Holy Hannah!

So I know I am a little behind the times but Holy Moly is all I have to say about my latest read...I mean this book is good...I was so consumed, I read it in 2 days..that's a record for a mom of 4 you know (it was the weekend and Nate was home..that's how the kids were fed if you were wondering) Anywho....such a good book..WAY twisted but good. My first thought was "who thinks of stuff like this to actually write a book about" and then my second thought was "what crazy person sits and reads this nuttiness nonstop until its finished" Oh I do...I could not get enough of it so if you have a few days (who has a few days?..nobody has a few days) but if you need a break, pick this up or download it to your kindle (and if you like to read, you should invest in one of these beauties..a kindle that is) I am afraid to start the second one with a fear that it too will consume me. Wish me luck!

Oh...and One more thing...

I know I have been consumed with this Gluten-Free thing as of late..and I really have..i have been on the Internet nonstop for the last few days researching everything from gluten free candy to MSG to carmel color to modified food starch and everything in between. It has been all-encompassing. And the more I learn and discover the more I really know how challenging it will be. I talked to my doctor and found out I can stop taking the medicine and just live a GF (gluten free) life..this will be my choice. I hate medicine and shudder at the thought of doing it for the rest of my life. And I know in one of the last posts, I said I was "up for the challenge" which is really a big fat lie. I would take my comfortable, easy, don't-have-to-think-about-what-i-will-eat life back in a second. We (and mostly I mean I) take for granted everything in life. I thought I didn't..I try to be so grateful..for the little things but here I am with this daunting change. Not that it happened because I was ungrateful..not how things work as far as a I'm concerned. But it sure makes me appreciate just health in general.

I remember sitting in the Dr.'s office almost a year ago..waiting to see what this all was and I was listening to to a couple of ladies talk about their kids and how they were allergic to just about everything....dairy, nuts, a ton of things. And I remember feeling so bad for them and so good for me :) Now here I am...happy that it's just gluten and not dairy or something else. I know I can handle it and it is still a huge adjustment. Tonight, I ordered pizza for the fam and made mine with a GF pizza mix (which by the way was really, really good). So lots of extra work and thinking. I was used to deciding on something..grabbing the ingredients..and cooking. Not so simple now. And P.S. issues like GF and other allergies should only be allowed to affect the rich...Do you know how expensive this crap is? I paid $7 for a pizza dough mix that will make 2 pizzas. $6 for a bag of GF flour that is 22 ounces! And $5 for a tiny loaf of GF bread. I might have to pick up a side job just to pay for my food :) And do you know I can't have soy sauce or cream of anything soup..hello..what's a Mormon mom to do? (And I just bought an entire case of it...lame) If I was really smart, I would start a company that made great food that was GF and make Walmart sell it (where people shop... everyday) I do not have time to drive to big ol' city's to buy this stuff. I guess, thank goodness for the Internet.  Oh well... someday....

So woe is me....get out your violins and come to the pity party for Ashley....No really don't. I am fine...just needed to vent. Life could always be worse...always. So now that I have this out of my system, it's back to the good life...not that it was ever bad. I will most definitely survive and come out a healthier and stronger person.

Amen

Thanks Betty

So after reading my last post, my cute neighbor brought me one of these gems..who knew..This GF (as it is called and I can call it that..cuz I have to do it and am now cool like that in the GF world) just might be bearable. Chocolate brownies..and chocolate chip cookies..and even better...it's in a box. What? So they are in my oven cooking as I type and I can't wait to try them. I had gluten-free toast this morning and seriously..it was amazing. It's definitely a challenge but I am up for it. And thanks for all my homies looking out for me..they are all telling me about Rice Chex..and yes I have a box. So I am on my way to Wally-world to see what else Miss Betty Crocker has up her sleeve..that little smarty pants! Thanks again Ashley! (not me..sillies..she's my neighbor that brought the brownies)

