The Haps

Well, it sure seems like I have put on the brakes for this blogging deal. What can I say, I am a slacker. A lot has happened in this fine month of February. We moved and are adjusting to living by ourselves once again. Don't get me wrong, it is wonderful and everything, but its kinda weird. I feel like I am starting all over again and have to learn what to do with my days, how to do everything again. I don't know why it is such a weird transition, its not like I didn't do all the same things when we lived with Steve's parents, but for some reason, I feel like I actually have to be a grown up. Living with my wonderful in laws enabled us in a lot of ways. For one, We were able to do a lot of things once G man went to bed, If R and J were home, then we would just turn on the baby monitor and be on our way- This was a major blessing.We were able to always have company... Someone to hang out with other than each other. Gabe loved this, because when he got sick of me- he could go chill on Grandpas lap and he would give him fruit snacks and let him watch his favorite shows, Or he could go hang out with Grandma and play with her Ipad- yeah way cooler than me.  Life here is going to be great, I just know it. I am so grateful we have a wonderful house to live in and have our autonomy back again. It is SO nice to have space to be spread out a little more, to have all of our furniture, own stuff out of the musty ol storage unit. My favorite favorite thing that came out of this was my own kitchen.... I love all my stuff! It was like Christmas getting my dishes, my pots and pans back again... I love it.
Any who, this month we also bought a "new" to us car. We sold this little guy

 (now Steve wont be mistaken for a molester while driving... Tell me this doesn't look like a molester truck.)
 and replaced him with this baby

 We love love love it. When I was 18 I bought a 4runner and promptly rolled it a month later when I fell asleep at the wheel. Since then, I have mourned the loss of the beautiful thing, and hoped that some day another one would enter my life. Well, that day came and it is wonderful and we like I mentioned before- love love love it. Hood scoop, roll down back window, sunroof, heated leather seats and all.

Bring it on 2012

2012 is going to be a big year for us, with many changes and graduation on the mind, we will be graduating in several aspects.
Steve will be graduating from school in just 4 short months,
Has already graduated from being a full time student to a full time employee in a career
(well, technically still a full time student but only for one more semester).
We will be graduating from the basement of Steve's wonderful parents to a wonderful house.
We will be graduating from a family of 3 to a family of 4 in July :)
We look forward to the future with bright hopes and happy hearts. We are so grateful for good health, food on the table and the blessing of being employed and having a roof over our heads. I have a feeling 2012 will be a good year for us.

Dog or no dog?

For the last several years I have been totally convinced that I need a dog, That I will have a dog as soon as we have a yard big enough for it. What kind of dog you ask? Not a little one, I for sure was set on a Great Dane.... after numerous conversations with the hub about how you have to have 100 acre woods for a dog that size, and that I would have to be the one to clean up the droppings - which by the way are the size of Texas. So clearly 100 acres would not be enough for a canine of that magnitude. (also not to mention he was attacked as a little boy by not one of them but 2). So the years went by and I decided that ok maybe we could get something like a boxer or a lab or something, but nothing smaller. This last month, all of that changed.

