Monday, September 29, 2008

Back in Houston

Hello everyone! (This post is for everyone this time). Peyton and I made it back to Houston after being in Idaho for a week and a half visiting my folks. We flew in on Friday, slept, and got back in the car on Saturday to go to SanAntonio to my nephew Jack's blessing. Then we slept at Daniel's brothers apartment and got back in the car Sunday and drove back to Houston. So now...after a VERY long weekend of traveling...we are finally home.
Now to catch you up...Cici and Poppy's (mom and dad Carter) place was so nice. I got to spend a lot more time than usual with my family and got to take Andrew to the MTC which was really sad and exciting at the same time. I hung out and went shopping with my mom and sisters and got to spend some time with one of my best friends Gari. Of course I couldn't get through the visit without everyone hitting me up for some free design consultations! I spent a lot of the time there painting walls, shopping for furniture, and hanging pictures. But it was so much fun and I love doing it. I will post some pics of a few of my "home makeover" projects when I get them. It was also really nice to be away from hurricane Ike cleanup in Houston. My inlaws didn't even get power until the day Peyton and I came home! They went for 2 weeks without it and that was definately long enough. I'm glad we skipped out of most of that hot and humid "camping" experience.
Speaking of Ike, this place still carries the battle wounds. There are still a LOT of trees down all over and lots of tarps over roofs. Its kinda crazy. I guess a lot of people were pretty unprepared which is ridiculous to me considering they had been warning us for a week before it actually hit. The coast is wiped out, houses and land is completely lost in Galveston. We got pretty lucky in our area. We had 95 mph winds but we were on higher ground and didn't get any flooding. Just makes you realize how important it is to have a plan and be prepared for anything.
Enough of that. So I decided I will NEVER travel again with a baby by myself. It was SOOO exhausting and I would rather pay someone to fly with me than do it again. Don't get me wrong, Peyton is generally a really happy easy-going kid but he is now one (adjusted age) and he will NOT sit still for longer than two seconds! Plus, he will NOT sleep in public, hes too busy looking around at everyone and everything. So there I was with my big suitcase, carseat, diaper bag, and a one year old strapped to me, running through the Denver airport trying to catch a flight that was about to leave. Then once we got on the plane, we sat for an hour before it took off due to "weather conditions". Peyton hadn't slept at all since 8 am and it was 6:30 pm. He kept climbing up me to look at the people in the seats behind us. The man next to us had a laptop out and was trying to ignore the fact that Peyton's only goal of the trip was to drool all over it. I kept wishing that the guy would just get a clue and put it away which would've made my job of keeping Peyton from annoying the other passengers significantly easier. But no. He just kept on acting like he didn't see me fighting Peyton's grimy hands away from the glowing screen. It was like a mosquito to a bug zapper. Oh and did I mention that Peyton is in to biting now? Oh yes, he finally got a top tooth in and now when I try to restrain him or take something from him he bites me. Where the heck did he learn that?!! For all the other moms out there, what is the best way to discipline your kids in public without people calling the child protective services on you? I'm serious...I'd really like to know. Or are we supposed to just hide out in a padded room with our children until they turn 10? Anyway, NEVER again.
So I guess I should do something productive now...I'll post more when I have more to post!

Sunday, September 21, 2008

This ones for Tiff...

