Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Jenny Williams, MSW

Finally! Graduation was fairly uneventful, but I'm glad I went and am finally finished with school.
Thank you to my cute Jeff for being so patient and loving and supportive and patient with me through this little adventure.
Thank you to my awesome family for being so supportive and encouraging and especially to my parents for raising me the way they did and always being there.
Thank you to Susan and Andrea for sitting through the boring and slightly unusual ceremony. I don't have any pictures with them from this night...I need to get them from Susan.

I couldn't have done it without you all, so thank you!
Yay? I'm graduating. This was before the whole ordeal. I don't know why I look confused or scared or whatever it is that I look like.

My awesome fam (most of them) and bestie Crystal.

He's a good man. Thanks for being the bestest husband!

I sure do appreciate my parents. They're pretty much amazing. See that awesome lei? My dad made it. All by himself. He's crafty like that. And it turned out beautifully!

Thursday, May 6, 2010

A Cause I Can Get Behind

I got a little stick of Natural Coconut Oil Healing Balm from one of my coworkers. It's supposed to be great for dry, cracked skin and for helping with eczema. I've applied it and I like the product. This little flier came with it. (you may have to click on it to read it)




I Love this! Aid doesn't help anyone in the long term, it just creates people who are dependent on others. These women are working their way out of poverty. Hard work is the only way for people to actually get out of poverty. Kudos to this foundation for supporting something that will actually make a difference. And most of all, kudos to these women for taking a stand and doing something for themselves. I hope they will serve as an example of how's it's supposed to be done to others and to future generations.

I have no problem supporting this good cause.

Capitalism works every time you let it.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

500 of the Best Days of My Life!



Today is the 500th day Jenny and I have been married. Jennifer and I were married on December 20th in 2008. I thought I loved her then (and I did, of course) but after 500 days, wow, I really love her.

Jenny is the best girl a guy could ever ask for. Jenny has always been supportive of me and my decisions. She encouraged me to go back to school and that it was okay to start over at 28. She makes me feel good about myself when I come home mad that I got only a 92 on a test. Jenny has been encouraging me in my weightloss, but has never nagged me about what I eat. In fact, she has never nagged me about anything, ever.

Jenny just completed her Masters in Social Work and worked diligently to finish that. I’ve been happy to be there for her in her times of stress and discouragement. But she’s a strong women and always got her stuff done. I'm so proud of you.

I love how much she loves children. She so very much enjoys working with the kids at the Grand Families Program at Children Service Society. (BTW, they need funding to hire her, so if you know a philanthropic person who needs to donate tens of thousands of dollars to a good cause, let me know). I love to see her with her nieces and nephew. She so very much loves them. Jenny is going to be an even better mother than wife, and that’s saying something.

Jenny, I love you so much. My day isn’t complete unless I get to spend time with you. I love waking up to you, and falling asleep with you (or rather, you falling asleep first and me joining you later). I love everything about you and I love everything about our marriage. Thanks for being such a great wife and thanks for being mine!!!

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Just My Imagination

Pretend that title is followed by music notes so you think of the song by the Temptations.

Date night! I love date night. We went to the symphony (thanks for the tickets, mom and dad!) and it was seriously fabulous.

Now, I'm not a big symphony person usually, but I do enjoy the pops concerts they do. The conductor totally gets into it and is so much fun to watch.


Tonight featured the Temptations. Only one of the original members of the Temptations is still hanging out in the business, but they all grooved and had all the classic moves down to an art. Jeff is working on his moves too. We just need to get him a shimmery green jacket and silky black shirt. Super stylish and pretty much amazing.

I really loved watching the older people...probably like my parents age (sorry guys...you are getting to that point)...and how thrilled they were seeing these guys. They were dancing in the aisles and singing along. Truly awesome. The classic ballad of My Girl was definitely the favorite of the evening.
Another great part was seeing the strange people that go out and about. Ignore the blurriness. We had to be discreet and we were up on the balcony taking pictures of people below. We're not judging. Just observing our surroundings.

Jeff thought this girl's dress looked like a picnic blanket. I concur.

I don't think classy attire gets any better than this. Check out the American flag shirt and massive mustache. Combine that with the silvery fake leather leggings and fur coat and you've got a match made in heaven.

Is it creepy that we take pictures of random people from a distance? Probably. But, you just can't explain these things. Don't you all feel better experiencing the same things we did?

