The most unlikely knitter of all

It has been a while since I last wrote. I guess I feel like I haven't had anything worthy of writing about, until now. I wish I had a picture to go with this post because some of you may not believe what I am about to tell you without proof.

So, we spent Christmas Eve with Mese's family and we were up pretty late. We came home and put the kids to bed and then stayed up even later setting up the toys we had bought for them. Marlowe, despite going to bed late, woke us up at six, as usual. We were very tired. We went to my parents to spend most of Christmas day with my family. We did the usual routine of eating a big breakfast while all the kids played with what Santa Claus brought and then we all opened gifts from eachother. It was a great day. We all loved all our gifts and just spending time with eachother and sharing memories of Christmases in the past. The day was kind of winding down. My kids were very tired. They needed their nap and so did we. All the men in the family decided to go to a movie. My husband was the only one who decided not to go. He said it would be a waste of money because he would just fall asleep in the theater. He stayed home with all us girls. I was sure he was going to want to get going soon. We usually go back to his family's house around 5 p.m. We had talked about leaving soon so I went to go say goodbye to my sisters. I got caught up talking to them for a while and I was wondering why Mese hadn't come to get me going. I went to go see what he was doing and you can imagine my shock, amazement, and my delight when I found him sitting with my sister, Julia, and my nieces, KNITTING.

He has never knit before. Julia, as a gift to all the nieces, decided to teach them how to knit. I guess Mese grabbed the needles and yarn and pretended he was knitting just to be funny and then Julia started to teach him how to do it for real. He sat there and knitted for a while and then took a break. We all sat around visiting some more. So, he picked up the yarn and needles and decided to keep going. This time he didn't stop for an hour and a half. I'm not kidding. All of us girls just kept visiting, but every fifteen minutes or so one of us would stop and say, discretely, "look, he is still knitting!" We were amazed. I have to say that I found it very cute and sexy. My husband is so confident in his manhood that he can knit and not be ashamed. Well, he may have been a little ashamed because the next day when we went to Wal-Mart to buy him his own needles and yarn he kept claiming they were for me any time some one would walk by. We did buy some for me too and that night he taught me how to knit. It is really cool. I have always wanted to learn to knit, but I never thought that the person who would teach me would be my husband. I love it, though. We just sit there and knit together.

He never ceases to amaze me. Some day you'll hopefully get to see the scarfs we are making or even witness the knitting in action. I love you, Mese.

The war continues...

So as many of my friends and family know (unless you are blind) I am fat.

I have literally been trying to lose weight for the past, oh I don't know, 15 years or so. I have weighed as much as 402 lbs and as low as 230 lbs in my adult life, the latter of the two being while I was on my mission in Guatemala where hygiene was a revolutionary idea and parasites were plentiful.

A few months ago I had a little scare from my doctor when she put it so tenderly as only a medical professional could, when she asked me, " Do you want to die?!". It was hard for me not to laugh for a couple of reasons: When faced with the reality of your potential end of mortality, what else can you do but laugh at the fact that (in my case) you put yourself in this situation AND her heavy, almost incomprehensible East Indian accent. Not that accents are funny but hers was. Ah, the irony. Food, although necessary to ensure the proper function of the body's organs and to sustain life, when abused can kill you. Food, you so crazy!

I have high blood pressure and have now been on medication for the past two months. I have started to exercise and eat better and am now down to 369 lbs. I have been newly re-inspired by the hard work and dedication shown by my friend Brad Naef who has lost 100 lbs. Woot, woot Brad. My blood pressure is now on the road to Normalville and I plan on dropping him off there for good. The good news is my cholesterol, blood sugar and triglycerides are at normal levels which is a surprise to me because um, I'm fat. So there is the trade off: My arteries are clear for blood flow but my heart can still explode at any moment causing a sudden and oh so final death. So, my reason for writing is this: I want you to know that I am dedicated to changing my life in every aspect. I will more than likely see most of you who will read this at least a few times a week. I want you as my friends to check up on my progress. Ask me how I'm doing. Keep me honest and in line in other words. And when you have something yummy at your house for dinner and I'm over don't feel like you have to adjust anything for me. I will adjust for you. I have set a few weight loss and personal goals for September and December of next year and I will reach them, with your help it will be easier. Thanking you in advance, Mese.



At my biggest 400+ lbs.




