Baby, Let's Play House

let's get reaquainted

2011-04-03T15:00:00.000-07:00

Hello world. How are you this lovely General Conference Sunday afternoon? I would normally start off by apologizing for having been AWOL for so long, but Danny always tells me that it's annoying when I apologize for something I absentmindedly do over and over again. And since I know I am bound to enjoy writing today and then may or may not get back to it again soon, I suppose I won't apologize. So, I'm not sorry. I've just been busy, that's all. I have, however, missed you. And I do, however, think I'd like to get back in touch for a minute. So, here we go.

Things have been perhaps more busy around here than ever. Danny has his full load of classes and work each week. And when I say classes and work I mean all-nighters, long hours spent at a microscope, mind-bogglingly difficult math, and countless presentations. I mean butt-busting work. I went back to work full-time at the beginning of this year (for me work is not quite like Danny's, although it has been unusually demanding lately and rather exhausting... staffing and personnel changes, endless paperwork, some thoughtless overhead decisions which led to lots of extra work for the little people like me) and am taking two classes at night. Mark happily puts up with us being so ridiculous all the time, and enjoys the time he gets to spend with Daddy, Grammy, and Aunt Sarah during the week, and Mommy at night and on the weekends.

On top of this, we are about to majorly revamp our home yet again (might as well do it now while we still live here rather than later when we have renters here to deal with, right?) - new paint on every wall, ceiling, floor board, and so on, new vanities in the bathrooms to replace the positively icky ones that are there now, crown molding, new sinks, toilets... the list goes on. Aside from being mildly stressed about it all, I am actually really excited. For the most part, we really like that kind of stuff. Besides, it'll completely transform the place.

On top of THAT, I worked up the nerve to do something I've always wanted to do but never thought I was brave enough for - I am running the Hobbler Half Marathon in Hobble Creek Canyon in July. It is bought and paid for. I have a training schedule and have been training for three weeks. It owns me now... there's no going back. I have successfully snagged Sarah into doing it, too, and Danny is still deciding whether he wants to participate and kick my trash. He's a seasoned marathoner.

What's that, you say? We are crazy? Yes, tell us something we don't know.

In other news, there are buds on the tree in our front yard. There is a yellow-budded wreath hanging from a yellow ribbon on my soon-t0-be-repainted front door (okay, so it's been there since the end of February... maybe I got a little excited). My toe nails are painted purple. Michael proposed to Holly. Danny surprised me a few weeks ago with a new Dyson Animal - which makes cleaning my house - dare I say? - SO fun. I am not kidding. For the first time ever I participated in March Madness by filling out a bracket and watching most of the games. And learned that - amazingly - it really IS all it's cracked up to be.

We have spent the last few months having Christmas and about a dozen birthdays. Sarah, Hannah, and I all celebrated ours, and Mark celebrated his very first. We spent some time with some of our favorite people, Brianna and her little boy - Mark's cousin Carter. He and Mark become fast friends whenever they get together.

This weekend is General Conference. Danny's birthday and Easter are later this month. We have had more warm days than cold ones lately (okay, except for today... which is covered in very bright - albeit melting - snow). It is staying lighter later, which means that when I come home from work, there is still plenty of daylight and time to spend playing before Mark goes to bed. A year from now (or maybe a little less) Danny and I will be graduated and moving on to grad school or jobs or both. What could be happier than that?

Mark now walks more often than he crawls. In fact, last Sunday he walked most of the way home from church (as opposed to being carried or riding in the stroller), until I had to put an end to that because he kept running for the street... at which point he screamed the entire rest of the way as I carried him. It took a few minutes once we got home for him not to be mad at me anymore. Also, he had his first hair cut three weeks ago - when I say hair cut I mean that the mop on top of his head is slightly less moppish now... just had to cut enough off to keep it from getting in his eyes and in his food. He looks quite dapper. He has also discovered a love for balls - tennis balls are his favorite right now. We realized a few weeks ago that he seems to have some inborn gift for dancing. When there is music on, he begins to shimmy like nobody's business. It is great.

Speaking of Mark being great, I wanted to share something I read a few weeks ago. If you've ever ridden in the car with me at 7 o'clock in the morning (aka, Mark) or are around me enough to hear me say this (Danny), one of my favorite people is Amanda Dickson, one of the hosts of the morning show on KSL radio on weekdays. She is absolutely enthusiastic and inspiring. And I am a shameless fan. The other week I was reading an interview of her in a magazine. She talked about how her little children help her forget everything that's wrong or bad or sad with the world. Mind you, she's a news anchor, a reporter, a journalist. She sees plenty of bad things. I just thought that was great... and I think nothing could be truer. Children make all the bad go away. They make it all better.

One last thing, you might've noticed I deleted my last post, the one about Danny's and my third anniversary. I felt (and others agreed - ahem - Danny - ahem) that it might have given off the wrong message. I didn't mean for it to sound like our marriage is perfect all the time - completely joyous and devoid of problems. In fact, I highly dislike the kind of people who submit to the world that their marriage is that way... I'm not sure such a thing exists. What I meant was, in spite of its imperfections, our imperfections (and there are many) it still makes me very, very happy. And I am still grateful to be married to such a smart, entertaining, ambitious, and downright charming person. So, not to worry, Danny and I are still married, still love each other most of the time, still fight, still make up, still enjoy spending time together and with Mark, still make each other crazy, and still have a long way to go before we have it all figured out. But that's okay. Isn't that kind of the point?

Well, I hope you are enjoying Conference weekend. Thus far, I have appreciated each message that I've managed to listen to (in between chasing Mark around and doing some housework) about family, overcoming trials, drawing nearer to Heavenly Father, temples, and so on. Conference really always adds a certain sweetness to this time of year.

Now, I have an obscene amount of pictures to share with you. I hope you enjoy!

Christmas

Playing with Christmas presents

Mark and Daddy

Birthdays

High five!

Rooaarr!

Lovely birthday flowers from Danny

Mark stuffing his face with birthday cake

Playing with his new friend, Thomas the Train

This was actually Hannah's birthday cake. I would post a picture of her, but she had just had her wisdom teeth out, and I imagine she wouldn't appreciate that very much.

Cousin Time

Two peas in a pod... just chillin.

Mark opening his birthday gifts from Carter.

Play Time

Swinging at the park on a fine Sunday afternoon.

You mean I can't climb up the slide?

Mark met a little poodle.

Moooommmm! Let me go!

Jailbird.

Loving Mom's gigantic basket of colorful cookie cutters.

Relaxing by the fountain at the mall.

This is a hideous picture of my bathroom - yes, missing the outlet cover. But I thought it was so funny because Mark hates the duck towel that I wrapped him in. I thought he was darling.

Worth documenting... Mark never falls asleep in the car. But a few days ago we were running some errands and before I knew it he was out. I wanted to seize the sweetness and let him keep snoozing... so for forty-five minutes we drove all over kingdom come... down to the lake, up to the tree streets on the bench of Provo. I loved it.

Well, thank you for stopping by and indulging me for a bit. Have a beautiful Sabbath!

xoxo
-a

p.s.

2011-02-19T10:42:00.000-08:00

I am sorry I lied in my last January post about writing more "the next day"... in my defense, it's been a crazy couple of months (people always say that but really, it's been insane). BUT, I do have about a thousand pictures to share - not the least of which include the very brilliant occasion which was Mark's FIRST birthday! I will try to get to those later today or tomorrow.

xoxo
-a

"dig a little deeper for the good"

2011-01-10T20:33:00.000-08:00

I will elaborate more on that tomorrow. I promise. I just wanted to put it out in the universe before I forgot how much it meant to me.

Meanwhile, if you are hurting (you know who you are), I want you to know I love you so. It will be okay. It will always be okay.

Also, welcome, 2011. I have a good feeling about you.

Talk to you soon, world. And I'll bring pictures.
xoxo
-a

Merry & Bright

2010-12-20T21:12:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to you all!

As I write this I am printing and enveloping and addressing our Christmas cards. To all our friends and family. We have a lot more friends and family members than I thought we did. And a little itsy-bitsy part of me is wondering how I reasoned it would be worth it to print all these cards myself... Ah well.

Here are some shots of my Christmasy home and my sweet Mark. I hope you enjoy this lovely Christmas week!

Yes, some of these are duplicates from Sarah's blog. Couldn't help myself. Sar, thanks for always taking the opportunity to capture cute shots of Mark when I'm not around. I really cherish these.

xoxo
-a

Of Christmastime... and other musings

2010-12-17T20:48:00.000-08:00

Mark and Mama, last week at Grammy and Gramps' house.

It is snowing outside. The boys are asleep. There are cookies in my oven... cookies with a Paula-Dean-disgustingly-tempting-amount of butter in them. And I ate a disgusting amount of dough. Anyway, my house is peaceful and I am happy to be writing. When too much time passes in between posts it ends up getting stored inside my brain and I start to go nuts. So here I am, all nutty and eager to talk to you.

Christmas is eight days away. Tomorrow I am going shopping for gifts on a super-tight budget :) It is forcing me to be creative, though. Creativity never hurt anyone. The Christmas cards are pouring in (I love getting Christmas cards... I love seeing what all of you have been up to all year), and I am thinking of what I want to say in ours (I know, I need to think quickly). I am also hoping to finally get my tree up on Sunday. I have been dying for that oh-the-weather-outside-is-frightful-but-the-fire-is-so-delightful feeling. I think a tree would do it.

My dear sister, Sarah, is home from her excursion in London, and I am so happy to have her here. Sometimes there is nothing better than sisters. My little rugrat survived his first episode of stitches this week. Yes, stitches. Seven of them. You would think Mark would've learned that his acrobatic stunt off our bed was not a good idea, but it won't be the last round we have at the InstaCare, I am sure. Regardless, he was a little trooper and I felt very proud... and guilty. No mother likes to see her little one being sewn up. Just not a happy sight.

I have missed Virginia the last couple of days (did you know I'm from Virginia?). It's beyond me... I never miss Virginia. But I heard a song on the radio twice this week ("One Headlight" by the Wallflowers) that reminds me of driving on tree-lined winding east-coast roads with my parents and being twelve years old. Maybe I just wish I had appreciated my blessedly simple childhood while I had the chance. Maybe everyone wishes that, though. I have good parents. I am trying to figure out how to be a good parent to Mark.

I have been grateful, recently, for the modest Christmas season this will be for us. Don't get me wrong, I love to give and receive gifts. But in a year where that's not possible to the extent I'd like it to be, I am grateful to have been compelled to focus on what matters more than that. As I listen to songs about the birth of the Savior (which I often do... I spend a lot of time driving these days and frequently tune in to Christmas songs on the radio, to keep Mark happy... I'm serious), I am grateful for His parents and for the tiny Babe Himself, for His life and for what it means for me. Christmas is such a sweet time of year for this reason.

Well, as always, thanks for listening to my thoughts and indulging my nostalgia. I hope to have a chance to write again soon. Meanwhile, may your days be merry and bright.

xoxo
-a

Just call me "Mop"

2010-11-24T21:18:00.001-08:00

Aren't these beautiful pictures? It was a beautiful day at Farm Country, Thanksgiving Point a few Saturdays ago. Mark loved the animals. We knew he would.

