the mess I don't want to clean up

No one promised life would be easy...

2011-09-09T16:04:00.000-07:00

So why do we feel jipped when it's hard? I think I've come to a realization that life is hard now...and it's not going to get easier. If it got easier we wouldn't grow and progress. Sometimes I'd like to just not grow ha ha. But I guess that's not the point now is it? When we grow to understand and get around issues they'll seem easier so that's going to be my motivation. Figure it out so it'll seem easier.

Right now these are the things that are hard- that we need to figure out to make it easier:

our *eh hem* busy kids.

our mountain of debt that we're chipping away at with little toothpicks

our paycheck to paycheck lifestyle

trying to keep our focus on family and not on things

trying to not worry about what the Jones' are doing...or buying

trying to balance family with callings

trying to get into shape

trying to not force my opinion or "pearls of wisdom" on my sweet brothers that are adults and don't need my advice ;)

trying to do everything

not saying no when I should

The things that we are getting better at and the things that are getting easier are:

time while corban's at preschool- me and gabe get to bond so much more while having a ball. *ADHD is easier when taken in one-on-one doses.*

loving corban when he's at home and truly enjoying having him as my son

loving gabe for, and with, his eccentricities

loving my monster baby in all her "eating all the time...forever" glory

loving our family time enough to have fun while sweating ha ha

cleaning when I could be napping is getting there...still a work in progress but we're getting there

going to church with my kids is getting easier because I think I've lowered my expectations substantially. minus the fact that gabe still runs up to the podium on a regular basis....

getting to things on time if not a little early is totally more relaxing than showing up late and it's getting easier to do!

see? we're growing- like we should- with lots of room for improvement. This post isn't in anyway supposed to feel boastful, it's meant for ME to realize how great we're doing in the grand scheme of things.

ps. I'm SO excited to get to go to relief society on sunday! You have no idea! well I'll give you a teensy idea of why the change in callings is so amazing: a week and a half before being called as the stake emergency preparedness coordinator I was at an appointment with corban's therapist discussing how hard it is to get to church and feel like getting all the eye rolling I see from people is okay. The therapist (not lds) questioned if I could possibly be in a different room instead of being in primary with corban. I tried to explain why I couldn't just change to something else- that I had accepted this calling in primary. A week and a half later I had a new, non-primary calling. (without discussing this with jack, or anyone else in the ward or stake because I didn't think anything would help.) The lord hears even our silent prayers of the heart. deep huh?

Be not Ornery.

2011-09-01T18:13:00.000-07:00

I've been a little stressed lately. Little is an understatement. It's okay though. It's okay because I have a great family. It's okay because I can still put one foot in front of the other. It's okay because no matter how crazy it gets we still have it way better than 80% of the world... I'm sure. It's okay because I can remember to "be not ornery". A phrase I coined one morning after waking from a horrendous nightmare (my stress levels are directly proportionate to how awful my nightmares are each night) and just not being able to shake the angry feeling from the dream. I called my mom and asked for help- I was so mad I could barely think straight and it was seeming to be impossible to shake. She reminded me to be grateful. Grateful for everything. During the Holocaust *I believe it was anne frank* there was someone that was grateful for fleas. When someone asked how they could be so optimistic and grateful for such an awful thing she replied: I'm grateful for the fleas in our beds because it keeps the guards out of our barracks. They don't check our mattresses so we can hide our bibles underneath them. I don't have fleas to be grateful for but I can be grateful for stinky garbage cans because that means that we have enough food to eat. I can be grateful for being able to serve. I can be grateful for a wonderful husband that works weekends for our family. I can be grateful that my children are in my care and not someone else's that may not be as loving. I can be grateful for the opportunity to live in a mission field type area- even though I didn't get to serve a full time mission. I can be grateful for the never ending laundry because it means we have clothes to wear. I can be grateful for Dr. bills because it means we can see a Dr. when our children are sick. I can be grateful for hospital bills because it means I was able to deliver a happy and healthy baby.

Sorry if I've wasted your time but I had to write this list of "things to be grateful for" somewhere I can remember to read it.

Here's to hoping we all can "be not Ornery".

My sweet gabey baby.

2011-05-27T21:20:00.000-07:00

I love me some gabey goodness. He is such a little goof ball. He's sweet and funny, and just more and more fun every day. He's just blossoming with his language skillz and I'm pretty sure his only motivation is so that he can keep up with corban. So here's his latest funny. real people words will be in parenthasis.

Tonight at dinner we were all sitting and eating and he was saying "yook and my yeg!" (look at my leg) so I was trying to help him say the L sound. So my mom and I start going LLLLLLL and sticking our tounge out a bit so he can see what we're doing and copy it. Corban joined in going la la la la la la...and then jack and my dad also joined the L party. We started trying to have him go: llllllllllleg, or la la la leg. He tried it a few times and realized we'd cheer and make a fool of ourselves when he succeeded with the L sound so we started saying other L words like Larsen, and Love, etc. after a minute he wanted us to all cheer again because we were all doing the L sound again for him but he counldn't remember what L word started this whole thing so as soon as we all paused for him to say "leg" he said: "lalalalallllllllfeet!!!"
I could have died laughing. we were all in tears laughing and gabe started fake laughing because he couldn't figure out why we were laughing. Love that boy.

*by the by* we sold our pilot on wednesday....now we're car shopping on the worst car shopping weekend in the world...yikes. I say worst just because all the used car salesmen are out in full force to get you to buy more than you ask for around every corner. tragic. wish us luck!

What I wish I'd known

2011-05-18T18:07:00.000-07:00

So I keep feeling like there's a reason I've been from here to there in my parenting roller coaster. I keep feeling like there's someone that could benefit from hearing about the pro's and con's of all the different things I've learned along the way.

I think mostly I'd love to share my info about the pro's and con's of:

Natural labor vs epidural aided labor

Dr. vs Midwife

Breastfeeding vs Bottle

Disposable diapers vs Cloth diapers (I know...how granola?!?...!!!)

Sounds like I've been there and back right? I almost feel like I need to have a nice little girls night that is meant for moms and soon to be moms to just talk about that- being mom! No selling, no buying, no pressure, just ladies talking about stuff they NEED to talk about. Take things off the "do not discuss" list- that sort of thing. I don't know. do I sound crazy?

Mi Madre

2011-05-08T14:44:00.001-07:00

This is my mom. The woman that has taught me everything I know. Everything I know about being patient. Being Loving. Being Kind. Being Happy. I love and appreciate her so much. She is the epitome of selfless. I know my friends and neighbors know this to be true because she's constantly helping me with all my little issues, kids, or callings. She gives and gives and gives- without any thought to how much she has to accomplish that day, or week. The women of the Park Ward are lucky to have her as their Relief Society President. I don't know a woman that has more heart to give. Her testimony is strong and stalwart. She is faithful through and through. She is smart, talented and beautiful. I couldn't ask for a better mom. She is an amazing pianist, teacher, and book keeper. She is my go to when my kids are getting out of control. She is so knowledgeable about adhd and how to treat and handle it. She has volunteered innumerable hours to CHADD in helping parents that are new to the world of adhd. I can remember multiple calls every evening that she'd sit on the phone listening and consoling parents of children that were struggling with everything and didn't know where else to turn. I can remember all the time and effort she'd put in to helping us with school projects and making THE BEST ever diorama's in the world. I love her and only hope that I can be some semblance of a mother like her. I appreciate all she's done for me and I hope I can return the favor some day.

Love you Mom!

Corban = ADHD

2011-04-30T18:28:00.000-07:00

Some people would prefer I not talk about this.
If your child were farsighted- would you tell your child to not tell people they can't see well? Or not wear their glasses because someone might find out that they have a disability?
Some people would prefer I not "label" my child.
Other kids already know that Corban is different. Adding a name to WHY he's different doesn't change the fact that they know he's different.
Some people say I shouldn't tell Corban that he is ADHD.
Would it be better that he just use his imagination to figure out a reason why he can't sit still like other kids his age? Or listen to instructions as well? Kids will come up with reasons like: I'm just dumb. I'm just not as good. I can't learn. Corban has a RIGHT to know that he is SMART and that his brain just functions differently.
Some people say there's no reason for a child to be on medication.
If your child were diabetic would you withhold the vital medication to make your child whole?
Some people say that he can't be ADHD because he's smart.
ADHD isn't a "dumb" disorder. Albert Einstein was ADHD.

Let me say this: Jack and I love our children. We would do anything for them. That includes helping them be able to thrive in this world, in school, in church, and with friends. We have taught them numerous things such as manners, self discipline, academic things like letters, words, numbers, colors, shapes, and about the gospel. We are now seeking help from professionals that can teach us how to further teach them how to cope with being ADHD. We are not experts on this topic. We will read the research on different treatment methods. We are tirelessly spending the small amounts of "free time" we have when the kids are in bed reading as much as we can on this topic. If medication is necessary for our children to be able to grow mentally, emotionally, and spiritually then that is what we will do in combination with teaching them the skills that they will need in life. Putting a child on medication to treat ADHD doesn't solve everything, it just levels the playing field so they can learn like other children. Medication will not teach a child how to keep their room clean or use words instead of violence- But it will help them slow down in order to think before reacting. It can change their response from: Ready! Fire! Aim! to Ready! Aim! Fire! Corban needs help. We will find it for him. We will fight for his right to be able to achieve everything he wants to achieve. We will provide him the opportunities to reach as high as he can. He is a very smart kid- he's learning Chinese for pete's sake.

We thank you all for your support and kind words. We welcome any positive thoughts, and current research that you may come across in learning about ADHD. We are excited to have a direction to go to help Corban become the best he can be.

with love
amanda and jack

nice.

2011-03-30T13:46:00.000-07:00

blogger deleted all my followed blogs....now I feel so cut off from people! really lame- but true. oh well...something to do later I guess. Anyway...this is how much I despise doing dishes. Today I have: cleaned the boys room, changed all of gabe's bedding, folded their laundry, put it away, made breakfast, fed chloe like a billion times, made a growth chart for the boys to mark their growing progress on, made pancakes for lunch with homemade cider syrup (yummers), washed my cabinets in the kitchen, scrubbed the walls in the kitchen, read some books with the boys, and played a running around crazy game (corban's name of the game- not mine). ALL without doing the dishes...think I'm avoiding them??? and ps jack's now the 2nd councilor in the bishopric. he's my dish fairy...now what do I do??? pps. we really feel blessed by this calling- I know this sounds selfish but I needed him to get this calling for the blessings that will accompany his/our sacrifice- that way I can accomplish more :) So no sympathy please!

Chloe's Blessing

2011-03-23T20:57:00.001-07:00

The single most gorgeous blessing dress of the century...and my mom made it. She's so so so so so talented. and she's my mom. neener neener.

She was totally zonked by the time we were taking our own pictures. I'll have to see if my fabulous professional photog can resize some of the good ones so I can add them. Enjoy these ones for now :)

a long shot- just so you can see how fabulous it really was. kind of delicious don't you think?

love

amanda

Reasons the Church is totally true.

2011-03-23T20:09:00.000-07:00

1. Because it really is. just ask for yourself. seriously.
2. Because our Heavenly Father loves and cares about our problems. Every. Single. One. of every. single. day.
3. (the reason for this post.) Because we have prophets to receive revelation about things we need help with. Exhibit A: The article in April's ensign: Facing infertility with faith. I admonish anyone with access to a computer or the hard copy of the ensign to read it. Become aware of the families suffering heartache with this trial. Be sensitive and understanding. And for the love of all that is good and holy STOP asking people "when are you going to have a baby?" or "when are you going to have another one?" or "don't you want a baby?". Those are all questions of EXTREME sensitivity, and are intimately personal. Don't try to pretend you're joking because it's not a funny subject.

Lately it seems that I have been exposed to, or just hyper-aware, of many families that are having trouble conceiving, not ready for kids, or having trouble adopting. here's my story.

Some of you know, and some of you do not, that we were quite satisfied with just having two boys. So satisfied, in fact, that I went out and made MEGA awesome 72 hr kits for our little fab four some. I could see myself as the cool mom with two cool boys. I could see us taking trips and having a blast and not worrying about needing bigger cars, or costing too much to travel. I didn't have to spend wads and wads of green in every store that had cute girl clothes. We felt good about it. We decided we needed to go to the temple last April to tell the lord of our decision. We were instantly comforted, and reprimanded so to speak. One of the reasons I was excited to call our family complete is the fact that I deeply abhor being pregnant. It really truly is miserable for me. I'm glad for those of you that love it to little bits and pieces but that's not the case for mrs. larsen. We felt the spirit telling us that we needed to stretch further. Another child was waiting for us. now. don't wait. Stop whining. you can do this. I know its hard- but this is the reason you're a woman-that you're you.
Really. this is what we came home knowing. We didn't know why it was us and not someone else. I was scared, but comforted in knowing that it was precisely what was supposed to happen to our family. I didn't want to talk to anyone. I knew of no less than 10 close friends and family members that wanted desperately to have a baby- had been trying for a baby, praying for a baby. here I was feeling like I was complete with the children I had. We took a leap of faith and trusted that the lord knew what he was doing. By May I was pregnant. Many times I tried to avoid people because I knew of the heartache they were already suffering and I didn't want to add to it by announcing that we were expecting. I realized shortly into my pregnancy that maybe I just needed to be honest with everyone around me- I think it would have made it worse to just show up with a belly one day or to hear it through the grape vine. I started being honest with myself first. We were doing what the lord had planned for us and we shouldn't be ashamed, scared, or sorry for it. Prophets of old didn't apologize for bugging people before preaching the word of god, and following what he'd commanded them to do. Missionaries the world over don't knock on a door and say "oh, hi, sorry to bug you but we've got a message for you..."
So here we are- a family of five. Corban is too smart for his own good. Gabe is more the strong, follow the leader even if it's off the side of a cliff...type. and Chloe is giving us a run for our money-metaphorically and literally. We are stressed to the max most days but I guess that's okay. We know we're supposed to be here. in magna. right now. with all the craziness that seems to gravitate towards this little corner of the globe. with all the scariness that we'd rather not have around us. For whatever reason we're supposed to be pulled and stretched and pushed. We're doing our best to get a grip on what's important each day and take it one day at a time. If I look like a total wreck-please don't tell me- I know I look like a mess. That's what doing the important things takes right now. I'm focusing on my children more and less on everything else. I'm working on attaining more patience, and less worry. I want my children to grow up knowing that they had my attention any time they wanted it! and most of the times that they don't! I know that it's not easy...oh boy it's not easy...but it'll be worth it. I don't have to worry about what's happening down the road because we're not the ones driving. Thanks for listening.
love
amanda
ps. to anyone reading this, the lord hears your prayers, even the ones you don't say, the ones of your aching heart. let him in to comfort you. let him drive your family to where it needs to be. he's the one that knows the way you will be MOST happy in this life. promise.

Ring around the Rosies...

2011-03-09T19:33:00.000-08:00

Pocket full of Posies,
Ashes.
Ashes.
we all fall down.

the midwife is charging us the full amount of her delivery cost. $1400. no joke. I brought it up to her at my follow up appointment. Her reason for not lessening the charge (I'm not asking for a freebie here I just don't think I should be getting charged for a service that wasn't performed) was that she has to pay $400-$500 per delivery to cover her malpractice insurance- k...so let me just pay the malpractice cost so you get nothing. duh. I hate money. I feel like I'm spinning and spinning and about to fall down. but I have to pretend not to stress about it or my sweet husband gets all down on life and stresses even more. so shhhh. this little vent will be our little secret. night.

*Edit*
Yes my insurance covers her services-That's something I made sure of before hand...a lot of good that's doing me though... they are applying $850 to my deductible, then we have to cover 20% after that on the remaining balance.

Chloe Mei Larsen

2011-02-20T18:06:00.000-08:00

Born January 25, 2011 6:11 pm 6 lbs 13 oz 18 in long

here goes nothin-my hellish delivery story...

2011-02-20T12:02:00.000-08:00

Hi. Sorry- been a bit busy the last few months...what with having a baby and all that jazz. anywho- as promised I will share this horrendous labor and delivery story with you. It will be super long and I totally get it if no one reads it but it needed to get written down.
***Moms that have been there done this shouldn't be too off put by this story- but I can't speak for ladies that haven't gone through it yet. Don't read it if you're a person that stresses too much over other's experiences.
Please note- I waited a month to do this post on purpose- so as to calm myself down and not be quite as mad about this experience. Any left over frustration you read in this post is totally earned and I have a right to be mad about it. (you'll see why.)

Monday Jan. 24th-37 wks and 3 days
I have an appointment with my midwife. First we discuss the details of my birth plan to make sure we're on the same page. Things like: no epidural, no stirrups, don't want to be strapped to the monitors longer than necessary- I want to be able to be mobile, and no checking unless really necessary *just remember that last one- count the number of times I get checked*. She also tells me that she'll come to the hospital when I'm at a 5 dilation to help with the laboring and make sure I've got the support I need to follow my birth plan and ensure that labor goes smoothly enough that I don't tear too badly. She tells me that when going through labor naturally there's no reason that I should worry about tearing at all- "she's going to prevent the tearing." Then she notes that I'm at a 4 dilation, and 70% effaced. So we talk options- after all I can't be waddling around totally dilated without worrying that a baby is going to fall out... Plus the fact that I'm group b strep positive so we don't want labor to go too quickly or we wouldn't get the full dose of antibiotic into my system for the baby. She says that we have two options- wait until I go into labor on my own- hustle into the hospital as soon as I know I'm in labor with contractions about 5 min apart and get the group b strep going and just hope that I get one full dose in before having the baby, Or plan a day to go in to the hospital- start the antibiotic going, then break my water to get labor going as soon as a full dose is in. I know that I'm not going to be pregnant much longer so I go with the first option of going in as soon as labor starts- with the back up plan #2 if I haven't gone into labor by the following monday (knowing full well that I'm not going to make it that long). I leave the appointment excited about having a baby and meet up with my mom to look for fabric for a blessing dress for the baby on the way. Walking around a few fabric stores I notice I'm having stronger contractions every time we get back to the car and sit. I kept water handy to keep hydrated and I'd done bathroom breaks at each store so I knew these contractions weren't because of dehydration or a full bladder. When I decide it's time to head home I have several contractions strong enough to make me think it's starting. When I get home I call my midwife to let her know about the contractions and she suggests getting in the shower and relaxing to see if they go away. I took a bath and went to bed- they were still erratic in timing and only every once in a while were they really uncomfortable. By morning though it was a different story.

