the GW's

September '11

2012-01-22T15:30:00.000-08:00

The end of August into the beginning of September brought Penny's first airplane ride, which so happened to be her first day with a stomach flu. That's right, from our house to AZ she threw up 13 times not counting the other end surprises. At the start I didn't think it was a flu, just chalked it up to a fluke of sorts. After home, car, airplane, elevator, baggage claim, all locations of incidents, I realized this was no fluke. We were both drenched by the time we climbed into Britt's car in sunny Arizona. My heart ached for sweet P, but as with everything, she handled it like I champ. Surprisingly, I kept my cool as well.

Despite the trip getting off on a bad start, we spent a week o' fun down there during Arizona's most pleasant time of the year. Never, ever, ever going to live in Arizona, just saying. Glen met up with us at the tail end of the trip. Headstand competitions and flights are so much more fun with him around!

Pre-flu diagnosed pic, maybe that's why she looked so glum.

After a few days of this...

...she was back to this.

And the adults were up to a little bit of this.

As we were at church in AZ, I was trying to take a pic of this:

but the reverse photo was on so I accidentally took a pic of this:

Giggles during Sunday School are the best. You'd be surprised at how mischievous you feel taking pictures at church, is there a rule against it?! Ohh, maybe just a respect for the house of the Lord issue perhaps.

She was in heaven on the flight home!
loved.every.second.

When we got home Penny pants decided to begin crawling!

I also realized, subsequently, my addiction to my black & white striped shirt.

I've tucked it away for a while, don't worry.

She also became extra helpful, and has continued to woo us with her charm.

Her personality really started to blossom this month.

More expressive and interactive.

Then the Halloween costume search began.
She was brave enough for this one:

Started to take a liking to this one:

Then fell in love with this one:

Also turned this:

Into this:

A thank you gift to BrittNabs for a lovely time in AZ.

You really should invite me over as a house guest,

because you'll get prizes like this for my gratitude.

August '11

2012-01-18T21:56:00.000-08:00

Besides being my birth month, August was wild I tell you. I feel obnoxious for how much I bring up Distinguished Young Women, but it really is and has been such a huge part of my life. Now that I'm the director it is even more on my mind, in a good way. I love having something additional to be eagerly engaged in. One of my motto's last year was "zealously support a worthy cause" and in DYW I felt like I accomplished that. August 1-4 was execution time. All eight months of phone calls, emails, texts, workshops, worksheets, service projects, meetings, trainings, were topped off by THE week of truth.

It went great!

Of course there were glitches here and there, but had it been perfect I wouldn't have anything to work towards for years to come, hardy har har. I was presented with this gorgeous bouquet from my girls and committee, so sweet!

The next night was my ten year high school reunion, a lot less scary and awkward than I thought it would be. I loved the people I got to see and say hello to. The next day it was off to Bear Lake with mi familia for a week long vacation. It was perfect, Penny was a champ, the lake was frigid but made for dramatic entrances each time a dip was in order. "For Bear Lake!!" is what we would yell, almost like it was the last thing off our lips before a dive into the great beyond. Boat rides, four-wheeler rides, shake n lake nights, movies, game night, dance offs, meteor showers and deck sleeping. My version of a good vacation.

My birthday was charming! Dined with T & R at Communal, had prezzies delivered at night. The night brought a new iPhone for mama BUT a wiped-out memory of father's phone. Penny did something that reset his phone and lost all our photos, videos, contacts, the works! We were able to get most restored, but Bear Lake pics all gone but a few. Back.Up.Your.Photos.NOW!!!

Glen launched some big ol fireworks off in my honor in the church baseball field across the street from my house...I thought for sure we were going to jail and/or we were going to start a major fire. Neither happened, but I still perspired and nervously giggled during the show like the po-po were waiting around the bend.

First pic with said iPhone, reverse picture shooting is so clever.

Sheer moments before the crash of le iPhone

And my birthday wish came true...bedroom painted! I care not to mention how many times we have painted the walls of our house in our six years here. I feel Glen cursing my name with every brush stroke he takes. But he is a super painter!!

Ahh what the hay, let's count the paint jobs:

Above bedroom= twice

Study= twice

Penny's room= once

Living Room= twice

Kitchen= twice

Bathroom= twice

Hallway= twice

Guest bedroom= once

Guest bath= once

hmmmm...sorry Glen.

My lesson has been learned though, bold color choices are fun for a while and then they grow on my nerves. Creamy colors are here to stay...probably.

July '11

2012-01-18T16:13:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you, but I half expected myself to give up the updates after April. Well we are half way through 2011 and I'm still going strong!!

July had Independence Day festivities and first time parading for Pen. We rode with my dad's military vehicle club, the ladies in the M37 and the boys in the Fast Attack towed behind. The crowd assumed Glen and Tony had fought overseas, yelling out "thank you for your service!" and the likes. They served their time overseas in a rough part of UT I suppose. Glen really was a celebrity though, I felt like he was hard core networking. So many people kept screaming his name from the crowd. No one saw Penny and I, as we were too tucked away under the canopy. The life of a politician's wife.

July also brought so much more pool time, I really was in heaven all summer. I'd put P down for a nap, slap on a swimming poot and float my cares away for 30 minutes. The trick is, don't get your hair wet!! That way it wouldn't take as long to rinse/shower and get ready again. Brilliant.

We saw the great flood of '83, I mean '11, along with my dad's sassy legs. Auntie B visited from AZ, Penny still getting cuter but also still flipping off the camera. Although, she did discover her new betty boop "O" face, you'll see. I had many more Distinguished Young Women events as well, but I won't bore you with more pics of that.

Then the end of July brought one of my proudest days. Godmother Rose, won Distinguished Young Women of Alpine and I got to be her backstage mom. She has been my side kick for the five years I have been on the DYW committee, helping me with projects, running errands, etc etc. This summer was her year to compete, she had us at "hello!"

BTW, State is this weekend...good luck all!!!

June '11

2012-01-14T21:03:00.000-08:00

June brought the restoration of the AGP, remember that's lingo for Above Ground Pool. We installed a heater for it, making swims that much dreamier and frequent! I made any swimmers sign the Party Pool Manifesto stating what behaviors and manners before and during swimming were expected of them. For example from said script: "If I begin to gag with water, I will go to the side of the pool and lean over the edge." "If I have nose problems, I will get a tissue from Aunt Gabe and take care of it" "I will try not to spit in the pool" to name a few. Listen, when you have a lot of rugrats in there all sorts of heave-y things go on. I figured if I shed light on and gave solutions to problems ahead of time, I wouldn't have to drain my pool after every party.

It WORKED!!!! Of course. AND we all still had fun. Penny grew to love the pool by the way. The pictures below show her first swim and Party Pool Manifesto enlisting. Notice the photo bomber is back!

Starting in June, for 6 solid weeks Glen had business travels a few days of each week all over the west: Seattle, San Fran, Denver, etc. You wouldn't think it would be tricky until you get into the habit of being independent, then dependent, then back to independent over and over. I don't know how some families do it, thankfully that was a fluke for us to have that many trip for that many weeks.

(Glen pulled the fire alarm at his hotel. At least that's MY story of this pic)

We also loved us some outdoor concerts at the amphitheater, Kathy writing a personal note to me on a Luna bar wrapper (I wish I knew Kathy, I wish she didn't have my age wrong by 7 years, and I wish I were the Gabe she was really writing to), more DYW workshops, and Penny + her knee-length shorts + crossed ankles = cutest combo ever! She has been an ankle crosser since birth.

May '11

2012-01-14T19:42:00.000-08:00

Ohhh May. May brought Penny's first professional photo shoot that I mentioned before, but definitely worth posting the link to the pics again here. It also brought her rolling over, successfully sleep trained through the slightly heartbreaking but worth it "cry it out" method, transition to the bumbo seat, disgusting rice cereal trials, hanging out with cousin Oliver (only 19 days apart in age), saying farewell to Oprah, reuniting with doula (birth coach) Laura, and of course development in cuteness!

In unrelated Penny world, these G & G's celebrated our 8 year anniversary, so glad I took lots of pictures...blerg. It also commenced my rein as the Distinguished Young Women of Highland (formerly Highland's Junior Miss) Director.

And to conclude with something all should get to relish in, being Freaky Friday (at least it was Friday when I started this post) and all, of the year that the world is going to end...the return of a tooth! You see the week after Penny was born I got a tooth ache, which turned into a bad tooth ache and a swollen face, which then turned into my first trip out of the house being to the dentist who tells me they need to pull the tooth then and there, uhhhhh what?!!? Don't you know once a woman has given birth she isn't able to handle many other radical changes?! He didn't, but I still respect him. But I took those lemons and made me some lemonade.

From December to May I got to freak out my loved ones by leaving my retainer with attached temp tooth on their placemats, speaking with a dramatic thick lisp, sticking my straw and/or other matter through the gap, etc. The thrills really were endless. Below was my parting picture text to those I love, along with a happy ending shot. Flared nostrils make any picture worth a thousand words.

Dear flipper tooth,

May you rest in peace wherever I decide your final resting place should be...

xoxo, Dabe

Some people say reading other's blogs about trips and perfect lives makes them jealous and blue...I hope seeing my tooth time doesn't stir up too much envy.

April '11 cont.

2012-01-13T19:44:00.000-08:00

April also had multiple trips to Thanksgiving Point for dinosaur and tulip viewing. Then there was the Easter celebrations full of eggs buried where the pool resides in the summer (did you ever wonder what a yard looks like with an AGP missing and what other uses the vacant ground could be?), lake lunch trips with Rose (RIP Parker's Drive-in, burger eating at the lake won't be the same!), the beginning of Brooklyn's photo bombing addiction (you'll see...one picture it's me and P, the next niece Brooklyn is involved, LOVE her!), and the many uses of the Moby Wrap...(no parentheses notes needed)

.........

Not being vulgar, just haven't mentioned that since birth Penny has been a "flipper".

She didn't learn it from me!

...unless she was watching me from heaven when I was in high school. In my defense I didn't really grasp the level of no-no ness it was. Now I just shake my pointer finger side to side when I'm upset, as I tightly coil my middle finger in.

April '11

2012-01-08T21:55:00.000-08:00

April we finally actively emerged out of the nest. I told you I was one of those mommies! But I had a super healthy baby to show for it. Plus maybe it was good to keep my crazies hid away until they wore off.

The big deal of April was her blessing day. She was a doll!!! She was perfect and even sang during the hymns. Heads turned in shock of how precise the timing was. She might be a musician in the works, just saying.

Todd & Rachey slept over to help with the preparations and for Todd to coach Glen on what not to say in a blessing, super helpful. Cue photo montage:

Did you make it?! Are you still with me?! Imagine if I would have thought to take pictures of all the other family members that were there that day! None of family, circle participants, nothing. Extra proud of myself. But at least I was a good hostess, and you can see some family members heads peaking in the background.

That's all the reviewing I can do in one day. I almost perished during this one, and it's just ONE of the things that happened in April. Told you it was a big deal.

