Thursday, January 29, 2009

Social Security - The Story of the Druglords

Since we have changed Tait's name from Tatum to Taitan, we still haven't made it into the Social Security office to get his name changed on his card. Well, since it is tax time and we like to file our taxes early, we had to get it done. This morning my mom came in to watch the kids while I made that adventure over to the Salt Lake branch Social Security Office. First, they moved and I had to pay $5.00/hour for parking!!! If I would have planned it out correctly, I would have rode trax, but since I thought that it was at the old building I drove. I took a book and wore comfy clothes because I knew that I would be sitting a long time. Boy if I would have known how my experience would have been, I never would have brought a book because I didn't get much reading done... just a lot of eavesdropping.
For those of you who have ever been to the Social Security office you might know exactly where this story is leading. For starters I need to set the scene... here are just a few things that I need to explain first.
  • Most people who go there are going into file claims to collect social security. Which gives you a WIDE variety of people.
  • It reminds me a lot of the DMV you get a number and wait in this room full of chairs, that usually are occupied, that all face the windows and wait for someone at the window to call your number. The room is pretty bare no pictures, just painted a plain color, kinda blah-ish. So even if you are there for 15 minutes it feels like an hour!
  • Given the neighborhood I live in (approx. 1300 S and 900 W) and the culture shock I endured when I first moved here, it takes quite a bit to scare me and other people to scare me. (keep this in mind)
But this morning most of the people who were there smelled like they hadn't showered in a week, let alone washed their clothes this month, even brushed what teeth they had left, combed their hair, or put on deodorant. I got my number, filled out the paperwork I needed to and tried to find a place to sit that was somewhat in a "neutral" zone. I found some people who looked like they had showered recently and sat in front of them. I opened my book and began reading. Soon after my first page, the people behind me (we will call them lady #1 and lady #2) began talking to each other. Pretty soon I couldn't read anymore because they began talking pretty loud and I found it hard to concentrate on my book. Lady #1's phone rang and she began talking to a guy (I know this because of the conversation that they had about him getting a tattoo of the superman logo on his chest). After she hung up she told the lady #2 he just got out of jail and is glad she is now able to spend time with him. (*WHAT?*)
While this was going on the room began to get fuller and I ended up sitting next to a lady with no front teeth who smelled like she just smoked the cheapest cigarette she could afford and a cute little old man who most likely hadn't showered in 2 weeks.
The girls behind me continued talking and telling each other their life stories. I found their conversation quite interesting as I was eavesdropping. They began exchanging stories about drug rehabs they have attended, crimes they have done time for, what crimes they are still on probation for (lady #1), drugs they used to do, and felons they have dated. All which they were very proud of. (*odd?*) The longer I sat and listened to their conversation I was getting uncomfortable with the fact that these women took pride in the way their lives had unfolded. As they continued talking about drugs, they started talking about their "druglords", when they sold, when they stopped selling and where they get their drugs now when they need a "hit". Lady #2 told of a few places she gets her drugs from and then Lady #1 decided to exchange where she gets her's from, she then said around 13TH SOUTH and 9TH WEST!!!! Luckily for my peace of mind, my number was called. PHEW!!!

Monday, January 26, 2009

Ipod Music

So today while I was at the gym, my ipod died.. which left me with a 55 minute workout music-less. I found myself having a hard time trying to workout and read the subtitles on the TV's and my hour work out turned out to be the longest hour workout ever! (note to self... next time your kids get sick and you don't go to the gym for a week, make sure you plug your ipod in to charge)

Since I have only had my ipod since Christmas (best Christmas gift to date) our itunes is full of music that only Bret listens too. Don't get me wrong, in a lot of cases we like the same music, but while I am at the gym I don't find Rammstien very motivating.

I have been thinking about creating a playlist for my ipod for working out only. So, I thought I would ask, what do have on your ipods that motivate you while working out? I hope that with everyones suggestions I will be able to listen to something other than Rammstien.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Just a Post to Post

So nothing new and exciting has happened in the last week of our lives, but I have made it a goal to post something weekly so I am posting just to post.
McKinley has been sick, she has an awful cold and Tait is starting to sound just like her when he coughs. It is actually pretty scary for me because McKinley never really got sick as a baby and I am terribly afraid of RSV. So I have spent the last two days camped out on the couch doing nothing but holding my babies and making them drink drink drink. Who would have thought that sitting on the couch would be so exhausting!




There is one good thing that has happened and I should be shouting it from the rooftops... Tait is FINALLY sleeping through the night!!!



At his 6 month appointment I asked the dr about sleeping and she said there is no reason for him not to be sleeping through the night and the only way to get him to do it is make him cry it out. So Friday we started.. well kinda we got home late (2am) so that is when he went to bed and he didn't wake up until 8. Saturday night was a little different, he woke up around 2 and cried for about 30 minutes and then went back to sleep and slept until 8. Sunday he fussed a little but not much and slept until 8 and today he slept until 6 with not a fuss at all!!! I am SO glad!!! Its just too bad we haven't been able to take advantage of getting real sleep since McKinley has been sick.... Maybe next week.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

6 months and the Gym



I seriously cannot believe that Tait is already 6 months old. This picture was taken about a month or so ago, and now his hair is filling in and is as red as red can be. I took him in for his wellness visit and to get his immunizations today and he was so good for the dr it did me proud.
Here is where he is as for the charts, and just so you know... this kid eats like a mule and I am surprised he doesn't weigh about 40lbs!!

