Friday, December 28, 2007

What Kind of Flower are You?

I am a
Canna

What Flower
Are You?

"You stand up for what you believe in, even if it gets in the way of what other people think. You are proud of yourself and your accomplishments and you enjoy letting people know that."

Thursday, December 27, 2007

E's Funny

As I'm trying to wiggle my feet into my shoes (while standing up), E shakes his head and says: "It's because you're getting too fat." We don't use that word to describe people as I find it totally offensive so I don't know how he knows what fat is, but apparently, he thinks I'm getting that way.

I'm Back!

I decided just to do my blog myself, I guess I've mostly figured it out. I've had a fairly eventful two weeks.
Last week we went with the youth to the Temple to see the Christmas lights, and E's favorite part, the statue of Christ. He loves being there and listening to the recorded message.
On Thursday we went to the zoo for Zoo Lights, way too many people for my taste. When there is a big crowd like that I feel a little like Rain Man, don't know what to do with myself. "Wapner at 5".
On Friday E, M and I went to my brother's house to decorate ginger bread houses. My sister-in-law is going to send me pics, and I'll post them later.
Then my grandma who is visiting from out of town came to stay with us Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and we took her back to my brother's on Monday.
E was sick all weekend, coughing, congested, etc. So we didn't go to church on Sunday.
Then on Monday, even though E was sick we went to my brother's house again for Christmas festivities. It would have broken his heart had we not gone.
We went bowling and ate pizza, the Reed family Christmas Eve tradition. Some may call it white trash, but I call it F-U-N. Then we went back to my brother's had a holiday feast, the kids did the Nativity play (E was a shepherd, M was the baby Jesus). Then the kids got matching PJ's from Santa, and we read the Christmas story from the Scriptures, and came home. E was so exhausted.
On Christmas Morning E didn't get up until 9:30, very weird, but as he'd been sick, predictable. We had a great breakfast and enjoyed presents. The boys got way to much as usual. A and I didn't buy each other anything, we're saving for our big Europe trip in March.
It was really nice to just spend Christmas with the 4 of us. A got to talk to his brother who gets home from his mission in just a few weeks. I talked to my dad, and A talked to his parents. We also made cornice boxes for my kitchen windows, I love them!
Now, M has gotten sick. He's having a really rough few days. My normally smiley, happy boy is not so smiley or happy. He actually became really grumpy overnight. It's pretty pathetic, he crawls around crying because he just doesn't know what to do with himself. Today he's just slept pretty much all day, when he's not sleeping he just wants to be cuddled, so I try to indulge him. E's been really sweet to let me take the extra time with M today. I have a great family.
Here are some pics (alas, I only got video of Christmas morning, no still pictures, I'm silly):


Bowling pics, the other little boy is my nephew Jacob. He is E's FAVORITE person in the world:

Nativity pics, No costumes for our family. In one, E is beholding the star in the sky:
And super comfy Jammies:

I copied this from my friend's blog.

