Farewell to the Matrix

So, it is with great sadness that we bid adieu to the car we've had a for the last few years, our sweet Toyota Matrix.

I've always been a 4WD/AWD advocate I mean, we live in Utah, where it snows in the winter and we get crazy black ice  so I've always thought it necessary.

Seeing rear wheel drive cars stuck on the freeway, sliding up/down hills has always made me nervous so, for me, 4WD/AWD is the go.

The matrix filled not only the above need for me, but being Toyota, it's reliability was high, therefore another draw.

We had to get you a new engine early on in your life (who knew you had to check the oil and water all the time? I do now) but you've been a pretty trusty, albeit small car.

The Matrix is the car Stephen drove me to the hospital in (while I was heavily in labor) for both Mana and Koa.

With Mana's labor, the contractions were so intense I actually permanently  dented the glove box with my knee's on the way to the hospital.

This was the car Stephen and I, as first time parents, experienced the CRAZINESS that is driving a new born baby back from the hospital (you know you all drive like maniacs!).

We've made trips to other states on this bad boy. 

We've laughed in this car.

 Cried. 

We've talked til our voices were hoarse.

We sang at the top of our lungs while bopping our heads at red lights.

I've spent countless hours with our boys listening to them sing the songs they've learnt each day, the letters, numbers, months seasons.

So, since I got a new car for Christmas, I thought it fitting to say farewell to the Matrix.

Thanks for the good times!

Home Made Christmas

Thanks to Pinterest I was rather inspired this Christmas and decided to make a few things for my nieces and nephews.

Above, I made my nieces pinafores and hats.

Stephen is a bit of a world traveler, so I got this awesome canvas map from IKEA and added a few pictures of him/us around the world.

It's a work in progress, this is one of those things than can never be finished.

I was actually pretty stoked with myself for finding the time do do this.

I've been working all through the month, even worked today, on Christmas Eve, so it is with exhausted satisfaction that I can say I put some love into my Christmas gifts this year.

Magnetic Baby

So, I posted this picture before but didn't post the magnets.

This is on Miranda's set of drawers in her cubicle at work.

Her magnet belly will progress as her body does.

Magnetic Personality

So, along with purchasing gifts for the nieces and nephews this year, I decided to make a bunch of gifts too.

These are for my nephew in New Zealand, I even gave him blue eyes to match.

My pictures are blurry coz I used my trusty iPhone, but whatevs.

A  stick figure, a church member, a builder and a pirate.

I can see my reflection in my fridge, damn my purple leggings are awesome.


There is so much satisfaction you get when you make something, it's easy to lose yourself in something and forget the troubles of the day.

Merry Christmas Caden.

I'll call it Christmas, call it what you want.

For my love of post secret, this was on the weeks top secrets.

I got pretty ticked off at someone this week when I said to them " Have a good Christmas"  and their response was "Don't you mean Happy Holidays?".

No.

I believe in Jesus, so I said Christmas.

You can say what you want, I won't correct you.

Why couldn't you be like the person who posted this secret?

Why couldn't I?

DAMN RUNNY NOSE

Freakin flu season drives me insane in the mammaries!

My nose is running like a tap, and its disgusting.

I've been thinking about just talking to people and letting it run down my face like nothing is happening, in order to see if anyone will say anything.

But nah, snot on your lips is gross.

And that is all.

For my Sis

She is currently with child and sick as a dog.

She's spewed on herself, on her car, in her car, and her two year old daughter pretends to heave into the toilet.

Poor sister.

Anyways little sister, you'll be sweet in a few months, no worries.

Oh cake, how I love thee.

I've always been a lover of the sweeter things in life, specifically cake.

I'm not a baker ... or a cook, Stephen is the cook in our home.

My mother tells me at a young age she tried to teach me to cook and I told her I would pay someone to do it, and I do pay for it ... in sexual favors.

So, back to cake.

There are two pretty awesome cake places around here that I would frequent daily if I didn't have to deal with the battle of the bulge on my body and my wallet.

Let's start with Nothing Bundt Cakes.

This is by far my favourite.

They have a variety of sizes for your consumption or occasion (the will even decorate your cake with a plastic flower).

The bundtini, is a little cupcake sized bundt cake, the bundlet is a single serving of deliciousness, then they have the 8" and 10" cakes.

