Return to Greatness

I realize that alot of my posts lately have been going retro. I apologize for the mass obsession with my past. But, here's another one. I couldn't help it. As I was driving between errands today {by myself, enjoying some me time} I was jammin out to one of my new favorite radio stations {not new, just new to me}. The Blaze. They specialize in hair bands and butt rock. A commercial ended, and within a few notes of the song I was boppin my head {I think I actually said "No way" outloud to myself}. A CLASSIC. Not just a classic, but one that I had forgotten about--even better. I surprised myself with my recollection of the words and my great ability to toss my hair/head around to the beat. What could this great song be, you ask? Armegeddon It, by none other than Def Leppard. For me, this was their best song {and they had oh so many}. This great little episode in the car today took all my worries/stresses away for a little while. It reminded me of school dances and being young and carefree and able to listen to the rock and roll as loud and as often as I wanted. Sure, I appreciate Hannah Montana and the Jonas Brothers--but they just don't come this great anymore.

So, here's a cheer to my butt rock favorites. I miss you all so much!

Bon Jovi rocks. The only hair band I ever got to see in concert. And it was just a couple of years ago--but still so awesome. I picked this picture because I heart Richie Sambora.

Def Leppard. Not all that good looking, but the music is second to none. And the drummer only has one arm, for crying out loud!

Poison. 15 years ago {or even 10 maybe} Bret Michaels would have made my top 5.

Others deserving a mention: Whitesnake, Journey, Guns N' Roses {a smidge}, Nelson {cutest twin rockers ever}, and Scorpions.

By the way, Shane, {do you even read this blog, ever?} a Def Leppard Greatest Hits cd would be a fabulous Valentines Day gift...

It's Alright...Saved by the Bell

I have not left the house for the last three days. Every morning when I wake up, there is a blizzard outside, and 2 new feet of snow. I instantly cancel any plans I had of going anywhere unnecessary, and thank heaven that I am able to stay home. I love it. I do, however, feel bad that I have to send my 6 year old out in it every morning to school. She's a trooper. So, to make her feel better, when she gets home from school she has hot chocolate waiting for her. We all {this is Carly, too} snuggle up {in our pjs, at 3:30} on the couch and turn on our saving grace for boredom--the tv, of course.

So, this last week, Nickelodeon has started playing old reruns of Saved by the Bell. Ashlyn discovered this one day, and you can't even imagine my excitement to find that one of my old favorites is now her new favorite. It's been forever since I have seen one, and they are all new to her. We have been bonding all week over the crazy outfits and hairdos. It is so fun to reminisce about the good ole days when this show was popular. We had no idea back then that we were watching the likes of Mario Lopez {future celeb and hunk, friend to Eva, no less}, Mark Paul Gosselar {future NYPD Blue stud}, Tiffani Amber Theissen {my all-time fav, to be entertaining me in years that were to come in 90210}, Elizabeth Berkley {future stripper/Showgirls shocker}, Tori Spelling {again, my heart goes out to 90210}, Leah Remini {to be cracking us up on King of Queens}. I can't not watch. We have been watching episode after episode. I know, I'm a dork. But, truly, I am having a blast {oh, and loving the time spent with my girls, too}. Go Bayside!

It's All Here

Okay, so here's the challenge. Try to come up with 100 fun facts {or weird habits/characteristics} about yourself. I thought I would give it a go {100 is a very big number}. You should all try it--it's kind of fun.

