Greg + Dana + Kade + Taya

Two Questions....

2012-02-03T12:40:00.000-07:00

1) Has it honestly been two weeks since I last posted?

2) Why does time fly by so fast except for when you want it to?

I guess if I'm going to be serious about returning to my blogging ways I need to get on this! Because the fact of the matter is, I am kinda slacking here, aren't I? (Just want Kari to know I was *really tempted to put a tongue smiley face right here... but I didn't) ;)

So if you wonder what you have missed out on, this is it:

Kade is thinking of joining the circus {or something?}. He got face paint for Christmas, & I am volunteered occasionally to make a masterpiece. So far I have done this puppy, a skeleton & a football helmet {think facemask & sides}. It's quite entertaining, & we always make new friends when walking around in public..... *cricket, cricket*

We also enjoy movie nights. Pop some popcorn & you have two happy kids. These two really are my best little friends :)
So fun :)

Kade also lost his very first tooth! He was so happy. He told me that he heard the Tooth Fairy's flittering wings :)
Pretty magic :)

And winter has finally arrived! We have been playing in the snow, built a snowman, & in Taya's case, ate the snow... *Yum.

I am happy to report that life is really looking up for us :) Greg is loving his business, I am enjoying my own new business {big thanks to my family & friends who have/are helping me accomplish my goals!}, we have made some fun new friends here, I have a car again, Kade is totally ACEING his 1st grade class, & Taya has escaped an ER visit thus far! {I swear someday that girl is gonna need stitches!}

Next project? House hunting. Wish me luck!

My 2012 Life in a Nutshell.

2012-01-18T12:46:00.000-07:00

I am working on getting back to what is important to me. My family, my faith, my friends. I know I didn't lose them, but I know I could be better. A lot has changed between last year & this one. My kids are growing up, we sold our house, we moved into a temporary place, I had two major surgeries thanks to my gallbladder, Greg's work has increased, we have new callings, we are trying to make new friends, Kade started a new school, I had to leave my old friends behind, oh, & did I mention I just got in a car wreck last week? Yeah.. It's a lot of emotions people. I'll tell you that much.

I have set new goals for myself as the year started up again. I am tired of wishing for life to be perfect. I know it never will be. But it can be great. I am focusing on what great things I have here & now. I know my circumstances are temporary. I know that hard work achieves the success Greg & I are working towards. I know that not everyone is going to like me, or they might think differently or do things differently than I do, but that's what is great about being an individual. It would be pretty boring if we were all the same. So I keep plugging along, praying for help & doing things the best I can.

Greg now works three jobs. He loves them, but they keep him extremely busy. I work two jobs on top of volunteering in Kade's school & being a mother of two. I can honestly say we don't have a lot of time together as a complete family, but when we do, we try to make the most of it. To make this time go more quickly, I decided to focus my New Year's goals into things I could do myself when I have so much time alone. I thought writing them down & then sharing a couple of them with my friends would help make it more real and make me more accountable for them if you, my friends, saw them. So here's a peek at a couple of my goals:

Exercise every day. I lost 77 lbs. last year. I ran my first race, a triathlon, and I can honestly say I was so proud of myself. That's like Biggest Loser my friends. {Holla!} So my goal is to not only exercise and feel better, but to enter into more races, & even just be more active. I'll admit late night TV is my friend, but during the day, I need to enjoy the sunshine more. It's good for me, and on top of that, I want my kids to love being outside.

I want to catch up on my scrapbooking. Taya will be two in April, & I have yet to start her baby book. By this time with Kade's, I was done. So I've been a slacker. I want to ditch the paper products & go digital, so for Christmas I got a program, and I am excited to figure it out.

I promised myself I would journal at least once a week. I am so horrible at keeping a journal! If you think my blog was in need of an update? You don't even want to know the last time I wrote in a journal! It's sad :P So I see my babies growing up and think, "They will not be like this forever..." and that has motivated me to be better at keeping a record of our lives. So they remember. So I remember.

I want to become better acquainted with my scriptures. I know that I have read them before, but I feel like if you don't keep working on keeping your testimony, or become kinda stagnant, it gets easy to lose touch. And I really don't want that. I know as a mother, especially of young children, I sometimes wonder, "Why am I here at church today?" as I'm struggling to keep them quiet, or happy, or whatever. I don't always leave on Sunday feeling like I was touched... So I want to work on my own time at being able to feel that way. I think it's a blessing when you have that Spirit with you, I know it makes my home feel better when we have it, & I know it takes work sometimes. So I need to allow myself the opportunities to have that.

I could share all my thoughts, but then you would be bored :P But I just want to say thank you to those of you who have stuck with me, who make me feel important & loved, & wish y'all a very Happy New Year belated. Good things are to come my friends :) So, hello 2012!

Hey.

2012-01-03T12:13:00.002-07:00

Remember me? Yeah, me either. Just wanted to say a quick "hi" to all my blogging buddies :) I will return. One thing at a time.

The Love Dare

2011-11-03T13:37:00.004-06:00

So I am not great at posting lately {again}, but I will try to be better.
Today, I just wanted to quick share something random that inspired & helped me from a movie I saw last year called Fireproof. If you have not seen this movie, I highly recommend it. I won't give the story away, but it is on strengthening your marriage, something that never hurts to do no matter how in love you are. It is also a #1 New York Times best selling book. More than 3 million copies in print and translated into 23 languages, The Love Dare has become an international best-seller impacting hundreds of thousands of marriages across the globe. The Love Dare, is a 40-day challenge for husbands and wives to provide fresh insights into the nature and daily practice of unconditional love. Whether your marriage is hanging by a thread or healthy and strong, I believe this is an awesome way to remind yourself of how to treat your best friend :)

If you are interested, click HERE to see the 40 day "dares" online. Just scroll through each day which is located at the top of the page. Enjoy!

The Fam 2011

2011-10-28T00:50:00.001-06:00

Cruisin' the Caribbean :)

2011-09-21T19:02:00.001-06:00

Waiting on pics, but here's a sneak peek!

Wanna Keep in Touch?

2011-09-10T22:51:00.000-06:00

I apologize for the inconvience, but my blog will be, once again, set to private. So family, friends, or the occasional blog surfers who find my life interesting enough to keep coming back for more, if you would still like to read my blog {and you know I love you to} and you haven't already given me your email address for an invite, please let me know. Thanks peeps :)

My reminder.

2011-09-08T20:44:00.000-06:00

Source: just-smileology.tumblr.com via Pat on Pinterest

Sooooo....

2011-09-08T14:59:00.000-06:00

...who wants to do this with me? :)

And yes, I'm serious!Details HERE.

2011-09-07T07:53:00.003-06:00

Okay, so as much as I love where I live, which I do, I can't help but feel like I want to see the world. Will it happen? Who knows. But THIS has been on my mind a lot recently. Any suggestions?

3 MI Run 11 MI Bike 350 YD Swim

2011-08-31T03:45:00.032-06:00

So let me tell you about a little time I challenged a big fear...

{and I think I won.}

I have to admit that I was always one to pull a face or groan like a small child when asked anything remotely competitive in the form of exercise previous to this. Why? Well, 1) I hate to sweat in front of people.. (I know, I'm weird. So what.) 2) I have had no desire to "prove" myself with people that could probably trample me into the ground, and 3) I always worried I'd be the one they'd be scraping off the side of the road when I couldn't complete the said race I'd entered into on my own free will mind you.

So for these so called reasonings, I decided exercise was best intended in either the confines of your own home or out so early {and alone} that no one will know if you did happen to die on the side of the road until some later time in the day at which point you wouldn't be coherent enough to care. Logical, right? Right. Who needs to see that mess :P

I have never been a person who "enjoys" running, in fact, I'd rather be heckled on a stage while dodging tomatoes than submit myself to "running for fun"?? Believe me, I have family and friends that have tried to get me to sign up for even a 5k. Didn't happen :P

So why a triathlon as my first race? Well, for one, I have a little sister who has done it the past two years and a dad who did it last year. They snuck the idea in my head {somehow} that they wanted to add a person from the fam for 2011. Now I may hate sweating in a cattle herd of people who are all trying to kick my butt, but I also just may hate losing to my family, particularly my sister Breanna, even more... That part of me is competitive. Just ask my sister, we seriously kept{a.k.a. keep} a running tally on something as silly as who wins board games or cards.... (Is this too much weird/nerdy personal information? .....*Probably :P)

Even more so though, I found myself running a lot as a way to exercise or just time to think and funny but I sort of liked? it... I don't run fast. I don't expect my 5'0" frame with midget legs to get out there and burn rubber baby or anything, but I sure liked feeling like one day I couldn't do that next stretch, but hey, the next day I could. And so it began. I would test myself. I would try to be better than I was the week or the day before. I got to where I'd run and I'd get a second wind and I didn't mind going further. I'm still not amazing or anything, but I improved.

When I finally committed to doing this thing, I had not ridden a bike in years. No lie :P And even though I grew up with a swimming pool, I rarely did laps. {I mean, pools were for laying out by, right? :P} I tell you all this because if I could do this, anyone can. My dad and my sister were majorly supportive, and I just can't thank them enough for pushing me when I was finding every reason to back out.

We didn't train for super long prior to our race, but what we did helped prepare me for sure. Nights of biking or swimming laps, early morning runs while the sun came up, combos of the three, and even mock trials of the full race. I have to say I'm pretty proud of myself mostly because I cut my own personal best time by 20 minutes when the real deal came into play. That's all that really mattered to me. To be the best I could for myself. I didn't tell a whole lot of people because that is what this was about. Proving I could accomplish something I'd never even dreamed I'd ever do. But hey, I did it! :)

Blah, blah, blah. So let's skip to the race, shall we?

Nerves. A ball of nerves I tell ya. I had trained for this day, but as much as I tried to calm myself down, I couldn't sleep the night before. I thought of all the worst possible scenarios in my mind, I decided to go with a bike I'd never rode before THE night before, & worst of all my knee decided to give out just days before the race. No.bueno. So I woke up {or more like I barely slept}. I ran over to test the road bike I rented the night before. {Yes, I seriously hadn't ridden a road bike in my life til that morning. Ever. :P} I had butterflies like crazy... My dad pep talked me. Reminded me I would in fact survive. :P My sister tried to calm my nerves. And then we were off.

Run. I will admit getting all my equipment set up I started wondering what in the crap I was doing there... But I trudged through the line to get marked up anyways and checked in. I had my own mini fan club meet me there last minute, as Greg had brought the kids to send me off. So that was nice motivation for me :) And as the race started, I waved goodbye to my cute little kiddos :)

{Yes, I look silly here :P And can you believe how SHORT I look??}

I mentioned I had a knee issue days before the race. It killed. Seriously, no lie. I was feeling really bad thinking how I would ever run on that.... Well, I am going to just say it now that I know without a doubt that Heavenly Father helped me that day. I took Advil, I slathered my knee up with Icy Hot {like the good ol' cheerleading tryout days :P} and said a prayer. I decided if I even had to walk that puppy, I was GONNA finish! I am proud to say that I did not walk a single step. I may have had to slow jog, but by golly I kept going! I followed a 19 year old girl who would sprint, get tired, walk, and I'd pass her. Back and forth, over and over :P haha She must of got sick of me :P But hey, it goes to show slow and steady can win the race! :P

Bike. After practicing on a mountain bike, switching over was like flying. I passed so many people thanks to that. Well, that and being so stubborn to not let anyone kick my butt :P Especially after my slow start with the run. I kept telling myself, "You can do this. You can do this." And hey, it seemed to work :P I let those little legs of mine show me what they had! I got to the turn around point {where they had recruited my dad to volunteer a station}, and I was pretty happy to see his red truck :P "YES! I'm half-way there!" Unfortunately, there was a woman in front of me that totally biffed it RIGHT where I needed to turn around! She was spread out like a snow angel on the asphalt and I had a tight squeeze to make it around her without running off the road which did I mention was a drop off...? I felt bad as I passed her, hoped she was okay, heard my dad helping her and cheering for me at the same time :P, and booked it away. The woman got up, passed me, {only one of two that did thank you very much} and I kept on her tail. We got to the opening of the parking lot to get to our next transition and what did Miss Snow Angel do? She fell... again :( This time she didn't get up. I heard them tell her not to move and heard the ambulance soon after. Poor girl :( All I can think of is she took her turns pretty fast or something. I wish I had a bike pic to show you, but my dad was kinda occupied with hauling the injured list back... :-/ {Who knew this kinda thing could be so dangerous?} And I have yet to see any pics posted from the race by the officials. Sorry.