Tuesday Jan. 25, 37 wks 4 days
I had some pretty serious contractions starting around 4 am. Jack got up and ready for work at 5 and I told him he'd probably be coming home so he should keep his phone handy. By 6:30 am I knew she'd come that day. My contractions were between 4 and 8 min apart, and getting slightly uncomfortable. I called my mom and got her on her way to come get the boys. I called jack and told him to head home to get me. By 7 they were 5 min apart as I'm walking around getting everything ready. My sweet friend April came and watched the boys so jack and I could leave before my mom arrived. Outside it was snowing big fluffy cotton ball snowflakes- now I really knew that I'd have this baby today- both boys came during a snowy day. I get to the hospital and sit in an office to fill out paperwork...which was ridiculous. What about the ladies that aren't calm and kind during labor?? anyway- the office lady calls the delivery dept and says "hi ______, I've got a lady here that thinks she's in labor...yeah....okay room 203? thanks." click. Not kidding. She totally didn't believe that I was in labor without being a total psycho. The first of the day. We head down to the room they've assigned me and my first nurse slash ogre introduces herself and tells me to get into a hospital gown and we'll start monitoring the contractions and check the dilation. ***I say she was a nurse slash ogre for a few reasons 1. she was similar body type to shrek (mean I know- but just wait) 2. she was about as courteous as a hippo- the man eating kind 3. she had hands and arms as big around as a red wood tree trunk- remember this nurse is supposed to "check" me...big hands= not awesome.*** She tries to check my progress- I have no idea what she did but it wasn't the correct way to do it- that was more painful than some of my strongest contractions I had with gabe. I told her to stop and get someone else. The other nurse was much nicer- both in bedside manner and technique I was still at a 4 and 70. I told them they needed to start the antibiotics so my midwife would be able to come and break my water. They hmm'ed and haa'ed for a bit then left. They monitored me for an hour and decided that I needed to walk around for an hour to see if that would produce more progress. So we walked. I did stairs. I ate a granny b's pink cookie and went back to check the progress. While walking I was having contractions about every 2 min and they were about a min long. I knew if I could keep walking I'd move everything along pretty quickly. The ogre nurse says she'll get the other nurse to check me. I can tell she is getting testy about this whole thing. She asks if I'm doing an epidural- I say no. Her response? "Oh man, that last bit is pretty hard, I don't know if you want to do that" duh. at first I was speechless- what idiot did I get stuck with??? then I just turned to her then said "yeah, that's what I hear but I'm doing this naturally so don't talk to me anymore about pain meds- but you're welcome to give me any good advice on going naturally." At this point I'm at a 5 and they want to monitor me for another hour- where the freak is my midwife to help me adhere to my birth plan that says I don't need to be monitored so much??? The nurses have been calling her and telling her that I'm not really in active labor and that she doesn't need to come so she's happily seeing patients in her clinic. Every time I lay down to be monitored the contractions slow to 6 min apart- thus the part of my birth plan that says I want to be mobile! to keep things moving! At around 1 the ogre nurse comes back to tell me I haven't progressed enough to do anything other than discharge me. She says that my midwife wants me to leave and walk around target and have some lunch and come back to get checked by 2:30. Lets just say I was kinda miffed. Where was my antibiotics? where was my midwife? why weren't they listening to me? I had done this before- twice. I know what my body is telling me! So we left and walked around target and got some kneaders for lunch. While walking target the contractions are about a minute 30 apart and about a minute 30 long and I can't walk through them- each one I can feel that my body is trying to move the baby lower but cannot because my water hasn't broken *usual signs of advanced active labor right???* I head back to the hospital and I'm still at a 5 but I'm fully effaced now. What do they do?? yes. monitor me for an hour again. check me again- still at a 5 because no one can break my water- because I'm not at 38 weeks and they don't believe that I'm in active labor. idiots. after another hour of monitoring the second nurse comes in to check me again- still at a 5- maybe 6 but she thinks I should just go home and get some rest. I held it together until she left the room- then I fell apart. I was bawling. Why were they sending me home? Did they WANT me to have this baby in the car someplace? Why weren't they listening to me?! I could feel that my body was ready to have this baby right then but couldn't progress without my water breaking- and my water will not break on its own- it made it to a nine with gabe. She came back in and saw that I was a mess- bawling and talking to jack and she took pity on me and said that maybe she could keep me for one more hour. She had another nurse come in to check me *about 4:30*. The other nurse said I was at a 6 and that I should stay. I could finally tell them I wanted to be mobile and to unhook all the monitors. I was able to sit on a yoga ball and things progressed very quickly as soon as I was staying mobile and sitting on a yoga ball. They went ahead and started the IV for the antibiotics and we watched inception *great movie* while my contractions got stronger. As soon as the antibiotics were in my system *about 4:45 pm* they sent in a dr *at 5:20 ish* who was already in the delivery ward to check me and break my water I was at an 8 and 100%. As soon as he'd broken my water everything went really quickly. I was telling my nurse that they (the contractions) were getting serious and the baby was on her way. She just kept typing on her computer not really caring that I was telling her that she should get her butt in gear. I started getting really hardcore contractions that were moving the baby down the birth canal. I told the nurse that she was coming- instead of getting a dr or anyone she just started doing some counter pressure on my knees (which was heavenly I have to say) and talking me through the contractions. The second nurse of the day came in to see how I was doing and let me know that my midwife was just going to come after finishing her last two appointments *it's 6:00 pm*- yes I'm serious she was finishing her appointments....Anyway, the nurse saw that I was in severe discomfort and pain. She says she's going to check me AFTER I tell her that this baby is coming. hello. hello. anyone home? I just said this baby is coming and you want to check me instead? she checks me anyway. "oh! there's a head!" I'm thinking..."what have I been telling you people??? Have I been speaking Chinese???" She sends the nurse that was doing the counter pressure to go get someone- she comes back with a handful of nurses- no dr. not really smart. Then it's serious. This baby is coming- no dr in sight and no midwife and they position a nurse in the "catch position" as she says "oh, I've never done this part before" nice. I had Chloe in about 3 contractions (about 7 min) and was really happy to have her here in one piece even if I wasn't in one piece. no thanks to any of the staff at jordan valley or my midwife. The nurse that was there to catch hands jack the scissors to cut the umbilical chord before even clamping it off...luckily one of the other nurses saw this and stopped her before letting jack cut. All of the nurses were pretty much in shock and saying things like "wow...I've never seen someone progress that quickly" or "wow that was so fast" or "you get a gold star today for the fastest delivery". While they were all saying these things I'm wondering "was ANYONE listening when I told them I progress this quickly???" obviously not. As I'm holding my baby and they're kinda wandering around doing their stuff and trying to figure out what to do next my midwife walks in. "hi amanda. You had her? Oh shoot I missed it..." again DUH. All these people had been warned. I had told my midwife at every appointment that it'd go this quickly as soon as they break my water. I'd also told her that I'm a bleeder every time and to expect it at this delivery too. I'd told every nurse that had come into my room that it'd go that quickly once my water broke. No one listened. So my midwife suits up and sits down to deliver the placenta and assess the damage. Lovely. She delivers the placenta and starts stitching and beating my guts to a pulp. I was bleeding pretty badly for quite a while so she had to knead my stomach really deeply for close to an hour. As well as giving me large doses of pitocin. My stomach was so deeply bruised afterwards that my stomach just wasn't a happy person for well over a week after delivery- which is totally not the norm. On top of that I had torn very badly multiple places-inside and out- because of the stress of such a fast delivery and the lack of trained personnel there to help. I had to take large doses of Oxycontin and 800mg ibuprofen to deal with the pain. Nursing went really easily which was surprising. Chloe was just a natural at it so it worked out well for about the first 5 days. Then I got a splitting headache that wouldn't go away unless I was up on my Oxycontin- the huge doses of Ibpro. didn't touch the headache. I also had a fever and chills pretty badly and was just in a whole mountain of hurt. I read up on the symptoms of mastitis. I called my midwife and told her I thought I had mastitis (an infection that can happen when nursing) she didn't believe me and told me to go into an ER to get my blood pressure checked. not kidding. She thought the headache was from a blood pressure problem. I went in to an urgent care clinic and they went "yup. it's mastitis." blood pressure was totally normal by the way. They gave me a dose of antibiotics right then in the form of a butt shot- nice...add insult to injury, and an Rx for antibiotics. We asked the dr at the er to peek into chloe's mouth because we suspected that she had thrush. Sure enough- she had thrush. I had mastitis, she had thrush. So much fun. So that's it in a giant nut shell. My hellish experience finally having my little girl.

We're both finally better. We're both finally able to get through the day without pain. It took 3 and a half weeks but we're finally there. Now just to get the boys over their colds...

because typing's faster.

2011-01-19T20:22:00.000-08:00

I have to type this experience up before I forget the total awesomeness of it. Then later I'm sure I'll have a mega super huge post with pics about all the fun things in december. How about after I have this baby? sounds good. k. on to the totally AWEsome experience.
Cliff notes version:
*we had been pre-paying our dr for this pregnancy so we'd be paid off come delivery. awesome of us right?
*we found out our dr couldn't deliver (found this out at my 32 wk appt) for us and we should find a new dr. {um...both boys came at 38 wks so that left me with like 0 time to spare.}
*we found an awesome midwife to deliver and she's DARLING!
*our old dr office billed the insurance company DEC. 29th (thanks. thanks a lot.)
*we found out our insurance was applying ALL of it to deductible so we'd be getting less than 100 bones back...even though she didn't deliver a bouncing baby girl....
*probably a little cussing.
*trying to figure out how in the heck we were going to pay off this years deductible after covering ALL of last year's deductible...
*REALLY stressing about fundage...
*Deiciding as a new years goal we'd pay our tithing EACH WEEK instead of trying to lump sum it at the end of the month....hope it works
*how in the heck is this going to work???
*The math definitely isn't working....
*me- "jack please come home on your ever so short lunch break to give me a blessing- I think my head's going to explode from stress and I'm miserably pregnant.." jack- "I'll be right there! no problem!" (he's my hero.)
*it'll work somehow...
*oh wait jack's bonus (one third of our income people...) might be HALF of what it should normally be...
*it's not working...
*phone rang today. it was the old dr office. I'm thinking oh crap. we owe more $ or something crazy like that. This is the conversation that ensued. Her:"Is this Amanda?" Me:"yes, this is her." Her:"this is _______ I'm the one that talked to you about your refund at the end of last month..." Me:"yes, I remember..." Her:"well we've gotten the response from your insurance company and it looks like I told you the wrong amount for your refund." Me:"oh? different how?" (assuming it would be less). Her:"it will be a little more." Me:"a little more? like how much more?" Her:"$***.** (about 8 times what she'd originally told me." Me:"pardon?" Her:"yeah, your insurance ended up paying it in full so they didn't apply ANY of it to your deductible. Can I verify your address because I'm going to go run this to the lady that does all the refunds so it can get to you as quickly as possible."

yeah.
told you.
AWE some.
I know this is a direct blessing of us deciding to pay our tithing each week in full regardless of how strapped it looks on the front end of the week. Pretty sweet deal huh? pay the lord 10% and he'll make the impossible- possible. try it. it's fun.

Making a Metaphore

2010-12-03T12:48:00.000-08:00

So there's been a random comment rattling around my brain lately. I recall when I was in high school that a friend of mine said after her driver's ed class: "Man I HATE left turns. They're too scary. I'm going to make as few left turns as possible." I'm not kidding. She was really going to try to live life making as few left turns as possible. Granted, this was high school and we all know how wise high school students are- but really? As I've thought about this strange comment that came to memory the last week I've realized that most of us live like this to some extent. "I'm not going to the dentist- it will hurt to fill a cavity." or "I don't want to go to the dr because they'll swab my throat and that hurts." Even though in those cases- a cavity or strep throat causes us much more pain than actually dealing with it. How many places in our own lives can we apply this to???

I know I definitely try to avoid painful things- I'm like rex from toy story: "I can't handle confrontation!" Things in life that are confrontational scare me-they totally throw off my groove so to speak. I stress about it day and night. I try my best to handle them the best way I can to get back to being in a non confrontational situation.

As of late there have been two situations that have been exactly this type of situation. It's eating me alive to know that these things aren't resolved yet! Both of these situations shouldn't be an issue in the first place but some how or another are trying to make life miserable. I've tried to resolve both of these issues head on to get out of the confrontation stage with no success. So head on didn't work- then what do I do? I don't want this to be the "left turn" I'm avoiding or something. I want to deal with it. any advice?

While you're thinking of great advice to give me let me clue you in on a little side note I realized today. I'm a better mommy when we eat doughnuts for lunch. True story. I think it has something to do with the fact that the boys feel so much more generous with nice comments when we have doughnuts for lunch. That in turn makes me a nicer mommy. How could you get frustrated with anything in life when your toddlers say on the way home from Reams: "oh mom, you're the best! I can smell those yummy fudgey doughnuts!" You can't. My boys are definitely my favorite blessings in life *including jack and this new baby girl of course* I was going to add a picture of the boys in their matching red jammies the other night after their bath but I can't find the camera- remind me and I'll do it later.

So those are my two thoughts for the day: Do I avoid making that left turn now? and I'm a better mommy when we eat doughnuts for lunch.
Love
amanda

boys boys boys...

2010-11-24T11:10:00.000-08:00

corban decided (and I say DECIDED on purpose because it was his decision) to get lost in a suzie's deals store the other day. *don't hate me for being in suzie's deals* So I promptly came home and made a double boy leash. one side for gabe and one side for corban. now my kids will be on a leash in public places without carts. no joke. I'll post pictures soon. and maybe even tell about the horrible no good day he decided to get lost. lets just say for now that combining a lost child with preggo hormones is not really the coolest thing ever. I did, however, eat my weight in chocolate after I got the boys home and into their beds. also not the coolest thing ever.

Because I need to.

2010-11-12T19:37:00.000-08:00

I'm making a list of things I am good at. Call it positive reinforcement, or positive affirmations..whatever but I need to make this list for me.
*hair
*makeup (had to get those two out of the way to get to deeper things.)
*taking on more than I should
*not saying no- more specifically? to parties.
*going above and beyond what is asked. (example: one time in 3rd grade we were supposed to make some kind of indian dwelling...we made a full on wigwam complete with a leather patch roof, bundles of hay, and even had an animal hide (a piece of toasted Bologna) tanning in the front)
*scrapbooking- sometimes.
*stressing too much
*complaining too much
*reading to my kids- most of the time
*being silly with my kids
*being open to others' opinions and letting them share them without forcing my own on them
*not judging others- until it comes to them complaining about their current situation- then I wanna tap them on the shoulder and say: "it's your life- make it what you want it to be and stop complaining about it."
*crunching numbers- not so much at budgeting
*following my church leaders openly- without question
*having faith
*taking care of our cars
*not stressing about the spotlessness of our house (could be a bad thing, who knows?)
*listening
*sticking to my guns with my kids- I'm the mean parent. ask the boys.
*Procrastinating

K, I've listed 20 things. half of which are probably bad things and cheater things to list....I'll try again some other time when I'm being less pessimistic. I triple dog dare you to try writing your own list of 20 things you're good at. try it. it's hard to be honest about your good traits.

My life in binders:

2010-10-28T10:29:00.000-07:00

I live out of binders these days. I'm not joking. I just realized this last night. I have more binders going than when I went to a few classes at UVU...Let me illustrate:
I've got two binders for Primary stuff- one 2" for meetings where I need all the nitty gritty info, and one 1" for just every sunday with lesson info and coming events and such. I've got a file for all my hair clientelle- lots and lots of 3X5 notecards. I've got a 2" binder for the Mary Kay info, training stuff, and product info. I also have 3 2" binders of MK samples for makeup color- I really am into trying before buying. I've got an accordian file for tax info for my two businesses. I've got a folder for client profiles for MK. I've also got a 1.5" binder for corban's Joy School lessons with all the unit info, and pictures for lessons.
I think that's it...
It almost feels like one of those young women's lessons about the different times we wear white? I just have a different binder for all the different parts of my life. I was about to say that the only thing I don't have in a binder is my family- but that's contained in a scrapbooking binder too... so there you have it. I live out of binders. Now that I've said this you'll start noticing how I always have a binder or folder with me. serious.

love
amanda

where does the time go?

2010-10-16T19:47:00.000-07:00

I'm supposed to be doing less. I made this decision slightly before general conference and it was just re-affirmed that it was important when I heard the talk about slowing down- doing the important things and less of the non-sense. Yet I've begun a new business venture, started down a new avenue with my hair/make up skillz (doing hair and makeup for photo shoots), and found I have spent 0% of my day doing THE IMPORTANT things, and the rest of the 20 hrs I'm awake doing heaven knows what but end up feeling less fulfilled than ever before. I'm sure that there is a direct correlation between the amount of time I'm doing things that have zero importance on the grand scale and the fact that I've done nothing on the list of things that is actually important in the eternal scheme of things. My checklist may be full of checks but none of the ones that are checked off are important- none of them are bettering myself, none are family strengthening, and none are testimony building. With one exception- sometimes I am fortunate enough to do hair on someone that builds my testimony throughout the appointment as we have deep discussions of wonderful things, spiritual things, and I'm left wanting more. At that moment I should be running to read my scriptures and increasing the feeling of the spirit that I'm feeling right then, but usually it's the time that the boys are waking up from their nap and being everything but helpful (or so it seems). This week has not been my favorite. The fact that I ran out of unisom last saturday and tried to go without it didn't help the amount of rest I was getting when I'd try to go to bed and turn off my brain. The fact that I haven't spent any of my time just playing with my boys doesn't help. The fact that I haven't had time/energy to do anything that would make me feel like a better mother and wife definitely hasn't helped.

