The Colby Chronicles

sometimes I fall....

2012-02-04T12:37:00.001-05:00

I kind of thought is was a fluke. I was running on Riverside drive in the ol' hood, Washington Heights, in Manhattan, trying to get back in shape after baby. You know how it is... all weak and wobbly and uncoordinated. As I jogged past two men I caught a lip in the sidewalk and landed on the ground right in front of them. Full on body check with the cement... bloody hands and knees... the men asked if I was okay and graciously pretended it wasn't that big of a deal. I just couldn't believe it! Not like kind of tripping.. but full on biffing. Surely a once in a lifetime-weird-postpartum-exercise thing.....

So now I'm in a little better shape. I run a couple times a week, ya know? And I think you may know by now that I listen to mormon radio for a little ME time while I run. I was listening to a great talk by President Uchtdorf and ironically he was talking about running. When he was in flight school they had to run and run for training. He said he was constantly being passed up by men who didn't obey the word of wisdom- they drink, smoke, stay up late, eat terribly, etc. He began to wonder if the promises of the Word of Wisdom were true. Wasn't HE supposed to run and not be weary? He began searching for answers and the answer didn't come right away....

cue another raised sidewalk lip. SPLAT.

I don't know when President Uchtdorf's answer came or what it was. Are you serious? I'm ON THE GROUND and I'm 26 years old!? The sidewalk? I messed up my thumb pretty good, bruised the heal of my other hand, and have some sidewalk burn on my knees even though I didn't rip my pants (you wouldn't understand what that means if you don't fall ALL THE TIME like me).

did anyone see me? I can't really confirm because I didn't want to look around... a little embarrassed over here. But a Uhaul truck was driving pretty slowly by and they all might have been looking at me with a silly smirk on their faces. nice.

Well, maybe it was a wake up call to start blogging again. Hello blog. I'm here again. Did you HAVE to throw me on the sidewalk to make material fun enough to blog about?

Or my husband suggested maybe I get distracted and don't pay attention.

Well, let us ask Olive if mommy ever gets distracted..

I found maybe 40 of these on my computer (pictures taken on Photo Booth)....

here I am talking on the phone while O is showing off her talking parrot. She's on my computer and I'm not sure I know it...

I guess I'll just go take out the trash...see me? Who cares what my kids are doing...

she's spent so much time on this "photo booth" she's figured out how to do this...

where is everybody? I mean, I'm not even around for this whole series...

Just practicing her cute faces and her dress is on backwards (I know I didn't do that!)...

I'm cooking in the background... Olive looks thrilled to be ignored, no?

So maybe I'm distracted sometimes. Maybe sometimes I fall. And maybe sometimes I let my 3 year old play on my computer and don't care or even wonder if she's ruining anything. But hey... at least I have these cute photos to show for it!

Hi blog. Welcome back to my life.

Christmas Vacay in CA...

2012-01-24T01:57:00.001-05:00

~I know this entirely late, and no one will want to read this post... but as happens every year, I need to post Christmas so I can print my blog for the year! so... tis the season... last season.~

This year we were lucky enough to get to spend our break in Cali with my family. This special spot of Morro Bay, CA has been a tradition in our family since my grandparents were dating, and we continue it on today with the woman who started it all: My grandma, Darla! Thank you so much, Gram, for a most memorable time at the beach. We are so grateful to be together in a place that feels like home.

alway cooking, cleaning, and making everyone happy! Here she is, our adorable "gramma Darla"- as my kids call her. We love you so much and feel so blessed to have such an amazing example in our lives. You lift and inspire us all!

Well, we only took A MILLION photos, but I'll try to give a brief and fun run down. I mean... it was all magical. It's so crazy to grow up and be the "adults" at the beach and bring our kids. What a different experience. This year felt different, but different is good. Change comes and we are all progressing! And I'm grateful we all change and grow together.

Here's the rundown:

Got there on Christmas Eve... had an awesome Christmas. It all happened so fast!

spent LOTS of time on the Beach....

and as per tradition.. went to see the crazy seals at the teensy

aquarium...

Madge was terrified! Olive and I wanted to take a seal home with us to live in our bathtub... Jordan was confused.

And of course, we had to hit the FAMOUS Hearst Castle...

and went to the teensy and adorable Zoo and playground in Atascadero. Something I never remember doing as a kid, but it was so fun to take the girls...

and of course spent lots of family time PLAYING! Especially with the really fun cousins, Cohen and Leisel. We were so happy to get to spend time with them and Brekk this year!

Picture overload? Well.. it's just that we had such a fun christmas and wanted to share.

A few things I want to remember about this year:

Olive still wanted PUPPIES...but added in a talking parrot and a "music player". She got it all.

Madge loves BABIES and COOKIES..so her Christmas was filled as such.

I got Jordan a R/C Speed boat because we have so many lakes in our neighborhood. We've enjoyed it a ton.

Jordan took the cake this year with the best gifts EVER to.. me:) The topper was a gift of fabric and ModPodge... to indicate that I was getting a desk make-over! I'll post about it later! Seriously? Does YOUR husband even know what ModPodge is? I didn't know mine did! I was so impressed and my desk is

A. MAZING.

I want to remember Sonia and Elisha were with us shortly after christmas and we had such fun with them. Olive fell in love with "her friend" Elisha and it was so precious to see them together. Sonia was a foster daughter of my grandma's and we are so glad she and her daughter are in our lives. They made our christmas special.

I want to remember that I had to drive almost 10 hours home by myself with the kids. It was the first time. And for the record: we survived and they did remarkably well! whew. totally not my style, but i feel a little accomplished, ya know?

Homemade presents from Brekk! OMG. I'll do a post about presents later because there was so much creativity going on it was crazy. THANKS BREKK!

I want to remember that Brekk and I got to spend some good quality sister time. I'm truly grateful for that.

I want to remember that we went boogie boarding and it was a BLAST! sooo fun!.

I want to remember that Jordan made us bring his surf board all the way to CA.. but he ended up boogie boarding with the rest of us. We just looked a little cooler with the surf board in our mini van.

Merry Christmas and a Happy Almost February to you all!

Come Visit me!!

2012-01-09T15:32:00.003-05:00

Today it's in the 70s!! We went outside, went to the park, played sidewalk chalk... and truthfully, we're kinda cold....

My dear and lovely NYC pals... remember when I was moving away and I was so sad and the only upside was that when Jan and Feb rolled around I'd be living it up, while you NYCers are FROZED to the bone? Remember how I invited you to come vacation to take your freezingness away??

Well, shall you come now????? My schedule is wide open! Jan? Feb? I've got 4 rooms! Bring the kids! can you do it? COME VISIT ME!!!

come on... you know you want to... you're FREEZING and SAD!

and plus, I miss you!

that's all.

just think about it.

love, me.

Merry Christmas from US to YOU!!

2011-12-20T11:12:00.000-05:00

Christmas Greeting From the Colbys from Erin Colby on Vimeo.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

This is our family blog, so feel free to browse and see what we've been up to this year!

Cry It Out Controversy...

2011-12-16T14:42:00.001-05:00

Ok Bloggy friends... get ready for some controversy here! I've ALWAYS felt guilty about the cry it out method. With the first I fought it pretty hard core with the Mr., and with the second we were so desperate for sleep and we didn't know what to do. So do my girls sleep? I guess. They're different. Olive sleeps pretty well, on and off. Madge never sleeps through the night. NEVER. We sleep trained her for a long time and to no avail. I've always said that we basically sleep trained ourselves to be desensitized to her crys and taught her to CRY to sleep, and not SOOTHE herself to sleep. I've said these things a little jokingly because I know they say sleep training is the best- for kids and parents. But I can't shake my feelings of guilt...not then, and not now. And NOW!!!!..... read this article. Here comes the science (and I KNOW, don't get ME started on believing everything scientists say... you know I'm not a fan...but in this case...) I mean doesn't it make sense? Didn't our mother instincts tell us this was not natural? Mine were SCREAMING! But, everyone was doing it, and again, we were DESPERATE!

Ok. Read this article HERE.
Here's a few things the article says... just to get you excited (NOT) about reading it...

"crying it out sets kids up for stress-related problems, trust issues, anxiety disorders, reduced brain function, and a lack of independence..."

"The lack of nurturing, and the prevalence of parents who put their own needs in front of their kids', may be to blame for the mental and physical health problems that are plaguing the United States now. " (talking about ADHD and other issues.

"If we want a strong country and people," she writes, "we've got to pay attention to what children need for optimal development."

please, PLEASE don't let my children be messed up. Now if they have anything wrong with them EVER, I'll only blame myself. No I'll blame my husband:)...... (just kidding babe...kinda!)

Cue the HEAT and the ARGUMENTS here.....

Don't hate me. Let me say this:

While my motherly instincts always told me NO SLEEP TRAINING, I firmly BELIEVE in the instincts of motherhood! And that is different for every person! I know some mothers feel their babies NEED sleep training, and for those motherly instincts, those mothers must have felt peaceful about that decision. right? And I'm all for that. I'm for mother's choices in birthing, in mothering, in nurturing- so long as she is choosing to follow her motherly instincts for her specific child. There is no ONE SIZE fits all.

But I have to say... I almost DIED when I read THIS article called ' The Opposite of a Tiger Mother: Leaving Your Children Behind' This one pained me. See... this is where I don't think she followed her true motherly instincts. She had them, the reality scared her, and in my opinion she was selfish. Oh... is that me judging? sorry. I don't want to judge, but....

I'll repent later.

we also let her sleep with the cat... and on her stomach... and with extra blankies... so be careful who you get your parenting advice from, will ya!?

Did you read The Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother?? hmmm.... I liked it, in a sick kind of way:)

1st Christmas Lights!...

2011-12-16T11:53:00.005-05:00

Yay!! Life is filled with so many firsts... and we always think 'we should have written that down or documented it'.... well we did it! It's a pretty humble job compared to what I aspire to (see my instagram to see what I mean) but we just love it. It took us a while to get them up because the Mr. has NO TIME at all. But he graced us with his service for about an hour or two and look what happened!

Next step: wrap the garage doors! right!? I got that idea from the crazy house (see on instagram... I already told you)

We are glad to contribute to the neighborhood lights and say "Hey! We celebrate Christmas!! We believe in Christ!" Cuz we do.

And speaking of that, I've had some great scripture study lately (thanks to my handy personal progress book from my trusty Young Women calling) and you can check out my posts above, under "the Hand in my life" if you're wanting some spiritual talk today. It's personal, which is why it in not on my main page, but it IS out there.

Merry Christmas!!

No treats for the holidays...

2011-12-14T15:53:00.001-05:00

Yes.. that's what I told myself about 14 days ago! Just save it until christmas eve and then you can eat whatever you want. But I've wanted a lot more than that. BUT in all of my bad treat eating, i've been trying to share so I don't eat ENTIRE batches of cookies in one sitting.

Here's the latest! Super rich, super cute, and super yumm..

Strawberry Limeade Cookies:
ingredients:
1 box Strawberry cake mix
1 tbsp baking powder
2 eggs
1/2 cup Oil

Mix together and make into small balls. Bake at 350F for 10 minutes, let completely cool.

Frosting:
pre-made cream cheese frosting
1/4 Cup frozen limeade concentrate
3-4 drops of green and yellow food coloring

Whip it up!

No put some frosting between two cookies!

Make all sorts of cakebatter cookies for the season.. I know I am. I've already made 2 batches of Andes Mint Chocolate ones, one batch of Spike cake and chocolate chip, and now these.... see what I mean about the treats!

Check out my recipes on my "RECIPE" tab at the top of this blog. Nothing fancy... It's not my style:)

You can get married too...

2011-12-13T12:08:00.002-05:00

O's been talking a lot about growing up, driving cars, getting married, and having kids. Likewise, she is very curious to know that I was a kid once and that Mama and Bampa are my Mom and Dad! So far she said she is marrying JackJack (a darling son of our dear friends!) in the temple (thank heavens. We covered that one early). She said she's going to have 3 children (and she says "children" VERY adultish)... and they will go to her wedding.... WAIT!!...

'honey, you have to get married first and THEN have children.'
'No, I'll have them first so they can come to my marriage'

Nice.

So, there's been a lot of talk about all of this lately, and yesterday in the grocery store, both kids were in the front of the cart in one of those GIANT bus-sized "car" grocery carts having a blast, when Olive says to Madge-

'...and you can get married too! Some day you're going to get married!'

some guy was standing there and totally cracked up. I smiled, like, you have no idea this has been a topic for weeks. But we stayed in the same isle for a minute (obviously looking for the same taco seasoning we both couldn't find) and Olive continued...