I am ridiculously tired and grumpy right now. I need to go to bed but first I wanted to clear my brain so... here I am.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. My family is scattered in different parts of the world, but none of us are alone, which is what's important. And I have Mark and Danny, which is all I really want anyway :) However, I'll miss you guys tomorrow, Sarah, Hannah, Mom, and Dad. Happy Thanksgiving.

This week we have been trying to teach Mark what to call his parents. "Dad" comes out as "Dadadada," which we love. And "Mom".... comes out as "Mop." Or "Bop." Or "Moooouuummmmm." Oh MAN, I love Mark.

I have new resolve to reach an old goal: to get out of the [insert swear word here] workforce and be home with Mark... where I won't really be doing any less work. At all. But I will be with my boy. This one is a ways out there. We've got things to work on. Savings. Debt. Budgets. Oh, what I would have done differently months and years ago if only I had paid more attention to it. I feel like such a sad excuse for a mom and have a fiery desire to get myself to a place where I feel like I am actually being the parent I need to be... Not to mention, the wife I need to be to a husband who is very deserving. Don't get me wrong. I like my job. I like to work. I can't just up and leave it because right now we need it. But I hope to get us to a place where we don't. So by all means, throw your suggestions my way... your thoughts about companies who hire people to work from home... your opinions or tips about whatever. I'll take it all. Meanwhile, I will be making all my lunches instead of eating out, seeing dollar movies, doing my own hair, and getting my rear in gear. Watch out. I am determined to be the mother I came to earth to be.

And now that I've put that out in the universe, I am going to bed.

xoxo
-a

this is me not blogging...

2010-11-10T23:12:00.000-08:00

Mark watched as I threw bread to the ducks last Sunday. He loved it. He is going to be an animal lover, I am pretty sure.

I should be in bed. Danny left a few minutes ago to finish some homework up on campus. We have a lot of late nights these days. I was headed to his computer as he was leaving. He asked me if I was going to go blog. I told him that no, in fact, I needed to work on some property management stuff. Which I did. And now I'm done. And lo and behold I am blogging, which I didn't intend to do. Oh well.

I made hamburgers and French fries for dinner tonight. It was great. The Jazz (unexpectedly) beat difficult teams two nights in a row. Mark has his nine-month check-up tomorrow (I love going to his check-ups and learning about his growing little body... I love it all except the shots. UGH shots.). Danny is taking a test tomorrow. He got an A on one he turned in today, and I was really excited about it.

I am endlessly tired, it seems, but happy. I am thankful that occasionally in the last few days I've actually been able to take I-15, rather than State Street, as I commute to Alpine and back in the mornings and evenings. The construction has made it hard for the last month or so. And I am tired of it. I am thankful I have a good mom who helps me tirelessly with watching Mark. I am thankful for a million boxes and bags of Carter's hand-me-downs from Brianna. I am thankful for the door-stoppers we installed so that Mark can no longer get into the cupboards under my kitchen and bathroom sinks and play with all of the dish soap, toilet bowl cleaner, and other nasty things. I am thankful for Danny, who works very hard to build what will be a bright future for our family. I am thankful that Sarah comes home in less than a month. I am thankful for the new curtains in my bedroom that keep out light so I can sleep... to say nothing of how very grateful I am for the dark curtains in Mark's room that really block the light. I am thankful for the approaching holidays. I love the holidays.

Anyway, I need to go to bed. Thanks for listening.

Danny and Mark watching the Jazz crush Miami last night. We were actually ecstatic, this just happens to be a calmer moment... maybe it was during a commercial.

xoxo
-a

Characters

2010-11-07T15:53:00.000-08:00

I seem to never be able to get a post done more often than every 10 days or so... oh well. Right now Mark is napping (well... he is supposed to be napping, he's actually in his bed talking to himself), so I guess this is my chance! Here is some of what we've been up to at the Richards' house. I apologize in advance for the saturation of pictures. I just think I have a photogenic family... also I am picture-happy. Something I inherited from my mom.

Mark's first Halloween was a success. Though he didn't have a clue as to why he was dressed as a monkey and Mom and Dad were a cat and some guy named Indiana Jones, I think he actually still enjoyed it. We went to dinner together and then played games with some friends who have little ones Mark's age-ish. No complaints! We had a good time.

Loving that sucker.

Of course, there are the usual day-to-day shenanigans. My blue-eyed, shaggy-haired little boy never ceases to entertain. And looks more and more like Danny everyday.

Sporting his new high chair and a Ute tee (in honor of game day against TCU yesterday), both courtesy of his cousin, Carter.

Mark's new favorite playground is the fridge... second only to the dishwasher. Why his own toys aren't cool to him is beyond me. I think he knows they are only a child's version of bigger, better things.

Carter and Brianna came over this weekend for dinner and a visit. These two don't get to see one another very often, but they are definitely pals.

Mischief making. The boys were great together. They even had nearly-matching jammies. Cool, I know.

In other news, Mark is nine months old today! The three of us took a great walk up and around campus this afternoon. On the way back we stopped and fed bread to the ducks at the pond. Mark could hardly contain himself in his stroller... I got some cute shots, but I'll save those for another picture-saturated post.

Thanksgiving is a mere three weeks away, and I am working on plans, as well as lists for Christmas (okay... I am trying to work on a Christmas list... Danny, Mark, Mom, Dad, Hannah, and Sarah, what do you guys want for Christmas? Help me out here.). I'd also like to do a Christmas card again this year. We shall see!

I am increasingly thankful for my little family, this time of year and always. I have two healthy, handsome boys who make me laugh and keep me very busy.

Well, have a happy Sunday, all! Be back soon.

xoxo
-a

Understanding the cliche... and other thoughts

2010-10-24T14:27:00.000-07:00

Any of you ever read the blog "Seriously So Blessed?" If you haven't, I highly recommend it (www.seriouslysoblessed.blogspot.com) for a good laugh... as long as you are willing, on some level, to laugh at yourself.

It is a spoof on Mormon/mommy/wifey blogs. And in many ways, it is spot on. The author (I don't know that the public actually has any idea who she is, although she's been interviewed anonymously by various Utah newspapers and magazines) is, in fact, I believe, an LDS wife and mother herself, but the hilarity is that she pokes fun at all of the (and I'm not necessarily exluding myself from this category) Mormon mommies and wives out there who try so hard to be so perfect... and who share it all on their blogs.

Her blogger ego is a stay-at-home mommy of twins whose names have ridiculous spellings, and the wife of an uber perfect husband. She is ultra righteous, super trendy, totally fashionable, and Mrs.- can-do-everything-and-do-it-perfectly (cooking, baking, picture-taking, scrapbooking, arts and crafts, teaching Relief Society...). She's obsessed with Cafe Rio, Lake Powell, Costco (although, who doesn't love Costco, really?), and the gym. AND, she's preggers (yes, preggers). It is fantastic. She strikes a major chord as she playfully mocks this silly culture we've perpetuated for ourselves here in Happy Valley, Utah (although, I didn't even grow up in Utah, but you get the idea).

AND she makes me want to be something other than cliche (although, let's be honest, I'm not off to a very good start... I post a million pictures of my baby all the time... oh, and, I had him at 22... that's not cliche at all... neither is getting married at 20... anyway....). She makes me want to be an individual, to be smart, to be cultured, to be real. Anyway, since I started reading it, even though I think it is positively brilliant and hilarious, I have been thinking... why do we blog, exactly? I can tell you why I do.

I really enjoy the camaraderie I have with other women... whether my mom, my sisters, my friends, gals on the east coast I've never met. You get the idea. I like myself. I am fine with myself. But I also like friends.

I also really enjoy writing (haven't you ever noticed how my blogs are WAY too wordy?). It is cathartic for me. After a long day or a bad day or a day where I feel like all my issues are bottled up, blogging (strange as this sounds) lets them all loose. And lucky you, you get to read about it.

I think having a blog also helps us explain to the world our definition of ourselves. It lets us be literary, artsy, expressive. It lets us tell everyone the cool things we've been up to, or the happy things we are too excited about to keep to ourselves.

Anyway, perhaps it's not so painfully cliche to be a Mormon mommy, house-wife, Relief Society teacher, blogger as we might think. Just remember that you don't have to be perfect, either. I work four days a week. I have plenty of issues. I hate scrapbooking. I'm a pretty lousy chef. I'm not a very good photographer. I don't have super trendy clothes, and I can't really pull off that home-made-fabric-flower-headband-in-your-hair look. I've seen my share of very, very dark times. I have plenty of doubts about myself, about this world. But I am a real person with real talents, who experiences real joy in being a mother and a wife (well, most of the time).

Plus, to the rest of the world, we are a unique bunch. We've got a lot of things figured out. Just don't forget to be yourself while simultaneously trying to be a great mommy, wife, cook, visiting teacher, Costco-shopper, marathon runner, fashionista. Also don't get so caught up in blogging about your life that you forget to actually live it.

Speaking of not being cliche, here are some recent Mark gems (I can't help it, I try but it's just futile):

Mark is going to be a monkey for Halloween... and you get to see a sneak peak.

Mark and Danny... enjoying a fabulously overcast Fall day.

And here's yours truly. When I was a kid I could never figure out why my mom wasn't in any pictures and then realized she was always behind the camera taking shots of us kids (since we were so darling and entertaining...). Anyway, I made Hannah take a picture of me so that for once I could remember what I looked like at this time of my life (this is much better than my self-taken pictures in the mirror, right? I thought so).

Thanks for reading. Have a Happy Sunday.

xoxo
-a

Glass Half-Full

2010-10-14T21:08:00.000-07:00

I spent two days and a night in Park City last weekend. I have a special spot in my heart for this place (not unlike most Utahns). It reminds me of being a kid and of my honeymoon at the same time. I love the charm, the mountains, the colors, the caramel covered apples from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, the restaurants, the lights, the liberals (I don't happen to be one, but I enjoy spending a day or two surrounded by them here and there). I bumped shoulders (literally) with Diane Keaton in the dressing room at the J. Crew at the outlets. I must just be a sucker for things like that... I never run into celebrities (unlike every other member of my family who seem to see the stars everywhere they go). Anyway, the weekend was healing and delightful and lovely.

Danny and I smuggled Panda Express into a movie last night - "You Again." We had a great time feeling delinquent and enjoying a shamelessly girlie movie (at least, I enjoyed how girlie it was. I think Danny was mostly trying to make me happy... thanks, Danny).

Mark officially has a tooth poking through his poor little gums. This is on the list of happy items because, let's face it, it's kind of a big deal. My little squirt is turning into such a handsome boy.

The 33 Chilean miners are well and safe. Hooray! I cried numerous times while listening to and watching this story.

I had breakfast on Saturday with Karianne and Callie, who I love and don't get to see often enough.

I am embarrassingly excited for the holidays.

My hair will be blonde again in two days. I have loved the red, but I am ready to be my bubbly, blondie self again. Plus, I'll look more like I'm actually Mark's mother that way :)

I met a patient today (in the physical therapy office where I work) who was hit by a car two months ago. He lost several teeth, has metal plates in his leg and face, gravel underneath his skin, some brain injuries, and half a million bucks in medical bills. The girl who hit him had, evidently, some auto insurance that only covered a part of the costs. He has used his own insurance for the rest. I asked him why he didn't sue (it seems like most people these days would just sue...) and he said he didn't want to put her and her family through that, as she was a young newlywed. I thought that was big of him. He was about as positive as he could possibly be, and I was impressed and also thankful for my healthy, able body.

