Draw a line

Written April 2009: Last weekend, Eddie and I moved into our new house. I found myself driving our CR-V jam packed with cardboard boxes, photo frames, and miscellaneous knick-knacks. As I attempted to look in my rearview mirror in an effort to make sure Eddie was handling the 26 foot U-Haul ok, I glanced at the pile of accumulated personal items. It should be noted here that I tend to hoard personal items that have any sort of sentimental or memory evocative attachment. Why? If you know me well, you would know that I have a less than perfect memory. I suppose I collect things to remember what I so often forget. These items fill in the gaps for me when my brain cannot recall it. Imagine if you will, my memory as a blank connect-the-dot game. Sad, perhaps, but true. It was then that it dawned on me... how my life is a pathway lined with or connected by these items. My yearbooks, elementary school journals, pregnancy clothes, mission photos, stuffed animals, Ben's baby clothes, Eddie's soccer jerseys... They all mark the path of our lives seperately and together. It's funny how moving makes you so nostalgic and "trunky."

And I am left with questions: Am I the sum of these boxes? Do they make me who I am? Or am I greater than these parts?

Triple threat, Baby... Yeah!

This is from March 2009..... just thought I would post it anyway.... We have been celebrating birthdays for weeks now. It has been a blast, especially with all the cake around our apartment. It started with Eddie's birthday on Feb. 19th. It was the big 2-5. :) We had family over and I surprised him with a 30" pizza (something he has only dreamed about). Eddie, of course, got soccer gear including a new training jersey and shorts. Ben's birthday was next on March 3rd. That night Ed and I took him to Toys R Us to pick out his present. It was a little overwhelming for him and he ultimately left empty-handed. Ed and I did pick out what he seemed to like most and went back that weekend to get him his first big wheel, which he absolutely loves. Since our apartment has carpet, he just scoots it across the floor for now. Once he can reach those petals though, look out! That Saturday we went to the park, came home to eat some pizza, and had tons of fun! Ben loved blowing out his own candle and made us do it over and over again. My birthday was the last of the three, being March 22nd. My biggest present? Eddie planned the weekend for me so I didn't have to stress. What a great hubby I have! On Friday, Eddie took me to dinner at Black Angus with some friends, Mike and Katrina, where I was craving some steak! I enjoyed my filet mignon and virgin Pina Colada. Yum! The party continued to Sunday; we had family and some friends come over. Yay!!!

Going to the Zoo...

At the end of February, we spent a day off going to the Phoenix Zoo. Yeah, I know that was forever ago, but I am now just getting to it. :) Too expensive, but still way fun. Ben had a blast looking at all the animals. We saw rhino butts, eating giraffes, boring elephants, lazy tigers, sleeping lions, angry monkeys, quacking ducks, and more, but I think he enjoyed the birds the most. Funny, huh? Oh, and he also got to hug a goat. :) The best part? Nana took Ben on the carousel. When it was over, he clung to that pole and screamed until my mom ran over to the attendant and paid another dollar to ride the carousel again. He loved that ride so much! By mid-afternoon it was getting cold so we headed home. Ben was asleep within minutes of being in the car.

All You Need Is Love!

Valentine's Day was awesome this year. In the morning, I gave Eddie his present: a hilarious card, hand-made coupons, and a gift certificate for a massage. He went out and picked up the Edible Bouquet that he had ordered me. Yum! I told him I wanted a healthy Valentine's Day since I am still battling holiday repercussions. He also got me a card and flowers.

Since we figured no one would want to babysit for us on a Saturday V-Day, we made it a family day. We got Ben a present and took him to the park. We had a mini picnic and played soccer and volleyball. Later, we had dinner with Eddie's family and stopped by my mom's work to give her flowers. We headed home, rented a movie and curled up together for a romantic evening. Sounds simple? Yes. But I tell you what, it was absolutely perfect. I loved spending the day with my two favorite guys!

And it's not over yet! Valentine's Day has been extended! Friday night Eddie and I will go on our own romantic outing for dinner and a movie. I don't know where, but he promised me romance and a steak! :)

BFFs Reunited!

This past weekend was a blast because I got to see lots of my gal pals that I haven't seen in forever. On Saturday afternoon I had lunch with Emily and Kierra. And then, surprise! Tiffany showed up. It was so great to hang out with all of them.

Later that day, I had a triple date night with Heather & Brett and Jenny & JR at Glendale's annual Chocolate Affair. We ate chocolate and had lemonade till we got sick (well, at least my boys did that night :( Sad, huh?). We actually ran into Tiffany & Mark and Kierra & Rob while we were there. What a great time!

Sad thing was that we were all so tired at the end of the evening and it wasn't even 10pm yet! Funny what marriage does to you, right? Kinda sucks the life out of you or something... :) J/k. Anyway, I didn't take any pictures because I am forgetful like that, but the other girls did so I will wait till they post and then nab those pics for me! :)

Only 60 more to go!

Thanks Jenny. I needed to post something.
Out of the 99 things, I've highlighted what I've done in pink.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
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 (yeah, right. those suckers are mean)
10. Sang a solo (though I probably shouldn't have)
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14.Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Been to the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables (when we were kids)
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20.Slept on an overnight train (I havent been on any train)
21.Had a pillow fight
22.Hitch hiked (it was in Alaska and that makes it ok)
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
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 (no, but that sounds nice)
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 (MUD BALL!!)
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie (It was a stake missionary video)
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia (Where's the Visited Brazil question?)
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 (Heck I was the one driving!)
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person (26 years in Az and nope, I havent)
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 (Missions count! Those are spiritual lives!)
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club (They wouldnt let me)
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person (No, though Eddie talks so much about it, I feel like I have)
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Happy Boo Year!

Because Ben and I were getting over the flu, we all decided to stay in for a quiet family New Year's celebration. Eddie and I agreed that Ben could take a late nap and then stay up as late as he could. And let me tell you, that little trooper stayed up till midnight and then some! He was having so much fun that he didn't even want to go to bed. He busily played with his toys till midnight, talking on his toy car, which I guess he deemed his new cell phone, to his girlfriend Abby and his grandma, Nana. It was adorable. All you could understand was ".....[baby talk, baby talk, baby talk]... Hi, Abby!....[baby talk, baby talk, baby talk]... Hi, Nana!....'Kay, bye!" After the countdown, Eddie got out some of those party poppers. We were a little weary as whether we should even pop them since we didn't know how Ben would react. Eddie gave it a try and much to our suprise, Ben wasn't scared. In fact, he loved them. He cracked up and threw himself on the floor laughing at the noise and the streamers going everywhere. I'm sure it helped that he was tired and a little slap-happy, ya know? I think we all were.

P.S. The title is Happy Boo Year, because Boo is one of Ben's many many nicknames.

P.P.S. New Year's resolutions? Yeah, we don't do that I guess. Eddie doesn't believe in them and I am too busy to think about more goals to set up for myself. Not satisfied? Hmm, how about our hopes for 2009? We hope we can have a safe and great year, go to the temple more, and have another baby. :)