Get ready for more of the year of:

March '11

2012-01-08T20:36:00.000-08:00

March brought a guitar pick from a Lenny Kravitz concert that Glen snagged on a "business trip". Is it even worth mentioning my long standing feelings toward LennyK?

March also brought a Penny girl becoming more and more attentive, interactive and adorable. While Glen was off flirting with Lenny and sending me pics and clips of the concert, I was sending him pics of his girls. Fair trade.

First meeting of great-grandma Mo.

I think this was the precise moment my mom, also known as Noonie to her grandchildren, bestowed a lock of copper hair into Penny's mane. As Penny gets older, a little strand of copper hair a top her light brown locks gets more prominent. It is her name sake afterall.

This below was the exact moment Penny put a boycott on baths and demanded to be a shower girl for 7 long months. The bath freaked her out, we tried all sorts of tricks.

Are you getting bored?! Don't get bored. At least it's not home videos of trips and whatnot.

I'm getting bored.

February '11

2012-01-08T19:57:00.000-08:00

Feb brought the dreaded, which turned out to be not so dread-y, 2 month shots. Don't worry I won't be mentioning boring matter for 11 more entries. I use this as an illustration of how awesome of baby we were given. From shots, to nose suctioning, medicine consumption, colds, stomach flu's, what have you, this little gal is 100% a delight. She doesn't cry or bicker about much, she gets a quick pout out and then takes the rest. Just like these pics below, whatever she's given she takes in graceful strides!

She was giving her cousin wishes via text photos.

This was also our first day of real coo's from the little lady. Since then, she has been nothing but a chatter box. People may be fooled by her shy demeanor, but hang around for a while and you'll be bff's.

Feb13 was my entre back into being domestically inclined...aka I managed to make a cake for two ladies I love. You would have thought I was making a wedding cake by how stressed I was. Again...new mother...trying to figure out just how to seriously multi-task. Also, a diagram of all the youngest born of each sister on my side of the fam. Owen 2, Terra's child; Holden 6 months, Hailey's child; Penny 2 months, ahem MY child.

My Valentines on Valentines.

Please don't mind P's headband slipping further and further down into an eyebrow band. But do mind the hand crafted Valentine she is holding...told you the day before was when I realized I can do more than just the basics. Sad that the close-up is blurred.

Penelope's first try at Scrabble, she is just as uninterested in the game as her mother. Waste of time. Oh did I say that out loud?? Pardon me.

January '11

2012-01-08T16:01:00.000-08:00

The last you saw of us really, was celebrating Glen's bday, and uh oh he's almost ready to dive into 31 status. Welp, before that transpires look at what else happened in 2011, January style.

Jan brought our first batches out of town visitors since P's arrival ranging from the
CA to AZ.

A photo collage of Penny's mother as a baby, and Penny as a baby in her mother's baby onesie. Ahhh.

I, the mother in this story, was still pretty crazy about germs and about slipped into minor comas when we had to go out, but we survived...I think. We did manage to visit people and leave our house some, but let's just skip ahead to February since I'd like to keep your attention. Publish Post.

Annual Review

2012-01-08T15:27:00.000-08:00

If "the end" were tomorrow, 2011 brought more than enough joy, love, and laughter for me to feel like all was well. To have an entire year of goodness, left me at the close of each day, marveling at all that I was being given. That's not to say there weren't rough patches (shoot, what's life without them?!) but as an overall whole, what a good year and it was even an odd numbered year...we all know how I feel about odd numbers. Ohh and if you don't...I don't fancy them, but may consider reconsidering that analysis. So to bring my hiatus to a close, a year in review I give to you. Let Penny's face charm you until I razzle dazzle you with more!

Take a gander

2011-05-17T08:58:00.000-07:00

My sweet Jefra hooked me up once again with priceless treasures. Take a peek!

http://www.jefratakespictures.com/blog/2011/05/gabe-and-glen/

A January Flirty Thirty Boy

2011-04-14T11:41:00.000-07:00

January brought a b-day.

Even though he was mistaken for a 14 year old at last week's ward function, he turned 30.

Ohhh wait...maybe he is 14, or maybe he just has a crab leg for a hand, I don't know for sure.

It was Penny's first dining experience at a restaurant and she did great all bundled in her car seat

BUT

once we stopped at DL on the way home she started to lose it.

And then did this the instant we got in our home.

We sure do love old Glenners though,

what have you!!

The low down with links

2011-04-12T16:23:00.000-07:00

Updating a blog is a painful process I must say. So much so that you can see I haven't had any patience to do it for a while now. We are doing well over here though. Little Penny Mae is 4 months and was officially blessed this weekend. Yes I am one of those mommies who has kept her family all tucked in for the winter, but now spring is sprung-ing and I haven't had to deal with anything hard other than blow-outs and cuteness, and that isn't even with Penny. Gross, yes it is.

She is quite the dream, truly. Just a petite, precious dream. As of last week she has finally started smiling and interacting with others instead of holding all of that goodness for her parents. She is just shy of 12lbs and is healthy and happy. She LUFFS her birdie mobile I made for her crib and has detailed conversations with it.

As for her ma and pa, we are quite happy. I am currently obsessed with convincing Glen we need a camper trailer. The conversation is sooo similar to the AGP fiasco of years past, but with any luck it will have the same ending...Glen...no pressure. You are officially speaking, world wide web wise, with the new Director of the Highland Junior Miss program soon to be solely known as the Distinguished Young Women of Highland program. You know, the program I have been co-directing for 4 years...it is now what I am directing. February and March nearly killed me, but I am pretty well organized now and super excited for the months ahead. I still have my feet dabbling in some Dear Lizzie tasks as well and thank heavens, because I would be lost without my LJ.

But let's be honest, besides having the cutest baby on the block, the most exciting news as of late is the fact that I am married to the CEO of a blossoming app, ladies and gentlemen I introduce to you, FavoriteEats So far he has been on the radio, thanks KSL, and has a good handful of restaurants using it. I'll let the website fill you in on what it is, but pretty incredible to see Glen's idea totally thrive. Don't worry, he hasn't quit his full-time job, just somehow manages to sell a mean dose of software and be a chief executor of sorts.

Now don't get upset, but all the pics will be in following posts. I figured I would do them by events instead of creating a massive post here now. Please don't be mad. Here is our little girl, sweetly asking for you to come back and visit for more pics of her.

8 weeks oh my!

2011-01-26T16:24:00.000-08:00

It marvels me that time can go by so quickly but seem like an eternity ago. For all I know it was Christmas yesterday, BUT at least I can say we are having the time of our lives!! Waiting patiently (and sometimes not so patiently) for this little joy to join us has made all the moments that much sweeter. The greatest baby ever resides in our home. There is much to share, but here are a few goodies from the past 8 weeks. Mind you most of them are taken via iPhone so don't mind some blur here and there.

December 8: Her one week birthday and actual due date

December 14: Found a teddy bear just her size

December 18: Discovered she likes the Moby wrap

December 19: Still loving slumbering with her fist to her face

December 25: First Christmas morning

December 29: Realized that she will be forced to take a family Christmas pic whether she is tired or not

January 9: Witnessed her momma-beans go crazy over how cute of a daughter she has

January 19: Gave her first smiles for the camera to text to her papa all the way in San Fransisco...did I mention she can text already?

January 21: Found her new favorite nook to sleep in and has since visited it oft

Then later found her face with her tiny long finger nail :(

But then quickly recovered to smile some more so momma wouldn't have a guilt-stricten breakdown...why is it so scary to trim those little devils?!?

January 23: Had her first visit to the Womble grandparent's home to celebrate her papa's upcoming 30th b-day. She also met her cousin Oliver who is just 19 days younger than her!

Wow she is the best!!

Introducing:

2010-12-08T14:35:00.000-08:00

The creamiest baby girl!!

December 1, 2010

exactly one week ago today, brought the most amazing young lady into the world. As mentioned in the last post, my body (specifically the baby birthing area) was nice and ready for Penny to come. With much consideration we found that being induced was in our best interest. So on a beautiful snow glazed morning we headed to the hospital. I was hooked up by 7am, water broke at 9:30am, was fully "ready" by 11am, and worked on the rest and descend technique until 4:30pm when it was time to push.

At 6:16pm Penelope Marie Womble arrived and has been perfection ever since.

Last belly shot, both me and Glen:

The waiting and the work:

This was really how you could find Glen passing the time between contractions, sweet consumption. Some things never change :)

Then he went from comforting and supporting one girl, to ANOTHER!!

The instant she heard her daddy's voice she rolled over and reached up and grabbed his face. Sheer brilliance that we were able to capture it in a photo. You can see the look of delight on the nurses face.

The best doctor out there! Dr. Weibell with his Wombles.

Then my saving grace, my doula, my dear friend Laura B. A doula is a birth coach, but that is only a fraction of the services she rendered to us. I couldn't have done it without her and Glen by my side.

Penny's first visitors:

The Jacobs family of five welcomes another girl into the mix

Ever since the womb, she has loved her hand/fist up under her chin.

Ultrasounds showed it and now we get to see it in person.

You can just imagine the excited conversation that was taking place.

You see Rosie is the little sister I never had...and now Penny is the little sister Rosie never had.

Match complete!

Time to go home!

Penny Mae is much daintier than anticipated...making proportionate outfits

few and far between.

First visitors in the walls of her new home:

And now the close-ups of

Penelope Marie Womble

born 12.1.10

6lbs 12oz

19 1/2 inches

Perfect feeder,

Perfect sleeper,

Perfect charmer,

Perfect baby!

If you're looking for pictures...

2010-11-26T13:24:00.000-08:00

You have hit the mother-load!!! September through November has absolutely flown by and now I could have a baby any minute!!! My stats are looking great, very progressed for a first time mommy, and little Miss Penny is gearing up in there. While I've been away, I've had 4 baby showers, a photo shoot with 8 amazing photographers, gone to Jazz concerts, SYTYCD extravaganzas, Nutcracker performances, had CA Sara come to visit, had my first bee sting in my life, Glen had an allergic reaction to a Brazil Nut at our prenatal class and couldn't talk with his 2 1/2 inch swollen tongue and had hives all over his bod (after medicine and cleansing he recovered), spent some happy time up the canyon with the fall leaves, attended BYU football games, "nested", had my last days at Dear Lizzie, and more.

There are plenty of stories behind all the events, like the fact that I got the bee sting the same day as my last day at Dear Lizzie. Talk about insult to injury!! Now Glen and I prepare for the opening of a chapter, everything in it's place, Christmas tree up, freezer meals ready, baby room charming, bassinet nestled in our room. It is all so bittersweet...every moment, every event. Enjoy the picture overload of my growing belly. I'll see you on the other end!

Photo shoot in Salem:

(28 weeks)

Jacobs Baby Shower:

(31 weeks)

Ward Baby Shower:

(34 Weeks)

Halloween:

(Still 34 weeks)

Last day of work:

(35 weeks)

I was awarded a trophy for my accomplishments :)

ohhh how I'm going to miss my roommate :(

CA Sara visit...not a good pic, but hopefully that makes you email me the goods Sara!