My favourite size is the bundlet and my favourite flavour is the white chocolate raspberry and the cream cheese frosting is the business!

If you sign up online, at random times in the year you can get a free bundlet, and you can receive updates on their tantalizing flavour of the month.

Mmmmh, my mouth is watering just thinking about the cream cheesy goodness.

My next favourite cake place to visit is The Sweet Tooth Fairy, or The Tooth Fairy as Mana likes to call it.

LOVE the cupcakes from this place, though you have to eat them that day, otherwise they get hard and crusty.

The frosting is buttery goodness, and the aroma when you walk in?

Vanilla Buttery goodness .... foodgasm.

There sugar cookies are ok, but I buy them so I can eat the frosting without wasting cake.

The Mr. prefers their cake bites over cupcakes, as do my children, but not me, I'm all about the funfetti cupcakes.

They have some pretty sweet flavours of the month, with one of the best being a smore's cupcake.

Man, I could talk about cake all day, infact, I dream about cake sometimes and will often begin a conversation with "Speaking of cake", whether you were or not.

So, if you want to bribe me, cake is the way!

bookgasm

Ok, so the book club thing I started and never did anything about coz I went to Europe in the middle of the month?

Well, new plan.

I'm going to do the reviews and discussions on here, much easier, and I'm going to offer a number of books to review because .. well I read alot, and some people want to read YA type deals and some don't.

This month I will read and review the following books:

• The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo - Steig Larsson

Yes, I'm years behind on this one, I've tried to read it a couple of times but this time, I'm determined to read this before the movie comes out, so I've got 2 weeks.

• Crossed - Ally Condie

This is a YA novel, and is the follow up to Matched. Touted as the next Hunger Games, it's some easy clean reading. Matched was ok, though I read a similar book called XVI by Julia Karr which I thought was WAY BETTER!

• Re:Union - Eric Liu

An indy sci-fi short for the price of FREE on Amazon.

Hopefully I stick with this one :p

The Sewing Machine Debacle

Ok, so as Christmas approaches I think it necessary to admit that I’m selfish.

It’s not something I’m proud of, but something I’m aware of and will freely admit.

I want not to be self absorbed at Christmas, but I’m not there yet.

I’m a list writer.
The feeling of checking off a task on my daily to-do’s ?
Completely satisfying.
 So, to ensure I get what I want for Christmas, I send my beloved a list.

Let’s rewind back a few years to the Christmas of 2007.

At the top of my list was a sewing machine.

It had been a while since I’d done any sewing, so I decided before thanksgiving that I wanted a sewing machine.

I scoured the Black Friday deals on Thanksgiving Day and discovered a $15 Walmart special that would fulfill my needs. 

SCORE!

I let Stephen know this was what I wanted, it’s on sale, good deal, and could he get it for me.

He nodded and smiled, leading me to believe I would be getting the much coveted sewing machine.

Fast forward a few weeks to Christmas.

Christmas morning I awake excited to open all my presents. Like a freakin 8 year old, I bound down the stairs and Stephen and I start opening our presents.

As I look at the boxes, I’m slightly concerned that I don’t see anything resembling the size of my sewing machine, so I continue opening my presents.

Now, it’s important to note, I’m spoilt. 
Completely. 
I attribute this to the fact that Stephen has always gotten me what I want, so I expect it.
 Not proud of that fact, but hey, at least I’m honest.

So, I get down to my last present, and open the neatly wrapped gift to expose, none other than a small beautiful pair of diamond earrings.

Here is where I turn into a dick.

I look at the earrings, look at Stephen’s smiling face and he says “Are you happy with your Christmas ?”.

My lip starts quivering (for shame you say, I know it, I can hear it) and I reply “No. I’m not.”

Being the idiot I am I say “I wanted a sewing machine”.

No thank you for everything you got me, I love everything, no gratitude, just the attitude of a petulant child.

Stephen starts laughing at me, like full blown cracking up, which just infuriates me even more.

He grabs my hand and drags me upstairs into our bedroom (don’t let dirty thoughts drift into your mind, I don’t need it to be Christmas to get some ass) and we walk into our closet. He picks up a box and reveals what?

MY SEWING MACHINE.

Still laughing, he tells me “I knew you would do that”.

I’m a predictable idiot.

So, what was the point of me telling this story?

