What have I been up to??

Hi, friends!!

I'm still alive! Shocker, huh?? I bet you thought I'd never post again, didn't you??!

Let's play catchup! And maybe I'll post in more detail later. (No promises! :))

In September Jocee started preschool!
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She loves it, and has made a lot of friends. Everyday she begs me to practice writing with her, and can sound words out like a pro. At parent-teacher conference her teacher complimented me on working with her. But I really can't take the credit. She is so eager to learn.

October was fun.

Clearly I've been rockin' at this single mom business.

I jumped out of a Twin Otter with Hawt Guy again.

It was so much more fun the second time!! Everyone needs to do it...twice! And I've decided I need to get certified. Need. Soon.

On the 21st I flew away to Loma Linda (and San Diego). I just fit there.

And vegan cousins and funny aunts make for good distractions.
Side Note: If you're in an airport (like T.F. Green on October 21st) and you go to Starbucks...and order a soy chai latte and a fruit cup..it just might cost you...

LOVE :)

November was kind of unbloggable.

Buggy turned 3!! (I.O.U: 1 blog post!)
But I spent a lot of that time proactively worrying about her. It's all good now though! So, yay!!

I learned more uses for turmeric.

Seriously, try this! It's ahhmazing!

After being Supermom I went to my 10 year high school reunion.

Not my most photogenic night, but such a good one! After 10 years, 2 kids, and bucket loads of crapola, everyone thought I looked the same! Woot!


Oh...and the biggest reason why I haven't blogged...
I went back to school! Started in August.

12 credits: DONE! And I'm scheduled to graduate in less that two years. (Thennn I need a Master's.) So excited!

Ok, ok... So that and I've been pinning.

Best vision board ever!



So that's what I've been up to.
2011 really has been a good year.
I'll post more later.

I've missed you guys!!
xoxo

"Mommy, just be Rapunzel!!"

Mommy is a Disney Princess.
Buggy is sure of it.

Because I don't really blog anymore...

I've been super busy, and I don't even want to blog about it.

This is my first time even logging into blogger all week.
See? Busy. But who isn't??

Hmm...how about an unflattering update?? ;)

On my hair...
It's way too short right now! I love the cut, but it's about two inches too short all over. If anyone has any ideas for growing hair out, please tell me about them! Please. I've added Biotin and silica to the my supplement regimen. I'm using a hair growth shampoo (I know! Probably a gimmick!). And I'm avoiding my straightener like the plague. (Sad face!)

On my complexion...
I'm really glad that the cystic planet that showed up on the side of my nose earlier this week, is almost gone now. Yay for salicylic acid! It was practically casting it's own shadow. I even contemplated renting out add space on it. Your local business would have gotten LOTS of exposure. ;)

On Big Foot sightings...
You would not believe the skeeze factor that has been seeking me out. OR how painfully naive I am! I'll take 90% of the blame on this one! It's foolish to think that members of the opposite sex, who spam your inbox and FB wall and ask for your number, just want something platonic. And then when there's mention of going to the beach sometime, because the beaches would love me... Yeah. Stop trying to picture me in a bikini!! (Patti Stanger would have a ton to say about that freak show.)
Super grateful to the friends who posed an intervention! Love you girls!!
Lesson learned: When faced with a Sasquatch, avoid friendly conversation.

On the weather...
I went to Walmart yesterday for some last minute essentials (i.e. my two week supply of water). The things I saw other people buy made me laugh, and prompted this status: "Milk, bread, popsicles, ice cream, microwave popcorn, Slim Jims, Diet Coke... I am so ready for this biatch!!"

On my BFFs...
T. Thorpe and some other favorites, didn't get that status. Within minutes she texted...
"How are u going to pop popcorn??"
Then...
"Oh wait, generator??"
Then when she realized that those are all foods I wouldn't eat ever, we went back and forth trying to think of even grosser, more random foods that the people of Walmart might stock up on for a natural disaster. Love her! And clearly my blonde moments are contagious! I felt just a little misunderstood. hehe :)

On my babes...
Just because I adore them, and there's nothing unflattering about them, and this post could use some of their sweetness...


