the truth...

"my mom"

by JUSTIN age 4.

What is something mom always says to you?
"Wash your pants" ....because I never do it on time. (yea, I'm mean. I make him wash his pants every time he wets them - which has been A LOT this week. If you have any ideas on motivating an almost 5 year old whom has been potty trained for 2 years not to leak in his pants and wipe his bum...do share.)

What a great pouty face...and masterfully smeared window!

What makes mommy happy?
When I do what you say and I obey.(yup)

What makes mommy sad?
If I break your sprinkler and don't tell you. (insert MY pouting face...yea, already!)

How does mommy make you laugh?
You say funny words like, "someone has a cactus on their head."

What was mommy like as a kid?
I did not see what you acted like. I think you acted like an astronaut.

How old is mom?
80....(puzzled look on my face.) mom, you are 80(persistently.)

How tall is mom?
70 lbs. (o.k. so he did pounds instead of inches...Thanks Justin!)

Whats moms favorite thing to do?
Clean the house when I'm at preschool and watch your kids.

What does mom do when you're not home?
Work on the house and take care of Dallin and Anna.(i see a trend here!)

If mommy was famous, what would she be famous for?
Cleaning the house. (i hope he stays delusional for AS LONG AS POSSIBLE!)

What is mommy really good at?
Sports like games. You are really good at sports like Hi-Ho-Cherry-O. Oh...and feeding Dallin, who is a baby.

What does mommy do for her job?
Watching the kids is your job.

What is Mommy's favorite food?
Spaghetti. (really?)

What makes you proud of your mom?
When you go on the toilet. That's what I like you doing. (i know...i've got seriously amazing skillz!)

If mommy was a cartoon character, who would she be?
The Beauty on Beauty and the Beast.

What do you and mommy like to do together?
Go to church. (i must admit i probed to get this answer. He first said, "watch tv." which is sooo not true, especially since the TV hasn't been on once in the last month (except when dad is babysitting of course)....a little wishful thinking on his part eh?)

How are you and mom the same?
We have the same skin, and both have hair which is brown. God created us that way. We'll also be together when we die.

How are you and mommy different?
You have a baby and I don't. Plus, I have fancier clothes than you. You don't even have characters on your clothes, just colors.

What can I do to be a better mommy?

You should not say "go to time out"....ever!

(In a tender moment one Sunday I asked the same question he said, "Wear more make-up and get some pointy, shinny black shoes." hmmm...not what I had in mind.)

How do you know mommy loves you?
Because you always say, "I love you" and I give you a hug.

and now it's my turn..

What time do your kids wake up?

5:30/6:00...lucky thing Patrick is the charge boy then!

On a good night, what time do your kids go to sleep? 8:00pm (that's ideal remember...realistically it is 9 or 9:30. yuck. when i got home from HFPE last night at 10 p.m., Justin was still awake!!)

How long have you been a mom? 4 years and 9 months

How old were you when you became a mom? 25

What is your favorite kid show? Signing Time.

Least favorite kid TV show? Sponge Bob...even if I've seen I for a total of 2 minutes at Grandma's.

Favorite meal to cook? Dinner...the only time I really cook. The other times I just throw stuff together.

What's the meal cooked most often? Vegi Stirfry on brown rice with pot stickers.

What is the kids favorite meal? Spaghetti

What are your favorite things that Patrick does with the kids? Wrestling with them and putting them to bed.

When was the last time you and your husband went out without the kids? To the temple 1 month ago...it's been tooooo long!

One thing you said you'd never do as a mom? Have a tremendously messy car like the ones I saw sported by virtually every mom (except my own)...What on earth was I thinking!? Needless to say, reality has set in!

Favorite past time with your kids? I just love the times when I stop what I'm doing to just hold them and love them. I love having Justin's big boy self on my lap. I love the bashful look anna makes when we cuddle. Dallin just melts my heart when he stares at me.Watching them as the snuggle close and stare at me with loving eyes is about as good as it gets.

Advice for a new mom: Don't assume you know it all....Get LOTS of advice and learn from those seasoned moms. Having kids changes everything. Be gentle on yourself and enjoy the adjustment!

When was the last time your kids said "I love you"? While I was asking him the questions.

