It's been a long, a long time coming, but I know a change gon' come... oh yes it will

GLEE STARTS IN TWO WEEKS...just two weeks...I think I can make it.



On the other side, nothing is frustrating me more than Nigel Lythgoe ruining my once favorite reality show.
So you think you can dance, used to be on the top of my list, but now as the seasons come and go, I am left feeling less and less impressed...and then Nigel, drops the bombshell.
There are some changes coming to SYTYCD. "Great", I thought, maybe this will give the show the needed oomph to get it back on top....but then I read the list of changes.

1. There will no longer be a Top 20, and instead it will be just a Top 10. (So hopefully each Top 10 gets featured the same during Vegas Week, otherwise that first week is going to be rough with audience voting)

2. Dancers will now be paired with past "all=star" contestants, each specializing in a style of dance. (yeah I've seen this before...it's called "Dancing with the Stars")
Two all-stars have already been announced...



3. Partners will change every week, with one contestant going home each week (so one bad week, or bad pairing, and it's over)

4. Rotating judges (could be a good thing...maybe Nigel and Mary Murphy will rotate out as well...I grow tired of them very quickly)

5. The competitors will no longer pick their genres of dance (does this mean the producers decide?....seems kind of random and unfair)


Changes I think they should have made:

1. go back to the smaller stage, that big stage just overpowers the dancers unless it's the group numbers.

2. less flattery and self-promotion. let's focus more on the dancers and less on the choreographers. The first season, we didn't even know who the choreographers were.

3. Stop criticizing the dancers on things they don't control: costumes, choreography, and music choice are not their decisions.


I am hoping for the best but I fear that SYTYCD will join American Idol, Survivor, and Big Brother in "reality shows I no longer care about".


What do you think?

The only one for me is you, and you for me...So happy together

Jared and Lindsay came up this weekend. Carson was participating in a state competition in Wenatchee on Saturday, and staying in Moses Lake put them a little closer and less of a drive saturday morning. We had a lot of fun, and the kids had such a great time together.

Saturday Emily, Q and I headed to Wenatchee to do some shopping and watch Carson compete. Our first stop was at Joann's, where we didn't find what I needed, but instead pick up a discounted Easter chocolate candy making kit and $1 tiara. Q was obsessed with both the whole day. When I put her in her seat she would bow her head for me to put her tiara on and then ask for her "box", which she held the whole time in the car.

She would constantly take the tiara off and on, although she couldn't quite put it on correctly, and instead made it look like a visor instead, even a little gangsta with it tilted slightly to the side.

Sunday we hit up church, and then spent the day eating, playing, watching tv, and just being together.

At one point Jared decided to pick up the ole "axe" and play some diddy's for the girls....

Jared can be embarrassing, but he is almost always entertaining.

Dearly beloved, We are gathered here today, 2 get through, this thing called life...

I've talked about her bad behavior...now here's proof.

I'm blaming the fact that she is getting a molar in...but truth is, I think maybe she just has some attitude.

Notice how she goes from being "okay" to "devastated" like a yo-yo...oh and forgive my quiet laughing at one point, but it was just too ridiculous to handle calmly.

*6 minutes, 6 minutes, 6 minutes Doug E. Fresh you're on Ah ah on,

I have mentioned before Q's love for Yo Gabba Gabba. She can't get enough of this show, and Biz's beat of the day is one of her favorite parts. Biz Markie, yes of the "you, you got what I need..." fame shows a new beatbox beat each episode, and the minute he comes on the screen Q starts spitting some beats.

Here is an example of his clips.

and here is Q's beats. Of course when the camera was on her, she needed to be coaxed a little into dropping the dope beats, but trust me...I think this girl has a future in hip hop...and her mom couldn't be more proud. hahaa.

But now we're wide awake... We've got some plans to make...Let's take some action, baby

Michelle's birthday was in February, but we celebrated her girls weekend away this past weekend....and it was super fabulous. We, meaning Michelle, Aubrey, and I, headed over to Seattle Friday night stocked with tunes, conversation topics, and tasty roadtrip treats. We checked into our hotel then went out for a bite to eat. We decided to check out the Earl's restaurant next to Bellevue Square. Oh it was delicious. After dinner we hit up a movie in a sweet theater. I love big city theaters. They are so big, so nice, and have the comfiest chairs. Plus they also have some sweet advertisements that you can take some cool pictures with...and you know I'm a sucker for some sweet photo ops!

