Sunday funnies

There is a fine line between being really nice and getting taken advantage of.. and I think my boys are a little too nice because they are constantly getting walked all over on the play ground. They aren't bold enough to tell people like it is because they are afraid of being rude. So, we were having a conversation about what you do when someone is not being kind-- and how you can approach them without causing a fight. I asked them what they should do if someone cut in front of them in line after they had been patiently waiting their turn.

Luke responded with, "We should tell them to go to the back of the line."

Ben said, "I would not let them butt in front of me unless they were poor or FAT or ugly."

I am pretty sure that is written in the scriptures somewhere, Benny..... we should ALWAYS be kind to those who aren't as good looking as we are. Bless those meek souls who happen to be at the bottom of the gene pool.
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Aaron was teaching a simple lesson about the tower of Babel and asking the kids why it wasn't wise to try to build a tower to heaven. They seemed to know all the right answers until Aaron asked, "What do we need to do in order to go to heaven."

Luke, rather nonchalantly said, "All I need to do is DIE."

Totally true... until he turns 8, that is.

old man potty mouth

I slept in this morning and missed the long run that I committed to do every Saturday.. and had to make up for it on a treadmill. I would much rather run outside, but oh well. I happened to be running next to an old man who I've seen several times at the gym. He doesn't exactly run, but I give him props for showing up and working out. He is probably in his 60's and wears the same pair of light blue jeans and tight white t-shirt. I am not kidding-- he wears jeans every time he works out. (Sara and Emilee-- you know the man I am talking about and can confirm the outfit.)

He seems like a pleasant man and usually says hi. Today he seemed pretty grumpy and was intensely watching the TV. The NCAA tournament highlights were on ESPN and after a few scores were posted, he starts swearing up a storm. He was so worked up that he had to get off the treadmill because he couldn't concentrate. And when I say he was swearing, that means that he was saying everything including the Mother of all swear words. I was totally shocked (and so grateful that I had my ipod to smother some of the profanities..) But where were his manners? Didn't he realize that he was in the presence of a lady? I mean, I can understand an immature teenager getting carried away with his mouth, but not a man his age. Hasn't he learned anything all these years? It so disappointing to see adults (much older than me!) who don't know who to behave in public. I almost said something to him like "EXCUSE ME! Don't you realize that I am 2 feet away from you and I don't personally like those words that you just yelled?" But, quite frankly, I was afraid of him and decided to keep my mouth shut and my eyes on the TV.

My guess is that he was betting big money on a certain team to go all the way in the NCAA tournament and he just found out they didn't advance. I would be mad too if I lost a fortune... maybe he bet his whole house or his wife's wedding ring. Either that or he has Turrets Syndrome and just can't control himself. ?

naps are frequent in this house..

we are trying to sleep off our sickness... so naps are back in style.

If only my kids had comfortable beds to sleep in.......

lunch time has never been so much fun.

THANKS for the chocolate milk straws, Grandmother!

Brandy's birthday present

(click on the image to see it close up)
this was my first official project on photoshop.
Brandy's is poster-size and nicely framed
and she loved it--just as I predicted she would.

I chalked up another point for daughter in law of the year.. jk.


They were here.
We ate delicious coconut cream pie.
And then they left.
It wasn't long enough.

my mother in law is better than yours.

Happy, Happy Birthday Brandy Dear!

