Sunday, December 21, 2008

A Dancing Success!

Cassidy had her first dance performance and she didn't even cry! I was SO nervous that she would run off stage crying. But she sure proved me wrong! It was ADORABLE. I have never been so happy to be her mother. She's the cutest!

Cassidy and Jilly:Lexi and Cassidy:ballerina pose:

Isn't she to die for?

Wow, I've posted a lot lately.

Friday, December 19, 2008

This is what happens when you do Christmas pictures yourself

This is what happens when you try and do Christmas pictures by yourself:
(Cassidy is pulling on his ear)Our brilliant curtain idea came crashing down, quite literally.and yet we did it anyway all for one or two pretty good shots:
In case you're thinking, "Oh, that doesn't look too bad..." it's because we deleted the worst pictures (crying babies) before I thought to put them on the blog.

But I thought our Santa adventure was quite the success. Baby Ethan sat on Santa's lap first, to show big sis that it's not so bad. Then she climbed on hesitatingly, forced a smile for the photo, and then climbed off graciously. And with tears welling up in her eyes, she recited, "I need a pwincess dwess, a bike and toys," all by herself! We had talked about seeing Santa for SO long and kept reminding her that she would NOT cry. I was VERY proud of her!


She points out Santas all the time now (half the time it's just a guy with a beard) and gets excited. It's just his lap that is scary to her. She really does love the idea of him and is very excited for this Christmas!
We were too impatient for Santa to bring Cassidy a bike, so we got her this used one FREE! She loves to ride it, even in the freezing cold:
Don't worry; Santa still might bring her a shiny red trike. We just have to wait and see!
Baby Ethan Update: He got his second tooth shortly after that first one. He is scooting backwards and always getting stuck under everything: couches, beds, tables, you name it. He now gets mad when you lay him down for naps, which is very unlike him. He still loves his jumperoo, and he thinks that everything Cassidy does is hilarious. Just for fun:

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Never been tagged

In all my many five months of blogging I have never been tagged (specifically by name). So thanks Cass, for tagging me. I hope you guys don't die of boredom:

1.Do you like bleu cheese? No way. I'm so picky I don't even like soup.
2. Have you ever smoked? I have never been offered a smoke...but I'm confident I would still say NO.
3. Do you own a gun? Heck no.
4. What flavor Kool-Aid was your favorite? I prefer the watermelon invisible Kool-Aid, and I will explain why: 1. It doesn't stain. 2. It doesn't taste as disgustingly strong. 3. It's fun to trick first-time tasters that it's water (btw, Cass, didn't I trick you once with it?). 4. It's not sticky. OK; that last one was a lie. Of course it's sticky; it's still Kool-Aid!
5. Do you get nervous about doctor appointments? Yep, esp. my kids' appointments when they get shots.
6. What do you think of hot dogs? Turkey Franks are the best.
7. Favorite Christmas movie? the Grinch (with Jim Carrey) by a mile! It's not just my favorite Christmas movie; It is my favorite movie EVER. I make myself resist watching it year-round so it will still be special when December comes. How geeky am I? My class even watched it in French today (en francais, bien sur!)
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? I try and be healthy and have fruit and water. But then 9:00 rolls around and I get hungry and eat whatever's around (at school all I have is granola bars). Did that even answer the question?
9. Can you do push-ups? Yeah-I used to go to "cardio camp" at the gym and our instructor would have us do push-ups by the 50's. It was intense. I went to that class until I was 5 mos. pregnant with Ethan. I was more in shape then than I am now.
10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? My rings; I feel naked without them.
11. Favorite hobby? Cassidy has nine scrapbooks. Need I say more? And I asked Santa for a Cricut machine.
12. Do you have ADD? No, but all my students seem to.
13. What's one trait you hate about yourself? I hate how I somehow think I have to steal all the attention when I'm in a group. Even when the subject has nothing to do with me; I'm working on it.
14. Middle initial? J.
15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? I'm hungry. I'm tired. I don't want to plan my lessons.
16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? milk, juice, water. In that order. (Bad, I know)
17. Current worry? How to survive another half-year teaching. This Christmas break is arriving just in time.
18. Current hate right now? The disrespectful attitude of adolescents towards teachers.
19. Favorite place to be? My bed.
20. How did you ring in the new year? I usually go to the New Year's Party at my sister's house. But Joel ALWAYS works New Years, so it's not my favorite holiday.
21. Where would you like to go? On a Cruise to anywhere.
22. Name 3 people to tag? Sheila, Anna and Ann Elise
23. Do you own slippers? Do Mukluks count? They are the best! (Big woven moccasins that go up the leg)
24. What shirt are you wearing? A white tank-top with a green half-sweater.
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Sure, but lame question.
26. Can you whistle? Not very well. It takes me a minute just to get out one good toot.
27. Favorite color? Pink, although I don't wear it half as much as I used to.
28. Would you be a pirate? Can I change these questions? Seriously.
29. What songs do you sing in the shower? Right now? Baby, it's cold out side, Let it Snow, Il est ne, le divin enfant...you get the idea. Usually? RESPECT (by Aretha Franklin), all the songs from "Enchanted," kid songs when the kids are awake to keep them entertained, the list goes on...poor Joel has to listen to me.
30. Favorite girl's name? Cassidy and Mia. Joel will never let me name my daughter Mia. (Me a Keeper!)
31. Favorite boy's name? Ethan
32. What's in your pocket right now? no pockets.
33. Last thing that made you laugh? I am laughing right now at Cassidy who is clapping...for no reason at all.
34. What vehicle do you drive? a white Chevy Aveo. It's like a tiny tiny mini-van. My neighbor's little boy said, "Look, Mom, it's a baby van."
35. Worst injury? I fractured a bone in my foot in high-school, but I didn't let it slow me down way bad. I still danced at the dances. In college I broke my wrist rollerblading backwards (not my brightest moment). I had to write left-handed for over a month. It was a rough semester.
36. Do you love where you live? Clearfield is not the most attractive place to live, but I LOVE my friends I have met in the townhomes. There are some jogging trails, but I have to drive to them, which to me defeats the purpose.
37. How many TVs do you have in your house? one and it is in the freezing cold basement, so we have no idea what is going on in the world.
38. Who is your loudest friend? I'm too loud to notice.
39. Do you have any pets? No, but I want to get Cassidy a fish.
40. Does someone have a crush on you? I used to have problems with all males named Travis, but that was a long time ago. I think I'm pretty safe now.
41. Your favorite book? Are you my mother? (a kid book)
42. Do you collect anything? scrapbook supplies.
43. Favorite sports team? the Jazz, I guess.
44. What song do you want played at your funeral? What? I have NO idea. If I had to choose, I guess it would be the Prayer by Josh Groban.

