Just coming on quickly to thank everyone that came and helped. It was a stressful and LONG day (didn't finish unpacking the truck the last time until 10:30), and the city didn't turn on our water despite our having paid etc. So we had to stay at a hotel that first night and are now staying with my sister in salt lake at night while trying to unpack during the day (with bathroom/slurpee breaks brought to you by the local Maverick). Also, the air conditioner decided to not work since that first day. So, it has not been what I would call an ideal move, but I'm sure we'll be able to laugh about it some day.

Hope everyone is having a luckier weekend than the Savages and we'll see you around.

Moving, Marshmallows, and Menfolk

I am taking a five minute break right now from cleaning and packing to say howdy. And because I always have ulterior motives. That's how I roll.

So remind your menfolk that tomorrow night, whenever they happen to get off work, that the Savages sure would appreciate their muscles for an hour or so. (The more we get the shorter the time!) Truly, we are hoping to have the boxes over to the house before the guys get there in the evening. We're just hoping for help with some of the big stuff in the house.

For some reason the word menfolk reminded me of barn raising. And moving is the modern day equivalent right? Okay...it's stretch. But send your menfolk and we won't make them raise a barn at least!

We promise to get them back in time for a date night. I'm even saying pretty please. With one of these on top.

oh and were you wondering what we've done with Madeline as we've been packing? Oh she's been watching the same Chip and Dale dvd all day...over and over...and apparently found a marshmallow in one of the boxes I hadn't quite closed up yet in the kitchen. Leading to this situation. Yes...that is an entire huge marshmallow stuck in her hair. And covering 99.87% of her body. Good thing I didn't pack the baby soap/degreaser. LOL. Heaven help this poor baby get through this move. :)

I have a Two Year Old!

My little Madeline is two today. So although we are not technically celebrating her birthday today, we have tried to make it a bit more fun. We started out the day eating buttered toast on the couch watching Cinderella (or Rella if you're on a one syllable basis like Maddy is). She has also been allowed to eat a tootsie pop, push a shopping cart with Daddy's help, and she let me take some pictures of her by our front door (I'll post those later). We'll see what other hijinx we can get into once she wakes up from her nap.

Another reason I had to come on is that I somehow found this page and as I read the comments that these ladies made, I kept feeling sadder and sadder. It is all about women and their husbands who can't agree on how many kids they want to have. Some women even tell the other's to get pregnant without telling their spouse. Yikes, I think that is horrible. But it is also sad that these couples didn't figure these sorts of important things out before they started having kids. It is also sad to me that these women don't have the gospel (or some sort of religious beliefs) to help support and explain their deep desire to have children to their husbands. Instead they just have this deep longing that they can't hardly account for. It made me so grateful to have not only my husband and our understanding that children are precious and a gift, but also the gospel that reinforces that bringing children into the world isn't just "something to do" but something that God wants us to do. Anyway, I was just thinking about it and thought I'd share.

**p.s. my disclaimer is that I'm not trying to offend anyone or say that people should or shouldn't do anything in regards to having kids. I just felt bad for the women on that page who are so obviously upset.

A Photo Essay (or a picture speaks a thousand words)

Everyone today will be telling in words how incredible their husbands and/or fathers are today. I thought I would let some pictures say what I can't really express. All that I can say is that there are moments that I look at John with Madeline and I think that I have given my daughter the best gift in the world--a gift I didn't have myself; I married a man who would be the most incredible and loving father. I love you John.

Sneak Peek and I think I Jinxed Myself

First of all, there is a sneak peek of the photo shoot I squeeeezed in on Thursday for Lori's brother and sister-in-laws because they are moving soon. They had the most adorable little baby boy, and I can't wait to work on their pictures--such a photogenic family. Unfortunately for them, they will be waiting a bit to get their final pictures with the move (and the fact that there is another photo shoot in front of theirs waiting to be edited as well). But...I couldn't resist editing the few that I did. They just seemed perfect for Father's Day. So go check them out and tell me what you think (on this blog--still don't know how to enable the comments on that blog layout). Oh well.

To update everyone, we have been extremely busy packing and organizing the move etc. We got an estimate on fixing the fence finally (there is a huge gate missing that we knew we would need to fix at the get-go) and there is also a little bit of siding that needs to be repaired (still trying to get an estimate for that. Why is it so hard to get people to give estimates??)

