The Fifields

I'm a Mom

2012-01-05T11:08:00.004-07:00

I didn't feel like a mom the day that Dori was born, and I didn't feel like a mom after 1 or 2 or 3 weeks. And 2 months later, I still don't think I know exactly what it means to be a mom. I'm learning though!
I love this little baby to pieces, so when I'm already exhausted and she needs my attention anyway, I give it to her and tell her I love her. When I have a bad night's sleep and I just want to keep us both in our jammies all day, I smile at her and get her in the tub anyway and tell her how pretty she is. When I wake up grumpy, I think to myself "your baby wants a happy mom, so smile at her when she wakes up." Its a hard thing to do, but she makes me so happy! I love her cuddles and her wiggles, and I love when she stops drinking her bottle half way through to smile at me for no reason! I hate that I have been sick with a nasty cough for the past 5 weeks, but I'm thrilled that it was me and not her!

So bit by bit....I'm learning. And I'm loving it!

One Month

2011-11-29T09:06:00.002-07:00

This last month has been quite the rollercoaster ride! Nobody could have ever prepared me enough for what comes after having a baby. Unless you've experienced it yourself, I don't think anyone can truly know what giving birth does to a person physically and emotionally. Luckily, I have the best family and friends that have really helped me out with the challenges I was faced with when I brought Dori home from the hospital. I can't thank everyone enough for helping me get through this last month and for helping me out with this gorgeous little stinker! She truly is a little angel!She'll only sleep for about 4 hours at a time but since we're only feeding her formula, Gary has really been helping me out in the sleep department! My house is more cluttered than I'm used to and there is constantly a pile of laundry to be done, but I'm learning to get used to the fact that sometimes a shower and sleep is more important than a perfectly clean house. It's amazing the kind of mess one little baby girl can create! It's a good thing I love her so much!

Welcome Baby Girl!

2011-11-04T10:03:00.002-06:00

Dori Olive Fifield

Born October 28th, 2011

12:15 AM

6 lbs 10 oz

19" long

Just the Two of Us - No More!

2011-10-24T14:34:00.004-06:00

I have never been a fan of maternity pictures. I can understand why people would want them, but it's never been my style. All I have wanted was a nice picture of Gary and I when I'm about to pop, and that's it!

I am just 1 day shy of a full 40 weeks, but if this little girl doesn't come on her own then she'll be born on Halloween Day! That's just 1 week away! So no matter how the week goes, we'll be parents before we know it! Gary asks me everyday "when's the baby coming?" I feel like a mother already saying "I don't know, we just have to be patient." He's getting so anxious!

With it getting so close I realize that it's no longer going to be just the two of us anymore. We've had more than 3 years of being alone and doing whatever we have wanted to, and our world is about to be turned upside down! For the good that is. Luckily we have been able to do a lot of things and go a lot of places together that would have been really difficult to do with a child, so I think we can both agree that we had the time we needed to get our youthful wiggles out before being a little more grounded. Not to say that we're done with adventures by any means! We already have plans for the types of things we'll want to do and places we want to take Dori. We'll just be packing a diaper bag more often than our suitcases!

Lucky Duck

2011-10-17T19:49:00.003-06:00

I've been thinking a lot lately about how incredibly lucky I have been the past 9 months. Of course I have had a bunch of sickness and pains and pure exhaustion, but that's the worst of it. Baby cakes and I haven't had to deal with any major health concerns at all. Apart from one ER trip in my 4th month for what I thought was appendicitis (turned out to be severe round ligament pain...ouch!) it has really be smooth sailing. Gary has one co-worker whose baby was born a still-born in the 7th month, and another co-worker whose baby was 6 week's early and spent a lot of time in the NICU. Then I have a cousin whose baby was born more than a month early who is still in the NICU. Needless to say, I'll take the nausea, and I'll take the exhaustion if it means keeping my baby cooking full term.

Of course with all of these sad stories I hear, I can't help but wonder that baby Dori will be born perfectly healthy or not. It's hard to think that I could possibly have anything less that an all-around perfect baby, but I know anything could happen. I have been really calm in this type of thinking though, because I know that if my baby was born with any concerns, that Heavenly Father must think very highly of me in order to give me the extra challenge. And then on the other hand, I could have the most angelic, perfectly healthy little girl and it would still be a challenge. So either way I'm glad that the Lord is trusting me with this baby, no matter who she is.

I'm also beyond lucky, and ridiculously spoiled rotten that I have a week left until I reach 40 weeks, and I don't NEED anything else to prepare me for this baby. I have some very incredible people in my life who have made sure that this little stinker will be clothed, safe, entertained, comfortable, and diapered. I couldn't ask for a more perfect way to wait for her to come around!

Time to Think

2011-10-04T20:03:00.002-06:00

I'm so glad that I've been able to adjust to spending time at home before baby Dori comes around. I love that I've been able to spend everyday cleaning my house as though she'll notice when she gets here, and I love having the luxury right now of having the time to remember to read my scriptures every day. I love that I have a few seconds to think that my room would look nicer if I made the bed, and then actually making the bed. I'm so glad that I have the chance to work at home for a while, and that I have more time to get more school done. I love the fact that if I feel exhausted I can lay on the couch for an hour and take a nap. I hear that all these luxuries are going to be leaving me once the baby comes, so I'm taking advantage of every spare second I have. Being at home this much really gives me time to think about a bunch of things....well...everything!

For starters I wonder how I'm going to balance work and school and my calling and my baby, AND keep my house clean? I wonder how I'm going to have the energy to do this all everyday? I wonder if I'll be able to feel like I'm doing a good job at the end of the day? Will my scriptures get read again? Am I really not going to have time to shower? Am I really ready for this? Well, ready or not, here she comes. According the schedule she's due in 3 weeks. That's no time at all!

I'm so excited and even though I'm not sure how I'll fit it all in, I'm actually rather calm about it all. I have wanted this baby for so long that I have to forget about some of these things. And I'm really lucky because I know that she already has an army of people waiting to love her! Most of all I'm really lucky that I have Gary who I already know is going to be a better parent than me...nobody has to even try to convince me otherwise! The talk given in General Conference this weekend about how men can be good father's to their daughters, I thought "Oh good this will be really helpful to Gary!" But as I listened to the talk, I thought again "Wait, this is already describing everything that Gary is!" They said the most important thing a man could do to be a good father is to love his wife, and Gary by far exceeds those standards. I'm one lucky duck for sure!

Anyway, I'm in the final stretch now...here we go!

Welcome to the Nursery!

2011-10-03T21:26:00.005-06:00

I am EXTREMELY picky about nursery sets and decorating. It takes a LOT for me to commit when it comes to decorating my house, so I'm actually always changing things up to make it the exact way I want. Once I found out I was having a girl, I immediately started searching for nursery ideas and themes because I knew it wouldn't be easy. I was having such a hard time that I considered just having my mom make it all for me so I could pick and choose everything....wow, what a nightmare from the get go! It would have cost just as much, if not more, and it was so stressful trying to even find the right fabric.

Luckily my sister in law found this bedroom set at Target while she was in town over the 4th of July, which is the same weekend it was all on sale!! The only problem was, it was for toddler bedding and even for a twin sized bed, not for cribs. However, my mom is a master seamstress and she was able to convert the quilt into a crib quilt, using the edges of the quilt as the crib bumper! Perfect! I couldn't be happier! Of course the best part is all the little woodland creatures!!

Isn't Hooty so cute in the crib? Which, by the way my mom and her sisters got me for my baby shower. They are so generous!

I have to mention the little picture below the shelf is just a paper plate. It was from my shower with my in-laws, and it was too cute not to make part of the room. It doesn't even look like a plate! Also, the lamp on the table was a birthday gift from my grandma when I was about 16 or so and never really knew what to do with it. It fits perfectly in here! The dresser is my old dresser from when I was really little, so this is just about the cheapest way to decorate a room!

The glider is a gift from my mother-in law which I sit in everyday, whether I'm working, doing school, or blogging. I love it! Pure comfort! Gary's aunt made the darling "D" pillow, and I made the ceiling decor out of tissue paper...again so cheap!

Other items to mention. The 2 owl money banks on the shelf are from my sister in law Marisa, the doll on the shelf is from my sister in law Hali, the little yellow cover on the dresser is from my sister Candice, it's a baby blanket with a little embroidered squirrel on it that used to be my nephews, and the little chipmunk on the dresser is from my sister and her girls. This room was definitely contributed to with lots of love! I'm excited to see her in here!

Staying at Home

2011-09-13T13:48:00.003-06:00

I'm pretty much a stay at home mother to a cat right now. And that won't last long because Stewie is HISTORY!! We have been meaning to take him up to West Point to live with his grandparents for a couple of weeks now but haven't made it there yet. This Sunday for sure though!! So long you little jerk! He has attacked me one too many times, and I'm not waiting for him to do it to my baby when she's born. He sure has been taking his life of luxury for granted around here!

Anyway, I am finished with work this week. I have just one more day that I need to go in to finalize some training of the new girl, and for my boss to buy me lunch and send me away. It's so hard to make this change that I'm refusing to think about it too much and get upset. On one hand, I'm ready to be done, but on the other hand, I have been working full time for so long that I'm not sure how NOT to work full time.

I have 6 weeks left of pregnancy (allegedly), so why am I done working now? Well, that is because I have a TON to do before the baby gets here. I have been taking an online course all year and I want so badly to get it done before little baby cakes comes into the picture. It would be nice to not have the stress of school once she's here so I can focus more on her. Even though I have a crazy amount to do, it's hard to motivate myself. But it must be done!!!

Sigh.

Wish me luck!

Big Fat Changes

2011-09-02T09:10:00.002-06:00

I tell you what, this growing tummy thing is freaking me out a little bit. As soon as I accept the fact that I have almost doubled in size, I seem to have tripled in size. I can't keep up with how much I'm expanding! I do have to say though that I have reached a point where I don't really care how big I am getting. If anyone could see what I eat in a day recently, they would wonder why I wasn't morbidly obese. But I'm enjoying it a lot because I know that once the baby comes I won't have the freedom to eat a Twix for breakfast...it will be oatmeal and grapefruit. I'm totally taking advantage of having an excuse to be large!

That being said, I have to say that I'm not a huge fan of the 3rd trimester. Eating is the only joy I really have lately. I'm way more tired than I have ever been, and the simplest tasks cause me to practically suffocate to death! Bending over has become nearly impossible. Twisting to put my seatbelt on is quite discouraging. And I saw my ankles at a size that downright scared me. I love that she's moving so much more than she ever has, but are the headbutts to my rib cage necessary?

As hard as it is, I do believe I'll miss pregnancy once she is here. I never thought I would say that but I'm actually enjoying it more as it goes by...even if it does suck.

My Odd Taste In Men

2011-08-26T16:08:00.006-06:00

You will never hear me talk about how hot I think Brad Pitt is, or Matt Damon, or Leonardo DiCaprio, or anyone who is probably considered ridiculously good looking. I have an extremely odd taste when it comes to male actors. Prepare to mock me. And these are in no particular order by the way.

Will Ferrell. The attraction didn't start until Blades of Glory, and then after that I was hooked. Jermain Clemment. Flight of the Concords. He can sing, and say the most off the wall stuff without cracking up.

Liam Neeson. It's his voice! And his ability to kick everyone's butt in the movies! What a guy!

Harrison Ford....though I have to say here that I'm in love with Harrison Ford during his Indian Jones years and that's about it.

Russell Brand. His hair, his accent, and his wit. I love the British!

Jeff Bridges. The Dude. To me, this guy is all types of what it means to be a man. I realize he's old and stuff, but I don't care.

Of course, Gary is so much better looking than all these schmucks, and he makes me laugh harder too!

10 Years

2011-08-23T12:50:00.003-06:00

This last weekend was my 10-year high school reunion, and I didn't go. Why, you ask? Well there are a lot of reasons why I chose to skip it. While it would have been so good to see some of my really good friends from back then, I couldn't bring myself to go! Some of the worst things in my life happened during high school...not AT high school or with the people I went to school with, but I somehow associate it all in one group. There must be chapters of this sort of thing written in psychological textbooks that could maybe explain my thinking, but mostly I just wasn't ready to go back and face it all. Maybe I need another 10 years until I'm ready??

I do have some really great memories of high school though, don't get me wrong! And I had some amazing friends! The football games and late night Wendy's runs, the movie nights, the one on one deep conversations in parking lots, the severe crushes I had (that all ended up breaking my heart), learning to drive a stick shift, "fake" making out at stop lights, skipping classes to go hiking, passing notes....I really did have some good times here and there!! But I would never go back and do it again!