Swim. After hopping off that bike, I had a couple of thoughts run through my head: Should I run? And more importantly, CAN I run? By now my legs felt like someone had either beaten me into jello or possibly that they were made of rubber entirely. I ran, felt like I was gonna stumble, walked, saw my sister had just finished the swim and decided I needed to run :P I couldn't be that far behind her. Awesome. I could do this! She was crazy and ran next to me to the pool as I felt like Rocky or something being coached from the sidelines. The fact that I have never even seen a Rocky is irrelevant :P You get the point. She was making me laugh so hard that she was cheering that I dove into the first lane and couldn't help but watch her as I swam :P haha I know, stupid. You are racing, Dana! I also am ashamed to say I made stupid faces at her each time I got to her side of the pool. A thing I will regret later seeing as I added 20 seconds onto my normal swim time :P Grr. I finished the last lane, jumped out and sprinted to the finish line. Breanna came over and told me my time and I asked, "You finished then?" "No, YOU Dana! You did awesome!" That's when I screamed "ARE YOU SERIOUS?!" and passed out in unbelief :P I was so excited! :P Including transitions figured in, I was only 12 minutes behind my sister who had raced this twice before, so please excuse me that I basically freaked out and beamed with pride :P I know this was a sprint triathlon, but I still really couldn't have been more proud that I had done it. I mean, after two kids, a basically Biggest Loser kind of weight loss I achieved all by myself, and two health issue surgeries later, I had just accomplished something I never thought I could do! Something to be proud about I'd say :) And in my best time ever! :)

{Straight out of the pool and happy to have survived!}

If I was to do a tri again, which I quite possibly might since I just loved this experience, I'd practice transitions. That added unnecessary time to my total. From the run to the bike I was so hopped up with adrenaline or something that I kept fumbling with my stupid bike helmet! I swear I wasted almost a whole MINUTE trying to do that thing up! BLEH! I was so mad. I also had baskets on the pedals that I couldn't seem to take the time to do... so I eventually just went :P Sans the baskets :P The bike to swim transition I should have just quit looking at my sister :P All there is to it :P So transitions, yeah, didn't think about practicing that.... Oops. That and I'd totally recommend using a road bike. Rent one like I did if you have to. I am SO glad I did! Biking wasn't ever where I was planning on cutting time. But I sure did. Totally awesome :)

I so recommend living out your goals! I'm just done looking at things and wishing deep down I did them! I plan on living my life by if I want something, I can't hold myself back because I don't think I can or I won't be good enough. How do you ever know if you don't let yourself even try? Go for it! I have learned I can do what I set my mind to :)

A HUGE thanks to my family who supported me. I will always be grateful for making me come out of my comfort zone and in the process found something I really loved :)

Well peeps? Look at me. I DID IT!!!!! :)

I initially wasn't going to share this, but hey, who really cares? :P So here's my stats, in case you wondered:

Dana Smith Run: 0:33:59 T1: 0:01:15 Bike: 0:40:45 T2: 0:01:20 Swim: 0:10:10 Total: 1:27:29

If you really want to see the proof, {because you think I made this all up :P} and I wouldn't blame you, I can't quite believe I've done this myself :P Click HERE.

And that, my friends, is all about my big day :)

So I ran a race...

2011-08-12T12:54:00.005-06:00

A triathlon to be exact. And my very first race of any sort actually. Nothing to be bragging over, but I'm pretty proud of myself. Details for another day. Just thought I'd give you a sneak peek 'til then :)

What's WRONG with this picture? :P

2011-08-09T11:42:00.005-06:00

I make Kade do summer workbooks to keep up the ol' noggin.
{I know, what a *horrible mother!}
This is what we found today:

I guess most moms would leisurely sit and lick ice cream while the dad burns burgers and the kids play firefighter? C'mon, get with it mom....
{Now where did my ice cream go? :P}

I Believe in Christ

2011-08-07T10:05:00.002-06:00

I believe in Christ; he is my King!
With all my heart to him I’ll sing;
I’ll raise my voice in praise and joy,
In grand amens my tongue employ.
I believe in Christ; he is God’s Son.
On earth to dwell his soul did come.
He healed the sick; the dead he raised.
Good works were his; his name be praised.

I believe in Christ; oh blessed name!
As Mary’s Son he came to reign
’Mid mortal men, his earthly kin,
To save them from the woes of sin.
I believe in Christ, who marked the path,
Who did gain all his Father hath,
Who said to men: “Come, follow me,
That ye, my friends, with God may be.”

I believe in Christ—my Lord, my God!
My feet he plants on gospel sod.
I’ll worship him with all my might;
He is the source of truth and light.
I believe in Christ; he ransoms me.
From Satan’s grasp he sets me free,
And I shall live with joy and love
In his eternal courts above.

I believe in Christ; he stands supreme!
From him I’ll gain my fondest dream;
And while I strive through grief and pain,
His voice is heard: “Ye shall obtain.”
I believe in Christ; so come what may,
With him I’ll stand in that great day
When on this earth he comes again
To rule among the sons of men.

Text: Bruce R. McConkie
Music: John Longhurst

Some say I've been a bit of a sporadic blogger...

2011-08-03T15:31:00.002-06:00

Apologies. It is because we have been way too busy to do a much needed this.

Happy Pioneer Day :)

2011-07-24T08:10:00.003-06:00

The first company of Mormon pioneers, led by Brigham Young, officially entered the Valley of the Great Salt Lake on 24 July 1847. For Latter-day Saints, this event has come to signal the founding of a new homeland for the purpose of establishing their earthly Zion.

In all of United States history, few people have suffered for their religious convictions as did the early Latter-day Saints. Because of the rapid growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and what many contemporary religionists viewed as the heretical doctrine of living prophets and modern revelation, many outsiders viewed Latter-day Saints with suspicion and contempt. During the first two decades of the Church's existence, Latter-day Saints repeatedly experienced the cycle of migration, settlement (including purchasing the lands they settled in), and expulsion. Within the span of 17 years, the fast-growing body of Latter-day Saints moved en masse from the Finger Lakes region of western New York State (1830-1831), to Kirtland, Ohio (1831-1838), Jackson County, Missouri (1831-1839) and Commerce/Nauvoo, Illinois (1839-1848), where their prophet, Joseph Smith, was murdered by a mob. In the dead of winter 1846, the Latter-day Saints once again abandoned their homes and began the long, hard trek to the Rocky Mountains, where they would at last find welcome refuge.

Following eight years of convergence and settlement by thousands of Latter-day Saint converts in northern Missouri, tensions with neighboring communities reached a climax. On 27 October 1838, Missouri Governor Lilburn W. Boggs signed one of the most heinous documents in American history, his Mormon "extermination order," declaring, "The Mormons must be treated as enemies, and must be exterminated, or driven from the State, if necessary for the public peace" (quoted in History of the Church, 3:175). This military directive called for the forced mid-winter exodus from Missouri of approximately 10,000 men, women and children from their own farms, homes, and lands. On 25 June 1976, Missouri Governor Christopher S. Bond issued an executive order rescinding the Extermination Order, noting its legal invalidity and formally apologizing in behalf of the state of Missouri for the suffering it had caused the Latter-day Saints. By the fall of 1845, preparations for the exodus were well under way; the proposed departure date would be, in the words of Brigham Young, "as soon as the grass grows" (quoted in Wallace Stegner, The Gathering of Zion: The Story of the Mormon Trail, [1964], 38) in the following spring. But the mobs wouldn't rest. On 4 February 1846, in the heart of a Midwestern winter so cold and bitter the Mississippi River froze over; the Latter-day Saints were driven from their homes and lands down a street which came to be known as the "Street of Tears" and into the unknown mystery of the western frontier. Arrival in the Salt Lake Valley had a special meaning to each emigrant. For many it signified the end of their arduous journey. They had endured to the end of the Mormon Trail, and their participation in that memorable trek gave metaphor and meaning to life itself. Even for those who were not Latter-day Saints, the first glimpse of this broad, open valley after such hardship provided a deeply emotional moment. The trek from Nauvoo, Illinois to the Salt Lake Valley was 1,297 miles. Many of the pioneers made the trek on foot while pushing handcarts that held their few meager belongings.
1 in 6 perished along the route. Despite the trials and hardships of the forced trek, the Latter Day Saints remained upbeat. In the evenings they would gather together and frequently sang hymns. Come, Come, Ye Saints became their anthem on their journey to the Salt Lake Valley.

Come, come, ye saints, no toil nor labor fear;
But with joy wend your way.
Though hard to you this journey may appear,
Grace shall be as your day.
Tis better far for us to strive our useless cares from us to drive;
Do this, and joy your hearts will swell -
All is well! All is well!

Why should we mourn or think our lot is hard?
'Tis not so; all is right.
Why should we think to earn a great reward if we now shun the fight?
Gird up your loins; fresh courage take.
Our God will never us forsake;
And soon we'll have this tale to tell-
All is well! All is well!

We'll find the place which God for us prepared,
Far away, in the West,
Where none shall come to hurt or make afraid;
There the saints, will be blessed.
We'll make the air, with music ring, Shout praises to our God and King;
Above the rest these words we'll tell -
All is well! All is well!

And should we die before our journey's through,
Happy day! All is well!
We then are free from toil and sorrow, too;
With the just we shall dwell!
But if our lives are spared again to see the Saints their rest obtain,
Oh, how we'll make this chorus swell-
All is well! All is well!

Day 28 - Something that stresses you out

2011-07-23T13:09:00.002-06:00

expectations, bad drivers, health, violence, trying new things, the economy, germs, finances, family, friends, kids, grocery shopping, change, the dark, not knowing what to wear, safety, appearance, influences on kids, getting old, gossip, procrastination, diseases, strangers, directions...

Maybe we should just sum it up with LIFE.

Day 27 - Pets

2011-07-21T06:09:00.005-06:00

Koko. My only pet growing up, well, if you don't count the garter snake I kept for about a week :P But Koko was definitely my favorite memory. This lazy old guy was deaf, dumb, and blind by the end of it, but I sure loved that dog. This was his favorite pose you'd always see him in. Resting his head through the deck railing slates :P haha I thought it was so cute :)

He always wanted to be around you, wanted to be loved. He was mellow, and he even let me dress him up :P haha He loved to lay on my feet. I liked that because he kept me warm :P We had him for thirteen years if I remember right. Got him on a Christmas morning, when my youngest brother and sister were just babies. He was an excited little thing. He'd run around and get so excited he'd pee everywhere :P That ensured him as an outside dog when it got warmer. haha Once when there was a thunderstorm we found a tarantula in our backyard who would jump every time the lightning struck! You would think that might scare a dog, but no, Koko was out chasing it. Freaked me out :P He also liked to knock my little brother and sister over as they learned to walk :p {I have pictures I took as evidence. I know, what a mean sister.} He loved to go on hikes with us on the mountain trails that were just across the street from my old house growing up. He even got to jump on the trampoline with us. That poor dog was mauled by the five of us I think :P But we sure loved him.

