The Koford's

Halloween

2011-11-08T10:46:00.000-08:00

Halloween is awesome. The kids get all excited all month long, spooky decorations are placed, punkins are carved...then after about 5 houses of trick or treating they are done and ready to go home. Pretty sweet indeed.

This is a recap of our events:

Playdate party:

I will take any excuse to have a party. So when Addi asked if her friends could come over to a Halloween party I was all over it.

turning into mummies

spooky food...thanks for the ideas pinterest

monsters out of playdough

Pumpkins Carved:

Growing up in the Flint family we didn't do pumpkin carving. If you ask my mom she simply replies that it is way too messy to be allowed. My dad however was constantly convinced that fingers would be left inside the punkin cavity and I'm pretty sure he still has nightmares about the possibility of that. So when Addi begged to carve some this year I was at a loss. I simply didn't know how to go about that. But Ronnie is a pro and carve we did:

Addi choose the classic, triangles and teeth. I attempted a kitty but will improve with more experience people, dont judge. Ron did the pi symbol...he thinks he is witty.

This part made both Addi and Ron gag. That made me giggle.

Costumes:

This was all the cousins: Witch, Chase's girlfriend, Chase was the creepy mask guy, Grey and Kru were Ron Burgundy and Brick, Cauley had to dress like The Situation for her softball halloween party, and my gals were the cute ones: an Angel and a Ghost

Look how pumped Ellie was! I love that face, Halloween is awesome!

One of my favorites things that happened was that Addi's school party was actually the day after on November 1st, she was so sick of being an Angel that she told me she was done with that costume. Which secretely made me happy because all I could think about was her trying to take off her leotard by herself when she had to pee. That would have been rough. So we improvised...

track suit + sweat band + 1/2 marathon medal = runner. Classic.

Needless to say by today I was done with Halloween, every decoration was ripped down and I felt like a weight had been lifted. Now all Addi can talk about is Christmas. She just wants everything on TV, not a lot, just everything. It will be quite a year.

Happy Halloween everyone!

Its been awhile...

2011-06-14T21:49:00.000-07:00

And in that long while lots has been happening around here. Here is our list of things that have been filling our days:
1. Softball: alas, another year is finally over and we I for one am very happy to have the end. It was a tough year. Im sure some of you who followed us know that we went undefeated in our Region and took state this year so you are saying to yourself, "Mandy is off her rocker if she thinks that means it was a tough year, oh poor girl." But I am here to tell you that I was standing in the dugout begging people for some sort of relaxant so that I could get through the games. I was a giant ball of stress and I feel bad about that because I know I didnt have as much fun as I could have. I just wanted these gals to win so badly and I was constantly feeling the fear that something was going to go wrong. I think maybe last year (making it to the championship game and getting beat) had me in some sort of post traumatic stress disorder and it was just stupid how hard I took every run and every setback. Needless to say I was so happy when they won it, but so relieved as well. Cauley was nothing short of totally amazing and I will be so happy to watch her next year tear it up at SLCC. She is my hero.

This is her hugging my daddy after the win, sucky pic but I stole it from the internet so thats what I get for stealing.

2. 13.1: My brother, in all his kind and generous ways, called me up in early April and told me that he had an early birthday present for me...he was giving me his half marathon to run. Nice present hu? He is a giver. But I took it as a chalange and started running. I ran 3 miles the first week and thought for sure that people had to be drunk when they registered for this race, but week by week as my miles increased my attitude did too and soon enough I was huddled with thousands of people about to start my race. As I ran for my 2 hours and 12 minutes, I kept thinking, I can do this...but why? Im I really having fun right now? Couldnt I be home in my jamies watching a Spongebob episode? I mean I am happy to say that I did it, but I am also happy its over. I think maybe when my kids are a little bigger and I have a little more time to train it will be better. (there are no pictures, just imagine a hunched over achey body with a beet for a head because I turn an awesome shade of reddish purple while running)
3. Our yard: We have grass! Our yard went from a weedy mess to an awesome haven of happiness for me and the gals. Maybe not so much for Ronnie because he gets to mow the sucker, but we gals sure like it. A great guy named Bryce Wilcox did the work, if you want his number we would be so happy to pass it out because he was awesome. I have been too busy/lazy to take shots of just the yard, I will get at it and post them. You can see glimpses of it at the bottom of this post.
4. School Ended: Addi graduated from her first year of Preschool and was super cute in doing so. I just wish I could find that camera that I took the pictures with so that I could post them. They are somewhere in our mini van (yep, thats right. Ron got me an mini van and I will never be the same again. I adore my mini.) Anyway, its somewhere and I have faith that someday I will find it. Someday.
*note...after much searching (why the H do they put so many freaking cubbies in those things? I found it!

This is her during her performance, I dont have great ones from after because again, I suck at being a good and organized mommy and my camera immediatly ran out of power. Nice.

5. Ellie is a big girl: My baby turned one! I know everyone says this about their own kids, but she is truly awesome. She is so amazing in so many ways (ways that we never really experienced with Addi, my oldest who was stuck to me like tar paper for the first year of her life.) I never knew how awesome it was to have a baby that was happy with whoever loved her. Who was instantly funny, (you should see her dance to any Ke$sha or Katy Perry song) and who was brillent and beautiful (dispite the ever noticable lack of hair) and who has added so much to our family. I even love her when she throws crazy fits and throws her head back in absolute anger, she is simply awesome and I could not be happier to have her be my baby for as long as she will be.

Shaking her party makers before the shin-dig

Here was the set up. Damn wind. It was to be a cool luau setting, it ended up just a cool day.

Here we are roasting our smores that followed the dogs that were roasted on our new fire pit. It was awesome.

Look at her cute lips prepared to blow out the flame, oh who was I kidding, the flame lasted .2 seconds before the wind blew it out. That why first birthdays are awesome because the b-day gal couldnt care less if the candel was not really lit.

The damage.

She makes me so happy

Addi's Number 4

2011-04-21T11:55:00.000-07:00

I now officially have a 4 year old. I know I have said this before, but it always surprises me how sentimental I get about her birthday. I tear up all day thinking about how I felt on the day she was actually born, how amazing it was to bring her into the world and how cool it was the first time I got to hold her. Now 30 some odd pounds later its still just as cool, just a lot heavier and much more chatty.

This year Addi wanted a Tangled party so we had her little play group over after preschool and partied like people who had been locked away in a tower all our lives.

We played pin the frying pan on Flynn Rider, had little Pascals all over the place, painted like Rapunzel and had food in frying pans. It was so fun! Glad I had lots of back up from my mom and mother in law, kids are needy.

Later we had her family party, also so much fun. Party people kept with the theme and gave her lots of Tangled stuff. She was also crazy pumped to her her Monster High dolls that she has been obsessing about since October. She was a happy little 4 year old. Now anytime she sees anyone...even perfect strangers, she excitedly tells them how she is now four and begins to tell them the list of things she wants for her 5th birthday.

Since I am terrible at loading pictures on this thing, I will just go out of order and describe everything:

Addi, Parks (future husband) and Whitlee painting their master pieces

Best I could get them to do for a group shot, they were all too excited to see the presents

This was prior to her family shin dig. She got way too much, but in my defence, I got most things on after Christmas sales for like 75% off. I promise.

Her tangled wig. So cute but I want to burn it. If I find one more extremely long hair in my babies diaper I will strangler the maker of this wig.

Cake...did not go the way I wanted. Addi helped decorate

Pascal party blowers. Definite hit.

Happy Birthday big girl. Love you and how wonderful you are at making friends and having fun. I love your imagination, your sweet tender feelings and how easy it is to discipline you because you got your guilt from me and everything makes you feel bad. I love how you still want to hold my hand when you are super tired. Love how you love your sister...unless she has one of your toys. I simply love you.

Happy Birthday Ronny!

2011-03-18T08:17:00.000-07:00

My baby daddy had a birthday last week and I just wanted to show what his fab gals gave him.

Ellie was completly pumped about the oatmeal cookies she gave.

Addi picked out the BOY Monster High doll all by herself.

You can see they both thought their presents to him were the best.

Happy Birthday Ron! Hope you loved your presents....The girls love you I promise, they are just a bit selfish.

A 3 year old teen?

2011-02-11T12:45:00.000-08:00

I remember when I first found out I was having a girl 4 some odd years ago. Many replies were as follows:
"Oh a girl huh? They are drama!"
Well all that just skimmed over my head and all that was left was the image of cute bows of every color and fluffy dresses and locks of hair to braid. I thought of all the fun things we would do together and I would have years and years of that before the dreaded "drama" came with the teen years.
My life has been full of the bows and dresses and all the fun stuff, but no one ever told me the drama of a teen would take place just before hitting four years old.
Seriously people...I have a crazy woman living at my house and she is in the body of a cute 3.8 year old.

Looks pretty cute and innocent right....and she is, but then she has this switch that she just pulls and suddenly I am dealing with something I am totally unfamiliar with.
Examples you ask....DELIVERED.
Picture an early morning. Ellie had a rough night and was up a lot so both me and her were totally crashed. Addi wanted to watch TV in my bed which I told her was great but she would need to be quiet so that Ellie and I could catch up on some missed Z's. However the little yacker simply could not stop talking and telling me everything about what Spongebob and Patrick were doing. Finally I told her to just keep her mouth shut and watch her cartoons, (remember...I was SO tired.) Crying, she got off the bed and announced:
"I just want my life back!"
"What?" I asked...surely I had heard that wrong because what the pee pee does that even mean coming out of a preschoolers mouth.
So she repeated it. I couldn't help but chuckle inside a little, I mean where did she even get that? It sounded so full of teen angst that I was blown away.
She also is extremely particular about her wardrobe which has led to many a morning fights. Its out of her Bell Jamies or some random and completely summer type dress or tank top. If I EVER tell her she needs a coat she bursts into millions of tiny misery driven tears. Every morning I have a small panic attack when I tell her that it is time to get dressed because I have no idea what response I will get. One day i needed to get her ready to go play at her friends house. The temperature outside was about 5 degrees. My little girl demanded to wear her 'exercise suit' which is a skimpy tank top and shorts. When I told her it was too cold to go outside in that she told me she was just going to sit in her bed the rest of the day and be sad. Seriously. She is so effin cute but I want to ring her neck sometimes.
I ask you to do this...just tell me it will be alright and that she will grow out of this and just be a sweet and rational little girl for the remainder of her days. Even if it is a lie...lie to me people.
Meanwhile...look how cute they are:

This is her in her blessing dress...she looks crazy cute huh?

Laying on the floor laughing <3

Nevermind...she is too cute to be frustrated at <3

Catching up

2011-01-20T08:07:00.000-08:00

Most days something happens that makes me think "I should blog about that." then the day is over and I am covered in baby drool and have watched enough Sponge Bob to kill a person and I am over it. So today I vow to catch up.

Happy new year everyone, hope all your Christmas's were awesome and all that. Christmas simply rocks and that's all there is to it. Addi got everything she has ever dreamed of getting and her list just keeps continuing to grow. I guess that is the great life of a 3.5 year old. Ellie got what she wanted too:

See those two pearly whites? She has been using them with lots of vigor and force. She is also hoping that the top two join the party soon.

A tradition in our family is to have a cooking battle for New years. In the past I have ROCKED this competition and I felt that I would once again dominate. I forgot one thing...who was judging. All the young ens' get to pick the winner and when you serve 'Beef Braised Beef over Gorgonzola Polenta' kids tend to be a little shy. But between me and you it was amazingly awesome and I have dreams about polenta now. I want to serve all things with polenta. Mac n' cheese...and polenta. Chocolate cake...and polenta. I love it. I also love the new cooking vessel that I get to make all my new dishes in.

I forgot to take good pictures during the competition so this is the aftermath. We were all pleasantly stuffed, regardless of the fact that BOTH my brothers beat me with their dishes. Brisket sandwiches and Meatloaf. Yes, I got hosed.

Addi also had an accident (we wont mention that it was her mothers fault because she was sitting by the increasingly needy Ellie and cleaning pictures frames on the floor and that the glass freakishly jumped up and sliced the top of her foot all up) all you need to know is that for a solid week she has been running around with her own version of a cast...

Preschool was attended in the Hello Kitty slipper, she slept with it on at night. She even had to bathe with a sock on so she still had her "cast" to protect it. Poor gal. I finally did get it off and promptly into the wash...it was starting to gain some serious funk.

All in all, things are good. I'm glad we are back to some sort of normal. Happy new year everyone!

Chrismas Time is Here

2010-12-22T09:36:00.000-08:00

It's been quite awhile since our last post but what is terrifying is how fast time has flied. The holidays are simply crazy people.

Thanksgiving was fun. I love my mom's stuffing more than most people love their children so having a plate full of that always makes me a happy camper. The day after was awesome when me and my mom spent the day going from store to store to scope out some deals. I was pumped to find the last pack of 'Flaries' at Toys R Us. Anyone else have a "Fashion Fairytale" lover out there? Awesome. However since I have been scouring the shelves since October for Christmas stuff, I was really just getting stuff to get stuff. I am so crazy excited for this Christmas. Addi truly understands that there is this guy that will literally come into your home and leave you toys. She is pumped. So am I. Aside form everything she sees on TV that she wants, she will tell you automatically that she wants a LaLaLoopsy for Christmas, the one with the purple crown and the kitty.

While I know that is what she says she wants, she will be so much more happy with what is is also getting from the big guy:

She is going to pee her pants with happiness. This is all we do all day anyway so now at least we have an awesome doll house to play it in.
Meanwhile, Ellie gets:

We are givers.
Last night was Addi's preschool program. So much fun! She is boarder line ADD (self diagnosis) so it is always fun to watch when she gets sick of doing the norm and has her own program.

Standing while they were supposed to be sitting (at least she had another naughty one)

Sitting and sucking while the rest are standing

Doing her own awesome choreography.

Ellie thought it was the greatest show ever.
Speaking of Ellie, how cute is this baby?

I really like her.

Merry Christmas everyone. May your holidays be as wonderful as you all are!

October fest

2010-11-03T10:02:00.000-07:00

It is alas over. October was seriously one crazy month full of activities and field trips and all the trick or treat madness that one could possibly handle. I do believe that Halloween is (among) Addi's favorite holidays and she has been talking about our costumes since I believe last November 1st. Her plan was simple:
Addi: Princess
Daddy: Knight
Ellie: Unicorn
Mommy:....Dragon. Seriously a dragon Addi? WTF! Why does everyone else get a cute costume and Mom gets to be the giant evil ugly creature? She never saw the humor in it and simply thought her idea was awesome and therefore needed no tweaking. Well needless to say, I could not find a dragon costume and Ron was no fun in dressing up and well, Ellie is only 5ish months so sticking a giant horn on her head was not on her list of priorities. However, she did get her wish of being a princess. She chose to be Snow White, I got her a wig and everything...the wig was super gross though and looked more like a black rat had died on her head so she remained blond.

We also had to make our annual trip to Gardner Village to look at the witches. Addi has learned to fear quite a bit so she kept her distance from the witches but not from her cute sister.

Addi and Ellie, this was Ellies costume...because seriously, she didn't care. Member how with the first kid you actually think they need a whole costume and then the second comes and you realize that they don't care one bit? Funny. But still, she is insanely cute hu?

We also had Addi's first field trip to Black Island Farms. So fun. I am sure I was more excited than she was. I just LOVE being a mom and seeing the world through their eyes. Addi is so much fun and so excited to do anything. She is so much fun to be with and I am so lucky to have her.

Her cute class

Us on our way to get a punkin.

The actual punkin.

We also had her preschool party where they sang the cutest songs. Seriously, three is such an awesome age. I have loved everything about it! (well, to be honest, the whole potty training thing was going to put me over the edge, but other than that it has been the best age ever.)
Now here's to getting ready for Christmas stuff!

First Annual Koford Movie Night

2010-10-21T13:21:00.000-07:00

Someday our basement will be finished (after a yard and finishing the babe's room and about 9 million other things including a trip to Disney Land...hint hint Ronny...come on, how great would that be?) Anyway, someday our basement will be finished and we want a cool movie room down there, so we found an awesome popcorn machine thanks to KSL and we wanted to break it in.
We tend to go a little overboard when we have theme nights and this was no exception. We heading to the store with intentions of getting a FEW treats to munch on during the movie. We ended up looking like the poster kids for obesity in America.

'Smiling' more like growling at the new popcorn machine.

Seriously....Salt and Pepper chips (me...I love them) other chips (Ronny) Bugles (Addi) fish, twislers, M &M's other various candy and the giant Chocolate Frosted Flakes for me. I love them, am addicted, horrible with milk but dry they are simply Divine!

Totally unimpressed by anything but her thumb.

We watched Dragons, such a crazy cute show...at least until Addi said it was too late and she just wanted to go to bed. I made Ron watch the rest with me because it always makes me cry...in that good warm feel good way. Here's to many more movie nights! Cant wait till Toy Story 3 and Despicable Me come out! So much popcorn and more Chocolate frosted flakes for me!

Pacas

2010-09-29T09:33:00.000-07:00

Have I mentioned one of the main reasons that we moved to the 'country' was because each day I got to drive by an Alpaca farm? Well it was. I love these adorable little creatures and constantly dream of the day that I too can run a Paca farm and reap the benefits of constant cuteness meandering through my yard. Well this past weekend was the annual Alpaca Fest. Glorious day for me and my family. We got to walk amongst the herd and play with the guard dogs and everything. So awesome.

Look at these things! They are the epitome of adorable to me, seriously, look at their furry heads! And they are crazy soft. The dogs were the sweetest, in fact I think I could just go there and steal some Paca's for me and they would just stand there licking me...and I would let them. So fun. Move to the country with me!

