New Ward Equals New Calling...

Our whole entire stake was reorganized about a month ago. When we first found out about it, I was okay. I told Marcus I would be fine as long as one of my good friends was still in our ward. I tried to keep an open mind and look at the bright side of things. When we went to the realignment meeting, I left a little sad. The one person I REALLY wanted to see in church every week wouldn't be in our ward any longer. (so sad) I was still trying to keep an open mind. I had other good friends that I was still going to see every Sunday and we would get through this together. (Yes, I know I shouldn't be going to church for the socializing, but it sure helps and is lots of fun.)

I have to be honest, the first week in our new ward sucked!! I think most of it was my attitude, but I didn't leave feeling like I should after church was over. The new ward was basically an all ready established ward with eight new families thrown in the mix. All the families were from my old ward; so it was us versus them. I had different expectations than I probably should have. The next week wasn't so great either so I was just trying to get through my Sundays and be okay with it. Emma and Christian all ready make church difficult. My little ones are demons in Sacramant meeting. If I would have let myself, it would have been easy to not go as often as I know I should. Obviously there is someone who knows things better than I do.

I got a call from one of the counselors in our new Bishopric and he wanted to come over to our house that night. I knew exactly why he is coming; I just wasn't sure what the call would be. I was afraid it would be Nursery or Primary. Under any other circumstances I wouldn't mind being in either of those callings, but in a new ward and not knowing anyone, I didn't want to get put somewhere that I couldn't meet others in the ward. Turns out, it wasn't either of those.

I am now the Mia Maids Advisor in our Young Womens and I absolutely love it. The other ladies are awesome and the girls are really nice. I think it is going to be great. I only have to teach once a month..which will still be hard for me since I don't teach, but it's better then every week. Awhile ago, Marcus and I were suppose to teach a Sunday School class for the Young Single Adults. Marcus taught every week and I just sat there and looked cute. So teaching is stepping way out of my comfort zone, but I think I will survive. I also have to talk at my nephew's baptism on Saturday, so my fear of public speaking is being dealt with...whether I like it or not.
Marcus also got a call...but it was from the Stake President and my lips are sealed...for now.

So now I like our new ward...it'll still take awhile to get completely comfortable and hopefully we can make good friends in the new ward and I'll have to be content seeing Savannah's cute head during her Sacrament. :)

We Are Gonna Need a Bath...

My sister and her family recently moved back to Utah. The circumstances were not exactly ideal, but I couldn't be happier to have them back. They are currently staying in Vernal, but my sister and her little girl came out to play for a few days. The three little ones get along so well. Needless to say, we had lots of fun...even with all the naughty things Christian taught Madeleine in the short time they were here.


Of course they had to rock out. This went on forever. They would all dance around, sing and just be crazy. It was loads of fun to watch.



We were going to go to a pumpkin patch and let the kids get pumpkins, but that never happened. Instead we just went up the road and let them get their own pumpkins from a local farmer dude.









Dancing Queen...I have no idea what she was doing.




After they got their pumpkins, we let them paint them. Emma didn't really get that you didn't eat the paint..we'll work on that next time.







Christian refused to look at me for pictures...only Aunt Kim. What a stink!






Christian and Madeleine had an absolute blast painting their pumpkins.










We also put them in their costumes to get some cute pictures. I was very happy with the outcome. We got some really cute pictures which I will post later.
We all had a good time and can't wait until Aunt Kim and Madeliene come play again.

I'm outta here now. I have a date with a cute little boy and a fish named Nemo.

PSS: I'm Sorry...So Sorry...

Shane asked us to write a letter of apology to someone who you've wronged anytime in the past.

Dear Marcus,
I am so sorry that I wouldn't go get you oranges at ten o'clock at night when I had work to do, laundry to fold, dishes to do and a toothache. I feel horrible for the inconvenience I have caused by not doing this simple task for you. If there was anyway I could make this up to you (besides going to the store) I would do it in a heartbeat. You deserve those oranges...really you do. Please don't be upset...life will go on and someday, maybe not soon, but someday you will forget this horrible occurrence ever happened.
With Deep Regret,
Your Loving Wife


Okay, yah, I am being dumb. But he really does want me to go get oranges and I don't want to. I will though because I know he would go if I asked him to. To seriously address the PSS topic, I am happy to say I have all ready done this recently. I sent an email to an old friend apologizing for things done in the past. We email back and forth every once in awhile and things are good now. We will never get the time back that has past, but I have learned a lot from that experience.

