One Year Older...

Today I turn 31. I'm not depressed. Because it's really just a number and even though I really feel 31 today instead of my usual 27..it's ok..mostly cuz I'm tired and did not sleep great last night..plus husbands should not have to work on their spouses birthday so we feel somewhat special..since when you get older, birthdays just don't have as much luster as they used to. But all in all, it will be a normal day except I am going to dinner with my fam..with my 4 kids with no husband..which doesn't sound like a good birthday time but oh well...so here's what Nate got me... a new rug to go under my table (my old one has served it's time)

And this new recipe book (I am secretly in love with cookbooks..but only ones that have pictures...all cookbooks should be required to have colored pictures..how else do you decide if it looks like it will be good?)

So Happy Birthday to me!

Lately

Mostly I have nothing of great importance to blog about..except this grand diddy..do you love oatmeal? Oh My Gosh..well if you do, and you haven't discovered this smashing, good oatmeal at McD's, then you are missing out. I am in love with it..it's the very perfect amount of brown sugar, oats and fruit..the raisins are divine..they have all the kinds of raisins in it (in case you didn't know there was more than 1 kind) Plus it's only 2 bucks..wahoo! Bad news though..as I was finding a picture of this yumminess, I discovered it has barley malt extract..which equals gluten..which equals total suckiness for me..except it hasn't made me break out (not in zits duh..in the rash..i know just what you wanted to know) when eating it before..so I may just have to eat it every now and again. Anywho..I highly recommend this..just stop by after you drop your kids off to school and as a bonus you can feel healthy about your choice cuz it's oatmeal and oatmeal always sounds healthy..even if it has brown sugar. Actually I think it really is pretty good for you. The cup does not lie.."undeniably, delicious oatmeal." So enjoy and you can thank me later..unless you hate oatmeal..then too bad for you..

Smart A

Nate and I were talking on the way home from our trip about life and our kids and what we want for them and so on and so on...it was one of those good, "life" discussions..the kind with no interruptions from screaming kids...I like those conversations..mostly because we don't get to have them very often and I think we need them to make sure we are on "track" in life..so I was deep in thought and asked Nate this question..

"How did we get here?" (meaning how did we end up already married for almost 12 years and with 4 kids..you know life happens holy cow fast)

His witty, grinning reply, "One sex at a time"

Aren't you just shaking your head? I swear...of course that's what any boy would say. Needless to say, our deep, life discussion was brought to an end. Ah well...

MIA

So Nate has had 3 weeks of vacation this month and this last week was the end of it...boo-who! We have had a great time spending time at his cabin up in the snowy mountains with the family..and then last week, we snuck off together...just the two of us for a much needed break from the kiddos. We started our trip in the Big Sin City and can I just share some thoughts with you on this subject..

Las Vegas - We first arrive and I immediately realize how much I hate big cities and all their traffic and fancy hotels. We arrived at the Mandalay Bay and I was not about to valet park...I mean I can park my own car thank you very much. Plus I am too cheap to pay someone and the whole tipping thing is awkward..like do you make it obvious or do you slip it in the hand secretly and then how much do you tip?..it's all so lame and weird. I can also carry my own luggage. I mean I can see the point of needing help if you had a ton of bags..but it was just the 2 of us. We only had one bag. So we self-parked and pulled our luggage clear through the casino and finally made it to our rooms, barely escaping the immediate sensory overload of smoke, noise, scantily clad waitress' and people starring at us like we were soooo outta place..which we sooooo were.

Well we finally made it to our room and I could have cared less if we left it again..aside from the fact that the only food we had was a fully stocked fridge, full of alcohol and drinks I've never heard of that cost millions of dollars. So off we went to find some dinner...and I was not gonna pay $16 for a hamburger even if it was by Wolfgang Puck...so off to the car we went and found PF Changs (which btw has an entire gluten-free menu..hooray!) Then we headed back to the hotel to watch The Lion King (I highly recommend this show...it was amazing and Nate and I thought we would sneak up to better seats but alas on a Wednesday, it was sold out..who knew?) The next day was filled with sleeping in (at least for Nate) granola bars for breakfast, a long hot bath and then we headed out. Nothing special..but we found Subway across the street..hooray for $5 footlongs (ok so I had to cheat a bit with the whole GF...I would have starved otherwise) Then that night we went to the Criss Angel show "Believe" which I was sadly disappointed in..still a good show and I can't figure out his tricks but I wouldn't recommend it..sorry Criss. We were in bed that night at 9 pm.