1. I love country music.

2. I love to dance when nobody is watching.

3. I love to sing really loud when nobody is listening.

4. I think I came from the best family ever.

5. I love my sisters now more than ever.

6. I hate being dressed--pajamas work great for me, always.

7. I cannot use a dishrag that has been used after one day. They stink.

8. I'm not a big fan of pets.

9. I obsess about cleaning--even though my house looks messy most of the time.

10. I stress out way too much and way too easily.

11. I don't like change {mostly}, hence number 10.

12. I think I want all my children to be girls.

13. I love hanging out with all my aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents. It's great fun.

14. My favorite season is fall {cool weather, pre-holiday, football, new school year, it's all great}.

15. I love when a fight breaks out at a sporting event.

16. I'm a celebrity stalker.

17. I have a high-school state championship ring--for volleyball {we rocked!}.

18. I don't really keep in touch with any of my high school friends.

19. I cannot clean a bathroom unless I can take a shower immediately afterwards.

20. I die my hair darker than it's normal color.

21. I love, love, love, Disneyland.

22. Movies that make me cry are my very favorites.

23. I ran track in high school--and I was fast!

24. Sometimes I wish I'd married a Utah Ute fan. {or wonder what that would be like}

25. I don't really like my church calling. {love Primary, don't love the singing part}

26. I always think I will win every game I play.

27. I love competition.

28. I get hooked on certain tv shows, and will make my schedule around them.

29. I love shows/movies/books about high school.

30. I still can't believe I'm 29. I still feel 21.

31. I wish I were 20 pounds lighter.

32. I have big issues with swimming in public swimming pools.

33. I don't even really like my kids swimming in public swimming pools {but we do, sometimes}.

34. I think my dad is the greatest dad.

35. I think my mom is the greatest mom.

36. I absolutely hate making dinner.

37. If I could eat at restaurants for every meal I would.

38. I have to make a list for almost everything.

39. I love to scrapbook. {the real kind, not digital}

40. I hate my handwriting.

41. I wash my hands so much that they are usually cracked and dry.

42. I have the best vision--thanks to Lasik. Before, I was really pretty blind.

43. When I was younger, I had braces and glasses at the same time--a total dork.

44. I love to read.

45. I always got very good grades, but could never break a 4.0 GPA. {always 3.98}

46. I had 2 scholarships for college but didn't take them.

47. I went to Europe after I graduated high school.

48. I met my husband on my first day {in my first class} of college.

49. My favorite food is Chinese.

50. I hate Mexican food.

51. I haven't been to any of my high school reunions, and never plan on going.

52. I love to gamble. Blackjack and 3 card poker are my favs {except for Poker with friends}.

53. I once placed a roulette bet on green double zero and it hit.

54. I love relaxing vacations.

55. I don't really love sightseeing vacations.

56. I am allergic to cats and horses.

57. I think every stranger is a bad guy.

58. Black is my favorite color.

59. I love microwave popcorn.

60. I love babies.

61. I love a good musical.

62. In my head I think I'm going to be good at every sport. But I'm not.

63. I think my husband does some pretty funny things--and I like it.

64. I love waking up to a day with nothing to do.

65. Sometimes I buy things, even when I know I don't really have the money.

66. I think every meal should end with dessert.

67. I love throwing a great party.

68. Every great party involves really great food.

69. I hate to drive long distances. I'll pay to fly.

70. I refuse to drive if Shane is with me. That's his job.

71. It bugs me when people do things wrong.

72. I can't stand people who talk on their cell phones in public. It's a very bad habit.

73. I rarely use/answer my cell phone, and it drives my family nuts.

74. I make my girls do jobs {and even Shane}.

75. I love smack talk when it comes to sports.

76. I usually love athletes that others hate {Dennis Rodman, Charles Barkley, Kobe Bryant}

77. I usually hate athletes that others love {John Stockton, Karl Malone}

78. I don't have the guts to tell people how I really feel sometimes. That's good and bad.

79. While growing up I used to ski almost every weekend. Now I have no desire to ski.

80. I'm always too cold or too hot. Usually too cold.

81. I love staying home.

82. I'm pretty sure that the way I will die is in a car accident.

83. I don't really care about politics, and I don't vote {except once, to make my mom happy}.

84. I love blogs, and I'm a blog stalker.

85. I want my girls to have everything.

86. I can't throw a good bag away. Or a box.

87. I'm pretty good at getting rid of junk. I don't get attached to too many things.

88. I can get pretty jealous of people.