Christmas hilarity.

Nah, I tell this story so people will know what kind of a saint my husband is to be married to me and it’s my blog, I can write what I want.

Cleanliness, why do you abandon me?

Don't you think it's hard to really truly relax when you have a dirty house?

The majority of the time my house is untidy, not truly "dirty" but I find it hard to reach that calm, satisfied, complete euphoria that comes with a clean house.

With two young children?

Forget about it!

Children have the inane ability, nay, seventh sense to know exactly where they shouldn't be and got there or making a mess in an area that was previously (as in immediately prior) cleaned.

Clean folded clothes that are in piles on the ground?

Forget it.

That pile of pants you just folded up aren't clothes, but a tower in need of being bowled over, and your 3 year old knows it is his duty to knock that sucker down!

I have two opposite children.

One who will clean up after himself, his brother and his cousins, and one who will come up with all different reasons why he can't clean up, and I've come up with some sweet answers for the little bugger as well.

"I'm too little!"

"If you're too little to clean up, you're too little for chocolate"

"I'm too tired!"

"Go to bed, I don't care if you just got up from your nap"

"I don't want to"

"I don't want to clean up your toys either, how about we throw them in the rubbish?"

"Mana isn't doing it"

"Who cares what anyone else is doing, worry about yourself"

I guess really these are Koa's 3 year old excuse's for everything, but I tell you what, this little nut case keeps me entertained.

I wonder though, is it worth my mental stability to clean only for things to be unclean 5 minutes later?

Who am I kidding?

The only time I really clean my house is when people are coming over.

Growing up we used to have to clean the house Saturday morning.

We could go wherever after we were done, but we HAD to have our jobs done before we went anywhere.

Some of my best memories come from cleaning the house.

Dishes on Sunday?

HOLY MOLY! 

We had to do them, by hand, in shifts.

I HATED washing the dishes, and would do a crappy job in the hopes that I wouldn't have to do them anymore. 

Not a chance.

I remember washing the dishes (barely) and when my brothers were like there is food still on this plate my response ?

"Wipe it faster"

Ah, the memories, something I look forward to giving my kids.


What was my point?
Something about cleaning, but I clearly got caught in my head.


So, if anyone's feeling generous, I could do with a maid for Christmas.

30 is dirty

There's a stigma associated with turning 30.

Why you ask?

I don't know the answer for other people, but for me, it's an age I hope to reach and reflect upon my life and feel like I've done something with myself, you know achieved something.

For me right now, I'm fine with turning 30 in six months.
Stoked with my family, job, home etc, click here for a refresher.

Well, fine in some ways, not so fine in other ways.

I've always had a pretty good memory.

As a child I could remember entire books word for word, conversations etc. to the point where I was an annoyance.

Even up until I had kids, arguing with me was a waste of time.

Since I had a mega memory, I could remember and recite verbatim what was discussed and bring it up at the most inopportune times for my foes.

Since I've had kids?

I have the memory of a fish, which I imagine is tiny.

I recall the most ridiculous things which, are the biggest waste of space in my mind, and I can't for the life of me recall basic words sometimes.

For example, my sister and I were talking about post partum depression, which I called post natal depression, FAIL.

Then we were talking about Burger Rings, which I called Burger Kings (this was on the same day).

Is this a simple brain lapse, or is this the inevitable beginning of the memory loss I will experience?

My grandfather on my dad's side had alzheimers, and my great grandmother on my dad's side had alzheimers, so it's inevitable my dad will get it.

I'm wondering if I might already be exhibiting signs of early onset alzheimer's.

Or is my mind just getting lazy like my body?

My body has been going south ("Literally" said my boobs) since I had kids, so it was only a matter of time before the mind went. 

Since my dad's side is rather diseased, as I get older I have diabetes, gout, arthritis, deafness, tinea toes and jacked up fingers to look forward too.

I'm already blind.

Man, I'm sorry Stephen, but I'll be falling apart in about 10 years, might be time for an upgrade!

Foreign Translation rules my life!

I love reading other people's blogs.

DIY, crafts etc, so awesome.

What is more awesome than reading someone's blog?

Reading blogs that have been translated with google translater from their foreign tongue to english.

My husband and sister can attest to this.

I'll show them what I'm reading, tears streaming down my face laughing, and I get the "why are you so whack?" stare.