Sweet little second child

2010-09-21T08:21:00.000-07:00

Second kids are awesome. You are not a new mom anymore so you are a little more relaxed and a lot less paranoid. With Addi I think I woke her up more than she woke herself up, I think she could sense me watching her and woke up to see what the heck I was staring at. With Ellie I ignore her grunting and wiggles until she gives me a full on cry, sometimes she falls back to sleep, sometimes I have to get her but at least I give her a choice. (Really it is just because I am too tired from taking care of two all day that I am way too exhausted to hop up at the first squeak.)

(crying until I have a chance to pick her up)

Second kids are also awesome because they don't get as spoiled as quick. They quickly get that cute bald spot from actually being placed on their backs for more than 30 seconds a day. I don't think Addi knew that there was a possibility that she may be placed anywhere by herself. I never put her down. Ellie does not have it quite as sweet, but since she doesn't know any better, she is totally pumped to sprawl out and roll around by herself.

(so ticklish)

Plus, second kids are always entertained. They always have noise and giggles, yells and bouncing. There is never quiet and always something to look at. All things equal a content child. But on those moments that I do get to just look at her, those moments in the middle of the night when she is drunkenly filling her belly so she can fall back to sleep, those sweet looks on her face are complete bliss.

(Ron calls daily to see if Ive eaten our baby yet...isn't she yummy?)

Now I still don't have it down how to get out of the house in less than 30 minutes and I don't understand how to take care of both of them when they both REALLY need me, but I have faith that I will figure it out somehow. Because they are too cute not to.

Side note...My sweet niece won homecoming queen! She also just verbally committed to go to Salt Lake Community on a full ride to play softball for the Bruins. So proud of my beautiful gal!

Preschool

2010-09-02T10:52:00.000-07:00

Next week Addi starts her first round of preschool. She is completely ready and yearns for some interaction with any sort of kid that will play with her. I'm ready too I swear. I think she will be much happier when she has something to do outside of me and what I have to offer her. I was ready that is until the orientation yesterday. All was great, the kids met their teacher and had a snack (Addi's is good at snacks.) Then we went to reading time where they read this story:

I was good until then. Then the teacher reads about this cute little raccoon that does not want to go to school so the mom kisses his hand and tells him to just touch his cheek when he feels alone and it will be like she is kissing him all better.
That's when I got all misty eyed and tried to pretend I wasn't crying over my 3 year old going to school and leaving me.
Now, I will be fine, but it just shows how fast she is growing. When did that happen?

By the way, she has a severe problem with looking at the actual camera with her eyes open. I don't know why! I cant figure the gal out. I once heard that Native Americans said that the camera stole your soul....I think Ron said he was like 1/8th something so maybe it is the soul stealing she is worried about.

Back in session

2010-08-27T09:29:00.000-07:00

School has now started which always makes me a little upset. I like teaching, I do, but I also have a fondness for laying in bed with my babies and staying in pajamas till way too late in the day. But I only teach every other day so dont feel too bad for me, I will do that by myself.
My sweet husbie has been 'given' (by that I mean forced) into taking over head coaching duties of the Roy High football team this year. Knowing that we would be daddy-less once school started, we packed lots into our last couple of weeks of summer, here is our rundown:
Blessing:
We blessed our sweet little Elliette Love at the first of the month. Ron did an amazing job and it was so fun to have friends there that we dont get to see all the time. It was also nice to just be able to have everyone come over to our own home after. I am however still quite angry at my husband, first thing he did when he got home was sprint like a woodland deer to our room and removed his suit in record time. Even before I got to get the signature picture with daddy and daughter. So ticked. He promises that we will recreate the day sometime...Im still waiting. So these are the only pictures we have until I do the recreation myself.

This is sweet little Hallie, Addi's first friend, it was so fun to have there at the blessing before they moved to AZ

Bear Lake:
Addi has been asking to go to the beach all summer. I dont think she really even knew what the beach was but by golly she knew she needed to go there. The closest we could think of was Bear Lake so bright and early we packed it up and went to the beach. She was in love. I will lose her to California or Florida someday, of that I am sure. She was a raving lunatic and could have stayed there all year. I dont even think she took time to snack or anything. She loved the sand, the water, every last bit of her was totally thrilled to be there.

Ellie is slightly less impressed

Being burried by her cousins

Roy Days:
Anyone who knows me knows that I will forever be a Roy gal, even if I dont really live there anymore, it will always be a huge part of me, here is the day:

The parade...so hot, so many fire engins, Addi didnt adore this parade

At the Carnie with her cute friend Whitlee showing off their face tatts

Fireworks with my ma, bros, and nieces and nephews (and Mitch, Cauley's boy)

Anniversary:
This was our 7th year being married. I am so lucky to have such an amazing husband. He is eternally doing whatever he can to make me happy and has given me the two best gifts ever. For this year we went to Little America with the gals and went swimming and eating. Addi wants to live in a hotel. I love you husbie.

My gals posing for some pics

After the hotel we 'Zoo-ed" it up for awhile.

Thanks for the great life!

IGNORE THE REST...IS ANYONE ELSE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH PICTURES OR AM I JUST TOTALLY LAME?

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Remember us?

2010-07-14T11:48:00.000-07:00

It has been about 3 months since I have had a chance to get on this thing. I have missed it. I know I said that I was going private, and someday I might. I just really don't want to. I am proud of my family. I think they are great, and if someone wants to read about us and see our cute kids, I really don't have a problem with that...unless they are mean. So I will keep my fingers crossed that now that softball is over for the year, those people have found other ways to occupy their minds and will leave me and my family alone. (please?)

When school was finally over I thought we had about 5 weeks to get things taken care of before our little gal arrived in the world. I was planning on those 5 weeks to clean the house, play with Addi, pack my hospital bag. So when my water broke at 2:30 on June 5th, (when I was still 3 weeks away from my due date) I stood desperately in my bathroom trying to figure out a way to jam all that I had left to do before I had to go to the hospital. I even contemplated just ignoring it and going back to bed. Maybe it would stop if I ignored it long enough....it didnt. So with a towel between my legs I sprinted around the house trying to get things together, I didn't even have my stuff packed, I hadn't cleaned, I was still planning on taking Addi to the zoo again, or to the park or swimming or something. But, this baby was going to get her way like it or not.

We arrived at the hospital at 4:30 and she rushed into the world (even before my mommy got there!) at 8:28 am. It only took three pushes instead of the 3 HOURS it took with Addi. Such a good girl! (I love these pictures when they look like they have just been in the ring with Ali or something)

Elliette Love Koford

7 lbs 7 oz

20 1/2 inches

Oh my goodness she is sweet, and her sister likes her too!Once we got home the fun started. My 3 year old who had been stubbornly rejecting potty training decided that the time had come (pretty convenient right?...not really) Plus she is more K9 than anything and wanted to learn how to do it on the porch. Seriously, she was peeing on the porch. Luckily we don't have houses across the street from us yet or they would have been given a show. I cant wait till I publish my book on how to raise and potty train your children, I will make millions. I will spare you those pictures and save them for some day when I need to blackmail her into doing something. (The pictures are not working with me today so just know these are totally out of order)

(this is Ellie in her 'tanning bed')
Ellie kept us home while she baked in her billi suitcase. She had some jaundice and needed to be in here 24 hours a day. We were glued to the house. Which gave me time to totally let my hormones freak out and I spent about 2 weeks crying over everything. I was a total mess. I was (and still am) so freaked out that I have two to take care of now. How do you do that? Seriously, how!??? But I will just love them and rely on our families a lot while I learn what the heck to do when Ellie needs to nurse and Addi needs eggs. Do I risk scorching my nursing baby over the stove or go crazy while Addi claims to be so hungry her stomach is eating itself and she my die right then and there? Who wins?

But we do love them so each moment is truly wonderful. I love how wonderfully sweet Addi is with her sister. She is silly proud of her and tells everyone about how cute she is. We have been trying to do the normal summer stuff. Swim lessons have been fun, fireworks are a huge hit, we even made it to the river for some fun.

Mostly we just bask in the cuteness. We bask a lot.

I have been forced into it...sorry

2010-04-16T13:55:00.000-07:00

If you want to come and see my blog, please send me your email, I would love nothing more than good people to look at my random posts but there are people out there who are simply spineless and cruel on family blogs that I simply can not put me nor my family through.
Sorry!
My email:
amkoford@weber.k12.ut.us

I will go private next week so let me know as soon as you can.
Thanks!

Easter...just a tad late.

2010-04-12T07:06:00.000-07:00

Have I told you how much I love Easter? Seriously, by far the best holiday. Don't believe me, here is my list of reasons why:

1. Candy. You can not possibly name another holiday where the candy is half as good. Cadbury mini eggs, bunnies that you can bite the heads off of, jelly beans in all sorts of to die for variations. It is just so good. I tried these cookies, next year you need to try them too, that is if you can forfeit a bag to crush and pour into cookie dough.

2. Spring. Not too hot, not too cold, cute little buds on the trees. Just the name makes you think of baby sheep grazing in a field or chicks bouncing up and down. How cute is spring? Plus the main decoration is eggs. Eggs that you spend about 30 minutes of pure messy fun decorating and cracking countless eggs to get your basket full of colorful awesomeness. Addi has wanted to dye eggs every day since.

3. Baskets. That's it, that's the big push. Not stockings, then presents, then family presents, then neighbor gifts. Christmas can be a little too much stress all around, but that bunny doesn't need all that stuff, just an awesome basket to load with above mentioned candy and spring toys like bubbles and kites and chalk. Every part of the basket screams, "Hey Spring, nice to see ya!" Addi got some Barbie stuff, a Zhu Zhu, sand stuff and lots of her favorite candy, anything where they combine chocolate and peanut butter. Ronnie got a couple shirts and his favorite candy selections, Snickers and peanut M n M's. The bunny brought me some new jewelry since I am the size of a motor home and do not need anything to put on or in my belly.

I simply love this holiday and have tried hard to make Addi see the truth about its awesomeness. She is still a little confused and asked if Santa gave the Easter Bunny a ride on his sleigh to come to our house, and I think she got terrified to think of a giant bunny hopping through our house, but you will see, one day I will bring her to my side.

Breaking the Habit

2010-03-23T06:11:00.000-07:00

We did it. I really feel like a parent now. Remember how in my last post I swore that I would take that binkie from her soon? Raise your hand if you really believed me? (There should be absolutely no hands raised. Not only would you look foolish raising your hand to your computer, but I myself didn't believe that I would really have the guts to take it away!)

Well we did. I did my research last week and looked at the post from The Idea Room (thanks Kate, I saw it too.) Liked some of the ideas but finally decided to go with one about Build-a-Bear. Knowing my husband would only go for this type of a place on a special occasion like this (seriously build a bear, you are a little pricey, I bought Addi's swimsuit for way less than this one!) And I knew Addi would be so thrilled to make a stuffed animal of her own. So, with thousands of knots in my stomach, we dove in.

I had talked to her all morning about what we were going to to and I have this weird way of scaring her (and scarring her) all at the same time. I told her she was getting so big and that she would be going to school before she knew it, but the kicker was when I told her that it was making her teeth funny. That did it, she looked at me and spit that cute little mouth piece out right then. Kinda like the time that I told her she had to hold my hand in the street so that cars wouldn't hit her and now she wont step on anything black for fear that a speeding car would immediately arrive out of no where and plow into her. Good solid parenting people. I will write a book later.

ANYWAY, I let her have the binkie while we played in the fountains and while we looked at a few stores; I let her have that sweet bink for her last hurrah. Every time I would look at her and her cute little binkie face I would feel the guilt pulse in my gut. Finally in the store she picked out her cute monkey and I held my breath as she shoved her last remaining binkie into the animal. All was good, she got a cute monkey, she dressed it and named it and was happy as pie....for about 3 minutes until she asked to have her binkie back.

(Final binkie taking the plunge)

(I think this is when she realized the mistake that she had made)
(this is about 3 minutes after when she asked for her binkie back...and my heart sunk)

I wish that I would have a clicker to mark how many times over the last few days she has asked for one. She has even asked to open the monkey or go to the store where we can just buy more binkies, and despite the fact that I have often times wanted to rip open the monkey myself, we have hung in there. Sometimes I picture her sitting in a corner with scissors in her hand and the carnage of the monkey around her with her binkies all in her mouth. We will see how long it takes to break the bond. Naps and night time is hard and I liken it to a smoker, she just cant seem to relax without her 'fix' but we are very proud of her and how she has handled it all. I however, am exhausted! I miss the binkie so very much but I vow that when little sis comes she will NOT have her binkie this long. Addi is much too verbal and too convincing now (even more so at night when she is used to being soothed so now she has long in depth conversations at night and I don't have her 'off' button anymore!) Next time I will need to make my attack when she is young and cant convince me otherwise.

Finished product!

Oh Georgie!

2010-03-15T11:28:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was the annual St. George trip for our softball trip. I always freak out thinking of all the ways that the trip could go wrong. Being responsible for not only my little family (the treats, the movies needed, the amount of apple juice/coke, don't judge, my fetus love caffeine), but I am also responsible for 16 other gals that are sometimes rather needy (again, treats, drinks-rockstar in this case despite their coaches warnings) I don't know how those crazy Duggers do it, crazy I tell you.

Despite the worries, it was a good weekend. Addi has discovered the love of Barbi movies so she was captivated by stories of mermaids and fairies and me and Ron were pumped that she loves her new headphones so we didn't have to hear the phrase "Let's do a makeover!" one more time. She is also kinda nuts when it comes to trinkets so each place we stopped she would pick up a rock....

(see rock in poised right hand, also see hand that had to be held during ride, my shoulders hurt so bad by the end. Also notice binkie...swear people, this week, but each time I bring it up that the binkie fairy is coming she freaks out and acts like Satan himself is coming to steal her soul. I'm scared. Calling for reinforcements her people!)

We spent the weekend swimming and traveling to and from ball parks. The gals did good and won all three games (would have played more but the skies opened up and dropped gallons on us.)

My poor sweet husbie got to spend his 36th pretending to like softball and dealing with stress case mommy. This was our hotel celebration:

Ron is terrible to buy presents for! Seriously sucks! He tells me that I should be thankful that he is an unwanting fellow. Why is it that I want everything: New clothes, shoes, jewelry, liposuction, an absence of pregnancy induced hip dysplaysia, an automatic hair washer; you get the idea, I want stuff. So for HIS birthday, he bought ME this baby. Oh how I love it. We watch movies, have cool kid apps that help Addi spell and match stuff, and my favorites: Bejeweled

and Doodle Jump . I love this thing, I try to hide it under the covers at night so I can sneak in a couple games and increase my high scores. He is such a little sweetie for buying me his birthday present!

Addi is very into picture taking and wants to make silly faces constantly, too bad she is not very good at them and will not look at the camera.

Pregnancy

2010-02-23T11:14:00.001-08:00

I remember when I was in high school and I used to fantasize about being pregnant. I would picture myself blissfully eating ice cream while my husband rubbed my feet and we watched while our fetus gently poked at my barely large belly.
I also thought that I would never pass gas in front of a boy and that I would fix every meal nutritiously for my family.
Needless to say, I was not right about everything.
I have to admit that this pregnancy is better than I remember the first one being. I am not CRAZY tired like I was with Addi, but I think that working only part time is the reason for the increased energy. Plus with one kid, you really don't have the opportunity to sit around all day on a Saturday and watch movie after movie. (ahh, those were the days.)
So although I really do feel pretty good this pregnancy, lets talk about things that drive me crazy. Most of my friends are skinny little girls. I always just pretended to be a skinny little girl but it really was just all in my head. I'm not skinny. I have accepted that. What I cant accept is when SERIOUSLY skinny girls place weekly pictures on their blog about their upcoming births and how BIG they are getting when they still have their pre-prego pants totally on until birth. I look pregnant. I often want to lie to strangers when they ask how far along I am just so I don't have to admit that I am really just big. Heaven forbid you have to grunt when you pick things up at 5 months because you really have something in the way, not just kinda in the way, but really in the way.
Last week I found this show on TLC or something called Obese and Pregnant. I loved it. I suddenly felt thin and thought how I would totally be the envy of them. Just them, but that was enough for then.
I am just nervous. I know most of you out there have two or more children....so how did you do it? I am pooping myself thinking about having to nurse all night and then still act with it enough to make Addi's morning meal of hot dogs and eggs, (don't judge, she gets protein and carbs and fat all in one), anyway, how the crap am I going to do that?
The first year with Addi was just tough for me. Will this one be just as bad?
Lie to me people. Lie to me about everything. Tell me it will all be super easy and that this baby will sleep through the night, (this still does not happen with Addi thanks to an increasing number of nightmares about lizards, spiders and snakes) and when you see me tell me I look so crazy skinny that you think I may need to eat a sandwich and then we can go eat together. Deal? Thanks.

Vomit can be so cute.

2010-01-15T10:31:00.000-08:00

(this picture was as close to looking like she was throwing up that I could find, I think we were really just trying to make funny faces)

Addi is pretty sweet...most of the time, but when she is sick, she is seriously the sweetest thing ever.

I always thought that having your baby throw up would be scary, that they would be scared that crazy stuff was being heaved from their mouth and would send them into a complete panic. I think Addi kinda likes it.

Seriously.

Not even a problem.

So a couple nights ago when she woke us as 2 o'clock (yes, she was in our bed, get over it.) So when she woke us up with a spray of chunky red (strawberry crystal lite and various foods) I was not very surprised that it just makes her a little jabber jaws.

Conversation is as follows:

"Oh Addi, I'm sorry does your tummy hurt?"

"No I feel all better."

"Good, lets clean you up."

Changed Jammie's, let her wear her cow ones that I try to hide because she wants to wear them 24/7. While me and Ron were scrambling trying to change pillows and sheets and get goopy blankets out of the way, she says:

"Oh mommy, I'm so very, very sorry."

