Television

I love tv. I don't watch it incessantly, but I love a good television show. I even love good commercials. It is a constant source of frustration for Lance that oftentimes, I will laugh harder at a clever ad than at a sitcom.

While I am always mourning the "passing" of such fabulous shows as Seinfeld, Malcolm in the Middle, and Arrested Development, I am also looking forward to this year's Fall lineup.

We may still be several weeks out from new episodes of The Office, 30 Rock, and CSI:NY-- but this starts on Monday:

I have literally broken into a sweat while watching Prison Break. It is so tense and exciting-- each and every episode. It also doesn't hurt to look at the main character! (As a side note: Lance was once mistaken for him at Chilis!)

And I can't tell you how relieved I am that this monstrosity-- a poor excuses for primetime tv-- is coming to an end:

Thank goodness for the Summer Olympics, Conan O'Brien, and The Soup for getting us through the dry season.

Sad Eyes

Growing up, I was unable to effectively fake an illness (though it didn't keep me from trying!) I have a tell-- my parents call it my "sad eyes". They could always tell when I was sick because of my sad eyes. I distinctly recall trying to make my eyes look sad in order to skip school. It never worked. "Sad Eyes" cannot be forced.

My kids have both inherited sad eyes. Case in point (Zoie's first cold):

This weekend Zoie had a bladder infection. The infection caused a high fever that she could not shake. I took her to the Urgent Care Clinic on Saturday for antibiotics.

It broke my heart to see my rambunctious, mischievous daughter laying listlessly about. She was uninterested in cartoons, food, drink-- all of her usual favorites! Though Lance and I jokingly say that we love sick Zoie because all she wants to do is lay with us and cuddle.

We had a lazy weekend full of layin around and cuddling. Zoie is regaining her strength today and as much as it broke my heart to see my daughter with sad eyes all weekend, there were a few loud, chaotic moments today where I missed sick Zoie.

Side Note: Zoie continues to be the most considerate sister I have ever seen. At the clinic, they allowed her to pick out a princess sticker to take home. She insisted on getting Tobin a Superman sticker (which he promptly tried to eat!)

The Plight of the Floridian

Those of you outside of the state may not have realized that this week Tampa faced its first real hurricane threat of the 2008 Hurricane season. Tropical Storm Fay was predicted to become a category 1 or 2 hurricane and make landfall just south of Tampa on Tuesday morning.

Monday night, we were busy making all the necessary preparations-- cleaning the house, filling the tub full of water, storing water jugs and bottles, pulling out the 72 hour kit, checking the batteries in our ever-ready flashlights, and dispersing the flashlights in every room of the house.

For Family Home Evening, we taught Zoie all about hurricanes. We were tuned in to The Weather Channel all night.

School and businesses closed for the day. We were all ready to hunker down and wait... and wait... and wait. Fay never came. She changed her mind and hit the southern/eastern coast as a tropical storm instead. As of 8:30 pm, it has yet to so much as rain.

We are grateful that Tampa was once again spared.

As a geography/history lesson: It has been over 80 years since Tampa has had a direct hit by a hurricane. It has actually snowed in the city more recently than a hurricane has hit. We are so fortunate. Tampa is extremely vulnerable. Although we are protected by the Tampa Bay, if a hurricane was to actually enter the Bay, it would cause untold devastation and flooding.

One theory for the "luck" is that the waters of Tampa Bay is protected by an 18th century pirate named Jose Gaspar. Gaspar is a beloved legend in Tampa. Each year we throw a huge festival in his honor-- Gasparilla Day. A giant pirate ship invades the bay and hundreds of pirates "attack" the city. It is crazy-- but so far, it seems to be working.

Thanks, Mr. Gaspar.

Shoe Obsession

Zoie has always had a bit of a shoe obsession. I always figured she inherited it from her Grandma "Papas" Slovacek. My mom loves shoes so much that she once configured an entire women's conference talk (which was sheer brilliance) around the topic of shoes. Zoie and my mom have always been very close. In light of this, Zoie's opinion of shoes makes sense.