Something funny about when we met the fencing guy over at our house. We saw an older gentleman waiting outside the house, and we assumed he was the fencing guy. Then we realized that the house was unlocked and door open. (Actually I didn't realize the door was open until after we had greeted the man and waited for him to say something about the fence). Finally after a few awkward minutes of small talk, he asked what we were doing there! LOL! Turns out he was a realtor and was looking at the house for his daughter. I guess he just saw the sign out front and decided to stop on by! We told him that we had already purchased the house and he seemed a little sad about that (can't blame him). :) Kinda funny though. What was cool though is that he left the house open for us and we got to walk through again and I got so excited to move in! Sure there's still lots of work to do, but since we cleaned the carpets (still need to be done professionally probably), the kitchen, and a bathroom (plus got the garbage taken away) the house looks and smells so much better! So I'm ready for this move to be over and into our new house. :)

Yes, this is actually a picture from our house....well it feels like it.

That's about it. This week we are closing on both houses, finishing packing and cleaning (Maddy is technically turning the big 2 on Tuesday but we aren't celebrating until the next house), my Dad is coming into town for a stepbrother's sealing, moving on Friday, and lots of other stuff. Plus, did I mention my friend Anne's bridal shower was today? Yeah...busy busy busy. Can't wait for life to slow down.

Did I just jinx myself? :)

An Honor Just to be Nominated...oh wait, I Won!

Yes it's true friends. My blog is finally getting the accolades, awards, and attention it deserves. ahem. :) Well does it count if the award was given to you by your best friend since fourth grade? I don't really know if it does, but I'm counting it. And you know, I'm remembering that my own Mom gave me an award for my blog too. It's like I paid them to do it. (The rates were very reasonable).

Anyway without further ado, my gorgeous award.


And it comes with the command that I have to nominate 10 of my favorite blogs. Well I have lots of them, and mostly they are of close and dear friends. Because reading blogs of the people you like are always the most interesting and best anyway. And I would nominate Molly back, but I think that would start some sort of time warp of us continually nominating each other and then we would have to blow up a hydrogen bomb just to get off the island. Oh sorry....we were watching Lost again last night.

So here they are in no particular order (and if you're not on this list, you are nominated anyway because like I said, I especially love my friends' blog). Just thought you might like to check these blogs out:

something
(okay note about the blog something, I loved this blog forever and was reading the archives and saw a picture of my Great Grandpa on her blog. I was confused. She was saying it was her Grandpa. Which would mean she was my age but my Mom's cousin? Yeah...she totally was. How is that for crazy? I met her at my Grandpa's funeral and that was cool. Although I was feeling a little star-struck, nerdy, and well an emotional wreck. But still, it's cool that I liked her blog before I knew we were related. True Story. True Dat.)
MartaWrites
this girl's blog is a fun read for me. She likes to write and takes lots of fun pictures. So she's my kind of interesting.
ThriftyHome
I just found this one, but I like her down to earth advice. Got some great ideas of how to save money by canceling cable (although we aren't buying the tivo like her.)
Stephmodo
Okay, this blog is one of my absolute favorites. I love how classy and elegant her posts are. She is also a Salt Lake local, so all of her local favorites can be my local favorites too if I want. She also was a professional chef for a while before having kids, and she loves french stuff (as do I). Although I've never been, and she goes often. (They are renovating a really old french home they just bought for a rental vacation home. Um yeah, how cool is that?) Check it out, you might love it.
The White House
This girl was my companion on my mission for only a week before she had to go home from a painful back injury, but my love for her and her hilarious sense of humor were cemented long before that week and long after. Her witty insights, self-deprecating wit, and down to earth wonderfulness makes her one of my favorite people and bloggers. You'll love her blog even if you don't know her.
Best Things in Life
My friend Lindy's blog. She hasn't updated for a while (hint hint Lindy!) but her blog is always so fun to read. Even before I met her in person (she found my blog because we both are from Tooele) I loved her upbeat outlook on life and making her role as a mother and wife count. I always remember a post she made where she talked about when she quit her job to be a stay-at-home Mom that she would treat it like a serious job too. But not in a bad way--but in a way that made her enrich the lives of her kids and really take her maybe "mundane" jobs as laundry, making menus, and finding fun things to do as a real mission. I love that kind of outlook.
Hancock Holla
I love my friend Missy's blog for lots of reasons. First of all, she and I started taking pictures for people around the same time (she was before me and inspired me that I could do it as well, taught me lots of awesome stuff), and I love checking out all of her incredible photoshoots. Secondly, I just love the things she finds to do with her girls. She's one of those moms who makes mothering look effortless and good!
Emilie
I have a button to this blog on my site. It's the only one I have because I love this blog so much! She's a professional scrapbooker (which I don't do) but I still love her humor, insight, and fun. And funnily enough I found her blog via Missy's (and that first blog I listed I found via Emilie's. I know...small world!).
Jordan Ferney
I get inspired at this blog all of the time. She finds the coolest things.
The Lettered Cottage
These last couple of blogs are famous so you may have heard of them, but I tried to pick blogs that I thought people might like to check out, no matter where you live or whether or not you know the person. This one is great for that. She in an interior designer, but she does a lot of Do It Yourself projects in her own home and shows people how to do it. Check out her sidebard to see her awesome kitchen redo.

