THE JOHNSTONS

Where in the world is Carmen San Diego?

2012-02-09T12:41:00.000-07:00

My, my, my... how time flies.... I cannot believe how long it's been since I've blogged! I think about coming on here and updating & then I realize how much stuff I need to update about & it makes me run to my bed & hide under my covers. Blogging to me is a great way to journal & let's be honest, for me to come on here and just be a straight up don't tell me weirdo sometimes! I've missed this outlet & I am so glad to be back. There is probably not too many souls left on this planet that still even check my blog, but to those that are reading this I say 'Ello Mate! So, this isn't going to be a long post, but just me toe dipping my way back into the water. I always want to come on here & share just how magical Makai is. I wrote so much about getting her here to my family that I only think it's fair to share how it is with her here. But instead of doing that, I go snuggle with her some more, so if you wonder what I have been up to, wonder no more my loves. It's been so fun to see Mike with a baby girl, they have this bond that is undeniable & I just absolutely love watching him be wrapped around her little finger. And oh my heavens, you would just all melt into a puddle of goo if you could see how cute & protective Jaden & Camren are with her. All THREE of my kids are mine & Mike's world & we can't believe how lucky we are to have 3, count 'em 1,2..3! So let me make a list of what I need to come back on here & catch up on in upcoming (SOON!) posts:

*Makai being sealed to our Family*

*Birthday jiberish*

*Halloween, Thanksgiving & Christmas OH MY*

*A whole lotta other stuff that probably will never see the light of day on this blog, just cause I'm lazy like that sometimes*

Thanks! Tu da Loo!

Music I HEART

2011-06-14T15:42:00.001-06:00

Music I definetly heart (also known as my most recent music obsessions, haven't done one of these in a while, figured it was time, figured most of you don't really care, figured I don't care that you don't care, it's my blog):

"Good ol' Fashion Nightmare" by Matt & Kim

"Castles in the Snow" by Twin Shadow

"The Big Fight" by Stars

"Amarillo" by Gorillaz

"Everywhere I Go" by Lissie

"Charmed Life" by Joy Williams

"Pickup Truck" by Kings of Leon

"The Curse" by Josh Ritter

"Truth" by Alexander

"The Twist" by Metric

"Get Some" by JC Flow

"The Ghost Inside" by Broken Bells

"Big Jet Plane" by Agnus & Julia Stone

"Farewell" by Rosie Thomas

"Arms" by Christina Perri

"Pumped Up Kicks" by Foster the Kids

"Eyes" by Rogue Wave

Go ahead, look them up & try not to heart them as well, I triple dawg dare you....

Sweetie Pie....

2011-06-14T14:41:00.001-06:00

Lets update with a few precious pix, shant we?

This first one was taken when Makai was a few weeks old & Jaden was sketching her. Sooo cute, he has always loved to draw & does an amazing job & I think that he has finally found his perfect model. This picture makes my heart flutter.....

Next up, we have Makai dressed up in her Sunday best. You can see her just a kickin' her little legs in excitement. She also has got the CUTEST dimples of all time. LOVE!!!

Lastly, in the picture department, this picture....

This picture makes me wanna burst out in tears every time I see it. It captures every emotion I was feeling that day that Makai was born. It is literally my first time holding her in my arms. If you could ever capture the pure feeling of gratitude in a picture, I think this is the one. My empty arms were filled. Filled with a gift so precious & I will forever be indebted to all who made it possible (you all know who you are). Especially the Birth Mother, we love you.

3 am

2011-05-12T10:41:00.000-06:00

It's funny the things your mind thinks about at 3am when you are up for a middle of the night for a feeding. The whole house is quiet & dark & it's just you & your beautiful little baby girl, in your arms enjoying every minute of her bottle & snuggle time from you. So precious. So, last night at 3am one of my main thoughts was this: I need to post MORE pictures on my blog of this sweet angel. For many reasons, but the one looming in my head last night was so that Grandma & Grandpa Johnston can enjoy her more in even some small way on their mission. So, I promise, I am going to be a LOT better at posting pics of the fam. So these next few ones are especially for you Grandma & Grandpa J!

The cutest lil' Tiny Dancer you'll ever lay eyes on:

She smiles at you now & her smile lights up the WHOLE ROOM:

Sleeping like a, well, a baby:

We are enjoying every single second of her, every single coo that comes out her mouth, of course all of the fun new smiles that makes our hearts want to basically explode out of our chest, the way she LOVES her bath time, her expressive eyebrows, the way she lets out the cutest little sighs while she's drifting off to sleep, I could go on & on..... And as much as the boys just adore her (they always say to me "Mom, guess what the cutest thing on the earth is?"..."Makai! Makai is the cutest thing ever Mom!"), & I know that she adores them right back. She just lights up when they talk to her & loves all of the attention she gets from her older brothers!

I honestly can't believe that she is already 2 1/2 months old! At her 2 month appointment she weighed 10 lb 2 oz (when I saw that number I just started to laugh, cause that was the EXACT weight that Jaden was BORN at) and was 22.2" long. So she definitely is growing great! She has the yummiest chubby cheeks, they are just sooo kissable! We are so lucky & so blessed. Well I must wrap things up, the tiny dancer is in need of another bottle, no not a 3am feeding, but I am going to enjoy the snuggle time just the same! :)

The journey of many hearts now beats as ONE

2011-03-17T22:26:00.001-06:00

She's here, she's actually here!!!

Makai Kimber Johnston was born on March 1st at 11:48pm

She weighed 7 lbs 1 oz & was 17 1/2" long

She has tons of beautiful auburn hair & is quite possibly the most adorable lil' angel EVER!

When I hold her in my arms & she snuggles right up onto my shoulder,my heart melts & everything is just as it is meant to be. I honestly can't imagine our family without her in it now. I used to say when we were trying for another baby that I didn't understand how I could miss someone so much that I didn't even know. It was like I longed for & missed this little girl that I didn't know, didn't know how or when she would be brought into our family. And now here she is. And there have been so many different little tender mercies along the road to get her here that truly made me realize that Heavenly Father was watching over the situation the whole time, as he always does. It makes me feel more than so loved & blessed.

The first time that she got placed into my arms was just minutes after she was born & I cannot even describe the feelings & emotions that were going on inside of me. I got to feed her her first bottle & so I sat down in the rocker in the room & looked down at her in my arms & it was literally a dream being realized. I had seen that EXACT image in my dreams 7 1/2 years ago. For those of you that don't know I had had this dream of myself holding a baby girl with lots of brown hair (I do realize that it is more auburn, but before she got all washed up it looked a little bit more brown, just like the dream) in a rocking chair in a hospital room & I had this dream for a week straight, until I finally told Mike that I thought we were supposed to have another baby. We got pregnant that next month, but imagine my surprise when a blonder than blond hair baby BOY was who was meant to come next. I thought, hmmm, where is this little girl I saw in my dream? But I will tell you what, that image of that dream is what got me through many a low points. Because even though it has been a lot longer of a road than I would've thought to get her here, I knew she'd get her somehow, someway. So there she was, in my arms, in the rocking chair, in the hospital room & I just said the simplest of prayers in my head. And though it may have been simple, because it was just me saying "Thank you, Thank you", it felt like one of the most powerful prayers I've ever said. I felt that same gratitude towards the birth mom. The strength that she's shown throughout this whole thing is amazing. The love that I know that she has for Makai is beautiful, that she was able to do that for Makai & for our family is beyond words.

The day that we were able to go & pick Makai up from the hospital & bring her home was such an emotional day. My nerves were on level a billion as we were about to leave the house. And then another small miracle, as we are driving down the street, I looked out the car window & there it was, a full rainbow. I just burst into tears, that rainbow held so many meanings to me & I know it wasn't just a coincidence that it was there in that moment. I could go on & on about just how many meanings it had for me, but I will just say this, you really do need sun & rain to make something come about as beautiful as a rainbow. And there has definitely been sun & a lot of rain on this journey, but we got something so beautiful out of it that the beauty of a rainbow can't even compare with. And her name is Makai.

Unanswerd Prayers

2011-02-01T10:45:00.003-07:00

   How does one put into words something that there could never be the right words to even begin describing the way she feels in her heart? I don't think there is a way, so whatever I end up saying, just times it by a bazillion & then maybe we can be just a little bit closer to the feelings I actually have in my heart.

   For those of you that have followed me through this journey of trying to have a baby & for those of you that have actually gone through the same trials of trying to have a baby, you know what a difficult heartbreaking experience it has been for me. I have never had such low lows in my life, but I also have never felt so much love & support surrounding me from family & friends before either. Seriously, your kind words, prayers, and a shoulder to cry on has meant more to me than you'll ever know. You all are angel's to me & I know that prayers were answered for me through you. Thank you.

   As you know, we had started to go the adoption route & had been held up, at a total stand still for some reason that I just couldn't put my finger on, until now. The baby that was meant to be ours wasn't quite ready yet, the way Heavenly Father orchestrates things is seamless & beautiful. Just a little bit before Halloween this last year I got a phone call (in the middle of teaching dance & I NEVER answer my phone during dance, but something inside of me told me to pick up this call), I don't know if she wants to be mentioned or not on this blog, so I will leave her identity secret until I hear differently from her, but on the other line is an answer to my up until that moment, unanswered prayer. She told me that she was pregnant & that she felt this baby needed a Mom & a Dad & said that she read my previous post (labeled "Untitled") & felt really good about us & would we consider adopting the baby? I felt such a warm good feeling, I wish that I could've just shouted "YES!" right over the phone, but I knew that Mike & I needed to really pray about it, so I set up a time for Mike & I to meet with her at her house, where we could discuss some more things with her. Those next few days were spent praying & pondering together as a couple. We both felt immediately like it was the right thing. It was really hard for me though, because how could my tremendous joy & answer to so many countless prayers & sleepless nights be at the price of someone elses heartache & on top of that someone I knew!?! We decided that we wouldn't know for sure for sure to move forward with it, until after we actually went & talked to her. I needed to know that she 100% wanted to move forward with this. My heart couldn't take it if she wasn't. I was soooo nervous going & talking to her that day, but by the end of talking to her, Mike & I didn't even need to have a private conversation elsewhere, we just looked at each other & KNEW. That was on a Saturday & that Monday she was having an Ultrasound to find out what she was having & I got to go with!!! What's crazy though, is every time Mike & I prayed & thought about this baby, we just knew without any doubts that it was a girl. So, I get the privilege of going to her appointment. They first find the heartbeat & of course tears just start streaming down my face, as they are right now as I write this. And then they pull the image up on the screen, it's a GIRL. I stare in awe, there she is... this is real & it's the most beautiful sight I have ever seen. When they printed off the images, they hand them to birth mother, & very respectfully she hands them right over to me. I don't know if she knows how much that meant to me. It meant the world. I drop her off at her house & go to pick up Cam from my Mom's (she was babysitting). I walk into the house & my mom runs to the top of the stairs & I say through tears of pure joy "It's a GIRL" & she comes flying down the staircase crying tears of joy as well & just gives me the biggest hug & we jump around, exactly the scene that I said that I had played out time & time again in my head in my "Untitled" post, but this time it was real.

   I have grown very close to birth mom & have more gratitude & respect for her than words will allow. What she is doing is the most unselfish thing she could probably ever do. I hope she knows that this little girl will be showered with more love than she'll know what to do with & that this little girl will always know that the person that carried her in her belly & brought her into this world & placed her into loving arms that had ached for her, is so special & has such a beautiful heart.

   This lil' angel is due within the next few weeks & I cannot wait to meet her & hold her & kiss & love on her. I never thought that I would be so excited for sleepless nights in my life. The boys can't wait to be BIG brothers to a little sister. & Mike, well I can honestly say that I believe he wanted this baby every bit as much as I do, I know that he is just going to absolutely melt when she gets placed in his arms & have daddy wrapped around her little finger from day one. I can't wait to see him with a little girl & he says the same about me.

   And I never thought that I would ever say this, but you know all of those times I begged & pleaded with the Lord "Please, this month, let me be pregnant, it's a righteous desire, please..." & my answer was no month after month, year after year, well as cheesy as this is I am going to quote Garth Brooks on this one...

"Sometimes I thank God, for unanswered prayers,

remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs,

just because he doesn't answer, doesn't mean he don't care,

some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers."

May I tease you with some pictures....

2010-12-06T12:56:00.002-07:00

No time to update lately. Between MAC, Dance (our performance is coming up THIS Saturday), Holiday stuff-o-rama & oh yeah, something that is yet to be mentioned on this blog, & this 'something' deserves a post to top all posts, with words that I have yet to find. But soon, I will get on here & pour my heart out (again), but until then, here is some pure good old randomness, summed up best by pictures.

Mike won the coveted trophy at our annual Thanksgiving Bowling of Fun.

He got the high score of

the day, 151. My Madre deserves an honorable mention with a 147!

This Halloween at MAC, the 1st day was be whatev's, I am a "Dark Fairy", very creative, I know. The 2nd day we did masks & I have no photo proof, sorry ya'll. Here I am with some of my MAC fam.

Me & Lindsey

BEST. COSTUME. EVER. Jess was Oprah this year & she came in to my work & we got her all Oprahphied, loved it! She won most creative costume at the annual Webb family Halloween Party.

She IS the white OPRAH!

Camren wants to be outside ALL of the time, doesn't bother him if it is only 4 flippin

degrees out, not one bit!

Here is Mike & his bud for life doing a mini triathlon, yes this is the same one he did in the summer with some of his bro's as well. I warned you that there were some random pix coming up.

Another pic from this past summer, but I felt it needed to be present on this blog. Isn't it gorgeous? Looking out my window right now staring at a blanket of snow, I am having

warm summer day with drawls.

Z boys chillin eatin some fries before the grand feast at the bowling alley

Jaden being Harry Potter (well a much cuter version if I do say so myself)

O'Gwin cousins having a slumber party with my kiddos last time they were out here

Peace Out!

I mean...

2010-11-16T23:47:00.000-07:00

You know how I said in my last post that we were going to the Greg Laswell concert on Friday night? Well we did. And it was more than TERRIFIC! Here is the play by play:

Arrive at the hole in the wall venue (which I adored, would love to see all of my favorite

artists play at The Avalon) just 10 minutes before they open the doors. Magically we are like 12th in line.

Run in & nab 2nd row seats! My dream come true...literally.

About 20 minutes later the first act comes on, some random dude I've never heard of, but am amply impressed by his voice & lyrics, all accousticy & such.

Then, the 2nd act comes on, randomness to the 10th degree. A local Provo band. I could end my explanation of the band right there & you all would have a perfect image of who they were. Mike & I were giggling like 6th grade girls the whole time they were performing. It was awesome.

3rd band comes on, set's up some new, definitely improved equipment on stage & introduces themselves as "Haper Blynn", hate to say it but Mike & I were a bit skeptical of them to say the least. And then, they started to perform, won us over instantly! I was just a bobbin my head & a tappin my foot the whole time they were on stage. We LOVE them! Turns out they were going to be ol' Greggy Poo's band & back-up singers for the night as well. Mike bought their 2 CD's immediately after they had performed & before Greg came on stage. Later the whole band signed them for me. The lead singer simply wrote "Laura! Saw you boppin'! Jay" Melt...

Greg comes on stage & my heart grows 3 times it's normal size. He put on one of the best live shows I've ever seen. He was equally parts charming, funny & of course talented. I felt as if he was singing just to me for most of the show (oh the benefit's of sitting 2nd row)

After the show was over Harper Blynn & Mr Greg Laswell himself come out & take pictures with people & sign autographs...I truly did not want the night to end.

Hers is Greg, doing what he does best, serenading me, sigh...

I wanted to um, stand out, so I asked him to do a goofy picture with me instead of the 'smiley' pix I saw everyone else asking him to do. He humored me, & can I just say that mine was the only one he asked to see how the picture had turned out? Standing out mission accomplished!

And here I am with Harper Blynn, sorry the pix aren't the greatest, only had my phone on me to capture such sweet sweet moments...

If you haven't yet heard of Greg Laswell, check him out, he truly is a hidden gem. And for sure look up Haper Blynn while you are at it, it'll be worth your time, I promise.

Thirty to the Two & ya don't stop

2010-11-11T09:53:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Mike!!!

(Photo courtesy of Mike, being Mike, pretending to be me at Lake Powell this summer)

Mike turned the big 3-2 yesterday & we spent the day sleeping in, having doughnuts as our breakfast of champions, lunch at Kneaders & strolling around Barnes & Noble (one of our fave past times) & then getting Pizza for dinner while watching Jazz BEAT Orlando. Very laid back & relaxing, just the way Mikey Likey. The celebrating is being drawn out till tomorrow though, as we are going to the Greg Laswell concert tomorrow night. So excited for that, I adore Greg Laswell & his beautiful man voice.

