um

excuse me... I have a little confession: I got WAY behind on my daily challenge so feel free to scroll through challenge day 16-22 :)

start below here with 22 and go down

Day 22

Today's challenge:

a letter to someone who has hurt me recently.

Well I won't write a letter. Or two letters or... well it won't get me anywhere. I get hurt often. Maybe I set myself up for it. I bite my tongue a lot and that opens the door for people to say what they wish knowing it will hurt me, knowing I won't say a word. It's sad the way (some) people assume things about me. Quick to judge. Quick to throw a hurtful jab my way.

Knowing most that stuff is bull.... I take it with a grain of salt.

Instead of a letter I would tell them (if I ever had the guts)

simply a piece of one of my favorite church hymns. Forgive me if I butcher it.

It goes something like this:

"who am I to judge another while I walk imperfectly"

talking about them of course. Then I let it go and continue about my day! :)

Day 21

A photo of something that makes me happy

I could post pics of things all day. how about I make a list of things I love instead?

I know... great idea right?

Things Mandi loves:

sunshine

summer days

fuzzy socks

birthdays

holiday traditions

dr pepper

baby smiles/laughs

snail mail like cards and letters or pictures

getting flowers

smell of rain

freshly shaved legs

butterflies

snowmen

a clean house

zumba

working out

laughing until you cry and or can't breath

funny movies

camp fires

candy

the temple

I could go on but I will stop here. :)

Day 20

Today's challenge is to explain the meaning behind my blog name.

Well the story is:

I have no idea. I like the way it sounded. It's not like my life is (always) a soap opera.

My blog is about my day to day life. The good the bad and everything in between. I won't say it's my journal (like I have 20 other times before) because everyone says that and it's corny and even though it's true it is my way to remember everything that happens in my family and life. It is more like a... book? ha ha I don't know. It's just my cute blog and I love it :)

Day 19

the challenge:

Another picture of me

right. I never ever take pictures of me. I am always the one taking them.

Thanksgiving 2010. I am the one in the back looking away AND fixing my clothes. cute

This is my whole family. All my siblings with me in the back

Day 18

Challenge: something I crave a lot

ha ha well I crave a lot actually!!

cereal! Any kind. I eat so much of it it's insane!! (only when I am pregnant will I EVER eat this much cereal)

SALT!! on my fries... which I eat a TON of I have to pour on more salt then it comes with

sweets. I want candy all the time.

starchy stuff. potatoes, bread, rice, baked goods. you know NOTHING healthy! sorry baby!! I honestly, honestly try to eat healthy!

Normally I am piling on the veggies and healthy stuff. Now, when I need to most... I only crave crap. ugh

Day 17

the challenge: a photo of me and my family

and the next family photos will be with our little princess Ashlyn!

Day 16

Holy moly I am a week behind. I always remember to do it... at times I can't do it. lol

ok here we go. Today's challenge is my celebrity crush. This will be easy!

ps I love you Dan!!

My celebrity crush is....

David Beckham!

oh... was I only supposed to pick ONE picture?? hee hee oops :)

you're lucky I stopped at 4 :) :)

Oh Baby!

We had our ultrasound done for Christmas. Turns out this baby is a little lady! 3 girls I will have! Goodness. How awesome is that?! We have a PERFECT name picked for a perfect princess.

These were the only semi decent shots out of 17 she took. I wasn't impressed at all. Luckily I have my regular ultrasound scheduled for Wed this week. So in two more days and I can get better shots of the baby.

We are THRILLED!

We thought the baby was a boy but the minute we heard she was a girl it felt right and are so excited. Everyone keeps asking if Dan is sad. NO no no he is not. PLEASE quit asking that. He is so excited and happy just to have a baby!! I promise we are happy for a GIRL!!

No patience here

ummm. Tomorrow.... as in Thursday... is THE DAY. It is here. The day I have dreamed of since the SECOND I found out I was pregnant. Ultrasound day!!!!! eek. I am having a really, really, really hard time waiting. My appt is at 3 pm. I hope I can wait that long. I don't think I get a choice in the matter.

