Exhibit "A"

First things first...I'm TIRED! Holy poo, this being 12 months pregnant in August sucks! I'm just so hot and sweaty. I should have a picture of the delightful box fan I borrowed from Dixie. I borrowed it last week as a sound buffer so Brooklyn wouldn't wake up from her nap while I played the piano. Well, I'm here to tell you, it's the greatest addition to our house since Maggie. We sleep with it every night, and I turn it on out here in the family room during the day sometimes when I'm just too sweaty. Hooray for big, ugly, boxy box fans. And hooray Dixie for not using hers, or missing it thus far.

Ok, now, as promised, here are the pics of me in one of my new cute shirts from Old Navy. This was as I was walking out the door to church, or maybe when I got home, who can remember these things. It actually helps me to look somewhat pregnant, instead of just fat and whaleish. In fact, when I tried it on, Dixies comment was..."it does good things for your belly." hahahaha

Tomorrow morning, bright and early I'm off to the doctors to see how much weight I've gained this time. Not really looking forward to that, especially since I have the bring the girls along. Good times had by all.

In other news...this adorable little family that has become very enamored of Jere over the last year or so, dropped some presents in his lap last night for Maggie. We really hardly know them, but they're just so sweet, and have been saying since Maggie was born, we have presents. So, they gave her this super cute little t-shirt, and a fun little ball popper toy. It's the same one Miss O got from her Nana. So, I got Maggie dressed this morning, and did a fun little second pony in her hair, and frankly peeps, she was too cute for words. Too bad we really went nowhere but Walgreens for 5 minutes today. You can bet your sweet bippy I took a pic, so look on and be amazed. hee hee

She's decided two things in recent days. Number one, morning naps are not really on her list of to do's, and Number TWO: Smiling is her favorite. She has been soo smiley and cute, it's just so fun. Number two is a fun addition, number one, NOT my favorite decision on her part. I'm still forcing her to try, but it is NOT always a good experience for all involved. UGH! I'm not ready to give up morning naps. When the heck am I s'posed to shower and get ready?

So, I went to the Bishops storehouse the other morning. I totally signed up for food storage and went. This is big doins for me, and I was quite pleased. So what if I only have a meager 2 cans of rice, sugar and potato flakes each. At least I have SOMETHING. Ok, but here's the deal...a little warning would have been nice. How bout someone tell me there is no need to shower before going, or the fact that you'll be forced to wear a hair destroying net that does nothing for the look. If you know me at all, you know I do NOT like my hair messed with. I swallowed my pride and put it on, but it sure did a number on the do for the rest of the day. Ah well, the price you pay for a little peace of mind I guess. Don't worry, I'm all signed up for next month, and I WON'T be showering before the event.

Well, there really is not much of anything going on. I guess I'm gonna post a couple more pictures of Maggie, because I can, I just uploaded them and they're cute. I'm the lamest, I'm fully aware, so don't even think it.

More birthday glory. Could she look any chubbier?

Because her pushing her baby around in the stroller is the cutest thing EVER! And, I'm pretty sure it's what helped her finally walk on her own for good. Which by the way, today she just up and stood up in the middle of the room, no help from walls or furniture. Funny how one day they just do something.

This and the outfit above are both from her "Auntie" Tracie. She looks so cute in them, though the leggins do NOTHING for her cankles. Oh heaven help me, my poor child has some seriously tragic cankles.
This is my Brooklyn, holding Maggies birthday dolly. I just LOVE the pic, because it is SO Brooklyn. She is such a little Mommy. She holds them so sweetly, and pats them, and puts them to bed, and just loves them. Not to mention she's the best little helper to me.

Well, I think that constitutes quite a long enough entry for one night. Oh, tomorrow night I'm actually going to Homemaking and we're making 72 hour kits. Seriously, I'm SO on this preparedness bandwagon.

Goodnight all.

