Tagged!

I've been tagged! Thanks Heather! Here it is:


4 jobs I’ve had:
Shivers and Twists (An ice cream shop that had maybe 5 customers in the 2 months I worked there)
Einsteins’ Bagels
Receptionist at NAU Provost’s Office
Co-Owner of Sunbright Chem-Dry

4 Movies I could watch over and over:
Top Gun (I’ve had it memorized since I was 7)
Pride and Prejudice
Sweet Home Alabama
Hitch

4 Places I’ve lived:
Ogden, UT
Gilbert, AZ
Flagstaff, AZ
Tucson, AZ

4 Favorite TV shows:
Clean Sweep
Lost
The Office
Gilmore Girls (yes, Heather, it is sad)

4 Favorite Places I’ve been:
San Diego, CA
Camping in Rocky Point, Mexico
Provo Canyon in the Fall
My bed

4 favorite foods:
Pretty much any kind of ice cream
Pretty much any kind of Mexican food
Oregano’s Pablo Picasso salad
French toast with strawberries and whipped cream

4 websites I check often:
Hotmail
Blogs
Craig’s List
Overstock

4 hobbies I enjoy:
Reading
Running
Cooking
Scrapbooking (if I ever get around to it again)

4 people I tag:
Katie
Ashlee
Karlie
Emily

Nursery

Colby will be officially part of nursery next Sunday. (Yea!!) Yesterday, I decided to try to get him used to the idea. I took him in there, and was planning on staying with him since he is not so fond of strangers. But as soon as the leaders saw him, they took him, distracted him, and waved me out of the room. I kept checking on him over the next few minutes through the little peep hole in the door (which is the best idea ever!), and he was just sitting there contently. I thought I was home free, so I went to Sunday School. I was even brave enough to pull out my scriptures and everything since I thought I would be in there for the whole class. Boy, was I wrong. After about 10 minutes I hear some screaming coming from down the hall. I went out there and found one of the nursery leaders holding Colby, who is bright red, and coughing because he has been crying so hard. (Why they didn't come get me I don't know.) Anyway, I had to sit with him for the lesson and coloring time. I didn't get to listen to my Sunday School lesson, but at least I got to learn where some different animals live and why we are thankful for our homes. Once the toys came out, Colby got distracted once again and I was able to sneak out to go to RS. Poor kid! Church is always hard enough for him because it is right during nap time, but now I try to abandon him in nursery! Hopefully he will get more comfortable with it and the transition won't be too hard! I would love to be able to listen to a real lesson for the first time in months!

Where's the glass slipper?

This morning I was clearing off our table from last night's dinner so that we would have room for breakfast. (I should have cleared it last night, but that's not the point.) I was holding Colby with one arm, and trying to gather up four plates, four cups, napkins and silverware with the other. Ethan was just sitting in a chair, waiting not so patiently for his breakfast, and telling me, "get that plate...now that one...get that fork...now that one...now that cup...." I, also not so patiently, told him that I couldn't get it all at once because my hands were full. So he told me, "Cinderella puts one on her head, and one on her arm, and then some in her hands."
Now, I don't know what is more disturbing, the fact that my son has watched Cinderella so many times that he knows this, or the fact that he thinks I should be more like Cinderella!

Favorites Fall Swap

My friend just told me about this swap and it sounds like a lot of fun. Check it out. The deadline is this Friday if you want to join in.

Roughin' It

We had our ward campout this last weekend. We had a lot of fun. It made us realize how much we miss the mountains! Here are some pictures.

Tammy, this one's for you

Okay, so my little sister Tammy once had this boyfriend that was, well, interesting. He did not last long, so we didn't get to know him very well. All I really know is he did not wear socks with his shoes (gross) and he liked to use the expression, "That's off the Chain!"

Now, blame my sheltered life or whatever, but I was never quite sure what he meant by that. (Just to clear up--I have heard the expression used around since then, but this was like 3 years ago, and it was not so common, at least not in my limited social circle). Anyway, I found this shirt on Old Navy clearance a few weeks ago, and thought of "Jim" (which was not really his name, but I could never remember his real name, so that is what he was known as in our family). So Tammy, this is for you...

I think it's a pretty cute shirt, but once again, I'm not sure what it's really supposed to mean. Is it saying he's cool, or he's not in trouble? I may never know....

Jim, are you out there? Can you clear this up?

Preschool

Ethan started preschool today! I know it is not officially school yet, but it still feels like a big step for us! Here are a couple pictures of him and Emeline on the first day.

Click to play Make your own Smilebox

Battling Tops

My Brother-in-law Darin has this game that was originally from the '70s that everyone loves to play. Zak even "borrowed" some gore-tex fibers when he worked at W.L.Gore up in Flagstaff (Haven, don't tell!) to use for the launching strings so the tops can get spinning really fast. Here is a picture of Zak and my cute niece, Madison, playing the other night.

Wedding Memories

I was just messing around with some of our wedding photos with Smilebox. This seems like so long ago!

Click to play | Make your own Smilebox

Home Work

I was reading an article in the Ensign yesterday that I thought was worth sharing. It was Three Tools to Build a Sacred Home, from the July Ensign. I sometimes get frustrated with housework because it is so mundane. I do the same things everyday, sometimes 4 or 5 times a day! I feel like I am constantly putting away toys, cooking or cleaning up after a meal, or doing laundry. I like how the article pointed out, "Mundane activities can have a higher purpose and must not be disregarded; they give us opportunities to develop and practice character virtues and ethical behavior." I never looked at it in that way! Who ever thought that laundry could build character? I think it is true that doing these things, although repetitive and mundane, can affect much more than just the appearance of our homes. It shows not only that we love our family and want to have a comfortable place for them, but that we do think of our homes as a sacred place.
Here's one more great quote from the article, "Prove faithful in the little things, and the bigger things will be added on. Opportunities to learn and practice in the home are sacred; they are times to grow spiritually and draw closer to the Savior. This process of growth is a lifelong quest, and our home environment gives us repeated, sustained chances to practice becoming godlike individuals and families."
Anyway, I just wanted to share this for any of you out there who, like me, get a little tired of the never-ending tasks that come with being a wife, mother, and homemaker. (But don't expect my house to be perfectly clean--I think that is asking the impossible!)

My addiction

I heard about this quiz, and I finally tracked it down. Pretty sad to admit I am addicted to blogging! Is anyone else? Let me know what you all score.

54%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

San Jose Singles from Mingle²

Maybe Not So Fabulous Las Vegas

This week we took a quick trip to Vegas. Zak had a training meeting he had to go to, so we decided to pack up the whole family and head over. We were only there for two days, but we had a lot of fun. It was great to see my brother Keith, and our friends Elliott and Ashlee. Thanks so much for entertaining us guys, even if we have decided we hate Vegas! We'll have to go more often to visit, but we will stay away from downtown! Although Ethan might be sad about that! Ethan loved all the lights and excitement of the strip. After driving though there, he said, "Wow, I never imagined this place!" with so much awe in his voice that we could not help but laugh! He is so funny. Anyway, thanks again Ashlee for providing an escape from our hotel while Zak was in his meetings. It was so good to catch up with you guys, and meet Gavin. And seeing your cute house makes me want to paint more of mine! Want to come help?