Welcome to my silly life. :)

xo

Nothing made him happier.

He'd gush to anyone who would listen. He'd tell you how much he loved being a dad, how it was the best thing to ever happen to him, how he had the sweetest girls ever.

I took this one on Terisa's wedding day. Jocee was four months old. He was watching her so that I could get ready that morning. They fell asleep watching kiddie shows on PBS.

Jocee was seven months in this one... He had bought her that outfit while I was pregnant, and was so happy when she was old enough to wear it. This was just one of those sweet, lazy Saturday mornings.



Not a Saturday morning. But I remember taking it. Jocee always got so excited when he came home from work.



This was right after we had moved from Lehi to Springville. He had obviously just come home from work. Oh my gosh, how I miss that.

The day after Sophie was born... I have another with Jocee just like it.

I will never stop wishing that they had more time with their Daddy.
One of my main concerns for this life, is that they have a genuine understanding of just how much they are loved, adored, and looked after by him. I will never speak of his love for them in the past tense. This kind of love never goes away.

Buggy

I am just so lucky to be this little chicky's mommy.

I adore the little lady that she is becoming.

She is by far, the girliest tomboy I know.

She has the sweetest sense of humor, and already, such a quick wit.

The sound of her little voice always makes me smile.

Her facial expressions are some of the most animated I've seen.

Her laugh is contagious.

And most of all, she is still so sweet to the core.


Daddy has got to be so proud.

LOL'ing

I laughed a lot today.

I laughed at myself (and kinda screamed) this morning as a bottle of sparkling water exploded on me. Sophie laughed too... It was awesome.

I laughed when some classy broad flipped my off in Braintree. For the record, I'm not quite sure what I did to make her so angry. But I'll just blame it on her minivan and frizzy hair. I'd be having a bad day too...

I laughed when I asked Jocee why she was in timeout, and her answer was, "Because I don't like it, and you know it." --It's a good thing we talked about it after!

I laughed when Sophie yelled, "Mommy, Mommy! Let down your hair!"

It's her favorite movie, and the only one she'll watch the whole way through. She tells me I'm Rapunzel all the time.

I know! I don't see it either!

But if you're looking for a true likeness, I found this pretty accurate!

Thanks, T.Thorpe!

Oh, and I laughed really hard when I watched this...

Seriously, watch it 5 times. It just gets funnier! The poor kid...

My Two Girls

So, I have these two girls...

They love to shop.

They both know exactly what they want, every single time.

One little chicky always gravitates towards reptiles (I.E. snakes, frogs, lizards, dinosaurs--whatever!) without fail.

And if I happen to lose track of the other...

She comes equipped with pink radar.

If there's any pink to be had, she'll find it.



Anyway, they're the sweetest that I know!
:)

Love.

"Look, Mommy! I'm really stronger!"

Gotta love that sweet, patient cat...

But I love my girls more!

In between the lines

(NOTE: This is another old draft. I'm really good at starting posts and not quite finishing them. But every once in a while I either delete them, or upload them. So...here!)

The other day I was talking to a good friend about how human interaction works. First there are the words exchanged. I like to call that the superficial conversation. Then there's the real conversation; voice inflection, body language...all that nonverbal stuff.

I really hate when those two parts don't add up. Like when you think you're having one conversation, but really it morphs into something entirely different. It makes me wish people could be genuine all the time.

MA definitely gets one point for realness. People are just naturally more honest, and blunt here. It's refreshing. But there's always room for error...

Story time!

