Whimsi-doodle

It's that time of year...

2011-12-08T15:20:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas! Let's get festive!
Where's the mistletoe?
Let's eat more cake!
Ring those silver bells!
Let's eat more cake!

It's Christmas! And some body's excited! Holla!
To start the outtakes this year, I'd like to state upfront that it was my idea for Gracie and I to wear dresses that matched our couch. Exactly. I like a challenge (have you seen her around?).

Before the fun starts, I'd thought I'd show you a "behind the scenes" shot. Notice the blocks, the piles of never played with toys, my apprehensive face.
The apprehensive face can be hard to shrug off. On the other hand, the flashing baby toy we hooked below the camera to catch Rory's attention...worked great. Sean especially liked it. It played music.

Presenting Autumn, the mother with the ten foot arm. Her boy never gets away.

"Gracie? Gracie? Sean, where's Gracie?"

I believe I've mentioned before that Sean likes himself a good lean. Maybe a bit too much.

"Sean, does my dress make me look ploofy?"
"What does ploofy mean?"
"Big."
"Of course not. Tell Jared to stop licking his wrist."

"Jared? Jared? Are you sure I don't look ploofy?"

I like this photo. We can almost see Gracie, but Jared seems to be lost in a world of deep thoughts. No deep thoughts here, only bright, happy smiles, so we...

Photoshopped Jared!
Merry Christmas! Again! 2011!
P.S. Rory wants you to know that she has developed an awesome pincer grip. Way to go baby girl, keep grabbing small things. Please no more choking pointed sticker stars (long, unfestive story).

The Big Six Years!

2011-10-06T08:15:00.000-07:00

Six years ago today, my life took an incredible turn for the better.

Happy birthday dear daughter! You are one loved little girl!

Seven Years!

2011-08-27T10:11:00.000-07:00

From this:

To typing with a baby on my lap...

It's been a bit wild, to say the least. And now you know why I can never get rid of my BYU sweatshirts. A wonderful, perfect excuse! Happy seven years! I love you!

Little Pink Dress

2011-08-14T15:31:00.000-07:00

Gracie: April, 2006 Rory: August 2011

Be Still My Beating Heart!

Dearest Jazzy

2011-08-03T12:21:00.000-07:00

Dearest Jazzy, I was having a horrible case of miss my sister today. So, I thought I'd write you a letter. Just like the olden days, only this letter is digital and will be read by our mother, and possibly Sean. Please imagine my hideous hand writing as you read these precious thoughts of mine. Oh! If you are feeling really in the mood, you can Pandora some Pride and Prejudice tunes. How fun would that be? I alway Pandora P&P when baking bread. It makes me feel all cultured and home-ish, especially if I wear an apron.

First off, this is Gracie at the rodeo. You can't see it, but she's sucking on a blue raspberry icee. She's with her dad. I'm pretty sure she's in heaven. I think horses continue to take up 90% of her thoughts. The other ten perecent focus on food. Every night she prays that she can eat good food. When she's eating a meal she finds extra delicious, she starts humming. She hummed constantly when we shared a Cafe Rio salad. I liken it to purring.

I think I already told you the story about Sean wanting to get our kids dressed up for the rodeo. He didn't really clarify. I thought that meant expensive boots. He meant T-shirts. At least now he knows.
Let's talk about this Rooster. Right now one button on her onsie is hanging on for dear life. I recently bought her new ones, but they're dirty. So, she'll have to hope that one button works hard. She's a delight. An absolute, non-napping delight.

And then there's Jared. We got a bug book, an awesome bug/animal book from the library yesterday. It hasn't left his side since we got home. It has scorpions, and an alien looking beetle in it. Awesome. Ryder would love it.

So, dearest sister, you are far away, so far away, and this is me wishing Sean would stop taking photos.

Love, your loving, pioneer sister, located in the wild, wild, west.

P.S. I think I've picked the colors for our family pictures: Navy, white, turquoise, and hot pink. What do you think?

Not there yet...

2011-06-15T12:39:00.000-07:00

So, I think I wrote my last post when I was in the euphoria of getting four hours of sleep IN A ROW. We are now up to steady five hours every night. Sometimes more. Sometimes less.

Anyway, I have big ideas for this little bloggy, blog, blog. And will start them the minute I don't have to immediately fall asleep when I put Rory in her crib. Priorities.

Jared is outside spraying ant hills with the hose. I love, love, love summer. It's my favorite holiday.

Prepare youself!

2011-05-24T13:25:00.001-07:00

This blog is now under construction. I know. You will miss the sadly out of date sidebars, as will I, but we must shoulder forward.

I hope to come back soon with a blog about writing, reading and pictures of my kids, because I love to write, read, and spend all day and night with my kids. That is my life. It's what I know.

See you soon! (hopefully in a week or so).

P.S. Gracie just had her dance review. She was spectacular. She is delightful in every way, and comes up with all her own poses.

P.S.S. Pleae forgive any spelling errors. The little abc button isn't working and I can't be bothered to double check.

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-08T13:48:00.000-07:00

So, this little angel, who looks like she just floated down from heaven, wants to thank those amazing women in her life that help her momma, just as much as they help her!

Happy Mother's day to the most wonderful Nana, Grammy, and Aunt Jazzy a daughter, sister and grand babies, or niece and nephew could have. You have all helped us so much, not just these past few months (thank you), but always.

We are always thinking of you and it's nice to know that my kids have second moms, that are always more fun than the original. McJazzy, I'm looking at you. :)

I hope you all have the best day and know that you are loved!

P.S. I think I might finally have a plump baby!

She's Smiling!

2011-04-18T09:31:00.000-07:00

There's something about those first smiles (and all the ones that follow), that make me want to post a million photos. She's our darling angel baby and is made of sugar. Pure sugar.

Do you ever feel?

2011-03-29T12:28:00.000-07:00

Do you ever feel that there's a whole lot more than a monkey waiting to climb all over your back? That maybe somebody hungrier than you is waiting for you to let your guard down? That someone with a little more pizazz and color is waiting to steal you spotlight?

Or that maybe, just maybe, a giraffe just licked you head?

Me Too.

Umm..A little too true.

2011-03-23T13:59:00.000-07:00

Snicker. Sometimes I feel bad for Sean as this may or may not be a smidge true. Mostly at 3 am.
from the onion store.

A few pictures...I mean a few.

2011-03-23T07:31:00.000-07:00

It turns out that we haven't taken as many pictures as I thought...

We've been too busy snuggling Rory to photograph her. I'll have to work on that.

We love her.

She's here!

2011-03-08T20:51:00.000-08:00

Rory Jane Gubler

8 lbs. 12 oz.

20.5 inches

more photos

Happy Birthday!

2011-02-26T14:35:00.001-08:00

Well, we did it. After a few harrowing moments (two ambulance rides come to mind), Jared is now three years old and thirty pounds. Woot! Woot!

To note: He can now wink with his giant eyes. He's cute and he works it. Yes, receptionists everywhere should arm themselves with suckers. He's also very good at playing cars, being a robot, a dragon, a dinosaur, a monster, or anything else that will bring a little conflict and spice up a game of pretend. He loves puzzles, and his good behavior and really anything else can be bought with a cupcake. A trait he gets from his maternal side.

Happy Birthday sweet boy. You are loved beyond, beyond, beyond.

No Resolutions Here Baby.

2011-01-13T17:23:00.000-08:00

So, I feel pretty sure a marketer could slap this picture on ANYTHING and I'd buy it. Serious. My heart almost bleeds when I look at it.

Sean: Why is there four wheeler in our garage?
Me: Did you see that picture with the kids on it?

I once bought a toothbrush because the packaging had glitter on it. I knew that was why I bought it and didn't even care. I figure if someone is going to glitter something, they should be rewarded. Glitter, glitter, glitter...

Thought I'd briefly check in and let you know that I have zero New Year's resolutions. I know you were dying to know what they were, but that is that.

I do, however, have a few hopes for 2011. By hopes, I mean these things are completely out of my control.

1. Lil' Rory Jane to get here safe and sound. Seven weeks left! Woot!
2. No one in my family takes a trip in the ambulance. Fingers crossed! Jared seems to take one every February. I'm hoping to break the trend. Really. That'd be great.
3. My family and everyone I love to have a happy and good year.

That's about it.
Welcome 2011.

Merry Christmas Outtakes!

2010-12-08T16:25:00.000-08:00

Welcome and Merry Christmas.

