2008

Thanks for the tag Stacy. I keep looking at everyone else's blogs and thinking, "I am so glad no one has tagged me yet." I guess it was only a matter of time. Okay, the top 12 events, happenings or moments of 2008...

1. I convinced Michael to quit his crappy, low-paying job in Boulder City so he could take a much better job in Bakersfield. While it may sound easy, it took a lot of crying and threatening on my behalf to get him to realize it was a smart move. Now, he loves his job. Oh and did I mention that his old company in BC is requiring all their pilots to take a week of unpaid "vacation" in December, January and February?

2. We moved to Bakersfield. I know it ties in with the first one but we really do love it here (me more than Michael). Although we really miss Henderson and all our friends there, I really feel like we made the right move. We have made some really good friends in just a short time and I can't imagine being anywhere else right now.

3. Grandpa Oz came for Emma's 3rd birthday. We love it when Grandpa comes to visit!! Emma can't get enough of him!! He has been able to come for all of Emma's birthdays so far.

4. Michael got called to be in the Elder's Quorum Presidency. We got a call from our Stake High Councilman asking us to come to the church and Michael totally thought they were going to give me a calling. The look on his face was priceless when he found out it was for him.

5. I got called to be Young Women's President. Did I mention this happened a week before I gave birth?!? It's nice to be in a small ward where you are appreciated. I only have 3 girls but they are all so cute and I love serving with them.

6. Lucas Phillip was FINALLY born!! He was only a week late (who's counting right?) but he finally decided to make his grand appearance on August 5, 2008 at 8:18 am. If he had been born 13 minutes earlier it would have been 8 lbs 5 oz on 8-5 at 8:05. Wouldn't that have been cool??

7. Grandma Ganoush got to come for Lucas' birth. I guess it was a blessing that Lucas decided to hang out for awhile because that meant that my Mom got to be there when he was born. There is nothing quite like bringing a child into the world while the person who brought you into the world is right there helping you.

8. Labor Day weekend. We went to Vegas to show Lucas off and see a few friends. Grandpa Oz came down to meet us and got to see his grandson for the first time. My brother, Ian also came down all the way from Idaho for the weekend too.

9. Michael turned 40!!! I am officially married to an old man now!

10. Disneyland, Disneyland and more Disneyland!! We ended up going to Disneyland 4 times in the space of a month. Emma keeps asking when we'll go back again. We had a blast spending time with our family in Newport Beach and playing all over Southern California with them. Just the other day, Emma asked if we could go to Max's house for his birthday in January.

11. Stacia's wedding weekend. I saw Twilight in Vegas with Becky, drove to UT for Stacia's wedding and wrecked my car all in one weekend. Overall, not the best weekend but it really made both Michael and I grateful for "hidden" blessings (ie nobody was hurt in the accident). Plus I got to see my dad's new house!!

12. I turned 30!! Now Michael is no longer married to a "young lady". However, I will always be younger than he is!!

My honorable mentions...Mary's visit last summer and Michael's surgery in November. That wasn't nearly as hard as I thought it would be. Ok, I am tagging....Kim, Clarissa, Becky, Deidra, Brandy, Stacey Romney and Robin (that means you'll have to start blogging now). Good luck!!

Santa found us!!

Emma was very worried that Santa wouldn't be able to come to our house because it hadn't snowed and we don't have a chimney. Well, I am happy to report that Emma was on the "nice" list this year and Santa definitely found our house. She made out like a bandit!! She got this AWESOME doll house for Barbie and all her friends. This thing is taller than she is and comes complete with it's own furniture and elevator! The Barbie you see sitting in the chair was courtesy of my good friend, Chris....it's Mary Poppins!! Isn't that AWESOME??? Only Chris could find a Mary Poppins Barbie!!

Don't worry, Lucas was pretty spoiled as well. Santa brought him a basketball set (that will be great in another month or so) and a Woody doll. He loves to eat Woody while he's in his car seat (or anywhere else he is).

Poor Ali Cat was a little overwhelmed with all the craziness and took refuge under the tree when it was all over. I can't believe it has been almost two years since we saved her from the shelter.

Thank you to everyone for all the cool things we got. Especially the remote control helicopter and the book of our family vacation. We love it all!!

The Reason for the Season....

I love nativity sets. I currently own four of them and I am planning on expanding my collection whenever I get the chance. I love the whole Christmas season and all the fun things that come with it. But I have to say that my favorite thing to do during the holidays is to turn all the lights off, turn the Christmas tree on and just sit in the peace and quiet and stare at the tree.


I hate how easy it is to get caught up in all the hustle and bustle and totally forget the whole reason why we even celebrate Christmas. We went over to Damon and Clarissa's house for Family Home Evening a few weeks ago. We let the kids dress up and act out the Christmas story (I forgot my camera). They were so cute. Damon asked the girls if they knew why we celebrated Christmas and I was so proud of Emma when she said, "It's Jesus' birthday." I am so glad that she recognizes that Santa isn't the only important thing about Christmas.

I hope that this year (even though Christmas has already come and gone) we can all take a moment to stop and remember why we all love Christmas. Take the time to remember the reason for the season.

This one is for you, Robin.

The other day, my friend Robin made a comment to me about how she loves to have Emma over to play because she never makes a big mess when we are there.

Need I say more?

What happens when Daddy is left alone with the kids

So the other night, I had our youth activity at church and I left Michael at home with both Emma and Lucas. He has been obsessed with getting our Christmas cards out this year (Thank you sweetheart because I honestly lacked the motivation) and he was on the phone with his dad getting some addresses when Emma walked into the kitchen...

She had found my makeup (I have no idea where from - I never wear it) and had smeared waterproof mascara all over her face. She was so proud because she thought she looked like a kitty cat. We got a few good laughs before we threw her in the tub and started the scrubbing process.

What?? I can't hear you...I'm 30 now!!

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday dear Claire!
Happy Birthday to you!!!

A tooth?? Are you kidding me???

So, I keep bragging about how good of a baby Lucas is and I have one more story just to illustrate that point. We went to the doctor on Monday for his 4 month checkup (he is now 26 inches long and weighs 16 lbs) and while we were there, Dr. Rafiq checked Lucas' gums for teeth. Nothing. On Tuesday, I noticed that he had a little white nubby starting to show. Yesterday (Wednesday) I checked his gums and guess what? He had cut his first tooth!! In 2 days!! Did I mention that all through this arduous process that he was still happy and smiling?? He did wake up every 2-3 hours on Tuesday night but last night he only woke up once. What an amazing kid!!! Hopefully all his teeth will be this easy.