slump-a-dump

Yup. I'm in one. Maybe something will inspire me tomorrow. Hope everyone is doing great! I love reading all your blogs -- keep up the good work!

One year older ...

Happy Birthday, Ella! Last weekend my darling, but naughty, little girl turned 4. I can't believe it! Birthdays are a big deal at our house and as to be expected, we had a fun and busy week! Here are a few of the highlights -

Grandma and Grandpa Gatherum came and had dinner earlier in the week. Ella got a huge princess tent that takes up half of our family room! They always bring the funnest presents!



Birthday cake #1



Ella got to celebrate her birthday at preschool. They made her a special crown (that she wore for 3 days), a birthday train and I got bring treats. She loved it!



She also got to have a sleepover with Grammy! Ella loves sleepovers with Grammy!



Ella's favorite present!


Cruising on the wiggle car!



Uncle Eric and Auntie Heather. Ella was so glad my family was able to make it to her party this year.

Cake #2

Between cakes, cupcakes, friends, family, school and parties, we were all exhausted. We had a great time and Ella loved every single minute!

Happy Birthday, Ella! I can't believe how fast you are growing up! You are hilarious and clever, sensitive and smart, beautiful and sweet ... we love you so much!

ipod intervention ...

Sad news -- I've ditched my running posse. At least for now. I have ankle and pride issues that need to be built up a little bit more before I can join the pack again. In the meantime, I could use a little help. I am looking for good running songs. My current selection isn't cutting it for me -- Full Of Grace somehow popped up on me the other morning and I just about curled up on someones lawn and took a nap. Help! Send me your suggestions, please! If you feel like putting together a little mix cd for me, even better!

A spoonful of sugar ...

..... plus 300 more seems to be what I'm eating lately. I'm not sure what's going on with me but I am eating absolute crap like I never have before. Honestly, I search it out. I crave it. I eat stuff I don't even like -- all because it's sugar. I'm completely addicted. This is a serious situation needing some serious action. Starting Monday (because I have a great dinner planned for tomorrow) I am kicking the habit ... cold turkey .... until Friday (baby steps). I am posting my rules so maybe I'll feel somewhat accountable.

RULES:
1. No treats. At all. Until Friday. I will not be making cookies for dinner. I will not be popping any popcorn. I will be hiding my stash of minty 3 Muskateers (have you tried these? Yummy!). And the 3 year old Hershey Bar I found in my pantry? In the garbage ... on Monday.

2. One diet drink per day. I love water but for the last two weeks, Diet Dr. Pepper has been flowing out of my kitchen faucet. Crazy! I also realize that some of you may consider this a treat. Not so. This is like oxygen ... maybe more like Heroine. I'm not willing to give this up.

Well, that's it. Easy? My armpits are sweating already! Wish me luck!

Runnin on Empty

I have a phobia, a complex, an issue ... I have a hard time running with people. There, I've said it. I'm not sure what it is. Maybe it's the idea of them listening to me gasp for air, or maybe it's the pressure to maintain a conversation while I'm gasping for air, or maybe it's the flash images I get of them shoving me into oncoming traffic .... I don't know, but something about it makes me nervous. I recently thought it was time to break-through this fear and started running with some friends a couple times a week. I thought things were going to be all right until yesterday.

I should have know it was a day for disaster. I hadn't slept well, my allergies were flaring up, I hadn't been running for a week and my body was so confused by the tricky weather. Valerie and I kicked it into gear and immediately my mind started rolling .... "This sucks ...My legs are tired already.... I have to blow my nose ... Seriously? .. Do you think she's believe me if I told her my shoes were untied again? ..." Anyway, there is this section of Main Street in Kaysville that is basically a highway (you Kaysvillians know where I'm talking about). You don't ever want to get caught walking on this stretch because a million cars pass you and you look like a looser. And let's face it, I live in a small town where someone is bound to recognize you and that would be completely embarrassing. So, we're trotting along. Valerie is chirping away because she is not out of breath, her legs aren't tired and isn't even slightly breaking a sweat. I am wheezing and praying that she doesn't decide to shove me in front of the next car (she is not a violent person, just a little bit of that paranoia kicking in). We were 6 feet from getting off that blasted highway when it all unfolded ....