And now for the Christmas card outtakes of 2010! Before we get going, This is my most favorite of photos. I got Jared back for calling me a Christmas clown.
This was the winner! Yeah! None of us look crazy OR sleepy. Double bonus.
I love that we captured Jared's teaser look. He always has this expression.

It didn't start off the best.
Some one's excited to be here!!!

Have you ever wondered how we look at Wal-Mart? Here's your answer. Triumphant, rapping pose Jared, frazzled mother, and NO Santa hat. The battle continues to rage.

This is a darling photo of my men in blue shirts. But, in the end, my arm was determined to be a great big space hog.

Jared planning his big escape. Is it just me, but does Sean look very manly here? And aren't we all happy I'm wearing a modest t-shirt underneath my dress.
Here, Sean and I appear mostly normal, but I get an undercurrent feeling that both of us need a nap, or are on cold medication. I've also determined that my daughter does not take a bad photo.
That ten second button thing can be a bit tricky to figure out.

Here, Sean looks like he got a great idea! I look like I just got goosed.

This is probably the best of them all!

Merry Christmas!

They Stand No Chance

2010-12-02T16:44:00.000-08:00

So, this cat from Shrek. He has a human twin. In the form of my son. Recently, Jared has figured out that if walks up to ANY counter, be it at the doctor's office, or the hair salon, and peeks over the edge of the desk, a frenzy will ensue until he gets a candy. He doesn't have to ask. He only has to look at the lady behind the counter for her to frantically start combing through drawers or her purse.

Heaven help me when he figures out what actually causes the candy panic.

But he won't for awhile, because he has an insane mother still forcing him to be a baby.

Phew!

Varying Emotional Degrees of Karate

2010-11-14T16:59:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, Gracie disappeared. She left as Gracie and came back a karate master, complete with a stylish little outfit. Sean, the intrepid family photographer, followed her around. Below is a documentary of the varying emotional degrees of karate and...life. First, HOPE. What are we without hope? At the start of any project, one is filled with hope. The desire to work hard, to succeed. The bright, shiny eyes. The light in the heart. The eagerness of spirit.
Second: DOUBT. We're not entirely sure how we got here. Chances are the outcome might not be good, let alone what we hoped. We've climbed high and are facing the possibility of falling, of scraping our chins, and failing. Failing big.

Third: DETERMINATION. But when faced with failure, we'll not give up. We'll take to the air and give doubt a great, big, what-what. Doubt will never know what smacked it to the ground, only that it saw a flash of white and pink.

Fourth: PEACE. We realize that what we're attempting might take years, decades to perfect. But that's okay, because we have determination. The hope returns. We'll keep at it. And at it. And at it.

Finally: CONFIDENCE. Our determination has paid off. Doubt has vanished. Peace resides in our hearts. We'll go forward, working, kicking down all obstacles in our path. The future is bright. Bright. Bright. Bright.

Get us some shades.

Hello Kitty ones preferred.

FYI: Christmas is coming. I know this because I bought a wreath that looks like a breath mint.

Not to be a bummer...

2010-10-31T18:53:00.000-07:00

But I already miss summer. Hello. We are barely into fall and I'm already dreaming about sunny, warm days. Well. I'd better buck up because I'm in for a long haul. In fact, I'll have a new baby before summer returns. I also have nine million other things to accomplish before then, like a total re haul of the kids' rooms, potty training, and basement organization. But I did allow myself one good wallow and took a nap at six tonight, because I felt sad about the cold.

Any good tips on how to keep the winter-ish blues away? Thanks heavens for Thanksgiving and Christmas! Anyone want to come make Christmas decorations with me? I'll make hot chocolate. I have a special machine and everything. Any good reading suggestions? *Lest I forget to mention it, I'm about a month away from having an actual finished draft of my YA novel. Phew. I'm ready to check that one off my list.*

So as not to be a total downer about the drop in temperatures...I could'nt have snapped these pictures without the leaves. My kids were pretending to be birds and were nesting and protecting their eggs. Just in case you needed some background. I find a little background always helps. Not too much. Just enough to give a clear picture.

I will now pull out my cardigans, knee socks, Jane Austen DVD's and make myself comfy.

Lil' G #3

2010-10-21T14:16:00.000-07:00

Number One: You must admire her daring in mixing prints. Number Two: The Charming Joker

And Announcing #3: A very wiggly, darling female fetus!

(This is actually Gracie, but you get the point. For the real pictures, please visit my fridge.)

We are very excited and due the beginning of March!

What is this thing called a blog?

2010-09-16T13:40:00.000-07:00

A Girl This Cute Must Come with a Little Fight.

So, I discovered my blog again today and thought I'd share a little story.

I don't remember this (so I can't really tell you if it happened or not), but my mom told me that when I went in for my kindergarten shots, I threw such a raging, hysterical fit that they needed to bring in more nurses to hold me down. And just to make things interesting, I held my little (and I'm sure darling) backside so tight that they couldn't get the needle in.

Fast forward some 25 years later. I now have a daughter.

And lets just say...

What goes around.

Does come around.

I went in with fake blond hair and left with authentic white.

I've never really experienced anything quite like it before.

And I mean really...who actually likes getting flu shots? I know. No one. Can't really blame her. And now I will sleep better at night knowing that her fight or flight reflex is in excellent working condition.

On the plus side, I pulled out my MOM contract and it says I get a bonus if I get their shots done! I think a pint of B&J's might be on the next grocery store list! Or boots. Nice ones.

So...My Zuchinni called

2010-07-28T12:47:00.000-07:00

to let me know it was ready for the state fair, or to be used as a weapon, if the need arise. It's a very accommodating vegetable. I roasted him with a little bit of oil, salt and pepper.

This picture makes me happy. I like to see the genetics at play here. Also, I like that it's a cute photo. I'm not a camera mastermind. To say the least. I must post the few that turn out.

Here's a cute shot of my little one, so you can see him before I show you this:

Not only did he crack his teeth, but he had to suffer the indignities of his father pushing on his nose.

Peace. Autumn

Don't worry, I'm still alive

2010-07-17T13:00:00.000-07:00

Okay, everyone. You can rest easy. I'm still alive.
I just sort of forgot I had a blog. And who is going to update it if not me? Obviously, no one.

Lets go for random and no pictures because I'm on the computer with no pictures.

* Jared fell off Gracie's bed and smacked his face on the bottom of it. He broke his front tooth in such a way that he has to have surgery because the root is exposed. He's already had a root canal to help keep the pain away. Be grateful I'm not posting photos.

* Really. Why couldn't he just get a mongo chipped tooth? No. When he does something. He goes big. Like his mother.

* We've been on a GuVac for the fourth of July weekend and beyond. Way beyond. Sean had the entire week off work, so we decided to drive to all the Whole Foods in Utah and stay in hotels.

* We don't have a Whole Foods close to us and for this I feel very ripped off.

*We also learned more about pioneers, went to Lagoon, and did some shopping.

* I turned thirty and did not accomplish half of what was on my list.

* I feel okay about that.

*I got a Nook.

*I believe Sean also likes my Nook. Not to read with (which is my purpose), but to tinker. New gizmos are always fun.

* I feel positive that my e-book buying might get out of hand. It's just so easy!

*It's hot today.

*I think I'm done.

Well, dear friends, until another month or so.
Who knows, in three weeks I might get crazy and post a photo of Jared's teeth. Or maybe his new smile after surgery.

- Autumn

A little Ironic and Dramatic

2010-06-03T13:02:00.000-07:00

Awhile back, we lost our camera. A pretty new camera. We took it outside to take pictures of our Easter extravaganza and never saw it again.

I kept meaning to take a good look around. I think Sean actually did.

Anyhoo, The G's preschool and dance program were coming up and Sean informed me that there was a groovy camera out there that took pictures and HD video. Wowzers. We ordered it, because we have kids and Sean loves to take every one's picture. (If Sean were to be a stay at home mom, his blog would be littered with pictures and major coupon savings. I've no doubt he would school everyone at coupons. But alas, I stay home and I don't care about coupons. I feel like they dictate to me what I should do with my shopping time. Also, they make me break out in a sweat while in the cereal aisle. Does this work with that? Do I even want this? )

So, today, the fruit guy comes to the door. Please keep in mind that I ALWAYS buy fruit from the fruit guy. It makes me feel like I live in a different place and time. One where the fruit guy cares about me and the food I feed my family, plus the oranges are divine. So, I answer the door despite holding wet, rinsed out clothes from Jared's last diaper episode (he has way too many of those), and graciously accept my giant bag of oranges.

