C'est La Vie

showers for the babe

2012-01-30T13:34:00.001-07:00

i've been so blessed with so many people offering different showers for me. as a poor newlywed, who would refuse?? i'm so overly grateful for the love of friends and family in my life. i've never recognized it more than now.

my awesomely creative sister is throwing a family one, which i am SO excited about because i love spending time with the whole clan of extended family that is out here. my sister is a pinterest freak so she's gone above and beyond and i'm super excited. today i got a copy of the invite proof for me to "ok" and she's getting them out soon. i just love how perfect they turned out:

my second baby shower is going to be thrown by my favorite lady, kleresa! she's so adorably pulling everything together and i love her for even having the desire! she is SO busy, i don't know how she is doing it but the tiny details i get wind of make me so excited. and i can't wait to see everyone!!

and finally, how many times have i said how great my visiting teacher is? i mean seriously, i told her i was already having 2 showers and she insisted on throwing one for the ward. she's done soooo much for us already, i will forever be grateful to her.

i have such an urge to throw a shower for someone now!! so many thing go into it, and pinterest seriously gets the juices flowing! i can't wait til my sister decided to give my baby boy a cousin so i can play!

bigger and bigger and bigger and bigger and...

2012-01-27T14:34:00.000-07:00

about 11 more weeks to go and this baby is just growing and growing

we've had a stressful week. a surprise hospital visit that lasted much longer than hoped for is never good for the nerves. but luckily everyone is doing fine. i did discover that to be the easiest way to raise your blood pressure though.

but as for good news, we finally found a comfy reclining rocking chair for only 50 bucks on ksl! that made the whole week much better, we go and pick it up tonight.

we also got a big package from home full of baby clothes, shoes, hats, and a baby bath. i love going through free stuff, is there really anything better?

now i am NOT a fan of country music, i hate rodeos, and i really don't care for dirt but i could not stop myself from "awwww"ing at these:

my son will own this pair of shoes til the day they no longer fit him. i can't even stand it.

now when it comes to recent symptoms, oh. my. word. my stomach won't stop itching. and i knew it was coming because my emails have warned me from the beginning. i am grateful that it just started but it is seriously painful because i can't control myself, it's like a child with chicken pox! and i've still got just under 3 months of it left. oh boy.

the man has to work tomorrow, we are grateful for the extra money but now i'm all alone on a saturday! soooo i'll be cleaning like a mad woman. he can't control the nesting if he's not there!

current wish list

2012-01-19T09:16:00.000-07:00

this month we are working towards 3 things!

1. a reclining comfy rocking chair. not only will that be sooo nice with a new babe, but i think it would really help my achy sleepless nights! this one is ideal::

2. a vacuum! no we still don't have one, but before that grosses you out, we use the upstairs neighbors anytime we need. on account of we live in their basement. and they rock. it's hard lugging this tummy up those stairs! plus who doesn't know it's common sense that a vacuum should always come with a child? Does anyone have a vacuum you are in love with?? i've always loved orecks but i really don't want to have to change a bag. those easy to dump ones are ideal. and it has to be good or what's the point? i want it to actually pick UP the dirt please. any suggestions?

3. a half bookshelf for the children's books i've collected over the years. sadly i've got many more girly books than manly, so i'll have to work on that! but they are just piled on the floor in the nursery so it's time to make it look presentable, no?

language of babes

2012-01-18T13:39:00.002-07:00

i may have discovered the greatest thing ever. this video is worth your time, especially if you are an expecting mother or a mom of newborn! (0-3 months)

25 rules for mothers with sons

2012-01-17T13:56:00.001-07:00

"You are the most important woman in his life, his first teacher, and the one he will look to for permission for the rest of his life. From "Can I go play with them?" to "Should I ask her to marry me?" Its a big job, but as the mumma, we're up for it."

1. Teach him the words for how he feels.
Your son will scream out of frustration and hide out of embarrassment. He'll cry from fear and bite out of excitement. Let his body move by the emotion, but also explain to him what the emotion is and the appropriate response to that emotion for future reference. Point out other people who are feeling the same thing and compare how they are showing that emotion. Talk him through your emotions so that someday when he is grown, he will know the difference between angry and embarrassed; between disappointment and grief.

2. Be a cheerleader for his life

There is no doubt that you are the loudest person in the stands at his t-ball games. There is no doubt that he will tell you to "stop, mom" when you sing along to his garage band's lyrics. There is no doubt that he will get red-faced when you show his prom date his pictures from boy scouts. There is no doubt that he is not telling his prom date about your blog where you've been bragging about his life from his first time on the potty to the citizenship award he won in ninth grade. He will tell you to stop. He will say he's embarrassed. But he will know that there is at least one person that is always rooting for him.

3. Teach him how to do laundry

..and load the dishwasher, and iron a shirt. He may not always choose to do it. He may not ever have to do it. But someday his wife will thank you.

4. Read to him and read with him.

Emilie Buchwald said, "Children become readers on the laps of their parents." Offer your son the opportunity to learn new things, believe in pretend places, and imagine bigger possibilities through books. Let him see you reading...reading the paper, reading novels, reading magazine articles. Help him understand that writing words down is a way to be present forever. Writers are the transcribers of history and memories. They keep a record of how we lived at that time; what we thought was interesting; how we spoke to each other; what was important. And Readers help preserve and pass along those memories.

5. Encourage him to dance.

Dance, rhythm, and music are cultural universals. No matter where you go, no matter who you meet - they have some form of the three. It doesn't have to be good. Just encourage your son that when he feels it, it's perfectly fine to go ahead and bust a move.

6. Make sure he has examples of good men who are powerful because of their brains, their determination, and their integrity.

The examples of men with big muscles and a uniform (like Batman and LaMarr Woodley) will surround your son from birth. But make sure he also knows about men who kick butt because of their brains (Albert Einstein), and their pen (Mark Twain), and their words (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.), and their determination (Team Hoyt), and their ideas (The Wright Brothers), and their integrity (Officer Frank Shankwitz), and fearlessness (Neil Armstrong), and their ability to keep their mouths closed when everyone else is screaming (Jackie Robinson).

7. Make sure he has examples of women who are beautiful because of their brains, their determination, and their integrity.

The examples of traditionally beautiful women (like Daphne Blake, Princess Jasmine, and Britney Spears) will surround your son from birth. But make sure he knows about women who are beautiful from the inside out because of their brains (Madame Marie Curie), and their pen (Harper Lee), and their words (Eleanor Roosevelt), and their determination (Anne Sullivan), and their ideas (Oprah Winfrey), and their integrity (Miep Gies), and fearlessness (Ameila Earhart), and their ability to open their mouths and take a stand when everyone else is silent (Aung San Suu Kyi).

8. Be an example of a beautiful woman with brains, determination, and integrity.

You already are all of those things. If you ever fear that you are somehow incapable of doing anything - remember this: If you have done any of the following: a) grew life b) impossibly and inconceivably got it out of your body c) taken care of a newborn d) made a pain go away with a kiss e) taught someone to read f) taught a toddler to eat with a utensil g) cleaned up diarrhea without gagging h) loved a child enough to be willing to give your life for them (regardless if they are your own) or i) found a way to be strong when that child is suffering...you are a superhero. do not doubt yourself for one second. Seriously.

9. Teach him to have manners

because its nice. and it will make the world a little better of a place.

10. Give him something to believe in

Because someday he will be afraid, or nervous, or heartbroken, or lost, or just need you, and you won't be able to be there. Give him something to turn to when it feels like he is alone, so that he knows that he will never be alone; never, never, never.

11. Teach him that there are times when you need to be gentle

like with babies, and flowers, and animals, and other people's feelings.

12. Let him ruin his clothes

Resolve to be cool about dirty and ruined clothes. You'll be fighting a losing battle if you get upset every time he ruins another piece of clothing. Don't waste your energy being angry about something inevitable. Boys tend to learn by destroying, jumping, spilling, falling, and making impossible messes. Dirty, ruined clothes are just par for the course.

13. Learn how to throw a football

or how to use a hockey stick, or read music, or draw panda bears (or in my case alpacas), or the names of different train engines, or learn to speak Elvish, or recognize the difference between Gryffindor and Slytherin, or the lyrics to his favorite song. Be in his life, not as an observer but as an active participant.

14. Go outside with him

turn off the television, unplug the video games, put your cellphone on the charger, even put your camera away. Just go outside and follow him around. Watch his face, explore his world, and let him ask questions. It's like magic.

15. Let him lose

Losing sucks. Everybody isn't always a winner. Even if you want to say, "You're a winner because you tried," don't. He doesn't feel like a winner, he feels sad and crappy and disappointed. And that's a good thing, because sometimes life also sucks, no matter how hard (as moms) we try to make it not suck for our kids. This practice will do him good later when he loses again (and again, and again, and again, and again.....) Instead make sure he understands that - sometimes you win - sometimes you lose. But that doesn't mean you ever give up.

16. Give him opportunities to help others

There is a big difference in giving someone the opportunity to help and forcing someone to help. Giving the opportunity lights a flame in the heart and once the help is done the flame shines brighter and asks for more opportunities. Be an example of helping others in your own actions and the way your family helps each other and helps others together.

17. Remind him that practice makes perfect.

This doesn't just apply to performance-based activities (like sports and music) but also applies to everything in life. You become a better writer by writing. You become a better listener by listening. You become better speaker by speaking. Show your son this when he is just young enough to understand (that means from birth, folks - they are making sense of the world as soon as they arrive), practice trick-or-treating at your own front door before the real thing. Practice how you will walk through airport security before a trip. Practice how you order your own food from the fast food cashier. Practice, practice, practice.

18. Answer him when he asks, "Why?"
Answer him, or search for the answer together. Show him the places to look for the answers (like his dad, or grandparents, or his aunts/uncles, or his books, or valid Internet searches). Pose the question to him so he can begin thinking about answers himself. Someday, when he needs to ask questions he's too embarrassed to ask you - he'll know where to go to find the right answers.

19. Always carry band-aids and wipes on you.
especially the wipes.

20. Let his dad teach him how to do things

...without interrupting about how to do it the 'right way.' If you let his dad show and teach and discover with your son while he is growing up, some day down the road (after a short period of your son believing his dad knows nothing), he will come to the realization that his dad knows everything. You will always be his mother, but in his grown-up man heart and mind, his dad will know the answers. And this will be how, when your son is too busy with life to call and chat with his mom, you will stay connected to what is happening in his life. Because he will call his dad for answers, and his dad will secretly come and ask you.

21. Give him something to release his energy

drums, a pen, a punching bag, wide open space, water, a dog. Give him something to go crazy with - or he will use your stuff. and then you'll be sorry.

22. Build him forts

Forts have the ability to make everyday normal stuff into magic. Throw the couch cushions, a couple blankets, and some clothespins and you can transform your living room into the cave of wonders. For the rest of his life, he'll be grateful to know that everyday normal stuff has the potential to be magical.

23. Take him to new places

because it will make his brain and his heart open up wider, and the ideas and questions and memories will rush in.

24. Kiss him

Any mother of sons will tell you that little boys are so loving and sweet. They can be harsh and wild and destructive during most of the day. But there are these moments when they are so kind and sensitive and tender. So much so that it can cause you to look around at the inward, reserved grown men in your life and think, 'what happens in between that made you lose that?' Let's try to stop the cycle by kissing them when they're loving and kissing them even more when they're wild. Kissing them when they're 2 months and kissing them when they're 16 years old. You're the mom - you can go ahead and kiss him no matter how big he gets - and make sure he knows it. p.s. (this one is just as important for dad's too).

