Lets do this.....

Thanks for the idea Crystal.

24 hour menu.....recipe blog that was just started and already has filled my oven and stove with fantastic food!

Alofipos- Wayne, Tara, Maddux, Malakai, and baby girl. Tara is one of the famous and beautiful Esplin girls who I adore!

Ambur and Nate- Ambur is one of my best friends forever! Oddly we liked the same guys in high school but it was never a problem and she married her high school track star! 3 of the cutest boys on earth!

Baxters- Stacy. Can you believe I cant remember your maiden name? Remind me. Im getting old. When I think if Stacy I think of her beeeeutiful smile! you are a gorgeous mama!

Becky- Wonderful friend from High School and younger years...lots of them on the softball field. Due with her first little girl in 10 weeks! Has the prettiest blue eyes I have ever seen.

Biglers- Heather. Another one of the famous Esplin sisters. Soooo beautiful inside and out and has a daughter to match! Just moved from Hawaii to Vegas.

Brandee- Sis in law to good friend Malea. Has 4 of the most beautiful kids on the planet. And great hair!!!

Brian and Danae- The Wests. Some of the greatest friends we have ever had. We were lucky to spend 1 1/2 years with them in South Carolina until Paul went to the Enterprise and Brian was stationed in Washington on a submarine. 3 kids. Ethan, Olivia, and Kai. These people are "normal" Navy people.

Bundys- Megan. Such an inspiration to everyone as she is raising her 2 sons while hubby is deployed to Iraq with the Guard. Also a friend from younger years on softball and soccer fields.

Caralee- I remember thinking how beautiful she always was at girls camp! In the mountains without showers. Has Sydnee, the cutest one year old around.

Chelsea- I worked with Chelsea the year after High School at Pizza Factory. She was a northerner beauty schooling at Dixie. Absolutely beautiful! And has the coolest named kid ever, Lachlan.

Cluffs- Miss Jill Baker. One of my brightest memories from the past 10 years. Living it up in sunny St Marten while preg with her 2nd. Oh Jill, there are sooo many memories!

Danas- Pamela. One of the most on the ball people I know. I have gotten to know her so much better in this past year blogging that the 10 years before. Preg with her first little man Nathan.

Elkingtons- Jessica. Way back in the day our dads used to work together and they brought us our first family pet, a dog named Peanuts who lived forever because he was the laziest dog on earth. She also has one of the most beautiful smiles around.

Elletts- Malea. Worked with her at Dr. Princes office. Had the most fun! Named her daughter after me, Maesi. (not really but I like to think so) Soooo good at whatever she does and has a great photography business. Preg with her 4th, a little boy.

Ences- The famous Rachel. Grew up just down the street from her. Practically perfect in every way. I guess thats how we worked so well together, I wasnt. Who doesnt love Rachel?!!!

Gladwells- Melissa. Future sister (sort of) Her brother and my sister are getting hitched in 2 weeks! We couldnt be happier since this has been in the works for years and years. Great and wonderful friend from younger years whos car I would ALWAYS stall.

Granthams- Lindsay. Beautiful lady who looks amazing and has so much will power to work out at 5 am everyday! 2 cutie bugs, Macie and Dallin that totally remind me of my cutie bugs.

Grants- Mindy. Sister to Jill. Sooo beautiful and fun and will soon pass along her great genes to Grant #1. Good times in Young Womens with Shells :)

Gross's- Emma. Love her. Love her name and would love to hear her mid-west accent in real life!

Hafen's- Heidi. Sister to Camie and sis in law to Rachel. So beautiful. Always sparks my interest with her posts on her blog. A real Southern Utah girl for life!

Haslems- Stacie. Beautiful friend from High School. Was probably the first our age to get hitched and then had twin girls to boot! Cutest family around!

Hillstroms- Janel. Okay Janel, I am confessing I had a little crush on your brother in High School. Very educated beautiful mom to Jacob, the handsomest little boy around.

Holly- Miss Holly Woolsey. Greatest person on earth. I remember you gave me flowers in High School "just because" and it made my day. This stuff happens on a regular bases with her.

Mom to her spitten image Anna. both beautiful.

