Emily & Grace

Closing

2011-01-25T14:42:00.000-08:00

To all those that faithfully read Emily & Grace I need to inform you that I have abandoned this blog for a new one :) Welcome to cacheous.blogspot.com... aka please feel free to mosey on over and begin following the new adventures of our family :)

Wrapped.

2010-12-25T21:43:00.000-08:00

Christmas is coming to a close at our house tonight.

Grace is {finally} sleeping in her bed. Her head resting on her new Bumble Bee pillow pet (thank you Grandma Nancy) whilst donning her new Disney Princess pajamas (thank you elves Anna & Brandy) she made quite the hall this year. More toys and clothes than she knows what to do with but she had a blast! (Fur real kitten, a stuffed kitty, a stuffed puppy, coloring books, washable crayons, chalkboard, movies, clothing etc)

She had 3days of presents.

Nate and his wife came up on Thursday to play and have their Christmas celebration with Grace. She had a ball! Here she is dancing with Nate in her new outfit, she wears this beautiful tutu everywhere she goes.

Chase's dad Roger and his lovely wife Shelly came up Friday afternoon to visit and deliver presents. Watching Grace open gifts and watching everyone get down on the floor with her to help her color or do other various things was hilarious!

{This little girl definitely has EVERYONE wrapped around her little finger}

Christmas morning Grace came into our room to wake us up, after she got changed we were able to convince her to go see what Santa left. She has never really been a big fan of his so when she heard he had been to our house she was NOT interested in venturing out to the front room, but once we convinced her she was elated! She got a Disney Princess Kitchen and the funniest part about that is she also got a Zuzu pet (hamster) which she calls Mouse and she keeps him in her kitchen's oven.

Ta Da!

2010-12-21T19:47:00.000-08:00

Original No?

Well with me being on bestrest and all getting all gussied up for a new family photo hasn't really been much of an option, but from our family to yours we wish you a Happy Holiday season. :)

Still at It!

2010-11-06T21:00:00.000-07:00

So I heard a chair sliding across the kitchen floor the other day which is not an unusual sound now that Grace has figured out she can get to things that have been put away with the added help of an extra sixteen inches. I called to her and asked what she was doing to which she replied, "Nothing Mom!" It then got a little too quiet and when I walked into the kitchen this is what I found. Grace the notorious Hot Chocolate fiend, had struck once again. She had it ALL over, face, hands, counter, toaster and every other surface of the kitchen. Lovely!

I'll Get You My Pretty

2010-11-06T20:57:00.000-07:00

Grace was the Wicked Witch of the East for Halloween (notice the ruby slippers). She got to dress up and go to various parties and various trick-or-treating locals. She made off like a bandit and then ate as much as she possibly could the next day. She had so much fun!

I WON!!!!

2010-10-21T13:15:00.000-07:00

ruffling feathers: shanna kesler design: winner: "thank you to everyone who showed their support & entered the awesome giveaway for shanna kesler designs! the winner chosen via random.org is..."

HA HA hA!!! I won I won I won!

2010-10-16T19:22:00.000-07:00

We are alive.

Grace is growing like a weed, talking more and more every day. She loves to sing and DANCE! She loves dancing with Papa.

I will post pictures soon.

Ugh!

2010-07-12T14:43:00.000-07:00

I have been a very bad blogger lately. I'm sorry. I am sans computer lately. I ran off with my dad's computer last week with the intention of returning it later that afternoon but the afternoon, turned into the next morning and the next morning turned into the next day etc. Now five days later I really should return his computer this afternoon.

Grace is still not feeling well but she's doing a bit better, getting into things she's not supposed to and such.

I am busy chasing after this little girl, learning my new job, trying to figure out how to pull off the last of my classes, figuring out the rest of my summer and life for that matter and trying to convince everyone that I know what I'm doing and getting into... more than they even realize...and believe it or not I am a grown up that can make my own decisions whether they agree with them or not!

Diagnosis

2010-07-08T14:54:00.000-07:00

Just an ear infection?! Seriously? 6 days of fever and 6 nights of torture and its just an ear infection?! What gives? Dr. Firth has promised me a new kid in 36 hours. I'

On Fire

2010-07-07T14:26:00.000-07:00

This little girl that lost a fight with a fan (hence the split lip) has been running a fever for the last FOUR days. Throw in there twenty hours of sleep deprivation for an EEG and the last few days have been GREAT!

Dad

2010-06-20T19:43:00.000-07:00

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!

I love my dad.

He has been my best friend since I was little.

His sense of humor can't be beat!

He is THE BEST!

Isn't he HANDSOME?!

A Promise

2010-06-10T19:59:00.000-07:00

This amazing TRIPLE rainbow showed up the other day just as the sun was setting. It made me pause for a moment and realize that the simple little things, moments, signs in this life need to be enjoyed and savored.

Zonked

2010-06-02T18:49:00.000-07:00

I know exactly how she feels!

How Does Your Garden Grow?

2010-05-19T09:32:00.000-07:00

Tomato (singular) chives, parsley, dill, basil, kolrabi, lettuce, watermelon, cucumber, marigolds (to keep the bugs out) onions, squish ( i mean squash) crookneck and zucchini and PUMPKINS!!!

Let the battle (with birds, bugs and deer) begin!

From Scratch

2010-05-05T10:30:00.000-07:00

Last week whilst retrieving something from my parents basement my mother had requested I stumbled across the long forgotten pasta machine. I had asked if I could borrow it long ago and somehow it never made it as far as the pantry, well since I was down there I snatched it up and took it to my car probably forgetting what I was sent down for in the first place. That said, Grace, Chase and I made pasta last Wednesday.

Chase took great joy in making the whole wheat pasta it had an insanely amazing nuttyness and different texture than the typical hard semolina pasta we use.

Since Chase and I started seeing one another 5 (!) months ago Wednesday nights have typically been our pasta nights.

We have tried a variety of different kinds, ziti, angel hair, rotini etc with various different sauces but Wednesday night fettucinni with meatball marrinara has to be my favorite thus far.

Voila!

Its is yet again another Wednesday night. Perhaps we'll shoot for ravioli?

But wait its Cinco de Mayo!

Walk A Mile In My Shoes

2010-05-04T14:00:00.000-07:00

Grace LOVES to put on my heels and hear them click click click on the tile.