THE ONE IN WHICH SHE TOUTS HER DAUGHTER AS A "GENIUS"

Ok, first of all, there must be documented, for ALL to see the ginormousy of this cake that Grandma Peg made for Maggies birthday. It was amazing and obscene to say the least. I say obscene in a loving way of course. But seriously folks, I've never seen anything quite like it, and you all should see it too. Secondly, I KNOW you've been waiting breathlessly for ANY view of her "spectacular" birthday party and her cuteness in it. Phew, was it ever a sweaty day!! So, a couple of pictures for your viewing pleasure. Many thanks to Krys and Melissa for the pics. Krys was like a freaking rock star photographer snapping away. If it weren't for him, I'd have poo for pictures. So, THANKS guys.

Seriously, I think it was like 8 layers high. Thankfully, Grandma made a mini cake for Maggie to partake of on her own. Ahhh, good times.

Ok, now the part where I talk about her geniusness, hahahahaha. So, every morning when I go in to retrieve Maggs, she's generally standing at the end of her crib pointing and grunting. Well, the other morning she was quite vigorously pointing at the kitchen table where her sippy was sitting. So, I said to her, "Oh, you're thirsty, and showed her the sign for thirsty and drink. I showed it to her a couple of times and moved her hand to do it. And of course, she WAS thirsty. I handed her the sippy and she downed it like she'd been stuck in the Saharra for a month or two. Ok, so cut to the next morning...I walk in, she's standing there grunting and pointing. Only this time, there is no sippy on the table. So I said to her, "I don't know what you want Maggs, you're gonna have to show me." She stopped for a second, thought about it, and then freaking signed THIRSTY at me. I kid you not people, it was awesome. Now, I hope you get that I'm totally kidding about the "my child is a genius" thing, but it was pretty cool. So, she signs "eat, thirsty, shoes, more, all done and ball." If only I would sit down and actually watch signing time with her. She might truly reach her "genius" potential. hee hee

She is a walking machine, and loves to just pad around the house getting into anything and everything. Sometimes I swear she teleports, 'cause she can get from one place to another with alarming speed. She also likes to climb, which frankly I'm not a big fan of. It's dangerous people, and scary for the Mama.

Now, a word on my last entry. Who knew that by barfing out ones feelings, people would respond so kindly. I really had no idea, nor intention to be showered with kind words and gifts, but that is what happened. Trixie gave me kind, kind words in my comments, and then on Friday my sister Dana showed up with a bag full of clothes from Old Navy. Shut the front door! What is THAT about? I was like, "what are you doing?" and she said, "well your blog was so sad..." So, there she was, clothes in hand. Ummm, first of all, WAYYYYYY too nice, but gladly accepted. Secondly, it was all worth it just for the fact that ANYTHING from Old Navy still fits my fat arse. Well, if we're being technical, I'm fairly sure that nothing there would actually fit my fat Booty part. But, as I'm quite a bit smaller on the top side as opposed to the bottom, the shirts fit. XL's people, what the?? So, I gained 4 new adorable tops, and let me say, I felt oh so saucy on Saturday evening for our family Temple night, and then for church on Sunday. SO GREAT! Thank you Dana soooo much. As i thought about it, it occurred to me that in 2 pregnancies, I have literally only purchased TWO shirts for myself. If it weren't for my Mom and my Sister, I would be naked. My Mom is hilarious and would just show up with random shirts, or bags of shirts from Ross that she just "happened" to find. Then Dana kindly had a baby the year before me, so gave me all her maternity clothes. I'm so lucky, that's all Ican say. The other things I've worn, or am wearing are clothes that had just gotten too big for me when I lost the weight, but now work great as "fat" pants. Oh joy, this is almost over. Also from said blog entry, I got a free delicious lunch from Lana, 'cause she thought I could use some cheering. I love my family, and I'm so grateful for them and their kindness toward me. THANKS ALL! I do have a picture of me in one of the new shirts, but I'm to lazy to upload it right now. Maybe another time.

And finally, had a smashing good time on Friday hanging out at Lanas and swimming with the kids. Trixie and Emma came, as well as my sister Dixie and even Dana showed up for a bit. We literally sat in the pool for 2 hours and chatted and swam and enjoyed eachothers company. Children only nearly drowned a few times, so no worries. Thanks Lana for a lovely afternoon.