This last month I was able to spend a week with some of my favorite little people. Our friends went on a trip to Japan. Yes you read correctly- but seriously? who does that?! So awesome. Anyway- along with the 2 mini's I got to take care of I got to see what it would be like to have a dog. Charlie is one of the best dogs you will ever meet. Totally obedient and just friendly as can be. He lets the kids hang and lay all over him. Charles is a indoor and outdoor dog, he sleeps in the master bedroom- which is where I got to slumber for the week, did you know dogs snore? and that is sounds like a human snoring? trip.py. ? Have you ever woken up to the sound of incessant licking noises? (not awesome if your numero uno peeve of the pets is chewing slash mouth noises) That my friends I could learn to live with when I (hypothetically) get a dog. Secondly- I had no idea my sniffer was so sensitive to the smell of dog dump. Every morning I was supposed to go out and scoop it up so the kiddles wouldn't get into it when we went out to play. After doing it and it just mashed into the grass, gag reflexes becoming uncontrollable- I told Steve he had to have that job. I could not handle it. So until Stevo got around to it we just decided to go for a walk and played in our backyard.
3. did you know that dogs like to eat zucchini bread? I made 2 loaves of delectable looking zucchini bread, and while it was cooling i decided to take the kiddles to the park. Little to my knowledge- as I was buckling the 2 youngins Izzy and G into the stroller, Sophie-babe let Charles in the house. When I came home I didn't even realize that both- yes BOTH loaves were gone, not even a crumb in sight.  Just kidding, I found 1 and only one crumb on the floor- I looked at Charles and knew that he was the culprit. Oh boy- Was I in for a treat the next couple days. If I thought his left behinds were bad when he was eating dog food.... and well- not to mention - he has worse smelling toots than people toots!
Steve decided to take Gabe home a couple of the nights so that they both could get a good nights rest, note to self, when you are in a home that is not yours, all alone- well with two sleeping little ladies and a dog- don't fall asleep watching criminal minds. Charlie woke me up at about 1230 am bein totally sketchy, and scared the crap out of me- he wouldn't go outside when i went to let him out to go to the bathroom, so iIwas totally worried that someone or something was out there that was even scaring him! so I called Steve and two seconds later there was yuckiness all over the carpet and tile. I could feel the heaving start and had to leave the room.
Anyway- I will leave it at that, No dog for us, my poor gag reflexes just aren't as strong as I thought they were, or ever would be.I think I will stick to having kids to take care of and clean up after. Charles- I love you but only from a distance.

Chemo and Cavities

Don't judge me alright. There is a perfectly good explanation for this okay?
I have a $15 dollar tube of toothpaste.... do you? Probably not.
Alright- so- I went to the dentist for the first time in over a year, probably partially due to the lack of a certain type of insurance. Thanks to having dental insurance now- I called up the ol' tooth doc and scheduled an appointment. In hind sight- I wish I wouldn't've. They so graciously informed that I have 10. yes 10 cavities. Its not my fault all right?! Only 2 tiny baby sized ones were needing to be filled at the present time, however the remaining 8 could stand to wait, if I use this prescription strength toothpaste (the $15 dollar tube I told you about a second ago) every night, then perhaps they would not need to be filled at all! fist pump.  Rewind to FOREVER AND ALWAYS before I went to the dentist- I am an avid flosser, and brusher  and haven't had much in regards to sugar this year. 10 Cavities?!?! How is that even possible? That is like one in every tooth almost or every other one at least! ( I have no idea how many teeth the human adult has-(quit yer judgin)) but that does sure seem like a lot. So I asked the Dentist - "How is that even possible ?" and we narrowed it down to the fact that I was on osteoporosis medication when I was on Chemo, for several months to preserve my bones- and since teeth are made of bones- my lack of calcium from the effects of Chemo and the need for a supplement (which apparently did NOT do the trick- darn that boniva) is what likely could have caused the deterioration in my mouth. That is where the magical expensive toothpaste comes in to play :) I should not have to get the other minute baby itty bitty teensy weensy devils drilled and filled. The glorious vanilla mint tasting stuff should help rebuild the calcium that was once lost. Keep yer fingers crossed for me would ya? Thanks

Really?

If being blonde=having more fun, I wasn't meaning getting horribly sick, ending up in the ER, being admitted to the hospital for 3 days the week of my Triathlon..... Not being able to compete in the Tri- (but I was sure ready- and to my dismay I found out by looking at all the times I would have placed in my bracket) kind of fun. I dont think I like this kind that so called blondes have. Maybe I should go back Brown.

Just so you know

In highschool, I was rather fair-haired-not exactly naturally tho. I had a lot of fun in high school. I am going back. No- not to high school. To blonde. Life is good, but I think I need a little more fun, and blondes have more fun right?  My mother went completely gray at 25. It started on her mission at 21. She died her hair dark brown til the day she turned 49. Maybe longer.  Well, my hair started with a few here and there at or around 21. In less than a few months, I am turning 25. Weird. The few here and there have turned into natural looking silver highlights- or salt and pepper streaks. yikes. Here's to having more fun in my aging life.....

My Man

So-Fathers day was a few days ago I know. But I just needed to just write a little something about my babys daddy.


Strong- one thing I admire about him is he not only has big muscles but has a strong testimony, foundation in the gospel and an intense love for those around him. He can do anything he puts his mind to and has the determination and patience to do it right. Okay so that was more than one thing- like times 5.

