Happy Birthday to Me!

Today was the big day.

I am now 40!
It's been a great day spent with family and I've only had fun.
Who could ask for more, right?

I didn't want to make a big deal out of turning 40 because, really, is 40 any different than 39?
But I have to say that it has gotten me thinking more.
(Which could be a good thing or a bad thing. We'll see!)

I have to say that I woke up a little on the depressed side.
I didn't sleep well last night.
The sleepless night was spent thinking of the last 40 years.

A big part of me is very happy with my life.
I've been blessed beyond belief.
There's many happy memories that I wouldn't change for anything.
(And I do mean anything!)
Even a lot of my trials and challenges I wouldn't change, for the most part.

But a small part of me feels like a disappointment.
I think I'm a little disappointed with myself.
It's almost like I feel I've wasted part of my life and it's not a great feeling.
I've let myself go--definitely a long way away from the size 8 I was when I was married.
I also think I haven't used my talents like I am meant to.
But, there's always the next 40 years, right?

I just want to focus more on taking care of myself, spiritually, mentally and physically, so that I can look back after my next 40 years and only be able to think about what an awesome life I've lived and not have feelings of disappointment.

I'm just very grateful for the love and support of my family and friends.

And I'm grateful for the experiences I've had over the years
(both good and bad) for I know they have shaped who I am.

I'm looking forward to the coming years and I'm not going to fear getting older.
It's all in your attitude right?

I hope this makes some sense!

****
On another note,
look what my hubby got me ....
Yes, I'm a spoiled girl!
(I like how it says, "Forever Young" on the screen. How appropriate.)

May your Christmas be
Merry and Bright!!!

Luckily I Can Laugh at Myself

I went perfume shopping with Elisabeth the other day.

Those of you who really know me know that I'm more comfortable in stores like Target and not so comfortable in stores like Nordstrom.
And I HATE cosmetic/perfume counters. I don't like being approached by salespeople with little black jackets/smocks wanting to spray perfume on me or offering to give me a makeover.

Well, because I love my daughter more than life itself, I went to Nordstrom so she could buy SJP's new fragrance, Lovely (which I have to say is very lovely).

We walked into the perfume section and started looking at the first display, Juicy Couture.
Elisabeth tells me it's a great perfume so I smell it because she's up on what's good.
So we were looking at the display and smelling the bottle. To be honest, it didn't smell much like anything to me so I thought I'd spray a little on my wrist.
Right as I was about to spray, this guy who works there (yes, a guy which was a little weird to me) stops me and informs me, in a very demeaning and mocking kind of way, that the perfume that I almost sprayed on my wrists was for dogs.
Huh? Perfume for dogs? Are you kidding me?
He then informed me that it would have been okay if I had sprayed it on my wrist because apparently it's tested on humans before it's sprayed on dogs.
Thanks perfume sales guy.
He then showed me the human Juicy Couture and asked if I wanted him to spray some on my wrist.
No, thank you.
Now leave me the heck alone to feel like a complete moron.

Needless-to-say, Elisabeth and I had a good laugh over this.

Apparently, this is what the human Juicy Couture looks like:
See the dogs on the front.


And here's the dog perfume:
See the same dogs on the front!
It's an honest mistake, right?

Although something that I failed to notice,
(and no, it has nothing with me getting older so don't EVEN say it!)
the dog perfume is called

Juicy Crittoure Eau de Pawfum.

My bad.

Where Has My Mind Gone?

True story.
Last night at 8:20 p.m. I was enjoying a good game of Apples to Apples with my kids.
(You haven't played until you've played with Cole. That's all I'm going to say about that.)
Anyway, I'm playing and then it dons on me...

"I'm the new Primary Chorister and tomorrow is my first day."

Yes, I completely forgot about my new calling.

Luckily, we have an awesome pianist who just
laughed when I told him.
And luckily it's Christmas time
and there's a song called "The Nativity Song"
and I still had the costumes from when the Primary did the Nativity at the Christmas party a few years back so at least I had something at a little fun to do.

Way to start a calling off on the right foot!

I tell you, I don't know where my mind has gone lately.
I used to be on the ball but now I'm lucky if the ball is in sight!

*sigh*

It really sucks getting older.

A Random Post for a Random Day

Here's some random things that happened today:

1. I woke up and couldn't breathe. Luckily, Emma wanted to lay down in my bed to watch "her shows" so I could get a little more rest. I felt better after that.