He passed away when I was finishing my last year of college. He was buried at my grandparents' home on their huge hillside with their lone house. Koko loved to run so it is the perfect place overlooking all that farm land he'd want to run in :) My grandpa was into welding things, knick knacks, little art pieces, he was actually pretty good at it. So he made Koko a headrest of his name constructed out of metal. It's perfect :)

What a great dog to grow up with. I sure miss that little hairball :)

Day 26 - Picture of your family

2011-07-20T08:08:00.000-06:00

This picture was taken a while ago, but it will have to do. Sans my little brother Brett, of course. And adding in a boyfriend and girlfriend into the mix. {I like them both.} :)

Day 25 - Put your iPod on shuffle, first 10 songs

2011-07-17T13:08:00.005-06:00

Ten? Only ten songs? C'mon, if you know me, that's not gonna fly :P My life is music. Therapy, freedom, emotion, happiness, or just plain gettin' down :)

So here's a glimpse. And believe me, even this is cut down :P

Patrick Sweany- Them Shoes
David J. Roch-Skin and Bones
Janis Joplin-Take Another Piece of My Heart
Rilo Kiley-Breakin' Up
Tyga ft. Chris Richardson-Far Away
Gym Class Heroes ft. Adam Levine-Stereo Hearts
Bruno Mars-Runaway Baby
Aretha Franklin-That's Life
Demi Lovato-Skyscraper
Blur -Song 2
Metric-Eclipse
Lupe Fiasco-Break the Chain ft. Sway
Cold War Kids-Hang Me Up to Dry
Lily Allen-Chinese
Katie Thompson-It Doesn't Hurt
Jamie Foxx-I Don't Need It
Goldfrapp-Ooh La La
The Bird and the Bee-My Love
Donora-I Think I Like You
Maria Zouroudis-Unthinkable
Ryan David Harris-For You
Frank Sinatra-Fly Me to the Moon
Leona Lewis-I Got You
Ben Folds ft. Regina Spektor-You Don't Know Me
The Blow-True Affection
The Killers-All These Things
Sara and Tegan-I Bet It Stung
Frou Frou-It's Good to Be in Love
Jennifer Lopez ft. Pitbull-Van a Bailar
M.I.A.-XR2
Omarion-Electric
Lighthouse Family-Ain't No Sunshine
Metric-Empty
The Black Keys-I Got Mine
Swizz Beatz ft. Eve-Everyday
Beautiful Small Machines-Counting Back to 1
Metric-Sick Muse
Sarah McLachlan-Stupid (Mark Bell Remix)
Ingrid Michaelson-Turn to Stone
Relient K-The Lining is Silver

Day 24 - Something you've learned

2011-07-12T13:08:00.001-06:00

I am a lot stronger than I give myself credit for.

All Grown Up

2011-07-10T08:59:00.006-06:00

I can't believe that last 4th of July, this is what I was doing. Blessing my 2 1/2 month old on Independence Day :) She looks so little and sweet.

A little angel :)

And this is her now. 14 months old.

Loves to pull anything and everything out of her hair {I'm surprised she has pigtails still in here. She usually goes for the homeless look :P} Loves to sing, to shake her booty {I have gone to get the mail and come back to Taya turning on the radio on my receiver to "dance" aka. bop up and down :P to some tunage, no lie} to cling to her "mama" EVERYWHERE she goes :P She loves to get butterfly kisses. Loves dogs, kitties, ducks... Loves to have her head rubbed. Loves to play peekaboo. LOVES LOVES LOVES to be "chased" around the house :P Loves to try "big people" food {yet won't give up the bottle of a newborn! Grr :P} Loves to cuddle with her blankey. Loves car rides with the windows down and the wind tickling her face :) Loves to make mischief! {That's right, you heard me :P Turn around and she is off making trouble. I have definitely learned the importance of "baby proofing" with this one :P} She's a wild one :) Loves to steal your shoes {She's obsessed with shoes :P} Loves to fold her arms when we say prayers... she picked that one up on her own :) Loves to play with her awesome big brother, Kade :) Loves to splash in the pool. And loves to give kisses :) She is so sweet. I'm just so lucky.

I just can't even begin to imagine my life without her. She is my best little friend :)

2011-06-29T10:27:00.000-06:00

One Month Left...

2011-06-23T06:13:00.000-06:00

My family is pretty excited. We've missed that redhead :) And yes, we will be the crazies jumping up and down at the airport that day in case you wanted to know.

Day 23 - Favorite vacation

2011-05-25T09:08:00.007-06:00

I've had a lot of vacations I've loved. I just really love to travel when I can.

I've been to the NYC/Pennsylvannia/Virginia/D.C. area. Loved that. History, sight seeing. Fun stuff.

I've been to the Western Carribean: Cozumel, Cancun, Belize, & Roatan. Soooo fun. I loved the beaches! (Surprising, right? :P) ESPECIALLY Cancun! White, soft sand, it almost seems fake!

I've been to all the islands of Hawaii. Let's just say, I don't think you could ever go wrong with Hawaii.. Luaus, beaches, sunsets, waterfalls, pineapple?? ;) haha It is just an amazing amazing place.

But like my last post said, I have a couple I've visited more frequently, namely California & Florida. And seeing as I'm in the process of moving, and only have pictures of a couple of my vacations, we'll stick with what I've got here :P

California click here or here.

Florida click here or here.

Or feel free to click my "vacations" tag on the bottom right of this page. I have some I haven't included. If you are interested :)

Day 22 - Favorite city

2011-05-21T09:07:00.003-06:00

Year-round subtropical temperatures, hundreds of miles of palm-lined beaches, and lots of fun attractions? Consider Orlando, FL as my beach fix with a trendy backdrop of diverse fun.

Or on the flip side? I dig San Diego, CA for the sun, surf, and hey... basically the exact.same.reasons :P haha

What can I say? East? West? I {heart} the coast!

Day 21 - Picture of yourself

2011-05-18T13:07:00.002-06:00

{I'll be honest. Pics of myself? Not my favorite thing to do.}

Day 20 - Nicknames

2011-05-15T09:06:00.001-06:00

danabanana, dantanna…(just think of ANYTHING that would *remotely rhyme with “dana” :P), mrs. kiferninckelphiladeli…. (HAHAHHAHAHA!! BUNNNNNNNAAAAA!!! :P), pueblo :P, J. C. (don't ask), shorty, tink, and it seems now dantaberry & danabear :P

(man! i never knew i had so many…and these are just the *non-embarrassing ones :P)

Day 19 - Something you miss

2011-05-14T09:38:00.001-06:00

No work. All play. Always having someone take care of you. No stress. Easy health. Friends like crazy. Days lasted forever. Imagination had no bounds. Jump rope. Dress up. Saturday morning cartoons in your PJ's. Swimming! Rollerblading. Pretending to be asleep so you'd get carried in from the car. Sleepovers. Dancing...everywhere. Making "perfume" out of flower petals. Crazy ugly fashion. Not caring about others' opinions. Making forts out of couch cushions and blankets. Sliding down the stairs in sleeping bags. Night games. Barbies. Trampolines. Riding bikes. Crimped hair. Being silly. Camping trips with the cousins. Everything was new & seemed like an adventure.

Man I miss being a kid.
{L to R: Jen, Candice, Grandpa A., Ryan & Dana}

A Little Bit of Texas

2011-05-10T17:06:00.002-06:00

I got to talk to my brother on Sunday.

Two and a half more months...... :)

I stress too much. I need to live.

2011-04-20T20:51:00.005-06:00

Gonna try harder.

On My Mind...

2011-04-10T19:09:00.001-06:00

1. Be true to yourself.
2. Help others.
3. Make each day your masterpiece.
4. Drink deeply from good books, especially the scriptures.
5. Make friendship a fine art.
6. Build a shelter against a rainy day.
7. Pray for guidance and count and give thanks for your blessings every day.

One of these days...

2011-04-09T18:26:00.000-06:00

I'll find something to write about.

Why is this so funny to me? :P

2011-03-31T16:17:00.001-06:00

Happy Monday

2011-03-28T14:05:00.003-06:00

I love good thoughts, don't you? :)

Thing 1 & Thing 2

2011-03-22T10:15:00.003-06:00

Thing 1 begged for the "extra wide, extra long, Mom can't even turn this thing" cart. So Mom gave in. Thing 2 liked driving...A lot :P

Happy kids=happy Mom. So hey, I might look like a total fool pushing that contraption around... but we are happy. So nanner nanner :P

Day 18 - Something you regret

2011-03-19T06:41:00.003-06:00

There are always things you can regret. But I believe everything happens for a reason. People make mistakes. That's life. But it makes us who we are. So I think the biggest thing is what we can learn from them and then keep living.

So I guess my biggest regret is to quit wishing for tomorrow when I have today to make things happen.

Day 17 - Something you are looking forward to

2011-03-18T06:01:00.004-06:00

Ft. Lauderdale, San Juan, St. Thomas, Antigua, Tortola, Nassau. A trip to get the heck out of here. Warmth. Sunshine. My family. My brother will be home from Texas! I can say I want the trip, but I can also say I need my family even more than that. Happy day.

Day 16 - Dream house

2011-03-17T10:31:00.000-06:00

I'll be honest, I don't have a "type" I drool over. I see beauty in different things. Pretty simple. Some things I like though:

* I love wrap around porches! {Or porches in general :P} I want that. To sit on my porch, a swing, a chair, sip lemonade in the warm night air and enjoy life. Who wouldn't want to sit out and watch the sun go down?? Just my favorite :)

* I love stone work, I love wooden beams, I just love character.

* I love big bright windows that let sunshine fill the room :)

* I love fireplaces. Cozy. Warm. Home.

* I love whimsy. Anything charming. I love feeling like there is something special about a place. Whether it is an old home that has a story, or a new one to make memories in. I love little touches of romanticism.

* I love a gorgeous view.

* I love little window seats.

* I love staircases with beautiful spirals.

* I love the idea of a big open space to spend time together inside as well.

* I love a beautiful garden, or scenery outside.

* I love little things... like moldings, fabrics, beautiful linens, textures, paintings, colors playing off each other, sink faucets, decorated doorknobs, beautiful long, light drapes blowing in a breeze, books on a side table, light through a brilliant piece of stained glass, chairs flanking a fireplace, or a cozy corner, trinkets in a big bookcase, I love old things mixed with new, I love details.

* I love light fixtures :P Interesting ones.

* I love pillows. The couch, the bed, just comfortable.

I don't think this describes my head very well, but I know that my idea of beauty is probably very different than most. But beauty is everywhere, and I love to find it in every day things. That's what I'd surround myself with :)

You should check THESE out though. Pretty amazing.

Day 15 - Bible verse

2011-03-16T12:22:00.002-06:00

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Day 14 - A picture you love

2011-03-11T07:11:00.003-07:00

Kade used to love this thing. He wore it til it squeezed his head so bad I'd beg him not to put it on. He is three here. At this age, he'd call me "honey" all the time. "Honey, this" and "Honey, that" :P He was so grown up for such a little man. But he sure made me happy.

My knight in shining armor :)

Day 13 - Goals

2011-03-10T06:20:00.000-07:00

This one is kinda a hard for me. I've set a lot of things up for myself. Some of which I've achieved, some of which I'm still working on. But right about now? With everything that is happening in my life? The only thing that seems to be important is this:

Be happy, Dana.

So that is my goal. And I hope I can achieve it.

Day 12 - What you believe

2011-03-09T10:36:00.004-07:00

Well, my parents have taught me a lot of things which make me who I am today. But if I had to pick one particular thing I try hard to live by {even if I'm not perfect at it} it would be the simple "golden rule." Treat others as you would like to be treated.

I think that pretty much sums up what I'd like my life to be like.