Here is the plan (assuming everything goes my way): go to appt. have ultrasound, have the tech warn us when baby parts might be shown. turn away. Watch everything else like adorable face, hands, feetsies, bums. well bum- there is only one...anyway... enjoy that. Have the tech do the usual printing on the pics: its a Boy or its a Girl. put it in a sealed envelope. Seal it real good lady... I am a peeker!! Then wait sooooooo long... until the very next day... I mean night (sigh) then with more impatience, open it and find out what this lil monkey is. A HE or a SHE. Notice I say HE first?? every single family member, including Ireland is CONVINCED its a boy. I am convinced. Moms know these things. RIGHT??

We already have a name. It's a good one too.

still SUPER excited that it could be a girl too! LOVE girls!

Let the waiting begin.... I mean continue...

ps today was spectacular!! Very, very, very good news came upon us yesterday. well several bits of news. Today all that was multiplied. Good things are happening to my family. We are so blessed and God is mindful of us. I believe in miracles. I believe in so many good things in this world. I have cried so many happy tears the last two days I don't think I could have had a better situation.

ps one bit of the great news: I HAVE INSURANCE NOW!!!!! yay!!! that means over $600 goes back in my pocket... oh I mean more than half of that goes back into my MOM'S pocket (thanks so much mom!!)

All my EXPENSIVE prescriptions I get reimbursed for. 4 Ob appointments. All my urine samples, blood tests, the ENT, the eye Dr. - all that I get paid back. PHEW. feels good to be insured!!

HAPPY DAY!!

Day 15

today's challenge is to say what I could never leave my house without.

That would be my cell phone.

It drives me crazy to not have it. I have been in several car accidents, broken down, needed gas, flat tires, etc and was so glad I had my phone. When I have small kids especially.

hooray for technology

I am a little bit excited

I cannot contain my excitement!! Before I show my extremely amazing deal I have to give a background story. I love the site mamabargains.com! I actually get stuff from that site all the time. You have to check back often or the item will be gone fast! Well every once in a great while they have an item called "randomness" you have NO idea what the item is you just pay $20 ish bucks and they guarantee you will love it. The last time I did randomness I picked for a little girl. The stuff I got was amazing and so worth it! So this time they had it I picked for a baby boy. I paid $23 and they said whatever "random" thing you got was worth at least $80. yes please! It showed up today. Want to see what I got for only $23!!!??

Today I got the package, went to the company's site and found how much it retails for.

you ready??

here it is:

click here

um did you SEE that price on the top right??

man my baby is going to be a comfy baby!!! It is so soft. Beautiful too! I am in love

Day 14

yay I am caught up!!

today's challenge is to name what tv show I am currently addicted to.

I really don't watch a lot of tv. really. At nap time my sister and I have a couple of shows we watch as we lounge and enjoy our two hours of quiet :)

I don't have ONE show I am addicted to.

Here are some I enjoy though:

20/20

Oprah (this is new for me... never used to like her)

Ellen (also new to me)

the News

The Sing Off

most game shows- like Price is Right lol

What Would You Do?

So You Think You Can Dance- when it's actually on

I could watch any old episodes of Simpsons, Seinfeld, Full House, pretty much any old school show

the weather channel................just kidding!!

I don't know. I prefer movies!!

Guess I should mention I don't have cable or direct tv or anything. I get like 4 channels. so I am pretty limited :)

Day 13

Day 13 challenge is to name my favorite musician and why.

Hands down favorite musicians(s) would be the country music band Rascall Flatts. sigh. I heart them. like a LOT. Their concert (that sadly I have only been to one. boo) was the best one I have EVER been to!! (and I have been to a lot of different concerts) I am not a crazy fan like I don't know their faces- well maybe the main singers but I wouldn't recognize any of the other guys, I don't know anything about them, I don't have posters of them. I just live for their music. Something about the music, the sound. The way it makes me happy when I hear it. Cheesy? over the top? possibly.

that's just fine by me!

