Tidwell Tidbits

Out with the old...

2012-01-09T14:47:00.000-08:00

Blogger and I are not getting along- I have about seven thousand (SLIGHT exaggeration) pictures to upload- Hailyn's birthday, halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas... and no luck. So instead, hi blogger world I am alive!!!

I am SO done with 2011. It was the hardest year of my life. No joke. But there were some amazing highlights that have made this the most roller coaster drama year i've ever had. We got to take a family trip to Florida and live it up at Disney World (which was awesome!) and then I turned another yar older and possibly 20 years wiser (HA!!!!) and then found out I was expecting (SURPRISE!!!) baby boy in March!! Hailyn hit her head (low point) but was fine (yay!) and then Ryan and I took a second honeymoon to london and paris. School started again. We spoke in church where SURPRISE stake presidency was there hence we spoke in Stake Conference a month later and it was an amazing experience for us.The holiday routine we always do (Flagstaff, Polar Express train, and Enchanted Forest) I have to say this holiday season was by far my favorite ever. So 2011, ended on a happier note.

Segway into 2012, I am stronger than I thought humanly possible, expecting a baby in March, done teaching in March (I'm actually pretty sad about it. I don't want to leave early). I am no longer in Primary (I miss it) and Hailyn is a sunbeam. SO much has changed in one year it's unreal. We may be moving in may (ahhhhhh) but are hoping to stay close and just have a cheaper plac to rent (can't stay here if I don't work). SIIIIIGH!!! BUT we have food, clothing, and shelter. A beautiful baby girl and the GOSPEL!! I am SO grateful for the gospel in my life I have no clue where I would be without it. So 2012, I am ready for you. I'm hoping it is a smoother year. We are excited for our baby boy in march:) excited for the opportunities that will come our way and excited to learn and grow another year as an indiivdual and a family.

2012...be good to us:)

Spotlight on my soon to be sunbeam...

2011-10-06T18:41:00.000-07:00

My baby girl is turning three on Sunday and with me being pregnant and hormonal I am feeling extremely nostalgic- and WISHING my baby would stay little forever. Alas, it isn't happening. With her birthday being on a Sunday, and me being pregnant and working and tired, well, it's going to be a mellow affair- but with a LOT of love! Smashburger and then a taco dinner sunday.

Since I have been a slacker, Hailyn has not had her three year pics yet- we are thinking the monday after her birthday- when she is officially three. Yes, I am so behind on everything it seems. But since this is a form of journaling for me... I wanted to SPOTLIGHT my soon to be sunbeam (oh don't get me started- I'm going to cry my eyes out when she is a sunbeam- I cannot even process it right now) and sadly I have no pics for this post...maybe when I blog about her birthday in november! haha! Some fun things about my cutie pie!

Favorite foods: pizza, cheeseburgers, cheese (straight up grated cheese so funny!) and yogurt oh and apples and fries and DONUTS (anything sweet is called a donut- besides cookies) Dad's scrambled eggs (it sounds like she eats a lot I assure you I jump for joy when she eats ANYTHING!)

Favorite color: purple- hands down

Movies: Despicable Me and Rio- and the Gruffalo movie (she also likes the Disney movies but Rapunzel has taught her to use her plastic frying pan as a weapon and Ariel taught her how to use a fork as a dinglehopper so those are used sparingly)

Books: The Gruffalo (ADORABLE bookwe got her in London with a puppet she LOVES it!) and Pajama Time by Sandra Boynton

Shows: LITTLE EINSTEINS is ALL this girl will watch- she calls it her 'mission show!' and shouts 'going on a mission!' yeah mommy is trying out other shows but this is a winner for sure

Activities: she loves to make mommy pictures and take baths and go on the slide at the park and ride the 'horsies' at the mall (the carousal)

Songs: she loves I am a child of God and Popcorn popping on the Apricot Tree- working on Jesus wants me For a Sunbeam right now

Special things about Hailyn: This HILARIOUS girl always has a smile on her face. She is pure sunshine. I do not know what I did right to deserve such an incredible, loving, smart, spunky little girl- I am so blessed! She is super independant and I cannot help her get dressed (or choose her clothes) she hates getting her teeth brushed, and she will leave her hair in after I fix it for exactly 2.5 seconds. She LOVES getting manicures and pedicures (and often brings me clippers as a HINT to give her a mani and pedi:) she LOVES shoes and LOVES to go shopping (oh boy!) and she loves sunglasses and purses and has to take a purse (or two or three) everywhere we go. She is my little trooper- super easy going. I love the way she says 'thank you' 'please' and 'your welcome' she seriously says them so cute! She says milk like 'muck' working on that:) cute though! She LOVES little babies (hope that sticks) and I never have to remind her to be careful or gentle. She is such a good little mama to her babies at home and takes good care of them tucking them in bed, pushing them in strollers. She screams 'DADDY' when Ryan gets home and he gets the biggest hug ever from his baby girl. She is scared of the dark (she is so my kid! lol) and she has the KINDEST heart! I hope she always does. If a kid bites her or hits her she just looks sad and doesn't retaliate. Yet she is spunky and can hold her own. I hope she has a good balance of softness and strength. I think she will. She is always asking if a friend gets hurt if they are ok. She is a giant sweetheart and I truly LOVE spending time with my little buddy. She has her moments, but oh my I am going to miss the time of it being just her and I. We are buds. Hailyn, happy birthday... I love you like crazy cakes!

Crazy Busy Wonderful

2011-09-14T07:15:00.000-07:00

Since we moved two years ago and Ryan started his dram job, our lives have sort of taken a new routine. From end of August til January life is on fast forward. We have the start of school, then Hailyn's birthday, family and Hailyn's photos we try and get at least once a year- (that's it once a year sad huh? We take candids all the time- sigh) Halloween, Thanksgiving (a trip to see family!) and then Christmas time! That of course is ringed with secretly shopping, wrapping gifts, setting up the house, going to Magical Forest and of course Christmas! Amazingly EVERY year on New Years we take it pretty easy. We're talking pizza or Chinese food, a Harry Potter marathon and passing out on the couch by ten. After all the craziness I think it's the perfect way to ring in the new year! Then there is usually a break from Jan til (aside from showering my hubby with lots of love and chocolate for Valentines day) April (Anniversary) then things get nutty until New Years again. Still, I love this routine. This year there will be no break as I anticipate March to be pretty crazy. What lead me to this madness is the fact that darling daughter's birthday is in less than a month I havent got a clue as to what to do or plan. And pictures for her 3rd birthday. Sigh. Better get on it. Let the crazy wonderfulness begin!

My soapbox...on gender...

2011-08-25T08:53:00.000-07:00

Ok, so call me a feminist. Call me a hormonal pregnant lady. Whatever. I never really talk about anything controversial on here (politics, religion ect) but one area that rally irks me sometimes is on gender.

Since I've been pregnant people ask "do you want a boy or a girl next?" and I genuinely answer "Whatever God thinks, we'll be thrilled!" I TRULY feel that way. I know Hailyn was 'custom made' in a way for our little family. She just fits. I can't explain it. Other parents I'm sure understand what I'm talking about. This spunky, funny, sassy, smart, witty little girl just FITS! She is just a mix of Ryan and I that is pure awesomeness.

So when people tell me 'I hope you have a boy for the 'drama' sake, so you don't have so much drama in your house. Or what REALLY gets me is when they say 'boys are just better' WHAT?! You are saying this to a FEMALE- not just that but a STRONG female! So yes, maybe I am a feminist, if being a feminist means I believe men and women are both equally important and have divine and different COMPLIMENTARY roles in this life. And a STEP further, how about each little spirit is unique and divine in their own roles? Male or female? My little Hailyn LOVES to play with dolls, nurture her babies, make food, and then she loves to play in the dirt, with dump trucks, and can run faster than any boy I've ever seen. I've seen boys afraid of getting dirty. My niece is one of the best fisherman I know! She is quite adept in the outdoors! So I am told this 'drama' quote and then the fact that 'boys are better' (whatever that means!) and I get LIVID! RIGHT after these comments, I notice my nephew throwing his arms in a fit and pouting worse than ANY girl I have ever seen. Remember I am a preschool teacher and have had hundreds of students over the years. boys can be JUST as much drama as girls. And the whole 'boys carrying on the family name?' GARBAGE! Having a boy does not guarantee that that boy will produce offspring. I'm JUST saying people get EDUCATED!

Now this does not mean I hate boys or anything like that. I will be THRILLED if God blesses us with a baby boy- OR another baby girl! I simply TRUST GOD to find the little spirit that is going to just FIT with us- simple! I just don't think girls should be put down ANYMORE! think Ryan would love a boy if nothing else to help with 'gross yard work' and trash ect. But I grew up doing those chores and it made me a more adept and stronger woman. So if Hailyn grows up mowing the lawn, I'm ok with that.

This whole attitude that girls are drama and princesses and boys are 'easy', LIES! All children are uniquely divine and have special and important roles. Maybe this means I'll have an army of girls, to help raise STRONG women that can stand on their own and not have to have someone take care of them their whole lives. Is it 1770? SERIOUSLY people, even then WOMEN WERE STRONG! Sheesh! I can work and balance a checkbook and cook dinner and do it with a baby in tow, so yeah. I don't want my daughter EVER to feel 'not as important' because she's not a boy- she is a girl and a WONDERFUL AND AMAZING girl! I want her to be proud of it!

Next baby, BOY OR GIRL- we'll be thrilled for you!

so blessed!

2011-08-23T14:34:00.000-07:00

So...my baby girl is good. We've had to take her to the doctors a few times, she has a few more followups but she is healing AMAZINGLY well and AMAZINGLY fast! We are SO blessed!! thank you all for prayers and support and love- you are wonderful little blogosphere world!

SPEAKING of being blessed...around the craziness of Hailyn's head injury... we found out NUMBER 2 IS ON THE WAY!!!

Yes siree we are pregnant! we are super excited! Many of you probably already know, but just in case- PREGNANT! Due march 21 2012.

So I have a LOT to catch up on...including pics from London and Paris... but they are on Ryan's computer so I'll get to them later. It was a blast!

Also school starts next week- I'm excited to be teaching again! I will end in March when baby is due. Happy first day back to school!

and happy last few days of summer! I know we are trying to soak in as much as we can before monday!

Doctors visits...

2011-08-01T21:25:00.000-07:00

I am FINALLY getting around to updating the blog- it has been a whirlwind this past week. So update on the kiddo...

She's doing great!!! On Tuesday we had an eye doctor appt and he told me we would have to put her under and check and make sure there was no hemorraging behind her eyes. SERIOUSLY!!?? I wasn't prepared for that- I luckily had my new sis in law Jess who is amazing with me at the appointment so I didnt start bawling in front of my kid. I took a breath and got instructions. She would need to fast after midnight and I would need to put these special eye drops in her eyes an hour before we went in. He suggested doing it while she was asleep. Luckily, he scheduled her for the first appointment of the day (with her being two and a half and in pain go ahead and TRY to get her to fast longer) and the check in time was 5:45 am- and ryan is gone. Awesome. Ok, I've got this. Jess said she could meet me there (bless her!) so that was situated!

So I go to fill this eye drop prescription and NO pharmacy in Las Vegas has them. They are at a warehouse. Special order. Ok, when can they be here? I asked. Tomorrow at 10a. Um that won't work her surgery is at 545 am and I need to put those suckers in an hour before. I go home defeated and starving. Luckily my amazing neighbor sensed my hunger and lack of food in the house and brought me a ton of food! Kristi rocks:) she also brought me dinner that night. Amazing. Love her! Anyhow I call pharmacies to check on these eye drops NONE in Vegas. I call the doctor. Umm they can do it at the surgery center they'll just have to wait an extra hour to perform surgery. AH!! NOT going to work!! My kid is asleep and I am so so tired after only 3 hours of sleep the night before and the stress and panic. So I crash. HARD. for an hour. I missed Jeremy coming over to see Hailyn with a sweet rapunzel doll for her. I didn't hear the door I was so so tired!

I wake up to 15 missed calls from the doctors office, the surgery center and insurance company. They are all fighting. The insurance wont cover the procedure unless it's at a hospital, it would be about $10,000 to do that with me paying 20%. Surgery center? already set up? $400. Umm I'll be a cash patient thanks insurance company for nothing. I called the doctors office, they were missing my drivers license and insurance card and could I fax it to them. I lost it. I broke down about the eye drops, the insurance, the surgery center- I told them to talk to each other. The lady, Michelle heard me. I told her I was barely hanging on and I couldn't do it, they needed to work it out I was taking care of my injured child ALONE and didn't have a minute to waste on this nonsense and more would get done if they took out the middle man. She then told me she had drops for me, come pick them up and I could drop off info then? Um yes- thank you! She made my day less stressful- why couldn't we do that before?

Anyhow I high tail it to the doctors before they close get everything squared away. The next morning I wake up at4:17am (glad I did I shut off my alarm at 1am- had to wake her every four hours still- yaoza!) Miraculously wake up and get ready and eat (I don't want her to see me eat since she can't). And I go to wake her at 4:45am- she is wide awake. Getting the eye drops in was tough! I wasn't sure I did- and she needed two sets- ugh! I tried my best (and cursed Ryan for being gone, he should've done the eye drops! It was torture! her eye was sealed shut I wasn't sure I got any in!) and schelpped her to the car and away we went.

At the surgery center she saw an apple juice box in my purse for after and wanted it.We were signing in (and paying $400 out of pocket) She even said please. Poor girl. I hated not giving it to her! We got her signed in and the anesthesialogist came in explained what he would do. Then the eye doctor came in and explained the procedure. Hailyn the entire time cuddled on my lap. Then the nurse Megan took her ands he didn't even cry or mind. We went to the waiting room and waited an hour. Hailyn had just woken up and was asking for juice please. I raced in there and she was sleepy but sweet. Doctor said everything went very well. I changed her gave her juice and carried her to the car. I hugged Jess for being there with me. I put Hailyn in her seat and took her to Tropical SMoothie (drive thru) we ran into our friend Paul in the drive thru. We bought a smoothie and went home. She wanted to walk in the house but she was teetering from anethesia so I carried her after a second. Nurses said she may be sleepy and lethargic. I couldn't keep up with her! She was all over. Had to encourage her to take a nap. She did. Ryan came home and we schellped it to the neuro.

As we went to the neuro we are running a bit late and I hear the distinct smell all moms know- my child pooped. We get there she didn't poop she had a major diahherra explosion. Oh my- a result of anesthesia I take it. and I brought no change of clothes. I had a single pullup in my purse for 'emergencies' and Ryan had wipes. He dropped me off- and she had diaherra all up her back and her shirt. A nurse behind me was looking at me. Um yes I need to change my child I know. So I go into the bathroom the changing table is in the middle of the bathroom and I do my best. A huge chunk falls on the floor and I step in it- didn't realize. I throw away her panties and her clothes are ruined! I have no extra clothes mind you. So I clean her up as I'm chucking wipes into the nearest trash can I can find, and there is poop everywhere. I get her in a pullup get her shoes on and away we go. Ryan is trying to decon the car seat and he's going to meet us there. We looked like great parents, our kid hasa nasty black eye, no clothes just a pullup and shoes. Yep. Amazing. Ryan came in noticed a disgruntled woman cleaning the downstairs bathroom. He then put two and two together. Sorry lady! He had to throw away part of her car seat it was unsalvageable. Yup, it was the worst explosion in history, hands down.

So the neuro said everything looks good, no swimming for 4-6 weeks and no re hitting her head (duh!)but she looks good. Keep an eye out for leaking spinal fluid (ahh!) but it's rare and she should be ok (relief) Thursday the eye doc said her vision looks good and eyes are moving together so that's good! She was the sweetest and easiest patient during all of this. Even the nurses and doctors were majorly impressed with her bravery she was incredible! She wanted pizza for dinner that night- that child got her pizza I tell you what!

Her swelling has gone down she can open her eye. She has a shiner and people in Phoenix (Ryan's grandma passed away July 22 and her funeral was saturday in Phoenix-Hailyn was wonderful! Love that girl.

So she is healing well and her swelling is going down- people ask and I have to tell the whole story and that's hard. Hardest week ever. But she is ok. I have the greatest family and friends- tons of love support calls and prayers. Thank you all so much- she's on the mend!

Adventures in parentland...a big crash

2011-07-26T19:57:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was blissful and ended with a crash. Ryan had the day off work. We spent the morning eating scrambled eggs and running errands. Hailyn napped in the afternoon. So did Ryan:) We took her to se Winnie the Pooh with her Aunt Ky. She ate half a tub of large popcorn and soda. We went home to make some mahi mahi for dinner. I heard Hailyn and Ryan laughing and playing downstairs.

That's when I heard the worst sounds of my life. Ryan screaming 'Oh gosh oh gosh oh baby! baby!' I bolted downstairs and she was in his arms, a huge goose egg already on her head and her nose bleeding. I grabbed my purse and we were out the door. He handed her to me in the car and I just held her, trying to keep her awake. I pleaded to God, please help my baby please please please. Ryan was fighting tears as he bolted through the streets. I've never seen him drive like that. We were on our way to Sunrise Pediatric ER- I couldn't find the number and I was trying to keep my baby conscious. I still didn't know what happened at this point. I called my mother in law and told her, call Sunrise pediatrics er now so she did. I wanted them to know a two year old was en route and had a head trauma.

I held my baby girl and sang her songs. I am a Child of God. You are My Sunshine. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. It kept her conscious. We pull up I hop out get H and I go to the triage. As I'm holding my helpless baby in my arms the nurse asks 'what's wrong?' I cried. I never cry. I broke down. Ryan was parking the car. (I'm pretty sure he broke the car getting there- it was stressful.) A kind woman waiting took the paper and a clipboard and sat down next to me. I tried to be brave for my baby. I silently prayed. She wrote Hailyn's name. Then Ryan came in and held her while my hands were shaking I tried to grasp the pen to fill out the paperwork. I was in zombie mode. The words blurred together through the tears in my eyes. I filled out the paperwork. Then I said let's go! The nurse said she's next, hang in there mama.

I paced back and forth. I couldn't wait. My baby was hurt- broken- FIX HER NOW I screamed inside. Finally they pulled us in to traige and took us right back.

She didn't have a concussion. Her nose was bleeding still so they clamped it. She HATED that. Ryan's mom and dad walked through the doors. I was so relieved to see them. I didn't ask them to come (just to call) but I guess you can't say er and head trauma without the calvary coming in- I was so SO glad they were there! His mom held my hand while Hailyn received a blessing. She kept grabbing the side o her head and saying 'owww!' I asked Ryan what happened. She wiggled out of his arms while playing (she does that!) and bam! Straight on the tile. It was awful. He fought back tears. We both did. Had to be brave for our baby.

The nurses came and were amazing. I held Hailyn on the bed and we watched cartoons. Ryan's mom bought Hailyn a little cat snuggly which she hated (haha!) and we kept the kitty close. She watched Despicable Me on my iphone. I stroked her hair gently marveling at how blessed I am to have this beautiful, amazing little girl. I'm so lucky. Then she started to cough, the cough moms recognize. She was throwing up. I shouted for the nurses across the hall HELP as loud as I could. It was blood (and popcorn sorry to be gross but it's true I'm done with popcorn for a while). Blood all over (mostly me). Over kitty, iphone, bed, Hailyn. She cried after. Nurses were there and got her a bath going and stripped her clothes. They gave me wipes (I was DRENCHED!) a nurse saw me and said let me get you scrubs. I was so grateful. We got cleaned up and changed and waited for a cat scan.

HOURS later (I was ok waiting it meant we werent ULTRA critical) we found out she has a frontal lobitial fracture. No bleeding in brain that we detected on cat scan.

Today we went to the eye doctor (oh ryan is gone this morning until tomorrow night after the craziness- long story but I wish he were here!) My sweet sis in law Jess came with me. Turns out Hailyn needs to go under tomorrow to make sure there is no hemorraging behind eye. Had issues finding the eye drops I need they had to order them and they were like get them at 10 am tomorrow (um her surgery is at 545am!) so doc office figured it out for me. It was a nightmare. Today was rough. Tomorrow is going to be crazy with surgery, no ryan and a neurological appt. I can handle it. I'm insanely lucky to have friends and family helping me.

I'm off to bed. I have to wake Hailyn every four hours. It's tough keeping an ice pack on her. She wont do it. We're out of the door at 430am. No food or drink. I hope I've got this. Off to prepare.

wish me luck...

Adventures in strollerland...

2011-07-13T10:35:00.001-07:00

I have the most incredible daughter. Seriously. Her little spirit is just custom made for our little family.

I've been having insomnia issues. Again. Oh joy.

so sometimes I wake up with brilliant ideas.

I also need to explain I've had car issues lately. So yesterday after waiting two hours for an oil change I learned I needed another tire (yes I just got new tires in California going to disneyland. Awesome). so yes, whatever. I call ryan he picks me up. No worries. Well, I wasn't sure if he was working today and I didn't sleep last night so when Hailyn woke up and ate breakfast, Ryan was STILL asleep. I was angry I wasn't getting sleep. So I decided I wasn't waiting until noon for him to wake up to get my car. I would go now.

Remember the stroller issues I also had in California and Ryan temporarily fixed it for our florida trip? remember that. So I decided I wasn't waiting for him. It was time to get my car. I packed Hailyn, my cell phone, wallet, snacks, and TONS of water and headed out the door with my kiddo. We decided to stop at Tropical Smoothie to let her stretch her legs and grab a yummy treat. then we headed out. Well this deterred me from my original route. I thought hmm Arville, I'll go to it from Cactus. DUH! Its desert terrain! So I went further EAST (opposite direction of where I needed to go) and ended up adding two plus miles of rocky desert terrain to my journey. I SHOULD have stayed on my PAVED EASY PATH- Silverado Ranch to My 4.5 miles of easy paved road was 6.5+ miles two of which were pretty rocky...and the shantys- oh the shantys! SCARY!

MORAL OF THE STORY: GET SLEEP! Be patient. NEVER take 'shortcuts' and stay on the path (gospel oriented there).

All in all I'm glad I went. Ryan called me right when I was getting there and I was like I didn't want to wait for you. I think he felt bad, I wasn't trying to make him feel bad I just wanted to GO!

What can I say, sleep deprivation makes you do some nutty things. and hey I got in a GREAT workout and go my car- and save gas.

Also, I will be fixing that stroller today. Not jogging as much nearly killed me.