You Know You Grew Up In The 80's if:
I guess I'm probably just making myself look old by relating to most of this stuff, but I thought it was hilarious
1. You've ever ended a sentence with the word SIKE.
2. You watched the Pound Puppies.
3. You can sing the rap to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Airand can do the Carlton
4. Girls wore biker shorts under their skirts and feltstylishly sexy.
5. You yearned to be a member of the Baby-sitters cluband tried to start a club of your own.
6. You owned those lil' Strawberry Shortcake palsscented dolls.
7. You know that "WOAH" comes from Joey on Blossom
8. Two words: Hammer Pants
9. If you ever watched "Fraggle Rock"
10. You had plastic streamers on your handle bars...and spokey-dokes or playing cards on your spokes forthat incredible sound effect
11. You can sing the entire theme song to "Duck Tales"(Woo ooh!)
12. It was actually worth getting up early on aSaturday to watch cartoons.
13. You wore a ponytail on the side of your head.
14. You saw the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtleson the big screen and still know the turtles names.
15. You got super-excited when it was Oregon Trail dayin computer class at school.
16. You made your mom buy one of those clips thatwould hold your shirt in a knot on the side.
17. You played the game "MASH"(Mansion, Apartment,Shelter, House)
18. You wore stonewashed Jordache jean jackets andwere proud of it.
19. L.A. Gear....need I say more?
20. You wanted to change your name to "JEM" inKindergarten. (She's Truly Outrageous.)
21. You remember reading Tales of a fourth gradenothing and all The Ramona books.
22. You know the profound meaning of "WAX ON, WAX OFF"
23. You wanted to be a Goonie.
24. You ever wore fluorescent clothing. (some ofus...head-to-toe)
25. You can remember what Michael Jackson looked likebefore his nose fell off and his cheeks shifted.
26. You have ever pondered why Smurfette was the onlyfemale smurf.
27. You took lunch boxes to school...and tradedGarbage Pail kids in the schoolyard.
28. You remember the CRAZE, then the BANNING of slapbracelets.
29. You still get the urge to say "NOT" after everysentence.
30. You remember Hypercolor t-shirts.
31. Barbie and the Rockers was your favorite band.
32. You thought She-ra (Princess of Power!) and He-Manshould hook up.
33. You thought your childhood friends would neverleave because you exchanged handmade friendshipbracelets.
34. You ever owned a pair of Jelly-Shoes.
35. After you saw Pee-Wee's Big Adventure you keptsaying "I know you are, but what am I?"
36. You remember "I've fallen and I can't get up"
37. You remember going to the skating rink beforethere were inline skates.
38. You ever got seriously injured on a Slip andSlide.
39. You have ever played with a Skip-It.
40. You had or attended a birthday party at McDonalds.
41. You've gone through this nodding your head inagreement.
42. You remember Popples.
43. Don't worry, be happy
44. You wore like, EIGHT pairs of socks over tightswith high top Reeboks
45. You wore socks scrunched down
46. You remember boom boxes and walking around withone on your shoulder like you were all that.
47. You remember watching both Gremlins movies.
48. You know what it meant to say "Care Bear Stare!!"
49 You remember watching Rainbow Bright and & MyLittle Pony Tales
50. You thought Doogie Howser/Samantha Micelli washot.
51. You remember Alf, the lil furry brown alien fromMelmac.
52. You remember New Kids on the Block when they werecool...and don't even flinch when people refer to themas "NKOTB"
53. You knew all the characters names and their lifestories on "Saved By The Bell," The ORIGINAL class.
54. You know all the words to Bon Jovi - SHOT THROUGHTHE HEART.
55. You just sang those words to yourself.
56. You remember watching Magic vs. Bird.
57. Homemade Levi shorts..
58. You remember when mullets were cool!
59. You had a mullet!
60. You still sing "We are the World"
61. You tight rolled your jeans.
62. You owned a bannana clip.
63. You remember "Where's the Beef?"
64. You used to (and probably still do)say "What you talkin' 'bout Willis?"
65 You had big hair and you knew how to use it.
66. You're still singing shot through the heart inyour head, aren't you!

Friday, December 21, 2007

Missing an extension of myself

So, 
My computer has something wrong with it, and it is being fixed this week.  So I don't have internet at my house and am just about going crazy.  Also, you may have notice that I've update my blog a bit (well, actually A's friend is helping me do it and he's been busy at work so progress is a bit slow).  And I've lost my sidebar info.  If you see this, please email me with your blog address so I can redo my sidebar with your links.  Thanks!
I hope you all have a Merry Christmas!  I'll post with pictures of our festivities after my computer is all better.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

E's Funny

Yesterday E wanted to go outside to play. It was a truly arctic 58 degrees, and raining outside so I told him he couldn't go without his jacket. He looked for it, and couldn't find it. He asked me where it was (I'm mom, keeper of all things missing), I told him I didn't know. He looked in the closet, his room, my room, etc. Then came and said. "It's invisible", at which point, he put his hands in his pockets and proceeded to get ready to go outside.