Of course since it was a girl's weekend, we had to hit up a sweet chick flick...Brooklyn's Finest...yeah, okay, not exactly a chick flick, and it was so intense I spent most of the movie peeking out from my fingers...but it was good. Intense and crazy, but good. The movie didn't even start until 10:10pm so it was a late night/early morning by the time we got to the hotel and laid in bed. But that didn't stop us from giggling and talking like a bunch of teenagers for a little while.

Saturday morning we got up, hit up some breakfast at Jack in the Box and then went to our scheduled appointment...at a spa! oh my goodness it was fabulous. Aubrey spent some quality time at Old navy, while me and Michelle had a Choco-Latte experience, including foot soak, 55 minute massage, body scrub, swiss shower, and pedicure...all fantastic!!

We got ready at the spa and headin out to do some shopping. We hit up IKEA where we browsed through the showrooms, and got a bite to eat at the cafe...yummmm..meatballs. Then headed over to Macy's (Michelle needed a suit for work). I also tried to searching for a perfume.....which was a very difficult task. I used to love many different scents, but during pregnancy and even currently there are few scents that I can actually stand...most make my eyes water or make me nauseous. So I went through many different scents at the Macy's counter and left with nothing, except a huge headache and a tinge of nausea.

After shopping, we went to the Cheesecake Factory, had some delicious meals, then headed in to Seattle to the 5th avenue theater to see "Legally Blonde: the musical".

OH MY GOSH you guys, it was freakin awesome. I have seen many musicals and this is now in my top 5. So very enjoyable, and the actors were all amazing and had such fabulous voices.

And then after that fabulous day we headed home. It was a long day, and an even longer drive home, but we stayed awake having a sing-along to disney songs and it made us stay awake and get home safely.

Such a great weekend. I missed my Q and was so excited to see her that I woke up early in the morning, and sat on my bed waiting to get the "she's up" text message from Vikki, that signaled it was time to go and get her. She was happy to see me, which I love, my I loved hearing about what a great girl she was all weekend even more.

I just wanna be... successful...

Mind Flush...

I sometimes lay awake at night, for hours, thinking of how to escape my house, with my child, if something bad happened (fire, break-in, etc.). I have come up with many different scenarios, but fear that none of them will work and someone will get hurt. This haunts me.

I have a hard time being really happy for people in love. I know this is selfish.

Sometimes in that quietness of the evening that comes after Q has gone to bed, and I sit alone, I wonder...is this it?

I am so frustrated with my younger self and her obsession with how people viewed her. I wish she had been more free and comfortable with who she was. My present self has embraced her individuality.

I have two recurring dreams: 1) that I am back in high school and can't remember my locker combination...and 2) I'm in college, it's the end of the semester, and I realize that I had a class that I never attended. What do these mean?

I wish I lived in a bigger city so I could take some classes... maybe cooking, maybe painting, maybe dancing, maybe cake decorating. I feel so stagnant and need to learn a new skill.

I think it would be so cool to go Skydiving, but I think my fear of heights could prevent me from ever embracing this experience.

Sometimes, in the mornings, when I go to get Q, I brace myself for something terrible.

Is it ever too late in life, and situation, to make a career change?

I wish I had better luck so I could play the lottery. I don't need to be rich, but "comfortable" would be nice.

this is all my opinion...ain't nothin that I'm saying law.

My friend Clinton is participating in a blogger brawl.

The Mormon Times is having a competition to find a 20-something single mormon to write a blog column on their website about dating. Each week two bloggers are put head to head. You read their blogs, vote on the best, and see how the competition turns out.

This week is Clinton's first entry. So you should read it, and of course Vote...for him...

http://www.mormontimes.com/mormon_voices/blogbrawl/?id=13671

When I look at you, what I always see....

I spend a lot of time sitting next to this girl. staring at her. I love her profile. Her long eyelashes. Her big cheeks. Her full lips. Her eyebrows expressing such concentration. Her pug little nose. Her wispy hairline that leads to very curly, and sometimes nappy, hair around her crown.

