Lifes a Hoot

Cakes

2011-09-01T11:02:00.000-06:00

I LOVE LOVE LOVE these cakes and want one for my birthday, lol. Hey its my 30th birthday I want a cool Disneyland cake darn it, lol.

DISNEY CAKES, click here for some awesome cakes

Taylar's Birthday Cake

2011-06-29T00:36:00.002-06:00

This year is the first year I've ever had to make Taylar's cake. My awesome sis in law (come visit her blog here: Spatula City Cakes usually makes all of Taylar's cakes. However, since she moved to Arizona that has left me in charge. I swear I have been stressing over this cake for months. I had different visions of what I wanted and then saw a Disney's Car's cake shaped in a number 5 and thought, yes thats perfect!! I am pretty pleased with how it turned out. The Flynn Rider she already had (she had a Rapunzel but lost it a few months ago). The Rapunzel came from one of her presents she is going to get at her birthday party on wednesday night. The tower I got from The Disney Family website. Mine obviously isn't anywhere as close to as good as theirs. I only added the single part of the tower instead of the added part like on theirs. I wanted it to sit a little more balanced on the cake. I put tinfoil on it and frosted it up. The tower didn't turn out as great as I'd hoped but it still will work and she will be happy. I did pain the inside of the tower to look like the walls of the tower in the movie. I also made a paper lantern as a decoration for her party. I had originally planned on having the fake tea light candles under it and to have it sitting as a display, but you couldn't see the light so I decided to hang it over the table instead.

Graduation!!!

2011-05-27T10:15:00.000-06:00

My baby girl is an official graduate ...of Preschool

Sleep Tight

2011-05-10T01:31:00.000-06:00

Is it weird that I could just watch these two sleep for hours. My heart is full when I see them calm and at peace

Failure

2011-05-07T09:45:00.000-06:00

I'm feeling completely disappointed in myself. I missed the race for the cure this morning. I did not sleep AT ALL last night. Well I shouldn't say at all, but I didn't fall asleep until 3 am and when it was time to get up at 5:30 to leave to go there, I was way too tired to move. I wish I would have just gone. I know once I would have gotten there I would have been fine. I was in pain last night and I let it get me down. I am so upset with myself I can't even stand it. I feel like a failure. I've been telling everyone for months I was going to do this, I've been looking forward to it and now I feel like I've let myself and everyone else down

updates updates

2011-05-04T11:02:00.000-06:00

I swear one of these days my family will all be healthy again. My neck has not been hurting too much the last couple of days which is FANTASTIC! I'm starting to feel like myself again. I still have some trouble sleeping and still feel pain and a slight headache from time to time but its nothing like I was feeling.

The kids on the other hand have gotten my cough from which I injured myself to begin with. They are pretty much okay during the day. Austin has a slight runny nose and they both cough from time to time, but at night almost like clockwork they wake up at midnight crying and I have to calm them down. In fact I've become quite the story teller, ha ha. Taylar is obsessed with Angler Fish. She saw one on the Finding Nemo ride and when she sees something that scares her she becomes obsessed with it. So I made up a story of Paul the nice Anglerfish. She loved it so much she makes me tell it to her everynight so I ended up writing it down so that I could remember it. Next we made up a story about Elle the little Elephant who wanted to be a big circus star like her mom. Another one I need to write down because she is constantly asking me to tell it to her.

Miraculously Joey has yet to catch this nasty cough that we have all had. Hopefully he doesn't either. He has been so fantastic during all of this. Best husband and father of the year. With this VAD (vertebral arterial dissection) I'm constantly worried about what I'm feeling and if its something I should be concerned about. Everyone says to me to listen to my body because I'll know if something is wrong, but the problem is there IS something wrong and I don't know what the normal feeling for what is wrong is. He's been very patient with me. This also makes me unbelievably tired. I haven't been this tired since I was pregnant (which thanks to countless blood tests and screenings before all of my hospital tests I know I'm NOT). On the weekends he has let me sleep while he has taken care of the kids, etc. I'm so incredibly grateful to him.

This Saturday is the race for the cure. I'm still participating. I will probably walk a lot more than I had originally planned on doing because jogging with this makes me light headed because I'm already not getting as much blood flow to my brain because the artery has to work harder to get it there. I plan on just putting on my headphones, getting lost in my music and running/walking along with my thoughts. Only thing I'm not excited for is waking up really early on Saturday morning.

Scary Stuff

2011-04-23T11:47:00.000-06:00

So I had a scare the other night. I'd had this cough for a couple weeks when my neck started to hurt. I decided to go to the instaCare down the street from me. He told me I had a sinus infection (even though my face did not hurt at all) and that I strained my neck coughing. Well it kept hurting as the week went on, and it did not feel like a neck strain. I was having headaches and sharp pain etc. Well on Tuesday night at work I got really light headed and almost fainted. My neck and head were hurting and I just felt like something wasn't right. I called up Joe and my mom and told them I was going to have someone come in and cover my shift because I was going to go to the ER and just make sure everything was ok. Joe sent his parents to come get me so I didn't have to drive myself (my mom also sent my brother to make sure I was ok). When I got to the ER they came and examined me and said that they were thinking it was just what the dr at the instacare said, a strain, but there was a MINOR chance it was something to do with one of the arteries in my neck. In order to check for that they did a CAT scan. When the doc came back in he said that there was some abnormalities with my right artery. They admitted me to the hospital that night (thankfully my sis in law was with me this whole time, she's awesome!) A neurologist came to see me in the morning (I hadn't slept yet) and told me they would do an MRI and some other tests in the morning. Around 8 they came and got me and did an X-Ray of my chest because of my cough and my rib and back hurting. Then they took me into my MRI (which was one of the most unpleasent things I've ever been through) and that lasted over an hour and a half.
After waiting for the results they came in and told me I had a Right Vertebral Arterial Dissection. Which basically means I damaged the outer layers of one of the main arteries in my neck. The good news was that it wasn't fully dissected into the middle so no blood clots were getting out, so I didn't have to have surgery. Instead they are having me take an aspirin everyday to keep my blood thin so I don't have to worry about clots. I go back to a neurologist in a few weeks to check and make sure that everything is healing fine.

I'm happy I only had to stay the one day in the hospital and that I got to come home and be with my kids and hubby. I was really scared I was going to have to have surgery and I wouldn't be able to be with them for a long time. I'm still nervous because I have a higher risk of damaging it more and having a stroke, so I just need to be careful. This of course means when I go to Disneyland next month I wont be able to ride any of my favorite rides, which sucks. It will still be fun, but it will just not be the same without Space Mountain and Indiana Jones :(

Anyway I am still getting neck pain and headaches just like before I went to the hospital, but atleast now I know what is wrong and I know what to look for to know that its getting worse. I'm just taking it easy for the next few days. I only work one day next week and can try and relax and take it easy the rest of the week. Hopefully I'll be back to normal soon.

It's crazy that this all happened from a cough!

Here we Come.....AGAIN

2011-04-13T19:40:00.001-06:00

I'm so excited, we're going to Disneyland again!!! We went in December for Christmas but it ended up raining A LOT the entire time we were there. Well my MIL wrote Disney an email and just said that she was disappointed that there weren't more accomidations for bad weather and made some suggestions about how they could add covered eating places and have more umbrella's etc and make it so that it could still be an enjoyable time, even in the rain. She wasn't mean or anything, just let them know that "hey, my family of 11 came for a wonderful christmas vacation and while we understand you can't control the weather, it would be more comforting given the amount of money spent if there would be more precautions taken for when there was rain etc." Anyway long story short, they sent us replacement tickets to be used before July 22nd (peak season starts then). So we are heading back to Disneyland in May!!

Hopefully this time the weather will be better for us. I'm excited to go again and excited to show the kids the parades etc. The only bad thing about this trip....Splash Mountain is closed for refurbishment during the week we are there. Its so sad :(

Book Worm

2011-04-05T22:27:00.001-06:00

I am so proud of Taylar!!! I got a note from her preschool teacher a few weeks ago that said Taylar knew all of her letters and sounds and that she acted interested in learning to read. So she said with my permission she wanted to start teaching her to blend her sounds together so she could learn to read!!! We work on it at home a couple times a week, usually at bed time when she is reading her night time books and then they work on reading on thursdays at school. Today her teacher sent home a book for her to read. She is supposed to read it 6 times and then come back to school and pass it off. She has already mastered it and she got it today. She even saw the words from the book in other stories and remembered them!!! I got another book of hers, a level 1 reader, that she got for Christmas about Disney's Tangled off her book shelf. I asked if she wanted to try and read it and she was so excited and said yes. She did SO good. She mastered the word THE and remembered the word AND most of the time. Of course she recognizes the word Rapunzel because she has seen it on everything. When she got to a word she didn't know she was very patient and tried sounding it out. She still has a little trouble with blending the sounds together though. She takes pauses after each sound of each letter and has a hard time hearing the word, but she is even getting better at that. I'm not pushing her in anyway. She is so eager to learn to read, I love it. She asks me all the time if I can help her. She has always had a very deep love of books and used to spend hours in her room just looking at them, so I can't wait for her to be able to read a book by herself completely. Its such a cool thing to see her learning and to see her face light up when she reads a word like UP and then realize that she just read. Awesome!

Dirty Girl

2011-03-09T23:41:00.000-07:00

I just signed myself up for DIRTY GIRL RUN with a few friends, woohoo!! Anyone else who wants to do it should totally sign up!! Just let me know if you do and I'll give you the info so you are on our team. Its not really a race that you worry about hurrying through. Its just for a good cause and for fun. Awards aren't handed out for time, but instead for things like costumes etc.!! I'm excited. Its the day before Taylar's birthday.

Hair...hmmm?

2011-03-08T22:11:00.000-07:00

I want to do this with my hair, however do I have the guts and if I do, would I even look good with it? Am I too old to have hair like this? I need honest opinions!

Marching into my goals, HA HA HA (oy)

2011-03-01T17:10:00.000-07:00

okay so its March already, holy crow, where is this year going. I can't believe we are already in March. Wasn't it just Christmas?

My ability to keep goals I set completely sucks, lets just be honest. I swear I have not been keeping very many. Some I have, some I haven't.

