Letters to my Daddy:

Okay everyone, my crazy cousins Jenny and Karen are doing the nicest thing for my Dad before his next chemo session and we want everybody to be involved. No matter how well you know my Dad, we would like you to write him a letter of encouragement. Jenny and Karen are making a book that they will give him with all of the letters. It would mean a lot to our whole family, and we hope to get lots and lots of letters. E-mail them to me ASAP: gdbrittanygd@hotmail.com. Thank you all for your time and for loving my Dad! (Oh, and please keep it a secret from my Dad so that it will be a surprise!)

The Biggest Loser:

(Let me clarify: Loser as in weight, not social skills, although my social skills are a bit lacking too. I hang out with little kids all day- what do you expect?)
So, as everyone knows, I had a baby a little over 2 months ago. Can I just say.... I HATE women who give birth and then leave the hospital in their pre-pregnancy jeans? Okay I don't hate them, I am just really really jealous. I literally can't get my above my knees. Hell, I can't even zip my husbands jeans that I am wearing. Anyways, a few weeks ago I decided to start working out. Those of you who know me are rolling on the floor laughing. My idea of working out is reaching for something in the fridge. I am just so sick of being a bit tubby; but even more than that, I want to be HEALTHY. Here is what I have learned since I started excersizing:

-Excersize videos have really cheesy music.

-2 pound weights can get quite heavy!

-I can loose more weight by peeing and nursing than working out for a month. (I just lost a pound this morning using the pee/ nurse method).

-My knees click- a lot!

-Just because you can see your toes doesn't mean you can touch them.

-Jumping Jacks make your brain jiggle... I swear I can feel mine moving around in my head. Jason says because it is so small. (Huh?? I don't get it.)

-I look really sexy in my workout clothes. You know... garments with a sports bra.

-3 year olds cannot do jumping jacks but they can sit on your back to intensify push-ups.

-Excersize does NOT give you more energy. I find that I am much more energized by a donut. (Particulary, Bavarian Creme).

-I can be more motivated and devoted to something I hate than I thought.

Well, hopefully I can keep it up and feel confident to go swimming this summer in Holly's pool (Hint hint Holly). OR at least go up the stairs without panting.

Monkey See.... Monkey Do

Christian is such a crack-up. I never know what he is going to do or say most days that will make us laugh. Last time we were here (about a month ago) Christian wanted to do everything just like Owen. He was pretending he was a baby and being a bit jealous whenever Owen got attention. I did get a couple of pictures that give you an idea of how silly Christian was being:




This time, he wants to be a big boy and asks to hold Owen, help bathe him, and do all of the "big boy" things. Christian has been doing this for a couple days, and a couple nights ago Owen pooped while Christian was holding him and blew out on Christian's leg. Lets just say, he hasn't asked to hold Owen unless he says "Owen don't poop on me?" We assure him that Owen won't (we hope). It is nice that my parents can be around all of the time to see the boys grow and develop. But we sure do miss Daddy!

My husband the Model:

A couple years ago I was reading a series of books and I kept thinking that the guy on the cover looked familiar. Does he look familiar to you??? I think it is really creepy. At least I know what Jason would look like if he were Amish.

My Dad:

Thank You everyone for asking about my Dad. His Chemo at the hospital went pretty good (considering that chemo is essentially killing every part of your body in order to get to the cancer). Then he took shots all last week, and did pretty good with those too. He has been throwing up, and hates doing that as much as I do, so I feel really sorry for him. He is so very tired and won't let my Mom or I do anything for him. I had to race him up the stairs the other day convincing him that I can use a fax machine so that he wouldn't have to do it. Here are some things I hae learned since my Dad was diagnosed with cancer:

-As much as I would like to loose 25 pounds, I am grateful that I can eat without throwing up. And also that I don't have to force myself to eat food that tastes terrible.

-People are both very kind and at the same time very insensitive: Yes, please pray for us. No, do not leave church talks about dying on our doorstep. Yes, we would love your help. No, we don't want people we hardly know to come visit and bring their entire family.

-People who have not experienced loss are both very lucky and very immature.

-When God tests us, he doen't give us much time to study.

-People say they want to help, but oftentimes they don't really mean it. I think it is one of those things that if someone offers and hopes they don't have to, they feel better about themselves without ever having to actually do something or make a sacrifice. I think it would be much better if people would just not offer. That way at least they are honest.

