Haircut day!

Today I got a haircut. Need I say more? I'll let the pictures do the talking.
BEFORE:
AFTER!!!!!:
Okay, now I will talk. Now, I feel like aLi, not mommy. Is that bad? It just feels nice to be almost like my old self! (I have about 5, maybe 10 more pounds to lose).
On another subject, I decided while my hair was being cut that my nose grew recently. I think it happened during pregnancy, when all my cells were multiplying like crazy so my nose thought it should grow, too. I feel like Albert Einstein with a really cute haircut. (!!!!!)

And here is a sweet sleeping baby picture. Sorry it's a little blurry. He got a haircut today, too!!! I will get a picture on here soon.

Churrascaria

This Friday we are going out to eat at Braza Grill! (this is an actual photo taken from their website) I can't wait! Oh, and I can't wait for Josh to graduate, too. Duh. I will try to remember to take the camera and then post some pics from the whole event.

oops

REFERENCE for below's post!
In order to read the hyperlink's content, after you click on the hyperlink you'll have to scroll UP so you can read her post. (sorry, still figuring the in's and out's).

I fought the lawn and, I won!

Today I decided to be productive with my time, and instead of looking at blogs, go outside!!!! (Thus, I'm blogging in the evening!) :) So, I went outside and pulled weeds. I had been thinking about a past post on Em's Post .
So, I decided to value this time I have to have a yard and a lawn and dirt and weeds. Actually, there are no more weeds anymore, but in the process of enjoying weeding I had 2 little boy neighbors come and give me a visit from across the street. It was quite pleasant to have SOMEONE on my street actually acknowledge that I am their neighbor and come and talk. So, they helped me weed!!! Not only was I grateful they helped me weed, but I really enjoyed some cute little boy company! While we were weeding Conrad started fussing so I took him inside to lay down for a nap. While I was inside I snuck 2 pictures of them from my window! Here they are:

AAAAHH! Watch out for the next one. Beware the dreaded whitey-tighties! (I promise, I wasn't trying to catch that, just the cuteness of their playfulness!)
I heard all sorts of wonderful invention ideas the older one has. What an imagination!
I thoroughly enjoyed my afternoon weeding, way too much fun with those 2 boys.

Quote

I just read a funny quote, it seems a little backwards, but it's clever.

"Enjoy life. There's plenty of time to be dead."

-Hans Christians Andersen (1805-1875)

Paula Dean-izing

This past Sunday I decided that I am awfully raunchy in the kitchen. I try to love that I get to be at home so I can clean and cook. But that's all I see in it, so I'm trying to change my attitude. So, my first attempt was to start to talk like someone that really loves being in their kitchen.

If you don't know who Paula Dean is, I suggest you get to know her. She is the funniest, loveable kitchen-oriented person. Best of all, she's from the SOUTH. She's got a lovely southern belle accent. So, when Josh made a mess in the kitchen I pulled out the Southern Drawl and said, "Honey, were y'all fixin to finish cleanin' up this carmel corn, or shall I just go ahead and clean it mah-self?" (of course, I ended up cleaning it, but it made it a much more positive experience!)

Oh what do you do without a naptime

Conrad and Daddy "taking a nap"

Well, Conrad has finally reached the age of NOT FALLING ASLEEP EVERY 3 HOURS. darn. I swear, I don't know what I'm going to do!

Conrad used to wake up at 6 or 7 am, go right back down to sleep until 9 or 10 am, and be awake until early afternoon. He then would take another nap around 2 or 3 for an hour or two.

NOW, he wakes up at 7 or 8 (with a middle of the night meal anywhere from 1:30-3:30....argh!) and is awake until NOON. I don't know what to do! He starts whining around 10:30, so I lay him down... and NADA. At the present moment he is laid down, with my hope of him taking a nap. But, of course he is just in there whining.

Ok, to those of you that know Conrad and me well, know that I am the luckiest mother alive (I hear it 4 times a day because he is such a good mannered baby), so I should just be quiet. And atleast we are through the newborn stage with having the nights and days mixed up, eating every hour or two. That was rough. But to those of you that really know me know that I do not do well without good quality sleep. So, I pray I do not hurt anyone or anything until Conrad grows out of this.

CINNAMON ROLLS!

