And I'll leave you with this picture of my girl -
(Isn't she lovely?)
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
We're off!
We're leaving in a couple hours for Missouri for our nephew's baptism, but I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year!!!
And I'll leave you with this picture of my girl -
(Isn't she lovely?)
And I'll leave you with this picture of my girl -
(Isn't she lovely?)
Friday, December 26, 2008
Christmas 2008
Christmas was super weird to me this year. I know, I know, I say that every year, but this time I really mean it.
Christmas Eve was similar to what we've done before - a trip to the in-laws, food, a screaming child (only this year she was screaming out of joy and not colic). We ate a little late for my tastes (because Maddy should really be in bed by 8 PM) and tried to put her down over there, which wasn't too successful, but it was still pretty fun. Kirsten and Brian made these Oreo Balls that are To. Die. For. I'm not kidding, I had at least twenty-seven of them. Ugh. Too bad you can't just think about making good food choices and lose a couple pounds, but that's a subject for another post altogether.
Before we got to the in-laws we took Maddy to see Santa at the mall. Last year at this time, we didn't want to take her to the mall, so we took her to our ward Christmas party. We got there too late and Santa was back in his street clothes, standing in line for food, so that was that. Boy was I mad!!! This year, we missed our ward Christmas party (on accident) so we didn't get that opportunity either. So the mall on Christmas Eve it was. It went great - she just looked at him like, "What the heck?" She didn't cry or anything. Santa called her 'One-shot Maggie,' whatever that meant. He was a cute guy though - really super sweet.
The picture they took is way better, but I don't have a scanner. Boo.
We got home late that night and Maddy didn't sleep well. At all. Since Mike and I were up late playing Santa, I'm sure we fell asleep long after midnight. Then she woke up around 2 AM. Lovely. I got her back down fairly easily and then she woke up at 3 AM. I made Mike go this time - I know, what kind of a wife am I? Of course whatever he did didn't work so I was up with her until 5 AM. Needless to say, her 7 AM wake-up call was not the present I wanted. We made it through though, both of us getting naps some time on Christmas Day. I dunno, it was just an odd day. We opened presents, which was awesome! Nothing beat the look of joy on Maddy's face as she saw gifts she didn't even know were possible. My mom spoiled her, of course. We basically got out some of her birthday toys she hadn't used yet and re-wrapped them (aren't we cheap? HAHA). Mike was really good to me as always, spending more than the set limit (the guy is so sneaky). We never cemented plans to go out to my brother's for dinner or anything, so we just didn't. We hung out in our jammies all day and did nothing. It was a bit lame, I must admit. I'll definitely have to remember that for next year, depending on where we are I guess - traveling, though kind of a pain in the neck, can be a good thing.
(The stockings were hung on the bookcase with care)
(The loot)
(Three generations)
(Maddy playing with her train)
I hope all of you had a fabulous Christmas!!!
Christmas Eve was similar to what we've done before - a trip to the in-laws, food, a screaming child (only this year she was screaming out of joy and not colic). We ate a little late for my tastes (because Maddy should really be in bed by 8 PM) and tried to put her down over there, which wasn't too successful, but it was still pretty fun. Kirsten and Brian made these Oreo Balls that are To. Die. For. I'm not kidding, I had at least twenty-seven of them. Ugh. Too bad you can't just think about making good food choices and lose a couple pounds, but that's a subject for another post altogether.
Before we got to the in-laws we took Maddy to see Santa at the mall. Last year at this time, we didn't want to take her to the mall, so we took her to our ward Christmas party. We got there too late and Santa was back in his street clothes, standing in line for food, so that was that. Boy was I mad!!! This year, we missed our ward Christmas party (on accident) so we didn't get that opportunity either. So the mall on Christmas Eve it was. It went great - she just looked at him like, "What the heck?" She didn't cry or anything. Santa called her 'One-shot Maggie,' whatever that meant. He was a cute guy though - really super sweet.
The picture they took is way better, but I don't have a scanner. Boo.