Whew, I think that was ten. That was kinda hard. Oh, and to show you one more thing, I have been obsessed with this kitchen that this lady redid. I showed the pictures to John saying that I wish we could do this to our new kitchen. Before I even got my words out, John took one look and said, "HOly cow that kitchen is awesome! We should do that to our kitchen!" I was so shocked I started laughing. I thought he would totally freak out about the color and painting cabinets that are nice wood. I know my Mom will freak out. So who knows if we'll do it, but John is totally on board. I love that man. :) So here are her before and after's.

Before
After

p.s. Can you tell I'm avoiding packing. I had to come on and dream about someone else's kitchen for a temporary escape. Bye!

In Other News

Just wanted to tell everyone that my last post (very random I know) was in hopes that we could win again. That's right...I said again. John entered the contest last week by "tweeting" that little blurb, and he ended up winning a spa gift card worth 300 smackers. I found out about the contest from my friend Anne who knows the girl who is in charge of the competition. So it is a real contest, and someone really does win, because John already won (they are mailing the gift card so we haven't received it yet). So I'm just kinda greedy and trying to win some of the other prizes. What can I say. :) If you live in Utah, you should give it a try.

In other news, interest rates are dropping again. Thank heavens! In other news, my house is looking like a box store. My kitchen cupboards are looking bare because I cleaned out a bunch of pots and pans and stuff I won't use before we move. What's left? Some basement storage stuff, some bedroom stuff, some garage stuff, and all of that other random miscellaneous stuff that just hangs around your house until you pack it in the "random stuff" box. I think that means that I'll need to start cleaning soon. But it also means that I am getting things done despite my elaborate fears. :)

Also, Maddy just did something cute. She finished a cracker and was wanting another one so John asked her, "What happened to your other cracker Maddy." To which she replied by opening her mouth very widely and repeatedly pointing into her open mouth. Made us laugh. Hope you're all having a great week!

Because it's important

Cervical cancer is caused by the HPV virus. Females between the ages of 9 and 26 can get an HPV vaccine that prevents 70% of cervical cancers. See www.cancerutah.org/prevent for more information.

And because you too can win something awesome by spreading the word. See here.

For the grandmas (and everyone else too)

Hi, John here. This is a video of Maddy saying her ABC's along with Abby Cadabby on a YouTube video. We're so proud! :)

In the Words of the Beatles...HELP! :)

This is the picture that came up when I typed in "overwhelmed." I am totally understanding this donkey right now.

People, I just had to come on here to say that I just got back from our (hopefully) future house and I am exhausted! And a little overwhelmed. We had our inspection, and got permission to clean our carpets/anything else we wanted, at the same time. So John did the carpets and I got started on the kitchen and bathroom. I thought I would have plenty of time to get both done in a couple hours.

My friends, I was cleaning from 10-2 and only finished the kitchen and 1 bathroom. And that bathroom still needs to be sanitized again because it still doesn't feel clean to me. Part of that has to do with the dumb county turning off the water too early (was supposed to be on all day).

So John had to keep borrowing buckets of water from the neighbors so he could keep cleaning carpets, and I had luckily filled two sinks and a bucket with water so I was able to finish up stuff by the time they turned off the water.