 





We did try to gamble, but lets just start off by saying we are seriously newbies in this dept. We walked around with our roll of quarters, only to find that all the machines only accept bills. So I headed to the Cashiers desk to get some bills...a whole 10 of them..the guy next to me was getting hundreds..like about 50 of them. I'm not kidding...I felt pretty lame. ..actually way lame. So we headed out with our 10 dollars. Mostly we just don't know anything about gambling..the tables are too intimidating and start at $10 and games on the machines are all so confusing. In the end, we lost the 10 bucks and went on our way. We were fish out of water in the worst way. I even had 2 free drink tickets and I was too chicken to ask if i could get a virgin pina colada..ended up giving them to two lone strangers walking by.

Then next day we checked out and headed for St. George for 2 days of the Parade of Homes. This was much more in my comfort zone..at last a place I was familiar with..and people who were friendly and smiling. Ahhhh! So in the end, this should tell you that I am completely a creature of habit..a small-town girl who likes her small town and her small town peeps. I like the familiar and my little bubble. And it was a good adventure and we had a great time and everyone needs a break now and again...we haven't had time with just the 2 of us for years. It was heaven...no whining, fighting, complaining, hitting, yelling, wiping butts, giving baths, changing clothes..just the 2 of us. Although we were only gone 4 days, we missed the kids like crazy...right up until we got home last night and the tattle-telling, whiny voices showed up and then I thought to myself..."why did I want to hurry and get home?" Kids..can't live with 'em..can't live without 'em.

Little Letters

Dear kids- please try and remember to empty your pockets before you put your clothes in the hamper. I am tired of finding rubber bugs, candy wrappers and money (well not tired of the money..you know finders keepers:) but everything else has got to go.

Dear siblings- go ahead and make fun of my color-coordinating, dry-erase calendar...laugh all you want that each of my kids have their own color of marker...we'll see who has the last laugh when you all have four kids :)

Dear Grandpas Kitchen- thank you for making GF flour that has xantham gum already in it

Dear winter- It is high time you tail it on outta here. I am totally ready for spring and spring cleaning..I'm gettin the itch to reorganize

Dear Nate- I think that a week of shed hunting is far to long to leave me...I miss you and want you back asap...please surprise me and come home tonight (now that's wishful thinking)

Dear fingernail polish- you should totally be made to be removable from clothing..I mean whoever invented you obviously didn't have any kids. Whatever..pink spots on denim is totally cool look for a mom

Dear dry cleaners- I saw on the MSN homepage today that you were one of the top 10 places for wasted money..I beg to differ. I love that you will iron my husbands church shirts ...I don't mind washing them but I hate ironing to death. So thanks and you will have my continued business..or at least those shirts that say"wrinkle free" really mean it!

Book Nerd

I am a self-proclaimed book nerd..and darn proud of it. My mom always encouraged us to read and I have loved to for as long as I can remember. For one thing, I get so excited when the kids bring home book orders. Remember those? I love them. It's almost ridiculous at how excited I get. I know when Nate realized my excitement over papers filled with books you could order, it was confirmed that he had indeed married a dork...but a well read dork at that! And in case you were all wondering, I did finish the 3rd book in the Hunger Games series. It's true what they say..number 2 is the best (book that is). The third was ok and I am fine with the ending...not what I expected but I guess that's what makes it good. So here's to reading and book orders! 

So Good

I was gonna label this post "Holy Fart"..which I thought sounded appropriate..especially if you've read this book..but then it started to sound dumb..so I went with "So Good" which is "So Lame" but whatev..you get my drift on how I am loving these books. I already bought the 3rd one on my Kindle...and by mine, I mean Nates. You know they make getting books so easy and I tried not to buy the 3rd one at least for a few days, so I could get some things accomplished (but in my defense, I did do 2 loads of laundry and made dinner today and I started the book last night..I think that's pretty good..plus Nate wasn't even home) But I gave in to temptation and bought the book. I will try not to start it until tomorrow but let's be honest..I am typing so fast so I can go read it right now. I'm sure Nate is gonna put a hold or something on our debit card so I can't buy anymore books...although I have my eye on the "Girl with a Dragon Tattoo" series next. It was on the Best Sellers list..anyone know anything about it?