March's Goals:

- Well considering I've only read 2 books so far this year I need to step it up. If I keep the pace I'm at right now I'm only going to end up reading 12 books this year, one a month. I guess its a good thing that lot of my favorite shows are having some weird March hiatus or are ending for the season, gives me more time to read.

- Still doing my running, working toward my 5K goal. I'm proud to say that my lazy butt has gone from being able to barely run for 1 minute straight to running about 3 minutes straight. Yes I know thats horrible, but its better than I was before, so shhhuuush.

- Church going has started slowing down and I intend to change that. It wasn't really by choice. We had so many things each weekend going on we ended up missing a lot. But I plan to make sure we go throughout March.

- New goal for the month, find Austin a bookshelf for his room. I'm thinking about checking out the DI and finding one maybe Joey and I can refinish.

On another note. Today was so beautiful!! We went outside and played at the park and even drew some wonderful artistic pictures with chalk on our patio. The kids had so much fun!!!

Also big congrats to my cousin Michelle who just welcomed her third child, Elissa Anne.

First 5K here I come

2011-02-17T11:25:00.000-07:00

I'm doing it!!I signed up today for the Race for the Cure 5K. I'm really hoping I can run for a lot of it, but even if I walk more than I want to, its at least getting out there and getting moving. I'm very nervous but I'm hoping I can run the whole thing. Wish me luck!!

Race for the Cure

Race for the Cure.

2011-02-08T13:25:00.000-07:00

Race for the Cure 2011

I'm not a runner, never have been. But I have recently started to feel a craving for it in my body. I have been trying to run/walk atleast 3 days a week and I'm starting to like it more. Granted I can run like a minute at a time before I get tired, but I'm trying to build up my stamina. I have this app on my phone called Couch to 5K that is supposed to help you build up your stamina from a complete non runner to one that can run for 30 minutes without stopping. So I've started the app this week and I'm hoping that I can see it through to the end because I would like to participate in this year's race for the cure. Cross your fingers for me, ha ha! I've never done anything like it before and even if I end up walking a lot I still want to try!

February Goals

2011-02-01T15:34:00.001-07:00

okay so January is over with and I did a horrible job at keeping some of my goals, so I'm going to now set my february goals, some of which are the same as january, lol.

1.) Continue workout regime. Adding in my couch to 5K app. This app is supposed to get you into a place where you can run a 5K (3.1 miles or whatever) in 9 weeks. I had a couple people tell me about this app and how they swear by it, so we'll see.... Also continue with eating healthier.

2.) Read atleast 2 books this month. Last month I read only 1 month and that put me behind on my goal. I really need to get my self back on track.

3) Get all of my visiting in.

4.) continue with my goal of going to church every sunday

5.) Be a better house keeper. Deep clean one room everyday that I dont work.

Well January is over and...

2011-02-01T10:42:00.000-07:00

January is over time to evaluate how I did on my goals:

I went to church every Sunday that was possible, minus this last one because I was sick and didn't think it would be responsible for me to go and be around everyone with my nasty cold. I didn't pay any tithing and I didn't read my scriptures at all.

I worked out atleast 3 days a week for 3 weeks. Some weeks I did 4 days and some 5. Plus I have been trying to eat healthier all month. I have cut out soda completely (which was really hard for me because I LOVE coke and still crave it everyday) I have tried to switch different food items for others and I have started keeping a weight loss journal.

I've tried to be better about playing with my kids for longer than just a few minutes. This I think has just made them extra clingy, lol. But I love it!

I only got one book in this month!! Yikes. That puts me a book and half behind in trying to meet my 30 books a year goal. I need to step it up and read more rather than watching pointless television when I get a free moment.

I seem to be busier than normal now. Its a little frustrating, I swear I have no free time for anything anymore. Hopefully I will get some free time soon!!

Almost time....

2011-01-23T22:12:00.000-07:00

January is almost over and I feel like I haven't been doing very well at my goals

I have worked out out 3 times a week for the last two weeks, and will continue to do this. I'm hoping I can get even more workouts in and continue with my working out and tracking my food on sparkpeople.com and also continue with my weight loss journal.

I have gone to church every Sunday that it was possible to go so far this month. I only missed one Sunday when we had previously arranged to go to a birthday party for a friend's daughter.

I have not paid tithing this month. Unfortunaetly I had no money left to pay it with. I know that's an excuse but it was either pay tithing or let bills go past due. I'm hoping to be completely caught up with bills though so I can start paying tithing next month.

I've only read one book of my 2.5 books needed to make my goal. I'm hoping to get one more in before the end of the month, although it seems my schedule keeps getting more and more hectic and I'm feeling like I have less and less time for myself (HOW and WHEN did this happen?)

The most important goal I set, to spend more time with my kids is the one I have fell behind on. I have tried to do an hour a day everyday but it I have missed days here and there. I feel the most guilty about this one. I need to work on it the most I think. only 8 more days!!! Gotta work on this stuff!!!

January Goals

2011-01-03T12:49:00.001-07:00

So in Relief Society we talked about setting goals per month, rather than year. Short term goals are more obtainable. So in conjunction with my new years resolutions I'm going to set month to month goals to try and achieve those resolutions.

We talked about setting personal, family, spiritual etc goals. Here are my goals for this month:

personal-Work out for 30 minutes, 3 times a week- I can do this, its 30 minutes of my day. Time spent watching TV or sitting and vegging on the couch. Also read 2 books (in order to get to 30 I need to read 2 1/2 books a month)

family- Turn the TV off and play with my kids for an hour uninterrupted everyday.- I'm so bad about actually spending time with my kids. I hate to admit that. I never get down on their level and play with them for more than 15 minutes at a time.

Spiritual- go to church every Sunday for the whole month, even if I can only go to one meeting. Read Scriptures for 15 minutes everyday.

Financial- pay tithing and set up a budget for the month

Then at the end of the month I'm going to see if I REALLY followed these goals, which ones I need to tweak etc. Then I'll hopefully continue these goals while adding new ones in for February.

New Year's Resolutions

2010-12-29T12:03:00.000-07:00

Christmas is over, 2010 is ending. Now comes 2011 and all of those goals I hope to achieve, but realistically don't. I'm determined to end this cycle.

I have some personal goals that I'm keeping to myself, ones that others know, but that I dont think all of cyber land needs to.

Another resolution of mine is to read 30 books this year. Last year I read 20 books, this year I'm upping it to 30. Not included in that 30 though is the book of mormon, which I'm determined to get through for the first time.

I want to lose 30lbs. This year I want to be able to wear shorts and feel comfortable wearing them. I dont want the whispers of "wow, she's put on weight" anymore. I dont have any illusions that I'll ever be as skinny as I was when I met Joey, but I also want to be at a place where I'm comfortable with myself. I want to be at a place where I like who I am by the time I turn 30 at the beginning of 2012.

I want to be a better housekeeper. I'm bad at this. I mean its picked up and all, but I want to deep clean it once a week at least.

I want to be a more patient mother. I have such a short fuse these days and I feel like all I do is get mad at my kids, especially Taylar. I need to be better about this. kinder.

I want to spend one on one time with each kid. I want to get down and play with my kids instead of telling them just a minute all of the time.

I want to spend more quality time with my husband, rekindle our relationship and make it stronger.

These are just some of the goals I've set for myself this year, I have more but I am choosing to keep those to myself.

DISNEYLAND 2010

2010-12-26T22:56:00.001-07:00

We went to Disneyland last week with Joey's family. His mom took us for Christmas cause she rocks!! It was so much fun. It rained everyday but other than that it was a blast. Taylar loved it!! She was tall enough to ride all of the rides, minus the rollercoaster in California Adventure (screamin'). She didnt want to do Indiana Jones though, that was the only ride she said no to because I had shown it to her on youtube. A mistake I know. Her favorite rides were Soarin over California, Space Mountain, and Big Thunder Mountain. She also loved the Silly Symphony Swings, Peter Pan (which was our very first ride) and the teacups. Austin loved the teacups and It's a Small world, but pretty much everything else made him nervous and hide into my lap, lol.

Here are a few pictures from our trip, sorry so many, but I could have added more!!!( I'll post an update for Christmas soon, but I dont have those pictures loaded yet.)

First Big Kid ride ever, Matterhorn. She was scared at first so I had to pull her into the car. I covered her eyes for the "monster" she loved everything else about it.

Winnie the Pooh Ride, wasnt Austin's favorite.

Tower of Terror. She liked it, but it scared her a little. Her butt flew out of the chair each time we dropped, so funny!!

Me and my santa mickey ears. Austin got a mickey beanie instead of traditional mickey ears cause it was raining

Austin LOVED the teacups

It's a Small World. Austin and his Mickey button, he LOVES Mickey

We rode Space Mountain Twice. She LOVED it!!

Taylar's favorite part of Disneyland was meeting Rapunzal. She had her Rapunzal shirt, button, picture and she even had a Rapunzal wig to match. She is the worlds biggest Tangled fan. I waited in line for almost 2 hours in the rain so she could be the first one to meet her that day. It was worth it.

Check this Out

2010-12-09T09:19:00.003-07:00

Look what Shutterfly is doing:

Shutterfly

My Mother in law is famous! HA HA

2010-12-08T21:02:00.000-07:00

My mother in law, Kathy, got to go to the Ellen Degeneres show. Not only did she get to go for the 12 days of giveaways, but she also got called down to do blind folded musical chairs with the santas. She's the one in grey in the video.

Crafty Craft

2010-11-28T22:48:00.001-07:00

holy moly I made a craft!! I'm definitely not a crafty gal, but I actually made this cute little thing here. Joey's aunt had us over tonight for turkey soup and to make these cute little stars that his cousin's girlfriend, Whitney, knew how to make. I'm actually really proud of how it turned out and it was REALLY easy. Thanks girls!

I'm thankful for.....

2010-11-26T17:25:00.000-07:00

I have so much to be thankful for this year.

I'm thankful for Taylar. She makes me laugh so much. She says the funnies things. I am so blessed to have her as a daughter. She has the best imagination in the world. I never know what to expect from her. We butt heads often but thats only because she is so much like I am. She loves the same things (minus her food preferences) as I do. I love to watch her as she learns and grows into a healthy young girl. She is doing so great in school and everyday she completely suprises me by the things she has learned. She has grown up so much int he last few months and it makes me sad for the days of just her and I sitting at home goofing off being just two girls. However, I'm so thankful that she is at an age where we can get to now each other better and have fun in ways you can't with a baby.