"Addi, you don't have anything to be sorry for, you are the best girl ever"

"Oh, I am? Alright."

Ron went off about how I have taught her the immense guilt that I always feel for each and every thing regardless of it had anything to do with me. I would blame my mother for teaching me this guilt ridden path, but I would feel bad for putting the blame on her so I wont. I guess it is a chain that cant be broken.

Then we cuddled up again and went to sleep. How cute can vomit be?

It's a....

2010-01-05T11:47:00.000-08:00

At our last doctors appt the doc asked if he wanted to know what the gender of our baby was.
Lets list the pro's and con's of each:
Girl:
pro--they are sweet, seriously, Addi is tender and loving and all the things girls are, at least until they turn 12, then they change into what I teach and that is on the con list.
con--they are a little TOO tender. When I tell Addi not to do something, she usually sticks her lip out and cries.
pro--we have all sorts of adorable cloths from Addi.
con--there are so many more adorable things that I want to buy.
Lots more but lets get on with this:
Boys:
pro--I have always wanted a boy. They are tough and cool and stuff.
con--I don't know how to raise boys! I am so intimidated by having to make them manly and athletic and all things boy. What if I raised a wimp, how would that go over in my family?
pro--I would get to buy all new baby boy stuff with alligators, and lions, and monkeys and stuff like that.
con--Ronny does not want to buy all new stuff, alligators or not.

In Addi's eyes it had to either be a girl or a puppy.
I try to make my daughter happy.
We are very excited. Ron wanted Addi to have a partner in crime and I am just excited to put more bows on the heads of our little baby. Everyone is thrilled.

Finally...a new post!

2009-12-09T09:02:00.000-08:00

We have been busy. Really it's true. Ron keeps asking me when I am going to update so it is finally here. I'm updating.

1. We finally moved! Yippie! Our house is alas done (kinda) and we are living there. No we do not have blinds yet (lucky neighbors) nor mirrors in anyone but Addi's bathroom, and we do not have toilet paper holders yet (they are in some closet somewhere) but we have heat, we have food, we have cable so our lives are good.

This is the front, door still needs to be painted, but it is awesome, I still feel proud driving up to it.

Here are some of my favorite things:

My kitchen, ahhh. I love my kitchen. Ron totally spoiled me in this area. I love my ovens, I love my big giant sink, I love my cabinets and bar. Sadly, the thing I am most armored with is my ice maker/crusher. Our fridge is the bomb. It can make snow cones! But I love the crushed setting. I have never drank so much in my life, sadly for those of you that know me, I do not like ice WATER, so what I drink with my crushed ice daily is not exactly healthy....

This is our great room, I love our giant cozy fireplace and big windows. You can tell a chick made this house because our TV is totally dwarfed by the giant hearth.
This is my sweet claw foot tub, sadly our plumber sucks and has still not hooked it up. Sucky plumbers, plus without blinds the show would be wild so I guess I just have to stare at it till its all resolved. Sigh.

Addi's room is getting done for Christmas, she gets her big girl bed and all that jazz so I will get pictures of that later.

Our house really feels like home now. The first couple of nights were a tad rough because Addi misses her Grandma (and her grandma's bed) so very much, but I think she likes that everything is all on the one floor so she knows I cant hide from her like I used to. I love this place and I feel so lucky to have a husband who works this hard for us.

Speaking of hard work....
2. Thanksgiving Picture:
We wanted to share with everyone why we are so Thankful this year...

If you cant read her shirt is says BIG SISTER! We decided that since we cant afford furniture for our house, we might as well fill it up in other ways! Our new baby, or (Addi's baby) like she says will come to us in late June, (good timing Ronny!)Addi is pumped, she has been a good little nurse and is so cute when my face is in the toilet. She will say:

"Does your belly hurt mommy?"
"Ya, I don't feel very good."

"It is the baby?"

"Ya, I think it is the baby."

"It's a big baby hu?"

"Not yet but it will be."

"I want to hold her."

Then she cries until I tell her that we cant hold the baby yet and she thinks I am mean. But soon enough she will get to hold the heck out of it, I promise!

yesterday

2009-10-22T09:01:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we went to the library to have toddler time. We went once last year with Cheyenne and Hallie but it was kinda rough...Addi was only about 1 1/2 at the time and would rather run around than listen to anyone tell her anything. I quickly gave up.

A year later I realized just how much she really needs to learn how to be a big girl (sigh) and sit in a class, so off we went to the library. She loves the library on a regular basis, we go once a week to play with blocks and puzzles and get me a book to read while she watches Phineas and Ferb for the 8 millionth time (she still makes me sit by her the entire time...unless I tell her I have to go potty...then I sneak away to do laundry or something until she notices that it really does not take that long to pee and beckons me back). By the way, if your kids like P & F, you really should buy the music CD. Addi jams so hard in the backseat when we listen to it. I don't think she knows what "like a ninja of love repealing down from above" really means, but she sings it like she does.

Anyway, toddler time. We went last week and she loved it. She was still a little wander-ie, but good. Yesterday she was so crazy cute I could not handle it. She told me to sit in the chair and she went far away from me to sit on the carpet with the other kids.

I sat there watching my little girl learning about dinosaurs and interacting with the teacher like she was in real school. Crazy but my eyes quickly filled with tears thinking that she is getting so big. I know, what a wimp hu? But when did she get big on me? I had images of her as a 5 year old heading to Kindergarten, then as a 12 year old heading to 7th grade, then as a 15 year old entering high school. How did this happen, and why did she choose to wear that to her first day as a sophomore I thought.

Then she came over after it was over and asked for her binkie and my 2 year old came back to me again.

I guess everyone goes through this, but it was crazy to see her get so big right in front of me. Sigh.

Just a small post...

2009-10-16T12:03:00.000-07:00

I hate building a house. It is super lame and you all should avoid it at all costs. I remember when they said we would be living there in August....then it turned into September, oh for sure September...what is the date? Still shacking up with my folks. I love them so very much and am so very thankful for their generosity, but have you ever shoved an elephant into a shoebox....that is what it is like trying to shove all my daughters, Ronnie, and my own stuff into the space that we have. I get through the nights by imagining all the ways I will hang up my clothes into our new closets....someday.

My last post said we would be in by now...Nope. Evil builder lies they say to make your spirits high so they can crush it.

Anyway, everything else is good. Ron is almost done with football for the year. It is almost always sweatshirt weather which is excellent for hiding the bulges hanging over my pants, and Addi is healthy and happy.

So that will just have to get me through the rest of it all.

Quick question for all you seasoned mothers. Addi hates costumes. She really does. She hates having hats or things on her heads (except for the bows because she knows she is not getting out of that) She hates costumes, she hate tutus. Therefore, Halloween is a daunting task. I remember last year her crying hysterically when she had to wear her cute little candy corn costume. It was traumatic on us all. So this year I would love to have it be better...any ideas? Something that is a costume but does not FEEL like a costume. I would totally have her be naked and put tattoos all over her body...but that may lead to the authorities taking her away from me.

Notice the tattoos that we have to buy and put them all over her. She is an addict.

Soon, soon I will have something great to say, until then I will leave you with these pictures:

This is her supporting her daddy at the game. She kept yelling Go Daddy Go. She does not understand that he really is not one of those kids with the helmets on running around. I let her believe that so she keeps cheering because it is cute.This is me and her pulling faces in the car. We are cool.

This was our annual Gardner Village visit with my dear cousin McKelle and her cuties. This is the first time that Gwen and Addi really played together. It was cute...unless you were at that Quiznos while we were, you may not have thought they were as cute as I did.

This is at our photo shoot for family picts. Another thing she hates. This was when she had seriously had enough.

She's 2...Oh, that makes sense.

2009-09-18T07:50:00.000-07:00

I have the cutest little girl in the world. I really do. But sometimes she is crazy and drives me slightly batty. When this happens and I vent to someone about it the usual reply is this.

"How old is she?"

"2"

"Oh, that makes sense."

Like this should erase the fact that she is kinda nuts and freaks out occasionally over things that I have no idea what to do about. Example you ask....Sure!

1. "I need a HAIRCUT"

Our poodle was getting a tad hairy, and with the weather still nice and scorching, she was panting her life away. So haircut she had. Addi was so excited to take her there and gave her a big kiss and told her we would be back soon. For the next three house she waited in eager anticipation to go get her puppy. When she finally got to see her she was pumped and said how adorable and cute her little puppy had become....then the crazy 2 year old came out.

(Inspiration for haircut, with princess cape that was later adorned by Addi)

" I need a haircut." She sweetly said

"No you don't baby, your hair is beautiful" I reply, thinking that I am talking to a logical being.

"No, I NEED a haircut." She said with more urgency and whine in her voice.

This proceeded for about 20 minutes before I decided that what she really needed was a nap and her intense feelings would all be fixed with a few winks. But what was the first thing she said/wailed?

"I NEED A HAIRCUT!"

So there I was, trying to alleviate my daughters poodle envy and finally I just quit and we went to the bathroom where I wet down her hair and cut off the smallest amount of hair ever cut from a head. She felt better.

This is post haircut...Pirate patch added for fun (No I did not get to pierce her ears, Ronnie wont let me, but we found some stickers ones that seriously are awesome, they stay on for days, seriously!) 2. Yo Gabba Gabba

Does anyone watch this? Oh heavens its funny. The first time I saw it I thought, Wow, this show is totally for crack heads, this is really a joke made by severe drug users and it is laced with subliminal messages urging their druggie ways of life. So imagine my surprise when I heard that it was made by a couple Mormon dads just trying to give their kids something to watch. And watch they will. Addi loves it. It has taught her some adorable songs like " Don't bite your friends" and "There's a party in my tummy." Good life lessons involved there.
Her gabba guys

It has also given her another thing to desire when we go shopping. She now owns all the creepy guys and we have a good time reenacting their lives and loves in our home. When my mom reads this she will roll her eyes, we have totally not won over Jude on this show and she relates it to Tellie Tubbies, (it is really 100000 times better ma, really)

3. Trampoline.

"Lets go bounce." I hear it billions of times over the course of the day and usually it leads us out to the tramp to do said action. My father hates the thing and has us all convinced that it will lead to multiple deaths, but so far all it does is make my little girl so very happy. I love the hair that it makes! I really want one when we move to our house, do you guys have them? Should be put it in a hole? Is she going to break her neck?

Look at those awesome static flyaways! Love it!

4. The house
Only about 3 weeks till we get to move in. Cant wait to show you guys pictures!

Were back!

2009-08-26T06:17:00.000-07:00

Can you even stand that school has started again! Geez! By the end of the school year I find that I will miss the kids that I teach, miss the time that I spend with them and for the first two weeks of summer I find that it is kinda tough on me and I don't know quite what to do with all the time I have on my hands....then I get over that.

1. The new place:

The hole

This summer was amazing. Addi was simply oozing adorablility and the three of us had a great summer filled with all the summer things...kinda. Mostly we were just obsessing over out the building of our house and the selling of our townhouse. Addi was so sick of tile and carpet stores that she would purposefully try to inflict wounds on herself to make us leave. She also grew a distinct hatred of any wood type structure which did not go along great with our plans of going to look at the progress of our upcoming house every day. Hopefully this is not a sign that she will always hate the place because she is doomed to live there...forever, because once we move in I will never move again. I will have more pictures soon.

2. Why I will never move again:

Her tearfully saying goodbye to our purple door

I am so sick of this statement given to me by my husband at least 12 times a day while moving things that I certainly have to business moving; "I thought I married a college athlete, not some wimpy girl that cant carry things." To which I scream from the top of my lungs; "I carried a ball damnit, not an effing entertainment center!"

It was good.

I just get angry because he has like 50 football players at this disposal and could simply bring them in and move it all in one fail, not achy back move. But no, he thinks we are bonding. People say that building a house is rough on a marriage, I disagree, the MOVE is rough on the marriage! By the way, moving is also lame because I forget why the pee pee I ever bought half of the stuff I am putting in box after box. Most things must pass this test... do I really want it, or would it be easier just to buy more after we move? I wish dishes and pots and pans fit that bill, they sucked. But at least we did sell our house in like 26 days and we are officially homeless until then. Poor Stan and Judy are taking us in for the next 6 weeks or so.

3. Actual fun summer stuff:

This was us at the fair...I love a good fair

It was not all bad and it was not all back breaking (although I put on like 10 lbs in stress weight! When I couldn't decided on what cabinets I wanted, I ate everything in them, when I couldn't decide what flooring I wanted, I dumped food on the floor and just ate till I forgot what the floor was, hence, 10 lbs. Yikes.) Anyway, we swam a lot, went to the fair, played at every park in the state of Utah and just enjoyed the heat. It was nice. I will miss it.

Willow Park in Logan with the animals.

The best park ever in Kaysville, it looks like a castle, any princess would be thrilled.

stealing some love from my baby.

We also spent about half of the summer (or so it felt, at every Parade of Home we could find, Addi loved jumping on other peoples beds and looking at all the cool stuff. I loved it too.
We spent so much time in that car her bum was glued to it! I loved to snap all the times that she totally crashed in her chair, made me laugh and giggle every time.

So long till August

2009-05-26T22:35:00.000-07:00

School is out and it's time to hit the sunscreen! Woo Hoo summer is finally here. As some of you know, I usually do my blogging during school while blissfully ignoring my students and pretending that they are not talking about the various parts of their body they are planning on piercing and the glories that it will bring to their life. You see, currently we are sans Internet at our casa and therefore will not be able to check in your wondrous stories which I am sure will be filled with Popsicles and pools and parades and such. While I will miss you all, we will be very busy too. Here our some of our summer endeavors:

1. Enjoying family time:

This is her pretending to be a dog. Note the hands, Popsicle in one, piece of pizza in another...again...fat kid in the future!

Jeez I love summer! I know I brag about my job a lot, but come on, I will get paid to do things like this...

She realized that watermelon is the greatest of all treats!

Does anyone watch My Name is Earl? So many pictures have her with her eyes closed like the beloved Earl Hickey. Makes me laugh hard.

2. Getting down to business:

I really need to be a tough mommy this summer and get rid of this binkie. She loves it. She does not care if it will destroy her teeth and that kids will make fun of her in school, every time she puts it in her mouth she says "Binkie...Yummy." To her it is the most delicious thing ever and no form of bribery will work at this moment. 1000 dolls or her binkie, you got it, bink is the winner.

Again, Earl Hickey.

We also need to get her to sleep the entire night on her own. She goes down so great, then at about 1 or so we let her get in bed with us. I think we like it just as much as she does so we are totally in for it. There is just nothing like holding and smelling and kissing your sweet baby all night. It is also good to know what she dreams about and let me tell you this, we have a fat kid on our hands. Oh it is so effing funny! Several times she has mumbled in her sleep the desire for Milk and Cookies. Last night she rolled over and was so distraught over the fact that she wanted to eat Corndogs while sitting in her chair. Boy was she mad at the dream demon that was keeping her away from her corndog chair. Yep, we may have a true fat girl on our hands.

3. Building our dreams:

It is official, we are the owners of a nice piece of land in West Haven and will have a house hopefully by the beginning of September. So this summer will be filled with the stress of cleaning up all the dog pee that my poodle has distributed through our house (she is not invited to the new one) and hopefully selling it quickly. Then I have to pick out all my stuff. This may sound like a dream to some, but I swear when it comes to houses I have a total split personality. I love the pottery barn look with white cabinets and airy windows and pale colors, and I also love the rustic dark look that is distressed and worn looking. Which mood will I be in when I pick, who knows! I know there are worse things in the world, but if I choose wrong I will punish myself severely for the next 50 years! We are very excited though and crazy blessed with an awesome builder who is making all our wishes come true. Any tips will be very appreciated.

Our lot, this is the before pic. Ron is pumped to start mowing....he will be exhausted!

4. Thanks!

Thanks to all of you who wished my team luck and supported them, they did it! They won the State championship! Last time we won was 11 years ago when I pitched, and it was seriously cooler being a coach and watching my niece be so amazing. She didn't allow a single run all tournament and was simply astounding out there. I started crying in about the 5th and didn't let up till we were home. Addi drove home on the bus with us and we got a police escort through Roy, it was awesome and she stuck her little number 1 finger out the window the entire way. Too bad she will be a dancer and will never know the field...at least not as a pitcher, my heart cant take it!

Whatcha doin' at 5 today?

2009-05-21T10:05:00.000-07:00

If any of you are so crazy bored today at 5pm, I have a great idea...

Come watch the Royals Softball team try to win the state championship! Woo hoo, so happy for my little ladies!

We play the winner of Bonneville and Tooele to take home the big trophy.

I will be somewhere under the bleachers crying out of fear and anticipation kinda like I did when I played for this title 11 years ago.

But these gals are much tougher than I was.

GO ROYALS!

Ducks, Ball, and Mommies

2009-05-07T11:55:00.001-07:00

Things have been a little crazy round these parts. Softball is almost over though which will only give me more time to be busy, but good. Life is good.

Ducks:
Ron had to be an escort at Cotillion this past weekend up at Weber State so me and Bugs went along to feed the ducks, check out the princesses and grove to the funky rhythms that the DJ was pumping, (did that sound cool? I was trying to sound cool and hip and stuff, did I totally pull it off?) It was awesome, ducks are awesome and I am thinking about getting some of those when we get our new back yard too. Anyway, we took our cheep loaf of bread and the ducks and seagulls went to town….and Addi. I swear she never eats as well as when she is supposed to give it to something else. She liked the ducks, liked watching me feed them, mostly liked eating the bread. That was until this giant goose caught on to her selfish ways and walked right up to her and stole her bread from her terror stricken little hand. I was rolling, (well not literally, the ground is covered with pounds of duck feces) I couldn't stop laughing, even if my daughter was slightly scarred by the bully goose, it was funny, she'll get over it. This is the very goose, look at him eyeballing that loaf.

