I have a deep and abiding fondness for Trader Joe's. If you've never been, find one and go! I don't have one real close to my house, so I only get to go now and then. But the girls had a dentist appointment today in Marietta and there was one about a block away from the dentist's office. So of course we had to go! The girls love it because they have little, red, kid-sized carts that are identical to the grown-up carts. They also give out excellent samples AND give away free balloons! I mean what's not to love?! I love that they have tons of healthy, scooby snack options at reasonable prices! It's a good thing I had other errands to run and couldn't get refrigerated items or I could have done some serious damage. My friend Tina put up a recipe for Greek salad on her blog, which looked delicious. So I was drooling over feta, kalamata olives, and also some yummy looking hummus and guacamole when I realized I couldn't get refrigerated stuff because we wouldn't be home for awhile.

But I did load up on some of my favorite Joe's carbohydrates! Mmmm, cookie-crackers! Little tubs of goodness! Seriously, the Chocolatey Cat Cookies can save you from a serious chocolate craving without doing the damage of a bag of Reese's miniatures, which is what I would otherwise be inclined to attack. And the cinnamon alphabet crackers are HIGHLY addictive! Maryn and I love that we can spell out words and then eat them, it's just fun! I also got some dark chocolate covered cherries! Which Justin won't eat, so I get them all to myself, well sort of, the girls like them too. Also, the girls and I are a big fans of chocolate soy milk, even though we LOVE cows and all things dairy, it's still delicious, so give us some soy! But I accidentally grabbed a chocolate drink made from almonds instead of soy and it was still delicious! Super score! And last but not least, they had these adorable, potted, mini roses for $3.99! What an affordable way to cheer up any countertop! It's all about the simple pleasures people!

Tonight I went to the Young Women's General Broadcast at the chapel. As I was sitting there I just kept thinking, I'm so grateful I have daughters. Before I had kids, I was for some reason convinced that I would be a better mother to boys. Maybe because I grew up with brothers and therefore did not relate to girls? But it's funny how the Lord knows what is best for us. I knew before tonight that I loved being a mom to my daughters. But sitting there listening to the inspired counsel given to the Young Women of the church tonight, reconfirmed it. It is without a doubt a tough world out there. Justin laughs at me and says I'm such a worry-wart, but there are so many things for a parent to worry about. Peer influence, making wise choices, kids growing up too fast, instilling gratitude and work ethic and service to others. The list could go on. And in a world where the examples of everything that can go wrong with a young person are so prevalent, it was so refreshing to sit among teenage girls who have committed their lives to trying to do it right. By staying close to their Savior and trying to be true to their light within. It helped me realize that not only can raising good girls in today's day and age be possible. But the journey made in teaching them the things they need to know to be successful and stay close to the Lord in such a crazy time, is truly a blessing. It made me so grateful for each one of my girls. As much as I wish they could stay little forever, I know they will grow up. But it calms a mothers soul to know that the Lord has and will provide them with every needful thing to live up to their divine potential. I'm so grateful for that. And I'm so grateful that He saw fit to bless me to be a mother of daughters.

Tonight the girls and I hung out with Tracy and Ansley Ensign. The last time we were together we had promised the kids ice cream, but it didn't work out. So Tracy and I were making good on our promise and took the girls to McDonald's to grab an ice cream cone. It was around dinner time and so we decided to go ahead and eat dinner while we were there. Truthfully, I'm not much of a fast food girl besides the occasional Chick-fil-A or even less often Taco Bell run. So when Tracy asked what I wanted to order, I didn't know because I really don't frequent McDonald's. So I said I would just have what she was having. People, tonight I ate my first Big Mac Value Meal. I understand why millions of people eat Big Macs. It was delicious and I ate every bite, including fries and a Fruitopia. But can I just tell you how hard that was for me.

I became about 50 lbs. overweight my last couple years of high school. I hated myself, I hated the way I looked and felt, I hated that time of my life. I worked really hard and lost the weight and have since adopted a much healthier lifestyle and outlook on food. I like snacks and treats as much as anyone, but it's not as hard for me to say 'when' anymore, because I have that nagging reminder in the back of my brain about how miserable I was when I misused food. So tonight, after I finished that Big Mac I just felt sick, because I felt like I had absolutely abused my body. I don't really know where I'm going with this, but it's just funny to me that something so simple could trigger something so strongly in my brain. Feeling big from being pregnant and then eating a notoriously unhealthy meal took me back to how I felt as a teenager. I felt myself starting to panic, feeling trapped in my body. I had to remind myself that I'm not that person anymore. I'm in control of my life, my body, and my health. It's crazy to me how everyone has their own little demons that chase them, tonight mine was a Big Mac.