(Still 35 weeks)

Dear Lizzie Baby Shower:

(Still 35 weeks)

Beef!!! it's actually a semi-good pic of us!!!

Prenatal Class up in Sugarhouse:

(still 35 weeks, it was a busy week :) and 2 hours before Glen's allergic fiasco)

Womble Baby Shower:

(38 weeks)

Penny's Room!!:

( TODAY! There are still a few bows to tie and frames to paint but ready nonetheless)

Tucked away!!

2010-09-15T17:40:00.000-07:00

My goodness, can I even say how much every single comment was enjoyed, appreciated and tucked away in a special place! For whatever reason (mostly your comments and releasing my thoughts publicly) I feel sooooo okay with our little name now. I could hear 100 other people reference it from here forward and I don't think I'll care!! WHAT?!?! Is this the same girl posting that did on Sunday???? Yes, yes it is. I seriously think getting my thoughts and concerns out of my head and Glen's vicinity, made it so much smaller than the heap of concerns that were accumulating in my mind.

I can't even say thank you enough! I will say I will chuckle greatly if when she arrives she doesn't emanate the Penny vibe after all of this rigamoroo. Not even going to worry about that one :) In the same breath I will say how shocked I will be if it changes. The feeling that was present the moment Glen, yes GLEN, suggested the name Penelope and call her Penny on our drive home from the "gender test" at 16 weeks, it was overwhelmingly obvious that that was her name...it just felt right and perfect and we both felt complete. Some of you commented that sometimes you just "know" before you even see their face and that's how it was for us. It's almost like she is here physically when we talk about her with that name if that makes sense. Just like you reference loved ones when they have passed on, our little Penny already FEELS like our Penny, so familiar, so darling, so perfect!

I know I just broke my promise of a "picture only" post, but I had to say thank you FIRST and now I will reward with some pics of our Penny's room and goodies that are filling it. These are from a few weeks ago when I was 25 weeks (I'm now 28 weeks). It was quite the special moment putting it all together, just the two of us. For all the years of waiting and wondering what that moment would feel like, I could never have imagined what we experienced...priceless. It was one of those moments where I felt like I was watching in as a spectator. I felt like I was reliving what my parents did 35 years ago when they were preparing their nursery for their first little girl, Terra. The rocking chair shown is the one they purchased back then for $129 to fill their little house in the SLC avenues. I called my mama while we assembled and felt this strong bond of life. Mother to daughter, daughter to mother.

Loves to you all!

(I accidentally placed a recently purchased sleeper in there last week and now I don't have the heart to take it out...it's too cute in there!!!)

ohh blog-town

2010-09-12T20:12:00.000-07:00

I'm in a moral dilemma! I know it's never fun to read a post without pictures, but pleeeease read on and help this girl. I promise I will post an entire entry of ONLY pictures next time if you help.

Okay here it is...I've kept the name of our wee Womble a secret for a few reasons:

1. So that it wouldn't get stolen (trust me, I have had my names taken more than once)
2. That I wouldn't have to hear people's opinions good or bad
3. Because naming a human being is a HUGE decision and it freaks me out that she'll have it FOR LIFE!!

Sure I've told a close few of the name, but my generic answer when people ask if I have a name picked I say and I quote, "no...we're just waiting" since I feel harsh saying "it's a secret!"

But now my secrecy is coming back with a bite! For the past few weeks I have heard MY little name out of other's mouthes one too many times which is resulting in me thinking it will be in the next top ten names for Utah by the end of the month!!! Heaven help me! Did I mention that reason #4 for me keeping it a secret was because I don't want it to become popular, because YES I have the power to govern what the parents of the world name their girls.

So besides ranting, here is where you come in, ALL 31 of you who commented (and even those who didn't) when I announced I was pregnant need to help me decide what I do in this predicament. I realize there will always be others out there with the same name as my girl, but I have to say how much I loved being the only Gabe on the roll in school until I got to high school. Do I keep the name that we have been calling her since we knew she was a she even if it may become all too common? Do I need to not care if it's common/trendy if we felt it was right? Or do I go back to the drawing board? OR do I just wait 'til we meet the little darling?

I realize it ultimately needs to be what I feel in my little heart, and Glen too of course, but I will say the more I hear people say her name in passing as a name they like, or a name they want to use for their next girl, or a name they have named their girl (yes all THREE instances have occurred infront of me in the past month) I am starting to loose that magical feeling I had when we first uttered it in reference to her.

If any of you are still reading, I will now tell you the name as a reward for your diligence...

ohhhh goll... deep breath...

Penelope Marie Womble but we would call her Penny.

Penny because she is "OUR lucky Penny" that finally answered our waiting prayers. Marie because that is my middle name after my great grandma. Womble because, well I don't really have a choice :)

Good night and good luck.

What was I thinking?!?!

2010-08-23T17:19:00.000-07:00

Upon arriving home from work and errand running, I sat in my new office (baby girl's room trumped where my office was and relocated my space one room over this weekend) checking my email, today's specials on zulily.com, and some google reader. I was constantly side-tracked with these tasks by how hurty my rump was and how squish-ified my liver cap is in my ribcage. After switching positions several times, I know the months ahead will only get more squishy, I finally gave up and figured I'd finish my business later...UNTIL I realized just how foolish I had been!!! Birthday Clause, had brought me something to make it all better...

Besides homemade cinnamon french toast, a prenatal massage and pedicure at my my sister Hailey's day spa and salon, and a new set of scriptures (this should really be what my excitement is about, but apparently my priorities aren't in check), Birthday Clause brought the Womble household something I was truly not expecting:

Now I sit on a comfy chair with my feet propped up on the ottoman and my MacBook happily perched on my lap as I update. Birthdays are a big deal in my little world, but I must say a new laptop is far bigger than any prezzy past or future for that matter! In order to keep the buyers remorse at bay, which I'm notorious for experiencing, I assure myself that this new addition was a necessary replacement for our dying PC and that MacG will help me be a better person in ways I am soon to discover.

Birthday month, week and day...CHECK!!!

Now just another painful three hundred and fifty-one days until I get to wear my birthday crown again :( HOWEVER, by next birthday I will have a little darling to spend the day wiggling beside me rather than inside me!!!

All over the CA

2010-07-20T21:26:00.000-07:00

I know we went to Kauai back in April and you have never seen proof of it, but we took another trip the week of the 4th and that's what you get to see. Big G's work named July 4-11 their "summer break" so we packed up our bags to my fave spot...California. I know there are lots of great places out there and we've seen quite a bit, but for some reason I love me some CA. We flew into LAX and stayed our first 3 days at the Balboa Bay Club & Resort, and visited Newport, Balboa Island, Huntington and Anaheim.

We watched the fireworks on the 4th shot off in Newport Bay. Spent an overcast day at Huntington Beach and a magically dreary day at Disneyland. We ate at all my favorite places along the way, Trader Joe's for snacks, Sugar Shack, Bengal Bay at Disneyland, The Crab Cooker, and top notch room service brought in on a white linen-ed table ooolala!!

We then loaded up our rented Corolla (all I could do is think of your silky smooth Corolla Julie H) and drove north to our Chandlers in Visalia.

The Chandlers and Wombles go way back to the BYU Provo days when we were next door-ers. Practically every day we were in one of our homes playing cards or watching CleanFlick movies (moment of silence for the much missed CleanFlick edited movies franchise...) We have a whole journal full of our scores for our many-a-played games. Dental school took them away from us to Virginia where we gladly visited thrice and played some more cards, and now they are much closer in CA where we have now visited once and yes played cards.

We stayed in their charming farm house on 5 acres of fruit trees galore for 3 days, I met my dream dog Charlie, and we stayed up every night until 2 or 3am playing cards, because we are that dedicated. Glen and Steve slip n slided their friendship away one starry eve.

Later, Glen decided to show his guy love while playing cards and punched Steve in the face leaving a happy fat lip. The whole visit included lots of punching and pushing and slugging and suffocating and pranks so Glen's act of aggression was just the one that left a bloody mark. The last leg of our trip the C's and W's drove to Pismo Beach to find another resting spot to, you guessed it, play cards til 3am. Glen and I said our goodbyes to the Chandlers after Glen got syrup all over Steve in his Sunday best (if you zoom in you can see the syrup drips) and we drove the coast to LAX and flew home. Such a good long trip filled with belly laughs and minimal pics :(

He or She???

2010-06-28T15:55:00.000-07:00

I have almost known for a full seven days what the gender of our darling is and I haven't shared it with this neck of the woods, how dare I??!? Besides being totally jittery and extra nauseous last Tuesday due to soon to be revealed news, everything went great!!! I will now reveal to you in the same manor that we revealed to my family what we are having. (on the way home from the appt Glen had this Grand Reveal idea pop into his head)

So take a seat on my couch, or sit on my dad's lap if you're 8 months pregnant and here we go...

"Hey Glen with one N, will you tell us the rules?" says I.

"Sure my charming wife, here are the rules of said Grand Reveal. I will release all of the balloons but one, and that one remaining will give you all the info you need to know once divided in half and square rooted." Glen gleefully explained.

"Cool! Hey, I am a great author." says I.

Now scream out loud in delight cause we are having a GIRL!!!!!!!

(hopefully you can zoom in on the expression of the left side of the couch sitters... seriously my Dad's scream was THE BEST!!!)

Then give me a thumbs up because you have been telling me for the past 6 weeks that you really want me to have a girl, not that you don't like boys, but that it really would just be good if I had a girl. He even told me that was the best Father's Day present I could have given him. Thank heavens cause this daughter forgot to get her #1 dad a gift! Don't worry, I'm working on some belated prezzy.

My dad loves his girls :)

Due to all that it took to get this little one here, I've had a lot of ultrasounds, all pretty much the same and uneventful. Once we were graced with this little darling back in March the ultra's have been getting better and better. Might I say that this one took THe CAKE!!!! Our little one preferred to snuggle into the prodding the technician was doing to capture a good picture of "her bits" instead of letting us see she was indeed a she. It took 3 ultra's to get the classic shots, i.e. a pic of her goods with an arrow pointing to them saying "GIRL" (The first one the technician knew it right away but our little girl wouldn't show her parents on the screen, so they sent me away to pound some sugar to get her moving. The second ultra resulted in a suddenly full bladder on my part, so the third time was our charm)

Truthfully I loved having 3 ultrasounds because it was almost a full 15 minutes of watching the miracle move around in me. She enjoyed sitting Indian style, liked to show us she can suck her thumb and really proved over and over that she is going to be an awesome cuddler, besides a gorgeous babe. (she does have arms and legs but this pic doesn't show them, don't be frightened)

So yep we are having a GIRL, and yep I finally bought her some lovely things online, and yep we already have a name picked but will keep it a secret cause I've had too many of my fave names politely taken from me, and yep Glen is poking my belly shot, and yep for all you inquiring minds... we have finally been able to swim in our pool as of last week!

ahh shucks!

2010-06-11T16:15:00.000-07:00

My goodness, you don't realize how much love there is out in the world for you until you post some happy news! It made us Wombles, all three of us :) feel soooo loved. Thank you thank you! I hope it wasn't too personal of a story to share, but one of the comments (thanks Olivia) made me not feel so embarrassed about opening up about something so dear. You never know what may come of it...