Now, I just need to find the checkbook.

I search as I hold those balled up nasty clothes. I check my purse. Nothing. I ask him to come back in ten minutes.

I run the clothes to washer and start a load, and begin my search. Nothing, nothing and more nothing. I call my husband in a horrible panic and instead of hello, just yell/ask him if he knows where the checkbook is, and then, of all things, I start to cry, because my hands smell like poop and I can't find the checkbook, and I'm ashamed I didn't start our conversation with a proper greeting.

I tuck the phone between my head and shoulder and race upstairs thinking it might be in Sean's bag he uses for church. At this point, I'm babbling about how we never can find anything and need a better system. When, da da dun. I pull out the camera. Huh. That was obvious.

"I just found the camera, but I can't find the checkbook." I say in a surprised/annoyed voice right as my face accidentally hangs up the phone. My face is always hanging up on people. I think it has something to do with how my face is shaped-I've got plenty of face.

A knock at the door. I apologize and feel stupid because I don't have a checkbook and am afraid this will ruin my relationship with the fruit guy. He tells me its okay and that he can get his stuff to take my credit card information. Huh. A little late to be telling me this.

I thank him and go find my purse to get my card, when, ta da, there's the checkbook staring at me with a gleeful smile.

Now, I thinks its all a little bit funny.

Sorry about that phone call sweety. Things are under control. Really. really. It was my face.

Here's to my girl!

2010-05-17T19:51:00.000-07:00

Dearest Sweetest G.

You're only four, and yet here you are, graduating, ready to take on the world. You've worked hard. You can read, do your additions up to ten, and know how to drive your brother crazy. Looks like you're on the path to success.

Another year of preschool and another graduation, then you're off to the giant world of kindergarten. Let's hope by then you've mastered the ability to eat food that is not cut up into tiny bits, as I might not always be there looming over your head, holding a butter knife. It would scare your new friends away.

I love that you love me for making your dinner, even if you don't like it.

Keep it up, my little darling, darling, girl. You make the world such a brighter, happier place to be.

- Your momma.

*Lauren Beck photography

A Dire Warning

2010-04-29T08:30:00.000-07:00

Dear Asian Friends,

Lately, I've been receiving a number of comments in various Asian letters. I don't know what they are, or what they say. I consider this my fault for not learning Chinese. Unfortunately, a new policy is now effective. I will only allow comments that I can understand. I like mystery, but not on my blog. I'm not sure if you've noticed or not, but I'm not very mysterious.

To help enforce my new policy, I've hired some new recruits:

Once he tracks you down in his race car, he will head butt you with his super power: his mighty, mighty, spiky hair.

Yes, you should be afraid, very afraid of the she-tiger.

Finally, nobody in their right mind wants this coming after them.

I hope you understand and that there are no hard feelings.

Thanks,

The I-Don't-Feel-Well, and I-don't-even-look-like-I'm-running Runner.

GuVac 2010

2010-03-25T17:25:00.000-07:00

Hey there, lets look at a lot of photos shall we?
The time: Sometime last week.
The place: San Diego
The photographer: Sometimes pushy, sometimes sneaky Sean

Why, no, I'm not exhausted and yes, I'd love my photo with this strange moosezebra!

Gracie the lion tamer. If the glass were not there, this would be a totally different story.

My little, lovely pests.

So, Gracie gets the cool ride and I get foam blocks? Just checking.

For her non-existent portfolio.

See what I mean about Sneaky Sean. . .

And Pushy Sean . . .

The photo in which my eyes look like green laser beams. Don't mess with me. I'll shoot you with my glare.
Sort of climbing, sort of looking thoughtful.

My loves.

Umm. . .too much non-dairy frozen yogurt? I think yes.
Sean is hysterical!

See you GuVac 2010! It was fun and we've got the photos!

Thirty things before thirty?

2010-03-01T15:32:00.000-08:00

Maybe its because I'm turning the big 3-0 in five months or so, but I keep seeing lists of what other ladies my age want to do before they turn thirty. What?! (Their lists are way ambitious...so goes the blogging world.) This would never even occur to me. Maybe because turning 28 shook my world. I now feel okay with things. Anyway, why don't I make a list? Sounds fun-ish and the TV is watching my kids.

0. Umm...take more pictures of myself - seriously. The above picture is about as good as it gets.

1. Get up every morning.

2. Try to shower three out of five weekdays.

3. Pretend I'm a runner.

4. Go to the gym and embarrass Sean with my complete lack of knowledge concerning those crazy weight lifting machines.

5. Hoard the thigh machine at the gym because its the only one I know how to use and men don't seem to like it.

6. Annoy Jared by kissing his face.

7. Annoy Gracie by not giving her cake for breakfast.

8. Give in and give Gracie cake as her dessert for breakfast.

9. Raise the picture in my bathroom up four inches.

10. Find a way to store giant train toys.

11. Resolve to not make any more lists.

12. Constantly watch the new PBS version of Emma I got on DVD from hubby.

13. Let others know I'm watching the new PBS version of Emma on DVD as that is the only groovy thing I've got going on.

14. Try not to sing so loud while running. People find it startling.

15. Plant a garden.

16. Water said garden.

17. Make my new favorite food-Asian spinach salad-thirty more times.

18. Veganize lemonade cookies, so the J can eat them.

19. Go to the beach.

20. Try to stay calm when both kids are wildly clinging to me because they saw a dog wandering in the next yard.

21. Get a cat? This one is not just my decision, so we'll have to see.

22. Pretend like I have style.

23. Drive Gracie to preschool.

24. Remember to pick her up.

25. Put J in the corner 9 million times.

26. Flirt with the idea of becoming a vegetarian. For the past three years, I've been flirting with the idea. I've no doubt the flirtation will continue for the next 50 years. I sometimes NEED a hamburger.

27. Buy organic and feel a wee bit superior about it.

28. Try to find an agent.

29. Finish first draft of third novel.

30. Go shopping for a new lipstick!

Phew, the list is long, but I think I might be able to do it. No promises and the chances of me ever looking at this list again or updating its status are very slim. Here's to me!

Ready to Roll...Finally.

2010-02-22T15:09:00.001-08:00

Here he is, the man of the hour, the almost two year-old looking ready for his upcoming San Diego vacation, but it wasn't always that way... One Saturday morning, not too long ago, the sweet J woke up and wanted pancakes. Not too much to ask is it? Well, according to his stomach, yes, yes it was way too much to ask.Soon enough he was sicker than anything I've ever seen in my life with a stomach virus. After blacking out on his changing table and having four EMTs surround him for a good half hour, Jared was on his second ambulance ride of the year! Years from now we'll be able to joke that he took an ambulance ride every year to celebrate his birthday...years from now.

The above photo was taken when we got home from the hospital and pretty sums up J's past week: wanting to "play please", only to end up resting his head on the couch.
And this is the Squish at the hospital. Looking at this picture makes me want to cry, so I will stop looking and simply say that I'm very grateful to everyone that helped us through this. Thank you.

Strangeness of it all...

2010-02-04T14:08:00.000-08:00

So, I know you are dying to know why I don't blog much anymore. Admit it. Well, for one, I've been running twice this week and now I can't move my body. I know that doesn't explain my blogging lag, but I wanted to get it in there.

I've been working on a new novel and am in a very nauseating third round of edits. Really...I, don't, know, how, to, use, commas. It's a time killer.

To the fun part! I googled: Can I bury a person in my backyard? That is exactly how I typed it in. I looked over my shoulder because it made feel all creepy. It has to do with my novel. Eleanor's (my main character) grandma is buried in Eleanor's meadow. After my little Google search... turns out that's ILLEGAL! Apparently a lot of people want to be buried on a beach and no one wants a surprise when gardening. Kudos to my mom for picking that guffaw out. Only a million more to go...boo.

Anyway, it's not everyday a gal gets to type something so dark and gross into google. Lucky!

Carry on...

Last January Day...

2010-01-31T17:16:00.001-08:00

I don't know if I'm coming down with something...or if I'm so hideously tired of the grey and cold...either way, I can't seem to bring myself to the momentous chore of unloading the dishwasher.

At least my kids are occupied!

Here's to brighter days! Hopefully!

Spotted!

2010-01-10T14:48:00.000-08:00

Two exlporers on a daring quest to find the...Polar Bear!

Which they found...in our backyard. She was quite nice.

And very arctic.

