Auntie LaLa meets Lydia

What a moment! I was absolutely ecstatic to meet my niece Lydia. And what a moment! I forgot how much I LOVE newborns. There is nothing like a sweet baby. Especially, baby Lydia. There is something so special about meeting the offspring of your siblings. It's a little wild to think of Daniel as a Dad. He has always been Dan the man, or Wump, or even Danithew. But never Dad. How strange is that? But you should see Daniel and Lydia. He is so in love with her. It's the cutest thing to see him and Diane with Lydia. What a cute little family! So precious!

I will admit, for a second, or maybe for half the day yesterday I was having total baby hunger. Bad. But, luckily it has subsided. Except, I am going to have another Lydia fix tomorrow, so I may catch that fever once again. There is nothing quite like a sweet baby girl, and Lydia is all that, and a bit more.

Anyway, I have been lazy. I haven't blogged or uploaded pictures from Christmas, never mind this special meeting with my niece. I will try to catch up, in between laundry, Scouts, dishes, the kids three week break (which makes my life crazy for those three weeks)-----it's almost over, so I may have a bit more time. Ha-Ha. It's OK to dream. Except about babies; says my husband. I have been having the strangest dreams lately. Which is sorta' fun, but a bit bizarre-land for me.

Tylenol PM, rather than Ambien is having a strange effect on me, that I quite like. Dreams. I guess I am not sleeping as deep. But hey, I will take dreams over deep sleeping any day.

Instead of wincing at the thought of "trying" to sleep, I actually feel a little more excited....with anticipation.....I might have a .......DREAM!

13th Anniversary

Mother's Day Moments

The great thing about Mother's Day; I can make my kids take even more pictures than usual!

My Tile Man

Well, Maddie overflowed the tub last week to such a point that we had a drip through our ceiling. Not great, so my husband decided to take out all the linoleum in our bathrooms and put in tile. He had tiled most of our downstairs in our Springville home, so it's not his first time. Anyway, after several trips to the Home Depot with three toddlers this week, I was able to choose out some tile. 16 by 16, light, and cheap. They were around $1 a tile. Pretty good for the larger tiles I thought. I am feeling so lazy, the weather is so great, I tried to cajole my husband into waiting to work on the tiling and just play this beautiful afternoon away. (When I get home from work, I just want to play, and that's what happened this afternoon.)
But, he's sticking to his plan, no matter what I have been offering---just kidding. I have to put in some spice every once in a while. Anyway, our van is in the shop and ouch!!! it is going to cost a bit of a fortune to fix the air, and something to do with the steering. Yikes. I sure hate being stranded. Nothing gives me greater cabin fever.

My tile man; my husband. Almost as good as a pool boy!


The linoleum

Practicing on our basement bathroom before he gets to our Master Bath

The tile from Home Depot (16 by 16)


So, since I am stranded currently, I guess I will plant some of the bulbs I was supposed to plant in Sept/Oct. I can see them starting to bloom in the bags. So, I guess it's time to plant. Wish me luck.

Procrastination at it's best.

And.....I am so excited, garage sale time is almost here. YAY!

Another Flashback

Brandon, me, and my cousin Amy at a Family Reunion. BACK in the day. Do you just love our matching Family Reunion t-shirts? (Great to recycle for bowling. Cause can you really go bowling without a shirt with your name on it and have success? I dare say no.)



I am loving Facebook. Almost daily, friends and family are posting pictures from the past! This picture was taken by my cousin Amy at a Bartholomew Family Reunion. We all had matching shirts with our names on them. How come everything always comes back to bowling? It made me want to use my bowling name "Stella" instead of Laura, but that is another story. Stella is just the best bowling name----and best name for lots of other things too. Hey Beyonce has another name too---Sasha Fierce. She must've stolen the idea from me. I have had my bowling name Stella for at least a decade or two. If you have not thought of a great second name for yourself, it's time. Trust me, it will have SOOO many uses.

What is frightening is Brandon and I look so young. Wow. We were so young once. I don't think we were old enough to be married. (Are you listening kids?) But hey, he is the best thing that ever happened to me. And like I have been known to say, when you see the most beautiful purse or outfit you have ever seen and there is only one of them, are you going to leave it at the store or are you going to make your purchase? Well, let's just say when I met Brandon and he was the best thing ever, I was all about closing that purchase! So what if we had only been dating 5 weeks. So what if we got married 3 months later. And hey, Stella wanted to get married. It has been the best decision of my life. Thank goodness for Stella and her influence in my life. And to think back then, within a week of our getting married, I started my Master's Degree in Social Work. He was earning minimum wage at Tri-Connections. Isn't it amazing that even though there is not much "going" for you at the time you have everything going for you 'cause you are young and in love? Wow. Memories, memories. And all because of a picture on facebook today.

When you were young and your heart was an open book
You used to say life and let life
(you know you did, you know you did you know you did)

OK, the rest of the lyrics don't match the rest of my entry, so I won't print them.
From the song----Live and let die. Paul McCartney. A fabulous song, but hey, any song that involves Paul McCartney is just that. FABULOUS!

