Nesting....maybe?

It all started a few weeks ago. I was feeling crowded, needing to de-junk, and simplify. I began by cleaning out every closet, drawer, cupboard in the house. It was a project, I tell ya. But, after seeing progress made, it felt amazing. Now I can actually open the game closet without anything falling on my head, walk in my closet without stepping over clothes and shoes, open the bathroom drawers and immediately find the toothpaste, walk around the desk in the office because all the piles of junk on the floor have been put away. I didn't realize how bad it was, until it was GONE, DONE, CLEAN!

I must say, it feels good. Sadly enough, I know it won't last long. That's life, in our household, at least. But, I'll enjoy it while it lasts and vow to try to keep on top of things!

So, my next project, the loud, bright yellow, wall in my kitchen. It must be changed. Every time I look at it it is like a siren goes off, alarming me that this wall needs paint, a change, a face-lift.....DESPERATELY! I've been intending to do so for over a year. It's going to get done. I can feel it!

Even the look of my blog was bothering me. It's ridiculous, I know. The background, colors, pictures everywhere, etc. It was overwhelming me. It too was simplified today. I don't know what's wrong with me. Could I be nesting already? I'm only 17 weeks along. I didn't think it happened until the end, if it happened at all.

Nesting.... maybe?

I can't be sure, but a big part of me....is starting to be a believer!

A Perfect Start To 2010

Since attending the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, we and the Chapmans have become pretty crazed Boise State fans. Alright, the Chapmans and I were hooked before. You can't watch the Broncos and not get excited, from the coaching staff to the players....they're AWESOME! However, it was harder for Bob to jump on the "fan wagon." You see, he played football for ISU, bleeds orange and black, and had a hard time succumbing to liking his rivals, the Broncos. But, it didn't take long, and since then, being part of Bronco Nation and following the Broncos has been a pretty fun ride, to say the least!

So, for Christmas this year, instead of buying presents for each other, Bob and I decided we'd go to the big game again!

We enjoyed the trip with a group of our fun friends ...Chapmans, Davis' and Taylors'.

Thanks guys!

Brandon's good friend was Bronco Libre. Apparently this guy will barely wear BSU colors to the games, however it was his son's dream to be on ESPN, so he had the costumes made and did this for him. They were the hit of the crowd, I tell ya. They were awesome and ended up making the cameras, newspapers, etc.! Pretty cool!

Kim's good friend, Devrea hooked us up with tickets. We purchased them through her but had no idea where they were. Last time we sat up as far as you could possibly sit. This year, 40 yard line, 25 rows up. We were stoked!Kim was our official "party planner" and organized a tailgate party. It was so fun to see all our friends from Boise, eat, hang out, and get pumped for the big game together.

This is Bob and me seconds after the big win. I can't tell ya how fun and exciting the game was. We, and the entire Bronco Nation, literally jumped up and down and screamed for three straight hours. Robert and I sat between and in front of some older ladies and gents. When we first took our seats, I felt bad and thought they were going to be pretty annoyed by our craziness. I am not exagerating when I say, every single game, Bob gets asked to sit down. It has started to really make me MAD! I thought it was going to happen again for sure. However, those sitting around us stood the whole time too and were just as intense as we were! Oh, boy was I was exhausted afterwards. No kidding, just being a fan is exhausting. Can you imagine being a player?! Ha, Ha!Oh, it was definitely worth every, hoot-hollerin' second!

Our weekend in AZ didn't disappoint.

It will go down in my memory book as one of my faves.

The weather was a perfect 70, no wind, not a cloud in the sunny sky.

Bob and I slept in every day, relaxed by the pool, and enjoyed every second of our little escape from REALITY!

We ate so much delicious food. The midnight sushi and chocolate sundaes at Houston's were my favorite for sure.

I stole oranges off of trees and tasted the most sour tasting fruit I've ever had!

I was introduced to Paradise Bakery and Trader Joes. Thumbs way up on both of them!

We laughed and had so much fun with our friends.

I met my blogging inspiration, Kara Jayne.

(I met her through blogging, just happened across her blog and fell in love...later found out she knew the Taylors....crazy small world it is! She lives in AZ so they met up at the game and I was able to meet her. She is even more adorable in person! I have learned so much, and adopted so many ideas about life, being a friend, mom, wife, etc. from her.)

The game was an exciting, nail-biter.....

and WE CAME OUT VICTORIOUSLY!!

I must say...

IT WAS A PERFECT START TO 2010!

Pounding Out the Christmas Carols

From Collages

Ahhhh, Christmas, the one time of year Miss Payton actually enjoys practicing the piano. She gets to choose her Christmas pieces. After that, it's her, practicing on her own, anxious to learn the music to the songs she knows so well. My daily pleas to get practicing, which usually turn into ONE, LOUD RAISED VOICE and threats of not playing with friends.....nope, not this time of year!

All your pounding out of the Christmas Carols paid off, Miss Pay. You played beautifully in your recital. We enjoyed watching your performance and are so proud of your hard work. It has been fun watching you improve and grow as a little pianist. Keep it up. It will be worth it in the end!

We love you!!!!!!

She Was A Ham

From Collages

"I don't want to go to practice," she pouted.

"Please stay with me. Don't leave me here all alone with these people I don't know," she pleaded with teary eyes.

