A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are

Guess what...AMANDA IS COMING TODAY! I am so excited, I haven't seen her in about 2 years. Mike and I moved out of her ward and then we had Harper, so she hasn't seen him, and I haven't seen her lil' Rowyn ever! She and I have been friends since I only had Tiff and Mackenzie, so we go way back. She remembers when I was young, people...that's a long time. Anyway, guess where we're going...that's right. The Disneyland. Tomorrow and Friday!

Anyway, I was thinking today, Tiff's 16th birthday is around the corner (march 27th) and Aimee and Kristen and I are trying to figure out what to do with her. I'm thinking I'll make a cute announcement kind of like a birth announcement, only announcing that she made it to 16 without me killing her. She wants to have a pizza/friend party but then also a "Girls Day/Night" with all of her family and friends. So that means Ashley, Lydia, Mandy, Eliza, Aimee, Kristen, Kjersten, Susan, Nana etc...etc...etc... Anyway, let me know what your plans are close to then, and maybe we'll go to Vegas for the people who can't travel here, and stay here for the people who can't travel there. Oh and Tiff is blogging again! Yipyip! (click the link)

K, so here are some more pics of the gorgeous Wayment Family! (oh and I love baby feet, have you noticed???)

Tagged...AGAIN!

Eliza tagged me with this, but it's easy, so I'll do it!


Pick up a book you've been reading (what reading? who reads anymore?) or a random book, turn to page 123, go 5 lines down, and type out the next 3 full sentences.


Ok, so I'm reading Greek Thinkers by Prof. Theodor Gomperz, translated by G.G. Berry B.A.


"The one is dominated by a love of purity and by a fear of contamination; the other promotes the cause of morality and civil order. The one is wanting in vigorous self-confidence, and tends to a contrite asceticism; the other exhibits the resolute discipline of an ethical culture, nourished on the arts and on self examination. Among the Orphics it is a religious brotherhood which unites the members of the community, whereas the union of the Pythagoreans takes the form of a semi-political knightly order."

I could not find a picture of it online, so I took one with my camera. Anyway, it was apparently checked out of the University of Redlands Library, and never returned. It was published in 1920 and it's barely holding together...but I have a secret love affair with old books so it works for me. So yeah anyway, Mike's a thief, but so am I. I have SO many unreturned library books from my childhood on. Anyway, it's really a beautiful book, and sometimes I get tired of the baby talk and watching Dora and Boobah, so I'll curl up in the bath with something that moves my mind. The last book I read was a book called The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Families and it was my 3rd time reading it. I suggest it to everyone, honestly. It's inspiring, and it really helps in the parenting area. Good stuff.

Anyway, I tag...

Aimee W!!!
Amanda J!!!
Kjersten B!!!

Finally?

Ok, so my new website is up. Mike was supposed to build it, but he's been too busy, workin the day job AND the night job AND the extra jobs, so...I built it myself. Don't mock, it's a work in progress...but at least it's up! I still gotta put up the price list and services offered. Now go and add my link to your blogs, ya dingdaps!

www.easleyphotography.com ... and dont'cha fuggetit.

TAGGED!!!

Ok, so Amanda (Mandi) tagged me. She actually had two memes on there, so I'll do both quickly to get it over with ;)

A. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.

B. Each player answers the questions about themselves.

c. At the end of the post, the player tags some people and posts their names, then goes to their blog and leaves them a comment letting them know they are tagged.

10 years ago I was: A mother of 2 girls, and a 10 month old baby boy named Jonah! I owned my first house, I was the camp director and the primary chorister in my ward. My best friend was Tori Johnson ( I love Tori! ) and I couldn't believe that I was so oooooooold! (24? Please. Give me 24 again any day...)