Brandy is thoughtful, considerate and kind ♥ She's proper and sophisticated ♥ She's a party animal ♥ She is hard working and knows how to get'r done ♥ She collects cool rocks- (Luke's contribution.) ♥ She invites all kinds of odd people over for holidays-- she doesn't want anyone feeling left out and always has a table full of random people! ♥ She attributes her children's athleticism to her days as a captain of her volleyball team (this one is from Aaron!) ♥ She sends packages and cards for EVERY holiday (or occasion) and my kids get SO excited when they see their Grandmother's handwriting ♥ She taught her children how to clean well. I am so grateful that my husband is such a neat freak! ♥ She likes to stay up late and talk.. even though her husband is ready for bed hours before! ♥ She occasionally swears, but only in certain rooms ♥ She is the Jello queen has a mold for every occasion under the sun ♥ She is a supportive wife and is always there for her hubby ♥ She wants brown grandbabies... and I am determined to get her one.. (by adopting, of course)-- since all of her kids married whiteys. ♥ She's a convert to the church--baptized at age 18 ♥ Her parents later converted and was able to be sealed to them before they died ♥ She can't talk about her parents without getting teary-eyed ♥ She reminds us that her parents sent Ben to us on their wedding anniversary! ♥ She raised 5 beautiful children and sent her boys on missions ♥ She's the best president to ever hit the Primary! ♥ She grows a mean garden ♥ She's an expert at moving ♥ She looks like she's turning 36-- (Ben's estimate.) ♥ But she really does look that young (and she is very young at heart!!) ♥ Everyone mistakes us for sisters and once someone asked if she just returned from her mission... she replied with, "I am a Grandmother!" ♥ She is the BEST Gran-BUTTER in the world (what Zack calls her) ♥ She's Brandy and she's always right!! ♥ She is MY mother-in-law.. and more importantly, my example and friend! ♥

101 reasons why my life sucks.

Ever since Enchanted was released, I have had several (and when I say several, I mean 7) unrelated people tell me that I remind them of the positive red-headed princess Giselle. She likes to use her hands when she talks and seems as though she just popped out of a Hallmark card. At first, I took this as a compliment because she is cute and just so likable. Aaron now uses the term "Gisellyness" to describe my optimism and imitates everything I say in a sweet little princess voice. Kind of funny, but not so much.
The more I think about it.. the more I don't like this comparison. I consider myself to be a very REAL person and do not live in la-la land. I have problems and issues and I like to connect with others who have real problems and issues. I know those people who are ALWAYS fine and dandy and I don't like to talk to them or want to be their friend. So--just to prove that I am nothing like this fairytale princess, here is a list of reasons why it sucks to be me.

■ My kids have been sick since the beginning of time.

■ We weren't able to attend church on Easter.. because we're sickos.

■ I wasn't able to dress my boys in the yellow vests and ties that I love and that are only for Easter Sunday.

■ We weren't able to hear the Sacrament meeting music program that Ben was supposed to sing in.

■ I wasn't able to wear my new Easter dress to church-- the one that I didn't buy because I wasn't able to go shopping because my kids were all sick.

■ The neighborhood potluck that I planned for Easter didn't happen because we slept all day.

■ The weather is beautiful-- (and by beautiful, I mean sunny, breezy and in the high 70's..) and we are NOT out enjoying it!

■ I really am a bad homeschooling mom as of late. We don't do anything fun because we're all sick-- (I know, I know... I use that excuse for everything!)

■ I had a much anticipated doctor's appointment yesterday and since my kids aren't feeling well, I couldn't exactly ask someone else to watch them. "Can my really sick kids come over and make your kids really sick?" is not what you say to your newly made friends.

■ I don't live by any family-- the kind that will come over when you really need someone to watch your sick kids.

■ My husband, who has already missed a ton of work because HE was/is sick, can't come home and watch the kids who only want to stay home and sleep.

■ I had to take my kids to the appointment with me.. (and they were excellent.. but this is a list of why my life sucks, not why I am blessed, so I scratch that.)

■ The rheumatologist, who is a specialist in rheumatoid arthritis, doesn't speak great English... like the rest of the medical field in Las Vegas.

■ Even though I tested positive for both RA and lupus, he doesn’t think I have either.

■ He doesn't know what I have, and he's pretty sure it's something that he cannot help me with.

■ He asked me several times if I am a heavy drinker. (and by several, I mean 5) The last two times I told him yes.. I drink a LOT of water.

■ He did not think I was funny.

■ He sent me home with a prescription for Prozac. I definitely didn't need it before I went into his office, but I might need it now.

■ I had to pay $$ to a doctor who doesn't speak English and who told me nothing useful-- except something about a drug that might help me, but it's NOT LEGAL in this country.