Internecipes- yummy, delicious, fantastic, scrumptious, food blog. Glad to have found.

Jamey- A year older than me in school. Always so nice and beautiful. Has Aspen and Cole, whos names I LOVE!

Jenkins- Valerie. One word, Quincinetta. One of my most favorite memories of the beginning of High School. I also was soooo jealous of your rust colored neon! Oh and your legs!

Kathryn- Great beautiful wonderful friend from H.S. Spent a lot of time together NOT at seminary and then gabbing it up when we were supposed to be learning math....the race is on for our babies!!! (I think she will win)

Kimi- Sister. 5th child. Spitting image of mom when she was young and my kids favorite Auntie.

Also, very into skin since she is an esthetician and all....

Krystal- Oldest of the famous Esplin sisters. Won most athletic 1998 along with Mr Paul Melessa, you should see him now ;) and has the greatest blog of them all!

Lee's- Chrissy. Comes from one of the greatest families in St George. Has the prettiest little girl Phoebe, and hasnt blogged since OCTOBER!!!! come on already.....

Lotz- Kristen. Stayed true to her high school sweetheart and has 2 of the cutest children in Northern Utah. Great documenter.

Mickelsens- Crystal. Oh Crystal. Beautiful, talented, fabulous, loyal, wonderful and everything else. Mother to Lincoln who I want to steal for myself. One of the best flossers around.

Mik'l- Great friend from younger years. Loved by all the boys. Jealous of her smile and legs too. So glad she has a blog now :)

Mortensens- Jessica. Has one of the prettiest voices. Is one of the prettiest people. Love her kids names, Brynlee and Crew.

Natalie- Famous Natalie. Never a dull moment when she is around. Soooo beautiful and genuine and has Lillie....need I say more?

Nelsons- Annie. Another co-worker at Dr. Prince. So many fun times the summer of 03 and too many McDonald's kid cones at lunch.... Absolutely beautiful.

Nicole-My one Virginia friend on here. She lived above me in Yorktown military housing until we both realized how crappy it was and moved out! Has darling Haylie and a Marine husband.

Nischans- Alisha. Fantastically great shape (jealous), beautiful daughter, Anya and in some of my greatest memories of H.S. (Hawaii)

Resnicks- Britanie. Oldest and wisest sister. Mother to the handsomest nephew Kalan, and the 2 prettiest and funniest nieces around, AJ and Bryna.

Rex's- Jenny. Kimis bestest friend. Hilarious and beautiful. Gives the best pedicures in St George.

Sam and Cherin Melessa- Paul oldest bro and his wife. Closest family to us, in Durham, NC.

2 of the greatest people around and have the cutest and smartest kids ever!

Schalls- Brandi. Sister to good friend Tracy (who needs a blog!) mother to 2 beautiful red headed princesses, very clever and delightful posts.

Schofields- Staci. In too many of my younger year memories to count, VERY boy crazy together, and absolutely beautiful which reflects in her blog and her 2 handsome lads.

Schwartz- Camie. Sister to Heidi and sis in law to Rachel. Living it up in the corn fields of Nebraska, down to the wire with baby girl #2 and has an attitude like myself.

Shrouts- Allysa. beautiful and talented. So fun to be around. And has a great smile! Plus Ian.

Tattons- Abby. All the boys loved Abby. We worked at Charlies together along with Crystal, Jill, Mindy, and Chrissy. We had the same purses, I would always take hers home or drop it into the bleach bucket accidentally. Why was that bucket right there?

Taylors- Mandy. Soooo fun. I loved your brother. I loved your hair and smile, and I still do. Plus I want to steal your kids!

Terrys- Lindsey. Great fun friend forever. You cant be around Lindsey and not have fun! Cutest boys on the planet and has great style! Plus, I got her seconds in men....:)

Thomas's- Jessica. Big time rivals/enemies in High School...haha. Always was so envious of her beauty, and hair. And she has the best scrap book pages out there!

Tonya- The absolute best friend that Paul and I have together! stemming from good old Vernal Utah, she made her way out to Baltimore MD for 4 years and is now THE hot pharmacist at a Target in West Jordan. Love you.