5 things on my to do list for today: 1. Pay bills 2. Finish cleaning bedroom 3. finish editing a job 4. Laundry 5. email Kristen about her wedding tonight! I wish I could have been there :(

4 things I would do if I became a billionaire: 1. Buy a beach house in La Jolla. 2. Travel with my siblings and family and parents!!! 3. Have Curtis help me design my dream house 4. Buy my kids new clothes and shoes!

3 bad habits: 1. Not exercising daily. 2. Eating pasta like 3-4 times per week 3. DVR'ing everything and anything on tv that looks remotely interesting.

5 places I have lived: 1. Las Vegas 2. Yucaipa California 3. Puyallup Washington 4. Salt Lake City 5. San Diego

5 jobs I have had: 1. Mom 2. Photographer 3. Exec. Asst. 4. Teller 5. ear piercer (Topkapi/Claire's in the Crossroads Mall)

6 Things most people don't know about me:

1. I read in the tub. Almost every night.
2. I have to shave my legs before I go to bed, I can't stand stubble on sheets...gross! It's like fingernails on a chalk board
3. I find an article on a gospel topic every day from LDS.org or similar (a past conference talk, a lecture, an article in a church publication) and I pretend I'm going to be tested on it so that I really soak it all in.
   
4. I want to go to school and get my bachelor's degree, and maybe even more, time/money/family permitting.
5. I sometimes feel like I'm spiritually inferior to my siblings. I think this stems from my rebellion 20 years ago and guilt relating to that period of time.
6. I never knew true love until I was 32 years old. (not including the love you feel for your babies)
   

And another one:

One word. First word that comes to your mind. No explaining. Not as easy as you think.

1. Where is your cell pone? Purse

2. Your hair? Ghetto

3. Work? constantly

4. Your Father? loving

5. Your favorite thing? family

6. Your dream last night? none

7. Your favorite drink? ice

8. Your dream car? jet

9. The room you are in? office

10. Your fears? disappointing

11. What do you want to be in ten years? healthy

12. Who did you hang out with last night? Michael

13. What you are not good at? tons

14. Muffin? GLASS! (actually blueberry)

15. One of your wish list items? Utah

16. Where you grew up? Vegas

17. Last thing you did? play

18. What are you wearing? jeans

19. What aren't you wearing? socks

20. Your pet? which?

21. Your computer? Dell

22. Your life? amazing

23. Your mood? peaceful

24. Missing? everyone

25. What are you thinking about right now? money

26. Your car/truck? Odyssey

27. Your summer? beach

28. Your relationship status? blissful

29. Your favorite color? Pink

30. When was the last time you laughed with meaning? today

31. Last time you cried? Yesterday

32. School? ugh

33. Least favorite weather? hot

34. Soup? onion

35. Movie? Sleepless

K, I know this part sucks but I tag:

ELIZA
RACHEL B.
KRISTEN B.
AIMEE W.

Um, Yeah, They're All Models

I got to go and shoot Taylor and Mandy and family today in San Diego. Here are a few of the pictures I loved most. Gorgeous people no?

(to see them better, click them!)

So Awesome!

This weekend was amazing. Seriously though, it was incredible. Really quickly, I'll update you until I can get home tonight and update for real with pics, but I wanted to tell you all that this last weekend was probably the best weekend I've ever had in my life.

Friday, we went to Disneyland with my mom and dad, and we had so much fun. The kids loved it, and I took a ton of pics. But Saturday was the best as Mike went through the temple on Saturday morning We had a lot of friends and family there, so Mike felt so supported. Mom and dad, Mandy and Taylor, the Tobars, the Wayments, the Jordans...it just was really nice. He is so greatful to everyone who came.

I am going down to San Diego today to shoot, but I'll be back later. Love you all!

Happy Valentines Day!

So my good friend Aimee just called me and asked if I was dressed. She knows me too well. I asked her why and she said "I'm outside your house, let's go get Frugos!" (frozen yogurt place by our house) I told her to hold on, I had to put on a bra, and I went outside. It was snowing outside. Seriously you guys, it was snowing outside. Isn't this California? Gross! So did we decide not to go? No, we went anyway.