Now I am off to get oranges...

PSS: Changes....

Lisa asked us"If given the opportunity to relive your life, what would you change?"

If I was guaranteed that I would end up where I am today, I would like to do a few things over again.

*I would not have graduated high school early. I would have stayed in school and gotten college credits for FREE!!
*I would have graduated college. I still plan on getting a degree someday, but life has gotten in the way of that currently.
*I would not have had a steady boyfriend for my Junior and Senior years of high school. I missed out on so much fun! Most of my dance pictures are of the same guy. Of course at the time it seemed wonderful, but looking back at that relationship now, I realize how much damage it really did to the person I was and who I wanted to become.
*I would also not have gotten back with the above boyfriend in college and have it affect my relationship with my roommates at the time. I think that friendship could have been amazing, but I let a guy get in the way of friends.
*I would not have played that dumb game in fifth grade that has given me a poor self image even ALL these years later. (That sounds bad. I want to do a post about self image and self esteem later and I will talk about that game...no, it wasn't spin the bottle or pick and giggle or anything like that.)
*I would not have gone on a date with a guy in high school that my best friend was madly in love with. I still kick myself for that. Nothing came out of it, but that's not the point. I was a bad friend. Sorry Steph!!

Most of my do overs are silly things that I don't think really impacted who I am or where I am at today. But if changing any of the little things affects where I am today, I don't want to change a thing. I am so blessed compared to too many others in this world. I know I complain a lot about things, but I really do have a wonderful life.

PSS: When Did One Become Six?

Last time it was my turn I asked: "what is one personal characteristic you have that you would like to change?"

If you have an hour or so, sit back and enjoy!!

1.I am tired of being a wallflower. I worry too much about saying or doing something stupid that I think I miss out on a lot. I don't think I could ever be the kind of person that tells the waitress at Chili's it's someone's birthday and then have everyone sing Happy Birthday at the top of their lungs when it's not really my birthday. :) (Thanks Dariell...it was really yummy though!) I think I am coming out of my shell and becoming more relaxed. I know I will continue to say and do stupid things, but that's just part of who I am.
2. I take everything too personally.
3. I worry and stress too much about things that are beyond my control.
4. I have no patience anymore. Before I had kids of my own, I was so patience and tolerant of almost everyone. Now that I need patience more than anything, I have none!
5. I am WAY too hard on myself. I don't know when I am going to realize I'm not freakin' Martha Stewart. If something I do isn't perfect, I freak out and claim I am never going to do it again. I am never happy with anything I ever try to do or actually do.
6. I can't communicate when I am angry. I am so afraid of saying that will hurt the other person's feelings, that I can't say anything. I just clam up and don't say anything. It doesn't matter how angry I am, how right (or wrong) I am or how stupid the other person is being, I just sit there and listen. Or if it's someone who has said something that hurts my feelings, oh well. I don't say anything. I need to work on that.

Looks like I have my work cut out for me doesn't it?

PSS: Mommy Dearest + Married With Children = My Family..

Forever ago Amy asked us "Which movie or TV show does your life most closely resemble and why?"

My answer changes on a daily basis, sometimes even hourly. Right now "Who's the Boss?" would be very fitting. Too many people in one house and family trying to be in charge of others. GRRR!!!

I wish I could say it's the "Brady Bunch" but that would be lying. I could say "Cinderella", but not for the good reasons...more along the lines of the evil stepmother.

"Mommy Dearest"...except for the beating my child with a wire hanger while I am screaming "No Wire Hangers!!" part. I haven't done that...yet. I kid, I kid. I wouldn't beat my child with a wire hanger while making them scrub the bathroom floor...I would only do that while they scrubbed the toilets.

"Brothers and Sisters" do to the fact that my brothers and sister are pretty screwed up! (Love 'em anyway.)

"Married with Children". Sometimes I feel like that sums up who I am...only a mom and wife, not an individual. Not exactly Peggy Bundy material...and I think my dogs really do talk when I am not around.

Most of the time "Clueless" sums up how I feel about life. And I have yet to find a problem that shopping can't fix. (thanks Kim.)

First Day of School...

