Well check visit with Dr. Good

Monday, February 25, 2008-We made our annual trip to the doctor's office for Jack well check visit. Like usual, we waited what seemed like forever in the exam room. So to occupy our time, we measured our heads. Ok, they were more like "crowns," but whatever works and keeps the children happy, right? This was our last visit with Dr. Good, as he is going to Columbia to teach and promote health to Colombians. We wish him all the best and safe return. Fortunately for us, Jack is perfectly healthy and growing like a weed (95% for height AND weight). Jack is still following him his daddy's footsteps, literally.

Megan is trying her darnedest to smile and say: "cheese" at the same time.

Jack has got the say: "cheese" part down pat, now I just need him to always look at the camera!

These pictures were actually taken with my phone and so the resolution isn't perfect, but they aren't too shabby either. Now that I have figured out this picture taking thing and the ability to e-mail the pictures to me, I might be taking more...we'll see though.

I also noticed that my children are wearing the same EXACT outfits they wore on Saturday, hhhmmmm... Oh well, they were clean, I guess, as Darrin dressed them this morning too.

Like Father, Like Son

Daddy & Jack

Here are some of the boys' clothes from Old Navy. I swear that we keep them in business... Anywho, along with their matching t-shirts, they also got matching swim trunks. (We finally were able to take the children swimming at our fitness center-crazy week!)
~Saturday, February 23, 2008~

Like Mother, Like Daughter

Mommy & Megan

I ordered a bunch of new clothes from Old Navy a couple of weeks ago. They finally arrived this week. Darrin dressed the children this morning and without thinking or purposely planning, we all seemed to have matched. ~Saturday, February 23, 2008~

Happy 4th Birthday Jack!

To our sweet little boy, Jack, Happy 4th Birthday, though he has believed to be 4 since Saturday...Jack is such a wonderful little boy. From the moment Darrin and I found out we were pregnant, we started calling the baby "Baby Jack." I just knew he was a boy and that his name was Jack (full name is Jackson Darrin Allred).

I instantly fell in love with our little boy. He moved a lot during the pregnancy and seemed to be tight and snug; he loved resting his foot in my left rib cage, giving me the worst burning feeling. I would try to move him, but somehow, he would manage to sneak his foot back up there. Since

Jack was a planned C-section, we knew the exact date he would come and so counted down the days. Originally, we were planned to come in at 5pm on Friday, February 20, 2004. But late Thursday night, we received a call from the hospital that they had a cancellation and so were now scheduled for 8am; we couldn't have been more excited. We hurried and gathered all our things, set the alarm clock, cleaned house, and went to bed, anxiously awaiting such a new and exciting adventure for our little family.

Well Jack finally arrived quickly and without any complications at 8am Friday morning. He weighed 8 pounds and 11 ounces. He was chubby in all the right spots. He even came out hungry too! The nurses instantly fed him a bottle while the doctors took care of me. I remember vividly the very first moment I saw Jack. The best way to describe it was: Love at first sight! All I wanted to do was hold him, kiss him, and just love him. I couldn't stop the tears from coming. It was such a special moment that I will always remember.

Since that day, I have come to know Jack, his busy, curious, and energetic personality. Since Darrin has been in Orlando all this week, Jack has slept with me in my bed. (OK, let me rephrase: he goes to bed in his own bed, and then somehow meanders his way over to my room in the middle of the night.) Jack is still a snuggler and so he crawls into bed, only to snuggle in close to you-love that! He is teaching me so much, that I just love being his mother.

Diet Coke, Shopping, and Hair

My good friend, Tami, e-mailed this to me. This is for all those women out there who agree! Aly

Amanda was walking down the street when she was accosted by a particularly bedraggled and shabby-looking homeless woman who asked Amanda for a couple of dollars for dinner. Amanda took out her billfold, extracted ten dollars...and then asked: "If I give you this money, are you going to spend it on Diet Coke instead of dinner?" "No, I had to stop drinking that years ago," the homeless woman replied. "Will you use it to go shopping instead of buying food?" Amanda asked. "No, I don't waste time shopping," the homeless woman said. "I need to spend all my time trying to stay alive." "Will you spend this on a hair stylist instead of food?" Amanda asked. "Are you NUTS!?" replied the homeless woman. "I haven't had my hair done in 20 years!" "That's just fine," said Amanda, "I'm not only going to give you the money, I'm going to take you out for dinner with my hubby and myself tonight." The homeless woman was astounded. "Won't your husband be furious with you for doing that? I know I'm ragged, dirty, and I probably smell pretty disgusting." Amanda replied: "That's all right. It's important for Andy to see what a woman looks like after she's given up Diet Coke, shopping and hair appointments."

