depressing.

Right after having Vin, I lost some weight. I then got the Schwinn bikes, and decided to dedicate myself to riding in hopes of getting in shape. With the combination of heat and lack of motivation, I would ride around the block...and then give up. I will openly admit I am pathetic.

This week at work they are introducing a weight loss challenge. It hasn't officially started, but everyone is talking weight. We have a high tech scale in the office, and everyone is weighing in. I am not one of those girls that has a problem telling people that I weigh 198.6 pounds. (Yup, don't judge. This is a judge free zone.) The problem that I have is that I weigh just as much as most of the men in my department. To add salt to the wound, they are all a foot taller than I am as well.

I don't like to use the excuse that I just had a baby. Let's face it, I have always been chubby...even before Van and Vin. For once in my life I need to own it, take responsibility...and do something about it. Oh, and a prize might be enticing me as well.

So, starting today...I have to do it. I have to eat better. Ride that Schwinn bike, and not to the gas station. =) I have to lose these pounds, or I might end up being a big ball o'butta!

Enjoy my 10 week journey to a new Von, and a Mommy that is going to teach my children it's not okay to drink soda for breakfast!

Schwinn bikes for my family were given to us for free through My Blog Spark.

we can't agree.

Please vote.

<------------see it over here.

Paul and I can't agree.
He says that I always get my way.

We shall see what my trustE blog friends say.

pay it forward friday.

I decided that every Friday I would do a post that was about spreadin' the love. Giveaways that my friends are having, posts that I loved throughout the week, and links to people that might need some comments to make them feel better. =)

Smile a Day Giveaways is having a full week of baby giveaways. Lots o'stuff.


My neighbor is super spectacular when it comes to making cakes, cupcakes, cookies, etc...she is having a giveaway on her blog Sprinklebelle.

My friend Callee is doing a Mary Kay giveaway on her blog.

This video Camille did cracks me up. Vlogging at it's best!

Thank you Mrs R for introducing me to the Swagger Wagon Videos...hilar.

Want to have me spread the love next Friday for you? E-mail me. I want pay it forward!

Best Fried Chicken...

Even though I don't cook, I am completely addicted to watching Food Network. My favorite chef is definitely Anne Burrell. Mostly because she is so darn weird, and I like weird. She makes all sorts of funny noises while she cooks, and says random things. It screams Von!

I started thinking the other day about my food reviews that I do. A review is obviously just an opinion, right!? Just because I eat a lot, and go to a lot of different places...definitely doesn't make me an expert. I like In N Out for a good cheeseburger, but I know there are a lot of lovers of Five Guys...which I don't like. So, I have an idea...

If you watch Food Network you have seen the show The Best Thing I Ever Ate. If you haven't it basically is all the Food Network chef's chiming in on what they think the best of the best is in certain categories...like fried food, etc.

I will name a type of food. I will tell you what my favorite place to go is for that food, and then I want you to tell me I'm right...or name a place that serves it better.

Ready...Set...Go...

Best Fried Chicken...
Please don't tell me you think KFC has the best fried chicken you have ever had, okay? We might not be able to be friends.

I recently found a place that serves fried chicken and waffles. I have always wondered what the craze was about...and now I know. The Red Rooster Waffle Company makes it, and makes it sooo well. They make it so well, that we have gone once a week ever since finding out.

The crisp of the chicken is perfect. All white meat. Best tangy dipping sauce. AND then they add that waffle. I swear it has something in it to make it absolutely addicting.

Okay...here is where you tell me a better place for fried chicken, or agree with me...that's okay too!

The Red Rooster is located in Jordan Landing.

The address is 7742 S Campus View Drive.

You can thank me later!

devin

my chunka-chunka burnin' love,

it's just you and me kid.

sister is away at that big bad school...what are we gonna do without her, my bigga boy?! sorry i can't entertain you like she can, but i will sure try.

because your sister didn't get the memo in time, can you please stop growing so fast. that would be awesome.

so happy that you are mine. even though you are quickly becoming a daddy's boy...how did that happen? explain it to me son!

thank you for always giving me a smile, and snuggling with me on the couch. it makes life that much more lovely.

you have made us that much more complete.

loves.
your mommy

savannah.

my girl,

i probably shouldn't admit to you that the other night while daddy and i were talking about you starting kindergarten i got weepy. your daddy didn't like the subject, because it made him sad too...so we quickly dropped it.

i know you will be a rock star at this kindergarten gig. you always shine when it comes to making friends, and learning.

i love that you like to be different. please don't change because of what someone says at school. own it, because it's a totally radical personality trait.

i wish that you could have stayed our little side kick forever. i will miss cleaning machines with you. i will miss my best lil' friend, because i know you will quickly make 10 other best friends...and maybe mommy won't be as cool. i will miss those three hours that we usually spend together.
have a good time girly.

i love-aaa, love-aaa you!!

momma

ps make sure to sneak into your bedroom with the phone, and tell me how your day was at school.

it's a good thing.

The Buzz Lightyear that Van earned has sat in the corner of her room for almost two months. It is a little disappointing, even though she earned it...as parents you would like to see the $85 toy get played with. I asked her why she doesn't play with him, and I had to laugh at her response. "Mom, it doesn't speak Spanish...like in the movie!" Who knew that was a requirement to play with him, but whatev.