Priorities

2011-08-17T12:41:00.002-06:00

I have reached the home stretch! 10 more weeks! (allegedly) I'm so excited I can barely stand myself!! Sometimes I walk into baby Dori's room and look in her closet at all the pink get-ups and can't wait to see her in them. We're pretty much prepared for the most part. I don't feel too concerned that we don't (or won't) have what we need for her. Right now things are calm when I think about her coming and I don't have a lot of anxiety...yet!

That being said, there sure is a lot of other things to think about right now. I'm swamped. Overwhelmed. Stressed. Exhausted. I can only imagine that the laundry list of things I have to do and take care of are only in preparation for what motherhood will be like. Trying to balance all of this now will seem like a cake walk once she comes. Then what?? Of course I won't be working full time anymore so that's one less thing to think about. And I'm giving myself a full 8 weeks, if I want them, to focus soley on the baby and nothing else.

With working 2 different jobs right now, a church calling, summer activities, school courses, preparing for a baby, family time, friends, etc... I'm spent for my time. I have had to calm myself down at the end of every day and say to myself "it's okay that I couldn't do it all today." There is nothing more I can do than to just keep going and hope it all fits in the next day. I have to tell myself that some is better than none, and the fact that I'm not giving up on any of it is sometimes good enough. What a challenge! I'm really lucky I have people who understand and are patient with me. I'm beyond lucky that Gary has been willing to make dinner the past few days.

Despite the chaos that is my life, I'm so happy and so excited!

Getting Fat

2011-08-09T11:26:00.003-06:00

It's not easy watching myself expand everyday, and word on the street is I'm far from being done. In the beginning I was all about sticking to my workout routine and trying to eat healthy...mostly because it made me feel better when I would get nauseous, but also because I was frightened of getting fat. But then, all of a sudden healthy food lost its appeal, I'm getting a little too tired and uncomfortable to work out everyday, and sugar has become it's own food group again. Sigh. So here I grow. I went and tried some maternity clothes on last weekend and cried without buying anything, and then I went home and ate ice cream with Gary. It's actually really amusing to me that I'm going through all the things I have heard about so many times from other people. I guess I'm part of that club now right? And I guess I get to stay part of that club until a year after the baby is born and I'm trying to lose all the unwanted weight still. What a freakin' weird experience!

Pregnancy Loves Company

2011-08-08T10:17:00.006-06:00

My good friend and old roommate Heidi and I are pregnant at the same time! Yay! She's 2 weeks ahead of me so she has been able to warn me of upcoming pregnancy experiences...good and bad. There are some differences with our pregnancies but for the most part we've been able to relate completely to eachother during this whole process. She is having a little boy and naming him Drew, and we're already playing matchmaker with him and baby Dori. We're sure it will be love at first sight! Andrew and Gary trying to fit in. Gary sure has that glow about him doesn't he?

Letter To My Baby

2011-08-02T08:18:00.002-06:00

I'm just so excited...this was the only thing I could think of to do to contain my excitement for her!

Dear Baby Girl Dori,

We are so excited to meet you and to have you in our lives! I already love and adore you and know you'll be the sweetest little creature I'll ever encounter. I can't wait to give you big hugs and kisses and tell you over and over again how much I love you! You're daddy is going to be so in love with you, and I know you'll melt his heart the second he lays eyes on you. There are so many people who are excited to see you, and so many people who can't wait to love you. You'll never go one single day without feeling like the most precious human being on the planet.

I remember the day I found out I was pregnant with you. Before I took the pregnancy test, I decided to pray. For many months before I would be disappointed when I discovered yet again that I wasn't pregnant. This time, I felt like I needed to pray. I was driving home from work when I started, telling Heavenly Father that I would accept the outcome of the pregnancy test, that I would live my life as positively as I could, and that I wouldn't get discouraged if it was negative again. I went on to tell Him that I wanted to be a mother so badly, that I promised to take care of a little life if He ever chose to send me one. Who knew that the answer to my prayer was 5 minutes away!

I had planned so many different, creative ways that I could tell your daddy that you were coming, and I completely forgot all of them when I saw the 2nd pink line! I cried instantly and could barely believe what I was seeing! I was so excited that I couldn't contain it and I wanted the entire world to know!!! Your daddy was about to walk into one of his night classes when I called him to tell him the news. I was still crying and not in my right mind when I was telling him "we're having a baby!" I'm pretty sure he was in shock and didn't learn much in class that night....or many nights after that. He still got good grades at the end of the semester though. You must have been his good luck charm from the beginning!

One of the first things I'll tell you when you arrive is that you weren't very nice to me during pregnancy, but that you have a lifetime to make it up to me! I hope you'll be able to catch on to our sense of humor right away and that we can make each other laugh. I can't wait to hear your first little giggles and see your smiles every day. I hope your ready for one energetic dad that will twirl you all around, tickle you a lot, and wrestle you down just to hear you laugh! He loves to snuggle a lot too so you'll love it when you're tired and all you want to do is cuddle up to dad. You two are really going to be the best of friends, I'm already certain.

We've never been parents before, so I hope you'll be patient with us. It might get a little frustrating for all of us in the beginning when we try to figure each other out, but our intentions are good. We just want you to be a happy little baby! We'll do anything we can to keep you safe and healthy, and very loved. Try to remember that when I start crying because I'm so tired! And also remember that if you ever want any siblings, that you have to try your best to be good for us too!

We're doing all we can to get ready for you to come in 3 months, so we're very busy right now preparing for you! You're always on our mind however, and we're so excited for the day that we meet!

Love Mom

My Aunt Tami

2011-08-01T08:26:00.003-06:00

Sometimes the light is so brightly shining in our face that we can't see the path ahead of us, but I guess that's why we have faith... to keep moving forward even though we don't know what's ahead. Eventually the path will veer off to the left or right just enough that the sunshine isn't directly in our eyes, and we can see everything so clearly. I was reminded of this on my drive to work this morning. It was raining like mad and so dark and dismal. I was on I-215, right where it stops going south and curves directly the the east. All of a sudden the sun made its way through the clouds and I was blinded by the light, and the shiny, wet pavement. I couldn't see anything ahead of me. Luckily I had driven this road so many times before and I wasn't scared. In fact it was the most beautiful view I had seen in a very long time. Maybe ever. I knew it was a sign of comfort from heaven, after a very tough weekend for my family.

My aunt Tami. How do I even describe this lady? I think back to when I was really little and just starting to have the capacity to hold on to a memory. Every Sunday my family and my cousins would all go to my grandma Bingham's house to visit, and all of us younger cousins would completely stop anything we were doing when aunt Tami pulled into the driveway. We adored her! She was so fun, so energetic, always had big hugs and kisses for us, always made us laugh...and we all wanted her attention!!! Nothing changed growing up. We still love when Tami comes around because she is literally the life of the party! There is always bound to be explosions of laughter when she is around, and I may recall a couple times that Granny didn't make it to the bathroom on time! Tami is just non-stop, energizer bunny on speed, happiest, funniest, all around time-of-your-life aunt. How could this happen to her??

Her doctors found a tumor which they removed on Saturday, but the surgeon told the family that it had been there for a long time. He couldn't say 100% that it was cancer, but with as much as he has seen in his career, he might as well have said he was 100% positive. What news to get about one of your favorite people. We don't know what is going to happen, and we don't get results back for another day or two. We don't know what course she will have to take with treatments, surgeries, etc, and we don't know what kind of rough road God will be taking her on. But, how great is it that when my mom called to tell me, that there were so many of our family members at the hospital. They all couldn't see her, but they were there with each other. I have such a great family.

Lots of prayers are going out for aunt Tami. If you have ever met her, heard me talk about her, or if you would ever pray for me over anything, please say a prayer for her and her 3 girls, and her husband. We all want to stay positive and keep our faith strong.

Happy 3 Years!

2011-07-19T08:59:00.002-06:00

Seeing as how I have already done an Ode to Gary not long ago, I'll spare everyone the sequel. I'll just say that it's been a really great 3 years! Happy Anniversary Gary!

Eating For 2 My Eye

2011-06-29T08:54:00.002-06:00

For the most part, the nausea has passed, which makes me happy to a certain extent. But now I can't decide if I'd rather feel nauseous all the time, or completely starving all the time. Seriously, the things this child is making me crave is outrageous! She is never satisfied until I have gorged myself into oblivion. And she has a serious love for carbs like I have never known. I swear I commit carb-icide every day with pizza, pasta, toast, cereal...you name it. All in the name of making a little one pound creature fat and happy. This little stinker better appreciate me!

What Do I Crave?

2011-06-17T10:21:00.003-06:00

Now, we all know that I had an unhealthy obsession with Noodles and Company before I got pregnant. HOWEVER, that has magnified 10-fold. And not just any noodles, it has to be the pesto cavatappi. Pair that with a diet coke, and it's like I'm eating a gormet feast and a fine wine. If I could eat there everyday I would, probably twice a day. My favorite location is the Fort Union one....where they all know me on a first name basis. Thank you Noodles, for being one of the only things I still enjoy eating, while everything else tastes much like paint thinner. I love you!

Ode To Gary

2011-06-15T13:16:00.002-06:00

I'm not always a huge fan of posts dedicated to the greatness of a spouse, mostly because it can get really mushy and sometimes inappropriate, but I have to give credit where credit is due, and right now it is due to Gary. With Father's Day coming up, we actually get to recognize that Gary is going to be a father to someone other than one of our pets. (see picture) Since I have been pregnant, I have seen a side to Gary that I didn't know was there. It's not that he was ever a bad husband at all, he has always made me feel like I was the most important thing in world to him. But now, that has magnified 100 times. I haven't kept it a secret from anyone that asks that pregnancy is the hardest thing I have ever had to do. It's emotionally and physically draining, and it's become normal for me to have regular meltdowns. I have needed Gary's support now more than ever, and the best part is, I have never once had to ask him. He just does it. He never quesitons me when I say I need to ignore the dishes and go to bed. He doesn't question me when I ask him to change the laundry over because it hurts to bend down already. He never makes me feel like I'm crazy when I start crying over silly little things, and he goes above and beyond to make sure I'm comfortable, well fed, and hydrated.

Gary, without a doubt, will be one of the best dad's I will ever see. Especially to a little girl. My neices ADORE him, and so do a bunch of little girls in our ward. When it was Gary's birthday, my neice's made him homemade birthday cards and colored pictures for him...my birthday was a couple weeks earlier and none of them did that for me! At church, little girls want to sit by him because they know he'll color Strawberry Shortcake pictures with them, and they think he is the best colorer ever! We went to our neighbors house for dinner one night and Gary got up with them to sing and dance to Justin Beiber for about an hour.
This is a glimpse of our future, just replace Stewie with an actual baby. I'm so glad I have him on my team and that I don't have to do anything alone!

Nursery Inspiration

2011-06-10T10:45:00.004-06:00

If anyone knows me but at all, they know how much I love rodents and animals. If I could have birds dress me each morning, while a squirrel fixed my hair and a hedgehog shined my shoes, I would totally sign up for that kind of life! More specifially, I adore little squirrels, so I about cried when I saw this vinyl wall art for a nursery. It has everything! Nature, squirrels, and PINK! I love it so much I can't NOT get it. Granted, it's more pink than I thought I would ever do for a nursery, but I think I can handle it under these circumstances.

It's A....

2011-06-06T10:18:00.002-06:00

Baby girl!! I'm so excited about it! Mostly I'm excited because I had a feeling for a while that it would be a girl, and I was hoping that I had enough maternal instincts to give me a clue. And I was right! Gary and I both really wanted a boy in the beginning so I pretty much convinced myself that it was a baby boy, but then after my 2nd doctor appointment, I heard the heart beat again, I was so overcome with the feeling that it was a little girl's heart beat. We had our 20 week ultra sound today and I could tell within seconds that it was a girl, but I waited for the official announcement. Yay!!! This will be the first Fifield grandbaby girl out of 5 boys, and the 9th grandbaby girl on the Weller side. Want to know the name??

Dori Olive. I'm so in love already!

It's a Thing!

2011-06-02T18:24:00.002-06:00

When we were at Islands of Adventure in Florida, there was a part of the park dedicated to Dr. Suess....Suesslanding is what it's called actually. And my father-in-law thought he'd surprise me and the baby to be with a little outfit from Suesslanding! How cute is this? We don't know what the baby is until Monday so for now it's just a thing. Perfect first outfit!

Even

Updates on Us!