Sleepover

Last night Maddie called and asked if she could sleep over. Sure thing. So, Jeff made her a scooter so she could scoot along our carpet. It's a cookie sheet and she LOVED it.
We had fajitas for dinner, but Maddie just ate Trix and sat under the table. She did offer to say the dinner prayer and it was super long. She blesses everyone and everything...except the food.

We had a bit of a photo shoot and did whatever Maddie told us to do.

Maddie took this one all by herself. :)

We were told to close our eyes and make kissing faces. We look pretty awesome. We like being the favorite auntie and uncle. Especially when sleepovers actually involve sleeping.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Some Funny Happenings

Jenny has been studying her heart out. She's done a really good job most of the time. Here is her not doing a very good job.




Later in the week, Sam came over and while Jenny was putting clothes away in the bedroom, Sam must have gotten a little lonely while watching cartoons and grabbed some of our dolls/figurines from the book shelves

Monday, April 26, 2010

DONE

I am officially finished with school.
You have no idea how good I feel right now.
Papers are completed and turned in.
Graduation is May 6.

Grades will be posted.
As long as I pass all my classes, I take a licensing test.
Then hopefully have a job.
Then we move out of this cinderblock cave.
Jeff and I thought this would never come!

So what are we doing to celebrate at midnight?
Making peanut butter chocolate chip cookies.
Mmmm, boy.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Pedicures

Yes. These pictures are of Jeff. Getting a pedicure. Reading a Cosmopolitan magazine. He's secure in his manhood. Kyle was a good sport.
We got pedicures post-marathon on Saturday. Andrea, Amy, Kevin, and Joey all participated in the bike/1/2 marathon/full marathon. The rest of us supported them at the finish line.
Way to go, guys! And thanks for the excuse to get pedicures to massage your achy legs and feet.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Right Now

I'm listening to my 28-year-old husband and his 21-year-old brother giggling like little school girls while playing Super Mario on the Wii.

It's funny to me.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Check us out

Our cute friend Becca created a love story blog. Jeff and I did our story on it. It will be up tomorrow (Sunday) so check it out!

Click here.

Musical

Being married to Jeff has turned my life into a musical and I think it's absolutely hilarious.
He always breaks into song and can sing a made-up song about anything. Anytime. Anywhere.

Often times, he'll use the tune of a song either from the radio or from an actual musical such as these in the pictures. The words are generally all his. A lot of times, though, he'll just sing a random song that has to do with whatever he is talking about.

Examples from today:
"Please forgive me...I know not what I do...Please forgive me...(and this is where he changes it) You can't stop loving me..."

"You say it best...when you say nothing at all." Then, just to be funny, he continues and the next chorus he sings, "You say it best...when you keep your mouth shut."

In primary, Jeff sometimes doesn't know the right words or the right order or whatever. He sings loudly and throws everyone off.

During our lessons, when we are supposed to be using a song to illustrate the lesson, I'll say the words and Jeff makes up his own tune and sings like mad to the kids. It's awesome. He and Maddie often belt it out together with their own renditions of who knows what.

I think musicals are awesome. I love that the people just break into song at any moment and all is right with the world.
It's pretty cool living my life in a musical.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Blessed

I am so blessed.
I realize more and more every day just how blessed I truly am.
I am blessed to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Jeff is such a blessing in my life.
He holds the Priesthood worthily.
He works hard to support our little family.
He is a gentleman.
He constantly tells me how much he loves me and how lucky he feels to be married to me.
He always tries to make me happy and will do whatever he can to fulfill that.
He is so incredible with kids. I know I've posted about that several times, but he really truly is. This last week while watching our niece and nephew, I have realized more than ever before how amazing of a father he really will be. He has been so great all week with helping me get the kids to bed, clean up, have dinner, etc. I don't know how women/moms/wives can do it all without a supportive husband.
There is never a doubt in my mind that I made the right choice in marrying Jeff.
He is kind and gets along so well with my mom and everyone he meets.

My mom thinks he's cute.
I agree.

He always makes me feel like the most important person in the world and will drop anything when I'm having a rough time.
We have been sealed for time and all eternity in the temple and are able to enjoy the blessings that come along with that.
Thank you, Jeff.
I love you.
There is no one else I'd rather spend eternity with.

