A Little Sunshine!

Screaming, Fighting, & Sleeping!

Ain't Life Sweet?

Thankful Thursday

My life has been crazy busy the last few weeks. I have not been able to get on here as much as I would like to.  Today, though, I need to take just a quick minute for my Thankful Thursday post. I have so much to be thankful for. Every day there is another miracle in my life that I am thankful for, but today I just have one thing I want to say.

I'm thankful for answered prayers.

I'm Thankful for Jessy!

Happy Birthday to my beautiful 11 year old sister Jessy!! She is visiting me until tomorrow & I am so lucky to get to have her her over her birthday! We have had so much fun & today has been even better than all the other days!

First thing this morning - Birthday girl!

She caught me while I was doing my hair!
Crazy lady.

We woke up bright & early so we could go get some McDonald's breakfast. [I'm pretty sure McDonald's is her favorite place to eat! -and mine, who am I kidding?] We were a little irritated when we got there because they didn't have either of the things we wanted on their menu. Freaking Micky D's! We were able to find something we both liked though!

Connor is wondering why we are going out in the
cold so dang early in the morning!

I have had a surprise planned for Jessy for about a week and a half, but she has had no idea what it is! She usually demands to know surprises, so I was pretty proud of myself for being able to keep this one from her!!!

I surprised her with an appointment at a nail salon to get her very first pedicure! Turning 11 & getting a pedicure. Not too shabby =) She was completely surprised & loved every second of it! She kept asking things like, "what's this part?" and "why are they putting that scrub on?". She had no idea what a pedicure even consisted of before today!

Needless to say, she is hooked! This might have to be a yearly birthday tradition! Pedicures with the big sis!

After our pedicures, Reese & Connor met us over at good ol' DQ for some lunch & a Blizzard! She told me the reason she wanted to go there was because, "I like their fries, I like their food, & I like their ice cream." You really can't argue with that!

After lunch we went over to the Dollar Store and had a lot of fun roaming the aisles. Jessy picked out 5 things she wanted & I picked out a hat for her...

I am making her wear it everywhere we go!!

The rest of the afternoon we are going to lounge on the couch, play some Dance Central 3, watch chick flix, & just hang out! Tonight I am making her favorite food for dinner: Steak & green peppers! [Reese isn't going to complain about steaks! Am I right, Justins?!]

We have to take Jessy home tomorrow & I am pretty bummed out. We have had so much fun this past week & I can't wait for her to come back again!

Happy Birthday to one of my amazing sisters!!! I love her so much & I am so thankful for her & all she does for me. She makes me so happy!

Staying Glamorous Despite The...

Being a momma is the best! I love it every second of every day. I get to sit & snuggle with my cute little guy while ignoring all the housework! Granted, I change a lot of diapers everyday [today I have changed 11 & counting]. Diapers really aren't all that bad. It's a good trade off if you ask me; diapers for this...

I'll take a poopy diaper everyday if it comes along with this cute face & snuggle time.

Although, being a dad might be a little less glamorous. Reese & I have a little routine down. I feed Connor & Reese burps him. It started when Connor was first born & I didn't have the hang of doing everything alone yet, & it just stuck.

Connor has never been one to spit up. In his lifetime he has probably spit 5 times total. [We feel quite lucky about that!] Of those 5 times, Reese has been holding him....every time.

Once, Connor spit up so much that it went into Reese's pajama pants pocket. We were home & lounging so it wasn't that bad [says the person with no puke in her pocket...], it cleaned up relatively easily.

Recently Connor has started to plan his puking for when Reese is just about to go back to work after a lunch break. See, Connor & I get lonely and we really miss Reese while he is at work, so Connor came up with this brilliant plan - puke on Papa & then he'll have to stay and play with me & momma! [Too bad the plan doesn't work & Reese just changes his clothes!]

So I guess the moral of the story is...Being a papa is quite a bit messier than being a momma, even with all those poopy diapers.

S.O.S.

Fail.