Talented-this guy can build anything , not only that, he makes it beautiful. When he was 14 he built a Sweet tree house- it looks like a professional came in and built it. Two years later he built a pretty schnazzy deck for his parents. Now he is building houses, doing remodels and anything else you can think of – all while he is being a great father, a wonderful husband, and a hardworking student.

Energetic-he is ALWAYS going, nonstop. Always serving, always doing what he can to help out anyone in need. He is always looking for projects to work on and improve.

Vibrant- it has been so wonderful to watch Steve become not only a Father but a Daddy. He and Gabe are buddies and you can tell in Gabe’s face when Daddy comes home. He is so playful and loving, and we are grateful for his happy and outgoing personality.

Enticing-For any of you that know him- he is the best sales person you’ll meet, and He’s got strong communication skills , as I always quote a favorite movie of ours “he could sell a ketchup popsicle to a woman in white gloves”

Nonalcoholic-despite the way he drives he does not drink. Sometimes when in silly moods he acts like he does. But he doesn’t don’t worry.

Anyway I sure am grateful to have this guy in my life. I love you Babe.
In case you couldn't tell- all the adjectives were starting with the letters to spell Steven :)

DIY Surgery

For those of you who may not know- DIY stands for Do It Yourself. A thing I have come to know very well.

This is sort of a graphic story so just giving you fair warning. If you have the stomach of a light weight. I suggest you stop right here.

Meet pointy. My finger.

Pointy has had a growth at the tip ever since I got pregnant with little tyke. Apparently when pregnancy hits- your immune system kinda goes wack- or dormant or something and so underlying viruses come out to say hello. Well this growth may be better know as a nasty little bugger called a /gasp/ wart. Seeing as how I worked in a Dr.'s office-and they liked me, they gave me free treatments for said growth. After about 5-6 times in 5-6 months of being burned/frozen to bits the blasted little devil decided to lay low- but not go away. I stopped working at the office to be a mom, and so my free treatments stopped. I decided it was time to get it taken care of one more time. So after paying for this visit, I told the dr to hold the freezy sprayer thing on for what seemed like forever. When my finger fell off I told him he could stop. Just kidding- but he zapped that thing good. It hurt like the dickens and I thought for sure he was toast. No. He's a survivor. He should win an award or something for being able to handle such persecution. Low and behold he just kept comin back. So I bought the DIY treatment freezer cans from Smith's market fresh everyday- Smiths and about every 2 weeks had to keep him in check. A year and a half later- after doing that I had had it.I was done. done. done. Wednesday night after helping husband with some homework, I told him I needed some help. (So I guess this post should be called DIY With Your Husbands Help Surgery.)  The only thing I could think of that would help dull the pain was  the babes' anbesol- a numbing agent for teething. If it works on gums it should work on Pointy right?  We grabbed our tools which consisted of tweezers, a razor blade,some make shift digging pliers and some matches to cotorize since these things tend to flow like a river. And the surgery began. I won't go into all the gory details, but lets just say-thanks for nothing Anbesol, and have you ever tried to put a burning hot match onto something that is already in a lot of pain? Laughing is for some strange reason my reaction to good amounts of pain, lets just say it probably sounded more like the funniest thing in the world was going on in our makeshift O.R. (operating room) mixed with a lot of (since I'm trying not to swear) "holy shoot" words....

Well, the saddest thing about this whole experience is- we didnt even get all of him. So in about two weeks, I'm sure he will be back with a vengence. In which case I will go in to the Dr. for some Real surgery to get rid of him once and for all. I'm hoping it will be the best 20 dollar co-pay of my life. For now tho- Pointy now has a crater, and is pretty tender.

Moral of the story. Anebsol-aka Orajel really should be used AS directed.

note:2 days after surgery and after being bundled in a bandage

 

Triathlon

So- My sister loves to write in scenarios- and I think it is pretty dang hilarious to hear about all of her awesome adventures and experiences in this manner. You should go on over and check out her blog if you haven't already. Although I am not as seasoned a writer as she- I thought I would give it a shot-wish me luck.

