Life is good. We have a had a few big bumps in the road lately, but in the end, all is well. I don't like focusing on all of the stressful, negative occurrences, I lose sight of all the good. We are so blessed!

I'm so grateful for my family. Hosting Thanksgiving at my house was a bit stressful but mostly because I wasn't sure if we'd all fit upstairs. We had plenty of yummy food and the best company. Everyone pitched in and it came together. Max and the turkey pinata was priceless. He loved that he was allowed to actually hit and try to destroy something, not to mention he got candy for doing it. We don't get to have big get togethers as often as we should, but I love it! I have pictures somewhere but can't find the file...

I can't believe it is already December. We had to set up our tree today because Gav informed me that Santa won't come to our house because we don't have a tree( I was thinking it was more like he won't come because I have two really adorable and sweet but naughty little boys at my house...well the tree is up and decorated and the boys are happy. I am grateful they aren't begging for specific toys yet. They did ask for a cat, but that is NOT happening! (I know I'm mean).

Max and Gavin have been saying the funniest things. I'm doing a bad job at writing them down. Max's latest adventures involves dunking his head in the toilet...I hope we've nipped that one for good. Gavin is doing great with preschool and loves riding the bus. I can't believe how fast he's grown up. He's able to communicate so well now, it is incredible! We are so blessed to have such great teachers to work with him.

SYTYCD is still my favorite show to watch. My old dance partner Ryan and his wife are still on and I think they are fantastic! I've really liked most of the numbers this season and personally think it's the best show ever!

I feel like I have so much to say and catch up on but this will have to do for now, things have been so crazy busy around here and they aren't slowing down until after Christmas. Live life to the fullest! That's my reminder to focus on the great things in life, that's what Eric would want and I am doing my best!I love him and miss him so much.

Ta Da!!!

Our house! I'm still too nervous to put holes in the walls and hang anything...I'm not much of a decorator. I'm working on it though!

The dining room, it now has a table, blinds and curtains. This was taken right after I painted but it was dark.

The kitchen

The living room- I must admit the carpet was worth the wait! It's so thick and simply amazing!

Master bedroom-

I have a lot of ideas for our room but haven't had much time to follow through, I'm so indecisive it's hard to just do it.

The bathroom-

This was the biggest pain to paint!

I'm looking for just the right thing to hang above the new towel bar.... The walk in closet is behind the door. I forgot to have Andy take a pic of my OCD color coordinating arrangement.

The boys domain!

The boys bathroom. Gav refuses to use our bathroom because Lightening McQueen is in his bathroom.

There bathroom was the easiest to decorate. I have some fun ideas to finish it up, we'll see.

The boys room. It's hard to arrange furniture in a 10x10 room but I'm not ready for broken bones from the bunk beds so we're keeping them side by side for a while.

The basement isn't finished and the backyard is a jungle(we have A LOT of projects to do) but this is our house and I LOVE it!

I'm back and I have pictures

The family reunion.

Silly Gavin

It was a full course buffet with yummy food and desserts. A bit of an upgrade from the usual KFC or BBQ. Nancy was amazing for putting such a fun day together for everyone!

Max and his strawberry! He ate so many that day.

Andy gets tired of me turning down his ideas...

Today I just went for it...

It doesn't get better than a day outside exploring with your cousin!

There are three plaques at the Red Butte Gardens in memory of my ancestors. This one is for my great great grandma.

Feeding the fish

I kind of like these fluffy ball flower things-I'm a real botanist.

Jerett liked this lizard too.

Moving is such a pain but this time it was worth it. The projects are never ending, (I think those come with owning a house) but things are feeling under control now. I love my house! My camera is still broken. Andy has brought his home a few times but it's too dark to get decent shots of the house. So hold on tight, they are coming.

I have pics from our family reunion and Halloween so I'm not completely pictureless. I must say I had the most adorable dragons on the planet this year. The boys sure loved Halloween and all the "skoopy" stuff to go with it. Gavin came home from school saying "skoopy" and I had no idea what he was talking about for a few days, then we started reading Halloween books and I figured it out. Spooky/skoopy...it works and it's kinda cute. They still don't understand how grandma's house is spooky and scary one day and not the next. I'm just glad they aren't afraid of anything.


Max has a different candy in his mouth in every picture. This is at least sucker number 10... I loved how he invited himself in to all the houses. Stranger Danger just doesn't make sense to him.They were so tired
The nerd, the fire breathing dragon, the little red candy hoarding dragon and the princess who managed to fit into her old prom dress...and a stuffed Dracula. Happy Halloween!
When I have time to throw more pictures up they will be of my house-

No camera...

Unfortunate, but minor happenings.

Our microwave just up and decided to die on us. It worked one minute and then not the next. In our new house there's an over the range one. So why buy a microwave for a few weeks? I had NO idea HOW MUCH I really use a microwave. What a major pain in my behind. NO really, I was cleaning in the kitchen and Gav was behind me, he opened the cupboards under the sink and I didn't realize it as I was quickly turning to go to the sink and wash my hands,until the door had sunk into the back of my thigh up to my behind. It's a pretty nasty bruise.

