another year older and wiser (3-9)

My birthday was a little not exciting - but in a great way. For some reason birthday's for me are often fraught with emotions and feelings and reflection and blah blah blah - that it ends up that I have a special occasion cry at least once and don't even really get to enjoy myself. But this year . . . it didn't happen. It really didn't. 

I mean it started off a little sketchy. Greg made me no flour no sugar pancakes which took (and I kid you not) about an hour for him to make. It took him so long that I really had to bite my tongue. Of course, later on that afternoon while I was talking to the Toddcat I critiqued the whole situation so that Ross could hear it - and laugh. Because really - it was ridiculous. He couldn't find the salt. He couldn't find the baking soda. You would have thought that he had never even been in the kitchen before.

And then Henry refused to take his morning nap. What in the? He sobbed in his crib as if he had burned himself. Greg went to the nursing home for sacrament and I decided that Henry wasn't going to fall asleep so I went and got him. And you know what? It was the best decision I made all day. I mean it. I ended up just playing with him. I mean really playing. I laid on the floor and raised him in the air on my feet (airplane!) and he just giggled and giggled and then would drop his binkie out on me and I would scream as if it was the scariest thing in the world. And this would make him giggle more so then he would blow a raspberry and spit would get on me and again - I would scream as if this was the grossest thing in the world (which it kind of is). It changed my whole approach and thought of the whole day. I really realized that my birthday has nothing to do with receiving things and stuff but instead is all about how great my life is. And you know what? I feel really really really blessed to have such a great life. With so many great friends and family. Anyway - my birthday was great. Fantastic. I didn't get swept away on a trip to Paris or anything like that - but instead I just basked in feeling loved.

And because every post deserves a pic - a flashback - oh I love him.

July Blogging Bust

It's been 11 days since the last post and let me tell you - everything has changed. Everything. Except not really.

But we did make Henry "cry it out" the other night. Yes, we are one of those types of parents. But let me just tell you - ever since - we've been getting good good good sleep. If this keeps up - we're going to have to start setting an alarm again to make sure we can get to work on time. But look at this - see he doesn't seem to be too traumatized:

(like his mother - he loves the bulk bins at winco)

It's adult ballroom dance camp this week at the BY. It's awesome. I pretended to text 

while taking these pics:

Admittedly, these pictures don't do adult dance camp justice. 

And today is the Rosscat's birthday. Let's just say this - it's been an awesome birthday week. Tonight - my favorite lookalike Paleontologist will be feasting on this:

the obligatory birthday post

Today is Gregory's birthday. He turns 58. Doesn't he look great? I have to admit - I love Greg's birthday. Oh wait - there I go again taking a post about Greg and turning it into a post about me. I'm a narcissist. See the "I'm" in that last sentence- it doesn't stop. Let me try again.

While this blog was created in an attempt to at least try and journal some of our life - it often ends up as a place where I get to tease Greg. A lot. And you know what? He takes it. In fact, sometimes he even encourages it. Sure, we both have publishing rights on here - but I do the majority of it and if he even dares try to tease me like I do him- we often have to "talk" about it. What I'm trying to say here is - Greg is fun. He is pretty much always up for a good time. It doesn't matter what is planned he'll look for ways to make sure that we have a good time doing it. I think that is probably my most favorite thing about him. Case in point - a couple of months ago we were working in the yard. It was hot - there were a million more fun things we would rather have been doing but we both know that sometimes you simply just have to work. So we were working and Greg set up the garden sprinkling system in a way that looked . . . to put it mildly. . . stupid. I told him so. And he pretended to have a big fat tantrum. I loved every minute of it. I still laugh about it. And he changed it so that it looked better. Not that he cared that much about it - but he knew that I did - and so he "fixed" it for me. And made it fun (even when, in reality, there's nothing fun about weeding in 99 degree heat).

Last year the birthday present I gave him - rocked. You remember? I sent out 72 postcards or something like that to his friends and had them all write him back wishing him happy birthday. I think we got all of them back (or at least 98% of them). He loved it - I loved it. It's always nice to be reminded that you have friends that love you - even when you never get to see them or your life circumstances make it so that you no longer live just around the corner or you aren't as close to them as you once were but there was a time when they were one of the most important persons in your life.