What are 5 things that make you smile while being a mom? 1-How blatantly honest Justin is (like his dad).2-When Justin and Anna play together-nicely 3-cute bare bums 4-Anna's new use of language..all sorts of mixed up but sooo cute! 5-Dallin's newly aquired laugh. 6- I just love all of the new things kids are constantly learning. Watching their growth brings me great joy!

thanks, Jane, for the idea...even if you have no clue who i am! http://crazygoodlife.blogspot.com

these are a few of my favorite things....

i just thought i'd share some things i'm enjoying lately....
to get the full effect of this click here to insert sound of music song mentioning doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles.

now, sit back, relax and....

imagine me prancing around the
nursery with my children
in matching nightgowns....
or not...that would be way too much.

1.

1. i just adore sleep grins. i'm still working on getting a full fledged sleep grin in a picture, but they are soo quick that i usually miss the great ones. this is the best i've gotten so far. i have one thing to say....these are NOT grins he makes when passing gas. i'm convinced that he's just having great dream. i can just imagine him having wonderful dreams of wonderful things like mom's juice, westling with justin someday, getting dressed up by anna in girl clothes and hevenly father. what a nice little face from the little guy that usually stares at me as if i am an alien.

2.

2.dang, PATRICK sure is cute! one of my favorite things is seeing a man...my man....wearing a sling. this is the 1st of our children he has carried in a sling and i sure do love it...and so does dallin. they just look so cute together. i also enjoy patrick's face with a hint of extra cheeze.

3.

3.i love how much justin LOVES dallin. he can't get enough of him. he just repeats over and over, "mom, his is just soooo cute." then he gives him a really tight squeeze and a kiss...or 10, but who's counting.

4.

4. i have a strange love for buckets. this cute mop bucket that rings out my dirty mop is handy and great to have around, even if it doesn't get used as often as it should. why is a mop bucket one of my favorite things? the floors in my house are entirely hardwood. nuff said.

5.

5. i think the perfect hair swirl on the back of dallin's cute little head is perfectly YUMMY. it must be in the genes. justin has it too. so cute.

6.

6. at times, i cant get enough of whole foods...no, people, i've not gone crazy throwing my money around, i like whole foods only under VERY special circumstances: when they are closing the store and selling off inventory at rediculously cheep prices. and just because they knew that i couldn't stay away when there would be more stuff i hadn't seen yet , they put new stuff on clearance every day. i'm sorry to say that i went there 10 times in a two week period. i paid 1.99 for a lg. bottle of delicious olive oil...then i bought 12 more just like it and called it food storage. i just couldn't pass up that 50# bag of sea salt for 10.99 either...it's name: food storage.

7.

7.the GOPHER is my true friend!!! i have never had such a fondness for a tool in my entire life. if you've ever been pregnant or have conastantly carried a baby around, while helping pick up after 2 young children you can imagine why i would love gophie so. i love his suction cups, sturdy construction and fancy trigger lock. i'm just lazy enough that even when the kids are grown and gone, he'll still be my friend.

8.

8. i just laughed when i saw anna's "rain" dance as she pranced around her puddle on the floor.
(and i'm not talking about the kind that falls from the sky).....

i also love that i have hard floors cause it's rains in our house more than is does outside ever since anna discovered that she REALLY enjoys that free feeling and has learned to take her clothing and nappy off.

9.

9. you may find this hare to believe, but: i LOVE laundry (hold on while i paste a VERY fake happy grin on my face.) come on, repeat with me...."I LOVE LAUNDRY." "I LOVE LAUNDRY." "I LOVE LAUNDRY." until this afternoon I did NOT love laundry. but i do now.

laundry is a crazy thing to love, but I've decided i've got no other choice. for as long as i can remember, at the very thought of doing laundry i would simply repeat the folllowing mantra in my head and from my tired lips:
"once i gave up all hope (of EVER keeping the laundry done on a regular basis) i felt much better." the only problem is that no matter how many times i would repeat this, i never felt better. i would just think, i hate laundry, then wait until it got so bad that our family would get together, put on a movie and have a LAUNDRY PARTY! yes. it was incredibly fun, right!? whenever justin hears that we'll be watching a movie he begs, "can we NOT have a laundry party while we watch a movie?" poor child.

