Phoenix Talk & Marce The Echo

Phoenix is starting to talk now and try to say things. The words that I think sound pretty good are Juice, Cheese, and Hot Dog.

He's pretty funny. He's pretty laid back and easy going but when he gets upset he screams and squeals like a little piglet. It drives me nuts! Phoenix is also trying to dress himself. He will go to his dresser and drag out some clothes and try to get them on (it's hilarious to watch). He also will run to his dresser to get his sandals when someone is about to leave somewhere. He always comes running to me holding his sandals up, he always wants to go outside!

Another new thing (that drives me nuts by the way) is that since Phoenix doesn't know many words yet, he will grab my hand and pull me out of my chair or wherever I am to what he wants, usually in the kitchen for a drink or a snack. It's pretty annoying but it's still kind of cute right now too.

The latest on Marcelus: TALKING BACK EXCESSIVELY & ASKING FOR EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN. On one hand Marce has been great because he can now dress himself and he's starting to do a lot more on his own (including playing for pretty good periods of time) and he is officially potty trained, on the other hand his behavior is going through a phase and he can't quite grasp the reality of what money is, how it works, and where it comes from.

I Keep Burning

I need a break from my kids...I love them but I never get a break! I need a vacation from all my responsibilities....and I never get one. Today just wasn't that great I guess. I wish I had the opportunity to be recharged sometimes but I feel like one of those toys where you know the batteries have been ran down and you don't do anything about it...then you hear those toys making noises in the night like they're possessed....and then one day all of a sudden they work perfectly again....and the batteries were never changed out...just took a long long time for them to recharge inside the same old toy....Crazy possessed toys. I would say I just need a date night but I know I need more like a second honeymoon. It would probably be healthy to take a break since I haven't had one....it's been about 5 years....no bueno. It's just been one of those "I'm losing my identity" days...maybe tomorrow will be a little better...I've got to figure something out or I'm going to go insane.

Two Things

First, the General RS Broadcast was good. I admit I drifting away into daydream land at one point in every single talk except for the 3rd chicks'. She was the best! We had a great Peach cobbler-ish dessert afterwards. I got the recipe! I'm glad I went cause I almost didn't. I was so worn out from the week and the hard work (ALL the chores) on Friday that I did, I was on the verge of being sick on Saturday and couldn't do anything all day. The Broadcast was the only thing I did do!

What I really want to say about the Broadcast was that the music was AMAZING! When they mentioned the Choir being comprised of all these po-dunk towns in Utah that I hadn't even heard of (I've heard of most) I thought in my head "oh...they aren't going to be very good probably...") Boy was I WRONG! After the first song they did I wanted to clap a few loud claps, say out loud what I was thinking in my head ("Wow...") and turn to my friend next to me to diagnose and analyze the whole song. From the outside, the girls around me only saw me shaking my head slowly back and forth a little in total shock, unbelief, and inspiration. The congregation sang a couple of the songs with the Choir and I was wondering "Why in the heck are we singing?" What a shame... I had pressure behind my eyes every time they sang. I don't cry very much at all in a spiritual sense. It is always music, never spoken word (unless RARELY a conference talk). The music has to be next to perfect though. This was AMAZING! I was so proud. I don't want to come off arrogant but I do have the opinion that the members of our church worldwide are some of the most talented people on earth, ...and I am very cultured! I know talent! I know good music! I'll tell you though, WE know how to do music! At least spiritual music anyway. Every girl in that Choir knew how to sing REALLY good. The arrangements were not easy and they had to hold notes forever! They were awesome!!

Okay second, today I attempted another MRI (I'll explain everything in a later post) but basically the three Xanax I took made me unbalanced, slurred a little, and very relaxed, and yeah I did laugh in the waiting room for quite a while for no apparent reason...it didn't do what it was supposed to....which is make my anxiety and fear of the MRI machine go away. When I walked in the room I was just as scared of it as I had been the first time, SO....they told me that the medication I was on wasn't working good enough for me and that I could reschedule and be completely sedated by a nurse who would supervise me the whole time and basically that I would be "put under" for the MRI. They told me after this that I would wake up and probably not even remember what I'd just done or know where I was....PERFECT! That's what I want. I want to be asleep, like gone, like the deepest sleep ever, like when I got my wisdom teeth pulled, like the million times I've passed out, that kind of deep sleep....that's exactly what I want! I want to be asleep before I even see that dumb MRI machine, but I won't. What will happen is I will walk in, lay down on the bed and the nurse will give me medicine in a needle in my arm (like they did for my wisdom teeth) and I will drift away into deep sleep and THEN they will do the stupid MRI. I hate that MRI thing and hate the idea of even thinking it's going to happen whether I'm knocked out or not! It gives me the heebie jeebies! You should see it though! If you've had one in the past, it has changed and you probably didn't have one of the brain, where it takes a whole hour and they plug up your ears, put big pads on both sides of your face so you can't hear anything or move your head! Then they put this mask thing over your face with little slits in it so you can kind of see out! WHAT! No hearing, hardly any seeing! It's like torture! They take away all your control and the only choice you get is if you want a blanket put over you....oh yeah, cover me up even more, go ahead and suffocate me completely! And then stuff me into a tiny tube! TORTURE! I hate it! The whole thing is a NIGHTMARE! Okay that's my rant on it. I hope none of you ever have to get one. If you do and you don't think you are claustrophobic...this will be the ultimate test! I didn't think I was either! I quickly realized that once I don't have the control over the situation, BIG problem! So, until next time (3rd times the charm on the MRI I guess...).

