So...

First of all, thank you ALL for your birthday wishes in the comments below! I love you all!!! And now for your regularly scheduled post. Do enjoy.

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Thirty four came and went with little change in scenery, a lot of change in lifestyle, and a large change in personal accomplishment. Yesterday, I turned the big (fat) 35, and just as I'd gotten used to the fact, my dad called and ruined my life.


"Hey Alli! Happy birthday!" he chimed.

"Thanks dad! I appreciate it!" was my greatful reply.

"So, only 5 years til you're 40..." he said, unaware of the stroke he caused me to have.



That's right folks, 35 isn't just half way through your thirties, it's actually "only 5 years til 40" and that my friends, is bullcrap. I'd like a ticket off of this helltrain to Geriatricland, thank you very much.

Anyway, my friends Aimee and Emily brought me over pies and cakes and let me tell you, if there was EVER a time in my life when I needed them, it was yesterday. Aimee "heard" that I love pie so she brought me over a strawberry one with whipped cream and a Claim Jumper black berry pie that made me absolutely giddy! Then, when Emily walked in with a big fat homemade cake, I about died! I thanked the girls and as soon as they left, I cut big pieces of the strawberry pie and the cake and went to my room to shovel it into my sobbing face while I watched my dang Big Brother DVR'd episode. I will admit it...I am thirty five...but nobody ever said I was always charming.

Ok so I exaggerate a bit, it was actually a really nice day, Mike got me an MP3 player to replace the one he stole from me borrows for work every day. He even put some music on it for me. Oh and it's pink! and everyone knows how much I adore pink! lately. Honestly, I think that I tried to hide those tiny girl urges for so long, the ones that adored princesses and sparkles and diamonds, that everytime anyone asked me what my favorite color was, I'd say that it was blue, or green, or blue-green, blue with green in it, but here it is people, in my 35 year old glory...I love pink! Love it. Obsessed with it. I wish pink were my ringtone, guys. Seriously though...

Anyway, my family comes in 3 days!!! and I'm so excited about it! I can't keep my excitement under control as I type this and my arms are shaking with excitement it's just that exciting you guys, can you feel the excitement?!?!?

love you bye.

what a crazy past 2 weeks.

all the meetings are over, all the taxes are done, all of the court papers are in. can I get a whutwhut?

Also, guess who's going to be 35 in 27 hours. Dats right. Sick.

Two words to sum up tonights American Idol...


KEN LEEEEEEEEEEE!

the ayund.

Gorgeous Utah Shoots

I worked most of today getting photos edited, some from old jobs from friends (AIMEE W! and CARRIE!) and then worked on new ones (ELIZA AND KJ! and CHRISTY!)

Here are a few. Click HERE to see photos every day as I edit them. Oh and click each pic to see it larger...(and then again if you really wanna see it big)

Ugh, Monday.

For about 10 years, I'd wake up almost every morning with a headache. My mind would turn immediately to some bill I'd have to pay, some issue I'd have to solve with family, or most often, some chore list I'd find on the kitchen counter. Just staying up at night would be like a little vacation. I could read or listen to "my" music, or talk on the phone to girlfriends or sisters, I could craft...all in peace. Nighttime was my time, and I would sometimes stay up til three or four in the morning. My afternoons would be spent in a panic about if the kitchen was clean enough, or if the dinner I had cooking was going to get me a "pass" to go hang out with Tori, and often, I'd find myself smiling at my tiny kids...wondering if I wanted to live one more day. Those sweet babies are the only thing that kept me going sometimes.

Well, this morning, I woke up and looked around my messy living room, shoes everywhere from kids in a hurry to get out the door to school and smiled because...I don't have to panic anymore. I don't have to worry about what kind of trouble I'd get in. As a matter of fact, if I happen to not get those shoes put away today, my husband would most likely come in and gently nudge the kids to do it when he gets home from work tonight.

Right now is an unexpectedly difficult time for me. I explained it a little on the phone with my sister Mandy, and she not only listens to me, but she calls and asks me for updates. This is probably the nicest thing she could do for me, and she is a miracle, an answer to prayers sometimes. She must be in tune with the spirit to know exactly when I need her to call me, because every time she calls, it's the perfect time. She's amazing.