 

Imagine you decided you would like to train to compete in a triathlon, instead of running another half marathon with your brother and sisters. You know that the running and the biking will be a whole lot easier than the swimming, so training you must start. So you pull out the ole green swim cap you got 5 years ago from your 7 year old sister. It still has her name written in 2nd grade handwriting in two colors of ink since the first pen seemed to have lost its savor. You grab one of the 8 pair of swim goggles your husband has stock piled and keeps for "just in case". You grab the hand-me-down speedo swimsuit you got from your best friend who decided to give up on swimming a while ago, and a pair of shorts to walk out of the gym with, pack your bag and head to the gym to see if you can handle the swimming part of the training for the upcoming event. You get to the gym all ready to start your training- only to find out the green cap is stuck to itself, (Your last swimming cap you had in 7th grade swimming ended up ripping to shreds as you tried to pull it apart-So for the next literally 5 minutes you pry and gently pull the sides apart so your head will fit in it- it stretches and luckily only gets one tiny hole in it. Swimming cap- check. Next you pull out the goggles and find a dark greasy matter smeared on the inside of the goggles- where the heck were these things even stored? You wipe them clean and spit in them so they won't fog up while you swim. Then you reach in the bag only to find that the shorts you packed were a black shirt made of the same material your shorts are. Well finally you walk into the pool area remembering you forgot to bring flipflops to avoid getting that itchy burny feeling in between your toes. Oh well, lets just hope you don't catch athletes foot in the next 25 steps. You hop into the pool and start swimming. You get going and it goes alright, you get tired after only a few laps since your are used to being able to breathe as you please when you run- but with swimming you realize you don't have that luxury. So taking a few, couple second breaks to catch your breath after every couple of laps you finish the 300 meters of swimming- you decide that wasn't so bad afterall and decide if you're going to do this you are gunna have to do some serious training in the pool at least 4 times a week.

You get home ready to hop in the shower and take a quick look at yourself in the mirror and you notice a little wear down the left side and think- oh that's only a tiny patch. Hopefully no one noticed a little wear. Then you decide to inspect the rest of the suit just for good measure. To your horror, you notice the entire back of the outfit is so threadbare you can see from the straps down to the middle of your bahookie. Good thing you noticed that After you got done parading around the gym locker room and not before you got to the gym. After the inspection, all the laughter and horror-You decide its probably a good idea to get a new not so revealing swimming suit before your next visit to the ol' pool

Excited

Thoughts:

This is how I am feeling.  I have been training since january to be able to acheive 3 of my new years resolutions. Sadly, this is the first time in a long time that I have made a new years resolution that I have actually stuck to. But to be honest- I feel great, and it feels so awesome to feel like I have acheived something. I love to run, and have not been physically able to for what seems like an eternity. Now that I can- I just am so grateful for a body that functions properly again. I am running 13.1 miles on Saturday in one of my favorite places - H town. I am so so so excited. A little tiny nervous for the 1.46 mile crazy hill that has been named "throw up hill", but mostly excited to accomplish this. To some- a half marathon isn't a whole huge deal, but to me- it kinda is. And I am excited.  I have been logging my mileage since I started training (minus 2 weeks in the beginning because I didn't think to until after) and I have ran a whole lot..... More than the training has said to. I think sometimes I get nervous that I won't make it, so I overcompensate to make darn sure that I will. Anyway- I will give all the stats when I post about the Half. I'll just tell ya tho- training has been over 260 miles.  :) thats almost the entire way to Hurricane! Anyway- it has been a lot of time and dedication. I will keep running after the race because I love it so much, but I don't want it to be such a burden of time away from my lil guy, and having to have other people watch him. Well, sorta random again. But I suppose you are used to it if you are still reading my posts.....

help

Does anyone know why my side bar stuff is now all the way at the bottom? or how to fix it?for some reason my blog has been on the fritz for the last week or so. its drivin me insane. ive tried fixing it multiple times. maybe im not as tech/blog savvy as i should be. suggestions please!! anyone? anyone?

A New Chapter?

I moved this weekend with the beebs, Steve did not. Back up. Let me clarify, Steve moved us- I somewhat helped, and G spent the day being waited on hand and foot (literally) by Gramma. Steve is living in our place until the semester ends. So last night I spent my first of 21 nights alone. It was cold and it was kinda lonely. Only 20 more to go. Hopefully less if you dont count the weekends and Mr S comes to spend them with me :) Anyway, I got everything moved in and somewhat settled. We get our storage unit next week so I can get some of this clutter taken care of but so far- it is great. I think this will be a great place for us for the next year or so. Today was my last day of mommy freedom I guess you could call it. I am starting my job tomorrow. I went for a run and ran some errands.... all things I will be able to do once I start working- but on a different time table I suppose. Thoughts....