Jack's Birthday Party

Saturday, February 16, 2008-We celebrated Jack's 4th Birthday at Lifetime Fitness Center with all of his friends: Reagan Ford, Donny & Blake Fairholm, Dominic & Cole Nugent, Robbie Williams, Will Linton, and Ben Van Cott. Of course, Megan, Darrin, Aly, and Aunt Mandy were in attendance with Jack to help out with all the boys. The children played on the scooters, with hula hoops, ribbons, hockey sticks and pucks, hence the reason why the pictures are slightly blurry. It's hard to take several pictures of children in constant motion. After all the running around, we ate pizza with soda and then cake and ice cream. It was a great time for everyone.

Happy Valentine's Day, Darrin!

Here we are On earth together

It's you and I
God has made us fall in love It's true
I've really found Someone like you
Will it say The love you feel for me
Will it say That you will be by my side
To see me through Until my life is through
Well, in my mind We can conquer the world
In love you and I You and I, you and I

I am glad At least in my life
I've found someone That may not be here forever
To see me through But I found my strength in you
'Cause in my mind You will stay here always
In love, you and I You and I, you and I
You and I In my mind
We can conquer the world In love, you and I
You and I, you and I

I love you, Darrin.

February 14, 2008

Happy Valentine's Day 2008!

Thursday, February 14, 2008-There's a reason why you don't give each of your children their own box of See's candies and then leave them with it all alone, unsupervised! I love treating my loved ones to a box of See's candies on holidays, especially Valentine's Day. Well, I saw these cute heart shaped boxes and thought that they would have an assortment of goodies (suckers, candy sticks, chocolate balls, etc...). Nope. They were a heart shaped box full of chocolates (Ok, I wasn't too disappointed). Any who, I gave Jack and Megan their box of chocolate this morning, while I got ready.

Sadly, I went on my normal routine of doing hair, checking e-mail, doing laundry and dishes, etc... only to come back to this about 30minutes later! I found chocolates on the carpet, on the baseboards of my bed, and of course, all over Megan and the bed. As my mom says: I can't be upset as I am the one that gave them the chocolates and left Megan all alone with hers. At least Jack ate most of his-no mess :). As I took the last picture, Megan rolled over and "wiped" her face all over Darrin's pillow. Sorry hon, but thank goodness for bleach.

Sledding

It's official: I AM TIRED OF THE SNOW!!!! It started snowing hard just as I was about to leave for the gym this afternoon. It's my own fault I didn't go earlier... But any who, I was stuck behind a 6 car pile up all because a mini van with bald tires couldn't make it up the hill on my way home! Needless to say, I don't have a whole lot of patience when I drive and then to be stuck in a snowstorm at 5:45pm, I wasn't exactly polite to this woman! You know how that feels, right??? Enough of my soap box.

Any who, when we got a bunch of snow a week ago, Darrin took the children sledding with our neighbors. (We have the perfect sledding hill by the neighborhood park and pool.) Trent-the dad-took this picture of Jack. Jana-the mom-e-mailed it to me. The picture says it all about how much fun Jack was having. Jack is a great little sledder-no fear!
February 2008

A Little About Me!

I have decided for those who don't know me well... and would like to, here's a few things about me:

1. I am a graduate of Brigham Young University with an English Degree. (I spent the first 4 years studying Dietetics and Health Promotion until BYU "discontinued" the HP program, which left me with only one alternative-just graduate and be done!) So upon going into my 5th year of college, I started the English program and graduated just a few short semesters later. Before graduating, I had already attended Ricks College (BYU-Idaho now[hated it]) and BYU-Hawaii (loved it)!

2. I served an LDS Mission in Southern France "Marseille, France." The same mission that my older brother opened up 7 years earlier (1989-1991). My dad also served a French speaking mission: The Franco Belgium Mission (1965-1968 I think [2 1/2 year mission as there was no MTC at the time]). My younger brother, Adam, and I overlapped in the MTC for a week before I left out into the mission field.

3. In the first month of my mission, I shattered my ankle in a game of Ultimate Frisbee-love that game! It left me with a shattered tibia and fibula. I had to 2 nails screwed into my tibia and 11 screws and a metal plate attached to my fibula (what was left of it). 10 months later I had all that hardware removed back in the US in hopes that I wouldn't be left with a permanent limp and/or damage to the leg. Very hard time for me.

1. I am married to a man, Darrin, whom I met just about 8 years ago. We immediately hit it off. We went on our very first official date the first of June and got married in August. Fast I know, but me being in my mid 20's (24 1/2 to be exact) and Darrin 26, we knew what we wanted in a spouse, best friend, and eternal companion. It was truly love at first site!


4. Darrin and I lived in England for 2 years soon after we got married. We were able to travel across Europe. Darrin has been to most of the European Union Countries. We were in England during September 11th, the change of currency into the Euro (though England still uses the GBP [aka "pound"]), Utah Winter Olympics, and the beginning of the Iraq war.