I was on Tina's blog the other day and she was sharing her family's recipe for Greek Easter Bread and reminiscing about all of her family get-togethers as kid for Greek Easter. I started thinking, I need to research my own family history a little bit more. I know there are recipes and stories there. I just need to make the effort to find them. I remember Tina telling me when she was either engaged or newly married, that it was so weird to her that she was going from being a Stephanos to a Fussell. She was used to having a name that sounded ethnic. But even though her children now bear a different last name than the one she had as a child, they still have her Greek heritage coursing in their veins. Tina is able to remind them of that with the dishes that she makes and the traditions she passes on.


I've decided to give my children the same gift. My Mom told me stories about my grandparents and great-grandparents all the time as a kid. But I never wrote them down and they were forgotten. My parents have given me recipes, as have Justin's that link me to wonderful memories and traditions. I 'm going to start compiling these recipes and stories for my sweet daughters. I want them to know that we too, have our own wonderful heritage to celebrate. Before they leave home, I hope my daughters will have spent time by my side in the kitchen, talking about the people who gave us the tastes that make up who we are. Whether it be making Grandma Gibson's Banana Bread and talking about her and Grandpa's little orphan love story. Or making a delicious breakfast of Ma Young's perfectly light Buttermilk Pancakes and talking about what a sweet woman she was. Or making Nana's Nectar (Chicken Salad! Yum!) or Papa's Dutch Babies. I could go on and on about the flavors of our family, there are so many.

I know that my girls will grow up and likely marry and take on their sweethearts names. But no matter what their last name, they will always have the heritage that Justin and I have given them running through their veins. It's my hope that no matter where they are, they can make those recipes and tell those stories. And through that, know that who they are and all the generations that went before them, is something wonderful and to be celebrated.

Growing up I never really played sports, besides a couple years of volleyball in middle school and a failed attempt at Cross Country. My brothers all played sports, but I don't remember them being obsessed with a certain team or player. I never once remember my Dad sitting down to watch a game on the boob tube. So I never really got the whole sports mania thing... and then I married into a family full of boys that eat, drink, and sleep sports. This includes my hubby, Justin. He obviously loves basketball, since he has chosen to make a professional career out of knowing everything about it. (Justin is a National Basketball Recruiting Analyst for Rivals.com.)

So, being the non-sports loving girl that I have previously been and actually still considered myself to be, it's been surprising to me when I have had certain thought processes passing through my brain. For instance, how sad I will be when Dickie V. dies. Truly, college basketball will never be the same without his raspy enthusiasm. Or how I got kind of ticked when Dan Patrick stopped doing the funny interviews in the back of ESPN the magazine. I still read his replacement, Kenny Mayne, but I don't have to like it. It's just not the same. Or how I can now watch 'Sportscenter' and 'Around the Horn' without my eyes absolutely glazing over. It would seem that Justin has had an affect on me after all. Weird, huh?

So when he suggested that I fill out a bracket for March Madness this year, I was actually kind of excited to oblige! Again, weird. I figure it's going to be on our t.v. non-stop, I might as well have a vested interest in it right? So, I filled it out and showed it to Justin. He said he thought I actually did a pretty good job! Let me break down how I decided my Final Four, let's just say there is some kooky, girlie reasoning, but hey if it works, it works...

Memphis will play UCLA. Why Memphis? I heard some old dinosaur on ESPN going on and on about how he thought Memphis would take it all. Hmmm, I'd never heard much of anything about them. So I did a little more probing and found out that they actually have a pretty good team that can really score. But they're all kinda punks, and Sarah no-likey punks. Then there's UCLA who has Kevin Love and awesome defense. Let me tell you my thoughts on Kevin Love though... I hate his stupid facial hair. Not a good look for anyone really, but it especially doesn't work well for white boys. However, he is from Oregon, which is where my family is from. So I will turn a blind eye to that horrible mess on his face and give him and his team the win over the Memphis.

Then there's the other side...

North Carolina will play Kansas. North Carolina because let's face it, everyone obsesses over Tyler Hansbrough. All I hear about is how he's a real 'special' kid. I bet Coach K wishes he had him since he likes 'special' kids so much. Also, like I said before, I hate punks. So I'll give a hard-working, down-to-earth kid a shot in my bracket. And even though Roy Williams laughed at Justin when he fell and twisted his ankle once, I'll give him credit for having a good, hard-working team.


Now, Kansas. Okay, here's where my really psychotic, nonsense, girlie logic comes in. I have always had an affinity to the Jayhawks because I just love their stinkin' cute mascot. I mean really, he's adorable. I call them my little Cherrypickers, because can't you just picture that little Jayhawk in the palm of your hand with a little cherry in his mouth? I want him for a pet. Okay, so maybe you now will not continue reading the rest of my post because I've proven myself a complete and utter moron. HOWEVER, in addition to my love for their mascot, they have a great team too. So my loyalties lie with my Cherrypickers to beat North Carolina (Who's laughing now Roy? That's what I thought.) and then finish the spanking by beating UCLA.

