COOK CREW

Start up Summer!

2011-07-21T12:03:00.000-06:00

My summer started on June 1st when I loaded up my gals and headed to San Antonio. Since then, I have been to Arizona, St. George, Manti, Salt Lake, and am now currently in Oregon (refer to pic below)

Still have yet to go to Disneyland, and Fresno before we head on our way back. It has been a never-ending, never forgetting, eventful adventure packed packed full of surprises!

I could not even begin to describe what this summer has done and continues to do for me. I have been able to reconnect with people and discover things about myself and how I work as well.

I have seen lots of family and friends and cherished every moment. I know I have not been on this blog for forever...such is my crazy life and lack of internet. But, I still intend to keep it up every now and then, for my own sake.

I am so grateful for opportunities that have opened up and the many people who have made this summer one to remember!

The best kind of testimony

2011-05-07T15:27:00.001-06:00

I took my 2 gals with me to our special "WIC" appointment...Without too many details, let me just say, these are LONG, very LONG, and you meet lots of "interesting" people while waiting ( I am prob one of those people).

I brought things for the girls to do while we waiting ( been through the process before and learned the first time, the hard way)...and after about an hour, I was almost DONE myself...but we had to keep waiting.

Then, this lady came and sat in one of the seats behind us...and, for some reason, Andy went right up to her. She just started chatting, my little gal who is afraid of everything and has to warm up to the idea of anything.

I then heard her tell the lady " I love my family...and we are a good family and I LOVE that we will be together forever."

Something came over me at that moment. I, of course, started to tear up a little bit, but I know that my gal had spoken truth and spoken with the spirit and the lady she told it to knew it too. We both teared up, and she said that was about the best thing she has ever heard someone say ( my thoughts exactly).

My daughter taught me so much that day, as every day, things hard to explain. She showed me her testimony, but also showed me how easy it is to be a missionary, and how we should NOT be afraid to do that.

I only hope I can be like her...

Why EASTER is TRULY my FAVORITE HOLIDAY

2011-04-24T14:52:00.005-06:00

I will be honest...Easter wasn't ALWAYS my favorite. I always enjoyed the holiday very much, but it wasn't necessarily my TOP pick. Now, there is no doubt it is my favorite holiday (yes, even more than Christmas, but Christmas is a close second)...

I think it started the year I moved to Arizona (a BIG year for me) and was an ANGEL in the Church of Jesus Christ EASTER PAGEANT . I had never even seen the pageant before, had no idea what I was getting into, but unless you are in the pageant, you don't realize just how much goes into it, and the spirit that goes behind every single moment of it!

The pageant changed the way I viewed Easter forever, and I ALWAYS think about it whenever Easter is around. I love that the holiday is all about the Saviour and that HE LIVES!

There is also something about the less pressure/less stress of EASTER that I find refreshing. It is commercialized, yes, but not quite as much as some other holidays I feel. It is because of that, I feel that it is easier to focus on the right things of EASTER.

Easter also is in the spring, the BEST time of year in my opinion. I just LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE EASTER!

I love the way I feel during Easter, and I love all the wonderful messages that come out during EASTER! I hope we all get to take advantage of , to me, what is the BEST time of year!

Mardi Gras, 2011!!!

2011-03-06T14:28:00.000-07:00

It is March In New Orleans, which can only mean one thing..MARDI GRAS!!! Awesome, crazy and wild are just a few of the words I am using to describe it!

There are still 2 Days left of Mardi Gras, and I have already been to 5 parades!

That might seem like alot of parades, but carnival season starts in Jan my friends...and there are 5-6 parades a day for a few weeks! I have been wondering about Good old New Orleans, but I must say that Mardi Gras had really helped me to appreciate it on a whole new level.

These parades are not like anything I have ever seen!!! First of all, to be in the parade you have to be in the "krewe" that puts it on, and PAY to be IN it. The mardi gras parades are famous for their "throws" of bead, all sort of them, (some normal, some lighted up, some with emblems), and depending on the krewe and parade, they have their own special throws. Like a shoe, with the emblem on it, stuffed animals, flowers.

You will notice different outfits, since we have gone over a few days. Mardi Gras is not at all what you would expect, very family friendly. Dont get me wrong, there are very crazy aspects of the whole thing...but not at all like you hear or expect for that matter.

This is a very common thing at the parades, and something I have never personally seen. People set up this ladders and get their kids to sit in them...That way they can see "reach out" for beads everywhere.

Each parade we went to was very different. The ones in the city are HUGE HUGE HUGE,and crazy, but they also are the nicest and give out the biggest and best pics. I have no pics of that parade, which was my favorite.

The video doesn't really catch the feel of it. The floats of people are usually pouring out beads and prizes, non stop...The one time I recorded it you couldn't tell. The parades are throughout the day and night...and very long and exhausting, but so much fun. Steve was done after our second parade, but I think we still should go to as many as possible.

The big problem is saving a spot and the crows and waiting. It really is incredible though, and I plan on making it a tradition. Can't wait for the next time I get to yell "THROW ME SOMETHIN MISTER!" (I forgot to mention KING CAKE--YUMMM!)

Just cause...

2011-02-16T16:04:00.000-07:00

Ever since we moved to New Orleans, I have fallen way behind on my blogging. I use to look forward to doing it, and get excited to post.

I really don't have an excuse...I just have never been good at change---with ANYTHING. Too bad that is what life is all about. When I changed to be a missionary, came home, when I moved, changed my status to being married, became a mom, became a mom of 2...

I am not exactly sure why I take so long to adjust to knew roles and changes in my life...I actually like change, I think it is good for us, and necessary. So why then, can't I ever just get into a new rhythm and flow.

I also believe that people get things out of life what they put into life. Having said that, let me just say that I am still having a hard time adjusting to New Orleans. I don't feel like I fit in anywhere, I feel ackward in every single way you could think of, socially, emotionally, financially...

I just don't know. Maybe that is really why I haven't blogged at all ( doesn't explain my lack of picture taking for my second oldest)...I am hoping I can get out of my funk and back into a newer, better rhythm...

HERE's to hoping....

MIckey Mouse is Truly the BEST!!

2011-01-18T09:25:00.001-07:00

We had the wonderful blessing and privelage to be able to go to disneyworld over Christmas (apparently the absolute busiest time of year...only blackout days for military), and ANDY has this obsession with Micky Mouse....As soon as we saw him, our life was complete.

This was the very first thing that we did at disnworld. Totally worth the hour and a half wait...

Andy has met several "characters" in her day, but has always been afraid of them! She usually just stands by them for a pic, and cries after. This guy she ran right to, hugged him, and couldn't get enough. I actually started crying!

Insecatrium!

2010-12-07T09:13:00.000-07:00

Umm yeah, we have passes to go to all the cool kid attractions in NEW ORLEANS. Including the BUG PLACE. So, I thought I would post pics froma few months ago when we were within walking distance of everything..

Yeah, you can dip the bees and aunts in chocolate. I was alone with the gals, no witnesses, so I had to take a pic

Very crunchy, a little weird....

The stamp says I ate a bug...I deserved that stamp! Still can't beleive it!

Andy loved the whole thing, it really was so much fun!

There is a butterfly place that they just fly around you. Can't even describe, just so cool!

Ode to our Hotel Hopping days...

2010-11-08T09:21:00.000-07:00

This is how one of our "one bedroom rooms looked

I miss blogging...I miss updating my life and keeping track of everything...I miss people commenting on everything. I could have updated my blog, I am not sure exactly why I used "life" as an excuse, but I am back to my blog in full swing.

It is official though--WE SPENT 3 MONTHS IN A HOTEL---now we are out, in the most amazing place!

Here is a video of how we entertained ourselves, and the "growth" of Rodda J during our hotel stay ( granted, she thinks she can almost walk now, but I have to backtrack with everything)

Of course, in hind site, it doesn't even seem real that we pulled off living in a hotel. But in reality, it worked out really great. Steve was seconds from his school, and we loved the ward we were in. We made friends there we otherwise probably wouldn't have met (consequently are having a hard time even thinking about not being in the ward).

this was our supposed hotel "pool" that we swam in until they changed it to feel hotter than the hot tub

Since we were , in fact, in the hotel, for so long, and I am not going to be able to recount everything , yet I still want a "document" of our time spent there....I am writing a brief summary of our stay below"---

--We checked in our "time share" on July 21st 2010, and checked out Oct 25th 2010. Throughout our stay there, for the first little bit, we switched rooms every couple of days (from a one bedroom to a two bedroom, to a studio, etc). Due to the nature we arranged things, that is how it had to be done.

I wish I would have planned better. Moving was the hardest part, especially on days when we couldn't get a late checkout, couldn't check in early, and Steve couldn't help me. We had packed for his school, and life for that long, thus had a computer, printer, three suitcases of medicine alone.

The hotel would not allow you to use those bug carts yourself to "haul" things, and we couldn't afford t o pay someone to carry everything ( kind of defeats the whole point of saving money in a hotel). One day when we moved rooms, it took me over three hours to haul our girls back and forth with all of our stuff ( that was a day they just let us transfer rooms, we weren't always so lucky).

Another layout of a different room...Some were set up much better than others, we got so many different layouts)

The hotel had a fridge, and microwave. Sometimes we were lucky to have an oven in a room, but it wasn't always guarantee. Because of the location of the hotel, right downtown, it wasn't a "drive up and park your car kind of place. You either paid the valet $26 a day, or parked yourself with a deal we worked out for $200 a month. This means you would have to walk about fifteen minutes away, and navigate through the very slim one way streets.

That part was hard as well. I could never anticipate how long everything would take me, especially when it came to groceries. Let's just say, I got my workout--literally lost a few pounds having to walk to the different places just to get the car.

While in the hotel we were centrally located e children's museum, about a ten minute walk, so we went there two or three times a week.

At first we thought the hotel staff really disliked our situation since we technically did live there ( we called it our hotel house so Andy could feel like she still had some sense of a home, as she slept on her "couch bed). They were always a little put off, but then we came to realize that is the mentality here...No customer service exists in Louisiana anywhere--something I am still getting use to.

BIGGER AND BETTER

Now we have officially moved onto the Navy base in a four bedroom ( the only unit they had available for us) amazing place ( larget place I have lived as an adult, period). We have a backyard, a study, we are loving life.

We are so grateful for the money we saved in the hotel (don't get me started on the cost of living here) and to my inlaws for helpin us with that. A part of us really enjoyed that time...

Back and forth, where are we now?

2010-09-18T13:06:00.000-06:00

This is the LONGEST I have EVER been without writing in my blog. EVER! Life has always been busy, and right now- it isn't too diff than normal, yet it has been weeks and months since I have written. WOW

I still have yet to update on life in New Orleans, or "life in a hotel" I should say ( at least until Oct. 25th). On Aug. 21st I ventured to Oregon to visit with all my family and be here for my brother "nate's" wedding. Well, after being a here a bit, we decided it might be good to have a home setting for a bit and be around family ( don't know if will be coming back to OREGON for a few years) while we can...

So now, four weeks later, I am still in Oregon with my gals and my hubby is still in New Orleans attending all his classes. My official return-to-NOLA date is next Friday Sept 24th.

For now I am enjoying having grandma, grampa, and Auntie Kaylie around to help with the kids, and enjoying having a kitchen, and bedrooms for my gals! It is also nice having it be a little cold here ( I here it is still blazing hot in NOLA).

My hubby is "living a student life" not having a family around...IT is really hard to study in a hotel room where there is not space, or area of separation for the gals who want their daddy, so I hope he is getting some good studying done! I figured we won't be seeing much of him ( since when we are in a hotel, he studies on campus) while we live in a hotel...

I am anxious to truly start our life in New Orleans, to have an address, a place that we can all call home and truly get involved. We have already made friends and I have a calling of music person ( all things music, including playing of hymns I am in charge of).

My hubby keeps reminding me that my "home" is in New Orleans, not in Oregon, and this is true...I just am excited to really feel that way when we are finally settled. For now, we are in forever transient mode and hoping that as of OCT 23rd we can move on base into a fun little place. I will try and keep this updated!

My life in a hotel...

2010-08-04T21:33:00.000-06:00

I am thinking of making that the title of my new blog....at least for the next few months...That, or something like "New Orleans-the number one LAZY state in the Nation.", or maybe even " No clue" I think I like that one best actually! Another title to put in the middle of all of those would be "angel friends..." oh yeah!

It has been a whirlwind for the past few weeks...which explains my absence in posting. I wasn't even going to post tonight, but Steve is in our bed studying, and Andy is lying here asleep, and I can't bother Steve, so I decided tonight would be as good as any night!

My mom came to help with our move about a week before we moved. I don't know how I could have done it without her! Then, one of my dearest friends in the world , Jen, showed up at my house the day before the big move and helped me for hours on end. She took charge and helped me to get rid of things I wouldn't have had the courage to, and just kept me together getting it all done ( not to mention she picked up Andy the next day at 7 in the morning when the moving truck came).

If it weren't for family and friends who helped us load our truck (the big diesel uhaul truck company)--we would NOT have made it! All of these people are among my "angel friends" who have helped us along this journey of the biggest adventure!

Another angel friend were my in-laws who, through some miracle...were inspired to help us get a new car. We had been debating what to do with our cars since BOTH were at their tail ends...so we sold both and put the money toward this new car--which is going to save us so much money in so many ways over the next couple of years ( one of the ways is also that we trusted driving the car to make it--another story, so we didn't have to pay to have it hauled!).

My in laws also have this sort of "time share" hotel in New Orleans. They knew we hadn't worked everything out with the base, so they arranged for us to be able to stay in this hotel (for now) until Sept while we figure things out ( thank heavens cause we are still so far away from figuring things out---don't get me started). The good news is that there is a bed for Andy and one for Steve and I most of the time, and that we have always had a microwave and fridge. The bad news is that we have had to move every couple of days (I will get into that later).

I was nervous about flying with the gals here, it is not that fun by yourself...and out of some miracle ( or tender mercy as my next angel friend called it) my sister-in- law Echo (angel) happened to be booked on the first flight leg of the journey as me...This was a miracle for me in so many ways not only cause we were running late, and forgot our stroller ( I knew I would die without it not only at the airport but in New Orleans in general) , but because I always take forever to get through the gate at security! I feel really strongly that we wouldn't have even caught the flight without Echo who waited for someone to bring us the stroller, and walked through security with Andy while I went ahead so as to speed up the security process...

My next flight, the next miracle was that the flight was NOT full and I was able to sit both my car seats down, so my hands were free. This was not a big deal when flying with Echo, since she helped me hold my gals, and also got me to my next gait. I was so worried...

But, I made a new angel friend on the way who I talked to during the flight. The woman and her daughter helped me with my bags, then continued to baggage claim with me, paid a guy to haul my bags to the shuttle. I almost sat there and cried at the angel friends I made. The shuttle driver helped me...and I was so happy. When I got to the rental car place is when I realized I had over packed and was now alone. I wanted to cry, but not because I was overwhelmed, but because I felt my angel friends really watching and helping me along the trip. This woman saw me with "happy tears" but thought they were sad tears. They turned out to be really good tears cause she ended up helping me load my car up and check me in...I just couldn't believe it.

Our last trip to New Orleans was not like this at all. No one was helpful, or happy or anything. I was being blown away by kindness--and didn't believe it. I really felt watched over. The hardest part of the journey was driving to the hotel itself! When I got out of the car, I looked around and almost flipped out --it was 1 am in the MIDDLE of NEW ORLEANS, dark, and scary. The front of the hotel was locked but out of some other tender mercy I had another angel friend appear out of nowhere and open the doors for me.

The front desk tells me I need to drive my car to the valet, and I almost break down in tears again. It took me forever to load the girls with all our stuff out of the car--you want me to get us all back in and navigate to the valet? (it would have taken forever since you don't just turn left you have to go down a one way--turn onto another and keep going until you get the right road). The guy was insistant, so I started praying and walking outside. He then freaked out himself and made several calls to make a special arrangement to have them come get the car--another tender mercy.

Needless to say, we are here and have been here for over two weeks. So much has happened that I need to write about eventually. For now I will leave you with saying that I have been blessed with a new set of eyes---I am not freaked out by the city anymore for some reason ( maybe cause I don't have a choice, we are here and I have to deal), but I actually really enjoy it. It reminds me of Chicago in a LOT of ways ( another not very family friendly city). I kind of fit well with the insanity.

I will have to write later about the ward we attended ( I already hav a calling even if only there for a few months), the trauma of moving from room to room, the HEAT, the inabilty to get an id card and thus figure out our living arrangements, the crazy insane people we have met here, Steve's orientation and white coat ceremony, the children's museum, grocery shopping, learning about horrible schooling, and my three hour trek! Craziness...for now, I am going to go to sleep in the big easy and enjoy this hotel for another day---taking Steve to school at 7 tomorrow. Wish us luck!