Hopefully after a trip to Gateway tonight, I'll have some proper fitting bottoms as to possibly show a glimpse of my surely growing mid-section. I was showing from week five practically, it was almost alarming. I guess when you have washboard abs like myself, you'll show quicker than others... hmmm or maybe it's the fact that I'm 5'5 with a smaller torso. Let's pretend it's the first option.

I've been pretty darn lucky in the pregnancy symptom department. Yes every day I feel like this:

and my demeanor that looks like this (pretend the stubble is acne and mostly everything besides the hair length and color is accurate):

and do a lot of this (I try to keep my top on though):

but my gosh I've heard of so much worse. The only truly tragic symptom I've had, besides the gnarliest heartburn (didn't have the energy to find a good pic of that) I created a mountain like this in my study:

Most of you know I run a tidy ship, but after ten weeks of having no energy, my piles of projects, papers and crap took over. It took me 3 1/2 hours to clean the beast last weekend. THE ROOM IS TINY BY THE WAY and I didn't even capture the left side of the room!!! Scary.

But I am happy to report that my study is going on 5 days of cleanliness, my nausea is starting to subside, and I only have acne on 1/8 of my face now! I have also managed to get a little bit more ready in my outfit department this week. It's been a good thing I work in the back office at Dear Lizzie, or else I would have frightened the customers. It simply took to much of my little energy to get ready I tell you.

A little secret before I depart... in 11 days (if weee Womble cooperates) we will know if I have the first Womble boy in my womb or the second Jacobs granddaughter!

912 to 187

2010-06-04T16:11:00.000-07:00

My dear reading friends and family~

With a bit of hesitation, I'm going to share a little something with you. You see for 912+ days I have carried a burden. A type of burden that unfortunately a good night sleep, a cupcake, a shopping spree, a hug, a prayer, a blessing etc. etc. could not fix. For 912+ days of constant reminders, constant (hopefully unintentional) hurtful comments, constant pains, I finally reached the end of my rope. Of course there were times when I thought I had reached this, but after 912+ days I truly had.

I felt I had no more fight left in me, and I sobbed. I rarely allowed myself to do this because there are others out there with a lot harder story and the sobs made my reality far to realistic. Plus, the higher I built my "wall" the less of the sad's were allowed to sneak in. My heart, my husband, my body felt that it could take no more. No more heartache, no more confusion, no more tests, no more "unexplained" diagnoses, no more shots, no more doctors appointments, no more secrets, no more.

And then... this:

That burden I have been carrying has now been replaced with a joy I can now carry for 187 more days and forever after. To those who read this who have 912+ days or 1206+ days or 186+ days of heartache and confusion, I'm praying for you. To those who won't ever carry this burden I am forever happy for you. And to those who are finding out about this via blog and not phone call, email or visit... sorry!

But for 187 more days of minutes I finally get to walk around with something wonderful inside me. A something wonderful that has taught me utter patience, taught me to forgive, taught me to be more sensitive in my comments to married without children couples, taught me that this quest is easy for some and hard for others, taught me I CAN give myself shots, taught me I have a loving support system all around me, taught me that every gaggy, hungry, heartburny, tight wastebandy moment is a joy, but most importantly a something wonderful that taught me we DO have a Father in Heaven who knows us perfectly and hears our pleas and will give us what we righteously desire in the perfect moment because His plan is perfect!

Mark your calendar for the premier of

weeee Womble

December 8, 2010!!!

5 weeks ago?!?

2010-05-17T15:57:00.000-07:00

It certainly baffles me that 5 weeks has gone by since my love affair with the Beanee Weenee's took place. No I haven't had the pleasure of eating more since then, but discovered (one sad day when it was truly evident I needed to go grocery shopping) that I don't mind a pickle, spicy mustard, mayonnaise and bread sandwich. Don't panic, I used Sweet Bread n Butter crisp pickles which are grade A, or maybe you are panicking over something different...does Gabe seriously enjoy disgusting food?!? Maybe friends just maybe. But all my sandwich lacked was turkey and cheese if you really think about it.

In these 5 weeks we have spent apart though, us 7 year married folk (gentleman Womble and myself) celebrated our anni with a trip to Kauai. Those pictures may come quite soon. We had the best Mother's Day ever, really no exaggeration even though I do love a good one.

And I came home to this:

Hmmmm how do I explain how JOYED this makes me!?!?!!

I have been begging Glen for a pool, any pool will do in the ground or not, for the past few years. My case: we have a back yard that we never use, Costco always taunts me with one each Spring strengthening my case for NEEDING one, I complain every summer that I don't get to go swimming nearly as much as I'd like (it's slightly creepy if a 26 year old girl is splashing around at the rec pool with no child in tow, plus public pools give me the heaves) AND I had an above ground pool when I was little and I know it embedded a love of AGP (above ground pools) in my heart. Strong case I might say!

Well old Glenners never ceases to make me joyed, or maybe my constant bringing my case up in Kauai drove him insane, BUT regardless I came home two weeks ago to this BLUE GIANT!!! An eye sore to some, but a daily gift from the gods to another. The weather hasn't permitted a pleasant swim quite yet, but when our Utah summer comes a knockin, this brunette will be happily splashing around every day after work, after dinner, before bedtime and possibly a quick lap in the morn. IT'S huge even though you can't quite tell and with a Costco price tag slapped on it it's perfection.

disgust or delight

2010-04-05T15:38:00.000-07:00

My choice of an after work snack/lunch will either do the following for you:

(insert photo)

make you slightly disgusted or partially delighted.

The name brings a chuckle to any nerd like myself and the flavor and texture certainly floated my boat-ed. Glen thought I was crazy when I bought them and now may find me crazy for eating them.

Texture=perfect

Ratio of beanees to weenees=perfect

Flavor=perfect

Portion size=perfect

Entertainment=perfect

"This 3 inch can made me feel like I was camping and/or 6 yrs of age in one bowlful."

-Gabe W.

Proud American

This is my critique for the said "Beanee Weenee"

Happy Monday!!!!

oh hello again

2010-04-02T16:09:00.000-07:00

Two Fridays in a row...what?!?! I think it would help you comprehend this anomaly by telling you I am trying to not work Fridays anymore and this is my fourth Friday off!!! Anyone who knows me well, knows I love my job and that it has been such an important part of my life and actually a saving grace. You see, life doesn't always deal you what you wish for (surprise surprise) and had I not had my DL the past 3 1/2 years would have done me in. Wanting to control SOMETHING in my life, I decided to try cutting my work load back so I can balance it all... and it's working!

The past Fridays have gone like this:

1. Get semi-ready for the day (you are more productive when you wear shoes while at home, I think Jenny S taught me that and it's TRUE)
2. Tidy the house
3. Pull out my list of rooms/closets/cupboards that I have been meaning to organize for lots of months. I've found that having only Saturdays to do this has resulted in them remaining only partially organized. But 2 rooms, 2 closets, 2 cupboards and one pantry later I'm staying on target in 2010.
4. Then I spend 1-2 hours doing Highland Junior Miss stuff, because lest we forget you are reading the words of the HJM Co-Director, Contestant Chair and Be Your Best Self Coordinator!!
5.Read some blogs and emails and think about posting and sometimes do!
6. Enter scene: Glen!

Last Friday I put my chores aside and created a charming weekend with my significant. We started with Glen's French crepes, then went to some antique consignment stores in SLC, had lunch at the the Beehive Tea Room, checked into our hotel, went for a swim (photo not available due to the graphic nature of my skin color, the lens couldn't compute that hue of white), had a night on the town at J Wong's (the pic of me there was nixed by my significant since it could be found humorous to some and slightly offensive to a select population... no offense was meant of course, just my immature sense of humor at play), ate some eggs benedict in the morn, walked to Temple Square (emphasis on walked because six blocks of walking in SLC made me think I was somewhere foreign! Swear I've never seen the city for reals until this day) then ended the weekend with my beloved salmon with dill sauce,

mmmm dill sauce.

That is also a shout out to you Katy D :) Yes I'll see you April 25th, I wouldn't miss it for the world!

I would like to leave you with the following pic... 'twas one of my highlights of the end of week.

This old blog of mine

2010-03-26T10:01:00.000-07:00

I'm starting to think I may not be much of a modern-day socializer. I don't have a FaceBook account, I never make time to update this old gal, I rarely leave comments on other's who entertain me, I text a fair amount but then forget to respond to people frequently. I just plain old do my day to day stuffs and socialize with people who I see face-to-face and call it macaroni. I took big O's pledge to not talk or text whilst driving, I write in my journal (that book with pages and lines that we use to document things in) and I barely even check my email, ohh and did I mention I never listen to the radio??? I drive in silence to and fro and I LOVE IT!!! I've slowly become a Laura Ingalls, but I try to wear my bonnet and apron behind closed doors.

So dear readers, if any of you are still out there and your Google Readers didn't think you had a virus when my subscription had an update, know I am here and healthy and pretty happy just have turned a little leaf of technological abstinence. Nothing is new in the G & G's life really. We've gone on some fun dates and trips though, and Glen added another tic mark to his age. spark restaurant is my new fave eat and look at the Shirley Temple drink version he got for his 29th day.

If you rewind the clock and pardon the fact that I can't get the pics below in chronological order you will see some highlights as promised. We vacated to Newport Beach/Balboa Island/Huntington Beach for my birthday in August, followed by some concerts including Ingrid and Regina in November, then the SYTYCD tour which I swore I would never go to and then ended up screaming with delight like my life depended on it. I was thrilled to teach a class with Karli Elaine at Spark the Event up at This is the Place in SLC and it was even more yummy than the video could capture and the video was SOOO well done (you will find my debut in there). Then tripped down to St.G for Thanksgiving with my fam. I've been awful at taking pictures lately, hence the randoms below. But thanks to my iPhone and shakeIt photo as per Rosie I have a few good ones.

.........................

SYTYCD Tour with sister Terra and our spouses not pictured

....................

Birthday in California

..........................

St. Georgo

Quicky indeed

2010-01-04T21:29:00.000-08:00

Don't worry I am just as sick of my last post as you are, so here is the brief-est of brief posts

until the goods arrive...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

I may be the happiest girl in town to have a new year on my plate. Soooo glad I can cherish what was good of 2009 but kick the rest of 2009 into the far back nether-est of regions in my head. The next post will entail some highlights of the not-that-tragic-but-still-most-trying-year-of-me-little-ol'-life to say it graciously and with a good deal of hyphens.

Meanwhile remember, I sure do love me some 2010 and Archer Farm delight.

Who said New Years isn't that fun without the real stuff??? Not I!!!

want to know?

2009-10-30T16:40:00.000-07:00

I know most might wonder what Gabriella is up to this Friday afternoon whilst she awaits the homecoming of her spouse and I shall tell. I sit reading my email to which I have failed to check for a few days, listening to my JayMay radio on Pandora on my iPhone (yes Rachel N. my iPhone!) to which I frequent as of late, followed by a viewing on Google Reader to spy on other's lives. However the most interesting part of my afternoon is this...