25. Be home base

You are home to him. When he learns to walk, he will wobble a few feet away from you and then come back, then wobble away a little farther and then come back. When he tries something new, he will look for your proud smile. When he learns to read, he will repeat the same book to you twenty times in a row, because you're the only one who will listen that many times. When he plays his sport, he will search for your face in the stands. When he is sick, he will call you. When he really messes up, he will call you. When he is grown and strong and tough and big and he feels like crying, he will come to you; because a man can cry in front of his mother without feeling self-conscious. Even when he grows up and has a new woman in his life and gets a new home, you are still his mother; home base, the ever constant, like the sun. Know that in your heart and everything else will fall into place.

"There is no one perfect way to be a good mother... Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children... What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else."

-Elder M. Russell Ballard

for the original post go HERE. all pictures were taken from pintrest or weheartit.

a holiday alone

2012-01-17T09:33:00.000-07:00

it was so nice to have work off yesterday but it was not so nice that my husband did not. although i probably accomplished a lot more than i would have with him, it's still a sad thing.

we had to get up at 6am and go get my glucose testing. i was so terrified, the prenatal testing had gone soooo badly. we went to a different place this time and that was definitely the smart thing to do. once i layed down for the needle part we were out of there in just a couple minutes. hallelujah. i don't like needles.

i took matt to work, poor poor guy, and i decided to take myself to get a yummy breakfast. mostly because there has been an adorable crepe restraunt open for like a year now and i have still not gone. for shame.

seriously. amazing. most days i'm happy with just a crepe and some nutella but oh my word. it was exactly what i imagine heaven to be like. except with my husband there with me.

i was so tired i just wanted to take a nap but i had so many things i wanted to do at home on my day off. i ended up only working on the nursery but it was a lot of work so i deserved a nap after that.

i printed my own border that i put up around the top of the walls in baby boys room. i found this picture on pintrest on day and it was the winner. so now he's got little cut out elephants going across the room.

THEN i decided to not put curtains up, but to do something like this::

i had my triangles from my wedding reception, different patterns of blue and pale yellow fabrics. perfect!

nap time came quickly, then i watched a new movie while making dinner before the husband came home. it wasn't a movie that i'd run out and buy but i really enjoyed it while wishing i had visited paris during my europe days. this was the first movie i really hated rachel mcadams character. it was sad to see her in a role like that.

recents

2012-01-11T15:00:00.000-07:00

~ i love it when you pull out a really old cd or a song comes on the radio and somehow you know all the words. somehow you are singing along but you don't know where it's coming from because it's been so long...

~ i love it when i go to bed at night and the moon beams are shinning through the blinds right over my bed...

~ i love that all daddy has to do is put his hand on my belly anytime of the day now and baby will kick for him

~ i know i'll want it to slow down but i'm loving how fast time is flying right now. pretty soon i'll be holding my baby in my arms.

~i'm blown away with the knowledge that i'm right at the edge of my 3rd trimester, everything is so exciting!

ps i've decided to consider this for next time. genious.

the scanned version

2012-01-05T09:04:00.000-07:00

people at work keep asking me to bring this picture in, i'm glad i did because someone scanned it for me so i can finally share a good version of it!

here is our kindergarten class picture. we are right next to each other in the front row, what are the odds?

he is in the front row right next to the sign wearing the snoopy sweatshirt. i am to his right in the skirt, blue socks, and white bow.

i'm so in love with this picture! sometimes we sit and talk about how things were back then. we had no idea one day we would get married and have babies. what would it have been like to know that way back then?

the school we went to is old, built in 1887. it's not used as a school anymore, now it's some kind of nursing home. but i decided if ever we get rich one day, we are going to buy the place and use it for something great!

here's to a new year

2012-01-03T09:26:00.000-07:00

i love starting over.
and this new years was awesome.
so much family and so much love.

this long weekend was just what i needed. although, it may have ended too sooooooon.
baby boy is growing like a weed. i can't believe i'm in the middle of my 25th week. only 15 weeks to go from here, that is far past incredible.

2011 was full of amazing and i just know this next year is going to top it easily.

we rearranged the bedroom last night for easier midnight potty break access. i find that hilarious. but with the moving we were able to set up our bassinet and i just couldn't stop staring at it. my giant belly means the denial has disappeared and turned into nerves and excitement.

i love all the mommy advice i get from everywhere. my cousin lisa told me instead of buying a fancy pants bassinet that will only be used for a few months each child, just get a pack n play that has the bassinet hook up included. then you've got 2 in one and a lot more use out of it. so for christmas my wonderful in laws bought us an adorable one. but of course it was BROKEN, so we took it in and asked for the same one. i made sure to open it in the store before we left and sure enough, even more broken. so we went with a completely different brand and to my surprise it even had elephants on the mobile! LOVE it. so this is our exact pack n play but with elephants instead of those little teddy bears.

it feels so weird nearing my third trimester. only 2 more weeks and i can't believe it. i look at my friends and family who are just having new babes and it hits me in a new way. i'm so grateful for this chance i have to be a mommy and i just love being a wife to my incredible husband.

"Cheers to New Year and another chance for us to get it right." -Oprah Winfrey

you know you are pregnant when...

2011-12-27T14:58:00.001-07:00

i have to make a quick note and say that this post isn't meant for complaining, it was fun and hilarious for me to think all these up. i am in love with my pregnant belly!

YOU KNOW YOU ARE PREGNANT WHEN...

...it's normal to find a huge bottle of tums in your purse to stop the heartburn that comes multiple times a day...

...you can't see how much you weigh because tipping to see past your belly changes the actual weight...

...you have constant nasal congestion for months...

...you start using a giant beach towel after showering so you can actually cover yourself...

...you are boarding an airplane and keep bumping into the person in front of you because you forget you have to stop sooner now...

...you drop something and wonder if it's actually worth bending over to pick up...

...you know exactly where all the public restrooms are within a 50 mile radius of your home...

...every commercial on tv either makes you sad or hungry...

...you're scared to sneeze or cough because you might pee a little, my personal favorite...

...you have to buy a new bra every month...

...you can't see your feet let alone the shoes you have to somehow get on...

...you can use your belly as a table...

...when your husband has to help you get up so it won't take an extra 30 seconds of your time doing it alone...

...you ask the same question 5 times because you can't remember the answer from the first 4...

...half the shoes you own don't fit your swollen feet anymore...

...you can't paint your toenails anymore...

...you see your innie becoming an outie...

...your toes look like little sausages...

...when the end of constipation is a cause to celebrate...

...your not allowed to carry groceries anymore. even the small ones...

...you search and search for the car keys and they were in your hands the whole time...

...you rarely shave your legs anymore because it's considered "exercise"...

...you have to take a rest after showering because just that is tiring...

...you make jessica simpson look smart with all of the comments that come out of your mouth...

...you want a pickle but end up eating the whole jar...

...you eat less on thanksgiving than any other day of the year...

...you rip your clothes because you just really wanted to fit in them still...

so much to do

2011-12-15T09:31:00.000-07:00

this year instead of making new years resolutions, it's mostly "goals before baby gets here". and there is a list so long that i can't believe it. our biggest and top priority is to get rid of debt. we want to live within our means and have only those necessary bills left, like car insurance, phone bill, rent...you know. it's near impossible to accomplish in these next 4 months but with the help of tax returns, we'll be pretty darn close!

then of course there are those health goals we all have, and who doesn't have them when you've got a constantly stretching tummy?...and other things...
but my word, europe took a toll on me health wise and it is time to take control already!!! there are so many reasons to be healthy during pregnancy and i'm currently working on pulling in everything and anything motivating. the worst part? ...tis the season...

working for the government, we get soooo many deliveries this time of year. and normally i'd be all excited, a few treats here and there! but no. i am at the front desk and when these things come in they are for "the staff" and where do they go? OPEN and EXPOSED right here on my desk. all of them. for me to see. and smell. and ...taste....

we get at least one huge basket a day, then multiple boxes of chocolates/carmels/nuts...this morning a HUGE box of see's chocolates came and i am so proud to announce my strength in having not yet partaken. but i've decided i really need to bring in some healthy things to curve this evil. i'll just start eating a cucumber or a tangerine when i feel that pull. someone give me some motivation.

a few thoughts

2011-12-13T08:47:00.000-07:00

~i believe if they could, my ankles would thank me for being pregnant in the winter so i can hide their crazy swollen selves in comfy boots

~i just found out that my next door neighbor is a real live egyptologist. that might be the coolest thing i ever even heard of

~i teared up this morning reading my husband's facebook status "I'm so excited for my son to be born into this world!!!!!! I haven't even seen his face yet, but I've been his friend since before I can remember. I haven't talked to him or heard his voice yet, but I've already had a million conversations with him. I haven't held him in my arms yet, but I know that we once stood side by side. I love my son. He always has been and always will be one of my dearest friends."

~I found this within the wonders of pintrest and loved it:

gratitude

2011-12-12T09:06:00.000-07:00

i am overwhelmed by the blessings in my life. but i want to take this post to recognize the biggest blessing in my life. that would be the gospel.

every single thing in my existence revolves around this blessing. my eternal family, my upbringing, my friends, my values, my goals, and my dreams. there are so many gifts i've been given just because i live what i believe. but lately it's hit me extremely hard. with the life of a poor newlywed and a baby on the way in just 4 short months we've witnessed so many unbelievable miracles.

whether you are LDS yourself, or know someone that is, it is very common to hear us refer to ourselves as "a big family". no matter where you go all you need is to locate your ward and you are set. growing up, when we would travel anywhere, dad would always find the closest ward for us. everyone was always so welcoming and excited to have guests. when we went to ukraine we had an automatic group of family -even if it took us 2 buses and a train to get there. in rome, we had many people willing to translate the meetings for us and invite us to dinner. no matter where you go, you've got love from our family in the gospel.

and now here, in our little town in utah, we've been blessed with amazing people. if i didn't already have a testimony of visiting teaching, i sure would now. without fail, my ladies come to visit and bring me treats every month. i always know i have a friend if i need someone, and the biggest blessing of all was this:

it was the first time she ever came to visit and out of no where, "do you need a crib and a changing table?" uh...yah! her husband brought it over and set them up in our empty nursery. we love them and who isn't grateful to save hundreds of dollars.

THEN last night as i'm relaxing at home there is a knock on the door. another lady from our ward dropped by an adorable bouncer and a bag of new baby clothes! i about cried pulling them out and imagining my tiny baby boy in them.

(i found the exact one online so i don't have to post my horrible phone picture)

this group of relief society sisters in my ward are my family. i am so grateful for them and the incredible blessings they are to me everyday. and not just by giving us free things! but by being my friend and loving me.

snips and snails, and puppy dogs tails

2011-12-01T12:00:00.001-07:00

the baby was being very difficult but when it came to showing us it's parts, there was no mistaking it!

it was an amazing moment. as soon as the doctor pulled up this view, i almost cried and looked over at matt waiting to see his reaction. yah... he didn't notice. the doctor didn't say anything for a bit...i just waited. in my own little private moment of knowledge.

then our doctor said: "that is NOT what girls have..." we are lucky, this is his specialty and out of over 300 ultrasounds he has never been wrong. so that, along with the many "boy part" shots we got, i am pretty confident.

i can't even explain my excitement. i have 4 little sisters and no boys, every time mom was expecting we would wait and wait to find out if it would be a boy! i was so excited to tell my dad he's having a grandson.

we already have a name picked out. it came to me in the middle of the night and when i told matt he about flipped. he is very set on it. so now we are working on a tongan middle name to go with it so he can keep part of his heritage. so excited!!!

here was our first shot of him in there, so grateful it looks like he picked up his daddies tongan arms! too funny.