I tripped ... I fell ... I was pushed ... I don't know, but it was humiliating. I fell, I rolled and I grimaced. I remember my feet in the air. I remember the distance I bounced. I remember the feeling of rock on my knees ... my hands ... my back ... I remember cars whizzing by during the morning traffic. I remember praying that one of them didn't hit me. Mostly, I remember seeing Valerie's face, filled with pure gratitude that it wasn't her making a spectacle of herself in such a busy place. I waited for the stars to clear and we hobbled home.

Looking back on my years of running, my pride has never been this damaged. This is what happens when you run with people. You have witnesses. There is something to be said for solitary silence. For letting yourself boogie to the tunes on your i pod. For winding your way through sleepy neighborhood streets. For stopping to blow your nose (or "tie your shoe") any time you want. Having said that, I will be returning to the pack ... for the time being ... once I find my pride (maybe on the corner of Main and Burton?), and once my body heals, of course.

Twirl - a - what?

Twirly skirt ... twirling skirt ... twirl- a -skirt .... Not really sure what's it's called but here it is. The perfect twirling skirt! I saw a picture of it, thought it was darling and decided to dust off my sewing machine and test out my skills. Turned out pretty good (if you don't look too close! I can't sew a straight line to save my life!) and Ella loves it! I might just be making more!

Polka dots and plaid? What could be cuter?

Ella in our dirt garden and looking absolutely fabulous!


And Jack ... hoping he gets a twirly skirt too.

I Heart ...

1. clean bathrooms (mine is not)
2. silence
3. Jack's dimple
4. preschool
5. successful dinners
6. warm, sunny weather
7. bedtime
8. the smell of my babies
9. giggles (as in laughing. not the cookies.)
10. laundry that has been put away ... or better yet, the person who does it for me.

What's for dinner?

Once again, I made chocolate chip cookies for dinner on Sunday. As I was devouring the dough, I realized that my chocolate chip cookies are absolutely divine! Seriously! If you don't believe it, make them! Below is the recipe with a few tips on how to make them especially delicious. Don't ask me how I know this stuff -- I'm definitely not smart enough to figure this out on my own.

1. Use best the best products available. I usually don't do this since I tend to use whatever I have, but it really does make a difference.

2. Don't use too much flour or you won't have a round cookie.

3. Use partially melted butter to keep your cookies from looking dark and greasy.

4. Refrigerate your dough balls (dough balls?) before putting them in the oven. This will prevent them from browning to quickly and will keep them round instead of flat.

5. Bake your cookies at a lower temperature for a longer period of time. This gives you a chewier cookie.

6. Remove them from the hot tray immediately.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 sticks butter
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups chocolate chips

Bake 18-22 minutes at 300 degrees until golden brown. Immediately transfer cookies to a cool, flat surface. Don't over mix dough.

Send Me To The Circus ...

A friend of mine was recently talking about her big nose (that truly isn't big) and I decided to show her up. In my natural state, I have a big nose. In my pregnant state, I have a freakishly enormous snout that continues to grow during the 9 month period. People laugh when I tell them ... usually in that high-pitched nervous giggle that really means, "So it's not always this big, right?" In order to prove it, I'm forsaking my pride and posting the evidence. This is not a "does this make me look fat?" post. Please do not comment that my nose really isn't big ... we all would know that you are lying! Oh, and please don't tell me it doesn't look any different. That would send me in a never-ending downward spiral! This post is purely for competition purposes, as well as a self-esteem boost for my fellow bloggers.

This is the day I went to the hospital to have Jack removed from my body. Here is 9 months worth of growth ....

Yikes!

My Hero

Sunday Morning Choir Practice

Happy 70th!