Well, Dixie, Shane and Jere are watching a movie in the other room, and I think I need to go to bed or something. I've thought about Primary for tomorrow, so it's bound to come together in the morning, hahaha. Did I mention that I am now the freaking Primary chorister? Yeah, well I am. I'm teaching "Called to Serve" right now, and frankly, there are some abstract concepts to try and get pictures for. But, I'm "genius" enough to do it. hahaha, "genius" love how I brought it all around to the beginning? I kill me!

Peace out!

ALIVE

Ok, here's the deal, we're all totally alive. I can't believe an entire month has nearly passed and I haven't written a thing. I just got so overwhelmed with the thought of all the pictures I needed ot post of Maggies birthday, etc. Let's just suffice it to say, she had a smashing good little party and all were TOO kind to her! She made out with a seriously adorable new wardrobe, and some fun toys and books. Thanks to my fam and friends for the love.

In other news, my Grandpas funeral went very well. It was a really nice, family affair. So good to see so many family members and to just enjoy memories of what a great man he was.

School has started again, which frankly is just wierd. Brooklyn is back and things are going well. I swear, this pregnancy has just been different than Maggie. I'm just ready for this to be over. I'm HOT, and I'm realllllly tired and I'm realllly grumpy. Poor Jere, he gets the brunt of my "hate", but yesterday was a real trial for me adn the girls. I seriously just wanted to run away, and they weren't even that bad. I just didn't like them, or want to deal with them at all. Not to mention, I'm just really stressed about money (who isn't) and life and what's gonna happen, etc. So, I pretty much spent the day crying on and off. So gay, I know, but hey, I'm pregnant, so that's my excuse.

We MIGHT be getting a condo, and it's all very overwhelming. On the one hand, it's really exciting to think we'll be going someplace larger than here, with LOTS of storage space, move in ready, and actually being grown ups by owning something. On the other hand, it's not a "real house" AND it's overwhelming to think of the responsability and the money required for such things. It's all happened rather quickly, and I just figure, IF it's meant to be, it will all work out, if it isn't, maybe something else better will come along in six months or so. I freaking HATE money, the end. I hate that we have so much debt, I hate that it takes so much money to live, it just sucks. And to top it off, I'm reallly low on students this year which is just wierd. I don't know what's going on with that, but that only adds to my stress. I'm trying not to let it get to me, but holy crap, don't these people know I rely on them to pay my bills? haha

Ok, so the Olympics. Last night was an enjoyable one ot watch. So fun to see all our swimmers take some gold. However, I was sooooooo peeved when our guys gymnastics team, who totally had teh silver medal in their grasp, screwed up the pommel horse so bad they barely made the bronze. UGH! I was so frustrated!! I mean, I realize that even a bronze was a huge accomplishment for them, and I'm proud of them, but MAN, what a bummer!!!

Have I mentioned I feel so super fat and somewhat miserable here in this pregnant state? Well, I do. I NEVER felt this way with Maggie. I felt cute, and loved every moment of the experience. But, i'm just bigger this time, and I just feel it. I feel sluggish, and ugly, and don't have anything to wear. It's really not that fun. Don't get me wrong, I still love being pregnant, and I love that I'm blessed enough to be pregnant and that a new little man will be here soon enough. But, emotioanlly, I'm just not handling this so well right now. I didn't even do my hair today, and I'm wearing ugly man t-shirts for heaven sakes. Who have I become?

I should mention that Jere just had his 31st birthday on the 7th. He's a wee bit depressed about this one, but he got through it. We were VERY low key this year, especially for him. See, Jere likes his birthday to be a week long celebration that EVERYONE knows about. He wants presents and parades. But, all he got was a low key dinner with his Mom and Sister and I and a couple friends. Then, on Saturday night our beloved friends Jenee and Ivan took us to dinner at Cheesecake Factory. There really aren't words enough in the English language for me to express how much I love and adore these people. They truly are two of my favorite people on the planet. Many, MANY thanks to Jenee and Ivan for a wonderful evening out with friends. The best was our dessert picnic on the carpet. Who does that? WE do, that's who.

Well, the girls should be waking up from their naps rather soon, and I should think about what to throw together for dinner. Oh, adn I should be writing a policy letter for voice and sending that out, and PERHAPS, just perhaps I should attempt to clean my foul house. UGH!

With that said, I'm outy!