So there you have it, insight into my insanity. But hey, it just might work. The madness starts tomorrow, so tune in and see what happens!

I'm not quite sure why, but I just love St. Pattie's Day. Being the faithful Mormon girl that I am, it's not like I like it for the mass consumption of adult beverages. My house isn't covered in green shamrock decorations, in fact I don't own a single one. I don't even have a ton of Irish heritage. However, I still love it. It's just fun!

We all woke up this morning and made sure to put on our green, so that we wouldn't become victims of tiny, leprechaun pinches. After Maryn came home from school, Justin and the girls did an Irish jig in the kitchen before lunch. And I gave Justin a funny card. But other than that, it was a pretty low key St. Pattie's Day.

That was until right before the girl's woke up from their nap. Justin was down in the basement and swore he saw a leprechaun sneaking around! :) So when the girls woke up and while I was working on dinner, he took them down to the basement for a leprechaun hunt. Unfortunately though, they didn't find him. He was just too quick! So we figured our little Irish visitor had sneaked out of the house while we weren't looking.

While I was waiting for my chicken rolls to come out of the oven, I sat down on the couch with the girls for a minute. When we went back into the kitchen, the cheesy sauce I had made for the top of the chicken rolls had turned GREEN! The girls could not believe it! Now we knew the leprechaun was still in the house! Apparently the broccoli I had made to represent our Irish green was not good enough. That sneaky little guy just had to play a trick on us!

Well, we thought the drama of the tornadoes last night in downtown were behind us. Boy were we wrong. We woke up in the middle of the night to our weather alert radio going off. We tried to go back to sleep as thunder boomed and lightning flashed outside our window. Around 8:30 am, Justin left to go cover a tournament south of Atlanta. While he's been gone, the girls and I have had to hunker down in the basement on two different occasions while several severe weather systems with tornadoes passed right by us. Then just when we thought it was over, the sirens went off again and the sky opened up and hit us with a hailstorm. Justin called after it had cleared here and said that it was hailing where he was about an hour away. Ahhh, lovely weather we're having, don't you think? We truly do count ourselves blessed though to be safe and sound, since two people in a neighboring county lost their lives today.

Justin was supposed to be out last night covering games in Atlanta for work. The person running the tournament he was planning on covering was late getting back to him with the game schedules. So Justin decided at the last minute to stay at home instead. No complaints out of this wifey! Justin went and rented 'Dan In Real Life' (one of my new FAVORITE movies!) and we settled in on the couch for some low-key together time. After the movie was over, Justin checked to see how the SEC Tournament, which was being played downtown, was doing. Instead of game updates there was mass confusion on the t.v. screen. Ripped off roofs, broken water mains, debris everywhere. What the heck was going on? It turned out that a freak storm had ripped through the busiest part of downtown Atlanta tearing it apart. We had no idea any of this had been going on. We're about 40 minutes north of where was hit hardest and all was quiet. News reporters scrambled to get eyewitness accounts from stunned spectators. They showed images of crumbled buildings, broken windows, sheet metal wrapped around trees, and all sorts of destruction. I couldn't help but sit there and say a silent prayer of thanks that Justin hadn't been down there, as he had planned to be, in the middle of it all.

Do you ever have those days where things just seem to go right? Where patience comes easy, you feel the love, and all the faces around you seem to be smiling? That was my day today! I was thinking it was going to be another doozy when I woke up this morning though. My body was aching and my eyes just did not want to open. I dragged myself out of bed and set about getting Maryn ready for school. I had just ironed her clothes and was urging her to get herself dressed. However, she did not approve of my styling choices. Which was a cute pair of jeans and a blue, striped, button-down shirt with ruffles on the front. She informed me it looked like a boy shirt. I told her it was not a boy shirt, because it had cute ruffles on the front of it, and hastily slid it on her and buttoned it up. To which she replied "Ruffles? Mom, I look ridiculous! I'm not wearing that!" (When she added 'ridiculous' to her vocabulary is beyond me. But now Brynnie also informs me when things look 'ree-dic-ooh-luss' too.) I distracted Maryn by letting her pick out her shoes and promised she would never have to wear it again after today if she really thought it was that ridiculous. Apparently the shoe distraction worked, because she thankfully dropped the boy-shirt issue. Any other morning it very well could have sent the whole house into a tailspin. I quickly french braided some pigtails on her, brushed her teeth, and off she went to school with Justin.

When Brynnie and I picked her up, she'd had a great day and her teacher said her behavior had been great! Big sigh of relief from Mom! (Maryn is a leader by nature, and let's just say lately she'd been leading some of her classmates down the path of unrighteousness! As in, she had a day last week where she kept spitting on other kids. Her buddy decided that was fun and he decided to spit on another kid too. Ahh Maryn, what am I gonna do with that girl?) Anyways, so she had a great day today and kept her salivary glands in check.