Dear Readers, I suck. I know this. I am fully aware of this. I can't help it. I lasted about 4 days on my 30 day challenge! Life got in the way - which it always does. That dang life!

Speaking of life, though, it's good! Busy, but good. The hubs & I spent the weekend in Laramie with his family. We went to the UW vs. TCU football game & had so much fun. Well...let's be honest, I only stayed until half time - but that was still fun. I like football. I like spending time with the family. I don't like freezing my butt off. I did cute a cute new hat though...

After I left at halftime, Brittany & I went and hung out at her new salon. Salon 220 - It's awesome, looks great, & everyone that knows anyone that lives in Laramie should send people there! She gave me a great cut & color! I've been wanting something new for a long time & I finally did it. It's time to be a little shorter. Long hair is so last year!

*camera phone picture, sorry.*

We had lots of fun with the family - eating good food, playing some fun games, making inappropriate that's what she said jokes. All the good stuff! It always gets a little bit silly when Reese & his brothers get together. They revert big time. They crack us all up!

And...last but certainly not least - I got a new computer! Oh yeah! Reese's dad got a new computer & had a practically new one that he wasn't going to use anymore. He gave it to me! So right now, I am sitting on my couch with my new computer on my lap! Gotta love life!

I hope you all had a great weekend! Enjoy your week =)

Someone Who Inspires You The Most - Big Chris.

So, as you know I have two siblings named Chris. No, my parents are not lunatics - one of the Chris's came by marriage. [Although we shouldn't totally rule out the lunatic theory - for other reasons ;)]

Maybe you are wondering why I didn't write about Big Chris in yesterdays post about siblings? Well, because I knew today's whole post would be about him & I didn't want all of my other siblings to think I loved him more or something =) So, it's a little late but much longer.

Big Chris inspires me for so many reasons. He was an only child for most of his life, yet he wasn't a brat & accepted all 6 of us easily. He quickly treated us all like true family & it helped us all to actually become one.

He is so kind & friendly. He gets along with just about everyone! He can strike up a conversation with a complete stranger & the stranger will walk away feeling better about themselves. That's just how Chris is; he makes you feel better.

He is such a hard worker & has accomplished so many things. He is an Eagle Scout, he served a worthy LDS Mission, He graduated from BYU. Those are just some of the bigger ones in his life, but he accomplishes so much so often.

I look up to him! Until he came along I was the oldest & I was the one to set the example for all of my siblings. When Big Chris joined our family I had a big brother. I got to know what it was like to look up to an older sibling & have them set an example for me. He is the best example of a big brother & a person. I want to be as great as he is someday.

Your Siblings.

Ahh, this is going to be a fun one. I'm a Mormon, so obviously I have lots of siblings =) Better get started or we'll be here all night!

Chris: Aka Croke, Aka Elder Claflin. He is serving his Mission right now in Aix-en-Provence, France & loving every minute of it! He will be coming home August 2012 & we can't wait to see him. I am so glad he's out there serving the Lord, but I do miss him. He & I are close in age & are very close. He is one of my best friends!

James: Aka Jamie, Aka Jip. Jamie & I are very similar! For a while we would butt heads because we were so alike, but we have figured out how to balance each other out & we get along very well. We have gotten really close & I love him so much. We can laugh & talk about anything. Whenever I want to talk I give him a call. Whenever he wants to talk to Reese he gives me a call. Maybe someday he will actually call me to talk! =)

Samantha: Aka Sammy, Aka Sami. My first youngest sister. She is gorgeous & outgoing. All other girls out there need to watch out! She is the sweetest person I know; she always puts other's needs before her own. She lived with us for a while & it was great. We got close to each other & I love having a friend in her.

Bret: Aka Brogan. He is the life of any party. He is amazing at voices & impersonations. He makes me laugh so hard! He can make anyone laugh at anytime. He is quite a few years younger than me, but we get along very well. I sure love him!

