Christmas 2008!

Wow! This year was so much fun! Molly has been talking about it for weeks, and Santa did not disappoint! Christmas Eve we spent with Kris's family! Ate dinner, desert, the kids opened pj's form Nana & Pa, both so cute! We came home and read a simple Christmas story with Molly, Stella had fallen asleep, not for long! Then it was off to bed. Molly woke up the next morning not realizing that it was Christmas and came to lay in our bed with us for a bit. She helped feed Stella and then we took her out to see the loot Santa had left. We spent the morning opening gifts and letting the kids play with there new toys. My goal was not to rush them. So gift opening...Kris got me a Camera!!!!!!!!! I have been wanting one forever and this one it the boom! I'm so stoked! Ya, totally have the best husband ever, not just because he got me the camera, but that didn't hurt! We went to Papa and Vonda's for some food and visiting with family then stopped by Nana & Pa's. We opened gifts and then we were right back in the car and off to my parents so we could beat the snow storm and talk to Cyd (My sister who is on a mission). It was so fun to talk with her. Man I miss her and can't wait for her to get back in April, but I know she is wishing she could spend more time in the field! What an awesome Christmas! Merry Christmas!

High School Tag!

So my little sister Katheryn tagged me... Oh High School

1.Did you date someone from your school? Yes

2. What kind of car did you drive? I didn't have one

3. Did you pass your driver's license test on the first try? Yep, I don't know if I should have.

4. Were you a party animal? I don't know that I was a party animal, but I liked to be where the action was.

5. Were you considered a flirt? Yes

6. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir? Choir

7. Were you a nerd? No, I wish I was more of a nerd and I maybe could have done better with my grades.

8. Were you on any varsity teams? No

9. Did you get suspended/expelled? Yes

10. Can you still sing the fight song? Yes

11. Who were your favorite teachers? I don't know that I really had one in High School. I worked in the office a lot and was the assistant principals run around girl. I was there so much they never knew if I was supposed to be in class or aiding!

12. Where did you sit during lunch? When I was a freshman we would sit outside, sophomore and on we would leave and go somewhere.

13. What is your school's full name? Timpview High School

14. School mascot and colors? Thunderbirds. Colors Blue & Orange :)

15. Did you go to Homecoming and who with? Mike, and I know it's sad but I don't remember who I went with my Senior

16. Did you go to Prom and who with? I can see his face... Oh Steve

17. If you could go back and do it again, would you? Not a chance!!!!!

18. What do you remember most about graduation? That I was done and that was that!!!!! Yea!

19. Where did you go senior skip day? Was there a day that was free... I thought that was every day:)

20. Were you in any clubs? No not really.

21. Have you gained some weight since then? I actually was smaller than I was in school, till Stella, but we are working on it.

22. Are you planning on going to your 10 year reunion? Didn't go! I was way pregnant and feeling horrible.

23. Did you have a job while in high school? Yep! (County Seat)

My friend Brooke emailed this to me and it was kind of fun to take. You should totally take it. Check out where you score. I was a 50! Just kind of fun! Thanks Brooke! I totally want to hear your score!

Dr. Phil's Test: Here you go. Try this!

(Dr. Phil scored 55, he did this test on Oprah
and she got a 38.) Some folks pay a lot of
money to find this stuff out!

Read on, this is very interesting!
Don't be overly sensitive!

The following is pretty accurate and it
only takes a few minutes.

Don't peek, but begin the test as you
scroll down and answer.

Answers are for who you are now and not who
you were in the past. Have pen or pencil
and paper ready.

This is a real test given by the Human Relations Dept.
at many of the major corporations today . It helps them get better insight concerning their employees and in their prospective employees.

It's only 10 Simple questions, so grab a pencil and paper, keeping track of your letter answers to each question.

Make sure to change the subject of the email to read YOUR total.

Ready?


Begin.


1. When do you feel your best...

A) in the morning
B) during the afternoon and early evening
C) late at night


2. You usually walk...

A) fairly fast, with long steps
B) fairly fast, with little steps
C) less fast head up, looking the world in the face
D) less fast, head down
E) very slowly


3. When talking to people you...

A) stand with your arms folded
B) have your hands clasped
C) have one or both your hands on your hips
D) touch or push the person to whom you are talking
E) play with your ear, touch your chin, or smooth your hair


4. When relaxing, you sit with...

A) your knees bent with your legs neatly side by side
B) your legs crossed
C) your legs stretched out or straight
D) one leg curled under you


5. When something really amuses you, you react with...

A) big appreciated laugh
B) a laugh, but not a loud one
C) a quiet chuckle
D) a sheepish smile


6. When you go to a party or social gathering you...

A) make a loud entrance so everyone notices you
B) make a quiet entrance, looking around for someone you know
C) make the quietest entrance, trying to stay unnoticed


7. You're working very hard, concentrating hard, and you're interrupted...

A) welcome the break
B) feel extremely irritated
C) vary between these two extremes


8. Which of the following colors do you like most...

A) Red or orange
B) black
C) yellow or light blue
D) green
E) dark blue or purple
F) white
G) brown or gray


9. When you are in bed at night, in those last few moments before going to sleep you are...

A) stretched out on your back
B) stretched out face down on your stomach
C) on your side, slightly curled
D) with your head on one arm
E) with your head under the covers


10. You often dream that you are...

A) falling
B) fighting or struggling
C) searching for something or somebody
D) flying or floating
E) you usually have dreamless sleep
F) your dreams are always pleasant


POINTS:


1. (a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 6
2. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 7 (d) 2 (e) 1
3. (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 5 (d) 7 (e) 6
4. (a) 4 (b) 6 (c) 2 (d) 1
5. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 2
6. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 2
7. (a) 6 (b) 2 (c) 4
8. (a) 6 (b) 7 (c) 5 (d) 4 (e) 3 (f) 2 (g) 1
9. (a) 7 (b) 6 (c) 4 (d) 2 (e ) 1
10 (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 6 (f) 1

Now add up the total number of points.

