Pay it Forward

1) The first 5 people to leave a comment on this post will receive a gift from me sometime in the next few months!

2) When and what you receive will be a surprise!

3) Then you have to post this "Pay it Forward" challenge on your blog, then come back and leave a 2nd comment telling me you've done it.

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!

2- What I create will be just for you.

3- It'll be done this year.

4- You have no clue what it's going to be. It may be a story. It may be poetry or an article. I may draw or paint something. I may bake you something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!

5- I reserve the right to do something extremely strange. The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog.

The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!}Just a little tidbit of fun for those who love to WIN ANYTHING/better the world through kindness!! Good luck!! Happy commenting!

More Kisses

Todays post is dedicated to my one and only, highly energetic, super sweet, mostly silly Sopher Dopher. My heart just flutters when I look at her and realize she is mine. Tonight as I was putting the girls to bed I gave her a kiss and sat up. She said, "More kisses. Dere ("there" pointing to her eye)". So I kissed her eye several times and then sat up. "More kisses. Dere". I kissed her several more times and this pattern repeated for about 15 minutes. I would get up and start to go when she just kept saying...more kisses. She wanted me to kiss her to sleep. Of course I had to oblige. How could I not? It melted my heart and made me forget about her tirade through the local thrift store this morning. I laid by her until she finally stumbled off to dream land. What a great night.


I have never seen a girl with more energy. She makes caffeine nervous. She can make a mess faster than I can clean it. I really don't know how I have the energy to keep up with just her, let alone the two partners in crime. This picture is pretty much the way I see her half the time because she is always running as fast as she can with her little egg beater legs away from me. Her walk is not really a walk. It encompasses, running with skipping, galloping, and jumping. I love the way she gets her little arm out in front of her and moves it back and forth when she walks.

She likes to read books upside down and sometimes the right way. Her hair has the cutest little curls in it and I love to get it ready and hope she doesn't decide to "help" and mess it up. She is the most stubborn kid yet very loving and loves to give Regan hugs and kisses. She adores Regan and misses her when she is at pre-school. When she is sleeping next to me, she has to have her arm around my neck and if I try to pull away she grabs me tighter....love that. She is the wildest sleeper and has refused to sleep in her crib since she was 9 months old. (i.e. screamed at the sight of the crib and screamed for hours without stopping if she was in it....hence part of her stubborn streak). When I have a sad looking face she rubs my cheek and says, "Sad".

She has become very possesive of everything, especially me. If she is around me and you ask her any question, she says, "My mama". My sister, Kandra, loves to get in a "possesion war" with her. (Sophie wins of course :) And she loves to smash and rub her face into my face.

I love to hear her talk. Her little voice is like a little chime. Her mouth is so expressive and is frequently puckered out to say words. She is talking so much and just jabbers all the time. Here are some words that I love to hear her say...

fuffin = muffin

fribbitt = ribbitt

munch = lunch

pockiso = popcicle

fend = friend

poopoos

stinky toes

ticky = sticky

openit = open it

whe au you = where are you (in a sing-song tone.....LOVE it!)

Kisso = Kristal

kaka monkeys

naked

ocean = lotion

Wegan = Regan

peese = please

pie corn = popcorn

tubby tubbies = teletubbies

onge = orange

poons= spoons

joosh = juice

hoo ray = hooray (but rather loudly and with emphasis)

shoosh = shoes

cuder = color

wackersh = crackers

raf = giraffe

weezeen code = freezing cold

lub you = love you

hode you = hold you

uh-huh

bye, see ya

yater = later

carsh = cars

da poo = Winnie the Pooh

chocate nilk = chocolate milk

She says sorry every time I change her diaper because that is what I say to her when she has a diaper rash. I think her favorite word is "No way!".

I may add to this list when I remember more.

Sophie loves to sing. Her favorite is "Twinkle Star". In church she has to have her own hymn book and will sing at the top of her lungs. She climbs up to my piano and pounds the keys while singing loudly. She will try to climb anything, anytime, anywhere. She is a better climber than Regan (which is sometimes not a good thing).

