Catching up on Christmas

Catching up on Christmas. Better late than never, right?
A few days before Christmas, we got together with Seth's family, and had dinner, and made Gingerbread Houses. Mykelle really had fun, although she looks like an angry elf in this picture! Cousins. They are such good buddies. It's so fun!
We gave the kids animal masks for Christmas. They are so cute. Here the kids are entertaining themselves while we were painting over Christmas break.

Traditional pictures of the kids with their gifts. They were so EXCITED Christmas morning.

I can't wait to post pictures of the kid's bedrooms. They are looking so cute. (With all the pillows and all. You will see what I mean when I post pictures)

As you can also see, I purchased Kasey Pottery Barn Bedding. I love it! Pottery Barn bedding is so worth it. They are so comfy too.

Trey's big present this year from Santa was his Train set. Along with about 50 trains. He played trains LITERALLY all day long Christmas day, and plays them all day still. It's so fun for him, and I'm so happy about that.

Mykelle's big present from Santa was her unicorn, and her horse set. She loves stuffed animals, and was so happy when she opened it. She got tons of little things that she loves. Including art supplies.

Trey was so happy when he opened Mykelle's present. ( Thomas Books, and candy)

So excited when they saw the bunk beds in their room. They both climbed straight to the top bunk!

First thing Kel did was dump out her stocking to find her treats, and make up! She loves her stocking every year. That is exactly how I was! I can't wait to have "Extra" money when we can actually spend a little more on each other. (Me and Seth)

Trey, all smiles when he saw all his trains! That was just some of them.

Santa built a track around the whole living room. It was so cool.

Santa left cute little notes this year, and will continue to leave them every year from now on. The kids love them!! I saved them for their journals. The letters talked about many good things about both of them, and things they should work extra hard on this year.

Mykelle's was being nice to her brother, and being a better listener when she is told to do something.

Trey's said he needed to talk nicer to others, and to make sure he doesn't "Pee a little" in his underwear. Ha Ha. This makes me laugh every time.

Leaving cookies, and eggnog for Santa, and carrots for the reindeer.

Smirky our "Family Elf" left PJ's under our tree while we were out on Christmas Eve. He also left Christmas Eve books. Smirky has been around since Mykelle was little.

Sharing a Giant Root Beer Float at Famous Daves on Christmas Eve. It was yummy!

Every Year, me and my BFs get together and do a Christmas party, and gift exchange. This year, Jessica invited her cousin Marissa, and her sister Angela. It was so much fun! We had tons of food, lots of fun, and lots of girl talk!

Here is a cute picture of the oldest girls. All within months apart. Our (Mindy, and Emily's) other kids are all within months apart too, and Mindy and I are both within a week of each other for our third babies as well. It's crazy, and so fun.

Getting ready to do our "Used Toy" gift exchange. The kids love this, and it is always a big hit! Kids don't even care, they are always new to them!


The ladies, and a few kids.

December Loves

Friends Christmas Party. December 23, 2009

*Don't mind the Boobage. I don't know what was going on this day. I was very voluptuous, and couldn't keep the girls under control. My 2 sister friends look great in this picture though. [And Jess, I hate taking pictures next to you with your extremely white perfect teeth. Mine look grayish yellow. Lame. I also am getting pregnant fat face. Oh well. It comes with the pregnant package right.]

I should be sleeping, but I am on a bad schedule. Seth and I had no kids last night for New Years, and I slept in until 11. It is now 1:30am, and I have to get up at 6:30am to go to the Temple. It's okay though. I can do okay for a few days on little sleep.

DECEMBER LOVES

• Chocolate Milk


• Home made Caramels


• HGTV


• ONE spot at Target


• Clinique perfectly real foundation [& all Clinique make up for that matter. I love their mascara. & their foundation brush. & their powder bronzer]


• Dulce De Leche Haggen Daaz Ice Cream


• Fat Free Strawberry Haggen Daaz Sherbet


• Lotion. All lotion. [But anything by Nivea is my favorite.]