I also have my brother who makes me laugh, and who loves me even though I'm an idiot sometimes, and then Eliza and Ash, who never judge me. They're so generous and loving, and honestly, I feel blessed every day to have them both. Eliza had us up to her house a week ago, and she graciously dealt with all SEVEN of the Easleys, and I know what a feat that is, I do it every day and just look at my gray hair.

The reason for this post, blabbery as it may be, is because right now, we're being tested and tried. We're at a point in our lives where everything is up in the air. We have decisions to make, and although the law says one thing, I'm scared to proceed because the consequences for the person this will affect are severe. I'm really struggling with this issue, and a few more, and when I woke up this morning, I came downstairs to download a specific conference talk and happened to check on the TC Rogers blog. Last night, he passed away. His family is old family friends of our family, as they are many many of yours as well. His story is sad, but happy at the same time. I was reading the latest update from his dad, Cliff, and happened upon this "TC Stories" blog...and read and read and read til my side hurt from laughing, and my eyes were sore from crying.

The human experience is exactly that. A human experience. I'm greatful to have every minute. I am so thankful to have happiness, and pain, and sorrow, and stress, and all those feelings that come with being human, aren't you?

Oh Sweet 5th Child Of Mine...

Isn't he sweet???



Don't let those innocent looks fool ya, my friends. Today Harper did a few things...a few very bad things...as two is approaching swiftly. Here is a short list, in no particular order of my favorites:

• drew on the walls of the house we're staying in with silver sharpie. Precious.
  
• broke 2 of my new Crate&Barrel glasses (ones I love so much I could make out with them)
• unrolled 2 entire rolls of toilet paper all over the stairs. Apparently throwing rolls down the stairs is raw-some. It is not.
  
• When the check out girl at Target broke his heart and his spirit by "taking" his new toy dinosaur from him to scan it briefly, and then promptly return it to him, he kindly "gave" it back to her by chucking it at her head with violence. This made me so proud.
  
• refused to have a nap while simultaneously hanging in mid sleep/mid scream in the car for 20 minutes. This also made me proud.
  

But then, we got back to safety and turned the new Little Mermaid sprinkler on for him (yes, he picked it out) and he became a sweet thing again. He even came in and kissed me all over my arms and cheeks whilst blabbering about the "wah-rerr! wah-rerr!" and the "bye-errr! bye-errr!" (water, spider) because apparently he almost died when a butterfly flew past him in his frolicking, since it was trying to kill him. Either way, I logged onto my flickr to start working, and what popped up?





Yep that's it. He and daddy, a year and a half ago being all cute and sleepy together...so then I forgave him. Aren't babies the bomb?

Oh and Jonah has a new blog. Go see him HERE

And Now, For The Real Post

Sweet Jonah -

When I was pregnant with you, your dad went on a 4-wheeler trip and left me home, and while he was gone, I started to have contractions. I remember thinking that no matter what happened, you'd be ok because during my entire pregnancy, you would "play" with me...literally. I would push against your tiny little foot (or whatever part it was) and you'd push right back. Every. Single. Time. I knew then you were going to be playful, and that you'd be my little playmate.

Every day when you come home from school, all of you kids come in first thing and tell me about your day. I need you to know that I look forward to this every single afternoon, and when that clock starts to show that you'll be home soon, I start to get excited.

Girls have always been crazy about you, and I remember a time when you were just this teensy little thing, glasses over your beautiful blue eyes, and a little girl in our ward came up to me in Primary and told me that you two were engaged. Why don't we hold off til you get home from your mission on that one, eh?

Your sense of humor comes from my side of the family. Everytime you're around your Uncle Taylor, it's like watching Big T and his mini me (you), and let me tell you, it's a hoot. There's not a frowny face in the joint when you're around, and your special talent for making people laugh is a true gift from Heavenly Father. Remember to always look for the humor in things, take things lightly that seem to burden you, and if you learn anything from me, it's to smile through the hard times. Ignore all of the bad things people may say about you, and remember that Heavenly Father and that Mike and I...we know who you really are. Nana and Grandpa, and all of your aunts and uncles, cousins and siblings...we all see who you are, and you are SPECTACULAR!

Yes yes, you may argue with your sisters and brothers sometimes, but just know this, there's not another person they'd rather hang out with than you. Casey really looks up to you, and the girls know that you're so protective of them, and that instills a special sense of safety in them. Harper think's you're the coolest thing to walk the earth, and between Mike and I, you've got a fan base to rival most movie stars. Honestly, you're such an important part of our family...you need to know that. Just look at how many phone calls you got on your birthday!!!