So I know a bunch of people read this but if you're not Tiff then I give you permission to skip this post...or if you're really bored or just plain curious I guess you can read it. Tiff! I miss you like crazy! I am the most horrible long-distance friend and I am so sorry! We keep playing phone tag so I knew you would check your blog so I thought I would use this as a means to reach my bestest friend. :) Oh my gosh! I was in a freaking hurricane! It was so cool but Daniel wouldn't wake up to come outside with me and I was too scared to go out by myself in case a tree or something landed on me. I really wanted to get a picture and video tape. I tried to get a little on tape but it just sounds like static and you can't really see anything because the power went out and it was the middle of the night. I was bummed about that. Why do natural disasters seem to always happen in the middle of the night? Anyway, we could've had so much fun in a hurricane! I really wish you were there! (People who might be reading this who aren't you are probably like "great friend she is. wanting to drag someone into a hurricane with her." but I know you get me, thats whats so fun about you).
Now I'm in Middleton and you're not here and that really stinks. I tried to get my family to go through Rexburg after we took Andrew to the MTC. They said it was too far out of the way. I wish you were here! Hey, whay aren't you here? You're best friend is within driving distance and you won't even go see her!? Whats that about. I guess I just love you more than you love me. Oh well, I'm leaving to go back down to Jumanji on Monday. Daniel says they STILL don't have power. And it is HOT. Oh well, maybe I can sweat off the last 10 pounds I have to lose.
OK. Really. We need to start formulating our plan here soon. Our husbands are graduating soon (somewhat) and we are going to start needing to break them down so that we end up being neighbors for the rest of our lives. We need to make it happen Tiff. Because seriously, I don't think I can live without you. I am scouting out a nice spot of land in Magnolia...it has our names written all over it...if only we could convince the Daniels...
So you "tagged" me, I didn't even know I was playing, but I guess that means its my turn to answer your questions. Here it is:
1. 3 Joys
Tiffany Dunn
Breyers Rocky Road
Really good kisses (but not from Tiffany Dunn)

2. 3 Fears
That everyone I love will die and go to heaven and I will be left alive and alone.
Going crazy.
Living a boring and unhappy life.

3. Current Goals
Get my hubby graduated
Get my son walking
Get myself together

4. Current Obsessions
Scrapbooking
Interior Decorating
Self-help

5. Random facts about me
I am more fun around Tiffany Dunn than anyone else in the world.
I have a fifth grade picture of myself that looks just like Legolus off of Lord of the Rings.
I secretly wish I was a rockstar and I can't wait to be old so that I have an excuse to act completely ridiculous and wear outrageous hats. (those last two things were oddly unrelated)


There you go Tiff! NOw I guess I'm sposed to tag someone...I tag Aubrey and Lisa! Tiff! I love you and miss you tons! I will be better at ccalling you! I hope you enjoyed your own little post from me to you!

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Gettin Outta Town!

Hey everyone! Sorry its been a while since I last posted. There hasn't been a whole lot going on but at the same time its been soooo busy (how does that make any sense?)! Daniel is trying very hard to enjoy his internship. He has definately learned what he DOES NOT want to do for a career. At least hes getting that much out of the experience. Along with work he is taking some online classes. I am also taking three online classes in an attempt to graduate with some form of a degree in April alongside Daniel. I haven't taken classes since 2005 so I am very rusty and new to the online classroom thing. It will be interesting and difficult to get back into school mode. We'll see how it goes.
In other news, hurricane Ike looks like it might hit us in a few days. Conveniently on the day that I was supposed to be flying out to Boise to take my little brother to the MTC. So I had to change my flight to leave a day sooner. Hopefully that will be good enough to dodge that storm. It will be a very INTERESTING experience flying with Peyton and no help. I don't know if I even have enough arms to cart everything around. Hes pretty active now and is starting to definately express himself which could be very bad news on a long flight. All I can ask is this...PRAY FOR ME. :) Peyton and I will be in Middleton until the 22nd. Daniel doesn't like the idea much considering the fact that the longest hes been away from me was 9 days a couple years ago and the longest hes been away from Peyton was 5. Good thing hes got his parents and friends to keep him entertained. Peyton and I are very excited to see Uncle Andrew off for his 2 year mission with the church to Mexico City and we are also very excited to show CiCi and Poppy our new "tricks" (waving byebye and bear crawling etc.).
Anyway, thats pretty much all I've got right now...Oh! Nona and I have totally redone her kitchen the last week and a half! I will post the before and after pics soon. It looks amazing and we love it! Write more when I get back!