~

By Popular Demand....

2012-01-26T06:20:00.000-08:00

Finally got some excellent pictures of me preggers.

And I mean excellent!

(not really, but they'll work)

We've taken some but everytime we do Nathan doesn't think I look pregnant in them.

That's because I'm usually in sweat pants and a big t-shirt.

I know I should get dressed more often.

But, I do shower everyday so I don't feel bad.

Do you think my face looks fuzzy?

Nathan said the camera kept focusing on my bust or belly.

I wonder why?

Can you tell the difference between this next picture (below) and the next?

Any difference?

You guessed it, hand and arm position.

Which hand should go on top and which hand should go on bottom,

to accentuate the belly of course...

WHICH!?!?

NOW we're talkin'!

Below is the best one!

A little modern dance/vogue.

I don't know how to do either so I'm surprised I pulled this off so inspiring-ly.

Went to my Dr. appointment yesterday morning...just before these pictures where taken.

This is what I looked like when the Dr. said I am 28 weeks!

I know I'm bad. I haven't been keeping track of what week I am.

And yes I was surprised I was so far along.

And HAPPY!

Yes, I took this weirdo picture before I had any reason for it.

I wish I didn't get deoderant on my shirt.

I wish I had make up on.

Oh well.

What can ya do?

Ok! Ok! I'll start keeping track of what week I am.

The Curse of the Black Pearl: Part II

2012-01-19T04:54:00.000-08:00

Part I here.

Here is Part II - the best part
less pictures but I think more meaningful

Last Friday, Marley and I had big plans:

Go to the SOO!

Playdate!

The Dollar Store

The bank

The Library!

Pick up Dad!

Go grocery shopping!

Big snow storm.

So before I shoveled the 1 foot plus of snow off the walkway and driveway...

I went out to see if the car would start.

Battery was dead.

I cried like the hormonal crazy woman that I AM!

I came back in the house and pouted...and cried.

And sent several text messages to Nathan.

He suggested asking neighbors and friends to jump the Black Pearl.

I was tired of asking for help and emotional and I was sure the battery was a lost cause.

We decided we probably needed to get it jumped and then go straight for a new battery.

Nathan worked on trying to see if he could take the early bus home so he could rally some help or something. But, he found that he could not.

Marley of course dried my tears with tissues and asked what was wrong.

(She is used to the this but usually I have no reason for my tears...or I don't want to tell her the reason.)

I told her that the car won't start so we can't go shopping.

She too was disappointed.

But continued to take care of me.

My mom called because she had seen the weather for our area.

I cried some more.

She said, "I wish I was there so I could give you a hug."

I thought, "I wish you were here to give me a ride!"

She made me feel better and told me to find something to do around the house, a project or just clean up one room.
She also told me to stop crying so much and scaring my daughter.
She's never scared. Not when I'm crying at least.
sheesh!

So, Marley and I cleaned the living room and tidied the dinning room.

We swept the entry, kitchen and dinning.

That's the whole downstairs!
That felt good!

I can pretty much get her to do anything if I call her Cinderella and act like one of her step sisters.
She always replies with a low head, "Yes Anastasia."
And then she gets to work!

This was taken of Marley by Marley. On this infamous day in January.

I was just about to tackle the bathroom when Nathan texted me and said there was a battery at our local Napa, just right for our car!

Problem was, he would get home after they were closed.

I asked if Marley and I should walk over and get it.

Remember snowy, icy and COLD outside.

And Nathan informed me that the battery would be a solid 40 pounds!

I suggested the JEEP stroller.

Marley could ride there and then the battery could ride back.

Nathan agreed that might work.

He also offered that if we took the old battery with us we wouldn't have to pay a $12 core fee.

WHICH we could get back once we took our old battery in, but gently suggested that maybe I could take it out and Marley could walk both ways.

Marley got fully suited up in snow clothes and I bundled up and we went out to the garage.

Before I did anything I checked to make sure it wasn't going to start.

Marley suggested, "Lets be brave and just fix it mom!"

That made me smile and I said, "Well, we're gonna try."

I explained the whole thing to her. The battery, the stroller, the walk, the cold, and hopefully in the end it would be fixed.

(As she wandered around the garage she continually encouraged our quest with suggestions of bravery.

That actually helped me a lot!)

While I tried several tools in my attempt to get the bolts off of the battery, Marley suggested that we take the double jogging stroller our friends gave to us in September.

It was a really good idea. Then they could both ride in the stroller AND it has a giant plastic rain cover that would protect Marley from the wind and cold. The problem was it looked like it was buried in the corner of the garage.

I told her that was a great idea but it might be too hard to get to.

After texting Nathan several times about tools and such.

And saying a few swears in my head.

I stopped saying swears in my head and stuck to just praying.

I found the perfect tool and got the battery out!

It WAS heavy.

Then I proceeded to dig the double stroller out.

I actually only had to scoot some bins aside and then move a stroller and a car seat to get to it.

I hauled it out to the breezeway.

It sat there while I went out to shovel the walkway.

Marley came out and played in the snow for about 2 minutes and then got too cold and I helped her inside and put a show on for her.

I finished shoveling and set up the double stroller outside on the walk.

I tried to figure out the plastic rain cover.

I put the battery in one side.

Then I went in the house, we went to the bathroom, bundled Marley up in full snow clothes and she climbed into the other side of the stroller, next to the battery.

I can't get this picture to come into blogger correctly...so you'll just have to turn your head.

I grabbed some tissues because the cold was making our noses run.
Which is weird because it was also freezing my nose hairs.

We trudged out to the road.

No side walks in these parts.

The hardest part was getting the stroller over the small berm the plow makes at the end of our driveway.

I pushed and then I had to climb to the other side of the hill and pull the strollers front wheel until I got it over.

We started walking. Well, I did.

It was icy and I slipped twice but I didn't fall because of the stroller and it's heavy contents.

It was cold!

I hadn't put the plastic rain cover on correctly so it wasn't staying closed. Marley had full snow clothes on and a blanket but she was still cold!

I don't have any long underwear because....I just don't.

So my legs were COLD!

Round trip the walk is exactly one mile.

(I only know that because later when I was telling my sister all about this she asked how far away the auto store was and she wanted it in miles. I was pretty sure it was less than a mile. Later I clocked it.)

Thankfully, all the roads were plowed! When we got to the store the parking lot was not plowed... So, it was a little tough to get to the front door. It is a VERY small parking lot though. When we got there one of the workers (a VERY nice man) helped us get the stroller inside by holding all the doors open and even unlatching one of the double doors.

He said, "What can we do for you?" Just as he noticed a child AND a battery in my stroller.

I said, "We need a new battery."

He said, "Oh. I see that now."

The whole exchange took less than 5 minutes.

The man suggested that we leave the stroller where it was and walk around the store for a little while to warm up.

What a nice man.

We did.

We got peanut m&m's from there little machine.

We walked around and discussed tools and parts and whatnot.

We really only knew what we were talking about when we came to the broom isle.

Marley made sure to let me know that she wanted every single one of the those brooms for her birthday but especially the little one that was her size.

(She pretty much says she wants EVERYTHING for her birthday whenever we go shopping. When she says she wants something, I say, maybe someday. Then she says, maybe for my birthday or Christmas? I say, maybe. She is satisfied and we move on. It works for us.)

Marley got a gum ball on our way out and TWO came out!

It was cool!

I was able to fix the rain fly so it would stay closed better. And instead of putting the blanket ON Marley I put it behind her head to stop the wind from coming in the back of the stroller.
That was MUCH better.

We trudged back home.

Gnawing on our hard gum balls.

They were good but hard so half way home we both spit it out into the snow.

Marley went inside to finished her show while I tried to put the battery back in.

I did it!

I tried to start the car.

It started with gusto!

It sounded SO brave!

I was SO HAPPY!

I felt SO good!

I felt validated and empowered!

I was on top of the world.

But also very tired.

It was about 12:45 (good thing we had gotten an early start on the day) by this time and Nathan was getting off at 2.

We ate lunch in the house.

Then Marley settled into watching another show and by 1:00 I was out shoveling the driveway.

By 1:45 we were on our way to get dad!

We got dad.

We went to the bank.

Between the bank and the store the engine light came on!

Can you believe the nerve of The Curse!?!?!?

It's a good thing Nathan wasn't driving because I think he might have jerked the car into oncoming traffic.

NO! That's a little extreme and tragic.

But he was peeved.

I calmly suggested we stop at Advanced Auto and run the diagnostic and see if it's the same problem.

We did.

It was a new problem.

But, Nathan instantly had an idea of what the problem might be.

He said, "Ok, I'm going to research and probably order ANOTHER part and fix this but, this is the last thing I'm fixing."

He has said this before.

So I just laughed.

It seems he just can't let it go.

I'm glad...he'll know our car SO well we'll have it for decades!

Ok, maybe not.

But, I'm still so glad he is willing to try to fix things himself to save money.

The part is ordered.

Nathan is confident it will be an easy and quick fix.

And then....

THE CURSE WILL BE LIFTED!!!!!

How have we survived financially?

Well, we still haven't hit $300 in parts so considering the first repair was going to be be over $400 we are still ahead!

Also, since we didn't drive our car for nearly 2 weeks we had more money because we hadn't needed gas. We try to only drive to the Soo three times a week or less (one of those is for church) but still we saved money on gas...which went to parts.

And we hadn't eaten out. We try not to eat out much too but when we limit our trips to the Soo, it makes our days in the Soo LONG because of all the errands and we usually end up getting something. Even if it's just one eat out per week, that can add up.

And thankfully we bought our car with cash about 5 years ago so, we don't have a car payment on top of repairs. That's nice.

I realize that the curse has not been officially lifted and ultimately when it comes to cars eventual repairs are inevitable, but unless there is more DRAMA with the up coming repair, this concludes the saga of...

THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL.

The Curse of the Black Pearl: Part I

2012-01-17T08:41:00.000-08:00

Yea, we're pirate fans.

Not the actual pirates that steal, pillage, take hostages, and murder.

The Disney pirates!

Thus, our car's name is The Black Pearl.
(Pearly black 2001 Honda Accord EX with a V6 engine.)

We love her!

We take good care of her.

She loves us.
She takes good care of us.

But, the past couple of months she has been cursed.

Started with the engine light.

Remember that story?

It was a long story.
Recap: our engine light came on while we were heading out of town for the weekend.
While out of town we got swindled by a mechanic who charged us big bucks just for a diagnostic.
Which, by the way, we have learned since, you can do yourself for FREE at most auto parts stores.
(We know! We've done it SEVERAL times since!)

He said we'd be fine to drive it back to the U.P. but we should get it fixed or our car would start stalling.

When we returned home, Nathan looked the diagnostic code up online.
He found it was an emission clog.
He also did some research and found it would probably be over $400 to get it fixed by a mechanic.

We decided to purchase the manual for The Black Pearl and Nathan found lots of tutorials online on how to fix the problem.

He felt that he could probably fix it.

He still has a full time job so it was a semi-slow process with lots of trouble shooting.
We ordered parts in phases.
The cheaper ones first, of course...maybe they would be the fix!

Then the more expensive one.

And all the while, lots of cleaning.

Lots of resetting the fuse to get the engine light off...only to have it pop back on.
That was always how we knew she wasn't fixed yet.

Thankfully we could still drive her.
Each time we would run a diagnostic to make sure it was still the same problem.

Each time Nathan took the car apart to clean, he would go further and further through the system.
One day, Nathan was tinkering and recleaning and taking apart and putting back together when he found THE CLOG.
It was so obvious and he was relieved and convinced she was fixed!

She was.

But then we started smelling gasoline fumes. Very subtle at first. Only I could smell it.
Then one day, Nathan came home after using the car and said, yes, we have a fume problem.

He did some research online to get an idea of what to look for and what might be the problem.
Then studied the parts manual.
Then took it all apart again.
He found a broken fuel injector.

We decided we couldn't drive her like that.

She was malodorous and in my condition those fumes were bad news.

Nathan ordered more parts.

We waited.

Our good friend was kind enough to come and get us for church.

The part came!

Nathan fixed it!
(but only after breaking TWO 3/8 to 1/4 socket adapters :-(
Ours and our neighbors. Ooops!

don't worry we are going to replace it.)

But, our car was fixed!

For good this time!

No more problems!

Except then the battery was dead.

We have known since last summer that our battery was on its last leg.
It would die if Marley and I had the car off and the radio on, after only about 10 minutes.
Or it would just die if we didn't drive it often enough.

So, our kind neighbor gave us a jump.
(The last of probably at least three or four.)
I drove it around a little bit to charge the battery and then stopped at the local store to pick up a few things. (tortillas, cheese, sour cream...for burrrrrrritos!)

We hadn't been to the store in almost three weeks.

When I came out of the store, the car started!
PHEW!

Two days later (last Friday) Marley and I had big plans:
Go to the SOO!
Playdate!
The Dollar Store
The bank
The Library!
Pick up Dad!
Go grocery shopping!

Battery was dead, again.
Big snow storm.

Becky cried like the hormonal crazy woman that she IS!

Stay tuned PART II on Thursday.
Don't worry it gets better.

NOTE: None of these pictures are mine...just googled images.
EXCEPT the first one.
That REALLY is THE Black Pearl with last winters salt ravages all over her...which is pretty much exactly what she looks like right now.

Marley!!!! You Goonie!!!!

2012-01-12T07:38:00.000-08:00

Yes, I let my daughter watch

I'm pretty sure I watched Goonies everyday starting around her age.

She doesn't watch it everyday though...not yet. ;-)

I think she has only seen it a handful of times.

Yesterday, while we were making dinner, she was talking about a movie we have, one that she wanted to watch.

"You know that movie that the guy is in a red coat and he drops the bottle?"

I had no idea what movie she was talking about so I tried to coax more clues out of her, but I couldn't.

A few minutes later, after we had moved on to other topics she randomly said,

"Hope it wasn't my fozit bottle."

Though she got some of the words wrong, her tone was accurate and I instantly knew what movie she was talking about.

I told her we could watch it tomorrow.

(which is today)

Her favorite character is Chunk.

"I like him. He has cwazy hair like mine!"

Cyndi Lauper is on the tv for a couple seconds and Marley asked if I could do her hair like that.

Funny because at the time, her hair already looked like Cyndi Lauper's.

In style...but not in color.

And I'm pretty sure she was hoping for Cyndi's color.

Other parts she really likes:

When Chunk smashes is pizza and shake on the window and the shake splashes his face.