■ I totally sucked it up on my NCAA bracket. I wanted Duke to go all the way, and apparently they didn’t come to play. My husband is doing really well... [like always] and wants to rub it in my face, but since my life already sucks so bad, he has decided not to talk about it.

■ Our laptop crashed.. we saved all the files, but I still really miss it.

■ Someone (and by someone, I mean Brandy-Blue) had a dream about me and thought I was 6'5".. which goes to show that the kids at my elementary school were right to nickname me the Jolly Giant.

■ Every house that we are looking to buy here in Vegas has a backyard the size of a small sandbox.

■ Even though my husband has a job and he makes a good living, we still don't have any money. How does this happen? It's totally depressing!

■ My blog book that I have been working on for about a month has been mysteriously corrupted.

■ After countless hours of dealing with the company to try to fix the book (which was almost ready to print) I was finally told I should start over.

■ My husband thinks I am on the computer all day blogging, when I am really dealing with my stupid book.

■ My kids don't want me on the computer either because they are sick and they want me to lay by them and watch Zathura.

■ I don't like movies about things that blow up, and that's all we watch in this house... that and Yo Gabba Gabba--

■ The characters on Yo Gabba Gabba never blow up and I really wish they would.

■ My "clever" attempt to make my blog private is no longer working for me..

■ Blogspot only allows you to invite 100 people to read your private blog.. there are several more people who asked for invites. And by several, I mean 35.

■ My kids might get stolen over my decision to make my blog public again.

■ My husband is NOT on the list of 135 people invited.. and neither are my immediate family members.. they never asked for an invite and obviously don’t read my blog.

■ I don't live close to my family. Did I already say that? Well, it's worth another mentioning.

■ I am training for a 1/2 marathon and I hate running.

■ I have gained several pounds since the beginning of the year. (and by several, I mean 10) and none of it is pregnancy weight :(

■ Since November, I have been working out 4-6 times per week.. but my body doesn't care! I really think something is wrong with me.

■ I have several loads of laundry to do.. and by several, I mean 78.

■ My house is a mess.

■ My in-laws are coming tomorrow.

After that depressing list, the "Gisellyness" in me cannot help but share a few blessings that I have.. but I only a few—

1) My kids are sick and that makes them very cuddly and sweet.

2)My husband is the best guy around and loves me despite my rollercoaster emotions.

3) Not having chronic illness is always a good thing.

4) My in-laws are coming tomorrow!!

Yo Gabba, Gabba and Kelly Rippa..

I know that I have Easter weekend news to report, but it's rather depressing.

I am SHOCKED because even after ALL the chocolate we ate this weekend,
we are STILL sick! I just don't get it! ?

but before I get to that, I have a couple of important questions that need answered first.

# 1 Why is YO GABBA GABBA even airing on TV... and WHY do kids like it? Is this another TeleTubbies craze or what? Seriously, I HATE this show and cringe every time it's on, but for some odd reason, my kids love it.. even Ben and Luke who are too old for Dora or Sesame Street. I mean, I can only imagine a group of people sitting around in a conference room discussing this show:

"The name of the show has GOT to be Yo Gabba Gabba.. if it's anything else, it will just seem so--- sophisticated."

"And a skinny black gay man in a bright [skin tight!] orange outfit should be the host.. and he will be more appealing if wearing a fuzzy florescent hat... "

"Yes.. I totally agree and he also should look like he's needs a training bra."

"And the songs should be SO annoying that not only the kids will be singing them, but the parents will have them stuck in their heads all day."

"It's unanimous.. this show is going to be a total hit!"

AND SOMEHOW IT IS! I swear, I have been singing, "DON'T, Don't, don't bite your friends!!" for three days straight. and my kids have never had issues with biting!

If you don't know what I am talking about... then don't get Nickelodeon because somehow it magically sucks in your kids and has them hypnotized. But if you need to see a bit of DJ Lance, there here is a few annoying seconds for your pleasure... but don't let your kids see because they will be begging for more! HUGS!