....SIDE NOTE.... i'm so happy that the day we got to find out was the same day we went and bought our very first christmas tree together!! it smells so incredible i can't even stand it! and so far matt has no allergy reactions to it so i can keep my pact of never ever using a fake tree!

halfway!!!

2011-11-30T10:04:00.000-07:00

not only do i still have moments that i can't believe i'm actually having a baby, but i am in complete shock that i am already halfway done! 20 weeks and that baby is just kicking away!!! it's the most amazing thing I've ever felt in my entire life and I with I could keep it...as oppossed to the kicks getting painful and bruising me from the inside out! and let's not even talk about actually giving birth.

my not so favorite parts are those times when i can literally feel the baby sitting/kicking my bladder. it's unreal. i found this picture so i could get a better idea as to where my bladder actually is. when i saw this i laughed so hard.

now lucky for me, mine won't be that smashed for a couple months, but just the fact that it sits directly under the baby cracks me up. i have such a strong gratitude and amazement for my Heavenly Father and the intricate details that our bodies are made into, but i can't help but wish that i could temporarily move my bladder to a safer place.

the best part about being halfway done growing a babe is that we finally get to find out if it's a boy or a girl! and we can finally start decorating the nursery, register, and choose a final name! and that day is TODAY!!! i almost didn't sleep all night long, and when i did, i only dreamt of doctors visits. and i have to sit at work until 2 when my baby daddy will get here and we can finally leave!! JUST 4 MORE HOURS!!!

my second favorite thanksgiving thing

2011-11-23T11:11:00.000-07:00

other than all that food, my favorite part is the parade. i love love watching the macy's day parade. and i love seeing santa at the end.

msn.com has some pictures of parades from the past and and super excited to see the floats this year! and also santa...

(all from HERE)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING WEEKEND!!!

my lovely lady lump

2011-11-21T12:12:00.002-07:00

check it out

i've documented a few weekly growths. since i'm half way next week i figured i'd share up to this point. the rest of the way i'll be doing weekly documentation since this little guy/gal is going to be growing more rapidly and i would like him/her to one day see these.

i have to say sorry and tell you that if you have a problem with my pictures you can come to my house and search for my camera charger and i will use that instead. but without you will have to deal with crappy crappy cell phone pictures. (and all the different crappy phones i've used to take them with)

i also want to say that you should be proud of me because i want to kill people that take pictures of themselves. like it's probably my biggest all time pet peeve and so the only people to see these pictures so far would be my sisters and parents. i figured those people that actually still read my blog love me and i now give you permission to view my growing tummy, mostly taken in the bathroom at work because that's when i remember to do it. you are so welcome.

12 WEEKS

15 WEEKS

18 WEEKS

19 WEEKS

thankful

2011-11-21T11:00:00.000-07:00

i've got a ridiculously large amount of things to be grateful for this year. i admit i am one of those people that starts celebrating christmas in october...just listening to music! but i fully acknowledge every holiday in between because halloween and thanksgiving is just as important...especially thanksgiving.

so i want to take this time to think about those things i've been so blessed with. i wish i had the time, energy, and blog space to list every single one but i think just a handful will do.

1. i am thankful for my tiny little family of my own. i prepared myself for life with just us two and we have been enormously blessed with an addition coming in april. only one week til we find out if it's a he or she!! i love my amazing husband for everything he is and is trying to be for me and our family.

2. i am thankful for all my other family. this includes SOOO many people, my parents and sisters, my grandparents-all 5 of them, for my brother and last but not least, my amazing in-laws. i think i've been blessed because my last ones were such a nightmare and it has fully been made up for and more. we don't leave matt's parent's home without money or food of some sort. they watch over us in every way and make sure everything is always ok. and i can't say enough about my new sister, she's the most selfless person i've ever met.

3. i am thankful for the opportunity i had to travel so much. i can't wait to teach my kids about other cultures and people, i love that my husband has such a strong desire to live in the philippines one day. i love that i had such amazing travel buddies and i'm so grateful for all the thing i learned that i can never forget.

4. i am thankful for my amazing job that allows me to pretty much do whatever i want. i get paid to read, blog, facebook, write, coupon, anything. and working for the government means amazing health insurance that doesn't take a penny out of our paychecks. we have the most incredible doctor so close to home, and work is so understanding with our appointments every month. it's the biggest blessing to not have money be a burden when it comes to health care.

5. i am thankful for my health. even though i'm frustrated at all the traveling weight that i brought into my life, i'm still healthy and happy! even struggling with depression at some points, i am grateful to have it under control and be able to make the most of my life.

6. i am thankful for the gospel in my life and that it ties everything together so easily. i am grateful for my testimony and for the spirit that guides my every move. i am grateful for those in my life that have taught me so much and those that have passed on and are still watching over me. i am so happy to know that i can be with my husband for all eternity and that our children will always be connected to us because we chose to be sealed in the temple.

third best surprise ever

2011-11-17T16:31:00.000-07:00

Top 3 best surprises ever:
1. when my beautiful man proposed to me of course.
2. when we found out we brought a much bigger honeymoon souvenir back than we planned/we are pregnant!
3. my sneaky sneaky husband hid emilie in my closet while i thought she was still living in france!

matty has this thing where he says "i have a surprise for you but you can't know yet"...it's not my favorite. i am most likely the least patient person alive sooo...
he did this for a couple days, always saying "wait for friday, just wait for friday" and then on wednesday he mentioned something about dinner being at home for us and i was soooo confused!!! but he kept throwing me off still saying "another night of pizza" cuz we got tons of free winder farm pizza (maybe the best frozen pizza ever) and i got all ticked "WHAT?! i didn't eat cuz you said something about dinner!!!" and we pull up to our home and the lights are off and there are no cars in sight. for crying out loud. he got me all excited for nothing!

BUT we go inside and he's in the bedroom and says "you can have your surprise now...". i got nervous and went in there. and he pointed at the closet and i was so confused ...."is there a person in there?"

i swung the door open and am so glad she was smart enough to record a video. you can't see a darn thing but my word you can hear the excitement!

i am sooo grateful for my adorable husband that kept it so quiet for so long and for my childhood travel buddy to be back, not just on american soil but living only 20 minutes from my home! Here are some favorite emilie moments of mine::

comfort

2011-11-07T11:19:00.000-07:00

My parents have a really good friend who's wife recently left him and he gave me a most valuable wedding gift that I will keep forever and ever. I decided to type it up here and save it forever, and forwarded it on to a couple of friends who may be in need. So to anyone in need of a little pick-me-up, here you go.

Maybe God wanted us to meet the wrong person before meeting the right one so that when we finally meet the right person, we will know how to be grateful for that gift.

Maybe when the door of happiness closes, another opens, but often times we look so long at the closed door that we don't see the one which has been opened for us.

Maybe the best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had.

Maybe it is true that we don't know what we have got until we lost it, but it is also true that we don't know what we have been missing until it arrives.

Giving something all your love is never an assurance that they will love you back. Don't expect love in return; just wait for it to grow in their heart, but if it does not, be content it grew in yours.

It takes only a minute to get a crush on someone, an hour to like someone, a day to love someone, but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.

Don't go for looks; they can deceive. Don't go for wealth; even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright. Find the one that makes your heart smile.

There are moments in life when you miss someone so much that you just want to pick them from your dreams and hug them for real.

Dream what you want to dream; go where you want to go; be what you want to be, because you have only one life and once chance to do all the things you want to do.

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, and enough hope to make you happy.

Always put yourself in others' shoes. If you feel that is hurts you, it probably hurts the other person too.
The happiness of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.

Happiness lies for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have search, and those who have tried, for only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives.

Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss and ends with a tear. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past. You can't go on well in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die, you are the one who is smiling while everyone around you is crying.

(weheartit)

fan of friends

2011-11-01T14:40:00.019-06:00

today we had our monthly visit with our fabulous ob. the rate of the babies heartbeat has made our doctor even more sure it's a girl. he's a funny man. but good news, we get to find out in just 29 days! november 30th is the big day (until april 12th that is!). we are very excited to find out if it's a little phoebe or a phoebo.

...aaaand the following scene::

is it sad that i can sit and see these pictures and tell you the exact dialogue?

DOCTOR: All your tests look fine. Now, are you two interested in knowing the sex of the baby?
ROSS: No, no we’re not.
RACHEL: But you have it right there in that file? You could tell us whether it’s a boy or a girl? Dayton or Sandrine? Phoebe or Phoebo?
DOCTOR: That’s right. But if you don’t want to know—
ROSS: No, we wanna wait, right?
RACHEL: Right.
DOCTOR: Oh, I’ll be right back. And...I know it’s really not my place, but please don’t name your child Phoebo.
RACHEL: So, which of these babies do you think is the ugliest?
ROSS: Rach, come on, that’s terrible. They’re babies. They’re all beautiful.
RACHEL: Third one from the left?
ROSS: Yeah. Why is it staring at me? I think it knows I’m talking about it. Hey!
RACHEL: What?
ROSS: You’re looking!
RACHEL: I didn’t!
ROSS: I saw you!
RACHEL: Okay. I did. But I didn’t see anything, I swear.
ROSS: Shame on you! Ugly baby judges you! Don’t tell me. I don’t wanna know.
RACHEL: But I couldn’t even if I wanted to because I don’t know. I swear, I didn’t see anything. And I don’t wanna know. It was just a momentary lapse.
ROSS: Momentary lapse. Don’t you have any self-control?
RACHEL: Okay, a couple of months late on the lecture, Ross.

the announcement

2011-10-31T14:49:00.000-06:00

i would first like to say wow to the fact that i have now posted over 500 posts...wow. and this one will probably be a long one. so PLEASE, if nothing else, skip to the end and answer my one question for me!

second, amanda reminded me that i never posted my husband pregnancy announcement. and that is a memory i'd like to have down so here we go! (warning: feminine things ahead)

first off, i just have to say (again) that this was a big surprise. for those of you who follow, you know we've only been married since the beginning of july. in the last doctors appointment, they pinned down the conception to somewhere in the first week of our marriage. that blows my mind for a couple of reasons, one including something we can call "woman things" that i won't announce but you may use your brain and figure that one out. yes, very sad on your honeymoon but what can ya do?

SO a few weeks pass by and this lady became pretty emotional. abnormally so...plus constantly tired SO little thoughts were going through my head. after i was "late" i decided to take a little test, which was negative.

a couple days pass, i'm sitting at work and my husband comes up to me and says "so...i think you are pregnant. i can feel it." that's when my mind knew. i somehow knew he was right. but i just kept waiting. i think that was a wednesday or a thursday because that friday was the day which i wasn't planning on, but my landlord talked me into it. - i call her a landlord but she's a really close friend and a coworker of mine. - because we both get off work an hour and a half before matt, she gives me rides home. very convenient since we live in her basement. i seriously love love this woman, her and her husband were put right in our path at this time of our lives because the Lord just knew we would need them. i can write a book about the blessings they are in our lives but i won't...

anyway, we are driving home and i tell her of our suspicions and my symptoms and she was sure i was pregnant and offered me a pregnancy test. those guys are expensive so i took it, matt wasn't going to be home for an hour.