Happy Fall, people. Remember to think about the happy things.
xoxo
-a

Karianne, Mark, Me, Callie

My handsome little sweetheart.

Hey there, Buddy Boy.

These next two are completely unrelated, but I just thought I'd post them because, let's be honest, it's pretty rare that my kitchen ever looks this good.

Didn't Danny do a great job on these counter tops?

French Fries and the Weekend

2010-09-26T17:53:00.001-07:00

Today was back to work and school. But the weekend was lovely. Saturday we got to play with Ruby during the BYU game (the game itself was not so lovely). She and Mark and I made a stop at McDonald's, where Mark successfully downed a few fries --  without choking. Which is a big deal.

 And yes, I know his hair is out of control. We're going for sort of a GQ look, can't you tell?

The afternoon was made up of things like this:

Danny: Ruby, will you make me a sandwich?
Ruby: No. You're big. Make your own sandwich.
Also, we watched the new Tinkerbell movie. Love it.

On Sunday afternoon the boys and I decided to venture round the Alpine Loop -- we figured we'd better make it happen before the colors fade (although, I think nature is only pretending that it's Fall... it was 87 degrees today. I don't buy it. October, please hurry with your cool air). I've always loved the Loop. Here is why:

 I have a feeling I will go kicking and screaming if ever we move away from Utah. I mean, look at it. Seriously.

Tonight, after coming home from Grammy's house, Mark decided to help me with some laundry...

Ha ha. So helpful. He thinks the washer is just about the neatest thing ever.

Well, in other news... I am seven pounds away from my pre-pregnancy weight. Suhweet!

 This weekend is General Conference, which I love.

I think I know what Mark, Danny, and I are going to be for Halloween (it's good, just wait).

Friday I get to see my pal, Karianne (I got to see Callie last weekend, and loved every second of it! It felt almost like old times... only I have a kid now and we both have husbands... but you know, close enough.).

I got a long email from Sarah yesterday. She has returned to London from Paris, and has a cold. I'm sorry, Sar. Glad Paris was so rockin, though.

Danny doesn't feel well, either. I have a feeling flu season has arrived... darn it.

We are, however, thinking of a getaway to the St. Regis hotel in Deer Valley sometime soon. You know, where the celebs stay when they come to town. We got a gift card in the mail from AmEx/Starwood Preferred Guest for 50% off any stay up to five nights at any of their hotels. That, combined with hookups from our friend Robbie, who works at the St. R... and I think we've got a foot in the door to sweet deal.

I am all of a sudden also really excited for ski season to be approaching. I missed out last year, what with having a huge belly and all. It'll be fun to hit the slopes this year. Sans baby.

Well, I've got droopy eyes and a husband who needs some dinner. Yes, at 10:30 at night. More later. Goodnight, all.

xoxo
-a

I will.

2010-09-21T08:50:00.000-07:00

On Saturday I met a girl who is thirty and has her PhD.

I WILL get my bachelors, if it is the last thing I do. Mark my words.

That's all. Have a Happy Tuesday.

xoxo

-a

September 18, 2007

2010-09-18T15:45:00.000-07:00

Three years ago today, in the Marriott Center, listening to President Hinckley speak, I met my other half. Yes, the same other half who sometimes makes me so mad I could die on the spot. But he is still my man and I still love him just as much as I did when I fell madly in love three years ago. He is brilliant and funny, he is charming and handsome, he is the best daddy to our little one. If I asked him to, he would build us a house from the ground up. He fixes all our car problems. He keeps us safe --safe from bad guys (seriously, I am really afraid of bad guys and Danny is afraid of nothing. In fact, I wouldn't wanna meet him in a dark alley if I were a villain. No way.). He works very hard to help take care of this family. He is about as tough as they come, there is no battle he can't handle. He's also a squishy, mushy softy some days and I am delighted to know he needs me just as much as I need him :)

Danny, thanks for taking a chance on me, that fateful Fall day. I love you so.

Us in the beginning... this is the week after we met. We went through this phase where people kept telling us how much we looked like brother and sister... what do you think?

Musings

2010-09-18T00:28:00.001-07:00

It's 1:28 in the morning.

I started off my week with some awful stomach flu situation (I survived it only thanks to Danny and my parents), spent the rest of the week at work everyday, and finally had a chance today to get to work on the house. Both bathrooms needed a lot of work. So does our kitchen... which I haven't conquered yet. We are having some friends over on Tuesday night and the occasion hanging over my head is serving as a "Hurry, Allie, and get the house in shape!" kind of thing. Which is good for me.
 
Anyway, in an effort to get back to my pre-pregnancy body once and for all, I ordered a few new Pilates work outs on DVD last week. All week I have wanted to get to them. And all week it hasn't happened, until tonight. Which is why it is 1:32 a.m. and I am still awake. Whew.

I only have a couple small thoughts to share tonight.

I really love watching Mark grow. I know you are sick of hearing about it, but for me, every new stage is the biggest news and the biggest deal. Danny and I share remarks like, "Did you know he knows how to do this?!" (whatever it might be -- crawling, pulling himself up, etc.) He has spent an increasing amount of time with my parents and with his daddy as I've had to work more. I love that he gets to know each of them this way, but I hate the things I miss by not getting to spend every day with him. This week he learned to clap at his Grammy's house. And oh how we love to watch him remember each day that he's learned this neat new skill! He's also decided he really likes to splash in the tub, especially when I put my feet in the water while I bathe him and make splashes with my feet at the same time. He mimics what I do and we take turns splashing back and forth. Silly, but it is getting to be one of my favorite parts of the evening.

I hate this for how cliche it sounds, but I never dreamed being a parent was going to be so wonderful in so many little ways. There is something so sweet and dear about it. It's the kind of thing you hear about all your life and kind of roll your eyes at and then when it happens to you, you realize why everyone makes such a big deal of it. It is the BEST.

Playing at Grammy and Gramps' house.

And of course, not having to go at it alone is a blessing, too. Have I mentioned I have a wonderful husband and fantastic parents who are such a help? I would be at a loss without them.

Anyway, things are busy around here, as they usually are. I am looking forward to seeing two dear friends of mine this weekend, Callie and Karianne. I am back in school (sort of -- I am taking one class at the Y, just to keep moving forward), and that is very exciting. I miss Sarah, who is in London. But I know she's having a ball. Danny is working his tail off in school. I am really impressed with him. He just keeps going... and going... and going. Danny, you are fabulous. And handsome. And, thank you for doing the grocery shopping this week :) My parents have some exciting things happening in their lives, and I am very happy for them. And Fall is almost here -- how we love Fall at our house!

Well, these thoughts were a little scattered. As it is now 1:48 in the morning, I hope you can forgive me. I am going to shower and go to bed.

Goodnight, world!
xoxo
-a

It's Back.

2010-09-04T11:29:00.000-07:00

Hello world! Today is the first GAME DAY of the season for BYU football. And here in the heart of Cougartown I'm sure we'll get to hear honking and yelling, screaming, swearing, cheering just like last year (not only from the stadium down the street but also from Danny as he watches the game on the big screen at home... yes, it gets intense. If you don't believe me, come over and watch a game with us sometime). I'm not normally one for extreme amounts of school pride or interest in college football politics and such, but I must admit I've been excited for this day and this season. I will let you know how it goes! Go Cougs!

September and Mommy Things

2010-09-01T21:51:00.000-07:00

I was thinking today how Utah needs more 75 degree days, like this one.  And would you believe it,  BYU's first football game of the season is THIS Saturday? That means we get to hang out with Ruby while Andrew, Jenny, and Jacob go to the game. AND, in six days Mark will be seven months old. Where has the time gone?

This morning I dropped Mark off at my Aunt Julia's house for the day -- she has been watching him for me this week while my mom is off in London with Sarah. I knew he would have a lovely time there. Her kids are only a few years older than he, and they adore him. But for half a second, in between arriving and remembering he was there to play with his buddies Nathan, Andrew, and Sam, he gave me a sweet little look as I was walking out the door and I was heart broken that I had to leave him.

Picking him up after work has been my favorite part of the day ever since I went back in April. I love my days off, and I love the couple of hours I get to spend with him after work and before he goes to bed at night. Every single little thing he does is the greatest, coolest thing ever. One day I'm sure he'll be totally embarrassed by me, but for now, I think he thinks Danny and I are the two neatest people around. And I love it. Who knew mom-hood did these kinds of things to a girl?

Last night we bought a big (and I mean BIG) rug for our front room (looks cute -- I'll take a picture). We've been laying other rugs around the house (our place has mostly tile floors) so that Mark can have some ground to crawl on. He is moving that little bum around like I can't believe.

After work today Danny, Mark, Dad, Hannah, and I had dinner at Chili's and had a grand time. Mark sat in his high chair for a few minutes, then wanted out so he could grab at everything on the table -- our drinks, our plates, the chips, the French fries, the packets of Splenda, the Ketchup bottle. He is so very entertaining.

We were finally home for the night around nine. I went to get Mark out of the car, and he was completely and totally conked out.

... Until we got inside and he decided he wanted to try crawling around on our new soft green rug. He loved it.

We had a few more goofy moments.

See what I mean? Goofy.

And then he went to bed.

On a completely different note, who wants to see what I look like with red hair?

I know, it's crazy.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I am off to place an order for a couple things on Amazon and head to bed. Gotta get up early for day 4 of work tomorrow.

xoxo
-a

"A Notebook By Any Other Name..."

2010-08-29T18:18:00.000-07:00

Jacob just asked me where I put the blue scissors he had earlier. I told him I had put them in the container with all the markers (when I picked them all up off the floor...). He said to me, "Oh. They don't go there. But good try, Allie."

Today is Day Three of being mommy of three. Danny headed home earlier and Mark and I will be joining him in a couple of hours.

Meanwhile, I was thinking today (in church, where much good thinking happens)... I am not very old, but my life seems like such a blur. Some things -- big and small -- stand out, of course, but a lot of the time the days just run together. Sure, part of it is probably just due to the madness that is mommy- and wife-hood. But I was thinking about how I really want to be able to remember more of what I do, day in, day out, year in, year out. I want Mark and his future siblings to be able to read about me and know their mom better. Plus, countless Church leaders have talked about what a great thing it is to keep a journal. I know blogging seems like a strange way to do it, but I have certainly seen it done. And typing, for me anyway, is SO much easier than writing by hand. Isn't that sad? But it's true. I type like you've never dreamed before.

Or, maybe I've just watched Diary of a Wimpy Kid five too many times this weekend and thought, Hey, if a 12-year-old kid can write down his thoughts, I'm sure I can, too.

Anyway, I wanted to remember some things.

This is the first weekend where I feel like my little one is completely mobile... and I can't believe it. Yesterday and today I watched him crawl across a room to get to ball rolling away from him. Wow.

Last night after we took the kids to dinner (we took them to the "jungle" -- the Mayan, of course), Danny took Jacob to the Bingham-Alta game downtown for a couple hours. I brought Ruby and Mark home and put them to bed, and at eleven o'clock Danny and Jacob came strolling in and scared me (on purpose) half to death in my drowsy, half-asleep state. I was so angry at Danny for it, until sometime in the wee hours of the morning when I rolled over in bed and he decided he wanted to hold hands in our sleep. He's hard to stay mad at long.

This morning I wished farewell to Sarah, who is off to London. I am a little envious and a little sad, but mostly excited for the jolly good time she'll have.

