Shhhhhh....I am watching a Movie.

Last night, us "Movie Chicks" went to yet another late night movie.

Tonight's flick was...

"he's just not that into you"

All I can say about this movie is,

I just was NOT that into this movie!

Here is the plot,

This person likes this person, who likes this person, who likes someone else, who is trying to impress the same sex, who is married to someone else, who wants to get married, who can't commit, who is all talk, but then falls in love.

That is it!

You can thank me for saving you from a 2 hour, $20.00 disaster!

Also, NEVER take your husband/boyfriend to this movie! It is hard to follow and it really kinda bashes men and all of their "theories"

Thank goodness I was in good company with some good friends, because the movie was a waste of time. There were a few laugh out loud moments, but they were far and few. More awkward then anything.

So, as for this movie on a scale of 1 -10, I give it a 4 and maybe that is high.

Hope next week's movie is better then this one.

I am counting down the weeks for the new movie with BOYFRIEND Zac Efron "17" to come out AND the new movie with my boyfriend Matthew McMonaughey " Ghost of Girlfriends Past."

Be watching for the "Movie Chicks" review on these upcoming movies.

My Little Playa'

Here she is...my All Star!

Tonight was the last game of the season and Kenzie is proud of her medal that she got.

By the end of the season, Kenzie was a whole new player...she would guard, steal, and keep up with the boys on her team.

I think the boys didn't like having a "girl" on the team, but as you can see from the video clip, that when she finally got the ball, she would make the basket.

After 3 other tries, Kenzie got the 4th rebound and SHE made the basket!

Being the only girl on the team, didn't slow her down at all.

Way to go Kenzie for a great season...Next is machine pitch baseball this Spring.

Just 10 more weeks!

Feef came over today and let me take a few pictures of her and her growing belly...

Here is her belly at 30 weeks...just 10 more to go!
Can't wait to hold my new neice this coming MAY!
Keep growing healthy Kynlee Rae!

Mark this date on your calendars!

Yes, You are reading that right...Today is National PANCAKE day!

Now this is a holiday worth celebrating...

...and you better believe that we were not going to miss out on free pancakes!

As you can see, the kids were excited to be eating at one of their favorite places...IHOP!

So when the girls got off the bus, we were waiting and surprised them on where we were going.

There were cheering in the car.

There was nothing left on any of the kids plates and we all had full bellies.

My question is...Now why isn't this day remembered on our calendars??

Well, I can guarantee that we will be at IHOP again this time next year and the years after that.

I {heart} Pancakes!

They did it...

10 Stickers = Kangaroo Zoo

Cassie and Carson are so proud of themselves for they had to work really hard to earn their 10 stickers.

Some may think that bribing isn't all too good for kids, but when the reward is Kangaroo Zoo, there was no hesitation with these two.

Cassie had to have 10 night in her own bed and that little stinker did it almost 10 days straight.(she got sick a few nights and wanted to sleep on the floor in our room.)

Carson had to have 10 night with no accidents, got to keep his unders dry all night. He only had one night, so he did a good job as well.

So today the both of them got their 10th sticker so that can only mean one thing...

KANGAROO ZOO!

They climb, ran, jumped, and play really hard. They had so much fun! It was just the two of them, so they thought that they were pretty special. After about an hour and a half, they were ready to go home.

Little Cassie was asleep even before we left the parking lot.

They had a good time.

Since that 10 sticker chart worked so well, we are now starting another one. This time, Dan has added pick up clothes and put them away every day as well as all night in their beds and to stay dry. Cassie and Carson all ready know that this time they are trying to earn a Dora and Diego, so when they are set on something, it is any a matter of time...

Be watching to see if they can get the dolls (Dan hates that Carson will have a DOLL) 10 days from now.

See, bribing is ok in my book, it always seems to work.

Update: My creations continue...

Yesterday for dinner, we cooked the pizza crust and as you can tell from the picture, it was delicious!

Look how the pizza just sits there and allows me to take it's picture...poor thing, doesn't even know that in a few minutes, we are about to devourer it!

It WAS so yummy, in fact, the kids are requesting that I make another pizza crust for this weeks dinner.