This is not the correct time nor the correct temperature my house is experiencing

THIS is the correct temperature stated on the left hand portion of the screen.

My turtleneck, sweater-dress, leggings, unders, long socks, and boots are not keeping me warm enough. Apparently this is as sad and cold as I can look while trying to concentrate on taking a picture of me being sad and cold.

The reason for this temperature dilemma is my poor 20 year old furnace died last night. I came home in my Halloween costume which already supplied little warmth to a house that supplied

NO warmth.

I do permit you to feel sad for me for a moment, but then I'll whisk away your tears to inform you it is 36.9 degrees outside right now symbolizing it could be worse for me. Now I must go warm my fingers, which got surprisingly chilled whilst writing this brief post, and wait by the door for my date with 2 strapping men.

Glen and the furnace man will surely make it a memorable Hallow's Eve.

Lucky

2009-10-10T22:17:00.000-07:00

I'm feeling very lucky today, and not just the lucky that something good is coming my way BUT that good things are already in "my way". My man and I cleaned from 10am to 7pm today with a 45 minute break in the middle to eat turkey sandwiches and play a few rounds of MarioKart on the Wii. While cleaning I felt lucky. Lucky to be cleaning a house that is my own. Lucky to be 26 and in a house that is perfectly charming. A house that is just the right size and that will one day be filled with things that will make my life complete. Lucky that I have a healthy body that can scrub baseboards, move chairs, vacuum rooms, organize my garage, hang a chandelier. I thought of all the diseases and illnesses there are in the world and the fact that I don't have any make me count my stars.

Now I sit cozy-ed up to my love, in our super clean house, preparing my lesson for tomorrow (with of course a quick break to read Nie Nie and then post a quickie), excited that my favorite day of the week is tomorrow, hearing the BYU game in the background and yet again feel lucky (it also helps the mood that the score is 59-21 making for a happy husband).

Feeling the luck of the Irish today.

P.S. Let us not ignore the fact that I went to the dentist this week and had NO cavities!!! Those that know my dental past, know how lucky I am feeling by my diagnosis.

2 words...

2009-09-24T21:05:00.000-07:00

Junior Miss!! (those are my 2 words)

It shall finally come to pass this Saturday. I just got home from rehearsals at LPHS and instead of doing the thousand tasks I should be doing I keep dorking around on the internet. I may or may not be exhausted, but who isn't? If you want a hot night on the town, come see my girls!! They are precisely the reason why I do it.

See you on the flip side! And yes Jay Tay, I promise photos are to come of our new auto-addition AND YES fans and followers I realize I still haven't posted my pictures of our Europe trip back in M A Y!!! Can anyone see why I feel like summer flew by? I still feel like it is the middle of June and I'm not exaggerating.

House guest

2009-09-05T23:22:00.000-07:00

We got to have Jacob K. in our life for 30 blissful days. He minded his manors, respected our curfews, and let us tell him our nighttime stories. He didn't mind when Glen would throw objects at him when he walked unknowingly into a room, he would patiently wait for Glen to finish his daily songs so we could continue conversation, answered all of my iPhone inquiries, and he even played "Bubbles" to suffice his favorite cousin. He also happened to give me one of my favorite birthday gifts... I am holding it in our family photo. What other girl dressed in a party skirt is as happy as I am to have a switchblade in hand??

Kurt and Becky... he truly was the best house guest we could have asked for. What a great boy you have produced!

Ladies he is single and delightful.

Alright already!

2009-09-04T15:47:00.000-07:00

Happy September, geez!!! Where does time go when it whisks away so rapidly?!? Now summer is coming to a close apparently, even though I refuse to admit it's September. Do you ever get so busy that when you finally slow down you realize an entire season has slipped away without you reaping all of it's harvest??? I am experiencing this.

Some of our summer consistings were:

-Work projects

-Lots of Junior Miss events & projects (the big day is Sept.26 for all your Junior Miss fans)

-Glen's softball games

-sold our Passatt

-bought a new car

-Expanded the inhabitants of our house for one short month (we miss you Jacob!)

-got an iPhone!!

-Rosie's birthday (that one was for you rose)

-MY BIRTHDAY!

-reunited with Anna Memmott and had our first date

-3 day trip to Newport Beach

Rally the troops cause operation "L.D.C.U.M.B" (labor day catch up my blog) is in effect

Swine or Swan???

2009-07-07T15:47:00.000-07:00

Glen was an absolute success in Children of Eden. I went every night and he only got better and better! I cried every night because the symbolism of the play hit me right here (I am pointing to my heart). We had so many supporters flow in, I felt like I was the first lady of sorts.

Naturally Todd needed Glen to autograph his chest, naturally Glen obliged.

We had been so eagerly awaiting last week since it held the closing night of the play= no more play practice every night= finally get to be home together. I should I have foreseen that when his first free evening was filled with a cast party that took up the whole night that the stars weren't in alignment. The next night brought me being off to Young Women's at the Developmental Center and not any where near being tucked in our house with my spouse.

Upon my arrival home my world changed drastically. Out of no where I felt my stomach turn into another creature and spent the following 6 hours baring all and I mean all to that porcelain structure in the bathroom. Let's just say that when I'm blessed enough to have morning sickness I will be reassured it won't be 18 times in 6 hours!!! 18 times!!!! What?!?! This is the truth and I know I'm morbid for keeping count but it was freaking me out I had to know. Plus let's not forget I'm a fifth generation banker so can you expect anything less?

I am on day 6 of this flu, which also meant no Fourth of July fun. But it did mean I watched 7 movies in 2 days and got to spend time with Glen. Sadly for him he was the wash cloth re-wetter, ice chip fetcher, foot rub-er since I had severe cramping from dehydration, and Red Box runner for a solid 72 hours. Man I've got a good husband though!

I shall remain stubborn and not go to the doctor to have him tell me nothing but "let it take it's course" which also means I'll never know if I have THE flu (you know the one I'm talking about... ) Glen diagnosed me with the Swan Flu instead. I tell you what ladies and gentleman, I pity all the souls out there who have it. Mine was out of this world, but I know there are stories out there that top mine. It did make me lose 4 pounds, so if you want to trim off a little chub, come breath the air at our residence and watch them slide off!

Movies I watched:

1. Three Musketeers, animated version -uhh...this was only to tide me over til Glen got back from the store
2. High School Musical Tres- even more exciting to watch with a fever
3. He's just not that into you- the Mac guy??
4. Marley & Me -bad idea since my pup Rufus finally passed away 2 summers ago. I was a hot mess of tears cause man I miss Rufie. Pretty sure the fever had a lot to do with it also
5. Confessions of a shopaholic- I LIKED IT!
6. Pink Panther 2- sure captures Paris! No need to get a plane ticket, just watch this
7. Paul Blart Mall Cop- better than I would have ever thought possible

We never get out to movies...

The Lead?!?!

2009-06-22T20:45:00.000-07:00

I did 2 musicals in high school and like them mucho. I thought it would be fun to try out for the upcoming city production with my man. Vocal and HIP-HOP DANCE (seriously have never been more embarrassed in my life and I am quite literally not exaggerating) auditions later we both made the play. I made ensemble and what????? GLEN GOT THE LEAD!!!! I do know Glen is good, but we were both floored that with all the drama die-hards out there that Glen with no musical production experience got the main gig.

Now for THE worst part of this tale..... I had to drop-out. I am a city musical production drop-out!! BUT in my defense, practices are Monday-Friday 7pm-10pm and Saturday 9-12 every week. I can barely handle my job, Mia Maid advisor calling, and Junior Miss Co-director duties with all the other areas of my life still needing tending. I made the decision to pull the brakes, but Glen, due to the massive compliment of getting the lead, wanted to give it a go.

So for the past 2 months I have been a complete widow of sorts, getting done more than needs to be done in our away time, but also loving what I'm accomplishing. I forgot how nice it is to see my family that lives 5 minutes away more than once a month. Plus my house and garden are saying their thank-you prayers for their happy helper.

The musical is called Children of Eden. The same fellow who did the music for Wicked did this. Glen plays Adam as in Adam and Eve! Then in act II the play focuses on Noah's family so Glen is ensemble and plays a lion. I hope every one who knows Glen chuckles upon reading this because just the mere image in my mind makes me laugh nervously.

NOW the following is definitely not the most appropriate to post on my pure blog... however I love it! Glen's friend created in honor of our great hero: (I am giving a good gap in case you want to turn back before you view the following with your eyes)

THE PLAY IS THIS WEEK so come take a gander. I'll be the crazy lady in the stands each night in my Eve costume mouthing the lines and doing the dance moves, since I'm pretty sure they mis-cast it and it should have been me. (actually the cute gal playing Eve is a Mormon movie star marvel apparently AND Glen and her kiss more than once!!)

News Article:

http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/north/american-fork/article_9996d86e-5812-5f2f-91ea-f07455923aa5.html

Break a leg dear spouse!

6 year in Cali

2009-06-03T22:26:00.000-07:00

Rachel and Todd already did a top notch job of documenting our trip on their blog BUT there were some pics that didn't make their cut that I wanted to show :) Glen had a business trip to California the day before our anniversary, so we did some fancy foot-work and put together a trip for the weekend with our best buddies!! It was a great place to be, with the most fun traveling companions, to help ring our 6 year anniversary bell.

On our second day, we had gone to Target to get some ponchos since the rain clouds were looming and I stumbled upon the best entertainment EVER!!! I found these pink shirts that I knew T-bone and G-dub HAD to wear to the happiest place on earth. Needless to say, we didn't loose them once that day. I have truly never laughed so hard at the site of them and watching other people's reactions made my life worthwhile! We had multiple photo opportunities and practically had to pull the ladies (and some men) off of them all day, but WOW what a great anniversary present.

Todd's Tower of Terror
(yes I always plug my ears when in danger)

We love our Todd and Rachey!

6 years

2009-06-03T19:25:00.000-07:00

I know most of you mainly want to hear more about Glen's musical debut and see pics of Europe 2009, BUT I am going to keep you in suspense until I quickly document the other news chronologically. Nothing like a little bit of "building up" right?!

Mr. W and I have surely been married for 6 years now! May 2nd was our day and WOW has 6 years made for a good marriage. I know marriage is different for everyone, but holy smokes we would absolutely never ever want to go back in time and relive those first few years. It was such an adjustment (we still loved each other don't worry) but all those years of working out the kinks has made the last 3 years amazing.