• Excited- one because it is a new chapter in our lives, two because it means we are that much closer to being in a career- we meaning Steve, and me being his sidekick who takes care of stuff at home. And three because I get to be around (sick as they may be) people,- dont get me wrong, I absolutely love being with my little sidekick 24/7, but this will mean getting more social interaction and feeling like I am helping others.


• Nervous- I get anxiety leaving the little one for 2 hours. Not sure how I will adjust to leaving for 5 hours at a time. Maybe I will just tell myself its better than 8 right?!


• Grateful - for the wonderful women who are giving up so much of their lives to help us out, to be able to spend time with their grandson and grateful they will be able to have a strong bond and relationship with this little guy. He is one to know- seriously, I am so lucky to not only know this kid but to have such a strong relationship and bond with him. He is my favorite part of the day. And I am grateful I will be able to share that with these fabulous ladies.

February in Review

Well this last month kinda went by in a blur. Not too much has happened-

We have spent a lot of time in salt lake getting things ready for the move.

G-

(lovin his snow suit- all ready to go for a run with mommy)
decided it was finally time for him to give in and love his tummy, and love rolling around all over the place. Loves to laugh his face off when I fake bite him. Got his first ear infection. Got to have a few sleepovers with his Grama H. Turned 8 months old. Still doesn't crawl. Still is the happiest little kid I know.
I

uh- maybe i should get ready before i decide to have a photo shoot with G.this is the only picture i have taken of myself in a very long time. yikes.-decided to brave the outdoors for a couple of my runs... not a fan - needs to be just a bit warmer outside. (still doing great on my goal for the hurricane half tho)

Still have not had any candy this year :)

Am doing pretty well on the other goals as well.

Steve-

What a handsome devilIs still in school- being awesome even tho it really sucks taking a bajillion credits. Tells me he loves me, shows me he loves me. Enjoyed playing bball with the ward despite taking last place in the whole region. Has worked his little bahookie off helping make his parents house awesome. Is still just as great as can be.

March- please be good to us with the weather this month. I am sick of being cooped up, As I think G is as well.

Welcome to my house

3 bedroom wonderfulness made complete with a king size bed, my bb boy sleepin in his crib, and the 10 dollar yard sale find painting in the brown room I JUST painted


my green laundry room and cute little bathroom

bathroom and my family room

my red kitchen, and my hair "do"ing corner

Right now I am listening to sad sappy music by my favorite country artists, thinking about how much I do and don't want the next two months to fly by. Really I should be grateful that I have lots to look forward to like a half marathon, playing volleyball again on a rec team, going to my favorite place on earth (aka hurricane), playing with my baby boy, moving(feelings are still undecided and mixed) etc.

On tuesday our realtor came to the place I call home. It is for real now. He took pictures, and even pounded in the sign on a post outside. We are for real moving. I already posted about this like a month or two ago, but I guess it hasnt really sunk in until just recently. Part of me is really really excited to be closer to family, but I think a bigger part of me is sad to be leaving my home, and my wonderful friends down here. I've never really quite experienced anything like this. It was always different when I moved away for college and stuff. This- this feels way different. hard. I decided to take pictures of my home so I can remember what it was like to have my own stuff, just the way I like it. So that I can always remember the very first place I could call my own, the place I could call "my home". So for now I guess, I can say goodbye for now to all my stuff, hope you stay nice in a little ol storage unit for the next year and a half. In a way it can be a good thing, when we open it all up and are ready to move- it will be like Christmas- I get all my treasures back again, and get to take it to a new place I will call my own. My home.

