The Norlie's

Day 5

2011-06-28T08:30:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a crazy day! I all most didn't think I was going to get to workout. Never the less I did push through the tiredness and did the Chalene Ab Burner. I didn't realize that was only like 12 mins. so that was a pleasant surprise. Even though it was only 12 minutes I was sweating!! So glad I did it.

Breakfast consisted of fat free blueberry muffins and a tall glass of Cranberry juice. Yummm!

Lunch I had shakeology. Which was perfect because I needed a meal I could take in the car.

For dinner I cooked the "Country- Style Pork Chops with Sauteed Spinach" out of the Chalene Extreme Fat Burning Food Guide book. It was soooooo yummy! I again cooked it for the whole family and even my extremely picky children liked it! However, I'm not a fan of spinach OR tomatoes so I steamed some asparagus instead. Over a very delicious meal for about 400 calories that was packed with protein and fiber. Two things my body really needs with all this exercise.

I think, so far, yesterday was my first real test to see if I could stick to my diet while being on the run ALL DAY. I'm proud to say that as tempting as that candy was in those evil vending machines was and as tempting as that cold bottle of Pepsi was, I was able to resist. So I say, GO ME!!!

Day 4

2011-06-26T22:02:00.000-07:00

I started today with the delicious "Chocolate covered strawberries" Shakeology. Yummm! However I did not get to workout this morning like normal because my family had church and getting four small kids and myself ready is no small task. Nor is it a quick task.

After church we drove down to the Snoqualmie Water Falls and took a walk. It was a great day for it and the kids napped the whole way down so Clint and I were actually able to visit with each other. So Nice! Also while we were there we saw a black bear. No Joke! It was AWESOME!

I really hate working out at night. I am not a night person AT ALL. Never have been never will be. I do feel though at this point in my "Lose weight and get fit" goal it's imperative I not miss a single day. So I did it.

I worked out with Chalene's Burn Intervals. WOW! Let's just say I'm gonna be feelin it tomorrow! I can't say it was super hard but man was I sweating! I worked really hard to keep up. I wish I could say I did keep 100% of the time but I am very out of shape so it's only fair to admit that while I could not keep up with EVERYTHING she was doing I did do my very best and really tried to push myself. Which I think is all any of us can really do any way. So I'm proud of myself!

Day 3

2011-06-25T12:21:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my rest day so I consider today day 3 of working out even though it's day 4 of my new diet. I workout to Chalene's burn circuit 2 today. It felt like a lot of the same stuff from burn circuit 1 with a couple of different exercises included. Over a good work out. I was definitely sweating by the time I was done. It felt really good.

I'm sticking to the Shakeology once a day. Trying new recipes. Let me say this, some things should just NOT be mixed with chocolate shakeology! Nuff said.

I feel good about myself and goal to lose weight. I'm trying to stay away from the scale. I weighed myself before I started my workouts and I'm not going to weigh again until it's been AT LEAST 30 days of solid dieting and exercise. I'm afraid I'll just get disappointed and want to give up if I'm constantly weighing.

If there is anything I'm learning it's if you want real results then you have to put in the time and if you're really out of shape (like me) then it's going to take some time to see the results of all your hard work and sweat.

Day 2

2011-06-25T12:20:00.000-07:00

For dinner last night I tried one of the chiken recipes in the Thin Kitchen cookbook. It turned out AMAZING! My whole family tried it and loved it! The chiken breasts I used were pretty big so I just cut one in half for myself.

Today I was a little sore from working it with Chalene on Burn circuit 1 but it wasn't anything unbearable.

I tried the "chocolate covered strawberries" recipe for the shakeology this morning. Definitely liked it better than the with the bananas.

Today, according to the Chalene Extreme Program, was supposed to be my rest day. I didn't want to do NOTHING though so I just hopped on the elyptical for 30 mins and did some basic crunches.

Over all I feel good and I am looking foreward to working out Chalene tomorow on Burn Circuit 2.

Day 1

2011-06-25T12:19:00.000-07:00

Today was my first "post-baby" workout. I started my morning off with a chocolate shakeology (also a first) and it was okay. I think I might need to try the Greenberry though. I decided to start with Chalene Extreme circuit training. Today was burn circuit 1. It felt good. It got me sweating but was not too difficult.

I think I'm off to a pretty good start.

Dusting off old (but not forgotten) goals

2011-06-25T11:47:00.000-07:00

When I first started this blog I wanted to share my family and our happenings. I've been very poor about keeping up with this. Time seems to slip by faster than I realize or can even keep up with most days! But recently I've been thinking about goals I've made and either accomplished (which are very few) or let fall to the wayside.

One goal in particular that I shared with every one was to lose weight and get in shape. Well that lasted about a month and then I was pregnant again. And let's just say me, pregnancy, and exercise do not work well together. So here I am. Two and half years later with two more kids in tow and I'm still a good 30 lbs. over weight. (insert head banging on desk)

I really want to dust this goal off and really make it work this time. I feel like this time is different because mentally and emotionally I'm in a much different place. Clint and I are not planning on having any more kids for at least three years. Which honestly makes a huge difference. What's killing me now is seeing those double digit pant sizes I swore I'd never wear. I have an entire closet FULL of super cute cloths and I'd really like to be able to wear those again! Third and most importantly (I think) I've accepted the fact that yes I'm over weight and no I'm not going to be able to jump right in and do some crazy hard P90X and survive. I'm not going to be able to run 3, 4, 5 miles straight and not die! And that's okay because I can get there. I CAN get there. I know I can. My Mom keeps telling me, "Michelle, you're never going to be a size 2 again. Just accept it." NO! No I wont accept that! I'm important enough to take care of and by darn I'll get down to a LEAST a size 6 if it kills me! Because I KNOW I CAN!

So I joined Team Beach Body. I haven't really decided if I want to run the business end of it yet. Right now my goal and my focus is just to lose the weight and get back into shape. They have such AMAZING programs. They make tracking your progress so easy and finding nutritious things to eat so easy. I love it. I love being able to "log" my work outs and keep track of what I'm eating. I actually cooked up one of their chicken recipes and it was awesome! My whole family loved it!

As part of this goal I really want to be able to share my experience so every time I write down my thoughts about my workout and progress I'm going to post it on here too. Hopefully that will inspire me to be a more diligent "Blogger" and I'll be able to dust that goal off too. :)

2011-01-10T15:15:00.000-08:00

Today I feel like blogging. Which isn't unusual in any sort of way other than I'm actually going to write some things down.

2011 has had a strange start for me. I wasn't really looking forward to this starting so maybe that had something to do with it. It's an odd number year as well which just doesn't sit well with me either. I hate odd numbers. I'm not really sure how to explain what I've been feeling about this year/the near future but I think anything opposite of optimistic would cover it.

This is year is going to be a very busy one. We have Mia's 1st birthday coming up at the end of the month on the 27th. Kailey's birthday and Valentines two weeks later. Then March is packed with my little sister's b-day, my birth daughter's b-day, my father in-law's b-day, and my Mom's b-day. Then I'm due to have our 4th baby on May 1st which means he/she will probably come at the end of April and then two weeks later we'll have mother's day and Clint's b-day.

My life is overwhelming enough as is and the fact that we have so much going on right now just puts me over the edge. Which isn't good. I shut down and stop dealing when I get to this point. Only now I CAN'T shut down and stop dealing because everything that is happening is happening to everyone I love and I can't bear to disappointment any of them. I guess this is the enduring part that is spoken of so tenderly in the scriptures.

On different note just before the new year I had a couple of impressions from the Lord that I ignored. Not intentionally ignored but not acted upon either. And that really bothers me. Then after the new year I had another one. So when this one came I was absolutely not going to ignore it. Only it's something I don't know that I can really do anything about and that affects our whole family. I told Clint about the impression that I had received and he seemed supportive but didn't say whether or not he felt anything one way or another about it. So for a whole week I sat there wondering what it was the Lord was trying to tell me or what it was he wanted from me. Because honestly I just didn't/don't see what I can do about this particular feeling/impression I continue to have. And that is extremely frustrating.

New Blog

2010-06-18T10:32:00.000-07:00

All right folks! I've decided to start new blog about adoption. I hope you'll all pop on over and take a peek. Please if you know anyone who has been touched by adoption please send them my way. I have high hopes for this new blog and any attention it can get will be greatly appreciated!

http://placingmyheart.blogspot.com/

Acceptance

2010-06-10T12:20:00.000-07:00

I think it's high time I come to terms with the fact that I'm not a real swell "blogger". I do enjoy jotting down my thoughts and throwing my opinion about things out there but it seems I'm just not organized enough for this blog to have any real "theme" or even very many posts because I just don't have the time (or maybe it's because I'm hyperorganized and this blog is the exact opposite). I think patience is my other issue. I have so many thoughts in a day floating through my brain but to actually take the time to sit here and write them all down... well I feel like I'm wasting valuable time. Which when you have three kids under the age of 4 you quickly realize you don't have much of! Time or patience that is! I love the "Blogger world". I love reading all my friends and family blogs.

I'll be honest I've thought about making an "Adoption" blog. My only real concern with that is that I might not be objective enough. I tend to be very out there with my feelings about some things so that makes it hard... not for me but perhaps for others.

I've thought about keeping it strictly about my kids and family life. But for me there are so many different things that comprise even that subject that I feel like I'm all over the place.

Also, I think I have a mild form of ADD and if if this blog isn't specifically for one thing then I just get to crazy. And really I have enough craziness in my life as it is. Point in case just in the short time it's taken me to type this I've been interrupted at least five times. Which makes blogging very time consuming.

So to make my point this blog is going to get "revamped". I'm not sure yet how or what but some big changes are coming. So please stay tuned!

Amazed once again!!

2009-12-09T09:17:00.000-08:00

With my last post I think I made it pretty clear that I can get pretty passionate about adoption in general. After posting I watched the first and so far only episode of "Find My Family" on ABC. I thought it was a very touching, heartfelt show. One of the few that is actually such.

Then this morning I come across an article on Yahoo describing controversary over the show. My thoughts are pretty much this as I'm reading it, "WHAT??!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME??!!" I mean come on people how can reuniting families be a bad thing?

http://tv.yahoo.com/blog/abcs-find-my-family-causes-controversy--856

In my own personal opinion and I hope I don't offend anyone, but I honestly think that this whole thing is being fueled by the insecurities of adoptive parents. Granted, I think that there are plenty of adoptive parents out there probably have good cause to be insecure due to what ever the circumstances are or were that surrounded the adoption of their children. But does that give them the right to cause problems or make it harder for the people who do want to reconnect with their birth families and the families that are supportive of that?

Obviously I've never adopted a child so I'll never know what that's like, but I have placed a baby for adoption and I thank the Lord every day that I got as lucky as I did finding the family I found for my baby. And I can tell you right now if I ever thought for one second that I wouldn't be able to see my baby again or know how she was doing it would devistate me. And it's not because I want to take her back or away from the family that she was clearly meant to be with, it's because I love her and always will even if I don't get see her for a long time.

At this very moment I have a cousin who was adopted and is trying desperately to find her birth mother. It's all ready hard enough going through the process, why do people feel the need to make it harder and bring other people down?! I just don't get it. I never will.

November, National Adoption Awareness Month

2009-11-02T09:07:00.000-08:00

November is a special time year with families gathering together to celebrate Thanksgiving. But for me and many people I know it's an extra special time because this is also a time to bring awareness to and encourage people to adopt kids in foster care. I think I would adopt every child in foster care if I could. A child is still a child no matter what they've been through in this life and they all deserve someone to love them.

It's also a time to recognize Birth Mothers, Adoptive parents, and children. In my own family I have cousins and an Aunt who have placed babies for adoption and an Aunt and Uncle who adopted a little girl. These were things I always knew about but never really knew or understood. I think that's how it is in general. I think people know about or have heard of someone at some point being affected by adoption but never really stop and think about what that all entails or what it means.

I try really hard not to get too worked up over the overwhelming lack of knowledge about adoption that plagues our society and even our culture as Latter Day Saints, but it's hard. Poor Clint has endured many rants about this topic. I of course have to share a little rant otherwise Clint might start to feel picked on. ;-) So here's my beef: 1. I don't think our church does enough to bring awareness or support to those affected by this topic. I think they are trying and getting better, but I can tell you right now when I placed my baby for adoption their efforts were not enough. If you live in Salt Lake your set in this department. They have every resource a birth mother or adoptive couple, or even adopted children could ever need, but if you live anywhere else you're left to fend for yourself. Not good! 2. Outside the church (and I really, really, really, try to ignore this stuff) people just flat out don't know and don't understand. Because of that we have teenage girls getting pregnant and doing unspeakable things to these precious children of God. Every so often I catch a blip on the news here or there about babies being left on church doorsteps and hospital doorsteps, and these are the lucky babies. When I hear about other things like babies being dumped in garbage cans, dumpsters, alley ways, ditches, etc. it makes me want to cry for the mother who felt she had no other choice, cry for the baby who had to suffer because of ignorance, and scream because why oh why did that mother not know?!

It's hard for me because I can see both sides of the "birth mother" coin. It's so easy to feel trapped and even easier to feel like no one understands. I can only imagine how hard it must be for those girls who work up the courage to tell their parents what's going on only to have their parents turn their backs on them or force them to do something they don't want to do. I can only imagine the agony of feeling that baby growing inside and feeling like you have no where to turn, no one to talk to, and carrying that secret for all those months. The saddest thing of all is that if people, parents, children, teens etc. just had the resources and the information there would be no need for them to feel so alone, so helpless, so out of control, or for bad things to happen to innocent children. I find it interesting that our nations schools can teach our children about sex and even hand out contraceptives, but to talk about what to do if they do get pregnant is considered wrong and indoctrinating. If we're going to hand out contraceptives to our children shouldn't we go the next step and tell them what to do if they do get pregnant?