OVER 60 POINT: Others see you as someone they should 'handle with care'. You're seen as vain, self-centered, and who is extremely dominant. Others may admire you, wishing they could be more like you, but don't always trust you, hesitating to become too deeply involved with you.

51 TO 60 POINTS : Others see you as an exciting, highly volatile, rather impulsive personality, a natural leader, who's quick to make decisions, though not always the right ones. They see you as bold and adventuresome, someone who will try anything once, someone who takes chances and enjoys an adventure. They enjoy being in your company because of the excitement you radiate.

41 TO 50 POINTS : Others see you as fresh, lively, charming, amusing, practical, and always interesting, someone who's constantly in the center of attention, but sufficiently well balanced not to let it go to their head. They also see you as kind, considerate, and understanding, someone who'll always cheer them up and help them out.

31 TO 40 POINTS: Others see you as sensible, cautious, careful & practical. They see you as clever, gifted, or talented, but modest. Not a person who makes friends too quickly or easily, but someone who's extremely loyal to friends you do make and who expect the same loyalty in return. Those who really get to know you, realize it takes a lot to shake your trust in your friends, but equally that it takes you a long time to get over if that trust is ever broken.

21 TO 30 POINTS: Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy. They see you as very cautious, extremely careful, a slow and steady plodder. It would really surprise them if you ever did something impulsively
or on the spur of the moment, expecting you to examine everything carefully from every angle and then, usually decide against it. They think this reaction is caused partly by your careful nature.

UNDER 21 POINTS: People think you are shy, nervous, and indecisive, someone who needs looking after, who always wants someone else to make the decisions and who doesn't want to get involved with anyone or anything! They see you as a worrier who always sees problems that don't exist. Some people think you're boring. Only those who know you well, know that you aren't.

I was always one of those people that could never understand how you could find yourself too busy to spend quality time with each one of you children everyday, whether it be 5 minutes, or 2 hours, I just never understood how people couldn't find time for there children and making them feel special. Well I have truly been humbled. Between caring for whoever is crying or changing diapers, trying to get kids to take naps, making breakfast, lunch or dinner, getting the shopping done, the house picked up (that is not including the deep cleaning) trying to workout, shower, or even finding my own time to go to the bathroom, It just seems that my one on one time with my kids is almost non existing. Stella gets plenty of one on one being as she never sleeps and we spend countless hours in the late or early hours of the day alone, but it's Molly I worry about. She is old enough to know and understand and until Stella came along she had me all to herself. I was trying to make time (15 min a day) just for Molly, but it just is not happening. So I sat down and came up with 2 days where we can plan out an activity and just spend time together. Molly/Mommy Mondays and Taking Time Thursdays. Today was just a fun little thing. I pulled out a cookie sheet and put some pulled out some pudding cups from the fridge. We spend about 20 minutes finger painting and then she had had enough, but it was nice to put Stella in her seat and just spend 20 minutes no interruptions, no phone calls, nothing, just Molly time. With all of the snow we had Kris had a slow day at the office and so was home early and was snow blowing the driveway and we bundled Molly up and she headed outside with Kris. She loved it! I think by the time the day was over she was beat and fell asleep very quickly. Bless her little heart. I just love this little thing and hope she knows it!

Christmas seems to be the time of full of traditions! This is our annual family date night! We have done it for years long before the little girls were old enough to date and they would do the babysitting, but for the last few years we have all been able to go, minus our faithful missionary in Taiwan. We do dinner and then go to temple square or do something else that helps us to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. This year we went to dinner at Ottavio's and then went to the live nativity playing at the tabernacle. So lets start with dinner. For those of you who have been to Ottavio's than you know that they have an accordion player that goes form table to table and sings and plays for the guests. Not that I don't enjoy the music, I just hate the attention on me so I never make eye contact. My littlest sister Whitney was joking about it all night long that she was going to tell him we were newly weds. Kris came back with "well then we'll tell him that it's your birthday." for those of you that know Whitney she HATES people looking at her even worse so that kind of stopped that talk right there. Long story short. Cameron my brother make some comment to the guy as he was passing like "She's a really good dancer" pointing at Whitney, In turn she pints to me and said "there newly weds" and my response is "It's her birthday!" Oh boy. Well it is Whitney's birthday in January and so when the guy asked my dad if it was really her birthday he said that we actually have two and pointed out Whit and my birthday also being in January so yes they all came out and sang to Whit and I. Oh my word. So on to the live nativity. It was really sweet and did remind us of the humble surroundings of that amazing night. A few funny things was they played out the birth... I know I kept waiting for the lights to go out. You didn't see anything, but they put a cloth over her legs and then pulled the doll out form under it... I know I just had to smile. A few other things that made me smile were 1- the extremely energetic angel and 2- the small little sheppard that they were having a hard time getting to focus. All in all it was an awesome night. Thanks so much Mom & Dad!

Shopping Tradition!

This has to be my all time favorite family traditions of this season. Every year the Saturday after Thanksgiving we all get together in the morning and start the day off with an amazing breakfast we have traditionally done scones, but this year we did waffles and I think that might be better for my mom, she wont have to get up at 4 am to raise the rolls. Then we all give my dad the money we want to put in. This can be as much as you want to put in or as much as you can it can be what ever amount you want. Then we all split up into teams and we usually have two names off of the angel tree and then we head to Shopko where we spilt up into our teams and find the items we have been assigned and then we all meet up at the check out. We make sure they are all separated into the right bags and then drop them off at the designated spot.

You may be asking... How did this tradition begin. Well when a few of us were married and trying to figure out how we do gifts for everyone my parents came up with this one. This replaces all of our gift giving. My little sisters still at home exchange gifts and my parents give us gifts, but we other than that this is our gift giving. I just love that we aren't buying silly little things that we don't really use and don't really need, and we are taking that money putting it toward some one who really needs it. Like I said this is my all time favorite tradition. My team this year was, My dad, me, and Stella (little girl clothing). Kris was with Craig (Boy toys), and Kimball, and Molly was with McKenzie and Jojo (Girl toys)! Like I said this is my favorite tradition. I love it! It always seem to kick the season off on the right foot and I always look forward to the next year.