Day 11 - Favorite TV shows

2011-03-08T15:17:00.006-07:00

I go on spurts from watching pretty much no TV to being your very own personal TV Guide {okay, it's not really that bad. But still more than I'm used to.}

Right now I'm following The Amazing Race, Fringe, The Office, & the occasional Glee episode which ~~I hear helps me hang on to my teenage years~~ normally has some good tunes on it. Oh, I am kinda addicted to House Hunters as well. Fascinating. I could watch that every night and never bore of it. Oh,and the Food Network. Okay, I've also watched a couple of Bear Grylls: Man vs. Wild too... Even though he never ceases to disgust me. {Drink your own pee from a snakeskin you've carried around your neck all day? *Really? I also didn't really enjoy the animal carcass warming or the naked jumping jacks.. but hey, the man is smart. Gotta give him that I guess.}

So as you can tell my DVR is my friend lately. Which I'm okay with. {Until I'm not :P} By then I will probably not even be able to tell you what's what in the entertainment arena, what movies are out, or who will be the next {fill in blank here}, or when your favorite will be kicked off, etc. etc.

But one thing is for sure, I won't be watching any soap opera crap or any TV series like it. Pathetic. Who wants to waste their life watching people hating other people or sleeping around or letting your life be nothing but DRAMA? There is enough of that in the world as it is. So,"No thank you." Give me adventure or comedy any day over that.

Day 10 - Something you're afraid of

2011-03-06T06:07:00.025-07:00

Oh, let's see... heights, my kids being safe, what's underwater waiting to bite me, public speaking, bad drivers, stepping on razors in a shower, change, snakes, Snuggies, germs, mullets, nature disasters, hoochie mamas, chain emails, door to door salesmen, webbed feet, the economy, blood, scary movies, flying, seaweed touching my legs, spiders, speedos, identity theft, sushi, needles, ghetto streets, oversleeping, haunted houses, men who take more time to get ready than me, cauliflower, being forgotten, stairs with no railings, hearing creepy noises when I'm all alone, funerals, my dad's manual transmission truck, insurance, messy houses, cutting with big knives, glass elevators, people who L.A.R.P., driving past semi-trucks in the rain {aka. splashes so big I'm temporarily blinded}, growing old, war, public bathrooms, rickety old roller coasters, stalkers, policemen {even if I'm doing everything right}, bad masseuses, ignorance, Tom Cruise, bad haircuts, college math, and the phrase "Don't worry."

{Just to name a few...}

Maybe it would be an easier question to ask what I'm not afraid of? :P

Day 9- A picture of your friends

2011-03-02T08:47:00.020-07:00

I've been friends with these ladies for a long time :) Through elementary boy cooties, junior high awkwardness, yearly girls' camp adventures, high school hilariousness and heartaches, dates, weddings, babies, and now Girls' Night Outs just to be like we once were when we wished all we could do was grow up :P Time has flown. But I will always be thankful for such a great support group from these friends :)

I moved here in sixth grade. Met a couple of these ladies in my class, I even remember standing up in front of everyone and introducing myself. I was wearing a baseball shirt :P haha

I always admired Christy because she was SO smart. Everyone hated her for being the teacher's pet :P But today, I'm thankful I have a friend that was my nurse during my delivery of one of my babies, proud of her accomplishment to become a midwife of her very own practice, and has helped me on numerous occasions with health related questions. Man, good grades pay off ;)

I met Abby in sixth grade too. She ended up moving right next door to me when her parents built their house. We were best friends immediately. She and I spent time together at school, church, clothes swapping, boyfriends, and all sorts of adventures, including the time I set my own house alarm off on April Fools and thought hiding in her bushes was smarter than going and talking to the police that came to check on things. All because I was sure I'd get a police record... :P Try explaining THAT one to your parents when they think it's all a big April Fool's joke :P

Alyson I met in junior high. She moved in, started coming to our church, and she was such a crazy fun person. I loved her. She has always been so sweet to me. Today, she's got the coolest passport out of all of us I'd say seeing as she's lived in New Zealand and has traveled the world.

I knew Kami better in high school, but once we did more, I don't think I've ever found a more loyal and totally awesome friend. We carpooled in high school, lived together in college, fought over the thermostat daily, kept in touch while she lived in Spokane, went on walks together with our kids, and really, I think she is heaven sent for me. She has been such a good friend to me over the years that I really do think of her as a sister.

So see? I'm lucky :) We are crazy, we are weird, and we fit perfectly together :)

Day 8 - A place you've traveled to

2011-03-02T06:06:00.002-07:00

I've lived a little. Not so much as others, but more than I could complain about.

{Cave tubing in Belize}

Day 7 - Favorite movies

2011-03-01T01:49:00.001-07:00

I know I have been off the blogging scene, and I've missed a lot of days on this challenge thing, but I have good reasons, and I think I'm just gonna start into this like I haven't even missed a beat. So favorite movies it is.

I like all those big movie series like Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter, yadda yadda, most everyone does. And really, I have liked a lot of movies, but here's a list of some movies I could watch over and over again and still love. And that's saying a lot from me. I hate re-watching movies. You know the ending already. Who wants that??

So these are my exceptions. If you have never seen any of these movies. YOU SHOULD.

LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL. This first one is probably my all-time favorite. The way this dad loves his family, well, I am a total sucker for this. Can't say enough good things about how it makes me feel. It's foreign, but hey, if you don't mind either lips flapping off beat to the words, or reading subtitles, you HAVE to watch this. It's just the best. EVER. Trust me, you'll enjoy it. If you don't, well, you don't have a heart :P

STARDUST. I am in love with this story. It makes me smile. I guess there's not much else to say than that. It's got two thumbs up from me.

HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN TEN DAYS. I kinda think Matthew McConaughey is hot. And I kinda think Kate Hudson is adorable. Put them together and their kids would be the cutest babies ever. Like, someone should make a photo album of what their kids would look like.. oh wait, they already did :P This movie has got to be one of THE FUNNIEST movies to get me laughing. I think it's absolutely hilarious :P If I could write a movie about stupid human interaction in dating, that would sum up why men think women are crazy and why women think men are just dumb, well, it would be this my friends :P Genius :P

RAT RACE. This movie is one comedy that has so many details it baffles me. It's so intricate with all the characters and their story lines, but it all fits. It's perfect. And at the same time, it is chuck full of humor. There are so many good one liners from this film :P Things I learned from this? Never do your own piercings, always buy a squirrel from the weird old lady giving you directions, you can repair a truck with two quarts, sealant and some sand, don't mess with biker gangs, some people will do anything for a bet, and NEVER be a drifter in a secluded area when someone needs a spare heart :P

Other movies I love? Seven Pounds, The Princess Bride, The Other Side of Heaven, The Pursuit of Happyness, Ocean's 11, Sleepless in Seattle, A League of Their Own, Dumb & Dumber {I know, sue me :P But don't really.}, and I'm sure I'm gonna think of a whole lot more after I hit "Publish Post" but oh well. So there's my taste in movies :)

Day 6 - A picture of something that makes you happy

2011-02-23T09:04:00.010-07:00

Enough said.

Day 5: Your siblings

2011-02-22T10:04:00.005-07:00

I have two sisters & two brothers. I'm the oldest, but the shortest. Don't know how that worked out. We all "kinda" like each other, so it makes being together pretty fun :)

Here's our "Brady Bunch" picture in "Me-hee-co". {My mom made us do it. I swear :P}

And today... {minus Candice! :( I need to look and see if I have another pic with all of us...}

Seriously some of my very best friends. Love 'em :)

Day 2, 3 & 4.... {Yep. I'm behind already.}

2011-02-21T11:58:00.019-07:00

Day 4: Your parents

Kirk + Leslie
Aren't they cute? :)

Best parents I could ever ask for.

Day 3: Your first love

Greg. I am not one to claim I fall in love easy. I heard it said to me a couple of times before I met Greg, but I never felt it back. So I wasn't about to say it just to say it. Love is too important. So yep. I count Greg as that. He made me laugh, he made me smile, he had my heart.

Day 2: Meaning behind your blog name

Last name Smith. My posts are quite sweet. {Think Cali sweet, not sugary sweet :p}

So there you have it. Pretty simple.

Day 1: Introduce, recent pic, & 15 interesting facts

2011-02-18T04:20:00.006-07:00

So I think I'm finally giving in to this blog challenge bit my friend Kari did and my cousin Jen. My mind isn't really pumping it out there for me anymore, hence my lack of blogging lately. So I guess we'll give it a shot.

Hi, my name is Dana. No, not Day-nuh. Although I answer to both because I've just given up :P

{BTW, do you realize how hard it is to take a pic of yourself? I had to RUN to get into this one :P It would have been nice for someone to take it for me, but I don't really trust my five year old with an expensive camera quite yet :P}

So, I'll be honest and say that this first challenge has got to be one of the hardest for me. What do I have to say about me that is interesting? Let alone fifteen things? Hard. How about just weird things about me...I've got a lot of those :P

Guess we'll see how this goes.

1) Married & two kids {yes, those ones in the pic are mine, I did not borrow them for the effect :P}

2) I am short, nerdy, sarcastic, and a little gullible.... which, if put together, usually leads to a lot of embarrassment for myself :P

3) I cannot NOT lock doors. {Double negative, but you get the point :P} Cars, house, work, you name it. If I go through it, it becomes locked.

4) I was born C-section. The doctor cut me accidentally when opening my mom up...I still bare a slight scar on my left abdomen. Yep. True.

5) I'm a bit of an energy Nazi. Leave a light on in a room, and I'll probably follow you around and turn them off for you :P

6) I live for music....there is not a day that goes by that my house doesn't have some blasting :P I love all types, it is my motivation to get things done, that and it makes me pretty happy :)

7) I have feet issues. Real ones :P I can't stand having my toes touching. I will freak if they do. Writing this is making me think about it which is bugging me.. Bad. Next fact.

8) I cannot sleep until I check on my kiddos. Even if I just did it. They are fine every night, but I do it anyways.

9) I think I'm a bit of a germaphobe. I cringe at coughs or sneezes, I use hand sanitizer, & I think my idea of hell would be standing in one of those "Hoarders: Buried Alive" houses...

10) I ski, wakeboard, garden, sing, teach, tumble, scrapbook, cook, run, dance, cut hair, play the piano, mother chicletts, ice skate, hold jobs, create art... I've done a lot of things. It's true. Although none of them well :P I think you could call my life, "Jill of all trades, yet master of none." :P

11) I am deathly afraid of heights {my last attempt to break that was cliff jumping at Lake Powell...let's just say I did it *once :P}, things that could possibly bite me under water {thanks to friends telling me all about "tiger muskeys"...well that and a lot of shark attack stories on T.V. :P}, scary movies {they literally *scar me for at least months after the fact....so not worth it :P}, & now add to the list "knives"... after cutting my own tip of one of my thumbs off last Thanksgiving. Yep. Freaked about it ever since.

12) I always check my backseat & under my car before I get in if it's dark outside. Stems from those stupid stories everyone told me during my college years of people waiting under your parked car to slash your ankles and leave you helpless... {Do you think I need serious help yet? :P}

13) I bite my fingernails off if I get nervous... Hate, hate, HATE that bad habit! But, I am proud to say I've had long fingernails for about three months now :)

14) I sing to songs even if I do not know the words. I obviously have a few people like Depeche Mode that are hating me right about now as I admit I once sang, "People are people so why should it be? You and I should get along so AUDRINY...." I thought it was the "English" version of the word "ordinary". Yeah, like that even makes sense.... Or maybe you'd enjoy hearing I sang UB40's "Red, red, white" instead of "Red, red wine". *Yep. "There's your sign."

