A to Z . . . now you know me

Thanks alot, Rachel for tagging me!!!

A: attached or single? Attached - just a week and a half from our 10th wedding anniversary

B: best friend? My sister Taisley

C: cake or pie? Cake for sure - especially the batter!

D: day of choice? I love weekdays when Dan is off work - something fun about that

E: essential item? My camera

F: favorite color? Brown . . . it goes with anything; pink, green, blue

G: gummy bears or worms? neither - I give most gummy things to my husband

H: hometown? Bountiful, Utah until I was 14, I consider all of Utah my "hometown"

I: favorite indulgence? Starbuck's cinnamon coffee cake and fat free white hot chocolate (and if I'm really indulging, I'll have whip cream on the white hot chocolate)

J: January or July? Do you have to ask? I live in Alaska . . . for sure July

K: kids? yes, 4 - Harrison (8), Emery (7), Jackson (2 & 1/2), Aidan (10 mos.)

L: life isn't complete without? My family and a scrapbook to document it

M: marriage date? June 12, 1998

N: number of brothers & sisters? Three sisters, a brother, {then me} and another sister

O: oranges or apples? Granny Smith Apples

P: Phobias? Big spiders

Q: Quote? Something like, "The most important decision you'll ever make is who you marry."

R: reason to smile? With my 2 & 1/2 year old, it's either a smile or tears

S: season of choice? Alaskan summers, everywhere else's falls

T: tag 3 people: Taisley and new bloggers Paula & Dulce

U: unknown fact about me? I sang backup on a song recorded by Slaughter {but never released}

V: vegetable? tomatoes - I know, it's a debate over calling it a fruit or veggie - but it goes in my salads, so it's a vegetable to me!

W: worst habit? Interrupting people, even myself

X: x-ray or ultrasound? what does this mean? Ultrasound I guess

Y: your favorite food? a good homemade ravioli w/ white sauce {I miss Uruguay!!!}

Z: zodiac sign? Aries

The World is Green Again!

It's an amazing phenomenon - I absolutely love this time of year. Within a matter of a week or two, our surroundings go from brown and dingy to lush and green. I always felt that Anchorage had the mountainous beauty of the Rockies and the gorgeous foliage of New England. It's a way of bringing together my favorite characteristics of Utah and Vermont. Now begins the best time of year in Alaska.

Here we are gardening this afternoon. We planted a few flowers - only enough to get me by until I go plant shopping with my friend - the expert gardener. We also planted strawberries, peppers, lettuce and tomatoes. Wish me luck. I hear that tomatoes are not the most successful here in Alaska. They like the warm weather too much.

The kids loved it - their main goal was to find and "rescue" worms. They had about 8 or so in a small shovel at one time and were piling them all in one big mound of dirt. Lucky worms . . . and I must say that I'm pretty proud of myself for letting them do as much as I did. I don't know what it was about nature and dirt, but it made me more patient and less controlling with them. We'll see how successful nature is at keeping me calm when Jack pulls up the plants!!!

Our First Recital

On Tuesday night we all went to the Loussac Library for Emery's first {and our family's first ever} piano recital. We purchased a piano from one of the Shareholders at Dan's firm. It's beautiful. Very well taken care of and I think they were generous in the deal they made us. Anyway - when it finally got here Dan said our house now feels like a home - and I have to agree, there's something about a piano that makes it all official, right?

Emery's been taking piano lessons from our friend Karin Carter for a few months now and she played Row, Row, Row Your Boat. She did an absolutely fabulous job! She says she was really  nervous to get up there to introduce herself and her song, but it sure didn't seem like it. We are so proud of her.

 

Here is a photo of her good friend Lindsey, Miss Karin and Emery taken that night, Tuesday May 27, 2008.

Girl's Night

So last Thursday night a group of us went to the Trace Adkins concert. Our husbands schemed it up - and I have to say that my hubby won some major points because of it. A night out w/ the girls??? How could he NOT get major points for that?

A couple years ago I went with some girlfriends to the Brad Paisley concert {insert sigh here!} and we had such great memories of it that they wanted us to do it again. And it was great. We had dinner at Glacier Brewhouse then went to the concert and then to a dessert cafe after. We were like High School girls again - and we loved it. 

