August Happiness aka the longest post ever.

So, once again, it's been a while.  Partly because life is a lot busier than it used to be, and partly because I have a teenage boy who hogs the computer.  

I know it's a lot, but I am finishing out August so I can move on to September.  So, here we go:

M2B =) days 196 - 208.  Thursday, August 19th - Tuesday, August 31st:

Thursday, August 19th happiness:  Today is my mom's birthday.  Happy Birthday Mom!  Thanks for having a birthday today because it allowed me to shop for you at Deseret Book.  I love that store and I rarely get to go, but today I took my time and in addition to getting your present, I bought 2 books for me (both on sale, of course).  I don't know when I will ever find the time to read them, but oh well.

Tonight was my mom's party at Peter Piper Pizza.  This is what is so great about my mom.  For her birthday, she threw a party for all of us.  It was fun hanging out with everybody.

Here are a few of my favorite photo's of the evening:
How happy is this face?
How cute is this one?
Not sure what is going on here, but it looks like fun:
Who invited these guys?
Good times.

Friday, August 20th happiness:  One of the boys in my class invited me to his birthday party at Jeepers.  He has asked me every day this week if I was going.  So, I did.  This kid is adorable.  He is always smiling and loves to tell me silly jokes.  I was happy I went.

Saturday, August 21st happiness:  Joe and I got up this morning and helped out Michelle with her car wash fundraiser.  This is how good of a helper Joe was.  Can you see him working hard?
Just kidding.  It was a little slow at first, so Aunt Sandy made an Elmer's run.  She even bought something for Joe.  How sweet is that?  Lest you think Brian was home sleeping, he was not.  He was on babysitting duty.  He spent the morning with Michelle's kids, so she could be at the car wash.  

Later that day Brian and I went to see the movie Switch.  I actually liked it a lot.  The kid in the movie was great.  He really made the movie for me.

Sunday, August 22nd:  Today was a lazy Sunday.  I love lazy Sunday's.  I need them.  Joe and I spent much of the day, hanging out on the bed.  One of my favorite activities.  We talked, we read, we watched silly t.v. shows (is it wrong for me to say how much I love the Jonas Brother's t.v. show?  actually, don't answer that.) and he even busted out the guitar and played some songs.  I love this kid.
Monday, August 23rd:  My mom and I had been planning to go see a movie for her birthday.  We wanted to see Charlie St. Cloud, but it wasn't playing anymore in any of the theaters nearby, so we went and saw Switch instead.  My dad tagged along.  He just doesn't like to be left behind.  It was fine by me.  I have the best parents in the world!

Tuesday, August 24th happiness:  
It makes me happy to live in a free country, where I have the right to vote.  I never waste this opportunity.  Even though most of the people I voted for didn't end up winning, I am happy to have the chance to make my own choice.  I love this country.  

Tonight also, Joe and I went to Barnes and Noble.  I could spend all my time and money in that store.  Tonight however, I only walked away with one book.  It was the book for this month's book club, which is in 2 days.  I WILL finish it.  Joe also got a book.  The third book in the Kingdom Keepers series finally is here.  Woo hoo.

When we were driving home tonight, there was the most gorgeous sunset ever.  We were on the freeway, and I didn't have my camera.  I hurried home, but the view just wasn't the same.  There were too many trees and things in the way.  Oh well, this is the best I could get:

Wednesday, August 25th happiness:  Rain and lots of reading.

Thursday, August 26th happiness:  More rain.  Tonight was book club.  This month's book was "A Long Way Gone".  It was heartbreaking, and a bit graphic at times, but I loved it.  It is this man's personal story of growing up in Sierra Leon.  By 13 he was an orphan and a soldier in the army.  I loved it because, even though he had such a horrendous childhood, he was able to overcome his adversity and make a new life for himself.  He is an inspiration of how to handle adversity.  Also, it is a good reminder that even on my worst day, my suffering doesn't come close to what some people have to go through, and it really helps me put things in perspective.  
Sadly, I did not actually make it to book club.  I map quested the address, and it was of course, wrong.  I drove around for an hour before I gave up.  Next month I am definitely getting a ride with someone.