Regan has never been that into hats, but Sophie sure is. She can't go out of the house without a hat on. For her, anything can be turned into a hat. Hence the picture below. If you can't figure out what it is, call me. Little princess Leia (Laya?) will get the plastic that the diapers were packaged in and put it on (not over :) her head and even her Halloween bag that I made her turned into her hat. I just made a matching halloween pillow case and when she saw it she said it was a hat.

But even with all the hats, she loves to be naked. I can't leave her without pants on or her diaper will come right off. Even then it's a gamble. After a bath she runs out to me and exclaims, "Naked!!", then runs away so we can't get her. Once she is out of the bath we have about 20 seconds (somtimes less) to get a diaper on her or else she whizzes on the spot. We call her whizzer.

I just can't wait to see how this sweet little tom-boy turns out. And at the same time I wish I could freeze time for a moment. Love you kiddo!

This and That

January was a good month for me mentally, emotionally, ect. Probably the best month I have had since Regan was born. Jason and I decided to start reading scriptures with the girls before they went to bed and it has made a huge difference. I think there is something the Lord is trying to teach me. Read scriptures=happiness, don't read scriptures=suckiness (maybe not in those specific terms but you get the idea).

Here are some of the highlights:

Making snow angels with styrofoam and yes clean up was not fun (2 hours).

Making "sand" art with salt and food coloring

Spicing up lunch with muffin tins.

Then we made Valentines decorations with crayons and wax paper.

They are very pretty with the sun shining through them.

Regan started preschool with Catherine Reed and she LOVES it. She loves thinking she is so big like daddy cause he goes to school. She loves Catherine and always wants to go there and see her. Today I told her she was going to school today and she said, 'I want to run to Cafrins wight now!" Thanks Catherine, she loves you!

Reganisms

My friend Angie takes amazing pictures and I want to learn as much as I can so we went on a walk with our kiddos and I got a couple cute shots. Believe it or not, I didn't ask Regan to pose like that. She did it for some random reason of her own. Can you believe those blue eyes?!?!? Gor.ge.ous. Speaking of eyes, Regan is fascinated with the fact that she has blue eyes like daddy and grandma and Sophie has brown eyes like mama and grandpa. She loves telling me that repeatedly. "I love your eyes mama. They're brown like Sophie."

For the last week, every night at dinner Regan stands up in her chair and starts singing "Old MacDonald". Sophie of course cannot be left out so she stands up and joins in too. Tonight here is how the verse went...
"Old MacDonald had a Regan, e-i-e-i-o. With a talk-talk here, and a talk-talk there......ect." Freakin' hilarious!! At least she knows that about herself.
Sophie was standing there and tooted. In a cute little voice she said, " 'cuse me". I thought to myself..."At least she was polite. Dang, I did something right!"

Sophie HATES to have her teeth brushed. But being the diligent hygienist that I am, I don't take no for an answer. So I lay her between my legs with each arm pinned under a leg. A few months ago this would make her howl like a banshee and I could sort of brush them. Then she started closing her mouth super tight so I started plugging her nose so she would have to open it.
But you don't know Sophie if you think she would go down that easy. This is Stubborn #2 we are talking about here (me being #1). Now, even with her arms and head pinned and her nose plugged, she only opens her mouth a fraction of a millimeter....enough to get air and then closes it until she needs more air. What am I to do with her? Does the end justify the means? I think it does. Along with wanting to get rid of her nasty butt-breath, I want to prevent her from getting dental caries....cavities to the laymen, which is much more intense than merely brushing her teeth. I just imagine my daughter coming up to me someday, full of gratitude and appreciation for the torture we put her through to spare her lovely..........wait a sec, this is reality.....probably not going to happen. However we are talking about Reganisms, so every time we do this we ask Sophie....."Do you want to do this the easy way or the hard way?".
Regan belted out a song for Sophie with those same words while Jason was brushing Sophie's teeth. Pretty darn cute. Regan is so good at making up songs or adding new lyrics to old ones. I LOVE it! Could we have a potenial song writer on our hands?