Okay I'm done with my rant for now. There is a lot more I could say about all that but for time sake will move along. I've obviously never adopted a child so I can't speak for adoptive parents or children who have been adopted. But I can say that every adoptive parent that I have spoken with can hardly express their feelings of love and gratitude for their children and for the birth mother who helped give them the family they always wanted, dreamed of, hoped for, and needed. And I can say that if I ever had the opportunity to adopt I would. The birth mothers need the adoptive parents as much as they need them.

My own personal feelings about my situation are feelings of gratitude for a Heavenly Father who carried me through, a Bishop who never left my side and worked tirelessly with me, a birth father who cared enough to be there for me and for his baby, for parents who loved me and supported me no matter how hard it was for them, for adoptive parents who, to this day, go above and beyond for me and for their kids, and for my sweet Lindsey who gave me my life and who will always be in my heart.

Busy crafting and busy baking

2009-10-29T12:54:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty sure Midnight madness with my Relief Society is my favorite night with them. I love seeing how talented all these ladies are! Plus the fact that they are able to impart such great crafting wisdom upon me makes me feel giddy. This year I made this:

And this:

I'd never done a tie blanket before and this was really fun. I made one for Garrett (above), one for Kailey which of course has the Disney princess' on it, and one for the new baby girl to come. Kailey and Garrett both love their blankets so hopefully the new baby will enjoy her's too.

The photo star was a lot of fun to. I think what took the most time (for me) was just trying to decide which pictures to use for what angle. I got lucky though because I all most didn't have enough horizontal pictures. I think it turned out really cute!

While I've been busy crafting, picking colors for the girls room, and getting ready for Halloween I've been busy baking this bun in the oven! :-) Here I am at 26 weeks:

Sorry that's such a big picture! For some reason it's not sizing the way it should. So far all is well with this pregnancy. I get to do the 1 hour glucose test at my next appointment. I've always passed it but this time I'm a little worried. Hopefully I'll pass this time.

As for Halloween Kailey is going to be TinkerBell this year. She actually gets to dress up four days in row because her tumbling class had a party, her preschool class had a party, we have our ward party and then Halloween. Kailey is in heaven but I think I'm all ready getting a little burnt out. Plus now she has a candy loot and it's not even the big night yet! Trying to moderate sugar intake is getting increasingly difficult so I'm thinking next year we'll just pick one event (aside from Halloween) to dress up for.

In other news we're heading out to Wichita next week. My older sister, Stephanie, is getting married. It should be pretty low key but we are also planning on having our Thanksgiving dinner while we're there. I think it will be a lot fun. It's just for the weekend so it will be a quick trip but it will be nice to see everyone before Christmas at least.

favorite things Friday

2009-10-02T14:15:00.000-07:00

These are a few of my favorite things (especially on a Friday night)!

Favorite chocolate:

Drink

take out dinner

Movie (okay top three)

-----------------------or------------------------

---------------------or----------------------

what I've been craving, since I am pregnant

I like to keep it low key. It doesn't take much to make me happy. Good food and good company and I'm set!

The passing of five years in the blink of an eye

2009-09-30T16:00:00.000-07:00

Me and Clint's five year anniversary is this Friday. I seriously considered typing out our story and even started too but ultimately decided that it was taking too much time. And really a large portion of our story really has nothing to do with "us" at all. Then I thought maybe a picture montage of some sort would be fun, then I realized we actually have very few pictures together aside from our engagement and wedding photos. Which is ultimately what led me to the title of this post. The time we've spent together has gone by so fast we've hardly had time to even document it! To prove my point here is a bit of time line.

October 2003: First date
April 2004: Second (group) date
May 2004: Clint's 30th birthday (which according to my mother was day she knew we were going to get married)
June: Clint takes a job at Boeing Everett
July: We get engaged
August: I fly to Seattle for the first time to be with him/ date/ get to know each other better
September: My 21st birthday/ pack/ finish planning wedding etc.
October: Drive to Utah and get married on the 9th in Salt Lake Temple
December: First Christmas spent with my parents in Wichita
January 2005: Start looking for a house
February: Buy our first dog a yellow lab named Colby (worst idea, to date, that we've ever had)
March: Move into our first house
May: Get pregnant with first baby after only being married 7 months
June: Find out I'm pregnant
February 2006: Baby girl, Kailey Marianne is born
November: Thanksgiving in Wichita
December: Christmas in Canada
January 2007: Start trying for baby number 2
December 2007: Start bathroom remodel, finally conceive baby number 2
January 2008: Find out I'm pregnant
September 2008: Baby boy, Garrett Elijah is born
May 2009: Unknowingly conceive baby number three, Due date February 3rd
September: Kailey starts preschool
October: Five year anniversary

As all these major events occur we obviously have less and less time. I remember thinking after I had Kailey, "Gosh what did I do with all my time?" and again the same thought occurred to me after I had Garrett and I'm sure with the arrival of this newest addition the same thought will occur to me again. With Kailey I had oodles of time to take as much video and pictures as I could or would ever have wanted. Garrett's first birthday just passed and in the last year I think I may have only picked up my video camera or Nikon for that matter a hand full of times.

It just amazes me that this much time has gone all ready! It seriously feels like just yesterday that we got married and I moved to Washington. I know that's rather cliche but it really does. I don't feel any older or wiser or like I've just spent the last six years of my life having kids.

Since it is our anniversary and I do want to share something I will share our wedding story. With Clint being from Canada and all his family living in Canada it was quite the thing to orchestrate. We decided to get married in the Salt Lake Temple because that's where all my extended family was and my grandparents on both sides were sick at the time. We did consider the Seattle Temple for traveling consideration of Clint's family but because my grandparent were not able to travel the SL Temple won.

When I got to Utah, Conference weekend, I had a lot of loose ends that needed attention so that whole week was spent tying those up and solidifying plans. Clint flew in from Seattle on the Wednesday and we went straight from the airport to the county clerks office to get the marriage certificate.

Then we had to go to the reception center to secure our plans.

Thursday I took out my endowments and that night we had a "Couples" wedding shower (Hi 'Lyssa).

Friday we were sealed in the temple. Because Clint is a convert and the only one in his family we had a ring ceremony at the reception center for his family.

The wedding day itself was crazy! After the sealing, before the pictures, Clint tells me that his pants and one of his groomsman's pants had been switched! Which was actually really funny because his groomsman was quite a bit shorter than Clint. You can't see the obvious mix up in the picture but I'm sure you can guess which groomsman's pants Clint ended up with.

A few picture outside the temple:

Clint's family

My family

My sisters/bridesmaids

Once we were done with pictures at the temple we headed to the wedding luncheon. I'm pretty there are no pictures of this portion of the wedding but that's all right with me. Everyone (even to this day) assures me that it went off without a hitch. I however have a differ recollection of this part of the day. First we (my Mom, Clint and I) were late getting there. I mean really late! All of the guests who had been invited were there waiting on me, the bride, to show up to my own luncheon. In my mind this was a disaster in and of itself. Second, we all get settled in our (somewhat) appointed seats and the servers start to bring out the food. I had ordered a steak. That's right I ordered a steak...on my wedding day! I was hungry! The steak they brought me was so overcooked I could barely cut it! So I pushed it aside in utter disgust and disappointment and say, "Well that sucks!" and it did! Everyone within earshot turned and looked. Clint was mortified! Third, once the lunch was over and we were supposed to head to the reception center I had to figure out what to do about a garment situation I had run into which was that I didn't have any. I had just taken my endowments out the day before and hadn't had time to get to the distribution center to get any that would fit. So in order to save time and from us (my Mom, Clint and I) from being late to the ring ceremony I had my Aunt go get some for me and bring them to the reception. So what I want to know is how anyone can view this portion of the day a success?

The ring ceremony was very nice. My Grandpa Wilson, who was also one of the witness' at the sealing, performed the ceremony for us. All of my extended family and friends and all (most) of Clint's family was there. After the ceremony we stood in the receiving line.

Then we cut the cake:

Then we had our first dance:

Then I danced with my dad:

Of course all the other traditional things like tossing the bouquet and guarder and dancing and stuffing our faces with cake ensued. Also like all newlyweds we wondered if the reception would ever end so that we could get to the hotel! But it did and this is where we stayed:
http://www.anniversaryinn.com/

It was fabulous! Except for the part where I stumbled over the trunk roots at the bottom of the bed, that was just downright embarrassing! Or the fact that my duffel bag, carrying every article of clothing I owned, broke and we had to race to Wal-Mart to get me a new suitcase RIGHT before we were supposed to be at the airport. It was crazy and we laughed the whole way to Boston which is where we honeymooned.

Now, amazingly, here we are five years, 2 kids and one on the way, later! I feel so blessed and so grateful for being able to have married my best friend and to have had the Lord bless us with such wonderful, beautiful children. It hasn't always been easy but that's what makes this our life and I love that!

Happy Anniversary Clint! I love you with all my heart and soul! Thank you for being my Night in Shining Armor!

Something funny because I could use a good laugh

2009-09-30T10:13:00.000-07:00

-Reaching the end of a job interview, the Human Resources Person asked a young Engineer fresh out of Texas A&M, "And what starting salary were you looking for?" The Engineer said, "In the neighbourhood of $125,000 a year, depending on the benefits package." The interviewer said, "Well, what would you say to a package of 5 weeks vacation, 14 paid holidays, full medical and dental, a company matching retirement fund for 50% of your salary, and a company car leased every 2 years -- say, a red Corvette?" The Engineer sat up straight and said, "Wow! Are you kidding?" And the interviewer replied, "Yeah, but you started it."

-Walking up to a department store's fabric counter, the pretty girl said, "I would like to buy this material for a new dress. How much does it cost?" "Only one kiss per yard," replied the male clerk with a smirk. "That's fine," said the girl. "I'll take ten yards." With expectation and anticipation written all over his face, the clerk quickly measured out the cloth, wrapped it up, then teasingly held it out.

The girl snapped up the package, pointed to the old geezer standing beside her, and smiled, "Grandpa will pay the bill."

-A resident in a posh hotel breakfast room called over the head waiter one morning and read from the menu. "I'd like one under-cooked egg so that it's runny, and one over-cooked egg so that it's tough and hard to eat. I'd also like grilled bacon which is a bit on the cold side, burnt toast, butter straight from the freezer so that it's impossible to spread, and a pot of very weak, lukewarm coffee." "That's a complicated order sir," said the bewildered waiter. "It might be quite difficult." The guest replied sarcastically, "It can't be that difficult because that's exactly what you brought me yesterday!"

-"What time does the library open?" the man on the phone asked.
"Nine A.M." came the reply. "And what's the idea of calling me at home in the middle of the night to ask a question like that?"
"Not until nine A.M.?" the man asked in a disappointed voice.
"No, not till nine A.M.!" the librarian said. "Why do you want to get in before nine A.M.?"
"Who said I wanted to get in?" the man sighed sadly. "I want to get out."

-A woman has twins, and gives them up for adoption. One of them goes to a family in Egypt and is named "Amal." The other goes to a family in Spain; they name him "Juan". Years later, Juan sends a picture of himself to his mum. Upon receiving the picture, she tells her husband that she wishes she also had a picture of Amal. Her husband responds, "But they are twins. If you've seen Juan, you've seen Amal."

-Little Johnny came downstairs bellowing lustily. His mother asked, "What's the matter now?" "Dad was hanging pictures, and just hit his thumb with a hammer," said Johnny through his tears. "That's not so serious," soothed his mother. "I know you're upset, but a big boy like you shouldn't cry at something like that. Why didn't you just laugh?" "I did!" sobbed Johnny.

http://www.101funjokes.com/

I've made up my mind... for now

2009-09-23T10:37:00.000-07:00

For the last couple of weeks, since I found out this baby is going to be a girl, I've been agonizing over the room situation, where to put everyone and everything, how I was going to decorate, etc. I tend to stress over this stuff really easily which makes the decision process that much harder for me. But I think I have finally made up my mind as to how I want all this work.

I want to have a femenin but sophisticated girls room. Kailey is not a baby anymore and while she may not understand my decorating choice I believe she will learn to love it. I decided to go with a "cherry blossom" theme. This is a theme that can take on many different styles, Asian, baby, urban, etc. There is a lot on the net for this and sifting through all of it has taken a long time. There just are not that many pictures (I'm very visual) of rooms decorated in a the style that I had pictured in my mind (femenin/sophisticated). It was hard finding what I wanted and I started to become discouraged until TODAY! I found exactly what I was looking for and with the help of my lovely "artsy fartsy" sister was able to clearly visualize and decide how I want the room to look.

First I'm going to start by painting three of the walls a beige color (the longest and two shortest) and use the fourth wall as an accent wall by painting it brown. Then I'm going to apply these babies:

I found these here:
http://dalidecals.com/

The three walls will be a similar color to what is shown in the second picture and the accent wall will be as close a brown as I can get to the trunk of the tree. On the accent wall I will use two of the branches (one mirroring the other) over the crib with a shelf positioned between them with pictures on it. It will look like the shelf is on the branches or the branches are coming from behind the shelf, what ever will look best. The branches (in the second photo) will be a beige color (like the other three walls) and the flowers will be a pale pink (the second color of flower on the big tree, which I'll add but isn't shown).

The bedding (which I still have to find) will obviously coordinate with the colors of the blossoms on the tree. My crib isn't wight but I guess if it looks really goofy then I can always paint it wight. Right? I still need to decide on drapes but you get the idea.

