me and my boys

i changed my mind

2011-02-26T15:59:00.000-08:00

Yep, all this no blogging, and look where catching up got me...

A NEW BLOG SITE! <-----(click me)

One of the reasons I never post is because this blog is linked to an old gmail account, and posting here makes me have to log out of the one I use for everything else. Not a huge deal, I know, but annoying. And it makes me angry every time because blogger doesn't give you the ability to change your email login once you make it a gmail one. Well, that's what you get for being hard to work with.

Plus, this new site is super easy to post to. All it takes is sending an email from my account. And all it takes to add videos, pictures, or songs is to add them as attachements or include the links. Yes, it is so cool everyone should join me. Or not. But whatever you do, don't forget to change your links so that you follow me on my new Posterous site so you can get excited when I start posting all the time.

the skinny skinny

2011-02-26T10:37:00.000-08:00

So, yes, I admit I am a horrible blogger these days. Multiple times a day I log into my igoogle account to check email, google docs and my reader feed, and I am always reminded that I need to post too. But missing the traditional Christmas blog post, then the New Year's "I make a resolution to post more" blog post, and the "I went to New York again" and the "I'm so busy with school and life" and well, here we are... The wrap up post.

Here goes:

We said goodbye to Duke, who had been dealing with a degenerative spine disease. Although it was sad and the boys both cried, it's good to know he's not only with his favorite family member, but also walking around without pain now.

The boys got lots of presents for Christmas, I hung on by a thread during finals, enjoyed every minute of sleeping in during the break, and dreaded waking up early in January. Along with five other BYU students, I used my half minority side to get me into a recruiting fair, which subsequently got me an internship. Yes, I'm very excited. Yesterday I took the boys in for an eye exam. We left with the new knowledge that Mason needs glasses and Milo has to wear an eye patch for at least the next six weeks. I understand, my genes have now failed both my children.

The boys are boys. Half the time they're copying each other, fighting over the Wii, and pushing, the other half their playing together, making pictures for me, or begging me to buy them weird fruit to try. I'm feeling everything that comes with the last semester of school, added to work and cleaning the house and keeping up on laundry... I'm busy, worried about actually having to make a decision and get a job, and so glad I don't have to care about my last semester grades too much (oh the beauty of the advertising world).

Now that I've done my duty in catch-up, I'll let you know what the future holds (since I probably won't get around to blogging it later).

I graduate in April, the boys finish school in May, and my internship is June and July. I'm looking into selling my house, so hopefully after I graduate I'll be moving my stuff to some lovely area for storage. Because it's only temporary, and housing like that is harder to come by, the boys are staying in Utah with the best two sets of grandparents I could find them. (Maybe I'll talk one of them into bringing the boys out to visit me.)

Then it's hello world, please pay me money to do something I like, and please make it enough to buy weird fruit for my boys.

Mason

2010-12-22T23:52:00.000-08:00

Mason had been telling me for weeks about the day he was going to celebrate his half birthday at school (since his birthday is during summer break). He was debating about treat options, and I kept reminding him to ask his teacher when I should come. Then the night before I was supposed to bring his treats to school he came up the stairs, straight to the fridge, and stuck this on the front:

Oh what would I do without Mason to keep me organized?

naked bathroom

2010-12-16T10:45:00.001-08:00

"Why are the people on the bathroom signs naked? Well, the girl one has a dress on, how come the boy one doesn't have any clothes?"

-Observant Milo

Mason the AD

2010-10-19T21:21:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Mason did his spelling homework. At some point he drew this at the bottom.

All I could think of was, oh that creative little kid. Already his mind is drifting like his mom's and he's doodling on his paper instead of doing his work. And maybe one day he'll grow up and be an art director (which, in the ad world goes hand in hand with a copywriter).

Then I realized I'm like one of those dads that wants his son to take over the family business. We could call it Rudy + Rudy (because all the cool agencies use a + instead of an &), or R+R. No, that sounds like the railroad on monopoly. eM+m. Yep, there it is.

eM+m

your mom

2010-10-11T15:14:00.000-07:00

"MY mom goes to college." -Milo (to the Barnes and Noble employee)

Light the Night

2010-10-08T22:07:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow I'm participating in Light the Night. I can honestly say I've never walked or ran in a register, organized thing like this. Seems weird I think. I've helped out in a few, but I've never been a registered participant. So I registered. Or better said, Missie registered everyone as a team. Then she told me that anyone who raises $100 will get a t-shirt and a balloon for the walk.

Then I had an even better thought.

Although I agree that raising money for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is a great cause, I connect much stronger with more personal things.

So instead of the $100 I was going to put toward the walk, I figured Clint and Amy could use it more right now. Although I've never actually met them, they are very good friends with neighbors of mine. But it's more of who they are that has drawn me to them. Clint and Amy have three boys, live in Utah County, and are currently dealing with Clint's Leukemia. More than that, Clint owned his own business before being diagnosed, they talk about their coordinator LaDee, TPN and what it's like to be bored in a hospital room all day. Amy has even given their blog the title "me and my boys" - exactly like mine!

Anyway, and more importantly, I just kind-of know what it's like to be in that position and it makes me want to help. So while I had this great plan to raise money for the society, I'd really like to just help the Jeppersons.

And if you want to see their blog, just click here. Or to help their family, click here.

milo milo bo bilo

2010-09-22T20:46:00.000-07:00

Upon looking at my blog today I noticed two things:

1. My last two posts are about Milo

2. I am not very good at blogging these days

But here's the thing, Milo had a birthday earlier this month. So I must renew my blogging promise to post more (because that's what everyone likes to say after they've fallen into the blogging abyss) while also posting a third installment about my second child.

September 9th Milo turned the big six - which means for the sake of my own memory I need to post a little bit about him at this juncture. Since I agree that long blog posts about someone else's child are sort of boring, I have a pile of homework awaiting me, and I have an alarm that goes of at 5:45 - I'll try to keep this fairly brief.

No matter how many times I remind Milo, his natural instinct is to wipe his face and hands on his shirt.

He can't drink milk without getting the mustache.

Whatever food he is consuming he finds a way to make it messier than it needs to be.

Although his glasses are constantly dirty and bent, he is very careful about putting them away every night and cleaning them only with the specified cloth.

Once you are his friend (which happens if you take interest in his stories or respond to him at all) he will sit on your lap or hold your hand without asking.

He will choose to eat a "roll-up" (a wrap) over a sandwich any day and just started liking scrambled eggs two weeks ago.

He loves puzzles and books, and asks questions about everything.

I've already heard that his Kindergarten teacher has moved him tables multiple times because he keeps talking to the other kids. (Dear teacher, the talking will never stop)

He always writes his name with a big L and an o that sits on the line of the L.

If I didn't make him get out, he'd stay in the shower for hours.

Three visits to my school and he is already more popular than I am.

Milo, you make me crazy a lot of the time but I'm glad you still hold my hand occasionally. Happy Birthday.

the pockets

2010-08-26T22:18:00.000-07:00

Monday Milo transported a spring he found outside and his leftover red stick from eating cheese and crackers from St. George to our house.

Yesterday at the gym he found parts of a broken pen on the ground he wanted to keep.

Today, before he got in the shower, he emptied his pockets. Three pennies, one soda can tab, 5 rubber bands around his wrist and a toy from a 25 cent machine.

He's a little on the odd side, but he's always keeping me amused.

guess who's back, on the crazy track.

2010-08-14T15:00:00.000-07:00

Last week I was in my front yard and I thought to water the plants on my porch. Halfway through watering them I realized they were all completely dead with no chance of revival. Such is my life lately. I went to work on Monday and my boss asked how my life is going. My answer: I'm in a creative slump, I feel stressed about school and getting an internship next summer, and I have a bruise on my rib cage. All in all, I think I feel so overwhelmed about everything I have to do that I can't even think to do it. I sort of feel like at any moment a strong wind is going to blow the house of cards I'm balancing - and everything will come crashing down.

So I bought new plants for my porch (with a commitment to water them before they start to turn brown), I scheduled a meeting with my partner for our school project, and I began the first step to watching adobe tutorials.

Deep breath.

iMilo

2010-06-30T21:52:00.001-07:00

"Look Mom, giant iPhones!"

"Those are iPads, Milo."

(5 minutes later)

"These giant iPhones are really cool."

"It's an iPad, look at the sign, it says iPad."

(3 days later)

"You know what was really cool? When we were at the Apple store and they had those giant iPhones."

the crazy 8

2010-06-29T21:36:00.000-07:00

So this is the post where I talk all about how great Mason is since he just had a birthday. Don't get me wrong, Mason is a super kid in my eyes. I've always said how he was so meant to be the older brother - he's responsible, helpful, can do pretty much anything on his own...but in an attempt to keep this post somewhat interesting to people besides myself and his grandparents I'm going to list eight recent events in Mason's life. (My creative writing professor said I need to work on using concrete images over abstract ones anyway, so here you go Professor Nielsen...)

At around 8:45pm on Thursday Mason asked if I had gotten him a cake for his birthday the next day. Since my answer was no (possibly followed by a swear word in my head) we made our way to Wal-Mart where he picked out a pre-made golf cake. Nothing to do with his party theme, but that's what he wanted. Memory from his dad, randomness from his mom.

Mason was baptized on his birthday with two of his cousins. I decided it was a good day to buy him his first "real" tie. He picked out a pink, gray and black tie. Pimpin' style already.

One morning he told me he's trying to be really nice to Milo since he's baptized now. The next day he somehow convinced Milo to help him clean his room. Now that's a salesman.

His big birthday wish was for a skateboard rail. Watch out Shawn White.

He's got the goofiest half-grown-in front teeth smile.

Everything I tell him to do has to be followed by a "Why?" - although deep down I am proud of his logical side, at surface level I'm not too excited for the teenage years.