Friday, August 27th:  Family movie night.  Joe picked this week:
Even though the movie is not nearly as good as the book, and they changed A LOT of things (I hate it when they do that).  I still like this movie.  I just don't compare it to the book.  I love that they cast Logan Lerman as Percy.  I think he is great.  And even though the Grover character is nothing like he is in the book.  I thought Brandon T. Jackson did a great job with the character.  He was definitely the comic relief in this movie.

Saturday, August 28th happiness:  This morning had a rough start.  By 9 a.m. I had to get out of the house for a while.  I went to Barnes and Noble of course.  While I was there my mom called and invited me to come over.  Today was Addy's birthday and she was having the girls over to make pizza and cookies.  I hurried right over.

I got to make pizza with Addy:

And dip strawberries in chocolate with the girls:
We also made and frosted cookies.  A lousy morning definitely turned into an awesome day.

When I got home, it was raining.  I stood in the rain today and for 5 minutes felt completely happy.

Sunday, August 29th:  I was sick again today.  I think I am catching everything that my kids are bringing to school.  It has definitely been going around, and around and around.  Thank goodness for Brian taking care of dinner.  It's nice to be able to lay in bed and recover.  And I know I've said it before, but the NyQuil really does make me happy.

Monday, August 30th:  Every morning when the kids first come into the classroom, they have to unpack and then get to their desk and look up the "word of the day" in the dictionary.  They have been doing this for over a month now.  Without fail, I have at least 2 kids who can't seem to do it.  One of the girls came up and asked me for help.  I asked her if she had even opened the book.  Her reply was: "When I think about looking up words, I get nervous."  I had to really try hard not to laugh.  I love my job.

Tonight, Brian brought home this:
It is heavenly.  I have decided that I need to eat this every day.

And Finally......you thought this post would never end, but here we are:

Tuesday, August 31st happiness:  I located a theater that is semi-near by that is still playing Charlie St. Cloud.  We had to drive 10 miles, but my mom, dad and I went and saw it tonight.
I liked it a lot.  It was a lot less cheesy than it could have been, considering the subject matter.  I think Zac Efron did a good job, and he has dreamy electric blue eyes.  =)

That's it for now.  Congratulations, you made it all the way to the end.

Happy Day!

pizza and parties and pretzels....

M2B =) days 187 - 195.  Tuesday, August 10th - Wednesday, August 18th.

Tuesday, August 10th happiness:  Today was Rowan's birthday party.  I was honored to be invited.  It was at Peter Piper Pizza.  We had pizza and ice cream and cake and all kinds of fun.

Ruby, was adorable, as usual.
Evan continuously cracked me up.
And I played several games of air hockey with Joshua.  We had to play several.  As soon as Darrel gave him his cup full of tokens, he immediately put them all into the air hockey table.  At least he had fun playing the game.  He loved it.

Wednesday, August 11th:  Today I dropped off a college care package for Jared Ammon.  He is packing up and going off to college tomorrow.  Even though he is just going to ASU, I'm sure we will be seeing a lot less of him.  I hope he drops by every once in a while.  I sure will miss having him around.
Wednesday night for mutual we had a combined activity - luau.  The girls learned a hula dance and the boys learned a dance too.  I was surprised, but pleased that Joe decided to participate.  It was fun.
Thursday, August 12th:  Brian introduced me to these:
I've tried the regular chocolate covered pretzels, but these are the double dipped peanut butter chocolate ones.  They are soooo much better.  I think I am in love.

Friday, August 13th happiness:  The thing that made me happiest today was my bed.  I came home from work today feeling soooo sick and was so happy to just be able to lie down for a while.

Saturday, August 14th:  Today I got to go to Josh's birthday party.
I loved this photo of him blowing out the candles.