Still Getting Used to This

I know I used to have my random facts about me in the side bar, but I want it to be a link, not a home page feature, so I've put it in a post and it will disappear from the front page, soon. I won't be offended if you don't read it again, I promise.
I'm still figuring this whole blogging thing out. So, every now-and-then there will be random changes. Be patient, I'm simple.

Things You May Not Have Known About Me

I always finish what I've started, it makes me crazy to have unfinished projects.

I am a planner. If I know there is an event (holiday, vacation, party) coming up I like to know WELL in advance as many details as possible. Chaos is not my friend.

I am a worrier, if there is nothing to worry about, I'll find something.

I am determined to learn to like eating fish.

I am good at keeping secrets.

I am good at math.

I am not a movie watcher. I don't like to watch them at home as I feel it's a waste of time, I sit there and think of all the other things I could be doing, and I don't like to go to the movies, it's too expensive.

I am not a phone talker.

I am not at all competitive.

I am the fifth of six kids.

I am the recipe queen, if you need a recipe for something, I probably have it.

I am very good at keeping in touch with friends.

I am very good at staying out of debt.

I believe that people who are consistently late are selfish and rude.

I can't dive or open my eyes under water.

I can't stand biting frozen things. Crunching ice is like fingernails on a chalkboard to me.

I consider myself adventurous.

I could take 15 showers a day and not feel at all bad about wasting water or the time to take them.

I don't like the items on my plate to touch each other.

I don't like to be helped.

I don't like to wear my hair up in public, although I think I look pretty that way.

I grew up in Nevada, but I have never gambled, not even in a slot machine.

I have 1 major OCD: I love to pick fuzz off of things, sweaters, blankets (you know the little balls of lint that build up that are just aching to be pulled off).

I have a freakishly good memory for remembering peoples names

I have abnormally sensitive hearing.

I have an incredibly happy marriage, we very rarely fight, and always completely enjoy being around each other.

I have driven (literally) across the United States.

I have never been motion sick in my life.

I have never been outside of the US, not even to Tiajuana.

I have the best husband in the world. He is as close to perfect as anyone can be. Nothing brings me more joy than being with him. I can't imagine why anyone might not like him, other than that they're crazy.

I like the smell of paint.

I like things to be alphabetized, which is good because (since I am a tech-dummy) I couldn't figure out how to make this list chronological by numbers, which is second best.

I like things to be orderly. I am the most anal of my parents children.

I like to explain things, as you can see with all of the things on this list.

I love being a stay-at-home mom. I am so blessed to have a husband that supports me in this endeavor.

I love belonging to our Gourmet Group.

I love playing board games.

I love random facts.

I love Roller Coasters.

I love words.

I no longer have an appendix.

I really love going to craft shows.

I strongly believe in rules. If everyone who thought they were an exception stopped following the rules, there would be chaos.

I think my best feature are my eyes.

I was born in Hayward California

I'll try anything once.

I'm kind of a nerd about my love of reading. I just feel immensely blessed to be a woman in the US and have the ability to read. Just think of all the information you'd be missing out on if you couldn't read!

I've been in 3 car accidents (all my fault) and have never gotten a ticket (not even for the car accidents).

I've never broken a bone.

I've seen a UFO (okay, so it was probably a meteor, but in my mind it really was a UFO).

If I could retire any place on Earth it would be San Luis Obispo, CA.

If I set my mind to something, I can always do it.

In general, I am afraid of strangers.

It took me 2 years to get pregnant with Ethan and 4 months to get pregnant with Mason.

Jamba Juice is my favorite place to find sustenance (I don't know if I spelled that correctly).

Mosquitoes LOVE to bite me.

My biggest pet peeves: swearing, littering, and disobeying rules.

My dream job would be a food critic. I'd get to eat really fancy food, be well taken care of at the restaurant, and get to write anything I want about it.

My family's nickname for me is 'Mit'.

My favorite color is yellow.

My Favorite Foods are: Bacon, Watermelon, Oranges, Nectarines, Brownies, and Cheesecake.

My favorite holiday is Christmas followed closely by Halloween.

My favorite household chores are: Vaccuming and Dishes. Least favorite, cleaning bathrooms and ironing.