For example ...

I clicked harbandinu good on the small Rognan Evey other day. It served to the big insisted hárband get for themselves and cheerful mother much by :-) I found nothing but a lace material, so I cut a piece off, enough to get your head around it and may make it together . fastened so much pink in the dusk that has hang around for me. But she came eye to stall the balls that I've been doing and assured me that she had to get one in the pink band.

HAHAHAHA!

Since I'm not technically mocking a person coz its google that is translating, I feel like it's ok.

Ah well, sometimes I just feel like laughing, and sometimes I just like being a dick.

Monday, Baking Day

And Monday = Life Style Change (Diet) day!

Let's get real for a minute people (myself).
 I'm a chub. Nice and chubby.

I'm not the self deprecating woe-is-me-I'm-so-fat sort of a person, looking for some sympathy.
I'm simply stating a fact.

I don't think I'm fat, I'm not overly obese, i'm just unnecessarily chunky.

Or pleasantly plump, which I like to say, coz it sounds far more cheerful doesn't it ?

My sister and I walked in to our mirrored elevator at work the other day and she was standing in front of me.

Now, she is a good 4 inches taller than me, so when I looked up and saw her in the mirror I had to do a double take, thinking it was me.

When she stepped to the side and I saw myself I started laughing, like cracked up loud obnoxious laughter. 

My reflection ?

It was like someone squashed my sister and her taller mass quickly became my shorter wider mass.

She's Luigi, I'm Mario.

Do I wonder, how did I get here ?

No. 
I know how I got here, I eat cake and crap daily, and I'm quite honestly surprised I'm not bigger than I  am with the amount I eat.

This isn't going to turn into a weight loss blog, or something like that, but I feel like writing about that fact that I'm sick of feeling like crap.

How do I get in gym time, and work, and devote what little time I can to my kids ?

Is it selfish of me to want to go to the gym ?

Portion Control for me ?

Non-existent. 

Why is it that my eyes are bigger than my stomach so I load my plate, then when I realize I can't eat it all, the need to not waste food kicks in and I consume it all ?

It's a vicious cycle, one I fully intend to break.

I don't want to be skinny, coz then I'd be the full package (HAHAHA) but I do want to be healthy and fit all my clothes and give myself a Merry Christmas, and since 1 month won't cut it, maybe a Happy New Year or at least be on the way to a Happy 2012.

Gobble Bubble

Ah Thanksgiving.

A day off work, a day with family and friends, and a repast to consume (unnecessary) copious amounts of food.

Round One.

Salad, or salads as it were yesterday.

Round Two.

Turkey and cranberry sauce, roast potatoes, roast sweet potatoes with brown sugar caramelized on top, stuffing, green bean casserole, gravy, cauliflower and cheese.

Round Three

(same as round two)

Round Four

Pie.

Pumpkin pie, apple pie, banoffee.

So good and yet so bad!

I often wonder why we (I) insist on eating more than is necessary.  

At a certain point, your body no longer enjoys what you are eating and starts to repel what you are doing .Your waist line starts running away from you thus expanding. 

At least, that’s what happens to me. 

Sometimes I think I can feel my skin tightening.

My clothes begin to anger and I believe they tighten in an effort to try to constrain me from the harm I am inflicting on myself, as if to say “No, stop it, we can’t take it.”

Even the clothes on the picture of myself I doodled today, look menacing “Why can’t you fit me? You did when you put me on this morning. Three hours later, and we need to be replaced?”

Oh willpower, why do you abandon me when I need you so?

That fluffy, delicious cream all whipped and poised, enticing me, calling me “put me on your pie, you know you won’t be satisfied without my creamy peaks atop that sweet layer of pumpkin”. Naughty, naughty pie.

And that is why I am sick today.

Give Thanks.

With it being Thanksgiving and all tomorrow, it's that time of the year, the time to openly give thanks to all that you are grateful for and it's expected.

Let's start with Stephen Giles.

I've blogged about him a number of times click here Ode to Sexy for a refresher.

Is he or are we perfect? Clearly not, if you've read anything I've posted. Though we are perfect for each other. I'm thankful for his hard work, and the example he is to our boys to be a good man, and a wonderful husband.
Thanks to my inlaws for raising a stellar son.

Thankful tear.