Tonight, for dinner we had sloppy joes in the "soup bowls" but they ended up turning into hamburger buns...well, the funny story is that Mackenzie has hated sloppy joes in the past, but for the first time, Mackenzie ATE the whole thing and she said it was because of MY BREAD!

Funny Girl!

I am that good of cook, that Mackenzie will now eat sloppy joes.

Looks like I will baking more and the kids will continue to be excited for all the new things that I will be making.

***I have noticed that many of you want the recipe...well, email me with you address and I will be more then happy to share the goods. BUT, I have to do it that way, because of some kind of copyright thing, meaning I can't post it.

BUT, I can post the website. www.howtomakebread.blogspot.com

I will send the recipe as soon as I hear from you and I CAN PROMISE...It really is EASY, with only 5 ingredients, and in an hour you will have bread!

A Shout Out!

Today is a Very Special Day for this "Young" Man...

Happy 72nd Birthday Opa!

Your love of life and for your Family, Friends, Church, (and Newport beach) is an example to me and our kids. One thing that I know for sure is that you LOVE your grandkids and our kids are lucky to have you in their lives.

We Love you and send you a Happy and Healthy Birthday wish! Here is to many many more Happy Birthdays to you!

When you get back from the cruise, (Gotta be rough being retired!) Dinner on us at "your" favorite fancy restaurant: IHOP!

Answers from my Itouch:

INSTRUCTIONS- Put your iPod or other music player on shuffle.

For each question, press the NEXT button to get your answer.

YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!...

NO CHEATING!!!

1. IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY: "Closer" (Ne-Yo)

2. WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY: "Crush" (David Archuleta)

3. WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?: "One more day with you" (Diamond Rio)

4. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?: "Ready, Set, Don't Go" (Billy Ray & Miley Cyrus)

5. WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO? "Proud of the house we Built" (Brooks & Dunn)

6. WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU: "Hero" (Mariah Carey)

7. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT OFTEN?: "If you're going through Hell" (Rodney Adkins)

8. WHAT IS 2+2?: "Superman" (Five for Fighting)

9. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND? "In God's hands" (Nelly Furtado w/Keith Urban)

10. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?: "Right Now...Na Na Na" (Akon)

11. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?: "Sabotage" (The Beasty Boys)

12. WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?: "Help me remember" (Rascal Flatts)

13. WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?: "Rollin'" (Big & Rich)

14. WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING: "I believe in you" (Don Williams)

15. WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL: "Then they do" (Trace Adkins)

16. WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST: "Who's kissing you tonight" (Jason Aldean)

17. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?: "This is my now" (Jordon Sparks)

18. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?: "Whenever you remember" (Carrie Underwood)

20. HOW WILL YOU DIE?: "I loved her first" (Heartland)

21. WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?: "Walking on broken glass" (Annie Lennox)

22. WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?: "Easy Does It" (Hot Apple Pie)

23. WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?: "Here, in your arms" (Hellogoodbye)

24. WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?: "Welcome to the 60's" (Hairspray the movie)

25. WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?: "Could've Been" (Tiffany)

26. DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?: "If I never see your face again" (Maroon 5)

27. IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?: "I never needed you" (Lonestar)

28. WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?: "Lucky Man" (Montgomery Gentry)

29. WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?: "Sure Shot" (The Beastie Boys)

I surprised even my own self tonight...

For all of you who don't know, I don't cook, bake, or even try to enjoy doing it. Many of my friends and family like to tease me and I don't even try and pretend to do it...It is something I just don't do.

Well, Last night I went to a class where they taught us how to make bread from scratch, using only 5 ingredients and from start to finish; you will have four different items in one hour!

With this one recipe, you can easily make 50 plus different things. From pizza crust, hot dogs buns, cinnamon rolls, scones, loaves of bread, to soup bowls...the ideas or endless.

So I left the class overwhelmed, but so excited to try this bread recipe. I left the class telling myself I will never buy bread from a store again.

So, Tonight I was up for the challenge: I was working in the kitchen and was prepping the bread and the kids came in from watching High School Musical 3 to wonder what I was doing. Lanie said to me, "Mom, do you even know what you are doing? You are cooking. You just don't do that!"

Thanks Lanie for your support and giving me such encouragement. Kids gotta love them.

So, Here is proof of me in the kitchen, baking homemade bread with NO bread maker!