Tonight Regan was building a tower with her blocks but here's the clincher....it was color coordinated! Either pretty smart or OCD. Time will tell.

Can I just say that I love this stage that Regan is at? She is getting out of the terrible two's and onto the smart, helpful, funny, sweet girl that I knew was in there.

TOdaYs RanDom tHouGhtS

Is it really 5 am? Regan!

I don't want to get up.

I really should take down the Christmas decorations.

Sophie is so stinkin' cute.

Why is the floor crunching?

Stop Regan!

Vacuuming won't help this place

Why is Sophie still crying?

My legs are really hairy.

Will she be 17 and still in diapers?

Stop crying.

My boots are here!

Does human flesh taste something like pork?

It's a good thing you're cute!!

Does my face make me look fat?

Oh great, another boogie.

Where is the rent check?!?!

This dinner rocks! I'm so domesticated!

Stop crying.

Did I just burn enough calories to eat this cookie?

THEY ARE ASLEEP!!!!!!! :)

Epiphany

Months ago I came to a realization about our holidays. Christmas and Easter are the only holidays that have a magical person/creature that comes and gives us things. We don't have a magical eagle for the 4th of July that comes and brings us Old Navy glory t-shirts. There isn't Trevor the Thanksgiving Turkey to lay some golden eggs in our shoes. Not even a Labor Day ant eater to come wipe out the varment infestation. Christmas and Easter are the only holidays that are supposed to be about Jesus Christ yet are the only ones that have things to distract us from the real meaning behind the celebration. The thought struck me and I haven't felt the same since. This year I made 87% of the few gifts that I gave. I didn't get to go see all the shopping frenzy and see all the crazy deals and fake Santas that drive us further from the celebration of our Savior's birth. It was great!

Next year I am not going to give as many gifts to my children, but just keep things simple. I'm going to do more things for others. I want my children to grow up appreciating the things they have and learning that the greatest happiness comes not in what they get, but what they give. I am grateful for this holiday season and the time it gives me to reflect on the many blessing that I have, the greatest being my Savior and friend Jesus Christ. I hope to do better in the year to come and think less of myself and more about others. Merry CHRISTmas and Happy New Year!

One day my mother was out and my dad was in charge of me. I was maybe 2 1/2 years old and had just recovered from an accident.

Someone had Given me a little 'tea set' as a get-well gift and it was one of myFavorite toys.

Daddy was in the living room engrossed in the evening news when I brought Daddy a little cup of 'tea' (which was just water).

After several cups of Tea and lots of praise for such yummy tea, my Mom came home.

My Dad made her wait in the living room to watch me bring him a cup of tea, Because it was 'just the cutest thing!'

My Mom waited, and sure enough, here I come down the hall with a cup of Tea for Daddy and she watches him drink it up.

Then she says, (as only a mother would know), 'Did it ever occur to you That the only place she can reach to get water is the toilet?'Hahahahaha....I got this in an email and about peed all over myself. Hope you pee all over yourself too ;)

Tree Lighting Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Tree Lighting Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Smart, Cute, Silly, Funny, Laughable Regan

Today was like any other Sunday. It entailed waking up at 6:45 with Regan calling me from her bed, "Mama.....I'm awake mama."
Me: "Ok, come here."
Regan: "I don't want to come here. You need to come lay with me. The sun's awake."

She is definately an early riser. Then a mad dash ensued to get them fed and ready for church all the while kicking and screaming about not wanting to get their dresses on. Sacrament meeting was typical: both girls figeting, talking, screaming, wanting in, out, and all about with Jason finally taking them both out for the majority of the meeting. They both did great in nursery which is a blessing seeing how we usually have to stay in nursery for part or most of the time to be with them.

After church we try to have a family nap time and it usually works, but this time Regan and Sophie crawled all over me in bed for 2 hours while Jason did dishes and studied a home teaching lesson. Jason went home teaching and Sophie fell asleep. I traced Regan's hand about 10 times and we drew faces into the fingers. She loved that.

