Callie Callie Callie

Callie no longer stays in her crib. This can be a problem. In fact, we recently (this morning) decided it was a big problem. This is a big problem when a 2 year old is living in her grandparents' home and she can climb out of her crib, open the door, and do whatever she pleases because her parents don't know she's roaming the house finding any and all sugar she can find, turning on faucets and not turning them off, and just getting into little troubles here and there. Oh boy. Today was my father-in-law's birthday, and he woke up to Callie's pitter-pattering as she ran up and down the hallway. Happy Birthday 'pa-pa. This was roughly around 5:30am I am told. He had to put her to bed...TWICE. At 6:30am I hear Callie in the kitchen. I jump up, and there she is. "Oh, hi Mommy. I was just looking around, checking the place out, doing whatever I please. How was your sleep? Did you have sweet dreams?"

I went out to buy a childproof door lock thingamabob, but that doesn't seem to work for our door. We may just have to go out and get a new doorknob. My in-laws may be reconsidering us staying here. I think I would if I were them.

Callie's been getting out of her crib for awhile now...at least 5 months. But I often find her in bed with Sammy, not running around the house. Oh brother. With all of this, we've also decided to move her to the big girl bed. I mean, if she's not staying in there anyway...why not transition her? Right? So, any advice on the switch? I bought a side rail that we'll put together and use.

On a quite happy note: Callie is pretty much potty trained. We had an accident the other day during her nap, but she goes to the potty all by herself. She tells me she needs to go, and then she goes on off to the bathroom and takes care of business. No more treats needed, but boy do we still cheer for her. She's so proud of herself!

Death by Running

How would you choose to die if you had a choice? I have always said "In my sleep." It says a lot about me no? I don't want much work to have to go into it. No pain. Just nice, simple sleep. I've never even considered death by running, but it may be in the cards for me, because, you see, I'm scheduled to run a 1/2 marathon the first weekend of May. I was doing well, running. Then two weeks ago, I stopped. Things got really busy, weekend trips, sickness, holidays, and birthdays...I stopped running. Today, I ran again. I ran 5 miles -- well, I would say I successfully ran about 4 miles. I'm not sure how this 1/2 marathon will go.

Today's Pro-Smoking Campaign

I wasn't alive back in the early years of smoking popularity. But, I'm pretty sure if I saw these ads, I would have dropped all my morals, standards, and common sense to light one up. I mean, after all, more doctors smoked Camels. If doctors are doing it.....

and clearly they make you stay younger. Forget the premature wrinkles and ugly teeth...I wouldn't get a double chin if I started smoking. When tempted, just reach for a lucky. Furthermore, it'll protect your throat against coughing!

....and Good 'ole St. Nick smokes, just to keep his throat from feeling all scratchy in that bitter cold winter air.

and let's not forget Betty Grable and Micky Mantle. I mean, there's some weight behind those advertisements.

All sarcasm aside, this is completely silly and ridiculous, right? I'm not sure the reason behind these ads. I don't know if it was because it was popular, or if there were those saying smoking was bad, and these ads came out to try to convince the public that there are benefits to smoking...other than looking cool, you stay thinner, younger, and don't get bothersome troubles like itchy scratchy throats. Now, tell that to someone who's been smoking for 25 years and has had cancer or is speaking through a hole in their throat. Now, we look at these and see how plainly ridiculous this is. There are very few people who would now say that there are any worthwhile benefits to smoking. Most people who smoke say "I know I shouldn't."

Recently I saw these 2 ads on tv. And I immediately thought of the smoking ads of old. As a way to defend the products "safety" and the backlash on high fructose corn syrup, the Corn Refiners Association has felt the need to come up with these commercials. Oh CRA. This, to me, just makes you look worse. Perhaps it's true, that in moderation it's ok. But can we honestly say that the American diet is one that does a great job of being moderate? When it's in everything, it's hard to eat it moderately. High Fructose Corn Syrup has been associated with obesity and diabetes. And I hardly think at this point that billions of dollars are being lost because people want to eat less high fructose corn syrup...however, if that's the case, we Americans will be healthier for it.

Jenny Gets a Hair Cut

Oh was it ever time to chop off my horribly dry ends.
Yes, I got a hair cut, and I feel so much better. Amazing what a cut will do.

Callie's not looking so sure about me about to leave for my haircut.

With bangs.

And bangs swiped to the side. Oh the versitility is empowering.

School Bus

I'm really behind on my posting...so I'll do my best to catch-up. Marcus got a job (details forthcoming) and Scotty and Annie had their baby (pictures to come)...but today, I talk about the school bus.

Sammy has started taking the school bus. I cried the first day she drove off, but it really has been a good thing. I feel like I've already talked about this. I'm sure I have. Anyway. I was driving 32 miles a day -- back and forth, back and forth to and from school. It was getting old. It was messing up Callie's sleep. And once therapy started (which it has) that would be just a ton of driving that I wasn't too keen on. So far, it's gone really well. Sure there are days when she's a little fussy, but she's fallen asleep on the bus, talked/yelled to her heart's content, and even picked up a new friend -- Harrison. We like little Harry. So, without further ado, here's Sammy, all strapped in on her first bus ride.

Lookin' Good

All I can say, is my bracket is already lookin' pretty good...130 points and 99.5%. Last year, I made it to the finals with a whompin' 99.7%, and BYU, if you pull through for me again on Saturday, I may just have a repeat.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

This is too funny not to post. Thanks Jeff for sending it to us. Oh goodness...people can be so so funny.