My New Do!

I did it!  I cut my hair short and dyed it blond, well put in blond highlights anyway!  I'm thinking either people love it or hate it because they either rave about it to me or don't say anything at all.  It's such a drastic difference that it's not like people just don't notice.  So when they don't say anything...

That's okay because I like it!  Here is a pic!

Keagan-pants turns 2!

Don't ask me how he ended up with that nickname, but it's what I call him.  I think it comes from 'cutie-pants'.  He loves bikes.  The problem is he's not big enough to pedal, and we're so lucky that he got a new one for his birthday!  

His vocabulary is really growing.  Up until about 1-2 months ago, he could say "mama" and "mo" (or no).  Now he says mom, dad, juice, chew (shoe), bompa (grandpa), eye (I, eye, and ice), mo (no), Pabo (Pablo from Backyardigans), among many, many others.  And of course 'mine' is as clear as a bell!  He is two after all.  Everyday he has a new word, it's so fun! 

We are having issues with sleeping in a bed.  This is naptime.  He refused to go into his room, and ended up falling asleep on the stairs.  This is even more funny because just the day before I was joking with my visiting teacher that he'll end up sleeping on the stairs all night if he doesn't stay in his bed.  Moms always know best.  =)

We had a party tonight with both our families here, and had so much fun!  He got lots of gifts that he loves...a lawnmower (bubble blowing), tool belt and tools, fire truck, tricycle, ball, Thomas trains, Thomas pajamas, a Backyardigans movie...man is this boy spoiled or what?

Happy Birthday Buddy!!

Wait...What?!

This is what I woke up to this morning.  Yesterday I went to work with a jacket on, and didn't even wear it on the way out to my car.  Then this morning...it's snowing!  That's right.  Today is March 27th, almost April and it's snowing outside!  I guess we do have a few good ski days left this year!

I had to brush the snow off the flowers to even see that that's what was underneath.  Here's another pretty picture of the cute pink flowers that are blooming in my front yard, under all the snow!

Zander on the slopes!

The Z-Man

A picture of Zander taken by Zander

Zander has been so funny lately.  He turned 5 in December and is getting smarter (and taller) everyday.  He says things that make me wish I could just tape record everything he says so that someday I could play it back for him.  There are a few I wrote down because he just keeps us thoroughly entertained.  Here are a few snippets into my life with Zander:

Side note:  The following conversation was actually a few conversation wrapped into one for your reading enjoyment.

We were talking about living places and I told him we lived in an apartment before he was born.

Z: Before I was born?  So I was in your tummy?

R: No, it was before you were in my tummy, too.  You were still in heaven.  Babies are in heaven first, then they come to mommy's tummies before they are born.

Z: So, is heaven in your tummy?  Because that's what it sounds like you are telling me.

R: (No response)

Z: How did the baby get in your tummy?

R: Uhhh....

Z: I know! (Whew!) Jesus put it there because he's magic, right?  Jesus does whatever we ask him too, and because he's magic you can put your body in the graveyard and go ask Jesus to put a baby in your tummy, and he will, then you can fly back down and put your body on like a costume and come back home.  How does the baby come out of your tummy?

R: (This is about the only time I'm truly grateful that I have c-sections!)  Well, they cut a small hole in my tummy and take the baby out through the hole, then they sew it back together.

Keep in mind, these are all direct quotes.  I wrote them down right after they happened, and you can see why!

We were talking about winking.  (I lead the music in church during sacrament meeting, and often wink at my kids when up there.)

R:  You wink at someone when you think they're cute.  Or sometimes just because you like or love that person.

Z: (Winks at me)

R: Oh, Zander, do you think I'm cute?

Z: What?! No!  I just love you.

R: (laughing) You don't think I'm cute?

Z: Well, maybe on Sundays when you're all dressed up and stuff.

We told him Easter was coming soon and he said, "Easter is my favorite because the sun is up and the snow is almost gone and the flowers start to grow that you can pick for your mom..." (then he winks at me).

"Is Christmas coming soon, because I feel the Christmas spirit a lot right now."

We sure love our Zander man, and all the cute things he says, too!

I'm #36!! I'm #36!!

Which at this point is so much better than being #1 (on the wait list that is)!

I GOT IN!!!!

I was accepted today into the U of U PA Program (or UPAP)!  Somebody dropped yesterday, so I'm #36 in the PA class of 2010.  YEAH ME!!!

Classes start May 12th (summer semester), then I'll have class summer, fall, spring and summer, then I'll have 1 year of rotations.  I'll do 5 different rotations, of 4 weeks each, in primary care (this is actually 22 weeks and can include other specialties), pre-natal care/GYN, pediatrics, emergency medicine, an surgery.  Then there is potentially one elective at the end.

I can't believe I actually made it in!  All the work and prayers and worrying and prayers...HAVE FINALLY PAID OFF!!!

Crafts with the kids

So, I bought these on clearance for $2 each about 4 years ago or something.  I found them again when we moved and decided to do something with them.  Michael has been looking for hooks of some kind to "contain all my bags" and the boys needed something to do with their coats other than throwing them on the floor....so we made these, and hung them in our rooms!  

Zander (and Keagan) painted green on theirs, then I helped them touch up the stripes.  I was pretty proud of how they turned out (and myself) so I thought I'd share!