This year? It's much more low-key. I made him butterscotch rolls for birthday breakfast (but of course I did NOT give him breakfast in bed - we all know how "gross" he thinks that is). We're going to go bowling (code word for the temple (or the tabernacle as the heathen Toddcat likes to call it )), dinner. Just simple stuff. The nice thing is - is that even though our plans are simple this year Greg will still make it fun. That is just the kind of guy he is. I'm way lucky. What can I say?

Now I'll stop with this mush. But hey - it's only one day a year. We'll get back to our regularly scheduled programming/teasing soon.

This is a pic of Greg grocery shopping - see - he even tries to make that fun.

birthday update and then some

So yes, it was my birthday last week. I am sure everyone is asking - (myself included) - where is the post from Rosscat where he talks about all of my awesome and endearing qualities and how I make his life like sunshine every second? Well, I just don't know. I thought for sure, by now, we would all be basking in my awesome qualities and be setting the comment portion of this blog on fire, however, it looks like - he was too busy straightening up the garage. That's alright. He did give me this:

Those longtime readers of the blog know how obsessed I am with edible arrangements - so really - this was a great gift. And the fruit was gooooood. I really think that a lot of America's obesity problems could be solved if amusement parks would simply sell fruit on a stick. Don't try and steal that idea - I've already copyrighted and trademarked and patented it to all amusement parks around the world.


And thanks to my sil, Haylee, I received this:

That's right - the Real Simple jewelry organizer that cannot be found anywhere (even online!) she somehow found it and mailed it to me and now I am one step closer to getting my March Madness list accomplished. Look at all those amazing Forever 21 bangles just looking fantastic.

For my b-day - I got a mani/pedi, we went to Communal, we watched a movie. All in all - it was quite nice - low-key and nice.

And because no blog post would be complete without a missionary story - here you go. This morning - I wasn't feeling that hot so I decided to sleep in and have Greg pick me up before my classes. Well, we have an Elder that loves, loves, loves, loves the sound of his fingers playing the ukulele. So what I thought would be some delightful sleeping in was actually more like me smothering my ears trying to drown out the sound of the wannabe Cousin Iz. It seriously sounded like the Elder was sitting outside our bedroom door just strumming his heart out. I'm really developing a quality I've never had - patience. You all should be impressed.

Happy March!

I don't know how my parents did it but they instilled in each one of their children an almost inherently unhealthy happiness when it comes to birthdays. My parents made us feel so special that with it now being March - I'm thrilled at the prospect of turning 26 (again) this month. So to celebrate - I thought I would make a list of 24 things I would like to accomplish by March 24th. Here goes:

1) Finish memorizing "The Living Christ"
2) Be able to do at least 1 unassisted pull-up (this might be a pipe dream)
3) Start taking piano lessons
4) Sign up for a spring BY mountain biking class
5) Catch up with my baby gifts - I have about 4 baby gifts that I need to make and get sent out
6) Print another bestseller (blog book 2008)
7) Print another bestseller (blog book 2009)
8) Learn how to convert vhs tapes to dvd's
9) Organize 100 itunes songs on the mac
10) Organize my messy jewelry (it's hard to treat it really well when it is purchased at forever 21)
11) Clean out [my half] of the closet
12) Finish two knitted oprah gifts (those winners - you know what I'm talking about)
13) Plan a vacation for 2011
14) Paint the garage wall
15) Buy a new duvet cover + sheets (some that have - *gasp* color!)
16) Read/listen to all of the apostle's talks before April conference
17) Get me a Utah driver's license (my Illinois one expires this month so I guess I better)
18) Plan out the garden planting
19) Attend the temple three times
20) Get a sponsor to help me with all my bad habits
21) Organize garage
22) Hardwood floor in family room
23) Learn how to cook something that I don't normally cook (roasted vegetables don't count)
24) Read "The 4 Pillars of the Earth"

Goodness - with all of this - I don't have time to blog.

it's your birthday . . .