"Do I have to do this stupid performance, I don't even know the words to the songs?" she moaned.

Goodness gracious...the drama!

Oh, boy, we thought......

What are we in for?.....

Because we had missed the dress rehearsal, we had no idea what to expect. What will our Avery, our Ramona Quimby, Junie B. Jones girl do? Will she throw a fit on stage or cry the entire time? Will I have to wave her down and let her sit in the audience with us? Believe me, these things have happened before. With Avery, there's just no tellin'!

The curtains opened, the lights went on, the music started...

There was Avery, bright eyed, smiling wide, singing out loud, doing the actions, strutting her stuff,

in her beautiful, red dress.......

Her singing group, Tavasi, their songs and actions that went along...

ADORABLE!

We were so impressed. The entire program was priceless, and we enjoyed every minute of it.

Bob, Owen, Pay and I were all giggles, smiling, eye-brows raised, shaking our heads....

Miss Avery.....

She Was A Ham!

And So This Is Christmas...

From Christmas 1

From Christmas 2

From Christmas 3

AND SO THIS IS CHRISTMAS...

I HOPE YOU HAD FUN...

THE NEAR AND THE DEAR ONES...

THE OLD AND THE YOUNG!

Whole lot a lovin'

After a whole lot a lovin' (about 18 months....to be exact)
We're expecting a BABY!

This silly pic. of me pretty much sums up my emotions....

I'm flying.....

I've been ready for another for some time.

I honestly didn't think it would happen. I never felt alright with that. I was sooo not done.

My baby boy isn't a baby anymore, and it's been killin' me.

But now he'll get to be a big brother, and all is well.

It almost seems surreal.

I had an unexpected ultra sound yesterday. It's true. There is a little baby tucked tightly inside my already growing belly.

Witnessing that was a special surprise. The Dr. telling me the baby was looking more like 13 weeks rather than 15, was like a swift, unexpected kick to the shin! OUCH!

Oh, well......I won't complain.

ME'S HAVING A BABY!!!!!!!!!

P.S. After seeing my post, Pay made one of her own. That girl's a crack up. Check it out here.

If History Repeats Itself

The first week in January, I'll have one of the most fun weekends of my entire life (ya, I know I live a pathetic one,) and.....

Boise State will, once again, win the FIESTA BOWL!!!!!!

I love the above pics. We were at the Fiesta Bowl in 2007. Boise State had just beat Oklahoma. We were going crazy. Bob was trying to get pics. but was jumping up and down and going wild himself. I sport a huge smile across my face every time I view em'! They bring back a flood of my favorite memories. Oh, that nail biting game, the weekend with friends and family, sunny AZ, the parties, the hype, fearing the Sooners, Bronco Nation everywhere, ALL of it..........

Oh, History....please, please repeat yourself!!!!!!!

Big, Red, Swollen Eyes

....and a major, pounding headache.

In preperation for a talk Bob had to give in church yesterday, he found and made me watch a zillion inspirational videos. If you haven't hear the Dick Hoyt story, Google it! It is amazing. You see one Sat. afternoon, years ago, Bob was flipping through the channels and came across the Ironman. He didn't even know what it was. They did a feature story on Dick Hoyt and the powerful message hit Robert hard and inspired him to want someday to complete a triathlon. I bawled like a baby watching these videos all day. By the time I went to bed.....

I had big, red, swollen eyes and a major pounding headache.

It was worth it. I was inspired.

Check it out!

Gratitude

From Collages

I'm feeling grateful.

Grateful that we spent a fabulous Thanksgiving day at the McBride home where we're always happily welcomed, spoiled, and completely doted on the entire stay.

Grateful that Robert's family is so kick-butt cool that I love hanging out with all of them. (This really is the truth!)

Grateful that the whole fam. looked rad sporting our Sophia t-shirts in honor of talented Uncle Josh and his killer band.

Grateful that I have an amazing mother in law who makes everything from scratch, including rolls, pies, and even pumpkin pie from the pumpkins she grew herself. This lady is so talented yet humble and good. She is selfless and continuously serves others and her family like no one else I know. She even got up at 4:30 a.m. and hit the sales with me, just so I wouldn't have to go alone. I could go on and on about her. I aspire to be just like her some day!

Grateful for Robert and my little family whom I love so much, and that currently... everyone is healthy and well.

Grateful for good friends who love me in spite of all my many, many flaws.

Grateful for the gospel that is my foundation, my rock, and my one, true source of peace and comfort.

Grateful that Robert has a good job and works hard to support and take care of us.

Grateful for my parents who did their best to raise me up right.

Grateful for three brothers and their families, whom I love and would do anything for.

Grateful to be a mother and for three kids who bring me joy every day.

Grateful that we were able to go the BSU game and watch them win the WAC championship. This sounds ridiculous, I know, but I love football, BSU, spending time with our friends, laughing and cheering and getting out of control! It makes me feel young again....and that's a good feeling!

Grateful for opportunities to be inspired everyday by others who make me want to be and live better.

Grateful for good books.

Grateful for free education.

Grateful for a home.

Grateful for a passion for running....my healthy outlet.

For these things and so much more.....

I'm feeling grateful.

Happy 60th...

From Collages

MAMA MIA!