• Home made Oreo truffles


• Salt and Vinegar chips


• Reading books in a hot bubble bath


• Hash Browns and Omelets that only I can make.


• Down East Outfitters Outlets


• These 2 blogs www.littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com www.creaturecomfortsblog.com


• The movie "Nights in Rodanthe"

Speaking of Movies, I watched a lot over the past two weeks.

"Nights in Rodanthe"- LOVED. I didn't read the book though, so I don't know how it compares. It was so good though, and I cried liked a baby. I'm such a sucker for a good romance.

"My Sister's Keeper"- Made me so angry. I did not like the characters [Minus the extremely hot dad, and the adorable son.] I cannot believe they changed the movie that much! The book was so much better! Needless to say though, Seth and I both cried, and held our kids for a long time after watching it. I also think I dislike Cameron Diaz after watching it. Maybe she isn't a good actress I don't know.

"Julie and Julia"- Actually pretty good, and I wanted to cook the whole time I was watching it.

"Hero of the Rails"- Yeah, its a Thomas the train movie. Trey watched it at least 10 times in the last two weeks while we were painting. It's cute though.

"17 Again"- Zac Efron is Hot.

Avatar- Sooooo good. I was a little nauseous watching it in 3D at first, but that wore off. It was a beautiful film. I liked it even more because it had a love story in it.

I also read 2 books. Well, almost two books. I'm still finishing up "Dear John" I got the book that has Channing Tatum on the cover because he is the one playing John in the movie.

Although, I think I am going to stop watching movies that were once books. They usually disappoint.

The other book I finished was the disturbing murder mystery that was soooo good. I finished that in 2 days once I got into it. It was called "Promise not to tell". I picked it up at Sam's Club a few months ago. I really liked it.

I better go lay on my pillow. Good Night.

What we've been up to...

Oh man, I have SO much to blog about. AND, I will within the week. Most importantly, I have had the best, most busy, two weeks. I wouldn't really say I had a break, but it has been so much fun. Why, you ask?

Seth took two weeks off of work. I love him. I love being with him. I love not arguing about him being late. (Which by the way, he totally made up for last time. Who says gifts don't make up for things? Ha. Well, they don't, but I love my new blackberry.) It just shows the stress that jobs bring into families. We didn't argue once. I'm proud of that if you haven't noticed.

So, what have we been up to?

BEFORE:

(This is before we painted, Seth had just put up the chair rail.)

AFTER:

Man he is a stud. Dirty, but Studly.

I'm not sure how the bedrooms will work yet. It will all depend on the gender of Baby, and we also don't know how the bunk beds are going to go. (YES, Santa brought some amazing bunk beds) They sure seem high, and Mykelle has a pretty serious case of sleep walking that has recently worsened, so that is a little scary. We will see what happens with them. They can be separated into separate twin beds if we need. The smaller bedroom is pink, so if the baby is a girl, we plan on making that her room, and Trey and Mykelle will still share. If it is a boy, then Trey and Baby boy will share the big room, and Mykelle can have her own.

Trey's favorite color is pink, so he REALLY wants the pink room. He keeps saying it is for his baby though. I love that pink is his favorite color. The bedrooms look so cute though, and made a huge change in that level of the house. We just need to add new carpet, and finally finish our bedroom and bathroom. (Which I am so excited about! )

We had about 5 days of really long nights. I'm talking 3 and 4 in the morning. Prep work sucks, and painting trim sucks. Once we started painting we finished it in about half a day. Well, actually, we were up until 4 this morning, but IT'S FINISHED!

Seth made our chair rail a little thicker, because I like that look better, and he routed a design on the top and by the windows.I really wanted bead board, but it is so expensive. I am so thankful for a husband that knows how to do anything and everything, and for a husband that GETS THE JOB DONE!