-People are crazy not to spend every minute they can with their families. I watched my parents take care of my Grandparents, most of the time without help from their siblings. How sad for them, I would drive a million miles with 2 kids in the backseat to be with my Dad.

-It sucks being an only child.

-I miss my husband and HATE JP Morgan Chase for not giving him time off of work to be with his family.

-The older I get the faster time flies... which is really scary because I am only 28.

-Children are a true blessing. No matter what happens their innocence is a ray of sunshine. I wish we could all learn something from them. Including me. I obviously could use less bitterness and more understanding in my life.

Christian and Owen love their Papa. Whenever Owen is fussy (which isn't often) we just give him to Papa and he calms down. Christian always want to be near him and spends a lot of time laying with him in the chair.

THe reason I haven't Blogged:

SO I have a really good reason for not blogging. I have been e-baying yarn (over 150 skeins) and trolls (over 100 of those). Anybody who knows my family (Or is part of the family) knows that we get a little obsessed about things. For example: I have been rounding up yarn aroung my mom's house for the last month and have found about 250 skeins. My mom was willing to part with almost half. That is a big deal. I am discovering that she is a bigger pack rat than I thought. The more I wander the house the more I realize I NEVER want to own as many things as my parents do. It is a joke, and I don't mean the funny kind.
So, I have been going through my dozens of boxes in their basement... bye bye Troll collection. The funny thing: Someone has bid $16.49 on this one:

The question remains.... will I be able to get rid of my eraser collection??

(Or my cabbage patch doll collection, or Madame Alexander, or Bouncy Ball, or Bear, or Stuffed Animal, or American Girls, or ... well, you get the point).

Brothers:

Here is a picture of Christian when he was 7 weeks old


And this is Owen at 7 weeks and Christian now. I can't believe how similar they were as babies! Christian had the same dark eyes that are a much lighter blue now. And I think his hair was much thicker and lighter as well.
But even with all of the differences, you can really tell that they are brothers!

I was reading Kendra's blog and she posted some of the funny pictures from Photo Booth. I love the program! I love my MAC (thanks Daddy!) I will never buy a PC again. So anyway, after laughing at Kendra's pictures I wanted to look at all of my old ones... See if you can guess who each person is, the effects are a vast improvement on how we normally look! (Thanks for the idea Kendra, you are so cute!)

Smile Baby, Smile!

Owen has started to smile quite a bit. I just can't get enough of his sweet little smile. What a blessing he is to our family. He is getting quite chubby and sleeps up to 6 hours during the night. I am one happy Mommy! He is a much easier baby than Christian was. I hope it doesn't mean that he will be a horrible teenager! 

Smart Mom/ Stupid Mom:

Smart Mom: Gives her sweet little boy a nice long bath at the end of the day.
Stupid mom: Gives her clean little boy a bowl of Rocky Road after his bath.

Do you have any Stupid Mom moments, or is it just me??

We Miss You Daddy!

Christian, Owen, and I have been out of town helping my parents for a week, and boy does Christian miss his Daddy. And even though Jason has expressed that he likes to be alone, I miss him too.

Every time Christian talks to him on the phone, he throws a fit when he has to hang up. He also doesn't understand that Daddy can't see things here when they are talking and wants to show him things by pointing with the phone.
So honey.... enjoy your freedom for 1 more day before we are back to nag, need diaper changes, cry, and give you lots and lots of hugs and kisses!

100th Post!

Congratulations to me! This is my 100th post! I have been thinking what to write about for this momentous occasion, and I think just about anything would be appropriate, but I haven't really addressed the issue of my Dad. So, that is what I want to write about.

I am not going to go into the details. Those of you who know me already know the struggles that our family has gone through, and will face in the future- so I don't feel like I need to reiterate that.
I do want to say that my Dad is the strongest person that I know. He has always been a perfect example of hard work, spirituality, and patience.
He nursed my Mom through all of her surgeries without a complaint. And will drop what he is doing to help anybody.
He is a wonderful "Papa," Christian, Owen, and Brea adore him and are drawn to his easygoing personality.
Daddy- I am proud of you and your stregnth. I love you!

A Day at the Park:

Top 5 reasons we like the parks in New Mexico better than Utah:
1. Sand instead of Wood Chips- who was the genius that thought of wood chips???
2. Metal slides are faster than plastic- weeeee!
3. Actual swings! Why do the parks near my house not have swings???
4. It's not snowing here, so we can play outside. Ha ha!
5. There aren't a billion kids there.
Christian had fun at the park today. I just wish it was within walking distance!

