Straight!

What did you think I was talking about?? My hair of course! :)

Today I had my hair cut for the first time since the last part of April. The nice thing about having curly hair (that air dries almost everyday) is that its pretty healthy and doesn't require much maintenance. So I don't have to go in every 6-8 weeks!

The best thing about getting it cut is she straightens it for me. I rarely can do as good of a job as she can, so I absolutely love it ----even though Luke loves the afro (aka "the curls") better! The only thing I love more than my straight hair is seeing the boys afterwards and hearing/watching their reactions. They think it looks "crazy!" I just laugh because my curls are normally what's crazy.

Of course tonight Tubbs said he "loved" my straight hair better than my curly hair, asked if he could feel my hair and petted my head like a dog.

Bubba sided with daddy (as usual) and said he loved my curly hair better!

My "real" crazy hair in my younger days!

Mama's Nurses

It all began two days ago when I got home from work. I felt a tiny bump on the lower corner of my bottom lip!

Arrrrr! A cold sore! I began popping my prescription pills I have for these terrible monsters!

By bedtime I began to get a headache and when I laid my head down on my pillow I thought it was going to explode. "No problem," I thought to myself--"I am sure it will be better in the morning."

I woke up at 4am with a pounding headache! I couldn't sleep because it felt even worse to lay my head down. It felt like a bowling ball rolling up and down my head to my neck every time I got up and down. I was miserable to say the least. I am pretty sure the pain I had yesterday morning was worse then my pain from surgery (...if that gives you any indication). Anyways, when I woke up at 4am everyone else woke up with me and were concerned. When I tried to go back to bed both the boys decided they wanted to lay down by me so they could "take care of me." I eventually fell back to sleep for a bit until it was time for everyone else to get up and ready to go to school. Luke got the boys ready and I got out of bed to say family prayers and kiss them goodbye. Luke said the prayer first and then Bubba wanted to say an extra prayer for mama (What a sweetie). On the way out the door Bubba told me he was going to pray for me at school! (I grinned and thought to myself, "I must be doing something right!"

I stayed home from work and headed to the Urgent Care at 8am because my doctor is off on Wednesdays! (Arrrr!) I did all that mumbo jumbo, got my prescriptions filled and headed back home to eat and medicate myself. (Turns out I have a sinus infection on top of the whole cold sore thing) I slept most of the day and when the boys got home in the afternoon, they came straight to my bed to see how I was doing. Tubbs kept rubbing my forehead and kissing it. Bubba kept hugging me and wanting to know how I was feeling. I was pretty drugged up from the pain pill I took in the morning. ---It was good stuff!

Luke ordered a pizza and when it arrived Bubba insisted on bringing my pizza to me in bed. Then he came and sat by me in bed and ate his pizza. He also brought in some of his baby picture albums and we looked through them together. It was so sweet ...I wish I could have been "sick" forever ---minus the headache.

After dinner Bubba told me he was going to make me a special dessert, but it was only for sick people. He whispered in my ear and asked me if I liked banana splits. I told him yes and he went trotting out of the room. About 10 minutes later he came in with my banana split, minus the ice cream--because we were out. He cut up a banana all by himself and poured chocolate syrup over it...with some sprinkles.

I asked him to go get my camera so I could take a picture of it. The camera was in my purse so both the boys went digging through it to find the camera. They couldn't find the camera at first, but they managed to find a small bag of M&M's and some tootsie rolls I had stashed. So they added some M&M's to the top of my ice cream, with one tootsie roll.

What a concoction!

I did manage to get one bite of it---as you can see documented in the picture that Luke took.

But I think the boys ate the rest.

Happy Birthday!

This time of year is filled with birthdays in our family!

I haven't done a good job recognizing everyone's birthday over the past month---so here we go!

(Hopefully this makes up for the fact that I didn't send out any birthday cards or call anyone!)

We'll start with my little brother ("Uncle Bobby") who turns the big 3-0 tomorrow!

Woo-hoo!

(Welcome to the club! I want him to know how hard it was NOT to post some good pictures of him from 15-20 years ago!)

His lovely wife had a birthday on October 14th.

Happy Birthday Lindsay!