15) I learned to play Solitaire when I was....22? Maybe 23? Once I was taught, I thought it was like the greatest game ever. Pretty sad :P I also thought that in the game of Hearts you were supposed to have the most points... "Man that computer is so dumb! Look at all my points!!" :P

So there you go. I'm quite weird. Want to be friends? :P

Smart, sweet & oh so fun :)

2011-02-04T10:52:00.007-07:00

I started thinking about it, and I write a lot about my daughter Taya, just because she's changing so much so fast, but not so much about my son Kade anymore. And what a shame! He is absolutely hilarious! {As evidenced in his "Kade's Funnies" :P}

So here's a recent pic of him and his "Blizzard Maker" he got as one of his presents from Santa... {Yeah. PRETTY cool :P} and a few new things going on in the life of a five year old :)

*Kade loves kindergarten, loves reading, spelling, math, just everything about learning really. He soaks it up :) We read every night, and lately, he's even been reading to me. Kinda fun :)

*His favorite color is yellow.

*He loves all things video games and could probably beat you at a lot of them :P Needless to say winter kinda traps you into doing a bit more of that kind of stuff :P And it's pretty bad when you have to ask your son how to work something..... but that's a whole other story in itself :P hahaha

*His favorite food is pepperoni pizza and his favorite drink is milk.

*Kade has made a lot of fun new friends at school. His favorite seems to be a little girl though, Makabrie. They have a lot of fun together :)

*He is obsessed with the state of Florida, and thinks Shamu is really really missing him. So he wants to move there.. preferably with some place with an elevator, because those are "so cool" :P

*Kade is such a sweet brother to his little sister. I know that sometimes she likes to destroy everything in her path :P But Kade tries hard to keep her happy by sharing toys or making her laugh. He is her idol :)

*Kade is a morning person. I, however, am not :P I set my alarm every morning to go wake Kade up for school. I think I'm helping... but come to find out, I'm not :P It doesn't matter what time I go in, Kade is always already up :P He "pretend" sleeps so I can wake him up. But once I say, "Good morning sleepy head!" or "Time to wake up!" Kade just starts grinning from ear to ear and says, "I was just teasing you. I'm already awake!" :P

*He told me that even though he doesn't have a pet, if he could invent one, it would be a flying fish :)

*He got a kitchen set and some "food" for Christmas. He's way into "cooking" for people, and loves to make me meals :P If you asked him, he says he wants to be a chef someday. I think I'd be okay with that :)

*Kade tries hard to help me with whatever he can. He likes to help do laundry, wash windows, or load the dishwasher :P Hey, I will never complain about that!

*Kade likes to give people cards. He loves to write. He tries real hard to spell and sometimes he gets it right, or if the word is too big he just writes it as it sounds. Here's an example of what he recently wrote me on a day he felt bad he got in trouble :P

Dere Mom,

I'm sree {with the second "e" crossed out :P} I haveint ben so good to you. I love {a heart} you in all mi heart. And i hop you no theat and I love you.

Love Kade

See what a sweet boy he is?? :)

I'm so lucky to have this little man in my life :) He tries so hard to make me happy and do the right things. He's always making me laugh with his crazy fun personality and amazes me at all the things he knows and understands. He's the best little five year old I could ever ask for. Literally.

I love him so much :)

A Little Love from Texas

2011-02-02T15:42:00.003-07:00

Dear Elder Allred,

I have to admit I'm a little scared of that one kid :P But hey, I guess at least you guys are safe & happy :P

Love,
Me

Little Miss T

2011-01-31T09:35:00.003-07:00

So my Taya is now officially nine months old! Seems crazy. Yet she is learning so many new things right now, totally getting her own little personality {sassy}, but it's just such a fun age. I just took her a couple of days ago to the doctor for her checkup and she is now 19 lbs. 5 oz. and 27 inches long. They always do percentages to show where your child fits into the range of kids in their age group. Taya's rankings were 25th percentile for height, 50th for weight, and 100th for head circumference..... :P hahahahahaha This means even though my child is little for her age, she's got a "heed" that is OFF THE CHARTS!!! :P Wow. Poor kid :P haha The CNA kept measuring and remeasuring to check. I told her my kids' heads have always been bigger. She replied slowly, "But this is totally off the chart....." haha

When the doctor came in and asked how Taya was doing, I said, "She's fine, but apparently her head is gigantic." :P She told me that people with Scandinavian backgrounds, and Germans, have *normal rankings as the 90th percentile until it just eventually evens out with the rest of them as they grow. Interesting. I did not know that. We just happen to have both of those running through our veins, so I guess I have an excuse now :P haha Crazy the things you learn. "Now I know." :)

She's cute though, right? :P

So in honor of nine months, I thought I'd share a bit about her. Especially so I don't ever forget these little things too :)

I've mentioned it before, but she absolutely LOVES her big brother. He's like the coolest thing since sliced bread :P

Even for a little thing, she is quite strong! I think from these next pics you can see she has mastered the art of crawling :P (Even though it looks more like she's training with some push ups :P)

And she likes to pull herself up and "walk" along the perimeter of her crib. She actually thinks this is quite hilarious :P She will get excited when I jokingly ask her "What are you doing!?" Makes her laugh so hard :)

Other things I enjoy about my little Sweet T:

*She is addicted to loving babies. They are like THE greatest thing ever to her :P I think that is why she loves Baby Signing Time so much. Babies galore :)

*She drops things...on purpose...just to make me play "fetch" with her. {Smart one I tell ya :P}

*She loves to wave "hi" to people if I ask her to :P

*I always catch her just sitting in Chinese splits :P She has learned to get from her belly to her bum that way {and vice versa}, so "no biggie" to her :P When the doctor checked her at her visit, she mentioned this about Taya saying she couldn't believe how flexible she was. So hey, I've already got my little cheerleader :)

*She is really into poking my eyes out :P haha I know. Weird :P But I can ask her, "Where's mommy's eye?" and she will point it out for me. We practice on each other :P She's also pretty good with "nose" :)

*She likes to try to scratch off my freckles/"beauty marks" on me. One in particular :P haha

*She loves to be tickled, and/or scared :P She loves to know you are coming to "get" her :P She does this crazy high pitched squeal as she sucks air in thinking this is such a fun game. {Who needs baby toys, right? :P}

* She loves to rub her head back and forth on things....like she's giving herself her very own headrub.... {cricket, cricket...} :P

*She's starting to get a bit of that "stranger danger" :P I personally don't mind because I'm loving her wanting to be with me as much as I want to be with her. Aww. :)

I'm sure there's a bunch of other things I'm going to think of after I post this, but basically, I think it's pretty obvious I'm digging having a baby girl to love :)

Hartelijk gefeliciteerd met je verjaardag!!

2011-01-27T14:51:00.005-07:00

Spreekt u Engels? Well, why didn't you say so! Let me explain all the fuss then :) See, there's this really special lady that I love. My grandma, Theresa Eckenbrecht Allred :) She just turned 85 this last Tuesday!! So yeah, it was time to celebrate!

I love this woman to pieces :) I have a lot of fond memories of her. Some of which I've already shared before. {Like HERE.} But I had to at least say how nice it was to see her again, and I loved seeing all the family there for her :) We enjoyed lunch together, good visiting, singing to the birthday girl, and Kade wouldn't want you to forget the cake :p Who doesn't love cake? :P I know Kade had his share. A piece bigger than his face :P {Grandma had asked for chocolate cake. She's a smart lady, isn't she??} :) Kade made her a birthday card all by himself, he was pretty excited hoping she would be able to talk to him. He sat right across from her and talked her ear off :P Wished her a happy birthday, asked if she liked her cake, told her how excited he was to hear it was her birthday :P Just cute :P Just a happy day :)

She is just something special :) Love you grandma :)

Chew On This

2011-01-26T12:47:00.006-07:00

Taya's been doing a lot of this:

(New Year's Eve)

And this...

And even on items no baby's slobber should ever touch...

So I thought I'd show you why. {Or should I say I tried?}

Taya's sporting teeth y'all :)

Really loving this.

2011-01-24T09:39:00.000-07:00

Happiness

2011-01-20T11:00:00.009-07:00

It looks like this year's resolutions vote majority was to enjoy life more and give more love.

So today I'm posting something that makes me happy every time I look at it. My mom, my sister, me & my dad. It's kind of a funny picture of us, but I love it. It reminds me of my sweet parents who really mean the world to me. It reminds me of the excitement of my little sister. It reminds me of getting to play "doctor" on her with the stethoscope :) Her little heartbeat. It reminds me of having not only a sister, but a friend. It reminds me of love.

I have two kids of my own now. Life goes fast. Too fast. You have to cherish every.little.moment. Because someday it will just be a good memory. Like this one. Something that makes you smile.

So today my whole goal is this: love my kids. Let them feel that. Not just hear it.

Have a wonderful day everyone :)

For the Love!

2011-01-19T10:53:00.004-07:00

Okay, so I haven't even been able to even sleep nights there are so many things running through my head! Among those are these little gems {all of which I have either completed or are in the process of, and no, I'm not lying :P} They are all just sooo CUTE!!

The first is a toss up. ~~I'm so indecisive.~~ I am struggling which one to do.

{I'm kinda leaning for the second option...}

Valentine Wreath. Option #1: from The Idea Room

Option #2 needs your creativity {or the mental picture in my mind...}

Think this....

+ this.... I love the circular shape with red rosebuds. All over. :)

{Just watch. I'll end up making both :P I mean, I do have more than one door...right?}

Rosette balls

There are tutorials all over the place for these suckers, but here's a great picture example from The Idea Room

{Warning: This project nearly sucked the life out of me. Can we say TIME CONSUMING?? Good thing they are super cute :P}

"Be Mine" plaque from The Idea Room

{This one captures my heart. Seriously. I LOVE it.}

Valentine subway art {So easy peasy, yet so adorable.} For this, check out Eighteen25

Ruffle balls {Now you know what to do with left over fabric!} from Tatertots and Jello

Valentine countdown muffin tin {for my kiddo!}

I'm thinking he's gonna LOVE little candy kisses and things hidden inside! :) You can find this project at Creative Juices

Tissue pom poms {Adorning my front room in pinks and reds as we speak!} :) You could either attach a pretty ribbon and let them hang from the ceiling or just let them be. Either way is so cute.

And then, just when I thought I was done, I found this.....

From V & Co.

OR these from Felt So Cute! {I really really love them!}

And my friend Marlee is hosting a craft night {which I will of course be going to} for this....

Soooo, what I'm trying to say is it kinda looks like I'm not quite done....

I can't help it people. I'm an addict :P {And this is only the Valentine addition of my brain!} Worst part is, it's not even February yet, which means I keep finding more things I wanna do! Oh well, at least it's fun :)

Good luck with your projects!

Rudolph's {aka. Kade's} Holiday Rundown

2011-01-17T16:27:00.001-07:00

Create your own free scrapbooking design

Hello world, it's me, Dana

2011-01-15T16:50:00.006-07:00

So within just the last month, my horizons have been expanded in the world of "social media". I will admit right now, I'm horrible at it, and I'll try to explain why.

I was asked by one of my jobs to introduce them into the Twitter community... Um, yeah, this 30 year old didn't even know about Twitter :P haha I'd heard of it, sure, but not much more than that ~~because I'm old~~ because it can be hard to teach this old dog new tricks :P

So after admitting my lack of "social" skills, I set up my own personal account to try it out before throwing their name into it. My analysis after a month's trial? Twitter is kinda boring :P It surprises me that people "follow" me, but if you do, I'm flattered? And I will continue I'm sure, but just not at the intensity as some people delve into.

I think if you are a business, there's much more to it. It's great for notifications, keeping things fresh, and reaching a particular audience for sure. In short, it's just another great way to network.

On the flip side, I skyped for my first time last night with a friend from Florida. I laugh because ~~I am so old skool~~ even my parents are into this. I think my friend laughed too knowing that I had to even ask, "So do I need a web cam to do this?"

