Tag, I'm It!

I've been tagged by my friend Marcey! It was fun reading your responses girlfriend! Here’s mine…

What were you doing 10 years ago?
I was getting ready to graduate from high school! You have no idea how ready I was to be DONE with it!

5 things on my to do list...
1. Fold a basket of laundry.

2. Iron itsy-bitsy baby clothes.

3. Plant some flowers in my boring front yard.

4. Go to Staples to get Maryn a big cork board for her wall.

5. Resist the urge to log on to Webkinz and play juvenile games. Maryn's got me sucked in!

5 Snacks...
1. Orange Creamsicles

2. Nature Valley Fruit N' Nut Granola Bars

3. Trader Joe's Schoolhouse Letter Crackers

4. Peanut M&M's

5. SunMaid Dried Plums
If I were suddenly a millionaire...
Oooh, I day dream about this kind of thing! Where's Ed McMahon when I need him?! I would definitely buy a great house. Nothing overboard and intimidating, but it would have a kick-a kitchen, awesome food storage room, a music room for a nice big piano (I don't play, but I would like my kids to), a sound-proofed, really awesome, home office for Justin because the poor guy can hear the girls loud and clear all day when he's working in the man pit in the basement. Also a must would be a nice big, flat yard with a swing set, cool tree complete with hammock, and room for a garden. (Like I said, can you tell I've thought about this?)
3 bad habits...
1. I'm a control freak, but with baby #3 on the way, I really am learning to just let things go.

2. I hate to fold laundry and am prone to let my clean laundry pile up, but as you can tell from my to-do list above, I'm trying really hard not to get back in that rut.
3. I can be pretty lousy at keeping in touch. I try, I really do, but sometimes even my best intentions fail.

5 places I have lived...
1. Hoffman Estates, Illinois

2. Vancouver, Washington

3. Camas, Washington

4. Marietta, Georgia

5. Canton, Georgia

5 jobs I have had...
1. Pizza Maker at Round Table Pizza

2. Receptionist at The Bronze Body Tanning Salon... ironic since I'm pasty.

3. Hostess at The Chart House... ironic since I don't like seafood.

4. Dental Assistant

5. Office Manager

5 things people don't know about me...
1. When I was 3 or 4 years old, I tried to save all the fallen autumn leaves in our front yard from imminent death by bottling them in hot water for the winter. But my mom made me dump them out though... leaf killer.

2. I had a dream on my sixteenth birthday that I was on the toilet and I peed the bed. What a way to wake up to sweet sixteen. Luckily that was the last time I've peed the bed.

3. When I was in Elementary School I would love to chew up all my saltine crackers on my lunch tray and hold them in my mouth and then swish it around with chocolate milk before swallowing the whole concoction. Don't ask, I was a weird kid.

4. I have to wash my feet before I go to bed. The thought of putting a dirty, been-walkin'-around-all-day foot in my sheets grosses me out.

5. I played the flute for four years, but only because my parent's really wanted me to. I used to fake playing during competitions when I was in Marching Band my Freshman year, because I hated Band and never learned my part. When my parents heard this, they finally consented and let me quit.

Well folks, that's it! This is where I am supposed to tag other people. But I know that a lot of you have already done this one, soooo this game is open to anyone reading! If you decide to be tagged, leave a comment letting me know so I can check your responses!

Brynna's Big Day!

Well, it's official! Our Miss Brynna Grace is three years old! We have had such a fun day today! Starting when Brynna and Maryn scooted down the stairs at 6:30 am. I was already laying in bed awake, like a kid on Christmas morning, waiting for her to wake up! They came running into our room and I squealed "Happy Birthday Brynna!" probably much to Justin's chagrin since he was exhausted from his trip to Raleigh over the weekend. I couldn't help it! The girls giggled and squealed and jumped up in bed with us for a good snuggle. I told Brynnie about the day she was born before we all got up. It's wild to think that it really was three years ago. My how time flies!

One of the traditions in our house for birthdays is that you get to go to the grocery store and get all the stuff that mom never usually lets you get! So Brynna and Daddy set out and bought a bunch of balloons, doughnuts, and chocolate milk! Yum! Whenever we go to the store and the girls see the balloon displays and doughnut cases and want it, I always say "When it's your birthday, you get whatever you want!" So the fact that today Brynnie actually got to get those fun things was something special!

We also decided to have Grammy, Gramps, Kevin, and the Alley's over to celebrate by grilling out. We porked out on grilled chicken, corn on the cob, potato salad, chips, and veggies. Thanks to Justin slaving over a hot grill, it was delicious! Then we proceeded to open presents, which made me realize, yet again, just how spoiled and loved my children are. Thank you to everyone who helped make Brynna's day so special! We just love you all!

I've decided Maryn has enjoyed Brynna's birthday every bit as much as Brynna has! All these fun, new things to play with! Holy Cow!

