In The Last Little While...

At the Fair a few weeks ago, I bought a couple of Orange rolls. They're so good so I decided to make some. Life is wonderful when you have a Bosch, and they turned out so good.

A while ago I needed something sweet. I usually keep some form of chocolate/candy in the house for this reason but I had nothing and got desperate. Since we are on a time of use plan, I couldn't use my oven, so I made No Bake Cookies. I had to post a picture because I always used to make these in high school and my sisters hated it. They would never eat them although they admitted they tasted good. They couldn't get passed the fact that they looked like turds.

Last weekend we went to a train park with Connie and family. It was so awesome and we didn't even get to do everything before we left. I was having so much fun that I only took a few pictures. It is a great place and we'll be going back again soon! There was a train that rode you all around the park, a huge playground for the kids, a carousel, ice cream, and this big train exhibit thing below. It was a lot of fun, can't wait to go back.

I attempted to potty train Marcelus again. I started off letting him roam around naked. He was doing great until he decided he could just pee on the floor without too much trouble. Then I put him in underwear so he'd be accountable and wet. His Disney/Pixar underwear are so cool, he'd wet in them just so he could wear a new pair. After all, how can you choose between Buzz and Incredibles? He had a hard time leaving his movies to use the toilet too...the good things about it? I know he's close. He communicated great and told me "I know" after I told him he couldn't potty in his underwear. He would also tell me he was sorry which melted my heart. He knows what I want him to do, he just isn't 100% committed yet, so I decided to wait until he is. Another great thing is that he wasn't afraid to try #2 in the toilet, he tried to get there but kind of was too late. Also, he started just peeing standing up. Sometimes he would still choose to sit down. I would always ask him when we went in "Do you want to sit or stand?" Anyway, Marce liked to wear his underwear backwards so he could see the picture. Pick your battles people...

Miss USA

I have not seen a clip or anything, but I did hear that one of the girls was unfairly asked about the rights of gay marriage. She defended the true marriage between a man and a woman and then got slaughtered by the media for it, and the idiot who came up with the question. If they knew what the answer should be, why would they even ask, as if there wasn't a difference of answer or an alternative? I don't get that. Besides, it's a question like one of those pageant questions that is open ended and based on opinion, which means there isn't supposed to be a right or a wrong answer, so all of this doesn't make sense to me. On the TODAY show, Matt Lauer did bring up the fact that she stood up for what she believed when the author of the question said she was not politically savvy. The girl when asked if she would now change her answer immediately said No, and that she was not concerned about being politically savvy (which only means popular) but was more concerned with being biblically correct. Wham Bam! Way to go girl, stupid people. I wish I could phone her personally. I hope she knows what it meant to a lot of us who have no voice in the world of media. Just because something is popular doesn't mean it's right. Doing what's right might not always be what's popular. When will people see this. When it's all said and done, I hope to be the quirkiest, most peculiar person alive!

Updates On The Kids And What Not

Right now things are a bit haywire. We're just starting to get back to a good schedule since the trip. I try to go to bed at least by 10:30 so I can wake up and work out. I get up and head down to our complex gym room at about 9. Hopefully I can start going a little earlier. I stay and work out for about an hour, sometimes a little longer. The workout room here is great. They have a bike, a treadmill, a stairstep/gazette type of thingy, and 2 big "do everything" lifting machines. I have not seen a single soul since going so I kind of feel like it's my own weight room. I take my iPod and warm up on the bike or stairstep for about 10 minutes, then I lift the rest of the time using the machines and my Oxygenfit stuff. I have a pair of 10 pound weights but I haven't used them yet. I really like the choices and the programs you can do on the stairstep and the bike and stuff. I am pretty sore right now cause I started on Saturday. I'm working through it though and doing really well. With all the equipment I already have and the complex gym, I can work every single part of my body so that's good.
The thing I always hate is that you work out and build a great body only to get pregnant and stop for a year to have a baby, then start the same thing of building all over again. I try not to think about that and the good thing is that the core muscles you build you never lose. Besides, I'm not planning on getting pregnant for a good while. Oh the joy of being done and thinking "My body never has to be interrupted again!" That will be great. I don't mind being pregnant that much, but right now I am not even close to that mind set. I'm thinking a couple more and we're good anyway.
So right now, I am pretty much working out, trying to do chores, baking bread and stuff, watching about 2 basketball games per night, reading a book (I'll post about later), loving Biggest Loser, defaulting on American Idol (My prediction: Adam and Danny in the Finale- mind you I only catch snippets), and I'm trying to read Twilight with Sharrid so he can watch the movie. I'm also eating a lot of apples.

Sharrid has been running almost every morning down at a local middle school track. He has been watching the boys while I work out a little later and we're planning our next date, YES! He took off a week in June. He's decided to use it to visit old Vegas friends which means we'll be seeing my family too. We might take a few of the days and head to Carlsbad to see Grandparents and go to the beach. Father's Day is coming up and I'm hoping to get a picture for the custom frame that my sister Kira made him for Christmas. I wanted to do a picture of the Christ in Rio (where he served his mission) so we'll see. Mothers Day is also coming. A wheat grinder or pressure canner would be nice but yeah right. I probably won't get either. Clothes is always a good alternative...

The terrible two's are running into the three's over here. Marcelus is so much smarter academically now, but still very defiant and bratty a lot of times. Sometimes I'm not sure how to discipline him...I'll probably try to potty train again in the next month. Shar and I both feel that Marce is ready for preschool so we need to see if he'll potty train.

