Ethical?

Isn't it unethical or at least inappropriate for our landlord to not contact us at all regarding our $650 deposit that we are expecting at least most of it back? We have been moved out of our apartment since May 3rd. We cleaned the apartment for 2 1/2 days! Top to bottom, I seriously scrubbed all of the walls up and down. I emailed him about 4 days ago and have heard nothing back. I'm getting upset!

The day of the Blog

I can't stop blogging today! So much to say!

Brian made me the above wooden sign. He did it on a whim so its on nice moldy wood. This is what he does at work. Cuts things. He had been asking me often if I wanted a sign or saying or giant letter cut out of wood or metal for mother's day. I kept telling him that I didn't like little knick knacks that don't serve any purpose. But when he had the thought to do this he just did it. He knew I would love it. And though I feel as though I maybe shouldn't have it displayed in my house - I can't seem to get rid of it! Isn't it just cool!!

It keeps hitting me that we are only here for one more year! Its quite amazing to think! It has made me much more relaxed to see an end in sight to Brian's schooling. And also an actual date for which we will be leaving UT. 

Naomi update:

Naomi is on the verge of getting whatever sickness Gwen has. One of my favorite things that she does ever is when she wakes up and has sleepy eyes or when she is sick because her eyes are always runny when she is sick - she says my eyes are raining! I love it!

Gwen update: 

Gwen is standing without holding on to anything this week. She doesn't enjoy the act of walking at all so she just stands there.

Books to read

The only magazine I read through cover to cover is Real Simple. I love all of it. I even read about wines that go with food and it means nothing to me - I've never tasted wine! But its in my Real Simple magazine - It might have some relevance to my life. So this month there was an article, more so a list, from various authors recommending books to read. I love to read, but find myself not reading as much as I would Love to. Kids and hubby keep me occupied and I hate being interrupted while reading so sometimes I will just not. Anyway, I want to start really reading again. Naomi and I are working our way through the Chronicles of Narnia right now. But I always feel a little lost when I go to the library and try to select a book to read. I'm very nervous that I won't like it at all! So in the spirit of Real Simple articles - please suggest to me anything that you think I should absolutely read. Assume that I haven't read anything - what are the best books I should read? 

Mommyhood

So... it took me forever to get to this - but here it is Jen!

How long have I been a mom?
3 1/2 years

How old was I when I became a mom?
23 years old - I think.

What is my favorite kid show?
Word World! I'm also quite fond of Signing Time

Least favorite?
I loathe Yo Gabba Gabba, we also never ever watch Barney  - BLECK!

Favorite chore
I have pondered this one forever...I really don't know. I like organizing things - putting everything in its place. And everything does have a place in our house.Brian just can't EVER remember where they are!

Favorite meal to cook?
Brian and I go through stages. Sometimes he will cook for weeks and then I'll take over. I think its my turn right now (we are in the process of switching over)(its not a spoken or planned thing, it just happens). This one is hard too. I personally really enjoy pasta with parmesan cheese and some basil. Brian hates it! But its so easy! I also really like making a big ol' homestyle meal - like meatloaf or pot roast.

What is the meal cooked most often?
Definitely pasta of various kinds (we are poor!), we are trying to branch out more and do stir frys because they are so good and pretty easy.

What's my kids' favorite meal?
At the moment Naomi only wants bread and butter. But she usually Loves tortellini soup.

What is my favorite thing Andy does with the kids?
I think smoosh face. He smooshes their faces all up and we laugh! They have chubby cheeks! Also when he just cuddles them. He likes to cuddle them more than they like to cuddle him though - which is sad.

What are 5 things that make me smile about being a mom?
1. How stinkin' cute they are! I have quite a big head about how cute my kids are!
2. When they play with each other - this is new for us, but I love to watch!
3. When Naomi plays with other kids and will do stuff to show me that she listens to what I say and does actually learn things.
4. After Primary when I'm the best most exciting person to see
5. Telling them they are the loves of my life - and Naomi shaking her head yes and agreeing that they are the loves of my life! haha

Where do I want to take my kids someday?

Jen, oh my gosh, go to Disney World! Its the best ever! 

Brian and I want to travel everywhere and expose our kids to all kinds of cultures and lifestyles. We want to do the touristy stuff too, but we really want to get them into the real country of places - even different places and cities within the US!

When was the last time Andy and I went out without the kids?
Oh goodness - I don't remember! Does it count when we left them with our neighbors to clean our apartment for hours on end. Its going to have to.

What's something you said you'd never do as a mom?
Get mad AT them, but alas they are so stubborn!

Favorite pasttime with my kids?
Reading - We are reading Prince Caspian right now in preparation for the movie. 

Advice for new moms?
Let your spouse parent.  - Jen wrote this - I think I agree! I didn't let Brian do much and now that I am trying to put him in charge of things, he has a problem with almost assuming kid work is always my work. He will pick up something I am working on so I can go over and handle the kids. Not good!