89. Some people tell me I was kind of mean in junior high/high school.

90. I write and eat and shoot a basketball with my left hand. Everything else is right-handed.

91. I love cute shoes.

92. I don't really like people to take my picture.

93. I wish there were more hours in the day. Truly.

94. I was kind of boy crazy from a young age. I'm afraid I've passed this gene on.

95. I've been to 17 different states {at least}

96. I love going on vacation and staying in hotels.

97. I hate going on vacation and staying with people in their homes. I feel so intrusive.

98. I can't wait to go on another cruise. Awesome.

99. I've read the entire Book of Mormon once.

100. I'm not a morning person. Don't bug me. And don't say "good morning".

Happy Birthday Princess Carly

Well, the birthday has come and gone and all with great success. I'm exhausted but we all had such a great time. Carly didn't stop grinning all day and just loved all of the attention. All of her little friends were able to make it to the party and they had a great time. For most of them this was their first "friend party" and it was so cute to watch them all. They were so excited for Carly and to give her gifts. I was very impressed, I must say! They are all so adorable. They loved all the princess prizes, and the games (one little girl was wanting to win the games so badly she was shaking--cutest!). We did a pinata and we were excitedly telling them all to pick up the candy and put it in their bags. They were all very dainty and polite. There was still a ton of candy on the floor and most of them were done. One little girl said, "okay, that's enough for me". It's so amazing the difference between little princesses and little boys. I was laughing the entire time. Ashlyn took her role of party helper very seriously, and was quite bossy when it came to directions for games and such. It's very hard for little siblings to watch each other have birthdays, I think--but she did great and had lots of fun being the "big girl" and playing with all the little friends.

I am so glad that Carly had a great day. She was spoiled, of course, by friends, family and grandparents. She has not stopped playing for 2 days and loving every minute of it. Seeing her so happy is the best part of being her mom!

Cutest Flashback Friday

It's Friday again! Since Carly is having a birthday next week this one is dedicated to her. Let's take a look back at the last couple of years!

This was Carly's 2nd birthday. She was such a cutie and was so excited that it was her day. She loved that everything was just about her! This was the first year that I realized that she was another diva, just like her big sister!

I can't believe how little she looks in these pictures. I swear it seems like it was just yesterday. They grow so much in a just couple of years.

Then, last year she wanted to be a princess--so we made sure that she was! This year started the tradition of taking the girls to the salon to get their hair and nails done before pictures. It was such fun for Carly to get the royal treatment. She wanted to show everybody her fingers and her "pretty princess hair". Oh, and the cake turned out to be everything she wanted!

Another birthday full of babies and baby gear. For 3 years now that is all that she has ever wanted {oh, and her pink fuzzy phone, that was a must}. Maybe we can break the trend this year?...

So, here comes another birthday bash for little princess Carly. She wants a Cinderella party with all of her little friends. I always make the cakes {it takes forever, but I love it} so they can get just what they want. This year she wants a Cinderella cake. I'm not sure that my limited cake making skills can handle that one, we'll see...

Carly, we love you so much and are so happy that you are a part of our family. In a way, I wish that you could stay little forever--but here's to turning 4 and all the joy that it might bring!

Are They for Real?

Tube Talk.

I have to admit I was a little excited to see that American Idol was on tonight. It's been a while since I've had a "show" to look forward to. And it's been a while since Shane and I were able to bond over making fun of people {okay, that happens every night, but not while watching tv}. But, after watching this train wreck tonight, I am seriously questioning the mental state of these people. I say that many of them are staging the whole thing, trying to be as strange as possible, and I believe that I can almost see them holding in their laughter. Did you see that stalker guy? Shane thinks it's all for real, and that these unfortunate people believe they are normal. That can't be right, can it? However, the Star Wars girl was crazy. I swear there were a few of her in my high school. And the saddest part is that she brings her oblivious Grandma and Grandpa with her, who honestly feel that she is being wronged. Cute Grandma whispered in her ear to stop saying the f-word on tv. How sad is this! Oh, and that Milo guy...