32 things I ADORE about Mike

1. He is super goofy (refer to picture above if proof is needed)

2. He is so great with kids. One of the first things that made me fall in love with him, when we were first dating, was watching him play with his nieces & nephews, so cute!

3. He makes me & the boys pancakes every Sunday morning.

4. Whenever I am sitting on the couch, he'll come into the room, grab a cozy blanket & wrap it around me, just in case I am a little chilly.

5. He built my beautiful Dance Studio for me (now that's a dream maker right there)

6. He lets me cry whenever & for however long I need on his shoulder

7. Even when my hair looks like I just stuck my finger in a light socket, & I am in ratty old sweats without a stitch of make-up on, he looks at me & says "Man you're beautiful!" Makes my day, even if he is lying through his teeth.

8. He is obsessed with basketball & is an awesome player. He IS the white Michael Jordan.

9. He researches every purchase that he ever makes. And I mean RESEARCH.

10. He is the Best Dad to our two little boys. So hands on & loving. I am more & more impressed with him everyday I see him with them.

11. He changes the words to almost every song that I am ever singing.

12. He reads his scriptures every single night, no matter how tired he is.

13. He'll watch chick flicks with me.

14. He ALWAYS remembers the important dates (birthdays, anniversaries, valentines etc..)

15. He supports me in my dreams & ambitions

16. He helps clean the bathrooms

17. He gets just as excited for the holidays as I do

18. After making fun of the movie "Phantom of the Opera" the first 40 minutes of me MAKING him watch it with me, it has now become one of his favorite movies of all time.

19. He could sit & draw floor plans all day if time allowed

20. He works so darn hard for our family

21. He is more than respectful to his parents

22. He makes me laugh until I cry on a regular basis

23. He's the first one to volunteer when any one is in need of help

24. He gets along with my family so well that sometimes I wonder if they get more excited to see him than me, pretty sure the answer to that is yes, & I would agree with them. I would definetly get more excited to see him over me any day of the week.

25. He doesn't complain when our dinner for the night is cereal... again.

26. He was there for me month after excrushiating month that I didn't get pregnant. Just there to listen, cry with, take my mind off of it, get me flowers, the list goes on & on.

27. He knows just how important birthdays are to me

28. He loves taking on a challenging game of Soduku

29. He's worthy & willing to give me a Priesthood blessing whenever I am in need of one

30. He does the funniest dance moves for me whenever I am jamming to my music in my bathroom getting ready to go out.

31. He encourages me to go on 'Girls Nights' with my girls. Which means a lot, cause I've seen some girls have to practically beg their husbands for a night out.

32. Because he is just HIM, plain & simple (refer to picture above, if needed)

Be Weird

2010-11-08T23:53:00.001-07:00

Be weird. It's funner to be weird anyways.

Make a funny sound for no good reason, other than to hear what comes out of your mouth.

Look in a mirror & try to make the craziest face known to man & see if you would still recognize yourself if you passed yourself by on the street. If you wouldn't, mission accomplished.

Take a piece of American cheese & throw it at the fridge & see how long it sticks. Crappy fake cheese.

Always have some random rap song playing in your head while walking up & down the aisle's of Wal-mart. You will feel like you are in a runway show rap video & it'll make going to that black hole; where I swear they need stop lights on every aisle just to accommodate all of us that get lured in by their low prices (curse them) a wee bit more of a sunny spot in your day.

Utter things like "G'day Mate", "That's old hat" & "Stupendous!" throughout the day.

Ask for an extra straw at a restaurant & put both of the straws in your mouth, in front of your top teeth, behind your lips & pretend you're a Walrus. Gets Mike every time...

Walk around your house spritzing cologne in the air, so it will smell like a Holister store instead of a house.

Call up a friend & instead of starting out with the old 'How are you doing?' question, genuinely ask them if there refrigerator is running, more than likely they will say yes & then even if they were having a bad day, well at least their fridge still works. (I know where you all thought that was going, but no crank call jokes, just weirdness today.)

Play the game "Sorry" & whenever you actually 'Sorry' someone back to their home base say "Did I DO THAT?" in your best Steave Urkle voice (Mike does this ALL of the time & not just in the game 'Sorry'. Come to think of it this is a very annoying thing to do, not weird, but annoying).

People watch whenever you can, I will take my breaks at work & while I am indulging in what can only be described as a small slice of heaven at the Nordstrom Cafe, I sit back & people watch. There is a lot of weird people out there & I like it. The more of us the better.

Anything But BASIC

2010-11-06T15:13:00.002-06:00

This past week I was in Portland, "But why Laura?" One might ask, well patience my pretties & I will tell all. MAC, you know that sweet company that I work for? They sent me (along with 3 other girls from my counter) to what they call "Basic", my first official Bidnis trip of my life- it was sooooooo much fun!!! Flight paid for by MAC...check, Hotel paid for by MAC...check, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner paid for by MAC...check, going to classes that I get to soak up an obscene amount of make-up knowledge & techniques & actually get paid to go to them (not the other way around, & trust me, I would have shelled out a pretty penny to attend said classes) by MAC....chigitty check! I met so many fun people who will forever be life long friends, got to go roam about the beautiful city of Portland at night & I feel like I learned so many new tips & tricks for doing make-up, what a fun week! I, of course missed my kiddo's & huzzy like crazy while I was away, it's nice to be back. But man, oh man, what an awesome experience! Now enjoy the picture overload from my trip...

Here is some of us in MAC Heaven at the MAC store

Yours truly & my beautimus roomie, Stephanie

Here's the whole gang showing off our personalized MAC lipsticks that

we got to make ourselves, too cool

Mua, Yolanda & Stephanie out & about our first night there

There was the cutest Yummiest frozen yogurt shop right

across the street from

our hotel, here we are indulging...TASTY!

First night out, just a strollin in the rain, needless to say we were singing "Umbrella" by Rihanna all over the city that night.

Same yogurt shop, different night. Me & Vanessa fresh faced,

in jammies & lovin life!

Hate how whited out this pic is, but here we all are in front of the hotel. The cutie patuties in the middle (red hair, Shauna , to the right of her, Melissa, & to the left of me Bethany) are our trainers.

Happen to be HAPPY

2010-10-11T19:07:00.001-06:00

pRESENTING: sTUFF tHAT mAKES mE hAPPY

* qUOTING "fRIENDS" oN mORE tHAN a rEGULAR bASIS *

* sNEAKING wALMART bOUGHT cANDY iN mY gINORMOUS hANDBAG iNTO tHE mOVIES & fEELING aS iF i'VE jUST sAVED lOADS oF mULA & pULLED a fAST oNE oN tHE mOVIE bUSINESS aT tHE sAME tIME *

* dAYS tHAT i lITERALLY dON'T cHANGE oUT oF mY jAMMIES aLL dAY *

* pLAYING cHUTES & lADDERS wITH mY kIDS, tURNS oUT i lOVE tHIS gAME aT 29 aS mUCH, iF nOT mORE aS i dID wHEN i wAS a kID mYSELF *

* bURNING aUTUMN sCENTED oILS & cANDLES, cAN i eVEN bEGIN tO tELL yOU hOW fABULOUS tHE "cARMEL aPPLE" oIL fROM bATH & bODY wORKS sMELLS?,

i tHINK nOT, iT'S rAD! wEIRD sIDE nOTE, iT sMELLS wAAAYY

bETTER iN tHE oIL tHAN iN tHE cANDLE. *

* sNEAKING kISSES fROM mIKE aT rANDOM tIMES tHROUGHOUT tHE dAY *

* wATCHING "gLEE" sEASON 1 (bORROWED fROM bREE, tHANX bREE!), wITH z hUZZY, wE aRE jUMPING oN tHE gLEE bANDWAGON a lITTLE fAR bEHIND eVERYONE eLSE,

bUT bETTER lATE tHAN nEVER, aM i rIGHT, oR aM i rIGHT? *

* dECIDING tHAT "jEGGINGS" aRE mY mOST pREFERED tYPE oF jEAN tO eVER wEAR dUE tO tHE cOMFORT fACTOR aLONE *

* lOOKING iN mY kIDS bACKPACK'S tO sEE wHAT hOMEWORK tHEY hAVE & fINDING a cUTER tHAN cUTE cRAFT tHAT tHEY mADE aT sCHOOL tHAT dAY *

* fINDING tHE pERFECT lEOPARD pRINT sCARF tHAT i wILL rOCK aLL oVER tOWN tHIS wHOLE fALL/wINTER sEASON *

* gIVING oR rECIEVING a gENUINE cOMPLIMENT oUT oF tHE bLUE *

* pRETZEL m&M'S *

* sEEING hOW eXCITED mY dANCERS gET aT gETTING sTICKERS
aT tHE eND oF dANCE cLASS *

* fRESHLY dONE lAUNDRY, dOING tHE lAUNDRY hOWEVER,
dOES nOT pUT mE iN mY hAPPY pLACE,

bUT bASICALLY tHE eXACT oPPOSITE oF mY hAPPY pLACE *

* hAVING aLL oF mY mAKE-UP oRGANIZED, tOOK mE lITTERALLY 5 hOURS tO gET dONE, bUT sOOOO wORTH iT, & bONUS, iT'S bEEN aBOUT a mONTH sINCE i dID iT & iT rEMAINS jUST aS oRGANIZED aS tHE fIRST dAY tHAT i dID iT, i tHINK i fINALLY hAVE a gOOD sYSTEM gOING hERE! *

* pURPOSFULLY tYPING sTRANGELY, hELLO lOWER cASE aT tHE fRONT oF eVERY wORD wRITTEN *

Untitled...

2010-10-04T11:15:00.001-06:00

This is going to be brutally honest, & maybe not in my best interest to even post this, but I kinda feel like putting it out there in the Universe somehow validates it, gets it off of my chest, gets people off of my back, however you want to put it, but here it is. Adoption. I am pro adoption. Mike & I started our papers back in January, our momentum & motivation was unstoppable, until it was, well... stopped. Everything felt like it was falling right into place, at the beginning. What happened? I don't know, it puzzles me. In some ways when I went in to have our first intake interview with the social worker (she's great, love her, NONE of this has anything to do with her), I felt judged, under a microscope & I wasn't good enough. Is that what has paused this process, my own insecurities? Or is it something more. The trusting, hopeful side of me says that it is just because whomever is supposed to come into our family still isn't ready yet, that everything has it's place & time. This is the side that I try to listen to & be in harmony with. The other part of me is still bitter that I couldn't get pregnant on my own again, I was able to get pregnant without even having to put any thought whatsoever into it with Jaden & Camren. Why has my body failed me this time? Why am I hung up on the fact that I am sooo sad that I don't get to proclaim to my family & friends that Surprise! I am preggers! Yay! Every one screams & starts crying out of pure happiness & everyone is hugging everyone. Why do I feel like I need to have this scene played out in real life like I have seen it played out in my head month after month for the past 5 years? I don't know, I wish I did.

I get nervous that my youngest is now SIX, what a large gap there is going to be now (and only getting bigger by the days) if we do have another child. So then I think, well we will just have to have two more close together now, but how will we have 2, when it seems impossible to even get one more into our family at this point. Hmmmm, I know it all boils down to faith. And I know mine is being tested. I DO have faith, I DO know that it eventually is all going to work out & fall into place exactly as it is supposed to. Sometimes it is just easier said than done. As are most things in life. There, I put it out there, don't judge me, please. This is just how I feel, for now.

Another way I feel when I put stuff like this on my blog, for all to read, Like I have said before, I feel like some songs can just put into words what I can't, so as cheeseballs as I realize this is, a song by 3 Doors Down fits perfectly...

"What happens to a man when

He spills his heart on a page and

He watches words flow away then

His feelings lie on the page alone

There waiting

For someone who cares to read them

To open their eyes to see them

To see if they can make his thoughts their own

To find out that maybe your life's not perfect

Maybe it's not worth what he gives away..."

"Pages" by 3 Doors Down

I made you a Mixtape to show you how far we are in this Relationship...

2010-09-22T09:49:00.002-06:00

So, at this point, I KNOW you all know my obsession with music. Can't get enough of it, looove finding new music, love jamming in the car/shower/anywhere in general to it, can't live without it... and so on & so forth. I love it so much that I want to share my love for it, in some small way, by making CD's of it for those that I love & adore. I especially like making CD's for people who seem to appreciate the music that I "share" with them as much as I do. If they know it or not, I put a LOT of thought & time into making each & every CD I make. I literally think of the recipient, go through my music (CD by CD, yep, I have yet to store all of my music on to my computer, seems too daunting of a task at this point. So, I actually sit at my PC & load CD after CD, grabbing different songs off of each & adding it to a play list that I am personalizing for said recipient) & really try to choose songs that I think that they might possibly love. Some CD's can take me up to 2 hours to create. Sounds like I am crazy? Like at that point when I am making a CD, that I don't have any form of a life? Well, you're probably correct on both accounts, but I actually LOVE doing it! I get to listen to some of my favorite music & be creative in my own little way (what? I know I didn't actually create the songs themselves, but putting them together in my own little mix is fun & satisfying to mua). Each one is filled with sweet music (in my humble opinion) & a little Laura Love from me. If I were to make a custom CD right at this very second, here is what would be on it...

1. "Kandi" by One Eskimo

2. "Can you find me?" by The Summer Set

3. "Jar of Hearts" by Christina Perri

4. "Sea of Love" by Cat Power

5. "Addicted to Love (Robert Palmer cover)" by Florence & the Machine

6. "Dimestore Diamond" by Gossip

7. "Kid's" by Sleigh Bells

8. "Clementine" by Sarah Jaffe

9. "Twisted" by Katie Melua

10. "Love the way you Lie" by Eminem ft. Rihanna

11. "Soldier of Love" by Sade

12. "Send you on your way" by Eastmountainsouth

13. "Summer Rain" by Belinda Carlisle (that's right, from the 80's)

14. "Electric Twist" by A Fine Frenzy

15. "Anything but the Truth" by Jack Johnson

16. "This Conversation" by The Submarines

17. "Who am I to say" by Hope

18. "Always on my mind (Willie Nelson cover)" by Iron & Wine

19. "Closer" by Kings of Leon

20. "Friend" by Brandi Carlile

Most of these songs are at the bottom of this blog on my Playlist. Which is my own version of a Mixed CD for myself, I always pull it up to listen to on shuffle whenever I am on my computer. Chiggity check 'em out if ya want, I will be enjoying them either way. Cheer's to Music...

Numero One Hundred-O

2010-08-31T10:15:00.002-06:00

This is officially my 100th post on this blog (as a hush falls over the crowd), so I better be making it special. Well, I haven't been on here in a while (for good reason, I've been a busy little bee) so I have like, 100 things to catch you up on. On your mark, get set...... GOOOOO!

1. I officially am working (part time) at the MAC counter, Loving it thus far!

2. At my tender age of 29 I finally took the leap & pierced my ears (I can hear all of my familia

letting out a shriek right about now).I am soo excited for my 6 weeks of wearing studs to be up,
so I can get to the 'fun stuff' in the earring world.

3. Cam's Birthday was yesterday...can't believe my BABY is 6!!!

4. Cam started Kindergarten last week. Can't believe my BABY is in Kindergarten!!!

5. Jaden is a BIG 3rd grader... when does time get away from me so quickly?

6. We got a kitten & he lasted all of one day at our house. He was super cute, white hair, blue eyes (just like my boys) & we named him Boston. But after both of Jaden's eyes swelling completely shut from just being in the same room as him, we sadly had to give him back.

7. Mike was in a mini triathlon & KILLED it! He finished like 26th or something out of like 350!

Go MJ! And now he has 'the bug'. I have a feeling that this will be the first of many for him.

I am so proud of my Mike & who knows, maybe someday I'll join him on some of his new adventures in physical fitness. That remains to be seen...

8. My mother & father in law left to the MTC yesterday. They are going to be serving a
mission inthe New Hampshire, Massachusetts mission at a Joseph Smith historical site
in Vermont. They are going to be amazing!!!
I love them both so much & am going to miss them terribly.
But I KNOW that is where the Lord has need for them now.

9. Bonus for me on where they are serving their mission: when Mike & I go & visit them, we will travel to Boston & go to a Celtics game at none other than 'The Garden'. Wishes being granted left & right.

