Welcome to my Blog!

Room redo

2011-07-11T13:07:00.003-06:00

So I posted pictures of my room a few days ago. It's a work in progress but here are some of the changes I've made

Here is the desk I refinished. I like it.

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Private

2011-07-11T00:35:00.001-06:00

So..I'm pretty sure this blog is going private. I've got a lot of things going on right now, and there are several people I'd prefer to not have in/or have them know about my life. If you'd like to be invited, let me know.

Life

2011-07-09T20:13:00.003-06:00

So, I've gone from having a house to living in my parents basement in a spare bedroom. It's been like that since March when Robert and I seperated. That was ok then, because I didn't think of it as my permanent place. Now that this is MY room, it's driving me CRAZY. It looks very similar to what you'd find in a nursing home. Very ick.
These are pictures in my room (tell me are these not the ugliest hutches you've ever seen?)

This is where I work and sleep, I'm starting to feel the walls closing in on me. I really need to decorate, I so wish my mom would let me get rid of the hutches and the nursing home green chair. I'd settle for just getting rid of the hutches! (I also wish I could get my own place.) until I get caught up though, that's not going to happen.

Changes

2011-07-08T13:28:00.001-06:00

Sometimes, you have to make changes in your life. Especially when you feel good about yourself and know that you deserve something better than your current.

I filed for divorce at the beginning of this month. Since then, the rumors have been flying. Please, anyone who has any questions, please ask me. Don't participate in the nasty gossip and lies that have been so prevalent, not with my soon to be ex husband, but his family. I am an open book and willing to answer any question.

I am above the poo flinging that has been taking place, so I'm not going to post any details of my personal business here, but ask, don't assume. Thanks.

Logan graduates kindegarten

2011-06-01T15:26:00.001-06:00

Today was Logan's kindegarten graduation. The teachers sent a letter home stating that everyone needed to be in their best dress. I was really surprised at how many kids were in shorts and t-shirts.

Logan had to say a poem and they sang a bunch of songs. It was really cute.

Everybody says I look just like my Mother.

Everybody says I'm the image of Aunt Bea.

Everybody says My nose is like my father's,

But I want to look like me!

Bunches of Pictures

2011-05-17T18:32:00.005-06:00

Family Easter Party

Logan's Birthday

For Logan's birthday, we had a swimming party (like Jonah's) and we had my cousins over for the party. They had such a good time.

Jonah.

2011-05-16T23:59:00.004-06:00

Today, I was reading news online and the kids were playing by me downstairs. I was reading news that Donald Trump will not be running for president (shocking). Jonah stood next to me silently while I was reading, and finally asked "Who is that boy?" I laughed and said "It's just a guy with weird hair."

Jonah looked at me strangely and said "That's not hair, it's a raccoon hat!"

Clearly you can see his confusion!

Kids

2011-05-16T23:54:00.002-06:00

Today we were taking some pictures for my weight loss blog and the kids wanted to be included. Here's some of the pictures we took.

Lots of pics

2011-04-03T02:33:00.004-06:00

Jonah's 4th Birthday

Trip to Kauai

First Bikes

a tale of band-aids

2011-01-10T22:14:00.005-07:00

The other night the kids and I decided to venture into the unknown. We decided to make carb-free protein based pizza. I know, that sounds so delicious, you're hoping I post the recipe. Well, I let the kids make their own individual pizzas in hope of tricking them into eating it. (I won't lie) The kids LOVE olives. I'm not really sure why, maybe because they can eat them off of their fingers. (ick) I had opened a can of olives, and drained them, but I left the lid on the olives while I got everything else ready. Jonah grabbed it and tried to pull it open with his little finger. What we got was a sad little sliced finger. I took him to the bathroom, and we had to hold pressure on it for at least 7 minutes to get it to stop bleeding. I cleaned it and put on a batman bandaid and we went back to work.
About 3 minutes later Jonah said "I see if it's better now." I told him that bandaids have to stay on for longer than that before the cuts get better. A few minutes later he says "I go check it now," and he ran into the bathroom. I followed, and he had the bandaid off by the time I got in there and it was bleeding again. We repeated the above and put a new superhero bandaid on. In the course of 3 hours, we went through an entire box of 50 bandaids.

Finally, we were down to the ugly fabric bandaids. Jonah was not impressed. He kept telling me that those were "ug-gee". I put a fabric bandaid on...and it was the same drill, except quicker because he wanted a "cooler" bandaid. I came into the bathroom to find him letting the blood drip into the sink.

I said "Jonah, if you take another bandaid off, I'm not going to give you another one. This is it."

Logan came in and tapped me on my arm and said "Mom, if I had a little boy that was hurt, I'd help him."

*sigh*

I explained that I was helping Jonah but he had used all of the bandaids.

Poor little tender Logan. He's such a sweet little kid!

We've had some problems with a bully at school. I talked to Logan about all of the incidences that have happened. I asked him why he didn't tell his teacher. He said "Well, Dakota is always in trouble. I didn't want him to get into any more trouble."

It made me so sad. He's such a kind child. I've talked to the teacher and talked to Logan about what he needs to do if he is being bullied again. As someone who was bullied, it's so horrible. I'm really hoping that this solves the problem.

2010 in Review

2011-01-03T17:07:00.005-07:00

slow and steady

2011-01-02T23:23:00.002-07:00

Ok, so I know, I've promised and promised pics. The first step toward that has happened today. I finally downloaded all the photos onto the computer. There was 749...so it may take me a few days to come up with a year in review, but it's coming.

New blog

2010-12-31T12:43:00.002-07:00

So I have had gastric bypass surgery, but I decided that I want to focus a seperate blog on that an not dwell on that here. I'm going to post updates on my kids and family here.

My new blog is www.theskinnymonkey.blogspot.com

Yikes

2010-12-24T22:52:00.003-07:00

So Santa has visited our house, the stockings are hung by the chimney with care and all of that...and I am awake, because sadly night is when I'm awake. I've got plenty of time to sit here and worry.

I have been approved for surgery. I have a surgery date. December 29. I just keep thinking what is going to happen to my little guys if something happens to me. I have a very knowledgeable surgeon who has been doing gastric bypass surgeries for nearly 30 years. I have researched my options. I know the risks and complications that can come from surgery. I have thought and prayed about my decision and have felt good about it. Now...I'm worried. I'm worried about my little boys.

Earlier this week, I had an ultrasound and and upper GI study (with barium)....to prepare for surgery. Did I mention that they were both awful?
Ok, I get that I'm fat...but seriously the girl doing the ultrasound pressed so hard into my guts to get a good picture, that I seriously have huge bruises all accross my belly. That, sadly, is nothing compared to having to drink barium. I couldn't eat at all before the test, and so I already had a bunch of acid in my throat from my acid reflux. Then, the hand me a drink that is about 10 times more fizzy than 7-up, but it was an awful lemon lime flavor. They tell me it will make me feel like I have to burp, but do not burp. Then they hand me this cup and tell me to drink three big swallows. It was seriously the consistency of pudding. I gagged but didn't vomit.
and the glass of nastiness down. Then they tell me to lay on a table, and roll around to coat my belly with this chalk garbage. I was already feeling nauseated, but then they said we're going to have you lay down and sip through a straw while we're taking x-rays. Um. ok. Well, it didn't quite work like that. I attempted to do what they asked and the barium inside of me decided to head on back up. I was able to keep it down and they finished the test but it was awful.

Also, I'm a little worried about the cost of the surgery. I was told initially that I was going to have to pay $500 for the cost of my patient education and supplies. This isn't covered by insurance and I have to pay it on December 27. It's been 6 months of trying to get approved for the surgery. During this time, we've managed to save nearly enough to cover these expenses.

I got a letter from the surgeon yesterday that informed me that I will actually have to pay nearly $2000 prior to surgery. This pays a deposit on the surgeon, co surgeon and pays a deposit to LDS hospital. I will also be taking 7 days off of work unpaid,assuming I am approved after that for my short term disability.

My short term disability will not be decided until AFTER I have surgery, which makes me SO nervous.

Tonight Robert and my Dad, Brandon and David put their hands on my head and gave me a blessing. I feel better. I know it's a good idea, but I'm still nervous about the unknown.

I worked my last night taking telephone calls for delta...well at least for 6-8 weeks. I work tomorrow and the next day, but I'm helping with the new hire classes and so I get to work an earlier shift and I won't be answering any calls....until Mid-January to February :)

APPROVED!

2010-12-16T01:42:00.003-07:00

It's funny how a couple of weeks can bring clarity to a situation. I have waited and waited for the new shift bid. I kept feeling like, life could return to normal once I got a different shift. Then we bid for our shifts...and I got pretty much the same grave yard shift with thursday friday off. I was devastated.
Then I've struggled with getting approved by my insurances for gastric bypass surgery.
Now, a couple of weeks later, I have started bay assisting/helping new hire classes and they change my shift to have me do that.
Not to mention, today I was approved for gastric bypass surgery.

I can't really believe that I'm to this point. I call tomorrow to schedule a surgery date. I'm waiting to find out about a leave of absence from work. So far, everything seems to be working out.

Hopeful.

2010-11-16T19:00:00.003-07:00

I can't even explain what the last couple of months have been like. I don't want to be a complainer, but I really have felt like life was caving in on me. First of all, Robert lost his job several months ago, and it has been just me supporting the fam. That's a hard place to be, I was very grateful to have two jobs, but then was laid off from my job as a newspaper correspondent. Let me just say, $10 an hour is not enough to support 1 person, let alone 4. So, needless to say, it's been rough. I felt a total loss after losing my correspondent job. I loved that job. I seriously would have done it for free. But, there is a reason for everything. I really believe that is the way it needs to be. I work a terrible shift for Delta. (Love the job, hate the shift) seriously, 730 pm to 4 am. I have Monday Tuesday off and with the other job, I had to go to council meetings on Tuesday nights. brutal. I must say it has been a joy to be able to be home with my kids on those nights.
Also, I made the decision to get gastric bypass surgery. The insurance through my work has denied me on several occasions; not because I'm not fat enough, but because I have to work for delta for 5 years before they will pay for it, and even then, they won't pay for the surgeon.
Just when I thought the world was going to cave in on me...Robert got a job at Discover card. I have never heard of a company that treats their employees better. They only pay $12 an hour, but he will make commission and they have health benefits from day one....that cover gastric bypass.
I'm almost afraid to hope. But it appears that I qualify no problem. I'm hoping for surgery December or January...basically we're waiting to get our insurance ID numbers so that I can get the surgery approved. If we can get the surgery approved, then we'll be able to set a date for surgery. The doctor we are hoping to use is Dr. Sherman Smith, and he said it is usually a couple of weeks from approval of insurance.
Realistically, this could be my last Thanksgiving and Christmas pre-surgery.
I am so wishing that it was my mom's year to have thanksgiving, because this will be the last thanksgiving that I will be able to eat more that 1/4 cup. (Anyone who knows my mom, knows she is an amazing cook. She comes from the Glanvilles, and it's basically genetic.) Instead we're having thanksgiving at the inlaws....where everything minus the fried turkey is store bought....sigh.
At work, things are going well, We bid for a new shift in a few weeks, the new shift will start in January. I am hopeful that I will get a better shift, and a more normal life to follow. I guess we'll see soon.

A week of dejunking

2010-09-28T12:00:00.002-06:00

I took a week off while my parents move to their new house, so they don't have to watch my two little guys and move 30 years of stuff to a new house. I decided this week that I'm going to dejunk. I've nearly finished the kids room, their toy room, my craft room, the computer room, the office and my bedroom and the kitchen are next. It feels so good to get rid of a bunch of stuff. Speaking of which if anyone is in need of any toys or things for younger children. I have 4 very large boxes of things we're getting rid of.

