birthdays and movies and FUN.

M2B=) days 736 - 742.  Monday, February 20th - Sunday, February 26th happiness:

Monday, February 20th happiness:  Today was Sheri's birthday!  Happy Birthday to Sheri.  Tonight we went and saw The Vow.  I love Rachel McAdams so I was excited to go.  I laughed, I cried.  It was all good.  

Tuesday, February 21st happiness:  We put in a Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin Wallflower recently and my house smells awesome.  I love that I can smell it right when I come in the door.  Since you can't really take a photo of a smell, this is the next best thing:
The only problem is, that it is a Fall smell and it makes me think that Halloween and Thanksgiving are just around the corner.

Wed. February 22nd happiness:  Today was the Fun. at Zia Records appearance.  I took Joe and Alex and Ben with me.  The NOT fun part was waiting in line for like 2 hours outside of Zia.  It was hot and the sun was in my face.  On the plus side.  While waiting, I made the boys stand in line and I went in Zia and shopped.  I picked up the new Nada Surf album for Brian.  It was the last one in the store.  Score!

Joe and Alex saw someone they knew from school farther up the line, so they took Ben with them and ditched me so they could have a better place in line.  Actually they didn't ditch me.  I told them they should go if they wanted to.  The best part was, when they started letting us in, the way the store is set up, and they had to squeeze us down the aisles, I ended up getting a better spot than they did.  I was right by the door where the band came out!  Ben worked his way through the crowd back to me.  We got to slap their hands as they came out on stage.  Awesome.

I also stood next to Nate Ruess's dad and grandma.  Cool.  

One of my all time favorite photos of the band FUN.  :

They played a few songs and Nate talked to the crowd a lot and really got them into it, and told some funny stories and was really just such a good performer.  It was totally worth the wait.

Also, seeing how happy Ben was and watching him sing the words to every song was awesome.  

After the show, we got back in line so we could meet the band and get autographs.  Thankfully Dallin, Cody and Michael weren't too far back and they let us cut in.

What an awesome night.  I loved seeing the band, and I loved hanging out with Joe and with my nephews.  They are awesome.

Thursday, February 23rd happiness:  Still on a Fun. high.  I have been listening to them all day.  I can't wait for the concert in March.

Friday, February 24th happiness:  Brian and I went to see This Means War.  I think he liked it a little better than I did.  It did have some really funny parts in it, but also some things I didn't like.   Over all, I would say it was pretty good.  Not on my favorites list though.

Saturday, February 25th happiness:  Since Joe's birthday falls on a Sunday this year, we decided to celebrate mostly today.  He didn't really want a party or anything, so we just took him to lunch and then shopping.  We picked up Michael and then went to The Olive Garden.   Then we offered to take him shopping anywhere.  We ended up getting him some new shoes, and then going to Tilly's, where he didn't buy much, just a jacket.  He is easy to please.
It was a fun day.  I love hanging out with Joe.  And Michael isn't bad either =)

Sunday, February 26th happiness:  HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOE!  The best day of my life was they day you came into it!  Even though we had birthday day yesterday, we couldn't do NOTHING on the actual day.  So we did have a couple of surprises for him.
We got him a comforter for his bed.  He has been wanting one forever.
Also, I got him a frame for his signed FUN. poster and cd cover.  

 
We hung it on the wall right away.
Brian made blueberry pancakes for Joe this morning, and then he made him Chicken Fried Steak for dinner.

I love that Brian likes to cook.

Joe  facts:

*He is 15 and a Freshman in High School.

*He LOVES music (in case you couldn't tell).  Some of his favorites right now are Guster, Fun., Panic at the Disco, Jason Mraz.

*He plays the guitar and writes songs.  

*He writes great lyrics.  

*He loves to go to the beach, and to the cabin.

*He asks me almost every day when we are moving to California.

*His favorite colors are purple and black.

*His favorite shows right now is Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory and Happy Endings.  

*He is currently into longboarding, and can't wait to long board on the boardwalk on Mission Beach this summer.

*He gave up sugar in early December and is still going strong.  I don't know how he does it.

* His favorite food is any sea food.

Happy Day!

Valentines Day - FHE

M2B =) days 730 - 735.  Tuesday, February 14th - Sunday, February 19th happiness:

Tuesday, February 14th happiness:  Happy Valentines Day!

Joe woke up to his room being heart attacked.

3 of my kids brought me flowers today!

I got all sorts of fun valentines from the kids today.  But I think this one may have been my favorite.
It's Harry Potter, and it looks so cool!

The weather today was a Valentines Day present for me.  It was gorgeous.
Also, if you didn't know, Ben is hilarious when he is on a sugar high!  I quite enjoyed our ride home from school today.