Um, yeah.. I'm THAT awesome... :P

But I LOVED it :) It was so fun! And I'm so looking forward to doing it more. I just can't believe I waited so long. (To my sister Candice who has been asking me about this for years, please don't hate me :P We will definitely be calling you guys now too. Kade can't wait :))

So there you go people. I've expanded my horizons :P Proud?

2011-01-13T13:55:00.003-07:00

You know those days when you really have so much to do? (It's almost overwhelming?) But you just can't? Yeah, today's that day for me.

Doesn't help that my baby is laying here on me, asleep, sick with a fever :(

So my world is on hold for now. I haven't even posted my Christmas on here.

Aye de mi.

Oh Kenny :)

2011-01-11T13:36:00.006-07:00

I can't seem to get enough of Kenny Chesney lately. So many great songs. (Yes, I'm a closet country fan. Bet you didn't know that. Guess now you do.) So if my playlist on here starts to bother you, I apologize. The car alone just wasn't enough anymore :P

I think I am a little bit in love with him. That's all :)

Smile for Me Baby

2011-01-10T12:20:00.003-07:00

Taya does this funny (almost pursed?) smile. My mom said, "That smile is ALL DANA!" It's kinda a weird smile..... Should I be offended? ;)

Comfort

2011-01-09T09:23:00.018-07:00

The thought below by Jeffrey R. Holland has always been one of my absolute favorite things to read. I received it many years ago, but it is so important to me that I have kept it close to me all this time. (I tried to make it into a link for you...I failed :P I guess I'm not quite that "techy" yet :P So typed out will have to do, I apologize.) It is a bit long, but I promise you it is well worth the time to read. It has got to be one of the best things I've ever read... It really puts things into perspective for me.

I thought I'd share it with you today. It always helps me, and it always makes me feel so good.

1. I will remember the Savior’s premortal life and all He has done as the great Jehovah, creator of heaven and earth.

2. I will remember even in the Grand Council of Heaven, He loved me and was wonderfully strong.

3. I will remember I triumphed in the Grand Council by the power of Christ and my faith in the blood of the Lamb.

4. I will remember the simple grandeur of His mortal birth.

5. I will remember Christ’s miracles and teachings, His healings, and His help. When I feel my progress is slow or difficult, I can press forward steadfastly in Christ, with unshaken faith in Him and a perfect brightness of hope.

6. I will remember even with such a solemn mission, the Savior found delight in living; He enjoyed people. He said we should be as thrilled with the gospel as one who had found a great treasure.

7. I will remember Jesus found special joy and happiness in children and said we should be more like them—guileless and pure, quick to laugh and to love and to forgive, slow to remember any offense.

8. I will remember Christ called his disciples friends. Friends are those who stand by us in times of loneliness or despair. Do I have a friend I need to contact, or better yet, a friend I need to make?

9. I will remember God often provides His blessings through the compassionate and timely response of another. For someone I may be the means of heaven’s answer to a very urgent prayer.

10. I will remember all the wonderful things that have come to me and that “all things which are good cometh of Christ.”

11. I will remember the courage of those around me who face more difficulty than I, but who remain cheerful, who do the best they can and trust that the Bright and Morning Star will rise again for them—as surely He will do.

12. I will remember the unkind treatment He received, the rejection He experienced, the injustice He endured. When I face some of that, I will remember that Christ was also troubled on every side, but not distressed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.

13. I will remember Jesus had to descend below all things before He could ascend above them.

14. I will remember Jesus suffered pains and affliction and temptation that He might be filled with mercy.

15. I will remember my Savior is there to steady and strengthen me. He is there to save me and gave His life for me.

16. I will remember, however dim my days may seem, they have been darker for the Savior of the world.

17. I will remember in a resurrected, otherwise perfected body, our Lord has chosen to retain the wounds in His hands, feet, and side as a sign that painful things happen even to the pure and perfect. A sign that pain in this world is not evidence that God doesn’t love me. It is the wounded Christ who yet bears the scars of sacrifice, the lesions of love and humility and forgiveness.

18. I will remember my Heavenly Father loved His son dearly. I thank Him and praise Him that He loved me enough to allow His beloved son to suffer for my sins, to die and to be resurrected.

19. I will remember to bring my personal specific offering—my humble promise to conquer a weakness that is separating me from my Savior.

~Jeffrey R. Holland, Ensign, November 1995

Christmas Village

2011-01-08T12:09:00.003-07:00

There are a lot of things I like about Christmas. Going to see Santa is one of them. Days before, Kade gets all hopped up, he makes his list, and we decide what day to go freeze our keisters off! This year was no exception. And I do believe we picked THE coldest night of the year to go! (How does that happen!?)

Just as we were about to leave I go outside to get in the car and there is snow flying EVERYWHERE... So much so that I can't even see a dang thing! I start thinking to myself, "And you're really gonna take your eight month old baby out in this??" I had shoved Taya's tiny body into that full-body bear getup that I personally could eat her up in. I love it :P Unfortunately, Taya, does NOT :P She's either seen that clip on A Christmas Story where the aunt sewed the bunny suit and made the poor kid wear such "silliness" or she might have even felt like the younger brother who gets wrapped up so tightly to go to school that he can't put his arms down.... Either way, she cries every time I put it on her :P But I gotta keep my kid warm, so what's a mom to do?

After the rest of us were bundled up too, we decided that maybe if we went in a blizzard, there might not be as big of a line for Santa? (WHO THINKS LIKE THIS!??) I think I blame that decision on my dad's teachings to me.... P.S. Dad, I love you! ;)

Once we got further away from our windy city, we realized that it was just our place that thinks we live in the Alps, not the rest of downtown :P So thankfully the snow "blizzard" was just all our wind back home. Still deathly cold, but hey, we could see.

I kinda worried about Taya freezing her buns off, but she was such a good baby! Hardly made a peep! (Maybe she was frozen...) OR maybe she just really liked the lights :) That's always my favorite part. So many brilliantly bright colors :)

We went straight to Santa with the thought process of at least the Big Guy business would be done and then if we could wander around before our bodies froze, we would. I was surprised that Santa's line was pretty long still. Guess parents gotta do what they gotta do to make sure their kids get in! Still, Kade was pretty excited to hand in that letter :)

My favorite part of the night was when Kade actually got to see Santa. It went a little something like this...

Santa, I'd like some superhero guys, a blizzard maker, a pillow pet...

Ho, ho, ho! That sounds great!

...some candy canes, a Zhu Zhu pet, the Mary Poppins movie...

Well, you sound like a guy who knows what he wants!

....and etc. etc. etc. (Yes, the list just kept going, and yes, I realize that some of his requests were "questionable" for a little boy :P Hey, he likes what he likes I guess :P)

(This is where Mrs. Claus interjects.)

Does Santa need to bring two sleighs??

Funniest part is, this didn't even phase Kade :P He was bound and determined to get his WHOLE list off his chest. Just so Santa knew for sure :P haha Wow. I wonder what those two thought of us as parents at that moment... :P

After the Santa excitement, we wandered around for a bit looking at all the little "houses" they have displayed throughout the park. There actually were quite a few of them. Elves, workshops, running trains, the Nativity scene, balls of light hanging from the tops of the trees, lights everywhere, and of course, don't forget the carolers... Kade ~~was forced by his weird mom~~ wanted to jump in on this, he couldn't resist ;)(Hey, moms have to have fun sometimes too right? :P)

So Christmas Village was a success :) Cold, but fun :) I love the excitement it brings to Kade, and someday Taya, and really that just makes me even that more happy about it. I'm so glad the holidays are full of things that bring out the magic for everyone. Even adults :)

Here's a few more pics :)
(C'mon, you knew there was no way I'd only take those few! It's me, DANA!:P)

Inside My 2011 Head...

2011-01-07T09:51:00.006-07:00

Why is making (and keeping) resolutions seriously SO.HARD? I have a lot of things I'm working on for myself personally. Things I want, things I need. But I am the type of person that if I try to do anything for myself? That if I'm not constantly slaving over someone else? It's almost like, I feel guilty? Am I alone in that?? Weird, but true.

But that is the problem. I know I have to think of myself sometimes. Everyone does. So I have set some things for myself, call them goals, call them guidelines, call them whatever. The point here is, I know I can be better at a lot of things. I have faults. I want to be better. I try to change them. Same as any human being, right?

I think the key is to set realistic goals. You can set all kinds of goals at any time during the year, but stick with them. Working toward goals can improve our lives in many ways. Once you've accomplished the goal, be it big or small, you'll know it can be done and you'll have confidence for your next.

I was sent the following tips, and I think I'll pass them on to you. I hope you find them as useful as I have :)

1. Be specific. When thinking about goals, be as exact as possible. People who set specific goals are more likely to succeed. For example, instead of saying that you want to save money, set a specific goal to save $500 (or whatever your goal amount is) per month.

2. Put it in writing. Writing down exactly what you want to achieve and post it in a place where you will see it every day. This will help remind you of what you're working toward. When you write, use positive terms. For example, instead of writing, "I will stop eating junk food," re-word your goal in more positive terms: "I will make healthy food choices."

3. Set realistic goals. When you think about setting goals, make sure that they are within your reach. Be mindful of your finances, schedule, and other personal affairs. Remembering these important factors will help you set realistic goals. It's unreasonable to expect to make a lot of big changes at the same time.

4. Develop an action plan. Create a timeline with steps toward your goal. Set deadlines for each step and cross them off as you go. Sometimes just crossing things off, and watching your list get smaller can give you a sense of accomplishment and help you stay motivated.

5. Believe in yourself. I know how hard that can be sometimes! Believe me! But stay positive about your progress. Share your goal with a friend and ask him/her to help keep your spirits up. To quote Henry Ford, "If you think you can or you can't, you're right."

6. Be flexible. Keep in mind that setbacks can happen. Don't get discouraged and give up. Try again! Your hard work will pay off!

7. Ask for help. If you get stuck or need a little encouragement, don't be afraid to talk about it. You might be surprised what kind of support people offer.

8. Reward yourself. Acknowledge your achievements, even the small ones. Reaching a goal takes hard work and you should be proud of your efforts. Celebrating could mean sharing an apple with your child or taking some time for yourself.

Remember, all positive changes, big or small, can improve your everyday life. Make this New Year count!

Stagnant

2011-01-04T16:08:00.005-07:00

Really struggling to blog lately. (I know, that seems to be my relationship with blogger. You know me. You've heard this before.) Multiple reasons, but it's just not quite the same when you have lost the desire to and are questioning if anyone even reads it. (I seriously have 23 followers?? Why? :P And where are they?)

I guess I don't see my life as quite that exciting. I feel pretty "normal." I must not be though. You keep checking back in :P

I'm always surprised when I see a new reader. So, thank you. Really. It's honestly the only reason I keep going on this. Well, maybe that and I secretly hope that one day I can get my act together enough to make some of these jumbled thoughts into a book for my kiddos... A girl can dream right?

Til I get my next post up, which I do have things to blog about obviously, I guess I just wanted to say thank you for spending even 30 seconds with me here. I appreciate it my friends.

2011-01-02T13:21:00.001-07:00

And this is why I worry...

2010-12-29T01:43:00.002-07:00

When I put my arm around him like this it looks like I LOVE him!

Kade's latest girlfriend, Makabrie.

I think I have serious trouble in my future people.

2010-12-24T10:47:00.006-07:00

24. Be Very Blessed

On this Christmas Eve, take a moment to write down all the people and things for which you are grateful. Remembering those who have blessed us is to be renewed and restored in the meaning of life.

Today I'm thankful for so many things... my sweet kids, Taya getting to celebrate her very first Christmas :) my family, health, safety, shelter, food, laughter, being a mom, having my sister in town for the holidays, getting to talk to my brother on a mission in Texas tomorrow, freedom, there is just so very much to be thankful for... But today, among all these wonderful things, I am thankful for my Savior.

