Things I love Fridays – Big Hunks

I know what everyone is thinking:  This is another post about the men of The Food Network.  No, it’s not.  It’s about a candy bar that I love, THE Big Hunk. 

I used to eat these a lot in high school because I could buy them at the neighborhood grocery store, but now I can’t find them anywhere. 

I know they don’t look too appetizing, but they are really good.   An important hint that some people don’t notice on the back of the wrapper is to microwave the big hunk for about 15-20 seconds before you eat it.  I wouldn’t attempt to eat one of these without microwaving it first.  It’s been known to pull out teeth. 

Things I love Fridays – Brother edition

I realized I forgot to post last week.  I won’t let that happen again.

I know my little brother would be so embarrassed if he knew I was going to blog about him. Being the only boy (and youngest child) with 4 older sisters he has had a lot of teasing from us girls, but he has taken it like a champ. I think he has accepted the fact that older sisters like to tease, and embarrass their cute little brothers. He doesn’t read my blog so I think I’m safe bragging about him. 

My little brother Jacob is graduating from High School next week!  I can’t believe my little brother is all grown up.  I used to put bows in his hair and share a bunk bed with him, and now he’s off to BYU in August and a mission at the end of the year!

I am so proud of my little brother.  He has accomplished so many things in high school.  He took state 3 years in a row in football (wide receiver).  He also took 2nd in state in 110 hurdles.  He’s the Senior Class President.  He earned a 3.9 GPA  while taking almost every AP class and he got an academic scholarship to BYU! 

This Sunday he is being ordained an Elder.  I really can’t believe that my little brother is going to be a missionary soon.  I’m so proud that he has always been a good kid and done what is right.  He has been a great example to me and many others of how to live your life. I know that he’ll be an awesome missionary.

 

Photos by Alaina (www.alainasdigitaldarkroom.com)

I love you so much Jacob!  You are an awesome brother and I’m so lucky to be your sister!  I am the proudest older sister in the world.  I’m so excited for all the fun and incredible things you have in your future.

18 months!

Oh my, is my little baby already 18 months?  People told me she’d grow up fast, but seriously, this fast?  My little baby has turned into a little girl with a big personality!

We love her Cheesy grin:

 

 

(Can’t you tell how she doesn’t like having pants on?)

 

New stuff Carly has been up to:

-Is great at signing.  Her favorite sign is “more”

-has turned into quite the picky eater. 

-favorite book is “Brown Bear, Brown Bear” By Eric Carle

-She loves sitting on the bathroom counter pretending to put on make up while I get ready. 

-loves putting on my and Casey’s shoes

-doesn’t like shopping with mama, leaving the park, and long car rides.

-favorite toy is her doll house. 

-loves folding her arms during prayers and then clapping and saying “yay” when they’re over. 

 

I love the stage Carly is at right now.  It’s so fun to see her learn new things everyday.  And, it’s also fun to be able to sit through church now!  Here’s to nursery!

Boys Weekend

On Friday Casey’s brother Brendan and our nephew Gavin came to visit us.  They came for a boys’ weekend of baseball. It was so much fun to have them around.  Carly loved playing with Gavin.  We went to a Brewers’ game on Friday and then the boys went to a Cubs game at Wrigley on Saturday (no pics).

Even though it was technically a boys’ weekend they let me come along to the Brewers’ game on Friday night.   I must admit that I really enjoy watching baseball games in person.  I had never been to a MLB game until we moved to Milwaukee, and during our 3 years here we’ve been to a lot of games. I love the ambience and especially the candy almonds.  I’ve realized that I enjoy the game a lot more when we have good seats like we did this time too.  It was a ton of fun. 

I always choose the Chorizo to win the Sausage Race but he never seems to win.  This game I had an epiphany as to why he never wins; he has a huge sombrero that is awkward for racing and not aerodynamic whatsoever.  Poor guy.

My Enemy

When I worked at the credit union I had an enemy.  An old lady hated me.  It all started when she said that I messed up her account somehow and that it was my fault that she didn’t have any money.  She called me a lot of bad names.  I cried.  I had no idea how someone could be so mean.  No one had ever been that mean to me, ever. 

After that day every time she walked into the bank I put my closed sign up, and let her get mad at someone else.  My coworkers had tougher skin than I did and they protected me from the mean old woman.  There were a few times that she snuck up and I had to help her and she was mean to me these times too.  Deliberately mean.  These times it was easier for me to brush it off though- I knew beforehand what to expect. 

When I quit my beloved job I tried to push out my memories of the mean old woman.  After time they were forgotten UNTIL recently.  No, I didn’t run into the mean old woman (thank goodness) but I did run into 3 other mean old women.  I know it’s partially my fault that I had these encounters because I do shop in the morning at places where old people congregate, but sadly I didn’t see any of them coming.  They came when I was weak.

By weak I mean trying to push a cart with one hand and keep Carly from standing up in the cart while putting my groceries on the conveyor belt.  An old lady rolled her eyes at me.  Another old lady told me Carly was making her nervous because she wasn’t sitting down in the cart.  Another old lady glared at me.  I thought why do old people hate me?  Why don’t any of them offer to help me?  Do they remember when they were in my shoes? (Probably not).

This instance wasn’t the only time this had happened to me in recent months.  I know that the majority of old people are nice, but why do the crusty old people follow me and watch my every move??? I blame it on the mean old woman from the credit union.  She’s recruiting. 

Things I love Fridays – Mother’s Day Edition

I love my mom so much. I am so lucky to have a mom like her. My mom has taught me so many things and she still teaches me things.

Being a mom has made me realize even more how grateful I am for my mom. I remember when Carly was a newborn and a few nights in a row she woke up every hour to nurse and I kept thinking how on Earth did my mom do this for 5 kids??? I was sleep deprived, anxiety ridden, and I felt like nobody knew what I was going through! I lived 1,500 miles away from family, Casey was working 12-hour days, I was sleeping 4 hours (at best) a night, and I was stuck inside ALL DAY because it was –20 degrees outside. I called my mom and she told me that things would get better every week, and that she was only a phone call away. I called her a lot, almost everyday. She laughed with me, commiserated with me, and taught me how to be a mom. My mom gave me the confidence and the reassurance that I needed.

Mom, I love you so much. You have taught me so many invaluable lessons, but most importantly you have taught me how to be a mom. I want to be a mom just like you. Happy Mother’s day!

Changes

Casey got an offer to start BYU’s MBA program which starts this Fall, and we accepted. We’ll be moving to Provo at the end of July. Words cannot express our excitement.  Casey worked so hard to get in. This hard work has made us greatly appreciate the result. I have never seen anyone work as hard as Casey has.

Now the bitter.  I am so incredibly sad to be leaving Wisconsin.  We have been through so much in Wisconsin.  We became parents in Wisconsin. We have grown up here. Wisconsin has become our home.  Our friends here are our family. We will always love Wisconsin. 

Deciding to leave our friends, ward, and Casey’s job has been an extremely difficult decision for us.  I’ve been thinking of everything I’m going to miss. I will miss so much. 

Now the sweet.  I am thrilled to be starting this next stage in our lives.  I’m so excited to be back in my hometown living the college life.  I loved college.  I didn’t mind being poor.  Hopefully it won’t be a hard transition.

I am excited that Carly will finally get to know her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.  Casey and I are so excited that we’ll be back by both of our families for two years.  Thanks to all of our family and friends that have supported us in our decision.  We love you!