Little Reese could arrive any time in the next couple of weeks and I think we are as ready as we can be. The nursery is pretty much done. The only things missing are; pictures of our beautiful little Reese to fill the emty picture frames, and the beautiful hand made baby quilt that will hang above the dresser. It was made by my very talented and gifted friend Keri Jones with many of my other friends pitching in. It's not quite complete, but I've seen it and it matches the room perfectly. I can't wait to hang it. It will definitely be a treasure for Reese to keep.
Thank you to all our wonderful friends and family members that have given us such generous and thoughtful gifts. Because of you we have everything we need for Reese to arrive! We are truly blessed.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Happy Birthday Crew! We Love you!
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Today is our little nephew Crew's 2nd birthday! We love you Crew and really wish you lived closer, so we could play with you more.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
I've been tagged...
Ok, here's what I’m supposed to do:
list 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 current obsessions/collections, 3 surprising facts and then tag 5 other people.
Joys
1. My husband coming home from work. I miss him all day.
2. Feeling my little baby kick and move around inside me
3. Anytime I get to spend with my family
4. Shopping for my little girl on the way
5. Cooking
6. Swimming
I really could name so many more...
Fears
1. Something happening to Arnold or our baby
2. My water breaking in a public place. Like in the middle of a meeting with one of my clients. I would die
3. Labor
Can you tell I'm pregnant?
Obsessions
1. Learning everything I can about being a good mom
2. Organizing or cleaning
3. Cooking
Facts
1. I grew up traveling the world. I still love to travel. (I've been to 4 of the 7 continents. Only 2 to go. I don't think I'll ever make it to Antarctica, nor do I care.)
2. I just don't understand the scrapbooking obsession here in Utah. I don't see the fun in it. Sorry to all of you who do. I still love you.
3. I'm overly independent, but trying to learn how to ask for more help. My husband is trying to help me overcome this flaw. I blame it on almost 33 years of single life.
Now I have to tag five people:
1. Chellese
2. Heather M.
3. Erika
4. Natasha J.
5. Julie
list 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 current obsessions/collections, 3 surprising facts and then tag 5 other people.
Joys
1. My husband coming home from work. I miss him all day.
2. Feeling my little baby kick and move around inside me
3. Anytime I get to spend with my family
4. Shopping for my little girl on the way
5. Cooking
6. Swimming
I really could name so many more...
Fears
1. Something happening to Arnold or our baby
2. My water breaking in a public place. Like in the middle of a meeting with one of my clients. I would die
3. Labor
Can you tell I'm pregnant?
Obsessions
1. Learning everything I can about being a good mom
2. Organizing or cleaning
3. Cooking
Facts
1. I grew up traveling the world. I still love to travel. (I've been to 4 of the 7 continents. Only 2 to go. I don't think I'll ever make it to Antarctica, nor do I care.)
2. I just don't understand the scrapbooking obsession here in Utah. I don't see the fun in it. Sorry to all of you who do. I still love you.
3. I'm overly independent, but trying to learn how to ask for more help. My husband is trying to help me overcome this flaw. I blame it on almost 33 years of single life.
Now I have to tag five people:
1. Chellese
2. Heather M.
3. Erika
4. Natasha J.
5. Julie
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
This one's for you Cindy!
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It's a funny feeling when you wake up every morning, look in the mirror, and realize that your body is continuing to morph into something you recognize less and less each day. I'm now 35 weeks pregnant and not only have I lost my stomach but my ankles, my hands, my neck, my chin and depending on the day...my knees sometimes disappear as well. To all those women out there that are all belly and don't get to experience the joy of swelling beyond recognition...I hate you! :)But I still love my little Reese and willingly submit to what ever is necessary for her to join our family. But in the words of my good friend Keri Jones, "Could this kind of torture really be a part of the Lords plan for 'Happiness'???"
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Happy 38th Anniversary Mom & Dad!
Tomorrow is my mom & dad's 38th wedding anniversary. Below I've posted a story I wrote for them several years ago, about an experience I had with them on a trip home. I feel very blessed to have such wonderful parents who have always supported and stood by me through the many ups and downs of life. Next to my wonderful husband, they are my best friends. They have given me and my brothers & sister the best gift possible and that's the continual knowledge that they love each other first and foremost and always will. Their strong marriage and wonderful example of love and dedication to each other has set the example that marriage is truly the greatest relationship of life. Love you mom & dad!
The Projector
Dedicated to Craig & Dixie Nordfelt for their 32nd wedding Anniversary in 2002.
Written by Mindi Nordfelt
The old projector sputtered as it began to spin. "I have no idea what's on this one, or what order these are in," my father said as he fumbled to feed the old roll of film through the tired machine. I observed him in his perfect element, working with his hands to solve a problem. The left side of his face scrunched with the corner of his lip raised, a look of exertion and determination; a look I've seen my whole life, a look I think I inherited from him.