Speaking of babies. I'm thankful for Austin. He is SOOO funny. While he cant talk (even though we constantly get him to try) I can always seem to understand what he wants. He is always so smiley. He loves to cuddle with his mamma and always makes me smile. I love watching him learn and grow and find his place in this great big world. I also love watching him adore his big sister.. He loves and worships Taylar. He is constantly yelling for her to play with him or following her around the house (much to her dismay) He is my little cuddle bug and I;m so thankful to have him in my life.

I'm very thankful for Joe. I'm thankful to have a husband who allows me to stay home with my two wonderful children. I know its stressful with bills and being the main bread winner, but he always seems to make it so our family is happy and healthy. He is such a wonderful husband and even though he likes to tease me, he also lets me be who I am and never tries to change that. He loves me for me. Even the things he thinks are ridiculous that I love. He is also an amazing dad. My kids adore him. I love seeing their faces light up when he walks in the door. He is so good about playing with Taylar and making her feel special while also having fun with Austin.

I'm thankful for my mom, she's such an amazing person. She always knows how to make me feel better when I'm in one of my moods. She has been there for my brothers and I and I know she always will be. Even being in another state I always feel close to her and I'm thankful my children know her. Thank heavens for technology (and skype) I'm thankful for my brothers. Even though Curtis is in another state I am so grateful to have him to help bounce parenting ideas off of. He's a great example and a great husband and father to his family. I'm thankful for Richard and how far he has come in the last year. This is one of my biggest reasons to be grateful. For years I felt like I had lost Richard and now I am So grateful to have him back in my life. I hope things continue this way for him and for us. He has become very important to my kids and to me and I am so very proud of the person he has become. He has really become an awesome adult.

I'm also grateful for my awesome In Laws on both sides. I have an amazing sister in law, Aubrey. She is always so sweet and wonderful and is the first person to help out when you need it. I'm thankful for Joey's whole family. I dont know what I would have done this year for work if it werent for them. They have very selflessly helped me with baby sitting and making sure they are available to help me with the kids. They are the best in laws I could have ever asked for. I'm SO grateful for them.

This turned longer than I meant it to but I have so much to be grateful for. I know there are so many more people that I didnt mention specifically in here, but they should know I'm grateful for them and all they do for me and my family (Michelle, Kathy, Lisa, My grandma for letting Richard stay at her house, etc.)

And now bring on my favorite holiday of the year, Christmas!!!! Not only is this time of the year so magical but it always reminds me and makes me feel closer to my dad. I love this holiday :)

Pioneer Harry

2010-11-19T10:01:00.002-07:00

This is my new favorite sight The Pioneer Woman. I know many of you already visit her sight on a regular basis, and i used to just sorta browse now and then, however I'm loving it lately. I have so many bookmarked recipes I have no idea when I'm going to have time to make them all. Guess my family will have to be my Guinea pigs. The Pioneer Woman

Also I just had to add that I'm going to see THIS tonight, woohoo!!

October, major picture post.

2010-11-17T23:05:00.000-07:00

Some pictures from this October, most were taken at Taylar's preschool field trip.

Taylar's preschool class. She was trying to hide from me.

Books, Music, Movies, and TV oh my!!!

2010-11-01T12:41:00.005-06:00

P.S. I know this should technically be a post halloween picture post of my kids, but I dont have any pictures uploaded yet so thats coming soon.

Thought I'd add a few things that I love that I'd recommend to other people:

BOOK

First would be the above picture: The Guardians of Time Trilogy by Marianne Curley. I LOVE this Author. She wrote another book called Old Magic that I actually read first and loved. Then I found this book and my mom gave it to me for a birthday present. I LOVED it.

The basic premise of these books follows the Guardians of Time as they try to stop the Order from altering history for the evil Goddess Lathenia. Each book is set from two different characters POV. The first book, the named follows Ethan and Isabelle. It follows them as they travel through time to stop the order. They travel time while their physical bodies are asleep. The second book the dark follows Isabelle and Arkarian (the man that helps the new guardians). The third book follows Matt (Isabelle's brother) and Rochelle and concludes the series.
It doesnt seem like a book I would normally be interested in but Curley is a very descriptive writer and I really enjoyed her books. I wish she had more than just the 4.

MUSIC

The Mary Poppins Medley. I've mentioned this in a previous post, but I love the medley that Jim Brickman has put together for Mary Poppins. It reminds me of my childhood and I LOVED it!!

Here is a link to the sample: Mary Poppins

Movie

Taylar and I were lucky enough to be able to go see a free early screening of Disney's 50th movie. It was AWESOME!!! It kept Taylar entertained the entire time, something only UP has been able to do in the theatre. The music is good, the movie is good, its very cute. Plus its good for both boys and girls. The story of Rapunzel and her magical golden hair come to life in this great flick! The movie actually comes out on November 20th and I highly recommend it to anyone with kids, boy or girl.

T.V

so yes, The Vampire Diaries is on the CW and yes its a teen show and yes its about vampire, but its actually good. I like so many others have just had it with the vampire explosion since Twilight came into the picture (sad since I initially loved those books). I started watching this show from the beginning though and its really a good show. Unlike most shows when they go into their second season, TVD hasn't lost any steam. Every week is a good episode. Sure sometimes the acting isn't great, but its a CW show, what do you expect :)

5 random factoids for the day because I'm bored.

2010-10-17T23:24:00.002-06:00

1.) One of my Favorite songs on the planet is "Feed the Birds" from the movie Mary Poppins. Taylar has the medley of Mary Poppins songs by Jim Brickman. Its AWESOME.

2.) I prefer reading books in series much more than stand alone fiction. I get very invested in my characters and need to have their story continue. Only I usually end up hating the second book and loving the third.

3.) I wish more than anything on the planet I could be a stay at home mom, full time.

4.) I don't want to have anymore kids. I get irritated when people tell me I don't know that yet. I only have two and that my mind could change with Austin being so young. Yep it could change, will it?. most likely not. I don't see why it matters, I find absolutely nothing wrong with having 1 or 2 kids.

5.) I'd LOVE to write a book, but I dont have any original ideas, have horrible grammer and gramatical sense. And am just plain bad at it

Bacon Bacon BAAAAAACCCCOOOOONNNN

2010-10-16T01:30:00.001-06:00

So its 1 am and I cant sleep because I've been up reading and my mind has been going rampant with the ending of my second book finished in 3 days (Catching Fire, book 2 of the Hunger Games just in case you were curious). I turn on the tv to one of my favorite late night fav's, Unwrapped on Food Network. And what an awesome topic it is tonight, Bacon. I LOVE Bacon. One of the places they visited was the AWESOME Archie McPhee's . Their bacon stuff aside, this website is a gem of odd ball things. I enjoyed browsing their sight very much. I mean who on earth wouldnt want to try pickle flavored dental floss while sporting a pancake shaped wallet after bathing with your bacon scented soap?

I can't Live without my....

2010-10-08T16:39:00.003-06:00

(Saw this on a friends blog and thought it would be a fun thing to do. I dont tag cause it takes too much effort on my part, but please if this sounds fun to you, then do this cause I'd love to see your must have items.)

Top 5 THINGS (this is not a list that includes people because OBVIOUSLY my kids and husband would be on the top of my list.

1.) My IPHONE. This is a staple for me AND my kids. I've got a folder for each one of my kids geared toward them. Games etc for them to play. Plus its how I keep connected to the world via phone, email, texts etc. Plus it has my music on it and also now it has my netflix instant watch on it to entertain both me AND my kids.

2.) My Nook. My mom bought this for me earlier this year and it was the best thing she could have ever gotten for me. I LOVE it. The downfall is that I find SO many books that I want to read that I have an abundance of previews on there and I just keep downloading more and more. I need to READ the books I've downloaded before I get more. Its a must......maybe, ha ha.

3.) Coke. I'm addicted to Coke. I've tried to give it up but I cant. I love it and honestly I dont want to NOT drink it, so coke and I are bound for life.

4.) DVR- I recently got a DVR and I will never be able to go without one again. I love it. Before I was still recording on VHS tapes and the sound would go in and out and that was HORRIBLE. No, DVR is now my best friend.

5.) Pajamas- I LOVE PJ's. I change into them in the middle of the day etc. I LOVE LOVE the comfort.

Guess where we're going.....

2010-10-07T12:36:00.001-06:00

GUESS WHERE WE'RE GOING THIS CHRISTMAS!!!

Hooray for Disneyland!!! I'm so excited. We are going to go to Disneyland for Christmas this year. I mean we'll be back FOR Christmas, but its our Christmas present this year. I cant wait. Taylar is finally big enough to ride all of the rides (minus Screamin' in California Adventure) and this will be Austin's very first trip!

I can't wait. They are both getting new ear hats for sure.

Welcome to Fall

2010-10-05T10:50:00.001-06:00

I realize I dont update this very much, especially not compared to what I used to.

Things have been going really great for us. Taylar LOVES school. She is doing so good too. She has already learned to write her whole name and some other letters as well as memorized her phone number. Her next assignment is to memorize her address, which I'm confident she'll be able to learn no sweat. She has her first field trip coming up to Cornbelly's at Thanksgiving point. She's VERY excited. She has made a lot of friends out here already. One of her favorite friends, Alivia and her mom invited us to join a playgroup on Monday's which has been AWESOME for all 3 of us. Both of the kids get to play for a couple hours and I get to visit with other moms from my neighborhood and ward.

Austin is getting SO stinking cute. He has started to say a very small selection of words, which most people would take for just grunting sounds, ha ha. He says More (Mo), Taylar, mamma, and dadda. Also he says pup and meows. He LOVES running around and playing with the kids in our neighborhood (or complexes whatever you want to call it, lol) He is right in the middle with them at the park and they all just love him.

