out of trouble. I also am thankful for the little bit of money I make with my hobbies. I love beading....and...

....I love Scentsy. I love smells and it is so much fun to get to experience all the samples, it never gets old to me! 29. I am thankful for tweezers, without which I would surely have a uni-brow.

30. I am also thankful for nail-files, without which I would have annoyed sharp points on my nails.

31. I am thankful for my cell phone. My trusty, reliable RAZR! I started texting about a year ago. I now think I can text at a normal speed. I love that texting helps you communicate much quicker. It helps you keep in touch a lot easier too. It is very entertaining. Aren't cell-phones cool?? Much thanks!

#32 Last but not least...I am thankful for my Laptop computer. Matt bought me this baby for our anniversary. I love that it helps me blog, check my e-mail, stay connected to friends and family on Facebook. It helps me keep in touch with you! I am thankful for you! I am thankful for comments, so please leave one!

There is a saying that goes "There is always, always, always something to be thankful for." I love that saying. There is certainly a lot to be thankful for!