I'm so excited now that I've finally figured all this out. Kailey will move in first and will have about 6-8 weeks of the room all to herself while the baby is still sleeping in my room. It may be longer but I doubt it. I think it will all really depend on Garrett and how quickly I can get him transitioned into the toddler bed. Which makes me nervous because he'll only be 16 month when this baby is born and get's kicked out of the crib. I would have liked to have kept him in it until he was two, but that's just not an option this time around. Hopefully it'll be okay.

I still need to do a boys room but that will have to wait until next year or maybe even later. I do know what I want to do for that though so it should be a lot easier to get it all together once I'm ready to do it.

Oh and the website I found the decals at has some seriously cool stuff! I'd check out just for kicks!

Sighhh... Now to get to it!

Speaking of crazy pregnant dreams...

2009-09-22T09:31:00.000-07:00

My friend just posted on her blog about some wild dreams she's been having since she's been pregnant and since this was something I wanted to share anyway I tell you about some of my crazy pregnancy dreams.

I personally am not nearly as insightful as to what all this means as my friend was about her dreams. For me they are just crazy and really have no rhyme or reason. I do think that dreams can be very telling about the things we are going through in life and I have definitely had some dreams like that but lately my dreams are more just nonsense than anything else. Anyway here goes.

Dream #1: Clint and I were riding bikes (which I hate) and racing through the very steep slopes that make up downtown Seattle. Eventually we made our way over to Lake Union. For some reason Clint had decided he want to take a shortcut home and I didn't. So he went his way and rode my bike down to the water. I had no intention of stopping but out of the corner of my I noticed a crowed had started to form and that there was a whale in the water (not terribly unlikely after all this is Seattle). So I decide to stop and watch since I have not seen a single whale in the five years I've lived here. When I get down to the water I see that it's not just a whale but a "Mommy" whale and her baby. Then out of no where there were at least a hundred whales, Mommy and baby, all swimming right there in Lake Union (highly, highly unlikely). Everyone was so amazed at the sight of it. Then it dawned on me that the Mommy's were teaching the babies to swim and catch fish. By this point there were all kinds of people, who had all ready been out on the water sailing and what not, jumping on the backs of the Mama whales. At first everyone thought this was really cool. The people were riding on the whales like you a dolphin or something. Then out of no where (I love how things just spontaneously appear in dreams) this old school steam powered paddle boat comes floating toward the dock. I immediately sensed that something bad was going to happen. Sure enough the paddles on the boat cut one of the Mommy whales in half (it was very graphic so I wont go into any further details there but I'm sure you could imagine). The baby whale starts to bellow and cry, so I start screaming for everyone to get out of the water. I just knew the other whales were going to be mad and protect the this newly orphaned baby and that it was not going to be good. When I start yelling everyone just looks at me like I've lost my mind. Then at that very moment the other Mama whales started attacking all the people. Not want to stick around for this nightmare of a scene I hop on my bike and start to pedal away. That's when I woke up.

See?! It's all fun and games until someone loses a limb! People really should listen to me more. ;)

Dream #2: Clint and I went to some aquarium to see some new sea lion exhibit. It was very fancy and you could actually go on the other side of the glass if you wanted to get a better look or even pet the sea lions. Around the edge of the tank was a narrow walking path with benches you could sit on. Everything was wight. The tank, the benches, the toys, everything was wight. So Clint and I are standing there watch the sea lions and debating if we were brave enough to pet one. Clint fell into conversation with another man who was also trying to decide if he wanted to pet the sea lion. Then out of no where one of the Sea Lions jumps out of the water and start attacking the guy that Clint was talking too (again this was extremely graphic but I wont go into those details). Clint and I got really scared and jumped out of the way and started to try and climb over the glass. Then I woke up.

This I think just solidifies why I don't go near any natural body of water. I love to swim in swimming pools don't ask me to go near lakes or oceans!

Dream #3: I was at home and I had just given birth to twins. It was weird though because they were Barbie dolls. But there I was just nursing these little Barbies like it was perfectly normal.

This dream I think is the result of watching the "little people" shows on TLC and my Mother in law and Mother both teasing me that I'm going to have twins. A joke that by now is a little old.

I've also recently had dreams about losing my kids or them being hurt in some way. These I won't share just because they were so vivid and really quite traumatic. Dreams like that I think are the result of my constant worry that I'm going to lose my babies. Which I think is the result of having placed one of my babies for adoption. They get so bad sometimes I have to have Clint give me a blessing just to help me fall asleep again. This is one thing about being pregnant that can, for me, either be really funny or really horrifying simply because my dreams are so vivid.

How to Be A World of Warcraft Widow

2009-09-16T14:32:00.001-07:00

About a month ago a friend of mine and I were chatting and stumbled upon some thing we have in common. Some thing that drives us both a little, okay very crazy. Our husbands are gamers. They love their vido/computer games. They just can't seem to ever get enough or ever be bored or tired with the games. I've never met anyone personally who's relationships were ruined over this sort of thing and I certainly don't think my friend or I would let it do that to our relationships, but I think we could both very easily see how it could happen.

I am a with out a doubt a World of Warcraft Widow. My sisters and I joke about it but I've never really thought about it a whole lot. Then today I came across this article that seriously made me laugh out loud. I know it probably wont make a lot of sense unless you or your spouse are gamers but I just had to share.

How to Be A World of Warcraft Widow | eHow.com

Shared via AddThis

2009-09-16T07:55:00.000-07:00

I have a lot I've been wanting to blog about but have either been to tired or too busy to get on here and do it. I've debated splitting it all up into several posts but ultimately have decided that I don't have THAT much time on my hands. As a result this post will probably be pretty lengthy and relatively random but I will try to tie it all together at the end.

This past Saturday was Garrett's 1st b-day. I'd an exlamation point at the end of that sentence but I'm still a bit sad it's all ready come and gone. I love my baby boy so much it all most hurts. He's my cuddle bug, my smiley pants, my butter (butterball), he is my world. With his birthday having come and gone and with each day drawing our family closer and closer to the arrival our newest addition I feel like I have to cherish and make the very most out of every second I have with him. Because I feel this way the poor kid is being smothered in hugs, cuddles, and kisses. Anyway, it was beautiful here this past Saturday! So we all headed down to the Zoo. It was great! All the animals we got to see were VERY active. When we got home we had pumpkin spice cupcakes with cream cheese frosting..YUMMM, and opened cards and presents. It was a very nice day!

Yesterday was Kailey's second day of preschool! She was so funny as soon as we got there she ran to the door yelling the whole way, "I see the teacher!! Teacher! Teacher! I'm here!", by the time I caught up to her she was all ready inside and sitting down. I'm so glad that she is as independent and confident as she is. Now if we could just work on her listening skills and help her to not be quite soo silly all the time. I did much better this time. I went to Target with just Garrett in tow and took my time shopping. When we were done I went and picked up a prescription from the pharmacy and got home in just enough to feed Garrett and unload the dishes. I felt very productive.

A couple of weeks ago our bishop stopped by our house to visit with Clint and I. With Clint having just been released from his calling and the bishop having not ever set me apart for my calling, I knew this visit was not just your average house call. When he got there we visited for a bit and then he extended us a calling. He asked Clint and I if we would be Temple Patrons. I was soooooo excited I could hardly contain myself. This is EXACTLY what we need. I know there will be a lot of challenges with me being pregnant, Clint working days, and having two kids to juggle, but it's a challenge that we are more than happy to take on.

Last night as I was laying in bed thinking about everything that has happened at our house this year I was overcome with gratitude and humility. It certainly has not been the easiest year, heck it hasn't been the easiest anything around here for a long time, but it has been a year of many great blessings. When I think of all that the Lord has blessed me with in the last five years I can't help but wonder why the Lord has given me, ME of ALL people so much. I mean I know that I'm a good person and I try to all that's asked of me but I'm far from anything that I would think deserves what the Lord has given me and my family. I hate to even admit this but it's not like I go "above and beyond" what has been asked of me and I at times I have just not done what was asked of me...period. I guess I all most feel like I've incurred So much debt to the Lord I'm going to HAVE to start going "above and beyond" in order to even try and make a dent in what I owe the Lord and even then I probably wont even come close.

So while this temple calling is obviously another blessing from the Lord I feel like it's a chance for me show the Lord every week just how grateful I truly am for Him and all he has blessed me and my family with. For Clint I hope and pray that it will bring some much needed peace into his life. I know this calling is only for six months, but I think it will help us both tremendously in so many ways.

A quiet house

2009-09-10T10:18:00.001-07:00

Once you have a family a quiet house is hard to come by. I can honestly say that when I do manage to find myself in a quiet house it is the most welcomed feeling and I enjoy every moment of it.

Today is Kailey's first day of preschool so for the next hour, while she is gone and Garrett is sleeping, my house is VERY quiet. For today, and I say for today because I know this wont last long, it's a very lonely sort of quiet. Knowing that Kailey is having fun and not worried at all about where I am makes me kinda sad. Normally she drives me crazy asking a million questions and tormenting Garrett and now it's so quiet I really miss it. I'm sure by next week this will be time I use to run an errand or two, or blog, or catch up my dishes and start a load of laundry and I wont even notice the quiet.

Labor Day weekend

2009-09-09T07:23:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was so great!! It the long weekend and my birthday! Clint and I kicked off the weekend by having dinner at our favorite steak house, Daniel's Broiler, and seeing the play Wicked on Friday. That show rocked my world! I would pay to see it again and again. I had to giggle a bit though as we left the theater. Clint had asked me if I enjoyed it, OF COURSE I DID, and I asked him the same. He said that yes he had enjoyed the show but didn't like all the "political undertones". Uhhhh what?! Did we just see the same show? that's was all I could think when he responded the way he did. Typical male reading waaay to much into things! But I didn't mind because I had a fabulous time! Dinner was amazing too by the way. For you Seattle-ites if you haven't been to Daniel's Broiler on Lake Union it's a must! The food is outrageous and the view is spectacular. It's a very romantic, NON-CHILDREN, kind of place.

Saturday we all slept in and took our time getting ready for the day. We went to Toys-R-Us to do some birthday shopping for Garrett. I love watching Kailey's eye's light up with excitement as we walk into to the store! She is soo funny, we were not even three feet from the door and she immediately runs to the first shelf she sees and starts inspecting each thing on it. Then we spend the next five minutes trying to drag her away from that ONE shelf! You can imagine what it was like going through the ENTIRE store. We managed to find a few things for Garrett but not as much as I had hoped. I think I'm going to have to do some hunting for a specialty toy shop. One more geared towards toward educational stuff. Either that are get cracking on Amazon and over night everything!

Sunday was my birthday!! Hooray for me! I turned 26 this year. Clint was super sweet and got up with the kids, made me breakfast in bed, and helped the kids write a letter to me. It was all so sweet! I love my family! But of course once breakfast was over it was time to get everyone ready and out the door for church. We were a little late but I figured since it was my birthday the Lord would forgive me! As soon as church was over we raced home to my Chocolate birthday cake. It made for a very delicious lunch!

Monday was our war Labor Day picnic. It was a bit overcast and chilly when we got there but the food was good and the company was great! Kailey loved playing down by the river! She and all the other kids had a good time throwing the rocks from the shore into water. Garrett was tired and fussy having had NO nap that morning and my nerves can only take so much of that, so we left early. It worked out all right though because by the time we got home it was raining pretty good and eventually turned into hail. So we spent the rest of the afternoon hanging out at home. After the kids woke up from their naps we headed over to our favorite pizza place, Emerald City Pizza, for dinner. It was a nice end to the day. Of course any day that ends with me not having to cook is always a nice day!!

Doilys and donuts

2009-09-03T08:39:00.000-07:00

Since my dear friend has shared some of her embarrassing moments on her blog I've thought a lot about this little incident of my own. My family and Clint are the only ones I ever told this too just because they know me and what a dork I can be. Anyway, on with the story.

So I'm just going to admit that I may not be the BEST driver on the planet. I mean I don't think I'm BAD but Clint says our insurance bill states otherwise. I try so hard to be a good driver and pay attention but I'm a little on the ADD side so I get distracted pretty easily.

Last summer I got two flat tires (not at the same time though). The first one happened when I was trying to find a street I was suppose to turn onto and ended up running into the curb and blowing out the sidewall. Which could not have happened at a more inconvenient time as I was on my way to a dentist appointment, that I ended up running, literally, to even though I was pretty pregnant at the time. Needless to say Clint was not too happy about this but did come to my rescue none the less. So he puts the donut on and I drive home.

The next day I go down to the tire shop to get a new one. I walk in (all ready feeling silly knowing the mistake I had made) and I tell the lady at the desk that I have a DOILY on my car and I need a new tire. The lady kind of looks at me funny and asks what I mean. Me not realizing what I had said told her that I had one of those "DOILY things" on my car and just needed to buy a new tire. The look of confusion on this poor woman's face only worsened. And she asks me, "You have a DOILY on your car?" and still not picking up on what I was saying I tell her again, thinking she must have a learning problem or something, yes and I need to buy a new tire! I mean how hard was this?! So she realizes that I have no clue what I'M saying and asks me, "You mean you have a donut on your car?"

Instantly realizing what an idiot I just made of myself, and my face turning three shades of red, sheepishly reply that yes that's what I meant. And of course because I'm dork I didn't realize it was going to take a while, a LONG while, to change the tire and didn't bring a stroller for Kailey. So we had to sit there watching Judge Judy and listening the this lady tell all her co-workers what an idiot I was. It was the longest hour and half of my life!

In house comedian!