Matching finally!

2010-06-12T15:13:00.001-06:00

Since my girls are have a bit of a range in their age, it is really hard for me to find matching outfits for them ( my mom did it to me as I kid, I hated it then, but now that I am a momma---I AM ALL ABOUT MATCHING

Not only is it so much fun, but it is so cute and rare to find similar outfits. See, usually the range is from baby to one year, but I happened to find matches for baby to 5 years old! Gotta love it baby!This one is my favorite of the bunch. Rodda was so into the camera when it blinked, she stopped smiling!

For easter I dressed the WHOLE family in yellow. I don't know why, but I LOVE DOING THAT. I try to do it as often as possible!

OUr steakout at New Orleans

2010-06-11T11:19:00.000-06:00

And the winner is by a landslide....

THE BASE HOUSE BY FAR!

No only is it a 4 bedroom 3 FULL bath townhome, it has huge closet space, ad fenced yard that opens to the park, no utilities or anything added, and IT IS ON THE BASE (you cant get any safer than that)

This is Steve standing next to the closet!

Steve still has not been commissioned , so everything hasn't worked out with all that yet...hopefully he will be commissioned in time for us move there. If not, we have backup plans that we aren't thrilled about but will do if we have to!Steve was sitting in an army chair wearing his army shirt...Can you even see him sitting there? Yes, we tend to be really silly sometimesThis is a very famous spot in the french quarters that we visited...CAFE DU MONDE. We were told we had to ccome here and try a beignet. It really just tasted a LOT like a scone with LOTS of powdered sugar on top (really, people say don't go on a windy day, and we didn' t get it ntil it got windy and powdered sugar was everywhere)!

This really was the only time during our visit that we had any kind of break. We were just so busy the entire time checking the place out, looking for a place to live that it was nice to breathe for a couple of hoursThese guys were VERY interesting. We were just walking down the street, and they were across the street from us...I started clapping and getting into it from across the street. They said "pay us pay us " to which I responded " I am across the street". So, of course they ran to my side of the street and started dancing. They were TAPPING with pop cans nailed to their feet. I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT BEFORE! Then, I found something like 70 cents in my wallet, and thinking these two guys were friends, gave it to one guy ( intending it for the other) and he ran across the street with it and wouldn't give it to his friend. IT WAS SO WEIRD>

OVERALL REVIEW OF OUR TRIP

When we arrived in New Orleans (as we quickly learned, it is pronounce NHAR LINNS--) it was 10 at night, we had to rush to get our rental car. We had mapquested to our hotel, but soon discovered that if you veer off mapquest, good luck finding your way back.

EVERY SINGLE STREET is a one way...and When a street says it is going west, somehow it ends up going north more of the time than west. And of course there is construction, the entire city SHOULD be construction after what happened to it...

After a few hours of back and forth and not daring to stop and ask for directions, going in definetly the WRONG neighborhood more than once---we found our hotel. We try and check in, and the lady explains to us we have to pay for valet parking everyday since parking is bad ( we get that we have been outside for hours). She then says "That will be ahllevan twahnty shevan."

"HUH?"

"Ahllevan twahnty shevan."

HUH

This goes on a few more tries until the woman gets really frustrated with us and looks at us like we are aliens. US THE ALIENS? You are the one who just made up your own language. We finally discover she was saying "11.00" SERIOUSLY? REALLY? I didn't know moving here meant I had to learn a whole new language.

That was just the beginning of it. We seriously didn't understand any EBONICS that we heard anywhere we went. And yes, we were the only WHITE people everywhere we went (sorry there is no other way of putting it). We finally got speaking to one lady who we completely understood as she was giving us directions. "go up over the bridge, turn to your right, then go under...keep going, then turn LAAAAFT."

I turn to my husband and give the look that says" Did she really just say left that way." I was commpletely with her until she said LAAFT.

The trip was very, ummm, educational to put it lightly. I really am not use to being the minority (and by minority I mean when we went to the supermarket my husband and I were the ONLY ONLY white people in there). I have no problems with this, just if it brings attention to myself. We were told by several people that in NARLINNS there aren't dangerous areas, every area is dangerous. One street could be completely safe, but the other street is completely overtaken by gangs. You just have to know where to go (that's really comforting).

No one understood why it was so expensive to live their either. Since they are trying to rebuild the city. Let me see if I can try and explain-- Because of all the sad things that have happened in the city, insurance for everything has gone up. Car, rental, house, etc. insurance. So, to make up for it, prices of EVERYTHING have gone up ( a two bedroom apt is $1200, and milk was over $4).

The base itself seemed like the safest place, but the surrounding area just outside the base was some of the scariest places I have seen ( including Chicago with bulletproof chapels, but that was BEFORE KAtrina..many people have left the city now so you can guess who stayed).

It would be a different story if I was looking at it from ME eyes. But I have 2 little girls that I am caring for, that completely changes your perspective one EVERYTHING. I am still very excited to move and start our new adventure. I am glad we took a trip out there before so I wouldn't be in shock when we actually move. It will definetly

I know that it will be very different and a challenge. I am still confident we have it in us for this incredible move. PLease keep us in your prayers. I really hate moving!

My Other blog...

2010-06-08T23:07:00.000-06:00

I will be doing 2 blogs now....This one dedicated to family life and my other one...dedicated to diabetic survival.

Check it out and let me know what you think... http://diariesofdiabetic.blogspot.com/

Keeping it real....

2010-06-07T23:25:00.000-06:00

After my last post I received so many different responses and emails that it got me thinking.... While I think we should all keep a positive outlook on life (otherwise we can sink into deep depression, what's the point of trying really)..I also think it is important to keep it real.

By that, I mean, I am not going to pretend to be someone I am not. I think one of the reasons I got so many comments was that I was being completely vulnerable, open, and honest with my feelings.

I don't know about you--but sometimes it is refreshing to hear someone say what I am really thinking. Someone who comes along and makes me feel like " OK, I am not INSANE...I am not the only person who feels that way...." All of the responses I got I truly appreciated, and really needed and I thank you all for your amazing comments. I continue to learn from the glorious people I am surrounded by!

ON TO MY KEEPING IT REAL DAY-

I could choose to be upset that there are LOADS of dirty laundry yet to do---and the clean laundry from two weeks ago still isn't put away...Or that I haven't even begun to unpack from our NOLA vacation that was a week ago...Or that I haven't brushed my hair in 2 days...Or that there isn't ONE clean room in my ENTIRE house...

I could turn it around and look at what I did accomplish today, while it isn't much, I am glad I have some positives in my life today...

Things that made me proud of myself--
--I made my husband breakfast in bed this morning--Andy helped me and we had a LOT of fun!
--I went to the store with a list of meals I want to cook for the week, and stuck to the list...
--I took a shower today (yes, that DOES make me proud cause it is rare)
--I bathed BOTH of my daughters.
--I actually DID the dishes (this is also HUGE and is RARE--Andy pretended to help as she stood by me).
--I played outside with my daughters today...
--I made some pumpkin cookies and jello.

I am slowly learning that what one person can accomplish in one day would be a miracle to hit one of those things for another person. It is so easy to compare and say "What is wrong with me? Why can't I do that?" I am learning to know that my strengths and weaknesses are not anothers. I have so much to learn from others. While learning from them, I need not put myself down for not doing all they do, but be proud of what I can do in my particular situation.

I am, once again, grateful for the strength I receive from the LORD. I am learning more and more how to depend on him. I think I still don't get it, but maybe one day I will rely on him like he wants me to. I know he loves me for me and being real.

PS...I am in the process of starting a whole new blog that is dedicated to my daily struggles of a woman with diabetes and life in general. I still want to keep a blog that is mainly focused on my beautiful children and what they are doing...

I am NOT SUPERMOM!

2010-06-06T15:29:00.000-06:00

You know those mom's whose kid's hair always seems to be perfectly done? Whose kids sit perfectly quiet, entertained and still during a church meeting. The mom's whose house you walk in and their house is just clean clean clean. Those mom's who always have a HEALTHY MEAL prepared at morning, noon and night for their family to feast upon. Those mom's who have a schedule for their kids, and they follow it. Those mom's whose kids are brilliant cause they have the patience to spend five hours a day teaching and drilling their kids. The kind of mom who is friends with everyone and manages to run the PTA, and all other events in life and keep it together! Those mom's who after all this still manage to have perfect hair makeup, and manage those HEELS. ( and yes, I do know plenty of people who are THAT--- a SUPERMOM---I wish I could be like you Sara, Page, Becky, Bev.....etc....)

Well, I AM NOT ONE OF THOSE MOMS! I am not even close...

It all started with those dang HEELS. .......

Besides barely having the energy to pour cereal for my oldest in the morning...I am lucky to get her dressed with a diaper (yep, she is 3 and not potty trained...uh huh--) let alone pretend to do her hair.

After getting my gals all ready for church, I thought today I might have a shower and try to look presentable. After my short --not long enough at all--shower (can't leave them alone too long) , I pull my hair in a pony and put on mascara. I thought, I just shaved, I want to try some heels today ...Maybe I might feel even a smidgen of pretty today.

BAD IDEA...VERY VERY BAD IDEA. Of course, I trip all over the place and can barely walk. Who am I kidding really? How am I going to take my UHAUL of a diaper bag, the baby car seat and ANDY, while smiling and walking in heels? All the SUPERMOMS out there manage to do it, plus all their other SUPERMOM feats, I just want to conquer the heels...PLEASE, JUST THE HEELS!

To no avail. I made it to church and the heels came right off. I wasn't even going to pretend to smile. Keeping it real--I break down real easy. !! Sitting in church thinking of how messy my house is and how I never seem to have any energy to do anything about that! Wondering if my daughter will forgive me for having leftovers for the fourth night in a row...Looking around me at amazing people who seem to have it together. And I have NO excuse at all. I am blessed to be at home with my gals, so what is my problem? Look at those supermoms (and they really are just being moms most of them...not going above and beyond...just being themselves...,)

They have it so together, they wouldn't even make me feel bad for being insane. They all try and give me some great advice---try putting your kids to bed at a certain time, have your daughter help you more, take YOU time. While I appreciate the advice, I KNOW ME.

I am not meant to be a SUPERMOM (the best is most supermoms are in denial of it and would not just admit how great they are)...and I am ok with that. My gals are loved, very loved, they get fed and they get their momma! I have the blessed opportunity to be a momma, and there were plenty of times in my life I never thought that was a possibility on so many levels! I know I am inadequate, but that's ok..

I have learned I can't do it alone ...I know the saviour will pick up my slack. He will lift me when I need lifting. If I look to him and point my children to him, then I know I am doing what I need to. I am so glad that I know this. I would crumble and fall apart ( I feel like I do that anyways) without this knowledge. I am so glad for the strength I receive and the help I get. I am glad I have someone I can vent all my frustrations and anxieties to...an outlet (kind of using this blog for that too huh?)

On that note, I better go get my gal who isn't taking her nap. So much for alone time!

Dinner in the morning?

2010-06-05T14:21:00.000-06:00

I woke up today and realized that I hadn't packed a lunch for my husband. So, I decided to make tonights dinner this morning so he could have it for his diner tonight.

I have now decided that I should try to make all my nighttime dinners in the day, morning, sometime early. Not only does that get it done and out of the way, but it ensures that we will actually have a meal at night. See, we love to go outside and play (especially during the summer)...and sometimes we have so much fun, we lose track of time or just get distracted as time passes.

I cannot tell you how many times we come running in at seven, we are all starved, and nobody wants to wait a half hour for a meal. For these reasons, I have decided to try and make the meal in the mornings...(don't get me wrong, I am not that motivated or orgnaized at all---not like half the SUPER MOMS I know out there). Wish me luck with my new adventure!

I am a....

2010-05-20T09:38:00.000-06:00

Wife, Mother, Daughter, Sister, Citizen, Returned Missionary, College Grad, Pianist, Singer, Dancer, Missionary, BYU Fan, Football Fan, Supporter, Teacher, Chaperone, Cook, Believer, Member Of the Church Of Jesus Christ Of latter day Saints, Houskeeper, Housewife, Family gal, Social Person, Happy person, Crazy Person, Learner, Lover, Supporter....

There are so many roles and things that we all can be. I was thinking about this the other day as I was taking on the role of feeding my children, cleaning the house, and finding a place to live...I thought, man , I could be paid to be a janitor, cook or realtor right now. It's amazing how we trry and define ourselves. I actually hate defining people. I don't like people to be put in a box.

I would prefer to say that all of us have many roles, and many opportunities for growth. And some roles help develope other roles. No one is just ONE thing. We all make up many things that define who we are, what we like, what we beleive in, what we stand for. I hope to be someone who stands for something good and rightous, and an example!

Acronyms....our new language and lingo....!

2010-04-21T08:59:00.002-06:00

Members of my faith are use to certain acronyms that are part of our everyday speech. These acronyms, such as FHE, VT, HT can seem foreign to those not of my faith.

Steve comes home from work and starts talking about his CF test for some C-scan with PPAP he is doing ( I don't even think I am using the right acronyms in the right context. I have heard CF a million times though) . It is totally insane to me, and I pretend I have a clue what he is talking about.

Acronyms are everywhere !! A place that uses acronyms more than any place I know is in the Military. Steve and I, through much prayer, and research and discussing, have decided to go the military route (Go AIRFORCE!) to pay for medical school ( so great coming out of medical school and not having to worry about paying a million dollars in debt (and yes it will be a million or more- after interest and such) and being taken care of). Why, just while we were talking to our rep, he used more acronyms like BAH and DOD , not to mention military ranks like Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain (still don't get the ranks ) , I realized we had to learn a whole new lingo. That is the joke with us newbies! They tell us we will get the lingo down pretty soon and "learn the language"!

I have had to look up military acronyms---It is literally a whole book!

Steve and I have laughed at this new lingo that feels like it will take FOREVER to learn. So, we have decided to just embrace it and be acronym people. We are developing our very own new language that is pretty much just abbreviated words and acronyms of words we use alot...like NOLA, FAF, O1, and plenty more. We think we are so brilliant (ha ha ha) and will fool everyone (as if it is so hard to figure out). But hey, why not, if everything else feels like an acronym, why not just make it every aspect of how we speak. So, if that's how we start speaking to you and we forget you don't know...I apologize. We invite you to embrace it yourself and speak in acronyms!

Things to miss...and look forward to...

2010-04-12T09:20:00.009-06:00

As I contemplate our big move this year, it is hard not to think of the things I will miss about living in my dear UTAH... Some things you don't realize you will miss until you have the prospect of NOT having it. Here are a few things that come to mind...These things I hope to take plenty advantage of in the next few months

THINGS I WILL MISS ABOUT MY UTAH

1. TEMPLES- I will miss having a temple five minutes away...It is different when you have to plan on driving at least an hour to it.

2. DI- I really love making purchases from the DI. It is nice having it so close and available for just about anything I need. I always count on it for things I can't afford, I am really not sure what I am going to do without it!

3. DESERET BOOK/DISTRIBUTION CENTER- I clump these together cause they are both shopping places. It is nice having church stores where I can buy any of my church needs very conveniently...

4. THE GLORIOUS MOUNTAINS- There is nothing that you can quite compare to the mountains of Utah. I remember when I moved to Arizona and people said there were taking a trip to the "mountains". I laughed at what there hills were referred to!

5. THE SNOW- I have a hard time with this one cause most of the time I am cursing it, but lately my little gal has been loving playing in it....Again, when the prospect of not having it is there, you suddenly miss it very much!

6. A MILLION KID PROGRAMS- Yes they have pre school, music, dance classes, everywhere in the world...but not like in UTAH. There are so many kids in UTAH, it is like it is tailor made for children's programs!

7. BYU- This is so sad for me! I will be missing going to all my games live! Visiting my PROVO and seeing my brother at BYU (only did that his freshman year then he went on a mission, but he is coming back, so I will be MISSING IT). I don't even know if we will be able to watch our games! SO SO SO SAD!

8. LOTS OF FAMILY AROUND- It is nice having family so close. It seems like people visit UTAH all the time anyway (they either have the church or other fam), so you see lots of people while in UTAH. Not going to have anyone in LA. Going to miss family so much! Even those in St. George we won't be seeing anymore!

THINGS I WON'T MISS ABOUT UTAH

1. SNOW- I know I put this in the "miss" pile, but the truth is it goes more in the NOT miss pile! I really despise the snow and ALMOST everything about it. I hate the cold, the accidents, and everything that makes it dirty.

2. CABIN FEVER- I will not being stuck inside due to the snow! Yes, I will definitely NOT miss that!

3. THE U- People asked me how I would react to the U if we ended up going to school there....Well, now we will never know and I can keep on despising them like I always did!

