Hide-and-Seek

Samuel loves to hide his toys. I find toys in odd places all over the house, my closet, his dresser, bathroom, inside other toys. I have to check the trash can on a daily basis to make sure we don't accidentally throw something away.

His most favorite place is the kitchen - so many drawers and cabinets he can place his toys. For example, the other day I pulled out a cake pan to find this:



Usually I notice these things before an accident can happen, however, all good things must come to an end. Carlin was very sweetly making dinner the other night and decided to grill some french bread (basted in butter) on his George Foreman to go with the yummy spaghetti dinner. He pulled out the George Foreman, plugged it in and prepped the bread when he smelled burning plastic...





They are magnets that go to a farm - half of a cow and half of a duck to be specific.



Sigh...

"Don't Need You to Tell Me I'm Pretty"

I was listening to the "Legally Blonde" soundtrack the other day (total girl-power music by the way) when I heard the song "Don't Need You to Tell Me I'm Pretty" by Samantha Mumba. As I was singing along to the lyrics I had subconsciously remembered over the years, I found myself actually listening to the song.

It was refreshing.

"I don't need you to
Tell me I'm pretty to make me feel beautiful
I don't need you to
Give me your strength to make me feel I'm strong
I got all of this strength that I need here
inside my own two hands
All that I want is your love and respect for who I am
What I really need
Comes from deep inside of me"

Suddenly, I remembered the girl Carlin married three years ago. I was confident in me, I didn't need his approval of my outfit for the day, or his constant reassurance I was beautiful and skinny, or a reminder that I was intelligent and motivated. While those compliments are greatly appreciated and I do need his reassurance that HE thinks I'm beautiful I should not rely on him to feel beautiful. I should feel beautiful because I think I'm beautiful.

So, here's the song, listen to it. For all my beautiful, talented friends who are now wives and mothers, remember that you are still beautiful and talented. For all my friends still looking for love, remember that all you need from your future sweetheart is their love and respect for who you are!

Carlin, I love and respect you. Thank you for being my best friend.

Swim Lessons

Samuel is a fish - not even kidding.

The kid has no fear of water, he gladly put his face in to "blow bubbles" and was kicking and swinging his arms with all his might.

He was soooo in his element.

No pictures, so just use your imagination.

Extra, Extra, Read all about it!

Oh goodness I've been quite the slacker. Let's start at the beginning of the month:

June 14: My wonderful husband turned one year older and wiser too. We had strawberry pie and opened presents. Happy Birthday dearest.

June 21: Father's Day. Carlin celebrated his second Father's Day. He got socks, a very Fatherly present if you ask me. :)

June 27: My handsome brother married one beautiful girl. Dallin and Samantha were joined together in matrimony at 6pm in the evening. The wedding was beautiful, the reception was beautiful, the bride was gorgeous, and my brother couldn't wipe the grin off his face.



I didn't have that many great pictures of everyone - but this gives you an idea.

We spent the weekend with my parents and then headed back home to pack and leave once more. This time we were on our way to Washington, D.C. The flights were rough... On our way out there I actually threw-up on the plane (I've never thrown up on a plane, I blame it on morning sickness). Our way back was a complete circus. There was mechanical failure on the plane and we missed our connecting flight in Detroit. We were rerouted on a flight to Tulsa, but our luggage is still lost. Sigh.

The trip was super-fun, not very relaxing, but super-fun. There was just so much to see - too much to see. I was excited about everything. I just love history. My favorite was probably the library of Congress. I want the reading room.




Us in front of the capital - we had a personal, staff-led tour of the capital. It was awesome and we felt elite.


In front of the capital (other side from previous picture).


Samuel on the lucky star in the capital. Legend says if you step on the star you will have luck for the rest of the year or something.


We also went to the D.C. Temple - that place was huge and absolutely gorgeous.


We also went to Old Town Alexandria which is on the banks of the Potomac River. It was really neat looking at all the old townhouses from the original colony days. There are lots of shops and dining options. We ate at a seafood place, where else are you going to get amazing crab?!

I was completely excited to spend Independence Day in the Nation's Capital. We even braved the crowds and watched the Fireworks on the National Mall - right next to the National Monument.



While we were there we saw the Smithsonians: Museum of Natural History and Museum of Space and Air. We tried to see the Gallery of Art but it sadly closed early that day.


Carlin in front of the Supreme Court.

We also went to the National Zoo.

Samuel about to be eaten by a T-Rex!

After seeing a Dateline special behind-the-scenes with Barack Obama where Obama goes to his favorite burger joint - Five Guys, we just HAD to try it too.

They were great burgers, and we were completely stuffed.

We also went to Mount Vernon:



View from George Washington's house!


Carlin's brother Mike and wife Cathy. They graciously let us stay with them and even watched Samuel a few times so we could have some precious one-on-one time exploring D.C.

And, what would a trip to the Nation's Capital be if we didn't take pictures outside the White House?


It was such an amazing trip and we weren't able to do everything. I get chills every time I think of how I walked the same halls Abraham Lincoln and George Washington walked. Everything has historical importance. Even down to the ice cream parlor Pop's which Eleanor Roosevelt used to serve the same ice cream to her guests at the White House. So cool!

Hints...

I've been quite delinquent on posting stuff lately. I know of at least one person who took that as a hint.

I wanted Hooters for my anniversary dinner... that should have been a major hint.

I've been more emotional, tired, and lazy lately.

I was eating spaghetti last night, it had sounded soooo good. A couple of bites into it and I thought I was going to throw up.

Yes, that is a little poochy tummy in the Cha-Cha video.

Yep, if you haven't figured it out yet or heard through the grapevine baby #2 is on its way. Estimated arrival: January 13.

Have I ever mentioned...?

That I have another blog? My best friend Whitney and I decided to start a blog where we can express our opinions and encourage discussions. It's called Hot Chocolate Talk and it is where the majority of my opinionated posts have gone.

I failed to mention it earlier, partly because Whitney and I have a lot of mutual readers and she mentioned it on her blog. I realized recently I have a lot of my own readers too. :)

Anyway, please join us on Hot Chocolate Talk and let us know what you think.

Cha Cha

Last weekend Carlin and I danced the Cha-cha for a church dance festival. We worked pretty hard on it and it was a lot of fun to do. I recommend trying out ballroom dancing. Next stop: Dancing with the Stars!