She's 4....

My baby is four years old today. Reagan keeps our family interesting and unpredictable. She's has a mind of her own.....and that mind is about 16 years old. She is a fashionista.....but not in a good way. Some outfits basically look like she's a clown. She's probably getting back at me for not being thrilled when I found out I was pregnant with her. (it was a surprise!) I think I was 7 months pregnant when I finally got excited and thought "OK....I can handle two kids....I think."

Year one was tough! Didn't nurse, took forever to eat, wouldn't take long naps, didn't sleep through the night until about 10 months, began crawling at 5 months, walking at 10.

But She's Beautiful and we love her!

The Latest!

My mom has more bags available! Please check them out! Perfect for Christmas.....which is coming up whether you like it or not!

http://ladybugbags.blogspot.com/

You'll love them!

11 years ago today....

Chris proposed to me. I don't know if I have this written down or not.....hmmm....i should check my journal. But basically, Chris came down for a weekend visit, (he was going to the U of A and he would come visit me every other weekend). So he came down to visit and took me to get dinner and we took it to the park to eat it. After dinner he told me he was going to sketch something for me (he's an architect and a great artist). He told me was going to draw my left hand. I kind of knew where this was going. When we began to talk about getting married, I told him about a certain ring that I saw the year before that at a jewelry store that I almost bought myself, thinking I would just have my husband pay me back.....I'm a dork. Well I showed Chris a picture and told him that this was THE RING! My ring is very similar to the picture above. So...back to the story. He sketches my left hand and then draws the ring on my finger. Then he gets up and kneels beside me and asks me to marry him. I yelled YES. We spent the rest of the night arguing with my mom about when we should get married. OK...not really arguing....but A LOT of talking went on that night. So....that was October 23, 1998. We got married a few months later in March. Happy Day.

Ugly Screamer

Ryan came home one day from school.....I think it was still the first week of school.....and she was crying. I asked her what was wrong and she tells me that a girl in her class called her an "ugly screamer." With tears running down her face, I realized that I had no idea what to say. My first instinct was to say "Well she's Ugly for saying that to you!" or "Show me who she is.....I'll show her." Both would not go over well, I'm sure. Then I kind of laughed to myself because I can totally imagine the scream she did, that is.....ugly....or at least annoying. So my infinite wisdom and knowledge on 5 year olds....I said "there, there......let's get ice cream." I've just come to realize how protective and how CLUELESS I am and that I'm already teaching her to become an emotional eater. What will I do when it's something totally serious? Get ice cream, I guess.

My brain is fried!

Ryan has started school. She started last Monday and I am now finally getting around to posting about it. She is attending Desert View mostly because the all-day Kindergarten they offer sounds very attractive. She is having a great time and can already read three books. Granted it's "I am Cat" I am Dog" "I am hammering" etc.....but I'm proud nonetheless.

Happy to report.....Phoebe is with a family who loves her and cares for her. Ok......I couldn't take the stress anymore. She was great but just too rough with the girls. She knew several commands and was completely potty trained but she was home all day by herself and she would it take out on us by bringing in chunks of grass from our backyard and COVER our living room floor with it. After cleaning, changing diapers, and being on my feet all day.....the last thing I wanted to do was to clean up after a dog. So she has gone to a family that already has 2 boxers and the wife stays home all day and they report they love her and she fits right in. I think she knew when I took this picture that it was to show her to someone else so that we could get rid of her.

The hardest part of my day is when Ryan leaves for school and Reagan has to stay home with me. Apparently, I'm no fun. The first day of school, we all walked Ryan to her class and Reagan searched desperately for a seat to sit down in. So when we left, she was crying. That's the only time I cried a little. But we took Reagan out for breakfast to eat bacon and all was forgotten. I also realized how much I don't know Reagan. Sad, I know, but Reagan has always been "Ryan and Reagan". They play together and have fun together, but now that it's just me and her....She's Hilarious. She TALKS ALL DAY! and makes up the craziest things. So never believe a word she says. But I am happy we get to spend time together even though she's missing Ryan all day.
OK.....that's all I got.

Oh NO!!!