2009-09-02T08:36:00.000-07:00

Some of you may or may not know this about Clint but he is a natural born performer. He LOVES to get a laugh out of just about anyone. He's so dramatic and his facial expressions are priceless! When he walks in the door from work he can have our whole house in stitches within minutes. It's one of the things I love the very most about him and I am so proud to say that he has passed this trait onto our daughter.

Kailey is probably the biggest ham I've met (next to Clint). That girl loves to laugh and play and joke, and the more people she can get to join in her little games/jokes, what ever, the happier she is and the more excited she gets. Of course at this age most of her "funnies" are centered around sounds of bodily functions, but it still cracks us up! She is starting to learn actual jokes though, which is good thing. Her favorite, and the only one she really knows so far, is: Why is six afraid of seven?... Because seven eight (ate) nine. She just thinks that this is the funniest thing ever and insist on telling Clint and I this joke several times a day.

Sometimes, though, Kailey makes us laugh without even realizing she's done anything funny. The most recent event happened while we were driving home from the mall. Kailey was VERY tired and having one of her overly dramatic (fake) meltdowns with (fake) tears and all. So Clint, trying to get her to quiet down starts asking Kailey a bunch of questions. It went like this:

Clint: Do you want to play in the bath?
Kailey (through fake sobs): Noooooo!
C: Do you want to read books?
K: Nooooo!
C: Do you want to brush your teeth?
K: Nooooo!
C: Do you want ice cream?
K (still through her fake sobs): NnnoYeeeesss!

Clint and I just busted up laughing. Then of course so did Kailey! I'm fairly certain we are going to have to enlist Kailey in some sort of acting class or comedy troop at some point!

Thinking things over

2009-09-01T09:25:00.000-07:00

Okay, blog! I miss you now. I think now that summer is over I can devote myself to you once again. However, there is no promise that I wont leave again. I can only promise that I will always come back.

I had hoped for an uneventful summer full of lazy days at the park but it definitely did not work out that way. It seems that every week was packed with trips to the store, trips to the doctor, ultrasounds, surgery, physical therapy, and who knows what else!

Clint finished his physical therapy and spinal decompression with great success! Thank heavens! He's regained a lot of the strength in his left leg and his back hardly ever bothers.

I've been busy trying to keep track of prenatal visits, ultrasound appointments, and Endocronologist appointments just to keep this baby growing inside me healthy. It's been a lot this time around I think just because my thyroid was off to begin with and it kind of concerned the doctors. I actually have a prenatal visit today which will include another blood draw. I don't know how much more I have left to give to these darn Vampires!

Kailey has not had the most enjoyable summer this year. I feel so bad because she has had SO many doctors visits that she's starting to develop quite a fear of them. The whole thing got kicked off in March when I found a lump in Kailey's neck. So I took her to the pediatrician who seemed rather concerned and ordered a blood draw and an MRI. Both came back "normal" so he sent me to the Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist. She didn't seem to concerned at first and just prescribed some antibiotics. So Kailey took the meds and we watched it. It went down in size a bit, but didn't go away. So more visits and more meds came. Still nothing changed. So the ENT specialist decided it was time to take it out before it got worse or started draining. Two weeks ago today Kailey went in to have the lump removed. At her follow up appointment the doctor told us that it was a severely infected lymphnode. It's a good thing we took it out when we did or Kailey could have wound up being one sick little girl.

Garrett is growing like weed!! He has four teeth and cutting two more. He is pulling himself up and stand on his own, so I'm sure he'll be off and running in real short order! He's getting ready to celebrate his first Birthday on the 12th. I can't believe a year has all ready gone by.

I all most feel a bit guilty having this baby so close to Garrett bear.. he hasn't even really got to have his time in the spotlight. I think I will feel more guilty this time around, about sharing my time, than I did with Kailey when Garrett was born. Kailey obviously still needs me but she needs me in such different ways than what these babies do, so I don't feel nearly the guilt there as I'm anticipating I will feel when this baby is born. You know what I mean? Then on top of it with in months of having this baby Garrett will get thrown into Nursery and Kailey will be a Sunbeam and he'll be all alone.

I also had the realization the other day the Clint and I will have three kids in high school all at the same time! How crazy will that be?! I told him we will have to make Team Norlie t-shirts and put numbers on the backs! We both had a good chuckle over how we plan to torture our children as they get older. I think we see now, with this baby being on the way, that while our children torture us endlessly now, we will have to the power to torture them endlessly when they are older. Doesn't that just ROCK!?!! I think I'm going make this my mantra!

Over all life at the Norlie house seems to move at a faster and faster pace every week! Kailey is going to be starting preschool next week. She's on a Tuesday/Thursday schedule and on Wednesdays she will have tumbling, which Clint will take her to. So with Kailey having a schedule all her own now I can only expect things to be pretty crazy around here for a while. Oh the joys of family life!

Dear Blog

2009-07-07T16:01:00.000-07:00

Dear Blog,

I'm so sorry to have neglected you so much for the last few weeks. I fear we are both to blame. You seem to be so needy. Which is not really a bad thing for the most part. Your neediness feeds my ego and I like that. But I will admit my part. I have been to tired to care about you lately. I'm sorry but it's true. I have a house to run and little children who's needs come before you or me. I can't promise that I will be as loyal to you as I have in the past. After all with baby number three on the way who knows, I might just disappear all together. I mean, I hope that's not the case anyway. But who knows. Three kids is a lot. A lot for me anyway. So until the morning sickness, fatigue, and general disorientation of my life comes to end and to order, you'll just have to wait.

Thank you dear blog for letting me share a bit of myself with you. I promise I wont forget you and I will check on you from time to time. I promise that I will be back. I don't know when but I promise I will.

Your friend,
Michelle

TGIF

2009-06-12T10:25:00.000-07:00

I have a lot to be thankful for today. It's been a rough week for me overall I'd say, but today I'm just feeling grateful.

For my lovely followers and random readers who may not have heard, I'm pregnant. Yes we just had a baby. No it was not planned. No I'm not ready. Yes Clint's excitement and joy is starting to slowly rub off on me. At 6 weeks pregnant I'm feeling very tired and very nauseous.

So tonight Clint and I are going to the temple for a ward temple night. I'm not really sure how I'll be fitting in my dress but I'm sure those sweet ladies in the dressing room will help me figure it out. LOL!

I'm embarrassed to admit it but it's been a few months since we last went to the temple. We really need this and I'm really looking forward to it.

We've definitely had a lot go wrong over the last couple of weeks but last night as I was saying prayers with Kailey before bed I really started to think about how much we have really been blessed through it all.

This morning I woke up feeling so guilty for all my grumbling and whining and cursing. So I got on my knees and asked the Lord to forgive me for all my complaining and then I thanked him for all that he had blessed us with, including this little surprise due in 34 weeks. That one was hard but it definitely needed to be included. After all what greater blessing could our Heavenly Father have given us?

When I was done with my prayer I felt so much better. So much lighter. So much more at peace with myself and my situation. Prayer has always been a very powerful source of comfort in my life. I think it was probably one of the first things I really gained a testimony of. I'm so grateful to have that open line between my Heavenly Father and myself.

So tonight we will go to the temple and as husband and wife and together we will thank our Creator for all the good in the world and for all that he has blessed us with.

TGIF! and TGFB (Thank goodness for babysitters)!

What a start to summer!!

2009-06-04T09:33:00.000-07:00

Why is that when things go bad they can't just go a little bad? Is this like some cosmic joke that when things go bad they have to go really bad?

With our trip to Victoria, even with all it's own little quirks, out of the way I thought we had a great start to another fabulous North West summer. But it seems that sine we've been home things have slowly unraveled and now here I am today, some what amused by the fact that things are as crazy as they are.

First my Dishwasher has been growling at me off and on when I try to use it for a quite a while now. Well it's officially decided it hates me and now grumbles and groans and growls at every use. Time for a new one!

Second my gas range has had a burner out of commission since we moved into our house. I learned to work around it. But now a second burner has decided to join the first in it's protest to my cooking. Time for a new range!

Third, Kailey got the flu last Monday so on Tuesday I took her to the doctor only to find out that I paid $30 for a doctor to tell me that there was nothing they could do because the only people who have flu vacs are the people at the hospital. So Kailey suffers through the flu but still isn't better after a week. So yesterday I took her back to the doctor paying another $30 for them to now tell me that she has a double ear infection as a result of the flu. GRRRR!!!! Could they not have just given me the antibiotic last week and saved Kailey the pain and suffering and me the $30 ?!?! I swear doctors are like a necessary evil!

Fourth, I take Garrett to the doc for his 8 month well child check and find out he has pink eye. Well of course it only took a couple days for that to spread to the other eye!

Fifth and last but certainly not least, we had an upstairs toilet overflow, without us knowing, flooding the bathroom and leaking into Kailey's room and down to the main floor. It's a mess. It could be worse, but it's still a mess.

So with two appliances on the fritz, two sick kids, and floor dryers blowing 24/7 I'd say that things can really only go up from here right? Well at least it's an eventful start to summer! Let's just hope that means that the rest of summer will slow and quiet!

It's a funny thing

2009-05-28T18:37:00.000-07:00

Growing up that is. Everything about it, to me, is fascinating. How relationships wax and wain, come and go. How you feel about yourself and the world and your place in the world. How complex and yet how simple it all can be.

Last night before I went to bed I picked up the new Ensign mag that came in the mail and started perusing its pages while I waited for Clint to finish his computer game. I came across an article (that I actually still need to finish reading) and read the first couple paragraphs. The gist of the article was agency. I was immediately infuriated. Not about the article but about certain people in my life who have chosen to use their agency in a way that has hurt me very deeply.

So I close the magazine and follow Clint into the kitchen. I began talking to him about this article. I told him that I've never viewed myself as being a strong, independent, leader but yet because of this certain persons choices I've been put in that position. It's a frustrating position to be in when I have so much hurt and anger inside but yet I have to be the best Christlike example/missionary I can be at the same time. Then on top of that I can't even work through my feelings with the person because if I say anything then I'm the big, bad, Michelle, that's out for blood.

I feel like I'm in one of those "Round-a-bout" intersections you see on the road sometimes. How can I be a good missionary to this person who I have so much anger towards? I love them dearly and that is a lot of why I'm so angry, but yet I don't want to know them just in this life. I want them to be with me for eternity. And in order to do that I have to be a good missionary.

I also feel that until this person changes I need to protect my family from them. Which is just one more GIANT log on an all ready blazing fire of emotions for both of us.

Clint's theory was that I just need to be a better compartmentalizer. I need to separate my feelings for the person and our relationship and focus on the person only as a non-member investigator and nothing else. Which isn't a bad idea but I'm women... my emotions are the driving force behind everything I do, think, and say.

I can only guess that the answer to all this is time and growing up and maturing. Which of course in turn requires patience and long suffering, which I'm not so good at. This to me is why growing up is a funny thing. It's usually never what you expect it to be and most the time you don't really realize you're in the midst of it until you come across and ensign article that causes you to stop and think about it. And somehow I get the sneaking suspicion the this whole growing up process is more of an eternal process than a "just while your here" process.

Our long weekend

2009-05-26T09:14:00.000-07:00

For our long weekend Clint and I decided to head up to Vancouver and Victoria BC. It was mostly good but with any family trip there is always at least one hiccup. For us there was a few, like having screaming children waking up my kids until 2:30 in the AM at the hotel we stayed at in downtown Van and then thinking we lost Clint's wallet RIGHT before we were supposed to board the ferry to go to Victoria only to find it and then lose the ferry ticket which meant we had to buy a SECOND $72 ticket, then thinking we lost our iphone on the ferry which turned out to just be in the VERY bottom of the diaper bag (thank goodness!), and because we are still trying to potty train Kailey, driving all over creation to find a WalMart to buy some pants and underwear at because she peed all the ones I packed for her! But over all it was good I'd say. I mean each activity we had planned turned out very well. We went to the aquarium, and I swear I could watch those Beluga whales ALL DAY!! They're by far my favorite! Then we went on a bike ride in Stanley Park. It's so beautiful there it just blows me away every time! Then in Victoria went to the Butchart Gardens of course. That was an experience I doubt I'll ever forget. I just loved being surrounded by so much beauty!

We came home Sunday afternoon and spent Monday catching up the yard work we left behind. My poor little flowers sure were thirsty! I have to admit though as I looked at my garden I couldn't help but think how pathetic it was in comparison to the Butchart Gardens! I was feeling pretty good about my garden until now. LOL!! Anyway here are some pics from the trip.

The Aquarium:

The Butchart Gardens:

Just going for it...

2009-05-19T08:33:00.000-07:00

Like every other person on the planet, on New Years Eve, I announced my plan to become a better me. That was the ultimate goal with many smaller "sub goals" if you will that all cumulatively amount to me being a better me. One of these goals was for me to lose weight. I started off strong like most people do when they attack a new goal. But like everyone else I also allowed myself to fall off the wagon. After feeling pretty bummed about that I forced myself back onto that weight loss wagon. Then I fell off again when I went on vacation. So basically for the last 5 months I've lost and gained this stupid 5 pounds twice!! It's ridiculous!

So, since being home I've finally been convinced by a good friend to run in a 5k run/walk. It wasn't hard for her to convince me because I've desperately been looking for the inspiration and motivation I need to get back on the path to weight loss. The catch is that the race is on June 6th! That's three weeks away!

I'll admit after talking to her I began to panic a bit. She's been running all most every day for a while now trying to get ready. I've been hit and miss for the last FIVE MONTHS and I only have three weeks to get ready!

