Creation

I don't claim to be very creative. In fact, I find myself looking to others to even spark creations in my head. However, our latest creation could not have been inspired by others--this one took some effort and patience on mine and Russ' behalf. May we introduce to you whom Grace has deemed "Baby Rhino" ... Coming to pictures on blog November 4th. Yes we are preggers!! We are three months along and I am already feeling big, gulp. Gracie's only stipulation to the joyous event is that (and I quote), "It better be a girl, I am thinking in my brain it will be a girl!" We think she is pre-planning a soriorty for later years.

Both our children have come as such a wonderful surprise in our lives, we are humbled yet again.

Is this how you sleep?

These past few days I feel as though I sleep like this ... I wake up and it is as if I never had gone to bed. Oh can I mention that my hair looks like I have had my head stuck out the window of a moving train, oh so pretty.The best part of it all is that the hairdo gives my sweetie a great laugh in the morning. Wonder why I can't sleep.

V Day ... be prepared!!

V day is almost here !!!! Why not make this Valentines Day one to remember. Here are a few ideas that I thought were unique and fun. Remember this year Valentines is on a Saturday so you have all day with your sweetheart:

• Borrow a puppy and walk around the park with hot chocolate
• Rent a tandem bike and ride it at the beach or park
• Fly a Kite
• Build a fort and do "it" (after the kids are asleep of course)
• Challenge eachother to find a song that reminds you of the other and share the lyrics over dinner. Sounds cheesy but I promise it is cool. Print the lyrics and frame them for your bedroom.
• Gondola ride at the beach http://www.gondolacompany.com/
• Sunset picnic with chocolate covered strawberries
• Cut up a bunch of hearts and for every heart put I love you more than ... sleeping in, pedicures, warm days etc.
• Or just do "it". :)

Share your ideas I would love to hear them!!! Have a fun rememberable Valentines day this year I am sure the Mister will love it.

2009 New year, new changes, new me

Happy New Year!!! Are you making New Year's Resolutions?

Mine = Kiss Russ ten times a day. Bring back old fashion love. Get on the ground and play with my child more. Grow a baby or adopt whichever happens first. Photography. Dress like a french woman. Grow my hair out. Get back to my natural hair color (gulp). Read books in bed. Make fabulous Sunday dinners. Care less about my critics. Get over my fear of public speaking. Write more letters and get off the email train thus including thank-you notes. Take morning walks. Plant a garden. Decrease my ecological footprint. Hang out with someone new at least once a month. Kick sugar to the curb. Learn one fabulous word every other day. Get in touch with my hispanic roots by learning the language. Save more money. Travel.

Gracieisms

"Daddy, why is Gagie-goo sick, do his tonsticles hurt?"

This comes after we tell her that her friend Gage has tonsillitis.

I love the funny things kids say, share yours with me so I can laugh some more.

Photography New Years Resolution

Okay so I have a bazillion yes you read that right BAZILLION new years resolutions this year but the one I want to pay special attention to in this post is my resolution to get my dang photography up and going. I have been saying this for a few years now and this is the year. So with that that in mind I am calling on the help of all my dear sweet friends and family to help me with a name. I am not super cheesy so please keep that in mind. My future photo business will be for individual portraints, family portraits, toddler, infant pregnancy you get the jist, please keep that in mind as well. The winner will get an awesome prize mailed to them!! Goodluck, be creative and have fun with it!!

My heart is full

My cup runneth over, I have yet to pin point the reason for this overwhelming feeling- maybe it is the season, maybe it is my husbands amazing ability to take care of me just so, perhaps it was because my child smiled at me when she woke up or simply a combination of all of thee above. All I know is I want to remember these things, I want to always feel this feeling of gratefulness to be here enjoying life with my sweetness and little boogs. The family I have created means the world to me and I don't want it to go without saying how much joy you fill it with.

Latest Adventures ... (Post by Grace)

Just a little update on the goings on here in SD.

My mom and dad found a rope swing that I love--can you tell by the smile on my face?

Halloween was a blast with my cousin Masser -Masser man and my beastie Miss Star. Mason was a turtle and I was a Utes cheerleader and Miss Star was a Mermaid. My mom said, "No," to the cheerleading outfit--guess who won? Mason lives close to me so I get to see him a lot. I love it and I know mom and dad love seeing Uncle Stevers and Aunt Lizzard, too. I like to watch out for Mason so that he doesn't get hurt. I think my care and concern stresses my mom out--she says I am bossy with him.

We moved again. I love my new house but not the stairs--they make my legs tired so I usually cry at the bottom of them until someone carries me up. It makes my mom say "e-gads" a lot.

We have a park by our house that shoots water out of the ground so kids can run through it, and a BIG grassy hill that you can roll down on your side. Can you believe that even in November we are able to run outside in our swimsuits?

Lastly, my new favorite joy in life is ballons. We let them go after we play with them because "Uncle Rory likes them."

Santa is coming soon so I better go do good girl stuff so he visits me ... ciao for now.

why I love three

I Three year old's ...