The ones that got cut

2009-12-06T15:41:00.000-08:00

Its that time of year where I smother my lips in way too much red lipstick/shine gloss and look unnaturally blissed out: The annual Christmas photo. Below are the ones that didn't make it. In fact, if we're being honest, which I am (maybe a little too much), we photo shopped the final result. Once I figure out how to find it, I'll have to post it. Our final photo looks similar to the one above. This one might have worked, but Sean decided to contemplate the afterlife and had a few questions. Do you have any idea?

Certainly not, for many, many, many reasons (mostly involving me).

Only if we want to show everyone what I look like while smiling and annoyed. Someone is going through a major daddy phase.

Same reason as above.

Really now?

Despite Sean and I looking thrilled, we were a little alarmed that Jared looks like he could handle a full grown basketball. Okay, then.

I don't think you should use a photo when you have to yell "look at me like you love me," three seconds before the flash explodes.

I personally think this should be the winner, but alas, Sean thought we should all be in the photo.

May all your Christmas prepping be as inspiring as ours!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-29T17:30:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving! We hope you had a great holiday!
There...I needed an excuse to post this photo. Gracie is scared stiff of dogs. I've gotta love a girl that can pose through her fear. Rock on...sweetie.

Now give me some candy!

2009-11-01T16:08:00.001-08:00

Here are some pictures for the lovely grandparents! Just so you know, for word girl to fly she MUST touch her star first. It's a very serious thing. Also, is it normal or healthy to eat an entire day's calories in Halloween candy? I swear I never eat this stuff. I'm more of a baked goods kind of a gal, but its like eating the forbidden fruit. I hope the novelty wears off soon, as I might have to start doing lunges all over again.

It was a lovely, yet spooky, Halloween, in which Jared was mesmerized by both the "moon" and "night". He couldn't stop saying those two words as he rarely gets to see either. Now it's time to...WORD UP! or be Tron and digitize yourself into your computer. Whatever floats your fancy.

Goodness to Come

2009-10-30T09:31:00.000-07:00

I just finished with the kids' costumes. Sean has been working forever on his. A hint as to what the costumes will be are posted below. (The man is NOT Sean. Spooky that almost every guy in the Tron movie looks sort of like Sean. I mean really. I giggled through the whole thing). As for the kids, there couldn't be a more appropriate costume for my girl...and my guy. Those of you who don't watch PBS Kids constantly might not know who Gracie will be...Word Girl, and Captain Huggy Face for Jared.

Sean's major Halloween work party is today, so I've got to get my camera ready. And my food radar on. Jared tested positive for a severe dairy allergy and an egg allergy (not severe). I'm terrified he'll find a bit of chocolate on the ground, shove it in his mouth and stop breathing. If anything, I will be the one to convulse on the floor due to the stress of keeping Jared out of dangerous spots.

Happy Halloween!

Cold weather fun?

2009-10-22T16:04:00.000-07:00

I don't like winter. I know, this is a shocker for those of you who have to hang out with me January/February (be happy if you don't). But maybe I can like it a smidge better if I get fun things that I can only use in those dark winter months...starting with December and this delicious advent calendar. I felt an honest to goodness swooning sensation in my chest when I saw this:

My word, fabulous other things that I'm way too lazy to copy and paste pictures from can be found at www.garnethill.com

I must immediately withdraw money from our savings account. Sean, if you are reading this, I'm just kidding....sort of. Winter fun!

I Want my Clothes Back...

2009-10-06T12:29:00.000-07:00

Ring...Ring...Ring....

Hello?

"Yes, is this Autumn. Who is this?"

"This is year 2003. How are you today?"

"I'm a little confused as to why a year is calling me but other than that I am fine."

"Sorry to interrupt your day but we are doing an inventory and we need your fall wardrobe back."

"Excuse me."

"Yes, your three pair of jeans that no longer fit even though you think they do... they belong to us as does that black sweater you wore on your first date with your husband."

"Is this a joke? And for the record that sweater still fits...I suppose it depends on how much I ate for lunch and the time of the month, but given the correct conditions I still look like a total knockout. Same for the pants. I can wear each pair for a maximum of three hours. Which gives me just enough time for throw them on for a date. So, no, you can't have them back."

"They simply aren't flattering or in style. We need them back. You can put them in a plastic bag on your front porch. We will stop by around midnight to pick them up."

"No, you can't have them. Don't you understand that I've had two babies and that I actually started running and doing lunges to fit back into them? I have gained and dropped a sum total of eighty pounds. You can't take my pants! How will I know when I'm back to my old shape? They are my trophy pants! I'm still 22! I swear I am! I always will be!"

"Mam, that is something you need to work out for yourself. We will be by at midnight. Please throw in that pink sweater, the one with the hole in the armpit...and that sweatshirt with the numbers, and that pink shirt with your initial on it. All of them. I don't want to call again."

...sounds of sobbing...."2003, you were so good to me...why the sudden backlash?"

Click. Buzz of dial tone....

So...I'm going to bite the bullet. I am going to make a large and generous donation to the D.I. Have any of you, my two readers, ever had a hard time letting go of clothes? Am I the only one? I mean they still fit...sort of.

Paying Attention? Not really.

2009-09-11T17:27:00.000-07:00

So, sometimes its pretty easy to tell when your mother isn't actually paying any attention to you whatsoever, even to a three-year old, especially to a three year-old.

(Gracie is upstairs yelling things at me, and I'm downstairs trying to cook dinner)

Gracie: Mom, my pants won't come up!

Me: That's nice honey.

Gracie: Mom, my pants won't come up!

Me: (a little louder) That's nice honey.

Gracie: (now coming out of her room, standing at the top of the stairs, yelling) Mom! I need help!

My pants won't come up!

Finally does it click. I did help her.

She was wearing her new blue jeans, and we all know what sort of problems those can cause...

I like it.

2009-09-03T12:53:00.000-07:00

Gracie just told me she has three babies in a box inside her room. After quite time I can go look at them. They all have names. Cranky, Lillo, and Fillo. Hmmmm....I think I know who is being hard to deal with.

Happy Anniversary!!!

2009-08-27T08:08:00.000-07:00

Sorry for hijacking your blog, but I just wanted to wish you a Happy Anniversary and thank you for a fantastic 5 years!

Be thinking of how you want to use your new web address in the future.

Love Always,
~Sean

Clearing things up...

2009-08-20T19:07:00.000-07:00

This girl goes to preschool next week. Between being excited for her and wishing I was the one going back, I keep having celebration parties. We just got back from our "date" where we met her new teacher and then grabbed some pizza. For the first time in my life I got an honest urge to scrapbook, it faded twelve seconds later. (I think her picture looks very high fashion, what with the bright colors and a garbage can.)

This lil' fellow turns 18 months in a week. Crazy. I mean really. He keeps me so busy. All I do is try to keep him from serious injury.

Anyway...I was walking my kids around and I got to thinking...I hope people don't think Sean was annoyed because he had to come get me. Hardly, he was very much my knight in shining armor. However, whenever a car breaks down, that's very annoying.

No chocolate, no clever title

2009-08-20T12:05:00.000-07:00

Okay, so, I've been trying my hardest to be good and lay off the junk food. I haven't bought any in ages. That's means I'm being good. It also means I have (had) a giant stock pile in my kitchen cupboards. But,sigh, it is all gone. Completely. I do not count last year's Halloween candy, because I will never be that desperate (we shall see).

And, I can't go out and by any because I DON'T HAVE A CAR and I live in the country and I'm not going to figure out a bus schedule to get a candy bar. I'm also way too lazy to get my kids ready in the morning to drive my husband to work. What? I don't have a car? Yes, late last night it broke down on a completely deserted-absolutely no address-back by a corn field-road. The only thing I could think of was that hideous urban legend about the escaped convict with a hook. I'm not kidding. At any moment I was expecting to hear a scraping noise. Instead, I ran into an annoyed husband. We called a towing company and now my car is at a shop somewhere.

So, not having a car, and not having any candy is making me feel a little like this:

Yes, I eventually did get Jared some new pajamas. It was hard. As the whole toe debacle humored me, maybe a little too much. I've been dying to use this picture. Absolutely dying.

Dada...No Mama!

