I've been tagged!

Well, my cousin Rachel tagged me. I will state for the record for those of you with superior memories, I have been tagged before but this one is different questions so I thought it would be fun to answer since I enjoy reading everyone else's answers. So here goes nothing....

What was I doing ten years ago...That would be 1998 so I was a junior in high school and it's March so that would be swim season. Wow, so I was spending about 2 1/2 hours at the pool five days a week, going to school, and as many teenagers do, hanging out with my friends. My friends and I could probably be found at one of our houses, the mall, the beach, or out to eat. We use to go off campus for lunch at least twice a week and we always went to Taco Bell. Thank goodness for high metabolism back then!

Five places that I have lived... I'll put them in order so first was Atlanta, Georgia where my dad went to graduate school. Then we moved to San Diego, California where I spent the remainder of my childhood. Then on to Provo, Utah for my college career. Next Baltimore, Maryland where Brandon went to graduate school and now I am back in San Diego to hopefully stay for a long time. I think that's five.

Five things on my to do list for today... let's see...take a shower (which actually becomes a chore once you have kids), go to story time at Borders bookstore (Carly and I go to story time every Friday, they do stories and songs and Carly is just mesmorized), pick things up around our condo (I still find it amazing how much of a mess one tiny little person can create and in such a short amount of time!), laundry (I probably try and find some excuse not to :) ), and clean out my car (I need to clean out the toys and crackers and water bottles that have accumulated in my car during the week. Carly always wants to take at least one toy whenever we go anywhere!)

Five jobs that I've had... my first job was as a dental assistant in my dad's office which I did on and off until I got married. Then I worked as a receptionist at a Pediatric office in Utah which was a blast. Next I worked as a customer service rep for BYU Independent Study which was interesting but we could study when we weren't helping someone which was nice. Then I worked as an administrative assistant for the director of the National Museum of Dentistry in Baltimore. Yes, there is such a place and it's not nearly as glamorous as it might sound. My last 8 to 5 job was as a secretary for two doctors at a Urology office in Baltimore which I mostly loved. When I interviewed for the job, I didn't even know what Urology was so I learned a lot and made some great friends. And now I have the best job as a mom! (even if it is 24/7)

What I will be doing in ten years... Well, for starters I will be done have kids. (Still undecided on how many) Carly will be 11, almost a young woman! Right now that sounds fun but I probably should be more fearful. :) We will hopefully be living in a house with a backyard, maybe a pool and a dog. Who knows what I'll be involved in, probably my kids' school, church, maybe working part-time... Like Rachel said, just working as a mom to keep life running smoothly.

Now I'm suppose to tag some other people but I reserve the right not to so thanks for reading!

If you're happy and you know it, shout YIPEE!!

One of our favorite activities during the day, Carly and I, is to sing. I've been singing to her since she was just tiny. And she always gets the biggest grin on her face. Now granted that she doesn't really sing, she loves to do the hand motions. Her favorite song is what she calls, "Spider", otherwise known as the "itsy bitsy spider". She always wants me to sing spider over and over and over again with all the hand motions. She also loves "If you're happy and you know it." Carly can't say "hurray!" so we say "yipee!" (Yes, she can say "yipee" go figure.) She also likes "The wheels on the bus" which she calls "bush". We sing everything from "There was an old woman who swallowed a fly" to "Give said the little stream" to "Never smile at a crocodile." And unlike American Idol, she doesn't care if I sing the notes right or if I make the song my own. It's important that the "sun came up and dried up all the rain" and that "the spider wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her." And some of the best memories I have as a child is singing with my mom and sisters. We would sing in the car all the time and even around the table at lunch time. And when Carly gets older, we'll start on the great musicals, "Meet Me In St. Louis", "Singing in the Rain", "Oklahoma", "My Fair Lady"... (Somewhere Brandon is groaning.) I just think everyone should enjoy and love music in any form but singing your favorite song is the best part!!

Fallen off the map...

