So I've been working on something for the past couple weeks...It shouldn't have taken as much time as it did, but I've got only so much time in the day and 4 kids. :) I made 2 more yarn wreaths for the front door for FALL! I love them. They're my favorite that I've made.
The only thing I wish I'd done is make the flowers on the opposite side. 2 doors messes up my mojo. I never quite know what to do. (I know...first world problem)
I tried to get the flowers to match as much as I could, but with any handmade project they're not perfect. I DO love them though! I love those colors!
Another thing I've been thinking about. I hate paying for School Pictures. I hate paying 20$ per child for pictures that make me cringe, so I'm just going to do them myself this year. I think this one might be Caroline's.
I adore this child. Look at that scrunchy nose smile! Now to pin down Lucas and Madi for a quick picture by the Asters.
I guess I fired myself from blogging...for almost a year. But now I'm back. And I'm better than ever. Just you wait. There will be a fancy new header and everything...
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir new Christmas CD is out. It makes me wistful and a little sad, because I was supposed ot be there last year. But through a series of comedic errors, we....
well you can see if you'd like.
(btw. It's been a year since I started this post. I can't remember why I named it this, but hoping it comes back to me...)
::WARNING::
This is a long post...and I'm biased so you may not find it interesting unless you know me...or my family. Consider yourself warned.
Jessica asked me on Tuesday if I wanted to go to Salt Lake City with the other Siblings and see Natalie Cole sing in a concert with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. YES (!) was the immediate answer and then after making sure Nate was ok with me ditching him for a night with Mr Tonsil-less, I was free to become almost giddy with anticipation.
Thursday, the big night, comes before I know it and after reminding Nate several times to please be home before 5:15 so I can begin picking up my sibs, I'm on my way. I get to Mom and Dad's to get Matthew and Jessica and guess what. Jessica is not ready, and Matthew is not even THERE. So. There's nothing I can do about it...right? Right. So I settle in to wait. Matt finally gets home at 5:30 and begins to get ready...but where are his pants?? He can't find his PANTS! So...I settle in to wait some more. Jessica's grumpy. I'm grumpy. Matthew is grumpy. (btw...Mike is grumpy too...we know because we talked to him on the phone) Adam is soon to be grumpy because we're late. And if there's one thing Adam can't stand....
Finally at 6-ish, we are out the door and on the way to Lehi to pick up Mike. We get there and we're told Mike is...indisposed. So we wait. Matt goes in to get a drink of Milk. Chats with Kasia. Comes back out and we're still waiting. Finally Mike comes out but meanwhile he's decided he's no longer grumpy. (one of these things is not like the others...sing it) We get on the freeway in Lehi and Mike says "OH no. I forgot the tickets". Really? REALLY?? So we get off the freeway at the next exit and turn around, go back, get the tickets, head back north, and get on the freeway to pick up Adam in Draper. We finally make it to Adam's house and guess what?? He's GRUMPY!! (shocking...i know.) Adam says he's so hungry and was promised we were getting dinner first so he didn't eat and we needed to either stop at Little Caesars and get a pizza to share or go through the burger king drive through. We opt for pizza. I run in, grab one hot and ready, and realize Adam and Jessica are in with me. As we head out the door with that hot and ready in our hands, Adam says "Is this all you got? We're going to have to hit burger king too." I'm thinking...there's not an army in here...and it's to hold us over till we get to go to crown burger anyway...but I don't want anyone more grumpy than they already are so in we pile to the mini-van and hit the burger king next door. Adam orders 2 tacos (wait...tacos? Aren't we at burger king??), 1 double cheese burger, and 1 whopper jr. And I may have added a soda for me in there too...and one for Jessica.
We learned a lesson that night. A car full of hungry Johnson's is a car full of grumpy Johnson's. After we ate, we were all of us happy again. :)
NOW (deep breath) we're really off. It's 7. Adam says we'll be just fine. Smooth sailing up to SLC to make it there in time for the 8 o'clock show. Wait a minute...what's up ahead?? TRAFFIC!! 20mph from 106th South to 90th. Awesome. What's that causing the hold up?? A police car. With it's lights on. Not doing anything. On the left side of the free way. Sweet.
Traffic clears, we fly up the freeway. We're going to make it. I get off on the 6th south exit and head toward the conference center. "No. Don't turn there. Go up a couple blocks" as I was going to turn on West Temple. The back seat driver? Adam. "Yeah! Turn there!" another one? Yep. Jessica. I opt for Adam's advice, because he's eldest, after all. So I left onto State Street. Wait. What's that up ahead? Traffic. Crazy traffic. We sit though 3 lights trying to turn left onto South Temple and finally I'm ready to turn left, but then a police man pulls a uturn in front of me and pulls over a car taking 2 lanes in the direction I was turning. And then the light turns red. And I'm sitting there in the middle of the intersection with no where to go. Thank you, officer. At least no one honked at me.