So after I put the kids to bed I got on my computer and quickly converted the klicks into miles. 5kilometers is 3.1 miles. That made me feel a bit better mostly because it doesn't sound as far as 5 kilometers. But me being me and I had to test myself to see how much work I'd actually have to do to get ready for this race. So I immediately went upstairs and jumped on my elliptical. I'm proud to say I went 3.2 miles in 30 minutes doing an average of 154 strides per minute. Now in my mind (even though I sweat just as much) the elliptical is kind of cheating because when I'm done working out on it I don't really feel like I've worked out where as on the treadmill I FEEL like I was running and I KNOW I've just worked out. So today I will test myself again and this time I will do it on the treadmill. I'm nervous I wont do as well but I guess at least then I'll REALLY know how much work I have to do.

favorite things Friday

2009-05-15T14:19:00.000-07:00

As a women not only do I have about a million favorite things but my favorite things change with my moods. Today the sun is shinning and I feel good. Last weekend I spent 8 hours in my yard mowing, weeding, and planting. I don't really consider myself a "green thumb" and I'm always a bit nervous about spending money on plants that I may or may not be able to keep alive. But this year I'm rather proud of myself and my yard. After four years of buying annuals (thinking they were perenials)and having them die off each winter only to buy more year after year, I've finally learned what to buy! I'm grateful for knowledgeable and experienced gardeners who have taken the time to write articles to guide newbies like me. I am grateful for the sunshine (mostly because we see it so little out here in Western WA). I am grateful for the rain so that I don't have to hover over my beautiful baby plants every day with a watering can. Coming from Kansas where we have CLAY for dirt I'm especially grateful for soft rich dirt. All these things make it possible for my little flowers to grow. But today my favorite thing is the worms.

I had never given the worms much thought until just last weekend. There I was gardening away with Kailey by my side and of course we came across a worm or two (or three or a few dozen) and at first she was scared of the "Swirlies" (as she calls them). Being three years old she wont accept "they're nice. They can't hurt you. Don't kill them." as an answer to what they are and what they're doing in our dirt. So I spent an hour explaining worms and another hour on a hunt to find and rescue the worms. It was a lot fun and I now have a new found appreciation for worms!

Sharing time

2009-05-12T09:27:00.000-07:00

I find that I go through bouts of creativity. It's like I get a bunch of ideas all at once and then no ideas (that I deem creative enough) for a long time. For example, when I first purchased my Nikon D-60 I was obsessed with taking pictures and finding new subjects. Then I stopped for a while. Then I go my Photoshop program with the intention of getting back into my photography. But to be honest I'm a little bored with the lense that's on my camera. I want a new one with a higher power zoom. But lenses are expensive. So needless to say I really haven't been using my "nice" camera as of late.

However I have been playing around with the camera on my iphone quite a bit. The quality of the pictures is not anywhere near the quality of my Nikon, but I've found that in some cases I actually kind of like that. I've also downloaded an app that allows me to play with the colors in the pictures. I know that's probably something I could do in photoshop but if I'm being honest I might as well admit this too, I have no clue how to work that program. After months of trying to "figure it out" on my own I've concluded that I will just need to bite the bullet and take a class. Again I know that altering the colors in a photo is nothing new or even that exciting but it's something I've been want to try and have never done before.

Here is some of what I've done on my iphone:
This is Garrett the day we left the hospital.

Kailey on a trip to the park.

Garrett after his first hair cut.

I have more like these but they're not as good. I'm a sucker for black and white photo's as it is and I think being able to select certain things in the picture to highlight can really make a photo.

Anyway I've had fun playing with the apps on my phone. I think I would have more fun if I could figure out photoshop but I guess this will do for now.

sleeping with one eye open..

2009-05-07T16:16:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went to the Optometrist. It was the first visit in two years. A long time I know but I was pregnant/having a baby last year so didn't really see the point (no pun intended). I actually didn't think my Rx had changed at all. Now for those of you who don't know, I had a cornea transplant 2 1/2 years ago. The goal obviously being better vision. Before the eye exam I had told the doctor that I really wasn't to terribly impressed because I expected my vision to be much better than what it was. She asked a bunch of questions and did the exam. As it turns out my Rx had changed. Quite dramatically too. I was blown away by the difference to be honest.

Since it had been so long since my last visit and since I have a history of surgery the doc wanted to be very thorough and check EVERYTHING. What ever. After shining blinding me her little mirror and light head gear she asked me if I slept with my eye's open. I simply replied "I don't know. I'm sleeping!" haa haa haa! (I crack my self up!) Of course her next line of questioning was more along the "dry eye" symptoms check list. I asked her why she wanted to know if I slept with my eye's open and she said that I have a pattern of dryness in line on my eye that to her looked like I slept with one eye open.

Before I continue with my post can I just say that Fendi sun glass' really do make the world a brighter place!

And yes I really am this shallow.

I couldn't help but giggle to myself. I must be sub consciencely worried that Clint will "off me" in my sleep for being so "fiscally" abusive (as he puts it) to him!

Home sweet home

2009-04-27T07:42:00.001-07:00

The kids and I took a trip out Kansas to see my family. can we say HOT HOT HOT! I actually have a sunburn on my legs! I don't know who had more fun my parents or the kids! We were so busy the whole time it's all most kind of hard to believe.

BIG NEWS.... Garrett got his first tooth!!! He's been a real trooper I tell you what! Cutting a tooth and being dragged all over creation can't be easy!

Man when it rains it pours though! As soon as I got out there I got a wicked cold! Then Clint called me and told me he had to get an MRI on his back and as it turns out has a herniated disk and the one above it is bulging!! :o I tell ya I leave for five minutes an the show falls apart!! He has to go see a specialist tomorrow (Monday) to find out how we need to go about fixing his back.

***UPDATE***

Today (Moday) the specialist said he would give Clint a steroid shot and 4 weeks of physical therapy. If his pain increases, his symptoms get worse or don't go away then they will talk about surgery.

Aside from all that I tried to enjoy myself and not worry too much about my ailing hubby. We went to the childrens science museum, had family pictures taken, went to the park a ton, played outside blowing bubbles and making chalk drawings, went for walks went to the Zoo! We did a lot!

Then Friday we drove up to KC and stayed at The Great Wolf Lodge. The water park was a blast!! the Room was spacious, but the beds SUCKED beyond suckage!! None of us got any sleep except for the kids. Saturday we did the water park again and were there for most of the day. When we left we went and got a late lunch which was nice but both kids fell asleep at the table.

Of course the weather was great all day (and every day before) until I show up at the airport! Then Thunder, lightening, high winds, Tornado warnings! A tornado touched down about 15 minutes away from the airport! ALL flights were delayed. My flight was delayed 2 hours! Then when our plan actually arrived we had no crew to fly it! It was nightmare! So we finally get boarded and in the air. Now I'm not a nervous flier AT ALL I actually find it really relaxing. But for the first time in my life I was actually scared to be on the plane! I looked out the window and there was lightening all around us and the wings were bouncing like crazy, not to mention the turbulance! It was not a fun ride until we got to 40,000 ft! That's how far up we had to go to get above it! Then of course on a night like that we had to loose something and of course it had to be the car seats! I didn't leave SeaTac until 12am and then I didn't get home until 1:30am because we took the long way thinking it would be faster than sitting in what ever HUGE traffic pile up had occured on I-5.

Needless to say I'm a wee bit tired this morning. But I'm so excited to be back! Home sweet home! Can I just take moment to give a big shout out to my friends who helped take care of my hubby while I was away! Words cannot begin to express my grattitude for all your help! Thhank you thank you thank you!

I had pictures of the kids taken while I was out there so as soon as they are online I'll share.

When did I become "THAT" person...

2009-04-14T07:55:00.000-07:00

This week, tomorrow in fact, I leave for Wichita. Things always get crazy when you're trying to prepare for a trip I know this. On top of all the usual craziness that comes with travel Miss Kailey had a doctors appointment yesterday. Which was fine.

I had a couple things I wanted to pick up but it was raining like crazy so I was really debating about weather or not I wanted to go right then or wait until the next day. It was also getting late in the afternoon and I knew the kids were going to be needing naps very soon. Ultimately I convinced myself that I only needed two things from the store so I might as well run in, grab what I need and get home. **Insert laughter here** I swear I must be a gluten for punishment! I mean really, what was I thinking? First off I had two kids with me...there is no such thing as "running in" and "running out" of ANYWHERE when you have kids in tow! When will I learn this?! Second, Kailey was tired and Garrett was hungry and tired. Not a good combo for the hopeful plan of "run in" and "run out".

As I was standing in the check out lane, during a Wal-Mart "rush", waiting for a price check, with two screaming kids I suddenly realized I had become that person. You know the crazy mom with the twitching eye on the verge of killing her off spring in the desperate hope that they would just "hold still and be quiet"? The mom we've all seen and thought to ourselves, "That girl needs to get those kids under control" or "That poor women. What was she thinking?"

That was me and I knew it. I had to chuckle to myself a little bit. I mean really! I had become a person I truly never thought I would become. And there I was at Wal-Mart when it happened. Go figure!

I think back to when I was kids and I knewhow my life was going to be. I knewwhat kind of a person I was going to be and what kind of a mom I was going to be and what kind of life I was going to have and what my kids would be like. **Chuckle, sigh, wipe a tear**. I find it quite amusing that my life is NOTHING like I thought it would be. I never imagined there would be a day where I would have to ask myself when the last time I took a shower was or the last time I had a full (uninterrupted) nights sleep was? And there it was right there in Wally world when I realized it.

Preparing for the Easter bunny and other worthy notes

2009-04-10T11:18:00.000-07:00

Preparing for the Easter Bunny!
I love holidays! I'm not sure if it's something I got from my Mom or something that I've just always loved but either way I love holidays. Weather it's Valentines, St.Patricks, Easter or Christmas it really doesn't matter to me, I love them all! I don't just love all the candy and decorations. I mean those are nice and fun but what I really love is the individual tradition each holiday has and how it brings family and friends together.

This year is an especially exciting year for me holiday wise. My daughter is three this year and is really starting to grasp these holiday concepts. Now in years past we haven't really done anything for the kids on holidays except for Christmas. We felt that Kailey was still just too young to really understand and so there was really no point. So this year I fully intend on going all out for Easter. Clint of course will be in charge of the spiritual side of things while I handle all the fun and games!

So I ordered the Easter basket I've had my eye on for the last couple years. I was expecting it to come in the mail today and sure enough it arrived! I have to tell you though that moments like what I'm about to share are the moments I love being Mom and yet at the same time know I need to pick up the slack in the "mothering" department. Anyway, the Mail Lady hopes out of her truck and runs up to the door and rings the bell. Then Kailey from the living room shouts, "Mom! Pizza!" I couldn't help but laugh. Appearently the only time our doorbell rings is when the Pizza Man is here!

Other worthy notes
Kailey had her very first dentist appointment. She wouldn't get in the chair and wouldn't let the hygenist look at her teeth, but she did have fun looking at the equipment and play with the water/air hose thingy and the spit sucker thingy. I made another appointment so hopefully next time we can convince her to sit in the chair.

In four and half days I will be back in my home town Wichita! I'm really excited for this trip. I haven't been back in year and a half! I can't wait to see what all has changed. My Mom was just telling me the other that the bar and grill I used to waitress at sold out to some other company. :( I was so sad to hear that because I was really looking forward to getting some "bases loaded waffle fries" (it was sports bar okay). May Victories Sports Bar and Grill forever rest in peace.

I also got my hair cut last night. I love getting my hair cut. I used to dread having to go to the salon and always made my Mom cut my hair. But now that I'm married and have kids of my own Salon time means alone time and I'll take that any way I can get it!

The best note to date so far though is that Garrett is saying "Ma ma ma mama" and "Da da da dadda"!! He is also getting much better at sitting all by himself. Which has been quite a challenge to do with big sister always knocking him down!

Happy Easter!!

Completely in love

2009-04-08T07:53:00.000-07:00

On Sunday a good friend of mine, who I haven't seen in quite some time, dropped by my house. It was so good to see her and catch up on things. She is such a lovely person. I truly enjoy her company. Towards the end of our visit I confessed that we had bought a mini van. She was appalled to say the least. Then she asked me how many kids we planned on having. I told her probably four. She couldn't believe it.

To be totally honest, I think my heart would very well break in two just at the thought of being "done" making babies. I know more kids = more work. I know it means less time for myself. I am also very well aware of the fact that I probably wont have anything of any real value (monetarily) until they are grown and out of my house. But I'm okay with that. The worth of a big family is so ETERNALLY great that it far out weighs anything I may or may not be able to obtain in this life.

Besides who would want more of these? Just look at that cute little button nose and chubby cheeks!

I must admit I am completely in love my babies! I am a baby junkie!

First comes determination...

2009-04-06T08:09:00.000-07:00

Then comes frustration! It seems that as I have tried so diligently over the past 2 1/2 weeks to focus on getting in better shape and eating right (I've lost 5 lbs by the way!) the rest of my life has fallen to pieces. All I can conclude from this is that I'm not the great "Multi-Tasker" I like to think I am. Why when I want to take take care of myself does the laundry and dishes pile up? Why do my children's toys remain on the floor at the end of the day? Why do I feel like there is less time for me to be with my husband? And for the love of all that is good are my bathrooms such pig sties? How do women do it?

I see women in my ward who seem to be able to do it all. Lose weight after just popping out their fifth kid, having "perfect", well behaved children, clean houses, happy, well fed husbands etc.? Is the joke on me? Am I missing something? Was there a Memo on how to do all that and still look great that I missed? If so could some fax that to me? Frustration has officially set in on this utterly Miserable Monday!

Little things I'm learning...