When Troy is on the toilet and gets shot up into the ceiling and then slammed into the ground.

"Daddy!"

The line the Goonies say together at the same time of Troy's mishap is often used in our family:

"Let's get out of here! Like NOW!!!"

Mostly after we've been in Walnast too long.

Her second favorite character is:

Sloth

"Hey you guyys!"

"Sloth, you're gonna live with me now. Yea, I'm gonna take care of you. Cuz I love you."

"Sloth love Chunk."

Marley: "Can we get a Sloth?"

I just laughed and asked, "Marley love Sloth?"

One of her least favorite parts:

When Chunk is being interrogated by the Fratelli's.

Looks traumatic to a kid but it's hilarious!

Did you know that there really are two versions of The Goonies and one really does have an octopus in it?

Really!

I saw it once when I was babysitting!

"No pen...no write...no SIGN!!!"

******

I think I would love to live in Astoria, Oregon.

Check out their site.

Doesn't it sound and look beautiful there?

Right at the mouth of the Colombia River and so close to the Oregon coast!

They even have a Goonies page and June 7 every year is Goonies day!

Check out the Youtube at the bottom of that page.

Ahhh. I love that movie.

It's Winds-day!!!

2012-01-11T11:42:00.000-08:00

It's actually not blustery at all today!

I got to open the blinds...cuz it's SUNNY today!
Yeah!

And snuggle up on the couch with the warm laund-raaay!

We watched the Biggest Loser.

Love that show.

But, you already knew that.

Something you might not know...but probably know.

I'm a hormonal, pregnant, basket case.

Farmer Freitas KNOWS!

Marley pretty much knows but doesn't have the label to put on her randomly crying, moody, fun, hysterically funny, dancing (all in one minute) mom.

Now YOU know.

And maybe you'll understand better why I LOVE this commerical.

Saw it today.

Made me CRY!

I love it!

I started to cry when it showed that dad in the crib with his tired but fighting sleep baby.

It's just a good commercial.

And though it is just marketing....

Our life is truly what we make of it.

I also went for a walk today in the sun.

That felt goooood!

pictures from my phone

2012-01-10T06:51:00.000-08:00

I got a little memory card for my phone for Christmas.

Since it is January 11th I decided it was time to figure out how to use it.

It was surprisingly simple to get the pictures from my phone to the card and then to the computer.

Sooooo.....there are pictures on there from when I got my phone in August 2010.

That was SO long ago.

Wanna see um?

No?

TOO BAD!

I love that face! And that guy!

Ha ha! Sleepy head!

We were in Park City with the Freitas clan (August 2010). Marley was loving swimming.

She was fully clothed when we put her in our room to take a nap in the closet she had been sleeping in on this trip.

When we went in to check on her, she had a swimming diaper on, on TOP of a floaty suit.

And she was asleep on her bed in the closet. (closet door always open)

There were 229 pictures on my phone.

That's it for now though.

More great pictures are yet to come...

lots of random pictures taken by Marley....

lots of Marley taking silly face pictures of herself.....

and driving across country while moving to Mich.

New Year's Resolutions (NYR's)

2011-12-31T09:54:00.000-08:00

I know, some people are nay sayers when it comes to NYR's.

They say, "Why does the new year have to instigate change?"

Well, I say if anytime is as good as the next than WHY NOT at new year's?

It's a NEW year!

What better way to convince yourself you can have a new fresh start!

Nontheless, this is for those who do not like New Year's Resolutions.

Saw this on Pinterest and it made me laugh. I had just started this post and was wondering if anyone even cares about other people's resolutions?

For the record I love to hear about other people's resolutions.

I like to hear what they are changing...maybe a little bit about why...and definitely how!

I'll be the first to admit that I don't always accomplish my NYR's but I don't let that stop me from setting them...and setting a lot of them.

Every year I organize them differently.
Here is how I did it this year.

STOP:

Drinking Soda

We don't usually buy it and have it in our house, but over the holidays we did.
When we eat out, which still is maybe once a week, I like to get a soda.
No more.

Watching so many shows by myself.

I gotta watch The Biggest Loser by myself, Nathan doesn't like it and I love it. That is the perfect show while folding laundry.
Remember that big list of shows I was watching.
Well, some I just stopped watching some...for my health.
Some I finished out the season (to see who won) but, I'm not picking up the new seasons.

START:

Keeping track of every penny.

We are already pretty good about keeping track of our pennies but we are going to really track it and see where we can save more.

Read the Book of Mormon daily

I seem to be on again off again a lot....more off than on.
I'm ashamed to say I only got through 1st and 2nd Nephi in 2011.
I want to be more consistent.
And it will help that Sunday School [Sr. Primary] is covering the Book of Mormon this year.

Reading the Children's Friend and Ensign Magazines from cover to cover each month.

December 27th I read half of the January Children's Friend and the next morning I read the other half.

I can't tell you how much inspiration I got for Primary for the new year.

What a blessing.

Following a schedule.

Some people hate schedules...sometimes I do.

But, if I make myself a schedule then I won't get lost and sucked into the internet so much.

(Blogs, Pinterest, Hulu, Netflix, etc.)

The schedule is flexible but, having a plan is better and safer than no plan.

(Include: hobbies ~ photography practice and tutorials, photoshop practice and tutorials, organization, calling, cleaning...notice cleaning is LAST!

Organizing and dejunking and archiving.

Project room: condense containers by putting stuff in binders, throwing stuff out, and completing projects.

Books: We have a lot. I need to got through them and get rid of the ones we aren't in love with.
Nathan may or may not be building me a nice sturdy book case...it will help, a lot!

CONTINUE:

Reading more books!
My goal is to read 24 books this year!

We will be purchasing a library card in the Soo!

I think I'll blog about that another day...but it means I can read MORE books!

Family Indexing

I was doing this really well before I got sick.

Each week I would set a goal and would often exceed my goals.
Need to get back to that.

***

I've been thinking about these resolution ideas since Christmas.
I like them. I think they are attainable.

Have you read the first article in the January Ensign.

So positive and uplifting and inspiring.

Go read it, if you haven't.
Here's the first paragraph...

"At the advent of a new year, I challenge Latter-day Saints everywhere to undertake a personal, diligent, significant quest for what I call the abundant life—a life filled with an abundance of success, goodness, and blessings. Just as we learned the ABCs in school, I offer my own ABCs to help us all gain the abundant life."

That article by our beloved Prophet is why I make changes in the new year.
I want a more abundant life!
An abundance of success, goodness and blessings!
Sounds great!
I'll take it!

List of Books I Read In 2011

2011-12-16T04:00:00.000-08:00

So here is my 2011 list of books I read: (FYI, my favorite reads are youth/young adult books)

LOVED IT! Easy read and very enjoyable story! I remember it being pretty funny at times.

Good Read! Really enjoyed it. WWII, Germany.

I'm not posting these in the order I read them....this was one of the first of the year and I could not remember what the book was about. I had to read the synopsis on Wikipedia. I remember now. I really liked this book. It was a good read. Interesting.

I love this book. This was a book I had read in recent years. I rarely re-read books but I really like this one. I first read it just before we moved to Nebraska and the book takes place in Nebraska. Maybe that's why I love it so much?

Willa Cather is from Nebraska, near Lincoln and when my parents visited us there, we went to her hometown and toured it.

LOVE IT!!! You've probably all read it, too. If you haven't, you SHOULD! And see the movie, loved that too! I stole this book from my mom right before we moved and then I let my friend here in the Soo read it before I sent it back to my mom. My friend loved the book too and she took me to see the movie with her! SO GOOD!

I enjoyed this book. It's by an LDS author and involves the single life of an LDS woman who works as a private detective for her uncle's quirky business. It's cute and a good mystery.

I enjoyed this book. I made decluttering and organizing a hobby while we lived in Lincoln and still can't resist some books and websites on the subject. This is a good one. I think I would also enjoy Peter Walsh's book, "It's All Too Much," which was written before this one. Maybe I'll read that one in 2012?

LOVE THIS BOOK!!! This is another I have read before. I think this maybe one of my most favorite. The thing is...it's not for everyone. I have lent this book to two friends and they both gave it back to me after a few months and said they just couldn't get into it. Sad, because it's SO good! But, again, I guess it's not for everyone.

This is another one I stole from my mom before we moved. It was really good. It's the first in a series. The next one is out and it's called Crossed. Not sure when I'll get to read that one. Surely, our library won't get it for another 50 years or so. Mom, if you get it, send it to me!!!

I felt like this was much like the Hunger Games...but not so much that I thought was I was reading the same book. Just sayin.

A friend here let me borrow this book. It's an LDS author. It's a pretty good mystery. An enjoyable easy read.

Same friend let me borrow this one. I LOVED IT!!! Very much! I think I would read this one again.

I would say it's a similar read to The Secret Life of Bees. Loved that book too.

This is a FAT book. I had to take a break at some point while reading it. But, I did finish it. It was good. Very interesting.

Stole this from my mom before we moved. Started it in October and just finished reading it. It's a fat one too. It's historical fiction and is about George F. Handel, who wrote Messiah. Messiah is an oratorio that is often sung/performed around Easter and mostly Christmas. I don't own the music but would love a copy. It was a good book. I felt it was longer than it needed to be and there were loose ends, I felt, at the end...which I do not like. But it was good and I would recommend it to others.

And one book I started and stopped. Maybe one day I'll read it all the way through.

It was hard to read. I don't like books that are hard to read...not these days anyway. The actual author tries to write like he's another writer, writing about actual places and events. Talks about visiting the places, which are actually fictional places but written about as if they are real. Confusing. At the same time the story is being read by a grandfather to his sick grandson. Maybe someday I'll try again. We own it.

I love the movie. We don't own it.

The book I wish I was reading right now. Charles Dickens' The Christmas Carol. I just have a hankerin'. But, we don't have it. And why would our library stock Dickens? No. The real question is why doesn't our library have ANY Dickens!!?!? Seriously, they have no Charles Dickens...not one! And they call themselves a LIBRARY!!!

What I am reading instead is a book lent to me by a wonderful woman in our branch. I started it on Monday and I am really enjoying it.

And that's a wrap!

What is you favorite book? Genre of books?

Christmas Questions...

2011-12-15T03:00:00.000-08:00

My Aunt Kathy had a post, How are the holiday plans coming along?

Her post included several questions.

I gladly and excitedly answered all the questions.

When I tried to post my "comment"...novel.

It was TOO long.

So here are my answers:

Our Christmas is coming along quite nicely.

Do you have all your decorations up? Real or fake tree?

Wedecorated the day after Thanksgiving.

We have the most beautiful 7 foot fake tree. We got it forabout $45 on black Friday a few years ago. We're not black Friday shoppersper-say. We got up at a normal time and went to the stores we had scouted outahead of time through their ads and if they had trees left we'd get one. Shopkodid not...Home Depot did not but I asked if we could have the display treebecause it was such a great price and such a beautiful prelit tree with redberries and little pine cones. They said yes! I love our tree. Only thing Imiss about the real thing is the smell. The first year we had the fakey we gota pine tree smelly thingy...but we never use it because it is liquid and you'resupposed to just leave it open on a table. I don't feel good about having openliquid sitting around with Marley...even though she is really good about nottouching things we ask her not to...still makes me nervous. What if the smellhypnotized her and it told her to drink it...no...don't like to think of Marleyswiggin' on pine tree perfume.

How is your shopping going?

Our shopping is mostly done. We are getting one more giftfor me this week. Then we are totally done. Still sewing some things forMarley.

Nathan is still working on a homemade gift for his sister.I'm still working on homemade gifts for our parents and my siblings. Hope toget all that in the mail this Saturday.

I can usually surprise Nathan with a gift or two but he hasa really hard time surprising me...which I DO NOT mind...but he really wants tosurprise me.

Maybe someday.

I LOVE shopping online and we pretty much have to since welive near outer Mongolia and there is no place to shop besides a tiny JC Pennyand Walnast. Can you believe there is no place that has ANYTHING maternityhere...except Walnast...and actually I don't know that they do...haven'tlooked. ANYWAY. Sorry for the rant. I LOVE Amazon.

Do you participate in a Secret Santa exchange?

We are not participating in a Secret Santa exchange thisyear. I did last year at my job at the orthodontist. I got the lady a $20 giftcard to Maurice's and everybody else got each other Christmasdecorations...nobody told me there was a theme to the gift giving. Oh well, thelady I gave to was SOO surprised and SOO appreciative. She probably thoughtshe'd get a plastic reindeer and instead she was half way to a new purse orshirt!

Anyone have a new favorite Christmas song?

I LOVE Christmas music! I listen in the car. There is anoldies station here that plays Christmas music 24-7. But, we can't get that station in our house. Lucky for me I only listenin the car because they claim the most Christmas music...they play it all thetime...but you hear the same songs all day....not much variety.

There are SOmany Christmas Albums I want: Michael Buble, Mindy Gledhill, Jason Mraz (notsure if he has a whole album but I love his version of Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland),Barbara Streisand (grew up on her Christmas album and I LOVE it, I NEED it!),ummm...that's all I can think of. There are so many favorites...it's hard tochoose but I tend to like the jolly upbeat ones as opposed to the sappycry-baby ones. Touching I like...cry-baby, no thank you.

I know you didn't ask but one Christmas song I LOATH isChristmas Shoes! EEWWWW!!!! That songwas not written to spur on Christmas joy, it was written to make you feel sadand cry. Plus, we could listen to Christmas music on my mission and onecompanion put that on repeat anytime we were in the apt or in the car for 3solid weeks! DO NOT LIKE THAT SONG!

A new favorite? No new favorites. I love Bare Naked Ladiesand Sara Mclachlan's version of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen...I think they mixsome We Three Kings into it...I love it! I own that one and listen to itanytime...throughout the year.

How are your kids doing with Christmas anticipation?

Marley and Christmas anticipation. Well, once mid-Novemberhit a switch turned on inside her (think it was triggered by Walnast'sChristmas decor) and she was asking begging to get our tree out and decoratefor Christmas. I might have given in but Nathan is adamant about waiting untilafter Thanksgiving. I tend to agree but, seriously I might have given in, whichlets be honest, wouldn't have been the end of the world. Grandma Alger sent usa package with gifts. That made her SO excited! The first gifts under the tree!Every day since, around 10:00am Marley and I have the same conversation.

Marley: Can I open my presents?

Me: No.

Marley: Please, just one?

Me: No.