Anyway, to carry on with the white tradition, I thought I'd tell you that...



....



Mike is going through the temple on Saturday! My mom and dad are coming into town tonight and tomorrow he's taking the day off and we're going as a family to Disneyland! Then, Saturday morning, Mike is going through the Redlands Temple for his own endowments and I'm so proud of him. I couldn't have asked for a better Valentines Day.

Quite Possibly The Cutest Thing I've Ever Seen!

Ok, before I head to bed to finish off the most scream filled night (Harper's bustin out new molars. Fun times) I need to tell you all this...

hedgehogs eating make my world go round.

That being said, I give you:

Sometimes It's All Worth It

I think I'm the rudest mom in the land because last night, as my little ones were gathering themselves for a long winter's nap in their rooms, brushing their teeth, putting on pajamas, grabbing books for their reading pleasure...I came around the corner screeching like a pterodactyl...with my best "blair witch face" all up on my grill. You know the one...big eyes, nostrils flared, teeth a'flyin out. They cried and cried and cried...to which I laughed til I cried. Hey, at least I cried, am I right?

I'm totally getting the "Best Mom Of The Century" award from Oprah, I can feeeeeeel it.


Oh and new music for all of you who know how I love the music. I present...Vampire Weekend - Mansard Roof:

Engine Engine Number 9

Today is Casey's 9th Birthday!!!

He's actually sittting next to me on the other computer playing Neopets, but I wanted to surprise him with a blog post since he thinks that means he's famous. In a few days, if you Google Search his name, this post will come up.



Casey, when you were born, I was so relieved. I was on bed rest nearly all of the 8 months you were in my tummy. The doctors made me strap something on my belly all day while we were laying on the couch that told nurses in Arizona if I was standing up, if I was drinking all of my 2 gallons daily of water, and if I was treating my body nicely. It wasn't fun, but even then, you were a sweetpea and tolerated it all so well.





When we brought you home, Nana came over and held you on the couch and said "Wow, this baby is staring at me with huge eyes. This is how Ashley was. He'll probably be sweet like Ashley" and guess what, you ARE! Each of you reminds me of one of my siblings, and let me tell you...you and your Aunt Ashley are soul twins. You're so caring, and sweet, and helpful, and you couldn't hurt a fly. How lucky you are to be like her. And how lucky for the world that you are who YOU ARE.



You're the first one to draw us pictures on Mother's and Father's day. For Christmas this year, you surprised us in our bedroom with a card for each of us. It was so personal, and there's no mistaking the love you put into it. Your attention to detail, and the personal touches that you always add just melt our hearts, and we love you for that.

You're artistic, and you love to create things. You could be left in a room with legos and a pad of paper and colored pencils for hours...days even! Your latest thing is to draw a picture of a structure...a house, a building, a hospital...and then to recreate it in what you call your "artists model". If you only knew that you were walking down the line of an architect. Remember what you love to do in your life, and do whatever you can to achieve that for yourself. If you grow up to do something that you love...you'll be a happier person.



Sometimes living in a house that has 5 kids in it can be intimidating. Sometimes you might feel like you get lost in the hustle. You're in no way the most needy, the loudest, the most aggressive, but know this...WE LOVE YOU. We know you're there, and we thank Heavenly Father for you every night when we pray together in our bedroom. You're the second to the youngest, and you're in no way the second to last in order of favorites. We have no favorites. We really don't. Each of you is so special, and Casey...you're an amazing kid.



Nine is scary, you're almost a teenager, and all your teenage emotions are just around the corner, but don't rush it. Enjoy 9. Enjoy the treasures that come from leaning on us to take care of your needs while you spend every minute of your life learning about this world around you, studing about things you love, playing with everything you can reach, and soaking in the blessings that come from being righteous.

