Mariah's Top Ten . . .

. . . reasons it's GREAT to be one!

1. I can feed myself.

2. I help myself to whatever I want.

3. I can entertain myself for long stretches of time in the playroom

(and make messes in there, too!)

4. Mom finally gave in and got me a cell phone. Now I can text all my friends.

5. Spending more time on my feet is giving my knees some relief.

6. I can get Mom's attention better now that I can climb on her legs.

7. I LOVE driving!

8. I can wear some really cute hairdos (finally)!

9. Funfetti cupcakes are the BEST!

10. Even though I had a birthday, and am now not a baby anymore, I'm still as cute as ever!

Why am I doing this?

Tonight I'm doing something a little crazy--I'm going to a midnight showing of New Moon. Now I know all you Twilight fans out there probably don't think this is crazy at all, but I'm not a big fan. I read the books--up to the last 100 pages of the last book. By then I was so bored of it and disgusted by the shmoozie descriptions of how in love Bella and Edward are that I just could not go any further. So why am I going? Here are a few possible reasons:

1. New Moon is my favorite book in the series (mainly because Edward is gone for most of it, and Jacob is the main man. He's definitely my favorite character in all of it.)

2. Since volleyball ended, I've only been away from all 3 kids maybe three times. I could use a break, I guess. (Although at midnight, they're all asleep, so is this really a break?)

3. I want to buy a treat and a pop without having to buy for everybody or share mine.

4. I'm a night owl anyway. I LOVE staying up late (until morning comes the next day.)

5. Maybe I just wanna be cool. You know, "everybody's going to be there!"

6. Maybe after being a mom of babies and toddlers for over six years, I actually am just a little crazy!

Not Ready for This!

So, for the third child in a row, I have believed the fallacy that once I was done nursing and the baby can do finger foods, I would suddenly have so much more time. It seems to make sense, right? If I had been spending 20 minutes 4 times a day nursing and another 15 minutes three times a day doing baby food, I should have an extra 125 minutes (over two hours!) for leisure, right? Wrong. Because here's what happens . . .

They enter THIS STAGE:

Here's the area she just left.

AAAHHHHHH!!

Laramie Weekend

This weekend we had a great little family vacation in Laramie, WY. Tony and I both went to school at UW, and we have great memories of Laramie. We wanted to share a little of that with our kids, and the state championship football games were there this weekend, so it seemed like a great time to go. Here are the highlights of the trip:

Staying in a hotel WITH a swimming pool, of course.

However, the window to the pool room was left open all night, so it was FRIGID in there.
We didn't swim for long.

We toured the UW campus and showed the kids where "Mom and Dad" went to school.The kids loved the art display on Prexy's Pasture.

The dinosaur museum was their favorite part of campus.
Playing some pool at the 'tute. This was my #1 hangout in college. It was fun to go back there. I spanked Connor in pool, but then he beat me (legitimately) in air hockey.

We went to the Cowboys game. They stunk it up and lost by about 20. But Connor thought it was GREAT, anyway. Here he is posing with Pistol Pete. (Sorry about the poor pic quality. Forgot the flash!)

Mylie cries whenever she sees a mascot. Kids are supposed to like mascots, right?

Finally, we were able to watch all 5 classes' championship games. As you can tell in this photo, the weather was NOT great. Actually, it was freezing and snowed a ton. But it was great football and a great time for Tony, Frank (Tony's brother), Connor, and me. The girls went to a babysitter during the games. Thanks again, Julie and Michelle!

Just a year away . . .

I've mentioned this before, but my father-in-law, Ron Micheli, is running for Governor of Wyoming in 2010. And it's now only one year until election time! The campaign is really starting to pick up. I've never really been into politics, but it's exciting to learn this process in such a close, personal way. My small contribution to the campaign so far has been helping with the blogging (something I love doing, anyway) on the website. To keep up to date on the Micheli for Governor campaign, go to http://www.micheliforgovernor.com/ If you're from Wyoming, go ahead and read a little so you can be an informed voter. Also, if you'd like to help with the campaign in ANY way, please let me know. Volunteers and monetary contributions are ALWAYS welcome! Also, Tony and I are in charge of organizing 5k runs throughout the state next summer to raise funds as well as campaign. If you're into running or walking, or are just looking for something fun to do, prepare now to run in one (or more if you'd like) of several 5k Fun Run for Ron events.

Inspiration

Last night was rough . . . REALLY rough. Between Mylie and Mariah crying, either Tony or I was up nearly all night long. UGH.
This morning, after Tony and Connor left for school, Mariah was still sleeping and Mylie was sitting at the table eating her breakfast. I walked into the kitchen to start cleaning, and I noticed the Friend magazine sitting on the counter. I'm a very imperfect Mom (one who does NOT read the Friend cover to cover each month with her kiddos), but I suddenly felt like I should read a story or two to Mylie while she ate. I didn't know why exactly, but I grabbed the magazine and went to the table. I opened it up and started flipping through. I soon found a story called "No Bad Dreams." This was Mylie's problem last night, and many other nights as well. In fact, it's becoming a major issue with her. We read the story, and learned that Heavenly Father can help her with the bad dreams if she will pray and ask Him. (Again, this imperfect mom hadn't come up with that solution yet.) She was excited to say her prayers and has faith that this will help her.
As I walked away from the table, I realized that it wasn't just a strange coincidence that I decided to read the Friend this morning (for the first time in months!), or that there was a story about dealing with bad dreams. I knew that my Heavenly Father cares about us, even the seemingly insignificant problems we face day to day. I am grateful for the inspiration I can receive as a mother. This is a hard job--one I certainly can't do alone. I'm just grateful that my Heavenly Father understands that, and uses the Holy Ghost to help me find the answers I need.

Cat Owner--yes. Good Cat Owner--questionable.

Meet "Mr. Sparkles." I was just informed of this title yesterday when I picked "him" up from the vet. I had asked for a "spay" but paid for a "neuter," apparently. Woops! (How embarrassing, but I saved $35.)