4. UTAH DRIVERS- I have no idea how the drivers in Louisiana are, but I am done with UTAH drivers. I am one, granted....and I hate when people NOT from UTAH say they hate UTAH drivers ( I think half of the drivers in UTAH aren't from Utah actually)...but I am sick of people being rude on the road.

5. CONSTRUCTION- Enough said! Even people not from Utah can attest to this one!

6. ANTI-MORMONS- realize these people are everywhere....But it is really funny here in Utah. Take conference time for example---do you think people would protest like that NOT in Utah---nope! In our little neighborhood here, the smokers "mock" us mormons, whereas other places I have lived they appreciate others values.

Things I am Looking Forward TO

1. SUNSHINE- I do realize there is heat, I get it. But I am so excited to be able to be outside 9 months out of 12 instead of the opposite, 3 months out of 12!

2. New Ward- While I have enjoyed some things in our current ward...I am ready for some new faces, new callings, and new attitude. We haven't made too many friends in our ward---long story!

3. CHANGE- I am excited for a new adventure and all the things it will bring. I am excited to be able to embark upon a whole new world and for the growth that will come with that!
4. THE FOOD- While I have yet to experience this...I am told Louisiana has its own rep for food and culture. Excited to experience all of this! Please --who doesn't love food!

5. MEDICAL SCHOOL- Even before we were rejected by the U...We were LOVING Tulane and all the New things they have ( it has to be new with the hurricane that destroyed everything). They have better stats of their grads and everything, it is going to be wonderful!

Overall, it is going to be a hard, yet wonderful move for the family! I want to enjoy MY UTAH ( yes I say my Utah cause it is where I grew up and I am proud to call myself UTAHAN) while I can... IF ANYONE HAS ANY SUGGESTIONS OF LOCAL UTAH EVENTS / ACTIVITIES/ SITES THAT WE NEED TO SEE BEFORE WE MOVE PLEASE LEAVE IT IN COMMENTS. I don't want to miss anything while we are here these next few months as I am sure it will be a LONG while before returning. That's why we will be going to the temple, the zoo , and other things as much as possible while we can and visiting as many of you family and friends as possible while you will have us! We Love you UTAH and can't wait for you LOUISIANA ---other suggestions for our visit to LA in May would be helpful as well!

PS....This is the cheesiest, greatest sillliest ever@!

Jake,and Megs Blue and Yellow wedding!!

2010-04-07T10:18:00.007-06:00

Dear brother Jake married the cutest and greatest gal Megan Mahoney in the St. George Temple on March 13th! It was a wonderful reunion with lots of family and friends. We were glad that Steve was able to make it as he, of course, was working non-stop and just barely arrived via shuttle right before the temple ceremony.

I drove me and the gals up a few days earlier to be with the fam and show off our newest addition! What a wonderful time. Two nights before the wedding, we all went through the temple with Megan and that was so beautiful.

The night before, we ended up having an impromptu bbq with both families that was an absolute blast! We sang and performed with each other and just got to know the families. I wish we could have done that at my wedding cause it was like we were all best friends by the time we got to the wedding!

Megan claims she is a devote Utah fan ( that is where her parents met), yet her wedding colors were blue and yellow...hmmm... I think we have converted her already! We were all born to wear blue, including Megan who, coincidentally has been to more BYu games than Utah!

I thought it was the perfect opportunity to take some awesome family pics. We all look so good in blue. Andy was worn out by this point, but was still smiling. Long day a wedding is!

She was so happy when her daddy showed up she couldn't let him go. We were grateful Autn Sara helped to do her hair!

Good times all around. SO fun to see all my family whom I haven't seen and all the extended family.

Our beautiful Rodda J gets a blessing....

2010-04-07T09:44:00.009-06:00

After my brother Jake got married, we thought it would be the perfect opportunity to give our dear little Rodda Judy her baby blessing. With my whole fam in town ( they weren't able to make it to Andy's) , including her great grandparents, it was such a blessing to have them be a part of it. This dress that she is in, I was blessed in, my two sisters, her two daughers, and now my two daughters. You can't tell from the pick ( thank heavens) but it was yellowing a bit.

That did not make a difference to us. We thought it was very special that her grandma Bev gave me this dress. It would be beautiful if it lasted long enough to have everyone get blessed in it!

It was a beautiful blessing, and Steve, as usual arose to the occassion. We both get very emotional about it and think it is such a wonderful thing to recieve a blessing. I will leave out all the details of the blessing, but say that she was blessed to live up to her namesakes, those two wonderful people she was named after...to follow in their examples and have a testimony like them!

We were very happy to have the support that we did! What a blessing it is to have Rodda J in our lives...! We love her so much!

Technology---??? Want or NEED??

2010-02-26T09:26:00.003-07:00

This is a rant...

I could go off forever on the evils/goods of technology. I basically took a course in college dedicated to just that topic!!

Today I am thinking about the wonderful blessings of technology...Mainly because we won't be having internet as of tomorrow and are trying to figure out what we should do about it ( our Internet source is moving...we worked out a deal with them).

Without technology---
--I am not sure I would be alive today. Technological advances in the medical field have made my life amazing and for sure will make me live longer. Because of new sources they have found to monitor diabetes, and keep under control...I believe that is how I had my little gals. God bless technology for that reason.
--The world we NOW live in is so dependent on technology. We are told in times of trial ( financial burden) , or just in general, to only buy our necessities...The things we need to survive--such as food, water, clothing, and shelter. Now, I fear, I am falling into a trap thinking technology is an essential.
It is how we pay and monitor our bills, how I make and keep appointments, find out where I am driving, apply for medical school and benefits, how we keep in contact with loved ones, do our taxes, how I make certain purchases, how I get ALL kinds of information!!

You can't even do some things without technology ( like apply for medical school, all online). Now-a days when I call a 1800 number for customer service, the first thing they ask/tell me is the internet site and how to go on and get information (if I wanted to do that I would NOT have called you in the first place).

You don't realize how much you use technology until the possibility of having it taken away from you is there...Then you begin to panic.

So, here is my question...This is posed as my hubby and I are debating if we should make a contract for the internet, or just use it on occasion at the library until we move in JULY. Is technology a want or a need?

Rodda J enters the world!!

2010-02-12T10:46:00.008-07:00

This is our new little family....and here comes the story of just how baby Rodda J came into the world and how she got her unique name...

Feb 4th I had one of my biweekly doctors appointments in the morning. We discovered that I was dilated to a 4...My doctor told me if I had ANY contractions , or problems to just head straight to the hospital since once you are to a 4 it goes pretty fast from there (three days earlier I wasn't even dilated, we did lots of walking...)

My doctor also scheduled an induction for Monday, Feb. 8th. He told me to go into labor ( if only it were that easy)...

This is Grandma Judy holding her little Rodda Judy.

We got home from the docs, ate lunch, and I decided I needed a nap. I no sooner went to lay down then had a major contraction...I tried to lay down for an hour and had about five contractions. I go downstairs and tell my mom we need to go to the hospital---I didn't think I was in labor but just started thinking that I don't want to be on the freeway delivering a baby and just want to be safe ( the hospital is almost a half hour away).

I then call Steve and tell him to just get off work and come to the hospital...I know once I am there, they won't let me leave--being high risk and dilated so far, they will keep me for the duration.

We get to the hospital and I have absolutely NO contractions ( no surprise there)...

Me holding our little one for the first time---

I actually start to laugh at this point...I don't want to rush anything and was hoping I didn't jump the gun just cause I wanted her here. After about a half hour, my contractions start up again, and they go for a bit (they didn't really feel bad at all---just like cramping---after all, I was already dilated so far)

My doc gets there at five says I am at a 5, and that he is going to break my water...YIPPEE!!! He broke my water...nothing really happened for a bit after that... an hour later the nurse says "you ready for your epidural yet?" At this point I am thinking, "man, I wish I didn't need one"...(high risk, could have so many things, just better to have one)...cause I was doing fine. They said Mr Epi (my anesthesiologist I kept calling him Epi--he liked it) was ready.... So I guess now was the time.

Dadda holding his two precious little girls. They have him wrapped around there fingers!!

My epidural guy was awesome. He was joking the whole time! I LOVED my nurse, and was already thinking my doc is the best in the whole world. This was a big deal to me since I was unsure about the hospital I was delivering at...very small, made me nervous---especially with all the problems with delivering Andy. Turned out even better than I could hope for!

A few minutes after I got my epidural, I got really sick...I thought I was really low all of a sudden, I was so dizzy and the room was spinning. I yelled for someone to get me my meter... Turns out my diabetes was great, my blood pressure just dropped dramatically ( very typical after the epidural). It had risen to 90/40 and I started feeling better. It really was the weirdest sensation though. Such a weird concept too since with Andy I had the opposite problem--high blood pressure!

I wasn't progressing that far, so they hooked me up with petosin. This did a number on my blood sugar counts---and freaked me out just a little bit. I had to keep testing my blood, and adjusting. My doc got a little upset when I adjusted without telling him ( he is so protective of me).

Long story short---It felt really long...even after he broke my water!! At one point around 11 pm-ish I suddenly felt really low again...I was really dizzy and light headed. I screamed for my meter-My counts were fine, my blood pressure was fine. My doc came running in ( love that man, I swear he checked on me every 20 minutes---INCREDIBLE).

I turn to him and say I am nauseous. This is a new thing, even after taking meds that would make me nauseous with Andy I never did get sick. But with this little girl, I GOT REALLY SICK. I must have thrown up at least five times. It was weird.

I felt much better after that. The doc said me throwing up meant it was right around the corner. Good times! I only pushed for like 10 minutes, then our newest addition came at 11:55pm. Silly that 5 more minutes and she would have had a completely different birthday. It is the weirdest feeling when they say push and you have NO CLUE if you are doing it right or not since you can't feel a thing! My first push I did it in my face, and closed my eyes and everything went black. I almost passed out. Then I realized I needed to concentrate on what I was doing better.

So, baby Rodda came into the world at 38 weeks and 1 day (almost 2 days) They immediately called her a big baby, put her on the scale and she was 9 Pounds exactly! WOW. almost DOUBLE the size of Andy Bev. She is so beautiful...When everyone sees her they seem to comment that she is smaller than her pictures or what they thought and that her COLORING is beautiful! I agree!

I have the two most beautiful girls in the whole world. I am so incredibly blessed!

ABOUT HER NAME!!

--This is already the longest post ever...But for those of you who want to know about her interesting name...here it is.

-To be completely honest, we have wanted this name from the beginning, but I needed to see her before we made it official! Her name is actually pretty simple...

Rodda is one of my most favorite people in the world! She was my second mission companion, my momma, my hero. Rodda is, of course, her last name...but we say it so constantly it has felt like a first name.

-We considered giving Andy the name RODDA for a middle name, but it didn't fit...My entire family loves Rodda, especially my husband who has spent time with her and knows the influence her and her whole fam have had on my life.

-People have asked me how hard I had to pull Steve's hair to get him to agree.. The fact of the matter is that he was all for it. It was kind of his suggestion. We wanted something different, and we wanted her to be named for someone, something special.

-So, we put it over the top by giving her a middle name that is also my mother's name. I have always teased my mom about her name...but somehow, it just works. In fact, before we announced her name my mom was saying we should name her Judy, then turned around and said "wouldn't that be awful..what an awful name?" So, I responded, "ok, guess we won't be naming her that!"

--We realize it is very different name. It doesn't feel different to us at all, but to those who have never heard, they react a little funny! We hope she lives up to her namesakes...

We have gone back and forth with different things to call her. Her grandma Judy is calling her Rodda J. One of my siblings is calling her Jude or Rodda Jude...I have also liked RJ. Either way, we love it and we love her. Andy refuses to call her anything but SISTER. I think it is adorable!

I love my little family and hope I can be the best mom for them as possible!!

Baby Rodda Professional Pics link...

2010-02-10T12:09:00.002-07:00

More about the Baby

I will be posting details about delivery and our beautiful little gal later...Just wanted to post this website so people can veiw the professional pics the hospital took of her! Just click on the words "MORE ABOUT THE BABY" at top!!

She finally will sing for us....

2010-01-27T19:49:00.002-07:00

I love this video....She does it better than this, but we can't get her to do more on camera. So cute!!

Amazing people....

2010-01-24T09:22:00.002-07:00

This post is dedicated to the people in my life who have been my little life savors lately! I don't deserve to have them, but they always seem to be there for me.

My sister-in-law Maureen always seems to be there for me at the drop of a hat. I call her what feels like every other day to see if she can watch Andy for me while I go to the doctors and she has yet to say no to me. She would drop anything to help me out and is always doing everything for me. She will never replace my own mother, but she has made me feel like I have a second mother and she is always watching over me. I love her so much and her always giving heart.

My neighbor, Lori, has been my best friend in the ward and the person I can turn to for all my answers. This past week she was inspired ( as usual) and called up a couple times volunteering to watch Andy so I could relax and get some sleep. She is another who is always there when I need her and someone I can rely on all the time. Her family might be moving and I don't even want to think about it---I don't know what I will do without the whole family!

My own mother is a rock! She is amazing. While she is not close by, I call her at least once a day...She always listens to my concerns and tells me everything will work out. She is such a great grandma even at a long distance. We are very blessed to have her stay with us for a couple of weeks...She is so willing to help out and would go great distances just to help her kids and make things easier.

I cannot believe how blessed I am to have amazing people in my life. I need these people and really want to say how wonderful they are and how grateful I am. There are others who continue to bless our lives all the time, and we get little random acts of kindness in our direction (like the other day someone was inspired to leave bags of food on our door---not sure how they knew we were desperate and broke, but thankyou whomever you are).

Thanks to all my angels who are answers to my prayers!! What a blessing it is!!

Christmas....09

2010-01-17T08:47:00.004-07:00

I never really posted anything about Christmas...I posted pre-Christmas things since that's when all the big stuff happened. But here are some Christmas day photos. Dad was able to get a little time off and we loved it. Aunt Sara sent a package with lots of clothes. This particular outfit has a matching one for little sister.

Grandma sent Andy a little stuffed monkey which she LOVES. But to be honest, her fav. present was the little minnie mouse $.50 pen that she is holding! She thought that was the greatest thing.

We loved that she accidentally sat on a bow. She walked around like that all day.

huge, Huge, HUGE....

2010-01-06T12:01:00.003-07:00

It is about that time...I am 34 weeks pregnant...This is actually meant to be a grateful post.

At exactly this time when I was pregnant with my first daughter I was so swollen and toxemia, pre-eclamsia, I was admitted to the hospital, where one thing went wrong after the other.

My sis-in-law informed me I had so many problems last time that the regular pregnancy pain was just a side note to me ( she noted this as I was telling her I never remember having acid reflux, but she said I probably did, just was too distracted---I AGREE)

So, this time around I am experiencing normal pregnancy pains, and I must say I will take these ANY day over what I went through last time. One thing that is different---I have a belly! And it is HUGE HUGE HUGE!!! I really never got a belly with Andy Bev...it just distributed everywhere ---didn't pop out, just expanded sideways.

It is really weird and interesting to have a belly that is getting even bigger. A hard belly with an outie belly button ( my belly was flabby and didn't get an outy last time). I am experiencing some serious acid reflex constantly, and some major exhaustion, and some swelling.

However, my blood pressure is great, and I am not swollen to the point of bed ridden. I WILL TAKE IT!!! Our little gal is measuring two weeks ahead of schedule (typical diabetic). I have a friend who is diabetic, and delivered a 10 pound 9 ounce baby two and a half weeks early. That is why they don't let you go full term!

We are on the home stretch, and I am feeling so blessed. I don't know what pregnant women complain about who don't have complications---seriously! I will take headaches, backaches, belly expansion, sleep deprivation, nausea, acid reflex, swelling, sheer exhaustion, and bowl issues any day over complications.....and I will take going full term to help the baby out over easing my pain ( again, don't get why women would even want the baby early if there was no medical need---seriously selfish I think).

So here's to the normal pregnancy pains and getting HUGE! Bring it on! It is kind of fun to actually see the baby move in my huge belly! LOVE IT!!!

Our new year...2010!!

2010-01-01T08:53:00.002-07:00

A new decade has begun...Just last night as we were getting ready to count down, Steve realizes this and says " I graduated from high school 10 years ago...I am old."

Of course, he forgot that I graduated 13 years ago, so that would make me WAY old, but whatever.

We talked about how our lives are going to be very different this year...It sort of overwhelmed me. I like to pretend I am one of those people who loves change and a challenge, but the truth is, I like stability. I like remaining in our home. Any time something new approaches me, I eventually learn to handle it and can deal. But in reality, it takes me a LONG time to adjust to a new role.