2.Softball Team:

The wonderous Royals won the Region V title this week. Very proud of them, I usually hate them and have countless moments where I want to put a bat through their aoretas, but all in all they are good gals. One girl though is trying to kill me. I am a pretty nice person, I usually have all sorts of patience in my students and in others, but there is this girl on my team that every day does something to turn me into a total giant throbbing 'B' word. Seriously, I have all sorts of stories but this one jumps out at me. It was before a game last week and I was throwing to the chickas and she steps in the box….sans shoes.
"Where are your cleats?"
"I forgot them."
"K, (long sigh) go put on your running shoes so you can hit."
"I don't have them either."
"Really? (insert sarcastion as needed) Im not pitching to you unless you have shoes."
Two seconds later she is back in the box with one shoe and one slipper.
Anger rising,"Im not kidding, Im not throwing to you till you get some real shoes. You could break your foot."
"I don't even like my feet." Seriously, she really was doing this to me. I wanted to beat her. I should have just broken her foot.
3. Mommies:
This is my third mothers day and I could not be more blessed. I love being a mom, even when I don't like it, I truly love it. Addi is such a blessing, such an inspiration, such an super star. I am sometimes surprised by how much I love her, how much she fills my heart, but what sometimes surprises me more is how much she loves me. When she wraps her little arms around my neck and squeezes and I can smell her little girl smell I am just blown away. How lucky am I to be a mom?

And how lucky am I to have the mom I was blessed with? I have never seen a lady so dedicated to the loves of her life. She would do absolutely anything for us (we take her up on that.) She loves Addi like I could only dream of her being loved. She makes every grandkid feel like the most important, most precious, most loved being on the earth. How does she do this? I have made it my life goal to be like her one day. You are my best friend, best mommy, best everything. Thanks for giving me the "Best Day" every day.

Yep, she is under a card table with Addi, she will do anything.

Best Weekend Ever

2009-04-15T08:36:00.001-07:00

I have always loved Spring. Therefore, I have always loved Easter (even before the creation of Cadbury Mini Eggs I loved Easter, that just heightened the love.) Anyway, this year it was the best times 10! Easter, Spring Break, Baby Animal Day, and my baby's second birthday all rolled into one awesome weekend. Best weekend ever!

1. Baby Animal Day:

My cute husbie took me there our first year of marriage knowing that from that point on I could never divorce him due to the immense gratitude for him for bringing this perfect event into my life. I love everything about it. I love the mud, I love the animal poop, I love that I can just walk up and shove kids out of the way in order to pluck up a baby duck and hold him in my hands. It is simply perfect and this year was no exception. Addi was pumped, she got to run around outside and scream animal sounds and pet all sorts of animals. We went with her two grandmas her little girl cousins and her aunt. I think her favorite was the "Camel Ride" which is really just a horse ride but there is the one Wiggles song that they go on a camel ride so now that is just what any ride has turned into. She was so ticked when I took her off! My favorite was the Pygmy goats. Holy Moses were they cute! Seriously, I wanted to hold it to my chest for the rest of my life and just look in his (or her, I cant tell) eyes. Trying to decided how many I will own when we get our house.

2. Addi's Birthday Party:

Since Addi's actual birthday was on Easter, we had her party on Friday. Did she really know what was going on? No, but she was pumped to get balloons and play with her cousins and have everyone give her lots of crap. It was awesome and she had a blast. She was thrilled to get new little dollies and then her crafty little mama made her an awesome little house if I do say so myself:

Notice the nightgown? No she did not wear that to the party but as soon as she opened it she had to put it on!

The house goes over just a regular card table and it is made of felt. I saw them on Etsy but I am much too cheap to pay what they wanted so about $20 and about 9000 hours later she had her house. All the stuff comes off so she can pick apples or plant flowers or feed her dog. Mostly she just sits inside and plays with her dollies or watches movies. She is cute. I like her.
3. Easter Egg Hunt 2009:

I have helped my brother MC the Roy Easter egg hunt for the last few years and usually have success at it. Not so much this year. I would like to blame the crappy speaker system. I would like to blame Addi for freaking out right before it started over the fact that no one would just let her go pick up some damn bubbles. I would like to blame the stupid kids for not listening to me correctly. But alas, the blame falls on me for saying some of the worst words ever:

"Three minutes to GO until the start of the hunt" Was what I said. They just heard the GO part. Then I started screaming:

"No, NO, NOOOOO" Which I assume sounded more like "Go, GO, GOOOOOOO!" needless to say once they went, they were not coming back and I stood there like a fool waiting for crazy moms to come up to me and say how I ruined their kids entire Easter. Luckily they remembered that it was all free candy and there was not too many people that wanted to rip my throat out.

4. Easter/Real Birthday:

Again, I love Easter so I was automatically thrilled to wake up. When we went downstairs and she saw her basket she screamed "BUNNY!" and ran to her stuff. She was excited to get an Ariel doll that went in to tub with her, she liked her new Monsters Inc movie, but the candy was not such a hit. She got some cotton candy (who hates cotton candy, come on Addi) and as soon as it hit her tongue she started scraping it off with her nails to try to rid her mouth of the wicked melting confection. Marshmallow frogs, also spit out. However, her dad's Reece's eggs were good enough to eat several of! The hunts were alright, she was not too into them but picked up some eggs occasionally. Good day. She really did have no idea it was her real birthday though, whenever someone would ask her whose birthday it was she would promptly say that it was the bunny's.

Cute Hu?

Busy, busy,....Spring?

2009-03-27T12:14:00.000-07:00

I know its not Thursday, but this time of year beggars cant be choosers.

1. Mother Nature can burn in the depths of the devils pit:

What the 'H' Mother Nature? You give us one glorious week of warmth and decide that we have had enough? This would be fine if I wasn't expected to go outside and play softball for at least two hours a day or on the bad days stand out there for about 5 and watch the sport. All I want is to feel the warmth on my cheeks and be able to feel my fingers. Stupid lady.

2. St. George

This is her new Royal Dress that her mommy made playing in our favorite van.

We did find some happy little warmth while in St. George a couple weeks ago. Some of you may remember the glory of the March Softball Warm up down there and it is still going strong. I had been terrified of this trip due to the fact that Addi doesn't really enjoy vast amounts of time strapped into her seat cruising down the interstate. But that was all before...before we invested in the greatest of all inventions....

Oh thank you Sweet Baby Jesus for the glory that is Portable DVD players! This made the trip nice and she really didn't complain at all. It also helped that we rented a Mini-van (and now I am joining the fan club for them) and had lots of room to maneuver between her and the treats and the toys that were needed during the drive. It was so fun and she loved her 'truck' that she got to rule over the weekend. Call me lame, but I totally cant wait till I get a Mini-van with Stow-and-go seating one day. Yea, I dream big.

3. Softball:

The first day of the tournament I think we were the greatest team to have ever played the game. Cauley (my sophomore niece and the entire reason I coach) pitched a game where she got 20 strike outs. (I don't think I ever achieved that, I may lie to her and tell her that I did, but I think my high was really like 18.) She was amazing and astounding and awesome and all those other great words that indicate how great someone is. However, the second day they were a little less than spectacular. She did pitch the last game and got another win and another 14 K's but no need to brag about her right now. We ended 3-2...Oh well, at least the weather was good and we got to eat at In-and-Out.

4. Fish Show

Addi has found that Finding Nemo is her new favorite show and has asked to watch it at least 15 times a day. She first calls it Fish show and if I don't respond she asks to watch Nemo and if I still don't respond she will bring me the DVD remote over and tell me to WATCH IT. Her face shows how serious she is about this request which makes me laugh and usually allows her to fulfill her happiness. Her favorite parts are when the little octopus says 'Aww, you guys made me ink.' and when Dori exclaims that the giant scary fish in the depths is on a 'diet.' She knows those parts word for word. She is cute and I love her.

5. Angel:

She has been obsessed with Angels lately. Any lady or woman like object is in her mind an Angel. Everytime we do laundry together and she finds my 'Mormon Panties' she must immediatly wrap it around her head and call herself and Angel...I agree.

RTT- 2-19-09

2009-02-18T14:53:00.000-08:00

1. Valentines!

How much fun is Valentine's day? So fun right? I love having Addi to buy things for and absolutly any excuse is valid. Does she even care about it? No, but she likes hearts so that is a jumping off point. Anyway, my sweet husbie knew exactly what I would want (time) so he took off Friday so we could have a family day. He slept in with her while mommy got to work out (a much needed treat) then we went to Lehi to go swimming (so cool Cheyenne, so happy you told me about it so long ago...I totally would have called you to hang out but Ronny is selfish!) Anyway, it is the best indoor aquatic center and it was so much fun! She loves swimming, drinking as much pee water as possible and trying to drowned herself repeatedly. I like it too even though I look much similar to a beached whale. It was kinda funny because I remembered that we were definately in Utah county and by just being in the pool you could get pregnant...every lady there (except me) was about to burst with baby!

After we went to the Gateway and walked around, window shopped, bought chocolate, went to Moochies (see earlier posts to hear my further salvations about the fab Moochies) and even made him buy me silly cupcakes all with the words "Well since it is Valentine's day and all...." works good ladies, try it next year. Anyway, thanks for the great day husbie.

2. Girl Hair:

I have always wanted to have a live doll to do hair on. Even though I have never been good at it...Once when I was about 10 I tried to give myself a pony tail and any hair (and we are talking clumps people) that was sticking out I would simply cut off...it worked! Anyway, I was very excited to have a girl to do fun thing with hair wise and Addi finally has enough to try and perform cool things with. Little did I know that the most fun was when you took out said hair do and got to see the after results...

Nice hu?

3. Fake Earrings:

In Addi's Valentines bag she got some sweet sticker earrings to wear. I kinda figured that they would last about 45 seconds before they would end up on the floor and under my sock or in my cereal or something. Little did I know that they use space age polymers to adhere these things to whatever they touch first. For example, I put on the earrings on Saturday morning...

Notice them on her cute little lobes.

Bath that night, still stuck, (notice in pictures above) figure they will be on pillows next day unless she eats them that night.

Monday....still stuck

Tuesday....
Finally I pried them off last night because I had images of her skin growing over them. Once I heared a story about a dog that had a rubber band placed around his neck and his skin just grew over it creating this cool skin necklace...I didnt want Strawberry Shortcake earrings to be permentally on her cute little listerners forever. But seriously....impressive right?

Have a great week everyone and thanks to everyone who made me feel better last week. As soon as I published the post I thought of 8 more things that make me a horrible mom but we can discuss those at a different time.

Till next week wishing you hugs and chocolate! (for you Ronny)

RTT 2/5/2009

2009-02-05T10:13:00.000-08:00

Today is going to be a pity party for myself. Fell free to leave comments telling me that I am really an alright person and that I don't deserve to have Addi and any future children taken away from me.
1. Why I am a horrible mom #1
I do not have the ability to say no. Sometimes I do, like when she is hitting me with a stick or wants to carry around a knife, I have said no to her at those moments, but even then I have the tendency to let her get in one solid blow or look at the knife a little longer than she should. But one way I cant say no is in the car. I don't remember when it started, I guess when she got a forward facing car seat; the problem: Hand Holding.
I thought it was cute. She wanted to hold her mommy's hand. How sweet is that? How could I turn her down when all she wanted was the closeness of her mom and I loved having her cute little fingers grip mine. That was how it started. Now it is a constant battle of immediately having to hold her hand as soon as the car is started and not letting go until we have arrived at the location we are heading. So there I am, driving with my left arm (or knee if I have to change the radio station) and my right are reaching back in the most awkward way possible to her seat. Yes it goes numb. Yes it throbs. Yes we may crash and die. But at least I didn't have to tell her no and hear her cry.
2. Why I am a horrible mom #2
The dreaded Bink. I remember in the hospital them shoving the binkie in her mouth as soon as she emerged from the womb. I just figured it was what they needed, she loved it. Immediate addiction. I blame all addictions on binkies. I think they breed addiction like tendencies and one day all binkie addicts will be on cigarettes or candy or some other oral fixation because it was pounded on them as an infant. (Just a theory.) Anyway, she loves hers. It has been about a year now that the doctor told me to only give it to her in her bed (see reason 3 for why that didn't work out.) Heaven help her she loves that binkie. I take it from her if she is playing, eating or has something to distract her at all, but once she gets it, she holds it with all her might. Funny thing is she rarely sucks it anymore, it is like that toothpick that old men have hanging from the side of their mouth. It is just sitting there, pushed to the side of her mouth between her teeth so she can talk and stuff. I dread the day that we will take it. That will be a small slice of hell...which is why we keep putting it off. I know that when we go to her doctor again she will ask...I will lie, and it will be the never ending cycle of braces and binkies until she is in college.
3. Why I am a horrible mom #3
I have the absolute inability to sleep train. I read Baby Wise. Started crying, threw it against the wall because I knew that I did not have what it took to do the things they wanted. So every night we have our routine, brush teeth, read books, say prayers, sing songs, go to bed. All is great...for about 2 hours. Then she wants some comfort in the form of her parents bed. Some nights I am good at staying in her room and making her fall asleep again (by holding my hand of course...refer to previous) Other nights I am sleep drunk and just want to go to bed and I know if I bring her we will all get sleep. Again, I just keep avoiding it and think that it will take care of itself. I also blame genetics. Until recently, both of my brothers had a 10 year old and a 12 year old in their beds. See totally not my fault....we were born with the inability to have kids in their beds.
4. Wrap up:
So now what? How do I turn on the mean and teach her all the things that I have so horribly failed to teach in the past? I keep telling myself that the next baby is going to be in for it. That I will be totally immune to the 'cute' and just be mean and teach them all the 'right' ways of the world. But then there will be Addi in the corner telling them how the world really works and how to totally screw with mommy's brain. I am done for. I want more kids, but do you think it is even possible, or will I repeatedly bash my brain in with a baby bottle if I keep this up? What should I do good mommies of the world?

RTT Catch Up

2009-01-16T09:28:00.000-08:00

I have taken quite a blogging hiatus and now am back to attack you with more of my thoughts, ideas, loves and blunders.
1. Christmas Break:

Christmas break this year was amazing. The best ever. Ron has been so busy all year with football, swimming, and drivers ed that we very rarely see him for more than 3 waking hours a day so having him home all the time was quite a surprise. At first me and Addi didn't know what to do with him, but we quickly realized that it was awesome! Ron and bugs played like crazy and they are sure cute to watch. Ron is willing to be pummeled by her raging fists of fury and take head butt after head butt while mommy peacefully sits on the couch sipping hot cocoa. (Mommy doesn't play those games)

2. Why I should never buy gifts:

I was so very excited for Christmas, I thought I had every present that my little lady would want with all her heart. I bought her the adorable doll house...

This was her Phineas doll that her daddy gave her (notice the cheese lined lips)

These were her Mickey Mouse figures, notice the word 'were' I think we still own one chipmunk, Donald and Mickey with his nose cut off.
The awesome giant vat of cheese balls that she spent 10 minutes giving all her attention to.

I thought she would love the cool bike she got to rock, ride and race on...

But boy was I wrong. I don't know my daughter at all and what she really wanted I failed to get which led to a complete Jesus's Birthday melt-down! Her cute cousins both got little fairy outfits and barbies. I didn't know Addi was into fairy outfits and barbies. I am a bad mom and should have her taken away from me and given to a mother who knows best. Since she is the youngest, she eventually got her way and the other two had to forfeit their toys so the crying would stop.

3. New Year's Competition:

About 5 years our family came up with a new thing to do on New Years to bring a little more competition to the table for our family. We pick a theme and have ourselves an Iron Chef inspired feast. This years theme was appetizers because we usually have too much food and then we end up feeling bloated and too tired to stay up till midnight so this year we tried to scale back. It is also nice to have the bragging rights of the winner, and knowing who the judges were (nephews Greyson and Chase) I was gunning for the prize.

To the anger and disappointment of my brothers and sister-in-laws, I came home with the victory! IN YOUR FACE JERKS!!! It was my delicious meatloaf sliders with garlic-horseradish aioli and cheese fritters on focaccia that won. Nice wording hu?

4. Softball

So that was the Holidays, now that we are back to school we had to start open gyms. Suckiest time of softball ever. Seriously, why do kids who are afraid of the ball want to come to a place where balls are flying everywhere? I don't understand how they think it is fun. You cant tell them that they should go home or to a bomb shelter (due to their total lack of athleticism and they will get hurt in the world) because it is open gyms and anyone can show up. Which is awesome for a special ed teacher because they all think I wont cut them because I am their 'nice' teacher....they are wrong. Anyway, here we go!

RTT 12/11/08

2008-12-10T19:09:00.001-08:00

1. Only two weeks till Christmas...poop.

I swear I have nothing done. No presents wrapped. No cards sent. No egg nogged. Nothing. I have two weeks to get it all in. Any tips on what to get all those people I have no idea what to get, just throw something out there, there is no such thing as a stupid idea for me.

2. Not meeting some peoples expectations.
Addi came up to me yesterday with three spherical objects, (a golf ball that glows in the dark mind you, a plastic apple and the top of a fake ice cream cone.) What does she want me to do with them you ask?

"Juggle." She requests.

"Juggle?" I question. Why the peeps does she want me to juggle these things for her. Does she not know that while I would like to be all knowing and brilliant in all things juggling is simply not one of the things that I can do (I did not graduate from Alta!)
So there I stupidly sit with the balls in my hands and fake juggle, you know, just move my arms up and down real fast and hum a circus song. Didn't fool her. So now I need to learn how to juggle so that the look of pure disappointment is finally wiped from her face.