Tomorrow is Sunday. The day to rest. The day to honor the Sabbath. I'm going to make a list of important things and make sure that this upcoming week is different. I don't want to be sitting here next saturday feeling like I've had success everywhere but where it's important. I want to know I've succeeded in making my children love me more, I want to know that I've helped them learn and grow. I want to know that I've been a good wife. I want to know that I've done all I can in my primary calling. I want to know that I've helped someone in need. I want to feel better. ***And besides- doing these things that are more important eternally are usually easier on my preggo body- the hips especially enjoy sitting with my children instead of standing and walking to do other things.

(and as a random side note- if I meet one more new person that responds to my pregnant belly with a conversation like this: them-"oh is this your first?? me-"no actually it's my third, I've got two boys :)" them-"Oh my gosh! did you start having kids when you were 12??" I will kill them. promise. I can't take it anymore! Who thinks that saying something like that is an awesome thing to say?! Who the freak thinks that they have any say in whether or not I need their opinion about my family and how we're spacing our children??? Or my stinking age??? Can someone answer me? Really??? What happened to tact?)

2010-10-13T09:28:00.000-07:00

Hello Ladies

I have a confession....I recently signed up to be a Mary Kay consultant....I know....ew right? Give me a second to explain myself please :)

Here's why I've done it:
A-I have used the products for the last several months of pregnancy and it's done **wonders** with my usually really terrible pregnancy skin. Their skin care is all non-comedogenic (which means it WILL NOT clog pores). My skin is softer and definitely feels loads healthier! Finding non-comedogenic products usually entails spending LOTS of money on skin care at a mall makeup counter-like $30 just for face wash-ummm, thanks but no thanks that's not in my budget.
B-Their prices are usually within $1 (either one dollar more or less) of my other grocery store brands that I've used in the past without having to spend the gas money to go to the store! A win win.
C-I liked the idea of having the ability to try out shades before putting any money down!!! (no more hoping you're matching it through the container and packaging pretty well while standing in walmart and having your kids try to grab nail polishes off the shelves.)
D-I had security even after I'd tried it- they guarantee ALL their products 100%- if I didn't like them I could still have options: I could try something else in exchange, or I could get my money back! Even if I'd used it all up they would have refunded it without having to jump through hoops because my consultant would do it for me! (nothing like walmart where you've got to deal with finding a receipt, being within a certain amount of time from purchasing, and having to make a walmart trip. gross right?)
E-The last several hair color appointments I've gotten questions about how to buy, apply, and pick out make up. Being that I'm already a Licensed Cosmetologist I can totally already tell you tips to do these things. Things like maximizing good features and minimizing not so good features- however I didn't have anything to show, demonstrate or sell to my clients to help them. The best I could do is point them in the direction of walmart and hope they had luck. That did not sit well with me. After all as any of you know from being a hair client of mine- I'm more than happy to try the cheap stuff to see if it will get the job done for you without breaking the bank, but I'm honest when it comes down to whether it's a good choice for your specific hair situation with finances in mind as well. I couldn't stand that I was having to tell clients to go to walmart and try to match shades as best they could, and find a brand that they wanted to try out first and move on from there. I wanted to be able to offer the ablility to SHOW my clients the right product for their face- SHOW them how to apply it correctly- Teach you how to care for your skin because after all- you only get this one face and everyone deserves to feel good in their own skin!!!
That's why I do hair- that's why I'm starting Mary Kay- Women should LOVE the way they look. They should be able to wake up in the morning knowing that they can take tools that they've learned how to use and care for their hair and skin and go out into the world feeling confident that they are beautiful, they are strong, and they can take anything that comes their way. Women are strong. Women are resilient. Women have skills that men only dream about having-you know it's true. We need to be proud to be women and we need to put our best foot forward everyday-including taking care of ourselves spiritually, mentally, and physically. Whether your morning routine is 5 minutes long or 30 minutes long- you need to be taking care of yourself first or you will be ill-equipped to take care of anyone else throughout your day. The better your self esteem is- the better you can take care of everything that women deal with in a day. If I can help one woman at a time to improve that self image, and self esteem I will keep doing what I do because that's what I thrive on.
Thanks for giving me a few minutes to explain this seemingly crazy decision. Now for the other details: I am going to start to build up an inventory to be able to give you on the spot purchasing power so when you run out of something you love you can call me and I can deliver your product that day rather than waiting a week for shipping-or you'd always be welcome to just swing by and pick it up. I also would like to offer all of you the facial class to test out the skin care that I've fallen in love with as well as trying to create a nice color look just for you- whether that means just a little tinted moisturizer to slather on and go, or whether that means looking at foundation, eye shadow colors, and cheek colors-the whole nine yards. Either way I'd be happy to show you them anytime- if you've got a cut, color, or style coming up plan on me asking if you'd like to go over some while you're already at my house- you're welcome to say yes or no! Otherwise I'd also be happy to come to your home and show you anything you'd like to try out and feel free to make it a girls night and invite some friends- the more the merrier!

Thanks agian!

Sincerely Yours,
Amanda Larsen
~increasing women's self esteem one person at a time~

It's a Girl!

2010-09-28T22:19:00.000-07:00

here are the ultrasound pics :) I'll try to explain as best I can, but without pointing to stuff it looks pretty crazy.

This is a profile view with her hand up by her face. You should be able to see eyes, nose, lips, chin, a little fist, and the rib cage.
Profile shot again of her yawning, you can't see her whole head because she was getting comfy, but you can see her mouth all open just up and left from the caption on the photo that says "yawning!"

Another Profile pic :) With some spine and the cute little nose.

She's got some LOOONG LEGS. Her feet are on the upper left hand side, she was constantly crossing her legs at the ankles like a good little modest girl...guess that's a genetic thing from me ;) The knees are where it tapers in a bit then back out again for the thighs.

mandatory butt shot-the butt's on the right hand side with the two thighs extending from there. The three little white lines and the lack of anything between the legs=baby girl.

We're way super excited. Corban is even okay with it now. We just need to get Gabe comfortable with me holding another baby, as of now he's pretty jealous if I pick up any other child besides Corban.

Oh yeah, the other mandatory shot- the alien face. Let me explain: you're looking straight on at her face, you can see the outline of the skull, the Orbits (eye sockets) the Nose, and mouth. Her fist is the little white area RIGHT beneath her chin. She enjoys opening and closing her fists apparently, because she was doing that throughout the whole ultrasound and her hands were right up by her face a lot of the time.

We're half way there~! February 14th here we come.

par-tay!

2010-09-28T22:08:00.001-07:00

YAY YAY YAY!!! It's almost officially October!!! Our Halloween party is next weekend! (October 8 from 7-10 for neighborhood/ward friends, and October 9 from 6-10 for Family) Time to decorate my guts out! If I don't have your address and you haven't gotten an invite as of yet- send me your address :) jamandack@hotmail.com
*I may or may not be addicted to exclamation points while talking about Halloween stuff...*

ps. my yearly DEEP DEEP DEEP clean of my salon started tonight- and we think we found the culprit for our fat fuzzy friend a few posts back...SOMEbody left a Halloween pillowcase full of candy on the floor of my closet. It had been chewed through several places. So there you have it. Your mother's been right all these years...if you eat too much Halloween candy- You'll be fat. and then you'll die. the end.

oh. and sometime when I'm up for it I'll post all the major CRAFTY things Gwyn and I did during her visit. Lets just say I learned how to crochet and went a little tiny bit overboard ha ha. Don't worry both boys now have a couple pretty hideous hats that I absolutely love. If you don't make your kids wear ugly stuff when they're young, you're missing the boat on this folks. Don't feel bad though- Jack's mom is an AMAZING knitter/crochet-er so the boys also have some MEGA darling ones that she made.

here I sit...

2010-09-18T20:07:00.000-07:00

eating way too many red vines and sniffing a dryer sheet thinking about things to come and wondering what in the heck to do. I may have to pause and throw up half of these red vines but for right now- it's worth it. here's my dilemma: with both my boys I had an epidural during labor. I loved it. Sure they stick a giant needle in your back but after that part you're pain free my friends. ***if it works- if they get it into the right place*** For some it doesn't work and I've always felt bad for those ladies. The dilemma is that with gabe I made it to a 9 before having an epidural (if you don't know what that means you may not want to read the rest of this post because it's probably not pertinent info...) and now I'm wondering: "should I have just gone all the way??? could I have gone all the way???"
Several of my friends have used a "newish" method to child birth called hypno-birthing and swear by it. yeah. hypnosis. as in surgical hypnosis so you don't feel any pain but you could undergo serious surgery without any anethetics. Here's the jist of it- you're supposed to be able to go into deep relaxation/hypnosis to be able to deal with the pain as it comes. It also goes into detail about making sure you're dealing with any FEARS of parts of labor and delivery or the whole thing for that matter, and teaches you how to overcome any of those fears. So all in all you should be better equipped to deal with the discomfort of labor, the fear of labor, and the healing process much easier, quicker, and safer. So. Do I try au natural??? I mean I did make it to a stinking 9 before having gabe....and that was without classes. without planning or preparation to not have any meds. Do I get a book from the library on hypnobirthing and go it on my own? or do I pay $300 bucks to take the class with jack and get all their hypnobabies brand info? Or do I just pay $800 bucks and kick back and relax with an epidural???

That being said- we went to a bbq to meet some of the ladies that have done the classes and they all had nothing but good things to say about it. The husbands said things like: "it's the best thing I've ever done in my life. It strengthened our marriage, our communication, and our parenting skills." (I'm not even exagerating that in the slightest- this dude was serious.) The wives loved that it got their spouses so involved in everything, and loved all the techniques they taught, and really said they worked very very well.

the down side: The ladies that we met seemed a bit too....how do I put it lightly???.....open??? let me explain: all the new babies got hungry all at the same time at this bbq and what did all these hypno mom's do? whipped out their boobs and stuck a kid to it. No covers. No going off alone someplace for privacy. No "are you comfortable if I whip my boob out in front of you while we're talking??" One lady even said as she was undressing: "it's what they're made for so I don't care who sees. they're not meant for the satisfaction of men." There was even a circle of mom's on the grass that were completely exposed and feeding kids and totally okay with it even though there were other families, dads, children running all around them. We were sharing a pavillion with a hispanic family celebrating a child's 3rd birthday for crying out loud.

Uh. HELLLLLOOOO?!?!? Duh it's what they're made for. BUT I highly doubt that as we teach our daughters modesty there's a clause that says "if there's a baby attached it's okay to have your hooters out in public." I doubt that the lord that made us women and men thinks it's okay to show it off because "it's natural- it's the way it's supposed to be"... Cover up ladies! Just because our bodies are beautiful doesn't mean you get to give up on modesty altogether while nursing your children.

We left when all the infants started crying for food and saw what all the ladies were doing-or not covering up I should say.

So do you see why I am scared to sign up for a class and pay $300 bucks?? They're obviously going to try to brain wash me into thinking that hangin out in public is okay as long as 50% of the population has them. no. I don't really think that but if that's the only type of women that are taking this class then I don't know if I can handle it. I am perfectly happy being a strong, opinionated woman, that will stand by what I'm comfortable with. I'm open to new ideas, I'll listen and try to wrap my head around it even. But don't under any circumstances try to convince my that nursing in public without trying to cover up at all is proof that you love your children more than I love mine. I happened to really enjoy being able to let jack get that "bonding" time with the kids! I happened to enjoy being able to feed my kids any where any time and not worry about whether or not I was being modest. I love the idea of nursing in the privacy of your own home, or car if you're out and about-it's the crazy ladies out there that are so gung ho about it that pushes me away. It's the ones that say: "cows feed their young without covering up- so why should I." *seriously a lady said that on a message board about nursing...* I'm also sure that cows take dumps in a feild and they're ANIMALS not people. Why would I want anything to do with being even remotely similar to a milking cow??? Can someone explain this to me??? Like I said- I'm totally up for listening- as long as all breasts involved are covered safe and sound.

so what do I do?

A: take the classes that attract the women that think they've got udders and shouldn't have to cover up?

B: Read the book myself???

C: or get the epidural again only earlier on in labor and watch a nice movie while my body does all the hard work?

D:...

ideas? please tell me! email me if you have so many good suggestions it'd be weird to just post as a comment- just tell me you need my address and I'll send it to you.

Total Willies....

2010-09-08T13:51:00.000-07:00

I screamed today.

not like an "oh!" like a real full on horror movie screech (maybe I could make money selling my awesome scream...). For reals. Allow me to explain.

Gabe and Corban had just finished eating breakfast and I had just finished wiping Gabe down so he could go play. I took my new magazine to the couch and was ready to just let the kids watch some cartoons and play while I put my feet up. Gabe played for a minute then I heard him walk down our hall to go get something else to play with. He does this almost every day- goes into his room and finds two toys, one for him and one for me. Sweetest thing ever I know. He usually comes out with books, or cars, or stuffed animals. If he brings me stuffed animals he walks up making cute high pitched noises-kinda baby talkish-totally sweet. Today I had my magazine in front of face when he walked up to me. He started making the cutesy noises so I put my magazine down as I was starting to ask "oh what did you bring me??" He holds his hands out with only one fuzzy thing. As my eyes try to make sense of what he's holding I realize it's a real mouse.
****insert full on scream****

My son found a DEAD field mouse somewhere in my home!!!! I quickly grabbed a tissue and took the mouse to the garbage and washed our hands. Possibly three to four times...
This makes me question a few things:
1-why was it dead?
2-where on earth did he find it?? (he kept taking me to the garbage when I was asking him where he found it.)
3-am I really that bad of a housekeeper?!?
4-how much does a maid cost?
5-why was it so huge? It looked to be so well fed-but it was dead...
6-why would I be less freaked out if I found it alive?
7-why hadn't we heard the mouse? or found any "evidence" of it's residency in our home????

total willies.
we will be deep cleaning tonight.
wiping down walls and floors with bleach. possibly the ceilings too....
I think I want to buy a Kirby vacuum right this second...
washing all clothes that we own....
and wearing gloves the WHOLE time. maybe two pairs.

My Confession

2010-08-31T12:36:00.000-07:00

Hi, My name is Amanda Larsen and I'm a dryer sheet addict.

Let me explain how I began the journey down this slippery slope. Picture this: I am 4 months pregnant with my first child- one of my activities I enjoyed was visiting the store late at night waiting for jack to get off work at Carrabbas. I had a sniffer like a hound dog. I couldn't stand the smell of anything stinky. Barf-o-ramma. I realized I was out of dryer sheets one night at the store so I decided to do a sniff test on them to figure out which ones to buy-makes sense when you love good smells and HATE bad smells. I started sniffing boxes. Different brands, different scents, everything. I. Fell. In. Love. with Bounce. So many delicious smells so little time. I bought my favorite one at the moment and left thinking I'd be set for a while. The next day we realized we needed something else at the store so while jack and I were at the store I showed him how good they smelled as we walked down the laundry isle. He laughed a little but liked the smell of my new brand. It was all down hill from there. Every subsequent trip to the store I found myself heading down that isle to sniff more. you laugh but I'm serious. I LOVED the smell. I started placing dryer sheets in different places in our very tiny first apartment- bottom of the trash cans, inside stinky work shoes, under each of the seats in the car, in sock drawers. Mmmm it smelled good. But I needed more. I started putting one folded sheet into my pocket so I could sniff it on days of hair school that proved to be especially stinky...not the perms and colors because I happen to enjoy those- just when we had more clients that weren't exactly showering regularly. One in my pocket turned into one in each pocket, then some in my bag, then a box in my car. I'd put the ones that I'd had in my pocket during the day back in the box-down a few layers- to "recharge" ha ha. I thought it'd be something that went away after I had Corban-ya know a crazy pregnancy symptom-but it just helped more to continue stashing them after bringing home a poop and spit up machine. I did get back down to one in my pocket after the pregnancy but everywhere else always has one :) Fast forward to today. We have a box in both our cars or at least 5 sheets all the time. I still keep them in my pocket (only one) and usually pull it out when I have to change gabe, or do some bad laundry. I use them as book marks in books-the book I'm reading always smells nice. I have 4 in my diaper bag so there's always a wonderful smell when I open it. do you think I need therapy? Hope this made you giggle a little bit knowing that I am joking around- but not all the way- there's one in my pocket right now. ha ha. love to all.

Ps. for those that are interested in my vast scent knowledge regarding dryer sheets these are my favorites.
Fresh Linen-my current scent- clean and fresh although a bit strong for ammeters.

Spring Fresh- this was my first "addict" purchase- I wouldn't use any other scent for 2 yrs. I've since switched it up because then I can fully appreciate a new scent again when I switch back.

Fresh lavender- very sweet and girly, very floral (hence the name duh). I don't use these ones very often- just when I need to feel girly.

suppose I should do another post so the depressing one isn't topping the page anymore...

2010-08-10T15:19:00.001-07:00

so what to write about?

jack and I went to a dr appointment today- we got to hear the baby's heartbeat. It was really strong and the baby was moving all over the place- both good signs. She had to chase it all over my stomach to get a long bpm to measure. I tried to convince my dr that we should just induce me at 38 weeks so that gabe and this baby don't have birthdays so close together...but she said no. which is a good thing that she has me and the baby's health as first priority not a calendar.

I'm feeling less nauseated 100% of the time- and more just random dry heaves- so that's good. but I guess they're not even that random- it's more just when I change a diaper, brush my teeth, smell something stinky, or see something gross that it happens. so that's a plus.

Gabe went to nursery this past sunday for the first time. He was a champ- he didn't whine, or cry- he just went with the flow. He really enjoyed it and even said "bye bye" to the teachers and blew them kisses. I'm crossing my fingers that this week will go just as well considering I've got my first sharing time to do...so I can't go get him if he's having a melt down.