...i fully expected it to be negative. i set it down in the bathroom as i went out to make dinner and give it it's chance to produce an answer. i'll never forget the feelings that took over when i saw that plus sign. at first i didn't believe it, then i started shaking. complete shock took over and then tears of excitement came. i remember falling on my knees because all i could think to do in that moment was say a prayer. i had told linda (the landlord) if i was pregnant, she would know because i'd need someone to freak out to when i saw that positive pee stick. i walked up the stairs and just couldn't stop crying as i'm holding out the stick for her to see. she just kept hugging me and when i calmed down she helped me plan my announcement for when matt got home. (don't worry, he wasn't upset to not be the first to know.)

matt had been (and still is) on this thai food kick, so i really really wanted to do my thing while we were at his favorite restaurant but we were just too poor to go out. so since i was already making teriyaki chicken and figured fortune cookies went well with that, i started a homemade batch! they FAILED! fail fail fail...(has anyone ever seriously succeeded at that??)

so at this point matt's going to be home within the next 20 minutes...linda comes down to see how it's going and runs upstairs and calls a bunch of different restaurants to see if we could buy a couple fortune cookies. we decided to run to the grocery store and get a bag and then we'd use tweezers to pull out the fortunes and replace them with slips of paper that said "you are going to be a daddy".

we go to get in the car and MATT PULLS UP!! so i covered up with "i was helping her carry some things to the car". we went inside while linda ran to the store for me because she is an angel. when she got home she sent one of the girls down to get me, i went upstairs and we did the switch. surprisingly enough when i told matt that they randomly gave us some fortune cookies, he didn't think anything of it. but it did take forever for him to finally start eating one of those guys!

he just bit right into it and i waited...i looked over there and said..."um where is your fortune?" ..."it didn't have one."... " that's weird..." cuz i just put one in there. i just waited til he realized he was eating it, which he eventually did, pulled out the non-eaten half and i waited to see his face. he said all he saw was the word "daddy" and he knew what it was. he just turned to look at me and seriously didn't move for at least a whole 60 seconds. i was laughing and i pulled out the pee stick (which i will not show you a picture of) and he still kept staring. finally the tiny tears started...i couldn't figure out which emotion was going on inside of him but i'll always remember that face. it sits in my memory right next to his face when i looked up from the engagement ring box sitting in from of me on april fools day.

how did you announce your pregnancy!?

do you believe in the great pumpkin?

2011-10-31T11:52:00.000-06:00

today is the day. i'm slightly bummed we live in a backyard entrance apartment because we won't get to hand out candy tonight. but it saves us quite a bit of money soooo i think i'll be ok.

everyone at work is having their families and kids in today all dressed up and they are going to be trick or treating to our desks. that give me something to snack on, no complaints there! all this sugar is making my stomach feel like it's popping popcorn. either baby has some pretty strong hiccups or else he/she is just kicking away! i'm surprised i can feel it so soon, i'm loving it.

if i were home, dad would be setting up his firepit in the front yard and making lanterns out of little brown paper bags. mom is making taco soup and getting the little sisters all ready to go out. i miss halloween at home, but it's fun spending this first one with my new husband even if all he wanted to be was a football player. i can accept that.

do you have any halloween traditions?

a baby post

2011-10-27T11:41:00.000-06:00

people always ask what i think the baby is...until this last month i had not a clue. to be honest i still have no clue BUT in my dreams she is always a girl. with lots of dark hair. so i guess we will see, right? i would like to see today...but noooo, even though they could tell me i still have to wait another month.

i have made some decisions. although the only baby paraphernalia we have in our home so far is a baby calendar from my sister and as of yesterday, like 10 packs of newborn diapers. thank you baby Jace for growing out of them so quickly!

so if the baby IS a girl, i was going to steer soooo clear of pink. BUT i will make an exception since i have decided to decorate ballerina style. oh my goodness i can just picture it now, i can feel nesting starting to creep into my life and i can't wait to have the time to clear out what will soon become babies room.

look at these adorable things i've found! (as a side note i would like to state that no, i will not force my child to actually be a ballerina is she does not want to.)

SOCKS!!! aren't those precious??

of course i have to be equally excited about a boy because i would be in love with him! i would be the proudest mommy ever, and of course after having 5 daughters, i think my dad would be just thrilled to have a grandson. so i've got plenty of ideas there as well. i've gone through them all, and who knows what it will end up being in 5 months BUT for now i'm stuck on a "starry starry night" theme...

have you heard of these little guys?? the whole shell lights up and puts constellations on babies ceiling. i think even with a girl, i'd get one! especially if there is a "nightlight" stage. there ya go!

i would make it more "boy" and add lots of deep colors. i just love that crib, but we have ours already and it's a deep cherry wood. luckily i love it too, we just have to go get it and set it up!

oh! you have quilting skills? yes you may make this for me!

already have this! just need to frame it and hang it!

i'm in love with this stroller wheather it's a boy or a girl! i want it!!

and either way, no matter WHAT, i WILL have a nice big comfy rocking chair:

(anyone recognize that picture? haha it's a friends house and i saw that chair and fell in LOVE with it!!

-where did you get it??)

i am giving up for you

2011-10-21T09:51:00.000-06:00

when i got divorced i discovered a favorite song by ingrid michaelson, i kind of used it as a guide in dating and in making that final decision of marrying again. sometimes i wonder if people hear the same meaning as me.

we've all been there-you get a new boyfriend, he's SO perfect! even his flaws are adorable and make him so much better to you! so many people make the mistake of letting go of that once they are married. should it not be the opposite? to make a relationship work, we need to look for even more good in our partner than we did while dating.

we all struggle with it, we can all be better. i am far from perfect, but this song reminds me of what's really important. what if we do fight? what if i'm not all you have built me up to be in your head? what if i don't always do the dishes and keep our home clean 24/7?

then of course we look at it on the other end-what if there is a time he feels he loves me more than i love him? what if he makes mistakes? what if he folds his towel the "wrong" way?

real love is accepting someone for who they really are no matter what comes. for richer or for poorer. through sickness and health. are you willing to stick it out til the end and love it no matter what? that is what marriage is about.

giving up by ingrid michaelson

What if we stop having a ball?
What if the paint chips from the wall?
What if there's always cups in the sink?
What if I'm not what you think I am?

What if I fall further than you?
What if you dream of somebody new?
What if I never let you win, chase you with a rolling pin?
Well what if I do?

I am giving up on making passes and
I am giving up on half empty glasses and
I am giving up on greener grasses
I am giving up

What if our baby comes home after nine?
What it your eyes close before mine?
What if you lose yourself sometimes? Then I'll be the one to find you
Safe in my heart

I am giving up on making passes and
I am giving up on half empty glasses and
I am giving up on greener grasses
I am giving up

I am giving up
I am giving up
I am giving up on greener grasses

I am giving up for you
I am giving up for you
I am giving up

If you want to listen go HERE

pics from weheartit

chilly winter favorites

2011-10-20T11:22:00.000-06:00

can we please take a moment and talke about this gorgeous chilly weather and how much i love it? i'm sorry for you beach/summer lovers that don't like changing seasons, but i'm IN LOVE with this!!

i love soups! esspecially chili, delicious chili with NO BEANS...mmmm

i love scarves, hats, and gloves!!!

i love lots of heavy blankets at night!!

i love snowflakes!! such beautiful artwork in every single one

i love driving around to see the twinkle lights up everywhere!

i love maternity winter clothes! so excited about this

(pics from weheart it and google)

FAST LANE

2011-10-20T10:41:00.000-06:00

I recently received a comment that made me laugh out loud. He said "Your life just seems to be in the fast lane lately." ohhhhh mannnn how I've been thinking about that...life has sure thrown me some crazy ones but I think I've done a pretty darn good job at handling them and making the best out of things....for the most part...but just to clarify, that didn't offend me whatsoever!

An unexpected pregnancy for sure threw our plans in a loop, but we got to change them to other super exciting plans. We've been so incredibly blessed so far, we have been offered 2 cribs already (one is now going to my sister and her husband), a highchair, and a changing table. To a poor newlywed, I feel like I'm in heaven.

This last weekend we had a tiny pregnancy scare which resulted in a 3 day skip from work where I was bored at home watching movies all day long. One can only handle so much of that. I pray I never get put on bed rest! BUT the good that came from this, we got to see our little one! And I was relieved to see there is just ONE...the cutest thing I've ever seen. You've seen ultra sound pictures but it's a complete new experience to know that it's inside of YOU and that is YOUR baby. Unreal. I was glad to see so much movement in there and to hear that everything was perfect.

FINALLY, like a miracle, I'm not feeling so gross anymore. It could be because of the new medication the doctor gave me, but I don't care! I have been eating so many more things and kissing my husband! SSSOOOOO grateful to feel human...for now!

today...

2011-10-14T11:20:00.000-06:00

today i stole a post idea from a favorite, & this is what she said. it was nice to think about these things and where i am right now...thanks rasha. (plus some random picture love)

developing ...stonger stomach reflexes as my morning sickness starts to fade...

accepting
...the possibility that my child might end up just like me...oh dear (mom will just love that)

sending
...my husband to get us lunch, i think it is a chick-fil-A day...again...

writing
...my lifes journey in the good old blog, so grateful for electronic journals!

wearing
...ridiculously comfy black dress pants and a comfy top. i heart maternity clothes.

lamenting
...the money now gone to the bills i just paid today, one day i'll be debt free!

enjoying
...this beautiful weather and the christmas music that may possibly be on right now...

dreaming
...of the small possibility i'll get to visit home this christmas. i pray everyday it will happen!

returning
...to the bathroom every half hour. there isn't even anything big enough pressing on my bladder yet! tmi?

celebrating
...halloween! going to get our costumes tomorrow...annnnnd let's be honest..i'm celebrating christmas right now as well...

planning
...on being a new mommy...how in the world i'm going to do it, i don't know. we learn as we go right?

embracing ...the child inside of me...apparently about the size of a big shrimp now...

drinking
...HA! my body has now gone back to just water, i wonder what will be next.

loving
...the free dinner we get tonight in midway... all you can eat steak (and salmon-BLECH), company parties are always interesting...

What have you been up too?

(pic from wehearit)

warm chocolate

2011-10-11T10:05:00.000-06:00

liquids have not been so good to me. but for some reason if i drink warm hot chocolate made with WATER than i am just fine. i guess i'm ok with that!

i don't think i'd be able to keep down the hot chocolate from Lviv...

pregnant happiness

2011-10-06T10:23:00.001-06:00

my entire being and person has been changed completely. i don't even like chocolate! (except riesen's for some reason)
all smells make me very sensitive. i cry at everything. my body is getting bigger everywhere. i HAVE to eat but i don't want anything. at all. so i think it's a good time to make a list of what is making me happy right now. and when i say "right now", i literally mean in this moment, in this minute, in this second of time. because it will probably be completely different in about an hour.

pumpkin pumpkin pumpkin! tis the season and yet i haven't had anything with pumpkin yet! i crave a slice of great harvest pumpkin chocolate chip bread every single day. the norm is for me to crave, crave, crave, then i over eat in that one moment and can never even look at that one thing again. at least for the food, that is. (bbq salads, enchilada casserole, green beans, anything from olive garden, any soda, and now candy corn.)

fresh apples and peaches. i'm lucky so far to not be sick of these, my boss brings me one every morning straight from his yard. every once in a while i have to toss it but on good days they are juicy and perfect!!!

when my house is chilly. i still sleep with a fan and since we were able to find the screens to our windows i keep them open 24/7, until last night when it snowed it was so cold. this started because the smell of my home made me sick and i love the fresh air.

candles. i have to light them while i'm home. they help take away the "house" smell plus get me all ready for the fall and winter. but now it's time to get new ones.

new movies. every day my mood is different but if i can find a good one, a movie makes my entire day. especially curled up in a blanket with kettle corn, even though i've only had regular popcorn, but it's been good to me so far!