Finally the traffic stop was taken care of and I got to turn and off we headed to West Temple. We finally got there and managed to squeak in a right turn. But there's more traffic because of all of the construction. After slowly crawling along 1 block in 20 min, Adam, Jessica, and I decide to walk/run the rest of the way to the Conference Center and leave Mike driving and Matt navigating and we'd meet up in the center. We were nearly to abravenell Hall at that point. Well...remember how I had a soda. I really needed a rest room. Being 4 months pregnant didn't help. Well Adam and Jessica decide we need to run. And did I mention I was 4 months pregnant and needed to find a rest room? We run across the South Temple intersection and I'm dying. DYING. There were some traffic cops helping the flow of traffic and as we were passing by one of them whacked a car with his light and yelled "WHY DID YOU RUN OVER MY CONE??!?" at the driver in the car. The cones were tiny and not very well lit. I'm not surprised one got ran over. If there's something else Adam can't stand (other than tardiness) it's social injustice. So Adam begins yelling at the cop to calm down. Meanwhile, I yell that I'm going to run into the Family History Library and use the little girls room and Jessica yells she's going to run ahead. Adam's waiting for me (luckily not in hand cuffs) when I exit the building and he grabs my hand and takes off running.
We finally get there. The Conference Center with our little tickets in hand. AHHHHHH! We wait patiently in line. Jessica's texted us she's already inside waiting for us, but not seated. We move up in line and suddenly we're next. And then we're told they're full. No one else ticketed or not will be allowed entrance. Jessica runs up and explains there are already people inside waiting for us. They allow us in to "see if we can find them" but as the concert was beginning, they weren't answering texts or anything else. Sigh. We were too late.
We walk across the street to wait for Mike and Matt at Temple Square. We went to the North Visitors Center and I sit down to catch my breath. We're laughing at all the craziness of the night and suddenly the fire alarm went off. Really? REALLY??? Yep. The flashing lights and sirens. There's no way I'm moving. I'm feeling nauseous (a recurring theme for me when I'm pregnant) and exhausted. And what are the chances the Christus caught fire? I guess the Sister Missionaries figured that was the case because they found us and very cheerfully said "I'm sorry, you'll have to exit the building". Adam commented it was the first time he'd been told to leave by the sunshine brigade. We wait by the entrance of Temple Square for Mike to drive up and get us. To pass the time, we were making up theories for the fire alarm...I think that's where the thieving santa on fire came in...and finally we spot the van...or did we hear the Weezer blasting out the windows before we saw it...
The night wasn't a total loss though. We got to go to Crown Burger. Mmmmm.
There are no other people that I would have had a better time having a horrible night with. It was really so much fun. The only thing that would have made it better is if Kati was able to come...or if we got to actually see the concert. I love my siblings more than words can convey. And I'm so excited I get them forever!
We've had 4 homework meltdowns tonight at our house. All three of the kiddos in school have had one. And one of them had not only one, but two. And they have all been epic. Are you jealous?
Another month has flown by. Well at least it seems that way looking back at the month. While I'm living it, it often seems as slow as slow can be. I found some pictures I forgot to blog about. I love them! Lucas got a pretend shaving kit in his stocking for Christmas and we put it to the test not too long ago. He loved being like Dad!
Here they are pre-shaven. So cute!
Look how dirty the mirror is! I mean...look how adorable that boy is! Getting all lathered up.
And there they go!
I love that face!
This is serious work here. Love the concentration on his face!
And that's the last. I must have gotten distracted...as if that ever happens...Wait. What was I talking about?
I'm not very exciting lately.
I'm tired all the time.
I puke every morning.
I hang at home with Lucas and we laugh a lot.
Baby Hugh is moving like a monkey in my belly and it makes me smile.
March is so close I can almost feel it.
They didn't release Time Traveler's Wife on DVD for rental when they released it for sale. I didn't succumb. I am waiting until March to watch it and I'm proud of myself. :)
We've been having fun watching the Olympics. I still like the Summer Olympics better.
Nate took me to Market Street Grill for my birthday with Luke and Cami. It was delicious and so much fun to spend time with good friends we don't see enough! And I just love seafood.
I love Sunday. I especially like 11:00 church on Sunday. Everyone gets there on time, or (GASP) early, no one is grouchy, no one (err...I don't) yells getting everyone out to the car and to church before 9 like last year. But today wasn't my favorite. I had a pretty bad day yesterday with nausea. Today I was nauseous and puking. BUT I wanted to teach my Primary class so I went to church anyway. I didn't make it though Sacrament Meeting. I had to run and puke in the bathroom. At church. After that I went home to puke in the confines of my own house. I also got a short nap before Nate and the kids came home. I can hardly wait till this little man makes his appearance in May.
But something happened that made me feel a bit better. Maddie decided to share a bit of wisdom with me. As I was making a simple lunch for the kids, Maddie looks at me and smiles and says "You know mom, one good thing about going gray is that your hair sparkles in the sunlight." Yes, Maddie. That is one good thing about going gray. At least there's that.