DisneyWorld Day 6...

2011-07-08T10:39:00.000-07:00

LOTS of pictures- you've been warned...
but hey, it's my blog so I guess I can do what I want right?

Our LAST day in Disney World... we were sad...

Hailyn learned even the Magic Kingdom has corners. I think she saw other kids misbehaving and decided to throw a tantrum. So yeah, some parents were chuckling at us but guess what? no issues the rest of the day. I'm still a mom, even at DisneyWorld. We saw a LOT of scary parenting there:) haha. To be fair, it was ten am, no breakfast and a looooong line. But after we FINALLY scored the best cinnamon roll I ever ate and some juice and some chairs, our blood sugar was up and we were ready to party!

I LOVE this face- waiting to go on pirates of the caribbean! One of our favorite rides (that an Haunted Mansion!)

Little hat model! Got a TON of cute ones, had to pair it down (a bit:)

Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty (could've been Madame Tssuouds but they would've melted in the sun, so plastic!) haha! Spot the photo bombers? sheesh! We headed over to Downtown Disney after a morning in Magic Kingdom, at a super yummy lunch (with the best cupcakes for dessert EVER!) and got some keepsakes- luckily we aren't into spending a fortune of rwhat I think is garbage stuff but we did find a few nice little momentos to remember the trip (that weren't tacky!) and keeping with tradition, an ornament for our Christmas tree! The one I REALLY wanted was $40! um no, I settled for an $8 one that was still very sweet:)
Luckily Hailyn still buys the 'this needs to live at the store' concept!

oh and WHILE we were in Florida our good friends had their baby girl! We were sad not to be there, so we had to get a keepsake for thier new little one:)
Like how I randomly remember things and go on tangents? Again, my record keeping, bear with me! Some fun shots at Downtown Disney!

We then headed back to the Magic Kingdom, and as you can see it was raining. So Ryan busted out our overpriced ponchos and we draped Hailyn, she peeked out of the top of her stroller to say hello! This is while we were waiting for our last meal at Disneyworld, we stopped by one of our favorites, Town Square so Hailyn could devour rolls and Ryan could devour shrimp scampi...

waiting for our bus to Magic Kingdom...

colroing and waiting for dinner...

watching Lady and the Tramp- Hailyn kept screaming 'puppies!' the restaurant is based off the one in the movie and I must say thier chicken parm is amazing!

riding the carousal... the park stayed open late again for guests, so Ryan and I took advantage and repeatedour Friday night adventures... H was up and ready to go!

SO CUTE! We went on the Buzz lighyear ride (I MUST add Hailyn kicked Ryan's trash- he did not go eay on her- she got 400,800 points he got 178,00. Yup, my kid rocks, I did not help her either- she wouldn't let me!

watching the fireworks on daddy's shoulders. LOVE the fireworks!

We went on the Winnie the Pooh ride, they have a ton of toys and things to keep the kids occupied while waiting in line- how come ALL rides dont do this? GENUIS!

At the gazebo, Hailyn is asleep at this point and it was such a pretty spot. Such a fun time!

Sigh. It was AMAZING! We plan to go back someday... the ONLY thing that wou;dve made it better was a beach trip (weather) and a Disney cruise:)
After this pic we headed to the buses, loaded up, and went back to the room. Our flight was at 6:15am (cheaper and nonstop- can't beat it!) EXCEPT we needed to have our stuff, baby and check out by 330am. Since it's so early well, no help! So at 315 (we got back to our room about 145am) I crashed so did Ryan, our alarms were set, Ryan woke me up at 3am, we threw everything in our suitcases and bolted downstairs with a stroller,and luggage to the main resort. It was quite a site. Two large suitcases (one was 49lbs, one more pound we would've paid, although I probably would've just moved stuff to a different suitcase) and then checkout (fun seeing our 'add it to the room' charges:) and we BARELY made the shuttle. Then we could not do early checkout from resort because our flight was too early. So we get there and wait. Ryan ran and got us a $20 mcdonalds breakfast that tasted ummm yeah, and we scarfed it and finally checked in an hour later (no one was working the counter!) The flight home was good, Hailyn slept half the way (not as good as there but still0 then she watched Beauty and the Beast the rest of the time and she was AMAZING! A GREAT traveller (hope I didn't jinx anything). We GAINED hours coming home so we landed at 8am, and then we went home. I immediately started unpacking and doing laundry so it would not sit there a month. We slept, did laundry, and chilled that day.

Then on thursday Ryan's grandparents and cousins and aunt and uncle came down for an 80th birthday celebration and 60th wedding anniversary and my birthday:) we had a blast going out to eat constantly, swimming and watching movies. Hailyn was exhausted. Then it was my birthday (which was great! Ryan had to work but he made me a cake- so sweet:) and then the 4th of July. It's been a super busy but wonderful summer so far, and we have tons more plans ahead! Let the good times roll!!

DW day 5...

2011-07-08T09:54:00.000-07:00

Ok, so these are reversed so just bear with me!!! Day five was AWESOME! We headed over to the Animal Kingdom- EARLY! Which is 9am by the time we got there. We ordered a mediocre breakfast (seriously all of our meals were INCREDIBLE except breakfast, I think we did ok eating lunch as our first meal most days:) Then we headed over to the train (Hailyn said 'choo choo' the ENTIRE time- ADORABLE!) and we went over to Rafiki's village. Oh, I need to add that Saturday's rain at Animal Kingdom that ALMOST dampened my spirits also meant the very nice leather shoes I've had forever got ruined and destroyed my feet. So Ryan went to any stand and bought me a pretty cute (yet overpriced:) pair of flip flops. I could barely walk at some points and very much considered getting a scooter or motorized wheelchair to trek around in, but decided Ryan couldn't have a wife that needed help and a stroller so I toughed it out:) Anyhow, tangent...memories... Here is our day in well reverse...

We went to the princess dinner located in Epcot- that was SO COOL! It's the ONLY reservation we actually made :) Here she is meeting Cinderella...

and Snow White... Hailyn and Snow White had an instant bond... and ALL the princesses called her Princess Caitlin- hmmm... Hailyn kpt giving Snow White high fives and Snow White was like 'what is a high five?' Ryan and I kinda laughed at that but Hailyn kept giving them! and then they did a princess march parade and Hailyn walked right up to Snow White and Snow White took her by the hand and walked with her- PRECIOUS! I have a video- AGAIN I need to figure out how to post it!

Sleeping Beauty...

and Belle! I don't know what it is about Hailyn RIGHT before she meets Princesses (same at Ariel's Grotto a week ago) she pulls out her hair and looks like a wild lion! So I am hurrying to try and do something with her hair and she is fighting me...glad Ryan captured this memory:)

OK, so AFTER Hailyns adventures on the playground, she CRASHED! Ryan and I got some great pics:) and when she woke up we went to a Moroccan restaurant and it was YUMMY! I had ribs, Hailyn ate all my fried rice and then we ate the best chocolate cake of my life. I wish I had this after every meal at Disneyworld. Seriously, so good- can you tell Hailyn loved it too?

ok so earlier in the day we're at animal kingdom and AFTER Rafiki's Village we ventured to the playground where my sweet husband (who was in comfortable shoes the entire time) chased Hailyn around while I sat and rested my poor swollen and blistered feet. I now have GREAT shoes- I WISH I had them in Florida! grr! So here she is getting tuckered out! Boy she kept up with the big kids!

Meeting Rafiki- she ept saying 'monkey'

and meeting Pocahantis, she LOVED her and Pochantis was so sweet with her and Hailyn told her all sorts of stories....

a random pic of Ryan and I at Epcot... H was asleep....

Jimeny Cricket!

AFTER our princess dinner we headed over to Hollywood Studious to watch Fantasmic and see the fireworks- such a fun day!

DW Day 4

2011-07-06T15:39:00.000-07:00

SHOUT OUT to Allison for reading my blog and commenting- you make me feel special Allison- thanks for being incredible and can you just move to Vegas already? SERIOUSLY you rock!

Sunday was fun!!! We ventured over to Magical Kingdom, then ended at Epcot. I LOVE the monorail! Next time we go we want to stay at the Contemporary Resort (yes we plan on being rich- HAHA! RIGHT!) but seriously we LOVE the monorail! Anyhow, a fun fun day!

Fireworks at Epcot- the show- Illuminations- SO COOL! Ryan got some great stuff with his camera!

Ryan chose fish n chips for dinner. We ate lunch at the Magical Kingdom, a colonial style restaurant it was yummy. I loved geting dessert with every meal:) I chose Chinese for dinner. While I was getting my dinner, Ryan and Hailyn got some shots.

THE SHARK ATE US! At the aquarium!

The train ride at Disenyworld. I also have videos from the parade to put up here as soon as I figure out how to get it off my phone- any brains out there wanna help me out?

Our tuckered out little Draco Malfoy...

Best family vacation ever!

Disney World day 3

2011-07-06T15:21:00.000-07:00

This is how Saturday afternoon started out...

and the day got well...

we ventured out to Animal Kingdom Saturday afternoon. We grabbed a quick lunch....and then Hailyn wanted to go on a dumbo like ride but it was dinosaurs. Ryan was in the bathroom. So I waited in line with H. For twenty minutes (the longest we waited for a ride). Then the guy cut me off and we would be first to load. There was one empty dino car I was like why couldn't we ride? Whatever we waited. Then we boarded and it started to pour, I mean POUR! We were sitting, waiting. Then after loading us in there they decided to close due to inclement weather. Grrrr. I was mad! At least let us wait in the covered line while you decide to close or not don't load us in there and let us get poured on. ryan came back and bought us all $8 ponchos with a giant mickey on the back- yeah. Damage done. So we venture into a companion bathroom (THOSE ARE THE BEST! LOVE THEM!) and we all crowded around the hand dryer, changed Hailyn's clothes ect. then we draped her stroller with a tarp. Ryan laughed he wished I chose a dinosaur closer to him to get pictures but fortunately for all the miserable wet pictures didn't happen:) Once we were kinda dry and put ponchos back on, we walked around and saw the animals while Hailyn napped. We also rode Expedition Everest, the coolest ride ever! We traded and only waited ten minutes to ride:) swapped the baby- it wa so fun! Then she woke up happy as a clam and we went on a safari- so fun! We perked up once the rain subsided, but I think I will always hate that dino ride...

chasing a squirrel...

sporting her 'elton john' sunglasses... I seriously love my kid!

Ryan loves this pic- I look wet and miserable- HA!

Perked up after her nap:)

The rest of the day we went to Epcot and got dinner at Coral Reef Resturant- the entire wall is an aquarium Hailyn was in heaven. Then we went back for an early night (11pm!) to gear up for the next day!

I swear Disney World is sprinkled with pixie dust...

Disneyworld day 2

2011-07-06T15:01:00.000-07:00

On friday we slept in again from our late night out partying til midnight- so lunch again- as the first meal of the day. We ventured out to Disney's Hollywoods studios!

At the Honey I Shrunk the Kids backyard playground-dang that was cool! I grew up watching that movie so I thoruoughly enjoyed it. We also went to the Little mermaid show (which was incredible! it also got us out of the rain for a bit!) and the Beuty and the Beast show. Tons of fun!

picture on carousal- sorry it's blurry she moves quick:)

We also got to eat lunch at Hollywood and Vine- and meet June and Leo from Little Einsteins! Hailyn also got to meet Special agent Oso and Handy Manny. She loved it!

It started to rain later in the day as we ventured over to the Magic Kingdom around dinnertime. Hailyn was asleep in her stroller and we grabbed some burgers in tomorrowland and some good samaritans gave us thier table- we were so grateful it was packed! The park stayed open until 3am for resort guests so when Hailyn tuckered out in her stroller Ryan and I did the parent swap and went on the big kid rides. It kinda sucked not riding together but it was awesome to just walk to the front of the line and get to ride and it was still nice Ryan and I both got to do grown up rides still. So yes, we played until 3am. Then we got back to our resort, I gave Hailyn a bath and then Ryan decided we needed drinks for our mini fridge so at 4am he ran 2 miles in the wetlands to a gas station to get us milk, chocolate milk, gatorade, waters and diet coke (for the un-dsiney price. Still a lot but a gas station is cheaper than Disney!) so basically my husband rocks:) and we went to bed at 430am. awesome friday! it was so fun!

Stroller drama

2011-07-04T09:41:00.000-07:00

Ok, so while in Disneyland, my very wonderful and not cheap jogging stroller had three flat tires- SERIOUSLY? I NEEDED this stroller to make it through the next two weeks! So we go to a gas station and pump up the tires, one is off the rim, the rim is bent. I filed it up and it was 'passable' for the next few days but it wouldnt last a week at Disneyworld. I was NOT about to rent a stroller for $25 a day. I noticed the front tire on my side was low, so I filled it and noticed a crack in the side wall. So the morning before we left (at 730am) I left my sister at her friend's house and took h to a discount tire. THREE of my tires were close to the rim! So yeah, I had to buy a set of new tires. Better than a blow out (or THREE) in the middle of a hot summers day on the way from California to Vegas (NADA out there!) but really I am grateful for the stroller tires being low, noticing the tire on my side and for the tender mercy God gave me. It could have been really bad! I'm so grateful! Good news, Ryan was able to fix the tire and we took the stroller (no carry on charge thank you airlines!) We didn't have to rent those awful plastic ones (she would NOT have slept in those) and she was comfortable. I'm grateful God was looking out for me and my sweet little family!

While it wasn't fun to do tires on vacation, it was essential and I'm grateful I didn't have a blowout. It also helped to have the magical kingdom there to ease my mind:)

Disney- ROCKS!

DISNEYWORLD Day 1...

2011-07-04T08:20:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I have to preface this long post with I had a BLAST in Disneyland with my daughter and sister! SO FUN! But like me I didn't get pictures... so thanks to my hubby... we have over 400 from Disney world! So yeah, I'll try and pair them down but it's hard- AMAZING pics!! Anyhow... I'm breaking them up do it isn't 10 pages long (this post and all Disneyworld postswill STILL be super long but hey, whatcha gonna do? I have to journal SOMEHOW...

Anyhow, we left for the airport and picked up Ryan's little sister, she took my car and checked on our house for the week. We didnt' nap Hailyn and our flight was at 2:15pm and FORTUNATELY she slept the entire way to Miami- by the way American Airlines is wonderful! They gave us the row with extra leg room, we brought lots of Hailyn's blankets and we laid a blanket down and she slept! Then we switched planes in Miami and had enough of a layover to use the bathroom find our gate and board. Hailyn watched Despicable Me on the 35 minute flight to Orlando. We finally got to our room at 2:30am Florid time. We hadn't eaten since 11:30 that morning (chicken nuggets too, not a substantial meal). So we were starving! No dinner! We get to our room I booked with two beds (Hailyn was with us, we are not ones to share a bed with our kid, our sleep is too important to us:) and there was a king bed- ONE! It's 2:30am and we are hungry and TIRED! So I called the front desk and the profusely apologized and said they'd send up a rollaway for no charge the entire week or we could switch rooms. Seeing as how it was 2:30 am and we did not want to move our two large suitcases and a rollaway and a stroller and a two year old, and we LIKED the idea of a big bed (for us) we went with option one. They sent a double size rollaway and Hailyn slept GREAT in it and we slept GREAT in our king sized bed- and no charge:) thanks Disney world!:)

So we woke up at noon the next day... and were famished. We got dressed and quickly hopped on the first bus we saw we didn't care where it took us (Disney World has four major theme parks and two water parks- plus two golf courses they use in the PGA) and it ended up taking us to Epcot. We got in and found the nearest restaurant and scarfed burgers and fries and fruit and water and ahh it was heavenly. Wish we had dinner the night before:) We had the Disney Dining plan (saved us 40% on meals there) and oh boy was is WORTH it! LOVED it!! We are big fans!! Our dining plan was on our room key as was our park hopper tickets, and the ability to charge to the room so no debit cards were needed- it was awesome! Anyhow, after we werent' in crazy survival mode for food, we explored epcot- COOL park!!! They have one of the largest aquariams in the country and it was incredible. We went on the Nemo ride and H LOVED it! We rode a few more rides and then headed over to the Magic Kingdom. Can I just say it's INCREDIBLE!

doing Disneyland and Disneyworld literally back to back it was awesome! The best comparison I have is Disneyland is like your first home you put your heart and soul and character into and every little detail is perfect. Then you build equity and purchase your mega mansion and that's Disney World- it's basically Disneyland times 10. There is a ton of lang (Disneyland is spread over 4 square miles Disneyworld is 24...) so you take buses and monrails everywhere and we LOVED it! We hopped all over the place all the time it was great. There is so much to do there you can't possibly be bored. We were even going to go to the water park and the beach one day but it was rainy weather and yet we were still having a blast the entire time! SO much to do! I think I need to do a separate post on tips for Disney world, but here's the rest of our first day. If you are still reading KUDOS to you! And remember I have to pair down 400+ pics- so please bear with me...

Ok they uploaded in reverse and I'm too lazy to change it... here's dinner. They had these rolls that H pretty much survived on the entire time- and fruit- and chocolate milk- and desserts. We had the dining plan with a quick meal (salads, burgers, wraps ect) that came with a dessert and a table side meal that also came with dessert and a snack everyday. We did bring some snacks with us (which kept us from completely starving the night we travelled- we still needed a real meal). Here's H at dinner the first night, cute as ever. We ate at Town Square and the food was so good we went back the last night for our last meal before travelling home...

ARGGHHH matey!! Various parks opened early and closed late on different days for resort guests and given our nocturnal lifestyle of sleeping til noon (people who know me know I am up at 5am everyday!) we mostly took advantage of the late nights. And Hailyn never really adjusted to Orlando time so midnight was really 9pm Vegas time... I should mention she napped in her stroller (TIP! Disneyland strollers are great to rent, but Disney World strollers are AWFUL! we are SO grateful we had our jogging stroller and ryan fixed it- that story later) because she could lay all the way down. We draped her with a blanket to keep the cun out and the people and she slept two hours in her stroller!My awesome traveller! While she napped Ryan and I did the parent swap and went on the grown up rides- the 10% she couldn't do:) anyhow here she is after WALKING onto the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. The longest we waited on any ride was 20 minutes for Peter Pan...

LOVE BIRDS! Cinderella's castle is gorgeous- we got at least 100 pics of the castle alone it's beautiful! oh, Hailyn was asleep in the stroller for this pic:)

The seahorse from Nemo- H LOVES seahorses...and sharks...and fish... the aquarium is beautiful!

SAFETY FIRST! Saw a Disney fire truck, H was being silly...

TEACUPS! H LOVED spinning fast- ryan and I were not so sure...:) she also LOVED It's a Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Winnie the Pooh, and basically everything we took her on she loved. We also saw a ton of shows and she loved those. More to come!

We tried to leave the park but we got roped into this section and we weren't able to leave! we were held hostage and forced to watch the electrical parade. Fortunately H loved it- even at 11pm...

I'll try and do better about consolidating and not going off on tangents- jus don't want to forget! Happy summer all!!

These last few months...

2011-07-04T08:12:00.000-07:00

Ahhhh I know I know... MONTHS- it's a shame....prepare for a long post...

So to recap- APRIL was one of the hardest months EVER- let's just leave it at that.

I DID share my 7th year wedding anniversary Easter this year- and that was cool actually. And Ryan had to work.

May- well Ryan's grandmother got VERY sick and she's in her last days now. She is in California staying with Ryan's aunt and well, it's been a juggling act to visit her and thinking about her- a lot on Ryan's mom.

June- School year ended for summer break (wahoo!!!) and over Father's Day weekend Hailyn my sis Melanie and I headed to Disneyland for the weekend- TOTAL blast! We left Saturday and came home Tuesday afternoon. I washed clothes turned around and repacked them.

Why? We were about to go to.... DISNEYWORLD!!! Ryan Hailyn and I packed up for a week and just went! It was a last minute trip and one I'm SO glad we did! POSTS on Disneyworld coming up! I don't want to (What Ryan calls) 'spam' everyone with insanely long posts when I have been absent for months. To be fair, I had a VERY good reason- a couple of them actually! Regardless... our two week Disney adventure in Disneyland and Disneyworld coming up!

A step from baby to child...

2011-04-07T12:59:00.000-07:00

I'm bad a blogging. I love to read other people's blogs- yet I never update my own. Since this is the only sort of family journaling I do (sad huh?) I better record some stuff- if nothing else than my own record. Well here's a BIT of what we've been up to.

Potty training. It's on. Conference weekend was the perfect weekend to do it. We had nothing on the agenda. No church to make it to Sunday. So it was on. We followed some advice on the 3-day potty challenge and a huge bag of m&ms and 40 pairs of underwear we were set to go.

Ryan did the first day- Friday. We had 1 diaper left- and she wore it before breakfast. After breakfast we said 'hey no more diapers Hailyn' and she was DONE! we put on her big girl underwear, gave her some gaterade (her fav and it goes through her FAST!) and popped in Beauty and the Beast (note Beauty and the Beast for Hailyn may be what Little Mermaid was for me- she is OBSESSED!) and since I was teaching, Ryan took care of taking her to the potty. She went the first time like a charm! We clapped and cheered so dang much it was funny! We didnt take any pics- one I can't find my camera and two I have yet to find an 'appropriate' potty pic of her- and it's sorta weird- so we may not do them. bath pics are embarrassing enough :) haha!

anyway she had a few accidents- she did go no. 2 though in the potty! yay! the second day I took over and she had two wet accidents but not too bad- third day she was good to go and told me when she needed to pee. Now, she is still having issues going no 2 in the potty- so I bought her favorite (and my favorite) treat of all time- reeses peanut butter cups- I put them in a clear jar next to the m&ms and she asks for one every day. She still hasn't gone no 2 in the potty yet. Sigh. I'm not too worried because she'll get it- every mom says it- and the treats are there for when she does (she still gets m&ms for peeing- and yay she tells me when she needs to pee!) Oh and I MAY have snuck a potty treat for myself cleaning up a messy no 2 accident- Hailyn didn't see me but ya know- I felt I earned it after that! haha!