Marley: Please can I open one present just for a minute?!?

Me: No.

Marley: I just want to see what the toys are...just for ONEminute?

Me: No. We will open one MAYBE two on Christmas eve. Then wewill open the rest on Christmas day. We need to wait. It will be more fun if wewait.

Marley: Please just for ONE minute!?!?

Me yesterday: If it's too hard to see presents under thetree and not want to open them, I will hide them and they won't come back untilSanta comes and he puts them back under the tree.

Marley: (worried eyes and exasperated voice) NO! DON'T DOTHAT!

Can you answer all those questions in 4,000 words or less? Ready GO!

Happy Birthday Renaissance Man!

2011-12-14T03:00:00.000-08:00

It's Nathan's birthday!!!

The world is right again.

Because once again we are the same age.

We are 80 days apart.

During those 80 days he somehow finds casual ways to bring up that I am older than him.

I retort with..."Oh yea? How old are you?"

He can NEVER remember how old he is and if he guesses he is usually a year too old.

If you don't know that I also call Farmer Freitas, The Renaissance Man, you might want to read this birthday post.
Happy Birthday To my My Renaissance Man (December 14, 2009)

Basically, it's because he will try almost anything to be self reliant.
He would rather fix, build, or grow things instead of buy them.

And if you want to know more about Nathan and our courtship you might want to read this birthday post.

For Those Of You Who Don't Know... (December 14, 2008)

But, if all you have time for is THIS post, the one you are reading...here we go.

Here is my Renai Man fixin' the dryer.

Which does indeed work now!

It took three tries...replacing three different parts, which I think ALL needed replacing.

This was the first try.

(Below) The black things on the left are the old nasty parts...top ones are made from a thin cork and did not look like cork at all.

The two bottom things once looked like that blue thing on the right.

They were worn OUT!

We borrowed this rivet tool from our friend Gary.

Now, of course, The Renai Man wants one.

Oooo!

I should write that down for a future gift idea!

It is a pretty cool tool!

Oh man he is SO handsome!

So the main problem turned out being the motor.

Nathan tinkered with the old one and found it needed a new capacitor.

I asked him, "A Flux Capacitor?!?!!!"

Sadly, he didn't get it...do you?

I refreshed his memory and then he got it...and then he said,

"You are weird! How do you remember that stuff?"

Then he hugged me. = )

Anyway, he also found that if your capacitor is out, your whole motor is out.

No replacing just the capacitor.

So, he ordered a new motor.

Replaced it.

And BAM!

Working dryer!

SO VERY NICE!

He predicts the next thing we will need to replace in the dryer is the heater.

Ummm...never thought about a dryer having a heater.

But, duh...probably does since it heats the clothes up.

So far it's heating up fine...hopefully we'll be good for a couple years.

~fingers crossed~

He is still trouble shooting the car's engine light problem.

He has tried several things.

Cleaning, replacing parts, cleaning more, attempting to replace more parts and finding they are the wrong parts.

It's annoying...mostly to him because he just wants to fix it himself.

Last night I offered to take it to a mechanic so he wouldn't have to worry about it anymore.

He got a smile on his face and said, "No, I can't let it go yet."

I don't mind. I am surprising myself with my patience in the matter.

I do like that he is trying so hard to fix it himself.

So, far we are still ahead of having a mechanic fix it ($300+ ahead)

We are still driving it around, it's our only car, but we do try to keep it to a minimum.

But, we did that before the engine light, just because of gas prices.

Nathan has ridden the bus to and from work pretty much everyday since we moved here.

I'm not worried about it stalling or breaking down.

And even if it does, we have excellent road side coverage through our insurance.

We'll be fine.

THEN and probably only then it will go straight to a mechanic. ;-)

******

He will be SO mad at me for telling you this but, he yelled in his sleep last night.

HA!

Guess what he yelled?

"MARLEY!!!"

It was WEIRD because he NEVER yells at Marley...I DO!

And I couldn't tell if he was sad/scared yelling or mad yelling.

I turned over really fast and put my hand on his chest so he would wake up.

I was pretty sure he did but I couldn't ask him about it because, you know, he is completely deaf without his hearing aid and with the lights out (can't read my lips).

I turned back over and wondered as I fell back to sleep if he was mad or sad at Marley, in his dream.

This morning I didn't ask him about it. But, he asked if he scared me, yelling in his sleep?

I said, yes! and asked him if he remembered what he yelled. He did. Then I asked him what it was all about and he couldn't remember. He did remember it was a mad yell though.

HA!

A couple hours later he was running in our bed...just for like two seconds but it was funny!

He didn't remember doing that.

He is sick today...he didn't feel very well yesterday and I don't think he slept very well.

He's staying home...in bed....so far.

I love that guy!

So much.

I read books...

2011-12-10T11:52:00.001-08:00

I did not enjoy reading when I was a kid. I liked being read to but, I didn't like to read. There was ONE book I remember reading when I was a kid and I read it over and over. The Doll In The Garden by Mary Downing Hahn . It's a spooky mystery with a creepy ghost cat and a ghost girl. And the girl(s) in the book were probably about my age, when I was so obsessed with this book.

A book I loved hearing was The Indian In The Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks. A cool cupboard. A little key for the cupboard! Toys come to life when you put them in the cupboard! What's not to love?

I found both books at the Lincoln Library sale a couple of years ago. I had once owned The Doll In The Garden. I was so glad to have found both favorites for my collection. I read them and wrote comments in the margins and then sent them to my sister Julie. She read them and was able to read my comments as she went along. It was fun!

I didn't like to read in high school either. I blame the fact that I never got to pick the book I HAD to read (some I remember The Great Gatsby, The Grapes of Wrath, To Kill A Mocking Bird, The Christmas Carol). I think most of the required reading I got in high school was usually half read and then skimmed and then finished off by reading the last chapter. Just enough to write my report. From what I hear they let kids pick the books they read for reports, these days.

The one book I got to choose to read was for a biography report. I chose Howard W. Hunter. That was the biggest book I had ever read and I read it from cover to cover. In that class we also had to give a presentation on the person we chose to do our biography on. Mrs. Navaro found my subject very interesting but my presentation was too long. Oopsie!

I started to love reading when I started college. I LOVED reading my text books and sometimes felt like I got more from them than from my professors. In some cases this was the intent of the professors, most times not. I almost always read the text though. Loved learning that way. My reading comprehension isn't the best and like everyone my mind would sometimes wonder. I had to read some pages over and over.

(at one point each of these images were in a nice row on one line...blogger!)

We have been moving several textbooks every time we relocate. One day I came downstairs and Nathan had textbooks piled up all around him. He was searching the web for where he could sell the books and get the best price(s). He was trying to sell mine too. At first I was sad...I kept them for a reason...reference...someday. Plus, we've both been out of school for 5-6 years and I didn't think we would get anything for any of them. But, then I recalled hefting HEAVY boxes full of these books every time we move and I got over it. The highest buyback price was $34 for one of my Speech Language Pathology books. Booyah! We ended up sending in 9 books and getting a check for about $66. Also, shipping the books in was free...we just printed a label provided by the site we sold to and they paid the shipping. (Can't remember the site we sold to, and neither can Nathan but if anyone is interested, let me know. Nathan is willing to look around to refresh his memory, after work.)

I also started to enjoy recreational reading while I was in college. I don't even remember any of the books I read while in college, they were few and far between, except all the Harry Potter books. I remember looking forward to reading "stories" as opposed to textbooks, on my college breaks.

After college my sister made me join her book club. She has a great book club because those ladies are such good friends too and they ALL happen to share a deep love for books. They have great discussions. Her club got me even more into reading. I wouldn't say I love it so much I always have a book in my hand, but I love it more than I ever have.

A few years ago I made a new year resolution to read a least one book a month. That year I read above and beyond 12 books...I think it was something like 35! Every year I have the same idea, at least a book a month and I usually read more. This year, I read exactly 12. I wasn't even keeping track and I counted the other day and bam! Exactly, 12. It might have something to do with our area having THE CRAPPIEST public library system. Or it might have something to do with the tv show addiction I had this fall. Nonetheless, I just barely made my goal this year.

Posting the list Friday.

POST EDIT: I read 13 books this year....just figured that out while preparing list for Friday. ;-)

Argh! Blogger is making me angry!!!!

2011-12-07T05:31:00.001-08:00

Just wanted you to know that I don't want our header picture that big!

I edited the photo a little so I changed the other one for the edited one.

But, now it's HUGE!

And I'd really like it centered!

But, no.

Finally figured out how to fix the blog title so it won't cover the picture...

but now our blog title may show up as "~" for you.

Where it says, "Farmer Freitas' Wife" now is actually the blog description.

Used up all of Nathan's photo space...I guess I just post too many photos.

Seriously considered making a new email address and starting a new blog...but was too lazy/annoyed,

so, I bought 20 more GB for $5.

And even though I realize that is an excellent deal,

I still felt like I was selling my soul.

Why?

Because blogger doesn't do what I want it to...

I love and hate their new interface...

there are aspects that are wonderful and make things easier....

there are aspects that are stupid and won't let me edit them the way I want them....

or I just don't know enough to make it do what I want...

that's probably it.

But, still I'm mad at blogger.

AGGGHHHH!!!!!

Whatever!

PS - Yes mom, I will try to make our picture smaller so you can see if I have posted without scrolling down. But, not today. Carl's angry!

And here's a random picture, just because I CAN!

Are you ever frustrated with blogger?

How do you get it to do what you want it to?

I see that you can!

You're blog is beautiful and perfect!

Are you using the new interface?

Do you use a blogger template?

TOTALLY thought we were having Twins....

2011-12-06T05:09:00.001-08:00

Nope!

Nathan knew the whole time.

TOTALLY thought we were having a boy!

Nope!

Nathan knew the whole time.

It's A Girl!

Guess who is SO excited to have a sister!

"Is this balloon for me?"

"Yes! What color is it?"

"PiiiiinK!"

"Ahhhh!!! I'm so excited!"

"Yes! Yes! Yes! Ahhhh!"

"Ok, hold still so I can get a picture of you and the balloon being still."

"Oh, turn the balloon. Smile big!"

"Oops! The balloon is fuzzy, hold still. Smile big!"

"Let the balloon go."

"ah! The balloon turned!"

"Mom! Can I just play with my pink balloon?"

"Fine! Go ahead!"

I really did think we were having twins.

A boy and a girl.

One third of me would be dead serious to Nathan and insist there were two in my tummy, to scare him, never worked. I would even try to think of "scary" situations like: "Oh my! How are we going to fit in our car with twins!" or "Oh my! We're gonna need two cribs!" He would always calmly retort with very viable solutions. And shake his head at me.

One third of me hoped, so we could grow our family faster.

One pregnancy and two labors, back to back.

Sounds good to me!

AND

One third (the biggest one third) hoped we weren't.

Two infants!

Two babies!

Two toddlers!

Yikes!

Twins would be awesome!

And yet so scary!

My head bows to all my friends and family who have had twins.

I must confess, I was hoping for a boy.

And it all comes down to the hair!

I hate doing my own hair.

Doing Marley's isn't so bad.

Well, after I catch her:

"Marley! Time to do you're hair! Come here!"

"Can't catch me!"

and lately it's

"Ha ha ha! Can't catch me I'm the ginger bread man!"

"Ginger bread men don't have hair. This is not a game, get over here."

Ok, sometimes I chase her...which doesn't help with the times I don't want to chase her.

I usually just spray leave-in conditioner in her hair and let her have it down with beautiful curls.

Or I put a piggy tail in it, either on the back or up top.

I like the piggy tail up top the best because it keeps the hair out of her face and even after putting on her winter hat, it still looks like I did her hair.

But, she likes it on the back of her head or just down.

With both of those styles, once she puts her winter hat on

BAM!

looks like I didn't even do it!

Please don't get me wrong though...I'm excited!

And last night I had a dream I held our new little infant girl in my arms...she's beautiful!

I thought I might mention...

2011-11-30T07:01:00.001-08:00

This month, Nathan & I have been married 5 years.

We celebrated simply.

Marley & I surprised Dad at his cold office with a peppermint hot chocolate & two spicy breakfast burritos.

Nathan spent several breaks at work over several weeks making me a beautiful paper flower.

It was so unexpected and thoughtful.

I love fresh flowers but, they never last.

This one will last.

That afternoon we picked Nathan up early from work, which is actually a Friday ritual.

Then we went grocery shopping.

Nathan & I sneaked a frozen cheese cake into the cart.

One of those with 8 slices and every two slices are a different flavor.

That night after we put Marley to bed we busted that cheesecake out.

Mmmmmm....

Usually, Nathan makes a caramel pecan cheesecake, this frozen one was easier....but not as good.

And the following three nights after our anniversary we ate cheesecake after Marley's bedtime.

Hee hee hee!

We lay in bed looking at Pinterest together.

That night we clicked on the "humor" category and we laughed harder than we have laughed in awhile.

Tears and high pitched squeeks.

And of course I had to cross my legs.

That kind of out of control laughter.

We have been planning to buy new sheets for our bed as our gift.

We should have gotten them that night, but we didn't and we still have yet to get them.

Soon!

It was a lovely day.

You know how it goes.

Part of me can't believe it's already been 5 years!

The other part of me can't believe it's only been 5 years!

Either way, I am so grateful to be married for time & all eternity to Nathan.

"...to satisfy the little devil in all of us!"

2011-11-29T04:50:00.000-08:00

Ha! Nathan's Grandpa was asked to be in a Doritos commercial submission for the Super Bowl.

I think my cousin Andy submitted a Doritos commercial last year? Or a couple of years ago?

It was hilarious! But, I remembered having a hard time finding it.

So, I got VERY specific directions on how to find the commercial with Grandpa Russon.

WARNING:

Before you click on the link to watch the commercial you must be warned!

Grandpa Russon just celebrated his 90th birthday and he is
THE CUTEST old man IN THE WHOLE WORLD!

I don't think he has even a little devil inside him, but the commercial is pretty cute, because of Grandpa and funny because of what he does to get some Doritos.

http://www.crashthesuperbowl.com/#/gallery/?video=16894

********

I have to continue to tell you about Grandpa Stanford (Stan) Russon.
Isn't Stanford such a cool name?
He has a beautiful wife and eternal companion, Teresa, or Grandma Russon.

I don't know all the details of their lives but I know enough to tell you....
they are very faithful Latter-day Saints.
They have spent their lives building a legacy of faith.
They have dedicated their lives to perfecting themselves and helping others along the way.
They are dedicated to redeeming the dead through temple work and and spreading the Gospel through missionary service.