When I came home from my mission, it took me over a year to swing back into things, to get happy and get involved. I was so depressed from the role change. When I got married, I was in shock with the role of wife. I lived life in a haze, and when I became a mother for the first time, I let that control everything, thus forgetting about other important responsibilities...

I am hoping I am learning from my mistakes and can approach new adventures in a better way. I also think it important to recognize that things can be difficult and not expect yourself to be perfect and changed overnight. I need to face my challenges head on and approach them better than ever before.

Here is what we have to look forward to:
1. A brand new baby sometime in Jan. or Feb ( note, I am not one of those girls who wants the baby to come early, I HATE that, but we already know I AM NOT ALLOWED TO GO FULL TERM BEING DIABETIC---I WISH I COULD GO FULL TERM (and it bugs me when people want their baby to come so early--I know I don't understand, but you don't understand my perspective either).

2. My brother Jake will be getting married in March. I love his fiance, and am so excited for him, and to have a little reunion with my family in St. George in March. Could be interesting driving there with a new born.

3. Next week Steve will be enrolled in a class at the U. This may not seem like a big thing, but it is for us. It is for his work, and also for his U of U application. It looks good all around. The big thing is that it is costing us a fortune, and it might end up being a wast ( and obviously something we can't afford). Because of this class, we can't do other things we really needed the money for. Oh well.

4. My brother Seth gets home from his mission in May. I am so excited to see Seth. He has been such a valiant and faithful missionary, and example to us all. Because of regulations, he won't be able to play football next year like we had hoped ( in order to do that, he would have to be enrolled in school this coming semester). So, he will redshirt, and we will all see the PROBERT name at BYU stadium again.

5. Whether to TULANE or the U, we will be moving this year.... No matter what happens in the final outcome of medical school application process, we will be moving sometime this JULY. I hate moving!! I am awful at it, and it gives me ulcers. It would be nice if we could move 20 minutes as opposed to 20 hours away...but we will go where the Lord wants us.

6. Steve starts medical school in Aug. What a dream! It is still hard for us to conceive that this is finally happening for us! We are so excited, and aware of how challenging this will be for the whole family. It will completely change our lives for forever in ways we have not even conceived of yet....This not only changes our present, but our future as well. Life as we know it will be completely different.

7. My brother Nate will be getting married in Sept. Another opportunity for the Proberts to have a little reunion ( we are so spread out, we all hate it). This one is going to be much harder for us to go to since it is in Oregon and right when school starts, and we won't have ANY money. We are in the process of trying to figure out details so at least I can go and bring the kids. Pray for us!

8. Steve will not be working and we will have no income! This is probably going to be the biggest challenge of them all... and won't end this year. You just can't work and go to medical school. And no one will be able to watch the kids if I work ( and we do NOT believe in day care---what is the point anyway, paying someone the exact amount you earn to watch your kids, I might as well just watch them myself instead of earning only $20 a week after paying for day care). We still have not figured out how we are going to manage. We know it can be done as we have seen others do that in the past, not without difficulty.

Besides the BIG changes, there are always the unexpected things we have to look forward to...among those:
--We are not sure what will be happening with Andy's eyes. She is going to get bifocals, but it just may all end up in surgery as we really don't want that!
--We will be changing church times --excited yet not about that one. 11 am church is my favorite, but not with kids. Could be interesting.
--We will be getting new callings. I really think a calling defines an experience in your ward, so this is a big deal to me. The good news is we know the Lord will be the one in charge.
--We have no clue if we will even have 2 cars for another month as they are falling apart. This is a challenge I don't even want to further discuss.
--We are going to get a few new cousins this year. Both from Mckay and Heather, and Alex and Sam. Love having new ones around. All the kiddies can play and be best friends. No clue what the sex is yet, but that will be fun to find out!

I recognize that this is just life. It is exciting, overwhelming, and wonderful all at once. I look forward to the adventures ahead and hope I have the faith, courage, and zeal to tackle all of them. It is going to be a wonderful year for the Cook family!

Early Christmas and best 2009!

2009-12-21T10:06:00.014-07:00

As I have already stated, I was really bummed that Steve had to work Christmas AGAIN this year ( along with all the other holidays), but we have been trying to make the best of it. It just so happens that some of our presents had to come early, due to delivery details.

One of the best parts is that I really didn't think we were going to have a Christmas at all this year, but we have been completely surprised by one of the best Christmas yet!

The first BIG present to arrive came from our Aunt Sherri and Uncle Mike....They brought Andy by her very own BIG girl bed. We were worried how she would transition and really wanted her to do it before baby came and "stole" her bed." To our amazement...she has completely loved her new big girl bed...and has not had ANY problems with it. She goes down right when we put her and does not get up! She is so proud of herself and we couldn't be happier. We are glad this present came early. We thought we should get her brand new bedspread and sheets to go along with the bed. So, we have her princess sheets, which she is so proud of! In a package we opened the other day, her cousins sent her some princess pajamas which match her bed perfectly! They had no idea, so this was even more exciting! This is us at our annual temple square trip. It was freezing and Andy was so tired, but we still had so much fun looking at all the lights!

About a month ago, I was complaining to Steve telling him I didn't feel like myself...That I was a mom and happy to be one, but just didn't feel like I was expressing myself. I was concerned how I would be when my kids grew up and were out of the house, since I have no sense of self. He really was listening...which makes my Christmas present this year all the more special.

Music has always been a huge part of my life...My way to release, to express myself. It doesn't help that any time I start singing my daughter screams and says "NO". So, Steve has desperately been searching for a piano that would not only NOT break the bank, but fit our apartment, and work with our family.

I think he more than succeeded. Not only does it fit perfectly in our house and make it feel more like a home....One of the best features is that we can put headphones in it, so I can play while kids are sleeping, which is really the only time I can play anyway . (don't missunderstand, it is used and not as expensive as it looks, but that makes it more fun right)

Going from no Christmas to my favorite ever is a complete turn around for me! We really thought we wouldn't even have presents under the tree this year (that is just how finances are with us lately), but we have been pleasantly surprised with a few packages from family showing up at our door, and have more than we could have wished for.!!

What a beautiful season and beautiful time for our family. I have never been happier. Steve is going to medical school next year, I have a beautiful daughter and one on the way. My cup runneth over and I just am so grateful!

All grown up in one day??

2009-12-14T19:37:00.004-07:00

My little gal has been quite an adventure when it comes to the potty. For the longest time we have tried to do everything just to get her to sit on it. From buying her own potty, to one that sits on the toilet...putting it in a different room completely. Taking things in and out of the toilet, buying potty books and DVDs, having her watch us go all the time, bribing her...She was so afraid of the toilet ( not the flush, the toilet toilet---and yes, the little one)

We wouldn't have even tried anything if she didn't hate diapers so much and say "stinky, change me" every time she goes. She has shown every sign that she wanted to use the potty except the actual sitting on the potty part.

So, this morning out of nowhere, she says "momma, I go stinky on potty." "What, you want to go on the potty?" Yeah

We take her into the bathroom, she drops her pants and sits on it like she hasn't been screaming bloody murder every time. I about died, am still dying over it. Then she wanted dad to come and hold her hand. Dad sat on the toilet right next to her. She didn't even want to get off.

Finally, when nothing was happening and it was forever, we said "let's get off" only to find out she did do a tiny little poop! I am still dying. You have no idea the trauma, and bam out of nowhere.

Right before nap time I asked her if she wanted to sit on the potty, and she said yes. I don't even care if she goes or has to go. It has been so traumatic the sitting, that if we can just manage that for a while, I will be perfectly content. After that she asked for her big girl bed (her auntie just brought it over last week, but we haven't put it in her room yet cause Steve is working, so we haven't pushed it). But, I wasn't about to tell her NO.

So, she took her very first nap, without ANY problems, laying in mom's room on her very own big girl bed. I am still in shock! She woke up and has sat on the toilet throughout the day ( not going, but again, I don't care).

Right now she is sitting here watching Strawberry Shortcake and I am wondering what happened today. Where did all this Courage come from? Did she just completely grow up in one day right before my eyes? Did I mention we also swung on the swing today, which she has NEVER done cause she is so afraid of it!

I am so very happy and not sure how long it will last. I am so proud of this day, this moment. You are definitely a mommy when something like this just makes your "year" better. I love it and I love my grown up little girl. She is the most precious thing in the world!

My baby and her baby....

2009-12-09T21:31:00.005-07:00

Andy's grandma gave her a dress and a dress for her dollie the other day. Andy, of course, fell in love with it. This just makes me all the more excited for another little girl that Andy can have around, play with, and dress like...

So dang cute, and so happy!

A wonderful church surprise!!

2009-12-07T09:17:00.005-07:00

Yesterday started out like our typical sunday. We were running very late, already 20 minutes late to church, barely prepared for Sunday...

We rushed out the door and got to church. Steve and I even debated on walking in the chapel and finding a seat, or sitting on the chairs just outside. I then decided it is more fun on testimony day to watch the people speak. We get a seat on the very back row.

Andy starts acting up, so I am paying attention to her, barely hearing the testimonies. All of a sudden, the bishop announces that Dallin H. Oaks will be bearing his testimony. I almost yell out loud "WHAT?" Steve replies, "didn't you see him sitting up there and people talking about him?" NO NO NO, i didn't.

I almost hyperventilate, realizing how amazing this moment is...I've only heard of this sort of thing. He gets up and says sometimes if he doesn't have a stake conference to go to, he just drives around until he finds a nice looking building with nice people and just decides to come check in on them. "SERIOUSLY?"

He then bears his testimony about the gospel and how the holy ghost is unique gift to our church and we need to use it. He tells us he will be "popping in" to some of our class rooms for a few minutes and he doesn't want to disrupt, just see how we do things. WOW

To be completely honest, I was a little sad since I figured we wouldn't see him cause we are in primary. So, right after sacrament meeting, I decided I needed to shake his hand. I was in shock there wasn't a line. I went right up to him and said, can I just shake your hand, and could feel of his powerful calling.

I ran back to Steve saying "I want Andy to meet this apostle." So he ran her up to him, he took her hand and called her a Dear. We loved that of course.

Went to primary and just before senior primary was excused...he shows up. I about died. You could fill the spirit when he walked in the room. The presidency asked if he wanted to share something with the kids. So he got up, and spoke directly to them about being the rising generation and very special and unique for the church. He bore testimony of Jesus and how special they are to him. I was holding back the tears. It was so powerful and incredible...never been that intimate with an apostle. There are 24 kids in our primary...

He stayed in the back for a few more minutes and watched sharing time. INCREDIBLE! I felt bad for all the people who missed church yesterday or who were sick ( which was me last week). You really never know how church is going to go. I felt the spirit Elder Oaks exuded and am so grateful for his testimony. I will always remember this special sunday!

On having a hard pregnancy....

2009-11-20T09:35:00.002-07:00

So, yesterday I went to my typical baby doc apt, being 27 weeks along. Steve and Andy joined me as well..

For some reason, yesterday's apt. was not pleasant and it had everything to do with diabetes. I thought I was doing so good with my diabetes, but my doctor kind of laid into me. You have to be in so much better control than even not being pregnant. The catch is--it is only about a million times harder to be in control when you are pregnant cause your body is constantly changing and needing different insulin needs (believe me, I don't even think people realize, unless they are diabetic, just how much hormones and baby growth changes the mom---you can actually see it with you glucose numbers)....

They want me to be in better control than I ever had in my 24 years of having diabetes. It is all overwhelming...I am so complaining and I feel awful about it. I will blame it on the hormones ( good excuse right).

Andy got restless halfway through the apt, so Steve took her out. That left the doc and me alone. I love my doc, he is so concerned about everything and on the ball. AMAZING! I was, however, holding back my tears and the second we walked out of the appointment I just started sobbing and kept sobbing throughout the day.

Today is better, but I am still on the verge of losing it. I am just so overwhelmed and feeling like a failure. We are now going to the doctor WEEKLY and the Endo, dietitian and diabetic clinic weekly. It is all worth it, and I am so grateful my doctor cares so much ( he is so dif than the doc that delivered Andy, he could have cared less)....I just need alot of prayers right now. I am so tired from crying, but I can't hold it in. Maybe I will run out of tears eventually.

I am one of the lucky ones who even has the chance to be pregnant....I am eternally grateful for that. I need to get a better outlook somehow. Somehow, somehow.....

The dream of being a doctor.......

2009-11-14T20:17:00.008-07:00

I am so proud of my husband! He has worked so hard, learned so much and put so much into his dream of becoming a doctor! It truly has been an emotional process for us, with lots of learning curves. We learned the hard way some mistakes we made in the process (like applying earlier than later makes the biggest difference).

Steve got his acceptance into the MD program at Tulane medical school in New Orleans! We are thrilled! When he interviewed there, he loved everything about the school, the place and his interview. Had an overall good feeling.

At this point we really don't think we can afford to fly and interview anywhere else...so we are just waiting to hear back from the U. Steve interviewed in Oct. and they told him he would not hear back until Mar ( so sad I know). The U is a very long shot, but still our first choice.

It would not be that horrible to not get into the U since we are in medical school. It is just wonderful to know we are on the path to the dream of being a doctor! Whether it is in New Orleans or Utah, we are so happy and ready for this new adventure in our lives to begin.

I thought the cartoon was hilarious....the beginning of fun med school moments.....

Crazy day, especially for Steve.....

2009-11-11T16:31:00.002-07:00

Another one for the books today---CRAZINESS!!

Steve drives to work and about halfway there does a realization he took the car I DRIVE (which has the car seat in it) to work....So he calls me, all bummed and says "I AM ON MY WAY HOME." I bust up and ask if he is having a pregnancy moment.

He is already running late as he switches cars and heads out again. These time he is more than halfway there when he realizes the car is breaking down and barely makes it into a gas station. He calls me AGAIN and says "c0me and take me to work."

I freak out wondering what we are going to do with our car and realize this is the WORST TIME (of course) for car problems. We have been having serious money problems and even said we aren't doing Christmas this year cause we have no money.

ANYWHO--by the time I get to his car and we figure out a tow and such...Steve is over 2 hours late to work ( not a fun way to start a very long work day). We then realize he won't have a ride home, so I have to wake ANDY so we can pick up dad at midnight! I am a little frustrated to say the least.

We don't know if our 20 year old car is fixable, and if it is are pretty sure we can't afford it. I am almost 7 months along and at time when I really could be using a car. This just really really stinks...

Not yet...continued......

2009-11-04T13:24:00.003-07:00

So, it is hard to capture on tape just how she is since you always act different on tape, but this is a good little glimpse. Hard not to laugh, but a typical response to most questions...Except she usually says "NOT YET" a whole lot more...

Not yet.....

2009-11-02T20:10:00.002-07:00

I have no clue where kids learn phrases. As a mother, I have had to stop and think before I open my mouth cause I know whatever I say could ( and probably WILL) eventually be repeated.

If it is repeated, I usually know the source and can laugh or cry at it. So, when my daughter's new favorite phrase has suddenly become "NOT YET" and I have NO CLUE where she picked it up...I am at a loss for words.

It is a better thing to hear than straight out NO. When I say, "K, time for dinner." and she responds "NOT YET.." It does make me laugh a little...

But after an entire day of , "time for nap " "NOT YET", or "let's get in the car..." "NOT YET"....it gets really really really old really fast. People who hear it for the first time just crack up and say it is so cute ( including my husband--whom I think is the culprit of the phrase---hmmm....) Well, for now I will enjoy a silent moment of no one saying "NOT YET"

Andy's B-day Flashback

2009-10-28T09:49:00.006-06:00

We bought her a really great, brand new doll and stroller for her birthday. The doll moves and talks. She loves the doll so much!

We love this special little birthday cake....She loved it too...Very yummy!!

So, Andy's birthday was back in July, but we never did a post about it. I kept saying I would get to it...But I never did, so I thought I would now cause we love watching anything bday related...Andy LOVES birthdays!!
Andy's cousing Kiersten came over to spend the night on her birthday...We had so much fun!

Andy just loves balloons...they are her new obsession!

We love to do some dancing together...So fun!

Last Night.....

2009-10-21T13:01:00.002-06:00

Not sure why I even bother writing this...maybe I want some sympathy, but here is how my night went last night.

10pm- Steve went to bed. I did not follow cause I wanted to give him a head start for his big day.

12am-I decide that maybe it is time for me to go to bed.

12:45am- I wake myself up snoring and freak that I might wake Steve, so I go downstairs on our hard couch.

1:30 am- I am so wired, cold and tired...

1:45am- I hear Steve up and coughing. I decide I should go up there and see what is going on.

2 am- Get into bed with Steve. He starts asking me how I am. I bark at him and tell him not to worry about it.

2:15 am- Steve and I are both restless, and start talking about how we are wired and anxious for tomorrow.