2. I caught Emma playing with Photo Booth all by herself.
Scary.
What a little smarty-pants!
(I know, you're sick of seeing my kids' pictures from Photo Booth, but I couldn't believe she did this on her own! She is only 3 after all! I promise, no more for a long while!)

3. I actually got some of my Visiting Teaching done this morning.
I'm a crappy Visiting Teacher.
I have the best intentions, but, you know.

4. I finally decided that it was time to get started on Christmas presents (I have NOTHING done yet) since the paper chains on my kitchen wall are getting a little too short for comfort.(The links used to touch the floor!)
Only 14 more days till Christmas.
So, I headed to JoAnn's and found the cutest fabric for a couple of gifts I'm making but I can't share yet, just in case the recipients happen to read this.
I'm excited to get started.
(And, no boys, it's not a Wii. I mean, I'm not that talented.)

5. While going through my blog list, as I do daily, I came across one of my children featured on Jake's Blog yesterday. I had a good laugh over that one and so did Max! I shared it with him today after school.
He's thinking he's famous or something.
What a funny kid!

6. I was informed by Publisher's Clearing House that someone with the initials "CH" must be declared the winner of the $10 million prize.
Just one more reason to believe that prize is mine.
You can laugh now, but
I'll be laughing my way to the bank come February! :)
Oh, yes I will!

7. While at Cole's band concert tonight, I had the pleasure of meeting THE compulsive writer. It's funny because our kids are in band together (she even went on tour with Jake last year) and we have been at the same concerts before but have never met. I didn't know her daughter went to Cole's school. In fact, when I asked Cole if he knew L~ he said, "Yeah. She's one of my friends. We're going to be in the PHS drum corp."
I'm clueless I tell you! I had no idea.
It's a small world!
Compulsive, it was a pleasure to meet you!
You are just as nice as I thought you would be.

8. When I got home, I saw this .
My baby's getting her A.S. degree!
It makes a mom proud!

Post #200!

Once there was a snowman

tall
Tall
TALL!

The goal: Make a snowman as tall as Scott.

Did they make it?









Pretty darn close!

I love when it snows a lot and I don't have
anywhere to go.
Today was one of those rare lazy Saturdays.
(Just what I needed the day after the Ward Christmas Party that, by the way, turned out wonderful! Everyone on our committee worked so hard and it all turned out so beautiful! Excellent Program, good food, cute decorations, everyone laughing and enjoying themselves...
It was a success, I'd say!)

************************
On another note,

(sound the trumpets...)

this is my
200th post!

Everybody say,
"Woo - woo!"

It seems weird that I've been blogging for a year and a half and I've actually posted 200 entries. I really didn't think I'd last this long. Especially with so many more interesting and entertaining blogs
out there.
I want to say thanks to those who actually read my silly little blog.
I've met (most only through your blogs) so many wonderful people and kept in contact with others that have moved away or that I don't get to talk to often enough through blogging. Your stories, thoughts, and pictures have made many of my days and made me smile many times when I felt like crying. I know I'm sounding a little on the cheesy side but really,
I thank you.
So, here's to another 200 posts!
(We'll see...)

What Do You Do When You Play Hookie?

Max is home from school today.
He's not sick.
Just
sick and tired!

(The truth is, I was too tired to get him up and dressed today after staying up until the ungodly hour of 3:30 a.m. making sugared popcorn for goody bags for our ward activity tonight.

What I'll do to save a few bucks!
It stinks being cheap sometimes.

I caught Max playing on Photo Booth this morning.
Who needs a Wi when you've got Photo Booth?
(I can't convince my kids of that!)
But, they do have fun with it.
I have about 100 random photos saved on MY computer to prove it!

Here's Max's latest creations.
It amazes me how such a cute kid can look SO freaky!

(In case you're wondering, that's Emma's evil twin on the right.)

And now I'm off to finish last minute details for the ward party tonight.
I guess I better get dressed.

I'll be so glad when tonight's over!

Max's Big Day

Max was baptized on Saturday morning surrounded by his family and friends.
He was so excited and I don't think I've ever seen him so happy!

He was so cute!
It was a definitely a happy day!

Max was baptized by his big brother, Jake.
I didn't know just how this would affect me. (That's another way of saying I bawled my eyes out.)
It was an incredible thing to witness my oldest son exercising his priesthood baptizing his youngest brother.
How thankful I am that they have both made good choices so far in their lives.
Is it wrong to say I was proud?

It was a great day!
I hope Max will always remember this special day in his life and
how much we all love him!