Merry Christmas my friends :)

Where Does the Time Go?

2010-12-23T00:00:00.006-07:00

I'm wanting to freeze time. Seriously. My baby is eight months old now. How does that happen so fast??

She rolls herself everywhere. She sleeps through the night (well, most). She eats better. She smiles and laughs like you are the greatest thing since sliced bread. (Boosts my ego, "thanks Taya") She likes playing games like "peekaboo" or "Dada, I'm sick" (she coughs on command :P). She says "dadadada"(you get the picture)... which I never understood why a baby that loves you enough to cry any time you are out of her sight would go for "dadda" as her first word.... So not fair.(Doesn't matter she doesn't know what she's saying, I'm still bitter :P) She is in love with Baby Signing Time. It puts her in a trance. She loves the babies on it I think :P She is ticklish everywhere, even that nob on the back of your head (I think "occipital lobe"...if anyone knows what I'm talking about :P)I learned this while sitting in a movie theater and having to "shhh" her laughter from it. Go figure :) She also likes to rub her head on that back of her walker.. like she's giving herself a head rub :P Weird.. but okay :P She doesn't like to be held tight, she'll squirm all over :P I can't keep socks on her, she likes to take them off and eat them :P When I put her in her baby bunting, she cries and it reminds me of "Mom, I can't put my arms down!" :P (Hey, it keeps her warm. She's gonna have to learn to deal with it :P) She snuggles her blankey when I feed her, just like Linus on Charlie Brown... :) It comforts her. She peeks over the bumpers in her crib when I go to get her from sleeping, and gets so excited when she sees me... She just seriously makes me smile :)

All these things make up a little lady I am desperately in love with. She makes my life so happy. I just don't want to forget any of this.

And your tip:

23. Wander, Wonder

Don't drive to see the best decorated houses in your neighborhood, walk instead. You'll reap the rewards of a closer look while squeezing in some exercise, which is important because, with all the demands of the holidays, it's sometimes hard to find time for a formal workout.

2010-12-22T00:11:00.004-07:00

22. Save Face

Forgot to mail a card to a friend or relative who won't forget it? Don't let it stress you out--send an e-mail card that will arrive instantly. Get free ones from websites such as bluemountain.com

Or be like me and just send all your cards late :P It's the thought that counts, right?

Seven Slings Promo Code

2010-12-21T00:00:00.005-07:00

Thought I'd pass this along for all you moms! Use this promo code for 93% off on a 3 piece gift sets which includes the Seven™ Slings baby carrier of your choice, a color coordinated pair of baby leggings and an adult acrylic cuff bracelet with matching sling fabric sealed inside! You get all 3 pieces (Reg $72) for only $5 + Shipping fees. The code is "Christmas". They make great gifts!

Go to www.sevenslings.com, click on "Shop Now", scroll down to the gift sets, select the one you would like (be sure to visit the sizing page to get the right size carrier for you) and you will automatically be repositioned to the center of the page where you can enter in the promo code! Type in "Christmas" and it will bring your product total to $5!

Check it out soon because I am not sure how long this promotion will last. You can use the code more than once - you just have to open a new browser/window to do so. This promotion code is valid once per transaction, so you can order as many times as you would like!

21. Light the Night

December 21st is the shortest day of the year. The lack of sun can make even the cheeriest sorts a little gloomy. Make your home as bright as possible with extra Christmas lights and candles. And take a walk outdoors around lunch when the sun is at its brightest! :)

2010-12-20T00:10:00.001-07:00

20. Holiday Kid Swap

You’ve heard of the holiday cookie swap…but what about the holiday kid swap? Gain kid-free time to make your way through your holiday to-do list by coordinating an exchange with family, friends or neighbors.

2010-12-19T00:09:00.002-07:00

19. Dust Off a Lawn Chair

Bundle up and sweep off a lawn chair. It's tempting to hide inside, but it's important to remain connected to the outdoors all year round. Sit quietly for a while and just watch wildlife scamper in your backyard (yes, there are still critters out there).

2010-12-18T16:44:00.002-07:00

17. Celebrate the Quirky

Learn to chortle over the silly slip-ups that happen every holiday. Then write them down. you'll find that these mishaps often become the fondest memories of all. Some of our most memorable moments can be the least expected.

18. Scent for Company

To quickly make your house smell festive, add a tablespoon of each of these herbs to 2 cups of water; let simmer on low heat in an old pan, taking care not to boil dry: cinnamon, bay leaves, sage leaves, rosemary, and lavender.

For the Love of All Things White & Nerdy

2010-12-16T00:11:00.002-07:00

I think everyone needs to experience at least one Ugly Sweater Party in their lifetime. I mean, what better way to get into the holiday spirit than with an overly decorated ensemble, silly games, good food, and letting your inner "weirdness" shine through? :P I know, y'all wish you were celebrating right now from that description :)

Thanks to my fun friends :) Love you guys :)

16. Imitate Saint Nick

There's nothing like a good belly laugh to make you feel the joy of the season. Need some help tickling your ribs? Here are some great family holiday movies for inducing laughter: A Christmas Story; Olive, the Other Reindeer; The Santa Clause and Home Alone.

Laughter is the Best Medicine :)

2010-12-15T00:03:00.004-07:00

I know I'm probably the only one out there that will enjoy this, but I kinda absolutely positively love these little nuts :P Kade teases Taya. Taya laughs like it's the funniest thing in.the.world :)

And your tip:

15. Examine Your Sole

Christmas shopping not only can take a toil on your wallet but your feet as well. (Especially if you're dumb like me and occasionally wear shoes for the sake of fashion, not comfort :P)

So when you get home, give those tired feet some relief! Put a towel around one foot, grasp both ends of the towel, and pull your toes toward you for 15 seconds, then release. Do this until you feel the soreness slip away. Then switch feet.

2010-12-14T00:01:00.002-07:00

14. Light Your Fire

If you've ever stared into the flickering flame of a campfire, you know how mesmerizing it can be. A Christmas candle produces the same effect. Put a white or blue candle on a table at arm's length. Light it and gaze into its warm glow. Slow your breathing and let stressful thoughts float away...

Radio City Rockettes!

2010-12-13T11:53:00.004-07:00

So my dad is a sweetheart and my mom is just stinkin' cute :)

My dad decided to surprise my mom by getting tickets for me, my sister Breanna and my mom to go see the Radio City Rockettes a couple of weeks ago. It was so fun :) To say my mom was in heaven would be the understatement of the year. She bought the program, she couldn't stop shaking with excitement, and heck, I think if they let her just jump up there on the stage...she would have :P

I can say I really enjoyed it too. It had a whole program, not just a bunch of women kicking their legs up. (I didn't know how that would have gone over for me if that was all the show was :P) But it was really entertaining! There were tons of cast, a storyline about believing in the magic of Christmas, cannons that shot out snow and confetti :P, beautiful staging, costumes, and props, it was just really pretty amazing!

Thanks Dad for giving us a fun time together. We really missed having my sister Candice there, but we can't wait to see her THIS WEEKEND!!!!! :) :) :)

P.S. Breanna, I'm glad you got such a good chuckle out of me thinking that guy was wearing a "cheesehead" :P Now that I think about it I really don't even know how to explain it myself :P

2010-12-13T00:16:00.003-07:00

13. Rest Your Weary Head

About halfway through December most people feel a little overwhelmed. Fight back by taking a nap. You don't have to necessarily fall asleep, but you do have to lie down in a dark quiet place. Fifteen to 20 minutes is ideal.

2010-12-12T01:09:00.003-07:00

12. Tie One On

An apron, that is! These ones I found at Main Street are absolutely adorable! I love how flirty fun they are :) Wearing a pretty holiday version will help you feel festive, and it's a nice way to get yourself psyched up to bake a couple dozen cookies, truffles, or any holiday special!

I know I am so behind...

2010-12-11T00:01:00.003-07:00

So I'll save you the excuses and just get to my point.

I love our Young Women :)If you don't know what I'm talking about, which is totally fine, let me explain quick. I work with a group of girls ages 12-18 years old in my church. We meet on Sundays for worship, and we meet once a week for activities. It's awesomely the best job I've had in my church experience. I love it :)

These girls make me laugh (actually quite hard :P, then again, I am pretty easily entertained, so we get along quite well :P), they make me cry (like when they jokingly kidnapped my baby a little too long for my liking with a ransom note asking for homemade cookies.. Yes, I'm serious. And no. Not amused. :P), and they make me happy. They really do :) They help me remember what it was once like to be a teenage girl who has the world ahead of her, who may or may not know her potential, who sometimes feels like every day seems like a battle, but who also can amaze you beyond belief at what they've got inside of them...

They make my heart smile :)

This pic was from our "Evening of Excellence". The girls work the year through to present a project of something that they have done. It basically spotlights some beautiful talented young women. Aren't they cute? :) I think the pic is the best part. Even with a blurry camera. So I had to share :)

And the tip of the day?

11. Make a Joyful Noise

Grab some friends and go caroling! Or even just pipe up in the privacy of your own home. Studies show the forceful exhalations that come with singing actually help protect the upper respiratory system from infection. And, besides, singing just feels good!

Thought I'd share just a few of these...

2010-12-10T13:16:00.006-07:00

because they melt my heart :)

Photos: Crystal's Captures

2010-12-10T00:01:00.004-07:00

10. Munch a Candy

Pluck a striped candy cane off the tree and indulge in this classic holiday treat! The peppermint oil in the cane acts as a calming tonic for stress relief. But make sure the candy canes you buy contain real peppermint oil! :)

2010-12-09T08:45:00.005-07:00

9. Give Unto Others

Set aside materialism for a while by giving back to those less fortunate. One way to do this: Volunteer for the Salvation Army's Red Kettle Christmas Campaign and ring a bell for a couple of soul-gratifying hours.

To find out more, visit ringbells.org or you can call your local Sally Ann.

The Best Part....

2010-12-08T13:04:00.006-07:00

about Thanksgiving is family :) I absolutely love my family.

Every year we would take turns going to either my mom's house or one of my grandmas' houses. With one grandma in a nursing home who can't travel far, a grandpa that is in remission from cancer, and other limitations due to our total family size, this just really isn't possible anymore. So this year was a bit different for us. My Grandpa Allred treated us to eat Thanksgiving out, so we could all be near my grandma :)

It was definitely different, not traditional in any way, but it sure was nice to be close to family... and that was what matter most :)

My favorite was getting to finally meet my cousin Jen's little girl Leila :) I just had to snap some pics of them together :) So cute!

2010-12-08T00:32:00.000-07:00

8. Drink in Merriment

Dark chocolate reduces blood pressure! So why not try this? Heat 3/4 cup milk in saucepan over medium heat until just before boiling. Remove from heat and transfer to a large mug. Stir in 1 ounce coarsely chopped bittersweet or semisweet chocolate pieces. Let stand about 30 seconds then stir to combine. Enjoy! :)

I Have a Good Reason, I Swear...

2010-12-07T13:16:00.010-07:00

I have fallen prey to the sickness that has invaded my home for the last month or so, hence the M.I.A. I still have my own personal posts I need to do too! Like... Thanksgiving? :P One step at a time though...

So I guess today I will catch up on my tips for you.

7. Reach Out to Others

Take a day to move outside your normal circle of acquaintances. Call a long-lost friend to wish them a happy holiday, or join the camaraderie of community activities, such a town square tree lighting or a holiday play. Just get out there! :)

6. Smell the Season

Long ago, people cut evergreen boughs to scent their homes and brighten dark days. Continue that tradition--without the mess--by using the essential oil of evergreen. Put a few drops on a terra-cotta tree ornament. (You can find essential oils at health food stores.)

