Thursday, December 20, 2007

7 Random facts about...ME!!

Okay I was hit by my friend Ciara. As soon as I read on her blog she had been hit I knew I was next, so here it goes...

1. I confess...I'm addicted to chocolate. I have to have something chocolatey daily and especially after lunch and dinner but its worse after dinner for sure. The best part about it I don't even feel guilty about eating it!!

2. My toes always have to be painted...ALWAYS! I change my polish at least every two weeks even in the winter. In the summer I change it weekly or more. I also give myself pedicures but I love it even more when I'm not the one doing them!

3. My thumbs are different sizes. My left thumb looks normal my right...is a club thumb. What is that you might be thinking. Well...its fatter and shorter, sadly it almost looks like a toe. My brother used to tease me when I was little. But that okay I'm used to it by now, the thumb I mean not the teasing ;)


4. I'm baby hungry. I know Mikaila is only 15 months but I'm starting to want another baby. Hopefully we'll start trying in about 6 months...I'll let you know


5. I am a shopaholic, yes I can admit it. I would shop daily if I could afford it. At one time in my life, I worked three jobs to support my habit. I like to shop online, the mall, outlets and for anything you name it. It doesnt even have to be for me I just like to shop. I think I'd be a fantastic personal shopper because I could shop and someone else would be paying. So if anyone ever want to pay me to shop for them... just let me know.


6. I am Friends with Mikael's ex-girlfriend and mother of his son Pearce. Most of my friends think this is weird but it works for us. We talk all the time, go shopping together and most recently went on a car ride to Coos Bay to see Pearce's christmas play and Mikaila and I even spent the night at her parents house. Honestly I wouldnt have it any other way.

7. This last one is the hardest because it's hard to think of random facts about yourself, but lastly I am a picker. Yes you read that right a picker from zits to boogers. I constantly am picking at my face or at Mikael's or even Mikaila's. Although I pick Mikaila's boogers I definitly dont pick Mikael's I leave that to him. I know GROSS!! I can't believe I just admited that.

I've decided this is more of a confession than random facts but facts just the same...

I am going to tag...Misa. Your blog is new and it will be fun to read some random facts about you. Have fun!!

Saturday, December 15, 2007

My Hero






After 5 long months and 12,000 miles. Mikael is returning home. We are welcoming him home at Aloha High School on Sunday December 16th at 4 pm for anyone who would like to come and show your support for this amazing man and his journey.


Mikael has truly inspired so many along his ride and I could not be prouder of him. What an accomplishment!!

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

At Last!!

This blog is a little late but I thought I should let everyone know Mikaila and me are finally home!!! We flew in on Sunday at 10:20 am from San Jose, CA. Mikael wont be home until next Sunday (more about that on my next entry). I have to admit the smile on my face grew bigger and bigger as we neared my neighborhood and then to see my house!! But my smile faded a little when I entered to find my house was only 44 degrees...bbrrrrr!! I quickly cranked the heat on. I walked upstairs to get a coat and there it was...MY BED! I ran to it, flew myself on it and smothered my face in the pillows. I think I would have cried if my neice Courtney hadnt been standing there thinking I had completely lost my mind! She asked me if I was going to crawl into the tub next...lol. But little did she know I would be doing that later that night for sure!
Finally the day I have been waiting so long for is here ;)

This picture is from Saturday night before I left Mikael. We decided to get a hotel for the night that was close to the airport because I was leaving so early in the morning.
Daddy loves his Baskin Robbins Ice Cream and it looks like Mikaila does too!! Even Chloe wants a little taste...Yum Yum!!

I just had to add a little of Mikaels conversation with Mikaila and ice cream...

Mikael: "If you want ice cream you need to sit"

Mikaila: dancing on the bed, still standing

Mikael: "Mikaila sit"

Chloe: sits

Mikaila: still dancing on the bed

Mikael: "Mikaila you have to SIT!"