Jessica: Aka J, Aka Jessy. She is the baby of the family. She is outgoing, adorable, friendly, & fun. She is so smart; much to smart for her age! She says things that take us all by surprise & make us laugh awkwardly. She has a "store" in the basement of my mom's house where she sells all of her belongings - which we all have gotten for her. So we are basically buying the same stuff twice. She loves it & we love to support her.

I am so lucky to have the 5 greatest siblings in the whole world; I love them all with all of my heart!

Your Dreams.

Sometimes I dream about work. Sometimes I dream about a tv show I watched the night before. Sometimes I dream about Vampires. Sometimes I dream about tragic things happening to loved ones. Sometimes I dream about being not awesome - then I wake up & realize I'm still awesome so I fall right back to sleep ;)

Ok, but really I have some big dreams for my life & my future. Maybe they are just practical dreams that everyone has, but whatever - they are my dreams currently.

I dream of owning a house within a year. We want to know where we are going to be, settle in, stay put, & live in our own house. Oh man, all the painting & decorating I can do! It will be amazing.

I dream of being a mommy. I dream of getting pregnant & feeling a baby grow inside of me & then actually having my own little human! I dream of being a good mom, not just a mom.

I dream of being able to be a stay at home mom & spend all day with my wonderful kids. My mom got to stay home the whole time I was growing up & it was amazing. There is nothing better. I hope to give that to my kids someday.

And now I dream of not being late for work today. I better head out the door! Have a great day everybody =)

Your Parents.

I have so many great parents! Holy crap. Where do I begin?! Biological, I suppose?

My Dad, James. He is such a good dad to me. I am so grateful for him & all he does. He is kind, loving, caring, compassionate, & hilarious. We have a great relationship & I love him with all my heart.

My Mom, Amy. Until Reese she was my best friend. She is still a very close second. We get along so well & can talk about everything. We used to talk 4 or 5 times a day, but we are both so busy lately that we will go days without a good conversation. It's hard. I miss her. I am lucky to have her as my mom & I hope to be just like her when I'm a mother.

My StepMom, Kathy. She is so good to me. She is smart, kind, helpful, & loving. I am so grateful for all of the love she gives me & to my dad. She takes such good care of him & I know I don't have to worry about him since she's such a great family manager =)

My Father-in-Law, Ray. He's kind of quiet and in the background - until he has a good story to share, then you better watch out! He is very funny & kind. He raised a great son & I hope Reese will end up just like him.

My Mother-in-Law, Cresta. Where do I begin? She is great. She is the kindest person I know with the biggest heart in the world. She is hilarious & an amazing cook! I love her so much.

My Taddy-Daddy, Tadd. I don't know where I'd be without him [& Kara and my Grammy]. They took me in when I really needed somewhere to be & they truly are like other parents to me. I look up to them & love them so much. Plus, Tadd is hilarious & we could laugh for years and years!!


Ok, well that's the list on my parents! I know it was a little longer than the normal list of 2, but I have a lot of great parents in my life.

I hope you are all having a great week! Enjoy Tuesday.

Thankful Thursday

Wow, I suck at blogging lately! Meh - oh well. Now it is time to shout out & be thankful!

I am thankful for...life. I love it & I am happy.
I am thankful for...my friends, I've really needed them lately & they've totally come through for me.
I am thankful for...making new friends. Reese & I had dinner with some people from Church on Tuesday & it was so much fun!
I am thankful for...my job. I love getting up & going to work everyday. I feel so productive & fantastic.
I am thankful for...all the new clothes I got recently & some of the old ones I have been fitting into.
I am thankful for...my coworkers! I really like them all & I'm having so much fun with them.
I am thankful for...Reese. He knows me so well & does just what I need on a bad day.

He didn't just buy me one Monster.
He got me a whole case!

I am thankful for...the end of a bad/long/stressful day & that I can unwind and sit on my couch.
I am thankful for...the blogosphere & being able to vent anytime I want [even though it hasn't been that often lately.]
I am thankful for...all the people who read my blog & care about what I have to say - I will try to be interesting for you all!


I hope you have had a good week & have a lot to be thankful for! Tomorrow is Friday & then it's the weekend! Woohoo =)