Look at my stuffed crust pizza crust... I am totally having a proud moment!

Look at my form as I shape the balls of dough for our soup bowls. I have a hidden talent that I never knew I had!

25 minutes in the oven: Look how yummy they look! And the smell is even better! I wish that you all could smell what my kitchen smells like right now!

Baking in the oven is 6 soup bowls and 8 mini loaves of bread.

Check out those soup bowls! Not to boast, but I have to admit...watch out Lehi Bakery!

Dinner tomorrow: Soup bowls with sloppy joe mix! The kids will be so excited...here is to a night of no complaints from the kids at dinner. Wish that happened more, and maybe it will with me baking bread.

Look at my newest BEST Friend...sorry ladies, my Bosch just jumped into the picture.

I hate to say, I got this as a wedding gift 10 years ago and I it has seen my counter top maybe 100 times, and that number may be high...BUT I can promise you that it will come out at least once a week now.

Here is the first stage into a yummy treat: a cream cheese strawberry filling braid bread
All braided: ready to raise and then into the oven it will go.

Baking...

LOOK AT THAT!!! I did it! Glaze and all.

Can't wait to eat that for breakfast in the morning!

Here is the pizza crust and the 8 mini loaves all finished. A picture perfect sight!

I am SOOOOOOOOO proud of myself and so is Dan.
The entire time, Carson and Cassie sat at the counter and watched their mom work her magic.

So watch out Ms. Martha and Rachel Ray...Christy is in the kitchen and is one good bread cook.

I will share pictures of next weeks bread, cause remember...I am going to make my own bread.

Who would have thought I would be making bread...WOW!!! Who Knew!
Some people say it's a red letter day, or when pig fly, OR when Christy cooks a meal...Well, go and and buy a loto ticket my friend, because you are now a witness of quite a sight!
Chance are good so go and press your luck!

Thanks Andrea for a fun night and your secret touch and tips for making the bread turn out so yummy. Love you girl! Count on some of that cream cheese braid having your name on it.

My Personal Confession:

I have to admit, I LOVE this movie!

"I am Rebecca Bloomwood and I am a shopaholic"

Tonight, the "Movie Chicks" went to the late movie and I never thought that I would learn so much for this movie... Maybe it is because I can relate in someways with Rebecca Bloomwood.

See, a year ago technically we were on top of the world...Money wasn't a option. I would go look at our bank account and see extra money...so if there was money to spend, I would have to spend it. I would buy clothes, jewelry, things for the kids, home decor, out to lunch/dinner, purses, pretty much whatever I wanted.

One thing that is different between myself and Rebecca, is that Dan and I use strictly CASH, no credit cards, so no major debt for us.

I then would come home on a shopping high...Shopping made everything better. It is like everything else goes away. It made me happy. In that way, I am Rebecca Bloomwood. I like the way a shopping bag feels in your hands.

The sad thing is, I started to take things for granted...clothes would have tags on them, home decor would sit in the closet still in the bag...I would just buy because I could.

NOW we come to CURRENT TIMES...With Dan being self employed and the economy the way it is, things have changed for us. Yes, money still comes in, but not what it was like.

It sounds silly, but I have to use my self control...it's like I am on a spending freeze.

At first, I have to admit, I struggled, but if anything I have learned some good lessons.

First, Money doesn't grow on trees

Second, Money can go as fast as it comes

Next, Shopping is just a temporary fix

And, Things are not important, Time and Family should come first.

Since this whole thing has changed, I have learned that I really don't need everything my eyes see. I feel like I have control of my self. Now when I buy things, I make sure I really want/need it. There has been times where I have to talk myself down from buying something or to wait till next week (most of the time, I realize that I really don't want it) and I walk away...It is then like it is in the movie with Rebecca Bloomwood; I feel like the mannequins are clapping their hands for me for making a good decision. I can be happy without having to spend money.

So, When it comes to the movie Confession of a Shopaholic, consider this as my very own personal confession and I really think that going through this, has changed me for the better and have a totally new outlook on shopping.

Yes, I still really enjoy shopping, but now I can really enjoy it. I also know that I like what I buy and will have no buyers remorse.

Go watch the movie, get ready for some laughs, romance, some fun fashion, and maybe your very own personal confession.