10. I am starting dance up again next week. Super excited. Can't wait to see all of my cutie patutie dancers again. They have been missed.

11. Sorry, nothing to report on the 'baby' front. (Just in case you were wondering)

12. Went to 2 fantabulous concerts this summer (both at USANA) The first was Jack Johnson. Me & Bree went together & it was a blast!!!! Love Jack J! Love to say that I actually have sang along with him LIVE! Have too many funny 'drunk men' at the concert stories. I'll just leave it at Drunk Guys at Jack Johnson Concerts are Insane!!! The 2nd concert was Dave Matthews Band! Double date with Krista & Jesse (thanks again my loves), & lets just say I think that I smelled enough Pot that night, that I went home with the munchies.... Loved the company at both concerts, Loved the outdoorsyness, loved it all!

13. Went to "Eat Pray Love" twice! Loved it both times. Found it inspiring. Some of the peeps that I
went with the 2nd time didn't love it like I did. As a matter of fact, I think they loathed it. Sorry in laws.

14. I got a new bedding set!! So cute, feel like I am in a Hotel every time I slip into bed at night. I had my other bedding for 8 years & have been wanting something new & fresh the last couple years. Found a bargain on something I LOVE at TJ Maxx & the rest is history.

15-100. I won't bore you to tears... leave 'em wanting more Laura..... always leave them wanting more.

Notice

2010-08-06T14:36:00.000-06:00

'I want you to notice, when I'm not around'

I love those lyrics from Radioheads 'Creep', maybe I am just a bweirdo (me, weird?....) but, I mean really, don't we all kinda feel that way? Wouldn't it feel nice for people to notice when you're not around? Like, hey, where's (your name inserted here)? I don't think anyone likes to feel invisible, like it makes no difference to the people around them whether they are present in their life or not. For example, I totally notice it when someone- Anyone, is missing from a Sunday dinner at either sides of the Family. When Spence (my bro) & Tiffany (my sis in law) have their week to be with her side of the fam (which is obviously tot's understandable) I'm missing them & their funness that they bring to the Jackman abode. (Don't worry- rest of my family- I too very much notice when any of you are missing too, I was just giving an example) Or, on Mike's side of the familia, it's definitely pure insanity when everyone is there, but that is sooo much fun! I look forward to seeing everyone, I get a wee bit sad when I realize that it's Krista & Jesse's off week, or the Burges or what not. I just DEFINITELY NOTICE when peeps in my life aren't around. Am I making a dollop of daisy sense? And I would hope that my familia/friends maybe notice when I'm not around, just for the sake that maybe that means that I actually have somewhat of a positive influence over those around me & that I am not just a waste, where people go...'Oh, Laura wasn't here? I didn't even notice'.... Randomness, I know & I kinda feel like I am putting myself out there a bit by even proclaiming this little inside my headness thingamajigger. Some other random stuff I've noticed lately:

* Men, boyz, boyz II men, however you want to put it, think that fluffing (passing wind, farting, ahem) is like the funniest thing on the planet. I get it, it's natural, whatevs & a lot of times it makes a silly noise, but the joke is really just always on me, cause now I get the pleasure of smelling a smell that should only immediately be flushed down a toilet. PeeUUU!

* That somehow, I've realized that some people think that I am 'quiet'. What? Me quiet? They just must not know me too well. I always am surprised when I am sitting around crackalackin some jokes with someone, you know, just fun this & that banter, & they say to me "Laura, I had NO idea that you were like this!" I guess I get it, around some people, some people (no, not you) intimidate me, so I probably am a bit quieterstererer around them. Or maybe you just mostly see/talk to me in Sacrament meeting or heck, z county Library for that matter, but those places I would just be a jackhole if I wasn't quiet. For the most part I am loud & obnoxious & not the least bit sorry about it. And if we aren't in a Chapel or Library setting & I still appear quiet, then Congrats, you probably are one of the people that intimidates me a bit. :)

* No matter how old I get, I still get unnaturally excited when a teacher brings treats as 'part of their lesson' in church. So, of course, I will always be coming up with some sort of snack whenever it is my turn to teach the lesson in Young Women's. There is something about being in a place that doesn't have a pantry or fridge full of food, that makes food (of any kind) look like the most tastiest thing you've ever laid eyes on.

* That this whole Blogosphere thing keeps dwindling & dwindling. Not as many comments come into the comment box as there used to, not as many people updating their blog as often as they used to, not as many people even blogging at all anymore. A tear rolls silently down my left cheek ;) But on the reals, yo, I still love this whole blogging thing & I miss a lot of you & miss reading your random thoughts on your own blogs & heck, I am just going to be selfish, & your random thoughts in my comment box....

* That painting my own nails is both so relaxing & the most frustrating thing ever at the same time. Not too many things have that combo.

* That I invest WAY to much of my personal emotions into reality stars (and I guess just famous people in general) lives. Why oh why do I give such a hoot when the couples from The Bachelor don't make it? I mean really, did I really think that it was going to last anyways? It's like they are my personal BFF's & I discuss them at length with my real life BFF's, strange. But still fun, none the less, so I will carry on in the tradition of being a sucker for these things. Gotta love it.

* That if you lay down in a bed, lights off, eyes shut long enough, you really will eventually fall asleep... even if it is a few hours later & you feel like you have lost at least a thousand brain cells telling yourself over & over again to FALL ASLEEP!

* That I waste so much milk every time I decide to actually have milk with my cereal (I normally just eat it dry). I take a spoonful, drain out the excess milk & then eat the bite of cereal, by the time the cereal is gone, there is basically a full bowl of milk & there is no way that I am going to drink it on it's own, so it goes down the drain, right before the bowl goes into the dishwasher.

* That 'love at first sight' really is possible. I noticed this the other day. My older sister Stacy had her fourth baby & Jess (my younger sister) sent me a simple text with a picture of my new niece (they live in Cali & my Ma, Pa, & Jess went out there for when she had the baby) & I took one look at her & I haven't even had the chance to meet her, just seen the one picture, but I already felt such a strong love for her. And that proves the theory of 'love at first sight'.

POP ROX

2010-08-02T11:49:00.004-06:00

It's that time!!!! Yay! I am having open registration for DANCE now!!! Call & sign up, it is going to be a blast & a half!!! I do classes from 3 years to Adult & charge $30 a month. I mostly focus on Hip Hop & Modern dance styles. So, please give me a call today if you are interested, classes beginning Sept 7th!!!

POP ROX

Dance Studio

801-792-2670

Hope to hear from you soon! :)

20 Dollar Bill

2010-07-23T15:53:00.006-06:00

I was so touched by a talk President Uchtdorf gave at April's General Conference titled

"You Are My Hands", it has been on my mind a lot lately & so I thought I would share some of the parts that really stuck out to me in my mind. Here are some of my favorite excerpts from his talk:

"I hope that we welcome and love all of God’s children, including those who might dress, look, speak, or just do things differently. It is not good to make others feel as though they are deficient. Let us lift those around us. Let us extend a welcoming hand. Let us bestow upon our brothers and sisters in the Church a special measure of humanity, compassion, and charity so that they feel, at long last, they have finally found home.

When we are tempted to judge, let us think of the Savior, who “loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. …

“[And] he saith: Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, … [for] all men are privileged the one like unto the other, and none are forbidden.”

In truth, we “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” We are all in need of mercy. In that last day when we are called to the judgment bar of God, do we not hope that our many imperfections will be forgiven? Do we not yearn to feel the Savior’s embrace?

It seems only right and proper that we extend to others that which we so earnestly desire for ourselves.

I am not suggesting that we accept sin or overlook evil, in our personal life or in the world. Nevertheless, in our zeal, we sometimes confuse sin with sinner, and we condemn too quickly and with too little compassion. We know from modern revelation that “the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.” We cannot gauge the worth of another soul any more than we can measure the span of the universe. Every person we meet is a VIP to our Heavenly Father. Once we understand that, we can begin to understand how we should treat our fellowmen. "

Here is my FAVE part...

One woman who had been through years of trial and sorrow said through her tears, “I have come to realize that I am like an old 20-dollar bill—crumpled, torn, dirty, abused, and scarred. But I am still a 20-dollar bill. I am worth something. Even though I may not look like much and even though I have been battered and used, I am still worth the full 20 dollars.”

With this in mind, let our hearts and hands be stretched out in compassion toward others, for everyone is walking his or her own difficult path. As disciples of Jesus Christ, our Master, we are called to support and heal rather than condemn. We are commanded “to mourn with those that mourn” and “comfort those that stand in need of comfort.”

In the book of Proverbs we read that “a friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Let us love at all times. And let us especially be there for our brothers and sisters during times of adversity. "

So good, so inspirational! I am sure most of you have heard it, read it, etc... I just felt like re-sharing it here on my blog. And the part above that I said stuck out to me the most, the part about what the lady said about the $20 bill. I've always realized that the worth of souls is great in the sight of God & that we are all beloved children of our Heavenly Father. This just help give me a great visual example & REALLY made it CLICK in my head. We really are all worth sooo much & even though we go through life & have our personal struggles & can get stained from the world, we still are worth the same amount. I love it, I love to know through all of my sins & repenting & oops, there I go sinning again & coming back to ask for repentance. Through my weaknesses & struggles, I am still worth so much in the sight of the Lord. And you know what, so is every single person around me. And THAT is how they deserved to be treated. It doesn't matter how tattered & torn they are, they are still worth the same amount as a crisp hardly used $20 bill.

Hopefully this speaks to you as much as it does to me. Thanks for reading. :)

Little Miss Obsessive

2010-07-15T13:38:00.007-06:00

Stuff I am obsessed with as of late....

*The show 'Double Exposure' on Bravo. It follows these

two photographers as they do major photo shoots with major stars. The guy is bonkers

& the girl is gorg (she's an ex model), & they used to date each other & they

fight mad crazy over stuff, but they are amazing at their craft.

Very Entertaining!!!*

*The chicken cesar salad at Kneaders. I am very picky

when it comes to Cesar Salad & they nailed this one.

Mmmmmmmmm!*

*The songs:

"My Delirium" by Ladyhawke

"Merry Happy" by Kate Nash

"Kandi" by One Eskimo

"Goodbye" by Greg Laswell

"Starstruck" by Santigold

"You, Me and the Bourgeoisie" by The Submarines

"Samson" by Regina Spektor

"The Kiss" by Pallers

"Everywhere I go" by Lissie

Look 'em up, you won't be disappointed, I promise

(well, unless u have sucky taste in music,

then I can't help you there:)!*

* Raspberries in milk with honey on top. This isn't a new

obsession, I've done this since I was a young one.

Learned it from my gramps, so yummy & good for you!*

*Two finger rings, that's right, rings that go over TWO fingers.

The first time my mom-in-law saw me

wearing one she asked,

"Are those things legal?"

She thought that it was brass knuckles. Awesome!

Made me like the ring & her even more.*

*The show "Bethenny Getting Married" also on Bravo.

If you are familiar with

'The Real Housewives of New York', then yes,

it is the same Bethenny.

She has her own spin off show & I laugh

uncontrollably every episode.

She has got to be THE wittiest lady on TV. *

*The Summer Vanillas home oil collection from

Bath & Body Works.The Berry one is my personal fave.

Just wish they weren't limited edition.*

*The word 'Amazeballs', not always graciously accepted amongst

many people, but I find it to be a crack up

when lightly peppered into any conversation.*

There you have it, my people, what are you obsessed with?

Girls Camp Rocked the Hiz House

2010-07-10T18:29:00.004-06:00

Girls camp was even more funnier, awesomier, coolier, bettier, sweetier, spiritualier & dopeier than I could ever imagined. It seriously was a blast and a half! Loved it! We stayed in The Sorensen's sweet cabin (we were roughing it fo sho). So many fun times, and oh how I truly LOVE every single person that shared in on the girls camp experience 2010! Some highlights:

***The ride to and from camp... talk about a partay in the Montero my loves!***

***Doing all of the girls make-up (a wee bit foreign lugging a bunch o make-up to CAMP, but whatev's) & seeing just how beautimus every single one of them really are!***

***Seeing a baby Moose right outside the cabin & naming him "Moosey"***

***Crying my eyes out, later that night after applying make-up to the girls, telling them that

inner beauty is SO much more important than outer beauty, that they are all beautiful daughters of God & that THAT is what REALLY matters!!!***

***Singing awesome silly songs with the girls***

***Having a very spiritual Testimony Meeting Friday night out on the porch surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery***

***Going 'Snipe Hunting' with the Beehives....Priceless***

***Laughing till I nearly peed myself with all of the leaders (basically every second we were there, but in particular the last night, after all the girls had gone to bed) My vision for being a leader myself at camp realized!!!***

***Getting to know everyone sooo much better & literally loving every second of being with all of them, Long Live Girls Camp 2010!!!***

Let's get to some Pix, shant we.....

So, this is the last day when we were packing up & Katie was about to snap a fabu pic of mua & instead got this (which is even MORE fabu if you ask me). For some reason Steph decided to scare me half ta def at this very instant & Katie captured it. Loves!

Here is 'Moosey', inside joke:

"I tried to stop him, I said 'Moose Stop!', but he didn't listen..."

Here is me, Katie & Katee doing our Miley pouty lips face right after the makeovers.

Work it Girlz!!!

Stretching out atop z ladies

Right before 'Snipe Hunting', notice the Beehives have Toothpaste plastered on their faces. The Laurels told them it "lured" in the snipes. Good stuff!

Great times, great times! Thanks Jake for allowing us unlimited back stage access to your sweet cabin, you are the ONLY reason I would ever claim to be TEAM JACOB! :) Thanks to all of the other leaders, not only did you make me feel like a kid again, but you truly made me feel like a true Stand Up Comedian (which, let's all be honest, I so am not! Only at midnight, in the dark, when I am literally Standing Up, whilst you were all laying down)! And especially Thanks to the 'girls', thanks for accepting me into the YW clan with open arms... I love, love, love you ALL!!!

BEAUTY BLOG

2010-06-19T16:17:00.004-06:00

I decided to start a 'Beauty Blog' called Glow. Check it out if you are interested, or don't, whatever floats ya boat.

http://glowbeautifully.blogspot.com/

Gracias, carry on.

Untakeable

2010-06-17T16:58:00.007-06:00

Things I cannot photograph....

-the laughter of my kids-

-my crazy tangled emotions of wanting another child-

-how great it feels to jump into a lake on a hot day-

-my love for the people that surround me-

-the respect i have for the life my grandpa lived-

-the refreshing feeling i get after giggling really hard-

-my gratitude towards my parents-

-the way i feel about music-

-sheer joy of a yummy home cooked meal-

-my passion for dancing-

-the feel of raindrops on my skin on a warm evening-

-how nice it feels to feel loved-

Happiness is...

2010-06-01T20:13:00.007-06:00

* Lying in bed listening to the Rain outside * * Going to a Bee's Game with good Friends (thanks Steph!) * * Getting an unexpected Note in the mail * * Finding an old favorite

Sweatshirt, ALL the way in the very back of your closet * * Watching your 8 year old

son play Guitar Hero as his "talent" in the scout Talent Show * * Hearing a favorite

song while strolling through a store *

* Celtics making it to the Finals, we WILL beat LA * * Playing the game Ripple with family & seeing how happy my Mom gets when she gets a ripple/card she wants * * Bubble Baths * * Laughing so hard that you feel like you just did 314 sit ups * * Looking out my back window & seeing Mike & Camren doing their new favorite thing together: Gardening * * Having those yummy Powdered Doughnuts every once in a while for breakfast *

*Hula Hooping with a BFF in my living room watching So You Think You Can Dance, hoping that it really is burning the 600 calories in 60 minutes, like a magazine told you * * Going to late night girlie movies with Sis in

laws * * Watching Brian Regan DVDs that Jess lent to mua * * Smiling at a total stranger & they actually smile back * * Reading the sequel to 'The Hourglass Door': 'The Golden Spiral' * * Realizing that no matter your circumstances, you really can choose to be happy, everyday *

The Story of US...

2010-05-24T13:25:00.005-06:00

I was going to do a post of our gooey love story & wait & post it on our Anniversary, or V-day, or something semi-lame like that, & then thought to myself, why not just do it now? On a ordinary, out of the blue, non-special event day Monday in May? I love our "Love Story" & I am just going to highlight a little bit of it here. Gooeyness and all!

* On our first date, as he was driving me home, he asked me out on a second date.

No waiting around by the phone wondering, 'Is he going to call?'