Here are all the song lyrics; you also may remember it from Guns 'n Roses (OK, I changed my mind, here are all the lyrics to this song.):

Live And Let Die lyrics

When you were young
and your heart was an open book
You used to say live and let live
you know you did
you know you did
you know you did
But if this ever changin world
in which we live in
Makes you give in and cry
Say live and let die
Live and let die

What does it matter to ya
When ya got a job to do
Ya got to do it well
You got to give the other fella hell

You used to say live and let live
you know you did
you know you did
you know you did
But if this ever changin world
in which we live in
Makes you give in and cry
Say live and let die
Live and let die

The lyrics may sound depressing, but I love the energy of the song. Not to mention the voice of Paul or Axl. You know we are on a first name basis. They call me Stella.

Valentine's Day

My man Brandon knows how to warm my heart. Time alone with him. Shopping. Beautiful scenery---I just love Park City. And a great restaurant. I just love sitting across from my man in a restaurant. Knowing we can talk without interruption. Good food. Laughter. No screaming kids. Hours. Dreamy.

Like A Switch!

It has been four long, depressing days. Alone in the house with 3 little kids. My husband and two oldest were on a trip to his Grandpa's funeral in Arkansas. But let's not talk about the fact that I didn't get to go, cause I wasn't too thrilled about that part. Maddie has had some eye boogies (as I call them; maybe infection is more correct) so we missed church, and I have basically been inside the house for four days. I guess I get cabin fever really badly, because it has not been too fun. Plus it is never fun to be without my man, especially for days. I know, probably sounds lame, but true. I was so happy that he was going to come home last night and be home by about 8pm. I was ecstatic. But what has to happen? Yes, an ice storm. Who woulda' thunk it. So, all the planes were stranded, flights were cancelled, etc. So, my poor husband got up with the two boys at 5am to catch the flight this morning. Flight cancelled again. SOOO bummed. Luckily, with many prayers, he was finally able to catch the flight tonight. I cannot begin to tell you how happy I was when he caught the flight home and to see his face and that of my two oldest boys. Bliss. Like dancing, happy, singing out loud bliss. I guess I am like a switch. When I found out he was coming home, the light came on, happiness filled my heart, and all the darkness went away. Melodramatic? Perhaps a touch. But wow, I love my man, I missed my man, and am so glad to have him home. Excuse me, we have some business to take care of, Laura!!! It's business time. Isn't that how the song goes?

Sewing Pajama Pants

What a fun day! A kind lady in our ward, Cindy, hosted us all at her house and showed us how to make pajama pants. She did two sessions back to back so we could switch babysitting if we needed to. Sweet! And she had enough sewing machines, surgers, and supplies for all of us. Dreamy. Anyway, I bought 3 yards of this Valentine fabric at Walmart for $2.00 a yard and some elastic, and we were ready to go! It was a fun and easy project. And most importantly, I finished a project. Drumroll please...........
Yeah, I am having a moment. This may be one of my few finished projects, so I am having a moment of satisfaction. Just don't look at the bottom hems. They don't really have to match up, do they? Isn't the style to have one side look like capris and the other side be long? Hope so. Let's just say I am not a perfectionist. But hey, I finished the project. Just don't look at the bottom.
This was such a fun project. I love sewing. It's fun even if you are not particularly talented.

Sewing at Cindy's; thankfully she led us through the process step by step!



My new pajama pants!

7 Random Things about Me

Oh, it is so hard to choose just seven.

1- I like ice-cream melted in the microwave for 30 seconds prior to eating it. I only like ham if it is really thinly sliced and burnt in the microwave. Or I can enjoy a Costco spiral ham. That's the only way I will eat ham. (It's so tasty that way.) I hate eggs and will not eat them. Milk is not my friend too. I also am rarely a fan of chicken. Since I don't like eggs or chicken, is it possible to be a chickenotarian? Or what do you call that? Anyway, I have some food issues. It is nice to know I am affecting another generation. My children will often ask for their ice-cream to be microwaved. It makes my heart sing. (Just kidding.)

2-I love trees and sometimes miss my childhood home in NY. Sometimes I would just like to stand in that house again, or walk around the grounds and relive a couple moments.

3-I like nicknames. Our newest family nickname is "The Judge" for Dylan because of his authoritarian voice. He always sounds like he is slamming down the gavel and passing a sentence. It is pretty funny for a two year old. I guess it takes a lot to be heard as the youngest of five children, hence his overly loud voice. Brandon and I have some nicknames for each other, but I won't overshare on this one. (Or did I already overshare?)

4-13 is my lucky number.

5-I have not read Twilight or seen the movie. I wear this as a badge of honor. I think I need a bumper sticker or t-shirt.

6-I received a Bachelor's Degree of Social Work at BYU, then received my Master's Degree of Social Work at BYU. I love working in my field. I just started working a couple nights a week and every Friday when my husband has off work.

7-I am a child at heart and love having a great time with family and friends. I love diversity in people, I enjoy friends of all kinds. That's what makes the world such a great place.

Thanks Deanna for tagging me. I tag anyone who is reading to share seven random facts about you and your life!