I get to go to the temple on friday and maybe twice- because I'd like to go that night with jack, and the primary presidency is planning on going in the morning.

Saturday is a baby shower for a high school buddy and I'm excited about that. Afterwards I'll meet up with my family in slc and we'll do some fun things downtown with the kiddos. it should be lots of fun.

see? I'm doing better. You don't have to worry about me anymore :) thanks for all the worry, concerns, and love that you sent my way though- I appreciated it very much. I'll try not to vent so hard core next time so I don't freak anyone out again ;)

a little more in depth than you'd probably like to read...you may skip this post.

2010-08-02T08:44:00.000-07:00

you know the saying "pull yourself up by your own boot straps" ?? I think I need new boot straps. I've got toys that need to be put away in their own place for the boys. I've got dishes to be done. I've got primary stuff to do. I've got releif society stuff to do. I've got floors that should be vaccumed. I've got wood floors that should be mopped. Let's not even talk about the fact that there's a pile of laundry that I beleive is so big it could be inhabited by a small family of midgets as a nice size dwelling. I've got so much to do and I don't even know where to start- let alone get to it. So where does one get new boot straps? I keep feeling overwhelmed- I'd like to just feel whelmed, not over whelmed. I'm not asking to have all my jobs taken away, just some of them. I keep thinking I want to run away to the temple for a bit- but then it's all there when I get back. I want to escape for a while and read but the boys tend to enjoy a good meal 3 times a day, not including how often I have to eat... I think I've hit the duldrums. Isn't that from a dr. suess book? I just think I'm not cut out for this play that I'm in. This part seems like it's too big for me. I know the lord keeps reminding me that I'm exactly where I need to be right now in sweet tender mercies, but I feel like I'm ready to be carried, not just boyed up ya know? I sometimes wonder whether or not the pioneers had any moments where they just sat down on the side of the trail and asked to be carried. Or whether the lord just sent the angels to carry them before they asked? I'm not sure. I do know that my sweet jack, corban, and gabe are just the best at trying to cheer me up-but I'm just not feeling like being cheered up. I feel like if I'm cheered up about my situation I'm saying it's dumb that I was frustrated, and upset about it in the first place. When in fact all my worries, stressors, and to do lists are all quite crucial in their own way. On top of all this there are things I'd LOVE to be doing but don't feel like I can allow myself to do because my other things I should be doing aren't getting done. It doesn't really help too much when loving friends and neighbors look at me like I'm crazy while I'm chasing my two boys knowing that I have a third little person on the way. Or when they say "man you're brave" I don't feel brave. I feel very small. I feel very inadequate for this job. I feel so scared when they comment "you're going to have your hands full." going to nothing- my hands are already full. sometimes I wonder if anyone has actually exploded from stress...people always talk about it "my head's going to explode" blah blah blah but really? am I going to explode? if so, I don't think that boot straps are going to help at all in that situation. I'm pretty sure most of my feelings of inadequacy are being inflated by the emotional roller coaster that is pregnancy, but the basis for inadequacy is always there to some extent. The times I feel the least inadequate is while I'm doing hair, or watching corban help gabe with something- and being a sweet brother, and gabe is being sweet back. That gives me gratification. here's the catch. I don't feel like accepting very many appointments successively because of the awesome nausea every day. somehow having someone do your hair while "almost throwing up" a few times doesn't scream "AWESOME experience" to me. maybe I need therapy. if I went into my dreams I have each night I'm sure you'd probably say yes. who knows. maybe I'll try to do a little bit of something for myself and see if that helps. wow...I feel a little awkward publishing this post but It was helpful to write it all down and make all my feelings visible in text. hitting publish post will just help me get it off my chest. right?

must. stop. complaining...

2010-07-22T19:48:00.001-07:00

I am going to try to do more service and less complaining. help me remember not to complain. here's a list of things I should remember before complaining:

We have a great roof over our heads.
We have wonderful friends, family, and neighbors.
We're all healthy. No body-ravishing diseases, unless you count pregnancy ;)
We have food in our basement and our fridge.
We don't have to worry about where or when our next paycheck will come.
We know the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true.
We have at least one car (sometimes even 2~!) that works 100% of the time.
We work hard to be good parents- and even though it's harder to be a good parent than a lazy bad one- it's worth it.

I need a new mantra. something like: I'm greatful for everything. even my nausea. (people keep telling me that a sick mommy means a healthy baby...that was bad planning on a man's part I'm sure...)

what do you think?

my keyboard's sticky...

2010-07-19T08:52:00.000-07:00

all because we made fruit loop bracelets one night while jack was ushering at thanksgiving point...

they kind of LOVED them.

now when I fill gabe's snack cup with fruit loops he somehow procures a pipe cleaner and brings it to me with his fruit loops. he insists that I put his fruit loops on so he can bite them off- instead of just eating them. I've got to find his stash of pipe cleaners... my hands are sticky- and thus my keyboard and mouse are sticky. Somehow paying bills at the computer and putting up with sticky keys makes it 10 times worse. don't think I don't wipe it down, because I do, but when he does it multiple times during one bill pay sitting- it gets old. my goofy gabe. love that guy.

reasoning

2010-07-15T09:12:00.000-07:00

I haven't been posting. I haven't wanted to complain about how crummy I feel whilst preggo, and yet that's all I can seem to talk about when I feel like vomiting 99% of the day, dealing with heartburn with the fire of a thousand suns, and sleepless nights full of horrific nightmares. That being said- today I woke up and felt much better than I've felt in quite a while! We trimmed the boys hair and bathed them last night so they woke up clean, trimmed and looking happy. I also don't have anything on my schedule for the day so I don't have any stress about getting something done by a certain time. I'm looking forward to a fun day with just playing with my kids! who'da thunk.

Anyway I've had a few random photos that I've wanted to post like this one:

I know it's a bad photo- but can you at least tell that this is the back of one of those HUGE like 11 passenger vans? Can you also see that the entire back two windows are covered with those "family member" stickers? one for each member of the family? and there were about 6 cat/dog stickers as well? the license plate says FMLYVAN. wow. good for them. I just don't have that kind of patience! I can't even imagine. random- but I had to share.

and this one.
these are my strawberry plants I planted this spring. I had one that I transplanted- then added three more. They aren't producing much. Mostly because we have a lot of robins that apparently LOVE snitching up the strawberries as soon as they're slightly pink so I don't even get a shot at them! Don't call me crazy- I've seen it! they come in the morning, stare at the bushes, swoop in and steal it, fly over to a little section of grass and gobble it all up. I'm pretty miffed as strawberries are my FAVORITE THING EVER. super lame. I did however get to eat some sugar snap peas out of our garden yesterday. they were sweet and delicious. my poor garden is really really behind this year so don't hate me for finally getting some peas in the middle of july.

that's about all- it's time to get playin with my boys :) have a good one.

ps. another detrimental side effect to pregnancy is that I feel very unsocial most of the time- it's not that I don't like playdates or hangin with girl friends- it's that I feel overwhelmed at the thought of getting up and ready by a certain time and getting the boys all ready to go someplace. I always enjoy myself once I'm out and about and I usually feel fine (as fine as pregnancy allows me to feel) and end up having a great time. so if you feel like doing something- don't wait for me to call because I probably won't. But you're welcome- encouraged even- to call us :) I'm putting jack in charge of any evening dinner parties during this summer- just know that anytime he talks about getting together he's probably serious but needs some coaxing as to when to actually schedule the fun times ;)

loves

Happy Fourth!

2010-07-04T08:11:00.001-07:00

Jimi Hendrix National Anthem

M£ØW (Robert) | MySpace Video

what a wonderful thing.

2010-06-30T22:02:00.000-07:00

I LOVE it when you have some sort of ailment or pain in the rear...(mine being pregnancy & not letting me eat pizza or doughnuts) and there's a medication out there that fixes it! I absolutely positively am grateful for medicine. I'm grateful for the people that devote their time, energy, and resources to making it progress. I am especially grateful for whoever figured out that taking Unisom and Vitamin B6 combined at night would combat nausea the following day! Who'da thunk ya know??? a sleeping aid coupled with a specific vitamin? anyway- I was able to enjoy my nachos during Eclipse tonight thanks to this mix. So thank you Internet void-if you know the person that came up with that duo- give them some good luck for me. :)

Just in case you're wondering what I could have possibly eaten without pizza or doughnuts...I consumed a crunch wrap supreme and a seven layer burrito. with FOUR packets of their tasty mild sauce. in one sitting. no joking. it's a Mexican baby.

and ps. eclipse was...good....had a lot of making out....lots of action...lots of bare man chest...and was pretty true to the book. I'd give it a strong B+ or A-. For those of you that like the twilight business. ;)

tear

2010-06-28T21:01:00.000-07:00

this baby doesn't like pizza, breadsticks, doughnuts, or MAC & CHEESE...help me. someone. PLEASE. help. me.

I'll just go die in a whole now. I might bring my cell phone- text me if you find a cure.

some news.

2010-06-27T11:06:00.001-07:00

warning complain & vent post to follow.

2010-06-24T12:10:00.000-07:00

okay so lately I've been wanting to change my look up a bit. Tried doing a dark purpley color- it was fun for about a week. I wanted a change of shape to my hair- some texture and such. So in the spirit of trying to not bug my mom for another hair change (she's usually the wonderful sport to put up with me saying: "cut this hair here, this way, hold your hand this way..." yada yada.) I have a mega nasty cold that I hate and had cancelled a hair color appointment because I didn't want to get her sick. I had time, a babysitter, and all I needed was an appointment. I texted my cousin to see which girl she visits at a salon she loves. I didn't get a message back until after I *thought* I'd remembered the name and made an appointment at the WRONG SALON and left without getting her reply. (which was totally not her fault- she's working not staring at her phone waiting for me to text her...)

The salon I went to seemed cute/trendy/punky. The girl seemed nice. I told her- "I'm growing it out, it needs a new shape, and some texture so I can continue to grow it out, I don't want to lose tons of length but I'm pretty open to options." So she starts hacking away. Huge pieces of my hair fall to the floor. Needless to say I hate it. I hate what she did to my hair. She chopped CHUNKS out of my freaking hair. I have little chunky long pieces and short pieces ALL OVER. Example of what I'm talking about: I come home and ask corban how he likes my crazy new cut. He responds: "it's cute. I like it. Oh, but she missed some back here- you need to cut that." (while he tenderly grabs the piece he wants me to cut off so I'm sure not to miss what he's saying) it looks like the way a 16 yr old emo kid would want their hair cut. you know? something that I would talk you OUT of doing??? So frustrating.

For me, cutting hair is easy. I like making people feel confident about their hair and how they look. It's easy for me to look at a face shape and know what will help and what will hurt them from achieving their ideal look. I hate it when it's not easy for someone else. I hate it that I can't just do my own hair so I don't have to mess with psycho's that don't know what they're doing *trying* to be artsy on my head rather than doing something that is a hairstyle I can be proud of. agh. I'll post pictures I guess- it's just that terrible...

Do you see the two chunks haning down the two sides of my neck???

nice. not.

what the eff is that???

vent over.

P.S. my mom's coming out to help me fix the issue on top of my shoulders. aka: my hair style?? plan on seeing me with short choppy pixie cut again because this cruddy style isn't going to fly. Bon Voyage ugly.

Gabe

2010-06-22T09:43:00.000-07:00

My sweet Gabe. I love my Gabe. He's a laugh a minute. And usually surprising me just as often when he lets us see little glimpses of just how smart he is. He doesn't talk much. well...let me rephrase- doesn't talk in English much. He definitely talks- it isn't just always English. He's very very musical. He copies tones he hears in phrases and repeats those tones when he wants to use that same phrase. One of his big ones he likes is saying "Don't Touch" and shaking his fist at you or pointing angrily at you. He also does some great baby cussing...shouts complete non-sense but you know he's trying to swear at you ha ha.

The reason for this post, however, is his latest completely shocking progression. Yesterday while cleaning up from our California trip I heard Gabe go into the bathroom and move the toilet seat.(Oh no.) I rush in there but while I'm turning the corner I hear him moving corban's bathroom stool. He had lifted the toilet seat (both the lid and seat) and moved the stool up in front of the toilet like corban does when he needs to pee. Gabe was trying to climb up onto the stool to stand in front of the toilet. HE WAS TRYING TO PEE IN THE TOILET! let me remind you that boys are usually potty train around 3 yrs old. Corban was younger because he saw his cousin go standing up and wanted to do it that way too. Gabe is 16 months old. I thought maybe this was just a one time thing but later in the evening we went up to my folks house to celebrate fathers day with my dad since we were out of town and he did it again!!! oh man. now if he just figures out what it feels like when he needs to pee....we'll be in business. well- he'll be in business. who knows- maybe potty training this little guy will be easy. **thinking positively**

P.S. I love doing hair.

2010-06-12T20:09:00.000-07:00

have I mentioned that I love what I do??? Because I do. I really really do. I counted in my phone book how many clients I've got- it's around 40!! Here's why I love it:

I love talking with people
I really like hearing about their problems (sounds weird but hear me out. I like it for two reasons: both to help-let them get it out, and keep my life in perspective)
I enjoy getting to know NEW people!
I LOVE getting to make someone feel good about themselves!!
I HAVE to be able to make my own schedule.
I can change my schedule around what my family needs are in a moments notice (because I have the best clientelle on the face of the planet)
I get to be a mom~AND~a hair magician.

THE END

now I just need a hair sink...

amanda's amazing diet.

2010-06-04T08:58:00.000-07:00

Not...

So in the past couple weeks I've had a major nasty stomach flu and a major case of strep. When I'm sick I don't eat. When I'm starting to feel better, I don't feel like eating so portions are extremely small. It usually takes me about a week to get back to eating everything in sight again. So lets do the math: in may I got the stomach flu shortly after my boys had it.

It emptied out my entire body of any food that had or hadn't been eaten in the last week. the next week I was starting to eat agian. the week after that was so busy I recall missing more than one meal. The week after that was even more busy meaning missing even more meals-but when I did eat it wasn't nutricious at all. That following weekend (memorial day weekend) I got strep- really really awesomelly bad strep.

Agian- I survive on about 500-900 calroies/day when I get sick. Now I am just not ready to eat much again.

Last night was Daniel's high school graduation from Viewmont High School. (WAY TO GO DANIEL!!!)

I didn't know what to wear. I decided to look in a part of my closet that contains random peices of clothing such as maternity, WAY too small to ever fit in again, and stuff that isn't my favorite and should probably go to DI. Just because I'm a glutton for punishment I decided to try on my skirt that I wore as a going away outfit after my wedding. Let me remind you of the fact that I was working at Express and had access to really cute- really tiny clothes for a fraction of the regular price. Lo and behold it fit. The stinking cute skirt fit! an express size 2!!! I was pretty proud. for a second. then I realized how unhealthy my lifestyle has been for the past month. Sad. 5 years + two kids/pregnancies and the way I get back into this cute thing is by getting ill and starving. Lame. So all in all I feel like I need to eat healthier, put good in, get good out sort of thing. Also I want to start doing really active things with the kids this summer! walks! Parks! zoos! that sort of thing. no more starving because "I don't have time". Scouts honor. even though it was fun to wear that cute skirt agian.

Finished my kitchen drapes

2010-05-28T22:25:00.000-07:00

I finally finished making drapes for my kitchen! I wanted to do them a while ago- but just didn't go and get it done. I found the fabric at Home Fabrics (red toile- my fav!) for about $4/yd and Tina GAVE me some lining fabric {thank you thank you thank you tina!!!}. Can you believe it?? My Drapes=el cheapo! I bought some drawer pull knobs to hang them with instead of a rod. The drawer pulls just needed to be put on a double sided screw thing that you just screw right into the wall after putting the knob on the one half. Wonderfully easy and cheap.

MMM MMM....CRAFTY. j/k.

2010-05-28T21:47:00.001-07:00

So this is my mirror for my front room (without the glass of course). I got it at a garage sale for $10 last summer. I've loved it ever since. BUT it was a tiny ity bitty bit gold...j/k. it was a LOT gold. And so I give you...(drum roll please) the transformation! {thanks to the All Things Thrifty site for all the really easy tutorials and great ideas!!}

Before:

This is a close up of the center details Before:

This is a close up of the corner details Before:

After being Primed and Spray Painted with Krylon cream spray paint...

Close up of the paint... and my duck sheet/spray paint drop cloth...nice.

Ta Da!

Close up of the corner details after I glazed it with a black glaze :) do you love it???

Sorry it's not a better photo- it's a cell phone photo- I have been too lazy to charge my camera battery. And lets excuse the background of mess...

Our new car!

2010-05-24T09:54:00.000-07:00

So one saturday afternoon I just started crunching some numbers on our car loan because I found a CHEAP honda pilot on ksl.com. Not thinking that we'd actually be able to afford any change seeing as how we're shooting to get OUT of debt this year. But curiosity pushed me to at least call our credit union. When I got off the phone with our credit union (America First Credit Union- only the best) I realized that we may be able to swing it! So we went and test drove the honda from ksl on monday night. It was awful. we opened the doors and a huge smoke smell smacked you right in the face. ME: "was the previous owner a smoker?" Shady dealer: "oh...um....I....uh....don't think so....uh...no?" Me: "they were, you can smell it. what would these circular burn marks be from if it wasn't from a cigarette??" shady dealer: "uhhhhh...no, those aren't burn marks.....no, they weren't smokers....you want to take it for a spin?" Me: "we'll drive it and talk it over." So we left and were totally grossed out by the smell. I just jokingly suggested visiting willey honda since we were close by. Jack went straight there in the car we were test driving. We got out and asked what they had to offer in the realm of 2004-2005 honda pilots. They had two. One that was more expensive and had more miles. The second one was cheaper, had less miles, and was a nicer model. It was cheaper because it had been in a small fender bender once upon a time but did not have a branded title (which means that the insurance company never had to be involved, nor the police because it was less than $500 damage.) So we drove the car back to the shady dealer's lot, picked up our accord, and drove back to willey honda. We test drove the cheaper, nicer model and fell in love. the end. just kidding. but we did buy the pilot and traded in our accord.