Yes, it appears our little family has fallen off the map as of recently. You would think that after the holidays, things would be a little slow. But not here in sunny San Diego. We've been enjoying a variety of visitors including my sister Jessica and her husband, Ben, and their dog, Gus which were shortly followed by Brandon's sister Amanda and her two angels, Trent and Camryn. We had tons of fun with our guests. Brandon and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary last Friday and treated ourselves to the Melting Pot which was fabulous as always. And we, like everyone else it seems, have been dealing with the joys of cold season. First Carly, then me and it will probably skip Brandon, as usual. So forgive us for being absentee in the blogging world and we'll see if can't make an improvement over the next little while.

Carly and her bff, Kaylen. I just love bath pics!

We went to the Mormon Battalion celebration in Old Town. You can judge from Carly's expression how she felt about making a pioneer doll!

Carly's first shooting lesson. We were just sad that Uncle Ben couldn't be there to share in the moment! :)

We even got the opportunity to roast bicuits on a stick!

It seems the skill of eating peas with a spoon requires one arm air while the other
scoops. So cute!

In case you are wondering where are the pics of our anniversary and the fun we had with our families, well, I'm still working on my capturing important moments on camera skill. :)

Our Beloved Prophet

Last night, we lost our beloved prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley. While we mourn his death and feel a great loss at his absence, we know that he is in a better place and feel honored to have lived under his guidance and love inspired from above. We are so happy that he is now reunited with his wife and after years of hard work, he has completed his mission here on earth. We are so thankful for all his words of love, support, and guidance that he has given over the years. He was truly a great man and will be missed by many.

ELMOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

Elmo has taken over my life. It's one of the first things I hear in the morning and one of the last things I hear at night. We have elmo movies, elmo dolls, elmo cups, elmo clothes, elmo coloring books, elmo's world, elmo books, and more. So as you may have guessed, Carly loves Elmo. He is the cure- all, he can turn any frowning face upside down. She will actually sit and watch Elmo for stretches of time, no other show or toy can do that. When we go anywhere, I must bring Elmo just in case. When she woke up in the middle of the night because of an incoming molar, what one word did she say? Elmo! But despite all the Elmo that I endure every day, I don't really mind. I don't find Elmo to be as obnoxious as some shows, and Elmo's world is educational. And, like most moms, if something will entertain my child for even 10 minutes, it's wonderful. So for now it's Elmo, Elmo, and more Elmo!!!

Why we do it...

Many people often wonder why people love San Diego so much. Why they pay such high prices to live here. I'm sure many of you have rolled your eyes, laughed or said "yeah right!" when we suggested you move to San Diego too. You wonder how or why we would pay such high costs of living when there are plenty of other wonderful places to live. Well, today is a perfect example of why. While all of you sit in your spacious homes, bundled in sweaters, pushing the lever closer and closer to 80 on the thermostat, dreading going outside to church, we bask in the sunshine. It's a wonderful 79 degrees in San Diego today. All the windows are open and you can hear your fellow Charger fans yelling during the game. Birds are singing and you stop to wonder to yourself, maybe this is paradise. So later this month when you get your heating bill, don't forget to think of us in our flip flops enjoying the sunshine at the park or maybe even the pool. (It's open all year!) Just remember, you're always welcome to visit!

Happy New Year!

I would like to dedicate this to all of you who have made another New Year's resolution to lose weight! May the year bring you self control and the shedding of pounds!

"T'was the month after Christmas, and all through the house
Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.

The cookies I'd nibbled, the eggnog I'd taste
At the holiday parties had gone to my waist.

When I got on the scales there arose such a number!
When I walked to the store (less a walk than a lumber).
I'd remember the marvelous meals I'd prepared;
The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared,
The cakes and the pies, the bread and the cheese
And the way I'd never said, "No thank you, please."

As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt
And pr epared once again to do battle with dirt
I said to myself, as I only can -

"You can't spend a winter disguised as a man!"

So, away with the last of the sour cream dip,
Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip
Every last bit of food that I like must be banished

Till all the additional ounces have vanished.
I won't have a cookie, not even a lick.
I'll only chew on a long celery stick.
I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie,
I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.

I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore ...
But isn't that what January is for?

Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.
Happy New Year to all and to all a good diet! "

(FYI - I did not write this, it was an email I received and just loved!)