Tonight we did our usual Valentines Day tradition.  We ordered in instead of going out.  Have you TRIED going out on Valentines Day?  It is ridiculous.  Brian got me an awesome little hand held camera for my present.  Now when I go to concerts and things, I can bring a little camera with me.  Woo hoo!

Wednesday, February 15th happiness:  I went to the dentist again this morning.  While getting impressions done of your teeth isn't exactly fun, I was excited because it means soon I will be getting my invisalign and I can FINALLY get my teeth fixed.  Woo hoo!

Also, on Wednesday's I cover 2 lunches.  It was a plus today because the weather outside was absolutely gorgeous.

Thursday, February 16th:  Today was not my best day so far.  It wasn't even a good day.  What did make me happy today?  Sitting on the couch tonight and watching Modern Family with Brian.  

Friday February 17th happiness:  Friday at 3:45 is my favorite time of the week!  I LOVE Fridays!

Saturday, February 18th happiness:  Today I needed the Valerian Root.  I am so happy that I found this stuff.
Sunday, February 19th happiness:  Family Home Evening.  Yes, I list it every month, but I love that my mom does this.  I used to get to see my nieces and nephews all of the time, but now that I am working, not so much.  I love that I know I will get to see them at least one day during the month.  I love my family.

Watching a video as part of the lesson:

Michael brought a buddy with him.
Joe and Dallin performed a song.  

Happy Day!

Full moons and big hearts

M2B =) days 725 - 729.  Thursday, February 9th - Monday, February 13th happiness:  

Thursday, February 9th happiness:  Today was a 1/2 day.  11:30 release.  Woo hoo!

Also, on a side note, I had a dentist appointment today.  And I looked on my school calendar and do you know what it said?  Today is National Toothache Day.  Not good.

Tonight the moon was gorgeous.  It was ridiculously huge.  I tried to capture it, but the photo simply does not do it justice.  

Friday, February 10th happiness:  Another half day!  I love it!  I went to the doctor this afternoon and then ran some errands.  Tonight's happiness:  sitting in the hot tub.  It felt so good on my sad aching body.

Saturday, February 11th happiness:  I tried to have a day with Brian.  We went to IKEA.  We bought a new picture for the kitchen wall.  After that, I cam home and crashed.  I took a LONG nap.  I love me a good nap.

Brian took Joe to a movie and then went grocery shopping for me.  THANK YOU BRIAN!

Sunday, February 12th happiness:  I've said it before, but the one downside of my job is that I am sick ALL the time.  I seem to pick up every germ those kids have lying around.  Which is really lame because before this, I rarely got sick.  Oh well, it is what it is.  The good thing about being in bed all day, is that I got to read, which I almost never get to do anymore.  I may just finish the book this month and get to go to book club.  Woo hoo!

Monday, February 13th happiness:  Every year for Valentines Day, Brian and I heart attack Joe's room while he is sleeping.  We stay up late the night before and cut out a ton of hearts and hang them up all over his room, and then we put in a ton of heart balloons.  I love this tradition. 

Happy Day!

productive, happy, sweet days

M2B =) days 717 - 724.  Wednesday, February 1st - Wednesday, February 8th happiness:

Wednesday, February 1st happiness:  The gym.  It is a pain to get there, but afterwards, I am always glad that I went!

Thursday, February 2nd happiness:  Happy Groundhog day!  This afternoon, Sheri and I went to see Grandmother.  We took a couple of boys with us.  

Any day that I get to visit with Grandmother is a good day!

Friday, February 3rd happiness:  The mere fact that it is Friday makes me happy.  I never appreciated TGIF very much until I started working.

Saturday, February 4th happiness:  We had a MUCH needed cleaning day today.  Brian tackled the garage.  He gutted it, took several trips to the dump and we got rid of a lot of things.  It is fantastic.

Joe was my super helper.  The things he was required to do:  Clean the mirrors in both bathrooms, sweep the front porch, unload the dishwasher, vacuum the family room, help with the laundry, and clean and vacuum his room.

He really did a fantastic job.  He even added some new Nightmare Before Christmas pictures to his room:

Now, here is the list of things that were NOT required, that he did without being asked:  Cleaned the sinks and countertops in the bathroom, and helped me paint the wall in the kitchen.

I love Joe!

I paid bills today, and tackled the wall in the kitchen! 
All we have to do is to get the chair rail up, and we are done!  Woo hoo.

A productive day is a happy day.

Sunday, February 5th happiness:  Our lesson in young women's today was about being happy.
I loved it, of course.

Monday, February 6th happiness:  Even though we are no where near easter, the Cadbury mini eggs are in the stores.  
So yummy!

Tuesday, February 7th happiness:  CLOUDS!  I love me some clouds in Arizona.