I also am blessed with 4 amazing sisters and hard-working, understanding, supportive, and loving parents who shaped me into the person I am today.
I don't know where I'd be without them.
My sisters have always been there for me. We have had so many great memories together and I love each of them dearly.
I also have a little brother who has taught me so much.

I couldn't ask for better in laws.
I'm so thankful to each and every one of them.
I married into a wonderful family.
Dave and Susan are the kindest, most accepting and compassionate people.
I appreciate them and love them so much.
I love all my brothers-in-law.
They crack me up and right after Jeff and I got married, Joey would ask if he was treating me well and if he wasn't, he'd take care of it.
My sisters-in-law are equally fabulous.
I love crafting and shopping with them.

Between the 2 sides of our family, Jeff and I enjoy 3 sweet nieces and one wild nephew.

I love my family.
I love my husband.
I love my life.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

So Tired

I'm so exhausted. We were up at 5 this morning because Maddie was wide awake and wanting me to feel her wiggly tooth. She also had a million questions and just wanted to chat. Sam is a little kick boxer in his sleep. I have been jabbed, kicked, and groped all night for the last couple of nights.
I love these kiddos dearly. I am also really excited to sleep next to my husband in our own bed in a few days. I will never again take a full nights sleep without little elbows jabbing or voices talking for granted!

Monday, March 29, 2010

Things I've Learned

Jeff and I are watching Maddie and Sam all week while Emily and Ben are in Costa Rica. In my few days of being a full time mommy, I have learned a lot.

1. Do not leave a wild 2-year-old alone with his 5-year-old sister while he has a cane in his hand. It will only end in tears.

2. Having 2 children means endless laundry, dishes, and messes. It also means having birthday parties (with homemade party hats) for Mr. Potato Head and his friends. Cake and everything.

3. Do not wear a white shirt to church when you have a 2-year-old with you.

4. Just don't even bother wearing clean shirts period because by the end of the day, you will be covered in tears, snot, food, and mysterious other substances.

5. There is a reason that when you have kids, they start out as babies so when they have 2-year-old tantrums, you remember how cute and pleasant they were as babies.

6. The innocence of kiddos is amazing. They have so much faith and understand that Priesthood blessings really do help when you're having a rough time.

7. Sleep is NOT overrated. I'm so excited to get sleep again come Saturday night.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Breakfast Disaster

Joey and I decided to head up to Rexburg, ID to visit with Kyle and see his last choir concert of the year. I was looking forward to it because we were going to make a couple of exciting stops for some well-earned quality dining. We left on Friday around 2pm and stopped for burgers at some place in Roy. Very good. We went to the concert and after we had a decent pizza buffet and did some bowling. We were so excited to eat some really good flapjacks. So we went to the Flapjack Shack.



When we went in, it seemed pretty shady. Mom at the register, 12yo son doing the dishes and Dad cooking the food. Plus there was a line, so we decided to go to JB's instead. Redemption attempt #1: We arrived at JB's and decided to get the breakfast buffet, major mistake, major. The buffet was expectedly horrible and they had no pancakes. Joe asked 4 different people to bring out more, and they all said they were on it, but alas, no pancakes.



After sampling the fine cuisine at the buffet line, we decided we'd had enough and we headed back to the flapjack shack to try once again to redeem our morning. I ordered one flapjack and Joe ordered two, reasonably priced pancakes. That was at 8:57. After 43 minutes and a couple of episodes of Gilligan's Island later, we finally got our pancakes. They were okay, but not worth a 40+ minute wait. Dejected, rejected and disillusioned, we departed Rexburg for our long drive home. We had one last attempt to redeem our Saturday morning: we stopped at Five Guys in Centerville. Their burgers and fries are spectacular. Partial Redemption.



[Now i have to stop here and add a little commentary. I've been to Jb's before. I've had their breakfast. I've had their breakfast buffet. I know their breakfast buffet is terrible. So why did I agree to get the buffet? That is a really really good question, and I think I can answer it after looking deep into my psyche: I have a problem with food. I love it too much. I love it in great quantities, and I don't like my supply to be limited [This stems from childhood, but the why is for another post altogether]. Simply put, I was blinded by my inner mind. When my logical side said "Jeff, this buffet will be horrible" my inner mind said "Jeff, this buffet will be so good." When the logical side said, "the food is going to be cold and the grease level will be off the charts" my inner mind said "Just think of all the food you can eat, quantity supersedes quality." And who do I listen to? the one what has been working well for decades, the one who knows the world and how things really work, the one who knows my inner mind and how it works? No, I repeatedly listen to the stupid illogical side, the inner mind. Inner mind, with all my heart I stab at thee!!!]