They are HARD workers.
They still live in their home. They still cook and clean and care for themselves.
They continue to host large family events.
Grandpa never stops moving and always has a large garden and a beautiful yard.

They have traveled A LOT!

They never stop learning. They are always reading!

Grandpa is a record keeper.
He has published a family history book of his Martineu ancestry.
He has also published his own personal history which is in two volumes. He has given a copy to all his children and grandchildren. They are treasures and include lots of pictures and wonderful details of significant personal and family events.

He is ALWAYS learning new ways to place his text around his pictures on the computer.
For his age he is very technologically savy.
Always memorizing how to replicate what his grandchildren teach him on the computer.
He just got a new computer!

They each served a mission as young adults.
Grandma served in Mexico and Grandpa served in the Central States, mostly in the south part.

As a couple they have served 4, yes FOUR missions:
Chile
New Jersey
Switzerland
and
Puerto Rico

In Switzerland, I think, they worked in the temple and Grandpa was/is a sealer.

He has married and sealed MANY of his grandchildren in the temple, on their wedding days.
Including me and Nathan.
It was the most beautiful sealing I have ever attended.
I hope everyone says that about their own sealing. ;-)
Ours was so personal because Grandpa sealed us.
He shared beautiful truths and personal insights that I continue to be touched by and reflect upon.

I am so grateful to be part of the Russon family and be a grandchild to Stan & Teresa.

So many blessings

2011-11-28T09:05:00.001-08:00

Our Thanksgiving was wonderful! Minus, Marley waking up throwing up. She only did it once though and then she was just fine. Must have been something she ate...or something? We didn't go to the branch Thanksgiving because of it but we had a great time as a little family. Thankfully we had some yummy treats and lots of fun projects planned. The house was CLEAN! It's not now. Poot! The visiting clean never stays long. Oh well.

Marley watched a couple of movies bundled in blankets and the bucket in front of the couch, while Nate and I did stuff around the house. Cooking, cleaning (trying to keep the house clean as long as possible), sewing, eating. Nathan sorta missed out on turkey and stuffing and the whole Thanksgiving meal (not me, you know). But, thankfully we had some yummy alternatives.

For breakfast we had blueberry pancakes. Nathan used our last bag of frozen, hand picked (by us) wild blueberries. They were SO delicious! We also had hot coco! Mmmm. For lunch we had artichoke dip with french bread and black olive sandwiches. Our bellies were stuffed! Still that night we had BLT's. Those were so delicious too! We haven't had any of those meals in awhile and never in the same day so it was a memorable Thanksgiving still!

Marley didn't last on the couch. She was soon up and helping and dressing in princess clothes and dancing. Can't keep a princess down. She still moved the bucket around the house with her. She learned that by watching me do it for three months. But by the evening the bucket and Marley were in different parts of the house....and that's the way we like it.

Friday morning I met my friend, who is helping me sew, at her house around 6am and we went to the Soo and black Friday shopped JoAnn's together. It was fun! But, we did not think about the double line. One HUGE line for cutting and then a line for checking out. We got some excellent deals and it was fun to be together. So worth it.

After shopping Ranon (pronounced Run On, my friend) gave me a bundle of Thanksgiving leftovers for Nathan. She said, "I know you don't like Thanksgiving food but here is some for Nathan." It was turkey and stuffing and gravy. She also included cranberry salad, enough for me and Marley and black pecan pie! Yum!

Throughout the weekend we continued to celebrate how thankful we are to be a family. We did everything together! We had yummy food, like, Chicken Tikka Masala. Mmmm! Chicken Enchiladas! And homemade deli sandwiches! Avocados are a bust at the store these days, poot! but still we can make some YUMMY sandwiches!

We also had pistachios and spice drops at our finger tips all weekend. You can always find spice drops at Grandpa Russon's so that was a fun family tradition to uphold and stir up warm feelings of family far away.

Nathan worked on the car. He is still trying different things to keep the engine light off. It keeps comin' on. He has one more try and then we gotta take it in to a professional. We think this will be the key though. Fingers crossed. Marley and I cleaned out the car (my favorite thing to do) while Nathan worked under the hood.

Nathan also worked on the dryer. Yea, our dryer died about a month ago. He has replaced several parts in it so far and now he thinks it's the motor. Probably the most expensive part to replace. It's an old dryer though and we are SO grateful to have it. He is going to tinker with the motor and try to fix it til after Christmas. If he can't fix it, we'll order a new one. In the meantime, we'll continue to take our wet clean clothes to the laundromat to dry them. We are so grateful to have one in town. Phew! It's a pain and inconvenient to transport and pay for it but we can dry several loads in an hour. Not bad.

We worked on Christmas presents for extended family. They may be a bust though...may have to resort to a back up gift. We'll see. But, that is what is frustrating about homemade gifts...for me anyway. They rarely turn out right for me. That's also why I like to avoid baking these days. By bother if nothing turns out right?

I am so grateful for Nathan. He is such a loving and caring husband. He loves to be with me and I love to be with him. I love being his wife! I am SO grateful for his job and the awesome experience he is getting for his career.

I am so grateful for Marley. She is so smart and helpful and friendly. I see her as an over achiever in every way. And oh yes! She is a butthead sometimes...so she is also a very normal kid. She makes me so very happy to be a mother.

I am grateful that we are being blessed to grow our family. We are so excited to find out the sex of our little babe next Monday, the 5th! What do you think it is?

I really have SO much to be thankful for. Even things that I haven't felt thankful for...I DO! Like engine lights and broken dryers and a sick child. I have been able to see the blessings even in the unexpected and disheartening. I don't feel that it is anything I have really done to seek it, just being blessed. That is why I love this season. This year I have truly felt my heart soften and yearn for simplicity and fill with gratitude. Our lives don't need to be as complicated as we think or make them out to be. My life is simple right now. I am a wife and a mother and I love it! I have so many blessings!

Filling In The Gaps

2011-11-22T13:15:00.001-08:00

I lost my blogging groove.

The weekends throw me off.

I just take what I can get from people posting...and I'm happy.

And I'm sure you're all the same too.

So no apologies here.

But, let me fill in some of the gaps.

1st

You are all correct! I am definitely NOT 18 months pregnant! Sheesh! THAT would be awful!

I am now 19 weeks pregnant. And my appointment went great!

2nd

To answer Aunt Kathy's questions. From this post.

" Is there a story behind the Angry Bear? Or is it a big stuffed bear lookin' all ready to eat you like?"

On the corner of Hwy 31 and I believe, Airport Road in Traverse City, there is an outdoor sporting goods store....at least we think that's what it is, that has a giant angry bear over the front door. There is a beautiful wilderness scene painted behind the bear.

It is quite the sight!

Since both pictures I found online are on flickr accounts of people I don't know, I'm just giving you the links to view the pictures. Please know: I don't know these people and did not look through their album(s) and if you choose to look through their album(s), I am not responsible for anything you may or may not see.

Link to picture of Angry Bear in Traverse City, MI

Poor Angry Bear got tagged with paint balls.

3rd

I have been really busy!

And I'm not just talking about my rigorous tv watching schedule...that too has suffered...but not too much.

Saturday: Nathan worked in our project room, on a homemade Christmas gift for his sister,

while I worked on organizing our project room.

I'm going to do a post on the project room but just know that it was/is a big job and I made a good dent in it.

Marley kept herself busy twirling in her Rapunzel dress and talking to her imaginary friends.

She "helped" organize too.

My friend is helping me with some Christmas present projects.

They are for Marley so I went while she was at school.

I'm sure I'll do a post on them but, I have been busy going to my friend's house and getting help.

And I've been working on my holiday tradition of cleaning my house like we're going to have guests! I started this tradition in Lincoln and part of the tradition is thinking and hoping while I clean that someone(s) from our families will surprise us and show up for the holiday. No one has ever surprised us, nor have I really expected them to, but it is a wonderful treat to think of our families while I clean AND have a spic n' span house when I wake up on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The past two mornings I sang my to do lists.

That was fun!

It helps me remember what I need to do and organize my thoughts so I can be quick and efficient.

You should try it.

Sing as you go!

First Snow Fall of the Winter....

2011-11-18T04:00:00.000-08:00

Fridays are exciting!
Today is my 18 month doctor appointment!
In two weeks we get to find out what we are having...a boy, a girl, or an alien...er, wait, no.

Last Friday was our first snowfall of the winter, as you know from my glam on 9&10 News.

But here's the good stuff.

Nathan had the day off last Friday.

It was wonderful!

Marley couldn't wait to go out and play in the snow.

She lay on the floor while I tied her boots and and I thought she looked a little bit like the kid all bundled up on the Christmas Story.

(ignore the mess around her)

Wow! A Winter Wonderland!

Marley insisted on building a snowman.

Dad gets started.

Marley tromps through the snow and asks me to take pictures of her foot prints.

Half way there.

Crushed.

The awesome face, which included eye brows.

The rock face wouldn't stay together though.

That little ball on the top is the hat that Marley made.

Just won't stay!

The snow queen on her throne.

Eating her favorite delicacy. White Snow.

After Marley went to school that day, Nathan and I spent nearly all four hours cleaning and organizing the garage.

Now the Black Pearl is safely harbored in the garage.

Safely hiding from the snowplow.

While we were cleaning I got snagged to do the news piece.

All because Marley wanted a snowman and Nathan built it.

Have a wonderful Friday!!!!

A fLoCk oF sEaGuLls

2011-11-17T05:01:00.001-08:00

A Flock of Seagulls?
Do you remember that band from the 80's? Here's a song to help you remember. Before you try and view it, let me just warn you, I really like this song and watched the whole thing, but it's 5:27 minutes long, so if you don't have time, just skip to about 4:40 and watch the last minute. Make a note of the lead singers hair. That's what this is all about. (oh and you'll have a chance to see their guitarist, he looks like he is 12!) I think this is the only A Flock of Seagulls song I know, but I like it!

So, I said this is all about that lead singers hair...well, it's really all about Marley's hair...when she wakes up in the morning. Sometime it looks like that dude's hair...sometimes it looks much worse!

Evidence:

The following are much worse.

This is when we lived with Grandma Nette.

I was snapping so many pictures Marley went and got the detangling spray and started doing her own hair.

We really like this do but, it's hard to do with her curl and fine hair.

Here it's tamed by a do rag...kinda.

The following pictures are crazy hair and...fuzz?

Marley!? Did you take this pillow apart on your bed?

Whachyu talkin' 'bout Phyllis?

Some mornings are tame.

Some mornings, everything is crazy!

Post Edit:

And what was Marley doing while I was blogging about her hair?

Wearing her backpack on her head.

Marley? Why are you wearing your backpack on your head?

What? Is that weird?

Family Dance!

2011-11-16T09:39:00.000-08:00

Last Wednesday Marley didn't have school because that night her school had a

FAMILY DANCE!

When that smoke machine would come on there was a mad dash!

Marley and I have dance parties together quite often.

We love to dance!

I was blind sided by the fact that Marley wanted NOTHING to do with us.

She just wanted to dance with her friends and her teachers.

I am 99% sure she is asking that little boy if he likes her dress.

It was like our 3 year old was a teenager already.

If she saw that we were near she would bolt in the other direction.

"Where's my mom and dad? I have got to keep them at a cool distance!"

This is the little girl that Marley sits by on the bus.

They became fast friends when school started and they spent a good portion of the night dancing together.

I don't think Marley has ever seen anyone break dance before, she is a natural though.

She loves to dance on the floor, spinning, kicking, and twisting.

And splitting.

"Hurry! Get up! The smoke!"

And at the end each kid got a new hat and mittens.

I think Marley picked the coolest hat!

On the way home we hear from the back seat,
"Guys! I'm sorry I didn't want to dance with you. I just wanted to dance with my fwiends....
but, you're still my fwiends."

Phew!

When we move...

2011-11-15T06:28:00.001-08:00

Whenever we move I feel like I have to find myself all over again. Does that sound weird? It's not that I don't know who I am. There are some constants here...

I know I am a child of God and that he loves me. And knowing that, I know that I am never alone.

I know I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For THAT I am so grateful. I wholeheartedly believe it to be the restored Church of Jesus Christ, with a living Prophet. I love that the curriculum and structure and organization is exactly the same throughout the whole world (which is such a comfort). It also has the most amazing members who welcome everyone with open arms. At least that has always been our experience. The church is an instant social network. A network of assistance and support if you need it. Such a comfort and a help.

More constants...

I know I am the wife and eternal companion to Nathan, and the mother of Marley. For that, I am also SO grateful. Nathan is such a supportive husband. He doesn't always understand the feelings I have but he always listens and he helps me so much. And Marley is a little gift of happiness and humor. She is always making me smile and most often laugh.

I know I am the daughter of Bruce & Sandy.

And the sister of Liz, Julie and Peter.

I am always grateful for their love and support no matter where I am.

None of those things change. And none are forgotten.

But the proximity to extended family changes. First it was Nebraska...now even farther, Michigan. I have never been SO attached to my family that I have had a hard time being away from them...of course, I am attached and have missed them, but nothing so serious like homesickness and having to return earlier than scheduled.

Though, as I get older and the length of time away and distance seem to get longer and larger...it's hard! And as our family grows, I do wish to be closer to Marley's aunts and uncles and cousins and especially Grandparents.

Marley's memory is a comfort to me though. She remembers the craziest things and seems to have several memories about each of our extended families. She remembers things that I forget or think that she has for sure forgotten.

Just one example: Sometimes she goes down the stairs on her belly, head first and just yesterday she reminded me that Kelsey taught her that! After she said that, I remembered when Kelsey taught her that, but had forgotten until she mentioned it. This happens all the time with every member of our extended families and Marley's memory. I am so glad that our families are interlaced in her brilliant mind and that she can recall them and remind me.

We started a prenatal class last week and one of the things they taught about was postpartum depression. You have this new baby, it's a happy time. Maybe you already have other children that you love and everything is fine but you just can't feel happy. At least, that is how I understand it.

I feel like I go through a little post-moving depression. Change is fun and exciting! A new job! New surroundings! A new house! A new adventure! But, when the novelty of new wears away it all just feels so different. So foreign (on the boarder of Canada, so French, on the radio). So far away from almost everything familiar.

Our whole lives change.

New surroundings.

New people.

New schedules and routines.

New grocery stores.

Where will we fit in?