Lots O Stuff

ok just fair warning- this is going to be a kinda long post cuz i am doing updates....

my gangsta cowboy baby- he sure loves his rocking horse

last night i discovered G's first tooth :) yay! so cute

poor mr is still sicky..... can hardly breathe out his nose-his room feels like hawaii- thanks to the humidifier-

mr g finally decided it was time to quit holding out and rolled over from his back to his front- and now is doing it with ease. i think there just might be hope for him crawling somewhere in his future:)

yesterday was steves birthday- turned the ripe old age of 24.

in case you cant tell- that is a hammer, nails and a measuring tape....steves favorite toys

now i can no longer say that i am a cougar- until november that is. i must say - he had a pretty awesome birthday week.... much deserved too. he does so much for us- so this was a small way to give back to my love. tuesday we went to dinner to

with some friends for Trav's (a bff of estebans) birthday (but counted it as his birthday) then on Friday we went to dinner with Trent and Cristi (our awesome sibs)- had a tastey dinner thanks some awesome coupons to

. Next morning- saturday went to breakfast at IHOP

with the Nelson bunch which has become or will become a new birthday tradition- yesssssss. love breakfast yummys. then later that night went to Olive Garden

with the Stout/Hale bunch minus espencer.... due to a get out of dodge trip to Denver. Sunday- Estebe got a somewhat sorta delicious breakfast of waffles OJ and eggs just before 9 o clock church. Had homemade bbq chicken pizza for lunch- (another reason to LOVE 9 o clock church) Got to open some sweet gifts- then we had some of our friends come over for cake icecream and games. Birthday rating? maybe like an 8 or 9 i'd say. not sure what would constitue a ten. but maybe i'll get there over the years :)

January in review

made lots of decisions regarding our future

ward bball-him

school-him

online homework- him and her

friends and family over for dinner

lots o fun with the babes

wedding reception- can you say highschool reunion?

sleepover with the sibs

baked too many goodies

im sure there were lots more things we did than just this....

as for my goals:

spritual goals are going swimmingly
running- i am doing great with my half marathon training. i cant tell you how good it feels to be back in the game. to be able to run for more than 5 seconds without wanting to die. i am now on to running 4-5 miles a day. yahoo! as for no candy- i think i need a round of applause for this one- no candy this ENTIRE month! go me. and i have done REALLY well with not eating after 8pm. i think i want to step up my game a bit and do more than just candy- but i need to take babysteps. so i think i will add more to the sweets list- no cookies. i dont drink soda unless it is diet- but i think its time i nip this one in the bud.... these ones will be a bit difficult but not nearly as bad as the candy right? i think that as i make each of these adjustments it will make it a lot easier as i go- because we all know there is no way in H that i would be able to go all out and quit EVERYTHING cold turkey. im normally a pretty healthy person i like to think- but if i am more aware of what i eat and a little smarter about it- this will definitely help and make it alot easier for me to be able to run 13.1 without packin extra heat.....

this is going to be me in a few short weeks...her arms are a bit smaller than mine- but maybe just maybe my legs will look similar to that ;) oh and i guess i wont be bleaching my hair anytime soon..... i find it rather fitting that she is running for kidneys....maybe that really will be me :)

Just some thoughts

Oh hey. You're still reading this thing? Well here is a little update I spose.
Well after much fasting and prayer, we have come to a conclusion - with a plan
this plan you might ask?After weighing all the pros and cons and all of our options and everything in between- we have decided to move back up to salt lake so
that Stevey can finish school, in a timely manner. Yes he will still be going to school in good ol UT county, but this will allow for me to go back to work and mi madres will help to take care of the babes. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared, a little sad, a lot nervous, a bit prideful, yet also a little excited. April can't come soon enough, when I make a decision- I like to move on it- so this waiting game is giving me anxiety. But this time also allows for us to get everything organized and packed up. It allows for time to cope with change and be able to adjust to the thought of everything that will happen. Contrary to how this post may seem, I am excited. It will be so nice and wonderful to
-not have to trek up to SLC every weekend
-to have family so close
-to have Steve be in school full time until he is done
-to live rent free for a while
-to be able to know the area and have all my running routes back
-to be close to my canyons
-to be able to make money and contribute again

however it will be sad
-to leave this wonderful condo we call home
-to not have my own little garden
-to not decorate and paint all the walls I can
-to have to pack up all our belongings and put them in storage
-to not be able to cook with my new pots and pans (they truly are amazing)
-to leave the few friends we have made down here
-to not be able to have my two college sissies come over to do laundry and have dinner every week or so
-not have a sense of independence anymore
-to have to leave little G for a few days a week(call me a sissy- but I am not looking forward to this- I will have a rough time and probably be a big boob every day I have to leave)

I hate to admit this- but I am a pretty prideful person- and I hate feeling like an imposition. As much as my wonderful and sweet in-laws say that it is no big deal, that it wont be imposing at all, etc. I know it will be. How can going from a 2 person household to a 5 person household not be? I'm sure they will be making lots of adjustments for us, and for that I am truly grateful. But I will still feel bad. Feel like somewhat of a nuisance, or just plain in the way. All in all I know that this is the right decision for us and that we will be blessed for following the spirit. I am grateful for their willingness to help us in our decisions and am even more grateful for opening up their home to us. Well- I think that is really all I have to say for now

Things I've Learned

A few of the things ( not all dont worry ) i have learned along the way to the ripe old age of 24.

