My Present

I would just like to give a shout out to SNL for giving my husband such a creative idea for my Christmas Present. That's right folks, he followed the advice of Ryan Sandburg and Justin Timberlake. If you haven't seen the video clip-just go to youtube. You will find it and even if you don't want to admit it you will think it is funny. Thank you babe that was thoughtful.
Ang

Vote

This is our family Christmas Picture. I can't decide. Tell me your favorite.

Kite Runner

So I know that I am probably one of the last people on earth to read this book but I just finished and I am completely "haunted" by it. WOW. In California I started a book club with some friends and forced them to choose this book as the first. We then moved and I didn't really pick it up until the other day. Since I declared a readathon and drove Seth nuts by doing my usual OCD reading routine. That's the problem for me and books, I can't seem to put them down, I just want to finish. I get obsessed with finishing and talking about the book. So much so that I drive people crazy. Anyway....I am an emotional person but not with books. I am pretty good at detaching myself from the characters and I rarely cry. I think the last book I cried was "Where the Red Fern Grows" but I was 8 and those were different times. This book however made me stop and sob several times. I don't want to go into details because I want a certain member of my family to read the book but each "sad part" (for lack of better words) hurt me on a different level. At the end I wanted to call Mrs. Bestor and ask if I could write a book report just for fun. Great book, EVERYONE should read it.

Post Script: When I reread my post I couldn't read "just for fun" without the Nacho Libre accent. (Thanks honey)
.

Motherboy

I love the show Arrested Development, may it RIP. One of my favorite episodes is called "Motherboy". I laughed in disgust and disbelief as I watched the silly antics of Buster and his mother's relationship. My son Carson is now 4 years old and although I laughed and made fun of their relationship I now find myself having a similar relationship with Carson (minus the zip up). I am obsessed with Carson! I love all three of my children equally but Carson has a very special place in my heart and I think it is because he is my Motherboy. My mom always favored my brother Sam but I now realize that it is because he is her motherboy. Thus there is a new word out there friends-"Motherboy" a new term meaning "favorite son".

Halloween Drugs

So we enjoyed a great Halloween the other day but now my kids are acting like drug addicts. All they can think about is candy!!! I always thought my mom lacked so much holiday spirit because she hated Halloween but now I know why!! Even little Sophie freaks out when she sees the bright orange trick-or-treat bucket. We have to hide the candy and they use all these tricky tactics to get us to tell them where the buckets are. I just took away a sucker from Sophie and she is laying on the ground screaming as if I took away her life force. Carson went to a Halloween party last weekend and the next day at church we look over and he is going to town eating all this candy he stuffed in his pockets. Isabella and her friends have to get their stashes when they play with each other....I am at the point where I just want to surrender the candy and make them eat it until the vomit. That is good parenting.

Bangs

My husband and I rarely fight about things. It is a nice blessing. We agree on most movies, politics, music...but there is a major source of contention in our relationship-bangs. Seth HATES my bangs. When I first cut them he told me, "If we weren't married and just dating I would break up with you because I hate your bangs." I am sorry honey but the 80's are back and bangs are big. We haven't even scratched the surface of how big and crazy things are going to get.

Decisions

This is going to be a more serious post. Details aside, my husband and I have been making a lot of "big decisions" lately. I shouldn't say "making" them but pondering different choices, life paths, ect. It has made me realize that I hate being a grown-up. I hate thinking about real life scenarios and playing out in my mind what may happen with a certain choice or what won't happen. Basically a year ago next week my husband walked out of a recruitment interview glowing. He actually ended up at the meeting by accident. He had signed up to go but didn't want cancel last minute so he gave it a chance. What had happened as a mistake ended up becoming our choice. It was against any planning we had originally had but it felt right. We were reassured that we would be taken care of but now with the market downturn here in Southern California we find ourselves yet again looking for what direction we should take. We have done all the things we usually do when we make decisions but we don't feel specific about anything. It has all made us wonder why we came out here. We LOVE Orange County and our friends here but is that enough to stay? I am not looking for answers just venting that we may never know why things happen or why our decisions that seemed so right blow up in our faces. It is official now after reading my post that I am Debbie the Downer but I wish my choices now were which flavor of ice cream I wanted at the BYU creamery.