Joey is working just as hard as ever. He is actually considering getting his own contractors license and doing remodels, basements, decks etc on the side. So if anyone has any work they want to send his way, just let me know :)

September was a really busy but VERY fun month for our family. My mom came to visit for two weeks which was AWESOME!! My kids LOVED having her here. Taylar tells me atleast once a day that she misses Grandma Tamara and Austin points to her pictures and smiles and grunts :) On the 11th we threw her a suprise birthday party for her 50th Birthday and invited her whole family. I want to think she was suprised, but I think a part of her knew.

On a not happy note. Some Stupid kids stole our pumpkins which made me pretty mad. I know who it is and where they live, but their parents are never home, either that or they are sick of people telling them what their kids are stealing so they never answer the door. GRRR I'm so mad.

Halloween is almost here (well a month away). Taylar has picked out her costume (and Austin's) They are going to be Alvin and Brittany from Alvin and the Chipmunks (what can I say the girl is obsessed). My mom bought the stuff for and made their costumes. They look SO cute. I'm also excited because Playgroup is at our house the week of Halloween so I was thinking of doing a little halloween party for the kids. Making Halloween treats and telling the moms to let the kids come in their costumes if they want.

Anyway that's all for now. Hopefully I'll update again soon :)

Disneyfied

2010-10-01T10:07:00.002-06:00

I'm a huge Disney fan. I haven't been to Disneyland since December 2008 (I know most people are like, that's not that long ago, two years big whoop) I NEED to a Disneyland vacation. Feeling all down in my Disney funk I decided to browse the Disney Store online and came across a few little knick knacks that you are all more than welcome to buy me.

If I were a_ I'd be a _____

2010-09-21T23:47:00.000-06:00

stole this from Emily

If I Were A_I Would Be__!

If I were a month, I’d be September (mostly warm, but with some very cold moments)
If I were a day of the week, I’d be Thursday
If I were a time of day, I’d be Midnight
If I were a sea animal, I’d be a dolphin
If I were a direction, I’d be East!
If I were a piece of furniture, I’d be a warm bed.
If I were a historical figure, I would be Grace Kelly.
If I were a liquid, I’d be Coca Cola.
If I were a gemstone, I’d be a diamond.
If I were a tree, I’d be a Evergreenl.
If I were a tool, I’d be a hammer.
If I were a flower, I’d be a plumeria.
If I were a kind of weather, I'd be overcast!
If I were a musical instrument, I’d be drums .
If I were a color, I’d be purple.
If I were an emotion, I’d be content.
If I were a fruit, I’d be a Strawberry.
If I were a sound, I’d be laughter.
If I were an element, I’d be water.
If I were a car, I’d be a Range Rover.
If I were an article of clothing, I’d be Pajamas.
If I were a food, I’d be Pasta.
If I were a place, I’d be Disneyland.
If I were a taste, I’d be spicey!
If I were a scent, I’d be pumpkin spice.
If I were an object, I’d be an amazing book.
If I were a body part, I’d be back.
If I were a facial expression, I'd be contemplatice.
If I were a song, I’d be Bitch by Merideth Brooks.
If I were a pair of shoes, I’d be slippers.
Copy and paste then replace my answers with yours!

Happy BIrthday Austin and First day of school for Taylar, yay for Milestones!

2010-09-07T21:27:00.001-06:00

Taylar started preschool!!! Today was her first day. She did really well minus the one time the teacher had to get on her about getting out of her seat to go look at books. She seems to like it okay, although she isn't really forthcoming with information. She seems embarassed.

Also tomorrow is Austin's FIRST birthday!! I can't believe he's already one!! He is such a cuddlebug. He is now walking all over the place. He wants to do whatever his big sister is doing. No talking yet, but he is such a ham. He makes me laugh everyday with the things he does. He likes to shake your hand when you say nice to meet you. I cant wait to see where he goes in the next couple months!!

I was going to post a picture of Taylar on her first day of school, but for some reason the stupid picture uploader wont work so I'll have to do that later.

Happy Anniversary.......excuse me while I vomit in my new condo.

2010-08-14T18:37:00.001-06:00

okay so the title to this post probably sounds like I hate anniversaries or something like that. Wrong. Today is my anniversary and Joey and I had planned on using a 50.00 gift certificate we got to go to the Last Samurai. Unfortunately, both of our kids are very sick. Throwing up all over the place, etc. They have an intestinal virus (which to me just sounds like the stomach flu). Austin has had it for a week and Taylar just got it last night. The poor little tykes. I feel so bad for them when they look at me with those "why arent you helping me" eyes as they spill their guts out.

On a good note, we FINALLY closed on our condo!! hooray!!! We moved most of our stuff over already, minus our beds etc which we are going to sleep on for one more week as we have a lot going on this week. But hooray for being a home (or condo, lol) owner!!!

Austin Man

2010-08-09T09:57:00.004-06:00

Austin Man video link

So far this summer

2010-07-28T11:09:00.001-06:00

It's been a very busy summer so far for us and a long time since I've posted. We are in the process of buying a condo in Eagle Mountain. We've acutally been in the process for a couple months and had many headaches. In the meantime we have had to move in with Joe's parents since we had given our 30 days notice and our condo didnt close. Hopefully we will be closing this week or the first of next week. Its been really busy. I'm still working for kathy and am hoping that I will somehow be able to keep that up until Taylar gets into first grade. Let's see since I last posted I've had once sister in law get married and another one will be getting married in a week. My brother and sister in law moved to Arizona, Austin got more teeth and Taylar is just as wild as ever. Here are some pictures below of our summer so far.

Taylar got a swimming pool and bike for her birthday, just some of her many wonderful gifts. .

She hasnt quite figured out how to ride her bike yet though.

Swimming has become a favorite past time, too bad she wont go under the water. Makes swim lessons hard :)

me with some of my favorite friends, Lisa and Meghan at the Twilight: Eclipse movie on opening day

we went camping for my family reunion. Both kids were awesome at camping and slept all night.

The 24th BBQ at Aunt Kathy's

Taylar on our camping trip

Joey and I went to the Kings of Leon concert

Its Jordan Catalano...I mean Jared Leto of 30 Seconds to Mars

2010-05-25T17:11:00.001-06:00

when i was in Jr. High a tv show called My So-Called Life was on. It only lasted 13 episodes but has since become a cult favorite. It was canceled long before it should have been. It starred an unknown actor a the time named Jared Leto. Since then he has gone on to star in many othr movies such as Panic Room, Alexander, Fight Club, Urban Legend, etc. He also happens to front a band that he started with is brother called 30 Seconds to Mars. A Few weeks ago I got the pleasure of seeing them at the Rail Event Center in SLC with some awesome friends. We got right up to the front and even got to touch him after he jumped off of the stage. Now he looks a lot different than his days as Jordan Catalano, but he's still awesome. Smaller than he looks onscreen, but still awesome. It was a GREAT show. I got to crowd surf, mosh, etc let out some built up frusrations and pretend I was 18 all over again.

wow its been a while

2010-05-25T16:55:00.001-06:00

Wow, its been a while since I updated. The last month has been filled with showers and preperations for my sis in law, Andrea's wedding. It was such an awesome day. They got married May 20, 2010 in the SLC temple. I'm so proud of them. Everyone had fun, espeically Taylar when it came time for dancing and Austin looked SO stinking cute in his Tuxedo. 1 wedding down 6 more to go this summer, oh boy.

a typical taylar conversaton

2010-04-14T15:05:00.002-06:00

Taylar: mom, I turned into a mermaid how am i going to get out of my tail?

Me: i dont know, how are you?

Taylar: I'm good.

Also yeserday for some reason she decided to shave her lip with Joey's razor so she's got a nice cut on her lip and then she got her zhu zhu pet stuck in her hair so I had to cut it out, awesome day.

YES!!

2010-04-14T10:37:00.001-06:00

so my mom loves me so much and knows how bad I wanted ONE OF THESE, so she bought me one a couple weeks ago, woohoo!!!!

Muse

2010-04-06T23:19:00.005-06:00

I went to the Muse concert on Monday night. It was AWESOME!! I was thinking I didnt know that many of their songs but I knew over half of their set list. They were amazing live. The following video wasnt shot by me, but it is the same show. The pictures were taken by me though. The Silversun Pickups opened for them and they rocked also. Great show. My awesome friend Lisa got me a ticket for my birthday this year and I love her oh so much for doing it. SO worth it!!!! Unfortunatly, Youtube didt get my 2 favorite songs from this show (Hysteria and Time is Running Out)This video is how they opened their show:

Starlight:

this is the silversun pickups for those who dont know them. This isnt at the e center, but its this same tour with muse so I thought I'd post this vid, pretty much the exact same thing as last night, lol.

They dropped eyeball balloons filled with red confetti at the end of the show

This Broke My Heart

2010-03-27T10:17:00.000-06:00

Joe's Cousin posted this on his facebook page and after reading it I was completely heartbroken and felt compelled to help. I'm donating some of Taylar's old books that she no longer reads. I couldnt imagine how I would be able to handle this if I were in this situation. The parents of this little girl are so incredibly brave as is she. Such strong spirits.

Eliza's Wish

SCARY HIPPOS

2010-03-25T22:49:00.003-06:00

Taylar woke me up this morning at 6:30 crying. I ran into her room to see what was wrong and she told me she had a nightmare and asked if she could lay in my bed with me. I asked her what the horrible dream was about and she said "I had a very bad nightmare that you let me watch a show about a green hippopotomus and the show had scary music." interesting.........

Nook

2010-03-24T10:11:00.000-06:00

I know a lot of people hate them, but I really want Nook. I end up reading books on my phone all the time and it would be nice to havea larger screen. I have 45.00 saved up so far, only 215 more to go, lol.

Of the Tortures of Exercise

2010-03-23T13:08:00.000-06:00

so I have started doing P90X. Its killing me if you want to know, lol. I'm SO extremely out of shape. Not just a little but A LOT. One day killed me. I've decided to keep a blog of my experience over the next 90 days on the system. I've added a link to the side that you can click and read my complaints as I continue to torture myself. For those who dont know what P90X is, here is a link to the website that sells it (although I ended up getting it on KSL for 65.00 after shipping costs) Click here to go to the P90X website. Wish me luck, 2 days down and I already can barely move.