We got home late that night and Maddy didn't sleep well. At all. Since Mike and I were up late playing Santa, I'm sure we fell asleep long after midnight. Then she woke up around 2 AM. Lovely. I got her back down fairly easily and then she woke up at 3 AM. I made Mike go this time - I know, what kind of a wife am I? Of course whatever he did didn't work so I was up with her until 5 AM. Needless to say, her 7 AM wake-up call was not the present I wanted. We made it through though, both of us getting naps some time on Christmas Day. I dunno, it was just an odd day. We opened presents, which was awesome! Nothing beat the look of joy on Maddy's face as she saw gifts she didn't even know were possible. My mom spoiled her, of course. We basically got out some of her birthday toys she hadn't used yet and re-wrapped them (aren't we cheap? HAHA). Mike was really good to me as always, spending more than the set limit (the guy is so sneaky). We never cemented plans to go out to my brother's for dinner or anything, so we just didn't. We hung out in our jammies all day and did nothing. It was a bit lame, I must admit. I'll definitely have to remember that for next year, depending on where we are I guess - traveling, though kind of a pain in the neck, can be a good thing.
(The stockings were hung on the bookcase with care)
(The loot)
(Three generations)
(Maddy playing with her train)
I hope all of you had a fabulous Christmas!!!
Friday, December 19, 2008
Christmas card
I am just now getting around to sending out the Christmas cards. Some of you will get one, some of you won't... I know that this isn't nearly as fun as getting something in the mail, but it's all I got.
We wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!!!
Love,
Mike, Danielle, Maddy & Buck
We wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!!!
Love,
Mike, Danielle, Maddy & Buck
Thursday, December 18, 2008
"He goes to court and talks to the judge and stuff..."
It seems like we have been so busy lately. I know things aren't going to slow down anytime soon, so I thought I would take a minute and jot (type?) some things down that I've been thinking about, even when I have a stack of Christmas cards waiting for me on the table that need addresses and stamps. Why can't I just hire someone to do that for me? *sigh*
For three years now I have known that this time would eventually get here. Mike will be starting his last semester at UTA next month and then we are off to law school for Fall 2009. Mike took the LSAT in June and did really well, but the kid is somewhat of a perfectionist so he took it again in October - he scored SIX points higher!!! I was amazed (but not really, since he's such a smarty). He sent in his applications and now we're playing the waiting game. He applied to quite a few schools here in Texas (UT, University of Houston, Baylor, SMU, Texas Wesleyan) - I mean, no out-of-state tuition, why wouldn't he? But he did apply to a bunch of other schools all over the country because they offered to waive the application fee. He also applied to BYU. I have gone back and forth on where I want to go. All will have their pros and cons, but mostly, I just want to go somewhere that isn't going to leave us with billions of dollars in student loans. Do ya think I'm being selfish? So far, he's heard back from Baylor and Villanova, in Pennsylvania. The really cool thing is Baylor offered him a half scholarship!!! Their law school tuition is about $36,000 / year, so with a half scholarship, that (obviously) would cover about $18,000 / year, which is not too shabby. I don't know - there is a lot to consider when making this choice, and I know we'll decide it together. I would love to go back home and be with friends and family, and I would also love to live near Provo, even though that's the part about BYU that makes it so unappealing to Mike. I had a really good time when I lived there (I went to UVSC though, not BYU) and I think it would be awesome to go to the Creamery and a BYU game here and there. Plus, there's Training Table and all the people and places I grew up knowing. On the other hand, I really want Mike to be happy and his dream is UT. He has always been a Longhorn fan... If he does get in, and it doesn't cost a fortune, I can definitely see us going there, but it's a super competitive school, so we'll see. I just think an adventure like that would be so cool, while we're still (relatively) young and have just one kid.
