too much spare-time?!?

I think I've turned over a new leaf since Sunday's lesson: Good, Better, Best (more to come on that). Either that or I've developed super-woman strength motivation. I've gotten more done in these past TWO days than I normally get done in a week. Why? I have NO IDEA! But I'm enjoying the moment(s) of creativity & joy with my little girl. Besides the fact that she mashed bright-blue play-doh into my carpet this afternoon, her mischievous side has calmed down *knock on wood*. That and I've been consuming more caffeine than my usual "prescribed" dose. I'm excited to actually be working on my never-ending list of projects. I've gotten pictures printed, numerous items ready to post/sell, the massive pile of laundry that's been haunting my house is GONE--that alone deserves a pat on the back. I'm quite proud of myself but mostly because of this:

How cute it that?!?

Is the flower too much? I was thinking about maybe switching it out with a button? Not only did I accomplish this little number during a single naptime, BUT it was my first ever experience using modge podge--that stuff rocks!

signs life with a toddler is STRESSFUL!!

• you find yourself doing the "happy dance" during naptime/bedtime
  
• your house is in constant disarray


• your find yourself talking in 3rd person (and answering too!)


• one of the 12-packs of Diet Coke you bought LAST NIGHT is gone *not to mention that after trying to drink caffeine-free, you're back to you old ways


• your husband notices that somethings not right


• mid-tantrum you lose your patience and just CUT the dang dress off


• within a week she discovers how to open the door, the back gate, and just when I thought I'd conquered that problem, I turned around and she's STANDING on top of her playhouse, cozy coupe car, etc. S.E.R.I.O.U.S.L.Y!!

Luckily Grey's Anatomy began it's new episodes...so some sanity has since been restored. **for those who THINK you miss her--today she broke a lamp, stomp on ALL of my flowers outside, dumped a bucket of water INSIDE the house, and fell out the front door--CAUTION: she's coming in 6 weeks!!

randomness

After a VERY, VERY late night with the ladies, I was in dyer need of a DC this morning before breakfast. I took my glass to the freezer & proceeded to retrieve ice from the ice-maker. When I looked in my cup the ice was BROWN...what?!? I opened the freezer I was keenly aware that a science experiment had been brewing last night. With all the commotion yesterday I forgot that I'd place a can of DC in the ice compartment in order to give it a quick chill before I chugged it down. But I forgot about it, until this morning when I was greeted with this:

**funny note: my mother-in-law told me that i need to stop drinking coke, because all it's done is cause me problems...clarification--bad things happened with the caffiene-free :)

a girl's gotta do, what a girl's gotta do

A tri-state movie night! Friends, food, and a flick...

Please read al about it on Rae's blog or on Andie's blog. They just seem to word it much better than I. I must note that the "Tour de Rae" may have been the highlight of the night with the SmartCar coming in a close 2nd. Andie you are the hostess with the mostess!

Birthday Madness

(the BarnYard cake & BIRTHDAY GIRL!)

Yesterday was Savanna's BarnYard bash. For a party in Savanna's honor, it went quite smoothly. As expected, Savanna was in true form--whining, clinging to my leg, filthy, and unwilling to participate. Lucklily for the invited guests it was GREAT! We painted farm animals, broke the pinata, and ate hotdogs and cupcakes.

the BIG gift

Back at Christmas time Savanna was introduced to the greatness of battery-powered vehicles. She LOVED riding my nephews 4-wheeler and Nana just couldn't resist the chance to get her one of her own. Thanks Mom & Dad! Savanna LOVES it...check out that smile & happy giggle. Although just before she takes off she'll raise her arm an say "toot, toot." We may need to work on that :)

a word of CAUTION

DON'T DANCE while WEARING FLIP-FLOPS!

Yesterday morning I was in desperate need of a Coke. Knowing that I had some stashed in my car, I left Savanna inside watching cartoons while I "danced" my way to the car. I was at my finale, Savanna was thoroughly enjoy this production, when all of the sudden I was on the ground. My first thought was that I was alive, the second "am I bleeding" and when I stood up I was a bit disoriented, but not enough to head back in the house WITHOUT my coke. Once inside I took a couple Advil and laid on the couch. I'm not sure if my 4 hour nap later that day because I hit my head, or because I was EXHAUSTED. I admit that I'm not the most coordinated person, but I swear that was NOT the issue...it was a cross between my flip-flops and our uneven walkway.

official BIRTHDAY, unofficial party!

On Sunday while I was making dinner I miscalculated and made to much--oops! So being the nice friend that I am I called Kim, my 38 wk preggo friend, knowing that she's most likely not in the mood to cook. A few minutes later and our house was buzzing with company. In the mist of all the commotion Savanna received a phone call from the Marble's, who we just happened to invite over too! I was able to whip up a batch of cupcakes and the kids decorated while the adults chatted. Then it was time for Savanna to open her presents. I'm not sure who was more excited, Savanna or the other kids, but in the end all were happily playing "the duck" or beauty parlor.

I particularly find this event hilarious because in the beginning I was planning to have the festivities on Sunday, but postponed them due to ward conference and me attending endless meetings. So Saturday is the BarnYard BASH--with the same friends and a few more!

*thanks to aunt Mel for the "guckie" towel & Nana D for the "baby" (bear)

Can you believe it...

She's TWO!