A Happy Place...

Nana was in town this past weekend; she wanted to be with the ones that she loved for the Valentines holiday, and who does she love more??? Her Grandkids!

And there is no question that the kids love their Nana too.

They could be playing the wii or just cuddling on the couch, either way, when they are all together there are smiles around.

If you ask the kids, they would say that one of their favorite places to be is with their Nana.

In fact, Nana had to head back to work/reality yesterday and bedtime came for the kids, the girls wanted to sleep in Nana's bed.

"No," I said, "You don't need to sleep in there, you have your own beds."
Lanie says "Please mom" and I ask "why"

Lanie and Kenzie then say together, "When we sleep in her bed, it is like Nana is holding us even when she is back in Oregon."

OH MY!!! How do I argue with that! So needless to say, the girls got to sleep in Nana's guest bed.

We love it when Nana comes and spends time with us, even if it is a F*A*S*T long weekend. Anytime we can spend together becomes a Happy Place!

I LOVE HIM!

I know that it sounds Cheesy, but that is what our love is...lovey dovey, pure cheesy, but you can say that our LOVE for each other is real, strong, and special!

If you remember last valentine's, Dan did a count down to valentines day, and each day I got something to show his love for me.

I was wondering How is Dan going to top last year? What is he going to do for me this year??

Well, Dan and his buddy Curtis had things plan for sometime...the two of them would talk on the phone, giggling like school girls, thinking that they were brilliant with their ideas.

The two of the guys would tell Liza and I that they were going to take a photo shoot of each other...that could be a scary thought. I don't even want to go there!Well, Dan did it again! He spoiled me only the way he knows how...

First, he got my a HUGE card, who needs Hallmark when you can get a high quality card from the gas station. He spent over an hour writing all of his thoughts and feelings into this card. That is impressive for any guy I would think, but remember, Dan isn't just any guy!

Second, He brought me my favorite flowers...Red tulips. Got to love Costco, but not as much as my man!

Third, I know that Dan listens to me...He walked into a girly boutique and got me a bling ring from which was made from a guy in Paris, France. (who would have thought I would use those words ever in my blog...Paris. I wish to go there some day) I am sure that walking into that store made him feel real manly.

Forth, This is the real sweet thing...Dan and Curtis walk into Build a Bear and MADE a bear for Liza and I with David Archuleta on the shirt AND made a voice recording of David's new song for the bear to hold! Dan gives me the OK to sleep with my boyfriend David, but when I want a real man, Dan is there waiting. He says that he feels OK with his manhood and our relationship. :)

He he be any cuter??

Lastly, We went out to dinner with Liza and Curtis, after that we went to See's Candy and Dan bought my a whole pound of candy...whatever I wanted and the best part...I got it in a heart shaped box...See, I have NEVER got candy in a heart shaped box and for some silly reason I felt deprived and that I was missing out. So after 29 years, I finally got my first heart shaped box and I enjoy every bite of the chocolate.

See, I told you...I am lucky to have Dan in my life and that we have a special love for each other that doesn't come to often. See, I also told you, we have a cheesy love.

And I told you...See why I LOVE Dan so much??

I can't wait to see what he does next year!! Will he be able to top this?? I am sure he will, he seems to always surprise me.

I LOVE HIM!!

Sweet treats for us

at Dippidee
a place for sweet surprises:

So, we had good intentions the other afternoon, when we stepped foot into Dippidee's; see we went in there for a treat for Opa and Oma to show them our love for Valentines day, and you have to know that the moment that you walk into this place, the smell is overwhelming of pure goodness.
Dan swears they pipe the small from the bakery to the front...either way, it is one of my favorite smells of all time.
Sorry, back to my story...
So we go in there for a gift and you have to know that the past two times I went in, I was good and I didn't have one treat at all, but this time I had the munchkins with me (and Dan) and they had a harder time to pass up on the treats.
So, my good dead then turns into treats for all...even me. I couldn't pass it up while the kids sat in front of me, moaning and ohhhing just how good the cupcake were.

Yeah, they were right, they were beyond good...they were great!

I haven't had one of those for months!!! I forgot just how good they were.

Now that I have had one, and the sugar of the cupcakes are running through my blood,
I "need" to have more...
WHAT HAVE I DONE??!??