A boy that doesn't play mind games, knows what he wants and goes after it. Now that's what I'm talking about!!! *

* On our second date, dropping me off & saying goodnight on the porch, he leans in for

a sweet little kiss. Smiles at me and starts going down the porch stairs, turns around

and says "Um, I think that I am seeing stars right about now." *

* After a week of dating, driving me home in his sweet Land Cruiser that he had fixed up himself, reaches over and grabs my hand & sorta yells over the wind blowing through our hair "I want to date you, and only you, so what I am basically asking is Will you go out with me?" Yes, he was a return missionary, & he was asking me with this cutest boyish smile, very aware that he sounded like he was still in middle school, but just as sincere as Mike always is.

I laughed a little bit, looked at him to see if he was really being serious &

said "Yes, I will 'Go Out' with you" *

* Mike, leaving to go to college up at USU just a month after we had started dating, rearranged his whole schedule so that he only had Tue/Thur classes, so that he could come home

from Thursday night to Monday night to be with me. Let's just say he spent a lot more time

in So Jo than in Logan that semester.

My apologies to his roommates, who never got to see him. *

* Sept. 30, 2000 (just a short couple of months after we had began dating), taking me to USU's Homecoming Dance and afterwords going back to the Alumni house & back in the beautiful gardens in the backyard. Just me & him, he drops to one knee, tells me some very beautiful things & asks 'Will you marry me Laura? I promise I will ALWAYS treat you right & take good care of you?' And he still continues to make good on his promise. *

* December 28, 2000 , we are sealed for eternity in the SLC Temple! What an awesome day (other than the fact that the high of the day was 17 Degrees). We even had dancing at our reception, which is something I always wanted. Our first dance as huzzy & wifey was to

"Love of a Lifetime" by Firehouse. *

* February 12, 2002, laying on an operating bed with Mike right up by my head, lovingly playing with my hair to comfort me, and after 3 hours of pushing & then being rushed in for an emergency c-section, Mike looking in my eyes & saying "I want us to see him for the first time together", then hearing the first cries of our baby boy Jaden. Both of us shedding tears of joy/relief as they bundled him up and placed him in Mikes arms. *

* Aug. 23, 2003 Moving into our first HOME together, looking at each other feeling like "We Made It!!!" *

* August 30, 2004, sitting in a hospital room with Mike, knowing that for sure this time, that our next baby boy is coming via c-section, just waiting for the doc to be ready. Scared & with tears in my eyes, Mike gives me a big hug & tells me that it's going to be Okay & that he will be there with me the entire time. Again, he waits by my head, so that we can see Camren for the first time together. And then a couple hours later, holding Cam in my arms, Jaden walks in the room wearing a "I'm the BIG Brother" t-shirt. Mike picks him up & brings him over to see his lil' brother & there we were, the four of us together as a family. *

* Dec. 21, 2007, packing up & moving out of our first house & I felt devastated, I loved that house, how could we leave it, we had made that house our HOME. But then, as we were driving away, me & the boys in my car & Mike following behind in his car. I looked in my rear view mirror to look at the house once more, but had an Oprah "Aha" moment. I didn't see the house, I just saw my two boys in the back seat & Mike in his car & realized that everything that was special & meaningful about that house was right there, leaving with me. And as long as I had that, then I had MY Home. *

* Dec '07- Feb '08 Living with Mike's parents in their basement. Learning more & more about where Mike comes from & what makes him, well Mike! Seeing the daily interaction of him with his parents made me love & respect him even that much more. *

* Feb '08- Oct '08 Living with Mike's sister Krista & her fam, thinking that we were going to be building a home over by Daybreak, plans all in place. Heavenly Father had a different plan for us & it brought us to where we live now. This was a real trial for Mike & I, having this plan for our family & then doing a 180 & realizing that the Lord wants us somewhere else. It brought us closer & was a testimony builder that the Lord sees over everything in our lives &

his plans/ways are always better than our own, we just need to put faith in him. *

* Feb '06- Present Time: Realizing that there is another little one out there that is meant to be added to our family, but after many infertility treatments, prayers, blessings & still in the process of trying to adopt, & no such luck..... yet. I KNOW that it WILL happen, just don't know how or when quite yet. But I do know that I couldn't ask for a better partner to go through all of this with. Mike has been there to hold me as I cried every single month when I would realize that, No, I am not pregnant....still. When I was on all of this medicine that would literally make me crazy and Mike would call on his way home from work and would ask what kind of take-out he could bring home for me so we could have some yummy food to munch on while we watched whatever movie I was in the mood for. When Mike would be sooo strong for me, even though I knew that it was something that was so hard for him to handle as well. He wants another baby just as much as me. One day Mike, we will be holding our baby that we have prayed so hard for & you will have said to me "I want us to both see her/him for the first time together" & the waiting will have been worth it. *

* And then of course all of the little details, that really make our love story special. The way that we squeeze each others hands 3 times, to secretly tell the other one "I Love You". The songs that have become the soundtrack of our journey together: "Love of a Lifetime" by Firehouse, "I will Love You" by Fisher, "Everything" by Lifehouse, "Tangled up in You" by Staind, "Everything I do" by Bryan Adams, "Fix You" by Coldplay, "All I want is You" by U2, just to name a few. The way that he still gives me that boyish grin & it melts my heart every time. The way that we laugh together, and the way he can make me laugh harder than anyone I've ever met. The little inside jokes we share that no one else would probably even care to understand. The way he still opens doors for me, lets me control the remote, writes me cute little love notes & shows up with flowers "Just Because" & the way that when we went on a date the other week to see the flick "Date Night" & at the end of the movie Steve C.'s character says to Tina F.'s character "I would choose you every time" & Mike leans over and whispers in my ear "I would choose you every time TOO Laura, I love you!" Well Mike, I would choose you too, every time, & any situation. I love you with all of my Laura Johnston Heart!!! *

To be continued, and never to end.....

Summer Essentials

2010-05-14T20:08:00.027-06:00

I love Summer time! The warmer weather, the trips to Powell, the icy cold refreshing treats, the NOT having to bundle everybody up just to go outside, the BBQ's, the sound of ice cream trucks driving around the neighborhood, the summer blockbuster movies that come out, all of the yummy fruit that is in season, watching the kids play in the sprinklers, the overall laid back feeling that IS Summer. Well, with all of this cold weather lasting a little bit too long for my liking, & warmer weather finally on the horizon, I give to you my list of Summer Essentials....

Okay, so nothing is more refreshing than taking a summer shower lathered up in

Raspberry Sorbet Shower Gel, smells like summer in a bottle!

I actually use "Faux Tan" by Bare Escentuals year round,

but I really up the ante when summer rolls around, more skin = more Faux Tan.

And then when I go in the ACTUAL sun I lather on some SPF 50, no joke.

The Perfume "Miss Marisa" by Ebba, I wish you could all take

a big wiffarooski through your monitor, you'd smell delightful notes of cassis & cooling mint. Amazing.

A ginormous Straw Hat. Mine is a tiny bit different than this, possibly larger,

if you can possibly deal. I worried at first about wearing it with my pixie haircut, but I'm over it. Love my BIG hat.

Flip Flops galore! I always think that I am going to sport really cute sandals,

& I have a few pair that work their way into rotation, but for the better part of summer, it's a trusty old pair of Flip Flops.

A big fluffy Beach Towel, to wrap up in after taking a dip in the pool,

or knee boarding/wake boarding off the back of the boat.

For some reason I have been obsessed with Aviator Sunglasses lately.

Love their sleek, can't go wrong classic shape.

And no, I actually don't at all feel like

I belong in the movie

"Top Gun" when I am wearing them.

Essie Nail Polish

These are three of my personal top 3 picks for summer, looks great with a tan (faux tan, ahem). And with names like

Lollipop, Shop Till I Drop, and Pink Parka

how can you really go wrong?

Now, c'mon Summer...

please arrive SOON, with lots of Sunshine!

I'm not NOT nuts...

2010-05-11T16:57:00.003-06:00

Some things that I have found humorous as of late... ( do keep in mind, my loves, that some of these things didn't occur lately, sometimes I think of random funny things that happened years ago & D I E laughing out of nowhere. To which my huzzy usually looks at me & says "What is sooo funny?" & then through bursts of laughter & not really being able to speak real words at all cause I am laughing so hard, I explain what the hay I am giggling about. To which his reply usually is "Oh, I guess you had to be there!". No courtesy laughs from him. So, if I don't get any from you, I understand & besides, I won't know anywhoo. But you best believe that I am doing a full on belly laugh on my end here writing this. Plus sometimes it makes me laugh harder when my stories are received with cricket's. Now, after a looooong drawn out explanation of myself let's begin shall we...

* When I was in middle school I honest to goodness thought that the phrase,

or condition rather"Lactose Intolerant" was really "Black Toast Tolerant"!

Boy was my face rainbow red when I realized my mistake. Whoops A Daisy.

* When we were recently in California, we had ordered some yumdiddly-umcious

Papa John's Pizza. Each pizza comes with a Jalapeno Pepper in the box. Chris, my bro in law,

really wanted to have his 2 year old daughter, Kate, try one. After a "look" from my sister & her saying "I guess, if you warn her that it is really HOT & going to burn her mouth, & she still wants to try, then she's all yours" So Chris warns Kate & she opens her mouth & takes a bite. To which, of course she makes a funny face & grabs her milk immediately. Well, a few minutes later, Kate grabs a grape off of her plate & says in the most serious of voices "You want a grape Daddy? It's going to be REALLY HOT & hurt your mouth!!!" Could she get any cuter?

* Realizing that after you eat some "Smacks"- you know, the cereal, the next time you urinate your pee smells exactly like Smacks, & I mean EXACTLY. Mike says that the same thing happens with asparagus, I wouldn't know, I don't eat the stuff. I'll just trust him on that one.

* Camren, a few months ago:

Cam : Hey mom, who gets to decide who you marry, the boy or the girl?

Me: Both, really. The boy usually does the asking, but the girl gets to decide whether she says yes or no.

Cam: When do I get to get married?

Me: Not for a LONG time, hopefully when you are 19 you'll decide to go on a mission.

Cam: How long is a mission?

Me: 2 years

Cam: Ugh, 19 is going to be a boring time.

Me: No, Daddy went to Jamaica & he loved his mission.

Cam: Oh, fine, whatever, but WHEN do I get to get married?

Me: I guess when you get home from your mish. Where do you want to be married?

Cam: (Thinking that I have asked him WHY he wants to get married) Because you get to eat CAKE, hello? And I am going to eat my cake at the beginning of my wedding, not the end like Spencer & Tiffany!

PRICELESS!

* Lisa Rhinna on dancing with the stars, being interviewed after doing a good job on her dance routine. The lady asked her, "You did such an amazing job tonight, what's your secret?" "Oh, it's cause I have 'my girls' with me tonight (grabbing at her chest), they are my good luck charms!" The lady than looking a little puzzled, so Lisa starts laughing so hard & grabs a picture of her daughters (aka her GIRLS) out from her brazer. What the?

And at the risk of offending some of you, please don't be, Joel from "The Soup", (this is how I even saw this clip), featured this on his show & after airing the clip he says "Oh, that's funny, cause I do so well too because of MY lucky charms, MY BOYS!" Reaching down his pants & grabbing a picture of his sons out of his pants. Hilarious!!!

Okay, that's all for now. Keep on laughin & livin'!

Deepest Fear...

2010-05-03T19:45:00.006-06:00

I LOVE this! I 100% agree with this. I love that it empowers us to do better, be better & to not only not be ashamed of it, but be PROUD of it. So many times I have answered the question, "And what do you do?" with a reply of "Oh, I am just a stay at home Mom".

I read this quote a few years back & started to change my answer & change my LIFE, so that the answer changed. I decided, who am I not to live out my dream of having my own Dance studio? I love to do make-up, who's to say that I couldn't go & be a make-up artist for my favorite brand MAC? And why in the heavens could I not do all of this & still be a "stay at home Mom"? I started putting my plans into action & going after what I REALLY wanted out of life, until I got it, even when people would still ask "the" question, I would tell them that I was a Mother & loved that I was able to stay at home with them. Nothing had changed, except my refusal to belittle myself & what I had made of myself. Well, here I am a few years later & I have accomplished the goals that I had originally set. Don't get me wrong, I still found myself saying things like "Yeah, I teach dance, but .... it's just in my basement & I just have a handful of small classes", or "Yeah, I do make-up, but..... I just freelance." And then I am reminded of this quote & that I need to not feel little in this big world. There are many new goals that I hope to achieve & I hope that I can continue to better myself & not limit myself.

Even in writing this post, I get a nag in my brain that says, "Well, if you just come on here & talk up yourself, then my osh kosh b-gosh Laura, you are FULL of yourself!!!!" Then, whence again, I have to remind myself that it's not that at all, it's allowing ourselves to shine & hoping that everyone around you will allow themselves to do the same. I have a vazillion things to work on & always will. It's a lot in the attitude of how you get somewhere & the confidence in yourself to know that you are meant for greatness. In all of the people that surround me from day to day, I see in them traits that I would absolutely LOVE to have & I hope that they see it in themselves.

So, as we ask ourselves "Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?", I hope that we can say "Actually, Who am I not to be?"

The Continuation

2010-04-27T19:09:00.006-06:00

Here's the "to be continued..." part of our California trip. I said I'd do it & I delivered, amazing, I know. So, before we had left to Cali, my sister had written a post on her blog that Aly, my niece, had just gotten her first hula hoop. So I had posted a comment for her to let Aly know that a Hula Hooping contest was going to be on like Donkey Kong when we came for a visit. The contest took place the night before we left & basically everybody got in on the fun (though I don't have pix of everyone who did it, my bad). I actually was the first one up & was going on doing my hula business & after a few minutes Stacy says to me "Okay, I think that you can be done now, I think that you have won. Let's give Aly a chance." Kinda like, "Okay, what the heck are you doing Laur, are you trying to make a 8 year old girl cry?" So, in my mind I was like: "Crap, I was being serious & what if she honestly barely just learned? Dang it Laura! Dang it!" So, dun dun dunaaaaaahh, Aly gets up for her turn & she just kept going & going & going, she was the energizer bunny I tell ya. Stacy, in surprise, says to Aly "When did you get sooo good?", Aly just smiles at her madre & continues to tell her that she & her friend from Louisiana would practice all of the time together before they moved out to Cali. Then Aly starts doing all of these tricks, walking, jumping up & down, doing the boo-tay dance all whilst still hula hooping! She won that contest by a mile! I was so proud of her! She was so awesome! Here were some of the other contestants....

Mike, okay, so he was freakishly good at it. Anything he tries, he can do. He could have just kept going & shaking what his mother gave him, but I think that he wanted to let me walk away with at least a little pride. I like his form though. Look at those arms.

Than there's me.... you can almost just hear me saying "TAAA-DAAAAA" through

the picture, can't you?

Stacy gave a very valiant effort, preggo belly and all (even though you can't really tell cause her coat is hiding it). She was one of my favorites to watch though! I love how we all do a little something different with our arms.

Here's my bud Jaden. His first time trying!!! By the end, he actually kind of got it! It MUST run in the family or something.

And now, without further adue, the WINNER.... Aly!!! All I can say is, you better keep practicing Aly, because you do realize that there will be a part 2 to this little competition! And yes, I actually DID go & purchase a hula hoop to practice! So, if you want to hold onto that title, you may want to start throwing in a couple new tricks. Just so you know. :)

Well, well, well here is a few more pix from the trip. Just putting them up on here makes me want to load up the Prism & head on out for another 12 hour road trip! Miss you O'Gwins!

Here's cute Kate at the Beach. That girl is quite possibly the coolest 2 year old ever!

Here's one of almost the whole group at the aquarium. Thanks Mike for sacrificing not being in the picture, so that we actually had someone to take the picture!
Chris didn't make it because of school. Dang you school & making people smarter!

I just particularly liked this one of Cam at the BBQ... Smores anyone?

Jaden & Cam at Carmel Beach. Notice that Jaden is wearing a "gold medal" that he had gotten at their church in primary & would not take it off forever.

Love this next one, & a good one to end on, I believe. My boys enjoying the beach at sunset....

B-A-utiful!

