I love greeting cards.

I can honestly spend an eternity in the card section thumbing through greeting after greeting. 

The ones I fancy most can, rest assured, be found behind the humor divider.

Unfortunately the genre of laughter I possess is somewhat of a donkey nature, usually slipping out in beats of three, from deep within the bowels of my throat.  

And though I have gotten rather attached to this curious noise throughout my 28 years of life, it still seems to throw off my fellow greeting card shopping customers.

 

Here are a couple of the cards I received for my birthday that were applauded with the donkey laugh seal of approval -

(From The Beloved and our offspring)

I believe this card was purchased after reading one of my recent posts -

you can just feel the overwhelming sympathy :)

(From my mother and sisters)

No more disclaimers for you Mom :)

Now on to the present section (hurray, I love the present section) -

The Beloved spoiled me rotten with clothes, clothes, clothes - and also pink ear phones... I'm in love.

We also had a little pool party at a friends house - super enjoyable!

(Yes, that is The Beloved, and he did shave away his super awesome hair and manly beard.

No, I do not know why his eyebrows look manicured...and yes, he seems to have an identity crisis every six months and has to change his looks completely. Good thing he has such a handsome face :))

Look at those frightened faces - preparing to be flung in the air.

And now, the reason why I look so sweaty and gross in all of my birthday pictures and everyday thereafter:

 

My marvelous parentals and outstanding sisters purchased this little beauty for my birthday.

Oh, the spoilage of it all!

Do the Basketball Gods Hate Me?

Please head down memory lane with me for one moment - traveling

down a portion of a post made back in April (not to worry, I have highlighted key words :) :

Why did all of my teams thus far in the NBA lose their games?

Heat - Bulls - Nuggets - The Thunder

*Why do I hate the Jazz so much? Why did Daron Williams get a tattoo of a birthmark on his arm? Isn't that what it looks like? And Boozer... yuck... screams diva to me.

Sorry, one more b-ball vent and I'll be done.

*Is it naughty that I'm a tiny bit happy that LeBron is hurt? I hate that he is so good. So utterly cocky I can't stand it. I love that Michael Jordan doesn't react to his silly little gestures. No matter how good you are - Michael will always be better in the history books.

 

Now for the heartbreak:

Last week Lebron announced that he would be leaving the Cavs and will be joining the...

HEAT!!!

But wait, basketball fans, that's not all.

Boozer also made an announcement.

He just couldn't be left out could he?

He is going to be playing for none other than...

THE BULLS!!!

Are you as horrified as me?
(For those of you in Utah who are simply happy to be rid of Boozer, do not respond. That would be unkind.)

How am I to respond next season? What if the Bulls do really well and make the comeback I've been waiting for, for over a decade?
And the Heat?
They could win a championship!
Which is my greatest desire for my close friend Dwyane Wade (what, you don't think we're friends? :) - 
but....
then there's Lebron...

I have no solution.

But, things change I guess.
I can't imagine having a change of basketball heart right now (or even ever, especially when it comes to Lebron and Boozer), 
but down the line, things do inevitably change.

Take this hat for example. Looks pretty new huh?

Ten years ago I loved, loved, loved the Lakers (pre-knowing-Kobe-was-a-slime-ball-era).
I was thrilled when the Lakers won back to back championships. Hence the hat -
Recently, Little C has taken up playing baseball and is performing marvelously.
Before his last game he asked me if he could borrow a baseball cap. I said sure, and he started digging through the hat box.
When he met me at the van I saw him sporting my decade old Lakers hat. The tag which had accompanied the hat for the last ten years had, in Little C's excitement, been ripped off.
I must admit, I felt a little empty inside.
My hat.
It's funny how we get attached to stuff -
I had never displayed the hat.
I am sure it is worth nothing.
I don't even like the Lakers anymore.
IT HAD BEEN IN A BOX FOR 10 YRS !
time to let it go...
so he wore it to his game,
and he did super.
Stuff is just stuff -
and watching him run around the bases in that over sized, purple Lakers cap was the most joy that hat has ever brought to me.

Wow!

Multitasking at its finest -

Bathing, potty training, and ironing  - :)

My Man-

Happy Birthday Beloved-

Thanks for again sharing your new clothes with our toddler,

and your kisses with me.

We love your guts!

Now: MOVIE TIME!!!

In celebration of his b-day The Beloved wanted to movie marathon it up!

Our amazing neighbor watched our kids for 8 hours while we were at the theatre - loooovvvve it.

(FYI - you have to say "love it" like the girl Siamese dino on Dragon Tales - trust me, you'll like it.)

Car Ride -

Displaying our faces of anticipation:

Just between you and me, I really need to work on my anticipation face.

Striding toward our seats - ready to embark on our -enjoying a movie without having any children extravaganza-.

Sweet!

He looks pretty buff huh? Whoot whoot!

First movie:

Let's just say we're in love with this movie and I am pretty sure we'll be part of the A Team soon. It's one of those movies that you just get cooler by watching.

Tis true.

Look at us sporting the cool factor. It's practically written all over our faces, right? 

Maybe yes, maybe no?