Sunday

2010-04-18T22:30:00.000-07:00

How lucky am I?

I get to sit next to these two amazing people at church :)

Bright Side

2010-04-15T23:09:00.001-07:00

I woke up this morning with a killer migraine.

Not fun. I took some medicine and went back to bed.

Mr. Chase took care of and entertained Grace this morning

AND

cleaned the entire apartment

AND

got ALL the laundry caught up!

All while I was dead to the world in a migraine medicine stupor pillows pulled over my head so the light and noise of the day wouldn't bother me.

When I {finally}woke up

thankfully feeling a million times better

( I DO BELIEVE IN MAXALT!)

I walked into the bathroom to find this:

Made. My. Day!

Planning Ahead

2010-04-08T11:48:00.000-07:00

Anxiously Awaiting Spring!

Between snow storms we have spent a lot of time outside prepping our soon to be magnificent garden.

Mr. Chase has expanded the garden by about 4 feet

he and grace have been working hard pulling weeds, and getting the leaves out

I have been in charge of taking photos and directing traffic

That's right I'm Management :)

Grace found my hanging baskets and she thought they were better as a hat.

4 Month's and Counting

2010-04-06T08:40:00.000-07:00

Mr. Chase and I have been dating/together for 4+ months now

I think this is one of 4 or so photos we have taken together.

We know each other a bit better than we did when I first started writing about him.

Truth be told we've had a few rough patches.

He's not perfect, but neither am I.

however

He makes me SMILE and that is so amazing!

New Cousin!

2010-04-06T08:28:00.001-07:00

Jared and Monica's baby Pablo- okay that's not really his name but for the better part of two months that's what Mikey called him- arrived March 31, 2010 9:07 AM he was 9lbs 7oz 20 inches long. Getting to hold him when he was a few hours old was such an amazing opportunity. We ALL (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, big brothers, daddy and oh yeah, Mommy too) have been anxiously awaiting his arrival.

Michael John & Daniel James

Brothers

Red Nails

2010-03-24T17:35:00.000-07:00

This post is me being a bit selfish.

I was bored.

And this is the result of Photobooth.

Yeah, I'm a goober!

A Quick Post

2010-03-19T08:46:00.000-07:00

Grace is always trying to help, see here she is helping Chase vacuum.
Here she is taking care of her baby (SHE took the voicebox out of a doll she has and carries that around saying, lots of the time stuffing it down her shirt so she can push it up against her tummy and then she cries out-Baby!- once the doll voice makes the noise. Then she laughs and laughs.)
Grace is constantly on the go. She loves to be out and about and she has two speeds, fast and faster!

March

2010-03-09T08:11:00.000-08:00

Good Morning- Grace and I are both very much looking forward to Spring Break this next week. We have had an eventful March, we've been to and fro Salt Lake to visit friend and relatives and for work. I have been taking photos on the weekend and a couple of weekends ago we hit the Great Salt Lake.

This is Grace and my old friend Shane, in all the Years I have known him this was the first time I had ever seen him in uniform (he was the reason we were taking photos-he needed them for his portfolio thing.)

And my little bumble bee, she is such a ham! She LOVES to have her photo taken and when the camera is NOT focused on her anymore this is what happens.

FASHION FORWARD

2010-02-25T08:24:00.000-08:00

My Little Fashionista- Notice the fishnet stocking?

I had no idea where they came from

Apparently they are Aunt Anna's but they shrank in the wash to Grace size.

Grace loves playing with my accessories a moment before the camera came out she had on my yellow beaded necklace and bracelet.

She's hilarious.

This two year old has her own ideas and is not about to give in if she wants something.

Happy Birthday

2010-02-14T22:59:00.001-08:00

Well Grace made it to her second Birthday!

Enter the Terrible(y) Terrific (terrifying) TWO's!

Moustache

2010-02-05T20:10:00.000-08:00

I can't think up a caption to do this justice.
Chase got grace and then I got him.
He laughed till he cried. It was great!

Woohoo!

2010-01-18T19:54:00.000-08:00

Chase and I went ice skating at the park. It was SO much fun. You should see the bruises I have from my oh so graceful fall. When was the last time you went ice skating?

Rawr

2010-01-08T22:47:00.001-08:00

Rawr means I love you in Dinosaur.

RIP

2010-01-05T22:30:00.000-08:00

Sebastian is no longer with us.

He has gone to climb up that big filter in the sea.

2010-01-05T15:43:00.000-08:00

We bundled up walked to the park today.

We had SO much fun.

It felt so good to get behind my camera again

to take pictures of my favorite subject

...

GRACE

Hello!

2010-01-02T16:04:00.000-08:00

This is Chase. { everyone all together now - Hi Chase! }Chase is our friend. (Grace and Mine that is- but I'm sure he would be your's too)
He is awesome. {-Why is Chase awesome?-}
Chase is awesome because he:

Not only figures out why the lights on the tree don't light up. He fixes them too!
He also takes the tree down when its time.
He's a great assistant when babysitting. (Okay, I was more of the assistant, he kept all three children entertained while making my front room SHINE like the top of the Chrystler building.)
He has the magic touch when it comes to kids. They all thought he was great!
He sings, He dances
He helps me clean

And Chase is AWESOME because...
He reads THIS blog!
{Hi Chase!}

New Year's Eve

2010-01-02T15:46:00.000-08:00

We went to the girls basketball game @ USU.
Then we came home and went to bed.
Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T23:23:00.000-08:00

Grace's Haul

She LOVES her new hair brush! She went around to Everyone to brush their hair.

She twirled and danced around in her apron (from Grammy) and her Tutu (from Aunt Monica)

Christmas was good.

We spent lots of time with family and had our own time together this morning and early afternoon.

It was a good day.

New Tradition?

2009-12-24T13:57:00.000-08:00

Though watching this movie is not unusual, I think that Grace and I may be forced to watch it every Christmas Eve from now on.

New Favorite Thing?

2009-12-21T01:24:00.001-08:00

Tootsie Pops.

{I blame Chase}

Hallelujah!

2009-12-16T17:20:00.000-08:00

I just got home from my academic advising appointment. I laughed, I cried, I almost hyperventilated, that's right folks I, Emily Ann White will be graduating NEXT semester -Spring 2010! Just 4 more classes and I am DONE!!! The party that will follow will be GREAT!