Chloe: sits

Mikaila: finally sits down and enjoys a bite before standing up again

At least someone in this family listens even if it is only the dog ;)

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

part monkey??

I have come to the conclusion that Mikaila is part monkey. This is the ladder in the trailer that Papa Dave uses to get into bed and Mikaila decided to follow him up it this evening. After she reached the top of course she wanted back down so she could do it all over again. She is a climbing fool!!




Look at her go...up and down!!

Monday, December 3, 2007

The Beach in December!!


Mikaila playing in the sand


What a beautiful Sunset!!


What a fun way to spend an evening in Ocean Side, California. This was by far one of the best days on the bike trip. We traveled through San Diego today and settled here in Ocean side for the evening. This has to be why people live in California. It is beautiful to say the least.

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Happy Thanksgiving

'Twas the night of Thanksgiving, But I just couldn't sleep I tried counting backwards, I tried counting sheep. The leftovers beckoned - The dark meat and white But I fought the temptation With all of my might. Tossing and turning with anticipation The thought of a snack became infatuation So, I raced to the kitchen, flung open the door And gazed at the fridge, full of goodies galore. I gobbled up turkey and buttered potatoes, Pickles and carrots, beans and tomatoes. I felt myself swelling so plump and so round, 'Til all of a sudden, I rose off the ground. I crashed through the ceiling, floating into the sky With a mouthful of pudding and a handful of pie. But, I managed to yell as I soared past the trees.... Happy eating to all - Pass the cranberries, please.

May your stuffing be tasty, May your turkey be plump. May your potatoes 'n gravy Have nary a lump, May your yams be delicious May your pies take the prize, May your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off of your thighs

Sunday, November 4, 2007

Fall Leaves

Oh to be a kid again...I dont know what it is about leaves that kids find to be so fun. I thought we'd be nice to my mom and rake them up for her but that just didnt happen. Mikaila was having way to much fun just rolling around in them. She is such a big helper some times ;) Besides they make a great backdrop for a picture.


Playing in the potted plants


What you lookin at mom?


girls just want to have fun....

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Trick or Treat

Anyone who knows me knows that Halloween is my favorite holiday. I love everything about it. Dressing up, being scared, the decorations, candy and of course the trick or treaters.
I found this costume for Mikaila in Modina Ohio during our travels with Mikael at a second hand shop and for $5.99 I couldn't pass it up. Mikaila was unsure about the costume and didnt want to wear it until she looked at herself in the mirror and then...she wanted to wear it all the time she must've thought she looked at cute as I did. Halloween night she was being silly and I could not get her to stand up straight and just let me get one picture. She can be so dramatic sometimes. We went trick or treating with my niece and nephew Bailey and Brock who are 1o and 11. She wanted to be just like them carrying her own candy and walking to each house by herself. I know she didnt know why all these stangers were giving her candy but she didnt mind it either. I just like having an excuse to go myself!

One of the many dramatic poses on the stairs


I guess the costume was too heavy for her to lift her head


and shes off, ready to get some candy

Friday, October 26, 2007

where is my life??

I am having an emotional night for some reason. I have put Mikaila to bed and this is usually the time for me. I paint my nails, give myself a facial, catch up on the internet, watch tv, relax.
But for some strange reason tonight as I am reading everyones blogs and learning about their lives and what is going on them. I am overcome with sadness. I miss my life.
The life of my house, my bed, my tub (have you seen my tub) my husband, my ward, my friends. All little things that I have taken for granted in the past. We have been away from Oregon now for three months and seven days. Somedays I just want to go home. But dont get me wrong we have had a lot of fun visiting family and friends here in Utah and seriously some days I dont know what I would do without them. But tonight I am just sad...

Saturday, October 20, 2007

Witches Night Out

For those of you that have never heard of Witches Night Out or have never lived in Utah this is a FUN night out for anyone...the event takes place at Historic Gardners Mill. It is a cute boutiquey place full of shops and great food! It lasts for two nights and they give out coupons for a witches cackle. There is a DJ and music, dancing and witches on parade. It was an eventful night and a great time with friends and of course lots of shopping!!