However, it makes much less sense to see Tobin with such a shoe fascination that it borders on obsession. It doesn't matter what size or shape of a shoe, Tobin has to wear it. He knows very few words, but the word "shoe" is unmistakable. It's pretty darn cute when he wanders around in nothing but a onsie... and tennis shoes. Like this: (check out those chubby white thighs!)

It is just plain bizarre when he insists on wearing his sister's sparkly high-heeled church shoes. Like this:

Big Bed for a Big Boy

It seems as though I just barely posted these pictures when Tobin started sleeping in his crib:

This week, Tobin transitioned into a big bed. I know what you are all thinking-- a toddler bed: a very sensible way to transition a 16 month-old into boyhood.

Nope. Not even a twin bed.

Tobin is now sleeping in a very nice, comfortable queen-size bed.

Our good friends were getting rid of their furniture to make way for a nursery in their house. It made sense to use their guest room furniture for Tobin. Other than our bedroom, he has the largest room in the house.

He's doing great. I just threw all of his usual "bedtime pals" in with him and left him.

He and Zoie climb on and off the bed all day long. However, when he wakes from his nap or first thing in the morning, he seems to think he can't get out on his own. He will sit in bed talking, playing and calling for me until I come and get him out of the bed.

I'm so proud of the kid. He's still such a good boy. Like all moms, it amazes me just how quickly he has become a toddler. A BIG toddler.

A Little Cheese

This is my favorite picture. (This particular one is a picture of a picture because my scanner isn't working.)

Here is why it is my favorite: Lance and I had just walked out of the temple. The professional photographer had not yet began the photo session. My mom snapped this candid of Lance and I. We had no idea.

I think it captured perfectly the way I felt that day. I couldn't stop smiling. I couldn't stop looking at Lance and I felt as though I never wanted to let go of his hand.

See that big goofy smile of mine? Its still here-- seven years later.

Lance and I have fun together every day. Our friends tease us for our lack of PDA. Truth is, if we are holding hands, it will most likely turn into a thumb wrestling contest. If we are hugging, we are only moments away from a wrestling match. And if we are walking together, we will most likely break into a race.

I don't think a day has gone by that Lance has not made me laugh out loud. I know a day has not gone by that I have not thanked my Heavenly Father for letting me marry my best friend.

And I still can't stop smiling.

7 Amazing Years

On August 3rd Lance and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary.

We spent the weekend in Orlando. It was amazing. It is hard to explain why exactly. We did absolutely nothing of note. No theme parks-- no beaches. But we did whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted. Again, it was amazing. Those of you with multiple kids can appreciate this concept.

It was so so fun. We used Priceline and snagged a suite at the Hyatt for $40! It was in the middle of a stretch of malls, theaters, restaurants, and souvenir shops. We were able to walk everywhere. We spent so much time just talking-- without the usual interruptions of "I'm thirsty" and "Mama!"

There are not many pictures, as it was only the two of us, but here are a few poorly photographed pictures:

Me fighting with Bella for the love of Edward Cullen.

And Lance biting his lip in anticipation of the upcoming High School Musical 3Lance with the "Def Leppard Rules" ping pong paddle from Balls of Fury (a ridiculous movie) at Planet Hollywood.

Out to dinner and mastering the art of the one handed picture

It was the break we needed. Again, amazing.

MIA

I pride myself on updating my blog at least weekly. However, due to the HORRENDOUS customer service at Verizon Fios, we have been without our internet for a week.

I can't believe how much I rely on the internet. I felt impotent and out of control (its a line from "Clueless") without my laptop. Bank accounts, email, paying bills, blogs, etc... I was at a loss!

Lance was just released from his church calling in the Elder's Quorum Presidency and is now the Executive Secretary. Poor guy was trying to schedule appointments without the use of his Google calendar and email.

I will not regale everyone with tales of the many hours of phone calls and the tears of frustration that were shed due to this inconvenience. I will only focus on the fact that I am back on my blog!

Its okay if you didn't even notice my absence.... just pretend.