I made small party plans for my BIG birthday boy, baked him a cake, cleaned, shopped, wrapped presents. Speaking of wrapping, when picking out paper at the store, I learned not to let my little ones decide. "mommy, I want this one". "No mommy, I want the orange, .....no the green, ya ya the orange." "no, it's mine, let go, let go,let go!" Before I know it Max starts whacking Gavin with the roll of paper. It was great...I just smiled and quickly took the paper and carried it with one hand and pushed the cart with the other.
We had a fun day celebrating with Andy. I made him his favorite breakfast,plantains and eggs . We took the boys to see UP. Burgers at Five Guys for dinner and back to the little apt. for cake,ice cream, and presents with the family. I whip out my camera and what happens...it won't turn on. It worked just fine the day before. Not sure what happened in the mean time. We need to buy a new battery and see if that fixes it. Of course Andy had HIS camera(s) at the office. So no party pictures-BOO. It was a simple but very fun day. He sure is the best husband! I truly don't know what I would do with out him. We've been through a lot together and seven years later it's better than ever. It took a while for him to learn how to put up with me but I think I am worth it. I mean, I make pretty amazing cakes. Happy Birthday Andy,I love you!

He also received a pie in the face for birthday payback from his friends after a few games of racquetball. Turns out Andy isn't always the prankster.I don't have the pics, but hopefully I can get them from Joe.

Bring on the DANCING!!!

I love the Fall line up this year. What to watch and what to record... There's so much dancing! SYTYCD, DWTS, my two complaints are that they overlap, and have progressively become more provocative(sigh). I mean the music and costuming really set a precedence for how a dance is perceived. I really miss my dancing days-it was so fun! "Oh the glory days!" totally kidding. I really am grateful that the dance programs I was trained in had strong core values and creativity. We didn't have to push the limits when it came to choreography and costumes, we won because we were good dancers.

Too much t.v. honestly but we all do it. Life is pretty good right now and I'm dreading the unpredictable, unavoidable bad. It always seems to happen, but what can you do?I mean having your carpet back ordered and not being able to move into your house you've waited for for seven years isn't that bad.
*Oh, I can't wait for THE OFFICE WEDDING!!!! Also-HOUSE is back on. I love that show too.

*I need to remember to take my camera over to our house for some updates too... We've been painting maniacs.

Life can be good, it can also be GREAT!

The world is BEAUTIFUL! We all get too caught up in life that we don't take enough time out to step back and enjoy. This sunset would have been an amazing shot on Andy's rebel but here's to my good old point and shoot.

My boys are my everything! I love them! They really know how to help me lighten up. I never thought I could love someone sooo much. I am so blessed to have them in my life. I love Andy and how supportive he is of my needs. ( I mean I really need those nightly back rubs...) His ability to make me laugh is unbeatable! I am one lucky girl. I love my family. I love the Gospel and the knowledge I have that I WILL see my brother again. I am also really blessed to have some incredible friends, new and old, they really are individually beautiful and perfect inside and out!

*I just wanted to thank all of those who participated in paying it forward. I've heard some great experiences as well as having several of my own. I'm taking this experience and I'm hoping to make it a habit to always seek out opportunities to make a difference. Thanks again! I'm sure Eric is very proud! What a great way to remember his birthday!

Things we're hearing these days

Our carpet is back ordered yet again...not something you ever want to hear. Not having much luck changing that either. I love how the paint colors have turned out so far. I still need to do out master bathroom-that will be Thursday I hope and I also hope to bring my camera for some updated pics.

-An excess of tantrums-no, not from Andy.
-A new found attitude from Gav...we're just grateful his speech has made outstanding progress,
besides, I've had it easy with him.

Me: "Max, please eat your lunch"
Max :"I'll try to mom"

Max: " look at my pretty pink things daddy!" ( he loves to wear my bracelets, scarves shoes etc.)
Andy gave me a good earful before we left for church...I just laughed. Seriously, why would I teach him to call them pretty pink things-bling bling would have been more entertaining in my book.

At church I dropped his blanket on the floor and he shouts out "YOU SAY SORRY MOMMY"
Me: whispers "shhhhh, I'm sorry Max"
Max: NOW GIVE ME HUGS!
Me: ssshhhhhh! we hug
Max: "AND A KISSSSSS!" we kiss...
Max: "AND KNUCKLES" I give knuckles and sshhhh him again..."AND FIVE"... he still shouts "OKAY"...he then whispers "mommy"


Me: "ugh, who's in trouble?" (the kitchen had grapes dumped out all over the floor)
Max : "ME!".... "I go get in time out okay mom!"