Danny starts school tomorrow, and as soon as I am done with this post I plan to brainstorm until I make up my mind once and for all about whether or not I should try to take some classes this Fall, too. I am antsy to get back into it.

However, tomorrow starts a new era of four-day work weeks for me (up from three-days), at least for the foreseeable future. I would be lying if I said I wasn't sad about it. But there is a need for me there and we are always in need of extra income. So we'll give it a shot (sigh).

Well... all are asleep in bed now (yes, I started writing this post like three hours ago and then had to do dinner and bedtime). I am off to brainstorm whilst reading the dozen books I brought with me this weekend about financial planning (is anyone else out there ten times worse than their spouse at big-picture finances? And I'm not even the worst of the worst. I actually know a lot and I hate shopping so I'm not a big spender. I just need a little extra help, I guess).

Thanks for listening to my silly thoughts.

Sweet dreams, world.

xoxo
-a

London Town

Time to Write

2010-08-28T09:32:00.000-07:00

This weekend Danny and I are playing Mom and Dad to not one, not two, but three kiddos. My good friend and her husband are off to Vegas for a couple of days and we get to hang at their house with their kids -- who are some of our favorite people under the age of 10 on the whole planet. As Ruby says, we are "having a sleepover!"

And in a rare moment of quiet (Ruby and Jacob are watching a movie and my little Mark is taking a nap), I might actually have a chance to blog for the first time in a few weeks.

Since it's been awhile, this might be one of those blogs where I divide things up so it's like three or four posts in one... hope you can forgive me!

I'll start at the beginning of the month. Ready, set, go.

Peace, Love, and Rock & Roll

On August 5th Danny and I and some friends from Salt Lake saw Rush at Usana Amphitheater in West Valley. If you've never heard of this impressive trio, well... that's okay. Go ask your parents. If they haven't heard of Rush, then we might have a problem. Anyway, they are Danny's all-time favorite. He is a die-hard fan. When we heard earlier this year that they were coming to concert we knew we had to get ourselves there or there might be some serious repercussions (i.e., Danny just might follow them from town to town all across the nation until he finally got to see them).

So, off we went and enjoyed a fabulously loud evening, complete with drum solos, electric guitars, long rocker hair, mullets, handle bar mustaches... you get the idea. I couldn't believe how much I loved it. I am used to listening to them... in the car, at home, anytime Danny and I are together. But not only are they even better live (most groups are NOT, I'm sure you know), but they put on an unbelievable show. And they are classy guys.

To complete the evening, there was a great breeze, dark clouds (but no rain -- whew), and lightning in the distance. And there in the midst of the rocking, watching the lightning in the valley, sitting in the grass on a blanket next to Danny and experiencing what was a rare display of public affection (just snuggling, don't worry), I felt surprisingly at peace with the world. My sweet little one was safe and sound at Grandma and Grandpa's quiet house, and for a couple hours all my troubles were gone. I told Danny how I felt. He said it was probably just all the weed in the air... oh well.

The hunk and me. Enjoy this shot... of all the pictures I am about to post, I think this is the only one I am in. Which is unfortunate because... my hair is now red and I'm sure you are all anxious to see what on earth that looks like.

Soaking it all in. This is Danny in his utopia.

A stoic Ben.

Robbie is the life of any party.

Geddy Lee on the big screen.

Bare feet and cowboy boots. Cheesy... but maybe sort of cute?

Home Improvement

I think I mentioned we're doing a few more projects to update our place and give it more rental/retail appeal for one day down the road. Here is some of what we've (when I say we I mean, mostly Danny -- but I helped a LOT!) done:

The closet (we did the closets in both bedrooms and the loft) before -- one shelf and one rod. BIG waste of space? Yes.

The closet after. Much better.

Our kitchen, "before" shot. Not bad, but a little outdated. You can't tell here, but the counter tops were trashed (thanks to 20+ years of renters), and the cabinets needed some serious... something.

Danny hard at work laying granite tile. "Halfway" shot.

95% done (we painted the cabinets and added hardware a few months ago). All it needs now is the last of the wood trim put on, which will be painted the color of the cabinets. Danny did a great job on this. AND... we saved a fortune by using granite tiles instead of big pieces. Love that, naturally.

I am coming to adore our place... it is turning into a very charming little home. And, though Danny will tell you I am lying (because we all know I don't like living in Provo), I will actually be sad to leave our home one day when the time comes.

When all is put back together I promise I will post some shots of the place.

Meanwhile, the view out my bay window. Provo is actually kind of lovely after the rain.

"M" is for Mark

My mom has old shots of us holding banners on various milestone birthdays. I think it is a cute idea, so I tried it with Mark. On his SIX MONTH (can you believe it?) birthday, I tried to have him hold this sign so I could capture the moment... with no such luck. The first thing he did was try to eat the paper, then he just attacked it, then he was altogether uninterested in it. This is the best I could do.

Playing with the running faucet water in the tub. Tell me he's not the cutest little naked baby you've ever seen.

Watching a movie in our bed. Yes, the  pillow on his lap is helping him hold up his bottle, although he can definitely do it all by himself.

Playing peek-a-boo with Daddy. This is Mark's favorite.

Bonding with Aunt Hannah.

Would you believe me if I told you he pulled himself up like this all by himself? Because he totally DID. My boy is strong just like his dad.

First experience with sweet potatoes... was a phenomenal success!

Making Friends

Mark and Ruby sharing toys and enjoying each other's company.

Danny and Jacob having a serious discussion about whether a shark or a giant squid would win in a fight.

My blue-eyed blondie.

Suncrest after a rain storm. Ahh... Utah doesn't get enough rain.

One last thing. My little (but taller than me, and cooler than me) sister Sarah (yes, the very same Sarah who made over my blog so fantastically) is headed to London tomorrow for a semester abroad. Call me a whimp, but I've never been apart from her for more than a couple of weeks in our whole lives... I will miss her very much.

Sera, I hope you have a fabulous time in London. Have adventures and enjoy those Brits, mind the gap, and know that we will be so happy to have you home just in time for Christmas! Meanwhile, make new memories like this...

Sarah, Hannah, and me on a boat on the Thames. Big Ben and Parliament in the background.

Thanks for stopping by. Happy Saturday, all.

xoxo
-a

Ode to Sarah

2010-08-03T11:24:00.000-07:00

The other night I seriously messed up my blog layout and was too tired and frustrated to fix it, so I asked my beautiful and talented sis, Sarah (who happens to be the most blogger-savvy person I know, among other fantastic things), if she would work on giving it a makeover the next day while she was at my home babysitting Mark. She graciously obliged, and gave it THE best face lift ever! She designed the layout, found the title on a memoir by Elvis, made the photo collage, everything. Do you love it?! Or what?!

I promised her I'd help her decorate her future home if she helped me with my blogging. We have a deal. Sarah, thank you SO much! I love you so.

My boy and his balloon

2010-08-01T15:44:00.001-07:00

We went to Fuddrucker's yesterday for a late afternoon bite. The waitress was really into Mark (who isn't, really?) and brought him this green balloon, which he loved. I don't think he'd ever seen one before, so it was quite the spectacle, for him and for Danny and me. Also, it was his first time in a high chair (I know it doesn't seem like a big deal, but it was. For once we didn't have to bring him into a restaurant in his car seat and make him stay in it while we ate... or worse, have him on our lap, grabbing our plates...).

He really is the light of our life.
He is turning into a little boy, which is nothing short of crazy. He's got down his fake cry, fake cough, etc. He rolls over like it's going outta style, and can sit up with no help. AND he is about THIS close to crawling. He keeps us constantly entertained. I can't imagine our lives without him.

In other news, our house is in utter disarray as we are preparing to install new counter tops and closet shelving (seriously, who ever built closets with one shelf and one rod? Come on). We are determined to get it done this week, so you will see pictures soon... along with all the other pictures of my house I still haven't posted. Ahh. I will also be updating some of the other pics on the blog... you know, the side stuff that is getting kind of outdated.

One last thing. Danny, thanks for being such a stellar husband. I am very appreciative of your doing these shelves and counter tops, along with countless other projects. Also, you have infinite patience with me, and I am very grateful for that, too. Love you so.

Happy Sunday, people!

xo

Namesake

2010-07-25T08:16:00.000-07:00

To Our Brother Mark,

Just wanted to tell you how much we love and miss you. We named our little one after you, although I am sure you already know that. In fact, I am sure you probably met him before we did. We love him very much and are so grateful he came into our world to help remind us that we'll be a family forever. It is wonderful having a little Mark around. Anyway, just know we love you and are thinking of you, this weekend and everyday.

All our love,
Allie, Danny, and Little Mark

Let Us Live to Make Men Free

2010-07-18T08:23:00.000-07:00

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea
With a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me
As He died to make men holy

Let us live to make men free

While God is marching on . . .

Last Verse, Battle Hymn of the Republic

These days I'm not normally one for lots of sentimentality (that's what two and a half years of being married to Danny has done to me, ha ha... men have no patience for mushy-gushy-ness), but in church last Sunday we sang the Battle Hymn of the Republic and I couldn't help but be overwhelmed by two feelings:

1. I am thankful for this nation. I meant to write a post on the 4th and say so, and of course ran out of time. Anyway, I believe with all my heart that we live in a land of promise, that its foundation and heart are God-inspired, as were its founders. I don't agree with all that goes on in Washington these days, but I believe in what America stands for and will always love her.

When we were kids my dad, an avid admirer and student of the Constitution, would take us to every monument and museum in Washington, D.C. -- it was how we spent our Saturdays, to give Mom a break :) I wish now I had understood then how special it was to grow up in the Nation's capitol and to get to experience all of these places. My parents really instilled in each of us a love and respect for this country, and I so appreciate them for that.

2. The second thought I had was that I am really glad there is such a thing as music in this world. I was noticing on Sunday how much I love the hymns (again, something I can thank my dad for -- as kids he would have us learn and memorize a hymn each week. To this day Danny will ask me how on earth I don't need to look at the hymn book while singing in church -- it is because we learned every verse growing up. Thank you, Dad). Anyway, it dawned on me that while listening to talks and lessons on Sunday are great, the music is usually the element that strengthens my testimony and my resolve to be better and to be more like my Savior. Not to mention, Danny and I spend most of our time in church on Sunday trying to keep Mark happy or enjoying his antics, so talks tend to go in one ear and out the other. But the music... the music sticks, it sinks in. I am still able to sing while wrestling with a 5 month old, and that's the best part of it all.

On that note and in the spirit of patriotism and other things that inspire,
here are some pictures from our 4th:

Waiting for the Freedom Festival Parade to start (we were camped out on our FRONT LAWN! Lucky us!) I think Danny is letting Mark lick a piece of a grape... or something.

Mark attempting a roll-over.

This is what our street looked like. We couldn't believe all the people! We were out of town for this parade last year... who knew it was such a big deal?!

Happy campers:

My Aunt Rhonda, Uncle Marcus, and their kids joined us for the parade that morning. Mark thought they were great :)

And then, believe it or not, in the midst of all the parade noise and fanfare, he conked right out...

Anyway, we loved our 4th of July weekend.

And here are some other recent shots:

Marky Boy lovin the evening walk!

And (drum roll, please).... I chopped off my hair a couple weeks ago! After three years of trying to grow it out (and I did -- it made it three-fourths of the way to my butt) it is gone! And OH does it feel good!