While They are Yet in Their Youth

2009-12-15T12:04:00.000-08:00

I am incredibly blessed. Grace LOVES "doing" the dishes!

Finished!

2009-12-10T15:31:00.000-08:00

I am DONE with Finals!!!!

I already know I got a B+ or BETTER in my Biology class!!!!

Bring on the party!

Random Goings On Of the Last Month

2009-12-04T14:31:00.001-08:00

Mom turned fifty! Admire her BEAUTIFUL Birthday Cake :-) I made it.

Michael & Grace in their Awesome Orange Home Depot Aprons!

(This was on Thanksgiving)

Mom has been on a mitten and purse making extravaganza (this is my current favorite word) here is my magnificent purse made from an old wool sweater that I got @ THE DOLLaR STORE!!

I was put in charge of cutting the seams out of the sweaters for the mittens we made, I have the neck from a turtle neck on my head with the seams stuffed into it... Do I look Hot? Ya mon!

Grace got her hand on my camera and snapped this picture.

Then she got her hands into this.

November was a super busy and good month. I can't believe its December. Finals are next week and I may be panicking.

Yipes.

Bed Head

2009-12-04T11:18:00.000-08:00

Grace woke up yesterday morning looking like this... I laughed and laughed. I'm so glad she keeps me entertained even when we can both hardly open our eyes.

Let Me Out!

2009-12-01T11:22:00.000-08:00

I keep thinking that this will be my last post from the park for a while but there is still no snow on the ground, supposedly we will be getting snow this weekend, that should stick but until then we are going to try to hit the park as often as we can.

PS- Finals are next week so you probably won't hear from me very much. Wish me luck I'm gonna need it!

2009-11-29T23:11:00.001-08:00

So I watched probably one of my favorite movies tonight

with one of my favorite people.

Unfortunately

this favorite person of mine laughed throughout the entire movie

because this person thought that the movie was and I quote

"way too corny and lovey dovey, if my future spouse talked to me like that I would probably die laughing"

see if I ever invite that person over again!

That said the movie we watched is probably one of my favorites and I love that its wholesome and good and CLEaN!

It is the story of Ester from the bible and the way it is done is beautiful.

This is a movie I can watch over and over and not get tired of it.

The costuming is beautiful and the colors are so vibrant.

Its definitely worth the two hours and four minutes that the movie runs.

Home Sweet MOM'S Home

2009-11-25T20:40:00.000-08:00

Just felt compelled to write and say that I love my mom and her house. 'Tis the season to be at home. :)

Alive

2009-11-18T22:00:00.001-08:00

Too all of my dear friends and family (that don't really read this anyway) I just wanted to check in and tell you that we are alive. The end of the semester is approaching all too quickly, I am not ready for finals in any way shape or form well maybe one way. I have purchased all of the blue books I will ever need. I have been having nightmares about showing up to class without them so I stopped and bought my blue books today.

In addition to test anxiety, I have this congestion/cold/allergies that I just can't seem to shake I feel like I have been SICK for a WHOLE MONTH! I'm sick of being sick! a classmate told me I should go get tested for mono...I wonder if there is something to that. :( Grace is cutting teeth so she is miserable, and I'm afraid she may have a slight cold as well so our house is super fun as always.

Grace has also decided that she is too cool for her crib and she thinks that my bed is so much more comfortable usually with half of her body draped across mine, a foot in my face or a knee in my ribs, she's a tricky little devil she is! The other night she climbed out of bed sneaked out of her room after I had gone to bed she watched a movie (I know this because the TV and DVD player were on when I woke up the next morning) then decided she wanted to sleep with me so she crawl up and over me to get into bed with me.

She snores.

Blog Award

2009-11-10T11:50:00.000-08:00

THANKS Kelly!!!

As part of my reward I get to answer these questions in one word (or pretty close!)

1.Where is your cell phone? pocket

2.Your hair? UGH!

3.Your Mother? work

4.Your Father? work

5.Your favorite food? hashbrowns

6.Your dream last night? WONDERFUL

7.Your favorite drink? pomegrante 7Up

8.Your dream/goal? to be a kept woman ;)

9.What room are you in? Classroom

10.Your hobby? writing

11.Your fear? alone

12.Where do you want to be in 6 years? done with school

13.Where were you last night? my parents

14.Something you aren't? married

15.Muffins? Enjoyable

16.Wish list item? financial security

17.Where did you grow up? Arizona/Utah

18.Last thing you did? took notes in class

19.What are you wearing? clogs, jeans, and Keith Urban sweater

20.TV? lie to me, and Thrusday Nights, greys, private practice, vampire diaries.

21.Your pets? fish

22.Your friends? are strange

23.Your life? is a lesson in frustration

24.Your mood? bad

25.Missing someone? does Grace count since I am at school

26.Vehicle? Ricky

27.Something you're not wearing? Makeup, its been a long morning

28.Your favorite store? Ross

29.Your favorite color? blue, green and red

30.When was the last time you laughed? moments ago

31.When was the last time you cried? whenI got to class and realized that my paper was NOT really due

32.Your best friend? lives far away

33.One place you go over and over? my parents house

34.One person who e-mails you regularly? No idea

35.Favorite place to eat? My parents house or my kitchen :)

Swiss Miss

2009-11-08T19:20:00.000-08:00

Today being Sunday = Dinner at my parents house.

I had some things in my fridge that needed to be used so I offered to make dinner. Grace and I headed over to The White Silk Purse

shortly after church knowing that the Grandparents would be at their own ward. So I set to work and Grace harassed Lucy. Gumbo takes a lot of chopping and time but its so worth it. IN addition to gumbo I also peeled and diced a bunch of GrannySmith apples. Mom turned them into a pie... it was very good tart but very good.

Grace likes to wander around the house while we congregate in the kitchen to watch antiques roadshow and do random things, mom was making mittens and I was being her cheerleader and catching her up on the goings on in my life when I realized Grace was being too quite, and then suddenly there was laughter. Quiet, then laughter is never a good thing. This is what I found:

Happy Halloween

2009-10-31T21:23:00.001-07:00

Dorothy had a wonderful time frolicking through the fall leaves with Toto.

On the look out for a Twister.

Nate decided to come along to the ward Trunk or Treat. He and Grace had a ball! She was estatic about carrying around her little basket and having people give her candy. She thought it was the greatest thing in the world!