3. I'm cold.
I know that we have not even gotten snow to speak of yet...but I'm cold. Very cold. I want summer back.

4. Procrastination kills.
At the start of November I saw this nativity for sale. Wanted it. Didn't get it. Now they are all out of stock unless I want to fork over like 3 times as much. Why didn't I just buy the damned baby Jesus?

Random Thought Thursday- Favorite things edition

2008-12-03T08:35:00.000-08:00

First that crazy nun on Sound of Music talked about it, then Oprah tried to duplicate it...now it is the Random Thought turn.

These are just a few of my favorite things...well at least for today. I am a finicky person and change my mind at any moment so for today, here are my favorites.

1. Personality Profiles:

I remember watching the commercials about how different people eat Oreo's differently. I thought it was a clever idea, but really, does it mean anything when you eat it a certain way? That was before I watched my 19 month old figure her own way of eating the yummy concoction. Addi hates milk....unless it is accompanied by some cookies. As I was watching her the other day, I noticed that she was eating the cooking in a very specific manor. She did not get this from me...I am more of the soggy cooking sitting in the milk for a minute so it falls apart when it hits your tongue. Anyway, I thought this was an awesome way to look at someones personality. This is on the list because one of my favorite things is watching her develop her own way of doing thing. No imitations, just what she feels.Are you a dipper, are you a separate and licker, are you a straight up eater? Come on people, what is your personality?

2. Nativities...mostly the sheep.
I don't know where it came from, but I have always adored sheep. Not the real ones that have poop hanging from their wool (although they are cute too), but the fake kind that look like you could cuddle up to them and drink hot cocoa with. (I don't know why I want to drink cocoa with them...that is why it is random people!) Anyway, I love setting out my nativities each year to remember how cute the sheep are...Baby Jesus isn't bad either, but a close second (I will repent later)

3. Pajamas

If I had an addiction, an untamable compulsion to buy something it would be size 2T pajamas. How freakin' cute are they? I am not joking, while standing in the store, I have to talk myself out of buying them by telling myself mental messages like these:

"Ron is going to kill you if you take home one more pair"

"There are only 7 nights in a week, how many pairs do you need?"

"Don't you have at least 3 pairs like that at home?"

"Seriously, Ron is going to kill you and then send your remains to the loony bin!"

Most of the time these messages mean nothing and they end up in the cart. The Christmas ones alone have their own drawer. I know, how dumb is this. She wears them to bed, we get up and take them off...well unless we aren't doing and then...well you know those days. (I choose this picture because it also shows my above love:

4. Cottage Cheese
I swear, like 3 cartons a week. I could go through one a day if that didn't mean I would just have to go to the store the next day. I don't know what it is, the creamy chunks (I hope it is not the creamy chunks because that is just gross) but something about that is just so good.

5. Slippers
Sometimes in the middle of the day, I fantasize about when I get to go home and put on my slippers. I fantasize even more about putting them on over knee high socks and just being cozy for the day. Seriously, why are my toes made of small icebergs that only melt at like 3 in the morning when I am forced to strip off my knee highs and wipe the sweat from them. My favorite slippers are these (see below) because the hold on with the best of them and call my name in such a loving way.

6 Diluted Crystal Light
Good stuff, just too strong. Crystal Light is a good cool replacement when water tastes too watery and you just need some fake fruit taste. But straight up it is just too...I don't know...fake sugary. So I like to go 1/3 CL and 1/3 H2O. Good ratio if you are looking for one. I like to put it in my squirt bottle and go to town.

7. My most favorite things...
My family. Addison, my sweet Husbie, my mommy and dad and all the rest that make my life complete. This time of year is awesome because the whole world unites in celebration of giving and family. How cool is that? What would I do without them? They make me who I am and that is a pretty happy person. I'm sure everyone out there agrees that family is a pretty great favorite thing.

So what are your favorite things....Happy Thursday everyone! I also what to give a special shout out to one of my favorite RTT readers who just got engaged...Jodi, you rock and Tate is one lucky peanut! Love ya!

Random Thought Thursday

2008-11-20T12:30:00.000-08:00

Thursday again....time for some random thoughts!

1. Much to much randomness in my head today! I have been going through a sleep deprivation program that my daughter has developed for me. For those who may not know, she is NOT a newborn, does not need to wake up to eat or be changed or soothed like newborns, but she is about 19 times crazier! Seriously, I am going nuts. I am a bad mother and basically let Addi rule to roost. Hence the backfire. She wakes up at about midnight each night and calls for me. I rush to her crib and give her kisses and tell her to go to sleep....but....she cant fall asleep unless she is holding my hand. She cant drive in the car unless she is holding my hand (it will kill us both.) She doesn't even like to just watch TV unless I am holding her hand. At first it was cute, she needed me so much that she just wanted to touch me all the time. Now I regret it. So there I am, drunk with sleep standing at her crib with her cute fingers wrapped around mine.

She is finally asleep....tiptoe out.....quietly climb into bed....breath sigh of relief......

"MOMMY!!!"

F-word.

So last night I let her cry. An hour later after calling for me, yelling "HELP" as loudly as possible, what finally did it in was when she started wanted a "Rock-a-bye" over and over. Crying makes me tired...it is like speed for her. She was wide awake and giddy to see me in hopes that we could play. At 2 am mommy is in no mood to play. I have failed at being a sleep momma and vow to make my next child (heaven help us) less needy.

2. How crafty am I? I had so much fun making her Halloween dress that I made a thanksgiving day dress that anyone could be thankful for...
There is something so satisfying to me sitting at a sewing machine. I used to be totally terrified of them, I vaguely remember making a crazy hot pad that I would rather be burnt with than use...it really was bad. I think the teacher felt bad for me and my total lack of homemaking skills.

3. For the love of deformities.

I love my job. Every other day I get to hang out with crazy teenagers and talk about whatever I want! Seriously, I show up, have a basic plan of what to do and we chat the day away. Sure I sometimes yell and them and call them morons and bastards (I really don't, but I want to) but all and all, I am shocked they pay me what they do for my job. So right now we are taking about heredity and genes and stuff. Today was genetic mutation. Just hearing the name you know you are in for a good time:

Who doesn't love a four legged duck?This is kinda awesome/kinda gross. This guy has his big belly because when he was in his mothers nice warm womb, his sweet twin brother died and his belly absorbed him...that's brotherly love. So he has his dead twin brother in his tummy. Nice.

This is the cyclops cat. Yep a good old fashioned one eyed cat.

I have no doubt that I am a demented freak for enjoying this lesson so much. I like freaky things, I'm sure there are quite a few of you freaks out there...admit it!

4. Damn dog...again.

Macie keeps getting me in trouble! We go outside to play and she follows us, until someone (who she is sure is a serial killer that will end our existence) comes by and Macie starts barking like a crazy person! I agree she is annoying, I want to punch her too, but come on, she weighs like 14 lbs. Really not scary. But the HOA guy came up and told me that I needed to control my dog. I blankly stared at him while thoughts of his lack of masculinity flooded my mind. Whatever dude. Then yesterday, a guy (what the hell men, get some cojones) and told me to get my dog on a leash or else....or else what? Who knows. I'm sick of getting in trouble for the silly white dog that just likes to hear her own voice, it that so bad?

Well everyone, thanks for letting me rant...until next week see ya later!

Random Thought Thursday Part Deux

2008-11-13T14:47:00.000-08:00

Time for my second addition of Random Thought Thursday!

1. Damn Dog.

I remember the days prior Addi that my poodle filled the space in my heart that yearned for motherhood. I got to take care of her and feed her and do all the cute things that I wanted. That was a little over 18 months ago. Her bark didn't seem like the harsh piercing noise that it does now, of which she likes to use as frequently as possible. I don't remember her chasing people down the street like she does now (children are terrified!) I don't remember her constantly urinating on ever bit of carpet (I DO remember getting up at 2 in the morning to let her out.) Now I think I am just too tired. Too tired for her barking all hours of the day, too tired to take her on the random walks that we used to go on. Now she has a new ruler (Addi) and she no likie. When we eventually move into a new house (entirely different topic) she is no longer allowed at our house. I know this sounds amazingly horrible, and I agree, but my dad has seen the damage that she can do and says that he wont let her ruin a new home. I will miss her, I promise, but it will kinda be nice to not find the latest damage that she has created.

Look at this face, how could she be anything but sweet and puppylike?

2. Top Chef Time!

If you have the the Bravo channel, and you don't watch Top Chef, you are mildly retarded. I love this show, I have loved it since season one when I first laid eyes on Tom Colicchio and fell in love with the quirky cooking competition. I would love to someday be on it but I know I would start crying when I had to make my first thing and realized that I couldn't use a cookbook and the fact that everyone is mean and cocky and have a much higher self esteem than I. I am a little nervous for this season because there has yet to be a person that I am cheering for. Usually I can pick out someone that I root for but that person has not emerged yet.

3. Biggest loser

I do however have many people I HATE on this show. I want to know how many of you watch it and have grown to despise Vickie. She is pure evil. Where her soul is lies a giant stinky spider of death (I hate spiders so I just imagine that is what she is full of.) I was pumped to see her stupid lame old husband get kicked off, and I hope she gains all the weight back, (I know, I am bad, but seriously, you have to watch to know that she is just plain wrong!) She is just the start of it, I hate her husband, I hate Heba (what the hell parents, nice name!) and I hate that whole team. I love this show, I think it is motivating and awesome, but this year I just want them to shut up and go run a lap or something!

4. Addi has finally emerged from her funk! Happy days are here again! This is her new "camera" face. Cheese!

Free form Friday

2008-11-07T13:08:00.000-08:00

It is the 7th of November and I am finally looking at the very few Halloween pictures we got. It was truly a miserable day. If she was not so young I would have been very depressed. I know I am to cherish each day with Addi, but sometimes I just wish she were a little older so she could curl up with me and watch scary (kinda scary at least) movies with me and eat junk and just enjoy the holiday...she is not bigger yet.

We have had a few rough times the last couple weeks. She seems so infinitely sad lately. We have to have our own little 'time outs' where I just stop everything and hold her tight and sing to her soft and easy so she can settle down and stop crying hysterically. What is she crying about? Nothing. Seriously, I will put on my shoes and she will lose it. She has become quite a homebody and when I mention doing something it usually leads to tears. She only wants to watch TV and the only time she really gets wound up is right before bed, (figures) and then she bounces off the wall for an hour before she passes out. I am barely hanging on most the day and feel like a total failure as a mommy. But this too shall pass.

Anyway, Halloween was not as fun as Halloween usually entails. We went to my mom's and got her costume on her for a total of 3 seconds before she screamed. It was very cute if she would just believe me on that!

We walked around the block and got her first loot. She loved when they let her pick and she would usually take what I psychically tell her to pick, (sometimes she is a good girl!)

On to other things.... those of you who know my deepest wishes know that I really didn't want to be a softball player in high school, I wanted to be a....wait for it....CHEERLEADER. Spirit fingers and all. I never had the legs for it though and I let the desire burn in me forever. So I love living vicariously through this wonderful show. The DCC! Who wouldn't want to wear sparkling white cowboy boots and have your boobs covered with stars! Count me in! It is on Saturdays so I only have to wait one more day! Addi wants to be one too, I just KNOW it!

Have a happy weekend everyone!

Random Thought Thursday

2008-10-30T07:06:00.001-07:00

Many a thing floating through my noggin today so I will just proceed to tell all of my random thoughts....
1. Flu Shots: Me and Addi got ours yesterday and my arm has never hurt so badly in my life. Even after pitching like 8 games in a day, my arm felt better. What the pee pee? Did she inject anthrax into my bicep? I was trying to work out today (another cool thing, Turbo Jam...Most fun workout I have ever done...check it out here)
Anyway, the pain needs to stop!

This is what I probably looked like.

2. Sleeping habits: Addi has been driving me crazy lately! On Monday night she woke up at 2 am and proceeded to tell me all the things that she would rather be doing than sleeping. She named every show that she has ever watched...new favorite. She told me how hungry she was, that she needed like 5 drinks, the list never ended. Finally we gave up and went downstairs where she proceeded to watch TV and eat lots of food. She really was just hungry and board. Who wants sleep anyway? Certainly not her mother who had to work the next day! Finally at 5 am I told her that this had to end and sleep needed to be had.

So me and Ron made up our minds that she needed to be better about sleeping in her OWN bed for the night. She wakes up each night at about midnight and about every hour after that, always hoping that we will just bring her into our bed. So last night, she decided that there was better ideas than that. Ron had just went in there to try and calm her down and she was screaming for her daddy to come back when suddenly we heard it....THUD, more screaming!

She made the jump but is not entirely cat like and landing in who knows what position! All the thoughts of what she could have done to her poor little body rushed through my mind; concussions, contusions, liver rupture, spinabifida. All sorts of things. But she got what she always wanted and ended up being able to sleep in our bed. Why oh why did I want to put hardwood in her room? I am retarded and do not deserve to be a mother.

3. Midnight Sun: All you Edward lovers out there have most likely heard about the drama with this book and the sadness that it has brought on all of us. Here is the link if you haven't: midnight sun. I have been reading this and it brought back all the love of this wonderful man and more. I am not like most, I love the first book, got through the second, hated the third was not even sure if I wanted to read the fourth because of my utter hatred of Bella. She drove me nuts! I hated her indecision, her inability to see that Edward was the better choice (sorry Meg) and many other things about her that drove me nuts. I did read the fourth and was more than happy. She finally grew up (maybe having a vampire/human baby does that to you) and I guess the marriage and marriage night made up for her stupidity. Midnight sun is different, it is amazing. I never knew what Edward saw in Bella, now I do. To see it through his eyes is the best thing that ever happened to this series and if it does not get published I will hunt down the person who leaked it and beat them with a salami.

Murder weapon.

4. Halloween treats: I cant decide what to make for my family:
CAKE BALLS
or
Spider cakes

What would be more fun?
Happy Thursday Everyone!

Once there was a PUMPKIN!

2008-10-28T11:00:00.000-07:00

Funny story, last year we had cute little halloween set up with bales of hay and pumpkins a plenty...

Then winter hit before we knew it and several pumpkins were slowly being frozen under the heaps and heaps of snow...

Slowly but surely spring came and melted away the snow to reveal some pretty sad, mushy, yucky pumpkins. (sorry, didnt have the foresite to take pictures) Ron was to dispose of them but apparently they were so mushy that they fell apart and he decided they would be natural fertilazer in our flowerbed.

Summer came and I started to notice weird plants growing in the flowerbed, Im no botinest, but I could tell that I hadnt planted these giant leafed beings, and they were resembling something pretty cool.

I was growing my very own pumpkins! Fancy that! That snow a few weeks ago pretty much stunted their growth, and they dont get a ton of sun where they were so they are little and green, but it still reminds me of the coolness of nature and its desire to grow...

Such cute little punkins!

Then we went for a photo shoot in the canyon, mostly to have an excuse to wear these boots! She really is cute!

Happy Fall Yall!

Martha Mandy

2008-10-20T11:55:00.000-07:00

I just needed to brag about my new found ability in the world of creative crafting. Just look at this dress:

I know! It is really all because of an etsy dress that I saw but didn't want to pay the price (cheep-o) Anyway, my dear sweet mommy told me that it would be an easy dress to make and a few hours later wha-la! Her very own spider dress!

I am just so happy that I have been planning all sorts of cool dresses for her to model.

Anyway, she got to display her dress at Gardner Village last week. Sucky idea....UEA + Halloween time at GV= millions of tiny people running a muck. It was nothing short of insanity inducing weaving through people.

See the sadness that the day produced!

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Loves and kisses!

Goose Girl

2008-09-26T08:03:00.000-07:00

I have a wonderful neighbor that has a little gal one month older than Addi and every other day (my days off) we have fabulous play dates. Yesterday we decided to go feed the ducks. Now I am all for new things, I just need to remember to think through each plan.

Questions I need to ask myself....

1. Is there any sort of line (last week at the zoo she had a heart attack when we had to wait one turn for the carousel)

2. Does anything look tempting to eat (she will pick up rocks if they look delicious and any thing with a berry, poisonous or not, she will eat)

3. Does it resemble anything she loves (Duck pond= giant tub. This was a nightmare trying to keep her out of the awesome smelling duck poop water)

So we arrive with our bag of popcorn, this was much easier than the bread because that is just another thing Addi hates...stores. We go as seldom as possible so wasting the bread on some birds was out of the question.

Anyway, for ever piece she gave the duck, she ate 5 so at lease it was a yummy snack!

These ducks are on crack! As soon as they see any human with a form of food they swim faster than Michael Phelps to get at us. Sprint swimming over to pork out on our foods!

I am also writing to ask for advice. I want a new house. I am selfish and just sick of living in the town home lifestyle. So sick of having to invite Addi up or downstairs when I just need to pee (she has abandonment issues.) I want a big rambler with a garage (Ron wants a 3 car) I want a giant kitchen (why the poo did we buy a griddle, two blenders, a sandwich maker, and a George Forman when we have 3 cupboards!)

The problem is, we found an amazing house. AMAZING. Not so amazing price tag. Affordable...maybe. It would be something that would be so much more than we are paying. Which means that I would have to be MUCH better about not buying every little thing I wanted. Could we do it, I think. It is just the not knowing that is scary. This is the house...

Then there is this other house, still awesome, not quite as awesome but still pretty cool. Much more affordable but they want us to close in 30 days....we still have our house to sell.

So I am asking for advice, do you buy a house you can easily afford but want to go somewhere else in the future, or buy as much house as you can because you would never move again? What would you do?

The Big Comfy Craze

2008-09-17T06:49:00.000-07:00

I know she is too young to be glued to the TV. I know all you 'good' moms out there will look down on me and say "Well I never!" But I'm telling you she is addicted!

The Big Comfy Couch. Have you guys ever heard of it?