' I think I'll marry JackJack and you can marry someone. You'll have to pick them when you get older because I don't know anyone for you. maybe daddy. Ya, you can marry daddy ok?'

The guy was in stitches. And so was I:) I forget how amusing it can be to hear such material come from a THREE year old driving a 'car' cart!

And on that marriage note, I thought I'd share the projects we did for our 5th anniversay this year... in case you need some DIY inspiration for an anniversary or Christmas. I've had to hold myself back from making more versions of these for Christmas because I don't want to diminish our anniversary gift!

The traditional 5th anniversary gift if wood (why are these gifts so weird!?) So here is my version of wood called "Me and You Pencils"

(I got the inspiration from an etsy shop and made it my own)

if you can't see it, it says:

"We go together like 5th Anniversaries

and Wood"

Meanwhile, the Hubs surprised me with a little DIY himself!! I LOVE it! He knows the girl loves anything with a doily! It was hanging on the wall next to my desk in the morning- an awesome poster sized card! Men.. get your craft on to compete with this! Last mother's day he MADE me a necklace... he's for real! (and the necklace wasn't made of fruit loops or noodles)

watching our wedding video.. that's Rambeau-the best man on my computer:)

Ok, I had to add the picture of that necklace... I must have been busy at the time and never blogged it!!

locked out...

2011-12-13T03:10:00.000-05:00

So I've decided, since Madge is in a TERRIBLE shopping stage, that I have to do all my christmas shopping after the kids are down at night. Taking advantage of those late store hours, ya know? Well, I did a good three hours tonight, brought it all home, designated our guest room the "Christmas room", locked the door so the kids couldn't get in... and THERE'S THE PROBLEM. I don't have a key to that room. And it's a legit lock. Why? I don't know. We didn't build this house. SO I looked up how to pick a lock on YouTube...

And after lots of trys...

I'm STILL LOCKED OUT!

I'm so frustrated I tried to break the door knob, saw the door knob off, take the hinges off the other side... all without waking up the kids.

I can't take not being able to finish a project (which was to record everything I just purchased into the budget TONIGHT!!!). So here I am... blogging my stress away.

WHY did I lock that door?? WHY???
if I ever get a second chance at life, that's the first place I'm going back to.

Oh if I could fit under that door... or maybe climb up to the window?? AH!

5 Years of Our Happily Ever After...

2011-12-07T16:56:00.001-05:00

We met when we were punks in high school, just a mere 16 and 17 years old (tan punks at that)

proms...

highschool events...

And graduations...

led us to where we had to say goodbye while you went on your mission
(the next day actually, according to this picture)

But said HELLO again after a long and productive two years

enjoyed 11 days of dating as adults...

Before we were engaged!!! YIKES!

On December 7, 2006
we thought we had found our Happily Ever After...

But it was really just the beginning of the Best 5 Years of our lives...

Even though it's hard to believe that JUST yesterday we were living it up at school and church dances, and now we are dancing in our kitchen to Christmas music with the kids... it's a dream come true and

I love the life we have built together!

I look forward to all the memories in the years to come.

You're my best friend. I Love You!

Happy Anniversary!!

love, your Ers

Stranger Danger...

2011-12-06T17:38:00.001-05:00

Today I was putting the Madgey down when I heard our little alarm system lady say "garage door open"... we had just gotten home so I also knew that the actual garage door was wide open as well. I rushed to put Madge down, and ran downstairs before the big O made her way, most likely, to her favorite neighbors "the triplets" house (we have an awesome family with 5 year old triplets two doors down)...

Luckily she was back inside. I asked if she went out front by herself and she said,

'Ya! I want to see if my friends are home, but I got scared cuz it was cold'

(thank you Arizona being cold one day a year.. and that is today)

So I had the whole talk that went something like...

"honey, you can't go out front by yourself. There could be scary people who see a little girl out there all by herself and want to take her away from her family. I'd be sooo sad if someone took you away. Wouldn't you? If you are with mommy then the mean people won't take you. You can go out back by yourself if you ask mommy, but you NEVER go out front by yourself..."

pause... process... pause... process..

(please pronounce karate like karaTAY in this next part for full effect)

"Well, I'll just do my KARATE on those mean people"

with full on karate moves to follow!

how could the mean people resist taking her after all that hilarity? She'd be gone for sure. Oh, Olive!

The Spirit of Christ...mas

2011-12-03T11:52:00.001-05:00

Hi guys! So it's totally Christmas time, no? I've been really excited this year for Christmas. It' amazing I haven't blogged about it yet, but not really because I've only had time to DO Christmas and not write about it.

REALLY early on this year, like just after Halloween, I started thinking about how I want our family Christmas to be... what are the traditions?, what is the feeling?, what about Santa?, etc. I'm personally a huge believer in Santa! I love what he stands for, I love the "magic" around the Santa stuff. Santa was VERY good to us growing up and I have a hard time thinking that I wouldn't want that for our kids. On the other hand, we always did lots of service in our family during Christmas time as well. (Thanks to my dad, the ULTIMATE service machine).. I remember decorating the missionaries apartments with trees, presents, holly, lights... I remember door ditching... I remember getting a "family" for christmas and doing all of their christmas shopping. Sure, we GOT a lot of stuff, but we also GAVE quite a bit. I'm really grateful my family did that. So, I got some magic from Santa and the holiday cheer, and I got the spirit from service, but I'm not so sure I got the home-run-feeling from who is really important this season.

So my thoughts this year, as I try my best to childrear (Wow, I'm old), is to start with Christ first. We started singing the Christmas Hymns first and then the jolly ol' ones after that. I've had lots of car-talks with Olive about who's birthday it is and why we celebrate Christmas. We've talked about the fact that Christ has given us SO MANY gifts and all he wants for His birthday is for us to GIVE to others. Talking was just a start.

Then we've tried to put it in action:
Went to the library and tried to find lots of books on the 'nativity' story
Went to the thrift store and got a new nativity
Every time O mentions things SHE wants, I try to remind her that we need to figure out what SHE is GIVNG to other people.

Yesterday we finished most of her gifts that she is giving. We decided that she is making all her presents this year so that she can have fun, think of others, and serve.... oh ya, and it's CHEAP. I'll post pics AFTER christmas of those awesome homemade gifts. It was super fun!

We got this book from the library (it's a little catholic or something with it's crosses... but that's ok!), we read it this morning and I felt the spirit! I got all choked up and I'm feeling so grateful that I am being impressed by the real spirit of Christmas early this season. The book takes all the things of the holiday season (even Santa) and points them to Christ.

All this Christmas Spirit is probably due to the fact that I'm teaching the Young Women's Christmas lesson and have found some stellar material.

Among such is this video with President Thomas S. Monson:
he says, and has become my theme for the season,

"To catch the real meaning of the spirit of Christmas we need only drop the last syllable of Christmas. It become the Sprit of Christ. "

A word on Santa, however. I also just read this book:

and OH I loved it. I'm going to make it a tradition to read this book with the family when they get old enough to appreciate it (and that includes the Mr.) I LOVE the time period, I love the CITY it's in, I love the simplicity of the writing and story, I love the message. Santa is the epitome of giving. He's like the mascot. I'm not one to say "OH the commercialism, OH too many presents, OH too many decorations that take too much time!!" I think that to Celebrate our Savior Jesus Christ we need to give our TIME, TALENT, MONEY, everything as a SACRIFICE in the name of our Savior. If you are bothered by all the shoppers, think of it as a sacrifice, for you are trying to serve someone else by thinking of them, thinking of what they might want, and sacrificing your time and money for it. If you buy lots of presents begrudgingly, why then, I suppose you are just buying into that commercialism without the real Spirit of Christmas. When you get overwhelmed by all the parties, church callings, kids things, family things, and you think "THIS is crazy! There's no time to think of the REAL meaning of Christmas" just turn that frown right around and think, there is no better way to SERVE than to help your ward, help your family, help your friend, in all you sacrifices. Things that may seem silly like cooking and decorating and purchasing, are merely contributing to the celebration! And isn't our Savior's birth worth the BIGGEST celebration ever? Whatever that means to each person, to each family, I believe that we can embrace BOTH worlds of Christmas without getting cynical. If we turn our thoughts to Christ, to service, to love, to patience, then we are truly celebrating and remembering the true meaning of Christmas...

The Spirit of Christ

Watch the movie too, the 1947 Black and White version. So good! AND Central Park West looks exactly the same... even the bricks on the sidewalk....sigh... don't get me started on Christmas in NYC.

CHEERS

{too much? don't agree? that crazy Erin word vomit doesn't even make sense? this post didn't really have much forethought and it's not very eloquent... so don't judge:) there are so many ways to slice that christmas pie, and this is how I've sliced it today, this year, at this time. just wanted to share!! Merry Christmas}

Thanksgiving in Colorado....

2011-11-30T11:48:00.001-05:00

These faces are a good representation of how we all felt spending our Thanksgiving in Evergreen, CO with 'Grandma Jo and Grandpa Colby'... and OH how the girls loved their grandparents! It was the PERFECT trip.. especially after our cruise it was so nice to be in the mountains (where it actually feels like the winter season) relaxing with family. I don't know that my husband and I ever appreciated that mountainous home when we were dating in high school (ok... my husband DEFINITELY did not) but this trip, all grown up, with kids in tow...we've realized it's just the perfect grandparent house! We're so excited our kids will get to grow up visiting their Colby grandparents in the Colorado mountains! It was beautiful.

We Played....

getting creamed in tether ball by his mom!

this was a REALLY tall hoop... but he could still
dunk it...yup.

Madgey learned how to dribble watching O's soccer
practice. for real. she can really do it.

rock climbing

We had a gingerbread house contest...

And of course enjoyed our family!!..

Grandpa Darwin and his wife Marcia came for
Turkey day too! So great to see them.
And that made four generations of Colbys...
(bottom left pic)
Darwin
Douglas
Jordan
Olive & Madge

Thanks, Colbys, so much for an awesome THANKSGIVING! We sure are

THANKFUL for YOU!

I mean really? such a lovely place!!

Modern Trees...as in Family

2011-11-29T11:58:00.001-05:00

Wanted to spread the love for our good friend in NYC who makes these AWESOME family trees!! Yes, that is a 7 generation chart and isn't it the best looking one you've ever seen??? I've been looking for a good and modern way to display family history FOREVER! I'm just not into those actual tree pictures that only hold 4 generations... soo...I ordered these for the Mr. and my Dad!! It's a great way to motivate yourself to do some family history... and spruce up your walls while you're at it! They're having a Christmas Special at moderntrees.com so check them out!! Thank you creative people for making family history fun AND hip.

Cruisin' through 5 Years...

2011-11-28T23:31:00.001-05:00

Well, did it! We had our first trip together since our HONEYMOON and left the kids for FIVE days! This was really our 5 year anniversary trip and And it was FABULOUS! We had so much fun and made the most of all the cruisin' activities... namely... eating. It really IS meaningful to remember why two people fell in love in the first place. I found myself so grateful I married a fun and optamistic guy willing to do ANYTHING... even dance that chacha version of the electric slide and all other silly line dances like a million times, let me - no encourage me - to judge the hairy chest contest, sport our robes all over the ship just to relax, and on and on and on! We really loved it. So here's the picture story...

Catalina Island, CA

Catalina Island was great because we rented these motorized bikes. Funnest thing EVER.

Ensenada Mexico
It may have not been the prettiest place in Mexico, but who the Heck cares? It still has all that AMAZING Mexican stuff! I was obsessed with it all and could have spend DAYS there! The rugs, the pictures, the painted pots, the toys, everything! I'm sooo into all that mexican stuff! I wanted to re-do my guest bathroom in Mexican motif... but alas, we are poor. Do NOT fret all, we only live 2 hours or so from Mexico. I WILL be making a trip down there. I'm thinking of starting an etsy shop incorporating all that awesome stuff. It's just so IN right now, ya know!?

these are some peeps we met on the cruise ship playing ping pong. it went like this

me- where are you from them- AZ

me- what part them - Pheonix

me- what part them- Glendale

me- where?? them- (I won't give away their whereabouts on the internet, but basically...)

5 minutes away from you

me- what do you do them- dental school

So there you have it. We found a super fun couple that had the same idea we did! AND they have two little boys the same ages as our two little girls. We loved hanging with you guys!!