BYU-2005

Happy Birthday to my little brother Bert (aka Bertsie) who turned the Big 1-8 on October 13th. (He shares a birthday with my brother in law, Mike)

Luke's sister Jenny and my sister Sarah share a birthday

(October 8th....same year too! Go figure.)

Jenny - Hawaii 2001

Happy Birthday to Mike---Sarah's husband who had a birthday on October 13th!

Sarah and Mike - Dec 2006

And last, but not least---Happy Birthday to Luke's mom Nancy who had a birthday on September 30th!

(Posing at Simon's party - Feb 2008)

Conversation of the Day

(Mama is painting her nails at the dining room table. Japanese Rose Garden to be exact)

Tubbs: "I like that color mommy."

Mama: "Thank you Tubbs. It reminds mommy of tulips, my favorite flower."

Tubbs: "Mmmmmmm...that smells good mommy."

Daddy: (Mumbling under his breath) "I can see someone is going to be on 'Intervention' in a few years!"

ENOUGH!

I logged onto "the blog" this evening and just said to myself, "enough" (but in a much more macho voice than that stupid Jennifer Lopez movie)! --Kate says no one will get this reference, so chime in if you do! Consider it another stupid "straw poll." I read Kate's Eeyore post about her jeans etc and felt that the blog needed a massive dose of testosterone. But for the record, my wife is amazingly beautiful regardless of jean size--man shes hot! Speaking of beauty, take a look at these puppies to the left! You cant look at these RockJock 60's without growing hair somewhere---they just ooze manliness. Take a look, "The RockJock® III high pinion rear end assembly for the 2007 and up Jeep JK includes the complete housing with the 65-45-12 ductile iron housing center, AR400 heat treated bottom skid plate allowing the axle to slide over rocks easily, 3" d.o.m. steel tubes, 5/16" thick heavy steel diff cover, yoke (1310/1330/1350 optional), and custom housing ends that accept set 80 axle bearings (over 50% greater capacity than stock) and allow for all factory disc brake hardware and ABS and ESP sensors to bolt back on. All new heavy duty Currie Jeep JK suspension brackets are mounted and feature adjustable control arm mounting holes, adjustable trac bar mounting holes, and adjustable shock mounting holes. Also included are the Currie performance forged alloy 35 spline axle shafts that are dual drilled with the stock JK 5 on 5" wheel bolt pattern as well as the 5 on 5 1/2" wheel bolt pattern. Axles feature wheel studs, ABS tone rings, and axle bearings pressed on, as well as the bearing retainer plates."

How can you not fall in love? Speaking of love, if Big M and Kate really loved Seven Bears and me, the brown Santa (again, Kate says no one will get this reference--whats wrong with you people?) would be dropping a set of these off on the doorstep for Christmas. Afterall, if the three Wise Men had these on their camels, they could have made it to Bethlehem quicker. Further, if Big M and Kate cared, they would not want us venturing out on the Rubicon with anything but these! But noooooooooooo, we have to have more jeans! Katie always says I go out on my trips unprepared, so I digress and agree with her here. So let the record show, in the event Seven Bears and I are stranded on a trail due to a front shaft breaking, I asked Kate well ahead of time under the umbrella of "go prepared." But she just says, bring more band aids! Seven Bears, I think we need to get some peyote and go on a "Vision Quest" to Anaheim, and not because I need another Disney shirt (Currie is just down the street).

The One Reason I Hate Fall....

---is digging out my jeans and trying to squeeze into them.
This morning I decided I was wearing jeans to work! I have to tell you---I own a lot of jeans. If I was to estimate how many pairs I have folded (and thrown) up on my closet shelf I would say its probably close to 30 pairs! Isn't that crazy?! And out of all those jeans, I don't think I have a single pair I am perfectly happy with. One pair is TOO long (I purchased the Extra long pair because they were on clearance)....another pair feels like "high waters" ..... another makes me look to "hippy" ...... another makes me feel like I have muffin tops because the waist is so low. I could go on and on and on! I don't know what makes me purchased jeans that I am absolutely going to hate after a few washes. (Maybe its not me...maybe its my dryer that is causing my jeans to shrink?) But I love buying jeans--which you may have guessed from the number I have in my closet. If I get a chance to shop at "The Rack," the first rack I scavenge through (after the shoes of course) is the jeans!