So we should be getting more letters in the next few weeks and I'll keep y'all posted! ;)
For three years now I have known that this time would eventually get here. Mike will be starting his last semester at UTA next month and then we are off to law school for Fall 2009. Mike took the LSAT in June and did really well, but the kid is somewhat of a perfectionist so he took it again in October - he scored SIX points higher!!! I was amazed (but not really, since he's such a smarty). He sent in his applications and now we're playing the waiting game. He applied to quite a few schools here in Texas (UT, University of Houston, Baylor, SMU, Texas Wesleyan) - I mean, no out-of-state tuition, why wouldn't he? But he did apply to a bunch of other schools all over the country because they offered to waive the application fee. He also applied to BYU. I have gone back and forth on where I want to go. All will have their pros and cons, but mostly, I just want to go somewhere that isn't going to leave us with billions of dollars in student loans. Do ya think I'm being selfish? So far, he's heard back from Baylor and Villanova, in Pennsylvania. The really cool thing is Baylor offered him a half scholarship!!! Their law school tuition is about $36,000 / year, so with a half scholarship, that (obviously) would cover about $18,000 / year, which is not too shabby. I don't know - there is a lot to consider when making this choice, and I know we'll decide it together. I would love to go back home and be with friends and family, and I would also love to live near Provo, even though that's the part about BYU that makes it so unappealing to Mike. I had a really good time when I lived there (I went to UVSC though, not BYU) and I think it would be awesome to go to the Creamery and a BYU game here and there. Plus, there's Training Table and all the people and places I grew up knowing. On the other hand, I really want Mike to be happy and his dream is UT. He has always been a Longhorn fan... If he does get in, and it doesn't cost a fortune, I can definitely see us going there, but it's a super competitive school, so we'll see. I just think an adventure like that would be so cool, while we're still (relatively) young and have just one kid.
So we should be getting more letters in the next few weeks and I'll keep y'all posted! ;)
Thursday, December 11, 2008
If only it were this easy
In my Yahoo inbox this morning:
Hello,I am Maj. Gen. Ahmed Yaro Rtd. A retired Army General from the Nigerian Armed Forces, presently Commander of the JTF (Joint Task Force) which is a combined force of the Military, Navy and Air force and our objective is to tackle the ugly incidence in the Niger Delta region known in the world today for militant activities (Hostage taking of foreign expatriate) in my country, My duty is to put an end to it and restore peace in the region.
You may see this as a scam due to the alarming situation of scam mails received daily but I want to inform you that this is not a business proposal, I want you to please read carefully and understand this mail. My purpose of contacting you is because there is a law in my country which states that all newly appointed JTF sub commanders and the Chief of defence staff in the Country must declare his/her asset to the anti-corruption agency, currently I have a large sum of money in my bank account here in Nigeria, An account balance equivalent to (Fifty million, Two Hundred Thousand USD) Which I don’t want the government to be aware of as I will be asked to account for it. I am in need of your help so that I can transfer this money into a foreign account for safe keeping pending when the process of declaration is over, being a government official protocol does not permit me to own foreign account, For this reason I need your full cooperation to make this work fine.
If you are able and with the capability to handle such amount in strict confidence and trust according to my instructions and advice as this must be kept confidential. With my position in the office I will influence legal approvals and onward transfer of this money to your account with appropriate clearance from the ministries and foreign exchange department, I choose you because I believe I can trust you with my life savings please don’t fail me.
Immediately this money is successfully transferred into your account you are entitled to keep (Ten percent) of the total amount which is (Five million, Twenty Thousand USD) for yourself, An amount I am willing to give to you been the reward for your assistance because I believe this should be done with the absence of greed, while the balance money will transferred back to me with an account detail which I will send to you when need arises. I would prefer that we maintain correspondence by email for the meantime.
Yours faithfully, Maj. Gen. Ahmed Yaro Rtd.
As if!!! But the sad thing is, there are people out there, totally falling for this nonsense. Can you imagine?!