And #2--
For the past week, I have been dreaming about Kelly Rippa. We are usually at the pool or hanging out at the park with our kids. Towards the end of every dream, I get annoyed that she is trying too hard to be my friend.. and I usually end up saying to her, "Back off, Kelly! I am just a person!!!" I wake up feeling frustrated because Geez! she should get a life of her own! ya know?

For all you dream interpreters out there, what does this mean? I watch Regis and Kelly like once a month and that's usually because they bring back the Bachelor to talk about why he didn't chose the right girl. So why would I feel like Kelly is obsessed with me? I am really looking forward to your input.

P.S. I am so glad I have you to discuss these topics with because my husband doesn't feel like talking about anything in the morning.. especially my dreams. I am sure he is thanking you from the bottom of his heart...

egg-cited

despite our disastrous morning, we were still able to do a bit of easter egg coloring. and even though the pictures don't prove it, Little Z was a part of the activity... I just wish he was able to participate while wearing a straight jacket. he only managed to crack 5 eggs and spill ONE cup of coloring.. (none of which hit the carpet.) and THAT, my dear friends, equals success.

spring, spring, spring!

Even though I am cooped up in the house with sick kids, I am still celebrating the first day of spring. I am blasting Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and dancing to all the songs. Yes, I am singing, "Spring, Spring, SPRING!" from the rooftops. If you're not familiar with the song, it's high time you watch the movie again. I am LOVING this warm weather and can't wait to break out the swim gear. Don't worry, I will wait until my boys' fevers break.

But even more exciting to me than the first day of spring is... the NCAA tourney. That's right, ladies. I heart March Madness and my bracket is filled out. Anyone want to place bets? Let the games begin!

the plague

What is going on with the WORLD being so sick? I am so sick of being sick! Luckily, I do not have it as bad as the rest of my family, but enough already!!!! I don't think I have EVER seen Aaron this out of it. He seriously hasn't moved in two days. Hope his firm doesn't mind. And all three of my boys are sick as dogs. Their temperatures are sky rocketing and they are completely motionless.. I feel so bad because today we had two different Easter parties to go to. The boys have been counting down the days and now they are sleeping through it. Oh well... hopefully they will feel better soon--

A few things I have learned the past couple of days:

1) You can NEVER have too much cold medicine on hand.. our family has downed several bottles of Nyquil, Robitussin, Tylenol cold... you name it. I am stalking up next time it goes on sale because without it, we would be REALLY miserable.

2) Owning the movie Enchanted is the best thing that has happened to us.... I cannot count how many times we've watched it the past two days and even though we're sick, we are belting out the happy tunes. It's the only princess show my boys will sit and watch and it's absolutely fabulous. Every time McDreamy goes in for the true love's kiss, both Ben and Luke cover their eyes and say, "Tell us when the GROSS part is over!!" and I always tell them it's over before it really is. Why didn't I see this when it was in the theatre? Probably because I am outnumbered by testosterone and never get to vote! Oh-- and you tell me. Is it bad that my family thinks I talk like Giselle? I don't think I live in a fairytale land... but maybe I need to be a little less animated. Gotta lover her, though.

3) I am the QUEEN of smoothie making. My kids don't want ANYTHING to eat except for smoothies. And I have been experimenting like crazy. Right now we are drinking a delicious mix of Dole Orange/Mango juice with blueberries, peaches, banana, KALE (like spinach.. can be found in the produce isle), a bottle of baby food butternut squash, ice and a scoop of triple green powder. It's delicious AND healthy--and my kids are begging for more. I feel like yelling "GOTCHA!" after they drink it... but I don't. I just smile inside.

kid quotes

It's been a while since I've written down funny things the kids have said... and I waited so long that I forgot half of it!! Don't you hate when that happens? Anyway, here are a few conversations that I DO happen to remember from the last couple of weeks....

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While driving home a few days ago, Ben spotted a license plate from a state that is on their "need to see" list. Luke was bummed about not spotting it first and said something to Ben...