Day 12

Day 12 challenge is a photo of the town I live in.

yeah, I think not. I live in Utah. Does that work? First of all where would I get a picture of my town? Oh, I guess google. No thanks. I already posted a pic of my house no need to lay out a map of my neighborhood. creepy.

Day 11

oops I missed a few days. :)

Day 11 challenge: what is in your makeup bag

my answer is: what isn't in my make up bag?? ha ha seriously. I try everything new and have a hard time either giving up my favorites or even finding something I like. I have a little of every brand out there. Love me some make up! I probably shouldn't wear so much but I love it! if I was tan I wouldn't need as much. Can't be scaring the kids now. lol

my Lei Lei

My little Leighton talks so much! She understands everything we tell her and can say sentences clearly (well to us anyway) this is a short clip of her bc I want to show how adorable her raspy voice is! She has always had the rasp and I LOVE it! Sorry the video is kind of jumpy bc I was trying to get her to talk just so everyone can hear it. She would have much rather continued playing then repeat mommy. Sorry baby girl! :)

below this post is my day 10 challenge. check it out!

Day 10

Today's challenge is to post a photo of my favorite place to eat.

Here is my absolute FAVORITE place EVER to eat:

yes, that is my house. I prefer to eat there over anywhere! No waiting in crowds, no tips, no hassle. It's cozy, I can wear my sweats, I have my family, I can watch tv while I eat if I wish :) I love it! I love my home so much and as little as I leave it, I actually enjoy being here most the time... as long as my family is with me.

Other places I love to eat that ISN'T my home: Applebees, Olive Garden, Chick-fil-A, wendys, my grandmas :) any chinese, who I am kidding I will eat almost anywhere!

Day 9

Today's challenge is to take a photograph of the last thing I purchased.

Well I am lazy and will post the same thing but one I found on google

mmm I want more :)

A little less talking...

..... a LOT more pictures!!

I am known for posting 20 pics at a time and lately I have been gabbing too much and not posting enough pics of my gorgeous little ladies. (well you know I still add captions lol)

here we go!

My girls got a tree just for them to put in their bedroom. Here is Ireland getting to decorate it

Here it is put in there:

snow! church got canceled so we went out to play!

One of Ireland's many drawings. She kept laughing at how silly the man's hair looked. I think she did great!

One Sunday after church:

Ireland finally got to sing in our ward in Sacrament. My mom went and bought her this dress to wear on her special day. I of course had to make a matching bow. She looks darling huh??

her ghost

more coloring

Cute!!!

Day 8

A song to match my mood

well I don't know how to put a song in my post so I will just post the lyrics. If you can go listen to it! google it or youtube it.

La la la la love it!!

Travis Tritt- It's a Great Day To Be Alive

I got rice cooking in the microwave
Got a three day beard I don't plan to shave
And it's a goofy thing but I just gotta say
Hey I'm doing alright

Yeah I think I'll make me some homemade soup
Feelin pretty good and that's the truth
It's neither drink nor drug induced
No I'm just doin alright

And it's a great day to be alive
I know the sun's still shinin when I close my eyes
There's some hard times in the neigborhood
But why can't every day be just this good?

It's been fifteen years since I left home
Said good luck to every seed I'd sown
Give it my best and then I left it alone
Oh...I hope their doin alright

Now I look in the mirror and what do I see?
A lone wolf there starin back at me
Long in the tooth but harmless as can be
Lord I guess he's doin alright

And it's a great day to be alive
I know the sun's still shinin when I close my eyes
There's some hard times in the neigborhood
But why can't every day be just this good?

Sometimes it's lonely
Sometimes it's only me
And the shadows that fill this room
Sometimes I'm fallin
Desperately callin
Howlin at the moon...
Ahwoo!
Ahwoo!

Well I might go get me a new tattoo
Or take my old Harley for a three day cruise
Might even grow me a Fu Man Chu...
Oh Aww!

And it's a great day to be alive
I know the sun's still shinin when I close my eyes
There's some hard times in the neigborhood
But why can't every day be just this good?