I had come home for the weekend needing an escape from the stress and anxiety of my single city life; home has always been a refuge I long for. Feeling overcome by a nostalgic grip to seek out my childhood, I rummaged through the storage room in search of the old family movies. It had taken quite a bit of enticing to tear my parents away from their afternoon, but there we sat, waiting to see the ghostly images of the past projected onto the family room wall. I waited on the edge of the couch like an impatient schoolgirl, my mother holding my hand at my side, my dad in command at the projector. With today's high-speed digital film, wide screen TVs, DVDs, and surround sound, it seemed almost comical; three adults excitedly huddled around an archaic piece of equipment waiting to catch a silent visual glimpse into the past.
The projector jerked as the film caught the reel and began to feed. The lamp burned a bright light on to the vacant wall. Red crackly lines appeared as an image slowly came into focus. A slender young man appeared. His head was slightly bent showing a thick full head of hair. His arms were relaxed with his hands placed casually in his pockets, embarrassedly proud that he was being filmed. It was my father. He must have been about 24, standing in the driveway of an unrecognizable home. The film blurred as the image crackled and went dark. Slowly another picture came into focus showing the face of a young girl, with stylish flipped hair. Her head nodded to the side as she adoringly rolled her eyes at the unseen audience behind the camera. She was my mother, no more than 20 years old. Yawning, she gave a charming sheepish grin as the film faded into the next captured moment.
I sat motionless, overcome by the silent spilling of pictures, places, and people, memories of a lifetime past. There was my mother at an air-show looking girlish yet strikingly beautiful as she stood peering into the sky; sitting on her father's lap kissing his cheek; dancing in her pink fuzzy slippers as her little sisters mimicked her movements, and pouting in the front yard from an apparent fight with my father. Then my ambitiously eager father appeared, parachuting behind a truck in ROTC; showing off the trophies of a family deer hunt; and hanging out with his brothers and sisters in his parent's kitchen. Their first apartment, their first car, their first Christmas; their first child; all images of two young naïve people, full of love, dreams and hopeful possibilities.
At 27 years old I had long viewed my parents as more than two people who's sole purpose in life was to take care of me. But at that moment I felt my visual tunnel of existence widen further and a broader understanding of the meaning of life come into view. More than a transportation of time, the gap of a generation dispelled leaving the innocence of youthful beginnings running parallel.
We continued, silent observers, time expiring with every roll of film. My mother's grip on my hand tightened as she watched her life pass in silent motion, reflecting images of a young mother bringing babies home from the hospital, afternoons at the playground, birthday parties, and Christmas mornings. My father chuckled with sights of throwing his daughters up in the air giggling in excitement, watching them race down the driveway on big-wheels and tricycles, and lifting them high above his head as they stood on his hands.
With cathartic healing I watched my life begin, from taking my first daring steps, to my first unexpected taste of salt water at the beach, playing in the fresh Montana snow, and holding my baby brother just home from the hospital. Once so small and free from care with bright blue eyes and thick blond hair, I sported a contagious smile and an overwhelming sense of wonder; a small extension of my parents love. Each passing moment filled the gaps of my childhood memories with healing images of happiness and innocence, like refreshing rain filling the cracks of a dry crusted beach.
My father fed roll after roll of film through the old projector and in a single afternoon the first telling chapters of our family legacy unfolded through the eye of an eight-millimeter camera lens. As the last frame caught the reel spinning in completion, a pleasant yet overwhelming echo of the past loomed about us.
My focus then turned to the two people in the room with me. Not the idealized super parents of my childhood, but the real parents of my present, the friends who have loved me despite my imperfections and stood by me through moments of desperate crisis. I wondered what emotional sensations must have seized their thoughts in those moments, possibly joy, gratitude, love, regret, peace, anticipation, doubt, wonder, happiness, or even sadness. For a life lived in fullness should encompass every degree of feeling.
My moms face, streaked with tears, was not the naive girlish face of her past. Her eyes were now piercing with wisdom and understanding, holding the keys to treasures of worldly and spiritual knowledge unknown to the young. Her hand, holding mine, was warn as evidence of 30 years sacrifice and unconditional love as a wife, mother, and grandmother.
My eyes searched my fathers face, etched with character and honor, a manifestation of years as the pillar of our family. He was hard working and honest, capable of making mistakes, but always striving to lead with love. His wisdom was often overwhelming in matters spanning the radius of life.
It was hard to imagine them once as I, striving to find a chosen path, struggling to forge a future of notable worth, unaware of what challenging trials and joyous moments life's journey might encounter. They had once also been naïve, uncertain, even innocent. And now, having traveled so many paths of adversity, challenge, triumph and even failure at times, an era of faithful certainty encompassed them. They had and would continue to live a life of fullness; with sustaining devotion to each other and to the life they began together so many years ago.
As a hopeful reassurance settled the youthful anxiety that had brought me home for an escape, it became very clear to me; the source of peaceful refuge that home provided was a product of a lifetime investment in love, a love that was planted in the hearts of the two young people projected on the family room wall, a love with deep roots now flourishing in faith.
"I can't believe how old this machine is," my dad said as he stood to gather the rolls of film my mother had been organizing and labeling with dates. "I remember when I bought the camera on my mission,” he proclaimed. “It seems like that was just yesterday."
"More like a lifetime ago," my mom said, giving my dad a playful smile.