3-4:45am- laying in bed, shivering, trying to rest my mind.

4:45-5:30am- Sometime in there I actually fall asleep and then am awakened by Steve's alarm. I tell Steve he can turn on the light.

5:45 am- Feel guilty that I haven't made breakfast....sit and talk myself into waking up.

6- 7:00am- decide I need to make breakfast and help Steve any way I can.

7am- Steve leaves for his interview...I crawl into bed praying for some sleep and that Andy will wake up late.

7:30am--Andy wakes up and I start sobbing. I don't know how I am going to face this day. I am so exhausted, tired, pregnant, not happy---everything.

1pm--Cleaned the whole house, went shopping, and did many errands. I think it was a mistake. I feel really sick and like I am going to be out for another week if I even shut my eyes.
I do way too much, and any normal person would be dying of exhaustion from lack of sleep, but being pregnant and diabetic, I feel like dying. (I really don't feel like I am being that drama). Say a prayer for me!

Our busy week.....

2009-10-19T09:36:00.002-06:00

This week is going to be one of our weirder weeks, so this might be one of the last times all week that I get to really use the laptop..

I just want to note down how it is suppose to go, so I can keep it straight myself:

Monday-Steve has work until 11 pm.
We have to get Steve's shirt pressed.
Attempting to help Andy enjoy the potty ( she is deathly afraid of it).
Do ALOT of errands. (find manager and sign lease)

Tuesday-Play group in the morning.
Temple trip with Steve.
Visit with grandparents.
Last minute get everything together for interviews.

Wednesday-Steve has his interview with the U at 7 am.
Start getting all the house in order, and catch up on laundry.

Thursday-Babysitting Steve's co-workers child for the day.
Clean house for Parents coming over.
Possibly Homecoming Spectacular at BYU
Parents spending the night.

Friday- Babysitting co-workers child for the day.
Parents hanging out in the morning.
Andy has music class 11-12
Make sure everything is packed for weekend and Steve's trip.
Head to Provo around 3.
Meet up with fam and do Provo activities

Saturday- Homecoming Parade 10 am.
ESPN college game day.
BYU game-5:30 pm
Mapquest all of Steve's routes for New Orleans.

Sunday- Take Steve to airport at 5 am.
Get lesson ready for church.
Church-9am
Family Party.
Parents spending the night!

--PLEASE PRAY FOR STEVE THIS WEEK. He has 2 HUGE interviews in one week. I am trying to make things as smooth as possible for him, and as little stress as possible. With extra kids, my parents coming into town, and BYU homecoming...it puts alot on his plate. There is alot to prepare for and make sure things are in order. I want to do most of it for him so he doesn't have to worry about it. Going to be a fun week!!

Vegas---the BYU game with the fam!!

2009-10-16T12:21:00.012-06:00

We had so much fun going down to vegas to be able to watch the BYU game....Not only did we get to see Mckay, Heather, Kai, Jake, Megan and PO...but we WON!! The night before we walked down the strip and had a blast (the kids were up way too late)....Then we came home and some of us dipped in our cousins pool ( lots of fam in vegas, it was so nice).

The next day Steve was so sick ....couldn't keep anything down. You know he is sick when he can't eat...But he was still a trooper and went to the game!!

Yes that is blue streaks in my hair! I love it!

Andy didn't get in bed until around midnight the night before. By second half she was out!!

All of us having a blast at the game!!

This is dear Megan Hanging in the back of Jacob's car for our tailgate party! So cute!!!

Steve and I just chilling. He couldn't eat cause he was so sick the whole day. What a trooper!!

Tailgaiting fools...gotta love us!!

The cutest cousins, loving being together!!

What a stud!!

Mckay being the grilling Nazzi. So fun brothers!! We love to tailgate!!

Still good people in the world.....

2009-10-13T20:32:00.003-06:00

I was driving on the freeway today while headed to the store. As I was driving, it suddenly felt like the car was tipping and that I was going to roll over. About a minute later, it started making some funny noises that I really could not describe.

I thankfully made it off the freeway, and into the Carl's Junior parking lot. I get out to find that we have a flat tire----SERIOUSLY???

I immediately try not to completely freak, just partially freak. Do we have a spare? ( we have had so many flat tires)...How is a pregnant, crazy, not really sure what she is going to do going to change the tire? I don't know any men. Everyone I know is a mom who, if I called, would have to pack up their kids and come be crazy with me.

All of a sudden out of nowhere appear my two heroes. Two young guys just pull up and ask, if I need help, then immediately start working on changing the tire. I get teary eyed and try not to break down. I just got so emotional, I was so happy that there were two honest, very nice,willing men to help me out.

There are many times when I lose faith in the world and start thinking that no one is nice anymore. Today , thankfully, proved me wrong. This post is for my two heroes. Thankyou, whoever you are out there, for stopping and just helping someone who really needed it! I hope if you need help one day that someone will come along and help you!

And we are having....

2009-10-08T09:38:00.004-06:00

I would really be lying if I said that I could actually see what I am suppose to, but I trust what they tell me. Everything is great, in the right place and scheduled right.

For those of you who can't see it either---we are having exactly what we were hoping. A LITTLE GIRL! I don't know why no one believes that we wanted a girl....why wouldn't you? Not only do we already have everything ready for a girl (clothes, shoes, etc...), but I LOVE that my sis and I are close in age. Makes it so much fun.

We wanted a girl, but thought it was a boy ( like most of you did as well), so I am still in shock and not believing it. Steve started crying he was so happy! Just happy the baby is doing well and we are on track!

Real Love Part 2????

2009-10-04T09:39:00.002-06:00

Exactly a month ago, I did a post about "real love "....and then continued to describe getting through my daughters illness...

Well, it has been exactly one month...and today I walk into her room and she is covered in throwupfrom head to toe....I immediately threw up myself. I am so worried about my little girl...going through this twice in a month time frame.

PLease pray for my daughter and me so that we can get through this together. I need all the help I can get right now!

The baby's sex....

2009-10-03T12:17:00.002-06:00

As of this coming Wed....Oct 7th, we will FINALLY find out the sex of our baby....So you all have just a few days to do our poll on side and guess ( as if you could have any clue at all) whether it is a boy or a girl....Interested to see what you think!

Our temple trip

2009-09-23T09:03:00.002-06:00

I don't remember the last time we went to the temple...we don't need to go into detail about that, just that it is sad.

Yesterday, on a whim, we decided we needed to go to the temple. So0, I called up my cousin Alex who rearranged her schedule just so she could watch Andy for us. THANK YOU SO MUCH ALEX. It would not have been possible without her willing hand...makes such a difference!

We really enjoyed the temple and decided we can't wait months until we go again. Hopefully we can arrange a once a month time!! I know there are so many blessings that come from being at the temple. BEfore Andy came, we went once a week....It has gotten harder to go, yet it is more important.

I use to actually work at the temple. Now that I have a child, I am not allowed until they are all grown. so glad I took the opportunity while I could. I love the temple and the blessings it brings.

Drama just follows us....

2009-09-14T09:40:00.004-06:00

I will admit, I can be a little drama...I don't ask for it though....And just cause something happens to me that is a little dramatic, does not mean that I DRAMATISED IT, or brought it on myself. I didn't cause a flood on my mission..I didn't ask people to vandalise my house, it just happens. Steve says it is my challenge in life to deal with the drama dealt to me...

I have to back up a few months before I get to my main story.... We live in a town home with over 30 other town home occupants. I would say at least 80% of the occupancy are smokers. We are NOT allowed to smoke in our homes, but in certain smoking areas.

To make a very long story short, we have had several issues with the smoking problem (if you read some old blogs you heard about vandalism from smokers). Well, for some reason, summer has made things worse, much worse.

Every night we breathe it in as if we are smoking ourselves. This really wouldn't be that big of a deal if I didn't have a 2 year old and was pregnant, but for the safety of our kids, we really have been trying to fight this. Needless to say, all our neighbors are NOT happy with us. They think we are being snobs and it has made things very difficult for us...

NOW ON TO THE REAL DRAMA AND COMPLETELY DIF STORY

Last night at close to 7, we get a knock on our door. Two young girls asking if we have seen there 2 yr. old sister Starlette....They tell us she has been missing for an hour.

Steve immediately jumps up from what he is doing, runs outside and starts looking out for her...I jump into panic mode, start thinking about how I would feel if I lost my own gal....then decide I need to go looking as well...I tell Andy we are going to look for a friend.

I go outside, to see many people in the neighborhood running around.. I think, " I should get in my car and drive and look." So I run in and grab my keys prepared to do that. When I come back out i run into one of my neighbors and we start talking about looking where you don't want to look, like in a creek, or in the road. She then says to look in cars.

I change my mind and decide to look in a weeded area thinking she may be hidden by a bush or so. I was frantic, it is going to get dark soon...what will happen then. I don't even know this kid...have the police been called.

I am with Andy looking when I hear people talking. I yell over and Steve then tells me----she has been found---WHAT A RELIEF. He then says "where are our keys? She is in our car?"

Are you serious? I have to chuck them over to him as a fence and weeds are separating us. OF ALL PLACES SHE IS FOUND IN OUR CAR? WHY OUR CAR? WHY NOT ANY ON ELSES CAR? Don't we have enough people thinking we are crazy.

I was just happy she was found, but still couldn't believe it was in our car, and I had walked past it along with half the neighbors several times. Steve found her crying and jumping in the back. She had locked herself in...we don't know how long, or how she did it, or how she even got in, but she got in.

The police of course had to question Steve. I just still am in shock from the whole thing. I didn't ask for it, but somehow we got more involved than we wanted to. All is well, not sure what the neighbors are saying or thinking....just glad we all rallied together.

Needless to say, it doesn't matter what I do or where I go, the DRAMA just seems to follow me.,..ARRRRRGGGHHHH!@!!

Chicago Trip Part 2

2009-09-10T08:52:00.002-06:00

One of our very first days we went to the Museum of Science and Industry. A place I was told we had to go, and was never able to cause it was just outside my mission....These are some of my fav pics from there. This is Steve "playing " an exhibit. This lights were coming down, and if you got under them, it was like playing the piano. He played chopsticks for everyone. I am not sure why I never video recorded it.

Steve sticking his head out of the submarine. My dad would love this!

Steve thought this pic was great. It was really uncomfortable to take though.

I was obsessed with this. It just made me sad and sick all at once. This is where astros go to the bathroom. It takes them over an hour to do everything. Isn't that horrible?

Steve thinks he is so funny being a pirate, but we did have alot of fun.

This is the infamous car from Harry Potter....the flying, spacious car. I LOVE IT!

AMAZING AMAZING GAME

2009-09-07T21:25:00.005-06:00

For those of you who missed the BYU/OK game--shame on you! However, Steve did miss it for work reasons. It really is a game that will be talked about for decades.

I am so proud of the COUGS. This is a video of the best parts of the game, kind of choppy, but sums it up pretty well. Happy to be in football season and proud to be a cougar. We were suppose to be lucky to hold them to 60 points, but yet came away with a win. GO COUGARS!!

Real love

2009-09-04T20:44:00.002-06:00

Our Internet has been fickle lately so I have not been using my blog as my outlet for my thoughts. On that note, I have a flood of thoughts that I feel I need to write down and this is the spot I am choosing to do it.

I love my daughter so much. She really s my world (this is not a new thought, and I have expressed it several times before). Yesterday she was extremely sick and throwing up...That is ONE THING that has always been a weakness of mine. Can't handle it. If I see it happening, I usually end up doing it myself.

As I cleaned her for the umpteenth time, trying desperately hard not to throw up myself, i just stared at her and felt this overwhelming love for my daughter. I kept thinking " i really must love you if I can stomach this, especially while being pregnant."

Today was recovery day. After a long long night, Andy decided to curl up on my lap at 11 am and take a nap...meaning that was all I would be doing until she was done. When she was done, she woke up, screamed, took off her pajamas and her diaper and would not let me put on another one. She then proceed to bang her head and feet against the wall and other places, producing blood....when she finally gave up, fell in my arms and fell asleep. This process of sleeping, then screaming continued the whole entire day.

We have come to the end of our long exhausting day, and I just put my screaming child in her crib and let her scream. Then I went back and she was quit. I told her I would stay with her. She just wanted the comfort of having mom around. I sat on the floor next to her crib and sobbed. I kept thinking, "this has been the worst day ever....Yet, one of the greatest."

There is something about being the only one that can comfort your child, that thing that only comes with being a mother. That thing that shows it is the hardest, yet greatest "thing" in the whole world.

Again, I felt an overwhelming love for my little gal and appreciation for her in my life and the role I am to her. I wanted nothing but to remember those feelings, which is what lead me to this point.

I am so happy to be having another little one and pray that I have it in me to give him or her the best possible! I thank my father every day for this gift, for my children...They indeed are the biggest trial and the biggest blessing I will ever know...I believe that is my definition of real love

Chicago Trip Part 1

2009-09-04T09:20:00.005-06:00

For the BIG 30, my treat was to go to MY town---CHICAGO!! BEST TRIP EVER! We had so much fun, stayed, in an 4 star hotel for really cheap, saw the sites, and visited amazing people. You can 't go to Chicago without going to GIORDANO"S, my favorite place to eat. Chicago stuffed pizza, and NO it is not that same stuff you can get a Pizza HUT. SO MUCH BETTER! We ate there more than once, of course....if I wasn't pregnant sick, we would have eaten every meal there!

The infamous bean that is new to me....see the skyline of chicago there!

Us at the Bean. So weird, yet fun!

An awesome place for everyone to cool off. Sooo much fun!

And then there were 4!!!!!!

2009-07-13T09:00:00.002-06:00

So, I am the kind of person that needs ALOT of support! With my diabetes, it always takes things to a whole other level and makes things more complicated.

Yes, we are pregnant! We are extactic about it, you have no idea! This has been long coming and I was not sure it was going to happen--very difficult, very hard, very much an answer to a prayer.

I am just over 8 weeks along and have already had an ultrasound, been to several docs and have several more appointments. Diabetic doc tomorrow. Everything with EVERYTHING changes when you are prego, and I love it.

Felt the morning sickness. I know it isn't typical protocol to tell people this early, but not only are we so excited and I feel like I already waited a while...but, like I already said, I need the support. I need help knowing what to do and people telling me I can do it.

For me it isn't just sit and watch 10 months go by...it is ALOT of work. ALOT of testing my blood, monitoring my food and keeping track of everything---and if anything goes awry I really need the support.

We thank Heaven above for this blessing. We know many people who don't have this opportunity and our hearts go out to them. We aren't sure how many more times this can happen with my body, but as I saidwe are grateful for this little miracle as we know just conceiving is a miracle in and of itself!

Not exact on the date, even after an ultrasound ( I always like to complicate things), but it looks to be around Feb 17! Until further updates....

More fun vacation....

2009-07-07T20:18:00.005-06:00

While we were in St. George, Mckay told us about a movie in the park. Great idea! Before the movie, There was music playing and Andy loved to dance to it! So much fun!!

I finally forced Andy in the water...After some fighting and screaming, she loved it!!

These are the girls just chillen and watching a movie together! They had so much fun! Andy is going through lots of withdrawels right now missing them!!

Our vacation.....

2009-07-07T20:00:00.008-06:00

Our vacation was absolutley amazing!!! We started out visitng family in Fresno---we actually have lots of fam in fresno CA.

For some reason, Andy was a little unsure of water -aka swimming, any kind of pool--when we started our vacation. It wasn't until St. George that she actually warmed up to the pool. Here are some pics of her just looking at the pool.

We were so happy to finally see our little cousins. We went everywhere with them and stayed in the same places. We happened to find some sun glasses and thought it would be fun to show a pic of all of them wearing glasses. Andy loved it!!!

3 week vacation

2009-06-26T14:46:00.002-06:00

Wow...I can't beleive how fun and wild things have been. I was going to post a while ago about my huge preparations for a 3 week vaca, but part of the vaca was a surprise, so I had to hold back.

I flew to Fresno California to suprise my grandparents ( plus I have aunts, uncles and cousins all in that area), and also surprise my sister Sara who was coming later but had no clue I was. I have NOT been into surprises lately, but it sure was fun to see everyone's faces.

Everyone gets excited at Andy Bev's glasses everywhere I go and stop me all the time to ask me about them---I love it.

Right now I am currently in St. George with everyone in my immediate family coming except for my brother on his mission. This is fun and crazy crazy times. It really isn't easy sometimes being on a long vacation with a toddler, but it is worth it.

After a week here, we are heading to Park City around the 4th for Steve's birthday. This will be my last post for a while until after that. Pictures to follow....

You know....

2009-06-16T18:59:00.002-06:00

So the other night I asked Steve to end the night with a prayer for us. He thanked for things, asked for things...Then he asked for help with application process so he could "you know..." "did I just say that?"