And of course, our favorite part, the CRUISE SHIP "PARADISE"

This is the trophy I won for winning the girls bracket of ping pong. yup. my first trophy. I'm just not very athletic. until now. watch out ping pongers.

and this is the metal I won for judging this...

the hairy chest contest. yup.

they had a butt shaking event included... yes. no.

Anything to be the MOST decorated passenger on the ship
(and no I'm not pregnant but I totally look like it in this dress!! People all assume you go on a cruise because you are getting pregnant. we did not. just for the record...even though I look already pregnant. just wanted to put it out there)

Playing bingo for the first time. The first time we gambled. We didn't mean to.. I mean it seems like a nursing home game, so we thought it'd be fun. Then they said you could win like $5000! So we ran down there only to find out the card was $20!! But our adrenalin kicked in and we bought it... then we sat nervously and guiltily as we realized this not-so-nursing home-game just sucked us of $20 that could have completely redecorated my guest bathroom in mexican motif... boo bingo. boo.

Cruise Favorites:

dressing up and acting like we have lots of money cuz we're on a fancy ship, like the titanic.

Except it didn't sink, and it wasn't expensive at all.

Walking around in our bathrobes cuz' we could and hot tubbing and reading.

Watching EVERY SINGLE person spend their life savings on alcohol, getting wasted, and talking about it for 5 days.

Playing nursing home games and pretending like they're fancy cuz, again, we are on a fancy ship. Like- ping pong, board games, bingo, shuffle board... see what I mean? Nursing home. so much fun.

The crazy shows... those people probably aren't going to make it to Broadway any time soon.

Those Mexican goodies!!

But not those little mexican kiddos that walk next to you and try to pick you pocket and look up at you with those fake sad eyes that their parent taught them to do.

Remembering WHY I fell in love with the greatest guy on the universe. Are you a little jealous I found him first? you think yours is good too? I bet mine could beat yours at ping pong. Oh wait... that would be ME!

Oh Carnival Paradise. Thanks for all the fun.

And as for this kids.... I guess since I didn't mention them first they must not be dead. They had a blast with Gma and Auntie Brekk and Cousins, Cohen and Leisel. I missed them and worried about them...oh only a LOT a bit... but not enough to impair my fun. AND the best part was feeling like christmas as we were driving home. We couldn't get there fast enough. And the talk we had with Olive when we got home took the cake on the whole trip!

"Oh wow! i thought you guys were older!?"- Olive says in a surprised and crazy 'I've totally forgotten you guys compeltly' sort of way

"oh ya? We look pretty young though?" we said laughing (it was all that relaxing we did)

"Ya!!!" she said... and then caught us up on everything we needed to know about our time away!

And Madgey's new word from Gma???

"BUMMMMM" -anytime she is nakey or changing dipers. Thanks mom:)

OH we couldn't have done it without awesome family who helped us sooo much!! I told them to leave the house a wreck.. but it was vacuumed. I know they're a LOT of work and we LOVE YOU SO MUCH for watching them while we got a little R&R... and you got a little crazier.

I guess distance made the heart grow fonder:)

Cruising...

2011-11-10T12:10:00.001-05:00

Catalina Island

Did I tell you we are going on a cruise? and by "we" I mean just the Mr. and I? I know what you're thinking (or maybe you don't know) But ERIN, you don't like to leave your KIDS!? And it's true. I've secretly condemned people who leave their kids and go on trips.... (don't start hating me)... I've heard so many people say "I'm so excited to quit nursing so I can go on a cruise with JUST my husband"... I usually fakely agree, and then judge them. (If you've said this to me, and now you know I judged you.. don't worry, I've been called to repentance and I LOVE you and I UNDERSTAND). I've just never wanted to leave my kids. If I ever have the passing though, "oh man I just want to get out of here" I feel guilty. So we've put off the Mr. and Me time (not due to him... mostly because of me) but after THREE and a HALF years of not sleeping, I'm ready for a nap. And why not on a cruise ship?

So my awesome mom and sister and kids are coming to entertain my kids this coming week and we are hitting the ship for 5 days to Catalina Island and Ensenada... I KNOW for all of you fancy cruise goers it's a ghetto one..but we are poor after all.

I'm looking forward to some sleep and some clubbing... oh and with my hot hubby:)

are you jealous? I'm excited. Catch you on the flip side...

High of 65 today...

2011-11-05T15:50:00.000-04:00

it's a MIRACLE!! I thought fall would NEVER come! I ran in tights and a jacket this morning... went to watch Jord play football and the kids were COMPLAINING and COMPLAINING about how cold they were. All I could do was smile and be grateful.

However, McDonalds, I'm not grateful that you gave me a peppermint coffee instead of a peppermint hot chocolate when I really needed it. not grateful at all.

Book Reviews...

2011-11-03T14:46:00.000-04:00

I decided to join the ward book club because now with my lack of friends (OK OK I really DO have the makings of some good friends now I just want you to feel sorry for me) I was reading more. And what better way to get new book recommendations AND make new friends? I was hesitant because I've never done a book club before and I was worried I'd HATE it. But I've realized something about myself.... again... like, I've always known this... but.... I'm a social person. So when I read 500 pages of a book... I feel ALL BOTTLED UP INSIDE. I have all this new information and story and NO ONE to tell and NO ONE to understand. I tried telling my husband about a bit in Narnia as it related to the gospel and he literally fell asleep sitting up. nice. Book club is obviously made for people like me, who need to TALK about things.

So without further adieu... (I'll try not to put you asleep while sitting up at the computer)

Have you READ the Chronicles of Narnia?? Like, ALL of them?

Ok so I'm a little slow on the uptake.. they ARE written for young teenagers. But let me assure you, if you've only read The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, you are CRAZY (the LAST one... OH!!)! I won't get into story but here is my over-all response: Unbelievable creativity, THE GOSPEL references are MIND BLOWING (I'm not exaggerating here) especially because C.S. Lewis was not of our faith... I don't understand HOW he knows the things he does! And then puts them into a story so simply and elegantly that a child can understand. Yet if you are not open to it, you'll easily miss it and it'll just be an AWESOME adventure story. How did he do this? My opinion? He was inspired to write these books in his time. Can you imagine if, heaven forbid, a MORMON wrote these books? Would any one have ever read them? Only mormons probably. But C.S. Lewis is spreading the gospel one Narnia Book at a time. Do I sound like a TOTAL fantasy dork yet?? Well here's a little icing on the cake. Narnia, in particular the character of Aslan, has increased my testimony of Jesus Christ. I'm serious. Stop laughing and doubting and read these things.

(and for the record- I hate fantasy, never wanted to see the movies, read the books, etc. But BOOKCLUB made me and now I'm obsessed. I've seen all the movies and cry every time. Especially at the Regina Spektor song at the end of Prince Caspian. Whoah. that's all I'm going to say. Whoah.)

Ok, my latest read was this lovely gem, Cleopatra's Daughter. Again, I wasn't super excited about it. It's a historical novel (call me shallow but I don't find history, at least the idea of it, super exciting). Alas, I really got into this one. I found myself shocked and fascinated by this world of Rome! Yikes they did some crazy, scary, and insane things. The story itself is great and ended up being a love story (bonus for shallow girls like me). I guess Michelle Moran is known for being really accurate in her historical research (which is fun to think this really happened). But the real fun came for me last night. My mind was blown ONCE AGAIN when my curiosity lead me to my New Testament to see how this story lined up with the stories of Christ. MIND BLOWN. Ok, I'm a religious dork now, but as I read the scriptures of Christ being questioned by the Pharisees: "Tell us therefore, what thinkest thou? is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?" (Matt 22:17) I now know WHO Caesar is, and which Caesar it is, and WHAT IT MEANS if you do NOT give tribute to Caesar. You'd be killed... in like TWO seconds. Maybe one. How fun it was for me to flip through the Bible Dictionary and the New Testament and find the characters from this book and their heirs and how they contributed to the time of Christ. You want your mind to be blown too?? You know what to do. That being said, there are no references of Christ in this book. It is not a Christian book and a lot of the things in it are directly offensive to Christian ways. But isn't that why Christ came at that time? Yes, yes it is.

Ok, that's it. I'm learning lots. It kills me that you all haven't read these things and can relate to what I'm talking about. I've put off doing book reports because I'm afraid you'll hate them and it'll be boring... But I had to tell you. In case you are looking for books to read, give these a try! I've enjoyed my time and learning and unexpectedly found they've strengthened my faith. weird ey?

What books are you reading? We are about to put together next years book line up! Tell me what books I MUST read!!

Halloween all TANGLED up...

2011-10-31T23:48:00.001-04:00

Starring Rapunzel

The Magic Flower

Flynn Rider (or Eugene)

Happy Halloween!!!!

"mean Mother" (or Mother Gothel)

White Coat Ceremony...

2011-10-30T23:05:00.000-04:00

On October 21st, this handsom fellow put on a white coat and the whole university celebrated!

Or maybe they celebrate for everyone... but it was really special to us. They do the white coat ceremony, placing the white coat on each student, at the beginning of school as a reminder of why the HECK they are doing all of this hard work! The white coat combines the art of healing and science, always to remember their goal is helping people... not just scuba diving and working 4 days a week... OH WAIT, I shouldn've have said that out loud. That's just the wife talking. For real, he really does love to help people and the man does love him some science. So, here's to you, sweetheart!! Congrats, good luck, and you look killer in that white coat!

It wasn't really the ideal day, however. I would even call it a bust. We took Madge to a babysitter but thought Olive might like to see it. We were VERY wrong on that one. VERY VERY wrong. So I suggested that I leave early and meet the man of honor at home for some pics in the back yard...

Can you see what's happening! Well, it's because the camera doesn't have a great zoom.

that's what you get for having family while in dental school... dorky pics in the backyard!

Daddy night... on a weeknight.

2011-10-21T01:27:00.001-04:00

While mom fulfilled her church responsibilities on Wednesday night, I got to watch the kids! It was a daddy night!!
The only problem was.... it was a weeknight.... and I had an exam the following morning! So we made the most of it!!!
I took a screen shot of the computer screen to show you how I managed to entertain all three of us:

I had the joy of studying the radiographic landmarks of the mandibular premolars as the kids enjoyed the bottom window of Baby Einstein!! Needless to say we were all stoked and happy to be together!
I have the most incredible daughters in the world!! I love you!
Love dad.

The real "Tinydancr"...

2011-10-20T15:04:00.001-04:00

Olive's been in a 6 week dance class at Midwestern (Jord's dental school) and it's been awesome. Did you know that way out in the suburbs they have kids dance classes for only $20/6 weeks?? WHA? She did great. The little video I made kind of makes her look like a crazy person, but when she was following everyone else, it just wasn't as interesting to watch. We were proud of her focus and her spirit. That girl doesn't have a lack of spirit!

She's just like her daddy... always looking in the mirror:)

We love you Olive!

Look Up...

2011-10-17T12:32:00.002-04:00

I'm a little hesitant about posting this, but honestly it's a big part of my life, something I struggle with a lot. Ready for it? (I know, now I've built it up...) it's Body Image. Some days (some months) are better than others, but it always seems to resurface. Sometimes if effects my life, how I deal with myself and others, takes a toll on my motivation, etc, and other times it doesn't and I think... OH! I'm just being a girl and should be able to get over it alone. I know that this is one of Satan's tools to bring precious women (and some men) into destructive behavior so I'm embarrassed to admit that Satan might have a hold on me. Ok, he does. yikes!

And that's why I'm posting. That's what I've been feeling. I've been in denial that this is a spiritual problem, but I'm starting to see correlations between my spiritual success and my lack of spiritual success when I am in the middle of a big FAT pity party. pun intended.

Let me give some context here. I'd say it all began when I had children, but that wouldn't be fair. I always think in my head "Oh I was so skinny back then and I just have to get back there!" It makes me feel better, on the surface, to think, at least I was ONCE skinny. But if I'm completely honest with myself, the "back then" wasn't so great either. I WAS skinny, and truthfully, I'm just fine NOW, but my head was never right about it. I was never satisfied. I was always fat in my head, no matter what the scale said. So YES in retrospect I'd love to trade my post-kids body now for my kiddish high school body, but then, I was never grateful for that one either. See what I mean about Satan's grasp? How ungrateful am I? I KNOW this. I WANT to change it. I'm determined to do it. But it's kind of like an addiction. I tend to relapse. But I'm telling you now, I'm SICK of it ruling my life and my mood depending on whether or not I think I'm terribly good-looking (Zoolander reference. You're welcome.)

