A Day in the Life...

Oh...my owl

If I could just...


Yep...

That's what I'm talking about!!

Special Olympics

Boise hosted the World Winter Special Olympics this past week. Lots of people we know were involved volunteering, organizing, and hosting. We took the kids to watch the figure skating on Wednesday, and last night we had tickets to the closing ceremony. It was awesome. I was amazed by the amount of people and countries represented...over 80. Everything from Algeria, to Uzbekistan to the Isle of Man...???


The figure skating was so fun for us to watch. Most the skaters could kick my can on the ice, that's not saying much, but really it was neat to see their talent and determination. Our favorite was the guy dressed like Spiderman, and the Canadian guy who won Gold. We saw men and women of every age...up to 60 years old compete. I found myself teary eyed through many of the performances, and the medal ceremonies as well. I am a fan of joy.

25 Random Things

Okay, so I got tagged on facebook by Shannon, and then by Tam, so here it goes:

1. I detest the color purple...pretty much every shade makes me want to puke in my mouth. Funny, I used to love it, but I guess that's how purple is.

2. I love to cook. I am pretty self taught...my mom doesn't really enjoy cooking, but after a couple years of mac and cheese, pancakes, and cereal for dinner, when I was in college...I took matters into my own hands. I like variety too, and try to expose my kids to all sorts of different dishes.

3. I don't really like to shop...at all. In fact, if I could hire a personal shopper to do it for me, I would. Especially clothes. Ugg. I hate trying stuff on, I just want to pick something off the rack and get it if I need it.

4. I love black licorice and dark chocolate

5. I don't have any stretch marks from pregnancy...I guess I have really elastic skin. But I do have a few varicose veins now...ewww.

6. I have never had a cast or crutches

7. I don't have a middle name

8. I am a voracious reader...I love to read. I probably average 4 books a month, and that doesn't feel like nearly enough, but I can do it easily if I only read when I sit down to nurse Cooper. I am also a really fast reader, so that helps.

9. I don't really like to take baths...I prefer the shower.

10. I hate "diet" anything...I think artificial sweeteners are toxic, and taste gross, and I try really hard not to eat anything with more than 6 ingredients, and definitely not with ingredients I can't pronounce. More on that in the book, "In Defense of food", by Michael Pollan...good read.

11. I really like reality t.v. Biggest Loser, the Bachelor, Survivor...I record all of them on the DVR..and I LOVE my DVR... would refuse to watch t.v without it.

12. Tim and I dated, and broke up two years before we actually got engaged and got married. It is a weird story, and if you want the REAL version...ask me not Tim.

13. I am obsessive about creating family traditions with my kids. I tend to go overboard sometimes creating them, (though my friend Sally makes me look like the biggest slacker around) but I think it is all worth it when the kids talk about "what our family does", for Christmas, birthdays, etc.

14. I hate that my face (closer to 40ish) doesn't match how I feel (20ish), but I am generally opposed to cosmetic procedures, so I just don't look at myself in the mirror that much...especially up close.

15. I bite my fingernails, not obsessively or anything, but I just don't like them longish at all, and it is a habit I have had since I was 8.

16. I am working really hard at being a better listener. I tend to interrupt alot when in conversation...so rude, I hate that I do that.

17. I love breakfast...seriously. I eat a big one every day, and I love it so much. My favorite is french toast and bacon with grapefruit juice. But most times I have a bowl of oatmeal and a protein shake. If I skip breakfast I eat junk food all day long.

18. I have really stumpy and crooked pinky fingers...it is some weird genetic trait I got from my mother...thanks mom. I am definitely not a hand model.

19. I used to cry anytime I was in a fight or confrontation...no matter how small, but have toughened up considerably as an adult. I still have big tear ducts, but now it's more sentimental crying than frustrated crying.

20. When I was in college I had one of the crappiest jobs around, I worked in a potato chip factory 12 hour shifts, 7pm - 7am, I came home covered in potato chip grease and salty from head to toe. Yuck. But oddly enough I still enjoy potato chips.

21. I am not a very good swimmer.

22. I love to paint. Canvases, walls, it doesn't matter...I just love to throw some color on something and see what happens. It is immediate gratification.

23. I like to write...funny poems, stories, etc. I have a whole notebook full of stuff I have written, but I don't know what to do with it. Maybe books someday...who knows.

24. I talk on the phone with my sisters almost every day. So needless to say, I have a good international long distance plan on my phone.

25. I like to travel, but I hate to fly...it's problematic.

Windows

So one of the things I love most about our house, is all the windows...huge, light giving windows. But occasionally, I find myself wondering how many neighbors have seen me in the kitchen getting myself a snack wearing my sexy g's, and been permanently scarred...so today a nice man came and gave me an estimate on blinds. When I saw the total I knew that I wiould have to rob a bank to actually afford it...and that made me want to eat half a chocolate cream pie...so I did. Is that so wrong? I bet half the neighborhood saw me shoveling it in too, seeing as how we don't have any blinds...

Piper is FIVE

My baby girl is five...wow. Five years ago on Super Bowl Sunday, Piper made her appearance. She has always been positively bubbly, happy, and fun. She is always the life of the party. She has a stubborn streak that can impossible to contend with, and an opinion about everything. From the time she could walk and talk she has wanted to dress herself, and she has her own ideas about fashion...I never buy her anything without her prior approval because she won't wear it. She loves playing with all her siblings, and she still considers herself "the baby girl". She loves pineapple, swimsuits, and showers. And she would have 2 of each everyday if she had her way. Love Her!!!

Drool

Holy Schmoly does this kid drool. Josh did too. Is it a boy thing?