Also. Here is the official trailer for the book that I contributed to. It was exciting to see.

San Diego.

2010-08-19T00:19:00.002-06:00

What more can I say? Isn't this beautiful? My aunt and uncle have this amazing condo on the beach in San Diego. I went there as a child and remember thinking it was magical. As the years have passed, I have forgotten how magical it really is. The last time I went there, I was a teenager. I will say, it's been about 17 years, and it's still just as magical. This time I got to take my sweet little boys. Well, my parents drove there with them. I joined them a few days later and spent a day and a half there. We played on the beach, we walked to P&G (or P&B) store and got souvenirs. We even got panhandled by members of greenpeace. It was lovely.

(I'm omitting the fact that my mom and dad left a light on in the car and the battery died, and I had to pay $60 to get from the airport to the condo...but even with that mentioned...nothing could have ruined the trip for me!)

Robert couldn't get off of work, but I had enough fun for both of us!

It was so fun to stand in the ocean and jump into the waves with my little guys. We had dinner at a nearby restaurant and played in the condo while we listened to the sound of the ocean outside of the screen door.

Before going to San Diego, I had been scheduled to work until 4am. I luckily got off at 1:30 am and got home by 2:30. This allowed me nearly 4 hours of sleep before I headed to the airport to catch my flight.

Tuesday morning my body did not allow me to wake before 9:30 am....10:30 am Utah time. Luckily my dad got the car working and we headed out to see some more sites. We stopped at a local grocery store and bought some snacks for the kids, then we went to Old Town.

On our way to old town, I had a very traumatic experience. Jonah is just learning to go potty on the toilet. He really is doing well. So, we're sitting in the car driving when he announces "I have to poop." Being at a public park, my dad pulls up to the public restrooms and I get out to take Jonah in there. As we approach the building, I see a San Diego City vehicle with a giant pressure washer on the back. One of the worker hands me a roll of toilet paper and says "Good Luck." I laughed because I thought that he meant "Good Luck wrangling your little one."
As I entered the restrooms, I saw a sight of horror. ***WARNING GROSSNESS TO FOLLOW**** There was poop smeared all over a good portion of the floors and walls. My first thought was "HOW ON EARTH DID THAT COME FROM ONE PERSON" I know, gross...
anyways, Jonah looked around and then looked up and said "My poop is gone, lets go find papa"

I couldn't really blame him. There's nothing on this earth that could have made me use those facilities, I was happy Jonah felt the same way.

After our bathroom park adventure, we went to old town and visited the shops, took pictures in an old covered wagon and had lunch at some Coyote restaurant which was really good.

After that we headed to the airport and luckily made our flight home as well. The kids did great the whole flight home. Jonah didn't realize that the plane was taking him from the beach to Utah. When the plane was making its final descent into SLC, Jonah said "I go to the beach now?" I told him that we are done with the beach for now, and that we don't have a beach in Utah. That is the only time in the whole flight that either kid cried. I figure that's pretty good, especially since it's proof that he had a wonderful time while there.

2010-08-06T21:40:00.003-06:00

Ok, so it's official. The story I wrote about my dad is being featured in the book
"Life Lessons from Father's of Faith," and will be published by Covenant Communications (a Deseret Book imprint) it's due out on October 1 and there will be a special about many of the fathers in the book between episodes of General Conference. Many famous fathers including general authorities and famous utahns like the Osmonds and Larry H Miller will be included, as well as my dad!

What Makes a Good Daddy.

2010-08-05T14:26:00.002-06:00

Recently I was asked to contribute to a book that is coming out about lessons learned from LDS dads. While it was an honor to be asked to contribute, it says little about my writing abilities and lots about the kind of daddy that I have. Really, he's amazing. I'm still not sure if my story has been selected, but the book is being published by an imprint of Deseret Book and is coming out in a couple of months. I'll keep you posted on that end...but I've been thinking about how lucky I am to have the kind of dad that I do. Yesterday, I was frustrated with my ex husband because of his lack of involvement with the kids. Until this last month...since Christmas, he'd seen them for 3 visits. that's it. Then I talked to Layton and explained that Jonah didn't know that he was his dad. I asked if he would just sign over rights to the kids. He said he would never do that. I told him in a nut shell that just because he doesn't sign a paper giving up his rights, every time he flakes out on a visit or just doesn't see them, it's giving up his rights. I told him that just because he's their biological father, it doesn't mean that he'll have a relationship with them and if he doesn't make the effort....later on they won't either. Also my dad, who again is the best dad ever...and an ever better grandpa told Layton's parents. He told them that he wasn't being a good dad and that he wanted them to know that he knew that.
After that he started making some effort. Even so, it's been about 6 hours in 4 weeks, and that's the most he's seen them in about 8 months.
It's sad and frustrating to me. But there's not much I can do.
My dad has totally stepped up. He has taken them camping (on many many camp trips) They've gong to see fireworks and parades.
It's back to school time and both of them are going to be going to school. Logan will be in Kindergarten and Jonah will be in preschool. Over the past several months I've spent over $400 getting them ready for school. That's fine, they're pretty much ready. They've got their little jeans and spiderman shirts and superhero book bags etc. Well. I forgot about shoes. I decided that I would ask Layton to help buy one of the boys his shoes for school. I forget sometimes that Logan hears EVERYTHING. He was playing downstairs when I called to talk to Layton. Obviously, he wouldn't do it. I told him pretty frankly that was fine, that I would buy them because it is important to me that they look their best. I got off the phone and was just so frustrated with the whole situation that I started to cry. Logan had quietly crept into the other room and came up to me and said "Momma, don't cry. You're my best momma." I laughed and hugged him and told him that I was ok. Logan has these little moments of wisdom sometimes. He looked at me and said "Mom, my dad Layton lets me down a lot, but guess what? Even when he does I have my grandpa and he's always there. and if grandpa wasn't there, heavenly father is, and so I'm ok."
Thank Heavens for Grandpa and Heavenly father, and a five year old who is wise enough to understand that.

The meaning of the word "Frustration"

2010-07-29T00:40:00.004-06:00

I started this month with lots of hope for the future. I had prayed about it and felt like the gastric bypass was the right thing for me to do. Then came the decision from the insurance company. Not only no...but h--- no.

Basically, they say that there are no surgical centers of "excellence" in utah. The lady from my insurance company said that there are centers in Oregon and Idaho. I've been to Idaho. Have you ever seen anything better there than in Utah? Exactly. Just curious about the hospital and it's "amenities" I called the hospital to find that among them are listed "Lower cost shared rooms." It gets better. Shared between 2-4 patients. How in the heck is that EXCELLENT?
Also the insurance informed me that when it listed covered procedures and "Bariatric Surgery" was listed....they meant AFTER WORKING FOR THE COMPANY 5 YEARS, WE WILL PAY FOR THE SURGERY....BUT WON'T PAY ANYTHING TO THE ACTUAL SURGEON.

Wow, super guys. You might want to post that under "Bariatric Surgery Covered" even if it is with an asterisk and itty bitty letters underneath.

Well, the only other thing I've been planning my life around right now is our temple sealing. We've been talking about the possibility of babies and such...but 1) I must have a real work schedule. 2) I want to be sealed.

We started the process of filling out the papers etc. in FEBRUARY. It's July. My ex husband has been sent 3 notices. Nada. So I went to church on Sunday expecting to find that the papers had been sent 3 weeks ago. Nope. The bishop wants to make sure Layton has an opportunity to express himself. So he got his phone number to call him. I know I should be more understanding. But I want to be sealed to my husband. Layton had 3 notices that he could have responded to. He didn't. RAWR. Our bishop said that the waiting time once the paperwork gets to church headquarters is about 3-6 months. I know it's a very important process and I have faith in it, but it will be so disappointing if it isn't approved. If it takes 6 months to process, like my bishop expects, we're looking at almost a year for the whole process.

So..then today was Jonah's well child appointment. He's gained 14 pounds in a year. the doctor proceeded to yell at me the "fat mom" for raising a "fat child." He's now put him on a super strict diet. (I really don't think Jonah is that big...)
but how is that for super?

I have to bid for a new shift at work this week. I'm praying that I get something NORMAL. Well, even remotely normal. 9-5 would be great. Anything would be fabulous that is not 7:30 p.m. to 4 a.m.

My New Nephew

2010-07-21T16:19:00.002-06:00

So, Ryker (aka Helmut Von Lichtenstein) is here. He's adorable. Here are the pics. (Doesn't Lisa look amazing?)

Still waiting

2010-07-08T11:21:00.003-06:00

So it's official. I've been on a 1000 calorie per day diet for 5 weeks. I've lost 4 pounds this week, I feel pretty good about that seeing how in the 4 weeks prior, I had lost .02 pounds. I've submitted my medical records to Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians and they have submitted them to the insurance company for approval. So now we wait. I hate waiting. Hate. Speaking of waiting. Robert and I are still waiting for word back to see if we'll be able to be sealed this year. We're waiting for a temple cancellation for my first marriage. It has been a process of 3 months of filling out forms and getting the ex husband to do the same...and..We're still waiting. yay. Did I mention that I hate waiting? HATE. HATE. HATE. Hopefully soon we'll have some sort of news.

OH DEAR HEAVENS!

2010-06-23T22:30:00.004-06:00

So I pretty much avoid Wal-Mart as much as humanly possible, especially with kids. Well, it was my little sister's baby shower last week. Due to the fact that I now work 7:30 pm to 4 am, I barely made her shower....let alone bought a present. I finally decided to go and get her a gift. She had a great baby shower and got almost everything that she needed, so I got her a baby bathtub. I am with my two little boys trying to survive in Wal-Mart and I go to check out and the cashier said to me "Oh, did you buy that for a new grand baby? Um...are you frickin' kidding me? Ok, I did just have a birthday...but I just turned 31. 31 people.

On the surgery front, I did have my consultation with Dr. Sherman Smith for gastric bypass. I spent most of this week collecting my medical records which I am supposed to fax to their office. I'm hoping their office accepts faxes of 400 plus pages. he he. We're hoping it gets approved by insurance. We would already have to come up with $1,600 and we're trying to figure that all out. Because of my fatness....the doctor considers me high risk. He said people in the supra obesity category, (super...I have my own special classification) have enlarged livers which can block the view for surgery. So for the past 3 weeks, I have been on a 1000 calorie a day diet. This will help reduce my liver size prior to surgery. The travesty of all of that is that I have followed the restrictions to the dot. I have packed lunches with low calories and packed healthy snacks like fresh pineapple etc. I went back to the doctor and I have lost .02 pounds. Ok, seriously, how is that possible? I am just hoping that even though my metabolism is about as slow as my father drives, that it is somehow making my liver smaller for surgery.

I have struggled with some people's idea of gastric bypass. I didn't realize how taboo it is. I told a couple of my friends that I was going to have the surgery and they said to me (two separate friends) "Why would you do that? That's the quitter's way of doing it" or "Wow, you're taking the easy way out" or "Well aren't you worried about excess skin."

Um what? seriously? Ok, how many people do you know that have lost 30 pounds and kept it off for more that 1 or two years? I honestly have seen my cycle...I lose weight and gain it all back plus 15 pounds. etc. etc. etc. Looking at this rationally, statistically if I don't do something, I'm going to die, and most likely die young. Also there is very little chance of me losing 200 pounds on my own. Yeah, I agree, it's possible to lose 20, 30, 40 or maybe even 50 pounds, and there might be some chance of keeping it off for the rest of your life. Maybe. Statistically, only 1% of those who lose 10 pounds will keep it off for two years.

Gastric Bypass may be quick, but it is not going to be an easy fix. I am well aware of that. The doctor that is doing my surgery has a 70% success rate after 10 years, that gives me a whole heck of a lot better odds.