So we headed home and had some lunch together. After we had finished eating though, we decided it was too beautiful to be inside. We called up Laura and her boys and met up at the walking trail to ride bikes. Maryn's friend Audrey and her momma, Melysa met us there too. The kids had fun fighting over bikes, sliding down the hills, and throwing rocks in the creek. It was awesome because we all got tuckered out and came home to take a nap.



When I woke up from my little snooze on the couch, Justin had brought the mail in. There was a box sitting on the coffee table next to me. I picked it up and saw that it was a package for the girls from Aunt Kristine and cousins Cole and Kade who live in Germany! (I mentioned in my last post how much we LOVE getting unexpected packages! It was like the ol' mailbox was our own international jackpot this week! Sweet!) So I opened it up and my heart just melted! Cole had drawn a big picture for us of his family and made an Easter Bunny face. And, Kristine had gotten the girls some yummy German Easter Candy! Seriously, how spoiled and loved are my kids!? When the girls woke up from their naps, I showed them their surprises! You better believe we were getting some serious grinnage from those two little monkeys! They were elated! Maryn kept saying while I was making dinner "That was SO sweet of them!" I totally agree, we were really feeling the love! Thanks Sis!



I had a date with Jody and Tracy Ensign to work on assembling invitations for Megan and Aaron's wedding at 6:30. So I was rushing trying to get dinner made and on the table. While I was mashing the potatoes for the Shepard's Pie my friend, Laura calls me up and tells me she's on the way over. I had been lamenting the day before about how ugly all my maternity clothes were. Since this is my last pregnancy though, I am stubborn and refuse to buy more, since I know I won't use them again. Laura, who always looks so good, had dug out some of her cuter maternity clothes and was bringing them to me to borrow. Seriously, could I ask for a better friend?! Laura, you rule!


So as I was feeling better about my wardrobe options, I finished up dinner and threw it in the oven. The girls then worked together (without fighting!) and set the table for me and actually did a really good job. We scarfed down dinner together and I raced out the door to Tracy's house. We sat around and yakked with each other, which is always so much fun, while we tied ribbons on the invitations. I was cracking up because of course with newlyweds, the conversation turned to the Birds and the Bees (sorry Megan and Aaron!). I just loved that I was sitting there with two of the coolest women, talking about such a frank subject and it was so not awkward at all. We all just laughed like girlfriends and shared stories about how we were all so unprepared! It was a hoot!

I had to get home by 9:00 so Justin could then race off to go have some much needed guy-time with his friends. I called him on the way home and Justin said he had put the girls to bed, but told me they wanted hugs from me, so they were still awake. When I walked through the door the girls raced out of their rooms and showered me with hugs and loves! They said "We just love it when you come home Mommy!" Ahh, how does that not melt your heart? I must say, this woman has had a very good day!

I've decided that I am one blessed cookie! I have so many people in my life who are just so good to me and my family. The other day when I went out to the mailbox, there was an unexpected package in there from my dear friend Tina, who lives all the way across the ocean in Morocco! What could this be? I opened it and caught a glimpse of sparkle and saturated color! How fun was this?! I called to the girls to hurry downstairs to see what Tina had sent them! New, fancy slippers!!! They immediately let out excited little shrieks and squeals of excitement and slid them onto their feet. They fit perfectly!

I described to the girls what the marketplace would have been like where Tina found them. I said it was probably like the marketplace in Aladdin, so they were like Princess Jasmine slippers! Maryn quickly informed me that they were not Princess Jasmine slippers. Jasmine's slippers were blue and curly, hers were purple with sparkly snowflakes! Duh, what was I thinking! All I know is they were a huge hit! We can hardly get Brynna to take hers off even to go outside. If you say "Brynnie, do you like your slippers?" She'll squeal "I love my Maracca slippers!!" Thank you so much Tina! You are the best, girlfriend!

Justin has been really sick again and we were all cooped up in the house due to soggy weather. So last night, the girls and I decided to give Daddy a little quiet time in the house alone. We took off to the best place to get out those rainy day wiggles, The Bounce House! I've decided that we're going to have to do this more often. The girls had a blast, as did I since I get to turn into a giant kid and jump with them. Also, it is so stinkin' affordable! It was $5.00 for all of us to get in, since parents are free and so are kids under three. So all I had to pay for was Maryn. After jumping for awhile, Maryn wasn't hungry but Brynnie was. So I bought Brynna a dinner of 2 slices of pizza and a juice box for $2.00. The kids got their exercise for two hours and were fed for $7.00 total! What a cheap date! I'll never be able to spend $9.00 on a single movie ticket ever again! The best part is, is that when we got home the girls were all worn out and ready for bed! I love that place!