2009-07-27T10:31:00.001-07:00

So, we went on our annual stay-cation this year. Sean and I are way to terrified to take our kids anywhere far, so instead we go local, get a hotel and eat like its the last day of our lives. Gracie is pictured here at the kids museum. Only four seconds of the day she is not pretending,please don't ask me when those are. She comes out of her room pretending to be a dog, and then a horse, then she wants horsey so bad...mom...can we please get a horse, I will feed it oats and apples all day long... Let's just say it would be a very lucky horse, but we just don't have enough room . Needless to say, she had a blast at the kids museum, where there is an entire pretend section.Now, lets move on to the following Mr. Cool. He finally said he said his first sentence. I normally would feel swells of prides, but here is what happened: I go to take Jared out of his car seat, he pushes me away, looks at Sean and yells "Dada! No mama!" Huh. I looked at him, looked at Sean and thought...well, at least I'll have something to report at his next Dr.'s visit. And just this morning, the J draped himself over every bit of furniture in the house crying for his Dada. Poor little guy. I'm really not sure what to do. I mean, I've felt the same way before myself. Anyway, in his quiet moments when he is not crying for his dad, I hope he remembers who gave him his flaxen golden hair and feels a tad bit grateful...

Man o' the hour, gotta love them both

Lazy, hazy summer

2009-06-28T15:29:00.000-07:00

(turns out posting photos wasn't that hard)

Dear little bloggy blog blog,

It's been awhile. I have no reason to give for my absence other than...I am lazy when it comes to technology. We got a new computer and I don't know how to post pictures anymore and have no desire to learn. But I eventually will...maybe. Same thing goes for texting. I'm a lazy texter. I don't bother to capitalize or punctuate...or even really do it. Same thing for pictures. Sean takes all of them. I just can't be bothered to remember to pull the camera out of it's bag and capture a memory. It all takes so much effort.

Before you, dear blog, haul off and give me a nasty look, I am also lazy in other things. Let's recount:

This week I wore the same skirt three days in a row, took a one day break, and wore it again. It's one of those with a stretchy waist band and is so comfy. The good thing is that since I'm wearing a skirt I like to believe it makes it look like I efforted. However, I think the neighbors are onto me. "That Autumn, she thinks she's dressing up, but she's just really wearing her nightgown in skirt form." That is what my neighbors would say...if 1)I ever left my house. Which I do, to go through drive-thrus for some fries, and 2) if they actually cared about my clothes.

I have worn my hair in a ponytail for the past 308 days. I know I need to do something about this. I went to Seattle to spend time with my sister, and there she told me that hair is for styling, not just leaving on top of your head. I'm not sure if I believe her. That being said, my sister is so fashionable that she convinced my to update my accessories. I've since wore a scarf three times this week. Gracie told me I look like a grandma. I'm not sure I'm pulling it off

Anyway, we went to that arts festival last night (I wore my skirt), which means, for my family, that summer is here. Beautiful summer, delicious summer, hot summer.

So, here's to lazy summer! Here's to wearing skirts all the time! Here's to ponytails! Here's to making baked good for visiting teaching treats and eating them all myself!

So blog, I will now sign off. My duty is done, I've explained myself.

Until I learn how to post photos -
Autumn

p.s. in small defense of myself I do go running every morning and i also brush my teeth.

Toeing the line...Mwhahahha. Funny.

2009-05-21T17:32:00.001-07:00

(picture from my first toe debacle)

So, this post is a little graphic, in the please don't eat your snack while reading this. I'm queasy (Is that a word? Did I spell it correctly? It looks funny) that way. I remember vividly the lesson I learned while producing a show once. Never put up gross medical pictures during the noon news. Most people are eating lunch. Any who...lets move on, shall we.

Flashback...August of 2008.

I'm finally fed up with the intense toe pain I've been feeling for a good four months now. I am done. I am through. I can no longer wear high heels to church and what is the point of going if I can't wear them? Tee-hee. Okay. I didn't know what I was expecting but I most certainly wasn't expecting the three needle jabs into my un-cushiony big toe (right foot, for those of you craving all the gory details). The pain of which, I like to describe as exquisite. The kind of pain that hurts so much it's almost pretty, the kind that makes poets excited. Well, after that, I got to feel a pleasant tugging and pulling as they removed a chunk of toe nail.

After it was all done, I hobbled out to my car, shed a few tears, almost certainly ate some sort of junk food and carried on with my life.

Fast Forward to today....

I woke up with a pit in my stomach, arrived to yet another toe appointment an hour early, because I'm nervous. And yes, instead of healing properly a ball of scared tissue formed, once again, making it impossible to wear my high heels. Without that motivation, I think I would have put this off a few more months.

Anyway, lets repeat the above process. The doctor kept asking me what I was doing this weekend while jabbing the needle in my toe. Seriously, he asked my five times. I wanted to scream that I am trying not to scream and that I want to die this weekend. The operation was a success, until I get home. It is important to note that my toe is bandaged to five times it's normal size.

When I try to get inside my house while holding Jared and holding the door open for Gracie I try to flick my roomy sandal off. Well, they don't make sandals that roomy. My bandage flew off my foot and landed dead center underneath the car. Gracie looked at my foot and started to wail. I looked at the bloody mess and couldn't feel it, or move it as it was still numb. I patted Gracie's head and in a brave voice told her that we need to be brave when we get big owies and walked inside my house like it was a normal day. Had I an emotion in my toe I would've wailed along side her. As it is I still can't feel my toe and don't know if I ever will again.

But I feel fairly positive that in four week from now I should be able to wear my green leather wedges. I think it will be worth it. Maybe.

Four Inches of Snow

2009-04-16T09:43:00.000-07:00

This morning we woke up to four inches of snow. Jared found this particularly annoying, especially since we've been going to extreme efforts to invite sunnier days into our lives. We baked a pink cake. Dear April, how can you say no to a cake and a little girl with a squinty eyed smile? I even made Jared do his pleading eyes look...April, you must have a cold, cold heart. I'm beginning to think I don't want to have anything to do with you.

Alas, we had to escape to the Southern part of our state, causing us to feel a little unnerved and out of place, sort of like moles stranded on a beach.

And blinded by vast amounts of sun.

Eventually we got used to all the sunshine, which caused feelings of happy giddiness in my first born and handsome smoldering looks in my second. Oh, and total and complete confusion in their parents. I don't want to go into details, let's just say one of us fed our allergy baby some milk, while the other one of us totally forgot the epi-pen and the benadryl. Thankfully, everything worked out okay.
I can't think of anything clever for this photo, I just think Gracie looks all bright and smart about dinosaurs. You have a question, she's got the answer.And... well... same thing for this one. My bright and shiny little boy.

Okay...Spring, I will leave you with this photo. I think the expression sums up all of our feelings.

What a minute! I have a blog!

2009-03-13T10:01:00.000-07:00

Here's a question...if you have a blog and you never blog, do you still have a blog?

Sheesh! A couple of weeks ago I was thinking we were almost out of the woods. Knock on wood, we've had a healthy winter! Then...Slam! Bang! Whoop! Never mind. Everyone is finally getting better. I'd rather not recount the details.

I am now thinking it's time to wash my hair and finally replace my old red shoes that I bought when I was first prego with Jared. I need new "everyday" shoes. This far exceeds any want. I find I am particular and have...ahem...expensive-ish (I know I don't hold a candle to a lot of ladies) taste. I'd rather go a long time without new shoes and wait until I find the perfect replacement.

Anywho...Let's look.
I know they are a ballerina flat. You just can't change who you are. But they are red and shiny...not silver or black. Which is big change, if you consider buying another pair of red shoes a big change...which, some may not. I'll just make red ballet flats my signature footwear. When you see them sitting by the door, then you know I am there.

Days Off?

2009-02-23T14:10:00.000-08:00

(seriously...could you leave these faces?)
So, I finally finished all my paper work, evaluated my calendar, got the approved signatures (I only needed my own), and went to turn them into my HR department. I searched the scary corner in my basement (it really is spooky), I searched the coat closet (equally scary), turns out that department has never ever existed in my house. Ever.

Okay, people, the only person I really bring this up to is Sean. Here it is: the only night I have ever spent away from Gracie (and also Jared) is....when I was having Jared...and, well, I don't think that counts. Anywho, every now and then I get an urge to break away, to be wild and crazy. Usually I just go to the mall, bookstore, or fabric store all by myself. When I'm away I feel giddy. I find myself talking a little too loudly. Even as I'm talking to the sales person I hear a voice in my head asking "why are you shouting?".

Okay, so, some might say that I'm too attached to my kids. I'm not going to argue against this. Because it's true. I love the squirts. But, here it is, my dark secret. Sometimes (as in about once every three months), I sort of check out of being a good mom. I turn the TV on (educational cartoons only), I eat cookies, I don't sweep the floor, a tornado looks as though it's landed for good right on my house, I ALMOST fall asleep while watching them play.