Turns out that two isn't so terrible, truly three has it over two as far as the terrible category is concerned. I guess it is not so much that it is "terrible" as much as it is "trying". I have taken it upon myself to "interview"moms with three year old's to see if three is as "trying" for them as it is for me. I would say 4 out of 5 moms agreed. The most common response is "I loved two, they were fun and went along with anything you said, not three." or "oh the drama of a three year old, where to start." So here is a top ten list why I love three year old's.

10. The sudden lack of remembering they are potty trained. Thus includes peeing pants while standing in front of the potty at Unlce John's house and the occasional walk of shame around the corner, tears flowing , pants wet and a cute little friend announcing the obvious

"Miss. Tommi I think Gwacie peed her pants."

9. "Mommy, I am done going potty come wipe me"

8. While styling the misses hair finding a chunk of it missing. When asked did you cut your hair she responds "no" when asked again she says " yes, I think I did but not today." Oh great that makes it easier to pull your hair up in ponytails.

7. "Can I sleep in your bed, I think mine is not yours." Oh yes, every night would be a sleep over if I didn't enjoy sleeping so much.

6. The sudden urge to undress and run around naked especially when you have ten minutes to get somewhere and you just got them ready.

5. Sentences that don't make sense: " I'm calling a j number for a j number for today is Sunday" HUH?

4. Walking on the counters as if they were sidewalks. This usually occurs when I am cooking so you can imagine the horror, hot food + clumsy footed toddler = stress.

3. It really should be phrased the "Honesty of a three year old" not two, THREE. "Mom I think you breathe stinks. " Mom, I think your bum bum is big." By the way this never happens at home it is always in public for the pure enjoyment of strangers.

2. I want Grammie or Grandma Kathy or my favorit Aunt Kenni (my sister) just anyone other than this monster of a mother who is trying to keep me out of harms way.

1. And the number one reason I love three year old's ... Drama, Drama and more Drama. Everything is dramatic from eating breakfast to taking a bath to explaining why she doesn't want to eat strawberries or simply going down the slide

Three is fun but it is certainly trying!!! Goodluck to anyone with a child under three, your day is coming. I say the only comfort in being in this boat is that every parent goes through it!!!

Utah Man Sir, Utah Man Am I!!

Our Utah trip provided more than just catching up with family members and fall weather, by fluke our Brother and Sis in law (Jen & Dan) were able to muster us up some Utes tickets. My husband is generally a pretty happy guy but you haven't seen happy on Russ's face until you have seen him at a Utes game. Not only were we able to go to the game but we were also able to call it a date. You haven't seen happy on my face until I get a babysitter I can trust, my wonderful mom took the misses which is a rare occasion being that we live far from the comforts and conveniences of home. The game did not dissapoint either, we couldn't have asked for a better showing from our team!! Thanks again to the Purdies it was a blast to be there!! Ma' you rock, I know you had a ton going on that day to!!

the long and winding road ...

My oldest brothers is some what of a saint to me. Not only has he experienced some major pitfalls in life but through most of it he has been able to lift his head high and overcome them. I had the opportunity to stay with him during my trip to Utah and I have a renewed sense of hope and understanding. So here is a nod to my hero of a big bro John.

Ever since we were little John was kind of a pest to me he would follow me around being sure to latch on to my social scene. He always made sure to pester me an shove my face in my birthday cake or for no good reason smack me and pretend nothing happened while I got my butt chewed out for being a whiner. As a thank you to me for allowing such behavior from a sibling he would make sure I made it to my classes safely (I had a tendency to cry a lot when at school), that the neighborhood bully Matt (that I egged on from time to time) would remember his place, remind me of the benefits of keeping the rules in mom and dad's house and my most favorite characteristic ... no matter the cost John was always bruttely honest with me from my hair to my life choices.


At the young age of 21 John suffered injuries from a snowboarding accident that has since then left him quadriplegic. I remember our families first reaction "of all the people for this to happen to." It seemed that 21 should be a highlight of a boys life. John instead was learning how to breathe on his own again, taking in the teaching of how to maneuver a wheelchair with his head an simply just how to bend his fingers. There is a bright side of all this hardship. Through it all John has learned about the incredible powers of personal strength and self worth by overcoming the odds . John lives on his own, graduated from SLCC college (first of our family) and hopes to return to get his teaching degree. He currently works at an elementary school teaching under privilages kids. Above all this he is an awesome Uncle to my little one. He has shown her so much diversity and love for all things different in life. I love that because of him my child does not gauk or wonder why we are all so different she just excepts it.

You never realize why you are dealt the trials you are but John has shown us how to overcome them and embrace them for they are truly stepping stones to learn from. I love you John-John, thanks for the memories. Incase you are wondering about the picture, we had the opportunity of playing BINGO with the residents in his apartment building, who would have thought bingo would be so much fun!!

My Besties ... I got to see my most favorite girls in the world while I was up in Utah last week!! I never get to see both of my cousins but this time we got to hang just like old times. I have watched these two girls grow up and they are not only cousins but truly my bestest buds. I just love them and their fun energy!!!