2011-06-02T10:30:00.002-06:00

Gary: What a busy boy he is! Just started another semester at the U of U after finishing the Spring semester. And he's not stopping until he graduates in the Spring of 2012! He could have finished this Fall, but unfortunately not enough classes were offered during the Summer semester, so he has to spread it out longer. It's so great though because he's home with me more often! I actually get to talk to his face now. He did so well last semester and got awesome grades...on top of working full time and taking such good care of me. I don't know how he does it but he's such a smart cookie and he always impresses me. Recently he's been spending a little more time out in our yard, planting flowers and growing his own tree. He loves having a good looking yard and a nice lawn. I think he'd personally take care of each blade of grass if he had the time to do it!
Marci: All I ever think about anymore is pregnancy and preparing for a baby, so it's hard to say if I actually do anything else. But yes, I do. Still working full time...luckily for a physical therapy office that helps me out when I'm feeling the pains of pregnancy in my hips or neck or back. So nice!! They also have been helping me maintain my workout levels since the beginning. I would be lost without those workouts! Besides work I'm trying to finish up a couple of online courses I'm taking, and I can get really busy with my church calling. I'm in the Relief Society presidency and there is always something to be done there! I really enjoy it though. Very good things have come from it.
Stewie: Still a jerk.
Well that's our life right about now. Nothing crazy or exciting at all but we're good! Things are really nice and relaxed for us at the moment...the calm before the storm! We can't wait!

Orlando Day 5...and 6

2011-05-31T13:49:00.016-06:00

Our last day of theme park adventures! On the little train that takes us to Epcot. If you look closely at my arm you can see the ugliest tan line known to man.Gary works for Siemens, and they are a sponsor of Epcot, and if you're an employee you can go hang out in their lounge and get drinks and chill out in the air conditioned facilities for a while! It was a nice little break from the heat!

Here's Gary posing with some troll thing after the boat ride in Norway. I think we were in England when I found Winnie the Pooh and Tigger too!

Of course, out of all the theme parks and attractions and everything, my favorite part was none other than the squirrels! And luckily I found a little fella to hand feed cashews to. I love these little guys!I really could have sat there all day!

Gary and Rick in China playing with the puppets.This bear "Duffy" was everywhere we looked! I guess Disney is trying to incorporate him in as a new character or something?

It was the flower festival while we were there so there were lots of characters shaped out of shrubbery and flowers and such.

Epcot at night right before the fireworks show. It was really cool!

The next day was Friday, and we all slept in as long as humanly possible because we were completely exhausted! It was our last day of vacation and all we wanted to do was sit by the pool, occasionally eat something, take naps and then go to dinner. It was a much needed break right before Saturday when we had to fly all day. I have to mention too that Friday night before we went to dinner, there was the CRAZIEST storm I have ever seen in my life! I have never seen rain and lightening like that before so I was a little scared for my well being. Turns out that's normal Florida weather, and it only lasted a couple hours. Thank goodness it cleared up for us to fly home the next day and we didn't have any delays. Anyway, it was a great vacation. One last hurrah for a while before the baby comes!

Orlando Day 4

2011-05-23T12:24:00.009-06:00

Welcome to the Magic Kingdom! These are pictures of my favorite parts about the day.

Haunted Mansion is always a good time! This was one part of the park they did better in Florida than they did in California.

Thanks to Cheryl I had someone to take a picture of the best part of my day. DUMBO! A very wise person once told me that it's impossible to not be happy while riding Dumbo, and she was so right!

This was another great part of my day. Not so much the ride itself, but standing in line for it. While we were waiting to get on It's a Small World, I got an email from my brother telling me that the cancer that was found in my sister in law, had not moved anywhere, and that they got it all! Best news ever! I was so happy!Okay, so here we are looking pretty and dry for the camera. From what I remember of Splash Mountain in California, I didn't get that wet.I don't have an "after" of me and Gary, but you get the idea with Cheryl and DeeEll. Wow! Soaking wet! For anyone who plans on going on Splash Mountain in the future, take all you're pretty pictures before you get on!If I saw a character roaming around and there wasn't a big line, I would hop in with them and get a picture! Yay Goofy!

We didn't stay to watch the whole fireworks show, but we did get to see some cool animations done on the castle. It was so pretty!

It was a great day all in all! The only down side to it was the pain of our sunburns from the day before, and I had a little bout of heat stroke around lunchtime....but it all turned out well in the end!

Orlando Day 3

2011-05-23T09:42:00.011-06:00

I really enjoyed day 3! We all slept in and then headed out to Daytona Beach for some relaxation!The water was really nice and not too cold at all. Gary jumped right in and started body surfing. I even joined in with him after a while and body surfed myself, which was a lot more fun than I expected! Of course I got so much salt water in my mouth and up my nose, but it was too good of a time to stop!Here is Gary laying out. I don't have an "after" picture of us, be we were BURNT to a crisp! That night we had to take pain killers and rub aloe vera on ourselves multiple times to sleep comfortably. Gary even went and layed on the bathroom tile in the middle of the night to cool off his skin. It was bad news!After many hours at the beach, we had dinner at "Our Deck Down Under." We were starving!This is a really dark picture of all of us, but we were all really gross anyway after spending all day in the sun and salt water. We took this picture as we came out of the restraunt. Such a pretty sight! We had such a good day, and if we hadn't gotten so toasted out there, we would have probably gone back on our last day.

As one final note: I got the ugliest tan lines known to man on this day. No pictures were taken of them, but trust me, it was ugly!!

Orlando Day 2

2011-05-20T09:34:00.019-06:00

This first picture says a lot about our day at Islands of Adventure. This is Gary saying "I'm sorry you're sick and tired. Will you stay in this air conditioned cafe while all of us go and ride crazy rollercoasters??"I have to admit it wasn't the best day of the trip for me because there were a lot of more intense rides and rollercoasters. It's okay though because it was so hot and I wasn't feeling the best. Here they are getting ready to ride the HULK!Of course my day wasn't bad at all, there was a lot to see! We played around in Suess Landing for while which was beyond low-key!

The Cat in the Hat Ride. Not the lamest ride in Suess Landing, but pretty boring. I loved it though!

The Lorax! Definitely my favorite Suess story of all time!Welcome to Hogwarts! I was for sure looking forward to this more than any other part of Universal. When I heard they were putting in an area for Harry Potter years and years ago, I never thought that I would actually be able to visit it one day! I kept calling my sister Stacey because I knew how much she would love it! I had to buy her a chocolate frog from Honeydukes.

May I also say that butterbeer is simply delicious? You read about how great it is in the book, but you can't really imagine how good it is until you taste it! Yummy!

Here we are eating at the Three Broomsticks for lunch. I was obviously avoiding the camera because I was beyond hungry at this point and it's hard to smile when I'm hungry.

Platform 9 and 3/4. The conducter told me how lovely I was when I asked him to take a picture with me!Gary was really looking forward to Jurassic Park, but unfortunately, the ride was closed. Too bad!

All the Marvel characters were walking around. I got this picture of Cyclops lazering my baby!It was a long, hot day. Of course, so was every other day. This picture of Gary pretty much summarizes how all of us felt by the end of each day. Yawn!

Orlando Day 1

2011-05-19T10:15:00.009-06:00

When I say Day 1, I mean the first day of adventure that didn't include an airport. Before I really get into the theme parks though I have to make mention to this family from Brazil that Gary was close with on his mission. They live in Florida now and they were so excited to see him that they got a hotel for a couple nights to hang out with us in Orlando! We had dinner the night we got there and then we all met up at the Animal Kingdom later for a few hours. Such nice, cute girls! Standing next to me is Isabella, then Isadora, and Antonia. You can't tell that Antiona is their mother because she looks so young! It was great to meet them and spend time with them, and it meant a lot to Gary.

Here is the massive tree that sits in the middle of the park. It's were the Bug's Life 3D theater is, and there are all types of animals carved into the fake wood.On our way in to see Bug's Life 3D. My favorite part of the day! Gary making gorilla faces!Silly hats in China. I'm not sure why they did a China section in the park, it's not like they had any panda bears for me!We went on a safari ride and saw all types of African animals! It was so fun! I'm just sad that I didn't get to see any lions or tigers. I love big kitties!Pluto petting me and Carlos.Rick and Gary jamming out to some street performers. Gary is such a good little dancer!After spending most of the day in the Animal Kingdom, we went over to Disney Hollywood so everyone could ride the Tower of Terror. I was the only one that couldn't go on the ride due to pregnancy, so I sat in the shade and ate ice cream and watched the squirrels running amok!It sure was a good first day. I think Animal Kingdom was my favorite part of the trip because I loved seeing all the animals!

And may I just add here that the weather was BLAZING hot the whole time! I guzzled so much water, got in the shade whenever possible, and stepped in any air conditioned gift shop when we had the chance. Whew!

Gary's Birthday!

2011-05-18T15:57:00.002-06:00

Warning: This post could get mushy!

Happy Birthday to the best husband in the world! Have I ever mentioned how totally fantastic Gary is? He deserves every good thing he gets! I wanted to completely spoil him for his birthday, but we ended up going to Orlando for both of our birthdays instead of getting each other presents.

His sister Hali came through for us by making his birthday cake and having a little party at her house. Birthday banner included! All he really wanted from his family was contributions for a tree or two to put in our backyard. He loves trees!

I love your cute face Gary! You're the best friend I have and my life would suck without you!

17 Weeks

2011-05-18T11:16:00.003-06:00

I know that pregnancy isn't the same for everyone, and it's not the same for one person each time. I didn't really know what to expect when I first got pregnant, if I would love it, if I would be sick all the time, if I would have crazy amounts of energy, if I would want to sleep every hour....I just didn't know. And I still don't know sometimes! Yes, I am sick. The second trimester didn't rid me of my sickness, and to be honest I feel more tired than in the first trimester. I know I have months to go and I could very well wake up one day ready to do cartwheels down the street, but for now, I'm just tired.

Despite how hard it is to be pregnant, to be sick, to have aches and pains I have never had before, and to be so tired I could fall asleep at any given moment, I do love being pregnant. Deep down I'm happy and I love feeling the little squirms going on in my tummy. I love hearing the heartbeat, and I loved seeing "it" move around in the ultra sound I had a few weeks ago.

I hate the phrase "I can't, I'm pregnant," because I know my life must go on, and things still need to be done. What I hate even more is sometimes having to say "I can't, I'm too sick and too tired." I know that being pregnant isn't the hardest thing in the world, and people have had to endure much harder things than what I am currently dealing with, but it doesn't change the fact that I still have a limit as to what I can physically and emotionally handle.

To wrap this up, my bottom line is, this is really, really hard, but I wouldn't have it any other way! And that is my 17 week post, picture included!

2011-05-04T14:21:00.002-06:00

There aren't too many pictures of myself that I really like, and it's not like I look extra good looking in this one, but it makes me laugh really hard! These are my in-laws at my brother in-law's wedding. I really don't think I would have been very forgiving of someone trying to steal my thunder on my wedding day, so thank goodness no one has yelled at me for this!

My Birthday!

2011-04-27T13:28:00.007-06:00

For about 3 months or so before my birthday, I have been bugging my older sister Stacey to make me a birthday cake with a squirrel on it. I LOVE squirrels if you haven't picked that up by now. LOVE THEM! So I would remind her monthly and then weekly about my squirrel cake, knowing it was going to be the highlight of my birthday. I was so excited to see what she had put together and I was not disappointed! She even gave it a cute little pink bow! I think I screamed when I saw it! Other than going to dinner with Gary, and then having dinner at my parents house with the family, I wasn't in the mood to do much to celebrate this year. I have been so tired and sick the past couple months with being pregnant, that I didn't have the energy to plan any big get togethers. The last thing I wanted to do was call people, make reservations, find a good time for everyone, wait for people at a restaurant even though I was starving....too much this year! So I asked Gary to simply take me to Garcia's in Layton because I was dying for their nachos. It turned out to be a bad idea because I was sick the rest of the weekend. So this picture is one of the only smiles I had out of that night when the servers put this hat on me and sang me a birthday song.

We also didn't do much for presents this year because we are going to DisneyWorld in May! Gary has a birthday in May, so we're calling that our big, combined gift! Yay!

More highlights from my birthday: My mom took me shopping for maternity clothes and spoiled me! I was so happy about it because I have been dreading maternity clothes. It really put my mind at ease and I got stinkin' cute stuff! My mother in law also bought me some new clothes so I feel very prepared now. On my actual birthday, Gary was at school all night so I didn't get to spend any time with him. It was still such a great night though, I have great friends and neighbors! One of my neighbors brought me strawberry shortcake (my FAVORITE!) and a card. And my friend Sarah brought me a sweet little gift and took me to dinner because she knew I was alone. It was definately one of the nicest, most relaxing birthdays I have had in a long time!

It's a Baby!!!

