Tagged...again :)

-Post these rules to your blog
-Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names

My Joys:
1- A happy, healthy Aubrey.
2- A road trip with Justin, or family, or friends
3- Family reunions...I just love them. I thrive on chaos and what better chaos than with family.

My Fears:
1- Losing a loved one.
2- Bad health- for me or anyone I'm close to. (I'm a bit of a hyperchondriac)
3- getting in trouble...at work or with any type of authority. I'm a goody-goody.

My Goals:
1- Train for Volkslauf
2- Take the pacifier from Aubrey this summer- Any advice?
3- Read/study my Bible more often

My Current Obsessions/Collections:
1- Reading blogs
2- Downloading digiscrap freebies. Check out this site that posts daily freebie updates.
3- Finding cute sundresses...so far, unsuccessfully.

Random Surprising Facts About Me:
1- I have 3 kidneys. *I can't donate the extra because it no longer functions
2- Counting step, half and whole I have: 3 brothers and 4 sisters...meaning I'm one of 8 children (I know Anna, you've got me beat :) ) I don't really count all of them because some have children almost as old as me, but still.
3- I have bad luck on vacations. A couple of examples: I almost died in the Grand Canyon (a helicopter even came in and brought us Gatorade) and on 9-11 we were supposed to fly home from Cabo San Lucas, but obviously our flight was cancelled. We had to stay there for an extra week while a tropical storm hit. Basically, the whole town shut down. Then we had to take a bus home to Tiajuana where we had to walk across the border and drive home with a friend's dad.

I feel like I'm wearing out my tag welcome, so lets do some people who need to post or I haven't tagged before.

1. Alisha
2. Charlotte (although she just had her 4th child, so I'm not sure she'll find the time)
3. Teri
4. Madonna
...and Amber, if you ever get your blog up and running. It would be a good getting to know you blog.

Wacky Weather

Summer has arrived. Well, had arrived. The weekend before last, it was in the 100's and we went swimming twice. We had a backyard BBQ with Aubrey's (3rd?) cousin Gwen and the girls were adorable.

"Cheese...well kinda!"

Doing the dog jumps

Modeling her bikini bod! :)

The warm weather also made for a nice "Fun on the Run" day at Dewar's. The kids enjoyed their ice cream and the mommies enjoyed the conversation and retreat from the heat.

Cuties

Check out those incredible eyes!

My favorite- looks like she enjoyed her sherbert!

(Did you ever get those stains out Sara?)

And the mess....

I really am happy with the way these get togethers are turning out. It seems that all my close friends from growing up no longer live in town, so I really wanted to start to form friendships with women who live here and are in the same stage of life as me. It's been really enjoyable getting to know other moms better. The next "Fun on the Run" even is next Thurs. Hopefully, you'll be able to make it.

Anways, the wacky weather began last weekend when winter came back to visit for a short while. This was Aubrey's backyard outfit this weekend. She's looking confused because she doesn't know where the summer weather went?!

Reality TV

So I'm looking at casting calls for reality TV....because I'd like to win a lot of money or a new wardrobe.

Here are some of the casting calls that I don't qualify for, but think would be great for some of you.

People I have in mind for this one: Sara, Colleen and Davi (a team of 3), Emily, Talia, and any other mom's of 2 or more who are in southern California.

NOW CASTING for a new show for BBC Worldwide and LIFETIME. SEEKING STAY-AT-HOME MOM’S with 2 or more children.

LOOKING FOR MARRIED COUPLES with 2 or more children. Mother must be a STAY-AT-HOME mom who juggles the hectic life of being a multi-tasking guru and is ready for some much deserved time off.

The show is called “The Week The Women Went” premising 3 mother’s, who are friends, neighbors or have kids involved in the same activity, as they go on a vacation together to see how their husband handles things while they are away. Essentially the husband’s will step into his wives shoes.

The husbands will compete against each other for a GRAND PRIZE. The show is heartfelt and fun, meant to encourage relationships to flourish.

TO AUDITION: Email a brief bio about yourself and your family, including your name, age and the ages of your children, where you live and some of the activities your children are involved in. Explain why you would be great for the show. Please include a recent photo of you and your family and a contact phone number. The casting department will contact you.