Written by Mindi Nordfelt
The old projector sputtered as it began to spin. "I have no idea what's on this one, or what order these are in," my father said as he fumbled to feed the old roll of film through the tired machine. I observed him in his perfect element, working with his hands to solve a problem. The left side of his face scrunched with the corner of his lip raised, a look of exertion and determination; a look I've seen my whole life, a look I think I inherited from him.
I had come home for the weekend needing an escape from the stress and anxiety of my single city life; home has always been a refuge I long for. Feeling overcome by a nostalgic grip to seek out my childhood, I rummaged through the storage room in search of the old family movies. It had taken quite a bit of enticing to tear my parents away from their afternoon, but there we sat, waiting to see the ghostly images of the past projected onto the family room wall. I waited on the edge of the couch like an impatient schoolgirl, my mother holding my hand at my side, my dad in command at the projector. With today's high-speed digital film, wide screen TVs, DVDs, and surround sound, it seemed almost comical; three adults excitedly huddled around an archaic piece of equipment waiting to catch a silent visual glimpse into the past.
The projector jerked as the film caught the reel and began to feed. The lamp burned a bright light on to the vacant wall. Red crackly lines appeared as an image slowly came into focus. A slender young man appeared. His head was slightly bent showing a thick full head of hair. His arms were relaxed with his hands placed casually in his pockets, embarrassedly proud that he was being filmed. It was my father. He must have been about 24, standing in the driveway of an unrecognizable home. The film blurred as the image crackled and went dark. Slowly another picture came into focus showing the face of a young girl, with stylish flipped hair. Her head nodded to the side as she adoringly rolled her eyes at the unseen audience behind the camera. She was my mother, no more than 20 years old. Yawning, she gave a charming sheepish grin as the film faded into the next captured moment.
I sat motionless, overcome by the silent spilling of pictures, places, and people, memories of a lifetime past. There was my mother at an air-show looking girlish yet strikingly beautiful as she stood peering into the sky; sitting on her father's lap kissing his cheek; dancing in her pink fuzzy slippers as her little sisters mimicked her movements, and pouting in the front yard from an apparent fight with my father. Then my ambitiously eager father appeared, parachuting behind a truck in ROTC; showing off the trophies of a family deer hunt; and hanging out with his brothers and sisters in his parent's kitchen. Their first apartment, their first car, their first Christmas; their first child; all images of two young naïve people, full of love, dreams and hopeful possibilities.
At 27 years old I had long viewed my parents as more than two people who's sole purpose in life was to take care of me. But at that moment I felt my visual tunnel of existence widen further and a broader understanding of the meaning of life come into view. More than a transportation of time, the gap of a generation dispelled leaving the innocence of youthful beginnings running parallel.
We continued, silent observers, time expiring with every roll of film. My mother's grip on my hand tightened as she watched her life pass in silent motion, reflecting images of a young mother bringing babies home from the hospital, afternoons at the playground, birthday parties, and Christmas mornings. My father chuckled with sights of throwing his daughters up in the air giggling in excitement, watching them race down the driveway on big-wheels and tricycles, and lifting them high above his head as they stood on his hands.
With cathartic healing I watched my life begin, from taking my first daring steps, to my first unexpected taste of salt water at the beach, playing in the fresh Montana snow, and holding my baby brother just home from the hospital. Once so small and free from care with bright blue eyes and thick blond hair, I sported a contagious smile and an overwhelming sense of wonder; a small extension of my parents love. Each passing moment filled the gaps of my childhood memories with healing images of happiness and innocence, like refreshing rain filling the cracks of a dry crusted beach.
My father fed roll after roll of film through the old projector and in a single afternoon the first telling chapters of our family legacy unfolded through the eye of an eight-millimeter camera lens. As the last frame caught the reel spinning in completion, a pleasant yet overwhelming echo of the past loomed about us.
My focus then turned to the two people in the room with me. Not the idealized super parents of my childhood, but the real parents of my present, the friends who have loved me despite my imperfections and stood by me through moments of desperate crisis. I wondered what emotional sensations must have seized their thoughts in those moments, possibly joy, gratitude, love, regret, peace, anticipation, doubt, wonder, happiness, or even sadness. For a life lived in fullness should encompass every degree of feeling.
My moms face, streaked with tears, was not the naive girlish face of her past. Her eyes were now piercing with wisdom and understanding, holding the keys to treasures of worldly and spiritual knowledge unknown to the young. Her hand, holding mine, was warn as evidence of 30 years sacrifice and unconditional love as a wife, mother, and grandmother.
My eyes searched my fathers face, etched with character and honor, a manifestation of years as the pillar of our family. He was hard working and honest, capable of making mistakes, but always striving to lead with love. His wisdom was often overwhelming in matters spanning the radius of life.
It was hard to imagine them once as I, striving to find a chosen path, struggling to forge a future of notable worth, unaware of what challenging trials and joyous moments life's journey might encounter. They had once also been naïve, uncertain, even innocent. And now, having traveled so many paths of adversity, challenge, triumph and even failure at times, an era of faithful certainty encompassed them. They had and would continue to live a life of fullness; with sustaining devotion to each other and to the life they began together so many years ago.