Today is Greg's birthday. In honor of such a blessed event I (being the awesome wife that I am) sent out a letter to a bunch of his friends and family requesting them to mail the postcard (that was attached in the letter) back wishing Greg a Happy Birthday. So far . . . here are the results:

We're obviously missing a few. Here's what it should look like:

So the many missing pieces means either:
1) We need to update our address list
2) People were confused with my instructions
3) The mail is s-l-o-w
4) Greg needs new friends

Nevertheless - he's pretty awesome and it's his birthday - so he deserves a shout out . . . or two or 56 postcards worth. Whatever.

Yes, we painted our kitchen table "peacock feather" the jury is out whether or not we'll be keeping it

It's going to change the world - the Vita Mix, that is

Now, I love my husband . . . but . . . it seems as if our communication skills are always off when it comes to birthdays and Christmas. Or I am just tricky. I choose to believe it is the former. For the b-day this year I was very clear on what I wanted to do. I simply asked for those interested in giving me a gift (albeit everyone but Rosscat) to contribute towards the "Vita-Mix" fund. Vita-Mixes are awesome . . . and expensive. My plan was to then use this money and my saved up "mad money" (see my love of a budget to understand what that is) and purchase the Vita-Mix. Fast forward to b-day.

Before we went to dinner on my b-day (we went to Communal and it was fantastic) I asked Rosscat if he had a gift for me to open. He said, "well kind of - I mean like how you open a web browser." Oh dear. But I was in a good mood and laughed. I was sure he was kidding. Kind of.

We came home from dinner and I unwrapped my gift. Cupcakes. Great. Cupcakes from this bakery are delicious and that was sweet. I checked under the table to see if there was anything else, behind the couch, the trunk of the car. Nothing. That's okay - I'm sure he has something up his sleeve. (I know I kind of sound like a brat but cupcakes - really?)

The next day I came home from work to find some gardening gloves with a hand shovel and a note "Happy Birthday." (Again - I know I sound like a brat - but cupcakes and some wal-mart gardening gloves?)

Whoa this is getting long. In summation - Rosscat thought - well I don't really know what Rosscat thought (I'm sure he'll explain in the comments). He thought that we would just buy the Vita-Mix and no problem. Birthday gift solved. The problem was that he never told me that - I thought he was doing something else. Anyway - after a somewhat confusing telephone conversation - I came home to an email that stated the amazing Vita-Mix was purchased and on its way (time stamped right after the confusing telephone conversation).

No matter. I love it. I'm ready to start grinding wheat and drinking fruit.

Also - it's probably for the best that I didn't have to use my mad money to purchase the machine, because according to the anonymous votes, Dansko's are not appropriate. Poll closes tomorrow - Danish/Norwegian people - unite! And Audrey - this is bad news!

P.S. Pay no attention to the off-white plug outlet and the white wall - it's a work in progress!

KTC Appreciation Day

Happy Birthday KT! In honor of your special day, I am posting some vintage birthday photos to show some of the March 24th highlights. Check out this collage:


I just want to point out some of the highlights in that picture. According to a trusted source, that bike was a definite winner. In the upper right-hand corner, you can see the haul she took in that year, including a Bert & Ernie coloring book and a Garfield crossword book. She still loves a good crossword puzzle. The bottom left-hand pic features a trip to Showbiz Pizza where everybody enjoyed the antics of Showbiz Bob. I hear the Cabbage Patch Kid featured at the bottom was a hit. This particular doll is now known around the house as Jenny from the block and has been featured on the blog previously to model knit wear. While these pictures are great, nothing beats the 8th birthday. This was the legendary "German Chocolate Cake Disaster" where KT was not having anything to do with that cake. I guess she wasn't into coconut. This picture really does show classic Kris Tina.



I absolutely love that picture. Since this is a special post, I also thought of 5 other things that I just really love about Kris Tina:

1. As evidenced by the above picture, her grandfather once famously stated that nobody will sell this girl anything she doesn't want to buy. I can attest to that and it is one of the things that makes her so great.
   