First of all, this is major surgery. There are some things that I will never be able to eat and drink again. Carbonation is one of them, Caffeine is another.

The first 4 weeks I'll be on a clear liquid diet (with no juice intake) Which means I can have broth. After that I can add other liquids, without solids like strained soups and yogurt. Then it progresses to pureed foods. Sounds like fun right?
During the first year, I will be allowed 3 meals a day that are 3 oz. Sounds ok right?
well 3 oz is the size of a medicine cup. Also the food that I will eat will consist of 80% protein, 20 vegetables. No carbs/grains, fruits or juices, sugars or fats.

Now, as for the excess skin. Um, I have it now, it's just filled with blubber, yeah...I'd prefer just skin...

Robert just got offered a job today, we're super excited about that. It's got good benefits, which is fabulous as well.

I'll post more about the surgery as I know. We are still waiting for approval.

Sick

2010-05-28T13:34:00.002-06:00

Ok. So I've basically had it with being fat. I'm done. Well, ok. I hope I'm done. I decided a couple of months ago that I was going to try, once again, to lose some weight. So, I've been religious. SO careful with what I eat. And the pay off after all these months, I've lost 2 pounds. Wow. So if I keep that up. in 74 months, I'll be where I need to be. That's just fabulous.
This isn't my first weight loss attempt. In fact, there is a very small portion of my life where I don't remember being on a diet. I can remember being on a diet in second grade.
I started thinking, it has NEVER worked for me. (the whole diet thing) I'm thinking of something drastic like gastric bypass. Right now, we're going through the paperwork etc to see if the insurance will pay for it because I have type 2 diabetes, most likely sleep apnea, and a lot of "fat girl" symptoms, like continuous knee and back pain. All of which will most likely be improved with gastric bypass. I didn't know this until I attended the classes, but type 2 diabetes can be cured simply with the surgery. It's an absorption issue, but without losing a single pound, diabetes can be eliminated with the surgery.
Even if the surgery is covered by insurance, there is a good portion we'll have to pay for ourselves, so we're trying to figure all of that out.
I'm actually really excited about all of this. I've researched the diet you have to eat following the surgery and I think I'm prepared. I have a consultation with Dr. Sherman Smith next week. Dr. Smith did his residency with my Uncle Dean, and I guess is pretty well known for his work as a bariatric surgeon.
Anyways, I feel good about my decision and feel like everything is going to work out.

Ok, I have no life.

2010-05-27T15:57:00.007-06:00

Sorry for the generic catch up post, I work graves and basically have no life. Here's what has been happening around here in a nutshell.

In February, Robert and I celebrated our first anniversary. For our reception, I ordered a kind of elaborate wedding cake, The lady that was going to make it never showed up, and never returned my calls. She did so kindly email me and say that she forgot the date. So we didn't have the 1 year old wedding cake top to eat. Not wanting to miss out on two traditions I ordered a little cake from a bakery in Kaysville called "Sugar Daisy Bakery." Rarely, and I mean rarely am I in aw of anything. So often people do the bare minimum for what you pay them. My cake was $30 and I told her to make it pretty. She did a great job. Not only was it pretty, it was one of the most delicious cakes I've ever eaten. The bakery specializes in cupcakes...but oh man, that is some darn good cake!!!

We stayed in a cabin at the Alaskan Inn, and it was lovely. It wasn't "the nicest place I've ever stayed" which was how it was described to me...but nothing as far as bed and breakfasts in Utah will ever compare to Kay Malone's Wolfekrest. I think I am just kind of a snob and I don't really dig the whole "theme" rooms. I much prefer the posh.

It was a great weekend and a fun getaway.
For those of you who are unaware, I am currently working two jobs. I work full time at Delta Airlines (graves) and then part time writing for the Standard-Examiner.

So during my online sabbatical, the boys both celebrated their birthdays.
For Jonah's 3rd Birthday in March, we had a transformers theme. We went and got gourmet cupcakes at the sugar daisy bakery, we went to "How to Train Your Dragon" and we had a party at grandpa and grandma's house complete with transformer pinata.This is my brother David jumping on the tramp with the boys. He got tickled pretty adequately.

For some reason David and Lisa (my siblings) both thought it would be a great idea to put tatoos on my kids. It did emotional damage. Each time you put a sticker on Jonah now he has to make sure it comes off.

We also had Easter. We got each of the boys a new church outfit for Easter. Don't they look cute?
Robert sent me these

For Logan's 5th birthday in April, we had a "How to train your dragon" theme, but there weren't any kid movies playing that they hadn't seen. Logan opted for me to make his cake instead of the gourmet cupcakes. He picked his usual...pink cake with pink frosting. (his favorite color is pink) Again, we had a big party at our house and then at grandma's house too.

OK, you've all witnessed the ghetto-ness of my family. When I was little, we NEVER had wrapping paper. I mean NEVER. My mom always "wrapped" our presents in towels. I promised myself I would never do that. This year I even bought wrapping paper. I just never had a chance to wrap them, so my kids opened presents out of plastic bags. I know. It's awful.

It's a tragedy

2010-02-13T15:27:00.004-07:00

Ok...I know it's been a long time in coming. (almost 2 years). We'd never have gotten to this point if it weren't for the help of my awesome uncle Drew! He did tons of work in the basement. We have finally painted the toy room and I'm making the decorations, curtains and even chairs. We painted the room a bright red and we're going to decorate it in all Disney. Here is where the problem comes in. The accents in the room (except for crown moulding) are going to be painted black. The chairs I am making are black, red polka dot, and I'm looking for the perfect print of disney fabric...sadly all of the ones I have found are just not "it." Then I saw these curtains on line that were home made. They sucked, but I loved the fabric. I have not been able to find any of this fabric since. I have found things on line made from this fabric, which is apparently out of print.

This is the mickey mouse print that I want, no NEED!

These are the chairs I'm making.

At this point...I'll pay a reward if you can find this fabric!!!!
Oh, why does it always have to be hard!!!

I am, however so excited to say that the room is almost done!!!

I'll post pictures soon!

Diary of a fat chick

2010-01-18T23:19:00.003-07:00

I went to the gym for the first time....in about ever today. Ok, maybe not ever...but it's been at least a year, probably longer. I've decided that I have GOT to lose some weight. I know I can do it, because I've done it before. It's the sticking with it thingy. But I figure if I post updates on here, then I'll have to be accountable right? Yeah, I know, no more junk food. Suckish. Hopefully that will prevent premature death, heart disease or the other garbage they say is going to happen to me if I don't lose the weight.

Oh, we both have jobs now. Robert starts working at the Census on Wednesday. I can't even start to explain how excited I am to have him back at work. I love him dearly...but oh.my.gosh. there is only so much gaming I can handle, and I've reached max capacity!!!

I landed a job at Delta. I don't start that until the 16th of February but I am also going to keep my writing gigs for the Standard-Examiner and also toptenreviews.com.

I'll be working at Delta full time. I'm so happy for the opportunity to work there! I'll be able to get insurance shortly after going to work there, so that really is a blessing.

Oh my gosh. I'm so hungry. Why is it that working out always makes me so hungry?! I think it's time for bed!!

Christmas Village

2009-12-20T22:28:00.015-07:00

Yesterday, we took the kids to the Christmas Village in Ogden. They had such a good time! We waited in line FOREVER to have the kids sit on the lap of the world's grumpiest Santa! (Oh well, the kids didn't seem to mind!)

On Thursday, Logan had a Polar Express Party at school. All the kids got to go to school in their pajamas and they watched the polar express and decorated gingerbread houses. Here are some pictures of Logan's little gingerbread house.

Also here are a few of my favorites from October and November.

Feeding the ducks at the duck pond in Layton.

I took the kids to the Treehouse Children's Museum a few weeks ago. Logan got to take home "Licorice the bear" and he had to draw pictures of everything he did while Licorice was staying with him. He kept drawing pictures of "driving in the car" so I figured the trip was necessary!

This is the typical holiday at the Stephens house! On Thanksgiving, David found a laundry basket, and somehow decided it was a good idea for him and my kids to ride down the steps in it. *sigh*

New calling

2009-11-21T13:24:00.002-07:00

Ok, so I got a new calling on Sunday. I am the new activity day leader for the 8-11 year old girls. I'm a little overwhelmed with the calling. I have no information about the program and I don't really know exactly what I'm supposed to do. Inspite of all of that, I'm so excited to have a calling and to have such a fun age group!
Logan got selected to take home "licorice" the black bear puppet. Licorice is supposed to go along with Logan for every activity. Because the first 3 pages of activites logan drew were pictures of us "driving in the car" and "us in a cart at the store" and "driving home from the store" I decided unless we wanted to appear to be amish boring, we had better do something fun this weekend. Logan and Jonah slept at grandma and grandpa's house on friday and they got in the hot tub. So that was a good picture for Logan to draw. On Friday, I went to one of my best friends fathers funeral. After that I took the boys to go to the treehouse museum and out for ice cream. It was overall a pretty fun day. (I'll post some pics of the kids and licorice.)
Just on a side note, the funeral for Donald Holman was a very difficult thing for me to attend. It was hard to see my friend suffer. It was so hard for her sweet little boys, but even more than that...it brought a realization that life is short, we are all mortal, and we can lose our parents or loved ones at any time. I am so thankful for the knowledge that families are forever. I am comforted by the plan of salvation and in knowing that we will all be a family in the life after this one.

Thundercats HO!

2009-11-09T09:39:00.001-07:00

Ok, so I just wanted to talk about my favorite thing that Jonah does. Jonah has been fully indoctrinated with a love of Thundercats. Anything that is stick-like becomes the "sword of omens" and he'll pick it up and say "Thundercat, thundercat, thundercat HO!" It is just the cutest thing. I have been trying to get pictures of it for weeks to no avail.

Family home evening

2009-11-07T11:16:00.002-07:00

I have decided that we don't spend enough time having fun around here, so last night for family home evening, we made home made rootbeer. It was delicious, but it made 5 gallons. I have no idea how I am going to consume all of this rootbeer!!! The boys had the best time watching the dry ice bubble this witches brew looking drink. Logan kept saying some weird chant from Thundercats which was pretty funny.
My kitchen is now a sticky mess, but it was a lot of fun! I have spent most of the day today working on our resumes.

Looking for a new job

2009-11-06T07:47:00.002-07:00

So Robert and I have worked at Extend Health for the last several months, the problems are just two...1) We have to drive to 106th south every dang day. 2) They are requiring us to work mandatory overtime on satudays....so instead of driving to 106th south 5 days a week, we have to drive 6 days a week. So we're both in the market for a new job. Both of us are licensed in health and life insurance in about 10 different states and appointed by dozens of different insurance companies. Let us know if you know of anything open!!!

Weirdness

2009-10-29T21:12:00.002-06:00

Ok, so I had the H1N1 garbage last week. That's really what it is, garbage. Seriously, I've been more sick pregnant for sure. (ok, ok I get the anti-pregnancy shot every couple of months, but still...the H1N1 shot is pointless!)
Anyways, Wednesday I started feeling really dizzy, it's just at times, it comes and goes and I can't really predict when it's going to happen. Sometimes I am standing up, sometimes bending down, sometimes laying down. It's honestly the weirdest thing. Well, last night I passed out and scared the begebees out of Robert. I woke up to him slapping my face and screaming my name at the top of his lungs. Good times. I did pass out two times today and it's really strange. I thought for awhile that it was my blood sugar, because I hadn't eaten much in the past two days, but I have eaten fine since this all started and it is still occurring. I also thought it might be orthostatichypotension (low blood pressure when you stand up basically) I suffered from that during my pregnancies when I wasn't able to keep down fluids. But I've been drinking tons (of water, thank you very much) and still I feel dizzy. I can't really explain it, but hopefully it will get better. I also thought that maybe it could be an inner ear infection because I have had some cold like symptoms, but my ear doesn't hurt....so all in all, it's a little odd...and I'm hoping for improvement.
On a more positive note, I'm really looking forward to the trunk or treat for our ward which is going to be tomorrow. I'm planning on carving pumpkins with the boys either tomorrow night or Saturday, I think that should be really fun. I'll try to remember to post pictures.