Gav: "No mom, you go to work. I want daddy to stay home" (said loudly when I showed up to pick him up from school.)
Me: silence...."maybe tomorrow, okay"stated unenthusiastically
Gav: " Okay mom!"
( I felt real special...)
He redeemed himself that night when he tried to kick Andy out of bed because he wanted to sleep in mommy's bed-haha! We moved him after he fell asleep.
He's pretty excited about his Cars themed new bathroom. We finally found the rug!

Please Please Please

I hope you have remembered my pay it forward request. Whether it's big or small, just anything at all. Eric's birthday is Monday and I really hope we made a difference! I've been keeping myself together better this year because I've had something to focus on other than how lonely, sad and brokenhearted I still am. I will always miss him, he was the sweetest little brother ever. He left this life too soon. I am so grateful for my eternal family and that I WILL see him again one day. These kind acts will make a difference in others lives. Get going! I really love your friendship and support! I want to hear about it too!

He really was someone incredibly special! Here's the link from something I wrote last year. And, of course some favorite pictures of mine.

http://bitebitemonkey.blogspot.com/2008/09/happy-birthday-eric.html

Mascara = war paint

I was suddenly startled by his little excited voice asking"do you want some mommy?" Not exactly what you want to wake up to... He can be so quiet in the mornings and it's never a good thing. (the picture is blurred, I had to be quick so I could clean him up)

I've had several opportunities to pay it forward this month. I love it! I hope it makes a difference. We assembled hygiene kits with my parents this week too. There's always more I can do.
We are painting maniacs, and things are moving forward with our house projects. There's so much to do and then we need to pack and move in. I can't wait! Before and after pictures to come! It's looking good. Soon it will look great!

Gavin started preschool at his new school and it's going great. It's hard having him gone four days a week-I miss him. He threw a fit yesterday morning over his breakfast though. It was hard not to laugh. He didn't want cereal for breakfast he wanted "awfuls!" I love that he calls them awfuls! I felt bad, we didn't have time to make some and the good old egos were gone.

Max is up to his same old mischief and new mischief as always. We love our social chatterbox.

Our house

It's official, we closed on this house! We are now proud and busy home owners.

It's a cute rambler, three bedrooms two baths and an unfinished full basement. As you can see,it's been vacant for 6+ months, so there's a lot of work to be done. I'm so excited to get it painted and fixed up! I'll post more pictures when we've actually made some improvements. I hope we can get moved in in a few weeks.

* Don't forget to pay it forward somehow!

pay it forward request

My little brother Eric's birthday is in a month and I thought to honor him and the life he lived, I'd like to start an anonymous pay it forward. Since he is no longer with me in this life it's the best way to remember him. I've come along way but life will never be the same with out him. When those really depressing days come around, it's really tempting to stay in bed and cry, but what does that accomplish? This is my effort to stay positive!
Anyone who reads this and would like to participate, please anonymously post about your kind act and the outcome. Pass this along and make a difference. It will be great to see/hear the outcome. His birthday is September 21st. Get going, I know there are thousands of opportunities in front of me so this will be a good reminder to do good for others. This means a lot to me, thank you!
He loved sushi!

prayer time

Our computer died and needed some repairs-love being married to an IT know-it-all. So I'm almost back in business. It's amazing how much a computer becomes a part of you...

Max's prayer this morning:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for Goofy, Mickey Mouse, my abc's and papa's house, be good Amen!


Other things we're hearing from him lately:

Mom, I'm poopy and it's yucky, it's stinky
No, you stop it right now! ( while pointing his finger at you)
I want to eat some animals please ( crackers)
I want chicken nuggets, a hot dog, and a cheeseburger okay?
Do you wanna think about it?
Go to work mom!
I sorry mom, I sorry mom. ( followed with a hug and kiss)
You say sorry right now!!!
You want me to flush? You need a wipey? okay...

Gavin is loving his swimming lessons-I need to remember to take pictures next time. He starts preschool again next week. He's excited to ride the bus once we are moved in. Yes, we are finally closing on our house in one week!!! I'll post pictures but the house needs a lot of cosmetic help first. We are more than anxious but also overwhelmed with all the projects ahead! As for now we are heading to Lake Powell for a vacation and to celebrate our 7th anniversary!

It's amazing how time flies. It sure has been a wonderful seven years and then some. ( I like to count the time we spent dating too.) We are looking forward to more adventures and fun in the future! I love being married to my best friend, who makes me laugh, loves me for me, enjoys my dancing shows and chick flicks, lets me hog the bed and eat the last cookie. Embraces my weaknesses, believes in me, wipes away my tears, still makes me breakfast in bed, gives me nightly back rubs, rocks out in the car with me and is one amazing father to our sweet boys! I got a little mushy, but I sure am a lucky girl!

THE wedding/reception pictures

My favorite pic!

The brothers

My daddy's car

sister-in-laws!

Mercedes did such an amazing job on the dresses!

Max was ready to jump off the chair and play in all the fountains and mooch treats from everyone-he did just that.

My handsome Gavin!