CASTINGFAMILIES@gmail.com


Top Chef 5: Justin's cousin Julie
You have to download the application.


The Newlywed Game or Here Come The Newlyweds: Kurt and Alisha
TheNewlywedGame@embassyrow.com


I'm saving a couple to apply for myself. Not sure when that'll happen, but they sound fun!

Oh and I'll get back to posting pictures of Aubrey soon!

A Nerd

It's official, I'm a nerd. I guess "nerd" is a relative term. I've always had plenty of friends and I've gotten along well with others, but part of me is just....different...you know, NERDY.

I'll do a reverse rundown of my day to provide support for my "nerd" rating. Tonight we had a retirement party for a teacher at my work. We had a great time, but it was over by 8 and some of the other teachers and I were talking about how our hubbies were watching the kids so it would be fun to hang out. This is where the "nerd" comes in. In my mind "hang out" means 1. Coffee, 2. Dessert, 3. and activity like a movie or bowling. No, I'm not in 8th grade, I'm just me. So I suggest these ideas and they look at me like I'm, well, a nerd. Apparently the "cool" adults only hang out at bars(or lounges or pubs, call it what you like). I guess I just don't really see the point. I mean, I don't mind social drinking like wine or beer with dinner (which they all had already enjoyed- not me, I don't drink), but since drinking alcohol and driving can be illegal if you've had too much, I guess I just don't see the point in driving to another destination to drink. Can't we just talk over coffee or while bowling? Everyone only had one drink, but it still felt weird to me. I almost felt like I was in high school again as one of the teachers told me about how one day they were going to take me out and make me drink. No thanks. What's the big deal? It's like if we went to coffee and someone got decaf and I felt the need to pressure them into getting caffeine. WHO CARES?!

So anyways, I couldn't get over the fact that MOST people in America think this a normal way of socializing. I realize it is, but it just seems so different to me. I told Justin it felt like a normal day in the lunch room, only it was dark and everyone had a drink. It's the nerd in me again. I like to do something when I hang out. It was fun to spend time with women I get along with, but it just felt so foreign to me. Honestly, I 've been to like 3 bars in my whole life and each time I felt awkward.... Okay, enough of my rant about how socializing always has to be at bars.

Other reasons for the "nerd" label. Before the retirement party, I had spent the entire day doing a craft project with my SIL Alisha. Based on our inspiration piece from Anthroplogie, we made an apron using some fabric I already had. It turned out really cute, although this picture doesn't do it justice (neither of us wanted to model it becuase we hadn't showered). Anyways, we spent the entire day in our gruby clothes...SEWING, and we loved every moment of it. Now, hopefully my crafty friends don't take offense to this, but at my work, my craftiness makes me a nerd. (I guess that means that I should change my "Bridge Bunch" label to "Nerd Herd" :) right? ) When I tell them I sew and garden, they look at me like I need to get a life. If I'm a nerd, what do "cool" people do for hobbies?

So there you have it....

No Drinking=NERD
"Activities"=NERD
Crafty= NERD

Barbie=NERD :) and happy to be one.

Puzzles and Posts

I have a few posts that I've been thinking about doing, but haven't gotten around to it. I'll work on that this weekend, but until then, here's a video of Aubrey from this morning.

Aubrey LOVES puzzles just like her daddy did when he was a little boy. Here she is doing her new puzzle with sounds.

PAUSE THE MUSIC TO HEAR THE VIDEO

Look Alikes

Almost everyone tells me that Aubrey and I look alike. I definitely think this is true to some extent, but she REALLY looks like her grandma Kim.

What do you think?

Fun with Friends

Just a reminder that our next "Fun on the run" event is this Tuesday!
Our last outing to CALM was a blast. Hope to have you join us on Tuesday.

And I bawled like a baby

Ducklings and Neighbors

This morning as I was watching the weather, I decided I better let Aubrey get some outside time, before our scorcher of a weekend comes. We walked down the street to pick up Brogan and headed to the nice shaded dirt walking path we have nearby (I think orignially it was intended to be a horse path, but now that suburbia has sprawled, it's a nice walking path.) As we were about to cross the street, we noticed a duck and her 10 or so ducklings crossing the other street. WHAT THE HECK? Where is your camera when you need it? We have no ponds nearby, so my only guess is that they came from the drainage sump. Aubrey has quite the fascination with ducks, so it totally made her morning. She just kept talking about the "duckies".