THE WEEKENDS!!! when i get to sleep in, i love my life. i take a unisom before bed to keep the nausea away and it's always so nice to be able to sleep it ALL off. prying myself out of bed for work every morning is so hard, but so worth not being sick. luckily i'll be done with it really soon, i'm just scared of testing it out to see if i'm still sick...but the weekends mean i don't have to take my meds til later which means i don't start feeling sick til later in the evening the next day...ohhhh i love modern medicine!

and finally, i love love curly girl design (still) and i found my new favorite one that is currently residing as my fb profile picture, as well as some other favorites:

(pics from google)

help me be

2011-10-06T09:23:00.000-06:00

i think most everyone loves the christmas song "breath of heaven", my favorite version is by Amy Grant::

with the new chilly weather (and the snow that came this morning) i've been listening to christmas music-don't judge, i am not ashamed!-and this is one i can listen to over and over again. the song alone gives such a good picture of what it may have been like for Mary carrying her child, what she may have been thinking, and i can't help but think of what an incredible woman she had to have been.

i never expected the difficulties i've already faced. you hear storied, you are told what to expect but you never really know until you are there. i couldn't imagine riding a donkey for miles and miles, my chair at work gives me pains already! today we have medications that take away morning sickness, and i'll tell you something, i had it bad! to have to go through that sickness as bad as i had it with no medication is unbelievable, but it was done all the time back then! we are spoiled today. and i am grateful. i am grateful for such an incredible example and i need to try to be tougher, to be stronger, and more thankful for this incredible journey.

that is my goal for the next 6 months.

Breath of Heaven

I have traveled many moonless night
Cold and weary, with a babe inside
And I wonder what I've done
Holy Father, you have come
And chosen me now
To carry your son

I am waiting in a silent prayer
I am frightened by the load I bear
In a world as cold as stone,
Must I walk this path alone?
Be with me now
Be with me now

Breath of heaven
Hold me together
Be forever near me
Breath of heaven
Breath of heaven
Light up my darkness
Pour over me your holiness
For you are holy

Do you wonder as you watch my face
If a wiser one one should have had my place
But I offer all I am
For the mercy of your plan
Help me be strong
Help me be
Help me

pics from google

unexpected surprises bring unexpected joy

2011-10-04T11:53:00.000-06:00

a stork has built his nest right outside our front door. according to brittany that must mean our family will be expanding soon.

sometime this coming late april we are going to be taking the adventure of a lifetime and have ourselves a little one!

through my excitement and trying to keep it quite til the risky stage passes i have researched like crazy, found a fabulous doctor, and planned out the next year of our lives as a tiny family. it's gonna be awesome.

oooops

2011-09-26T12:00:00.000-06:00

um hi....

it's been 3 weeks. and not because i haven't had the chance to blog but because i just haven't...plus probably in those 3 weeks i've been home sick for about a week. but lots has been happening and i'm sad i haven't documented it.

i've been working on a family blog because i feel the need for family things now, not just this random collection of my single life... cuz...i'm not single. i'm forever taken. and it's wonderful.

we spent the weekend in salt lake city with my sister and went to the greatest show on earth, THE barnum & bailey circus. again i went through the thoughts in my head just like last time about how they might violently get those animals to do what they want...i was comforted by the many many pamphlets they pass out to everyone on their training methods, barnum & bailey are well known for the gentle way they train their animals. and i chose to only focus on the thoughts that it was all done right and that those animals were all very excited for their turn out there. especially when the elephant painted us a picture. that was adorable.
my camera was not charged, BUT brittany brought hers and i took many many pictures that i will be stealing and posting...we had FABULOUS seats so it's worth it

we had another family get together in midway, they are always fun and honestly, if you've never been to midway, it needs to be a must before you die. i'm lucky to have called it home at one point in my life.

i am currently planning a long awaited trip to seattle. i've been dying to go and although it's still a bit of a ways off, i'm planning. and there is nothing wrong with that. i've told matt, "if we have to apply for jobs out of state i say ohio and washington..."

this next weeks gonna be pretty darn full of eventful things and i've got to get a grip and get down my memories.

a year in review

2011-08-31T11:43:00.000-06:00

this last year of my life was by far the craziest and fullest and most exciting yet. the kindness of facebook showed me that it had been exactly 1 year yesterday that i flew to ukraine. it is overwhelming to think back on everything i've done since then and see where my life is now.

i am SO grateful to have been smart enough to just go for my dreams and get myself to europe. i would have forever regretted not doing it and i'm so glad to say i did.

i thought i'd take a quick trip down memory lane and visit the biggest parts of my life in the last year. so here i go::

AUG 30, 2010
I get on the airplane and fly to my new home in kiev, reunite with em, and meet my host family that will forever be in my heart. LOVED ukraine and all the memories that were made there.

In September we took a long long bus ride to prague and dresden, met new people, bought new goodies, and ate new foods!

our next trip took us to budapest, salzburg, and vienna. that trip brought so many of us much closer, we all learned things we never knew and will never forget. love those girls!

we celebrated all late year holidays with our students, taught them all our american traditions, and had our own little teacher thanksgiving dinner with a chicken and Lyuda's pumpkin pie.

when the crazy cold snow hit in December, we took our last trip to poland and got to experience the concentration camps in the winter weather. there is no better time to really try and understand what they went through, unforgettable.

after seeing a bit more of ukraine and saying goodbye to all of our favorite new friends and family, emilie and i moved to italy with the plans to stay for a year as nannies.

LUCKILY plans took a big turn, i headed back home while emilie stayed and still is today! almost immediately after getting back i went on a reunion date with my kindergarten sweetheart, we hit it off and still have not gone a single day without seeing each other.

my beautiful best friend proposed on april fools, we got married, and went on a crazy american adventure honeymoon together!

"my life" has turned into "our lives" and we are living them fully! this next year is going to be another unforgettable one that will change us completely and forever. i can't wait!!!

Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.

2011-08-23T09:14:00.000-06:00

I started thinking about my little library yesterday. I've got a cute little half shelf dedicated to the kiddos but I realized I need a whole shelf for them, no?! Luckily I have time to build this children's library in my home but I couldn't help thinking of all those books that I feel are necessary to have for my children in my home.

I've already got the Fancy Nancy collection, who doesn't love her? Then I've got some Eloise and some Dr. Seuss, Junie B. Jones...what else do I need?

My favorite book when I was young was Goodnight Moon, it's a must have for my children, OF COURSE!

I made a list of Christmas stories I need to find. My mom would have a big basket of our Christmas stories we would beg her to bring out early every year. Every night we would read them laying under the Christmas tree. A few favorites were The Little Match Girl, The Night Before Christmas, The Polar Express, Trouble with Trolls, How the Grinch Stole Christmas...etc.

I can't wait to read my favorite stories to my own children.

blueberry

2011-08-22T09:45:00.000-06:00

have you ever felt so exhausted you thought you might tip over just walking to the bathroom?

have you ever been so teired that you end up slurrining youj typing and you wdon't care?

i don't know how i would have gotten it but wouldn't be surprised if i had mono...i just don't want to move...

i went to bed at 8pm to wake up at 530 and get some exercise to help the day go smoother...

i might fall out of my chair today...

FACT

2011-08-19T11:57:00.000-06:00

a list

2011-08-18T09:59:00.000-06:00

today is one of those days i want to throw something through a window. you know??

so i need to boost my attitude a bit, i'm severely emotional lately and it's getting out of control. time for a happy post.

first of all, nothing makes my day better than snickers ice cream, let alone just ice cream. favorite.

second i want to watch peter pan cuz it makes me happy but they took it off youtube...along with ratatouille (but i bought that one with a wedding gift card so i'll let it slide)

i love finding useful advice online, who doesn't always want to be better for their hunny?

water has been tasting so gross to me lately so i've been throwing lemons in there to give it a little flavor. love.

i miss having a good swing nearby. that was always my get-away on a nice cool evening. i'll have to hunt one down.

who doesn't read nie?

2011-08-16T10:01:00.000-06:00

The last 3 years The NieNie Dialogues have become a bit hit. I don't think that Stephanie intended such a huge group of followers around the world, but she got it! Not because she tried, not because of fashion or food, but because of a plane accident that left her and her husband permanently scarred and killing their good friend.

Throughout these 3 years we've watched her struggle, grow, and change. We've used her in our relief society lessons, as examples in our personal lives, and even though few of us actually personally know her, we've kept her and her family in our prayers.

Today I wandered over to her blog to catch up a bit and her latest post brought tears to my eyes. After these three years of pain and an unable body she is finally pregnant with her 5th child. If anyone has gotten to know her at ALL via her blog, they can tell you how much Stephanie has yearned to have another baby. I can't imagine how incredibly happy they are to share this news with us. It will be fun to watcher her grow even more, both physically and emotionally.

For those of you who have been living under a rock you can get yourself caught up on "the story" HERE and then go visit her blog HERE

DIY Hogwarts Acceptance Letter

2011-08-11T12:28:00.001-06:00

Today whilst blog stalking I found the most exciting thing EVER!!
To you Harry Potter fans out there, you will appreciate my effort to spread the word.

(taken from Moorea who took it from Mishka)

I decided to do this as a gift for my younger sister. She is a bit obsessed so I thought I would be the queen of the world and send her a Hogwarts Acceptance Letter!!

It was super easy, if you have patience! All you have to do is go HERE and download all 3 Hogwarts sheets. 1 is the envelope, 1 is the actual letter, and the 3rd are instructions on how to a) download the fonts and b) what to do to your letter to make it realistic.

Of course to make them even more realistic you can soak them in coffee and hang them to dry. If you do it to the envelope you'll have to glue or tape it shut because the glue will come off in the coffee.

If you can come up with a non-coffee idea, I would love it. GO FOR IT!

MmMMMmMMm

2011-08-11T12:12:00.002-06:00

i don't think i've ever done a recipe on here before...and i'm ok with that. BUT i have one that i can't pass up. i want to save it for myself and share it with the world.

who doesn't love chocolate cake??? well what if it was slightly healthy? try this!!! chocolate zucchini cake! you don't even taste the zucchini but it adds so much moisture!

Ingredients:

2 cups sugar

1 tsp. baking soda

2 1/2 cups flour, unsifted

1 tsp. salt

1/2 cup cocoa

1/2 Tbsp. baking powder

3 eggs
3/4 cup veg oil

1 cup milk

1 Tbsp. vanilla

2 cups grated zucchini

Mix together dry ingredients and set aside.

Whip together eggs and vegetable oil.

Stir in milk, vanilla, and zucchini.

Combine with dry ingredients.

Mix well.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes.

While baking, make the frosting:

2 cups sugar

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup margarine

1 tsp. vanilla

In a 2 or 3 quart saucepan, combine all ingredients except vanilla.

Bring to a rolling boil, stirring.