I know all this is TERRIBLY fascinating to you- haha- again for my own journaling and record keeping- I'm trying to be better about that.

oh and for the record we don't do pullups or sleeping panties at night- she has had some accidents but she usually wakes up dry (has even in diapers for a while a sign we knew she was ready) and if I wake her half hour early she'll go and go back to sleep no accidents- IF I can remember- I know- bless her heart she makes it a LONG time- and she always comes to get me right away. I am working on her going to the bathroom solo in the middle of the night that is going to be a thing but she is doing well- she'll get it. In the meantime I dont mind getting her up half an hour early to pee. She is so sweet! We didn't want to use sleeping panties or pullups because we didnt want to confuse her- it works! I have an extra set of sheets (we havent had to use yet) I lay a thick blanket under her and then her blanket if she has an accident that she still feels it and I dont have to wash all the sheets jus the soiled blanket change her pants and she goes back to bed! yay! So far we havent thrown out panties yet.

And can I just say how grateful I am for a waterproof mattress cover, Tinkerbell underwear(her fav!) M&Ms and Reeses peanut butter cups! Hooray potty training!!!

Randomness from Christmas...

2011-03-02T12:53:00.000-08:00

so in my efforts to take FULL advantage of my borrowed camera cord and in the sake of procrastinating other items on my to do list I am slowly but gradually getting 'caught' up on pics...here are a few random ones from Christmas...

Hailyn got some dress up gear from her cousins Chance and Mav...

Opening presents...

Santa come to Mimzy and Paps' house!
Hailyn's Christmas dress from Mimzy and Paps...

Steve and Jess get hitched!

2011-03-02T06:09:00.000-08:00

On February 5th Ryan's little bro got married! We are SO happy for Steven and Jessica- they are perfect for each other! Here are a few quick pics I got from around the temple grounds- I still have many more to upload! Here we are waiting for the happy couple!

Ryan chasing after Hailyn- it was the theme for the day...

She would lift up her dress like a ittle Southern Belle- Ryan's grandma called her Scarlette O Hara!

Hailyn with 'HER' Paps! She loves her paps a LOT- aren't they cute!! She's rubbing her eyes because well it was naptime- the girl got VERY little rest that day and she was AWESOME! Thanks monkey!! And can I get a HOLLA on the dress? Yes mama debated buying it for a while- it was a bit pricey but seriously the cutest dress I have seen in a LONG time:)

These two cuties- are my entire world!! Love them more than ANYTHING!!! Love this sweet daddy daughter pic!!

and finally to prove I was there too- a cute family shot taken by the wonderful Jenny Marshall! thanks Jenny!!

Can I also say how EXCITED I am that Ms. Brandi let me borrow her camera cord so I can download a gazillion pics and blog about them? I plan on updating this blog from pics back:) haha! Thank you Brandi- you ROCK!!

And I am SOOOOO excited Steve and Jess found each other!! Congrats you two!! Enjoy married life it's awesome!!!

life happenings...

2011-02-17T19:19:00.000-08:00

So yes i haven't blogged in FOREVER!!! I know I know!!! Well, I STILL have about ten thousand pictures to download- yep. I'm 'there' I am so behind on everything it's bananas! The only things I am on top of are obviously my students and my kid- and my husband- and those are the important ones so I'll take it! I have undertaken MANY projects this month- why? because life can't get TOO complacent right? I am also learning to type on this new keyboard of mine- I dont think I like it... regardless here's a small taste of the happenings...

1. I decided to spring clean/reorganize my ENTIRE house- why? because I'm nutty! Maybe watching a marathon of HOARDERS BURIED ALIVE will make you purge every single thing you own. I'm also reading organizing books and blogs- If I'm doing this I'm going big or going home- I have gotten rid of SO MUVH STUFF and it feels wonderful- I decided I want a 1000 sp ft house- that's all I want to clean ever. 2400 is just too much...

2. I HATE paying bills- especially lately. On a related note not so excited for taxes this year:(

3. My car STILL needs an oil change. UGH!!! I never go past the 3000 mile marker (even though they say 7-8 thousand now) still...

4. My baby girl is SICK like bigtime- and so no playing for her- or me- and no rest either- ugh! it SUCKS!!! she needs to get better asap- they are now worried she may have asthma when she is older- ugh- inhaler meh! get better baby! also mama needs some rest- and QUIET TIME- I am 10 pages away from editing and I am VERY far behind because when I get a minute I CRASH!

5. This week has been BANANAS!! full moon maybe? drama no thank you- seems everyone has had a rough crazy busy week. Meh! I'm over it!

6. I DESPERATELY want to hire a maid- now that I am an organzing machine I really just want someone to come clean my floors. and m baseboards, and my cabinets. and my blinds. and my bathrooms. and my car. and put away my laundry. yep that's all. not too much to ask right?

7. I neeeeeeeed to get to the gym...I miss the gym...........cant really make it there til the summer though- workout at home

8. just dance 2 is my favorite!!! I LOVE bollywood- and it turns out I'm awesome at it. Seriously good at just dance two- esp. bollywood! haha!

9. I want to learn some AWESOME freezer meals- no not just me buying skillet meals like PF Changs orange chicken (yum!) but homemade freezer deliciousness. I may ask my mother in law or my neighbor to cook them with me- we can knock out two weeks of meals because we are BUSY ladies and while I am supporting our local pizza joints kids going to college I need to eat at home more:) so yes if you have any good ideas lemme know!

10. Anyone have say $20,000 I can have/borrow? I really wanna buy a house.

11. Ryan's little bro got married last weekend- Hailyn wore the cutest dress in the universe. Turns out the dress is not hailyn proof- I need to complain- it is coming undone- ugh! at least it lasted throughout the wedding! haha!

That's it. Craziness. Life. It's good. Anyone wanna freezer meals (send me recipes and/or cook with me) clean my smei-organized house, buy me a house? anyone wanna download my pics and blog about them then create a scrapbook? I need to scrapbook this summer I'm behind. I need to learn my scanner- anyone wanna scan pics for me?Then I'll have time for gym and editing! haha! Life is good- just busy! hope all is well in your world!

baby love...

2011-01-21T15:43:00.000-08:00

she really does love babies...a LOT (guilt over her not having a baby brother or sister over here? yes MAJOR guilt- moving on...)

just ignore the fact that she is feeding her baby breakfast with a knife...

Goin' bananas!

2011-01-21T15:41:00.000-08:00

This hat- THIS HAT!!! OH MY GOSH THIS HAT!!! My sister Jen- who is the greatest sister in the world btw got her this hat for Christmas- it is my newest obsession! How perfect is this hat for my kid? honestly? Jen's friend Amy makes them and she customized it to Hailyn's signiture colors and ahhh the sock moneky- goin bananas over here!

sweetest monkey girl ever...

Forget princess wands...

2011-01-21T15:39:00.000-08:00

this diva rolls pitchfork style... this says so much:)

love you lil devil:)

Movin' on up....to a toddler bed that is

2011-01-21T15:35:00.000-08:00

Our little monkey has been QUITE the climber- even from an early age- It's crazy how high she climbs- she is FEARLESS! Well, she has been climbing out of her crib, so she and daddy 'surprised' me and took the side of the crib off- this little monster is on full on toddler bed mode- and it's terrifying!

oh how I miss her being 'contained' in a crib! She's actually doing ok with it! She has fallen out a few times so we are getting the side net thingy but other than that so far so good(knock on wood). Next hurdle? Potty training

In a nutshell...2010

2010-12-31T19:53:00.000-08:00

I copied this from my friend Ashley's blog- she's awesome! thanks Ashley! It makes you think and reflect on the past year- it made me realize how many friends I miss! FRIENDS I MISS YOU ALL!!! So even though I have a thousand pics to downlaod from 2010and scrapbooks to do (I shou;dve written that! haha!) here's 2010 in a nutshell...

1. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?
A FULL NIGHT SLEEP!! ok so it's been a few years, but I have had a few nights this year of uninterrupted sleep!
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
MOST of them- and yes, I am making more for this year- the ones I don't quite achieve roll over into the next year
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
yes!!! LOTS of babies! lots of friends pregnant right now...
4. Did anyone close to you die?
my biological dad's mom but I wasn't really close to her- also my stepmoms dad-
5. What countries did you visit?
We travled in the US this year- San Diego, Flagstaff, Philadlephia, NYC and DC, Utah... maybe next summer!!! we'll see:) Took a girls weekend and took Hailyn to her first tri pto DISNEYLAND!!!
6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you didn't have in 2010?
my to do list DONE! My book in print and (selling?) and a smaller number on the scale- also a higher number in the savings account- oh and a preapproval on a home loan:) and maybe a pregancy???
7. What dates from 2010 will be etched upon your memory, and why?
Ummm Jan 8, 2010 the day Ryan GRADUATED from CCFD and was VALEDICTORIAN! I have NEVER EVER been so sleep deprived as I was for six months- I mean an hour and a half maybe each night- EACH NIGHT! I will never foget that day!
9. What was your biggest failure?
Hmmmm well I guess the phrase no success in life can compensate for failure in the home- I just do my best! that's all I can do!
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
ohhh yeah- my atvrolllover accident- the cracked ribs and seriously sprained ankle leaving me in crutches- painkillers at night so I could sleep and still teaching...
11. What was the best thing you bought?
hmmmm the wii is pretty sweet!and I love ryan's new H2 SUT that was a steal-
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Hmmm lots of people- my sister Jen is one of the best people I know- don't know what I'd do without her! I'm proud of the decision my brother in law made to marry a nice girl :)
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
OMG by biological father- can't even go there- SO BAD!.
14. Where did most of your money go?
rent (grrr) and bills....so many bills...
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
traveling over the summer- I love travelling- and paying off my car and credit cards! next goal save for a house!
16. What song will always remind you of 2010?
Ummm I'm bad at this game really...
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?
happier probably- last year was rough- SO MUCH going on- this year things are settling down (sorta!) haha! I got realy fat during rookie school losing some now- hoping to lose it all this year! definately richer in the sense of we paid off debt- we still have some and we need to save for a house but it feels good to make some headway...
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
errr eat healthier not stress so much and work out...take time for me- and write more!
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
worry- I worry all the time...
20. How did you spend Christmas?
Thought Ryan was going to have to work 72 hours straight- fortunately he was off Christmas Eve so we hada fabulous breakfast at Jen's with my siblings, then put Hailyn to bed, made a cheesecake, then dinner at Ryan's parents that night- SO FUN! We did a gift exchange SO MUCH FUN!!! Then Christmas morning went to breakfast with Ryan's fam, Hailyn napped then dinner (and seeing Santa!) at the station- SO FUN!! We also saw Santa at Mimzy and Pap's house:)
21. Did you fall in love in 2010?
Umm I guess my love grew? I love Ryan- and my baby girl- and my family and friends!
22. What was your favorite TV program?
ohhhh this is embarrassing- I watch great shows like the Office, Archer, PArks and Rec, but I also like Teen mom.... yeah...
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Hat eis a strong word- I've had some 'daddy' issues with my biological dad
24. What was the best book you read?
Can my own count? lol! JUST KIDDING!!! Ummm I read a lot of great books- tough to pick!
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I love musicals- I know!
26. What did you want and get?
my debt (mostl) paid off! FEELS GOOD!
27. What did you want and not get?
we're still working on saving for a house...
28. What was your favorite film of 2010?
tough- really loved HArry Potter- I'm such a potter fan! lol!
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 26- ugh!!! closer to 30 than 20:( we had to fix my car ac as we were leaving for utah the next day- both of our ac's went out! haha! Ate a free lunch at Firehouse subs- we did REd Robin (free) free cold stone, free baskin robbins, fre fuddruckers (seeing a theme? haha!) and went to see Ecplise- I know corny it was pretty good though! haha
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
fitting into my skinny pants!
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2009?
I'd like to look the way I want to look in my clothes... so if the skirt fits? lol! jeans work tops, working with kids
32. What kept you sane?
Sadly, mini reeses peanut butter cups... my escape- hence why I am not buying any in 2011- that and dr pepper and red bull! haha!
33. What political issue stirred you the most?
ugh should I 'go there'? hmm basically I want smart educated people to make wise decisions, especially when it comes to public safety....
34. Who did you miss?
my mommy- I know she would get a kick out of hailyn- so that's hard- plus my dear friend Cheryl whiteny- she is just super busy all the time- and I hve dear friends that live back east- MOVE BACK PEOPLE- calli, lindzie... and I miss Laura Lee and Laura Nelson- I m iss my friends- I just don't get to see them enough! Darn work schedules!
35. Who was the best new person you met?
hmmm. lots of new people!
36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.
patience is a virtue!
37. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
hmmm.... ????

May your jeans be skinny and your wallets fat- and not the other way around...

2010-12-16T12:36:00.000-08:00

As it's feeling for me this month! What the heck! according to my trusty Christmas calendar countdown (where I pysically move the blocks and change the numbers myself) we have 9 days until Christmas!!! WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN? I swear my lifeis on fast forward ALL the time now it's insane! I still have last minute stuff to get- and a house to clean- ahh! what the heck!!??? I thought I had more time! after all I got most of the presents eaqrly, wrapped, and ready to go, set up the tree veterns day weekend (I know baaaad!) baked amillion oookies, sent out cards, and even did my visiting teaching already. SO HOW IS IT ALMOST CHRISMTAS? those last minute things that I will have time for, ha! It's NOW baby! sigh- time to get to work. ExceptI have had the AWESOME task of juggling this month- BIGTIME! Ryan got a new car and well the registration, insurance, and GAS are killing me. That and our fridge parts well, basically everything that needs replacing decided to do so THIS MONTH the month of Christmas. I am grateful I mostly planned ahead and we have most of the expenses covered, but iswear everything has hit at once and I tell you there are a million birthdays this time of year too- sigh- I know I know I sound like a grinch- but really we've been so blessed and we have had a wonderful season of celebrating with friends and family! but I'm sorta ready to 'get back' on track- without surprise expenses hapneing at once and eatign healthier. oh and I'd love a clean house...thanks Santa!

On a hilaious note wheneverI sing my daughter says no mama stop! and holds up her hand- She cried at church when I would sing- two years ago at Christmas singing Joy to the World. She never has appreciated my sining voice. Anyone wanna come over and do some computer work for me? edits need to be made on the computer (already written out) and I have ten thousand pics to downlaod- anyone? anyone?

Catch up!

2010-11-09T07:39:00.000-08:00

I need to downlaod pics! There's so much to catch up on! Halloween! My book launch! Ryan went out of town for 2 weeks and I went to Disneyland. It was busy. No camera cord! ahh! I will come back and catch up soon! October was crazy busy!

Alb trip

2010-11-09T07:27:00.000-08:00

Ok ok, so it's SEPTMEBER but really whatever! October was AWESOME! BUSY! It kicked off with going to Albuquerue for the balloon festival and visiting Ryan's grandparents. Ryan drove solo with Hailyn on Thursday morning and I flew out after work Friday- I had a crazy airport expereince too...almost didn't make it!

My flight to Phoneix was delayed (I thought I clicked on non-stop when I booked I guess I didnt!) and I showed up and going out of Phoeniz it was delayed 30 minutes. I had a 40 minute gap so I asked them at the front desk (US Airways btw) and they said 'no you'll be fine' I asked 'you sure you have a non stop leaving at the same time do I need to switch I NEED to get to Alb. tonight! they said I'd be fine. They changed my seat so I'd be first off the plane, luckily I had no luggage and no child. So I ask them on the plane agai if I'm ok, they reassure me it's a five minute walk to my next gate. Ok. So I get of the plane and I have 11 minutes. You guys it was a mile to my next gate. No joke. I thought the guys would at least call the gate tell them I'm on my way (it was thier airline!) and have a golf cart waiting for me- nope! I had to take off my shoes and SPRINT to the next gate. I get there right as a lady let two people in and 'sealed' the doors. I BEGGED her to let me on. She had the audacity to say to me I shouldve been here sooner they sealed the doors. Um, I was about to go crazy on this lady. I deided to try the honey/vienegar approach and luckily the honey worked and she opened the doors, they had ONE seatl left. Grr! Then in Alb. I arrived at midnight, we woke up at 4am to see the balloon launch. I was a tad groggy. Anyhow we didn't make it, we were stuck in traffic forever. Hailyn still saw the balloons from the sky, and later that night we went back to the fair and ate and saw fireworks. It was a trip of Sadies, breakfast burritos, and wonderful time with fam!

25 months...

2010-11-09T06:41:00.000-08:00

sigh...what is the age of which parents stop saying 'months'? I mean is it 3? It's getting a little insane to say '25 months'. She's two. Hailyn is two years old. I hated it when parents would say '33 months' to me when I would ask how old thier child was and I'd have to do the math. The first year is fine (that makes sense) but then it gets, confusing- 19 months? How about a year and a half? anyway TANGENT!But in the name of journaling (and the fact that this is really the only record I keep of my little growing monkey- no judgement!) Anyhow, Hailyn is now a month past one;)

Around her birthday she was showing MAJOR signs of potty-training readiness. She would take off her diaper right after it was wet and go sit on the toilet. She would rip her diaper off at naptime. We got the books (any recommedations btw I am OPEN!) and borrowed the Potty Time Elmo dvd. The thing with Elmo is Elmo refers to himself in the third person. Hailyn found his narcissim annoying and well, we only made it through halfway.

Then we took some major steps back, Hailyn got sick (I am going to try and take her to the doc today- well Ryan is) and she has had some diaherra badly for about 5 days- so we halted the potty training until she was back to her old self. Not in the mood to clean that up off the floor but I most importantly didn't want to set her up for failure. She woke up this morning with a nasty cough- she has some kind of virus. Poor baby. So I hope it gets cleared up for 4 days of uninteruppoted potty training bootcamp! (I have thursday and friday off work) so all of my focus can be on POTTY BOOTCAMP! Hope we're both up for it.

Ok, enough with the grossness on to the CUTE! The way Hailyn says 'thank you' and 'no thank you' pretty much the cutest thing in the world. Honestly she says thank you and you want to give her whatever it is she's asking for because she just sounds so dang cute. It takes a lot of willpower for me to be objective and be a good disciplined mommy when she is asking (she asks using 'thank you' she uses it in place of please!)

She is talking SO MUCH now! Tells me stories, asks for 'more juice (everything is juice- water, milk, diet coke-haha) she says a TON of words. The girl LOVES to talk.

She loves to give herself pedicures. She gets them at Mimzy's house all the time, and if we wait to long she'll find the nailpolish and do it herself. It's super funny!

She has discovered Little Einsteins and well, she is in love with this show. Is it worng we don't subject her to shows we can't stand. Elmo grates on my nerves (hence she hasn't clicked with the potty training dvd) and we do NOT tolerate Barney. She did find the purple dinosaur in the giveaway pile at Super Saturday. Sigh, so now she has a Barney doll. Great.

She HATES getting her teeth brushed. I feel like the worst mommy in the world when I have to brush her teeth. Ryan tired to do it. He's too sweet and gentle. The girl needs to have clean teeth regardless. Sigh it's not fun holdig her down to brush her teeth.

She LOVES to pick out her outfits. Usually it's the blue tuutu and no shirt- underwear over her pants look. The girl LOVES her shoes too.

She eats scrambled eggs and chocolate milk pretty much every day for breakfast. She also LOVES reeses peanut butter cups (from her mama) and chocoalte chip pancakes. She also wears her hair in pigtail buns we can devil horns nearly everyday.

She is REALLY into caring for babies! BIGTIME! She carries two babies EVERYWHERE and needs to feed them, wrap them in blankets, push them in the baby stroller, tucks them into thier 'crib' (really my foot spa bath! haha!) and she loves taking care of her babies. They are with her EVERYWHERE-I wonder why two- is she planning on having twin siblings someday? I hope this enthusiamsm sticks at least a few more years- we'd love to have another one sometime! she's getting a lot of practice being a great big sister!

She's better at nursery too! She'll just go in (YAY!) six months ago I'd be crying in the bathroom now she'll go! She also climbed up the slide by herslef at pump it up- that slide wears me out! haha! I think she has some gymnastic qualities we'll see!
She's amazing. I love reading her stories, taking her to the 'slides' at the park (she LOOVES slides nothing else is in existince at the park). She's a really good kid. I call her Dr. Jekyl an d Mr. Hyde- but USUALLY she's awesome. She's my little buddy. We've had quite the busy year and bless her heart she bears with me while I work all day then have to run my errands- she lets me drag her anywhere. I LOVE her!

Sorry if this is long- it's basically my journal for her. I need to be better at recording stuff. I love you monkey girl! (She got a lot of moneky stuff for her birthday- it suits her!:)

CHRISTMAS came early this year! Well, at least the cards!

2010-11-02T07:47:00.000-07:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS READERS!
Although I realize Halloween ended just two days ago (I already picked up Hailyn's costume for next year at 50% off yep I'm frugal like that), and Thanksgiving is still WEEKS away, Can't leave out THANKSGIVING I'm already planning CHRISTMAS- that's right folks, I'm talking CHRISTMAS cards and I'm doing them, right now. yep, it's awesome! And yes, I plan on putting my tree up before the end of the week. I either end up enjoying two months of it or two days- since I'm already putting away Halloween decor, I may as well combine Thanksgiving and Christmas! (well it's really because I'm already making a mess of the closet anyway! haha!)

Thanks to a tip last year I was able to get all of my Christmas cards for free including shipping nthanks to Shutterfly (otherwise I probably wouldn't do them- I know right?) So this year I was excited to see Shutterfly doing a similar promostion- talk about Shutterfly on your blog, recieve a code for 50 free cards!

Christmas cards linked to http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-cards

· holiday cards linked to http://www.blogger.com/Christmas%20cards%20linked%20to%20http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-cards

· Thanksgiving invitations linked to http://http://www.blogger.com/www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/thanksgiving-cards· party invitations linked to http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-invitations

· holiday address labels linked to http://http://www.blogger.com/www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/address-labels· Choose your own relevant card/invitation and URL from our Cards & Stationery page

Have fun making your cards! Pass along the info! I sure will be!:)

RADIO INTERVIEW

2010-10-18T13:02:00.001-07:00

I was contacted by my friend Nicole (who is a big supporter of the book- thanks Nicole!) about an opportunity to be interviewed by her uncle on his radio show! HE called me this morning and I had the chance to chat with him (he's wonderful) and his contact Sharon Jenkins, a seasoned author. They had some very wonderful advice and encouragment for me, and some great ooportunites (possibly) for me. To start, I'll be doing an interview this wednesday at 1:45 pm(PST) Here's the link to register...

www.ToughTalkwithTonyGambone.com
and I hope you are able to listen!

I feel truly BLESSED to be in contact with these awesome people- great things (hopefully) around the corner!

TUNE IN!

What a difference a decade makes...