What is a scary or heartbreaking moment you have had as a mom?
We have been extremely lucky in this aspect of life. I don't know that I have had any real scary or heartbreaking moments yet. But my anxiety makes it seem like we certainly have!

When was the last time your kids said "I love you?"
Yesterday when I let Naomi build a tent under the computer desk and watch Bug's Life over and over since it was a rainy day!

Word World

I love the kids TV Show Word World. They make everything out of the words. They build things out of words and it becomes an object with the letters in it. I don't know how to explain it, but its freakin' cool! I'm always so excited to see how they are going to make the object look out of the letters. Like the main duck on the show is yellow and consists of the letters DUCK to make himself look like a duck. Its such a neat thing they that do. In the background a rock with say ROCK. I love it! I wish everything was made that way!

Naomi - so hard to please...

yet so easy!! Today's conversation went as such:

Naomi: I'm Hungry!

Carrie: Would you like some bread and butter? (Her new favorite treat)

Naomi: No

Carrie: Toast?

Naomi: Yeah!

Such a broad range in taste!

Brian's Blog

Just so you know - Brian added to his blog for those of you who may be interested but don't check his often because he doesn't write often. Thanks!

Ruggles Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

Ruggles Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Family photo sharing - Geneology

Mommyhood

So... it took me forever to get to this - but here it is Jen!

How long have I been a mom?
3 1/2 years

How old was I when I became a mom?
23 years old - I think.

What is my favorite kid show?
Word World! I'm also quite fond of Signing Time

Least favorite?
I loathe Yo Gabba Gabba, we also never ever watch Barney  - BLECK!

Favorite chore
I have pondered this one forever...I really don't know. I like organizing things - putting everything in its place. And everything does have a place in our house.Brian just can't EVER remember where they are!

Favorite meal to cook?
Brian and I go through stages. Sometimes he will cook for weeks and then I'll take over. I think its my turn right now (we are in the process of switching over)(its not a spoken or planned thing, it just happens). This one is hard too. I personally really enjoy pasta with parmesan cheese and some basil. Brian hates it! But its so easy! I also really like making a big ol' homestyle meal - like meatloaf or pot roast.

What is the meal cooked most often?
Definitely pasta of various kinds (we are poor!), we are trying to branch out more and do stir frys because they are so good and pretty easy.

What's my kids' favorite meal?
At the moment Naomi only wants bread and butter. But she usually Loves tortellini soup.

What is my favorite thing Andy does with the kids?
I think smoosh face. He smooshes their faces all up and we laugh! They have chubby cheeks! Also when he just cuddles them. He likes to cuddle them more than they like to cuddle him though - which is sad.

What are 5 things that make me smile about being a mom?
1. How stinkin' cute they are! I have quite a big head about how cute my kids are!
2. When they play with each other - this is new for us, but I love to watch!
3. When Naomi plays with other kids and will do stuff to show me that she listens to what I say and does actually learn things.
4. After Primary when I'm the best most exciting person to see
5. Telling them they are the loves of my life - and Naomi shaking her head yes and agreeing that they are the loves of my life! haha

Where do I want to take my kids someday?

Jen, oh my gosh, go to Disney World! Its the best ever! 

Brian and I want to travel everywhere and expose our kids to all kinds of cultures and lifestyles. We want to do the touristy stuff too, but we really want to get them into the real country of places - even different places and cities within the US!

When was the last time Andy and I went out without the kids?
Oh goodness - I don't remember! Does it count when we left them with our neighbors to clean our apartment for hours on end. Its going to have to.

What's something you said you'd never do as a mom?
Get mad AT them, but alas they are so stubborn!

Favorite pasttime with my kids?
Reading - We are reading Prince Caspian right now in preparation for the movie. 

Advice for new moms?
Let your spouse parent.  - Jen wrote this - I think I agree! I didn't let Brian do much and now that I am trying to put him in charge of things, he has a problem with almost assuming kid work is always my work. He will pick up something I am working on so I can go over and handle the kids. Not good!

What is a scary or heartbreaking moment you have had as a mom?
We have been extremely lucky in this aspect of life. I don't know that I have had any real scary or heartbreaking moments yet. But my anxiety makes it seem like we certainly have!

When was the last time your kids said "I love you?"
Yesterday when I let Naomi build a tent under the computer desk and watch Bug's Life over and over since it was a rainy day!

I love stripes and polka dots!

Packing Fun!

It sure is a lot tougher to pack when you have kids! Two kids makes it even more difficult! Luckily everything went decently smooth. 

Kids on lock down!

"What? We're moving?"

