Forgetful?

So, it's no secret that I really like sweets.

For me, a life without sweets is not really worth living.

Honestly.

You'll probably be as surprised as I was at something that occurred last night around nine. I was snacky, as usual and mentally went through the treats I had readily available to me. I didn't feel like salt water taffy, sweet-tarts, or popcorn so I decided to give up and just have water (you know, be a good girl for once).

This morning when I woke up, I remembered that I still had a stash of my favorite valentine candy.

These bad boys.

The fact that I honestly, truly, cross-my-heart forgot about them is a small miracle.

Just thought I would share. (My thoughts, not the candy--that is all mine!)

An Introduction

A long, long time ago (at Easton's birthday party in December) I made cupcakes.

There was nothing special about them. Funfetti cake mix with Rainbow Chip frosting.

Simple and delicious. (I love me some Rainbow Chip frosting).

My little brother (who is now approaching 13 and is probably past being called "little") Jord-man LOVED the cupcakes. While we were cleaning up, he turned to my mom and I and said, "Mom, can you get the recipe for these cupcakes?"

I just started laughing and told him that everything was store-bought and that he could make them himself sometime.

As it turns out, he had NEVER had Rainbow Chip frosting before.

NEVER.

(You should now pick your jaw off the desk and let me get back to the story).

I was feeling so bad that he had gone 12 full years without that deliciousness in his life that I handed him the half full container I had in the fridge and sent him home with it (and you know how hard that was for me). So now Jord-man is fully aware of the joy of life. Thank goodness.

So tell me, what "joy" in life did you not experience early on in life?

Do you have tickets to the gun show?

And I mean that in the "I have huge arm muscles" sense, not in the "I'm actually going to look at guns that shoot bullets" sense. I know you get confused, what with me being in Wyoming and all.


We have a Nintento Wii, we also have Wii Fit. I enjoy exercising on said Wii Fit. I don't think I am going to get my perfect body from it, but it is nice to track weight loss (or ahem, gain) and I am getting more in shape.

That being said, I have very weak arms, like really weak arms. In high school, when I weighed the least I ever have, I still couldn't do a pull up, not even one. It's a problem that has plagued me my entire life. So, when I attempted to do the "push-up" workout on the Wii Fit, I didn't do too hot.

To be specific my "trainer" told me, "It looks like you are not strong enough to do this exercise. You may want to come back after you have built up your strength."

Needless to say, I was a little depressed. A few days later I tried again.

Same message.

So I decided to ignore the "push-up" exercise. I was too good for the "push-up" exercise. I continued to workout every day on the Wii Fit and time passed.

And then yesterday, I decided to give that cursed exercise a go, for old times sake.

I rocked it.

Don't believe me?

Here's the proof.

That's right. My trainer couldn't even speak he was so teared up (or something like that).

*It should be noted that I spelled exercise incorrectly every time I typed it. It is a word that I would have confidently spelled in a spelling bee--and then I would have had to sit down in shame. sigh.

At Peace

Ronnie's dear, sweet, Grandma Frances passed away recently.


She was not well, and it is comforting to know that she is finally out of pain and at peace.


I am so thankful that families are forever and look forward to seeing her again someday!


Grandpa, Easton and Grandma Frances in July 2008.

Four Years Down, Eternity to Go

It's my anniversary! Hooray for KaLee and Ronnie! For your reading pleasure--a little bit about our special day.1. Where did you and your husband meet? Well technically, we met when he and his roommate stopped by my apartment. We talked about temples (of all things) for a long time.

2. How long before you kissed? While we met in September of 2002, we did not kiss until September of 2004. So that would be a whopping two years.

3. Who kissed who first? He kissed me (although he swears that I gave him “the look”)

4. How long from the time you met until you were engaged? How long from the engagement to the wedding? We were friends for two years before we started dating and were engaged (with a ring) three months later. Talk of marriage happened after a week of dating. {I hate that I sound so “typically BYU” when I say that part} We were married 10 weeks after our engagement.

5. How did he propose? He told me we were going on a double date with a friend. While driving to meet that couple at the friend’s apartment, the friend called and said that he was running late, but that the door was open. I opened the door and there were candles and roses everywhere. Our song started playing just as I entered. He sat me down on the couch, got down on his knee and proposed.

6. Did he pick out the ring or did you? We went looking together and I found one I loved, but that was way, way, WAY too expensive, so he had a jeweler design one that was exactly the same.

7. Do you still like the ring? Yes. I love it. I love that it was made just for me.

8. Where was your wedding and reception? We were married in the Salt Lake LDS Temple and we had three receptions. One in Utah, the night we were married and then one in California and one in Wyoming.

9. How many bridesmaids did you have and who was your maid of honor? I had five bridesmaids. My two sisters, and Ronnie’s three younger sisters. Erc was my matron of honor (since she was a seasoned married woman of 7 weeks).

10. What color were your bridesmaid dresses? White button up shirts, black skirts and royal blue sashes.

11. What was your bouquet made of? My bouquet had all different flowers. I wanted it to be a focal point of color.

12. Who gave you away? I guess my Dad did. Although I think after all the stress of having two daughters married 7 weeks apart, my Mom did too. :)

13. Did you cry during your wedding? As soon as I was told to look out at all of the people there to support us, I broke down. Also while hugging everyone afterward.

14. What style was your dress? I wish I had the fashion knowledge to tell you exactly, but let’s just settle for a description, shall we? Top was beaded and fitted, with a seam at the waist. Bottom was also beaded and had a chiffon overlay. I am lucky to have a gorgeous reproduction of it on a china doll that my Grammy made. You all want a Grammy like mine, I know.

15. Was your wedding kiss sweet or sexy? Short and sweet.

16. Who caught your bouquet? My aunt Jill, who was married less than a year later might I add.

17. What flavor was your cake? My cake was from Macey’s. I have no idea what flavor it was, but it looked good and was delicious—that’s all that matters.

18. Did you smash the cake onto each other's faces or feed it to each other nicely?This is still a sore spot for me. I fed him nicely, he got frosting up my nostril.

19. What was "your song" that you danced to at your wedding? For the First Time, by Kenny Loggins.

20. What did you serve your guests to eat? Cheesecakes (from Costco) with different toppings available for the guests to add. I did not eat any of it (at the Utah reception).

21. What did your friends do to decorate your car? Toothpaste—that’s the only thing that is vivid.

22. What was your favorite wedding gift? The aforementioned doll.

23. What was the worst wedding gift you got? Because my husband has forbidden me to write about the actual gift we can just say it was really, really bad.

24. Where did you go on your honeymoon? My grandparent’s cabin.

25. Looking back, is there anything you would have changed about your wedding? I would actually change my wedding color. Strange, I know, but I’ve regretted it for a long time. Oh well!

Happy Valentine's Day

Love, Easton and KaLee

If Ronnie were with us, he would be in this picture too.

IE or Y

So, I've mentioned that Easton is attached to a certain blankie. (By the way, I always swore that I would not "kiddify" words like that, my 19 year old self is so ashamed).

And I spell it blankie with an "ie" but I could just as easily have spelled it with a "y."

I have a theory on this.

I think that when you make up spelling for words that don't really exist, you spell them in the way that is the most familiar to you. Ronnie has an "ie" so in general when I want that sound, I use the "ie."

If your name is Rebecca and you go by Becky, you would probably spell it blanky.

I'm just sayin'.

My logic is a bit flawed, because technically, with my name, I should spell everything with an "ee" but that just looks dumb.

14 months

Easton never stops moving or talking. He knows a few more recognizable words now, baby, grandma (MAMA), and hat. He is still very attached to his blankie, and thankfully I was able to make an extra one, so they can be washed at times that are not the middle of the night. This very morning, I was playing with him before work and threw the blankie over his head. It landed very similar to the picture shown above and I then spent the next HOUR replacing the blankie every time it fell off his head. He is such a silly boy!

Easton also LOVES Baby Signing Time. He sits just like the below picture for the entire 30 minutes and can now sign milk, all done, more, bird, wash hands (this one is very popular since he does not like anything on his hands), eat, drink, hat, grandma, grandpa, and car. I'm sure I am missing some, but those are the ones he does all of the time.

One of the funniest things currently does is answer all questions with "yeah." It sounds exactly right and almost any question you ask in the "question inflection" he answers with yeah. Way better than no! At first I couldn't figure out where he had picked it up, but I've noticed that as he goes through the day babbling, I usually listen to his "sentence" and then say "yeah?" I'm trying to catch it on camera, but once he sees the camera, he has no interest in answering my questions.

He is eating all table food now (with the exception of vegetable baby food, since he hates all regular vegetables apparently), and still just has the two bottom teeth. His gums must be like rocks by now! Some of his favorites are hot dogs, PB sandwiches, graham crackers, milk, string cheese, yogurt, oranges, bananas, and waffles.

He is such a joy to have around. I just love this little boy. And now I leave you with my new favorite picture of him (since favorites only last about 2 days around here). That face says it all!

Brains turning to mush

I currently have the mental capacity of someone who just got out of a 30 minute meeting that turned into a 75 minute* meeting all about payout calculations of underwater endowments.

And I was reminded once again why I am NOT an accountant.

But on a happier (and completely unrelated) note, last night I successfully made Easton a back-up "favorite" blankie, since his favorite is no longer available in stores, but is made out of material easily bought (assuming one lives where large fabric stores exist--which I do not).

Wow. This post may be the most boring thing I have ever posted. My apologies**.

*I realize that 75 minutes is not that long, but when you are expecting 30 minutes, it is FOR-EV-ER.
**I also realize that any sane person would have just deleted this post because it is boring. I am not sane.

Where I admit I am not perfect

As if I had to spell that out for you.

I hate leftovers.

There, I said it. It's out there. Judge me if you wish.

I just can't make myself heat up things in the microwave to eat them for lunch. Luckily, I have a husband who does not mind doing this, so our extra food does not go completely to waste.

I never really liked leftovers growing up, so when we had a "clean out the fridge" night, I would usually have a bowl of cereal. I assumed that as I got older, I would become an adult and then I would appreciate leftovers.

Not so much. I can specifically name the four dishes that I can stand to heat up and eat later.

Am I alone in this? Do all of you eat leftovers regularly?

I should also mention that I have become a pro at making exactly how much Ronnie and I will eat at dinner. So that's something. I think.

It's time to do a little bragging

I am rocking one of my resolutions this year.

Haven't missed a single day yet.

That's right.

I am flossing every. single. day.

Based on my post a little over a year ago, we all know this is big.

Now, I just need to show this dedication to my other 346 resolutions (if only they required a mere one minute of my day).

Get your craft on

I saw and signed up for this on a friend's blog. I changed the title to Craft It Forward, it just seems more fitting.

Craft It Forward Exchange is based on the concept of the movie "Pay it forward". I will send a hand made gift to the first three people who leave a comment to this post on my blog requesting to join the CIF exchange. All the gifts will be made and posted out 'sometime within the next year'. How exciting to not know when your surprise package will arrive! What you need to do in return, is craft it forward by making the same promise on your blog. This exchange is only open to those with active websites or blogs. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS PROMISE TO POST THIS SAME 'CRAFT IT FORWARD' MESSAGE ONTO YOUR BLOG, WHICH MUST BE ACTIVE IN ORDER TO PLAY. YOU WILL CRAFT IT FORWARD TO THREE PEOPLE WHO COMMENT ON YOUR BLOG. I'd love for you to join me! Will you? Other comments are welcome, but only the first three will be my Craft It Forward recipients. Come and join me who doesn't love a gift or giving gifts???

Blessings

Today at work, I walked down the hall to pick up my mail.

When I returned, I found the nectar of the gods on my desk.
With this note:

It rocks to work with your dad.

It also helps if you and your dad share the same drink preference.

Hanging out around the house

Easton loves to play in the empty diaper boxes (like every other child I know--but what kind of mother would I be if I didn't document it).

Getting in by himself is VERY difficult.

Easton has also started to have a new obsession with hats. His favorite beanie is this one made by Aunt Aubrey. He digs it out of the basket, attempts to put it on himself (has never happened yet) and then brings it over for me to put on.

With the camera flash, it is becoming difficult to get a picture with his eyes open.

Easton also loves Daddy's hats. He puts them on by himself the correct way, but then gets very upset when they fall down and he can't see, so Ronnie and I replace them backwards and he is good to go.

Don't ask me what this face means. (trouble, I know)

And you thought I wasn't a cook

So, it's no real secret that I don't love to cook.

Or, maybe that is a secret. I love a good recipe, but don't spend extra time looking for new things to try, or try anything that I think will be too difficult.

I do, however, love recipes that are quick, easy, and delicious so I am sharing one of my all-time favorites today. (I really should have posted this before the Superbowl so you could enjoy these during the game--but I'll have you know that you will not want to wait until the next Superbowl to try them).

I should also let you know now, that there will be no pictures of said recipe. I'm no PW. Just use your imagination. And also, this is not a low-fat recipe.

Dan's Winger's Wings*
Sauce: 2 parts brown sugar to 1 part Frank's Red Hot Sauce
Bring to a boil while stirring and then lower temp just to keep sauce warm.

Wings: As many chicken tenders as your little heart desires.
When chicken is thawed, pat each tender dry on a paper towel (this step may seem insignificant, but believe me, you don't want too much corn starch). Then put a few tenders in a tupperware with corn starch. Shake to coat tenders.

Now, in your favorite Fry Daddy (which is set on the highest temperature), drop in 3-4 tenders at a time and cook for 6 minutes.

Remove chicken, coat with sauce and set in 9x12 pan in the oven (at 200 degrees). The extra step of the oven give them that kinda "crunchy" thing--just know that it is delicious. There is no set time for this. I just leave them in there until I am done with all of the tenders I want to cook (for instance, we did 24 yesterday).

*This recipe comes from my brother-in-law Dan and they are his interpretation of Winger's wings, hence the name.

Four-eyes and metal mouth

You know how in elementary school you really, really wanted to have glasses? And if that wasn't enough you also really, really, really wanted to have braces? (Unless you actually had braces or glasses, in which case your feelings were probably reversed).

I was no exception. I cannot count the number of paperclips that were deftly shaped to fit my teeth, or the number of times that I borrowed my friend Kristen's bright pink glasses, just so I could wear them for the day (because that was awesome for my eyes).

When the yearly eye screener person would come to the classroom I would try my very hardest to get glasses. (Surprisingly, when the hearing checks were performed, I actually tried. Apparently hearing aids do not fall into the same category as glasses and braces).

But back to the screening. Because I was seven and had perfect vision at the time, I didn't understand what people would see if they couldn't see. So, instead of saying letters that looked close to those that were on the line, I would just say random letters. For example, if the line had C E D F O, I would say X P H M A. (How did those screeners ever see through my cleverness?)

Needless to say, it was not until 9th grade when I could not read the board from the back of the room that I had to get glasses.

And I've never had braces.

I know, you are totally pitying me.

Why the random story from the past? Because I was reminded of it this week and because it is my blog.

I hate it when the world hates me

Okay, so hate may be a little strong for my message but "I dislike it when the world dislikes me" just doesn't have the same ring to it.

Yesterday was just one of those days.

First we had to buy a new microwave. I believe all electronics should last forever. That would make the world a happier place. A place filled with wildflowers, ponies, bird songs and rainbows.

The microwave did not stop working per se, it just started to melt itself, creating a cancerous looking black spot on the inside that smelled really bad and smoked.

So we bought a new one. (With a timer on it and quick set numbers. See? Little things CAN bring me joy).

Then, a certain driver in our household (who is not me) slid on the slick roads, running into the curb and getting a flat tire. (In this certain driver's defense, this certain driver did take care of said tire all on their own so that a certain one year old could continue to nap).

And then....

Actually, that is it. For some reason the day seemed like more things went wrong. Oh, well--this is my blog and I can vent as much as I want.

On the positive side, we got free tickets to the Cowboy game from my boss and they won so the world is not completely hopeless.

I was victorious

Our apartment is set up as such that when the heater kicks on it takes all of the cold water available (please forgive me--I can't explain it much better that that. I don't really get it).

Ronnie and I have become very good at remembering to turn off the heater before entering the shower.

But today, I forgot.

About 3 minutes into my shower routine I remembered. And then I decided that the chances of the heater kicking on in the next 3 minutes were slim, so I did not get out to remedy the situation.

One minute after that, I felt it. Scalding hot water. This same thing has happened to Ronnie several times and he always gets out of the shower mighty quickly (or yells for me to turn off the heater, whichever is more convenient).

I decided that the apartment was not going to get the best of me. I was going to beat the heater.

So, I waited for my body to acclimate to the new water temperature and finished my leisurely shower.

I totally won.

(Unless you count the fact that my legs were BRIGHT red and had signs of first degree burns when I got out).

Lesson Learned

So remember how I love This American Life?

Well, I'm still dutifully working my way through the archives. (I'm in the year 2008--hooray!)

And now I have learned that I should never, EVER listen to an act dedicated to bed bugs.

My skin is CRAWLING.

All I want to do is take a shower.

And then rid the world of the nasty little things.

I'm looking so studious

Pretty much, this post is just to show off my new glasses.

Now I have no excuse not to be wearing either my contacts or my glasses (ugly glasses used to be my fall-back).

P.S. My mom looks WAY cuter than I do in these new glasses. If I can trick her into a picture, we may be doing some comparing.