2010-10-18T06:42:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it- 10 years ago today, on October 18, 2000 my mom passed away, and here I am a decade later.

Fun fact this is my 200th post- coincidence- hmmm

It's so strange to think it's been ten years. How different would my life be in those ten years? What kind of relationship would my mom and I have now? We never got a chance to survive the whole 'independent daughter, worrying mother' phase of our relationship (in case you're curious that tends to happen around the daughter's age of 17). She never got a chance to um what's the word, offer her opnions about decisions in my life, influence if you will, it's been all me and all my decisions for ten years- it's a strange feeling.

I can't help but wonder if she'd be proud of my decisions, of the choices I made. In th end it's the same feeling I guess most daughters feel, their mom may not approve of all thier choices, but really who does? You can't please everybody, and at the end of the day you have to be satisfied with the decisions that you have made. Over all I know she'd want me to be happy, and I am.

So much has happened in ten years. She passed away, I met the love of my life, he went on a mission, my stepdad got remarried and we moved (I STILL miss my old house to this day!) and I graduated high school. Then an associates degree. ThenI got married. Then I recieved my BA in English and my Montessori degree simultaneously.

Then we got pregnant and had Hailyn in October. I was induced with her.I worried that she would be born the same day my mom passed away, and I'm almost certain she would have been. I'm ok with that now, but the thought of raising a daughter, after losing my mom terrified me to an extent. I worried about the same thing happening to her that happened to me. I am now convinced I cannot die until she is grown, and secure in life. I have to see her through. My accident in Feb proved that to me. I can't be a daredevil (as much) anymore. Sigh. I don't want to be.

October is such a bittersweet month. I KNOW my mom specifically sought Hailyn out and hung out with her beforehad, becuase Hailyn will give me looks sometimes and it's like 'WHOA! THERE'S MOM!' She's done this since she was a newborn- seriously. I'm also convinced my mom would tell Hailyn stories in heaven all about the tantrums I use to throw and the 'nudity' obsession I had with taking my clothes off- my mom always said I would get my payback and raise a daughter just like me- Hailyn so is me! In fact the student surpasses the teacher in my opinion here. I do worry about Hailyn forgetting her grandma in heaven. My mom, imperfect as we all are in our own ways, she rocked. Especially towards the last four years when she was diagnosed, she was a rock, the strongest woman I will ever know.

There are some days I just want to call and ask her advice. When I'm sick I just wish my mommy were there with soup, but alas, it's not possible and I'm a grown up, I get my own soup now (also has to do with motherhood- you don't get sick days!) I wish Ryan got to know her- it's strange because Ryan really only knows a fraction of me, a few peices of the puzzle are missing for him, just because (he has also never met my biological dad and if I can help it he NEVER will- long story don't want to get into) but really, my dad will never EVER even meet Hailyn. Tangent over. Ryan did meet my mom once, he doesn't rememeber. My mom thought he was super cute and nice. I think she'd approve! haha! Life would sure be easier if she were here, but then again life isn't supopsed to be easy.

I did a lot in those ten years, and I will always wonder what she thought of my decision, my actions, and the person I am now. Hopefully she'll be proud of the fact that I am trying to pursue my dream- this project
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1036129594/lacie-launches-a-book-and-you-get-to-read-it.

Going for it....

2010-10-13T16:08:00.000-07:00

As many of you know I have been writing a novel for the past few years, and it is 95% done (some minor editing that should be done lickety split!) If you are interested in reading it, in helping out an emerging author, click here to see how you canget involved and pre-order your copy today! I'm going to try and make a button, but if you can post this on your FB or on your blog and help spread the word I'd greatly appreciate it!!!! Thanks you guys!!!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1036129594/lacie-launches-a-book-and-you-get-to-read-it

Fam pictures finally!

2010-10-05T15:51:00.000-07:00

WARNING!!! This post contains a million pictures- be forewarned! But since you guys are used to me having long posts anyway- well, here it goes! We had family pictures! It was quite the adventure getting three little kiddos under the age of four to get a shot- luckily we had a fabulous photographer (THANK GOODNESS!!!!:) and we walked away with some awesome shots!! these are raw, we still need to decide on editing- but here ya go!

Ryan trying to get Hailyn to run with her Number 2 candle

Giving up- haha!

RUNNING!!! She was being bribed with a cheeto!

sweet two year shot! love! keep in mind I had like a hundred to choose from- it's hard to narrow them down- I am so ecstatic with them though!

The grandkids!

The happy couple!!

and again!!!

The three bears...

behind the scenes- the moms trying to get the kiddos under control!

haha- I LOVE this pic- CLASSIC Hailyn whenever we try and get a picture- since she was 6 weeks old she has NOT liked the paprazzi! Remember the angel pic where she is flipping the bird? classic... oh and Ryan (Em's hubby) found a pack of cigarettes someone left behind at the park (we took these at the park Hailyn always plays at- awesome!) and so he's holding them while trying to get hailyn to hold hands with boys- hilarious! LOVE it!

umm are you as obsesed with her tutu as I am? I wish I got more pictures in it- I had her do a wardrobe change! classic diva! seriously, I am obsessed with this tutu- I spent a fortune finsing outfits for the pictures and this one was the winner- wish I just stopped- sigh- anyhow I want to get more-in various sizes- it also comes in pink and black- it's hard to find royal blue for little girls and this is amazing! ok, enough with the tutu- but seriously adorable!

Love...

showing how fast the 'blur' can be- she's crazy fast!!

Can't believe it's been two years- we're having a most likely traditional fuddruckers dinner on friday night for her birthday- I'll post pics:) In the meantime I am THRILLED to finally have some couple and family shots! YAY! HAPPY OCTOBER EVERYONE!

1 month to go...

2010-09-07T06:40:00.000-07:00

Before the TERRIBLE TWO'S HIT (disclaimer: I truly believe they have arrived early folks- there are nay-sayers out there but I am truly convinced Hailyn has entered the 'dreaded two's)

Seriously, wasn't she JUST born (ok you may be tired of me asking that question but in my mind,m she really was just born yesterday. Wasn't she JUST the size of a sack of flour- maybe a bit bigger- she was 8.4- regardelss this full fledged little GIRL will be two in just a month (and two days, techinaclity- if I waited I'd forget!)

People who say you don't know a baby's personality til later on are full of bologna! I KNEW Hailyn was a Dr. Jekyl/Mr. Hyde complex personality and sure enough, it's becoming even more and more evident. When she is sweet (which really is most of the time, it's about 80% these days) there isn't a sweeter child on the planet. Then a flip switches and BAM!!! She turns into babyzilla wrecking havoc on all around her. It's the sweet, good times that save me when the monster comes around (20% of the time). Heres a bit of what our monkey is up to...

*She counts! She can count to three on her own and we practice counting to ten. She LOVES to hold my hand and Ryan's hand walking somehwere and count one, two three and sure enough she gets to be swung up in the air- SO FUN! Once she learned we'll do that when she counts to three, she practices coutning QUITE A BIT!!! Haha- what a ham.

- She's a touch OCD- since this runs in my family (my biological dad) I am slightly curious how this is going to play out- for right now she LOVES lining her animal crackers EXACTLY in a line- or any food. It's a perfect line too folks. As long as this is her only quirk I'm, ok. I want her to be normal. Make messes, clean them up for sure but I want my kid to play in the dirt, not be worried about her clothes, scrap her knees, ect. The sort of tom-boyish childhood I had:) (Oh she CAN help clean up though;) I'll encourage that!)

- She DOES listen pretty well. She follows simple instructions and is pretty obedient.

- We're working on prayers with her- tricky since she isn't even two but we're getting there

-Ms. Independent LOVES to pick out her own clothes- and she now picks out my shoes too! In fact It's safe to say we spend 1/2 our day putting hsoes on and off...

- She LOOOOVES music- songing dancing, shaking her groove thang. We knew this early on. Ryan's sister (we oftern call Hailyn mini ky ky) is very musical and so we're sorta not surprised, we'll see what happens.

- She LOVES to take care of her baby dolls! It makes me REALLY REALLY want another baby (no no, announceent folks, I assure you) but I keep telling her she'll be an amazing big sister SOMEDAY!

- She's still a fairly good traveler, does pretty well still in movies, ok, in restaurants, ect. We keep dragging her these places, it seems to instill how she should behave (of course snacks and toys help occupy her;)

- she's still SKINNY! we took her to the doc a while ago for an ear infection and I was SO excited when they said 23.4 lbs! WAHOO! Those mcdonalds hamburgers are poaying off (why can't I have her metabolism?)

- She had a tumbling class and a gymboree class over the summer and she LOVED it- and I mentione dit beofre but this girl has inherited her Mimzy's gyumnastics skills! She can walk on the balance beam PERFECTLY (Mimzy's BEST event;) and she climbs on EVERYTHING- at the park she'll climb the highest she can go and jump all over- FEARLESS kid! I'm not surprised though;)

-It's SO much fun hearing her talk more and more...

- She is SUCH A daddy's girl. She runs to him when he gets home from work and cries when he leaves- so sad. I need to get a pic of that.

She is our love bug. No longer our short stack (she's TALL!), our little monkey, my lil munchkin. Even though she is a big girl, a shameless flirt, she will always be my baby girl. Love you baby!

Where did summer go?

2010-08-21T10:23:00.000-07:00

This summer has been BUSY!!! I thought once I' not teaching full time in the summer I"m going to have all this spare time to do things- HA! It has been eventful- and WONDERFUL! We kicked off the sumer going to San Diego for a week- AWESOE! Hailyn LOVED the zoo! Then we went BACK EAST to Philly to visit friends and hit NYC and Washington DC- then my BIRTHDAY (car AC's went out- on both cars!got it fixed though!) then we went to Fillmore for my family reunion (I miss these people SO SO MUCH!) and hit Beaver Mountain where I want to live forever (in the sumer that is) then I got my wisdom teeth out. Hailyn started Gymboree and Tumbling classes. Yep yep. Then I went on an amazing girls trip to Cali with my three fav girls to the beach and disneyland! yaya! then a week of subbing and watching kiddos- BUSY! then A CRUISE! My first one EVER (and Ryan's too!) we went to Catalina and Ensenada- it was AWESOME! I'm a big fan of cruises. I come home to a pile of mail, getting ready for school to start and trying to finish cleaning my house and projects- sigh! BUSY! awesomeness though- I love being busy! Sprinkle in some free movies, tutoring, splash park dates and lunches with friends it's been a pretty amazing summer! but I'm worn out!! maybe another cruise to relax?

The HAPPIEST place on earth...

2010-07-20T08:30:00.001-07:00

The next day of our PERFECT WEEKEND GETAWAY we went to the HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH!!! DISNEYLAND!!!! It was HAILYN'S FIRST TIME!!!! And Brandi, you could be a TOUR GUIDE for Disneyland- AMAZING! Oh my goodness we had way too much fun!!!

TEACUPS!!!!! The girls loved it- the mamas learned they aren't as young as they used to be (ahem!) wink wink!

This is Hailyn on the pier- boy did that girl LOVE the pier- she SPRINTED to Rubys- but this is her sporting her new accesories!

HAUNTED MANSION! WE basically walked on! Hailyn LOVED it!!! she loved the ghosts and she tried to blow the candles out of the candelabras! haha it was so funny! We aslo got onto Pirates of the Carribean quickly too (people in Disney ROCKED! minus one guy on the Dumbo ride- haha!) Hailyn LOVED them!

DUMBO!!!!!

CAROSAL!!! Hailyn LOVED the carosal!!! We go all the way to Disneyland and the girl wants to ride the carosal a thousand times- haha!

CUTE GIRLS!!! LOVE THEM!!!!

I want to live in sleeping beauty's castle- I love Sleeping Beauty!

Upon arrival!!!!!

We got to see FANTASMIC!!! It was INCREDIBLE and I HIGHLY recommend it!!! We went on the 55th birthday- the actual day and there parades and festivities all day long but it wasn't too crowded- and people saved us seats at Fantasmic and people were really cool (minus one jerk on the Dumbo ride! haha!) It was an INCREDIBLE wonderful day- and weekend! LOVE it!!! WE drove back that night and although we wanted to do this...

Brnadi and I bought $20 worth of energy drinks and drove through the night with sleeping babies- I brought a new meaning to the term bust a move! haha! and we got attacked by a swarm of bugs at a gas station at 3 am- it was quite a memorable weekend and I feel SO LUCKY to have been able to go!! Brandi, you should be a tour guide for Disney- and you are a rockstar- it was a blast- thank you for the best girls weekend EVER! LOVE YOU!!!!

The Perfect Weekend....

2010-07-20T08:09:00.000-07:00

This last weekend Brandi and I decided (last minute!) to escape the heat warning in Las Vegas and take our girls to the beach and Disneyland! The girls were INCREDIBLE- I mean like thier halos were glistening! They were amazing on the drive down and back and all the time in between! When we got there we went steaight to Hunington Beach- BEAUTIFUL! Hailyn LOVES the beach and had a blast- and this was her first time going into the ocean- she LOVED it!

Our cute california girls palying in the sand!

A lot of digging in the sand- the beach is one giant sandbox!

Checking out the ocean!

Mother daughter love!

Despite the face she LOVED playing in the water!

HOT mamas!

We ate a RUBY'S (drooling now thinking about it) and poked around the shops then we went searching for a hotel got the girls bathed and in bed and ready for day two...DISNEYLAND!

21 months!!!

2010-07-13T13:19:00.000-07:00

This beautiful girl turned 21 months on the 9th- I was busy- recovering from oral surgery and doped up on loritab to do a post. Can I just stop for a minute and say what the heck? I have an almost TWO year old!!! I want to cry!!! I feel old- I miss my baby- but she will alwaye be my baby!:) and she is becoming a LOT of fun! Here are some examples:

-she says 'uh oh' ALWAYS- and it's always at teh funniest times
-she likes her blanket (esp the pink one) it disapperared for a while but I got it out while we were traveling- it will have to disappear again
-she likes things orderly- she'll make a mess and pick it up- I gope that stays
-she's getting better at nursery- she only cries for a few minutes then she seems to calm down- she's always excited when we pick her up
- I enrolled her in a tumbling and a gymboree class to try and get her to socialize more with kids her own age- she's shy at first but then comes around
- she LOVES to put lotion/soap on me, her everyone- hilarious! she brings me containers of soap!

I love this little girl like crazy!!! she is my buddy and it's so fun seeing how smart, clever and funny she is!!! here's to almost two (tear)

does someone have a newborn I can hold like now?

Wisdom over the years...

2010-07-10T14:08:00.000-07:00

Ok so while I'm at this whole acting like a grown up kick (yes the mortgage, cars, education, having a child, these did not make me feel like a grown up- getting my ears pierced at claire's, like my one year old has, that did it!) I finally got my wisdom teeth out on Tuesday! I know right- I am only 26- psssh whatever! My teeth grow late and it has never been a problem- well, I had them pulled tuesday, and had a filling and a crown put in as well as so far I am recovering VERY well (I think!) Still can't chew or open my mouth a lot but I've been recovering and doing laundry ect- I had no laughing gas or anesthesia and I havent had a loritab in two days! I think my atv crash and hailyn's birth were WAY worse recovery than this so cheers to this (conitnuing) to be a speedy recovery!)

INDEPENDANCE DAY BABY!

2010-07-09T12:38:00.000-07:00

Ok, so for the 4th of July we went to my mom's hometown Fillmore Utah and got to see my extended family (FINALLY!) It was AWESOME! Fillmore, they know how to do forth of july RIGHT! Well, since it's blogger and I'm lazy, the pictures are in reverse order from the day- what can you do?

Here we are getting to watch the fireworks- they were INCREDIBLE and like 40 minutes long! LOVE this face!

Cuddling up to dad!

EXHAUSTED before the fireworks- once they started she watched half the show then slept the last half- silly girl!

blowing bubbles in my aunt's INCREDBILE backyard- she has a creek in her backyard- and a dog- Hailyn was in HEAVEN!

Hailyn on the slip n slide- someone forgot to pack her swimsuit (opps mom!) next year! she loved it all the same!

Aunt Melanie with her two beautiful neices!

What Ryan did most of the day- slept!

Necklaces! Time to accesorize!

Hailyn with Carson and Nathan- she LOVES them! So cute to watch!

an ice pop from the parade! my cousin Jonathon gave it to her and she LOVED it! haha!

So we went to the parade, then the park where there were booths and bouncy houses, then to my aunts gorgeous backyard to play eat, slip and slide then on to the fireworks- it was an incredible weekend- and I can't wait for next year! I love my fam! Hailyn's favorite parts of the day were a lamb I got for her we lovingly named Fillmore- she HAD to have Fillmore once she saw him in the historic musuem- haha. Candy- and this girl ate PLENTLY of it- and all of her favorite people loving on her- can't wait to go again next year!

I'm a GROWN UP NOW!!!!!

2010-07-09T12:29:00.000-07:00

SOOOOO it's official- I'm now closer to (ahem cough) 30 than I am to 20- and I have mixed emotions about that! Since blogger is being oh so awesome I can only load two pics at a time- so here's a preveiw of my birthday expereince. This beautiful girl took me out on the town- while her wonderuflly hubby watched all three girls, she convinced me to get my ears repierced. I had my ears pierced when I was 12- and right after I got married they closed up- so I FINALLY got them repierced! WE then went to OUTBACK (oh I am still drooling over the dessert- which unfortunately I can't post a pic yet- grrr- maybe later?) and then saw eclipse- an awesome night with an awesome bestie! thanks girl! it was WAY too much fun! :)

DC BABY!!!!

2010-07-09T10:23:00.000-07:00

Ok, well blogger is being difficult and I'm not able to post all the pics I want to right now, so here are a few from our overnight in DC- and one of the liberty bell because well that's what blogger did- so here are some pics- the white house- twice and the WWII memorial- hopefully I'll get more up! I'm sad I didn't get any with Lindzie- ut sure was fun seeing you!!! I need another trip back east soon- it was too much fun!!!

A bite out of the Big Apple!

2010-06-26T10:14:00.000-07:00

Well, in the midst of all our playing, our kiddos were WORN OUT!! SO WONDERFUL Calli and Matt were SUPER sweet and said to us- let us take Hailyn for the day, go play in NY and have fun!! Oh my goodness!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! Seriously, you guys are the BEST!!!! They bent over backwards and just made our stay so super fun- you guys are incredible!!! THANK YOU FOR EVERYHTING!!! So whjile Hailyn playe dwith Taylin and Dixon (she had WAY more fun with them than she would've had with us anyway) Ryan and I got to go play in NY!!! Calli, Matt, you guys ROCK!!! So, we basically got a TON in during our day trip- we left super early in the 'stang and drove to the NJ ferry. The ferry took us across the Statue of Liberty- the bottom pic shows us getting there- this first pic is at night as we were leaving- the torch just lit up- SO COOL!!!

We got to go see this:

Broadway theatres are small!!! I'm used to Vegas- still the music was fabulous!! 'Come on babe why don't we paint the town- and all that JAZZ!'
and paint the town we did!

The LOVE statue- some sweet girl offered to take the pic for us- she even got out the homeless man sleeping under the L!

Our first stop was ground zero- we went into the memorial store they had and I'm just really glad we started the day off there- it was still an emotional place to be- and I just pray we always remember that day- and what it meant for our country- and God bless all those who lost their lives and fought/fight for us daily! This picture was at station 10 right across the street from ground zero- they had a plaque on the side that stretched the whole block and memorials still up.

This is on top of the rock! rockefeller plaza baby! We even got a pic in front of 30 Rock- I didn't see Tina Fey or Alec Baldwin though- dangit! top of the Rock is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!That's Central Park in the back- we walked around there for a while- it's HUGE!

Empire State Building!

FDNY truck- that's a batcave symbol on the side- how ryan is THAT?

TIMES SQUARE!!!!

Ground Zero

We also ate at the famous Ray's pizza and also at MAGNOLIA'S- it's a good thing Vegas doens't have a Magnolia's- Ryan and I would eat there EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Yes, it's THAT good!!!! It was a busy, funfilled day and we absolutely loved our day trip to NYC!!! THanks Calli and Matt- for EVERYTHING!!! I'll post more pics soon- for some reason it's taking my computer forever to upload photos so this may be it for today- we'll see!!!!

PHILLY!

2010-06-24T19:47:00.000-07:00

I am SO behind on blogging it's not even funny! oh where oh where to begin? I honestly thought this summer I'd be lounging around, taking a break, Hailyn would love the mommy alone time- WRONG!!!! Hailyn misses the preschool kiddos a TON, she's sick of me, and we have been BUSY BUSY BUSY doing just fun stuff the entire month of June! After school got out, we headed to San Diego with some friends and had a blast! we went to the zoo, the beach, ate a waffle ice cream sandwich that I was in love with and basically just enjoyed the break! It was awesome! Thank you again so much Bramdon and Sandy!!! I have some gorgeous pictures from that trip- that Brandon took- so as soon as I (ahem Brandon get on that eh?;) I'll post a lovely wonderful post on all the fun we had- because seriously, we had a blast- and I ate the best fish tacos of my LIFE!!! and Hailyn- she was in HEAVEN! I need pics Brandon so I can properly post here!

(NOTE! This post is excessively long!!!)
NEXT!: I have pics of this adventure!
After San Diego- we ventured back east- to the city of brotherly love- we went to visit our friends Matt and Calli in PHILADELPHIA!!! It was INCREDIBLE!!!! I wish we could have stayed longer! and boy did we cram a LOT into a week! I'm ultra impressed with our mad skills! Another trip back east is needed for sure!!!! we'll be back!!!! Anyhow, here's how this trip went:

Getting packed to go! Hailyn wanted to make sure we did not forget her!

Ryan Hailyn and I flew during naptime to Philly- with the time change (EST is three hours ahead of Vegas) we got in at 1130ish- I thought Hailyn would nap the whole time- nope! She unpacked her blanket I got for her and she was not interested in sleeping- Ryan was though- she was (sorta) good for the flight- not crying but wiggly and impatient and of course I brought no entertainment for her, assuming she would sleep- HA! I did hit the dollar store in Philly and bought $10 worth of entertainment, of which she slept the whole time home. Sigh- lesson learned- prepare and you will never use it- better safe than sorry! Anyhow, she did great home, there Ryan slept by the window- I took many deep breaths- Hailyn was an infant in lap baby but the nice lady in the aisle seat movesd to another aisle seat so we could have the whole row- everyone on the plane was super nice! So we get to Philly, Matt picked us up and we picked up our rental car- we got a STEAL of a deal on it (thanks for the research Matt!) and I was nearly certian Ryan would try and drive it back to Vegas- behold- the awesome car we had for four days!

