25 Random Things

I was also Tagged on Facebook. I thought I would post it on my blog as well since some of my friends and none of my family are on Facebook. So sorry if you've already read this.

1. I've lived in Utah my whole life.
2. My first name is Mary.
3. I love to make crafts-any kind. I go to Hobby Lobby daily.
4. I was blind as a bat until I had Lasik eye surgery 3 years ago.
5. I have a terrible sense of direction. I'm surprised I don't get lost in my own neighborhood.
6. I have a horrible memory. I have to write everything down. I'm also terrible with names.
7. I'm sensitive to smell I can smell some odors a mile away. Some perfumes, candles, or strong smelling foods make me gag.
8. I'd rather be cold then hot. My body doesn't tolerate being over-heated well.
9. I'm hypoglycemic.
10. I love sleeping. I love going to bed early. I love sleeping in. I love taking naps.
11. I hate to fly. I hate being in small spaces.
12. I get dizzy when I lay flat on my back. I have a butt-load of pillows on my bed to help me sleep.
13. My Husband is my best friend and soul mate.
14. In highschool I had my jaw wired shut for 2 months.
15. I hate watching scary movies alone. I hate being home alone.
16. I don't like vegetables.
17. I'm addicted to Pepsi and refuse to drink horrible tasting diet sodas.
18. I was kicked out of 3 high schools in 1 year, but later returned to graduate from BHS.
19. I watch just about every reality show there is on TV.
20. My favorite type of music is "Oldies" I love the Temptions and the Supremes.
21. Small animals like mice freak me out. I don't like cats either.
22. I see a Psychic regularly.
23. I enjoy reading Self-Help books.
24. I would play on the computer all day if I could.
25. I almost didn't make it to the hospital with my last baby. My labor was so quick I had to experience Child Birth naturally. Not fun!

5 Things

My friend Mandi tagged me. She is an old friend from Middle School, we found each other on Facebook and have been keeping in touch through blogging. Mandi, your so cute, thanks for the tag:

5 Things I was doing 5 years ago:

1. I was taking care of Olivia who was 3 and Damon who was 9 months old.
2. I was on a strict diet and working with a Trainer.
3. I was going to Jazzercise classes 3 or 4 times a week.
4. We were still living in our first home. We built this home in West Jordan while we were engaged.
5. We thought we were done having kids. (Jasmine had other plans for us.)

5 Things on my to-do list TODAY:

1. Make appointment to get nails done.
2. Call a few Preschools.
3. Watch Damon carefully since he is not feeling well and almost had to get an IV today.
4. Put gas in the mini-van. Yes, I drive a mini-van and proud of it! (Not really I drive John's Acura any chance I get.)
5. Try to figure out what's for dinner.

5 Things I would do if I had a million dollars:

1. Pay off house.
2. Get a new car.
3. Buy a summer home
4. Pay for kids college.
5. Finish the basement and yard.

5 Places I've lived.

1. South Jordan, UT.
2. West Jordan, UT.
3. Riverton, UT.
4. Park City, UT.
5. West Valley, UT.

5 Jobs I've held:

1. Account Manager for Discover Card Financial.
2. New Accounts also for Discover Card Financial.
3. Loan Auditor for Crossland Mortgage.
4. Receptionist/Office Assistant for Erik Laver Success Systems.
5. Sales Associate for Bakers Shoes.

5 Things I want to be doing in 5 years.

1. I want my house to be totally finished. Since we just built it, we still have the yard and basement to work on.
2. I want to be done decorating my house and to be done buying furniture.
3. I want John to continue to be self-employed and to continue loving it!
4. I want to go back to school to learn Photography or Decorating.
5. I want my family to be healthy and strong.

5 People I tag:

1. Danielle
2. Tiffani
3. Yvette
4. Heather
5. Gina

Chinese New Year

Happy New Year!