2011-04-08T13:51:00.003-06:00

Gary and I are having a baby! We don't know what kind of baby it is yet, but we have named him Carlos for the time being. See the picture below. "I found a baby once."

We're REALLY REALLY REALLY excited! I'm due October 25th and I'm almost 12 weeks along. Of course I'd be happy with any sort of baby that decided to come to us, but Gary and I are hoping for a little baby boy! But like I said, I'll be elated either way once we find out. So far I have been sick day in and day out, but it's starting to calm down a little now thank goodness. No sign of a baby bump yet, but we did hear the heart beat at 9 weeks. It sounded like a little duckie! So cute! Anyway, yay!!!!

Dress Up

2011-03-07T20:54:00.004-07:00

I went to my parents house for dinner this Sunday, and this dress was hanging in the hallway. So I asked my mom...."did you make this???" And yes...she did. My neice had a school project to do for her Honors English class for the Shakespearian Festival, and she chose to work on this dress with my mom. So I had to try it on!! This is talent and patience that I will never have!As a sidenote to our Sunday evening, we went to visit my Grandma Bingham. Gary found this MASSIVE pill/medication/vitamin holder of my grandma's, and I think he had died and gone to heaven! Gary LOVES taking vitamin's because they allegedly save his life each day, so the two of them sat and talked vitamins for a good 30 minutes. It was cute!

What's in a Name?

2011-02-18T16:29:00.002-07:00

When I was living in West Point with my parents, my friends in that singles ward used to call me Marzipan, named after this little character from Home Star Runner. We LOVED Home Star Runner!!!!Anyway, Marzipan somehow turned into Marci-Pants but I forget how exactly. So that's the reason behind the name of my blog. Was that a dumb story?

This N That

2011-01-22T13:06:00.010-07:00

There hasn't been anything really that great to blog about, but here are just some little things.

For Christmas, Gary got me my all time favorite video game. Donkey Kong Country!! I would play this at my Grandma's house all the time growing up, and it's really the only video game I like to play at all. I hadn't play in YEARS so Gary and I spent hours over Christmas and New Year's break playing, and I beat the game!!! It was so much fun!Gary wasn't as good as me...he he!! I had to beat a couple of the harder levels for him. I walked in the bedroom one day and saw Gary trying to snuggle with Stewie. I'm glad I caught this moment because almost as soon as Gary layed down, Stew bolted out of the room in annoyance. He doesn't like to be woken up.I was at Target a couple days ago and when I pulled up into a parking slot, I looked over and saw this dog sitting in the car, looking like he had driven there himself. I was laughing so hard!It was my nephew Mason's birthday yesterday, he turned one, and I think he wins for most entertaining cake eater! It's always fun to see a baby go crazy with their first birthday cake, but this was beyond hilarious! I wish I had a video of it! Here is the after math at least. Love his cute little face!Gary and Rick got a little rambunctious after the birthday festivities, so they started to wrestle. Always a good time until someone gets hurt! I think Rick got a little rug burn on his face.

And Gary wins!

Playtime!

2011-01-13T17:56:00.001-07:00

This is what the grown ups spent a lot of time doing on Christmas Day!

A Little Christmas

2011-01-13T17:30:00.005-07:00

I don't have the patience to put these in order, but here are some of my favorite pictures of Christmas Eve and Christmas!

2011 Resolutions

2010-12-30T10:26:00.007-07:00

I understand that resolutions rarely make it past the first month of the year, but for me these are resolutions that were already a work in progress before the New Year. It's simply coincidence that I'm making more specific goals right now!!

This last year I have worked really hard with trying to get in better shape. I refuse to diet because let's face it, diets make NOBODY happy, and since I have a history with an eating disorder, I chose not to make food a large factor in losing weight. I manage an office for a physical therapist, so everyday after work, I have all the gym equipment to myself, along with advice about working out from our athletic trainer. I NEVER weigh myself either because I find it very discouraging. I chose to approach my fitness goals with a very relaxed attitude when I started about six months ago, and to my delight, I stepped on a scale at the doctors office a couple weeks ago, and found that I had lost ten pounds! My resolution for 2011 isn't really to lose more and more weight, it's just to keep staying active and to maintain this lifestyle.

I'm really lucky that I have a husband who likes to take different trips and vacations, because I haven't been to too many places. Every year since we've been married, we've been able to take some really cool vacations. For 2011 I have a couple of ideas in mind. I have never been to the Grand Canyon and since it's not that far away from us, I'd really like to make the trip there. That will probably be more of a long weekend trip. Gary has always wanted to take a cruise, so our week long vacation this year will more than likely be a cruise. To where? I don't really know yet. My dream would be an Alaskan cruise, but Gary's probably thinking more along the lines of a tropical paradise. We'll see!

Before we were married, Gary and I each had some debt that we combined into one account. We have been able to bring the amount down significantly, and for 2011, I want nothing more than to see it disappear. I'm really proud of us for not acquiring more debt (other than our home and school) and being able to chip away consistently at the balance. This last General Conference there was a talk about debt, and how we should do all we can to get out of it right away. I forget who the speaker was, but he said that he prayed for him and his wife to get out of debt somehow, even though it seemed impossible at the time. He said that it wasn't long after, that they were able to wipe their debt clean by a few little miracles. So I thought about it, and even though it seemed impossible for us to be debt free ASAP, I prayed about it and through little miracles and unexpected funds coming our way, there is no reason why 2011 won't be the year we erase our debt away!

I really miss reading...I used to read non stop growing up and into high school and then lots after the fact. I'm not sure how or why I stopped reading so much, but I really miss it and really want to make it a priority since it's something that makes me so happy! My neice Hailey told me about how she was going to be reading Oliver Twist soon, so I thought I would read it with her since I had it stashed away somewhere. Poor Oliver! Remind me to read happy books next time!

I have quite a few more but there's no need to list all the "wrong" things I have been doing that I need to change =). But I really think that 2011 is going to be a great year!!

Our December

2010-12-23T09:44:00.003-07:00

I don't remember ever having a busier holiday season! And I have been terrible at taking pictures, but here is one for the books! Last Christmas Eve, Gary bought us matching flannel jammies! I love them mostly because they are PINK!!! I didn't think there would be many other occassions other than Christmas for Gary to wear them again, but I found one! Our ward had a Christmas breakfast, and it took some convincing, but Gary wore them to breakfast with me! I'm such a lucky girl!Everyone loved it, especially the younger kids who thought it was so scandalous! It was great seeing their reactions to Gary!

We've made it through both our work Christmas parties, one family party so far, and Gary is finished with school for the semester! He finally gets another little break and it's so great to have him around. My best friend Kimber had her little baby girl, Adelaide last week and she's gorgeous!! Gary's brother got engaged last week as well and is getting married in March. There are so many family functions this last few days before Christmas and I'm really excited to hang out with my Grandma on Christmas Eve! Gary's sister's family is in town too and it's really nice to have so much family around!!

Everyone have a Merry Christmas!

Apparently I Rob Stores Now

2010-12-14T11:56:00.002-07:00

So it's Christmas time and there is a lot going on and a lot of things to buy. For me, I get to a point where I don't even listen to the total cost of my purchases anymore because I don't care...I just want to get it all done and move on.

A couple Saturday's ago I went to the Mrs. Cavanaugh's chocolate factory right by our house to get a couple boxes as gifts to give to my grandma, and Gary's grandparents. It was the same day as my BFF Kimber's baby shower, and I know how much she LOVES Mrs. Cavanaugh's! So I thought I would stick a few chocolates in with the baby's gift as a treat for just her. I grabbed to boxes of chocolates, chose the few little ones for Kimber, handed over my debit card, took the bag of my purchases, and headed out.

Kimber loved the chocolates by the way.

A few days later I logged on to my bank account to do some balancing and budgeting, when I saw the charge for Mrs. Cavanaugh's. $4.28???? One pound of chocolate is about $23.00 so I immediately realized that they never charged me for the two boxes!!

I debated in my head what I should do...go back and pay for them or just keep them. I mean, the girl knew that I wanted to buy them and even bagged them for me, so it was her mistake right?? Then I thought of who these gifts were for. Blanche, Lila, and Dennis...the most celestial people in the entire world. I couldn't give them morally tainted chocolate or I knew I would go straight to hell.

I went back to the store and told the girl behind the counter what had happened and she looked really realieved because she said "That was me!! It was all my fault!!" So she let me pay for the chocolates, and then took it upon herself to see that I was rewarded for my honesty. So, she let me have one more box of any chocolate that I wanted!! Yay for me!! I love Mrs. Cavanaugh's chocolates!!!

Happy Holidays From Stewie!!

2010-11-29T19:47:00.007-07:00

Poor Stewie didn't know what the heck he got himself into when he decided to live with us. It took a while before we could get a decent picture but we finally got something we could work with in the end!

The Best Part About Thanksgiving

2010-11-27T21:18:00.002-07:00

Every Thanksgiving, right before we eat, my family has the best tradition ever. My cute Grandma Blanche sings her Thanksgiving song. She sings the first verse and then the rest of the family joins in for the second verse. You can tell that I only know a few of the words. I'm so thankful for technology that allowed for me to capture this moment!! I love this lady so much!!

My First GB House!

2010-11-23T20:02:00.004-07:00

I think I have assisted someone in making a gingerbread house before, and I have stuck graham crackers to the side of a school lunch sized milk carton, but I have never made my very own gingerbread house ever! So I was so excited when my mother-in-law had everything I needed to make one all by myself!! It was a challenge but I had so much fun and I can't wait to make another one!!!

Thanks Heidi for the Inspiration!!

2010-11-23T19:52:00.003-07:00

I love that I have such creative blog buddies that inspire me to do all sorts of stuff!! And I love that I was also inspired to find all this stuff at the D.I. I was so happy how this kitchen decor turned out...I have had a blank wall in my kitchen that I had zero clue what to do with and now it's just stinkin' cute!!

What I'm Thankful For

2010-11-15T12:57:00.007-07:00

With Thanksgiving coming up, I see so many blogs and Facebook posts about being thankful, that I decided that maybe I should mention some of the things I'm thankful for as well! In no particular order I might add.

My home. I think about my home everyday and how much I love it and how I know it was built just for me to live in it!!

Stewie. Yes, he's a jerk but he makes me laugh really hard everyday!

Squirells and their furry little faces! Hopefully I'll have my own pet squirell one day!

My ward and my calling(s). I get to sing with the nursery every Sunday at church and it's so much fun! Those kids are so cute and so funny! Last night I had one of them bring cookies to my house and she told me she was thankful for me. It was so sweet!

My job and the people I work with. I also love the fact that they have all the gym equipment I could ever want, so I get to work out everyday for free, and it's like I have 3 of my own personal trainers!

I get to spend another Thanksgiving with my cute little Grandma Bingham. I always try to think of each one as the last with her, and hope that it's not.

I have the greatest friends ever! I don't want to list them because I'm sure I would forget someone and then feel terrible.

My sister Stacey. I could give a hundred reasons why she's the best older sister, but chances are I'd get teary eyed and this whole post would end up being about just her. =)

Noodles and Company of course.

And last but not least, Gary! I certainly lucked out with such a stinkin' cute husband!

I know there are more out there that I could list, but these are a really good start! Happy Thanksgiving!

Funny, Embarassing Story

2010-11-11T14:34:00.003-07:00

As Gary leaves for work every morning, we have the same conversation....

Gary: K Babe, I'm leaving
Me: Okay, love ya
Gary: Love you too. Have a good day
Me: You too
Gary: DON'T BE MAD!!

This has happened every morning for months and months if not our entire marriage. He likes to tell me at random times "Don't be mad!!" Even if I'm happy as a clam, not even remotely upset with anything, he likes to say this to me and it cracks me up!

So, I was at the Maverick during my lunch break yesterday, picking up a delicious Diet Coke, and as I was paying for it, the lady behind the counter was asking about my day so far, and we exchanged pleasantries for a couple seconds. Then she handed me my change and we had the following conversation:

Clerk: Okay, here's your change
Me: Thanks, have a good day
Clerk: You too
Me: DON'T BE MAD!!

As I turned and walked away I realized what I had done, and I turned back to her to try and explain, or see if she even heard me, but she had moved on to the next customer in line, with a rather puzzled expression on her face.

Follow up: Today, I went back to the Maverick for yet again another Diet Coke, and who should ring me up but the same cashier as the day before. I wasn't sure if she would remember me or not so I didn't say anything about it, but as I was about to leave she said "You know, I really wasn't upset with you yesterday, I'm sorry if I acted like I was though." I about died laughing and explained the whole story to her and that I did it more as a reflex than anything. She was slightly amused but I'm pretty sure if I do anything like that again in her presence she'll call the cops to take me away to the nut hut! HAHAHA!!