As a hopeful reassurance settled the youthful anxiety that had brought me home for an escape, it became very clear to me; the source of peaceful refuge that home provided was a product of a lifetime investment in love, a love that was planted in the hearts of the two young people projected on the family room wall, a love with deep roots now flourishing in faith.
"I can't believe how old this machine is," my dad said as he stood to gather the rolls of film my mother had been organizing and labeling with dates. "I remember when I bought the camera on my mission,” he proclaimed. “It seems like that was just yesterday."
"More like a lifetime ago," my mom said, giving my dad a playful smile.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
My feet may be swollen...but my toes look pretty...
Thanks to my wonderful friend Cindy!
Thanks so much for treating me to a pedicure last night. It was so fun to hang out and be pampered together. It was also fun to reminisce about our good old days as the Mall Marketing Wonder Twins. You know...before we had husbands, mortgages and when we had a lot of disposable income to shop with. Those were the days. (Not to mention we were at our skinniest! see picture)
I'm counting on you to keep the radio talk show dream alive.
You're the best!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
The Basement is Done!!!!!!!!
We did it. We survived the completion of the basement! We received our certificate of occupancy this morning. Now I have 8 weeks to get the house back to normal before little Reese arrives.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Finally a moment to blog...
I apologize it's been awhile sense I've update our blog. Life has become more and more crazy this summer. It seems like there's always something to do. I've been a little busy with work trying to get all my clients squared away before I go on maternity leave. I'm down to 8 1/2 weeks and I realize that I'm going to get progressively more tired and worn out. Then of course there's always the chance of having the baby early...not that I'm counting on that, but it's good to be prepared.
We had a good 4th of July, but I'm going to commit the unpardonable sin and go on record as officially hating "Stadium of Fire". I'm sorry, I used to like it but it seems to be getting less and less patriotic every year. I'm a firm believer that 4th of July fireworks should be put to patriotic music, not movie themes, 5o's music, or 80's music. I also think the performers at the event should include some sort of patriotic theme or music in their performances.
I like the beginning with the fly over, presentation of the flag and the military families...but they loose it in the end. I might as well be at any old celebration. And forget about the smoke and ashes that fill the stadium. It's a good thing that in all the years I've been going to the "Stadium of Fire", I've never had to pay for it. I would want my money back! Sorry all you Miley Sirus fans...but I don't get that either. What a terrible concert.
If you ever have the chance, the best 4th of July fireworks I've ever been to are in Idaho Falls, Idaho. The owner of Meleluca (sp?) put's on the show every year. He pay's for the whole thing, and it is unbelievable. It's the grandest and longest display of fireworks I've ever seen and it's completely choreographed to patriotic music via a local radio station. Everyone takes a picnic, blankets, lawn chairs, and their radios down to the river and they line the river banks. With everyone tuned into the same station you lay there and watch the fireworks over the water. It has never failed to bring me to tears.
Now that's my idea of a great 4th of July! Next year that's were we're headed for sure!
We had a good 4th of July, but I'm going to commit the unpardonable sin and go on record as officially hating "Stadium of Fire". I'm sorry, I used to like it but it seems to be getting less and less patriotic every year. I'm a firm believer that 4th of July fireworks should be put to patriotic music, not movie themes, 5o's music, or 80's music. I also think the performers at the event should include some sort of patriotic theme or music in their performances.
I like the beginning with the fly over, presentation of the flag and the military families...but they loose it in the end. I might as well be at any old celebration. And forget about the smoke and ashes that fill the stadium. It's a good thing that in all the years I've been going to the "Stadium of Fire", I've never had to pay for it. I would want my money back! Sorry all you Miley Sirus fans...but I don't get that either. What a terrible concert.
If you ever have the chance, the best 4th of July fireworks I've ever been to are in Idaho Falls, Idaho. The owner of Meleluca (sp?) put's on the show every year. He pay's for the whole thing, and it is unbelievable. It's the grandest and longest display of fireworks I've ever seen and it's completely choreographed to patriotic music via a local radio station. Everyone takes a picnic, blankets, lawn chairs, and their radios down to the river and they line the river banks. With everyone tuned into the same station you lay there and watch the fireworks over the water. It has never failed to bring me to tears.
Now that's my idea of a great 4th of July! Next year that's were we're headed for sure!
Monday, June 23, 2008
A Tribute to My Favorite Girls!
10 years ago this week my sister was gearing up to have her #3 and last child. A little girl! It would be my second little niece. I was so excited. I had missed the birth of my first niece, Riley, while I was on my mission. I couldn't wait to have a new addition to the family to spoil. Then on June 25th little Mycol, who I now call little "m" was born. She was such a beautiful little baby. If there's one thing my sister does really well...let's be honest my sister does just about everything really well...but what she really really does well, is have beautiful children.
