I like these tags every once in a while. I think as far as family history purposes someday maybe my kids will get a kick out of seeing bits of their mother at 29.

The ABC's of ME...

A. Age? 29, but dreadfully turning 30 in March
B. Best friend? I keep my truest friends close to my heart and have made some amazing ones in my life. I would say my mom and sister are up there with my husband. I could list a few girls who are my best...but you know who you are and odds are you'll still be my best when I turn 70!

C. Cake or pie? Cake...preferably chocolate

D. Daredevil or wimp? I am more wimpy than daredevil, but I have done some adventurous things: zip lining and a bungee jump sort of flying thing. I have my moments!

E. Essential Item? chapstick/gloss or cell phone! I feel totally naked and cut off from the world without my phone.

F. Favorite color? I love Red, but wear black

G. Goals in life. Have a great career in therapy. Write a book or two for women. Raise smart and independent kids who still love their family. Travel the world with my husband.

H. Homebody or on the go? I am on the go most days then I sort of collapse for a day at home!

I. Favorite indulgence? chocolate/brownies and movies

J. Jobs? I worked for my family business doing office work (naranja nursery), home school teacher, Blimpie, BYU Media Services, mentor for "at-risk" kids, Second grade teacher for 2 years, and now a MOM!

K. Kids? My witty boy, Luke 4, and darling girl, Carys 2
L. Life isn't complete without? my family

M. Marriage Date? September 6, 2001

N. Number of brothers and sisters? 1 younger sister and 2 half brothers

O. OCD or messy? I guess of the two I am messy...definitely not OCD, although I think my life would be easier if I had a little bit of that in me. Can't I be in the middle...points for trying?!

P. Phobias? SPIDERS!!!!! (and bees)

Q. Quote—"I may not be a perfect mother, but I love you perfectly." (by my mom)

R. Reason to smile? My kids love to be loved on!
S. Season of choice? Early Summer...just enjoy the sunshine.
T. Tag 5 people: whoever wants to do this

U. Unknown gross fact about me? I can get pretty stinky feet sometimes.

V. Very favorite food? Steak or Ribs, seafood, chocolate desserts. I love lots of different kinds of food though.
W. Where were you born? Miami, FL
X. X-ray or ultrasound? Ultrasound. I think it is an amazing thing that we can begin to see and bond with our unborn children.

Y. Your perfect day? No house work. We are all well-rested, happy, and healthy. We do something as a family in the morning after a yummy homemade breakfast. Then we all nap and Rob and I gear up for a nice evening out.
Z. Zodiac sign?PICSES

Fall updates!

We've been busy this fall already! Luke started preschool for a day and then went on vacation to his cousins' house in Charlottesville so his mommy could play with her best friend, Tina! It was sooo much fun! Thanks Mike and Courtney for being so willing to help out. So, Luke missed 3 days of school the first week and then 2 more days because he was sick the next week. We are finally back and he is LOVING his class and his teacher. He is in the giraffe class and he really loves that. I can already tell that he is getting older since his class is more similar to a Kindergarten class. Sad, if I think about it too much. The best part of school this year is his excitement over his new Spider-man book bag and the fact that I am a part of a car pool that leaves me traveling the 20 minutes to school only once maybe twice a week! Woo-hoo!




Carys began and ended her first dance class. It was really cute while it lasted. There are a couple of reasons I decided to unenroll her and wait until the winter session. She was really clingy and unsure of the teacher, which would have been fine except I drove nearly 30 minutes to get to the 45 minute class. Then she was sick and missed the second class. Not worth the big bucks I paid for 6 classes minus the ones she would inevitably refuse to participate fully in. So, she looked cute, has the shoes big enough to last her until the next class and hopefully I will find one closer as well! The one thing I found out was that Carys loved the tap portion of the class much better than the ballet. She caught on pretty quickly too! You can see how she skimmed the sidelines for much of the class. She only ran into class when the teacher was far away or out of sight...too funny.





Then we went to a local pumpkin patch/farm and had tons of fun. It really made it feel like fall and we have our first pumpkins to paint! This farm had newborn piglets born that morning...they were really cute. Carys and Luke ran me ragged, but what a great day to spend with them. We met a bunch of friends there so I got some socializing in too! Carys was so much braver than Luke at this age with these big super slides. She wanted to ride "by myself" on the largest slide there! She did it and had a blast! They grow up fast! (I love the picture of Luke pouting because we weren't going on the hayride again)

Luke's new quotes ala Emom!

These are some fun words and sayings that my mom has a blast teaching Luke since he reuses them correctly and with humor.

1. conundrum- this is one of his favorite words to say these days whenever I sound confused or stumped..."Mom, it's a conundrum!"

2. facetious -He uses this word when he is teasing us...so funny to hear him try to get his word out since it is a mouth full.

3. crime and nuttley

4. heaven to Betsy

and 5. my personal favorite..."I plead the fifth." He is only allowed to plead the fifth one time in response to his mom. Then he has to come clean when I ask the question again. This one was taught by Aunt Coursey...thanks!

There are more I cannot recall right now, but these recorded will give the grandkids a hoot someday when they read about their daddy.

Seven years of good luck

Today was our seventh anniversary! When I think that I have been married that long it seems like it has flown by. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful hubby. I love him very much.

We seem to make a great team and have accomplished a lot in our short married life. Rob always looks at his life and sees what he hasn't achieved yet and feels like he is moving too slowly toward his goals. (he is just an extremely hard worker) I, on the other hand, look at life and try to see all we have done together and are still moving toward. When I think that we have both graduated college, Rob has worked through 2 graduate degrees while working full time, I got a teaching certificate and taught 2nd grade, we moved across the country, we've moved 4 times, we've owned two homes and 2 cars, we went to Alaska, Rob interned in Korea, and we've managed to have 2 gorgeous kids through it all, it puts huge smile on my face. We have had so many adventures in such a short time. I can't wait until I look back on 20, 30, or 50 years of marriage. I know we may not always seem like we've got a smooth sailing life, but I know we have a life, family, and marriage we can be proud of. Here's to many more years of (in Rob's words) wedded bliss. (Note the sarcasm and the wink!)

Welcome to the Jungle..

Yes, that is my new ring tone on my phone. Why you ask?

It felt appropriate as I listened to my two hyenas howling and yelping in the back seats.

It felt appropriate as my animals climbed on Target tables and railings and carts.

It felt appropriate when my Tasmanian devils managed to whirl around and knock over the rack of blue bags at The Children's Place.

It felt appropriate when my oldest wild cat snarled, hissed and clawed at me as I dragged him by the tail out of the store since obviously no productive shopping was occurring.

And finally, it felt appropriate as my monkeys fought over food with loud battle and warning cries until the Target popcorn bag ripped and pieces flew to the floor.

All the while, people notice me...the mom who attempts to lead these animals into the thick and pretend she is not losing her way just the same.

This is my personal jungle.

Now, I am feeling the calm as Carys sleeps and Luke watches some TV. Just one of those days that you know will end as you collapse on the bed at 11 pm.