And on my mission in Guatemala. Now this picture is awesome for a couple of reasons. #1, I'm extremely thin and dark and my hair is nappy. #2, How did I lose weight? Look at that cow! My food is literally starving! Don't forget to check out the ruins in the back.

26 Days To Go

We have changed our background in honor of the upcoming holiday. You like? I like. Being that the holiday season is a time where we reflect on things we are thankful for and gifts in general I am always forced to consider the gifts that I treasure in my life. As is the tradition this time of year I will be naming them in the form of a list:

1. Knowledge of the truth

2. Knowledge that Christ was made a sacrifice so that I could be saved from myself.

3. The right to choose to be optimistic in a world filled with trials and the ease of pessimism.

4. Knowledge that Heavenly Father loved me so much that he allowed me to meet and marry Anna Marie Nancy Knapp even though I will have to work until the day after forever ends to repay him. She is a saint. I mean that with all of my heart. I don't know anyone with a greater capacity to love and forgive on all this earth. She deserves more than what I am but Heavenly Father in all of his wisdom knew how much I needed her and will ultimately be able to justify the multitudes of blessings she will receive for having been my eternal companion. I love you.

5. Marlowe for making me a Daddy and for giving me good sense and proper perspective.

6. Little Mason for helping me to want to try to be more patient.

7. The BANNING BOYS.

8. Life's challenges including (even especially) those that were completely avoidable...or in other words those challenges that I brought on myself.

9. ALL of you. If you're reading this post it's because our paths have crossed and somewhere along the way we decided to stay in touch. Thank you for being our friends. And finally...

10. Chili Dogs. Don't laugh. It's not funny. On Black Friday Mason, Randy and myself left at 4:45 am to check out the day after Thanksgiving sales at Wal Mart. I mentioned that Anna had told me that Wienerschnitzel would be opened at 5 am. We laughed. I joked, "Who would eat a chili dog that early?". Me, I guess. I didn't even know that I needed it but I could not get the thought of a chili dog out of my head. I was going to sneak over to get one when Randy pointed out that he couldn't find Mason. We walked to the van and he wasn't there either. We turned towards Wienerschnitzel and I felt a tear starting to form in my eye. For there was my faithful friend Mason in his XXXL red and white striped shirt that could have camouflaged 500 Where's Waldos, sipping on a large diet coke and waiting for his pastrami dog. We were brothers in hot dogs that morning. I joined him and ordered a chili dog, no cheese extra mustard and washed it down with a lemonade and Pepsi cocktail. Some moments bond people for life. This was not one of them. It was just funny that we ate hot dogs so early. The end.

TAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG! You're it. Let us know what 10 things you are grateful for.

Our Blog Page Just Got a Whole Lot More Entertaining

So, as most of you can see, my husband has been posting some messages on my page. At first it was just temporary because he had a few things that he felt would get looked at more on my page that he wanted to share with as many people as he could. Well, the good news is.....he has decided to officially join forces and just have one blog between the two of us. His old page is no more. You will know he is posting by all the comedy or lots of great music and such. I will most likely be posting about the usual: kids, family, and life. Like I said, his will probably be a lot more entertaining than mine. If you need a good laugh please check out the post just previous to this one. I was cracking up, almost crying, and it's only 6 am.

Speechless...

Is what you'll be after you view this. There truly are no words. Please share your thoughts.

On the other hand...

Sorry for the misleading words in my last post. To make up for it I thought that I would introduce you guys to someone on the extreme opposite end of the musical spectrum as our Korean friend. If any of you don't know this about me I am very passionate about music. Good music rather. I define good music as anything that is pleasing to YOU. Great music however should transport you from where you are listening to a place of elation and melodic bliss. Anything well structured with a creative rhyme scheme on top of a jazz chord or two usually does it for me. Two words: Mario Biondi. His voice is amazing. His voice is deep. Deep as in profound and also as in low. He makes Barry White sound like Michael Jackson. He's an Italian from Parma and sings in English regularly. This one might actually change your life...musically anyway.

Life will never be the same...

No tricks this time. This is Mese. We live in a day where a multitude of technological advancements afford us the opportunity to share experiences faster than ever. Something extraordinary happens at 2:00 and a friend on the other side of the world can know about it by 2:05. I have been lucky enough to have experienced something that has literally changed my perspective on life and now I feel a profound urgency to share it with the people that I love. Please watch this video as I am sure that it will burn into your core and you will NEVER EVER be the same. Please share your experiences with us as way of thanks for you will be grateful for having seen it.