It is this insanely goofy show about a town of clowns that emits some sort of brain washing rays that has sucked Addi in. Seriously, the first thing she says when she gets up is "Couch?" After playing outside, "Couch?" after eating, bathing, playing, dancing, pooping, basically anything that she does in the day, the plea for 'Couch' is soon to follow. Did I mention that this show is just goofy? Seriously, I would much rather watch the Wiggles or Mickey Mouse or that cute show with the speech impaired duck. But I am stuck with Couch. Did I also mention that it used to be on everyday and then they took it away! It is only on Sunday mornings now, which is the only thing about Sunday that I enjoy....that is another post in and of itself. Anyway, we have like 13 on our DVR and we cycle through them at a surprising speed. Oh heavens!

Now you may be thinking how lucky I am to have a half hour of free time to clean, bath, poop, all MY necessary things, but you would be wrong. My mandatory spot is three inches away from her on the couch.

It is not all bad, I haven't had this much reading time in forever. It made it possible to read Breaking Dawn very quickly (which I loved, all I needed was a little fornication between them and I would be happy, he he) I have read an adorable book called the Secret Order of the Gumm Street Girls that was about the Ruby slippers in the Oz story. I have reread various books that I loved and wanted to experience again, and I guess I owe it all to Couch.

Again, judge me if you will. It is all about the happiness of the babe around here. Uh oh, I have strayed father than the couch and am being punished for it. What shows are your kids addicted to?

I guess I should update...

2008-09-02T11:52:00.000-07:00

It has been over a month since my last post...sorry, I guess I like reading about other peoples lives rather than relive mine, but I will try.

We went camping. What used to be a fun relaxing thing is not so much anymore! We were there less than 24 hours (Addi decided to get a fever of 102 the next morning so we came home) in those 24 hours, we went through 6 different outfits because of the overwhelming urge to run in the river. It was fun though even if I hate sleeping in a tent (I have gotten old and value sleep too much!)

We also went out for our anniversary (big numero cinco) and partied it up in the big city (Salt Lake) I am really all about the food experiences and we had a grand old time. First we went to Moochies Meatballs since it was one of the restaurants Guy Fieri went to when he came here for Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. Oh my heavenly balls of joy!If you go there you need to order the Atomic Meatball. So effing good! It has these glorious meatballs smothered in red sauce and a delicious creamy jalapeno sauce and then is on top of thick slices of feta. My mouth is watering all over the place right now. Go, go now, go often.

We also ate the Sunday brunch at Little America where we stayed. So yummy! Again, you all need to visit this brunch. We have been there for three out of the five anniversaries we have had and I look forward to it each and every year.

15 pounds later, I had to start school. (hold for sobs, whimpers, giant tears and heaving cries) It has actually been alright. I am always amazed by the different types of kids that come through my door each year and I am excited to have new and wondrous stories to tell you all. So far I have a kid that eats a dozen eggs each morning, and a girl that started rocking back and forth with vigor when I said we may learn about sex. It was a good day.

Since I had to start school, I decided I needed a reward and went with my sis in law to Swiss Days in Midway. We got to the park at 7:30 and it was already PACKED! people rushing around like crazy and it gets to you. All the sudden you are throwing bills at people just to get decorations for who knows what! I got some way cute stuff though for Halloween and our house and it was a great day.

So that is what we have been doing, it has been a good month or so since I posted and hopefully now that I have a computer every other day I will be better at documenting my mundane life.

My Favorite City

2008-08-06T07:23:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was Roy Days. Anyone who really knows me knows that Roy is my true home. No matter where I am or what city I may live in, Roy is always home. I remember when I first got married and Ron had aspirations to move back East, the thought of leaving Roy hurt my heart like eating a pound of bacon. So I made us get jobs at the high school of the same name. Figures. I will always love this city. So every August we celebrate as a city. Ghetto or not, I love it here.

I started off the day with the annual 5k. I am old, out of shape and slow, but it was still fun. My face was red for 8 hours after. I did not get a picture due to the fact that I didn't want proof of my failing physique.

Then the parade. Who doesn't love parades....Addi. It was like 4 million degrees and she had no idea why we were sitting there watching the slowest cars in the world drive by. Poor girl. Someday she will understand.

We did the carnival and stuff then later packed up for the fireworks. I made sure to teach Addi the proper way to "ohh" and "ahhh" at them so she would fit in with my mom (true firework lover) it was so much fun to see them through her eyes. That is until she got board and just swung around her glow sticks.

But there are costs to all things, many students were there to not so quietly remind me that school starts in a matter of moments. I'm not ready! Where did my summer go? I also saw my class list last night and had a full blown panic attack! What the hell! Of course I love my job....in the summer. I just don't know if I can go back. Tears. Oh well, it has been so fun and I will just have to make the next three weeks great. Happy Roy days everyone!

Fake vacations and the crazy Nordies

2008-07-19T21:01:00.000-07:00

We live a boring life, (my husband always reminds me that we are simple school teachers and cant afford real vacations!) So we planned a fun filled couple days in the FABULOUS (maybe exaggerated a little) Provo. We packed up my sister in laws Suburban with 4 kids, and four adults and hit the road. We were going to stay in the La Quinta, but when I went to the check in desk, I couldn't help but notice the large sign that read 'Pool Closed.' Well this was simply not going to work. What the the pee pee were we going to do with the younguns without a pool for the day? Went to the Comfort Suites, same sign. Kids were close to tears. Went to the Hampton, SAME DAMN SIGN!! What the hell everyone, STOP PEEING IN THE POOL! Sorry for my anger, but sadness was thick in the car that day. Finally we found a hotel in Lehi that had rooms and a pool so all was not completely lost. Swim, swim, fun, fun, but Addi has NO fear! She just assumes that someone will pull her to the surface so she just jumps in what ever pool is around her. She went from pool to hot tub and back again 48 thousand times, all with me sprinting behind her to make sure that her lungs didn't fill up. Geez kid! When will it work to tell her that the pool has sharks in it that only mommy can repel so she can only go in when I do?
Anyway, after a fun dinner and a wee bit of shopping, we were all ready to hit the hay. Addi however is on a constant high when her little cousins are around and would not settle down. I am going to check their breath for crack because that is what they emit into her system.
Finally the big day came and we loaded up to go to the fun filled Seven Peaks. Alright, it really sounds more fun that is actually is. Again, she is a daring little gal and I cant leave her side, and splashing simply ticks her off. But she was so happy when she was in the pool. So happy that she forgot how tired she was until just before we left and she crashed in about 4 seconds. Such a long day. Remember when it used to be fun to sprint around and try to ride everything....I'm old now. Sigh.

The next morning I had to get up at 5 (woke up at 4 because I am retarded) and drive to SLC to work in the Nordstrom sale. For those of you who do not attend this sale, it is a pretty big deal. So big in fact that at 7 am when they opened the doors, women were running in yelling things like "Where is the yellow sweater!!!" and "I NEED A DRESSING ROOM NOW!" I, being there only for the discount that I was promised, was terrified that they would run me over for a chance to get a shirt for 5 dollars off. One family had, and I am not exaggerating, 7 people in there room and they had it from 7 to noon. I finally went in and asked if they wanted me to order a pizza. They didn't realize I was kidding.
But it was pretty fun to see the chaos and see how much people can spend. And I did walk away with some sweet stuff. I did realize that I have a minor addiction to shoes, here are some of my prizes:

Can you stand them! Her first running shoes! She is going to be fast!

How cute are these Crocs? (Addi's again!)

Yes they are Nike and they have polka dot foot beds. How could I resist?

And now for mama's shoes. This picture does not even show how cute they really are. Chocolate suede. Yum.

And these black cuties. If my feet didn't hurt from being on them for two solid days in heels, I would have modeled them. I thought the blisters would scare you away.
If you get a chance, go see the stuff, at least the shoes. So much fun.

Summer Sweetie

2008-07-15T22:12:00.000-07:00

I like summer. I like going outside and feeling the warmth on my skin. I like knowing that I can go outside at any moment without my shoes on and feel just fine. I like wearing as little as possible and trying to find new wonderful ways to spend the days.
And I like my adorable Addi.
What a bathing beauty she is.
I will always remember this first 'real' summer together (what the pee pee can you do with an infant in the summer!?!)
We have had so much fun!
What a babe!

ZOO!

2008-06-12T21:09:00.000-07:00

Our first trip to the zoo! Even though I would have to point out every animal and use my "that is the coolest thing I have ever seen" voice for every thing we saw, it was still a great day. I had the best time I think, I love little trips like this! I even started crying while taking her on the carousel because she was having just so much fun and I kept thinking..."I get to do this. I get to watch ever new thing she does and she is the most amazing thing ever." I stopped because what kind a crazy cries will on a carousel?

Anyway, lots of good times had at the zoo....

I warned her that this was the only spider that could NOT hurt her....then she fell on it and I became the biggest liar ever. But still, all spiders will hurt you.

Daddy and Bugs by the bear....grrr.

This is that cool picture where we look like we are looking at the best animal ever....we were probably watching a kid eat a pretzel.

She is kissing the monkey...I think he wanted to throw poop at us.

Tagged...

2008-06-05T19:31:00.000-07:00

I was actually thrilled to be tagged! I feel I have nothing to say lately. School is out (sweet), softball is over (we took 5th...sigh), Addi is deathly ill (why wouldn't she be, schools out and softball is over, time to punish mom for her absence) So a tag is just what I needed to get back to the old blogging... Thanks Tice, cant want to hang out for at least 10 days in July!

What I was doing...10 years ago:
June 2008...hmmm, still basking in the glory of being a high school graduate, winning state, and playing more softball. I was also thinking that Rexburg was going to be the best place ever, oh the innocence of youth!
5 years ago:
June 2003, I was getting ready for my wedding! I was going to be married in about two months so I was working out like two times a day and working like a fool for my brother, I had just gotten done with college softball and had all the time in the world...do you guys sometimes miss those days?
5 months ago:
February...I don't remember! It was still like 2 degrees all the time so me and Addi did a lot of shopping!
5 things on my to do list…
-Do laundry…I have laundry too Tice! And I have nothing else in my life! I don't even bother smelling my clothes any more...they are all dirty!
-Go to the gym!
-Clean the house...seriously, it is just the start of summer break! I cant get motivated to do anything!
-Get my phone fixed, if I have not called you, it may be because I have 3 numbers in my phone!
-Figure out what I have to teach on Sunday....damn Sunbeams!
5 snacks i enjoy...
- Hummus on yummy crackers
-Feta
-Popcorn with parm cheese on it!
-Coke Zero....new found love that I was forced into when I started to try and lose weight
-Big glorious crazy good and gooey brownies
-5 Things I Would Do If I Were Suddenly a Billionaire...
-Buy a sweet house....hopefully in Roy
-Throw out all furniture and start over (yes, including the wonderful couch Ron!)
-Hire a maid
-Go on great vacations
-Oh the shopping I could do!
5 Bad Habits:
- I am the best procrastinator in the world!
-I am the world wife/homemaker in the world! My dad warned Ron that i would be a terrible wife, he should have listened!
-Not sleep training Addi, I know what I should do, I just am a push over
- Being a push over!
-I am no good at calling people back either Tice! Shoot, sorry!
5 Places I Have Lived...
- Roy, UT
- Rexburg, Idaho
-Cedar City, UT
- Orem, Utah
- Springville, Utah
5 Jobs I've Had...:
-Roy Recreation! I will never get rid of this job! I have to go back next week!
-Blockbuster!
-5 buck pizza...I didn't even quit, I just stopped going! I was Young and sucked!
-Mount Ogden Eye Center
-Roy High School Teacher
- 5 People I Tag…
- Lori Burchell
- McKelle Stanley
- Cynthia Fallowfield
- Lisa Lee (if you get a spare moment!)
- Lauren Perry,and anyone else that wants to do it!!! It’s pretty fun! It will get you out of blog block!

Go Royals!

2008-05-14T12:56:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to give a little shout out for our softball team! They took Region (alright, we have to share it with Bountiful....that Butch's team for all you Alta fans.) But I am so proud of them! They have worked very hard for us this year and hopefully will do amazing at state tomorrow and next week. This year has been rough with juggling Addi around and trying to handle a real life (how do mom's have lives!?) These girls have made it wonderful to be around...I was nervous I would hate them, but we have so much fun. I want to say thanks to Tice for giving us their favorite cheer RTFTO for life. They also cam up with RRTB (Run Rule Those B%$*#$%) and BGW-Know (Black Gold White) I love them for how goofy they are and how they can handle my dad being very mean to them and Travis using such inappropriate around such sweet gals!

Go Roy!!

Why Mother's Day Rules

2008-05-12T11:40:00.001-07:00

I just wanted to brag for a second about my dear husband. He really is great! First of all, I got to leave Friday morning for a glorious time with my sister in law in Park City for a scrap weekend. He was a single dad and did wonderful! I love to hear what he puts her in to wear when he is alone and it is usually the old standby Osh Kosh jumper...he is cute. He never once called to complain, he told me to stay as late as I wanted, he didn't even flinch when he saw the bags from the outlets that I drug in.
Sunday came and I was immediately stressed. Sweet boy tried to bring me a delicious breakfast burrito, but his mean wife said she was in too big of a rush. I had to hurry and get us all ready and do the final preps for my sunbeam lesson, so once again Ronny had to take over as single daddy.
After church it was immediately to the restaurant (no mama cook day) for my family to celebrate us. I was just being so ornery! I was tired and sick of rushing and just mean to Ron for everything he did. I swear one great thing about being married is that you have someone to take everything out on when life is bugging you. Was it his fault I was tired and Addi only wanted to eat ice all day? No, but he was the one who was going to pay for it!
After the Koford celebration, we were finally home. When we bought our running stroller I told him I didn't want anything for mother's day or my birthday so no gifts were necessary, but like the wonderful husband he is, he presented me with two 1 hour massages and $100 for any spa treatments I wanted. I like him.
Addi's present was not as nice. She is a true sleep hater! If she could stay awake for every moment of the day she would be pumped. But she was SO tired, her theory is that if she just keeps her legs moving, she wont give in to the sleep monster. I would rock her and her legs would just kick over the side until I finally let her down. Finally at about 10:00 I told her I was done and just plopped her in her crib. I think she was just wondering why I wanted to end playtime so quick and why I was mean. Sobbing. Hysterically. After about 10 minutes I went in there and laid her down and 3 seconds later she was out, but still had the cry breathing (hu, hu, hu, hu...know what I mean?) She woke up about half hour later and Ron settled her down. Anyway, apparently she was afraid to wake up again to her mean mom because she stayed in her bed until 5:45! New record for our family. I held her until 6:20 when I had to get up, but this is a big accomplishment in our home.
Happy Mother's day everyone! Hope you all had a great day! Hope you all have wonderful husbands and children like I do, we are all truly blessed!

soooo much to say....

2008-04-14T11:01:00.000-07:00

This has been a busy week. It is all deserving of a mention so just be patient....or not, you can just pretend you read it. We all do it, I wont feel bad.

Thursday was a very traumatic day for Roy High Softball. It was just a practice for us, and they have been doing so good! (Ranked 4th in the state in the Trib...5th in the Deseret) It was cold (imagine that) and I was sick of doing nothing while everyone else was playing work ups. I asked my brother if I could play and he obliged an old lady. My dad was pitching to us all and I was up to bat. Anyone who has played ball with me does not remember me as a power house hitter so no one was concerned. Then trauma struck...I had two strikes on me (stupid change ups) and I was determined to hit the ball...but not right into the eye of my father! AHHHH! Of course I went a little nuts, I was bawling hysterically as my father was lying in blood. He is fine, but that may have been the last of my hitting days.

My dads first black eye and this is several days later and after much of the swelling had gone down.

Saturday was Addison's 1st birthday! So many mixed emotions for this. I cant believe she is one and I cant believe how wonderful she is, but I already feel like she is off to college and leaving me. I have mommy anxiety and I just feel like she is growing too fast!

Then Now

For her birthday we decided to go to the best place on earth, Disneyland? Nope! Baby Animal Day! I look forward to this day all year long and when it is finally here I as as giddy as a lamb on crack! So many pictures to show, but I will highlight a few of them:

Don't we all wish we could do that!

Crazy cute with the cow!

If you notice, Addi is trying to kill the poor chick.

Us with a cute bunny!

Duck kiss. If she gets the bird flu I will kill myself.

Needless to say it is the greatest day ever! I think every person in the world she go!

Then we had her birthday party! We had so much fun, so much food (thanks for the cilantro lime salad Lauren....YUMMY), and so many presents! I loved having everyone around. She was a great host and loved her presents. The cake was a little too intense for words and her mommy made a dumb red velvet cake with like 4 bottles of food coloring and she bawled when we didn't want to hold her immediately after! Sorry bugs, never again!

Her loot

Her favorite present. Feed her, hugged her. I told Ron she is ready for a bro/sis.

Singing! Are you all proud of my cake!

Post sugar rush melt down!

Happy first Addison, you are pure joy!

To a life time of frosting!

2008-04-07T09:44:00.001-07:00

How cute is this baby? Already a budding chef and she has to taste EVERYTHING there is to taste. And lets be honest, this is everyones dream...to rub frosting all over our faces! Lucky girl!

So proud

2008-04-04T09:54:00.001-07:00

For those of you who dont know, me and my brother and dad coach Roy High softball. The ONLY reason I took the job 2 years ago was because I knew that this year would come and my beautiful niece would come up to play. She is here now and it is fun....kinda. Having three people to yell at her and correct every tincy tiny thing she does can be a hard life in high school. But I guess it pays off.

Yesterday MaCauley threw her first no hitter of her high school career. I swear I cant remember throwing that good for a long time after....if ever. This wasnt even against that bad of a team, Skyview was ranked 3rd in the state last week and she beat them 10 to nothing. I am just so proud of all the hard work and determination she has put in, not to mention all the crap she gets from having to play for her family. Poor girl.

