I've Been Tagged!

Four things I am looking forward to in the coming year:

1. Settling into our new home.(We're not there yet!)
2. Nya's Baptism
3. Teaching Corbins' preschool class
4. Getting a calling in my ward! (I know that's wierd, but I need something to do!)

Three joys in life:
1. My husband and kids
2. Swimming
3. Working on whatever project interrests me at the moment.

Four movies I have watched more than once or twice:
1. The Bourne trilogy
2. A Christmas Story
3. Pride and Prejudice
4. Cast Away (I cry every time he loses Wilson. . .not misty eyes either. I'm talking full on snot bubblers here!)

Three fears:
1. Death of someone close to me
2. Roaches
3. The Teen Years with MY Kids!

Four favorite foods:
1. Pistachio Ice Cream
2. Macadamia nut covered Brie(I've only had it once, but it was Heavenly!)
3. Artichokes(Soo good dipped in melted butter!)
4. Anything with olives and mushrooms and cheese(mmmm...cheese...)

Three goals I have set for myself:
1. Eat more of the afforementioned food. Now I'm hungry!
2. Improve my health. Doesn't really support #1 Does it?
3. Lighten up. This is how I justify the first two!

Four t.v. shows I watch:
1. Monk (My absolute favorite)
2. Frasier (reruns)
3. Seinfeld (reruns)
4. Psych (only because it's after Monk.)

Three current obsessions:
1. Unpacking boxes
2. Blogs
3. the Twilight series

Four places I have visited:
1. France
2. Italy
3. California
4. The Bathroom (My daughter has the flu today!)

Three places I'd like to visit:
1. Prague
2. Switzerland
3. Japan

Four random facts about me:
1. I've never been to a drive in movie (hoping to change that this summer!)
2. I HATE cutesy stuff in Relief Society.(Handouts, centerpieces, etc.) Why can't they stick to the meat?
3. As a child I wanted to grow up to be a fighter pilot. I loved Top Gun.
4. I have the emotional depth of a man. I rarely cry.(Except for the movie Cast Away!)

I tag the following 3 people:
1. Regina (It's fun getting to know you!)
2. Courtney (my college roommate)
3. Camie (My sister)

Appreciating Colorado

My parents and Brian came for the weekend. It was very refreshing to have adult conversation and help around the house. Only another short week and Brian will be back with us for good. Anyway, while my parents were here, we decided to go visit the Colorado National Monument. It's only a few miles from our home. It is really spectacular! Here are some photos. (I didn't take them of course!)

Changes to My Blogsite

O.K. so for any of you who have actually looked at the blog in the past few days, you may have noticed it changing. (Almost before your eyes.) I have just learned how to change backgrounds, side bars, etc.) I guess I have gotten a little carried away, but I think I finally found something I could live with. (At least for a few days.) I'm curious whether or not people like the new look! I'd love to get feedback. Thanks!

A Thief in the Night

At approximately 3:00 this morning I was awakened by a very loud crash downstairs. I'm hard of hearing, and a very deep sleeper. So I knew the crash had to be pretty loud in order to wake me up. However, trying to be reasonable, I thought, "Maybe I'm just hearing things. I'll wait and see if I hear more." Within a few seconds I heard another crash. This time, I could tell it was a person moving around downstairs. I immediately jumped out of bed. My heart was pounding, and I thought "What should I do?" I picked up the phone and found there was still a dial tone. I started to dial 911, but then I thought about my children. If I called 911, surely the person downstairs would hear? Perhaps I had better get the children into my room with the door locked before I call.
Just then I noticed Nya, my 7 year old daughter was already in my room sleeping beside me. So, I only had to get Corbin, my 4 year old son. This was an easy task because he has the closest bedroom to mine. I thought I could hear the person starting up the stairs now, so I quickly dashed across the hall. To my horror, Corbin was nowhere to be found! "OH NO," I thought. "He must have gone down to check out the noise!"
Terrified, I decided to flip on the lights. Maybe that would scare the theif away. I flipped on the light in Corbins room, grabbed a hanger, (what was I going to do with that?) and headed for the stairs. I could hear the person bumping into the wall as they ascended the stairs. I quietly crept down the hall and flipped on the light over the stairs. Then I jumped out ready to defend my children to the death. I looked around wildly for the culprit, until I saw my son sitting on the stairs. "Mom, where is my squirt gun? I can't find it," he asked. Apparently during his sleep he woke up with a hunkering for a water fight.
I can now say I have unfortunately joined the ranks of women who have shrieked at their child. I quickly put Corbin back to bed, and went back to bed myself. With adrenalin coursing through my veins, it was almost light out before I fell asleep. Nya, of course woke me up at 7:00 sharp. I think we are going shopping for Pit Bulls and Security Alarms today. Who knows? I may pick up child restraints while I'm at it.

Goodbye New Mexico

As many of you know, we recently moved (last week) from New Mexico. After 4 years there, I have to say I fell in love with that place. I was remembering the other day my feelings when we were moving there. I remember thinking, "What are we doing?" All I could see was dirt and rocks. Now, though, I have come to appreciate what a wonderful place New Mexico is. While there, we made some friends that will last a lifetime. What I originally thought of as lack of curb appeal, I now consider to be a refreshing lack of pretension. I have learned to find beauty in the desert. (In fact I'm hanging an O'Keefe print in my living room.) I will truly miss all the wonderful friends and beauty New Mexico has to offer. It really is the 'Land of Enchantment'

Lack of Posts- My Apologies

Many friends and family have been asking why I haven't been posting lately. All I can say is I'm sorry. The move has definitely thrown me for a loop. Now that I am here, and Brian is still in New Mexico, I should have a little time on my hands. I repeat SHOULD. The children have definitely kept me busy. I have a hard time getting a moment to myself. (Tonight I had to put myself in Time Out.)For the sake of my sanity, I am going to start posting again. Anyway, hope everyone can forgive the lack of communication. I will do better from now on!

The Kids

My neighbor Rachel took these photos of my children months ago. I realize that many of my friends have not seen photos of my children, (some friends haven't even seen Corbin yet.) Since these are some of my favorite photos of the kids, I thought I'd share them.