I need to keep telling myself "NO MORE," but WOW!
So pray for me that I stay strong and that I have the will power to stay away...but we will see. [smile]

Love is in the air at our home

The girls are excited to share their "love" with all of their friends in their class for their upcoming Valentines' party.

Watching the girls pick out the perfect cards for their friends, I can remember when I was a kid, doing the same thing.

[So and So] gets this one and [a boy] gets this one because of a crush. [my best Friend] gets this one with a bit more candy in theirs.

I can remember trying to write my very best hand writing and making sure the envelopes were perfect.

Maybe I was an over detailed girl, but like I said, I have always been a hopeless romantic.

I can remember after the valentine party in class, going home and opening up all the cards to see what [so and so] gave me and [a boy] gave me a lovey crush card as well, sometimes I was excited to see one that said Valentine, you and I make a prefect pair (with a deck of cards on it) That must be love in a elementary girl's heart.

It has been fun to watch my girls do the same thing...it is like a full circle.

So, this valentine's holiday is full of love and memories of years of my personal past and watching my girls have as much fun as I did.

Love can be a crazy thing and can make you do even more crazy things...

My question for you is:

What is the craziest thing you have done to get noticed by your crush or that someone did to you for you to notice them?

And the Award goes to...

My very own husband: Dan

See, tonight when Dan was going to pick up Dalanie from dance, I asked him to pick me up something for that wonderful time of the month.

Right there, Dan for sure gets the award!

I don't know too many men who are comfortable enough to buy their wife those kinds of products.

While Dan was up there, I first get a call from him telling me that he didn't even see any kinds of those products and that the grocery store didn't carry those things. I told him to look around for the tampons, "they don't have those either," he informed me. "Can you please look harder?" I ask. I know that they are there.

I get a second call, "I found them, but there are so many to choose from." "How do I know what kind to get?" I am sure it runs through a guys head that don't all the products all work the same...they need to do just one thing. "Why the need for so many?"

I proceed to tell him what kind I use and what color and brand, and this is what he came home with...
For of all...BLESS Dan's Heart!

Now I feel OK to say the following,

What does he think goes on every month and how much does he think I need. Those things are ridiculous in size. I don't know if you can tell from the picture, but each pad is at least one inch thick!

Cassie says when Dan walks through the door, "I don't wear diapers anymore, Mom are those diapers for you?"

Girl, you got that right! My goodness, those things are like adult diapers and could hold a whole lot.

So the moral of this story is:

*Men have no clue when it comes to that time of the month

*Be careful for what you ask for, you might just be surprised to what you will get

*Size does matter

AND

*My Husband is the best guy out there!

You're in Luck...Or should I say,

You're in LOVE:

I was searching the Internet for Dan's perfect valentine and I thought I would share the ideas with you all.

Enjoy!

World's Largest Inflatable Heart
How big is your Love? Cause this is real big love. This is the biggest love thing out there, and of course it will be full of your sweet breath. The Giant Inflatable Heart ($13.99) is rather silly, and yet delightfully charming in the same breath, so to speak.


"Say I Love You" Couple Pillowcases
Let your pillow talk be your pillow talk with these "Say I Love You" pillowcases "Say I Love You" Couple Pillowcases ($36.00). Whether you are together or a distance apart, they are perfect for reminding you both to say I love you each and every night and each and every day.

8-Bit Dynamic Life Shirt: Measures Proximity to Lovers
Let me explain --once again-- the concept of the 8-Bit Dynamic Life Shirt ($24.99): you wear one and give one to your partner. Then whenever you both are "in range", the pixilated hearts start glowing to full charge. This means your beloved is somewhere nearby and you can go over and give him/her a hug! When you are out of range the glowing hearts dip to two and a half. Essentially you either need to pick up two T-Shirts or one T-Shirt and a transmitter for the concept to work. Replicating the life power of your fav gaming hero, the hearts on the Tee indicate your life/love status: weird but cute!