MY THURSDAY CONFESSIONAL IS THIS:

i have recently become addicted to interior design.

Well, I have always loved it, but don't want to waste money on expensive things that I love. But recently, blame it on HGTV, I have become OBSESSED. I mean, staying up all night surfing the Internet, looking at interior design blogs, looking over tons and tons of images of baby nurseries, kids bedrooms, and bedrooms in general. I have been looking over tons of images of DIY projects, and my brain won't quit working to rest. I stayed up past 5am this morning, because it is so addicting. I have so many ideas, and it is making me CRAZY.

This year, maybe some of last year, my style has changed. With clothing, furniture, and decor. I love contemporary, and modern styles for the home, and can't decide what my exact style is. So, it is modern contemporary. I just add whatever to my home that I love, but my dream home is that style. SOME DAY.

The good news about this newest addiction is that I have about 20 new blogs that I love and will share with all of you when I have the time. This has already been a longer post then intended.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!WELCOME TWENTY TEN!

and I have a lot to cover on this subject as well.

P.S. I'll be here on Saturday morning, Getting Endowed.

5. 6. 7.

A few pictures I came across that got me all choked up!

1. Knowing I will have these girls in my life forever, and knowing all the memories we share, and will share with each other. When I think about you girls, it makes me so happy I could cry. I love you guys so much!
Seriously, When did you grow up? Really? I remebmer this day. You were the perfect little girl, and still are.


5 Things that are bothering me:

1.Rude, Inconsiderate, Disrespectful people.

2.Getting bad vibes from people.

(Especially at Church. I'm sorry, but that is the last place you should be getting bad vibes. )

3. People that go through Red lights and make the people with the green light have to wait for them. It happens to me all the time. Sometimes, it makes me want to just lay on my horn and flip them off. But I don't, because that would be horrible manners.

4. People that Gossip. What an ugly quality to have.

(To me, Gossiping is saying something rude or mean behind somebodies back that you WOULD NOT say to their face. Lets face it, everyone talks about other people. Some people just have bad intentions.) (I have no desire to be friends with anyone that gossips. And trust me, if I have something to say about you, I have, would, or will say it to your face.)

No Friends, none of you have done this, I have just witnessed it too much this past month, and it baffles me. Husbands don't really count though, as I tell Seth everything, and I don't say stuff behind peoples backs, and then act like best friends to their face.

I believe in the motto:

"If you can't say anything nice, then don't say anything at all!"

5. Satan (Who is the one giving me all these negative feelings and trying to ruin my week, before going to the Temple.)

6 Things I Love:

1. My mother in law. I think she is the most wonderful person. All my family and friends that have met her, love her too. She is the most kind hearted, sweet, thoughtful person. I love her dearly.

2. Every time I leave the bishops office, he tells me how strong he can feel the spirit when I am there.

3. How loving my family is, and the happiness we all share with each other.

4.The Temple

5. People that Don't forget the True meaning of Christmas.

6. Everyone that shows me so much support and love! And Ailee for her sweet letter to me this weekend .You are a wonderful friend, I love you.

7 Random Things About Me:

1. I like to use commas. I sometimes misuse them. When I am typing, I say comma as part of the sentence. I am comma happy.

2. I don't really like being teased by anyone but Seth. I usually just find it really annoying. And sometimes even with Seth, I don't like it.

3. I think people that use the word "Retard" are disrespectful.

4. I really, really dislike when people smack their food while eating.

5. I love doing things for others, as long as they appreciate it.

6. I LOVE to cook.

7. I dislike unloading the dishwasher, and would rather wash all the dishes by hand.

I need to go to bed. Good Night for now.

Appointment Three/ Ultrasound

20 Weeks
Today, 22 weeks and 4 days

My Doctors appointment today went really good! We had to wait almost an hour to get my Ultra sound, and I had to pee so bad!