Now - I'm not a HUGE fan of Trace Adkins . . . in fact, the acoustics were terrible and I thought the concert ended way to soon, but the fact that I was out with my friends made it fabulous - and we squealed and screamed! Plus - it didn't hurt to find out what a great, nice gentleman he was while watching the Celebrity Apprentice. 

My advice to any housewife and/or mother is to go out once in a while with the girls - it makes us happier people!

Love Letters of my own

Here is the portfolio I made for myself {and Dan}. I love it! it's on display at More Than A Memory - and yes, people have tried to open the "letters" I put in there - but don't they know I'm not putting our love letters on display??? It's just for show at the store - but I look forward to finding all the emails & letters between us to put in there.

Trace Adkins

More about our fabulous girls' night later . . . just had to say - we had a BLAST! Thanks girls!!!

Today's smile, brought to you by:

Which David?

    

For me . . . it's David Cook 100%!!!

I was not at all into American Idol this season, in fact, I didn't watch at all until the week Neil Diamond mentored - call me crazy, but who can resist N.D.? Anyway - my little sister Taisley is a big fan of AI and had been telling me that two of the contestants were LDS - and not until the night I watched did I get into it. I loved Brook White - she's just so cute! And if I'm being honest, (as Simon would say) I did not like Archuleta that first night. My little sister had also told me that he was from Murray (where she lives) but that never clicked either . . . you've gotta check out her blog cuz she's got photos of the mania when he went home . . . anyway - on to MY story. I LOVED David Cook from the first time I tuned in this season. He's so . . . bad boy/good boy! Everything rock but so humble and genuine. PLUS - his voice - SO mesmerizing! Every song he has had to perform . . . he's made sound like it was meant for him and his style - kinda hard to do with some of the cheese they poured in front of him . . . but he totally took each challenge and I have to say - he's my FAVORITE Idol contestant EVER - I think I've only voted for one other in AI history and that's Carrie Underwood. So last night as I'm watching the DVR of AI - I was calling in the votes the whole time - ALL FOR COOK. Granted - Archuleta is AMAZING - my view of him has turned completely around from my first glimpse of him - but he's young - mellow - going to have a great career anyway . . . I just think David Cook should have the AI title!

My only regret is that I missed the whole Andrew Lloyd Weber week - that's what YouTube is for, right? Those performances are fabulous - and Cook as the Phantom ? ? ? Hot.

Narnia

So Friday night Dan and I went on a double date. Not our typical double with the Westerns or the Barbachanos or the Hutchings . . . or any of the other couples we've hung out with - but with a little man named Harrison and a little lady named Emery. I think that I was the one most excited to go. That's because we got a babysitter for the younger two and were able to go out with our older kids alone. How great is that??? We need to do it more often. It was easy, fun, and I didn't have to change one dirty diaper!

I really liked the movie . . . part of it had to do with the company . . . because for once in a long time, I was able to WATCH the movie, and enjoy it - WITH my kids . . . usually I have other things {the other kids} on my mind, like making sure Jack stays in his seat without kicking the head off the person in front of him, or wondering when I'll have to take out a fussy Aidan. Nope, I just watched, enjoyed and shared the moment with the other two kids. So fun.

What I liked about the actual movie??? Well . . . lots of action. A {touch} of romance. Hidden morals. Mercy. Forgiveness. Love. Plus, it had a couple "girl power" moments . . . leave it to C.S. Lewis and the modern screenplay writers - much credit to them.

I'd definitely watch it again . . . especially because my kids are already asking me when they can see it again or if we're going to get the DVD when it comes out. I'd give the night a 10!

Let's Be Fair~

{Yet another photo to try and motivate me in my weight loss battle!)

So a few days back I posted all those things that are inhibiting my weight loss . . . so in all fairness, I have to post the top 10 things that help me when I'm in the healthy, weight-loss mode. And maybe this will help keep me accountable and on track for a few days - maybe even a week!

10. Subway - thank goodness there is a healthy fast-food option for those times when I am stumped for dinner and can't get myself to cross the golden arches! Leave out the cheese - can't taste it anyway. Add as many veggies as you can. And add that sweet onion sauce or regular mustard, and you can't feel at all guilty - unless you add a bag of chips!

