The Corbins

A Family of Five!

2011-09-19T20:40:00.001-06:00

Tonight for Family Home Evening, we were talking about how Heavenly Father and Jesus want us to be RESPONSIBLE. Addison has been so good about doing homework each night, going to bed on time and getting back into a routine, that we decided to take it up a level and allow her to get a pet.

His name is Eric.....I'm assuming from Little Mermaid???? Jace calls him "FISHYYYY!!!!!"

I'm just hoping he lives through the night!

My Favorite Sunday of the Year!

2011-09-19T20:29:00.001-06:00

Addison's Primary Program was this past weekend. Because I'm out of Primary now, I'm completely out of the loop and spaced taking her to her practice the day before. I kept going over her part with her hoping she would know when to go during the program.
At lease she made the audience laugh. Her teacher was asking everyone in their class, "_________, how can you be like Christ"....and they would each say their rehearsed part in the microphone.
When it was addison's turn, he barely says, "addis....." She cut him off, marches to the microphone and says,"By saying my prayers each day". She didn't wait for him to ask and just proudly announced it anyway. When she turned to sit down, he says, "well, okay!" I guess that's what I get for missing the practice!

Uncle Matt and Aunt Ashlee, Bunca, Daralyn and Stockton came and I'm sure Grandma was thinking of her while touring around Europe......nah, probably not:) Addison waved like a prom queen the entire time! She was even excited to see Robin (a lady I teach with) who had come to watch her Grandson, it made Addison's day!

2011-09-08T22:25:00.000-06:00

The crib is officially down! I took it down over the weekend.....he takes GREAT naps in it....but sleeps horribly in it at night. So, here's his last photo being a baby!

Here he is being a "big boy".....and a nude as Addison so affectionately calls him when he's naked. Its exhausting being grown up!

Kindergarten Baby!

2011-09-08T22:19:00.001-06:00

Addison officially has begun her lifelong journey called SCHOOL! I "choiced" her into the school I teach at so I can be with her during the day. It has been so much fun to see her around the halls every day instead of just 2 days a week for preschool. I think she's beginning to think she is some kind of celebrity. At every turn, there is some student yelling, "Addison!.....Gimme 5!......Can I walk you to class?.......Can I have a hug?......I like your backpack.....Do you want candy?......." She's going to have such a complex by the time she hits first grade!

I handled it pretty well on her first day. I took the day off when she went to preschool and watched the playground like a stalker to make sure she had friends! This year, she marched right in her class and I walked to my own class. It has certainly been a struggle fighting her in the morning to get dressed, breakfast, hair, teeth and in the car in one piece. She loves homework, she says, "Mrs. Mayhew just misses me every day!" and she loves to come into my classroom to hang out with her admiring "fans".

Here she is! She INSISTED on buying "running shoes" so she can "run like the wind". I HATE what I call, "tenny runners". I don't know why, they're fine for comfort and exercise....they just don't complete an outfit in the right way. She of course, disagrees. (I say right, Addison says left). So I caved for her first official day of school, and she got to wear her running shoes. I had to laugh because she came home distraught on the first day saying, "Its against the rules to run on the playground". I laughed hard at that one!

Table Re-Do!

2011-09-08T22:02:00.001-06:00

The end of the summer was crazy! I moved classrooms three days before school started (from the classroom I had just moved into in June).....so my evenings and weekends have been spent thowing together a room enough to start school with. On my way to the school one Saturday, there was a HUGE fundraising yard sale in Payson. I stopped and found two FABULOUS deals. The first was a sewing table that I bought for $15 dollars.....still in the garage waiting to be refinished along with the rest of the pile.....and a rickety table for $8. Honestly, I overpaid, but it was for a good cause...I didn't think this table would stay together long enough to get it in the back of the truck. It had peeling paint, severe water damage on top and four legs that were going to need severe hot glueing! Just kidding...I used hardware.... I do love to hot glue whenever I can.....don't knock it 'till you try it!

I sanded the entire thing down....the white paint was horrific. I think I took at least and inch off the top because of the water damage and staining. Then I painted the whole thing my favorite creamy beige and glazed it. This time, my garage wasn't as hot, so the glaze wiped off MUCH easier than before. I stained the top dark as well.

I know the pictures are shadowed.....that would be the help of my 2 foot tall side kick trying to lean over my shoulder and put the lense cap on constantly.....

I think I want to to take it to my classroom, or cut the legs down to make a new coffe table. Who knows!

What!

2011-07-18T16:19:00.001-06:00

She's FIVE!!!!

2011-07-18T16:12:00.001-06:00

Addison Brianne Corbin

July 17, 2011 5 years old!

Things I’m good at…

Putting my face in the water swimming, my letters and sounds, telling dramatic stories, snuggling, bossing Jace around, being independent, introducing myself to everyone I meet, saying my prayers, using my imagination, coloring in the lines

What I love…

Friends, gum, running shoes, baths, singing with my songs in the car, sneaking in the sprinklers or hose, shopping, anything green, getting something in the mail, sleeping in dad’s t-shirts, going to school, Flynn Rider from “Tangled”

What I hate…

Bedtime, someone in front of the TV, my shirt wet (even if it is a tiny drop of water), leaving grandma’s house, doctor visits, having my wild hair done.

~I am a super energetic five-year-old that loves to be going at all times. I go to Kindergarten next month, brush my teeth 10x a day and insist on being outside most of the time. I love to cuddle and give kisses, but won’t hesitate to give you a piece of my mind. My nickname is “monkey”, I have DARK brown eyes, I love my white, silky blanket, am completely fearless and I still love to wear other people’s shoes. ~

Remember this steal of a deal?

2011-06-28T18:04:00.001-06:00

I bought this chair for $15 bucks at a thrift store. Chelsie and I were walking around IKEA the other day and noticed something familiar....it was the same chair for $69!!! I think I made out okay! I painted it black and distressed it a little. I still need to add a camouflage seat cushion or something.....keep your eyes open for me!

34 years in the making.....

2011-06-28T17:28:00.001-06:00

Daralyn and I in front of the bookcase in our 1983 Easter dresses...it was built specifically for the 1800's encyclopedias on the bottom row....my parents still have those books....and the man-eating plant....

This is my latest project.....my dad's beloved bookcase he had built in the before he was married in the MID-1970'S!!!! I inherited it when I started teaching to use in my classroom. Before that, it was used in many photos as a background during various holiday seasons, was randomly located in multiple spots around their house, finally graduated from the basement to the deck (don't ask) which is where I rescued it a few years back.

I wanted to redo it for my classrom and paint it an olive green to match my ARMY decor. But, when I brought it home, I decided to paint and glaze it.

The ugly laying down version....

I painted it a creamy white, added base molding, bead board to the inside and crown molding to the top .....

Then I rubbed glaze on...it is my first time glazing and it SUCKED to wipe off. My garage was too hot! I'll remember that for next time.

The original top was a dark laminate, I flipped it over and stained the piece of plywood the laminate was glued to. So here it is drying in the sun.

It isn't decorated all the way, but I think it turned out okay! I still need to get some dark baskets or something to put on the bottom shelf. It came out WAY darker than I wanted, but for my first time, it will do!

I even glazed a mirror I had. I got this for my second wedding anniversary. It used to be bright white and just didn't match my house anymore. So, a little glaze never hurt anything!

I'm Officially a Thrifter!

2011-04-30T17:02:00.007-06:00

So Daralyn and I spent the day pretending we knew what we were doing by hitting a bunch of the thrift shops around the valley. I always hear of a bunch of people that find the best deals at yard sales and thrift shops. I had a baptism to go to in the morning, so I knew all the good finds at yard sales would be long gone.....so onto the thrift shops! I didn't think I did too bad! Here's what I found.....all for $34!

The stool in my classroom was broken last week, so I'm going to sand this one down, paint it black, distress it a little and cover the seat with camouflage fabric (to fit in with my ARMY theme of course). I can't wait!

