On a Sunday Afternoon

Mom, Dad, Me, and Uncle David (Bruce)

Scott took the picture

I really can't give justice to this photo. I can't tell you all the things that this moment meant to me. This was Scott's first meeting with my Dad's older brother. And the first time I've seen him in fourteen years. I don't even know what to say. All I can do right now is shake my head and wish that I could make sense of it all. I'm more grateful than ever for my life, my family, my parents, and the knowledge I have of Heavenly Father's Plan.

The Tag of 3's

Here's another Tag--thanks Kristi (and I mean that without my tongue in my cheek). : )

Three names you go by: Mommy, Julie, Sweetheart (I think that’s what Scott calls me?)

Three of your favorite things to do: read, create, spend time with Scott and Kate

Three favorite pets you have had/have: I don’t do pets, I can’t keep them alive

Three longest car/plane rides: 1. Return flight from Hawaii. Are flight was delayed so we missed our connection in Vegas. We spent the day in Vegas waiting for another connecting flight. This was a time Scott and I were grateful we didn't have children yet. 2. Driving to Utah from California with six people in a five-seater Toyota Camry. My brother was sprawled across our laps making a big stink the whole way. 3. Driving to the Temple for Baptisms when I lived in California.

Three favorite holidays: Christmas, Thanksgiving, Kate’s birthday

Three favorite beverages: water, water, water--although, I'm not as much a camel as Scott.

I now tag: Jeni, Heidi, Tawny, Jane (He-he-he)

TAG-Things I've come to realize:

Kristi tagged me. Here it goes. I'll do the other one tomorrow.
1. My family...makes me happier than I ever dreamed they would.
2. When I talk...I don't even know what I'm trying to say.
3. I need...to quit clenching my teeth.
4. I have lost...the desire to keep a clean home.
5. I hate it when...I take my foot out of my mouth only to insert the other one.
6. When I'm hungry...I'm edgy!
7. Money...would make life easier but it's really just a tool.
8. People...scare me to death. I go through the ATM at the bank just so I don’t have to deal with anyone--even though I miss out on the sucker.
10. I'm in love with...Katie, Scott, giggles, tickles, story time, singing time, and spring time.
11. My Cell phone...is never charged because I never use it so it’s pretty useless.
12. When I woke up this morning...all I could think about was what I was going to eat for breakfast.
13. Right before I go to sleep at night...all the things I forgot to do race through my mind until I write them down.
14. Right now I'm thinking about...The dishes, the sweeping, the mopping, all the chores that are screaming my name and how horribly dirty my oven, fridge, and windows are.
15. Babies...are the specialist little people ever.
16. When I blog...I ignore all my chores.
17. Today I will...enjoy NOT potty training Kate because I quit. Ugh!
18. Tonight I will...enjoy NOT cooking dinner because our neighbors’ invited us over—wahoo!
19. Tomorrow I will...hopefully get out in the yard and make it look like spring.
20. I really want to...do more to help others.
21. Everyone I tag to do this will...eventually forgive me.

So, go to it Jeni.

10 Things about Kate

Tawny tagged me to post ten things about Kate:

1. Kate was born March 15th, 2006. She was a hefty 9 lbs. 3 oz. and a nice 21 in. long – not unlike Mommy who was 9 lbs. 13 oz. and 21 in. long.

2. She loves music and the song she requests everyday is “Daddy Song” otherwise entitled, “Daddy’s Homecoming”. After that she wants us to sing it repeatedly using names of other people she knows.

3. She is independent and not very cuddly. Every so often we get a great big love from her and we savor it for weeks.

4. She is happy 98% of the day.

5. She is allergic to peanuts – which basically ended all of Mommy and Daddy’s favorite comfort foods.

6. Her favorite things to play with are her Disney “people”, especially the princesses. We catch her trying to sing a song from Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, or Little Mermaid while holding the prince and princess close, dancing. She narrates her favorite movies for us with surprise and delight and at times even talks to the characters as someone might while watching sports. “Ah, Prince Hip (Philip) comes. Seeping Booty (Sleeping Beauty), wake up.” or “Nun, nun, dernella, Oh, No! (run, run, Cinderella)”

7. She loves reading books and tells the stories all by herself while pointing at and turning the pages. Her favorite books to tell are Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Harry and the Lady Next Door, all the David books (David Shannon), and anything by Dr. Suess.

