Tissues seem to be my best friend this week.

So, I suppose it's high time I update. I know it's been a while, but I've been battling this annoying chest cold, sinus thing that has really has me down for a few days. I always hear that the more rest and the more fluids, the sooner you start to feel better, so that has been my goal. I'm getting a little cabin fever, especially since we've have gorgeous weather this week (nearly 80s today) and KC had to work the majority of Saturday (though, when he got home, we played a good round of Farkle, in which my luck completely dominated, and we had a good laugh about it), and his Sunday is filled with obligations. Meanwhile, I sit here at home trying to find new places to lie down as to not get too bored. I tried reading outside for a while today, but actually got too warm, and fear getting sunburned. Imagine that. But the fresh air, and needed vitamin D felt great. I hoping this constant need of tissues, and chest congestion will be over soon so I can take advantage of this much awaited sunshine. But in the meantime, my windows, and shades are open so I can enjoy it as much as possible while inside. Unless of course, it's nap time, and I want it dark and quiet.

Oh, sounds like KC just walked in. I get him for 15 minutes until his next appointment. I better say hi.

P.S. I wish I was this cute when I'm sick. I'm not so lucky.

Serious Nostalgia

I remember few things about my first day in Kindergarten. Riding the bus for the first time, sitting on the rug with my new classmates all listening intently to the teacher, and talking to Megan Lamoreaux (currently Megan Wilson). I'll always remember her as the first person I talk to in elementary school. We remained good friends during all of k-6, and even went to the same high school where we saw each other often. As it happens with most close relationships from our younger years, life changes and people grow apart. But, it's good remember the good times from the past. I was delighted to get an email from Megan a couple days ago. Here are some of it's contents:

So, I am currently going through a huge bin that my mom just gave me. 
It is filled with old school stuff from way back in kindergarten.  I
found this card from you.  It is so fun.  I'm not sure when you made
it, but I thought I'd share.

On the front:

YOU'RE
   My Best
friend
(2 stick figures are are the bottom


Inside the card:

Dear Megan,
I like you alot!
you were the
first person I
talked to in all
the school years!
"CAN YOU
     BELEVE
 IT!:
"well anyway"
you're never mad
at me and
you're never
mean to me
that's why you're
my Best frind.

YOU'RE
GOOD
friend
EMILY

here is a luck teddy
BEAR
from Me
of corse on the front.

I was so touched that she took the time to send this to me. The memories of my childhood came flooding back. I'll have to go through some old stuff to see what treasures I can dig up. Thanks again Meg.

Of course

So I left my house first thing after waking up to help KC drop his car off at the shop and get him to work. Thinking I wouldn't see anyone, or even get out of the car, I didn't bother to get ready in the least. I was a complete scrounge from head to toe. A perfect candidate for Ambush Makeover complete a mismatched outfit of tennis shoes, baggy yoga pants, layers of clothing and a hat trying to cover up my mess of dirty hair.

Wanting to be productive with my drive home, I decided to stop in the drug store for something that has been on my list for a while. Either I didn't care that I looked like that, or I forgot, but it was this trip to the drug store that a very kind middle-aged man was looking for make-up and asked my advice. (And that is a story in and of itself. He needed it for another man, whose bald head was too shiny for being on camera or something so he needed translucent powder.) I kind of wanted to ask him if it really looked like I, without a stitch of makeup on, knew anything about make-up, but I just proceeded to help him out until he found what he was looking for. He must've given me the benefit of the doubt, or was desperate, so any female was better than nothing. He said he was completely overwhelmed, and I was too a little bit with the gigantic selection. I mean, I think we girls all have our favorites when it comes to makeup, so I was also exploring new territory. But I guess I had a little more experience than he did.

I promptly went home, showered, and slapped on the makeup, even though I don't have anywhere else to go today. It was just to make myself feel better.

It's time

I suppose I should finally write this and get it over with. I know it will make me sad since I've been trying not to think about it. But when you write, you have to think, so I have to come to grips with reality.