Two books...."Follow the Drinking Gourd"....and a Weather book. PERFECT for my classroom!

Curious George was Addison's first love and I was so excited to bring this home for Jace and Addison to fight over!

This is my favorite find....a 3' diameter shaggy basketball rug for Jace's room. We painted his wall orange last year and he has awesome sports stuff around his room. This will match perfect!

WOW! 4 pairs! I can't wait!!!

I love fun dishes. I was excited to find a new lime green HEAVY serving platter, a wide olive bowl and a great black high sided bowl dish thingy!

Here's what I learned......

-If someone else has it in their hands....it all of a sudden is a "must have".

-People follow the employees around and steal "fresh meat" items as they come onto the shelf.

-Hand sanitizer is a must.

-Items are grouped by how it fits on the shelf....not by category or relevance.
-Watching your children is optional. (I luckily left mine at home)
-Every pair of shoes is a size too big or a size too small!

He's TWO!!!!

2011-04-22T13:41:00.005-06:00

Jace Thomas Corbin

April 10th

I'm 2 years old!

I like to...........

go outside, eat, vacuum, take baths, jump on the tramp, read books with "gamma", run down the driveway, call "gamma" on the phone.

My favorite foods are.......

ravioli, ice cream cones, avocados, cheese, PEZ candy, gummy vitamins

I always say......

"DAD, come here!"...... "Thank you"....... "I want baff"...."I Wanna watch Shawn Sheep"

I like to watch/read........

Shawn the Sheep, Cat in the Hat, Curious George, SpongeBob and books with eyes and animals in them.

I'm good at......

Eating, grinning at everyone, jumping, taking things to the trash, counting to 10

My favorite things......

my blanket, my grandma, my dad, my jammies (with no feet), getting my "hair" brushed

Things I hate.....

sleeping all night, lotion, socks, being left behind by the older cousins

Stuff.....

I am two! I weigh 23lbs. I am VERY left handed. I have super long eyelashes, I love to rub my blanket between my toes, I could read books for hours, my nickname is "potomous", I love cats, I wish my sister would let me play with her, and I love to color on my mom's walls.

LUBS!

2011-02-07T12:05:00.020-07:00

When Addison was about two, her favorite phrase was, "I lub it!" She loved everything...."I lubba the truck, I lubba the grass, I lubba da moon, I lubba my purple room." Since it is the month of love......I wanted to share some of my favorite "lubs".

This is my new favorite color...even though I LUB all colors....this green seems to be at the top!

Cheese will always be my favorite food to lub.....ALWAYS!

Oh, how I miss thee! Soon, I will lub to mow the lawn again!

I lub my hair clipy thingies. Those who know me, know I hate to have my hair down. I can't stand anything touching my neck. Maybe 1 or 2 days a week, my hair is down, otherwise, it clipped up for a reason! I can't believe it is almost to my waist! I never see it down myself, so I forget how long it is getting...

I LUB my textured temple picture! I got it for my 7th anniversary....Then, I got depressed when every ward learned how to make them for Super Saturday and the cost was at least $60 LESS than what I paid for it and twice as big! Oh, well.....I still LUB it!.

I will go nowhere without them! I can't be outside unless my sunglasses are on! I go through at least a pair a week cause I lose them, break them or find a new cute pair! I wonder if they'll ever invent Lasik Sunglasses.........I would for sure lub that!

AHHHHHHH I LUUUUBBBB IT! Most of you know, I went off for 6 weeks.......I didn't drop a pound, I was in bed by 8 every night, I was a horrible, non-energetic teacher, and I was so tired of ordering water! I'm back to my senses now......

I lub my glue gun. This one is my first....I surprised it still works. I've upgraded many times. I've glued EVERYTHING!!! Shoes, halloween costumes, curtains, zippers, hemlines, crafts, you name it....I've hot-glued it back together!

I lub Jace's wall color. I never thought I would ever own anything orange; it is my least favorite color. I'm in Lub with how this turned out though.....

I LUB my two black rocking chairs on my front porch. This picture makes them look dirty and gross, but they're my favorite thing in my front yard!

I lub this picture.....it hangs in my dining room...I bought it at my favorite store called Kirkland's (which is now closed) and I couldn't get my car doors closed so I had to stand in the parking lot until someone with a bigger car could come and pick it up for me.

Who wouldn't lub these faces?

New project!

2011-01-17T12:01:00.005-07:00

Many of you know, I love to clean, decorate, rearrange furniture, move, paint, etc. I've been itching to either re-arrange my classroom, or re-do something around my house. (p.s. I've got new flooring for the kid's rooms, I just need a willing spouse to put it in for me) Anyway, here's my latest project....

We bought this hutch thing almost 8 years ago. We've hauled it from house to house and I've decided it was incredibly boring. I loved it as a newlywed, not so much now. I can't justify parting with it, so I decided to re-do it!

The sanding and priming was HORRIBLE! But I think overall, it turned out cute! I could probably live with it for another 8 years!

Primary Program

2010-09-29T15:05:00.005-06:00

So cute! Addison was SO ready for her 1st Primary Program! Her part was, "My name is Addison, I know my Savior loves me." She got to go very first and said it PERFECTLY into the microphone. Grandma and Bunca came to watch along with Uncle Matt and Aunt Ashlee. Addison has been practicing her songs at church and in the car for for months. I wish I could have seen her face as she sang, but we were sitting up in the stands with our own primary class.....but we sure were proud from behind!

Addison

2010-09-15T19:38:00.005-06:00

Ready for school!

Dragons Backpack (at least its not Spider-Man)

\

Feeling a little nervous......

Addison has been counting down the years that she could start school. She has a desk in her room where she does "homework", carries a backpack around everywhere, and loves to visit my classroom and play in the desks. This year, she finally could start pre-school so I brought her to my school so she could be there with me during the day. I had a small nervous breakdown when I realized that school was a horrible place with mean children that carried a lot of germs....but I shortly got over it when I saw what a great first day she had!

Each day I have made the effort to make her exceptionally "girly" in hopes to get her off on the right foot with friends. (She of course plays with the trucks and spiders when she gets the chance, but I can't expect overnight miracles.) I also pointed out to her that boy's underwear is not allowed in pre-school unless you're a boy!

I try to sneak down the hall when I have a chance and I have a few lower-grade teachers spying on her regularly......so far, she's doing great (unless Penny is lying to me.....)

Today in one of our meetings at school, we began by sharing "Celebrations". Stories were shared of student successes and accomplishments in different classrooms around the school. I "celebrated" the fact that the pre-school teachers haven't kicked Addison out yet.....she has only just begun!

She feels so cool going around school......She is still confused why Mr. Daybell is no longer "just Frank", she loves the big playground, coming to mommy's classroom after pre-school, hugging Miss Amren, waving at Robin and visiting the counselor at school, Mr. Adams, a.k.a. "Mr. Hairface, Frank's brother". She's getting so big!

Watch Out Ladies!

2010-07-02T08:48:00.001-06:00

He's so stinking cute!

School's Out For the Summer

2010-06-30T10:18:00.003-06:00

Here's what I've been doing this summer. They always say teachers make the worst students....especially when they're going to school in June!

Are you kidding me?

2010-02-22T18:12:00.002-07:00

Addison has recently been asking for a Barbie doll, (I know someone has put her up to it), but I decided to go along with it. When I left for a literacy conference in Salt Lake last week, I told her we could go and get a Princess and the Frog Barbie (she's actually into that) when I got home on Friday. I felt so guilty for leaving her and Jace, I couldn't wait to get home and buy her whatever one she wanted. She sat for several minutes in the Barbie section at Target and finally decided on the one that kissed the frog when you moved the arm.

She played with her new Barbie for a while and I remembered that I had all of my old Barbies in my parent's basement. I couldn't wait to show her my beloved Ken doll that to me, was pretty much the most attractive man on earth with his faux leather jacket and sunkissed, wavy locks. I even named him Scott Taylor. (He's the one below on the far right.)

