TWILIGHT SERIES

Any of you heard of, or read, any of the Twilight books?

After a friend recommended that I read the "Twilight Series" by Stephenie Meyer, (a series of 3 books, the first being "Twilight", then "New Moon", then "Eclipse" and the fourth one, "Breaking Dawn" coming out in August) I quickly became engrossed with the books. Couldn't put them down. I really recommend them. And if you're a fast reader, you can get through them pretty quickly.

Today, another friend sent me a link to an article on Stephenie Meyer and her books. www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1734838,00.html I thought it was interesting. Within the article, they mention a website that I thought was Hilarious!!! If you've read the books, you'll appreciate the opening paragraphs on the home page. Check it out. . . www.twilightmoms.com (I haven't looked through the website too much yet, but just really enjoyed reading the home page and "about us" section.)

If you enjoyed these books too, and run across stuff about Twilight/Stephenie Meyer, send it my way!! (Tammy, I heard of some stuff you sent some others -- forward it to me!!)

It's Official . . .

1. We're out of the New Mark Ward & in the Platte Woods Ward now
2. Matt is the new Executive Secretary of the Platte Woods Ward
3. Kimball is crawling! (he's only 6 1/2 months old . . . help!)
4. Spring is here (finally). . . the next 5 days will be over 70 degrees!

introducing the faux-hawk

My name is Kimball and I am 6 1/2 months old.

I'm a fashion forward kind of guy . . . a real trend setter.
So, I'm introducing you to a new hairstyle . . . "the faux-hawk."

I know you are ALL jealous of my hair.
But you, too, can wear your hair like this.

It's becoming more and more popular, ya know . . .
Remember my friend Sunjaya, last year on American Idol?

Make sure you send me pictures of your faux hawk too . . .
Love, Kimball

Poop Machine and other random thoughts

That's right, I said poop machine.  That's Kimball's new nickname.  This kid is constantly pooping.  Always has, and continues to do so now.  The recent problem with this is that he poops about 30 minutes into his naps and then, consequently, wakes up. It's very annoying.  And I'm not the only one who has noticed his frequent daily pooping.  When my Mom was here, she even commented that Kimball poops alot.

Matt and I recently watched  "Dan in Real Life."  I  thought it was a great movie!  I recommend it to everyone.  If you haven't seen it, you should.  I think I'm going to buy it. Besides this and August Rush, I haven't watched many other movies lately.  Any good ones you've seen recently?

For those of you who read my blog who aren't KC locals, there are 3 wards in our stake that are going to have boundary changes to create 4 wards out of the three.  I have a feeling that Matt and I are going to be on the "wrong side of the tracks" to stay in New Mark Ward.  We find out on next Sunday . . .  Even though I've had some time to adjust to this thought (Matt hinted to me about this change a week ago) I'm still sad about the change.  I wonder if Matt will be called as the EQP in the new ward again??

THe sun is shining this morning and I'm grateful.  I can't wait for Spring to bring warmer weather.  Of course, the forecast for the next two days says it's going to be warmer, but as I mentioned it a previous post, this warmth isn't coming without the usual accompanying WIND.  (annoying)

While changing Kimball's diaper this morning, I decided that I can't wait for garage sales to start up again.  Those of you who ARE  KC locals need to make sure you tell me when your neighborhood garage sales are . . . 

Girls, Girls, Girls . . . so emotional

I got my first handwritten letter from Allison a few days ago. Wanna know what she wrote? She spelled out (the best she could), "You're ruining my life." Isn't that lovely? I don't know whether I'm saddened that she thinks/thought that, or if I'm happy that I could actually read what she was trying to spell. It's a mixed bag. But mostly, I wonder where she came up with that? I mean, come on, "you're RUINING my life" ??!! That's pretty serious coming from a "pre-K" five-and-a-half-year-old.

Here's another thing that Allison's up to: Lately, she's been in this crying phase. She cries over EVERYTHING. A true crybaby. I mean, she just lets the tears flow over the tiniest little thing and it's very annoying. I have no idea where this came from or why it has started NOW. I'd tend to write it off as a sign that she's tired. She usually cries more when she's tired, but she isn't getting any less sleep than normal, and Allison is a GOOD sleeper. Has anyone else experienced this with their daughter(s)? Is this normal??