It was super sweet! Hailyn fit nicely back there- I am considering making this our new family car- seriously!

Anyhow, the next morning, Ryan, Hailyn and I piled in the 'stang and Calli and her two cute kiddos got in thier car and we went to downtown Philly. We saw many of these:

Hailyn kept saying 'horsy' and pretty much seeing all the animals made her trip back east.

WE got to go to the Phiadelphia Fire Museum- it was AWESOME!!!!

Hailyn standing in the spot where Abraham Lincoln stood and gave an address (I have one of me where JFK stood!)

The oldest street in America- AWESOME! Ignore Hailyn- she was having a moment when she saw a coveted balloon another boy had- sigh- this child and balloons!

Independence Hall!

The next day we headed to Lancaster PA to visit Amish country- Intercourse PA!

The transportation in Intercourse!

Of course Hailyn HAD to feed the lambs! She also saw lots of 'horseys' and loved seeing all the animals!

I'll make another post about the rest of the vacation- but it was AWESOME!

Beach Beauty....

2010-06-12T16:44:00.000-07:00

LOVE San Diego- love her!

Closer to 2 than 1- I sorta want to cry!

2010-06-08T22:41:00.000-07:00

Becasue she's not my baby anymore- she's becoming a big girl! I'm hoping to transition her bed this summer- and potty train! we'll see how that goes!

Ok, I HAVE to be better at posting- I just HAVE to be better!!!! Well, it's no secret, I am not a fan of change- I like the constant. Npt that I don't like to try new things or travel because I DO but at the end of the day I love coming home to the the comfort and familiarty of my home!

So the news that myt baby girl is turning into a PERSON is really throwing me for a loop here. I guess it's not news, it's a fact, but still. WE have had SO many changes this past year- two years really, that I was sorta hoping she would remain my adorable small squishy love bug but nope! the mean girl has to go and GROW UP on me- and FAST! NOT FAIR!

She is discovering HOW to do everything- she has to put her own shoes on- and she picks them out- she also has learned how to get to where she wants to be (aka pushing a chair across the room to unlock a door- uh oh- she's already trying to sneak out!)
(pic coming soon!)
She LOVEd the first month of nursery- HATED the second month! She was a screaming banshee the entire month for the whole 2 hours straight- she finally calmed down a BIT last week- fingers crossed! Especially since I have to go to church solo many sundays!(Ry's working)

She says phrases- like 'don't do that' yup smart mouth- awesome! WE are modeling (trying) good manners and behavior for her

She has had a ROUGH month in nursery (sad since she did great the first month) she did MUCH better this last week becasue I explained to her she was going, my girlfriend Kristi sat with her (bless her heart!) and I told Hailyn I love her and would be back soon- she was sad for a bit but NOT like the past month! FINGERS CROSSED!!!! So different than me- I RAN back to nursery as a child!

She has thrown herself on the ground when she doesn't get her way- tough kid, I'm the LAW get used to it! haha (evil laugh insert here) she gets over her pout session quickly though!

She has her moods with food- sometimes she eats a ton- other times I force gaterade down her just to make sure she stays hydrated!

She is picking up SO MUCH! I am having a blast seeing how her little brain makes connections!(she's so smart! ;) no bias here)

SHE LOVES ANIMALS LIKE I HAVE NEVER SEEN A CHILD LOVE ANAIMALS TO THIS MAGNITUDE! I'm thinking she will be a veteranarian! She went balistic at the zoo!(pictures of our awesome San Diego trip coming up soon!!!)

She had her first visit with the dentist and her teeth are looking good! (mine not so much!)

Her phrases 'stop that' and 'don't do that' lead me to believe she will someday be a bossy big sister (no I'm not annoucning anything)

She is a drama queen already! will throw herself down on the floor in a dranatic flare sorta way- awesome.She has also deicovered my wallet and taking out my credit cards and stashing them for her use later!
She is an independent, smart, savvy little girl- not my baby anymore- I sure love her!

19 months...let the countdown begin!

2010-05-07T14:51:00.001-07:00

Til she's DONE with this 'phase'-Um what the heck? My daughter on Mother's Day will be 19 months old! WHERE has the time gone? SERIOUSLY?! And it doesn't help that 90% of my friends are pregnant/having newborns- it's mean to do to a gal that's newborn hungry! (no we are not trying, nor are we 'announcing' anything!)

But I miss the newborn phase. A lot. Especially now, that my daughter has decided to grow horns! REALLY?!!! My sweet, easy going, low maintence baby has turned a corner- I maintain that she was holding all her 'frustration' for a year and a hlaf and now just 'unleashed the beast'. She is into EVERYTHING. I mean EVERYTHING! I am trying to teach her to put her toys away, stay out of the pantry ect. She throws tantrums now- what the? SERIOUSLY?! my daughter who I work REALLY hard with to be patient and kind now throws hissy fits. I guess it's frustrating that she can't FULLY communicate with me- or when I say no to her having chips and ice cream for dinner( I know, mean mommy). I have utilized time out- oh yes, at 18 months but you know what? She understands! I now know why I was newborn hungry a couple months ago- so I'd be 'on my way' before this wretchedness of a beast emerged. This is the first age that I'm like- WHAT? ARE YOU KIDDIN ME!? I'm sooooo glad she's in nursery now!
But it's not ALL rotten! PROMISE! My daughter has a Dr. Jekyl/Mr. Hyde complex- we're just seeing a bit more of the Mr. Hyde lately. But with this new found 'independence' (and her frustration over not getting to do what she wants when she wants- teen complex hit early!) we have discovered HER! She is a smart, beautiful little girl- FUNNY! CHARMING! When she is sweet she is the sweetest child ever! She is learning so much-for example:

*She holds crayons, pencils, markers (oh the markers are banned from our house now!) correctly

*She talks- a LOT and is clear! love it! she says phrases like 'I like that!' she also says 'chicken' 'shoes' 'dog' 'debbie (were working on MIMZY) Paps, baby...and the list goes on and on...

*She loves to do the workout routine I am doing- she did lunges this morning- I almsot died laughing! so cute!
*She still gives loves- and hugs to me and daddy- and any other 'boy'- she loves our friends that are boys- cracks me up! little flirt! better watch her when she's 16- or before- ahh!
*She dances- LOVE that!
*She's a little mishcief maker- and a little mess maker- but she LOVES to put things away- and I think she makes messes so she can clean them up...
*She is interested in the potty- so we'll see what happens there!
*She like to eat candy- and chocolate- (I need to set a better example!) she also loves baked brocolli (yum!)
*She has to walk EVERYWHERE we go...

We are seeing the little person come more and more out- and that part is a blast! It's a bittersweet age, as with her independence she is learning the boundaries set forth. Ryan and I are disciplined parents- so she is learning quickly her guidelines, and I'm grateful for that- I'm also grateful Ryan and I are on the very same page with parenting- it makes life a ton easier!

Sorry this is so long- this is my sorry excuse for a baby book/journal for her (I am so lazy) here are some pics from my beautiful, mishcief making daughter (At least she cracks us up!)

Sher got into the markers one day- three times (I know, she kept finding 'strays') I maintain this little smurfette wanted to be a member of the Blue Man group- Ry thinks she wanted to be an Avatar- our friend thinks she was trying to be the Incredible Hulk- maybe this little picasso thinks this she is the best canvas...

Look at that FACE! hmmm... she does not like sharing mommy- she'll have to get over that someday (again, not announcing anything!)

SWEET FACE!

She LOVES shoes- especially these pink trekking shoes- at least they fit her feet! She used to hate shoes, so I'm grateful she'll at least wear them now! She wears them to bed sometimes- yeah-

She got into the pantry and created a buffet for her and Hurley- sigh

We just love our little mess maker!

We're on to TWO HANDS now!!! WOW!

2010-04-24T07:07:00.000-07:00

It's official!!! We are onto TWO hands now counting the years we've been married!! It's so crazy to think about how fast time flies by and how much happens in that time. It really is mind boggling. We've been together so long, and yet every single day, wek, month, year, I love him more and more. A lot happens in six years, survicing uor engagment and wedding (we were just SO GLAD to be married at the end of the day- the cake could've fallen on my head and I wouldn't have cared! it didn't luckily!) job changes, getting degrees,buying a house, selling a house, moving, rookie school, writing novels, opening a school, chasing dreams essentially, vacations, rock climbing, dunes trips (and accidents) having a baby, dogs.... basically life has been wonderfully busy and crazy!! Here's a glimpse of what we've been up to...

Ryan worked last night and works again tomorrow so we will day date it today- movies, delicious food, shopping and just enjoying each other! I love you babe! So glad you're mine forever!

Putting these pics togeter I realize we need more pictures together!!! Also, I need to scan our honeymoon and wedding pictures- there's so much to do this summer!

Fun game: Ryan and I were both extrememyl sleep deprived during two of these pictures- a time when life was ultra crazy for both of us- take a guess as to which two pictures those are:)

I'm off to celebrate my anniversary! As soon as my sweet hard working hubbs gets up from his nap:)

stuff on my mind I don't like talking about...

2010-04-18T20:51:00.000-07:00

Some thoughts on my mind...

I'm aware I talk about my kid a LOT online- it's cus she's so cute! and there are SO many other things I'd RATHER not discuss- such as:
-laundry- it's everywhere
-housework actually- I have three (ok four sometimes) mess makers in the form of hubbs, hailyn and hurley...and I love em all!
-working out, why discuss it? its on my mind, along with the uhh extra poundage I need to shed- everyone around me is slimming down beautifully- maybe I need to go to the doc?
-paperwork- there is always an abundant amount of paperwork in one respect or another for me to do- and it isn't fun and I don't like it, so why talk about it?
- my writing! I keep this card SUPER close to my chest- because it can backfire- but yes, I wrote a novel- a NOVEL people this year- and it needs serious re-writing- but I did it! All you people who think you can just up and write a novel, give it a shot will ya? I'm a pretty good writer with decent skills and it is a whole different scheme writing a novel than any other genre
-along that note I got some wonderful reviews from PW- and they liked it! but they said my story, a peice of fiction based on events from my life, wasn't realistic- I WISH!
- projects to finish- ugh! I'm a procrastinator- hence the pictures (lack thereof) and books/family tree stuff to do
That's pretty much it! for now, as far as I can think of- oh bills. Bills suck too... til next time!

CATCH UP TIME!

2010-04-18T20:31:00.000-07:00

I am SO BAD! I have yet to make Hailyn's one year book- ahh! I am TRYING to document stories/pictures/ect as time goes on because let's face it- I am a procrastinator. I at least have somewhat of a record of our lives/Hailyn ect. It's ridiculous how much I have to catch up on- almost 1000 pictures.

So I plan on doing some here and there- and may include daes for my own record keeping ect so maybe someday (this summer!) I can go and create these amazing books and family heritage that are floating around in my mind- it will happen this summer!

So here's SOME catch up! Sorry for the delay- lack of organization ect- such is my life!

On another note, I am a VERY busy woman! I am gearing up for preschool next year and I am so excited!!

Lil Mischeif Maker...

2010-04-18T20:11:00.000-07:00

She 'helps' mommy with the dishes... (document to remember for her teenage years- she chose her chores early on! haha! I actually think it's sweet she imitates ewverything Ryan and I do- cus she loves us!)Usually her help involves taking dirty or clean dishes out and stacking them on the table:)

Hmmm... what to eat, what to eat? She found the cookies!

awww the faces!

and the dish ran away with the...hotpad

This is all in a matter of 5 minutes- she's into EVERYTHING (Especially the pantry- I promise we feed her, she jsut wants the 'cookies' she is so my child)
LOVE this mischeif maker:)

Caboose!

2010-04-18T20:02:00.000-07:00

CUTE CABOOSE! we often see this site...so cute!

Hailyn got a train for Christmas. In all my teacher glory (Ry picked it out) it goes over sounds, (not just the alphabet-people teach your children SONDS first so they learn how to blend and read sooner-ok tangent over) and she LOVES it- now, she rides it backwards and only goes in reverse...but still!

First ride...

2010-04-18T19:55:00.000-07:00

Hailyn got this SWEET princess bouple from her Aunt Jen, Uncle Steve, and cousins Nathan and Nicole for her birthday and she LOVES it! SERIOUSLY this girl plays in it pretty much all day- she even eats in there- too funny! She loves to ride, get pushed by friends (or mom or dad), go in reverse and push it (ie chase Hurley) LOVE this child!

At least I know where they both are...

2010-04-18T19:49:00.000-07:00

I often find Hailyn hanging out in here- at least I know where they are. Now I wonder if I could fly them this way- TEASING! OF COURSE!!! But really she goes in there herself and it's just too funny!
(Feb 2010)

Daddy daughter moments...

2010-04-18T19:43:00.000-07:00

I caught a few cute moments a couple of weeks ago I had to document (fun fact, this is also Hailyn's Easter dress)
Easter 2010

A year and a half ago...

2010-04-09T09:45:00.000-07:00

I had Hailyn! wow time REALLY flies when you have a kid- I must be having lots of fun! While I am aware that I have 300+ pics to download to my computer and blog about all the awesomeness that is our lives, I'm afraid my once a month post about my daughter's monthly updates will have to do. While you may (or may not) be interested, it is the ONLY record I keep of Hailyn and what she's doing- that's right. I do not keep a journal (gasp) I suck at downloading pictures to the computer so you can only IMAGINE my scrapbooking 'skills' or lack thereof, and thus, I plan to 'get around to it' someday, meaning sometime this summer- hopefully.

fun note, March 9 is my stepdad's birthday, April 9th is my brother Dustin's birthday! usually Mothers day lands on the 9th (or around there) so Hailyn share's her monthly markers with some cool dates! Some awesome stuff happening at 18 months?

SHE GOES TO NURSERY FOR THE FIRST TIME ON SUNDAY! I'm SUPER excited, PRAY she isn't clingly and hope she behaves for the teachers and is nice to the other kids- not that she's a clingy brat, she is the sweetest girl ever- but she has a sugar/spice personality (like her mother) oiy! Ryan is beyond excited- he won't have to wrestle her in the library while I teach my enormous 4 year old primary class- and on the days he's working I won't have to drop her off to Ry's parents who were awesome in taking her so I could teach 'in peace'. I am nervous about when I have to drop her off on my own, and she'll be a terror and I'll have to book it to my primary class and pray the nursery teachers don't come find me! eek!

On that note, she is so BIG (not really, she's probably barely 20 lbs still- he cousin Mav is quickly catching up to her size and he turns one on Ry's birthday May 2!) she climbs on EVERYTHING and eats bananas like crazy- that's why we lovingly call her monkey! All of my friends seem to be pregnant or just had babies and I have to be honest- I am newborn hungry! I need I mean NEED to hold a newborn. Like now. So if anyone has one, PLEASE let me borrow? I'll return- maybe;) hehe but really I am getting that ache- Ryan tells me to make the ache go away for a while,thus holding other people's newborns will be my (temoporary) rememdy. Realistically, we know another baby is in our future, just not now- and no, we are not trying-yet:)

Hailyn can now reach stuff off the counter- ahhh!! this is a nightmare! I miss the 'sit the baby in her bumbo and she plays with her towes phase' but honestly I haven't hit a 'bad' age- it's all been awesome- Hailyn's personality is REALLY coming out and she is HILARIOUS! and SO SWEET! We LOVE LOVE LOVE her!!!

but she is into EVERYTHING- the pantry, drawers, cabinets, and I am teaching her not to get into it- and it's not fun!

She had her first ear infection a week ago (and it was a double ear infection- ouchie) not bad- almost 18 months and the first time on antibiotic! goodness immune system! bless you!stay that way!

She LOVES Hurley and is often found in his kennel (pics coming soon! PROMISE)

Her words AND phrases: Paps, Hi Daddy, Pee-Boo (peek a boo- hilarious right?she actually covers her eyes and everything-love it!)jubajuba juba (telling us a story? this goes on for a long time!) I like that! (spoken VERY clearly) this morning taking her MEDICINE 'Mmmm thats goo (good)' LOVE IT! Ugy (ugly? she says this to Hurley and he IS ugly???)dog, doggy, I love that she's speaking in PHRASES now!

her hair is like a bad combover lately and she won't let me put headbands, ponytails, bows, ect on her head- sigh- this is VERY discouraging as she has the cutest accesories EVER!

She doesn't keep her shoes on either though and prefers to be barefoot (I get lots of stares sometimes at the playground- I recenlty found some shoes that DO stay on- holding my breath!)

Overall, we love our crazy, sweet sugar n spice monkey!

17 Months

2010-03-09T18:04:00.000-08:00

It's official- I am the WORST at uploading pics of my adorable daughter (And our life, ect ect) buuuut it's time- my daughter is now 17 months old! what the? SEEEERIOUSLY???!! When did this HAPPEN?

She goes to nursery in a month!! (GULP!) I know many moms that LOVE it when the kids go to nursery but I am having severe anxiety- yes, I am aware that I am not the first mom to drop her kid off at nursery, but I teach the 4 year olds- and a LOT of them- and it CAN be tricky and if Hailyn needs me and I'm teaching- well the thought is a bit overwheleming. I want kids to be nice to her- but regardless I'm going off on a tangent.

My baby girl is now a little girl- a smart, funny bubbly little girl! (Let me be mommy mushy here for me!) She now blows kisses (SO CUTE!) and she loooves to snuggle! She saw Happy Feet for like two minutes (the part where they dance) and she now does it often- we call it her maniac dance! (and yes we sing the song and think of Chris Farely while we do so!)

She's a picky eater (like her father- much to my dismay) which may explain why my husbnad and daughter are both skinny- that and they have the greatest metabolisms ever- I want one! share please! but she is porking up a bit- I pretty much slather all her food with butter- yup! I do it! and she's allowed to eat all the chicken nuggets and peanut butter sandwiches she wants. She laughs- a lot. She has almost ALL of her teeth (almost has the fangs and we're hoping that's it!)

I am reminded of how much of children is nature verses nurture- she is a total mix of both of us it's so fun to see.

We LOVE watching her grow up (but I get sort of sad sometimes) I truly need to hold a newborn. I don't know if it's seeing Hailyn answer questions (and TALK! this girl talks and talks and talks- again like her mother;) and run around and dance, I don't know if it's her going to nursery soon or the fact that 30,000 of my friends currently have newborns but I miiiiss the newborn phase- a lot. It was such a tender precious time and I miss it! but it sure is fun right now and I'm having a BLAST with Hailyn- we haven't hit a tough age yet- it keeps getting to be more and more fun!

Gosh we LOVE her!

STOP THE INSANITY!!!!

2010-02-23T14:53:00.000-08:00

No really- STOP IT! I have to! for those of you who don't stalk me on facebook (tsk tsk) you have to know I got in an ATV crash on Saturday.We were out at Dumont. I was riding a friends (GULP!) automatic and they don't handle in the sand easily. I didn't want to worry about shifting. I didn't wear my boots beacuse we were going to be doing little hills- well, the machine got away from me and it turned suddenly and sharply. The next thing I know I am flying down a (moderately steep) hill (I give it a 7 out of 10) and I fall off landing on my left side. The machine flipped over me and then stopped after one flip. It did land on my right ankle- I sprained that as badly as you can without breaking it. I also fractured a couple of ribs on my left side and my whole left thigh is completely bruised. Ryan rushed over and checked on me.

I then braved it, after screaming profously, and Ryan shut off the machine, and I got back on and rode back to camp (I know! I'm crazy!) but we did have two nice people ask if we needed a sandrail and I didn't think that was necessary and I didn't want to put anyone out. When I saw I broke my friends machine I started BAWLING hysterically, for seriously an hour. So now I have a machine to fix and hope they forgive me:(

Anyhow, Ryan packed up while I tried to stay put in a chair and take care of a squirmy one year old and then Ryan took Hailyn and I to the ER- the ER at San Marteen campus is AWESOME by the way! She felt bad that at 8 o clock at night we had to take our one year old with us and she gave Hailyn cookies and crutches that I DESPERATELY needed! They were fast too! AWESOME people! I didn't have any broken bones I only need to breathe into a little tuby thing so my lungs don't collapse and ICE my ankle- it's so bad. Wear boots people! I'm an idiot!

Regardless I am SO GRATEFUL it wasn't worse! Sunday was bad- I was throwing up and Ryan had to carry me most places but by Monday I could at least semi-use crutches. I am so grateful Ryan was able to go to the ER with me to entertain Hailyn and he was home Sunday as well. I am still teaching and my students have been AMAZING with helping me and trying to work hard- I'm so proud of them!

Hailyn has been the hardest part to deal with- I can't pick her up easily, she falls off the couch or whatever I have to just watch and it's hard putting her in her crib. but I have realized how AWESOME people are! I have had so many offers to watch her, bring in dinner, a candy poster from one of my students that melted my heart, and just feeling the love and generosity and well wishes of so many- it reminds me of how truly blessed I am and how grateful I am to have such wonderful support and love in my life! I was truly blessed too- it really could have been worse!

In the meantime, myt INSANITY training is put on hold- and I am BUMMED! I lost three lbs in a week and I was kicking butt! grrr! this is frusterating! in the meantime, I am busting into my candy board poster, because chocolate makes everything a little sweeter...

INSANITY!

2010-02-15T06:43:00.000-08:00

Ok, some of you have heard of the company Beachbody- I did a profram called turbo jam after I had Hailyn and it kicked my butt- and there were five programs on there- but never any schedule so I'd get bored.

Enter P90X- extreme fast interval training, and I plan on doing this later (a lady in my ward has it- we're going to 'swap' after two months)

Ok done back tracking, enter INSANITY

Interval training is done at moderate excercise with bursts of intense training- INSANITY is EXTREME excercise with intervals of MODERATE excercise for 'rest'. That's why its called INSANITY- the workouts are HARD and the results are EXTREME- and AMAZING! Ryan works with a guy who is now a coach for Beachbody (we got INSANITY before they met) but he is 52 and in the best shape of his life- he has before and after pics of himself on his business cards and WOW!