It's a guilty pleasure, watching this all go down. I laugh myself to convulsions, yet I feel like such a jerk for making fun of people who can't help it. Where are the friends and family members who should be helping these people? It makes me sad to imagine the prodding they get from co-workers telling them they are great singers and to go try out for AI, and then when they leave the room everybody laughs. It truly makes me sad.

I can't stand Paula and Randy. Simon is great because he says things that most of us wish to say on a daily basis but don't have the you-know-whats to do it. How he doesn't laugh at himself more is a mystery to me. He must truly be mean.

As for auditions, I'm thinking they should start holding them at local Wal-Marts. It would be a lot more convenient for these people.

Where Is Your Soul?

So I have finally finished New Moon {stop reading if you haven't read it yet}. I have to say I was disappointed. In fact, it ruined Twilight for me in a way. Now, I didn't fall in love with Twilight the way everybody else did, but I was into it enough to want to keep reading. In my opinion, this series is a very well written version of an okay story. I'm not that into fantasy stories that could never really happen {I mean vampires, werewolves, c'mon}, but the love story kept me going. However, in New Moon, there were so many inconsistencies that it drove me crazy. Bella drove me insane. Edward was mostly absent, and when we got him back we had to endure pages and pages of vampire council and dialogue that had me rolling my eyes. Jacob was the guy who I liked--and Bella treated him so poorly. Aside from being a wolf {again, roll of the eyes}, he was more normal and more like Bella. What they had was better. Edward was/is kind of creepy. Sure, I get all girly goofy when he talks about marrying Bella and wanting to protect her all of the time--but could you really sleep every night knowing that he would be lying next to you all night long just staring, and that he would be hunting bears on the weekends and then coming back to you? It's creepy weird and I don't understand it. Also, a big disappointment was that while I was halfway through, I found a picture on the internet of the guy that got cast as Edward in the new movie. He's SO NOT cute. {I prefer my Edward from my Twilight review, he's a hottie!}. So, although I'm sure I'll eventually read Eclipse, I'm going to have to take a break from wolves and vampires and try to read something a little more me.

Really, this guy, so not the Edward in my head....{and this is a good picture of him!?!}

Favorite New Moon quote: "What is tempting you more, my blood or my body?" Oh, please!

On the bonus side: New Year's Resolution of reading one book a month...so far, check.

I Heart Boy Bands

Yep, I always have quite liked {ok, loved} me some boy bands. I've never really grown out of it, either. Somehow, whoever the latest and greatest are, I'm singing 'em. It all started with New Kids on the Block {can you say obsessed?}. Their posters adorned my bedroom walls. I read the lyrics till I knew 'em all. I watched the concert video over and over and over. I told everybody of my love for Donny. I danced {which, unfortunately for all, is captured forever on family video} hours and hours to both, yes both, of my NKOTB cds. {How awesome am I that I remember it was cool to abbreviate their name}. Then came the Boyz II Men phenomenon. Again, obsessed. I wouldn't go to bed at night without my Boyz on. This was the only boy band that I actually got to see in concert, and boy {get it} was it awesome! Even after I was married I couldn't keep myself from the hysteria of the Backstreet Boys and N'Sync. Loved them. Still do, actually. How can you not belt out these tunes in the car? And finally, I confess, I am loving that Ashlyn and Carly are so into the Jonas Brothers. The latest and greatest boy band. I'll admit, I find myself singing along, even when I'm by myself. Am I the hippest mom or what?