Ciara and me just after we finished making our hats



Amanda, Ciara, Marcie and Megan


Megan and me...soooo witchy


Believe me everyone goes all out on their costumes. It truly was a lot of fun!!

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Washington D.C.


Wahington Monument



Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall


Our Nations Capitol


For those of you that have never been to Washington D.C. I highly recommend going. I wish we would have been stuck here instead of NYC for a whole week. There is so much to see and do. This was the best place we visited along our travels with Mikael....by far!!
I will definitly be going back, some day soon. I have always wanted to see the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall. I am always very moved when I see it and to be able to see it in person was very emotional for me. I dont know anyones name on it but just the fact that so many people died for this country and continue to sacrifice their lives for this country and our Freedom is a blessing. I am very honored to be an American and live in the USA. That is something I take for granted and being in D.C. reminded me of how far our nation has come. You dont have to be patriotic just on July 4th!

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

A little piece of heaven...


To pass time Mikaila and me went to the mall in Paramus NY. Everytime we would see the Carosel Mikaila would start to holler and get really excited. She just watched the kids going around and around, waving at them as they passed her. When Mikael came to pick us up I asked him to ride with her. She was in Heaven...

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

NYC

As you may know from my dreamboard there are many things I would like to do in NYC. I'm not sure why there are so many desires there. But something about that city I find captivating.
I've always played this romantic scenario out in my mind where I fly to NYC and stay in a luxurious hotel right in downtown Manhattan. I take strolls through Central Park and have a picnic just sitting watching the locals enjoy themselves. I go to Time Square where I am among the hustle and bustle of the city. People and cars everywhere(why? because I love that sort of thing). I get fantastic tickets to a broadway play and shop til I drop everyday!!! Unfortunately nothing even came close to my vision. Because of a knot in Mikaels glute we were stuck 40 miles north of NYC for a full week. And because of Mikaels knot and the pain he was experiencing in his butt, hamstring, calf and his foot being numb we were not able to experience NYC like I've imagined. We drove into the city twice. Once the first day we arrived. We drove to Queens and had dinner with some friends and then through the city. We stopped quickly at Central Park so I could take a picture only to find I couldnt get into the park from where we had parked and me being frustrated with the situation, bagged it. The next time we drove in was two days before we left. Mikael was still unable to walk so we drove to Manhattan I jumped from the truck and took a quick picture and off we went. Thats it. My dream of NYC....not even close. So I have decided not to mark that dream from my dreamboard.

Crazy city life of NYC...I love it~



There are a lot of building in that city~that is for sure!!

Sacred Grove

I wanted to share with you one of the things I was able to experience on my travels with Mikael. When we passed through Palmayra NY we were able to stop at the Sacred Grove and see Joseph Smiths house and walk through the sacred grove. It was very beautiful. To be honest I didnt even know where it was located but my mom and me had talked about it just before I left to be with Mikael. She told me about a lady in her ward who went and gathered leaves that had fallen from the trees and dried them and framed them with this saying,

A pillar of light

young Joseph in

a grove of trees

Found out when he was

on his knees

His Father in Heaven cared.

So I gathered leaves for my mom and me and we are making momentos from this breathtaking experience. I hope that if you ever travel through Palmayra NY you take the time and visit the Sacred Grove...











Thursday, September 27, 2007

Happy Birthday Mikaila







I cant believe it is already Mikaila's first birthday!! She is growing up so fast.
5 things I LOVE about this girl...
1- She makes me laugh everyday
2- She inspires me
3- She makes my life have meaning
4- She's beautiful inside and out
5-She's definitly a challenge and I LOVE a challenge!!!
I love you Mikaila Olivia you are my wonderful baby girl

Monday, September 17, 2007

Oh my!