But the fact remains, it was overwhelming how long it took me to clean. The house was even dirtier than I anticipated. Dog hair everywhere. That's the very worst. I knew they had a dog, but didn't realize it was an indoor dog. That is the WORST. So I had to clean out everything with lysol, then go over it with magic eraser, and then finish up with those lysol wipes to get all the rest of the debris/junk out. It's a blessing to have so many cabinets and drawers and space in a kitchen until you have to clean every blooming one out, and they are all FILTHY. Blech. Just blech.

So having said all of that, I'm really hoping for somebody to save me.

I know a few of you offered to help clean. Were those serious offers?? If so, could you mark your calendars? We are scheduled to move in on Friday the 26th of June (I know..a Friday). We will be packing up our boxes ourselves during the morning and afternoon (and hopefully get the key by that afternoon at the latest) and then are really praying that you will convince your husband to spare us an hour (two at the most) to come and help just pack the big stuff. We will have the boxes packed. We just need some manpower for the big stuff. I know it's Friday. I know. Trust me, it sucks. I'm so nervous no one will be able to make it. But if you can promise your husband as an indentured servant for one Friday night, I just might kiss your feet.

And if you want to clean as well by some miracle, I am having a cleaning party (which means I will think of some way to feed everyone something) that next day on Saturday the 27th. I'm pretty sure I'm going to need help with washing walls, cleaning a few bathrooms, cleaning baseboards, tidying up the garage (which smells much better because we got the garbage men to take the overflowing garbage cans today. They must have been sitting in that garage stuffed like that for months to smell that way. Gross. But now better for the garage), and if you are really motivated, I'm sure I could use help unpacking too.

I know it's sheer desperation to post for help on a blog, but I'm too shy and feel so bad asking people in person. So this way you can pretend like you never saw my post if you just can't help or just don't want to (unless you are one of my local bff's, and then you hopefully won't have a choice, nor Desire a choice to not help me. Right? Right???) But if you seriously think you can help, leave a comment or email me or call me. Or telegraph me. Whatever it takes.

Okay, the desparate plea has been put out there. I'm sorry to ask to steal parts of your future weekend. But you know I will be eternally indebted. Muchas Gracias!

Take A Vacation From Your Problems Bob

Do you ever get so overwhelmed with obsessing, say about your future house or plans or anything, that you just need a vacation. Right then. That very same day? And if you don't get one, you're likely to lose it.

That was earlier today. So we had a staycation. We went swimming at the pool, ate some french fries, visited the library, and had fun together with the strict command NOT to mention anything about houses or the future or anything.

We came home, bathed and warmed up the baby, and put her snuggled up in her bed. And then we got cozy in our jammies, drank some cocoa, and are going to watch some Lost (we're still catching up on past episodes).

So if you're feeling like you need a break right this minute, do what Bob did. I'll even write you the prescription. Take a vacation from your problems. Tomorrow will look much better (well unless the appraisal for this house comes in less...then it won't...but I'm NOT talking about that, because it's off limits). Deep breath.

Oh yeah, and is that corn hand shucked because it's delicious.

**p.s. If you don't get what I'm talking about, run, don't walk, to your local blockbuster and rent What About Bob.

Don't Make Me Hurt Uncle Jed

I know, I'm updating this thing way too much. Just another question (this is what is great about blogs sometimes): Does anyone know a good company/person that replaces missing siding on houses and also someone that repairs vinyl fences at very reasonable rates? These are both things that need to be fixed on the new house and we want to get estimates. If you know someone be sure to leave a comment! We surely do appreciate it. :)

Next I will lay out a predicament and see if you all might see an obvious answer that I am missing. Here it goes. We are closing on this house on the 24th. Which means usually we need to turn our keys over and be out by 24 hours after that point. We don't close on our new house until the 25th however. So we don't get our keys until 24 hours after that. We have asked our very friendly buyers if they wouldn't mind waiting an extra day, but even still, that means that on Friday the 26th we would need to move, and there's no real telling when we will get our key to our house (our realtor says it's usually in the afternoon).