the picture i posted i took 3 weeks ago. at that point i had had it and spent all day sorting, folding it and putting it all away. now, today, it is just as bad. but now i am NOT going to dread doing it because....
I LOVE LAUNDRY. yes, yes i do. i can love such a neverending monotanous task. last week when i went to TIME OUT for women, Virginia Hinkley Pearce , mother of 6, said something i needed to hear about housekeeping. she shared. "there are no insignifigant tasks, no matter how small." thanks virginia, i needed that.

i think she was even talking about my laundry, even if it's not exactly a small task.

the other day, my friend alissa wrote a post about how she LOVES ironing. so, if alissa can LOVE ironing, julie can LOVE laundry.
hopefully this is true love...but only time will tell.

I SIMPLY REMEMBER MY FAVORITE THINGS....AND THEN I DON'T FEEEEL SOOOOOOO BAD!

101 things about ME...In commemoration of my 101st Post!

101 extremely random things you've always wanted to know about me...but probably not. It's a fun writing project for those who want to increase self awareness and self absorption add to their personal history!

Enjoy...When you have the time of course!

1. I love the smell of the asphalt when it gets wet.

2. I love to take really hot showers in the winter... the reason for my mild excema!

3. I enjoy listening to Dr. Laura and agree with 95% of what she says...even if she comes off rude!

4. I love baskets, buckets and containers, have tooo many but still have a hard time restraining myself when I see another I like!

5. I only like cookbooks with pictures of every recipe and wish all restaurants had a picture of each item, even if it is low class.

Click here for more if your up to it...

6. I have a really hard time deciding what to order if I go to a new restaurant (especially if there are no pictures.)

7.I love warm summer rain...or any rain at all!

8. I hate a messy house but that doesn't keep me from having one.

9. I'm happy that my husband could care less about watching sports.

10. At times I feel like my 4 year old has a better memory than I do.

11. I usually stick to movies that would be in the genre of Family Entertainment...

12. I love wrapping presents beautifully but am a bit disappointed when they always seem to get torn apart

13. I love being married to a computer geek...even if I'm not one.

14. I was a lot more outgoing in social gatherings before I had kids which tend to occupy so much of my brain power that I can barely focus on anything else.

15. I sometimes worry too much about what others think and really worry about saying things that will hurt other peoples feelings...but still do unintentionally at times.

16. I have a new found love of cauliflower and beets.

17. I have never lived out of the greater LV area but know that won't last forever since Patrick will be ready to move elsewhere for a PhD. in a few years.

18. I really love bottles, especially uniquely shaped or colored ones. Bottles are one of the only things I collect.

19. I taught 2nd grade for 4 years and loved it but don't miss it.

20. IF I ever go back to work, It will probably be as a Substitute Teacher. I like the idea of being with the kids...when I feel like it and not having the full responsibility of having my own class.

20. I consider homeschooling my kids, especially after elementary school...

21. I have never dyed my hair...other than the 1 week kind in high school.

22. I have never had fake nails...and probably never will.

23. I love playing volleyball and will hopefully be able to still do it by the time I stop getting pregnant and don't have babies around.

24. I'm not squeamish about bugs, except when the crawl on me unannounced.

25. I'd rather organize my junk drawer than put laundry away.

26. I love to create pottery and would love to have a kiln and wheel one day.

27. I find great pleasure and satisfaction in saving money and being resourceful.

28. I really enjoy camping and all of the preparation but stink at unpacking after it's over.

29. I love finding treasures at garage sales and by trash cans but have never been inside a dumpster.

30. I collect too much "potentially useful" stuff as a result. I am recovering from this habit though...slowly but surely.

31. I love to snow ski and have enjoyed it since I was 5.

32. I used to be able to water ski, now I just ride on inner tubes.

33. I love to be surprised because I love anticipation...I never find out the sex of my babies or open presents before Christmas.

34. I call Dr. Sears (the author) my pediatrician.

35. I only very selectively vaccinate.

36. I have had a home birth and adored it but am not opposed to hospital birth under the right circumstances or in case of emergency.

