You'll LOVE these books.....

So, you should all know by now that I am freak about children's books (it's probably the elementary teacher in me). I ESPECIALLY love books for holidays, and I have a collection for each one. My tradition is to buy one new book each year for each holiday (yes, that's alot of books)! I set them out only around the holiday time..and I can't wait until Addyson is old enough for me to share them with. Here are my favorite books for Valentine's Day reading.

Love, Ruby Valentine by Laurie Friedman

This is the book I bought this year. It tells the story of Ruby Valentine, who loves Valentine's Day. She prepares all year for it, making cards and gifts for each person in her town. She is so exhausted from all that hard work that she falls asleep and misses Valentine's Day! She wakes up on February 15th and decided to pass out her goodies anyway. It has a great message about how you can show love any day of the year, not just Valentine's Day. The story is all rhyming, and the pictures are darling.

Queen of Hearts, by Mary Englebreit

Who doesn't love Mary Engelbreit? Of course the illustrations are intricate and gorgeous, but the story is equally charming. Ann Estelle works tirelessly to decorate her Valentine's Box for school... she adds feathers, ribbon, jewels, and a squirt of her mother's perfume. On Valentine's Day, she arrives at school so excited to show off her box..and realizes she forgot to make the VALENTINES to pass out! How does she solve this dilemma? You'll have to get this book to find out!

Roses are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink, by Diane de Groat

Here is what the back cover says about this book: "There they were, fifteen blank Valentine cards waiting to be filled with nice valentine poems for classmates. But how can Gilbert write a nice poem for the boy who tweaked his nose, or the girl who made fun of his glasses?" This book has a great message about kindness and forgiveness.

Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch, by Eileen Spinelli

This one might be my favorite. Mr. Hatch is a recluse who works in a shoelace factory, eats the same lunch everyday, and keeps to himself. He has no friends or family. He never smiles. One day he receives a package from a secret admirer... and it changes his life! He starts laughing, smiling, dancing, being friendly to others, helping people and being a friend. After several months, he finds out the secret admirer package he received was a mistake, and was not intended for him. He goes back to being his gloomy, sad, boring self..but all of his new friends have an idea! They decide to throw a huge party ..and invite all of the people who love him. He realizes that people do care about him after all!

Any one of these books would make a great Valentine's Day gift...for a child or an adult! I read a great idea on Kristi's blog...when you give your child a book as a gift, write the date in it, and a little note inside the front cover. You might even want to glue in a picture taken on the holiday. When your child is grown up, they will have a collection of books, and memories!

A Souper Meal

I have to share this fantastic recipe I found a few months ago. It's so easy to make and DELICIOUS! I love soup, especially in the winter, and this one is my new favorite. You have to try it!

White Bean Chicken Chili

2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 pound diced cooked chicken meat (I just bake some chicken breasts and cube them up after)
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (14.5 oz.) can chicken broth or stock
1 (18.75 oz.) can tomatillos, drained and chopped (I couldn’t find these-I used one large 16 oz. jar of salsa verde, it’s green and made with tomatillos.)
1 (16 oz.) can diced tomatoes (I used 1 ½ cans)
1 (7 oz.) can diced green chiles
½ tsp. dried oregano
½ tsp. coriander seed ( I used chili powder instead)
¼ tsp. ground cumin
2 (15 oz.) cans white beans, drained and rinsed ( I used white cannelini beans)
1 large can corn, drained
To garnish: sour cream, limes, tortilla chips, cheese, cilantro
I also like to add Tabasco sauce to taste. Be careful-it’s already spicy!

Heat oil in large soup pot. Add garlic and onions and sauté until soft. Stir in broth, tomatillos, tomatoes, chilies and spices. Bring to a boil and simmer 10 minutes. Add corn, cubed cooked chicken, and beans; simmer 10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking. Serve with a variety of toppings. It’s great with lime juice squeezed on top. (Also great with cornbread and honey butter!) Yum!





The toppings really make it-especially the fresh squeezed lime juice! Enjoy!

Growing Like a Weed

I can't believe how fast Addyson is growing! She is now 12 weeks old. I saw a newborn the other day and was amazed at how tiny it was...it seems like Addy was that small for about a day. Here's Addy when she was born...





How sweet is she?




And here she is now...