Halloween and Homemade Costumes

This year for Halloween, we were forced by a lack of funds to get very creative with costumes. Marlowe and Mason dressed up as Dora and Diego. I had fun studying exactly what they wore and what color their clothes were. Using our local thrift stores, Wal-Mart, pieces of costumes from past Halloweens, and some paper and a marker, we were able to come up with everything we needed for about ten bucks. Mese's costume, Mr. T, which he came up with the morning of, was a huge hit at the family Halloween party. Somehow he always does that. Every year he has no idea what he is going to be, but at the last minute he comes up with something amazing. His costume was very budget friendly too and, yes, that is his real hair. It was a lot of fun. Thank you Darcy Patterson for the pictures.

Crib Wanted

I am looking for a crib. I keep checking all the thrift stores and the D.I. because we can't afford a brand new one right now, but I haven't had much luck. I was given one way back when I found out I was having Marlowe, but it was put in storage and now we can not find any of the hardware for it. Can't remember where I put it. Anyway, I thought I would just put it out there so that if anyone knows of one, let us know and we can make an offer, or something. Thanks for your help.

The New Nursery Leaders

As of three weeks ago Mese and I are the new nursery leaders for the senior nursery in the Banning ward. I know to some it may seem like the worst calling in the world and, I admit, for a few moments I had some hesitation. We were called the same week that our son, Mason, turned 18 months. I had been waiting for that week to come for about four months. I just wanted to be able to get some spiritual uplifting out of sunday school and relief society again. But, not much to my surprise, I have been spiritually uplifted so much more than I ever expected to be in the last two weeks that we have been with these beautiful children. I love being with them. Just their smiles seem to make my heart burst. It's nice for me to see that they are enjoying what we are doing. I feel successful. The little lessons are so simple and basic, but that almost makes them that much more powerful. I kinda wish it could all be that simple.
I love working with my husband. It helps me to see him in a whole new light to see him get down on these kid's level and play with and love them. Of course, I get to see him do it at home with our kids all the time, but there's just something so touching to see it with kids other than his own. I'm not surprised, just reminded how wonderful he is and why I love him so much. He is so excited to learn the songs that go along with each lesson on his guitar and to play and sing them each week. The kids looooove it.
I love our new calling. I love serving and teaching and being taught by your kids each week. They are such a joy. I see even more clearly now why Jesus said we should "become as a little child."

My wonderful, talented, and amazing husband...

This post is so that every one of my friends and anyone else who happens to stumble upon this page for whatever reason, will know that I am married to the most wonderful man in the world or at least in the city of Banning on the north west corner of the Lamp Lighter Apartments. We have made an agreement that if he would cook all of our meals, I would clean. He was quick to jump at that offer - quick like a stallion. Speaking of stallions he is probably as strong as a stallion. He is so talented too... Okay. This is Mese. The real reason behind me commandeering my wife's blog is to let YOU know that I have updated and completely made over my blog. CHECK IT OUT HERE!!! Oh, and by the way, I AM as strong as a stallion FYI.

Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert

Last Thursday my wonderful husband worked a twelve hour shift that made it so he didn't get home until 11:30 p.m. He, of course, stayed up to watch the premier of "The Office," so he didn't get to bed until 1 a.m. He had the next day off and I assumed he would sleep in until noon. Much to my surprise he was up at 8:30. He gets on the computer and the next thing I know he tells me to get the kids ready because he has a little surprise for us. My husband is the king of surprises. He loves them. But they usually involve food. Something he loves. So, you can imagine my surprise when he drove us to the Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert. We had so much fun. Our kids are even a little young for most of the stuff, but they still had a blast. Marlowe's favorite activity was painting the Volkswagon Bug. Yep, a real car. She also enjoyed the laser harp, the grocery store and dressing up upstairs in the attic. Mason loved the "tots" center where he rode on a real police motorcycle and spent 15 minutes pounding nails with a hammer. I had a blast just watching the kids and Mese was just happy to see all of us so happy and pleased with his surprise. Of course, I forgot the camera. Such a bummer.

THREE BATHS IN ONE DAY!!