Addison was immediately intrigued with all my Barbie stuff and played for quite a long time until I noticed Ken/Scott was entirely nude! I kept asking her why his clothes weren't on. I got nothing but a blank look.

Finally she said to me, "Where are Peter's clothes?"

Peter huh? Okay, I can accept that as his new name. I was a little emotional to think that she had come up with her first name for something. Normally every cat is named Kitty-dogs are named Puppy. Everything's name is the actual name of it. I was so excited to think she must have named Ken/Peter after Peter Pan because she's been reading that book each night.

I smiled from ear to ear thinking about what a emotional scene this was: My daughter playing with my Barbies just I did with my own mother's Barbies (even though my mother's ken doll was the reigning champion in the Pee-Wee Herman lool-a-like contest from the 60's.) Anyway, as I was basking in the nostalgia of it all, my thoughts were interrupted with...

"Mom, Peter Parker needs his clothes! Where is his Spiderman outfit?"

What Kind of School Is This???

2010-02-22T15:18:00.003-07:00

This is a story that one of my kindest, sweetest, most innocent children I have in my class this year wanted me to edit for her....

(Word for Word)

Girls Dancing

A famace girl is dancing like a wild bad girl. When she came home her mom was really mad. At her and her friend. And the friend mom was mad. Friends hair is blound and the, other girl has brown hair. But they keep dancing like wild animals. It was wild fun The end.

Hmmmmmm.....Now where do I begin? Do I start with the fact that there are a few spelling errors and some slight punctuation problems? Perhaps I should help her start a new paragraph when the setting of the story changed? Maybe we could use stronger words other than bad and mad. I know.....

I should remind her that she is NINE and we don't live in Las Vegas!!!!

I can't wait until she publishes this one to share for the class. I'll be sure to send out invitations.

Hello!

2010-02-11T21:52:00.009-07:00

Here's a few pictures over the past few months....when I have longer than 5 minutes, I'll blog about something more specific!

Get me out please!

Addison's first CTR ring!

Look whose a crawler!

Milk for Santa

Mmmmm..Cheetos

Coloring on dad's face with a black crayon...he looks like a tatooed prison inmate!

What a stud!

Jace's hospital stay in December...tired baby= tired dad!

Spidermangirl and Batgirlboy....they defined it for me themselves...

Jace's first Christmas

Addison's 4th Christmas

Mom and Addison went to see Princess and the Frog!

2009-12-18T12:30:00.002-07:00

I copied this from my friend Naomi’s blog…

A Christmas Meme

The last time I went caroling – Probably when I was in high school and still in Young Women’s. We used to take fruit baskets to the elderly people in our ward and ride on a huge flatbed of hay and sing. The funny thing is….my parents got caroled to the other night!!! Hahahah (the ward claimed they were visiting the “empty nesters”)

My favorite Drink in the winter is – Dr. Pepper. It works for all seasons. I don’t like chocolate so Hot Chocolate is pushing it. Maybe once a year???

My favorite Holiday meal – Umm, definitely the Christmas Eve dinner at my parents house. Each year my parents have everyone over and cook more prime rib than I care to ever see. I hate prime rib more than anything but we all LOVE to watch my parents fight about if it is cooked rare enough. My mom prefers meat that can walk across her plate so between her and my dad fighting for a few hours, we definitely get some good holiday entertainment.

I think Fruit Cake – something I’ve never eaten!

One tradition we had growing up – we always got to open our presents to each other on Christmas Eve. We still get together on Christmas Eve with the whole family and exchange gifts with one another.

One tradition we have now –
- We choose an ornament to hang on the tree each year.
- There is also a house on 800 S. in Orem that we always have to drive by to see what extreme holiday décor they have displayed in their HUGE front room window.

I get my Christmas tree from – the basement.

I decorate – The week before Thanksgiving.

On Christmas Eve I/we usually – go to my parents for the annual prime rib fight, exchange gifts with the family and then go home to get the kids to sleep and get all of their stuff put out.

On Christmas morning I/we wake up – We wake up before Addison does so we can see her reaction when she wakes up.

One special thing I make at Christmas time is – hmmmm, I don’t bake, so……

My Favorite Christmas song is-
“Ave Maria”,
“Carol of the Bells”
“Oh Holy Night”,
“Celebrate me Home”,
“Still, Still, Still”,

Every Christmas – we go to my siblings house to see what they got, play with toys, sometimes we go to a movie, sleep, relax, feel sad that it is all over!

I hang my stockings – on the stair railing.

Something I look forward to at Christmas time is – the Christmas music, singing around the tree at school, Christmas lights, finding just the right gift for people, the annual prime rib fight.

My Favorite Thing about the Holidays – EVERYTHING!!!

Something I want to start incorporating is – not eating so much crap! (yes, mom, I used the “C” word)

"The Blanket with Sleeves"

2009-11-11T22:14:00.003-07:00

This is Becky, a fellow teacher, and I modeling the snuggie at our school. These "blankets with sleeves" are in our faculty room for the teachers to use when they feel like cuddling up on the couches. (I'm assuming, though it is only my guess)

Becky and I decided to try them out last week when our school was doing our S.E.P. conferences, (a.k.a. Parent/Teacher) and we were at the school until 9:00 at night. Unfortunately, the lovely Snuggies hadn't been washed, delinted, defuzzed, or whatever you want to call it and I met with three parents before I realized my BLACK shirt was COVERED in blue Snuggie fuzz. I'm very thankful to the kind parent that started to de-lint me in the middle of our meeting.

"Yes, your child needs to work on turning in assignments and getting those multiplication facts memorizzzzzeeedddddd....excuse me! Why are you slapping my arm like that? OOOHHHHH, well would you look at that!

DARN YOU SNUGGIE!!!!"

Ichthyosis Awareness!!

2009-10-20T21:52:00.008-06:00

With Jace's 6 month milestone reached last week and as I was "greasing him up" in preparation to take him to his 6 month well child visit tomorrow, I realized that October celebrates Ichthyosis Awareness. Jace, my nephew Stockton, and my little brother Matt (as well as my mom's two brothers) all have an x-linked ichthyosis skin condition. Luckily, Jace and Stockton have a lighter complexion so it isn't as noticeable. Unfortunately, my brother Matt is very dark complected and spent most days of his childhood "greasing-up" in order to hide the scales that covered his body from people. We always joke, that when short and sandal season comes each spring, Matt complains because he "hasn't shed his winter coat." Luckily, most days I don't even notice Jace's skin....just when I hold other babies and realize how soft their skin is compared to his....

If you have never heard of it before, It is a genetic skin condition that causes "scales" to build up on the body. In "normal" skin, there is an enzyme that causes the dead skin cells to shed constantly. With Ichthyosis, that enzyme is either missing or malfunctioning so that the dead skin cells collect as scales. This skin is tight and itchy. When the scales do come off, they can tear the thin skin beneath. We try to keep Jace's, ( as well as Stockton and Matt) skin well moisturized with creams to help protect it, but it leaves them feeling greasy all the time. We use medicated creams because it can help remove the scales, which are very uncomfortable, but sometimes these creams burn, and so we have to be careful. The thickness of the scales also makes them prone to overheating...and ALL of them sweat so abnormal because the scale build-up. Not to mention that Stockton can't hear most days of his life because he has so much dead skin skin and wax in his ears!!! =)

Here are some pictures of what it can look like, especially if it isn't treated regularly....Thank goodness for lac-hydrin!

preview of things to come

2009-10-11T08:20:00.002-06:00

Here is a sneak peak of our photo shoot from Payson Canyon.

White Snake, eat your hearts out!

Lucky Number 7!