Our Ultra Sound Tech was really nice, but I was disappointed not to get any really good side profile pictures, or any head shots. She did take a really cute picture of Baby's feet. I measured right on to my First Estimated Due date which was May 1st. Which was surprising since I measured so much bigger before. I knew I hadn't grown much belly wise. My belly only measured 22 weeks, and 4 weeks ago it measured 19 when I was 17 weeks. My doctor doesn't want to change my due date yet, but either way, it is only by a week.

Baby was really, really low in there, and I feel the baby kick really low as well. Although I have been feeling some kicks in the ribs which is unusual for being only 5 1/2 months.

I'm feeling the baby move CONSTANTLY, and love it. The baby also gets the hiccups every single day.

Things are going well. I weighed myself at the gym this last week, and have gained 6 pounds which means I'll either pack on the pounds here soon, or it is going to be a low weight gain like Trey's. Either way, I do not care! I'll gain 50 pounds to be able to have a beautiful baby!

I thinks its a boy still, but will probably change my mind by the next time I blog!

P.S. I started doing Prenatal Yoga a few weeks ago, and LOVE it. I couldn't do a lot of the regular yoga stuff anymore. I fell asleep last week when I was doing it. I think it is neat that the instructor really wants everyone to connect with their babys while doing it.

That's All.

It's a Wonderful Life

WE'VE BEEN BUSY, BUT IT'S BEEN SO MUCH FUN!

My parents took us to This is the Place last weekend, and we had a Blast. The kids loved everything!

The Kids writing letters to Father Christmas.
Trey in the Elf Village.
Mykelle meeting Dasher and Dancer.

The Train. Trey's Favorite.
Daddy and Trey Riding the Train
My Awesome Parents.

Dad and Mykelle
MYKELLE'S DANCE RECITAL

Mykelle and Brax
This is how Trey felt by the time it was all over!

This was also the day Baby was kicking so hard that everyone got to feel it for the first time.

With her favorite Uncle Dave.
Two Beautiful Girls. They did a Great job!

For Dave

No Bake Cookies

2 C sugar

1/2 C milk

1/2 C butter

3 T cocoa

3 T Peanut Butter

dash of salt

1/2 tsp vanilla (optional)

Add sugar milk, butter, cocoa and salt to a large pot. Bring to a boil for one and a half minutes, take off heat and add 3 1/2 quick oats,vanilla and peanut butter.

Spoonful onto wax paper or foil and let cool slightly.

*Dave, I add less cocoa in mine, as I do not love them really chocolatey.

Peanut Butter Rice Krispies
Pretty much the best treat ever!

1 cup sugar

1 cup corn syrup

1 cup peanut butter

6 cups Rice Krispies

1 6 oz bag semi sweet chocolate chips

1 6oz bag Butterscotch chips

Stir together sugar and corn syrup. Cook on medium high heat until sugar is dissolved, and mixture begins to boil. Remove from heat, stir in peanut butter, and then cereal.

Press into buttered cookie sheet, or cake pan for thicker treats.

Melt chocolate and butterscotch in microwave at 30 second intervals, stirring every thirty seconds.

Spread over cereal, and then let chocolate set.

Life got me

Sorry, no pictures are uploaded off my camera yet, so this is all you get!

Christmas 2006
Well, I guess I should say Christmas has taken over my life.

I have so many things to post about. Christmas Festivities, Dance Recitals, and Baby Bumps (and some MAJOR kicking going on.) I also have some way cute pictures of friends and family.

I've finished up my temple classes, and am going through the temple next week. I am so ecstatic about it. And unsure about wearing garments, but none the less, so excited.
(My sister is so excited to get all my old clothes. We sent her a whole bunch to Belize. It is so hot there. She was in need of some shorts.)

I've been going to the temple as often as I can to do Baptisms, and love the peace I feel there. More than anything, I am so excited to be able to go the the Celestial Room to ponder, pray, and meditate.