Thank You Katheryn!

K so we were at my parents on Sat (more on why). Kat had to go to work later and text me and told me she had a surprise for me and I couldn't leave until she got off of work. I had no idea what the surprise was going to be, thinking it might be the Baird family joke barbie CD we were packing everything up and getting ready to leave when Kat came home with this...

It's an elf and he is so cute, but what is even cutter is the poem on the little tag this is what it says.

"This small little elf has a special job to do as he sits on a shelf watching over you.

He goes back to Santa each night to say who's been naughty or nice each winter day.

So make sure to find him in a new place each day so he'll be sure to tell Santa to bring toys Christmas day!"

We have had so much fun with this little guy! THANKS SO MUCH KAT! What a fun gift. Katheryn is always so thoughtful of all of us and now that she is on her own I know money is tight, but that was so kind of you to buy that for us, we absolutely love it!

I Finally Found That Smell!

So Saturday we came home from my mom and dad's and when we walked into the house I smelled this horrible smell! I hate that when you walk into a stinky house. So we searched the house looking for the source of the smell, a dirty diaper, the sink, fridge, anything! We were unsuccessful, and I think that we became accustom to what ever it was. So we got up and went to church the next day and when we came home and walked in the door the smell was still there and maybe worse. again hunting the house and to no avail... Later that day Kris had taken Molly down stairs to play while I got dinner ready. Kris yelled up..."I found the source of the smell" he came up with an arm full of food, and then I remembered.... I few days ago I had gone to the store and had food I needed to put in the freezer down stairs. I had just gotten home both of my kids were upstairs screaming and there was no room in the fridge. It really needed to be cleaned out. Ice cram for over a year ago, soup form last Oct. on and on. I put it in the sink down there so the ice cream could melt and I could dump it and then I ran back up the stairs to help my streaming kids, 2 diaper changes, 1 bottle, 1 cup of milk, put away the rest of the groceries, 1 nap for one child, on and on... and I totally spaced it. Well I happy to report that the house is beck to smelling normal. I know I really wonder if some days I'm just totally loosing it!

Our Thanksgiving Gift!

So at the end of the thanksgiving dinner my mom (who is in charge of Thanksgiving every year) gave us all these amazing cook books! These are the coolest thing ever. My dad comes form a family of 9 siblings and one did pass away when she was 15 but every one else is living and has several children of their own, and then there are grandchildren. My mom had everyone email ALL of the recipes that they use everyday, special occasions. The point of this book was to combine all of the recipes that you use into one book! Can I tell you how much work my sister McKenzie and my mom put into this! Literally Hundreds of hours! IT'S AMAZING! I LOVE IT! They did such an awesome job and I'm so grateful that they would share it with all of us! HUGE THANKS TO MOM, MCKENZIE, AND DAD! YOU GUYS ROCK! I LOVE IT AND JUST CAN'T STOP LOOKING AT IT! ONE OF THESE DAYS I MIGHT EVEN MAKE DINNER:) THANKS GUYS. I KNOW HOW MUCH WORK YOU BOTH PUT INTO THIS!

Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving with the Baird side is soooo much fun! There is always a plethora of food, not to mention plenty of family and friends to catch up with! This year was especially amazing. There were 2 different families (a brother and sister, and then a young husband/father that was away form his wife and baby. His lives in Taiwan, but is here going to school and then will go back home to be reunited with his family) all three of these people had connections to my sister who is serving a mission in Taiwan. The young husband/father had called my dad the day before his birthday and said that he had just gotten a call from his wife, she had just gotten home form being on splits with my sister and she mentioned that it was her dad's birthday the next day. So they got my parents # and called to wish him a happy birthday form my sister. Oh I just started to cry when they were all talking about what an awesome missionary she is. I just miss her so much, but know that there is no better place for her at this time. I'm so proud of her. I know this was not an easy decision, but what blessings she will have! It was an awesome Thanksgiving! I didn't really pull out my camera so I don't have pictures, but I loved it!

Thanksgiving Warm Up!

Being as most of us were headed to opposite side of the family, Kris's parents had us all over the night before for a Thanksgiving dinner. Oh it was so good! We had a blast! Here are just a few pictures from the night! How cute are all of these kids? We sure missed the Brindley family, but are excited for them to come up shortly!

Potty Time!

So when Kris went in to check on Molly she was standing in her bed. Our assumption was that she needed to go potty. Kris wasn't thrilled with the idea of sitting in the bathroom for a half hour at 10:15 at night. So I told him if he got her on than I would come as soon as I got Stella down. So here is what we did for the next 45 minutes.

This is the song I made up. (the tune is "oh what do you do in the summer time)

Oh what do you do during po-tty time, to keep yourself amused?

Do you sit very long, or sing happy songs? Is that what you do? So do I!

I know I'm totally tickled about that song! Totally a Baird thing! So we still had time to kill so I decided since Molly is in one place and not really moving I cut her finger nails and toe nails, but we still had more time, so I went one step further and painted her toe nails... Still not done so we painted her finger nails... Still not done but I put her diaper on and called it a night! Oh well. She was thrilled about her nails and she hasn't moved her fingers since. She is so funny. All girl!

Back In Commission

When we went to Lake Powell I lost the battery charger for the camera. Last week my battery died and I have felt totally lost without my camera. I have missed some classic moments that we will try and recreate, but tonight for date night one of the things on our agenda was to hit Circuit City to get a new battery charger. Ya, not cheap $44.00 worth but the memories are priceless. I guess when we go down to Powell next time I don't have to take my battery charger with me, I'll just use the one I left there...I'm really bright sometimes. I just hate those expensive mistakes.

Giving Thanks: Day 25 {Date Night}

It was nice to go out and have date night, just Kris and I. This was the first time I have ever left Stella with anyone other than Kris on Wednesday nights for young women. Thanks Kerry and Becky for watching the girls. It was really nice to have some one on one with Kris. It has been too long.