I finally am realizing another perk to having two kids. Guess who likes Buzz? VIN!! I would have never spent $85 for Vin to suck and slobber all over him, but Buzz is getting played with. End. Of. Story!

pet peeve

Don't you hate when you hit publish on a post that wasn't ready...oh, and then it goes into google reader! Boo, hiss...okay, back to work. =)

the recipe for the best bubbles ever.

Uncle Shane-er and his girl friend came to visit a couple of weeks ago...and Kelsey came bearing gifts. Van was instantly a fan of Kelsey, and not just for her awesome selection of gifts...Kelsey has mad bowling skillz. ( Thanks again Kelsey for letting Van win! ) One of the presents was this radical book called How to Make Monstrous, Huge, Unbelievable Big Bubbles...it comes with what they call a "bubble thing" too! What's inside the book? The BEST recipe for bubbles EVER, tips for creating the best bubbles, and technique for people like me who might need a little help.

Just check out how well we did on our first attempts...Cool huh? We had so much fun, and not only is this perfect for summer...but you know what other time is best for making spectacular bubbles? Right after the rain. Who knew.

*I was not paid to write this, if you wanna get technical we did get it for free...but not from the company...Thank you Kelsey for giving such an awesome present. =)

if you are reading this...

Brenda.

I hope you know just how beautiful, strong, and down right amazing you are. No matter where life has taken us, we have always found a place for each other...and that I am thankful for.

If I could have predicted the future, this would not have been in the cards. Of course, when we were 9 years old life was much simpler.

I always look at the bright side, and I guess my bright side to this is...I got you back in Utah with me!! ;)

xx,
Evonne

ps Just like Emily and I...you and I need an updated picture...pronto. kthanxbye!

to my bestie.

(my handsome vin and bestie, moments after he was born)

Dear Parry,

Happy Birthday girl. I am sure that Nathan is taking good care of you, if not smack him for me. The big 2-5, you are still so freakin' young.

I miss you like crazy. I hope you know I will forever be indebted to you for what you have done for my family of four. From being my side kick during Vin's labor, Van's babysitter, Paul's second wife, and of course my bestie for life! We have been through so much together. Some of the worst times, and some of the greatest...and I have this feeling the best is yet to come.

You are an amazing chica with a heart of gold.

I adore you.

Can not say enough, just how lucky I am to have you.

xx,

Von

remember me.

(A self portrait that I did.)

Do you ever wonder what people will remember you by?

Will Paul always remember me by our walks to Kmart looking for change in those years before our children came along?

Will Van remember me by our slip and slide fun?

Will Landon remember me by our duets late at night in the office?

Will BFF remember me by all of our pictures we have taken together?

What do you really want to be remembered by?

Something small like...your great hair.

Something big like...some service tour around the world.

Something like...the best baker in the neighborhood.

Tell me.

marriage

Aubrey was my blog friend.

Now she is my "in real life" friend.

We met last week at her wedding.

She asked me to write a lil' somethin', somethin' on her blog while she was away on her honeymoon. I don't usually guest post, because you know what...it scares me. =) I couldn't tell Aubrey no, she is just too nice.

AND then she gave me the topic of marriage...dun, dun, dun!!

Just because I am married, doesn't mean I know what I am talking about.

If you wanna see the tough questions she asked me, and how I responded...head on over here.

Love her to bits and pieces. Honestly.

not so wordless wednesday: he is super chill.

Objects may appear larger than they really are. =)

~to make you laugh~

These are the type of things I do every day to entertain myself, and my children.

You don't need to tell me I'm weird, I already know it.

Enjoy!!

it strikes again.

Paul has what the Dr. has diagnosed as seasonal depression. It comes in the summer, we still think it's weird...but it happens every year around this time. As I type this we are sitting in the middle of no where in a hotel room...all 4 of us. It was spur of the moment, and much needed. When we get away like this, it makes it all bearable. We bring puzzles, books, treats, movies, and we just play together.

Right now I am typing.

Van is bouncing as high as she can on her bed.

Vin is watching her, and is completely entertained.

Paul is snoring.

Everything is good at this exact moment.

Tomorrow it will be back to business as usual...unfortunately.

that stage.

We are at that stage.

Ya know the one where I say smile Van...and she does things like this to me!!

Or the awkward smile, which I failed to capture this day.

working mommy

I was singing this in the shower this morning...because that is where I sound like a rock star...

you're gonna miss this

you're gonna want this back

you're gonna wish these days

hadn't gone by so fast

these are the good times

so take a good look around

you may not know it now

but you're gonna miss this

I like to put my spin on it...

I'm gonna miss that

I'm already wanting that back

I'm wishing these days

wouldn't go by so fast

these are the best times

I'm lookin' around

I know that I'm gonna miss this...

Being a working Mommy is a challenge.

Van has been having a hard time with me leaving. She cries at the door while I pull away, and sometimes calls me to cry over the phone...telling me how much she loves and misses me.

Vin doesn't know I'm even gone...yet. I swear in the morning he has grown, which almost kills me.

I don't want to miss a thing, but realistically...I will.

I missed the first time Van rolled over, and 5 years later...I haven't forgotten the call from Paul to tell me the good news.

I am sure that I will miss something while I am at work that Vin does too...maybe his first step (gasp! I don't even want to think of that!).

So, will you please forgive me if I don't feel like blogging as much, I don't want to go to GNO's as much, and sometimes I don't feel like doing play dates...it just means that I am spending every spare moment I have with these two growing kiddos of mine, and a husband that I could never, ever get enough of!! AND I don't always like to share them. ;)