This is us saying by to our sweet honda accord... (please ignore my horrendous hair do...it was windy by the time we'd sealed the deal)

Man I love this smiley guy...

And this is our new car!!! (new to us at least.) it's a 2004 Honda Pilot EXL. Only the greatest suv ever manufactured. It happened to be the exl model which has leather seats, AND the best part??? an adjustable middle row so that the back row can seat people that are older than 6 yrs old or midgets. what-what? seats 8??? yeah baby. yeah. it even switches to four wheel drive if it starts raining, or notices a change in traction! I'm a happy woman. AND!! we're paying $4 less a month in total for our accord because A: better percentage rates right now. B: it's less $$ on the insurance because it's less of a theft risk or something. boo yah.

thanks crummy economy....you made this somewhat possible. ;)

Disaster struck

2010-05-16T20:24:00.001-07:00

So the boys have colds. I stayed home from church with them and decided to throw some yummy crock pot stuff together so jack would come home to yummy smelling food...lets just put it this way...it was a good idea. The end. Who would have thought that boneless pork spare ribs would burn to an absolute CRISP on low for 8 hrs? I apparently did not. The boys insisted on eating them (I seriously have to question their brain function because of this fact) even though they were the consistency of beef jerky and about the same moisture level too. I made some potatoe stuff too...wasn't the best either. I think I'm going to stop cooking for a while...Jack's better at it anyway.

ps. I made a cake for dessert to make up for the crappy dinner. I just frosted it. it's slightly heaven. however. dinner still stunk big time.

Scouts honor...

2010-05-12T13:18:00.000-07:00

is that allowed to "scouts honor" something if you're a girl and were never even a girl scout??? oh well. What's done is done. anyway. I solemly "Scouts Honor" swear that I'll have a mega sweet giant post soon. promise.
love
amanda

No Holds Pine Wood Derby

2010-04-30T22:32:00.000-07:00

So we had a Ward No Holds Pine Wood Derby! It was such a hoot! I loved seeing all the different cars and who was serious about it and who let there kids do most of the work :). I loved it. Anyway I thought I should show off the cars for our family!

Gabe & I's Lugger. Gabe helped by laughing when I'd do something wrong or silly.

Gabe and I's Lugger took SECOND place to Gillian's 3 Master Pieces. She's definitely got the skillz for pine wood derby races! I was totally flattered to come in just behind Gillian. *hat's off to you girl!*

Here's Corban's Skate Board. We let him pick out some super hero stickers to put on it. (they were even holographic). He very specifically wanted the Iron Man sticker to be right in the middle of the car but off to the side...very artistic.

He insisted that the bottom of his skate board needed to be green. Even though it was mostly covered with weights. He picked out the spray paint for it.

Jack's lovely Mormon mini van. (it's actually a brick...like a cement brick that he hammered into pieces and taped the outside together) Unfortunately his car was not able to participate fully. A child dropped his car right before the actual races and busted off the wheels in such a way that it couldn't be repaired. Although- his car DID smoke mine & Gabe's in a test run before everyone was there that evening, so perhaps he could have put up a fight against Gillian's speeding bullets.

Thanks

2010-04-22T19:37:00.000-07:00

Thanks for all the feedback on the kitty question! I think I have some aspects to consider a bit more before making a final decision. I'm a person that thinks and stews about something before going for it- especially when it comes to big purchases or someone cutting bangs :P . With my boys being so stinking sick this week I haven't had much time to think about it.
This brings me to my next point. My boys have been getting sick a lot lately so I am making a new regulation for my salon. I will no longer allow children that aren't receiving hair services to come to play during a parent's or siblings appointment. They may sit in the front room with the parent and/or sibling but may not enter the rest of the house. I can't continue cancelling appointments due to my children's risk of infecting your children with whatever they're suffering from. I still reserve the right to cancel in order to care for my children, however, if they are well enough to have a sitter I can still do appointments. Also I feel that if I am paying someone to watch my children it is unfair to that sitter to be asked to watch extra kids without extra pay. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause but it is something that had to change. We made it through a long winter of cancellations, changes, and rescheduling and I think this will help with your schedule and mine. I appreciate your business, your friendship, and all your kids. Thanks again for letting me do what I love.

kitty? or no kitty?

2010-04-19T18:54:00.001-07:00

I want a kitty. There. I said it. I've missed my kitty since I moved out of the house after high school. I'm terrified for the safety/well being of said future kitty because of my boys. However, they LOVE my kitty that still lives at my mom's house. Even though she's old, probably mostly blind, and kind of skittish in her old age, they're quite soft and sweet to her. Also I found these totally amazing things called SoftPaws so I don't have to worry about scratching! {totally go see the site- it's so funny looking and I love it! it's like a kitty-mani. They come in all sorts of colors.}

Anyway, the reason for the post is this: vote. tell me yay or nay and your reasoning! I really really want one. here are my pros: I miss having a kitty around. I love how sweet and usually very intuitive all my cats have been. cons: jack's not a huge cat person (but he insists that he's ready for a cat), I worry about my kids (either torturing it or getting hurt by the kitty in self defense), I worry about having an inside cat + salon in my house....please vote. I need some opinions here.
amanda

PS-there are plenty of FREE kitties on ksl that are declawed, spayed/neutered, adults or kittens. vote on those options too...

Happy late easter post.

2010-04-11T16:46:00.000-07:00

This is how I know my hubby loves me. This is my easter "basket" that he constructed for me.

Yes- those are boxes of peeps my friends.

The base of the basket was a box of graham crackers. Why you ask is there graham crackers and chocolate chips??? Indoor smores of corse. duh.

Here's the construction process: First cover a baking sheet with foil- easy clean up. Turn on your oven to about 300.

One graham cracker half (or you can use saltines- which are VERY NICE as well)
Several chocolate chips (about 10 or so to get a good chocolatey base)
One peep

Bake at 300 for about 5 min. {keep a close eye because if the peep expands too much it will fall over sideways and that's a hot sticky mess to fix.} if you want them to bake longer so you can clean up dinner while they're baking turn the oven down to 250- if you want them done asap turn it up. it's not rocket science but it's a really yummy snack. enjoy your toasty peeps. yum yum.

I do hair.

2010-04-10T01:56:00.001-07:00

This is polly. I love polly. She's darling. This. Is. Her. Hair.

Before:

This is when you "comb" it out. But you can't call it combing out when you can't run a comb through it. Each individual hair on her hair is really a zig zag shape. Not a tiny curl- a zig zag. A tiny itsy bitsy zig-zag.

This is after we're all done.
Ta. and Da.

Trust me now?

love,

amanda

Gabe's Hair cut from a while back...

2010-04-10T01:23:00.000-07:00

So this was from January of 2010. He had all this long long baby curly hair that was always all over the place. I gave him a trim (buzzed) on the sides but he didn't want to sit for the rest of a cut so I shaped it up a bit and came up with a nice emo-mohawk. best baby haircut ever. all we had to do was gel it up and it'd stay nice and curly the rest of the day. you know you're jealous.

Corban's Primary talk

2010-03-31T22:05:00.000-07:00

Okay, so it's been just about forever but here's the video of Corban's First Primary Talk taped at home after the fact. Just so you know there are some mistakes in this video- but know that during the real deal he didn't make a single mistake and as soon as I told him that the mic wasn't working he spoke loud enough for the whole room to hear but stayed reverent! It was a "cry because you're so happy" moment for sure. enjoy :)

Love that boy.

Nana and Papa visit

2010-03-29T01:34:00.000-07:00

Me: " Hurry! someone take a picture fast! I made something healthy for dinner!!!"

And the meal consisted of:

Sa-wheat sloppy joes on whole wheat buns (BEST SLOPPY JOES EVER! and you can't feel bad about eating something so nutritious either.)
spaghetti squash
asparagus
sugar free punch stuff
This is the puppy that we slightly "coerced" jack's mom into getting while they were here :). Jack's puppy from his teen years had to be put to sleep last month and with john traveling quite a bit gwyn needs some fuzzy company. So I just introduced her to the KSL classifieds web site and we looked for some fuzzy companion type puppies while john played Peggle. Made some phone calls the next day...and voila!!

Bella came to be jack's new baby sister ha ha. She's a Bichon Frise-Malteepoo.

**just note the little book behind her rear- it's a 4X6 inch book...ha ha. she's definitely travel size!

Thanks for a very fun visit.

just to brag a bit...

2010-03-20T21:10:00.000-07:00

but it's not really bragging if someone's done it for you right??? go take a peep at tina's blog post about her new do. I'm quite proud. Of her I mean! It's always a big step to chop a lot of hair off all at once and go in a direction you haven't gone before. Sometimes it's a leap that is necessary but that doesn't mean it's any easier on the nerves. So BRAVO tina! I'm really proud of you!

amanda

And P.S. THIS is why I love what I do! When people are thrilled about how they look they are happier people. Scouts honor.

P.P.S. I just stumbled upon a show on Bravo called Shear Genius. I'm in love. It's hilarious but so true on so many levels. Lots of hairdressers are VERY emotionally volatile creatures. Duh. you know I am... ha. anyway check in out on hulu if you want a little chuckle. I could kick all their butts.

ew.

2010-03-12T21:32:00.000-08:00

I
LOVE:
MY HUSBAND
MY CORBAN
MY GABE
MY FAMILY
MY FRIENDS
MY HOME

the end :)
gnight. sleep tight.

Bonnie, bonnie, bonnie....

2010-02-27T08:05:00.000-08:00

don't worry about it...I laughed a lot too.

My feet and Hands are freezing

2010-02-24T20:47:00.000-08:00

But I'm going to post anyway. I need to. Jack got the job at CR England (I've added a link to the company's history page-so wonderful-check it out). I am so thrilled. Less work and more money for a company that TRIES to make their employees happy! They not only care about making their people happy, they put it in action! They provide fitness opportunities, vacation time, really cool amenities- it's just really really neat. I have to say that the last two and a half weeks have possibly been the best I've ever had. I'm pretty sure I could die a happy woman. Here's what my past weeks have looked like:
Feb 4- I interviewed at the Cottage Retreat Day Spa @ Gardner Village (got the job)
Feb 5-craft day (the day jack was laid off. as a note they waited until 4:45pm to finally tell jack, go ahead and pack it up we'll finalize things on monday)
Feb 6- Walked from our house to the Magna Library then over to Smiths and the Dollar Store as a family! Such a total blast! It was about 3 miles...go us. half up hill. yeah baby.
Feb 7-superbowl party
Feb 8- Really Really Great family night with corban. Jack's childhood pet, Jasper, had to be put to sleep that day so we had a lesson on the plan of salvation with Corban, he absorbed all of it.
Feb 9- Corban's playschool-that he loves more than anything in the world.
Feb 10- Did some hair appointments :)
Feb 11- Had the missionaries over for dinner
Feb 12-13 Girls weekend @ my aunt Jean's house. I got to make a fun apron, and do lots of fun scalp treatments. SANS my sons!!!
Feb 14-Corban gave his first talk in primary-SOOO darling. He loves the spotlight. Jack and the boys made me the cutest Valentine EVER. He made wonderful dinner too!
Feb 16-Gabe's First Birthday!!!
Feb 17-Jack had his first interview @ CR England, I did some hair appointments
Feb 19- Our ward Provident Living Night with Liesa Card. We had nearly 50 people attend! It was wonderful!!
Feb 20- I was able to do TONS of hair appointments all day- just the way I LIKE it. Jack's ward b-ball team made it to the finals or whatever for winning their game that morning. Me and the boys went up to my folks to hang out so jack could have a guys night.
Feb 21- we went to a family party at my aunt Marta's. Super yummy food, really fun games.
Feb 23- We had Playgroup at our house- we talked about how plants grow, they planted their own sunflowers to take home, Jay and Florence let me bring the whole bunch of kids over to see where carrots grow- jay and the kids dug some up (they let them stay in the ground through the whole winter so they get to be MASSIVE!) and let the kids all help rinse them and he let them eat one of the small ones. We had chopped one of the giant ones up into carrot sticks for them in little baggies for their snack. After the kids all went home we all took naps then drove out to the target in Jordan Landing. After target we ate at In N Out Burger.
ALL THIS WITH MY HUSBAND HOME-HANGING OUT, HELPING WITH EVERYTHING!! I think I changed like 5 diapers in the last 2 1/2 weeks.
Duh. I could totally die a happy woman.
sorry I bragged. I just had to.
***thank you for all the prayers on our behalf. the only reason that this was such a wonderful time without work is because we could constantly feel the comfort of the Holy Ghost. We never once felt as though we'd be in trouble. We felt totally at peace. So thank you. For your thoughts, prayers and for keeping your eyes open for jobs for jack.

Caution Totally mushy gooshy post:

2010-02-17T13:47:00.000-08:00

I love valentines. I love giving them. I love getting them. Why can't we pass out valentines as adults??? Have little mail boxes out for that day and pass them out like in grade school? lame. Corban, Jack, and I all made some for corban's primary class by cutting out cards and letting him glue them together- he got a kick out of that. Anyway- I married the most sweet, thoughtful, romantic man on the face of the planet. True story. Yes I'm talking about Jack. He's darling. He made me a GIANT valentine. He took a piece of poster board and folded it, covered it in hearts, wrote a poem on the front, and wrote a sweet letter on the inside. He even bought me an Itunes gift card. Here's what the poem said:
I just wanted to say that you're awesome, you rock,

A nerd might say you're the Kirk to my Spock.

Each day that I'm with you, you make me feel great,

And I think you're the best, Grade A, and first rate.

Your two boys sure love you even though they are crazy,

With those two around, no day can seem lazy!

You're the best mom there is, and an even better wife,

One thing's for sure, I'm glad I've got you for life.

Happy Valentine's Day from me and the two loons,

We hope you enjoy these freaking sweet....

(on the inside) Itunes!

And that's not all folks. He made me Pasta Carrabba for dinner sunday night!!! only like my favorite thing in the entire universe.

And he got this all ready while I was off playing at my aunt Jean's house friday-saturday night because she was having a girl's weekend at her place. What more could you ask for in a husband??? He ENCOURAGES girl time. WITHOUT my boys!!! He had the two sickies all by himself that whole time. no joke. whew. I totally love that guy.

As a side note here's the apron I made at Jean's house. Eat your heart out Martha Stewart.

To Do:

2010-02-17T13:42:00.000-08:00

Blog Gabe's 1st Birthday Party
Blog Corban's hair cut...
Blog about my mushy gooshy valentines day :)
Update exercise blog
Get ready for our Provident Living Night Activity
Fold my mount timpanogos size pile of laundry...yikes.
Update the playlists on my ipod...I'm so sick of the same old same old ya know???

sounds like SO much fun right?? not so much. I guess I'll get to work blogging...that's the easiest part of that to do list right?

update

2010-02-10T21:06:00.000-08:00

So here's the change we knew was coming: Jack was laid off on friday. We feel really good about it- we know we'll be okay, we aren't really worrying. I just wish I had some idea of when we'll be okay- I don't even have to know HOW we'll be okay, just that we'll be okay by....(insert month, day, and year).
Any who. enough about that. On to more depressing topics of the day. TV is horrendous. I really really despise it these days. Unless it's pbs kids go. Then it's okay. But the rest of it is horrible. At least it seems to be. There are families on the news that lost their children to freak pest control substance leaks, people killing each other because they're angry, hurt, intoxicated, or just because. There are tv shows that are made to mirror the news by reinacting these horrific events and they call it ENTERTAINMENT! Why on earth would people be okay with considering that entertainment? I'm so totally bummed out when I get 10 minutes to sit down and veg out that I can't just turn on the tv to find something good. Like really Good. Something that uplifts, something that makes you feel like a better person for having watched it. Several months ago (probably close to a year) Michael J Fox did a special called Adventures of an Incurable Optimist. It was wonderful. Uplifting. Talking about seeing the world optimistically. Shows like this need more attention- more hype. Shows like Extreme Home Makeover -where you aren't allowed to watch a full episode without watery eyes- need some lovin. I'm sick of the crap that they consider prime time tv. If that time slot is prime why the freak do they air CRAP-OLLA??? I think I'm so frustrated about this tonight because jack's at ward b-ball practice and the kids are finally down for *hopefully* the whole night and I have nothing but crap crap crap to watch. I suppose I could pick up one of the books I'm reading but jack and I were reading until just a few minutes before he left and I just need some num out time you know??? ahhhhhh. vent over. it's safe to come out now.
and ps can I just say what a wonderful family I have??? I know you might all vomit from hearing how wonderful they all are but they really truly are. Take this for instance: I was supposed to head down to orem to pick up some Rx from my dr, and my sweet grandma H. was willing to pick it up for me so that I wouldn't have to drive down twice this week. And jack helped me and corban work on making valentines today. What can I say? really the best ever. no joke.
loves
gnight
amanda

hum.

2010-02-03T20:00:00.000-08:00

I don't really know what to write for this post.
I do know this though:

more LARGE changes are coming for our little 4 person family.
We will be strong enough to handle all of it.
It will come to a comfortable place at sometime.
We won't always feel overextended in our time and/or work.
We will be okay.

