Saturday, April 28, 2007

The Rest

49- Yesterday when I went to get a haircut, while my stylist was washing my hair she said, "I see your going thru the post-pregnancy shedding period." Yup, I'm losing hair.
48- I got a clogged milk duct yesterday - ouch.
47- Brandon and I spent almost 3 months of 1998 in Nepal.
46- I've loved curries ever since; Nepali, Indian, Thai, Japanese...
45- I don't eat to live, I live to eat.
44- We're going to the downtown Arts Festival this afternoon (there's great food there).
43- I failed a test once, a Spanish final, for a correspondence course I took, I had to retake the whole class. Oh, wait, I failed that final twice. Then retook the class at a different school. The only other correspondence course I ever took was also kind of a disaster.
42- Last week I fit back into my pre-pregnancy jeans:)
41- Despite its hardships, I love nursing.
40- Brandon and I lived in Salt Lake City, Utah for our first two years of marraige.
39- We spent the next 3.5 years living in Hawaii on the island of Oahu.
38- I tried surfing once.
37- I am SCUBA certified.
36- I love hiking.
35- I love fruit.
34- We have lived here in Oklahoma for 4 years.
33- I have picked and eaten guava (delicious) and passionfruit, but have never seen them for sale.
32- I didn't know rhubarb existed until I found it growing in our backyard in Sandy, UT.
31- I'm the only person I know who doesn't love chocolate dipped strawberries. I like them with white chocolate.
30- I wish I was fluent in Spanish.
29 - I want to learn to sew better.
28- I regret not playing sports more in my youth.
27- I also wish I'd played more video games cause my hand-eye coordination pretty much sucks.
26- Despite being a rather blunt person, I always try never to hurt people's feelings.
25- I'm not really into Valentines or anniversaries. Flowers from the grocery store are good enough for me.
24- I want to visit the Italian riviera more than almost anywhere.
23 - I would love to go back to Nepal someday.
22 - I love warm rain.
21 - I love Arizona.
20 - I love the mountains.
19 - I can slolem ski but cannot waterski on two skis.
18 - It took me forever to learn to get up on a ski.
17 - I've tried snowskiing and snowboarding once each.
16 - The only thing I've ever broken was my pinky. It happened iceblocking at my awesome 14th birthday party.
15- I've never smoked anything except for an attempt to smoke grass clippings when I was about 10.
14 - The most alcohol I've ever had to drink was about half a glass of white wine when I was 18. Nobody knew about it at the time.
13 - I love to read.
12 - I've seen more British shows than any American I know.
11 - My bathroom is decorated in a pirate theme. It's the best decorated room in the whole apartment and it's not that spectacular.
10 - I invented modern scrapbooking. In 1993, before scrapbooking stores existed, I started a photo album with themed pages. I claim the idea.
9 - My superhero name is List Lady. Brandon's is Innuendo Man and we have friends called Empty Threat Woman, Chica Chocolat, and Analogy Girl. You may petition for your own if you'd like.
8 - Blueberry muffins and salsa are two of my favorite foods.
7 - I know how to gut a fish and bait my own hook, but I haven't been fishing in years.
6 - I had braces and jaw surgury when I was 20.
5 - I hate buying jeans and swimming suits.
4 - I love to sing but I don't know if I like my voice.
3 - I hate my profile and so does everyone else I've mentioned it to.
2 - I'm glad I'm about done writing this.
1- hmmm... I love the smell of lilacs, plumeria, roses, babies, garlic, cumin, ginger, my husband, etc. I have the "Menefee" nose (and an "Aggie" toe).

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Aunts & Uncles

Jonah with his Aunt Claire (age 8).
with Uncle Mark (18)

with Uncle Trent

with Aunt Robin

Jonah also met Uncle Spencer, Aunt Sarah, Uncle Adam, Aunt Michelle, and "Auntie" Autumn.