And it's a great day to be alive
I know the sun's still shinin when I close my eyes
There's some hard times in the neigborhood
But why can't every day be just this good?

I made the chorus bold because that is my favorite part! Makes me happy. Grateful too. Every time I hear it.

Day 7

Today's challenge:

My dream wedding.

Ok My absolute dream weeding would be July 15, 2006

I would be married in the Bountiful LDS temple in Utah

I would have an AMAZING reception in the biggest back yard I have ever seen or been in. With gorgeous flowers, trees, a huge fountain in the middle, a gazebo, immaculate yard of a family friend.

I would save money by having:

my Grandpa make my cake

I would have a Grandma make all my flowers, decorations, etc

I would have Dan's uncle fly in from Texas to be our photographer

I would have Dan's cousin make a wedding dress and happen to be my size so I could wear it

I would have a good friend cater all our food

I would have the day go start to finish absolutely perfect and happy and fun

I would have a great turn out and see long lost family and friend members.

We would leave off for our honeymoon as everyone blew bubbles over us

just married! fresh out of the temple!!

I look sad here. I wasn't!

I love that it all happened. I love that everything I dreamed up in my mind is what we got. I wished I knew where all my pics were especially of the reception because this was so fun remembering that special day over 4 years ago. There are not enough pictures, words or memories to express how perfect my wedding day was!!

Then......

it got even better when Daniel took me on a cruise to the Bahamas for our honeymoon!!

we went snorkeling, saw dolphins, shopped, danced, went kayaking and was blown away by the great food, people and fun you get and meet on a cruise.

this was our ship

my groom!
What a great time! Now to find all my pictures....

Day 6

Today's challenge:A photo of an animal you would like to keep as a pet:

This is my favorite animal in the whole world. Man I sure want to pet one!

ok, ok probably not a good PET choice. I sure can imagine holding a baby one though. Awww

ok maybe this for a pet:

This is some type of Octopus. Maybe not for a pet either as I have no where to put it and most definitely wouldn't touch it. Cool to see though huh?

My ex had two of these and they are AWESOME!! They say EVERYTHING and can be pretty funny. They can be mean too but the nice ones are cool. They are heavy too. So freaking gorgeous though

ok I have ALWAYS wanted a little pet monkey!! Look at that face!!!
So Santa all I want is this monkey. But it needs to be "potty trained" and willing to get me a dr pepper and a candy bar as often as I wish. That would be pretty sweet.

on to non fun type of posts:

I want to keep notes and updates for me as to my dr appointments. (this is more for me so warning to anyone else. pretty boring ahead) My OB had me see an ENT as I mentioned before and he wanted me to also me to see the eye dr. So I did that tonight. Turns out my prescription has changed and I need all new glasses and contacts. It's not like I wore my contacts (even though I need and want to) but now the whole stash I have of contacts is a waste. I forgot what the dr said but Daniel reminded me that he said the... dang, I don't know what he said or what it means... something about axis something astigmatism changed or rotated or something (sorry I can't remember) and now my glasses are useless. which I already knew. Now it makes sense why I would wear my glasses and they never help anymore. He said I COULD still wear them if I turned them sideways and closed one eye..... uh...... ok.

He needs me to get a whole new prescription. Having no vision insurance now (Since dan works from home we lost that. sigh) I can't afford new glasses right now. So staring at the computer is painful, straining and blurry. I needed glasses to drive, see at night and read, help with headaches, to see more than a few feet in front of me, etc. So I guess after Christmas I will be getting new glasses instead of getting my tooth fixed like I desperately needed. (I also lost dental insurance) ANYWAY the eye dr thinks he sees swelling behind my eye so I may need to see a neuro eye dr (what are they called??) and have that specialist check it out... have to wait on that as I have no.... insurance! The ENT needs me to have special testing done. I can't yet... no insurance. I have an ultra sound coming up that I too have to pay out of pocket. As well as each dr visit is out of pocket. I have been ok with my appointments and it's just really adding up and bad timing... all this right in time with Christmas! I am not done with my shopping so of course that's when all these urgent needs come up right? As soon as someone gets their act together- me, the girls and the baby will have insurance and I can get refunded for ALL of my past appointments, all prescriptions we have gotten and pay for all my new appointments that I desperately need. Crossing my fingers for sooner than later!!