To help my sister out I went down and picked up my nephew Logan and my niece Riley and we had a great sleep over followed by a fun day at Lagoon. I really wish I had a scanner (this was back before the digital camera age), because if I did I'd scan the funniest picture I have of Riley passed out in the back seat of my car after a long fun day at Lagoon. Her hair is standing up on end from the cotton candy she'd rubbed in it earlier, and she's desperately hanging on to a rainbow sucker the size of her head that after falling asleep became stuck to the side of her face. But even through deep sleep, she maintained an iron clad grasp on the dang thing. Defiantly a 2 year olds dream day at Lagoon.
Anyway, back to the point of this post. In honor of my little "m's" 10th birthday, and in honor of Riley who turned 12 in April, before I was a blogger. I'm posting the slide show above. Some of my favorite pictures of my favorite little girls.
Happy Birthday girls! I love you to the moon and back!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Third Trimester Blues
I'm beginning to wonder if being pregnant is a little glimpse into what it must feel like when you get old. My grandma always say's that the worst part of aging is your body and mind stop agreeing. Your mind still wants to be young and go go go...but you body keeps saying stop stop stop. That's very much what I feel like these days. My third trimester has hit and I'm beginning to feel my body slowly resisting all my good intensions. I start out the day with a "to do" list that seems fairly reasonable, but by item 2 or 3 my body cries out..."What are you doing to me!” It's rather discouraging. I've never been someone content with sitting around doing nothing. It drives me crazy. I've also never been a nap taker. I will admit that when I met my husband he introduced me to the Sunday afternoon nap and I do now occasionally indulge, but even that drives me crazy some Sundays. These days however, by body is begging me for more and more naps and my mind is saying..."But we have so much to do!" In my little world, it's complete torture.
On a side note, if anyone is interested in going the upcoming Lavender Days, I have $1 off admission coupons (check out http://www.younglivingfarms.com/lavdays.asp for more info). Also, if you really do love El Pollo Loco, I have a few gift certificates left and I'm happy to give you one. They're for free meals. Just give me a call and I'll hook you up.
On a side note, if anyone is interested in going the upcoming Lavender Days, I have $1 off admission coupons (check out http://www.younglivingfarms.com/lavdays.asp for more info). Also, if you really do love El Pollo Loco, I have a few gift certificates left and I'm happy to give you one. They're for free meals. Just give me a call and I'll hook you up.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Happy One Year Anniversary to Us!!!
I can hardly believe it...we've been married one year. It's gone by so quickly, however is some ways it feels like forever, only because I can hardly imagine what my life was like before I met Arnold. We've had a wonderful first year of marriage with many more to come!
Below is a slide show with some of my favorite wedding pictures. We really had the most wonderful wedding day. I was very smart and decided since I plan events for a living the last thing I wanted to be was my own wedding planner. Thanks to a great referral from Cindy, we found Kimberly and let her do all the stressing on our wedding day. It was perfect! The best part; I remember every detail. It wasn't a blur for me. We relaxed, breathed in, and let every moment wash over us. If I had it all to do over again, I wouldn't change a thing.
I'm so greatful to be married to such a wonderful man who I love more than anything. We have been very blessed.
Below is a slide show with some of my favorite wedding pictures. We really had the most wonderful wedding day. I was very smart and decided since I plan events for a living the last thing I wanted to be was my own wedding planner. Thanks to a great referral from Cindy, we found Kimberly and let her do all the stressing on our wedding day. It was perfect! The best part; I remember every detail. It wasn't a blur for me. We relaxed, breathed in, and let every moment wash over us. If I had it all to do over again, I wouldn't change a thing.
I'm so greatful to be married to such a wonderful man who I love more than anything. We have been very blessed.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Chick Food!
You may or may not notice that I've updated my 'recipe of the week' a little early. This week Arnolds been working late, as the crew filming for their new web site is in town and they have a lot of area to cover. He called me last night and said to go ahead and plan dinner without him. Now, while I miss him terribly I have to say I got a little excited about dinner because I happened to be watching the food network and Giada was making what looked like the yummiest Creamy Artichoke Soup. It looked so simple and easy. I really wanted to try it. However, this is definitely something Arnold would categorize as "Chick Food" and with him around it never would have been approved as dinner worthy. So I ran to the store bought the couple ingredients I was lacking and got to cooking. It turned out great and really was one of the best soups I've had. So, if you like artichokes I highly recommend it. And if you have a husband like mine...you might have to wait for a night alone or cook a huge steak to go with it. Enjoy!
P.S. I used sour cream instead of mascarpone cheese. If anyone knows where you can buy marscapone cheese in Utah County, please let me know.
P.S. I used sour cream instead of mascarpone cheese. If anyone knows where you can buy marscapone cheese in Utah County, please let me know.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
The Crazy Chicken
It's only Tuesday and I'm already wishing tomorrow were Friday! The next few weeks will be quite busy for me as I gear up for all the PR and promotions surrounding the grand opening of El Pollo Loco "The Crazy Chicken" (one of my clients), and that's exactly what I feel like...a crazy chicken. For those of you familiar with El Pollo Loco, yes they are finally opening up their first location in Utah. For those of you who are not...it's a yummy California restaurant, made famous for their tasty citrus marinated, fire roasted chicken. If you’re already a huge fan, check back with me after the 24th and if I'm still alive and have any left over "FREE Meal" coupons I'll be happy to share.