Yesterday I taught a lesson in church about being healthy and the Word of Wisdom. I felt a bit a hypocrite teaching it, but also felt like that lesson was for me. Elder Holland gave a talk to the Young Women that was AWESOME. I loved this:

In this same vein may I address an even more sensitive subject. I plead with you young women to please be more accepting of yourselves, including your body shape and style, with a little less longing to look like someone else. We are all different. Some are tall, and some are short. Some are round, and some are thin. And almost everyone at some time or other wants to be something they are not! But as one adviser to teenage girls said: “You can’t live your life worrying that the world is staring at you. When you let people’s opinions make you self-conscious you give away your power. … The key to feeling [confident] is to always listen to your inner self—[the real you.]”⁸And in the kingdom of God, the real you is “more precious than rubies.”⁹Every young woman is a child of destiny and every adult woman a powerful force for good. I mention adult women because, sisters, you are our greatest examples and resource for these young women. And if you are obsessing over being a size 2, you won’t be very surprised when your daughter or the Mia Maid in your class does the same and makes herself physically ill trying to accomplish it. We should all be as fit as we can be—that’s good Word of Wisdom doctrine. That means eating right and exercising and helping our bodies function at their optimum strength. We could probably all do better in that regard. But I speak here of optimum health; there is no universal optimum size.

Very inspiring. I am praying to take inspirational things like these to heart. WHY is it so hard to believe this? How is it so easy to forget?

This morning when I was running I was listening to a conference talk by Elder Carl B. Cook called, "It is Better to Look Up." It's not about body image at all. But last night as I said my prayers I pleaded with Heavenly Father to help me. Help me to realize that it is a spiritual problem. Help me to REALLY take action to change and open my heart to ANYTHING that will help (don't I sound like an addict?) I was listening to this talk when in the middle it hit me.... LOOK UP.

WARNING!!... this is really not what this talk meant by LOOKING UP.

He talked about looking to the Savior (UP) during troubled and trying times. This, literally, is a helpful lesson in and of itself for my situation. But I had another thought. What if I just STOP looking DOWN? Like... down at my body. I wondered how many minutes and hours I waste during the day periodically looking down at my stomach, my thighs, my calves, looking downward in the mirror at my butt, my profile, whatever!! (There are no secrets anymore! I'm a freak) Elder Cook talked about those with Moses who were bit by a poisonous snake. Heavenly Father told moses to take a staff like a Serpent of Brass and if the people would ONLY look into it, they would be healed, but some would not. For after all, how could merely looking upon a staff HEAL a poisonous snake bite? Those who simply looked, were healed. Those who did not, perished. Do we disregard the simple things because hey, how could they POSSIBLY work? This is how I felt. What if I experiment. What if I strive not to look down at my body for like 2 weeks? a month maybe? Of course I'll make sure my skirt is not hiked up in the back or something, but just get dressed and go. Not stopping during the day to dwell on my physical appearance. Would this, could this, heal me? I have my doubts, because after all it's too simple, right? But I don't want to be caught not looking at the staff! Especially if I was HIT with personal inspiration this morning.

So folks, instead of looking down, I'm going to look UP! For the next 2 weeks (month?? I'm an addict) I'm not going to look down at my body. And at the same time I'm going to look up and try to figure out how the atonement and the Savior can heal me.

So that's my confession. I feel silly and embarrassed. I KNOW I should be grateful for the body I have, and I really am... but there is a very worldly side of me that needs to be GONE.

I hope this was not too much information and I hope this will not become an opportunity for people to comment on "Oh Please! You are beautiful inside and out!" pep-talks, nor condemning talks if you feel like doing that. Please don't judge me and my efforts to be happier, healthier, and closer to my Savior, Jesus Christ...

for after all.... Mormons (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) ARE Christians! We believe in Christ. We are not a Cult (Mr. Robert Jeffress) . Just for the record. (if you have any questions please email me!! or visit mormon.org!)

I'm a mother. I'm a wife. I'm a bad body image addict. I'm a striver to be better. And I'm a Mormon.

Guess who else is a MORMON and I NEVER KNEW!!!?? ok... you totally knew didn't you. and you just never told me?? I'm a tad obsessed now!

Halloween fun...

2011-10-15T01:03:00.000-04:00

I NEVER NEVER make sugar cookies... they take forEVER and EVER! These took 2 days!! WHOLE DAYS of SLAVING away... ok not really, but they really take forever. So I thought I'd document.

My mom sent us a really fun halloween package that had these cute cookie cutters so I thought we'd give it a try. They turned out SUPER good and we ended up having lots of friends over to help us eat and decorate (that's Oakley, one of Olive's new besties up on top right)!

The frosting was especially fun, you can use a paint brush:) Fun for all.

Ok, that's it for the baking post. Not much of those for me!

Check out the recipe on the "recipe" tab at the top of my blog. They were SERIOUSLY good!!!

Thought you should know...

2011-10-10T11:03:00.000-04:00

Dearest little kids of mine,

I thought you should know, since you are too little to remember, that your dad bore a wonderful testimony at church. A testimony is when you gain a knowledge of the things of God, things you can only know through faith that has been exercised, things that are hard to explain and learn from school or books or things others tell you. But when you have faith, you can know and then testify that you know these things are true for yourself.

You knew something exciting was happening as you watched him leave our seats in the congregation and made his way up to the front. Olive, you stood on the seat so you could see, and baby Madge, you wanted to stand on my lap, swaying heads side to side to look through the spaces between the people in front of you so you could catch a glimpse of dad at the podium. Your little attention spans are small and you could not understand yet that the words your dad spoke were so special and so true. He spoke of the temple. How grateful he was that he and I were able to attend the Mesa Temple last week. He said he knows the temples are a sacred place where families are sealed together. Mommy's heart leapt with joy as I was reminded once again what a fun family we have and I'm glad we can be together forever. He said that on the walls of the temple there was words saying "The glory of God is intelligence." This means a great deal to him. Dad is working so hard in dental school right now... hardly sleeps, hardly eats... but he holds onto the truth that what you learn in this life you can take with you after this life. I'm grateful for a husband who looks for truths, who attends the temple, who love you girls so much, and above all recognized the Lord in his life and loves Him.

It was a short testimony, though there was some big ol' daddy tears (that's what happens when daddy feels the spirit) but it was true. It was important. You were there, and I wanted you to know that you witnessed something sweet. You knew it was special, though you are so small, and you were right!

Love,

Mom

Zoo in our new town...

2011-10-09T00:26:00.000-04:00

I have theory that kids innately love animals and then their parents either encourage it or discourage it and they grow up to be...well who they are: an animal lover, or not. So of course ZOO DAY is always one of the BEST days in our house.

{Plus, I got to the library 45 minutes before it opened to ensure that I got a free culture pass... no one was there. I was shocked! In NYC there was ALWAYS some crazy person in line ahead of you for WHATEVER it is no matter WHAT time it is (Regis and Kelly stand by line?? people get there EARLY!!!) So I got the culture pass. Zoo day was free and a blast!}

My review? Well, it's says it's one of the top 5 Zoo's for children in the nation. And it IS really cool and I, of course, appreciated some of the non-animal stuff like DESIGN. The bathroom wall!!! (above) and the "little Columbia" town (below). But I was a little disappointed with the animal viewing. NOW because I am an animal lover, I appreciated the space the animals have. Really I do. But I guess the selfish side of me wishes all those squishy animals were pressed up to the glass staring us in the face. It's a little hard for the kiddos when they can't FIND the animals.... still great. still fun.

And I forgot the BEST BEST BEST part!! It was a HIGH of 75 DEGREES! (that's WHY we even went!) Oh it is a MIRACLE I tell you! I'm pretty sure I'm going to love you, Arizona, after all. Oh it's beautiful weather here right now. You and all your fall foliage should be really jealous of me. seriously. Please stay weather. please stay.

Steve Jobs deserves a spot...

2011-10-07T00:15:00.001-04:00

I try to post about important events that happen because I print my blog for family history-type reasons. I'm actually not very good at this so I feel a little sheepish in sharing this even amongst all the other events I've missed...

Alas, I have to share a sad and thankful and awe-inspired vibe publicly as I honor Steve Job's passing yesterday. I had one of the first apple computers. My dad was an Apple nut and I had an apple BOX, black and white picture, on my desk in elementary school, floppy disks and all.

I had one of those fun colored iMacs... they weren't flat... but we were IN LOVE with the fun bubble shape and the colors.

I had the first generation ipod, nano, and everything in between for the most part, until my iphone took over that job. Jordan says he remembers me having the first generation ipod and he didn't really even know what it was:)

Currently we own 2 iphones (as phones) 2 iphones retired and in 'kid use', and ipad, Apple TV, 2 iMacs, and a MacBook Pro....

as you can see we are kind of freaks about Apple.

We got some serious chills last night as we looked back on all Steve Jobs had done in his lifetime and how he has literally changed our world.

Steve, we are in AWE of you, but we are really REALLY thankful for all of our fun toys that bring us music for all occassions, movies for date nights, driving trips, in bed, by the pool, in the hot tub, and anywhere else you can take and iphone or ipad, family pictures galore, organization, reminding us to read our scriptures, keeping us connected to our friends, teaching us about self constraint and practicing it EVERY DAY. I can honestly say apple is there with us 24-7. Should I be embarrassed? Maybe. But, it was sad day in our household. But we know with his genius, all those lucky people who have gone before us are rocking out to angelic tunes on the iPhone 5... which is withheld from us in this mortal life for now (sorry sweetie)

But I heard peops on the radio that said it was appropriate for them to come out with the iPhone 4s... because it was 4STEVE:) cute. very cute:)

Madgey Padgey

2011-10-05T11:07:00.000-04:00

Well this is what you do when you don't know any photographers (cuz you don't have an amazing POOL of resources at your finger tips like my pals in NYC) and you don't have any money. Some back yard novice pics with my fancy-under-used-camera and ill-equipped-to-use-it photographer...that's me. But hey, she's easy to photograph!

Here's what Madgey looks like when she turned one! It's officially on the record.

OOoooooo I LOVE the ONE YEAR OLD stage! They are sooo cute and sooo sweet and just learning enough sas to make you crack up! Not too much to pull your hair out. We love this little bundle of cuddley mush. Don't change Miss DeMille. You're spirit shines through those baby blues!

Taco Child...

2011-09-30T00:20:00.004-04:00

Olive: "when I was a baby you were going to name me....

Olive....... or

Olivia....... or

Taco Bell......"

Me: "TACO BELL??? BAHAHAHA"

Olive: "Why are you laughing mom?"

true. story.

*Back story... we told her we were going to name her either Olive or LydiaBell. Olivia she came up with on her own... and obviously we know what happened with LydiaBell:)

if you can't tell... this pic was taken with a funny effect on PhotoBooth... Olive's favorite past time! Just IN CASE you thought we had really changed a lot since you had seen us last! haha

Side Walk Chalk Plan of Salvation

2011-09-29T14:03:00.001-04:00

We had a fun and simple Family Home Evening (FHE) this week. We got some new sidewalk chalk and we have our own backyard... so we put the two together and Dad drew up the Plan of Salvation ( if you aren't familiar with it, READ THE LINK!). Try this one out. It was a real winner with the kiddos!

So thankful for my little family. I've been a witness to families falling apart lately, and we've been feeling the great urgency to safeguard and protect ours! FHE is one of those things we are NOT going to be missing. I feel such immense gratitude for our little family and the small beginnings of it! Small and simple things, ey sweetie??

Meet John Deere...

2011-09-27T12:43:00.000-04:00

Introducing John Deere, the newest member of our family

He lives in our living room (and for my NYers- that's not the family room. we have both. I know. Don't get me started on living rooms though. they're kinda funny. The best decorated and the least used.)

I decided not to paint over the branding. It just seemed wrong. But I really like how it turned out with some wood showing when the piano is open. What do you think? I'm sure I've got a half a can left....

Mom! Stop taking pictures!!

And for other new family members, this little guy definitely deserves to be mentioned. $10!

And please help us in thanking this little cactus for it's service as our center piece...

Obviously the pressure was too much.

How can you kill a cactus?? They don't even need water... much...

Sorry little buddy. I'm REALLY REALLY going to miss you. You little cacti are my FAVs. Good thing I've got three more in my bathroom. But I'll still miss you. Yikes, it just doesn't look good.

Monday Project... it's a good one!

2011-09-27T02:24:00.002-04:00

I've been really into spray paint lately. Really into it. It's really fun stuff....

5 1/2 cans later....