2009-03-30T07:07:00.000-07:00

1. 6am comes much earlier when you know there is a treadmill just down the hall from your bedroom that has your name all over it.
2. When starting a work out routine (after having fallen off the wagon) by day 6 you will still feel the need to have an oxygen mask after attempting to run (sprints) for two and half miles even if you have done this before.
3. Gratitude for the home gym is abundant when you realize your whole body is shaking to and fro as you run. I'd like to take a moment here to thank my husband for supplying this home gym. Offending the general public of Everett with my "baby flab" on a daily basis is not a personal workout goal.
4. Who needs chemicals when a little fiber + a good workout = a perfectly suitable colon cleanse.
5. A good sports bra is worth more than it's weight in gold.
6. I'd rather be pregnant and go through the pain of labor and delivery every 9 months than work out.
7. It's really not as easy as it looks I don't care what Jane Fonda or any of her other little workout cronies say!
8. As hard as it is at the moment I always feel so much better after.
9. Good running shoes and breathable socks are essential if you don't want your feet to feel like they are on fire.
10. It doesn't matter what you look like when you start, it's starting and reaching the your goal that counts.

p.s does anybody know someone who does lipo probono? Perhaps whole body transplants from the double chin down? No? Okay just checking!

Gettin' Juicy

2009-03-25T09:16:00.000-07:00

This is a post I've been wanting to do for a while now. It was inspired by a good friend of mine who was pretty shocked to hear that I had or was trying to go all "Granola" since moving out to Washington. I told her all about our whole food/organic grocery stores and about how I really wanted to go "Natural" when giving birth to Garrett (which I ended up not doing but would still like to try) but more specific having a home birth. I also told her that on my Christmas list was a juicer. She couldn't believe it. I think she thinks I've completely lost my mind. Anyway, the point is, is that I LOVE juicing. I love being in control of what I put in my body. I love knowing that when I give my kids apple juice or pear juice it doesn't have 26+ grams of sugar. I love that it is fresh and that they get all the vitamins and nutrients they need without all the garbage that often times goes into store bought juices. Granted my kids aren't big fans of juiced vegies yet but that's okay they eat them without being juiced just fine so I'm really not worried. It just makes the fruit juice that much more of a treat.

So here is a tribute to all my fellow juicers out in bloggerland and beyond!

(The juicer shown below is a Breville. The same kind I got for Christmas.)

Juicy Poem from February's win a juicer comp

by Eric.

Before I got myself all juicy,

I looked a lot like Gary Busey,

But now I am so very fit,

Got nowt on me, that Bradley Pitt.

oscar

I gave up drinking coffee and tea,

Cos I got hooked on vitamin C,

I dart around like a racing snake,

As my thirst I attempt to slake.

nice pair!

Yet I don't want it already bottled,

I need to see my fruit being throttled,

And I can't do it on my own,

In a dilemma I've been thrown.

juicer

But with my peach I needn't fight,

Cos thank the Lord I've seen the light,

Let me be the first to mention,

The dawn of wondrous new invention.

best

I've travelled the world; I've been about,

If you knew the half, it'd make you shout,

And the greatest thing I've ever seen,

Is the L'equip XL juicer machine.

juicers

In the top go nature's wares,

Luscious apples or maybe some pears,

Then it does its thing with ease,

Mister, can I have one please?

some fruit and vegetables

Garrett's eventful 6 month check

2009-03-23T14:44:00.000-07:00

So today was Garrett's 6 month check up. I had a feeling today was going to be a difficult one simply because Kailey was being such a pill before we even got to the doc office and continued to be one there. Little did I know things were about to get worse. So the nurse calls us back and leads us into the room. I'm holding Garrett in one arm w/my diaper bag over the opposite shoulder and Kailey was holding my hand. I let go of Kailey and instruct her to please sit on the bench. I put the diaper bag down and tell Kailey again to please sit down. I lay Garrett on the table so I could get his cloths off and while still hanging on to him I turn and tell Kailey AGAIN to please sit down. I turn back to Garrett to start taking his cloths off and Kailey bumps into me. Irritated as all get out with her I turn around tell her to get on the bench and try to help her with my one free hand while I was still holding onto Garrett. Then Kailey does her usual freak out and I turn back and glance at Garrett, he seems content so I let my hand off him for a split second and turned to Kailey so I could put her on the bench and Garrett rolls off the table!

Like lightning I whip around and try to catch him as he's falling grabbing only a leg. I don't know if me trying to catch him helped or hurt, but I tell you what he was screaming his ever lovin' head off! I was so freaked out I was shaking for about 10 minutes. That is the first time one of my babies has fallen off something and holy crap did it scare me. Garrett is fine it scared him more than it hurt him. The table was at an angle in the room and he fell to the side where all the tubes and wire for the blood pressure cuffs and stuff were, there was also a little lamp on that side so there was some stuff in the way to help break his fall a bit.

Anyway the nurse heard the commotion and came running back in and asked me what had happened and of course she's shaking her head at me and telling me I know better than to leave him, which I do, but still I was pretty shaken up as it was. Then she went and got an ice pack and put it on Garrett's head which of course just made him scream even more. Then the nurse was telling me I needed to make sure to tell the doctor, duh, but she told me like five times. Normally I love this nurse but today she got on my all ready very delicate and shaken nerves.

So the doctor came in and got talking to me about Garrett and started to check him over and told her what happened and she was really nice and was just like "Oh well, it probably just scared him". He is doing really well he's 27" long now and his head and weight haven't changed. 17 lbs 14oz which I think put him in like the 75%.

Kailey of course continued to be a pill all the while Garrett was getting his shots. The poor little guy! I felt so bad for him today. First a fall and bonk on the head, then the ice pack, then the shots! I didn't know it was possible for him to cry that long! He was completely zonked out in his car seat by the time we got home and barely flinched when I took him out to put him in his crib. Needless to say it's been quite the day for us!

Misery Monday

2009-03-23T07:09:00.000-07:00

The Norlie's have officially reached max closet, laundry room, kitchen, toy room and most importantly garage capacity. Which means it's time to spring clean. Something I dread and look forward too. Mostly because I have reached my max limit of patience for the lack of space we once enjoyed last spring. I think there are really only two things I truly dread about spring cleaning. First how long it takes. To do this the "right way" as my mother always taught me, it takes quite a while because "let no dust bunny be left behind"! The second thing is having to do such an undertaking with a three year old under foot. Kailey destroys WAY faster than I can clean. I'm pretty sure she thinks she's helping, as I'm sure most three year old's do. Other than those two things I really don't mind spring cleaning. And once it's done I feel like I can breath again. Perhaps it's because all those dust bunnies I've been cleaning AROUND are gone.

Well you know what they say, "cleanliness is next to Godliness" so I best get to it!

Happy Birthday Mom!

2009-03-21T10:11:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Mom!

I want you to know how very blessed I feel to have you as my Mom. You are the most incredible women I know. You have a strength inside you that I wish I only had an inkling of. You have been such a great support to me over the last few years I don't think I know how to begin to thank you. I know it hasn't been easy having me and your gran babies so far away so thank you for being so supportive of us anyway.

Thank you for being the grandma that you are. Kailey loves you so much and I know Garrett will too. I'm so grateful for all that you have done to help Clint and I with kids. You truly are an amazing grandma!

I wish so much I could be there to give you a big hug! I hope you've had a great birthday! We love you and miss you, and can't wait to see you in three weeks!

Love,
Michelle

Happy Birthday Lindsey!

2009-03-19T08:33:00.000-07:00

It's hard to imagine that five years has all ready gone by. So much has happened and so much has changed. You are so beautiful! You are growing up so fast! You are so smart and talking so well. I'm so very, very proud of you!

I love you and I hope that you had a really great birthday and a happy St.Patricks Day!

Love,
your Birth Mom

Misery Monday and sisterly love

2009-03-16T08:27:00.000-07:00

sometimes, and by sometimes I mean once in a blue we have a Monday that really isn't so bad. I think today might be a decent one in the making.

This week I have my younger sister here visiting. Today we have things to accomplish and I look forward to it. Yes I have to take my kids along but when you have that extra pair of hands it makes everything SO much easier!

So far we have had a lot of fun together. Giggling in inappropriate settings is always good fun when you're with a sister! I can't wait to see how the rest of week unfolds!

Misery Monday

2009-03-09T09:07:00.000-07:00

I'm still fighting a cold and Kailey is getting a bit of cabin fever. My house needs cleaning as my little sister will be here in two days to visit me. Thing aren't looking to good thus far.

favorite things Friday

2009-03-06T07:56:00.000-08:00

I haven't done a favorite things Friday yet so here we go.

I love lilies!

They are my favorite flower. They just look so graceful and they remind of beautiful ballerinas. Which is something I always wanted to be (a ballerina not a lily).

They are also one of the flowers in my wedding bouquet.

The age of innocence

2009-03-03T20:28:00.000-08:00

Just yesterday, as I was bringing groceries into the house, Kailey ran to the corner of our garden and grabbed a dandelion that had sprouted. It still had the little fluff ball on the top and she came running into the garage yelling, "Mommy! Wait! I have to make a wish!" It couldn't have been a more inopportune time as my arms were full of groceries and I was trying to hold the door open so she would stay with me, but the feeling that came over me when she did that is all most indescribable. Looking back I think that was Gods way of tell me to slow down, stop and smell the roses, enjoy these babies, after all they are only this little once.

When I think about my life I can't help but wonder when it was exactly I lost that beautiful innocence that all children posses. Was it when I first found out, what my older sister said was the "truth about Santa"? Was it that moment when I tried to steal that pack of gum from the drug store as a little kid (which of course my mom made me return)? Was it when I first gave into peer pressure as a teenager? I have spent numberless hours trying to figure this one out. I think in the end it's a combination of a lot of things. But oh how I miss it. I truly revel in the bright innocent eyes of my children! And how I dread the day when I wont see that anymore. Because it eventually happens to us all doesn't it? Or am I just jaded because of all the things I've experienced in life? What ever it is I think I learned a pretty powerful lesson from my 3 year old yesterday!

Adventures in Canada! (again better late than never)

2009-02-24T10:43:00.000-08:00

I woke up Monday morning wondering what I would blog about for "Misery Monday" then I realized I was still in Canada and the internet connection there is dial up so I wouldn't be able to blog. What a perfect way to start my "Misery Monday" blog eh? This thought ran through my head most of the day as we were preparing to fly home. I must say I thought it very fitting that we should be traveling home on a Monday.

But lets go back to Wednesday evening shall we. That's the day we left for Canada. Not to much to report the kids were relatively well behaved we got checked in and through security will very little trouble. We got something to eat, changed diapers, filled bottles and boarded our plane. It was quick, smooth flight. Kailey watched a movie on my iphone and Garrett slept. We arrived in Calgary around 9:15 pm mountain time. Then we had a two and a half hour drive out to the farm. It was long but the kids slept so it wasn't bad.

Thursday we had a birthday party for Kailey. Her cousin Tanner (who is one day younger) was suppose to be there but had a cold and couldn't make it. It was still a lot of fun though. Kailey's Uncle's and Aunts and two other cousins were there. It was a lot of fun! Kailey got spoiled! Everyone up there is so generous! It always seems to take me by surprise for some reason.

Friday Clint and I left the kids with his dad and mom and drove back into Calgary for a date. It was again a long ride but we made great conversation the whole way. It was nice being able to carry on a conversation with out being interrupted 57 times! We even talked the whole way home too! It's amazing how much can be said when the little ones are away! While we were there we had lunch, went to the mall, went to a western wear store, got a car wash, picked up an extra suit case (to haul all Kailey's presents home with), and went and saw Gran Torino. It was a lot of fun!

Saturday was the big surprise anniversary party for Larry and Linda. They didn't have a clue. My sister in laws Amanda and Roxanne did a fantastic job putting it all together! I was really impressed! There were quite a few people there and the food was all homemade and delicious! Kailey had a blast running around with all the kids that were there. It all turned out so great! Thanks Amanda and Roxanne!

Sunday was a lazy day. We hung out in the morning and went and saw Clint's Grandma's in town in the afternoon. Of course the whole time we were there Kailey was out checking the cows every chance she got so she did quite a bit of that on Sunday. Then after the kids were in bed I packed up all their toys and gathered up all the cloths so that I could pack in the morning.

Monday was our traveling day. We left the farm around 11 am and got into Calgary just after 1pm. We stopped for lunch at a place called Montanas. It was soo good! Then we ran over to Chapters ( book store) and I picked up a book for the plane ride home. Then we were off to the airport. The people there were all very nice. Except for the customs officer who checked our passports. He was a very grumpy fellow. What is with them? They all tend to be that way! But he let us go so I guess that's the important thing right?!

The plane ride was good. Garrett slept, I read, Clint slept, and Kailey of course watched a movie. Once we got to SeaTac everything went pretty quickly. Our luggage was all ready off the coveyer belt and waiting so we were able to just grab it and go. That was nice! I hate bumping elbows just to get my suit cases! Then we got our car and headed home. The kids were both totally zonked out in the car 10 minutes into our 45 minute drive home. That too was nice!

It was such a good trip! I had very mixed feelings about coming home this time. I wanted to stay and visit a little longer but I was also starting to kind of antsy to get home. It was so great getting to see everyone. It was too cold to do much out side and Garrett was sick with a cold the whole time but we still enjoyed our stay. I know Kailey had a lot of fun. She loves being on the farm with the cows and the kitties and Brandy (Larry's dog). Last time we were there it was summer time and Kailey thought their yard was a park. She didn't mind the cold though and had a lot of fun going with Pa to see the cows.