Giving Thanks: Day 24 {Good Dad}

Today is my dad's birthday and how can I not think of how grateful I am for him and all that he has given to me throughout my life. I am a better person because I have him for a dad. I'm so grateful that he is my dad!

Giving Thanks: Day 23 {Figuring out Stella}

After 4 straight days of screaming form Stella I decided to go to young womens today (that's our first meeting at 9 am) and then bail so that we could take Stella to kid care (it's ista care with pediatricians) and find out the problem. Being as we had already taken her in on Mon for her well baby visit and she has been fighting a cold and then got the flu, and then we found out she has had thrush for weeks and still through all of that she has been a happy baby so when the screaming started Wednesday night I knew something was up. We took her in and guess what? Yep an ear infection! Well It's nice to know what is going on and now we can fix it, Hooray! Hey who knows we might even get some sleep tonight!

Giving Thanks: Day 22 {Final Shoping}

Today I'm thankful that I was able to get the final Christmas shopping done for Molly! That's one down and 2 to go! Yea! Now if I can just figure out what to get Amy and Mason! Any Ideas? I'm so excited for this Christmas, I think Molly will be thrilled with her Christmas this year! As a kid I would get so excited about what I was going to get, or give. This year I just can't wait to see Molly and her excitement about her gift, I totally want to bust them out and start playing with them myself.

Giving Thanks Day 21 {Girl Time}

I am so grateful that I was able to go to Twilight last night with my sisters and some of their friends. It was so fun to go with a bunch of girls that totally understand and share the same love of the characters! There is more to come on this event, but I'm just really grateful that my husband was so willing to let us take off for the night and have a girls night out! Thanks for such a fun night girls!

Giving Thanks Day 20 {Organized Bathroom}

I had just a few extra minutes yesterday when both girls were sleeping... that is so rare and it makes it really nice to be able to get some things done! I have been really working hard on keeping my house organized and my house is not always clean, but I have managed to keep things somewhat organized. The only thing that I have really been trying to get done since before Stella came was to get my bathroom organized. I was so grateful that I was able to get my bathroom organized...Yea!!!!!!!!!!!!

Get To Know My Husband!

I saw this little questioner on my cousins blog and decided to join in on the fun, against Kris's wishes! Did I mention that he is humble and hates people talking about how awesome he is!

How long did you date before you were married?

That would depend on who you asked! Off and on for 6 years!

How long have you been married?

3 1/2 years

What does he do that surprises you?

He is so frugal, so when he buys stuff it always kind of shocks me...my car total shock!!!!!

What is your favorite quality of his?

There are too many to count, but he is so amazing with the girls and me. He so kind and generous to everyone. Most people wouldn't know that because he is so reserved, but he takes off work (which he hardly ever does) to participate in ward service and welfare assignments.

My favorite physical quality...His legs! Totally sexy, and one of the cutest bums ever!

Does he have a Nickname for you?

Not really babe, hun, Linds,..(all of the normal ones)

What is his favorite color?

Blue

What is his favorite food?

Mt. Dew not really a food, but a true staple for him, also Lasagna

What is his favorite sport?

He likes everything. He played on the BYU tennis team, has season tickets for the Jazz, and Love the Cowboys for football.

When and where was your first kiss?

Late Dec 1999, On the door step of my apartment.

Favorite thing to do as a couple?

He is teaching me how to play tennis, but I think we just like to hang out together, it doesn't really matter what we do.

Do you have any children?

Two of the cutest girls you have ever seen!

Does he have a hidden talent?

Singing! He would never share this talent, but I'm lucky enough to get a glimpse hear or there... He is just really funny!

How old is he?

35

Who said I love you first?

For those of you who know us...Me. Is that surprising?

What is his favorite type of music?

Old school rap! ha ha ha! Anything old school, he listens to talk sports radio, more than anything

What do you admire most about him?

He works so hard at everything and is so kind an gracious to everyone. He is one of the most pure hearted person I have ever know.

Do you think he will read this?

Of course, He has to preview it

Giving Thanks: Day 19 {Getting Better}

I'm so grateful today that Molly slept so well, and Stella made it until 3:00 am! I'm so thankful that when I got up to feed her I didn't feel so horrible and sick. I am thankful that we are starting to get over this gamboo (that's a mommer word) whatever it is, I just hope I'm able to get rid of all of it quickly! I think we are on the mend:)

Giving Thanks: Day 18 {Picturs}

Today I'm so thankful that I got a sneak preview of the girls pictures! They turned out cute and I'm so excited that to see the rest of them! Thanks so much Katie B!

My Big Girl! 4 Months

Stella is such an awesome baby, not a great sleeper, but an awesome baby! I just love this little thing more and more everyday. She is so dang cute and will just sit and smile and giggle. She constantly has her hands in her mouth but loves anyone to talk to her. You never have to work too hard to get a smile! She no longer wants to be held like a baby... She thinks she is a big girl. She likes to stand up and she holds her head up very well. I can be holding her and she will just stare at Kris until he looks at her and then she is all smiles! Oh she is so cute. I feel bad that when I took her in to her 4 month well baby check she wasn't so well. She has thrush and has for weeks but you would never know by her disposition, (unless it's bed time) Well this morning she woke up with what Molly has and has been throwing up. The poor thing, yet she is still smiling. I just wish she would stay little for a bit longer.

Time seems to be moving too quickly!

Here are her stats...

*Weight 12 lb 15 oz 31% You go girl Molly has been 2% since her 2 month check up it's nice to have a kid with some meat on her bones!

*Height 25.5 in 89% Yes she is taking after my side of the family and I have already started to tell her that she is so lucky to be tall, her aunts will tell her it's not good, but from the runt of the family I wish I had a few more inches!

*Head Circumference she is 42 cm 75%

She is growing so well and is such an amazing addition to the family (YES HER PREGNANCY WAS WELL WORTH IT)

She got 3 shots and an oral vaccine coctail as well and she was a trooper especially for being sick!

What A Day!