8. She loves Sunday when she can “go to church” with a “pretty dress on” and lately she’s been talking about getting married in the temple in her white dress. Last week she pointed to the Bishopric on the stand saying, “Pre-sent Monson, Pre-sent Uu-dorf, Pre-sent Eye-ing,” and when she recognizes our neighbors and friends speaking in Sacrament Meeting she calls out their names.

9. First thing she wants to do every morning is turn lights on, wake mommy up, and “Datch Seeping Booty” (watch Sleeping Beauty).

10. She makes her mom and dad laugh and smile everyday-no matter what.

I tag Emmie, Hailey H & W, Carly, & Sam – and whoever else is in the mood.

Ho-hum

Stuff has been boring over here in Mayberry. The other day I was so bored. I don't think I've been bored for two years! I told my sister and she suggested I work on Kate's potty training--that will give me something to do.

After two days, Kate has missed five or six times. and only made it half-way once. But she loves wearing princess panties. I'm definitely not bored anymore.

Oh, and Thanks to my ultra-sweet mother-in-law for folding Kate's clothes while I was at the doctor today.

On Saturday, Scott and I found out how much it would cost to paint our siding and we found out today the cost for new rain gutters and I am so pumped. I can't wait for our house to be anything but orange. Scott doesn't want to spend the money because he is officially a business owner today. His Dad retired and Scott and Jeff are now partners of their Dad's plumbing company. Scott wants to be conservative. Oh well, we'll see. I know there are worse things than having a baby-poop, orange house. I just hope this can be the before picture with an after picture to follow shortly.

Picture Day

Kate practicing her smile before her photo shoot.

Kate playing with Sam while she waits for her turn at Kiddie Kandids.

The sisters and mother who made this two-year-old photo shoot possible and enjoyable.

The one Jeni and Scott liked most.

Kate's response to mommy asking to trade puppy for a flower.

Kate's response to Samantha offering her a ring in exchange for puppy (ring shown in the photo of Sam, above).

And Grandma's M's favorite--hence, the one I bought most of.

Kate's response to all of us saying what a pretty dress she had on.

Kate's reward for a job well done.

Cost for the dress - $50, full price, at Bratz.
Cost for nine sheets of Kate in full-color at Kiddie Kandids - $110.00
Would I do it again without the $98 dollars that my mother and sister donated to ensure the perfect picture... YES!!! So, worth it.

The Dress

My mom and sister, Jeni, asked for a 5x7 photo of Kate to display. I took a snapshot of Kate in February and had it enlarged. I gave one to my mom and another to Jeni. Evidently, that picture was not good enough. They both murmured, claiming I needed to show off Kate's curls.

A week or so later, they both confronted me and insisted that I take Kate to a professional photography studio for her 2-year-old photo. I already had that on my list of things to do and it overwhelmed me to hear them go on about it so I silenced them.

Today, I finally got the mental energy to cross Kate's 2-year photo shoot off my list. Not wanting a repeat of my previous snapshot disaster, I asked my mom what she expected. To my surprise, I received a very thorough answer: buy a new, special dress and have Kate's picture taken at Kiddie Kandids, not Target. I asked her what was wrong with the cute easter dress I bought for Kate at the Carter outlet several weeks ago. All she said was I needed to find a "classy" dress that wasn't "loud" or "tacky." She even said she would contribute $50 to the event to help me do it right.

So, I set up an appointment for Kiddie Kandids and I went right out and bought Kate the prettiest dress I could find. I even asked the lady if my selection was "classy" and not "tacky" or "loud." The dress is a robin's egg blue with a sheerish brown overlay. I hope Mom likes it. After picking it out, I knew it was the right thing to do--now if I can only rationalize the money spent on the dress to Scott...