The Turpins, my sister Cami and her family, are moving from Maryland to Utah this very day. We've been with them the last couple days helping with cleaning, packing, or baby watching, and it was just weird looking around at the emptiness of the house and knowing we won't be going there again. Yes, I am happy that they are doing what's best for their family, yadda, yadda, yadda. But I'm going to be selfish for just a moment and say why I'm not so thrilled about this idea.

They have lived in Columbia, and I used to live with them when I moved to Maryland, so Columbia still feels like home to me. I love the shopping there, the majority of my doctors are there, and it's just a good place to be. So when I go there for these things, I like to be able to either stop at their house to hang out, have a snack (they are always so nice to let me help myself), call to see if she wants to meet me at the mall for some fun, or to play with the kiddies. It was just like I had another place to call home. Now I'll feel almost like a stranger there. Even though I still have friends in the area, it won't be quite the same. We loved having family to have dinner with on Sunday evenings, or watch movies at their house with 4 dollar Harris Teeter hogies on Friday nights. The kids know us and we know them. I don't want that to change. And what about the holidays?We loved spending Easter, Thanksgiving, and sometimes Christmas with them. And also, they are moving where EVERYONE else in my family, and most of KC's family happens to be. At least within a 30 min. drive of everyone. So it's just lonely KC and me over here, all the way across the country.

So, now that my pity-party is over, I'll go ahead and say that I am very happy for them. Jake has a new job that I hope that I hope is just what they've been looking for. It's nice to have lots of family around, and that is what they will have. They get to build their dream-house, and who doesn't love that? The boys will have lots of cousins to play with, and will finally know their other aunts and uncles. We will see them again, and a lot. I mean, it's inevitable since everyone else is there. And since we are not planning to stay here forever, it would be completely selfish for me to not want anyone else to go where they feel is best. Plus, we scored on some perishables and other stuff they couldn't fit in the truck. And you know what, KC and I are okay here by ourselves. We were lucky, and spoiled to have family near us in the first place. We have made great friends, and have a life here. So they are not abandoning us, but we will certainly miss them.

So all that being said, it's funny how things change and life just goes on. When I think of where my life is, really just beginning, I wonder what twists and turns will present themselves. Some have already been made known, but I am aware that things are bound to change more and more in ways that I would've never thought my life would. And I'm okay with that. I like change. I always have. I like a challenge (though not too challenging, please), and am actually really good at adapting to new situations. These past several years in Maryland, I have gone through some major life changes, and made some hopefully life-long friends. Yet, it's so weird that this time in my life with just be a tiny segment compared to everything else that will follow. Sometimes I get so caught up in the here and now, and I fail to realize that it's only a matter of time before things change.

Weird rant. You'd think we were moving. But we're not, yet. It's the Turpins for now. And boy will they be missed. We LOVE you guys, and can't wait to see you when we visit. But, for now, any visitors will be welcomed with open arms. Of course you always were, but now we need you more than ever.

Here are a few pics from our final hang with the fam. We tried to go to the Arboretum for a picnic on Sunday evening, but it was closed. We chose a cute park instead and it was fun all the same.

Jane had fun lounging on the air mattress with a tutu on afterward. She found a pacifier that Iris left at my house once. Jane has never really used one, but she really seemed to like it that day.

I might as well add some pictures from a different picnic last Saturday. Everyone was giddy with the warm weather so, we took full advantage of it. After a nice lunch, they broke out the boccie. I don't think I could describe more perfect weather than last weekend.

Soakin' in some vitamin D

So, on Monday it looked like this, and today it is 70ish and sunny. I daresay hot, even. I was just cutting KC's hair outside (I love when it's warm enough to do that-much easier cleanup) and we were seriously starting to break a sweat. What is going down here? I hope it's not a tease. I really need that warm sun. I think it's supposed to go back down again next week, but I just might get away with no tights tomorrow. I guess it's time to paint the toenails and break out the flip flops. I feel an arboretum picnic coming on.