Anyway, continuing forward -

Iron Man 2

(HA - totally the wrong photo - oh well...)

Probably would have liked it more if we hadn't seen it directly after A team.

Too bad...

We did take a long enough break between movie #2 and #3 for The Beloved to contract food poisoning.

Here he is immensely enjoying his toxic food... just give him a few hours...

that cheerful up-beat smile will be long gone.

Poor guy. Sorry honey.

Luckily for me - I just ordered onion rings.

All this resulted in was bad breath -

which was way more manageable.

Third movie -

Robin Hood

Definitely enjoyable. An entertaining prequel -

but didn't make me feel any cooler.

:) which always makes me a little sad.

Beloved,

I love you -

I love celebrating your birth!

You complete me in every way -

 Thank you for being three years older than me because it makes me feel young.

You're my best friend!

I am excited to be on the A team with you.

HAGS

(do you guys remember that? - sorry I couldn't resist.)

 And

I'd just like to end with this:

I like your beard. :)

*** hint: if you're clueless, listen to the song :)****

I'll probably be blogging a lot more -

Since he is back in school.
Yes he,
The Beloved - is back in school. Apparently he's addicted.

And truly it is great - he's getting his MFA which hopefully coupled with his MBA will bring in the dream job of the century.

But until then (since The Beloved is either at work or doing homework), I will whine to you - or maybe just tell you things you really don't want to hear about. Especially you, Elder Patton - I'll try to warn you in advance. This may be one of those posts where you want to stop reading... soon.

Let's make a deal - whenever you see this sign %%%%% that means stop - but when you scroll down and see it again that's where you can return to reading. Sound good?

So the sadness but greatness of my life:

%%%%% :)

I matured this week -

okay, that just sounded weird-

I mean,

I made an incredibly mature/realistic decision and I am here to report about it.

I have officially joined the Kelly Ripa bra size club-

 and if she's proud than I guess I can be too.

Obviously after 3 kids a body is bound to change, but there's something about seeing the actual size on the bra tag that makes you finally comprehend that your chest really is as small and depleted as the image you've been seeing in the mirror every morning.

But you realizing it and then having to purchase the bra - and then wondering about the possibility of the cashier seeing the bra size as well... oh for the love! I compare it to buying contraceptives while shopping with a cart full of children. Oh my goodness.... the cashier is going to know that I'm... ya know...

hello -

LIKE IT ISN'T ALREADY OBVIOUS!! -

and it's the same thing with a bra.

I have been in self denial for a long time.

I still have hard feelings against a woman named Waffa who worked at Dillards and measured me before The Beloved and I were wed.

She told me I was a 34 Kelly Ripa size and I walked straight out of the store.

How dare she! The nerve!

I then strolled into Victoria Secret where I was measured once again.

End result: I hugged the employee and told her she was invited to my wedding when she declared I was a 32 B (which is the equivalent of a 34 Kelly Ripa size :)) -

but gosh going up one letter in the alphabet sure made me feel a whole lot better. 

But today I did it - I walked in - head held high -

And purchased the correct bra size.

And how do I feel?

 Absolutely Horrible -

and I still hate Waffa.

Okay - for the benefit of my mother:

I am really not overly consumed with my chest. I realize I am "so much more" than my bra size and I am sorry for the crude analogy.

Also, I don't really hate Waffa. I just feel really bad for her because her parents named her Waffa.

Oh my goodness, I am being horrible.

But, you have to admit - you laughed a little bit a couple of sentences ago.

%%%%%

Oh gracious, I am grounded. :)
I'll go wash my mouth out with soap.

How do you know?

You know you have a good daddy when -

He responds happily when receiving a teal body pillow and Goosebumps video from his children - 

gifts they picked out all on their own.

And when they crawl all over him to assist in reading his Father's Day card.

Finally -when the 2 year old insists that the pants his father opened are really his - and then the dad obliges to try them on the toddler -

You know you have a good daddy -

We love you Dear -

thanks for being the amazing man that you are.

P.S. the teal pillow is not a replacement for cuddling with your wife.

P.P.S. the teal pillow must be placed underneath our bed during daylight hours -

for some reason it just doesn't blend with the surrounding decor.

Teachings

8:00-10:30 a.m.

Little C engulfed:

a bowl of cereal,

two German pancakes, and

lumpy mush.

He's still begging for something to eat.

I told him to drink more water -

half the time when you're feeling hungry you're really just dehydrated.

Plus, I said, I can't feed you anymore. You are growing up entirely too fast for me and I want you to stay little for just awhile longer.

That earned me an, "Oh Mom!" - I love him :)

.

Later on when I was running on the treadmill down in our storage room, I looked back and noticed Little C playing quietly with his toys. I had already been pondering the music I had recently downloaded on to my MP3 player - a little JayZ - I love his new song -which had lead me to downloading some of his old songs - one in particular "Dirt Off Your Shoulders".

Oh my word!

That one is going to have to be deleted.

I remembered that, that must of been a song I enjoyed in my "past life" :) but there's no room for it in my PG (once in awhile PG13) life that I love.

....life that I love -

it's true-

and at that exact moment I looked back at my handsome  seven year old and felt ultimate happiness.

Happiness that comes from repentance, change, and being valiant in living the gospel.

I know that my Heavenly Father loves me -

which enabled me to change-

and now Little C knows that his Heavenly Father loves him-

From the teachings of their fathers, right? -

 how many times does it say that in the scriptures?

(a sign that is hanging in our storage room by his "club area" - I couldn't be more proud :) )

I've been graduated from high school for ten years now, and though I won't be attending the reunion since I live so far away, I've often thought,"Oh I could never go back there. How embarrassing/humiliating to be around people who knew the old me. People who witnessed some of my most horrible decisions -

no thank you." -

but, an ever increasing thought has been coming to my mind lately about Alma the Younger -

How he went forward and never looked back. 

Going forward, having faith in the future, sharing what you know about Jesus Christ -

displaying that change is possible -

that's the way to live.

Ten years ago I know I hoped for the life I have now but didn't know if I had the self discipline to attain it.

Luckily the "teachings of my fathers" were supreme -

and have not only blessed my life,

but will also bless the lives of generations to come.

So a big shout out to the "fathers"... and mothers :) in my life.

Thank you.

Scenery

This is where we live.

It's easier to forget the mountains don't exist out here when the trees go on for miles upon miles. The first time I drove to a ward playgroup I was surprised to find that all of the parks are located within forest preserves. I felt like all of a sudden I had been transferred to the mountains and had forgotten my tent to go camping. We love being able to drive a few minutes away and play in the woods.  It is so beautiful and green, which is obviously due to so much rain fall and we have completely fallen in love with it. If the rain doesn't fall for a couple of days we miss it.

The humidity is heavy but it doesn't have a negative affect on me. (at least in the warm seasons :) )  It reminds me of Hawaii or Mexico and everyday I step out on my back porch I feel like I am on vacation. And who can complain about that? 

I must admit the winter was harsh, snot freezing cold, but the spring, summer, and fall make everything worthwhile.

Still Thought I'd Share -

The Mother's Day

Photos -

Here are my men hard at work preparing me a wonderful feast.

(The Beloved really is a happy man... I'm pretty sure:) )

All of my wonderful surprises-

Somebody trying to steal my surprises :)

When The Beloved prepares a meal it usually turn out perfectly -

and this one wasn't any different. It was delicious.

And now I must proudly display the Mother's Day pin Little C made for me -

exceptional -

I love it.

And he reminds me to wear it everyday :).

Snippets of our lives -

Do your kids ever act so ridiculously naughty that it's cute?

Our two year old has hit a stage where he hates, hates, hates eating dinner.

And so he has started putting himself in time out because he knows he will end up there eventually.

But he doesn't drag himself there alone - he grabs his older brother saying,

"Come on Little C. Time out."

Then when they're released from putting themselves in time out they celebrate.

And I laugh.

I can't help it. My kids are too cute. I am doomed.

I try and remind myself, "You are the parent - be mature - stay strong."

But somehow my past memories of my own naughtiness override and I can understand why what they're doing seems so absolutely hilarious to them.... and to me.

Proof of the cuteness:

Pirates are extra loveable right?

These next photos are a little sad -

Here's the cool Little C, busting out awesome poses in his masculine Spiderman robe -

Here's the little brother trying desperately to outdo his older sibling not realizing that it's just not as cool when you're wearing your mom's pink robe.

Update:

Little C is almost done with first grade. When he grows up he wants to me an American Idol/Exterminator. He is reading so well and like to read every sign he sees. Girls chase him at recess everyday and scream out that they want to marry him. He tells us he thinks this is so gross while trying to hold back a smile. I must proudly relay that he cleans his own bathroom, vaccuums the floors and stairs, helps with dishes, makes beds, and cleans walls and door handles wonderfully. He tries to get his chores done as quickly as possible and then rushes outside to play for the rest of the day. His skin is so dark from the sun he doesn't even look related to my pasty white self.

Gadashio is working on his public speaking. This desire was discovered by his parents when we heard his voice on the microphone last Sunday (I swear two seconds earlier he had been standing right by me).You would imagine a two year old scaling the chapel podium (since there was no stool in sight) after the fifth Sunday lesson would be obvious. Apparently you don't notice them until their voice is booming over the loud speaker.

When we asked the only witness, Little C, why he didn't stop him he said,

"Because it was too funny."

And I, understanding this sentiment, Laughed in My Head or LIMH if you will.

Side note - I am so anti acronym - LOL - dumb, I think that is the first time I have typed it in my life and at this very moment I am feeling quite repulsed. So, since I hate them so much I have decided to invent my own.

Makes sense right? Nope, not really - but I am now introducing you to LIMH. So enjoy and remember who to give the credit to.

The Baby is adorable and very in tune with letting you know how he feels. He rolls around the house from one end to the other but is very uninterested in crawling or walking. If he doesn't know you he'll give you the stink eye but smiles at those he loves. He laughs and laughs at his older brothers but starts screaming when they get too close because he knows danger could possibly be closing in.  He loves to wrestle and throws out a few growls while he's caught up in the mix.

I must admit - I was born to be the mother of boys.

They are right up my alley.