Yes, they were as good as they look!!! (maybe even a little bit better!) I was inspired by a family member that made cookies, put them on plates ready-to-go, some paper to leave notes on, and loaded her 3 little boys into the van and left. She prayed that she would know who to give them to, and did just that! I tried to do something similar. But, I prayed that I wouldn't eat all of them myself!
Ok, I did take a few to a couple different people. I also prayed the cinnamon rolls wouldn't make them sick! :) So far, after a few days, no word on any sickness. And I feel great inside for hopefully making someone's day brighter!

Monkey man

Here is a picture I just found that I really wanted to post. This is Conrad on Easter Sunday (once again) just hanging out and being content, enjoying that monkey toy. It is one of his favorites.

Note: to all of you that read this without children, I keep you in mind when I post. I know that some of these "motherly" posts are boring. So, for you, I keep it short. Thus, "the monkey toy is one of his favorites," versus "Oh, he is so cute when he chews on his legs, he can just chew and chew all day long! He will sit and play with it for hours at a time!"

Seriously, he will! And it is so cute!

Mealtime Manners!!!

One mealtime for Josh

I would like to share with you more of what I have learned from Emily Post. My most recent chapter is on Mealtime Manners. Coming from a large family of 8 children my parents did their very best to teach us mealtime manners, but there were a couple of things they missed, bless their hearts! I don't blame them, and I think you will understand why.

How to eat:

Bouillabaisse

"Bouillabaisse, to be enjoyed to its fullest, requires the assistance of a variety of utensils, from soup spoons to seafood forks, knives and often shellfish crackers. It is to be hoped that a large bowl is placed on the table for shells. If there is no such bowl, then empty shells should be placed on the plate under the soup bowl."

What in the heck is Bouleleavabaise? wow. That is quite a word. I actually learned something applicable, though, about the napkin.

"Ordinarily, as soon as you are seated you put your napkin on your lap. At a formal dinner, however, you wait for your hostess to put hers on her lap first. It does not matter how you do it, so long as you do not give it a violent shake to open it up. You take it from the table, place it on your lap (if it is large enough, you may tuck a corner under you to keep it from sliding off, or if it is not, you arrange it as safely as you can), and unfold it as much as necessary with both hands.

No one should ever tuck a napkin into one's collar, belt or between the buttons of one's shirt.
When using the napkin avoid wiping your mouth as if with a washcloth. Blotting or patting is much more attractive.

If you leave the table during the meal, either leave the napkin on the left side of your plate (soiled part turned under, out-of-sight) or on your chair so others need not see it.

When the meal is finished, put the napkin on the left side of your place, of if the plates have been removed, in the center. It should not be refolded, nor should it be crumpled up; rather it is laid on the table in loose folds so that it does not spread itself out. At a dinner party the hostess lays her napkin on the table as a signal that the meal is over, and the guests then lay their napkins on the table-not before. Napkins are never reinserted into napkin rings, unless at home."

Did anybody learn anything? I did. Like, where to put the napkin when you are finished with the meal. I've always been awkward when I've been to a restaurant and the meal ended. Where do I put my napkin? Should I fling it to the center of the table so my host knows it's there? Or should I put it on my chair and hope they find it before their next meal? I've always been embarassed to leave it on the table, I don't want people to see the glops I've cleaned off my jib! But, there is an art to it! Leave it with the soiled part turned under, with no glops showing! Many of you may be saying, "Oh, silly Ali, come on, that's common sense!!!" But, honestly, I've never quite known the best way to leave it. Now I do.

Primary Activity Results

Here are some pictures of our primary activity this morning! If you recall, the activity was centered around the Articles of Faith. Josh and I had Article of Faith #8, "We believe the Bible to be the word of God...we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God." So, we took Kim the boy's idea on centering the activity around Lehi's vision, and these are the results! (we altered it a little bit to fit our needs, but thanks to Kim!!!)
Here is Josh showing a child where the "iron rod" is, so he can be "safely guided through."
This is a little girl making her way through an obstacle or, "trial." She's almost there! (side note: Josh made that wooden barrier this morning, he had an "epiphany" to make it! Way to go Josh the builder!)
Here is one of the kids making his way to the "tree of life." Yay! He made it safely!
Here is baby Conrad "chilling" while we were busy entertaining the primary kids. He was so good to just lay on the ground and play with his toys. Our primary president's grandaughter decided to join him. (she was adorable, kissing and baby-talkin to him, being so gentle!)
WAHOOO! After the activity the kids started playing with a rope. They roped Josh into pulling them around the gym floor! What a fun guy! I had to catch a shot.