Wednesday, February 8th happiness:  One of my laurel's has a birthday today, so brought her a cupcake and wished her a happy birthday.  I volunteered to pick up the cupcakes.  Any excuse to go to Sweet Daddy's.  One of my former beehives had a birthday yesterday, so I picked one up for her too.  Oh, and it's also Stacy's birthday, so I had to get her one too.

I also picked up a raspberry lemonade one for Brian, and a chocolate one for Mrs. J.  It's teacher conference week.  I thought I would bring her a little pick me up!

I wasn't planning on getting one for me, until I saw the maple bacon one.  Then I knew, I must have it.
Maple is one of my favorite flavors ever.  I watch the Food Network show "The Best thing I Ever Ate."  One of the "best" things featured is an apple, maple bacon donut, that a place in San Francisco makes.  It looks so delicious.  I dream of going to San Fran one day, just for that donut.

So, when I saw the maple bacon cupcake, I knew I must try it.

It did not disappoint.

Happy Day!

Finishing January

M2B =) days 706 - 716.  Saturday, January 21st - Tuesday, January 31st happiness.

It's a long one, so here goes..........

Saturday, January 21st happiness:  Brian and I had what he likes to call "a day".  We were out and about, seeing and doing.  We went to lunch, we did some shopping, and we looked at some model homes.  Then we got coldstone and came home and watched some of our shows together on the couch.  It was a good day.

Sunday, January 22nd happiness:  Sunday nap!

Monday, January 23rd happiness:  I won't lie.  Today was kind of a lousy day.  I didn't sleep well last night, so I didn't feel well this morning.  I was told at the last minute that I had to teach today, and Monday's are the worst day for teaching because there are NO specials.  Which means I don't get to leave the room to pee or do anything else at all for 4 solid hours.  Yikes.  Finally It is 3:15 and I get to go home.  I go outside and the weather is PERFECT!  my kind of day!

I drove home with the windows down.  This weather was sent for me today, to cheer me up!

Tonight I was driving to my parents house to wish my dad a happy birthday and to give him a present, and I got to see this:
I know, I really shouldn't take photos while I am driving, but it was so beautiful.  I rolled down the window and took a quick shot.

I also got this one:
Arizona really does have the best sunsets.

Tuesday, January 24th happiness:  I had mutual tonight.  I didn't want to go.  But, I did anyway, and it really turned out to be a lot of fun.  I'm glad I didn't let my bad mood spoil it.  It was all the priests and laurels in the stake, and they played a bunch of "minute to win it" games.  I'm glad I went.

Wednesday, January 25th happiness:  It was pajama day at school today.  How can you NOT be happy getting to wear your pajamas all day?  It was awesome.

Tonight Brian and I watched a new show.
I wasn't really that interested in watching it.  I think we already have too many shows that we don't have time to watch, but he really wanted to watch it, so we did.

It was pretty fantastic.  So, unfortunately, we will have to add another show to our list.  Thank goodness for DVR.  We have all these shows taped, with no time to watch.  I'm sure we will catch up this summer when nothing new tapes.

Thursday, January 26th happiness:  I had a terrible dizzy spell at 1:00 a.m. this morning.  It woke me from a dead sleep.  I woke up to the room spinning and spinning.  This was the worst I've had in a while.  I literally felt like the room was moving.  I spent the next few hours, barfing and lying down.  It was awful.  I took my dizzy pill and Brian gave me a blessing, and thankfully, it finally stopped, but I was in bed all day long.  

Today I am happy to have Brian.  He did EVERYTHING today.  He got Joe up and ready for school, he picked him up from school, made him dinner and just made sure everything got done so I didn't have to worry.  Because honestly, I was too dizzy to do anything anyway.

A little more happiness today:  Joe's science project got picked for HISEF ( Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair).  The teacher only picked 2 projects from his class to represent, and his was one of them.  Woo hoo!  (Thanks again Uncle David for your help!)

Friday, January 27th happiness:  Today, was a day, let me tell you.  I was home from school today, still feeling rather dizzy, although the room did finally stop spinning.  Brian came home from work today feeling super sick, so much that I had to drive him to urgent care.  With him barfing, and me being super dizzy, I am surprised we made it!  

I am happy today for family that will step in and help when needed.  I just dropped Joe off at my mom's and trusted that he would be fine.  Stacy and the Gonzo's took him to dinner with them, and then he hung out for a while until we were done.  I love my family.

Tonight, as I was at CVS filling Brian's prescriptions I saw these:
I was excited because I thought that the cherry m & m's were only a Christmas thing.  I have never seen them any other time of the year.  

I guess this year they made some for valentines day too.  Happy Day!

Guess what I did when I got home?