I was heading home this afternoon from work after a great birthday party with Ryan in the car. It was hot and I was very tired. In the back of my car, I had leftover supplies and drinks from the party. I was driving very carefully and slowly making sure that I didn't spill the drinks or break the fancy glass platters that belonged to Ericka. All was going well, when suddenly the car in front of me slams its breaks at an intersection that's on a downhill slant. I slam my breaks and all I hear are jugs and glass hitting each other. I brace myself, not wanting to look back. but I did, I looked. Ryan began to have tears in her eyes as she looks back as well. I see one of the jugs of juice upside down, treacherously close to the rear a/c vents.

Me: "Ryan, very slowly, pick up the jug please."
Ryan: "ok mom" As she does, the lids pops off and spills about a gallon of pink lemonade onto the floor and my A/C vents.
Me: "Oh NO!!!" Ryan begins to sob.....
Me: " It's Ok Ryan, I'm not mad......we'll clean it up.....it's ok.....I'm pulling over...."
Ryan: "It's spilled!!!!" She looks to the back. "Oh NO!!! The other juice spilled too!!" More sobbing.
So now I have total about a gallon and a half of lemonade spilled all over the back of my car.
I continue to assure Ryan that I'm not mad and that it's going to be ok. "Don't worry, we'll get it cleaned up...."
Ryan: "But I'm upset!"
Me: "why?"
Ryan: "Because I was really thirsty!"

I had to laugh.

I got home and now I have completed one thing that was on my to-do list: "Clean my car"
Juice Everywhere! PUDDLES in every nook and cranny. Thank goodness for the SHAM-WOW!
It seriously soaked up the puddles just like in the infomercial. I then called the guy who details my car every time I come back from being out of town. This guy is great! He charges $25 for cars, $35 for Trucks, and $40 for vans. He cleans inside and out and details everything. I ask him how much to detail AND shampoo the back of my car. He said, "I'm gonna bless you with a good deal.....$40." WHAT!?!?! I think normally he charges about $80 for detail and shampoo. SO if anyone needs a detailer, I would love to send some more business his way. So come Monday, I will have a lemon-free car again.

BTW....Ryan is still sad about not getting her drink of lemonade.

Little Ballerina

Reagan has found her calling in life. We signed her up for ballet classes earlier this year. Ryan had done dance and then soccer and we figured Reagan was probably ready to do a class of some sort and thought the exercise would be good for her. We finally decided on ballet and she loves it. Mostly because you get a costume and you get to wear make-up. She is definitely in love with that part of it. Watching her in class is pretty funny. She stares at herself in the mirror, she listens very closely to her teacher and she can't wait til the end of class when Ms. Barbara brings out the flowy scarves that they get to dance with. I'm glad.

She just had her recital a couple weekends ago and I'm glad it's over. Recital week is EXHAUSTING! Practices, pictures, run through every day for a week....and just for a very small part in one dance. But again, Reagan was really happy putting on her costume and getting make-up put on. She wants to wear it EVERYDAY.

Ryan was so excited to see Reagan on Stage.

She was a frog in her recital.
I just love the pics Chris took.

Check these out!!!!

For those who know my mom, she is an amazing seamstress and she has begun making her Ladybug bags that are totally cool and chic! Please check them out at here! They are so cute and we're able to ship! A paypal account will be set up very shortly. Thanks!

The BIG 3-O!!!

I am officially 30. I think on the DAY, I started feeling achy, started to think that tennis shoes are completely acceptable with every outfit because my feet and HIPS feel so much better at the end of the day, I wondered how young is too young for Botox, and as I walked around Disneyland on that day....I began to see the benefits of a purse you can tie around your waist. Sad.

Did I tell you I went to DISNEYLAND for my birthday. Ericka came too of course. In case you didn't know, you can get in free to Disneyland on your birthday this year. So at the beginning of the year, Ericka and I immediately decided that for our 30th Birthday we were going by ourselves, no kids, no husbands to the Happiest Place on Earth. We had a great time. We had a friend of ours (who's birthday was also June 2nd) and her sister join us. Which is good....because one can only take so much of family. ; ) But the best surprise about the trip happened on the ride home from Disneyland. I let Ericka drive to San Diego because I tend to fall asleep at the wheel and I wanted to sleep before we hit the mountains since Ericka hates driving that part. When we get to San Diego, in my sleep I hear they all wanted food and drinks, so we pull into an In and Out. I look at a truck that looks like Chris' and I think, "wow that looks like Chris' truck." and out comes Chris! I was so shocked. He planned for us to stay an extra two days in San Diego. Everyone was in on his little secret. It was great! I tease him because he gave himself a present too for my birthday......two days away from the girls and the dog.