9. Salads - I guess it's a given, but I went on a search for the perfect "salad bowl" - something big enough to hold a "MEAL-size" salad and shallow enough to satisfy my ergonomic needs while eating. I found some at Costco and almost ever day I have a salad for lunch. Lettuce, grape tomatoes, 1-2 hard-boiled eggs, cucumbers, peppers, sometimes cheese, and light ranch.

8. Light Ranch - Thank you Hidden Valley AND Costco!!! We can now get HV light ranch right there at Costco - and stick it in the cart next to the Spanky Whatermiers. Fat free ranch is just wrong - it's gross - I've tried to find a brand I liked and couldn't. But I'd take the light ranch over the full fat version even if I didn't feel like I had to!

7. Caffein-free Diet Pepsi - It's my favorite caffein-free diet soda brand available. I sure wish I could get CFD Dr. Pepper up here. I could for a while, but they stopped carrying it. I know the carbonation isn't good for me - but it's 0 calories and very helpful to curb a craving for something that is MUCH worse for me.

6. Extra Gum - thought I was addicted back in High School - not as much as I am now! When my mouth wants to move . . . I grab some.

5. Light Whip Cream - I know, I know . . . it's on the bad list, too. But I tell ya' - when I've got my game on - I want that light whip cream playing right along with me. It's creamy and tastes naughty for less calories than all the other creamy things that could get me in trouble.

4. Skinny Cow Ice Cream Sandwiches - They're big and really good! I prefer the mint flavor - but adore Vanilla as well - no chocolate for me, thanks!

3. 94% Fat Free Popcorn - When I was a WW leader, there was a perpetual popcorn debate - how many points for the entire bag? I don't know that I ever found the true answer, but sometimes it's about QUANTITY - and popcorn gives me a lot of chew time for less calories.

2. Water - yep - a secret weapon. The other night, when I am usually fighting the urge to rip through the cupboards, I had no desire to snack - I realized it was because I had been drinking LOTS of water in the few hours before. Sometimes when we think we're hungry, it's really because we're dehydrated.

1. Genetically Altered WW Smoothies - So Weight Watchers sells these powdered smoothies - and the one that I can take is Vanilla. I can't drink it alone. But if I add partially frozen strawberries, peaches and/or mango - it's fabulous. It makes a LOT for one serving and keeps me satisfied for a LONG time . . . long enough for me to make a beautiful salad for lunch and top it off with a diet soda.

Anyone have great low-fat, low-calories diet helps???

You Just Never Know

It's amazing, isn't it? That our world of technology has made exponential leaps and bounds since my childhood days? I vaguely remember my first "computer class" in 5th grade, where we were supposed to "program" a computer game. Now I laugh at what was available then.

Now . . . with the internet our main source of news, 

shopping, correspondence, you just NEVER KNOW when someone is out there!!! I have received comments on my blog from the CEO of Pandora, a good friend I met in Uruguay approximately 14 years ago and my high school boyfriend.

The world is just so small . . . and so accessible. And gone are the simple days.

Do you remember:

*When "rolling down your window" really meant ROLLING it 

down? I'm sure my children will NEVER understand where that term came from.

*8-Tracks? Oh yeah!!!!! The Carpenter's, John Denver, even part of the Star Wars audio . . . we had 'em - and we loved 'em.

*Rotary phones - gosh it took forever to dial a number compared to calling at the touch of a 

programed button . . . and there it is again . . . "DIAL" a number . . . that term would never exist if it weren't for those rotary dials.

*When it was almost laughable to see someone with a cell phone. Not just because they were the size of a cinder block, but because it seemed those who owned them were pious and totally full of themselves to think they were SO important they had to be available by phone at all times.

*Multiple-CD changers in the trunk of your car? Oh yes, you had to get out of the car, put the 6 CD's in the big machine taking up half your auto storage space and then listen in awe while you mix it up from New Order to Boys 2 Men!

*Writing by hand. I had to write something lengthy the other day and it exhausted me. I think the new generation will be getting carpal tunnel from writing by hand because their muscles have been raised to type and text.

So as we nostalgically say goodbye to yesterday . . . embrace the now and leave me a message - it's fun to find out who's out there . . . cuz you just never know!