Watts- Erin. I remember you riding horses with Joelle down at the arena when we were in the oh so cool 5th and 6th and 7th grade stage. Loved your brother too. (but who didnt) and I remember working on your husbands braces at Dr. Princes office. Cutest family ever.

Wests- Laurin and Chris. Chris was one of my greatest guy friends back in the day. He totally lucked out with who he married, beautiful Laurin and has the most precious daughter around, Kate.

Whipples- Morgan. Love her hair, love her smile, and LOVE her little girls! But she needs to post more...;)

Wrights- Kailee. The best hair doer in St George or shall I say Kentucky soon? Beautiful and fun and we totally connected through blogging.

Any tidbits?

Man, I wish....

I could get on the airplane with Jules in an hour and fly home to go to the love birds wedding.

I had Lyndsis smile. (you are a lucky man Nate)  
I wasnt sick and living on cough drops and tylenol.
I could eat, Im starving but my throat hurts to bad.
I lived closer to Utah.
I could sleep all day.
I had the energy of my kids.
I had this baby out of me...good news though....March 11th 7:30 am Sentara Leigh Hospital.

Happenings....

Happenins round here havent been to exciting...no babies yet...dangit. My sister Jules is out visiting. I actually made her extend her time a few days so she is here till Wednesday. The weather was so crappy last week so we didnt get to do much but go to the malls and eat eat eat....
A few weeks ago I posted our dining set on Craigslist just to see what would happen.....Now, I bought this set off of the same place a year ago thinking I would refinish it and restore it to the beauty I could see in my head under neath all its old ugly glory. I never got around to doing it....imagine that. 300 dollars later I am a happy lady to have that set out of my home (Paul thought I was nuts) and good thing Julie has an eye for style, we found a great table at a thrift store yesterday for 120 bucks! Brand new too. Then I found some chairs last night on Craigslist that fit perfect and now my dining room isnt an eye sore anymore! All for 200 dollars. I love the deals.

And thats about it...new tables, no babies, lots of time at the malls, Julie is still here, and we are eating lots of good junk food....oh ya and Asher in his pimp suit :)

That little ticker over there is starting to freak me out...

So is this belly....We went to eat crab legs last night with some friends and guess who out ate everyone?!! Im talking about big men in the military and no one could crack em and slurp em as fast as me. Does it show? Lesson learned, heartburn.

I havent shown my love bugs off in awhile. Mainly because my camera bites! For some reason the other day, they were being really kissy face with each other, I was cracking up. Oh I love these kids.

A-Z

GETTING TO KNOW ME, A - Z
A - Attached or Single: Attached
B - Best Friend: Paul, BFF Jessica (Debenham), Shelly Sandberg
C - Cake or Pie: Both minus cherry pie
D - Day of choice: Saturday and Sunday afternoon
E - Essential Item: the internet
F - Favorite Color: red
G - Gummy Bears or Worms: worms-the sour ones!
H - Hometown: Dog town, UT
I - Indulgence(s): foot rubs, my big new bed, yummy body wash, diet coke
J - January or July: January in the south, July in the Mountains (particularly Pine Valley)
K - Kids: Leah Bug, Ash Man, Maya Bee
L - Life is incomplete without: my family, the gospel, and good food
M - Marriage Date: May 5, 2001
N - Number of Siblings: 6
O - Oranges or Apples: Apples; braeburns, fuji, granny smiths but I always choose orange flavored everything else.
P - Phobias or Fears: Phobias, whales Fears, tragic accidents
Q - Quotes: Live, Laugh, Love
R - Reason to smile: The very nice crib my good friends just gave to me.
S - Season: Absolute Springtime with blossoms and bees
T - Tag Three Friends: Ambur B., Caralee B., Brandi S.
U - Unknown fact about me: I have 78 moles on my left arm..dang sun exposure...
V - Very favorite Store: Lately its been Overstock.com, Target, H&M.
W - Worst habit: laziness...
X - X-ray or Ultrasound: Ultrasound, duh
Y - Your favorite food: asparagus, fresh fruit, sandwiches, potato chips, choc chip oatmeal cookies, candy and so on and so on....
Z - Zodiac: Scorpio

2 that stand out.