(A rolling boil is one that cannot be stirred down.)

Boil for 1 minute.

Cool.

Set pan aside in a large bowl of ice water and beat with an electric mixer until thick.

Spread onto cake.

This frosting thickens like fudge.

switched at birth

2011-08-10T11:22:00.000-06:00

anyone as big a fan of this show as me and honey are??? probably not...

we decided on the first day it aired to give it a try. matt loved it, i grew to love it pretty darn quickly. it's fun to have that in common, we hulu the new episode every tuesday after work because 10pm on mondays is just too late for me to start an hour long show with early work in the morning. no sir.

this show is based off a true story of 2 girls that were accidentally switched at birth. when they were born one went home with an incredibly wealthy family, the other with a poor recovering alcoholic mother. the show is all about how they deal with the situation and they add in so many little surprises that turn up pretty much every episode.

one of my favorite characters would be bay kemmish, the dark haired one pictured up top-matt does NOT like her. she is a bit of a rebel with an attitude. she reminds me of myself a bit, to be honest. she's learning and growing through the situation, just like the rest of the family. she is very gifted and talented, i love her artistic nature!

my second favorite character would be emmett. he's just a sweetheart. he grew up with daphne (the red head up top) and they go to a deaf school together. we were curious if they are both deaf in real life and found out emmett is but daphne is just hard of hearing. she speaks very well though and luckily studied sign language as a child. it's such an interesting twist to add sign language to the show, seeing how they interact with the hearing. i would love to speak their language!

so if you haven't yet, go check the show out!! i'm officially addicted and they just aired the first season finale. now i have to wait forever. bahhhh

fa lalalala lala la la

2011-08-09T13:27:00.000-06:00

did that title confuse you? just cuz it's summer doesn't mean we can't feel the christmas spirit! cuz...i feel like it should be christmas right now. i've been telling myself to calm down, when christmas is here i can do a christmas post....but guess what? i never remember what it was i wanted to post. so i'm taking a break from summer for today and having a christmas post!

i've said it before, but some people get all frustrated when august-september hits because i start getting all festive. if the month ends in "ember" than it's almost christmas, right?! don't judge, it's not like i listen to christmas music. i just fantasize and wait impatiently.

plus i have so much to be grateful for and excited about this year. luckily i wasn't married for a christmas before, so this will be my first christmas as a wife. we will be all alone in our little basement apartment with DIY holiday crafts surrounding us, because why the heck not?

this year i'm going to make stockings for us, how adorable is that? i've already found the ones and i can't wait. check them out:

(found it HERE)

last year i was in rome for christmas and spent the holidays in ukraine and poland as well. it was so much fun seeing the different cultures and how they spend the holiday's. of course it was gorgeous over there, every city had a HUGE christmas tree up in the middle of town somewhere. i dream of a huge christmas tree one day...this year ours will probably be the size of this one:

BUT i do have one requirement. i will not have a fake tree. it takes away the beauty! i've never had a fake tree, i love the smell of the pines, i love the reality of it even if i have to vacuum twice a day. so worth it.

favorite parts of christmas...oh i love untangling the lights every year. even though you are so careful, they always seem to be in a giant ball. and it's just tradition, untangle the ball.

I love pulling out the ornament boxes, reminiscing. isn't it so exciting to get new ones? my mom was a hallmark lady, it's true. she would get us a new one every year. all 5 girls.

i love love love love love love making and decorating cookies. who the heck doesn't? also i love eating them. we did this every year and i will do it with my children as well.

i don't even know how old i was last time i made a snowman, but you better believe for my first christmas with my new husband we are going to make one! we have the perfect backyard for that! done and done.

holy one month

2011-08-08T10:46:00.000-06:00

tis time for another mushy blog post. why? because it is august 8. which means even though it feels like last week, i've been married an entire month. what is that about?

i know some of you out there are divorced as well... to you i have to say it can get so much better!

i hardly ever remember things from those days anymore, which i am so grateful for. though, every once in awhile i have a small flashback that makes me see how great my life has become.

i have learned to love myself. i have learned to trust again. i have learned to give my heart away more fully.

i have learned to forgive. i have learned to understand. i have learned that not everyone is the same, you have to give it a second chance.

overcoming all obstacles-Somalia to Kenya

2011-08-05T11:55:00.000-06:00

We've all seen the pictures. We know it's happening. Only a few put forth the effort to aid those who are in serious need.

In the news recently they've been talking about Amanda Lindhout, a kidnap victim who returned to the place where she once begged to leave just to try and make it a better place. It hasn't even been 1 year since she was released.

I was sitting at work reading this article and my tears wouldn't stop flowing. I just prayed nobody would walk in as I kept reading. The story just broke my heart, and then you get to the photos and you just break down completely. You don't need to use your imagination, it's all there. It is happening now. The dates are on each picture, some taken only 3 days ago.

It might take me a lifetime, but I will make a difference.

A general view of the Dadaab Refugee camp in eastern Kenya on July 23, where the influx of Somali's displaced by a ravaging famine remains high. 12 million people are struggling from the worst regional drought in decades, affecting parts of Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Djibouti and Uganda.

A mother from southern Somalia holds her malnourished children at Banadir hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia, Tuesday, Aug. 2

A malnourished child from southern Somalia is weighed in Banadir hospital in Mogadishu, July 24. The World Food Program can't reach 2.2 million Somalis in desperate need

Somalian refugees' documents are checked at the entrance to the registration area of the IFO refugee camp, on July 23, in Dadaab, Kenya.

A doctor examines Mihag Gedi Farah, a seven-month-old child with a weight of 7.5lbs (3.4kg), in a field hospital of the International Rescue Committee, IRC, in the town of Dadaab, Kenya, July 26.

Somalis fleeing hunger in their drought-stricken nation walk along the main road leading from the Somalian border to the refugee camps around Dadaab, Kenya, on Wednesday, July 13.

A woman from southern Somalia struggles to build a makeshift shelter from tree branches at a new camp in Mogadishu, Somalia, on July 13.

Lul Ibrahim, 2, a malnourished child from southern Somalia, is carried by his mother in Banadir hospital, in Mogadishu, Somalia, on July 13. Thousands of people have arrived in Mogadishu over the past two weeks seeking assistance and the number is increasing by the day, due to lack of water and food.

Osman Ali Aliyow Mursal digs a burial plot among other graves for his four-year-old son, Aden Ibrahim, as men prepare to pray over the boy's body, wrapped in a plastic mat, on the outskirts of Ifo II Camp, outside Dadaab, Kenya, on Tuesday, July 12. Doctors were unable to save Aden, who died of diarrhea-related dehydration after four days of inpatient care. U.N. Refugee Chief Antonio Guterres said Sunday that drought-ridden Somalia is the "worst humanitarian disaster" in the world, after meeting with refugees who endured unspeakable hardship to reach the world's largest refugee camp in Dadaab, Kenya.

Aden Salaad, 2, looks up at his mother as she bathes him in a tub at a Doctors Without Borders hospital, where Aden is receiving treatment for malnutrition, in Dagahaley Camp, outside Dadaab, Kenya, on Monday, July 11.

Somali refugees line up for food rations at a receiving center in Dagahaley Camp, outside Dadaab, Kenya, on Saturday, July 9.

A Somali child from southern Somalia holds his brother as they wait outside a ruined building before making their way to the internally displaced persons camps in Mogadishu, Somalia, on Friday, July 8.

Visit her website HERE

shortcomings

2011-08-05T09:12:00.001-06:00

"We should not be discouraged or depressed by our shortcomings. No one is without weakness. As part of the divine plan, we are tested to see whether we master weakness or let weakness master us. Proper diagnosis is essential to proper treatment. Wishing for strength won't make us strong. It takes faith and work to shore up a weakened cord of integrity."
--Russell M. Nelson

newlywed joy

2011-08-04T16:11:00.000-06:00

...and then my soul saw you and kinda went "oh. there you are. i've been waiting for you".

married favorites

2011-08-01T14:15:00.001-06:00

my favorite is when i go to bed at night and my hunny doesn't leave me. he climbs in right next to me.

my favorite is when my hunny knows that i like to get up a little extra early to take care of the dishes before work and when i go to get ready he sneaks into the kitchen and does them before me.

my favorite is when my hunny folds his towel just how i like it and doesn't even complain

my favorite is when he leaves little notes for me at work, we love working together and stealing secret kisses

my favorite is when he lets me read to him or we are reading together

my favorite is when my honey puts his arms around me anytime i go to stand close to him

my favorite is how happy my hunny gets when i pack him a lunch

my favorite is that we both have the goal of owning a tandem bike one day

my favorite is waking up in the morning to my hunny right next to me

they draw and travel

2011-07-29T09:56:00.000-06:00

i've discovered this ongoing contest of maps draw by artists around the world, i couldn't stop looking at them, they were really good! Here is the winner from this last week::

Don't you just love it!? How creative! THIS is their facebook page, and here are some more of my favorites::

the after party

2011-07-28T14:58:00.001-06:00

we had our reception in the beautiful provo library...i've alway loved it there, and it was so gorgeous that day.

all of my curls came out from the heat...and my lack of ability to hold curls in my straight straight hair...but my lovely anjanae did a quick loose braid for the reception and it was so comfy!

i had decided from the very beginning that i didn't want to hire a decorator, i had lots of ideas and lots of dreams i've put together through out my life and i didn't want the typical hanging lights or white drapes covering the ceiling. the ball room in the library was huge and beautiful as it was so i took several trips to good 'ol hobby lobby and bought everything myself. not only did it save me tons of money but it provided me fabulous decorations for my new abode!

i've got a sudden obsession with glass bottles, i just can't seem to throw any away. i've been cleaning them out and placing them in a line on the landing in our hallway. sparkling grape juice, jones, fancy pants bbq bottle from virginia, you name it! so these guys were just adding to the collection.

Matt has a group of friends he grew up with (many of whom were in our kindergarten class picture we framed and displayed) and they have a fabulous tradition. At each wedding (there are only 2 of them left to be wedded) they come up with a fancy routine to a Ke$ha song. They had the whole right side of the ballroom move to the left and preformed for us. This was my favorite shot:

nowwww the cake. mmmm it was good. and it was AMAZING! i found tonya online, she runs a little bakery out of her basement and she is oh so very good! it you are interested you can go to her website here.

i danced with my dad to Because You Loved Me by Celine Dion. My sister who was married 2 nights before me didn't get a father/daughter dance. i fixed that. i gestured her over to have some of the song...even if it was pretty close to the end of the song...

matt and i do have a song, it took a bit to decide and then one night whilst we watched the fleetwood mac episode of glee, we heard it. santana did an amazing version of Songbird and we both knew right then that it was the one. it is her version we used that night. everytime it comes up on my ipod i get all mushy inside.

everything might not have been exactly how i pictured it, but it was oh so perfect to me! i had sooo much help and amazing willing friends that i can never repay fully. my new husband was so good at keeping my stress level down and i just let everything happen. it was an amazing night!

the day i wed

2011-07-27T14:08:00.000-06:00

Our fabulous photographer, Emily, sent our wedding pictures today!!! I will tell you what, I am not a patient person but she was pretty darn fast! (she currently does not have a running website, but contact me if you are interested.)

My cousin, Jen, was the one that did my engagements. She was going to be out of town for our wedding so she had her neighbor/assistant (i believe) come and take good care of us. I'm so glad she did! Great deal, great lady, and great pictures!!!