Yay for Tuesday

2009-10-27T17:13:00.003-06:00

Tuesdays are usually my busiest days. I drop Logan off for school, try to get some work done around the house, and then dash to pick Logan up for school before Robert gets home from work, then I kiss Robert hello/goodbye as I go to my city council meeting (which can last into the wee hours of the night) Then, I have to be up for work Wednesday at 4 am. Yup, it's busy.
Today just started out bad because I woke up to the feeling that there was something or someone breathing on me. I looked up to see Logan leaning over me and he says "Good morning momma!" I looked around and realized that it was light outside already. Somehow, I managed to sleep until 8:35 a.m. Now, I know, that sounds fabulous, but it's not when you have to have your kids and yourself ready to drop Logan off at school at 9 am. I threw a pile of clothes at Logan and said "Hurry, get ready!" Then I jumped in the shower and got ready like a mad woman. We made it with about 4 minutes to spare. To add to the craziness, Logan's coordinator from headstart wanted to come and do a home visit today. I got Jonah in bed for a nap and by 11:30 he was asleep. The coordinator got to our house at 11:30 and instantly Jonah woke up (awesome!) So that lasted no longer than 1 hour, after which, I attempted to put Jonah back down for a nap (yeah, I know, wishful thinking) I decided to make some pasta for dinner because I have council meeting later tonight, and I figured making dinner would give Robert less of an excuse to go get a burger for dinner. So I start cooking meat and garlic and everything and I get done, cover the dinner with saran wrap and put it in the fridge, thinking that I'm just oh, so efficient. I look at the clock at it's 1:37 p.m. 7 minutes after the time that I was supposed to pick up Logan from school. That's right, I forgot my son! I grabbed Jonah, jumped in the car and drove like a maniac to the school. We get there to an empty parking lot. I get in the classroom and there's Logan, sitting on the floor waiting for his name to be called so he could go home (mind you the lights have already been turned off by the teachers.) Yup, it's official, worst mom ever.

Additionally, the coordinator asked if we would be willing to take a step parenting class through Utah State University (the same class we are currently taking for the second time) I told her we have taken it a couple of times already, but she said they want all of the families who are blended families to take it in January, so it looks like we get to take it again. It makes me laugh, Robert will be SO mad!!! Every time we go, he gives me the hardest time because he says I only take the class because they provide dinner and I don't want to cook. (Which IS a definate perk!!!)

RAWR!

2009-10-25T21:02:00.003-06:00

So I did it yet again today. I went to church. I went, knowing that I was going to be ignored and unwelcome. I go nearly every week. (I've missed the last 2 because we've had swine flu in our house.)
It's never been easy. I used to look forward to the small glimmer of light I got every week at church. Now, I'm sorry to say that I don't look forward to it. I really dread it. I've been divorced now over a year.
That's when there was a big change. People went from talking to me in the hallways to ignoring me even if I do say hello. (Not all people, but more than a dozen. More than two dozen for that matter.)
I've tried to stay positive, laughing about it and saying that at least I know who my real friends are. That's the truth, my real friends have stuck by me. They've come and talked to me themselves when they've heard rumors, they've been great. It's those others that make me dread Sundays. It doesn't make it hurt any less when I speak to people who once acted as if they were my friend, and they look at me and without any sort of response, walk off.
It's so hard to be divorced, let alone divorced and mormon. It's like having the word "Loser" tatooed to your forehead. It's rough. There's the initial response that you get from everyone "What happened?" (which is none of their business!)
To a random judgement. I'm not sure if it's because I moved on and remarried quickly, or if they just resent me for recognizing that I was never going to be happy in my current situation. I really don't understand what exactly the problem is...but I know that I don't like it.
I really thought I would have the love and support of my ward. It is really hard to go through a divorce. It's not something you can explain in words. It's also even harder to blend a family. Those who haven't been there, will never truly understand what a hard journey that is.
There are a few individuals who have been very sweet, but on the most part, I feel abandoned.
I believe in the church with all of my heart. I know it's true. That's why I keep going. Why I get up Sunday and mentally prepare for what I am going to have to go through. I wish it could be different. I just keep trucking a long, and maybe some day it will be. I hope it will.

that's all, just had to vent a little.

Ok...I know, I know, It's time to update the blog!

2009-10-22T11:39:00.002-06:00

Alright already, I get it. It's been a long time since I've updated the blog! So here we go

Logan has been in school for over a month. He is loving it.
This is a picture of him on his first day...

We have been down for about a week with the swine flu. Jonah has been pretty sick. I'm ok...I just feel blah.

Work is going well.

Robert and I have started taking another step parenting class. That's always fun and interesting. Those classes usually make me feel like a total over achiever as a parent. Our first day some guy in the class announced that he's there because "Kids have more rights than parents now, you can't just whoop their A**, so I'm here to learn a different way." Then he adds "Because apparently, even if it works...the RIGHT way isn't allowed."
Ok then. People are weird. The classes themselves are really helpful...but oh, how I wish they were taught in one on one sessions!!!!

Halloween is like 9 days away...and I still have no idea as to what to dress my kids up as. Logan wants to be either 1) Lionel (from thundercats) or 2) Robin (from Batman & Robin) but says "I'd prefer Lionel, because he's cooler." Does anyone have any ideas as to where to buy a Lionel costume?

yikes

2009-09-23T21:18:00.002-06:00

Ok, I know it's been forever since I've posted anything. The days just seem to fly by. I passed my insurance test (for life and health insurance) I was pretty excited because 70% is required to pass and the average person has to take it 3 times (according to the place I took it) and I passed with 80% on my first try. I have completed my training and now sell medicare to retirees who have lost group coverage. It's interesting for sure. Logan started school, well preschool. He goes 4 days a week 4 hours a day. It's been sad and yet wonderful all at the same time. It has been hard to have him gone for so long. Jonah misses him like crazy. He says all day long "Pick up Mogan?" (Mogan is what Jonah calls Logan) What I have noticed is that I get a lot more one on one time with Jonah, and that has really been wonderful! I always felt bad because Logan got SO much attention when he was a baby because he was an only child, and I was a stay at home mom. Life has definately changed since then, but I feel like I'm able to devote several hours to Jonah. I love that.
On Sunday, before we took the kids to their dad's house, we stopped and let them play in the park. It was so wonderful to see them run and hang off of Robert. I sat and watched as he chased them around the swingset and went down the slide with them. (I wish I had pictures) Speaking of pictures, as soon as I can, I'll post some photos of Logan's first day of school.

Life is on Hold

2009-08-22T12:26:00.002-06:00

For the moment, my life is on hold. I got hired by the same company that Robert did. I am studying to pass my state life and health insurance license test. Everybody pray for me! Hopefully I'll be back to the blogging world soon.

Best week EVER!!!

2009-07-31T11:19:00.005-06:00

The last couple of weeks have been completely dedicated to studying. Robert has been studying for his insurance agent test. He recently got a job at an insurance company down by the point of the mountain. The job is going to be a really good thing for our family...but I tried not to count on it too much just because he had to pass this horrible test before he was actually offered his job. Robert really studied hard. He decided there would be no video games or tv until he passed this test. Thank heavens all of the work payed off! He passed the test this week. He was the only one in his entire testing group that passed!!!

Proof...It doesn't matter the era..I was born a dork

2009-07-27T22:12:00.003-06:00

I've seen this around before, but one of my friends was playing around with this last night and posted a bunch of photos on facebook, so I figured I'd give it a try, since I've got nothing better to do. (try out your own nerdy photos at www.yearbookyourself.com)This pic actually looks a lot like my senior photo except my hair was shorter and my bra strap was showing.

24th of July

2009-07-25T11:22:00.004-06:00

Yesterday, while I was making dinner, Robert said he wanted to take the boys outside for a surprise. When I went outside, this is what I found.

(this is the first year we have done fireworks or sparklers with the kids. They thought it was the greatest thing ever.)
Jonah kept trying to blow the sparklers out like a birthday candle. It was pretty cute.

Test

2009-07-24T14:05:00.005-06:00

Wow, it has been so busy! Robert has been hired by an insurance company. We're really excited about the new job, but he still has to pass an insurance agent test. He has been studying his guts out, but the information is SO hard and so boring, so everyone pray for us!!!! It has pretty much been our life for the last week. We have until wednesday. Hopefully, after that, I'll have more time and be able to post more.
Over the past couple of weeks we have done some fun things. We went to the duck pond to feed the ducks and then we also went to a big family swimming party at my cousin Brian's pool. Here are some photos.

Kids are coming home

2009-07-05T20:53:00.003-06:00

Wow, this week has been completely boring. I can't believe I haven't posted more. The kids went to Idaho for a week with their dad to visit their grandparents. Oh, how I have missed them.
I should update you on the cats. Yes, plural. A few weeks ago, we got a kitten, and settled on the name Molly. A few weeks later, the people we got the cat from decided to get rid of Molly's brother too. *sigh* I don't really know how it happened. Robert loves cats. LOVES. So we decided to take her brother too. We named him Monroe. He's a cute little guy and they really love each other.
Anyways, Robert turned 33 this week, Monroe was his present. We had birthday cake with his parents and brother Scott. It was pretty fun.
The kids come home tomorrow and I am SO excited!!! I have missed them SO much!!

wuv you

2009-06-25T09:18:00.003-06:00

So Jonah is talking a little more each day. He has a few little sentences that he'll say. Mostly "Shut up," (Not the best, I know) and "Where are you?"
Today, I said "I love you honey," and kissed him on the head. Jonah said "Kiss again!" So I gave him another kiss and he said "Wuv you." It totally made my morning!

What I would tell my grandma.

2009-06-20T11:15:00.003-06:00

My grandma died yesterday. I watched most of the day as the life seemed to fade from her body.

My Grandma Glanville taught me so much in my life, but the more I reflect on her life and her example I realize that there was one clear message, "There is nothing more important than family and religion." My grandma would do anything she was asked to in the name of her family or her God.
Grandma taught by example. When she was well, she was always (and I mean ALWAYS) baking cookies or breads, or something else delicious to give to her kids and her grandkids. After my grandpa died, grandma kept busy by making us her delicious treats. Her house will always smell like brown sugar and love.
I remember cherishing my time with her...both as a child and as an adult. Grandma loved all of her kids and grandchildren so much. There are so many memories she made with each of us. My favorites were when we would play "The old lady and the broom," or when we would have spook allys in her basement. I especially loved all of the family parties. Grandma's house was the gathering spot for most celebrations growing up.
Once when grandma was in her 70s, she came to Lagoon with our family. I remember that I wanted to go on the roller coaster so badly, but no one else wanted to go. Grandma said "C'mon Lauralee, I'll ride the roller coaster with you!" I will never forget the look on her face as we descended that first hill. She screamed the entire ride....as I think about it now, it still makes me smile.
In her later years when she could no longer care for herself, she came to stay with my mom. I will always be thankful for that time she spent there. My boys got to really know their "Grandma Great"
We got to be with her and cherish her in her final years, what a blessing!
Grandma was the queen of service. No matter how much she gave to all of us in her life, it was hard for her to finally accept the help of her family, but what a blessing it was to us!
When I got divorced, it was Grandma that let me stay in her beautiful house. It was such a wonderful place of healing for me and it was so great for me to make memories with my boys in a place that still holds such a special place in my heart.