Who will be our friends?

Where is the grocery store?

I have found it takes me about 6 months to feel normal again, like myself, after moving.

October was 6 months and I am feeling good. There are still LOTS of things that are different. Lots of things still to get used to and to adjust to but, I seem to have an understanding of where I "fit" in "this world."

I am finding ways to appreciate this unique experience for our family. Time and organization has made our house become our home. We have comforting routines and schedules. They aren't perfect but they are ours. The best thing is that I feel the spirit in our home. My spirit has settled and is happy and comfortable.

I am starting to see how our family grows and gains needed experience from being totally on our own. Totally relying on each other and the Lord and struggling through hard decisions and situations together.

It also makes me SO very grateful for modern technology that helps in keeping family close even at a great distance. The internet and blogs and telephones and email are so wonderful. We haven't found anyone to try Skype with us yet, but when we do, I think that will be so fun too!

We grew to absolutely love Nebraska. I feel the ties of love sprouting for Michigan. And that makes me so happy! I think it just takes time and patience and faith.

Baaahhhh!

2011-11-14T16:58:00.001-08:00

I invested time and energy into a cute post with:

Pictures.

Witty Commentary.

and

The Perfect Amount of Detail.

Lost.

Somewhere in blog oblivion!

So, this is what you get:

Solar Powered Dancing Flower

You are SO welcome!

Primary Program Today!

2011-11-13T06:01:00.000-08:00

I am the Primary President.

I am learning a lot.

I have one counselor, Noel Alexander.

Sister Alexander teaches the class of 8-12 year old children.

We have a great singing conductor who is also the pianist, Ranon Wilks.

Sister Wilks also teaches the class of 3-7 year old children.

We all go to class first.

Then we all come in the primary room for Sharing/Singing time.

I teach sharing time and lead the music while Sister Wilks conducts the singing time from the piano (electric keyboard).

We have about 11 actively attending children in our branch.

I LOVE our primary children.

Here is Marley giving her part for the program (Prayer is reverent communication between God and me). And then singing the only primary song that she knows all the words (I Am A Child Of God).

Technically, Marley shouldn't be in primary or the primary program until next year, but our little branch has an interesting nursery arrangement right now so Marley has been going to primary since we moved here. Two other nursery aged children, one Marley's age and one a year younger also come to primary after one hour of nursery. It makes sharing time hard because we are teaching a 2 year old and all in between up to 11 years old.

In branches, you do whatcha gotta do!

How was your primary program?

Were you in charge?

Are you relieved it's over?

Snowman!

2011-11-12T18:30:00.001-08:00

Right, so, I missed a day.

My bad.

But, it's really hard to keep up when you are in demand with local news reporters!

Yea, I was on the news.

You can watch it here.

Hurry on over, cuz I looked WAY glamorous.

During the "interview" the snowman crashed to the ground, cuz it was melting.

But they didn't include that.

They also didn't include my compulsive lip licking because my mouth was dry.

I'm grateful for that, you didn't want to see that.

And now most of the snow is melted and gone.

We're not worried.

We know there is a lot more to come.

AND the dude they interviewed before me, Doug, is our way nice neighbor.

He shoveled our walkway yesterday.

And they mowed our front lawn all summer.

We have good neighbors!

Family Pictures

2011-11-10T04:15:00.000-08:00

Our family home evening activity this Monday was a photo shoot.

It was time to update our family picture.

Also, Marley had picture day at pre-school?

We opted to not pay an arm and a leg for pictures...that may not turn out.

Crazy hair.

No smile.

Etc.

AND that is the reason we got a nice camera so I could take my kids' pictures.

We will probably order pictures once they start elementary school though.
And I do realize that is till a gamble with...
Crazy hair.
No smile.
Etc.

Please know.

I am still in need of learning a lot about photography.

And photo editing.

And everything.

I got this CUTE frame from my sisters when we moved to Michigan.

I LOVE it!

So, our family pictures have to be portrait...not landscape.

Same at the top of our blog. It's kind of a hassle to change that from portrait to landscape so we are trying to stick to portrait for that reason too.
(as you can see I am having a problem keeping it landscape and getting it to fit.)

I thought we got some good shots.

Here you have it.

Marley was a good test shot subject.

I wish I took more of her.

Nathan was a less co-operative test shot subject.

I think this is the best family one.

Marley is super cute in this one.

I am a perfectly natural super model.

Wanna kiss?

No?

Time for the FHE treat?!?

I think I prefer taking our family pictures outside in natural lighting and beautiful natural backgrounds but, I was too sick during the beautiful fall colors to bother.

Do you take your own family pictures?

Do you have any tips for us?

Do you have any special criteria for your family pics?

(portrait or landscape because you want it in a special frame?)

Please share.

They call me The Leech...

2011-11-09T06:48:00.000-08:00

"They" are my family.

What can I say? I love to hug my family.

And sometimes I don't like to let go.

I have always been this way...I was born this way.

It's my nature.

And I'm a GOOD hugger (my dad taught me! more on that below)

so it's not like a punishment!...

depending on how you look at it.

Nathan didn't find out I was a leech until after we were married.

THANK GOODNESS!

I think because all engaged people are leeches to each other in one form or another...or in all forms...hugs, cuddling and especially time.

One day after we had been married for a good amount of time I was hugging on him at my sister Julie's house and I wasn't letting go.

My sister walked by a few times and rolled her eyes at my happy face and clenched arms.

She gave Nathan looks of sympathy and understanding.

She finally said, "You didn't know when you married her that she is a LEECH?"

Nathan found that title gross and yet a perfect description.

Appropriate for describing me and my weakness or strength...

depending on how you look at it.

But, when you think about it, leeches ARE gross!

It's better than the tick! GROSS!

The Boa Constrictor.

No, actually I do like the boa constrictor...

that sounds way more glamorous than the leech!

I am going to apply to change my title.

Speaking of titles...

My sister Julie's title is...

The Red Dragon!

Doesn't that sound cool?

I think so.

But, it references her red hair and her temper.

Do Not make her mad.

She has simmered down over the years, but still.

My sister Liz's title is...

Lizard.

No that's boring and it's just because that goes with Elizabeth.

She has been known as...

The BiPolor Bear.

She can be moody. Mooooood swiiiiings.

My brother Peter...

has been known as....

Unkie Skunkie.

Unkie is for Uncle. Skunkie is because boys stink and he is the only boy and we like to tease him.

I don't think he likes this title.

When he was young...like three he called us Shum-shums.

One day someone asked him what that meant and he said,

"Ugly sisters."

If I were to give my mom a title it would be....

hmmm...probably...

The Generous Crab.

She is ALWAYS willing to help her kids in any way she can and she can be VERY generous. We have ALL lived with our parents at one time or another, AFTER we were married. She got a new washer and dryer last Spring so me and Nathan could have her old ones. I thought that was VERY generous. She has also been generous with her time. As we were growing up she made every effort to be at and support us in our activities. I know that's part of a mom's job but, not all mom's are so generous or supportive.

She can also be very crabby.

My dad...

hmmmm...probably...

The Sensitive Teddy Moose.

He is sensitive to a fault sometimes. He gets his feelings hurt pretty easily. But, he usually comes around and shakes it off. Eventually.

He too is very generous...but I couldn't fit that into his title.

He also loves to hug and not let go. He's a good hugger and that's where the Teddy part comes in...like a big ol' teddy bear. He is the one who taught me that there are different kinds of hugs. The side hug...for people you don't really want to hug. The back slapping hug....which mocho guys usually do. The close friend and family hug...where your right arm goes over the other person's left shoulder and left arm goes under the other persons right arm. That's the best hug for squeezing and not letting go. And the awkward hug, unless you're married and like to hug like this...(which I do)...woman hugs man's waist and man loosely wraps his arms around woman. That too is good for squeezing and not letting go.

His name is Bruce and that rhymes with Moose.

So maybe...

Bruce the Moose, The Sensitive Teddy!

Is that better?

Too long?

Well, if you feel left out and you want a title...just let me know.

If you have a title and you'd like to apply for a new one...go ahead.

From now on I shall be known as....

THE BOA CONSTRICTOR!

glamorous and fierce!

better than a blood sucker.

Mission Impossible....nearly.

2011-11-08T06:54:00.000-08:00

I love this!

And yet...

made me feel a little overwhelmed.

But, I still love it.

What do you think?

District Conference ~ A weekend away Part 2

2011-11-07T18:27:00.000-08:00

District Conference ~ A weekend away Part 1

Part 2

The Highlights

(sad news, none of the these pictures are mine because I was too stressed out and pressed for time to take pictures)

Marley didn't fall asleep in the car until we were nearly there. So, we started to look for things that we could point out to her. There was a huge chicken on the top of a restaurant or something and the chicken looked very patriotic, much like this one.

I said: Marley look at that huge chicken! Do you see it?

Marley: Yes! That chicken is American! Ha ha ha!

Once we got to town and got our tires and ate we decided to forgo sightseeing since we didn't want to usethe car except for necessity until we got it checked out. So, we wentswimming in the motel indoor pool. It was the weirdest pool I have ever beenin. The bottom was canvas and it wasn't smooth or attached to the ground.Bubbled canvas. Sounds weird right? It was. But the pool was clean andthe indoor atmosphere was nice. There were three kids in the pool when we gotthere but they left soon after we got there, then we had it all to ourselves.

Not as weird as this though!

Who does this!

Traverse City has the world's largest pie tin. I really wish our family had climbed in and took a picture but not only was I too stressed & pressed for time to take pictures....it was also raining when we past this photo op.

Also raining for this one:

A giant angry bear!

OH MAN! The only picture I could find for this one is totally copyrighted. Just google it.

While Nathan went to Priesthood, Marley and I went to fillup the gas tank and search out a grocery store so we could buy some lunch stufffor after church on Sunday. We got some pre-made hoagie sandwhiches from the deli with condiments on the side (little packets), avocados, chips and drinks. We already had oranges and bananas.

We also stopped at Salvation Army and Goodwill andlooked around. Got Nathan a birthday present ~ a twin bed frame. He is addicted to the instructables website and he has two projects that he needs the twin bed frame for. His birthday isn't til December but I couldn't hide the frame in the car so he already knows he's getting it.

We picked Nate up from priesthood and went right to Chili's. As we were walking in the parking lot, Marley and I walked through a handicap parking stall.

Marley stood on the head of the handicap sign and said, "Ha ha! I'm standing on my head!"
I said, "That is you?"
Marley said, "Yea! That's me on the toilet! Ha ha ha!"

Marley now knows that the handicap symbol is a person in a wheelchair not a person on a toilet.

After the adult session, Nathan was using the computer andMarley and I were snuggled in one of the beds watching TV. I was channel hopping and found America's Funniest Home Videos (AFV) my favorite show! But, also watching NCIS. When Marley saw Tom Bergeron she said, "Is this Dancingy with the Stars?"
I said, "No, this is American's Funniest Home Videos, but that is the same guy that's on Dancing withe the Stars!"
We watched some funny clips until the commercial and then I changed it to NCIS. Eventually we were back on AFV, and when Marley saw Tom Bergeron again she said, "Is THIS Dancing With the Stars?" I explained again that no it's not but that is the same guy. It was funny! And since she is not used to channel surfing I could see how she was getting confused.

Have I ever mentioned that I REALLY like Tom Bergeron? I do!

I hope I don't find Tom Bergeron in my weird and disturbing dreams tonight!

The End.

Fireside at our house!

2011-11-06T23:38:00.000-08:00

Tonight we hosted the branch fireside.

President Schemm spoke to us about Gratitude.

Appropriate because of harvest time and Thanksgiving.

It was a great talk and he said a lot of things that helped me remember all the many blessings I have been given.

He spoke about 20 minutes.

Then we had yummy refreshment.

We chatted and laughed.

Marley was the entertainment, running from the kitchen into the living room and doing crazy jumps onto her bean bag.

The best story teller in our branch is our Senior Elder, Elder Glenn.

He told the most hilarious story about this guy that was stopped in the middle of the road in a snow storm, with semis on the road. Elder Glenn carefully stopped, made his way over to the car and was scared because all the windows were fogged up and the person wasn't moving, he thought the person had died. Elder Glenn started banging on the windows and yelling, "Hey, hey, are you ok?" The guy rolled his window down a crack and said, "I need help! I can't get my car to stop!" The guy's car was stopped and off, Elder Glenn was confused and said, "What do you mean?" They guy said, "I can't drive in this storm so I tried to stop and even turned my car off but my car won't stop!" And the guy pointed at the snow that was careening into his windshield because of the wind, making it look like he was still moving.

President Schemm teasing the new missionary.

Marley the Energetic.

Rachel & Julie

Our good friend Noel, Sister and Elder Glenn, Elder Waite and Elder Hoyt.

Aren't they the cutest Senior Missionary Couple you ever did see!?!

Next time you are welcome to come!

District Conference ~ A weekend away Part 1

2011-11-05T08:53:00.000-07:00

Just so you know, Part 1 is long. Part 2 will be Monday and it will be a little shorter.

No pictures.

But I'm sharing it all and giving all the details so you will know where we are coming from, more about where we live and that it is very different than anywhere else we have lived.

If you get nothing else form this story I hope you will understand that my faith was increased and I know that my Heavenly Father loves me and blesses me.

Part 1

Our tiny Branch is part of a District so instead of Stake Conference we have District Conference. This also means that we have a District President and he has counselors, much like a Stake President and his counselors but, instead of getting our temple recommend interview from the District Pres or one of his couns (like the Stake Pres or his couns) we interview with the Mission President or one of his couns. Interesting, no?

Sorry, that was just a side tidbit that I've learned since moving into a District.

Last weekend we had District Conference in Traverse City which is 3 hours away from our house. We thought long and hard about how we could make it to all the District meetings.

Saturday: Training for both of us from 11-1 (childcare provided); Priesthood meeting 2:30-4:30; Adult session from 6-8pm (childcare provided).

Sunday: General session from 10-12pm.

Both our parents and grandparents were excellent examples of faithfulness. Fulfilling callings and making a point of going to all their meetings was never a question. We have NEVER debated on whether or not to go to our Stake meetings. We've always just gone. Granted our meetings were usually within 5-20 minutes of our house. Never before had it involved a 3 hour drive and thus an over night stay.

We are on a tight budget. Most people are, right? So we thought about just going for the Saturday session because there were 3 meetings as apposed to the 1 general session on Sunday. But, we both felt weird about not going to church on Sunday.