Sorry this shot is self-taken. Don't judge. I will get better ones up here soon!

Also coming soon.... my blog layout is in need of a makeover. It'll happen one of these days, when I have 10 minutes of free time to play around with it :)

Well, Happy Sunday! Happy (belated) 4th!

xo,
allie

Working on it!

2010-07-17T00:16:00.000-07:00

Hi world,

Just wanted to tell you, there is a new post in the works, I promise!

Talk to you soon.

xoxo,
allie

p.s. Mark says hi!

Joys of June

2010-06-23T20:57:00.000-07:00

I don't understand people who get bored. This month (like most) has been so busy and packed with all kinds of things that I literally can't wrap my brain around the concept of having nothing to do. Having said that, I am hoping that a few minutes of blogging might help me unwind from a full day... week... month. Here we go...

Markity Mark

My little peanut tries... so... hard... to... sit... up... by... himself! He might have rolls of chubbiness on his legs and arms, but this kid has one super strong tummy!

His hair continues to be larger than life... and blond as ever. It just screams out to be touched.

Laying on a blanket in the grass and looking up at momma with killer blue eyes.

Who wants to bet that this kid knows he's darling? And will probably use it to
manipulate his mother later in life?

Early in the morning the sun comes through the loft window, bounces off the fish tank glass, and casts one of these rainbow guys upon the wall in the kitchen. Mark discovered it the other day and couldn't stop staring at it.

We've been trying rice cereal the last few weeks. We have yet to master the concept.

Playing in the sheets on mom and dad's bed while waiting for the bath tub to fill up. Mark loves to snuggle with whatever he can get his hands on... his bath towel, blankies, loose articles of clothing.

This one might be my favorite. Two mornings this week my little one woke up on his tummy, after having been put down to bed on his back and rolling over in the middle of the night. I'm not gonna lie, Danny and I were SO proud of him! And tell me this isn't the sweetest sight in the world. Tell me.

Oh Boys

Danny and I are Cub Scout leaders in our ward. Tonight we threw our boys (Troy, Gabe, Isaac, and Paul) a party as a reward for having completed all of their Wolf requirements. It was full of pizza, root beer, Sprite, and things like this:

Troy says to Gabe, "Hey, remember when you stole my lego train? Well you freakin need to freakin give it back."

Then Gabe says, "I don't steal things. I jack things."

Troy is still upset. Then he notices our orange and white dragon goby in the fish tank and says to the fish, "Hey, why are you staring at me?"

Then from Paul comes something like, "Hey, you know what would happen if you put a robot in a volcano? It would shoot out like a rocket!"

A minute later, Paul is playing with little Mark, who is cooing a bit. Paul says, "I think I'm having an alien encounter. Mark is trying to tell me something."

Then the boys and Danny talk about how Superman, Spiderman, and Batman all acquired their various super powers. Then they argue over whether Batman has any super powers at all, or whether he just has cool tricks and toys.

Then they argue over what Wii games to play.

Then they all fight over the Sims City game on the computer.

Then Isaac asks Danny, "How do I get more money to build things for my city?" Danny says, "You have to raise taxes." So Isaac raises taxes.

Then a few minutes later I notice Isaac dancing and prancing and send him straight off to the restroom before he pees his pants.

Then Gabe, referring to a game of Clue, talks all about Colonel Mus-turd.

Then they talk about what vacations they have planned for the month. A couple of them have family in Idaho. Gabe says to Isaac, "It's not Idaho. It's U-Da-Ho!" Oh my.

Mark sits and watches in wonder and confusion.

Danny and I laugh and roll our eyes and try to keep the peace. And when it's over we are thankful that Heavenly Father blesses His children for doing their callings, and we count our blessings til next Wednesday when we have to do it all over again.

The boys eating pizza.

Sweet Paul was the only one I could get to smile for the camera (sorry the picture quality isn't better).

Gabe stuffing a piece of pizza in Isaac's mouth.

Troy's rockin mohawk.

Gabe refusing to look at the camera.

All the boys gathered round the computer as Danny tried to explain Sims to them.

Mark trying ever so hard to reach that pizza...

Let me end on a quieter note.

Last weekend Danny, Mark, and I went down to Manti for the Mormon Miracle Pageant at the Manti Temple... something I seriously doubt I could've talked Danny into doing, except that it wasn't my idea. Our good friends invited us down and we decided to make a camping trip out of it. We set up camp a couple of miles south of the temple, and enjoyed a day full of playing at the park, wandering around town, eating food over a campfire, encounters with strange nearby campers, falling asleep during the pageant, and returning to our campsite that night and staying up talking over the fire til 2 in the morning. It was ever so wonderful.

The next day was Father's Day. Danny and I woke up in a tent together with Mark next to us and I was very thankful for my little family and thankful for what a great dad Danny is to our little one. Mark adores his dad, and I couldn't ask for anything more.

And of course, I will always be my own Dad's biggest fan.

I love you very much, Daddo. Thank you for being such an example and leader of all things good and great. And, I hate to be a cop-out like this, but Sarah added a wonderful post about our dad for Father's Day in words much better than I could ever say. I highly recommend you stop by and take a look at it (you can find it under my Family and Friends). We sure love our dad. Happy Father's Day!

Thank you for reading! I promise I will try to do this more often so that my posts aren't so exhausting!

xo,
allie

soul searching

2010-06-12T22:51:00.000-07:00

Ever found yourself three-fourths of the way done with your schooling and feeling a sudden urge to shift your life in a different way?
Not surprisingly, it's a little disconcerting.

When Danny and I joined our worlds two and a half years ago I began working full-time and continued on with classes at the Y in the evenings. Since that time, we've been through a great deal together -- probably much more than most married couples our age. Or couples 10 years older than we, for that matter. We also have a little one, and our lives are about as hectic (albeit promising) as they could possibly be. At any rate, I've begun to really think about school again as of late, and I feel a major gear shift coming on.

Both my passions and priorities are so very different than they were when I began my program four years ago. Much more easily now I can see where I am lacking, what I want to learn, and am starting to get a feel of who I want to be.

I will let you know where this new exciting road takes me. I am looking forward to really getting a grip on the person that I am and the skills I want to develop. But in the meantime, know that I am thankful for all that inspires me, not the least of which are these two:

And yes, this picture was taken in Sunday school. Mark and Danny, thank you for enabling me to become a better, brighter, stronger, more capable woman. I love you both.
Even when you drive me to drink.

P.S. No, I don't drink. Come on. But my mom used that expression on us growing up when we made her crazy and it just sort of stuck. She doesn't drink either, don't worry :)

Goodnight, world.
xo

Lovely

2010-05-22T22:38:00.000-07:00

We've not historically been big fans of major photo shoots in our family (when I say "we" I mean "Danny"), but I think it is safe to say our most recent was a huge success.

My good friend (and very talented photographer) Kristin Klein took these for us and, I think, made us look beautiful! I wanted it to mostly be about Mark, but I figured while we were at it we might as well get some of all three of us (now that I'm 3 months postpartum and don't have quite so many chins or rolls... and Danny, well, Danny just looks good all the time).

It was a fantastic experience. I think Mark got a little grumpy from all the stimulation about halfway through, but then he recovered fine and that was pretty much it as far as bumps go. The rest was all smooth sailing.

Kristin, thanks so very much for making this so enjoyable for us and for capturing our family in such a lovely way! You are wonderful!

Enjoy, everyone!

To any of you in the Utah County/Wasatch Front area needing a good photographer,
I think you know who I'd recommend!

One final thing, Danny and Mark: thank you for giving me such a handsome family.
I love you both very, very much.

xo,
allie

From the Allie Diaries

2010-05-12T20:23:00.000-07:00

Hello world! It is 9:24 on a Wednesday night. I just put Mark to bed and Danny is out for a couple hours helping some friends move, and here I am with peace and quiet at home... not tackling the gigantic pile of laundry from last weekend's trip that's on my bedroom floor, not hanging the new towel racks in the bathroom that have been in their boxes for a month (which, yes, means we presently have no place to hang our towels...), not working on filing or finances like I should be, not even putting away the few dishes left in the dishwasher... no. Instead, I am social networking. And I intend to enjoy every minute of it and not feel guilty :) Also, thank you, Mom, for the lasagna you sent home with me tonight. I am finally getting a chance to enjoy it on a big plate with spinach and tomatoes and bell peppers... and straight up Pepsi. Not even diet. Ah, it's been a long few days.

ANYWHO, thought I'd just share a bit of the last couple weeks, for those of you who are interested.

We celebrated my sweet Dad's birthday (his 39th, if you must know... ha ha... just kidding; but Dad really, you look great for a grandpa!) with dinner last week at a family favorite,
Macaroni Grill.

I can sincerely say I enjoy virtually every minute of time I spend with my parents. They are fantastic. Mark enjoys it, too.

Okay well his face is kind of doofy here but you get the idea. He does love his Grandma (Glamma, as she calls herself). He spends 1-2 days a week with her while I work and I think he genuinely loves it. Often when I arrive to take him home at the end of the day he looks at me as if to say, "Who on earth are you?"

Giggling in his seat... before he threw a fit and we had to take him out.

Ha ha... hooded Mark.

Oh AND... we let him try a lemon. Not entirely sure what he thought of it...

His dad, however, thought it was pretty funny... as did the rest of us.

Anyway, it was a grand old time, as it often is when we're all together. Oh and, can't forget these two:

No party is complete without Hanes and Sera (P.S. Check out their wicked blogs!)

Hmm, let's see what else I've been up to..

This is more or less what 8:30 in the evening looks like at our house... Mark is grumpy. Mark gets a bath. Mark LOVES the bath (can you tell?). Mark gets all cleaned and jammied up and gets smooched all over by Mom. Then it's bedtime.

So, last weekend Danny and I decided we wanted to get away for a few days (yes, with Mark... call us crazy). Zion National Park was our original plan, but we chickened out slightly at the last minute and ended up cashing in some American Express Starwood points at the Sheraton in SLC instead. It was quite the weekend... nearly as exhausting as it was fun :) But in all truth, it was a good first shot at "traveling" with a baby. We tried to take advantage of some local adventures:

We hiked the Red Butte Garden trail by the U of U. Danny was ever so studly and carried Mark in the Snugli the entire way, which Mark loved. By the way, isn't Danny hot? Sheesh. Love the aviators, Honey. Love 'em.

The scenery wasn't half-bad either...

Okay, these images are boosted, but still (how obvious is it I'm enjoying playing around on Picnik and making my pictures all funky?).

The highlight of our trip was perhaps nothing short of introducing Mark to the pool.

We bought him an appropriate ensemble -- complete with floaties, a swimshirt, and trunks. Are we overly enthusiastic parents (see the picture on the far right... self-taken, in the mirror, getting ready to swim)? Oh well. He actually really loved it. After spending a few minutes in the pool we moved to the hot tub, where he hung out in my lap and eventually dozed off.

Anyway, how much will you hate me if I throw in a few more shots? I seem to be unable to help myself. I apologize. He's just so cute.

Our week concluded with a trip to Mom and Dad's house on our way back to Provo. It was Mother's Day, and I kept forgetting that the celebration now includes me, too. In my mind I think Mother's Day will really only ever be about my mom (although, everyday I can't help but think how grateful I am for the little Peanut who made me his mommy). She is possibly (no, not possibly, certainly) one of my most favorite people in the world, and I love her very much for the rockstar mom she is! (Cue Sarah's Mother's Day blog post, at this point.)