2. Sometimes, if you catch her in the right mood, she will sing while she is working - kind of like Snow White but better and without those pesky woodland creatures. Also, she usually sings Broadway musical songs. I love that voice.
3. This year, KT has been especially good at decorating and organizing our new house. I probably should post some more pics, but it has really turned into our home largely due to her efforts.
   
4. Nobody, but nobody is better at eye-rolling.
5. Most importantly, we tend to spend a LOT of time together as we carpool and work at the same place and all, and I love every minute of it. I get to spend most of my time with my best friend and that makes me the luckiest person in the world.

Happy B-day KT!

Does anybody else have a favorite KT birthday - or any day moment they would like to share?

Ross is awesome - part 1

So far, I'm sure everyone is less than impressed at the planning and partying we did for Greg's birthday. But for the record (and in my defense) we did get Greg a birthday present. It's always anticlimactic, however, when you get that birthday present in advance because it's on sale. (We purchased this puppy in May - but we had a deal where he wouldn't sit in it until either a) his birthday or b) all the remodeling is finished . . . obviously the birthday came sooner).

Meet Greg's chair:

Greg has dreamed of owning this chair ever since I have known him. Sure, this chair isn't an Eames original - but both of us have a really hard time purchasing a chair for a jillion dollars so instead we decided that this knock-off would be a great birthday present and would only be 1/3 of a jillion dollars - and to our untrained eyes - it's hard to find much of a difference.

Here's the birthday boy enjoying his gift:

So in keeping with the theme this week - one reason why Ross is awesome - he has very specific design taste. Which can be kind of frustrating but who am I to talk - I'm forcing Ross to learn how to install a ridiculous vanity - in place of a perfectly good vanity -in our bathroom - more on that to come. (Oh the anticipation!)

happy unbirthday!

Um so with the bar and Greg's canoe trip - we kind of missed his birthday. Now before you get all "what a bad wife you must be!" just know this - Greg chose to be on vacation with others for his birthday. Before you think "how cold!" No, really - I encouraged it. Greg knows how crazy I get with the bar and how horrible I am at camping and this was the perfect way for him to fulfill his dream of camping with a ton of mosquitoes while not feeling guilty that he is making his wife suffer through it. (And so I don't feel guilty when his birth-day happens and all I have for him is a promise that "we'll celebrate when this is over").

I digress.



We celebrated his birthday with my family today. Here's a picture of Mr. Greg (and Sarah) blowing out some crayon candles on top of some cupcakes. He did mention that he was sad he didn't even get a birthday blog post. So maybe this week will be all reasons why Greg is awesome. Oh good, a theme. This is what I need for blog motivation.

it's over

Thank you for all the b-day well wishes. We celebrated by hosting a Classic Skating event with the nieces and nephews - it was really fun, although, all the adults felt the need to sanitize their hands every five minutes.

I have to say that in my adolescent years - my b-day was something I looked forward to - and something that I would help others to look forward to as well. And now . . . well it just isn't the same. This morning I woke up just glad that I am alive for another year - and the attention can now be on someone else. It's kind of akin to how I didn't even want a wedding reception because that meant that people would be looking at me all day (a personal nightmare). So we/I can now move on. But not without answering the quiz answers:

1) Official Job Title - Queen of Awesomeness
2) Beyonce albums - I have no idea - all? none? All my stuff is in storage so I can't check - but I don't have the new one - although I wish the library had it -Not because I would upload it or anything . . .
3) "Fun" event - Bar baby or otherwise known as "When Ross will watch all seven seasons of the X-files and conquer Guitar Hero."
4) Dream car - audi station wagon. I really can't imagine that I will ever determine that the cost of such wheels justifies the expense - but it doesn't hurt to look.
5) Beverage - It is 9:23 am - I have already downed 64 ozs of water so the diet dp in my fridge is looking really appealing right now.

P.S. We really need to work on finding (searching?) for better pictures of myself. In the meantime - my cousin thought that the picture of the couch-sac just wasn't right without me in it. Thanks, meg.