WEDNESDAY MORNING THE KIDS HAD A BATH AS USUAL, THEN AFTER MARLOWE WOKE UP FROM HER NAP SHE REMEMBERED THAT DADDY SAID WE MIGHT GO SWIMMING SO SHE BEGGED AND BEGGED TO GO SWIMMING. SHE IS PERSISTENT. FINALLY SHE BROUGHT OUT HER BATHING SUIT AND ASKED AGAIN AND AT THAT POINT I FELT BAD SO I SAID "LET'S GO SWIMMING IN THE BATH TUB." WE PUT HER SUIT ON AND SHE AND MASON PLAYED IN THE TUB FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES. I THINK THAT'S THE LONGEST THEY HAVE EVER STAYED IN THE BATH. LATER THAT NIGHT, ABOUT AN HOUR BEFORE BED TIME, I SUGGESTED WE GO PLAY OUTSIDE FOR A LITTLE WHILE BECAUSE IT FELT LIKE ALL WE DID, BESIDES THE BATH, WAS WATCH T.V. THAT DAY. WE NEEDED SOME FRESH AIR. WELL, THERE IS A BROKEN SPRINKLER RIGHT OUTSIDE OUR APARTMENT THAT LEAKS AND CREATES MUD. THAT IS USUALLY THE FIRST PLACE MASON GOES AND THIS TIME WAS NO EXCEPTION. AFTER A WHILE OF TRYING TO KEEP THEM OUT OF IT, MASON FELL IN IT AND I JUST GAVE UP. THEY HAD A GREAT TIME PLAYING IN THE MUD. MY KIDS LOVE TO PLAY IN THE DIRT. EVEN MARLOWE. SHE LIKES IT MORE THAN MASON. BATHS ARE KIND OF A LOT OF WORK. I HOPE I NEVER HAVE TO DO THREE IN ONE DAY AGAIN.

Marlowe and Mason Will Have a Baby Sister

Just a quick blog to confirm what we had been thinking. I had my ultra sound today and the doctor was 99% positive that it is a girl. We are so excited. I am happy that my Mason will remain my only little boy, for now. I have a huge crush on him. I think he will adjust to a girl better than a boy. He is kinda a mama's boy. I am hoping he grows out of that a little before baby sister comes. Oh, and Doctor Yoo says he is staying with March 7th as the due date. So that would make me only about 17 weeks along. Oh well. For now we are excited to start bonding with this baby girl and calling her by name. It already seems more real now. Girls:3, Boys:2.

The Backseat Singer

A friend and I were just laughing about how easily kids are amused. They get so excited about the littlest things. But yesterday I realized that I am also very easily amused by the little things my kids do. I guess it is a proud parent thing, but it is just so fun to watch what new things they learn and the new things they can do.
Mese and I tend to keep the same c.d. playing in the van for weeks at a time. We have had this one compilation in there for about a month now and yesterday as we were driving home from Drew's birthday party Marlowe's favorite, the "guitar song", came on again. This time, to our surprise, she was singing along. It was sooooooo cute. We didn't know she had learned almost all the words to the chorus. Mese and I just kept looking at each other and giggling. We would slowly and subtly turn the volume down so we could hear her more clearly and we played the song over and over again. We just kept smiling and giggling. I know it doesn't sound like that big of a deal. I'm sure all kids do this, but, like I said, it is so fun when it is your own kid and you get to watch every little moment. It is very exciting.

GEELA Give Away

To all my fellow mothers and anyone who knows a mommy I just want to tell you about a give away my sister's company is doing. She makes baby slings, breastfeeding covers, and a bunch of other stuff. You can check it all out on their blog, plus you can enter to win one of two forty dollar gift certificates they are giving away. but you have to hurry. The last day is tomorrow. All you have to do is click on "julia's baby creations" under my friends list. The first post you see is called "Stephmodo Giveaway" and you can click on the link with the word "here." All you have to do is post a comment and you are automatically entered in the give away. Good luck.