Her final message to all of our family was to tell us all to always be close to the Lord and our church.

What would I tell her if I could say anything to her now?

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!!

Thank you for the unconditional love and acceptance, thank you for your wonderful example, your service, and your unwaivering testimony. Thank you for being my Grandma!

at a loss

2009-06-11T15:48:00.006-06:00

Ok. so about a week ago I took the cutest pictures of Logan helping Robert mow the lawn. Sorry
it took me so long to post them!

Now for other news, we had to get rid of Robert's cat because one of her favorite passtimes was biting my kids in the face. Robert has really been missing Katie (his cat) and so I got him a kitten. Now the problem is that none of us can think of a good name for her. She is a calico and has beautiful coloring. The only name that the kids have come up with is "poop stain" and the answer to that is still no. So anyone that has any suggestions as to what to name out kitty, leave a comment with a suggestion. Maybe we'll use it (unless of course your suggestion is poop stain...then the answer is still no!)

Yard Sale

2009-06-07T15:09:00.004-06:00

We found a home for Robert's cat. It seems to be a good fit, a widow who lives by herself in a condo. She doesn't work...and has plenty of time to cater to the spoiledness of the cat. I do kind of miss her. It's been weird not to have her meowing at me. I won't miss the biting though.
It was kind of weird because the add I posted was like "This cat is horrible with kids, she bites, she hates other animals, she gets jealous of other people and pees on their things, she has a stomach condition and vomits so she has to eat special food that's $20 a bag, and she's kind of a princess." I posted it on KSL classifieds and within a day...had someone who wanted this cat. It makes you wonder if there is anything someone won't take if it's listed as free.

Onto other news, we are going to have a yard sale on Saturday June 20. As a family we are trying to raise $1000. Robert withdrew from school for us to get married. Because of that, he has to pay $1000 to be able to use his financial aid. So we're having the yard sale to try and raise some money. We have tons and tons of stuff! Be sure to come!

Looking for a home for Robert's cat

2009-06-04T17:22:00.003-06:00

SO we're looking for a home for Robert's cat. She's a princess, and loves to have one person to herself. Don't think of taking her if you are married, because she will pee on the belongings of your spouse (she gets jealous). Don't even consider it if you have kids. (she's declawed, but she's a biter.) Any takers? Didn't think so.

Out with the old....

2009-06-02T10:44:00.002-06:00

Between Robert and I, we have more stuff than we know what to do with. That being said, I haven't scrapbooked in over a year. So I'm going through all of my stuff (it fills an entire room in my house) and I'm selling it all. Anyone looking for a cheap die cut machine, dies and lots of other stuff give me a buzz (monkeylauralee@hotmail.com)
As for us, things are going well, I'm excited to get the boys back from their dad today, it's always lonely when they are gone.

4-wheeling trip

2009-05-28T22:29:00.003-06:00

Today, the boys and I went with my parents 4-wheeling up Farmington canyon. It was nerve-racking because my mother is a spastic maniac on the 4-wheeler, but once I got over my fear for my life, it was pretty fun. The boys had a great time, they sat on the back of granpa's 4-wheeler, and had a great time. We had a picnic on the way down and it was really a fun day.

On another note, Robert just got his associate's degree and I am so excited for him. (yes, he's only like 6 credits away from his bachelor's degree, but it's still nice to have!)

He also has another interview for a job that would be really good for him this next week (so keep us in your prayers!)

Inspiration

2009-05-21T11:22:00.003-06:00

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine posted on her blog Aleida's Challenge, Which in essence is for mothers to take pictures with their children. She said that children never look back at pictures of their mothers and say "Wow, she looks fat." or "She isn't wearing makeup." Instead, they look at the photos with love. Aleida died unexpectedly and left her family with lots of photos of her and her children.
As I attended the funeral of my cousin, I noticed that there were tons of beautiful pictures of Jen and her son and husband. Maybe because she struggled with cancer for three years she had the perspective of what's important.
I have been inspired by both women and their dedication to leave a legacy of memories for their children. I am committing now to take and post pictures of my family and I once a month.
Anyone who would like to join me can post links in the comments section.

germs

2009-05-15T22:25:00.002-06:00

So....I know I already posted today...and we talked about the toilet toothbrush, but in my haste to get Jonah out of the bathroom and mischief, I threw the toothbrush on the sink and continued with my morning. just before 2 p.m., I loaded the boys into the car and quickly ran into the house to brush my teeth.
Yes, I forgot...though only momentarily, about my toothbrush's grand adventure in the toilet.
I remembered as I stuck my toothbrush in my mouth and it tasted like toilet water smells. I screamed. Not just a little yell, but a gut-busting, blood-curling scream. No amount of mouthwash will ever wash the nastiness out of my mouth. I feel like I need to boil my tongue!

I got to my parent's house to find that Scott had called off the wedding. Suckish, that's all I can say.

Toothbrushes and Toilets

2009-05-15T10:36:00.004-06:00

This has been a really busy morning. I've been racing to get some work done so that I can enjoy the wedding today. Scott and Becky are getting married today (yay!) and then tomorrow, the kids are going to stay with their dad, and Robert and I are going to go stay in Park City for a few nights. Anyways, to make a short story long, I was trying to get everything done...I got in the shower pretty early this morning, (okay, it was about 9 a.m., I'll be the first to admit, it's usually closer to noon)
I must confess that a few days ago, the bathroom door got locked and I couldn't find the key to get in, so I took off the doorknob. I had just a portion of it sitting in the door until I could get Robert to put the knob back on. So the boys come into the bathroom while I'm showering and are talking to me. Logan says "Jonah just pulled out the doorball." Super. I got out of the shower to find that I could not get the nob back into the hole, so...we were stuck. Finally I figured out an ingenious plan, I stuck the handle of my toothbrush into the door and jiggled it and the door opened. Logan then said "It's good you used that...because you don't want that in your mouth anyways huh?" and I asked him why I wouldn't want to put it in my mouth. To which Logan replied, "Because Jonah just swished it in toilet water."
FREAK! IS NOTHING SACRED?

Sigh

2009-05-14T11:09:00.002-06:00

As I was getting ready today, Jonah was looking at the book "The Fox and the Hound," which is based on the Disney movie. Jonah kept saying "Momma," and pointing to Widow Tweed (see above picture). Logan stopped and looked at the photo and said "Jonah, that's a fox!" I said "Honey, he's talking about the old lady, not the fox," to which Logan replied, "Oooh, Jonah...you're right, that looks exactly like momma." Super.

Goals and garbage

2009-05-13T16:58:00.005-06:00

Well, it's been awhile since I've posted anything, I've made it a personal goal to post everyday...we'll see how that goes. I've got a lot to post. First, today I went to work out at my mom's house (because she has all the awesome equipment) and as I'm riding the elliptical, Logan says, "I love you!" I stopped riding and bent down and gave him a hug and said, "I love you too honey." He looked at me like I was dumb and said, "Um, no...I was talking to myself. I love Logan." I guess yay for a healthy self-esteem!
Now, as I mentioned in my previous post, I just found out that I'm diabetic. This gave me motivation to once again join weight watchers. I decided to bite the bullet and admit that I'm going because it gives me motivation to succeed. It's been difficult. The food part isn't that bad...I can handle that. (It's the working out part...I hate working out!!!!) I definately need a work out buddy. But, this is my second week on the weight watchers program and last week I lost nearly 4 pounds, not too bad!!!!

Rough Week

2009-05-04T10:13:00.003-06:00

Well, this week started out really crappy. I have been noticing for the last several weeks that I had to pee all of the time. Not only that, but I had a sore on my hip that just would not go away, so tested my blood sugar one morning at it was 298. I went to see the doctor shortly after that and it is no suprise, I found out that I am diabetic.
In addition, we've had a lot of naughty terrible two's incidents this week. (Jonah actually scooped out 25 pounds of flour onto the floor and then made 'snow angels')
Now today, my cousin and one of my best friends died. Jennifer has had a brain tumor/cancer for 3 years, since she got pregnant with her sweet little boy Noah. Jen has fought valiantly over the past 3 years, and I always secretly thought that she would somehow overcome it. Jen could do anything. She was fun and outgoing and smart...she really could do anything. I can't believe she's gone. She taught me so much. She taught me to love and accept myself for me. She was my dancing buddy, we would go dancing or hang out...and when Jennifer was there, you knew you were going to have fun. I have to think that there just wasn't enough sunshine, joy and laughter in heaven, so our father in heaven brought her home. I love that girl, I miss her already, but I'm so thankful and honored that she was part of my life.

Looking at the brighter side of things

2009-04-23T16:28:00.002-06:00

Jonah has been completely enthralled by the toilet lately. He loves to sit on the little toilet and often he does actually go. Today, I was in the middle of making breakfast when Jonah yelled "POOP!" I said, "Just a minute, momma's cookin' eggs." Jonah wagged his finger at me and said "No, No!" I found him in the bathroom, a few minutes later (completely nude) with poop all over the toilet seat and walls. (He stood up and kept bumping into things) SO, looking at the brighter side of things, I think Jonah may be easier to potty train than Logan was.

Pay it forward!

2009-04-12T10:39:00.000-06:00

Ok, so one of my friends posted this on her blog...and I thought it was a great idea to give something to my friends and family for easter, so here we go!

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me!
It might be a sweet letter to you from me, or some yummy goodies, you might be surprised what you get! Give it a try! The catch? You must re -post this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. The first 5 people to leave a comment, win a lovely little treat for themselves! Have Fun! Ready........Set............Go!

Things that rock!

2009-04-07T13:26:00.002-06:00

So last night, Robert stayed up until 11 p.m. working on the basement. He says it's driving him crazy (try living with it like that for a year and a half!!!) I went downstairs to check on him and he had textured all of the walls in the toy room....the goal, to get it finished this week so the kids have a toy room. We're almost done with it now. I'm so excited. (and so grateful for my husband who is willing to work all day and then come home to finish the basement!)

Jonah's Birthday

2009-04-05T20:37:00.002-06:00

Ok, so it's been really busy here and I haven't had a chance to post anything about sweet little Jonah's birthday. Jonah turned 2 on March 28. Now, we had two birthday parties. One at grandma's house, then that evening, the boys went to their dad's house and had a big pizza party and cake. For Jonah's birthday party at grandma & grandpa's house, we had a "picnic" (inside because it was freezing) and birthday cake, and we blew bubbles and played with chalk. It was a really fun day. Here are some pictures!

Chicken Vindaloo

2009-04-02T14:28:00.001-06:00

I will post again today to post some pictures of Jonah's 2nd birthday. I promised to post the recipe for this on here. Click here for the link. It's a great Vindaloo (even better if you substitute lamb) and it's pretty easy.

Argh

2009-03-17T14:32:00.002-06:00

It feels like there are just moments in a day...no hours, just moments that flash by in a hurry. I was wondering where all my time goes. I still haven't figured that out, but I've spent the afternoon combining two households of kitchen wares into one kitchen. I need more cupboards.

Random

2009-03-13T10:40:00.003-06:00

Have you ever wondered why memories just pop up out of no where. I miss my Grandpa Glanville today. I was thinking about Hawaiian Punch. (because there is some up in my fridge and I am thirsty) but, it reminded me of my grandpa. He used to ask us kids "Hey, do you want a Hawaiian punch?" and of course, we always wanted one, then he'd wind up and pretend to punch us. I thought it was so funny. Man, I miss him.

Things here are getting back to normal. We're home. The bags are unpacked. When it's all said and done, I'm so happy to be "Mrs. Hunter."