Love Letters

The other day a friend of mine was over giving me gardening advice . . . and she brought with her some letters & cards she had written to her husband over the years - included was also a telegram . . . remember those? Anyway - she asked if I had any idea what to do with them. Well . . . I love making albums and scrapbooks, but these hand-written letters and cards - you don't just want to cut them, glue them or type them up . . . I didn't quite know what to do with them. I wrestled over it for a day or so {after promising I'd come up with something} and one night cut some envelopes at the scrapbook store - knowing I'd use them but not knowing quite how - the next morning, I woke up with plenty of inspiration. 

See, there's this new product in the scrapworld called "Grungeboard" by Tim Holtz - LOVE IT! It's a lot like chipboard  (that's the back you find after you're done with a pad of paper) but it's bendable - almost leathery. It comes in sheets of cut letters, numbers etc . . . and then it comes in plain sheets about 8" x 5"
I cut a strip for the binding and sewed the envelopes on before folding and adhering the envelopes into shape - incidentally, the last envelope will hold a CD of their songs. Then I sewed the strip to two full sheets, making sure to sew the elastic into place - 
I painted, inked, and distressed it, added a rub-on to the cover - as well as personalized letters also made of grungeboard and rub-ons. I REALLY like how it turned out - but then I got to second-guessing. What if she didn't like it? What if it was too grungy?  What if it just wasn't at all what she wanted? 
Fortunately she fell in love instantly. She said it was perfect and looked like she'd been storing away those letters in it all these years - I'd achieved what I wanted. And we both got misty-eyed.

So she and her husband are on their way to Europe for their 30th anniversary - where she plans on giving him the letters & CD tucked away in the portfolio. I was so honored that she asked me to help. I want to make one for myself, but I'm not sure what to store away in it - maybe I'll go find those e-mails my husband and I exchanged when dating. 

You Spin Me Right Round, Baby, Right Round

Here's my 2008 mother's day gift to my mom and mother-in-law:

It's this cute Chip Wheel by Paper Trunk. I just added photos, paper and embellishments. So cute and I hope they both really enjoy showing off these cute kids! So of course, I had to make one for myself, too!

My "Losing" Battle

It's something I struggle with on a daily, no - hourly basis . . . something I HATE fighting for. The battle to lose weight.

This is my "goal" photo - it was taken spring or early summer of 2002. I have it hanging on my bathroom mirror, along with updates on my "progress" . . . right there for me to look at throughout the day (it's been a while since I posted a new progress sheet). The first time I started the battle back in 2001, I wanted to prove that it wasn't my fault that I was overweight - I wanted Weight Watchers to fail so I could prove there was some reason out of my own control that was keeping me from ever looking good in jeans. I knew I could do whatever WW required of me for one week. But when I returned with a weight loss, I figured I could do it one more week, and honestly by week 3 I was sold. So I took off full-force, never looking back. I began working for Weight Watchers about the same time I reached my goal and from then through December of 2006, it was a huge part of my life. Even through my pregnancy with Jackson - but when I became pregnant with Aidan - I knew I needed to cut something back - it wouldn't fit with my life at this stage to work outside the home and be the mom I wanted for these 4 great kids.

So even though I was a WW leader for 4 1/2 years, even though I weighed less than I did in High School, even though I was named "Alaska Leader of the Year" a couple years ago, even though I LOVED wearing a size I never thought I would get into - I HATE that I have to think about food every single day for the rest of my life!!!

It is and will always be a battle. And as of right now, I'm not winning. SO - here are the top 10 things I use to sabotage my own fight to loose this weight.

10. Holiday Candy - why do they do it? Why do they make cute little packaging for typical candy just because it's a holiday? Any Holiday! Because they know that Mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are impossible to pass by when they are in pastel Easter colored foil. What's next? Labor-day-color mini Snickers?

9. Starbuck's Non-fat White Hot Chocolate - You may be thinking - non-fat, how can that be keeping you from shedding the pounds? Moderation - never heard of it!