Jason got home and starts cooking dinner. Regan comes up to me bobbing her head back and forth singing (to the tune of "If you chance to meet a frown...") "Can we have some candy pwease, can we have some candy pwease, can we have some candy pweee-ase, can we have some candy pwease?" I mean, she got the tune, the pitch, the head bob so right on!! I had to give her some candy for that performance. What a smarty pants.

A while later she's playing and laughting and then climbs onto our speakers.
Regan: "I'm just mad now. I'm upset." With arms folded and a scowl.
Me: "I'm sorry. Why are you mad?"
Regan: "I just want to be mad for a minute. I need to pray." She then starts praying and doing a great job. When she's done she stands up, smiles and says, "I'm happy now. I'm all better."
Me: "Oh my goodness! I'm so glad! Praying does help us feel better."
Regan: "I prayed mama!" a few seconds later "I'm just mad again"
The process repeats over and over with her being mad, praying, and then feeling better.

Later that night Jason went to school and I got the kids ready for bed. I turned on the First Presidency Christmas devotional,which was excellent by the way...well, what I could hear of it from the girls playing and wanting me to read books to them. Regan pointed to President Eyring and said, "Look, it's Heavenly Father!"
Me: "That's not Heavenly Father. That's Pres. Eyring. He helps Heavenly Father."
Regan: "Heavenly Father loves us."
Me: "He sure does."
Then she started singing, "I am like a star shining brightly" but just end part that says, "Cause I know Heavenly Father loves me."

I was so impressed with her. I think today I have realized more than ever that my little Regan is growing up and understanding more. I have been painfully aware lately that she picks up and remembers so many things that I don't think about. I want her to remember in years to come that I love her and showed it, not that I was always getting after her for being naughty. What a blessing she is to me.

We went to the park and I got these rapid fire pictures of her being silly. They make me laugh so I had to share.

Random, unimportant things you always wanted to know about me!

Copy the list and highlight the ones that are true about you.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii ( I was only 9 months old though :(
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a Praying Mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris (just the airport)
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice (well I got to see them in person)
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in movie
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life (I haven't killed my kids yet :)
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Read a book all through the night
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Talked your way out of a ticket

Now you see it, now you don't

WARNING: What you are about to see may shock and horrify you. Please proceed with caution. (And don't send me hate mail.)


I know many of you commented last post on how pretty Regan's hair is. I agree. She has amazing curl to it and it looks so gorgeous when she lets me do it. But that is the key...WHEN SHE LETS ME...which is almost never. She hates me to brush it and runs away at even the suggestion of it. If I do manage to get a pony tail in, she pulls it out within a few minutes. I'm sick of her fighting me and looking like she's a little orphan whom nobody loves enough to do her hair.
So I took it upon myself to liberate her from the fight. Yes, I did it myself and if any of you readers are hair dressers then please turn a blind eye. The only other hair I've cut is Jason's, so girls' hair with layers was a challenge, but amazingly enough she held still. I only had to fight Sophie from crawling all over me and Regan trying to get the scissors.

This was after her bath. And might I add, quite easy to do. Only a comb. No detangler, pik, brush, and straps to tie her down...hahaha.

Ambition

We have had a wobbly old table from D.I. for about 6 years and I was sick of it. The girls liked to climb on it and it moved like a surf board. So I was out and about at none other than the D.I. and I found this beauty. So much potential, and I love the shape and curves, not to mention it doesn't wobble! It even has a leaf with it. I thought...oh it won't take much to restore it. A little sanding and a little paint and...wualah....a beautiful place to lay my not so beautiful cooking.

A dozen pieces of sand paper, 3 cans of paint, 3 cans of varnish, countless hours, and 2 1/2 months later my beauty is finished. It only took Sophie all of 2 seconds to scratch up the varnished top with a fork. Ugh. Maybe next summer I'll take it out and re-sand and re-varnish the top.I have set up my sewing machine and I didn't think I would like sewing that much, but it is starting to grow on me. When I moved the beautiful dining table in and saw it with our (free) office, dining chairs that are....well, pretty much disgusting from the girls getting food all over them, I knew that I needed to make covers for them that could be washed. Not too shabby for a novice eh? Don't mind the food under the chair....hahaha.