Stress

This is my calendar for the month

That is one of the reasons I am stressed.

Addict

Hi my name is Courtney and I'm a foodaholic. We are not talking good for you food either. I'm not joking. I have a real problem. I really wonder if this is what it feels like for people that are addicted to drugs and alcohol. I can't say NO. Every morning when I wake up I tell myself, today's the day that I am going to eat to live, not live to eat. Depending on the day I can last until about 10am, or 12 at the latest. I eat if I am sad. I eat if I am happy. I eat when I am tired. You get the point. If the food is in front of me it will soon be inside of me! I think my brain doesn't tell me when to stop; and I don't stop until my belly won't expend any further. Yes, this is most definitely a problem.

I don't appreciate how much I love food and how much it hates me right back. You should see the things it has done to my body and yet I still can't stop. Hmmm...bad for my body, but still craving it...you know, the more I write, the more I think this is really like drug addiction. Except my teeth aren't falling out, I am just expanding....and my arteries are probably on there way to getting blocked. It is most definitely time for more naked pics......

Child Bribery

Emma was assigned a talk in primary last week. Previously, anytime she has had to give a talk, scripture, or prayer she would freeze as soon as she got to the podium. Well, I was done speaking for her, so I bribed her yesterday. I told her if she would give her talk I would take her to buy a Dora doll today. Well, it worked fabulous! I was so proud of her! But I had to hold up my end of the deal; so, off to K-mart we went.
When I bribed her I was thinking, I can get a little cheap Dora doll for about $5. Just tiny and cheap. Enough to hold up my end of the bargain. Well after walking through 5 isles of toys tonight, I discovered that you cannot buy a little Dora doll for $5. Try more like $15-$50. So, we had to settle for the $15 one. The one we got talks when you touch her belly and comes with a dog, Perrito (or Burrito as Emma likes to call him).

Here she is telling me, "Just take my picture!"

She took Dora to bed with her tonight. Not sure if that's a good idea since I keep hearing a Spanish speaking voice from Emma's room!

Too Long.....

Holy Moly! I can't believe it has been almost a whole entire year since a last posted. My new years resolution is to be more dedicated to blogging. I am awful at journaling, so this is my attempt to remember my life, write down my feelings, and give something to my posterity! Since I didn't post really anything in 2009, here is a recap. It is long, so bear with me!

Drew's Grandpa Marshall passed away in February. He was very close to him. His grandpa was his #1 fan and was there supporting him in almost all his sporting events. They shared so many great memories. It was really hard for Drew. Drew also had the opportunity to dedicate the grave. It was his first time and as hard as it was for him; he did a great job.

In March we traveled down to St. George for the annual March Madness baseball tournament. With Taylor and Parker both playing, it got a little busy. They both played really well and we had a great time,

Until.....................

We ended up in the emergency room. Parker broke his nose while playing in Washington and Taylor took a bunt to the eye while playing in Mesquite. Drew and I met at the Dixie Regional Hospital in St. George. What a fun night! But we still got to eat at the Bear Paw (our favorite place for breakfast)!

And Parker's nose did get fixed!!

In May, Taylor graduated from the 6th grade (elementary school)! He is all grown up now!

I survived my first year teaching preschool. It was nice to have the summer off. The kids and I got season passes to 7 Peaks. They really enjoyed it! We also did a bit of traveling for baseball (imagine that?)! Both Taylor and Parker's teams went to Evanston, WY where their teams took 1st in their divisions! Yippee....for the win......and no hospital visits!In July we headed to sunny So Cal. Our first stop was San Diego. The Blaze played in a tournament. They did OK. It didn't help that the kids they played against were all at least a foot taller and were growing mustaches (literally)! We also found time to stop at La Jolla Beach And see an Angels game.

What's the best way to celebrate a loss?? Head off to the happiest place on earth of course! I don't know if it was so happy with slave driver Courtney at the wheel. We got up early so we could be the first in line, had a printed schedule, and stayed up late, but dang it, we saw it all!

In August the kids started school again. Taylor now attends Diamond Fork Jr. High. and is loving the change. It helps that Grandma Harrison is there and has his back all the time! Parker is a big 5th grader and when I say big, I think he is one of the tallest. Mason is in 2nd grade and has the best handwriting. His teacher uses his papers for examples on how to write neatly. Emma started yet another year of preschool. It amazes me how smart she is, but then again she does take after me! :)

Mason turned 8 last year and was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints by his father. It was a special day and he had so many friends and family there to support him. Isn't it great to be 8!

Mason decided to take after his older brothers and started accelerated baseball in the fall of 09. He enjoys being part of a team and is realizing how much work it takes to do well.

Emma also started dance in the fall. She looks forward to Wednesday's! She dances with her cousin Elle (left) and her friend Caylie (right) She is a little shy (not sure where that came from) when it comes to performing, but we are working on her! I don't want my child to be the one that is crying on stage at the recital.