2009-09-14T10:27:00.016-06:00

Yesterday, the 14th, marked our 7th wedding anniversary. I heard a saying once that said if you can survive the 1st, 7th and 15th years of marriage, then you've got it made forever. We had an AMAZING 1st year of marriage where life was so simple and free of responsibility. The biggest decision we had to make was what movie we wanted to see or what was for dinner that night.

We just finished our 7th and have had more chaos this year than all the past years combined...

I was pregnant with baby #2 for a good portion of our 7th year. While this should be a celebration, I'm here to say, I HATE every moment about pregnancy. I don't have pictures taken, I don't cradle my belly as I walk around, I don't keep a journal of weird pains or take notes during my Dr's appointments. However, at week 14, I was happily in the middle of teaching school when I thought I was going to pass out from pains that I've never felt before. After throwing up all over the main office, I was taken straight over to the Dr.'s office and he admitted me into the hospital for a week with kidney stones. Positive point: during ultrasound after ultrasound, we found out we were having a boy!

3 weeks after kidney stones, we move into our new house in Santaquin. We decided that my kitchen table was just too big for the space it needed to fit in and also allow room to go out the french doors to the patio. Because I loved my table more than the countertops that were in, we decided to get new counters that didn't include the bar area. This wouldn't have been so bad had the contractors not measured wrong, and left us without countertops for 5 weeks. I think the whole, "measure twice, cut once" philosophy should be their company motto. (this time period also had no kitchen floors, no lighting, no trimwork, no appliances hooked up, etc)

A few weeks after we finally get a kitchen again, and didn't spend our entire salaries on fast food 3 meals a day, Willie starts feeling major pains in his lower abdomen Diagnosis.....DOUBLE HERNIA SURGERY in February. So NO lifting moving, bending, driving, sitting, etc for 2 weeks and then only light lifting for the next few months. This means a pregnant wife, an energetic 2 year old, and a slug of a husband (and a kitchen that still needs the floors finished, trimwork, paint, grout in the tile backsplash etc)

In the midst of all of this, I had my district portfolio due which was a pain in a half to do as well as my state test. So I was basically writing and studying all day and night while enduring the most challenging bunch of 4th graders every day. Willie was also hot and heavy into his BioMedical, Pathophysiology, Pulminary Anatomy classes etc....which means he was going a few days without seeing the kids during the week because he got home so late and left so early.

A few weeks after hernia surgery, we had Jace in the middle of April. He was born and had aspirated the meconium which made him a delightful shade of green and blue. He was rushed to the NICU and later developed a pneumothorax condition (tear in lungs) because of his mechanical ventilation. He also was Coombs Positive and had horrific jaundice so lived under the lights round the clock. This resulted in him being incredibly dehydrated and so was put on a feeding tube along with IV's in his arms and head. Jace was finally able to come home when he was able to maintain his body temperature and oxygen levels and eat on his own. Yahoo! Thank heavens for PROZAC!!!! (for me, not him)

We hadn't even been allowed to bring Jace home from the hospital when Willie went to the dentist and had 3 major root canals in one day! He was NOT pleasant to be around during this time, let me tell you. If you want to see a grown man cry, touch his teeth! He thought he was going to be strong and not have any pain pills after....HA! You couldn't pry those little white pills out of his hands when he got home.

A few other side notes, we got a dog, got rid of a dog, potty trained Addison, bought a new car (I know, we do this every year), went on a few mini vacations, enjoyed doing our yard, getting to know our new ward, had family dinner at our house each Sunday and basically have tried to keep our heads above water most days. By the way, the tile in the kitchen still does not have grout...any volunteers?

If our 7th year was this crazy...what will year 15 be like?

Enjoy some pictures from 7 years ago....

8 Years Ago Today....

2009-08-16T15:25:00.003-06:00

I know it's not the best, but I'm glad I have it because this is our first picture we had taken....on the day we met 8 years ago!!! (He'd only got home from his mission the day before so he was literally shaking when the picture was taken!)
Gosh we were skinny then!
Happy Anniversary of the Day We Met!!!

2009-07-25T14:01:00.001-06:00

Happy 3rd Birthday Addison!!!

2009-07-24T20:58:00.010-06:00

Addison Brianne Corbin
I’m 3 years old!

July 17th, 2009

Things I like to do…
Squish bugs, ride in the truck, go to the “big shopping”, swing, swim, go on walks in the stroller, play monsters with dad and “help” him fix things.

I like to eat…
Chickens, juice packs, noodles, the chocolate out of E.L. Fudge cookies.

Things I always say…
““Go away!” “Mom, Mama, Mommy, Mama, Mom, Mommy”
“Let’s see what else is on” “It’s a scary mannequin”

A few of my favorite things…
Anything silky, my spider-man underwear, taking bubble baths, being lightly tickled, my helicopter book, singing songs.

I love to watch…
Scooby-Doo, Sponge-Bob, Monster House, Bolt, Dragon Tales, Spiderman

I’m really good at…
Going potty, doing puzzles, counting, giving loves, and running away.

Things I really hate…
Having my hair done, going to time-out, brushing my teeth, going to the nursery at church.

Wow, I can't believe she is already 3 years old! I remember when she was first born, I never thought I would survive 3 months, let alone years. She has been so much fun to have around our house. Addison makes us laugh (and sometimes cry) every day! While we were up at Fish Lake last week, we were talking about how we went 4 years married with no kids how that seems so long ago because we've filled these past 3 years with so many fun memories! I could fill pages up with all of the funny things she says and does.

I took her to her 3 year "well- child" check up on the 22nd and she passed it with flying colors! I was prepping her on the ride over to the Dr. with certain questions...colors.....counting.....boy vs. girl..... When I asked her, "Are you a boy or a girl?" I was expecting her to say, "boy!", but instead I got the answer " I'm a yellow spiderman!" I was like, oh, no! , we're going to fail this appointment! But luckily, Dr. Clark didn't ask that!
Here's some fun pictures of her over the past 3 years!

Just call me Betty Crocker!!!

2009-07-11T22:03:00.012-06:00

Addison will be 3 years old on the 17th of this month...HOLY COW!!!! Anyway, we usually do the whole "family-get-together-at-our-house" thing, but this year, we'll be on our annual Fish Lake camping trip during her birthday. So we're celebrating it with the WHOLE family this Sunday, the 12th, at our house so everyone can come to her party. (Plus, I don't even want to try to bake a cake in a trailer oven and expect it to look good.)

It's no secret that Addison is going through what I like to call a "phase" where she thinks she is a boy, loves spider-man, wears little boy's briefs, hates her hair done, plays in the mud, and wants to shoot guns. Since her gifts this year include....a spider-man bike, spider-man baseball and glove, and a spider-man movie (nothing I picked out, mind you...)I was drawing the line at a spider-man cake. I decided I was going to make sure her cake was super girly, frilly, poofy and PINK just to remind her, and the rest of us, that SHE IS A GIRL!!!

So I thought to myself, "Self, if you knew how to bake, you could actually make a cake". Normally, I consider myself pretty creative and crafty. I can make all kinds of gifts, crafts, and decor for my house, but I don't pretend that I can bake. I mean, I think in the 7 years I've been married, I've made two cakes. Any wedding presents that were given to me that had to do with baking something, are still in a box somewhere in my basement. I'd rather buy it than bake it. In fact, the white frosting that has been sitting in my basement expired in Spring of '07. I guess that is what they mean by rotating your food storage.

So I call up my sister Lindsey and between the two of us, we decide to take upon us the grueling task of making a "GIRL" cake. Can I tell you....7 HOURS LATER....$46 LATER ..... 2 ANGRY HUSBANDS LATER, We finally finished! We had no idea what we were doing because we each had a different "vision" of what this masterpiece was going to end up looking like. I originally wanted to make some super cute cupcakes (in a cupcake tin that has never been used). But then after googling and shopping all day, we kind of originated away from that idea and came up with THIS....along with a few other exciting moments in our day.

One of many Dr. Pepper's...

I haven't used my mixer enough to know that I only have one beater...

My amazing frosting skills...