8. Iced Pumpkin Cookies - You have to know that when I was pregnant with Aidan, I drove up to one of those little coffee shacks - no . . . I never have and never will drink coffee - but I knew they had other things, so I got my first White Hot Chocolate AND an Iced Pumpkin Cookie. Um . . . heavenly combo! And because they are "seasonal," I think I needed to tank up to get me through to the next season!

7. Red Robin Fries - There's this addictive seasoning they put on those things - an addictive seasoning that you can purchase for $5.00 a bottle so you can spice up the fries at home (and taco meat, and fajitas and anything else that sounds good) and feed the addiction in the comfort of your own kitchen . . . cuz they never make it to the dining room! Is there a 12 step program for this?

6. Dairy Queen Snicker's Blizzard - I may very well break a tooth with that frozen nutty, caramel goodness, but it would be a dentist bill well worth it!

5. Cinnamon Rolls - Since I got over the fear and taught myself how to make bread, I've been "practicing." OK - I just love anything bread-y. And for mother's day . . . I made myself cinnamon rolls. Nothing like pulling them out of the oven, drizzling on that icing and just forking it out of the pan - I dream of it for days after as my tongue heals from the burn.

4. Whip Cream - You know what I'm talking about, right? On Swedish Pancakes (that's crepes for you non-Scandinavians), waffles, animal crackers, and even just squirted right in the mouth - that stuff is fabulous!

3. Cake Batter - Yep - raw eggs and all. But it has to be a yellow or white cake mix. It's everything right with an edible substance . . . texture, smell, taste - I sometimes make cupcakes just so I can lick the beaters . . . and bowl . . . and spatula . . . 

2. Starbuck's Reduced-Fat Cinnamon Coffee Cake - Again - Reduced-Fat, what could be so bad about that? Well, depends on how much fat there was to begin with, right? That coffee cake is SO moist, so yummy . . . I have been known to find excuses to go out late just to patronize the Starbuck's drive-in window.

1. Spanky Whatermiers - Let me translate - Otis Spunkmeir Chocolate Chip Cookies. I couldn't remember the name once, and in the midst of a craving, a new title for those frozen wonders emerged. Just pop the pre-shaped cookies in the oven and you have perfectly shaped, perfect chip-proportion cookies in 20 minutes. They are nothing but trouble, I tell ya'!!!!

So here I am, less than 10 lbs from my current goal . . . and I can't get the umph to be good two weeks in a row. But reviewing this list makes me hungry - I'm going to start being good tomorrow!

What color is my thumb?

I guess we'll find out. This past Saturday, Dan and I spent the latter half of the day out in the yard - The only gardening experience I have is during childhood - weeding between the carrots on Wednesdays in the summer as a prerequisite to swimming at my cousins'. My grandfather was an expert gardener, but as with a lot of things my grandparents or parents did - I didn't take advantage of learning from the master.

Fortunately, I have a friend that's passionate about gardening and already has dreams about how my yard will look, complete with the rustic, mossy gardening bench the previous home owners left - filled with eclectic plants and containers, visible from my kitchen window.

So far, I've "cleaned out" the beds - to the best of my knowledge. I don't know if I did it right, I don't know if I pulled something I shouldn't have, I don't know if I left weeds thinking they will sprout beautiful foliage native to Alaska. But what I do know is that it was FUN - yes, fun - to be out there in the beautiful spring weather - playing in the dirt, evening out the beds, and dreaming of what could bloom. I know that I enjoyed playing with some of the funky gardening tools the previous owners left along with the bench - even if they aren't what I was supposed to use. I think I've found another obsession, did I say obsession, I mean passion, er - hobby. 

Mother's Day Top 10

I hope everyone out there is having a great mothers' day - we're having a pretty good one here. I got a single ticket to the Trace Adkins concert coming up in a couple weeks - and got the news that about 4 or 5 of my girlfriends also got a ticket - our husbands set up a girl's night! How cool is that?????? (Major kudos on that gift!) I also got breakfast in bed and countless beautifully homemade cards and letters.

 Dan had to speak in church today and it was a fabulous talk. He continues to make me fall in love with him. I am so glad to have him as my husband. It didn't hurt that he said (and I quote) "my wife is a perfect mother and wife." I told him today that I'm sorry I've sentenced him to a lifetime of proving how much he loves me . . . sorry for him, that is - not for me - I'm the beneficiary!