And I was the Lady in Red.

Great Grandpa Woods

2009-10-28T22:58:00.000-07:00

Look at these hands!

These are hands that have been through a lot in the last few years. Electrocution, then slicing through the palm and wrists, skin graphs and physical therapy and now here they are holding two little handsThis is Ben Crosby Woods.
Great-Grandpa to these two goofy kids.
Grandpa to me.

I adore this man. He has always been somebody that I have looked up to and admired. When I was little he would pull me up into his arms and sing to me. "I'll be down to pick you up in a dump truck honey!" He would also take my hands and rub them up and down the whiskers on his face. {he did both of these things last time I saw him and I of course laughed and laughed} He always smells like the stuff he puts in his hair, "Groom and Clean" and sometimes Eternity for Men. He loves my Granny so much and adores his children whether they are his by flesh or marriage. He is one of the hardest workers I know. He loves his family and is one of the greatest men in the world. I love my Grandpa and want him to know how grateful I am for all he does for this family. He's a good man and I hope I can find someone like him one day.

I Love You
Grumpy.
<3
Ommilly

Fall

2009-10-20T20:24:00.000-07:00

We are finally recovering from our illnesses. Grace had a nasty case of swine flu which she so kindly shared with me, and her swine flu turned into pneumonia!!! It has been a very LONG 10 days, I am still not quite up to par but Grace is doing SO much better. We actually got out of the house yesterday to play in the vibrant fall colors that have surrounded us. I LOVE fall.

When Pigs Fly

2009-10-12T21:15:00.000-07:00

<--------- Now I don't think this is what Grace did but the results are pretty much the same.

The Swine Flu has come to my house and oooh boy it has hit with full force.

Poor Grace has been running a fever since Saturday night and today she started coughing and hacking. I had been fine up until this afternoon and now I'm not feeling so great.

I have a doctors note to excuse me from class. Grace and I are going to do some serious Mother daughter veggin' out on the couch time. We have been told to STAY HOME for @ LEAST 5 DAYS!!!

its late at night what am I doing?

2009-10-07T00:11:00.001-07:00

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Watch this its hilarious!

http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/lmXiHTq14VsAmaSJ

Stick Straight

2009-10-02T23:19:00.000-07:00

I straightened Grace's hair today and I think it made her look so much older. Anna came over and immediately told me how much she did NOT like it straight... I'm afraid I have to agree with her it makes her look too grown up. I am amazed everyday how big my little girl is getting. Sheesh!

2009-10-02T23:17:00.000-07:00

Grace got into a bag of chocolates my visiting teacher brought me and she ENJOYED them emensely.

A BLOG AWARD!!!

2009-09-24T21:10:00.000-07:00

Suzanne Barker ~one of my favorite people in the whole world, who was also one of the greatest "sitter's" of all time~ has given me my FIRST (I say first in hopes of day receiving more, not only here but also @ Not Quite Over the Rainbow.) Blogging award. I'm so HAPPY to get one... seriously ECSTATIC!!!

So here's what I am supposed to do:

Name 7 things about myself that people might night know... this seems to be pretty difficult for me due to the fact that most of my life is an open book so this is going to take serious consideration.

1. I have been a senior in college for the last 5 years.
2. While growing up I didn't know what I wanted to be I grew up. . . I still don't.
3. I hate melon, all melon excluding watermelon and will do everything to avoid eating it.
4. Sometimes late at night when I can't sleep, I will take Grace out of her crib and just hold her and gently rock her till I fall asleep.
5. I am an emotional baker and most of the time I don't eat what I make, not because its not good, most of the time its great but I just bake to kill time.
6. Taking a cue out of Suzanne's confessions/interesting bit of information I am going to confess my first kiss. It was the summer I before I turned 12 down at the lake. It was awkward and sweet all at the same time.
7. I have a ghost that visits me periodically, don't worry he's friendly!

Now I get to "tag" seven other blogs but I'm not quite sure how to do it. Congratulations All, I think your blogs are FABULOUS and KREATIVE!!!

1. April- A City Girl in the Country
2. Dana @ The White Silk Purse
3. Cami @ Love Cami
4. Charlie @ Operation Shrink Charlie's Big Butt!
5. Chelsea @ Kernicals
6. Travis @ I Like To Fish
7. Danielle @ Hellowl

Like a Weed

2009-09-22T15:43:00.001-07:00

Well Grace is 19 months and 12 days old today... Yes, we went to the doctor today so their fancy computer told me how old she is... because we all know I do not keep track of such things. They asked me when her birthday was and I had to pause for a moment to think, I instantly could rattle off my own but I actually had to stop and think about when her's was.

When welcomed Grace into the world she was 5 pounds 12 ounces and 18 inches long. She was in the 2% for weight and 3% for height. She was so tiny her skin looked like it was 10 sizes too big! Her fingers were so long and slender and she was just so petite with perfect features. I remember watching all the relatives with her, being especially careful because she was so tiny.

Well, a mere 19 months later Grace is 30 pounds and 35.5 inches tall! That's nearly 3 FEET!!! She is in the 96% for weight and 99% for height. Her well baby/child check was today and Dr. Firth told us that she is as big as most 28 month olds! ("No need to worry she is very nicely proportioned," he added quickly.) She passed her check up with flying colors and she even survived getting 6 SHOTS 5 vaccines and the dreaded flu shot ~Anna and I got them too!~ She had big tears but as soon as they pulled out the suckers she was fine again.

Looks like my tiny girl isn't so tiny anymore is she?

Boots On

2009-09-18T22:54:00.001-07:00

Grace opted to choose her own outfit today. (This little horse has been in the family since Jared was a baby {The horse is known as John Wayne's horse}... I felt that getting a picture of Grace on it was a MUST funny thing was... she pulled it out, dragged it outside and as soon as we got down to the sidewalk she started saying, "Mommy, cheese!")
She already has her own little opinion and she throws a HUGE fit if she doesn't get what she wants... I have no idea where she gets THAT from... he he he. She always makes me laugh. And she's a pretty good sport to let me snap photos of her. Whenever she sees me pull out my camera she says, "Cheese" well she says it until I turn it on and then she goes back to ignoring me.

Peaches!