Sometimes it is so hard to watch her pitch, I just want her to be happy, and I remember a lot of the time thinking that pitching was not such a fun game. I remember when she was little telling her that second base was a cool position and she should just stick to that....she didnt. It was crazy watching her play on the field that I played on 10 years ago, she even had this pony flip that I swear she just picked up yesterday. Maybe she is trying to be like me. I want her to be much better than that.

I am so proud of her. She is my role model.

Will I go to Hell or just be fat forever?

2008-03-31T09:44:00.000-07:00

Me and my neighbor decided that it was time to start running again, and our first mission was a 5k. I wake up Saturday morning about 15 minutes before I needed to be loaded up with two running strollers, two babies and my neighbor and niece. Needless to say we got a little bit of a late start. We put the peddle to the metal and hurried up to the start....only like 8 minutes late, and hurried and slammed our babies into their strollers and ran to what we thought was the beginning. Anyone who lives in Northern Utah would know that Saturday was not a pretty day. In fact, while we were loading up, the first of many SNOW (I know, what is the effing date?) anyway, it was not a great day to do anything but sit inside and watch the Saturday morning toons.

We saw an officer sitting in his car blocking the traffic and we asked him if the place we were was the starting line, he politely nodded (I am sure he was hiding his laughter at the three stupid, late girls and their sad infants who showed up late.) So we started running and suddenly the pack of on time runners were coming straight for us. They were also hiding their laughter and were too consumed with their running rhythm or the pumping beat of Justin Timberlake on their I-Pods that they never told us we were going the wrong way. After a few strides, we decided to finally stop someone and ask if this was the way they had started the race as well and low and behold, it was not. So what to do, keep running despite the fact that we couldn't feel our fingers anymore, the fact that Addison was bawling by then, and the fact that we had no idea where we were running to....or just join the pack? We chose the latter.

So the 5k turned into a .5k but still counts right? So does cheating on a run resort in Hell or just cellulite? I guess we will all see.

Of course, the best part was the giant breakfast that we enjoyed for our hard effort. Addi was awesome once we got their and began using my hash browns as confetti all over the restaurant! I love races!

Check out my Slide Show!

2008-03-23T19:51:00.001-07:00

My favorite time of the year!

2008-03-23T19:15:00.000-07:00

I have been blog absent for awhile. I guess I have been too busy with the dreaded softball (still not ready to discuss that), trying to find a sitter for Addi while I am at the previously noted horror, and fighting my brain tumor (alright, just bad headaches each and every day). But I am trying to have a better attitude today because it is my FAVORITE day of the year...Easter!

It is officially Spring everyone! I am so happy I am pooping easter eggs! I simply love it all. I love playing in the park with my baby...

Now all the fun Easter festivities! I forced Ron and Addi into dying eggs with me, Addi tried to bite through the shell, and she is a determined little lady so I guess tried is the complete wrong word. After we got the shells out of her mouth, I realized that she wanted nothing to do with the eggs and simply wanted to go to bed after having to spend the entire afternoon at the ball park... There was also the fun egg dipping with the cousins....we strapped her in the high chair so no more eggs would be punished.
Easter morning finally arrived and Addi was the best little basket hunter! Alright, it was right in the middle of the floor, but she got a kick out of the cool stuff the Easter bunny left her, she got 5 new binkies that Macie had her eye on all morning, a new vibrating tooth brush (we dont believe in manual labor) and new bath toys that Ron read were made in China so they went promptly in the garbage. Sigh. We also got to go to our stake conference where Jeffery R. Holland spoke and it was absolutly amazing! Both his message and the fact that Addi slept the entire time so I actually got to listen! Awesome day!
Too many cute picts to post them all...time for a slide show!

I have heard of sleep WALKING...

2008-03-04T10:57:00.000-08:00

This blog will show how inept I am as a mother in that I simply can not put my baby to sleep, nor can she last the entire night in her crib. But I think I know why...we have a sleep crawler on our hands!
Anywhere between 11-2 Addi usually wants to come in bed with me, and I am in a coma by then so instead of losing more sleep I just bring her in with us. She falls asleep instantly and all is good, then suddenly I awake to see my baby sitting upright in the moonlight and immediately dart for the edge of the bed. Seriously, she sprint-crawls right to the edge of the bed and if I was a sound sleeper, she would be in Toronto by now! I don't know if she is even awake, and if she is....WHY???? I swear she is a nut, and I also swear that all you parents whose kids go to bed at night and stay asleep are on crack! That does NOT happen! So I am trying to decide if I should just make my bed into a giant crib or if I should stack pillows on the floor. Either way, if anyone knows of a good support group for sleep crawlers, let me know.

Putting the 'Special" in special ed

2008-02-29T13:08:00.000-08:00

So TC told me that I need to document more of my random moments in my life...here you go.
Sitting in class and a kid raises his hand,
"Ms. Koford, you know how birth control prevents you from having kids?"
"Yep." I reply, wondering how in the pee pee these things jump in their heads when I am just trying to teach them how to simplify fractions.
"So are their pills to GET you pregnant?"
"Kinda, if you need help there are things that doctors can do to help you." I tentativly reply, knowing full well that any day now I will be fired for discussing these types of things like faking drug test peeing, kids having sex in the bathrooms, and my ever reminding them that they are lame or going to hell.
"Can you get some for my girlfriend." He askes....honestly, he did. Like I have my PHD as well and am going to give his girlfriend who to put it bluntly....should NEVER have children....EVER!
"Nope." I reply.
"Why?"
This is where I want to throw things at him but since my dad is still recovering and I am the only batting machine our team has, I am alas too sore to waste my energy on him.
I sigh and tell him that babies are hard. Maybe he should just go steal one.
Teaching is fun.

My new 'Toy'

2008-02-27T08:30:00.000-08:00

Ron is a very good saver. He is so wonderful and not buying anything so that we can have the house we have always dreamed of. I however am not so great at that. I like to buy. I like to own things. In my defence, he is not very good at telling me no.
So lets be honest about something. I am a fat girl. I am trying to embrace it like Tyra tells me to, but I simply cant! I miss my only semi flabby body. I miss being able to wear my favorite pants without a 'muffin top' which only reminds me that I would like to eat a muffin top.

Anyway, so my friend Cynthia told me about a sale that Sportsman's Warehouse was having on their strollers....so I just wanted to go look. Needless to say we rolled out of the store with my new toy.

Then came the fun part. I strapped Addi in and after about 5 minutes she had her fill. She kept leaning over the side so she could see me to show me she was not having as much fun as I was. Sigh. So should I just torture her and make her suffer through the fun of running so her mom can claim back her body, or just sit on the floor eating chex mix all day?

I will keep you updated on our progress.

Where to begin...

2008-02-18T19:35:00.000-08:00

I was so excited for Valentines day. Me and Addi even made her Daddy a video because we had no idea what to get the guy. She knew what he would want, she just didnt want to co-opperate! she was so tired and really didnt like my idea of fun, but after about eight shots where I kept cutting off our heads, this is the best we got.

On the morning of the big day, we got a phone call from my mom who told us that she and my dad were at the hospital. Happy Valentines day mom and dad! I got up there as soon as I could, but not until my sweet husband had given me my Valentine, a new baby bag/back pack, 6 different kinds of cheese, hummus, cool crackers, my favorite kind of juice (Green Machine) and some beautiful orangeish roses. Such a good man he is! He knows me so well.

Anyway, to the hospital I went for some of the scariest days ever. The poor guy was in so much pain in his tummy and they couldnt seem to get rid of it! It was so hard to see him in this much pain and to not be able to take it all away. The first two days passed in a tear filled blur. My mom and brothers were all so devoted to him and stayed by his bed until they were kicked out each day. I did my best to stay with them, but Addi was not allowed anywhere near him so we had to take turns playing with her in the waiting room. But what a little trooper she was! I even think it is getting to the point where she likes the hospital even more than home! They have fun toys like wheel chairs that people can wheel her around in and the obsticals that she has to climb on are simply wonderful! Also, she helped us all stay a little more sane. My brother Brett even mentioned that she saved him quite a few times. Finally the doctor (who will not win Bed-Side-Manner-of-the-Year) decided to operate to see what the problem was. They soon came out saying that he had a 2 1/2 food section of his small intestine that had died that they needed to remove. Alas it is out and my dad is now trying to get back to his old onery self. He is still at the hospital, and it is still the last place that he wants to be, but we are all so very thankful to still have him that we will take anything we can get.

Sometimes I think that Heavenly Father needs to remind us how important that family is. I have seen how my family reacts in time of need and have been nothing short of amazed. I am so lucky to have all of them and I know without a doubt that if any of us ever needed anything none of us will have to worry. Thank you for any prayers and wishes that you send his way.

Tag about my husbie!

2008-02-06T11:42:00.000-08:00

Here I am yet tagged again, but since it is almost V-day, I guess it is time to show how much I love my husbie, at least until he leaves his laundry on the floor and puts full cups of coke on the floor for our baby to spill...until then, I love him so much!)

What is his name? Ronald Neil Koford

How long have you been married? 4 and a half years

Who long did you date? 12 months...almost exactly

How old is he? 33

Who eats more sweets? Ronny. I yell...he ignores. My weakness is salty stuff. And cheese.

Who said I love you first? Me! Good old Fazolies! They brought more breadsticks and it just slipped out!

Who is taller? Ron....unless I am wearing heels, then it is about even.

Who can sing better? I am so good. Seriously, if you want a Rock Band (the game) singer, call me!

Who is smarter? He loves math, he watches the history channel non stop, and he is a fountain of knowledge, useless and usefull alike.

Who does the laundry? Me....sometimes.

Who pays the bills? Ron. He is the money man.

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Ron....Kinda. With Addi on one side and the poodle at my calf, I dont consider me even on the bed. Plus, sometimes we lay sideways.

Who mows the lawn? The cool people at the HOA

Who cooks dinner? Cook? I try to offer up one meal a week. He will say that is a lie, but I do, once a week.

Who drives? Him, I get lost easy.

Who is more stubborn? Him. I am an easy going wonderful lady.

Who kissed who first? I think I attacked him! First date (slut) first outside, then in his parents kitchen. It was magic!

Who asked who out first? After I called him a 28 year old chicken, he alais made the call! Good boy! We went golfing...I won.

Who proposed? Ron! It was the night before a double header at BYU. He came to Provo and told me to get in the car (a cool rented Caddy) and that we were going to Vegas. I protested, reminding him that I had a game the next day and I couldnt go! He insisted that he would get me back in time. So we drove down, went to an amazing dinner at Olives that looks over the fountains and then he took me up in the Eiffle Tower.
"I finally know what I want for my birthday." He said.
"Thats too bad, I already got you sandles." stupid me.
"I want you for my wife!." He replied.
Tears.

Who has more siblings? Me

Who wears the pants? Ron only wears shorts.

Alright, these people need to spill!
Lisa, Lauren...Tice told you I would, Megann, Lori, Laura, and McKelle

Snow bunny

2008-01-30T10:15:00.000-08:00

So it is basically Antartica here. Why do I love Utah again???? Why didnt my parents chose to raise us in Arizona (sigh, Tice) or California, or freakin Barbados? Anyway, I thought it was still important to have my little lady know what her first winter looked like, so I drug her out into the madness. She no likie cold either! The first thing she did was stick her sweet hand in the giant iceburg and shoved it in her mouth! Then she realized both her hand and now her mouth were frozen and she realized what mommy means when she curses the snow. What if her first phrase is 'effing snow'?? I am a bad mommy! But she is stinkin cute!

Summer, oh how I miss you!

Something to do...

2008-01-29T12:08:00.000-08:00

This was on my friends site, may as well play along. Kisses to everyone!

Only rule: you have to answer with ONE word.

1. Where is your mobile phone? bag
2. Relationship? Wonderful
3. Your hair? brown
4. Work? sigh
5. Your sister(s)? none
6. Your favorite thing? family
7. Your dream last night? weird
8. Your favorite drink? coke...sigh
9. Your dream car? free
10. The room you're in? school
11. Your shoes? boots
12. Your fears? sucking
13. What do you want to be in 10 years? stable
14. Who did you hang out with last weekend? Family
15. What are you not good at? denying
16. Muffin? chocolate
17. Wish list item? home
18. Where you grew up? Utah
19. The last thing you did? math
20. What are you wearing? sweater
21. What are you not wearing? frown
22. Your pet? insane
23. Your computer? schools
24. Your life? Blessed
25. Your mood? chilled
26. Missing? Addi
27. What are you thinking about? food (trying to lose weight....so hungry)
28. Your car? Liberty
29. Your kitchen? messy
30. Your summer? missed
31. Your favorite color? Gold (and Black...go Roy!!)
32. Last time you laughed? Today
33. Last time you cried? Yesterday (yelled at dog, instantly felt bad, cried)
34. School? work
35. Love? Family

It's hard being a big sis

2008-01-22T21:39:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time we were a family of three, Ron never wanted to admit it, but Macie was our first born and before we gave birth to Addi, she was our baby. We took her on exotic walks, gave her delicious food, and waited on the pooch hand and foot. I always thought that my feelings for her would never change. I thought I would always be excited to take her outside to go on bathroom walks and I never thought I would be angry at her cute little barks.

Then came Addi. The absolute love of our lives and suddenly everything changed. Yes, we still love you Macie, but things around here are getting absolutly ridiclous!

Why does she want to go off of a barking rampage when Addi finally goes to sleep? Why does she think Binkies are delicious and tries to find and hide my favorites only to devour them at a later date and make me sad? Why does she want to do the grossest thing and pluck the dirty diapers out of the grip of the garbage bin and...yes, use them as a midnight snack? She is just a little out of control. I know that she had her whole world ripped up and that everything she thought was hers now belongs to a tiny thing that loves to rip her tail off, but come on! She has to understand the totum pole here and that she would be the one to go because Addi is non transferable (when I say go I mean to my parents house, not anywhere that has demons or anything promise.) Anyway, this picture basically says it all...who is the baby around here?

For the LOVE of the game!

2008-01-11T09:31:00.000-08:00

We had our first open gym for the 2008 Royal Softball season on Wednesday. My fingers as well as the rest of my body are finally at a point where they are not in too much pain to type or do the other necessary things in life.
But geez it was fun. Ever since Addison was born, I have had this crazy itch. Like I have gone long enough without it and I need it back now.
I even have dreams about it all. The first one, the BYU coach called and said that I needed to start the game on Friday. That my uniform was in the locker and I needed to play. Even in my dream I remember thinking "I have not picked up a ball in like a year and a half and they want me to start?"
The second dream was the U of U calling to say that they started a graduate program and they wanted me to come play again. They would even schedule my practices around Addi's naps. Am I crazy, or do I just miss it too much!
I dont even want to coach! When I went to the gym the other night, I was less concerned with what the girls could do as I was when I was going to get to throw. Finally they all left and I made one girl stay behind so I could pitch. Ya, a stupid 27 year old who had a baby 9 months ago (still needing to lose 9 months of pregnancy) and I was out there pitching like I played the next day.
Oh, it felt so good! Even though after the first pitch the pain in my arm was incredible; even though ever time I picked up Addi yesterday I let out a little wimper, it still was amazing!
Does it never leave? This feeling that I just want to strike out one more girl?
So here is my solution: I am forming a league! I want to start a league that has no age limit. Thats right, anyone can play! Just think of it, all us old folks that still think they have something to prove can come to Roy, Ut once a week and play. Come on, it will be cool! We can play and then sit around for the next hour talking about how many muscles we pulled. And I am NOT talking about slowpitch. I cant play that damn game. I was a pitcher for crying out loud, what is there for me in slowpitch! This will be the real thing! So fun! Do I have your support? If not, just remind me that I am 27, have an adorable baby and need to clean my house more than I need to 'clean house' with my quickly diminshing rise ball. Either way, thanks for listening to my lament about the game of the past. sigh.

Christmas...sigh.

2008-01-01T20:35:00.000-08:00

I Heart Hats!

2007-12-12T10:31:00.001-08:00

Winter has brought on a whole new level of fun for me and Addi....Hats. Boy do I love 'em! For example, the picture above, it was freezing outside and snowing (notice the blurry flakes falling) but I still had to don a hat on her cute little head and made her battle the elements. They are just so stinkin' cute!

These pics are of hat number two. Also sickeningly cute! Also, notice the adorable little dancing sheep on her shirt! I swear, I am going to cut out this sheep when she does not fit in it anymore and make a shirt for myself out of it. I will, and every one of you will be jealous!

Next we have the hat of the season, Mr. Nick hat. Now this was not Addi's favorite and it lasted about as long as it takes for someone to say a naughty word, but it was cute while it lasted.

She has some more hats, but the winter is still young everyone, and hats are always in fashion.

Laughing Addi

2007-12-03T13:05:00.000-08:00

I just cant stand how cute she is! Dont mind me and my cute hair...I was just reading to her and she thought I was so funny (which I am!) Have a great day everyone!

Thanksgiving stuff!

2007-11-28T09:41:00.000-08:00

I know I already did a Thanksgiving post but that had no pictures of our day so I thought I would write about what we actually did:

The day began with Ron and Addi taking me to a 5 mile race (when I say 'race' I really mean that I was running along side the old ladies, ok, the SLOW old ladies that had not already passed me! And a group of annoying little high school chicks that would walk up every hill and tick me off but sprint down the hills to pass me...I hated them and secretly wished they would get shin splints or side aches or something!) Anyway, I wanted to run the race so bad so I would not have all the guilt sitting down for two glorious dinners. I usually have an awesome running partner to help me get though the runs, but she was sick so I had to hoof it solo. So there I was, happily shuffling my feet along the run when my Ipod quit! SO ANGRY! So now I only had the dumb high school girls to listen to and they had issues about some boy that texted them about another girl that she totally didn't like (is your mind numb yet...cause mine was!) But I finally finished and saw my wonderful husbie and baby and it made it all better!