As for the rest of my life things are moving along rather smoothly. Arnold and I spent Saturday painting Reese’s bedroom. I went with the green walls and they are so cute. We also hung the curtains and put together the dresser. RC Willey made a stop to deliver my recliner rocker. Yea!! It's so fun to see her little room coming together. I also got groceries, did the laundry and cleaned out my office. Well, needless to say I paid the price on Sunday. I was so tired and so soar, church was torture to sit through. I'm really struggling to learn my new limitations as a pregnant woman. It's pretty frustrating that I don't have the strength and/or stamina to accomplish as much as I used to in a day. But my doctor keeps assuring me that it will all come back.
Other interesting things going on in our lives right now...Arnold had a great event with the CVB last weekend. They played a significant role in bring the "STIHL Timber Sports" event to Utah. We went the VIP opening last Thursday and had a really fun time. I've never really watched the event on ESPN (surprise, surprise...ESPN? What's that?), but I actually really had a good time and found it very entertaining. This week Arnold has a big video shoot for the launch of their new web-site. A film crew will be flying in from California and Arnold will have to oversee the shoot. That means he'll be working all day Saturday (no fun), but I'm going to go and help him. It'll be a good time!
And last but not least, the basement construction is going strong. We found out on Monday that they should be done in about 3 weeks. That's ahead of schedule and I'm so happy. My food storage can finally move back to the basement. This also means that the furniture in Reese’s room can move to the basement and we can finish her room. Yea!!!! Of course it also means that I'll have to organize and decorate the basement family room, bathroom and bedroom, not to mention I'll now have a whole other floor to clean...but I'm going to focus on the positive. It's all good.
As for the rest of my life things are moving along rather smoothly. Arnold and I spent Saturday painting Reese’s bedroom. I went with the green walls and they are so cute. We also hung the curtains and put together the dresser. RC Willey made a stop to deliver my recliner rocker. Yea!! It's so fun to see her little room coming together. I also got groceries, did the laundry and cleaned out my office. Well, needless to say I paid the price on Sunday. I was so tired and so soar, church was torture to sit through. I'm really struggling to learn my new limitations as a pregnant woman. It's pretty frustrating that I don't have the strength and/or stamina to accomplish as much as I used to in a day. But my doctor keeps assuring me that it will all come back.
Other interesting things going on in our lives right now...Arnold had a great event with the CVB last weekend. They played a significant role in bring the "STIHL Timber Sports" event to Utah. We went the VIP opening last Thursday and had a really fun time. I've never really watched the event on ESPN (surprise, surprise...ESPN? What's that?), but I actually really had a good time and found it very entertaining. This week Arnold has a big video shoot for the launch of their new web-site. A film crew will be flying in from California and Arnold will have to oversee the shoot. That means he'll be working all day Saturday (no fun), but I'm going to go and help him. It'll be a good time!
And last but not least, the basement construction is going strong. We found out on Monday that they should be done in about 3 weeks. That's ahead of schedule and I'm so happy. My food storage can finally move back to the basement. This also means that the furniture in Reese’s room can move to the basement and we can finish her room. Yea!!!! Of course it also means that I'll have to organize and decorate the basement family room, bathroom and bedroom, not to mention I'll now have a whole other floor to clean...but I'm going to focus on the positive. It's all good.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Happy Birthday Dan!!
June 10th is our nephew Dan's birthday! Happy birthday Dan. We love and miss you. We wish we were there so we could help celebrate. Have a very happy day!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Reese’s Blogger Début
Ok, ok, for those of you who have been bugging me to see a picture of my baby bump (you know who you are...Cindy) here ya go :) I want to go on record as being completely against this, but everyone keeps saying that I will regret not having any pictures of my ever expanding belly. But I feel like the bigger my belly gets my butt seems to match it. Thank goodness for diets and exercise. I swear as soon as this little one is born...mommy's spending the next 6 months to a year getting back into her size 8 wardrobe that packed away in the basement. However, I think I've dreamed of becoming a mom since I was about 4 and my little brother Kit was born. So this is a dream come true for me, and little Reese is worth every unwanted inch and pound.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
My Colorado Redemption
Once upon a time there was a sister who promised her baby brother that she would come and visit him in a far away land called Colorado for the blessing of his first born son "Crew".
Alas, when the time arrived that she should prepare to depart, her mean ogar of a boss (at the time) made her work the holiday weekend and she was unable to make the trip.
Many more attempts were made to take the journey eastward however one event in her life after another prevented her from traveling. She fell in love with the wonderful man she was dating, they started to plan a wedding, they received a free trip to Hawaii... and the excuses continued.
However, a year and 8 months later she finally redeemed herself, along with her wonderful husband and made the 6 hour trip (that turned into 7. 5 because she's pregnant and has a baby that like to kick her bladder so she has to stop and use the "facilities" every 30 minutes or so).
But every fairy tale has a happy ending and Colorado was no exception. Of course the best part of Colorado was little Crew and his one man show. They had a wonderful time and promise to return one day for more Colorado Adventures and play time with Crew.