My husband did not like me when we first met. He's since changed his mind.

My idea of Heaven is a room full of kittens.

My kids are the greatest in the world.

My most irrational phobia is of Crickets! Logically I know that there are worse things out there. But mind you, this is not a logical thing. They're so unpredictable, they could jump on you at any given time and that is just not acceptable!

Reading cookbooks is a favorite pass time.

Science was my favorite subject in school.

Since my mom died, I have become fiercely independent, probably to the point of it being a fault.

States I've been to: California, Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Washington, Arizona, Wyoming, Montana, Hawaii, Texas, Nebraska, Iowa, Washington, DC (I know it's not a state, but it may as well be), Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia

The four concerts I've been to are: New Kids on the Block, Love is Chemicals (the bass player is SO freakin' rad!), Andreas Fault, and Faith Hill/Tim McGraw.

The one thing I know I'm good at: Cooking.

The only beans I will eat are green beans and jelly beans.

The voice you all currently know (and love) is not the voice I had for the first 26 years of my life. When I was pregnant with Ethan it became significantly lower.

The worst part of sleeping is waking up.

Things I want to be good at: Arts and Crafts, gardening, singing, dancing, saving money, having more tact.

Two artists I would LOVE to see in concert: Prince and Bon Jovi.

When I lived in Daly City I couldn't stand the overcast sky, but now that I'm in Phoenix, I love cloudy days.

When making Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches, I ALWAYS spread the peanut butter first, I'd rather get peanut butter in my jelly jar than jelly in my peanut butter jar.

Sunday, December 9, 2007

Catching the Spirit

Finally!
So, I finished my holiday baking. Here are pictures of my kitchen before and during the baking process:
Before:

During:
The list of items made:
English Toffee
Peanut Butter Balls
Mint Chocolate Truffles
Lemon Shortbread
Ginger Snaps
Pumpkin Bread
Raspberry Thumbprints
Mini Pecan Pies
Cranberry Orange Ricotta Cheese Brownies
Chocolate/Carmel Dipped Pretzels
White Chocolate Peppermint Bark

I know, I know, I gave my mom a hard time about her obsession of nativities. I guess I've inherited a bit of the overkill gene myself, only mine is with baking. I love it.

I finished my Christmas shopping for my boys. A and I are not exchanging gifts this year as we're going to Europe this Spring, so we're saving our money for that. I still have our siblings to do.
We finally decorated our Christmas tree today. None of us are feeling spectacular today so we stayed home from Stake Conference and did our tree. This year we got a real live tree. And I do mean "live". We're going to plant it after Christmas. My friend Karen told me that her family had this traditon growing up, so it's one we've decided to adopt. I'm still getting used to not having the traditional looking Christmas tree. This one is native to Arizona, so it's a little Charlie Brown looking, not as much high-mountain looking.
Here's a pic:
I know, it leans a little at the top, but that just adds to the charm, I'm telling myself that anyway. I don't know when I became such a tree hugger as to think this was a fantastic idea, but I'm excited about it!

We also went to 3 Christmas parties this last week. One was to our friend's the Stevens', one was with our friends the Whitmore's and last night was to A's work party. Our friends Mitch and Rachel kindly babysat for us, thanks guys! Mitch even changed a poopy diaper, so brave!

This week we have our ward Christmas party, Relief Soceity Christmas party, will hang the outside Christmas lights, I'm going to my Gourmet Groups Christmas party, and we're trying to go see the Temple Lights and the Zoo Lights at some point. And we need to distribute our goody plates.

Another thing that has given me the Christmas Spirit is the deliciously rainy/cloudy weather we're enjoying.

Here are some pics of the rest of my Christmas Decorations:


There is some controversy over the way I snaked the larger nativity away from my siblings after my mom died. I'll have to include that in another post (this one is too long already).

And I had to include this one. We've had these Reindeer Antlers since E's first Christmas. M is thrilled to be the proud new owner:


Lastly, A came home early on Friday, just cause he loves me and brought me a surprise:

I'm a very lucky girl to be married to such loving husband, not everyone has that luxury.