It seems like lately people have been doing nice nice things for me and for our family. It just reminds me to look for the good because it is there.
-This weekend, I had the most crazy weekend EVER on the job. Crazy in a good way. I will post about it on my adoption blog soon, but it was basically three solid days of work (friday, saturday, sunday) after a birth mom called from the hospital wanting to place. My sweet cousin Carlie dropped everything on Friday to come stay with Hallie so I could be up at the hospital. Yeah, and she had three tests that day. Nice, or what?
-My co-workers Margaret and Lauren rearranged everything that they had going on to help me with everything I needed to accomplish in such a short time. Everything from composing a very articulate and fully detailed email to all the higher-ups, to pulling profiles and calling couples to be shown to reminding me of all the little things I might forget. Fantastic, eh?
-My Bishop's wife babysits Hallie once a week for a few hours and has come to be a friend to me. She unexpectedly dropped by a birthday gift last week, then this week she dropped off a HUGE bag of clothes for Hallie that her 3 year old daughter has grown out of. Can we say, no need to shop for the next YEAR?! So nice. Seriously, everything is there from shoes to pajamas to dresses to clothes. I was super excited as clothes for that little girly are a costly expenditure!
-Devin has needed to complete a project for school where he takes pictures of flowers and weeds (exciting eh?). Our crappy little camera was just not cutting it, so his sister Kirston kindly allowed him to borrow her quite nice camera for over a week. I know this is not an easy thing to trust to someone else, but we are very grateful.
-Speaking of Kirston, we bought a bushel of peaches from her friend for a great deal. She called me earlier in the week to come get them and said that they are super ripe and ready to can right away. However, in the midst of all the craziness going on, I simply had no time. (let alone the problem of I have no idea how to can things! haha...). So what did she do? She canned them all herself for us! What a champ! Definitely something she did not need to do.
-In addition to watching Hallie today for me, my cousin Sarah and her husband Daniel are giving us a sectional! Heck yes! Better than the tiny loveseat we have in our basement right now. We will see how we can cram it into our quite small family room, but we are super excited. How friendly can they get? We will get the couch tomorrow, so we will see how it goes!
I often find myself not noticing the little things (or big things) that people do for me that are a great service and a sacrifice to them. So, I am going to try to do better at this. Then it reminds me that I ought to be doing nice things for others more often.
So here's to nice people! Yay for you, you make my life better.
September 28, 2010
September 21, 2010
A Quarter Century of Greatness
Last week I turned the big 2-5. It was momentous, believe me. So far, I think my life has been pretty exciting. I have achieved a lot in my quarter of a century and I believe a recap is in order. So with no further ado, please join me in remembering the greatest events of my past 25 years.
1985: Look out world, here I am!
1986: I show great speaking potential with my first full sentence, "Big Tummy Mommy!" (No, I was not referring to her according to the fabulous baby book, I was referring to myself)
1987: I earn a wonderful nickname, "Corkscrew" due to acting like a "greased pig" in church (my dad has told me this I don't know how many times)
1988: One of the most oft-repeated stories of my childhood happens this year. On a family trip to Disneyland, I am suddenly missing from the line that my family is standing in. Looking around a little, my dad finds me halfway into a garbage can nearby. Upon asking what in the world I am doing, I reply "I'm looking for food!" (that's what you get, parents, when you don't feed me)
1989: I learn the art of manipulation. You want me to get an IV? You give me an ambulance ride first! (I got my ambulance ride in case you wonder. No sirens though. Just a leisurely roll around town)
1990: The second most repeated story of my childhood occurs. On a plane ride from somewhere, I am stuck sitting next to an old lady that I don't know (my dad was a travel agent and so our tickets were rarely together, thus, as a 5 year old, I was already accustomed to sitting on my own). The lady is nicely minding her own business when I ask her if she knows Michael. I get no response from her, so I continue, louder now, "No, not Michael Jackson you dummy! Michael my brother!"
1991: Ah, Kindergarten. The famous Booger Picture. Enough said.
1992: I learn that I am larger than some other people my age. In line one day in my classroom, I decide to prove it. I pick up a boy in front of me about half my size and throw him on the ground, just because I can.
1993: My eyes are bad enough that I get my first pair of Huge Purple Glasses.
1994: On an outing with my grandmother and cousin, I learn the word "regurgitate" as in "your lipstick makes me want to regurgitate" which my cousin and I repeat to an unsuspecting pizza girl and write on a few comment cards at the mall (thanks grandma for the handy word!)
