Wait for it

The past few days when I've glanced outside and seen beautiful blue skies and birds chirping in the trees, I get all excited and giddy because it looks like a sunny spring day! So I step outside expecting I'll feel the spring heat warming my back and smell the blooming flowers but then I get shut down with a strong gust of bitter cold wind and I see snow clouds in the distance. *SIGH* Nope its not here yet. In Utah this is the most fickle time of the year with our weather. We definitely have some sunny days, but the moment you step out onto your porch you are nipped with a cold chill and forced to grab a sweater. Then wait about a half hour and it'll be snowing, so you go grab a coat to go over your sweater. Wait a few more hours and it will be raining so you just decide to stay indoors. Then maybe by the end of the day that tricky sun will try to lure you out again, but by this time you've learned your lesson and are just grumbling about how you wish it was spring already. Well at least that's what I felt like today. I am usually pretty good with Utah's weather. In fact, I absolutely love living in a state that has all four seasons (especially after living in one that only has 1.5 seasons. Ugh.) But lately I look outside and I just want to say "Warm up already! I want to wear Capri's and my brand new Old Navy t-shirts! And I want to feel like I only have to throw on a light jacket when I take Toby for a walk or go to the park!!!" I know, I know. It getting closer. Call the Wambulance. But you know what I discovered that has really given me a much needed mood boost? Listening to happy, summery songs!!! Today on the radio I heard three songs that made me totally psyched for flip-flop season and it seriously pushed away my winter blues. And guess what? For your convenience I have put my summery songs on my playlist right now. You're welcome.

So if you are having a hard time with our whimsical weather too, I highly recommend making yourself a spring/summer playlist. And if you really want to have some fun, dance to the songs too. At least that is what Toby and I did when we got home. Hey, don't knock it til you've tried it. :)

Mourn with those who mourn

So I have to admit I am having a hard time with applying the scripture in Mosiah 18:9. Particularly the beginning part that says: "Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort..." And let me tell you why. See Nick has been pretty sick with a bad cold for the past few days and every time he complains about it I just say things like: "Well did you take some echinacea or Vitamin C? Maybe you should go to bed early tonight" or when I am feeling somewhat obnoxious I quote Zoolander: "*cough, cough* I think I'm getting the Black Lung, Pop."
But I think the worst comment came this morning. Let me just preface this with saying that I am really good at sympathizing with other women. You got to admit...we go through a lot. Monthly cycles, pregnancies, child labor. So whenever my poor husband complains about not feeling well, I kind of give him this "oh just suck it up and take it like a man" attitude. So back to this morning. He had gotten up with Toby and it was time for what we call "the changing of the guards." As he was making himself comfortable in our bed and I was trying to peel myself out of the warm, comfy covers, Nick groaned, "Oh my throat hurts SO bad!" Well, let me also mention that I am definitely not the happiest person in the mornings so I snapped back at him "You know next time you feel like you are being gutted like a fish like I do at least once a month, then we'll talk." At the time I felt all triumphant like: "haha! There is not way you can top that!" But later on I felt like such a jerk of a wife. I mean all the poor guy really wants me to say is, "I'm sorry Nick. Is there anything I can do for you?" But instead he got the ultimate guilt trip for simply saying that his throat hurt. Luckily I have a very forgiving husband and he didn't take offense to anything I said. Anyway, needless to say right now I am currently experiencing the scripture in Alma 32: 16 . "Blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble." :)

Oh and while I was blogging away, I remembered this Brian Regan skit about his visit to the emergency room. I have watched it several times and it still makes me laugh so hard. So if you have about 8 minutes to spare, its well worth your while!

Easy Like Sunday Morning

So we have finally named our new pup. We decided to go with Kaya, and for a few reasons: 1) Toby can say it (though he usually says "Kai-Kai") 2) It's a city in Alaska and a name used for many Alaskan sled dogs. 3) The name means 'stay' in Native Eskimo and we definitely want her to 'stay' with us for a very long time! Isn't she just perfect?




I will admit though, as much as I've wanted a dog, I definitely had my trepidations about how one would affect our day-to-day dynamics. And growing up with dogs my entire life, if there was one thing I remember it was that they take a lot of work and patience - especially in the puppy stage: The house breaking, the shedding, the frequent walks, the chewing up of the slippers....you get the idea. Plus with an extra active toddler, I was worried about how I could keep track of both of them. But the past 5 days with her have been so wonderful. Of course there have been some accidents and some big "no-no" moments - but you gotta expect those. I'm honestly shocked and very grateful with how smoothly things are going so far. I kind of feel like one of those parents who get a really easy baby that sleeps all night and never cries, because she's been so...well... easy. Nick even said the 2nd day we had her: "Wow, she's WAY easier than Toby." She's sleeps in her kennel all night and wines only occasionally, she is already showing that she knows that "outside" is where she is suppose "do her business," and when I am busy with Toby she will curl up underneath our table or by my slippers and sleep.