Um...we're not quite sure what it was supposed to turn out as....but it IS pink and NOT spider-man!

What happens when you ignore the kids for too long, they wet your couch!

He's fired!

2009-06-26T07:51:00.009-06:00

Let me just start by saying, I'm married to one of the best men on the earth! He has so few faults that it's almost hard to find anything wrong with him. (don't worry, I've found one to share)... Before I get to that, in light of Father's Day this month, I thought I would share some of the things I DO love about him....

Not only is he the Priesthood holder and provider for our family, given us a roof over our head, food on our table, a safe car to drive....here are a few more things about him that are pretty cool:

~ He will hang and rehang any picture, shelf, mirror, etc and help move furniture around the house depending on how I want it that day.
~ He lets me keep him awake until all hours of the night while I ramble on about pretty much nothing. (In almost 7 years, he only fallen asleep 1 or 2 times)
~ He calls me multiple times during the day to see how I am, what I'm doing and how my day is going.
~ He surprises me with little things I love like Gummy Frogs from the gas station, new stickers/post-it notes, and my favorite cereal.
~ He'll pretty much let me buy whatever I want (within reason) and decorate the house however I want.
~ He's always shoveling someone's driveway, cleaning the church, giving money to every person with a cardboard sign on the corner, giving away his skateboard to a little kid at the skate park, mowing someone's lawn, listening to someone's problems, running people on their errands, and will go without what he wants or needs so others can have what they want or need.
~ He lets me rock out to my music selections in the car. He's learned to tolerate some country music and even Michael Jackson.
~ He takes care of bath time with Addison, helps out with late night feedings and rocks Jace to sleep every night.
~ When he unlocks the house door, he lets me go in first.
~ I get to pick where we eat and he always pumps the gas so I don't have to get out.
~ If I'm at work and I forgot something at home, he'll go back and get it for me and bring it to the school so I don't have to.
~ He paints mine and Addison's toenails.
~ He has seen me at my best (25 lbs and 2 kids ago) and my worst (first thing in the morning and 22 hours into labor with both kids), and he still seems to love me!
~ He takes me out for ice cream and likes to go on walks and drives just to spend time with me.
~ He's given up the sunshine of Southern California, sandy beaches, palm trees, salty air and early morning surfing to be stuck here in Utah with me. (don't get him started on it by the way)

WITH THAT SAID..... This is why he is FIRED!!!!!

My adorable, sweet (matter of opinion), darling little girl is wearing a spider-man t-shirt and a new present from dad....spider man swimming trunks. I'm pretty sure he's aware of the fact she's a girl, but doesn't seem to be encouraging it!!! (What you can't see is the spider-man briefs under the suit.) So unless I find a cute bikini/tankini top that will match the shorts, I'm afraid I will have a topless swimmer at the pool this summer.

Anyway, check out some pictures below of the "Man of the House"

2009-06-26T07:47:00.001-06:00

Fun Pictures!

2009-06-21T21:59:00.014-06:00

"
With Dad shopping at the "Big Shopping" a.k.a the Orem Mall.

Riding the bike at the "White shopping" a.k.a. the Provo Mall.

2 cute kids taking over Mom's bed!

Hanging out bored in the stroller!

My favorite place to hang out and watch TV.

All ready for church!

Washing the bikes off from all the dust in the garage!

BIG SMILES!!! 2 Months old!

Happy Father's Day!

2009-06-21T21:17:00.016-06:00

For Father's Day, the whole family came over to our house for a barbeque in the back yard. We were lucky it didn't rain considering it was incredibly windy and the sky was full of dark clouds for most of the afternoon. It was nice when the sun came out and made it possible for all of the kids to play outside and not have to be cooped up indoors. So all the kids spent most of the night chasing the dog or fighting over the 4-wheeler and scooter! Here are some pictures of the night!

Aunt Lindsey holding Jace.

Hanging out in the backyard.

"Bunca" opening his presents from the grandkids.

Grandma helping with dinner

Dad's Father's Day present...a new OGIO backpack for all his skating stuff. Having a brother-in-law that is one of the designers for OGIO is awesome...his basement is like an OGIO Mall!

Bruce chasing Addison

Dad and Jace hanging out on the couch watching Discovery Channel after everyone went home.

Potty Training Rewards!

2009-06-09T09:30:00.020-06:00

Addison has been working really hard on potty training....actually, I have been working really hard on potty training Addison. I've decided that she is too put out by actually having to make the effort to go find a toilet somewhere. Most days, she tells me she needs to go, as she is in the process of wetting her pants. Yesterday, she actually told me BEFORE she went twice. So as a reward, we went to Target (aahhh, my happy place) and I let her pick out a toy and some new panties to add to her collection of the ones I have already bought her over the past year.

I drover her up and down each aisle of toys to let her pick something out the she wanted....past the princess clothes, the barbies, the baby dolls, the stuffed animals......all the while she drummed her fingers on the cart silently saying to me, "Can we go now?". Then I turned the cart down towards the transformers, the racecars, the legos, the pirates and finally.......her selection of any toy she could have .....

A Ford truck pulling a boat!

I should have known this was coming. Not only does she think she is a boy....she is obsessed with my dad's truck and his boat. When we take him lunch on Saturday's at his work, we have to drive past the boat that is parked in the back. She even begs my dad to ride in his truck, even if it is just around the block one time. So she's pretty excited to have her own truck and boat and hopefully will stop begging to drive up to Provo to see the boat!

After picking out her toy, we headed to get some panties. What do we come home with....little boy Cars briefs. She kept saying, "Look at my panties!" I was like, "No, look at your crushing your mother's hope of turning you into a princess little boy Tighty Whities!" Oh well, if it motivates her, I'm game.

But how can you get frustrated with a face as cute as this?

Stockton's 3rd Birthday!

2009-06-09T08:58:00.010-06:00

Cousin Stockton had his 3rd birthday on the 6th. Yes, his birthday is 6-6-06. (Daralyn is so proud) We went over to my sister's house on Sunday evening for cake and ice cream. (He spent his actual birthday in Eagle Mountain on a helicopter ride!)

While we were there, I convinced my brother to go "borrow" his brother-in-law's bulldog for the party since Wes was traveling for the Rodeo. I drove out to West Mountain to Silcox's house to get Bruce, the bulldog. However, on the ride back, we failed to realize that Matt's back seat in his truck was so full of stuff, Bruce had to lay across both of us in the front seat. He had his back half on Matt's lap, and his front half on my lap and his middle section straddling the console! He was not happy! I was laughing so hard I had tears running down my face. I wish I had a camera for this!

When we got there, he ran around with all the little kids and Addison thought we had brought her home a new puppy! Puppy....hardly!!! Bruce isn't even a year old yet and he is so HUGE!! Matt was holding him and gave him to me and I literally think I broke my back only after I almost dropped him! (don't tell Wes).

Here are some fun pictures of the night!

Jace's Picture

2009-06-05T16:37:00.006-06:00

I just had Jace's pictures taken this past week. I went to one of my co-worker's sister-in-laws and she did such a great job. He was so funny. He absolutely INSISTED on keeping his binky in. So Sarah would get the camera ready, and I would yank it out as fast as I can and hope that he didn't ruin his pose. (no one want to see pictures of his little man-hood, even at this age). Here are a few of the shots that are in the process of being printed up. I wish Addison would have been in a better mood the day these were taken because then they could have been in them together. Oh well, there's always next time.
Check out her blog page...she does such fun shots!
willmasonstudio.blogspot.com

My life since summer started!

2009-06-05T12:51:00.012-06:00

The George shirt! I have to hide this thing at least 22 times a week. This week I hid it in Jace's closet hoping she wouldn't find it because I told her it was "dirty". Too bad she found it. I went into his bedroom where she was frantically scrubbing her beloved Curious George shirt with as many wipees as she could get her hands on. When she had completely saturated herself the shirt, and the carpet, she declared, "It's all clean...I need to wear it!" I have her dad to thank for buying it for her. He's fired from clothes shopping for her.