1995: Sadness ensues as the first pair of Huge Purple Glasses breaks. No worries, enter second pair of Even Huger Purple Glasses (yes, I spent the majority of my childhood in purple glasses. Why my mother allowed such hideousness, I have no idea. You'll have to ask her.)
1996: My friend and I decide that we are model material and put together a "Fashion Notebook." Our skills are so high that we take shots of ourselves in bathing suits while standing in the window well. If that isn't fashionable, I don't know what is.
1997: My mean streak re-emerges. On a recess break, I wipe fresh dog poop on a poor, unsuspecting boy. His crime? He has just given me a hand drawn picture of a rose. You have a 5th grade crush on me? I will respond in kind with dog poop, thank you very much.
1998: I enter a binding agreement with my three best friends that NEVER, under ANY circumstances, will we CUT OUR BANGS. (We are all still following the contract faithfully)
1999: I cry enough times at piano lessons (my teacher was insanely nice and I cried just to have her pass off songs) that my mom decides it has become a waste of money. Time to quit. Violin lessons, on the other hand, where the teacher blows smoke in my face and continually tells me that "I sound so bad the dogs are howling" is going great for me. Never a tear there. (seriously, I got along with her wonderfully)
2000: Driver's licence? Check. Mom's gold minivan? Check. A van full of friends? Check. Taco Bell? Check. Hitting a large yellow dumpster behind Taco Bell? Check. Returning home and pretending that nothing happened? CHECK. My driving career has begun! (I will never live this story down...)
2001: Sweet 16, I am old enough to date! Good thing I enlist my trusty cousin (who shall not be named) to dye my hair a mere few days before the big date/homecoming dance. Orange hair- just on the top nonetheless- for my first date/prom? No big deal.
2002: I can often be found with my friends drawing slips of paper out of our own creative genius we call the "Random Jar." Items accomplished include washing the town's stop signs, having a mock wedding on aisle 11 in Smith's, and driving a friend's car backwards through an entire neighborhood. (We made our own fun, what can I say?)
2003: Remember that handy driver's license? I make good use of it and get pulled over a record 8 times this year. How many tickets did I get? (Of course you have to ask). Not a one.
2004: Holy smokes, I am graduating! Highlight of the year? Being hypnotized at the all night graduation party and falling in love with the purple-silk-shirt wearing, 80 year old hypnotist. My proudest moment yet. (I watched the video back and nearly died of shame)
2005: Welcome to college! Freshman year is a gem. A game called "Dare Yahtzee" begins to rule my life. I am found doing things that I never thought I would do, including sleeping in cars (right outside my bedroom window where my nice bed sits) and massaging anyone's feet who asks for a whole day (you must know my complete hatred for feet to understand why this is a big deal. I got by by wearing gloves the whole day)
2006: The year of the hot pots. How many midnight trips to the hot pots can we possibly make? Many! Who cares about school and other responsibilities when its all in the name of fun? Leave at midnight and get back at 6 am? No problem.
2007: This is a good year for me as I am able to convince a handsome young man that I am indeed marriage material (despite all of the above)
2008: We welcome the next generation of me. See 1985: Look out World! She is going to be just like me!
2009: The highlight of this year is an east coast adventure with my sister and two cousins. Can we fit 4 adults and 3 infants in one car? Yes we can. (Don't worry that was only an emergency situation and very short lived) Long live the adventures of Red, Ed, Ned, and Jed (our alter egos from childhood. We fought over who got to wear the long, one piece red pajamas in Grandma's basement and who had to wear the pooh stained yellow dress. Ahh, the memories)
2010: Turning 25 and realizing that if this is my greatest list of accomplishments (don't worry, it's really not-I hope) then I have got to kick it up a notch in the next 25 years.
Hopefully I can make a list just as awesome as this when I turn 50. Let's see what the next 25 years bring!
1985: Look out world, here I am!