My babies.

Being a parent is one of the most fulfilling and rewarding jobs I will ever have. I can be quite selfish, narcissistic, but my kids make all the hard work and long days seem worth it. After a rough day at work, I can pick them up, and listen to them sing in the car all the way home and it reminds me that all the crap? Doesn't matter.

I love their little smiles. Their constant need to sit on me whenever I'm close to them.

Their kisses and their cuddles.

Their nightly good night farewell?

"Mummy, I love you a million times, you're the best, you're pretty and beautiful, see you in the morning".

Wouldn't trade that for the world.

Proud tears.

The home that I have to live in.

Our home is a simple home, built on love and a hard work.

I'm warm in the winter, A/C in the summer, and there is room for family to visit and stay.

The job that I have.

I complain, I get frustrated, it's cathartic for me, but I love it.

Working affords me opportunities I may not be able to have otherwise.

If I lived in NZ, I'm not confident I would have these same opportunities.

6 years at the same place and it's still a challenge I'm enjoying.

I work with some awesome people and some interesting people, I love it.

Food & Clothing.

Well, the jobs Stephen and I have help us to eat what we want and wear what we want.


(Feels a little like I'm saying a prayer right now)

Which leads me to my parents.

Champs. 
Thanks Mum for giving me a crack when I needed it, I could have been a lot more off if you didn't.

Nah, my mum is awesome though. If you know her, you know it. No need to explain, I'd be here all day. Taught me how to communicate.

My dad. 
Saying no, and making me scab off my friends for whatever you didn't feel like giving me money for, was a challenge. Challenge Accepted.

I had to get a little more creative to do what I needed with 15 cents.

That's what kids need these days. 
Someone to say NO more often.


Thanks for raising us in the gospel, and for the righteous influence you have been, and have encouraged.
I know I rarely go the religious route on this blog, but it's something I'm truly grateful for and was blessed to have as a strong influence in my life.

America. 
More specifically Utah.
I may not be the most outdoorsy person, but I love the mountains, and the cost of living, and the cleanliness.

Thank you for letting me live and thrive here.

Appreciate it!

My Brothers and Sisters.

All awesome.

Ariel - You're a pretty awesome big brother. A bit hard to deal with a sister like me so close in age. Who was the blubbering mess at your mission farewell? HAHAHA. You work hard to provide for you're family and you've got some beautiful girls. Stoked we are so close.

Phil - Even though you think you were born a man, I'll still remember you being scared of the dark and not wanting to run around the house. Contrary ;) Who knew you would get all into politics and rebuilding Christchurch?
Love your boy and wish you were closer.

Mims - Best. Sister. Ever.

Luke - What can I say, you've always kept us entertained, from your stories, your antics (shaving your hair with a razor at 9?) to your pictures with your earrings and tattoo's (don't think I don't remember that) never a dull moment with you around.

Sam - On his mission right now, but so proud of him and his spiritual and intellectual growth. Growing up and not crying every day? Way to go Sammy.

Tapua - You're pretty much the big brother with the little kids, and you've got a lot to live up to ;) But, you're a smart and sensitive, and I'm proud of you little brother.

Josiah - You my little brother, are a good boy. Be an individual, be who you want and form your own ideas on things.

Bronte - Little sister, you're lucky you look like me. I'm glad you're opinionated, we all are, and we will clash, but you'll need that independant streak you have ;) Little sister, you're lucky you look like me. I'm freakin' beautiful :p


Feleti - Our other brother. Man, you're the smartest person I know besides Mum, and I wish we saw each other more, but alas, we are too far. 
Who knows half the things I've learnt from you ?
Clearly not me if you didn't tell me ;)


Grateful for some sweet sisters-in-law and the two brothers-in-law I have.
Good on ya for marrying my siblings, or being my husbands siblings.
Ambitious maneuver.

Extended Family.

Man, I'm truly blessed to be related to so many wonderful, sometimes beautiful, people.

Friends.

Well, you're going to have to take a good hard look at yourself.

You actually chose to be my friend. Consciously made the choice.

HAHAHA on you.

That's enough for this post I think, feeling a bit cheesy at the moment.

If I don't say it enough, I'm sorry, but I'm thankful to be blessed with a good life, and the good sense to recognize that I am blessed.

Happy Thanksgiving suckers!