Caroline woke up at 3am with a fever and a sore throat last night. I got her some Motrin and a drink and sent her back to bed only to be woken up again by miss Caroline 3 more times. My immediate thought was that it was strep...and sure enough, six hours later in the doctor's office, it was a confirmed case of strep with a fever of 103.9. That's with the Motrin still supposedly working (it's supposed to last for 8 hours). The Dr. recommended an anti-biotic shot in the bum, and much to Caroline's dismay, I consented. She was afraid to get the shot and I had to hold her down while 2 nurses gave it to her. I hate the look of betrayal that passes every child's face when they have to get some kind of shot. It's as if they're accusing you of not protecting them from being hurt. I hate it.
We had to stay at the Dr's office for a while longer to make sure she didn't have a reaction to the shot and while we were waiting the Dr brought in her prescription. Caroline was reading over it to pass the time, and all the sudden that accusatory look comes into her eyes and she says
"Mom. I got a dob in 2001?!"
me: What?
Carrie: A dob?! (pointing her finger at her D.O.B on the prescription)
me: Oh. That just means Date of Birth.
Carrie. Oh. Ok.
me: what did you think it meant?
Carrie: A shot.
me: Oh. Well you had plenty of those in 2001 too.
Carrie: Sigh. I've had shots my whole life.
Later on Caroline went back to bed for a nap and Lucas asked me to read a book that our neighbors gave us for Christmas. It happened to be The Night Before Christmas. We got to the part where Santa's smoking a pipe. Lucas points at the picture and says, "Santa SMOKES?!" and I got to say "That was before he joined the Church, Lucas." just like my Dad always did. He was fine with it after that.
He's also asked to play nintendo (our old nintendo 64) a bazillion times today. Each time the answer has been the same. "No, Lucas". Finally he told me "I'm getting really tired of hearing you say no so much."
Nate and I (kind of...we couldn't find a sitter) celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary yesterday, November 13th. That's right...we got married on Friday, November 13th, 1998. Truly the best decision I've ever made in my life...hands down. I was just thinking of some random things that Nate and I have done in the last 10 years...
We've lived in 8 different homes...Salt Lake City, Taylorsville, Murray, Holliday, West Jordan, Highland, and spending the last 6 in Lehi and 4 months in our current home.
We've had 3 adorable kids whom we think are the cutest most amazing things ever...as all parents should.
We've grown as parents...made mistakes...made things better...still learning.
We've grown as a couple. It always astounds me that I think I love Nate more than I ever have...but that love still grows all the time.
We were sealed in the Mt Timpanogos Temple 2 years ago (2 years ago as of November 11th!)
We have found amazing friends and kept close to them as well as kept close to friends we've had for years.
We have finally bought our first house!
We're still driving the same '94 nissan altima...yep. still. AND we have a mini van...something we both adamantly said we'd never buy... :D
We're still total nerds and we don't mind that about each other.
We're still each other's biggest fans. I still love watching him play soccer (He's amazing!! He even gave up playing on an Italian team to have a family...i wasn't too keen on having Maddie born in a foreign country) and build and tinker with stuff and he still loves watching me do whatever it is I do. Usually singing or something like that.
We've been through hard times and good times...but the good far outweigh the bad.
We've been on a trip to Washington (twice), a trip to Seaside, A trip to Disneyland and Northern California, a trip to South Dakota, Las Vegas, and many trips to Southern Utah.
We've gotten 1 dog and have had a total of 4 cats...only 1 at a time though.
We've found out the financial perils of debt and worked feverishly to free ourselves from it.
We've learned to know each other's food preferences...although I still claim that Nate has never told me he detested stew until the other night when I made it...but now I know so I'll make it less ;) I NEVER order him a hamburger with onions anymore though ;)
We've seen Adam Y, Devin, Michael, and Jessica serve missions and have missed them terribly and have been so happy when they've come home! (can't wait till Jessica gets back!)
We've discovered the joy of gardening...well I like to garden, Nate puts up with it and does the grunt work :D
We've had various church callings ranging from Primary Teachers, to Nate's being in the Elder's Quorum Presidency and me being Primary President at the same time...that was a little chaotic but so fun! Currently we're on the activities committee and I'm on the Enrichment committee and Nate just got a new calling as 2nd counselor in the Young Men's presidency.
That's all I'm putting right now because as most of you know, my attention span isn't that big...let's go ride bikes! hehehehe
I love you, Nate and I'm so happy that I sat on your Jetta's trunk to "feel your system" way back in the day...happy that I caught you singing "le poissons" from little mermaid in your soccer shorts and even happier that Luke needed you as his wingman to go out with me so that he could go out with Nicole...even though you claim you were going to ask me out anyway. We should send him a present :)
I'm downstairs working on a very fun and exciting collab...it's funky and it's...umm...you'll have to wait to see it! Nate's working from home for the 2nd day in a row because he's feeling sick :(. He's got what I had only not as bad. I hear him raise his voice and tell Caroline and Lucas to go downstaris to play...on their way i hear this Caroline: Dad just doesn't want us to be noisy, Lucas. Lucas: I just don't know why mommies and daddies hate noise. It's so fun! Caroline: I know. But we can be as noisy as we want outside. Lucas: But it's too cold outside to be noisy Caroline: This winter is going to be loooong
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