She's such a chunky monkey! I love the rolls on her arms and legs. At her last dr. appt, I was told she's in the 95th percentile for weight! She has chubby cheeks, just like her mommy. Here are some recent observations about Addyson:


1. She can roll over from front to back.


2. She loves to coo.


3. She's a great smiler...no giggles yet!


4. She sleeps like a champ! She'll go 8-9 hours at night without eating, but stays in bed for about 12 hours (9:30 pm to 9:30 am) and several hour long naps each day.


5. She loves her baby gym, where she can lay on her back and look at the bright, colorful, hanging toys.


6. She's wearing 3-6 month clothes, and some of them are tight!


7. She'll take a bottle easily (she's breastfed, but occasionally I give her a bottle of breastmilk).


8. She can follow objects with her eyes, and can grasp onto things.


9. She loves to have her hands in her mouth, and as a result, always has a slobbery chin and hands.


10. She's so happy in the morning that she won't stop smiling to eat!


11. She loves baths and warm water poured on her belly.


I can't believe how much I adore this little person. I love being a mother and the benefits definitely outweigh the hard moments. I can't wait to wake her up in the morning just to see her smile. I love you, Addyson Jane!

A Wish to Build a Dream On

2008 Dream Home

Have you heard of the HGTV Dream Home Giveaway? Every year, HGTV gives away one brand new, gorgeous home that is fully furnished in some fabulous location. This year, it's in the Florida Keys. I hesistated to post this on my blog, because telling all of you about it reduces MY CHANCES of WINNING! So, out of the goodness of my heart, I am telling you that you can enter once a day through February 19, here.

Last year, it was in the mountains in Colorado and was this beautiful, rustic lodge type of home. I entered every day and I was totally convinced that I was going to win. I had it all planned out-we would sell our home in Idaho, move to CO, and live a life full of skiing (I've never skiied), sweaters and hot chocolate. I was seriously shocked when the day came and I didn't win. What a letdown! This year, I'm not quite so optimistic, but it's fun to dream, right?

If you go the website, you can tour all of the rooms in the home. Check out the view from the back of the house...it's right on the ocean! Oh, and, YOU'RE WELCOME!

An Attitude of Gratitude, #2

A day late, here is what I am grateful for this week:

1. Saturday night Brandon and I went on a date, alone (our first since Addy was born)! We went to eat at Johnny Carino's and then went and saw National Treasure:Book of Secrets. I loved the movie! Addy was super good for our neighbor who watched her for us.





2. I love my ward. (In my church, a ward is the group of people you go to church with, like a congregation.) I have many friends and I feel comfortable here.


3. I am glad that Addyson is happy and healthy. Recently a friend had a baby 10 weeks early, and it has to spend two months in the NICU, connected to tubes and machines. It made me realize how lucky I was to have an uneventful delivery and that Addyson is strong.






4. American Idol starts a new season tonight! Yeah! It's the only reality show I like--and I watch it faithfully. I can't wait to see all the new freaks, hear Simon's insults, and watch Paula Abdul make a fool of herself.





5. I finally joined the real world and got a cell phone last week! (Previously, I've been too cheap.) We're cancelling our home phone, but at least if I get stranded on the side of the road, I can call Brandon.


**Do you watch Idol? What are you grateful for today?**

I Bove this Look!

If you know me, you know I adore children's books! This is one of my favorites. It's a book of poetry by the late, great Shel Silverstein. It was published after his death and he supposedly had been working on it for 20 years. It is so original and so unique and you'll see why. Here's an excerpt from the book:

Kugs and Hisses

Runny said, "I'm lonesome,

I feel so glad and soomy.

I need some kugs and hisses-

Now, who's gonna give 'em to me?"

"I will," said Polly Dorkupine,

" 'Cause you're cute as a rug in a bug."

Said Runny, "Well, I'll kake the tiss,

But never hind the mug!"

Did you figure it out? Shel uses spoonerisms, and he switches the first letters of a set of two words. It is so clever that I wish I thought of it! The book has 41 poems that all use this format and it is so fun to read out loud to kids. They love to try and figure out what the words are supposed to be. If you are a parent, this is a must have!

Here's my original poem:

Jaddyson Ane is my gittle lirl

And Dampy is my Stog.

I'm glad that you are theading ris and

I hope you blike my log!