Bucket List Follow Up

2010-11-03T09:20:00.003-06:00

I'm sure you're all just about dying to hear if I followed through with any of my Summer bucket list items. I will no longer keep you in suspense!

Go to Lagoon - Done. See October posts.

Fix the brick path in the backyard - Almost done. Gary did a summer semester at school so....yeah.

Plant flowers in front of my house - Done. Not what I hoped but I'm still learning, it was my first time.

Get a tan - HA!!! NO!!!!

Go to Oregon - Done! Best trip of my entire life!

Go on a hike - Well, no I didn't complete this one. However, I do hike on the treadmill almost everyday!

Organize my spare room full of crap - Not done. I haven't touched it and I think it looks worse that it ever has.

Go camping with my Grandma Blanche - I went camping but not with her. She had a hip replacement around the time we usually go so she wasn't in good condition at the time. Next year!

Have a party in our backyard with friends once the brick path is complete - Um, no.

Plan a sleepover with my neices - No! I had good intentions and then never got to do it. With Gary at school weekends are really the only time I get to see him so it just didn't work out.

Try kneeboarding again at Bear Lake - We did go to Bear Lake lots this Summer, but we didn't take the boat out any of the times we were there, so nope!

So there you have it. I completed 3 of the items on my list, with a few others that are partially complete. At least I have goals, and it was still an awesome Summer!

A True Friend

2010-11-01T10:06:00.004-06:00

Here is my cute Felicia friend! Posing next to her is the surprise Diet Coke and bag of Peanut M&M's that she brought me one Wednesday night, just because she loves me! Feli has got to be one of the most selfless friends I have ever had, always putting others before herself! Thanks for the treat Feli!! It was delicious and I love you lots!

Halloween 2010

2010-11-01T09:41:00.009-06:00

Gary loves Halloween! To me, I'm just indifferent to it. I don't hate it but I don't love it to the extent he does. I guess that's something I need to change for his sake! My thing is FALL! I love the leaves changing, the sweaters, the weather...everything! I promised Gary I would try harder next year to make all his Halloween fantasies come true since this year was a little disappointing to him. I did dress up with him though...I guess if you can call it being dressed up. This is all I had to work with for a last minute costume.Nothing like a goth chick and a nerd falling in love. We were supposed to carve pumpkins at his parents house before Halloween, but Gary was the only one who ended up doing anything. I was at a training earlier that day and I had sat for a few hours on the worlds most uncomfortable chair which sent my back into a painful, downward spiral. Look how good he did for me though! It's a Stewie Griffin pumpkin head! And for him, a Mad Hatter! Good job Gary! Happy Halloween!

I Hate Lagoon

2010-10-26T10:55:00.011-06:00

Gary LOVES Lagoon...but my biggest fear is being on the Rocket, or any other ride for that matter, and falling to my death. So when Neil asked us to go with him, it was PERFECT!! I could let the two of them run amuk and live out their Lagoon fantasies, and I could stand with my feet safely planted to the ground and snap pictures of them like I was their momma. In the end, they made me go on rides anyway.

Here is Gary so scared on the Haunted House ride. Getting ready to go on the Colossus! I cried real tears my first time going on this.

It was so cold out, so I wasn't going to ride this with them for fear of getting soaked. Which the two of them did.

Snuggling on the Tidal Wave!

Gary got a little restless waiting in line for the Rocket, so he kept getting Neil's nose. I don't think Neil really believe that Gary actually took his nose though.

We were there during Frightmares so there were all types of costume cutouts for the boys to try on. This is my favorite!!

I have no words for this. Just laughter!

And something gross and scary!

They were so so scared of the actors walking around.

Mostly Gary was scared though. I love his face in these pictures. You can totally tell he's having so much fun! As much as I hate Lagoon, it was worth it to go and see Gary have the time of his life. And I ended up having lots of fun too!

Here I am!!! On the Tidal Wave. It's been my only really favorite ride since I was a kid. I love it!

Thanks Neil for the discount tickets, managing to get us free parking, and for going on all the rides and through the Haunted Houses with Gary!

Autumn Souvenirs

2010-10-20T10:50:00.003-06:00

This is a poem that my friend Hiro wrote to me. He doesn't come in to my work anymore but still emails me lots of poems that he has written. I love that he still wants to stay friends! Fall is my favorite time of the year so I liked this one best.

Autumn Souvenirs

September flings her lukewarm days
To Indian-Summer's golden rays.
October sunsets purple hue
Regales a sky of denim blue.

Flaming leaves fly fancy-free,
Attired in Autumn finery.
Wild geese flying in V-formation
Hurry in anticipation.

The harvest moon's magic spell
Bathes frosty nights, the bids farewell.
Then snowy Winter interferes...
And covers up Fall's souvenirs.

Redwood Forest

2010-10-03T20:26:00.006-06:00

I have wanted to visit the Redwoods since I first saw a picture of one of the trees. I don't think anyone can even grasp how large they are until you're standing at the base of one of them. I was so lucky to be able to visit the forest this year and I'll never forget how amazed I was!

This is a tree that you have to pay to see (lame). Everyone wants to drive their cars through it, but we couldn't because we were pulling a trailer.

A hallowed out tree!

Some clever fellow named this tree below, "Big Tree". I think it was a caveman.You know me and forest creatures...

I wasn't too sure what to expect before we drove through, but whatever it was, my expectations were by far exceeded! Simply amazing!

Hero

2010-09-28T09:14:00.005-06:00

For the past few months I have been working at Fast Track Physical Therapy and I really enjoy it! I get to work with really great people and patients everyday.

About a month ago, we had a 72 year old man come in, barely able to walk without a cane in one hand, and holding on to someone else with his other hand. Each day he has an appointment, I wait for him to pull up in the parking lot so I can hold his hand into the building, and then I walk him out after his therapy. He just doesn't dare walk alone, and to me, it's such a small service to help him. To him, it's a huge service. In those couple minutes that I'm holding his hand, he only has kind words for me, gratitude, jokes, etc. And he RARELY comes in without bringing me a small gift. His gifts have included:

2 dum-dum suckers
Grapes from his garden
Plums from a friends garden
Homemade soup
Old news articles featuring him (he's an artist from Pakistan)
Samples of horrible smelling perfume
And finally, yesterday, he picked a rose from his garden for me

He told me how important it is for him to give, that it's something that always makes him happy. He used to be a Yoga and Meditation Master, but he can't do yoga anymore because of his physical limitations. He used to be a painter but can't see or hold the brushes as well. He loves to cook but can't stand for too long in the kitchen. My favorite thing he has ever said to me is "I am a genius in many ways, but I can not walk."

I had to write about him because I don't want to forget him, his sense of humor, his willingness to give all he has, and his endless gratitude for everyone around him that will give him a smile. I don't think it's a coincidence either than his first name is Hiro (hero).

Noodles and Company...Serves Sandwiches?!

2010-09-21T12:41:00.005-06:00

We should all be aware by now that I have an unhealthy obsession with Noodles and Company. It's the Pesto Cavatappi that does it to me everytime. It's my personal heroine and I never want know what life is like with it!!

If it wasn't for Scott at the Fort Union location, I would NEVER have tried any of their sandwiches that they recently added to the menu, because I'm so set in my pesto ways. But he gave me a free meal just for the sandwiches...so I had no choice but to try it.

Introducing...the MED!!! Who knew that anything could taste so delicious? I love peppers and onions so much, but it was the dressing they had within the sandwich that won me over. While the pesto will always be my first love, I think it has a little competition.

What Happens When I Try To Play The Piano

2010-09-13T21:19:00.002-06:00

Oregon Coast

2010-09-10T14:34:00.010-06:00

Gary and I went on a week long road/camping trip with his parents to the Oregon Coast, the Redwood Forest, and to San Francisco. I'll split the posts up a little so as to not overwhelm anyone.... especially me. So let's start with the Oregon Coast! It was beyond beautiful! If I could have, I would have packed up and moved there! Not only was everything so gorgeous, the temperature was perfect for me. It was about 50-60 degrees the whole time, which is my type of climate. I love cooler weather.

We drove on a highway that was literally right off the ocean from the north end to the south end of Oregon, and we couldn't help but want to stop so often to take in the view, and walk on the beaches.

See the white spots in this picture? There was a fine mist that was constantly in the air from off the ocean. It definitely kept things cool!

The Pet Psychic

2010-09-08T11:40:00.003-06:00

I truly hope that nobody takes this post too seriously. If you know my husband and me BUT AT ALL, you'll understand that we are weird and quirky and that sometimes we do things out of pure entertainment. Like calling a pet psychic for Stewie.

I love Stewie. I truly do. He's freaking hilarious and he cracks me up on a daily basis. But of course, he is also a raging freakazoid and I want to ship him off to Madagascar a lot of the time.

So one morning, Gary and I were listening to our favorite morning show on the radio, and they had a pet psychic on as their guest. I didn't pay very close attention to the segment, but I said to Gary, completely as a joke "We could use a psychic for Stewie." And then I kept thinking about it and wondered what it would be like....so I called the pet psychic!!

She was a really nice lady actually. She said she could "see" and "talk" to Stewie even though it was just a phone conversation. She picked out what he looked like, fur color and such, and then asked me what it was I wanted to "tell Stewie." I said "tell him to stop biting us and attacking us for no reason!!" She said "Ok I'll tell him." Simple as that? I guess so. She said that she explained to him that when he bites us, it hurts us and that he shouldn't do it anymore. Then she told us that he only does it for attention and he thinks it's just harmless play time. So anyway, she said that Stewie told her he was going to stop attacking us. That was the end of the conversation.

So, was she right? Yes she was actually. Stewie has STOPPED biting us. Well...for the most part. Before the pet psychic, it used to be a DAILY occurence with him, sometimes a few times a day. But then after the pet psychic, he just stopped biting us completely for about a week. Then over the last 2 weeks he has probably only done it twice. So who really knows what the h is going on. Maybe she really can speak to animals. I hope she can for our sake and that the Stew has given up his violent ways.

Just Wondering....

2010-09-08T10:51:00.002-06:00

Does anyone really ever read my blog? I mean, is it worth the effort of posting something new?

Two Stinken Years!!

2010-07-24T18:36:00.002-06:00

Hurray for Gary and me! We have been married for 2 whole years, but it seems like it's been longer because I barely remember what life was like before him. I love this guy so much. He is always so concerned about my happiness and makes sure to make me laugh everyday. He never fails to tell me on a daily basis that he adores me, and I can't ask for much more than that!! Happy 2 years Gary! Love your face!

My BrieAnn Friend!

2010-06-30T12:50:00.003-06:00

My cute little friend BrieAnn got home from her mission in California this month and I'm so excited to have her back! She is one of my very favorite people. There are always those people that you know you were meant to have in your life...and Brie was/is that for me!

I met her when I started working in Salt Lake in...2007 I think. I had just been dumped by my fiance at the time and I was pretty much the queen of impending doom when we first met. Turns out Brie had been through the same situation a few months before, so that was the first thing we had in common. Mostly I love Brie because she can make me laugh so hard! She was the first person I had met after my break up that could get me to genuinely laugh out loud (lol!) and someone I could be absolutely ridiculous with. I love her to peices and I'm so glad she's home! Brie, Mel, Me, and Brooke at delicious Kneaders! Our favorite place to meet for lunch! Yummy!

Stewie Update

2010-06-17T12:58:00.003-06:00

The cat is still at our house, and he should be thanking his lucky stars that we haven't deported him back to Mordor. Honestly, he's comparable to Gollum, in that there are times that "we pity him" but deep down he's a raging psychopath with multiple personalities.

For example, there will be times when he has chilled out long enough to cuddle with me on my lap, and just as I start to think that he's the sweetest, cutest cat ever, he looks up at my face, pounces, and bites my nose. This has happened on several occassions.

I can't fix the couch covers without him full on attacking and biting my arms and hands. Same with doing push ups or picking up stuff off the floor. When I walk around the house with capris or shorts, he's bound to sneak attack my ankles and sink his teeth in. For these reasons, I hate the cat.

On the other hand, he makes us laugh really really hard. His mannerisms are hilarious when he's playing with his toys. If he ever tries to scratch his neck or chin with his back leg, he thinks that his back leg is attacking him, so he'll attack his leg back and bite it. It's so comical!

So here we are, 8 months with this little jerk and still trying to deal with his mayhem. And we are going to continue to keep him around I guess. The only way we'd get rid of him is when we have kids and he hasn't stopped biting us. Still not sure how to make the biting stop though.