He asked multiple times for an airsoft gun for his birthday, begged for a sling shot at the arts festival, and came home with a pocket knife from scout camp. Don't worry, I'm fully prepared for future trips to the ER.

His favorite songs right now are Strawberry Fields (Beatles) and Someone Great (LCD Soundsystem); and last year he picked out a song that's "our song."

So there you go - Mase face, Daxman, Mase-o...Happy Eighth Birthday - and thanks for reminding me I'm getting old.

2

2010-06-10T22:09:00.000-07:00

This night, two years ago, I literally watched someone go from life to death. I’ve thought about this many times. Up until that night I had known people who died, but I had never actually seen it happen. Up until that night I had never known what it’d be like to want to be right next to someone and never leave, even though I knew in my mind they already had.

But here’s the thing about two years: today is really not much different than any other day since that night. Every day at some point I still remember; and every day, in varying degrees, I wish my life were more normal.

Sometimes I drive places without my seatbelt on. I never used to do that, even short distances. I grew up with such a strong habit of putting my seatbelt on I’d find myself doing it to cross a parking lot. Erik didn’t always wear his seatbelt. One time he told me that if he got hit driving through our neighborhood it’d be such slow impact seatbelts wouldn’t really matter. I don’t wear my seatbelt just to remember Erik.

I sleep with all my decorative pillows lined up on the other half of the bed. It seems logical considering my bed is probably cleaner than my floor on any given day, but I started doing it because it made that side of the bed seem less empty.

In my closet hangs one motorcycle jacket, three suits and two button up shirts because the last time I tried to box everything up I ended up taking that stuff back out; and now I’m worried to try again.

But you know what? I’m still here. I have had my determination and faith tested many times – and so far I’ve passed. And I am thankful every day for how much I’m blessed, even though I probably don’t deserve it all.

And I love these boys:

being a mom

2010-06-03T22:09:00.000-07:00

A few days ago Mason told me he really likes the song "Strawberry Fields." This may sound inconsequential, but it made me beam with delight. This isn't the first time Mason has shared my taste in music; most of his iPod comes from songs I have on mine. But this time he picked a Beatles song. In my head I was thinking, "Yes! My kid is awesome. He is going to grow up having great taste in music, which obviously will lead to good choices elsewhere (one of which will be a super awesome, no-drama, wife)."

Today was Mason's first experience with scouts. As I drove home from school, with barely enough time to make it to his first pack meeting, I thought about how I won't even be home to take him to scouts for most days of the month because of my schedule. Then I thought about how maybe it wasn't a big deal for him to miss some anyway, it's just scouts - it's not like everyone does it.

Then I reverted to that one big thought I've always had, even before having children: How will my kids turn out the way I want them to? Not as in I want them to have certain jobs or anything - but I want them to want to work hard, to be kind to others. I don't want them to be drug addicts or alcoholics or something along those lines. Maybe with Mason coming up on the big EIGHT in a few weeks, I've just been re-thinking things.

So I decided that I have no clear solution. And I sort of feel like this:

But I also decided that just like I'm proud my appreciation for good music can rub off, I need to make sure I'm doing other good things that my boys can pick up on and mimic. And just like I want to be proactive in my work ethic, I need to apply the same thing at home.

So yes, I'll be making sure Mason is attending scouts (while I find him some more good music).

all I see is sunshine

2010-05-23T21:30:00.000-07:00

I have no earthly idea why, but I feel less stressed out and overwhelmed than I normally do - yet I have more on my plate than I felt I did earlier this year. I figured this sort of miracle doesn't happen every day, so I ought to blog about it - cause everyone knows once it has been blogged about, it's out there for-ev-er. And because next week I'll probably go back to feeling like I'm caught in a mind tornado again, and when that happens I'll need a look back at the good times in my life.

Randomly switching topics, I am taking a creative writing class at school to help expand my horizons on the vast Word Frontier. It has made me re-realize how much I really enjoy writing when it's not for something boring, like a case law analysis or an econ review. I have even written poems for no reason except that the mood just strikes. Weird, I know.

And to switch topics yet again:

"You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do." Henry Ford

This quote made me realize that I say I'm going to do a lot of things. Not that I'm being hypocritical - it's just that a lot of the things I'd like to do are coming as my education progresses or as I develop better habits in life. This quote made me remember something one of my professors told us the other day - he said our efforts and work ethic now will be projected on how we are in the future.

So maybe I can't do everything I have planned today, but if there's something I'm "going to do" later, I better be working my hardest now to get there.

wellers

2010-05-11T20:36:00.001-07:00

I have a pair of rain boots. I like to refer to them as my wellers because I like the word wellers better, and I think my boots are not just any pair of rain boots. A couple years ago I saw these boots on a girl at a bowling alley. I never asked her about them, but I couldn't get them off my mind - so I searched the internet until I found the brand and then somewhere that sold them. These are my boots:

Today, while about to wash my hands in the sink at school I looked down and saw this:

Yep, my super awesome keep the rain out shoes are now completely worthless. I don't even know when or how this happened, but I'm very upset. So, in an effort to find happiness on this bleak shoe day, I decided to look around online with some hope that I could find a new pair to replace them. What I found, although disheartening to my purchasing wants, has managed to cheer me up slightly....

I wasn't quite sure how to react to these, but I am curious who would ever wear them.

And if leopard print cowboy rain boots are a little too fancy for you, there is always the more casual option:

Seriously?

babies

2010-05-09T14:10:00.001-07:00

So, the other day I had to pay a bill at the boy's doctor's office. On the way out I ended up in the elevator with a mom and her new baby. Here was my thought process:

Oh, that little baby is SO tiny. I remember how my boys used to be tiny like that at one point. It's kind of cute. Oh...I'm so glad I don't have a baby. Ew. They cry all night and are so much work. It's nice that Mason and Milo are older and they can do so much by themselves.

Yep. I'm a baby-hater.

Ok, so I'm not really a hater. I think they are really small and sweet, and I definitely loved my own babies. And I haven't always thought this way. There was a day, way back before my own personal encounter, that I had no ill will towards them. I'd like to say that I just learned my lesson from my Mason and Milo - but I actually had at one point planned on having more.

But now here I am. I see pregnant women and all I can think is how happy I am that I'm not pregnant. I see babies and it makes me cringe thinking of all the time they need to be held, and the hours they wake up in the night. I even had a moment while at a playground the other day with Milo. This little boy was climbing on the bench and all I could think was, "Gross, he smells like pee. I'm so glad my kids don't wear diapers." And I never can understand people when they say they are "baby hungry."

I so just love my boys and their ages and that they are much lower maintenance. This morning while I was in the shower Mason made himself a sunny side up egg. I've never let him cook anything on the stove before because I've always been worried he'd burn himself, and honestly I don't really think he should still. But the fact that he did it, and actually cooked himself an edible breakfast - it was awesome.

So, Happy Mother's Day to me! Instead of babies I have great boys who give me hugs, tell me happy mother's day multiple times, compliment me on my outfits, and hide presents in their rooms to surprise me with today.

remember how cool I am?

2010-05-04T22:52:00.000-07:00

And how I have two blogs? Well, I do.

And today I realized that I never actually blogged about the most exciting news in my life lately: I AM OFFICIALLY GOING TO BE A COPYWRITER! I stressed, I didn't sleep, I got upset, wanted to give up, stressed some more, and readied myself for a let down.

Then the day came; the list was going to be posted. By 1:00 I had to leave campus to be home in time for Mason, and there was no list up yet. I was going crazy. I mean CRAZY! So I go home, all the while trying to decide what to do when the list goes up. Then at around 4:00 I start getting texts telling me it's posted. Why oh why couldn't I be there to look at it?! Why do I live so far away from campus?! What am I to do?!!!

Then the decision was made for me (oh how I love when that happens) - someone decided to just call and tell me. Of course, not without having a little fun with the fact that I was boiling over with anxiety. I was in! I screamed. Honestly screamed, multiple times. The person on the other end of the phone may or may not have laughed at me.

Anyway, now it means I'll be taking classes and working on projects more tailored to me as a copywriter and creative-brained individual.

AND...I posted parts of my portfolio on my other blog, if you'd like some visual.

my day off

2010-04-26T21:49:00.001-07:00

So, today I had a day off. My only true day off, since I had a law paper from winter semester due last night and I start spring semester tomorrow.

My day off went like this: running at the gym, dealing with sprinkler stuff (turning the water on while my nice neighbor fixed them), taking Milo to school, buying weed killer and plants, home for Mason, buying Mason a new helmet and myself a new dog crap scooper (my favorite purchase of course), picking up Milo, going to the mall to pick up Milo's glasses, spraying weeds, BBQ hotdogs with the boys, fertilizing the yard, planting flowers, running the sprinkers, dishes and laundry.

Funny thing is that at the end of the day I still felt so relaxed that I had absolutely no homework to think about. Oh Monday April 26, how I loved you. Next up: Tuesday. Tuesday on campus from 8:30am-8:00pm. It's going to be fun.

Oh, and here is the new Milo:

So far he's lovin' them. Silly little kid.

happy shmappy

2010-04-13T18:33:00.000-07:00

So today I officially got one year closer to the dreaded three zero. I also dealt with rain and hail (when there should be sunshine and birds singing - don't they know it's my birthday?), the stress of finals starting, AND to top it all off...my car battery died and my car wouldn't start when I left campus. Plus did I mention I've been stressed with school? I feel emotionally drained, and I didn't even want to celebrate my birthday yesterday.

Then today I opened my google reader to find a new post by my pal, Amanda. I noticed the post was titled This is Emily, but I figured it was probably something about her cousin Emily. It wasn't. It is an entire post all about me! I was shocked, somewhat embarrassed, and super flattered that I got a post all about me for my birthday. And I laughed at all the pictures she used.

