Just Because Everyone Else Is Doing It...

For a lack of anything better to post, I thought I'd follow with the family trend and do this ABC diddy. By the by, it is I, Mallena, doing this. Here we go....

A- Attached or Single: Attached and VERY glad not to be single
B- Best Friend: Douggie Poo
C- Cake or Pie: Pie---I HATE cake, well, not HATE, more like hate.
D- Day of Choice: Friday--I'm not sure why, I think I just loved it as a kid and I never bothered getting another favorite.
E- Essential Item: Doug--he isn't much of an item, but it's essential that I have him around.
F-Favorite Color: Light blue, pink, and purple.
G- Gummy Bears or Worms: Both, and in large quantities.
H- Hometown: Rexburg, Idaho---GO BOBCATS!! (Just a little rub to those of you in Rigby)
I- Favorite Indulgence: Since I do the grocery shopping---everything I buy is an indulgence. I'm surprised all of us haven't ballooned to 1,000 lbs.
J-January or July: January, if I don't have to drive anywhere. I LOVE layering clothes and have you ever seen how much hot chocolate and toast I can eat? YUM!
K- Kids: 2 adorable little girlies.
L- Life isn't complete without: My hubby wubby and my girls.
M-Marriage date: Friday, August 3, 2001
N- Number of Brothers and Sisters: 7 AMAZING brothers, 0 sisters; 4 brothers-in-law, 5 sisters-in-law, and 1 PSYCHOTIC sister-in-law whom I'm not sure if I should claim a relation (Melina, you know who you are).
O- Oranges or Apples: Apples
P- Phobias and Fears: Any type of creepy crawly. I won't get into my other fears--too many to mention.
R- Reason to smile: We're moving home in less than a year----I hope!
S- Season of Choice: Fall---birthday baby!
T- Tag two people: I think everyone in the blogging community has already done this.
U- Unknown Fact about me: I'm a very boring person. Just ask Doug. I put him to sleep every time I want to "talk".
V-Vegetable: Yuck! Actually, I love beans canned from the garden.
W- Worst Habit: Yelling at Doug. :)
X- X-ray or Ultra Sound: Never had an X-ray. I'd MUCH rather have an ultra sound. That way I know the pain is still aways away from happening. With an x-ray, you're apt to be feeling the pain right then.
Z- Zodiac Sign: Virgo---Melina, don't EVEN go there!

There wasn't a Q or Y, at least not from the list I copied from, so I created my own.

Q-Quirk you have: I have a hard time looking people in the eye for a long time. I have to look away a lot. I get uncomfortable if I look at someone for too long, even if it's a good friend.

Y-Yo-yo or Yogurt: Yogurt, I just love that Yoplait Key Lime Pie

Pictures from Anderson Visit

It didn't take long for the girls to get reacquainted with their grandparents and uncles. Oh, it probably took all of .000001 seconds. As soon as they saw them the playing started. Grandpa had to guess what hand the surprise was in, Kirill always had someone attached to him, and Kai, well, he was just being silly (we told you you'd regret letting us take this picture).

No, it wasn't raining, but they take the name "umbrella stroller" seriously.

After all that playing, there is nothing better than taking a nap with Grandpa.

Who can resist reading a story with Grandpa? Apparently, no one.

My family gave me a little break so I could work on my sharing time lesson for Sunday. They went for a walk around Pennypack Park. I think Kirill ran six miles--for some reason. I never did ask why he had to do it. Hmmm...I guess I was a little self absorbed there for a minute. The bump in the stroller is Miriam. Apparently she fell asleep on the walk over and then she woke up and Shaylynn fell asleep on the walk home.

We had a little birthday party for Miriam since her birthday is in a few weeks. My family gave her some presents and my mom bought her a HUGE balloon. Miriam has always asked for one for her birthday whenever we go to Party City. Thankfully I'm off the hook now. Dad, Mom, Kirill, Kairat: Thanks for the presents, the cake, and the company!
My mom bought the cake, but Miriam added her name (with a little help). Grandma added the Happy Birthday. Miriam was very kind and let Shaylynn help her blow out the candles. I think Shaylynn was able to blow out more than Miriam, but I'm surprised she didn't end up eating the candles.
These pictures were taken right before they left for the airport. I'm amazed we looked as happy as we did. Believe me, tears flowed moments later.

Finally----Family!

It took a LOT of work, but I finally convinced my family that they needed to come for a visit. It just so happened that my dad's Spring Break at BYU-Idaho and Miriam's ballet recital were at the same time. After some looking and debating we found some really great tickets out of Salt Lake. They arrived on Friday, April 11th around 11:30 p.m. I'm so glad I don't drive because I could just send Doug to go get them. Thanks honey!