(Thanks Brady & Erika, we had so much fun and Crew is the cutest littel man in the world. We love you.)
See highlight of our journey below.
Alas, when the time arrived that she should prepare to depart, her mean ogar of a boss (at the time) made her work the holiday weekend and she was unable to make the trip.
Many more attempts were made to take the journey eastward however one event in her life after another prevented her from traveling. She fell in love with the wonderful man she was dating, they started to plan a wedding, they received a free trip to Hawaii... and the excuses continued.
However, a year and 8 months later she finally redeemed herself, along with her wonderful husband and made the 6 hour trip (that turned into 7. 5 because she's pregnant and has a baby that like to kick her bladder so she has to stop and use the "facilities" every 30 minutes or so).
But every fairy tale has a happy ending and Colorado was no exception. Of course the best part of Colorado was little Crew and his one man show. They had a wonderful time and promise to return one day for more Colorado Adventures and play time with Crew.
(Thanks Brady & Erika, we had so much fun and Crew is the cutest littel man in the world. We love you.)
See highlight of our journey below.
Ft. Collin's Main Attraction..."Crew"
1. Crew just after shoving half a plate size pancake in his mouth....he know's what he likes and how to get as much of it as possible.2. Crew and his mommy Erika.
3. Crew and his daddy Brady.
4. Crew climbing on the dinasore sculptures.
5 & 6. Crew playing with Uncle Arnold in his basket.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Hammers & Garden Hoes
Well it's safe to say...the chaos has begun. The first phase of finishing our basement started this weekend. Currently everything that has been conveniently hiding in the basement has been moved up stairs or in the garage. I've had to become very creative in my rearranging of items to find new homes for all our junk. If anyone is in need of a bachelor futon...please say "I". It's either finding a new home very quickly or heading to the grave yard of Deseret Industries.
Truth be told, things are going much smoother than I had anticipated. The only thing that I have to slowly adapt to is my food storage on display in my dining room. I didn't really want it in the garage during the hot summer. But regardless of what your thinking...(those of you who know me well)...I'm being very flexible and telling myself that I can indeed live in chaos for a meir 6-8 weeks (deep deep breath...in through the nose and out through the mouth).
The fun news is that we planted our "Garden"??, if you can call it that. The benefit of living in a town home...no yard work. The down side of living in a town home...no yard for a garden. Last year was our first attempt at container gardening and it went very well. This year we've changed it up a bit by adding a zucchini plant. If all goes well, in a couple months I'll have zucchini for all. We're also growing tomato's again and herbs. I'll keep you posted!
Truth be told, things are going much smoother than I had anticipated. The only thing that I have to slowly adapt to is my food storage on display in my dining room. I didn't really want it in the garage during the hot summer. But regardless of what your thinking...(those of you who know me well)...I'm being very flexible and telling myself that I can indeed live in chaos for a meir 6-8 weeks (deep deep breath...in through the nose and out through the mouth).
The fun news is that we planted our "Garden"??, if you can call it that. The benefit of living in a town home...no yard work. The down side of living in a town home...no yard for a garden. Last year was our first attempt at container gardening and it went very well. This year we've changed it up a bit by adding a zucchini plant. If all goes well, in a couple months I'll have zucchini for all. We're also growing tomato's again and herbs. I'll keep you posted!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Reese's New Bedding!
The crib bedding I ordered for Reese has finally arrived. It is so cute, I can't wait to start decorating. I'm now in the process of picking a wall color. Another ladie that bought this online said she painted the walls a light celery green and accented the room in reds and pinks. I'm leaning towards the green, just because I'm worried pink walls would be a little overpowering. If you have any thoughts, please let me know. All suggestions and opinions welcome.Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Reese Update
Several people have asked me for more info on the baby, now officially named Reese. So your wish is my command. She is doing very well all snuggled up in my tummy. Our last ultrasound showed her strong and healthy measuring at just the right size and all vital organs are developing as they should. The best news from the ultrasound was that her head is measuring just a little below average, no worries; my doctor assures me that will only make for a much easier delivery.
I first began to feel her moving around inside me at about 19-20 weeks. It was pretty random at that point and could have easily been mistaken for gas, but she is making her presence more and more known every day. Her favorite position seems to be resting nicely on my bladder. As a result the toilet paper usage has almost doubled in our house over the last couple of months. In reality the resting on my bladder I can deal with, it's when she starts kicking it that problems begin to arise. The other day I finally felt her kick from the outside; meaning with my hand on my tummy I could feel her kick as well as internally. I hope that makes sense. Arnold tried to feel her as well, but in the tradition of most babies, as soon as he tried she stopped moving. They never like to perform on demand. He eventually got board just sitting with his hand on my tummy. I am very excited for the day that he will finally be able to feel her moving as well.
There she goes, she's kicking as I type. She must know she's being talked about. It's her way of saying hello!