To add to that, my mom brought me desserts from Dipidee (I may have eaten one of the cupcakes before I took the picture) and my mother-in-law and sister-in-law got me my most favorite sugar cookies in the whole wide world (from Smart Cookie).

And, best of all, Mason gave me a present he put together and wrapped all on his own. No offense to the other gifts and thoughtful wishes today, but this was by far my most favorite one.

He said he picked the pink box of nerds because he figured I'd like that color better than the blue box, and the soccer ball bead is to remind me of him since he plays soccer. He had everything wrapped up in a sheet of his $50 note paper.

So, maybe I'm getting older (and not really feeling any wiser), and maybe I'm still super crazy-brained about life right now - but it turns out, I am easily coddled by sugary treats and random presents from 7 year olds.

Happy birthday!

yes, i know

2010-03-25T13:53:00.000-07:00

I haven't been so good at the blogging thing. Well, I just feel like my life is pretty same old lately. But to keep up interest on this here page, here's a few random moments from my life:

Last Saturday while Milo was eating Cheetos and chattering away (which he is ALWAYS doing), he suddenly started crying. Like, hold your breath for a few seconds because the pain is that bad, cry. Turns out Milo bit his own finger while eating Cheetos. Yep, chalk one up for the stories I'm retelling to any future girlfriend.

I realized that I have too many decision in life, and I really wish there was a service provided that could make some of them for me.

And I really, REALLY, with all my heart and soul, hate the word juxtapose. I so hope people in the ad world stop thinking it's a useful description for creative things before I get there.

Oh Summer, Milo has forgotten you.

2010-02-25T13:52:00.000-08:00

Milo: Why do you even buy me short sleeve shirts if it's always too cold to wear them?

Me: Because they're for you to wear when it's not winter.

Milo: But it's always winter.

Yes Milo, I feel like that too.

problem: solved.

2010-02-20T14:07:00.000-08:00

I don't know why, but I have a fascination for National Geographic. I guess I'm probably not the only one. I've thought about subscribing to it multiple times, thinking maybe it'd get my kids to have a fascination with it too, but I have an issue subscribing to magazines right now because I know I don't really have time to read them and I really, really, really don't like wasting paper (it's a weird quirk).

Then yesterday I went to DI, and guess what I found?! National Geographic magazines for $.25! Not only do I get to buy them cheap, I get to save trees and I only have to read them when I want.

And the best part is my kids seem to really like them.

Probably the most boring news ever, but I am excited.

i

2010-02-10T18:13:00.000-08:00

I saw this on someone else's blog. I thought it was kinda cool. And besides, with Valentine's Day coming up - what better way to celebrate than think about myself over and over?

I am... short
I know... my house is messy
I want... to move
I wish... i already had the job i want
I had... a long day
I hate... mean people
I miss... my normal life
I fear... that i won't get a good internship, leading to a not good job
I feel... tired
I hear... indian jones on the tv downstairs
I smell... my nose
I crave... expensive restaurant meals
I search... for things online
I wonder... what my grades will be like when i graduate
I regret... mistakes
I love... being happy
I care... that my boys are taken care of
I always... want to be perfect
I am not... perfect
I believe... that i am blessed, although sometimes i don't know why
I could... be a blond
I dance... and never want to stop
I sing... loud to songs i know
I don't always... know the answers
I write... with a blue or black pen
I win... and i rub it in
I lose... my mind quite often
I never... want to be without my iphone
I never listen... to crappy music
I can usually be found... at school
I am scared of.... spiders
I need... sleep or i get grouchy
I am happy about... being in my advertising program

because my mind is drawn to crazy

2010-02-06T15:32:00.000-08:00

I decided to start a new blog. I'm not going to stop posting on this one. But this semester I've started my advertising classes, and I've been getting into ads and finding creative stuff online. So instead of forcing all of you to look at the things I've found or the assignments I'm working on - I'll only force those of you who would like to be subjected to such torture and randomness.

If you'd like a small window to my madness, CLICK HERE. And I'd love to hear what you think about projects I'm working on - you can even leave it anonymous so I don't know who it is that hates my stuff.

oh boys

2010-02-03T22:06:00.000-08:00

My boys always take their showers at night before bed. This usually means they go to bed with slightly wet hair, which in turn means that they wake up with incredibly crazy bed head.

So to help with this problem I have started drying their hair with a hairdryer - explaining that this will help them so it's easier to fix in the morning.

Tonight, since I was working on homework, Mason asked if they could use the hairdryer. I said yes. About 10 minutes later Mason comes out, but his hair still looks wet in certain places. Then he walks closer to me. He had slopped gel all over it. His reasoning? That way he wouldn't have to fix it at all in the morning - it's already all done.

Such a problem-solver, that kid.

it's true.

2010-01-31T15:02:00.000-08:00

2010-01-23T10:28:00.000-08:00

"Every time I meet a new person, I make a new friend." Milo Rudy

whatever happened to partying like it's 1999?

2010-01-08T16:48:00.000-08:00

So I saw my friend's blog, who did a post she stole from her friend's blog, and I decided to steal it for my blog. It's my decade, in a nutshell.

2000

Graduated from high school, started college two weeks later, had my first roommate - who turned out to be a pathological liar, got my first job (woohoo Mervyn’s) and bought my very own cell phone (that nokia you could switch the faceplates on – don’t act like you don’t remember it).

Then I had my favorite roommate, Amanda (yes, she is who I stole this post idea from) who was not a liar and was clean like me. We lived in Hinckley Hall, I tried to be crazy and carefree, I got put on academic probation and I rode on the back of motorcycles with no helmet – because everyone knows at 18 nothing bad can happen to you.

I learned I couldn’t successfully work more than 20 hours a week while going to school and having friends.

2001

I decided I was too cool for the dorms, and moved into apartment #107 at King Henry, all by myself again. I found a wonderful boy to date, we fell in love, got in a fight, broke up, had our issues, worked them out, got back together and decided to get married. I got a job as a telemarketer, and then at a jewelry store called Argento – probably still my favorite job to this date. I tried classes from childhood development to computer science to interior design, trying to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up.

I learned mistakes have consequences.

2002

I got married, moved to Salt Lake, quit going to school, had a baby (4 weeks earlier than expected). I watched Erik go to school and work. We became the apartment managers.

I learned what it’s like to not sleep through the night, and that marriage isn’t perfect, but it sure is fun.

2003

I felt like Erik was too busy and I wasn’t busy enough so I got a part-time job back at Argento, which turned into a full time job. We were sealed in the temple, Mason turned one, we moved back to Orem. I worked while Erik finished school. I had the craziest visiting teaching companion ever.

I learned how much Mason loved his dad and that a one year old can fall down half a flight of concrete stairs and come away without a single scratch.

2004

I found out I was pregnant, attended Erik’s graduation, took my first trip to Hawaii and raised the white flag (I quit my job). We bought a condo in Pleasant Grove, Milo was born, I re-remembered what it was like to not sleep through the night, found out what it’s like to have two kids (wow) and helped start Rudy’s PriceLine Motors.

I learned my husband has the best memory in the whole wide world and faux painting techniques are not where my talent lies.

2005

I started taking trips with Erik to pick up cars and drive them back to sell. We decided to take the step to home ownership, put our condo on the market and sold it to the first couple who walked through. We moved out two weeks before Christmas into my parent’s basement while trying to find a house. I worked for the holidays at Banana Republic (awful commute from my parents, but the best discounts ever). Erik and I stayed in the basement while the kids stayed upstairs. Milo cried at least once every single night –

I learned how to run up two flights of stairs really fast.

2006

We found a house in American Fork and moved in two months later. I got a job at Home Depot because I: a) don’t like staying home and not working, b) they offered insurance to their part-time employees. I watched Erik get sick off and on from March to December. We found the best dog in the history of all dogs and we bought him and changed his name to Marmaduke (it was Rage – totally not fitting).

I learned how to do yard work.

2007

I found out my husband had Leukemia. I didn’t even know what Leukemia was, but it made me cry. I watched Erik go through three rounds of chemo, full body radiation and a bone marrow transplant – then remission. Mason and Milo became the most non-shy children ever. We moved into a hotel downtown, then a condo, then back home to American Fork. I quit my job at Home Depot when Erik went to the hospital; I started a job at Mountain America after we got back home.

I learned how valuable family and friends are to us, how important we were to each other and how much I need prayer.

2008

Erik started getting back into the dealership, I quit my job and we took a trip to New York to pick up a 4Runner – my best birthday ever. By May Erik’s medical news started sounding less happy. In June I heard Erik’s prognosis go from years to months – but in reality he only had days. I watched my husband go from seemingly perfectly healthy to completely helpless in less than a week. Then I made arrangements for and attended his funeral. I was lost and confused and sad all the time.

I decided to try running away for a couple weeks, and hopped a plane to England. While there I attended a singles ward – where I heard someone quote President Hinckley saying something about how we need to seek all the education we can get. I decided then and there that I needed to go back to school – and I needed to go back real deal. I came home and applied. And I dyed my hair black.

I learned the value of a good friend.

2009

I started school. I applied for Graphic Design – fail. I applied for Advertising – pass. I took trips to LA and New York and even a road trip with just Mason and Milo all the way to San Diego – and I found out that leaving town makes me happy and is my form of antidepressant. I got angry, sad and confused – but found happiness and peace and faith.

I learned that school plus kids plus life really stresses me out, I am an emotional merry-go-round, I like my hair long, I despise laundry, my house survives with crumbs on the floor, and that sometimes it’s ok to ask for help (so I’m told).