That's about all I can say for our changes to come right now.

on a positive note I am starting interviews for salons :) it will be fun to be in a salon again. It will be hard to stay on top of being a wife, a mom, and a housekeeper...(lol...I never clean anyway so maybe it won't be much of a change for being a housekeeper.) Definitely very different working that much (I'm looking to be working about 4 days/week) but it will be good for our family. This is what jack and I KNOW is right for our family right now. and I'll be darned if I'm going to say NO to promptings while in the temple.

hope you have a good week! I'll let you know when I have any more news.

loves.

amanda

Here's the plan for the "kick off party"

2010-01-29T21:03:00.000-08:00

Let's not do a party tomorrow night (saturday, jan 30). Let's all just EMAIL in your commitments to how many days per week, and length of time for our work outs. If you don't want to email them to me- comment on this blog post. We will START doing our workout commitments as of FEB 1 2010!!! I vote we go with simple rules to start and maybe a week or two in we could have a msn messenger chat or something where we can discuss things we'd like to change. So the starting rules are as follows:

Make a WRITTEN/TYPED commitment. Send it in to me. Post it up in your house so you remember what you've commited to.
Start/KEEP exercising!
If you commit to three days a week- it doesn't matter if you squeeze them all in thurs, fri, and sat. Just as long as it is 3 SEPARATE work out days. (I don't think just doubling up on your time one day should count as two days.)
Each Saturday night or sunday email me how many days you missed and I'll keep track on an xcel spread sheet.
Each day you miss you need to put $.50 into a jar, cup, baggie whatever, just as long as you put it someplace where you can't dip into it. Mark it so you don't forget what it's for, and your family doesn't use it for other things.
(have I missed anything??? add some in the comments if I have...)

Let me know when you'd like to hold a night chat via msn messenger or facebook or something so we can tap out other rules. Thanks for being with me on changing nights or something. I just couldn't pull it together for tomorrow. :)

okay. let the stressing continue...

2010-01-29T09:41:00.001-08:00

I've gotten way over my head this week. lots and lots and lots of things to do and not enough time to do them. Thus bringing me to a *kinda* sad announcement: I don't think I can bring myself to host the kick off party saturday @ 7. Especially if only 4 people are coming... So here's my proposal: Either someone else host that night, or we just email in our commitment for exercising and have a big party after we've been going for one month. These are the options. However if more than 4 people respond to this post saying that they were planning on coming I'll make it work ANYWAY. So either tell me "yes I was planning on coming and I was bringing... X number of people with me" (also kids are totally welcome to come and we'll put them someplace with a movie while we talk) or "I'll host!" or "let's do it in a month after we've started" Thanks :) {just so you're aware, my saturday will start at 8:00 am and go until after a party is over if we have one....kinda long day at the end of a LONG week...anywho- I love a good party so if people were actually planning on it I'll DO IT :) }

aw moments.

2010-01-25T19:30:00.000-08:00

Corban has his bad moments, and his "aw he's so cute I could just eat him up" moments. Tonight for family night he had a few of both. (and I'm not blogging about family night like we do it every week- we try but to no avail.) Anywho- we went to burger king (on a gift card from tj *thanks*) for some dinner. There was this totally adorable homely couple that looked to be in their 60's that were completely taken with our two boys. We kept hearing them giggle across the restaraunt when our boys were doing some of their regular cute things. Take for instance the fact that both of them will dance to background music no matter the setting or the song. Gabe does baby signs for more food, but if you don't notice and act quickly enough he squeels and balls his fists like "oooo I'm soo frustrated but I'm still a happy guy". Corban would occasionally smile at them, and make cute faces in their general direction. After we finished eating we came home and had some ice cream cones with carmel and hot fudge. Before we started our little lesson from a former Friend issue we asked Corban if he'd say our prayer for family night. It went something like this: "Heavenly Father, thank you for the sprite, thank you for the mohawks, ...and thank you that we could smash our mohawks and go like this (he shook his head all over for that part), and thank you for family night..." And those were his aww moments for the evening. Now I have to add the mohawk pictures from saturday night so you can understand why they were participants in Corban's prayer. Trust me- sometimes I think my boys really Deserve?? a mohawk considering their attitudes and behaviors- and to top that Corban requests one quite regularly. That being said- here are the pics of the boys' snazzy do's on satruday night

***I wrote this jan 25th but my computer won't download the pics...so no pics until I figure that out sorry****

a shout out.

2010-01-21T21:28:00.000-08:00

I don't know if this post will make any sense but I'm making it anyway. here goes.
I'd NEVER had a full on legitimate massage. I got a gift card for one when I got married but the ladies massage parlor went belly up before I took the opportunity to go get one. I've always been kinda iffy about getting a massage. Lets face it- I always looked at it kinda like a "naked blind date". scary. I'm writing this post to correct my past thoughts about massage publicly! I had the privilege of getting a massage tonight. My friend Kellie is a massage therapist and we decided that I'd do her hair and she'd do a massage as a trade. I was less than....enthused about the whole naked + touching part...can you say awkward? I don't really make appointments with my OB/GYN for fun. nudity isn't my idea of a good time with other people around. Let me say this: the massage was TOTALLY UN-AWKWARD!!!! AND SOOOOO WONDERFUL!!!!! I will now explain why it isn't awkward, and why others out there that would be uncomfortable about the idea of getting a massage could possibly try one out.

Your butt crack is never visible! (believe me, I was worried about this one for some reason. ) Only one "side cheek" is visible at any given time.
Your front torso is never visible! Promise.
You're totally covered except like one limb at a time- so you're all toasty warm under a blanket.
It's not some silent ceremony where you have to not talk or joke around. It's fun and comfortable.
You control how hard the massage is- it's sooooo relaxing.
Totally worth it.

Now here's my plug for Kellie!!! :)

She's AMAZING. So talented for sure. She used to work up in Park City at a day spa where clients would tell her that she was the best massage therapist they've ever had. That coming from people that can afford to get pricey massages all the time is a HUGE compliment and now I know why!!! She makes you so relaxed and even for someone perceiving the experience to be a "naked blind date" at first. She reminds you to breathe deeply so you're relaxed and so that the massage is doing the best that it can for you. She has a huge selection of music to play and nice candles and YUMMY eucalyptus oil. She has one of those nifty soft cushy massage tables. So comfortable. You must call her if you have any desire to have a massage. Even if it's just a back, neck and shoulder one!!! For the full body one that I received it is $45. An hour of bliss for just $45. A total steal. When she was up in Park City a one hour massage would have cost you an arm, your first born child, your pet, and the title to your car. Please Please Please let me know if you're interested! Make a comment on my blog and I'll get her in touch with you. Really. totally worth every cent.

***VALENTINES DAY is only 1 month away. you'd totally score points with a massage!!!!****

Seriously. You need one.

( For those of you that have seen the movie Benchwarmers I feel like Howie {the guy that's scared of the sun} at the end where he steps up to the microphone to say: "I used to think the sun was bad. But it's not! IT'S NOT A MONSTER!!")

yikes.

2010-01-21T14:11:00.000-08:00

corban's trying to give up napping...my reaction???

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!
Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy????

the end.

Kick off party!

2010-01-16T20:15:00.000-08:00

Okay. kick off party. my place. jan. 30. 7 pm. we can discuss rules, make our commitments, talk about exercise ideas, and get started! PLEASE RSVP to my email or call me. if you don't have those options then write a comment saying so and I'll call you. can rsvp'ing get any easier???

Also, coming sooner than the kick off party: girls night at my place this next fri jan 22 starting at 8:45 going until the last crafter wants to go home. that's right- as late as you want to craft is fine! whether that's 2 am or 4 am I'm game. Bring your own supplies to work on whatever you want to work on. I don't care if it's an actual craft, scrapbooking, card making, sewing... whatever. Just come in comfy clothes and enjoy yourself. I'll have some snacks and possibly make crepes around midnight. You need to let me know if you can come (I don't care if you can't come until midnight- you're still welcome ;) ) so I can have enough crafting space set up. You're also welcome to just come and socialize I'll probably set up a classic chick flick in the family room.

Let me know for both parties whether you're game or not please.
ps hubbies, friends and the like are all invited to the kick off party for exercise pact folks, just make sure you rsvp for them as well :)

does it seem like I have an addiction to hosting parties?? should I be seeking medical attention for this disorder? just saying...

I feel impressed to share.

2010-01-12T18:16:00.000-08:00

I know I already posted something earlier this evening but I feel like I need to make this post. It's one I've wanted to make several different times but I'd never acted upon it. So here it goes:

Things they never told you about being a mom...

You WILL at one time or multiple times have these bodily fluids on your person: Drool, Poop (many different forms), Pee (obviously if you have a boy), Throw up, snot, Drool, and blood sometimes (lets face it, heads bleed lots and it seems kids like to bonk their heads).
You WONT get another sick day for as long as you live unless someone else steps up to the plate and volunteers to give you one! (surround yourself will good friends and family as a support system for when you do need to ask for a sick day)
You will eventually understand why you need to date your spouse regularly.
Your hygiene will take the back seat many many many times to actually making it someplace on time.
Your hair and make up time will somehow be able to get done at warp speed after much practice. That's if you are wanting to even put it on which sometimes is a few and far between occurrence.
You will crave a hot meal. Especially the ones that you've worked hard on to prepare.
You will have a hard time balancing cleaning, cooking, laundry (ohhh the laundry) and making time for a spouse. Forget time for you. That would be a luxury.
You will be happier than you've ever imagined.
You will have to have "frank" discussions about middle grounds for discipline and rewards between how both spouses were raised. Sometimes funny, sometimes not so funny or fun.
You will have no money for the rest of your life. You may think you have money because your bank account may have some figures in it- but it's not your money. It's your kids money. Money for doctors visits and toys and clothes and food. Lots and lots of food.
You may get to the point where you will want to get away from the house just to go to the gym and punch a bag. That's normal.
You should probably invest in Excedrin for all the headaches. Whether they are from stress, or from shouting kids, or from having too much fun outside when it's cold. You will have headaches.
You will laugh at more things that a proper young lady would have never laughed at.
You will hurt if your kids are hurting.
Your kids will cry if you cry.
Laughter really is the best medicine.
No one is the center of the universe.
You will have to be the bad guy sometimes. It hurts only for a second then you realize you did it for their own good. Whether it's you holding them down for shots, or taking away a toy for being naughty. You are supposed to be their parent-not their best friend.
You will worry for nights when you're waiting up for them after their first date even though that's YEARS away.
You will lose sleep. lots. and lots. and lots. of sleep.
If you are shy- you will learn to be strong when it comes to the care of your child.
You will gain weight. You will lose weight.
You WILL get stretch marks. rubbing stuff on the outside of your skin won't fix them.
Boys get..."excited" as infants. believe it-who'd have known.
Boys are fun- girls might be fun too I just can't tell you that from personal experience ;)
Learn to laugh at messes, hang ups, and changes in plans. They happen frequently.
You'll love it. maybe not every single second. But you will love it.
There's not a pet on the planet that can replace the love and affection you get from a child.
Children are miracles- they're cute because if they weren't you'd get angry at them more frequently.

I am not writing these things to scare anyone off from being a mommy. I'm writing it for my own venting, remembrance, and journaling. Being a mother is honestly the best thing that has ever happened to me. It was a choice-it didn't just happen, and it wasn't just something that sounded fun. I think that is a huge portion of feeling good about being a parent. It has to be a choice that you are happy with. If it is something that was an "oops" I know that I would have a hard time with copping in that situation and I'm glad that someone up stairs knows that. I am so blessed with the two sweetest children ever. Corban makes me laugh every single day regardless of what else is going on in our crazy house hold. Gabe is absolutely brilliant. They both are so musically talented it's unfathomable. If a musical commercial plays on tv they can sing the tune back after hearing it just once. Gabe drops everything to listen and dance to music. He does this really really cute little bounce when he's dancing. You can't help but bounce right along with him. I love being a mom and I hope everyone else that is blessed with children knows that it is just that- a blessing. gnight.

awww.

2010-01-12T15:18:00.000-08:00

this was a portion of an email that I just read. I loved it.

"We are in an age when media puts into our heads the idea that only skinny people are beautiful, but I prefer to enjoy an ice cream with my kids, a good dinner with someone who makes me shiver, and a piece of chocolate with my friends.
With time, we gain weight because we accumulate so much information and wisdom in our heads that when there is no more room, it distributes out to the rest of our bodies. So we aren't heavy, we are enormously cultured, educated and happy.
Beginning today, when I look at my butt in the mirror I will think, "Good grief, look how smart I am!" "

That being said (or quoted), I still want to feel in shape enough to play hard with my boys and not get too worn out or tired too quickly. Considering the fact that I have two boys and that jack would love nothing more to be a part of sporting with those two boys I better work on this before they can out run me and such don't you think???
Today jack surprised me by coming home for lunch with me. While we were talking as a family corban said "I wanna play Basketball! and I wanna play Football!" This was not because we asked him, it's just that he likes the idea of playing these sports he sees every now and then. We asked him next if he'd like to play other things like soccer, badminton, and chess and he said he wanted to play all of those too. Now how am I supposed to pick something for him to do as an outlet???

Exercise pact continued!!!

2010-01-10T16:06:00.000-08:00

Okay, some have said they're interested, some have said they're not. I'm going to put out an open invite to the kick off night so you can come cast your vote on rules and such.
That being said some of the things that have been brought to my attention is this:
First Point: People are getting deterred from participating because they don't want to commit to working out as long or as often as some others in the group. That is so NOT what this group is about. This group is not about comparing weight loss goal, exercise goals, love handle size, or stretch marks. Their goals are their goals. If they want to make a 6 day a week 2 hours/day commitment, that's their funeral. I personally will only be committing to exercising 3 days/week, for 30 min. That's all I have time or desire for. That should not influence anyone else's exercising.
Second point: I think that if someone wants to be a part of this group they need to commit to at least one day a week for 15 min- THATS THE MINIMUM. This is an exercise pact. We need to all have that common goal so we're working together. I don't really care if people count parking out in the boonies for grocery shopping and the grocery shopping (the walking part) takes another 10 min and that's their total 15 min that day. That's walking. That's exercising. We're not going to qualify what counts as exercise and what doesn't. I'm no health expert but you know for yourself when you feel as though your heart rate's going.
Third point: Please Please Please don't commit to toooooo much exercising! I'm not trying to start this group as a means of more income. Each person will contribute to the SAME pot on the add it up parties. There will not be separate pots for separate groups of people that exercise more or less during the weeks. You will be welcome to commit to more days and longer times if you feel like you're not working hard enough but I wouldn't call it fair to let you decrease your days or times.
Fourth point: I think the amount of money that goes into the pot needs to be the same for the whole group, but the amount is up for debate. I picked $.50 to make it plausible for those of us with other monetary goals this year as well as make it something that if you miss 6 workouts a month it will be enough of a hurt to your spending money a little in order to make you not want to miss again. Hopefully none of us will be losing much money, but we'll feel great giving our 1 or two bucks to someone that worked hard and didn't miss as many days.
As for using a cold as an excuse for missing: I read on Jillian Michaels web site once that it's totally okay to exercise when you have any sickness lungs and up. Ex: head cold, cough, flu. Anytime your illness goes beyond your chest down into your abdomen Ex: stomach, intestines; you should take some time off exercising. For those that miss because of illness (throwing up or Dia...) I think there should be a possibility for make up the rest of the month (this is also up for vote).
We will all make our commitments at the kick off party. Please let me know if you would like to attend the kick off. Either via email or phone. If you don't have that info tell me and I'll get that to you :) Good luck. I hope none of this came across abrasively, I just want to make sure that it's all fair to everyone and anyone feels welcome.

We have a walker here folks...

2010-01-08T19:19:00.000-08:00

And not only that, lately he's been climbing like a monkey. My mom stood behind him as he climbed the full set of stairs up at the cabin over new years...and he's hooked. He'll move the stool in corban's room up to the bed so he can try to climb onto corban's bed. be afraid for me. and pray lots. and lots. Mostly so I don't lose my mind. thanks in advance.

Exercise Pact:

2010-01-06T21:36:00.001-08:00

while I was in the shower this is what was thinking: "I wanna get in shape, but I won't do it without help-so I want people to do it with me". Then I thought "what is going to make other people want to do something??" The answer is (a lot of the time) $$$$ ha ha.... here's the plan:

Everyone that wants to be a part of it is welcome (your family, friends, bank tellers, really anyone)
Everyone that is participating has to put down in writing how many days per week they will exercise, as well as how long they will exercise for each day.
At the end of the week you add up how many days you missed, each missed day= $.50. You put your money from missed days in a safe place like a jar (hopefully it's not much)
At the end of the MONTH everyone participating comes to my house for an ADD IT UP party where we all fork over the the cash and give the jar-O-$$$ to whoever missed the least # of workouts. Hooray! If it's a tie they'll split it. If no one missed any workouts I'll be happy to add some freebie hair services to the jar for the next months' winner :) And we'll all have a party where we allow some splurging on a few goodies and reward our good behavior.
I'm also open to having a kick off night where we go over rules and have a meet n greet.
Sound good???

Here are some of the suggestions for other rules I'll put to a vote:

A set # of months to start with to see how it goes, and reevaluate from there
One set email to send weekly Hit's and Misses for everyones tallies on their workouts. That way we can keep track of who's missed the least for the add it up party so we don't have to count tooooo much change ;)
If you can't make it to the add it up party you can mail/deliver a check and we'll get it cashed and added in.
If you aren't going to be honest about what you've missed, don't sign up.
Don't agree to work out more days than you really can so you don't get in over your head
If you miss a day can you make it up later in that same week??? (example: your workout plan is mon, wed, thurs for 25 min but you missed mon, can you make it up on friday or saturday???) {this is in question form so it can be decided on by the majority vote}
Get spouses involved- the more support the better we'll ALL do!
Anyone else that has specialties to donate when we all make it a month of no misses should feel free to add to the prize pot.

The real goal here is to make people accountable for more than just "missing a workout" Those of us that would like to get in shape need a little support to do so, and I don't think it just belongs to super obese people that make it onto the biggest loser. So lets make this group happen.