Christian absolutely loves his preschool. He started in August when the rest of the kids started school, but you know me. He goes two days a week and has done some really fun stuff. Every morning when I drop him off, he wants "the girl" to take him in, not mommy. The school's front desk lady comes out and helps some of the kids inside when their parents drop them off at the drive thru. Yes, it is easier for me to just drop him off and not have to park, unload Emma and get Christian to class. But at the same time, it's just another one of those reminders that he doesn't need me for everything anymore. When I pick him from school he beams from ear to ear every time he sees me. He gets to take treats for the next two Mondays, so we are off to the grocery store while Emma naps...but here are some cute pics of the worlds' cutest preschooler!!


All the kids got to decorate their own bags for class. I can't even begin to tell you the anxiety I had letting Christian do it all by himself. No matching colors...no rhyme or reason as to what he put on there...My control freak issues were boiling...


But I let him do it the way he wanted, without input from OCD mommy...









and it turned out fabulous!!









It is a music preschool where the kids get to play drums, pianos and even learn notes and about composers. Christian's teacher has told me that he has some great rhythm; he can drum, dance and stay on beat. She was really impressed. Christian kicks my butt at Rock Band. He can actually play a little bit of a couple of songs. He must get that from his daddy cuz it sure isn't from me!






This is on the way to his first day of school without parents staying. I have to admit,I was a little sad. He is growing up too fast. But now when I take him to school, I am okay. I get some one on one time with Emma and I know Christian is having a good time and learning lots.





What a cutie!!

Five Years in the Making...

We have been in our house for five and half years. Every room in the house has been decorated, some even redecorated, except for our master bedroom. We got a new bed when we were married, but everything else was just a hodge podge stuff that we threw in there. We FINALLY did our room! We didn't paint...Marcus has this thing that unless you are painting ALL the walls the SAME color, it never looks good unless a professional painter does it. I didn't want to pay a professional to come and paint, and painting is such a commitment....I don't do commitment well...maybe that's why Marcus and I dated for two years and were engaged nine months before we were married. :) Anywho, we got a new bed set that was on sale at Macy's..still paid WAY more then I am comfortable with, but it looks really good and should last for awhile. We FINALLY got our first dresser!! I thought since we have been together for so long, we were done with all our "firsts", but this is the first dresser we have had since we have been married. Too bad Hallmark doesn't make a card for this kind of celebration. Before the dresser, we had bins and baskets in our closet for our clothes, but now, we have more room in our all ready very roomy closet, and we can use the bins and baskets for different things. At first, I wasn't going to post pictures of my bedroom...it's my bedroom...things happen in there...like sleeping and eating of candy that I hide from Christian. I lock myself up there every Thursday night to watch Grey's while I pretend to fold laundry or do paperwork, but in reality, I can't do anything but watch Patrick Dempsey and drool. I digress...it is kind of creepy to me to post pictures of my room, but it looks really nice and I have to show it off. :0)

From our room

From our room

From our room

From our room

From our room

I redid the colors in our bathroom from pink and purple to cream and sage green, but I didn't take pictures of that yet. I am waiting on committing to a vinyl saying for my wall above my tub...see, it's that commitment thing again. Anyway, we can finally cross our room off our project list and that feels good!!

Time To Change My Password...

Marcus (obviously) posted that last post. He taught Christian a really bad habit of locking me out of the house or the car and yelling "Dance!". I then have to dance before he will let me in. It doesn't matter if we are in a store parking lot, if I just ran out to the gargage outside or if my arms are full of groceries and a baby...it's great. That last post is the dance Christian usually makes me do. He calls it the Ooger Baby...I don't know why or where he got it from. Marcus and I had some down time at our last photo shoot and Marcus was playing with the camera...you would really think I would know better by now...

Ooger Baby

From Ooger Baby

What Do You Do All Day???