Best Purchase EVER

2010-02-26T23:37:00.002-07:00

This is by far the best thing I think I have ever bought. My iphone not only entertains me and gets me the info, phone, email, etc that I need, but it is also the best babysitter ever, ha ha. I have downloaded games for Taylar and even a white noise/rattle app for Austin. This was the best 300.00 I have ever spent in my life.

guess its been a while

2010-02-23T11:12:00.002-07:00

I was informed that its been a while since I updated so I thought I'd do a picture post of what we've been up to the last little while. Mostly we've been sitting home not doing much. I'm in my last week working for the other store and i get to go back to Kathy's store. Joey and I have been looking at condos in Eagle Mountain and have put offers in on a few. They are short sales so it will be a while before we get to hear anything. My birthday has come and gone. I got a lot of nice stuff and got to spend the whole day with my husband and kids which is exactly what I wanted. Joey bought us tickes to go see Twi-Lite at Desert Star which is a mock of all Twilight fans and the book, it was pretty funny. He also took me out to a nice dinner at Outback, YUM! I love my kids very much, but its also nice to get a little break every now and then. We also bought a new camera with our tax return, a Nikon D5000. I LOVE it!!

This is how Austin pretty much spends his time, playing in his bouncer, exersaucer, etc. He's so fun.

And this how Taylar and I spend our time, LOL. Me in a perpetual state of tiredness and her playing and watching her cartoons and of course having a snack.

These moments come very rarely now, but look how peaceful and QUIET she is when she is sleeping.

Austin is my little cuddle bug. He LOVES to give me kisses and hang out with me.

My mom and Steve were able to make it for Austin's blessing in January so we decided to have a family photo. We took a bunch but this ended up being the best one of everyone. Its hard with a bunch of kids, oh and Taylar, Austin and Caitlyn, hee hee.

We've been doing really well on our goal to go to Church every Sunday. I'm really proud of us. Taylar is loving primary, most of the time. She loves to sing the songs and its nice for her to get around other kids her age. I'm reall wanting to find her a preschool to get into when she turns 4 and I found one here, but if we move it will be too far away to drive her to 3 times a week.

Bathing Beauty

2010-01-27T10:48:00.000-07:00

This is Taylar's new favorite pass time. She puts on her swimsuit and then gets in the shower/bath and pretends she is at the pool. She does it all on her own. Oh I love her and her goofiness.

random boot question

2010-01-25T17:05:00.002-07:00

a few years ago, I'd say like the beginning of the 2000's maybe even the end of the 90's JMR clothing had a pair of boots that looked like cowboy boots that were chunky type platform boots. Everyone seemed to have these when I was in high school. I'm hoping someone here bought them or knows what brand they were or what they were called cause its been driving me nuts, anyone know?

When faced with Adversity

2010-01-25T14:34:00.002-07:00

Recently I have been placed in a situation that I'm really unhappy with. As most of you know I work for my aunt at her gas station a couple days a week. Well we are short on hours there and the full time people are barely getting the hours they need as it is. Kathy called me and asked me if I would be willing to help out another store that is short on employees until they could hire someone. Needing money I agreed. First day at the new store I realized that I have a personality clash with the manager. I am someone who hates to be micromanaged and unfortunatly that is what is happening here. On top of it the guy doesnt seem to listen to anything anyone tells him. We have already had issues with scheduling. Then on Friday I went in to him telling me I am not longer my aunts employee, but rather his instead. BIG NO. The only reason I work for Holiday Oil is because I like working for my aunt. I called and spoke with her and she assured me that was not true and I was still her employee on loan for the month of February only. So I have decided to sit back and bite my tongue from now on. I'm not happy with where I'm working right now and would much rather work 1 day a week for my aunt and be comfortable in my working environment than the 3 days a week at this other store, however I know that it is just a temporary situation, regardless. If by the end of the month he hasnt hired new employees or I'm not working back at Kathy's store for some reason then I will just quit Holiday and find a new job. I love working for my aunt. I think she's a great manager and I'm used the way she runs things. She knows my needs as far as days I can and cant work as well as the hours I can and cant work with my babysitting situation. I hate Holiday and only work there for the chance to work for Kathy. I know that we are given adversiy and are often placed in situations that we dont like, are forced to work with people we dont get along with etc. I also know that I need to overcome my stubborn ways and take a step back for the next month and just do this. I know Kathy doesnt have the hours to give me right now, but that she doesnt want to lose me as an employee. I will sit back and hopefully in March she will have more hours to give me. until then I will grit my teeth and work at the other store. The bright side to all of this however is the store I am working at now is a store I used to work at before that Kathy previously managed so I know a lot of the regulars and I know the store itself, also its close to my inlaws so I do get to see them.

GI Diet

2010-01-22T11:13:00.002-07:00

So after talking to my awesome sissy in law, Aubrey, I have decided to adapt to the GI diet(glycemic index). I got a book about it by Rick Gallop and have decided to integrate it into my life. It just made sense. Its not really a diet, more of a change in the way I eat. Swap this for that, etc. not depriving myself of anything, more just adding more vegis and fruits into my diet etc. Plus its something I think I can stick too. Its close to that of a diabetics diet, watching my glucose levels etc. So far I like it. The only downfall is my coke. I LOVE coke and its loaded in sugar. Unfortunatly I hate diet coke so its not like I can just switch to that. I just have a history of diabetes in my family and if i keep eating the way I eat not only will I be about 500 lbs, but I'll end up with diabetes too. I will adapt the diet to fit to my own needs, but for the most part I've been on it a week and am already feeling better and more energized. Go me! Thanks Aubrey for the info!!

Party Everyday

2010-01-11T16:55:00.006-07:00

While driving in the car today, Taylar and I were listening to a Black Eyed Peas song "I Gotta Feeling". For those of you who have never heard it the lyrics say "Party everyday, ya Party Everday" and Tay sits up in her seat with a big smile and says "I go potty everyday". I started to laugh and she said "What? Just like they said in the song, I go potty everyday, whats so funny about that?"

~I love my daughter~

Bring on 2010

2009-12-29T19:17:00.009-07:00

Its that time of year again, time where we all sit down and list our New Year's resolutions, most of which wont last past March. However I still feel the need to list my goals here. Many are the same as the year before, I tend to not complete them. I've always been pretty bad at sticking things out , but this year I'm more determined than ever. I had a very interesting year this past year. I've had some VERY hard and trying times, those who know me know most of them. I've had some amazing blessings as well with the birth of my son, the closeness my family has come into etc. I have loved ones who have experienced tribulations that I don’t know how I could ever deal with and have shown me what it is to have true strength. I've said many prayers and gotten many answers in many different forms. I've never been one to share my testimony, its usually something I keep to myself. I'm sure there are those out there who wouldn’t even believe I have one, lol. I do. And this year I'm setting goals to strengthen it. This past Sunday in our Gospel Doctrine class our teacher had us list 5 goals for ourselves, not just for the next year but for our life in general. I rushed to write down 5 things not really giving it much thought. But now, 2 days later I have. So here are my goals for not only the next year but the next few.

1.) Go to the Temple and be sealed to my Husband and Children. This is my ultimate goal for this year. If possible I'd even love to be able to be there when my sister-in-law gets married in the temple later this year. Every year almost all of us plan to get in shape, well this year I plan to get spiritually in shape as well as....

2.) Get into better Physical shape. I want to lose the baby weight I put on from Austin (and Taylar truth be told, lol) and then some.

3.) Get into a bigger place. I'd love to own a house or even a condo that has 3 bedrooms so that my little family has a little more room.

4.) Read the Book of Mormon. I always list this one and never seem to do it. I am setting myself up a reading guide so that I can accomplish this goal in a realistic matter.

5.) Be a better mother. Spend less time on the computer and more time one on one with my children. Be more patient and try to be a better example. I want to get Taylar involved in Primary, let her make friends in our ward etc.

Kids Christmas pics

2009-12-11T21:28:00.002-07:00

We went with Joey's family and got Christmas pictures taken. The first set we got back were just of the kids. I thought they turned out really cute considering Tay was FREEZING.

oh my goodness

2009-12-08T18:11:00.002-07:00

what will they think of next:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqYoZVroBZs&feature=player_embedded

A Spanish toymaker has made a doll that allows a child to "breast feed" there baby. The child puts on a special halter top that has flowers instead of nipples that allow the child to "breast feed" their doll.

2009-12-04T09:22:00.002-07:00

Wed night I forgot to put Taylar in pull ups and she came in my room in the morning and was so proud because she hadn't wet the bed. Joey and I decided now was as good of time as any to try to wean her from her nighttime pull-ups. So we went and got a waterproof mattress pad from bed bath and beyond. Last night she slept in underwear again and...no accidents!! yay!! Tonight will be night 3. I'm so proud of her. I know we are bound to have accidents but I'm so excited that she is not in pull ups anymore (considering I have to buy diapers for Austin). Hopefully we will never have to buy them again.

Happy Baby

2009-11-20T22:47:00.002-07:00

This was shot on Joey's cell so the quality stinks

Thanks and School

2009-11-20T09:56:00.002-07:00

Its that time of year, time to list the things I'm the most thankful for. I'm thankful for my family. I have the most amazing husband and kids. Taylar suprises me each day with how smart she is. She is also such a ham. She makes me laugh on a daily basis with the crazy things that come out of her mouth. Austin is my little cuddle bug. He loves to just sit and cuddle with me and I am more than willing to just sit and cuddle with him all day. Joe is the greatest husband I could ever ask for. He allows me to spend time with my children that I probably wouldn't get to. He never makes me feel like he is the boss, rather that we are actually a partnership which is how it should be. I'm thankful for my health. I've never had any real medical problems. Sure something here or there, but nothing that I ever really need to worry about. I'm thankful for the small amount of friends I have and those of you who actually read my blog cause lets face it there are like 3 of you (you know who you are).

On another note, I'm considering going back to school. I was thinking if I do classes online and a couple night classes I could get my degree but still spend time with my kids and that way when they are in school I will have something to go back on. I just wonder if its too late to do what I want to do. I know I'm only 27, but at the same time, I'm 27 and thats kinda late to get started. I was sort of thinking about getting a teaching degree. Anyone got any suggestions? I know there are a couple teachers on here, Karie, Sarah, any thoughts?

