29 More Things

Because I came into the world 29 years ago today, here are 29 more things about me ( to add to my 100).

1. I have become a passionate recycler and cringe when I see plastic in the garbage can.

2. I check to make sure I unplugged my flat iron about 3 times every morning.

3. I've become a total germophobe since becoming a mother. I carry hand sanitizer and use it frequently. I disinfect shopping cart handles before placing Addyson in the cart. It still drives me crazy to see her touching the handle.

4. I love having a clean house but am not so good at keeping it clean.

5. I especially neglect my bedroom.

6. I believe that televisions do not belong in bedrooms.

7. I bear my testimony in my head every Fast Sunday in case I decide to stand up and actually say it publicly (this does not happen very often).

8. I want to be more brave about sharing my testimony.

9. I love spicy food and sometimes overdo it when I cook.

10. I haven't had any caffeinated drinks since I got married. I can't say I don't miss them.

11. I pretty much only drink water, but I enjoy an occasional Fresca.

12. I will have been married 9 years in June. How crazy is that?

13. Patience is not my best quality.

14. I want to be a more patient person, especially with my family.

15. My favorite breakfast is a toasted English muffin spread with peanut butter and topped with sliced banana, with a glass of skim milk.

16. I always have books checked out from the library, and some books requested that I'm waiting for.

17. I love Frank Sinatra's music... especially on the back patio, in the summer.

18. I love any food I can dip. The best ones are chips and salsa, chips and guacamole, pita chips and hummus, and apples into peanut butter.

19. I will eat peanut butter on anything.

20. I am an adventurous eater, and love trying new exotic foods.

21. It's kind of sad how many of these items are about food.

22. I enjoy camping, especially chatting around a campfire.

23. Hiking is one of my favorite things.

24. My nickname as a toddler was "Tooties." I don't know why.

25. On my first grade report card, my teacher wrote, "Nikole is very conscientious about her work." I'm still proud of that. (Thanks, Mrs. Bondiett!)

26. I walked to and from school every day I was in elementary school, even in the dead of winter. The school was a good 1.5 miles away.

27. I feel extremely blessed and am very grateful for what I have.

28. I feel the same inside as I did as a teenager, only now I have a home, a husband and a daughter.

29. I wish I was still young and carefree, and I can't believe how fast life has flown by!

Nothing Says Love Like a Knife

We had a low key, but great Valentine's Day weekend. Have I mentioned Brooke and Holly on this blog? Brooke was Brandon's neighbor and best friend growing up-and their parents have always been good friends. After they got married, Brooke and Holly moved to Ohio so we haven't really seen or heard from them in 9 years until they moved to Meridian in October. It has been so great having them here; they are practically like family and we do alot of things together. Anyway, Holly and I decided to plan a romantic meal for Brandon and Brooke that we had a few days before Valentine's Day.



Brooke and Holly

The four of us had chicken tortellini bake, a yummy winter salad, garlic bread, English Trifle for dessert and even sparkling cider! It was fun to eat by candlelight and use a tablecloth like grownups.






Unfortunately, not all of us acted like one.



That's Brandon nose peeking out of the side!



On Valentine's Day, we went to a Fondue Party given by our friends Stoney and Emilee. I made Cheddar-Bacon Fondue to dip bread and veggies in, and we had a chocolate fondue for fruit, pretzels, cake and marshmallows. Fondue is fantastically fancy fru-fru fun. (How's that for alliteration?) Not to mention extremely delicious and romantic.





Brandon's gift from me was a large batch of his much beloved favorite cookie, Soft Gingersnaps. I surprised him by leaving a basket of goodness in his car at work.




He surprised me with some roses, a new banana hanger (how's that for random?), and some fancy chef's knives! I was thrilled about these because I have had the dullest knives imaginable for years. (Might this be related to the fact that on more than one occasion I have caught Brandon pruning bushes with them in the yard?) Anyway, it was a very thoughtful gift because I mentioned to him in passing a few months ago that I really just wanted one or two good quality, sharp chef's knives for cooking and that I didn't need a whole butcher block. He remembered this and delivered on it like the good husband that he is.