**What is your favorite children's book? Did you read Shel Silverstein as a kid?**

HAIRSPRAY!

Have you seen this movie? It is FANTASTIC! It is the movie version of the Broadway musical, Hairspray, and is my favorite movie of 2007! It has great music, a fabulous cast, and an inspiring message about accepting people regardless of race, gender or weight. I LOVED IT! The lead role of Tracy Turnblad is played by Nikki Blonsky, who is absolutely adorable.

She was discovered while singing for tips while working at Cold Stone Creamery. This movie is her first, and she is amazing, both with her acting and singing. John Travolta is hilarious as Tracy's mom Edna. It is so funny to see him singing and dancing as a woman!

If you haven't seen Hairspray, go rent it! You will love it, I promise. It will have you grinning for hours after watching it. For more info, click here.

***Have you seen Hairspray?***

***What was your favorite movie of 2007?***

An Attitude of Gratitude, #1

One of my goals for this year is to think often of the things I am grateful for. I believe that those who are grateful are happier with their lives than those who choose to dwell on the negative. I like this quote from Bonnie Parkin: "Gratitude requires awareness and effort, not only to feel it but to express it." Every Monday I am going to write down (or post on the blog) what I have been grateful for the previous week, sort of a gratitude journal of sorts.

Here is what I am grateful for today (pictures to be added soon!):

1. It snowed last night and is a beautiful Winter Wonderland outside.

2. Addyson is a content, easy baby. She has started smiling so big and so often and it just melts my heart. I am so glad I have her!

3. I love my new calling as Primary Secretary. We had a Presidency meeting this morning and I am so glad I get to work with the other women in the Presidency. They are all people I have wanted to know better...and now I get that chance!

4. Brandon works so I can stay at home with my little monkey. He never complains about his long hours or the stress of his job.

5. I have a comfortable, soft, cozy bed that I adore!

6. I have the greatest neighbors. My next door neighbor, Lani, brought over a basket full of lunch the day we moved in and has been so thoughtful, caring and helpful ever since. She offered to babysit Addyson this weekend so Brandon and I can go on a date alone (our first since she was born). Yeah!

Thomas S. Monson said, "We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude."

***What are YOU grateful for today?***

Entertaining the Masses

I love to entertain. SO, last night, Brandon and I had eight couples over for game night. Yes, EIGHT! I invited so many because I figured half of them wouldn't be able to come. Everyone came! I was happy about this because I really like all the people I invited-however, such a large group would have made it hard to play the new game I got for Christmas, Things, or my other favorite game, Perudo. I felt it was necessary to come up with an alternate game that everyone could play together. I decided we should all play the Newlywed Game. You've played this game, right? First the wives are asked questions about the husbands, then the husbands answer the questions and see if the wives were right. If a couple has the same answer, they get a point. Then you switch and ask the husbands the questions. We have played this game at parties before and it can be really funny and entertaining. I told Brandon about my plan and he kindly reminded me that the last time we played this game, we got in a huge fight over one of our answers. I decided that I would just ask the questions and we wouldn't play. The guests arrived and we chatted and ate for a while, and then started the game. It turns out that the game took forever, husbands and wives were turning against each other and the men starting moaning about how this game always made them have to sleep on the couch. After the game was over (an hour and half later), my guests seemed bored and worn out. No one wanted to play any other games. I began to worry that people weren't having a good time. I always feel obligated to ensure that everyone enjoys themselves and feels comfortable. I looked around and noticed that one girl wasn't talking with anybody and another guy was being left out of the male conversation in the room. At this point, Addyson starting whining to be fed so I had to leave the room for a while. When I came back, all the couples but two had left to go home (it was 10:00ish and they all had babysitters). I didn't get to say goodbye to anyone. Overall, the evening was very anti-climatic, left a bad taste in my mouth and I ended up feeling deflated. Of course, I worried that my guests thought the party was lame. Though I enjoy it, I always stress about entertaining. The actual event usually turns out to be not as great as I build it up in my mind to be before hand.


The best thing about the evening was the food. We had quite a spread of artichoke dip, spinach dip, seven layer dip, homemade salsa, cookies, and guacamole. I made stuffed mushrooms. They were delicious and pretty easy to make. This is what they looked like before I put them in the oven.

Get the recipe here. Tip: if you ever make these, use a mini-muffin tin to bake them. They fit perfectly and then they don't roll around on the cookie sheet.