Movie under Review

2010-04-24T18:44:00.004-06:00

So this blog-o-rama is sorta turning into my little outlet on how I feel about everything, from my taste in music, TV, make-up, my deepest darkest feelings (okay, okay, maybe not my DEEPEST DARKEST, but semi-deep, not very light feelings), fashion, movies, food, books, etc.... Sprinkled in with some fun little updates about my family happenings. So, let's just accept it for what it is & embrace it. Sometimes it's just fun for me to come on here & tell you all about my recent opinions on things. It's like my very own personal online magazine that I am Editor in Chief of. When I was say 10 or 11, I would cut out pix from magazines of my fave celebs (from no other than Teen Bop Magazine), my top Celeb's at that time were New Kids on the Block, Paula Abdul and members from The Mickey Mouse Club (remember that? and the band "THE PARTY" that stemmed off of it). Yes, and I am actually talking about the Mickey Mouse Club that was before B. Spears & J.T. It was the one with like Damien & Tiffany (my two personal faves). Any-chow, I would cut out pictures of them, paste them on construction paper & staple them together & make my own Mag out of it. I would even write little "articles". Priceless. But, the point is, sometimes when I am doing posts on this blog I feel like I am doing an awesomer, high techer, grown uper version of that. So, I guess I really never will truly grow up. I just become an older version of my younger self? Who knows. But, on the real's yo, Mike & I rented "The September Issue" last night. It's basically the documentary version of "The Devil Wears Prada". The girl that wrote that book, Lauren Weisberger, was the real life Anne Hathaway character of the movie. And the character that Meryl Streep plays in the movie, in real life is Anna Wintour. Well it's a 90 minute documentary of the putting together of the September Issue of Vogue, which we all know is the biggest issue of the year, it forecasts all of the Fall trends and such. Some call it "The Fashion Bible". I don't however, I am obsessed with mags, but not Vogue for some reason. But yes, if you have seen The Devil Wears Prada, than may I just say, Meryl is a DEAD RINGER for Anna Wintour, she really does seem like the ice queen. I actually loved the movie. It was fun seeing how they put together the mag & all of those beautiful clothes....Oh My, my, my. My favorite person in the documentary was a lady named Grace Coddington, the creative director at Vogue. I have to first of all say that Mike said that she looks like the witch in "Willow", agreed. But, she was the only one who ever stood up to Anna, and was quite a genius at what she does. Very interesting show, obviously I liked the Hollywooded-up version, The Devil Wears Prada better. But it still was very entertaining. I give it a 7.5 out of ten. Mike even actually stayed up through the whole thing, which is saying A LOT. He can't stay up for nuffin'. Next up for my viewing pleasure, I am excited to see "The Backup Plan", yes, it is "that one with J. Lo in it", "Date night"- have heard that that one is hilarious, the new "Robin Hood"- Mike & I watched the Kevin Costner version of this as part of our first date, so I kinda feel like it's "our movie", and then some other renters that I have yet to see: Julie & Julia, Every body's Fine, The Invention of Lying, and gasp... Avatar (no we were not one of the bazillion people that saw it in the theaters). So, let's pop some popcorn, grab a blankie & snuggle duggle up to a great movie...

Listen Up

2010-04-19T20:08:00.006-06:00

Here are some songs that have been in a regular rotation in my ear holes as of late...

Snow Patrol * Just Say Yes

Broken Bells * October

Bon Iver * Skinny Love

30 Seconds to Mars * Hurricane

Band of Horses * No One's Gonna Love You

The Weepies * Take it from Me

Peter Bradley Adams * Ohio

Matt Morris * In this House

Lifehouse * It is what it Is

Carly Simon * Coming Around Again

Gary Go * Open Arms

Iron & Wine * Boy with a Coin

Greg Laswell * How the Day Sounds

My Morning Jacket * Librarian

Barenaked Ladies * You Run Away

B.O.B. feat Bruno Mars * Nothin on You

Regina Spektor * Us

Mat Kearney * Undeniable

Jack Johnson * Flake

Most of these songs are on my Play list at the bottom of my blog. Check 'em out if you haven't heard some of them yet. If there are any random songs that you are obsessed with lately, please let me know. I love finding new music!!!

25 Randoms...

2010-04-15T12:38:00.002-06:00

25 Random Things you didn't know about Laura. Wait, no not THAT Laura, me, Laura...

I hate that Laura Bush has the same name as me. Why can't someone cool have the same name as me? Like why isn't, I don't know, Kate Beckinsale's name Laura Beckinsale?
I have dead serious thought of getting a very long wig & wearing it every now & again when I feel like not having short hair for the day. Still haven't got one. So if you ever actually see me with long flowing hair, it's my own.
I actually read the book "Story Telling" by Tori Spelling & liked every page.
I won a hula hooping contest in High School.
I once threw an economy sized thing of Ketchup across the floor in my parents basement & it literally exploded everywhere! All over their BRAND NEW white-ish carpet. That was a bad day to say the least.
I am a bit of an insomniac. No fun. Mike complains to me if it takes him more then 5 minutes for him to fall asleep. I've lied awake watching the clock turn from 2am & then 3, 4...5, "Ahhh just fall asleep!" I yell in my brain! It doesn't listen, in fact it mocks me & says back to me " Now you are even further away from being asleep, sucker!"
I have NEVER watched a single episode of Jersey Shore & I am a little bit proud of myself for this. That is just the type of trashy dumb reality show that I get caught up in. But I won over that one. Man, I am so strong.
I would love to open up a cute little boutique & get to choose everything in it. It would be the sweetest store that women would flock to in the hundreds. I would sell the best smelling home fragrances, & I would be so awesome that I would have the means to make my very own Perfume & sell it there. Don't know yet what I would call said perfume, but it would smell fantastic! I would also sell really random music from artists that nobody has really heard of, but should because they are so talented. I would sell delicate handmade jewelry, stationary, and the coziest blankets you've ever felt. The sexiest shoes would also be sold, as well as unique pieces of clothing, not that blinged out crap, just beautifully made clothes that not everybody & their dog is wearing. Really comfy over sized pajamas (you know like Men pajamas, but for the ladies), and Shea infused stripped socks. And then some quirky home decorations, like funky throw pillows & frames & stuff. It would be decorated awesomely & always smell spectacular in there, with the best music playing on the background. Aww, what a cute dream of mine.
I am beyond grossed out by coral & stuff that has a lot of bumps on it, yuck, I am itching all over just thinking about it!
I had my very first bloody nose out of nowhere a few weeks ago. Not as bad as I had imagined.
I wish I loved to run, like I was a run-a-holic or something. But sadly, I don't.
I once thought that it would be hilarious if I just went up to a boy in high school & put a quarter in one of my eyes (all scrunched up around the quarter, if you can possibly picture it) & say in a silly voice "You would be crazy not to go to Homecoming with me!" And that would be my "cute" way of asking him to a dance.
I want to learn to play the acoustic guitar & blow people away with my skills.
I am overly obsessed with the number 14!
I used to have a crush on David Bowie in "Labyrinth"! Have you seen that movie lately? Could he look any gayer in it? So funny.
I had a weird fear of cats for a while, like when I was in preschool or something.
I probably own enough cosmetics to last me 5 lifetimes.
I definitely own enough perfume to last me like 10 lifetimes. What is the deal with me & my nose?
I use to wish I was Princess Diana.
My first kiss (sorta) was when I chase around a boy named Javier at recess & kissed him on the ear. How romantic.
I don't particularly like Mexican food.
I have a weird scar right above my right knee from jabbing some scissors into it when I was little (on accident, of course).
I hold my breath every time I pass by a cemetery. Some old wives tale associated with this I am sure, just don't remember it.
When Mike and I lived in Logan, we lived across from a cemetery. I still don't know how I felt about not always being able to hold my breath. But I would still hold it every time we at lease drove by it.
I stole the idea to do this "25 Random Things You Don't Know About Me" post from a column they have in US Weekly every week.

My new calling...

2010-04-11T21:46:00.004-06:00

I have recently been called to be the Young Women's Secretary in our ward. I could not be more excited, or humbled by this calling. I have always wanted to serve in YW & up until this point have only been in Primary (which was great as well, those little Sunbeams are so cute & innocent). When the Bishop called me into his office & told me what the calling was & would I accept it, I felt a tingle go down my spine. What an honor to be able to work with the youth of our ward! I remember all of the different feelings and emotions I had when I was their age as if it were just yesterday. And let's be honest here, I probably act more immature at times than a lot of these girls that I am going to be in with. I don't know what it is, and in a lot of ways I hope that it never goes away, but I swear I still feel like I am 16. Okay, so maybe I thought I was like 29 when I was 16 & so that is why I still feel that way, but whatev's. I hope I always have a young soul. Um, randomness..... Back to the girls. I remember my feelings of self doubt, unworthiness, struggles of really standing up for what's right, whether it was cool or not, questioning my self worth. I still obviously struggle with all of the above sometimes, but now with out any doubt in my mind I know that I am a beloved daughter of my Heavenly Father & that what he thinks of me matters more than anything. And I want the girls in my YW to know this with all of their heart to. They are all so beautiful inside & out & I hope that I can have some sort of positive influence on how they feel about themselves. Those years are so hard & Satan works so hard to bring the youth down. That is why I am beyond humbled to be able to serve in this capacity & try to help them realize their worth. I just pray that the Lord will help lead & guide me. Cause lets face it, I need all of the Divine help I can get. I found a couple of great quotes that I think go along just lovely with what I am trying to say.....

"Being a Daughter of God means that if you seek it, you can find your

true identity. You will know who you are."

-Pres. James E. Faust

"You need, more and more, to feel the perfect love which our father in heaven

has for you and to sense the value he places upon you as an individual."

-Pres. Spencer W. Kimball

I am so excited to get to know each of them better & I can't wait for girls camp! I know I talked a lot about the spiritual side of it all, but I am jazzed (nobody uses that word anymore, that's why I just did) to just have FUN with the girls. All of the craziness, the laughing, the putting honey on the porta-potty seat at camp. Bring it on! And heck, I remember going to girls camp & my Mom was one of the leaders (I loved that she was in there when I was in there) & us "responsible" young women would be going to bed in our tents at oh around midnight-ish & you could hear as loud as day, the Leaders tent laughing it up like it was the party of the decade. All of the sudden my 14 year old self was wanting to partake in whatever was going on in that tent. So much fun! So many good memories I have of being in YW myself & now I get to experience it again, through a leader's perspective. Oh, & I hope/know that we are going to be the same, me & the other leaders, partying like it's 1999 in our tent. So, here I start this journey, with a grin from ear to ear on my face.....

California knows how ta partay....

2010-04-05T12:33:00.005-06:00

Wish you were here.... Oh wait, I wish I was still there.... We just got back from Cali late Friday night, or actually really early Saturday morning if we are getting technical (3:00 am puh-lease, we were supposed to be home by 11:00 pm, I'll explain later...). It was the most fun I have had in a while. My sister Stacy & her family live in Monterey & were kind enough to let us come spend spring break with them. So much to get to & I am going to overload you with pix, but hey, this is actually the scaled down version, so don't hate. A joke me a make, pix are the best part right? The pic above is from the evening we went to Carmel Beach & had a bonfire/BBQ/smore party. It was uber gorgeous & so much fun. When we first arrived it was raining & I said, we'll at least stay a minute & watch the waves crash & like 10 min later the storm had passed & we were able to stay & do the whole shabang. This was one of our fave things we did while we were there, here's a few more pix (by the by, I am not necessarily going in order of when we actually did stuff)....

We also went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium (it's the one in the movie "Seven Pounds", fabu), so awesome, the boys loved it! They had sharks & jelly fish and all sorts of sea-a-deasy life, it was sweet cause Stacy & Chris had managed to get some passes from people in their ward so we were able to forgo the $30 entrance fee & get in for free instead (always a much better plan). Here's some pictorials....

This place called Point Lobos was also another favorite of ours. We did a little hike to get to where you look out & I feel like I keep repeating myself, but I don't know how else to describe it, it was AMAZING! There were 30-40 ft waves coming up & crashing right on the rocks by us. We definitely got wet a few times. Oh, & you could see a bunch of seals & sea lions playing in the water & on a rock a little ways out. Breathtaking.....

Here is a couple other random pix...

Jaden & Aly kickin it at the Tide Pools

My boyz at the beach livin it up Cali style

Us at the Pier on Cannery Row

Alright, now for the whole getting home 4 hours later than planned, scroll to the next pic & you'll start to understand. We got to Donner's Pass & it was a nightmare, this is actually a modest picture of the snow, it was much worse in other places (this is just when I happened to think to click a photo of it). We got through this huge long line & then realized that Chains were required on our car (p.s. we had taken the Prism to save on gas) from that point on. Do you think that we just had an extra pair of chains laying around? Nope. We had to turn back around, buy some, install them & go back through the line & then go through a winter wonderland......in April......in California! What? But we made it home safe & sound! That's all I asked for the whole ride home, literally, I don't think that I have ever said so many prayers on a road trip before!

Thank you sooooooo much O'gwins for such a ball of a time! Mike & I fell in love with Monterey. We kept joking that we were going to move out there. But it wouldn't be a joke if we had a few extra million dollars laying around. Every day was an adventure & you could be somewhere & then drive just 2 miles in a different direction & it looks like you are in a completely different place. Everything was beyond beautiful, but the best part of it all was getting to spend time with the fam! Love you guys! We did a bunch more stuff that I am going to blog about soon, with more pix! But this was all the time I had to put up right now. So, this post is to be continued... As are most of my posts I've noticed. Still need to get on to continue them. Soon. But the one that goes along with this one is a definite go! Miss you already Monterey, Stacy, Chris, Aly, Lise & Kate! Air Kisses!

Baptized & B-dizzilie

2010-03-22T17:07:00.006-06:00

Jaden was baptised on March 6th & Mike & I couldn't be prouder of him! He was so cute because he was so excited! He was beaming the whole day! I was so grateful to all of the family that could make it. Jenny even drove all that way from Vegas! It meant so much to be able to share it with loved ones. We all came back to our house for donuts, fruit & juice afterwards & I just thought that the day went so well. Love you Jaden!

And now I am officially the big 2-9! My b-day was on 3/14, which landed on the sabbath this year, so Mike took me out the night before. It was so much fun, he took me to a restaurant called Luganos! Sooo delish! Mike had apparently googled "best Italian restaurants in SLC" & this was one that came up. So neither of us had been & it was fun to try out something new. I would highly recommend it. In fact I am craving it as of 5 minutes ago.... He then took me to "Dear John", it gets a 7 out of 10 from mua. And then we came home & had yummy chocolate cake that the boyz had made me earlier in the day. And on Sunday (my actual birthday) Camren gave me some roses that he had picked out all by himself, such a romantic! And Mike gave me his present, okay, I'll give you three hints: It's sleek & black, I am using it right now & it rhymes with Maphop...... A LAPTOP! Ding Ding Ding... you are correctomundo, now give yourself a big ol' pat on the back! On my actual b-day my Madre made me some yummo fried chicken & mashed potatoes! One of my faves! Thanks so much to everyone who made my day special! :)

Lyrics to my life...

2010-03-17T22:02:00.009-06:00

So I am going to be posting all about Jadens baptism & my recent b-dizle, but for some reason this particular post has been floating around in my head lately & I just needed to put it on here & whatev's. So the other goodies are still to come, but for now you get to get a glimpse into my randomness that is my brain.

I am crazy mad about music! Always have been. I feel like everything is a bazillion times better when music is playing. I feel like some song writers must have seen inside of my emotions & written a song about it, because I can hear a song & I feel like this person knows me & gets me. I may be making myself out to be a true blue psycho, but I am seriously serious, I sometimes if I find a song that puts better into words the point that I am trying to get across to those really close to me (my cute Huzzy, a sis or bro, or even Ma or Pa), I will play that song to them & it almost is a way of my communicating what I can't put into words. I just feel that music has so much feeling behind it too, that just that alone helps me to try to help others understand mua better. Run on sentence-o-rama! I don't mind, I write as I think/talk & I definitely think/talk in run on sentences. Anywhoo, so there is a LOT of songs/lyrics out there that I wish that I had the talent to actually come up with cause they are flippin' amazeballs. Oh, & there is just way too many for me to ever recollect & post at this time, but here's a few...

*"Time never had the chance to heal your heart, just a number always counting down to a new start. If you always knew the truth, then the world would spin around you. Are you dizzy yet?"

and from the same song, diff part...

*"If everything I meant to you, you can lick and seal then fold in two, then I've been so blind."

-"Dizzy" Jimmy Eat World

*"Cause when you cry, all of your tears I will wipe away. And when you laugh, who do you think got you that way? And when you dream baby, when you wake up, is it me you long to see?"

- "Look at Me" Keri Noble

*"Your baby blues, so full of wonder, your curly cues, your contagious smile. And as I watch, you start to grow up. All I can do is hold you tight."

same song, diff part...

*"When the clouds will rage in, and the storms will race in, but you will be safe in my arms.