This woman who was jogging also stopped to talk about the surprising sight. She said she had a granddaughter Aubrey's age that she had just got back from visiting in Houston. From there, I went on to explain why Brogan was in his jammie pants and a t-shirt and Aubrey was in a sundress. I didn't want her to think they were both mine and I just worried about my little girl being dressed (not that she would, but they were quite the interesting duo). Anywho, we kept talking while the kids walked along the trail checking out the plants, etc. She asked me if I had lived here long because her daughter was about my age and went to Centennial. We figured out she was a couple of years younger and she just kept chatting away. She seemed super nice, but was asking a lot of questions. She asked where I went to church, if I was a stay at home mom, what my name was. If she had been a man, I would have loaded the kids in the stroller and headed home quickly, but I just assumed she was a nice woman who was missing her daughters. I am still hoping that's the case. I didn't really give her any information that could potentially be dangerous, but I can't stop feeling anxious about it.

This feeling of anxiety makes me wonder if we live in a society that promotes anti-social behavior. I know that we have to be careful, but should I really feel paranoid about having a conversation with a nice lady...one who left me with a "Lord bless your day!"? And Justin's grandma and I had a conversation yesterday about how now days rarely do people spend time outside talking to their neighbors. Most people pull in, go inside, and only come back out to go to work the next day. She also talked about how people no longer feel like it's appropriate to stop by and say hello without calling. Really, I think it's a shame. As the Lord's messengers, maybe I need to make it a point to be more like the lady I met while walking. Maybe I need to make an effort to connect with people, even when it may not be 100% comfortable. Everyone could use a "Lord bless your day", right?!

Mother's Day Weekend :)

My mom lives in Florida, so I spent Mother's day weekend with my mother-in-law, sister-in-law, her mom, Justin and Aubrey. It really was perfect. I wanted to go buy myself some clothes and just enjoy some girl time, so Justin watched Aubrey ALL DAY on Sat. while us ladies went down south to shop. We had a blast dream shopping (you know dreaming about all the great stuff we wish we could afford), bargain shopping, and goofing around.

Modeling some stylin pink shades!

At Anthropolgie, trying on our "inspiration" piece for aprons that Alisha and I want to make.

On Sunday, we woke up too late to make it to 1st service (we got home pretty late from shopping). We got some food together and headed to the lake to meet Justin's parents for some kayaking. We were worried Aubrey wouldn't be into the lake or kayak, but after a few minutes, she was all about it. She had a blast playing in the water, riding in the kayak to see the ducks, and just plain soaking in the sun (with SPF 60 :) ) It was a nice afternoon that was followed by a 2 hour nap for both Aubrey and I. We finished it off with dinner at Grandma and Grandpas with Kurt and Alisha. I was also spoiled with gifts. Justin and Aubrey made the sweetest stepping stone for our garden and of course gave me permission to have a guilt-free shopping trip. It was just what I wanted, something personal and something fun. To top the wonderful weekend off, our adorable friend Allyson sent me some Mother's Day good mail that totally made my Monday!!! Isn't this apron adorable?! Honestly, people, good mail is such a great way to make someone's day! I just love that girl and I miss her too!

The handprints and rocks even glow in the dark! (Aubrey picked the kit out all by herself :) ) Don't worry Alisha, we'll still make those inspiration aprons. Maybe I'll just "pay it forward" and mail the homemade one to someone else :)
But isn't my new apron cute?!I hope everyone had a Mother's Day full of fond memories and special mothers!

Being a Mom

It involves so much more than you thought it ever could. And it makes you feel a love deeper than you could ever imagine. And yet, it's weird to think that my mom was (or IS (hopefully)) as enamored with me as I am with Aubrey. She loves me that deeply and has for the last 27 years. We don't always get along perfectly, but my mom really is a pretty amazing mom. She worked hard to raise me and my sister and we're better people because of that. At times life felt crazy, but I knew no matter what happened, she would be there for us. Thanks mom, for the sacrafices you made to make our life better and for teaching me strong values and believing in me. I can only imagine how frustrating it may have been raising 2 teenage daughters with strong opinions, but you did it! I love you!