Stuff

2010-01-06T15:01:00.000-08:00

Random things to say:

Corban has nightmares TONS ( like me unfortunately)
I love when gabe wakes up because he snuggles your face. He puts his cheek against mine and makes a little cooing noise.
I don't want jack to get overworked. Between long work hours (6:30am-5:45pm ish) and elders q. pres. and me being a slacker, he might if I don't pick up the pace.
Corban is hilarious.
Gabe wants to climb on everything.
Yes, I am, in fact, losing my stinkin mind.
I'm going to go find a job at a salon.
I hate being sick.
I hate when my kids are sick even more than I hate getting sick.
I love snuggling my two yahoos in my bed in the morning when they wake up too early to start the day.
I love our portable dvd player- totally worth it.
the wii game system does in fact work you out. Whether you feel it now or later is the only discrepancy.
my arms hurt from playing the wii with corban.
Corban bowls a 126 in bowling on the wii.
I scrubbed corban's wall next to his bed today- the dirty foot prints all over are now gone.
This is corban's new favorite video: Pocket full of H's he said: "Hey mom! its a letter song!!!"
I'm going to actually achieve my new year's resolutions! (or try really hard)
I want to start an exercise pact so to speak. I'll write more about that one in a separate post.
Me and Corban and Gabe are addicted to watching the electric company. Give it a try. You'll love it. Promise. it's silly, educational, entertaining, and funny.
I think that's it for now. check out my resolutions on the side bar and we'll see how I'm progressing.

You're welcome to comment on my dumb post if you wanna. wink wink. nudge nudge.

Corban's Birthday!

2009-12-16T10:07:00.000-08:00

This is the invite I made for his party this past Monday. I'll share photos and stories of the party as soon as I get some photos from my mom :) my camera died half way through the party...lame battery death. Let's just say that it was a Nerf party...mwahahahaha.

today=snow day

2009-12-08T15:44:00.000-08:00

me and corban went out and played in the snow. way fun. my sweet neighbor florence watched gabe for us so he wouldn't freeze. we were out there for 2 and a half hours! we were working on recreating a GIANT slide that our neighbors made when we were kids. it's not finished but it's a start- it's a good three feet tall so far. anwho here are a few minor points of interest that transpired while we were out.

I yelled at two little boys (somewhere between 7 and 11 yrs old). Only after they yelled F you to a sweet little old lady that drove by them for no reason. then corban kept yelling at them as they walked away "watch your fanguage boys!" (I guess he hasn't heard "language" used in a sentance yet)
As they were walking away I heard him mumble F you again motioning back to me so I yelled at him again.
I went to get corban's dirty sled out but realized it had no string to pull it by, so I went into the house for some yarn. I told corban to wait on the porch and he didn't listen, instead he fell down the ENTIRE flight of stairs. Don't worry he was dressed so fluffy he doesn't have a single bruise. It just shook him up. I said "I told you you'd fall down the stairs in your boots." he said "oh yeah..."
We washed corban's sled off and I pulled him around the yard after getting string.
Corban fell over in the snow and got stuck while I was looking all over for him. (turned out that he went in the back yard where we hadn't walked yet)
A nice little neighbor boy that I'd never seen before came up and said "I like the stairs in your yard that you built." (we put steps up the front of the slide to climb to the top for corban)
I probably used every single muscle that I haven't used in two years because I didn't shovel last winter being preggo with gabe and all...
I will be sore tomorrow. But it will be a good sore.
I've decided I love stretch pants. I promise to not wear them out in public, don't worry, they're just nice for lounging around.

Thanksgiving Photos :)

2009-12-08T11:43:00.000-08:00

We took some family photos while we were out in california- vote on your fav group pic please :)

Number 1

Number 2
Number 3
Our Little Family

Don't let that sweet look fool you-he's a little devil.

Little Gabey and his two teeth :)

The tounge is the best part of this pic ha ha.

Corban

Gabey

Love this Pic!!!

Gwyn and John Larsen

The Webbs left to right: Alysa, Caden, Bronwyn, Brad, Evan

(Heather's fam didn't do single family photos at that time. Otherwise I'd add theirs too ;) )

An atempt at fitting all the cousins on the slide. It was precarious, slightly funny to watch,

and in the end: futile.

All the Cousins!!! Left to right: Evan, Corban, Caden, Dawson, Jackson, Madison, Thompson, Alysa, and Gabe

A new goal in life. It's good...It's really good.

2009-12-05T20:06:00.000-08:00

My new goal in life is: to experience The French Laundry first hand. http://www.frenchlaundry.com/
I love food. I really do. I love fancy food even more. In high school I was able to go to La Caille http://lacaille.com/ as part of a foods class. I fell head over heals. The fancy atmosphere, the manners, the service, the FOOD. I loved that there was a dress code! No bums allowed ya know?? I loved that someone in their kitchen was painstakingly preparing wonderful, artful, delicious food just for me. I took a culinary arts class for a while at the datc which was fun for a while but I felt more just like an elementary school lunch lady than a chef. The teaching concepts were there but we couldn't really use many of them because of budget. We didn't ever have really great ingredients and we didn't ever prepare master pieces. I did however learn how to make homemade pasta which is WAYYYYY better than the dried stuff. (Come to think of it I don't think I've made that for jack...ever...what a terrible wife I am.) Anywho I looked into Le Courdon Bleu schools for a while, even tossed around the idea of going to the one in Pennsylvania. Turned out that you had to basically sell your soul, your first born, and a future spouse in order to attend Le Courdon Bleu. "I guess I'll go down to uvsc since it's free tuition and live at grandma's..." (turns out that was really what I was supposed to do all along, go figure). Anyway, I still love food, I just let jack make it because he's a natural! :)
I never make goals because I have some sort of problem reaching them...oh yeah, I'm lazy. But I'm changing that little rule just for The French Laundry. Sometime before the age of 50 I WILL make it to The French Laundry. The dining experience there is unequalled by any other restaurant. What could be more fabulous than a meal lasting somewhere between 4 and 6 hours? The answer? Nothing. Nothing at all. I will be saving each penny I can. If you find some pennies on the street pass them down to this all too worthy goal. j/k. I'll make it on my own dime. or jack and I's, I should say. wish me luck.

Puddles. water heaters. and teenage boys.

2009-12-04T10:37:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I was amazing. Lets be honest. I was planning a pajama day and not having to do anything. I decided I should at least wrap some gifts during nap time. Instead I did a little fix on our water heater. I had put both boys down for their naps and got out the bags of gifts to wrap while they were asleep. When I went downstairs to get the tissue paper box I stepped in a puddle. Puddles are ALWAYS bad when you're in a basement. There's never a good puddle in the basement. So I removed my soggy sock and started feeling around to see why there was a puddle in the carpet. (Not to mention crossing my fingers that jack had just spilled the squirt bottle when he went down to iron that morning) No such luck with the crossing fingers. It was a good 2'X2' square of soggy soggy soggy carpet in the guest bedroom. nice. I looked further in the room to make sure that was as far as the water went and it was thank goodness. Then the thought: "oh no. the water heater," comes to mind. I open the utility closet to find a large puddle on the concrete. A puddle you ask? yes. no drain by the water heater- it's by the washer and dryer-cause that's rational... Go figure we didn't notice that until now. Anyway as I'm sopping up water everywhere I realize that this isn't a fix that can wait because there's a constant drip coming from the temperature pressure release valve on the top side of the water heater. pajama day gone. I call Karen up to see if she can come listen for the boys while I run to the hardware store. When I get to the hardware store I find a lady 70 + yrs old and a teenage boy maybe 17 yrs old and ask for the part I need. (the ones my dad instructed me to get). The little boy jumped at the chance to help me trying so so hard to locate the correct parts. He obviously had no clue what I was talking about but was trying so sincerely to help out. (*note* my wedding ring is in disrepair so my hand was naked, and I didn't have kids with me.) Before he could ask me to the next dance a man that knew what he was doing asked if he was finding things okay. Phew. But thanks for the flattery of being attracted to a married mom of two. The new guy got me hooked up with all the right parts, loaned me the store's pvc cutters and sent me on my way to fix the problem. I went home did the little fix that I could, then went to return the pvc cutters to the store. You should have seen the sweet little guys face as soon as the gentleman that helped me started discussing something that brought up "my Husband shut off the sprinkler water..." The poor kid was crushed. The H word. sad. flattering. but sad. oh well. my dad's graciously coming to help fix the spout tomorrow even though he's sick as a dog. We're so grateful for his fix it help so often!

Happy-Late-Thanksgiving

2009-11-30T09:47:00.000-08:00

hope every one's holiday was wonderful! We enjoyed a road trip to cali to celebrate thanksgiving and baby t's blessing Sunday. It was a great trip- we had a wonderful time and traveled safely the whole time. The roads were clear of snow, and people for the most part. No one likes hearing about someone else's vacation for very long so that's all I'll post about it. Besides this one last tid bit: we had the BEST luck with black friday shopping and we're so freaking lucky we got it all to fit in the car. (seriously a little case of claustrophobia on the way home because we were a little full). Lets just say that every item on our list of doorbusters was available for us (not to mention that we got the last or second to last one on the shelf every time!)!
the end.
love
amanda

ps. thanks to nana and papa for giving corban an early birthday gift (a portable dvd player) so the drive back wasn't as grueling as it could have been :). Many people were worried about our travels sans a portable dvd player.

these are a few of my favorite things

2009-11-23T16:00:00.000-08:00

my babies. (especially when they ask to snuggle up under a blanket on the couch with me to watch the Brady Bunch)
my husband. He's the best one ever invented. Cooks, cleans, works, loves me, loves his boys more than anything, and honors his preistood.
my home. Warm, cozy, plenty of space, and still loves me even when it's not always spotless.
Crafts that have no purpose other than doing SOMETHING with friends.
Baking. Favorite ingredients include: Butter, Sugar, Flour, and Cinnamon.
Snow. Snow. Snow.
Hot Chocolate.
Frozen Hot Chocolate. (from DQ, you haven't lived until you've had one)
sleeping babies.
laughing babies.
Being healthy.
Living so close to so many people that love and care for us.
the gospel.
those who sacrifice their time and talents for the well being of others.
Husbands that take their wives to movies like new moon.
hoodies.
Fuzzy slippers.
Blankets. Lots of blankets.
Being able to do hair when I'd like.
Pillows-fluffy yet firm is always best.
Cars
Snowmobiles
Waverunners
Boats
Swimming pools
Strollers
phones

Happy Thanksgiving this week. Enjoy your family, friends old and new. Eat well, Sleep well, Travel Safely.

love

amanda

Essentials

2009-11-19T09:14:00.000-08:00

So when our food storage challenge ended Saturday night I was able to go to the store to get groceries. We really only needed the essentials. We made it through the challenge week with diapers wipes and formula for Gabe but wouldn't make it through Sunday without picking those up. So off to walmart at 10pm. I picked up Diapers, Wipes, Formula, 1 Gal. of milk, Margarine, a can of spray whipping cream (almost just the essentials...) and two church outfits for the boys for our family photos over thanksgiving. The total you ask???
$156.36
Moral of the story you ask??? babies are SO expensive. 3 months and Gabe can hopefully drink milk. cross your fingers. Granted, we always buy two cans of formula at a time so we're prepared (lucky habit that was formed before we even had the challenge wouldn't you say?) so that runs us $50 anyway...but really does something that straps on to catch poop have to cost so much??? And don't say washable diapers- I'm not that good of a mother, I refuse to put poop soiled rags into our washing machine. This is why I was not a Pioneer! The washer and I made a deal: I don't put poopy stuff in it- it washes my clothes so I don't have to. I'm sticking to the deal.

To make a short story a little longer: super Saturday is this Saturday. hope it goes well. hope the food is good....and I hope people aren't angry that there aren't any crafts for them to pay for.

foodie reigned in.

2009-11-13T11:19:00.000-08:00

I think that this week may be our UN-healthiest week ever. For me at least. If something doesn't sound good to me, I just don't eat it. Period. That simple. So when the option is oatmeal for breakfast again- or nothing? I choose nothing. I've apparently been the milk natzi this week. I've tried to make our gallon of milk we opened sunday morning last this whole week incase I need it for a recipe. The other morning for breakfast I decided corban and I deserved a treat for not having our morning cereal everyday like we have been always. So I thought we should make some pudding for breakfast. I told him that it called for 2 cups cold milk as I was getting it out of the fridge. I go to pour it and corban says: "Don't waste it mom." in a very serious-life or death tone. After I had mixed the pudding up and poured it into bowls he said all sorts of sweet things: "Oh THANK YOU mom! You're my Hero!" "You're my lifesaver!" Sometimes it's really nice to have such a vocal son. And sometimes it's nice to do something that isn't necissarily healthy for you or your son's body, but healthy for his happiness in getting a fun treat.

I've determined that we definitely NEED to accumulate some healthful food storage recipes like my sweet aunt Liesa Card has outlined in her book I Dare You To Eat It. (http://Idareyoutoeatit.com) Liesa will be coming in february to do an adult activity to teach us more about provident living and food storage.
I realized that we will have to get canning some meats because even though we've been able to pull them out of the freezer this week- if we didn't have power that would be a different story.
On top of that we need to learn the art of planning ahead! That has been my near-downfall this week. If I was taking the boys out to run errands and we'd be out during lunch it wouldn't cross my mind that I needed to make us some sack lunches instead of grabbing something while we were out. There were a few close calls like when we were passing a new mcdonalds that was doing almost everything on their menu for 99 cents...or smelling yummy foods while we were at IKEA getting a high chair for gabe.
Just tell me when this is over so I can go to the store- I miss it. You'd think with all this IN time my house would be cleaner- it's not. It's more messy. Such a pain. Where are the house cleaning fairies?? If you know give me a shout. thanks

Emergnecy Preparedness

2009-11-09T12:13:00.000-08:00

So yesterday as we were hustling into our sacrament meeting at 1:02 a dear sister from the ward stops us and says we are just the family she was waiting for. (uh oh.) "Here" she says as she hands us a paper. "The bishop picked you to do this chanllenge-they'll explain in sacrament meeting." And she walks away. I look down at the paper and see:

Magna Stake - Are we prepared in 2009? Series Event

Food Storage CHallenge

Live for 1 week out of your food/supply Storage

We have learned a lot about Emergency Preparedness this year ... now it is time to see what you learned and if you are truly prepared for an Emergency Event in your life.

Challenge: Your family will live off your home food and supply storage for 1 week!

When: Beginning Sunday November 8th...right after your Ward Block through Saturday November 14th.

Rules:

You cannot go to the store for anything! (exception: prescription drugs.

You may use your home utilities including city water.

If you run out of an item or find you do not have something, you may trade, barter or buy items...but only from other families involved in the challenge.

Let's not- and say we did.

I know we'll do fine because I have an amazing storage room full of canned foods and such but it's just the principle of the thing.

(I hit the Smith's Case Lot Sale a couple weeks before we moved in.)
Believe me it's not this organized any more but it's still just as full- maybe even more full.

It's someone saying "you can't go to the store". That makes you want to go even more!!! Maybe that's just my personallity. Anyway, we're glad that we bought formula for gabe last week and we just cracked open a gallon of milk this morning- but we'll definitely purchase some "morning moo" after this is all over. Possibly we'll learn some other must haves. We've realized how blessed we are in many ways as we joked around about how we could survive on our mac and cheese stash alone.{notice the picture above second shelf from the floor on the right? mac and cheese. check :) } Jack frequently gets to bring home different meats from work for many reasons- either a tipped pallet (nothing wrong with it but the consumer won't accept the shipment) and late shipment. So we have a freezer full of chicken, beef, and some salmon patties (check those out at Costco they're salmon filets ground into patties and they're fabulous- and about a buck/pattie which is cheap for salmon) The kicker of this is that the bishop mentioned something about "could you live off your food in your house for a week?" in an email last week. Jack and I thought- "yeah, maybe, it probably wouldn't be that bad- soups, pastas, rice, beans, and canned fruits and veggies. We should be living this way ANYWAY." But we didn't imagine we'd have to do it this week. Jack and I would like to have the other two families that were assigned to participate over for a dinner together this week so we'll get to work on figuring that out. Wish us luck in keeping the variety going instead of just making mac and cheese every day. Cause you know I'd do that in a heart beat ;) .

little things

2009-11-01T19:25:00.000-08:00

So just some stuff that's been rattling around in my brain:

We don't have ANY family pictures of all four of us. *edit* we have halloween pictures.
We NEED a dishwasher like a year ago.
I shouldn't go after-halloween sale shopping tomorrow morning- but I'm going to anyway.
My boys are the cutest ever-if not very very crazy.
Gabe loves Corban with all his heart.
Corban loves to wrestle Gabe.
I'm glad I'm not chasing Sam round these days plus my boys, I'm glad that my dad is LOVING having him.
I love our home.
I'm grateful corban's potty trained-however many times he has to go at inopportune times.
I love that we have two working cars.
I'd love to do more hair than I'm doing, but only by a little more.
I wish the house cleaning fairy would visit more often. (or at least the mood to clean would strike me more often)
I wish my vacuum didn't make the house smell like popcorn every time it's used (apparently you shouldn't vacuum up buttery popcorn unless you like that smell every time you vacuum)
I shouldn't be complaining but it feels nice.
My days are going to fill up quickly-very shortly.
I should post halloween party photos :) maybe right now, maybe tomorrow....we'll see.

I think that's about it. phew that feels better. you should try it.

oh ps. let's have faith that whatever needs to happen is happening at the time it should happen and that we can be strong enough for it when it happens.

Just in case you were wondering...

2009-10-29T09:24:00.000-07:00

Candy Corn

First created in the 1880s by George Renninger of the Wunderle Candy Company, the three colors of candy corn are meant to symbolize actual corn. Each piece is approximately the size of a whole kernel of corn, as if it fell off a ripe or dried ear of corn.
Candy corn is made primarily from sugar, corn syrup and honey. Working by hand, the original manufacturers first combined sugar, corn syrup and water and cooked them into a slurry. Fondant was added for texture, and marshmallows provided a soft bite. The final mixture was then heated and poured into shaped molds. Three passes were required during the pouring process, one for each colored section. Few changes have been made to the process or recipe, with machines now performing the tasks formerly done by people. Candy corn can be found at most popular grocery food stores in the United States.

no posting???