Rains will pour down, waves will crash all around. But you will be safe in my arms."

- "In my arms" Plumb

* "But if you never try, you'll never know just what your worth."

- "Fix You" Coldplay

* "You don't have to put up a fight, you don't have to always be right. Let me take some of the punches for you tonight."

- "Sometimes you can't make it on your own" U2

* "Just live your life. Ain't got no time for no haters. Just live your life. No telling where it

will take ya."

- "Live your Life" T.I. feat Rhianna

* "Time it was, and what a time it was, it was a time. A time of innocence, a time of confidences. Long ago, it must be, I have a photograph. Preserve your memories, they're all that's left you."

- "Bookends" Simon & Garfunkel

* "And now your my whole life, now you're my whole world. I just can't believe the way I feel about you. We'll look back someday, at this moment that we are in. And I'll look at you and say 'And I thought I loved you then"

-"Then" Brad Paisley

* "All of these lines across my face tell you the story of who I am. So many stories of where I've been. And how I got to where I am. But these stories don't mean anything when you got no one to tell them to. It's true: I was made for you."

- "Story" Brandi Carlile

* "I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance. Never settle for the path of least resistance......... And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you DANCE"

- "I hope you dance" Lee Ann Womack

* "May your smile shine on. Don't be scared, your destiny may keep you warm."

- "Stop crying your heart out" Oasis

* "Don't let your soul get weary & confused. You will be still, don't try. Don't let your heart get heavy, child, Inside you there's a strength that lies."

- "Be Here Now" Ray Lamontagne

* "We'll make a wish and send it on a prayer. We know our dreams can all come true, with love that we can share. With you I never wonder, Will you be there for me? With you I never wonder, You're the right one for me."

- "Love of a Lifetime" Firehouse

* "Don't matter if I step out on the scene, or sneak away to the Philippines, they still got pictures of my derriere in the magazines. You want a piece of me?"

- "Piece of Me" Britney Spears

Okay, so that last one I just LOVE the way she says "derriere" in the song. No, not that she actually uses the word derriere, but quite literally the way she says it.

So, is it just me that thinks in lyrics all of the time & gets so connected to a song sometimes, you would have thought that I gave birth to it? Or do any of you do it too? Fess up. No, it's just me? Well in the lyric of Gnarls Barkley....

*"Does that make me crazy? Does that make me crazy? Does that make me crazy?

Possibly."

Loving Right Now

2010-03-08T15:18:00.004-07:00

Here are some awesome things that I am LOVING RIGHT NOW...

*The Wendy Williams Show!!! I found this show through "The Soup" which I religiously watch. The Soup is a show that makes fun of other shows, well it kept making fun of this show & so I ended up being curious enough to actually watch the show & I love it! It cracks me up.... she is straight up crazy & fabulous at the same time. My favorite thing about her is that her "sources" that she uses for "Hot Topics" on the show are from like the National Enquire & Star Magizine & shiznits & she's dead serious! So Awesome!

*MAC's Cremesheen Glass, oh & their Dazzleglass. It's like Patent Leather for your lips, need I say more?

*Jennifer Aniston in the newest issue of "Architectural Digest" I just am obsessed with her anyways & then to get a look into the place she calls home is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! The house is just beyond & I love seeing the pictures of her chilling at her sweet pad. She is a "bestie" to me in my head.

*The show "Guiliana & Bill" I just adore her already from "E! News" where I get all of my most important news from daily at 5:00 pm, & I saw a special where she got married to Bill (from The Apprentice) in Italy & I said to my huzzy "I wish that they would just do a reality show already!" Well about a year & a half passed and I am minding my own business watching E! & all of the sudden I see a preview for their reality show! I about pee'd myself (yes, I do get THAT excited over these things)! They are in there second season & I love it even more than I had thought I would in my mind before there even was a show! She is going through all of this infertility crap right now & I feel like she too is another "bestie" of mine, if only in my mind!

*The Buried Life, if you haven't watched it, then you shall, cause it's ridicuosly cool! It's these 4 guys from Canada that wrote a list of 100 things they want to do before they die & for everything they cross off on their list they help a stranger cross something off on theirs. Sooo good, makes me laugh & cry, not even kidding. That's all I'll tell you about it for now because I want to do a whole post dedicated to this show. So stay tuned....

Blogging Backwards

2010-03-05T10:15:00.005-07:00

Well Hello there! I feel so current, we actually have the Internet again. So lucky for all of my many adoring fans out there, I may just be back in the blogging biznatch bidnis! Oh, there is none of you left out there? Never was to begin with? My bad. I will still do it anyway for any of you blog hopping bunny's out there that are adoring fans of other blogs that may or may not lead you to mine! I feel like there is so much that I need to catch you all up on and just simply not enough time. So we will make this more like a PowerPoint presentation & just highlight the main events (not only do I feel current, I feel a wee bit professional)....

*We are currently in the process of putting in our adoption papers, hence the reason that we got the Internet again. Stressed out wouldn't even come close to describing how I am feeling about the whole process. But we are just starting out on our "Adoption Journey" & I feel like this whole getting/having another baby thing is going to pay off sometime & that I definitely am being taught a lesson in patience. I, so far only know the beginning of this part of my story & I know that when I see the other parts unfold & come together however & whenever they are supposed to, I will look back & realize that "Oh, that's why!" & I will hopefully be better because of it all. I am looking forward to that, & to be completely honest with ya, that's what keeps me going most of the time with this "I know there is another child out there meant to be in our family" thing. This may sound sappy, but it is honestly how I feel & I am just putting it out there... How can you miss someone sooo much that you have never even met? I'll leave it at that.

*Jaden, our oldest, is getting baptised tomorrow & I can't hardly believe it! I mean I remember the day I was baptised like it was yesterday & now he gets baptised tomorrow. Am I really that old? I mean I did have him when I was 10 years old (Ahem...) & everything, but really, time is a funny thing. I am so proud of him & all of the choices he is making!

*As the previous post mentioned, I started dance back up & I am loving it! There are moments when I am in the middle of teaching a class & I look around at the girls & I just get a huge grin on my face. It's like I am seeing a glimpse of a dream that I had a million times as a little girl growing up & having my own studio, & yet it's not just a dream anymore, it's real life & it makes my heart giggle with delight!

*Camren, our youngest, has pretty much grown out of his "girlie" stage. I don't know exactly what triggered the loss of interest in high heels & everything that sparkles. But either way, I think that it is a good thing. Whatever makes him happy, if that ended up being lip gloss & tiara's then so be it. People don't get all uppity when little girls like to play with soccer balls & get their clothes all muddy, so I didn't get too uppity about his likes. And I think in part by me letting him have his "princess time" he kind of did it & then moved onto not really wanting "princess time", and naturally wanting to play more "boy stuff", according to him. Now, don't get me wrong, I still see him getting a little jealous of the My Little Pony stickers that I give to my dancers. But I think that it just gives him more character & he's going to be one heck of a ladies man when he grows up because he will be more in touch with his sensitive side. Not a bad thing.

*Mike & I celebrated our 9th Anniversary on December 28th & it was so fun because 2 days later on the 30th my brother Spencer got married to his sweetie Tiffany in the SLC Temple (same temple as me & Mike had 9 years earlier). It was awesome to be there & watch them get sealed & reminisce back on our own wedding day. And I have just loved having a new sister in law! Tiffany already has added so much to the Jackman family!

Well, I do believe that that will be all for now. I'll be back on this time sooner rather than later! :)

Pop Rox is Back!!!

2009-12-20T18:13:00.004-07:00

Oh yeah! So I am going to be starting Dance back up again & I am very excited about it! This may be semi-lame, but I am using this as an advertisement of sorts! If you are interested, leave a comment with your numba, or call me- you know the digits, if you don't know the digits, leave a comment & I will contact you.I don't necessarily want to leave my numba hanging out there for any "weirdos" that may or may not blogstalk me. Probably it's just me being a Nervous Nancy, but ya know.... Anywhoo, I will be starting up mid January & having open enrollment until then. Hopefully I will hear from many of ya'll cause I miss the heck out of you! Talk/See "some" of you soon! Lovely!

Whatever, Whatever, Whatever....

2009-11-08T15:48:00.005-07:00

Yeah, so my "title" doesn't mean anything, at all. I'm just coming on to say Hello to everyone, to update- sorta. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the big 31 year old on Tuesday! Can't wait to celebrate with you! You are getting so big and tall, like your Dad Lar-Bear! Love ya Mike! We are still not preggers yet, taking a little break from all of it actually. Laura + crazy hormone drugs - no baby = CRAZY LAURA & that's never too much fun for anyone really. So we are "reevaluating" for now I guess you could say. Wish I had a billion dollars so that I could go "reevaluate" in Jamaica or Paris or something like that. But for now, the mental break is kinda nice. Ramble....ramble....ramble....

Some new things that I am obsessed with lately.....

* The songs "Happy" by Leona Lewis & "I turn my camera on" by Rock Kills Kid

*The "Winter Candy Apple" Home Oil from Bath & Body Works

*The saying "Why I aught" (in a Boston accent) while holding up your fist VERY annoyingly

*The show's "Flowers Uncut"- he's genius, "The Hills"- Justin Bobby is a tool, and of course "So you think you can Dance"- where do some of those dancers come from? Amazing!

*Asiago Bagels from Harmons bakery with chive & onion cream cheese smothered on it- oh & then go talk to someone really close to their face, if they stay put or actually call you out on your horrid breath, you know that you have found a true friend.

*The book "The Hourglass Door"- liked it just as much as Twilight, or more.... if that doesn't leave you dying to read it as well, I don't know what will.

Peace up, A town down.

New!

2009-09-20T17:35:00.003-06:00

So I know that I promised all of these "pics to come" & I am still not delivering. But I was getting really annoyed at myself that the picture of my face was just sitting there at the top of my blog forever. Now this will be at the top & I will sleep semi better at night. Things are good with us, still NO BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS, so without saying it, just thought I'd put it out there. Hopefully sooner than later. Thanks for all of your well wishes & prayers that you send our way, they are all felt & appreciated. So in the words of the great TuPac Shakur, in the loving song to his mother "Dear Mamma".... "You are appreciated. Don't cha know we love ya...."

Yeah that's right I am putting up another picture of JUST ME & ONLY ME...

2009-07-21T23:12:00.002-06:00

Well, Well, Well lookie who's updating, & since I haven't updated in ages, probably no one cares to check my sweet blog out anymore anyways. But to the uno or dos or possibly even tres (if I'm lucky:) people that are out there....Hola! Sad fact: I still do not have the world wide web, but I am up at Snowbird & have a chance to update, so here it is. To explain the pic... Peter took some more pictures of mua & here one is, we went out to the salt flats cause he wanted to try out some cool things out with the lighting & voila goal accomplished. He's a great photog as I have mentioned before, it was fun, my friend Heidi came with me & she too is an awesome photog. See Loosli Taken & Heidi Walker Photography on my side bar & check em out. Life has been swell since my last post. It has been filled with trips to Powell (pics to come), a weekend in Park City for the 4th (sweet fireworks by-z-way), a mini vacay to our very own Salt Lake City (sometimes you just need to stay in a hotel), & many trips to Lagoon (it IS what fun is, so we got season passes this summer). My Dance classes are on "Summer Break" & so the baby making bidniss is in full swing, but still to no avail. My hopes are still high & fingers crossed (not my legs though....sorry) & it looks like invitro here we come. I'm a bweirdo. Yes I meant to put a b in front of weirdo, it makes it more bweird! And it hornts my dreams. Most of the population won't follow any of that, I guess you have to live in Laura Land to fully comprehend. Mooooving along... Mike got a sweet b-ball court all set up in our backyard. His life long dream fulfilled, but that's just what I do, I make dreams come true. Pictures to come. Anyways, it's late & I have way to much sugar in my system. What? I have to have candy whilst playing game after game with my familia. Well back to the games, carry on.....

Bye Bye Bye

2009-04-10T15:08:00.002-06:00

Alrighty then! We cancelled our internet & so it's gonna be harder for me to keep up this blogging biznis, but I will try to come on & update every now & again. The End.

Ice Ice Baby

2009-03-30T15:19:00.004-06:00

On March 13th Cam & I went on a Momma-Son date to Disney On Ice, I can' t even start to explain just how much fun we had together. Seeing Cam get to see Tinker Bell in real life was the cutest thing eva... 4eva eva, eva eva? And when she started to "fly" around, he about fell out of his seat, he said to me "Mom, MOM! I want some of her pixie dust to fly with her!" In "real life" he also got to see characters from The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Lilo and Stitch, the rest of cast of Peter Pan & of course Micki, Minnie, Goofy, Donald & Daisy. There were so many little girls there dressed up in their princess costumes & Cam kept eyeing them down & then whispering to himself "Soooo Sparkily". But hey, he got to get a Crown with Micki ears on it & has been wearing it all over the place ever since....

What a cutie pie! And props must also go out to Mike, who that night after we got back from Disney on Ice surprised me & took me overnight downtown to the Hilton for my birthday (which was the following day, the 14th)! Thank you also to Jesse & Krista for watching the kiddos while we went & partied like it was my birfday....go, go, go Shorty, it's your Birfday, We're gonna party like like it's your birfday....

Dancin' Pants

2009-03-12T12:46:00.004-06:00

My Dancing Pants are back into heavy rotation! Wehoo! I started teaching dance again 2 weeks ago, & man how I had missed it! I LOVE all of my students, both new ones & ones that I taught last time. They are all so fun & just add to my love of DANCE! Here's a couple of pictures of the new studio Mike built for me (well isn't he Mr. Handy?)....

French Doors Tickle my Fancy....

For the love of POP ROX, look at those beautiful mirrors...

"and when you get the choice to sit it out or Dance... I HOPE YOU DANCE"

What can I say? That saying and that song just speak to my "soul" ;)

Many a sweat beads will transpire in this studio, much laughter will be had in this studio, many a friendships will be made in this studio, and my lifelong dream will continue to be a reality in THIS STUDIO! Now LET'S GET TO IT....and 5 6 7 8........

Birthdays, Valentines, Cavaliers...Oh My!

2009-02-23T09:43:00.006-07:00

Here's the hizzity happity happenings of the past few weeks...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JADEN!!!

How do I have a 7 year old? I mean I must have been 10 when I had him! The Friday before his actual b-day he had a cousin's only Slumber party. For the first few hours we had almost all of the cousins, it did get a wee bit crazy laddy, but then just the "older" cousins slept over. The night was full of Pizza, cake, presents, games & more sugar. The funnest part was to see Jaden enjoying every bit of it. I am so proud of Jaden & what a good bud he is! Birthday wishes must also be extended to my Madre who Jaden shares his birth date with. Yes, my Mom did get to spend her birthday 7 years ago in a delivery room with me, watching me try to PUSH HIM OUT, PUSH HIM OUT, WAAAAY OUT! for three hours, to then just have me be wheeled out for an emergency C-Section? WHAT! He ended up being a big butterball weighing in @ 10 lb 2 oz! Who would have guessed it? Oh me, that's right, just don't try to tell my doctor, who decided to let me go over my due date by a week! He'd already obviously cooked enough in my oven, Dr. Hutchinson. But, oh la, it's 7 years later & I have a dashing young fella to show for it. If I still sound bitter towards my awful first OBGYN, well, I'm not going to answer that now, but I will warn anyone & everyone to NEVER give him business! I'm done, & sorry that I veered off course, Jaden I love you more than anything & I would go through that a zillion more times just to have you in my life!

Next, it was Valentines time! This year we made boxes as a family & put Valentines in them for each other leading up to the big day. The kids loved it! Mike & I got to go on a fun day date the day of & we went to Red Robin & then the movie "Taken", it was good. I'd give it 3 and a quarter stars out of 5.

Next up, my parents took us to see King James at the Cav's-Jazz game! It was really fun seeing him dunk that biznis in person. Mike got the sweetest picture of him throwing the chalk in the air. We could frame it & sell it on e-bay for millions....

Thanks to all of my well wishers out there while I went under the knife this past week. In case some of you didn't know I went in and got my boobs reduced & butt implants, all is looking well so far.... Oh wait, that's not what I had done, I just went in & had my Endomytriosis (sp?) removed, but that doesn't sound as exciting. I'm doing good, now let's put out "Baby Vibes" into the Universe for Sister Laura shall we?

Hey, It's Okay....

2009-02-06T14:41:00.005-07:00

So, I was reading my "Glamour" magazine the other day & they have this page in the back every month titled "Hey, It's Okay..." & then they go on to list 8-10 things that some people may not view as okay, but they are Proclaiming to the world that, Hey, it really IS Okay! So I am going to do my own version of it. So off we go!

