Dresses

For a very long time now I have wanted a dress. I have plenty of skirt & shirt combinations, but have yet to find a dress that I absolutely adore that has the length to cover past my upper thighs. The other weekend, while shopping I kept finding some adorable clothes, but they were either too short, pricey, immodest, etc... Richard finally said to me, "You need to find someone who you like how they dress and ask them to go shopping with you."

So, I talked to Layla. Who. Doesn't. Just. Adore. Her?

And do you know what she told me? Eshakti.com

I'm in love. Never have I found in one location, so many dresses that I absolutely love. And they allow you to enter your measurements so they can make it to fit! I was using Richard's iphone when I first navigated the site, and I kept getting up all-giddy-like and showing him dress after dress.

Okay, so here are a few of my favorites minus the purple (I would choose a different color). Which do you like the most?

Dreams

I love dreams. I love going to sleep--because I can dream. The worst kind of dream is when I am at work, doing my job just to wake up to my alarm clock and go to work in reality. Why? I was just there! Here's a previous post of a dream I had a month before giving birth to Michael.

This post was inspired because I was reading a few journal entries I tried keeping of my dreams. The time period for these dreams was during my first year in college, with roommates, boys, and school. You know the drill.

It's hard to write down dreams, because I only remember so much, and to put it in words can even be more difficult. But, in case you are interested, here's my dream as recorded on the night of November 8, 2005.

I was at Brian's apartment watching a movie. Our hands touched as we held them for less than a second and then I had to pull my hand away. Then I was back at home. I was going to Chelsie Hansen's house. I was running funny and then I saw Steve L and his family come out of their house. I jumped on a roof to hide. I just laid flat, and Br. L saw me and everyone crowded around. Eventually I got down. Steve had just gotten a divorce and we began walking and talking about it. We ended back up at Beehive Manor (my college apt at the time) on the 3rd floor. Esme (former roomate) was with us now and was asking people if their toilets were working. 308's wasn't working. So, we spent the rest of the time there fixing it.

I just loved the randomness, and as I reread it, I could actually recall the hiding out on the roof part of that dream. I'll bet there is no way in a million years I would've remembered a bit of that dream, without writing it down.

How about the night of November 13, 2005. This one was apparently too much, I couldn't even finish writing about it.

Trent's car was stolen and was parked in Beehive parking lot and was now being towed away. He was really frustrated. And there were two dolphins in my dream. I was in the kitchen and they were there too swimming around. They were almost miniature size. I took two spoons out and we were doing tricks with them. Almost too confusing to write about. The end.

What is one of your most recent/memorable dreams? I want to read all about them!

Christmas 2010

We spent Christmas day in Utah this year. We drove. We made it. But, I did tell my mom, "I don't think we'll be making this trip again in the winter time." Nevertheless, it was a good trip. Here are a few more belated Christmas pictures. Growing up, my family always had a manger set as our "Christmas tree." My dad built it for my mom when they were first married, and we've always placed our gifts beneath it. It is a home tradition that I adore. My brother got a drum set. Very cool, although I never heard him play it once.

I was teasing my sister for eating broccoli for breakfast, but then we found Michael in there eating it with her. Whatever gets the good stuff inside of you, right?

We gave Philip our Wii for Christmas. I loved snapping pictures of all his expressions as he opened it--he wasn't sure if we were pulling his leg or not.

I kept offering to wrap gifts for anyone who needed gift wrapping. My mom kept saying how great it was to have someone to wrap the gifts for her. So, I took the liberty of wrapping up many things on her desk. How many can you find? And what do you think is inside?We also spent part of our Christmas afternoon at the Heisses for lunch, and opening a few more gifts.
Our Christmas activities seemed rather extended this year. The day after coming back to Washington, we opened the gifts under our tree. Because Richard was sleeping, I told Michael to bring the presents into our bed, because I was anxious to get them open.
I made this building blocks for Michael. First, the blocks came much smaller than I expected, but that's my bad because I asked for the wrong size. So, my original plan didn't really work as I had planned (making it a building puzzle). So, instead, I took some of my favorite scrapbook papers and created a collage of sorts, with one side spelling Michael's name. They're cute. I think I want to retry the original idea again, however.
The next weekend, we went up north to the Schenk's, for dinner, games, and more presents! Sweet surprise. And, then the next weekend, Jared brought up some gifts from his family for us. Here's Michael playing with the super deluxe airport set that they gave him. Three weekends of presents. Wow!So, I guess I can say the Christmas season is now officially over for us. Thanks to everyone for the good times, gifts & memories.

Coconut Cupcakes

Wonderful day off means time for some long awaited baking. I used a new recipe, new ingredients and I'm totally in love. Click here to salivate read more.

Some really good things:

In no particular order, here are some really good things of recent:

1. I didn't clip any coupons in December. It was nice to have a break, and not do any shopping but Christmas Shopping--done mostly online, or crafting. But, it's a new month, and I'm back in the mode and love that I have my "frugal eyes" on again (I am currently watching Mr Potato Head on Toy Story). My goal this month is not to spend more than $5 on any household products this entire month. So far, so good!

2. I was scheduled a full 40-hour work week. I've been sticking to a consistent sleep schedule, and it's really been working out great. But, I could not do it without my amazing husband who takes care of Michael for hours after I go to bed, to make sure I get sleep.

3. I just found out I don't work until 3:30am tomorrow. That's an extra hour of sleeping in for me!

4. Richard is finally wrapping up various client/freelance work, just in time to start a new school semester. This is good in many, many ways.