100th Post

I can't post my pictures from AZ until I do "100 Things About Me" (according to Tori). Here goes:
#100 - I was born in Mesa, AZ.
99 - I am the third of nine children.
98- As a young child, I loved catching butterflies, sometimes I took them home as "pets". A lady who lived between my home and my elementary school called me the Butterfly Girl cause I'd catch them in her yard a lot.
97 - I lived in one or two homes when I was very young, but the first one I remember was on June Street and had a huge eucalyptus tree in the front yard that I liked to climb.
96- My next door neighbors in that house were named Elsa and Biagio and were from Italy. They loved me. Elsa always had a pot of spagetti sauce cooking on the stove, filling the house with its heavenly aroma. I could write a lot about them.
95- I once tried to pick a prickly pear fruit from a cactus. I couldn't tell that the fruit also had tiny thorns on it. I was so embarrassed about getting thorns in my fingers that I lied and said that I fell off my bike and my hand landed on a cactus when I went to catch myself.
94- I met my lifelong friend Annie in elementary school in AZ. We were in the same third grade class, she had pretty handwriting.
93- I met my lifelong friend, Autumn, shortly after birth. We introduced our sons to each other last week.
92- I found a journal I kept in elementary school at my parent's house last week. It is very funny. I mostly wrote about what gifts I received for Christmas and birthdays.
91- I love picking out gifts for people. One of my greatest joys in life is having someone say I got them a present they really love.
90- I also LOVE being complimented on my cooking. It's not that I'm fantastic or anything, I just love food and eating and I want to be good.
89- I went to MacArthur Elementary school for K-4.
88- In 5th grade a new elementary opened named Ishikawa and my family opted to transfer there.
87- At the end of 5th grade we moved to California.
86- Our family really struggled with money those years in CA. My mom got me LA Gear shoes in 6th grade cause she sensed how important it was to me to have that name brand that year. I wore them with two pairs of scrunched socks like everyone else did that year (1989).
85- In 6th grade I met my lifelong friend, Lisa. We talk on the phone every month.
84- In 8th grade I had two guys ask me out the same week. Even though I kind of liked both of them I was too scared to "go out" with them cause I knew they wanted to french kiss (grossly referred to as "deep throating" by our friends) me and I didn't know how to do it and I didn't want to be embarrassed.
83- In October of 1991 (early in 8th grade) my dad was laid off and my family moved to Utah so my mom could live by her sister and so we could be near more Mormons.
82- Oh yeah, I am a devout member of the Mormon faith. Our church is not actually called the Mormon church though, we are The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, what a mouthful.
81- While still in AZ my family took vacations to Rocky Point, Mexico every Spring Break. The town's real name is Puerto Penasco and though it was just a tiny desert town back then, it is now a major tourist destination. It's only real allure (at least to me) is great, cheap food and awesome tide pools.
80- Other childhood vacations were to California (beaches, Universal Studios, and Disneyland), Christopher Creek, and Showlow (both mountain towns in AZ with cool weather, fishing, etc.).
79- I LOVE Disneyland. To me it truly is The Happiest Place on Earth. People who don't love it usually haven't been on a weekday in fall or winter when there were no crowds.
78- People who don't like cats haven't met my cat, Rusty. I love cats.
77- I like going to zoos.
76- My first job was in elementary school selling stationary (etc.) door to door. I was an official member of the Olympic Sales Club (I think I still have the card). I've always liked having my own money and I've always been good at sales.
75- Ninth grade was the peak of my social existence. Kinda sad, but great memories.
74- I was in ELP (Extended Learning Program) in elementary school. It was for the "gifted" kids and I absolutely loved it.
73- I always regretted that when I moved to UT during 8th grade I got put in "regular" math even though I'd been in "advanced" math in CA (they hadn't gotten my records yet) and I've been kind of bored with math ever since and I felt like a loser among my smart friends.
72- In 9th grade I joined the school newspaper staff. I wrote for school newspapers every year until I graduated college.
71- I took French in high school because I thought I might want to major in fashion merchandising in college and I'd need french for all my trips to Paris.
70- I've never been to Paris.
69- I ran track in 9th grade but we didn't have a real track and I was always hurting my ankles so I never ran or jumped in a meet.
68- Joined the track team my senior year in high school again, but dropped out cause I hated all the running in practices. I just wanted to sprint and jump. Bad move. (Why didn't I do track my sophmore and junior years? Too busy being a social butterfly I suppose).
67- My first kiss was with Dan Neeway when I was 15. We are still friends.
66- Went on my first date (to a Homecoming dance) at 16 with Kris Howard. He later introduced me to the guy I would marry.
65- I'm pretty sure I went to every school and church dance available from age 14 to 19.
64- I taught country line dancing at schools and churches during high school after my friends and I taught it to ourselves with a video (Napoleon Dynamite style) and at Wheeler Farm.
63- I was the V.P. of my school's K.E.Y. club (a service organization) my junior year.
62- My first "real" job was at ShopKo (like a K-mart) at age 16, working as a cashier for the busy Christmas season.
61- I think my first paid babysitting job was at age 10. I had 3 or 4 younger siblings at that time.
60- My first concert was Reba McEntire. I was a big country music fan in high school.
59- I've seen Billy Joel in concert twice. I have been a fan of his as long as I can remember.
58- My earliest memory is dancing around my sister's Spiderman record player to Barry Manilow music.
57- I met my best friend, Jen, in 8th grade history, Mrs. Henroid's class. She is coming out to meet Jonah on Monday.
56- I found a list of possible baby names in a notebook from 1998. "Jonah" is on there, though I don't remember liking it that long ago.
55- Brandon and I dated on again, off again, for 2 1/2 years before getting married.
54- I was married the Wednesday before Thanksgiving during my sophmore year in college at age 19.
53- I went to college at The University of Utah, Salt Lake Community College, UofU again, Brigham Young University- Hawaii, and took my final Spanish class (4 years after my BYU-H graduation) at University of Central Oklahoma.
52- My Bachelor of Arts degree is from BYU-H in International Cultural Studies with an emphasis in Communications and a minor in Theatre.
51- I love going to plays.
50- I love performing, though nothing makes me so nervous and I don't know if I'm any good.