1986: I show great speaking potential with my first full sentence, "Big Tummy Mommy!" (No, I was not referring to her according to the fabulous baby book, I was referring to myself)
1987: I earn a wonderful nickname, "Corkscrew" due to acting like a "greased pig" in church (my dad has told me this I don't know how many times)
1988: One of the most oft-repeated stories of my childhood happens this year. On a family trip to Disneyland, I am suddenly missing from the line that my family is standing in. Looking around a little, my dad finds me halfway into a garbage can nearby. Upon asking what in the world I am doing, I reply "I'm looking for food!" (that's what you get, parents, when you don't feed me)
1989: I learn the art of manipulation. You want me to get an IV? You give me an ambulance ride first! (I got my ambulance ride in case you wonder. No sirens though. Just a leisurely roll around town)
1990: The second most repeated story of my childhood occurs. On a plane ride from somewhere, I am stuck sitting next to an old lady that I don't know (my dad was a travel agent and so our tickets were rarely together, thus, as a 5 year old, I was already accustomed to sitting on my own). The lady is nicely minding her own business when I ask her if she knows Michael. I get no response from her, so I continue, louder now, "No, not Michael Jackson you dummy! Michael my brother!"
1991: Ah, Kindergarten. The famous Booger Picture. Enough said.
1992: I learn that I am larger than some other people my age. In line one day in my classroom, I decide to prove it. I pick up a boy in front of me about half my size and throw him on the ground, just because I can.
1993: My eyes are bad enough that I get my first pair of Huge Purple Glasses.
1994: On an outing with my grandmother and cousin, I learn the word "regurgitate" as in "your lipstick makes me want to regurgitate" which my cousin and I repeat to an unsuspecting pizza girl and write on a few comment cards at the mall (thanks grandma for the handy word!)
1995: Sadness ensues as the first pair of Huge Purple Glasses breaks. No worries, enter second pair of Even Huger Purple Glasses (yes, I spent the majority of my childhood in purple glasses. Why my mother allowed such hideousness, I have no idea. You'll have to ask her.)
1996: My friend and I decide that we are model material and put together a "Fashion Notebook." Our skills are so high that we take shots of ourselves in bathing suits while standing in the window well. If that isn't fashionable, I don't know what is.
1997: My mean streak re-emerges. On a recess break, I wipe fresh dog poop on a poor, unsuspecting boy. His crime? He has just given me a hand drawn picture of a rose. You have a 5th grade crush on me? I will respond in kind with dog poop, thank you very much.
1998: I enter a binding agreement with my three best friends that NEVER, under ANY circumstances, will we CUT OUR BANGS. (We are all still following the contract faithfully)
1999: I cry enough times at piano lessons (my teacher was insanely nice and I cried just to have her pass off songs) that my mom decides it has become a waste of money. Time to quit. Violin lessons, on the other hand, where the teacher blows smoke in my face and continually tells me that "I sound so bad the dogs are howling" is going great for me. Never a tear there. (seriously, I got along with her wonderfully)
2000: Driver's licence? Check. Mom's gold minivan? Check. A van full of friends? Check. Taco Bell? Check. Hitting a large yellow dumpster behind Taco Bell? Check. Returning home and pretending that nothing happened? CHECK. My driving career has begun! (I will never live this story down...)
2001: Sweet 16, I am old enough to date! Good thing I enlist my trusty cousin (who shall not be named) to dye my hair a mere few days before the big date/homecoming dance. Orange hair- just on the top nonetheless- for my first date/prom? No big deal.
2002: I can often be found with my friends drawing slips of paper out of our own creative genius we call the "Random Jar." Items accomplished include washing the town's stop signs, having a mock wedding on aisle 11 in Smith's, and driving a friend's car backwards through an entire neighborhood. (We made our own fun, what can I say?)
2003: Remember that handy driver's license? I make good use of it and get pulled over a record 8 times this year. How many tickets did I get? (Of course you have to ask). Not a one.
2004: Holy smokes, I am graduating! Highlight of the year? Being hypnotized at the all night graduation party and falling in love with the purple-silk-shirt wearing, 80 year old hypnotist. My proudest moment yet. (I watched the video back and nearly died of shame)
2005: Welcome to college! Freshman year is a gem. A game called "Dare Yahtzee" begins to rule my life. I am found doing things that I never thought I would do, including sleeping in cars (right outside my bedroom window where my nice bed sits) and massaging anyone's feet who asks for a whole day (you must know my complete hatred for feet to understand why this is a big deal. I got by by wearing gloves the whole day)
2006: The year of the hot pots. How many midnight trips to the hot pots can we possibly make? Many! Who cares about school and other responsibilities when its all in the name of fun? Leave at midnight and get back at 6 am? No problem.
2007: This is a good year for me as I am able to convince a handsome young man that I am indeed marriage material (despite all of the above)
2008: We welcome the next generation of me. See 1985: Look out World! She is going to be just like me!