I love this view.

Flashing lights...lights...lights

My mom loved awards shows. WE loved award shows. We watched them all. TOGETHER. We would make food. Fill out ballots. Watch the ceremonies. Cry at the speeches...and the in memoriam clips. Laugh at the jokes. Have a great time.

Last night I gathered some friends over for an Oscar Party. I made BBQ pulled pork in my crockpot for sandwiches. Made a delicious spinach artichoke dip (Q is a super fan). Put together some crab wontons with homemade sweet and sour sauce. and had Emily supply the items needed for build your own ice cream sundae.

We all sat around and talked, watched the Oscars, and ate some delicious food (yeah, me!)

I was satisfied with all the winners, was thoroughly entertained with the dance numbers, laughed heartily at the hosts, and loved NPH and his opening number.

It was a fantastic night! My mom would have loved it.

P.s. the only bad part of the evening...

When you are taking something out of the over, try not to rest the top of your hand of the top of the oven....ouch!!

Give me one moment in time...

Just some random photos of my girl.

this is my crazy 18 month old...with all her attitude. Although she doesn't listen when I say no...she loves to dish out the no's herself.

I've mentionned Clinton before....but Q just loves this kid.

well maybe she loves his hat the most....she plays with it all the time. she just gets up and down from his lap, taking his hand...putting it on her head, then back onto his, then back onto hers. And Clinton is such a good sport about it. He is so good with her.

Here is my paparazzi shot of Q...she seriously loves his hats

and here she is...in a now rare state...calm...

As far as life in my world. It's pretty much the same.

I work, at a job that I love, but wish there was slightly less drama.

I play, with Q and my friends when both I and they have the time

I snuggle, on the couch alone, watching shows...and thinking.

I parent, a silly, naughty, outgoing, lovable girl...and hope that I don't mess her up to badly.

she drives me crazy...like no one else

Are you sure it's the terrible 2's? cause Q is almost 18 months, and already she has got some serious attitude. This weekend was a little rough with her, and I don't know what to do exactly.

At what age do you install "time outs" for bad behavior? How do you get your child to not only understand "no", but listen to you?

She is really into "crying" whenever she doesn't get what she wants, or (heaven forbid) I say no. I know she is somewhat spoiled (I try to work on this) but her attitude has just gotten worse lately.

Is it the daycare thing? I told Tina (daycare) to not be afraid to say no, and don't cave in.

Is it the working mom thing? I try to have as much Q time as possible when I get her after work, and the weekends we spend a lot of time together...but maybe her acting out is trying to tell me something...I don't know.

any ideas?

jump around, jump around, jump up, jump up, and get down

This past weekend, I was talking with some friends about my fear of children falling. Falling from high places, head injuries, etc. It's my biggest fear when it comes to kids...in fact even with adults. I just can't handle it. I was recounting a terrifying experience I had a couple summers ago involving a trampoline, a sweet little boy, and a terribly frightening head injury...and I wondered...where did trampolines go so wrong?

A lot of childhood memories involve a trampoline. I remember when Doug and Connie got one, I think the first in our family. The girl cousins would have sleepovers outside in the summer. Jumping in our sleeping bags on the tramp, running in circles playing "maneater", falling asleep in separate locations--only to wake up in one pile in the center of the trampoline. The boy cousins would have wrestling matches on the trampoline all the time, with the girls often used as "managers" in their wrestling stories. We would spend hours on that thing.
Later, when our family finally got a trampoline, I got up the courage to try and learn how to flip...I felt so awesome, so free...
Sure people got hurt. some bruises here and there, a deaden tooth (myca), my sister's friend Mo sprained her ankle...but it didn't effect me..
but now...you couldn't pay me to get on a trampoline, and Q will be banned from those, unless a security net is in use and the big kids...the ones that like to bounce the little ones super high or play "crack the egg" are far from said trampoline....because now, trampolines scare the crap out of me. They give me such anxiety.
It's the fear of falling. I get scared of a kid falling of a couch, can you imagine the anxiety of a kid, especially my kid, falling from a high bouncy object...oh heck no!

My poor nerves.