2010-12-05T00:07:00.012-07:00

5. Dig Out the Holiday CDS

The holidays are stressful. If you're tempted to knock a partridge off a pear tree, try turning on some music.

"Your whole system begins to slow down when you listen to familiar, soothing music," says Suzanne Hanser, chairwoman of Berklee College of Music's music therapy department.

(Notice I had to change my tunes before posting this? :P)
About time I'd say :)

2010-12-04T00:06:00.004-07:00

4. Jot a Note to You

We rarely focus on ourselves during the holidays. Fix this by picking up a pen and writing a Christmas card to yourself. It can be a peppy, cheerleading note or it can be the promise of a pedicure after wrapping all those gifts! Whatever you decide, make sure you remind yourself you are important too!

2010-12-03T00:35:00.005-07:00

3. Let Lips Linger

I know... "What?" :P

But seriously, I read one kiss-and-tell survey that showed that couples who smooch often are eight times less likely to feel stressed or depressed. So meet under the mistletoe as often as you can for a little therapy!

First Snow

2010-12-02T08:15:00.001-07:00

Kade's first outing for the year. All smiles :)

It always amazes me how entertaining snow can be :)

And your tip for the day?

2. Wrap Happily

Wrapping gifts can be a real pain in the backside--especially if you do it on the floor, which strains the neck and lower back. Professional ergonomist Chris Adams says the most comfortable way to wrap is to stand on a mat in front of a countertop and wear good shoes!

Good luck with the gifts! :)

Countdown to Christmas

2010-12-01T20:54:00.006-07:00

Well, it's on! Is your tree up? Shopping done? Feeling the stress yet!? :P

I try really hard to be done (or close to it) the first part of December. It doesn't always happen, but when it does, I feel a lot less flustered. Believe me :P

So in the hopes of keeping the spirit of the season alive (and you merry and bright!), I kinda thought it would be fun to share a tip a day to help with the de-stressing and get you pumped for the holidays!!! :)

So here's today's tip:

1. Start a Tradition

Why? Well, let me tell you.

"Traditions are important because they provide a sense of belonging" says psychologist Barbara Fiese.

So if you create a holiday dish, paint a new ornament each year, or come up with another way to personalize the season you are bound to have a a happier holiday from the good memories!

So go out there and find your tradition!

Wow...

2010-11-29T10:21:00.000-07:00

My blog is so popular :P

My Child is Now a Force to Be Reckoned With

2010-11-27T23:05:00.018-07:00

So this pic makes me smile :P Kade's new thing is to sound out big words and try to spell them. Each day for this past week I have found a new word on my fridge... sometimes spelled completely correct and sometimes creatively close :) The other day was "turkey", yesterday was "fun day" because he liked the day a lot... haha Man this kid makes me smile :P Today was "Satrday" :P Hey, I'm still impressed with the words he's attempting. If he doesn't know the word, he tries hard to spell it out how he thinks it should sound. Smartie pants that one :)

But this post isn't about spelling. It's about reading. Because Kade can read. I mean really read. This isn't anything that surprises me seeing that he has been able to sound letters out (aka. basically read without knowing what he was saying) for over a year. He is one smart cookie I tell ya.

Now this isn't a pat on Dana's back moment. I promise. I tell you this because I think I've got something to say that just might be helpful...

When Kade was still very very young, (think 2 1/2 years old) I started teaching him the alphabet. I started seeing that he soaked everything up like a sponge. So, I went ahead and put it to use.

I have been asked how I did this, what I used, so let me share.

eye Q (TM) Phonics.

I was introduced to this through my sister-in-law Cari. She actually worked with eye Q (TM). It is a program developed to encourage reading and comprehension by individually focusing on letters. I used it. I loved it.

Each letter has its own song, flash card, workbook page... from this simple program, Kade learned to sound out letters in easy books even before preschool.

If you know me, you know I am a HUGE advocate of reading every day with your kids. When we read, even Taya sits in. Kade and I also really enjoy going to the library where he picks out his own easy reader books...and he reads them all first time through... by himself.

The National Institute for Literacy has some awesome tips on how parents can help their toddlers get ready to read during the ages of 2 and 3:

*Read with your child every day, even if it's only for a few minutes.
*Encourage your child to bring his favorite book to you so that you can read together.
*Point to pictures and name them out loud, and encourage your child to point to pictures while you read.
*Watch to see if your child sometimes makes eye contact with you when you read aloud. That tells you she is paying attention to you and the story.
*Talk with your child throughout the day about things you are doing and things that are happening around you.

A couple of other tips... because there really is more to reading together than just saying the words... Try asking your toddler questions like these when you read together.

For example:

Point to pictures

*Do you see the big bird? Point to the big bird.
*Do you see the owls? Point to them.
*How many are there?
*I see two things that the animals are eating. Can you show me?

Talk about the pictures

*How many animals are on this page? (Count with your child, with both of you using your fingers.)
*Does Max the Monkey have ears? Show me where they are.
*What is Max doing?
*What is Linus doing?
*What flavor do you think it is?
*What kind of animal is Linus?
*Linus looks like a cat. What sound does a cat make?
*What do cats like to do?
*Linus has spots. Can you show me his spots?

Some three-year-olds can begin learning letter sounds and names. Try these:

*Let's look at this big letter L. (Point to it and say the L sound.) "Linus" and "lollipop" begin with L. Let's think of other words that start with L?
*How about "lamp?" Does that begin with the L sound?
*Show me the four big letters and let's say their names. (Trace each letter with your fingers and say it. Do it a few times.)

I know that if you keep being persistent, it totally pays off. Kade has developed such a love of reading. Now my biggest problem with him is not being able to spell things out I don't want him to hear because he knows exactly what I'm talking about! :P

So I hope this helps! Good luck! :)

I Still Need a Sweater.....

2010-11-26T01:53:00.001-07:00

To my friends that are still in the same boat as me. Searching, searching... What to do? Well, here's a tid bit for ya. I hope you find it as helpful and informative as I did. Cause it's almost time to party :P

There are ways to determine if a sweater is suitable garb for the party. Here are details to look for:

1. An artifact that protrudes from the sweater itself – that is, something not inherent to the fabric or yarn. Examples of this would be miniature sweater appliqués sewn onto the sweater.

2. A combination of icons that most normal humans would not utilize when designing one item of clothing. For example: brown sweater, pink buttons, pink pig appliqués eating grass appliqués and a floppy collar made of curly pink and white yarn.

I have more than one of these coming up (if you can believe it). Don't laugh. All the cool kids are doing it :P

Guess I need to get on the sweater situation. Pronto.

"Thanksgiving Recipes: With Love, From Room 1"

2010-11-22T22:38:00.011-07:00

Kade came home with this little book today. He told me it was just in case I needed help cooking for Thanksgiving. I chuckled pretty good over it :P

Thought I'd share in case any of you need help too ;)

"Happy Thanksgiving from Mrs. Koer's AM Class"

Recipes: How to Cook a Turkey!

Camrie: Um, I don't know. I think she buys one. She puts it on the stove. My mom puts it in the oven for I think about a few minutes or a little while. The timer goes beep and it's done. My mom checks it and sometimes puts it back in for a minute.

Brooklyn: Well, my grandma makes it. Well, I think she just buys it and just cooks it on the stove. Well, I think it just takes a minute and a half.

Addy: My dad buys it at the store and cooks it in the oven for a really long time. When it's done my dad says it's ready.

Logan: My grandma Susan makes it. Maybe she makes it on the stove for maybe a really short time.

Owen: My dad makes it. He goes and buys it and cooks it on the stove. He leaves it for 10 minutes.

McKay: I don't eat turkey. I eat grilled cheese. My mom puts bread on the backside then cheese on it and bread on the other side. She cooks it on the toaster.

Preston: My mom and dad cook it. They use the oven and cook it for maybe 35 minutes. The oven beeps when it's done.

Brielle: I think my mom cooks it. I think she gets it from the store. I think she cooks it in the microwave for a little bit.

Akio: My grandma brings it to our house. She buys it and puts it in the oven for a long time. I watch the oven to see when it's done.

Kade: You have to um, cut it so people can like eat it. A turkey cooks for 8 minutes. You slice it up. Then you eat it.

Samantha: Well, my dad cooks it. Then it turns like chicken. Then we eat it but sometimes Heidi makes it.

Hayden: You shoot it. You cook it for 10 hours. Then eat it.

Tyce: Get a turkey from a farm. You cook it like the guy in the Hulk movie. Cook it for 5 minutes. Look at it. You don't eat it because I don't like turkey.

Max: I like to eat turkey. They have bones, I hate bones. You cook it in the microwave for so long. I just eat it.

Brock: Like we catch a turkey. Then we cut the head off and the legs. Then we cook it um, for 10 hours. We take it out then we eat it.

Makaebrie: You get a turkey from the jungles, they can be there. You cook it with a pan and some things. We put it on a plate and cut it. Then we eat it.

Brianna: First she just takes it from the store. Then she takes the leges and opens the back. Then she put the powder in it. Then she serves it to us and sometimes it falls to my dog.

Kaity: Get a turkey at the store. Then you cook it in the oven for 15 minutes. Then you eat it.

Parks: You buy it at the store. Then you cook it at my mom's house in the oven for 20 minutes. Then you eat it.

Corbin: You get a turkey from the store. Then you cook it in the oven. Eat it.

Other Thanksgiving Recipes

Camrie: Vegetables-My mom buys the vegetables. I can eat carrots. Sometimes I like to eat salad. She cuts the carrots and vegetables up on my salad. That's how I like it.

Brooklyn: Broccoli-She buys it from the store and cuts it and cooks it with butter.

Addy: Chicken-Just buy one from the place next to the Chinese place.

Logan: Pumpkin pie-We bought pumpkin pie from the store. I like whip cream on it.

Owen: Chicken-Buy it and then cook it. We put it in the oven for 5 minutes. I like it clear.

McKay: Slushies-We don't make them at home. We get them at 7-11.

Preston: Bread-We toast it with butter.

Brielle: Mashed potatoes-We get real potatoes. We put them in the microwave for a short time. We mash them and eat them. We don't put anything on them.

Akio: Ramen noodles-I put the package in the pan and it boils and then you dump the stuff in.

Kade: Ham-You have to cook it um, I think, the same thing as a turkey. You can eat it but you have to cook it for sure, is what I know.

Samantha: Mac and Cheese-First, you put hot water in it and then you put the mac and cheese in it. Then you put the cheese in it. Then you eat it. It is so yummy.

Hayden: Cereal-Chocolate pebbles. You put it in milk. Get a spoon and eat it.

Tyce: Rice-Grandma and Grandpa goes to Chinese and gets it. I like to eat that stuff that comes on it. I like the chicken too.

Max: Mac and Cheese-You put cheese in there and noodles and ramen. Be done and then eat it. You have to put water in it.

Brock: Deer-We have to shoot it with a shotgun. Then we take the antlers off. Then we cook it and eat it.

Makaebrie: Pickles-Once I ate a sour pickle and donut for breakfast. You make a pickle with seeds and water. It grows up on the farm. Put them in a jar with water, seeds, and pickles and then close it with a lid.

Brianna: Corn on the cob-I just take the little pokie things and put them in the oven. You bake them for like 10 minutes. Then we put them on the plate. Then we eat them.

Kaity: Jello-You get the box of jello. Then you pour it in a bowl. You mix it up. Then you put it in the fridge and eat it.

Parks: Corn-You can buy it or if you have a garden you can cook it from the garden. You cook it in the oven for 30 minutes. Eat it.

Corbin: Noodles-Put them in the bowl and cook them in the microwave for one, zero, zero. We put like this sauce on it. Eat it.

Thank you Mrs. Koer for making my day :p haha I will always treasure this little memory of Kade and his Kindergarten class :)