Now--- if you have read any of my posts in the last month or so you are probably thinking to yourself, "That's what you get for eating a dozen cupcakes from Sprinkles in one week and making 'Big Head's' Fried Nutella Ravioli, etc." And that's OK. I deserve it. I think I need a drill instructor (aka trainer) like "The Biggest Loser." Someone to yell in my face every time I pick up something with lard and sugar in it! Ya think that will work? Probably not! They call to me in my sleep....."Katie---eat me!" (After making the fried Nutella ravioli the first time, I could have sworn the Nutella was screaming my name from the pantry for days!Kaaaaatieeeeee....I'm waiting for you!)
Until I regain any kind of self control (or hit the gym), I guess I will continue to spray paint my jeans on.---Or maybe I could just wear shorts year around like my husband does! There's any idea. But then I would have to keep up with shaving my legs.
Its always something! Geeeeeesh!

Halloween Funny

This is my favorite Seinfeld stand up bit EVER! Each year when I think Of Halloween I think of what he says. The bit is over 9 minutes but if you have the time, you'll laugh and laugh and laugh!

Conversation of the Day

Mama: "Bubba, get up to the table and get eat breakfast."

Bubba: "No... daddy said to get dressed for church!"

Mama: "No, you need to eat breakfast first."

Bubba: "Well.....daddy is bigger so I'm listening to him."

Little turd!

Mean Mommy Indeed!

So---my husband brought home this STUPID Mylar balloon that was given to him for "Boss's Day" on Thursday. He gave it to Tubbs that night to bribe him for something. So, this balloon has been floating around my house for the past 4 days.
It started getting on my nerves when Tubbs left it in my car on Friday morning and I had to drive around with it all day while it blocked my rear window. It started to get on my nerves a little more when it ended up getting knocked around by the ceiling fans in the middle of the night. It REALLY started getting on my nerves when the boys started fighting over it and taking it and hitting each other with it.
Well, tonight at bedtime I lost it!
Bubba was holding on to the bottom of the balloon and trying to hit me in the head with it. I quickly swiped for it...and when I grabbed it, Bubba was left with only the string in his hand. I went into the kitchen, grabbed a steak knife, popped it and put it in the trash!
Sawyer walked into the kitchen and after giving me the saddest look, immediately had a meltdown. I felt about the size of one of the (million) flies buzzing around my house. I picked Tubbs up and took him to his room to put him in his bed. To try and get him to stop crying I told him to pray for his balloon. When papa said prayers with Tubbs he forgot to mention the balloon and Tubbs was not happy. Bubba was so happy with me earlier in the evening and now he was scowling at me from his bed. He said, "Great! Now I have to take Tubbies to the store after school tomorrow and get him another balloon!"

What was I supposed to say to that?? I felt happy because he wants to take care of his brother...but then I felt like a big loser. I feel terrible...but I couldn't let the boys know. I tried to stay in "mean mommy" mode to let them know I meant business. After we put the boys in bed, Luke and I were putting clean sheets on our bed and he was half smiling and shaking his head at me.
UGH!!

Does anyone see the similarity???

This post is for Kate, she always says that the boys look and act like me, but I beg to differ. What do you think? No need to point the "duplicate set of lippies" and "smile lines," oh, and check out the chin and dimples! Hmmm... Oh and the 'tudes are identical too!

A Day at the Farm with Tubbs

Three classes from Tubbs' pre-school headed to a family farm early this morning for their first field trip of the school year. It was also Tubb's first time riding a school bus, so I was excited when his teacher asked if I could ride the bus with them.

I thought for sure it had to be the craziest, loudest bunch of kids the bus driver had ever seen/heard, but she assured me that high-schoolers are even louder. Hmmm....