We had so much fun with this activity, and so did the kids. We are so glad, Kim the boy, that you gave us that idea! We received a lot of compliments from the other leaders, and I told them that I couldn't take the credit, so I gave them your name and number. Just in case they needed an idea for a lesson or something, you know? Ok, just joking. That was funny though, right? (sorry to everyone but Kim and me. We have the same sense of humor, and I know only he will laugh! *maybe? hopefully?*)

Tips

Thanks to the Kim's that left comments on my blog!!! Thank you Kim the boy for that great idea for our primary activity this Saturday, I think we'll do it! And thank you to Kim the girl for the tip on font size! It's made such a difference.

the good conversationalist

Wow, I just realized the previous post (the one below) is a mess. I apologize to all of you who notice my mistakes! The "explanation" is a direct quote from the book. Please don't sue me for plagiarism! I also wanted to expound more so on the book.
I started reading it yesterday, and I read one chapter. The chapter is entitled "The Good Conversationalist." Definately an applicable chapter to my life! Some of the things I learned are things I knew, but didn't quite understand the "science" behind it.
For instance, when you are in a conversation with someone you do not need to "hold" the conversation up. A good conversationalist is someone that asks questions and listens! A good conversationalist is not someone that can talk, and talk, and talk!! Here is a direct quote from the book,
The old sign at railroad crossings-STOP, LOOK, LISTEN-is excellent advice in many circumstances other than when you are waiting to cross the tracks. In conversation stop means not to rush ahead without thinking; look means to pay attention to the expression of the person with whom you are talking; and listen-meaning exactly that-is the best advice possible, because everyone loves to talk to a sympathetic listener. Remember, though, that a sympathetic listener really hears what is said. A fixed expression of sympathy while your mind wanders far away won't fool anyone but the most self-centered conversationalist.

HA! I love that last sentence. "won't fool anyone but the most self-centered conversationalist." There is so much more I want to share, but the babe is starting to cry.
ta ta for now

Emily Post

Well, I've started to read an AMAZING BOOK! It is a book I've needed my whole life. And it is a book I'll refer to my whole life! This picture I have is not the exact book, but you'll get the idea!

I am reading an Emily Post book! It is entitled, "The Name to Turn to For the Way We Live Today: Emily Post's 75th Anniversary." It is actually by Peggy Post, Emily's great granddaughter in-law. It is just a revision of what Emily has done, updated for today's "way we live."

Did you know Etiquette means ticket in French? I'll explain where it comes from.

The word itself has a fascinating derivation. We owe
it to the French, who read it often when the gardens of Versailles were being
designed and planted during the rein of Louis XIV. The King's gardener,
incesed that courtiers would not keep off the grass, first put up warning signs
or "tickets"-etiquettes-directing those strolling on the grounds to the
path along which they should walk. When they ignored the
etiquettes, he complained to the King. King Louis promptly issued an
edict that commanded everyone to "keep within the etiquettes."
Through time, the term became one which legislated all the rules for correct
deportment in court circles, and eventually, it became the singular word
that carries with it the instant definition of courteous, thoughtful behavior,
impeccable manners, dignity and civility.

Some of you may know that my husband and I serve in the primary. Well, coming up this Saturday there will be a primary activity and they have enlisted our help. The children will be rotating from stations, each station teaching about an Article of Faith. My Joshy and I will be teaching about the 8th Article of Faith, "We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God." Any ideas on a fun 7 minute lesson/activity?

Hangman, anyone??

Macawing

Here is Conrad with his squawcking cousin McKall. McKall the Macaw is one of the casual nicknames we've given her. This was quite funny, actually. McKall would just be her cute little self and talk, ("squeal" is another label for it) causing Conrad to burst into tears! She couldn't help it, Conrad was a pretty cool new toy! Notice Daddy's hand trying to shield him from the noise (he was actually tipping over)!

Spring means New Life!

Yipee!!! Yesterday (Easter Sunday)my mom opened an Easter Egg that said, "You make great parents but you'll make even better grandparents!" Love Kim and Brindy. They are expecting a little baby around October 31st. They have had a struggle trying to have children, but this is the 3rd time she's been pregnant, and you know what they say, "The 3rd time's the charm!" There is nothing better than new life in a family! This is a picture of them I took right after they announced. It was quite funny, because I had been trying all day to get a good picture of her smiling and not turning or scuzzing off the camera, so this was monumental. WAHOO!