I must say that cutting up sweet potatoes tonight for dinner was very exciting (and much easier than it used to be.) And Brandon, repeat after me: I will not use the knives for hunting, yard work or working in the garage. On second thought, just leave them alone and leave the slicing and dicing to me.

Wonderful Weekend

My parents came to visit this past weekend. As usual, we had a great time. I realize that their visits have more to do with seeing Addyson than seeing me, but I'm okay with it. She adores them, and it's a break for me since my mom did all the diaper changing, bathing, and entertaining all weekend.





I promise that I do Addyson's hair every day. I even put in a bow. Will the little stinker leave them in? Of course not.



We spent the majority of their visit playing Guitar Hero, which is so much fun. (Thanks, Brooke and Holly for letting us borrow it!)





Even Addy gave it a try.





It was so funny to watch my mom and dad rockin' it out. At one point my mom was head banging. No joke.



We had to humor my dad and go eat at his favorite place, The Rib Shack. I'm not much of a carnivore, but they do have really great barbeque. Addy loved the ribs.




So did my dad. We also had homemade veggie quesadillas (my favorite), homemade pizza, and we ate out at a Thai restaurant. Mmmm. I love curry.





My dad and I went to the gym together and attended a Spinning class. He's gotten really into it lately and spins all the time, so I gave it a try. I decided that I really like it, even though my butt is bruised and sore.



My parents also took me shopping for my birthday (it's not for a few weeks). I wanted a new dress for church, so my dad graciously watched Addyson while I tried on what seemed like a billion dresses. Mom and I were dying with laughter in the dressing room because I tried on a dress that was too small and I was afraid I was going to have to cut it off my body. My mom is the greatest person to shop with...I always find something great when I'm with her. I ended up getting a dress that I didn't even like on the rack but loved after she convinced me to try it on.


The new dress


My parents left after church Sunday and I miss them already. I love you guys! Please come back soon.

5 Things

1. Brandon and I decided we need to attend the temple more often so our new goal is once a month. On Saturday night, we got a babysitter and went with another couple from our ward. We went out to eat afterwards. Can I just say how nice it is to dine out without a toddler?

2. Watching The Biggest Loser has inspired me to take getting into shape more seriously. Since New Year's, I've been working out religiously 4 times a week, even getting up early to go to the gym. I've even surprised myself! Who knew? Also, we moved our treadmill into our bedroom a while ago and I've used it more in the last month that I did in the previous three years. Maybe I'll finally lose that baby weight after all (never mind that my baby is 15 months old today!).

I wish I looked like this girl.

3. Since starting to teach preschool, I seem to be constantly sick with a cold. It's odd to me because I wash my hands so much they are usually raw. Anyway, the last few days I've been totally stuffed up and miserable. How come I never appreciate breathing through my nose until I can't?

4. Other than the germs, I really love my job. It's so rewarding. I have four year olds who are already reading, which is so exciting. (It's more of a reflection of the curriculum than anything I've done, but still.)

Some of my class making wreaths in December

5. I made chicken pot pie from scratch the other day and boy, was it good. Total comfort food. If you want the recipe I used, click here. (I replaced the celery with potatoes because I hate celery.)

Too Much of a Good Thing

Aaaah, the digital video recorder (or DVR for those of you still living in the 20th century). Other than the Clapper and the Internet, it could possibly be the greatest invention of all time. Those of you who have one (and doesn't everyone these days?) know that once you experience the joy of skipping commercials, watching shows at your leisure, and being able to pause live tv...you CAN NEVER go back. Who has time to spend an hour watching what can be a 40 minute show? What do people without DVR do when faced with the dilemma of American Idol and Biggest Loser being on at the same time? It's frightening to think about.

