Baking!

Ok, so I really don't consider myself domestic by any stretch of the imagination, with regards to anything "in the kitchen". My poor husband feels deprived of all the goodies he could be enjoying, if I were to bake more. But I almost have to be in the right mood, or guilted into it. But when I am in the mood, I go all out.
I wanted to make some french bread today, so I donned my apron and asked Kya if she wanted to help. Of course she said, "Help". But then I realized that she didn't have an apron....so with some dish clothes from the "wedding gifts, saving for later" pile, we made her an apron likes Mommy's. I thought she looked darling. So Kya helped me make some bread. It is rising right now so I cannot tell you yet, that it turned out spectacular. With my luck and bread making skills, probably not so good, but maybe with Kya's help my luck will change.

Stiring the butter, water, salt and sugar!
















FYI: To get the "Part 2" of "My cute dress", you will have to refer to my photography blog...It was Photo Op Wednesday (click on "Photo Op Wednesday")

Kya's new tricks...talent

Kya loves the music at church. Whenever we begin to sing she perks up and pays attention, wanting to hold the hymn book. She really enjoys watching the chorister lead the music. Well, today when the R.S. got up to sing a song on the stand, Kya stood up on the bench and began to lead with both arms. So much talent, so little of a girl.

Mommy took a nap this morning trying to catch up on some sleep after working a ten hour shift last night, and Kya was entertaining daddy with her "Doggie bag, disappearing Kya" act. Carl was so great to get it on camera, so here is the magnificent Kya and her amazing act.

She also has a talent to love all people and things. Just a glimpse into the love that Kya shares with her toys and stuffed animals. The other day she came up to me on her own, wrapped her arms around my neck and squeezed really tight saying, "huggles". She is so loving and I love it. Ok, so I was going to share that video of her hugging and kissing her bunny, but as I am typing, she has figured out how to get on her horse by herself, so I just had to video and share that.

When it Rains...it Pours

Ok, so ever since our move to CS, life has slowed down for me...or was I ever really that busy. And for anyone who knows me...knows that I like to be busy. Well, I have been looking for more things to do and keep myself always on my toes (I work better that way). My prayers were answered...ten fold. I have started working again, but in the two weeks that I have been with the nursing agency, they have called five times to see if I could cover a shift. This weekend I am working every night.
Plus, on top of the two callings in church that Carl and I are doing, I have been called to be the Laurel (16-17 year olds) Advisor. I am so excited!!! Among other things that have filled my agenda (which you will hear more about some of them soon...stay tuned), I have become a busy woman.
Like I said...I work better this way. It all just seemed to hit this weekend. So onward into battle I go...yeah!

My "cute" dress...part 1

My sister said that I haven't posted enough pictures of Kya lately. So today, for "Photo Op Wednesday" we did Kya's 18 month pictures. Besides, this is Kya's "cute" dress, which you will hear the story about next week in "part 2" of My "cute" dress. That might just be next weeks "Photo Op Wednesday". Kya has so many different faces and personality. I was able to capture only a few of them.

I got tagged...

I think I have been tagged before, but I never got around to doing it. Sorry, whoever tagged me. But my sister Alicia tagged me and I think I will follow through with this one.

Archive Meme Instructions: Go back through your archives and post the links to your five favorite blog posts that you’ve written. But there is a catch:

Link 1: must be about family
I love my family, my extended family. My five sisters and one brother are all wonderful people and they were my best friends growing up. I hope to raise my children to be as good of friends as my siblings are. Of course it took some practice and growing up to get where we are now. I love them, I love our family reunions and I wouldn't trade them for anything.
(By the way, Rachel, had no idea you posted about sisters, until I finished my post)

Link 2: must be about friends
Some of my dearest friends are ones I have met through our adoption experience. One friendship I truly cherish and miss now is my dear "mother-in-waiting" friend, Robin. While we were both waiting to be mothers we spent each Friday together, whether it be going to lunch, shopping or making jewelry, we were there for each other and developed a bond I will always adore. I love you girl!