I sometimes feel bad about this, but I've decided I'm going to let the guilt go. Today is my pseudo day off. My kids are happy and healthy and well, I've earned C in the mom department... but as we all know...C's get degrees (that was far and away my worst and most made joke during college).

And...just for the record, I'm planning for my first night (well three) away from my kids. It's in June. I know they will be fine, but I will be a blubbering mess. Because I'm weird. I know that. I've known it for awhile.

Happy Heart Day!

2009-02-14T12:11:00.000-08:00

Frosting perfection...anyone? Anyone?

2009-02-07T14:44:00.000-08:00

Landy me. I never blog anymore. Not sure why. I've also stopped commenting. Still have no idea why, as I still read all the blogs, and I totally love all the blogs...Alas, I have no excuse for my poor blogging habits. I still believe everything works in cycles, and my blogging cycle is off rolling around in some meadow.

So, I love to bake. I like to pick something and then perfect it. I am currently obsessed with perfecting my frosting. Right now, I would say my frosting is probably better than average, but I am not looking for average...perfection is my goal. Right now my biggest problem is that it is not as light and fluffy as I would like. There is a bakery near by whose frosting reaches the pinnacle of perfection. They use a butter cream frosting, which is the kind I prefer.

Anyway, for the two of you who happen to stop by, if you happen to know of any frosting tips or recipes, I would greatly appreciate them.

On a completely other tangent, whenever we get home, Gracie quickly changes out of her jeans into her "comfy" pants. Dear me. I hate how my bad habits get absorbed so quickly.

Do I have to call the cops!?

2009-01-14T19:27:00.000-08:00

So, tonight after Sean and I put the kids to bed we were rummaging about the kitchen (you know, to binge on food we don't want to eat in front of our offspring), when we hear someone yelling. We pause...we listen.

"I CAN'T SLEEP WITH ALL THAT NOISE!"

We look at each other. The noise grows louder.

"I CAN'T SLEEP WITH ALL THAT NOISE!"

We look up the stairs. That can't be our daughter. The noise is now loud enough to shake the walls of our house.

"I CAN'T SLEEP WITH ALL THAT NOISE!"

Mwhahahhahahah....So, there you have it. My little three year-old is going on a cranky 68.

2009 Here I come!

2009-01-01T17:08:00.001-08:00

I recently happened upon a journal entry penned by myself when I was a mere nine years-old. And yes, there it was, amidst my feelings about my mother's macaroni and cheese, what my cat did, and school yard crushes, was a list of goals. A lot of them very similar to the ones I always have on my mind. I don't know if I should find this disturbing (seriously, could I not have mastered these already?) or humorous (almost twenty years later, turns out I'm still the same person).

Anyway, this year instead of all my regular resolutions...I'm going to go a little different. Let me explain. The following is a list of the resolutions I should be making.

1. Losing weight. This was not on my list when I was nine. However, "better grooming" was (mwhahahaha). I find that so amusing, as I still never make time to properly pluck my eyebrows. Moving along....I think they fall in the same category. I think I've finally come to a point in my life where I've realized if I'm not eating healthy and doing a serious cardio workout at least every other day, my happiness begins to suffer. As a result this is not a resolution, just a way to keep my happy flowing.

2. Be a better mom. I don't think this needs to be a resolution for me. Because, I truly believe the majority of moms wake up every morning wanting to do the best by their offspring. I know this is true of me. If I'm already doing my best...well, that's my best. Can't do any better, no resolution there.

3. Increasing my spirituality. This was a goal on my nine-year old list in the form of "read the Book of Mormon". It is not a resolution for the same reason that losing weight and being healthy is not a resolution. If I relax on my spirituality for even three days, I feel my happiness level begin to drop. So, it's more like a need, like water and food for me. I can always do better...but there will always be room for improvement in this area. I will take it a day at a time.

So...now for the fun part! What are my new year resolutions? Now that I've successfully disposed of the heavy resolutions and why I'm not making them, I say go for the frivolous! Go for the fun! Go for the slightly silly!

1. Make my house cute. When I moved into my current house I was in a terrible pregnancy state that caused me to crawl up the stairs at the end of the night due to fatigue. Then, I had Jared and the year flew by. Now that things have slowed down I've realized I haven't moved in yet. I find this annoying and full of possibilities. I will organize (I just moved all my junk), I will paint (finally), I will decorate!

2. Write! This is a resolution because if I am not writing at least a half an hour a day, I feel all weird and bothered. This means I've felt all weird and bothered for a year and a half. Thankfully, I've been too busy to notice. But now, the feeling is back. I need to get back to the pen and paper. The idea makes me happy....really happy...kiss! This will be the hardest one for me to keep because I only have so many spare hours. I might have to say good-bye to the television or to sleep. I haven't decided which one yet.

3. Umm...that's it folks! This even startles me! I love goals, I love resolutions, but I only have three spare hours a day, and I think I just filled them. Besides, I don't want to overload myself. If I did want to overload myself, I think I would learn to speak french. Everyday I wake up wondering if there will be a reason for me to fly to France. I think "to practice my French" qualifies as a perfectly understandable reason. I saw an infomercial about a Rosetta stone that would help me learn french in three months. I almost bought it. Almost.

But I got enough to do...

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-18T18:14:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas! We hope you and your family have a wonderful and happy holiday season, full of incredibly delicious treats, sleep filled nights, and snow, only if it makes you happy.

The J Says Hi

2008-12-14T16:02:00.000-08:00

The J would like to say Merry Christmas, mostly because he's wearing his new red winter vest that he purchased specifically for when it snows. He would also like you to take notice of his hair.

I Place the Blame....

2008-12-04T15:27:00.000-08:00

of my blogging absence squarely on the shoulders of this little man. In the past two months, he's cut FIVE teeth (a fifth sharp one poked through today), started cruising around the house (the stairs are his favorite danger spot), got the ridiculous nasty, hand-foot-and mouth disease (I know. It sounds like it belongs on some shoddy farm), And, for the most part, charmed everyone within a 10 foot radius. He's been through a lot, but still remains a completely loveable little jolly fellow, who now waves hi. I'm totally smitten.

He told me he feels a little sheepish about the whole thing...

In our Hearts...

2008-11-20T21:17:00.000-08:00

Gracie and I were making cookies today and had the following conversation, which sort of made me want to cry and giggle all at the same time. Which turns out is a very weird feeling indeed. The two sort of cancelled each other and made me feel neutral with goose bumps.

"You know the day you were born was one of the best days of my life" I said as I stirred the flour in the bowl.
"That was the day I left Heavenly Father and became a baby."
"That's right sweetheart, and you came to live with me, but we are never really far away from Heavenly Father and Jesus."
"Yeah, Jesus is in my heart. When I go to the doctor, he listens to my heart and hears Jesus."
"That's right, sweetheart, that's right."

I think I might go to the doctor more often and see if he can hear any good advice. Love that Girl.

In another tangent...when I was a senior in high school I found a stray cat. The ladies in my family fell in love with the kitty and named him Scout. Gracie did know Scout. She was one year-old when he died, so that was two years ago. So the other day, Gracie comes up and tells me she has a new cat and his name is Scout. Pretend Scout now has a bed in the corner of our house, a bowl of pretend food and his own little potty. Does she remember Scout from being one? Or is the ghost of Scout really here? I don't know. Either way, I love having Scout around, all the fun, none of the work.

I'm beginning to think Gracie might be plugged into a world I might not be able to see. In the best spiritual way, of course.

As a side note...see if you can find our "junk counter" in the picture.

I'm the Daddy

2008-11-14T11:14:00.000-08:00

Hello! Long time no post. I've been doing a lot of housekeeping within myself. You know, a lot of work on my spirit, my creative soul and the like. As a result I haven't spent much time near my computer.

With that being said, Gracie wants a post about her today. We keep playing pretend. She's the mommy and I'm the daddy. The most lovely and hysterical part about this whole thing is that if I lower my voice an octave and sort of grunt she does everything I ask. She's all dressed and ready to go to dinosaur museum. The whole thing took five minutes. It usually takes about 45.

Gracie just said "your earrings look cute dad." I grunted a thank you.

Halloween Gore..I mean Galore....

2008-11-02T15:28:00.001-08:00

Sean...The Riddler...Gracie...A Stylish, Mysterious Witch...Jared...A Nervous Tiger...Me...A Big O'l Party Pooper.