Oh!! I've been wanting to do this for a long time. I don't know if I blogged about my sad piano story before (the one where I found the PERFECT piano at Salvation Army for $60!!!, send husband to pick it up, it was sold 5 minutes before he got there... sad.) BUT I found another one! One that had all its pedals and all the keys worked. I'll admit (not to his face) that the first one was a bit more interesting... a little more character. But when I'm done with it, character will not be a hurtin' for.

Also, I really don't need a piano. My grandma sent us this awesome full keyboard and it's been a dream... but I've just always ALWAYS wanted to paint a piano. So I am. I did. It's done. It's fun. Here's a sneak peak...

Before......

and.... I can't post the after yet. That would spoil all the fun. And mostly it's dark now and I can't take good pics.

So until tomorrow... did I not have a productive Monday? Between running at 6 am, play group AND library day, and grocery shopping, oh and

A little Olive project too

Olive that's hot!! oh your own mother told you to stand there for the pic? Awkward.

"Hey mom! How does this face look???"

It's true. We're making pumpkin choc chip cooks... even though it's still 100 degrees everyday. It's not fall here, I'll tell you that much!

Love that little O. She's been really fun lately. I think we're almost in the clear for the CRAZY CRAZY THREE days.... almost.

and one last tid bit... I put Miss Madge down for a nap at 5pm, she's still sleeping. recipe for disaster or much needed sleep? It's 11:15pm now. yikes!

Oh ONE last thing I swear... saw a commercial for a show called "Suburgatory".... I'm not trying to be negative here, and I have NO IDEA what the show is about... but for some reason it resonated with me:) Okay okay... I like it here!!! I even found myself saying "oh there's too many people at the park, we should go another time"... too many people at the park?? WHO AM I? So I changed my mind and we went to the park. We have awesome parks just a bike trailer ride away.

design blog junkie...

2011-09-24T01:04:00.000-04:00

Sometimes I get really sucked into design blogs. Even friends blogs who have design occasionally make me stay at the computer for hours click click clicking. Here's what happened:

My lovely friend of This Little Miggy Stayed Home posted these awesome beauties. I've recently put some wire storage bins up on the wall as cubbies, and I'm in love with the idea of drawer cubbies, and now these sweet wine box cubbies. I'm sure I'll be stealing the idea for my bathroom! Thanks Miggy!

She mentioned something about pallets, maybe crates in her post, which reminded me of a display at West Elm I saw on the UWS that hung maybe 6 huge pallets on the wall for a glorious backdrop of hanging goodness. Since then I've been obsessed with pallets.

Ah ha! this is it! thanks someone who also appreciated those pallets:)

So begins my design search. I always end up on design*sponge for EVER and EVER and EVER. I can seriously click "older posts" all night long. The sneak peaks are my favorite. I fantasize about having a home worthy of a "sneak peak" someday!

Alas, I'm IN LOVE with this use of a pallet!

I'm going to have to do it.. but I'm afraid then I won't be able to use pallets for other things if I do this. Can I over use pallets? I mean... will people think I'm an exporter or something?

After a few hours on design blogs tonight, I've decided what my FAVORITE thing about design people with amazing taste and homes is...

they all have CATS!! You thought they were out. you thought they weren't cool. You thought you didn't like them. You pretend to be allergic. But people... all the coolest people have CATS. I'm just sayin'.

(sorry, sometimes I just get so sick of cats getting the shaft. Leslie, can I hear a "heck ya"!)

The Minivan and Me...

2011-09-22T01:30:00.000-04:00

Well, we don't own any cars. Of course we didn't need them in NYC and when we moved to the suburbs we were broke. My parents are lending us a couple extra cars they had (I know right?) which has been amazing. The car I got was a Honda Odessey. Now... I KNOW! Everyone LOVES their Odessey but I'm still having a hard time reconciling a minivan and well.. me. But now I'm trapped. As we think about getting our own car and what we might want, I can't help but think about those sliding doors, and those buttons that open those sliding doors, and the walk through option, and the cargo space, and the seating, and the gas mileage. WHY did they make those minivans so dang brilliant? It makes it impossible for a girl like me with new stylish bangs and non-prescription glasses to be hip and cool.

But then it dawned on me. THIS is the perfect van for me!!!! Right??? do you think I'm crazy? Can you see it? I totally have butterflies just thinking about it.

This is a BEAUTY! Now I'd need a fully restored one like this. Probably cost me as much as a new one. does it even have sliding doors? but soooo CUTE!!

but LOOK!!! They're thinking of making a new one!! Here's the concept cars! Umm.. I love them. Not as much as the old ones... but more than likely sliding doors with buttons.

but they're really cool! right?

or maybe I could do this?? my girls are in there...can you see it? hehe:)

that's all.

call me crazy. But I'm serious.

Check Ups and Checking In

2011-09-20T00:28:00.001-04:00

This is O and Drake, Jen's dog!
It's like Disney Land when Drake's around!

Olive is getting so smart and she is cracking me up with all the questions she asks and how observant she is. Candid conversations with children= hilarity.

driving to the grocery store
Me: Aurgh! (change the channel on the radio)
O: What Mom??
Me: Oh... just... the man singing just said Heavenly Father's name (I wan to say "in vain"... how to explain to a 3 year old?) in a bad way.
O: What's Heavenly Father's name?
Me: God. And he didn't say it during a prayer or church or talking about him. God is really important. He made us you know? We can't just say his name ALL THE TIME in bad songs.
O: (really taking this in and I can tell she wants to know about this person now!) Is he a bad person?
Me: Who? The singer? (not Heavenly Father right?...)
O: Yup
Me: No, he's not a bad person, he just makes really bad choices.
O: Oh! Well what's his name
Me: ( I totally KNOW what's about to happen) Eminem.
O: Hey! That's CANDY!!!!!!!!

...forgets all about our nice and spiritual talk. I cracked up. I'm still cracking up.

As for Miss DeMille...

She has 5ths Disease (really a virus). Sounds bad. But really it's just a rash that makes you scared so you go spend $85 at the doc for a 2 minute appointment in which he informs you that it is of no concern... will clear up in 4-7 days. Not contagious (most likely... nice.) She just looks like a little sad baby. It doesn't bother her and she's not sick. She's a little trooper.

When I was looking up rashes last night on the web I saw some model with her baby shopping in LA and the article was ridiculing her for taking her baby out with chicken pox.... well maybe it was 5ths Disease. Poor model. And... are people going to judge me if I take her out? Will YOU judge me? Would you let your kids play with her? Or hate my guts? Maybe I should make a shirt for her that says:

I'm not contagious. probably.

Words on the books for Miss D:

book

amen

all done

dat ("that")

DAT!! (with emphasis)

HIIIIII!! (she's VERY skilled at this one. particularly at church. when things are quiet.)

Dada

momma

"awwww" (baby gooiness for her blankie and sister cuddles) super cute!

and to our surprise she says her name!!

"MA!" and points to herself. smarty pants.

also she understands english. we test this all the time. Jordan asked her to close the door. she turned around and headed for the door. shut it. yup.

I told her, "go get that crayon and put it in the box."

she understood. picked up the crayon. walked over to the box. reached down to drop it in... but looked at me and said her favorite word of all...

"No."

Copy Cats, Ghetto Style

2011-09-15T13:20:00.001-04:00

My lovely Friend, Debi, is in the same situation I am in... almost. We both just moved from NYC and are settling into our suburban lives. Differences? Her husband is out of school and is an actual dentist. My husband? In the drudges! So here's the result:

I saw her post about getting a new bike trailer for the offspring with ADORABLE matching helmets for those twiners! I KNEW I had to get one! Brilliant. So I did. That same day. (that's right Debi, you inspire people to move quickly!). Got on craigslist and found this real beauty. And by beauty I mean.. it's super old and not clean at all. But I thought, ok.. well everything works, and we are living in DEBT so.... well it's really fun... but the straps are disintegrating. Yup, the red straps leave red dust on the kids every time. Do we care? A little. (I called the guy and asked if we could get a craigslist refund. He said no. nice.) But a few hours away from our glamourous-california-brand new trailer-cute matching helmet friends... we pull our sweet ride with you... but with mismatching helmets (if only they'd keep them on)

We are loving it! I think we are going to ride everywhere. Forget the car! Carseats? Such a pain. I mean, the kids only fight a little.....

Thanks for the inspiration Debi! Love ya!!

I want a Tree Home...

2011-09-13T12:41:00.001-04:00

I've been in a rut for a while. Of course, I've been in a huge (and little bit sad) transition moving away from the city. But really, I have no cause for not being optimistic. Our home is MORE than we could have dreamed. Our ward is really great and HUGE and there are several people we'd like to get to know better. The weather here is dreamy and it's just getting better. The activities here for kids are endless and CHEAP. The shopping is CRAZY good with the Scottsdale Fashion Mall super close, a mall down the street, Wal mart, Target, Nordstrom Rack and EVERYTHING (not kidding... just think of something) is in my very own neighborhood. So why do I mope around? Why do I have such a hard time getting motivated lately?

Usually when I feel this way it's because I need to work on my prayers, or my scripture study, or service... I know this and so it has dawned on me to investigate these aspect several time since I've been here. I was studying the General Conference talks and I finished and just haven't figured out what else to study. And I didn't have a church calling or visiting teaching and felt like I couldn't serve. Luckily, I WAS saying my prayers (maybe not so sincerely).

Like I said a few weeks ago, I got called into Young Womens. A totally blessing and has helped. But I'd be ungrateful if I didn't tell you what miracle (though small) happened this weekend. Saturday night as I said my prayers (kind of a little bit half heartedly) I asked Heavenly Father to help me know what to study in my scripture study, something I could get excited about and feel good again. Then went to bed without studying anything again. In the morning at church two things hit me right on the forehead... and the heart. BAM! the New Relief Society book was handed out! I was drawn to it immediately. The size of it alone was noticeable because it wasn't the standard size of any other church book out there. (right?? did you notice the delicious size?) Then I remembered sister Beck talking about the book and how excited she was. I knew this was IT! This was going to be my study. And I knew right away that less than 12 hours later Heavenly Father had answered my prayers. Then FIVE minutes later, the Young Women were talking about Personal Progress. And again, BAM! I KNEW, without a doubt, I needed to complete my Personal Progress... again. (apparently leaders can do it again)

I came home feeling excited and grateful and humbled. There are very few times in life (well, my life) where my prayers are answered so immediately and I actually NOTICE what the heck that Father in Heaven of mine is trying to tell me.

So, I started with Personal Progress. The very first Value Experience on the very first page. It's focus is on Faith, and with only two days of scripture study under my belt, I'm feeling uplifted beyond measure.

In Alma 32: 17-43 Alma compares faith to a seed. We've all read it a million times and quite frankly when the scriptures do their seed and tree thing, sometimes I zone out. But my mind was open this morning and here are a few things that stood out:

Regarding the seed (desire to have faith in the word of God) Alma says in V. 37

"And behold, as the tree (desire!) beginneth to grow, ye will say: Let us nourish it with great care, that is may get root, that it may grow up and bring forth fruit unto us. ...

v. 38 "But if ye neglect the tree, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold it will not get any root; and when the heat (Arizona) of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root it withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out."

v. 39 "now, this is not because the seed was not good, neither is it because the fruit thereof would not be desirable; but it is because you ground is barren, and ye will not nourish the tree, therefore ye cannot have the fruit (blessings) thereof."

I realize that I want my home to be full of the fruits, or blessings, that Heavenly Father has to offer. I want my children to feel the spirit in our home. I want there to be happiness and light. I want us to grow closer together and closer to our Savior. These, to me, are just some of the fruits, or results of having faith. But it is up to me to nourish the seed. I love that it says that if your tree withers away and doesn't bring forth fruit is WASN'T because the seed wasn't good or that it didn't have all the potential in the WORLD to bless you immensely, but YOU did not take care of it and nourish it.

I'm working on my faith. Because of my RUT I feel like its just a little seed again and we haven't been seeing the fruit. But I can feel my spirit beginning to swell and I have faith that if I nourish it, we will have the type of TREE HOUSE I've always dreamed of....

And if it looked like the picture above... I don't think I'd complain (seriously, it's in a tree! Amazing house). I think it might help remind me to nourish my tree, and nourish my home! Can I have a tree house please?

(image)

Anthro Children's Museum??

2011-09-13T00:22:00.003-04:00

My sister and kids were in town for Madgey's bday and it was we just LOVE it! We love getting those cute cousins together to play and this time we decided to check out the Children's museum in Phoenix...

Well I'm telling you... we were FREAKING out! Just a children's museum? I think not. this is apparently ranked 8th in the country but I can't imagine one that is better (and I've been to the Boston Children's museum which was ranked as 4th).