We didn't tell Miriam that they were coming because we wanted it to be a surprise. At one point before their arrival Miriam prayed that they would be able to come to her recital. I just about ruined the secret at that point, but we managed to keep our mouths shut. It was really hard though because lately she's gotten really teary eyed when we'd talk about family in Idaho. Thankfully their trip worked out and they came. I think we all needed a dose of family.

On Saturday morning my dad and I went to pick up their rental car. When we got home the girls were still asleep (can you blame them--they were up until 10:30 the night before). My dad couldn't stand it any longer and came into our room and started shaking them awake. He kept saying, "Wake up, it's grandpa, I'm here" over and over again. Miriam kept moaning and trying to shake him off. Finally she sat up and looked at him. After a moments hesitation she threw her arms around his neck, jumped into his lap, and screamed, "Grandpa, you're here, I missed you!" At this Shaylynn woke up and took her turn at giving Grandpa a hug, that is, after Miriam let go and ran to find everyone else. Shaylynn stayed in my dad's arms for a long time. I wish I would have been smart and recorded the whole thing, but my dad was faster than my brain.

They left during the morning to see some of the sites downtown, but made it back by early afternoon. My mom helped me with some sewing projects, ironing, and other miscellaneous things I had been waiting for her help on. She was anxious to meet some of my friends and get a feel for where they are located in the complex. We went to Elaine's and then for a little tour around the complex. She came with me to see Miriam get her hair done at Tricia's. It was just great having her around. I just wanted to stay hooked to her arm the whole time.

On Sunday they came to church with us but then left for D.C. to see Sherman and Willow (my brother and his family). It was hard to see them go, but not horrible since we knew they'd be back. Shaylynn had the hardest time. She cried and cried for about ten minutes.

They got back Tuesday evening and we enjoyed a little bit of visiting until bedtime. On Wednesday my mom and I went shopping around town. It was so fun to get out of the house without the girls. We bought supplies for Miriam's upcoming birthday, some clothes for her and me, and then we just looked at lots and lots. We aren't really shoppers, but it was great to reconnect and get a chance to talk without kids asking us questions.

They left Thursday afternoon after a little more sightseeing. It was so hard to say goodbye, but at least we know we'll be seeing them fairly soon. I'm sure this summer will go fast and then it will be time to start preparing to move.

We are also looking forward to the trip that the Peterson family is going to take to our neighborhood. Right Melina? Anyone else is welcome anytime. Well, everyone but Hyrum. Sorry, you have to stay in Bulgaria for the next two years. We'll see you when you get back. However; Tasha would be welcome as your proxy.

Miriam's Ballet Recital

Well, what Miriam has worked for since last year has finally come and gone. On Saturday, April 12, 2008 she had her first ballet recital. I was worried that she would get too shy and not be able to perform, but after a few moments of hesitation she was fine. All of the girls did a great job! Darlynn, the teacher, did an amazing job. I can't imagine the patience it took to teach these little kiddos ballet, tap, and jazz. She's an amazing teacher and dancer and I'm excited to see the amazing woman she'll turn into.

Okay, so most of you that know me well know that I am extremely punctual and I always have WAY more than I need because I like to be EXTRA prepared. Uh...that didn't happen this time. I had everything set out that I needed to take in the morning, but I didn't want Miriam's tutu to go flat so I left it hanging in the bathroom. Well, it stayed hanging in the bathroom until Doug ran home from the Church and grabbed it. Arg! Thankfully he was able to get it and be back in time before they started. I have not been so stressed out and embarrassed in a long time.

There are several things I could blame my forgetfulness on: Doug taking a nap and not waking up, my family being here, the stress of not knowing if Miriam would be able to follow through, etc. However; I will take responsibility and just chalk it up to one of those things that happen because I'm blond. :)

Here are some pictures of our little "teddy bear". Thanks to Darlynn for picking out the ADORABLE costumes, and to Tricia who did Miriam's hair--teddy bear ears and all.

7 Things You May Not Know About Me (Mallena)

Thanks to Melina, I've been tagged to do this. I'm not sure what I'm going to write, so this post may take awhile to create.

1. I graduated from college with a BS three years after graduating from high school. I started Ricks college the week after my high school graduation and went straight through until I graduated from Lewis-Clark State College with a BS in Elementary Education and an endorsement in Special Education. I can teach grades K-8 and Special Ed K-12. Almost half of my time in college was full of day and NIGHT classes. Once student teaching started it was teaching all day and then heading to campus for my night classes. My days went from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Then I had to do homework and plan my lessons for the next day. Phew...