My ultrasound is next week, and I am so excited to get a good look at the baby! Although we aren't finding out the sex of the baby, I thought it would be fun for everyone to take a poll! Like I have said before, I like polls.

And today is Thursday. I think, so here is my confession.

i LOVE reading romance novels!

Those are the books I read at the gym so I can breeze through an hour of cardio.

I am reading a Murder Mystery that I picked up at Sam's Club, and it is terrifying me, but I can't put it down. I almost fell off the Elliptical at the gym yesterday reading it. I like to buy the books that say "Best Seller" just to see if they are good. This book said that.

The title is "Promise not to tell" Scary.

Thursday Confessional

Occasionally I wonder about my biological father. More the sperm donor, as I think saying father implys he was once in my life.

There was a show that was on Monday night, called "Find my Family" My first thought was... "How they call them family, they don't even know them?" But I watched it and was happy for those people who had closure in their lives.

For those of you that don't know my story, here is the short version. My mom was dating a man, and got pregnant. He had no intentions of being a father, and left the day I was born. He gave my mom a picture of himself. On the back, it said "To Donna and Melissa, June 23 1984"
6 months later, my REAL dad adopted me and my two older brothers, and we were all sealed together in the temple.

When I was little. Like 5 or 6, my mom showed me his picture. I ripped it up. I don't know why. I could care less about that man at that age. She taped it back up, and put it away for me for another time.

When I was about 15, I LOVED The Montel Show. He was always doing shows about kids meeting their biological parents, and I told my mom maybe I should meet my sperm donor. She was supportive, and tried calling the Montel show several times, with no luck. I them had thought about it, and changed my mind.

I have never really thought about meeting him since then. He does however cross my mind on occasion. Mostly because I think "How could he have just left me and my mom?" I also wonder if he ever thinks about the daughter he abandoned. But mostly what I think about is If I ever met him, I would be so proud to introduce him to my REAL dad.

I don't feel like I need closure, I don't have hard feelings, I just wonder sometimes if he thinks about me.

If he ever found me, I would meet him. I guarantee a man that could leave his child like that, probably didn't tell others about it, and if he has a family, I bet they don't know I exist.

Thats all.

Have a GREAT day.

Horoscope

This was my facebook horoscope today. I could only laugh.

Wednesday, December 9
If you are truly in love with your significant other, you must love and accept them for who they really are, not who you want them to be. A little understanding on your part could go a long way towards healing some of your significant other's hidden inner hurts.

Banana Bread Bars

2 ripe bananas mashed
1 cup butter
1 1/2 cup Sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla
1 cup sour cream
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt

Mix and bake in jelly roll pan @ 350 for 20 minutes

Top with your favorite cream cheese frosting.

I used my favorite which is..
8 oz. cream cheese
3 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 stick butter

Pretty much DELICIOUS!

Usually

This was the image that pulled up on Google images for the word "Usually". It is so fitting for today as I am still in my pajamas, unready, and staying that way the rest of the day!

Family Night happened, but not like I "usually" plan it.

Let it be known, Seth and I fight about 2 things. Him being late, and doing the dishes.

So here's how the night went...

I made Banana Bread Bars, Shepherd's pie, picked up a little gift for the kids for FHE, and got cheese rolls from Quilted Bear. The kids were being so good, I got them a candy cane white chocolate hot chocolate.

I talked to Seth, and he promised he would be home at 6, so we could all eat together.

At 6:17 as we wait at the table for Seth to get home, I am trying to talk myself out of getting mad so it doesn't ruin my night. At 6:21 I called him. He didn't answer. (Which he does when he knows I am mad. Smart? ) I call again. No answer. I call again. He answered and said he was just getting ready to leave his work. I had to just hang up because I was FURIOUS.

So much for all that calm talking in my head I did.

"Usually" its fine because we don't wait for him so that doesn't cause me to get upset, and want to kick his @$%!!