• i probably will never be a very good writer- not that i dont have good things to say or write about- but because i literally have forgotten how to use punctuation correctly. and i dont capitalize things where i should especially when im too lazy or too tired to go back and do it. however- i am really good at spelling. just not at typing all the time :)
• i love to read- who'd a thought?
• i really like to cook
• a king size bed- really IS all its cracked up to be
• netflix is a really cool thing- but also somewhat of a curse. i never used to watch tv - like ever. and now- it is all we do- we watch seasons of stuff we never would have watched on a week to week basis.
• paying the electric bill for heat- should be a high priority
• never take good health for granted.
• when you have something good to say about someone- tell them. they will appreciate it more than you think- which goes along with the quote- "never suppress a generous thought." that is how the spirit works.
• sometimes Heavenly Father answers your prayers really fast. and sometimes really slow. BUT He always answers them.
• Life really is what you make of it- everyone has their stuff to deal with-but not everyone makes the best of it.
• dont sweat the petty stuff....and dont pet the sweaty stuff just kidding. no really tho- let stuff roll of your back- happy go lucky people are the best people to have around. i love being able to laugh when things are going so incredibly wrong- just as long as im with the people that make me laugh.
• hand-me-downs or buying used- is the best way - except for stuff like underwear and brushes.
• blog stalking is not a crime. it is actually fun to see who you just might find. they cant get mad at you for knowing any of their personal life- because if they put it on here- its meant to be read :) if you are stalk reading someones blog-leave a comment- it is always nice to know that someone.....anyone is reading :)
• patience really is a virtue. one that i need to get. like now.

anyway. i think im done rambling for now.

F.Y.E. (for your enjoyment)

This boy makes my heart smile.

and tonight i gave him a hair cut. stay tuned for pics :)

The Latest

What we have been up to:
Last week my brother and sister in law got to take their dream vacation to Paris where Trent served his mission. How awesome would that be?! One day maybe Steve and I will be able to make it over to Japan. Anyway, They left their 2 boys home, So Steve and I volunteered to babysit for them for part of their trip. So between the grandparents and us, it was a very busy week. We got the boys for 3 days- which was a lot of fun, but man I was ready to hit the sack at 9 pm every night! Then on sunday we got news that Steves grandma was not doing so well, and ended up going to her funeral on friday. It was a very nice service, and was So fun to hear all the stories of the life she lived. It was also great to be able to spend lots of time getting to know and meet a lot of steve's relatives i still hadnt met.
Saturday we had our best friends Dal and Beck come over for some yummy dinner and played a little Wii Fit. The balance games on that thing are hilarious to watch! Just ask Beck.
Sunday we got to go to Trent and Cristi's and celebrate Benny's first birthday. He is such a cute little guy and am so glad we are so close to this sweet little family.
Yesterday- I spent the day making neighborhood goodies to give for Christmas which was fun.
All of our Christmas shopping is done and they are all wrapped, and all of our Christmas gifts have been given out to our neighborhood friends. the only thing i need to do now- is send out our dang Christmas Cards. they should come in tomorrow so i can hopefully get them out by thursday! BAH next year maybe i can be more on top of things in that department.
Steve and I are currently addicted to Prison Break. We are almost done with the first season and are sitting at the edge of our seats! Every time we start it- we have to watch another,another and another...and another. Then at some point we decide that one of us has to be responsible and we have to go to bed. Usually that person isnt me. I just get SO into it! Have you ever been into a season series like this? I tend to get into them fairly easy. ie- lost. 24, gilmore girls, biggest loser now prison break! ah sometimes i wish i had a life so i could use that as an excuse to say im not addicted to tv series. oh well. who cares. but let me just tell you- i wont watch them on tv, i would die. so i wait for them to come out on dvd or netflix instant view ;) love love love it!
Anyway- Time is flying by! Seriously yesterday Gabe was 3 months old...i blinked and 4 and 5 months were gone. In a week and a half he will be 6 months old!!!! I cant even believe it. He is so much fun to be with- and lights up the room. He loves to play the tickle game and will laugh even before you touch him. He is loving to eat rice cereal, sweet potatoes and squash. Grampa Hale keeps trying to get him started on his favorites: cheese, diet coke and sausage or pepperoni. but i think those will have to come later... the diet coke- WAY later. I'm kind of a nazi about letting him eat things too early. Anyway- he is loving to play with his toes, loves practicing sitting up, Loves to snuggle in bed with mommy in the mornings, and daddy on the weekends. He makes us so incredibly happy. Sometimes I worry that he isnt doing things as fast as other babies his age- but i have learned not stress out about it. he will get things - honestly who cares if he doesnt learn to crawl or start walking exactly when other babies do. it doesnt say anything about his intelligence when he starts doing things that other babies may or may not be doing. I am so grateful for this little man. He is so good to me- i am so grateful he sleeps 13 hours every night, grateful he still will snuggle with me, grateful he is so happy,grateful he is mine, and grateful i am here to be able to raise him and enjoy his sweetness.
Here are a few pictures of my little G