O'ahu

2009-03-05T08:14:00.002-07:00

So, we're in O'ahu now. The last two days have been jam-packed with activities. We've gone whale watching from a boat. (They weren't even 100 ft away. Freakin' awesome) Then, yesterday, we went to Pearl Harbor and saw the Arizona Memorial as well as the submarine the Bowfin and the Missouri. It was really neat. (My feet are killing me) I am missing the tropical-ness of Kauai. O'ahu is very much like LA. (cars and people EVERYWHERE, with sky scrapers as far as the eye can see.

I love it here

2009-03-02T11:59:00.002-07:00

When I woke up this morning, Robert said "I could live here." I said "That's good, because I'm not going home." Seriously, I love this place! It's weird. My uncle Layne used to live here and I have such fond memories of going with him on these magical sight seeing tours. A LOT has changed in 10 years.
1) Princeville hotel is closed and undergoing renovations
2) The golf course in princeville is also torn up and they are renovating. It is closed.
3) The restaurant in the Hanalei Bay Resort is closed and it's basically a run-down roach motel.

I was shocked, inspite of that, this trip has been magical. I love Kauai. The wedding was beautiful. We were married by a guy named Chuck E. Chuck. I was worried when I heard his name, but he was so charming and wonderful. It rained the whole boat ride up to the grotto, then stopped for our ceremony and then started again for the boat ride, then stopped to get in the car. Luckily those boats are covered.

Anyways, we're having a great time. I wish everyone could be here!

It's official!

2009-03-01T16:42:00.004-07:00

OK, so it's official, I'm Mrs. Hunter.

Here are some pictures of the wedding:

Ring bearer Logan

The flower girls: Victoria, Olivia & Isabelle

Kissing Jonah after the ceremony:

Logan
Musician singing the Hawaiian wedding song

First kiss as Mr. and Mrs. Hunter

2009-02-28T09:12:00.005-07:00

These are photos at the lighthouse.

Yesterday was such a busy day....I could do nothing but sleep when we got back to the hotel. It started by trying to find a pharmacy to fill some of Robert's prescriptions. After breakfast at McDonald's (yes they have them here and banana pies....weird) we went and got our marriage license and then we started sight seeing for the day. We went to the end of the road...Hanalei (like in Puff the magic dragon) We saw Weiamea canyon, it's what they refer to as the grand canyon of Hawaii. We also saw the light house and the spouting horn...an area that like old faithful, spouts water every few moments.

Flight from HELL

2009-02-27T08:40:00.002-07:00

Ok, I'm sure you're expecting me to say Logan or Jonah screamed the whole way. They were champs. They sat with grandpa and grandma because they all flew on Buddy passes. So, Robert and I are both big people. Robert is more tall than big....He is 6'6". Tall. He had just enough room to turn his legs sideways. Well the lady in front of him reclined her seat the entire trip so he turned and leaned into me. Well, the guy next to me had his elbow in my ribs the whole trip. It was by far the longest flight I've ever been on (and I've been to Europe.)
I am now in Kauai (pics coming soon) and I have internet access, so you'll be happy to know I'll post the pics from our day today this evening.

Of Course

2009-02-24T08:07:00.002-07:00

Now, it has to be something bad has to happen before pictures. I was putting the kids in the car Sunday and Logan kept jumping into the snow mounds. I said to him "Stand here and hold the bottom of my shirt"

I opened the door of the van and "WHACK!" (It smacked him in the face!) Giant goose egg. It hurts him so bad too. Poor little guy...(just in time for pictures)

Also on the crap front...When I got divorced, I gave my sister my Love sac, because well where on earth would I put it. I've been in mourning since. I love that thing. It's not like I can be like "Dude, I'm in my house now, give the love sac back. I've complained about it to Robert and we found one on KSL for $35. We went to go look at it and it smelled kinda "catty" but I thought eh, we can get a new cover. We get it home and I open it to wash it and the insides are thrashed. I can't take the cover off....so it's essentially trash. The moral, don't give away awesome lovesacs...because they are hard to replace!

Pet Pieves

2009-02-17T08:56:00.002-07:00

Ok, so normally I'm pretty mellow, but there are a few things that drive me crazy. They are as follows (in order of annoyance)

1. Everywhere you go now, you have to prepay for your stupid gas. Well, what drives me crazy is the fact that even though you've prepayed....say you bought $10 worth of gas, when your car officially has $9 in it, it slows down to a snails pace and then stops at $10. My question is, if it stops at $10, why slow down at $9. It drives me nuts, especially when you're standing in the freezing cold!!!!

2. People who use bad grammar. (How hard is it to string together a proper sentence?)

3. The word "irregardless." It's regardless!!!!!

4. The phrase "I could care less" that makes absolutely no sense. The correct phrase would be "I couldn't care less." (drives me nuts)

5. People who let their kids run free in Walmart (I am not a fan of the free-range kid movement, it's what shopping carts were invented for!)

6. People who fold towels wrong.

7. When people put dishes in the dishwasher and they don't put the forks, knives, and spoons into the container seperately

Invitations are out

2009-02-12T10:38:00.003-07:00

So my invitations have been sent (all except for the giant pile that I just realized that I forgot to send. So if you haven't gotten yours...it's coming!) I first need to send a giant shout out to my friend Misty who designed the awesome invitation. She did an amazing job!

I was also pretty proud of the photo compilation that I designed as well as the other elements of the invitation. I love it. I'm happy to be done though! By the way, who would have thought....that postage would cost more than my actual invitations! (Grrr!)
I honestly can't believe that it's all almost here, but I'm so excited. I went and met with a florist today about a bouquet for the open house. Don't know if I'm going to do flowers or not, I guess we'll see.

There's a lot to report. We went on a magical trip to the land of vernal last week to visit Robert's brother Sam. Vernal; what can I say about Vernal? Um, there's a giant pink dinosaur in the middle of town. Sam has 4 wheelers. The kids had fun riding them. I like Sam and his wife Janell. That's about all I have to say about Vernal. (My mom always said 'If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.')

Our drive to Vernal was 4 1/2 hours thanks largely to a terrible snow storm. Jonah screamed for about 3 1/2 hours of that drive. At 11 p.m. when we rolled into Sam's driveway, Jonah was wide awake. He stayed awake until 4 a.m. and then woke again at 7. Ick.
We only stayed a day, I couldn't bear to have the kids that out of sorts for another night.

things I'm looking forward to

2009-01-21T15:08:00.005-07:00

If you can believe it, I'm getting married in less than a month. I must say, I'm so looking forward to being "Mrs. Hunter." I'm also looking forward to relaxing on the sandy beaches of Hawaii, but I'm more excited about getting married. (those who know my feelings about Hawaii are shocked I'm sure)
We're also closing on our house this month. It's funny, we're buying my old house. It's a little odd, but we can't sell it and Layton can't afford it by himself...so it's really the best solution. I will say, it's going to be hard to go to my old ward with a new husband...but I'll survive! Also, the details are starting to come together for our open house when we get back. I couldn't decide on which photo to order to go with our invitations, so I ordered all of them. Tragic I know.
but overall, life is good.

Here are some pictures I took of the kids at Maceys (sigh, I hate that store)

About a week ago, Robert and I went to visit his handicapped brother who lives in a group home. Casey was so thrilled to see us, I started to think about how much small gestures can affect other people.

things that make me feel "special"

2009-01-08T12:20:00.003-07:00

Ok, so to start out, Robert sent me the most beautiful flowers this week. I must say I have never felt so special.

Following that I had a series of unfortunate events that made me feel "special" in the short bus ridin', paste eating kind of way. It started out this week when I suggested that Rob and I go out with his brother Scott and his cute wife Christie. We go to their house and the plan was to go to Olive Garden for lunch. Well, I love those spandex-y jeans that slim in your belly. I love them...so I'm wearing my tight jeans and I sit down in her car and heard a funny noise. I didn't really think anything about it...we went to Olive garden and ate lunch, went grocery shopping at Walmart, and then browsed at graywhale. We then went to robert's apartment where he noticed that the entire butt was torn out of my jeans....not just a little tear, my entire butt was hanging out. SUPER! (YES, I know I should have felt a draft or something...but what can I say...I have extra "padding" back there!) So then, I ran out of gas last night and Robert had to come rescue me. (He's such a sweet man, he didn't lecture, just took good care of me) So then, the door nob came off of Logan and Jonah's room earlier this month and we just haven't closed the door since. I was in their room this morning getting them ready for the day when Jonah closed the door and it latched, so I was effectively trapped there with my two boys. Luckily, I don't go anywhere without my cell phone...so I was able to call my mom.

I love Christmas

2008-12-29T11:13:00.002-07:00

So Christmas was magical. That's the easiest way to explain it. I was worried that the kids would have a pretty meager Christmas....but there was a lot of magic.
We decided to all sleep over at my mom and dads house so that we would have a christmas like the old days.
Christmas Eve, my parents had "Santa" come and visit. Logan loved it, Jonah was terrified. Logan had been talking for weeks about wanting a green motorcycle man with a "hel-mut." I don't know, where he found it but Scott found the exact toy that Logan had been describing and sent it in santa's bag. Logan sat on Santa's lap and again described the motorcycle toy. Santa pulled it out of his pack and Logan opened it. It was SO fun. I loved it.
It was exactly like old days...the kids of the house woke up at exactly 6 am...and we all drug our tired bodies up to open presents.
After our wonderful Christmas at my mom and dad's house, the boys and I went to Rob's parents house and opened even more presents. We got these fun nerf guns with foam disks. We had a huge foam disk fight. Logan kept running up to people and shooting them in the face at close range, it was pretty funny.
Overall, it was so wonderful!

knock on wood

2008-12-22T12:15:00.003-07:00

So the kids are better (knock on wood) and just in time for Christmas, thank heavens. I am starting to feel better as well, it's about frickin' time that's all I can say. Also...my iphone has now been replaced and is fully functional! (Can I get an "Hallelujah?")

Well, Hello

2008-12-16T20:22:00.003-07:00

So I must say, I did not realize how utterly addicted to the internet that I am. I decided about a month ago to get rid of cable and internet to try and pay off some of our extra bills before we get married. I was paying about $100 a month and could think of thousands of other things that I would rather do with the money. Anyhoo, I have internet access on my cell phone, as well as the ability to watch most cable television chanels. So, as long as I have a phone, what is the point, right? Well...when the touch screen on your stupid iphone doesn't work...and you can't make calls...or GULP access the internet...no checking for phone numbers, no looking up recipes, or looking up any random question that may enter your head (or your curious 4 year old) it's possibly the worst thing ever. Well, not as bad as barfing kids in the hospital, but it's definately not good!!!!

Breakin' Free

2008-12-15T16:29:00.002-07:00

Well, it's been a rough couple of days. Logan and Jonah were admitted to the hospital yesterday because of dehydration. It was pretty much a nightmare, though I was grateful to have them in the same room. It was awful. Logan slept through the night like a trooper. They had to wake him at 4 am because he hadn't peed to which he respondend to the nurse, "You're a bad lady." I couldn't agree more. Jonah screamed most of the night...and every time I got him to sleep, the nurse would come in, turn the lights on and take vitals. Everytime she woke Jonah and he started to scream, I wanted to say, 'You're a bad lady.' Logan gets all the good one liners. The boys are out and doing much much better though.

We're still sick

2008-12-13T16:18:00.002-07:00

After I posted that we were sick last week....we had a lull in sickness for a few days and then stupid winter hit with all it's fury. I began vomitting violently this week. This was followed by Logan then Jonah. It now seems that the whole Stephens family is infected. My mom, dad, grandma, sister, brother-the whole family. It's like the grim reaper has been playing peek-a-boo with the family. All I can say, is that I'm ready to be well. Rob also has pneumonia...so if anyone would like to be well for Christmas, I would reccomend not spending time with our family, lol.