Mama Appreciation

My eight year old Brandon is such a sweet child. He found some of my notebooks I use for work, and wrote these messages to me. When I went to work, I found his little messages and they just made my night! My Brandon is such a sweet, sensitive, considerate, little boy!

The Tooth Fairy is Easily Confused

You probably did not know this, but the tooth fairy is easily confused. Ethan lost his tooth several days ago, and we were wondering why that tooth fairy hadn't picked up his tooth yet. We were wondering: Had the tooth fairy had an accident? Maybe the tooth fairy was in the hospital. We were a little concerned. Luckily, my husband emailed the tooth fairy today. (Thank goodness the tooth fairy believes in technology!) The tooth fairy emailed him back and let him know she has come several times, but since Ethan has so many pillows on his bed (necessary for all the pillow fights he and Benjamin engage in every night), she has gotten confused as to where the tooth is.

Luckily, when Ethan returned with me from basketball today, my husband was able to relay the message from the tooth fairy, and let Ethan know he needed to get rid of some of those pillows. Ethan ran upstairs right away to rectify the situation.

The tooth fairy said she could come back today. While we were out today she must've come. Thank goodness Ethan got rid of the extra pillows.

As you can see, our Christmas tree is still up (picture below). So are all our Christmas decorations. If I asked REALLY nicely, do you think the tooth fairy could come and take them all down for me?

Moral of the story:

-Don't keep too many pillows on your bed.

-Keep up your email account; you never know when Santa, the Easter Bunny, or the Tooth Fairy might need to contact you.

-Don't be scared to contact the Tooth Fairy if she doesn't arrive, there is probably a good reason (which is usually the child's fault:)

-I think we need a Christmas decorations fairy that will put away all the Christmas stuff for us. Perhaps a seasonal fairy who will decorate and put away decorations for all the holidays. Yeah. That's what I need. I think they call them personal assistants. Not free. Crap.



If you lose your tooth at school, the school gives you this "tooth" necklace to hold your tooth until you get home. Back in the day, I probably would've done anything to get one of these. I probably would've pulled out some of my teeth to get one. Even at 36, there is a little part of me that secretly wants a "tooth" necklace. Oh, that child within.

Fabric Stash Idea

Do you have a fabric stash that is taking up storage space? Well, no worries. Let it sit around until next Christmas, and then I have an idea for you that can help with that extra fabric stash.

I have Christmas stockings, but they are "too good for children". Sorta' like when you have good treats around that you can't bring out till the Mommy/Daddy party, or the china, or your "good" lotion and bath products. Some things are just "too good for children".

So, every year, I buy stockings at the Dollar Store that we can throw out after Christmas. Cause what Mom really wants to deal with the icky goo that will be stuck on stockings from sticky baby fingers. Not me! Well, this year I was a little late. By the time I made it to the Dollar Store (the week before Christmas), the white trash Christmas stockings (perfect for children) were not available.

So, what is a mother to do?

Well, I definately didn't want to ruin the "good" stockings, so I was racking my brain for ideas. Finally, I came up with the idea of using my fabric stash to make Christmas bags for the kids, rather than stockings. It was perfect. I ironed the fabric, threw the treats in, tied them with bows, printed off their names, and stuck their name on the fabric.

Great, because when the kids are done with their stockings, I can just throw them in the wash and use that fabric when it is needed. Anyway, I thought they turned out quite cute, and it was an easy solution!

So, just hold onto this thought for about 360 days, and you will have a great idea for next Christmas!

"This is the best day of my life"

Little Brandon was so excited to go to school today because "this is the best day of my life." Today he is being honored as Student of the Month for "CARING". The vice-principal told all the students at the special luncheon that they were the most "caring" students in the school. Glad Brandon is considered in that group! He was thrilled. My husband Brandon, my Mom, and I attended. It was a great moment for him! I am so proud of my baby Brandon and I hope that this truly is one of the best days of his life!

My two Brandons

The three of us

Aren't they handsome?

Me and my oldest baby

Brandon and Grandma

Father and son!

That's my baby....student of the month!


Do I get a bumper sticker now? I can put it next to the sticker showing stick figures of all my kids! (Just kidding, I hate those stickers, or to use correct terminology---vinyl lettering?)

Best Christmas Gift Ever

Warning: This is a super-sappy blog entry which is highly personal. I am recording this so it will be in my "scrapbook" of a blog. So, feel free to skip it if you don't enjoy the sap!

My favorite Christmas gift of all time was a gift my husband gave me for Christmas 1998. It is precious to my heart! My husband wrote me a little book filled with his sentiments for me. There is not a better gift. I cherish this book. It just shows that the best gifts are gifts from the heart! To give a little history, this was our 3rd Christmas together. A month after our marriage, my husband was in a car accident and he had to have back surgery 6 months later. His recovery took about a year. At the time he gave me this gift he was in school at BYU and working full time. I had just graduated with my Masters in Social Work and was working full time. We had no children at that time. What a beautiful time! My husband was quite the romantic back then. He still is!

This is the book he gave me:












I really wish I had this disk today. Brandon wrote a multiple choice game about me and also did a slideshow with music of us together. So cute.