Maybe in 2010 I will learn how to successfully juggle school and children and a clean house. Maybe I’ll also find out where I fit in society as an undergrad studying, single, 27 year old mother of two. Or maybe I’ll learn what it’s like to be a normal girl and how to handle normal boys (big ones, not my children). Probably none of the above – but one can always hope!

“Always think of what you have to do as easy and it will become so.” – Emile Coue

please accept my resignation

2009-12-23T22:52:00.001-08:00

Since I decided to completely switch email addresses, I began going through everything saved on my old account and I came to this. I think years ago when I saved it I had no idea how true it was. Anyway, I liked it - so I thought I'd share.

RESIGNATION

I am hereby officially tendering my resignation as an adult. I have decided I would like to accept the responsibilities of an 8 year-old again.

I want to go to McDonald's and think that it's a four star restaurant.

I want to sail sticks across a fresh mud puddle and make a sidewalk with rocks.

I want to think M&Ms are better than money because you can eat them.

I want to lie under a big oak tree and run a lemonade stand with my friends on a hot summer's day.

I want to return to a time when life was simple; When all you knew were colors, multiplication tables, and nursery rhymes, but that didn't bother you, because you didn't know what you didn't know and you didn't care.

All you knew was to be happy because you were blissfully unaware of all the things that should make you worried or upset.

I want to think the world is fair. That everyone is honest and good.

I want to believe that anything is possible. I want to be oblivious to the complexities of life and be overly excited by the little things again.

I want to live simple again. I don't want my day to consist of computer crashes, mountains of paperwork, depressing news, how to survive more days in the month than there is money in the bank, doctor bills, gossip, illness, and loss of loved ones.

I want to believe in the power of smiles, hugs, a kind word, truth, justice, peace, dreams, the imagination, mankind, and making angels in the snow.

So ... here's my checkbook and my car-keys, my credit card bills and my 401K statements. I am officially resigning from adulthood.

And if you want to discuss this further, you'll have to catch me first, cause..............

"Tag! You're it."

dear santa

2009-12-15T18:59:00.001-08:00

I always have a hard time figuring out what to get the boys from Santa every year. I want it to be fun and exciting, but then they get so much from grandparents I run out of ideas. I also think it'd be more exciting if Santa would bring them the items they actually ask him for. So I was so happy that Mason's teacher sent home a letter he had written to Santa last week. Finally I can get him what he wants. Here's his letter:

To: Santa
I want a pinball machine and a mini motorcycle. (And by mini motorcycle he means one of those pocket bikes that big people can ride.)
From: Mason

Sure is aiming big that kid.

AHHHHH!!!

2009-12-13T17:58:00.001-08:00

Finals will be over soon. I won't have school for two weeks. I will have time to mop my floors. I will be free to take treats to Mason's class. I can finally get to reading Lost Symbol. I won't have to think about where marginal revenue = marginal cost, the problems with monetary and fiscal policies, how lighting effects the design of a room, if I'm correctly using MLA style for my research paper or when Paul wrote which epistles. It will be nice.

That is all.

school work can be random too

2009-12-03T18:03:00.000-08:00

So, I was working on a powerpoint presentation for one of my classes. While looking for pictures online I found one of the most awesome websites EVER.

awkwardfamilyphotos.com

Go there. And make sure to read this one too. It's not a picture, but it's funny.

And, I also found this picture while searching:

I don't really know who he is, but I'm not so sure it matters. Yes, I understand I have semi turned into a high school girl. I'm sorry.

2009-12-01T16:43:00.000-08:00

i love mashed potatoes.

2009-12-01T12:52:00.000-08:00

...and most of the other foods associated with Thanksgiving. Emily Fact: mashed potatoes with some sort of meat and veggies are one of my most favorite things. My other favorite thing is to be warm. I also like having fun and trying something new. And never saying I can't do something.

So this Thanksgiving I wrapped all those things into one. I decided at 10:00 am Tuesday to take the boys on a road trip to San Diego to visit my sister and her family. I picked up Milo from school at 11:30, went home and packed, picked up Mason at about 1:30, stopped by my mom's for some portable DVD players and we were on our way! It turned out to be a pretty good drive too. Mason even commented at one point (more early on in the journey), "this is so fun!"

After a couple gas stops, a drive down The Strip and dinner at the Rainforest Cafe - we arrived at my sister's house at about 2 am. The drive was SO worth it! The kids loved playing with their cousins every day. We took a swimsuit beach trip to Del Mar, had a HUGE, delicious meal for Thanksgiving, took a non-swimsuit, shell-hunting trip to Mission Beach, had a day in Balboa Park (which included a visit to the aerospace museum and an awful, awful puppet show), and ate dinner right on the beach.

I asked Milo which part was his favorite and he told me "that place we went to eat dinner. The one with the jello and the grapes." Yep, we took a 12 hour drive so Milo could eat at a Sweet Tomatoes.

Well, I enjoyed the fact that I never saw my breath when I went outside and I got to walk in sand and swim in the ocean - and that was definitely worth the drive!

Thanks Manning family - it was lots of fun!

oh, the student life.

2009-11-14T14:36:00.001-08:00

You know when you were a college student and you went to your school's basketball games? Then at the end of the game you loudly sang the school song. As you walked out of the game to the car you happen to see a few people you know from classes. Then you go hang out at some apartment where boys are playing video games and making brownies. You talk about the game and school, tests coming up and papers due.

Then you go home...to your house...with a garage and a dog and 2 kids.

Oh wait. You're college life wasn't like that? Weird.

monsters

2009-11-11T21:38:00.001-08:00

Milo: Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and open my eyes and the shadows look like monsters in my room. But I know there aren't really any there, it's just my imagination.

Glad he has that all figured out. Makes my job easier.

journal time

2009-11-09T19:30:00.000-08:00

You know what. Sometimes I hate my life. This is one of those times. Probably just having a down moment, most likely just tired of school and everything else in my life. Either way, the thought is there. Most people think this at some point or other right? "Life sucks today."

You know what I think after I decide to hate my life momentarily? Why is this my life? Really? I'm supposed to be able to figure this out? What am I supposed to learn from this?

And I hope someday I will figure it out. Someday I'll know exactly what it is I'm supposed to be learning.

I once read something in a book that said to question God was to give the idea that you thought He was wrong. And God is never wrong. I think that is something that has helped me. But, although I know He's never wrong, so I don't question that what He did was part of a bigger plan, I just wonder how long it will take before I understand too.

And that is when I go back to: I hate my life right now. It's confusing and tiring and stressful and busy. And when I realize how much of my day is given to driving to Provo and back it makes me annoyed.

But you know what - it is also great.

I have two very wonderful boys. Yes, they are boys and they are crazy and they fight and they make messes and they complain. But they tell me they love me and they are mostly obedient and they do well in school and they have no trouble making friends and they are sweet.

And I live in one of the most wonderful neighborhoods ever, even if it is far away from school. And that fact that I have been fortunate enough to stay in my house and not have to work while I attend school and I have family that helps babysit for me and I know deep down things will be ok and that I haven't been forgotten and that even though I don't know why, there is a why and someday I will know what it is. And someday I will learn how to throw a football so I can teach my boys. And I will also learn how to tie a tie.

Well, there is now a whole lot of rambling going on. I will stop now.

while driving in the car...

2009-11-05T14:17:00.001-08:00

Milo: My blood is hot.
Me: It is, huh?
Milo: Yeah, that's why my arm is itchy.

oh dear.

2009-11-04T22:23:00.000-08:00

To the girl wearing toe socks with her flip flops:

1) toe socks are not allowed in college
2) if you're feet are too cold in flip flops, don't wear them with socks to accommodate
3) and if love is what you are seeking, let me hook you up with the boy who wears the toe shoes on campus (yes, I saw them in person. and yes, they are ew).

2009-11-02T20:59:00.000-08:00

Tricks and Treats!

2009-10-31T23:23:00.000-07:00

Mason once told me that he wants to be a police officer when he grows up. He also said that when he is, he won't give me any tickets. Thanks Officer Rudy, you're the best.

And Milo decided to be a cowboy this year.

And this is Milo handing out treats. Actually, he was yelling at everyone he could see and telling them to come get treats from him. Then at one point he came in and said, "Well, Halloween is over".

Mason decided to try mixing costumes.

Tonight, I register.

2009-10-29T18:32:00.001-07:00

Advertising may be described as the science of arresting human intelligence long enough to get money from it.
-Stephen Leacock

This quote just happened to show up on my random quote app in google. Perfect timing. And I, for one, am very happy to be jumping into that world of advertising! Cross my fingers that at 12:01 am I can get into all the classes I need, then I can de-stress a wee bit. Probably won't happen, but it's always nice to wish.

anything you can do...

2009-10-21T21:31:00.000-07:00

So, today my boys were in the car competing on who can write a better letter "m."

I decided it's probably a good thing they are spaced far apart enough in school that they will never be able to play high school sports together.

Woohoo!

2009-10-16T14:13:00.001-07:00

I am excited to announce that I was officially accepted into the Advertising program at school. I know it wasn't the most intense application process, but to me the fact that being denied would ruin my whole future plans for life made it a little bit of a stress.

I was so worried in fact that I didn't even pick up my letter until after class, thinking that if the letter was bad news I wouldn't be able to concentrate in class at all.

Then as class was over and I started walking to the building to get my letter all I could think of was: I wish I had someone who would pick up my letter for me, read it and tell me what it says.

Well, obviously that wasn't a possibility - so I went and picked it up. Opening the envelope right away but only opening the letter enough to read the first line. As if the potential bad news was going to jump out and bite me and I needed to be able to close it up and put it away quickly to avoid it. Yes, I'm a little strange I realize.

Anyway. Luckily it was totally awesome news and I instead began wishing I had someone to scream and jump up and down with me on the spot.