Hey It's Okay.....

*to think that the definition of "Eating Healthier" is only eating 2 handfuls of Peanut M & M's a day instead of a whole bag!

*to know that the "media" would print "Laura's A Whale" on the cover of US Weekly if I truly was the rock star that I imagine myself to be. But not give a crap , because the media's version of "SKINNY" is sooo out of whack it's not even funny! LEAVE JESSICA SIMPSON ALONE!

Okay, now I'm off to eat my daily meal of M & M's....

*to only have read the "Twilight" series once & still consider yourself as big of a fan as all of those that have read it 5 times or more. (What? I've wanted to move along and read other literature, also A-OKAY!:)

*to get excited every single night when the little kiddies go to sleep, you still obviously love them ta death, you just need a break!

*to change up your hair color every 6 weeks, WHY NOT.....IT'S FUN! And bonus: My hubby gets to be married to a Brunette one month & then a Red Head another, but for the most part a blond! Fun Times!

*to secretly wish that you and Jennifer Aniston were besties, well not really "secretively" because every one knows this desire of mine.

*to REALLY be PERFECTLY BLISSFUL with the "Besties" that you already have, they really are the best friends in the world! Love you all!

* to watch "The Real World, Brooklyn", "True Beauty", "The Bachelor" & "The Real Housewives of Orange County" every week, without fail!

*to sometimes wish that you looked like Nicole from "The Pussycat Dolls" Trust me, I'm as straight as an arrow, but dang, that girl is Fine! Isn't it funny how, if you are weird like me & wish sometimes that you looked like someone else, that they are usually completely opposite of what you look like. So, let's take Nicole for instance... She has looooong almost black hair, I have a "Pixie" cut & it's blond & brown, for the moment. She is ethnic & has olive brown skin, I have to self tan my way to not looking ill. She has firm abs & I flaunt a muffin top wherever I go. Ya get the idea. And while I'm at it, I want to set the record straight, I'm not making jabs at my current weight, so that all of you will jump right onto the "Make A Comment" section of my blog, & say "Oh, Laura, you are such a silly thing, you look great!" Fake smile dripping from your comment. I am grateful for the body that I have, but also am looking forward to loosing the muffin top through Dance!

* to shake your money maker & sing opera really poorly at the top of your lungs out, all while washing, rinsing, & repeating in the shower!

Late Update

2009-01-12T18:50:00.007-07:00

Sorry for the really LATE Christmas update, but I've been lazy. We had a really nice Christmas, the boys were happy with all of their presents & I think Mike was a little too happy with one of his presents. Santa got him an official NBA basketball & I think that I may have a little competition, he loves the thing so darn much. I'm not exaggerating, this may be a little TMI, but on our Anniversary which was on the 28th of December, I'm all in the bathroom trying to get all "cute" for my huzzy that night & I peek out & he IS waiting on the bed, but to my amusment, he's holding his new basketball, just admiring away & pretending to throw it up in the air like he's shooting the game winning 3 pointer in the NBA Finals. Luckily, when I stepped out, the ball fell to the floor, Phew, I was worried momentarily. Like I said, TMI, but this is MY BLOG, and I did forewarn you all. Happy 8th Anniversary to us! And a late Happy Holidays to all of you. I am not good at all at doing the whole "Holiday Card" thing, again, I'm lazy. So this will have to do...

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOURS! :)

Now, on my side of the familia we draw names for Christmas & Mataydo happened to get Mike this year & he got him a paintball gun (I believe that it actually tied with the b-ball for Mike's favorite gift this year)! Well as soon as the present opening was finished the boys headed outside & made up a little game. Pretty basic, run across the back yard as fast as possible while somebody tries to shoot you. Spencer had the best shot of the day, managing to hit Matt ALL 4 TIMES on his turn. Mike had the next best getting Spencer twice, I believe. And I'm not saying anything about Matt's shot, but let's just say Mike didn't get a hint of Paint on him. As you will see, I posted some of the war wounds. OUCH! But they love it, it's like "I am Man, I like Gun & Welt!" Hey whatever floats ya boat, I always say....

Mike running for dear life.....

The proof is in the pudding, whatever the hay that means....
Spencer's been shot in the arm....

Man down, MAN DOWN Matayo is still the mayo on my sandwhich though!

I don't know how I got all of this space at the end of my post, nor do I know how to get rid of it, so I might as well take advantage of it!

Joey: It's a Moo Point.

Monica: A "Moo" Point?!?

Joey: Yeah, It's like a cows opinion, it dosen't really matter, It's MOO!

Rachel: Have I been living with Joey too long or did that just make sense?

CHEERS and um...... DEERS?!?

2008-12-15T14:06:00.003-07:00

This last Thursday we went to the Jazz game & watched them beat the Trailblazers! Go Jazz! And thanks Dad for the ticks! We had a blast! Krista, Jesse & sweet lil' baby Janie came with us ( I can't believe I didn't get a picture of all of us! My bad.)! But onto the big blue elephant in the room... What's with the deer you ask? Have I taken up hunting? No. Did I take a beautiful stroll up the mountaintops & watch Deers in their natural habitat? No. Did I look out my back window & see SIX BUCKS 20 FEET AWAY FROM MY BACK DOOR? DING, DING, DING... WE HAVE A WINNER! They were even closer than they appear in this picture, but by the time I got my camera, wouldn't ya know it, they had wandered on a bit! What in the world? But it was really fun to watch them, they were really pretty. I was just happy it wasn't a pack of wolverines or mountain lions.... You DO realize that when they were building our house is when they really DID catch a mountain lion out this way. Craziness! I didn't know we'd be living at a zoo, minus the security of, oh what are those things called again... CAGES!!!

Little Miss Obsessive

2008-12-08T09:50:00.004-07:00

Okay, so maybe I shouldn't be admitting this, but when I decide I like something, I really like it! Like I get obsessed, as told to me by a doctor "You, definitely have O.C.D. Laura"! Thanks, I kind of already figured that, but here's your $100.00, don't call me, I'll call you! So I like my throw pillows to be EXACTLY how I like them, can't stand it if my Coffee Table books are even the slightest bit crooked, and I simply CANNOT fall asleep at night if the house hasn't been cleaned from the day's activities. I actually don't look at my O.C.D. as a bad thing.... it keeps my house clean & I feel like it makes me a wee bit more passionate about certain things. As previously mentioned, when I like something, I LOVE something (am I starting to sound psycho?, I don't mean to if I am, so recognize & let's all move on :)! Here are some of my latest obsessions....

* The band Safetysuit. If you haven't heard of them,

check 'em out! (Some of their stuff is on my play list below.)

*The Whiskey BBQ Wrap @ Red Robin- I highly recommend it!

*Bath & Body Works "Aloe Socks", Soooo soft & warm, put body butter

on your feet before you slip into these & your feet will be baby soft in no time!

*A Grande Strawberries & Cream Frapachino minus the whipped cream @ Starbucks! (Don't you worry family, there's no coffee in it, just a yummy smoothie of sorts.)

*Playing a CD called "Sleep Deeply" as I'm going to sleep, I bought into the idea that it scientifically is supposed to help you sleep deeply, as the title implies. Don't know

if it really does, but I like it!

*Britney Spears new song "Circus" I am not ashamed in the least!

*The Hills, this has been an ongoing obsession since the get go of Laguna Beach & then be still my heart they made a spin off with Lauren Conrad!

*The new music video by The All American Rejects "Gives you Hell"

* The Nordstrom Cafe (located upstairs), they have the BEST soups, sandwiches, & salads!

*The game Catch Phrase, we've been playing this game a lot at my parents house lately & have had some pretty funny moments because of it!

*Okay, another Bath & Body Works shout out, but their new "SHEA CASHMERE" body line, smells sooooo yummy!

*Arrested Development, I always try to decide which is my favorite character, but I can't! They are ALL so funny & play their parts so well. Oh, & I heard that they are making an Arrested Development Movie & I couldn't be more excited!

So, I will stop there, because as any fellow Obsession filled person knows, we can just keep going on & on & on & on, Oh & did I say On & on & on & on & on & on & on & on & on....................................

Ya Gotta See This....

2008-12-02T16:48:00.002-07:00

Okay, so I know that I sound like a 15 year old girl, but Man, oh Man.... CHECK HIM OUT! I saw this picture on my friends blog & about had to put my eyes back into their sockets! Yummy, Yummy, Yumalishious, Yumaluma-ding-dong! I'm going to the movie again on Friday with my sis Jess & I can't wait! Okay, now I will Snap back into my 27 year old married self. There, that's better! :)

Happy Turkey Lurkey Day!

2008-11-28T11:40:00.002-07:00

What a fabulous Thanksgiving! The day started out with our tradition of bowling with our cousins, The Scott's, & an honorary guest, my Grandma Webb! It was so much fun & it is always great to get caught up with the cousins. My Dad took the high score of the day with 162! Go Dad! Oh & check out Mike's fine form in the second picture, He looks like a pro (his words not mine)! Next, it was off to my parents house for the shoving of food into the mouth activity...Very Yummy! Thanks Madre! And we finished off with a night full of games, I'd have to say "American Idol" was the hit of the night, nothing like singing horribly together to really unite a family, Eh? :) Mike & I couldn't stop talking about how much fun we had had the whole ride home, I think that the word "Fun" was used 14 times.... at least my friends. But in all seriousness, I am very greatfull for ALL of my family & friends, I am truly blessed!

I'm BAAAAAAACK!

2008-11-25T18:06:00.002-07:00

So we finally have internet again! Weeeehoooo! Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy! Anywhoo, let's all take a minute to gaze over my fine huzzy Mike.... I LOVE this picture of him! And if any of you were here on my blog with me from the get go, you'll remember that this picture used to be up on the sidebar of my blog. Sadly, a while ago I took it down, but now... It has returned! Sweet! Not only did Mike & some buddies from work dress up like this last Jazz season, but they actually WENT to the games like so. Very Chic! :) I am posting this picture again, well as you can tell, cause it's flippin' awesome & 2nd, in honor of Mike's 30th birthday! Happy Birthday on November 10th! Yes, obviously this is late, we did not have the world wide web....Remember? It was a great low key birthday this year, which the "low key" part was hard for me, have you also forgotten how much I ADORE birthdays? But that's what Mr. Mike wanted, & "What my baby wants, my baby gets"! (What movie is that from?)*

Now, onto the very important topic of...dandannanaaa.... Twilight, The Movie! LOOOOOVED it! Loved the cast, Loved the music, LOVED IT! Loved the people that I went with (you all know who you are)! What a fun & crazy night. Fun part: All of it! Crazy part: Going to the bathroom in the Men's room cause the Women's line was basically a mile long. Coming out of the stall, having two "Men" walk in & decide to just urinate then & there at the urinal right in front of my virgin eyes! I guess I was on their territory though, & surely enough, they marked it! Krista was in with me for the blessed event & we couldn't stop laughing! Crazy, Fun Night!

*P.S. It was from "The Break-Up"

PEACE OUT!!!

2008-11-02T17:37:00.002-07:00

Shame on me, I've been a BAD blogger! But we are finally all moved into our new casa de blanca!! And sad news (well for me anywhoo) we don't have Internet in our new place. So it looks like it might be "Peace Out" for a bit on the blogging. I'll try to come on & do some posts here & there over here at my Mom's house (where I am currently posting this)!And I will try to get some pic's up of the house ASAP. And to answer Robyn's question from the previous post... Yes my sister did get her wheelchair stolen, but they found it a week later! Crazy business, but everything is all good now. Love you all. Hugs & Kisses & I hope to get caught up with everyone soon!

I Done Did It RED!!! (Said in a "Hick" Accent)

2008-10-06T15:13:00.003-06:00

I went & got my hair done by my friend/hair guru Betsy today & I went all RED- an actual FIRST for me! I've had so many different things done to my hair- but not ALL red before & I am not tootin' my own horn or anything, but I am really feelin' it! TOOT, TOOT! I was a wee bit nervous cause I went in with a TON of really bright blond in my hair, & I wasn't sure we were going to be able to get it to go like the pic I had brought in. But viola- An exact match to the picture! What kind of magic dust does Betsy have up her sleeves anyways?

Next a house picture update! It was locked when we had gone over the last time & so this is the only picture we got was from the outside. But hey, didn't you all want to see my driveway & light pendants?

BUFFALO CHICKEN

2008-10-03T15:02:00.007-06:00

I am a firm believer in Thumper (you know, from Bambi) & his saying "If you can't say nothin' nice, than don't say anythin' at all!" And for any of you who may have noticed, I haven't been blogging for a little bit (well for me, anyway). Not that I was going to come on here & say anything mean or anything- that's not my style, ahem. But I just feel as if I've been in a bit of a funk as of late. Maybe it's all of those moving boxes that have been hornting my dreams lately, that I know are going to need to be filled (well with the stuff that is here at Krista & Jesse's anyways) & also unpacked (on top of the just mentioned, also ALL of the boxes that are currently being stored at my Ma & Pa's house & Mike's Ma & Pa's house). The paper work that needs to get taken care of (why, oh, why does this part especially stress me out so?). And to top it of, all I wanted last weekend was to get my Classic Steak Fajita, extra cheese please, take-out from Chilli's & snuggle in for a good movie. The Steak, by the way, is my favorite part of the meal, I always save a few slices to just eat plain at the end. But it was too much to ask for them to get my order right, much to my dismay, when I opened up my Styrofoam box in anticipation, I see this weird buffalo chicken crap- Gag me with a Spoon! Mike, being the sweetie that he is, & knowing that I am stressed lately, says "Do you want me to drive back & get the Steak for you?" Even though behind those sweet puppy dog eyes I know he's really thinking: Please say No Laura, It'll cost me $4.00 in gas to drive all the way there & back to correct Chilli's mistake! So I smile & say No, this'll be fine (trying to visualize starving children in Africa that would be moved to tears to be blessed to eat this BUFFALO CHICKEN). So with a new found appreciation for my "messed up" order (at least I have a plethora of food at any given moment in front of me to eat) & of course I am still beyond thrilled about our new home (I just get stressed by all of the logistics of it all- you know the actual MOVING part). I also have been realizing more & more about how much I am going to miss living in the Ward that I am in & especially living with Krista, Jesse, Sammy, Kyra & baby Janie. At least I am not moving far. Well, now that I've gotten all of that off of my chest, take it for what it's worth. I really am not trying to be a Debbie Downer, again- Not my style, but the light is shining brightly at the end of my tunnel & I can see in the near future Mike & I snuggled up on our couch in our new house, with Chilli's take out in hand (my order filled correctly, of course), ALL the moving boxes unpacked, watching a great movie!

I am FREAKING OUT!!!

2008-09-23T17:49:00.004-06:00

Okay, so I really was FREAKING OUT!!! Last night my cousin Sara had asked if I would meet her at The Gateway to help her choose some cute clothes out for a cruise that her & her huzzy are going on. Well I got there a tad bit early & was starving so I thought I would go grab some Orange Chicken from the good ol' Panda Express. Well, I'm sitting down minding my own biznis' & all of the sudden half of the cast from "SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE" walks in. By the time that I finished eating my food & got up the nerve to go approach them & ask if I could get my picture taken with them, only Joshua (be still my heart, the WINNER), Twitch & Will were the only ones that had stuck around to eat their food. But originally Comfort, Chelsea & Mark were there as well. It was so insane, at one point while they were waiting for their food Comfort & Twitch started flippin' poppin'- I about D.I.E.D! I of course right of the bat called Krista on my cell & told her what was taking place right in front of me & said that I wished that she was there with me (she is my So You Think You Can Dance buddy)! Sooo, back to me approaching them, I was such a star struck maniac, I was all "I would kick myself in the butt if I didn't come up & ask to get my picture taken with you, Oh my goodness! I love you guys, You are sooooo awesome, I watched faithfully every week & voted for all ya'll!" I am not even close to kidding. They were super nice to me though & acted happy to pose for the picture. It turns out that they are in town for tour & are actually performing tonight. Later while I was walking around with Sara I saw another cast member, can't remember his name as of now, but he reminds me of my bro-in-law David. What a fabulous night! Such an adrenaline rush for me- FREAKING OUT STILL!

Getting Close!!!