Today we spent the afternoon with The Nguyen Family celebrating Chinese New Year. We enjoyed a nice lunch and we exchanged little red envelopes of money. Chinese New Year isn't officially until tomorrow, but I love that my children can experience the Vietnamese culture first hand. The little red envelopes are kept until next year and whatever you decide to spend that money on will bring you good luck. We will have to decide what to spend last years money on very carefully so that our purchase will bring us good luck.

The Biggest, Best Snowman

The kids had a short day from school and so they decided to build their first snowman.

We've had a pretty uneventful week. I did fall down the stairs yesterday. I really hurt my elbow and my rear, but I'm OK. It's surprising that we've lived here for two years and I've only fallen down the stairs twice. Everyone who knows my family knows we fall all the time and it's always hilarious even if you do get hurt! When I told my family I fell, everyone laughed and I got no sympathy.

Damon was the "Super Kid" in his class. Unfortunately his teacher didn't make to much of a big deal about it. We did get to go into his class on Tuesday to talk to them about some of his favorite things, but it felt like his teacher just rushed us in and out so I don't even have any pictures to share. I do however, have a few funny things that Damon said over the last week. He's always cracking us up. The other day I told him it was time to go to the bus stop, he said "Mom, your the meanest lady I know." He then threw a fit about going to school so when I threatened to spank him he said "Yeah well, I don't think you have the guts WOMAN!" A few days before that we were trying to watch a movie and he said "Mom, I'm ready for bed. You know I need my beauty sleep." He is really a "Super Kid."

We started our Puppy Training Class last Saturday. It's actually a lot of fun. It's cute to see such a small creature learn something new. It's really fun to watch Olivia take such an interest in training her puppy.

Olivia has also been taking Chloe on walks every afternoon, but she is so spoiled the walks usually end with Liv just carrying her home.

I've been looking into preschools for next year for Jasmine. I'm really shocked how much the monthly tuition and fees have gone up just since last year. We've checked out a few places this week but we haven't registered for anything yet.

We don't have any big plans for the weekend. We have a busy but short week next week, the kids go off track on Wednesday.

Birthday Wishes

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEMA!

Thank Goodness It's Friday!

I've said it before and I'll say it again "T.G.I.F." This week has been super hard. I started the week off by having an ear infection. I had a sore throat and a mouth full of canker sores, yeah, not fun. Damon spent Monday night throwing up, which meant we both woke up exhausted. I had to volunteer at the school on Tuesday. I felt awful but we don't have enough volunteers as it is, I knew no-one could cover for me. When I was done I went to check on Damon in his class, he was as pale as a ghost and not participating in recess. I knew he needed to come home, he loves recess and any chance to run around. He was just standing there by the teacher, so I knew he didn't feel good. We spent the next few days feeling horrible with every flu symptom you can think of. John and Jasmine started getting sick on Wednesday. Olivia is the only one that hasn't got sick yet, although she was complaining about her ear hurting this morning. GASP!

Next week Damon is the "SUPER KID" in his class, which means I had to make a poster of pictures of him and a list of his favorite things. Usually I look forward to events like this, anytime I can make something I'm in HOG HEAVEN. But I haven't been feeling up to doing anything all week, so it was quite the task. I didn't get to volunteer in Damon's class on Wednesday since he was home sick that day. I've been volunteering in different places throughout the school for several months now, and I'm amazed how many parents don't participate in their child's education. I run the "U-CAN Store" for Olivia's class and it's always the same two or three parents making the donations. More then half the class has never even made a donation, yet their children get to benefit from the store. I realize that a lot of parents work and can't come in to volunteer, but why can't they send some candy or small treats to put in the store. They see their students coming home with a bag full of goodies each month and yet they don't feel they need to contribute at all. I also did the Absentee Calling for our school, trying to get volunteers for that was like pulling teeth. The Take-Home-Readers has been my task since November, has been a nightmare. Volunteers are so hard to find. It's a big job and takes almost three hours on Tuesdays and three hours Thursdays. Not to mention, parents and students aren't doing what they're supposed to. Sometimes it feels like such a waste of time. I literally run myself ragged, and for what? There are so many parents who expect the school, teachers, and volunteers to do everything for them when it comes to their child's education. I just don't understand it. At least it's Friday and I don't have to worry about it for the next couple of days. We even get Monday off, BONUS!