I first began to feel her moving around inside me at about 19-20 weeks. It was pretty random at that point and could have easily been mistaken for gas, but she is making her presence more and more known every day. Her favorite position seems to be resting nicely on my bladder. As a result the toilet paper usage has almost doubled in our house over the last couple of months. In reality the resting on my bladder I can deal with, it's when she starts kicking it that problems begin to arise. The other day I finally felt her kick from the outside; meaning with my hand on my tummy I could feel her kick as well as internally. I hope that makes sense. Arnold tried to feel her as well, but in the tradition of most babies, as soon as he tried she stopped moving. They never like to perform on demand. He eventually got board just sitting with his hand on my tummy. I am very excited for the day that he will finally be able to feel her moving as well.
There she goes, she's kicking as I type. She must know she's being talked about. It's her way of saying hello!
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Happy Mother's Day and Birthday Mom!
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When I was in the 5th grade I had two best friends, Leigh-Ann and Katie. One day we got into a terrible fight and they were both really mad at me. For the life of me, I can't remember what the fight was about, but needless to say I was very sad. I didn't want to go to school the next day because I wouldn't have anyone to sit by me at lunch. I told my mom and asked her if I could stay home from school, but of course she said no. She kissed me good bye and told me everything woudl be ok. When the lunch bell rang and our class lined up to head to the lunchroom, I was really nervous. I would have to sit all by myself. But as we rounded the courner to the lunchroom, there stood my mom with lunch for two. She came to eat lunch with me that day and taught me that no matter what friends come in and out of my life, she would always be my very best friend! She has never let me down. Happy Mother's Day Mom! You are truly the worlds best mom! I only hope to be able to live up to your example!
Friday, May 9, 2008
Me & Little "m"
If you know me at all, you know that my neices and nephews are some of my favorite people in the whole world. Up until I got married, I felt like my greatest achievment in life was that of "Favorite Aunt". My little neices Riley and Mycol are especially important to me. There's just something about little girls that melt your heart. I could fill books with stories of how cute, smart, and funny they are. That's probably why I'm so excited to be having a little girl of my own, especially because my "little" neices are growing up. They're not so little anymore. Riley just turned 12 last month and Mycol is almost 10. They will always be my little best friends though. More importantly they are going to become the best babysitters little Reese could ever ask for. Right Girls??(This picture is of me and Mycol, little "m" as I like to call her, at her school a couple weeks ago.)
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Peer Pressure...I thought that ended in High School??
So... for all my friends out there...you win! After months of prodding and peer pressure, I'm finally posting a blog. I'm not sure how I'll do at this or if I'll be able to keep it updated to everyone's liking but I'll try. As someone who writes for a living you would think I would love doing this sort of thing, so maybe I'll take to it eventually. However, please keep in mind as you read our blogs...I'm a writer, not a speller! Thank heavens for editors!
As an introduction, Arnold and I were married last June after dating for almost a year and a half. We are now expecting our first child, a little girl that we have decided to name Reese. I will admit that the name is a battle Arnold graciously let me win. It's still growing on him, and we are still debating the middle name. But we are very excited to become parents and hope we won't do too much damage to the future generation with our lack of experience.
A little introduction. Arnold is a Marketing Director in the tourism industry and I am a partner in an advertising agency. However In all my past jobs I have also been a Marketing Director, so Arnold and I have the rare privilage of working in the same field. This means we can talk shop for hours and bore just about everyone we know outside our line of work. We both love what we do however, and feel very blessed to have great jobs that allow us to enjoy life outside of work.
Speaking of life outside of work, we are both huge fans of the outdoors. We love to camp, hike, ride our bikes and do anything involving water. For that reason, we love living here in Utah. Neither one of us are natives of Utah, however we both have parents from Utah with Pioneer roots. I guess you could say we have finally come home. (Arnold grew up in Kansas and I grew up traveling the word as an Air Force brat.)
We also love to travel and dream that some day we can take our children around the world to explore and experience all the wonderful cultures and landscapes this planet has to offer. That of course will largely depend on the economy, politics and world conditions...so we'll see if that dream ever comes to fruition. But what's life without a dream.
As an introduction, Arnold and I were married last June after dating for almost a year and a half. We are now expecting our first child, a little girl that we have decided to name Reese. I will admit that the name is a battle Arnold graciously let me win. It's still growing on him, and we are still debating the middle name. But we are very excited to become parents and hope we won't do too much damage to the future generation with our lack of experience.
A little introduction. Arnold is a Marketing Director in the tourism industry and I am a partner in an advertising agency. However In all my past jobs I have also been a Marketing Director, so Arnold and I have the rare privilage of working in the same field. This means we can talk shop for hours and bore just about everyone we know outside our line of work. We both love what we do however, and feel very blessed to have great jobs that allow us to enjoy life outside of work.
Speaking of life outside of work, we are both huge fans of the outdoors. We love to camp, hike, ride our bikes and do anything involving water. For that reason, we love living here in Utah. Neither one of us are natives of Utah, however we both have parents from Utah with Pioneer roots. I guess you could say we have finally come home. (Arnold grew up in Kansas and I grew up traveling the word as an Air Force brat.)
We also love to travel and dream that some day we can take our children around the world to explore and experience all the wonderful cultures and landscapes this planet has to offer. That of course will largely depend on the economy, politics and world conditions...so we'll see if that dream ever comes to fruition. But what's life without a dream.
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