Then it was time to feast! First we went to Ron's parents and ate good food, then went to my brothers house for the Flint feast and watched the Cowboys (Go Boys) win again!
Such a fun day! It is a little hard having a little girl now because usually we get to hang out all night, but Addi gets seriously angry at 7:30 and demands her bath and bed (aka, moms arms...yes still suck at this)

Anyway, Friday was fun! We all watched Meet the Robinsons (cute if you haven't seen it) Then my wonderful mom demanded that she baby sit so me and Ron went out to play. We saw Dan in Real Life, (also very cute! I love that man!) then went to look for toys for Addi, if you have any suggestions for a 9 month old let me know! I want it all, Ron wants to just get her bubble wrap because she would probably like it just as much! We capped the night off with watching Knocked Up, it just re-established why people should not watch rated R movies because it kinda sucked. Unless you love pot and dropping the F bomb (which many people do and I am not judging) but if you don't, it really is not very good!

Anyway, great weekend, loved every minute of it! Happy Gobble yal!

So Thankful!

2007-11-19T19:35:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! Isn't it wonderful how lucky we all are! We all have roofs over our heads, family's that love us, husbies and babies and loved ones to hold, all sorts of wonderful friends, and I'm sure all our lists go on and on.

I am going to brag for a moment and say how thankful I feel for the things in my life:

Wow, what a year! I have a great little girl that thinks I am funny and wonderful and wants me to never leave her site. I have a husband that is so selfless and thoughtful that I can hardly stand it (unless I want him to clean, then he is a little selfish) I have a family that wants nothing more than to have Addi in their presence, I have a great job where I only have to be away from my baby for a few short hours ever other day and it gets me to appreciate her more and still feel like I am making a difference in the world of Roy.

I also want to brag about my cute friends, here are some of my favorite memories of you:

McKelle, I love you! I am lucky that I have a family member that I not only like to see, but I cherish the time we have together! I cant wait till we can force our daughters to be good friends like us. I remember when I stayed down at your house over Christmas break one year and we would turn the sound off the TV and make up our own voices for everyone...laughed so hard!

Tice: You saved me so many times! Times when I would take myself too seriously or when I needed to just vent you were there. I could not have gotten through many times with out you! I remember lots about that great year up in the iceland, I remember how you would pull up on my emergency break at ever vicious turn. I remember when we got back from our LONG trip to Courd-a-lane (sp?) and you made me laugh so hard I literally pee-ed my pants while standing in our kitchen! I also remember the 20 taco night! SO fun!

Jennica: I only wish we would have had more together! You were such a rock for me. Never drama, never tense, you just always made me feel good! Remember the night you made me the most delicious fried rice ever? Still crave it! I also remember how I would love to play with that cool skin thing on your neck (sounds creepy, but that is what we were!)

Milli: You have always held a special place in my heart. You felt like the younger sister that I never had. Well, more like a twin because when I was around you, I felt like I could be 12 again! I loved our runs more that you could ever know. I loved talking to you, listening to you, and I always secretly hoped that no one else would wake up so it would just be me and you hitting the pavement. You made the bench pretty fun that year and you kept me laughing about crazy legs and the love of coaching lesbians.

Lauren: I used to love looking into your eyes when you were catching me, it was so fun to see your mix of determination and encouragement. I also loved when I got to be your roommate! Do you remember the time that we went through like 2 packages of Mini Eggs just us sitting in our room! I was so sick! I also loved to covet your shoes (I still think about those animal print Steve Maddens!)

Myr: Wow, we had some good times together! We had to lean on each other so that Stocking wouldn't drive us both too crazy! I remember all the long hours we spent in that training room together getting our poor arms worked on! I know I will never be the same. You were the one person that made me work harder than anyone else and I am so thankful for that.

Laura: I may not have loved the job, but I know that Heavenly Father put me at Mt. Ogden Eye Center so we could hang out and become good friends. I learned so much about patience, love, perseverance and strength from you. You are simply amazing and I look up to you more than you could ever know.

I think that is all of my Blog buddies! I love you all and am so very thankful! Now go eat some turkey!

I need help!

2007-11-19T11:14:00.000-08:00

Since most of you out there are my former (tear) softball buddies, I need help! I need some catchy little phrase to put on our t-shirts this year and I am out of ideas! Let me know what you think. Otherwise they may end up with a big t-shirt with "Go Roy" on it. This is lacking a little too much enthusiasm for me. So please all far and wide, help me!

All night long!

2007-11-15T06:32:00.000-08:00

Do you all remember that song, "All night long (all night, all night) All night long!" Well if you remember it, just think of it during this post....

She did it, she is really a big girl now. We put her to bed at 8:00 like normal, and suddenly my alarm was going off and my baby was not in bed with me! First of all, I was shocked and bewildered, and then I was thrilled that she finally did it....then I was a little sad, she is getting so big.

Now this was not some random luck thing. It had taken quite a lot of will power and work to get this to happen. I, being a bad mom, was used to letting my baby sleep in her bassenett and then when she got sick of it, she would come sleep with me...I kinda liked it. But then she got big and she started taking up too much room and it was about the time that it was my husbie, the dog and her on the bed, and me on the floor that I realized there may be a problem. So when her room was finally in order and she was in her crib I decided enough was enough. It was three nights of hour and a half screaming until finally she gave in before sleeping happened for longer stretches. During those nights, I would stay up, right by her door, sometimes in her room sitting on the floor so she wouldnt see me. Other times I cleaned the bathroom or read from all the child rearing books I have to give me strengh. Anyway, it must have worked, even though I hate thinking what is going through her head...something like "Well, I guess my mom has completly abondoned me and I am in this alone with you furry pocka dot puppy, I can only rely on you now."

Still, it is quite an accomplishment, and I am so proud of her. I miss her, but it is also nice to roll freely and not worry about crushing her.

Dyson II (the sequel) THE VACUUM SUCKS BACK

2007-11-08T17:35:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone, this is ron, if you see my wife with hickies it's not my fault, well kinda. It is probably because she finally got the suckiest vacuum in the world. She even cried a little when she got it. She really does love it, I caught her whispering to it that I would be away at work soon and then they could take care of every room in the house. It's a little awkward in our home, but I do have the bed to myself now, so at least I sleep well.

And just so you know... these blogs AREN'T magic. Just because you post a picture of something, and pine for it on the blog, it doesn't mean you'll get it. So y'all can just cancel those searches for images of diamonds, caribean cruises, big homes, and brad pitt.

but just in case they are.....

We all survived!

2007-11-05T20:16:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to quickly say that my weekend went very good. Thanks for caring everyone! On Thursday I held Addi for as long as I could before sadly passing her off to her daddy. Clutched my phone all night waiting for his call telling me that she was absolutly miserable and that I needed to come home. Well, the call never came and when he did call, he sounded very positive and happy and my baby girl was happily sleeping in her bed...for a minute then he just held her (he is cute.) I slept pretty bad, but I guess that is to be expected. We ate way too much food, (we all got the worst gas ever and wanted to die!) laughed because it was 2:00 in the morning and we were delierous, and made a few new pages. A couple ladies brought their 6 week old babies and I waited patiently until I could hold them and realize how big my little lady has gotten! Finally we were on our way home and I was back in my babies grasp. I instantly started crying when I held her again and she smelled SO good! It was nice. I guess they had a good time together because now Ron said I can leave when ever I want (Tice, book my plane ticket!) I really am a lucky girl and I love when you realize that you have the best life ever!

2007-11-04T21:01:00.001-08:00

Make a slide show, scrapbook or ecard

This was our Halloween fun! I absolutly love holidays! So fun! We played with both sets of cousins, ate yummy food, and of course was home by 7:30 for a bath. Bugs was not a happy camper most of the night, but still fun!

Does anyone have any Klonopin???

2007-11-01T13:12:00.000-07:00

For those of you who don't work at a high school and happen to know all the terminology for the various pharmaceuticals, these are anxiety pills. The reason why I am under all this stress and need some quick fixes is that I am going away for the weekend. No Husbie. No Addi. Just me and lots of paper, glue and a bunch of pictures (scrapbook weekend.) This is where I feel like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. One part of me is pumped! I can sleep all night without my small baby yelling for me to rescue her from her evil crib, and then proceeding to slap me in the face for the rest of the night (yes, I am a bad mother.) I wont have to make any food, I wont have to put dishes in the dish washer, no laundry; just a sweet, sweet all ladies weekend. The other half of me is terrified! I probably wont be able to sleep because I will constantly be worried that she is screaming at her daddy all weekend. I will toss and turn because I will miss the sweet punches from my baby. I will have to come home to a dirty house, which will stress me out even more, and how can I sit for hours at a time scrapbooking my baby and not burst into tears every time I look at her sweet face! Plus she is at a stage where I cant even walk across the room away from her before she cries out for me... how am I supposed to leave? This is a major delima and my stomach hurts already! But I guess it will be good for me anyway...even though I am starting to well up just thinking about it. This is going to be rough.

Fall Fun!

2007-10-27T20:04:00.000-07:00

It has been awhile since I put some pictures of us up, and boy are they cute! She is too much fun and I kinda like her. Some are from our pumpkin extravaganza, some are her in my favorite dress ever (orange with funny sheep on it) and some are from this funny costume party we went to last night. Ron was Old McDonald, I was a cow (not good from someone with a low self esteem) and Addi was a chicken. She has another costume for the big 31st, but this was fun for the family. She however only lasted about 30 minutes before reminding us that it was bath time and why oh why were we doing this to her? We had to make a quick exit, but really it was just about getting dressed up. Ron was sweet, he so did not want to go (his idea was to be Mr. Invisible...funny ha ha Ron, not getting out of this one) I have loved this year so much! Addi is at such a fun stage and I just want to eat her up. Seriously, do moms feel this way, or should I check myself in? I honestly want to eat her up! (too many vampire books!) Happy Fall Yal!

For the Love of a Vacuum

2007-10-20T09:53:00.001-07:00

Of all the seven deadly sins, the one I am best at is coveting. I covet this vacuum. It is actually my brothers, but each week I think up a new reason why I would have to break into his home when no one is there to steal the lovely beast. If you have not seen the Dyson in use, you may be thinking, 'This chick is off her rocker! Why would she have vivid fantasies about stealing a stinking vacuum, why not just go get her own.' One reason is the hefty $500 price tag it totes. And I was skeptical as well, I mean really, could a machine that simply picks up dirt be worth it? I could buy many a pair of shoes or at least three outfits from Gymboree for Addi with that kind of cash (yes, that was my stab at the evil Gymboree that also makes me sin) Well let me just say that once you run this invention over your carpet, you will no longer wonder if it is worth it. It makes you feel like a whole new person, in a whole new house, where your babies can lick the carpet, (she is darling...but quirky.) So each night I try to come up with a new scheme to convince Ron that this is the only thing in the world we need. I have tried everything (everything...wink, wink!) And I do believe that I have alas made him realize that for the Dyson I am relentless. Christmas is right around the corner.

2007-10-15T13:42:00.000-07:00

The rules:

A. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.
B. Each player lists 6 facts/habits about themselves.
C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

1. This assignment has taken me one week to do....because I feel there is nothing unique about me and therefore dont want to spread the news that I am boring and old and have very little wit and wisdom about me.
2. I just realized that I am getting old because South Park is no longer funny to me.
3. I dread washing my hair...alright not true, I like to wash, hate to dry so it prevents me from doing this step.
4. Cheese makes everything better. (Yes, cheese...is that weird?)
5. I miss having my students having crushes on me. I need to lose my baby weight to gain back my teaching sex appeal...or again, I am getting old.
6. I pop my neck and my knuckles too much and I am sure that my spine will be severed one day because of it.

I tag....everyone on my buddy list...Jennica, McKelle, Lauren, Milli...that is all I know...I have no friends.

MMMMMMMMMMMM....rice cereal????

2007-10-09T11:03:00.000-07:00

Addi is officially in the eating world! (alright, not true, my brothers have been giving her 'treats' since she was old enough to swallow!) But as far as baby food is concerned, yesterday was the first! Things started fairly well, she kinda thought it was fun...kinda, but I think she realized that the food we usually eat has much more color and much more flavor than the beige crap we were shoveling at her. So to try and talk her into the deliciousness of rice cereal (without apples because Ron is mean) Mommy tried it....gross. Hard to talk her into thinking it was yummy. Anyway, she was good and there was no gagging but finally enough was enough and she was done! I am so excited to give her 'good' food and watch her get even bigger and happier. How come no one ever really told me that babies were this cool?

Warm weather wahhhhh's

2007-10-05T08:34:00.000-07:00

I was watching the news yesterday and the weather gal told me that yesterday would be the last warm day for awhile and that it would rain and snow like crazy all weekend (I should not say this but I hope she is a lying whore!) She also gave the advice that everyone should spend as much time outside as they could that day so I did take her up on that advice. I dressed my little lady in capris and a tee shirt and hit the great outdoors. We went on 5 different walks, ate lunch outside and had a marvelous photo shoot.

Furry sister (Macie) even joined in. I just wanted to again lament the passing of the heat and I ask for advice on how I am to survive with a 6 (almost) month old who loves nothing more than to be outside. I have even talked to Ron about setting up a faux summer room where we will bring in astro-turf and turn on the fire place at full blast. He said no. I have already ordered teh astro-turf. So fairwell my dear friend, until next year (or when Tice lets me come live with her!)

Am I a Golden Retriever?

2007-10-01T09:13:00.001-07:00

So I have been trying my very hardest to lose all this weight that my little lady packed on me. I feel like I have tried everything (you learn a lot working at a high school) so bulimia and anorexia have seriously crossed my mind! I have also tried eating only yogurt or those silly shakes, or anything else that may inspire my budges to fall off my saddle bags! So then I teamed up with my neighbor and we decided to run a marathon! (ok, half a marathon, but I say the first part extra quiet so people think I am very ambitious) Anyway, feeling pretty good till the alarm goes off at 5:30 each morning, but I still feel good until we come to the homestretch and suddenly I realize that my hip will no longer function like it should. I complain so much that my husband is used to me saying 'ouch' and 'oh my gosh' and 'why me' and having tears roll down my face that he does not even ask what is wrong anymore. So I looked up hip dyspepsia and low and behold, it normally affects Golden Retrievers. (the pic is even one of a dog, notice the tail!) So I am now thinking I am a chubby dog! Not happy with that idea! Anyway, if any of you fit people know of anything I can do to ease my pain, (I am even up for voo doo) let me know. Or if you know of anyway to lose all my excess poundage, I am all ears!

Damn Book

2007-09-27T12:41:00.000-07:00

This book is causing all sorts of havoc in my life. It has completly made me crazy because all I think about is what Edward is doing (and sometimes if he thinks of me and if he can read my mind) Anyway, everyday I get excited that my beautiful baby will want to take a nap soon and that is when I will alas be able to dive back in! The problem is my baby is a cat napper and before I know it, I am being beckoned by my beauty again (which is fine, I just sometimes wish I could give her Nyquil....joke....kinda) I am only on page 200 so dont give anything away, but I love this book. I love being sucked in. Yes SUCKED!!!! I love it when you find a book that you think about all day long. I even think about if Addi ever found a boy like Edward what I would say to her....probably that is alright because I am simply that nuts about the man. Everyone should read this (thanks Cheyenne!)

Check out my Slide Show!

2007-09-27T10:51:00.001-07:00

I want to play too...

2007-09-27T09:30:00.000-07:00

I wanted to play the same game that you are all playing! Here are my "Crazy Eights":

Eight things I'm passionate about:

My cute husbie (except when he forgets to put his dishes away)
My darling daughter Addison
My poodle (except when she barks while Addi is sleeping!)
My Family
My church
Scrapbooking
Trying to get in shape
My job (it is at the bottom for a reason)

Eight things I want to do before I die:

Read Gone with the Wind
Have my house clean for longer than 4 minutes
Go to Pennsylvania with my Husbie (his mission)
Run a marathon (training for my Half)
Cook dinner every night for a week
Not scream when I see a spider
Maybe I am ready...I really dont have a ton I want to do.

Eight things I say all the time:

Boo (Addi smiles)
"I like to eat, eat, eat, Apples and Bananas" (also for Addi's smiles)
MACIE!! SHHHH the baby is SLEEPING!!!
Love you
Do your work (to all my students)
Stop touching your neighbor (also my students)
Ma Ma Ma (yes, that will be Addi's first word!)
amen (we all need to pray more)

Eight books I have recently read:

Half way through with my vampire lover Twilight
Walk Two Moons (cried so hard...you just read!)
Frankinstein City of Night
Frankinstein (the first one) They are by Dean Koontz and pretty darn good
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows (Yes Tice, woo hoo)
What to Expect the First Year
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (4th book)
The Westing Game (I read too many kid books!)

Eight things I learned this year:

I really couldnt understand how much I would really love my baby
Sometimes I cant do it all on my own.
having a messy house just happens
How much I love my husband for being a good daddy
My mom is more amazing than I thought
Sometimes you just have to cry
Pants dont always stretch
but neither does skin (how do I get rid of these ugly marks!)

..and I could not ask for more

2007-09-22T21:51:00.000-07:00

Just look at them. I have never been happier in my life. Not even when I could sleep all night and not had to wake up at 3:00 every morning to feed a screaming little lady. Not even when I could clean my house without having to find places to hide swings and exer-saucers and thousands of binkies and tiny shoes. Not even when I had time to make dinner for my starving husband. Never happier. And it is all because of this glorious little girl and my amazing husband. And I could not ask for more.