INSANITY is a 13 disc at home workout routine and all you need is yourself. I did the fitness test this morning expecting it to be fairly easy and wow, I alsmot threw up- and I haven't even started the workouts yet! I figured it's only 45 minutes, I can suffer 45 minutes of anything. Again, the FIT TEST was only 25 minutes and I nearly threw up! I'd be a bit skeptical except I have had a girlfriend het unreal results with P90X and then meeting this INSANITY guy- and seeing results- yea! well, we ordered it (GOOD deal online!) and this was Day 1.

This program is not easy, it is not moderate even it is EXTREME and the results are EXTRREME! I'm excited that all I need is me, Shaun T (the instructor) and some water and BAM! it's go time! I LOOOOOVE how they have the 60 days mapped out on a chart- do this on day 1, this on day 2- I NEED that structure or I falter and take the 'easy route'. I am taking the fitness test every 2 weeks and am going t weigh myself every Sunday morning (those are rest days) so six days a week for two months I am going to be kicking and screming and sweating and crying, and ready to kick my butt into overdrive!

I'm counting on you ladies to encourage me- and I will post before and after pics (GULP!) I took the before pics this morning and I was disgusted with them- so we'll see about the after- I can't wait to see the results!

If my hubby nearly dies doing it I don't feel so bad when I nearly die- he's in AMAZING shape (he has to be for work) and it kicks HIS butt!

Getting Back in the Groove...

2010-02-09T07:15:00.000-08:00

I have a perfectly clean and organized home. I have bills paid, laundry washed and put away, groceries on hand, and no errands to run. Then I wake up and reality hits me right in the head.

I have been accused of needing to have a lot to do at once from a very early age. My mother always worried thatI would fill every moment of my day up with something then if something were to go wrong I'd be in a bind. Well, she's right. I am the sort of person that thrives on being busy all the time.

In high school I had a bazillion activities including student council, ap classes, various clubs, church, track, yada yada yada.

College same thing. I took 15 credits my first semester and then 18 the next. I then amped it up when I got married a week before finals (yup!) and turned in assignments at midnight before my wedding just to make deadlines. Teachers were amazed (we didn't go on our honeymoon to Hawaii until the end of May- I HIGHLY recommend waiting a month to take your honeymoon by the way! It was AWESOME!)

I then started working 50 hours a week as a teachers assistant while getting my Montessori certification (that's another degree essesntially) and BAM! I took 24 credits a semester to finish my BA in English- I graduated early.

My laid back, easy going husband was worried. Did he marry a freak of nature? On our honeymoon I planned out all the awesome fun spots to go, the best times to go, ect. I am a planner (sidenote, I always wanted to be a wedding planner and a travel agent- if you ever need help searching for deals in these areas, I'm your gal!) he asked can we just hang out on the beach?

the reason I bring this up is because this is my nature, to be busy all the time. Recently I finished a year and a half writing project- something I've been mulling over for the past 2-3 years, and it's done- a novel 51,000 words. I need to edit a bit, and I've written and re-written thousands of times, but its done. I feel weird. I need to edit some more! Its constantly in the back of my mind.

I'm struggling getting 'back on track'. I have lots to do, but I'm out of sorts a bit. My house needs a good deep cleaning, I hae a journaling/scrapbooking goal to complete and I also need to start my workout regime, but I'm sort of in neutral right now. Do I need to just recharge my batteries a bit? Will the ferocious beast come rise again? I don't know. Maybe she just needs a couple weeks 'off'.

I am unbalanced right now- I need to get back in a crazy routine- I function better with a million things to do! I'm going to go nuts this summer!

I WILL ACOOMPISH MY GOALS THIS YEAR! but it is only the beginning of February...
On another note, I think I'm wired this way so we could survive Ryan's rookie school! seriously, 2-5 hours of sleep a night for five months, ironing, studying, packing his lunches, buying the groceries he needed (that's a chore when you have to feed your hubby 5,000 calories a day) and take care of an infant turned toddler WHILE running a preschool? Ok, maybe I am crazy- but I love crazy. Crazy works for me. In the meantime, maybe my scrapbooking project, where I need to scan about a million photos, can wait til tomorrow...

I start INSANITY training monday- it's intense! 60 day workout- 1,000 calories burned an hour- my hubby the ff rookie school surviver said it was intense- it's called insanity for a reason- but maybe that will be my new project.
I have to get back in the groove- I'm losing my mind!

This 'big' girl...

2010-02-09T06:23:00.000-08:00

So, my beautiful daughter turned 15 months in January and between Ryan's graduation and working, well, she just had her checkup two weeks ago... (I know two weeks late! ahh!)
So here are the stats: she is freaking tall! 70-95% (31 and a hald inches! sheesh!)
her head- I dont remember circumfrance but she's 25-50% there and weight.
Ahhh the weight- she's a skinny mini- 20 lbs! yep, she hasn't gained one single ounce since her 12 month check up three months ago. She barely qualifies to sit in her front facing car seat.

Regardless, the doc wants me to fatten her up a bit. So with Ryan eating THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS of calories a day, I now need to fatten hailyn up- but not with junk. Uhhh ok. I'm thinking of adding Ryan's bulk protein supplement to her milk (JOKE OF COURSE!) but she is eating lots of things I can slab butter on! I am the only one in this house who can't eat Doritos and Zingers any time I want and it SUCKS! (not really cus Zingers are gross to me) but the same idea...

I want my hubby and my daughters metabolisms! it's not fair! On another note, here are some funny things about my sweet 'growing' girl:

She is now 16 months old today- awesome, I'm a month behind- ok so here's a combo of things she's doing!

She HAS to feed herself- HAS to! Curse and a blessing. It has resorted in me taking off her shirt (cus she takes of bibs!) so she can learn to 'feed' herself.She loves anyhitng that makes a huge mess, like black beans...another note she HAS to have two of everything- one in each hand- even if she's not eating it- perhaps for balance?

She has learned to say 'no' but fortunately she says it only when she's full...so that's something right?

She DOES say thank you! so cute! (the doctor asked if she's saying any words other than mama and dada and uh yeah- this girl is a talker like her mama!) she also says doggy, up, Jen, paps, papa, and a few others I can't remember right now...

she is RUNNING! it is the cutes thing I've ever seen!

she is still sucking those two fingers- she has since birth

she is actually pretty obedient- teaching her not to get nto ryan's contact cases he left under the sink- but still...

She's really only difficult when she's tired and hungry- same as any human being! she's so sweet 99% of the time!

She loves to do what the preschool kids are doing. She loves to eat lunch with the kids- I cut up a corndog for her and she wants to sit with them. So funny!

She is super indepedant- she loves to twist caps on and off bottles, match lids to containers, open and close boxes, she even holds CRAYONS now and she'll lay on her stomach (like the preschool kids do!) and 'color' on a paper- this makes me want to cry. She wants to be like the big kids she sees- and even though she ony sees them briefly (She naps in the morning so I can teach peacefully and she's up in the afternoon) she still catches things here and there- at lunchtime or whatever. I'm lucky to have students who are such good role models to her!

I can't believe at her next appoiontment time she will be going to nursery too! this makes me want to cry a bit! I cant believe how fast it's going! slow down a little please! but she is turning into such an amazing little girl! I just LOVE her! sometimes I have to remind myself she is only 15- ok 16 months now- and she amazes me every day. She asks where daddy is when he is working and I tell her he's working, and she understands- mamas talk to your babies! they understand so much (more than I ever dreamed of so early on!) Ok, I'm a long winded mama but this is a lot for my 'journaling' ect and since this is going to be a makeshift baby book someday- bear with me!

Here she is sampling a lemon- she hated it- and yet kept going back for more- weirdo!

see? she has to sit at the chair with the other kids-

I love these two like crazy!!!

This past month...

2010-02-02T06:33:00.000-08:00

Ok, so apparently I am updating my blog about once a month- I PROMISE to do better (I say that as I have 8,000 pictures on my camera and yet, I am not downloading them yet- what gives you ask? lost camera cord- again!) sorry!!! So here's what we've been up to:

Hailyn turned 15 months!(Jan 9th) and yes she will be 16 months in a week

She STILL weighs 20 lbs- Ryan took her to the doc and she is 32 inches tall (I KNOW!) and in the 95% for heigt and in the 5-10% for weight- eek! she didn't gain a pound in three months! I was freaking out- and I swear I feed my baby and I PROMISE I am trying to fatten her up! She had about a two week spell of umm to put in nicely, a lot of messy diapers and I think she just lost whatever weight she was gaining- I am feeding her of course still fruit and veggies and also corndogs, cookies, peanut butter, and anything with butter- muffins, toast. She is eating whatever we eat (only I try and 'fatten' up what I can!) and I think she just has her dad's metabolism (grrr!) I swear I am trying to fatten up my hubby and my daughter and really, I am trying to LOSE weight people! this is like the worst 'support' environment for that- whatever. I watch Ryan make a homemade cheesecake and he and Hailyn enjoy- grrr! Ok, enough about weight...

Hailyn is saying 'thank you' (a LOT!) and please, she loves to sit at the preschool table with her big girl cup and she even is holding crayons and pencils and making marks on the paper! yes I am proud;)She is also sayinf 'doogy' (she called him UGLY btw the other day- HILARIOUS!)

OH we have our old dog 'Mikey' back- his name is now Hurley (LOST FANS-btw it premeires TONIGHT!) and he is AWESOME! Crazy story- we found another home for him, they found another home for him (we just weren't ever home!) then some guy found him wandering around, took him to the vet- they never changed the microchip and viola! they called us- we were (well I was ultra weary) at first because let's face it- he would be my job and my responsibilty- and he needed to be kid freindly- he is AMAZING with kids- he and Hailyn are BEST friends (she goes straight to him after nap time and chases him around and laughs- she also torments him incessentaly and he takes it- poor Hurley;) and he is SO CHILL! a WONDERFUL surprise and we're happy to have him! (I do not like how gassy he is- it is MUCH better now that we give him some pepcid AC here and there!) hehe

Ryan started working his regular shifts and he LOVES his job- I LOVE having a hubby that LOVES his job- it makes life so sweet and it melts my heart seeing how happy he is

we are trying to adjust to his new schedule- ie Hailyn and missing daddy- she is wrteched the days he's working and he comes home and she is an angel- what the? ok so Ryan thinks it's cake for me all the time when really, he's the cause of her anguish some days (and mine;)

I am super busy with the preschool- my kids are TAKING OFF like CRAZY! I LOVE watching it and being a part of it!

I am SO CLOSE to finishing my novel- details to come later- I plan on being DONE DONE hopefully by thurs/fri (the main reson for lack of blogging/uploading pics)

I am going to be starting my Hertiage Makers books soon- as part of my 2010 goals to organize photos/journal scrapbook family geneaology ect.

I am teaching the four year olds in primary and I have the greatest class EVER! I LOVE serving in Primary- seriously- it's the BEST calling in the church HANDS DOWN! I LOVE my kiddos!

I NEED to start advertising for school next year...

I'm already kicking off my goals for the year (I don't do resolutions- I set goals and reasonable ways of accomplishing them and it makes my year so fantastic and memorable!)
So that's been january!! I plan on posting more- uploading pics soon- especially about my NOVEL and finishing that as well as my scrapbooking/organzing photos projects

PS I am starting Insanity training next week- in March I am also adding P90X to insanity- watch out 2010!;)

I looked forward to this more than Christmas!!!!

2010-01-10T08:12:00.000-08:00

This past weekend was one of the most memorable and special of our lives. Let me back up a little. Ryan started rookie school for the fire dept in August- it is a grueliing five months of intese training as the cadre whip these boys into men. Ryan would wake up (and usually me too!) at 3:30am, get up leave, and come home most days at 6 r 7 at night. Nights consisted of studying for hours, laundry (which I usually stayed up to do) and ironing his uniforms military press style.

Keep in mind I started a preschool teaching full time a week after he started rookie school. I also have a wild one year old daughter to take care of. I was also in the process of handeling the sale of our townhouse, which was tedious and lenghty- and closed the week before Christmas. I also got a calling to teach five year olds (now I teach four year olds) in Primary and visiting teaching. I also ran the entire household- Ryan did not lift a finger the entire academy (don't judge! I didn't let him! His sole job was rookie school because it is that demanding and I wanted all his focus on that- after all he tested for four years and finally got his shot- we were prepared to make the most of it!) I'm not saying all of this to brag about Ryan or myself, but merely to inform some people we haven't seen in months about the crazy schedule we have had. We've missed our friends. Hailyn missed her dadddy- she would see him for a second and wonder why she couldn't play with him because he was studying ect. She would call out for 'addy' for hours most days. She would cry when she saw his car and didn't see him. It was challenging for me to explain to my one year old daughter daddy's still working even when he's at home. She missed her daddy and it broke my heart. It took all my strength to be a patient mommy, to not break down in front of her, to be as loving as I could be, even on nights when she and ryan only let me sleep an hour or two. I'd get up, drink a dr pepper and get ready to tackle the school day.

Luckily, the Lord definately answered my prayers, and we got through it- and well! I have the best students any teacher could ask for, and Ryan did well in rookie school. It was all worth it for him to enter his dream job, the one we've waited worked and sacrificed for and we feel truly blessed that his and our dreams are coming true! The icing on the cake was definately when Ryan was crowned VALEDICTORIAN!! That moment my heart swelled up 20 times, and as he accepte his plaque (yea!! was so excited!) Hailyn, who decided not to nap before the ceremony and I was worried about because it was her nap time- she called out 'addy! addy!' and was all smiles. Then she curled up in my lap and snuggled me, she was so tired (but she was soooo good- it was as if she knew how important this day was!)

Ryan stayed up three hours the night before to write an awesome speech he never gave. He got up there and shortly thanked his fellow recruits who were a huge support to him and each other, the cadre who taught these guys and Ryan and trained them to be the best, and then he thanked his wife,who ran the entie household and took care of our one year old daughter single handedly. I started to tear up- I wasn't expecting that. I knew going in I would run the ship by myself and it wouldn't be easy but just to hear him say how much he appreciated it in front of all those people, that touched me so deeply. I am so lucky to have married my best friend, and a wonderful partner. Nearly all the women in the audience were tearing up, and a lady in front of me turned around and said 'is that you?' and I just nodded. She smiled and wiped a tear away. Gosh I love him! I also got a 'go Lacie!' from Darcy in the audience on the other side of the auditorium! We also heard he was on the news and it showed him getting pinned as the valedictorian!

We then celebrated at Pei Wei's with some family and friends (and a chocolate Nothing Bundt Cake!)and then went to Lake Las Vegas where all the academy (plus one!) went on a cruise and ate dinner and sang karoke. We had such a blast! There was an awesome cake shaped like a rescue engine and Ryan got to cut it, and we just had a blast. The rest of the (Hailyn free!) weekend we enjoyed eating out, relaxing, going to the movies and hanging out- on Saturday I slept eleven hours straight then went back to bed for three more hours- my ody literally had a physical reaction to the lack of no sleep for five months!

I am so proud of all of these guys, they all worked so hard! I am so proud of Ryan for sticking it out and enduring it- and enduring it well! I am proud of myself for surviving. I'm proud of my sweet little girl who hung in there even when she didn't understand what was going on. I am grrateful to family and friends who were patient and understanding of us, who still love us even when we were exhausted, or we didn't see those we wanted to for a while- you guys were always with us in our hearts and we look forward to being able to have relationships again! I am grateful to the Lord, because He definately saw us through this, and we are ever so grateful!

What a wonderful way to kick start the new year!

goals, index cards, and mirrors...

2010-01-01T09:14:00.000-08:00

Ok, I have many new years resolutions, I've actually been preeeeeety decent about keeping them- I have a trick- I write one goal on one index card and tape it to my mirror so I'm either forced to look at my goals every day or not to look in the mirror (sometimes option two wins- RARELY though;)it REALLY works! we DID sell our townhouse and move, and there were only two goals at the end that have made headway but are not accomplished yet- (longterm goals people!) one is to tone up and attain college weight again (I did not gain a freshman 15- I actually lost weight and toned up in collge- same for my wedding!) so reach that goal, and to finish my novel which I actually work on quite a bit- that will be done soon (pray for me!) anyhow I digress... anyhow, one of my goals is to organize my house, my photos and my life- in terms of photos and journaling, well this is a stepping stone. I have every intention of online scrapbooking because lets face it- if I get the glue and paper cutters out, they won't be going away for a while and I have an issue with 'finishing' projects. So for now, I am going to catch up on some pics and post a few here and there- I've been told I'm a tad negligent with my blog- so here are some pics!

Hailyn went as Woodstock for Halloween- she has the hair already! my wonderful sister got her a Woodstock Christmas singing toy (that she said 'sorry it sings so much but it REALLY

PS- I find her here often-she loves to hang out in the shower...

The past decade...

2009-12-31T13:55:00.000-08:00

So while watching a news special on the last decade in history, it made me think of my own personal history and the events that have unfolded in ten years- here's a BRIEF glimpse:
-Ten years ago, I was in HIGH SCHOOL, getting my license, and trying to understand why boys didn't ask me out! (LAME BOYS!)
-My mom passed away Oct. 2000 from a four year battle with colon cancer
-my stepdad got remarried August 2001 and I inherited five more stepsiblings
-we moved out of my the home I grew up in to a new house
- I graduated high school and made it to collge (barely) alive
- went to college and went out on a lot of interesting dates- confirmed my decision to go on a mission
-met Ryan and started dating
-wrote to Ryan for two whole years
-got an Associates of Arts degree in Dec 2003
-got engaged Dec 2003
-started dating when he got back- totally changed my mind about the mission- I found Mr Right and the timing was meant to be!
-moved back from St. George
-GOT MARRIED!!! (April 24, 2004) and moved into our first one bedroom apt- aww
-went to Hawaii on the honeymoon!
-started working at Montessori school and fell in love- started to get my Montessori certification (sept. 2004)
-STILL working at HDOS (Hot Dog on a Stick- yes I wore the funny hat!) and worked my way up to asst. manager- or asst. to the reginoal manager (OFFICE joke-jk!)
-spent our first thanksgiving in Flagstaff (TRADITION! LOVE IT!)
-bought our dang townhouse in Feb 2005 (big ohhhhhhh insert here!)
-got our precious dog BAILEY
- worked, worked worked
-GRADUATED with a BA in English in Dec. 2005- went on a snowboarding trip to celebrate! merry christmas!
-got our (WAAAY overpriced) English Bulldog
-found new home for said English bulldog (buh bye Mikey!)
-MEXICO anniversary trip!! SOOOO fun!
-quit my job at Montessori school
-goooooot pregnant!
-Ryan got accepted to rookie school and is pursuing his dreams!
- survived 32 excrutiating hours of labor to welcome our gorgeous baby girl Hailyn into the world!
-sold dang townhouse and moved (looooong process!)
- opened a Montessori preschool!

and the craziness continues!!! I left out some stuff for many reasons (yes it was even crazier than that!) but these are just MOST of the major highlights- it's been an exhausting decade! I went from high school to collge to marriage and having a child this decade- I'm exhausted!!! so I hope 2010 is a bit mellower, but through all the changes, losing my mom, to becoming a mom, I have grown so much more than I ever thought I would have to- and for that I'm grateful. I'm ever so grateful to my amazing husband, who works so hard, perserveres, and is just plain wonderful- I'm so lucky to be with him forever! I love him SOOOOOOO much it's crazy! and our gorgeous, amazing daughter who brings so much love and joy to our hearts, we are crazy for her! Through everything I am so very grateful to the Lord, who has known my needs when I haven't, who has blessed us beyond words can describe and who always has a plan, even better than my own, and always provides a way for us. I am truly blessed and grateful for wonderful family and friends, who stick with me through thick and thin, who know I love them even when we can't see each other as often as I'd like. I hope you all have a wonderful 2010, work hard for the things you want but remember if you trust in the Lord with all thy heart He will direct your path toward righteousness (proverbs 3:5) Happy New Year and God bless!

A Letter from Jesus about Christmas...

2009-12-03T09:34:00.000-08:00

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them..

3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up... It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5 Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember :

I LOVE YOU,

JESUS

* I saw this on Krista's blog and I think it's something to be shared- so share it! Remeber the true meaning of this season, it's to remember Christ ALWAYS and through our actions-they always speak louder than words. God bless and may you all have a Merry Christmas!

Wish List...

2009-12-02T18:35:00.000-08:00

So while Santa is making a list and checking it twice, I decided to make up my fantasy wish list- here it goes!

1. Ryan to be done with school(s) this is happening VERY soon!
2. a super duper organized and always spotless house (if you are one of these super organized people and are looking for a gift to get me- come on over!)
3. laudry to always be done and put away
4.The food/fit factor- eat whatever I want and aays look an fel trim and i shape-alo not to age:)
5. my biological father to move Utah
6. to be an expert cook (or at least find healthy meals my hubby will eat!)
7. no debt and a flowig bank acount;)
8. to be rid of the townhouse once and for all
9. finish my novel
10. to be really good at journalig/scrapbooking/documenting events
11. Travel where I want when I want!
Santa- I've been good this year- help a girl out!

(SIDENOTE! I do have MANY amazing blessings- wishes already come true- a gorgeous, wonderful hubby, a beautifu daughter and our health- so this list is rlly fo fun- ad sort of for goals too- many of these will happen in the next few months! Finers crossed!)

Let the Chirstmas Countdown begin!

2009-11-30T20:01:00.000-08:00

So, in keeping with my vow to not be a basket case like last Christmas, I kept my promise to be 'more on top of it' this year. I already had the decorations up, a good majority of the shopping done (and wrapped) and addressed Christmas cards today- that's right, this year I'm super on top of things- Christmas wise anyway. In terms of my laundry and picking up toys and clutter, well, that leaves a great deal to be desired.

So all I have left is a few gifts to shop for, assembly and wrapping of said gifts, and put the cards in the mail- and get a few last addresses- if I don't have your address and you would like a Christmas card, please email it to me or leave a comment- that being said I'm excited to 'enjoy' Christmas a little this year...

Let the Christmasing begin!

Lucky 13!

