My Bubby turned 1.

And I turned a little more than 1.  Hopefully the year's growth in me isn't as obvious as it is with my Squish.  The top picture was courtesy of Desisto Digitals, obviously...and that doesn't seem that long ago.  You all saw my fabulous Jeffrey's post dedicated to how wonderful I am.  ;)  I honestly hate putting anything up after he does that, though.  It just makes me so happy to read about how great he thinks I am on any given day. And to see your wishes for a happy birthday to me--well, it just makes for some good reading.  Ahh.   See how much Syd means to me?  I'm giving all that up.  For her.  

So my little Squid is now a year old.  Oooh how I love my Bubby-Boo.  I'm a little sad that this time has come, and so quickly.  She's only been here with us for a little over 12 months, but somehow she's completely assimilated herself into our little family.  She's bossy and gassy and grabby, and grumbly...but no matter what she does, she's our baby.  She's waited on, and catered to, and spoiled rotten.  And she's a brat...the biggest brat by far of my babies.  But for some reason, this is acceptable to all of us.  This is her "thing", or the niche that she fills in our family.  Needless to say, we all have fallen in love with her.  And she takes full advantage.  

We went to Pirate Island Pizza.  We'd never been before, and no, the fact that Sydney only turned a year old didn't escape me, I knew that she wouldn't get much more out of it than some bites of pizza, but I wanted Riley and Cole to have some stuff to do, too.  We had my sister and brother and his wife come with us, as well.  Which I was happy that they braved the cold night, and came to keep us company.  And Jess had to tell me that our waiter was faking a pirate accent.  Which, I was glad that he did, because I wasn't very keen on the fakeness of it...and could very easily see me asking where he was from later on.  And then when he would have said "Provo", or "West Jordan", I would have felt incredibly dumb.   On a different topic, I need to give Muff props as last month she surprised me and Syd by making this cute little skirt.  And Sydney loved it--she'd be so completely pissed when I would take it off of her.

So it was fun, I thought.  We just ate dinner and then played at the arcade.  The kids had something to do, and so did Jeff, and I had a babysitter for Syd, (her aunt Gabby) and got to visit with my brother and sister.  It was a nice night.  I wished Lora would have been there, but that's how it goes when you're adults and have to live where you can work and such, I suppose.  Btw, Riley and Cole and Jeff won me some super cool items, and I'll treasure them for pretty much ever.  I mean, what can't you do with a five inch tall pirate bear?  Exaaaaaactly.   

After the eating and the winning and the gifts for Syd--some really cute cars and some balloons, and a blanket that she hasn't put down, we all went home.  I always wondered as a kid why my mom got so completely stressed about kid birthday parties.  Now I know.  Even when they go well, they are just a lot of work.  I had stressed about it all day, and Muff and Jeff helped me a lot.  And I didn't even have to do any cooking or entertaining or anything.  I think that it was just going out and getting out of my pajamas, or something.  

Then it was time for MY presents.  I got the new Super Mario Brothers Wii game.  And fyi...I love it.  I'm not much of a video game player, but it's a different story with the classics.  And I got some jewels, and some clothing, and some music...and I got to play with all my new toys before bed.  It was a good birthday. 

And Syd had fun, too, I think.  But like I said, she's a big brat...so maybe all of her complaining wasn't as good-natured as I led myself to believe.  But one thing IS for certain...Jeff and these little people we created are my very best friends.  They make me laugh harder and love stronger than I knew to be possible.  And I'm a lucky, lucky 27 year old.  Again. 

Happy Birthday! -- by Jeff

Yes that's right Rainey's birthday is today. She's officially 27 (wink, wink). I would like to take this opportunity to gush about my wonderful wife. (I mean come on, check out how hot she is!)

When you get married, and you're newly in love you think, it doesn't get much better than this... It can't possibly get much better than this, right? Wrong! This is the 11th birthday I've spent with Rainey and I tell you it just keeps getting better and better. Every year I find new things to love about her. I thought that probably that light she has inside her would have dulled, if just a little, over the years. It hasn't. If anything it's brightened. The things she is capable of, the way she makes me feel... it's throat closing, eyes watering, chest bursting fantastic! I am so proud of who she has become and so excited to see who she will yet be. She continues to surprise me and challenge me. She is my best friend always and forever. She is one of those people that everyone want's to be around and believe me I know how lucky I am to be the one who she spends the most of her time with. I know to how lucky my kids are that they also get to share that time with her.