Hello Everybody

It's been a while. Blogging is still a hobby (sometimes a chore) although reading and watching my favorite TV shows are also hobbies right now. The three shows I watch are so inspirational and after a long worn out day, I enjoy The Biggest Loser, So You Think You Can Dance, and Project Runway. When we're not running errands on Saturdays I get to watch College Football!

Christmas shopping has commenced. We do it little by little so we start early. Marcelus has informed me that he wants roller skates for Christmas.........I have no idea where he learned what they are. He just knows they have wheels and are like cars....I'm not sure he knows they go on your feet. Whenever I hear someone who is really good at something say when they started, they always say age 3-4. So who knows...maybe Marce is going to be a great inline skater, or even a hockey player (I HATE watching Hockey), or even an Olympic speed skater!! You never know. I would like to get him something like this if I'm going to buy them at all.....

Unfortunately, they are hard to find and especially in size Toddler 10. So I'll probably have to get something way lame like these......

We'll see how it goes. I still have a few months to look.

Here's a couple pictures of the boys too pooped to party! Speaking of that...Marce did his first "big" #2 in the toilet the other day after weeks and weeks of apprehension (and small marbles). I immediately took him to the store and bought him a Thomas train! He was SO excited after trying for so long! Good Job Marcelus!!

Taking Back Sunday

I used to hate buying church clothes. You only wear them once a week and I'm a way casual person. In the past few months I've kind of done a 180. I've realized that Sunday is the only day I can really be a woman. I mean let's face it, you and I aren't going clubbing every Saturday night and we probably aren't even dating as much as we should. I have two boys. I was a Tomboy growing up. I need to dress up sometimes! We all wore those slinky long floral printed no shape dresses that just hung in the 90's. They were popular and now we can deduce that they were ugly. You'll still find loads of them at DI if you're interested. And of course, the jean skirt. I am the Queen of the casual jean skirt look. I still have it in my closet. A good jean skirt is necessary but I've turned a chapter and haven't worn it since. With the little extra money I've been able to scrounge up in the past few months, I've been putting towards clothes. Why did I think it was a good idea to avoid buying clothes for Shar and I until it got desperate and became a NEED to replace everything! Dumb. I wish I would have made it more of a priority. I've been working out hard lately and concentrating on really building some muscle in certain areas so I have some shape and curve rather than just scrawny sticks. I look better now than I probably ever have and definitely more of a woman than I ever have...maybe this is the change in attitude towards these Sunday church clothes...it's kind of fun though, isn't it? Dressing up? Here's the fact, on a day that I am going no where I wear underwear, pj's, or basketball shorts. I need to dress up on Sunday's! I will admit that at the same time this change in attitude has made me more vain. But, I do believe a little vanity never hurt anyone, we need to care about what we look like a little. If you don't, you'll end up wearing one of those slinky 90's dresses or a jumper to church...No Bueno. So, I've got the clothes thing down, now on to hair and make up, I have big plans! Here's to being a woman. Comment below on your favorite part of being a woman! My favorite part is that now every Sunday, Sharrid whistles and asks me in a funny voice "Uh...Sister Hill...Is there a Brother Hill?"

Now I'm Sorry I Missed It

Last night was the MTV Video Music Awards. I completely spaced it but originally planned to watch and possibly tape the tribute to Michael that I knew they were going to do. Michael, after all, is what MADE MTV. It wasn't until this morning flipping through TV channels that I see this...



Taylor Swift seems like a nice enough girl and although I'm not a big fan (I do love her song 15) she was so humble and gracious to accept an award that she rightfully won. I already didn't like Kanye West. I think his music is somewhat Blashpemous. The theory of who he is was proven to me as I watched this. He is cocky and arrogant and that is exactly what I deduced from his music, along with it being Blasphemous. About four years ago I bought one of his songs. I stopped listening to it as more and more of his songs came out. I don't like his message at all. I have not bought anything since. Now, unfortunately, I like him even less! Poor Taylor Swift! That was a moment for her, winning her first VMA and the moment was completely ruined! Beyonce, after winning an award later in the show, invited Taylor back up on stage to have her moment and finish her speech. Beyonce showed great class and character and did what would be expected of any decent person. Good for her. Besides, what he said wasn't even true. Beyonce's video is decent but far from one of the greatest of all time. He was seen drinking on the red carpet before the show. He was escorted out of the building after it happened apparently...good riddance.

On a happier note, Janet did a great tribute for Michael, and Madonna's speech was brilliant and I couldn't agree more with it. It meant a lot coming from her. Here are the clips. The first one has like 30 seconds of something at the beginning I think.