Link 3: must be about yourself...who you are...what you are all about.
Who I am and always wanted to be is a mother. I was born to be a mother. But I am also on a journey now to know who I am aside from that, and being true to myself along the way. This was a post I did on a day I was struggling to find myself. Each day is an adventure. Some great in the learning process, others more difficult than the rest. But if life were easy, I wouldn't grow and learn anything.
I also found myself here. (click on "here" for second link) This is more of who I am.

Link 4: must be about something you love
Next to my sweetie, whom I was meant to be with and whom I am crazy about (or sometimes who makes me crazy), I am in love with my little girl. She has stolen both my heart and her daddy's as well. We can't imagine our lives without her. She brings a spirit into our home that only our Heavenly Father could have created. We are so blessed!

Link 5: can be anything you choose
One thing that will always be dear to me is a tradition that my husband started while we were dating. "Friday Night Date Night". He wanted every Friday night to be a time when we put all things aside (work, school, life in general) and just have fun. It is something we have always done and still try to do. Even now with Kya, the tradition continues. Whether it be a movie at home or going out on the town, we now include Kya. In the words of Carl, "She is so much fun, I want her to come with us". Someday we will start dating just each other again, but really, who wouldn't want to go have a fun night without our "funny" girl.

Thanks, Alicia, this really was a fun post to do.
I am tagging...
1. Dayna Y.
2. Jamie Y.
3. Jamie G. &
4. Valerie A.
Have fun!

Just a note...

I have had some confusion with my photography blog. Not that I have had that much action on it lately, but I have changed the address. You can find it at www.paulakphotography.blogspot.com Business is slow, but keep in touch, it could pick up soon. Thanks

Potty Thoughts

Ok, so I have been contemplating "toilet training". As I am posting this, Kya is looking at the picture and saying "hi potty". Ever since she was about 8 months old, she has told us when she would poop, she would go to a corner and say "poop". Now when she wets, she grabs herself and says "a mess". She is too smart. So we are thinking it is time to introduce the potty. Any suggestions or tips on how to do this. I am excited and a little nervous. But "it is time" (Lion King quote). I hope I managed to post this in a tasteful fashion, please excuse the "potty talk".

Way to Go, Hubby!

I just wanted to take a moment and recognize my hard working husband. He is finished with his grad school classes...and as of this week he has completed all his internship hours. Now all we have to wait for is graduation (which we are heading back to Logan for). Carl has worked very hard and got a bachelors and masters in the 6 1/2 years we have been married (with two of those years being very little school hours). Carl you Rock! I love you! Thank you for the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom.

Great Party! Long Post!

What a day! Ever since I was a little girl, birthdays have always been a big deal, and I intend on making them a big deal for my kids. (Sorry Kya) So of course I told Carl that he was in charge of making my birthday a big deal. He did a great job. It was a bit of a crazy day, with a few snags, but in the end, a great party.

Kya and I spent the morning reading books, dancing to her keyboard music and just being girls (dressing up, doing our hair, etc) You get the idea. Carl wrote "Happy Birthday" on our bathroom mirror (which Kya got a kick out of and everytime she saw it she pointed and said "two") Before leaving for work, Carl said, "Your birthday present is supposed to arrive today and I am going to need you to sign for it, so please make sure you are home around 1:00."

12:30, the doorbell rings. I ran downstairs excited to see what he got me. I opened the door and there was a very good looking man standing at my door, leaning up against the house. Wow! He got me a man....hee hee Don't worry, it was Carl (best looking man ever). He said, "Hey, I think you're hot and I was wondering if I could take you out to dinner tonight"
Carl took rest of the day off from work so that we could spend time together, or that I could have some time off from Mommy duty. Of course I chose to hang out with my man and gal.

Well, here is where the day gets interesting. Carl parked behind our garage, so that I wouldn't hear the garage open, so he could come around front and ring the doorbell. Well, about an hour later he went out to pull the car in.....it was gone. Long story short, it was towed and we had to bail it out for a lot more money than I wanted to. BUMMER!

We pick up the car, went to Walmart for some groceries...and our truck was hit in the parking lot at the store. Someone drove into the truck, left a dent and took off. BIG BUMMER!