She's come along way in the past year. Realizing what makes her happy and what's most important. My life would be a pitiful shadow of what it is now if it weren't for her. I am thankful every day that I have her by my side. Happy Birthday Rain. I love you. You deserve everything I can give, and so much more.

Oh, yeah... and Happy Birthday Story.

Dear Lady,

You saw me headed to the service counter with my three paltry items.  Yet you STILL had to hurry and cut in front of me with your eight bags of returns and your two "missing" receipts.  I have decided that I hate you.  And I'm totally listening to your superficial cell-phone conversation, mocking the subject matter and silently telling everyone that it's YOUR fault we've all been standing here for 45 minutes.  Guess what?  They hate you, too. 

Happy Fricking Holidays. 

Giving Thanks, Part 2.

I've been blissfully happy, lately.  I don't know why, and as a pessimist, I have learned to not question the good stuff, because it comes so rarely.  But life has been really good for me.  And not that it isn't most of the time, but personally, I've never felt as self-assured, or as "in control" as I have of late.  I was reminded by my sister-in-law, Kassie, about how miserable we both were last year at this time.  How I was limited to best rest--and though some days it sounds like the best thing ever, after you've slept a couple hours and are bored to death, you immediately know that bed rest is nothing more than boooooriiiiing.  And the pregnancy part was felt every second of every day and night, and I couldn't eat good stuff, and I missed out on the Black Friday sales, and Jeff had to go in my place, and there was family drama...as there always is, but the worse kind that seems to show its ugly face around the holidays.  
This year, none of that is happening. (Or if it is, I'm not taking part). I'm really thankful for it.  I know that those are things everyone usually has to deal with...but I was really worried that when the holidays came around this year, I wouldn't be able to deal.  And I haven't had to.  I truly believe that sometimes you do get the breaks in life that you need.  Even when the chances of them coming along are slim to along the lines of winning the lottery.  To those that may not understand my reasoning behind this refusal to "be involved", I'm sorry.  But I'm taking care of myself right now.  And I've really enjoyed my own attention.  
Anyway, Muff and I are going to what we've lovingly named D.A.T.S.  Day After Thanksgiving Sales.  And I'm so thrilled.  A lot of the time there aren't more than three or four things that I really have my eye on, but being there, feeling all the excitement, and watching the crazies, I soak up all the emotion and almost feel a sort of high during the day.  Maybe I'm part banshee or something.  Sharing this ordeal with my sister(s) and other people that are with me, is one of the highlights of my year.  And then coming home and showing Jeff all my treasures is right up there with the sales themselves.  The going and returning stuff isn't as fun, but I've come to realize that that's a necessary process of the entire ordeal.  It's worth it, having a day I just get caught up and buy whatever I see.   K.  That's all the space I'm going to give to D.A.T.S. on this post.  Although I love it so much, and am so excited to go, I also know that the entire activity isn't exactly noble.  Kind of like gambling, or winning the lottery.  It's selfish and materialistic and totally unrefined.  But my baser instincts love every second.  (Maybe the "sisterly time" redeems me a little?  Not really?)

I'm so thankful that the kids only have school two days this week.  And we are now officially done.  With the weather being cold and the Christmas decorations being up, they're both very ready to just stay in their pajamas all day and drink hot chocolate, and watch movies, and eat popcorn.  And play with toys.  Not that this is completely saved for holidays, as this is the drill most weekends, however, extended weekends are our favorites.  An extended weekend with the previous examples plus excellent food and unrestricted shopping?   Paradise.  This last weekend, both Riley and Cole played  with all their Littlest Pet Shop and Gormitis.  I don't know exactly what the latter are, but they seem to be little monsters that Cole thinks are the greatest toys ever.  And so does Syd, as she can put 3/4 of each toy into her mouth and walk around like that.  Saturday Riley and Cole were playing with their toys on the kitchen table.  (Because their room is too much of a pigsty, and they can't sit in front of the TV, as that's just an invitation for Sydney to come over and "play" with them).  So they sit side by side, playing with different things, and occasionally incorporating the other's toys in their storyline, but not too often.  They saw my phone and each had to show me their set-ups so I could take pictures.  (A very good example of the differences between boys and girls, I thought).  This was Riley's:

Nice and precise.  Just like my little girl. She wore her sweet, serene smile as I noticed the way everything was cutesy and innocent and simply displayed the colors and the smallishness of the fish.  And then, this was what Cole set up for me:

As he was waiting for me to get the picture with my phone, he goes:  "The one on the bottom is like a horse, mom. Get it?"  
I sure do, Cole.  I suuuuure do. :)
So, I hope that all of you enjoy the ones you're with this holiday.  I'm really confused as to where the time has gone, because last year seemed to pass a lot slower, but I'm grateful to be here.  I'm grateful to have heat and food and family and friends.  I'm grateful to have an able body, and mind.  (For the most part).  
Enjoy this Thanksgiving.  Eat a lot, enjoy your company, and take time to remember those that you love and appreciate.  And if you can, do something for someone else.  And do it without any expectations of a "thankyou", or returned favor.  Sometimes this is best way to see the things we are thankful for.  Just a thought. 

 

Weighing In.

Last week was a tough one.  I don't exactly know why, but it just was.  Sometimes I'm just down regardless of what's going on...regardless of how great life is, and regardless how much I SHOULDN'T have to worry or think about stuff that is beyond my control.  This week, is better.  I'm getting myself back on track, if you will.  
I stopped jogging while I was sick.  Now, two miles isn't a lot...but for me, it's more than enough.  I'm not interested in going longer, or being some type of runner...but, I just want to be able to breathe, and jog for longer than two blocks.  My big fear, I think was that everything I'd worked so hard for would be gone.  But luckily, I did it, and it didn't kill me, like I honestly thought it would.  So, I'm trying to get more used to the three mile mark, as I have a 5k on Saturday morning.  This coming Saturday morning.  I really don't know why I'm doing it, but it's a ward sponsored thing, so I'll try it, I guess.  If anything I'll probably walk the entire thing with my friends that I walked with, BEFORE they got lives and left me behind.  We have a lot to catch up on.  Anyway, all that information was a big segway to my saying that I know starting up the jogging thing again has helped my overall mood and such.  It's amazing what having an entire 30 minutes to myself does for me.
Sydney has been sick lately.  I'm thinking she's getting better now, but it was kinda rough for a while.  Unable to breathe, sleep, or eat because of excess boogers, made Sydney more bratty than usual.  And that was less than fun.  It's a good thing that she's so sweet...that simple fact has saved her so many times.  :)

(That's me surprised by my discovery.  An actual un-posed for pic that Cole took of me.  I thought I it was funny).  K.  Enough of all that.  I'm sounding like that person that I blogstalk that makes me mad EVERY time I read her posts.  Because she's overly self-absorbed and self-congratulatory.   
Muff and I are doing the  For Every Body rush this Friday.  I'm quite stoked.  Tons of delicious smelling candles, and cutesy decorations for way cheap.  And then she's taking me out for my birthday dinner...because we're doing it early instead of late this year.   And because she's freaking awesome.  (Thanks Muff!) 
Today Cole told me that his substitute teacher said she was going to call me.  Because he doesn't have enough food in his lunch at school.  This really bummed me out, because this is something I fight with Cole about, every day.  He's like Jeff, in that he doesn't  like to eat outside of the house.  In fact, he always threw stuff away or would bring 90% of his lunch home, telling me that he wanted to "throw up" as he was eating something.  So I started telling him to pack stuff that sounds good to him, and I still have to make him take something other than a sucker and a cupcake.  And I worry about Cole.  He's skin and bones.  I try not to bring that fact to his attention, but I don't know what to do.  I NEVER had a problem with eating too little, or not wanting to eat.  So I really don't know how to approach this.  Jeff says there's really nothing I can do, that he is the same way.  But I don't like that teachers are thinking I'm trying to starve my son.  Because I buy stuff all the time that both Riley and Cole SWEAR they'll eat in their lunches (and they take 'home lunch' because both of them say the smell of school lunch makes them want to barf), and then they "don't have time" to finish their lunch, or they don't want to take a lot of lunch, because they don't want to miss their recess. And both Riley and Cole eat breakfast, and they eat snacks when they get home, and then dinner.  But the substitute teachers don't see that.   Anyone have any suggestions?  I really don't want my children taken away from me.  