***Do you like The Newlywed Game? What is your favorite party game? Do you stress about entertaining and worry that your guests didn't have fun? Do you like stuffed mushrooms?***

Escalator Disaster!

Today Brandon, Addyson and I went to the mall to return something. Typically when we go to the mall, we have Addy in the stroller. Brandon is good about navigating the stroller up and down the escalators without incident-but I have always been afraid of this and if I am alone, we take the elevator. So we're in Macy's and Brandon says "Why don't you try it? I'll get on first and stand below you, so if something happens I can catch the stroller." I was hesistant about this, but decided to grab the bull by the horns and go for it. Just another motherhood hurdle to conquer, right? So I tentatively pushed the stroller onto the escalator stair and hold on to it for dear life. It started going down, and unfortunately I forgot to move MY FEET onto a stair as well. Soon I was starting to tumble down the stairs as I grasped frantically at the hand railing. Finally I was able to stand up and resume some dignity. I looked at Brandon, who had a look of pure mortification on his face. I turned around, hoping, praying, that no one was on the escalator behind us...just my luck-there were three other people, staring at me! One of them was a Macy's employee who literally shouted, "Are you okay, Mom? I thought we were going to lose you!" She then yelled, "For your daughter's safety, please don't take the escalator anymore! The elevator is at the back of the store!" At this point, we had reached the bottom and all I could do was laugh and try to hightail it out of there as quick as a I could. Fortunately, Brandon grabbed onto the stroller and Addy was fine-in fact, she slept soundly through the whole fiasco! Just call me Grace.

100 Things About Me

Welcome to my world! What better way to start my blog than to follow blogging tradition and post 100 things you may not know about me? I had fun writing these...I hope you enjoy reading them!

1. My middle name is Cherise.

2. My parents got my name out of the phone book.

3. I love the way my first name is spelled, even though people usually spell it wrong.

4. I share a birthday with the Father of our Country...February 22.

5. I am less than 5' tall-around 4' 11" and 1/2. I have always liked being short.

6. Except when it's time to buy jeans.

7. I am the oldest child of three in my family. I have one brother and one sister.

8. I love Neil Diamond-hence the name of the blog. It's the title of one of his songs.

9. I love Sudoku puzzles. I can only do the easy ones.

10. I am passionate about children's literature. I would rather spend my money on children's books than anything else!

11. I adore watching game shows-especially Jeopardy. (Does this make me a nerd? Probably.)

12. I think Tivo is the greatest invention since the Internet.

13. My husband, Brandon and I, try to see who can answer the most questions on Jeopardy. I usually win.

14. I think Alex Trebek is attractive.

15. I have unusually small ears. I can't wear earbuds because they don't fit in.

16. During high school, people often told me I looked like Marie Osmond.

17. Others said I looked like Snow White.

18. Two of my best friends call me "Carl".

19. I have a B.S. in Elementary Education from Nevada State College.

20. I loved being in college and I miss it.

21. School always came really easily to me.

22. My favorite store is Barnes and Noble. I spend hours at a time when I go there.

23. I got married when I was 20 years old.

24. I think 20 is too young to get married.

25. I changed college majors three times-communications, dental hygiene, and elementary education.

26. Jobs I have had include a dental assistant, bank teller, sweeper (aka janitor), Golden Swirl Frozen Yogurt employee, teacher, and retail employee.

27. I used to have horrible teeth. I wore braces for three years.


28. I am in my orthodontists' book for "before and after" teeth photos.

29. I have horrible vision and wear contacts. I can't see ANYTHING without them.

30. Sometimes I wear glasses. I like the way I look in them.

31. I want to have LASIK surgery after my child bearing years are over.

32. Other college degrees I am interested in include interior design, journalism, English and Library Studies.

33. I LOVE to read. I'm a major bookworm.







34. I am a magazine junkie. There is nothing better than a new magazine and a free hour.

35. I think it is gross to use someone elses' soap in the shower. When guests stay at my home, they get a fresh bar, in the box. (The exception to this is that I don't mind sharing with my husband.) I try not to think about the places the soap has been.

36. I love to sing. People tell me often that I have a good voice-I'm not so sure. It's probably somewhere between average and incredible.