Anyways, it was hilarious to watch the kids whoop and holler as we got onto the freeway for the first time. It loops around and you would have thought they were on a ride at Disneyland.---Come to think of it, we could of just driven them around the city for half an hour, getting on and off the freeways and the kids would have been thrilled. (Would have saved me the $10 bucks I had to fork over for admission too) :)

After 30 minutes of watching 4 and 5 year olds play peek-a-boo behind the bench seats and not being able to hear a darn thing, we made it to the farm! Grandma Hogue met us there and Tubbs was very excited....as you can see below.

(He milks it for all he can get!)

Each class went through a big maze...(which we actually got lost in because we stopped for too many pictures....and had to head back out the way we came)

Oh well....


The "petting zoo"

Tractor Ride to Pick out a HUGE pumpkin!

And FINALLY lunch! We were hungry!

This was mama on the way home--tired and exhausted! (picture courtesy of Tubbs)

This is Sawyer on the way home....with lots of energy!

I was trying to keep my eyes open on the way home, and I figured since I was technically a "chaperone" I should have at least one eye open to control my own kid! Easier said than done!

BUT---Tubbs had lots of fun......and Grandma and I had lots of fun watching him having fun! What more can you ask for?!

HOW SMART IS YOUR RIGHT FOOT?

You have to try this..... It is absolutely true.

I guess there are some things that the brain cannot handle.
HOW SMART IS YOUR RIGHT FOOT?

This is (supposedly) from an orthopedic surgeon............ and will boggle your mind. You will keep you trying over and over again to see if you can outsmart your foot, but, you can't. It's preprogrammed in your brain!


1.Without anyone watching you (they will think you are GOOFY......) and while sitting in front of your computer, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles.

2. Now, while doing this, draw the number '6' in the air with your right hand. Your foot will change direct ion. I told you so....and there's nothing you can do about it! You and I both know how stupid it is, but before the day is done you are going to try it again, if you've not already done so!

No Prayers for Mommy

Where do I start?!
Over the past few days when it comes time to brush teeth and shuffle the boys off to bed, they start rioting and throwing fits. Bubba starts a "coo" and tries to get Tubbs to join him....(which he usually does). Sounds normal for some of you I'm sure. But for the 2nd night in a row, when we turn lights off and kneel down to pray with them beside their beds, they have both decided not to pray for mommy. (I guess I should also mention that just 2 minutes prior to prayers Bubba informed me that "I was the meanest mom on the earth!" I just told him thank you)
Last night, when it first occurred, it was kind of funny. Tonight I was a little less humored! At bedtime tonight Sawyer said his prayers first. All sounded fine--- he prayed for everything as usual and I kind of zoned out. When he was done Simon said his prayer and neglected to pray for me...but prayed for everything else. I told him that because he didn't pray for me, he had to start over. Sawyer chimes in and says, "I didn't pray for you either, so I'll start over too!" (Nice!)
Sawyer says another prayer and this time he includes his mother. (Thank you!)
Simon begins his second attempt. He is mumbling, but I make out no distinction of him praying for mama. He says Amen and I tell him he didn't pray for me so he has to start over again. Annoyed he says, "I prayed for the people!" Exasperated I reply, "Well, how is Heavenly Father supposed to know who 'the people' are?!" He flops down again beside his bed for a 3rd time and gives it another shot. Thankfully this time he is kind enough to pray for his mother. (He's lucky!)
I bring them both a drink of water and say "Good night boys" as I walk out of their room. Simon yells out, "Good night mean mommy!" And I say "Good night stinky!"
At Bubba's ripe age of six, I have a feeling this is just the beginning of MANY bedtime prayers that won't mention mean mommy! Ughhhhh....

Yummy!

I was watching "Big Head" (aka Giada) earlier in the week and caught the best dessert recipe. Its Chocolate Hazelnut Ravioli. (<-Recipe link)
After the show I located the recipe online and printed it out--hoping to have an excuse to make it soon! Thankfully some good friends invited us over for dinner tonight and since it was so nice to get out of the house and see friends, I felt compelled to make something new for a treat. (I didn't bother with the whole mint-leaf-decoration-thing...because I am just not that Martha-Stewarty)

As we all gathered around and ate the treats we concluded that the only way to make these better, was to add some coconut ice cream....or possibly some toasted coconut to the Nutella before frying. (I'll have to let you know how either of these work out the next time I make it.--- Knowing me, it won't be too far down the road)
Anywho---if you try this recipe out and like it, let me know!