A friend of mine made a list of 100 tidbits about herself for her 100th posting. It was an amazing list that I absolutely loved reading. I thought I would start making my list for my 100th post and, believe it or not, couldn’t come up with that many things to say about myself. I am not fascinating, I haven't had many life altering experience and I don't do a whole lot other than think about cleaning my house. I figured I better post now before my number got too high (believe me, it was a stretch to get to 70!)! So, here it is .... 70 ridiculous facts for 70 ridiculous postings!

1. Since the age of 18, I have packed up my belongings and moved 11 times. Keep in mind, we've lived in our house for 5 years.

2. I had my belly pierced when I was 17 and kept it from my mom for 3 years. It was not pretty when she found out.

3. I own a pair of wranglers and spurs - although I'm still waiting for my belt buckle!

4. I have a wide taste in music. The only things I really can't listen to are rap, heavy metal, Mannheim Steam Roller and Kenny G. Other than that, let's shake a leg!

5. One thing I am most thankful for is being a mom. It is also the #1 thing I struggle with.

6. My best friend until age 11 was a girl named Melodie. We did everything together. We also used to steal treats from kids lunches during recess in First grade.

7. I truly believe believe I should be living on a ranch, or farm or something like that .... with lots of cowhands to do all the hard labor, of course.

8. I have huge public bathroom issues. Why can't people figure out some basic bathroom etiquette?

9. Popcorn should not be served while watching a movie. Chomp, chomp, chomp ....

10. I almost didn't graduate from high school. I really wasn't sure there would be a diploma waiting when I turned in my cap and gown.

11. Gas station nachos are the finest!

12. If I can't think of something for dinner I usually make cookies.

13. I don't like playing games. Game night? Don't invite me!

14. I love Girls Night Out.

15. I make my own bread weekly.

16. My nose gets bigger when I'm pregnant. This is a scary sight since I already have a big nose! Thankfully, it returns to my normal size after the birth.

17. You know those people who can't go anywhere by myself? I'm not one of them. I absolutely adore being by myself.

18. I have high expectations for others and am often disappointed.

19. I had a dream that I made-out with Slash under the bleachers.

20. I love to cook.

21. I can't stand stupidity.

22. I love attention. Ta da! Is that a surprise?

23. I have never been toilet papering. I have never wanted to go toilet papering.

24. I guy once took me on a group date (with his family) water skiing where I discovered (and witnessed) that his mom had multiple personalities.

25. I don't like celebrities. I don't like their attitudes. I don't like their influence. I don't like their self-proclaimed pedestals. However, I do check people.com once a week.

26. Since receiving my license I have claimed 8 different cars as my own.

27. I prefer the mountains to the beach. Although at this point I'll take either.

28. I had to take Meteorology 3 times in college.

29. I once had a spider bite that required medical attention.

30. I get an incredible headache every time I go to the temple.

31. Curious George makes me anxious.

32. I used to clog.

33. I love to run, which I am currently not doing due to my upcoming foot amputation.

34. I love to hear Ella sing.

35. I never completed, or really attended, an institute class.

36. I was on the diving team in high school. Unfortunately I have the yearbook pictures to prove it.

37. My best work comes when I’m stressed out and under pressure.

38. Feeding people makes me happy.

39. I love getting my haircut ….which is probably it’s always short.

40. I hate unloading the dishwasher.

41. I have a gag reflex like you wouldn’t believe.

42. Bagpipes make me cry.

43. I sleep better with fresh, clean sheets.

44. I don’t have a single crafty bone in my body.

45. I wouldn’t know style if it slapped me in the face.

46. The Wonder Years was one of the greatest shows ever made.

47. My name is Lacey and I’m addicted to chapstick. I’ve had this habit since high school and still can’t break it.

48. One of my biggest fears is that Ella will grow up to be just like me.

49. I like having control. I don’t always need it, but I prefer it.

50. I caught and swallowed a live goldfish.

51. I unconsciously type out my thoughts as if I were sitting at a computer. This especially drives Gator crazy when my fingers are unknowingly typing under his pillow at night.