Sunday, August 15th happiness:  Is it weird to say that NyQuil makes me happy?  I love this stuff.  I love the way it tastes (not kidding).  And I especially love the way it knocks me out so I can get some much needed rest!  I think I spent the entire day in bed.
Monday, August 16th happiness:  The best thing that happened to me today was when Joe showed me a video after school.  It was a video of a squirrel after he had eaten some fermented pumpkin.  He was totally drunk and running in circles, and couldn't climb his tree.  He kept falling off.  I thought it was kind of sad actually, but Joe thought it was soooo funny.  He was laughing hysterically.  I have never seen him laugh that hard before.  His laughing was so funny, that it made me start to laugh uncontrollably.  I love how laughing is contagious.  Good times.

Tuesday, August 17th:  On Tuesday's, my school sells otter pops to the kids after school.  I was surprised when one of the kids in my class ran up to me and handed me a lime otter pop.  He bought it just for me.  How sweet.  He even happened to pick my favorite kind.
Also on Tuesday - rain - woo hoo!
Wednesday, August 18th happiness:  Tonight at mutual, after we were done with our activity, the girls and I played a game.  They called it "vampires in the dark" (one of the girls is currently obsessed with vampires - but I don't judge, because, hey - who isn't?)  Anyway, it's very similar to the game that we used to play when I was younger "murder in the dark".  It was a lot of fun, and it brought back some fun childhood memories of playing "murder in the dark" in my parents basement.  

That's it for now.

Happy Day!

More stuff that makes me smile =)

M2B =) days 174 - 186.  Wednesday, July 28th - Monday, August 9th:

Wednesday, July 28th happiness:  For mutual tonight the beehives and mia maids got together at one of the girl's houses to hang out.  They played some dancing game on the wii.  I don't know what it is called, but I decided that my mom MUST buy it for her wii.  It was soooo much fun.  I did fairly well on my first turn, and then it went downhill from there, but it sure was a lot of fun.  They even had the song "Dare" by the Gorillaz.   Love that song and soooo fun to dance to.

Thursday, July 29th happiness:  Rain, rain, rain - woo hoo!  I went out and stood in it for a long time.

Friday, July 30th:  Today was the end of my very first week of working full time.  I won't lie.  It was a rough week.  There may have been a good amount of crying on my part this week.  I am tired and frazzled and disorganized.  Don't get me wrong.  I am loving what I am doing at school, it's trying to juggle everything else after school that is getting to me.  

When I got home today, these were waiting for me. =)  Sunflowers always make me smile.  Thanks Brian!
Saturday, July 31st:  Brian and I went to see Dinner for Schmucks today.  It was just ok.  There were definitely some funny parts, especially towards the end.  But, there were a lot of stupid parts too.  While it wasn't my favorite movie, it is always fun to get out of the house and relax.  I have been going and going and going this week.  It was nice to slow it down for a bit.
Sunday, August 1st happiness:  Today Brian made me these:
They are chocolate-hazelnut, banana wontons.  And, they are heaven.  I think Brian should officially take over all of the cooking at our house.  He is soooo much better than I am.

Monday, August 2nd happiness:  Today I got 3 hugs from kids in my class.  Did I mention I love my job?

Tuesday, August 3rd happiness:  It was hard to think of something happy today, until I had Elmer's for dinner.  Elmer's makes everything better.  

Wednesday, August 4th:  Krispy Kreme maple doughnut.  Enough said!
Thursday, August 5th:  Today a kid at my school told me "Every time I see you, I think you are a teenager."  I think he may just be my favorite kid at that school =).  

Friday, August 6th:  Watching Ice Age tonight with Joe was the best!
Saturday, August 7th:  Today Brian and I saw Step up 3.  I was surprised he wanted to go with me.  I was fully prepared to go see it by myself.  I LOVED it, of course.  I love all things dance, and this entire movie was dance.  Plus, Twitch is in it.  Good stuff.
Saw this on the way to Molly's party.  I got a laugh out of it.
Happy Birthday to Molly.  Tonight we got to go hang with this cutie for her birthday.  
Also tonight -Rosati's pizza.  It is soooo good.  Why does it have to be sooooo expensive?  Oh well.