Phoenix has always done things ahead of schedule. He is becoming a toddler. He isn't a baby anymore. He now has an attitude and will throw things when he doesn't get his way. He has turned into a monkey and climbs everything! He also has graduated from baby food and only wants the real stuff we eat. He is the biggest moocher. If you happen to have any food, he automatically walks up to you like he's entitled to it. He'll eat anything! He LOVES balls. We knew pretty early on that Marce didn't really care about balls. He was more into vacuums, cell phones, remotes, and hair blowers. Phoenix is a baller! He naturally knows how to throw a ball. He laughs and giggles when you play ball with him. Here are some pics and video of the boys last Sunday afternoon.




Marce wanted me to take these pics of him hanging off the table...I don't know why, I think he was proud.

NBA Playoffs 2009

The NBA playoffs begin tomorrow. Here are the match ups:

EAST
(1) Cavs vs. (8) Pistons
(2) Celtics vs. (7) Bulls
(3) Magic vs. (6) 76ers
(4) Hawks vs. (5) Heat

WEST
(1) Lakers vs. (8) Jazz
(2) Nuggets vs. (7) Hornets
(3) Spurs vs. (6) Mavericks
(4) Trailblazers vs. (5) Rockets

Here are some of my thoughts

• I believe the Suns didn't make it into the playoffs for pretty much one reason: Too many changes this season. Coaching changes, player changes, and style of play (coaching) changes. I think if they do what they finished the season doing and keep the same coach and players, they have a great shot next year.
• I hope the Mavericks kill the Spurs right off the bat because I hate the Spurs and because I know the Mavericks will get booted off later in the playoffs anyway. Basically I'd like to use the Mavericks to get rid of the Spurs in the first round. After that, I don't care what happens to the Mavs.
• With Kevin Garnett out for at least the first round, I still think the Celtics will take care of the Bulls pretty easily.
• It would be nice if the Hawks got out of the first round against the Heat. Get Dwyane Wade out of there early and the Hawks deserve it, at least the program does. I can't remember the last time they were a decent team since Dominik Wilkins played for them.
• The Lakers will beat the Jazz out of the first round again this year, possibly 4-0 again! I would root for the Jazz because I know they'd be crushed later but it's no use. They will lose. Good riddance. I hate the Jazz, mostly because of their fans who think they are better than everyone else.
• Chris Paul bugs so I hope he's out of the running with the Hornets soon.
• I believe the Trailblazers will beat out the Rockets. Rockets have not recently been over the first round and I don't think they will get to the second round this year either. Trailblazers could surprise everybody with how far they get.
• Lastly, I kind of hope the Cavs DON'T win the whole thing just to spite them. In saying that, I really don't have a prediction on the championship game and just hope to see some good basketball playoffs since the Suns are out.

What do you guys think?

Sharpie Screen

Yesterday was not a good day. I am still trying to get things back to normal after our trip. One low point of the day is when Marce scribbled Sharpie all over my computer screen. Through the scribbles I Googled and found out toothpaste would take it off...IT WORKED! Thank you Google and Yahoo Answers!

In other news, we are currently trying to wean Phoenix through the night. I am starting to work out again on Monday, and I might try and potty train Marce next week...wish my luck on all of the above!

Willard Family Pictures April 2009

We all got different pictures the day we took family pictures, so we are all posting them. Sorry to those who check my family members blogs also. You have been Willarded out! Here are the shots they got from my camera...and some I took on my own.

All done with pictures
The bottom 3

This picture of Landon is one of my favorites.

Tibi must be slouching because she's as tall or taller than Connie.

Classic Lando

I love my mom's hair color especially in this one because it's shaded and you can really see how light and heavenly it is.
We attempted to put everyone in a picture. I love this one because of my dad. I think he's about ready to shoot himself in the face.
I didn't really get a decent one...



My family: The Willards
The siblings out of order
Kira (28) Lexie (25) Tibi (14) Landon (13) Michaela (21) Connie (29)

The pictures turned out well but I should have had someone do my make-up. If you're wondering, no - I can't do my own. My sisters do it for me on special occasions like this but there was no time. Next to my sisters though, who all have make-up on, I look pretty drowned out. The pink shirt with my hair color probably doesn't help but without make up, you can't even really see my eyes. Next time I'll make sure I get some on. I really think I look pretty good with it on, I mean who doesn't!

Last night was the first time I was able to put my hair up, thank goodness! I have been growing it out for a while now. In my opinion, it grows pretty slow. I love having short hair. It's easy and I'm not really good at doing long hair at all. Sharrid likes it long whether I "do" it or not...urgg! It's the in between that sucks, which is exactly how my hair is now. I also don't really like the color. It's a mousy brownish red. I admit, my natural color before it changed (dirty dishwater blonde) wasn't much better. This is why I dye it. I'm going to keep growing my hair a bit more and then dye it either blonde or dark brown, I can't decide right now. How funny is this, and sad really. I pretty much hate the color, length, and style of my hair right now. Good thing it won't be like this forever.

Easter 2009

We spent Easter at my parents during Fair week. In fact we were also there for General Conference, which was nice. Saturday morning, we had a hunt for the grand kids. Here are some pictures of the egg hunt.



Marcelus' loot

Sunday morning the grand kids woke up to their Easter baskets. Marcelus didn't get hardly any candy. Instead he got motorcycles, cars, a train whistle, and action figures.
Marcelus showing daddy his Easter basket