So there you have it. Once step down. Next week I have a meeting in which I'm sure I'll be learning a little more about what the program entails and exactly how long it'll take me to complete. And because I love punishment and stress, I'll be going through a second application process after next semester to be admitted into the emphasis I desire.

And one day, I'll be done and when that comes I'll do the "look back and appreciate" thing.

But for now I'll just be excited for the steps I've made and prepare myself for the steps to come!

be nice.

2009-10-11T18:25:00.001-07:00

I regularly read PostSecret. Today I was a little upset by the fact that there were no postcards posted, but in lieu he posted a video so I decided to watch. One of the postcards featured in the video said this...

"If I die, would there be anything you wished you would have said to me?"

It made me think about everyone in my life asking me this question and would I respond no or yes to them. And I decided that I don't want to have to answer yes to anyone. Maybe a little dramatic and cheesy, but it's true. Oh no. Have I become dramatic and cheesy? I must need a people watching sesh or something to help me back into some dry sarcasm...

Ok, enough wasting time when I should be studying.

And, fyi, I decided I still got it. Random and vague I know, but it has been on my mind and I decided announcing it will make it a blog memory. haha.

Please Mister Postman, look and see...If there's a letter in your bag for me

2009-10-07T11:43:00.000-07:00

And please make it say: You are accepted!

I have been very patient thus far, but with only two more days until the supposed letter should be here I have finally broken. I JUST NEED TO KNOW! It's making me crazy wondering. Everything else seems hinged on if I am accepted or denied and I feel like I'm stuck in this limbo of unplanningness (if that's not a word, it should be).

AHHHH!

This picture has absolutely no relevance to anything. I just liked it.

2009-10-04T23:48:00.001-07:00

Forget past mistakes. Forget failures. Forget everything except what you're going to do now and do it.

William Durant

2009-09-30T12:56:00.000-07:00

"Look at these popcorn seeds from school...we can grow a popcorn plant with them."

but homework makes me tired

2009-09-29T14:47:00.000-07:00

Since this is usually what I look like at some point in the afternoon/evening - I figured it was funny that today I looked over and found Mason in this position.

i agree.

2009-09-20T22:17:00.001-07:00

The other day I mentioned to someone how I feel the urge to run through sprinklers every time I go running outside. I also think it would be highly entertaining to run randomly find sprinklers on at a golf course or something one night and run through them. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one that thinks such funny things. I found this on Postsecret, I remembered how the other day my kids were trying to climb a tree and I wanted to show them up. Haha. I'm a super-dork I know. It's just how I came, I blame my parents.

Also, to keep this post all about agreeing...

I've been meaning to post something about the Keith Urban concert I went to a couple weeks ago. Lucky for me, my awesome sister already did it. I love stealing her blogs and making them my own. So, yes, I went to Keith Urban. We had amazing seats. They became even more amazing when I realized he was coming to sing in the crowd about three feet away from us. I started screaming and hitting my sister. It was a great time. Thanks Stacie for inviting me (even though you did talk me out of buying the t-shirt before the show). Dinner was excellent as well. If you want pictures, CLICK HERE for Stacie's post. (It's ok Keith, I bought you're shirt later - and yes, I do look good in it, thanks for mentioning.)

Oh, and as totally random as this makes this post, I'm going to add something I just read on Nikki's Have Joy blog (I know, I'm a little behind on reading blogs lately). I know I've read this before, but I think it's just what I needed lately. Who knows, maybe someone else out there needs it too.

I asked God for strength,

He gave me difficulties to make me strong.

I asked God for wisdom,

He gave me problems to solve.

I asked God for prosperity,

He gave me brain and brawn to work.

I asked God for courage,

He gave me danger to overcome.

I asked God for love,

He gave me troubled people to help.

I asked God for favors,

He gave me opportunities.

I received nothing I wanted,

And everything I needed.

those crazy teenagers

2009-09-15T12:38:00.000-07:00

So I watched Milo ride off today, training wheel free, and realized in less than a week he is not only riding a two-wheeler, but riding it well. Cutting through grass, going off jumps, stopping and starting at will.

Then I remembered how yesterday Mason informed me he has a girlfriend.

bikes and chicks. man, my kids really are growing up fast.

i'm sorry, i just couldn't stop myself.

2009-09-14T20:59:00.000-07:00

I understand that this is super middle school of me, but it just gave me a good laugh and I had to share.

Ahahahaha...still funny.

It's that time of year again...

2009-09-12T22:50:00.001-07:00

Milo's Birthday!

Wednesday my little Milo-pants turned five years old. He also took off the training wheels, for real this time (he did it a few weeks ago, but had Mason put them back on the next day). And true to his Milo-ness, he told everyone his birthday was really Saturday, but we were celebrating it on Wednesday (Saturday was his party).

For the party, Milo requested Spiderman at our house. As presents, Milo said he'd like a puzzle.

For the party, Milo's mom ran around all week in-between going to school, doing homework, attending a concert, applying for the advertising program to find Spiderman theme items and whatnot to pull off a home party for nine short attention span children.

So, one bag of Cheetos, nine cans of silly string, one giant spiderweb (made of crepe paper), half a container of Neapolitan ice cream (Milo's choice), a couple dozen presents and five bags of trash later...I took a short nap at the kitchen counter.

Within the week Milo also celebrated his birthday being the line leader at school, having lunch at the Harley Davidson place with me and dinner, with Mason and I. at the "peanut place" (Milo's name for Texas Roadhouse). He also informed me Thursday that he was now 5 1/2.

Here's a few pics of the birthday adventures...

Milo at dinner. He told me the next day really wished he could have told Hollie she was pretty (Hollie was our very nice waitress).

My favorite picture of Milo riding. Mason was so nice helping him get started and telling him how good he was doing.

This one is a little blurry, but the look on Milo's face is awesome.

Milo playing with a few of his presents - the ninja swords were the highlight!

So, to make a long post longer, I can't end without saying a few words about my Milo.

Milo is still the silly kid. Easy to please, easy to get his feelings hurt, always able to brighten your day. He will try any food once, no reservations to taste or texture (some of his favorites are Havarti cheese, coconuts and mac & cheese). I've been worried he keeps getting skinnier and that someday he'll lose his little cheeks; I often ask him if he'll just stay little. So far, he seems to keep growing up but keeps me somewhat content with his funny comments.

Here's some of the one's from this week - keep in mind this is just a sampling...

-If I didn't have any ears, my hat would fall down.

-Are you anyone's mom? (yes Milo, I'm your mom.) But are you anyone else's mom? (yes, I'm also Mason's mom) But I mean, are you anyone else's mom?

-I switched flip flops to ride my bike, these one's will protect my feet better.

-I just pulled a piece of food out of my teeth with my finger.

Love you Milo-head!

soccer mom, minus the van.

2009-09-01T20:24:00.000-07:00

Well, with 100% of my children now in soccer, practice twice a week and two games every Saturday (yes, please pity the fact that I have no day off anymore), I guess I'm a real soccer mom.

And how funny is it that these are the numbers my kids ended up with? Thing 1 and Thing 2.

Mason's favorite part so far is the squirt bottles filled with water that some of the moms have brought to keep the kids cool. Milo asks me almost every morning if he's waking up for soccer practice. Last Saturday when I went down to wake him up the mention of an actual soccer game had him jumping out of bed with the most excitment I've ever seen (and if you know Milo, you know mornings aren't usually his thing). Both of them beg me after each game to let them wear their uniforms for the rest of the day. Funny kids.

patches, pirates and pee.

2009-08-29T21:22:00.000-07:00

Me: Milo why did you pee your pants?
Milo: Well, I didn't pee them all the way.
Me: Yes you did, I can see that your pants are wet.
Milo: No, because if I had peed them all the way it would be dripping down my leg.

Picture taken before said conversation and pants incident.

Took a bite, I want more.

2009-08-26T19:46:00.000-07:00

Seemed like the day would never come, but I finally got a break from school! I decided to make the most of my 2 weeks off by spending 5 days of it visiting my sister in the Big Apple. Last year Erik and I visited for our first time, making sure to hit all the tourist spots. This time was fun because I got to spend time with local New Yorkers and spend a little time doing what they do. Since I'm sure no one likes to see a million pictures of the same two people with different backgrounds, I decided to choose just a few to share.

The first pic of my visit. With all the humidity and heat, I decided it'd be a good idea to get something in while still in the comforts of A/C.

Although my sister was a little embarrased to be looking like the tourist, we did have some fun taking random pictures in odd places.

I have always wanted to see a Broadway play - what better one to be my first than Phantom!

One of my most favorite things in the whole wide world is to try new food and new places to eat. I loved every place I tried, and on my last night out we stopped by this place after the play. I love cheese. Last year I discovered the wonderfulness that is a cheese plate (usually the appetizer at a restaurant). Most of the time the plates include about three somewhat uncommon cheeses. The place we went has over 40 cheeses to choose from to create your own plate. Needless to say, it was the perfect ending to my trip. (I also partly want to visit again just so I can eat there.)

And yes, this photo wasn't taken during my trip, but it happens to be one of my favorites - a few of the presents I brought home for my two handsome boys. PJ's from Chinatown and New York outfits for their Build-A-Bear's.

Thanks Jenn for letting me crash on your couch, embarass you in front of your friends and drag you all around the city. Thanks to the grandparents for watching the monkeys so I could have a more relaxing vacation. And thanks to Kel for getting me the sweet hook-up on tickets (which BTW, I've never flown Jet Blue before, but I loved it! Free satellite TV & radio in every headset - super awesome.)

extra furry friend

2009-08-13T12:40:00.000-07:00

Today Duke was barking at someone in the park. Nothing new. But this time when I went to tell him to stop I spotted a dog romping around on its own. I was reminded of the dog I've always wanted (and still do). I mean, how could you not find this dog lovable?

ew.