52. I love to dance.

53. I have been skinny dipping.

54. Cruel Summer by Bananarama will always make me happy.

55. In 2007 I read 48 books.

56. I plant a garden every year.

57. I have never listened to all sessions of conference.

58. I am mellowing as I get older.

59. I don’t like talking on the phone and most of the time I don’t answer it.

60. I had a roommate that would blast Cher’s “Do You Believe In Love” at 6 am while getting ready for school.

61. My first concert was Sting at Wolf Mountain in 7^th grade. I wore a shirt that had Mickey Mouse emblem over the left breast and pegged pants.

62. I don’t really like meeting new people. I think it’s awkward.

63. I am moody. Not nearly as moody as I used to be.

64. I sang a solo in a high school choir concert, forgot the notes and ended up singing something similar to the bass line. Sadly for me, that was the night that was being recorded for CD.

65. I once directed a friend in outrunning a police man after running a red light. We totally got away with it!

66. I like watching the Larence Welk show.

67. Gator and I spent 6 months being apartment neighbors with a meth lab. Crazy enough, we were the ones that received an eviction notice.

68. I have the humor of a 9-year-old. For example, when I am typing on the computer and I start to spell “people” but accidentally type “poo”, I laugh my head off.

69. I watched on old sorority video tonight and was completely embarrassed. I was an idiot! I hope that thing never falls into the wrong hands!

70. Frog eyed salad give me the creeps and for as long as I live I will never, ever eat it!

When in Rome ..

Sorry I keep posting these lame quiz things but I'm a little out of juice right now! Where do you belong?

You Belong in Rome

You're a big city soul with a small town heart Which is why you're attracted to the romance of Rome Strolling down picture perfect streets, cappuccino in hand And gorgeous Italian people - could life get any better?

What City Do You Belong In?

Love is in the air ...

Or should have been, anyway. Last week was our anniversary ! Hooray for 8 years! We actually lined up a babysitter, made some plans and got ourselves a little bit excited. We haven't really celebrated our anniversary for a few years - I think we took Ella to Wingers last year - and I was excited to spend the day without the kids.

Unfortunately, this is how I spent our anniversary ... and the day before it ... and 2 days after it.

I am a true believer in flu shots. I ALWAYS get one ... except this year. Because of my lazy reluctance to hall 1 big and 2 mini butts into Smith's health clinic, I did not move from this position for 4 days! Absolutely not kidding. Poor Gator held down the fort while I drooled and snotted all over our bed. President's Day rolled around and I figured my week of hell should be over. So I showered, ate some food, visited with my loved ones ... and decided I needed a nap. When I awoke, a lovely throbbing sensation was tunneling its way through my right ear. Gator insisted I visit the doctor - who immediately found a bad ear infection with so much fluid it was on the verge of rupturing. Really, could anything else go wrong? Oh yes, I am deaf in my right ear. Not permanently, I hope. I am sure these antibiotics will kick in some day.

In the meantime, I am up and about ... although I can't hear ... and starting to pay attention to my family. My house is a disaster, we have absolutely no food, laundry is piled to the rafters, I am teaching a wheat class on Thursday that I haven't thought much about, my kids probably need bathing ... and I am downstairs blogging. Priorities, priorities.

So, Happy Anniversary Gator! Not sure if I said anything during my drugged-up stupor. It's missed days of work, missed basketball games, 24 -hour child care, frozen bean burritos, early morning feedings, and multiple drug runs - all with no complaining -- that reminds me why I love you so much!

Am I Surprised?

What's Your True Color?

My Result: Black

Your color is black. The color of night. Serene and mysterious, black conjures up images of elegant evening gowns, dashing tuxedos, and gleaming limousines. Traditionally a symbol of success, black also represents power and an uncompromising demand for perfection. Not surprisingly, you tend to set challenging goals for yourself and do whatever it takes to achieve them — your strength of character is second to none. This unfaltering determination, along with your natural elegance, impresses people. But keep in mind that your personality might be intimidating to some. Try to temper your demanding side with a little softness — trust us, it won't kill you. Overall, though, black is the color of professionalism and achievement, which means it's clearly the color for you.

What are you?
http://web.tickle.com/rd/50651/color/index.jsp?testname=colorogt&resultid=G