Friday, December 12, 2008

My Christmas Gift to the Savior

Christmas is my favorite time of year. I love the way cities light up, the way people come together giving to others; I love the hustle and bustle of shopping in the crowded stores. I love sledding (when there's snow...), making ginger-bread houses, the smell of my Christmas candle. And I love the music. Ah, the music. But there is one thing in particular that makes Christmas the most special time of year to me.
Each year my family gets together on Christmas Eve. We spend time together eating dinner, acting out the nativity scene, and each of us gets to unwrap one present. But my favorite part of the evening is when we give our "gifts" to the savior for his birth (like the three wisemen). We sit together, and, as our gifts to the Savior, we share our testimonies of the gospel. It is truly my favorite night of the year. This year, my heart is very full, and so I would like to share my testimony of the Savior with all of you. I know that my savior came to this earth as a tiny infant in the most humble circumstances. He lived a perfect life, and set the perfect example to follow. I know He suffered in Gethsemane for our sins. My sins. It hurts me to know that he suffered because of me. But I am thankful that He did. He lived and died for us so that we may repent of our sins and come to Him. And because of Him we may return to live with our Father in Heaven once more. I am so thankful to Him for all He has done for me. I know he knows each one of us. He knows our needs and our trials. And He is there to comfort us.
He is my Lord, my Redeemer.
I am so thankful for this knowledge, and to know that I am a daughter of God. I know He loves us and wants us all to return to Him someday. I pray that this Christmas season, we may all take the time to remember why we celebrate Christmas.
Merry Christmas, everyone!

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

So Sweet

I was just putting the kids down for their naps. I went downstairs and I could hear Cassidy crying in her room. As I walked back up the stairs to see what was the matter, the crying turned to screams. I went in and asked what was the matter. Cassidy said very sadly, "I love you, too." I always say, "I love you" as I walk out the door, and apparently I had shut the door before hearing her response. Isn't that so sweet?

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Keepin' up with the Keepers!

Okay, so this might sound very lame to some of you...but I am bored of our blog name: Keeper Life. The other week I was telling some friends how we already had our Christmas tree up (yes, this was before Thanksgiving). My friend said, "Ooh, we need to keep up with the Keepers!" And I thought it was SO funny and catchy. I thought I had heard it all. At the hospital people would say about our baby girl, "She's a Keeper!" and "You should 'Keep 'er!" I didn't realize that our name could have any more puns.
Long story short--I want to re-name our blog "Keepin' up with the Keepers", because it's how our friends and family "keep up" or current with our lives. But Joel thinks it's offensive and will make people think our blog is a big show-off or contest...you know, "keepin' up with the Jones." Believe me, I know my blog is not the best, nor do I care for it to be. I just want to re-name it. So I figure, if I can get you guys to take the poll (it's anonymous), then we can settle this once and for all. (Don't worry-our marriage is not suffering due to this difference in opinion). Thanks in advance!