So...what to do? We have considered getting a pod sort of thing, but are worried about moving the big stuff ourselves. We know we might be able to get some help from our ward because our ward is awesome, but since we are moving on a Friday, we don't know that we'd get much help since it is a weekday. So should we try to rent the pod for a week and ask people to help pack things the Saturday before? If so...um it would be a little hard to live in a house without couches and beds for a week with a toddler, and those are some of the big items we need help moving. Do we move on Friday night? (But the added complication is that the carpets need to be cleaned and I wanted to get it done before the furniture got moved in). So do we ask people to help us move Friday afternoon to evening packing up a pod, leave the pod in the driveway of the new house, and then stay with someone and do the carpets Saturday, let them dry, and move in on Monday?
Blech.
Or maybe ask people to help us move stuff into the pod Thursday night (I hate asking people to help move after they have worked all day-so this seems really horrible to me) and then have the pod moved to the house on Friday, wait until the key shows us, do the carpets Friday afternoon, and then move in Saturday? Do you think people would help us move things two separate days? I wonder if the new ward would help. I really hate to rely on ward members, but hiring people to help move the heavy stuff on two different days (or having them wait around for a key) would be really really expensive.

Wish we could just do this. Move the house, empty it out, and then take it back.

So. Now you see our dilemma. The worst part is while I'm trying to figure this all out, my realtor tells me that out of her last four closings, only one was on the original date that they had worked out. So that makes me even more crazy. So please tell me you have figured out the answer to my crazy situation, and I will bring you over some freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. Unless you live far away, in which case I will simply send you a freshly baked thank you email.

Sorry for the long and boring post?
But if you tell me we should do something like this to solve our problems, I just might have to hurt someone. Like your Uncle Jed.

Garage Sale and Obsessions

Just thought I'd pop on to say that the yard sale went pretty well. I got rid of a lot of stuff that was cramping my style, and got to chat and laugh with my friend Lori who also got rid of some stuff. Funnily enough, we got rid of some of our stuff to each other. We are funny.

Thanks to everyone that stopped by to say hello and buy something for fifty cents. Mostly I just liked the company and chatting with people. But getting rid of stuff you don't want to move is great too. We made some money that we are putting into our little stash for helping to move.

In fact, we got one of those moving helps today. I've been spying around craigslist and ksl for a while to find a crazy good deal on a refrigerator. The thing with short sales is sometimes you don't get stuff like refrigerators (or stoves. But we got lucky and got everything except the fridge). Anywho, I finally found one that had been online for a while and looked to be in great shape. It was also the color I wanted (to match the other appliances), had an ice/water dispenser (so we can cut back on bottled water. We're snobs like that I guess), and even had a little door where you can pull out just your milk (which is great for me because Maddy only drinks like a gallon of milk a day it feels like). So I emailed the guy, he still had the fridge, and I made him an offer he couldn't refuse. Well actually...he did refuse my first offer, but then I took his counteroffer beause honestly, the original price was pretty awesome. I just have to try and talk people down. I think my mission did this to me. I'm a haggler. In fact, my friend Anne came down to Tooele earlier this week and we both found furniture we liked. I haggled the guy down due to some issues with the piece, and she took my lead and did the same. Later her fiancee found out what we did, and instead of being impressed he laughingly made fun of us, saying it is a sin to haggle with D.I. people. I disagree. I think they like to haggle. :)

(here is a picture so you can see what I mean by the milk door. I didn't know if you would know what I was talking about, and that milk door is important for everyone to understand because of it's awesomeness).

Anyway, so now after that too long story, suffice it to say we have a fridge, and that is one less thing on my plate.

Again, I apologize if I'm talking to much about our move and the next house. That's just what is occupying our time and thoughts currently. Other things to come this week? A photoshoot squeezed in, a home inspection/appraisal, packing some more, and all while trying to keep my poor little toddler entertained, fed, diapered, and fruit snacked. Should be an interesting week. :)
Oh, and one last thing? I am completely OBSESSED, as in, I think I'm going to have to find a way to own it even though it's expensive, with this:
It's little girl bedding from Pottery Barn. The set is called Elizabeth. It's a princessy type of bedding without being too obnoxious or loud. In fact, it's sweet and adorable, and since Maddy is already obsessed with princess things, I think she would love this. I have already had visions of decorating an entire "big girl room" around this bedding set alone. I am in serious love. Why does Pottery Barn stuff have to be so darn expensive? (It no longer sells at Pottery Barn bytheway, it's apparently an older pattern--I saw it on someone else's blog, became obsessed and found it on ebay. Still so expensive!) Oh but I love it. Just had to obsess/dream out loud about it. Thanks for listening. (Have you ever obsessed about something utterly expensive that you were dying to have? Do share!)