I'm back!! Finally I have a moment to blog and do some catching up. I am now in Massachusetts with Mikael. We joined him in Indianapolis August 31. I knew this bicycle trip of Mikaels was going to be an adventure, but I never thought it would be this hard and so much work! In just two short weeks we have been to 5 states and still have several more to go. Mikael has almost hit the half way point of 6,000 milesnow only 6,000 more to go. I have decided he is a machine. I am amazed he is able to bike as far as he has. I could not be more proud of him!! So last weekend I was lucky enough to mark something off my dreamboard....Seeing Niagra Falls! It was so beautiful, very breathtaking. I only wish we would've gone over to the Canadian side but we didnt. Next time we will for sure because I will definitly go back.
What else...Mikaila is now walking! She took her first steps the end of July and now we are full blown walking on the verge of running. She officially has three teeth now. Two on bottom and one on top. She is getting so big only 10 more days to her first birthday! Of course more pics to come.

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

5 Generations!!


Yippee!! I am so excited I get to mark something off my dreamboard. I was very fortunate in August. Iwas able to go to South Carolina and spend 10 days with my grandparents. I have not been back there in 22 years, but my grandparents have only lived back there for the last 6 years or so. But we had such a wonderful time. My grandma had a stroke this year around Easter and my mom, me and Mikaila went to spend time with her and my grandpa.
Back row: My Grandpa Kleinman, Grandma Agnes, Great Aunt Clara
Front row: Mom Rebecca, Mikaila and me

Saturday, August 4, 2007

Sunday, July 29, 2007

it's been awhile

Life has definitly been busy since we arrived in Utah on July 19th. We (Mikaila and me) left to go camping with my mom and brothers July 20. We went to Bear Lake it was so beautiful and fun! We stayed at the KOA and camped in a tent, haven't done that in a long time and it was a first for Mikaila but she did great! We hung out at the lake all day and played in the sun and cruised around on the Sea Doos. Unfortunately my moms computer is a little slow and I cant put any pictures on. Mikael arrived in Salt Lake City on Thursday July 26th. Even though it was only a few days we really missed him and have enjoyed spending the last few days together visiting with family and friends. He leaves tomorrow morning and is headed off to Denver, CO. We wont see him again until the end of August, that is going to seem like forever. Mikaila will be walking by then, for sure, she is getting so close.
We'll keep you posted...

Monday, July 16, 2007

The Journey has only begun...


Being Interview by Fox 12
Home away from Home


and their off...
It is now official Mikael and his dad have started their amazing journey, the bicycle tour around the U.S. a total of 12,000 miles. We all met at Aloha High School this morning, Mikael went to High School there. For him that is where his athletic life started and ultimately where it ended as well. It seemed appropriate to leave Portland from Aloha High School. Fox 12 News interviewed him and you will be able to see it on Sunday July 22nd.

His mom Trish and his cousin Kandis are their support team. They will be driving the truck and trailer and making sure they stay safe. We couldn't do this without them, so thankyou...


I want Mikael to know how proud I am of him and how honored I am to be his wife (insert tear). Not many people get the opportunity to live out their dreams and he gets to live his for the next four and a half months!! WOW!!


Mikaila and I are really going to miss having Mikael around but fortunately we get to visit him along the way. We are meeting up with him in Chicago, IL and staying until Atlanta, GA which will be fun. I've always wanted to visit NY and Boston to name a few. Maybe I'll even get to mark some wishes off my dreamboard! We'll keep you posted of how we're coping without him and what kind of trouble we are getting ourselves into. Also please check out Mikael's blog at http://www.12000mileride.blogspot.com/


We love you Mikael, Dave, Trish and Kandis

Friday, July 13, 2007

Inspiration

I was reading Darilyn's blog and discovered she has posted her 50 things she would like to accomplish. I was inspired to share my own Dreamboard. I started this list awhile ago but there was maybe 10 or 15 things listed. So I took some time to think of some others that I have been wanting to write down. The list is in no order what so ever. It's definitly a dreamboard of wants, desires, things I am passionate about. I always know my life is nowhere near over because I havent accomplished very many of them yet and when I get close I'll just add some more!! Enjoy! I hope it inspires you to create your own, add some to yours, or even help someone accomplish theirs...