Ginny: Hi, I'm calling to schedule an appointment for a my daughter.
Receptionist: Okay, is she sick?
G: No, just a well checkup. She's two, and a new patient. I actually have two chickies that I'll be bringing here.
R: Then I need information from you first.
G: K, shoot!
R: What insurance do you have?
G: [Gulp. Cringe] The ghetto kind.
R: Hm..lazy. Okay... I need some number off the card...
G: Oh, I gotta find it real quick. Sorry! I'm a total scatterbrain... Okay! Here it is...xxxxxx.
R: Okay, now info on both children?
G: Blah, blah, blah...
R: Two young kids close in age, huh? Ghetto insurance, huh? Do you all have the same last name?
G: Ugh, YES! If I was in Utah you would assume better, and not even ask me that.
R: Now I need emergency contacts.
G: *my info*
R: That's just one. I need two people.
G: Seriously??
R: Yes....
G: [Cringe] Hmm... *my mom's info*
R: Is this Grandma??
G: Yup, but don't call her that.
R: And you live with her?
G: BOTH parents, yes. I know what you're thinking! Stop it!
R: [Sighhhh] When you come in you need to have the insurance card with you, and both of their medical records.
G: I don't have medical records...
R: Well, we need at least the immunization records so we know what shots to give.
G: Ya know what? I know you're annoyed. I get it. But I don't like it....so I'm pulling it!!---- I was widowed, and we've moved a lot this year. You have nooo idea. So maybe I should have records, but I do not.
R: Oh, so you're actually one of those people "the system" wants to be helping.... I get it! I'll be nice now! ---Totally take your time! If you don't mind having the other pediatrician fax immunization records that would be great. No pressure though.
G: Yeah, see that? I won't be white trash forever! And I'll spend extra time making myself look pretty so that I don't look trashy when I come in with my ridiculously cute baby. See ya next week! ecks, oh!

The end.

(Disclaimer: The thing is....I wrote this one before the appointment. I kinda, sorta feel bad because they were all so sweet and understanding when I took Sophie in. And they were so good with her, too. Buggy didn't cry at all, and loves the new doctor and nurse....and fish tank in the waiting room. I am absolutely grateful to have found them.)

Shiner

Short story, shorter:
Sophie has inherited Mommy's clumsiness, and definitely not Daddy's cat-like reflexes.

Poor Buggy!

Team Work

I love when I hear giggling in the next room, and find something like this...

These little chickies can be resourceful!

And just for the record, they didn't have any help from Mommy.


So lucky to have them!

:)

Time out!

She takes it seriously.

Love my Monkey!

My Baby is TWO!!

It's so hard to believe this sweet baby of mine turns two years old today! I so enjoy this age, and I love the little person that Sophie is becoming.


She has the sweetest disposition, and the cutest sense of humor. She'll even laugh at her own jokes. Seriously!


She has some of the funniest facial expressions ever!

...all the time. :)


She LOVES playing with my hair, and always has. This was part of the reason for her Rapunzel costume for Halloween. (Yes, I know. She refused to wear the wig and the tiara).

Playing dress-up is one of her favorite things to do.

She carries a blanket everywhere. Her current favorite is a purple fleecy one.

She LOVES the color purple...and Tinkerbell....and Princesses....and firetrucks. ;)

She still talks about Daddy. More than anyone else can, she reminds me of him.

If there are words to express how grateful I am for this little girl, I can't find them. I could talk about her endlessly to anyone who would listen. I feel so blessed to have her. Our eternal family wouldn't be complete without her. She amazes me everyday.

Happy birthday, Buggy!!
Mommy & Daddy love you!

Hot Pink Pumps

Sophie loves shoes.
She especially loves playing in mine.
Heals are her preference.

Every morning after her bath, she runs for my closet and goes straight for them! In fact, she has actually gotten more use out of my new pink pumps. They are her favorite.
She gets around in them quite well.

She is turning into such a girly little girl. I love it!

(Note: YES, I know I need a bed skirt! But they always seem to get in the way. Someday I'll get bitten by the interior decorating bug. But until then... Whatev! :))

My Little Monkey

Yesterday was just one of those days...

I love Buggy!

Sweet Tooth

This sweet girl has an incurable sweet tooth. Sophie is learning all about "knock-knock" jokes. This was her first...

Sophie: "Knock! Knock!"
Mommy: "Who's there??"
Sophie: "Banana!"
Mommy: "Banana, who?"
Sophie: "Cookie!! Cookies, please!"

I love my little Buggy!

Brown Eyed Beauties

Today, I am grateful for two things...

1. My blue-eyed genes are nowhere to be found.

2. A fabulous new camera to capture all the cuteness.

I love my girls!