Words that are out of style

I just thought I would list a few words that are out of style. It is my goal to use these words as often as possible to see if I am a trend setter. Add to the list if you desire:
1.Fine. "Brad Pitt is so fine!"
2.Boss. "That motorcycle is boss."
3.The Bomb. "BYU is the bomb."
4.Check ya. "Check ya later."
5.Out. "Come on Seth, we're out." (As in "let's leave")
6.Peeps. "I totally know her, she is one of my peeps."
7."Let's roll". "Get the keys, let's roll on outta here."
8."Gag me with a spoon"
9."You got it dude". (It just isn't funny anymore, making fun of those Olsen gals).
10."Cut it out" (with actions)

So the last two are totally Full House knock offs. I have come to realize that Full House has gone full circle. It was funny to say those phrases to make fun of the show but now it is played out. Anyway, I'm out. Check ya later peeps.


One more thing, I officially deem, "Stop this rhyming now I mean it, anybody want a peanut" lame and out of style. It is not funny anymore.

Fun at the Spectrum

Sophie is a little Diva. I went to get her pictures taken today and she wouldn't smile for any of them. I left without buying one single picture. We played in the fountain and there were plenty of smiles. I am so excited too because right behind these fountains they are putting in H & M.

The Mini Van Debate

Yes, I am sure there are a million posts that are dedicated to the mini van but I have such a strong opinion on the matter that I thought it was time to let my voice be heard. A few years ago I would be that girl in the Chuck E. Cheese parking lot telling all her other mom friends that she wouldn't be caught dead in a mini van. "Only a SUV for me thank you," I would say and laugh as I watched some other mom pack her kids in her Toyota Sienna. I learned my lesson the hard way. When Seth and I found out we were expecting our third baby we realized that the Mazda 626 just wouldn't cut it. A full row of carseats just wouldn't work so we started looking around for our SUV. We finally settled on a Durango. It was a great SUV. It was a limited edition R/T engine. (I have no idea for what that means but I think it means that the vehicle had balls, big ones.) The first few days I loved driving around looking all cool in my big SUV. Nevermind that I had to use a freaking step stool to get in I was enjoying my youth with 2 1/2 kids in tow. I looked so cool, or did I? A couple weeks and $250 in gas later I hit a huge realization. I was not cool anymore. This car was never going to drive into the OHS parking lot. It was never going to cruise main in Spanish Fork. This Dodge Durango was only going to see days full of dropping kids off, trips to the park, the occasional diaper change in the car and maybe even a little vomit after a long road trip to grandma's house. Besides the gas factor it was a pain in the butt to buckle the kids in their carseats and it had NO cargo space with the third row up. Once you have 2+ kids no one says things like, "Look at that really cool mom, she drives a Tahoe" or "Look at that really lame mom, she drives a Ford Windstar." With this sudden light bulb Seth and I decided to trade in the Durango and get a Mazda MPV. I love it. I have never been happier with any other vehicle. It gets good gas mileage, it is easy to drive, the kids are comfortable...the list goes on and on.

"You've got your hands full"

I have 3 kids under the age of 6. Not that strange in Utah but here in California I am somewhat of a novelty. Everywhere I go I get comments. We attract a lot of attention because a)my children are gorgeous and b)I am gorgeous and finally c)my kids can be kind of crazy. I really don't go anywhere with all three in tow. I usually save errands for when my husband is home or just take the younger two when big sister is in school. I don't mind the attention until I get my the phrase, "You've got your hands full". What the hell is that supposed to mean? I guarantee I hear this every single time I have my kids with me at least once. The next time I hear I think I am going to go crazy and just rip one back like, "You have your hands empty! You chose not to have any kids and you will die alone." or "Too bad your puppy that is dressed like a human isn't a human and you are crazy". (I will add a few colorful profanities in-between these comebacks.) Moral of this story: Don't ever say "You've got your hands full" to anyone because it might be me and you will get a nasty comeback. Besides its not even good grammar.

