Talented Guy

My husband is not for hire. The neighbors wanted to know how Matt learned to do the retaining wall and fence.... he learned by doing. It's been a long process since fixing up a home requires time and money. Well, we've been short on both, so the progress on our front yard has been done in baby steps. Matt gets all the credit. He's had help from our friend, John, and I've been instrumental in offering lemonade, moral support and keeping the kids out of the way. Next on the agenda is new gutters or a paint job on the trim. We're working on it.

My kids will be free to roam in the confines of our front yard. (With me looking on, of course)

I look forward to it!

There are two gates that still need to be put in. Stay tuned for the cool lights that Matt is going to put in the posts to light the path. He is a technical guy, afterall... gotta have the cool stuff.

Nice job, Matt! We appreciate it! (So do the neighbors).

'Tis the Season!

One of my favorite things about this time of year is Dreyer's Peppermint Ice Cream. I love this stuff!! It is only 110 calories and 3.5 grams of fat per serving, which means as I am eating a HUGE bowl of this, it's equivalent to about half of regular ice cream. (this totally makes sense in my head...)

It is so, so yummy!! My love for it started years ago when I had a season pass to Disneyland. I would go visit Abigail (she worked on Main Street in the Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor) on my way home from work and splurge on Peppermint Ice Cream. Yum!!!

So, now there are two of these containers in my freezer and I am sure that we'll buy a couple more before the year is out. I really love this Peppermint Ice Cream!

The Family Picture Fiasco

We attempted to take family pictures today to include in our Christmas cards to send to our marvelous friends and family. Note to self: next year, take pictures in September.

So, we had an appointment at the studio at 11:00am. We got there a few minutes early to find Matt a matching shirt. With much success we checked in right on time only to find a completely chaotic portrait studio with a ton of families standing around. Were they behind?? Yes. By 30 minutes, we were told. Off we went to walk around the mall to pass the time away. We returned to the store and found out that there were 3 parties ahead of us. Luckily, the Disney-Pixar movie CARS was playing. Levi was happily entertained as Dylan played with Daddy away from the masses. At 12:15, they assured me that we were next. By the time we got in there Levi was completely uncontrollable and Dylan wanted a nap and a bottle.

I hadn't taken a diaper bag (we had an appointment and thought we'd be gone maybe an hour / hour and a half.... At least I had snacks and bribery for Levi. It's hard enough to get two kids to look at the camera at the same time, but add in the fact that neither of them want to be there and lost their happy smiles an hour ago.... well, let's just say that if you get our pictures and Matt and I look stressed out, you'll know why.

After waiting to see our proofs, pay for the pictures and get through the crowds, we walked out of the studio at 1:52pm. This almost-four-hour process was not what we had planned. Overall, I wouldn't say it was a loss though. Really, up until the last hour and a half, we were doing fine and everyone was happy and it was all okay. We did have great family togetherness, so that is a plus. However, next year I think I won't pick the Thanksgiving / Christmas time period. It's quite popular and there are way too many people. I don't want to chance it. Just wanted to share.... Learn from my mistake and bad planning. But, by golly, I hope the pictures turn out cute!

Just Thinking...

I find it interesting that it takes months to lose weight and then only a week to gain it all back. The same goes for other things that can be "ruined" fairly quickly. You can be chaste your whole life, and then one mistake will mar that record. Or, you can spend hours cleaning your house and children can immediately restore the living room to it's previous state of messiness. I am sure there are hundreds of other things that can be classified into this type of problem. I'd love to hear what horrible (or positive) things can be altered so quickly. I suppose you could be poor (or just trying to survive financially, even if you aren't poor) and then win the lottery (what are the odds of that??). That would be another type of (fairly instant)change.

What do you suppose the purpose is? Are things like this a lesson in humility or self control? Hhhhmmmm.....

Blessed.

Two years ago I married Matt. It was the right decision and I've never regretted it. I love him and am so happy. He is a fantastic husband, an excellent, attentive father, and a good man.

We are so blessed.

Happy Anniversary Matt! I love you!

I'll never do that again...

Back in 2004 I decided to run a marathon. I wanted to see if I could run 26.2 miles. I never ran in high school or had a desire to run, period. However, I do like challenges and that is why I successfully completed that marathon.

I think that marathons and running are kind of like childbirth. Up until I got an epidural with Levi the pain was horrible. Yet, later I on I forgot about the pain and side effects and I had another kid....

I got another brilliant idea to run a half marathon. Seeing as how my hip went out during the marathon at mile 18 and was quite painful, my mom suggested that in the future maybe 13.1 miles would be a better idea. I elicited the help and companionship of my dear friend, Lavina and she and I ran a half marathon yesterday. (Really... it was only yesterday? It already seems so long ago). Below is a picture of me, after the fact, really, really tired.

It took me 2 hours and 38 minutes. I walked for the last 2 miles. It didn't feel so bad afterwards. 3 hours later I was vomiting and it continued for the rest of the day and into this morning. I called my RN friend and she said that I am most likely dehydrated. I still feel ill... very ill. And that is why I will never run a half marathon or full marathon again.

However, I did successfully lose 13 pounds since I started training, so that's a nice bonus. I have nothing else to prove though. I think I'll go back to bed.

Randomness

I always read about "Thankful Thursday" on people's blogs and have yet to write a similar post. However, today I am feeling grateful for some random things and thought I'd write about them.

I am thankful for brussel sprouts and green beans. I think these are so yummy and good for me. Plus, they are so filling after eating them. Yum!

I am thankful for Grandma's tapoica. I miss her and I miss the special treat she so often made me. (She is still alive, just 6 hours away. I love you Grandma!)

I am thankful for shoes that fit. Golly. What a difference it makes in my life to have comfort when walking and running. I love it! (Thanks Mom, Dad, and Matt)

I am thankful for fine point black pens (preferably made by Pentel). I just think they write so nicely and the ink flows well.

I am thankful for the rain on a day I don't have to go to work. (that's not today)

I am thankful for the colors purple and blue, gerbera daisies, dark chocolate, and pretty paper.

8 month report

This darling little boy is 8 months old! Time sure does fly. He weighs 19 lbs and has 6 teeth (and is growing a few more). Dylan can climb, crawl and get around with the best of them. He is fast, persistent, and constantly putting things in his mouth. He is currently practicing standing and holding on with one hand, then letting go briefly before he falls. It is cute to watch. He loves the bathtub, doing anything with Levi, and being held. Oh, and he loves food.

We sure love him!

Artwork

Levi made this fantastic picture today without any help at all. (I simply wrote the title of it). It is a person in the rain with an umbrella. I think he did a great job. He is also quite good at writing his name!