Despite the crappy snags (pardon my french), it was a great day. Carl took Kya and I out to dinner (Olive Garden...I love Italian food). The waiters sang to me and I got a little bowl of ice cream. We rushed home, because Carl said the Office was on and he knew I would want to watch it. But I open my door and there was a light on in the kitchen....I know I turned off the lights. Then someone sitting on my couch said something. My heart dropped into my stomach, I thought we were going to be robbed or attacked my some freak. With the day I had, I would not have been surprised. Well, Carl had planned a surprise party for me with some of our good friends. I love parties. We had cake and ice cream and all in all it was a blast.

Kids had to go to bed, so the party was over early, but then Carl danced with me. It took a little begging, but he did it, because he knows how much I love dancing. What a guy! We both had a long day, so I think we were asleep by 10:30. Thank you Carl for making this a memorable birthday. Most importantly, I had my two favorite things for my birthday....You and Kya.

Kya is posing for the camera. I wanted to take a picture of her cute outfit. Because as most of you know, I love to dress up, and especially for special occasions. So Kya and I got dolled up for the day. She was of course more of a doll. I asked her if I could take her picture, she stood right in front of me, with her arms behind her back, and as soon as the camera clicked, she was off and running to play.

Pictures of me and my gal on my 30th birthday.

The morning after. Love the hair, my dear.

Speaking of "Time to Grow Up"

Well, if I am going to expect Kya to grow up and go to nursery, maybe it's time for me to grow up and jump into my third decade...Yes, that is right I am 30 today. Wow, I am so excited to be 30. What an awesome time in my life. Many things I have done in my 30 years alive and many I have yet to do. I have a list....a "list of things to do before I die"... list. Here's a sneak peak of my list.




1. get married......................................check
2. have a family.................................check
3. run a marathon................................check
4. visit paris, rome, athens, bejing, hong kong, new zealand, london, guatamala, hawaii, africa, mexico, puerto rico, and the list goes on.......................4 so far, not bad
5. live life like a true blonde......................check (blondes do have a lot of fun)
6. own and decorate a house................................working on it
7. become the first woman president......hopefully could still happen
8. paint a mural for a temple.........................its a nice thought
9. take my husband to play 1-on-1 with Michael Jordan...................................could happen
10. study fashion, art and photography in Europe...........................art-check
11. be a traveling nurse in third world countries..........................................always a dream
12. bring home a baby from one of those countries, as my own.........................."angelina?"
13. learn to belly dance...in india..............................................gotta love dancing
14. cruise around the world with my sweetie...........................mexico-check
15. ride a gondola in venice...........check...............with my sweetie...............saving up for that!!!

The list goes on and on, but I don't want to bore you any longer. Pictures of me around Kya's age. I am pleased with where I am, from where I was in the pictures. Live life each day like an adventure, like another trip to take, another destination to explore. Heaven knows I am trying to. Happy Birthday to me! Thanks Mom and Dad for having me so that I could be here celebrating yet another excellent birthday!

Time to Grow Up!

So, Carl and I have had to fight over who gets Kya for church each week, since the day she was born. And somehow Carl always thinks its his week, but I manage to get Kya a lot of the time. To this day, we are fighting over who gets to keep her. Well, we started to teach Sunday School today. We are teaching the 13 year olds. Gotta say...today was the first day I am looking forward to sending Kya to nursery. She was a bit of a distraction in class. Her cuteness just seemed to be more interesting to the kids, than my lesson...go figure! Well, the countdown begins.

27 days 'til Nursery

Happy New Year! 2008

Our New Year Celebration. On the Eve of 2008 we played games and of course ate fun foods while we waited for the countdown. Kya woke up at 11:00 screaming, unfamiliar with the surroundings at our friends' house. After a fun night, we tried to sleep in and we got to, until 7:00 am, when Kya wanted to start her day. We went bowling with some friends. Kya was scared at first and didn't know what to do with all that jazz. She warmed up and really had a great time. But the fun wasn't over yet...

We ended our day with some movies and dancing. As most of you know, Kya loves to dance and she got rockin' to the movie "Hairspray". Check out her awesome moves.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! We hope your 2008 is as good as 2007, only better.