Casey, today is your birthday. You didn't want a cake until Nana and Grandpa came, so we went and got you 2 pies from Marie Calendar's. I asked you what you wanted and you said you wanted something lemony for the adults and something with berries for the kids. What a funny kid you are. So thoughtful, and always taking care of other's needs. There isn't a kid or adult in this house who doesn't love you Casey, and today...remember that. You are surrounded by 2 sisters, 2 brothers and 2 parents who love you more than anything in the world. You are so awesome...and you are so loved.

Love-

Mama and Dah-ee

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand I Got Tired Of The Damask

Being sick does funny things to your sense of time and space. Over the last 7-8 days, I've been absolutely at what my sweet little dramatic Tiffany would call "DYING-OH-MY-GOSH-HOLY-CRAP-THIS-IS-DEATH!!!!"

As I mentioned in previous posts, I was feeling horrible, and from what I'm hearing from friends and family around the globe, this is the worst flu to hit Earth. Ever. I have/had it, Harper had it, Mackenzie, Casey, and now Mike and Tiffany are feeling it. Jonah...well he's been at Science Camp in Big Bear/Lake Arrowhead for the last 3 days, and he probably feels this way too, but who'd wanna leave Science Camp to come home and lay in bed? Me neither.

Anyway, so I realized this morning that I've been sick now for a whole week. That has never happened ever. People...start melting down some vitamin C on a spoon in your filthy bathroom, soak up the juice with a syringe and start shooting up immediately. If you get this, and let's all pray you don't...you will die. I promise.

Ok so the whole Terrible Tuesday is over. I don't want to even talk about it anymore. I need to tell you that Clinton is seriously the devil. Also, Obama isn't as bad as she is but still...ugh. OK I'm done.

So anyway, Casey's going to be 9 on Friday, and that freaks me out as well. When did he get so big you guys? Seriously? That makes me so old. If I didn't have Harper, I'd feel like a granny, and let's face it...I'm almost 58. I guess it all makes sense. Where's my damn shawl???

Oh and guess what. This is the cutest picture of Casey. We were laying in my room a while ago and he was looking at me from under my covers. He's precious. That is all.

(click to see him more beautifully)

So Awesome

So I'm downstairs rebooting my Vonage device so I can have phone again (grrr...stupid internet keeps flaking out. I hate Time Warner Cable) and as I sit down on the computer, my Mom calls to tell me that the new counselor has been called. I'm so excited. Although our sweet sweet prophet passed last week, the new presidency is so awesome! If you haven't heard, it goes like this:

Monson has been officially ordained as the new prophet. I love him. I love his stories, I love his easy way about him, and I'm absolutely positive he's a true prophet. I'm getting goosebumps just writing about it. When I was struggling in my life, questioning my purpose on this earth, President Monson's talks and ever tender acceptance to sinners like myself made my return so easy. What an amazing man.


Then as First Counselor, we have Eyring! He's so different than we're used to. I'm so glad he's there, and the way he speaks is so unique...and in a good way! He's an amazing man, and what an incredible last few months he's had.


And then the most exciting part. Uchtdorf! He's only 67 years old, and only been an apostle for 4 years, and now he's the 2nd Counselor! Here's the Wikipedia bio on him. He's so handsome, and when he would speak to us in his rad German accent at conference, I'd slightly crush on him, him being a Lufthansa pilot and all. This is so awesome.


Anyway, I wanted to post about it before I went to lay down. I have been really really sick since last Friday. Saturday morning at about 2 am I finally hit my fever peak and Mike tried everything to get it to break, and finally about 5 that morning, we got it to go below 103. I'm still trying to rest, and my poor family is eating crap for every meal, but hey, they're not complaining. I'm so grateful to have such helpful kids, and my husband who I couldn't live without. He's so gentle and generous. He's rad. Also, I have such awesome friends like Aimee and Amanda and my sisters Mandy and Eliza, who have called to keep tabs on me. I'm so blessed. Seriously.

So leave comments, tell me what you think about the new counselor! What an exciting day!