2009-10-23T15:55:00.000-07:00

I have a new hobby. digital scrapbooking. I got sucked in (thanks a lot tina...) jk, I really am enjoying it. I also am enjoying the Catching Fire book!!! It's the sequel to The Hunger Games (only the best book ever.) so i'll post one of my little pages I've worked on. Don't scoff. I'm learning- slowly but surely. and don't laugh that I'm this far behind in scrapbooking.

thanks

amanda

SAM

2009-10-11T12:46:00.000-07:00

This is sam. He's the puppy that jack bought as a surprise birthday gift 2 yrs ago. We've loved having him as a part of our family. He started not acting like his happy self when gabe came around because sam became the bottom of the totum poll. He was sad, he wasn't getting the attention he needed or the exercise. My parents were gracious enough to take him right before I had gabe so he wasn't around a new born, and he is visibly happier someplace other than our home.

We came to the conclusion a few months ago that he needed a home that would appreciate him (and maybe one without a toddler that would hit him). We talked about putting him on ksl, but my little brother's friend said that he wanted sam. We gave him several months to try to convince his dad to no avail. We were back at square one. Just when we were about to put an add up on ksl, we found him a new home. These people will love and care for him-he has a fenced yard to romp and play, and people to walk him. He transitioned really well to this family and I'm sure he'll be happy.

Afterall-my parents are the ones that decided to keep him :) We are so thrilled, it couldn't have turned out better. We'll still see him lots, we won't have to wonder about some strange family taking him, and I won't have to explain where sam is to corban, and my dad fianlly has his dog!

PS have you rsvp'd to the halloween party yet?

HALLOWEEN PARTY!

2009-10-07T18:32:00.000-07:00

What else to say besides I hope to see everyone there! (unless you're out of state then you get off the hook ;) )

Ben's home!!!

2009-09-09T17:33:00.001-07:00

:)
need I say more???
*corban already adore's him again haha*

ouch.

2009-09-05T13:47:00.000-07:00

so corban was swinging a sock around like a nun-chuck or something and whacked me right in the eyeball (I was sitting on the floor with gabe).

Corban: "oh sorry!!!"
Me: "owwwww...." (holding a hand over my eyeball...)
Corban: "Say it isn't your fault mom!"
Me: "what??"
Corban: "say it isn't your fault..."

That's right...sometimes when corban's spilled something or broken something on accident I say "it's all right hunny it was an accident, it's not your fault". In this case he WANTED me to tell him that this wasn't his fault. Little stinker.

changes

2009-08-31T17:43:00.000-07:00

So I've got a little less to change lately...corban's potty training- and doing really quite well. It's been about 6 days now and he's getting used to the whole bit. 1 & 2 on the potty are now old hat and he goes without me asking. I just hope it sticks. There are many changes to come, but we'll take it all in stride.
ps. I read a few choice chapters in the book of mormon the other day- Alma chapters 32-34. Faith building anyone???

Ready? get set. Vent.

2009-08-05T14:46:00.000-07:00

So I'm going to start this blog up again...don't roll your eyes- I just feel like it.
Some of what we've been doing the last 6 months??? Lets go through my planner.
March: New baby gabe. Doing hair, Jack working and doing scouts, Grandpa Romney died, Grandpa Romney's Funeral and Viewing, Dr. appointments for all, and Gabe's blessing.
April: 2 mo old Gabe, Hair, Jack working @ knight, Centerville stake performance, General Conference, Hair, Andrea's baptism, Easter, Scouts for jack, Square foot garden class, Gabe having problems on his formula- can't get a hold of dr office, feeding the missionaries, Buy a couch, making a square foot garden, Jack on a camp out, fix dryer, Viewmont Orchestra concert.
May: Gabe 3 mo, Hair, wedding reception, Updo's for prom, 4 yr wedding anniversary dinner,

*The slide show isn't working for some reason- but you can click on the "view all images" to see them on slide.com, sorry, I'm just as perplexed as you are.*

Container Garden shopping for relief society, surprise party for shavonne, Perm, speak in sacrament meeting, Ben's birthday, Visiting Teaching, Vegas Vacation for our anniversary.
June: Gabe 4 mo, Mom's birthday, Jack works a weekend, Girls day @ tina's, gospel principles lesson, Park ward enrichment night- card making, Daniels birthday, Larsen Family Reunion in Idaho Falls, Podiatrist apt for stupid toe... times 3, My birthday (jack even through me a surprise luau party that was to die for!!!) Transformers 2, Hair, Wedding style, Wedding reception, Hair color, Heather and Jeremy visit with the kids :) , teach gospel principles class
July: Gabe 5 mo, help with Temple open house twice, Jack works a weekend, Dinner party for "what's for dinner" cook book, Yellowstone road trip for the first Anderson Fam. Reunion:

*Again the slides are working, try the view all images button. I don't know what's going on. oh the joy's of blogging I remember so fondly...or not.*

more Hair and waxing, help with magna stake float for day's of '47 parade, bake for funeral, Yard Sale-ing! (found: an art table/desk for corban, mirrors, chairs, toys for boys, clothes for boys), Parade, Fireworks, teach gospel principles class, visiting teacher came, go to temple open house, Pool party with braden and tina ruined by me: fatigued to the point of almost passing out, eyes not focusing, constant nausea, and dizziness.
August (so far): Spray painting mirrors {come get your hair done to see for yourself :) } Organizing the front room, the basement, and the rest of the house, Gabe 6 mo (on the 16) Corban=one sick puppy (possibly strep- but then got a negative test result) Gabe=another sick puppy (explosive diapers if you catch my drift) then vomiting three days later (my wonderful neighbor florence came and took corban for me {because he wouldn't stop looking at all the vomit everywhere so he was about to be sick} and that allowed me to get myself and gabe all cleaned up) Jack's now sick as a dog with whatever it was that corban had, I'm sick too but that's nothing-I gotta keep going. My mom came over to rescue me from the MOUNTAIN of laundry and all the sickies- she brought cafe rio and helped with organizing and laundry and corban and gabe! what a life saver!

That's about it for now. I'm done venting. maybe I'll add photos maybe not... we'll see.

Back-Blogged.

2009-07-24T13:55:00.000-07:00

Here's some photos from the 24th of July Parade with my Mom, Corban, Gabe, and I.

It was so so so so SO hot that day! My mom is the greatest grandma. She was showing him how to cool off with a water bottle....Dump water into the hat, dump hat on head, Repeat. :)
Then he started dumping the water all over the pavement...we sat in the middle of the street so it was really really hot pavement.
It was a blast, and we all roasted to death but we did get to see the float that our stake made. Later that day we had planned to go to Herriman Beach, but I was in no shape to take my toddler to do the beach after we had been that hot all morning. So we went home to take naps and I ended up just making some crafts- pacifier clips. (thanks to some already made by my good friend shavonne I worked off of some of her designs)

Little bow tie one.

This one's my fav. it's a little tie for a boy :)

Eventually

2009-07-17T11:00:00.001-07:00

don't worry- I'll get around to a monster huge catch up post sooner or later. promise.
xo
amanda

Announcing: Gabe Romney Larsen

2009-02-20T14:07:00.001-08:00

Born February 16, 2009 at 8:44 am in Timpanogos Regional Hospital. 20 inches long. 7 lbs 9 oz. A very happy, healthy baby for a very excited family!

**Corban's enjoying being a big brother- a little bit. It's still kinda...new- for Corban. He's very sweet to him and enjoys giving him his pacifier and telling me that I need to "jus' hold him!!! jus' hold him!!!" if he makes any sort of noise what so ever. I'll add more photos when I'm not so gosh darn dizzy.

Don't have a heart attack...

2009-02-14T18:13:00.001-08:00

I know it's surprising to see...but I think I'll do a new post real quick to update you people. The past 3 weeks have been spent: taking care of corban's double ear, eye, and sinus infection, taking care of my sinus infection, taking care of jack's cold, and taking care of corban's stomach flu bug the last two days. I've been able to venture out a few times to some fun things though: Claudia's bridal shower, have some ladies in for the night to help with baby clothes, and some dinner dates. So all in all we're all alive.
As a pregnancy update: as of Thursday we have scheduled an induction for Thursday Feb 19 if he doesn't come before then. I'm partially dilated and effaced so either way by Thursday we'll be parents of two silly little boys. (and a stupid dog...) {and my kitty that I grew up with may be dead someplace because she's been missing for almost 5 days :( }
Anyway, that's about it, it's valentines day and I'm going to go spend time with my hubby.
happy valentines day

Christmas 2008

2009-01-21T14:36:00.000-08:00

So this is a catch up post. Here are our Christmas 2008 Photos.

Corban sitting on santa's lap...not really happy about it and we weren't really super impressed with santa's attitude that day either...

Looking at the Oakland Temple Lights with all the cousins! From left to right starting with the back row: Evan, Madison, Caden, Alysa, Dawson, Jackson, and Corban.
Jack Corban, and I and Baby Gabey in the belly, in front of the view from the Oakland Temple grounds. Lets not talk about the weight...it's leaving now so we just don't have to worry about this picture.
The cousin's all excited about the Oakland Temple Lights.

The Oakland Temple Christmas lights, with the Nativity.Frosting cookies for santa...or corban.

The plate of cookies for santa and a carrot for the reindeer.

Hanging his stocking above the fireplace with care.
Before the Mayhem began...

Then we all got sick....so there aren't many other photos. Let me just sum it up in a few words. Throw up Everywhere. Fa la la la la la la la la. Happy Holidays :)

Scary mask. PG13

2009-01-20T20:45:00.000-08:00

Okay so I told some of you about my mom's client that goes all out for halloween? and how he did this little spook alley show of sorts where he dressed up as a mad scientist and his teenage son dressed up as his...masterpiece? and how corban LOVED IT??? and for weeks afterwards he would ask if he could "touch the scary mask agian"? if you would like to see how messed up that mask was you can scroll down...(possibly hide it from children because it is really the scariest thing ever.)

oh and before you go "oh that's kinda scary-not too bad..." imagine it dark, and the thing is breathing kinda shallow and notice the candy that you're supposed to grab....

and please don't have nightmares because of me...

there's also a short video on their neighbors web page if you'd care to take a gander: http://www.ashtonfamilyhappenings.blogspot.com/ under the previous posts click the "halloween night" link. corban wouldn't quit asking me to play the 47 second clip over and over and over and saying: "Should we touch it???" in his most high, shrill, excited voice that he can muster... maybe I'll take some video to prove this...I just proof read this and it really sounds far fetched for a two year old.... or just really really messed up. who knows.

so there I was...

2009-01-19T22:37:00.000-08:00

about to do a brand new background and a brand spankin new post and amaze you all with how beautiful the new page looked and WHAMO! none of the things I downloaded after sifting through crazy ugly pages worked. They all had "unfixable errors" or some crud that I don't know enough to fix. lame. I did get all the christmas photos loaded into the computer and started fixing them up...but I'm tired. and not done at all. so no pics. no new background. I'm still alive though.

and ps. this pregnancy is still going on...much to my dismay and the insomnia of jack...cross your fingers for like two weeks early okay??? for me??? and for my husbands sleep??? I'm not kidding. he'll get more sleep when this baby is out of my tummy than when it's in here because I'm apparently abusive as a pregnant sleeping person...
gnight.

cool song

2008-11-20T11:01:00.000-08:00

enjoy. it's called Can't go back now By the Weepies

Sharing Time

2008-11-20T09:26:00.000-08:00

Time for sharing time about my dad. poor guy.
Definition of Dupuytren's contracture:
Dupuytren's contracture is an uncommon hand deformity in which the connective tissue under the skin of your palm contracts and toughens over time.
Knots of tissue form under the skin, eventually forming a thick cord that can pull one or more of your fingers into a bent position. Once this occurs, the fingers affected by Dupuytren's contracture bend normally but they can't be straightened completely, making it difficult to use your hand. Dupuytren's contracture can complicate everyday activities such as placing your hands in your pockets, putting on gloves or shaking hands. (along with typing, doing a high five, anything where you'd need to straighten your finger or stretch your pinky to the side)
Dupuytren's contracture is rarely painful, though sometimes the bumps of tissue on your palm can be sensitive to touch. Various treatments are available for Dupuytren's contracture to slow its progression and relieve your symptoms.

So this is the condition that my dad has. He had a procedure a year or two ago to try and treat it-and it did for a while-but it wasn't a permanent fix because it came back. This condition was the reason for his surgery yesterday-here's an example of what it does to your hands:

So this is an illustration of where they cut in order to remove all of the bad tissues and things:

Kind of frankenstien-esk right? I'm pretty sure that will leave a pretty gnarly scar...So after they were in surgery they also figured out that some of the skin on his palm was diseased as well so they had to also do a skin graft from his wrist in order to completely get rid of all the diseased tissues. Not only does my poor dad have some RARE crazy hand/foot problem-it has to be connected to another Rare Crazy disease with that! Poor guy...with all the medical weird things that have happened (like when his orbit {the bone under your eye that holds it where it should be} just dissolved and they had to go in to do plastic surgery so his eye wasn't sinking into his head, and his bizarre double vision that they can't link to anything or fix...) I guess it's a plus that he thinks watching these things is cool. Anywho-we are glad it seemed to go well after the skin graft-and we'll see how the recovery goes. Part of the recovery is wearing a brace that keeps his fingers straight all the time and attending RIGOROUS (very painful) physical therapy that is trying to get it to bend the right way again. We love you dad! Feel Better! And let's all feel very very grateful for our hands right now. and the small things like high fives.

I'm scared...

2008-11-17T13:37:00.000-08:00

Corban wants to potty train. I'm not joking here folks. It all began with jack letting him go pee on "the big potty" before getting in the shower. I really was hoping to wait until after the baby in February that way I wouldn't be risking a relapse like everyone says happens when a new baby is in the house. We bought him a little blue potty from ikea but he likes using the big potty better. So here is the reason for this post: He's doing well- he tries to tell us when he'd like to use it, but I don't have a clue what I'm doing. How many times a day should I be asking him if he wants to go on the potty? He can't even pull his own pants off much less climb onto the potty by himself- so do I just appease him when he asks to use the potty? or do I try to go full on potty training with this? Help. Any of you that have potty trained boys and used a specific method, or book, or have any sort of wisdom to share please pretty please do share! Thanks

such a sponge!

2008-11-13T09:46:00.000-08:00

So you all know that Corban speaks quite clearly at this point and is very apt to absorbing what ever he hears around him. I have a funny story but it requires some background info. Corban thinks it is hilarious when Sam playfully "bites" him-so his latest terrorizing thing to do to Sam is to bite him back-on his back. When he's playing too ruff with the dog I just tell him that he has to go play in his room by himself for a while until he can play nicely with Sam or mom. It was after one of these "too ruff" moments that I had stuck him in his room with the doors shut. Regularly when he's shut in his room he'll knock on the door and say things like "hello...who is it" or "come in!!!"
Last night he knocked on his door and said: "Hello? mom? it's a bunny."
I responded "did you find a bunny?"
Corban: "Yeah it's a bunny!" (then you hear his little feet run away to go play again)
A few minutes later I hear: Knock knock "Hello?"
Me: "Yes?"
Corban: "It's the pizza man!!!"
Me: "What did you just say????" (while I'm opening the door laughing)
Corban: "IT'S THE PIZZA MAN!!!"
Me: rolling on the floor laughing my butt off and trying to figure out where he came up with "it's the pizza man!!!". {Later I realized that in the movie Madagascar Alex the lion says something about being a pizza man and considering that he watched it earlier that day I'd bet it was from that.}
Since that little experience he's been sent to his room two other times to play and both times he tried saying that line again in hopes that I'd immediately come open the door again. Little stinker learns so fast. Just because that got him out of his room so quickly that one time he assumed he should try that trick again. After trying it twice more and it not working he's given up on it again.
***And no, I don't order pizza often enough for him to think that's really what they say, even if I would love to be able to order pizza that often ;) Especially because the domino's by our house does a mighty fine job on their pizza's...***

the mess I don't want to clean up

No one promised life would be easy...

Be not Ornery.

My sweet gabey baby.

What I wish I'd known

Mi Madre

Corban = ADHD

nice.

Chloe's Blessing

Reasons the Church is totally true.

Ring around the Rosies...

Chloe Mei Larsen

here goes nothin-my hellish delivery story...

because typing's faster.

Making a Metaphore

boys boys boys...

Because I need to.

My life in binders:

where does the time go?

It's a Girl!

par-tay!

here I sit...

Total Willies....

My Confession

suppose I should do another post so the depressing one isn't topping the page anymore...

a little more in depth than you'd probably like to read...you may skip this post.

must. stop. complaining...

my keyboard's sticky...

reasoning

Happy Fourth!

what a wonderful thing.

*tear*

some news.

*warning* complain & vent post to follow.

Gabe

P.S. I love doing hair.

amanda's amazing diet.

Finished my kitchen drapes

MMM MMM....CRAFTY. j/k.

Our new car!

Disaster struck

Scouts honor...

No Holds Pine Wood Derby

Thanks

kitty? or no kitty?

Happy *late* easter post.

I do hair.

Gabe's Hair cut from a while back...

Corban's Primary talk

Nana and Papa visit

just to brag a bit...

ew.

Bonnie, bonnie, bonnie....

My feet and Hands are freezing

*Caution* Totally mushy gooshy post:

To Do:

update

hum.

Here's the plan for the "kick off party"

okay. let the stressing continue...

aw moments.

a shout out.

yikes.

Kick off party!

I feel impressed to share.

awww.

Exercise pact continued!!!

We have a walker here folks...

Exercise Pact:

Stuff

Corban's Birthday!

today=snow day

Thanksgiving Photos :)

A new goal in life. It's good...It's really good.

Puddles. water heaters. and teenage boys.

Happy-Late-Thanksgiving

these are a few of my favorite things

Essentials

foodie reigned in.

Emergnecy Preparedness

tear

warning complain & vent post to follow.

Happy late easter post.

Caution Totally mushy gooshy post: