Sometimes a Toga is Necessary

An MFA = Mandatory Toga

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(Elder Patton, this isn't horrid but use your own discretion. The word naked may be appearing a few times.)

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Sometimes it's great having a talented husband and sometimes it just causes random naked people to show up in your home.

Okay, maybe not random and definitely not in the flesh (thank goodness), but let's just say way more nakedness than I am  typically accustomed to.

Right now The Beloved is in the middle of his figure drawing class -

Lovely. 

-Figure drawing... hmmm... a little misleading and too innocent sounding. -

So, for all of you artsy fartsy people who think the body is beautiful, more power to you, but one small reminder: the word FARTSY is included in your character description.  Most people don't like fartsy or.... nudes. Shoot. Sorry about that.

I must admit, when I found out that The Beloved had to purchase a $300 statue of a naked woman for his class my mature side thought - no problem. But when the statue arrived, being taller than my two year old and having zero resemblance to the chubby hairy nudes I'd seen in previous art classes, I was a little dismayed.

She's really naked, like current nakedness, not centuries ago nakedness. There's a difference. Who knew? :)

Well my domesticness got the best of me and I made this chilly little darling her very own toga. And I think she feels so much better about herself.

The Beloved's art studio really is pretty cool and his class has consisted of more than just the clothing impaired.

 

But be warned, I have no idea what we're going to do with this statue once the semester is over... so you'd better watch out, you'd better not cry, you'd better not pout I'm telling you why...

I have a naked statue.

And I'm not afraid to hand it over.

Dance Party

One perk to moving back across the country is family, family, family. We're making sure we're included in everything :) and last weekend a few members on the Beloved's side of the family came to visit. Completely enjoyable.

We'd like to give a shout out to the other family members who were hanging out a couple of states away... we missed you greatly -

especially at our

DANCE PARTY!!

The Beloved set up the fog machine, red laser, and strobe light.
Whoot, Whoot!

Check out Little C!

The dog even got busy.

And you can't have a dance party without a slow dance.

That's right... so romantic, dancing slow, marching softly in a repetitive circle.

Our generation totally knows how to bust a move :).

These two little ones were so cute, copying the adults, circling about.

We'll end the photo shoot with two of our boys holding their new cousin. We were so glad we had a chance to get to know him.

The Beloved and I are so lucky to have an amazing family, on both sides. Thanks for coming to visit - we always love spending time with you.

True That

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BENdAm8DzQk&feature=related

Love IT!

Don't you love customer service reps?

My favorites are the ones that can barely speak English. So cool.

Makes my life complete.

Huge downside of moving is getting everything in your life switched over to the new address.

I have started making a list of the ridiculous things they say to me.

Examples:

* Can I get your name? (I give it) Thanks, that's not a problem.  Can I get your account number? (I give it) Thanks. That's not a problem. Can I get your new address. (I give it) Thanks, that's not a problem Mrs. _____. *

Honestly, why does this person keep saying "that's not a problem"? Do they know the definition of "that's not a problem"? Of course there's not a problem with me giving you my name, acct #, and new address. You asked for it. Nobody is going out of their way here.

Remember I gave YOU the info - I should be the one saying "that's not a problem" except I wouldn't because all I am offering is basic info, which common sense already suggests is really "not a problem" to hand over and obviously quite necessary in this situation. 

*I was on the phone for about two minutes with TMobile. My question was answered quickly, I was satisfied and I was about to say goodbye until I guess the rep didn't feel like he had gotten to know me well enough. 

After an awkward pause he busts out, "So........ how's the move going"

(are we friends? )

I say, "Slowly but surely. It takes time."

"That's nice. Have a nice day."

What?

Does the customer service rep have a check-off sheet near him requiring him to ask a pleasant friendly question?

If so, they should have a box entitled "appropriate response to customers answer to your pleasant friendly question".

*I had one guy who reminded me what his name was every other sentence. "Oh by the way, my name is Henry."

Henry,

I really appreciated your help with getting my Internet set up. I will never forget your name. I never had an opportunity too. I now know that you recently moved to Jacksonville but are originally from Chicago. You really miss Chicago. You used to work for T-Mobile. You also used to work for Charter and you think they're worthless. I am sorry I did awkward laughs at your jokes. I didn't really think it was funny that my phone number had so many 5's and that now you know where to go if you ever need one.

Henry, my dear friend Henry - No matter what your supervisors are telling you, when customers call in, all they really care about is getting their service taken care of. 

No need for small talk.

Sorry Buddy.

* After giving a rep our new address she exclaimed, "Oh, the potato state! Does ID use their potatoes to make vodka? I love my vodka."

Wow.

No clue.

But, if you're using that vodka for cooking purposes, then I really hope that's where our potatoes are going because you seemed genuinely happy about it.

So there are two things to consider here. A. customer service reps say entertaining things or  B. I need a life because I make lists of what customer service reps say. Hmmm...

  

You can catch that?

After a long, long, long, long drive we finally arrived back in this great state. The kids did as well as kids can be expected to do. The baby only stuck his hand in his diaper once to wipe poop all over his leg and chicken nuggets, so not too shabby. 

We did stay the night at a Best Western one evening and I must say they have the most comfortable beds alive. No joke. Go test it. Props to Best Western. Gadashio jumped into bed with The Beloved and I, which would be fine for a normal child, but our #2 is a bundle full of energy. Even at 2 a.m. When he finally relaxed he would alternate giving The Beloved and I kisses then he cuddled  up next to me, ran his little fingers through my hair and stroked my cheek. Adorable. I love that little energy ball.

My father-in-law made the trek with us and we are so appreciative.

Thanks for sacrificing your time to help our little family.

We were finally reunited with Little C. Hurrah! We missed that kid. My parents took such great care of him and spoiled him rotten on many occasions. Thank you guys.

I don't think there was any fighting for a complete day after we got all the boys back together. They love each other so much.

Last night it was wonderful to sit around the dinner table as a family. Little C started to tell a story about what happened to him at school that day. He said his teacher put hand sanitizer on his palm and then he rubbed his hands together. After that he brought his hands up to his nose and took a whiff and then he went on to say,

"and Mom, that's when I caught the puberty. It made my voice change immediately. I could hardly breathe."

Oh my goodness we laughed so hard.

So, just in case you didn't know. Beware of hand sanitizer, I hear it makes you catch the puberty. I don't know about you but I already had a bad bout of that a few decades back. No thank you.

Okay, so let's just start out with something that has nothing to do with anything. Fun right?

I keep forgetting to tell you something about The Beloved that must be shared.

He is secretly obsessed with Flow from the Progressive commercials. 

To the point of memorization.

He'll rewind the commercials over and over again.

 His favorite lines being, "Happens to me all the time" and "hello".

What a weird, dorky man that I love. He's perfect for me. 

No offense honey.

Now that, that's off my chest we can continue forward.

Onto - The Move.

First things first. Or I guess second things second. Since this is the second thing...

Wow, keep it together woman.

This is one of the parts I hate, hate, hate about moving:

Finding mysterious, foreign, how long has that been there(?) objects.

This time that experience was found behind the videos.

Honestly, what the H is that?

I don't even know.

That is just grotesque, throw up in my mouth, nasty.

(Sorry about the H Mom.

I must admit, sometimes it just springs out there unintentionally when I find science projects flourishing behind our belongings.)

Well....

can't really find an appropriate segue for the next bit so we'll just jump right in.

(FYI- to all of you smarty pants people who know that segway isn't spelled segway but segue, you can continue to feel smart. But, for everybody else (like me), did you have any idea that segway was spelled segue? Interesting.)

So, we're a little heart broken.

If you would have told me a year ago that we would only live in IL for a year and then we'd be moving back,

I would have jumped for joy.

Who could have thought of a better plan?

It's amazing to think we have only lived here a year when it feels like a life time. In a good way.

I believe we have experienced something rare.

The feeling of immediate belonging, instantaneous love, support, where everything simply falls into place.

Wow, right?

Now, life is life and always throws its curves,

it's just been surprising to realize I wouldn't mind receiving my curves here. (we're not talking about lbs my friends)

I keep typing, deleting, and re-typing - I am not sure what to say or which order to say it.

Third thing third :) -

I love my family. I am thrilled to live by them. To see their faces whenever I love and to squeeze their wonderful little beings.

But, it is also hard to leave behind good friends that have grown into awesome family.

My neighbor Kim - I can't even talk about because I am currently tearing up just thinking about her. I love her to pieces. She is irreplaceable and has taken such great care of our family. Thank you.

The Beloved's employees:

They were sending us baby gifts even before we officially moved here. Upon our arrival they would ask The Beloved how I was doing and then they'd send home little "things to do in IL" fliers. When I miscarried they made sure I knew they were sad and sorry for our loss. One time The Beloved convinced one of his very patient, talented employees to teach me how to quilt.  They invited us swimming, to parties, and one wonderful gal even helped me pack and showed up on my doorstep today with California rolls. 

Our Ward:

Is a dream.

I want to take all of them with me because I love them.

I have never been in a ward like this before.

They're my family.

(I should say "our" because it's true. But right now I am being selfish and only focusing on me and MY EMOTIONS. :))

Just to give you an idea -

When people found out we were moving our phone was ringing off the hook. How can we help? What do you need?

The Bishops wife watched my little boys all day, took them swimming, read them stories when it was time to take a nap, and treated them like her own.

But, just a few hours before I dropped them off at her house she had just returned from staying the night at a nursing home. One of the elderly ladies from our ward wasn't doing so well and her family called and asked if someone might be able to stay the night with her.

So, she did. She got about two hours of sleep and then watched my children ALL DAY LONG. I am sure she was not only physically exhausted but emotionally as well.

She is probably hating that I am writing about her. And I'm sorry. Really. But one of the things that amazes me is the people here don't serve just to be good. They serve because service is their life. I honestly don't think she thought it was a big deal to watch our children because this is what she does. Serve.

M-W three different women have watched my children during the day.

Two others will watch them Th and F.

And more volunteered.

All of these women are busy mothers, with demanding lives and a boat load of responsibilities.

My kitchen was all packed up on Mon by my friends, a wonderful mother and daughter who are divine.

Another sister, my old workout buddy, volunteered to be in charge of box pickup and drop off. She's like the fairy box giver, stopping by randomly throughout the week.

My prego friend has been here packing diligently and another happily cleaned my seven year olds bathroom. The Bathroom Cleaner then took a huge load of our junk to the Goodwill. (I am sorry I labeled you the Bathroom Cleaner. You are so much more :) I just don't like using real names. )

And more fantastic people will be becoming throughout the week to help clean and load the truck.

Also, get this - one lovely lady agreed to sell some of our belongings in a garage sale and then mail the money to us because we don't have time to do it.

Close to last by not least:

The daughter  who helped pack up our kitchen is a masseuse and offered to give me a massage on Friday while the men are packing up.

Wouldn't you want to live here too?

We feel completely LOVED.

This is our family.

So, now really last but not least -

My little Beehives.

You are so dear.

Stay good.

Tonight you planned a surprise party for me an hour before the activity was to start and it was the perfect goodbye gift. I loved the cake, the cupcakes, the chips and goldfish. You even bought your wicked leader a Pepsi.

The games were hilarious and I tried really hard not to laugh at the accidental toot someone let slip. You know who you are :).

Thanks for the pictures and your sweet, tender messages you wrote in the little booklet for me.

I love your testimonies and your kindness.

You're beautiful.

I love you girls.

Really. I do.

Order your Guinness Book of World Records soon because I am pretty sure I just wrote the longest post alive and my name will be mentioned. Sweet.

A friend in my last post wrote a comment that is so true.

This experience is bittersweet. For obvious reasons.

The Lord is so good.

We are thankful for this job promotion, especially during hard economic times. I am incredibly giddy about living near my parents and being able to see my sisters more. Family is #1.

I am grateful for our memories made here.

It's been one magnificent year.

By the way... for all of you Flow lovers. On this very night as I was writing this post a new Progressive commercial came out.

The Beloved is overwhelmed with joy.

Buddies

Little C's Posse

Two brothers with whom he bonds with perfectly -

with them, life is all about skate boarding and BMXing. 

This funny little threesome could entertain me all day.

With the girl calling the shots and the boys following close behind... what's not to love?

I was so nervous for Little C when we moved here. Would he make friends easily? Would he be happy? 

Our first morning here I jumped about ten feet in the air when I saw a face, squished up against our sliding glass door, just staring at me.

Luckily, the face stood only about 4 ft tall and appeared very nonthreatening. Just big curious eyes, searching the joint for another 6 year old to play with.

The little blond guy pictured above became more like a brother to Little C than simply a friend. Every waking moment was spent together, laughing, fighting, whatever, they were content.

Now we're moving to a new neighborhood, new city, and new state- with Little C already headed in that direction to stay with his grandparents for school.

I miss him.

Even though I'll see him in a week, I miss the things he doesn't realize he misses yet. I miss seeing him enjoying these incredible little people whom we have grown to love. I miss watching our little neighbor girl boss him around and him obeying her every command. I miss hearing him get so excited when our neighbor boy shows up to play and then hearing them argue a few hours later. I miss watching them set up ramps and jumps for their different skate board adventures hours upon end and then being invited to watch all of their new tricks. 

Boo Hoo. :)

Little C is a trooper and has the personality to make friends wherever he goes, but he's been extremely blessed with the posse he's had here.

We'll miss you kids! 

Peanuts, Pretzels, Hot Dogs -

and Baseball! 

All at Wrigley Field!

The Beloved and I being our wonderful spectator selves.

Here's the latest news-I was finally able to name a girl....

I call her, "The Head/completely wrong bra choice". 

I am pretty sure there was a baseball game going on, but "The Head/completely wrong bra choice", in all of her animated conversation, kept blocking my view.

Out of all those Cubbie fans only about 10% are watching the game.

No Joke.

There were rare "Go Teams!" or "Hurrahs!" The words that stood out the most were, "BUD, BEER"!

Over and over and over again.

Just between you and me... I think the Cubs could stop playing their games and still have a full house... as long as "BUD, BEER" was available. But, shhhhhh -

don't tell them I said that.

It was one big party my friends.

Is it against the Word of Wisdom to pass beer cups down the aisle...if so - we are in big trouble! :)

Honestly, the game was wonderful!

I sang my little heart out during the 7th inning stretch to Take Me Out to the Ball Game.

And the Cubs even pulled through - winning 5/4 against the Braves.

I have to thank our magnificent neighbor Kim who gave us the tickets for our anniversary.

It really is America's favorite pass time-

Everybody needs to experience Wrigley Field!

We loved it!

2010 Photos

Here are a few updated pictures of our goof balls :)

Handsome little rug rats - aren't they?

I could squeeze 'em all day long!

It's Okay - He Knew I was Ornery -

before he married me. :) 

That's what The Beloved said to me during our anniversary dinner a few nights back. :)

I had, had one of those days where I had lost complete control of biting my tongue and everything bothering me was being spewed forth. Gosh, I hate it when that happens.

So, of course during our lovely dinner I apologized for being the beast of it all earlier in the day.

And that was how he responded.

And seriously, what a relief.

I have my fair share of good moments... but then I have these others... where I am sure previous knowledge of my sudden crazy outbursts could definitely come in handy.

I love being married.

I love that my spouse knows me - 

that he loves me when I am amazing

and loves when I'm not.

I love you dear.

You're my favorite.

Below we are eating our anniversary feast -

Salmon and Steak.... and it's all for me. I'm not shy about loving great food.

And The Beloved's plate of choice:

Bison

He says that eating buffalo is about the manliest thing a guy can do. :)

(Now, make the grunting noise from Home Improvement to get the real effect)

Happy Anniversary Dear! Thanks for making me so happy!

Babies

My friend and I made this blanket for another marvelous friend who is expecting a little girl next month.

We gifted it to her today, but I of course, had to show if off a little bit.

It was so enjoyable sewing all of those pink fabric color variations together - it made my life complete. :)

Also, in other baby news:

Little Baby Jett,

you were born yesterday and we can't wait to meet you face to face. See, you live in Utah and we live in Illinois but we've been sent the cutest pictures of your precious baby self. We love your name, your uncle is especially fond of it. There's something about a fast name he can't resist. Don't give your mother a run for her money though. Unfortunately, nobody passed on that info to your sweet fast named cousins and they keep us on our toes.

We already love you so much! You were born into a family who truly knows how to love. They have a gift. I was new to the family once too, so I know what I'm talking about. Don't worry, we'll show you the ropes. :) 

Now, don't grow too big before we get a chance to squeeze you.

Love,

Your Aunt  - The Domestic Goddess in Training

and

Your Uncle - The Beloved