2009-08-08T16:18:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting at the kitchen table working on math homework.

Enter Mason and his neighbor friend...

Mason (holding two random pieces of plasic together to form a container): We found a really weird spider in the sand box.

Friend: Yeah, it's green.

Me (thinking only of the idea of it crawling out of the container): Ew, get it out of here.

Mason: We are. (as he takes a roll of scotch tape outside with him)

I really dislike spiders. Even pictures of them give me the creeps. I guess now at least I know Mason doesn't share the same fear.

Yuck. Blah. Ew.

new shoes?

2009-08-06T18:03:00.000-07:00

So, I know I'm not really the most outdoor-sy kind of person out there...but shoes that fit your toes? I didn't think anyone even liked socks that looked like this.

Maybe you need this so that you can repel without fingers, or throw wood on the campfire without having to lean over to toss. I guess I just don't need those sorts of options in my life. Either way, I pass. (I would, however, be ok with Kristina trying this product out to share on her blog.)

sure, he's cute and all...

2009-08-03T00:32:00.000-07:00

You know, who doesn't love a kid with monkey feet pajamas? But as cute as he is, I just have such a hard time sharing my bed (and half my pillow) with someone who sleeps like this. I mean, come on - is it really necessary to sleep diagonal?

Calling all Tab-sters

2009-07-21T21:47:00.000-07:00

I would like to know what comes to mind when you see the beauty pictured below.

A word, a pharase, a memory - anything you think of. Have you ever drank it? Do you know someone who did or does currently (yes, it's still in production)?

I know this is probably the most boring blog post ever - but instead of moping, feel lucky - it could have been about school again!

Please leave me comments! I am doing a little research for a class. Even if you have never drank it, you can just say what you think about it based on the can or the fact you've never seen it in a store.

And for extra credit points, don't forget to cast a little vote in the TaB poll I have running!

2009-07-18T17:09:00.000-07:00

Have you ever made a choice, then immediatly regretted it? And even though you could go back on your decision you didn't because you know you had to make it.

Well I did. It sucks.

It's like someone forced me into a decision I didn't want - but that someone is myself.

Confused? Oh yeah, I'm in that boat too.

One day I will look back and be proud of my decisions. I will be happy that I listened to my inner self. Seems like I think about "one day" a lot lately.

Alright, therapy session over, back to life (and by life, I mean math homework).

that kid.

2009-07-11T14:22:00.001-07:00

So pretty much every day I feel so stressed out that the girl in me thinks I should cry. Last week I was on campus every day for somewhere between seven and nine hours, depending on the day.

Thursday I was super stressed out because I had to take an important test and felt like I just wasn't getting out of the house fast enough to get to school as early as I planned. My mom came to pick up the boys and Milo said he needed a belt for his shorts. So we told him to hurry and go get his belt out of his room. He came up like this...

It was the thing I needed for my day. Thanks Milo.

2009-07-09T01:49:00.000-07:00

Oh pillow, how I miss our time together.

Please don't be jealous of my Calculus book, I really don't like him more than you.

I promise one day we'll be able to spend some quality time together like we used to.

One day.

spiffy smatt

2009-06-21T21:37:00.000-07:00

My youngest sister has joined in on the blog world. Yesterday she posted something about Milo - I figured it was like a free post for me if I provide the link. I'm so clever.

So check it out. Stacie should have an excellent blog since she recently graduated from the University of Utah in journalism - she's a pro now!

Click here. Or here.

I have a 7-year old?!

2009-06-19T21:22:00.000-07:00

Yep, Mason turned seven today. Wow. It's not even so much seven that makes me crazy, it's more the fact that next year he'll be eight. That always seemed like such a big kid age to me. Then I think that by the time I'm done with school he might be double digits. A double digit child? Ahhh!

Today was Mason's day. He had a bowling party with friends and cousins, played with his new toys, ate dinner at the restaurant of his choice (Tepanyaki) and offered free face painting to the neighborhood.

So now it's time for my Mason tribute.

Mason came into this world, exactly one month before his due date, after almost a week of contractions and two false delivery room visits (the second time they actually told me I was going to have him, then sent me home the next day. It was fun.) A few days after being born he was checked into Primary Children's Hospital for a few days to be treated for jaundice. Then he had the most sensitive skin, ever. Then at about age two he started having asthma, something he now does nebulizer treatments for every day and night - more if he has flare ups.

But this kid has never slowed down. He's always been outgoing, full of energy and unafraid of any stunt - things I had a very hard time understanding in the begining but have since learned to accept as Mason being Mason. He loves to do stunts on his bike, trade pokemon cards, buy hotwheels, build legos...and countless other boy things that can keep up with his energy level.

There was no question Mason was sent first for a reason. He's responsible, loving and helpful -getting especially excited when he can remember things that I forget (he has an incredible memory & mine is getting worse by the day). You can't get anything past him, he understands things so well - this is both good and bad for adults. He's always asked lots and lots of questions - and lately he seems to be able to answer many of them on his own, funny kid.

And tonight he talked me into letting him sleep in my room, his arguement: it's his birthday. Clever kid.

Happy 7th Birthday Mason! (even if that does me I keep getting older too)

Party time.

2009-06-19T19:45:00.000-07:00

Mason never waivered once in his birthday party choice. He wanted a bowling party. I thought it was a little funny since he never really goes bowling, but I didn't have to clean my house or think of games to play for hours - so no compliants from my end.

The other request from Mason for his party was that his Poppy come and do face painting. Mason sure knows how to please a crowd of kids!

And no Rudy event is complete without some Milo-ness. If you're wondering what in the world he's doing...he's showing how strong his muscles are. He did this after pretty much every turn. Notice the ramp to help him bowl? Yep, you're super strong Milo.

This was probably one of my favorite points of the party. Mason missed one candle and one of the boys yelled out, "That means you have one girlfriend!" haha!

Mason enjoying his cake next to is super rad bowling pin. The bowling alley gave us this to have all the kids sign for Mason.

Future Cougars?

2009-06-17T22:47:00.000-07:00

Today I decided to take the boys with me to school. No, not class - I'm not that crazy. I just needed to go sell my books from last term and buy my new ones for next week (makes me so happy to do this). So I figured since I leave the boys to go to the magical land of school so often, I should let them see exactly what this magical land looks like.

On the way down Mason asked if I drive that far to school every time. Yep. Then we got to campus and I realized I left my wallet at home. Rookie mistake, so I was told. Since I don't have time tomorrow or Friday to return my books I was forced to drive home, get my wallet and drive back to campus. It made me about as happy as buying new textbooks.

I parked and walked the same way I do for school - halfway up to campus and both the boys were asking why it was so far away.

First stop: a family of ducks. They were at the fence but started walking away when the boys came up, you can still set them in the distance.

Stop #2: My first class of the day...10 bonus points if you know what building this is in! Milo liked the fancy desks that swiveled from the side.

The boys doing a little teaching. They said they really wanted to leave their drawings for my teacher to see.

We made our way to the Wilk, ate at the Cougareat, used the restroom, returned books, bought books, (Milo had a short conversation with a guy working there, after which I had a short conversation about not touching people you don't really know - Milo said he just wanted to see what is lanyard felt like.) got some candy from the bookstore, cleaned candy off the faces and hands, used the restroom, walked through the library to see the "underground" library, visited my other classroom (Milo wondered why those desks didn't swivel) and back to the car.

This is the famous Tree of Wisdom statue on campus. These are the last two pictures taken, so the fact that the boys are still smiling means we didn't wait too long to leave.

After campus we drove by the apartment complex Erik and I lived while we were dating, the dorms I lived in and the apartment complex we lived in while Mason was a baby.

The boys had fun seeing everything, I had fun sharing it with them - and it didn't rain the whole time we were there, pretty lucky considering it was raining on and off all day long!

and here we are

2009-06-10T21:16:00.001-07:00

one year.

So weird to think about I don't even really know what to say.

Maybe it's because it happened to fall on one of the busiest days of my whole school life. Or because this busy day happened to come right after a very late night which in turn made me very tired. Maybe because today feels pretty much like it has every other day for the last year. Or because my super busy day hasn't really ended because I have two final papers to write. Or because I'm so tired but busy that I feel like I can't even think straight on any given day.

I miss you every day Erik. Sometimes I think I should have acted a little more needy so that you had to stay around to help me. The boys still talk about how you used to throw them on the bed. And that one time you tried to throw me and I fell off (they still think it's so funny). And Milo loves to bring up how he has green eyes just like you. And Mason is trying his hardest to fill your shoes (and I see you in him almost every day). Always opening my door, unbuckling my seatbelt, reminding me to lock the car. And don't worry, they both tell me I look pretty and that they love me all the time.

Alright, for someone who didn't have anything to say, I sure can say a lot. I'll stop now. Because otherwise I could go on for quite some time, and no one really wants that.

And just so you know, I can only do this because I don't do anything alone. Thank you for your help. Everyone.

ps. A few people have been wondering, so - after a few problems and a lot of waiting, the headstone is finally here. Not exactly what I had envisioned, but that's what I get for being a perfectionist.

2009-05-28T22:20:00.000-07:00

The scene: Milo and I sitting at the kitchen table finishing up dinner.

Milo (eating a bowl of peaches): "So, what did you learn at school today?"

Me (slightly laughing in my head): "Oh, I learned about the effects of mass media and a little about advertising in newspaper and TV."

Milo (without even a pause): "Oh. Did you learn anything in science?"

deja vu

2009-05-17T15:59:00.001-07:00

If you cannot tell what is pictured above, let me help you out - it's the receipt I was given when I retrieved my car after it was towed last night because I parked somewhere I wasn't supposed to.

Let's add to that I attended a soccer game while listening to the group I was with talk about BYU fans and missions.