I gotta tell ya, this is gonna be a cheesy and lovey dovey post because I need to take at least a moment to publicly share how lucky I am, and what an incredible husband I have. SO if you can't handle that then I believe it is time you exit....

I married my best friend and kindergarten sweetheart in the Manti Temple on July 8, 2011 at 11:30 in the morning.

Everyone says that they have the best husband, the best mom, the best sisters...I won't do that because I'm sure you'll think what I think when I read that - "OH PLEASE" - but I'll tell you what, there is NO one better for me than my Matt is. He really does complete me and make me so much better. I could never accomplish all of my goals and dreams in this life with out him by my side supporting and loving me. I am so blessed.

My parents were married in the Manti Temple as well, they have a picture of their hands on a doorknob there. My dad had just come back from living in Hawaii so he was very dark, right next to my fair skinned momma. She said she would send me a copy of the picture so I can put it next to this one we have of that same doorknob:

Here are most of the oh-so-lovely bridesmaids....

...and the fabulous groomsmen...

Matt, I love that you bring out the best in me. I love our sense of humor together. I love that you listen to what I say. I love that you always know what to do when I'm down. I love the security you bring to our relationship. I love the trust we have for each other, the forgiveness, and longing to be together. I love all of those small things that speak so loudly of how much you care. I love you. I love us.

1 universe, 9 planets, 204 countries, 809 islands, 7 seas, and I had the privilege to meet you.

For you, there'll be no more crying
For you, the sun will be shining
And I feel that when I'm with you
It's alright, I know it's right

around the world in 8 hours PART 1

2011-07-26T16:32:00.001-06:00

While everyone might think my favorite part of Orlando was Harry Potter World, the truth is that Epcot was one of the coolest things I've ever seen. I wish I had thought of the idea first...only disappointment was the lack of representation of Russia...I've moved on though.

We got touch of magic passes for Disney so we each picked a park. Having worked at Disney Land in Anaheim I had zero desire to go to the Magic Kingdom and luckily he couldn't care less. Matt picked Hollywood Studios and I picked Epcot. It was honestly amazing, so much culture. The best part is that all of the workers in the different countries represented are actually native. Only French born and raised people can work in France, only Norwegians can work in Norway. LOVED THAT! I wanted to make friends with everyone so they'd all want me to visit and stay with them!!

SO we took a walk through all of the countries, starting with Canada. I'm not sure if it was my lack of interest or if there really wasn't much representation there. I was too excited to get to the next country...

ENGLAND! ...where we saw Mary Poppins, thank you very much! Of course we took pictures in the red phone booths as well as buying a little tea pot and my favorite tea (which I discovered in Ukraine).

Next stop along the way was France. I loved hearing those beautiful accents. We saw Marie from Aristocats, Aurora, and some little monuments dedicated to the amazing Remy from Ratatouille! BUT my all time favorite part of France was the most. delicious. ice cream. i have EVER. TASTED!!!

The rest of the journey to come...

Joanne Rowling

2011-07-26T11:29:00.002-06:00

I'm wondering how many people caught the J.K. Rowling story, Magic Beyond Words, on TV this last week. I'm going to confess...I watched it 4 times.

With the final Harry Potter movie out and our trip to The Wizarding World it was interesting to watch how it all began.

Did you know her first name is Joanne and she doesn't have a middle name? The first people to help publish suggested she should come up with some kind of initialed name like R.L. Stine because men rarely read books by woman. Joanne was very close with her mother, Katherine, hence where the "K" came from in her pen name.

Joanne met and married a man in Portugal who cheated and abused her. Soon after her daughter, Jessica, was born Joanne left her husband and went back to London to start over. That's when she decided to finish a book she had been working on for a long time, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

Did you know that J.K. Rowling had the last chapter of the 7th book written before she even finished the first book?

In just 3 years J.K Rowling went from being a single mom on welfare to being one of the richest people in England.

The movie seriously inspired me to go for my dreams, it motivated me to accomplish something great in this life. If she can do it, I can do it. And so can you.

Go HERE for more random facts on the books...was Dumbledore gay? Does Neville get married?

expecto patronum!

2011-07-22T09:56:00.000-06:00

to all you harry potter fans out there who have NOT gone to the wizarding world of harry potter, i tell you to GO! oh it was incredible...amazing...magical...life changing...ish...

There are a couple of different rides for this part of the park but the necessary one is in the castle, the line is loooooonggggg and it probably always will be but it is so worth it. As a hint, go as a single rider because you'll get through in half an hour tops.

The line takes you through the castle, through the dark arts classroom and halls with moving pictures. you see dumbledore's office, the penseive, the sorting hat, so many awesome things!

Hogsmeade was so much fun, you get to go through the joke shop and honeydukes candy shop! If you want to stand in a huge line you can go in to see Olivander and get your own wand. It's was so magical.

the absolute BEST part, most incredible thing to ever happen, is the butterbeer. it was amazing. delicious. unforgetable. we were warned ahead of time to get the frozen one and it was PERFECT!!!

LOVED IT!!!

we're baaaaack

2011-07-22T08:51:00.000-06:00

It's SO good to be home after a long amazing but humid trip to Orlando with my brand new husband!!!

To be honest I've been back since Monday but I got soooo sick...you know? The usual honeymoon sick to all you mormons out there. THEN we thought I had kidney stones, but I didn't, thank heavens!!! That was one painful night...but it's all good now and I'm back to work on this beautiful Friday morning. It was nice having a little break but you can only watch re-runs of Boy Meets World and Friends for so long.

I have yet to see the wedding pictures, but I seriously cannot wait. Except that I can and I will. But here are just a couple that people snapped with their phones through out the amazing day::

This day could not have been better. I got to see so many people I love and spend an evening in smiles. Special big huge thanks to the Herrin girls who made everything perfect. I grew up with them and they put their whole day at my beckin' call. They did everything and I didn't have a care in the world! I will never ever forget that.

taking a honeymoon break

2011-07-01T09:38:00.000-06:00

Today is my last day of work until I come home from my honeymoon!!! My family gets here late Sunday night, and I'll be EVERYWHERE for the next 3 weeks and I can't imagine that I'll have time to blog. BUT I will be taking lots of pictures at everyone of the big events we've got::

Monday July 4th-MY 23 BIRTHDAY (plus the holiday of course)

Wednesday July 6th-Amanda and Jose's Wedding Day!!!

Friday July 8th-Best Day EVER, I marry my best friend

Saturday July 9-HONEYMOON!!

I will report back in a couple weeks with lots and lots of pictures!!!

balloon season

2011-07-01T09:22:00.000-06:00

This morning as I was driving to work I saw all of the hot air balloons out, I love the Forth of July in Utah, I love the balloons they send out early in the morning. Last year I went out on the balcony early in the morning to see them all coming down, landing in random yards...they were so beautiful. I love that sound they make when the fire blows to lift it higher in the sky.

It's a goal to ride in one of these one day, I would love to experience that view. I will. I promise.

HAPPY FORTH OF JULY WEEKEND!!!

morning run

2011-07-01T09:13:00.000-06:00

I woke up this morning excited and happy to have just one week left of being single. I've loved having my sister staying with me cuz she's whipped me into better shape. Sometimes I pinch her when she wakes me up at at 5 am...or when she slaps the potato chips out of my hand...but I love her for it. Both my other sister and I bought our wedding dresses and went in for the 2nd fitting and couldn't fit in them! Is it like a wedding curse that you are supposed to gain that weight? Whatever...

I love going for that morning run, it's so beautiful up in Hobble Creek Canyon. We get out there right when the sun is coming up and the clouds are indescribable. I took some pictures this morning, but they just don't do it justice.

These are a few of my favorite things:

2011-06-30T11:30:00.000-06:00

REESE'S PEANUT BUTTER CUPS!!!

DRESSES!!!

A GOOD BOOK!!!

ICE CREAM ICE CREAM ICE CREAM!!!

BOATING ON A LAKE ON A HOT DAY!!!

PRECIOUS LITTLE VILLAGES TO EXPLORE!!!

MY BEAUTIFUL BEST FRIEND, HUSBAND TO BE IN JUST 8 DAYS!!!

so no one told you life was gonna be this way

2011-06-28T11:52:00.000-06:00

WELL it's safe to say i have another obsession. you might call it an addiction. i call it pure entertainment. or just freaking awesome.

Phoebe: [Right after playing a song in the coffee shop ] If you want to receive e-mails about my upcoming shows, then please give me money so I can buy a computer.

Rachel: Wha... married?
Ross: Well, yeah, I think we should get married!
Rachel: What? Because that's your answer to everything?

Ross: You know, we should probably ask the doctor if she even knows how to deliver a baby that's half human, half *pure evil*!

Ross: What are you doing?
Chandler: Making chocolate milk. You want some?
Ross: No thanks, I'm 29.

Rachel: Can you take care of Emma just for today?
Ross: Sure, just lend me your breasts and we'll be on our way.

Phoebe: Pheobe. That's, P, as in Phoebe, H, as in heobe, O as in oebe, E, as in ebe, B, as in bebe, and E as in... Ello there mate.

[Monica knocks]
Chandler: You can't come in.
Monica: Why not?
Chandler: Because, uh, Ross is naked.
Ross: What?
Chandler: Well, I couldn't tell her *I* was naked. She's allowed to see me naked.
Ross: Why does *anyone* have to be naked?

Ross: So, uh, what did the insurance company say?
Chandler: Oh, they said uh, "You don't have insurance here so stop calling us."

Joey: Hey Ross. If homo sapiens were in fact "homo sapiens", could that be why they're extinct?
Ross: Joey, homo sapiens are people.
Joey: Hey! I'm not judging here.

photos of the day

2011-06-28T11:24:00.000-06:00

I've still got this obsession with National Geographic and today I went through about a gazilion "photos of the day" and picked out my favorites.

no fear

2011-06-24T12:00:00.001-06:00

BoOkWoRm

2011-06-23T15:32:00.001-06:00

Through blog stalking I found a little questionaire that I loved and had to share...I never do these, but feel free to pass it along.

1. Favorite book – The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

2. Least favorite book – To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. My mom would be so ashamed, but it's just so boring to me...

3. Book that makes you laugh out loud - Junie B. Jones series by Barbara Park

4. Book that makes you cry - My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

5. Book you wish you could live in – Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling of course

6. Favorite young adult book – The Host by Stephanie Meyer

7. Book that you can quote/recite – Book of Mormon
8. Book that scares you – I don't really read horror books, but I get anxiety reading Phillipa Gregory's books, mostly because of the large amount of actual history they hold. The Other Boleyn Girl, The Queen's Fool...

9. Book that makes you sick – A Child Called It by Dave Pelzer.

10. Book that changed your life – By The River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept by Paulo Coelho
11. Book from your favorite author – The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

12. Book that is most like your life – Committed by Elizabeth Gilbert, just the lessons learned throughout the story, obviously not the being kicked out of the country part.

13. Book whose main character is most like you – Elizabeth Gilbert from her book Eat Pray Love. She helped me pull away from my cynical thoughts on learning to trust in love again through travel and new experience.

14. Book whose main character you want to marry – Well duh Darcy from Pride and Prejudice. But only if my current man did not exist...