First of all it was in this amazing building and i've decided me next home (ok maybe not my NEXT home... but like when I have money. a lot of money) will be a building like this... if I can't figure out how to buy this children's museum. Its an old school building and the inside is all warehousey and industrial!!

But the beauty is the DESIGN! ( and my sister is an expert in design and she was freaking just like me!) They didn't fight the 'industrial' look, they went with it and it is just MELT your little SOUL amazing! If I got to buy this place (PLEASE), I'd keep this play structure... in my living room. Can you see it? people come over to visit and you have this great thing to distract the kids! You can't possibly tell by the pictures but this play structure is completely decked out in recycled coolness. to the left is a flying bathtub. There is a rocket and the engine is made of upside down aluminum trash cans. There are old boats hanging up there with fish dangling from the ceiling made from things like a fire distinguisher, old CDS (so shiny!) rolled up magazines, etc. In the floor under clear plastic are 'mosaics' made of crayons and marbles. I mean.. it was just as much fun for me to climb and explore the design as it was for the kids. I'm not explaining myself well enough here.... can you grasp that this is AMAZING??

Ok, the craft room had this castle that they paint a different color everyday. Bril. And in the corner of the craftroom we recognized these giant paper ostriches from the Anthropologie window decorations. Sure enough there was a little plaque saying that Anthro is now donating their window fun to the children's museum!! LUCKY! they also had a giant moose made of sweaters. See what I mean? Anthro museum?

This is a noodle forest. yes. love it.

little desert area celebrating AZ... do you see those pics on the wall?? Desert animals wearing fancy hats and such? I'm trying to locate the artist because I MUST have them in my living room.

The infant area was CRAZY! Do you see the top of this safety fence around the play area?? Door knobs! All sorts of different door knobs. on. the. fence.

These were in the kitchen area. Chandeliers made from colanders, utensils, etc. There were probably 20 of them. I mean, they don't need to do that... the kids are playing with the food and fake grocery shopping... do they really need those cute chandeliers? NO... but that's just the kind of museum this is.

Every single corner was crammed with goodness. AND we stayed for HOURS because the kids adored it all.

a tricycle corner with vintage trikes???

ok, do you wan to come visit me yet?? If you are passing through AZ this is a MUST SEE!

(sorry NYC children's museum. you were never very good and we all knew it. A Dora area? Really? And the Free Fridays... well you know how those go. Implant this little gem into the UWS and you'd REALLY have something!!!)

Remembering 9/11...

2011-09-12T01:04:00.002-04:00

iphone view of NYC from our side of town: The GW bridge

Just wanted to say to my dear NYC that I am remembering 9/11 today. I remember that I was in the car with my friend Jen and her dad and they told me that the first plane had hit. Her dad said assuredly , even though the news wasn't saying it yet, "this was a terrorist attack." We went to school and sure enough the news finally confirmed what Marc already knew. We watched the news all day in almost every class... except for those few stingy teachers who thought it was more important to keep on a learnin' even when such catastrophe had happened.

Then I remember visiting NYC for the very first time the year after 9/11. People still remembered then. Ground Zero was a sacred place and NYC HAD been through something big and you could tell. There were still police on horses with huge guns all around town. But I fell in love with it. I remember them all being very patriotic... Red White and Blue everywhere.

I remember getting accepted to The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC and people asking me WHY in the WORLD I would want to go there NOW after so much had happened. I knew I had to be apart of it.

I remember our wise bishop, and now a close friend of mine, President David Buckner, preaching a lovely sermon of remembrance on one anniversary of 9/11. He spoke of how he had to account for everyone in his ward and it was frightening. He remembered getting on the bus the next day to take his kids to school and people making eye contact (a NEVER in NYC) and then speaking up. They just had to ask if you were okay and if your family and friends were okay. He said it softened people and connected people in a way he had never seen New Yorkers before.

I remember paying my almost 7 years in NYC and seeing that 'rememberance' slip away. Patriotism was way down. It really saddens me to this day where our country has gone since that day 10 years ago. But i'll say this much. I will always remember September 11th. Though I wasn't there, NYC is a big part of my heart, and that terrorist act was a big part of that city's story. I love this country and believe in defending our freedom and our CONSTITUTION gosh dang it!

My heart goes out to those that lost loved ones that day. My heart goes out to those who have forgotten them and are confused by what it means to keep this country FREE. My heart is full of gratitude for this country.

God Bless the USA.

P.S. I switched back to my old template, see? I just CAN'T find a thing a like... the search is on.

2011-09-11T03:07:00.000-04:00

well... I kind of hate this template.. no?

I've been searching all night and at the end of it all I'm just tempted to do a Justin Beiber background. It's the only one that evoked anything from me... it made me laugh. and then tempted me to use it, and use it all year...

You should know I wasn't going to change it after all... but then the Mr. decided to tell me he never liked the ol' red couch all along!

The search is on. blarg.

I'm a Tiger too...

2011-09-11T01:10:00.000-04:00

So I just started reading this book. I'm not even half way through but I'm kind of in love with it. Maybe in love isn't the right thing to say but maybe I'm in awe of it.... in kind of a sick way because I don't agree with it, and yet I kind of envy it... but then I know it's not right, but maybe it's a little awesome.... make any sense? Have you read it?

So far it's about a Chinese American women who is raising two daughters as a "Chinese Mother".... you know how the Chinese kids that are amazing at math and musical instruments (I KNOW! Stereotyping here. But she does it in the book too.) How do they get that way? They have Chinese Mothers. She makes her 6 year old practice piano 3 hours a day which includes blood baths of shouting matches, threats, etc. Doesn't sound great... exept that her kid is THE BEST at the piano! She compares that to a Western mother who said she makes her kid practice one minute, per year old, per day. So her 7 year old had to practice 7 minutes per day...... ya. I'm thinking that's not enough to succeed, but I can definitely relate to that western mother as well. And quite frankly, I bet those 7 minutes are a blood bath too.

I am more of a balanced person myself but this already has my brain REELING on these things...

Getting the big O in ballet class (not jazz and tap and all)

Pre-school: home schooling? private? public?

Reading everyday for like... lots of hours

No TV? Always sounds treacherous but after a few pages of reading maybe I should make some rules* about it (*I'm not a RULE person. I like to just do things in balance but not be overly scheduled or else I feel like rebeling... against my own plan. I am my mother's daughter. hi mom.)

Starting piano. What kind of piano mom will I be? Even Sister Beck (the General RS President) made her girls practice like an hour or more a day FOREVER. I got the impression from the interview I was listening to that she pushed them pretty dang hard and was VERY consistent.

And the last question in my head... is our generation a big bunch of wussies? Why do I squirm at the word "rule". Maybe it scares me that I am the adult now and if I make it a rule for my kids, then I, yes I, am the one who has to be a consistent rule keeper, follower and enforcer. That's tricky for me. But I do wish my parents pushed us more to stick with.... well, everything. Maybe it would have been great to be the best at something. Or maybe that's not even important in the grand scale of life and family.

Welp.... maybe you should read the book. Or maybe it will scramble your brain too.

And yes, I am a Tiger in the chinese calendar too, just like the author, Amy Chua... so maybe that's why I relate to her so much, even though it's making me highly uncomfortable to admit.

Madgey's 1st Year Video

2011-09-10T00:49:00.000-04:00

AND if you can stomach this after my last post... we do these for the girls each year for their birthday to track the year! Happy Birthday Madgey!!!

Happy 1st Birthday Madge DeMille...

2011-09-10T00:46:00.001-04:00

Madge then...

Madge now...

Dear Madge,

I can't believe it's been a year already since you've been in our lives. I remember that I couldn't even imagine having you around, not knowing who you were or how I'd love TWO kids. But now it feels like you've always been here, always been in our family, and my love has multiplied and grown since you've come around. What a blessing that our hearts grow larger as a special person enters our lives.

You've been an extremely good baby... especially when you're awake. You've definitely kept us up at night until we've been driven crazy and can't go any longer. But after a long sleepless night you're sweet little smile and jolly attitude made us forget everything that happened the night before (almost). You're sleeping through the nights now, and taking two lovely naps a day. Oh how we thought this day would never come.

When you were very young, before you could crawl, you were such an observer. I could sit you down and you'd never move. We called you the 'blob baby'. So sweet and easy going, not really motivated to go anywhere. Then the crawling opened up a new you!! We found a little sass, a little spice, and you definitely know exactly what you want. It's not an overbearingness, but we like to call it a 'quiet bossiness' about you. You've always had a sense of humor! Since you were only a couple of months old I felt like you were making jokes and laughing at me and yourself. You're going to be such a little jokester and I know it! You crack me up with your funny lips, your funny smiles, and your funny talk! You talk and talk and talk... but we don't know WHAT you are saying.

As you hit your very first year you are walking like a champ, sticking up for yourself around the big kids, bossing us all at the dinner table, dancing to the Rio Toy from McDonalds and making everyone beam and laugh!!

As you were opening your presents at your party... bringing them each to show me investigating them and really ENJOYING them... I realized, THIS IS MADGE! Most one year olds don't know what a present is, but here you are taking it all in. The word that kept coming to my head was DILIGENT! You were a diligent present opener. Then you diligently played with each and every toy until you knew exactly what it did. Even with your birthday cake you stayed on the floor with no one around diligently eating and eating and eating! Not just smearing and making a mess and having fun. You knew what to do with that cake and you proceeded to diligently eat. the. cake. It was a silly observation over presents and cake but I beamed with pride as I realized this may be one of your spiritual gifts given to you from your Heavenly Father who loves you so much. To be diligent is such a blessing and will take you so far in learning, the gospel, in tasks, in family, and in all aspects of life. It is something I admire already, as I am often not the most diligent... getting distracted by the littlest things! Not even the biggest distraction of an entire party of people could take you away from eating. your. cake.

Madgey, you are one special soul.

Olive loves you so much. When you wake up from in the morning and from naps she wants to be the first one to see you and shouts at the top of her lungs in her very own baby voice, "MADGEY!!! awwwwwww!" and gives you hugs and kisses. What a joy it's been to see the two of you together. I hope you will always be close friends and serve each other!

Happy Birthday to my sweet Madge Padge. We love you so much and can't believe it's been a year. It's gone so fast, and yet it's like we've always known each other. You've always belonged in our family! On this first birthday I hope you take with you your jolly spirit, your sass, and you diligence.

Love,
Mom

Now for the

FIESTA FIRST BIRTHDAY

we were so lucky to throw a party for Madge AND Leisel

(Madgey's cousin.. only a month a part!)

they came out all the way from Nebraska so we HAD to get Leisel in on the party too.

But the fun didn't stop there. My parents came too. AND THEN Jordan's parents called wondering if they could visit us over Labor Day weekend?? WELL YES!! That's when the party is! SO we had EVERYONE here. Both sets of grandparents, cousins, and all. Here's the proof

it's true.. that's our back yard:) For all of you suburbians reading.. it's not that big of a deal really, but we're just so excited to HAVE a back yard. and throw parties in it!

See Grandma Jo and Grandpa Colby in the back? I haven't gotten good pics from my dad yet so I don't have good pics of them!! Ah! But see them? They're there and they helped SOO MUCH!! THANKS GUYS! We LOVE you!

The Birthday Girls

Leisel makes the best faces in pics!

Brekk made babies and moms our AWESOME head pieces!! Can she GET any more hip and cool??

I really put this pic in because you can KIND OF tell that my hair is RED. Can you tell??? AH it's so hard to capture what it really looks like. This is pretty close.

have you SEEN these mini bell peppers at Costco? I mean REALLY?? I still can't get over them....

"Fairy Godmother" Jen lovin' on the girls! LOVE these pics

Leisel's face again! Seriously??!

My lovely long time friend Jess and her family now live in AZ! Yay!
And my new friend, Chelsea! Wife of a dental student we met at the midwestern BBQ! Love her and her hubby, Ben!

opening presents! "baby" (Madge can say it) from Grandma Jo and the chair from Maama (my mom)

OOOHHH it was a FUN FUN cousin weekend for those kids! My mom got them ALL chairs. Along with Jo getting them ALL presents.... it was a little like CHRISTMAS. But we don't mind!

Thanks for those who made it out and celebrating our little girlies, Madge & Leisel! It meant so much to us to have you all here. That's the best part about a party! It gets us all together... even if we have to us a ONE YEAR OLD for an excuse.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Intro to my new life...