One final shot of our little family, and then I better get on with my night.

I am thankful for my two boys... Mark, who teaches me patience (not unique to him, I think every 3-month old needs a patient mommy), and Danny, who is ever so patient with me.

Well, thanks for stopping by, all. I feel like I could go on forever with ramblings and musings (I've gotta have some kind of an outlet, right?), but I think I might make you even more bored than you already are. So... what's the point? Another post for another time, I think, is in order. Also, have I mentioned we had some fabulous family pictures taken recently? I will post those too as soon as I get my hands on them! Kristin, you rock!

Have a lovely evening, world.
xoxo.

sunday afternoon blogging

2010-05-02T16:48:00.001-07:00

I just have so much to say today so I thought I'd sit down and get busy! Today Mark turns twelve weeks, twelve weeks! So to honor this three-month milestone I thought I'd post some pictures from the journey that brought my little Peanut into this world. Or maybe I just need an excuse to post prego pictures that should've been posted months ago but I was too busy. Anyway, enjoy...

{photos by leah wasson... you can find her blog under my "family and friends"}

Now, I know you've all seen pictures of the Peanut to your heart's content, but here's a new one I couldn't resist sharing:

My child, the thumbsucker. Can't say I'm not a little proud, though, that he finally figured out how to suck his thumb. Not to mention, it means he doesn't have a total meltdown every time he loses his binkie. YES.

In other news, I had a lovely phone-date-reunion with my dear old friend Callie yesterday. We had a fantastic little group of three friends in high school (Karianne, I am talking about you, too) and have since all married and are in different parts of the country. BUT, it was great to catch up, rekindle the friendship, and have it almost feel like old times again... A girl needs friends. What can I say?

{karianne, callie, and me... the summer we graduated... at a subway somewhere in the midwest... st. louis, i think? ahh adventures}

We all have husbands how, whom we adore. Speaking of husbands... Danny came home yesterday and surprised me with a FAUXHAWK! He'd gone out and gotten his hair cut and he returned with a whole new look. And it is sexxxxxxy. Yes it is. I spent all day staring at him and telling him how much I loved it til it drove him nuts and probably made him think I only loved him for his hair, haha. But really, it is great. It made me want to do something radical to my look... an auburn angled-bob, perhaps? I am tempted. We shall see.

{i guarantee he won't be happy with me for posting a lazy-sunday-afternoon-watching-the-nba playoffs-shot like this, but oh well. i will sneak a better shot and post it soon.}

Hmmm... what else. I was also thinking not long ago that I needed to post some wedding pictures on the blog. We've been married a while now and I didn't realize I had never done that. And they are ever so lovely :) Plus it is always fun to take a stroll down Memory Lane and remember being newly in love and married. Oh how I love my little family.

Also, today is my dear Dad's birthday! Happy Birthday, Daddo! We are celebrating with dinner tomorrow, so I intend to take some fun shots then. But meanwhile...

I think this is a sweet little shot of Dad and newborn Mark. He is a wonderful grandpa and the greatest father a kid could hope for. Love you so much, Dad.

Well, this post has been all over the board, and we are hoping to still get in a Sunday afternoon walk before sundown, so, farewell for now. More to come soon! xoxo

You know you are a parent when...

2010-04-27T22:09:00.000-07:00

You find the words, "I havta go potty" are escaping your lips more often than you'd like. It's no longer, "I need to use the restroom," or even, "I gotta pee." No, no. It's, "Honey, can you pause the movie for a sec? I havta go potty." Classy.

Being kept up all night is both painfully exhausting and completely okay at the same time.

Your voice tends to come out higher than it used to...

It seems your home is being run by its smallest member... who can't even talk... or eat solid foods... or dress himself. And yet he calls all the shots. And you are okay with it because, well, you just want him to be happy.

You find yourself being able to talk about things like formula, nap times, and the contents of a diaper far more than anyone who doesn't have kids ever wants to hear. Ever.

Suddenly you feel strangely aware of the swear words and kissing scenes in the movies you watch.

Whenever you leave the house you wonder if you've packed enough for a week-long trip. It sure feels that way.

Next to your spouse only, you love your squirmy, wiggly, giggly little bundle more than you ever dreamed it was possible or normal to love anyone or anything.

A Variety of Things...

2010-03-26T22:45:00.000-07:00

This post won't quite have a theme... I'm still working on being poetic about blogging. However, just had a few things I wanted to share.

1. Tonight while out to dinner with Sarah, Dad, and Baby Mark, a woman at the table next to us had earrings that were dimes... yes, dimes. You know, 10 cents. Sarah said, "Well, at least she can rest assured she'll always have 20 cents on her." I just thought it was, well, kind of cool!

2. For the last few weeks Danny and I have been re-vamping our place -- red accent wall in the kitchen, painted cabinets in the kitchen and bathrooms, new hardware EVERYWHERE, new accessories, etc., etc. I cannot WAIT to post pictures! (I will as soon as things are done, so I can show the progression from boring-ish beginning to very cute end!)

3. Mark has a new fun trick: GIGGLING! Hah! And he's got quite the little grin, too, it turns out. We have begun figuring out what gets him to chuckle... tickling his face (Danny does it a certain way that gets him every time, I love it), and singing to him (I've gotten a positive response from all sorts of things -- Hey Soul Sister, Journey, Popcorn Popping, Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam) are among the best tested so far. It is delightful. I simply cannot have a bad day with a child so adorable whose laugh is so sweet.

4. I love the NieNie Dialogues. Find the link under the blogs I follow and check it out sometime. She's simply one of the most fabulous and inspiring people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing.

5. If you were going to start a business, what would you name it?

6. For your viewing pleasure... here are some recent gems! (I promise one of these days I'll get myself in a shot, too)

Yes, this is the boys watching TV in our bed. How priceless is this?

Mark, Danny, and espn.com

My handsome little boy and his handsome little smile!

My Charming Men

2010-03-11T13:55:00.000-08:00

Since the wee one in my lap won't let me put him down I decided it might be a good time to plop down at the computer and blog about the two people I love most: him and his daddy. Exhibit A:

Don't they make a cute duo? Not to mention, Danny totally has the burpcloth-over-the-shoulder look down. He is an all-star daddy. It is easy to see Mark adores him... nine times out of ten Danny can calm him down and get him to sleep quicker than I can. He must have a more mellow presence... or something.

Anyway, we are loving getting to know our kiddo. Everyday he gets more and more entertaining. He is ever so curious -- always looking around, studying our faces as we talk to him, checking out lights or the ceiling fan, swatting at the little toys that hang in his face as he sits in his swing or bouncer, no doubt wondering what on earth they are. And we are learning he is quite the social creature. Last night we tried three times to put him to bed. Every time he would fall asleep like a cherub and then wake up in a fit a few minutes later. The moment we walked back into his room he would stop his fussing... I'm afraid we have a child who just wants some attention :) We should have known... what with the adult-sized belches he can deliver, and not to mention the fountain display of pee across the room when we change him. Ah well. He is all boy, that's for sure! Here is some of his latest:

Loving bath time!

Ha ha... sleeping like a king in Mom and Dad's bed.

Love those big eyes...

What a face.

Nothing more darling than itty-bitty feet.

Well I could go on and on but the babe in my lap now has the hiccups and is less than thrilled about it. So, little Mark, though you'll probably never read this, I hope you know your daddy and I love you so!

Our Little One

2010-03-03T13:46:00.000-08:00

Well... D-day has come and gone and we have a beautiful little boy to show for it! I am sorry to take so long to post. Turns out parenting is more than a full-time job! Whew. But for now Mark is happily snoozing in his baby swing, and I have a few minutes to write about his birth and first month of life.

Back on the evening of February 6th, while driving to the mall to do what we hoped would be labor-inducing walking (everyday for two weeks before Mark was born we would walk miles and miles at all the nearby malls, as it was too cold to walk outside. We loved the time it gave us to be together, and hoped each day that gravity would work its magic and Mark would arrive), Danny and I had a special conversation in which we decided (after nine months of endless arguing) that our baby should be named Mark, after Danny's brother who passed away over the summer. Neither of us had considered the name out loud, although we'd both felt something sweet about it for several months. When Danny brought it up, we talked about it and in less than five minutes our baby had a name (we decided on Damian as a middle name after my Dad's middle name). An hour later, my contractions started. Silly as it sounds, we knew the name fit, and our baby was finally ready to come to the world!

Ten hours later, we were admitted to the hospital and I was in full-on labor. The day went by in a sort of whirl. I cried through every contraction until I had an epidural and went totally numb... now that was an experience. I wasn't so much a fan of not being able to move my legs, but I loved that I couldn't feel the labor pains. Call me a wimp.... I don't care. Modern medicine is a thing of beauty.

It was during the Super Bowl that afternoon that I was finally ready to begin pushing (um... I think the Colts played the Saints and lost... am I right? Seriously, I can't remember now), and two and a half hours later, our little bundle of life came into the world! He was born at 8:44 pm, weighed 8 pounds 10 ounces, was 20 inches long, and had long blond hair. He looked JUST like Danny. In fact, we compared their baby pictures a few days later. The only difference was that Danny's hair was dark at birth. His brother, Mark, however, looked like his twin (truly, people thought they were twins until they were in their twenties) and had lots of blond hair, just like our Mark :) Kind of neat, don't you think?

Anyway, it was the most wonderful, exhausting, overwhelming, awesome experience. Our little one was healthy and well and we had (and have) everything in the world to be grateful for.

Danny and I still can't believe we are parents -- we have spent the last month trying to learn how to be good ones. Or at least, how to not totally screw up altogether. Our time has been spent perfecting the skills every new parent needs -- patience, love, teamwork, learning how to understand a baby's cries and get by on no sleep. Here we are now, though, almost a month later, and things are really getting wonderful. My body is almost back to normal, amongst other blessings. We love our little Peanut more and more each day, and have loved watching him grow and entertain us with his funny facial expressions and noises. And, as he has recently begun going to bed at eleven and only waking up once between then and seven or eight in the morning, we are loving life even more. Things are certainly busy. He keeps us on our toes -- feeding, burping, changing, and then doing it all over again -- but we can't believe how dear he is to us. He is ours, and we love him with all our hearts.

And, thanks to wonderful babysitters (Mom and Dad, I don't know what I'd do without you), Danny and I have actually managed to get in a date night each week, which is fabulous on so many levels! We cherish the time we get to spend focusing on one another, and are grateful to have each other as we embark on this new journey of parenthood. It isn't easy, that's for damn sure. But it is magnificent and we feel very blessed to have each other and to have our little Mark.

Here are some pictures.... enjoy!

Welcome to Baby Land...

2010-01-25T22:25:00.000-08:00

Okay I really couldn't wait to post these, so here they are: some shots of our almost-completed nursery! All that I still have to add are the valances, which my mom is so kindly making for me (out of this DARLING print that is white with blue stars... ahh, so very cute!), and I will probably add a photo somewhere of pregnant me. Is that self-interested? My friend Leah took some very cute shots (I say it like it's a rare thing because it is... there are only so many occasions on which one feels cute while prego), so at some point I'll frame one and hang it on the wall somewhere so my kiddo can see what it was like when he was on the inside, hah.
Any who... here you go!