It MIGHT be another girl

I know it has been a really long time since I have updated my blog. I apologize. This pregnancy has been kinda rough. But I am starting to feel a little bit better, luckily. I had a doctor's appointment yesterday and my doctor does an ultrasound every time I go. This time I told him that if he thinks he sees the sex of the baby to let me know a.s.a.p. He said right now, if he had to guess, he thinks it is a girl, but that he would give me a much more accurate opinion when I go back for my "full" ultrasound. I am looking forward to that because I am still not exactly sure of my due date. It keeps going up and down according to the measurements he takes of the baby when he does these ultrasounds. Kinda frustrating. I never know exactly how far along I am. But for now I am sticking with the due date that is furthest away, March 7th, because I don't want to get my hopes up too soon. Marlowe came ten days late and I hated the frustration of having a due date that was too early. I went back and started looking at pictures of my first baby girl and I am getting excited, but trying not to get too attached to the idea that it is a girl. I have heard a lot of stories of people being told it is a girl and then it turns into a boy. You know what I mean. Any way, these are some of the pictures. They grow up too fast.

I'M SEEING DOUBLE

SATURDAY MORNING AT ABOUT FOUR IN THE MORNING I GOT UP TO USE THE BATHROOM AND I DECIDED IT WOULD BE A GOOD TIME TO TAKE A PREGNANCY TEST SINCE I AM ABOUT TWO WEEKS LATE. AFTER A MINUTE OR TWO I LOOKED AT THE TEST AND SURE ENOUGH I SAW THE DOUBLE PINK LINES. I AM PREGNANT. I HAVE NOT GONE TO THE DOCTOR YET, BUT I AM PRETTY SURE I AM PREGNANT. WE KINDA PLANNED IT, BUT NOW THAT IT IS REAL I KINDA THINK WE ARE CRAZY. IF MY CALCULATIONS ARE CORRECT, MARLOWE WON'T EVEN BE THREE YET WHEN THIS BABY IS BORN. IT WILL BE FUN, THOUGH. THREE KIDS IN THREE YEARS. YEP, WE ARE CRAZY. MASON IS GONNA BE A BIG BROTHER. HE'S NOT MY BABY ANY MORE.

HAPPY FOUR YEAR ANNIVERSARY TO US!!

JUNE 25TH OF THIS YEAR MARKED OUR 4 YEAR ANNIVERSARY. MAY I JUST SAY THAT MY HUSBAND IS THE BEST. I AM GOING TO BE DOING A LITTLE BRAGGING ABOUT HIM. HE WENT ALL OUT AND GAVE ME A WONDERFUL ANNIVERSARY GIFT. HE TOLD ME ABOUT TWO WEEKS PRIOR THAT HE ARRANGED FOR US TO STAY IN THE AGUA CALIENTE HOTEL IN RANCHO MIRAGE. 3 DAYS AND 2 NIGHTS. HE EVEN ARRANGED THE BABY-SITTER AND EVERYTHING. I AM SO PROUD OF HIM. SO, AFTER TWO LONG WEEKS FILLED WITH ANTICIPATION PASSED BY, OUR ANNIVERSARY FINALLY CAME AND HE MADE A WHOLE DAY OF IT. ON TOP OF THE HOTEL TRIP HE TOOK ME SHOPPING AT THE CABAZON OUTLET MALL. HE BOUGHT ME THE LOVELY OUTFIT PICTURED ABOVE ALONG WITH A FEW OTHERS AND HE TOOK ME INTO A SHOE STORE AND MADE ME SIT THERE WHILE HE PROCEEDED TO BRING ME PAIR AFTER PAIR OF SHOES THAT HE THOUGHT I WOULD LIKE AND THAT WOULD LOOK GOOD ON ME. WE FINALLY DECIDED ON THIS LOVELY RED PAIR. I JUST LOVE RED SHOES. I FEEL SO FEMININE IN THEM. NORMALLY I WOULD NEVER SPEND $40.00 ON A PAIR OF SHOES. I KNOW THAT PROBABLY SOUNDS LIKE PENNIES TO SOME, BUT I AM A VERY THRIFTY GIRL, USUALLY. IT WAS FUN TO LET HIM SPOIL ME. I FELT LIKE A PRINCESS. TO TOP IT OFF WE WENT TO THE GODIVA CHOCOLATE STORE AND INDULGED IN THE MOST DELICIOUS CHOCOLATE DIPPED STRAWBERRIES I HAVE EVER TASTED. THE HOTEL WAS BEAUTIFUL. A FLAT SCREEN HD T.V. NOT ONLY COMES IN THE ROOM, BUT IN THE BATHROOM AS WELL. THE TUB WAS HUGE. THE BED WAS SOOOOOO COMFORTABLE. WE SWAM IN THE BEAUTIFUL POOL AND ATE WAY TOO MUCH AT THE BUFFET TWO NIGHTS IN A ROW. NOT BY MY CHOICE. I FEEL LIKE I GAINED TWENTY POUNDS. WE WENT TO A MOVIE. WE HAD NOT DONE THAT IN ABOUT TWO YEARS. AS YOU CAN SEE THIS WAS A MUCH NEEDED VACATION. DESPITE ALL THE SPOILING, THE BEST PART WAS JUST SPENDING QUALITY TIME WITH MY BEST FRIEND WITHOUT THE DISTRACTIONS OF THE KIDS. THANK YOU TO GRANDMA AND AUNTIE NIA FOR WATCHING THE KIDS SO WE COULD HAVE THIS TIME TO OURSELVES. AND A HUGE THANK YOU TO MY HUBBY. IT IS DEFINITELY WORTH INVESTING IN OUR RELATIONSHIP.