Happy Birthday To KTC

Happy Birthday to Kris Tina! Our favorite knitting attorney is turning 26 this year. Since KT loves the trivia, I thought it would be fun to celebrate with a little quiz. You can make your guesses in the comment area - or even pose some trivia questions of your own.

1) What is Kris Tina's official job title?
2) How many Beyonce albums does KT own?
3) What "fun" July event will KT be studying for this summer?
4) What is KT's dream car?
5) What is KT's beverage of choice?

It has been quite the ride this last year, and this next one looks to be the best yet. KT - Thanks for being born because you make a lot of people very happy (especially me) - Happy Birthday!

I will post the correct responses tomorrow. Unfortunately there will be no prize for this one, KT is already neck deep in yarn projects as it is.

reflections/concerns

My birthday is coming up. You know, it really is amazing that here I am, turning 26, with such a fresh, vibrant, and youthful complexion . . . while it seems that most others see the hands of time marching across their face. Another reason to be grateful for the oil of olay.

So my real reason for posting is to let you know about my birthday concern. I love Ross . . . but . . . it seems as if sometimes he has some difficulty getting gifts for me right. Case in point - the couch sack (see picture). Ross gave this to me - FOR REALS - for Christmas. I am not quite sure what he was thinking or why he thought that I needed it. When he saw my look of surprise/dismay after opening the gift he quickly covered and and said, "Well this gift is a joke." Oh really? Then why did you buy it? It didn't help that the one he gave me is Hunter's Orange. Seriously, if any deer hunter out there wants to borrow this - you can - but I want it back - because, yes sometimes I do wear it when it is really cold. However, not all is lost -apparently ridiculous apparel like this is making the rounds. I recently read that Chicago bars are sponsoring a snuggle bar crawl. Well, maybe I'll bring this puppy out when we come visit. P.S. I have too much pride to post a picture of myself in this gift.

Back to my concern. Is my birthday gift from Ross going to be like this? I hope not. I've given him a very detailed list of potential gifts and in an attempt to butter him up - I went and did all the grocery shopping last night. You heard me - I grocery shopped. Whoa. It was a sacrifice but with the birthday approaching - I have to do all I can to ensure success.

It's his SPECIAL day!

Today it's Greg's b-day - he is turning Larry Bird. It's amazing how he keeps aging while I remain my same young self - and no, I am not Dorian Gray I just don't age (or at least refuse to accept the fact that maybe I do). But really - this is not about me this is about Greg. In honor of his special day I have composed the following "ode"
5 Things that Greg is crappy at:
1) Dancing. My last semester of law school we took the BYU social dance class - it wasn't pretty.
2) Smelling. Our "foyer" consistently smells but Greg doesn't smell it - I don't know how it's possible but he is completely oblivious to it.
3) Movie Reviews. Greg LOVES to give movies the benefit of the doubt- even if the movie is lamer than lame . Greg will find something good about it and then recommend it to everyone. Consider yourself warned.
4) U-turns. If we miss a turn Greg will just keep driving, justifying it by saying, "Well we are still going in the right direction." Um no, we missed the turn - we aren't - and five miles later - he'll agree with me.
5) Falling asleep. Greg has a difficult time falling asleep - to combat this problem his nightstand consists of the following items: ipod (for easy listening), netflix, crossword puzzles, books, and his trusty headlamp so he doesn't disrupt my beauty sleep.

5 things Greg is awesome at:
1) Tours. Come visit us and you'll get a Chicago city tour for free- he'll answer all your questions and provide you with more information than you ever wanted regarding our fair city, its architecture and history (he reads up on it to be prepared).
2) Being a sherpa. Greg loves to carry around my things for me - I mean he always does it so he must.
3) Making gourmet sandwiches. It really makes dinner a delight when Greg's favorite food is a sandwich - but when he makes it - it's a "Gregwich".
4) Packing/Organizing. Our closets are awesomely organized because Greg treats it as a tetris game - I really should take a picture of his handy-work.
5) Eating. Praise Greg and his industrial strength stomach - leftovers get eaten in this house because of him.

I should now probably say all of the really amazing things that make him so awesome but I won't - just take my word for it - if you know him - you like him - you kind of can't help yourself - bad movie reviews and all.