5. I have 2 little children: Jack who will be 4 next week (February 20, 2004) and Megan who turned 2 last November (November 5, 2005). They are both sweethearts and the love of my life-next to Darrin. Jack is very boy. He's into Thomas the Train and Lightening McQueen. Megan loves everything and anything princessy and pink!

6. I love to exercise. If I could, I would spend all morning at the gym.

7. I really like my Diet Pepsi (Diet Coke will do when it is my only option). I am addicted to the stuff, especially late at night with my bowl of popcorn!!

8. I am a fan of McDreamy and Dr Burke (so sad that they got rid of him)...Grey's Anatomy...

9. I still enjoy listening to Michael Jackson, Erasure, Pet Shop Boys, and Oingo Boingo, though, I have become a fan to "the wheels on the bus" and every other nursery rhyme sing a long song. My current fave's are Micheal Buble and Josh Groban.

10. I own all 6 DVDs of the "Rocky" series and yes, I still cry at the end, especially #2, #3 and especially #6.

11. I love pizza and a good "ol hamburger and real french fries (of course with my Diet Pepsi)!

12. My favorite seasons are Spring and Fall. I am not crazy about hot summer days, though I enjoy summer BBQs, homemade ice cream, fire flies, and fire works. (Don't like to sweat when I am not exercising [see #18], which is why the extreme heat bothers me.) Maybe one day we will move to a more temperate climate???

13. I miss the ocean, though am terrified of large fish and sharks.

14. My favorite date night is going to dinner and the movies-pathetic, I know, but truly I love that. Fortunately, Darrin is a movie buff too, or at least I turned him into one.

15. I love spending time with my parents. It's fun to see how much my children love being around them and talking to them on the phone. It's so great having them so close. I do admit that I miss their home in Delray Beach, especially now that Jack and Megan would just love playing in the sand at the beach.

16. If I could meet anyone in Hollywood, I would be ecstatic to meet Nicolas Cage. I am a big fan of his movies.

17. For those who really don't know me, I have had 4 surgeries on my face, one on my shoulder and elbow, 2 on my ankle (see #3), one on my right foot and my appendix removed. With the exception of my shoulder and elbow, all those surgeries were performed between 16-22 years of age.

18. I was just diagnosed with Graves Disease and Hyperthyroidism the first of this year.

19. I love to scrapbook and have gotten into digital scrapbooking. I am on my third book.

20. My favorite colors are yellow and red. My whole house would be yellow and red if I could afford Williams Sonoma.

21. My dream one day is to own a "craftsman" style home on the coast (at least a close drive to the ocean).

22. Don't ever ask me to quilt or sew-don't like to and don't know if I ever will...

23. I was never asked to my Senior Prom and so didn't go. (Our family moved from California to Texas the first day of my Senior year in High School. Didn't make ONE friend that year.)

24. I love European Chocolate. To be specific, my all time favorites are Neuhaus and Leonidas.

25. A date night (heck, just a plain old Saturday night at home) isn't complete without dessert in bed at 9pm.

26. I love fresh, home grown tomatoes from a garden (grew my first garden last summer), though am not a fan of "gardening." In fact, I am a terrible gardener, but am willing to make mine work this year.

27. My favorite time of the day is when Darrin walks through the garage door from work!

28. Thanksgiving is my favorite Holiday; however, I love apple pie ALL YEAR round (ala mode).

29. I love listening to Jack and Megan laugh and love them even more when they are tender, sleeping angels.

30. I just love my family.

We've Got Mail!

Saturday, February 9, 2008-After making the hectic trip to Costco (not that it is far away, but there are just so many people there!), we stopped by "The Pie" Pizzeria (http://www.thepie.com/enter.htm) on our way home for dinner. (There's a restaurant in South Jordan.) Well, before heading into the restaurant, we saw several children ice skating just outside the SJ Library (which happens to share the open space/ walk way to The Pie), so of course, we just had to have a look. The children "skated" with their shoes on around this small ice skating rink (forgot the camera). Because we hit 41 F today, the ice was very slushy. When we got home, finally, the children's pants and shoes were soaked, so I took them off and just let them run wild until tubby time. That is why both children are pantless-FYI...

Any who, before putting the children in a bath, I thought I would get all the laundry folded and put away since the kiddos were having fun playing-don't ask me what, I just listen to make sure they are still breathing. (Darrin was preoccupied with the Spongebob game on his Wii to notice what the children were up to.) It wasn't until I heard Jack say: "Mommy, you've got mail" and tried to hand me what I thought was a tissue. (Megan has this notorious ability to unroll a brand new roll of toilet paper and string it around the house.) Well, this time, they happened to open a brand new package of baby wipes and stuff them into Megan's hoodie and present it to me like "mail". As I ran to go get my camera (how could you be mad?), Jack chased after me with wipes in hand saying: "Mommy, mommy, don't forget your mail..." Of course, once they saw dad on the Wii and Spongebob on the tv screen, that was that! The "You've Got Mail" was history.