Holy cow!!!!!!!! So I had to run from place to place to day and when I got home this morning to put the girls down for a nap I had about 10 min that I could lay my head down. I have just been soooo exhausted with this stupid cold and my kids not sleeping well and just crazy life. Then it was on to the treadmill (another bummer today I was only .7 lbs away form losing 10 lb, I know it was still a loss, but I was totally counting on it being 10 lbs today, not that I look any different, but one lb at a time right?) and straight to the shower. I then woke up both of my girls from their naps to take Stella for her well baby check. She isn't well but we still got shots and all of that fun jazz. Molly got the flu spray, who knew you could give a flu vacceen in a spray they put up your nose. One last stop and we were on our way home. I looked back at Molly and she looked like she was going to fall asleep. I pulled into the garage and Molly vomited all over herself, her car seat, the middle console, & me. She had thrown up once yesterday but I chalked it up to something she ate... not so much. Putting Molly to bed we hadn't had her down for more that 2 minutes really and she barfed again! It was probably from that kid that I saw when we went to McDonalds play land that was throwing up and his mom was catching it in her napkin... NICE! I hate those places! Oh did I tell you that I was informed at the Dr. office that Stella has Thrush! Ya she never fully got rid of it the first time and I feel so bad that she has had it for weeks now! Again NICE! So now I am keeping my kids away from each other and we are totally washing our hands every time we look at one of our kids. We have had this stupid cold for no lie 5 weeks! I am so sick of everyone being sick I could just scream! If this is how it's going to be this winter we will not be going to church, stores, or out in public period, I just might not make it thought the winter! Well after this day I'm ready to hit the shower again... and settle in to bed to watch the Jazz game with Kris, Oh I hope we make it thought the night! I am reminded of how much I have to be thankful for, but I'm still hoping tomorrow will be a better day! I'm hoping I can get my house sanitized!

Giving Thanks: Day 17 {Cute Husband, Cute Dad}

Kris is so cute! I'm always thankful for him and how awesome he is as a husband and a dad, but after today, being a whirl wind of a day, I couldn't help but think of what a cute dad he was as he held my sick little Molly and was singing Boys To Men songs to her... He just makes me smile. How lucky these girls are that they have such an awesome dad.

My Sweet Heart Molly!

Molly found my glasses and put them on and

thought that was so cool, yes they are upside down!

Oh Molly has been so funny today! I just had to post some of the funny cute things that she has said...

*We (me & the girls) stayed home form church due all of our illness. I had gotten Molly breakfast and after finishing it all, she was sitting at the bar with her play phone and she did some dialing and then said...

"Hello? Oh hi mommy! Down Please." She just kept repeating this funny fake phone call until I wiped her off and got her down.

*Kris had decided that he would come home during Sunday school to get Molly and take her to sacrament meeting. So we were getting her dressed and then I took her into the bathroom to get her hair done. I did pig tails (it's been a while since we have done that) I put her on the counter so she was facing the mirror and then when I had finished before I had said anything she said... "I Like It!" So random and I don't think I have ever heard that phrase come from her.

*So I had made dinner and we were sitting down eating and out of nowhere Molly said... "Thank you mommy!" Oh can I tell you what that did for me? Man being a mom is sometimes the most thankless job ever, and to hear my sweet little 2 year old say thank you unprovoked made my day! How lucky I am to have this sweet heart in my life!

Giving Thanks: Day 16 {Sleep}

Yea! Stella and Molly both slept so well last night. Molly got up before Stella, but Stella slept 8 1/2 hours! It was much needed rest as we are all trying to recover from this nasty cold we have had in our house for over 5 weeks now! I am very thankful for Stella sleeping so long!

Giving Thanks: Day 15 {Understanding}

You know those moments that you preserve a situation one way and it's not a good thing and then you find that understanding that you have been looking for and all of the sudden it is clear and things seem better and not only that, but if feels as if you have taken off a 100 lb loaded backpack. That is exactly what happened today. I am thankful that I was able to gain that understanding today and feel the relief that that understanding brings. How grateful I am for those times of not understanding and those times of understanding, and a husband that is so patient with me during all of those times!

Giving Thanks: Day 14 {Home Repairs}

I'm so glad that we were able to get some of the electrical stuff done that we have needed to get done in the house and in the basement so we can continue to move forward and finish the basement!

Giving Thanks: Day 13 {Prespective}

So today I took the girls to get their pictures taken. I wasn't wanting to get them ready before we left so I took everything thing I needed and figured I would get them ready at Kate's. I knew the second I did Molly's hair she would either pull it out or put her blanket over her head. First thing Molly did when I put her in her car seat was put her blanket over her head. (totally glad I waited) When I got there and was getting the girls ready I realized I had forgotten socks for Stella. (bummer) so I kept going and started to do Molly's hair... Oh ya Stella's socks were in the bag with all of the bows!!!!!! Nice. Well cute Kate found what she could to help me out and we made due. I figured I could be totally bugged that I had forgotten a major part of their wardrobe or I could just go with the flow and not stress. Maybe it's that I have total faith in Kate and her photography skills but I was glad that I had the sense and perspective I did and was able to let it just roll off my back!

Giving Thanks: Day 12 {My Young Women}

Tonight was soooo much fun! We didn't do anything absolutely amazing, but I was the only leader there. That has never been the case and I still wonder if I'm old enough to be the only one in charge of an activity. I was just so glad that I had the chance to just be with them. I feel like I know them all so much better and those that I didn't know as well really seemed to come out of their shells. I have taken them home and had some one on one with a few of them, but this was different... I just am really glad that I had this opportunity, I feel that my love for them has increased for each of them more than ever. What an awesome opportunity!