37. My favorite music is country. I've liked it since I was in seventh grade-way before it was cool to do so.

38. My favorite female country artist is currently Carrie Underwood. I love Rascall Flatts and went to their concert last year.

39. The best vacation I've been on is a week long Carribbean cruise with Brandon. It was probably the best week of my life so far.

40. I think marriage is hard work.

41. My husband is a nicer person than I am.

42. The thing I like most about Brandon is that he is really funny. Most of our friends probably hang out with us because of him, not me.

43. I am not particularly close to either of my siblings, though I wish that I were.

44. I am very close to both of my parents.

45. I think I have the best parents in the world. I would rather hang out with them than anyone else (excluding Brandon).

46. I think my best physical feature is my eyes.

47. My worst physical feature pre-baby was my legs. Now it's my stomach, and I don't think my legs are that bad.

48. I like my hair because it's really thick and shiny.

49. I hate doing my hair-it takes forever because it's so thick.

50. I LOVE to watch the Food Network and could waste a whole day doing so. My favorite shows are Everyday Italian (Giada), Paula's Home Cooking, Unwrapped and Throwdown with Bobby Flay.


Giada

51. I like to cook. I like watching other people do it on TV more.

52. I love to read cookbooks.

53. I drove a '96 Geo Prizm for 9 years. We still have it and it had over 200,000 miles on it.

54. Thankfully I don't drive the Geo anymore. I drive a 2006 Nissan Xterra, in black.

55. I have lived in SLC, UT; St. George, UT; Henderson, NV; and Meridian, ID.

56. I am getting more shy as I get older. I was never shy growing up.

57. I think it hard to make friends as an adult. I wish I were better at it.

58. I have very few girlfriends that I would feel comfortable calling and asking to go to lunch or shopping with me.

59. I wish I had more of those type of friends.

60. I am reliable.

61. I hate unreliable people.

62. I love to be organized, but am not always.

63. I believe in dejunking often.

64. I am a mother to Addyson Jane.

65. I think motherhood is very hard and very rewarding.

66. I think my newborn daughters' breath smells good.

67. Her messy diapers don't gross me out.

68. I can't wait until Addy is old enough for me to take to story time at the library.

69. I have bought Addy oodles and oodles of books.

70. After 9/11, I lived in constant fear for months.

71. I love to eat uncooked spaghetti noodles and elbow macaroni (don't tell my dentist!).

72. I love getting my teeth cleaned.

73. I have a dog named Stampy, a teacup Yorkshire Terrier. I love it when she cuddles up next to me in bed.

74. I have no tolerance to people that are cruel to animals. I can't go to pet stores because it makes me cry to see dogs in glass cages.

75. I want to be a fitness instructor, like my mom, someday.


76. I adore Dr. Laura. I think everyone should read her book, "The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands." I listen to her show whenever I can.



77. I think the funniest show on TV is "The King of Queens." I Tivo all the reruns.

78. I love pizza...especially with tomatoes, mushrooms and artichoke hearts.

79.. I love musicals and going to plays.

80. I hate watermelon. Does this make me unpatriotic? Luckily, Brandon hates it too!

81. I would want to be my friend.

82. I love holiday traditions and can't wait until I have kids old enough to appreciate them.
I am constantly planning future holidays in my head.

83. I am a firm believer in writing thank you notes for any gift and most favors, promptly. Anything less is rude.



84. I love to play games and have friends over for game night. I hate Monopoly and games that take forever.

85. I love Yahtzee.

86. I can't stand it when people spell things incorrectly. Pleez use spel chec!!! (Or the dictionary.)

87. Math is my worst subject. Reading and writing were always my best.

88. I often think up romantic scenarios that I wish would happen to me in my head. Most of them never will.

89. I don't think giving birth was that bad. Probably because I had an epidural!

90. My favorite season is autumn.

91. I hate winter and the snow.

92. I had OCD as a child.

93. My favorite smell is Dreft baby detergent.

94. I have never loved my body.

95. I like my neck and my feet.

96. I think pedicured feet are a must in the summer.

97. I hate team sports.

98. I really like my house.

99. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. My church is very important to me.

100. I am a registered Republican...but don't know if I'll vote for a Republican candidate in the 2008 Presidential election.

BONUS: I am generally happy with my life!

Thanks for allowing me to be self indulgent!

***Did any of these things surprise you? Do we have anything in common?***