Summer 2010 Bucket List

2010-06-03T11:03:00.003-06:00

*Spend a day at Lagoon. I really dislike Lagoon because one of my biggest fears is being on a disfunctional theme park ride that goes off track and I fall to my death with a stomach full of churros. But Gary really wants to go.

*Fix the brick path in our backyard that mysteriously turned to dust

*Make my garden really pretty and full of flowers!

*Attempt to get a tan...or at least get my skin to look like flesh rather than paste

*Plan a trip to Oregon right when Gary finishes the Summer semester. Gary has been wanting to take me there because he said that it's one of the prettiest states he has been to.

*Complete a challenging hike with some sort of waterfall at the end

*Take advantage of the warm weather to spend more time outside in the sunshine

*Organize our spare room that's full of crap and throw away half of it

*Start a book club with some neighbors and friends

*Camp with my grandma

*Have a party with lots of friends and family in my backyard once we finish the brick path.

*Plan a sleepoever with my neices

*Attempt to knee board in Bear Lake...again

California!!

2010-05-27T19:49:00.020-06:00

These pictures are not in order whatsoever!!!

Laguna Beach! Gorgeous!

What is Disneyland without the Dumbo ride?

Handy Manny!!

Monsters Inc. Kitty!!

Best Gelato I have ever tasted!

Peyton being violated in the sand.

Surfing!

Everything is better in 3D

Mary Poppins and Burt?

DeeEll wedged his way in the picture

"F" for Freakin' Fifield's!

Dinner at Cheesecake Factory

All the boys at the pool

The boys playing pool games

Ducks in the pool!!!

Gary's Birthday!

2010-05-02T19:30:00.025-06:00

Gary turned 25 yesterday! And to celebrate, I threw him a party themed around one of his favorite movies...Wall-E! Felicia was so nice to make Wall-E cupcakes for the party!

It took lots of time to wrap these boxes in newspaper and stack them to look like the garbage buildings that Wall-E spends all day making. I even cut out little pictures of cockroaches and had them all over the wall to represent Wall-E's little bug friend.

Wall-E's little treasure chest!

There were no stores that sold Wall-E plates and cups so I kind of had to make my own...

Gary was so surprised and LOVED his party theme!

Both of us were THRILLED that all his friends and family showed up!

Gary got presents too!! A Nerf Gun from Hali, a car window cleaner from Jeff, and "Rubin and Ed" from Mikey!

And his mom gave him money and attached it to a toy lawnmower...to go towards the purchase of a real lawnmower! So cute!

Thanks to everyone who came, and to my neice Hailey and my mom for helping me with the boxes and the balloons!

Happy Birthday to the cutest husband ever!! Nobody knows what I would do without such a sweet little stinker face!

Alone

2010-04-21T21:25:00.002-06:00

This last Saturday I had a most interesting experience. Warning: This post will be long and possibly disturbing.

A friend of a friend of a friend does a lot of "ghost hunting" and such, and he has a radio show about all sorts of paranormal activity. Well, he teamed up with another fellow of similar interests and together they are starting a series called "Alone." The pilot of the series was shot on Saturday night at a downtown Ogden building, and Felicia and I were their first participants. Initially they wanted us to complete the different "tasks" in the building alone (hence the title) but Felicia and I were barely comfortable enough to do it just the two of us.

We got there around 5pm and met everyone, but it wasn't until 9pm when it got completely dark that we could start our tasks. They didn't give us much information about the building until it was time to start the tasks. The first task they gave us was to carry a porceline doll upstairs to a room, sit on the couch in the room and place the doll between us. Keep in mind that while we did each task, Felicia carried the video camera, I carried the voice recorder, and we each had a lantern or a flash light. Everything else was dark. Each room we went in had camcorders all around and dim lights. As a side note, before we started the first task and all the lights in the building were turned off, a light upstairs mysteriously flipped on.

Back to the first task. We were left alone in the house with our gear and the doll. I was trying so hard to keep a level head and not psych myself out, and I wanted to be professional for the guys that really want this series to take off. As we made our way through the house and up the stairs, I started shaking from head to toe. I have never been so nervous or frightened in my life. Finally we found the room we needed to take the doll to, sat on the couch with it between us, introduced ourselve to whomever may be listening, and started asking questions as though someone was in the room with us and able to answer. To be honest, I can't recall the questions we asked, but after a couple minutes, Felicia and I both heard a little girl laughing, then singing or humming, and a piano playing. It wasn't so clear that it seemed like it was right in the room, but it was far off and distant. It was incredible. I couldn't believe that I was actually hearing "something."

Between each task we would do little interviews for the Denver and Brian (the creators) about what we had witnessed, they would set up the next room and then give us more information about the next task. To explain each task in detail would take so long, but let me just say that what Felicia and I experienced was unbelievable. I wouldn't believe what had happened to us if I wasn't there. When the first episode is completely put together I'll post a link to it and you all can see everything we did, and even the part where I was in a room by myself.

I will say that there were really cool things that happened, and really exciting, but I have to admit that it was so far out of my comfort zone that there were most definately times where I was pushing a line I didn't want to cross. Luckily I had prayed and prayed and prayed for days before that I would know when to back away, and that I would be warned not to cross any lines, and that I would be able to remain level headed when I went home and went to bed. There were a couple of times that night that Felicia and I couldn't finish a task and we rushed out of the house to where everyone else was. I so badly wanted to help these guys out but I had to know my limits too. I'm sure a lot of people think I'm crazy for doing something like this, but I'm glad I did it. Will I do it again? Not without major prayers or Xanax. I'm so excited to see it as a complete project.

Spring Means....

2010-04-18T13:58:00.008-06:00

Spring means that it's my birthday, and for my birthday, I GOT A PIANO!!!These tulips are the first documented flowers that we have grown at our new house.

And I made some Spring crafts. First, my wreath!

Next are my Spring letters. I think they turned out cute!

A little closer for detail.

Sad story time. The brick path/fire pit that Gary worked so hard on last year faced some Winter hardships, and not all the bricks made it out in one peice. Thus, we are doing lots of damage control this yer.

An upclose look at the disintegrated bricks. They literally turned to sand. So sad!

Oh Justin

2010-04-12T21:01:00.009-06:00

Things I Love!

2010-04-08T18:52:00.010-06:00

The Temple Stewie Griffin

Squirrels!

Playing Super Mario Bros. Old school Nintendo.

Peanut M&M's

Jim Morrison. RIP

The Fugitive/Harrison Ford

Gerber Daisies!

And Diet Coke

Happy Spring!

2010-04-05T14:01:00.004-06:00

I had such a fabulous Easter and Conference weekend! I actually stayed awake and listened to every session of General Conference. Of course I had to stay busy and color pictures and put together a puzzle so as to stay entertained. I must be growing up because I'm at the point where I enjoy the talks rather than dreading 8 hours of preaching.

Also I was able to participate in a Good Friday mass at St. Thomas Moore Catholic Church with my good friend Letty. I was her support during Lent and the mass was something she wanted to share with me. I love learning about other religions than my own and it was a really neat experience! And Lent is a great diet too if you're like me and you give up all treats and diet coke!

Easter was pretty low key for Gary and I this year. We each just picked out a treat we wanted and called it good. Too busy for much else! And his mom gave us kites on Easter Day. I have never seen anyone take kite flying so seriously as Gary! Too cute! I need to start carrying around my camera and taking pictures of all this stuff but I'm getting blog lazy. I'll try and be better!

Rick Is Back In Action!

2010-03-30T16:20:00.007-06:00

Gary's brother Rick just returned from his mission in Peru! We were all really excited to see him come down the escalator in his Peruvian garb! The Fifield family DOES NOT make traditional "Welcome Home" signs. Gary and Hali's signs are both movie quotes from comedies that Rick loves.

His friends came to surprise him at the airport, and wanted to blend in the crowd of other welcome home groups, hence the "Welcome Home Todd!"

Gary has been so excited to see Rick and has missed his brother so much! He even had Rick's picture set as his cell phone wallpaper. Not me.

He is so excited to get one of his best friends back and share the snuggie with someone else other than me!

We love you Ricky stinker face! Welcome home!

Another Reason Why Stewie Hates Us

2010-03-23T10:26:00.001-06:00

Stewie

2010-02-21T20:55:00.005-07:00

We have now made it about 4 or 5 months with this cat which means he's here to stay. Stewie is his name but I call him "jerk" more often than not. He's cool I guess if you like felines on crack. He has his really sweet moments that make up for the times that I want to pelt him with pillows. Luckily Gary is here to wrestle the cat down during his kitten moments and chase him around the house. We have an infaltable pink sword that we swat him with when he gets on our counter tops or tries to sneak attack us and bite us. Don't worry, the sword isn't able to kill a fly let alone hurt this guy. Don't report me to PETA.

Perhaps...

2010-01-21T12:51:00.002-07:00

It's time for a new post? I have been really bad at taking pictures over the Holidays, therefore I have very little to show for myself. And I have nothing interesting to say. Here are some note worthy items, and then I'll leave it at that for now.

For Christmas, Gary and I got a Wii and Wii Fit from Santa and are practically addicted to it now.

I lost $15 in Vegas over New Year's.

I gained 15 pounds over new Year's.

We still have the cat. Can you believe it?? We're going on 4 months! That is record breaking!

Our baby hampster Pips died on Christmas Day. She lived out her year life expectancy. Heartbreaking.

I get to leave the wretched Utah weather for a few days and visit the sister in law in Arizona in a couple weeks. Hello sunshine!

I got a brand new baby nephew today...welcome Mason!

I suck at making Mickey Mouse pancakes.

That's all for now folks! See you in the Spring!

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T15:41:00.002-07:00

I'll bet my husband is having a splendid Thanksgiving feast at his parents house with the family. Turkey, potatos, corn, and momma Cheryl's homemade rolls...none of which I get to partake in because I'm too sick to fake a smile and enjoy a tasteless meal. However, I thought I'd make a list of what I can be thankful for, even as I sit on my couch in seclusion.

*I get to wear pajama's on Thanksgiving Day and no one can judge me for that.
*I won't gain 10 pounds by gorging myself
*The only clean-up I have is a pile of tissues...so easy!
*There are fabulous movies on television today

That's all I got and I really want some rolls. Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

The Side Effects From Being a Chick

2009-11-16T21:17:00.004-07:00

So I put together this "plan" for a co-worker and I to lose some of our squidgey edges (I mean fat). She just had a baby and wanted to lose weight, and I wanted to support her. Neither of us wanted to do any extreme dieting and then fall flat on our face 2 weeks later. Hence my "plan." It went as follows.

Week 1: Stop drinking the diet soda
Week 2: At LEAST 3 servings of fruits and veggies a day
Week 3: Limit ourselves to 2 treats a week
Week 4: Everything in portion size

I did it all so well. I was on a roll with no diet coke (the elixar of life) and I stayed true to this "plan". I told myself I wouldn't weigh in until the end of week 4 but I felt like I was doing so well that maybe I could weigh in at the end of week 3. And that's what I did. I was only expecting to maybe lose one pound or even 2 if I was lucky. When I got on the scale, I couldn't believe my eyes. I double checked - NAY - TRIPLE CHECKED and turns out I had gained 3 pounds. I was so ticked off I went downstairs to the pharmacy/gift shop at my work and bought the coldest diet coke they had and a some Rolos. And I think my pants fit a little looser today.

Movies!

2009-11-15T14:07:00.004-07:00

It's been a weekend at the theater! Friday night we went with Neil and Felicia to see the Michael Jackson movie, "This Is It." Talk about an incredible display of mind bottling talent. Michael Jackson was most certainly a genius in his field. He wasn't just a singer or a dancer. He was an artist and I was blown away at how he was involved with each second of each little detail to this tour he was preparing for. The lighting, the sound effects, the background videos...it was inspiring to see someone have that much passion. The back up dancers and musicains were another story. It was all the best of the best and there wasn't one person in that whole film who didn't have outrageous talent. I left the movie debating if I was truly inspired or completely discouraged that I will never be that passionate about anything in this world other than Diet Coke.

Saturday night, it was Gary and I and Neil. Do you see a pattern here? Most everything we do involve the Larson's to some degree. We're just one big happy Foxboro Family. Moving on, our initial plan was to see "Paranormal Activity" but it was sold out by the time we got there. It's fine though because I didn't want to spend the evening wear wet pants. Plan B was "2012". Ah! Woah! Holy &@#*! and "Run you idiot!" Talk about a suspense! The personal stories in the movie were sweet and heart breaking, and there is always that one selfish idiot that you want to reach through the screen and strangle. I love natural disaster movies like "Twister" and "Day After Tomorrow" and "Deep Impact", but this one out did all of them. When we got in the car to go home we all kept talking and thinking about what we would do when the end of the world comes. It's a thinker!

