Monday Mugs

I have to post this, because Nate would be so disappointed if I don't. Yes, he actually thinks it is cool that I blog. And actually reads it! This past Saturday we worked on the Store Nate is opening, then took a trip to the dump. It was my first trip to the dump and I couldn't believe all the garbage. Does all that biodegrate? I don't think so. I was just astounded at how much garbage we have as a society. Something else interesting, there were nice, big houses RIGHT by the dump. Go figure!

Here is a pic of Nate's store. They painted the outside this weekend. It is looking ALOT better than it did! We are making progress!

Colby is my good helper. Lately, he has decided he wants to feed Carson. He does a really good job, but today I caught him eating Carson's food. He would give one bite to Carson, then give one bite to himself. Sounds like me when decorating gingerbread houses. One piece of candy on the house, one piece in my mouth! Like Mother like son! He just cracks me up!

Carson was loving playing on the grass!

Choice 1 or 2.....or 3

I try to give Colby two options to choose from when I want him to do something. For example, if I want Colby to clean up his toys, I tell him "You can pick up your toys or go to time out." This has worked really well. But lately he has been getting too smart and coming back with, "how about 3 choices, clean up my toys, go to time out, or watch a show." That tactic is going to have to be tweaked a little bit as he is seeing right through it! Dang!

Thursday Thirteen

I thought I would try Crystal's idea of Thursday 13. I hope that is ok, Crys?!

Thirteen Things I Love About Book Club:

1. A break

2. Time with the girls

3. Great food!

4. The boys get to spend one on one time with their Dad

5. How many topics we can cover in one night, other than the book! :))

6. The books we read

7. An excuse to read

8. Making new friends

9. Strengthening friendships

10. I have something that is mine

11. I can have a converstation without child interruption

12. Reading books I probably would not have known about

13. I never have to worry about my kids, because Nate is such a great father and

takes good care of the boys.

A Question Answered

Nate and I have been debating on whether to get window well covers this year, or wait until next. Well, that debate was laid to rest the other night. We were all outside playing while Nate was mowing the lawn. I went inside to feed Carson and Colby stayed outside with Nate. Nate turned off the mower and heard Colby yelling. He walks over and sees Colby hanging from the top of the window well screaming while struggling to climb out. Nate took him out and Colby was immediately fine and said he wanted to find the black cat. Appearantly he was chasing a neighborhood cat that I am assuming went in the window well and Colby followed. Needless to say, we are getting window well covers ASAP!

The Kite Runner

Our Book Club book for this month is "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini. The lady who chose the book was a little hesitant to suggest it because of a couple swear words and a rape scene. Hearing this, I was a little reluctant to read it. When I started reading the book I just wasn't sure I was going to like it. I was able to skip over the rape scene since I had been warned. As I got into the book, I really started to enjoy it. In fact, I couldn't put it down. What a haunting, but excellent book. It is such a journey that keeps taking the main character to the past he was trying to forget. It illustrates that we can't run away from things, because they will eventually catch up to us. Also, to not be so hard on ourselves. I do recommend it to anyone. I am glad I tried it out and read it!

A First For Everything

Nate has started taking the bus to work. He rides his bike to and from the bus stop and rides the bus to work. Well, Colby thinks this is the coolest thing! He wanted to ride the bus with daddy. We told him if did well with his potty training he could ride the bus with Dad. Well, last week his wish was granted and he got to ride the City Bus for the first time and LOVED it! It was so cute to watch him get on the bus hand in hand with his daddy. The bus driver opened the door and I could see him smile when he saw Colby. It was such a sweet thing to see. It made me start thinking about all of my firsts and thought I would list some.

First Bike: The first bike I remember was brown and tan with a banana seat and it said "Sugar & Spice" on the side

First Concert: New Kids On The Block at the Puyallup Fair. (Yes, so embarrassing!)

First Crush: Chad Allen from the show "Our House"

First Car: The first car I drove was my mom's white Geo Prizm, but the first car I owned was a blue '87 Chevy Nova. I loved that car!

First Heart Break: Tedd S., breaking up because I was going off to College

First Time Wearing Makeup: 7th Grade. I would sneak so my mom wouldn't see. I would take mascara and eye shadow and put it on at school. (Did you know that, mom?)

First Kiss: Jevin C.

First Boyfriend: I had one in Kindergarten, but come on! :)

First Boyfriend That Meant Something: Tedd S. for 2 1/2 yrs in high school.

First Prom: Junior Prom with Mike C. (Abbi's brother-in-law. Small world, isn't it?)

First Best Friend: Beth F. (Love her!)

First Car Accident: Senior year in front of the high school with the kids I babysat in the car. Traumatic!

First Speeding Ticket: Somewhere in Oregon driving back to College with my friend Drew D. It was a doozy too!

First Job: Besides babysitting, I worked at a Halloween Costume Shop one Halloween season Sophomore year.

First College Roommate: Lindsay E., no one could be better than her!

First Date: You know, I can't remember this one. Sad, isn't it! It must not have been that impactful! I will keep thinking and update if I remember.

First Home With Nate: The first place we lived was a dumpy apartment in Provo the summer after we were married. Our first Home home is where we are now. It is perfect for us right now.

