Showers

Last weekend I had 4 showers to attend. It is always so much fun to get together with friends, however there was a lot of eating going on which is not quite cohesive with swimsuit season. Then again, I don't think I will be in a swimsuit much this season since it can't seem to stop raining long enough.

 The first was Jennica's Bridal Shower

Next was Deanna's Bridal/Bachelorette party at Spark

We did take more pics but not with my camera and I think I forgot to ask someone to email them to me...

Check out the adorable "dress" cupcakes Liz made!

Then it was my cute cousin Whitney's baby shower, 

of which I have no pictures...

And then it was my friend Jaymilyn's baby shower at Brick Oven.

I'm actually not in the picture because I had to leave early :) 

It was so fun to see some of my school friends again and get the updates on who is pregnant (yay!), vacations, and what everyone is doing now while we wait for our licenses (I can't believe I forgot to sign my CPR card and now have to wait a little longer until I get it).

The appetite

Oh this little girl and her appetite! We can't keep up with it!

She may be small for her age, but don't let her fool you. She can pack it away!

For example, breakfast = 

four {that's right I said FOUR} eggs

or

Two pieces of whole wheat toast and two eggs

or

Two pop-tarts, and two pieces of toast

or

A bowl of oatmeal, 2 pop-tarts, and a piece of toast

or

2 pieces of bread, fruit snacks, and an egg

or

a bowl of cereal, a few strawberries, a pop-tart, an egg, and a piece of bread

or

FOUR hot dog wieners, and a pop tart {I don't get it either, but that was what she wanted}

Nighttime tea party

Today was the one of the best days of my life so far. 

One I will never forget for 2 reasons.

1) I finally received the results of my last 2 tests and I PASSED!!!!

2) Olivia played tea party with me for the first time. May not seem like a milestone to others, but I've been waiting for this day for a looooong time. 

(like, since the day I found out I was having a girl)

One day we'll play tea party dressed to the nines with porcelain china and maybe even with a real table and chairs. We'll do it right. But for  now we are happy with our hair in piggies and buns, plastic, and the living room carpet.

I can't explain the feeling of sweet relief and pure happiness I felt when I saw my passing score of 100%! I tried my hardest to be done with the test and move on with my life instead of just worrying and second guessing my efforts everyday until the results came, and I think I did a pretty good job of it. But there were always those randoms times of random days where I would remember that I was still waiting, and that there was always the possibility of not passing, having to pay $1200....again, having to go back into the school, do more screenings, scour the city for that perfect patient....again, and re-live the stress of actually taking the test...again.

So happy I don't have to do it again, and happy that my husband would have loved me either way

 because you know I asked him at those random moments of nervousness :)

Rooftop Concert: Fictionist

The day after my big test, we went to this concert! 

I was extremely excited seeing as how I missed all of this concert series last year.

Who were we sitting right behind you ask?

That would be local celebrity CJane herself 

(the lovely lady who put this whole thing together, and also NieNie's sister)

We said a few words to each other, but I mostly kept my mouth shut because I tend to sound like an idiot most of the time I talk.

Were we sitting in a reserved area that we probably weren't supposed to be sitting in? Yes. 

So, when the opportunity presented itself, we grabbed new seats when someone conveniently decided to leave. 

You snooze you loose.

Paul Jacobson and the Madison Arm

Fictionist

Going to concerts was such a big part of our dating life. We still love to go, we just don't seem to be as rich. 

Oh, and we have a kid. 

Therefore, I love all the free summer concerts in Utah. 

Add that to the list of reasons I will be sad to leave.

ps everyone should go to at least one of these concerts. so fun. and neon trees and the lower lights are coming...so mad we won't be here anymore to see either.

see previous post about the lower lights here

Looking for something to watch...

 I feel like I'm being held hostage right now due to: 
1) The ridiculous construction going on right outside
2) My little bear is sick 

Normally construction wouldn't make someone feel like a prisoner in their own home, but you see, there are only 2 entrances to our complex and for the past 2 days the smart construction workers decided to block both of them. No one could come out or in (okay that's a small exaggeration, they did let people go to work). They stop everyday at 5 so I get to go out then, but it kind of puts a damper on plans during the day. Even when they are smart enough to leave one of the entrances clear, I usually can't turn left which means I add 15 minutes to wherever I'm going. So I'm left everyday with weighing the options and deciding if I want to endure the dirty looks from the workers when I have to blatantly ignore the "road closed" signs. Don't even get me started on noise level interfering with naps and the fact that they wake my sleeping baby at 7:30am when she usually sleeps til 8:30am. 

The Silver Lining:
Since I'm locked away, and since being done with school, I have re-discovered my nerdy love for documentaries. I love to cuddle up on the couch with some kettle corn, my man, and a good documentary. Usually this takes place on (gasp) a weeknight (aka school night). Loving this no school thing. More recently I will watch one when folding laundry while little bear naps. This has all been made possible through netflix streaming (the video streams directly to your tv).