2009: The highlight of this year is an east coast adventure with my sister and two cousins. Can we fit 4 adults and 3 infants in one car? Yes we can. (Don't worry that was only an emergency situation and very short lived) Long live the adventures of Red, Ed, Ned, and Jed (our alter egos from childhood. We fought over who got to wear the long, one piece red pajamas in Grandma's basement and who had to wear the pooh stained yellow dress. Ahh, the memories)
2010: Turning 25 and realizing that if this is my greatest list of accomplishments (don't worry, it's really not-I hope) then I have got to kick it up a notch in the next 25 years.
Hopefully I can make a list just as awesome as this when I turn 50. Let's see what the next 25 years bring!
September 19, 2010
Unfortunate Church Incident (part 5736)
Today in Sacrament Meeting at church, Hallie started pinching me, which is not something she has ever done before. I whispered to her that pinching is not nice. She continued to do it and so I told her "Jesus doesn't want you to pinch. It's naughty." I should have known better...
This of course led her to pick out the worst possible combination of words in those sentences. She started chanting, "Pinch Jesus. Pinch Jesus. Pinch Jesus!" over and over at increasing volumes. I could only get her to stop when I suggested she look in the bag for some gum (she loves gum- to swallow that is).
You can bet we got some "what kind of terrible parents are those?" looks. Good thing we are used to them now.
(Sorry that all I am blogging about is Hallie these days. There is just so much to say about the woman. I will post about my birthday soon. As soon as a muster up the energy. But you can probably bet that such a post will be likely much more boring than a good Hallie story. Oh well.)
This of course led her to pick out the worst possible combination of words in those sentences. She started chanting, "Pinch Jesus. Pinch Jesus. Pinch Jesus!" over and over at increasing volumes. I could only get her to stop when I suggested she look in the bag for some gum (she loves gum- to swallow that is).
You can bet we got some "what kind of terrible parents are those?" looks. Good thing we are used to them now.
(Sorry that all I am blogging about is Hallie these days. There is just so much to say about the woman. I will post about my birthday soon. As soon as a muster up the energy. But you can probably bet that such a post will be likely much more boring than a good Hallie story. Oh well.)
September 16, 2010
Back by Popular Demand
And by popular demand, I mean one person has demanded. But hey, that's enough for me. Hallie is funny. Here are some more videos of her doing her favorite things- singing and being loud.
September 13, 2010
A Blast From the Past
I was just glancing through old pictures today and came across these from my second trip to Ecuador. Kylee came back with me and we had a great time. Looking at pictures from Ecuador is usually not a good idea because it is super nostalgic and makes me sad. However, these ones made me laugh. I love fruit and that is one thing (of billions) that I miss about Ecuador: such a fabulous array of fruit you or I have never even heard of. Plus- the most amazing avocado milkshakes ever! So delicious. 
This picture makes me laugh most. This fruit (who even knows what it is called?) is the probably the weirdest fruit ever. Good though. Kylee and I decided that we liked it so much that we were going to bring seeds home and plant some of our own. Ha ha! Yeah, that didn't happen.
This picture makes me laugh most. This fruit (who even knows what it is called?) is the probably the weirdest fruit ever. Good though. Kylee and I decided that we liked it so much that we were going to bring seeds home and plant some of our own. Ha ha! Yeah, that didn't happen.Oh Ecuador, how I love thee...
September 3, 2010
Bear Lake in Pictures
We had a wonderful time at Bear Lake last week with my mom, Dave, Jennifer, and Dave's kids. Micheal and Lara made it later in the week after we had already left. This was Devin's one big vacation of the summer-poor man, he is just constantly working and schooling-so he was extra excited. Mom and Dave rented this nice house where we all stayed. It was huge and had all the extras: hot tub, pool table, movie room, foosball table, etc. It was great! The only BUMMER deal of the whole time was when everyone got sick. UGH. We left Thursday and that was the day we really started feeling ill. What is with our trips and illness, right??? Anyway, we were out for the next little while...I am telling you, worst illness I can remember my entire life! I won't go into all the details, but let's just say we were SICK. Devin's parents came to get Hallie last Saturday because both Devin and I were practically dying and she was sick too. They kept her until Tuesday, which was really nice and helpful, though we sure missed our girl. We are finally back on our feet and trying to get our lives back in order now. Anyway. Bear Lake was fantastic. Here are a billion pictures to show our great time.
Devin was probably most excited about all the channels on the TV. Here he is within minutes of our arrival. Believe me, ESPN was on every spare moment when we were at the house.