2009-11-16T07:50:00.000-08:00

Hailyn is 13 months (plus) old now and she is a BLAST! Along with her 'mowgali crawl' where she walks with her butt in the air, her, gimpy army crawl where she drags one leg behind her this girl is a bonafide walker (ok, maybe not bonafide, but she walks like 50% of the time!) and she CLIMBS on everything and FAST! LIKE REALLy FAST! She also has a rock climbing grip (we learned this when she was hanging on the edge of the dryer- such a daredevil!) and this girl TALKS! 'Hi mama' is her newest sentence:) and she loves to wave and say 'hi hi hi' (yesterday she SHOUTED it to the man sitting behins us in church and he grinned- Hailyn was in HEAVEN!) This little cutie pie keeps us on our toes because she loooooves to climb and explore everything like no one year old I have ever seen, but she is the sweetest thing ever. She just LOVES other kids (hope that sticks for future family planning!) she is so easy, so mellow, so content, so funny, so smart, so clever, so happy. She is the sweetest little girl we could have ever asked for, and I love to see her growing and learning something new everyday. She is still a tall skinny thing. Maybe one of these days I'll get on my game and post videos and more pics, but for today, i'm going to enjoy my little explorer!

Surviving November...

2009-11-04T05:39:00.000-08:00

A few random tidbits...

yes I still need to post Hailyn Halloween pictures- I've been too lazy to download them. There I said it. I am using this blog as mainly a guide for 'to on-line scrapbook later.

You see I used to keep all my pictures in a file box to scrapbook- I am finishing up high school now- yes- seven years, two college degrees, a marraige, a child and a career later, I am now finishing up senior year in HIGH SCHOOL! I go a million miles an hour- and if something doesn't just strike my attention, then well it goes on the back burner. So this blog is merely to remind myself to hey- compile that later Lacie! Good thought indeed- at least Hailyn will have some record of her life! My goal is by Christmas to get my scrapbooking (online of course, I can't deal with gluesticks and paper cutters anymore). We'll see how I do.

To be fair, life has been CRAZY busy- like insanely busy. I'll spare you most of the details for now but it is NUTS-anyhow I have an insane goal on top of raising my daughter nearly on my own, teaching, callings, normal life stuff to finish and polish my novel. End of november. Possible? Yes! Will it get done? Er yes! Wish me luck- I hope I survive November...

HAILYN'S FIRST BIRTHDAY!!!!

2009-10-30T16:57:00.000-07:00

I can't believe my baby is ONE YEAR OLD already! yikes- and yes I am JUST getting around to posting these pics- I've been a tad busy- whoops! Time sure flies, and we celebrated in true Tidwell style at one of our favorite places- FUDDRUCKERS- and we were lucky to have lots of family and friends come to celebrate. Beware-there are a LOT of pictures!

Aunt Jen, Uncle Steve, and cousins Nate and Nicole came- yea!!

So did good freinds, Laura, Ryan, Brandi and Seth and Brandon and Sandy. Aunt Em, Ucle Ry, cousins Chance and Mav, and Amber and Pete came too (those pics had issues downloading- I'll try flickr-dang blogger!)

G-Pa Ben and Nana came...

Here's Hailyn's ice cream Sleeping Beauty cake- a huge hit- I think we're going to do an ice cream cake every year- yes, she had two cakes:)
Brandi and I- and lil Gracie:) we are so lucky to have such awesome friends!
Hailyn's birthday outfit- SO CUTE!
She was more interested in eating the 1 birthday candle than the cake...

Celebrating one with Seth- I love her face in this pic!

family shot!
birthday outfit...

Her Tinkerbell cake- and flowers for me! 12 months of motherhood- awwww...:)
Mimzy and Hailyn...

Aunt Melanie stopped by and she got some really fun toys!

tuckered out from partying! this lil girl sure is loved- thank you to everyone who came and celebrated this milestone in Hailyn's life- it sure was a fun party! She sure is a decked out lil lady- she dressed better than me (not for long!) and she also recieved some wonderful toys and a much needed amazing high chair! I just cannot thank everyone enough for all thier love and support of our little girl and our family-we love you all so much!!!!

Time REALLY does fly...

2009-10-05T05:25:00.001-07:00

My beautiful daughter is turning ONE on Friday!!! ONE!!! ALREADY????!!! Not to sound cliche but it REALLY feels like yesterday when I was in LABOR for 32 hours (at the hospital people!) after pushing for literally an eternity she was here! Born on 10-9-08-SO COOL! Bringing her home and that special time with her was incredible serene and peaceful- I look at her newborn-ness with a deep love and longing- a special nostalgia- that time was so precious and all it went by all too fast. She will be sitting in a front facing car seat. Her infant-ness is well, gone. But her SWEET, LOVING personality is showing all sorts of new sides- I haven't hit a 'bad; age yet:)

I'm going to be doing a proper birthday post complete with the adorable pics but I just HAD to get it out there! We're celebrating at this awesome place on Friday OCT 9 at 6:15 if anyone would like to come~ mmmmm....burgers with melted cheddar cheese- please insert on my thighs! HA! SO YUMMY! We'd love to see you if you can make it!

LONG overdue pictures of the classroom...

2009-09-10T19:26:00.000-07:00

This is looooong overdue- and these few pictures really don't do the classroom justice- but these were the only ones I could upload to blogger for some reason...

This is the short bead stair on VINYL! Thanks to this lovely lady and her wonderful business I was able to get the short bead stair on vinyl (as opposed to me cutting out PERFECTLY round circles out of felt for hours and hours) Thank you Sammy!!!I JUST got it today and even this afternoon it has been a most helpful tool (thank you to Amanda as well for the lovely letters and numbers) the vinyl REALLY makes the classroom look amazing- I am so lucky to have such wonderful people in my life who will help me out and make my classroom marvelous- THANK YOU GUYS!

Here's the math section- I'm still waiting on my seguin boards and some golden bead material but I can wait a few months for those- doesn't the short bead stair look awesome? I jumped up and down when I got it- literally! I'm so excited about it!

A view of the circle where we do work (on mats) and circle (note the yellow lines on the rug-it's where the kids sit) The sounds on the wall indicate the language area of the classroom (shelves) also note the science and geography section...

The tables (note the broom and dustpan hanging on the wall next to the snack table- the children serve and clean up their own snack) and the table (our old dining room table) that Ryan sawed the legs down on so the kids can sit easily there. Also the easel- a huge hit at school. On the other side is the practical life and sensorial areas...

The pink tower came today- isn't it beautiful? The children LOVE it! We opened it at circle today- they have been waiting patiently for it. Also the continent puzzle came yesterday...

Teaching is going VERY well- I ADORE my kids- they are amazing and I am so VERY lucky to have such wonderful kids and families to work with this year! It's exciting to see the Montessori method take such root in these kids' lives and to see them absorb so much! I am also very lucky because I have a lot of very supportive people to help me- I can't do anything without them- I am so grateful! Thank you to everyone for your continued love and support- we are in full swing and things are going along amazingly!
PS if you are ever at my house expect a full tour of the classroom!:)

Study Buddy... (and 11 months down!)

2009-09-10T18:59:00.000-07:00

This beautiful girl just turned 11 months old! I still can't believe it- it's flown by! She is now entering toddlerhood and stands for seconds on her own- she's nearing walking- although I'm ok wiht her just crawling for now- because even then she's too fast for me...

Hailyn LOVES anything we are eating (and has for a while). She espeicially loves her cheese puffs and her cereal puffs. She continues to love Diet Coke, Dr. Pepper (yes, I know! she has little sips from a straw at Fuddruckers!) twinkies (she had them at Aunt Jen's and LOVED them!) french fries and lots of other unhealthy things! She feeds herself and has for a while, and she talks- a LOT! Basically the only differences are that she is nearing walking and that she LOVES seeing my preschool kiddos here and there- just the presence of other children brings her such delight!She is still the wasiest, smiliest baby and we just LOVE her!

Ryan has been super SUPER busy studying lately and Hailyn thought he needed a study partner...

Come on dad! let me help you study!

Ha ha! My plan worked! snuggle time!

These pics are to document that 1. Ryan is still alive and 2. that Hailyn is SUCH a daddy's girl!
I just LOVE these two...

Because I know you all care so much...

2009-08-28T18:37:00.000-07:00

It finally happened. I almost didn't belive it WOULD happen- but the Montessori materials I ordered nearly a month ago have FINALLY arrived!I PROMISE I will post pictures of my classroom soon-but I thought I'd give you a preview of the BEAUTIFUL materials that I recieved...

The geometric solids- found in the sensorial section of the classroom, beautiful, blue solids where children learn, well, three dimensional shapes...this is exactly how mine look- GORGEOUS!

These are numeral rods- they teach the basic concept of gradation, size, and quanitity (this IS one) it's found in math...

This is the trinomial cube- the binomial cube come first- but they are on backorder- sigh...but it's found in sensorial and it is pre-algebraic- a+b=c concept...

Beautiful knobless cylinders- they teach size, volume, diameter, and gradation- again found in the sensorial area of the classroom it is a pre-math work. It goes along with the knobbed cylinders, which sadly I cannot afford. Anyone have an extra $90?

The moveable alphabet, found in the language section- after children master thier sounds, they use the alphabet to write words- it's brillant- absolutely brilliant...

Constructive boxes! Again found in sensorial these teach shapes and size. Like everything in the Montessori classroom, it progresses from the concrete to the very abstract- simple to complex.

Sadly my pink tower, binomial cube, continet world puzzle map and control map did not come yet. With how they ship, it could be a while. I have to use Adena Montessori,sadly, budgeting is a big issue for me, especially starting out. I still have to order many more supplies, such as this and this

nd many other things- too many to list. So I am praying that money wise it works out, and am really prioritizing what I need right away...

I PROMISE as soon as I find my camera charger I will take pictures and download them of the classroom- it really is looking fabulous (even if I am missing my favorite work, the pink tower

Along with my fantasy wish list- maybe Santa will come early this year?
(Note to self: fantasy wish list: C030,C040,C060,C070,Co80, C081,C094,C095,C161,C182,C207,C208,C216,D022,G005,G210,A010, A1011, A020

Then there's this amazing site...

I could max out my credit card here so easily.

On that note, it is time for me to search deperately for my camera charger and keep chippin' away until someday I have all the materials I need. I have enough to start with Monday- and that's a huge blessing.

I am so grateful and appreciative for everyone's offer to help, for donations people have made, and encouragement everyone has given me. As our schedules and lives are super crazy busy, it is so comforting to know I have love and support, and boy do I need it. I cannot thank everyone enough! I am so grateful to you all, and I couldn't have done it without you. Thanks for believing in me as I take on this brilliant, and slightly crazy idea of opening a Montessori preschool. Thank you for letting me share a bit about Montessori with you.

Wish me luck! I promise pictures to come- (the classroom really does look awesome!)
Love you all!

Great Success!

2009-08-21T20:50:00.000-07:00

I buy clock radio...he cannot afford...great success! Ok just a little quote from a hilarious favorite movie of mine! haha!

But really the Open House went amazingly well! I got to meet some amazing children and thier parents, and I am SO excited about the school year ahead.

I think (I HOPE!) my parents and other wonderful people who came got to see what I'm actually doing. I converted my entire downstairs into a classroom. Literally, the whole downstairs, and it is nearly as big as my classroom was when I taught at a private school here in the valley. I also hope they came away with a better understading of the Montessori method and why it is successful. This preschool is unqiue, and after seeing it first hand, I hope my parents got a feel for what I will be doing next year- a truly unique educational experience!

I am like my friend Janssen, who won't post pics until everything is situated (which is why I have yet to post pics of my house- ha ha! soon!:) My materials were supposed to be here on by Thursday- the day of the Open House- it got postponed until WEDNESDAY! So I posted pics of the materials I ordered and placed them on the shelves- and my parents and students were so understanding and so supportive!

I feel truly blessed to have such amazing kids and parents- and I have to thank everyone for their love, support, donations, offers of help, encouraging words during meltdown moments, and all and all people who believe in me, and believe in what I'm doing. I am truly grateful to you all, and I am so lucky to have you in my life!

So I promise, once those materials arrive I WILL be posting pictures of the classroom.

SOUTHERN HEIGHTS MONTESSORI SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE

2009-08-20T07:02:00.000-07:00

Today's the day! The school debut! It's the first annual Southern Heights Montessori School Open House/Meet and Greet. Interested parents should come! Enrolled students can come see thier new classroom. It's going to be an exciting night, and I am so excited to bring the Montessori method to more children.

Despite the fact that a majority of my Montessori materials may not arrive until Monday- like they always say...the Show must go on! I will set up my classroom to the best oof my abilities!

So come tonight if you are interested! It's at my home at 6pm- leave a comment or email me if you need directions! See you there!
lacie_tidwell@yahoo.com

Just around the corner...

2009-08-19T06:31:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the school debut! The preschool is hosting it's first annual OPEN HOUSE! It is tomorrow at my house at 6pm for any interested parents... (let me know and I'll give you the address, ect.)

The classroom is coming along...I am STILL waiting for the box of Montessori materials I ordered from Adena- and I'm starting to get a little panicked they won't be here on time. Tomorrow is the latest they should be here, but I wanted them today at the latest, a day to set up, observe my classroom, ect. I just pray they are here by tomorrow, just so I can show off the coolest teaching cirriculum on the planet! Pray they get here today!

It has been interesting setting up my classroom, juggling the sales in corralation with paydays, with what is donated- it has been interesting! There are still many supplies I need, my classroom is halfway set up, and there is still a lot of paperwork and cleaning to do. I am excited to host the school's first Open House...I'm also a wreck to host it! Pray that I make it through this alive...(and that I get my materials today!) Wish me luck!

In the Swing of Things...

2009-08-14T02:40:00.000-07:00

The preschool is coming along! My Relief Society presidency stopped by last night and they were super awesome and didn't judge the state of my house- I told them a preschool is in the works and my house should be ready to go by Thursday OPEN HOUSE DAY! I am just PRAYING my materials make it here in time for it! I am VERY nervous about that. Anyhow, I just had to update all you faithful blog readers and tell you about the progress.

I have recieved AMAZING support from some friends! I was able to get all of my mats, trays, tweezers, tongs, spoons and other accesories from a donation through one awesome friend (again, praying PRAYING they get here by Wednesday!)

Others have donated books, games, art supplies, and some other materials that will greatly benefit these children (thank you thank you thank you!)

Yesterday I even got an amazing easel! I have been itching for an easel, but $200 for an easel right now. Simply impossible. One of my former parents who I ran into the other day donated an amazing easel her kids no longer use along with books, tactile letters, math counting games and some langauge building materials. I was dancing I was so excited- seriously! This is such a HUGE releif!

I still have a few donations to pick up as well, including two table desk witing tops that are going to be amazing, more art supplies, and various other things. I am SO grateful to everyone for their generosity, love and support as I carry out this ambitious task of opening a preschool, singlehandedly, with no money, while my husband is insanely busy- is it crazy? yes, slightly- but who would I be if I didn't do something 'crazy'- after all- Einstein was considered slightly crazy too- but I'm far from Einstein:) So all you donaters (yes you get a tax break;) are also enablers-aiding in my madness- and I am forever grateful to have such wonderful people who love and care about me (and this school) THANK YOU!

The standard Montessori classroom typically costs at LEAST $7000 to set up. I am setting it up for maybe 1/10 of that- and that's even a stretch right now. I've been counting on people's generosity and thier need to 'clean out the closets' or donate $5, $10, $20 ect here and there- it makes a huge difference! There are still some things the school needs and if you have them in your home or are willing or able to donate anything listed below please let me know. Your generosity is greatly GREATLY appreciated. We still need:

2 square ziploc tupperware containers
a tub of brown modeling clay
washable paint in a variety of colors (red, blue, green, yellow, orange, purple)
paintbrushes
watercolors
crayons
markers
gluesticks
colored pencils
writing pencils
electric pencil sharpener
construction paper in a variety of colors (red, blue, orange, black, green, purple, yellow, pink, ect.)
art supplies: paper plates, googly eyes, pom poms, pipe cleaners, glitter, sequence, gemstones, beads, mini bells
Tissue paper
books
games (hi ho cherry-o, candyland ect. for after school activites)
puzzles

Please let me know if you are willing to donate any of these items to the school. Again,I greatly appreciate all the support and generosity you guys have shown me! Thank you!

PS I will post pictures soon of the classroom, as soon as my materials arrive!

Granted...

2009-08-11T07:58:00.001-07:00

Granted- not everything in life is supposed to be easy or fun- I CERTAINLY know that feeling.

But after going through the ordeal with our house, other paperwork, ect and learning HOW to get things done- I mean READING the contracts and fighting tooth and nail to get things 'justly done' I am WIPED OUT- but I am becoming a somewhat amateaur-pro- if that makes any sense. I am learning 'loopholes' and the injustices of Countrywide, credit card agencies ect- and I am starting to come out on top. But I am worn out- this goes beyond typical 'just paying bills' decorum- it is writing letters, making calls and putting on the bulls horns- and I've think I've nearly mastered it- a psuedo lawyer if you will.

Well now my next endeavor is to apply for grants for the school. Now, I love grants- the Pell grant along with some scholarships paid for my education. The process of applying for them was annoying to me at the time- it is NOTHING compared to writing an educational business grant. Now, I hate filling out W2 forms- it's tedious and boring to me- but a necessary evil for sure.

I hate this even more. I now know why more people don't apply for grants- they don't want to put themselves through this hellish ordeal. I'm halfway through one application and I want to gouge my eyes out just for some entertainment- mostof it is I just don't know what they want me to write- its a foreign language- even for an English major! ahhh!

Maybe I'll survive this process and get a little seed money to get supplies- maybe I'll just start a bikini car wash to fundraise- any volunteers willing to wash cars?

Wish me luck- I pray I make it through this alive...

TEN MONTHS

2009-08-10T08:49:00.000-07:00

Ten months ago (yesterday) I was in the hospital, holding with one arm my sweet little 8lb bundle of awesomeness. Yesterday she turned ten months old- double didgits here people- TWO WHOLE HANDS! She's officially in the double digits with the months and I feel like it's slipping by too fast. But just when I think she can't get any cuter- BAM! SHE DOES! Some adorable cute things she does now are:

She eats GROWN UP food- like what Ryan and I eat for dinner- I still give her jars, but she's definately more interested in what we're eating- ever since she stole that french fry at Fuddruckers she's like- 'wait, this is so much better than the stuff I get- let me at 'em!' She likes: papa johns pepporoni pizza, chocolate mufffins from Costco, powdered donuts,ice cream, milkshakes, DIET COKE (thanks Paps-ha!)Dr. Pepper (thanks mom! ha!)cake, watermelon, strawberries, occasionally pickles, canteloupe, pasta, FIREHOUSE (she is so our child!) and of course Fudd's and pretty much anything else we give her as long as she can gum it and mash it well. She has a sweet tooth- don't know where she gets that from (ha!) She is a great eater- and she packs it away!

She loves to swim and therefore loves bathtime

She talks like nobody's business- she's moved fro saying 'a-da' to daddee (with a lil zip on the end' mama, shooz (shoes), hapeee (again with the zip at the end), up, puppy, baby, and yesterday in church she said pleeze and thak ewww(I'm going to go on a limb and say she was saying 'thank you') but please WAS clear. I've been asked- how is she so verbal- well have you met her mom? ha! I talk all the time- she gets it from me!

She is (knock on wood) such a sweet, easy going baby! We set up a high chair that clamps onto the counter top for her in library, give her some snacks and she smiles and greets all the members coming in for materials- we call her the assistant librarian. She sits by our feet and just plays quietly in church- I PRAY my next one has a similar temperament- she is so easy going and easy!The only time she is unhappy is when she is cutting a tooth

She has such a funny personality! She laughs loud- and cute! She's already a social butterfly- and she loves to greet everyone

I maintain she's going to be a dancer- she is STILL crazy felxible, and she likes to dance like crazy

Remember a couple of months ago when she did the 'rhino' (breathing while her nose was scrunched up?) now she clicks her tongue- a lot and its FUNNY! Mimzy (Ryan's mom) taught her and she does it ALL the time!

She's already walkiing just holding our fingers barely- I give it a few weeks until she is full on walking- and then she'll be on the move...and I'll be in trouble-ha! she's quick!
She is so sweet and so fun- she has seven teeth now, almost eight- probably this week

I could never imagine how WELL she just FITS with us! She is SUCH a blast- I know I keep saying that but she keeps getting funnier and cuter everyday! I dreaded ten months only because she's not going to be my 'baby' much longer- she's already eating toddler foods- but it is SO FUN- ten months old ROCKS!!!!

Fun note- she shared her ten month mark with her Uncle Steve's birthday yesterday (the 9th) HAPPY BIRTHDAY Uncle Steve! Hailyn LOOOOOOOVES her uncle Steve- and so do we!
And yes- I will post pictures soon! I'm lame I know- still can't find my camera cord...help- I have a LOT of pics but no cord:(

The strength of three men

2009-08-05T09:16:00.000-07:00

So I know I haven't been the best blogger lately. I always thought when I wans't working 50 hours a week and I was finished with school I would have all this free time. HA! Motherhood has proved me wrong! I work 24/7, don't get 'sick' days, and still maintain the roles of menu planner 'chef' (in the looser sense of the word, I make sure food gets on the table;) chauffer, laundress (my new term for laundry maiden) accountant (which right now is a juggling act I've nearly perfected_ and an acitvist against robbers (Aka Countrywide;) all while finishing my novel that I am writing- yes I am writing a novel- it's always been a goal of mine to write a novel, and OPENING up a preschool.

To put things in perspective, On Three Men and a Baby- it took THREE men just to raise ONE child- well la de da- a woman (at least this one) has the strength of THREE men and 15 other fulltime jobs. Not to toot my own horn but I feel a lot like Wonder Woman with all the craziness I'm going through- yes I am aware it's self inflicted.

But I like being insanely busy- I always have enjoyed having a TON on my plate- and polishing it off one at a time!

Oh- and working out to lose the last 15 lbs- hooorah to me for making it this far- still a ways to go.

So I'm NEARLY there! I'll keep you posted on my crazy endeavors- right now the goal is to order a bunch of materials and get more shelves(crazy story- huge sigh!) with no dinero- we shall see how that pans out.

My classroom is looking awesome by the way-I'll post pics soon- and I am hosting an Open House on Aug. 20 at 6pm for interested parents- let me know if you want details!

Wish me luck as I knock this all out!

PRESCHOOL JUST AROUND THE CORNER!

2009-07-28T13:52:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, I am opening my very own Montessori preschool- and it starts on August 31, 2009!

My mission for the school is provide a quality Montessori expereince for young children, so they are introduced into a nurturing enviornment that is intellectually stimulating.