37. I am a great pregnant lady...my only typical ailment is fatigue and occasional muscle strain.

38. I only use medication as a last resort after I've tried to figure things out on my own using alternative medicine.

39. I spend an unreasonable amount of time grocery shopping. I pay way too much attention to the details.

40. I consider myself a decent teacher and love to teach R.S. even if I only have a few minutes notice.

41. I enjoy giving talks in church.

42. I clean the windows and mirrors in my house with club soda.

43. I very rarely read fiction books and if I do it's usually the audio version.

44. I read lots and lots of non fiction books on topics that interest me...mainly to figure stuff out...topics I like are marriage, nutrition, parenting, decorating, organization, home improvement and life.

45. I always attend the ward book club but never read the books...I'm good moral support I guess.

46. I would rather learn to do something myself rather than pay someone else to do it...but I don't cut my own hair....just my families'.

47. I despise vacuuming...probably one of the reasons I have no carpet.

48. I've been to Europe twice including France, England, Italy and Belgium. My favorite city was a row of 5 small Italian cites off of the Italian Riviera called Cinque Terre.

49. I only remember my dreams when I'm pregnant.

50. I work most efficiently under pressure...which is how I justify much of my procrastination.

51. I was really bad at keeping in touch with old friends and family...before blogging came along of course!

52. I like to sit at the front of the chapel during church and in classes I'm interested in.

53. My favorite magazine is Wonder Time. It's the only one I actually read instead of browse.

54. I am an LDS institute junkie and have the equivalent of a PhD....but stopped going when Justin turned 1 and was too loud.

55. I don't own an Ironing board and have only used my iron once in the last 6 months.

56. It's not uncommon for me to have to was a load of laundry 2 or 3 times because I forget about it .

57. I am the Primary Chorister in my ward.

58. I have mainly served in The Relief Society (the women' organization) at church and have never served in Young Women's Organization.

59. I most effectively study the Book of Mormon when I listen to it on-line and follow along in my book.

60. I don't ever have road rage but I unfortunately cause it once in a while.

61. I rarely remember what I see in movies...I watch them again for the second time once in a while.

62. I have gone to Costco just to look around and eat samples...I don't have much I actually buy there.

63. I don't watch television.

64. If I took the time to do it, I could be a decent artist. I would like to make time to paint and find a place I could do pottery

65. I am afraid to start a garden in the desert, but still hope to try soon

66. I really enjoy ping pong and got lots of practice during th 7 years I spent at the LDS institute.

67. I once gave a bum asking for money a box of rice crispy treats and he loved it.

68. I like arrive first and leave last at social gatherings...Patrick likes to arrive last and leave first. We usually end up staying places just the right amount of time.

69. I considered myself an easy going person....until I got married.

70. I bite the inside of my lip when concentrating or anxious.

71. I have had a hard time coming up with this many things about myself...so It's taken me several different occasions to write this list.

72. I love word games like scrabble and mad gab but also enjoy number games like rummi cube and phase ten. We played a lot of games as a couple before we had kids...now we play games like Chutes and Ladders and Hi Ho Cherry O'.

73. I love the idea of having a large family and will have kids so long as I feel mentally stable enough to be a good mommy.

74. My top love language is Words of Affirmation. Just one reason I pathetically beg for comments.

75. I was a Balloon Artist in restaurants during college.

76. I love the movie Dan in Real Life....I love to laugh and cry at the same time!

77. I was on a Synchronized Swimming team as a kid.

78. "I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.....I know who I am, I know God's plan, I'll follow him in faith. I believe in the Savior Jesus Christ, I'll honor is name. I'll do what is right, I'll follow his light. His truth I will proclaim." That's one of my favorite primary songs!

79. I need to wash my baseboards and mop my floor.

80. I find animals, bugs and wildlife fascinating but I'm not really a pet lover. I don't mind low maintenance animals though for my children.

81. I don't misplace my keys, loose things or kill my car battery as much as I used to, which is hard to believe for those of you who have known me for a long time.

82. I am a deep sleeper, but not so much since I have young kids.

83. A human tendency that bothers me is when you see someone and they ask "how are you doing?"....as they walk away. I know, it's just a way of saying hi, but sometime, I might just want to tell them how I am!