I was asked this question awhile ago by someone who is missing the filter. You know, the filter that 99% of the human population has that filters out the things that probably shouldn't be said out loud to others. This particular person was born without this filter. Some of the things that spew from this person's mouth are unbelievable. When I was asked what it is that I do all day, I am pretty sure this person didn't mean it the way that I, and the others around me, took it. But I took it personally and thought, "How dare you ask me this? Do you not get that I am insanely busy with kids, housework, three businesses, etc, etc?" I got very angry and held a grudge towards this person...many other things have also been said by this person that have added to my hard feelings, but honestly, I am working on getting over them. It's not worth being angry and upset.
So I have been thinking a lot lately on what exactly it is that I do all day. I think I got so upset by this particular question because it called me out on something I have been struggling with. I need and want to spend more time with Christian and Emma just playing and having fun. I am constantly worrying about cleaning the house, making sure the laundry is done and trying to lead the picture perfect life. You know what, I am not June Cleaver. I would love it if I could be, but I am tired of feeling like I am failing as a wife, mother and homemaker. I can only try to do better....I would be content with being June Cleaver's distant cousin.
I have (hopefully) come up with a system that will that allow me to get my work stuff done, keep the house in semi-decent shape but also allow me more play time with the little ones.
During this past weekend's General Conference session, the prophet even talked about not worrying about fingerprints on clean surfaces, toy scattered across the floor; all that will be gone too soon. I need to focus on enjoying my children while they are young and actually like me and not worrying if my vacuum lines aren't straight...yes, that really is a concern of mine. :) Instead of looking forward to Emma's nap time to get house projects done, I need to look forward to Emma's nap time to play with Christian and do the things he wants to do. I don't think my transition will be 100% smooth, but I owe it to my family to try.
The next time someone asks me "So, what do you do all day?" I can answer proudly, "I play with my babies and love every minute of it."

PSS: Dream Car...

A few weeks ago my sister asked: "What is your dream car(s) and why".

Right now my dream car would be one that cooks, cleans, does laundry, watches kids, pays bills, rubs my feet and brings me ice cream in bed...but since we know that doesn't exist and never will, I haven't the foggiest on what my dream car would be. I am the definition of girlie girl. If there was a car that could drive it's self so I could do my makeup while on my way to where ever I was going, that would save me lots of time and energy.

Marcus used to have a BMW before we got married. I loved that car. It had heated seats and was so fun to drive. The first time I drove it, my knuckles were white the whole time. That car was worth more than I was. I would like to have another BMW someday, but that would be after the kids are all grown and out of the house. I am going to end up needing a 12 passenger van for my family before we are all done!!

For Aunt Kim and Nana

Emma is the smartest almost 16 month old in our house!! Everything is a puppy. This is only a hand full of words she can say. She is growing up WAY too fast. And no, those aren't horns sticking out of the back of her head; they are our first attempt at pigtails.

Christian's latest obsession is Dora and Diego. He is talking about his map (I'm a map. I'm a map. I'm a map. I'm a map...greatest show ever!) that is going to take him to save a kitty stuck in a tree.

Aren't they the cutest?!?!

I Don't Normally Talk Politics...

but what happened last night is unforgivable. It is down right disturbing and I won't stand for it. How selfish can one be? I mean really, come on!! The Vice Presidential Debate was on which means Grey's Anatomy was not. Shocking, I know!! I need me some Grey's; more Grey's is what I say. To those people who think watching two people banter back and forth and answer questions about important economic, political and current events-Shame on you!! Shame, I say!! One night a week I get to sit back, relax and enjoy McDreamy and all others at Seattle Grace. One night; is that asking too much?? Next time there is a debate or speech on, how about it you clear it with me as to when it can be on? I would appreciate it. Thank you in advance.

Slowly Getting Back to Normalish...and Mascara

The thank you cards are all mailed. The dishes all returned. All the Get Well flowers are dead and smelly. The house is finally clean. Life is slowly getting back to normal. Marcus did get an infection in the incision area, but the antibiotics seem to be clearing that up nicely. He still can't lift or chase Christian and Emma around. He is feeling good, but gets tired quickly. He is still a wienie....so not much of that has changed. I think I am running on fumes at this point, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and it looks good.
I have so many things I want to write about and so many pictures to post, but I have been too exhausted to do much of anything once the little ones are in bed and I can actually do what I want to do.
I took Christian and Emma to daycare today so I can actually get stuff done. Now that the house is finally clean, I get to do what I want. Marcus slept all morning; the house was so quiet it was borderline freaky.
I have to go buy mascara. I lost my only tube on Monday and haven't had any since. Scary, I know. The thought of taking Christian and Emma to Sephora for some reason doesn't sound fun. I told Marcus I had lost my mascara and he said, "That's a frightening thought." I thought it was rude, but he is trying to convince me that he meant if it was lost, Christian could get into it and make a mess. Yeah. Right. Whatever.