Control-Your-Spouse Talking Remote
Why waste precious time and energy trying to control the thoughts and actions of your significant other when you can automate the process? Just push a button on the Control-Your-Man Talking Remote ($19.00) or the Control-Your-Woman Talking Remote ($19.00) and let it do it for you. The remotes deliver a riot of verbal one-offs and funny sound effects sure to keep your spouse on the right track. Features 18 saying including (men control) "Time to listen!", "What about my needs?", "What were you thinking?" (Women control) "Zip it!", "Clean up on aisle four!" and "All right, hand over the credit cards!".

Human Key Kinky Holder
You’ll never blame her again for losing the keys with this pair of Human Key Holders (His and Hers - $16.99 each) mounted to the wall. Simply attach your keys to the key provided, and insert the key into the male or female forms.

"My Beating Heart" Pillow
The My Beating Heart Pillow ($44.99) reproduces the sound of a heartbeat when you hug it. The beat of the pillow slowly synchs with your own heartbeat, and each time you turn it on, a new, unique heartbeat is created. The rhythm gradually changes throughout the cycle, algorithmically modeling the heartbeat in a meditative state, and it will automatically shut off after 20 minutes.

You & Me Personalized Wall Clock
Share fun-lovin' hours with the You & Me Personalized Wall Clock ($39.99). Write on and affix multiple hands to the 24 hour clock face that designate the time zones of your favorite people and places --like you, her, and yes, that backseat.

Ring Cup

(This is my personal favorite!)
If you’re hoping this Valentine’s Day will give you something to look at on your ring finger, but aren’t sure your significant other is completely aware of this, say it with this 2-Carat Cup ($15.00). The Swarovski crystal ring comes in gold or silver, and will serve as a constant reminder of what you may have your heart set on for this February 14th.

Boyfriend Pillow
For those times when you're not around, the Boyfriend pillow ($39.90) will cuddle her all night.

Nothing says "I love you" then saying it with your dog. That is just who I want to hear it from.

I hope that these ideas were helpful or at least bring a smile to your face. I am convinced that you can find anything on the Internet. If you think that is might be out there...then I can promise you, it is!

Hope you find the prefect gift for the ones you love!

Gotta Love this MoUSe!

Who doesn't love Mickey?

Well, the kids had a day off from school and I haven't done a photo shoot with the kids for some time, and I am missing Disneyland, (oh how I wish I could go back)

So I grabbed my Mickey and got the girls ready...

...and here are the results.

With the girls and the Mickey prop, it made for a fun photo shoot.

I just let the girls play with Mickey and it was fun to watch their personalities come to alive in the pictures. It was quick, easy, and a lot of fun.

The girls know if they "smile," then the shoot goes faster and they can get back to playing. They know when they see a camera...say cheese and smile and Mom is a happy girl.

Maybe it is because they had a camera in their face from the day they were born and I am one of those crazy moms that carry a camera with her always in her purse...just in case I have a "Kodak moment" that I can't miss.

Since the girls were willing, and I always ready for those fun photo opportunities.

What's not to love about this Mouse and three fun girls with great smiles.

Say Cheese!

Surprise! You are having a Baby!

Here you go mommies - a different kind of survey for a change - it's all about your first born!

1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED? Yes and No; I got off my pill a month before, thinking that it would take a while to get it out of my system, but we weren't planning on getting prego the next month! (Thought it would take awhile, but no my body, Dan holds my hand and we have a baby.)

2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME? Yes, but just barely.

3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS? Disbelief, Shocked, How did that happen?? Scared, and Excited.


4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU? HELL NO!


5. HOW OLD WERE YOU? 19 (just only 4 months after being married)


6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT? EPT home test bought from K-mart from across our condo.


7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? Dan. Came out crying from the bathroom and he was speechless. We called my mom like third and I learned never to make that mistake again!


8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX? YES! I wanted to plan for it all, clothes, nursery, any everything else from the car seat to bibs. I wanted to find out by going to the mall, but nope I waited till 18 weeks and then got to go again at 22 weeks because they could see the 4 heart chambers (All was good at that checkup!)

9. DUE DATE? 9-24-00


10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS? Nope, Never once did I throw up! Lucky!


11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE? Cheese and Orange Juice


12. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST? The 44 units that we helped manage/maintenance and the people that lived there.


13. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX? Girl


14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING? No, I was excited to buy every little matching accessory for a baby girl and I sure did!