2009-09-17T22:18:00.000-07:00

Peaches! These are awesome! We worked for several hours washing, peeling, cutting and freezing the peaches. They are divine! I haven't had peaches this awesome for a LONG time... Grace and I will be enjoying ourselves for a long while. We'll just have to keep stealing them out of mom's freezer!

Say Goodbye To All These BLUES

2009-09-14T21:23:00.000-07:00

It had been way too long... just two days shy of two years. A lot has changed. Last time life was completely different for both of us. He had just gotten out of rehab, I had just lost my job and had to get a pick line. This time it was like the stars had finally lined up for us. The butterflies took over as he came out the back light casting his shadow on the black curtain a few strains of the electric guitar and BAM the curtain dropped and we Hit The Ground Running there he was in all his magnificent glory. The years between didn't matter anymore because Days Go By and all though we can't stop them from flying by we can take it in our own stride. Nothing mattered anymore the Stupid Boy that had recently broken my heart disappeared and Keith was there to meet me Where The Blacktop Ends to remind me that my Better Half is still out there and when I find him it will be that Once In A Lifetime Love that will be worth Making Memories of Us. And Keith reminded me that it will be lovely and thanked me for being such a lovely fan because he knew that "Only You Could Love Me This Way." The Sweet Thing about this concert was that it reminded me that When Summer Comes Around I can pray that its Raining On Sunday.

Grace adored the concert and when Kiss a Girl came on she jumped up to dance. I laughed and laughed and wanted to tell all the people that thought I was crazy for taking a 18 month old to a concert I Told You So because SHE LOVED IT!!! I was so excited when I heard the first strummings of You Look Good In My Shirt I screamed because you know I would look very good in his shirt. He he He. I knew that Keith was singing Somebody Like You to me! The concert was beginning to wrap up and although I knew our time together was soon to come to an end I felt like Tonight I Wanna Cry! The concert did in fact come to an end but I felt like I had finally found the Better Life I had been looking for and funny thing, it had never left!

Thank you for indulging me with my silly way of getting all the song titles (in order of performance)

Now seriously folks. The concert was Amazing!!! Keith was at the top of his game and he did a wonderful job of making EVERYONE feel as if he was singing just to them. His guitar skills were insanely sharp and the guitars themselves were BEAUTIFUL, the usual Fender he plays but there was a Green Gibson and the Shattered Mirror Gibson he plays was gorgeous! He also had one that LIT UP!!! He is up for CMA Entertainer of the Year and this Fan thinks he definitely deserves it he is a GREAT showman!

Being Domestic

2009-09-13T22:18:00.000-07:00

I love this time of year... Back to school (okay I don't love that part so much but office supplies for super cheap is always awesome) and the bounty of the gardens that friend and family have planted has began to really come forth. Mom has been a canning fool, canning tomatillo salsa, red salsa, jams and pie fillings and well last night I was able to help can tomatoes, I have helped with a few of the other cannings but this one I actually helped start to almost finish.
We picked tomatoes and I wish I could give you some perspective here some of these were the size of SOFTBALLS!

We (being my mother and myself) picked tomatoes, then we peeled the tomatoes, and if you have never peeled tomatoes before its kind of fun.
{You boil a big pot of water an dunk the tomatoes in the boiling water till the skins crack, you then quickly pull them up out of the water and dunk them in ICE cold water (there are literally ice cubes floating in the water) you then grab the tomato and the slide the peel off... its like pulling blisters off a sunburn. Very satisfying. }

After that we diced up the tomatoes and scooped them into quart jars put the lids on them and mom processed them. 21 quarts of tomatoes in one evening! I am so grateful that I got to do this with my mom. It was really fun to get to go through the whole process and even though we were exhausted it was fun.

Aren't they beautiful?

Flowers!

2009-09-04T23:17:00.000-07:00

I have been cleaning ALL DAY!
I rented a carpet cleaner, cleaned the carpet in my front room.
Completely rearranged my front room. AND Cleaned my couches!
Its been long hard workin' kind of a day...
Just as I was in the middle of the fung shuiing of my apartment
I saw the Fred's Flower delivery car pull up.
They were bringing ME flowers!

Beautiful Almost Birthday Daisies for Me!

Its Been A LONG Day

2009-09-03T22:51:00.000-07:00

I started the day thinking that it wasn't going to be bad. All of my classes had been canceled due to the American Political Science Conference being today. (Its being held in Toronto... does anyone else find this ironic?) I had to run up to campus to check on a few things and ended up getting my computer's RAM updated I went from 512K to 2 gigs! Its like having a new computer!

Grace and I had lunch with dad at McDonalds. Grace had a chicken nuggets Happy Meal while dad and I had a delicious salad. After lunch Grace and I headed out to Quality Auto sales to get Ricky's oil changed. (Ricky is my 99 silver VW Passat -my best friend's car's name is Lucy-) That took an HOUR and a HALF!! I was NOT a happy camper it should have taken 20 minutes but apparently since I was not a friend of the owner and did not know every that worked there my car was not a priority, it was also NAP time but Grace was NOT interested in sitting still on the couch she was ALL over the place. When my oil was finally changed the mechanic advised me to get new tired immediately, well he actually wanted to put my spare on to make him feel better but I told him not to bother because our next stop was the tire store. We did in fact visit the tire store, got two new tires and I can't tell you what a huge difference that has made! Grace wandered the tire store while I got quotes on windshields... I have decided that I loathe taking care of my car.

We finally got home just after 4:30 Grace zonked and I did too. We were up and around by six and then were off for more errands. We didn't get home till quarter to ten. We showered had a fight about going to bed ( I won this battle but the war is on going) I changed the laundry over picked up the front room and annihilated the duplicates in my iPhoto library. Now I am heading to bed.

Where Does The Time Go

2009-08-28T22:19:00.000-07:00

Miss Grace is growing up so fast. I don't know how this has happened! I am not going to say like it seems like just yesterday I brought her home because that seems so long ago so much has happened in our lives since that day almost 19 months ago but I am going to say that I don't know how I made it through twenty three years without her.

She amazes me every single day. We have recently figured out that her curls are now long enough to stretch back into a pony tail. This is in my humble opinion a major mile stone. Poor Grace will probably be sporting a pony tail from now on.