Addendum

Just a note to respond to comments/questions. The slide show of the house shows what the house looked like before the people had to move out. It no longer looks that great. Oh trust me, if it did, I would not have sent out the plea for help. :) But the house is still in pretty good condition, just not that great of condition as shown in the slideshow. Didn't want you all thinking I was high maintenance or something.

Also, I've had a few questions about the king size mattress. Email me if you would like to see our ksl ad which has all of the info on the mattress including pricing. Also, the story behind the king mattress is a long and embarassing one. Maybe someday I'll tell you all about it, but...maybe not lol.

Lastly, other people have asked what other sorts of things will be in the garage sale. Here is a list of just a few things: kids table and chair, lots of toys, pink three wheel scooter for a little girl (or boy, I'm progressive), games, American Idol karaoke machine with microphone, shelves, coffee table, books, printer, bassinet, double jogging stroller, a chair I uncovered and removed a bunch of staples from but never finished recovering, and much much much more. I can't really remember all of the stuff, but it's a huge pile in my garage. Hopefully I've caught your interest in something.

Well I think that's about it. Oh, and we're thinking of using an idea that Lori gave me and hosting the garage sale in front of the south mail boxes in our little townhome community, that way cars can see us from the main road. So look for us there on Saturday morning. Lori will be selling some furniture and miscellaneous stuff as well.

Even if you're not looking to buy, feel free to stop buy and chat, so I don't feel lonely while hawking my wares.

Wanna Hear Some Good News?

Wanna hear some good news?

We're having a garage sale. This Saturday. (I know, I am literally crazy. But it has to be done this weekend.) PLEASE come and buy some fabulous furniture, baby stuff, BOOKS (tons of these), or even a King size bed that was only slept on five times. I know. We're dumb. But still come!

Want to hear even better news?

We got our house. :) Officially got the papers this afternoon. I looked up this goofy picture just for this occasion. If you want to take a look, here is the online tour. Just click on the little picture of the house and it will take you on a three hour tour...a three hour tour. Goofy, that pretty much describes me at this moment. I think it's starting to sink in that I have to move in three weeks. Help! oh, and Yay!

I Don't Believe in Transistional Sentences (today)

Random updates to follow: (this was fun to write actually. No transitions needed.)

Still waiting to hear back on the house....and it's making me a little crazy. I expected it, but it still is making me crazy.

Maddy is watching Curious George and making shushing noises with her finger next to her mouth. I keep trying to watch the show to figure out why she's doing this, but I have no idea. Mostly it's adorable.

Last night went to Book Club. I love Book Club. Good conversation, food, catching up with friends that you don't see all that often because life is busy. And of course books. Great night.

Found some deals at D.I. I am now officially banishing myself from that place for the next month. Until we move. It's ridiculous to buy things when you're just going to have to move them. But I couldn't resist a 6 dollar mirror that is huge and cute. And a little sideboard/lowboy sort of thing that was 15 dollars (on the brink of my too expensive zone) but is so cute I knew I could rehab it and either keep it or sell it easily. I think I might have promised John to do it before we moved. What was I thinking?? Oh yeah...I was trying to keep him from saying, What were you thinking? We have to move this stuff....

Oh, and I dumpster dove at D.I. while I was picking up my furniture. I asked permission and the guy looked at me like I was crazy for wanting their junk. But people, there was a perfectly good chair in there. So I went in and got it. Free. You can't beat free. I'll have to rehab it, but then I'll be sure and show you. It's got potential.

John and I ended up at Walmart three times yesterday. THREE times. The last time was me on a late night kitty litter run. I kinda hate that place today. Yet I'll probably end up there at least once.

I want to try this place. It's in Provo, but I am obsessed with mocktails ever since my stint as a busgirl/sometime waitress making non-alcoholic frozen drinks. Their drink list (all non-alcoholic as well) is making me thirsty. The food looks pretty good too. (And has received great reviews). Now I just need an excuse to go to Provo.