I feel very spoiled and I hope I don't jinx this easy streak. (Just like when you tell someone your child is sleeping well at night and then that night they decide to wake up every two hours. ha!)





It's interesting that since we have welcomed our new little pup into our home, I have noticed a lot of people have never heard of Pembroke Welsh Corgi's and wondered why I wanted this specific breed. My parents have a corgi named Winston - who I absolutely adore - and so I always told Nick if he ever got me a dog, it would have to be a corgi.

Winston. (Or as my brother Terry calls him: the giant twinkie with legs.)

And just for fun I decided to give you a few fun facts about this lovable doggie:

Did you know?

• Corgis are one of the most agreeable small house dogs. They are never shy or vicious, but have a vivacious, bubbly, personality that makes you completely fall in love with them .
  
• They are the 7th smartest breed out of all dogs. They are extremely intelligent and easily trained. My parents dog, Winston, can shake, sit, speak, play dead, roll over, catch a treat in mid-air, and play hide-and-seek.
  
• They are herding dogs for cattle and sheep. Their natural instinct is to nip at your heels if you walk by them too quickly, but with a little work you can train them to resist that urge.
• Queen Elizabeth owns several corgis. They have been favored by British Royalty for more than 70 years.

So there you have it. Go get a corgi today!

Our new addition

Nick bought me a puppy for Valentines Day! I am so excited to have her. She is a Pembroke Welsh Corgi (my favorite breed) and only about 8 weeks old. We are still undecided about what to name her so please help us by placing your vote. We want to name her an Alaskan name of some kind.

So far Toby really likes her, but he is definitely having some jealousy issues. I am hoping that having a dog will help get him use to no longer being numero uno, so when we do have our next child it won't be as drastic for him. It's all theory of course. Plus it is SO nice to have someone to distract Toby for a few minutes so I can actually, I don't know, do my hair or put away dishes. :)

This is by far THE best Valentines present ever. THANK YOU NICK!

My Two Valentines

For Valentines day I've decided to dedicate a post to the two loves of my life: Nick and Toby. I have been thinking a lot lately about when Nick and I first met and what exactly attracted me to him. Well, let me first give you a quick run-down on how we met. We met in early October of 2004. I still look back on that time in my life as the "golden months." It was fall - my favorite season. I loved my apartment, my roommates, my job, and that was the season I fell hard for the man I would someday marry. Sometime during the first week in October Nick's friend, Kurt (who lived in my same apartment complex), had invited me and my roommates to a corn maze. When we arrived at Kurt's apartment, Nick answered the door. I can still see his tanned complexion, messy hair, and brilliant blue eyes staring back at me. Was it love at first sight? Well, lets just say I was definitely attracted to him and very interested in getting to know him better. Nick soon discovered I had just returned from visiting my sister in Palmer, Alaska and right then we had instant common bond. We loved the beauty of Alaska. The whole evening was spent talking about the different places I had visited and I could just feel his homesickness as I described how beautiful the mountains were and showed him a picture of them on my cell phone. By the end of the night I remember telling my roommate, "I like Nick. I definitely wouldn't mind if he asked me out." Well he did ask me out - 3 weeks after the corn maze! I still tease him about dragging his feet for so long. At the beginning of our first official date I was pumped and so excited to spend more time together, but was later disappointed with the anti-climatic ending. Nick spoke very little the entire time. I remember feeling frustrated that I had to carry most of the conversation and so by the end of the night, I had mixed feelings about whether I was truly into him or not (later I found out he was a little nervous and intimidated by me which was a complete shock , but also a bit flattering as well :) I never thought of myself as intimidating.) I know this will probably sound a bit superficial but I was always very black and white with the guys I dated -I was either 100% into them, or I wasn't. And if I wasn't, I didn't waste any time in letting them know that. So after our first date, I was kind of like "Meh...I don't really care if I go on another date with him." Well, he ended up asking me out a few more times after that and I don't know what changed but we totally clicked. All our conversations were so natural and real. We laughed about all the funny Alaskan ways, we spent hours talking about both dumb and serious things, and we even had a game of asking each other 20 questions every time we hung out. Every moment I spent with him I fell a little deeper in love with the man who is now my husband and father to my son. Tonight I began thinking about all those little things that made me like, and then eventually love Nick. Here are just a few of the traits that I still treasure today:

• Nick intrigued me with how blunt he was about everyone and everything. He was real and open and 100% genuine in everything he said. I loved it.
• Nick wasn't going to school when I met him, but he worked extremely hard at his job. I remember being so impressed at how many hours he put in even though he absolutely hated his job. I saw in him a strong work ethic and good provider.
• Nick always surprised me with random phone calls and text messages that would brighten my day. We never had a cat-and-mouse relationship. It was always comfortable and easy. No second guessing on where we stood. I could see him being very loyal and devoted spouse - and he hasn't disappointed yet.
• Though he grew up with a dad who was not LDS (but very supportive of his beliefs), Nick had a strong testimony of the gospel and love for the Lord. I remember being extremely impressed when I learned Nick paid for his entire mission out of his own pocket. How often does that happen anymore?
• Nick is the ultimate handy man. I remember sometime while we were dating mentioning to him that one of my headlights on my car burned out. Within 3 days he had ordered the a new bulb and installed it for me. Whenever anything is broken or needs to be repaired whether its a garage door or car door, Nick is on the job. I can't tell you how much money this has saved us.
• Nick has always had a way of seeing right through me. Even though sometimes I wish he would butt-out of my head so that I could enjoy being just a little mysterious, I am grateful to have a husband that is very in-tune with my thoughts and feelings.
  
• When we were dating Nick loved making me dinner. His specialty was BBQ chicken. To this day whenever he makes it, I think of us sitting in his apartment in Provo devouring his savory chicken dinner while watching 24. Now-a-days Nick is the kind of husband and father that most women pine over. He will start a load of laundry, put away dishes, vacuum, watch Toby whenever I feel I need a break (which is at least once a week), and make dinner all with out any nagging or prompting. His way of showing love is through acts of service.
  

I am so grateful to have met you, my quirky Alaskan. I appreciate all your hard work and dedication to school and work. You are AMAZING and I love you.

And now for my the little guy who is already larger than life...



Toby, you are your mommy's best friend. I don't consider the time with you a chore. I love spending my days with you - even if some of them are completely exhausting. Though you are such a spirited little guy, blessed with an iron will and lots of energy I know these tough traits are a blessing in disguise. Your spunk, love for life, and moodiness may turn out to someday be: "strong ambition" "perseverance" and "sensitivity to others." Just looking at you makes my heart melt and I am so proud and grateful to call you my son. Here a few things about you that I hope I will always remember during this precious time in your life where you look to me for everything:

• I love your enthusiasm for everything you do. Whenever I ask you "what does a cow say?" Its never a weak "moo" its always "MOOOOOOO!" I love how you are a risk taker (though some days you almost give me a heart attack with your bravery).
  
• I love that when I look at you, I see little pieces of me. You have your mommy's almond shaped eyes, elf ears, and Rarick chin. I love how we laugh at the same silly things together.
• I love how sometimes all you want to do is hold my hand when we are running errands together. Even though my arm is sometimes about to fall off from reaching it back to you in your car seat, I treasure these times where just holding my hand is such a comfort to you.
• I love how you will grab my face and pull it into yours with a little mischievous grin and then give me a kiss. You are THE most affectionate toddler I have ever seen.
• I love how observant you are. No matter what we are doing you will drop everything to point out a bird in a tree, an airplane in the sky, or a kitty running across the street.
• I love how you are so sweet and patient with other kids your age.
  
• I love your athleticism and willingness to try new things. And I love that you can keep up with kids twice your age. I get teary eyed thinking about attending your little league games and eventually High School sporting events.
• And most of all, I love that Heavenly Father sent you to our home. You are the light of my life and am so humbled to call you my son.

Happy Valentines Day to the two wonderful guys in my life!

Tomorrow's the big day

Well its not that big of a day I guess. But for me it is. I am finally getting rid of my Mirena IUD! Woo-hoo! No more Dr. Jekyl/Mr. Hyde episodes, no more weight gain (well that's not entirely fair, I did eat A LOT over the holidays) no more fatigue, headaches, nausea, anxiety, or lower back and hip pain ...well...at least until I get pregnant anyway. But at least there will be a higher cause for all the misery then. And honestly I wasn't all that hormonal when I was pregnant with Toby. Mirena made me feel like I seriously losing my mind at least one full week out of every month. I think once I have it removed I might go dancing out of the doctors office similar to Richard Dreyfuss on the movie What About Bob? and sing: "FREEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

OK probably not since I know I will be in some pain for a little while. But it would be pretty funny if I did, eh? :)

And just for kicks I decided to post a little clip from the movie since its so stinkin' hilarious. Enjoy!

"C" is for Cookie

This is the best chocolate chip cookie recipe - hands down! I got it from my mom and felt the need to share it with all of you. Hope you like it!

In large bowl, cream together:
2/3 c. butter flavored Crisco
2/3 c. butter, softened
1 c. white sugar
1 c. packed brown sugar

Then add:
2 eggs
1 Tbsp. vanilla

In separate small bowl, mix:
3 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt

Add flour mix to large bowl. Add 2 cups of MILK CHOCOLATE CHIPS (I don't think semi-sweet taste as good).

Bake at 375 degrees for 8 - 10 minutes. YUM!