Easter Saturday

Here are the little children waiting. They were watching Zuboomafoo (sp.?) while the Easter Eggs were being hid. Do they look anxious or what??? (notice the baskets in hands?!) Here are the little children on the back porch waiting while their picture was being taken by all the proud parents....Here are all the proud parents taking their kid's pictures!
Awww. So cute. He was laying underneath an umbrella for like 2 hours. So happy and content to just lay there while everyone around was running and playing.

We had a great day. A great announcement, too!!! Which I will blog in another post, because it deserves it's own FAMOUS post!!!

Oh how lovely was the morning

Well, many of you (actually, does anyone actually read this blog???) know that I had a baby 6 1/2 months ago. With that birth came along some weight. I gained a whopping 40 lbs. Luckily after I birthed the kid I lost probably about 20 lbs. That is, until about 3 days later when my milk came in! Then I gained back about 10 lbs.! Anyway, after about 3 months of "getting to know you" transition time with a baby I had about 30 lbs to lose to be back to pre-pregnancy weight.

In order to lose that weight I: 1-made a chart to document my weight weekly and keep progress, 2-decided to start counting calories, limit it to 2000 (even though I am breastfeeding and that uses about 500 calories per day) and 3-exercise more frequently. Well, Since I started keeping track I've lost about 17 lbs!!! WOO HOO!

Unfortunately, I've gained back 3 lbs in the last 2 weeks. I know I've slacked! I have not had "self-control," if you will, with my eating habits, and I have not gone running or exercised for about 3 weeks. So, to help me keep losing weight I've decided to whine and complain to y'all!!! Just kidding. I've decided to be pro-active and do something about it. So, this morning I woke up early and went running.

Wow, do I feel like crap. Thus, the lovely picture of me up above to show you how I feel! (that was actually taken the day after I birthed the little babe)I don't know what it is, but whenever I go running the whole rest of my day is wasted. I have no energy, I'm tired, my stomach churns and I'm a grouch (probably because I didn't sleep in until 9!). So, poor Josh and Conrad have an onery person/being/grouch to live with! And I am inhibited to ever exercise again.

Anyone out there in www land have words of encouragement?

Inspired

Well, today is Tuesday, 2 days after listening to General Conference, and I am starting to feel those "warm fuzzies" leave. And I think I've had an epiphany. Last night Josh and I decided to rent a RedBox movie for "Family Night In." We rented Casino Royale, the James Bond 007 movie. It was a pretty cool show, lots of action, suspense and intriguing dialogue, but I felt those "warm fuzzies" leave. The interesting thing is, I watch PG-13 movies all the time and don't feel anything different. But, I think why I felt dramatically different was because I was lifted, if you will, from General Conference. After the movie I was feeling different. I was coming to a realization. I couldn't help but recite the 13th Article of Faith in my head. "...if there is anything virtuous, lovely, of good report, or praise worthy, we seek after these things." We SEEK after these things! Seek means to look, hunt, SEARCH or ask for. Obviously this PG-13 movie was not hard to find. We got it at McDonald's and it was so easy to get. We paid a cheap $1. Plus tax. Not a big deal.

One other reason why this is such a big deal to me is because I haven't felt so lifted in a long time. I've missed that. Serving with the children in our church doesn't bring very many opportunities for spiritual high's. Don't misunderstand me, I love those little kids. It is just not as easy to feel uplifted when you're around 40 kids, being kids! I realize those kids are doing their best to be quiet and reverent, it is just a challenge.

Anyway, I've been inspired to try and "stand a little taller" by not watching PG-13 movies. I've been challenged by this decision with, "you'll miss out on family time," and "people will think you're too good for them!" But, I earnestly want to have those "warm fuzzies." I love them. FYI: I very much dislike the term "warm fuzzies," but it's a word everyone understands.

So, I embark on this decision with hope. And fear. Fear that I will make others uncomfortable that I am trying a little bit harder to be a little bit better. I am also afraid that this inspiration will not last, that I'll succumb quickly to temptation. I know, "succumb to temptation" makes it sound like I'm delving into sin.

I only mean to keep the warm fuzzies.

Sometimes I wish he would just get out of my hair! :)