Thursday, July 5, 2007

Red, white and blue


After my last blog I thought I should shed some light...Since we've been home from Hawaii life has been busy and crazy to say the least, trying to get ready for Mikael's big excursion, and the next two weeks are not going to be any better. But it was so nice that yestarday that all got put on hold for the 4th of July, we were able to relax and spend some time with family and friends.

We had a BBQ with my in laws and our great neighbor Lisa. Then the neighbors kids next to us had a firework show. What a great way to end the evening.

Friday, June 29, 2007

Rain, Rain, Go Away!!


How depressing the last two days have been for me. Last week sunshine high 80's and now this...the rain can stop now!! I know I sound a little upset but come on it's the end of June. So what to do when your home with no car and its raining. I decided since Mikaila's never really played in the rain, we would. So after dinner and before tub time we went on the back deck. She seemed to like the rain and crawled around on the deck then saw something she could use to pull herself up (the outdoor plug). Then I shut the sliding glass door so I could take a picture of her face smooshed up against it....gotta love those cheeks. She's so funny, she definitly put some sunshine on my gloomy day.

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Rest and Relaxation




Aloha!! That is what my past week has consisted of... although the plane ride getting there was another story. Nine month old baby on a plane for 5 hours not much fun. Finally 2.5 hrs later she finally slept. Believe me it was all worth it! This was my first time to Oahu, Hawaii and let me tell you it doesnt matter what island your on it's beautiful!! White sandy beaches, crystal blue water, SUN!! (you know living in OR that makes it worth it right there) We arrived Sunday afternoon and although it is three hours earlier I was ready for bed by 8pm it took some adjusting. Mikaila woke up at 3:30 ready to go but that was not going to happen. I did get her to sleep until 6am but not a minute longer. We had two days of sun, beach, pool and shopping then Wed and Thurs were set aside for the wedding (did I mention why we went to Hawaii, my friend was getting married and I was her matron of honor) The wedding was beautiful, sunset and on the beach. Thursday we went to a Luau it was a lot of fun. Then Friday we rented a car and went to the Polynesian Cultural Center and the Temple grounds (breathtaking) and drove around the island. Saturday we were going to go to Pearl Harbor but we got there a little too late and the lines were out the door and beyond, so we went to a swap market and shopped and then headed to Haunuma Bay for snorkeling. Sunday our last day :( we went to breakfast and Mikaila and me went for a walk and did some last minute shopping while Mikael rested, then we headed to the pool one last time. Our flight didnt leave until 10:50pm which was much better because Mikaila and I slept the entire way! I've been looking forward to this trip for months and sadly it's over....until next time! Mahalo

Thursday, June 14, 2007

whew!!


Whew! that is the feeling I got when Mikaila's temperature finally returned to normal. I gave her Motrin yestarday at 11:30 am and that was it, it never went back up. Crazy virus she had in her system. Today she is back to her sweet self playing, smiling and no more whining!! I didnt think I could take it one more day.

Monday, June 11, 2007

tssss...

Ok so Mikaila woke up this morning at 4 am with a 102.3 temperature!! Scared to death, because she's never been so hot. I gave her some Motrin, nursed her and put her back to bed. We went to the doctor early this morning and pretty much they have no idea what's wrong. She has no other symptoms (cough, runny nose, sore throat) the dr. said some weird virus is going around were they get high fevers for a few days and then goes away. I thought maybe it could be from teething but she indicated probably not because her temp is too high. So hopefully it's back to normal soon. She has been really cranky and whiny which I totally understand but I want my sweet, happy Mikaila back!!! (poor baby)