Height - 27.3" - 70%
Weight - 15lbs 2oz - 7% (which is up from his 2% he has been in up until this point)
Head Circ. - 44cm - 46%

Since he is 6 months and I thought I would say 6 things that I love about Tait.
  • when he smiles he smiles with his whole body
  • his red hair
  • his absolutely addicting laugh
  • how much he loves McKinley
  • his big blue eyes
  • when he gets excited its almost more than he can handle and his whole body shakes!! This is hilarious!!!
As much as this little man has been a test of my patience, I am sure glad that he is here and I sure am grateful for the joy he brings me each day.

On a different note, Bret and I signed up with 24 hour fitness last October. I went a few times, but it was hard because McKinley didn't like to stay in the kidscare and Tait had to be 6months before I could leave him with her. I went to a few mommy and me classes with Tait, but usually had to leave early because McKinley couldn't handle the kidscare or they were always during Taits feeding time.. which made him crancky adn impossible for me to work out!!
Anyway, this year I am motivated to finally get healthy. I have extra weight that I NEED to loose, and I need to eat better not only for me, but for my family as well. Since the beginning of the year I have been to the gym almost every day. I guess I figured that since I am so out of shape that the pounds would just start to fall off... which is not what has happened.. I have lost 2lbs (give or take which time of the day I weigh in) Which is so stinkin frustrating because my body is SO sore after each workout. So I am now pledging that I will only weigh in once a week. If I weigh in more than that I think that I will just get frustrated and quit. Anyway, I am guessing that one day I will weigh in and weigh a lot less... maybe? hoefully! If anyone else has a 24 hour fitness membership let me know and we could go together sometime!! I would love that!

Friday, January 9, 2009

2008-2009

Last year I did a overview of the year and I liked thinking back to the things that happened and looking forward to the things that are changing for the upcoming year. I know that we are now almost half way through January already, but I wanted to take a couple minutes and take a look back at 2008 and look forward into 2009.


Funnest Event:
The 4th of July, movies, golfing, spending time with family, oh yeah and my water breaking!!! And BYU football games!



Biggest purchase of 2008:
Our car! Which I never blogged about... SAD!! I love it though!!!



Favorite movie of 2008:
Batman
High School Musical 3


Least favorite movie of 2008:
Narnia
Journey to the Center of the Earth


Favorite celebrity for 2008:
Britney's comeback!


Least favorite celebrity:
Spencer Pratt



Guilty Pleasure:
The Hills
90210



Saddest moment of 2008:
Probably Grandma D dying. She by far has been my favorite neighbor

Sickest moment of 2008:
My water breaking and the stupid nurses not acknowledging my exsitance at the check in counter... there was a puddle of amniotic fluid left on the floor where I stood because it took them so stinking long to help me!

Favorite song of 2008:
4 minutes
Like This




and Anything Cold Play (Their new CD is the BEST)

Least favorite song of 2008:
That Thriving Ivory song.. The song itself is not all that bad, but his voice drives me crazy!





Achievements:
Mom of 2
3 years of marriage


Lessons Learned:
Patience really IS a virtue
Everyone's feelings are valid

In 1 word 2008 was:
Challenging

In 1 word 2009 will be:
Ever-changing

My hopes for next year:
A house????
Bret to graduate
Be a great mom and wife
Make a difference

Thursday, January 8, 2009

The Mom

Brets Mom emailed me the link to this and I about died!!

Enjoy!!!

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

My Dang CUTE Kids

Today I wasn't able to get a shower in while the kids were sleeping and since I have been going to the gym daily, getting a shower in is a MUST!
I turned on a movie so I could slip away for ten minutes to shower. I came back in and this is what I found! I have the CUTEST kids ever!!!





Tuesday, January 6, 2009

The Gingerbread House

Bret and I bought this gingerbread house on Christmas clearance and thought it would be fun to make. Here is how it turned out... I will let the pictures explain themselves.


















(and yes that is my daughter with Kitchen Shears... which were taken away RIGHT after this picture)


Maybe next year we wont buy one that is half price!

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Go Utes! (coming from a Y fan?)

Last night I could not have been more proud of the Utes, and that is coming from a true blue through and through Cougar fan.
I honestly hoped that they would win for the conference, but loose for all of the fans that never have anything good to say about the Y.
Well, last night, the Utes proved to the rest of the nation that the MWC is just as good as any other Division I conference. And as much as I hate to say it they really should be #1. Bret's boss who is a huge Ute fan said "this season has been a miracle season. We shouldn't have beat TCU, we shouldn't have beat Oregon State, and Michigan. But they did, and why not beat Alabama too? Its in this teams destiny to win." I couldn't agree more with this statement. This season for the Utes truly was destiny. And I congraulate them for their winning season.

Anyway read this article, I found it quite interesting and agreed with it.

On a side note, I just wish those stupid people on discussion boards would enjoy the winning season rather than bad mouth the Y. Maybe next year will be the year for the Cougars?!?!?!?