Oh yeah, so trying not to add anymore stress to our lives.....we got a dog. She's really cute. Her name is Phoebe and she's a white boxer. She's about 2 1/2 months old now. We're trying to train her but its more like we're trying to train Ryan and Reagan. They just can't leave her ALONE!!!

So lots has been going on and I have no pictures of them because we have yet to buy a digital camera and I hate lugging Chris' camera out. So....hopefully soon I'll finally catch up.

No time.....

That's my excuse for not updating my blog. yet.....I have had time to read other peoples blogs.....and facebook......and keep up with my favorite shows.......and go to the movies......and sleep. But no time to clean, study, and blog. Sorry. I also feel like I'm suffering a bit of writer's block. I feel there is nothing exciting going on. Just working everyday and it's been great. (Thanks to all you who have checked out the Treehouse! Happy to report its doing well and we're getting busier and busier!)

My camera also broke and I haven't had time to even shop for a new one, so as soon as that happens I will post some new pictures and get back to blogging....i mean...."journal" our life. In the meantime.....anyone want to help me clean, study, and blog?

My Dream Home

This is my dream home. Look Familiar?
I think the best thing I did was marry an architect because he has educated me on what is out there and what good design is. I think we have the same taste. He likes to decorate and pick accessories for our house. Sometimes it's annoying because I feel like I have run my design choices through him.....but...hey.....he does it for a living.
So one day.....I will live in a single story, mid-century modern home with three bedrooms, and office, three bathrooms, a kitchen with concrete countertops and grey porcelian floors and walnut zebra grained cabinets, and a huge foyer that I will call the gallery to hang all of my family pictures. My current house does not have a family picture wall. I wish it did.
So....can anyone guess where you've seen that house?

New Preschool Program

Hey all. We're starting a small preschool program at the Treehouse. Only two days a weeks for three hours or four if you want us to feed them lunch. $30/week or $36 with lunch. Tuesdays and Thursday is the Tiny Twigs (ages 2 & 3) Class and Wednesday and Fridays is the Learning Leaves (ages 4 & 5) Class. We hope to start classes the first week of Feb.

Let me know if you're interested!!!!

Mom says......

I have a lot to post about. Reagan's birthday, Christmas, Ryan's Soccer game, Ryan's Birthday (which I forgot my camera). Anyway.....lots. But something happened a couple weeks ago that I've meaning to post about.

Growing up my mom had tons of superstitious theories about certain things. They're cultural I know. Chris heard a lot of them when he was on his mission in Veracruz. Examples: Don't go between hot and cold weather so suddenly because "Te vas a torsed" (Direct translation :you will get twisted) which means get achy joints? I think. Also, Don't cut your hair when the moon is getting smaller because you're hair won't grow back. So growing up we would have to wait for every haircut. Don't shower when you have a cold because you'll stay sick. Chris heard, Don't open the fridge first thing in the morning because you'll get sick. Don't eat an avocado and get mad because you'll die. Ericka believes in the "Don't shampoo your carpets barefoot because you'll get a sore throat.

So anyway, we went over to my mom's house and they had a fresh plates of carnitas (shredded pork)! YUMMY! It was around 8:30 pm when we went over and Reagan, of course, begins to sample it and loves it. My mom then says, "kids shouldn't eat pork late at night." I laughed and said why? She says, "I don't know....I just don't like it." Whatever mom. So we all continue to finish the pork, even Ryan and Reagan.
Warning.....graphic content!
Later on that night......it's about 2 am. Reagan comes into my room very quietly but climbs into bed with me. I immediately notice she's wet, but she's being very quiet with an embarrassed look on her face. I go to her room to get her a change of pajamas and as I walk in their room, I smell the strongest smell of pee I have ever smelled. WOW! I go back to my room and begin changing Reagan. I take her pants and underwear off and put a new pair of underwear on and begin to put her pants on....then my hand grabs something.....what is it?........a freakin TERD! I scream, waking Chris up. Then I compose myself and finish cleaning her up and change her sheets and disinfect her mattress and she went back to sleep in her bed.

So....don't let your kids eat pork at night because they will pee and poop their pants.