27.1.10

Nice Things



I just read an awesome post on another blog and decided to do my own version. I wasn't going to blog about any of this because believe it or not, I'm a private person when it comes to some things. But I think this is a good opportunity to say thank you, in an unconventional sort of way.
This Christmas was a bit stressful for us financially, so Steve and I agreed not to get anything for each other, but we'll plan something later in the year to make up for it- no big deal. Inevitably, things that I wanted did pop into my head, but I didn't tell a soul. Really, not one person, I'm sure I would've blogged about it! These were just my own "oh it would be nice to have this or that" kind of thoughts. So here's an explanation of the above pix.

#1-HIPPO: For our kids' first Christmases we always make them a bear at Build-A-Bear. So this was basically the only thing we were getting Brynlee since she's so little and lacks the coordination to really play with anything. Besides, we have too many toys! But I did feel bad that it was the only thing she was getting. So we pick her bear and start the process of stuffing, etc... At the critical stage of doing the heart pledge, the store manager comes over to tell us we get to have this adorable blue hippo for free, thanks to a kind man, who bought two and told the manager to "Give this one to the next baby that comes in, and ask their parents to pay-it-forward". Lucky us, on Christmas Eve we were basically the last customers and ONLY BABY that had been in the store that whole day!
#2- WATCH: I have this problem since I've had children and it's the inability to be on time for anything, or to even know what time or day it is. So in my mind one day, while breastfeeding and wondering how long until naptime for a certain child over age one, I thought to myself, man I wish I had a watch! FFWD In Steve's family all the grown-up kids do a gift exchange and my BIL had asked me what I wanted and vice versa. So I knew I was getting a gift card so I could get myself some clothes that fit this oddly shaped mess of post-baby body. What I didn't know was that he had also gotten me a watch that tells me the TIME and DAY!
#3- SALON QUALITY HAIR PRODUCTS: I know I know, how vain. But honestly I need a haircut SO BAD(ask Tara), and until I get one, I thought to myself, at least my hair could smell half decent and be shiny. And salon quality hair products have magical powers that can transform my needy mane into something to be envied. Enter my MIL- my husband can vouch for me on this one, I rarely ask her for anything, so you know I wasn't asking for this. So Christmas day comes and I'm pulling things out of my Santa Sack and can you guess what I found inside? If you can't, I urge you to view the above pictures one more time!
Question from http://blog.cjanerun.com/
What is the nicest thing someone has done for you?

I am pretty sure that it's safe to say that the nicest thing "someone" has done for me would be to answer my "head thoughts" at a time when I wasn't comfortable to share them with Steve or anyone else. The whole experience actually strengthened my testimony that we DO have a Heavenly Father who hears and answers prayers said out loud or quietly in our hearts. I KNOW He is mindful of me, and my rather ridiculous needs. I'm so happy that the people who helped Him help me, were in a place where, when the thought popped into their heads, they went with it, for whatever reason. I don't know that any of them will ever fully realize how greatly their gifts to me this Christmas impacted my life. I am so SO grateful for the nice things I have received and to know that my Heavenly Father loves me.

18.1.10

Just A Few Pix

Bryn's blessing day and Kalea being Mommy's Helper


Christmas Eve jammies and bedtime


Christmas Morning, Kalea as topless Santa & Brynlee meeting Duke


Ready for church- didn't get one of Bryn in her Christmas dress that morning
Playing in the snow & eating an Oreo- she's now going on a sugar free diet :)


Giving Bryn loves= wet slobbery kisses, at least her mouth was closed
Bryn is all smiles all the time it's so awesome.
Practicing "cobra pose" for yoga- she's a fit baby!


I feel bad that we haven't been able to get many pix up lately- trust me I've taken tons. Just seems like I don't have the same time to post as I did when it was just me and Kalea. So enjoy these ones, and we'll get some more up soon!

1.1.10

FRESH

I love the beginning of a new year, resolutions and all. It's strange to think that not only are we ending a year, but beginning a whole new decade?! Ten years of my life just left their markings on a few journal pages and flew right off into the time capsule. Let's review some of the highlights...
  1. The Year 2000(ooh ahhh)-'01: turned 16; moved back to Sh.Park; learned to drive without hitting anything- but for those who were wondering, I drove the wrong way down a one-way street and survived to write about it :)
  2. 2002: graduated high school; traveled for a glorious summer month; enjoyed an un-parented week in Panorama with Becky, Liv and of course Mandy & Troy- our adult supervision; endured working at Denny's to save for my classes at G-Mac
  3. '03-'05: Met a boy in a "skirt"; went to school alternating semesters of working, learning and then doing both at the same time- wouldn't recommend that torture; NCMO'd my way through YSA- not hugely proud of that, but it is what it is; avoided being "set-up" with skirtboy, then found myself hugely interested and took a chance; fam moved to Calgary- not to be closer to skirtboy, but it worked for the relationship; took a mini-vacay to Disneyland with my brother- it was our first sibling trip sans parents and it was really fun; went snowboarding for the first and last (so far) time
  4. '06-'09: Taught Gospel Doctrine classes in my YSA ward- yikes; endured some less than fun parental counsel sessions; fled to Utah; enjoyed Utah & California- did not enjoy being broken down on a highway just outside of "DEATH VALLEY, NEVADA"- I believe the temp was 116F when we passed the sign; found an awesome job at a chiro office; got engaged to skirtboy; married skirtboy; visited Utah for a cousins wedding & our first cross border roadtrip; had a baby; moved in with the in-laws and all of us survived; started a blog;found out we were having ANOTHER baby; turned 25; found a townhouse to call home; had fun with the cousins at our first reunion; had a baby!
A lot happens in 10yrs. I'm looking forward to watching my girls grow up in the next 10, being a little more fearless and focussing more on developing my "mom-skills". I'm just realizing that I really grew up in the last 10, maybe this next 10 will be more about growing outward and doing more for others? Something to think about I guess :)
I raise my glass of yummy sparkling grapefruit ginger ale to you and yours.
Here's to a fresh 2010!