That's so Wal-Mart

At the risk of sounding like a total snob, I have a few things to say about Wal-Mart. First, there are a certain type of people {only known as Wal-Mart people}, who somehow crawl out of somewhere, and you will never see them anywhere other than Wal-Mart. Seriously, I've seen things at Wal-Mart that I have never, or will never, ever see anywhere else. You can't make a trip there without coming away with some kind of story. If you stand in line to return something {please, please only do this when absolutely necessary}, there is a good chance you will be there among one or more of the following circumstances--seeing a person with toilet paper stuck to his/her shoes, fresh out of the bathroom; everybody in line impatiently waiting for the lady at the front, who instead of making her transaction is screaming at her daughter over her cell-phone, complete with "that's bull sh**" dialogue loud enough for the entire store to hear; the person behind you trying to make small talk about the new science kit they recieved for Christmas that just isn't that "scientific", snorting and saying "you know" after every sentence. If you stand in line to buy something you get one of two things: the cashier has a comment for each and every item you will be purchasing {that is so adorable, that looks yummy, oh I need to read that, I will have to get one of those etc etc}, or, at some point during the purchase he/she will not even notice as they say a cuss word. It's all like a very bad torture movie that you just can't get out of.

Second, Wal-Mart smells funny {no, it's not funny, it's totally gross}. The only thing I can come up with is that it is the people. I can't even explain the smell, but it's present each and every time, and it's always the same {unless it is a very potent, undisguisable odor coming directly from the person you are next to in line}. It's one of those smells that makes you seriously contemplate whether you should breathe out of your mouth or your nose {sure it smells bad to breathe out of your nose, but your mouth, well, the germs, oh, it's all bad}.

I know people who absolutely refuse to shop at Wal-Mart. No matter what, they would rather drive to Orem or Draper or somewhere totally inconvenient just because they can't allow themselves to make an appearance at the local Wal-Mart. I used to think they were crazy, but now, I wish I had it in me. I frequent the place about once a week {as painful as it is}. Their prices just can't be beat, and I'm a sucker for good deals. It's also very convenient because they have everything. I find myself going back over and over, even though each and every time I leave I swear it will be my last. I don't know, maybe I am one of those "Wal-Mart people" and nobody has told me yet....

Anyway, that was a very long way of getting to my point. My sisters and I were laughing and brainstorming what the new catch-phrase of '08 should be. When you see something totally hill-billy-ish, over the top laughable or downright dorky, my new blurb is "that's so Wal-Mart". Here's to making fun of people. ( I know, I'm terrible!)

It's a New Year

I know, I'm a few days late. The new year is here (by the way, does it drive you crazy when people say "Happy New Years"--it's so Wal-Mart {for a later post, but that's my new saying for 2008}). I love the New Year (which is weird, because change usually doesn't suit me). There is something great about starting over with new goals and new plans. Leaving some things in 2007 is going to be fantastic, and I'm looking forward to 2008. I think it's going to be a great year.

Some highlights I'll be looking forward to:

1. Carly will be 4, and Ashlyn will be 7 (is that possible?)
2. Shane and I will celebrate 10 happy (ok, mostly) years
3. I will turn 30 (I'm thinking big party plans!)
4. Utes will beat BYU in football

And, what's a new year without a few goals in mind:

1. Eat healthier, exercise more (oh, and actually do it this year!)
2. Keep my H2 clean and pretty, in and out
3. Cook more. We eat at restaraunts way too much. (Hey, this may help save money, too!)
4. Have 3 months food storage by the end of the year
5. Be a better (not better, more efficient) housekeeper
6. Be a better mama. Not that I'm a bad mama, I just want to be better.
7. Be a more attentive wife. I want to succeed at once a week date nights (we've tried and failed several times). Cheer more for the Jazz and Bears. I won't cheer for the Cougars, but I'll make you brownies!
8. Try to read 1 book a month (even if it's not mature or educational)
9. Be more charitable
10. Write in a family journal everyday (and blogging doesn't count!) And, complete one entire scrapbook!
11. Spend ALOT less time on the computer, and more with my family

For me, that's a good list. I could improve on alot more, but let's face it, after a few months some of these will already be on the back burner. Oh, and if you know me well enough to suggest things that YOU think I need to improve on, please, feel free to comment.