Ohh Canada

2009-02-18T06:57:00.000-08:00

Well today is the day we head out Canada. I know once we get there everything will be fine. I just get so nervous traveling with kids for one and even more so when traveling across the border. We all have our passports so we'll more than likely be just fine, it just gets a little more nerve wracking when you have the kiddos to worry about.

Most of you know that Clint grew up on a cattle ranch about two and half hours out side of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. His dad and step mom still live there and have cattle. It's very beautiful out there I think. Some of the people out there are so red-neck the folks out in Kansas couldn't hold a candle next to them! But it's the country life and there is definitely something about that that appeals to me.

I'll be honest I've missed the farm. There is just something about it. I don't if it's just because it reminds so much of Kansas or what, but I have really missed being out there. I have missed my in-laws too. It takes me a long time to really warm up to people but I have really grown to love all of them and I can't wait to see my new nephew Nate. I'm especially excited to get up there so that I can razz my Father in law. He is such a funny ol' fart! However, as I'm writing this I'm remembering that calving season is just starting out there. I hope they don't try to get me out there to watch or help or something. I'm WAY too much of a city girl for that!

Over all I think it will be a good trip. We are planning a double birthday party for Kailey and her cousin Tanner. They are only a day apart. I'm really excited for it just because Kailey has never had or been to a big birthday party. (I know how lame are we?!) Linda (my mother in law) will be getting an ice cream cake for the kids. I think Kailey will love it! Course Kailey loves anything sweet! I think she get's that from her Pa (Clint's dad)!

Well Kailey is talking and Garrett is babbling so I guess that means it's time to start my day. Fingers crossed we have a smooth hassle free day both at home and at the airport!

Misery Monday

2009-02-16T07:30:00.000-08:00

Today we have a lot going on at the Norlie House. It was big weekend with lots of candy, cake, and presents. First on Friday was last minute birthday gift shopping, then Valentines on Saturday, then on Sunday was Kailey's 3rd Birthday. So that means a whole lot of clean up for today. I also cleaned out my fridge for the first time in months and now know why Clint keeps saying there's nothing to eat! So that means a trip to the store today, which by the way isn't so bad now that I've discover the kids play area at Fred Myers (free baby sitter....SCORE!).

Clint and I are leaving for a trip to Canada on Wednesday and my older sister Stephanie and her boyfriend are coming for a visit on Friday. That means I have to have my house cleaned and the fridge stocked (with soy milk no less so that means a trip to a second grociery store), suit cases packed, birthday presents wrapped and packed, and kids bathed before we leave.

On top of all this craziness Kailey is not feeling well with a mild fever and the sniffles. The poor girl was up half the night because she couldn't breath even with the humidifier, so now of course she's a grumpy girl and will not be fun to tote around today.

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can....

Happy Birthday Kailey!! (better late than never)

2009-02-13T13:23:00.000-08:00

My sweet Kailey is turning 3 on Sunday. I can hardly believe it. February 15th, 2006 is day that I had long awaited! I think most mothers want their babies, yearn for their babies, dream about their babies, but for me, more than all of those combined, I needed you. You put the final piece of my once broken heart back into place. Your were the cure to so much of what had been ailing my soul. From the moment I heard your first cry I loved you more than words could ever describe. You were so beautiful with all your hair and that sweet smile. I could hardly wait to take you home.

As much love as I have shown you, you have always been your Daddy's girl. I had such mixed emotions when you said your first word which of course was Daddy. I was and am so proud of you for talking but so sad at the same time because clearly your heart belonged to Daddy. I have grown to love that about you. I also love that as much as your heart belongs to Daddy you still save a hug and a cuddle for me.

You have such an insatiable appetite for reading. I don't think you will ever be able to own enough books. I love that you never get sick of the old books even when you get new books. I love that you have read all your books so many time that you have them all most all memorized.

You are so smart! You constantly amaze me!

I love your sense of humor! You are always making me laugh. Your energy, laughter and happiness is contagious! You light up our house on even the gloomiest of rainy days!

Your becoming such a fun little girl and that for me is bittersweet. I love you so much Kailey and I hope my "all most" Valentine baby has a very happy birthday.

Gangs come in all forms...

2009-02-11T13:14:00.000-08:00

I have no intention of making this a political blog but with the events that have taken place over the last several months and more especially the last several days, I feel the need to let my friends and family know where I stand.

For all my life I considered myself a republican. At least until I was old enough to care about politics and vote. The more I listened to both democratic and republican parties the less I cared for either really. It seemed to me that when ever I heard a politician speaking they were so far "right" or so far "left" it would make me want to scream and pull my hair out. It drives me bonkers listening to anyone who is "red" or "blue" through and through.

First and foremost, I was always taught since I can remember to always vote for the person who you felt would be the best person for the job, weather it was Class President in High School or Employee of the month, or President of our country. Being ignorant of what both sides has to say is as bad as "hiding under rocks" or burying your head in the sand! Since I'm speaking of ignorance, voting strictly republican or strictly democrat because that's what your parents did and their parents and their parents through all generations is the STUPIDEST thing I have ever heard of in my LIFE!! Then assuming because I didn't listen to Rush everyday or vote the same way you did I don't know all the facts ?! What is that?

Gangs come in all shapes, sizes and colors. Republican, Democrat, Blood, Crypt does not matter to me! I WILL NOT JOIN! Call me a fence sitter, call me what ever you want, but don't call me unpatriotic, indifferent or ignorant! Because I listen to both sides. I see the good and the bad of BOTH!

All I ask is for you all to think about this story I'm going to share with you.

In June 2006 I found I was pregnant. Two weeks after finding out Clint and I took a trip up to Canada for a funeral. A little less than half way there I started spotting. We made it to a hotel that night and by then I was bleeding pretty heavily. The next morning we got on the road and headed to the nearest ER still several hours away. When we got there, there was NO waiting. I was given a room and saw a doctor within 30 minutes. The doctor confirmed that I was having a miscarriage. We left paying a very small fee. Then we had a three hour drive to get to the farm. The bleeding never stopped. The next day I went to the ER again. The doctor there said I needed to have a d&c. We were there for several hours while I was recovering. Again we left paying nothing at the time.

If this had been a Canadian or any other foreigner for that matter traveling only with a passport, what do you think would have happened to her if she had gone to one of our American ER's? What kind of bill would she have to pay? How fair is it that I should be treated so well in another country paying next to nothing for the health care I received and anyone else coming to America including American's don't get treated so well?

Here is another story.

Clint's Grandma in Canada had some trouble with her hip just before Christmas. Her Doctor told her she would need a hip replacement. By Friday of that VERY WEEK she had a new hip.

Yet even though I have insanely good health insurance I have to watch my daughter suffer for a month and half while I wait for her to see a specialist! How is that fair?

If socialized health care is really the big bad monster that all the republicans want us to believe it is, than why are we the only civilized nation with out it?! And why is it that the number one country to raise a family in (a little hint it's not America) has it?

Isn't taking care of one another what Christ taught us to do? How can we call ourselves a "Christian Nation" when no one could care less about weather or not their neighbor and their neighbors children have health care? How can we call ourselves the "UNITED" States of American when we don't even know our next door neighbors name let alone the difficulties some one in a different state with a different economic status might be facing? Why should I be entitled to health care just because my husband has a good job that can afford health insurance while "Bob the Brick layer" who works twice as hard for half as much has to go without? That certainly does not sound like what I was taught in Sunday school!

I'm not saying the system is perfect. NO system ever is. But I'm pretty sure I personally would sleep a lot better at night knowing that I'm doing my part to contribute to a UNITED NATION.

A visit from the past and lessons learned

2009-02-09T08:17:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure if there is something in the air or if it's the changing of seasons fast approaching, or maybe even the cosmos just not aligning, but last week and over the weekend we had some VERY cranky kids at our house. Either one was waking up at all hours of the night, taking naps opposite of each other, crying opposite of each other, etc. So that's what I dealt with all week and had really hoped the weekend would give us chance to re-coop and catch up on sleep (and blogging). No such luck!

Lessons Learned
Friday I got a phone call from our mortgage company, who we are refinancing through, wanting to know if I could send them any copies of any paper work I had regarding a $48 dispute on my credit report. I was a little irritated by this to say the least. This "dispute" was from 2003 when I had my wallet stolen from a YMCA in Wichita, Kansas. I've know it was there since before Clint and I got married and were trying to buy me a truck. But we were able to buy the truck with no problems. Then we got married and bought a house. It came up again then, but we were still able to buy the house. It's just never been that big of an issue, so I never bothered with it. Well now that the banks and mortgage companies are tightening their "belts" it's an issue. AAAAGGGGHHH!! So now I have to rummage through 6 years worth of paperwork to try and find my stuff regarding this situation and email it to the mortgage company. Lesson learned: take care of business!

A visit from the past
Saturday everyone was up early and Clint had to work. I had a good friend from Wichita up here to judge a cheer leading competition in Tacoma and we had plans to get together. It's been about four and half years since I saw him last. What a trip drudging up and dusting off those memories! It was neat because you know how some times when you see some one you knew at one point in your life but lost touch with and there is an awkwardness there because your both so different now? That feeling was never there as I thought it might be! My friend and I didn't skip a beat! We fell into conversation just as easily as we had in the past. It all most seemed like four years hadn't ever even gone by between us. A lot has changed for both of us and our families. He finally found the girl he wants to marry, which is so great! He's always wanted to be married and have a family. He seemed to enjoy the company of my kids even though they were crying and climbing on and under the restaurant table and throwing temper tantrums. Clint was great! What a trooper! Taking care of the kids as best he could so I could visit with my friend. Over all it was a nice evening. I just wish I had had more time to visit!

It's funny how when you are least expecting it your past can sneak up on you out of no where. After church on Sunday I did a lot of contemplating about this. I didn't really come up with much just more questions about why this or that had happened or not....*sigh*...
There were other things from the past that came up this weekend as well, but those are too personal to share on here. I will say this, I feel like I'm at a weird place in my life where my past really is not that far behind me but I feel like it's far enough to put the "duck tape" on those "boxes of memories". Does that make sense? Not that they are all bad memories, just that when do you get to that point in your life when you stop re living them, good or bad? I guess this all really comes back to something my friend said to me Saturday night, which was "Why would you keep in touch with people you were never really friends with to begin with?" Which in turn made me think that I don't want to go to my 10 year when it comes up. Clint has also asked me on occasion why I would want to go back to Wichita when there is nothing besides my family there for me anymore. Honestly if it were not for my family I would probably NEVER go back to Kansas. So again, when do you walk away from certain things and never look back? Do you ever get to that point? Obviously I'm not referring to my parents, but people, places, and memories in general.

THE ROAD NOT TAKEN

by. Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Misery Monday

2009-02-09T08:07:00.000-08:00

I woke up this morning and there was snow on the ground. 'Nuff said!

Misery Monday

2009-02-02T08:10:00.000-08:00

It's ten after 8 and this morning is all ready off to a poor start. No surprise really I mean after all it is Monday. So I woke up at 6am in hopes of giving myself 30 minutes to lay in bed before I HAD to get up to work out. But to my surprise not only was my alarm clock going off but so was Garrett. So I thought okay, this could be worse. So I got up, fed Garrett a bottle and went and laid him back down in his bed. By then it was 7am and I thought well Kailey probably wont be up until at least 8 because she went to bed so late last night and now that Garrett has had a bottle he should sleep until at least 9. So I climb back into bed still wanting my 30 minutes of sleep I didn't get earlier. I lay there for a few minutes and I hear Garrett on the monitor talking to himself. I think it's no big deal and figure he'll find his thumb and doze off soon enough. But no such luck. I go get him and bring into my room so I can get my work out cloths on, again thinking I still had time before Kailey woke up. Again, no such luck. It's 7:30 and both kids are up and want to play and eat breakfast. So much for getting my workout in this morning!

Please feel free to share a "Misery Monday" story. After all "misery loves company"!

*Cute pics you know you want to see...

2009-01-28T07:44:00.000-08:00

My good friend has tagged me. So here it goes.

Here were the rules:
1. Go to your documents/pictures
2. Go to your 6th file
3. Go to the 6th picture
4. Blog about it
5. Tag 6 other friends
6. Smile! Here is my 6th in 6th.....

So I'm actually pretty lazy and only have one photo in my 6th file because I just haven't gotten around to importing all the other photos of this nature to that file.

Anyway, this is a picture of Lindsey. She is 4 in this picture. She'll be 5 in March. Lindsey is my first baby. I placed her for adoption three days after she was born. It was an open adoption. Her adoptive family is so great! I could not imagine her being with anyone else. Right now they are in Switzerland for her dad's job. We keep in touch via email.

Adoption changed my life. I would not be where I am today or have what I have today if it were not for the Lord and his divine plan of salvation and adoption. I was so fortunate in so many ways that many other girls aren't that I can only give thanks to God for my experience. It made me such a much better person. It makes to sad to think about all people who have not had positive experiences with it or perhaps even take advantage of the system. It also makes me sad and mad to think about all the many, many people who are just plain uneducated about it and ramifications of that. But that's another blog for another day. For now I will leave you with the lyrics to a song I love and have listened to many times.

Bette Midler
Lullaby in blue

I know that I'm no saint.
My head is in the clouds.
They called you a mistake,
but I still, I still say your name out loud.

They called me a stupid girl,
just like my mom.
Too many men passed through my arms.
At seventeen I looked into your eyes,
knew I could never comfort your cries.
Every April still reminds me of you.
The child I never knew.
My lullaby in blue.

It all goes by so fast.
How lovely you must be.
Why you've reached the age at last
that I was when your daddy lived with me.

How I wish we could meet somewhere,
talk it through.
There is so much I would say to you.
There are others, I'm not alone.
A younger brother you've never known,
and a baby girl who so reminds me of you.
The child I never knew.
My lullaby in blue.