And can I just take this last paragraph to complain about the nasty guy that sat in the seat next to me??? (Not Gary, the other guy). First of all, there was a couple sitting in his seat and his girl friends assigned seat, which seemed like an honest mistake, but don't think that this large smelling ash tray was forgiving or understanding to them. He practically sat on their laps before they could double check their tickets and move. I was afraid the verbal altercation was going to turn physical but luckily it didn't. Had that yucky man been pushed he would of landed on me and then I would of had to regurgitate all over him. Like I said he was a large man, smelled like stale cigarettes, and his pants were falling off a little. Not the preview I wanted to see before the movie. He relaxed his left leg over into my leg area, so I had to lift up the arm bar between me and Gary and share his seat practically. It didn't end there though. Every time he shifted in his seat, a nasty ash draft came our way and it reminded me that he was there. And then, when he realized that Danny Glover played the President of the U.S. in the movie, he had the most racial, derogatory comments to mumble about it. Then if there was a woman in the movie who was acting panicked or shocked and needed to run, he would yell out "run you #@&*! whore!" Ugh. I hope I never see this miserable human being again.

Let Me Explain - No...There Is Too Much

2009-11-14T09:38:00.004-07:00

Alfredo - a cat Gary and I acquired whilst living in the Memory Lane Apartments. We saw other tenants with a cat or two so why couldn't we? Well, then the landlord told us to get rid of him 2 weeks later or else we'd be evicted. And to be honest I didn't care because I hated him.

Milton - I really wanted a dog when I got a house, but then it became clear that there was now way to give him a good life. Smaller house, no fenced/finished back yard, and he would of been alone a lot. So I had my bother sell him to someone else. Sad. Miss him.

Chips - This kitten was pretty gosh darn cute and we got him from a lady in Sugar House. Ew. Devil cat. Hated him. He peed in one of my shoes multiple times, he tore my left ankle to ribbons, and he thought one of our plants was an outhouse. Ugh! So we gave him away, but not quickly enough.

Bruce - I LOVED BRUCE!! He was a stray cat that hung out in our back yard and in the empty lot next door. He was such an adorable, mellow, fat cat that never bothered us to come inside and ruin our house. We kept feeding him just becasue we didn't know if he belonged to anyone and I wanted to make sure he had food. I would also brush him everyday because his fur was pretty long and fluffy. Then one day Bruce went MIA and we haven't seen him for months. Not sure what happened to him =(

Ashes - A lady from my work moved from her house to an apartment where she couldn't take the cat. Because I still had mountains of food and litter left over, I said I would take him and keep him fed. We kept him out in our garage for a while until it was obvious that he didn't like us at all and he was more than likely freaked out that he was taken from his home. Um...so...the neighbors have him now.

Stewie - Now this is a cat I can get on board with. I was at the Nursery Leaders house a few nights ago for a meeting, and when I came out, the cutest cat ever sprinted up to me and looked at me like "well? won't you pet me?" So I did. He followed me to my car, and when I opened the door he hopped inside and just layed down in the passenger seat and pretty much said "k, I'm ready let's go home." So I took him. I don't care if it was right or wrong to take this cat because I LOVE HIM! Anyone who really knows me, knows that I had a cat named Scotty a few years back, who was my little buddy until he had to be put down. I loved Scotty so much and I miss him. It's been almost 2 years since he's been gone. This cat is SO CLOSE to what Scotty was. Such a sweet little guy, so curious, so lovable, so funny, and he adores me and Gary. He lives in our garage and we let him in every day for a while to hang out with us. He loves to touch noses with us and pat his paw on our face. He loves watching the water run out of the faucet, and he loves to hidd under the couch covers. No accidents for him and he's let us know when he needs to go back outside to do his business. I hope this little guy works out.

With all the pets we've had, it's been interesting to see how different their personalities are and what works and what doesn't. Stewie is a cat that makes me love him. I have learned to really dislike cats this year and thought that I would never meet another cat that I loved as much as Scotty, but Stewie fits us like a glove.

And last but not least, I need to give a shout out to our baby Jewish Hampster, Pips who has seen us through a lot of animals, and has been the only one to stick around. She is such a trooper, such a stinker, and she's the cutest little bug of a hampster ever! We love this little thing!

Be Nice

2009-11-03T20:49:00.004-07:00

I read this and loved it, so I had to share it. Kind of "soap box-ish" but I'm allowed once in a while!

When you approach a business to ask about something that you've asked about before, do you say "I spoke with that elderly lady over there."?

Can she hear you? If so, why not make her day? Why not say "I spoke with that nice lady over there."?

When you need to describe someone, do you go for the obvious? That fat man that sits up there. That skinny broad that answers the phone. That toothpick who sits in the first row.

Why? It's not fun to be pointed out like that.

Why not start making other people feel good. If you always look at a person, whether he or she is a stranger to you or not, as though they were a friend, you will have a friend. You know why? Because *What goes around, comes around.*

Let's look at it a different way. What if you went to a place of business and there was a lady there *pushing forty* -- and all the others working with her are all under thirty. Way under thirty. She's recovering from cancer. It was a beautiful day, she is wearing her favorite red silk blouse everyone says she looks terrific in, and she's feeling better than she has in a month! Then, you come in and single her out as that *older* lady? Now, she has something negative to focus on.

How about if someone weighs 200 pounds, he or she just had a successful week after losing ten pounds, and you come in and point him or her out as the fat person sitting over there?

What about the guy who has recovered from polio and walks with crutches. He's had a long hard grind, but he did it, he pulled through. Then, you come in the cafeteria and see *That gimpy guy with the crutches.* Wouldn't it be nice to go out of your way to find something great about him?

Get past the obvious immediately. Think of all the positive things you can. Literally take all the bad, awkward, or negative things, and in your mind, write them on a banner, then visualize that banner going into a garbage disposal. Now, take all the good things and write them on a banner. Make that list bigger and brighter. From now on when you think of that person, you'll see in your mind's eye the big, bright list.
Pass this on. Help others who's first tendency it is to label, which in turn promotes criticizing. Lots of people don't think about the injustice of labeling. Lots of people don't even realize they are labeling. Is that you? If so, you've just learned how to stop it.

I Love Fall!!

2009-10-31T22:06:00.014-06:00

Let's kick off Fall with a day out with the girls! Shopping, lunch, crafts, and then Witch-A-Palooza at Gardner Villiage. So fun and so exhasting!Felicia had such a good idea to make our own wreaths. I was pretty sure that whatever I had conjured up was going to be pretty gosh darn unattractive, but I LOVE IT!! This picture doesn't do it justice but really I was happy with the turn out, and I never go easy on myself with my crafty work. I may have already posted this picture last year, but I was very excited that my fall "blocks" stayed in tact for this year. Really they are just paper but they didn't get mushed up! Go Utes! We finally made it to a football game this season! Cold and freezing and lots of fun! And of course we were sitting right next to the most ANNOYING LADY IN THE WORLD!! She was of course intoxicated and the loudest person on the face of the planet. We still had a good time and the Utes won!

Okay so Gary is pretty much in LOVE with Halloween! If society didn't frown upon a 24 year old trick-or-treater, then he would be out there with every other child in the neighborhood, running to beat them out of the best candy! Second best to that was his cousin's Halloween party, so we got to dress up! Or...er...dress down. We went as white trash and at first i was really proud of my costume until I saw Gary in his. Woo hoo! That's the hot stuff there!He also claims that his passion in life is carving pumpkins. He wants to be a full time, professional, pumpkin carver.His pumpkin is this intricately carved cut out of the late, great Michael Jackson.

I'm not near as passionate about pumpkin carving as Gary, hence this sad attempt at carving a fat face. Notice the double chin.

And what is Halloween without watchg a scary movie here and there? I don't do well at all with scary movies. I like the idea of scary movies but my follow through is terrible. However, for Gary's sake, I have watched a couple with him out of the 20 he's had to watch by himself. Let's just say I'm so glad that I don't have to sleep alone!

Happy Halloween, and Happy Fall!! My favorite time of the year!

Meh

2009-10-27T12:49:00.003-06:00

I only have couple of items to share.

My best friend in law (Gary's best friends' wife) Felicia is working with me! Everyone loves her! She's doing an amazing job! I should get a finders fee.

I stopped drinking Diet Coke again. Let's see how long it lasts this time. I'm on day 2.

Gary is such a good little worker bee. Work, school, me, friends, family...he does it all. And he does it all so well.

My co-worker Letty makes me laugh so hard everyday that I worry I'll stop breathing.

I miss my friend Kimber...we need to talk more often!

Lame but it's all I've got right now.

Who Knows

2009-10-21T22:08:00.002-06:00

I need ideas of how to entertain nursery children through song. Tiny Tim the Turtle is a big hit with the popping bubble at the end, so maybe I could take a little bottle of bubbles and let them chase bubbles? Or let them drink it so they know how Tiny Tim felt? No? Ok. I love my calling, but I don't have babies so what do I really know about them? I know they like props, but there are only so many times I can pull out a paper monkey on a popsicle stick and sing 5 Little Monkeys. I need more! I need ideas! I'm still really new to this, so I'm just doing everything the song leader did before, but I know I can be better than this! I'm just having a mental block. HELP ME!

I'm Having an Affair

2009-10-03T19:17:00.003-06:00

Let me explain. When I started working in SLC with my friend Candace almost 3 years ago, I was single and I had also just moved to Sugar House with some roommates. I was anti "make my own meals" at the time so Candace and I would go out to lunch almost every day we were at work. She introduced me to Noodles and Company. I was unimpressed at first because I have never been a very big fan of pasta places. I was more of a Subway girl. But the more Candace insisted we go to Noodles, the more I began to love it! In fact, I became addicted to it, and sometimes I would eat their twice a day! I know, that's a little extreme but I had recently been dumped and I needed something else to focus on. And here it is almost 3 years later, Candace and I no longer work together but we still meet about once a week at the same Noodles and Company location in Fort Union. Every co-worker I have had since I started eating there has teased me relentlessly. They don't understand that someone could love Pesto Cavatappi that much to eat there at least once a week. A couple of months ago however, I went in by myself as I sometimes do if Candace is working from home and not in Salt Lake, and the General Manager took my order without even asking me what I wanted, and he knew my name by then as well! He said that he would start giving me free drinks because I'm in there all the time. Could if be that Noodles was starting to love me back just as much as I loved them? Well, today I had to go into work for a few hours, and as I left work, I had the impression that I should stop and eat at Noodles and Company, which was weird because I kind of have a yucky cold and it doesn't make me that hungry. I went anyway. I ordered the usual, and the General Manager was there to take my order. I went to pay for it and he said "it's on the house today." Yay! I asked if it was because I was there every other day of my life and he said "yes." So then I go and sit down (by myself) and wait for my food. He brought it over to me, along with a card called a "hero lunch" card. He said that I was their hero so that meant that I could bring in 5 other people, use this card and we'd all get our lunches for free! I told him about my adddiction to Noodles and how I get mocked for it all the time and he said he loved that I bring new people there all the time! He also told me that I could get my entire office together and bring them for lunch, and if I set it up through him I could get my whole office free lunch as well! That will show them for teasing me all the time!!!! I tell you, it's just a matter of time before they ask me to be their spokes woman and I get to have free noodles for the rest of my life!! I LOVE YOU!!!

Kiss My Grass

2009-09-20T16:23:00.011-06:00

The back yard is done! Yay for us! Gary has been so dedicated to getting this done, and he has been working his rear off. Thanks to everone who helped us out!

This is a picture of the battle field that was our backyard while we installed the sprinkler system. Again, nobody was paid to do any of this work, Gary was able to figure it out on his own and we had volunteers from our family and friends and neighbors.
This was the first day of insalling the sprinklers...but far from the last. It's such a HUGE project! Especially when you're working in the middle of the Summer.

Paul helping spread the topsoil along with my parents, my sister, my neices, and Gary's mom and sister. Cheryl also got pizza's for everyone! Thanks again! A picture of the back of our house, the brick path and the green grass!

We're so relieved it's done! Who's up for a barbecue in our fire pit? Umm... but next year because we still have to wait for the grass to set in.

It's Like This...

2009-09-16T21:51:00.004-06:00

I refuse to post pictures right now. It requires effort and I'm not feeling very ambitious. You're lucky I'm even blogging at all!

We finally finished the backyard. The brick path, the sprinkler system, the top soil, the leveling of the ground and then putting in sod. All of this was done by hand by Gary. I helped a little....mostly near the end of everything. It was such hard work and a real money suck. I'm proud of him for working so hard making our yard look fantastic. I owe it to him to post pictures which I will do in the future. We had a lot of good helpers in this. My family and Gary's family, but mostly Neil. Thank goodness for him being so willing to work with Gary....he saved me from a nervous breakdown on several occasions!