2. I dated a few jerks before I met Doug. When his mom offered to introduce us I wasn't too thrilled with the idea. I figured he'd be like all the other guys I'd dated and I was tired of it. I had decided to try applying to other states for a teaching job. I wanted to see what kind of men were outside of Rexburg. Thankfully I didn't have the heart to turn Mary Ann down. It was the best decision I've ever made.

3. I have a serious problem when it comes to reading books. First of all, I hate suspense and surprises so I always look at the end of a mystery book. Yes, I knew that Harry Potter would survive and marry Ginny Weasley, LONG before I'd even made it past the first chapter. Once I pick up a good book, especially anything by Betsy Brannon Green or Clair M. Poulson, I can't put it down until the book is finished. Yes, even if I know the ending. It's a SERIOUS problem, but it hurts no one but myself so I don't feel too guilty. Oh, you may think by not putting the book down, I'm ignoring my family. Well, not so. I don't start a new book until the girls are in bed and then I stay up reading until it's finished. Doug finds the light in the bedroom a tad annoying. :)

4. During my teenage years my mom and I hardly ever got along. We were always fighting and upset with each other. I'm not sure why, but I think part of the problem was that we were so much a like we couldn't figure out why the other person wasn't perfect. :) My mom is now my best friend. We can be completely honest with each other about anything and neither one of us takes offense. We just understand where the other one is coming from. I'm not sure when the turnaround happened, but I'm glad it did. I don't know what I'd do without her.

5. Even though my bottom is rotundas, I have a very sharp, bony tail bone. You don't want me sitting on your lap for very long, otherwise you'll get a hole in your leg.

6. It wasn't until after I was married that I dared strike a match. I've always hated the flame that comes shooting out after the match has been struck. I didn't like lighting candles because I was afraid I'd get burned in the process. Those darn sticks just don't last for very long. I've overcome my fear, but I still avoid matches if I can.

7. I am a night person. Once the dark hits my body jumps into overdrive. Even if I've been tired all day I am suddenly awake when it turns dark. I'm not sure how it happens, and it's rather annoying, but that's just how it is. :) If I need to get something done, I wait until evening.

What a wonderful wife!

This is a post about Mallena. Obviously this isn't her doing this post, because she would never brag about herself. So............. I will do it. She is always bragging about me and what I am doing, but here is the other side of the story. She works so hard at trying to please everyone that she never takes care of herself. She never takes a break and is always working. She has done such a great job at taking care of Miriam and Shaylynn. She has been teaching them so much and so well. Anyways, let me tell you what she has been doing for me. Every night she even makes me a lunch for school. I know, you all think I'm lazy. YEP!!!! She even left me a wonderful note yesterday. She is awesome!!!! The one thing I notice most about her hard work, is that she doesn't tell me everything she has done each day. She isn't looking for recognition. Well Mallena, we all recognize it even if we don't say it. Thank you so much for all you do. She has on many occasions made dinners for our friends whether, they are sick, alone, or she just feels like doing it. What a wonderful wife and mother. We love you!! Maybe I should of saved this for Mothers Day. Oops.

A Post About....

Doug said he's getting sick of getting on our blog and hearing the same songs and seeing the same picture of Barack Obama. I told him to post something, but he just rolled his eyes. I guess that means I'm the lucky one who gets to do it.

I'm not sure what to write about, but I need to do something. I guess the one thing that's really been on my mind lately is PARTIES. Right now I'm so sick of the word I could SCREAM really loud.

First of all, I don't like planning parties, I never have and I don't think I ever will. Please, ask me to remove one of my limbs before you ask to me to throw a party. I don't mind attending parties, but I'd rather just sit in the background and blend in with the wall. All the planning that needs to go into a party just stresses me out and then you have to put it into action. You also have to be in charge during the whole thing.

The first party I have is on the 26th. It isn't really a party, but it's just as bad. It's a Primary Activity Day. Had I known that these would be part of my calling I would have thought twice before accepting the calling. I love Primary and I'm enjoying my calling very much, but I'd rather teach every Sharing Time lesson for a month instead of planning and implementing a party.

Ok, so my next party is for Miriam. I've always known the birthday would come when she's ask to have a party, but I'd hoped it would be another year away. Nope, this was the year. I think I would have tried harder to persuade her not to have one, but she's been to so many already this year that she really wants one of her own. I can't blame her, but again, I HATE PLANNING PARTIES. Oh well, she's an angel of a daughter and she deserves the special attention.

So, here I am trying to figure out what to do. Unfortunately her birthday lands during Doug's finals preparation time. This could get interesting. Anyway, the theme is "Princesses" and if you have any great ideas of what we can do, please pass them along. We will have both boys and girls attending so any ideas that aren't seeping with girliness would be appreciated.

I hope that this is a good enough post for Doug. If not, well, he can post something about the eye diseases he's seeing in clinic.