Chatelaines

When I was in high school, I was on my high school dance team: The Kentridge Chatelaines. Basically, I loved just about everything about this team. That includes the pom pons, the leg warmers, the spandex, the cowboy hats, the sequins, the 8-hour-long practices (okay maybe not), the competitions, the performances... everything! I was a true Chatelaine- as were 3 of my 5 sisters.
When I went to BYU, I would occasionally wear my old Chatelaine sweatshirt and green sweats. The green sweats were actually from my Junior High drill team, but they matched the white sweatshirt so well- I couldn't resist wearing them as a combination. My college roommates got a kick out of me talking about and reliving my high school glory days. I was slightly like Uncle Rico. Soon, my practice spandex and leotards became dress-up items for my college roomies to wear. They all knew about my Chatelaines, and I'm sure thought it was quite funny.
When Bart and I started dating, I knew Bart really must have liked me because he graciously watched over 8 hours of film from those Chatelaine days. Although he doesn't mind the white sweatshirt, the one item in my closet he absolutely hates are those green sweats. If he could burn any item I own, it would be those green sweats. They still have the elastic on the bottom so they are tight around my ankles. I love them. They make me feel so nostalgic when I pull them over my feet and dance around the kitchen in them. I think every past Chatelaine probably feels a little like this. Oh, sweet memories.

The other day, I got a present from my dear friend, Anne June Packer. We became friends our Freshman year at BYU- and had the best college experience. Anne is the sweetest person I know. So complimentary, kind, amazing, funny, silly, friendly, happy, positive, Christlike, down-to-earth, and a truly charitable woman. We have so many fun memories together. (As do all of our college roomies!) She has been getting a kick out of my Chatelaine gear for many years now.

When I opened this present, I couldn't contain my excitement! I was laughing and giggling and so happy. I think this has got to be one of the cutest things in the whole world. Anne sent me a little Chatelaine white sweatshirt and a pair of green sweats for Whitney. They are size 18 mo... and I can hardly wait for the day when I can put these on my little peanut. I told Bart that one day, when he comes home, little Whitney and I will be sitting on the couch in our Chatelaine sweats watching Mommy's videos and learning routines. He just smiled and said, "Those are pretty cute."

Thanks Anne June! We LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE our sweats! Watch for the post when she's wearing them.. it will be here before you know it!

Thank you Grandma & Grandpa Paxton!

Yesterday, Whitney was just sitting in her swing, while I was vacuuming our 5 X 8 foot rug. She is fully entertained by this. Too bad I don't do it more often.
Then, all of a sudden, we heard a knock on our front door. If you've ever met our mail carrier, you'll know the knock. It sounds like either a livid police officer or a burglar ready to break down your front door. Needless to say, I could hear the loud knock over my vacuuming.

When I opened the door, there on my front porch was a package addressed to Whitney from her Grandma and Grandpa Paxton. So cute.

Let me tell the story through pictures:


"All for me?"

Whitney had to decide how exactly she was going to get this thing open.

Then she figured out how to pull on the ribbon.

Such a smart girl. She's already reading! Look at her checking out the card.

She got it open and used all 5 sense to really appreciate the gift.
First thing: In the mouth.


Here she is tasting it. So yummy!


The sweatshirt says it all: "I LOVE IT!"

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Paxton!
Happy Valentine's Day to you, too!

And they call it Puppy LOVE!

Okay, so Whitney does a lot of cute little things... but I think I may have figured out her cutest thing ever. Our little baby, has a puppy dog that she LOVES. No joke. For each nap and bedtime, I will feed, rock, cuddle and sing to Whitney. Then I wrap her up like a burrito and lay her in her crib. She may scream, wimper, cry, or just lay there. But then.. (here's the cute part) I put her little brown puppy dog next to her face, pop in her binky and the girl just melts into sleep. She rubs her little face against the side of the puppy and her eyes close as she drifts into La-la-land. It is honestly so dang cute!

A couple of days ago, I went to grab the camera to capture her adorable-ness and she kept staring at me. I could only get a couple of good ones.


But I do have a picture of her with her little puppy on her lap. She is wearing a cute red dress given to her by her Aunt Laura. Thank you, Laura!

What makes the puppy extra special is that I got it from one of my 2nd grade students, Hannah Price, when I was in my first year teaching 2nd grade. She gave it to me as a representation of my parents' dachshound, DION. Rest in Peace, Dion.. your legend lives on.

Baby, it's cold outside!

I've always thought that I wanted to live in a place where there were four distinct seasons. I grew up in Seattle where it rains or is overcast a lot. I didn't notice the poor weather conditions until I moved to Utah for college. I was shocked that it was basically nice almost every day in the summer. I grew to LOVE the four seasons of the year. Just when you are getting sick of 90 degree weather, Autumn would be just around the corner. When Winter was just too cold, soon the little buds on trees would appear, and Spring was on it's way.
Well...
Then we moved to Ohio. Yes, there are four distinct seasons, and beautiful Autumn leaves. BUT... the Winters here are UNBEARABLE. I'm not complaining- I'm stating a fact. It is so cold here. Yes, I realize that it is colder in other parts of America and even colder in other parts of the world.. but seriously, people.... IT IS TOO COLD HERE! I think Arizona, Florida, Nevada and New Mexico are looking pretty nice right about now.
Now, I know that I shouldn't be the one complaining. Bart is the one standing at the bus stop when it is -20 degrees with the wind chill, while I snuggle in my warm bed. (Hey.. I was getting up 8 times a night with a crying baby- so it's perfectly legit that I stay in bed for as long as I can in the morning.)

A few days ago, we had a winter storm. Even Bart's dental school was closed, so this one was for real. That evening, we cleaned off our car. It took 40 minutes. No joke. FORTY.
Our car was covered in a sheet of ice. I really actually loved picking off the ice. I have two pictures below of me holding up chunks of ice. These were on our car.
I have a new appreciation for garages. I look forward to the day when we actually have one. I know.. it will be a while. That's probably the best part about being a student... it gives you a long time to dream about what you can look forward to in the future.