15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY? Maybe 15-20 lbs. It is the only time I can lose weight...only when I am pregnant. Go figure! I didn't have wear maturity clothes till I was almost 7 months.


16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? Yes, My mother in law/sisters in law throw it. I was new to Utah, only here for 4 months and knew hardly no one. I shared it with my other sister in law who was due in October. (Who ended up having her baby 2 days after me)


17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW? Yes


18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY? No, things went really well, BUT the last little bit I got toxaemia, causing me to go into preterm labor and having to delivery 2 weeks early.

19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? Salt Lake City

20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR? From start to finish 4 hours. Just two pushes and out she came. She came so fast, no time to prep=a bad 3 degree tear!


21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL? Dan

22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH? ONLY Dan and all the nurses and Doctor Brown. My mom was suppose to be there, but didn't make it in time.

23. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION? Natural. With a big FAT epidural. Almost didn't get it in time, then what would I have done??? Thank Goodness for drugs!


24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN? Yes I did!


27. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH? 6lb 6oz

28. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN ? 9-12-00

(I am so glad that it wasn't a day earlier: It would have been 9-11 and her one year of birthday would have been a horrible day in history.

30. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER? Mackenzie Joy (It was going to either be Lola Grace OR Lexie Rae, but I was so drugged up and was still trying to figure out what I just went through, that Dan throw at me, "She told me that she wants her name to be Mackenzie Joy" (after me and my mom) I said OK, not knowing what he was doing. From that day, I never made that mistake again. We always had the name picked out when we went into the hospital.

31. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY? 8 years old and beautiful, smart, and perfect! I am one lucky mom!

I can't believe how fast those past 8 years have gone. I can still remember bringing Mackenzie home from the hospital and thinking just how real it is.

Bless her heart, she is a good and easy kid to take care of. Thank goodness that she is patient with me, with her being my first born, that means she is the first one who has to go through life's experiences and we learn together.

This was a fun way to stop for a minute, look back and remember just how lucky I am to be a mom.

Love you Mackenzie!

A Game of LOVE:

Here is my conversation with Delanie earlier today:

Delaine: Mom, we should live at the Livingston's house.

Me: Why is that?

Delanie: We watched the football game with them, hung out with them all day yesterday, and get to spend Saturday night with them, so we should just live there.

Me: Oh OK then. You are a silly girl. Those boys are fun to hung out with. Maybe you will marry Jackson.

Delanie: That is what Mackenzie said too.

Me: Oh really?

Delanie: Yes, but mom, you really must know that I am keeping my options open right now.

Me: OH REALLY?

Delaine: There are lots of boys I could marry, but he will probably win though.

Funny how kids think that LOVE is just a game.

I am sure that there will be many many broken heart in our house with three girls, but to Delanie now, love is just a big game.

Just roll the dice, draw a card, and move forward 2 spaces; that is how loves works to a six year old girl. I guess that is how it should be: sweet and innocent and just a bunch of fun.

Someone has some explaining to do...

This the the Setup:

Dan, Carson, Cassie, and myself were in the car just finishing eating at Arby's (I know it's not on the diet, but it was a request from the kids and I wasn't in any moods to have a battle over what we were having for lunch) when it was time to head on home for naps...

Dan was driving when he took a corner to head onto the main road, when we hear...

D*** IT come out of our little miss's mouth.

At that turn, Cassie dumped her fries and was quit upset.

(Now when she said "it," she did it with the right intent, without any hesitation)

Dan and I were trying to hide the fact that we were laughing and in shock that she used that word choice. (It is not my personal word choice, don't get me wrong, I am not prefect, but that is not one of the "regulars" around our home.)

(Dan had to stop driving for a bit due to the fact that he couldn't see from all the giggling)

We then gain composure and then ask Cassie if she knew that she had said a naughty word and she said "NO." I told her that when you say that word, it makes Jesus sad and then she jumps right in as if she was waiting for me to say that and says, "Nana say it all the time to my Pappy."

OK, so the truth comes out in the mouth of the babe.

Dan and I start to giggle again and Cassie is straight face not knowing what just took place. Cassie just throw Nana under the bus.

Now, if that is really the truth or not, Cassie for sure caught Dan and I off guard and with her, I am for sure that Cassie will be keeping us on our toes for a very long time.