She is so good at holding relatively still while I do do her hair, she does however like to reach up and "help" me with it but if I give her something to keep her hands occupied she's usually pretty good. I even sing to her while doing her hair like my mom did for me, in fact on the rare occasion that my mom is doing something to my hair i.e. braiding it, she will sing "Chin up" from the old animated Charlotte's Web and that's exactly what I sing to Grace and she loves it!

I don't know when my baby turned into a little girl but she's not so small anymore. She's going to nursery and she started going to a babysitter on Tuesdays and Thursdays while I'm in class and she helps me watch the babysitter's daughter on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. She's saying more words now too. The other night after our shower while I was drying her off and getting her jammies on I was telling she was a pretty girl, she repeated pretty 4 times and once she was ready for bed she stood up on the changing table, put a hand on either side of my face, looked at me and said, "Pretty Mommy." That's pretty much the high point of my week.

Something Missing

2009-08-28T13:54:00.000-07:00

I have been flipping through the radio stations a lot more than normal lately. Maybe because the commercials are making me restless or maybe I'm already restless but needless to say I have not been completely locked into the local Country station lately, I have been sneaking around with the pop/hiphop/rap station and even sometimes the OLDIES station! {gasp} I profess to enjoy all kinds of music that has never been a secret but lately I have been feeling like something has been lacking in my music listening life maybe its because I have only been so locked into country for the last few years that I have felt severely out of touch with all other forms of music. I used to be able to flip on ANY radio station and be able to tell you who was singing and now much to my chagrin that's getting harder.

It couldn't possibly be becasue I am a full time mom, student and part time photographer but with a recent visit from a seriously musically inclined and uber talented cousin I have decided its time to expand my music repitore and while flipping through the stations today I found what has been missing in my life. Check this out to know what it is.

I am regressing folks and you know what that's totally okay.

True Blue Through and Through

2009-08-25T22:23:00.000-07:00

I survived!

I made it through my first day of classes. I am not so scared anymore but man, I don't remember there being so much READING assigned in ANY of my classes. I am looking forward to all my classes and the whole being on campus is so surreal, the freshmen all look like they are about 16! Its horrifying and holy cow $120 for a book seriously! I get to play the half.com game but I am back and ready to knock out this semester so I can get on my way to graduation!
Grace seemed to survive her time with my friend that is watching her. She was so excited to see me and MUCH in need of a nap. I think we might both need some time to adjust to this new schedule. Speaking of schedule, I'm going to be trying to get to be before midnight now... We'll see how well that goes. But hey its 11:30 and I'm ready for bed and surprise I am EXHAUSTED!

Quick Update

2009-08-24T17:47:00.000-07:00

Grace discovering Jackie's hammock hat she got for her birthday. She had so much fun.

While I was busy shooting Jackie's senior portraits Grace was busy playing in the water with Jackie's mom and dog. She had Such a great time.

I start school tomorrow. I'm horrified. I'm going to be on campus full time for the first time in FOUR that's right count 'em 1....2....3....4 YEARS! I'm horrified. Wish me Luck!

Phone-less

2009-08-14T17:22:00.000-07:00

So Grace has destroyed yet another phone. I just can't seem to freaking win! This is the second phone this week.. I found this one... IN THE FISH TANK!!!!

I am NOT a happy camper.

The Fair!

2009-08-09T23:56:00.000-07:00

WELCOME TO THE CACHE COUNTY FAIR!

My Friend Tyler enjoying proof that there is a God and he does in fact love us.
Funnel Cake

The sweet smell of hay, fresh straw, and cattle
mixed with
the uber intoxicating aromas of
everything fried.
Corn Dogs, Scones, Oreos, Twinkies and FUNNEL CAKES!!
Add in the sounds of local want to be singers and

All the various farm animals noises,
a veritable cornucopia of Old MacDonald verses.

I always look forward to the first weekend in August.
The fair is always at the top of my favorite things to do in the summer,
right up there with watching the meteor shower.
(Which is going to be this coming Wednesday)
It was unseasonably cool this weekend.
Seriously our HIGH yesterday was 66 degrees! That's insane! But I bundled up (aka put a sweater on) Grace and off we went to our third round of fair fun.
Hey admission is free and getting to walk around make fun of silly animals and people watch is always fun!
I ran into people I haven't seen in YEARS
and some that I hope I won't seen for YEARS to come.
This is the LARGEST horse in the West...Jack.
Seriously he's 21 hands high, that's 6 foot 4 inches folks and that's just to his SHOULDER!
I have NEVER in my whole life seen an animal that size, well not one that didn't belong at the zoo I mean. This is just draft horse, but he is HUGE!

Not only does the livestock fascinate me but so do the very random displays
one of my very favorite is the barn that houses the city displays/mosaics made out of BEANS!
That's right folks this little work of art is comprised completely of beans and seeds.
Make sure you enter the DUCK derby.
You know you are just dying to win that mini dirt bike prize!

In addition to the wildlife there are the Carnival Rides.
Now keep in mind that ALL of these rides FOLD down
disassemble and fit on the back of semi trucks.
That in its own right kept me from even wanting to ride.
Okay well also the fact that I am CHICKEN
There was also no chance I was going to shell out $5
for a 3 minute ride on the rickety old Ferris Wheel
that since taking the picture is well on its way to the next town.

I am always sort of sad when the fair rolls around because its the beginning of the end of summer.
Yet, I still find myself looking forward to it every year.

Question?

2009-08-09T20:16:00.000-07:00

What color would you say her hair is?

Just Me and My Shadow

2009-08-09T20:08:00.000-07:00

Why would you need an imaginary friend when you have a perfectly good shadow?

Grace tried to give her shadow a hug.

My Little IT Girl

2009-08-03T16:37:00.000-07:00

Do you think SHE could do my homework?

I Am SO Excited

2009-07-29T22:46:00.001-07:00

For this movie! I have been trying to get my hands on a copy of the book so I can read it before hand, but the me being broke and the library being backed up for 6 weeks on it has made it highly unlikely, I have gone so far as to go sit in Borders for an hour to just read. What sweet reprieve from my semi-crazy life.

2009-07-29T17:36:00.001-07:00

This is what happens when efy takes over campus. Teenagers converge on the quad like ants at a picnic.

Cousins!

2009-07-25T23:38:00.000-07:00

Michael was NOT happy that Grace had the shovel. I managed to get it away from her and redirect her attention so all was well.