Naomi loves our new apartment. She didn't even want to go visit the old one to pick something up! Its seriously half the size, but it doesn't feel that small. We are quite amazed! The kitchen is where we notice the most difference. We are really lucky with the spot we got. If you sit on our living room couch you can look out the window and see the Angel Moroni on top of the Provo Temple. We've had a little hummingbird flitting outside our window every so often. Directly behind our building is a small playground. Perfect for Naomi! We also have the laundry just next door which also houses the mailboxes. Its very convenient! 

We've gotten out of the boxes already. We just need to hang a few photos and figure out what to do with the cords we have winding all over the place. 

Brian has a new job on campus that he is enjoying. It seems like a really relaxed job! He is doing both Spring and Summer terms. Unfortunately we are still going to have to stay for his practicuum through next Spring Term. I think Brian did it on purpose so he won't have to go to graduation! He did all of the foot work to get a job on campus that he could count as his practicuum for this semester, and the last day of add/drop one of the professors tells him that he can't get paid for an on campus job and use it for credit! So he did not have time to locate another job that could count as credit and get paid - so no practicuum this term! He got a B and a C last semester by the way! Good job Brian!

Naomi has suddenly become very aware of driving in the car. Brian recently taught her about red and green lights. So she yells them out to us all of the time. She also has started saying "Why are you trying to die us?" Translated to Why are you trying to kill us. She says this whenever someone is driving even slightly fast or turning quickly. She doesn't enjoy elevation changes of any sort. Brian says its the true Texan in her. If she walks down a hill she cries out "Whoa! Whoa!" 

Gwen is just a bit too adventurous for me! She is already climbing up on everything. Naomi didn't climb so I always felt safe with her. I'll turn my head and Gwen will be on top of something! Crazy child! She says Mama now, but only when she is crying desperately! She waves and claps which is fun! She figures things out very quickly! We can't hide things behind our back to get them out of her mind - she will just crawl around us to get them. She is going to be a trouble maker, I can tell!

Mother's Day

I don't think that I like Mother's Day... At least not this one. 

I was up almost the entire night with Gwenie - who I found out in the morning was cutting a tooth. Our new ward meets at 8am! So I was up at 7am to "hop" into the shower. I "hopped" a little too well and fell and slipped on the "non-slip" mat that wasn't fully suctioned down. I did not take my beautiful brand new shower curtain with me thank goodness. I did, however, hurt my wrist somehow. Its really hard to pick up the girls right now! My mother's day breakfast was just toast and butter - we were in a rush - Brian did make it for me at least. As we walked out the door Happy Mother's Day was muttered. Naomi couldn't say it properly. Church was mostly good. Our new ward seems nice! However the talks had put me off about Mother's Day. In particular the only one given by a man - who didn't have children and put forth the notion that what you are is what your children become. He posed "What do you want your children to become?" "How do you want them to be when they grow up?" "They will emulate the person that you are and how you raise them." Great! So my poor little girls are going to grow up depressed and anxiety ridden without the ability to cope with normal society? Not the encouraging uplifting talk I was needing on Mother's Day. Thanks a lot! Although the first talk was lovely with many examples from the behavior of the matriarchal society of elephants - unfortunately, I'm not an elephant! However, our ward does seem nice and very welcoming! Naomi made me a tiny hand in the sign language I love you. I briefly saw that it said I love my mommy because she plays with me, but then she confiscated it as her own. I haven't seen it since. Next time they should explain that it is for me! When we got home Brian did make us lunch - black bean tacos, one of our favorites. But then after lunch - he took a nap! Gwen and I tried to call my mom, but we had missed her - she was at work. So then Gwen finally fell asleep for her nap so I took a nap in my actual bed! I woke up with Naomi sitting on the pillow next to my head waiting for me to wake up. That's a startling awakening! Then Brian got to skype with his family. That was nice, unfortunately it was our dinner time. So I was in the kitchen (teeny tiny small) cooking our dinner. It turned out ok - it was an experiment! Gwen loved it, Naomi wouldn't touch it! We went outside to play on the little park and then Naomi peed all over the playground - so after cleaning it up we had to come inside. Little Naomi whined the rest of the night about everything that happened. Finally she went to bed. Brian normally does the bedtime routine but he was talking to his "boyfriend" on the phone about some car he was buying so i did the storytime. I mistakenly read Little Red Riding Hood. Naomi woke up every few minutes crying that she didn't like wolves. I finally fell asleep with my restless Gwen sitting up in the chair in our living room. I was up most of the night again. 

Some good things - 

1)Brian made my breakfast and got the girls dressed for church all by himself without asking 400 questions about what to do.

2)I got chocolate from the ward as our mother's day gift. 

3)Brian made our lunch.

4)Brian made me strawberry cheesecake cream puffs - AND cleaned up after himself! 

5) Today is not Mother's Day anymore!

Baking

I'm baking another cake. Chocolate with creamy frosting this time. I'll post a picture if it turns out any good. Its a new recipe for me!