Hello,I am Maj. Gen. Ahmed Yaro Rtd. A retired Army General from the Nigerian Armed Forces, presently Commander of the JTF (Joint Task Force) which is a combined force of the Military, Navy and Air force and our objective is to tackle the ugly incidence in the Niger Delta region known in the world today for militant activities (Hostage taking of foreign expatriate) in my country, My duty is to put an end to it and restore peace in the region.
You may see this as a scam due to the alarming situation of scam mails received daily but I want to inform you that this is not a business proposal, I want you to please read carefully and understand this mail. My purpose of contacting you is because there is a law in my country which states that all newly appointed JTF sub commanders and the Chief of defence staff in the Country must declare his/her asset to the anti-corruption agency, currently I have a large sum of money in my bank account here in Nigeria, An account balance equivalent to (Fifty million, Two Hundred Thousand USD) Which I don’t want the government to be aware of as I will be asked to account for it. I am in need of your help so that I can transfer this money into a foreign account for safe keeping pending when the process of declaration is over, being a government official protocol does not permit me to own foreign account, For this reason I need your full cooperation to make this work fine.
If you are able and with the capability to handle such amount in strict confidence and trust according to my instructions and advice as this must be kept confidential. With my position in the office I will influence legal approvals and onward transfer of this money to your account with appropriate clearance from the ministries and foreign exchange department, I choose you because I believe I can trust you with my life savings please don’t fail me.
Immediately this money is successfully transferred into your account you are entitled to keep (Ten percent) of the total amount which is (Five million, Twenty Thousand USD) for yourself, An amount I am willing to give to you been the reward for your assistance because I believe this should be done with the absence of greed, while the balance money will transferred back to me with an account detail which I will send to you when need arises. I would prefer that we maintain correspondence by email for the meantime.
Yours faithfully, Maj. Gen. Ahmed Yaro Rtd.
As if!!! But the sad thing is, there are people out there, totally falling for this nonsense. Can you imagine?!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Incognito
This morning Maddy and I ate my cereal and watched Good Morning America. After I was done, I was trying to get her to follow me back to our room so I could get ready for work. I went to rinse out my bowl and then came back in the living room to grab her, and she wasn't there. I was like, "Maaaad-yyyyyyy?" I looked at Buck, but he offered no solutions, so I thought, 'Well, maybe while I was in the kitchen, she walked past me and went to her room.' So I walked back in to her room. Nope. Checked the spare bathroom. Nothing. Our room? Nope. Our bathroom? Not there either. At this point, I'm kind of in a panic, because it's like, where could she have gone - our house just isn't that big. For a second, I even entertained the thought for her unlocking and opening up the front door, which about sent me in to a tail spin. When I recovered, I realized that isn't possible (yet), so I regained composure and continued my search. I went back in the living room and said, "Maddy!!!!" And I hear (in the littlest voice ever), "Hi." She was standing on the other side of the TV, closest to the door so I couldn't see her, and playing with some electrical gadget thing. Just standing there and smiling, oblivious to the fact that I was looking for her. Or was she? Hmmmm.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
I'm thankful for the Wii
I have many things to be thankful for this year. I thought I would see how many I could think of, so here we go.
Mike - He is so amazing and patient and kind. And HOT. He would do anything for me (except let me use his mouth as my sink so I don't have to get up while I'm brushing my teeth in bed. Seriously. He said no!!!). He takes care of everything that I don't have the time or energy to, and does it with a smile on his face. Countless times this year, when I was in Primary and had Sharing Time, he would stay up late and help me work on it. Although one of the things that makes me crazy about him is that he can't (or won't) say no to people, it definitely works in my favor. He is loyal and loving. He is a wonderful dad. Y'all have no idea the things he does so Maddy can have fun. Awhile back, I heard this noise coming from the living room and I asked him what he was doing. He said that he was hiding from Maddy and that was the special noise to get her to find him. I can only imagine the fun they have while I'm at work. I am so lucky to have him in my life.