Grace being the "typical woman" pushing Michael around.

Needing a Change?

2009-07-23T22:21:00.000-07:00

do you ever feel like your bathroom is falling in on you? probably not. but mine literally has been. we got new neighbors a few weeks ago and ever since they have moved in we have had a steady leak any time they take a shower, and being the good neighbor i am I did NOT ask them to stop showering although I was sorely tempted to do so. they are loud, and annoying and not only have they ruined the ceiling in my bathroom (apparently the tile up there needs to be regrouted and i didn't really need a plumber anyway-i called a plumber because that's what my landlord told me to do) but they also park in my driveway! So until their bathroom gets re grouted ( I would LOVE to have mine regrouted mine is growing and no amount of bleach and or tilex gets rid of it ) I am stuck with a HUGE hole in the celing of my bathroom. And its a scary hole there is a peice of insulation up in it that looks like a bat face. Scary.

On a lighter note, since nothing in my life seems to be within my control and coloring my hair would be and incredilby bad and expensive idea I got a haircut instead. I was desperately in need of one and well bye-bye six inches. What do we think?

Ant.... Mudd

2009-07-23T22:03:00.000-07:00

This is an ant.

And this is Mudd playing with Grace.

And this is Grace on top of the trampoline.

Any questions?

My friend Mudd called me up yesterday aka Aunt Mudd (hence the ant- which I took a picture of at her house) and asked if she could borrow Grace for the afternoon because she was bored. Her hubby has been out of town, he's a rocket scientist so he was doing Rocket Sciencey things in Florida so she and Grace had a play date. They played in the sand box, on the swing set and on the trampoline and just had a blast! She was exhausted by the time we got home. What a fun day!

How Does Your Garden Grow

2009-07-23T21:57:00.000-07:00

So a while ago my friend opted to follow the trend and plant a garden. She apparently has a green thumb and voila! These are her beautiful crookneck squash. I am so jealous, although I helped get the garden ready and plant it she has done all the hard work, weeding and watering etc. Its beautiful, lush and green. Mine however is yellowish green and crunchy brown and NOT for lack of watering stupid squash bugs, but that's besides the point, LOOK at this amazingness!
Peppers, Cucumbers and Squash, OH MY! Did I mention I was jealous?

Long Boarding and Zeke

2009-07-23T21:49:00.000-07:00

Anytime the longboard comes out Grace climbs on and wants to go for a ride.
She is much braver than I am, her balance is much better too.

Grace seems to think that Zeke (aka Optimus to my neighbors) is her own personal carry along toy.
Anytime she sees him she insists on picking him up.
We are working on learning the meaning of being soft.

"fate rarely calls upon us at a moment of our choosing"-optimus prime aka our kitty

I'm Glorious!

2009-07-23T21:43:00.000-07:00

Bow to me!
Grace loves stealing my sun glasses and then posing.
What a goof.

A Fun Game to Play

2009-07-18T15:49:00.000-07:00

The "rules" of this game are to commit to do the same. Post it to your blog and see what happens;) Good Luck! --

For the first five bloggers to leave a comment on this post and commit to do the same pay-it-forward on their blogs I will do the following and if you are one of the five this is what you will paste in your pay-it-forward post too :

I am willing to post overseas (I am in the U.S.), but remember you must commit on your blog to do the same for others.

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I send you. But you may be pleasantly surprised. It will definitely be made by me.
2. What I send will be made just for you, with love, by my own hands. You'd be surprised how much of our personalities does come through online.
3. I will complete all 5 gifts this year - 2009. (So I guess the offer expires at the end of this year.)
4. I will not give you any clue what it’s going to be. It will be something made in the real world, that you can touch,taste, or feel, and not something cyber.
5. I reserve the right to do something strange. It may be weird or beautiful. Or it may be monstrous and annoying. If you find it truly horrendous, just let me know. Perhaps you'll send it forward to someone who will absolutely love it.
6. In return, all you need to do is post this text on your blog and make 5 things for the first 5 to respond to your blog post (one for each).
7. Send your mailing address - after I contact you to confirm.

Stike a Pose!

2009-07-14T15:55:00.000-07:00

Grace adores wearing sunglasses, she stole mine off the top of my head and posed. My little starlet.

2009-07-14T12:10:00.001-07:00

I just caught my vaccum on fire. How is your day?

4th of July Fun

2009-07-04T20:35:00.000-07:00

What a beautiful day! We started out at the parade in Hyrum. Here comes the flag-

and the Mountain Crest Marching BandGrandpa White telling Grace secrets
COTTON CANDY!

A Purr-fect Friend

2009-07-01T21:29:00.000-07:00

We would like to Welcome "Zeke" to our family. He arrived last Saturday and since he is supposed to be an outside cat he was staying outside. I figured he had just wandered off to go play with the neighborhood cats. Well I was looking on Craigslist today and I saw a picture of my little one under "found" I started to laugh, called the number and reclaimed my cat, but here's the funny part, I had to claim my cat from my NEXT DOOR neighbor!!! Seriously, right next door. Well Zeke is home and happy sleeping on my shoulders.

I will give someone 50 points if they can figure out why this little one is named Zeke, we were going to call him Fiero but figured Grace wouldn't be able to say that for while. She can say Eek though.

When was the last time?

2009-06-28T20:41:00.000-07:00

You enjoyed lunch this much?

Isn't She Lovely?

2009-06-27T22:13:00.000-07:00

Miss Grace asked for a photo op today so of course I had to oblige. Isn't she lovely?

2009-06-18T11:01:00.001-07:00

Doughnuts! For Breakfast? Well not really she had an apple she inhaled and she crawled up onto the table opened the box of doughnuts and chose one and laughed.

2009-06-18T10:57:00.001-07:00

I finally got so photos printed -because i had free ones from shutterfly- and fille grace's photo album filled she has been walking around with it screaming and pointing to various family members. Mema aka Grammie is her favorite for the moment but she has been trying to give Grandpa kisses all morning :-)

2009-06-15T22:48:00.000-07:00

Grace enjoying doughnuts on our way home from SLC i lost a bet and had to buy a dozen. It was worth it. I got to eat the melt in your mouth hot doughnuts that they are so famous for.