Walking through the doorway...

Those aren't real photos in those frames. I am waiting until baby arrives to
put his picture up all around....

That dresser is FULL of baby clothes!

I love our crib! Well, I love all our furniture. You'd never know it was 16 years old and once used by Hannah, who was ever so kind to share with her new nephew :)

Changing table and tons of baskets for storage! And yes, they are ALL full!

I think the bedding is just precious. I love toile.

Rocker and bassinet, which will probably spend most of the next few months in
our bedroom, actually.

Shot of the whole room.

Don't these just make your heart melt?

I love it.

Well there you have it! As I make little changes I'm sure I'll post shots of those, too. Thanks for stopping by! And thank you to Danny and my parents and sisters for helping to create such a great living space for the little one.

See you after the baby is born!

The Waiting Game

2010-01-23T22:02:00.000-08:00

Hello world! This might be the last chance I have to jump on and give the blogging world an update -- for a little while, anyway. At least, until I'm home full-time for six weeks with nothing to do but take around-the-clock care of my little guy. Wait... that doesn't sound like it'd leave much time for blogging, either. SO, I guess I'll take advantage now.

Well, we are just about ready to welcome our little boy into the world. Here I'll prove it -- look at my HUGE belly...

Crazy, huh? My once-little body has grown in ways -- and places -- I never thought it could. Ever. Pregnancy has been a wild, wonderful ride. In many ways I will be sad to have it come to an end, but I am so very excited to meet our son and to watch our family grow. Not to mention, I won't much miss having to pee every five seconds, I can't wait to have caffeine again, and it'll be nice to actually accompany Danny on a run or hike -- with the little one in the stroller or baby carrier, of course :) I don't think we can yet imagine all the sweetness and magic of having a child, but I am positive it will be everything we've ever dreamed.

Anyway, I won't bore everyone with details and updates from my most recent doctors visits, but we're looking at not more than just a few days... so be looking for baby pictures soon! Wish us luck! OH! And we haven't picked a name yet, so leave your ideas here if you have any!

Welcome, 2010!

2010-01-03T14:07:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone! I apologize for my recent blogging hiatus; I assure you it was not intended to make you feel left out -- we are just a very busy family! Anywho, after repeated comments (ahem, Mom... ha ha) about how "Fun Fall Things" was a little outdated, as we have now seen Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's come and go, I decided it was time to take a few minutes on a lazy Sunday afternoon and write a new post to the world.

Christmas was a delight, as Christmas often is. The food was wonderful, the company was heavenly, and the time off work to sleep in was ever so priceless. We have enjoyed Danny's winter break from BYU for the last couple weeks (we are gearing up for school to start again tomorrow), and were able to spend time with family, with each other, and getting things really ready for the baby (coming soon, by the way: pictures of our almost-finished nursery, and some darling pregnancy shots by Leah Wasson).

... I'm not sure we'll ever feel 100% ready for parenthood, but getting the baby's room almost done, crossing things off my shopping list, reading countless books about "baby's first year" (thank you, Mom and Dad), and getting ready to pack my hospital bag -- just in case -- are all helping me feel a little more prepared, at least on the outside :) Danny is endlessly patient with me. He massages my aching back, wakes up in the middle of the night to work out the nasty charlie horses in my legs (I guess he doesn't have much of a choice when I wake up screaming in pain, but still, he's very patient about it), puts on my shoes and socks for me since I can literally no longer reach my feet, and is ever so compassionate when I complain about heartburn, having to pee constantly, and being pummeled from the inside out by our very active little boy (we are very excited to have you HERE, Kiddo!). I think more than anything I am looking forward to seeing Danny in dad-hood. He will be SO great at it!

As we count down the days til baby arrives, we have found ourselves enjoying another new adventure:

We were finally able to set up our saltwater tank! -- something we've been wanting to do for years. When I met Danny, he had an impressive 80-gallon freshwater aquarium up and running. After a few months, we decided to take it down in favor of setting up a saltwater tank instead. However, when we realized the cost of this not-so-cheap-and-highly-addictive hobby, we knew we would have to wait a while before getting it going. Meanwhile, we moved twice and were thankful to not have to deal with moving the huge tank again. Anyway, around Thanksgiving Danny found a smaller tank and stand for sale, and the price included the sand and rock, which is a major part of the cost. We decided to go for it, and consider it an early Christmas present to ourselves. Since then, we (well, Danny is the mastermind, but I help) have successfully established a beautiful little underwater world in our loft -- complete with two Clownfish (like Nemo, if that helps), a purple and blue striped Wrasse, a cute little Yellow Watchman, a cleaner shrimp, a starfish, crabs, snails, an anemone, mushrooms, and half a dozen corals. It is quite the hobby. Until you've tried it, I don't think you can understand how compelling it is (I know I never did). I often feel like people wonder a little how it is we can have so much to say about our fish, and the only other people who get it are the other weirdos who have fish themselves. But really, it opens your eyes to this whole new little world, like having 24 gallons of the ocean right there in your home for you to marvel at everyday. I know it sounds a little tree-hugger strange, but it is really, truly so neat. Our next project is setting up our 80-gallon tank again, but this time with a planted freshwater system, as that is much cheaper than saltwater. We are excited for the relaxing feel it brings to the room and enjoy the time we spend together working on it.

Well, sorry to go on and on about that. In other news, did I mention we are having a baby in four weeks? Oh yes, and we saw Avatar twice this weekend! It was wonderful both times, although I recommend seeing it in 3D. We loved it -- the visual, the story, everything. I am certain there are things about it which will become the new standard in film-making. It was wonderful.

Anyway, thanks for stopping by to read about what's been going on in our lives. We are very excited to meet 2010, and are sure it will be a fantastic year! It is always a blessing to be able to start anew, to try to be better, and I am thankful for the opportunity to do just that. And I will try really, realllly hard to keep my blog more updated... especially as we get ready to welcome baby! Have a happy Sunday, world!

Fun Fall Things

2009-10-15T22:03:00.001-07:00

Well, these pictures are a tad out of order, but that's alright. Here's a little of what we've been up to this month...

My father-in-law, Mike, celebtrated his 60th birthday -- with all the grandkids!

(sorry, this one is a little fuzzy because no one can sit still...)

At a recent Lone Peak game, where we watched Hannah and the

Chevaliers perform at half-time!

We brought along our favorite little friend, Ruby, who enjoyed searching for the Starburst Danny had hidden in his coat pockets...

They are friends :)

Again, blurry, but this was a terrific show!

Isn't she darling?

Danny and his parents and siblings. I love them.

Yes, I took this prego picture of myself, in my mirror. No one else was home to do it for me ... But anyway, check out my baby bump! Getting bigger everyday. My belly button is about to pop inside out!

We bought a hutch for our kitchen that we absolutely LOVE! Adds so much warmth, not to mention storage space!

Our favorite nephew, Carter, and Grandpa at the birthday party.

My honey and me at Wheeler Farm a few weekends ago...

Life is good.

Anywhere you go, let me go too

2009-10-01T19:24:00.000-07:00

The other night while working on homework Danny was playing some piano classics over the speakers. One of these on the album was Phantom of the Opera's "That's All I Ask of You," one of my all-time favorite love songs. It's been stuck in my head since, and while I don't think of myself as a very cheesy, sappy sort of person (most of the time), I just really love the words:

Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime
Say the word and I will follow you
Say you need me with you, here, beside you
Anywhere you go let me go too
Love me - that's all I ask of you

I am very thankful for my sweetheart, this week and always. We met two years ago last month, and so we spent a good deal of time over the last few weeks reminiscing about those giddy early days of our relationship. I am thrilled to say I only love him more with everyday that I know him... marriage will do that to ya if you let it. I would follow him anywhere. And I am catching glimpses of the wonderful daddy he will be. We watched the recording of the ultrasound together the other night, and Danny kept saying things about how cute the baby is and how much he can't wait to meet him. It was all I could ever want to hear :) Speaking of the ultrasound (drum roll, please), who wants to see pictures? I happen to have a few...

Leg and foot...

Spine (toward the top you can see an arm, and at the bottom is his tailbone and leg -- he is sort of curled in a ball)

Best of all, his face. Isn't he darling?

We love him already and can't wait until he's here.
I am grateful for my growing little family!

It's a BOY!

2009-09-27T19:12:00.000-07:00

Yessiree! You've probably heard the news via Facebook by now, but in case you haven't... We are having a little boy! The ultrasound went wonderfully well, my doctor made a thorough inspection of baby's whole body (and I am happy to report that our little man is free of everything from spina bifida to a clubbed foot to a cleft lip), and Danny is beaming: he is so proud to be having a son! We loved the time spent viewing the ultrasound images. We got to look at his brain, his heart, lungs, stomach, kidneys, legs and arms, hands and feet, his back and bum and other boy parts -- Dr. Melendez put it, "He is definitely a boy!" -- Danny loved that, as you can imagine, and best of all, his little face. I will post pictures soon (again, when my Internet is up... or maybe I'll just have to put the pics on Danny's computer), but I just wanted to mention that seeing his face was so neat because we got to look at it from a few different sides, and I just kept thinking how much I could see Danny and me in his little nose and chin and lips. It was wonderful! He looks like a little angel. Well, okay, so, Danny and I were both hellions as children... but maybe that will skip a generation?

Shortly after the appointment we took the news to our families, and everyone's reaction seemed to be, "I knew it would be a boy!" Since then, I've spent most of my brain energy coming up with nursery decorating ideas and picking colors and designs. And my fantastic mom has gone to work doing the same. It will be a thrilling project, that's for sure! I will take and post pictures as we go.

I will write more later, but I just wanted to report on the events of the last few days. (I find myself needing to write down special things like this before my pregnant brain forgets the details.) I am very thankful for what appears to be a healthy little boy (he certainly FEELS healthy... very squirmy and wiggly and throwing kicks when I least expect it. I tell Danny it feels like I'm being tickled from the inside out), and for a most loving, supportive husband and family. Not to mention, this may sound strange, but Danny and I are grateful to have another way by which our lives can be tied tighter to Brianna and Carter, Mark's wife and son. Carter will be less than two years older than our boy, and we hope they will be lifelong little buddies. Somehow we take a lot of comfort in that. Miss you, Mark.

Talk to you all again, soon! Goodnight!

Countdown to ultrasound!

2009-09-24T12:27:00.000-07:00

I've been meaning (and wanting) to get on and post again for awhile, but Danny temporarily sabotaged my Internet on my laptop at home (he built -- yes, built -- himself a new computer and stole my wireless for his... it won't last though, we just need a new... cable... something or other, of some kind. Anyway...). So here I am sneaking in a few minutes of blog time while he is still at school. It's hard to find a chance to get on his computer because, yes, electrical engineering students spend just about all their free time doing homework (he is wonderful, isn't he? Such dedication). Just wanted to give a quick update!

Tomorrow is the big day: My 21-week ultrasound! Hooray! I can't express how excited I am. We can't wait to see our baby -- even if it is just on "video." Not to mention, I feel like I'm about to be unleashed into a new fun world of being able to pick names and decorate (finally!) and start building a little world for our new little one. Anyone want to place bets on what the gender will be? Just let me know :) I'm also open to name suggestions, should you feel the need to give your input.