Summer is over for which I am so grateful! I have never felt so thinly spread in my life. Life is still very busy, but now it's candy corn season and that really reduces the insanity.

I have started going back to the gym (gasp!). It's been really great! I have a lot of concerns and issues with my health and I really want to turn things around. Gary's cousin Breck has really inspired me a lot, and she lets me follow her to the gym twice a week to shadow her workouts. I've been trying to eat healthier as well. You know...eating oatmeal for breakfast instead of a doughnut or two. I still firmly believe that we are all meant to be a certain shape and size, but it won't prevent me from putting forth the effort to be more healthy and feel better. Wish me luck!

And have I mentioned that Gary is adorable? Someone asked me today if I have ever been loved so much that it's "too much". My answer is Gary. It's never too much. Thank goodness I never have to wonder how my husband feels about me.

Lastly, when did life get so darn busy? Why do I feel like there is a million things to do, and then when I have time to get to them I'm so overwhelmed that I can barely function!? And then NOTHING gets accomplished. I know everyone is so busy and that this is how life is...I just wish I could do it all with a little more grace. Sigh. Any suggestions or helpful tips to lower the anxiety is greatly appreciated. Peace out!

Special Olympics - Golf

2009-09-12T22:07:00.004-06:00

Another fantastic experience! This time for Special Olympics we did a golf tournament! It was a beautiful day and I had the best team ever! Here is Ellen and I. She is one professional putter! She was so positive and supportive to the other golfers all day. She has an identical twin sister but insists that she is the best looking of the two!

And then there's David! Sweetest guy ever. He didn't talk much but he smiled constantly. I teased him a lot all day which he LOVED! The squirrels at the golf course were monsterous, so I teased him for feeding the squirrels cheeseburgers and being responsible for how fat they were. He just giggled!
I love these kids so much! I can't think of a better way to cheer me up after a stressful couple of weeks!

Please Let This Summer Be Over

2009-09-04T20:25:00.007-06:00

3 weekends in Bear Lake
1 weekend at the Green River
1 weekend at Lyman Lake
1 weekend in St. George
1 weekend in the Uintah's

Total = 7 weekends away from my home this Summer. 7 times that I have loaded and unloaded my car full of luggage and sleeping bags and tents and junk food and coolers. I'm not saying those weekends were not fun or that I didn't have a good time, I'm just done with this Summer. I want to stay in my own home for a whole weekend and spend time with Gary and not have to share him with other people. It's time for a new season!

Very Proud Again

2009-08-29T17:53:00.003-06:00

Here is the 2nd music video that Neil has directed. The band is called Ace Enders and a Million Different People. The lead singer and the bass guitarist are from the band called Early November. It's one of Neil's favorite bands and they he was so flattered when they chose him to direct this music video. The story line isn't his, but all the film work was done by him. Gary spent a good deal of time on the set and it's amazing how much hard work goes into one of these things. Good job Neil we are proud once again!!

Update On Nothing

2009-08-12T21:14:00.002-06:00

Blogging hasn't seemed neccessary lately because we don't really have a lot to say for ourselves. Life has been busy this Summer that's for sure! There have been a lot of weekends away from our house camping with the families, and luckily we don't have anything else planned for a while! I have missed my hampster and I have missed my house! No need to go into lots of detail about what's up, and maybe I'll blog about the Summer's adventures eventually, but here are some note worthy items for now.

- Gary and I start school in less than 2 weeks! Bye-bye free time!

- I have taken on a side job, apart from my full time job, to help out my father in law with his business. So challenging but so fun!

- Gary's parents have given us a washer and dryer so now we don't have to haul our laudry off to our parents house each weekend!

- We both received callings in our new ward. Gary is a ward missionary and I'm the nursery music leader.

- We finally have grass in our front yard, and once I stop hyperventilating about the cost, we'll put the back yard in too.

- I now believe in UFO's...don't judge

- My brother has moved in with us the past month. He's always been one of my favorite people and he's been a good house guest.

- I decided that I'm happiest when I'm in the woods and haven't looked in a mirror for 3 days.

One Whole Year

2009-07-12T22:52:00.003-06:00

July 11th is the day of free slurpees at 7-11, but also the day that Gary and I celebrate our anniversary!! It's been a fantastic year and Gary's the coolest dude in the world. There is no one else I'd rather be with!

Places we have been in the last year

Washington DC
Baltimore
Hershey, PA
Bear Lake
St George
Las Vegas
Arizona

Things we have done

Bought a new house
Been through 3 random pets
Kept our hampster
Not had babies
Found fantastic jobs
Learned to ride a rip stick
Golfing
Rock Climbing

There is so much more we want to do and accomplish, and there are more places to travel to and things to see. I'm glad we get to do it all together! Love you Gary!

Gazit

2009-07-07T21:29:00.003-06:00

After watching season 8 of American Idol, our dear sweet hampster Pips became obsessed with Adam Lambert. She started doing her hair different, walking different, and even speaking to us in a scream-o voice. However, the biggest lifestyle change that Pips made to mirror Adam Lambert, was to convert to Judaism. Pips has gone Jewish. She has now changed her name to Gazit and she wears her religion proudly upon her housetop.
We have agreed to support her decision to change her faith, and we let her practice peacfully. Shalom!!

Blue Bird Inn

2009-07-06T19:11:00.012-06:00

Gary and I stayed at the Blue Bird Inn while in Bear Lake this weekend. (No room at the cabin) Talk about the cutest place ever! It's everything you would invision a bed and breakfast to be set in the mountains by a lake. And talk about the NICEST people ever who own it. I didn't want to leave! It was so comfy and peaceful and warm. I must go back!

This was the first thing we saw as we pulled in. These carvings are PART of the tree, not in addition to. So talented whoever did this.

Beautiful Lake View!

Snacks everywhere you turn!

We stayed in the Bear Room. Roar.

Crap!

2009-06-27T13:00:00.002-06:00

I'm not trying to overshadow the death of Michael or Farrah, or steal Jon and Kate's thunder but I too have suffered a loss. After many months, many dollars and many hours in a salon chair to become blonde again, I am back at square one. I choose not to disclose the details at time, but here I am, a brunette.
I know, I know....I'm still foxy....

Hard Labor

2009-06-22T19:17:00.009-06:00

Once we knew we were getting a house, Gary had visions of our back yard with a brick path and a fire pit. He found very inexpensive bricks online (1,000 to be exact, about 5,000 pounds worth). He bought the bricks before we had even moved into our house, so we had to store them at the warehouse at his work. Well, once we moved in, we had to figure out how to transport the bricks from the warehouse to our house. We each have cars, no trucks readily available, so we had to haul bricks day by in the trunks of our cars for two weeks. I thought that was the hard part...stupid me. Gary designed, drafted, and manually labored on this brick path, with about zero to little help from me. I am so proud of him! He measured, and dug, and shoveled and lifted and had so many blisters on his hands each day, but he kept going and going and going. Now it's done and it looks AMAZING! It will look even better with the grass!

The butt load of bricks

Such detailed work

Worked right through the gloves!Good job Gary it looks amazing!

EAT A DOUGHNUT!!!!

2009-05-31T10:52:00.002-06:00

The lack of respect from some teenagers these days is APPALLING!! I stopped at the mall after work on Thursday to do a little bit of shopping, and my first stop was at the new Forever 21 at the South Towne Mall. I was alone, minding my own business, looking at a fantastic looking skirt when I took a step back and slightly bumped into the skinniest, blondest, tannest, most obnoxious 15-16 year old girl ever! Before I could get out an "oh, excuse me," she hollers out "watch it fat ass!!" The only response I could come up with on the spot was to holler back at her to "eat a doughnut!" Then I walked away and she continued to bad mouth me to her friend. I would of gone and eaten a doughnut myself but the food court doesn't serve doughnuts and I'm not the biggest fan of them anyway, so I went and got a pretzel instead.

What A Day!

2009-05-17T08:45:00.014-06:00

It all started at around 7:30 in the morning. Gary got up to go help Neil with the music video for Ace Enders. (YAY NEIL!) And I got ready for...everything else. It was such a good Satruday! I first called my sister Stacey to see if she wanted to hang out with me. Her and I never hang out just the two of us, so it was so fun to go get manicures and pedicures together. She had never gotten one and she loved it! I went for purple toes. I'm strangely proud of my feet.

Then I met my buddy Sommer and her son Cooper for lunch at Rumbi. I was SO hungry, but I kind of lost my appetite when they brought out Coopers hamburger with a dead lady bug on it. Ew. I think Cooper thought it was a garnish, but I took the insect burger back for a new one.

Onto Barnes and Nobel, one of my favorite places, and I bought a new book which I will review another day once I've read it. And just to get it out there...I love self help books so...sue me. This one is called Positive Energy.

Now that Gary and I are in our new house, it was time to go spend the gift card that Momma Cheryl gave me for my birthday to Tai Pan. YAY!! So I think I spent about 2 hours wandering around Tai Pan, and then I ran out of money. I think I'm now addicted to that place.

Here's what I bought for my house, in it's proper place.

I called Cheryl to let her know that I spent her money, and she asked me to stop by and show her all that I got. Little did I know that DeeEll had other plans for me. I ended up helping plant their garden for a while. It was fun though, I like planting flowers!

So, now that I got all that done, I was finally able to stop by the set of the music video. Neil and everyone looked like they were working their butts off! We're so excited for him!

Gary played an extra in the office scene.Here's Will on the left, Ace on the right. By the way, Ace said I could be part of the band, but then seemed to forget about it when they all started playing together. I'm really excited to see the final product!

WTF??

2009-05-13T20:53:00.002-06:00

Sometimes on Sundays at the Fifield's, Hali and I like to find excuses to go downstairs to the basement and play dress up in momma Cheryl's Halloween boxes. We never try to be cute by any means, but this time was so far beyond ugly that it rattled my brain. Try not to gag. HAHAHAHA!!!!!

Animal Update

2009-05-13T20:34:00.003-06:00

Gary and I finally moved into our house on the 4th of this month and love it love it love it!!! It's so nice I can't even deal with it! There are pictures to come, but I want to wait until I have things a little more in order and decorated.

So...sad news. After discussing things over with Gary, we decided that getting my baby puppy Milton wasn't the best idea anymore. We didn't have a back yard set up for him to play, no fence or dog run, and it wasn't fair to have him cooped up in the house alone all day. I probably cried like a human infant for 83 hours, but I know it's for the best.

SO! Because Gary and I love animals so much, we needed an alternative solution. Enter Chips, our new baby kitten!

Now we have Pips and Chips! So far, hampster and kitten have gotten along, but I'm going to watching like a freaking hawk! Chips is pretty darn cute and cuddly, and super sweet. At this moment he's sleeping on Gary's feet. So cute!

Feed Me

2009-04-25T19:07:00.003-06:00

There are times when I wish the chub under my chin wasn't so noticible when I smile for cameras, and times that I wish that my arms were idential to Jennifer Aniston's. I wish the clothes that I wore a year ago weren't so difficult to pull on and that I could still shop the in the size 6 area. (long ago!) I know I'm not the only one who feels this way. It's obvious that there is a big issue with size and image in our world. I'm a very sensitive person so I can't help but get discouraged when I don't measure up to other women who are considered "perfect."

A few weeks ago I made Gary take me shopping at Barnes and Nobel. I love books and I love buying books and I love reading books!! I didn't have anything in particular that I was looking for, but I came across a book called "Feed Me." I was intrigued so I sat down and started to read. It wasn't a novel and it wasn't a self help book. It was a compilation of essays written by all types of women from all walks of life. They share their views on food, why they love it, why they hate it, and how it affects their lives. Some are heart breaking, some are hilarious, but mostly they are all very insightful.

One of the essays I found very interesting was about a lady whose daughter suffered from anorexia, and her experience of becoming healthy again. When her daughter was rail thin, she would receive endless compliments on her figure, even though her face was sunk in, her hair unhealthy, and her emotional state in ruins. Once she started gaining weight, the compliments stopped even though her skin was healthy and glowing, and she was much happier than ever before.

Since reading these essays, I've come to be more accepting and proud of my physical appearance. I've become less uptight about what I eat, and I have actually been eating healthier. I haven't lost weight but I haven't gained it either. I don't compare myself with others the way I used to and I'm even a little more focused on being more healthy. Life is too short to stress over our physical flaws and we were all made the way we are for a reason, and we're all beautiful!

I'll get off the soap box now.