I'm Going There Someday

2009-06-15T01:51:00.000-07:00

Let me IN!
Grace and I went to SLC with a friend of mine to tour the new Church History Library on Friday. It was AMAZING! I had no idea that there was just so MUCH, everything. We got to see some amazing things in the library, in addition to the Library we walked around the temple grounds, and snapped some pictures of Grace up by the doors (above). She had a blast. Since it was a Friday in June there were half a kazillion brides and several people commented on the little bride because Grace was dressed all in white (not on purpose). She beemed at everyone we passed. She's a hopeless flirt.

After walking around the grounds we went to lunch. Where Grace proceeded in throwing up all the food she had eaten the previous day all over herself and yours truly. She napped for a few minutes then was ready to rock and roll again. We toured the Church History Museum and then went on a tour of the Conference Center. My friend that I went with will have his masters degree in History, he's finishing his thesis on changes in authority in the quorm of the twelve apostles so it was AMAZING to get to hear all the trivia that he knew.

I had never toured the conference center, it was amazing and although Grace was ready to be done about half way through when we got up to the roof she was amazed. There are trees, fountains and much to my surprise a beautiful MEADOW! It was amazing, peaceful and FULL of birds! Hummingbirds which FYI cannot walk- now you can win some trivia contest- and a funny little quail singing at the top of a shrub.

You'd never guess this was on top of a building would you?

A Week Of Winning

2009-06-11T22:27:00.000-07:00

I mentioned earlier this week that I won a pair of tickets to a Keith Urban concert and I was just waiting to make sure it was really real. It was two AMAZING seat to see my favorite performer, what's the catch? The tickets were for the show in Memphis, TN!!! That's only a mere 1525 miles away from me. So realistically me getting to the show not so great. Lucky for my Planet Keith friends (a forum that I belong to) a couple of the gals there are going to put the tickets to use. I'm excited for them and I expect pictures.

My week of winning does not end there.
I have been reading this blog for a few months now
http://stepforddreams.blogspot.com/
I LOVE to read about Carolyn's Day to Day with her daughter Tinker
She has recently started giveaways
check out a friends story on ESTY and win something
and get this
I actually WON!

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6918042
is the link to the ESTY shop.
I'm so excited!

So anyone think I should try the lottery next?

Sick Little Girl... HELP?

2009-06-09T23:09:00.000-07:00

WARNING: NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART

Okay, Grace has not been quite up to par for the last week or so. We've been to the doctor and she has a very mild ear infection which she's been on ammoxicillian for but its not that what I worry about, its the insane projectile puking she's been doing the last few nights, night before last and tonight.

I mean to the point where I don't know how all of that could come out of such a little girl! I was covered and the smell, oh the SMELL, like rotten apples and yeast. It was so bad it was going to make me sick so Nate took her and she threw up all over him too!!! We took her in to the bathroom and she puked into the bathtub too!

I gave her bath, and got in with her becasue lets face it I was covered in vomit, Nate had enough sense to throw a towel over his should before he took her from me. We got her all clean and changed her bed and put her in clean jammies and she laid back down and went back to sleep. I don't know what to do, after she is done puking she just rests her head on my shoulder and cries a bit then falls back to sleep. I dont' know what to do because honestly aside from the puking she is acting FINE.

Suggestions?

Fun Pictures

2009-06-08T22:18:00.000-07:00

Gravce LOVES to play with Daddy on the bike.
We have had a TON of rain lately so EVERYTHING is super green.
I LOVE IT! I have not had to water my garden in five days!
Grace helping me in the garden. Okay so she's not really helping but doesn't she look cute?

I Feel Like Dancing

2009-06-08T15:09:00.000-07:00

Grace LOVES Keith Urban's Kiss a GiRL song and whenever it comes on she DANCES!

Its HILARIOUS and I LOVE IT.

Speaking of Keith...I have been trying to win Keith Urban tickets any way I can because I do NOT want to miss this tour and... I just got contacted by iLike (an application on facebook) to tell me that I won! - Not sure if its really for real but I'm CROSSING my fingers... I just got an email back from the lady and she told me I will be contacted by the people in charge... ooh... cross your fingers for me!

2009-06-08T05:15:00.001-07:00

I have been up for two and a half hours with grace. She is sick. She just fell back to sleep but i am up again to check on her. Worrying.

Fun Things

2009-06-04T09:40:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking a lot lately about things I would LOVE to be doing right now.

School being at the top of my list *stupid financial aid needs to get a move on*

Grace and I are working hard at signing

She has please and is working on thank you
(though it ends up looking like she's blowing kisses-not too bad huh?)

I am also really into attempting to learn to crochet

I am fascinated with some people that blog

And all things handmade, if I had no life I could cruise ESTY for hours

I do have something that's even better thoughMy friend has put this together and I'm hoping that possibly I will be able to make it down to go wander.

Up!

2009-06-01T21:39:00.000-07:00

We went to see
UP!
it was in 3D very cool.
I cried in the first 5 minutes
and then again
at the end.
LOVED IT!
The Glasses were AWESOME!

Care To Join Me?

2009-06-01T13:51:00.001-07:00

Anyone that wishes to join me, I will be at the movie theater, Midnight Showing with all the other crazies. I hate to admit but I saw the trailer and within minutes walked over to my bookshelf and I confess started re-reading New Moon.

I am definitely a member of
TEAM JACOB
not meaning I'm against Edward because I adore him too, but Jacob is just sooo sweat and he adores Bella *sigh*.

I can hardly wait!

Surprises!

2009-05-27T13:24:00.000-07:00

Auntie Mudd (Marie Lund) stopped by yesterday on her way to a meeting at the district office, Mudd is the literacy coordinator (I think) for Lincoln and Canyon Elementary schools in the south end of the valley. She is one of my favorite people in the world and Grace adores her! And she thinks she tastes great.
Tastes great?! What do I mean by that?
Last time Mudd stopped by she went to pick Grace up and Grace bit her and took a chunk of skin with her... okay it wasn't a chunk but she broke the skin! There was no biting yesterday just good happy fun.

A Beautiful Barefoot Day

2009-05-26T18:24:00.001-07:00

Today was a beautiful day so we went to the park. Grace opted to go barefoot I recall my mother saying something about she should go barefoot as often as possible. So she went barefoot wherever she could.

She lead Daddy all over the park and of course he followed willingly.

So did I...

When all was said and done Grace was pretty beat. But she had fun!
So did we.