We also thought about contacting some District leadership to see if they knew of any families/couples willing and able to house a family of three for the weekend. But, being pregnant and having a sensitive nose/gag reflex/puke response and allergies (to almost all pets) we were nervous about that.

We prayed and pondered and decided to dip into our little savings look into motel accommodations. As soon as we started this process I felt good and peaceful even though we weren't finding anything at our desired price. I felt like we were doing the right thing and I have been promised that if I am where I should be, when I should be there blessings will come.

Ultimately we ended up naming our own price on priceline. And though we ended up saving 29% on the motel, later we found out we paid too much and could have stayed at a nicer motel with a WAY better breakfast...for a little less. Poot!

Since we were paying for a motel we decided this was not only going to be District Conference weekend but this was going to be a little vacation. We could see a little piece of Michigan, sight see, and have some fun as a family, out of the house!

Here was our next mistake:

We have been saving up for snow tires and found we could get a better deal outside of the Soo, so we extended our weekend, Nathan got Friday off (one more night in the motel...not the mistake...that was fun and worth it!) and added the snow tires errand to the weekend (that was the mistake). That took up a big chunk of our time on Friday and thus...no sight seeing.

We also hit a "pot hole" not a mistake but an unforeseen problem:

As we were leaving town Friday morning our Engine light came on. Poot! I freaked and immediately started think of the money we had wasted on a motel we weren't even going to make it to stay. But Nathan new more than me (as usual) and said it would be ok. He checked the owners manual and sure enough, its description made me feel ok about driving the 3 hours. But we knew we'd need someone to look at it while we were there.

When we arrived around 2 we went to our appointment for the snow tires. Blessing: the guy gave us a $25 out the door coupon on the tires. Saving $25 equals AWESOME! While they changed our tires we ate at Red Lobster AWESOME! Pricey, I know but the ONLY chain restaurant close to us is Applebees and we had to take advantage of yummy familiar cuisine while we could. And Red Lobster was RIGHT next door to the tire place.

After, that we went right to our motel and started calling around to mechanics, by this time it was 4:00 on a Friday. Nobody could/wanted to help us and nobody was going to be open on Saturday...except ONE. He agreed to run the diagnostic on Saturday morning.

Now, this guy kinda swindled us or this was just his policy. He charged us $72 to do the diagnostic and kept telling me it would take an hour to run. Since then we have done some research and the diagnostic can be run in a matter of minutes and can be done for FREE at most auto parts stores, like AutoZone, Checkers and Advanced Auto, etc. The thing that confused me is BLESSING: the guy gave us a loaner car to use while they had our car (free of charge). They couldn't run the diagnostic right away and once they did it would take "an hour" so he offered us a loaner car. So, in my mind, we rented a car for a couple of hours for $72.The loaner car was a blessing because we had training at 11.

Ever since the engine light came on we were praying. Together and in our heads and hearts. After we dropped the car off and got back to the motel we discussed the situation and decided that we wanted to pray and we were going to pray that there was no problem, but if there was a problem, that it would be a small problem, and that we would be able to drive back home and get it fixed at home. The guy had told us that they were closing at noon and he would only be able to run the diagnostic but not be able to fix it til Monday. Though we were really enjoying being in a "big" city, we didn't want to have to stay another day (budget!).

As we went to our training I sat in the meeting and found it hard to concentrate which frustrated me because THAT was the real reason for the trip! Then I started freaking out that the guy forgot to get my cell number. Before we went into our respective meetings we decided that we would go back to the mechanic together and leave Marley in the childcare (I spoke to someone from our branch and they agreed that would be best). I'd get the call and then go pull Nathan out of his meeting.

So, me the freak out lady walked out at 11:30, without getting a call. Since they were closing at noon I thought he should have called by then. I pulled Nathan out of his meeting and told him I hadn't gotten a call but I that I thought the guy forgot to get my number. Nathan said, "No he did get your number, I remember." Then I said, "What if he got a number wrong and can't reach us?!?!" He consented to just go and see if they were done.When we got there they were almost done and hadn't even tried to call yet...ooopsie! We waited about 20 minutes and got the diagnosis. We could drive it home and get it fixed there! Another blessing! We paid our fee, transferred our stuff back to our car and made it back to the training by 12:00. And I enjoyed the last hour MUCH more with our car back and knowing we'd be ok to get home safe.

The District Relief Society provided lunch after the training. Sadly, there were more people than they expected, I guess, because they ran out of food. Sad for them because I think they felt bad but, we got enough to hold us over and we were so grateful that they went to all that effort.

Nathan went to Priesthood. (what Marley and I did during priesthood is in Part 2 just to cut Part 1 down...not because it is super exciting or anything).

Then we picked him up and had just enough time to go eat at Chili's! I love that place! Sadly they discontinued my favorite, the Cajun Chicken Sandwich! Ah! So we did the 2 for $20 and shared our items. It was yummy.

Then we went to the adult session. It was so nice that they had childcare provided! The meeting was really good. We heard from the District President, the Detroit Temple President and Matron and the Mission President and his wife. Blessing! This meeting made the whole trip and all the sacrifice and struggle worth it. I felt the spirit. I felt uplifted even though I also felt pricked to make changes. It's not easy to be pricked and even harder to make changes, but it's good.

Sunday day we went to the general session and it was good. But we had Marley and it's hard for her and all the other kids to sit quietly for 2 hours. She did great though and so did the kids around us..but, they are still distracting...they can't help it.

After the meeting we waited a bit for people to clear out and then ate our yummy lunch in the gym and then changed our clothes and headed home.

We made it home safe and sound and blessed.

This whole situation was a learning experience. Now we know a lot more for next time.

Part 2 - Monday just a few more details.

Dear Mrs. Crawford

2011-11-04T06:07:00.000-07:00

When I am pregnant I have THE MOST bizarre and often disturbing dreams.

Last night was not the case.

I was most warmly and pleasantly visited by my dear friend.

Michelle Schulkins Crawford.

I dreamed that she and her family came out to Michigan to visit us.

We played Wii, but we don't have a Wii.

Michelle do you have a Wii? Did you bring it to my house?

We had wonderful picnics on the beach.

Lake Superior's beach, though in my dream it was more like the Pacific Ocean beach ~ Rio Del Mar.

We went to a lighthouse and after we were there touring it awhile we noticed there were huge black scorpion-like bugs on the wall.

And one got in my hair and I grabbed it and threw it.

Then we bolted outta there.

Ok, it was still kinda bizarre and disturbing.

We also practiced Cued Speech, which in reality Michelle taught me and Nathan last spring.

We were just as fluent as Michelle but in reality we still stink at it.

We also went on beautiful hikes and played at the sand dunes.

Our kids had so much fun playing together.

Our husbands got to know each other better.

Michelle and I talked about old times and reminisced about all the wonderful friends we had and still have and all the fun things we did growing up.

When it was time for Michelle and her family to leave, I didn't want them to.

Michelle and I kept talking and talking in our basement.

We don't have a basement and neither does Michelle so I don't know where that came from?

But Donny, Michelle's husband, packed up all there stuff and put it in their van.

He corralled their cute children (3 in my dream, but in reality they have 2 and one on the way) and buckled them safely into their mini van.

Then he came back downstairs and sadly said, "Honey, it's time to go."

I gave Donny a hug. He's my good friend too, from growing up.

It was nice to see you Donny.

And then Michelle and I embraced and said goodbye.

Thanks for coming Michelle!

It was nice to see you!

Please come again soon!

Stole this from Michelle's blog. This picture was taken last spring. No likey my hair.

I love avocados & turkey?

2011-11-03T04:26:00.000-07:00

I know.

For those of you that know me really well you're saying,

"No, that is a typo! Becky DOES NOT like turkey!"

It's true I don't like turkey 99% of the time.

I especially do not like Thanksgiving turkey.

I've blogged about this before,

and my brother-in-law, Matt said I was unAmerican.

Rude!

I DO love turkey and avocado sandwiches.

This love affair started when I was a wee lady...ok, 11-ish.

My family moved to California and shortly thereafter I was introduced to the best sandwich shop in the WORLD.

TOGOS!

Really! I think Togos is the best in the world!

(please note I have not been many place around the world)

I ALWAYS get:

#24 Turkey & avocado Quintessential California. Fresh Haas avocados piled high on slow roasted turkey

Other sandwich shops where I have gotten a turkey and avocado, they totally skimp on the avocado...which is THE BEST PART...since, you know I don't like turkey.

But the great think about this turkey is you can barely taste it and its texture is perfect with the avocado. Oooooo and the onion and tomato and mayo...and pepperoncinis and a little salt and pepper, equals THE BEST SANDWICH EVER!

A close second is JJ's (Jimmy John's).

Their logo brags "World's Greatest Gourmet Sandwiches"

and I can't argue with that...they have REALLY good sandwiches and they do not skimp.

And they deliver!
To your house or work!
But not to ours.

But when it comes to turkey & avocado this is what they have:

#12 BEACH CLUB®
Fresh baked turkey breast, provolone cheese, avocado spread, sliced cucumber, sprouts, lettuce, tomato, and mayo! (It’s the real deal, and it ain’t even California.)

And it's good...but you can only get it on their sandwich bread...NOT offered on a hoagie roll.

I find hoagie rolls much more filling and thus satisfying.

I did ask TWICE (different times) if I could get it on a hoagie roll and both times...no, sorry.

That was at the same location too...so maybe at a different location?

Anyway, my point is...I love turkey & avocado sandwiches.

Since we have neither Togos nor JJ's....

I'm sad.

We have THREE Subways.

And they TOTALLY SKIMP on the prepackaged avocado (gross!)

Don't even bother with avocado there.

Go for the heart attack and get the Spicy Italian.

We went on a little trip last weekend (posting about that another day).
On that little trip I made myself a turkey and avocado sub and it was SO good.

AND!

It is on our dinner menu for this week!

I'm not so sad.

PS - avocados are a decent price right now. I had an avocado with my lunch on Monday AND Tuesday.

And we just got 6 more at the store.

Prego girl HAPPY!

PPS - we also got one pomegranate at the store. It was $1.18...didn't think that was a very good price. But, I had to get one because I like them, and my mother loves them and she would get them for us when we were kids.

AND my Aunt Kathy posted a Vimeo video from POM showing an easy way to get the seeds out.

I'm going to try it!

OK!

What is your favorite sandwich?

Do you make it?

What is your favorite sandwich shop?

Is there a food you absolutely don't like 99% of the time?

Crummy Commercials...

2011-11-02T05:52:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite movies is The Christmas Story...you know "You'll shoot your eye out!"

There is a scene in that movie when the kid gets something in the mail that he sent away for, a seemingly long anticipated decoder ring! He listens to the radio to get the code and then locks himself in the bathroom to use the ring to crack the code. It's an intense scene! He is sorely disappointed when the cracked code turns out to be, "a crummy commercial!?!?"

We don't watch very many commercials because on Hulu there are only about 2 commercials per break. But, we do watch the same commercials over and over. Not very many commercials but also no variety. It's ok though because we like the majority of the commercials we are stuck watching. Granted the nonmajority we LOATH. But I'm not going to show you those. Just gonna show you our favorites. And yes you can say, "She's posting crummy commercials?!?"

We'll start with Marley favorites:

#1 favorite

I think she loves the music and the baby!
Two funny things she has said while watching this commercial:
"Is that OUR baby!?!"
And when the baby is on the road with the cars:
"That baby is tricky!"
Nathan says,
"Do people even use those baby walkers anymore? And who would take one to the Grand Canyon!?!"
Me:
I just think that is stupid use of that technology.
Who wants relatives printing pictures and what not on their printer?

#2 favorite

Again I think she likes the music.
Marley figured out that all of those were supposed to be bars of soap.
I think her favorite one is the brain.
FYI: We use Dove in our house.

#3 favorite

She loves the song and the birds.

That's it.

Nathan's and my favorite:

Love the thumbs up, "You're good!"

The scream and the slow-mo laugh while the car spins out of control with Mayhem on the outside!

So funny!

A whole family favorite:

A full grown man in a child car seat acting like a naughty Mayhem child.

Funny!

I love how Mayhem looks at the camera like, watch this!

Marley doesn't purposely make messes or throw sippy cups from the back seat but she does say,

"MOMMY! MOMMY! MOMMY! MOMMY!..."

Even though I have said "What?" just as many times as she has said, "Mommy!"

I think EVERY kid does that at some point.
FYI: We do not use Allstate.

What's your favorite commercial?
And do you use that product?

Blogging Everyday This Month?

2011-11-01T11:58:00.000-07:00

First off, I may or may not be participating in Nablopomo (National Blog Posting Month). Usually, I just randomly declare my own month of blogging (last May) but, this time I'm gonna give it a try during the official month ~ November. I say, "I may or may not be participating..." and "...give it a try..." because I don't know that my schedule (or lack there of) and personal discipline (again lack there of) are devoted to it....and yet, my heart and soul may be devoted to it more than ever.

At the end of the month if I blogged consecutively everyday, I participated...if not...I didn't.

Shall we start this beautiful November off with a controversy? How about a controversial confession?

At the risk of judgments from others and any misgivings I may have....out with it....

I think I'm addicted to television shows.

Here's my trusty line up of favorites:
Biggest Loser
The Sing Off
Dancing with the Stars
Castle
Community
The Office
Parks and Recreation
Warehouse 13
The Middle

Shows I just started watching this season and not sure if they will make the trusty favorites list:
Pan Am
Once Upon A Time

Shows I haven't figured out how to watch the current season of...but want to:
Bones
Iron Chef America

Netflix shows:
Drop Dead Diva (didn't keep up 3rd season because I had to watch it on mylifetime.com and that was too annoying)
Oliver's Twist (The Naked Chef, Jamie Oliver, before he was the Naked Chef, he's so cute zooming around England on his scooter, buying fresh ingredients. Though I think I'm almost out of episodes.)
Downton Abby (My friend mentioned it on her blog...that she liked it...and then I saw it on Netflix...it's a BBC show and I'm not sure how their "seasons" work?!?! But I watched the first 13 episodes which I think was the first season.)
The Defenders (canceled)

Shows I choose not to watch despite their popularity:
Glee
Modern Family
Desperate Housewives

Here are my excuses (weak excuses):
I don't feel good ~ actually I am feeling better these days. (tomorrow, 16 weeks prego!)
I don't have the energy to do anything else. (If I did anything else I'd probably have the energy to do more.)
I'm lonely when I'm home alone and watching tv shows makes me feel less lonely.
There's nothing else to do.