Here's a little background for you inquiring minds that don't know OUR story. Our book goes a little something like this:

One day in May Jay Jay A. called and asked me if I would go on a blind date with a Glen Womble. I politely declined since I was dating another gent at that time. I saw Glen a few other times that summer and thought it was weird I kept running into him. Then that August, I was just a UVSC-er living in Provo, not really dating just had my heart set on other things until my 19th b-day rolled around. Believe it or not, our friends for life Todd and Rachey are a part of our love story. Todders took me out for a birthday dinner to Brick Oven and GLEN was our waiter. Of course Glen was cute as a button, but I was on a date! That weekend Glen and I ran into each other at a Regional Conference at the Marriott Center (coincidence??? clearly not because we were parked in the same parking lot out of the thousands of people that were there) SOME ONE knew that the only way I would set my focus on Glen was to set him in my path multiple times. :)

Luckily, Glen looked up my number and called me later that night and we hung out. We went on our first date (country dancing at Trolley Square) that next Tuesday then cA-pow! Had never felt that way before, had never thought someone could make my heart sing like that and now I have the privilege of being his bride.

Glen proposed to me 4 months later by flying out and showing up in my hotel room in Florida whilst I was on a Jacobs family vacation.

I was utterly surprised and I am hard to surprise. Clearly I said yes and we were married that following May. Can I even tell you how fortunate I am to have a husband that A-treats me the way he does B-gives me the benefit of the doubt and C- is as perfect of a spouse I could have ever hoped for.

Now enjoy some pics of the Sunday before our anniversary when we went to our place of marriage.

What a new post?!? YOU BET!!!

2009-05-31T07:21:00.000-07:00

Can I tell you that the last 40 days has brought many things??? Sure going to... but it might take a better part of most of my day.

So for the meantime, I sit and give a precursor post. I am probably the most content I've ever been on a Sunday morning. Went to bed at 9pm (you'll understand in a moment, woke up early to the sound of sprinklers showering my lawn. Opened my blinds to see my flowerful pots nestled next to my little bistro table. Although we aren't in Paris anymore I surely feel as I sit on my toile covered chair that my life is pretty fabulous right here in the heart of Utah County.

Things to come:

Had our 6 year anniversary!!!

Went to Cali with our bestests!!!

Glen got the lead in a musical...ahhhhhhh!!! (Everyone who knows him will know why we are dying since he is about as far from being a thespian as you can get.)

Got called to be a Mia Maid Advisor!!! (no picture of this but still HAPPY news and YES I get to go to Girls Camp next week and YES I couldn't be more excited)

Went camping with my Jacobs crew out on the Pony Express!!!

WENT TO PARIS, SCOTLAND, and ENGLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just got home yesterday :)

Sharing more soon.

Disappointment is disappointing

2009-04-16T19:35:00.000-07:00

Monday morning I thought it would be a great idea to join Mr.W on his business trip in Seattle. Unfortunately, at the LAST MINUTE the trip fell thru. I truly had my suitcase packed, carry-on items TSA approved and had on my travel dress and scarf. I had even taken Monday-Wednesday off!! It is a long boring story in between, but nonetheless no trip for Gabe. I tried to send Mr.W a picture of my disappointment to then realize my phone wasn't taking normal pictures and I didn't know how to change the setting. I took one anyway, with my sad head laying on my packed suitcase looking at my TSA approved items moments after the news. (no I am not wearing a helmet as Rosie might think. It is just my luscious travel ponytale-do)

He then followed my sad picture with a reassuring picture of his equal gloom.

It's funny how off your world feels when you are separated from your spouse. Your home is too quiet and you lack social skills when you re-enter society after consecutive hours of utter solitude. Thank heavens he is home now and doesn't travel frequently.

ON THE UPSIDE: His absence did make it possible for me to spend time with my parents, clean out my closet, do laundry, organize 1/8 of our garage, assemble a wheel barrel that will go in my garden, get some good working hours in at DL, read some stupid Twilight series, and play MarioKart with Rosie. **side note about the thing called Twilight- I thoroughly love book 1 & 2, but struggled with 3 so bad that I stopped with only 100+ pages to go and hid it downstairs. I have been strongly urged by my peers to finish the series so after almost 2 years I picked book 3 up again. Still utterly silly, can't do it, so sorry, waste of time, ahh!!! I read for an hour last night and now only have 62 pages left and I can't take it! I am not a quitter and really can't leave things undone, but I just can't endure. Don't feel sad if you love the book, cause sometimes I don't think I am a normal lady.

I must announce that we are returning back to Europe shortly!! We are going to Paris, Scotland and the northern tip of England. I can't wait for the baguette sandwiches, cheese & fruit, sweet smells on the street, lush greenery all around, and castles, castles, castles. I have had my travel books on my bedside table since January and am creating a masterful itinerary.

Conclusion: Lack of Seattle doesn't hold a candle to 10 days in Europe!

18 comments

2009-03-10T21:43:00.000-07:00

You guys are so very sweet. It has been so nice to have tears of gratitude instead of pain the last week of comments, kind emails, phone messages, texts, thoughtful gifts, yummy treats. I know it's obvious to those of you that know me best that I understand we all have our trials. I certainly know how good I have it SO thanks for letting me vent. I am the queen of saying everything happens for a reason and He knows that I am grateful for my life. I thank my lucky stars that He has given me the life that I lead and the people He has placed in my path.

With all the bullet-points that I listed every one of them can be followed up with a positive perspective on why it is happening, I truly get that. It's merely been hard to watch others suffer and wonder when it will let up. I know my Grandpa Kay is up enjoying the most bitter-sweet reunions with his family. I know that my little nephew is also up there getting to know his great-grandpa before he comes down here to spread his sunshine... HECK he is probably up there trying to coerce my little babies that I really will be a good mama bear. It just takes your heart right out to watch your dad cry because his best friend and father is gone; to see your sister's family endure so much (she is back in the hospital AGAIN, this is her 11th time since January); then on top of trying to take care of others and be Sally Sunshine I absolutely want something so much and that alone is such a battle of it's own. It got to be a little too much. BUT my sweet Grandpa has found rest; my nephew has successfully stayed in the womb to 34 weeks; and someday it will be my turn!

I really can't thank you enough, my friends and family, for sending me love in whatever form it took. It was so helpful for me to get out my woh's and ever since the sun keeps getting brighter. I am 100% a bottler of my emotions and in years past it hasn't led to anything other than a crazy Gabe. Now that I am growing up, I am trying to realize it is okay to show you are human. Whether it be by others seeing you cry and express yourself, letting hugs be given (and received), or allowing yourself to hurt and grieve instead of push it down to "be strong". Once you take care of yourself you have the ability to take care of others! I'm out here to return the love I have received!

Courtesy of my favorite Todd & Rachel:

Courtesy of Miss Laura J:

Courtesy of the best Stinson's ever:
*the plate was full when we got it :)

Courtesy of my bestest Rosie girl:

Read this first to see how her amazingness: http://ellieandmay.blogspot.com/ This was full of notes of what she loves about me. Where do I even start with my love for her?!

When I get very down in the dumps I accidentally go shopping. I will say it makes me feel great, but does seem to be a problem when you have 2 months worth of "sads" to shop for.

Sweet Grandpa

2009-03-09T15:59:00.001-07:00

Kay L. Jacobs

February 25, 1924 ~ March 2, 2009

Kay L. Jacobs, 85, of American Fork passed away peacefully Monday, March 2, 2009. Kay was born February 25, 1924 in Pleasant Grove to Hugh West and Kate Roena Halliday Jacobs, the fourth of five children. He married Esther Joyce Hamnett on December 18, 1945 and together had four children. They were later divorced. He married Nedra Stevenson, they were later divorced.

Kay grew up in Pleasant Grove and attended school there. He graduated from Pleasant Grove High School in 1942. He served in the U. S. Navy during WWII where he received his pilot wings. He continued to serve in the Naval Reserve until 1971, attaining the rank of captain. Flying was a passion he pursued throughout his life.

He began his banking career in 1946 at the Bank of Pleasant Grove. He graduated from Brigham Young University in 1950 with a degree in business and finance. He retired from banking in 1990 as President of Deseret Bank.

Kay was very active in business and civic organizations including the Utah Bankers Association, the American Bankers Association, and a founding organizer of the Alpine Country Club. He also served on the Eldred Sunset Manor Foundation Board which serves the many senior citizens centers in Utah County.

He is survived by his four children: Sheila Kay (Craig) Forsyth, American Fork; Harley W. (Loretta) Jacobs, Highland; Shellie Jacobs Gray, American Fork; and John H. (Susan) Jacobs, Alpine; 17 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren; sister, Ann Alene (Ted) Dunn, Ogden; sisters-in-law: Janine C. Jacobs and Mary P. Jacobs.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in the American Fork 19th Ward Chapel, 1305 North 100 East, American Fork. Friends may call Monday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Olpin Family Mortuary, 494 South 300 East, Pleasant Grove and at the church on Tuesday one hour prior to services. Interment will be in the Pleasant Grove City Cemetery. The American Legion Post 72 will provide gravesite military honors. Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.olpinmortuary.com/.

In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to the Pleasant Grove Jacobs Senior Citizens Center, c/o Capital Community Bank, 1909 West State Street, Pleasant Grove, Utah 84062.

come on mr.sun, where are you?!?

2009-03-02T16:23:00.000-08:00

I've been reading a lot of blogs lately that have the same underlying message: everyone has problems going on in their life and blogs only seem to capture the good, enviable moments. Well watch out cause the truth of what I have been dealing with is more than you may want to know.

I've been struggling to post the good that is going on right now, because there are so many hard things wrapped around each glimmer of hope. Do you ever just get to a point where you wish the world knew what you were dealing with so the inhabitants would treat you differently?!? But at the same time don't want them to see how bad you are hurting inside? I have hit my wall of keeping in my woh's. If you are seeking for a happy message from Gabe then DON'T read on. Know I'm not seeking sympathy, but more just an outlet probably more public than necessary, but an outlet nonetheless.

-on the same day in January I had one sister loose a little life growing inside her at 12 weeks and another go into pre-term labor at 26 weeks

-the following week we found a crack in the foundation of our home (carpet & padding ripped up, walls torn down, baseboards off, belongings every where, puddles of water to be soaked up every 2 hours, ugg)

-next week, GLEN'S b-day!! Couldn't have been a greater day, no tragedy's here except for how 28 and great he is!

-following weeks= sister in and out of the hospital still in pre-term labor. Her 2 little boys needing a "mother" to help them still live their little lives. This includes running them to and fro, taking them to the store, cooking meals, having them sleep over, etc.

-what the crap is going on with the economy?!?

-parents massively overwhelmed with: the situation of their daughters, their own parent's failing health, struggling economy, along with their own health issues that they have (due to the private nature of my family even some of our closest acquaintances have no clue what ma & pa are facing)

-almost been married for 6 years and still no little Womble babies have come down to bless us... where are you my little lovies?

-Sister back in the hospital for a few days, Grandpa gets admitted to the hospital not doing well at all, he has a heart attack and things start taking a turn for the worse

-Friday brother Adam gets back from Afghanistan for good, FINALLY!! Such a bright part of our world is back and his homecoming was wedged into the heart of all our struggles which was a breath of air.

-Although, by the weekend my sweet family seriously could take no more with the details that come with all the listed bullet-points and we lost it! Couldn't contain our emotions and took our pain out on everyone and anyone.

-then this afternoon my grandpa passed away and my sister went back in the hospital with more pre-term labor complications.