And then I will add that after the game I also listened to them talk about who was getting engaged and what wedding receptions were coming up.

And then I had a thought...towings, missions, engagements...did I just get my initiation back into college? Weird.

I'm not sure if I should feel happy that I can somehow fit into this crowd still or oddly worried that it happened.

going crazy

2009-05-15T22:57:00.000-07:00

So it's Friday night at about 11:50 and I'm doing what I normally do about this time: halfway watching TV while looking for some miscellaneous thing online when one thought leads to another and I realize I don't remember saying prayers with Mason. Wait, I don't even remember him ever saying goodnight to me before going to bed. Now that I think about it I don't remember him coming downstairs after his shower. Weird.

So I walk down the hallway to his room to find the light on and him not there.

Next thought is that he probably decided to be sneaky and sleep in my room tonight, but as I walk up the stairs I realize my room light is on and I don't see him in my bed.

Then I as I walk into my room I see the bathroom light on and the door shut.

And I open the door and find this:

Sweet little Mason fell asleep right out of the shower while his crazy-brained mom didn't even realize for hours. Wow. Where has my mind gone lately?

pretty please with a cherry on top.

2009-05-13T23:27:00.000-07:00

So my teacher said this doesn't work, but I'm going to give it a go anyway...

In my Mass Comm class we have this super exciting group project to create a website about anything we want, add continuous content, send emails for updates and hope people read our emails and visit our site.

Here's my problem: I ended up in a group who thought it'd be a great idea to provide students with website to keep them in the know with what's going down in the super rad music scene in the Provo area. Good idea? Sure it is. Only problem is I don't currently associate with students who care about the local Provo music scene.

So here's my solution: I will put all my fellow blogger friends to the test. Are you up to it? Ready to read emails you care nothing about and follow the link to a website that's even less interesting to you (unless of course you happen to be a random Provo student that I don't know likes to read my blog)?

And here's what's in it for you: You can read me blog about music I like. Awesome! I mean what could be cooler than getting to know me and my local music tastes? Not much. And you can also judge me on how well my writing may or may not be getting through the attendance of my current journalism class. And as an extra bonus, maybe a few of you will even get into the local scene yourself - how can you beat a date that involves a concert for only around $5 a person?

Sounds totally wicked right? Ok, then get clickin people...

http://www.thescene.7h.com/

Don't forget to subscribe to the site so you can keep up with all the fun.

You guys are awesome, I knew I could count on you.

2009-05-09T22:01:00.000-07:00

So here's the deal, like it or not.

I have a really hard time blogging anything not happy. Not that my posts are always happy - but sometimes I just want to post about how my life sucks. Then I worry that I'm going to have to hear comments about how sorry people are that I think my life sucks. I don't like comments. I know that my life is maybe not as I wish it would be, but I also know there's a lot of positive things about my life. I mostly try to focus on the positive, but sometimes I have days that just make it hard. So you know what I do? I read one of my favorite blogs, Have Joy (yes Nikki it's true) and I feel better. Not because it makes me see the positive (which it can) but because I realize that I'm not the only one who has the feelings I do. Honestly I want to copy and paste her blogs and post them as mine all the time. I read them and wish I could post about crappy days in my life and not worry about what anyone's going to say to me.

But I have a hard time doing it. So I try to skip over everything sad and stressful and upsetting and just post funny and random and crazy instead. And you know what - tonight I read Have Joy and thought, I want to be like Nikki when I grow up. I want to post what I'm thinking as I'm thinking it. I want to post when it's funny and sad and random and stressful. So...

[insert stressed out upsetting thoughts here]

I'm sorry. I have them. I even started typing them. Then I deleted them. Baby steps people. Hey, at least now you know you can semi know what I'm sometimes thinking by reading someone else's blog. That's a plus right?

Go Jazz!

2009-04-30T19:55:00.000-07:00

Ha. I tricked you all. You thought I was going to post something about the playoffs, or the actual team didn't you? Well, while I am no NBA smarty, I do know that the Jazz are out already. So there.

My actual post starts out with a story about our family trip to Red Mango. If you don't know what Red Mango is, you are missing out. It's super yummy. I had my doubts the first time I walked in. Then I ordered. Then I ate it. Yum. Ooooo. Just thinking about it makes me want some. So of course I naturally sign up to get their texts about deals going on (I seem to do this quite frequently now that my texts are unlimited, I have sort of an addiction.) Then tonight I get a text saying they are opening tonight and between 7-9 I could go in and get a free yogurt. Well, it just so happened that Mason's soccer game was over right about 7:00, so over we headed. I expected one free yogurt and then I'd pay for the our other ones. Not only did we get all our yogurt (and toppings) free, they also had....

are you so excited?

Thurl Bailey!

Now, I'm not a big Jazz fan, as you may have caught from my previous comments, but my kids thought it was really cool that a "real basketball player" was there for them to meet. And obviously I couldn't pass up the chance to get my silly short kiddos in a picture with a crazy tall person.

And since I'm sure you'd like to know my secret Red Mango combo...any flavor with mango chunks or pomogranate seeds.

2009-04-30T11:57:00.000-07:00

"It's like hitting yourself in the head with a hammer, you'll like it when it's over."

This is what my professor said to describe our big project of the semester. He also mentioned since it's a mass communications class he doesn't mind if we bring our laptops and do whatever we want on them - play games, surf the internet, check our email... And he said as long as our phones aren't loud he doesn't care if we text in class - he even said as a current bishop he would text kids in the congregation during sacrament (until he was asked not to by the stake). He's my new favorite.

2009-04-28T20:39:00.001-07:00

So I haven't even found out my grades for last semester and I start school again tomorrow. Very exciting. On a sidenote, I think that I was bored in the week I didn't have school. Weird. I did a little yardwork, tried to reorganize/clean the garage, cleaned the storage room, sold things online, gave away things online, recleaned and reorganized the garage again, bought a dresser for mason, decided to take the dresser back, cleaned out my closet, made a DI run... I also tried to hang a few shelves myself, then I realized I don't own a studfinder [insert joke here], also weird since I am in possession of tools that I don't even know how to use correctly. Anyway...

anyone for mac & cheese?

2009-04-25T14:22:00.000-07:00

The other day after Milo got home from preschool he asked to play with a friend. I was outside chatting with my neighbor so I told him to run inside and use the bathroom first, then he could go play. About five minutes later Milo came running outside, looking as if he were about to cry.

"How do you turn the microwave off?!"
"Milo did you try to cook something in the microwave?"
"I don't know how to make it turn off, it just keeps going!"

So I hurry inside worried I'm going to find something on fire or exploding inside my microwave. I found lots of smoke, a very unpleasant smell and this:

That was Wednesday. My kids still comment every time we walk in the door from being gone, "it smells in here". Yes I know it does. Yum.

once again, thank you "spring"

2009-04-16T23:52:00.000-07:00

So I have this dilema - thanks to this weather that we call winter happening in the time of year we formerly referred to as spring, Mason is wearing pants that look somewhat like this...

Why on earth does the weather mishap just happen to coincide with my son's growth? And if the weather could ever actually make up its mind then maybe I'd be a little less confused. Some days I wonder if I should just break down and buy him new pants, he obvioulsy needs them. But then if I buy them now they'll probably be borderline once winter comes around again. Then there are days like Monday which I think, nope - weather is warming up, shorts time before we know it! Then comes Wednesday.

Boo I say. Boo.

2009-04-10T22:06:00.000-07:00

i love the soup. what other show can keep me up on current events and make fun of people at the same time? awesome.

it needs to be done.

2009-04-01T09:49:00.000-07:00

Dear Spring,

I have love you. I have been excited to see you. I have even defended you at times. But if this is how you are going to treat my affections and feeling for you I think I will have to discover where my heart really belongs, and I'm not so sure it belongs with you anymore.

It pains me to say this but I think I've given you a fair chance. I even went along with that groundhog and gave you some extra time to come around and fulfill my needs. But now I feel you've taken advantage of my loyalty. I feel left out in the cold, literally.

So I'm sorry my love, but I'm moving on. My thoughts have been drifting to days with sun and warm air. I will miss your cool breeze and days of perfect sunshine, but at this point I don't think you offer me those much anyway.

Please accept my sincere apologies for my wandering thoughts to others while still remaining yours - but the time has now come for me to break away from that which only seems to give me hope and then leave me lonely. It was good while we had it, don't ever forget that. And please don't try to lure me back with smiles and warmth only to turn your cold shoulder on me again. It will be easier for everyone if I can just look forward, when this time of my life is over.

Thank you for understanding,

Emily

what to do

2009-03-31T18:42:00.000-07:00

So I'm all for TO DO lists. I don't have one everyday, but I do like to make them on a semi-regular basis. I have a bad memory so I find them helpful. A few days ago I found my favorite list of all time.

I mean, honestly, all the important things to do for the day are included and the events are even numbered. I guess he could use a little work on it - there aren't any boxes to check things off after completion.

ok fine.

2009-03-22T21:26:00.000-07:00

So I've had a few complaints about my old layout. First I got one. Then another. Then a few more. But I liked my old layout. It didn't hurt my eyes. I could read it just fine. But in an effort to not be stubborn and to help all eye problems caused by looking at blue font on a black background...

And since I had to re-do all the items on my sidebar (another reason I didn't want to change my layout) I decided to add a little poll. I know how people like to share their opinions.

You are welcome.

oh my mason.

2009-03-21T20:16:00.000-07:00

Every Friday Mason goes to the library at school. While there he turns in his book from last week and finds a new one to check out. I used to be somewhat suprised by the books he picked, rarely ever were they typical picture books. Almost every week, last year and this one, he has picked non-fiction. Books about everything from tornados to elephants to cars. Since this has been going on for almost two years now I've gotten used to Mason's book picks, hoping that maybe this means he'll love school forever (ha).