The "Bed Head" look. Every day, I wrestle her into the bathroom to brush out her tangled matted mess that she awakens with each morning. I wet it, comb it, brush it, slick it, mousse it, gel it, flat iron it, clip it, curl it, ponytail it, you name it! Within an hour...it looks just like it did when she woke up. Any suggestions? (notice the pajamas have Curious George on them...do you see theme?)

Jace is getting bigger each day. I had his pictures taken this week and the photgrapher kept commenting on how huge he was compared to all of the babies she's used to doing. I guess all that sleeping in with dad on the weekends makes it a little hard to burn off all those calories!

Can I just say, I LOVE TO MOW THE LAWN! I am the ONLY one who does it right at my house. I have certain directions in certain parts of the grass that have to be mowed in a certain manner. I seem to be the only one who understands this. If you come to my house and the grass is mowed in a bullseye, giant sqauare, or has large sections that were missed or re-mowed over in a careless line pattern....you'll know it wasn't me who mowed that day. (there are just some things I do better at than he does =)...this is one of them.)

Taylor Elementary's Most Valuable Player!!!

2009-06-02T09:11:00.009-06:00

Let me start by saying....I'm am the most un-athletic person alive. I'm no asset to any team. There is nothing more terrifying than a ball coming in my direction. So each year when Field Day at school arrives, there is one event I dread more than any other....

THE ANNUAL FACULTY VS 6TH GRADE KICKBALL GAME!!!

Let me paint a picture for you: When I taught at Santaquin, I didn't even go outside for the game. Last year's game at my new school Taylor was a little harder to hide from. Our school is small enough, it was totally noticeable when I was hiding in my classroom, "looking really busy". I was drug outside and each time I came up to kick, I subtly went to the back of the line. One of the 6th grade teachers declared there would be no bunting at all in the game. Hello!!! Bunts are my secret weapon!!! When our team was outfield, the ball actually came toward me in one of those perfect-pop-fly-completely-catchable-easy out- kind of kicks. What did I do??? I screamed, pulled my arms inward and jumped out of the way. The principal, who possesses quite a bit of athleticism, started laughing as he said, "You really are afraid of the ball aren't you?" I'm thinking to myself, "Duh! If I wasn't wearing sunglasses, you would see the giant tears pooling in my eyes from complete and utter anxiety of just being out in the field, let alone actually participating in the game!"

This year, I am the school's P.R. person so I have to take all the pictures to turn into the newspaper and District website about different things happening at our school. Now I'm sure that very few people would actually care about reading an article about the kickball game, but I INSISTED that I could not possibly play in the game because I was the ONLY one who came prepared with a camera to capture this event. Too bad one of the school's parents (whose husband played in the game luckily) showed up with hers with left me with no more excuses. The teachers wouldn't even let me get away with the "I just had a baby 6 weeks ago" excuse either. After about 4 innings, I went out into the field and stood there and prayed aloud that the inning would end fast. Luckily it did. The teachers actually were killing the 6th graders so we didn't spend much time outfield. However towards the end of the game, my principal, Chad, (who I will egg his house later this week for this) drug me up to kick. He actually kicked for me and then drug me around the bases blocking all ball shots from in the inside of the baseline. I was so focused on being pelted with a giant red ball by an obnoxious 6th grader, that I had no idea when to run or stay so I was glad he was there to drag and yank me around. Afterall, he got me into this mess. However, when I was running into home, I think I got caught up in the moment and kept running when I should have gone back to 3rd. Chad was dragging me one way, and I was pulling towards home. Then I noticed a 6th grade boy closing in on me with the ball. Jenna, a 5th grade teacher describes me as doing a "perfect pirouette" as I was trying spin around to avoid being pelted. Chad even tried to dive in front of the ball to cheat and block me from being hit. However....I WAS OFFICIALLY OUT! I'm just glad that the kid was nice enough to toss it at me instead of actually pelting me.

So my kickball career has officially begun and I'm already sucking at it! But here are some pictures of the game. Too bad there are none of me!!! Teachers won by a landslide by the way...

Robin Provstgaard...our secret weapon!

This is business...the principal actually removed his tie.

The school kids watching us win!!!

Some of the teachers waiting to kick.

Jane Tuckett...representing the 4th grade team!

Two of the cutest kids ever!

2009-05-21T22:09:00.004-06:00

Fun pictures...Enjoy!

Caught jumping on mom's bed when she was changing the sheets.

Jace's mini jacuzzi!

Dad literally scrubbed my hair off! He didn't even give it a chance to fall out!

What a good helper!

I can't wear pajama pants anymore!

2009-05-21T22:06:00.003-06:00

Feel bad for me, I went back to work today. Here's a cute picture of Jace before we left for his first day at the babysitter's!

Happy 4th Birthday!

2009-05-21T21:33:00.009-06:00

On the 23rd of April, my" 3-year- old- of- a- husband" was allowed to turn 4! (Actually 29, but he enjoys being 4 much more). All he wanted was a fire pit for our patio so he could re-live his days in San Diego of having a fire on the beach roasting marshmallows all summer long. I told him the backyard is not quite as sandy nor do we have seagulls, but why let that stop him?... he got his fire pit. My family teased him by saying, "Who wants to have a fire on a nice 102 degree July evening?" Well, last Sunday, we had my two sisters and their families, my little brother and his wife and my parents come over for a hot dog roast and ice cream. Accompanied by man's best friend, lighter fluid, and a pile of wood, we had a pretty fun fire going that the little kids especially seem to enjoy.

I had to laugh when we were starting the fire because it made me think of the first time we had gone to San Diego together when he first moved to Utah. We were planning on having a big fire on his old surfing beach in Oceanside when I thought...where do people in California get wood? Here in Utah, we constantly had an ample supply at our house, our neighbor's house, my dad's work, the field across the street...there was wood everywhere. But in California.....wood is found at the local 7-11. I could not stop laughing when we bought 2 slurpies and bundle of wood!

Anyway, here are some pictures of the sacred event. I wish I had more, but I couldn't find my little storage card for my camera and my internal memory was full before the evening was even started!

pre-lighter fluid

One of about 400 matches.

Lindsey hiding from the camera!

Life at home...

2009-05-05T11:18:00.019-06:00

Here are some updated pictures of life here at our house! Jace went to the Dr. again this week and in just 3 1/2 weeks, went from 6 lbs 1 oz to 8 lbs 5 oz! We couldn't be happier. Addison is doing well, she doesn't really pay much attention to him unless he's crying and she is the first to come and let you know about it. She's getting good at getting diapers/wipes and can even hold the bottle for him until she declares, "Him's done", regardless if he's finished eating or not!

We've definately hit the "happy hour" time when he cries for no reason at night which means very little sleep on our part. However, I do have to say, he is a much better sleeper than Addison was. She NEVER slept. I think she was 18 months old before she slept through the night on her own.

Overall, we're enjoying life. We spent all day Saturday getting our yard all ready and planted. We still have a few more things to do, but we're excited with how it is coming along.

I am dreading having to go back to work, but luckily it is only for the last week of school. Not too bad...awards assembly, field day, field trip, yearbooks, cleaning up my classroom that I'm sure has been destroyed over the past few weeks, I can't complain. Plus, it will give my baby sitter a chance to be with Jace before he comes full time at the end of August!

He's Here!!!!

2009-04-14T16:16:00.009-06:00

He's finally here! Jace Thomas Corbin was born Friday, April 10th and weighs 6 lbs 1 oz. He is 19 inches long and is really bald and wrinkly! He loves to be snuggled close and loves his giant green binky which always makes me laugh because Addison loved hers too!