We just decided to eat, and at that moment my kids were upset, didn't want to eat their dinner, wanted to jump and play. I "USUALLY" don't take out anger on them. I can keep myself in control, and I am not like that any way. It wasn't their fault he was late.

But, I raised my voice and sent them to time out until they were ready to behave at the table.

Once they decided they were ready, we ate. Well, I ate. They played with their yummy dinner that I made. We talked about the day, and then we were done.

Seth came home at 6:40pm, said sorry and I went upstairs, leaving him to finish dinner with them.

"Usually" I don't stay mad long, so Seth came upstairs expecting me to be over it by now, making jokes, and trying to talk to me. I gave him the silent treatment. Just so he knew I didn't feel like talking to him.

At some point you have to put your foot down though.

He is "usually" late. "USUALLY". If I am being honest, normally him being 40 minutes late wouldn't be such a big deal. But when we are all waiting on him, I don't have patience for that.

The one thing that pisses me off more than anything is that he doesn't freakin' call me to tell me he is running late. We have talked about it so many times. JUST CALL ME. (He probably doesn't call me because he knows I am "usually" upset, but it is much worse if he doesn't call me) He still never does which I find disrespectful.

His excuse is that he always thinks he is going to get out the door and doesn't.

I know he has a lot to do with his own business. Anyone that owns their own business knows that it is a lot of work. It's not like a regular job that you just get off at 6pm, and you can go home. I know all these things, it has been almost 6 years.

I had just had it! Last week, he was over an hour late from the time he told me he was going to come home almost every night, and one night he was even 3 1/2 hours late. I was mad that night, but for the most part I get over it after he apologizes.

He "usually" doesn't have to do much at home. I make dinner every night, do all the house work, do all the laundry, I run the kids to and from all their places they need to be, and I also work and have plenty of stuff I do everyday for that as well. He "Usually" just has a few things to do, and don't get me wrong, I take pride in taking care of my family. I love taking care of my family, but only when I am respected.

I am still mad if you can't tell.

Anyway, the kids were so wound up, and he was getting upset with them, and they still didn't care. He told them they couldn't have family night if they weren't good. They were not listening to him, so I went downstairs spanked each of their bums.

They were in shock. We don't spank. "Usually". I didn't feel bad. Maybe because I wasn't angry when I did it, just tired of them not listening. They were acting so naughty up to that point, and time out wasn't working.

They shaped up real quick and wanted to get in my bed for our FHE story. We read "I believe in Santa Claus" which is a great book that is about the true meaning of Christmas.

We also read "Away in a Manger" I gave them one of their special gifts that I had got them. Which was a manger scene. They were so excited. As they "usually" are unwrapping any present.

They were so good for that 20 minutes, and I felt at peace for the night. Somehow. Even though I was still mad at Seth.

They went right to bed, and I took a hot bath. And read this creepy murder mystery book. And shoved Seth away from me when he wanted to cuddle before I went to sleep. I did tell him I loved him though.

Then I had a dream about lesbians (Which included Emily D. Kelli Weight, Ailee, and a few other people I can't remember) Don't worry girls, it was only because the chapter I read last night was talking about lesbians!

This morning I received a letter on our bathroom counter from Seth. It was nice, but I'm still mad. and I'm not "Usually" mad overnight.

And another thing, I think who ever said "Don't ever go to bed angry" is lame. Sometimes you just need to sleep on it.

In my Dreams

I was thinking about this today. I want to go back to the hot, hot sun and the beach. If I could pick any beach though, I would want to go back to CABO with Lover Boy..... We had such a good time.

I'll just go there in my dreams tonight.

With my heating pad. (That I LOVE)

I was actually thinking about it on my way to the gym at 5 this morning when I had to drive in the snow and the FREEZING cold.

Oh well, I got a whole bunch of cute new clothes to wear for the winter, so I'll keep thinking about that!

Check in for posts tomorrow for a great recipe (Banana Bread Bars), and our Christmas Family night. Gotta go.