Friday, March 26, 2010

The Ball

the other day, i yawned. a big yawn. and i happened to be sitting next to maddie. she says,
"i saw your ball!"
me: my ball?
her: yeah. the ball in the back of your throat.
me: ah, yes. that ball.
her: can you make it bounce?
me: seriously?
her: yeah. make it bounce. stick your finger back there and bounce it.

we then had to discuss the gagging that would occur and we each gagged a little just talking about it. needless to say, i did NOT stick my finger back there to bounce the ball.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Thoughts from Primary

Primary lesson today: Being Missionaries.

Me: "Have you heard the song 'I Hope They Call Me On a Mission'?"
Savannah: "My mom doesn't actually know that song. But we have the cd's so she can learn it."
(Don't worry 900 court friends. Kari does know the song. She sometimes just forgets the second verse.) :)

Me: "Do you know how old you have to be to go on a mission?"
(Blank stares from all children.)
"Boys have to be 19 and girls have to be 21."
Savannah: "You could like be dead!"

I love that 21 is so ancient to little kids.

Me: "The Lamanites were very wicked people. Do you guys know what wicked means?"
Jarrod: "I like to play Mario."
Savannah: "Um, it means sassy."

Me: "How could you be a good missionary?"
Jarrod: "Play Mario."

Our little 4 & 5 year old class is the best. We love going to primary!

Saturday, March 20, 2010

So Soon

Thursday May 6.
7:30 p.m.
College of Social Work graduation.
I love that I get to do it the day before the university wide graduation.
It's SO close...yet so far away...
Can you tell that I am just beyond ready for this?

Friday, March 19, 2010

Date Night

Dating gets better and better the longer we're married.
We're driving an hour out of the way to go to dinner tonight.
We're both excited.
Delicious Mexican food.
Lots of time to chat and laugh in the car.
Hanging out with each other after not being together all week.
La Casita, here we come!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Mac N Cheese

In my hanging out with Maddie and Sam today, they decided they wanted Mac & Cheese for lunch. This is a very common meal for them on Wednesdays. Luckily, there was some in the fridge (leftover mac & cheese is nasty to me, but the kiddos don't seem to mind) so I didn't have to make a new batch.
I was doing some laundry so Maddie took it out of the fridge. When I went out to the kitchen to warm it up, I couldn't find it anywhere.
After getting the kiddos to search for it with me because "Sam took it" (everything is his fault), Maddie yells,
"Hey Jenny! I found it! It's right here." Yep. In the laundry hamper.
Later, we took my mom to physical therapy so we were telling her about the mac & cheese hunt.
Maddie said,
"It wasn't in my mom's room. It wasn't in my room. It wasn't in the den. It was in the hamster!"

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Massages

I LOVE rice bags. They're so comfortable and relaxing and warm and delightful. So today, I was domestic. Very very domestic. I created a truly amazing work of art. A custom rice bag for my cute husband.
Yes, it's ugly. But look how cool it is!
It kind of has a body armor look, but it keeps the rice divided semi-equally so it doesn't all sink down to the bottom.
Jeff requested straps/handles so he could adjust it on his back as needed. So, the two little parts go up on the shoulders and the straps go down in front so it can be adjusted however. Because it's really ugly, I made a fun little cover for it. I was DONE sewing so I just made it a square instead of the exact same shape and will put a little snap on it.
It took about 2 hours and my back hurt like mad after I finished it. Thanks to my mom for use of the sewing machine. I didn't want to change the color of the thread, so I kept it black even though I was sewing on white. Whatever. I was pretty impressed because I'm definitely not a seamstress and totally made it up as I went along.