Valentines Day.
Lets go back 10 years. I was a brace faced sophmore who would spend a good 2 hours every night picking out what to wear the next day for school (remember those times?..I miss em)
Boys boys boys...loved em. I had a hot date that night. I remember being so nervous about how it would go, since I was new on the dating scene and all. We were going to see Titanic (ooh and ahh) so romantic. We were on a double date with Casey Staheli and his date. I guess they really wanted to impress us because I was greeted at the door with roses and a big huge black gorilla stuffed animal holding a heart and Casey was driving his Dads old green car that had been re-finished. It was pouring rain and I lived down a dirt road. As we were driving up the street Casey ran off the road cause of the rain and hit right into the gate. We all had to get out and push the car in the mud and rain back on the road. (There went my outfit) We were wet, muddy, and were late to the most popular movie out. Where do you think we had to sit. Smack dab in the front row. Remember the lovely boobie scene? Awkward. How do you hold hands through that scene? So there was a senior guy by the name of Paul Melessa that was sitting right behind with his girfriend (remember this Lindsey? Paul doesnt recall or so he says). He kept making fun of us the whole time, patting my date on the back when he'd make his moves ....I was humilated!!! I remember thinking, why is Lindsey dating this guy!!!!

Fast forward 4 years later to Valentines 2001. Wouldnt you know I am engaged to the senior by the name of Paul Melessa. Funny how things happen. Anyway, I was working working my little tail off at the good old Pizza Factory to save our rent money for what we would be living in the first 6 months of marriage (dont you love first apartments?). Paul dropped me off at work that Valentines night. Before I got out of the car he handed me a box. Inside was a small simple gold band. I love this ring and have worn it just about everyday of my married life. I hardly ever wear my real wedding ring. And if anything ever happened to it I would cry my eyes out, cant say the same for my diamond one.

These are my 2 Valentines days. Interesting that they both involve Paul. Moral of the story, never say never on who you will spend your Valentines Day with forever. Love you Paul.
Even though you used to make fun of me.

No good, Sooo good

NO GOOD
Dont waste your money on this stuff. Its terrible. I love Dr Pepper. I love diet Dr Pepper. But this is about the yuckiest thing Ive tried in sodas. Besides Diet Pepsi Max.

SOOO GOOD
I was always a little afraid of these when I was young. They were for my grandma. But I love them now. I am always in search of good dried fruit. And these are good cause you can grab a bunch and go. Asher thinks they are a treat, Leah knows better but will still eat them. The orange and cherry essence are yummy too.

NO GOOD

Okay, maybe these arent my feet but they sure feel like it! And they probably will look just like these in a few weeks. I hate this part. The last part when everytime you go to the bathroom you are wondering and watching for any sign of anything! My skin is stretched so tight where my belly button used to be its sickening. Remember that?

SOOO GOOD
Pat on my back. I actually bought Paul and the kids their valentine stuff already! Plus I bought Pauls gift to me (movie and some chocolates), you are off the hook deary. I am the queen of procrastination and as I was browsing Walmarts aisles alone at 8:30 last night, I thought I better get it over with. And when and why did Valentines Day get like this?

NO GOOD

The dang weather around here. One day is will be 80 degrees and the next 30 degrees. Excuse me Mr. Winter but its time to leave.

SOOO GOOD

VISITORS!!! My sister Julie is coming on Saturday for a week. Time to party.

a few things...

1. Sorry to all you Team Mitters. (most of our fam) That bites.

2. I went to the doctor yesterday. Turns out they lost my records for all of my lab work in transition from Utah to here. So lucky me gets to go and get it all redone in the morning...including the lovely glucose screen that I thought I dodged out on. Do you think that the marshmellows, butter mints, milkey ways, and waffles that I have eaten today will effect it? ;) I CANT STOP! I LOVE SUGAR! ...dont worry I ate broccoli for lunch to counter act it all...