Maddy - Wow, how this kid has changed me. If you could have told me last year at this time that I would love being a mom, I would have spit on you. She has more personality in her little pinky than most kids do in their whole body (I know, I'm biased) and she keeps us laughing and guessing, 24/7. I thank Heavenly Father every single day for the chance to be her mom. I know he gave me a child that I can learn from and grow with, and I hope that I can always set a good example for her.
Teeth - Maddy has had FIVE teeth break through in the last week and a half. FIVE. Three of those are molars. Yeah. So, I guess I'm thankful that after a 5 month hiatus, they are coming in quick. I hope they keep up this pace!
Our families - They have given us so much, especially the last year. Everyone has been so great to help out when we didn't even know we needed it. We are very blessed to have such selfless people looking out for us.
Our jobs - Cripes, with everything going the way it is, I know Christmas is going to be pretty bare for a lot of families this year. We may not have a new home, or fancy clothes, but our jobs are getting us through with a lesser amount of debt while Mike is in school. It's amazing how we have been guided to where we are now. I think of last year, after we had Maddy and Mike was working at Countrywide. He had been doing very well and then they wanted him (basically) to quit school and be there full-time, and stopped being flexible with his schedule. We had a newborn at home, and I was a mess, so Mike found a job at Home Depot and quit Countrywide. Look where Countrywide is now, folks. Seriously. His job isn't glamorous, but he works hard to take care of us. I got the job I am now by pure luck, really. I had no experience with insurance and got the job through my sister-in-law's staffing company. Jeff took me in, sent me to a class to get my license, and now here I am. He is the most compassionate, giving boss ever. I am very fortunate.
Buck - The dog drives me nuts!!! Since Maddy came, I no longer think about him as my baby, but what would we do without him? He is a wonderful babysitter for us and Maddy loves him so completely. They are a perfect pair. I am thankful for the craziness he brings in our home and how patient he is with our girl.
The Wii - Since Spence had to work on Thanksgiving, the Sunday after, we went up to their house for a yummy dinner. Heather had just purchased a Wii so we bowled and played tennis. I was sore for three days (I need to get out more), but it was SO fun. I thought I was the last person in the whole wide world to try out this fantastic form of entertainment, but after speaking with people in real life, I see that I am not. I can now see all the craze surrounding it. I am begging Mike that we can take out a student loan to purchase one for Christmas... I will keep you posted on that one! ;)
Mike - He is so amazing and patient and kind. And HOT. He would do anything for me (except let me use his mouth as my sink so I don't have to get up while I'm brushing my teeth in bed. Seriously. He said no!!!). He takes care of everything that I don't have the time or energy to, and does it with a smile on his face. Countless times this year, when I was in Primary and had Sharing Time, he would stay up late and help me work on it. Although one of the things that makes me crazy about him is that he can't (or won't) say no to people, it definitely works in my favor. He is loyal and loving. He is a wonderful dad. Y'all have no idea the things he does so Maddy can have fun. Awhile back, I heard this noise coming from the living room and I asked him what he was doing. He said that he was hiding from Maddy and that was the special noise to get her to find him. I can only imagine the fun they have while I'm at work. I am so lucky to have him in my life.
Maddy - Wow, how this kid has changed me. If you could have told me last year at this time that I would love being a mom, I would have spit on you. She has more personality in her little pinky than most kids do in their whole body (I know, I'm biased) and she keeps us laughing and guessing, 24/7. I thank Heavenly Father every single day for the chance to be her mom. I know he gave me a child that I can learn from and grow with, and I hope that I can always set a good example for her.
Teeth - Maddy has had FIVE teeth break through in the last week and a half. FIVE. Three of those are molars. Yeah. So, I guess I'm thankful that after a 5 month hiatus, they are coming in quick. I hope they keep up this pace!
Our families - They have given us so much, especially the last year. Everyone has been so great to help out when we didn't even know we needed it. We are very blessed to have such selfless people looking out for us.