Jeff, in return offered to rub my back because it was super sore. Now, when I think of massages, I think of relaxing, long strokes.
Jeff gets bored easily and his strokes are short. And choppy.
He said he got a chair massage at work the other day and started doing stuff the massage lady did.
Jeff starts doing this thing with his fingernails, moving them out from the center, so I ask "what is that?" Jeff answers "the massage lady did that, I'm removing the energy from your back."
Then, all of a sudden, he starts slapping...or maybe chopping...not really slapping, but kinda like when you would tap cheeks or something...know what I mean? and I ask,
"Did you learn that from the massage person, too?"
His response: "No. I'm just making this up."
Thanks, babe.
Later he says,
"You're so tense...Just kidding. I have no idea. People always just say that."
He notices a scar-looking thing on my back (probably just a stretch mark or something. I've never been a small girl.) and says,
"Hmm, you have a weird line on your back. Did you have back surgery? Get burned with acid or something?"
Nope. Neither of those.
You probably had to be there for any of this to be somewhat funny, but Jeff never ceases to amaze me with the random comments that come out of his mouth. It cracks me up.

One last thought:
You know how with little kids you do raspberry blowy things on their stomachs? Is that what they're called?
Anyway, I did that to Jeff the other day and asked if it tickled. (Yeah...we're mature like that). He said no. So I suggested that maybe kids like it so much because of the sound it makes.
Jeff's response?

"No. Because deaf kids like it too."

Right. Do you know a lot of deaf kids who like it? Bless his heart.

Doctor Visits

These are Jeff's nemesis. He doesn't want to seem like a hypochondriac, so he refuses to go until I make him.
I can appreciate this, because even though I come up with the worst diagnosis for myself possible, I also don't want to seem like a hypochondriac.

Anyway, Jeff's foot has been hurting for almost 2 months. I said, "Maybe you should get that checked out." He said, "No. It's fine."
So yesterday morning, he says, "I was really close to making a dr. appointment for my foot."
Me: "Why didn't you?"
Him: "Because I'm fine. It's not a big deal."
Me: "Just do it. Find out what's wrong with it. Please."
Him: "Fine" (in one of those I-don't-think-it's-necessary-but-I'll-do-it-so-you-stop-bugging-me kind of tone).

He goes to the doctor. The doctor says, "Hmm. If we had an x-ray tech here today I'd get you an x-ray. But we don't so go see a podiatrist."
Doctor visit unsuccessful. Jeff annoyed. Me just fine with the whole situation.

We purchased some ice packs from the local Walmart where the sketchy people seemed to be out and about more so than usual. It was a little on the "Um, we could get shot or mugged at any moment" kind of times for me. But, luckily it didn't happen. Ice packs and an ace wrap=a somewhat satisfied Jeff.

Good news, though. Earlier this week, Jeff lost his wedding ring for the second time (yes...we have only been married a little over a year). He looked everywhere for it. He found it this morning! In his pants pocket. Hooray! No saving up for a new ring.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Don't Drink Mercury!

Just an FYI, the liquid metal MERCURY IS POISON. Do not drink it! Don't order it from the internet. Don't have it around the house. Don't drink when it's in the house. Don't wager a shot of mercury as part of a drinking game. Even if you loose that drinking game, DON'T DRINK THE MERCURY!

Do Not Drink Mercury!



We talked in one of our meetings about a guy from Utah County who, a few months ago, lost a drinking game and drank a shot glass full of mercury (acquired from the internet). His friends took him to the ER after vomiting all night. Some of the mercury from his vomit vaporized and he breathed it in (which is way worse than ingesting it). He died in the hospital a bit later. Good times eh?

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Family

We have been blessed to have amazing families. Last night we had my fabulous in-laws over for dinner and a little Wii action. (We missed you, Andrea, Kevin, Avery, and Dave!)

Kaitlyn, obviously, was the star of the night. I love how confused and/or annoyed she looks in this picture:
Isn't she darling? Big brown eyes, cute baby soft brown hair, and the most adorable little face...
Grandma and Kaitlyn:
I don't know why, but I love little baby jeans and feet. They're just so cute. Anything in a smaller version of normal sized things is adorable. I know this is blurry, but I just love it.

Kaitlyn got into the Wii playing a little. Carly and Spencer are getting in some good preparation to be parents. :) They're getting married in May and we're SO excited for them! Carly is finishing law school back east so they've been away from each other the majority of their engagement. I don't know how they do it!
Jeff and Kyle:

Joey and Amy:

Susan and Jeff:And, one more cute picture of Kaitlyn. She's SO close to walking! It's the cutest thing ever.
We love you guys! Can't wait for Kaitlyn's first birthday party tonight and then the wedding in May so we can ALL be together!

Utah

10:30 a.m. as I was leaving class on Friday:



4:30 p.m. as I was driving home from work:


I love having multiple seasons in one day.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Funny

Jeff sent this to me and I thought it was hilarious. Enjoy!