3. I made THE best chicken pot pie last night for dinner. Its very similar to Jameys but I tailored it to my liking....
1 pack of pre cooked chicken cubes
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of potato soup
1 cup steamed carrots
2 cups steamed broccoli
1 can of petite corn
salt, pepper, garlic powder
1/2 cup velveeta cubes cut small
Mix all together and bake in refridgerated pie crusts on 400 degrees for 30-40 minutes till golden.
Probably not the healthiest version on the block, but dang it was good.

4. If you would like to see a CUTE video clip, head over to my sis Kimis blog and watch it. I miss Utah! p.s. leave her a comment...she'll feel cool :)

5. One more shout out to Craigslist...I know boring...but I have now purchased everything I need for Baby M. with the last being a Ocean Wonders swing for 20 bucks. Oh I love it so.

6. Is anyone else having trouble using the spell check on here? Or am I just a retard...cause it wont work for me.

7. Anyone have any good ways to keep smelly smells out of my closets? Let me explain...
Paul smells...okay he doesn't smell...his clothes do. But it isnt his fault. If he is on the boat any good amount of time (which was constantly the last 3 years) his clothes REEK! Imagine oil, diesel, sweat, grime, dirt and so on and so on. Laundry is shared by the thousands and the ways they do it are to bag it up in laundry bags with holes and throw it in. We have gone through a ton of clothes that just have to be thrown away when he gets home. The picture below is a picture of one of his white tops that was brand new when he took it on deployment, and a brand new one after. Gross. And we all know that g's arent cheap! But the smell lingers....lingers lingers. Even when the clothes are long gone...so any advice?



Okay the end.

Life and times in military housing...

...Played outside in the 70 degree weather a good 2 hours until the "stay away from" neighbor boy diarreahed at the bottom of the slide and said it was "just mud"

...A lovely neighbor (stay away from boys mom) who doesn't even know me shouted across the playground "Girl, you still haven't popped that baby out yet?!" Are you my friend lady?

...Moving on to the next playground where I witness a 9 year old young man who KNOWS BETTER and lives 4 houses down peeing into a water bottle.

...Purchased a 25 dollar pack and play (swindle swindle, getting quite good) from a surprisingly very normal lady off of Craigslist. Military and craigslist...you never know what you are going to get.

...Attended the oh so popular "Mary Kay Facial Party" Man, I want the microderm kit.

...Finding the surprises in the driveway on garbage day of what the truck has left behind.

Yes my friends..all in one day and one area. See what you are missing?

Lets take a trip to the Loo...

Toilet; A toilet, lavatory, water closet (WC), or loo is a plumbing fixture and disposal system primarily intended for the disposal of the bodily wastes: urine and fecal matter.

I have come to the conclusion that I dislike toilets. I am ever eternally greatful for this day and age to have a flushing toilet in my home but that being said I still dislike them.
This morning as I was cleaning my bathroom it got me thinking of why. And here are the reasons;

Kids love them. Why is this? Leah has been potty trained for a 8 plus months and I have never had a problem with her, until now. She is bound and determind to "wipe myself" not being the cleanest in the least. We have a wipe down session with Lysol wipes after this takes place everytime. All the while Ashers is watching intently with his little mind brewing about how "fun" this all looks. Not good.

The seats. I have never liked the carpet covers you put on the lids. Who wants carpet on the toilet seat? Does it make it nicer? Fancier? And the cushioned seats? Their job is just to soak up all the germs. {shivers}

Public Toilets. Kids are drawn to these as well. We live 30 seconds away from Jiffy Lube. I made sure that Leah did not need to pee before we changed the oil but once she saw a greasy worker exit the bathroom corridor that is all she wanted/needed, to pee in the bathroom that is taken care of by men, and greasy cigarette smoking men at that. Can you tell me how much protection I will get from a paper toilet seat cover in that bathroom?

Now, I am sure that toilets dont really like us either. Their job is about the worst. Disposing of things...I wont go there, being neglected to cleanings until we "have to", and seeing our tushes all day long. I wouldnt choose it for my job.

And on the subject of tushes.....you know you have gained to much weight when I am bending over cleaning the toilet and the sweet innocence of children in Asher reaches up to my behind patting the exposed skin and says "Baby, baby." I guess he meant well, and in his eyes it did look like the front of me.

So thank you water closets for all you do, but I still dislike you.