Gluten-Free

Funny how life can change so quickly..mine changed a lot today. Here's the scoop..in 2009, whilst preggers with Mags, I got a rash on my knees and elbows ( I know just the word rash is gross) anyways it was itchy and never went away. My doc said it was probably just prenancy hormones. Well it was still hanging around even after Maggie was born so I went to the dermatologist...they thought it was this disease and did a biopsy..a few days later, he called and said it wasn't the disease and to just use the cream he gave me...fast forward to today..the rash is still around..although it came and went. So I went in again...different guy but he thought it was also this disease...he checked out my biopsy report and had his partner come in...Dr. Adams (really great guy) anywho, he told me there must have been a mix up because he was the one who had done the biopsy report and I in fact had the disease....the things he told me from that moment on, would be life changing..(ok that sounds a bit more dramatic but you'll see..keep reading) So I have been diagnosed with Dermatitis Herpetiformus ...sounds weird and gross right..the bottom line is that I am getting the rash because I have an allergy to ..you guessed it...GLUTEN! Which is in pretty much everything..go look in your pantry..everything has flour in it. So I am on medication forever...blood work every few months...and no more gluten....if I continue to eat wheat, etc. I am prone to lymphoma and cancers of the stomach..and that scares the hell (sorry dad) out of me...crazy..all because of a little itchy rash. So maybe the next time you see me, I'll be a size zero..except that I can eat most candy..(insert huge sigh of relief) and so now I am off to the health food store to purchase all things gluten-free!

Wedding Bells

McCalls Wedding was last Saturday..and even as I write, these two newly weds are off soaking up the Mexican sun..lucky suckers. Anywho, the day was beautiful...freezing, but beautiful. This amazing sister of mine is just that..amazing! She found the love of her life..who just happened to have 4 boys of his own. Challenging right? Going from the single life to an instant family of 6. Well she has dealt with everything that all that can bring with love and grace. This is the perfect man for her. I have never seen her so happy..you know all that mushy, new love, gross junk :) So here are some photos of the grand day. 

 Just married..and it was an amazing ceremony..I love weddings...

 Here I threw in my modeling picture for you all to enjoy

 McCall, Jake and the 4 boys

 My three girls all ready at the reception

 All the girls..are we cute or what?

 The entire family..oh and a side note..congrats to Rob and Hailee who are having a girl in July...yea cousins!

 Wedding Decor

 Ahhhhh..the three of us

And a perfect note to end the post on...I told you..all touchy-feely...congrats you two..

JuJu Hearts

You know how every holiday has like one great candy...like Easter..it's the cadbury eggs (which they have started making for Christmas..which kind of takes away from their specialness)..well Valentine's Day is no exception and these little bits of gummy yumminess are fabulous. I bought myself a bag yesterday and they are almost gone today..and I'm pretty sure I am the only culprit who has eaten any...Oh and the only ones of these that are good are the ones from Sweets candy that we bag at Christensens..so come get a bag before they are gone. $1.89/lb..hello cheap..plus last year they ran out so hurry up!

Cardi Party

I got these little numbers at the ever lovely old navy...Just couldn't resist the BOGO free! Super cuteness and I know Maggie would look a little more girlie if she'd keep her bow in..but alas I must pick my battles and she hates the darn things..good thing she has those eyes..and Sophie...well she loves to cheese it up for the camera. 

Little Letters

Dear Vacuum Cord- Why is it that when I wind you up, the plug part ends up right at the wind up holder things..creating a problem of not being able to hook the plug to the other wound up cord part..you get what I'm sayin'? Obviously none of the vacuum maker people own a vacuum or they would have solved this problem years ago..maybe they can't think of a solution, but since I'm a smartypants, I can..All you gotta do is shorten the cord by like 5 inches..I know.. genius right?

Dear January- You are pretty much a blah month..but after the crazy 8 weeks I've had, I am ready for blah and more blah...except my sisters wedding is next week..which is totally not blah and way exciting.

Dear Regan's Blob - You are way too fun to read..I am a total stranger and blog stalker. I love how you write..good job on that!

Dear Face Wash commercials- Nobody washes their face and then splashes water all over..like "oooh what a refreshing water splash..that's all over me and the floor" ..oh sure it makes the product look great and amazing..but really not real.

Dear Pain Pills- You are naughty..really naughty...you ruin way too many peoples lives. I am way afraid of you and wouldn't touch you with a 50 foot pole. So there!

Dear Saddlebags- I am really tired of you. I mean I have never liked you..but you are just getting annoying..I mean what is that fatcrap (that's right..it's a new word I just made up) protruding from the sides of my thighs. It is unsightly and I think I am working hard enough for you to go away...so go..I'm serious..just go.  Couldn't you just shimmy your way up to my boobies..way better place for fat.

Dear Heated Blanket that Nate got me for Christmas- Where have you been all my life? You are a little bit of dreamy heaven. I turn you on (ok..that just sounds wrong..get your heads out of the gutter..I meant the switch)...brush my teeth, wash my face and climb into a warm bit of magic. I always am freezing..like wear sweats with two extra blankets freezing..so this is fabulous. Loving it and never giving it up!

 Dear Spellcheck- You should totally add "fatcrap" to your vocab!