After Steve said that exact line in the prayer, it was over---we were busting! He apologized for our silliness, which made me bust some more!

I am grateful for those moments that we can have that we just laugh and know that God has a sense of humor.

Speaking of sense of humor---the acronym to Steve's job is F.A.G.S. Fragment Ananalysis and Genetic Sequencing. So, in other words, he works in the FAGS department. He told me this (I never knew his department) the other day and I have been teasing him about it ever since. He usually grins and bears my humor.

We went to a work picnic for him yesterday and I thought the whole department was in on the joke, so I walk into his department and say, "so this is the FAGS department."

Then his boss's boss looked at me funny and I didn't understand. Steve, needless to say, was not happy with me cause this could be taken bad if you aren't in on the joke! OOOOPPPS

Apps ROUND 2

2009-06-05T09:29:00.003-06:00

It is that time again where the stress level rises and we just start down a path of applying for medical schools.

I really am not sure how I feel about it. In one sense, it is easier---we know what to expect, we know what we did wrong and we know how to fix things.

In another sense, it is crazier. I feel a little more stressed about the whole thing (like if we don't get in this time I might actually kill someone)---I know how stressful it was LAST time so anticipating it is almost worst.

On a different note---we have applied to more schools and have decided that ANY school that requests a secondary, we will do it. Last time we only filled out a few of the secondaries and we were slow on a few of them.

There is NO REASON Steve should NOT get in. He is in the 95th percentile for everything, grades, MCAT, and has exceeded expectations with all other requirements. We know people who were much lower with lots of things that got in LAST year. We know alot of that had to do with WHEN he turned everything in and won't make that mistake twice.

Also, at one point it is just out of our hands. I am so grateful for another year to prepare for this big step. I feal Heavenly Father had a hand in everything. PLEASE PRAY FOR US. We really need it!!

Memorial Day with Grandma

2009-05-26T22:03:00.007-06:00

Growing up we spent many a memorial day at Wasatch Memorial Park visiting My grandpa Marion with alot of the family. Grandma made sure we would all go and trim around the stone.

When Grandma Died 6 years ago and had her funeral on my birthday, I did not know what I was going to do. Grandma is one of , if not THE greatest person I know. She raised 4 children on her own, she is strong willed and just purely incredible.

I have always been a little sad that Steve never met her. I am happy for the people in my life who have cause I think their lives are better.

Since her funeral, I have not been back to visit the graveside. I have no excuse, but this year I was missing her so much and wanted Andy and Steve to be a part of it. I love what it says, "sweethearts forever", with "BYU", and everything. While sitting there, Jae and her family showed up. I just thought "man, grandma would like it better this way that we were there together." I was so glad that Jae had the same idea as us!!

I just wanted to write a little salute to grandma. When she died, a sapphire ring she bought in Thailand got split in put into necklaces for her grandchildren. My parents waited to give me mine when I graduated from college.

"Sapphire has long symbolized honesty, truth, sincerity and faithfulness. Tradition holds that Moses was given ten Commandments on tablets of sapphire making it the most sacred gemstone. It is the symbol of pure and wise rulers.

The Sapphire is also the birthstone for September, the month when Beverly Robinson Probert was born, September 10, 1932. When in Thailand in 1975 (where her son Steven was serving a mission), Bev purchased a beautiful sapphire ring with nine blue sapphires-enough for each of her daughters and granddaughters to receive one many years later, after her passing on Aug 8 2003.

When wearing the sapphire pendant, we hope you will remember your Grandma Bev and will remember she stood for honesty, truth, sincerity, and faithfulness and that you are one of her choice jewels, her granddaughter."

When I was given my sapphire, I remember thinking it was the most precious things ever. Plus, it is my favorite stone and color. I said to myself that it was an awesome necklace, but it would look good in a ring. It was originally in a ring , and should be back in a ring.

So, when Steve and I were getting engaged, I wanted a different kind of ring. It came to both of us--"let's put the sapphire as the center piece in my ring". Steve was so great to go along with it. I am so glad that my grandma will always be close to my heart. She is one of my closest friends and I know that she is looking after me from heaven.

I only wish I could be as amazing as her one day. Her strength, courage, faith, love, charity, sincerity are amazing.

I miss you grandma and I love you so much!!

YES or NO

2009-05-21T18:38:00.003-06:00

Here are the rules:
1. You can ONLY answer Yes or No.

2. You are NOT ALLOWED to explain ANYTHING unless someone messages or comments you and asks. --and believe me, the temptation to explain some of these will be overwhelming nothing is exactly as it seems.

3. Tag some friends.

Been arrested? No

Kissed someone you didn't like? Yes

Slept in until 5 PM? yes

Fallen asleep at work/school? Yes

Held a snake? yes

Ran a red light? Yes

Been suspended from school? No

Experienced love at first sight? yes

Totaled your car in an accident? No

Been fired from a job? yes

Fired somebody? Yes

Sang karaoke? Yes

Pointed a gun at someone? No

Done something you told yourself you wouldn't? Yes

Laughed until something you were drinking came out your nose? Yes

Caught a snowflake on your tongue? Yes

Kissed in the rain? Yes

Had a close brush with death (your own)? No

Seen someone die? Yes

Played spin-the-bottle? Yes

Sang in the shower? Yes

Smoked a cigar? No

Sat on a rooftop? yes

Smuggled something into another country? No

Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes? Yes

Broken a bone? Yes

Skipped school? Yes

Eaten a bug? Yes

Sleepwalked? No

Walked a moonlit beach? Yes

Rode a motorcycle? Yes

Dumped someone? Yes

Forgotten your anniversary? No

Lied to avoid a ticket? No

Ridden on a helicopter? No

Shaved your head? No

Played a prank on someone? Yes

Hit a home run? Yes

Felt like killing someone? Yes

Cross-dressed? Yes

Been falling-down drunk? No

Made your girlfriend/boyfriend cry? Yes

Eaten snake? Yes

Marched/Protested? Yes

Had Mexican jumping beans for pets? No

Puked on amusement ride? No

Seriously & intentionally boycotted something? Yes

Been in a band? No

Knitted? No

Been on TV? Yes

Shot a gun? Yes

Skinny-dipped? No

Caused someone to have stitches? YES

Eaten a whole habenero pepper? YES

Ridden a surfboard? Yes

Had surgery? Yes

Streaked? No

Taken by ambulance to hospital? No

Passed out when not drinking? Yes

Peed on a bush? Yes

Donated Blood? Yes

Grabbed electric fence? Yes

Eaten alligator meat? No

Eaten cheesecake? Yes

Eaten your kids' Halloween candy? yes

Killed an animal when not hunting? No

Peed your pants in public? Yes

Snuck into a movie without paying? No

Written graffiti? No

Still love someone you shouldn't? No

Think about the future? Yes

Been in handcuffs? No

Believe in love? Yes

Sleep on a certain side of the bed? Yes

I tag:
Cheryl,
Pam
Wendy
Angela
Carissa
Lydia
Jae
Eccles
Nicholle

Glasses...and the cutest girl on earth!!

2009-05-18T19:37:00.007-06:00

Aren't the glasses so cute???
They came with a cute little pink case...love it!!

I was freaked out about glasses getting day.... Now I don't know why exactly....They aren't as freakyy as I imagined, and she is still the most beautiful girl ever. I had to get a pic while she was watching GEORGE (at least twie a day, gotta love him)..otherwise, she would have taken them off!!

Momma jokes...

2009-05-17T13:22:00.006-06:00

Steve is always telling "your mamma jokes..." I found this on the internet the other day, and start singing this song to him every time he does the jokes.

Greatest SONG EVER!!!

The moral--treat your mother right.

PS. I LOVE THE eighties, I love cheese!

The verdict is in....

2009-05-13T14:47:00.002-06:00

My sweet little angel of a person now will be wearing glasses...!!!

What a new world we are intering in. No one in my fam or Steve's does the glasses thing, so this is a brand new world to us. Didn't realize just how expensive the whole process is.

The good news is that Andy's problem can be solved with glasses as she is far sighted...It is only a vision thing , and a correctable thing at that. That alone make us very happy.

I know it is only glasses, but I am still a little overemotional about the whole thing. It is just going to be an experience trying to get her to wear them, and dealing with not fun kids making fun of her HUGE glasses (they are going to be the REALLY REALLY BIG KIND).

I am excited, ready and anxious for her glasses to be ready. I think this will change her world. She won't get so frustrated and I think alot of things will improve with her. Because she is so young and small, we have to special order the frames--not many kids HER AGE wear glasses so they are hard to find.

I have already been given some great council and advice, but if ANYONE has any thoughts on glasses, how to get them cheap, what to expect...how I should not be worried...I would love to hear anything you have!!

Ramblings.....on momma's

2009-05-11T12:05:00.006-06:00

Seeing as it was momma's day yesterday...I just want to write about what a wonderful blessing it is to be a mother. I truly never thought I would be blessed with that ( for several reasons).

I need to remember that when I get frustrated that I am not pregnant and am wanting more! Some people don't even get the blessing of one...and my little gal is the biggest blessing in the world.

I wake up in the morning and she greets me with a beautiful smile. Her laughter fills the house. Her spirit radiates her whole countenance and I love to just stare at her. Nothing melts my heart more than the sound of her calling me momma, and her curling up to be held by her momma.

I recognize that she is a gift to be cherished, and the reason I get to celebrate momma's day.

So, when something, even the tiniest thing, happens to her ...Then you can imagine how I freak out. She is my perfect little angel..so when, out of no where, her eye was being lazy and going a little cross eyed...WELL, we have an appointment today and it is hard to capture on video...and sad really...

Get mad or not?

2009-05-09T08:49:00.003-06:00

So, when i went to get Andy out of bed this morning....She was excited to show me her little "surprise"...

SHE WAS COMPLETELY NAKED!! She had managed to take off her impossible to take off pajamas and her diaper. She was just staring at me like this was completely normal now.

At first, I wasn't too happy about it, then I just laughed and yelled for Steve to come in and see it!! I guess we are in a new phase of our lives right now. If only she was potty trained, then I wouldn't care at all....oh to be young again and not worry about clothes!!!

Vandalism, police, threats, and scariness...

2009-05-05T12:02:00.003-06:00

I took Andy to the store yesterday...We came home and found that our stroller was tipped over (I did not think anything of this since it could have been the wind)

I left Andy in the car as I went to the front door to unlock it first. As I approach the door, I see cigarrette buds EVERYWHERE, in the door, on our door matt. It is MADDED into the doormatt. I was furious, and had NO CLUE who could have done it. ( you have to know one of our biggest pet peaves is people smoking in our face, so this was REALLY NOT GOOD).

So, I call our apartment manager and say, I have never been this upset. She comes over to look at it, and comments that it smells aweful and that she knows who did it. I tell her I WILL NOT be cleaning it up.

She says the people in another apartment were just told they were getting evicted and they mentioned they thought it was OUR fault (how, I have no idea). I was dying. We don't even know the people in that apartment. Apparently, they were getting evicted for smoking where they weren't allowed and thought we tattled on them. I could NOT believe my ears.

She calls her boss who says to call the police cause it sounds like a threat. YIKES. So, I go inside and our house WREAKS of smoke...BAD BAD. I started thinking someone was in our house. Either that, or just smoking all around it for a very long time.

My manger asks around and finds out that our neighbor did in fact do it and someone saw him pee on everything as well. Then she said ALL the neighbors are mad cause they thought we got them evicted cause we are the complainers.

I START FREAKING OUT wondering what everyone's problem is. I have not even met the neighbors, how could they assume anything was us ( which, I have never complained by the way).

Next thing you know, the neighbor who did it comes out standes between me and the manager and she accuses him. He denies it and says he just wanted to come and talk to us. I say I have no idea what he is talking about and am confused at the whole thing. He says that another apartment said we have been snitching on everyone trying to get everyone out. This apartment then comes out and I say ( I have no clue why you would even say that).

He then makes a few threats, gets really mad, starts swearing, I freak out some more.

He leaves, I call Steve...my manager calls the cops AGAIN then her boss who says to put a new eviction notice on his door, this time for 3 days as opposed to 30. I tell her I cannot be around when she does that cause he really will take it out on us...since this time it does have to do with us.

Steve gets off work 4 hours early and comes home ( which is huge since he has been sick all week and still had to come in). He comes home and is ready to hurt the guy. The whole thing is such a mess and for a while I didn't get WHY US?

Then, I realized, we are the ONLY people in our area who do NOT smoke. So, it would be a natural assumption that it was us who did it. Even if we did snitch, we could never evict them and they still should not take it out on us, obviously they did something wrong.

So, for now Steve is off this week and we were told by the cops to keep to ourselves and alert them. This guy has been known to be aggresive and nothing could stop him. I will be freaked out for the next 3 days until he is gone, and then, who knows.

Pray for our safety in our family......

This little piggy....

2009-05-02T18:42:00.005-06:00

This is our new, "modern" version of THIS LITTLE PIGGY.

This little piggy went to market

This little piggy stayed home

This little piggy has swine flu

This little piggy has none

and This little piggy cried--weee weee wee wee wee

We think we are so funny!! The sad thing is that all of us are pretty sick right now. I got it last, and now I am, of course, the worst....Actually really bad. To the point where I might go to the ER tonight when Steve gets home. I would go now, but I don't want to take Andy with me.

Please say a prayer for us!!!

No reason at all!!

2009-04-29T20:01:00.003-06:00

Two days ago my husband took the car and for no reason at all came home with these flowers....

It has been a while since I have gotten flowers just cause. This was a good surprise. White roses are my FAVORITE flower---they are the flower we had my wedding, and I LOVE THE ARRANGEMENT!!

Thanks Sweetie, I love it and I love you!!!

Our Arizona/St. George Easter trip!!

2009-04-26T11:41:00.012-06:00

Easter in Arizona is becoming a tradition for our family. I was in the Easter pageant in Arizona years ago, which is what got Steve to come down. We went there this year, and stayed at an AMAZING Hilton Hotel ( one of the best hotels I have ever stayed in)....

These are pictures of us hanging out in our hotel. The sad thing is we wanted some good weather, but it was cold and rainy the entire time...but we still went swimming. We got to see lots of our friends and the place we use to work.

The hotel had a huge Easter event with the Easter bunny. Andy LOVED the bunny, not like santa at all!!

We decided to go to the temple and take pictures with Andy walking around. The temple is "our place" and is so beautiful!

This is my favorite picture of all of them. She is just so happy to be walking around.

What a cute gal!!

The flowers there are so dang pretty!!

Andy wanted to touch everything

Our trip was so great. We saw Rodda, Raquel and Ed, Suzanna...lots of people and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We went to the Easter Pageant, which I think everyone should see in their lives.

The second we walked to the the temple grounds for the pageant and heard the hymns, I, of course, started crying. Such a wonderful spirit. It is different since I was in it.

We were also happy we got to stay with Heather and Mckay and hang out with Jacob. Besides the problems on the way home, the trip was wonderful and we would love to do it again!!!

Too depressed to post!!!

2009-04-21T14:53:00.003-06:00

I don't think I have ever gone this long without posting before. So much has happened, I am going to vent for a minute.

We went to Arizona ( I will be giving details of that on a different post), on the way home our vehicle (our one and ONLY vehicle) started having problems. Upon arriving home, two minutes after the fact I head to urgent care. After taking care of that, then recovering from sheer exhaustion---we discover our tv is on the fritz ( the volume goes in and out, in and out--fun fun). We then discover we have lost our camera so have no pics, and no way of taking pics.

So, you can understand why I have not posted. I have been too depressed to post, whenever I think about it, I think about the fact that I have no pics cause no camera. And in the middle of all this, of course, we are applying for medical school again---so we CANNOT afford it.

Other than that, we are great. We are looking at buying another car and havev no clue how to do it. So any ideas would be great!!

After St. George ARCHIE Concert

2009-04-01T13:46:00.008-06:00

Like alot of events in my life....this one falls under the category of UNBELIEVABLE!! If I had not experienced it myself, I would not beleive it....if you aren't going to believe it, don't waste time reading...

The concert was over, and let me just reiterate that it wasn't THAT crowded, but was still amazing. Since we had seen David pre-show for a bit, we knew where he would be POST SHOW. So, we decided since we were staying somewhere really close, and we didn't have any plans...we would wait around .

So, we just "hung out" with other people who had the same idea. We were not prepared for the cold or anything really for that matter.

Dixie's own little security gaurds were there ,goofing off, going on power trips all over the place. We actually made friends with a few of them.

Ever person kept telling us something different. "David is gone already" , "oh, actually he is at his AFTER party" ( we confirmed he wasn't cause we called someone who was AT it to verify). After a while, we started telling our Archie stories and ran into a girl, Raegan and her family (that is her in the pic below)

We told them that we were going to wait out the duration to see him. We became fast friends with Raegan, as we shared similar interests. Her family left, but we told her she needed to hang with us.