Video from the show

October 9, 1999

I tell my husband that on this day he made the best decision of his life---and he just smiles at me and nods his head at my craziness! As cliche as it sounds, it seems like just yesterday.....but a lot has happened over the last 9 (blissful) years. --But the best thing that has happened was becoming a mom to two little bugs that act JUST like him!

If you have read our profile, you saw that Luke and I met through his roommate and eventually became pals. I was still in college, trying to figure out how to get out of taking Business Calculus and he was an 8th grade history teacher. Ohh-la-la! We dated other people, but we would always find ourselves together giving each other advice, going to movies together..... and ME buying HIM dinner! (Now you know why he didn't want to let me get away!)

When I look back at the little details of that time in our younger days it still makes me smile because from the moment I met Luke, I knew he was someone I was going to care about. I really enjoyed our conversations and thought he was fun to be around (---yes even when I was dating his roommate. Shame on me!) One of my favorite things to do with Luke on long car rides/trips is for us to talk about how we met and all the recollections between then and now. I love hearing him chuckle as he thinks back to things we've said or done.

In honor of our 9 year anniversary (and without getting too mushy or giving TMI) here are 9 (out of a trillion) PG rated reasons I love my husband:

1. He made my favorite strawberry cake (with fresh strawberries) for me on our first date.

2. He doesn't complain when I wake him up early in the morning to model shoes/clothes for him and ask him if I look OK (and match) before I leave for work.

3. He makes up silly nicknames for me that initially I thought sounded absurd, but now love.

4. He is a great "car singer" and plays a mean air instrument.

5. He appreciates the fact that I cannot be beautiful AND cook. (Its just not possible)

6. He goes to church with me every Sunday.

7. He talks about his Jeep (aka "the rig") like its one of his buddies

8. When he starts laughing at me when I get a good "belly laugh." (I love that Luke loves to hear me laugh)

9. He gave me two little huttletts (aka mini Lukes) that make our time together even more precious!

Happy Anniversary Big Papa!

Like our wedding song, you are the love of my life!

Honeymoon - Puerta Vallarta, Mexico

With the Parents

Ridiculous

I am not sure which was more absurd last night---the fact that I broke down and watched the new "90210" or the Town Hall Presidential Debate! I must be desperate for entertainment because all I did was laugh all the way through these shows. I do think I laughed harder during the debate to be honest.

Was I the only one?

We have satellite, so I kept pausing it and replaying bits and pieces over and over. My husband must of thought I was on my pain medicine (---which maybe I should have taken to keep me comatose). Nevertheless, I do think SNL is going to have a good time with it this week.

If I have to hear McCain talk about "reaching across the aisle" one more time---or Barack make comments like we are 10 trillion in debt, and in the next breath say we are a wealthy country---I am going to freak out. It's too scary for me. I don't know about you, but I learned absolutely NOTHING from the debate last night. All they did was answer the questions with whatever they felt like talking about. It was outlandish---and yet very funny to watch.
If you missed this 90 minutes of entertainment, as always you can see it on the web. It will be of course be 90 minutes of your life you can never get back---and your time would be better spent doing absolutely nothing!

10/7 Debate Scorecard
SNL - Palin and Clinton (5:32 video)
SNL - Palin and Biden Debate (11:35 video)

Swim Club

The boys took their first swim lesson at the Swim Club Yesterday. (Watch out Michael Phelps!)

Like most kids I'm sure, the boys got really motivated during the Olympics this year. We tried to teach them some different strokes on our own but with the weather cooling off (and neither Luke or I wanting to get in the pool) we decided to sign them up at BSC. The pool is indoors and heated so I am sure they were loving it.

I hope they both continue to love swimming and will encourage them to compete if they show interest! We'll see. At this point, I also think its a great way for them to burn energy after school. Yesterday Tubbs opted to stay home with me instead of going to pre-school. He told me several times, "I want to do something fuuuun!" Me laying on the couch and him watching TV and video games was a bit dull I guess. He watched "Sid the Science Kid" and "WordWorld" a few too many times.