Just to update... he's currently in the NICU at Utah Valley Hospital where we're hoping he can come home by this weekend. He was born with a number of problems and each day is overcoming them one by one. Last night he graduated from the Level A to Level B NICU so which is for "the healthiest of the sick babies". He still has his feeding tube and his latest addition is the IV coming out of the top of his head since his arms are too bruised to it anymore. We know he's working hard to get better and he makes us smile every time we look at his little old man face. Here's a few pictures of Jace for you to see!

Addison reading in her "house" at the hospital.

Since we live in Santaquin which made it 50minutes from our house to the inside the NICU, we've been approved to stay at the hopsital. This is our "Home Away From Home" a.k.a. the sleeping room down the hall from the NICU. It is small, but keeps us close by in case anything changes.

The Zoo

2009-03-24T15:47:00.008-06:00

Last weekend we decided to go to the Hogle Zoo while I'm still able to enjoy the luxories of a single stroller. My mom, 2 sisters and their families came with us so it was pretty fun to have all the little kids there. Most of the animals were out so the kids could actually see them instead of staring at an empty cage. Addison kept wanting to ride every animal she saw so explaining to her that the giraffe proably wouldn't appreciate having her take him for a test drive did not make her happy. Luckily, we only had a few meltdowns and of course, my nephew, Stockton, slept through most of it!

I think I scared Matt Smith (yes, our family has several duplicate names so I have to specify the family) by my driving and tailgating the slow pokes on I-215, so I wish I had a picture of his face while I was running people off the road, but here are a few pictures that I did get of our trip!

Riding the train with dad! I even told the driver "thank you " when it was over!

Kendall, not quite sure how she got on the train when her mom wasn't on it....We decided she would be the easiest kid to kidnap...she just stares at you when you take her.

"This was a long day!"

"Riding with Dad making sure he was always holding my legs"

New Whiteboard!

2009-03-17T12:56:00.003-06:00

I know that this isn't exciting to anyone else but me, but our school finally got whiteboards!!! Yes, we finally got rid of our ancient chalkboards that were so gross to write on with chalk dust flying everywhere. Our principal surprised us at our last faculty meeting that he had bought us all new ones. So yesterday during math, a bunch of the district guys came and hung it.

My kids asked if I needed moment of silence when they were done putting it up, and I said, "You know, I just might need one." So we all sat silently, staring at the new gleaming board of white in the front of the room!

And yes....its the little things in life that matter, like the fact I get to go buy more office supplies so I can have fun colored dry erase markers!!!

Addison!

2009-03-16T20:41:00.003-06:00

Here is a cute picture of Addison and a note to say that the puppy went bye bye. The dog needed attention ALL day long, and so she moved in with a Chihuahua loving family in Orem.

Look What Daddy Brought Home For Addison!

2009-02-03T14:15:00.005-07:00

This is what Dad decided to bring Addison home last night! He wanted to get a Bassett Hound, but when he saw this tiny thing crouched in the corner in the next kennell over, he decided he needed to "rescue" it. Fortunately, Addison loves the dog. We keep trying to tell her its a girl dog, not a "him". She's not going for it. "I a big girl, hims not a big girl!" Oh well. She'll be less gender confused in time I guess.

She has already offered to allow it to take a bath with her and when I told her the puppy was tired, she responded with ,"Hims needs a Binky?" I'm just hoping she doesn't squish it to death or use it for a pillow.

As for me, it isn't my dream dog. I like fat dogs that have some solidity to them. Hello, my family had a dog named Pig that jiggled when he ran and his stomach drug on the ground. As my dad pointed out, this one is about as cuddly as a chicken carcus! At least it doesn't bark and its house broken. Things could always be worse!

25 Random Things About Me

2009-01-31T19:46:00.010-07:00

Here we go, and let me tell you, these are going to be RANDOM, some obvious, but still RANDOM.

1. I like cheese. All kinds.

2. I have middle child syndrome

3. I hate velvet.

4. I don't like my toes to touch each other.

5. I want preferred parking at Kirklands.

6. Target is my happy place. A "fill your cart with uselesss stuff" trip is all I need some days.

7. I trade cars in before they hit 25,000 miles.

8. No one should use plain yellow post-its when there are colored ones.

9. I like HGTV A LOT

10. I can quote most Saved By The Bell episodes

11. My first thoughts when Addison was born was, "Please don't be ugly, please don't be ugly"... Fortunately she is ADORABLE!

12. I don't have a "side" on the bed.

13. The house I grew up in is in Footloose

14. I can't drive a standard transmission. At all... Even if you were bleeding to death and had to get to the hospital.

15. I use a Caboodle. Still. (I know there are more of you out there somewhere!)

16. I sleep in my contacts even though I know I shouldn't.

17. I love the guacamole at Los Hermanos.

18. I miss Bayside Bagels.

19. I am OCD when it comes to mowing lawns.

20. I really like Dr. Pepper.

21. The only concert I have been to is Country Fest at BYU in 1998. Stadium of Fires don't count.

22. I got married in the Provo Temple when it had a gold spire instead of a white one.

23. I would drive to Ephraim just to eat at the Malt Shop.

24. I don't know how to use E-Bay.

25. I love Victoria Secret Whispering Mist Lotion. And you can't get it anymore!

Christmas Break is Here!

2008-12-22T15:07:00.010-07:00

Yahoo! Christmas break is offically here...until January 5th! This time of year is when being an underpaid teacher is so amazingly worth it!

With today being my first "work" day off, I'm left with the question...what do people do all day? By 11:00 a.m., I'd been grocery shopping, cleaned the microwave, finished laundry, visited my mom, played with the monk (a.k.a. Addison), finished wrapping Christmas presents and then contiplated what on earth I was going to do with the rest of my day! If it wasn't a snowstorm outside...I would go out an play in the snow. Well....I would follow Addison around while she played in the snow. Not that I'm complaining about my time off, I'm just so programmed to a daily school schedule, (math 9:10, recess 10:10, writing 10:25.....etc) I'm not sure what to do to fill my free time!

Here's some pictures to show a little of our day.

Addison is contemplating whether this gives her

a better view of "Little Mermaid"

This is what my wrapping buddy decided to do instead of helping .

Here's an added picture from Sunday with Addison in her new Christmas dress.

Merry Christmas!!!

This will take more than touch-up paint!

2008-12-01T13:03:00.003-07:00

Bye, Bye Couch!

This is what happens when you try to fit a 96'' couch into the basement and around the corner. I was about ready to light the thing on fire after this happened...but my sister took it for her basement. Did I mention, she already has the exact same couch in her basement? Personally, I think a fire would have been more satisfying!

Trick-or-treating

2008-12-01T12:51:00.003-07:00

Here are some pictures of Halloween. I know...it is December.
We ended up going around my parents street since I don't know any of my neighbors. Cadee, Kendall and Stockton came too. It was too funny that night because Addison came home from the baby-sitter's house that day already knowing how to say "Trick-or-Treat". Now everytime she holds a bag or basket of any kind, she walks up to anyone around and says, "Trick-or-Treat". Then she just stands there waiting for something to be put in it.

Waiting for some candy.

All ready to go!

Cadee, Kendall and Addison

Trick-or- Treating with dad!

Carving Pumpkins

2008-10-25T22:18:00.011-06:00

Here are some fun pictures from when we carved pumpkins at our house with cousin Cadee. Both Addison and Cadee were afraid of all the gooey stuff on the inside so it was pretty funny to watch them scream whenever any seeds were pulled out!

Pumpkin Patch

2008-10-24T21:58:00.006-06:00

On Friday afternoon we decided to head down to South Ridge Farms to check out the pumpkin patch. We figure we were the only ones left in Utah County that didn't have any pumpkin pictures on our blog! We had a great time and managed to get a deformed green pumpkin and avoid seeing any parents of students at the same time!

Here are some pictures:

I could point out that Addison left the lens cap on the camera, but her hand covering the lens seems to be the bigger problem.

Happy Anniversary!