Sunday, August 8th:  I heard the Cure today (all time favorite band) - Just Like Heaven.  There is just something magical about that song.  I love it so much

Monday, August 9th happiness:  Catching up on my shows tonight with Brian.  I love, love, love this show:
That's it for now.  Peace out!

Happy Day!

More Catch Up (not to be confused with Ketchup).

M2B =) days 165 - 173.  Monday, July 19th - Tuesday, July 27th.

Monday, July 19th happiness:  Today I started my first day of work at my new job.  I am a teacher's aide for a 3rd grade class.  Although school does not start until next week, all of the teacher's and aides had to be there this week for training, and to get ready for school.  I chose this job because for the most part, it coincides with Joseph's schedule.  We will have nearly all of the same school holiday's, and I will be home when he gets home from school.  However, since he was not in school today, it was hard to leave him home alone.  

After work, I had a bit of information overload.  I needed chocolate and music therapy.  Today's chocolate of choice was Hershey's milk chocolate with caramel.  Yum.  And today's music was Lenka.  You can't help being happy when listening to Lenka!

Tuesday, July 20th:  Today was my first full 7 hour day at work.  Again, I came home with information overload.  I know it will get easier.  It is just a lot for me to process right now.   I was tired.  Brian came home and took care of making dinner.  I really needed that.  It made me happy.

Wednesday, July 21st:  Today it rained.  Gorgeous, beautiful, refreshing rain.  It wasn't much, but I loved it.  As I was driving tonight the sunset coming through the clouds was amazing, so I thought I would make it my picture of the day.  Alas, my camera battery was dead.  I had to take a mental picture instead.

Thursday, July 22nd:  Today, my teacher, took me out to lunch.  We went to Paradise Bakery, where she suggested I try the new Summer Berry Salad.  It comes with poppyseed dressing.
I am in love with this salad.  I think I could eat it every day and be happy.  I told you lots of my posts are about food.  Food = happiness.

Friday, July 23rd:  Today was meet the teacher day at our school.  I got to see all of the cute little faces that are going to be in my class starting on Monday.  It made me really excited.

Also today, I promised Joe that since I have been leaving him alone every day this week on his last week of vacation, that I would do something fun with him Friday afternoon.  So, we went and saw a movie:
I'm not a huge Nicholas Cage fan, but I did enjoy this movie.  It was fun hanging out with Joe.

As soon as the movie was over, I had to hurry home to drop off Joe and pick up Brian.  We had plans with friends tonight to see a movie.  Yes, 2 movies in one day.  What was I thinking?  I clearly wasn't.  Anyway, tonight we went to see the movie Inception with friends.
Ok, to those of you who I talked to about this movie.  I DID NOT HATE IT.  I just didn't think it was the best movie ever, like a lot of you seem to.  I liked it, I just think they took the concept a little too far, and it went on a little too long.  It was a visually stunning movie.  I liked the acting in it.  For once Leonardo didn't annoy the heck out of me with one of his SO fake accents he always try's to do.  And, it was fun to go out with friends.  All in all, a good night.

Saturday, July 24th:  Today I went to Bishop Gale's funeral with my mom and dad.  While funeral's are not usually happy things, I did enjoy listening to Val Jr. give the life history.  I learned a lot of things about Bishop that I didn't know.  I felt the spirit.  I laughed, I cried.  And, I got to see the Gale family.  A family that I grew up with and that I love very much - especially Sister Gale, and Janice.  

Afterwards, my mom and I went to lunch at Paradise Bakery (I told you I was addicted to that salad).  It was nice to spend some one on one time with my mom.  It's something I don't get to do enough.  

After leaving Brian and Joe home alone all morning, I came home and Joe looked like this:

Yeah, his hair is green, and we have church tomorrow.  Don't worry.  It washed out.