Birthdays and BBQs

We celebrated a few belated birthdays this week. First, it was Papa CC's birthday. We went over to his house for pizza, cake and ice cream. Yum! The kids all love their Papa CC and so do we! He's always been such a constant in our lives, if that makes sense. He's predictable and that has always given me a sense of security. I can basically go to any of his usual restaurants and order for him because I know what he likes. I know his routine, his likes/dislikes, but most of all, I know he'll always be there for us if we need him. Thanks Goober for always loving us like we're your own kids! Happy Birthday! Then yesterday we celebrated Brogan and Tyler's birthdays a couple of weeks late. Tyler (Christy's stepson) turned 13 on April 13th and Brogan turned 3 on the 18th. Unfortunately, while they were at Disneyland celebrating, Brogan got a NASTY stomach flu, which the whole family (including Aubrey) ended up getting....so their party was postponed until now. Jed and Christy BBQd hamburgers and the kids had fun playing. I swear that Tyler gets more handsome the further he goes into adolescence. That was not the case for me. Jr. High equaled the ugly stage, but not for him. Brogan is also adorable, as usual! He was so busy with all his new toys and Aubrey enjoyed checking them out too.
Check out Tyler's HUGE pocket knife. This was a gift from my dad, of course. We all enjoyed discussing the multitude of weapons my dad likes to purchase for gifts :) I think I got my first BB gun and pocket knife at the ripe old age of 7.

Finally, we also had Justin's school carnival on Friday night and my school BBQ today. Isn't Aubrey so cute with her daddy...even with a nice scabbed up nose?! :) Forgot the camera at my school BBQ, but it was fun.

Aubrey's ME-ME post!

Hi folks, it's Aubrey and this post is all about ME!

My cool friend Ollie tagged me, and I'm really exicted to share some stuff about ME! I know, I know, my mom already brags about me a lot, but isn't that what blogs are for?!

• I already go to the gym and workout each week. Gotta burn those calories and work those muscles! Mommy and I LOVE playing at MyGym. My favorites are the ball pit, swings and ramps that make noise when I walk on them. I have 2 teachers there, Nino and Bree. I don't like Nino. He's never done anything to make me not like him, but I'm afraid of him anyways. The other kids in my class are a few months older than me, but I still like playing with them. Sometimes I get mad when they want to play on the same stuff I'm playing on, but I'm learning how to share (mommy says I have to). Daddy comes with us too when we go to freeplay.
  
  
• I'm pretty much obsessed with babies. I love my baby cousin Reagan, I love my dolls, and I love my stuffed animals. I give them pacis, put them in their stroller, pat them on the back, sing "Rock a bye" to them and give them loves.
  
• I love CHEESE! I like string cheese, shredded cheese and my favorite mac-n-cheese! More cheese please!
  
  


• Poppy is my best friend! Aren't dogs supposed to be? We love playing together! She lets me climb all over her and she still gives me kisses! I think it's soooo funny when she growls at her stuffed animals as she shakes them. Sometimes she sneaks up to my little table while I'm eating and steals some of my food, but I'm really good at telling her, "No Poppy!". We even have the same nickname...well kind of.... she's Poppy-girl and I'm Aubrey-girl!
  



• I also love ICE CREAM! I scream for Ice Cream! I even did a face plant on Thurs while Uncle Jed was getting me ice cream. My face is all bruised and scabbed up because of it, but it was worth it! MMMMM.....Yummy.....sweet ice cream!


• My newest favorite hobby is putting together puzzles. My daddy used to like them too when he was younger. I especially like my shape puzzle because I can do it by myself, but I like playing with daddy's old ones too. Daddy and I do the Pluto (the dog) puzzle together and I think it's super fun. I tell him "help, daddy" and he does! YAY!
  

Thanks for reading my me-me post! I can't wait to read about my (soon to be big brother) cousin Dallin, my (amazing hair) friend Gracie, and my (kick back and relax) friend Sam.