5. I went to Bartell's and they were still getting rid of Christmas candy. I got three bags of Junior Mints for only 25cents each. Earlier that day I was tempted to buy a small box for $3.00, but refrained. Sweet Surprises! And, today, I got some frozen pies for only 50cents each(originally $6.99!) I love knowing the manager, and when he's about to put things on clearance.

6. And, finally, Michael just went pee-pee in his potty! It's a sign that's he's finally getting it, and willing to try happily! He got Star Wars underwear for Christmas. He's been wearing them all afternoon--went to nap with them on, and stayed dry. Anyway, I am so stoked! I rewarded him with Junior Mints.

Family Photos

As a surprise & gift to my parents, my siblings arranged getting family pictures done. Who knows when ALL of us will be together at one setting again. My wonderful cousin, Robyn, took the pictures on such short notice (Christmas Eve!), and they look fantastic! However, you can always find one goofy face in each picture--since I don't think anyone in my family knows how to smile at the same time. Hahaha. And, in case you haven't seen Richard in a while--check out that hair!

See all the pictures by clicking here!

Cousins

Cousins = The Best Kind of Fun

I love the blonde hair thing going on here.

Once there was a snowman

I'm quite sad I never took a picture of the 9-foot-snowman my brothers and husband built after the massive snow fall. The second ball was so heavy they had to build a ramp to roll it up. However, this snowman literally melted and fell over the next day (a little top heavy?)

Thanks to my nephew Adam and his prepared Mom, we were able to borrow his snow pants so Michael could go outside and play in the snow for sometime as well. I loved how bright blue Michael's eyes were as they reflected against his white surroundings.

-Michael-

-Adam-

The Mr. and Mrs.

The Mr. and Mrs cake. So stunning.

Emily, who I so lovingly nicknamed Embo, was married just days before Christmas, and it was this event that really tipped our decision on whether or not to go to Utah for Christmas. I must say I was very shocked to see Embo with so much make up on. Honestly, this is Emily--the one who doesn't like make-up! But, she looked beautiful. And, I really mean, BEAUTIFUL!

This girl holds such a special place in my heart. We've grown up together, played make-believe together, and even started clubs together. The most memorable clubs for me were:

1. Save the Animals club that started after we saw a neighborhood cat kill a garden snake! We had a proper burial for the snake, and then we colored awareness fliers and handed them out to all the homes in the neighborhood. Oh my. Way too funny.

2. The Slashers Club. This club was to be based on service projects. Each of the club members had specific duties such as treasurer, secretary (in charge of monthly newsletter), president, and vp. I think this club lasted less than a month. We never officially made our t-shirts, because my Mom informed us that Slashers sounded somewhat.....gory, and we could never come up with a new name, I guess.

3. The most memorable club is "The cool club". As Emily recalls, my sister Suzy and I (and I'm sure others) started a club called "The cool club" and told Emily she couldn't join because she was "too young." After her birthday rolled around, she asked if she could join and we told her, "maybe next year." This question became a running joke for years following. On her 17th birthday, however, Suzy and I came up with a grand gift idea for Emily. We snuck into their house, and decorated Emily's room with ribbons and balloons, and a banner that said, "Welcome to the Cool Club!" (She was cool way before that, by the way).

It was her family that introduced me to my husband (of 4 years tomorrow). So, Embo is due some credit for that. Embo and I would joke for years that it was going to be awesome when she married my younger brother, James. Then not only would we be cousins, we would be sister-in-laws as well, which wasn't too far out there for us, since we'd try to convince people we were sisters all the time. But those plans came crumbling down quickly (in just seven months) when Emily met Morgan. That's okay, I like Morgan alright-although, I can't decide if I should allow him entrance into The Cool Club just yet. Maybe when he's older. :)

Congratulations Mrs. Beautiful Emily!

If you're happy and you know it

This has not been a fun week. It's been very stressful, hard, depressing, difficult, trying, and flat out miserable. In short, we haven't really been cultivating a nice environment at home (which is ironic because I just taught a fabulous lesson to the Beehives about cultivating a nice environment wherever you are). It's frustrating.

I feel like there will always be ebbs and flows in my spiritual journey through life, however sometimes I get so sucked away that it seems impossible to return to a state where I was just a few weeks/days/months prior; happy, more selfless, and motivated.

There was another time in my life where I was obviously feeling incredibly down (although I can't recall how long ago this was), but I grabbed my scriptures and began reflecting on the semesters I lived at BYU-Idaho. For the most part, I was incredibly happy at BYU-I. I was surrounded by an incredible spirit-filled campus, with wonderful roommates, and good influences where ever I went. But, what was it that truly made me happy?

This is what I wrote down in the back of my scriptures:

What was I doing then that made me so happy?

-The basics. I prayed morning and night, in private and aloud, and with sincere thought.

-I read my scriptures daily, and read much. It was the year the prophet challenged us all to complete the Book of Mormon by the end of the year.

-I tried to do things for others, and control rude thoughts.

-I attended my meetings and fulfilled my calling.

-I wrote in my journal. I stopped doing unrighteous things, pushed any evil influences away. I kept my guard up.

-I heeded my patriarchal blessing.

-I worked my hardest, well at least worked and concentrated a lot on my school work.

-I maintained a balanced schedule.

-I apologized.

-I tried to show gratitude.

I'm really glad that I wrote this down, because it tells me that I know what I need to do if I want to be happy. But even though I know this and the blessings it will bring, why is it so difficult to form and keep good habits?

And humility? Let's not even go there.

A Holiday Poem

Stressed household.

Great friends.

Needed vacation.

The end.

New Battery!

This is a movie clip to celebrate our digital camera working again! I just had to replace the battery--but it took me long enough to get around to it. Now it's ready, just in time for Christmas!!