Then comes Friday this week. Here is what Mason brought home.

Now once again I am somewhat suprised by his book choice. I mean, I know I've been told what a good reader he is. And I know he's gotten into chapter books. But usually the chapter books he reads have pictures every so often, he can finish them within a few days and somewhere within the book it says its for an age group around his age of 6. And now my motherly whatevers have kicked in. At one point I'm happy that he's able to actually read a book like this with almost no help; but on the flipside I worry that he will get frustrated with its length or that the content is either above his understanding or will scare him. What the? What happened to a first grader just picking out a colorful book with a story written in silly rhyme form about a dog?

better than raindrops on roses or whiskers on kittens

2009-03-14T15:55:00.000-07:00

Last week I learned my new favorite thing. The genius function on itunes. I'd seen it before, but opted to turn it off, not really realizing its wonderfulness. So the other day I saw someone use it. Hold on here, I can get a random mix of music that's only kind of random? All the songs I'm in the mood for without having to skip occasional ones I don't want to listen to, and without having to make a playlist that I'll get bored with later? Are you kidding?!

So maybe I'm just slow and everyone else already knows how to do this, but just in case you're slow like me (and also love organized randomness) here's how -

Pick any song within your own music.
Click the little symbol that looks like an atom (or a flower for those of you less physics inclined).
Then BOOM! genius playlist created.

you. are. welcome.

oh physical science, how you confuse my mind

2009-02-24T22:17:00.000-08:00

So I'm doing my homework. I get to the part where I'm supposed to find out information about a Quantum Dot. So I google it of course. First site that come up is wikipedia. And here's what I read:

A quantum dot is a semiconductor whose excitons are confined in all three spatial dimensions. As a result, they have properties that are between those of bulk semiconductors and those of discrete molecules.

Wait. What?

2009-02-03T21:09:00.000-08:00

yes i started school. yes it's making me crazy. yes i wish it were over already. yes i know someday i'll look back on it all and think it wasn't so bad. yes i sit at my desk more often now, therefore making it easier to take a quick "break" to do things like blog.

and yes, i think chuck norris jokes are funny. i love on conan when he pulls the lever that randomly shows a chuck norris clip. so, in honor of unproductive breaks/chuck norris love i will now subject you to some good old chuck facts:

If you have five dollars and Chuck Norris has five dollars, Chuck Norris has more money than you.
There is no 'ctrl' button on Chuck Norris's computer. Chuck Norris is always in control.
Apple pays Chuck Norris 99 cents every time he listens to a song.
Chuck Norris can sneeze with his eyes open.
Chuck Norris can eat just one Lay's potato chip.
Chuck Norris is suing Myspace for taking the name of what he calls everything around you.
Chuck Norris destroyed the periodic table, because he only recognizes the element of surprise.
Chuck Norris doesn't read books. He stares them down until he gets the information he wants.
There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live.
Chuck Norris does not sleep. He waits.
Chuck Norris is currently suing NBC, claiming Law and Order are trademarked names for his left and right legs.
Chuck Norris counted to infinity - twice.
There is no chin behind Chuck Norris’ beard. There is only another fist.
When Chuck Norris does a pushup, he isn’t lifting himself up, he’s pushing the Earth down.*
Chuck Norris’ hand is the only hand that can beat a Royal Flush.
Chuck Norris doesn’t wear a watch; HE decides what time it is.
Chuck Norris can slam a revolving door.
Chuck Norris does not get frostbite. Chuck Norris bites frost.

*pretty nerdy of me, but i happen to know this one is true. (i have learned something at school!)

one down -

2009-01-24T15:46:00.000-08:00

Yep, there it is...Mason's first lost tooth! (I know he looks a little out of it, but we took like 10 pictures and he blinked in every single one.) Now maybe he can go back to eating something besides peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch.

it finally happened...

2009-01-21T22:09:00.000-08:00

You know how sometimes you drive too fast, faster than you know you should be driving? Then after a while you think, "one of these days I'm going to get a speeding ticket". No? Well, maybe it's just me then. But I always figure the odds keep adding up until they are pretty against me. I feel lucky if I don't get one, but I still think in my mind - one of these days. Anyway, lets take that same idea and apply it to Mason, my daredevil child. I have always figured that one day I will be taking him to the ER. Actually, not just one day but many days within his youthful existence. As of January 20, 2009 the odds had been in our favor. Then welcome January 21, 2009 at around 9:05 am.

Yes, let me tell you how lovely it is to be called about 15 minutes after your child has left for school - you yourself not quite ready to leave the house (aka: dressed in pj's, hair a wreck, no makeup, morning breath & glasses) - and told that your child has fallen and probably needs stitches. It's quite lovely. So off I go (feeling Katie will be very proud of me for not getting ready before leaving the house, *wink wink

So I picked Mason up from school and headed to the ER. The whole way there pretty much Mason cried out of sheer fear of the word stitches. He did calm down a little when I told him I'd take a picture so he could see the cut for himself.

Then, after talking up the nurse for a good 10-15 min and being showed into a room where he was given a remote to control his TV he became happier.

Two stitches, not bad. He kept asking the doctor to please stop while he was numbing and stitching him up. A nice nurse stepped in and started asking him questions to get his mind off it all.

Suckers and band-aids, not a bad ending.

And after all that, Mason told me twice how I was right - stitches aren't that bad. Lesson I take from all this? Remind Mason as he gets older that at one point in his life he told me I was right.

because it's thursday, that's why.

2009-01-15T21:28:00.000-08:00

Because I want to pretend like I have nothing better to do than waste time on the internet. That's it. No homework. No studying. No applications for school. No sleep to catch up on. Nope. Absolutely nothing to do but look for randomness to share. So be happy, start your long weekend a few smiles early, enjoy...

oh school, what am i to do with you?

2009-01-14T21:14:00.000-08:00

So today I was given something that looked exactly like this:

It made me laugh in my head about the last time I touched one of them. That made me feel like this:So I did what any normal student/mother of two boys would do...I pulled out my pencil:

I think this pencil will help me do better on my quizzes than those boring ones the other people have. Lots and lots better.

will you look at that!

2009-01-11T21:20:00.002-08:00

I have finally figured out how to add multiple pictures in slide show format. School really is making me smarter. That, and I learned all about gravity and how they chose which books they wanted in the New Testament back in the day (their Canon of scripture). But please don't probe me much further than those basic ideas. Twenty-five (yes it sounds exciting, but it's not all it's cracked up to be) awe-inspiring pages later and I'm still a little unsure about which books were belived to be written by apostles and such and which ones were belived to be made up. Or who thought what and which one belived in which canon. I'm not even sure I know exactly what the word canon means still. Gravity, on the other hand, I think I'm begining to understand ok. I guess I'll have to see how that one goes as I attend more classes...

Anyway - I just wanted to give a little update on what we've been up to. Disneyland was definatly the highlight of our last week. Mason loved every ride and was very bummed he wasn't tall enough for the Indiana Jones ride. His idea was for me to buy him a Mickey Mouse hat so that the ears would make him tall enough. So clever that child. Milo also rode every ride he could, although that limited him from every roller coaster except the Matterhorn (which he loved). I was so worried that they would be scared of all the rides since this was their first time at an amusement park of any kind. Mason's first roller coaster was Space Mountain. This especially worried me because not only was I scared of it my first time, but I had heard that they had made it faster recently. It was hard for me to know what he was thinking since it was loud and completly dark. It seemed like his first reaction as we got off was shock and slightly scared. But I think after getting over that and realizing everyone else's excitement he decided that he loved it and wanted to go again! My favorite Milo story of the trip was his excitement for Tinkerbell. I'm not quite sure exactly where his love for Tinkerbell started, but it seemed awfully close to the time that his preschool teacher decided to dress up as her for Halloween. Then one day he told my mom he wanted to marry Tinkerbell. Well Milo, I say not a bad choice. So we wait in line for over an hour to meet Tinkerbell. Milo is as grumpy as ever the WHOLE entire time in line. Right when he sees Tinkerbell though, his whole entire attitued changes. He is all smiles, as happy as he could possibly be. Then he shares with her his idea on the whole marriage thing. She was so sweet and told him that when he gets older he could come back and she'd be waiting. He even got a few hugs in. Funny Milo.

So three days at Disneyland, four and a half days with family, countless lines and non-stop snacks to keep the kids busy and one breakfast filled with lots of characters (and of course autographs) and now home again. Thanks to my mom and dad for our exciting Christmas present - it was crazy but it was fun!

2009-01-11T21:20:00.001-08:00

ok, i recede

2008-12-27T21:03:00.000-08:00

It's been quite a while since my boys have had haircuts. And the last one they had, right before picture time, was only a trim. Why is this? Because I've always had the thought that Mason's hair is perfect for that crazy shag/punk/anime-esque hairstyle (I can picture it in my head, ok). So what became the problem? Well my boys finally found something they are united in - running away laughing when I get anywhere near them with hair product. Mason adds another notch by telling me he likes his hair flat, while combing it or flattening it with his hands. So Mason, you win this round - but don't you get used to it...

Christmas

2008-12-25T20:29:00.000-08:00

Here was today, in a nutshell...

Suprise.

Excitement.

And done.

Ok...

2008-12-25T20:19:00.000-08:00

So now you've found our new site. Good job. And now you can be mad at me for making you change all your little links and bookmarks and blog subscriptions. Sorry about that one. But here's the deal, I have come to despise my blogger website name (or whatever it's called). Call me random or weird or just indecisive...but that's just how I am. So I thought of something new that I will hopefully come to love more and more with each passing moment rather than dislike more and more with each home page load/new posting. Alright, there you go. Enjoy...