After about an hour, the crowd started dwindling... Archie's manager RAY came out ( at the time I didn't realize it was him) and told us we needed to leave, he wasn't there...blah blah blah. I am actually going to edit those details because he was HORRIBLE HORRIBLE to us!!!

What we never got was if he, in fact, was NOT there, why was the security there? And Why was his manager there? They again ALL kept giving us different, unbeleivable info. His manager comes out AGAIN, then says something like "YOU ARE STILL HERE?" What kind of psycho freaks are still here?"

I don't remember all the details of EVERYTHING he said, just the way he made us all feel. He made us all feel like dirt. He kept telling us to respect his privacy and not to be the people that we are. I know that after the fact we all said we were close to tears. This guy was going OFF on us. I could NOT beleive that his manager was so ruthless and meanspirited. We were doing nothing illegal, we weren't being loud ( I know, hard to beleive) or crossing ANY lines.

Did he know his client, was, DAVID ARCHULETTA? Did he know the kind of crowds that followed him? If David knew what was happening, would he let it happen? RAY kept saying something like David was afraid to come out. He just kept going OFF and off and telling us we were so out of line.

Finally Raegan, got up some courage and started responding to RAY. She was saying I don't think we are doing anything wrong, we know David came out and saw people in BOISE ( there was a man there who confirmed that the SAME stuff happened at the concert in BOISE, manager came out, said he was gone...then David comes out and talks with everyone).

So, we waited some more. LONG story short, the manager comes out again and tells us that we are bad people ( I actually had tears in my eyes). Then, a COP comes out and says "I think you should go home now."

So, our friend Reagan is there by herself and we know we can't leave her there. So, we tell her to get in the car (where at this point the cop is pushing us away and we are trying to tell him to hold up while we figure things out). Reagan starts crying, then calls her mom. ( skipping so much it isn't even funny)

My mom is there at that point and drives with us to the temple to meet her mom cause everyone knows where the temple is. We wait for FOREVER (her mom is at the after party).

Her mom shows up in a car and says thanks. Then, Kaylie all of a sudden says " I think that is David's Dad in the car". " are we delusional now?' I kept saying that was impossible.

If Raegan knew them, then why was she waiting. So, we have to go home (and our place is RIGHT by the venue) when we see Reagan's car pull in front of us and right to David's bus. At this point, we were so confused, freaked out and just crazy we did not know what was going on. So, we followed. (I forgot to mention she gave us her cell number, we went through alot). Come to find out it WAS David's dad ( we still don't know how he was in their car and the connection.

We were DONE at this point so just decided to go home (Reagan never met him, he was ASLEEP apparently).

Part 2 of the end of the night---yes there is more!!

Mom is driving the car right in front of where we were suppose to be and all of a sudden--she BLACKS out!! (NOT KIDDING). She forgets she is at the wheel, isn't driving and starts asking where she is. I actually slap her across the face and say STOP, push the break!!!!

She is so out of it, we weren't going that fast....so I jumped out of the car, ran around and jumped on the break and on her. (COME TO FIND OUT WHILE AT THE TEMPLE LOT WAITING SHE TOOK A SLEEPING PILL)--we found that out later of course.

I tell Kaylie at this point to take mom inside while I park the car, and Jessica to stay with me cause I didn't want to be alone.

We park across the street when we see a cop pull up. NO CLUE WHAT HE WANTS OR WHY HE IS THERE. He stopped his car to the side of us, blocking us from walking across the street. We get out, he gets out. Then he says "are you guys coming from the concert?" We, of course say "NO." He says" good, cause this car fits the description of a car that was stalking David and we need to find and question those people."

We say we were just headed home....and need to get in...Then he lets us go.

UNBELEIVABLE!!!!---Came inside with a sour taste in our mouths. It felt like the night was ruined and Archie really wasn't that cool if he had a manager like that. We were so upset, going to tears. And, of course, this story no one really beleives, so that doesn't help.

HOW THIS AFFECTS SALT LAKE CONCERT

We did go to the concert in Salt Lake, a little shooken up ( still keeping contact with Reagan). The manager while in St. George said if we had acted differently he would have let us meet him ( if we would have been different, we would not have been there and NEVER could meet him then---DUH). We seriously thought that the manager would see us and make us leave--I wish I could protray just how awful he was to us so we would feel this way.

My sister decided she wanted to be the bigger person and find RAY after the concert and apologize. We had thought it over and realized how we could have come across a little on the scary crazy side (it was just cause no one was there and we were the ONLY ones) and how RAY was really just protecting his client. No matter how poorly he was doing it and how he made us feel, we should apologize.

So, we found him AFTER the concert and he remembered us. We actually had a nice chat and said we were sorry we were a little crazy. (TO PUT IT SHORT)

LONG STORY SHORT---we still love ARchie, this is the longest post ever. Still a little at odds with his manager, but aren't afraid to go to his concerts anymore!!

2009-03-31T10:58:00.006-06:00

Ok,so here are three more videos.....These three are actually my fav. videos from St. George. I didn't record long cause I HATE waiting for it to upload. ANNOYING!!!
This is my new favorite...>ZERO GRAVITY. I really wish that I would have recorded longer and shown his little move he did the entire time!!!

Archie Adventures---Part 2

2009-03-30T08:40:00.007-06:00

Ok, so I went a little overkill with the videos...I am glad I did at St. George, since, again, so different in St. George. The first two videos are of US singing along. TOO much fun. Wait till you hear what happened after...not to that yet....

I got a few on the piano, I was still figuring out the capacity of the camera at this point...

Archie Adventures---Part 1

2009-03-29T13:12:00.006-06:00

So, we went to the concert in St. George and the concert in Salt Lake--VERY VERY DIFFERENT Concerts...

Here is why;

St. George

Lots of empty seats
Not as crazy
No real tight security ( little less prepared)
Could actually hear David singing
We sat during the concert
No parking--we walked, no pay for parking
we stood out as the few who sang along with him
Overall more intimate
David bounced around the stage a whole lot more
There was no Big screen to look at for something you missed.

Salt Lake

$10 parking
Completely sold out
So much screaming my throat is killing
I have gone deaf from all the screaming
We stood the entire time
Alot longer---2 pre-show groups (as opposed to 1 in St. George)
Archie spoke allot more to crowd, got excited more
He was worn out faster ( I think it was the crowd) so not moving around as much

This is Archie coming on Stage in Dixie...

They Both were AWESOME. We were glad we got to see both concerts as they had different feelings to them. I didn't record half as much in Salt Lake cause it was so noisy...but here are a few videos.

This is the very first song....we love love loved it!!!

I have decided that music is better live. I loved David pre-concert, but after....MAN, he is AMAZING! He really has learned how to work the stage and grown up so much!

St. George---Pre Concert--YES WE ARE THIS CRAZY!!

2009-03-29T12:54:00.007-06:00

Andy and I drove with gamma to St. George with Auntie Kaylie and Jessica. Just so happened that David Archuletta was going to be in St. George the same time as us....HOW COOL IS THAT????

We did not have tickets to the concert, but we thought (about an hour before the concert)--"we should go over to the venue ( which is across the street from my brother's house where we were staying) and be a part of it".

We see David's "bus" and sord of decide that if we stare at it long enough, then we would be cool. Well, just so happens we were right. All of a sudden we see David not 20 feet from the three of us (there was NO ONE AROUND). We scream, and he waves at us.

The next part of the story I am pleading temporary insanity---We saw him get in a white van with tinted windows and a driver...So, we, of course, decide we need to follow. We drove behind him for a few blocks, then on the side. His "driver" looks over, smiles, then waves at us. Then we see David wave at us. WE WERE DYING! I then realize I don't have my licence, and this probably isn't the smartest thing we have ever done, so we go home.

We were so star struck that we decided we HAD to figure out how to go to the concert. Come to find out, it wasn't well advertised...there were plenty of tickets and I already had a babysitter....SO WOW!!!! ON TO THE REAL EXCITEMENT!!

We really had no idea the events that would unfold....even though I had no makeup, was not prepared at all...I did at least get my camera. So, join me while the next few posts explain our Archie Adventures!!!!

A Picture Tag!!

2009-03-19T09:40:00.001-06:00

I love this tag!!! This pic was my sixth pic in my sixth folder. This is Andy Bev "chilling" on her grandma last August when we were visiting.!! I love it. Can't wait to see grandma tomorrow...can't wait.

6 People I tag: Jae, Pam, Rae, Carissa, Angela, and Sara

PIE DAY!!! 3.14

2009-03-15T14:09:00.020-06:00

Ok, so we have officially removed all doubt that my hubby and I are big huge DORKS. If you were doubting, this video and explanation of our day will put you over the top!!

My husband informed me a few days ago that Every year him and his brother have celebrated "pie day". He has never informed me of this, and I have never heard of it....but I always love a new day to celebrate.

So on March 14 ( that is 3.14) it is offically PIE day ( or PI Day). We told his oldest brother we were coming to his house and bringing pies to celebrate. Johnnie then gets all into it then looks up "PI (3.14 ) on the internet and finds all sorts of cool info. I have never known any PI number past 3.14, but I thought it would be way fun to try and memorize a few of them.

Steve and I have pie now up to 63 numbers. I thought I was pretty cool, until we read that the champion is 67,000 or so numbers. Next year, we are going to try for more. Enjoy the video of us being big geeks!! You gotta love it!!!

Here are the first 100 digits of PI...just for kicks----

3.
14159265358979323846264338327950288419716939937510
58209749445923078164062862089986280348253421170679

Disney On Ice

2009-03-13T08:26:00.007-06:00

Thanks Jenessa for inviting us to Disney On Ice! Man, if it weren't for Jae, I wouldn't know about half the cool stuff that goes on in Utah. What are we going to do when you are in Florida?

We absolutley loved it, and as you can see from Andy's dancing---she loved it too!!! We think her fav's were Timon and Pumba and then Ayrial with the Bubbles! What a blast! We will be going when they come again, and think Andy will love it even more!

That "OTHER" School.

2009-03-09T09:55:00.003-06:00

Many of you know we put in an application to the U ( number one choice actually). People always wondered how I would react if we got in, would my loyalties change. Let me clear that up right away.

I HAVE BLUE BLOOD! I ALWAYS HAVE AND ALWAYS WILL. My loyalties will never change. I am a BYU grad, and even if I wasn't they are the ONLY school for me.

Having said that---If we did get in, I would just have to tone down my obnoxious comments aimed in their direction! GOOD NEWS---I WILL NOT HAVE TO TONE ANYTHING DOWN!!!! We just got our non--acceptance letter a few days ago (I am choosing to not call it a rejection letter). So, all the crazy feelings I have for that "other "school ( going to use the name as little as possible) can remain. So, No worries. For those of you unbelievers who thought for a second I would sway (shame on you) NOW YOU NEVER HAVE TO WORRY!!!

I am masking just how sad we are about it---won't go into that. We REALLY thought he would be in this year at the U. Other good news---there is much we have to learn! We will be going through another year of applying!!! You have heard me rant about this process, so going through it twice is twice as hard. At least this time we know what to expect.

Please keep us in your prayers. YOU have no idea how difficult this whole process is for all of us.

Why It AINT So Bad Being BROKE!!!!

2009-03-06T17:33:00.003-07:00

Almost everyone I know has DVR, cable, the works. Also own a home, three cars, etc. I would be lying if I said there were times I was NEVER jealous! We live in an apt, have one barely working car and most definetly do NOT have any kind of cable or anything like it....Ok, now it sounds like I am complaining and I really don't mean it that way....This is just a HUGE setup for what is next!

Last night "my show" was on---The Idol! While everyone around me was using their DVR to record the show and watch it later so as to fast forward the commercials, I was the sucker that had to watch it live ( or was I?).

Last night the show went over almost 10 minutes. These 10 minutes were only the BIGGEST 10 minutes in the history of idol. They announced that instead of having a top 12, there will be a top 13. But it wasn't the announcement that was so great as the LIVE REACTION to the announcement!

Well, you guessed it. Those with DVR missed it. It cut off the last of the show! So, those of us who can't afford those luxeries got a small one thrown at them in that we got to see the end!!! I know I am rambling off at the expense of others, but it was so hilarious to me that people brag about their DVR and this one time it wasn't a good thing to have. I WILL TAKE WHAT I CAN GET!

In other words, even when we think we aren't caught up with the rest of the world, have the same things they have, get things they want when they need it---every now and then there is a little reminder that Money isn't everything. We can be happy with whatever we have been given, and for this moment---Steve and I will probably be struggling with the money issue for the next 10 years. But there will come a time when we won't have to worry as much. I am not going to wait 10 years to be happy, but look for the little things NOW in the MOMENT that make things just a little brighter!!

I Think I QUIT

2009-03-05T19:10:00.002-07:00

Ok, so my last post was dedicated to the hard work i did last week. Believe me, I am not exaggerating!!! I worked so hard exercising, not sneaking any treats and just overall doing better than ever.

I get on the scale and gained over 5 pounds! I literally started crying. So, I am at my breaking point. Why eat healthy? Why bust my butt exercising? I am seriously to the point where I am ready to say " I QUIT". AAAAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!

Exercixe Mania!!!

2009-03-03T21:03:00.002-07:00

Last week was INSANE!! I am not sure how I did it, but I worked so hard last week. From Taebo, to Kung Fu Dancing, To Ward Sweetheart's Dance, Curves, To walking everywhere....I got a huge workout last week.

So, this week, I AM IN PAIN. My body is seriously hurting right now. I have yet to learn the fine art of keeping balance, and taking it one step at a time!!! Thanks to my sweetie for helping by giving me backrubs to feel better!!! Hoping that I can still workout this week!

Expo Saturday

2009-02-28T21:18:00.005-07:00

What a day!! We spent it at alot of our day at the Sandy Expo center attending 2 HUGE free events for our family.

The First, and most important event was the Diabetes Expo! Wow, incredible! My favorite part would have to be working out at the curves section and killing my husband in boxing on the wii.

We got same valuable information and found some amazing items that just might be covered by my insurance. If this is the case, it could really change my life.... So say a prayer for us.

We spent most of our time walking around the Diabetes Expo, were exhausted and Andy actually fell asleep, but we thought we had to at least stop in the Kids Expo.

This one was much more crowded, rowdy and hectic! There were so many people there, and Andy seemed very overwhelmed. We didn't stay long. But we did make sure we got a balloon and a few free items then headed home.

Overall, it was a really good day with the family. After nap time we went to the park cause it was beautiful outside.

We are finding we are getting more opportunities to use the internet than we thought we would and for that we are very grateful. We really don't realize how much we have come to rely on it in every day life in our lives....So, here's hoping the next post wont be that far off!!

Zoo trip post....

2009-02-25T21:35:00.007-07:00

So, as of the moment, the internet is going in and out...but I am still going to try and blog as much as possible...

We ended up going to the zoo today for the free day. It was soooooooo busy, but we really had so much fun! I took the camera, but never took pictures. So, the last time we went to the zoo I never said anything about it. So, here are some pictures from last summer.

BeforeAfter

This guy was here today as well...He is our FAVORITE part of the zoo, we had a teddy bear, when he saw it he got all big and freaked out. Love it!!

Last Post?

2009-02-24T13:02:00.002-07:00

Well, this might be my last post in who knows how long....We are cutting our internet as of today. We have not been happy with our services, and plus we cannot currently afford it. This is going to change things dramatically. I don't know when i will ever be able to post, if I will...probably not have any pictures to put on, we will see. Maybe we can take our laptop to the library or something like that...

Not sure how many more days we will have the internet, so I am going to use it while we have it. Wish us luck!!

Diabetic Drama

2009-02-23T07:38:00.005-07:00

My Diabetic Drama Story

We have been lucky over the past couple of years. Since Steve and I have known each other I have never had a really BAD diabetic low experience in front of him. I have been low, and high, but not to the point where I needed help. Most people who know me even a little have experienced this, so it is interesting that he hasn't yet and I never knew how he would react.

I woke up at about 1 am a little disoriented (those are the worst, when I just wake up). To explain it to those of you to understand...you know how when you wake up, sometimes you forget the time, day and what is going on around you?

When you wake up low, it is like doing that, but never coming to realizing where you are, what is going on. All I knew was that something was wrong and my brain was confused and I needed help.

I somehow managed to get downstairs and say something like "I need help." Steve immediately ran to my side and said to sit down while he got me food and my meter. We tested my blood to find out I was 30. This is bad, really bad, almost a miracle a woke up, made it downstairs and asked for help.

Everything from this point was disorienting and spinning. I just remember my hubby putting his hands on my head and that was the only thing that put my brain back together. If he moved his hands, I got confused.