There it is. All out for you to see. I don't know you guys, the sunshine must be getting ready to beam thru cause I'm about to go into hiding. We are all given what we can handle, but when you are in the thick of it, it is hard to come up for air.

Thanksgiving

2009-01-14T21:45:00.000-08:00

Every year we trade off which family we spend Thanksgiving with. All of my family lives within 25 minutes of each other so that makes our year easy. Then the Womble year we get to go to sunny Arizona where his sister Gigi and family live.

Scary story of the trip was the plane ride down to AZ. I used to not be a big fan of flying. Both my dad and grandpa flew small planes and I could never get anything other than nauseous when flying. Even when I got older poor Brad W. took me on a date flying AND you guessed it I lost my internal source of nutrience not once but THRICE! Poor kid had to clean up my waffles with strawberries out of the tiny crevices of the plane!!

Now Mr. Womble and I have flown an abundant amount and I even became a big girl and have flown several times by my lonesome and I likey the air! So we get settled in our seats and the pilot comes over the PA and says "Ladies and Gentlemen, I would be lying if I told you this was going to be an enjoyable flight. We have been getting word of heavy turbulence. So sit back and we'll do our best" Almost word for word except for the last part. I then slipped into my trance of trying to stay calm and didn't utter a word practically the whole flight.

It actually wasn't bad at all until the end and it got choppy. THEN we are making our final descent and I mean FINAL. It got to the part where you are looking out the window with the runway just feet below you and you anticipate the impact of the wheels and earth. I noticed how heavy the fog was and the moment I thought we would hit the ground the WHOLE plane jerked back into the air at fullllll speed!! Every one was silent but you knew all of us were thinking scary thoughts. I personally thought we had been high-jacked. After the longest 3 minutes the pilot came over the PA and explained that due to heavy fog we couldn't land and had to make a huge loop to try landing again! Might not sound scary but just imagine your thought process. We then landed successfully and was truly the best landing I had ever had!

Conclusion: Thanksgiving was fun and relaxing, love the Wombles, as mentioned before discovered I love yams, and LOVE 70 degree weather! HAPPIEST souvenir of the trip= these crazy boots Gigi gave me!

Sassy and wonderful, even the skate rats outside of the grocery store asked me where I got my "killer boots" The love is felt by all apparently.

Gotta start some where

2009-01-14T21:05:00.000-08:00

I figure since I am already late posting about the holidays I may as well start from the beginning. Before Thanksgiving we threw my dad a surprise party. He wasn't turning a special age per-say, but nonetheless is a pretty incredible man to honor for at least one night.

Glen's cousin Jon helped us do a tribute movie and it was perfect! Jon did film studies at BYU and should absolutely make movies for a living. The hundreds of pictures (literally) that I had to sift thru and the hours of editing we did in the wee-morning made for a super emotional Gabe. You realize how deep your love is for someone when you are planning something so special for them. Plus we did little interviews with all my family and my dad's brother,sisters, mom and dad. My Dad is seriously a wonder. The life he has led is exemplary and the relationships he has made are tremendous. His buddies even came from Moab and all over Utah just for that night.

that's it

2008-12-04T17:16:00.000-08:00

I am a "comment" snob. I so enjoy people commenting on my blog and NEVER comment on yours. Please take my sorrow and turn my slacking into another thing you love about me. I made a goal tonight as I was strolling through my Google Reader that I need to tell my "subscriptions" more often about my love for you. It may take me a while, but I have already made great progress and responded to some of you kind hearted people. Everyone is busy so it is no longer an excuse of mine that I don't comment because I am busy. I'm sure you will eagerly await my comments in the future. I am writing rough drafts as we speak.

P.S. I went to Arizona for Thanksgiving, Glen surprised me with new exterior columns on our porch while we were gone, AND I found out I love yams. It was a wild weekend! Talk to you soon.

Part I

2008-11-16T19:21:00.000-08:00

This post will include: Jacobs Family Vacation & One year management mark.

We try to go on a Jacobs family vacation every other year and Disneyland was the destination this year.

Our Pirates of the Caribbean Ship. It is always our first and last ride of the trip.

Everyone but Terra and her boys stayed in this gorgeous house 5 minutes away from D-land.

The house had everything we could have asked for and more.

Glen and I were bunk-mates, I do love the bunk beds! Glenneth slept on one bunk and I on the other. I could organize all of my belongings on my bottom bed and keep a tidy ship. Who ever said bunk beds weren't an appropriate sleeping situation for a married couple? (Actually Glen might say that) Elmo did not get to bunk with us though, he and the bins of toys stayed in the closet.

Unfortunately I wasn't in the picture taking mood the whole trip so I don't have any other pictures other than these few of Glen and I and these are even from my sisters camera. We went to Sea World one day as well and Tony and Glen fed the sting ray, sick.

While I was away at the happiest place on earth I hit my one year mark of being the Dear Lizzie Manager. My how time seriously does fly. It has been a huge growing experience for me and I can truthfully say I have learned more than I could have imagined. I have been able to use my degree in Business Management more than I ever thought I would have the opportunity. I have been given a huge slice of patience for the many wonders I encounter each day. I have realized how much you grow to love perfect strangers that come into your life. And I have discovered that you really can LOVE your job and I truly do! It is never a drag to go to work, hence probably why I work so much. It is like another part of my home, my life, my love. It is such a magical place for me to be in this transition stage of my life. I'm done with school, have been married for 5 1/2 years and of course will eventually start a family and am just a working girl. I feel old.

Laura had this little lovely waiting for me when I returned as a token of her thanks.

I have worn this bracelet practically every day since it is perfect! I feel so lucky that my boss is one of my best friends. I think all the time what my life would be like if I didn't love her so! What a huge bonus that I love her family so much and gained a little sister/BFF out of it!

Look at how similar this pic below is to the 2nd charm from the right on my bracelet. We didn't pose/plan it or anything it just shows how meant to be our love is!

I must conclude this post before we get to the meat and potatoes of the past few weeks. Apparently I am human and do get sick if I go too hard too fast. So a "under the weather" girl I am today and another post you will get on the morrow.

To come: H.W.J. surprise party, G.T.U. 3rd appearance and Perfect Party Skirt photo shoot.

GTU- we are on an abbreviation basis now

2008-11-13T21:34:00.000-08:00

I will be featured on my second job (practically) Friday morn! I might become a real TV snob if we're not careful. Tune in if you'd like to ABC4 at 10am to see Gabriella in a sassy holiday outfit from Dear Lizzie.

I'm working on it

2008-11-12T00:27:00.001-08:00

Don't worry, I really am planning on posting my latest month of events. I feel like I always say my life is busy, but my life is busy. It is the Dear Lizzie 3 year anniversary tomorrow so I have had back-to-back late nights in prep for it and La De Da is opening next week. Plus we threw my daddy-o a surprise party on Saturday so I've had some workin' to do. Don't be discouraged I'll be back soon. Sorry to those who comment and I never respond back. I don't quite know how is proper to reply... do I comment on my own comments or do I go to your blog and comment there?!? Just don't know. Nighty night.

Telemundo

2008-09-24T19:25:00.000-07:00

Fame time is over. After doing Studio 5 & Good Things Utah plus 4 fashion shows at UVU (pains me to call it that) I suppose I can speak with commoners again. As delightful as it was, I strongly disliked my Studio 5 debut, hence why it wasn't posted, then I got hustled thru Good Things Utah. I basically know what it is like to be famous cause random people have stopped me and said they saw me on the tube. Funny that I didn't get this last year when I did it, but the frosting on the sundae was when a 60 year old man stopped me and told me he loved my outfit on TV. Sad and cute that he watches daytime women shows, could be worse I guess.

After that week of wonder I had the Highland Junior Miss which is such a huge commitment but so rewarding. Hope it isn't creepy that I love hanging out with the young crowd. Being at the LPHS again made me realize how many things I wish I would have done differently. Why is high school so discombobulated (biggest word used on my blog)?! At least I am pretty normal now, but wish I could show those in the past who I am now to forget who I was then.

Then week three brought the unveiling of Lizzie Luxe at Dear Lizzie. We were able to take Timp Valley's spot and expanded our store. None of us main ladies have had a good night sleep since July until now. The hours we have put in are ridiculous, but wow was it worth it. AND I have my own desk now, Laura and I have our office to call our very own! An exciting side note that has been in this mix of changes, is cute Laura is opening a baby store across the street!! It is called La De Da Baby Chic http://www.ladedababychic.com/

Let's just say I literally slept all day Friday, got a massage on Saturday, ate my "Cougar Dog" at the BYU game, and slept many hours through out the rest of the weekend to pull myself back together. However I have to show what happy addition I have done in our house. Had to seriously convince Glen that toille fabric (french country scenes) were pretty. He kept saying he didn't know how he felt about "sitting on people" They certainly are pretty people though.

So to those that wonder what a 5-year married veteran does that doesn't have children I think you have been given a good example. Work a ridiculous amount of hours, volunteer for city programs, pretend like you spend enough hours with your husband, go on TV, upholster your furniture, act like you are a good friend to your buddies you talk to every other week, ride your b-day bike... and yeah that's about it.

Check it!

2008-09-07T20:52:00.000-07:00

To see Gabe's appearance on Good Things Utah Click Here!

Gabe's a TV Star!!

2008-09-03T08:38:00.001-07:00

-IMPORTANT ALERT-

At 11am this morning Gabe will be appearing on "Studio 5" on KSL! She will be modeling some fantastic Dear Lizzie clothes and accessories. So if you have a chance, check her out!

For those of you that don't get a chance to watch it live, I will try to post a link to Gabe's segment here on the good old blog.

UPDATE: Gabe just informed me that her segment will start at 11:43.

UPDATE #2: Gabe looked incredible on Studio 5! And, I have some good news for those of you who missed her appearance today. She will be on Good Things Utah (Channel 4) tomorrow morning at 10am. Get those Tivos & DVRs ready!!

Visitors

2008-08-25T21:37:00.000-07:00

A busy weekend has just concluded, but brought plenty of welcome visitors to town. Adam gets to be home for a little bit and luckily he is still his kooky wonderful self with a beard in tow. Glen's sister Gigi came in town for Adam and for the blessing of Miss Sophie Rose.

Celebrating my 25th b-day and Adam's 30th b-day.

Bless...

Rachel did my hair and make-up. I hire her for special events.

August 18, 2008

2008-08-18T20:10:00.000-07:00

As many of my viewers know, I LOVE MY BIRTHDAY! Slightly selfish I KNOW, but Laura Hall can verify that birthdays are far more satisfying when you embrace the fact that they are radical and it's ONE DAY that is yours. Although our Flaming Gorge plans fell through they were replaced by a far better location and agenda: Park City+Gorgeous Home+Lots of lounging= Happiest Birthday Girl Ever!

Sweet friend Laura J. let us go to her Park City home from Friday to today and I have never lounged so much in my life (without being sick). We laid around, watched some movies, laid around some more, went swimming, went on jogs, watched "Pysch" episodes (thank you Jen Jackson for posting about it on your blog, LOVE PYSCH!) and alas, lounged some more. I got to eat the best steak for dinner tonight at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse and then when we got home this lovely was in my yardo!