Austin's checkup and Pirate Pizza

2009-11-18T23:56:00.003-07:00

Austin had his 2 month checkup last friday.
Weight: 12lbs 1 oz- 51%

Height: 24.5 inches- 90%

Also last Sat night after the Princesses on Ice thing (see post below) our little family went down to Pirate Cove Pizza in Orem. It was a lot of fun. Its a cool little place to take your family. Sorta like Chuck E Cheese with the arcade and such, but cooler. Plus they have more than just pizza. they have sandwiches and salads and pasta etc. Tay only played in the arcade for a minute as she soon discovered the pirate ship with slides.

Disney Princesses on Ice 11/14/09

2009-11-18T23:50:00.003-07:00

My amazing mother bought tickets for Taylar, Aubrey, Caitlyn, and I to go to the Disney Princesses on Ice last Saturday. Taylar LOVED it. She had the biggest smile on her face when we got there. The girls both dressed up like Pricesses (Taylar was Ariel and Caitlyn was Snow White). Tay got scared during the pyrotechnics and wanted to go a home a couple times because of them, but I assured her that it wouldn't be scary so she started to enjoy the show again. Her favorite part was Ariel, but I couldn't get that great of a picture. She also really liked the Dwarfs. Our seats were awesome!! we were on the 4th row, perfect seats right by the ice.

Happy Halloween

2009-11-13T23:28:00.007-07:00

Pics from Halloween, slightly out of order. We spent the day visiting grandparents followed by some trick or treating in Grandma Kathy's neighborhood. Taylar loved Trick or Treating, but loved handing the kids out their candy even more. She answered the door and handed out the candy all by herself, making sure each kid only took one.

Taylar and Austin with their cousin, Caitlyn dressed as the Mad Hatter at Grandma Williams house earlier in the day.

Right after getting into their costumes for the first time, Austin pretty much looks like he wants to kill me.

I absolutly LOVE this picture of Austin that Curtis took at Grandma Williams house.

I don't wanna grow up...

2009-11-11T10:28:00.003-07:00

I really hate being an adult sometimes. Other than the fact that being an adult gave me my beautiful kids and awesome husband, I rarely find things that make me say..ya this is great. Case in point: Health Insurance. My health insurance has gone up to 500.00 a month. I can't afford that. I can't afford to go back to work full time to job that has health insurance either because I can't afford daycare and I don't have someone that can watch my kids all day everyday. What I really need is a part time job that has insurance, but good luck finding one of those again, no one is hiring. I'm so stressed beyond belief about this. I wish I could go back to the days where I was oblivious to things like premiums and deductables, rent and car payments. I want to go back to where my biggest fear was who I was going to hang out with that weekend and whether or not that cute boy in my math class liked me back. Growing up...its a catch 22 if you ask me.

Baby Einsteins don't make your little one an Einsteins...shocking!

2009-11-10T09:13:00.001-07:00

Educational or Not, may daughter LOVED these! She will still watch them.

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=8903999

H -A-double-L-O-Double-U-double-E-N Spells Hallloween

2009-10-29T21:04:00.006-06:00

For my mother in law's birthday she wanted us all to get together and carve pumpkins (which has become a tradition with our family). I tried to get Taylar to get into taking the pumpkin guts out but she really didn't care for it too much.

I asked Taylar what she wanted on her pumpkin and at first he waned a Disney Princesses, but when I showed her the stencil for Tinkerbell she decided she wanted me to do that for her. It was the first (and last) time I'll use a stencil, way too time consuming.

Everyone's final products (from L to R): Andrea, Jeremy, Me (and Tay), Amy, Josh, Kathy, and not pictured cause I couldn't fit it, Joey.

Taylarneise

2009-10-26T10:50:00.000-06:00

Laying on her stomach with her feet in the air with a paper and pen in hand, Taylar calmly said "Dear Diareah, today I saw a dinosaur."

I love her.

Life as we knew it is over....welcome the new era...

2009-10-11T14:31:00.003-06:00

SO quick update on life. As I posted before we welcomed Austin to our family in September. He is so cute and has added so much to our family. He's been a really good baby so far. Taylar loves him so much, sometimes she overly loves him, hee hee. She is always wanting to kiss him and hug him and tries to talk to him. I can't imagine that Austin doesn't get a little freaked out whenever he hears her voice.

We loved having my mom here for 2 weeks, it was so nice. I was very sad to see her go home. I think everytime she comes to visit and leaves it gets harder and harder for me, but it also makes her visits that much more special.

Its taking some adjustment to get used to having 2 kids. I'm pretty much tired all of the time. Austin is a good sleeper, but he is still a newborn and still wakes up a couple times a night. Taylar doesn't take naps anymore, even when I try and make her, so its taking some time to get used to being this tired all of the time. I doubt its going to change as they get older too, ha ha. Mostly we spend a lot of time at Joey's parents house so that we get a little bit of a break, they've been so great!!

So come see us, we'd love to have visitors and have you all meet our new little boy, and if I fall asleep during your visit don't take it personally :)

Picture Post

2009-09-29T17:11:00.010-06:00

My beautiful kids.

Austin and his cousin Makayla, 1 week apart.

Grandma Tamara and her grandkids, Austin, Taylar, and Caitlyn

my mom, my grandma, and my son

5 Generation picture

Proud Big Sister

Welcome Little One

2009-09-12T21:34:00.003-06:00

Austin Joseph Hooton

8lbs 4 oz and 19.5 inches long

Born September 8, 2009

12:58 p.m.

Possible Good News

2009-08-31T21:18:00.002-06:00

so I went to the doctor today and she said told me to come back in this coming friday and everything keeps progressing as it has over the last week that she is going to induce me nex tuesday the 8th. I know a lot of people think I'm dumb for getting induced again, but honestly I don't care. I'm in so much pain when I walk etc right now that I'm dying to have him out. I cant' wait, plus my mom will get to be here and be in the delivery room which is very important to me.

Baby Shower

2009-08-25T13:15:00.003-06:00

On Sunday my AMAZING sister in law Aubrey threw me a baby shower. I was a nerd and forgot my camera, but hopefully I will be able to get some pics loaded from others camera's soon. It was such a great shower. She made some amazing food and then her and my awesome brother made the cutest cake with owls on it. Everything was beautiful.

I also got almost everything I still needed for this little bundle when he comes. Only a few small things left for us to get and then we have it all!! I am so thankful to everyone that came. Its so nice to have such wonderful family and friends!!

Less than 3 weeks till my duedate. I can't wait. I am so excited for Taylar to be a big sister!!

Also yesterday was the love of my life, Joey's 27th Birthday!!! He really is the best husband I could ever ask for. He loves me for who I am, all my weirdness and emotional spazzness and all. Happy Birthday Joe Bear.

FINALLY....Birthday Pics

2009-08-12T10:59:00.021-06:00

Here are pics and 2 videos from Taylar's 3rd Birthday. I had lost my camera at my in-laws but luckily my awesome mother in law found it for me so without further ado here are the pics:

This is the AWESOME cake my sis Aubrey made for Taylar. Tay said she wanted a Shark cake and this exceeded my wildest expectations, it was amazing.

Taylar's Aunt Andrea got her this cute helmet and pads so that she could ride her bike without me worrying that she was going to break her head.

Taylar amongst the midst of paper from her loads of presents.

Being embarassed as everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to her. She loves being the center of attention.

On her actual Birthday (everything else was at her party 2 days later) Her crown said Birthday Girl and her sash said Birthday Princess. She thought she was a star.

WTWTA

2009-08-07T11:47:00.002-06:00

There is a new Where the Wild Things Are trailer out. I'm so excited to take Taylar to this. It won't let me post it here, but here is the link:

http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1808412037/video

Update on Life.

2009-08-04T09:18:00.003-06:00

I realized I havent really updated on how things are going with my life. I had intended on putting pictures and videos from Taylar's birthday up, but we have lost our camera. I'm so upset about it because every picture from her 3rd birthday was on there and now we wont' have our camera for right after the baby is born either. Speaking of the baby things are going well, only 6 weeks or so left. I'm thinking (or maybe just hoping) that its not going to go the whole time, that I will have him a week or so early. I'm miserable with pain and all the other uncomfortable pregnancy side effects right now but I know that in a few weeks it will be worth it. I can't believe its only like a month or so away!! How time flies.

Taylar is doing great. She's the ever funny 3 year old. I just marvel at the things that come out of her mouth. Lately her word of choice has been "Dangerous". She says it about everything "mom take my nail polish off, its dangerous." "No I can't give that person hugs goodbye because they are dangerous" she makes me giggle. I don't think she really understands the fact that I really have a baby in my stomach but she kisses it and talks to baby Austin all the time and tells him we have a bed and clothes for him, and that she loves him. Its so cute!!!

July was a busy month with lots of Family stuff going on so I wasn't on here much and August seems like it is going to be busy too, which I welcome as a distraction for counting the days till Austin comes. My 5th anniversary is next friday (the 14th), My hubby's birthday is at the end of the month, I have 2 more shifts at the gas station and then I'm on leave, lots of doctors appointments, etc. Plus I have decided to watch my beautiful and hillarious niece Cailtyn a few days a week. So far that has been great. It's awesome having someone for Taylar to play with so that I can sit for a moment during the day.

So there is an update on how things are going right now. Hopefully I'll have something more interesting to say or post the next time I'm update.

Love List

2009-07-27T11:08:00.013-06:00

So I already did my list of things that I hate so I thought I would not be such a pessimist and do a list of things I like. I picked things that were beyond the things everyone already knows about me (aka Johnny Depp, Donald Duck, Purple, Mermaids, etc.)

10. Holidays. I love Holidays in general. Sure I have my favorite (Christmas) but i tend to like all Holidays I love spending time with family and friends etc.

9. Books, specifially cheesy teen books. Yes I loved the Twilight books, but I have long before that loved the cheesy teen books, especially ones involving Vampires (have since I was little its not a Twilight thing). However I do like other books too like Harry potter, etc. I tend to like ones that have a little fantasy added in with just a hint of romance, what can I say I'm a girly girl.

8. Vacations. I love Vacations. I picked a picture of Disneyland because I LOVE Disneyland vacations, but I usually like Vacations in general, just as long as I don't have to drive a long distance, lol.
7. Apple Pie Apple from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, these are just yummy.