Giving Thanks: Day 11 {Peace}

You know those days you wake up and feel like possibly you should have stayed in bed? That seemed to be this morning. I know I'm not perfect by any means but this morning I woke up still feeling a bit under the weather, with a massive headache. On top of that I have been criticized several times today, most days this wouldn't really effect me, but today I was already feeling under the weather and literally bent down so it was a bit harder. It's now 8:30 and still not felling delighted at the pointing out of my many faults I have had to seek for the peace of mind that I am doing the very best that I can in all aspects of my life and I know that there are places in which I can improve greatly I feel that I truly have done all that has been required of me and I have peaceful feeling that of "I have done the best I can, now it's time to let go." I know this is a really random post and it's not making much sense, but I am thankful for the spirit, and the peace and comfort it brings to our crazy lives when we need it most. That is what I'm thankful for today!

Giving Thanks: Day 10 {Family} Part 2

So I have just spent the last 1/2 hour on the phone... funny 1 because I hardly ever answer my phone because I am usually in the middle of one child or another melt down or just running around and trying to get stuff done, kids happy, changing diapers, feeding kids, cleaning house, if I'm lucky I might have time to go to the bathroom that day J/K (kind of) funny 2 because I hate talking on the phone so a 1/2 hour is crazy for me. But for some crazy reason both of my kids were asleep at the same time... that never happens. I didn't know the number so I didn't really know what to expect. The voice on the other end of the phone said..."Is Lindsay there?" the girl went on to explain that her name was Sister Strong (one of my sisters old companions). My sister Cydne is serving a mission in Taiwan and has now been out just over a year. I miss her sooooo much she is always the life of the party and just has this electric personality. Did I say I miss her SOOOOOOOOOOO much! I think of her every day. Sister Strong and I talked Cydne talk and it was so fun to hear all of these amazing things. She told me that when the other missionaries talked about her they spoke of her with reverence. She talked about how she had salvaged many baptisms that were falling though, what a hard worker she was and how hard she had worked with her, and how much fun she was and how everyone wanted to serve with her... The funny thing is there was a sister just like her in my mission (Sister Hinckley, there were a lot of awesome sisters in our mission that I wanted & did serve with, all of them amazing missionaries. I just remember following her in to an area and I had only been out 6 weeks, but I had already heard of what a legend she was and I was scared to death to follow her. She had left me a little note that really helped me though those next 6 weeks.) I never was blessed to work with her, but as I though of my sister serving as Sister Hinckley did, I feel so proud of her and what she is accomplishing! She seems to do everything better than me and with more grace! I'm so thankful for her. Funny that I was just talking about how thankful I am for my family, and yesterday how thankful I am for my mission, and Sister Strong called me. She asked me about EFY and we talked a bit about that and the process. I just am honored to have such an amazing sister, one who is serving her country, family, religion, and God so well! What an amazing girl she is! I miss her so much and can't wait for her to be home, but I won't tell her that because It always made me cry when anyone would tell me that at the end of my mission. I love you Cyd! Thanks for the call Sister Strong I can't wait to go to lunch with you!

Ballerinas??????

So Molly has these cute pj's that my mom got for her from Costco and they have ballerinas all over them. She is able to say ballerinas quite clearly and it is so cute... Here is the funny thing. I few weeks ago she kept pointing to my spice cupboard and asking for ballerinas. What? I kept telling her that the ballerinas were not in the cupboard but in her dirty clothes. She kept asking and asking day after day the same sill cupboard. Finally Kris figured it out. Raisins! She has been calling raisins ballerinas! What? I know! How in the world would you come up with that? So funny that little one. She is always so thrilled when she asks for ballerinas and she gets her raisins. We do tell her every time

Kris or me..."you mean raisins?"

Marnie..."Ya! tank you! Oh ballerinas!"

She just really cracks me up!

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Giving Thanks: Day 10 {Family}

My family October 2007

Kris's Family November 2007

I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to grow up in a wonderful home with an amazing family. It was not all "Brady Bunch" happy, we each had our moments, but I feel blessed to have been taught so many wonderful lessons. I have so much fun with each of my family members and I just am thankful that we have so many wonderful influences in my life and my children's life on both sides of the family! How blessed we have been to have such great experiences and memories of growing up!

Giving Thanks: Day 9 {My Mission}

You know I was going thoug pictures of my mission this evening with Kris and so many memories came flooding back. People I love places I lived, experiences I had good and bad, but the thing that stood out most was how much I learned. I learned more about myself than I ever have before, what I want what I believe how to make a stand, how to stick up for myself. I have always known that church was true, I have never doubted even when my decisions didn't prove that, but my mission taught me what I want out of life, I want the eternal prize everlasting life. I feel for me I would never be the person that I am with out my mission what a guiding light it has been in my life! I am thankful for the up's and down's and everything in between that I experienced on my mission how blessed I feel that I had this opportunity!

Giving Thanks: Day 8 {Trials}

I may kick myself for this later, but while not ever thrilled to see a trial coming my way it's amazing that by the end I am able to look back and think of what I have learned and how grateful I am that the Lord has humbled me and has given me greater strength and knowledge. My brother has told us a story of his mission and how he had a companion that would always pray for trials my bother simply said "I never said amen to those prayers!" Another funny story is while my brother was on his mission I was also serving a mission and one night in family prayer trying to think of what she should say when it come us this was her prayer "bless them that they may have trials" THANK YOU CYD! apparently she had learned that you should pray for trials in seminary and rather than praying for herself to receive trials, she prayed for us, now she is in the mission filed and I wounder if she would like us to return the favor...J/K. But in all seriousness I'm so grateful for the lessons I have been taught though big and small trails. One of my all time favorite quotes was given by Elder Maxwell, he said...

The very act of choosing to be a disciple can bring to us a certain special suffering... suffering, when it is part of a divine tutorial, can be sanctifying in the sense of developing the very virtues a particular disciple needs to learn... if we are serious about our discipleship, Jesus will eventually request each of us to do those very things which are most difficult for us to do... Sometimes the best people have the worst experiences, because they are the most ready to learn"

I am grateful for those lessons I have learned though large trails and small everyday trails!

Giving Thanks: Day 7 {Our Home}

Not only am I grateful to have a roof over my head and heat in my house, but I'm so grateful for the spirit that is here in our home...Most of the time it's a spirit of chaos, but it's a place of love and I love the peace that it brings knowing that we have a place where we can simply such out the world and invite the spirit into our home! We are so blessed to have this amazing home, Kris has worked so hard to make it beautiful and comfortable for all of us and we are truly blessed.