Anyway, life is still life.  It keeps going.  I've got a lot to be thankful for, and this month has been showing me so many examples.  Hope all of you are having similar experiences...in the Thankful department, I mean. :)

I'm a Winner. And you're jealous.

So, a few months ago I invited all my Facebook buddies to join the group, Gleegarden.com.  And if I didn't invite you by some huge mistake, I'm appalled and I apologize.  Because you are missing out.  And I allowed it.  My fantabulous friend Moriah is the creator/editor of Gleegarden.  And if you haven't checked it out, you need to.  Big time.  Because she's one of those people that just know about stuff.  Cool stuff.  Stuff that you'll try once and love and never go back to what you were using before.  It's a gift she's always had...and I was recently the recipient of the best gift ever.  A giveaway bag!  Filled with tons of stuff that I'm seriously loving right now.  

Well, I want you all to know that not only is this site fantastic, but you find out about new products that we just don't have access to.  Like, Benefit cosmetics.  Anyone ever use this stuff?  I love it, SO much...and I'm totally serious.  Pictured is an eye pencil that makes my eyes go from "staying-up-with-Jeff-till-the-wee-hours-of-the-morning" to "wide-open-and-my-staring-problem-is-now-even-more-obvious".  Which, despite the way it sounds, is a much better look for me.  Benefit also tells you how to wear it, gives tips on how to apply it, and all that important stuff.  Some people think that those kind of instructions are self-explanatory, but I'm one of those anal people that need to know I'm applying it correctly.  (Just in case I run into someone that really knows, and can tell that mine's wrong). I also got some samples of other things that I've been enjoying...and I've looked online to order more...for my birthday, from Jeff.  Cause he likes it when I look great.  And this stuff really helps.  ;)

This next stuff is soap that I'm loving.  It's all organic, and eco-friendly...and if that what was I was REALLY concerned with, I'd be a better person than I actually am.  However, my biggest love comes from the fact that it smells FANTASTIC.  Kind of light and sweet and it's not overpowering, but when occasionally I catch little whiffs of it throughout the day...it makes me happy.  And ALMOST makes me lift my arm and take a deep smell.  But I don't.  Because knowing my luck someone would see me do it. 

And, because she knows me so well, Moriah also added a couple of Preserve toothbrushes.  These are made out of recycled plastics--NOT toothbrushes, but things like yogurt cups and such.  And they're excellent. I like to think of myself as a bit of a toothbrush connoisseur, so take my word for it.   Anyway, these are something that aren't overly expensive, help save the earth, and (one of them) smells fantastic.  There are no downsides here.  

Everything was packaged lovingly in this tote.  Because Moriah's eye for detail never ceases to amaze and I love it.  For some reason this picture won't get bigger, even though it gives me the option.  Does anyone else have problems with the new blogger?  Anyway, I wanted to take pictures myself, and make them look nice, but my camera was being overly funky, and the lighting was all wrong.  I couldn't show how wonderfully pretty everything is--so you're getting the advertiser's hard work, instead of mine.    I just had to tell Moriah a big heartfelt, THANK YOU!!  Because I love presents, and I love having wonderful friends that think about me.  


Anyway, if you haven't checked her sight out?  Do it.  Some of the stuff may be more to your liking than others, but there is totally something for everyone.  Even guys.  


So, has anyone else used any of these products?  If so, let me know, and let me know your favorites...because I'm addicted.  And my birthday is just around the corner.  And you read what I said about presents, right?  ;)


Happy Tuesday!

Holy Crap

I just realized that the post I had been working on....had been trying to perfect, had been posted without my knowledge.  WITH 7 COMMENTS, NO LESS!!!!  Sheesh.  So you'll have to excuse all the random numbers, and the fact that my Thankful list wasn't even completed....I'm slightly less shallow than you all are thinking, I'm sure of it.  I totally would have redeemed myself, somehow.

Anyhoo, I think my being sick has seriously crept along my nasal passages, and into my brain.  Because I have been doing things lately that I can't remember I've done two seconds later.  Thus, my last blog post.  

But, for the record, I had seven comments, yo.  SEVEN!!!  About something that wasn't even fully finished!  This must be how Stephenie Meyer feels.  ;)