I will save the rest for tomorrow.

Look What I Can Do

Jonah turned 12 weeks old yesterday, and to prove that he has grown up, he started doing this trick. This is the first time he has purposely grabbed something and held it. He is very pleased with himself. He's probably frustrated because he never had the chance to practice last week cause he had no toys and was constantly being held. Oh, the life of a baby!


Monday, April 23, 2007

What Now?

What have I been doing since my last post? I've been in AZ.
Jonah and I came out to Arizona to visit my family last Wednesday. We have thouroughly (sp?) been enjoying our time here. Jonah got to meet 6 of my 8 siblings, two cousins, my grandma, and my bro and sis in law. That's 8 aunts and uncles this trip alone! He has been basking in all the attention. He also got to meet all 8 of his first cousins. Very fun. Charlotte, his 16-month-old cousin is especially enamored with him. Today is our last full day here and we expect good things. I will type up a more full report with pictures once we are home. We are missin' Daddy.

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Missing Baby


Please help.
PS- My 100th post is coming up. Am I supposed to do something special?

More Grandparents!

Jonah's last set of grandparents (he has 3) finally made it out to meet him this weekend.
Smiling at Grandpa Alan.

Talking to Granny Linda.

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Pancakes

"We feel like eating pancakes" by Joe Sparks

I got an email from my brother, Teddy, in Madagascar yesterday. He told me awhile ago that cake in Madagascar tastes like butter and is not very sweet. At the last church party he went to he brought American pancakes and they were a huge hit with the locals. The Malagasy people have now named them Top of the Hat Cake. They say they don't need syrup and they consider them a dessert and not a meal. I found this all very amusing so I thought I would share.

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Spring in Oklahoma

Normally we don't have a spring in Oklahoma, we have Tornado Season. This year we are having an incredibly weird spring. It has been cloudy for about 3 weeks, very little sunshine, very drab. It is getting old. And we've only had one exciting storm, not that I'm hoping for more tornados or anything, I do love a good thunderstorm though. We've had a lot of rain this year, which is great.
It snowed here on Friday. Yep, you read me right, snowed. That's an April snowstorm in the middle of the country, not in the Rockies or something. Pretty weird. Tomorrow the high is supposed to be 70.

Saturday, April 07, 2007

Easter Survey

What are your Easter traditions?
As a child we always woke up to baskets of goodies. We also did hunts in the house and the yard. We would always rehide eggs over and over to find them again. I loved when we did egg hunts with all the Brim cousins at Grandma's or the Courts.
Brandon and I always dye eggs and have a big dinner. We usually buy some candy too. When we lived in Utah we did Easter brunch at Alan's country club.

What is your favorite Easter dish?
I love ham and potatoes and asparagus.

When did you learn the truth about the Easter Bunny?
I don't remember, I think I kind of always knew there wasn't a real Easter bunny.

How do you decorate your home for Easter?
I think Easter is the one holiday I have no decorations for... I will have to fix that next year. I do have a pin I always wear, I've had it since I was a kid.

How many Easter egg hunts does your family usually participate in?
Brandon and I don't hunt for eggs, but we'll make sure Jonah does.

What is your favorite flavor of jellybean?
I'm not a real big jellybean fan, but strangely I've always liked the black ones even though I don't like actual black licorice. I ate so many popcorn flavored jellybellies in Jr. High that I hated them after that.

How do you decorate Easter eggs?
I like trying different egg dying kits, but sometimes we just use food coloring, stickers, rubberbands, and crayons. One year we did all-natural dyes (spinach, termeric, and berries) and that was really cool too.

Do you wear special Sunday outfits for you or your kids on Easter?
As a kid I always got a new dress for Easter and I like to keep up the tradition, though I was too broke this year. I loved the year I got a special Easter hat to wear to church, I felt so fancy.

