Be Here Now

I like to think I'm a genuine person. That I don't change who I am depending on who I'm with. But lately I feel like I've been rolling back into stages of my past. And parts of me revert back to the person I was at the time. Like a little part of me still gets some attitude when I'm doing dishes at my mom's house :)

Saturday I was my normal, trying to keep my cool, disciplining, mommy self. Then my little sis scored us some tickets and game day shirts to the USU v. BYU game down at the Delta Center. (Energy Solutions Arena...whatever. I refuse to call it that.) Side note--I love this shirt. It says "Win or Lose, You Still Have to Live in Provo." Thanks Megs, we had a great time!

OK, so USU barely lost but our fans outfanned the cougars, hands down. Which was why we were at the Delta Center in the first place--BYU refuses to play in our home court anymore. Pansies. I miss those Aggie basketball games and found myself screaming, booing, singing the Scotsman song, doing the maynard dance, laughing at J when he lost his voice after the first half. I was my freshman self.

As we were walking out, I ran into a bunch of the fellas from my Masters classes. Immediate switch. It was all handshakes and diplomacy.

Then I shed the hubby and headed down to Thanksgiving Point to catch a party with my friends from K-Ville. We were singing our hearts out to that American Idol game and most of the conversation revolved around our kiddos and residency interviews. We got in a good discussion about parenting, joy, and being our true selves. Quite different from the cheering gal screaming 'Sit Down' to the fouled out BYU player just hours earlier.

So my question--is it that bad? To change who you are? Don't different environments and people mandate different personalities? I like to think it just brings out different parts of my personality. I'm a complicated lady, people.

Temple Square

I thought it would be another year before Abbey appreciated Christmas, but she is loving the lights. This is going to be an awesome Christmas season this year.

We took the girls down to temple square last weekend with Allison, Noah, and apparently the rest of the state. The little ones were sleepy and mostly just cuddled up into our shoulders until we went into the visitors center. As we made our way up the ramp to the Christus, it was particularly loud with all the families jammed in there, trying to warm up. When we rounded the corner, Abbey and Justin went straight to the statue. I was a few feet away, but all of a sudden, it quieted down for me and I heard Abbey look up and say,

"Jesus. Hi! Thank you, Jesus."

J told me later she noticed the prints in His hands. Now she's telling people He got his 'ouchies' from playing soccer. So...it's not all getting in that head correctly. But it's getting in there. And it did our parent hearts good.

Event Reminder

Don't forget to wish my mom a Happy Dewey Day!

Nuggets of Wisdom

Looks like I'm not so great at this catching up business. But do note that good times were had all around on my trip back to Utah. I may or may not ever get around to preserving it.

We just got back from Michigan last weekend where J interviewed for residency and we got to spend time with Melody, Paul, Erin, and Jed. I always dread moving away from good friends like these guys. I wish I could have a growing collections of friends that I make move with me wherever we go.

We spent Saturday afternoon driving around Ann Arbor, checkin' out the place. We drove past a frat house around noon and there were already about 30 guys on the lawn getting hammered.

I said: "Starting a little early, aren't we, fellas?"
Abbey: "What are they doing?"
Justin: "They're making poor decisions."
Abbey: "Oh."

Her First Tag

Abbey got tagged by the adorable Kylee

Name and Meaning: Abbey- A Father's Joy
{appropriate}

Marie- Sea of Sorrow/Bitterness
{yikes, I think I should consult another website!}

Age: 2 1/2 years

Nicknames:
The Abster

Babe
Peanut

Abba Zabba

Favorite Activities:
Pretending to BE 'Mommy' and making Mommy pretend to be 'Abbey'

Favorite Foods:
Oh, you know. Creme Brulee, Rack of Lamb, Prime Rib Medium/Rare

Favorite Music:
Mr Pitiful by Matt Costa
Once There Was a Snowman
The Little Mermaid soundtrack





Favorite Toy:
her baby doll, hands down

Favorite Item of Clothing:
a pink dress that is getting way too small but makes her feel like a princess

What Makes Her Happy:
Hide-&-Go-Seek
Escalators
{trust me, she can outlast any adult in either of these activities}

What Makes Her Sad:
A mean mommy telling her we would go have lunch with dad after her doctor's appointment, then driving straight home because Dad didn't have enough time. The mean mom got bit. The two-year old got a time out, which also made her sad.

Funny Phrases:
"Can we give Mommy away?"

"Let's Blow This Joint"

"Daddy's a princess."

"Mommy hit me with a car."
{before you call CS, i honestly don't know where she came up with that last one}

Good Friends, Good Times

And the update continues:

In October, the girls and I took a few days to visit some good friends down south. Hayden's never been back on a normal sleeping schedule since, but we had a great time. We hit up a pumpkin patch with the Catrons, spent a fun day with the Youngs, and were able to get to the Harris's just long enough to get her boys sick. Sorry about that...

Wherever we went, these two were holding hands and whispering plans to run, run, run away.

We spent one afternoon in the Young's backyard, enjoying beautiful weather (and great lighting!)

{i see london, i see france...}

Then Trey wanted me to take pictures of his jumpin' skills. Pretty sweet moves, eh? He's such a daredevil.

And judge me how you will, but I can never let a little kid show me up on the trampoline, even if it leaves me with a headache and gasping for air.

Grandma's Bling

My dad says he has two favorite two-year olds. I haven't inquired as to the rank because I'm afraid this sweet pea might come in number one!

I wouldn't blame him. I've always been so charmed by this adorable face. Bridget is my cousin's little girl. I'll always remember the first time I met her. Nicole and Brian adopted her a few weeks after Abbey was born. We drove over to meet her one afternoon and my Aunt Peggy said "Bridget's just a few days old now. Doesn't Nicole look fabulous?" My three-week post-partum body didn't think that was so funny :)

I digress. Back to these two awesome toddlers. They had a lovely afternoon together; I found it quite appropriate when I came down to the playroom and they had on their Great-Grandma Carol's jewelry.

-i'm in love with this picture-