15. First “chapter book” you remember reading as a child – The Bailey School Kid Books by Debbie Dadey.

16. Longest book you’ve read - Other than scriptures, Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

17. Shortest book you’ve read - A Grain of Rice by Helena Clare Pittman
18. Book you’re most embarrassed to say you like – It doesn’t really embarass me, but it's as close as it gets, Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer

19. Book that motivates you - Half The Sky by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl Wudunn
20. Book you’ve read the most number of times – The Book Of Mormon

21. Favorite picture book from childhood – Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

22. Book you plan to read next – Love is Letting Go of Fear by Gerald J. Jampolsky

23. Book you tell people you’ve read, but haven’t (or haven’t actually finished) - haha that would be Ana Karenina by Tolstoy, it is my GOAL in life to finish this book before I die. All because of my Becky.

24. Book that contains your favorite scene - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald

25. Favorite book you read in school – The Scarlett Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorn

26. Favorite nonfiction book – Sybil by Flora Rheta

27. Favorite fiction book - The Great Gathering by Chad Daybell

28. Last book you read – Covenant Hearts by Bruce C. Hafen
29. Book you’re currently reading – The Help by Kathryn Stockett

30. Favorite coffee table book – My National Geographic magazines

31. Favorite adventure book - The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

pre wedding joy

2011-06-23T11:38:00.001-06:00

I'm a little late but we recently got back from our road trip to Ohio. It was a long drive but we brought my sister, Kenzie, on the trip back with us so that drive was a bit easier! She's going to stay with me until the wedding and then Matt will take her place.

Since we were home, we had a DOUBLE pre-wedding open house with my other seester and her fiance. It was so much fun to see everyone! I couldn't believe the turn out, my parents are so great to put this together for us.

Our fabulous photographer, Amelia Eve, is a family friend and was so sweet to do these pictures. I didn't even think we'd be having a photographer, but she was there and I am oh so grateful for these permanent memories. We just got a little sneak peek so far, I can't wait to see the rest! She was able to capture some hilarious faces, loved it!

My Aunt Mary is a fabulous baker, she made incredible cupcakes for us, half with a blue flower, and half with pink, she got both sisters colors in there. The chocolate ones were to DIE for, with choc chips baked right in there!! MMMMMMmmmmm...then my dad chose to take the one box of chocolate to work instead of one of the 3 boxes of vanilla...farewell cupcakes, farewell...

Little April Willow, my cousin's daughter. What does that make her to me? No idea...She is a fabulous little model for her mama's etsy shop, Maple Tree Knits.

This would have to be my all time favorite captured shot of the evening, I'm not sure what we were doing at the time but my precious fiance to the left and my sister Mackenzie claim to be Sacha Fierce. I can accept that. If you didn't know them, you can tell just by this how well they get along.

This is Mackenzie with my other soon to be wed sister, Amanda. This picture is so precious to me, a little sisterly bonding never hurt anyone!

Love. Love my man. Love my dress. Love the fireplace. Just love. Love. Love.

I can't wait to see more of the pictures with the 4 of us together, I'm so glad we got the chance to have a double "reception". We never even thought of the possibility to have our wedding so close to theirs. It was all Amanda's idea, she begged for a double wedding. Then I got all excited, the boys said no way, and we relented and took the weekend after theirs. What really got to me was the fact that our family will already be out here, this way they won't have to make the trip twice. Saves lots of money. I can do that. Amanda hates attention, I didn't want to have to wait months and months later...hey!

15 DAYS

countdowns never end

2011-06-23T10:27:00.000-06:00

After 15 days are up and I'm a married lady once again, AND after my fabulously incredible Harry Potter World honeymoon, I will be moving on to counting down the days for our next big adventure! THAILAND!

dlkfjasldf kas fsalkfdj YAY!!!

sales pitch

2011-06-22T11:55:00.000-06:00

For about 2 months now my sweetheart has been trying to sell his camera and I can tell you right now that my biggest frustration EVER is a scam. These people are SO good at trying to trick you sometimes, other times it's the most stupid thing I've ever head. Frustrating. BUT I figured I would give this a shot myself.

Matt bought this Sony HVR- A1U Camcorder for $2400 and we've gone from trying to sell it for $2200-$1300 now. If you know anyone intested in buying a nice video camera, refer them here. I can send an invoice through paypal.

This camera is in PERFECT condition, he's only owned it for a year and it has had very little use. It comes in it's original box with all of it's original accessories. Let me know if you are interested or if you have any questions. You can email me at cestlasara (at) gmail.com or leave me your email in a comment.

Here is the "official" description for ya:

"The HVR-A1U 1080i HDV camcorder provides real 1080i HD acquisition, with superb image quality and comprehensive functionality for professional use, in a "handy" camcorder form factor. This new HDV camcorder will help to expand the adoption of HDV and lead the entry-level HD market by providing a compact and low cost solution. The new HVR-A1U features a newly developed 1/3-inch C-MOS imager. This new 1920x1080 native imager is also capable of 3 mega-pixel still images. Combined with a high quality Optical Zoom Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T Lens and Sony's new 14 bit A/D and DXP digital Extended Processor, result in precise image acquisition with superb detail and clarity. The new HVR-A1U records this exceptional imagery using the recently adopted HDV 1080i"

It's a great deal!!!

still more to do!

2011-06-21T09:12:00.000-06:00

I'm trying not to stress out, I think I have everything under control...there are only a few more things left to do til I get married in 17 days!!!! It's just one thing at a time, we already got our wedding shoes in the mail, thank heavens...

I also just bought Matt's ring yesterday and expect it to come in the mail shortly, of course it has some rose gold in there to match mine!!

All we have left to do within 17 days::

Pay for tuxes

Get my bouquet

Find a cheap caterer

Get our marriage licence (FRIDAY!)

Find our honeymoon hotel in Orlando + get out Harry Potter world tickets!!

we are the ones who make a brighter day

2011-06-15T11:42:00.000-06:00

I've got this recent need to watch Arthur...you know, the kids TV show. It's innocence and preciousness makes me so happy. They are all on youtube so it's my entertainment during my down time at work...and it's always downtime. Secretary jobs are the best thing for this busy life of wedding plans, but sometimes I get weddinged out.

So the episode I just watched was when Sue Ellen moves into the neighboorhood...Buster leads everyone to believe that this new family came from another planet but they soon find the they are different. Sue Ellens dad had a job that took them all over the world. It got me thinking, about things that I've already thought about:

I want my children to experience the world, I want them to know and understand other cultures. It helps people see why everyone is so different in their thoughts and actions.

When I was younger I love love LOVED the TV show The Wild Thornberry's. I wanted to travel the world with my family. I wanted a job that would take me everywhere for my whole family to experience it.

I want my house to be unique, I want my children to learn things I never knew about at those early ages. I want their friends to learn new things every time they come by. Each new place you experience helps to capture a new piece of yourself...you grow into something new. I want my children to understand that. And I think they will.

the daily grind

2011-06-15T11:18:00.000-06:00

small things are making me so happy lately. so much stuff is happening that's helping the time fly by. it might seem ridiculous but there are only a few things taking up my time right now. work is included every weekday but since i'm blogging WHILE at work, you can see i've got a lot of free time...

my current read:

wedding plans galore:

Arthur...on a daily basis...at work:

unpacking....still, i had to bring a lot back from Ohio!:

Then of course we've got facebook, blogging, my attempt to get myself into the habit of running again, bonding time with the temporary live-in sister, and cuddle time with the future mister.

the countdown

2011-06-14T14:40:00.000-06:00

We are at 24 days folks, 24 days til I tie the knot with my very best friend in the whole wide world. Unbelievable. Time really flies by when you have at least an ounce of patience.

It's been so much fun getting presents in the mail, everybody loves getting mail, but these aren't BILLS!!! THEY ARE FUN THINGS FOR MY HOUSE!!! I didn't think anyone would actually use the gift registry, but I was wrong! I have some favorites though, I'm pretty sure they won't be picked out of everything else because of the prices, but what's it hurting to put them on there just incase someone has a ton of extra money laying around, right?

1. WHO doesn't want a kitchen aid??? Those things are mighty expensive and but oh so worth it...one day!

2. This bronze Anolon cookware set, which I will store on my hanging pot and pan rack!!! (THOSE aren't too much, I was surprised!

3. Our favorite bed pieces, target has won this round. We'll end up buying this ourselves if necessary because it's just adorable. AND the perfect colors. If only it had more stripes...

4. If I could make homemade ice cream, I'd never buy it! It's just so much more magical/delicious/amazing/unbelievable/scrumptious/mouthwatering/delectable/heavenly/...

5. An oreck vacuum, those things are incredible! They are soooo light but can pick up everything and anything, a maid's paradise.

we're going to make a difference

2011-06-13T13:54:00.000-06:00

we are back!!! it was a good trip, i'm glad to be home, back at work, living the life. i brought my sister back with me and we've got a plan. we'd like to start a foundation. it's a slowwww moving process but we are determined to make a difference. and you have to start from somewhere. why not start on a blog?

sooo i'd like to share my ideas with the blogging world and get your opinions...we've narrowed down our main focus, we'd like to reach out to the hungry, starting in africa. if we have success, we'd like to move further into asian countries and eventually we'll broaden to help other causes such as slavery, abuse, human trafficing, etc.

before starting this blog we are trying to come up with a name, we wrote out a list of great names but they all seem to be taken. of course i'm grateful for that, so many people wanting to change things. can you see anything different? that might stand out? any ideas? here is what we've got::

End Hunger Now

Starving Internationally

Hunger International

Make a Difference

Make A Change

Change A Life

Change The Hungry

Help The Hungry

Stop Starvation Now

Change The World

Feed The World

Feed The World. Be The Change.

Feed The World. Make A Change.

rat-a-too-ee

2011-06-01T16:11:00.000-06:00

Does anyone love this movie as much as I do? I've seen it probably a gazillion times and I've never gotten sick of it. It makes me so happy inside, it gets me in the cooking mood and I can't stop. It also makes me want a genious pet rat...gross.

One of these days I'm going to have an incredible kitchen, I"m going to have it all and it's going to be a feast every night at the Po'oi house! My kids are going to love me, and don't worry we won't be a family of fat people because I'll make healthy food!!!

It's normal that my dream is to have a pot and pan holder hanging from my ceiling, right?

I'm just in love with all kitchen "gadgets"!

ROAD TRIP USA

2011-06-01T11:12:00.000-06:00

FINALLY it's time to head home, in 2 days Matt and I will be making the 26 hour drive across the country to see the family. Of course back in kindergarten my parents met Matt, but it's been awhile. We think it's time.

The main reason for the trip is for my little sister, Amanda to recieve her endowments, we couldn't be more proud! It's going to be a fabulous trip, a little get together so friends could meet our men has turned into a huge pre-wedding open house at a country club with hors d'oeuvres (i just learned that is the correct spelling for "orderves"). Apparently we got a fabulous deal through a friend who works there. I'm not complaining! I'm excited!

I've never been the best at road trips though, lots of reasons. My bladder is too small, it's not the most comfortable, I eat WAY too much junk food, and I really really hate driving in the dark. blah.
But I'm excited to do this with Matt, it's going to be a nice test to see if we can handle each other for 26 hours straight. I think we'll do just fine.

Does anyone have any fabulous ideas for car trips? I always take something salty, sweet, chocolaty, and healthy. You gotta stay awake somehow. We plan on not stopping once. We'll take turns sleeping and driving. Here's too a good one!

indi indi india

2011-05-31T11:45:00.000-06:00

which of you wouldn't love to trade lives with a happy family over in India to experience these things for just little while? Tell you what, you can take one person with you!