As a budding new school, I am starting with humble beginnings, and it is very expensive to get started! Many people have asked how they can help me with this goal or opening a Montessori school in a valley where Montessori is not very well known. Therefore, I have included on my sidebar a donation button via paypal- so if you would like to help out, you can do so safely. Any donations received will go towards Monessori materials and building the school. Any donations, even $5 donations are GREATLY appreciated and DO make a big difference!- and again, I want to thank everyone who has supported me and encouraged me along the way- thank you all very much- and thank you for your continued support in making this Montessori preschool a success!

Nine month update

2009-07-15T10:58:00.000-07:00

Ok, so we officially went to the doc for her nine month checkup today (only six days later not too bad- we had stuff going on last week!)

Here are the stats
Height: 29 1/2 inches 90-95%
Weight: 18.5 lbs25-50%
Head: 44 inches 50%

So my kid is extrememly long and skinny. I PROMISE I feed her! She eats a ton of baby food and our table food all the time, she's just skinny. So, I am going to introduce juice (finally) I tried at seven months and she wasn't interested (she loved french fries then though!)

I can't decide if she doesn't like the apple juice, the sippy cup or what- we started of with a Nuby sippy cup that was defective and now have the Playtex sippy cups that work GREAT but she isn't interested. Hmmm...

Her iron is good- which is great because when her anemic mom was breastfeeding, I didn't have enough iron in my milk- the Enfamil formula works great!

Speaking of formula I have TWO containers FULL of Similac Soy formula- my daughter isn't a soy baby- and they're good until next year- anyone need Similac Soy formula? Or know anyone that needs it? It's yours, just let me know.

Any thoughts on the sippy cup scenario?

NINE MONTHS OLD!

2009-07-09T13:36:00.001-07:00

Nine is DIVINE! Hailyn turned nine months old today and it is SO much fun- I'm going crazy with how FUN it is!

She is full on crawling- no more army crawling for her
She is pulling hersle fup on furniture
She is geting into Bailey's dog food bowl (ahhh I'm watching her CLOSE!)
She has said mama and dada a lot before- but yesterday I swore I heard her say 'shoe'
She used to be a daddy's girl- now she is lovin' her mama (yeah! although sometimes I wish she'd be a 'daddy's girl' for a minute:)
She has her two bottom teeth, two front top teeth and two side fangs
She loves to grab french fries, baked potatoes, anything else she can 'mash' she loves all food (including ice cream!)
She celebratd momma's 25th birthday recently (dad's 27th birthday was in May:)
She celebrated her first 4th of July
She went on her first beach trip to Cali and she LOVED it- she's a beach bum for sure
She LOVES ice cream- loves it! (she is so my daughter:)
She talks ALL the time

We are having SO much fun with her it's crazy- it's going by WAY too fast. I recently went through all her clothes to some to a friend and I nearly cried looking at how LITTLE her 'going home' outfit was and how she SWAM in it- even at 8lbs 4ounces. She was so little- and now she is so big.

We love this little 'narcissit':)

SCHOOL SUPPLIES:

2009-07-08T05:48:00.000-07:00

As many of you know I am opening up a Montessori Preschool in August (there are still spaces to enroll!)

While I have a majority of the supplies needed for the school, there are still many things I need that would help the school run smoothly. If any of you have these items around and would like to donate them to the school, I would be very appreciative. Leave a comment and we'll figure out a time for me to pick the item(s) up.

Puzzles (appropriate for ages 3-6)
Games (appropriate for ages 3-6)
small spoons, small tweezers
art supplies (pom pom balls, pipe cleaners, glue, glue sticks, construction paper, small scissors)
small plastic trays
vinyl art mats
dress up for 3-6 year olds
CD player
CD's music for 3-6 year olds
libary books for 3-6 year olds
musical instruments for 3-6 year olds (bells, traingles, tamboriunes, ect)
chairs/small couch or bean bag chairs for library area
and I'm going on a stretch but if any of you have a small table with chairs they are no longer using please let me know! (or if there is anything you thik I could use that you would so kindly donate please let me know) thanks a million for all your love and support while I climb a mountain the size of Mt. Everest (at least that's what this feels like!)thakns guys!

CHECK IT

2009-07-07T09:39:00.001-07:00

Once again I am struggling uploading pics to blogger- whatever! I have Hailyn's first beach trip and 4th of July pics- as well as some cute pics of my almost nine month old (thursday!) uploaded on flickr- check it out! I will still try and post some on my blog- and I will post pics of my house- as soon as my classroom is set up and pictures are hung- I promise!

Sunglass Justice!

2009-07-02T08:58:00.000-07:00

Remember these beautiful BEAUTIFUL sunglasses?

Remember how they were stolen by the Caribbean ocean? Remember how I cried when the ocean swallowed up my beautiful present from my adorable hubby? Remember how I still mourned my sunglasses (yes, I loved them a lot) Goodbye beautiful sunglasses- here's the last documented picture of me wearing them before the ocean stole them...

Well...this morning when I went to make Hailyn a bottle, a long silver box greeted me. A note on tope of the box read: I thought you might like this- another note greeted me inside the box that read: 'after a long, drawn out legal process, the courts found the ocean guilty of theft and therefore responsible for replacement of said stolen item. oh yeah justice'

I have the cutest, sweetest, most thoughtful hubby EVER! I just adore him- I'm so lucky! I love you babe- thanks for pursuing 'legal action'- I LOVE my new sunglasses (Well, new and replaced?) the most thoughtful birthday present EVER! Thanks for being so wonderful!

(discalimer: I love the glasses so much because they were a thoughtful present from my hubby- not because they were glasses themselves- and I love the exact smae pair even more because of the wonderful thoughtfulness- plus they are super cute!)

The BEST 'lemonade' diet...

2009-06-25T18:03:00.001-07:00

While I am lazy about finding my camera cord and unpacking my house, I had a random thought.

Many of you know I used to work here when I first got married. I was on my feet, constantly moving, stomping the heck out of that lemonade. I also ate there-every time I worked. Cheese on a stick, Hot do on a stick, fries andof course cups and cups of the sugary lemonade. I went on the (Master Cleanse) lemonade diet back in January- the HDOS lemonade is way better...
So, how much weight did I gain working there?

Not a single ounce.

A part of me wants to work there again- the best 'diet' I've ever been on.

(and yes, I did wear the funny uniform, hat and all)
(and yes, I STILL drink the sugary lemonade and no I won't tell you how much sugar is in it- a lot!)
Oh and I told people I was a manager for HDOS Enterprises- which is the truth:)

Peace of Mind

2009-06-15T19:45:00.000-07:00

So, my house is coming together and thanks to Keri who slaved away and used her genuis brain (thanks again- a million times for letting me 'use' your brain today! I OWE you- had fun with the kiddos too!:) my house is less junkified, and ideas for a beautiful space is well in the works- I will post pics soon- I still have to find that pesky cord. Keri, again, I envy how you look at a space and see things I NEVER could- I love you for it. I have been beating my head against a wall with what to put where and how to do things and in two minutes you have a genuis plan- one that clicks, makes sense, and should've been there all along. Your interior desginer brain is absolutely amazing! I love you to peices- thank you again!

So I am now entering a calmer piece of mind- I have little left to 'put away' I know WHERE I want to put it- and the rest involves hanging up curtains, pictures, mirrors, ect. I think my house will be completely put together by WEDNESDAY! That's right I said Wednesday.

There is nothing better than order and structure within a home. I know thatI just FEEL better, more at peace, when my home is in order and it is warm and inviting (and aesthetically beautiful) an interior designers brain is different than my own (Keri:) but it is one I need to borrow knowledge from now and again- Keri, I learned a lot today (and had fun doing it too!)

So my home is become my peaceful sanctuary once again. Order and beauty are replacing chaos and plastic bins.

Life is falling into place...and I'm loving it! Visitors welcome!:)

Costco v. Sam's Club

2009-06-12T19:08:00.001-07:00

Now that we don't live within walking distance of Costco, we are back to sqaure one swapping between BOTH Sam's Club and Costco- and we are torn. So here are pros and cons of both:
Costco:
PROS:
we have a membership
they have the mix and match muffins
they have my Hawaiian Chicken Bowls
Enfamil Lipil Formula is currently on sale for 24.99 for 38ounces- sweet!
they have better hot dogs

CONS:
they are now far away
the lines SUCK!

Sam's Club:
PROS
Enfamil formula is always 27.99 for 38 ounces (Costco is normally 30.98)
the have Hailyn's Gerber baby food 2nd in bulk in fruit and vegetable packs-awesome
they have TGI Friday's Cheddar and Bacon Potato Skin Chips
the lines were not long
I can usually 'check in' on my brother who works there-awesome!

CONS:
we DON'T have a memebership (we 'borrow' my mother in laws- yes I'm that 'frugal' we used to have memberships to both!:)
they don't have my cheesesticks (Costco does)
they don't have my chocolate chip chocolate muffins

So as you can see there are pros and cons to both- overall- I was VERY happy to go to Sam's today as oppossed to Costco- and I think our Costco trips may be fewer and longer in between (if anyone ever wants to go to Costco call me up and let me know!) It is now a 'trip' to go-sigh.

I know this post just THRILLS you- but I needed something 'light' to blog about while I search for my camera cord and escape (momentarily) the aspects of opening up a school in the fall.

School Names!

2009-06-10T10:07:00.000-07:00

So, now that we know where we are living and I have the space, I am working on setting up my classroom. I decided to change the name of the school, because I really think this school has potential to expand, and I want a name that is going to 'fit'. Some ideas I have are:

Southern Valley Montessori or
Desert Valley Montessori

I am open to new suggestions and your input- GRACIAS!

Eight is Grrrrreat!!

2009-06-08T14:24:00.000-07:00

Well, Hailyn turns eight months on the ninth (tomorrow) and while I need to take pics and upload them- I cannot find my camera cord- ohhh the joys of moving. I WILL find it and post pics soon, as well as update you all on our lives. It sure has been a busy month!

Hailyn goes in for her final kideny test tomorrow- they were supposed to do it when they did the ultrasound but in a lapse of judgement, they don't have nurses at that particular Steinberg Diagnostics to do that particular test. So tomorrow we go to another one. Her ultra sound and other tests have come out wonderfully- nothing to report- and hopefully tomorrow's test will be the same.

People say that you won't be able to know about your child's personality until later on. I knew the minute she was born and she wasn't screaming but calmly looking around and observing everyone that that would NOT be the case. I knew my daughter would be observant of everyone, extremely aware of her surroundings, quick to love those that love her, wanting to party until she is so tired she is forced to bed and a chatterbox. She is the sweetest, smiling, sassy, smart, very aware of herself, surroundings and others, and loves to laugh.

The minute she was born I knew instantly she belonged in OUR family. I always wondered how a child(ren) would fit in with Ryan and I's life- we were SO happy being just us two- and Hailyn has honestly only added to our happiness and love. It was as though she were 'custom' made for us- she just fit right in- and I knew she spent a lot of time with my mom in heaven, because sometimes she gives me a smile or an expression and I know it's my mom sending a quick little 'hello' to me. She even has my mom's eye coloring. I also know she was having fun playing with grandma in heaven- because the girl took her sweeeeeet time coming to her earthly home! sheesh girl! such a diva to take her time!

Life has been wonderful, busy, crazy, a tad stressful and awhile lot of wonderful lately- I PROMISE to post pics as soon as I find my camera cord- and thank you to EVERYONE for all your love and support of us during this 'transitional' time! Love you all!

Waiting Game...

2009-05-23T06:15:00.000-07:00

So, Hailyn has to go in for more testing next week and an ultrasound to make sure her kidneys are working properly. I am chalking it up to they want to make extra certain my little girl is 'perfect'. I think she's fine- and I've learned to harness and listen to my 'mommy gut'. It's usually right on (I think the Spirit may have an influence on that as well).

So my life consists of dealing with ridiculous people, fixing thier mistakes (trained 'professionals-whatever!) and dealing with a possible move, possible career changes, and writing like a mad woman and navigating 'motherhood'. The 'uncertain' path that is ahead of us in the next couple of months was driving me a little crazy- I am a planner to the "T" and this 'maybe this will happen or maybe that will happen' is DEFINATELY a test for me. I like to plan my life down to the last detail, and I am constantly being reminded that Heavenly Father has His own plan for me so I need to quit being so stubborn and go with the flow (which is why I think Ryan and I ended up together- he is my ying to my yang). In my defense, I have been the only one to look out for me in my life- so I don't know any different, and I'm proud of the 'progress' I've made in being more 'flexible' with life plans. (I'm certain I'm not alone here) life never really turns out the way you plan it to-and for a good reason. God's plan is always better.

So my life is like a giant waiting game right now...and surprisingly I'm ok with that! So that's our deal right now...neither of us has a clue! HA! Life sure is grand though...

Seven is Heaven!

2009-05-16T19:18:00.000-07:00

Wow! I've been so busy I spaced talking about my little angel. Hailyn is now seven months old- and we celebrated Mother's Day the same weekend- awesome! So on Hailyn's six month mark she cut her first tooth- on her seventh month mark- here's number two! She has her two bottom teeth and we think she'll be getting more soon- the ridges are ready- my little teething monster!

So Hailyn sits up by herself but not for too long...she scoots forwards and backwards but has for a while...but she gets her legs underneath her and gets mad because she gets stuck. It's pretty cute. I actually wonder if she'll crawl at all, she may just start walking (like me- I did the same thing!) so we'll see what happens- she loves to scoot backwards in church underneath the chairs in front of us whgile trying to reach forward and touch my toes
(she loves the bright colors I paint them- she usually has a matching color- mommy daughter pedicures!)

Aside from teething, she is the sweetest, easiest baby ever! She is so sweet and LOVES people- and her laugh absolutely melts my heart. She has her daddy's smile and my mother's eyes, and she has my feet. I think she'll be a dancer too, like me- she's tall and skinny and likes to move her body!

She has eaten rice cereal, oatmeal (which she likes better than rice cereal), pears, peaches, apricots, green beans (which she did not like too well) sweet potatoes, applesauce, carrots, bananas, banana pudding and she really likes Dr. Pepper (he he- she's only had a sip of it and she liked it a lot-yeah we know good parenting) We are going to introduce the sippy cup soon and juice (I don't want to rush things) probably this week.

She is a daddy's girl for sure! She's been feeling crummy this week with teething and once daddy gets home, immediately she goes to him, the sit on the couch and cuddle and she's content there in her daddy's arms. I love seeing them together, Ryan is such a good father...and Hailyn sure loves him (and so do I;) She says dadadada all the time- except when she isn't feeling well and then she says mamamama- we just love her to pieces...

I need to better about writing things down- time is going by so fast! I also need to be better about uploading pictures...I'll work on it!

Scary Mama Drama

2009-05-16T18:44:00.000-07:00

Soooooo Hailyn's been running a fever with teething- no sweat, Motrin, Orajel, the works and ride it out right?

Well, today when I got Hailyn up from her nap she was blue, and shivering- I pick her up and she's burning hot. I knew in my gut this was more than teething. I give her a swig of Motrin, grab my diaper bag (note I didn't PACK the diaper bag I just grabbed it!)

I RUSH her to the doctor- I mean RUSH her- Ryan is working on a friend's house and didn't take his phone. I call my sweet mother in law and she meets me at the doctor.

Her first words: She doesn't look good hon.

I know! I'm SHAKING I'm so scared- the whole car ride over I am worried because I don't hear a peep out of her. Ryan's mom calls Ryan's dad and he drives over to where Ryan is to go get him ( I LOOOOOVE my in laws!!!!) I check her in and I'm trying not to break down and Ryan's mom is comforting her.

Because of her high fever she is seen IMMEDATELY- no wait at all. 103.8 AFTER the Motrin- ahhh! So we go to see the doctor and I'm expecting to hear ear infection or ear ache. Nothing. They need to run tests. They will do a urine test (which means putting a catehter in my tiny baby girl) to see if it's a kideny problem and if not, they'll do an X-Ray- if nothing comes up then it's off to the peds ER. I am trying not to cry. Hailyn is doing enough crying for the both of us. I go to prepare a bottle- I have ONE formula packet and NO water- note I didn't PACK the diaper bag- I get ahold of Ryan and he brings some more formula. After the urine test we found out Hailyn has a kidney issue- we're trying out a certain medication and if that doesn't work we'll re-assess her treatment- and thankfully we caught it early (we hope).

Fortunately my home teacher is our pharmacist (and we LOVE him) and when I went to pick up meds, he filled it for her immediately (and he wasn't even supposed to be working today- tender mercy I think) and he's coming to visit us tomorrow! It's nice to have him a phone call and a street away.

So now we are in for a long couple of nights- we hope this medicine fixes her kidney problem...I need to take her to the pediatrician next week.

I am exhausted, and tired, and praying my sweet little girl feels better soon.

I NEVER want to see that again...but I know it's only the start with the mama worries...

Lucy- you've got some 'splanin' to do!

2009-05-11T06:27:00.001-07:00

As many of you know, I am an "I Love Lucy" fan. I admire how Lucille Ball was one of the first 'women comedianne' pioneers of her time, with a classic comedy show in the fifties.

I always laughed at the 'innocence' of that time. Lucy and Ricky, for example, slept in seperate beds.

I know think this is a revolutionary and brilliant idea.

We recenlty purchased new satin sheets (70% off! woohoo!) so excited about the steal of a deal and the fact that our lovely Eyptian Cotten sheets had a huge tear in them, I was excited to try out the sheets and get a fabulous (and much needed) night of sleep. *This also stems from the fact that I have battle with a good night sleep as it is almost every night-not because of my daughter who normally sleeps really well, but because I've struggled for years

So my hubby suddenly decides he LOVES to hog all the sheets. This left me freezing cold last night. I got maybe four hours of sleep last night.

Maybe Ricky and Lucy (Ryan and Lacie- gotta love alliteration!) were on to something. Perhaps thier arrangmenet wasn't about propriety, but the fact that Ricky hogged the sheets and Lucy was tired of being freezing cold. She was a pioneer for women comedians, why not a revolutionary idea of seperate sheets. Maybe Lucy was ahead of her time, she probably got tired of being cold.

Once Ryan left for work I tried to get more sleep, but once it's light out forget about it.

Now I've got to decide, keep the sheets that were a steal-and he loves (even though my hubby wraps himself in them, leaving me to shiver) or look for a more shareable alternative. I LOOOOOOVE my hubby, and I won't resort to seperate beds, but I can see the appeal (from a shivering in the night perpective).

Ohhhh what to do?

On Motherhood...

2009-05-08T17:59:00.000-07:00

So the inevitable Mother's Day is approaching on Sunday. I have never been a big fan of this holiday for personal reasons, but as a new mom, I felt I needed to TRY and embrace the holiday slowly but surely. Instead of focusing on what I don't have, I try and focus on all mothers and the amazing things they do everyday- the small, unnoticed, somewhat trivial and yet all too important tasks they do every single day.

When I was teaching (50+ hours a week) and going to school (24 credits a semester) and compleating my Montessori certification, I thought wow, I can't wait to be a stay at home mom- it'll be a cake walk next to this packed schedule I have.

I said that prior to having a child. My baby girl is sweet, easy going, and normally it's a breeze to go through day to day life with her (with minor adjustments)- it's a different story when she's teething. I will now declare this statement to the world- I have never been busier and my life has never been crazier than it is right now. I am certainly eating those words, thinking that being a stay at home mom would be less busy than my 80 hour work week.

As a mom, I can't call in sick (although my husband can). As a mom I HAVE to feed her, even when I don't feel well, I have to make sure my daughter's needs are taken care of. Yes I am aware that my needs are a priority and I have that in line, it's just a matter or you can't do what you want to do when you want to do it. And sometimes, you listen to whining...a lot of whining...and when your husband is sick, it's even more whining...

My house is never clean. Ever. I 'get on top of things' and I turn around and BAM- it's a disaster again...grrr...Yes my daughter is seven months old and can't make that much of mess, but yet it happens all the same.

So my eighty hour work week is now 24/7- just like all moms out there. I realize starting a business is hard to do, especially when you are moving and taking care of all the details is another full-time job altogether.

So as much as I typically do not enjoy this day(I usually ditch church this day...there I said it...yes bad mormon Lacie) it is STILL hard for me. But I am trying to become the best mother I possibly can be to my sweet little girl. But that gets me thinking...

Will I have the strength to let her learn from her own mistakes? Will I have the courage for her to face obstacles in the world? Will I have the discipline to make her work hard, and not spoil her, so she learns how to function in the world? For her to know joy, she'll have to learn pain- or will she be wise enough to learn from mistakes others have made? I want my daughter to grow up and be selfless, kind, smart, savvy, to marry a wonderful man, to know the joys and heartache of raising her own family, and most importantly to stay close to her Heavenly Father. The question is, do I have it in me to be this kind of mother? Losing a mother gives you a perspective that nothing else can compare to- and sadly, it's a lesson learned when it's too late.

I guess I'll take it day by day...

Being a mother stirs up all these crazy emotions inside me, especially this time of year. This is the first year I am viewing mother's day in a new light...to honor all those selfless women who sacrifice for others. For all of you lucky enough to have your mothers (even if you have dysfunctional and imperfect relationships) realize they are human, they make mistakes, and cherish and learn from them while you can.If your lucky enough, give your mom a hug, call her on the phone. I hope all women, those who give to others selflessly, enjoy thier mother's day...

HATS!

2009-04-29T19:50:00.000-07:00

-MOMMY (DOUBLE full-time 24/7)
-Wife (full-time as well)
-Chauffer
-'Chef' (this includes buying food, planning meals ane executing said meals)
-Maid (my house was so much cleaner when I worked outside the home and didn't have a baby)
-Landscaper (ok, I REALLY need to work on this more but hey it still gets done-sort of)
-Accountant- and that currently includes ADDED stress with Countrywide...ugh...and paying bills, balancing a checkbook ect. people hire LAWYERS to deal with this garbage...
-personal assistant- this includes making sure everyone has doct. appointments scheduled and all other needs met
- school counselor (people are hired full-time for this job, yet it falls on me to make sure my husband's school things are in order- why? I still don't have an answer for you!)
-therapist- nuf said (another full-time gig)
-and I am currently finishing writing my novel (another full-time deal)AND opening my Montessori school in the fall
-oh, and church jobs- serving in RS and getting my visiting teahing done

so if I added these jobs up and was making the salaries of all these positions, I would be a MULTI-MILLIONARE! Women, we wear a lot of hats- because we CAN (and we sort of have to) Men can only focus on one task at a time- no offense men, it is the way it is... Here's to women and our many hats we wear!