Manic Monday and Resolutions

Today is of course Monday, that means time to clean the house. :( I spent the morning getting the kids off to school and then Jasmine and I were off to Walmart for some serious grocery shopping. I tried to get John to go for me yesterday but he wasn't having it. When we got home I cleaned the house for at least two hours. I can't believe how much of a mess three kids, one puppy, and one man can make. I of course don't make any messes at all. ;) Chloe is now 9 weeks old and has doubled my cleaning work-load. I now have to mop the floors twice a week and spot clean everyday. She is getting really good at leaving little piles of digested "Puppy Chow" in every corner of the house, yet I watch her like a hawk. Olivia cleans up the messes when she is home but during the day I'm on my own. Our puppy is so full of energy all day and all night. She is literally "full of piss and vinegar." Never in my wildest dreams did I think that one little puppy could double my cleaning and laundry. Today I had clean folded laundry on the floor and guess who decided it would be fun to pee all over it? No, not Damon or John it was Chloe. Later, I was trying to mop the floors and had a little fur-ball attached to the mop by her teeth. Needless to say I had to mop and vacuum the floors holding her in my hands. She's lucky she's cute and so damn precious.

Lately, I've been thinking of what I want to do for my New Year's Resolution. As always, I want to start exercising again. Who knew a couple of years ago I had a trainer and was a lean, mean working-out machine. I want to get back to being really fit and healthy. I've had a couple of friends offer to go work-out with me, but it's so hard to make time for anything extra. I also wanted to start taking a few classes like photography, scrapbooking, or Olivia and I want to start a Puppy Training class on Saturdays. It's just that sometimes it feels like there's not enough hours in a day, but this year I'm going to make it my Resolution to take some time out to do something for myself. So if anyone is interested in exercising, taking a class, or meeting up with me, let me know. I know it's not easy, specially if you have kids, but let's do it! Let's make time in our schedules for some "Mommy Time."

On another note, Damon had his first playdate the other day with two boys from his class. They had a blast together. I think boys are easier to entertain then girls. They did not mind playing in the basement, in fact they were thrilled. They saw all of Damon's Power Rangers and Transformers and they were in heaven. One of the boy's Mom said that Chloe looks like Gizmo.

Poor Chloe she got a shot on Friday, groomed on Saturday, and John forgot to put her in her bed Sunday night. No wonder she is being such a pain.

Chloe's Photo Shoot

Today I had to give Chloe another bath, so I thought it would be fun to take some pictures while she was clean and fluffy. She doesn't stay clean for long. She practically swims in her food dishes and always walks through her own urine, not on purpose it's just that her legs are so small she has no choice.

She would not sit still for anything, so Damon tried holding her. (By the throat)

Here she is eating the props.

Here she is walking away. This was taken right before she took a bite at the camera.

Here she is getting her belly scratched and looking just like an "EWOK."

She is 8 1/2 weeks old now and can go up and down the stairs. She no longer sounds like a cat, and loves jumping off the furniture and chasing the kids. Olivia couldn't be prouder of her little growing pup.