In October Drew and I ran to California for the weekend for my Grandpa Dastrup's 93rd birthday. I was so glad I was able to go down and see him. I love that man! Plus, a lot of the other Dastrup family members were there and it is always so good to see them too. He has gone down hill the last 6 months and needs some help taking care of himself. It is hard for me to see him that way and hard for him because he has been so independent. His children decided to move him from California to St. George with my Aunt Donna. I am glad he is closer to me though! It was hard knowing that was my last time in his house. I have so many memories there. I've spent summers and Christmas's there. It was very much apart of my childhood. I love the poky, thick grass, the squishy carpet in the "formal" living room that was always perfectly vacuumed, the smell of the garage and the bedroom I always stayed in with the pictures of the Dastrup family. It's funny to me that a "thing" is hard to let go of. Why is that? Sometimes I wish life didn't go on and we could just freeze time. I am thankful my dad and mom made such an effort to take me there so I could have all those memories.

Grandpa Dastrup and I "golfing" in the back yard

The House....Thanksgiving and Christmas were good as well. Thanksgiving at Grandma Shirley's is awesome (she does it all)! The kids were spoiled again this year for Christmas, but they knew it. They kept saying "We are so spoiled". Highlights were....Taylor and his cell phone and iTouch , Parker and his new room, Mason and his DSi and Emma and her princess castle with all the princesses!! I am glad they realize how lucky they are. I really want to do a sub for Santa for an entire family this year so they come to love giving more than getting.

The Damage!

Taylor and his iTouch

Parker checking out his new bed (well...the desk part anyway)Mason and his new shoes that make him run faster and jump higherEmma playing Toy Story Mania on the Wii

It was a great year. We have no complaints! However I NEVER want to recap an entire year on my blog again. That was not fun....so......... stay tuned for current updates. I promise I'll try!

What did you say?

Yes, I suck at blogging!! But I just had to add the following so I can remember it!

#1 - About a week ago I was making lunch for Emma and a little girl that I tend. I was making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. The little girl that I tend asked me if they put peanuts in peanut butter. I explained that they made peanut butter out of peanuts and that you could buy crunchy peanut butter with peanuts in it. At that moment I looked at Emma and she had the most disgusted scared look on her face. She said "They don't put peanuts in peanut butter!" shaking her head, and then pointing to her croch "Not like daddys!" Oh yes, that's right, my daughter calls penis's, peanuts! Thank goodness she has eaten a sandwich since then!

#2- A couple of days ago Mason and I were driving back from my mom's house and it was around dinner time. We passed a fairly large home with a backyard that looked like heaven for children. As we passed, Mason said "Mom they have tator tots!" "Tator tots?" I replied. "Is that what they are having for dinner? Can you see in their kitchen?" "No Mom, TATOR TOTS...by their swings!" (Light bulb!!) "Oh, Teeter totters! That would be fun wouldn't it Mason...!"

#3- Yesterday I woke up on the wrong side of the bed. I was stressed! Taylor came home from school and said "Mom you looked stressed" I said "I am stressed, stressed about money." To which he replied, with the most serious look a 12 year old can give "It is cause of Obama? Did he take all your money?" After that, my mood changed for the day.

Now I am just waiting for Parker to give me a random comment. His pelvic thrusts around the house will have to do for now!

Winter Fun

Today I promised to take the kids sledding. I still had some last minute Christmas shopping, errands, and a doctors appt. before we could go. After taking care of all the above I realized that Emma, Taylor and myself actually needed clothes and or boots to sled in! So after spending a crap load of money on "warm clothes" we were finally off! Unfortunately at this point it was 4:30, so there was only 30 minutes left of daylight However, it turned out to be the best time to go. It was not super busy, we got to watch the sun set, we saw the Festival of Lights turn on and were able to hear the Christmas music playing, and to top it off it started to sprinkle snow. What else could you ask for to get you in the Christmas mood? Here are a few pictures I got before my camera died. Good times!!

Rick and EmmaEvie, Mason, JD, Bennett, Parker, Taylor R., Taylor H.Mason and JDDrew and I (yes, the white dots are snow!)

Until we meet again....

My Grandma Apodaca passed away on December 6, 2008. She was my mom's mom. When someone dies you tend to reflect on things you could have done differently while they were still here. She lived in California and we moved away when I was still small. Although I didn't live close to her the majority of my life, I wish I would have made more of an effort to really know her. The things I do remember about her were her happy smile, her genuine concern for her family, and her love for genealogy. Still, I feel I should have known more, been a better granddaughter, and treated her the way that I know she cared about me. She had a lot of history stored in her little brain. Even though she is not here anymore I hope to take the time to listen to the stories from the people that do know them.

I am glad I was able to attend the services and it gave me an opportunity to see family I hadn't seen in many years. It is always sad to me that it takes a death in the family for us all the make the effort to see one another.

Death is also a time when we contemplate what we are really grateful for. I am so thankful for my own mother and the example she has been to me. I am grateful that she has a testimony of the gospel and helped me build mine. I am thankful that she taught me to always put myself in the other person's shoes and to be of service to your fellow men.

Even though we are sad when we lose someone, I am thankful to know that we will see them again and that this is not the end.