Richard Hayden: [watching Tommy squirt catsup into his mouth] "Ugh, I can actually hear you getting fatter."

Am I the only one that hasn't heard about Heart Attack Grill? I found out about this horrible place during my daily jaunt to fatwallett.com. It lets you know about daily deals a promotions. One of them happened to be to the aforementioned place. The promotion was:

Over 350 lbs? Free all you can eat . . just pay for drink.

Anyone over 350 lbs eats for free. All day. everyday unlimited. Must weigh in with Doctor or Nurse (waitress) before each burger. No taking food to go. No sharing with others. Does not include beverage.

Confused, and scared for the consumers, I started reading the forum and comments to find out if this place is for real, thinking it was another Onion News spoof. I found their website (which I am purposely not going to provide a link to due to scantily-clad waitresses. Should you find it on your own, don't say I didn't warn you. I am not responsible.) and was utterly and completely appalled. And not just because of the skanky waitresses, or as they are called in the restaurant, "nurses", but also because I felt last night's dinner rising as I simply watched the videos looking at what they sold. Anything from single to "quadruple bypass burgers", and all you can eat "flatliner fries". No lettuce or diet drinks allowed, and everything is fried in lard. And I think the waitresses even wheel you to your car in a wheel chair. I feel greasy just writing this.

There are a number of news programs about them on youtube, but again I don't want them present on my blog, as to not offend. One that I think is appropriate to show, might give you the idea.

This owner, i.e. "doctor" (ugh) seems completely delusional and self absorbed. I am literally disgusted with this man, his ethics, and his establishment. The irony to me finding this right now, is that the other day KC accidentally brought me home a "regular hamburger" from Five Guys burger containing two patties (of course they call the regular so you accidentally order it when you meant the smaller one) when I usually have a hard time finishing the "little hamburger" containing one patty. The burgers aren't grossly huge at Five Guys, but certainly filling. Especially with their amazing fries. So I took one of the patties out so I was able to eat it without feeling too stuffed or too guilty. Had I seen this before eating my burger, I would've felt a lot different about the size of my burger (though I still would've taken the extra patty out.)

Those poor, tempted souls that actually give into this mess. I hope they start watching Biggest Loser or some kind of inspiration soon so they might actually get to live a little longer.

Three years baby!

Today is our 3rd wedding anniversary. Crazy how time has flown. It seems like just yesterday that Grandpa Carlson was sealing us in the Mount Timpanogos Temple. What a wonderful day with so many friends and family to support us.

I remember thinking that I never wanted newly wedded bliss to end. I would actually get really sad thinking it would someday. But I was naive and didn't realize that not only does it last, but it just gets better. As much as we felt like we knew each other then, we know each other so much better now. And actually, three years is still quite a young relationship. If we've come this far in a few years, think of what will happen in a lifetime. I can't wait! We have been blessed, to put it mildly. Oh, what would I do without my KC. It's almost to hard to put it into words. So I'll leave it at that to avoid cliches and corny phrases that don't actually describe my feelings accurately and give them the credit they deserve.

Anyway, we do have plans to celebrate, but it will be later on this month. Tonight will be a wondrous night full of leftovers for dinner, and mutual at the church. Hey, it's nice to have something to look forward to, right?

I can finally say it.

It's Sno-o-o-owing!
Well it was this morning anyway. I guess there was a little snowfall here while I was on vacation, but this is the first I've seen. It just kept coming down. And don't let those huge, fluffy flakes deceive you. This was heavy, wet, dense snow. Here is my boy hard at work. His back is feeling it tonight. You know, as much as I dislike the cold weather, I do the the peace and tranquility that an untouched snow covered morning brings. And the rest of the day for that matter. With all the schools, and a lot of other places closed, it seems that there was just a contentedness in the air. I myself celebrated this wondrous weather by getting a lot of chores done and watching the kiddos I normally watch. We popped popcorn, and wore our pajamas all day. It was quite cozy. Now, I am ready to move on to warm weather.