MTV Shows

Janet's tribute starts at about the 3:45 area I think. She nailed it!

MTV Shows

I WILL be going to this. What an event. It's not even a real movie and it will be in theatres, not on TV, in Theatres World Wide. Who has that kind of influence. Enough said.

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

I also saw a long New Moon trailer, looks pretty awesome.

Target Studio Pictures

I got the boys Target Studio pictures back today. To show them on the blog to all of you I had to take pictures with my digital camera of the actual pictures. These might be a little blurry and the color of the actual pictures is much more vibrant and brighter, but you get the idea. They turned out great. I wish they would have captured Phoenix' personality more but he was pretty somber. We were lucky to get what we did.

Mother, I have plenty of photos, so take your pick and let me know what you want. I have wallets of the 3rd one down, and 5x7's of the rest. Connie, if you'd like one let me know...

Family Dinner

Tonight I made the boys Eggo waffles with powdered sugar. I'm not going to apologize, we all do it occasionally. I think I might do it more often because after a ruckus of a day, the boys ate in total silence. No talking, no teasing, no whining, no crying...NOTHING. My favorite part of this day.

You Couldn't Pay Me To Go

I just saw a commercial advertising that Nickelback will be playing a concert in Phoenix this month, and opening for them...Hinder. That is the last concert I would ever want to go to! Ha ha Shoot me now!

The Farm Park

I had a couple videos but couldn't get them uploaded. I suck at that stuff. Anyway, there is this park in Chandler and we have fallen in love with it. It's actually called Tumbleweed park I think but Marcelus (and therefore the rest of us) call it the farm park. The place is huge and when you are there, you feel like you're in that Mary Poppins cartoon part and there should be horses riding around on the dirt paths and you can see green grass forever. You certainly don't feel like you're in Arizona. We have been going pretty often. If you look in the background of Marcelus trike pictures, you can see the main part of the playground but there is even more! There are covered areas that look like barns. There is a "city land" area that has a "school" and little "club houses" and a bus and fire engine...and the best part is it has these little roads perfect for kids to ride their trikes and bikes on. It was crazy on this day we went, there were a lot of kids. I could hear some of them playing cops and robbers and some of them were on razor scooters, others on bikes, and still some trikes. It was so fun for Marcelus. If I were a kid, this park would be the best place on earth! It's the Disneyland of Parks! We love it!

Not That I'm Not Enjoying The Cooler Weather...

But....every time the weather changes, my wrist hurts. It makes me worry a little bit about the future, but mostly it makes me relish in the thought of all the drumming I did in High School...I was the "Queen Of Quads" after all.

A Hill Update

Again I admit I have not been blogging as much as I used to. I go through phases. I do check the blogs everyday. The kids are needy but they're also more enjoyable than ever. Marce is finally starting to become more of a friend than a foe. Although Phoenix refuses to learn sign language, we understand each other pretty well and that makes him a little easier. Phoenix is totally attached to his pacifiers right now, but that's okay with me at this age. I'll deal with that later, but right now it makes things nice that he takes one, because Marce never did. Phoenix has transitioned from two naps to just one in the middle of the day. I'm kind of sad about this one but what are you going to do...the kid is growing up. Marce is in the thick of potty training. Basically I decided to start it up again (mainly to save money from buying diapers) and vowed to myself I wasn't going to wimp out even when it got stressful. I realize it's not going to be a stress free experience and I can't dispel it just because I like to keep my life as free from stress as possible. I'm pretty stressed out right now anyway....what's another stress? And to add to even more stress, I am in the middle of getting ready to switch face wash. I LOVE my face wash and it works perfectly for me but I'm trying to save money anywhere I can. If the new stuff doesn't work or save me money I'll go back to what I was using. Long story short, my face looks terrible right now with the transition and I'm very self conscious of it. I'm dreading church on Sunday...

The boys had a Target Studio picture appointment yesterday. They do a great job and always give coupons. I have used Target Studio for a long time but poor Phoenix has never had his pictures taken professionally. Worse than that, as a second child you just take less of them anyway as a mom...So anyway, we got a few of them together, a few of Marce by himself, and one of Phoenix by himself. Phoenix was pretty somber and it took a lot for him to smile and laugh. I wish he was more free with it because when he really smiles, it's huge and it's super cute. He always reminds me of Mario Lopez when he smiles big: huge cheeks, big dimples, and eyes are gone. Marce did great and we had a hard time picking the individual shots we got of him, but Phoenix only produced a few to pick from and none of them were great. He'll get better. I'll post them when I get them back (in one week) and it'll be good for Grandma to take her pick and replace the kids framed pictures! We're going to try and take a family picture at Target Studio close to Christmas for Christmas cards, it's been 3 years since we took a professional family picture!

These pictures of the boys are from a couple nights ago. They get into my bathroom drawer EVERY day and pull out all my hair ties and headbands. It drives me nuts! Sorry, some of these are poor quality, my camera is on a weird setting, I need to figure out how to switch it back.