So, to make a very long story short My hubby was my hero. He was very calm and he was right there for me and waited it out until I was where I needed to be. I am grateful this is the first time I have needed help from him. As most of you know, after a disastrous diabetic drama, I am usually completely out of it the next day---it takes a toll on me. So, this is going to be a fun day.

ON to the Topic of the Late Larry Miller and such related news

I am going to be completely honest. The hardest part about the passing of death of Larry Miller for me was the cause.---Diabetic complications. This, as you can imagine, hit very close to home.

Any time anyone from my life claims that they are diabetic, we are instantaneously friends. (my brother gessel from the mission is one example). So, when Larry died due to complications, I stopped listening to all the reports. I couldn't handle it.

I have been this way my entire life. Any time someone would scare me into taking care of myself by listing the complications (which is never a good thing to do FYI), I would shut off. Trying to live my life.

I have never gone on a tangent about diabetes on my blog. I have tried not to let it be my life. The passing of Larry Miller has forced me to bring it out even more. If you notice the background of my blog is dedicated to curing diabetes.

This Saturday I am actually going to a diabetes expo to help and learn more about what I can do.

I am not going to be a victim, but I am going to do whatever I can to live as long as I can. As you know, it can complicate getting pregnant and the whole pregnancy process. So, when I hear that people with 5 kids are sad they can't get pregnant it just frustrates me. Again, my goal is to get in even better control and to live healthier. Having said that--I am down 12 pounds and counting!

On to HEALTHY LIVING!

Warning, this post is sad and a little gross!!!

2009-02-20T13:59:00.006-07:00

These pictures really don't do justice to the problems we have been having in the Cook house.
First things first---yes, we are back to the frog arm again! After all we went through to get rid of it, it came back even stronger. We decided to finally try the duct tape route ( my own fam has sworn by this including some docs). After a week of duct tape, not only are the frog hands still there, but I have developed a very huge, very unpleasant rash! Done done done. Frog hands forever!!!

Other news---today was a really really sad day for us. We have this sort of booster chair that Andy eats her meals in. Well, I was doing the dishes and Andy was sitting and not wanting to eat her breakfast ( very typical), squirming...but breakfast before getting out right?

Next thing you know I hear this loud bang and she is face first on the floor, with the chair on top of her, and the tray of the chair shoved into her. I ran to her, of course there was blood all over. I cleaned up what I could then tried to calm her down and hold her.

I then started to freak so ran up to Steve when he immediately took her in his arms and she calmed down right away. Andy's whole left side of her face was immediately swollen, her lip huge and who knows what else. We were worried she had a concussion or something. Since I didn't actually see her fall, we don't know what hit where and everything.

After being passed between dad and mom for almost an hour, she threw up. She threw up a few times, waited, then threw up again. BLOOD. Anyway- Steve was thinking emergency room, but we just happen to have a well baby visit scheduled today, so I figured why wait in the ER for 3 hours when we can just go to the doc?

By the time we got to the doctor Andy was walking around, and as you can see, even smiling. The swelling has gone down, but she looks aweful it makes me just cry. It is even worse in person poor thing. The doctor didn't find anything to be concerned about, but wants us to keep a close eye on her. She still has a little bloody nose, but she is doing good...Just in a lot of pain. (her poor eye is swollen too)

As for now, she is taking a nap and I think I might join her. Go Cooks with crazy, sad, gross and disgusting things for the week. We have reached our quota--until next time!!

Our very own little Cupid!!

2009-02-15T13:13:00.005-07:00

This is the pin that was attached to the card I gave my hubby for V-day!!!!! Love it especially since I call him LOVER!!!!

Our little gal was the epitomy of love yesterday. We had her decked out in her heart shirt, pants and hair. I just love it!! We thought she was so cute, we could have her be our little cupid and go around giving out brownie valentine's to everyone!!

When the day was over we headed over to a very old, very dear friend of mine's ( BRANDON, gotta love you!) big 20/10 Birthday party. Weird to think that is my age group!!! It was so good to see him and some of my old friends I haven't seen in a long time!! Glad you are the first one to get old friend!!!

So here's to keeping the love alive, having a cupid and feeling the nostalgia at 20/10 ( I have a few more months left)

The Beginning of Valentine's

2009-02-14T09:10:00.003-07:00

Yesterday Steve and I decided we would celebrate our valentines. We wanted to go on a date and we didn't want to put anyone out on the actual day (plus every other holiday; Christmas, Thanksgiving,etc. we have not celebrated on the actual day, so why no celebrate vday early?)

It is sad that we had to drive 20 minutes for a baby sitter, but I am so grateful to my sis-in-law. She is the reason my husband and I ever get alone time!!! Thanks Maurene, you are a life savor!!

We decided we would really go all out and take advantage of having a sitter so we to the Cheesecake Factory!!

There is a reason we hardly ever go there. So expensive!! But we did have a blast, and we HAD to buy a whole cheesecake to take home. Let me just say ( I wish I was kidding) I am 3 pounds heavier than I was yesterday. YIKES!

We asked our sitter if she would be ok watching our babe longer, so we decided to make a day of it and go to a movie. It was a full day date and I loved every second of it!!! Today we are making a family day.

My husband really makes a great date...I had so much fun and hope it isn't another year before we have alone time!

Rob the Bank....

2009-02-11T07:39:00.003-07:00

I am attempting to start my own new cliche-- "Rob the bank" (or rob THAT bank).

Let me explain:

If you are going to go through the effort of stealing from a bank, you better not walk out with just $100. If you are going to take the risk, and really get something out of it to make it worth it , it better be thousans, hundreds of thousands of dollars. Otherwise, why go through the effort?

Don't get me wrong, this is never an intention of mine ( although if one of my friends got caught for robbing a bank for $100, I would just laugh. This expression could be compared to "GO BIG OR GO HOME," but I think it just works better.

See,
In our families attempt to live healthier lives, we have also started counting points in a competition. One of the ways to earn points is not eat anything after 7:30. My husband (who I might add is one of the skinny people in the world and does NOT need to lose weight) joined the competition. Last night at 11 he was hungry, so he grabbed 2 string cheeses. He said, " there go those points for the day." To which I replied, "why don't you just ROB THE BANK." I mean seriously, if you are going to lose that point, don't waste it on string cheese....He then went to the kitchen, grabbed a potatoe,chili and corn ....His thighs won't see it in the morning!!

Falling in love again....

2009-02-08T19:58:00.002-07:00

So, I first met my husband at church at a testimony meeting. He was at the pulpit bearing his testimony, I leaned over to my roommate and said " I WILL DATE THAT GUY!" (not marry, but Date--it wasn't until 3 years later---please).

He was so dang cute, had the greatest dimples and his spirit was so strong. I loved everything about his testimony. In his testimony I learned about his mission, his passions and what drives him.

I went up to him after the meeting and we became instant friends.

Well,
Today in church we had the opportunity to speak on charity. This was the first time I have ever heard him give and actual talk. Let me just say, it was like falling in love with him all over again. I just really loved the way he spoke and the spirit he had about him...Something about Sunday's always makes me look at him a little different.

Today was Cook Sunday...we also had talks in primary and teaching primary---I think it is funny how that usually works.

Thanks to everyone for all your advice on the talk. Here are some quotes I used in my talk:

Hinckley-
"There is nothing as energizing, as confidence-building as sustaining as the power of love. How substantial is its influence on the human mind and heart. Love is the very essence of life. It is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Love is the security for which children weep, the yearning of youth, the adhesive that binds marriage, and the lubricant that prevents devastating friction in the home; it is the peace of old age, the sunlight of hope shining through death.

"True love is not so much a matter of romance as it is a matter of anxious concern for the well-being of one's companion."

Joseph Smith-
"Love is one of the chief characteristics of Diety and ought to be manifested by those who aspire to be the Sons of God. A man filled with the Love of God is not content on blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race.

Elder Oaks-
" We are challenged to move through a process of conversion toward that status and condition called eternal life. This is achieved not just by doing what is right, but by doing it for the right reason, for the pure LOVE OF CHRIST. The reason charity never fails and is greater than even the most significant acts of goodness is that charity, the pure love of Christ, is NOT an act but a condition or state of being. Charity is attained through a succession of acts that result in a conversion. Charity is something one BECOMES."

Charity Talk

2009-02-05T08:41:00.001-07:00

So, I don't think I mentioned this, but my hubby and I were asked to speak this Sunday on CHARITY.

When first asked, I was very excited and just looking forward to it. I have never once heard Steve speak ( bear testimony but not speak) and we have never done talks as a couple---married. So we are very excited.

It is this sunday, so very soon, but if anyone has any suggestions on the topic charity, we would love to hear them!!!

To Denny's or not???

2009-02-03T13:28:00.006-07:00

For those of you who watched the Super Bowl---you most likely saw the Ad for a FREE Grand Slam Denny's breakfast on February 3 from 6am-2 pm.

We knew it would be crowded and crazy, but we aren't ones to pass up a free meal. So, this morning we decided to venture to Denny's. I should note that Steve has been feeling sick and didn't think he would survive at work--also, I got 3 hours of sleep last night.

We get there to find out there is AT LEAST a 2 HOUR wait...and Steve had to leave for work in just over an hour. We were already out and wanting a meal out.... Needless to say, we ended up going to Village Inn. I thought the meal was alot smaller and definetly MORE expensive than a free meal, but we still had fun ( note the Village Inn logo on bottom right).

She was having so much fun throwing every possible thing on the floor, tearing her hair out, and just giggling at us!! To those of you who made it and waited for your meal---GOOD FOR YOU!! At least we didn't starve waiting!!

OUR 3D experience

On a different note---we went and got our 3D glasses so we could watch the 3d commercials and some of CHUCK in 3D. So glad we didn't have to pay for our glasses. Some of it but cool, but it pretty much just ended up giving me a headache and didn't see alot of 3D!!

Interview Day.....

2009-01-31T09:21:00.002-07:00

Well the time has come and gone....Glad it is over, but now more anxious as we have to wait 2 months for an answer.

I have learned alot during this time, and my hubby and I have grown together in ways through helping each other out.

I am actually so proud of myself. I know that sounds puffed up, but I feel like I have been a good wife this week and deserve a pat on the back. I only say this cause most of the time I don't feel adequate or like I am doing enough, but this week, I am proud of myself.

I tried to take care of the secondary "minor" this week so Steve wouldn't have to worry about them. This inclulded; dry cleaning his suit, buying new socks and shoes...Making sure that he had his vitamin C, and daily meals. I also tried really hard to look up different sites on interviews so I could understand the process and maybe ask questions for him.

I worked very hard to be calm and for most of you who know me, this is not an easy feat. Inside my stomache was in knots and I was so fidgetty. I tried not to let my husband see this as I know he was nervous enough. The only way I ever can be calm is focusing on the right things.

We did alot of prayers this week. We actually made it to the temple. I made a poster, and got some treats to wish him luck.

As Steve walked out the door, he looked AMAZING. I was NOT worried at all. He feels really good about his interview. I knew he would do good. Still praying that it will all work out. We know it will work out how it suppose to in the end.

Salt Lake Auditions....

2009-01-29T07:59:00.007-07:00

Ok, much to my dismay, I have been told people want to see my reaction to idol. Since it literally is my life (so pathetic I know) for the whole time it is on, I have decided I will write a little here and there about it, at least for now. I may even go back to my idol blog eventually.

For Now, I have to comment about SALT LAKE AUDITIONS!!!! Please, my own home. To really do a quick summary....I didn't like how they showed the Salt Lake auditions. Of course, they NEVER show the entire picture. Let's put it this way----out of the thousands of people auditioning, I did NOT see any crazies that were on tv. seriously. I don't know how they stand out on the show, but HIDE at auditions.

The four below were the stand outs, in a way, of the night. Again, HATE SOB stories, but Rose and Osmond got to me this time. I actually cried. Can't handle that both of her parents are dead. I really was sad to hear about the MS...SO SAD!!! ( I never comment on the stories cause I think it detracts from the actual singing, but it was SALT LAKE---and I did like them for once)

No one is my ARCHIE...NO ONE will ever be him or fill his place...but I am more excited than I thought about Osmond.

My Idol

2009-01-28T18:46:00.005-07:00

Ok, I will admit it, I have more than one love in my life....My family and my IDOL. That's right, my American Idol.

I know they don't show everything, and some of the sob stories drive me insane, and definetly the best does NOT always win---but I have NEVER missed an episode.

With that thought, I have to tell you about my other loves. It's true, I LOVE ARCHIE. My husband makes fun of me. I say "he is too young." To which he replies, " I am younger than you too." Got me. I really have a crush on Archie.

I cannot get enough of him. My husband is, in fact, the one that bought me his CD. I also am in love with Zach Ephron. Oh, to be a teenager again. My little sister WILL MARRY one of them, I am determined.

People have asked me why I haven't made any comments about Idol on my blog yet---well, Last year I dedicated an entire blog to the watching of AI. It took alot of work and alot of time, and yet didn't get alot of viewers. So, I just might say a few things here and there and leave it at that. However, my friend, RaeLynn has a blog about idol. Her and I almost think exactly the same on everything. So, you can check out her blog if you want a real opinion.

PLEASE!!!

2009-01-27T11:02:00.003-07:00

Over the Christmas break Andy learned for the first time the word PLEASE...of course it sounds more like the vegetable PEES ( which she refuses to eat by the way).

I love this word. I love how I feel when I hear her say it. Ms. Andy Bev has now learned how to abuse the word. She knows that both mom and dad are suckers when she uses it and will almost get anything she wants if she just uses the word, against our better judgement.

" Up UP....PWEES!" Chocolate is in front of her--"PWEES". " OK ok, but just cause you said please." Gotta love it

This past week.

2009-01-24T19:40:00.004-07:00

I feel the need to jot down a few thoughts on last week.

As per our biggest loser contest---I lost 6 pounds last week and still wasn't the biggest loser. At least the biggest loser was on my team!!! It is an interesting path I am down now, it is a life style change and I would be lying if I said it was easy.

I actually feel like I am eating more, just cause I eat more frequently and it actually isn't easy. It is also hard for me to exercise. We cannot afford a gym membership ( when we did, I went every day), so I am sticking to my DDR and dancing every day. Andy Bev likes to scream whenever I do it and I will admit that sometimes I just stop and help her.

I am proud of myself and the times I have not quit. Yesterday I was feeling sick and didn't want to do anything, but I managed to talk myself into exercising and I was so happy I did. It makes all the difference.

Besides focusing on being healthier, we have tried to help Steve in our own way prepare for his big interview next week. From dry-cleaning his suit, buying him a new tie and shoes, to getting materials together, not sure what more there is to do but pray. So please keep Steve in your thoughts and prayers this coming Friday while he does his interview with the U. We have high hopes and big plans. We know we have to give our all and then there is nothing more we can do, it is in the lord's hands. With that in mind...I need to get ready for Sunday.

Inauguration----my thoughts on the whole process

2009-01-21T16:27:00.004-07:00

I remember (and I am being totally honest) when I was nine years old sitting in school and watching the inauguration of President Bush after the years of Ronald Reagan.

I couldn't have understood much really, but I remember knowing I loved Ronald Reagan and feeling sad for him, crying that he had to stop being president but really understanding that his VP was going to be president.

There is something incredible no matter whom you voted for that is just beautiful about an inauguration ceremony. I sobbed the whole time watching it. I don't know why to be completely honest. I just get touched at the whole process. I think it is truly amazing that we can put hard feelings aside for one day and come together to celebrate the beginning of a new president.

I wasn't all about the song or prayers, but more about the comradery that comes to a nation at this time. I have always felt this way about a new President and the ceremony. I don't know what is going to happen to America, but I was touched at how we can all come together. I hope that people can continue to remember these feelings of comradery...

Unfortunatley, it seems that we as Americans take tiem to come together through different crisis, then months later completely forget about it. I don't know how to change that except for change that in myself.

For now, I will simply remember the feelings I had while watching the inauguration

Scarlett, in the Kitchen, with the Rope

2009-01-19T19:04:00.006-07:00

Steve and I just got back from spending the night at my inlaws (his brother Mike, wife Sherri, and family).

We went for dinner last night and ended up spending the night and then spending the day with them ( Hope we didn't overstay our welcome). I had an absolute blast with the entire family and enjoyed watching Eagle Eye.

Today, we spent HOURS playing CLUE...Not kidding--not sure how long....

There is a new version of clue out that gives you special abilities and is more interactive. Sherri found out that Steve and I had never seen the movie clue. So, after we played the game we watched the movie. I think the movie is better after just playing the game!! Thanks for the wonderful time. Oh, I forgot to mention that I won twice---yeah--Mr. Green in the Hall with the poison .!!!