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!

I Belong to Rose

My sweet, spunky, amazing Grandma Rose left today to go "home" for Christmas. These pictures were taken on Thanksgiving. What a legacy this lady leaves. 7 children, 42 grandchildren and over 100 great-grandchildren..and she knew us all! My middle name is Rose and my daughter Ellie's is too..she had many other granddaughters with her name as well. She will live on through us. Even though I knew this moment was near, nothing prepares you to hear such sad news...and the tears are flowing...Sadness to lose her from my mortal life...but complete Joy to know she is having the most amazing reunion with Grandpa and her baby son... She knew it was her time..and even sent all of her grandchildren a Christmas letter a couple of weeks ago telling us it was almost time for her to go meet grandpa. I have no doubt she knew...and how happy she must have been to know she would see him soon. So I love you Grandma Rose..so much. My children love you..you were their favorite and they made sure the other grandmas knew :) We will surely miss you and Sophie is most worried about the swimming pool. Sophie and Grandma Rose had a special relationship. She loved to lay by her and read stories. I'm certain we will all shed lots more tears but we know you are in a much better place. Tell Grandpa we said "hi" and keep a close eye on us all. I am proud to belong to you...Grandma Rose. Til' we meet again.

Sophie Grace

This little girl is officially 4! Sophie is our little ball of cuteness...she is very polite but loves to torture her little sister..see exhibit A But we love her and her happy little personality. She loves her daddy..see exhibit B...and she told us when she turned 4, she would sleep in her own bed....well after an exhausting hour of her coming in to our room..time and time again, she finally fell asleep in her own bed..yea! But don't get to excited..she came into our bed halfway through the night..oh well it's a start

 Happy Birthday Sophie Grace...these were taken after church...thus the dress..no...we do not dress our girls in fancy dresses for their birthdays

 Poor mags looks halfway dead..but the hug was supposed to be the focus...lets just say my photography skills are less than ok..

 Don't judge me for this hideous cake, but who doesn't love Rainbow Chip? It's yumminess in a box

Christmas Little Letters

Dear Poinsettia- Or however you spell your ridiculously, long name. I really do not think you are all that pretty of a flower or worth the price you say you are. Don't be offended...it's just the reality of it.

Dear Costco coupons- You are not really Christmas related but I needed to ask you if it was really pathetic and lame that I look forward to receiving you every month. I really love it when I open the mail box and there you are in all your saving glory..although it doesn't really feel like saving when I am spending hundreds of dollars.

Dear wrapping paper- Amazing that Santa and I both shop at the local Walmart for Christmas paper. So weird right?

Dear Advent Calendar- I am sorry that you are already empty...and we still have a week plus to go..it's just that Maggie and Sophie seem to think everyone needs a treat everyday...and Mags steals a couple a day. It was bound to fail..especially since it is within their reach.

Dear Presents- You did have bows at one point..I can't help it if Maggie thinks they are intriguing.

Dear Christmas Tree Ornaments- Maggie also likes you. Thank you for sacrificing some of your lives for her entertainment..and from now on, I will only buy plastic, unshatterable ones..and ones that don't have detachable tops. I can find lots of ornaments on the floor..but the hooks are still lost forever in your evergreen boughs.


Dear Christmas Cards- I love getting you in the mail..and if you hear otherwise, it's a lie..people love getting mail. It's a fact we all love to see pictures of everyone...it's the long, typed, pompous, "facts-about-us" that we can do without. Nobody really cares if your kid was an honor student or not..we all think we have the greatest kids anyways..you are not gonna change out minds with tidbits like that.

Dear Buddy the Elf- you are my favorite. Period!

Cutest Girls EVER!

Sophie and Ellie danced at Christmas Tree Lane last week. It was Sophie's first time up on stage and I have to say, she was so stinkin' adorable. I was a proud mama with a perma-grin the whole time.

 She's the mini-me in the middle

Such little posers..sorry I didn't get a good pic of ellie's dance. She was on the other side of the stage...but she did great. And btw..cute costumes too!

Sisterly Love?



Poor little Mags...Sophie's new favorite thing is to give her lots of loves! How do kids with siblings ever survive? Both expressions are priceless if you ask me.