Our jobs - Cripes, with everything going the way it is, I know Christmas is going to be pretty bare for a lot of families this year. We may not have a new home, or fancy clothes, but our jobs are getting us through with a lesser amount of debt while Mike is in school. It's amazing how we have been guided to where we are now. I think of last year, after we had Maddy and Mike was working at Countrywide. He had been doing very well and then they wanted him (basically) to quit school and be there full-time, and stopped being flexible with his schedule. We had a newborn at home, and I was a mess, so Mike found a job at Home Depot and quit Countrywide. Look where Countrywide is now, folks. Seriously. His job isn't glamorous, but he works hard to take care of us. I got the job I am now by pure luck, really. I had no experience with insurance and got the job through my sister-in-law's staffing company. Jeff took me in, sent me to a class to get my license, and now here I am. He is the most compassionate, giving boss ever. I am very fortunate.
Buck - The dog drives me nuts!!! Since Maddy came, I no longer think about him as my baby, but what would we do without him? He is a wonderful babysitter for us and Maddy loves him so completely. They are a perfect pair. I am thankful for the craziness he brings in our home and how patient he is with our girl.
The Wii - Since Spence had to work on Thanksgiving, the Sunday after, we went up to their house for a yummy dinner. Heather had just purchased a Wii so we bowled and played tennis. I was sore for three days (I need to get out more), but it was SO fun. I thought I was the last person in the whole wide world to try out this fantastic form of entertainment, but after speaking with people in real life, I see that I am not. I can now see all the craze surrounding it. I am begging Mike that we can take out a student loan to purchase one for Christmas... I will keep you posted on that one! ;)
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Little Miss Trouble
Maddy is my new best friend. I share her with Mike and Buck, but still. I just love the kid to pieces. She still drives me crazy - I mean, the kid doesn't stop unless she's in her crib, but I've come to learn that is just her personality. She tests our limits all the time, is constantly getting in to things, trying to figure out how things work, and sticking herself in awkward positions.
The Classic Sprite incident - October 2008. She disappeared and when I couldn't find her anywhere else, I found her wedged between the chair and table, drinking my Sprite!!! I couldn't believe it.
I took this one last weekend. We are just now getting around to putting away all her old stuff. *sniff* Yes, I am having a hard time with it, so sue me. (No, don't, I don't have any money.) Anyway, the play mat was out, on top of her stroller and she got herself fixed up real good.
She is turning in to even more of a social butterfly and she is constant entertainment. Everyone loves her. People stop us wherever we go and tell us how cute she is, how happy she is, and what fun she must be.
September 2008 -
The Classic Sprite incident - October 2008. She disappeared and when I couldn't find her anywhere else, I found her wedged between the chair and table, drinking my Sprite!!! I couldn't believe it.
I took this one last weekend. We are just now getting around to putting away all her old stuff. *sniff* Yes, I am having a hard time with it, so sue me. (No, don't, I don't have any money.) Anyway, the play mat was out, on top of her stroller and she got herself fixed up real good.
She is turning in to even more of a social butterfly and she is constant entertainment. Everyone loves her. People stop us wherever we go and tell us how cute she is, how happy she is, and what fun she must be.
September 2008 -
October 2008 -
(Here's your sock, Mama!)
(Playing with my credit cards - 'Wonder what kind of damage I can do with these...')
(I call this her 'Al Bundy' pose. Haha)
November 2008 -
(Under Daddy's supervision)
(Hola)
Don't get me wrong, she isn't always happy. When you have something she wants (your cell phone or keys, her music box, etc), watch out. And if you don't give it to her, she knows how to throw a tantrum. I thought tantrums didn't come until the "Terrible Two's" but she's been having them for months. The girl knows what she wants, what can I say?
If all of this sounds like bragging, I guess I am. I'm a mom. I love watching her learn and grow - I can't wait to see what she does next.
Link list
Anyone know why I can't add any more links to my link list? The 'add link' button is dark and won't let me add anything. I deleted my pivate blogger list because I thought if I started over, it would let me, but alas, it will not.
Shirley one of you knows what is going on...
Welp.
Shirley one of you knows what is going on...
Welp.
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