I laughed when I overheard Ben say, "You, my friend, are having ONE hard day!"
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I was in the kitchen cooking something when Luke yells down the stairs: "Mom, how do you spell Transformers?"

Me: T-R-A-N-S

Luke: Okay, wait.. T-R-A-N-S.... T-R-A-N-S..... T-R-A-N-S

Then I hear his little feet running down the hall... a minute later, he said: Now what comes after TRANS?

It took us three different transactions to get through the word. I thought we were finished when he yelled down: Now, how do you spell website?

Me: What are you doing up there?

Luke: I am googling something.

Me: You're what?

Luke: (this time really slow and drawn out) I am GOOGLING something. You know.. like typing something on the computer?

At first I smiled, but then I got to thinking.... is it time for a parental control block on our computer?? I don't think I am ready for that yet!
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I took all three boys to the grocery store and while checking out, I ordered 6 cases of water (it was on sale, okay?) The checker lady called out to an old man to help me load it and take it to the car. She said, "Gary, can you come over here?" Zack was sitting in the front of the cart and yelled loud enough for the whole store to hear... "GARY! GARY! HELP!! GARY!"

When the old guy finally came to meet us, Zack smiled and said, "Hi Gary!" Ben and Luke thought it was the funniest thing ever and have randomly been calling each other "Gary" when they feel like being silly. I love hearing them giggle over something like that. And of course, now Zack thinks he's hilarious any time he says anything..
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I have been working out pretty consistently since the new year...(It's been 4-5 days a week- except for my week in Utah with Karlin's kids..) I used to go early and work out (5:15 am) so I could do it before Aaron left.. but the girls in my ward started a work out group that meets at the church three days a week.. and it's nice to sleep in a little. However, I am having issues with my older boys staying in the gym while we exercise.. they really like going to the church, but would rather be roaming the halls or playing "school" in a classroom by themselves. I usually have a discussion with them every time we go about staying where I can see them. Ben really wanted to know WHY I have to see him all the time and I responded with something like, "Somebody might come in the church and take you without me ever knowing you were missing."

He rolled his eyes at me and said, "Duh mom. Don't you know that bad people don't even go NEAR churches?" If only life was that simple, Ben.

And a couple of days ago, I stuck my head out the door of the gym and said, "Boys, I really need you to stay in here." Ben was just coming out of the bathroom and was SO annoyed by me.. he said, "Fine mom, but there's not exactly a toilet in there!"

I don't think he's trying to be disrespectful, but it's like I already have a teenager who's talking back.. and he's only 6.... what am I going to do in a ten years?

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While playing hide and go seek for FHE, it was Zack's turn to count. He usually yells out random numbers and the quickly says, "ready, here I come!" But last week he counted all the way to ELEVEN without any help! I was so proud of him. The next day I tried to get it on film and he wouldn't have anything to do with it. After about three attempts, I knew he wasn't going to cooperate, but I still tried. I said, "Zacky, will you please count for me?"

He got a really mad and yelled, "OCHO, NUEVE, DIEZ!" I just cracked up at that! As if speaking Spanish was going to get me off his back! He is quite the character.
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The other day, I had Luke clean up his pile of never ending paperwork. He had a big stack and had to organize it into throw aways or keepers. This always takes him forever because he thinks he should keep everything.. so I give him a garbage can and let him do his thing. A few minutes later, I overheard him saying this:

I certainly want to keep this!

I certainly do NOT want to keep this!

I certainly want to keep this!

I don't care what he does with his papers.... as long as he's CERTAIN.
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Zack is talking in complete sentences and his voice is so cute. Recently, he has been adding a Y on everything.. Of course, Ben and Luke have always been Benny and Lukey. But now blanket = blanky, milk = milky, etc, etc, etc. It's so funny to hear him add it on everything.. couchy, spoony, forky, chapsticky, car seaty, booky ... I don't get it, but I am enjoying it while it lasts.
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Ben has been spending all of his art time making his own birthday party invitations and I find it so entertaining. He has probably made somewhere around 20-30 invites and has given them to random friends who stop by the house or at church... oh, did I forget to mention that his birthday is in JULY?? Yeah, apparently he's a bit anxious to turn seven. There have been several different versions.. but I thought I would scan one in just for keepsakes. I don't really mind that he hands them out, but I have to make sure to talk to the parents afterward... and I usually say something like, "Make sure to mark your calendar!"