Winter, blah!

2008-12-08T11:35:00.002-07:00

Seriously, I recognize that it is December 8. I am aware that we often have snow before Halloween, but when I walked outside this morning and saw the mounds of snow...I nearly cursed. I hate snow: I hate driving in it, I hate freezing, I hate not being able to wear 80% of my shoe wardrobe! I simply hate snow.
I am recovering from the flu nicely, but now have lost my voice and have a witch of a cold. Stupid winter/snow, I blame you!

Yesterday, I was playing with Rob's cat "Katie." You must understand that I was raised by a cat hater. I have never been a real cat fan. Katie has completely changed my mind about how I feel about cats. I love this cat! She has some weirdness. Every time she eats cat food that doesn' t cost $27 a bag, she vomits. Super. I wish I could demand food that was $27 a bag. Anyhoo. She was sitting on me yesterday (watch out, after this point it gets REALLY nasty) so she gets down and there is this long worm on my arm. I nearly died. EW. Ew. Ew. So we went to get her some medicine last night to get rid of the worms and I am taking her to the vet in about an hour. So sad.

blah

2008-12-05T18:08:00.003-07:00

I woke up this morning barfing. Can I just say, there is not much worse in this world than to vomit. Ok, maybe there are worse things...but I absolutely hate to throw up, toss cookies, ralph, etc. It sucks. I have slept most of the day. Thankfully my dad came and got the kids. I slept for about 13 hours. Yuck.

Help me decide

2008-12-04T22:56:00.005-07:00

Ok, so we had a bunch of engagement pictures taken. (Thanks Dad) After playing with them a little, I can't decide what I like. What can I say, I have decision making issues. So, that's where you all come in. I am going to post the pics that are an option. We are probably going to use 2-3 pics on our invitation (who knows really) so if you have any input, choose up to 3 and leave me a comment. Thanks, the input will really help!

Group 1:

A

B

C

D

Group 2:

Group 3:

Group 4:
A

B

Engagement Photos and such

2008-12-04T03:21:00.005-07:00

Today Rob and I had our engagement photos taken. I must say it was so fun! I will crop and edit and post some of the better ones soon. I have been working a lot on the invitations since I plan on designing them with the help of one of my amazing friends. I am thinking some sort of Hawaiian watercolor theme in the background similar to these

(I found these online at this amazing artist's website. Check it out here)
What do you think?

WOO HOO

2008-11-24T23:02:00.003-07:00

Ok, so potty training Logan has been less enjoyment as it has been utter hell. He just hasn't seemed to get it/care. Well this last week, he has done pretty good...as long as I hound him every 5 minutes. Well, we went out with Rob's parents for dinner. (I just love them!) Anyways, we get home and I'm trying to pick up the kitchen and Logan comes walking into the kitchen carrying the pee cup from his little potty. He was completely nekked and the cup was full of pee. I said "What on earth?" He said "I needed to go pee, I felt it."
WOO HOO! That's all I have to say! WOO HOO!
The other bright news is Jonah is potty training very well. He doesn't even talk really. He grunts and pulls at his pants. It means "Put me on the toilet." So he actually peed successfully on the toilet 3 times with no accidents.
It makes me look forward to the ultimate dream. The day when all of my kids are potty-trained!

I found it!

2008-11-20T22:18:00.004-07:00

It's funny, for my first marriage, I searched and searched for the perfect dress. It took months of driving from store to store. Nada. My aunt Susan finally made it for me. It was beautiful. When I got engaged, my only anxiety was finding the "perfect dress." I decided that because we're getting married in the fern grotto in Hawaii, I wanted a hawaiian print dress. I found it today. It is sleeveless, so it will either need to have the sleeves added, or I need to find a jacket, but it was in the first store we looked, it was on clearance for $17 and, it is PERFECT! yay!
It's funny because when I talked to Rob about what we are getting married in, he said "I imagine some sort of red floral dress."
Another happy bit of info, I've lost enough weight that I was able to get a dress 2 sizes smaller than usual! (yay me!)
(pardon the cell phone pic, the battery for my camera is dead, and I currently lack the motivation to go charge it)

Big news

2008-11-19T13:38:00.003-07:00

Ok, so my boyfriend Rob is no longer my boyfriend.....he's my fiance'.

He took the boys and I for a Sunday drive around pineview. It was so pretty. When we got out of the car, he asked me to marry him. (I obviously said yes!) He let me go and pick out the ring. (I LOVE it!)

This is my ring!

Last night we went out to Ruth's Chris to celebrate our engagement. I must say, it was the best/most expensive dinner I've ever eaten, but it was AMAZING!

I am marrying Robert Hunter. I met him on LDS singles. He is amazing, sweet, and so funny!

We're getting married in the fern grotto in Kauai on Feb. 28 (It's my heaven!)

Confessions of a 29 Year-Old Woman

2008-11-09T10:36:00.004-07:00

My sister posted a confessions section on her blog and I have NEVER laughed so hard, so I decided to steal it.

1. In Junior High, this kid moved in in the middle of the year. The kid was named Charlie. I thought he was pretty cute but really quiet. I had a kinda crush on him for about a week until he talked for the first time and I realized that he was a really homely girl.

2. I once stole my parents truck (when I was 16, but had no license) so that I could go to my friend Heather's house and have dinner with her family and the missionaries.

3. When I was pulling the truck back into the garage, I hit the lawnmower and broke the wheel off. I never told my parents, and my dad actually got blamed for it.

4. I have kissed more boys than I am years old. (actual number is 34) tragic, I know. (I'd give anything to see the look of horror on my mom's face right now!)

5. Once my friends and I were at fundaze and found a roll of fake police tape. We started laughing about all that could be done with something like that. We all bought a roll. It was during the time of high school when I was driving a really large old Ford Truck. We got blankets and went to an area where they were working on the road and stole like 30 road flasher sign thingys (official name) then we covered them with the blankets. We used the police tape and the flashers to close of an entire block in sunset. (the block around our other friends house who didn't want to come hang out with us that night) Then we used the police tape and flashers to tape off their house and traced our bodies in the driveway with chalk.

6. My friends and I were total dorks in high school. It was funny, one thing they enjoyed the most was making me look stupid. They would decide a character ie. accent etc that they wanted me to play. Then they'd dress me up like an idiot and we'd go places and I'd have to be the character. For some reason, I was the only one who ever had to play the character. They said it was because they couldn't do accents.

7. I had a boyfriend who broke up with me because I beat him at a video game.

8. My friends and I used to go "cruisin the vard." I was the loud wacky one of the friends so my official duty was to sit in the window sill of the open window and wave or scream at other cars as we drove by. (I know, so dangerous. If it helps, my friend was inside the car holding my legs...like if I fell, that'd hold me)

9. Last week I looked over at a car as I was at a red light by 12th st. in Ogden. I look over and this guy is....licking the window. I burst out laughing. So he lifted up his shirt and pressed his nipple to the window. It was the strangest thing that has ever happended to me, but I laughed my head off.

10. I secretly worry that I am becoming my mother.

11. I accidentally drank a non-virgin margarita once. It's funny because I'm not even a real "soda" girl. I thought they had put sprite in with the mixer. I kept saying "This is the WEIRDEST Combo for a margarita!" Finally, the giant thing was almost gone and my friend Julia said "Let me try." So she took a gulp and said "That's how margaritas are supposed to taste. It's got boos in it." I was so mortified!

12. I've peed my pants (I was pregnant though)

13. I named my son Logan after wolverine in Xmen. My ex-husband didn't find out until we were watching X-men several months later.

14. I have a weakness for shoes. At my peak, I owned nearly 200 pair. I still love a really cute pair of shoes.

15. If I'm not wearing shorts, chances are, I didn't shave my legs.

16. Once while driving my parents truck, my friends and I got lost somewhere in this stupid neighborhood in Layton. I turned and it was a dead-end. I threw the truck in reverse and drove about a half a block backwards. I didn't see a giant brick mailbox behind me and smashed into it. No one was there and I drove off.
My parents noticed that the bumper was kind of bent later, but could never figure out what happened.

I think that's it.

Pirates and such

2008-11-08T13:54:00.002-07:00

I must explain that dinner in my household was never just a dinner. My dad has the best imagination. We'd be sitting down to dinner and he'd say something crazy like "Let's pretend we're on the U.S.S enterprise" or something equally goofy. As a child, I thought it was magical to pretend we were on a cruise ship or something exotic. As a teenager, I was embarrassed by the nerdiness of my family. Now, he still does this, but I'm completely entertained. Yesterday, my dad came to help me with my car, which has been having some difficulties. I insisted that he stay for my homemade soup and breadsticks. I had served everybody else and was preparing my food as I listened intently to my dad and 3 year old Logan talking.

Dad: "Let's pretend we're on a ship."
Logan: "Yeah, a pirate ship"
Dad: "Ok, a pirate ship. What exactly do pirates do?"
Logan: "Pillage booty."

I laughed my head off. SO funny!

The reasons I rock!

2008-11-07T14:57:00.004-07:00

My friend posted this link to 'Operation Nice' on her blog. It's the coolest site. It's dedicated to encouraging all of us to be a little nicer. One of the challenges was to make a list of all of the things you love about yourself. I thought it was a cool challenge. I must admit, I didn't think it would be as hard as it was.

1.I am a great mommy. 2. I am beautiful. 3. I am pretty dang funny. 4.I have a pretty good singing voice 5. I am a true friend (once someone is my friend, they're my friend forever) 6. I'll do anything for my friends and family 7. I love my smile. It's big and cheesy, but it's mine! 8. I love my eyes. 9. I have a big heart. I have always worried about being nice/hurting feelings. 10. I truly believe that my writing ability is a gift. I love being able to share it for a living. 11. I take cool pictures, and I love doing it. 12. I love to speak in front of people. I don't suck at it either. 13.I have a mind of my own and I know myself. 14. I'm not afraid to say what I think or stand up for what is right. 15. I'm a democrat. 16. I don't judge others 16. I have empathy for how others feel and think 17. I believe in myself and my abilities 18. I trust others, sometimes too much. 19. I believe there is good in all people if you look hard enough. 20. I try to learn from all people and groups that I come in contact with.

Let's talk about poop, baby

2008-11-06T11:40:00.005-07:00

It's never a good morning when the day starts by giving your kids a bath. NEVER. My eyes opened this morning at 6:52, I know this, because I looked at the clock before I noticed the buck-naked child standing at the foot of the bed. I jumped up and grabbed him. I ran into his room and the scene that I discovered was straight out of a horror film.

His bed, sheets, wall...everything was covered in (are you really ready to read this? It's pretty gross!) poo. Yes poo. He had..."fingerpainted" the walls and sadly, his brother who was asleep in the bed adjacent from him. Logan, still lay completely sound asleep as I undressed him. He may have been asleep when he hit the bath water. Both kids were scrubbed, and then scrubbed again, just in case. AAARGH! So disgusting! I just have two questions. Jonah is 20 months and weighs approximately 28 pounds. How on earth is it possible for a child that small to be able to poop his entire body weight in poo? What on earth would possess such a small child to finger paint with it??? (both are rhetorical, no answers necessary) The tragedy of it all is that in the move to Grandma Glanville's house, only two crib sheets made it here, the other one is dirty because he pulled his diaper off and peed on it yesterday, good frickin' grief. So today (and everyday from here on forward) Jonah is wearing overalls. (the kind with no snaps in the legs)

Halloween and some extra fluff

2008-11-04T08:25:00.004-07:00

I must start out by apologizing that it has taken so long for me to post about Halloween. I've been distracted.
I have the best daddy on the face of the earth. As amazing as he is as a dad, he's an even better "Pa pa." Halloween started with me going to do a follow up about a story I truly loved. I'll post links to the story when it comes out. Around noon, my dad called and said "Bring the boys over around 3:30, I think we should go to Chuck E. Cheese." So we did the Chuck E. Cheese thing. The boys were in heaven. They loved it.