He doesnt agree with his shirt. and doesnt think its funny either.

The other night I walked in his room to kiss him before I went to sleep and found him like this

and this


I made this aviation beanie for him the other night- and somehow I'm thinkin aviation will not be in the cards for him when he gets older. actually he is just terrified that this hat makes him look like he has girl bangs- i love to get pictures of him smiling, but i think later in his life he will look back at these pictures of his sad face and just giggle cuz he is just so stinkin cute.

The Grass is always greener...

So I have been thinking about this a lot lately. I was in one of my very favorite places on earth, with some of my very favorite people on earth. Hurricane. Whenever we venture down there, there is always good conversation to be had. Well we cousins all sat around in my grandmas house talking about life. We got on the subject of marriage and a few of the struggles young married couples deal with. We talked about how the blogging world and facebook era has turned many into believers of a fairytale life-the grass is always greener in someone elses back yard mentality. Everyone else’s life out there is a bowl full of cherries, her husband does this for her, my baby does this already and blah blah blah. It almost seems to be a contest of, whose life is the best? Who is the most creative, who has the most talented kids, who is most successful etc. I saw a post called “blog induced depression”. Have you ever felt this? Often times I find myself wandering from blog to blog, feeling like I don’t quite get what it feels like to have that perfect life. While reading my cousins blog about this very subject (she wasn’t even there for this conversation but )she put it perfectly,"It just seems like a lot of people's blogs or facebook pages are a sort of monument to their own wonderfulness - their perfect lives/houses/bodies/talents/kids/husbands/businesses/etc. You know what I mean? I don't doubt that they are super talented, or amazingly creative, or look super hot but sometimes it feels like more and more people are consumed with portraying perfection at all times when that's just not reality. At least not my reality.”
Maybe we aren’t as willing to share the real life stuff in fear that we might seem less perfect than everyone else. If you are one that gets the inferiority complex or the B.I.D, with your life, (like I sometimes do) after reading other peoples “status” or blogs-Wake up and smell the coffee angel face. Everyone has struggles, everyone has rough days, everyone has times where they just want to give up. But honestly thinking about it- my life IS perfect- it is perfect for ME. Sometimes it gets messy, and sometimes it is hard-We all have our ups and downs...The truth is- if you compare your worsts with others bests- you will ALWAYS come out the underdog, you will always leave feeling ashamed of yourself for somehow not measuring up. For not having the life that "everyone" else does. My goal that I am working on, is being happy with what I have-because that is what was given to me, and not playing the comparison game. Sister Julie Beck said in regional conference last week- “you are better than you think you are, you are doing better than you think you are doing” just because I have a bad day here and there- does not mean I have failed, doesnt mean my life isn’t good, doesn’t mean that everyone else is better than me. It simply means that I am normal. It means that I am human. We ALL have them. Any way- if you are feeling like reading- I highly suggest wandering on over to this blog- she puts this so much more eloquently than I do-(not that I am comparing or anything) it just hits the point good and hard. Thanks for listening to my ramblings.