The front of the card:
(those balls are actually balloons, but their strings didn't show up in the scan..
and notice that he's very accurate about making seven of them.)

Inside the card:
Again, seven candles on the cake..
I told him that I can't commit to a time yet because it's so far in advance,
so he decided that 2 hours would be enough info...)

Now... just so you know, this is actually Aaron's cell phone number...
please DO NOT CALL if you need help.
well, I guess you can if it's a REAL emergency..
(but only after you've called 911.)

Happy St. Patty's Day

Our kids are so excited about holidays and I love it... but Aaron is cursing me for getting them so worked up! They were up bright and early pinching me before I got dressed.. too bad they only make white garments!... Ben and Luke were really careful about what they wore to bed last night. and Zack didn't have any green in his pj's (due to poor planning.) They were quick to pinch little Z and he was SO mad! He kept saying, "NO PINCH ZACKY!" We finally got green on him to solve the problem. Ben was trying to be tricky and wear green only on his underwear so that people would pinch him and he could get them back ten fold. But finally decided to put on a red shirt with a little green.. so he didn't have to SHOW everyone his undies just to prove he really was wearing green. I remember as a little girl, my best St. Patrick's day EVER was when I wore a pink shirt, jeans and a secret CTR ring that threw everyone off! What I would give to be a little kid again.....

We headed to the church bright and early for our MWF workout group and today was circuit training. It's good to get out in the morning and the kids love running around in the gym.. I am still sore from Saturday's run, but it feels so good! Circuit training is always tough. We do 2 minutes at 10 different stations (sit-ups, jump rope, lunges, etc.) and we go around the circle twice-- so it's a 40 minute work out and I am always exhausted by the end. Today we happened to have a family from our ward walking through the church and they hung out in the gym for a bit to check us out. We were just laughing while doing our squats! Brother Bond ended up snapping pictures of us and he emailed this to me.

Right after the work out, we headed to the Chao's house (fellow homeschoolers) for a St. Patrick's Day party and boy- was it fun!!

They had their house decorated with green balloons and crate paper and gave all the kids clover stickers (I was lucky enough to get two for earrings!) We decorated cup cakes with green candy and washed it down with green koolaid. And even though the kids were too busy playing transformers to play the St. Patty games she had planned, the mom's learned some cool facts about the Irish holiday.......

• St. Patrick is not from Ireland. He was born in England. At the age of 16, he was kidnapped by a band of pirates and sold into Irish slavery. He was able to escape and return home to England. Later in his life, he had a vision to return to Ireland and do missionary work. He spent about 30 years building churches and spreading the Christian faith there. It is believed that he died on March 17 in the year 461 AD.

• St. Patrick used the clover as a teaching tool to represent the Godhead... Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost. Until the 1970's it was a religious holiday and NO PUBS were open on St. Patrick's day. Hmm...

• In the United States, it's customary to wear green on St. Patrick's Day. But in Ireland, green is considered to be UNLUCKY. Irish folklore states that green is the favorite color of the fairies who come to steal children who wear too much green. Another hmm...

A few other interesting facts:

• According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 34 million United States residents claim Irish ancestry, or nearly ten times the entire population of Ireland today, which stands at 3.9 million.

• Chicago is famous for dyeing the Chicago River green on St. Patrick's Day. The tradition began in 1962, when a pipe fitters union—with the permission of the mayor—poured a hundred pounds (45 kilograms) of green vegetable dye into the river. (On the job, the workers often use colored dyes to track illegal sewage dumping.) Today only 40 pounds (18 kilograms) of dye are used, enough to turn the river green for several hours. More people are likely to view the Chicago River on St. Patrick's Day than on any other day.