What could this be?! New 'Littlest Pet Shops' from Megan & Aaron! YAY!

Brynna and Justin, like I've said before, are two peas in a pod. Brynna loves to pretend that she is typing on a laptop just like Daddy. She'll use anything, but usually she'll flip open my eyeglass case and pretend that's her laptop. So Justin and I decided to get her a 'real' one! She loved it! She got a toy cell phone from Maryn today as well. She was gabbing on that and typing on her laptop after the party. I shook my head and thought now her and Justin REALLY are alike!

I mean really, how stinkin' cute are those two?!

Brynna opening her present from Nana & Papa! What could it be?!

Princess Dresses!!! How fancy! You know that one just had to be put on right away! Again, it's a good thing there was two, so the peace could be kept and Miss Maryn could borrow a bit of Sis' new found glamour!

Grammy and Gramps got Brynnie a new set of table and chairs for the girls' little playhouse! No more drinking tea over a Rubbermaid bin with a tablecloth over it thank you very much, they're proper little ladies now!

Well... not exactly! Brynna's throwing that tea back like a drunken sailor. But at least the beautiful tea set Aunt Kristine found in Poland is still proper and dainty!

Nick, Laura, Thatcher and Max got Brynna this cute, little cash register. It is the only reason I am able to blog right now during daylight hours! Seriously, both Maryn and Brynna have been playing with this little beauty for about two and a half hours! I'm totally not lying! They take turns, one being the customer and the other being the grocery lady! Laura, I could kiss you for that one! Thanks again to everyone who made our little lady's day so special! We love you!

Sweatpants Are My Friend!

18 Weeks.... hmmm what a cute, little bump!

24 Weeks... Bigger yet managable.

33 Weeks and what you are now witnessing is the explosion of a belly! Even my maternity clothes don't cover my gut the way they should. What's a girl to do?

I've officially entered the phase of pregnancy where I hate maternity pants. Okay, let's face it, I hate maternity clothes in general. But when your belly has exploded and you've packed on 28 lbs. in what feels like a very short period of time, you have no choice. But I especially hate those stinkin' maternity pants. Full panel, low-rise, I don't care which style, I hate them all. The paneled kind are let's face it, just humiliating, and they dig into my gut. The low-rise ones won't stay on my hips so I'm constantly pulling them up, which is real annoying! My solution? The clearance rack at Target with cute, knicker-length, non-maternity sweats for $4.00. Roomy, comfy, stays on my hips and perfect also for post-pregnancy schlepping around the house. I guess I've officially entered the whole 'You're not gonna feel sassy or cute anytime in the foreseeable future' phase. But let's face it, between the foot constantly lodged in my ribs, the heartburn and leg cramps, a girl simply has to do what a girl has to do! Goodbye sassiness, sniff, hello comfort. (Just a little side note to sassiness, please don't stay away forever!)

Kevie's Here!

Uncle Kevin came over yesterday, much to the girl's excitement, to watch the World Cup soccer game with Justin. After the game was over and we'd eaten dinner, Kevin was showing Justin his Mac. (Justin REALLY wants one!) Of course nothing can be happening that the girls don't want in on the middle of. So they climbed up in Uncle Kevie's lap and they started goofing around with the camera in his computer. It was so funny listening to all their giggles as he would distort their faces and do crazy things. In a couple of them Brynna looked like she could have been related to Slimer from Ghostbusters! I'm pretty sure Kevin is not always quite sure what to make of our little wild women. He gets this look on his face of amusement and disbelief, like he's trying to process all the noise and activity. We were teasing him yesterday how we can't wait until HE has kids and is the one in the middle of the insanity! That really is going to be WAY too much fun for Justin and I! When we are out of the crazy phases and all his sibs are in the thick of it! Thanks for putting up with all the pint-sized drama Kevin, the girls had so much fun hanging out with you!

Meet the Duggars

One day I was folding laundry and came upon a show on TLC about a lady that had like eighteen kids. It sucked me in and I watched the whole thing in amazement. How their house was run, how she corrected her kids, what they were being taught, how they managed a budget and on and on. Having that many children is never a challenge I would personally undertake. I know full well that I have met my max with the soon-to-be three children I have been blessed with. In fact, I have been skeptical of super-sized families in the past. I wondered how the heck one could care for each child's physical, emotional, and spiritual needs in the ways each child needed and deserved. However, I found myself having a lot of respect for this woman. Yes, she has many, many children, which outwardly may seem irresponsible. But she really seemed to be a good mom with pure and loving motives. She was not just having kids because she's irresponsible, but because she believes in her contributions as a mother.