A Home of Our Own

Many of you know that we had been living with my in-laws for the last year and 9 months. It can be so hard to have two separate families under the same roof. I am forever grateful to my in-laws and all that they put up with for the time we were there. I know it was hard at times for both of us. Anyways, luckily, we finally have a home of our own again. We are back at the lamplighter apartments. I know it is not a house, but I am just so grateful to have a place to call our own again. I told Mese that I would stay for the next ten years if we had to. Hopefully that won't be the case. So I guess I just have a fetish with taking pictures of my kids while in the bath. I know you can't really tell that it is a new bathroom, but it's all the pictures I have right now of the new place. Our kids adjusted really well to their new room, thankfully. They love having space for their toys and I love that they have their own closet and I don't have to share mine. Well, they still have to share theirs with the food storage, but they don't know the difference. I love it. Hopefully we can eventually get everyone over for dinner some time.

RETREAT

WOW, THIS IS THE PERFECT FOLLOW UP TO MY LAST ENTRY. I JUST GOT BACK FROM OUR ANNUAL COUSIN'S RETREAT. WE STAYED AT THE BEAUTIFUL FALCON RIDGE HOTEL IN MESQUITE, NV. IT IS A TIME TO RELAX, REJUVENATE, REFOCUS AND GET RE-ACQUAINTED WITH FAMILY MEMBERS YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IN A LONG TIME. THANK YOU TO MY WONDERFUL COUSINS AMBER, MELISSA, AND SIMCAH WHO PLANNED A FABULOUS AND FUN WEEKEND FOR US. I HAD A BLAST. THANK YOU TO MY BROTHER AND SISTER, MILES AND COLETTE, FOR WATCHING MY KIDS AND ESPECIALLY THANK YOU TO MY ADORABLE HUBBY FOR ALL THE HARD WORK YOU DID WITH THE KIDS WHILE I WAS AWAY. I LOVE YOU.
YEAH, I WOULD DEFINITELY SUGGEST A RETREAT. PLAN ONE WITH YOUR SISTERS AND COUSINS. IT IS SO MUCH FUN. I CAME HOME WITH SO MUCH ENTHUSIASM ABOUT MY JOB AS A WIFE AND MOM. NOT THAT I DON'T LOVE BEING A MOM, BUT IT WAS AWESOME TO GAIN STRENGTH FROM HEARING THAT EVERY ONE ELSE YOU LOVE AND LOOK UP TO IS GOING THROUGH THE SAME THINGS YOU ARE AND THEY ARE SURVIVING. YOU WILL LAUGH A TON. THE JACUZZI WAS BROKEN SO WE ALL TOOK TURNS SQUISHING IN TO THE EXTRA LARGE BATH WITH JETS THAT WAS IN THE SUITE THEY GAVE US. WE LAUGHED, WE CRIED, AND WE FELT THE SPIRIT. I LOVE RETREATING.

BEING A MOM IS HARD WORK..........BUT TOTALLY WORTH IT.