6. The Office. When this show first started I didn't watch it. Everyone kept telling me how funny it was so I finally decided to rent it and became obsessed leading my husband's entire family to become obsessed with me :)

5. Movies. I love everything about going to the movies. I love the feel of going to the theatre and getting wrapped up in someone else's story, I love the soundtracks that help you get lost etc, love it love it.

4. Pasta. pretty much any dish that has pasta in it, I'm going to try.

3. Lost. I know a lot of people are sick of this show and the lack of answers, but I love it. I love getting confused and frustrated by not knowing whats going on and I love speculating.

2. Gossip Girl. I know a lot of people HATE this show or refuse to watch it and I don't blame them. Its naughty and its about rich stuck up kids and their problems so I shouldnt love it, but I do. Its TOTALLY my guilty pleasure.

1. Fall. I LOVE the Fall. I love the feeling as the air starts to change, its cooler, but not cold yet. The leaves are changing colors, everything just feels great. The end of September/October have got to be my favorite. I love that I can still wear flip flops but add a sweatshirt if I want. And this fall is going to be extra special with our new little arrival.

99 Things

2009-07-27T10:58:00.002-06:00

The object is to copy & paste the list of "99 things" to your blog & bold the things you've done!! You should all do it! It's quick & it brought back some funny memories!!
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling5
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Have been published
81. Visited the Redwoods
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Got a tattoo
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Wow I haven't done much, lol.

10 Things I hate about you

2009-07-20T12:40:00.015-06:00

Melissa & Aubrey both had their list of top 10 things they hate that others love so I thought I would try my hand at it also.

10. Survivor. I hate this show, its boring and I can't stand all the manipulations. I never find any character worth redemption.

9. Avacados: They are mushy and have no taste, blech (this also includes guacamole)

8. UFC. I really don't undersand the appeal of men beating each other up. Its bloody and gross and I hate it.

7. South Park. I just don't find it funny at all. Also I can't stand the characters voices they drive me nuts.

6. Angelina Jolie. Yeah she does humanitarian work and is all great blah blah blah, but I just think she's overrated, comes off as a witch to me and seems a little self righteous.

5. Scary Movies. I hate to be scared, HATE it. I don't understand the appeal of spending money to have someone make me pee my pants.

4. Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus. This girl grates me beyond belief. I think she is very stuck up and thinks she is the queen of the world. Also I just don't understand the hype around the tv show. Even grown girls I know love it and I just really don't get it.

3. American Idol. I think I really only watched one season from start to finish. Just not into it.

2. Road Trips. I love to travel....on an airplane. I hate sitting in a car for a long period of time driving to and from places. I get car sick, I feel like I'm trapped, its ucomfortable etc. Not my idea of a good time. I''d much rather just fly and get there as soon as possible.

1. Robert Pattinson. Yes I loved Twilight (the book) and the movie was ok, but I just don't understand the obsession with this guy. I know most girls and women are placing their Edward Cullen love onto him, but I don't find him attractive at all. I think he's not that great of an actor either. Sorry.

Harry Potter

2009-07-15T10:33:00.003-06:00

Last night I got to go to the midnight showing of Harry Potter 6 with my brother and his wife and my sis in law Amy and her friend. It was a lot of fun. I really really liked the movie. I think its probably my favorite of all the movies which is good because its my favorite (well tied as my favorite) of the books. It was pretty funny too. Rupert Grint (Ron) was awesome in this movie, so funny, great comedic timing on his and pretty much the whole casts part.

Unfortunatly the problem with going to a midnight showing is that it doesn't matter that I was out to a movie till 3:00 a.m. because I still gotta get up and be mommy the next day, lol.

I wish I would have taken a camera though. Some people had some really cool costumes. Although I have to say it was hillarious to people watch. I also found it funny that girls used it as an excuse to wear their sluttiest Harry Potter outfits (ala Lindsay Lohan on SNL).

pretty nervous

2009-07-14T15:34:00.002-06:00

so I'm not a germaphobe, never have been. However to be honest this H1N1 virus does get me nervous seeing as how I'm pregnant. I'm even more nervous for this winter after this baby is born for both him as a newborn and my beautiful 3 year old little girl I have now. I'm already a spazz when it comes to this, so naturally what is the first thing I see on my comcast news today?

WHO says new flu "unstoppable", calls for vaccine
By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Editor

Saying the new H1N1 virus is "unstoppable", the World Health Organization gave drug makers a full go-ahead to manufacture vaccines against the pandemic influenza strain on Monday and said healthcare workers should be the first to get one.
Every country will need to vaccinate citizens against the swine flu virus and must choose who else would get priority after nurses, doctors and technicians, said Dr. Marie-Paule Kieny, WHO director of the Initiative for Vaccine Research.
Several reports showed the new virus attacks people differently than seasonal flu -- affecting younger people, the severely obese and seemingly healthy adults, and causing disease deep in the lungs.
Kieny briefed reporters on the findings of the WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization, or SAGE. "The committee recognized that the H1N1 pandemic ... is unstoppable and therefore that all countries need access to vaccine," Kieney said.
"The SAGE recognized first that healthcare workers should be immunized in all countries in order to retain a functional health system as the virus evolves," she added.
After that, each country should decide who is next in line, based on the virus's unusual behavior.
Seasonal influenza is deadly enough -- each year it is involved in 250,000 to 500,000 deaths globally. But most are the elderly or those with some kind of chronic disease that makes them more vulnerable to flu, such as asthma.
ELDERLY ADVANTAGE
The elderly seem to have some extra immunity to this new H1N1, which is a mixture of two swine viruses, one of which also contains genetic material from birds and humans. It is a very distant cousin of the H1N1 virus that caused the 1918 pandemic that killed 50 million to 100 million people.
A study published in the journal Nature on Monday confirmed that the blood of people born before 1920 carries antibodies to the 1918 strain, suggesting their immune systems remember a childhood infection.
The work by Dr. Yoshihiro Kawaoka also supports other studies that this new H1N1 strain does not stay in the nose and throat, as do most seasonal viruses.
"The H1N1 virus replicates significantly better in the lungs," Kawaoka said. Other studies have also shown it can cause gastrointestinal effects, and that it targets people not usually thought of as being at high risk.
"Obesity has been observed to be one of the risk factors for more severe reaction to H1N1" -- something never before seen, Kieny added. It is not clear if obese people may have undiagnosed health problems that make them susceptible, or if obesity in and of itself is a risk.
On Friday, a team at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the University of Michigan reported that nine out of 10 patients treated in an intensive care unit there were obese. They also had unusual symptoms such as blood clots in the lungs and multiple organ failure.
None have recovered and three died.
The CDC estimates at least a million people are infected in the United States alone and clinics everywhere are advised not to test each and every patient, so keeping an accurate count of cases will be impossible. The United States has documented 211 deaths and WHO counted 429 early last week.
Kieny said WHO would also work to get better viruses for companies from which to make vaccines. She said the strains that had been distributed did not grow very well in chicken eggs -- used to make all flu vaccines.
One exception -- AstraZeneca's MedImmune unit makes a live virus vaccine that is squirted up the nose and it is easier to produce, Kieny said.
WHO said countries should continue with their normal vaccination programs against seasonal flu. Kieny said the seasonal H3N2 strain was also very active now in the southern hemisphere's winter.
Sanofi-Aventis, Novartis, Baxter, Schering-Plough's Nobilon, GlaxoSmithKline, Solvay, CSL and AstraZeneca's MedImmune are among those working on flu vaccines.

Happy Birthday Baby...oh I mean Big Girl!

2009-07-02T15:53:00.013-06:00

Tomorrow (July 3rd) is my baby girl's 3rd birthday!!! Happy Birthday Taylar you are the best thing that has every happened to me! You make everyone you meet laugh and smile. You have the best personality, say the funniest things, and entertain us all. You are so smart and I marvel everyday at how much I learn from you.

I can't believe time has flown by so fast. I know 3 is not old, but it feels old when I look back at these baby pictures. I'm posting this today because I plan on spending every minute with my cute little girl tomorrow.

Friends of Scentsy

2009-06-26T11:01:00.004-06:00

A month or so ago I went to my first scentsy party thrown by my awesome sis in law Aubrey . I have sort of become obsessed with it since. Well I was at Walmart the other day and saw that they had imitation scentsy bars and I thought, hmmm why not give it a shot, only $2.88!! I picked out a couple scents and brought them home, eager to try them out in my burner. I put 3 squares in the first time and my whole house within 3 minutes smelled so overwhelming it was giving me a headache. I took that scent out and decided it smelled too much like grandma perfume. I waited till this morning and decided to try a new scent...cupcake. This time only puting one square into the burner. Still a very overwhelming scent! So in conclusion regarding these imitation scentsy...They are too strong. I was hoping they would be like the original Scentsy products and give a soft subtle smell to my house, but unfortunatly it was too strong I thought. If you don't mind the strong scent or you have a very large house, these might be too bad. I however think I'll stick to the original.

Not all Twilight fans are complete Spazztards, I promise.

2009-06-17T09:59:00.002-06:00

And its people like this that make me embarassed to admit I'm a Twilight fan. Seriously, freaks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzGIEhCJrh8

Also I saw this and couldn't help but laugh.

Terrible Two's? Try Three's!!!

2009-06-15T16:23:00.001-06:00

One of Taylar's tantrum's that seem to happen more often than not over the stupidest things. This one was because she couldn't find her Barbie's clothes and refused to got to the store till I found them.

Alohomora!

2009-06-12T20:51:00.004-06:00

GUESS WHERE I'LL BE AT 11:59P.M. ON JULY 14TH?

WOOHOO!

Also I had to take my diabetes test last monday and it came back negative (yay) but I got a call the next day saying that I'm pretty much anemic (boo) so I have to take iron supplements along with my regular prenatal vitamins, which sort of sucks. Although I'm glad to know that I'm wasn't just thinking I was more tired than I should have been, that there is actually a reason for it. Hopefully the iron supplements will help with my energy level (cause right now its at about -10)

crayons and rain

2009-06-10T09:57:00.002-06:00

I'm so mad!! Yesterday Joey called me and told me that I had washed a yellow crayon with Taylar's clothes. I am not sure how the crayon got in her laundry basket, but it has ruined her clothes. And It wasn't just a few clothes, her entire wardrobe almost was in this batch because I hadn't done her laundry for a while so I washed almost everything she had. There are yellow spots on EVERYTHING!! Joey tried this concoction he found on the Internet that is supposed to get out crayon so we'll see if it works. But GRRRRR.