2011-09-01T23:23:00.000-04:00

I get to do laundry in my own washer and dryer, the catch is that it's REALLY expensive to run it between noon and 7pm, especially with what it takes to run our AC in this heat. So I have to do it in the morning and at night. I don't like to be bossed around... but since they are MY OWN washer and dryer... I guess I'll do what they say.

We wake up do breakfast and morning stuff, put Madgey down for a nap and Olive and I head out for a swim in our own backyard! Super amazing. I mean really? While I'm out there I vacuum the pool, clean out the leaves... you know... home owner stuff. But we swim nearly everyday and it's been a great alternative to going to the park in this heat. Get the kids nice and tired.

We have great landscaping. We heard of these "no-scapes" in Arizona because it costs too much for a yard, but we loved this house because it was GREEN and had PALM TREES. But holy moly! We do NOT know how to take care of this stuff. We got a mower and edger, and Jord is pro at the grass.... but what about the other stuff????? It's getting all over grown. so I called a guy. They're going to take care of it tomorrow. Makes me feel better for now. But what about next time? Do I always need "a guy"? Too bad there's no money growing off those palm trees. Guess what else? There's a little mini palm tree I didn't even see because it's covered with weeds. I thought it was a bush. nice.

I don't have any friends. It's a little hard coming from a place where everyone NEEDS each other. There is almost desperation to become friends so that we have a network. I know these people are nice, fun, have interesting things to say, I think the real lack it the NEED for others. I know it'll take time. I'm just not used to waiting for that. I probably look like a desperate freak out there trying to mom it up at play group, asking MILLIONS of questions about their past, present and future goal and ambitions. But it's just so hard to get to know someone, ya know? I mean really know someone. Like drop your kids off-come over at all hours of the night-wear PJs in front of-friends.

Speaking of friends.. the best miracle is that my best friend from high school lives out here. Her glorious name is Jennifer. She's about an hour away, but I've spent more time with her in the past three months than probably the past 3 years (maybe)! I just LOVE YOU JEN and I can't believe the stars aligned and let us live in AZ together at the same time.

I finally got a calling. The calling I've always wanted. I'm in YOUNG WOMENS!! (that's wikipedia so beware) I'm really excited. I'm the Beehive advisor and the girls are great. Ah! I love the young women. I just want to shake them and give them all the tools to make wise decisions. But I also want to go to the dances and be one of them. I'm really a YW at heart! I'm excited to have something to do and a way to get to know a smaller group of people. What a blessing

the husband has started school. We went to a social and it was highly family friendly and awesome. The campus... amazing. he is soooo totally stoked. 3 days into it? I feel like a single mom. Once again. I've been really praying to help me be one of those nice wives, to be more service minded to my husband, to do more than my share and not feel resentment. I'm getting better at like NONE of those qualities. But I really do have a desire. Any of you out there have any tips? Any wisdom on how to make me less resentful, more giving and forgiving, and find joy in this time?

I'm all about not just WAITING for our lives (after school) to start. This is it! We're living it. And if I can choose, I'd like to be happy while doing it. And not just happy- in love, extremely satisfied, joyful, accomplished, spiritual, etc... is that too much to ask?

signing out from the AZer

p.s. People keep complaining about the heat. I mean it's REALLY hot. But I think I've figured out that the reason for the excessive complaining is that they are completley spoiled by weather here. All year long they've got (now I've got!) perfect weather. When some heat waves and haboobs come rolling through, everyone gets a little stingy!

ok, it's kinda scary looking. But it's just dust. yikes!

maybe it was too hard to post...

2011-09-01T01:44:00.000-04:00

or maybe I just forgot!!

Before we left the big city I threw Jordan a graduation party/going away party. Of course, we did it in Central Park and the best of the best attended!

Man, as I look at these pictures I realize how blessed I am to have had so many wonderful friends the years I was in NYC. You (and you know who you are) are some of the most influential and powerhouse people that changed me for the better. Thank you for you quiet examples. I noticed. Thanks for your long talks on "important stuff". I miss it. Thanks for being my family. I hope I was there for you like you were always there for us!

I love and miss you all. Keep on being forces for good that you are. I'm trying to bring a little NYC flare to the west. We're getting there. I will break in:)

The Astle Family

The Hardies

Raleigh. Best month EVER!

we were meant for each other. I'm just saying

Mike & Jonah Allen make the appearance for their crew. Erin & Lucy- we LOVE YOU!!

My lovely long time friend, Lucky & his girlfriend, Eden. Wow! I'm so blessed to have such wonderful & supportive friends!

Half the Horeys!

Forest & Abbie. Mother & Father of "Eli & Audrie" (spoken as one flowing and SACRED word around our house)

lil' Audrie herself

The Webbs- in town for a bit and graced us with their presence. Good friends know how to make the Colbys happy

beginner... almost there... and really almost there.
Dentists!!

The Lee Family bringing the fun, as usual.

Deb so nice to come on her OWN birthday!

remember Olive's haircut???? Ah!

The Lovely Hallmark Family

My dear friend, Hashi

Don't look at this picture. It'll only make you cry..

ok, no more sappy NYC stuff.

Just reporting the news here.

Here's what you missed...

2011-08-25T18:55:00.001-04:00

Isn't that what they say in Glee? I don't watch it... (I KNOW I KNOW... but it's bad. and I already have a bad show.... some of you out there know what it is, but I cannot disclose right here. right now.)

But I want this post to feel like the beginning of that show ok? So

Here's what you missed:

I went to Nebraska and we went to the State Fair. I think I've decided that when we are RICH (that's right all you 'no one should aspire to be rich' people out there) I dream of having a home in the city and a FARM. New development. I just love the animals and I think that whole farming thing is so good for the kids. They can say, "Oh man I really want to come to that party where all the cool boys and booze are, but we go to our FARM every summer..."

right?

Madge and Leisel enjoying their favorite animal at the Fair... Mamma.

Madge got a "poof" despite my terrible fears that it's a Utah/Arizona thing. But seriously?? With that Mexi dress? amazing, no?

(if you see her in this outfit again at her Bday... don't hate me. It's a fiesta!)

Then we enjoyed some time at the coolest place ever, PIZZA MACHINE in NE. Best. place. ever.

We went there to celebrate the reunion of Olive and Cohen because Co had been with his dad all week.

See what I mean about reunion? They're buds

then I saw this chair at Anthropologie that ruined my life. Do you see what it SAYS on that chair. I'm in the middle of Nebraska for heaven sakes!! I cannot escape!

then I saw this at Anthro, too. that made me happier. I think I'm going to do something like this in my dining room. And I think my mom is going to do something like this in her foyer, and where should you do something like this?

The I came home to this!! Thank Husband!

then the Mr. started DENTAL SCHOOl!! it's really happening! He love it so far... of course it's only orientation week. But look at all of these pics I took for him for inspiration on his dental school outfits. Won't he look cute. And isn't that the most important thing? His outfits are going VERY well, if I do say so myself.

But most importantly....

Madge WALKS!!

A sad excuse to stay in touch ...

2011-08-19T13:18:00.000-04:00

My blog needs a major makeover! The thing is, I got this template on a lucky whim and it happened to have tabs and all... I'm not that savvy to put tabs on another one. This shall be my new Project. Amongst lots of other projects.

Other news:
I'm in Nebraska. Here for moral support with my sisters divorce. But guess what else is in the Midwest? Serious vintage... And I mean mid-century... Stuff!! Ahh where's my uhaul?? I want to have a store.

Madge walks. Yup. Serious walking. I'll post soon!

I'm lonely. I feel disconnected and lost out here in the wild wild west. You're probably not even reading my blog! (it's ok, don't feel bad... Ive been totally boring lately!)

That's all for now:)

Did u notice the top of my blog still says 'a little NYC?' aaahhhhhh! Pain in my heart.

First Family Camping Trip...

2011-08-08T12:41:00.000-04:00

Well, we're off again. Jord has a break between his summer class and starting Dental school so we've gotta go pick up some money in UT {I wish we could just "pick it up"... but unfortunatly that includes lots of hours of the Mr. working for my dad}. On the drive up to UT we decided to take a little camping trip at the grand canyon. Of course we are coming from NYC so we have NO camping gear... but we did what we could. We had one tent, got it years ago and hadn't been cracked open, and bought another for 12 bucks so at least we had a tent over our heads. The girls LOVED it. Madgey was like a dirt loving power baby high on the air up there. She LOVED it. Olive really just wanted to get to Maama's house, but who is she kidding... the girl LOVE the rocks!

Loving this dirty camping life. ' wait...can I really just crawl in this dirt!?? THANKS GUYS!'

Olive with her bug catcher searching for butterflies

The girl's abode. Big O kept asking if she could go to bed. See how we roll.. pack'n play in the tent? Pretty clever if I do say so myself.

'Yes, I did eat a pile of dirt' ~M

They made it through the night... hardly. It got REALLY cold. We don't have sleeping bags so.....

Another great purpose for the ol' P&P. When we had the fire going Madge got to chill in there. She didn't like it as much as free rein over the dirt.

The GRAND CANYON

1st time for me. Absolutely breath taking. i don't expect you to understand. Even the post cards are boring. But really... it's AMAZING. (We were at the North Rim, btw)

Jord and his matching foreign friend. ha! Cute hats guys.

isn't this a sweet pic... aside from the weird guy who was 'one with the canyon'... I swear he was about to jump. you can't tell but he's dangerously close to the edge of CRAZINESS!

Olive wins the Top Model challenge with best hiking pics. Way to use your prop.

As we sat there having a picnic on the top of the world we couldn't help but think how absolutely CRAZY it was to be at the Grand Canyon together with TWO kids. We used to talk about having FHE together when we were in high school and dream of playing house together. I mean, what is more 'AMERICAN FAMILY' than camping at the Grand Canyon??

Dream come true. literally. But it's kind of like the Twilight Zone that this is really us...

Thank you, wonder of the world, for such a great time!

suburbia: 1 point....

2011-08-02T15:36:00.001-04:00

even though NYC has about a million points on suburbia (in my opinion... which is a little jaded at the moment) there is one great thing about the suburbs. THRIFT STORES with great stuff. Craigslist with items that are accessible because, hey, you can pick it up in your car.

Thought I'd share a little sneak peak at my treasure I'm finding! Is it embarressing to share the prices? Its part of the fun don't you think? No? You think I'm tacky? alright... well. I don't care. I'm tacky.

blue chairs, leather is perfect! Thrift store. $12/each woo hoo

triangle side table. Thrift store. $12

Original Mid-Century Couch (and came with the 2 chair in the following pics) and coffee table (and 2 side tables not pictured). original owners! Craigslist. $1000.00 for the set. REALLY steep for me. totally worth it right? Ok, my grandma bought them for us!! Thanks GRAM! They're my favorite things ever!

yellow filing cabinet. thrift store. $10

"the original bobble heads" craigslist mid-century dealer. $10. LOVE these little guys

My two chairs that came with the couch

Little Orange folding chair. craigslist. $10. I'm IN LOVE with it. aren't you?

Ok this was from a vintage shop in my parent's town, but it's pretty much my favorite thing ever. Probably used to be a work station, right? I got a piece of glass for the top and it's my kitchen island!

Store is called Urban Renewal $240 (STEEP... but LOOOVE doesn't have a price tag)

Price of my Martha Stewart Lilies in costume engineered colors.... FREE {give away from the Martha Stewart Show my last few weeks in NYC, transported all the way to AZ}

Price of the view from my kitchen window.... Priceless

Fifty is Nifty...

2011-08-02T14:49:00.001-04:00

My dad just turned 50 and since we are now within driving distance (to my driving-hatred-dismay) we got to go! My mom threw him a surprise party in the theme of the YEAR 1961-the year he was born. clever clever. My sis and mom put together a killer party equipped with craftiness one would be jealous of. We all dressed the part, and, as my mom would say, "it was a success!" ~see Lake Powell video to get that reference... oh you can't find it you say? that's right. I never posted it because of the post-baby Erin in a swim suit. your welcome.

see the craftiness? super cute!

everything had labels with 60's factoids. Like TANG- it's from the 60s. cute.

This was the "candy bar"... FULLY (and I mean FULLY) stocked with candy from the time! Yummy. We went through is surprisingly fast. Ok, not that surprisingly.

These were recipes from the 60's. Let me lay it out for you: hot dot, stuffed with cheese, wrapped in bacon. I'm just sayin'. Kababs- pineapple, sweet potato and ham. yes. They were very smart in the 60s.

Cute too!

Madgey rocking the Jackie-O look.

My dad's friend John had a killer suit!! VERY Elton John. Dad's awesome wig and T-shirt "est. 1961" courtesy of my mom's awesomeness.

