Cynical synopsis...I'm flattered!

(Please read these words with lots of sarcasm in them, because they've got tons!!)

This is a special post to a new "friend" of mine, "Cynical Synopsis". My new friend decided to go out of his/her way to post a comment concerning my issues with Walmart. I must have offended the individual with my comments which tells me that he/she must have Walmart on a pedestal. I would apologize but I'm not sorry. This is my blog and my opinions. I suppose, Cynical Synopsis, if you would like to shed some light on those of us who can't stand Walmart, maybe you should start your OWN blog and enlighten us! Instead, I see that you have simply registered, without any personal information, so that you could comment on MY blog!! Are you trying to hide who you are? I mean, if you want your opinion heard so bad then at least take credit for it! I really do look at the fact that you went through the registration process, as quite a compliment to me. For you to go out of your way just to comment about my distaste for Walmart says a lot! It says that my opinion counts to you, why else would you even bother to comment? When reading your comment, I did sense a bit of hostility in your words, like some sort of caged-up revulsion toward me. Did I stand you up on a date in the past? Was I mean to you and your friends in high school? Am I thinner than you? What?!? (I believe that there's more to this story than meets the eye!)

As for my real friends, I did "trash" the comment because that's what it was...trash! I really don't mind comments that are different from my point of view, I think diversity is what makes our world wonderful. I challenge you, Cynical Synopsis, to leave a comment about this post BUT own up to it!! Don't hide behind a vacant name, fill in your information, so that we all know who you are. Are you too afraid of standing up to me if I know who you are? It's your choice but really, you seem rather pathetic hiding in the shadows, taking cheap shots at people who choose to voice their opinions loud-and-clear, while also taking accountability for them. I highly doubt you'll comment again, unless you remain anonymous, BUT I could be wrong. There's always a first time for everything, right?!? :)

Pictures, in this weather?!?

Yes you heard me right! For those of you who live in Utah and saw the SNOW falling today, you can only imagine what it was like trying to have our family pictures taken out in it!! We met with Carma Gray up in Alpine for the photos! What a beautiful park it was! Anyway, while we were driving there, we just knew that we were in for it. The wind was blowing SO hard and it was sprinkling which made me so upset because I had spent most of the early morning straightening my hair!! When you add my "straightened" hair to moisture, you get.......FRIZZ!!! YUCK!!! So, we ventured out in the weather because Carma seemed pretty sure she could get enough good photos to make the shoot work for us. We were game because we were already there. Why not try? Let me just sum up the shoot in two different phrases, the first would be..."Carma is AWESOME, seriously!! Love her!!" and the second would be..."We were freezing!! Totally freezing and totally crazy!!" Gabe's poor nose started to run and so we had to wipe his face with a moist wipe which then started chapping his little face. The wind kept blowing mine and Hannah's hair every which way. It was really out-of-hand!! I told Greg that it reminded me of a shoot I did on the beach, in the middle of February, wearing swimsuits! I never wanted to relive that experience again, but I got a second chance, lucky me!! At least this time, I was wearing warm clothing :) Needless to say, the pictures turned out cute and both of the kids were wonderful, under the circumstances. We finished the shoot about 10-15 minutes prior to the snow falling, so we had perfect timing or some amazing luck :)

I would recommend Carma Gray to all those who are interested in new family photos!!

Proud Mom!

I want to start out by saying that I have received my new Twilight Tshirts so you'll be seeing me sporting those really soon :) YIPPEE!!!

Now for the real reason I'm blogging! I am just so proud of Hannah. She started piano lessons about a month ago and she is doing so well!!! I was sitting down with her while she practiced yesterday and I was so amazed at the fact she can already read the music and play the notes. I swear, there doesn't seem to be anything that she can't do! I wish I could claim the genes that have given her such amazing abilities but we all know I can't. And since I can't, I feel like I can brag alittle without offending anyone :) Here are some photos of her practicing!!

Allow me to brag just a little bit more...Hannah brought home a paper from her 1st grade class that rated her on her reading ability. The scale said that children starting 1st grade should be a level 3. Most of you know that Hannah was reading prior to kindergarten so I assumed that she would score a bit higher than a 3. As I looked at her rating I was pleasantly surprised that she was rated a 16+, which was the highest rating :) I was so happy for her. She loves to read, especially the scriptures! She's such an amazing child. What a blessing she is in my life :)

Well I hope I didn't make anyone nauseous with all of my gloating BUT I really am so proud of her. But I also know that every mother is proud of their children's accomplishments, that's something we all have in common.

I Despise Wal-Mart!!!