And on top of that its our Lagoon day today and its freezing outside and is supposed to have thunderstorms, awesome.

The Return of Zack Morris

2009-06-09T10:41:00.005-06:00

This cracked me up. I grew up with Saved by the Bell so I thought it was pretty funny. For those that don't know its the anniversary of Saved By the Bell so Jimmy Fallon is trying to get the cast together for a reunion on his show (also disclaimer I don't really watch Jimmy Fallon)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SImUrVA-N9A

(fixed link)

Chinese Calendar

2009-06-04T09:48:00.002-06:00

I thought this was pretty cool. So far everyone I've done has been accurate. Of course I don't know exactly on most people but its not hard to figure out. It was right with my two kids and according to the chart, the baby I miscarried in August would have been a boy too. So if you have kids or even if not do it for someone else and lets see how accurate this thing really is, I've yet to find it be wrong!

http://www.parentingweekly.com/pregnancy/pregnancy_information/chinese_calendar.htm

My Baby's all grown.

2009-06-02T09:12:00.003-06:00

My baby is no longer a baby. Joey and I set up the crib in Taylar's room yesterday because I have no where to store all of our actual baby stuff right now and so I thought I would just store it in the crib, plus I wanted to make sure both beds fit okay and look alright in that room. After he got done setting it up, Taylar walked over and looked inside the crib, she was peering over the top while standing almost flat foot on the floor. It made me all sad and nostaligic thinking of the days when she was just learning to stand up in her crib, etc. We didn't even move her out of it until last August!!! Its amazing how much she's grown up in less than a year. I'm so excited to have her grow and learn, but so sad that my first baby is no longer a baby.

Also I know its way early to be nesting, but everyone who was pregnant at the same time as me (minus the ones actually due in sept with me) have all had their babies. Its making me excited and anxious to welcome this little boy. Oh real quick, if anyone has a baby bath they don't want anymore, let me know I'll take it off your hands.

Super Mom? Not Me.

2009-06-01T18:52:00.004-06:00

First off a disclaimer: this is not a pity post. I'm not looking for, oh you are a great mom blah blah blah, not fishing for compliments, lol.

Does anyone else every feel like they are a bad mom? I know that as long as your kids are healthy, happy, and safe that you are doing your job right? Well a lot of the time I don't feel like I am. I swear my kd eats more candy than vegis, has more temper tantrums than smiles, etc. I know that she's only 3 (in a month anyway) and that they whine a lot and think that candy is actually a food group, but I can't help but feel like I'm not doing my job. I often times find myself giving in and giving her chicken nuggets or macaroni and cheese for the 4th day in a row for lunch just so that I can avoid a fight. Add a fruit or vegi with these meals as a side? Forget about it. I feel like television has raised my child lately because I have no energy to do anything. I know she's not getting out and getting as much activity as she should because, well I'm not. I look at all these other mothers around me and am so envious of them. They seem to be have grasped this mothering thing, add their own little spin, and are left with these happy healthy, and safe kids. Right now I feel like the only thing I've got down most of the time is the safe thing. These super moms that I look up to have their kids watch only the educational shows, and a very minimal amount at that, they can actually get their kids to eat healthy snacks and meals. They get out and play with their kids at the park (while I seem to be out of breath just walking up to the swingset). On top of all this, they seem to have energy for their own hobbies, crafts, sewing (another super mom attribute I have no idea how to do, make my daughter some clothes, ya right), reading, etc. On top of everything their houses are always spotless. I know what some of you are thinking, oh but Heather, you're almost 6 months pregnant its normal not to have energy. But to be honest I'm not much better when I'm not pregnant.

This September I will be adding a new addition, baby boy Hooton. I'm even more afraid now than ever. You'd think it would have been easy with just one kid. I've had 3 years to get used to this parenting thing, to become one of these so called Super Mom's, but here it is June, only 3 1/2 more months to go until he's here and I am still trying to figure out how to handle one, let alone two.

Anyway just a little note hoping I'm not the only one that feels this way. I know no one is the perfect mother and even these super mom's don't have it all together as it seems, but they seem to have something I must be lacking.

Oh well, I guess I'm learning and growing along with Taylar. So I will sit back, continue to have my tantrums as I watch Taylar have hers, try and justify why dinosaur chicken nuggets are okay for lunch for the 4th time this week and look at the mess in my front room hoping that the cleaning fairy will soon come....

Recipes

2009-05-21T23:17:00.001-06:00

I'm in desperate need for some new Recipes for my family for dinner. We eat the same things over and over. Anyone tried some new recipes that are kid friendly that they want to share?

Snip Snip

2009-05-14T15:13:00.003-06:00

I went to go get Taylar's bangs cut today and while I was there I was looking at her messy hair and decided that I needed to get her whole hair cut. No matter what I did unless I pulled it up it always looked messy so we decided to do a little bob cut. I think it looks cute and it will be so nice for this summer.

Thankful

2009-05-10T10:08:00.004-06:00

I am the luckiest person in the entire world. I get to be Taylar's mom. There is nothing better than that. I love everything about her. She makes me laugh more than anyone in the world. So while, yes, today is Mother's Day, I really should be thanking Joey for making me the mother of such an amazing little girl.

Some current interesting facts about my little Stinky Pete:

1.) She LOVES LOVES LOVES Dinosaurs and Jurassic Park. She loves the theme song to the movie so much that when we go on vacation I can put it on my ipod for her and she's asleep in 5 minutes.

2.) She loves sharks and loves to tell me about her dream where the nice shark laid in her bed and then ate Fraggle Rock (don't ask, lol)

3.) She speaks very well, but she also is bi-lingual. She speaks Taylarneise. For example her dog's name is Shrumple-able. And when she gets excited its a whole lot of stuff I don't understand.

4.) Her favorite song is the Taylar Ann Song. The lyrics are as follows: "Taylar Ann, she's so cute even though she likes to toot."

5.) She loves water and swimming. I think she may have been a mermaid or fish in another life.

6.) She LOVES animals, although she is allergic. poor thing.

7.) She love the book Brown Bear and reads it to herself all the time (brown bear brown bear what do you see? I see a red bird looking at me...)

8.) My favorite thing in the world that she does....comes up to me and gives me a big kiss and says "mom I love you so much, you're the bestest mommy." and this is for no reason.

There are many other funny, cute, not so cute, amazing things that she does that I could list all day, but I won't. I'm just thankful this mother's day that God gave me the privilidge of being her mother.

Also a special Happy Mother's Day to my beautiful mother. She does so much for my brother's and I and I don't think she knows. I hate that she is so far away but am so grateful that we got to go visit her. I can't wait for her to come in September when this new little bundle of joy is due.

And a Happy Mother's day to all of the other beautiful mother's in my life, both old, new, and soon to be.

Tiny Town, Colorado USA

2009-05-04T18:23:00.008-06:00

Here are our pictures from Tiny Town. Its this cute little place that has small houses and a train that kids can ride, along with a playground. Taylar LOVED it. She loved climbing in the houses (the ones she could anyway)

(the train)

colorado trip

2009-05-04T09:49:00.011-06:00

Taylar and I have been in Colorado visiting my mom since last thursday. We have had so much fun. On Friday we went to the Aquarium and to the Children's museum. She had so much fun and then on Sat we went and saw Monsters Vs. Aliens, it was Tay's first movie in the theatre. She did ok, but didn't love the movie. Sunday we went to Tiny Town. I'll upload more pictures of that later. here are the ones from Friday's adventures.

Taylarneiese

2009-04-24T11:21:00.002-06:00

yesterday Taylar got a new stuffed animal puppy that she named Shrumple-Aple (shrump-l-ay-pole) This adds the other weird names she picks for her stuffed animals, CaCa (another dog), FiFi (okay so that ones not so weird), Ainer, etc.

when I asked her what we should name her baby brother she told me mode-acle.

I wonder what life was like on her original planet?

It's a Boy!

2009-04-15T21:26:00.008-06:00

I had my ultrasound today and we found out for sure that we are having a boy. They told me at 13 weeks they thought it might be a boy, but couldn't say for sure because of how early it was. When we went in today they said there was no doubt. One of the first pics we got of his little boyhood the little stinker was um....grabbing himself. Like Father like son, lol. In the picture below right where the word hand is there are his fingers which are covering his little boy parts. They showed us in other pictures that it was for sure a boy. They also gave us a DVD of the whole ultrasound which was awesome. I'm so excited!!!!! On a sad note though, Taylar is sick again. She has had a fever for the last couple days. I feel so bad for her. There is nothing worse than when your child is sick.

Baby No More

2009-04-06T10:13:00.005-06:00

We have officially moved Taylar into a "Big Girl" bed (meaning twin). She was VERY excited. Joey's mom bought her a bedroom set and headboard and we went and got her the mattress. The first night I had to sleep in her room with her because we completely changed her room around, including the side of the room she slept on. She did really good last night though. Here are a few pictures.

(there is actually a mirror that attaches to this, it will be where the Donald picture is right now, but the one that came with our set was shattered so we are just waiting for a new one)

Why Pregnant Women shouldn't be allowed in the Kitchen

2009-04-01T09:52:00.002-06:00

This is what happens at 10:00 at night when a pregnant woman gets a craving. Joey and Taylar went to pick up Joey's sister from the airport last night and so I was home alone. I suddenly got a very large craving for some cake. Since I had no cake and no desire to go to the store I decided to make one. Of course by the time it was done cooking and cooling I was over my craving. Taylar and I tried a piece this morning. It was pretty good, a little dense. A good wedding cake, but not anything really light and fluffy. I found the recipe online.

"Let the Wild Rumpus Start..."

2009-03-27T10:06:00.006-06:00

I am so excited for this!!! I love this book and so does Taylar. My mom gave it to her a few months ago and I have to read it to her every night, she has the book pretty much memorized. When I showed her this trailer she freaked out she was so excited. We had to watch it 5 times in a row!! Also I am pretty sure no one reads my blog anymore, but I don't really care either, lol.