Sorry Tubbs... Mama will be more fun in a week or two!

Off-Road Expo (Pomona)

I had to miss this annual event again----Darn it! :)

But-- Luke took the boys for their first time and they had fun (as you can tell by the smiles)! Their favorite part was walking around and collecting posters and stickers from all the buxom (and not so buxom) scantily clad girls. LOL! Papa was smart to throw some of these away before they got home!

Big Papa's Jeep is famous! His friend Drew(who customized his Jeep last year and own's Poly Performance in SLO) brought Luke's rig for the 2nd year in a row.

The boys with the host of "Trucks"

Tooth Fairy in Economic Crisis?

I think so! That cheap tooth fairy only left him $3.50 this time! :)

Yes, Bubba has lost another tooth. I don't think he will be able to pronounce his "T's" for a while since he has no top front teeth now.
I think he looks very cute--but then again every mother thinks its cute when their children have no teeth in the front. (I do think it looks better now than with his one top front tooth dangling there by its lonesome)

BORED!

Yes, this is what I am feeling right now...and have been feeling since the anesthesia wore off Wednesday night.

It's day 3 in my recovery.... I think.

Isn't the day of surgery considered day zero?! Anywho---do you like my picture? The surgeon gave it to big papa when I came out of surgery. I had no idea of what I was supposed to be identifying with in the picture, but it looks interesting. I have one official (unique) picture I can blog about! Woo-hoo!

I am laid up with crutches, so there is not much to blog about..... and I am sooooooo over lying on the couch and having to ask for help! I know some of you right now are probably wanting to slap me and tell me to enjoy it. But frankly, its driving me insane. Trying to discipline my boys in this condition reminds me of the time I was trying to get in the shower with my pink frilly shower cap on my head, while threatening Bubba within an inch of his life. All he did was give me this strange look, while trying not to laugh. Now they know I can't come after them when they give me their strange looks and run off. All I have left is my voice and I am trying------really trying not to yell.

My biggest disappointment on the day of surgery: Having to wear hospital socks and white (thigh high) tights into the OR on both my legs.

Why? Besides the obvious reasons---I shaved my legs that morning AND painted my toe nails on Monday! My legs and feet looked fabulous (in my world) and now they were all covered up. What a shame.

I do have to give kudos to my fabulous husband and mother--for putting up with me over the past few days. Yes--- I am normally a sheer joy to be around, but I have been rather quiet and irritable. It did get worse when I realized I am supposed to use my crutches longer than I had planned. (BTW, isn't it possible for the manufacturer to put a little more cushion/padding on the top of these things?! OUCH!) I think I need one of the floating loungers from the movie "Wall-E."

I am such a joy to be around that I am alone today! Luke took the boys to an off-road expo in Pomona and my mom left for home this morning after the first session of conference. I was sad to see her go, but I didn't want to make her feel guilty, so i told her I was fine! I am sure she had the time of her life playing nurse, chef, chaffeur and babysitter... but she needed to get home to my dad and brother. My mom did everything I asked her to do without complaining or making me feel like I was asking for her only kidney. She is the only person I know who could do this for me, which is why I am glad she made the trip down. She made me laugh after getting home from the hospital when she rubbed my forehead and said: It looks like you need to go back to Sephora and have that guy do your eyebrows!" I chuckled...then I passed out on the couch.

My husband, on the other hand, enjoyed taking pictures of me Wednesday afternoon with cupcake crumbs on my neck and chest---as I slept on the couch. Who could ask for a better man than this?! :) Over the past few days he has played the role of Hitler's long lost twin, scolding me when I am off the couch or walking without my crutches. It makes me feel so loved and my heart swell! :)

---But I am beginning to realize that he is probably sick and tired of hearing me whine over the past 5 months about not being able to exercise (and losing my Pamela Anderson physique) and wants me to feel good all ready.

So----this leaves me to trying to be the good little patient. I am keeping my mouth shut...and lounging on the couch. The good thing about having to watch TV all day is I FINALLY caught the VH1's Behind the Music on NKOTB. Oh yeah!

You all know where to find me if you need me!