Well, you'll be hearing from me again after tomorrow I'm sure. And just as soon as I can get my own computer up and running again I do have pictures, believe it or not, that I want to post. I realized the other day that other people's blogs have so many pictures and mine has so much.... writing. Boring! Just kidding, I love to write. And I would love to share more pictures with the blogging world... but they are, after all, on my computer, which, yes, has no Internet by which I can upload them. Ah well.

One final thing, I just wanted to mention today how dearly I love the Richards family, my family. Danny's brother Mark passed away two months ago, on July 24th, and the family has been on my mind all day. Danny misses his best friend, and I am grateful everyday to know we will see him again and we will be a family forever. And in a season where life is lost, I am thankful to be getting ready to welcome new life into the world.

Talk to you soon, all! Enjoy the Office tonight!

God Bless BYU Football

2009-09-06T11:16:00.000-07:00

I always know it's Fall when college football becomes the talk of our house. Most of the time I sort of smile and nod and just wait out the weeks before the Utah Jazz season is underway, but yesterday I wholeheartedly enjoyed watching the BYU-Oklahoma season-opener. It was intense a game as there ever was... injuries (a part of me almost felt bad for Sam Bradford's shoulder sprain... it really looked like it hurt), flags everywhere, and oh so much excitement in the air (Danny was yelling and swearing and clapping his hands and calling plays almost the whole time... I'm quite sure he thinks they could hear him). Anyway, the boys in blue pulled it off, 14-13, in a beautiful Cougar victory. And for a good two hours post-game, honks and shouts could be heard ALL up and down University Avenue (we live right in the middle of Cougartown, thank you very much... at eleven o'clock last night I was finally ready for all the pandemonium to cease). It was quite the experience. Danny, Sarah, and I shared it with pizza and chips and ice cream way too much candy :)

We had a busy week last week. School started, work was busy, and we spent much of the week working on little odds and ends that needed to be addressed at our rental condo. It's always an exhausting time of the year, filling the place, replacing things that are broken, collecting and returning deposits. Thankfully, it usually only lasts about a month and then the place just takes care of itself for the rest of the school year. It's a business experience, I tell you what. I'm picking it up slowly.

I had a dream the other night that I was waiting at my OB appointment to find out the sex of our baby, and for one reason or another, the doctor kept telling me I had to wait and return the next week before I could know. It was so exasperating that when I woke up yesterday I almost got in the car and drove to the mall to where they have ultrasound techs who do those "fetal photos." I told myself it wouldn't hurt to wait just a couple more weeks, but it sure does feel like forever! I am so excited to feel like our little guy or girl really has more of an identity (i.e., a gender). I think it'll start to feel more like they are part of the family.

Trying to be patient and get things done aside, all else is well around here. I love this time of year when I know I have all the holidays and family time to look forward to. It's really the highlight of my life. Tomorrow is Labor Day, and I will love just getting to sleep in with Danny for an extra hour or two. Speaking of which, I am so proud of him and excited for his next few semesters of school. These next months will be busy ones, but I think as long as we can tackle them as a team, it will be a great ride! As I posted on my Facebook a few days ago, I sure love my baby's daddy!

Well, have a Happy Sunday, all!

As Promised...

2009-08-31T19:54:00.001-07:00

Here are some pictures from our lovely California trip in late June!

I talked Danny into growing some scruff for the week... kinda fun!

My parents are cute as ever :) Right Mom? Hehe. I know you're reading this.

Gals.

All the "kids."

My bestest pal and me.

The whole gang!

Sarah and Hannah get more and more beautiful all the time.

And more and more grown up. What is going on? Really.

Dad and his girls.

It was a beautiful place and a beautiful getaway!

P.S.

2009-08-26T21:38:00.001-07:00

I forgot to mention (although I'm sure you noticed) I finally picked a blog background I like! Hooray!

Growing Pains

2009-08-26T20:33:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been two and a half months since my last post and I'm finally beginning to feel like writing again. I spent so much time playing around with my blog when I was first pregnant and so sick, that I all of a sudden couldn't be on it for awhile or else it made me feel... sick. It was weird. All I can say is aversions in pregnancy are not limited to food alone.

I don't think I'll attempt to catch the blog up on every detail of our summer. I'd rather just pick up here. Although I must say that, strangely, I'm not going to be sad to see this summer go. It's been both a good summer and a long one. We spent a week in California with my family which was just lovely (I'll post pictures), and of course spent countless hours with nieces, nephews, parents, siblings which is always my most favorite thing in the world (and we had two new additions to our family in the last week -- very exciting!). We've been through a few things, the usual ups and downs as well as both the excitement and strains of pregnancy and the joys and struggles of, well, life. In all reality, we live in an imperfect world and the events of our lives are not always as seamless as we'd like. But when it comes down to it, we are blessed. There is a God in Heaven. And we have each other and we are very, very blessed.

Anyway, the last few months have been ones of learning and growing, not all of which is easy. But Fall is upon us, and unlike when I was little and dreaded the start of Fall because it meant the start of school, I am finding myself looking forward to a new season. Among other things, my little pregnant body (which is not so little anymore) is happily looking forward to the relief of cooler temperatures (I've never been so hot and uncomfortable before in my life!). And though life gets a little more hectic when Fall semester starts and the holidays arrive, it will be a welcome change. We have a lot to be grateful for and look forward to.

There is much to do before this baby comes. Danny and I have decided we need to be totally dedicated to the cause from here on out... we are noticing just how much we can't do it without each other. Danny's leaps and bounds in the academic sphere have opened a lot of doors for us. There is a lot of promise and some great things happening, but we know we need to do it as a team. We are about to grow our little family with the arrival of this baby in a few months and we need to be ready. Speaking of the baby (which will have a name in just a couple weeks when we FINALLY find out the sex!), that's one thing on which I would like to report:

Since I posted last I've come a long way, as far as sickness goes. I still get queasy occasionally and fatigued quite easily, but I'm starting to get my appetite back which is just wonderful (hopefully it helps me gain the weight I need to... so far I've only gained two pounds). We've also had three different check-ups... one at eight weeks, one at twelve, and one at sixteen. At eight weeks they did an ultrasound, which made me so giddy that I was smiling too hard to cry, which is what I was sure would happen. Our little baby was the size of a peanut at the time, but had an active little heartbeat and was nice and squirmy there in its little uterine home. At subsequent visits, we've been able to hear the heartbeat, which is about twice as fast as mine. In the last week or so, I've been able to feel fetal movement here and there. I'm beginning to learn what it feels like -- it's sort of similar to when you have little bubbles in your stomach, but a little more definite than that. It's a fun feeling. I can't wait until kicks are big enough for Danny to enjoy as well. Our baby is about 5 inches "crown to rump" these days, so it won't be long before we can get used to feeling movement all the time, especially because at our last visit my doctor told us that baby would triple in size over the next five weeks. However, one thing I'm feeling a LOT of is the growing and stretching and tugging on my belly (the literal side to my inspiration for the title of this blog). My sides and low stomach are particularly achy, and I'm now beyond the point where it's hard to say whether I'm pregnant or just chubby :) My favorite thing is when total strangers ask me when I'm due. I love knowing that my little bump is more than just a figment of my imagination. Anyway, so far it seems all is well. And next month Danny and I will go to my 21 week ultrasound where we get to see the baby and find out whether it's a boy or a girl. I am beside myself excited! We're narrowing in on a few names, too. Well, sort of. When we can find ones we agree on. We're getting there, though... I think we're zeroing in on one or two.

Well, I think this post is long enough. I should probably write more often so that I don't have to write so much each time. It gets a little exhausting. Oh well... thank you for reading!

Little day-to-day things

2009-06-15T21:55:00.000-07:00

Still trying to figure out how to customize my blog and make it a little cuter :) I think I've got it down, but I spent far too much time tonight looking for blog templates online and still came out with nothing. Oh well... I'll work on it more later.

Also still trying to figure out what it is we write on our blogs... the things that are on our minds? In that case, I'm hungry. I find myself having to eat every two hours or so... and only certain foods, because most make me gag. Chicken seems to work pretty well... cheese, potatoes, veggies, almonds... fruit smoothies here and there. Turkey and cheese on a wheat bagel was the food of the day today. The worst part of it, though, is that I stick to certain foods because they don't make me sick, and then I get sick of those foods and it turns out they start to make me sick after all... So I find myself looking for new foods to try and fill my tummy with. So very complicated. It's a good sign, though. The more pregnancy symptoms I have, the more excited I get... at least it makes it real, if nothing else. Until I go to my doctor's appointment next week and see the ultrasound, cravings and nausea are all I have to go off of to bring it to reality for me. Danny and I are so excited about it and say lots of prayers for this baby everyday... every hour.

What else is on my mind? Today was Danny's last day of Spring Term at BYU. I'm thrilled he gets a few days off and can catch a short break before Summer Term starts... all too soon. He deserves the vacation... he works harder than anyone I know. And of course, even though his final is over, he's still up on campus as I write this, finishing assignments that are due tomorrow. My trooper of a husband.

We are settling nicely into our new home. We just bought our second condo; the other one we rent out to BYU students... how's that for a little business experience? Kind of fun, when they behave themselves :) Just kidding. Anyway, we bought this place and replaced all the appliances, the lighting fixtures, and added tons of other little accessories... it was a full-time job for a few weeks, and we're still not done. Still on the list is some painting and refurbishing of the cabinets... working on the caulking in the bathrooms... maybe one day doing something about the ugly countertops (okay, they're not that bad... they've just been abused by twenty years worth of renters). We've certainly enjoyed the space and making it our own! I'll post some pictures soon.

Well, I suppose that's all that comes to mind right now. Maybe next time I write I'll be able to post on a cuter blog template....

Mount Olympus

2009-06-13T10:32:00.000-07:00

Two weekends ago Danny and I took our first hike of the season to the top of Mt. Olympus -- a small but STEEP! peak just outside of Salt Lake City. We prepared ourselves for a mostly easy hike (I had forgotten -- since I was last there almost two years ago -- how much it feels like climbing steep stairs for three hours straight), and while Danny had a fairly easy go of it, I struggled a little more. I kept up with him just fine as long as I could stop every once in awhile to catch my breath before my lungs burst out of my chest (and yes, we found out two days later that all the while.... I was pregnant. I wonder if the baby enjoyed the climb...).

In November of 2007, Danny asked me to marry him atop Mt. Olympus' rugged peak. To this day he tells me that, cheesy as it sounds, he wouldn't have married me if I couldn't have made it to the top with him... it would have felt too foreboding ("If you can't make it to the top of a mountain with me, how am I supposed to know you'll make it through the marriage with me?"). It sounds strange at first, but I think he made a good point. Pardon the cliche, but it many ways, marriage is more like hiking a mountain than any other analogy I can come up with. There are easy stretches and tricky uphill ones. Sometimes you think you can't take another step for how hard it is, and other times you feel you are (literally) on top of the world. But for all its ups and downs, it is the most wonderful and and beautiful and fulfilling thing in the world. And I'd gladly take a thousand hard steps for every easy one, so long as I have my hiking partner at my side (or well, in front of me a few feet, waiting for me to catch up).

A little more about us :)

It's about time

2009-06-10T22:40:00.001-07:00

It seems everyone I know is blogging. I love to read other peoples' darling posts so I finally thought it was time to start one for our family. On rare occasions I have some downtime, and I'd love to start sort of keeping a journal this way (because I've failed at it in every other way possible!). So, here we go...