9 Words Women Use

9 Words Women Use

1.) Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.

2.) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around
the house.

3.) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.

4.) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!

5.) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you ab out nothing. (Refer back to #3 for the meaning of nothing.)

6.) That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can say to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

7.) Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or Faint. Just say you're welcome.

8.) Whatever: Is a women's way of saying You're WRONG!

9.) Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response refer to #3.

**A friend of mine sent this in an e-mail to me. I just had to post it, as it is so true for me. For all you men out there, make note of these key phrases, as they are used A LOT by most women!

21 Steps to Becoming a Democrat

Virtually anyone can be a Democrat. Just simply quit thinking (about it) and vote that way. If you want to be a GOOD Democrat, however, there are some prerequisites you must have first. Compare them below and see how you rate:


1.You have to believe the AIDS virus is spread by a lack of Federal funding.

2.You have to believe that the same school system that can't teach 4th graders how to read is somehow the best qualified to teach those same kids all about sex.

3.You have to believe that guns, in the hands of law-abiding Americans, are more of a threat than U.S. nuclear weapons technology, in the hands of Chinese communists.

4.You have to believe that there was no art before Federal funding.

5.You have to believe that global temperatures are less affected by cyclical, documented changes in the earth's climate, and more affected by Americans driving SUVs!

6.You have to believe that gender roles are artificial but being homosexual is natural.

7.You have to be against capital punishment but support abortion on demand.

8.You have to believe that businesses create oppression and governments create prosperity.

9.You have to believe that hunters don't care about nature, but loony activists from Seattle do.

10.You have to believe that self-esteem is more important than actually doing something to earn it.

11.You have to believe the U.S. military, not evil, tyrannical regimes, start wars.

12.You have to believe the NRA is bad, because it supports certain parts of the Constitution, while the ACLU is good, because it supports certain parts of the constitution.

13.You have to believe that taxes are too low, but ATM fees are too high.

14.You have to believe that Margaret Sanger and Gloria Steinem are more important to American history than Thomas Jefferson, General Robert E. Lee or Thomas Edison.

15.You have to believe that standardized tests are racist, but racial quotas and set-asides are not.

16.You have to believe Hillary Clinton is all about progress and not power. She just wants to help us out of the archaic system of governing that we've been subjected to since our founding.

17. You have to believe that the only reason socialism hasn't worked anywhere it's been tried, is because the right people haven't been in charge.

18.You have to believe Republicans telling the truth belong in jail, but a cheat, liar and sex offender belongs in the White House and you would vote him back in there in a New York minute (if you could).

19.You have to believe that homosexual parades displaying drag, transvestites and beastiality should be constitutionally protected and manger scenes at Christmas should be illegal.

20.You have to believe that illegal Democrat Party funding by the Chinese is somehow in the best interest of the United States.

21.You have to believe that the vociferous minorities who protest against prayer and saluting the flag in school have far more rights than the majority who believe in God and country and want these values to be instilled in our young children.

For friends and family who really know me, I grew up in a very conservative home, with a very conservative father. He somehow seems to receive lots of anti Hillary and anti democrat e-mails. He passed this over to me and just thought I needed to post it on my "soap" blog! Interesting statistics from Fox News: the majority of Hillary's votes are coming from the poor and uneducated...hhhhmmmm, enough said.

Thank Heavens for Little Boys...

For my birthday back in early January, the primary presidency gave me this really cutsie birthday card with a handbag, cell phone, and sunglasses all on the front cover. Well, unbeknownest to me, Jack got a hold of it before he headed off to bed one night. I heard him calling my name later, only to find him looking like this! How can you get upset with a creative boy, who only wanted to look hip and happenin' while talking on his mini cell phone? Corey, Wendy, or Tiffany-I am so sorry, but Jack apparently thought it was a cute card too. All I can say is: Thank Heavens for little boys... January 2008

The Snow Storms of 2008

Sunday, February 3, 2008-We received yet another 11" of the white stuff! It snowed the night before and all morning. It was snowing so hard and so much, that church was canceled! Church was canceled IN UTAH and we lived right across the street, that is how much it snowed. Later in the afternoon, the sun came up, people came out of the their homes and started shoveling and pushing snow around. The children were more than thrilled to be outside. Pat on the back for Darrin, as it took him over an hour to do our driveway and that was with the help of our neighbor, Forrest (aka "the other Mark Buhler") with his snow blower and they didn't even do the whole driveway because of the volume!! We love our neighborhood; we truly have great neighbors.

Jack and Robbie (along with Jana in one picture) are enjoying a boyish snow fight and snow balls.