• One study shows that there are about 10,000 three leaf clovers for every ONE lucky four leaf clover. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the highest number of leaves found on a clover is 14!

After a good long nap in the afternoon, we went to Russ and Denett's for dinner and an awesome Easter FHE lesson. Our kids were totally hyper from all the candy and cupcakes earlier.. so it was a little crazy, but fun. We had some good laughs and are glad to have such great neighbors! It's only 8:00 pm, but it feels much later! Goodnight and top of the mornin' to ya!

let the training begin!

So today was the first day of training... Kelly, Kate, Rachel and I will be running
the Bryce Canyon HALF MARATHON in July
and we were up bright and early this morning!

Five miles (well, actually only 4.5 miles) kicked our butts-- I cannot imagine going THIRTEEN, but we will get there--especially under Jane's training! She is prego and won't be running, but she was there to cheer us on this morning... with water and gatorade at the mile marks.. what a great coach! I am so glad she talked us into doing this!

This is us halfway through... and was taken right after Rachel took a nap on the pavement! It was cold this morning and we needed earmuffs. But we are motivated and will be looking hot and sexy in our bikini's this summer after our intense training! I am really so excited to be doing this-- especially with such crazy, fun girls! And my new running shoes are awesome!!

a day of firsts...

Today I got my first pedicure and my first pair of official running shoes!

Jane and I had a child free morning and it was blissful! We started a babysitting co-op group in our ward and now have time to get out without the kiddos! We watched Oprah and The Price as Right as our feet soaked in warm, bubbly water... and they came out looking glamorous!

I love sweet Jane!

After a day like today, my feet could NOT be happier!
(they are the ones on the top, by the way...
I am still laughing at Jane and I trying to take this shot with her cute little prego belly keeping us from getting any closer! And she did the quote too. I just stole the pictures from her blog!)

charlie bit me

I saw this on Ellen the other day and totally cracked up. Just thought I would spread the joy.

NECKED

This kid is seriously an animal. I cannot keep his clothes on for anything! He is always stripping down and then saying, "Uh-Oh, mommy!" as though it was some kind of accident. He is getting really good at unzipping zippers and unsnapping buttons under his shirts. Once the clothes are off, the diaper soon follows. And he lives up to his nickname "the animal" when he pees on my newly cleaned carpet! Seriously! What am I going to do with this child?

The other day, I had just put him down for a nap and went to clean up lunch. A few minutes later, I hear little footsteps coming down the stairs.. and his little voice say over and over, "Oh my goodness! Oh my GOODNESS!" Of course I knew he had done something wrong. I found him striking a pose on the stairs just like so. I know I am encouraging him by laughing, but how can you not? I doubt he will think it's very funny when I start duct taping his clothes on... do I have other alternatives?

ps. doesn't his head look unusually large for his skinny little body? I think it's better proportioned with clothes on.

What's in a name

This week's TTA topic is What's in a name?

My mom was a big fan (and still is) of Lawrence Welk. She loved the Lennon sisters who were frequently on that show, and the youngest sister is named Janet. I have never really liked my name.. it's seems so old fashion. But ever since reading Jane Eyre, I've liked it more. When Mr. Rochester tells Jane how he really feels about her, he calls her Janet because it's a more intimate form of Jane (and I love the name Jane.)

The story is that my grandma Roma was trying to convince my parents to name me Celeste (after my dad, who's name is Les) but they didn't like it. Sometime I wish they would have... I could totally pull off Celeste.

I love my middle name Lee. It is also Aaron's grandmother's name and his mother's middle name. I would love to pass it onto a daughter... someday.

What Janet Means

You are fair, honest, and logical. You are a natural leader, and people respect you. You never give up, and you will succeed... even if it takes you a hundred tries. You are rational enough to see every part of a problem. You are great at giving other people advice. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are a seeker. You often find yourself restless - and you have a lot of questions about life. You tend to travel often, to fairly random locations. You're most comfortable when you're far away from home. You are quite passionate and easily tempted. Your impulses sometimes get you into trouble.

more pictures with Cody and Jakey