Grandma Lisa bought these swimsuits for Hallie and Sadie. I thought they were hilariously cute. Hello, chubby ballerina??
Practicing in the tube on the safe concrete. Haha. Here is Hallie, Sadie, my mom, and Jett.
The girls were funny, as always. Hallie hated the water and sand at first (I know, surprising) and Sadie loved it. Hallie loved riding the jetski and the tube though and Sadie didn't like that. Hallie almost insisted upon driving the jetski. She is crazy.
These pictures are out of order, but oh well. Here we are at the house having some breakfast. It was nice to have so much room for everyone all in the same place.
Devin riding the kneeboard.
Whoa, my hair. Yeah, its looked like that for about the past two weeks (maybe not the sticking up parts on a good day), but hey, what can I say? We were on vacation and then I have been sick. Maybe I will start doing my hair again soon. Can't make any promises though.
Hallie finally decided that she wanted to go swimming in the water and when she decided it had to be NOW. We were in the middle of the lake after my mom was water skiing, so she graciously stayed in the water so Hals could swim, oh, and cling to her flag for dear life.
Hallie, Sadie, and Jaiden. Jaiden is Jaimie's daughter (Jaimie is Dave's daughter. Got that straight?) Jaiden is right in between Hallie and Sadie, so it was fun for the three of them to play together sometimes.
Grandma out with the girls. Its so nice that the water is so shallow for quite a ways at Bear Lake.
Jennifer getting ready to knee board.
Hallie and Sadie at breakfast one morning. Apparently sharing is a good way to spread viruses. haha, just kidding. Anyone within a mile of each other caught the thing. I was afraid to keep my windows open once we got home so that the neighbors wouldn't get it, it was THAT bad.
Its always fun when both girls scream at once.
Again the hair. Let's not comment.
This floaty toy was a popular item amongst the children and a popular thing to fight over.
Sadie enjoying the water. She was content to sit there and play for hours on end.
Dave and my mom. She is still so love-struck.
Jen and Sadie.
The house was really close to the beach so my mom would often cart the girls down in the bike trailer. This pictures is just cute, you gotta admit!
Devin was probably most excited about all the channels on the TV. Here he is within minutes of our arrival. Believe me, ESPN was on every spare moment when we were at the house.
Grandma Lisa bought these swimsuits for Hallie and Sadie. I thought they were hilariously cute. Hello, chubby ballerina??
Practicing in the tube on the safe concrete. Haha. Here is Hallie, Sadie, my mom, and Jett.
The girls were funny, as always. Hallie hated the water and sand at first (I know, surprising) and Sadie loved it. Hallie loved riding the jetski and the tube though and Sadie didn't like that. Hallie almost insisted upon driving the jetski. She is crazy.
These pictures are out of order, but oh well. Here we are at the house having some breakfast. It was nice to have so much room for everyone all in the same place.
Devin riding the kneeboard.
Whoa, my hair. Yeah, its looked like that for about the past two weeks (maybe not the sticking up parts on a good day), but hey, what can I say? We were on vacation and then I have been sick. Maybe I will start doing my hair again soon. Can't make any promises though.
Hallie finally decided that she wanted to go swimming in the water and when she decided it had to be NOW. We were in the middle of the lake after my mom was water skiing, so she graciously stayed in the water so Hals could swim, oh, and cling to her flag for dear life.
Hallie, Sadie, and Jaiden. Jaiden is Jaimie's daughter (Jaimie is Dave's daughter. Got that straight?) Jaiden is right in between Hallie and Sadie, so it was fun for the three of them to play together sometimes.
Grandma out with the girls. Its so nice that the water is so shallow for quite a ways at Bear Lake.
Jennifer getting ready to knee board.
Hallie and Sadie at breakfast one morning. Apparently sharing is a good way to spread viruses. haha, just kidding. Anyone within a mile of each other caught the thing. I was afraid to keep my windows open once we got home so that the neighbors wouldn't get it, it was THAT bad.
Its always fun when both girls scream at once.
Again the hair. Let's not comment.
This floaty toy was a popular item amongst the children and a popular thing to fight over.
Sadie enjoying the water. She was content to sit there and play for hours on end.
Dave and my mom. She is still so love-struck.
Jen and Sadie.
The house was really close to the beach so my mom would often cart the girls down in the bike trailer. This pictures is just cute, you gotta admit!
Thanks mom and Dave for the great trip! Next year we vote no throwing up!
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