What are your favorite church Easter hymns and/or choir arrangements?
A gospel song called, Were You There? is my favorite. I've sung the soprano part in it as part of a double quartet and I've also sung the solo part. I've heard the MoTab choir sing it as well.

Do you spend Easter at home, on vacation, or with family?
At home or with friends. If there is family nearby than with them.

Do you make deviled eggs out of leftover Easter eggs?
Yes, DEEE-LISH.

Are you tired of eggs by the end of the Easter Season?
I think I had that happen once.

What is your favorite Easter candy/treat?
I like Reece's PB eggs and Cadbury eggss ("horse snot with a booger in the middle" as my mother once so eloquently described them). I really don't eat candy much even though I like most all candies.

Anything else you want to share about Easter?
It's the most important Christian holiday (as Lauren pointed out). I'm going to make a big deal about its religious aspects to my kids. I went to Holy Thursday Mass this year at a Catholic church with friends this year and that was a nice kick-off to the holiday for me.

Thursday, April 05, 2007

Good Baby


Today was Jonah's two month check up. I have been dreading this day because I knew he had to get 4 shots. He did great! He was so tired that he fell asleep literally 3 minutes after the shots were given. Poor little guy. Let's hope he isn't too fussy tonight and doesn't get a fever.
This picture is him two days ago. Isn't he cute in his little shorts?! We think he's a darling little toad. He has no neck, which isn't surprising since he weighs in at 13 lbs. 4 oz. now. His percentages are the same as last month: 90th for headsize, 75th for weight, and 50th for height (he's 23 inches now).
Jonah loves having "conversations" and I even got him to leave a message on Nana & Papa's answering machine yesterday. He has recently discovered the power of his lungs (which makes his 3 minute cry before some naps a little more nerve wracking), is enjoying sucking his fists or fingers, and loves his mobile and dangly toys on his swing. He just keeps getting more and more fun.

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Who's Your Daddy?

Jonah today in his darling outfit.

Brandon and his dad, Alan.
Baby Brandon with his dad (Alan is 19 here). Jonah definitely is Brandon's son.

Sunday, April 01, 2007

2 4 2getherness


2 things you compliment your spouse on while in his presence:

1. His sexiness.
2. He's an awesome dad and husband!

2 compliments you make about your spouse to your friends about your spouse:

1. I really brag when he helps with housework, etc.
2. He is so ambitious, such a good student, so all-around talented, he learns easily & quickly and seems to be good at everything.

2 traits you married him for:

1. His love and devotion.
2. I knew he would be sucesssful and make cute babies.

2 days you cherished most when you and your spouse were together:

1. The day we had our sonogram & the day Jonah was born (I know that's really two).
2. Any day he spends with me and doesn't play a computer game.

2 Material things you could give your husband if you just inherited a fortune:

1. A ski boat.
2. Timeshares (in Mexico, Lake Powell, Montana, etc.).

2 things you would miss the most if he left for two weeks:

1. Just his company in general.
2. His helpfulness - with the baby, the litterbox, the trashes, etc.

2 thoughts that crossed your mind when you first met/saw your spouse:

1. He's hot!
2. He's tough (he was boxing with a friend of ours).

2 favorite dates:

1. going to plays
2. hiking (or anything outdoors and active)

2 funny things you love about him:

1. His utter silliness especially when it is displayed in front of others
2. When he uncharacteristically becomes meticulous about his appearance (does this tie go?)

2 places you have lived with your spouse:

1. A big 2 bdrm. hardwood floored apt. in a fourplex in downtown Salt Lake City.
2. A small 1 bdrm. apt. with no heat or a/c (didn't need either) in Laie, Hawaii.

2 favorite vacations:

1. Our 3 month journey in Nepal.

2. Whenever we go to AZ and I get to see him interact with my family.


(Side note for myself) Other vacations we've been on:

Eureka Springs, AR
Louisiana
Lake Powell (several times)
Rocky Point (2x)
Puerto Vallarta (2x)
Visiting his family in UT or IL (lots)
Disneyland (3x)
San Diego
Flaming Gorge (several times)
Laughlin, NV
Afton, WY
Fullerton, CA
Island Park, ID

(2 questions I added myself)

2 best physical features:

1. smile
2. eyes
(and hair when he grows it out)

2 best personality features:

1. when he does something, he does it well
2. sense of humor, of course

I tag Mike, Stephanie (both of you), Annie, Lisa formerly Anderson (if you even read this), Elaine, Jill, Macey, and Megan.