These are some recommendations from moi:

1) King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters- I included 2 posters for this because I liked it so much. I would have never in a million years watched this if it hadn't been for being bored and my Husb suggesting it. Like the poster says, "Roaringly funny", and a great message in the end. Just watch it and thank me later.
2) The Lottery- a little more serious, about the "future of public education". I don't know if I whole heartedly agree with this, but I do think something needs to be done with failing inner city schools. Whether or not you agree with the charter school movement, its worth a watch.
3) More Than a Game- I don't necessarily like or dislike Lebron, but this was just a great story!
4) The Cove- I'm not even an animal person, but I found this really interesting and so sad!

My opinions are not formed solely from the documentaries I watch, but I find it fascinating to see what's out there.  I think its important for anyone who watches documentaries to question everything, do your own research, and form your own opinions!


*If anyone has any other suggestions of documentaries I should watch I would love to hear!

Motherhood

I've obviously been thinking about motherhood a whole lot lately, not only because its mother's day, but because I finally feel like I get to be a mom 100% of the time. And I absolutely love it. Becoming a Dental Hygienist was my dream, and I am so thankful that I've been able to accomplish the things I have because I will NEED to work while Brady is unable to....but being a mother is my TRUE calling.

I'm not saying I'm good at it, because I’m definitely not, but I'm saying I wouldn't trade these last months I've had at home, day in and day out with my little darling for anything. I feel like we've really become besties...maybe a little too much because she now prefers me to do EVERYTHING, when she used to be fine with either me or B doing things for her. 

I love that I "get" her jokes and sense of humor, I understand her language, and that I get to see her sweet funny side as opposed to everyone else who usually has to see her whiny clingy side (because she DOES NOT like crowds). I know what she likes to eat, how to distract her when she wants to watch more tv than I want her to, when she's ready for bed, and how to make her laugh uncontrollably. Basically I love knowing every single thing about this little angel sent from above, and most of all I love how much she loves me back. Even when I have to say "no" and she starts crying, she still runs to me for hugs and comfort. When her little voice says "hold you" because she wants to be held and she puts her head on my shoulder, my heart is full. When I look terrible and haven't had time to shower or get ready for the day, she still wants me. Words cannot explain the joy I feel when she wants to give me a hug or a kiss without me asking her for one.

I am thankful to my Heavenly Father everyday for blessing me with the opportunity to be a mother.

Thank you Olivia for making me feel so special and important. Thank you for teaching me about patience and selflessness, and for helping my heart grow 2 sizes bigger. Thank you for blessing me with the sacred title of “mother”.

::Happy Mother's Day::

Moms on the mind

With the spring baby boom in full swing (ie: a million pregnant friends), and Mother's Day this Sunday,
I wanted to share this video I just saw on a friend's facebook. I just love it and it is all so true!

Red Mango, The Barn, A Ghost, and Clinical Boards

If you couldn't tell from the title, this is a catch-up post. Very long, short descriptions, and lots of pictures.

Red Mango with Grammy and Grampy and Jeff

 *****************************************************************

We spent a day at the Barn and it was beautiful weather

We had a surprise visit from the Easter Bunny

Grammy and Olivia went on a little walk together

 While Grampy and the boys went for a canoe ride

 Livy couldn't get enough of how bouncy the walkway was at the treehouse!

Grampy and Livy

*******************************************************************************

 She's really into building blocks and pretending to be a ghost. 

She'll put the blanket over her head and just start running.

*******************************************************************************

I took my final/last/ultimate exam at 7:30 on Cinco de Mayo.

It was a gorgeous day and I was done by 11 so I got to enjoy some of it.

And I had this cute little girl waiting for me to come home.

 Once the "high" of finally being DONE wore off, I was kinda exhausted.

After some food and a nap, I needed to get out and enjoy the carefree-ness that I felt.

So we ventured to the Beehive Bazaar where I purchased some earrings.

 While my parents were in town, they gave all the Utah cousins Easter presents! 

Liv was in heaven with a necklace filled with chocolate candy bars!

 And a "touch and feel" book!

She loves her cousins and Grandparents!

Parks and Rec

I love that show, but this post is actually not about the show. 

 We've been filling our days (the nice ones at least) with parks, swings, and slides. 

When my parents were here for my grad we got to go to the park with cousins, and have a picnic on the grass!

She takes swinging very seriously (ie: top photo)

I'm sorry. Here is yet another video. Compilation of iphone vids.

the day after tomorrow...

::which is Thursday, Cinco de Mayo, or May 5th::

...is the day I take my clinical boards! I'm hesitant to even put an exclamation point on that sentence because I'm not really excited about it, yet it is coming anyway.


This is the big one. Yes bigger than the last "big one" that I talked about last month. This is the only thing standing between me and the coveted Dental Hygiene License. If I pass this then I will finally be able to work, and I will finally be DONE, and you'll never hear me complain about tests again (hopefully).


Bet you didn't think Dental Hygiene was a very hard profession to get into. Think again.


Prayers are welcomed, needed, and appreciated!!!! I want to pass this test more than words can explain! Pray that my patient shows up ON TIME, that all the things I've been learning and practicing for the last 2 years will come back to me (even though I've been on break for almost 3 weeks), pray that my hands will work, that my equipment will work, and that my techniques will be effective. Can't wait for this to be over...and I WILL put an exclamation point on the end of that sentence!