A blog I read everyday quoted David O. McKay, "the greatest battles of life are fought out daily in the silent chambers of the soul."

I don't think my chambers are silent...I think they are full of fake people/characters and scantily clad women dancing the paso doble, (I love the paso doble) and other people getting their lives back.

Usually while I am sitting on the couch enjoying this entertainment my spirit is fighting back and saying, "What are you doing? You are more than this! Use the computer and the internet to develop your talents! To communicate! To enrich your life and family!" Use this TIME to bless your family!

I talk myself into finding something else to do after this episode is over. This is my last episode today...then I will....

Then I either find something else to do OR I find another episode to watch.

Television is a great battle in my life and I do feel that it is largely a battle within myself. Nathan and I have talked about cutting ourselves off completely. And not having "tv." But, I feel like we basically did that by not getting any kind of cable. We do have Netflix and we do debate on whether to keep it or not.

I am hoping this commitment to blog everyday this month, though half hearted, will help me refocus my energies on more productive, more creative, more worth while things.

So, I want to open it up to you....either tell me:

What you like to watch?

What you do to fill your time and energy, because you don't watch?

Have you ever struggled with this same issue...what helped you to overcome and get a life of your own?

OR

Any advice you may have....but you can't say "Get out and make friends!" unless you have specific people in my area that you would like to introduce me.

And please know...I do still take care of my family. I try to read the scriptures everyday. And I stay up to date on all my household and church responsibilities as best as a prego lady can.

Please comment away...I really want to hear from you!

Whoooo! Whoooo! Are you for Halloween!?!?!

2011-10-31T10:10:00.000-07:00

One feather duster was torn apart in the creation of this costume....but no owls were harmed.

The hat was the trickiest part. We made it from a pair of sweat pants. The waistband is around her forehead. Cut one leg off and sewed it into the crotch seam. Then cut most of the other leg off and folded it back and stitched some ears. Not the best but not bad. I wish I made the ear stand up better before I took this picture.

All morning we looked for spooky things to watch on youtube.

(the pictures of the spooky things on the computer were requested by the owl...

I couldn't resist her requests)

Doesn't this owl have beautiful nails?

She has a cute striped turtle neck that she will under the sweater tonight.

Forgot to have her put it on this morning.

Now she's all ready for school.

After school we are trick or treating our street.

Then we are going to the Soo to pick up dad.

Then we are trick or treating the downtown.

Then we are going to our friend Noel's house and having chicken calzones!

And then we are trick or treating Noel's neighborhood!

When we get home we will watch It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!

(all the while eating/snacking on CANDY!)

Then we will crash into bed.

HAPPY SPOOKS & HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

A Lizard, A Punkie & A Cute Sweater

2011-10-24T11:22:00.000-07:00

On the eve of our move to Michigan, my sister Liz made Marley a sweater.

Perfect for our cold winter/spring drive across the country.

It is so cute!

She worked on it late into the night because the next morning we found it hanging in a grocery bag on the outside knob of my parents house.

It was a fun surprise!

I am a bad sister because Liz never got to see it on Marley.

And it's been six months already!

I should have posted pictures of her in it sooner!

FINIALLY!

She can.

Thank you Aunt Liz for the adorable homemade sweater!

(it's hard to get Punkie to hold still)

Thanks again Lizard!

We love you and miss you SO SO SO much!

Hair Cuts & Coconut Butts

2011-10-07T08:26:00.000-07:00

Shickadance!

I forgot to take my camera for Marley's first haircut.

And my phone was home charging so I didn't even get a picture on my phone.

Oh well.

I can't get pictures off my phone anyway because I'm not smart enough to figure out how.

Or I need a memory card first.

Something like that.

I do have a picture hidden away on my phone somewhere of Marley's first fake hair cut.

So that's good enough.

Fake hair cut?

Before we left Utah my sister-in-law Whitney cut my hair.

Marley wanted a hair cut too, but I didn't think it was time yet.

So, Whitney played along and pretended to cut Marley's hair.

And I took pictures.

Someday when I figure it out...

I will post EVERY picture from my phone.

And you WILL like it!

Neither myself nor the hair dresser could bear to cut off any more of Marley's curls than just a trim.

Then the hair dresser couldn't help herself...or she did help herself and put Marley's hair in pig tails.

She got TWO suckers and of course BOTH have to be open at the same time!

Which they are now....but not in this picture.

Do you love that fabric behind her? Me too!

Someday I will fashion it into real curtains for the front and back doors.

These are for REAL pig tails, eh?

Woa! Too close.

Taking these pictures myself.

I love it.

It's an A line...almost.

Still growing out from this cute hair cut from Aug 2010.

Loved the feel of the pixie but didn't like how it looked on me.

Which do you like better?

*Ok, no coconut butts...but it rhymed and we like to rhyme and we like to say butts....sometimes.

Keep crackin' us up....

2011-10-06T08:49:00.000-07:00

All of Sunday morning, Nathan's Marley-given-title was Ballet Teacher.

HA HA HA!

She needs a dance class really really badly.

The way she talks....
(boy! does she love to talk!)

Lellow = Yellow

"I can't know how!" = "I don't know how."

"It's too har-ed." = "It's too hard!"

She says that anytime she doesn't want to do what we have asked her....like clean up.

She also adds syllables to lots of small words like:

Ha-ow = How

Da-yad = Dad

Kee-al-sey = Kelsey (her cousin)

Say-yam = Sam (her cousin)

"Shut it guys!" = "Shut up guys!"

Which we are not aloud to say and she has only said twice.

Anything that has happened in the past (no matter how long ago) happened:
most commonly - "last night"
but sometimes - "lasterday"

Phrases she has picked up from us/me....

"Oh my gosh!" (frustration or surprise)

"Sheesh ka beebee weesh!" (surprise)

"Chicken Fricassee!" (like a swear)
"Shickadance!" (also like a swear)

"Home again home again jiggity jig."(when we get home)

"Whatever." (with attitude)

She loves to talk about her dreams.
I started this.
I started asking her what she dreamed about before she even knew what dreams were.
But, she caught on fast and she loves to discuss them every morning.
Most of the time I think she makes stuff up...but, often I think she really does remember some dreams.

All week I haven't been able to find my summer slip on shoes.
So when we go out and wait for the bus, first I gotta get socks on and my tie up shoes.
(so inconvenient!)

This morning I found them!
They were being useful in Marley's little kitchen.

Can you see them?

Yea, they're just hangin' out, holdin' felt fruit and scoops of ice cream.

I'm actually a little surprised she didn't pour water in them.
(she loves to get water from our fridge door dispenser and then play with it in her kitchen)

The End.

Goodbye September...until next year.

2011-09-30T13:07:00.000-07:00

Marley made it through her first week of Pre-school and loves it.

Big girl going to school on the bus.

We live one block away from her pre-school but they have a bus and Marley is so excited she gets to ride it.
She is picked up first out of 17-20 kids and dropped off first.
Perfect.

In the picture below, I was trying to get a picture of Marley sitting on the bus but I got a picture of my reflection.
You can see the ghost of Marley by my right shoulder.

Big girl getting off the bus.

Crazy lady won't take a normal picture...she's like her Aunt Jill.

My two favorite below.

Trying really hard to look "normal."

When she gets home she is so talkative and wants to tell me everything that happened.

Sometimes I can picture exactly what happened.

Most times I don't have the faintest idea of what went on...besides bits and pieces.

What have I been doing while Marley is at school four hours a day, four days a week?

Growing a baby!

I'm 11 weeks along.

Our new baby is just the size of a fig and yet so demanding.

Hormone haziness or shall I say craziness.

My brain does not work.

I'm thoughtless....and tired.

Can't wait for the first trimester to be over...
and hopefully stop the mind melting madness and...

the nausea.

Please!

(soon right!?!)

With that complaining out of the way, I promise I won't complain again.
Well, at least not until the last trimester.
We are so grateful to be finally growing our family again.
Marley will be four in April and that's about the time we're expecting little figgy pudding.
What? That's not a good nickname?
See, I told my brain is gone.

And now a tribute to September.

Here is one of my favorite songs.
And the music video HAS to be one of the greatest music videos of all time!
I love it!
Perfectly psychedelic.
Funky costumes!
Handsome men.
The horns! I love the horns!
(as in trumpet, trombone and sax)
Classic disco.
It will make you want to dance!
Please enjoy.

Earth Wind & Fire - September

We love you all!

The Pump is Primed

2011-09-24T20:07:00.000-07:00

photo source

I love the fall....for many reasons. But, tonight I'm talkin' 'bout the General Relief Society Broadcast! It's the Saturday before the October General Conference....only in the fall. It's always so awesome and so uplifting and inspiring.

I just finished watching it live, via the internet. I wasn't sure if they broadcast it live online as I'm 99.9% sure they don't do the priesthood session, but I was pleasantly surprised. Not that it is a huge deal because if it wasn't live I probably could have watched it online tomorrow but, it was.

I found great strength in listening as hundreds of thousands of other sisters watched and prayed and sang at the same time. I knew and felt that as I physically sat alone in my living room and I sang "Hark All Ye Nations" and "Come Let Us Rejoice" that my mother, and my sisters and my aunts and cousins and friends were singing at the same time, right along with me. I did not feel alone.

I felt loved. I felt important. I felt the warmth of the Spirit.

I found each talk enjoyable but, I just love love love to hear President Utchdort speak. He always seems to have a key phrase to plant in our minds or a beautiful picture to help us remember and he very often has an inspiring, fresh, and creative list for us.

photo source

A lot has been on my mind lately, trying to sort out a lot of thoughts and emotions and blessings and struggles. The Relief Society Broadcast really helped me start to sort somethings out...it always does! It's true that I didn't hear anything that I hadn't heard before, but hearing it this time, from this General Relief Society Presidency and President Utchdorf tonight really helped me.

And so my spiritual pump has been primed, by watching the Broadcast, I have begun to prepare myself for the gush of gospel truths that will fill our house next Saturday and Sunday. I hope to find ways to continue to prepare myself all week for that gush. If I prepare to receive the messages that the Lord has in store for me through the leaders of His church, I can expect answers to prayers, direction, purpose, understanding, inspiration and I'm sure much much more.

I hope you got to watch. If you didn't, I hope you will...it is well worth your time. What a blessing!

She Just Doesn't Get It

2011-09-02T04:23:00.000-07:00

If I wake up first, I go downstairs and do stuff, mostly on the computer.

When Marley wakes up she sneeks down the stairs and peeks around the corner.

When I see her, I squeel with delight and open my arms.

Marley runs into my arms and we cuddle and talk.

Today.

Marley: I found my pink baby!

(pink rabbit, named Lola, but mostly referred to as pink baby since all her babyies' are named Lola.)

Me: Where was she?

Marley: Under my bed, almost, by the wall.

Me: Oh! Was she crying?

Mar: NO!!! (laughs)

Me: (laugh) Oh Marley! Are you my BF?

Marley: NO!

Me: Do you know what BF means?

Marley: Yea, L-M-nen-O-P

Me: No. B-F means Best Friend.

Marley: Oooohhhh!

Me: And B-F-F means Best Friend FOREVER!

Marley: (wide eyes)

Me: You are my BFF!

Marley: Ok!

I got us some cereal for breakfast.

During breakfast.

Marley: Mom, you are my G-L-C- ummm Q!

Me: huh?

Marley: This means my Best Friend in the whole entire wide world.

I don't know where she learned "whole entire wide world."

I guess since she's just got the Alphabet down - except for "nen" it may be a little much to ask for her to understand acronyms.

It was a great talk anyway.
I love chatting with her...it's always entertaining.

August

2011-09-01T04:57:00.000-07:00

Unconsciously, I took August off from blogs.

I didn't realize until August 12 that I hadn't posted nor read anyone elses' blog.
I decided if anyone asked (my sister) I would just say,
"Oh, I decided to take August off from blogs."
Then it would seem conscious and meaningful?

August 16 Julie called and asked me if I had read one of our favorite blogs today:
"No."
"Why?!?"
"I haven't read it all month."
"Why?!?"
"Oh, I decided to take August off from blogs."
"Go read it and call me back."
"Ok."

The verdict:

My unconscious decisions last longer than conscious ones.

And also.

Julie can get me to do just about anything.

I am a child of God....and so are YOU!

2011-07-25T07:18:00.000-07:00

To date, this is my all time favorite Mormon Message.

Watch it. Then lets chat.

I saw this for the first time last night, at a big multi-branch, yet intimate, family home evening.

While it played I could not stop quietly laughing and crying....mostly crying.

I was not expecting those simple scenes of happy people to start singing.

Nathan gave me sideways smiles and raised eyebrows.

He knows me, he was not surprised.

Marley sang along with wide eyes and a confident smile.

What a beautifully simple but powerful truth.

Brings joy to my heart.

And humble tears to my eyes.

Just from knowing one simple truth.

source

Beautiful.

Once Upon A Time...

2011-07-21T10:49:00.000-07:00

We went to Yellowstone last year, the end of July 2010 to be a little more exact. We went and "camped" with my parents in their trailer. It was so fun and so beautiful!

Our entire family, on my mother's side, is having a huge reunion in Yellowstone, in about 13 days. We will probably be the ONLY ones not there. But, graduate school, no job for 9 months and then moving across several states, twice, broke the bank. Our family totally understands us not being there and have been so supportive and loving.

I never ~~boasted~~, I mean posted, about going to Yellowstone last year, so I decided now would be a good time and it's our way of "being" in Yellowstone again this year.

So, family, now you can say you saw us in Yellowstone this year!

Can't wait to see you there too...when you send us/post all the pictures!

Lots of driving in the park so make sure you have something to keep the kids busy in the car.

I love Lodgepole Pines...even crispy ones.

I love the wild flowers in the park. We bought a package of assorted wild flower seeds while we were there and we planted them in our backyard here in Michigan. Two kinds have bloomed so far. I will post a picture of them when more of them bloom. Make sure you get a package to plant at your home! Beautiful!

While we waited for Old Faithful to erupt a scout troup...mostly the scout leader got the wave going.

It was fun!

Marley loves to walk like Grandma Alger, with hands on hips or crossed behind their backs.

A ghost in an old car. I swear that creepy looking lady wasn't there when I took the picture!
Ok, maybe she was there when I took the picture...but, still, creepy.

Love those wooden boardwalks!

Marley read all the signs for us.