Saturday, January 28th happiness:  Finally feeling a little better today!  I went to a friends baby shower.  It was fun.  I also went to Barnes and Noble.  That ALWAYS makes me happy.

Tonight, Joe had the boys over for pizza and games.  I played scrabble with Alex, Michael and Joe.  I forgot how much I like this game.  It was fun.
Sunday, January 29th happiness:  Sheri dropped off salsa and Peanut Butter cookies today!  What an awesome sister I have.  These cookies make me super happy.

Monday, January 30th happiness:  Brian and I have been watching Friday Night Lights.  This season was season 5.  The last one.  We have had it DVR'd forever and have been dragging out the watching of it, because we don't want it to be actually over.  So, even though the series ended a few months back.  We just watched the final episode tonight.

This is probably one of my favorite shows ever.  And no, it's not just because of Riggins.  Who would have thought that I would love a t.v. show about football?  Not me.

Tuesday, January 31st happiness:  I know I've said it before, but there is nothing that sets the mood for the day better, than hearing an awesome song on the radio on the way to work.
I roll the windows down, turn the music up, and sing on my way to work.  It makes me happy and puts me in a good mood for the day.  I love music!

Happy Day!

family photo shoot

M2B =) days 695 - 705.  Tuesday, January 10th - Friday, January 20th happiness.

Wow, I am far behind.  I am going to try to catch up a little this week, so here goes:

Tuesday, January 10th happiness:  What made me happy today?  Taking a nap after school.  I love it when I can do that.

Wednesday, January 11th happiness:  Family photo shoot.  I got to hang out with my nieces and nephews and take lots of photos.  It was fun.

Ok, so this isn't everyone, but you get the idea.  Also, I am starting to notice that a lot of the photos I have of Joe are with his guitar.  

Thursday, January 12th happiness:  The teacher I work with at school is a HUGE Michigan State fan.  Seriously.  I mean, every day, the kids face the American flag and say the pledge of allegiance and then she has them turn around and face the Michigan State flag and they sing the Michigan State Fight Song before the head off to math class.  

As it turns out, Michigan State had a pretty great season.  And, she kept telling the kids that if they made it to a bowl game, then we would have a tailgate party.  Well, they made it!  They didn't win, but it was a good game.  

So, this afternoon, we cooked hot dogs and had chips and soda, and we sang the fight song one last time, and watched the end of the Michigan State game.  The kids loved it.  And I love working with a teacher who is so fun!

Also, today was a cloudy gorgeous day.  Loved it!

Friday, January 13th happiness:  Ok, so I often have insomnia.  It's ok to have it for a night or two, but any more than that in a row, and I just get SOOOOO tired.  Well, I haven't slept well at all this week, so I knew that if I was going to make it through school today, I would need a little help.

I stopped off at CVS before school this morning to get a 5 hour energy, and I got carded.  First of all, I didn't know you had to be 18 to buy it.  Second of all Jon who works at CVS is now one of my favorite people ever for thinking I was 18, and for being totally surprised when I told him I was more than twice that.  Thanks Jon!  I needed that today.
Saturday, January 14th happiness:  Joe decided (on his own) that he would like a hair cut today.  While I prefer his hair short, I don't hassle him about how he chooses to wear it.  It is HIS hair after all.  So, I was pretty excited when he announced today that he would like to get a haircut.  I didn't hesitate.  I drove him there before he could change his mind.  I like it so much better, and I think he does too.

Sunday, January 15th happiness:  We got to go and see Michael get the priesthood today!   Also today was a gorgeous day to be outside, so Joe and I decided to do a photo shoot with the new hair.  His guitar had to come along, of course.  
I think this was MY favorite shot of the day.
Later there was time for hanging out with the cousins a little bit.
Monday, January 16th happiness:  NO SCHOOL!  I got some much needed cleaning done.

Tuesday, January 17th happiness:  When you wake up in the early morning and you realize that you still have like 3 hours left to sleep.

Wednesday, January 18th happiness:  3:45 p.m.  It is my favorite time of day.  The work day is over, I have picked up Joe, and we are home.  I change into my cozy clothes and take a few minutes to just sit on the couch and do nothing.  I Love it.

Thursday, January 19th happiness:  I got in the car this morning to go to work, and The Cure, "Just like Heaven" is on the radio.  I get to hear it all the way through.  Hearing an awesome song on the radio on the way to work, just sets the mood for the day.  

Friday, January 20th happiness:  Today was a nap after school kind of day.  I felt dizzy all afternoon, so I had to take one of my dizzy pills and go to bed.  I am happy that when that happens, Brian takes care of everything else that needs to be done.  He took Joe out to dinner tonight to Red Lobster so I could rest.  He is awesome.

Happy Day!