I KNOW IT IS KINDA A CLICHE BUT IT IS SO TRUE THAT YOU WILL NEVER KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO BE A MOM UNTIL YOU BECOME ONE. I THOUGHT I KNEW, BUT I DIDN'T. AND, YOU TOTALLY APPRECIATE YOUR OWN MOM MORE.
I ALWAYS TOLD MYSELF THAT I WAS NOT GOING TO BE ONE OF THOSE MOMS WHO "NEEDED A BREAK" EVERY NOW AND THEN FROM MY KIDS, BUT NOW I UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S NORMAL. I DON'T KNOW ONE WOMAN WHO FEELS DIFFERENTLY AND IT'S OKAY. THAT IS WHAT I HAVE LEARNED. YOU WOULD GO INSANE IF YOU DIDN'T GET THAT ALONE TIME. IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO TAKE THAT TIME SO THAT YOU DON'T LOSE YOUR SENSE OF SELF. I'M STARTING TO SOUND PREACHY SO I WILL MOVE ON TO SAY THANK YOU TO MY HUSBAND AND FAMILY AND FRIENDS WHO HELP OUT IN THAT AREA. I APPRECIATE IT SO MUCH, BUT EVEN MORE THAN THAT, I LOVE MY KIDS BEYOND WHAT WORDS CAN DESCRIBE. THEY ARE MY WHOLE WORLD. THERE IS NOTHING BETTER THAN BEING A MOM.

A GOOD MAN IS HARD TO FIND, BUT I GOT THE BEST MAN!

SO, AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, IT WAS MY HUSBAND'S BIRTHDAY YESTERDAY. I JUST WANT TO SEND OUT THIS SPECIAL BLOG FOR HIM. I WANT ALL THE WORLD TO KNOW THAT I LOVE HIM SO MUCH AND THAT HE IS THE BEST. THANK YOU, HONEY, FOR BEING THE GREATEST HUSBAND AND FATHER A FAMILY COULD ASK FOR. WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH. HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

TAG.....I GUESS

THIS IS KINDA DIFFERENT, BUT I WILL DO IT FOR YOU ALISE.

10 YEARS AGO I WAS ABOUT TO TURN 17. I HAD A BOYFRIEND WHO I WAS KINDA MEAN TO. HE GAVE ME MY FIRST "REAL" KISS AROUND THIS TIME TEN YEARS AGO, BUT I DUMPED HIM SHORTLY AFTER THAT. I ALSO GOT IN MY FIRST CAR ACCIDENT AROUND THE SAME TIME. THE FIRST OF MANY, BUT I AM GLAD TO SAY I HAVE BEEN ACCIDENT FREE NOW FOR ABOUT FIVE YEARS.

5 THINGS ON MY TO-DO LIST FOR TODAY: TAKE THE KIDS TO THE LIBRARY, BUY ORANGE JUICE, PAY A BILL, WORK OUT, AND WRITE IN MY JOURNAL FOR THIS 13 DAYS CLOSER TO CHRIST THING OUR RELIEF SOCIETY IS DOING.

SOME SNACKS I ENJOY: WHERE DO I START? I LOVE JUNK FOOD. HOMEMADE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES, ICE CREAM, PITA WITH HUMMUS DIP, PIZZA, VEGGIES AND DIP, DILL PICKLES, AND ANYTHING FROM PANERA. I'M SO SAD THEY PUT ONE IN IN REDLANDS.

IF I WERE SUDDENLY A BILLIONAIRE I WOULD: SELFISHLY GO ON A SHOPPING SPREE FOR NEW CLOTHES. I LOVE FASHION AND NEW CLOTHES, BUT I HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT THEY ARE THINGS THAT I CAN'T TAKE WITH ME TO HEAVEN. THEN I WOULD GIVE AS MUCH OF IT TO DIFFERENT CHARITIES AS I COULD. I'D DEFINITELY BUY A HOUSE TOO.

5 PLACES I HAVE LIVED: MONROVIA, UPLAND, RANCHO CUCAMONGA, SALT LAKE CITY, AND MENTONE.

5 JOBS I HAVE HAD: CATERING, WAITRESS AT MIMI'S CAFE FOR THREE YEARS, A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER, ASST. MANAGER OF COPY CENTER AT OFFICE DEPOT, AND LIBRARIAN.

5 THINGS PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT ME: I PERFORMED IN A CHILDREN'S SINGING GROUP MY WHOLE CHILDHOOD. I WAS THE CO-CAPTAIN OF THE DANCE TEAM IN HIGH SCHOOL, I ATE SNAILS ONCE WHEN I WAS A BABY (STRAIGHT OUT OF THE GARDEN), I CAN BE KINDA SHY AROUND PEOPLE I DON'T KNOW, AND I WAITED FOR A MISSIONARY UP UNTIL SIX WEEKS BEFORE HE WAS SUPPOSED TO COME HOME AND THEN I BROKE UP WITH HIM IN AN EMAIL.