In A Rut

2008-10-28T09:58:00.000-07:00

Do you ever feel like you're in a rut? I've been feeling like a little something is off. Not sure what, but something. I'm happy, I'm doing good, but I think I need to burst out of my mom mold...a little bit more. Shake things up. Hire a babysitter more often that twice a year. So, I've been thinking, a dangerous pastime...I know...(I still love Beauty and the Beast...to the freakish point where I have the entire movie memorized...not kidding...people...memorized, same goes for The Little Mermaid. Whenever these movies are on, Sean looks at me like he didn't know he married a cartoon weirdo, but nonetheless he did. Maybe he should've dated me longer...). I've been feeling a little lax in the blog department, the house cleaning department, the writing department. Which, if you know me, are all my favorite things. So, something is off. I'll give it sometime, mull things over in this great big noggin of mine and see what I come up with. Who knows it might require me to dress up in a hot pink unitard and run around the neighborhood while singing Les Mes show tunes. Oh wait...I want to break out of my rut...not get arrested. I'll keep you posted (if you want to stay posted...that is) I am interested to see what I come up with.

That being said...here is what Sean is going to be for Halloween. Only he refuses to just wear a belt. Today my big task is to find him some purple shorts...While sewing on the question mark, he's had to try on his unitard at least five times, providing me with at least five guffaws and hardy har..har..hars...Hysterical...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Oh, the anticipation!

2008-10-21T21:18:00.001-07:00

Part of Sean's Halloween costume arrived in the mail today. I'm so excited to see him in it I can hardly stand myself. Want a hint? Check out the picture below....mwhahahahaha...Seriously, tears....leaking out of my eyes.Any guesses as to what he is going to be?

Letter from Jared

2008-10-14T11:23:00.000-07:00

Dear mom,

I wish the world were covered in one great big pillow. That way I could roll all the way to Africa. While there, I could look for lions and possibly a zebra. As it stands now, the worlds consists of a few slabs of carpet, sharp corners and ridiculously small spots for my head to get stuck. Could you please work on this.

Love, Jared.

P.S. Please tell Gracie that my feelings get hurt when she only shares her lame toys with me.

I knew it!

2008-10-08T20:30:00.001-07:00

So, I would like to blog about how much I loved the little bit of LDS conference that I heard, how Gracie offered to show her burn scar to a little girl that hurt her hands at the playground. So cute. Tears sprang to my eyes. Barely three...and she's showing off her scars. How Gracie had a wonderful birthday party (more pictures to come), but alas, I am tired. And the results from this quiz made me chuckle out loud. So...it's officially been confirmed.

You Are a Chicken

You are a naturally curious and inquisitive being. You are often poking your nose where it doesn't belong!
Collecting nuggets of knowledge is important to you. You enjoy knowing everything you can.

You are very independent and strong willed. You don't like to be bossed around, and you do as you please.
You are quite determined and able to take on challenges. You will “peck away” at a problem until it's gone.

What'>http://www.blogthings.com/whatanimalareyouquiz/">What Animal Are You?

We're Back!

2008-10-02T12:04:00.000-07:00

Introducing...again: Putter Wall!

You may have visited Putter Wall before or you haven't visited Putter Wall at all, either

way come give us a call!

www.putterwall.blogspot.com

And if that clever poem isn't enough, to kick everything off we're going to have a drawing for one of our very own and very cute (hopefully)

"feeble attempts at domesticity"

Slightly Alarmed...Again.

2008-09-30T14:17:00.000-07:00

Sean: Are you going to have a good day?
Gracie: No.
Sean: Why not?
Gracie: I'm worried about mommy.
Sean: Why?
Gracie: Because she made a mistake.
At least I won't have to worry about the day when Gracie realizes I'm not perfect. She's already figured that one out.

Here's more in the on- going hilarious saga of Jared's camera phobia. He was having such a good time, giggling and laughing....but then I pulled out the camera and the fun stopped there.

Getting Bigger

2008-09-26T11:42:00.000-07:00

So the other day, Gracie kisses Jared and then tells him "you're getting so big!"
Anyway. It's the truth. Honestly, it's one week and then it's another and everyone is growing and I can't remember when I've blogged last.

That being said, Jared has the best hair of anyone I've ever seen. He is barely 7 months old and needs a haircut. As do I. But that is another story all together.

Little boxes of Love

2008-09-17T11:58:00.001-07:00

It's a pity my anniversary has come and gone...I'm going to have push for one of these boxes next year. After all, I need a place to put the absolutely perfect cards the hubby gives me. Let's also hope we are making more money by then...because they aren't cheap. But a girl must have her dream of little boxes that look like ottomans...right?

(Thanks to http://absolutelybeautifulthings.blogspot.com/)

Seriously Cute...

2008-09-16T09:38:00.000-07:00

If I didn't already have five million projects I didn't know how to make, I would order these, make them, and give them to all the ladies I love for Christmas. I'm seriously in love.

Project Home Life

2008-09-10T15:13:00.000-07:00

Dear Gracie, Instead of perfecting my non-existent sewing skills and pinning all my hopes on becoming the next star of Project Runway, I thought I could best serve my community by becoming your mother. That being said, there are some side effects. Some unfortunate side effects. However, if I didn't have a bizarre desire to design clothes, then I would never have discovered that you popped out of the womb ready to be America's Next Top Model. I am not sure what to do about your new found talent. I think I will pretend that it doesn't exist...like my sewing ability. Love, your mother.

So I had some leftover curtain material and made Gracie a rather fabulous dress. Which is perfect because I now have a Halloween costume for her. It took a little forcing, but I figure this might be the last year when I'll have the ability to manipulate my child into being something she'd rather not be...

What do you want to be for Halloween?
A wolf (there is now way I can make that costume).
Mmm...What else do you want to be?
A Shadow (which, I personally think is awesome, but I already have a dress made out of curtains).
Mmmm...how about a princess, a fairy or a beauty queen?
A beauty queen.

On second thought I think I am going to push for an angel, because I really want to do some cool white/silver glitter eye make-up, as opposed to heavy make up for a beauty queen. Maybe I'll make Jared be a shadow...

As a side note...Gracie came up with the pink scarf idea all by herself (thanks Bethany, we love that scarf, I mean really love it). After I dressed her up, she tottered away and came back with it. I think it makes a lovely addition.

Be Fierce my love, be fierce....

Stylish Villager

2008-09-04T12:39:00.001-07:00

Okay, so I am in love with this scarf (the one above). In fact, I'm almost always having some type of love affair with some scarf or another. My daughter's closet would attest to it. My daughter's closet you ask? Yes. That is where they eventually end up...as belts for my two year-old. I buy them, then I'm not sure exactly what to do with them. I've tried tying them like the picture above...then I look in a mirror and discover that instead of looking like Grace Kelly or Marilyn Monroe, I look like I've just bustled in from the outskirts of a Russian village. Maybe I'll take a class. Until then, Gracie will continue to have fantastic belts.

Alarmed

2008-08-26T20:06:00.000-07:00

So, I don't know...but my gut feeling is telling me that Jared might find the camera a smidge alarming.

In other country news...Sean just sprayed a GIGANTIC spider, what made the experience even more delightful was the bucketful of baby spiders it dropped while running away....

Random

2008-08-20T11:59:00.000-07:00

So, I finally feel in the mood to blog a little today. Lately I've really been out of the blogging habit. I find the mood just doesn't strike me. I feel as though this is completely normal. Hobbies and interests generally come in waves. I feel fairly positive I'll get more into the habit. Maybe in winter.

Anyway, today is one of those days I wish I had a maid. I rarely wish for those days as I love cleaning, but seriously. I'm really behind and those messes just keep coming.

I find that little indulgences during the day keep me happy. I record Gilmore Girls to watch at night. I allow myself a special snack. I work on something to make my house prettier. I find if I don't do these, I get really cranky by the end of the day.

I totally over-microwaved my burrito. It's hard now.

I'm not ready to get Gracie in preschool yet. She's close in age to the girls across the street and they are in preschool, but I'm simply not ready. Sorry Grace, your going to have to wait for you mommy to mature.

That's it for now. I know, not much of a post, but at least it's a post...right?

Wow...

2008-08-14T17:04:00.000-07:00

So, Michael Phelps eats around 10 to 12 THOUSAND calories a day. I think I might start my quest for the gold tomorrow starting with a real big breakfast.

Can anyone else feel the change of season coming? I swear fall almost has a smell...a beautiful smell. I can't stop going outside.

Never Truer..(truer...is that a word?)