As the years go by,
try not to think of us sadly.
Believe it if you can,
I wanna see you so badly.
On your birthday, Mama's thinking of you.
The child I never knew.
My lullaby in blue.
My lullaby in blue.
My lullaby . . .

My 6 tags are Thelma, Amy, Heather, Tia, Jen, Taunie

Just found out...

2009-01-27T09:52:00.000-08:00

This is just too good not to share with my tv loving buddies. Ugly Betty is getting the axe! I'm sooo bummed! I loved this show! When I first found out I thought, great now they'll just put some other garbage show on. But my friends there is light at the end of the "Ugly Betty tunnel"! ABC is going to introduce the new comedy, In The Motherhood!

In The Motherhood is a show you do not want to miss! If you are a mom you will LOVE this show! It's based on real stories that real moms write in about the experiences they have as mothers and wives. I would watch the shorts they had on the net and laugh so hard I would cry! If I'm not mistaken I believe March 26th is the big day. Stay tuned because I will be following and blogging about this!

Here is a link to check out:

http://www.inthemotherhood.com/

Misery Mondays

2009-01-26T10:23:00.000-08:00

As a kid I could never really understand what the big deal was with Mondays. I mean sure, back then Monday was the start of another school week, but for me even that wasn't that big of deal. However, as an adult I'm beginning to understand why my parents (or any other adult I knew) never cared for Mondays.

For me Monday means picking up the house from Saturday and Sunday. It means getting two kids ready to leave the house so we can go to the grocery store and run other errands, all on a tight schedule so we can get home, have lunch, and take naps. While my kids sleep I pick up all the toys they managed to drag out in the short time they had while I fixed lunch. Then try to catch up on weekend laundry and put lunch dishes in the dishwasher. Then the kids wake up, we have an afternoon snack and drag the toys all back out AGAIN. We all play for bit until I have to start getting ready to cook dinner. Usually we have some sort of meat for dinner so while I wait for that to thaw, if the kids are behaving themselves, I'll go check the email and return any calls I may have gotten during the day. Then I go put in a dvd for Kailey just to make sure she'll stay out of my way while I'm busy cooking and then go cook. By the time dinner is done Clint is usually home and playing with the kids. So I rally the troops and we eat. After dinner Clint plays with Kailey for a bit while I feed/bath Garrett. Then it's time for Kailey to get ready for bed. After she is ready we have a quick FHE, then off to bed with her. Clint and I take turns putting Kailey down so if it's my turn Clint will play with Garrett until I come back, then I put Garrett to bed. If it's Clint's turn to put Kailey down then I just go ahead and put Garrett to bed at the same time. Then we usually spend the next hour trying to get Kailey to actually go to bed while we are busy trying to watch our favorite tv shows or play on the computer. Finally by about 10pm we've all had enough and call it a day.

That is usually how our Mondays go. They are long and tiresome. Through out the day I'm constantly battling with a 3 year old who is extremely defiant and a 4 month old who crys as soon as I'm not within his sight. These are the days I pray for the Lord to give me strenghth and patience. Today is actually a bit of an off day for us I guess. Clint went to the store on Saturday for me, so I don't have to go today, but I do have to spend a bit more time cleaning as we have an apraiser coming to the house today or tomorrow. Which actually works out well because I didn't want to have to take Miss Kailey out today anyway. The poor kid hasn't pooped in 7 days and is not feeling so hot. I gave her more laxitives again this morning and am hoping I can blow it out of her. I think I'm going to call the Pediatric GI doctor today.

Since Mondays are usually miserable around our house, and my mother always said "misery loves company" I figured I would start a "Misery Monday" blog. That way I have at least one day where I can let out all my Monday frustrations. I welcome you all to join me and share a "misery Monday" story.

The sweet silence of children sleeping

2009-01-23T14:31:00.000-08:00

Today was Garrett's four month well child check up with the Doc.

Before I delve into all the details of that, I'd just like to take a moment to say that I heart my family doctor! She always makes me feel so good about myself as a mother and as a human being. I heart Dr. B !

Okay back to Garrett. He is growing like a weed! It really makes me sad some days. I just love babies. I feel so close to heaven when I hold them. Anyway, he is in the 75% for his hight (26"long) and weight (15.10 lbs). Long and lean that's we make'em. He had to get four shots today. :-( He did well though. He really didn't start crying until the 3rd and 4th shot, and even then I got him calmed down relatively quick.

I of course had to take Miss Kailey with me. Which is always a nightmare. Bless her hart she's just at the age where she wants to know EVERYTHING and has to get into EVERYTHING. All the while Garrett has learned how to roll so I can no longer just leave him any ol'place. So I have one hand on Garrett (who was on the doc table) and one hand on Kailey who is trying to dig through the garbage, get in the drawers, spin on the doc chair, play with the blood presure cuff, pull all the magazines out, and scatter the doctors pamphlets everywhere.

So the doctor comes in ( even though I'm pretty sure she was probably standing at the door listening to me threaten Kailey within an inch of her life) and say's, "You look great! I love your new haircut!" Again, I heart Dr. B ! So she checks Garrett and asks me questions about where he's at developmentally. Then she asks me how I am, and I tell her I'm fine. Then she says, "No. Really. How are you?" She always does this! I tell her again I'm doing fine, that I've started working out, Garrett is sleeping better, and that truley for the first time I'm actually fine. Then she says, "Well good! I'm so glad to hear that. Now I can lecture you and not feel so bad." HAA HAA HAA HAA HAA HAA HAA!!!!!! ROFLMAO!!!!!! So she proceeds to tell me that while Garrett is doing great developmentally his head control is not where it should be for a 4month old. Then I admit that no, I had not been doing tummy time and that yes he does spend alot of time on his back but that I would try harder. Then she says,"No. No trying. Just do it!"

Oooohh how I love my doctor. She always makes me laugh. She is so good at cutting all the bull and just giving it to me straight. Plus she always tells me I have the cutest kids she sees. Which I'm sure she tells to all her patients that have kids, but it still makes me feel good all the same. So that was Garrett's four month check up.

I've been sucked in

2009-01-22T08:26:00.000-08:00

to the black hole of digital scrap booking! I recently bought a program called Memory Mixer off ebay (my other love). This program is the bomb! I have had so much fun playing with it. I can create pages just like I would if I were actually scrapping! It has tons of different papers, embelishments, text fonts, quotes, and more! The best part though, is that I can order an actual book or a DVD of the book of make a slide show of the book or email the book. I feel like a whole new world of scrapping has just been unlocked! Don't get me wrong there is still something to be said for actually creating pages with real paper and embelishments. But for someone like me who doesn't have a lot of time, and two little kids who are at ages where they will either eat or destroy my pages and other crafting items, this is a godsend!

Also to feed my ebay addiction, I bought photoshop as well. I seriously can't wait to get that in the mail! Right now with the photo editing programs I have, I feel very limited as to what I can do with my photos. I just hope the photoshop elements I bought is going to be able to feed my creativity addiction. I don't know a lot about photoshop, so really I just hope my purchase was a good one and I wont have to buy more programs to upgrade the program I bought. I have a MAC and iphoto and aperture just aren't cuttin' for this shutterbug!

Saturday night story..

2009-01-17T22:58:00.000-08:00

First off dinner. Every "nice" place was packed and we were on a schedule as I had purchased tickets for a movie in advance, so waiting around wasn't an option. Which worked out fine in the end really. I got to eat at my favorite Greek "hole in the wall" restaurant appropriately named, Greek Delight. Oh how I love Greek food. I think I may have been Greek in a previous life!

Then the movie. We saw Paul Blart Mall Cop. Overall a good show. A little dry at certain points but the funny parts were hysterical! And I loved the ending! The ending was the best part in my opinion.

Since I saw a silly show I now feel very silly! So I will share a funny. I was reminded of this story tonight when Clint and I bumped into a couple of his friends from work.

When I was about 8 1/2 months pregnant with Garrett, Clint and I went to a going away party for a friend from his from work. When we get to the restaurant the waitress was very prompt to take our drink order. Clint ordered a raspberry lemonade. I thought that sounded pretty tasty so I told the waitress I would have the same. Now to her credit I was leaning over the table so my HUGE belly was hidden. So she brings us our drinks and we both take a sip. Clint looks at me and says, "That tastes weird". So I take another sip. I tell him that I think it's fine and it must just be his. So he takes another drink and says, "No. That doesn't taste right." and pushes the drink aside.So I take another drink think more carefully about how it tastes, and conclude that yeah it does have an interesting after taste. But I just thought that's how that particular restaurants lemonade tasted. Finally about 3/4 done with my drink I decide maybe Clint was right. So I ask the gal sitting next to me if she thinks there may be alcohol in my drink. She nods her head yes. So now I'm a little panicked. I mean I am pregnant after all! So when the waitress comes by I tell her my drink tastes funny. Then she get's a horrified look on her face as she realizes she just served alcohol to a pregnant women. Immediately she was very apologetic and explained that she didn't realize etc. I actually thought it was pretty funny (course I had a buzz by then) and so did Clint but Clint being Clint had to give her a hard time just to tease her. So while I'm telling her not to worry about it Clint's telling her wants to talk to her manager. This girl was seriously seconds from being in tears. Of course it was an innocent mistake so of course we didn't say anything to the manager but we did ask her to remove the drinks from our bill.

Honestly as funny as I thought the whole situation was, I was actually pretty nervous I had done something really bad and might of hurt my baby. So of course I told the doctor and she just laughed. Then just to be sure I told the bishop. He laughed too! In retrospect though, it was all very silly!

Saturday is a special day!

2009-01-17T17:48:00.000-08:00

I love Saturdays!

For me this is the 2nd best day of the week. Clint is home and I get to sleep in! Which is always nice I don't care who ya' are!

It's also great because I get to clean my house. And trust me by Saturday it needs it!

It's also on occasion date night. If were any good poetry I'd write something beautiful about date night. Clint usually works long hours and I truly miss him during the week. So I really look forward to spending time ALONE with him. Tonight we are off to dinner and a movie! YEAAAh!!

Today was actually rather uneventful. Which is absolutely fabulous! The kids were even rather well behaved. Let's pray the trend continues for our babysitter's sake! With all most no nap at all today I think they should go to bed easily enough.

I this is short and sweet but it's time for me to finish the dinner before I go pick our babysitter. Hope you all enjoy your weekend!

working out the kinks

2009-01-16T08:44:00.001-08:00

So as you all know I was having some issues with my blog. Hopefully this new template will work. Please let me know if there are any other issues. Thanks for reading! Have a great weekend!

Am I allowed to show off?

2009-01-14T13:38:00.000-08:00

So I use to think that skills as a "wanna-be" photographer were just not that great. I use to go the library and spend time just looking through books of really great photographers. There were time where I would be so moved by a picture it would bring me to tears. Photography moves me. It touches my soul like nothing else in this world. I truly admire and aspire to be like the photographers books are made about. My dream is to be one of them. While that's probably not likely, I still enjoy playing with my talent and trying to be the best I can be. Anyway, I just wanted to show off some of what I think is my best work.

A new year a new me....hopefully!

2009-01-13T08:28:00.000-08:00

So it's a new year and of course like everyone else I have my own set of resolutions. Some are the same as many of you and some are the same even for me.

This year my overall resolution is to just be a better me. A better wife, a better mother, a better friend, a better person all around. I feel like over the last 5 years (maybe more) I've really neglected myself, which in turn has caused me to neglect so many of the people I love in this life. I'm sick of being the lazy procrastinator that I have been!

So goal #1: Lose weight. After 3 babies it's high time I kicked my butt into gear! Especially if I'm going to have another 2! I know, I know, I'm just a baby makin' machine!

Goal #2: Be a better wife. This is hard one because I all ready think I'm pretty swell! LOL! However there is always room for improvement and this is an area in my life I have gotten in a bad habit of neglecting. I have a wonderful, hard working husband who works 10 hours a day, sometimes more, at a company he really doesn't like, to bring home the bacon for me and our kids and he deserves better. End of story.

Goal #3: Be a better mother. I think as a women I will probably always second guess myself and think someone else is doing a better job than me. But there are days when I'm tired and don't have the patience I should for my kids. They are my reason for living and they deserve better.

Goal #4: Be a better friend. I have some of the most special people in my life who love me and would do anything for me and I have gotten in a bad habit of not calling or writing or telling them just how much their friendship really means to me. Being far away from my home I have been blessed to meet some extrodinary people who have touched my life in ways they will never understand. It's high time I start being an equally extrodinary friend.

Goal #5: Be a better servant to the Lord. This is also a difficult one for me because I have such HUGE issues with authority. As a teenager I made choices that took me farther away from the the spirit of the Lord than I care to think about. I love God he sacrificed his son for my sins. I am eternally indebted to him and it's time I learned some humility and start acting like it.

The list goes on but I think you get the point. I want to start holding myself to a higher standard and being accountable for when I fail. I have all ready started working out and though it's hard and body aches in places I'd forgotten even existed, it feels really great! I've started paying more attention to my daughter when she speaks to me and playing play dough even though I know it's going to make a mess and she's just going to eat it, and I feel really good about myself as a mom right now. Change is never easy, but I have to not just so I can feel better about myself but so that everyone can benefit from it.

Thanks for reading and God bless!

2009-01-10T14:34:00.000-08:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Joining the herd

2009-01-08T10:09:00.000-08:00

So I thought I would go ahead and join the herd by creating my own blog. I don't really consider myself real tech savy and so far this actually seems a lot more complicated than I care for. But we shall see. Maybe I'll get it figured out.