2008-09-18T17:21:00.010-06:00

On the 14th of this month, we celebrated our 6th anniversary! Some days it seems like it hasn't been that long, but then I think about all of the events and things we've learned about each other over the past 6 years...

~ We've lived in 3 different cities...Orem, Provo and Payson

~ I've had 5 cars and he has been through 5 company cars.

~ We have had 1 adorable daughter who is now 2! (yes, we survived two whole years without messing her up too much!)

~ I've worked in 2 school districts and 5 different schools.

~ He's worked for 3 different companies.

~ We have various churchcallings ranging from Primary to YM Presidency to teaching Sunday School and Elders's Quorum.

~ We've only had 1 pet...our Beta Fish named Myron. (yes...he died)

~ We've had 2 brothers serve missons and had 3 siblings and a mom get married.

~ We've traveled the country from the top to the bottom. (the bottom half is much warmer!)

~ We've tried to teach each other things....I'm still afraid of baseballs and I have no use for water that tastes like salt. He will never be able to be seen in public dancing.

~ We've discovered that going to Del Taco for your 5th anniversary will give you something to laugh about for years to come.

~ After 6 years, we still don't have "sides" to the bed.

~ I've learned that nothing will come between him and his 150 pairs of socks.

~ There are rules we've developed... Don't lay on the bed once it's been made. Always close the shower curtain. NEVER use the nice towels hanging in the bathroom. More soap isn't always better in the dishwasher.

~ I still don't cook!

And no, we didn't do anything for our anniversary. He bought me flowers and a new diamond ring which I made him take back. Strike 348 for being able to pick out jewelry I'll like. You'd think he would learn that I need to be there to pick it out! I of course, couldn't think of anything he wanted, needed or couldn't live without. Luckily, he agreed, there was nothing he wanted, needed or couldn't live without. LUCKY 4 ME! So, we look forward to next year's...I thought last year's Del Taco was going to be pretty hard to beat. With the way things are going, we'll completely forget next year's anniversary!

Update!

2008-09-08T10:21:00.005-06:00

I know it's been over a month....so here's a quick update of what's been going on!

My little brother, Matt, got married (almost a month ago) to Ashlee Silcox in the Salt Lake Temple. That makes all 4 kids married now! We all got married in different temples which has been fun and our grandpa performed each of our sealings which we think is pretty cool too.

Here's a picture of Addison in her dress for the reception. I had to pin her down to get her into it and all she would say is, "I not tute!" (I must tell her she's cute too often...)

I started back to school the day after Matt's wedding last month and I have been crazy ever since. I have 32 4th graders this year...(compared to my small class of 18 last year), so my load has completely doubled. They're such a fun, smart group so I'm grateful that I lucked out that way. Now if I can ever get on top of anything at school. Everything takes twice as long to do, twice as long to correct, twice as long to get ready... if anyone needs to put in some nice community service hours, come visit my classroom night or day...because I'm sure I'll be there!

Let's see what else... I finally got my car fixed. Many of you know, I took my passenger mirror off last spring in the car wash... well, finally this summer, I scheduled my appointment to take it into the dealership to get it repainted at the mirror attached. THE EXACT DAY I made the appointment, the bikes that were hanging from the ceiling of my garage fell on top of the hood of my car. So needless to say, the damage was a bit beyond Ken Garff's expertise, and I had to take it into a body shop to get the hood, fender grill, mirror and bumper fixed. If your bikes are hanging from the roof of you garage, take them down!!! But at least I have my mirror fixed that has been missing since February!

Finally, I will be "single mom" ing it for a while. Willie is getting his degree in Respiratory Therapy. So with his intense class load, he goes days without seeing Addison because she's in bed by the time he gets home, and he's gone before she wakes up. It's been pretty hard on all of us so far just because all of his studying is so intense...but he looks so cute in his white lab coat!

Anyway, I think that post will last me at least another 6 weeks! If anything too exciting happens, I'll let you know!

Utah County Fair

2008-09-08T10:02:00.006-06:00

Here are some pictures from when we went to the Utah County Fair last month.

Addison rode this ride 3 times!

This ride had way too many distractions!

Trying to let the giant cow out of his house!

Time for a nap!

Here's some random pictures....

2008-07-30T10:26:00.006-06:00

Watering the grass.

Birthday lunch with dad.
It finally came...a week later....but I love it anyway!
Getting frustrated with people who tape presents shut!

3 seconds before my 4th bath at Fish Lake!
My new favorite hang out!
...even if all of me doesn't quite fit!
"winging" with dad.

My turn...

2008-07-27T23:11:00.002-06:00

Sunday July 27th
A little about me...

4 places I go over and over:
1. Roberts Craft/Quilted Bear/Kirklands/Rod Works/Michaels/etc (it's a toss-up)
2. Wal-Mart or Target
3. My parent's house
4. My classroom

4 places I like to eat:
1. Olive Garden
2. Los Hermanos
3. Red Lobster (I only eat shrimp though)
4. I'm a closet lover of Betos' 3-rolled tacos with cheese and guac!

4 places I would like to be right now:
1. Sleeping (since it is 11:30 p.m.)
2. Getting my hair done
3. On a much needed vacation
4. SHOPPING!!!

4 t.v. shows I like:
1. Fox 13 News in the morning
2. 90210 re-runs (both the 3:00 and 4:00 hour)
3. Jon and Kate plus 8 (I feel so much better about my life after I watch them)
4. Anything on HGTV

4 Books I've enjoyed:
1. Watson's go to Birminham
2. Loser (Any 4th grader will read it just because of the name!)
3. Click Clack Moo, Cows that Type.
4. Megan the Klutz (it's a near classic!)

Who I am tagging:
1. anyone who hasn't done this yet!

Best Husband...Worst Wife

2008-07-22T17:09:00.003-06:00

Last night, we decided on a whim that we really needed night alone. We quickly checked the movie times to see which one we would be able to make in time given our short notice plans. The only one we could have made it to was in Spanish Fork seeing Mama Mia, not that either of us wanted to see it anyway. (He was all for the new Batman movie) The entire ride over, I'm trying to convince him it can't possibly be that bad. I kept telling him, "Pierce Brosnan's in it, he's 007 cool & Boostrap Bill from Pirates is in it too!"
Of course, we were the first in the theatre, (thanks to the entire town of Spanish Fork being at the rodeo...) Slowly, a few more people started to arrive....a group of giggly middle aged women, a bunch of teen girls...after a while, we realized he was the only guy in the place. Then as luck would have it....another man walked into the theatre. True, he was probably 90, but it still counts. The entire time, he was rolling his eyes so much and laughing at how lame the acting seemed, I kept feeling worse and worse that not only was I making him sit through it, I was sitting through it too! As soon as the credits began, we bolted for the door laughing all the way to the car. As we were driving out of town, he declares that he needs to see the new Batman at least 3 times in a row to cleanse his mind of the past 2 hours! If you want to get a rise out of him, just break into your own rendition of "Dancing Queen" just to make sure he won't forget our evening!

We've survived 2 whole years!

2008-07-20T22:55:00.000-06:00

Addison is TWO! I can't believe it. I'll cover it more when her gift gets here from back order, and I get the pictures from her party up on-line. Until then, you get this picture. Addison is a ball of energy, so what better way to put it to use. Someday...eventually...this will show up in the mail and then you can see it in real life, with a much cuter kid jumping on it. Until then you'll have to use this for a mental picture:

On Board

2008-07-20T20:51:00.003-06:00

Lindsey made me jump on board this blogging thing. I figure I'll work on it this summer and then probaby die down a little with it when things get hectic this fall. I have 30 kids in my class this year. It should be crazy and fun. I'm now starting to get into all of the back to school sales trying to get my classroom ready. If anyone wants to pick up your quota of notebooks and folders at the local ShopKo give me a holler! If not I fear I will be going through the line 10 times each day since most of the stuff I need has a limit of 5 per customer!

So while I get the hang of this, feel free to comment and let me know you stopped by!