As I was looking around the Internet for a picture of her, I saw a whole bunch of articles ripping her apart. It made me pretty sad. Here is a woman who is so clearly trying her best to do what she believes to be good, just in an unconventional way, and she was being judged so harshly based just on outward appearances. Sure her hair and fashion are a little kooky and her voice a little too syrupy. But there are people out there with one or two kids that are seriously crappy parents. Are crappy parents more acceptable because the number of children they bear are more of the social norm?

Justin showed me a clip from CNN about a seven year old that stole a car and went joy-riding, crashing into several other cars. When interviewed he said it was fun to do bad stuff. He said he didn't feel sorry for endangering people or destroying his grandmother's car. But if he must be punished, he thought maybe he should lose video game privileges for the weekend. Are tons of articles being dedicated to his mothers obvious shortcomings as a parent? No they aren't, because she has one, socially-acceptable, wannabe bad-boy child. Instead we all just shake our heads and say, "Kids these days, what's this world coming to?" and go about our business. Kids these days, oftentimes are indulged and neglected by their parents, left to have society to tell them what's normal and what to believe. If Michelle Duggar, who has dedicated her life to the rearing of healthy, happy, stable children and is proving to be successful at it, wants to keep bringing babies into this world, more power to her. Not many parents can navigate the challenges of having such a large family and do it well. It's definitely not for me, but I hope I can be the type of mother to my three that she is to her eighteen.

Preschool Graduation

Our little lady is growing up! Yesterday Maryn officially graduated from Preschool! She was feeling the love and had a very special day! Not only were Mom, Dad, and Brynnie there to support her, but Grammy, Uncle Kevin, Uncle Aaron and Aunt Megan came up to watch her little program as well. It was fun seeing all the kids show off to their families some of the things they have learned this year, like sign language and Spanish. Uncle Aaron who served his mission in Peru was happy Maryn was representing with her Espanol skills! We know Uncle Jesse would be happy too!
Maryn's teacher made little yearbooks for every child with mementos from the year. It was fun to look through and see how much our little Peanut has learned and grown. Maryn really did have amazing teachers this year. The kind that make you feel blessed as a parent. Because you know that when your child is away from you, they are being loved and nurtured and taught. The only thing making it easier that Maryn is leaving her old school is that Brynna will be starting there next year.

After the Graduation Program we all headed over to Williamson Bros. Barbeque for some lunch! Nothing says celebration like a little fried okra and Brunswick stew! Mmmmm, so good! Grammy and I decided we should all do lunch everyday! It's been so nice having family back in town and we will miss all of them so much when they all have leave. We are blessed to have such a great, supportive family!
Even Aunt Megan's sweet mom Tracy sent a special Graduation surprise for Maryn! She really is one of the most thoughtful people I know! Not only has our family been blessed with Megan, whom the girls just love, as do I, but we have been blessed by her awesome family too. We're so appreciative of all their love and support!
Maryn has been begging for a Webkinz for months and I kept telling her to wait and maybe she could get one for her birthday. So when she opened Tracy's gift and there was TWO adorable, little Webkinz inside she was ecstatic!! We even made a little notebook for her to keep track of their adoption paperwork and everything. Those Webkinz and the notebook have not left her side! She is in LOVE! I think she officially has a new obsession!

It's so strange to think how fast she has grown up and that she'll really be off to Kindergarten in the Fall. But Justin and I truly feel blessed to see what a good girl Maryn is growing up to be. She is a firecracker and natural leader, smart and funny. We know that no matter how many new phases of life are before her to conquer she will be a success at anything that comes her way. Here's to this new chapter in her life!

Sister Love!

It was so much fun having Kristen, Adam B., and little Rocklin in town from Arizona for the wedding. Kristen and Rocklin were able to stay a little bit longer and play, which I was very happy about! It was the first time I've seen Kristen since she had Rocklin. It was so much fun seeing her as a Mom! Rocklin and Kristen are dually blessed because Kristen is an awesome Momma and Rocklin is quite possibly the best baby I have ever been around! (Seriously folks, what an awesome baby!) I loved getting to hold him and hear his little baby coos. It made me start to get really excited for the birth of Lauryn, because my time with Rocklin was the reminder I was needing that babies are not all hard work, they really are such a blessing too.

Being around Kristen was also so much fun as always. We had fun going out to lunch, talking about recipes, purse shopping, and just hanging out. Kristen is good for me because she is a fun, girly-girl and sometimes I need to be reminded how much fun getting your toenails painted and purse shopping is! I remember one of the first things Justin told me back in the day when we started dating was how much I would love his sister. He was right. We both grew up in the midst of a pack full of boys and somehow lived to tell. Not having a sister growing up, I always felt like I missed out on something. So I have loved being able to gain one through marriage that I love the way I would any real sister. Kristen is one of the most thoughtful, fun, genuine and real people you will ever meet. I feel so blessed that along with all those rough and tumble Young boys who I just love so much, I also got that sister I always wanted!