I cannot believe how much she has changed within the last TWO weeks let alone the last TWO years. She makes me laugh, and makes me cry. I miss her when I am away, but love the joyful reunion enough to do it over & over again. She has brought so much happiness and love into my life that she is the greatest surprise I have ever received. Happy Birthday Savanna! I love you!

oh HAPPY day

So Friday started and ended GREAT! It was just an extra busy day for me, but worth all the exhaustion I am now faced with--not to mention the numerous chores and endless filth I am currently conquer. Savanna's doctor called in the AM and gave us the "all systems go" signal with a negative strep test. Yeah! So we packed up the car and headed out to a mini concert, at PotteryBarn Kids, I was sure Savanna was going to love. Boy, was I wrong! She wanted nothing to do with the singing, but instead took to "tucking" herself into ALL the numerous display beds, rearranging the doll house furniture, emptying every ball out of the "boys bedroom" display, and last, but not least...almost walking out with multiple treasures--ONE of which I was forced to buy because she'd already been chewing on the straw. Ugh! I must also mention that I did not think to bringing the stroller, because she's been so good about staying with me. And that my folks is how I ended up trudging through the mall, carrying a 40lb. child, TWO jackets, purchases, and the like. All the while Savanna is making sure that EVERYONE we were passing acknowledged our presence by saying "Hi" and "Goodbye" at an octave level of 10. Then it was on to McDonald's for lunch with friends (note to self: do NOT ask for direction from Rae :)) After multiple wrong turns we arrived about the time that they were finishing. Then we headed over to Target together where I snagged a super cute summer purse (on sale!) and matching summer/gardening shoes for Savanna and I. Then it was home to prepare for the evenings activities: a dinner date with the ladies to celebrate the pending birth of "baby Palmer". A dinner I barely took a bite of and had to dash off to meet my husband at "Seth's daycare" (the babysitting hubby) and meet the missionaries at an investigators home. We were running late and then got lost, but seems we showed up at just the right time--amazing how that happens. :) Then it was home to write my lesson for the ward activity on Saturday. SERIOUSLY! **I also was dying to dive right back into my current book, The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen

MIA

Yes, we are missing in action. Not out of choice though. Savanna has a bug (still waiting on the strep test), I'm TIRED, Chris is working, and it's the best weather we've had to date. S.E.R.I.O.U.S.L.Y. I'm stuck INSIDE with a grumpy, whiny, feverish TWO year old....HELP!! I am hoping that she recovers quickly as her birthday is Sunday and we are planning to have friends over for cupcakes & ice cream....maybe a little pinata breaking, candy eating, balloon tossing, etc. Oh, AND we've still got a closet full of presents to open. Geezlouise!

Spiritual Replenishment

This morning I was able to attend the first session of General Conference alone as in,by myself, no child, actually paying full attention to the speaker. It was GREAT! (Thanks Sweetie!)
Conference for me is a bitter-sweet experience. Sweet because of the great spiritual feast we are given to partake of and the motivation it gives me to move forward with a little bounce in my step. Bitter because of the homesickness I feel in watching it without my family huddled around on the couch, or listening from the grounds of temple square.
No matter where I am for conference, the first session is and always has been my favorite. I'm not sure if it's all the hype of conference weekend finally being here again, or that initial glimpse of the congregation gathered together to hear the words of our Prophet and leaders.
This year I know it was because I would be sustaining a newly called prophet. One in which I feel I know on a deeper level having run into him in Nordstrom's shoe department, shaking his hand while attending a family members funeral, and knowing without a doubt that as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that HE IS A PROPHET called to lead our church at this time. I was able to raise my hand in approval and sustain Pres. Monson TWICE. Once as a women in Relief Society and again as a member of this great and true church. I loved how they had each quorum and auxiliary stand separately first and then had all members stand together. It brought tears to my eyes when the Aaronic Priesthood was called to stand and a newly baptized member stood with joy and honor to sustain our Prophet. I sometimes feel that I take being born and raise with the gospel for granted. It's such a great blessing and it's days like today that remind me just how lucky I truly am.


*I also must mention that I returned home to a dutiful husband repairing my car (it starts!) and friends who came to help (Adam) and play (Kayla & the girls). THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! You really are great friends, not to mention a great bishop, home teacher, mouse hunter, taxi cab, costco member (hee, hee), and more. Basically, you guys are GRRRREAT!

What's a girl to do?

It's tradition in my family for the ladies to get together while the men attend the Priesthood session of General Conference. Although in our house this was known as the "secret meeting." Well, my hubby just left, my little girls in bed (at least for now), and I am about to have a PARTY with pizza, a big 'ol diet coke, and a movie. WEHOO!


So, just finished the movie. LOVED IT! I'm not sure if Patrick Dempsey is sexier because of the whole "true love" and ballroom dance scene, or because he is confident enough in his manhood to perform such a role & perform the hilarious scene at the end. I personally was chuckling with giddiness. Every girl LOVES a fantasy, right?!?

Day 16

Sunday naps

Chug, Chug, in a BIG RED CAR

At long last I finally have the BIG RED car put together and she's been cruising around ever since. I'm technically challenged in the video department, so if you desire to watch it just be prepared to have a kinked neck afterwards....the WHOLE thing filmed crooked & I canNOT figure out how to fix it. Sawrrrry!

Notice her excitement BEFORE it was even put together...crazy girl! Also, the poor car is naked & without it's luxurious stickers because Savanna decided to peel them all off and secure them to my kitchen floor--they have since been disposed of.

drum roll please.....may I present to you--the video:

the tu-tu DEBUT

First off, I must give a huge THANK YOU! to Andie, who in all her craziness found time to make the little number that has now become a fashion icon around our house...

Day ONE: check out that smile!

Day TWO:

*I think it's funny that after we've helped her into it, she'll move it clear up to her armpits & that is where it stays :)

Seeing as the #2 birthday is lurking just around the corner at our house AND knowing my daughter; a birthday party, friends, toys, cake AND presents would just equal a major meltdown & no fun for either of us. I have decided to get the party started and open the gifts early. I figured this way when all the other kids come over she'll be a little nicer in sharing her "new" toys. Aren't I the smartest mom ever!?! *of course I will save a few, like maybe TWO to open ON her birthday