Easter

I kept forgetting about Easter all week, but at least Nana made sure the kids had new outfits, and Christian isn't picky- as long as he can eat candy. 

Bunky has a blast hunting eggs this year. We kept hiding them when he would turn his back, so it seemed like there were a lot to find. We painted eggs too and that was fun. Christian just can't resist painting his nose... he was very proud.

We are grateful for the Easter season... I even made it to church on time. (Jason was still in the shower when I left, but we won't mention that). My faith is wavering lately, but I am grateful for the gospel, and the strong roots I was raised with always seem to anchor me back to my love for our Savior.

I am so grateful for my family and all that they do for us. I have faith that families are forever.

Bag Tag:

Okay, so I HATE things like chain letters, "pass it on or you will die" e-mails, and forwards. So Jenny, knowing this, you have to realize how much I love you because I am responding to your bag tag. The rules I was given are:

1. Take a picture of your bag.

2. Show a picture of all the contents in your bag,
then name them. NO CLEANING OUT FIRST!
3. "Bag Tag" 5 to 10 people
4. Leave a comment on their Blog that says, "You've been Bag Tagged!"

I will do the first 2, but refuse to pass it on. I do encourage anyone who wants to do it to feel free, it is quite revealing.

Okay- I have a purse I take when I am alone, and a diaper bag for when I have the kids. I never pay more than $10.00 for a bag.... thank you Wal-Mart. 

As you can see, I LOVE coupons! LOVE THEM! But, I forget to use them half of the time. So I always have a bunch of expired coupons in my purse.

Some items that make people not want to borrow my chap-stick: 

Used nursing pad, and dirty diaper. I don't have any chap-stick anyway so I guess I will keep the diaper incase I am mugged, then I can throw it in my assailants face.

My favorite item is the Hooter Hider. It is like a superhero cape for nursing Moms. Anyway, if anyone has any great coupons to pass on, let me know!

New Look

Doesn't my blog look great?? Thank you Megan for the instructions... it took me 2 days to figure out, but it is worth it! Now it feels more personal and scrapbooky. (Is that a word?)

Sleeping Cutie!

Owen keeps falling asleep in his little rocker with his hands up in the air. I don't know if the movement makes him feel like he is falling or what. 

He is such a good sleeper! He wakes up on average every 3 hours during the night, but a couple of nights he has had a 5 hour stretch. He is such a good little boy, we are so blessed to have such a sweet baby in our home. (especially with such rotten parents!)

Ugly Baby Photo:

Like most Moms, I think my kid is really cute (AKA the cutest human being to ever be on the earth). But man, Owen makes the UGLIEST face when he is mad. Can you believe my sweet little guy can make such a rotten face? 

Owen is feeling much better, thank you everyone for your concern!

Poor Owen!

Little Owen has a cold. Christian was like a year old before he ever got sick so I am a little sad. I guess that is what happens when you have older kids. Hopefully it is just a 24 hour thing and he will get feeling better tomorrow. 

The UPS Man:

I have had requests for baby pictures of the UPS man. Although it was a bit awkward, I contacted him after nine months of not speaking to him, and got a baby photo. I still think Owen looks more like me.

Look- alikes

Okay people, I am a little upset that I am the only person who has voted for myself in the looking like Owen poll. After all, we are two of the cutest people that I know. I don't have many baby pictures on my computer, but I found one that may help all of you confused voters out there. I know, I know, I am a bit more crossed-eyed and my second chin is more prominent, but you can get the main idea. Actually, this picture of Owen was taken quite a few days ago, he is getting much more of a second chin going on. Okay... now you can vote!

Geo Trax Addiction

Christian loves his Geo Trax. Daddy loves them even more. Papa came to town and spent a night driving around looking for more Geo Trax. It is the Daddy addiction. I must admit, Jason is getting really good at making cool tracks. This was his first with the elevation pack. Maybe he should be an engineer.

Owen's Blessing:

Owen had such a wonderful blessing last Sunday. I was so overjoyed to have all of the family at our home to celebrate with us. It was so neat to see all of the priesthood holders in our family (and ward family) surround our little boy while Jason gave him a blessing. 

We ended up fasting for my Dad, and also broke our fast that night. My Aunts and Cousins were so sweet and called us Saturday and asked if they could bring us dinner. They catered a huge delicious meal for everyone. It was so wonderful, I can't even tell you how much we all appreciated it. I am humbled to have so many people love us and be concerned about our family. 

Thank you everyone who came out to our house. We love all of you!