84. I've tried to plan a menu for our family meals but have never followed it...I usually decide what's for dinner when my husband calls and says he is on his way home from work.

85. Only the strongest of houseplants survive under my care.

86. I don't want to hear bad stuff about other people. I agree with Thumper's mom when she says, " If you can't say somethin' nice, don't say nothin' at all."

87. I can remember lots of people's names...except when they are standing in front of me.

88. I triple the amount of oats when making oatmeal cookies and used bake with whole wheat flower. I feel better when my baked goods have some added nutrition, and they don't give me a headache.

89. I don't cook with much meat...I'm not a vegetarian, just a eatlittlemeatarian.

90. I do so much research about harmful things in food that it's sometimes hard to enjoy eating. I don't really like having a love hate relationship with food, especially when it is so yummy...but it's not so good for my tummy.

91. I have been married for 6 years to a wonderful man.

92. I worked on my scrapbook regularly until I started blogging.

93. I love open window weather...even if it makes my house terribly dusty. I still rarely dust my house.

94. I have a hard time shopping online because I really like to feel things and see them in real life...and returning things is much harder.

95. I have always wanted to have a compost bin...and plan on doing vermicomposting (a worm farm) very soon.

96. I love the movie Mary Poppins and never get tired of watching it.

97. I would love to work as the door greater at Wal-Mart when I'm a Senior Citizen.

98. My favorite store is Ross...it's the bargain hunter/scavenger in me.

99. My favorite scripture story is about Abinadi in the Book of Mormon...probably because I just finished reading Mosiah.

100. I am ignoring the fact that Anna is emptying my neatly organized junk drawer onto the kitchen floor because I'm almost done....

101. I spent way too long on this post... I'm glad I'm done! Still here??? I would love to hear your about what we have in common and what new things you learned about me, even if you are usually only a blog stalker! I always love actually knowing who visits me here in blogland! Thanks for the idea Randi!

I would especially love to read your list of 101 things. C'mon...it's personal history!

ABCs of Me.

A- Attached or Single? Happily Attached

B- Best Friend?Patrick

C- Cake or Pie?Both... Coconut Cream Pie, Carrot Cake

D- Day of Choice? Monday...the only day I'm on fire to accomplish anything lately!

E- Essential Item? Wet Wipes

F- Favorite color? Muted Greens

G- Gummy Bears or Worms?Bears..the clear ones.

H- Hometown? Las Vegas.

I- Favorite Indulgence- massages & good quality truffles

J- January or July? March.

K- Kids? Two, almost 3.

L- Life isn't complete without? Air

M- Most Embarrassing: Exercising w/ 15 ladies at church, Justin opens up a bag of raisins w/a clip on and eats them. I hear, "Mommy, there is a bug in my raisins!" I walk over while everyone watches and he then tells me that there is also one in his mouth! Horrified, I have him spit the raisins into my hand. There, wiggling among half eaten raisins is a half eaten ROACH! To think of it now,I cringe. In the bag were two fat, black roaches. I thought of the worst.. My house must be infested! I'd seen a few in the garage but that was it, but I signed a contract w/ a bug man that morning. I didn't talk about it to Patrick until that night when he reminded me that we had eaten those raisins at a park the night before and had left them unattended for an hour. He had clipped the roaches in there without knowing it!!! This by far the grossest, most embarrassing thing to ever happen to me!

N- Number of Brothers and Sisters? 2 bros and 1 sis

O- Oranges or apples? oranges (especially when i am pregnant)

P- Phobias or fears? Running into inanimate objects.

Q- Quote? "El queso esta vieho y pudrido." Encino Man
& "Most people are just about as happy as they make their minds up to be."

R- Reason to smile? The crazy thoughts of Patrick...and his offspring, Justin.

S- Season of choice? Spring...Maybe summer if I lived somewhere else!

T- Tag; Anyone who wants.

U- Unknown fact about me? I don't know any unknown things.

V- Vegetable? Avacado...even if it is technically a fruit!

W- Worst habit? Procrastinating housework and as a result blog surfing.

X- X-ray or ultrasound? I have no idea...and could care less

Z- Zodiac sign? Cancer