My sister looked like a rockin' bombshell! She was the "drunk neighbor who stole all the husbands" look:) Seriously. She looked amazing! Baby Leisel doesn't hinder the cuteness either.

Cutie cousins learning how to stand and party!

My lil' sis... posin' as my lil' Bro all hopped up on whatever they were hopped up on at woodstock. She and her friend Brooke made a 'surprise' of themselves as they drove down from school to be there for the party. I'm glad they did or I would have whooped them good! :)

The Mr. sporting the 60's Backyard BBQ look. Um.... can we say delish! For real. I've been begging him to wear this outfit for real. I got him to keep the hat at least!

SURPRISE!!!! he was surprised (I'm pretty sure) and Olive was excited, excited, excited!

Maama rocking the 60's high fashion, while Olive was a little Woodstock flower child.

Happy Birthday Dad!

We love you and can't believe you're really 50! hehe:)

Breaking up is hard to do...

2011-07-20T14:07:00.001-04:00

see me walking away in this picture? Doesn't it look like we're breaking up?

The last few months living in NYC the song "Cry For You" by September came on my Pandora every day and I decided it was the perfect song for me and my breaking-up-with-NYC situation. Now it's a little a-vanguard, but I'm telling you, I really identified with it. A friend of mine put it perfectly when she said, 'it's like breaking up with a boyfriend.. you knew it wasn't going to last forever, but it was just so good you held on for as long as you could, but you knew it had to end.'

Now I'll warn you, this song seems extreme, but I was a mess of emotions- from sad to angry, to grateful and happy, to really mad and complete denial.

Let me preface by mentioning a boy I met when I was single in NYC for 2 years while Jord was on his mission. (NO, it's not like it sounds) Every summer in the singles ward we would get a surge of interns from.. well... PROVO. They'd get up in testimony meeting and bear their testimonies of how being in New York made them realize just how grateful and blessed they were to be living in a place where there is no trash on the ground, no homeless people, cushy cars and family near by......

..... ...... .... wow.

All of us New York LOVERS kinda didn't like those people. Judgmental? yes. But they were missing it! right? I mean here they were in the greatest city on earth and they, frankly, couldn't see past the trash on the street. There was one boy in particular who would NOT take of his BYU sweat shirt. It's cool. I know you have BYU pride, and BYU is great... but really? Try out some H&M maybe? If that seems to scary, maybe just switch to a Strand Bookstore T-shirt? He'd always talk about how ugly the people were, how dirty everything was, how hard it was, how expensive it was.... WELL, I refuse to ever speak badly of my beloved city. I suppose I cannot deny the truth of some of those things, but only deeeeeeep in my head will I admit there is trash on the ground. My NYC-colored-time-square-at-New Years-glasses just wouldn't allow me to see the city like that. I ALWAYS defended this city. ALWAYS. And If you are going to dwell on the bad, well then, you don't deserve to be here.

Well, now I'm gone. So here's the song:

"You'll never see me again,

so now who's gonna cry for you?..."

you know what I mean? Can you get your head around it? Who is going to cry for and defend the city if I am not there? You? I'm just not so sure you have what it takes? Are you hard core enough?

Breaking up. It's hard.

So.... all that was just a 'little' intro for my NYC farewell. It's official. And I need to come to terms. I need to move on. It's not you. It's me. You'll always have a special place in my heart. It's just not meant to be. (secret wink.....and a little whisper "call me!")

A month before we left I was doing my usual run on Riverside. It was raining on me. Others, like ones who won't take off their BYU sweatshirts, might think, EW.. running in the rain and a grey day? Yes. And I was REALLY into it! I pulled out my voice memos app on my phone and started talking to myself making a list of what NYC has taught me. Here it is folks.

NYC, You have taught me:

~to be still and find peace. Peace and quiet doesn't necessarily mean it'll be "quiet" or that you'll be "alone". You're never alone here. But you can find peace anywhere.

~ You taught me to be motivated to get out and do things. There are endless things to do here!

~ You've given me a legitimate excuse to do NOTHING AT ALL. After all, it's just so HARD to go grocery shopping right?

~You've taught me to love people from all walks of life

~You taught me to be independent, to be an adult, to be a wife, and to be a mother. This is where it all began for me, moving here when I was 18.

~You've taught me to be creative with what I have

~You've taught me that rickety wood floors and old pre-war picture molding is much more desirable than the perfectly carpeted and white walled cookie cutters. (I have now one of those..ha ha)

~Imperfections and history is interesting and exciting

~You've taught me that I'm cooler than everyone else (don't stop reading now... I'm confessing something terrible. But any New Yorker if poked and prodded would probably admit this too! Sorry, cat's out of the bag. It doesn't make it right. I know.) Not because of anything in particular, but simply because I live in the best city in the world. It makes me cooler than you.

~At the same time, you've taught me to be HUMBLE. I've seen faces of thousands of people every day that remind me that everyone is equal, a child of God. We are all struggling, loving, trying and learning

~When you cry on the subway, in front of everyone, they won't say anything. They'll pretend they don't see you. But they will all glance. Then they'll think about you the whole way home. They feel for you. It connects us. It's the most beautiful experience I've ever had. Twice. And for those 'strangers' out there who have shed a tear on the subway car I was on... I noticed, you stayed with me all the way home, I felt for you, and I love you. See! Connected. told you.

~You've taught me to be a better member of the church. You can get lost in this city unless you put in a whole lot of effort. The kind of effort that takes stairs, walking, and bad parts of town.

~You've taught me to serve others without even thinking about it. There's a little bit of desperation that brings us all together and it ignites the fire of service naturally. I think that's how it should be. No service projects. Just a life of serving.

~ You have taught me the power of women. "Mommy" groups are not silly. They don't only benefit the kids. Women, when together, are a FORCE for good! Ladies, you've changed my life. I can't say more....

~You've taught me to see the beauty in everything

~I'll say that you've also taught me to be selfish. You've taught me to not say hello to passer-byers, to be snippy to the lady at Gap because I'm sure she's going to be rude before she even says a word.

~I'm selfish the fact that I don't want to leave. There are so many opportunities, so many thing that can keep you here regardless of where you are SUPPOSED to be. You just feel more important if you are in NYC. It is addicting. And bad. Not that I'm admitting anything.

~ Black cabs are cheaper than yellow cabs except for to the airport.

~The subway is always faster. I know you think the cab, or walking, or bus might be quicker.. but it never is. Just wait for the subway. It's coming.

~You've taught me to be patient! I've waited for my missionary, waited for kids to come, waited for my husband to get home from work/school, waited for packages that never come, waited in line, and yes, waited for the subway.

~You've taught me LOYALTY. I'll defend NYC at all costs and you might loose a friend if you trash talk it.

~You've taught me a thing or two, first hand, about politics. About how the wrong kind of power is really dangerous. Power over the poor, power over the people, power over housing, power over health care. I've seen this kind of power hinder people and take away freedoms. Yes, I've seen it with my own eyes and you cannot try to convince me differently.

~You've taught me how to properly order food. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT order a burger from a Chinese place, pasta from a diner, or a pizza from latins. Just don't.

~Fences around playgrounds are brilliant! Are you listening suburbs?

~ You've taught me that Olympic sized pools are amazing. I'll never be able to swim in a half-size again. also, it's 3 bucks and there are lots of old guys who swim in speedos at 6am.

~You taught me about being a natural hippie- natural birthing, natural food. it's true. I love it.

~I've learned you can talk out loud to yourself while running down the street. No one cares I'm making this list on my voice recording. If they DO wonder... they're not looking at me.

Well that's the list I made while running my route. I miss it. I miss you NYC.

Here's some good moments to remember:

convincing that man of mine to move to the Big Apple with me!

First baby! The little ghetto park right by our little blue house.

Little Red Light House. Neighborhood charm under the George Washington Bridge

Riding the subway and giving the family a GREAT destination to visit.

Seasons!! I'll miss Central Park through all the seasons.

Baby #2! Poor thing hardly had a chance to get to know this place

Manhattan Temple. I'll never forget seeing the Angel Moroni get put on top the first week I moved there in the fall 2004. It was a safe haven for us. It lifted our spirits. It also made us move to AZ. Geesh! It has all the answers, you just cannot deny it!

We learned how to be a family here.
Picture taken just outside of Fort Tryon Park, just above the A train at 191st.

my view from running across the GW bridge. A lot of inspiration happened here.

You'll never see me again....

So now who's going to cry for you??

I guess I'm still crying for you.... just a little.

NYC History:
Erin September 2004- June 2011
Jordan December 2006-2011
Olive Born May 2008 NYC
Madge brought to NYC only 9 days after birth, September 2010
Pancake- born in Denver, brought to NYC summer 2007
Lobstah- born in Boston, brought to NYC summer 2009

Come to Zion, Come to Zion

2011-07-17T18:10:00.000-04:00

As I'm sure you've noticed, I just cannot blog! I've lost EVERYTHING on my computer so I don't have any pictures, and very little access. Then I lost my charger for my camera so I can't take new pictures. Then I moved to the suburbs...

just kidding, that doesn't go in the bad news pile does it?

no. It's ok people. I am surviving.

I'm still in the 'get nauseated ever time I read NYC blogs' phase, but it's cool. At least we have the McDonalds play place.

Just kidding again. Now I swear I'm going to start being more positive starting... NOW.

Because the truth is, we are INSANELY blessed and we've been having a wicked good time. I just don't want to admit it. At least not to you.

So we went to Zion's National Park when we were with the fam in St. George. That's what you do out here, ya know? Go hiking! It was Beautiful- capital B on that one.

Here's some pics we had to steal from my dad for the evidence.

is this not the best hair pic ever?

little prissy foot.... love

See! We ARE still alive! And look my hair is RED...wait you can't tell!? I KNOW. I can't get a good picture for you because of the camera/computer situation. I will, I promise.

By ya'll....

I'm going to start saying 'ya'll' now, even though they don't say that in Arizona

2011-07-06T12:11:00.001-04:00

Hello

The Last Days...

2011-06-07T13:28:00.000-04:00

Well... I don't want to talk about IT right now.... (if you don't know what "IT" is... I'm sorry, I'm sure you'll figure it out soon)

But what I WILL talk about is how amazing the Mr. is and how proud I am of him. This last week he graduated with a B.A. in Spanish/English Translation with a minor in Chemistry. WHAH!! He's worked REALLY hard these past 5 years. I've been a bad wife, I'll admit, more often then not. I've begged him not to study for those important tests, insisting he is brilliantly smart and doesn't need it, so that he can hang out with me. Or I'm completely unsympathetic when he has early morning seminary to teach and class all day but I keep him up all night so we can watch 100 episodes of LOST!! Not very nice of me. Then there are the times I act bothered that I always have to do all the laundry and that it's his turn, like he has nothing better to do. The truth is, sweetheart, you've worked really hard! You've been an amazing husband, an amazing father, and an amazing student. You've supported us by studying for your future profession, and you've had no breaks over the summer so that your wife could live in her favorite city in the world. How do you do it? And on top of that you look like a hottie out of a magazine! Ok... just want you, Mr., and all of you out there, that my hubby is amazing and I'm lucky to have someone of his caliber!

We were so blessed to have Jordan's mom and dad come out for a few days to celebrate his graduation. They put him through his undergrad and we COULDN'T have done it with out them. When we tell people we are debt free after undergrad they "fall on the floor" (as the Mr. would say with verve). Thank you guys for supporting and loving us! It was so fun to see you and are so appreciative of all your help!

Here's the proof...

Grandma Jo and Madgey little... Madgey loves her Grandma Jo

Grandpa Colby with the gimpy arm. They came all the way from CO only a few days after major surgery on his arm! All to be with Jordan on his Graduation!

The proud and handsome Grad

Graduation was held at the Jacob Javits Center June 2nd 2011

after graduation we took a last stroll to our favorite part of town... Lincoln Center that houses the Temple.

not only was the temple there, but it's where Jord caught the bus EVERYDAY to go across the park to school. Everyday he got to spend time with that Manhattan Temple! Love it!

can you see the temple behind those cuties?

Well, now it's time for OLIVE time! She didn't get to come to graduation. We missed her, but it was for the better, ha!

These amazing pics are courtesy of Olive's Best Friend's mommy. Taken at our LAST WARD OUTING, the memorial day picnic... I'm not talking about it!

goodbye. and I mean it. tear... Maybe I'll actually blog about my feelings some day. Right now I'm just going to pretend I'm on vacation.... so.. .goodbye.