Sunday, July 25th happiness:  Tonight for Family Home Evening, we did back to school blessings.  Joe went first.  I can't believe he is going to be in 8th grade.  He is excited to rule the school.  Then, I asked Brian to give me one.  I am, after all, going back to school too.  I am nervous about my first day with the kids.

Monday, July 26th:  Joe is ready for his first day back to school!
My first day went well.  One of the girls brought me an apple.  How cute is that?
I love the kids already.  One boy came to school with bed head, and he sits in the back and wanders back to my desk all of the time to tell me things.  I love it!  

Also, at lunch today in the teacher's lounge, I told someone I had a 13 year old son, and they told me that there was no way I look old enough to have a 13 year old.  Did I mention I love this school?

Tuesday, July 27th:  While I am really enjoying my new job, the thing I am not particularly enjoying, is my new lack of free time.  I used to have tons of it.  Now, I get home just in time to pick up Joe, and then we go into the afternoon routine of snack, homework, chores, dinner, etc.  It doesn't leave much time for errands or bills, or cleaning, or any of the other things I used to do while Joe was at school.  So, I have asked Joe to step it up and help me out with more of the cleaning.  So far, so good:

I guess it's fun to do dishes when you get to play with the knives.

That's it for now.  

Happy Day!

San Diego

M2B =) days 162-164.  Friday, July 16th - Sunday, July 18th

Friday, July 16th happiness:  Sea World - yeah!

We are having a happy, fun, family vacation.  Can you tell?

The Polar Bears were sleeping - lame, but Mr. Walrus put on a very good show.  He would put his face right up to the window.  
Gotta love the sharks!

Waiting to see the brand new dolphin show.
The dolphins were great....

The show - not so much.  It was incredibly cheesy. (and that says a lot coming from me.  I like cheesey).  Just look at the photo.  Need I say more?

I loved this flamingo.  He kept walking around like that.  He wouldn't pull his head out of the water.  I think he's depressed.

Gotta love the guy that stands out in a crowd.  He was completely white in a crowd of pink.
For the first time EVER at Sea World, I finally got to see the Cirque De La Mer show.  We usually skip it because there are no animals in it.  I thought it was pretty entertaining.  These guys were ridiculous!
I mean, seriously.  Who can do that?  It's fake.
We made sure we stopped and ate here.  Love it!
I love love love the penguins.  This guy decided to pose for me.  He waddled right up to me, turned his head to the side and waited for a moment.  I got the perfect shot.
Brian and Joe on Atlantis.  I had gone earlier during the day, and have since sworn off all water rides.  It seems that EVERY time I go on a water ride, I get completely soaked.  Now, I'm not afraid of a little water, but I am done being doused from head to foot.  It happens on every water ride I go on.  People come off sprinkled, or a little wet.  I come off dripping and soaking from head to foot.  Today was no exception.  This morning when we went, I got soaked.   So, tonight when the boys decided to ride it again.  I passed.  
We learned that the "Shamu Rocks" show at night, is much much better than the Shamu "Believe" show during the day.
Finally at the end of the night I got to see the dolphins up close.  Joe and Brian had got to see them earlier, but I was the designated seat saver at all of the shows, so I missed out.  We made the dolphins our last stop on the way out of the park.
Saturday, July 17th:  Beach day, hooray!
We stayed for a few hours in the morning, then went back to the hotel for lunch and a little break from the sun.  Joe found interesting ways to keep himself busy.

We went back in the late afternoon and stayed until sunset, of course.

Sunday, July 18th:  Before we headed home today, we made sure to stop by SeaPort Village.

There are always interesting things to see.
Joe got his first tattoo.
Don't worry.  It's only a henna tattoo.  It will come off in 2 weeks.  He had to keep his sleeve up for an hour so it could dry.
We ate ice cream in the park while we waited.  I liked this tree.

We watched the boats go by.  I wish that was me on the front of that boat.

It was a fun trip.  Not nearly long enough, but I'll take what I can get.

Happy Day!