One more: Allison has night terrors frequently. I talked to my pediatrician about this. Apparently, she's having night terrors, not nightmares. She doesn't wake up crying from a bad dream, realizing it was just that . . . Instead, she "wakes up" (not fully, of course) being completely irrational, incomprehensible, and has no idea what she's doing. Sometimes she's crying, and sometimes she babbling about something that makes no sense. Usually, she's upset in some way but she never gets out of bed or sleep walks or anything like that. She remembers nothing of these the next day. I used to go in her room, concerned, and would try to talk to her and console her. But now I just go in her room when it happens, and tell her (sternly) to lie down and go back to sleep. Occasionally, I make her get up and go the to bathroom, thinking that maybe this is why she is waking up, and she doesn't realize she needs to go. Some nights it happens repeatedly, and I have also noticed that it happens alot when Matt is out of town . . . (of course). Is this weird or what?

So, any thoughts on my emotional 5 year old? Anyone had any similar experiences? I'd love to hear about it

Back in the fast lane

Ok. I'm back from my slow-paced, relaxing days in Vegas . . . and have returned to the never-ending, always interesting ,and crazy days of home.

First, I'll admit that I didn't get ANY pictures during my trip (sigh). But just "picture" me having 2 very long days relaxing by the pool, reading books, listening to music on the ipod, soaking up the sun and sipping pina coladas (virgin, of course). The weather was, well, perfect. Blue skies, 80 degrees the first day, 76 the next, NO WIND and sunny. I was in heaven. The only thing missing was Matthew!

Matt was VERY busy with work the whole time. Basically, I was able to spend 3 nice hours with him on the last day before we left for the airport. Unfortunately, it was very windy and fairly cloudy that day, and Matt was completely spent from working so hard. At least one of us got a break from the daily grind while we were there.

I got in 3 games of sand volleyball with a bunch of Helzberg Diamonds people too. That was fun, although I definitely "felt it" the next day. (I hate that . . . man, I wish I was in better shape.) I also had a nice dinner with Gina, Matt's boss' wife. We went to The Cheesecake Factory, (my first time there), and I got the best cheesecake to take back to the hotel. ADAM'S PEANUT BUTTER CUP FUDGE RIPPLE. You'll have to try it -- its yummy.

So, pretty much that's the report on my trip. I was very glad I got to go, and am very thankful and appreciative of my Mom who took care of my kids while I was gone. Luckily for me, Kimball still wanted to "nurse" after I got back. I feared that 3 full days of a bottle would ruin him for breastfeeding. (I had to pump the whole time I was gone.) But, he's still willing, so that's good.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. I did end up getting a facial at the Spa while I was there. It was . . . expensive . . . but still nice and relaxing -- so in the end, it was worth it. I look forward to the day when I can get multiple treatments at the spa and not care how much it cost!

I already can't wait for my next retreat! Next time, I want to go on a Girls Getaway. Wouldn't that be fun?

Viva Las Vegas

Well, the day is almost here . . .  the day that I leave for my long-weekend getaway to Las Vegas.  I don't necessarily enjoy Las Vegas so much, except that this time I am joining Matt, or should I say, "taking advantage of Matt's work trip."  Every year, Helzberg has a "rewards" trip for their top selling store associates.  Matt always "gets" to go and work at them, mostly behind the scenes to make sure the weekend is all it's cracked up to be for the guests.  This year, the location is Las Vegas at the JW Marriott Resort.  It's a really nice resort away from "the Strip" and I seriously cannot wait to get there tomorrow night.  I'll be basking in the sun and relaxing by myself from Saturday Night until Tuesday  night. Since I'm not paying for my airfare or hotel expenses, I decided to treat myself to a facial.  I usually get massages, but I decided to go with a facial this time.  There's still alot of massage going on and it's very relaxing.  If you've never had one, you should try it.  So . . . I'll let you know how it went when I get back, and post some pictures.  Check out the hotel yourself :  http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/lasjw-jw-marriott-las-vegas-resort-spa-and-golf/