The Force Must Be With Me

I am so happy about this find. I always wished I had Star Wars sheets as a kid (OK I never really stopped wishing I had them). Lucky for me Pottery Barn Kids is now selling these AND my birthday is coming up . . .

Happy Birthday Sarah!

I can't help it - Sarah just makes me happy. Today is her big day - that's right she is turning six years old. I could say a lot of nice things about her - how she always makes me smile, how she can swim like a fish, how I loved loved loved holding hands with her while watching Kung Fu Panda a couple of weeks ago, how she is so friendly and kind to literally everyone she meets and how I still have the image burned in my mind of how I had Haylee cut her hair too short on accident and Sarah just kept staring at me like "what the freak are you doing?" (she was only 2 years old at the time) - sorry about that. But really - Sarah is fantastic -I am sad she is getting so big but at the same time glad because I love watching her grow up.
Here she is on her last day of kindergarten (with Drake - together the "Dynamic Duo") here is another talent of Sarah's - she does her own hair!

Happy Birthday - also we still haven't got you your present yet but you know . . . I just like to keep the birthday thing going all month long.

Happy Birthday Carrie!

My sister is awesome. Today is her special day - that' s right she is turning 24 on the 24th . . . again. Here are some reasons why she is awesome:

1. She is the best mom I know - and I know a lot of them.
2. She doesn't harbor a grudge against me even though I once threw a shoe at her.
3. When she laughs her nostrils flare.
4. I remember her life better than she does - and she admits it - ask me what she wore to prom or about her first kiss. I'll tell you all.
5. Ross thinks she is probably the nicest person . . . ever and I agree with him.
6. Even though she is very righteous - she graduated from seminary by the skin of her teeth (something about always being tardy) ironically, she was asked to speak at seminary graduation and the teacher told her to not mention a word about all her absences and tardies.
7. She graduated from BYU before laptops were really affordable or available - all her papers were typed on a word processor. Weird.
8. Despite our age difference we always shared a room - her side was messy and my side was clean (of course)
9. In high school, she LOVED to listen to the soft LDS musical group, Afterglow. I kind of felt bad for her.
10. She loves to follow in my footsteps - I start a blog - she starts a blog - I'm awesome . . . and now she's awesome.

This one's for Ross

With my birthday extravaganza over - it's time to move on to start thinking about what I should do for Ross's birthday. I found this and I can't help but think that he would love it . . . and if we hung it up in the closet - I would love it too.

dreams come true at . . . blankety blank

Well another birthday - over and it's official I'm going to start lying about my age - for real. In the words of Jerry Seinfeld, really all a birthday is - "is congratulations! you didn't die this year." I think me and Ross both breathed a sigh of relief as we went to sleep - being grateful that we avoided any "special occasion cries." Birthday's are always a little bit tricky - I want them quiet but at the same time awesome . . . and noticed. A fine line . . . a fine line indeed.

This year worked out great - it was quiet but not too quiet. And thanks to family and some very sweet friends I felt very loved. Although I still haven't gone around to collect all of the items that Lindy promised me she ordered - I did receive a few "dream" items. An edible arrangement from my sister, for starters. (On a sidenote those things are so overpriced it is ridiculous).

Every year I am always reminded how nice it is to be remembered on "my special day" and I vow to do better. A shout out to my friend Mindy - she sent me crystal light packets - the Pinks - who sent me an apron that made Ross giggle - Toddcat who encourages me to love Jessica Fletcher (to Ross's chagrin) and a lot of e-mails and messages - all thoughtful and awesome. Ross took me to "Jersey Boys" where we celebrated with a lot of other 50 to 60 year olds singing it up with "The Four Seasons." It was great. Here's to another year of "not dying."

Happy Birthday Kris Tina

Today is Kris Tina's birthday and I think I speak for all of humanity when I say to KT: Thanks for being born! I know a lot of people love and adore her (who wouldn't?), but I have the special privilege and honor to be married to the awesome-est woman in the world. It doesn't get any better than that. Happy Birthday KT - we love you!