2008-09-22T11:45:00.002-06:00

Oh yeah, we've got Stucco, we've got rock, we've got tile & we've got cabinets!!! Sweet! It's so fun to go see the progress on our house & since we live so close to it we are over there nearly every day! Which is actually a good thing, cause that way we have caught a few "mistakes". What, A builder makes mistakes? Ya don't say! But no, they are really doing a great job & I am very impressed with the speed at which they are completing our house. Muy bueno muchacho's! Jaden & Camren love going to the house & finding spiders in the insulation downstairs. Jaden even "caught" one yesterday (um, it was dead) & brought it up to me & said "Now I have a pet! Now all I need is a case to put it in!" Needless to say, it did not come in the car with us, I said, Okay go put it in the room that's going to be yours! Seemed to satisfy him. Well, we are looking at just 3-4 weeks until we get to move in. The countdown is on!

Harajuku Girl...

2008-09-20T17:42:00.002-06:00

So the story on this is.... I worked at MAC today & usually we have to wear ALL black, but not today my friend! Ohhh, no, they told us to dress like "Harajuku Girls"! Translation: layer lot's of stuff that doesn't really go together & makes you feel like you're stuck in the 80's. It was a lot of fun though, I got some awesome stare downs in the mall's parking lot walking to & from my car. But I just strutted my stuff & smiled! :)

Tagged...

2008-09-18T08:45:00.012-06:00

Here's a fun tag, go to Google images and type in your own answers for the topics below. Pick your favorite image on one of the first 3 pages of results. I tag Stacy, Tami, Kim & Kristy.

FIRST NAME

MIDDLE NAME (PRETEND ALONG WITH ME)

LAST NAME

MY AGE

MY NICKNAME (LAURABELLY)

MY FAVE COLOR

MY FAVORITE KIND OF FOOD (ITALIAN)

PLACE I WANT TO VISIT (JAMAICA)

MY ALL TIME FAVE TREAT

MY LINE OF WORK (MAC MAKE UP ARTIST, DANCE INSTRUCTOR, & MOST IMPORTANT, MOTHER)

I just really liked this...

2008-09-15T21:52:00.001-06:00

AMEN!!! I loved this & needed to update, so here ya go one and all. Here you go!

Our CREW

2008-09-08T21:17:00.001-06:00

"I'd rather be absolutely RIDICULOUS, than absolutely boring!"

2008-09-08T08:48:00.002-06:00

* Top Picture: Mike was going to have Krista cut his hair & so he thought, "Hey I'll help her out, I'll cut me some BANGS first!" Luckily this is the before Krista fixed his "bangs" picture. It wasn't all business in the front, party in the back for long. Thank Heavens & Krista!

*2nd Picture: Every year that we go down to Lake Powell, we take our "baths" in the lake. Well, ever since I've had my hair short, when I put shampoo in it I can sculpt the gnarliest Mohawk & so I do! It's only a Lake Powell thing though, when we arrive home from L.P. the Mohawk is retired, sadly.

*3rd Picture: I know that I had a picture very similar up of this on the side of our blog for a long time, but when I took it down I knew I HAD to feature it in an up coming post, so here it is. In all of it's glory! Camren in his princess get up on Christmas morning throwing a tissy fit at Mike- Priceless!

*Final Picture: This last winter when we lived at Vickie & Larry's, Jaden had gotten into some of their "dress up's" & came into my room & tried to scare me, I thought that it was so funny that I burst out laughing, Jaden was a little bit upset at first that I hadn't squealed in horror, but then he started laughing along with me. What a cute piggie/KISS band member!

A "FEW" things that make me, well...ME! :)

2008-09-05T14:04:00.006-06:00

I've seen a few other people do this post & I liked it (I guess I like to learn quirky facts about others that I otherwise might not know)! It is a wee bit self indulgent I admit, but here are 100 different thing that make me who I am. Oh, & before I begin, you may want to grab a refreshing beverage cause this could take a while, & also I found a quote last night that I though that would go along nicely with this post....

"In a world where you can be Anything....BE YOURSELF!"

1. Whenever any clock says 11:11 or 3:14 (my b-day) I have to close my eyes & make a quick wish.

2. When I was in middle school I wanted a middle name so badly that I made one up for myself & so I would sign everything

"Laura Ashley Jackman"

3. When I was little I would go around our house & pretend that

I was "giving away" our furniture on The Price is Right, I would say things to imaginary people like "You could be the winner of this BEAUTIFUL Grandfather Clock!" & in that moment I was one of Barker's Beauties!

4.When I was in 8th grade I was over at my friends house & there was a cat outside with us that wouldn't leave my side & he ended up following me home & my parents still have him to this day, his name is Simon.

5. On my first date with Mike we stopped at a Albertsons in Park City to grab some treats & Mike grabbed the UGLIEST hat & said to me in the goofiest voice, "If I wear this, will you kiss me?" & from that moment on he hasn't stopped making me laugh.

6. I am the BIGGEST night owl, I would have no problem if "normal" hours were 12pm-3am

7. I have always, my whole life, said that I wanted to own my own dance studio when I grew up & so when I first started teaching dance at the studio that Mike built for me, it was like a major life

goal/dream being realized.

8. I like going out & partying as much as the next person, but my favorite thing really is staying home in my sweats with my huzzy, getting take out & watching movies.

9. I am beyond obsessed with music, I feel like it is one of the most powerful things, the way it can affect my mood is amazing.

10. I also am kind of a music slut, I like so many different types of music, as long as the song has some sort of feeling/emotion behind it, I like it. Whether that be music that makes me hyper or depressed.

11. When I was young I vowed that I would own a Tiger when I grew up no matter what it took! Now that I have kids & have seen one too many Discovery "When Animals Attack" shows, my view & passion on that subject has shifted a bit, but they are still by far my favorite animal!

12. If I could live anywhere other than Utah, I would choose Maine. I traveled there with my family when I was younger & for some reason fell in love with it!

13. When I was little I had New Kids on the Block sheets & on the pillow, I had to have Jordan's face facing up, so that he could "breathe"! For the record, No I will not be buying their new CD.

14. I have always wanted children, I wanted them so badly that Mike & I got pregnant just 4 months after getting married.

15. I think that 50% of my food intake entails Peanut M n' M's & Reeces Peanut Butter Cups. Rarely could you look in my cupboards & not find these two essentials.

16. I don't hardly ever cook (sorry Mike), but I think that it sounds

really fun!

17. I was so scared when I found out that I was pregnant with my second (because my first broke me in really well) & now that I WANT to be preggers again it hasn't happened for 2 1/2 years & counting....

18. I have always had a passion for reading & funny enough, I think that it started out with "The Babysitter Club" books, I was obsessed.

19. In my youth I think that I tried to start every single kind of "club" that you could imagine. The "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Club" was my favorite & whats funny is that we had a boy in the club!

20. Some of my dream jobs (other than the Dance Teacher bit of course) are Interior Decorator, Fashion Stylist, Magazine Editor, Make-up artist to the stars- especially Jennifer Aniston, music video choreographer, American Idol judge, Um can you imagine me being the female Simon "Was that singing? It sounded like a cat being ran over to me!"

21. I am a Product Junkie, if there is a new mascara/lotion/lip gloss out on the market, I want it.

22. I love being a Freelance Make-up artist for MAC, I take great pride in making people feel good about themselves. And it's just plain fun to go play in ALL OF THAT MAKE-UP!

23. I sometimes worry that since I am soo into make-up & "girlie" stuff, that some people might think that that's all there is to me.

24. Making custom CD's for other people is one of my favorite things to do, not only do I get to listen to great music (in my opinion) in the process, but then I get to share my love for music with others.

25. I bawled my eyes out in the movie "The Notebook", literally had snot coming out the nose, bawling.

26. I have weird irrational fears, like sometimes when I am about to start my car I'll think "What if theres a car bomb on the car?"

27. I've always wished that one day Mike would wake me up in the morning like Richard Gere wakes Julia Roberts up in "Pretty Woman", waving a credit card in front of my face saying "Let's go SHOPPING!"

28. My go to color to wear is Black, it's just so easy & helps with some of that "extra" weight.

29. My favorite color to actually wear though is a deep periwinkle.

30. My favorite flowers on earth are Calla Lillie & Gerber Daisies.

31. I secretly wish that I could plan my whole wedding over again, there are definitely some things that I would shake up a bit!

32. My brother Matt lent me Arrested Development & I am so glad he did, they are hilarious! Love that show!

33. I was soooo sad when Friends came to an end, that's my fave

show of all time!

34. I love going to concerts, there is just something about seeing the artist's you love & admire perform live, my favorite so far has to be U2!

35. If I could cast Edward in the Twilight movie, it would be Jake Ryan, you know from 16 Candles & Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken.

36. I've always wished that I could sing really good, & that I would get up in Sacrament Meeting & blow every ones socks off!

37. When I was little I had a "pretend" baby & I named her "Bubbles", and when I say pretend I don't mean a doll, I mean an invisible baby.

38. I am in love with the Victoria's Secret line "PINK"

39. I know that this sounds a little odd, but a while back I wished that I had a gay best friend like Grace does on Will & Grace.

40. I would MUCH MUCH MUCH rather have someone think that I was nice, sincere, funny or creative than think that I was pretty, it's a much better compliment I think.

41. I could spend hours & hours in Barnes & Noble sipping on specialty drinks & looking through random books.

42. I can never go to Target & only come out with what I went there for.

43. I'm not afraid of spiders or mice, but snakes creep me out.

44. I am obsessed with the sense of smell, everything in my life needs to smell good- EVERYTHING!

45. I sometimes wish that I could still live with my siblings & parents they are some of my favorite people to be around, & sometimes it feels like I don't get to spend near enough time with them.

46. I love turning music on in my living room & making up an improve dance right there on the spot. Pretending all the while that I have a huge audience watching & applauding me, of course.

47. Sometimes when I sing along to POP music in my car I pretend I'm in a music video & it makes getting from A to B a lot funner!

48. One of my favorite kisses with Mike was when we were in Lagoon's parking lot & it was just pouring buckets of rain on us & we were drenched- Too Much Info? Anyone? But I swear it could've been

in a movie!

49. I used to say ALL the time "Okay Dokey Hokey Pokey Rokey Smokey" & it drove everyone around me nuts, luckily for all around me I've kind of kicked that habit.

50. I love watching old movies, anything with Doris Day or Audrey Hepburn, I think it's cause me & my sister would always watch these with my Mom growing up.

Okay, so this is taking waaaay longer than I thought, so I am going to end for now & maybe there will be a part 2 of this post on a latter date! Hope you enjoyed reading up on a bunch of facts-o-Laura Ashley Jackman Johnston!

Is it possible?

2008-09-04T14:01:00.002-06:00

How did this happen? How is it that my youngest is a PRE SCHOOLER!?! That's insaness, but he loves it! Do take notice that everyone else brought a backpack to school & my Cam brought his pink Cinderella purse. I just figure, let him do what he does & it'll all work out in the end. In the meantime though, it is quite humorous to watch! I was happy that "Ms. Amy" had room in her class this year. She grew up in the same neighborhood as I did & it's always comforting to have someone you know as your child's pre school teacher. It's fun because Sammy is in the class too & so Cam already has a buddy. His first day went really well & we'll see what I can do next week about the "purse issue". :)

They say it's your birthday....

2008-08-31T17:57:00.003-06:00

Happy Birthday Camren!!! Cam turned 4 years old yesterday! I can't believe how the time flies by! The day started out by us all going out to his cousin Paul's baptism. I love that my boys have these older cousins that are such good examples to them. I know that Jaden in particular looks up to Paul & so for both him & Cam to be there to see him be baptized was awesome! From there we went to Toys R' Us & let Camren pick out any toy in the store for his birthday (well within' reason, & by reason I mean budget, you'll know why I say this in un momento). He kept picking out things & so we'd put it in the cart & then he'd find something else & if in his mind it triumphant ed over the other toy already in the cart, we'd swap out. Well do you think in any of the swaps that there was ever a boy toy even in question? No, there was not, not even a gender neutral toy. Just Fairy Wings, Crowns, Tea Sets etc... You get the point. He finally decided on a Disney Princess Guitar that plays "Be our Guest" from Beauty & the Beast. It was a good purchase though, it has already gotten a lot of use out of it already, namely from Cam & Kyra dancing around like ballerina's to the music- they love it!!! Then from the good old T.R.U. we headed on up to Chuck-E-Cheeses, you know, where a kid can be a kid! Anytime we asked Camren what he wanted to do for his b-day, he'd always say that Chuck-E-Cheese would be the place that he would be celebrating & no where else. He had a BLAST! Between pizza, rides, games, cake & actually getting to meet "the cheese" himself, he was in 4 year old heaven!Oh & after all of those games that give you tickets, he takes up his little receipt that says he has 60 points on it & looks up at the girl & says "I want those pretty sparkly earrings" Mind you, they were worth 80 points & he was 20 points short, but she must have thought that it was so cute that this little boy wanted "sparkly earrings", that she says "What color would you like?" In Cam's most excited voice he squeals "PINK!" So, in the bottom picture you can see him wearing his prize, what a perfect way for him to end off his day!

Picture Posing.....

2008-08-29T13:14:00.004-06:00

Peter Loosli took our family pictures over at Gardner Village this last Monday. Everything went mildly smooth, other than Jaden getting stung by a wasp & Camren almost getting bit by a duck- all was well! I do have to tell ya though, if that duck had gotten Cam, he totally provoked it. Cam for some reason has no fear of animals! And the boys mostly went along with everything, I'm not even going to mention how Mike & I kept bribing the boys, "Hey boys we'll buy you ice-cream cones, pop, candy anything you choose if you smile good", oh wait, have I said to much? Whoops-a-daisy! I am excited to get the pictures & put them up in my new house whence it's done! Fun Times! Thanks again Peter Peter Pumpkin Picture Taker- okay I'll finish now, I've just crossed over to the "Corney" side. Not unusual for me though, I have to say!

My KNIGHT in Shining Armour

2008-08-25T23:24:00.002-06:00

A few days ago Jaden & Cam had saved up enough money to go to the store & each buy a toy. Jaden, of course, bought a new Transformer to add to his "collection", he now has 14 total & keeps them all perfectly lined up on his window seal. Which I actually find cute, cause that is what Mike would've totally done when he was a wee one. I guess he used to shine up all of his toys/basketball shoes/basketball cards real nice back in the day & just sit & stare at them. Unlike me, I wore my stuff out, if I hadn't already broken said toy 6 minuto's after buying such purchases. But that's not the point, sorry I always sort of veer off track a bit don't I? Well to my surprise, and to Mike's great pleasure, Camren didn't choose anything princessy, no bippity-boppity-boo's to speak of! He chose a Knight costume! Wehoo! Maybe this is a sign that he really just has a "crush" on Cinderella & wants to be her Knight in Shining Armour & sweep her of her sparkly high heeled glass shoe wearing feet & marry her one day! Let's keep our fingers crossed! ;)

More Alaska Pictures, Cause I know you were all DYING to see More!

2008-08-21T21:33:00.004-06:00

My brother Matt, or Mataydo as I like to refer to him, put these pictures up on his facebook. So, of course I had to snatch them up & share them on my blog! They really showcase every ones personality beautifully, wouldn't you say?

Ya'll are getting a Two-fer Post

2008-08-20T11:46:00.004-06:00

Yes, I said it "Ya'll are getting a two-fer" & for any of you who don't know what a "two-fer" is, it's a two for the price of one type of a deal. Two subjects in ONE post! How lucky for ya'll, oh yeah & by the way I'm saying ya'll, cause well, I just think it sounds appropriate with the word two-fer! So onto the post, shall we? This last Saturday Mike had a carnival at his work & they had face painting. Jaden wanted an Optimus Prime on his arm & Camren wanted, what else? A butterfly, but of course. They loved it & Cam didn't understand why we had to clean off his "sparkily, beautiful butterfly" to go to church the next day.

Now, onto the.....HOUSE, it is already all framed! Talk about speedy! We are already having our 4 way inspection tomorrow so that they can start sheet rocking (um, is that really how it's spelled- doesn't seem right)! What do they have, majic elves up their sleeves working through the night? Insane, but very exciting!!!

Jaden's FIRST day of FIRST grade!

2008-08-18T16:41:00.002-06:00

Okay, so first of all Jaden said he was "too embarrassed" to pose for a picture for me at school, so I had to sneak this one & so this is the best I got! He was really excited & just "an insy binsy bit nervous". He loved that he had three recesses & that he got to eat lunch at school. And of course, my early riser slept in today & so I had to actually wake him up for a change & when I did he was all "Moooom, why does 1st grade start sooo early? This is crazy!" Which I found hilarious, because I was actually waking him up about an hour later then when he normally wakes up. Kids! :)