After that, we took the kids to show Layton their halloween costumes and then my dad and I took them trick or treating around my parents neighborhood.

Now that would have been a fun night, but my dad is utterly dedicated to making happy memories. This is the same man who marched us around the neighborhood playing musical instraments and playing "The star spangled banner" on a portable cassette player while waving a flag so we could have our own parade. I hardly think the typical walk door to door is going to be adequate. So...my dad hooks his trailer to the back of the 4-wheeler to give the boys "hayrides." It was SO funny. Jonah kept screaming "Woo hoo."
Now...that would have been the perfect night, had dad not accidentally hit his bishops giant suburban with the 4-wheeler (which by the way is NOT street legal).
Then it started to rain.
So our trick or treating was cut a little short, luckily we had already covered a lot of ground, thanks largely to the 4-wheeler and the "magic" hayrides.

I think the turn of events Halloween night has kind of jinxed me the rest of the week. Sunday night, I was driving home from my parents house, but I decided to take the freeway instead of my normal "riverdale road route." I must say, riverdale road is like the armpit of Utah. So I'm driving a long at 60 mph and all of the sudden, my car slows to 40. I had it floored...40 was the fastest that it would go. I thought to myself "What the frick!" my second thought was "Dodge sucks" Not more than 10 seconds later, my tire blows out. the car wiggled, and jerked and it felt like it was going to roll. It didn't, but it was so frightening. My dad came to help me...he put the spare on while I sat in his nice warm car.
Yesterday, I had to go take the coversheet for my paysheets into work. They were really late and I was in a hurry to get them there. I went to the bank and cashed my checks. Then I drove to the Standard-Examiner.
I got there no problem. On the way out of the parking lot my car sighs a giant heave and then....runs out of gas. Super. I called my mom, well david answered. I said to him "Is mom there?" He grunted some sort of inaudiable response which I understood to be "No."
Lauralee: "Where is she?"
David: "Dentist."
Lauralee: "I need help, I ran out of gas."
David: "Why are you so stupid?"
Lauralee: "Will you please help me."
David: "Call her cell phone."
Click.(the sound of the phone disconnecting)

So I am standing next to my car in the middle of nowhere and I started thinking about how absolutely screwed I was.

I must explain, I have an awesome boyfriend. He is so great! He works graves and it's one of those rules. "Don't call before 3 p.m." If it had been noon, it may have been forgivable, but at 9 am, he'd probably only been sleeping for a few hours. I was stuck though, so I called him. He was there within 10 minutes. He took me to the gas station. I get there and go inside to buy a $15 gas can (you know, the ones they sell at Walmart for $5?) I come outside and fill it up with gas and the frickin' can had a hole in the bottom. So I run inside to "exchange" the stupid can for one without a giant hole in the bottom. We finally get the gas in the can..and he takes me back to the parking lot. Now, I try to pour it into my gas tank...and it starts to gush all over the ground and my hands. It took two of us, one to pull the lever, and one to pour to actually get the gas in there. Tragic.

So I'm still driving on a donut (When I say that, Logan says 'Doughnuts are for eating, silly momma') and I could use a change in luck, lol.

Buffalo Roundup

2008-10-30T19:06:00.007-06:00

Last week, I took the boys to a buffalo roundup with grandma and grandpa. It was really fun. I just haven't had a chance to post the pictures yet. (I've been sick)
Here are some of the awesome pics I took there.

Takin some time

2008-10-23T20:54:00.002-06:00

During the last few weeks, my parents have taken the kids to all of these fun little places and sent me some of the cutest frickin' pictures. (All which took place while I was in school) I have meant to post them, so I will at the end of this. After a lot of thought, I realized that now is not the time for me to be in school. My boys need to have memories with their mommy, so I am taking some time off from school. There will be time later, if not...I'll survive.

Today, I should have had school, but I have the new found freedom of doing whatever the heck I want on Wednesday and Thursday. Pretty awesome. Logan was missing his daddy. He cried and cried. SO, we went to go visit daddy. I played with my dogs for a good hour or so while Layton played with the kids. I discovered, I miss my Lewis and Clark! (dogs) Lewis instantly jumped into my arms. I wish I had a place that I could take them at least on short visits. It was so fun to play with them.

Things that drive me CRAZY!!!

2008-10-17T18:51:00.002-06:00

Ok, I've got to say that I've never understood the concept of "limitted time" anything. You would think that if something is successful, if the general public wants it, then a business should offer it all of the time. It makes sense right? Well, a good example of this is the orange creme shake at Arby's. This was at Arby's last year and I became completely and utterly addicted, just in time for them to discontinue it. The withdrawls were brutal. I didn't eat there for an entire year. Not until I saw the giant signs advertising my luscious shake. I love that shake. Well, I pull into Arby's the other night and order my shake. They tell me it's discontinued. WHAT IN THE CRAP! Then the girl says "We do have strawberry shakes" Um, what? I want orange creme! GRR. I've decided that all food I like is limitted time. A few years back lays had a potato chip that was "Dill" I loved that chip. Well they discontinued these chips and brought out this pickle chip that is a combo of salt and vinegar chips and my dill chips. Not so good. I just don't understand in our economy, why a company would remove popular items from their menu. A moderate example of this is the McRib sandwhich, and while I have never tasted the pressed pretend rib sandwich, others rave about it. Why...if it's so darn good, is it taken off the menu! Give me my dang orange creme shake back!!!! Take the McRib and the dill pickle chips, the eggnog shakes, and cherry cordial hershey's kisses. All I want is my freakin' Orange Creme shake...Oh the withdrawls!

Hover Technique

2008-10-17T01:18:00.005-06:00

Ok, I'll admit it, I'm kind of a freak. As a result of my short career as a CNA, there are certain things that completely germ me out. One of them is a public restroom. To top off my already crappy day yesterday, I get to school (so late) as a result of the warrant that I had to get discharged or whatever. I get to school and my first thought is "Dang it, I need to pee." Now, inspite of being well versed in the "hover technique" where you don't actually rest your bottom on the toilet seat, I still hate using a public restroom, so I thought to myself, "Eh, it's only 3 more hours, I can hold it." Well, 20 minutes into class, I realized that my bladder was not going to be able to hold up for another 2 hours 40 minutes. I get into the orange 70's themed women's bathroom and make a nest of toilet paper on the seat, just incase my hover technque is flawed...and incase there was a chance my bottom could make contact with the toilet seat below. I pull my pants down and then it happened. Nearly $1.50 in change and my cell phone flew out of my pocket and onto the bathroom floor. I actually screamed. Now, honestly the handfull of change was not worth it to me, as I left it sitting in the middle of the nastiness known as the bathroom floor. I did take a peice of toilet paper and wrap it around said "bathroom floor cell phone" the dang thing is a LG phone (like iphone) and was over $300, so hardly disposable. I used a piece of toilet paper to pick it up. I wrapped it in the paper and used hand sanitizer to wipe it down when I got to class. My teacher was totally mocking me when he said, "I have some alcohol wipes in my desk, would you like a few?" I said "YES!" SO then I wiped the phone down with those..but every time I use it now, I feel like there are nasty MRSA (staph) bugs crawling on my face. My friend Traci called while I was in class, and I related my story and told her I felt like I needed to use hand sanitizer to wipe down my face. She laughed and said "That's weird." So today, I got a text message from Traci that made me laugh. All it said was "I dropped my cell phone on the floor in the bathroom today and I thought of you." I sent her a text back that said "What did you do?" her reply "Nothing, who cares" The tragedy is...I do. (and if she decides to use them, I have a ready supply of alcohol wipes)

Worst episode ever!

2008-10-15T19:41:00.002-06:00

Ok...today started out fabulously. I noticed the postman about noon and went to the door to get the mail. (I don't know why I care, all it ever is filled with is bills). I always love getting the mail. I was hoping that it was my year for that elusive "publisher clearing house prize." No such luck. I noticed that the only mail there was from the city of South Ogden. It was from the court. For a moment I worried that I was being summoned for something to do with the kids or something else. Well, it was just a kind letter to inform me that there was a warrant for my arrest. Super.
Now let me explain. I got a ticket a couple of weeks ago. What can I say, I was in a hurry to get home for a date. Well, the cop...who was only doing his job, was a big jerkface and threw the book at me. (No drivers license, no proof of insurance, 18 over the speed limit, and no front lisence plate) So, I called the court and the ticket was like $180. Good frickin' grief. I went to court and the judge cut it in half and said that I needed to bring proof of insurance, driver's license and proof I fixed my front lisence plate. SO...I do that. I got proof of insurance from my insurance company and took my stupid driver's lisence in. I get to the office and the lady says to me "No, that paper is not acceptable, your agent needs to fax us this information." So I call my agent and he agrees to fax the info. I call the city of South Ogden and the idiot ladies are like "Why don't you just bring it down?" and I told her than I was told that it had to be faxed by my agent. The lady said "I don't know who told you that, but they were wrong." So I asked if there was any rule against having it faxed and she said it would be ok if my agent faxed it.
So my agent faxes the proof of insurance to them yet again. Then this notice of a bench warrant comes today stating that I never attempted to prove that I had insurance.

My thought was "Are they kidding me? I did it three times!!!" SO I had to miss half of school to go to court and fight this stupid thing. I got up there and there were 4 other cases (of approximately 10) in which they had never recieved faxed information. How dumb is that city? They double their workload by employing incompitent workers and then try to issue me a $75 fee to take care of the warrant for their stupidness. GRR! Give me a break!

Blahg

2008-10-15T07:24:00.002-06:00

SO...All is well in the land of Lauralee. Jonah is walking so well now. He's such a little monkey. Logan is full of the same funniness. Some of the cutest things he's said this week are as follows.

(the day of the snow storm)
Logan: "Where's Jonah?"
Me: "Sleeping."
Logan: "He wants to come out of his room and see the morning."

Logan: "Look momma, Santa brought us some snow."

Logan (to Jonah): "You're such a little treasure."

They make me laugh.
It's back to school tonight.

On to other news...Logan has decided he absolutely can not be a dinosaur for halloween. He has decided that the only thing he can be is....batman. I HATE licensed costumes. SO boring and cliche'. ARGH! I will most likely cave (like a bat) and let him be batman...but, a dinosaur is cuter!

SIGH...The saga continues again

2008-10-09T18:00:00.001-06:00

SO...I was changing the background on my blog...and in typical Lauralee form, I forgot to write down all of my friends so...if you're missing from my list...please let me know!!!!

Little Punkins

2008-10-09T12:18:00.004-06:00

While I was in school my mom and dad took the boys to a pumpkin patch to pick out their pumpkins. These are some of the pictures that they took! SO cute!!

ALSO...why is it that I only have three followers of my blog???

Random Thoughts

2008-10-08T18:47:00.000-06:00

I remember when life was simpler. I remember our first microwave. The first CD player my parents bought (it actually had a built in record player), my first album, which was actually a tape (the monkees greatest hits) even our first computer. What did we do before all of that? I'm not really sure how we managed to survive, but somehow we did. I have just realized in the past month or so a few very important things.

1. Though very wonderful to have, cable tv is no substitution for a DVD player
2. I will be buying a DVD player very shortly.

Just thought I'd share.

As for school (which is where I am right now, wasting lots of time) I passed off another section tonight, just one more section and a final project and I am done. Not done done. But done with the class "Graphic Design Applications." (That's enough to make me giddy!)