64 Days

Only 64 days, 4 hours, and 33 minutes until I graduate.
But who's counting?

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

I'm Ready

Spring,
Please come.
I'm ready to see some of these and a lovely blue sky and sunshine on a regular basis.
I'm ready for "all you need is a light jacket" weather.
It's time.
Please hurry.

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Words of Wisdom

We had NINE kids in our class today. NINE. Half of which are a little on the rambunctious side. The most we've ever had is 5. But today, we had 2 classes. It was pretty brutal.

Today's lesson in primary: helping the kids understand that Jesus was once a child like them and how they can make choices to try to be more like Him.

One of the questions was about activities that they thought Jesus did when he was a child. We talked about how there wasn't electricity so there were no movies, etc...

Cute little Jerrod raises his hand and says,
"Um, I just have to tell you something. I really like playing Mario."

In trying to keep with the lesson, I say, "I like to play Mario too, but Jesus didn't have Mario. What else do you think Jesus liked to do when he was a child?"

Then Jack pipes in,
"Someone said that he played video games like X-Box. But you said there wasn't electricity. So Jesus couldn't play X-Box."

You're absolutely right, Jack. Jesus did not play X-Box.

Shortly after this, we moved on with the lesson.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Mommy Day

Yesterday was a total mommy day for me.
I always feel a little like a mom when I hang out with Maddie and Sam, but yesterday was 100% mommy.
Here's how it went down:
1- Get Sam dressed.
2- He helps me clean the house (no, Emily doesn't expect me to. I just like cleaning other people's houses).
Sam's helping involves freaking out (really truly screaming, crying, and running away) because he thinks the dust bunnies I'm sweeping are bees. It's traumatic.
3- He helps me mop. Helping me mop means he lifts the mop out of the bucket and splashes it into the water a few times before putting it on the floor creating a large puddle and then looking confused when his feet get all wet.
4- Sam puts the broom into the mop bucket because he thinks it goes there.
5- Shower and change Sam.
6- Pick Maddie up from school.
7- Go back to the house. Make lunch. Do homework with Maddie.
8- Help Maddie find a fact about Antarctica on the computer. Sam drops a serious bomb in his diaper. Maddie begins dry heaving. This is followed by, "Go change him, Jenny. (gag gag gag) He stinks! Get him outta here. (gag gag gag). I'm serious! Go change him!"
9- Change stink bomb after he runs away and giggles about it. Take stink bomb outside to dumpster.
10- Give the children cookies because I'm the auntie.
11- Maddie dry heaves again because she "smells the diaper" even though it's outside, we were in a different room, and I sprayed the other rooms with Lysol.
12- Let children drink from little medicine cups because it's really funny and they drink A LOT of water.
(This is when Maddie was spitting the cup out of her mouth and making Sam pick it up for her so she could do it again. Coolest game ever.)

13- Children play and laugh hysterically at each other while drinking their water.
(They love to do "cheers!")

14- Both kiddos go down the hall with their little medicine cups of water. I look at Maddie and she has the dry heaving going on and then the cookie comes back up. All over her pants. All over the floor. Sam, of course, thinks it's completely awesome.
15- I dry heave as I clean up said vomit. Maddie says, "Why did I throw up? Sorry I threw up all over. Why did I do that? What's wrong with me?"
16- Console Maddie while changing her clothes and trying not to puke while I take pants covered in vomit to the washer.
17- Take kids to swimming lessons. Maddie is a little rockstar. Sam loathes swimming lessons and screams the whole time. Maddie gets some water in her, starts coughing and pukes. Again. In the pool. Little hot dog chunks among other things. I watch in disgust. Teacher has to ask me to bring a towel over because I just watch and am grossed out.

18- Clean up second round of vomit. Maddie again apologizes. "Sorry I threw up." "I feel so much better!"
19- Wrestle children into their clothes, start dripping with sweat because it's so blasted humid in the pool area, and start the trek back to their house.
20- Sam falls asleep. Maddie has a kids meal from Wendy's then takes a bath. I think she would live in the water if she could.

Jeff comes to visit (thanks for saving us all!). I leave to teach a parenting class. (I know. It's funny to me that I teach Love and Logic with the counselor I worked with at the school last year, yet I have no children of my own. Hmmm.)