Geocaching

The restaurant where we used to live. I didn't take a picture of the motel...it just looked too different.

There you have it. Now, don't you feel like you've already been to Yellowstone this year?

Have a blast family!

Reun like you've never Reunioned before.

We love you all!

Silly and Crazy - Revisited

2011-07-08T05:02:00.000-07:00

Remember this post?

Here's the evidence from that day.

(evidence is posted in the order it was taken)

Squirrely on the couch.

Crazy on the floor.

Dramatic action/vogue poses.

The back side with a nice view of the....bed head...ballet/Nacho Libra style.

And we all know she is a free style break dancer so she had to bust out some of those wycked moves.

Exhausted from her silly and crazy antics.

I do not mind telling Marley she is silly...

but lately...

I've been feeling a little bad that so often I tell her she is crazy and/or weird.

So, I've been teaching her to respond to me with:

"I may be crazy/weird but I'm HAPPY!"

And proudly I report that she always says it with more tude than I have taught.

I wonder where she gets her weird and craziness?

********

Lately she wants to be called Kenna.

She still makes up weird names...with some weird repeats.

Pakinsy

SooSow

Lalina

Nofta

Peewee

Weewee

(above is the one that keeps repeating randomly?!?!)

Yesterday me and Marley and a lady from our branch were all riding in our car. This kind lady has a few cats and a dog so naturally, she and Marley were talking about animals. Marley was telling our passenger about her dogs (Marley never discloses that her animals are stuffed).

Our friend asked Marley her dogs names:

Marley: "ummm. umm. One is. ummm. Snoosnoff. And I have a noder one and his name is...ummm. umm. His name is Alphabet!"

However, I thought she said Elphaba, which as you all know is the name of the Wicked Witch of the West (WWW).

But, Marley doesn't know that and I thought...

whoever wrote Wicked (Gregory Maguire) must have had kids name the WWW.

And yes, I'm still one of the few in this universe that hasn't seen Wicked yet.

Just found this on Wikipedia:

"Maguire formulated the name "Elphaba" out of L. Frank Baum's name, taking the phonetic pronunciation of his initials: hence, L.F.B became El-pha-ba."

Cool to know Maguire had some sort of rhyme or reason to his naming of the WWW.

Just so you know, Marley has no evident reason for what she names things...

but sometimes they do rhyme.

*********

Marley: "I'm Becky. What's your name?"

I always answer with one of the following names:

Shaniqua

Boniqua

Conifwa

Mustoffa

What?

I did not make those up!

Marley tries to say my chosen name for the day and then says:

"Mom! How bout you're Weewee!"

Memory Search

2011-06-29T07:18:00.000-07:00

I totally wish I could search my memories and thoughts like I search the web.

MEMORY: where did I leave my keys....SEARCH

THOUGHTS: spiritual inspiration I received during Branch Conference but didn't get to write down because I was distracted by the needs of kids around me....SEARCH

Wouldn't that be so helpful!?!

In Harry Potter they have something called a ... (Julie fill in the blank).

It pulls important memories out of your head so you can preserve them.

And then they have a thing called a Pensive (I think) where others can view the memory!

So cool!

I know.
Not real but So Cool!

Wouldn't it be nice to remove awful things from your memory?

Or have saved a memory and then when you have a disagreement on how something happened you could SHOW the disagreeing party your memory!

Booya!

Or to perfectly preserve major events in your life, in real color!

I've heard there is a debate "out there" as to whether or not Memoirs are fiction or nonfiction.

Nonfiction because memoirs are true stories of an actual real person's life.

Fiction because they can be considered skewed or exaggerated by emotion and personal interpretation.

Interesting.

I consider my memory horrible but then sometimes I surprise myself.

I think the majority of the people I know consider their memory poor at best.

Why is that?

My sister Julie has a mind like a steal trap.

It's ridiculous and sometimes scary.

I love to reminisce with Nathan.

I love to talk about what we remember when it comes to

the first time saw each other,

our dating and courtship

our engagement

our wedding

our honeymoon

etc.
I guess I'm a romantic...or just a woman.

I love this because I want to remember every detail!

He doesn't like it because he doesn't remember everything I do.

Marley just said: "Mom! Phineas and Ferb are making a title sequence!"

She has a good memory!

Or we watch Phineas and Ferb a lot?

No, she really does have a good memory.

I know she's young so her mind isn't cluttered yet, but really she impresses me with her recall.

This is all spurred by a relief society meeting we had about personal history.

My mom has been working on her personal history and each Christmas she gives us (her children) another chapter of her life.
I love it!
One of THE BEST gifts ever.

I'm working on my personal history now.

I'm trying to do a little bit each day.

I have been surprised by what I'm able to remember when I sit down and start typing.

It's fun!

Though I still wish I could Google or Yahoo search my brain!

Rut Row

2011-06-24T07:08:00.000-07:00

Felt a little isolated this week.

Monday, Nathan's phone accidentally got thrown in the washer. =-( So, we weren't able to text each other all week, while it was drying out...and our minutes were nearly gone so I couldn't call anyone (our minutes reset on the 23rd of each month).

Both of our friends were out of town this week. (yea, we only have two...but at least we have some!)

It started raining Tuesday and hasn't really stopped.

Can't wait for winter! ;-) I'm sure then it will be considerably more isolating.

Good News:

Nate put the battery back in his phone today and he said it's acting a little funny but working well enough.

That's a relief.

We are going to the Soo today! The Hydro Electric Plant is having an open house with tours and free food! We are so there! And it's Engineer Day at the Locks. They open the gates and you can walk across the little bridges that go over the Locks....there is also a fair of sorts...not sure if there will be much of a fair with this weather...we'll see!

That's all I got for good news.

Peace out.

Flashback Friday...Finally!

2011-06-03T05:19:00.000-07:00

Marley would like nothing more than to be a baby again.

Who wouldn't!?!

Sleep on your warm and safe mom all day.

ALL of your needs are taken care of...by someone else.

And you get to mess yourself in a diaper and nobody is trying to talk you out of it.

She asks me quite often if she can get back in my tummy.

I explain that she can't go back to being a baby and she cannot and will not fit back in my tummy.

We have long conversations about all the fun things there are to do outside of my tummy.

Once I even explained that she cannot get smaller, she just has to keep getting bigger and one day she will have a baby in HER tummy.

She was WAY too excited for that and started asking how she would get a baby in her tummy and when.

I do not remind her that one day she will have a baby in her tummy....I don't have to.

She asks quite often if she has a baby in her tummy.

Me: "No, you have to be big like me...and you HAVE to be married!"

When Marley's newest cousin got blessed this past winter, Marley became obsessed with wanting to be blessed too.

I told her several times she was blessed when she was a baby.

Marley: "I want to be a baby again! I want to be blessed!"

Me: "You ARE blessed!"

My sister suggested I show Marley the pictures we took of her on her blessing day.

I did.

She LOVED them!

Then I got the great idea to pull her blessing dress out of the closet and show her.

Great idea? I don't know.

Marley: "Ok! I put that on!"

Me: "No. You're WAY too big."

Me: [holding dress up to Marley to show she is too big]

BUT, it looked like it might fit her so.....

I had to see....

She's our little peanut.

If her hair was done....not such a mess...she might look like a Queen.

Here's the flashback.
And the story behind her precious little blessing dress.

Missed a Day

2011-05-30T17:48:00.000-07:00

HA!

But ya'll didn't even miss me did ya!

One more day left...tomorrow.

Crazy.

I can't believe it's nearly over.

But, have no fear.

I will still blog regularly...

To keep it up though, I really think I need to get that whole picture problem resolved.

I don't want to pay $5 a year.

Cheap right?

I know.

But, when does it end in another 3-5 years will I have to pay MORE!?!

Because yet again I have run out of room?

And what if I don't want to pay $5 anymore....in the future...what then?

Decisions. Decisions.

What if I just start a new blog...with a new email address....

Is that bad?

Is that dishonest?

Would you all follow me over to a new blog?

******

Don't forget to answer the last three questions above, I really want to know, but here's more....

The rain foiled our plans for Memorial Day....

Actually, we got hoodwinked!

We were supposed to go to a lake that has a bridge

and then

to Tahquamenon Falls.

But, this morning when we woke up it was raining.

We got online to check the forecast for the day and multiple sources said it was going to be rainy with thunder storms.

We sent a text to our friends and mutually we decided it would be best to stay home.

Guess what!?!?

It was a beautiful day.

I'm sad we missed out on a fun little day trip.

But, we hadn't been shopping for about 2 weeks and we really needed some food.

So, we went grocery shopping instead.

I love day trips but I really love food.

*******

Can I ask you one more question?

It's kinda personal, so you don't have to answer....

What do you spend on groceries per month?

We spend $300 - $400 per month and I'm just wondering if that is normal.

Rain Rain

2011-05-28T19:40:00.000-07:00

Go away.

Sorry. I know that moisture is good for the environment and for our water sources, etc.

It ruins my plans.

We were supposed to have a garage sale with our friends today.

It got rained out.

We ended up driving to a near by town seeking donuts.

We roamed, in the car, through beautiful country...there's a lot of country around us and we love to explore.

We sat in the car and watched a freighter float passed.

We checked out the Pine Bowl pathway and one day soon we will bike it.

We did get to meet up with our friends to have yummy yummy hamburgers.

We still had a good day.

How does that rhyme go?

It's raining it's pouring

The old man is snoring

Bumped his head....

Conversation with Marley

2011-05-27T19:05:00.000-07:00

I can't remember what we were talking about but, I was driving and Marley was in her car seat right behind me.

me: You're funny.

Marley: No. I'm not.

me: Yes you are, you're funny.

Marley: No, I'm not funny, I'm just a little kid.

me: [laugh] little kids aren't funny?

Marley: No. They're just little kids.

me: Well, you're bein' funny right now.

Marley: No, I'm not funny, I'm just a little kid. I'm a little big kid. I'm a big kid. I go potty in the potty. I'm a big kid.

me: Are big kids funny?

Marley: Mom, stop asking me funny questions.

Silly and Crazy

2011-05-26T19:35:00.000-07:00

I was never a formal cheer leader.

But, I learned to cheer from the best...or most hilarious.

SNL's Spartan Cheerleaders.

I modified one of their cheers and I always sing it to Marley.

Their cheer:

U.G.L.Y.

You ain't got no alibi!

You Ugly!

Way harsh, right?

Here it is modified for Marley:

S.I.L.L.Y.

You ain't got no alibi!

You SILLY!

AND

C.R.A.Z.Y

You ain't got no alibi!

You CRAZY!

You CRAZY!
(I used to sing that one to my mom all the time. Remember Mom?)

When I mentioned above I always sing this to Marley...really, at LEAST once a day.

Here is evidence of when I sang it to her today.

{Me Crying}

Blogger says I've used up all my free space for uploading pictures to my blog.
I even went back to other posts and deleted some of the excess pictures.
Still won't let me.
What am I going to do?!?!?

{Going to Cry Myself to Sleep}

Marney

2011-05-25T17:53:00.000-07:00

There are words Marley says wrong and it's just so cute I never want to correct her.

I want her to say these words wrong for the rest of her life.

Marney = Marley

Jarbage = Garbage

Skipchurs = Scriptures

Kee-El-See = Kelsey

(ya, she makes 2 syllables into 3)

There are more but that's all I can think of right now.

Also, whenever she says the blessing on the food she says,

"....thank you for PrimareE" gets high pitched at the end

"...gwateful for this food, pweeze bwess it and pweeze pass it."

She always prays for the food to be passed. SO funny!

************

Tonight we watched Ponyo.

Have you seen it?

It's an anima Disney movie.

Nate and I didn't really want to watch it but, Marley did.

As it began I was seeing so many names I recognized.

Liam Neeson

Cate Blanchett

Tina Fey

Lily Tomlin

Cloris Leachman

and

Betty White

Weird that it had such a cast full of big names.

Even weirder...the movie.

Cute.

But EXTREMELY weird.

Especially, the guy Liam Neeson is the voice for.

He looks like he belongs in Jem and the Rockers.

Or maybe in the Misfits.

(I tried to provide pictures to prove it, but blogger is stupid.)

As soon as the movie ended I started calling Marley Ponyo.

She kept saying, "I'm not Ponyo, I'm Marney."

I just kept doing it and finally she looked at me and confessed with a smile,

"Oh ya, I am Ponyo."

**************

I have more crust.

And since I'm not the author of Crusty Mondays I'm just going to throw it out there.

You know Sterilite?

They make bins and all sorts of organization products.

Well, I have 9 of their 56 quart bins and almost all of the lids are broken.

Bins = fine and sturdy.

Lids = cracked, broken and crusty...as in useless.

And so far I have not been able to find anywhere you can just buy the lids!

If I can't find lids for sale somewhere, I'll be stuck with bins with no lids....how useless!

And then, I may have to boycott Sterilite.

~

By Popular Demand....

The Curse of the Black Pearl: Part II

The Curse of the Black Pearl: Part I

Marley!!!! You Goonie!!!!

It's Winds-day!!!

pictures from my phone

New Year's Resolutions (NYR's)

List of Books I Read In 2011

Christmas Questions...

Happy Birthday Renaissance Man!

I read books...

Argh! Blogger is making me angry!!!!

TOTALLY thought we were having Twins....

I thought I might mention...

"...to satisfy the little devil in all of us!"

So many blessings

Filling In The Gaps

First Snow Fall of the Winter....

A fLoCk oF sEaGuLls

Family Dance!

When we move...

Baaahhhh!

Primary Program Today!

Snowman!

Family Pictures

They call me The Leech...

Mission Impossible....nearly.

District Conference ~ A weekend away Part 2

Fireside at our house!

District Conference ~ A weekend away Part 1

Dear Mrs. Crawford

I love avocados & turkey?

#24 Turkey & avocado Quintessential California. Fresh Haas avocados piled high on slow roasted turkey

Crummy Commercials...

Blogging Everyday This Month?

Whoooo! Whoooo! Are you for Halloween!?!?!

A Lizard, A Punkie & A Cute Sweater

Hair Cuts & Coconut Butts

Keep crackin' us up....

Goodbye September...until next year.

The Pump is Primed

She Just Doesn't Get It

August

I am a child of God....and so are YOU!

Once Upon A Time...

Silly and Crazy - Revisited

Memory Search

Rut Row

Flashback Friday...Finally!

Missed a Day

Rain Rain

Conversation with Marley

Silly and Crazy

Marney