THREE PEOPLE I TAG ARE ASHLEY PATTERSON, BRITTNEY, AND MELINA

OUR FAMILY

THINGS ARE GOING GREAT FOR US. WE HAVE DECIDED TO START THE NEW YEAR OFF RIGHT BY GETTING INTO BETTER SHAPE. WE GOT MEMBERSHIPS TO THE GYM. PLEASE SHOW US ALL YOUR SUPPORT. WE NEED IT. OUR KIDS ARE STILL OUR WHOLE WORLD, OF COURSE. WE LOVE THEM SO MUCH AND COULDN'T IMAGINE LIFE WITHOUT THEM. MARLOWE IS STILL THE LITTLE FIRECRACKER, CAUSING ME A HUGE INCREASE IN GRAY HAIRS. SHE LOVES TO SAY " I DO IT." SHE IS VERY INDEPENDENT AND WANTS TO DO EVERY THING HERSELF. HER OTHER FAVORITE PHRASE IS; "NO, I DON'T WANT" SHE IS A GIRL WHO ALREADY KNOWS VERY WELL WHAT SHE DOES AND DOES NOT WANT IN LIFE. WE LOVE THE SPICE SHE BRINGS TO OUR LIFE. MASON IS STILL A SWEET HEART. HE MELTS MY HEART WITH EVERY SMILE. HE IS A DADDY'S BOY, THOUGH. AS SOON AS HE WALKS IN THE DOOR MASON IS SPEED CRAWLING OVER TO HIM TO GET A BIG HUG. HE CLAPS HIS HANDS AND LOVES TO HAVE BOOKS READ TO HIM. WE LOVE HIM SO MUCH.

THE YEAR OF THE BANGS

YES, I CUT MY HAIR. I THINK I HATE IT. I WAS LOOKING ONLINE FOR CELEBRITY HAIRSTYLES THAT I LIKED AND MESE DISCOVERED THIS PROGRAM THAT YOU CAN PUT YOUR PICTURE IN AND TRY ALL KINDS OF HAIR STYLES ON YOURSELF. SO THE ONE THAT LOOKED THE BEST ON THAT PARTICULAR PICTURE WAS ONE OF ASHLEY SIMPSON'S HAIRSTYLES WITH BANGS. SO, I WENT FOR IT. FOR ABOUT THE FIRST WEEK, I LOVED IT EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A LITTLE HARD TO GET USED TO. NOW I JUST HATE IT BECAUSE IT'S GOING THROUGH THE UGLY STAGE. I JUST HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT, THOUGH UNTIL IT GROWS OUT MORE. AND WHY DOES IT SEEM LIKE EVERY ONE ELSE I KNOW IS CUTTING BANGS TOO?

CRUISIN'

FOR CHRISTMAS MY PARENTS BOUGHT ALL THEIR KIDS A CRUISE. IT WAS SO AWESOME. WE ALL WENT FROM JAN.14TH TO THE 18TH. IT WAS LIKE A LITTLE FAMILY REUNION OUT AT SEA. WE HAD SO MUCH FUN. WE WERE SPOILED WITH DELICIOUS FOOD. TOO MUCH FOOD AND ALL KINDS OF FUN AND LAUGHS. WE DANCED THE NIGHT AWAY AND ROCKED THE KARAOKE BAR. WE JUST WISH WE WOULD HAVE HAD ALL OUR FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES THERE TO SHARE IT WITH. WE ARE GONNA TRY AND MAKE IT A YEARLY TRADITION AND GO EVERY JANUARY. THATS THE OFF SEASON AND YOU CAN REALLY CHEAP TICKETS. SO IF ANYONE WANTS TO JOIN US, LET US KNOW.
IT WAS SO NICE TO HAVE A BREAK FROM THE KIDS. LUCKILY WE KNEW THEY WERE IN GOOD HANDS. A HUGE THANKS TO MASON AND MELINA PATTERSON AND DAN AND GABBY HULL. YOU GUYS ARE SO WONDERFUL. WE LOVE YOU.