2008-08-04T11:52:00.000-07:00

That saying "don't go to the grocery store hungry" is as true today as it was when some wise person said it. Undoubtedly that person went to check out line and came out 100 dollars over budget and when they couldn't figure out what was wrong, they felt a slight rumble in their stomach region. This might also explain why I came home with the following items I generally NEVER purchase.

2 pints of Ben and Jerry's - I've really been so good about this...not today, my friends, not today.

2 pounds of grated cheese.

2 pounds of fresh fettuccine

Jello Pudding Snacks - This is the first time I've willingly bought these. I'm still not sure what overcame me.

4 pounds of strawberries - This is not so unusual.

3 things of frozen lemonade. I'm dying to try a new recipe (thanks to my cousin Bethany who made some cookies and apparently they were the best thing my mom has had in a long time. I'll let you know how they turn out). Why buy one, when you can buy three?

5 Hoagie rolls. I usually just use cheap wheat bread

Finally, and probably most oddly, the pound of Ambrosia salad from the deli that I am currently shoving into my face. Why coconut and marshmallows was all of a sudden my favorite food, I will never be able to answer.

And now, I must go. I've got a lot of food to eat.

We're Back!

2008-07-29T11:16:00.000-07:00

Somebody enjoyed their vacation. He really did. He was as happy as ever and when he got tired, he tanked out on mom...or dad. Last week we did our annual family vacation, which means we don't go very far and eat good food. We hit Lagoon, The Days of '47 parade, the Children's Museum, the exhibit at the UMFA (if you go, get a sitter. Live and learn my friends, live and learn), and I did a lot of shopping. Anyway, it's good to be back.

Oh the Horror!

2008-07-21T12:42:00.000-07:00

So, this photo is mainly for my mom and sister who've asked to see my new hair-do. The last time I was at the stylist I was in a "Go Big or Go Home" sorta mood. Also, you can see my new pretty blue kitchen in the background. All of that is well and fine, except, I am not sure if you noticed or not, but I have a huge splotch of powder on my nose. I am willing to bet that nine times out of ten this is how I leave the house....seriously.

Just Doing My Job...

2008-07-16T12:00:00.000-07:00

Gracie: When Jared grows up he's going to be a doctor and he's going to help all the people feel better and give them medicine.

Me: Oh really, that sounds great. What do you want to do when you grow up?

Gracie: Play in a band.

Oh man, I laughed out loud for twenty minutes. Of all the things that might prove Gracie is my daughter, this might be the very best. Who knows, maybe she'll actually play real live drums that exist in some place besides her head. I also truly appreciate how she made Jared want to be the doctor.

(The above photos is of Gracie with her piano. She's currently trying master "Itsy bitsy spider".

I Need a Nap...

2008-07-10T20:02:00.001-07:00

In a fit of mad rage I just ate a plateful of semi-stale tortilla chips drenched with cheese and sour cream. I now feel blech. I blame my behavior on my ever increasing sleep deficit. That's right. Jared is slowly decreasing the number of hours he sleeps as opposed to increasing. I am beginning to feel like we are back in the newborn stage. As a result, I am starting to scare myself with my ever increasing scatter brainess. Please consult the following.

1. After packing my kids into the car, I realize I have no keys. I thus unpack my kids, take them back into the store and find my keys sitting by the cash register. That made me feel sheepish. Imagine my horror when on my way out, I spot my day planner hanging out at the end of a counter. Sheesh.

2. Three weeks ago I bought a bunch of stuff for a church event I am planning. This week I go to organize my stuff only to realize I am missing most of the things I bought. That explains why I was at Wal-Mart at ten at night trying to avoid a knock-down drag out fight with the manager. I was just standing there trying to be nice and mild as she looked at the book that registered stuff left at the check out stand. She found my list of items, but proceeded to give me nasty looks and a five minute lecture about how I should've called the minute I noticed the bags missing. When I tried to explain that I just noticed the missing bags and rushed over, she cut me off and gave me more crusty looks. At this point I stopped talking. There was no point telling her I wasn't thrilled about taking bags of paint out my trunk the minute I got home. I eventually recovered all my missing items and stumbled out to car, once again horrified at myself.

3. Today at Target I couldn't find any sandals in a size 7 for my daughter. I feel certain there are 5 million girls Gracie's age roaming about the general area. This has nothing to do with my lack of sleep, but is adding to my frustration and needs to be mentioned.

4. Last night I WENT TO BED EARLY and SKIPPED "SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE". This not only horrified myself, but Sean as well, who actually asked me if I was feeling okay.

5. On my recent vacation, my sister did an imitation of me. It included rubbing eyes and complaining about how tired she was. That is how I come off. Once again, I am horrified.

6. I haven't done my hair in three weeks. Not that this is new, but now it doesn't bother me whereas before it bothered me a little.

7. On a similar note, it was 4 o'clock in the afternoon before I realized I was wearing my glasses, had uncombed eyebrows and was wearing my pajama type outfit. I had just finished visiting three neighbors. HORRIFIED.

8. I am actually putting my old sweaty running shirts in the crib next to Jared hoping my smell will make him sleep longer. Now, he is horrified as well. Dear me.

There you have it. If you see a confused scraggly haired woman muttering to herself in front of the pop-tarts section of the grocery store, please call my husband. You'll find my cell phone on some random counter.

Need a Fancy Schmancy House?

2008-06-30T20:37:00.000-07:00

My friend Tiffany needs to sell her home so she can move across the country. In order to make that happen she's asked the bloggin' world to help her out. So, do you know of anybody looking for a gorgeous house? Send them here. Also, if you advertise on your blog about her house and if the person that buys her house got referred from your blog, you'll win a $250 gift card to Amazon.com. Now who wouldn't want that?

Personally, I'm a big fan of the bedroom with the cool wall, the spectacular kitchen, and the t.v./playroom. It has a wonderful area for kids and toys.

Very Important Letters

2008-06-19T18:53:00.000-07:00

Dear Mama Birds,

I wanted to drop you a note and let you know that I am on your side. I am not your enemy. I too am a mother and know that protecting your babies is muy important, but, once again, I am your friend. In fact, if you ever need me I will be there protecting your babies. Heck, if you and Mr. bird ever want some time alone I will sit for you (not on your nest of course as that would be the opposite of protecting your babies... you get my point.) Now, for the love of everything that is beautiful please stop trying to poke my eyes when I jog past you.

Love, innocent, friendly jogger

Dear Jared,

If someone were to feed me to my heart's content, wrap me up in a snuggly blankie and place me in a luscious, spacious bed, I would sleep for twelve days not twelve minutes.

Love, your mama.

Dear HGTV,

I just want you to know that I blame you for making me want to paint my house weird colors.

Love, constant viewer.

P.S. It's okay if you want me to have my own show. I'll totally do it. (Same goes for Food Network. Wait, they deserve their own letter.)

Dear Food Network,

I think I should have my own show. Paw shaw on those people trying out for their own show. You should hire me because I would spunky and humble as I don't know how to do anything. I would call my show "Autum the Amateur". I would be more than willing to wear my ribbon that my brownies won at the state fair. It was first place and I was 11. Like I said, I would be humble...

Love, wannabe baking goddess.

Dear Gracie,

Please read the letter I wrote to Jared.

Love, your mama.

Dear eye doctor,

Thank you for changing my prescription. I now realize that I was wandering around this big beautiful world totally and completely blind.

Love, the patient that you totally ripped off for contacts. Rebate and insurance...yeah whatever.

Dear June,

There are supposed to be a few days in the 80's. I need time to acclimate to change.

Love, still sweating

Dear Hair,

I grew you long so you could be sensual, beautiful and make me feel like a fairy maiden queen. Today you felt like a big nasty wool blanket covering my greasy scalp. You've got ten days to make me feel luscious or I'm taking a pair of scissors to you.

Love, 45 minutes to blow dry.

Dear reader,

I love you and can't believe you've made it this far.

Love, me.

These are for you...mom!

2008-06-15T16:50:00.000-07:00

I thought you might enjoy a couple pictures of our very own, very tiny, Mr. Hollywood.

Can't believe We're so Lucky...

2008-06-14T15:48:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day! It's true, some days I can't believe I'm not only married to the best, most considerate, hard working man but also to the man who turned out to be a wonderful, remarkable dad. We love you!

Somebody's found their toes...

2008-06-11T19:39:00.000-07:00

Sweet Jared has found his toes. It's wonderful to have toys on the end of their legs. When he first discovered them, his toes kept him occupied for at least an hour. He is also our G.B.- giant baby-. He is only 3 months and is fitting into 6-9 months clothes. Sheesh!