All of that being said, having a DVR has at least one disadvantage. Even though a recorded tv show can be watched faster than on live tv, I think (no, I know) we end up watching more tv OVERALL in our home than we would otherwise. This is obviously because we can record anything and everything we might possibly want to watch. We can record two things at once. We always have a list of shows we love, just begging for our attention. It's really gotten bad lately.

For example, on our unit, we can have a possible 50 shows set to record. We currently fill all 50 of those spots. Out of the 50, 15 are mine, 3 are shared (shows that Brandon and I watch together) and the rest are his. Just because I know you are dying to know (you can tell alot about a person by the shows they record), here are my shows, in no particular order:

Jon & Kate Plus 8; The View; Biggest Loser; Barefoot Contessa; Diner's, Drive Ins, and Dives; King of Queens; Rachael Ray; Paula's Best Dishes; Oprah; Ellen; Cooking for Real; Giada at Home; 30 Minute Meals; 17 Kids & Counting and Rachael's Vacation. (Yes, most of them are on the Food Network.) Our shared programs are: American Idol, The Office, and CSI.

Obviously I'm not opposed to television, but I think too much of it is harmful for many reasons (makes you fat, kills quality family time, brings worldly influences into the home, overstimulates kids, etc.). I do try to make a conscious effort to have the tv off for a good chunk of the day... but it's hard to resist sometimes.

So, what do ya think? Is the DVR a blessing or a curse?

(Oh, and if you want to share what shows you record, I wouldn't hate it.)

Soup Swap

Did you know that yesterday was National Soup Swap Day? It's true! To celebrate, I hosted my First Annual Soup Swap! It works like this: I invited about 8 friends to each make 6 quarts of their favorite soup. They divided them up into six (one quart) containers, froze them, and brought them to the swap.




After enjoying lunch (Hawaiian Haystacks, a Mormon favorite, and banana muffins) we went around and told about our soup (what was in it, what it's good to serve with with, any toppings to be added, etc.) Then we let the swapping begin!


Everyone drew a number. The first person chose one container of soup to take home, then the second, and so on. Then we repeated this cycle until all of the soup was gone!

I came away with six different containers of soup to enjoy at a later date. I received Taco Soup, Chicken Tortilla Soup, Veggie Chili, Regular Chili, and Baked Potato Soup. I made a yummy, healthy soup called Gypsy Soup.



Some of the Swappers

It was so much fun. I can't wait to pull out one of my soups for dinner when I don't feel like cooking. I love opening my freezer and seeing all of the soup goodness! Nothing like a warm bowl of soup on a cold winter's night.





Lucky me, I had a sous-chef to help me in the kitchen.

Hopeful and Excited

I have been consumed with all things inaugural this week. It was almost like Christmas was coming! I woke up Tuesday when my alarm went off early and actually got out of bed and went to the gym, because I was thinking "Today is inauguration day!" I was so excited. I watched about 4 hours of coverage that morning. At the gym, I watched the Obama's leaving the church service and going to the White House to have coffee with the Bush's. When I got home, I watched the entire inauguration, plus most of the commentary afterwards. I watched the Obama's walk the outgoing President to his helicopter. Today I watched all of my recorded coverage from last night's inaugural balls. Why am I so fascinated with all of this?

I voted for Obama and I believe in him. I don't agree with all of his policies. I don't think he is the answer to every problem our country has. However, I do feel optimistic about the future of our country with him at the helm. I felt honored to be a part of such a historic event in our history. I am grateful that every child in America now knows that it is a possibility for anyone, regardless of color, to serve in the highest position in the country. I was near tears the whole day yesterday, thinking of what his election means to so many people.

Oh, and I love the way he respects his wife! Did anyone else notice how they looked at each other during their dances last night? He always opens the door for her. At one of the balls, he said to the crowd "Isn't my wife good looking?" Just another reason I'm feelin' the Obama love.