Giving Thanks: Day 6 {Clean Kitchen}

So today what I am most grateful for is a clean kitchen. I worked all day to keep it that way, but it was so nice to have it completely clean and dinner almost done when Kris walked in the door from work. We were done eating and cleaning up by 6! That never happens, not to mention I did a full dinner as well I even got the salad, beans and bread sticks out! Again... That never happens! Hey I'll take what little victories I can!

Giving Thanks: Day 5 {Technology}

I just marvel at the technology these days. I can jump on the computer and write a letter and send it to my sister who is serving a full time mission in Taiwan and it will get it that same day as opposed to my packages & letters that she doesn't get for more than 10 days... That is just one thing. You can google almost anything and have what you're looking for at your fingers in seconds. The camera... How amazing is it that you can capture a moment in time forever. Cell phones... I just am so amazed at the wonderful blessing these things are. We just live in this amazing world where we have so much available to us. Yes I'm thankful for the blogging world. 1st I wouldn't have any kind of journal with out it and 2nd it's amazing the strength that you can receive from your family and friend. 3rd I love being able to stay in touch with friends and family.

Keeping Molly Busy!

I have had to get really creative the last few weeks to keep Molly busy. I always worry about her coloring because I am not one who loves to clean pencil, crayon, marker or anything like that off the wall, So I came up with this idea... She had so much fun and we kept this out for days. It was so much fun to doodle with her and she was happy to color with the color pencils. What a fun activity for her. We are coming up with new things everyday!

History In The Making!

Last night Barack Obama won the persadentul election. Our countrys first African American president...

I didn't vote for him, there are somethings that I don't praticulary agree with...I did vote for the zoo, however, against Kris' wishes. He has been elected our president and so now it's time for me to support our president. I already watch Oprah, so that's a start. That doesn't mean I have been changed my views over night, but it does mean I will pray for him as the leader of our country. I am amazed that at times in our life we sometimes have a hard time with those that are our leaders. We must find ways to support and sustain them. I believe that Pres. Obama has a love of this country and that he is a good man, I pray he will make wise decisions and lead our country in righteousness. I am amazed how far this country has come. The first black president of the United Sates of America! That is so amazing and I will never forget that moment that I witnessed history in the making!

Giving Thanks: Day 4 {Our Country}

How grateful and proud I am to live in this amazing country! We are so blessed to have freedom and rights. Today I'm grateful for this as I had the opportunity to go and vote this morning! I was there early about 6:30 and was the 4th person in line the first to vote on my machine and I just feel proud to be an American! To go further in depth I am soooo grateful for those who have fought for our rights and freedom from the beginning. I'm thankful for amazing men and women who defend this right past and present, and who help others obtain these same blessings. My great grandfather fought in WW1 and my grandfather in WW2, and I have uncles, cousins and cousin in laws that are serving their country now! Thank you all, We love you and we pray for you! How blessed we are!

Yea! I voted!

Being as I was early I was able to witness all of those that were working the pools take the oath, That was really cool!

Here we are, all of the early risers ready and waiting to vote!

Giving Thanks: Day 3 {Mom Moments}

These days seem to be so hectic with trying to keep Molly entertained, happy, healthy, or fed that Stella seems to spend most of her time on the floor, her car seat, or in her swing. I feel so bad about this because when Molly was her age I could hold her for hours and still accomplish most of the stuff that needed to get done. Not the case these days. Today has been very true to form of trying to keep up with Molly and the mess she made with her poopy diaper, running from here to there, I did sit down and get some food while the girls naps over lapped a bit, but after the hectic night of trying to get dinner done and on I felt that I have just neglected my poor little baby. So after we got Molly to bed instead of cleaning up the kitchen I picked Stella up and just held her and she just talked to me and smiled at me. How grateful I am for these precious "Mom" moments. These moments are seeming to pass all too quickly! I'm grateful for the chance that I have to take the time to just hold my baby!

Giving Thanks: Day 2 {Health}

Warning: This may be a long post!

Who in their right mind would post pictures of themselves like this, but I realized I have never written down or documented this experience and I needed to for my journal.

When I was climbing into bed the other night and the sheets were fresh and clean as well as the pillow cases' and as I looked down at my pillow case, it brought back so many memories of three weeks of my life in July of 2005! This is what I remembered...

I was admitted to the hospital on July 2nd and so I missed the annual Baird 4th of July party, but they had everyone sign this pillow case for me, and then sent it up. What a good reminder it is.

This bucket was my best friend for the 3 weeks I spent in the hospital. I was never far from it. Sorry to those who had to see me use it!

This was the tube they put in my back to drain the fluid from my lungs.
. The pink band on my arm is from them drawing my blood every day. The pick line helped with that as well.

Here is my amazingly supportive husband. He is holding the tube that was inserted into my Kidney, I'm holding the chest tube and if you look closely you can see my 3 IV's