ANYWAY - on to the reason for the post - I wanted to list the top 10 reasons I love my own mother and my mother-in-law . . . so here goes:

{Photo taken June 2005 - Grandma Meryl Lynn and Emery}

Top 10 reasons why I love my mom:

10. She packed and unpacked for camping (countless times) - without me ever hearing her complain! 

9.  She taught me how to sew.

8. I grew up with bottled garlic-dill pickles, green beans and peaches.

7. She absolutely loves my children.

6. She makes it a priority to come visit.

5. She is being a good example to my kids by serving a mission.

4. She's been known to give up her master room for visitors (we've benefited a couple times).

3. She never deprived me of Twinkies.

2. She was there when I miscarried, right by my side with love, faith and prayers.

1. She has always given me a safe place to live, to express my feelings, to learn, to grow and to feel the Savior's love.

{Photo taken August 2007 - Grandma Dorothy and Aidan}

Top 10 reasons why I love my Mother-in-law:

10. She raised a group of 8 fabulous kids - who are happy, humorous and full of life.

9. She loves to be surrounded by her kids and grandkids.

8. She never forgets to send birthday cards.

7. Did I mention she gave birth EIGHT times?

6. One time I was home (in Utah) without Dan and she gave up her own room for me and the kids.

5. She took Harrison (when he was 19 months) with her (by herself) on a flight from Vermont to Utah so I could take my own flight with just my newborn Emery.

4. She is - and always has been a hard worker.

3. She has always made me feel like a worthy daughter-in-law. 

2. She came up here for a few weeks before and after Aidan's birth and was a HUGE help to me.

1. She raised my husband - an amazing man who loves and respects women - who treats his wife better than she could ever deserve!

A Beautiful Mess

So my space that has to always be organized and clean is a MESS right now. But let me tell ya' - it's a great feeling! This past Saturday I spent the ENTIRE DAY at More Than a Memory for National Scrapbook Day - yes people, we celebrate it with a holiday - get over it! So I was among other creative nuts all day long - enjoying the time away from mom and wife duty - getting my "girlfriend" bucket filled all day long. Granted, I always feel like I don't get as much done as I should - without distractions I should at least have doubled my productivity, but I will say I'm VERY happy with what I got done. 

This is an album I completed with photos I recently took of Emery - she just turned 7 so I interviewed her with random questions that she can look back on and get a pretty good idea of what she was like at this age.

Isn't she gorgeous!?!?!?!?!?!?! 

I am more into "theme" or "mini" albums now - they seem to have more meaning to me than a big chronological book. I don't think chronologically, so I can't scrap that way anymore.

I did get a couple other projects done, but can't post them because they are gifts - maybe after the recipients get them.

Dining Room

So the dining room is now this really mellow slate green. (It was previously yet another really strange - but different blue! Including the ceiling!)  At certain times of day in the right lighting, when you look from the kitchen into the dining room, it seems like the color is exactly the same - so the transition is perfect. I love it! My issue now is trying to figure out what kind of window treatments I want for that beautiful bay window. Any suggestions?

The dining room has this great french door into the Living Room (or as previously dubbed - the  Home Teacher Room).

Have I mentioned lately how much I absolutely LOVE my house???????

Master Suite

This is my second favorite room in the house - but depending on the time of day, it creeps up way past my scrap room - it's a beautiful sanctuary. This is not part of the original house and whoever decided to add on was a genius! It is HUGE! Our Queen bed took up our entire room in the condo and here . . . it looks so tiny. We've yet to add furniture or decor - but as you can see, the nook area is occupied by one 9 month old and his many necessities.

My Kitchen

So here's a shot of the kitchen . . . after painting walls and replacing cupboard knobs. It was previously a REALLY strange "country" blue - including the ceiling. I dunno why these people painted all the ceilings - maybe they were too lazy to do a good edge job - but I've had to do as many ceilings as walls. The knobs were that bright brassy gold. Ick. 

Dan was worried when I had the dark paint swatches out - but I think the dark taupe works with the white cupboards (and so does he). We got a new stainless fridge (you can barely see it there on the right) and eventually we'll get a range/microwave to match as well as new tile - the current floor is . . . drum roll, please - blue.