First Time I Realized I Loved Nate: We were driving home from Caytee's basketball game and we were just talking about everything and everything he was saying made total sense to me and I totally agreed with. Stuff like raising kids, church, work, and life in general.

First Time To Disneyland: I was 5 yrs old. I went with my mom, sister, and brother. The only thing I remember is the Big Snowman on the Matterhorn and how much he terrified me!

First Time I Met Nate: He trained me at work. I thought he was cute and totally cool!

First Time I Realized I Wasn't A Kid Anymore: My mom driving away after getting me settled in to my dorm room. I was on my own.

First Broken Bone: (and only broken bone so far) I was 18 months old and broke my leg falling of my moms bed. I had to have 3 casts because I kept wiggling out of them.

First Dance: I was in 6th Grade and it was a school dance. After that my parents decided to enforce the no dances until I was 14 rule. I thought that was so unfair! It all makes sense now.

First Shooting Star: I was with my brother in Boise when I was about 8 or so. He was shocked I hadn't seen one, so we hung out until I did.

First Pregnancy: I was 26 and we hadn't been in our house more than a couple of months. 9 months later came our Sweet Colby!

First Airplane Ride By Myself: I was about 8 or9. I flew to Las Vegas to visit my totally awesome cousin, Laura!

First Pet: Smokey the dog I considered my pet. I loved him so much when I was just a little thing, but Smokey was actually my cousins dog. My first real pet was a dog named Cody.

What are everyone elses firsts? It would be fun to hear!

Happy Birthday Big Cor!

Today is my brother Cory's birthday. So I have to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIG COR! I love him very much. He is smart, creative, talented, an AMAZING dad, loving, funny, and a great big brother! And so many more things, but I only have so much room!

I didn't have the opportunity to grow up living with my brother, but I still have so many great memories! One of my favorite memories of Cory is when my mom and I went to visit him and my sister in Boise when I was about 8 or so (i think). I was hanging out with him one night and we went out on the driveway and layed down to look at the stars. We just talked and talked. I still remember that so vividly in my mind. To this day one of my favorite things to do is go lay out and just look up at the stars. I have always looked up to my brother! He always made me feel so important when I know he had other important things to do. He is 11 years older than me. He made time for me and spent time with me. I just love him for that! He made me feel so special as a child and still does! Thank you Cory for being my Big Cor!

Colby Sayings

I love my little Colby! (Only he isn't so little anymore!) The things he says sometimes just crack me up! In the morning when I get my work out clothes and come out of my room, he will say,

"What'cha got on mom, huh? Whatch you wearing? You going to do your exercises, Mom?"

and the way he says exercises is so stinkin cute. I just laugh every time! He says it so precise. This may be something that is not amusing to anyone else, but I just had to share! I just adore him!

Virginia Tragedy

I just have to say what a horrible tragedy the shootings at Virginia Tech are. I watch the news and details unfold, and I can't help but feel such heartache. Heartache for those who lost their lives and their families, but also for the shooter and his family. He must have been in such a bad place to allow himself to do something so horrific! It just makes my heart hurt. I just had to say that my heart goes out to everyone affected by this attack. My prayers are with the families.

Happy Easter!

Yesterday was Easter and we had a wonderful day! We had Chad & Abbi, Curt & Carrie and their two boys, Caytee, and Jon over. We had a great dinner and it was a lot of fun! Here are some pictures. And I have to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY ABBI!

"The Pursuit of Happyness"

Nate has been home sick the last couple of days, so I rented a couple of movies for him to watch. Yesterday I watched "The Pursuit of Happyness" with him and I LOVED it! What a heart-warming story and it is true! For those that haven't seen it, it is a true story about a man trying to make it in the world while actively raising a 5 yr old son. They end up homeless while he is doing an non-paid internship with a Financial institution. It amazed me that through his intense struggles, he stayed positive and took such good care of his son. If you haven't seen it, it is a must see! It stars Will Smith and his real-life son.

The part that struck me, was when the main character talks about the "pursuit of happiness" stated in our Declaration of Independence. He mentioned how interesting it was that they used the word "pursuit". And I, too, found that so interesting. I had never thought about that phrasing. Pursuit means "an effort to secure or attain; quest" I love the word "effort" there. We are all pursuing to be happy. We are all attaining that goal. The choices we make, the people we sorround ourselves with, our jobs, our attitudes, etc. are what help us to pursue or attain that happiness. It just really made me think, 'am I making the "effort" in pursuing happiness or am I just waiting for it to come to me?' It is something we have to constantly pursue. It takes a lot of "effort"! It is a constant quest! I love that movie and am grateful for the lesson it taught me. It also helps you appreciate what you have and not to take it for granted.

Has anyone else seen this movie? If, so, what did you think of it?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NAE!!

I have to dedicate this post to my big Sis, Nae, who is celebrating her Birthday today. There are so many things I love and admire about my sister, so I thought I would share some:

Beautiful inside and out

Intelligent

Caring

Helpful

Great Advice Giver

Good Listener

A Great Aunt

Beautiful Singer

Fun

The Best Sister Ever!!!

I love you, Nae! Happy Birthday!