My bike dilemma has been racking my brain for some time now. I have wanted a cute cruiser for a while, but don't like how trendy they might be becoming. So I toyed around with the "adult trike" idea since my sister had one when I was young and I loved it. But I had an unfortunate incident where I saw a less than desirable young man riding the trike I loved and it quickly dashed my love for it. I knew every time I rode mine I would think of him and that wasn't what I wanted.

So after bike shopping I found this little cutie, but seriously didn't think Glen would drop the cash for it especially because I wanted a portable basket and SWEET horn on top of it. Should I ever doubt my lovey though?!? So I just got back from my first bike ride with my man and am letting 50 Cent sing to this 25 year old. Who doesn't like a little rap to help end their birthday!

So Happy Birthday to me

Pete Christensen, Marianne Lind AND Anna Memmott (holla ANNA!)

Flaming Gorge?

2008-07-31T16:36:00.000-07:00

So I clearly am not a true Utahan because I had NO IDEA where Flaming Gorge was even though I have heard of it a zillion times. I know where it is now though and we rocked it last weekend. It's A-MAziNG (picture Mia Micheals saying it) and I loved it so much we are going back in a few weeks!

We went fishing frequently which conveniently we only have pictures of Glen catching fish but I did manage to catch them myself. Went river-rafting down the Green and cliff jumping. I am such a weenie when it comes to jumping/diving. I have to re-teach myself EVERY summer that I love it and that I am not going to die. So as Glen is jumping off the 40 footer it took me 10 minutes to dare to do the 10 foot. But I DID IT and I survived and frankly loved it. I think it is pretty cool how much Glen and I get to do as a couple and think I might have withdrawals when we can't do it as much.

Glen is in the top right corner

Our wildlife spotting count was tremendous the whole weekend, it included: 1 mountain goat, 3 otters, 14 ducks, a HUGE-O snake (sicksicksicksicksick), 2 hawks, 1 osprey.

Honorable mentions: 1 coyote howling near our camp in the middle of the night and a sighting of 6 bears by our camp recently (thanks to the campground manager's helpful insight I was a sleep talking mess that night BUT at least Glen had midnight entertainment provided however freaky it is)

He's okay!

2008-07-16T13:23:00.000-07:00

We just found out yesterday that Adam is okay. His unit wasn't directly effected by the attack but they are now busy gathering information. Thanks you 3 for your comments. Adam says he can always feel the prayers that are going out for him.

Side note: I have done really well the past three days listening to World News AND flossing my teeth (that was another goal I had!) so YAY.

Humbled

2008-07-14T11:06:00.000-07:00

Such an interesting morning! I wish I were more involved with the news, but frankly it depresses me. I have made a goal to be better because I feel like it is my patriotic duty. I'm not talking the news as in, local news (unless it is very important) I am talking National and World News. Karla (glen's mom) and I went to yoga this morning and then went to the Thanksgiving Point Gardens for a walk. We met her sister there and she immediately asked if we had heard about the most recent attack:

9 U.S. Troops Killed In Bold Afghan Attack
Officials Now Say More Than 100 Militants Breached New, Remote Base Near Pakistan Border

Our brother Adam is over fighting in the war right now. He won't tell us his exact location because it could put both us and him in danger, but we know he is over there. We have no news of whether he is okay, but feel that if something were wrong we would have heard by now.

Do we realize how good we have it?!? I don't mean to get on my soap box but I simply CAN'T HELP IT!! This war is TOO real and I feel like we sometimes push away the thoughts that we are actually at war. It doesn't matter your stance on whether we should be over there or not, it just matters if we are doing OUR duty by appreciating the life that we live every day and fiercely praying for those who are fighting this battle for us. Please take a moment to comprehend the reality of this and maybe offer a prayer in our soldiers behalf.

If it doesn't seem real just look at the sweet family below and realize this is Glen's BROTHER! It is him amongst many many others that are fighting. It is them that have left their sweethearts behind and it is them that are experiencing chaos to a degree that we can't even comprehend.

I'll keep you posted.

Events

2008-07-08T22:25:00.000-07:00

Even though Rosie is the only person that checks/comments on my blog, I'll update nonetheless.

A couple weekends ago we tried to go "camping"with Rachel and Todd which turned into us actually spending the night down at the AF Boat Harbor in my Dad's motor home. It was such a hoot though that I wish I could do it every weekend. We took a late night canoe ride on the lake, christened our new Coleman compact grill and had some cuddle time. Gotta love our childless times where we can resort back to OUR childhood ways.

(This is the TOTALLY AWESOME picture Glen took. For some reason it reminds me of a Harry Potter scene every time I look at it. Once a Harry Potter nerd always a Harry Potter nerd.)

Besides the normal busy work life, I've been exploding with creative projects to do to our house (poor Glen). I kept forgetting to take Before pictures, so all I have are several beautiful projects with no trace of a previous life beyond their current stellarness! Modge Podge is the best thing introduced into my life as of late. I've created some fun things, but won't bore my small audience with only After pictures.

The 4th was great! I made Glen watch me do projects all morning/afternoon (I don't think you realize how many many hours I have been spending doing this, my creative juices are running wild and I LOVE IT!!) then went to Glen's family partay at the Knudsen's. It is the last year that we'll have the best location for parties especially the 4th because the house is being sold. It sits atop the Provo Temple hill and perfectly overlooks BYU. The festivities were great. Made me miss our brother Adam a lot who's out in the battlefield, but also made me grateful that I enjoy a happy safe life.

Karla (glen's mom) is one of my closest buddies and we have been preparing a piano duet of "America the Beautiful" and we performed it several times that day to remind people, in case they forgot, that it was the Fourth of fricken July!

This is my "Bigfoot" photo. Doesn't it look like one of those sightings? But then the after picture shows Glen only spotted his charming and super cool wife.

Now to bring in some of our happiest news, our cute friends Joe and Brittany moved back from Tennessee to strengthen our relationship since I stinky stink at phone calls/updates/all that long distant relationships entail. I even stink at friendships that are down the street for crap's sake. Oh well, it's one of my weaknesses :) In actuality they really moved back to strengthen our relationship AND so Joe can get his Master's degree, GO JOE!!

Gabe's Sunday = sick and bored

2008-06-15T20:39:00.000-07:00

Tis Sunday and I'm sick for the umpteenth time this season and I'm getting a little crankified. Apparently as healthy as I believe I am, working with the public each day and having lots of germies floating around equals not a healthy Gabe. At least it is providing me an opportunity to blog since I have a tendency to not make the time. Here are some events worth posting:

Softball:

Glen plays city league softball every Monday and I do enjoy watching him play. He played baseball in high school, but city league softball provides so much more. I don't know of many other sporting events that during a game transition you watch your opposing team smoke a quick cigarette before the ump yells "Batter up!" It does make it a cultural event though.

You better believe Glen caught that ball flying towards him

Merely a picture documenting Glen hitting a HOME RUN!!! What are the odds?!?

Glen's fan club

But by the fourth inning they got a little bored.

Highland Junior Miss:

As most of my long term readers know, I joined the Highland Junior Miss committee last year, and here starts year two! I was lucky enough to be the Highland Junior Miss back in the day and once we moved up here I knew it was a program I wanted to be involved with. I am over the contestants and the Be Your Best Self program which is the platform for the Junior Miss. I love love love being on the committee and love times ten meeting these fine young ladies and having the opportunity to help them however I can. This was at our first workshop two Saturdays ago.

Jessica's Baby Shower:

I do love to host a party and sister-in-law Jessica gave me a good excuse to throw one since she is having a little lady Womble any time now. We had the party at Dear Lizzie (http://www.mydearlizzie.com/) and it was charming. p.s. Glen redesigned the Dear Lizzie website in case you are wondering who made it sooo fabulouso

I suppose I'll go pop some more ginger ale flavored cough drops (yes they are as good as they sound) and formulate my next post to pass the time until I get to join Glen in that sleepland he always and forever beats me to.

Post Europe Syndrome

2008-06-01T13:40:00.000-07:00

Talk about being fully immersed into life after 10 days of bliss. I have never been as tired as I am this weekend and I don't even have kids! We do have nine 4 year olds that we get to teach each week since I got released from Ward Activities Chair and am Glen's teaching companion for the CTR 5 class. They are awesome and I love teaching them so much more than I could have ever imagined.

Since we've been home Glen has hit 2 home runs at softball, I've had 2 moles removed, I put 2 topiaries on our front porch and 2 flower pots in the back yard, and bff Rosie has given me 2 amazing presents plus a shout-out on her blog http://www.sorosiejarman.blogspot.com/ Other mentionable events: I started taking piano lessons again (personal goal) and had my first concert in 9 years yesterday. I played Tschaikovsky's Piano Concerto No.1 which is my favorite classical piece and my goal this year was to learn and perform it and I DID!! My next goal is to buy the beautiful piano I performed on. The picture doesn't give it justice, but it's an off-white wonder.

Then Friday we had Rosie, River and Scout over to kick off summer with a RoCKsTar ParTy. The Jarmans have quickly become more than just my boss' family and have evolved to being close friends and practically kin. The party entailed, playing Guitar Hero, having matching outfits, pizza, prizes, decorations, and lots of pictures. I posted my fav's but there are so many more. In the words of River "the party was smooth"

Home now

2008-05-08T08:49:00.000-07:00

Alas, our magical trip has come to a close and we are back in Utah. It was the highlight of our marriage and the highlight of my life. We have so many fond memories stored up to carry with us for forever!!! We practically experienced it all in the 10 days we were there. Granted we didn't get to see ALL the sites, but there was no comprehensible way that we could. We got lost on the streets of England, I left some of my luggage on a bench in the metro station (I dashed out of the train to grab it and run back in as the doors were closing, it was nuts!), partook of a girls choir filling the York Minster with their angelic voices, watched the Eiffel Tower light up the sky, ate fresh croissants, saw three old men play brass instruments up and down the streets of Paris, took 6 flights, 5 taxi cabs, 1 train, and 20+ metros in 10 days, saw Wicked in London, and the list goes on and on!

We repeatably experienced amazing moments where we were speechless with emotion. I feel like Heavenly Father bundled up this amazing trip to give me and Glen for our 5 year anniversary. Truly, the stars aligned and even though random mishaps would come up, it still went so smoothly. What is also great, is its the first vacation that I'm not super sad at being home. The days didn't fly by to make the trip feel short, work wasn't too overwhelming when I returned, and nothing had really changed in our family lives. I got to have lots of happy reunions and story telling with family and friends, plus spring was in full effect here which I would have been sad to miss! We got to be in our home for our 2 years "home anniversary" and celebrate our 5 year wedding anniversary!

The happiest part about being home, is even after spending over 240 hours with Glen we weren't tired of being together. I've had plenty of people tell me that sometimes you just need your space in marriage, but being together for 10 days only made me want to be with my lovey more and even brought me to tears the first morning we got back and went our separate ways.

Now I can happily check off my to do list:
1. Going to Europe
2. Being married for 5 years and being happier than ever before