Check those cheeks and neck out!
Today I went to the mall and stopped in at Gap. They have some really cute stuff right now. I grabbed this shirt in purple, and Matthew said, "That's a grandma shirt." When I tried it on I said, "See, it's not a grandma shirt. It looks really cute on me and I'm not a grandma." He replied, "Well, it is cute, but it's a grandma shirt. It's a shirt for your mom." It does look like a shirt my mom would wear, but she has good taste and is pretty young for a grandma. So I bought it anyway. Ooh, and I got this dress for $9.97! 
When I found out last night of the passing of our dear prophet, I was actually filled with joy, rather than sadness. Of course, he will be sorely missed here on earth. But I remember a quote from our October 2004 Conference, just a few short months after his beloved wife had died, that comforted me. President Hinckley said, "My children and I were at her bedside as she slipped peacefully into eternity. As I held her hand and saw mortal life drain from her fingers, I confess I was overcome. Before I married her, she had been the girl of my dreams, to use the words of a song then popular. She was my dear companion for more than two-thirds of a century, my equal before the Lord, really my superior. And now in my old age, she has again become the girl of my dreams." I love that! He is now with her again and how happy they must be! Their love story is such an inspiriation to me. I try to model my own marriage after theirs. I love him and am eternally grateful for the many things he accomplished for us in his life. Rather than mourn, we'll be celebrating a life well-lived in our home. 
Poor Matthew. He has strep throat. We went to the doctor to find out for sure and get a prescription. While at the doctor's office (2 hours), Matthew fell asleep on the bench in the exam room. I was trying my hardest to keep James happy, which normally is not too difficult. So we were playing with George the Banana. George has lots of squeaks and rattles, and makes a lot of noise. Matthew said, "Mom, do you know what really bugs me? When you make that banana squeak." Oops. I am often being scolded by my 3 year-old. I wish his cheeks had been rosy when I took this picture. Normally when he has a fever (he had 102) they are, and it is so cute. But I guess his medicine had already started to work. Hurry up and get better, Bud!
James is so handsome.
I use to gnaw on wood when I was little. It must feel good on those little toothies.
I love these last pictures. They make me think of a disgruntled celebrity that just spotted the paparazzi. I love his angry face at the end when he can't get the camera.
The piano is a favorite at our house. Matthew loves to request songs. And just before these pictures were taken, James was crying. As soon as Tim started playing, James began giggling and got down and crawled over to the piano to resume his perch. I love the second picture. Matthew appears he is being sweet, however, he is slowly trying to push each of James' fingers off of the bench. Brotherly Love at its finest.
I've been Tagged!!! A: The rules of the game are posted at the beginning. B: Each player answers the questions about themselves. C: At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.
10 years ago: (more like 9 1/2 years ago) I went to EFY at BYU with Lori, Jamie, Chad, and some of their friends from SC, Lauren and Andy. Joy in the Journey, ya’ll! I’m pretty sure I learned absolutely nothing. We wrote notes back and forth in every class and looked for the surfer boys. Ooh, and remember the counselors? HOTT! I even danced with the blind boy from Dumb and Dumber, not blind, not so hot, and kind of short.
5 things on my to-do list today: 1. Vacuum and mop. 2. Make my hard-workin’ manly man some Sloppy Joes for dinner. 3. Try to get my $#@% printer to work. 4. Run. Gotta train for that marathon. 5. Read Sense and Sensibility. But only if we get Monster-Boy and Snot-Nose to bed at a reasonable hour.
Snacks I enjoy: I don’t know if there’s enough room to include all my favorite snacks. I have a killer sweet/salty tooth. 1. Nachos. Have you tried the nachos at Target’s food court? Some of the best out there that aren’t homemade. And only $2 with a medium drink. 2. Ice Cream, pretty much every kind out there, except for anything with nuts or coffee flavored. 3. I am a cheese cracker fiend! Cheddar Jack Cheezits are the best. 4. Crackers with pepperoni and cheese. Yeah, I’m super healthy.What I would do if I were suddenly made a billionaire: tithing, house, car, invest/savings, clothes, shoes, handbags, salon days3 of my bad habits: 1. Complaining, complaining, complaining. 2. I love knowing what’s going on in Hollywood. The trashier, the better! 3. Rolling my eyes. I honestly have no control.
5 places I have lived: Utah, Virginia, California, Seattle, Memphis
5 jobs that I have had : Baskin Robbins, The Village Toymaker, Accessory Avenue, Nordstrom, Mommy
5 Things people don't know about me: I’ve already done this one before, so I’ll try to be creative, but there might be repeats. 1. I hate laundry, especially ironing. Sometimes my ironing builds up for months. 2. Since seeing Pet Sematary (10 or more years ago), I jump into my bed at night. Keep small children and scalpels away from my feet please. 3. I have the shortest eyelashes you have ever seen. And not only are they short, but I don’t have very many. 4. People find it hard to believe that I had my belly button pierced. It’s true and I have the hole to prove it. 5. I hate wearing shoes, I LOVE buying them, but I don’t like socks or shoes (I just donated about 30 pairs the other day, and I still have about 20 in my closet). Too confining, and I have really sweaty feet. Gross.
Who I am tagging…
Nicci
Kristen
Laurie
Jill
Brittnee
Someone cannot stand to be excluded from a picture. 
We have been attacked by the snot monster at our house. Yuck! These pictures do not give justice to the nastiness that has taken residence in my son's nostrils. It's like a scene out of X-Files or something. It is constantly flowing. Oozing may be more appropriate a term. For crying out loud, learn to sniff, child! James is getting 5, count 'em, 5 new teeth. Contrary to what doctors say about it being coincidence that kids have a runny nose with new teeth, my kids get a runny nose with every new tooth. That seems a little too coincidental. So, with 5 teeth coming in, of course James' runny nose has hit with a vengeance like no other. 
Last week was Matthew's first Sunday as a Sunbeam. But we were in my parents' ward, so for some reason that doesn't count to me. And today, in our ward, we found out that there isn't a Sunbeam teacher, so Matthew had to go to Nursery. So, one day he will be a Sunbeam. Until then we can perform several musicals with our new piano, courtesy of Martha and Ted. They just got a beautiful new piano, and gave us their old, but just as beautiful, one. It has been quite a hit. Now FHE will seem more official as we gather around the piano for a few numbers. Thanks Martha and Ted!
I think this picture is so cute for a number of reasons. One of those reasons is that Lindsey took this picture and she still cuts off tops of heads 17 years later. Only in pictures of course, that sounded kind of gory.
Today is my mom's birthday. I just wanted to let her know how much I love and respect her. She has always done so much for me. And I never fully appreciated it until I had children of my own. I love having a mom that I can have so much fun with. Things that may seem mediocre to one person, always turn into an adventure for us. I am so grateful that I can look back and have only the greatest of memories of her. She is so talented and kind, and I think she's the best. I hope that one day my kids want to be near me as often as I do with my mom. Happy Birthday, Mom!