Let me just say a few words about how much I can't stand shopping at Walmart!! After shopping and only finding about half of the items I needed, because they were out of EVERYTHING, I headed to the front with my "not-as-full-as-it-should-have-been" cart to check out. I decided to go to the self checkout because I was in a hurry and only had a hand full of items. The place was a mad house and the lines were forever long! I committed to a line and started the waiting process. All I have to say is "if you don't know how to use the self checkout system, please don't get in front of me when I'm in a hurry!!!" That's what I have to say to the man who had 4 items, 2 of them were produce. He tried multiple times to attempt to weigh and ring up his produce which weren't successful. The worker on duty who was making her rounds to all the self checkout stations, came to his rescue, oh I'd say about 5 times!!! HELLO?!? Why don't you just do it for him?!? I was livid. Finally by the 5 time or so, she finally realized that he wasn't going to go anywhere unless she helped him out, instead of just resetting his register. So, I took a deep breath while his receipt printed and told myself that the nightmare was over. All I had in front of me now, was a lady with 5 kids and about 8 items! I mean, how hard could that be, right? Well between the facts that every kid wanted to scan an item by themselves and that the older kid kept sitting on the bagging station making the register freeze up because the weight was incorrect(on purpose, mind you), I thought I was going to lose it!!! Then when the little girl weighing the produce kept leaning on the scale with her elbows making the weighing incorrect, I seriously could feel my face, like it was on fire!! I was completely beside myself. I kept telling myself that this won't mean a thing in the eternities!! But the final straw was when the lady tried to check out and the register froze up again! She had to wait for a good 5 minutes, I'd say, for the worker to come help her fix the problem. By this point, it took all the self control that I have to keep the tears from flowing from my eyes!! I WAS SO MAD!!! LIVID!!! I SERIOUSLY COULDN'T THINK OR SEE STRAIGHT!! I had been in line for over 30 minutes!! 30 MINUTES!!!!! Can you believe that?!? I kept considering going to another line but they were all so long and they didn't seem to be moving either! Well, I finally made it out of the store but not before the alarm went off and the worker had to check all my bags with the items on my receipt first! I think by that point I had literally shut down. I didn't even try to process the rage inside of me!

On the way home Greg called and I vented to him because I had to let it all out!! Poor Greg!! But when I got home, Greg had a surprise for me...

He had bought me a dozen roses, just because!! I tried to let go of the anger and realize that truly, my Walmart experience doesn't mean a thing in the eternal perspective, my eternal relationships are what's important!!

BUT that doesn't mean I have to go back to Walmart, right?!? We'll see how I do because I am quite the bargain shopper and their prices are much cheaper. I'll have to weigh the pro's and con's. I'll keep you posted :)

Better Late Than Never!

On September 3rd, our family went to Lagoon. Hannah had been waiting all year for this exciting event! She loves the "Bat ride" and couldn't wait until we got there. It wasn't very crowded for being a holiday (Labor Day) so we were pleasantly surprised :) Gabe was wonderful because he had his stroller, of course! (For those of you who don't know about our little guy, he is completely content in his stroller, even for hours on end!) The day was a lot of fun but I have to admit, that is the exact day that my obsession for the Twilight series started. I had taken my book along with me, which I was about 4 or 5 chapters into, so that when I had to sit out with Gabe, I would have something to do. Well, by mid-day I had reached the "no-turning-back" point of the book where you realize that the addiction had begun. So, needless to say, I began being the one to volunteer to stay with Gabe but then Greg caught on, and began insisting that I go on some rides with him! I suppose after paying the price I did to get in there, I should have at least got a few rides in. Like the new ride "Wicked" whose name says it all, WOW, I'm glad I didn't miss that one :) I am proud to say that Hannah went on every ride that we went on, even Wicked!! And for those of you who have rode on that, you understand how unbelievable that is! She's such a brave and daring little thing! Well, here are a couple of photos of us on the train, which is the ONLY ride that Gabe went on :) (Please keep in mind that it was like 110* outside at the time these photos were taken.)

Greg, Gabe, and my mom, JoAnn.

Hannah and I

Today Is a GREAT Day!!

Yep, you heard me....today is a GREAT day!! You may be wondering, why? What could make my day so Great? Well let me just say two words...."size 5". I went shopping for some warmer clothes for Gabe and I decided to get myself some new jeans because my others are getting pretty baggy. I grabbed a 7 & a 5, hoping for the 5 to fit but deep down knowing the 7 would. I was so happy when I realized that I was wrong!! I fit into the 5's!!! Totally crazy!! I haven't worn a 5 since I was 21yrs old. That was almost 13yrs ago!! I am so, so excited!! Now, I'll be sporting my new "size 5" jeans and hopefully soon, my Twilight shirts will get here and I can be completely and utterly happy :) And to make the moment even sweeter, the jeans were from the Juniors section!!! YIPPEE!!

Big Bummer!!

For those of you who have been patiently awaiting the arrival of my fanclub Tshirts, I have some bad news to share. I actually did receive them today but I must not have been paying attention to their sizing chart, when I ordered :( None of them fit me!! I have to return them now and wait another 2 weeks to receive my new ones. I'm so bummed!! :(