Your athletic ability is amazing. You can pick up a ball and just start to play. At any sport! This is especially exciting for Harper, who is exactly like you in that aspect. Your love of science, math and sports makes it so you and Mike never have a quiet moment, and your love for good music ties us all together. Your taste in so many things, the way you absolutely ABSORB things when we take you to museums, or to art galleries, or to baseball games...this is contagious, and the whole family learns from you.

There's a quiet gentleness to you Jonah, and sometimes the sensitive part of you can be overwhelming. You've really matured into a young man over the last year. We know that you've struggled with one thing in particular, and let me tell you this; we heard from many people that your personal struggles with this issue might make you angry, bitter, not want to go to church...that your faith might fade a bit because of this person who you used to look up to, but you know what? You went the opposite way. I can't say I'm surprised, but you totally stepped up. You became closer to all of the people who DO take care of you, you understood that you can't change anyone else, and you loved the ones who love you for real, because of the example they show you. You know how to spot a good person/example...and that shows me that you listen to the spirit.

In primary, Mike and I sit during Primary in the chairs in front of your class as we sit with ours, and we hear you sing. Everyone hears you sing! Your voice carries, and your perfect pitch is so awesome, I just get so excited everytime you open that sweet little mouth of yours. (even if you and Conner and Miguel like to kick our chairs... ;) ... hehehe)

Continue to learn, continue to study, continue to value our family, and your life will be successful. Take time to carefully and prayerfully make decisions in your life, don't ever jump into things...let the spirit guide you. Listen to us, we really truly want what's best for you. We work our bums off every day and night not because we don't want to be around you, but because we want to provide you with everything you'll need to become a good husband, father, brother and son...

Just like you did in the picture above...Jonah...always choose the RIGHT.

We love you sweet boy...happy 11th birthday...

Love,

Mom and Dayee

Happy Birthday Dear Scatto Gay Toe!

I'll post this today for Jonah, who is 11 today!!!





tomorrow, more! With pictures! Happy Birthday Jonah!


by the way, what the crap are they saying?

Leavin, On A Jet Plane

Adios amigos. We'll miss you so much, but don't worry, we'll be back on Monday for your regularly scheduled waste of the 5 minutes it takes you to read my daily dribble.

Don't knock yourselves out or catch yourself on fire while I'm gone, now.

Oh and honestly, isn't Houston GORGEOUS???

OH AND WAIT! They've updated Stuff White People Like. I expect you to read up. Kthxbye, bumheads.

The Best Singer Ever Evaaaaaaaaaaaaah

So while watching David Archuleta's performance last night on YouTube, Eliza and I saw somebody posted this video response. I think he's the best singer I have ever heard ever.



Also, please do enjoy this beautiful video about Severus Snape and Hermoine. I'm not sure why, but just do it. Eliza showed me these, she watches them all day long and weeps with joy.

Overheard: Brotherly Love, ages 10 and 9

Jonah:

I'm wearing that shirt today.

Casey:

Uh, it appears to me I'm wearing it. See, it's going on my body right now.

Jonah:

Not if I pull it off while I punch your guts out.

Casey:

Try it, and my foot will meet your butt so hard...

(jonah smirks with entirely too much testosterone laced attitude)

...oh and I'll tell mom.

(/end argument)

If I Can Get Your Attention For Just A Second...

So...we were going to tell everyone when we got to Utah, but since we're not coming...


...I need to tell you all something. See, since Mike really only has Harper, and since I'm almost 35, we started "trying" about 6 months ago for a baby. I know, I know, I'm too old, we can't afford it, and as my dad said "you aren't going to have any more kids...are you?!?!?" but, well...we're pregnant!!!

I'm so excited about it! You have to know that we are so stoked. We know that this is what we're supposed to do. We said we were done after Harper but ever since we started really saying that we were finished, we started feeling like we weren't.

So around Valentines Day, I found out. I've been keeping it a secret for a month and a half and I have been DYING to tell you guys! The kids just found out and they are all beside themself with excitement! We're due October 10th! I don't have any October babies so this goes right in with Kenzie and Mike who are both in September. Honestly, I feel really good about this and we're hoping for a girl. Mike needs a sweet baby girl so bad, but I'm cool with a boy too, I loooove having little boy babies. So anyway, I just wanted to tell you guys. I can't keep it in anymore! Love you!










april fools.