Jasmine The Firecracker

Jasmine is turning into a little character. She is changing so much. She is no longer a toddler, she acts like a teenager with a ton of attitude. She can be so sweet and she can also be so mean. Her new found hobby is saying "Garbage Words." One minute she is hugging and kissing you, the next minute she is kicking and yelling at you. Who knew my three year old could cuss like a sailor. I don't know where she picked up on this new horrible habit. :) Just kidding she's not that bad. Anyone that has met her, knows about her mood swings. Olivia was the same way when she was little. In fact John's family has said that Jasmine is the new Olivia, which is so true. It's funny because the Psychic that I occasionally see, told me when I was pregnant with Jasmine that she was going to be a handful. In fact I think her exact words were "she's going to be a firecracker" and she sure is. Our family always laughs because the Psychic was so dead on with her prediction of Jasmine and we didn't think anyone could be more of a handful than Olivia. Jasmine definitely has Olivia beat by a long shot. The Psychic also told me that my Great Grandmother was in heaven taking care of Jasmine before she was born. She told me that my Granny was going to send her down a little early because she couldn't wait for me to meet her. And sure enough Jasmine was born a few weeks early. Jasmine's middle name is Mercedes named after my Granny, since she took such good care of my baby firecracker. I love both my girls so much but, Lord help me!!!

Good Bye To Another Holiday Break

I'm not ready for Christmas Break to be over with. I not ready for waking up early, packing lunches, and homework. It was so nice to have a break from all that for a few weeks. Today we slept in for the last time, since school starts back up tomorrow. We took the kids to IHOP for breakfast, grocery shopping at WalMart and then to a movie with Grandma and Grandpa Wilde. We were supposed to see "A Tale of Despereaux" but opted for "Marley and Me" for Olivia and John's sake. That was a big mistake! "Marley and Me" was a really cute movie but really sad. I don't recommend taking small children to see it. We all cried through the last hour of it or so, and spent the rest of the afternoon trying to explain to the kids why animals have to die. Yeah I know, right? We thought we were going to watch a comedy that the kids would also enjoy but ended up having to dry up tears and give a lesson in life and death. Not the afternoon I had in mind. So Monday is already here and it's time to say "Good Bye" to another holiday break. At least the kids have a lot to talk about with their classmates. Damon loss another tooth and Liv can't stop talking about her puppy! And YES , the Tooth Fairy did make it this time.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

I recently went through all my old photographs. I can't believe all the memories it brought back. I have lots of pictures of people who were so important in my life but somehow slipped away or passed away. This year I want to take pictures of everything and everyone. I want to make sure to keep in touch with friends and family. Thank goodness for blogging and facebook! I found some great pictures, like this one of my Mom. She sent it to my Dad when he was fighting in the Vietnam War.

I found this one of my co-workers from Crossland Mortgage. We had to dress up for Halloween. Our boss was Austin Powers and we were dressed as his groupies. We even did a dance to the theme song. We were a hit, I think we won first place for the costume contest.

Here's a picture of me and my friend Gina who also worked at Crossland Mortgage back in the 1900'S. :) We still keep in touch via blogging. Gina your such a cute girl, I love your blog.

If you follow my blog or my facebook page, you know that we got a puppy for Christmas. She has been a wonderful addition to our family. Olivia has wanted a puppy for so long, it was at the top of her Christmas list. John and I were a little scared to get a dog, we were worried that we would be doing all the work. But, we were wrong. Olivia has been great at taking care of the puppy. She does all of the care-taking herself. All we do is play with it. She has shown so much maturity and has been so responsible with Chloe. I'm really surprised with how well things have been going.

It was a lot of work to get John to agree to a puppy, but I'm so glad he did. Now Olivia can create memories with her puppy like I did when I was her age. I had a Llhasa Apso puppy named Tiffany. Llhasa Apso's are just like Shih Tzu's their basically the same dog. My puppy looked a lot like Chloe.

I remember taking care of my puppy, potty training her, and teaching her to walk on a leash.

I used to dress her up in baby clothes and pretend she was my baby. I had so much fun with that dog. I'm so excited for Olivia to have fun with her new puppy. Someday she will be going through old photographs telling her kids how much fun she had with her puppy.

This picture was taken of me and Tiffany at Liberty Park in 1986.

Bringing in The New Year

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2009