Megan (to my left) is the sweetest person you will ever meet in your life, truly a gem. She has the most contagious laugh in the world.

Kathryn (to my right) is and always will be the strongest woman on the planet. She has so much strength and courage. She is always up for fun and makes me laugh so hard I pee my pants.

I love you my besties, I miss all our hang out times and the laughter you bring to my life!!!

There was an old lady ...

While driving in the car reading "there was an old lady who swallowed a bat," to Gracie Ann
(halloween version of "old lady who swallowed a spider")
Grace kindly (uh-hmm) said "excuse me mom and dad, you have to say her hampster died."
Those of you who know this song know that the true version is
"Perhaps she'll die"
Our new favorite version of an old time classic.

Cleanin up the bod ...

I wise man once said "sugar is of the devil" Scott Poehlman 2007. Being sugars numero uno fanito (don't all Spanish words end in "ito") had decided that my dear sweet friend friend Scott was full of crap, I made it my mission to eat it in front of him every chance I got ... ask his wife Heidi. What can I say "I like a me some sweets." I have been trying to kick the sugar train entirely, with little success. Than my Sis in-law posted her diet challenge and it has given me a renewed energy to get healthy and fertile,(thanks Jenners).With that said I am here to tell you that I am truly going to jump on the campaign against sugar. That's right kids, I am going to give up sugar.

I read a book called "The Eat Clean Diet Book". Wait lets back track a bit to where I found this book. I have an older sister who does fitness competitions. Before the competitions my sister gave birth to two babies and was a carb-o-sugar fanatic. She gave up all "evil" foods and eats six clean meals a day. I have watched her body transform into this mega power house of sorts that I have come to idolize (might be the little sister syndrome left in me), she looks fabulous. I see her reading oxygen magazine, I think she may have even sold her soul to golds gym being that she is there every morning diligently. Every fitness competition I go to I see her body transform even more. I wouldn't be playing my roll as little sis if I didn't run out and by a subscription of Oxygen magazine and adopt all okay well some of her gym practices. It was there within the pages of Oxygen magazine that I came across this new diet book. I am against diets, I think most of them are fades. However this eat clean thing didn't appear to be a diet but more a lifestyle. Here I thought it was all in the workouts, but really your physical and mental physic is 80% diet and 20% physical activity. So I have been trying it bit by bit to sort of ease myself into this new lifestyle with little to no success on the sugar end of things. I have come to realize something about myself, in order for me to be successful I have to be thrown into the fiery pits, I have to be pushed not gently placed.

• With all of this said I have committed my heart and soul to this new eating lifestyle. Be gone sugar demon hello fibrous ,vitamin packed food angel. This will be a challenge but I am anxious to see the change not only in my physical appearance but my mental one as well. Here are my guide lines:
• No sugar.
  
• No Carbonated drinks.
  
• Six small meals a day. 3 main meals, 3 healthy snacks
  
• Can't eat after 8.
  
• Water, Water, Water.
  
• Gym Six times a week (3 lifting days, 3 Cardio days).
  
• Less tv more outdoor activities.
  
• Pack Clean Healthy Snacks wherever I go.
  

Look for clean eating recipes on the following food blog. http://goodfoodstuff.blogspot.com/ don't be decieved though not all the recipes on this blog are clean eating recipes I will mark the ones that are clean eating. In closing I welcome joiners, supporters and feed back. If you are struggling with weight, fertility, fatigue and cravings please come and be free of the sugar demon with me.

What I like about you ...

These are the top qualities of my favorite people in MY life that define contentment...

One- They rarely say bad things about others. Even when the group is gossiping or meddling in other peoples business, they sit quietly or chime in with something nice to say about that person.

Two- They live simply. They aren’t filling their lives with fluff and circumstance. They appreciate beautiful things but don’t need every single one of those beautiful things. They are living in the world, but are not of the world.

Three- They care very little about what others think about them- they know who they are, they’re self worth, and that God loves them… this is all that matters.

Four- They make me feel happy and joyful after spending time with them. I know that I can act or say something stupid and I won’t be kicking myself afterwards because they are quick to forgive me and see past my faults.

Five- I learn from them. There are wonderful moments where new thoughts, ideas, or worlds are opened up to me.

Six- They make me want to be a better person. They inspire me to develop my talents and aspire to greater things.

Seven- They care very little about what social interactions others are busy with, and are happy when others succeed. They aren’t filled with jealousy and don’t compare themselves to others because they are busy with their own friendships and relationships, and they are grateful for all that they have.

Eight- They make me to want to make good choices.

Nine- It’s not all about them. They are not self absorbed or always changing the subject to talk about their accomplishments or “Debbie Downer” woes.

Ten- They are hard workers. They are not idle and lazy. They use every precious moment to its fullest- whether its working, cleaning, playing, or meditating.

Eleven- They see the simple joys in life and make me laugh.

Twelve- They serve. There are times when no one knows all that they do because they don't boost or brag when they give back. Giving comes naturally.

Thirteen- They glow with the light of goodness. They have an inner beauty that radiates and attracts people to them.