I go home. I'm completely and utterly exhausted. KUDOS to all you moms who make it look so easy! You have my ultimate respect.

Pimpin'

I decided to go to the Sugarhouse Gold's Gym the other day.
It's ghetto, but a little closer to our lame place we live right now, so I did it.
And, it was totally worth it because I saw...
The PIMP! For another refresher, click here.
He was fresh from the tanning bed and had a lady friend with him.
He got his lady friend on a scale and then did a little pimp jig with one of his gym buddies.
He also did his rounds of trying to flirt with some of the ladies and talking with the men about their strenuous workouts which consist of a couple of reps then wandering around chatting and checking himself out in the mirror.
He showed his lady friend how to properly use the machines.
But I don't think he really even uses the majority of them.
I stared at him a lot because for one thing, he is super entertaining.
Another thing is that I was trying to figure out what his shirt said. It had dollar bills all over it and writing in big yellow letters at the top and bottom, but I couldn't get a good enough look. He probably loved the extra attention of someone watching him.
I just like people to feel confident about themselves.

I need a picture of this guy. Jeff told me I can't just ask to get a picture with him because I tend to give people the wrong idea. I mean, I tend to attract older and creepy-ish men and so Jeff tries to get me to not make eye contact and smile at them even though I'm just trying to be nice...

I love the gym pimp. It's dumb, I know...but I just think the world needs more of these potbellied men who love themselves so much.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Primary Thought of the Day

This one comes from cute little 4-year-old Anya:

"If you have fire on you, you stop, drop, and roll. My mom taught me that. Then you call the fire apartment and even if they're in bed, they'll still help you. I saw the fire truck on Mr. Roger's Neighborhood. And also on PBSkids.org."

This was said as we were watching a video about Alma the Younger during sharing time. Alma started a house on fire, so Anya was just making sure we all knew the protocol.

I can't get enough of hanging out with these cute kiddos!

Friday, February 19, 2010

Tender Moments

I love my life.
I got home last night and at the bottom of the stairwell, I could hear giggling and squealing coming from my apartment.
Jeff picked Maddie and Sam up on his way home from work so we could watch them while Emily and Ben went to the temple.
I walk in and see Jeff with both kids on his lap. All laughing hysterically and trying to give each other wet willies. Then they move on to wrestling and hiding under the sheets on our bed.
I'm pretty sure that little cartoon will be a common occurrence of the kinds of things he'll do with our kids. But it will be well worth it. Even if I do have to be the mean one sometimes.

We went to a ward party and took the kiddos. He explored with Sam and raced with Maddie.
He and Sam banged on a sign.
Maddie wanted to make a loud noise as well, but used her fist instead of an open hand which led to tears. Lots of them.
After we got them in the car to take them home, Jeff asked Mads if she still wanted to make a loud noise and bang on our mailboxes.
She, of course, said yes.
He unbuckled her, lifted her out of the car, and took her along each and every mail box...letting her bang on it as loud as she wanted. Then moving her leg so she could kick the last two.
She was THRILLED.
He's going to be such a cute dad.
I feel like he was meant to be a dad.
He loves kids.
He had a great example of a father (thanks, Dave!).
He gets so involved and treats kids like they're people instead of an inconvenience or annoyance the way some people view these precious little guys.
Am I excited to have kids with this guy?
You better believe it.
Even if he does feed children M&M's by the spoonful for dinner.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Middle of the Night

Discussions in the middle of the night are not always good things. They are, however, really funny.

At 3 a.m., I get up to get a drink of water, climb back in bed, and Jeff says to me:

"Do you have a uterus?"
Me: What? Did you just ask if I have a uterus?
Jeff: Yeah. Just answer the question.
Me: Yep. I have one.


Jeff told me in the morning that he had a dream that I'd had a hysterectomy and I'd never told him, and he was freaking out.

Yes. These are the things that are brought up in the middle of the night in the Williams household.

Monday, February 15, 2010

A Small Request

Dear people at Gold's Gym,

Please do not run on the treadmill barefoot.
There is a reason athletic shoes were invented.
It really grosses me out thinking about all the germs you are acquiring on your feet.

Thank you,
Jenny

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Hmmm

During primary, we were talking about how exciting the birth of Jesus was.
I was asking something along the lines of the Shepherds and angels...or something.
I can't remember exactly.
One of our little boys, out of nowhere, says,

"I like bats."

We're not distracted easily at all.