Ode to Christina

I have to admit it, Christina Aguilera is amazing! I know a lot of people clump her into the Britney and Jessica group but I am here to tell you that she stands above the rest. I went to work the other morning and we listened to her new album before we opened. As soon as I came home I downloaded it from itunes. Although some of the songs cannot be played in my mini-van ("Still Dirrty" and "Nasty Naughty Boy") I dare say that it is the best female vocal album I have heard since Fiona Apple's "Tidal". I know a lot of people don't appreciate her style but after listening to this album I don't know how anyone could say she isn't talented. I am going to stop now because this blog entry sounds like I am in Junior High, but I mean it Christina, you rock.

$

To $- (my significant other)
Happy Birthday! Here are the Top 10 reasons I love you:
10. Lets face it, I really didn't see myself marrying a "jock". But, my goodness, body is A+++. (You're not really the "typical jock").
9. You get my jokes. I get your jokes.
8. The 3 sex trophies rule. (isabella, carson, and sophie)
7. You secretly want to be in a play.
6. "The Pimp Hand"? C'mon babe, you know who wears the pants.
5. You deal with the fact that I always round down with money.
4. We can read each others minds. E.T. and Elliott forever.
3. OCD rules!
2. You think I look hot without make-up. Bless your heart.
1. Ladies, I hate to break it to you, but I married the greatest man that ever lived, you might not know this but he's a really big deal. I am the Luckiest. I LOVE YOU $!
A

PS
I don't get many things right the first time
In fact, I am told that a lot
Now I know all the wrong turns, the stumbles and falls
Brought me here

And where was I before the day
That I first saw your lovely face?
Now I see it everyday
And I know

That I am
I am
I am
The luckiest

What if I'd been born fifty years before you
In a house on a street where you lived?
Maybe I'd be outside as you passed on your bike
Would I know?

And in a white sea of eyes
I see one pair that I recognize
And I know

That I am
I am
I am
The luckiest

I love you more than I have ever found a way to say to you

Next door there's an old man who lived to his nineties
And one day passed away in his sleep
And his wife; she stayed for a couple of days
And passed away

I'm sorry, I know that's a strange way to tell you that I know we belong
That I know

That I am
I am
I am
The luckiest

How about getting a tattoo instead?

Isabella wants a cell phone! What is wrong with world? I finally agreed to let her use an old phone we had to "pretend" with. She carries it around pretending to chat with friends and text message. She is only 6. I think I can blame it all on Disney. Shows like "Lizzie Maguire", "Hannah Montanna", and my personal favorite, "That's so Raven" are raising up a generation of divas. Watch out for the attack of the "tweens".

The Haircut

So I finally let Seth cut Carson's hair. I don't know what it is with me and his hair. I love it long, he looks like a little surfer. BUT when Seth started calling him Florence Henderson I knew it was time. Usually I go through feelings of regret when we cut his hair but after his haircut he kept saying things like, "I don't look like a girl!" and "I can see!". He is such a little stud.

Our Little Princess Sophia

Sophia loves her crown. She wears it all the time. She loves for us to look at her and say, "You are such a pretty princess!" It is hilarious. She also loves her little cow she got from Grandma, that is always with her.

Star Sighting

So, I'm watching Playhouse Disney with the kids and see my friend Alisa on television! Psych. Its not her, but I was so convinced that I had to look it up and make sure it wasn't her. The address below will take you to the disney website.
http://disney.go.com/disneychannel/playhouse/choochoosoul/index.html

New pictures of Sophie and Carson

Just had these pictures taken.....Isabella's will be done as soon as school starts...My kids are so cute.

Some may think my life is boring

Some may think my life is boring. Besides moonlighting at Pottery Barn a few times a week, I am a stay-at-home mom. My days are filled with snacks, crafting, diapers, naps (not for me, I wish), the park, the pool, the library, yadda, yadda, yadda.....but the other day as I was sitting by my son Carson (4) building sandcastles at the beach I realized that I live the good life. Seriously, what working person out there wouldn't want to trade my days of rewarding activities with kids for their long stressful days at the paper shuffling factory? True, I might have to deal with a tantrum now and then but I get to eat lunch at Costco and take as long as I want. There is no 1 hour lunch break for me. The whole day can be a lunch break if I choose. I am not trying to downplay to role of motherhood by any means but my life is great.