*3 weeks

*$80,ooo in medical bills

*20lb loss

Two weeks after Kris and I were married we were out looking for a kitchen table and I started to have a horrible stomach ache. By the time we got home I had my seat fully reclined and I felt soooo sick! It was really early but I headed to bed. I was telling Kris I felt so sick and that I felt like I needed to throw up. He suggested maybe if I made myself throw up I would maybe feel better. I know it sounds sick, but I was desperate. I tried and tried, but couldn't get anything to come up. I finally was able to go to sleep, but I woke up about 1AM. It felt like I was going to explode. I can't really describe how it felt, but not wanting to wake my husband I layed on the floor to see if that would be better. It was worse. I tried standing, but I still had this feeling that I was going to explode. I got back in bed and trying to be as quiet as I could I just started to sob. Kris woke up, despite the earplugs, and asked what was wrong. When I told him it was only getting worse he suggested that we go to insta-care. I was concerned about us not having insurance and so I declined the offer and tried again laying on the floor. Kris kept saying that it didn't matter that I wasn't covered, If I needed to go than I needed to go. That's when I started throwing up, It wasn't one of those I feel better, but once it started I couldn't stop. I was throwing up the stomach bile because I had completely emptied my stomach. After a bout a half hour of that I decided that I would take Kris up on his offer to head to insta-care. On our way to insta-care I called my mom thinking that I would still possibly be on their insurance. When we got to insta-care they were closed that's when we decided to head to the ER. Mind you I was still throwing up at this point we were pulling over so I could throw up. We had gone to St. Marks, but they didn't take my parents insurance or Kris's insurance, so we headed to Cotton Wood, but we couldn't find the ER entrance so as we are driving around looking for it we kept pulling over so that I could throw up. Finally in the ER they gave me some pain meds and some anti nausea meds and that seemed to really help. The Dr. said that I was fine to be discharged and sent me home with more pain meds and anti nausea thinking this was the "Newly Wed syndrome" a.k.a. a UTI. We headed home. I got into bed and this is when the meds started wearing off again. I almost felt worse. I asked Kris to go get the prescriptions filled, mind you this is early Sunday morning. I was feeling more horrible than I had ever felt in my life, I have been counting the minutes until Kris would be home. I literally couldn't move I layed in bed in a mummy position and cried till he got home. Then we decided to go back to the ER. Again the same thing happened and a different Dr. was thinking the same thing and was ready to send me home, but he gave me the option of being admitted or going home. I told him I didn't really want to be admitted, but I didn't want to go home and have the same thing happen again! The Dr. admitted me. At this point I still was throwing up. I had Kris call my brother knowing that my parents were at church so that he could relay the message that they were admitting me. After waiting what seemed like hours they wheeled me up to a room. My parents showed up shortly after I that. When they got there... that's right still throwing up. The nurses told me later that first night I spent in the hospital they were all extremely worried about me, my stats had been all over the place. This is how I spent the next 3 weeks. They realized that I had a massive kidney infection. I was not responding to any meds and still throwing up they did several MRI's and then chest x-rays. At some point my lungs began to fill up with fluid. They had to put it a chest tube to drain the fluid. It seemed like it was one thing after another and I wasn't getting any better in fact I was getting worse. I had in at least 3 IV's all the time and sometimes 4 until they burned out all of my veins (your veins do feel like they are on fire, that's why they refer to it as burning your veins) IV's are not meant to stay in the same vein for an extended period of time. Once one vein was burned out they would move the IV. Until one nurse said I don't know why they haven't put in a pic line. They did drain the fluid out of my chest and you would think that it would feel good being as you were being crushed by the fluid, but I hurt. This is how it went for 3 weeks. I never seemed to be getting better only worse. Poor Kris was still working everyday and then would come after work and sit in the hospital with me until he went home to go to bed. Yes still throwing up. I was so weak I couldn't stand or walk and it got to the point that when they would come to get me for x-rays I couldn't even get out of bed to get in the wheel chair, so they would just wheel me on a gurney every where. I got to know the nurses so well the CNA's the Transporters all of which I loved an appreciated. My mom would come up almost every day and sit with me while Kris was at work. My little sisters would come and sit as well. I still feel horrible they missed their whole summer due to me. My older sister McKenzie would leave her 3 little kids at the time and come and sit with me. I remember once she asked if there was anything she could do for me, or anything I wanted her to bring. I asked if she would shave my legs, It had been weeks since it had been done and graciously she did it. I had countless visitors from our new ward that I had not yet attended, friends and family. It was coming to the middle of week three and my mom later told me that is when she came home one day and told my dad..."I think we really could lose her." One Sunday my grandparents had called the nurse to see if it was a good day to come and visit. When the nurse asked me I told her no. I was always so drugged up and I still felt horrible. That same day my aunt Chris and uncle Dennis came without a heads up, I think it was inspiration. My uncle Dennis asked if I had had a Sunday school lesson since I had been here. I told him no and he shared with me the story found in Luke 24. This is after Christ has been resurrected and two apostles are walking on the road to Emmaus. A man joins them and asks what they were talking about and they told him all about Christ and how he was not found in the tomb. Dennis then went on to tell me that here the apostles had been walking with Christ and had not even know it. He told me Christ too had been walking with me, and I was not alone. Christ knew what I had been through and what I was going though. Then my aunt Chris gave me a coke she had "smuggled" in. She didn't know that the kitchen staff had told me whatever I wanted they would get for me any time even if the kitchen was closed, any thing that sounded good at all. They were just hoping I would keep anything down. I had had countless priesthood blessings, but I think that when Dennis gave me that "Sunday school lesson" I started to realize that the atonement was not just so that I could repent, but I truly needed the physical healing of the atonement. I had taught people on my mission of the healing power of the atonement, but I have never had to use it, not like this. I was dying and if I was to get better it would be the atonement that healed me. I know I can't really explain it, but it was only then that I decided I would turn everything over to my Heavenly Father and only then did I start to feel better. Recovery was not over night, I had a long road to recovery, but I was able to keep down a subway sandwich of all things. I think that was the only thing I kept down but that was enough to get discharged form the hospital. If anyone would touch my arms for a year after my arms would still burn. I had a long way to get one of my lungs that was damaged to the point that I could breathe and It wouldn't hurt. And it was weeks before I would walk up the street. But look at me. I have no long lasting effects left. Only gratitude for this experience. I am thankful for family and friends that would visit, pray for me, or simply keeping me in their thoughts. I'm thankful to my mom who gave up her summer with her girls to sit by my bedside day after day.My dad who would come visit often and give up work time, and help me keep what movement I had left. My sisters that sacrificed their summer to visit me or let my mom visit me. For a sister that would sacrifice time with her kids to shave my legs. Nieces and a nephew that made signs. All of the card and flowers. My husband that would sit with me at night, support me, love me, care for me, and not want to trade me in for a non defective wife. My uncle Dennis who received inspiration to teach me. For my health, but most of all for the knowledge that the atonement covers every aspect of our lives, and that it has an amazing healing power!