That was my vent post. Long and boring but for me to keep track of what happened when.

Day 5

Day 5 of the challenge. Today's:

A picture of me from 2 years ago.

This was october 3rd. My Princess's FIRST Birthday!!

Day 4

yeah well I skipped yesterday. I thought for sure I could do it! Well in all fairness I wasn't home almost all day yesterday. Lots and lots of shopping home in time to shower and head out for a dinner date with our friends then home, kids to bed then a late movie with my sister. Didn't get home until after midnight.

ANYHOO here is yesterday's challenge: my favorite photograph of my best friend.

I have several "favorite" pics of Dan. It's hard to ever pic just one. I grabbed the first one I saw. It shows his personality really well. He always has a goofy or silly face and while doing it still manages to look super hot. So here is a pic I like of my best friend:

Day 3

Today's challenge is this:

your idea of the perfect first date.

Well first dates were hard and awkward for me. Believe it or not, I am shy. Terrified if you will of meeting ANYONE new ESPECIALLY a guy. ha ha anyway so my perfect first date would consist of me not being a scaredy cat. I honestly don't know what we would do. I am easily amused/entertained and there are very few things I wouldn't want to do.

To be honest this question makes me feel weird and nervous. ha ha. seems how I am MARRIED and not out looking for a date (phew!!) I will just say a perfect date that Dan could take me on.

Well tomorrow we are going on a double date with some friends. I love stuff like that! We rarely go out with out the kids so that sounds perfect! A date minus the kids- whom I love but like adult only time too :)

So this is super long response to end up saying I just want out of my house for alone time with the hubbs :)

night

Want to know what this challenge is I am doing?? Scroll down a couple of posts or click here

Day 2

Today's challenge is to take a picture of something I ate today. So here it is:

oh wait I already ate it. well it WAS steak, potatoes and corn. I tried to find a picture online but mine looked much better than those professional shots :) right.

ok so here is something I am drinking right this minute instead:

yep I sure am. Yep I have some each day. nope I don't want a lecture. my ob actually encourages soda for my headaches. :) I drank it with both my kids and they turned out pretty ok

doesn't it look delicious. mmmmmm

Day 1

I will start this tonight.

here is what I am doing today:
Day 1: take a photo of yourself and give a description of how your day was.

well I don't have a real recent photo of me bc I am usually always taking the pics so this was from a trip this Fall and if you have no idea which one I am (ha ha) I am the one in the middle:

my day went pretty well. Went to the OB, heard the heartbeat!! Found out I finally starting gaining weight. 3 lbs in 2 weeks to be exact! Got my ultrasounds scheduled today. yes 2 within 6 days of each other yippee! Had a pretty ok day. Needed two Zofran- the magical anti nausea medicine that saves me daily. (yes I still get nauseous daily) and that is pretty much it. From now until Jan 5th I have 5 appointments to attend and hopefully get some things fixed up. Now if only I could get a word on some insurance.....

nothing else really....

Bring on the challenge!!

here it is. let's see if I can keep it up! Anyone care to do it too? Sounds fun. Here is the challenge I stole from someone else:

30 Day Blog Challenge:
Day 1 – A photo of yourself and a description of how your day was.
Day 2 – A photo of something you ate today.
Day 3 – Your idea of the perfect first date.
Day 4 – Your favorite photograph of your best friend.
Day 5 – A photo of yourself two years ago.
Day 6 – A photo of an animal you’d love to keep as a pet.
Day 7 – Your dream wedding.
Day 8 – A song to match your mood.Day 9 – A photo of the item you last purchased.
Day 10 – A photo of your favorite place to eat.
Day 11 – What’s in your makeup bag?
Day 12 – A photograph of the town you live in.
Day 13 – Your favorite musician and why?
Day 14 – A TV show you’re currently addicted to.
Day 15 – Something you don’t leave the house without.
Day 16 – Your celebrity crush.
Day 17 – A photo of you and your family.
Day 18 – Something you crave a lot.
Day 19 – Another picture of yourself.
Day 20 – The meaning behind your blog name.
Day 21 – A photo of something that makes you happy.
Day 22 – A letter to someone who has hurt you recently.
Day 23 – 15 facts about you.
Day 24 – A photo of something that means a lot to you.
Day 25 – What’s in your purse?
Day 26 – A photo of somewhere you’ve been to.
Day 27 – A picture of you last year and now and how have you changed since then?
Day 28 – Your favorite movie.
Day 29 – Something you could never get tired of doing.
Day 30 – A photograph of yourself today + three good things that have happened in the past.

Things I am good at:

forgetting things! That is what I am GREAT at!

I forgot that I was supposed to post pictures so I would stop being so behind

I forgot that I was going to make a separate blog

I forgot I was going to get more organized

I forgot to keep track of my kid's accomplishments (online. I write down most things in a messy way in a notepad)

I forgot to do my Ireland post that is a really important one

I forgot that I was going to remember to text people back AND respond to emails, messages of any kind for that matter

I forgot I bought this super amazing all hyped up help you with your memory book

I forgot what else I forgot.

sigh

saw the ENT today. He wasn't mean or anything but I didn't care for him. I wished I could have seen the one I am used to who did my girl's tubes and my tonsils, same ENT that my grandma still sees. His wait is over a month to see him though. My OB needed me to see one stat. This was the one. Oh well. He never gave me a chance to say anything I needed or wanted to say. I was clearly just a number to him. Another pay check for him. At least pretend to be friendly man.

I took a hearing and speech test. My hearing isn't horrible. Hooray! but it's on the very bottom of the "normal" scale. That's the left ear. My right is below what it should be. Might explain why I am so loud as I have a hard time hearing people... or myself. I need to take a new test- an hour long one that puts little electrodes on my head and I do all kinds of tests to determine if my dizziness and other issues are something my brain is doing wrong or if it is an inner ear problem. I also need to contact an optometrist and see if there is bulging behind my eye. eek! MIGHT explain why my vision is shot the last few weeks. My glasses are pointless these days and my eyes ALWAYS hurt. I always have pressure and pain. Can't wait to get this solved!!

I see my OB tomorrow. I saw him 2 weeks ago but he is seeing me every 2 weeks (for now) to check on baby. I am sure I will go to the 4 week appts when baby and I are consistently doing well. Get to hear the heart again tomorrow! yay! I felt it move a lot last night. so faint. So dainty. Hard to tell unless I am still and quiet. Made my belly jerk a couple of times. :)

Ok, that is all. my eyes are killing me. night

My bow business has been down for some time. I have had an extremely hard time juggling that with everything else going on but I have been dying to get going again!! My site is still down :( as my super busy husband is working on some new things for it.

I still make binky chains, socks, bracelets and of course bows but no one can see those yet so for now head over to my (FINALLY) updated blog and see what is new. Thanks! :)

you can check it out by clicking here

Uh oh I am in trouble

Last night I wanted a little boy so bad I couldn't stand it. I am aching to find out he is really a boy so i can get shopping, dreaming, planning. sigh

then I think about the fun bows, bracelets, socks and binky chains I can make. Oh the possibilities. I think about the dresses, nail polish, shoes, curly hair like both my girls. then I decided I need another girl. Oh my goodness I want this baby to be a girl.

WAIT!!! As I am typing this I have both my girls SCREAMING. yelling, tears, fits.

....but in all seriousness...

maybe I just need a boy.

heaven help me. just tell me already!!!!!!

don't get me wrong. I love my girls more than life itself. I WANTED two girls. wouldn't change them for the world. it's just one of those days. better go love on my little ladies. they need some cuddles!