A Boy and A Girl...

SHOOT people say.

2012-01-20T09:32:00.000-07:00

perhaps you've seen the sudden tidal wave of videos hitting the internet- the sh*t people say ones? yeah, there's a swear word in there (actually, they all don't actually spell ouuuuttt, the word... anyways)... some of them are hilarious. here are a few of my faves...

Sh*t Mom Bloggers Say:

The one that started them all, Sh*t Girls Say:

My favorite, Sh*t Austinites Say:

Sh*z Mormons say (yup, the New Spice guy)

SH** People Say to Breastfeeding Mothers. I've heard many of these. It amazes me that people are so weird about this, but these are so dead on, had to share this one even though it's not the greatest quality. Also, it has a weird word in it. You'll hear it, I apologize, kinda.

Sorting laundry

2012-01-19T11:38:00.000-07:00

Last night, we had a tooooonnn of laundry to sort, so we brought it all and threw it in a huge pile in the living room. then we both sat and sorted it, throwing clothes into piles around us. Ellis must have been really paying attention, because this is what he has been doing ever since:

2012

2012-01-09T08:43:00.000-07:00

New year, new post.
Finally right?
I don't think many people actually read this anymore anyways, but it's been a nice break to not have to worry about blogging this last month.

But
I'm going to try to be better.

This is going to be a big year, I just know. I want to do so many things, and we have to do so many things... IE, Damon has to take the boards at the end of June. horray. We want to go on a fun trip somewhere when he's done, somewhere far away and glamorous (or not glamorous- hostels and street food are my style)

Ellis will be 1 next month, whattheheck? Dude is so funny right now, he popped another tooth and he's all smiles now that it's out.

I have a big little project I'm starting, hopefully it all goes well, I'm a little nervous about how much work it could potentially become, but I look forward to it, and hopefully I'll have something more to share about it soon...

New year's resolutions? I don't really make them, because I know I won't keep them. I did find this awesome calander, a 'declutter 2012' thing, and have started it and it is fabulous. It's one small thing each day, to simplify, organize, clean, declutter. For instance, yesterday's assignment was to go through the freezer and toss any old freezer-burned food. Today's was the question "what 5 values do you want to explore this year?"... Sundays are rest/contemplation days, the others are work!
You can download it HERE

We are also going to be trying to cook and eat healthier, more whole foods, real food. I skimmed through the book In Defense of Food, and highly recommend it to anybody. The basic concept is to eat lots of plants, and lots of real food. Meaning unprocessed, natural form, food.

I also want to serve others more, alone and as a family. I would love for us to spend more time giving to others and helping, becoming more charitable.

I'd love to start writing letters, real handwritten, mailed ones. Email and Facebook shouldn't be my only means of communicating with friends. Anybody want a pen pal?

Do you have any goals for the year?

Here are some pics/video of our break, off my phone of course. That's another one, I'd like to start using my real camera more, or sell it.

Texas, feeding the chickens and enjoying 70+ degrees

Texas, Ellis' first Freebird burrito.

Texas. Jake was so helpful to open all of Ellis' Christmas gifts for him

Texas. Ellis was stunned at all the toys

Washington. This is how people park in Spokane. You should have seen BMW's face when he got to his car and was completely confused, and wondering how to get out.

Ellis and Finley on Christmas, best pals!

Ellis was spoiled having all those 40-something cousins around. He especially loved playing the piano with Hilary

Julia, I found her alone in the kitchen, tearing apart a turkey leg.

Ellis slept about 13 hours a night in Washington, so he usually woke up super happy.

Dockside cultural presentation

Costa Vida. Best meal I've had since the last time I was in Utah. I would just die to have another one right now.

Back in Texas, we went to Salt Lick for some tasty meat.

Ellis ate lots and lots the whole trip, he probably gained a whole quarter-pound!

Ellis and his uncle Jake

2011-12-29T16:12:00.001-07:00

Swimming in December

2011-12-06T22:17:00.000-07:00

You heard me.
Tomorrow playgroup is going swimming. Somebody lives somewhere with an indoor pool, so I think Ellis would really like it.
I guess I would like it.
Sometimes playgroup is weird to me because I don't have a kid who plays. Unless I want to follow Ellis around the playground whilst he ingests rocks and trash off the ground, I have to hold him.
Which, holding a 9 month old isn't really fun?
So I am usually ok that playgroup falls during Ellis' morning nap most Wednesdays.
But I figured we need more to get us out of the house than Trader Joe's, so why not?

I go home to Texas in like 5 days or something, I am so excited. Warm weather!
And then we go to Spokane for Christmas. Cold weather! Also, there will be 14 people staying in the house over Chrismtas. Spread out among 6 rooms. So, cool. Should be pretty awesome, except if Ellis never gets in good naps, I will probably go nuts. I can't wait for Christmas.

I hate saying nothing exciting is happening in my life, because really, life as a stay-at-home mom is not all that exciting. Usually. I generally am fine with that, but sometimes I wish I was somewhere cool, like NYC, or Provo. In NYC I would walk everywhere and see the sights and take Ellis to museums and cool restaurants and such. In Provo, I would take him into the mountains, up and down center street, to the Bean museum, and all over campus.

In Iowa, you have to drive everywhere. There aren't any museums close by. What to you do in Des Moines? I just don't know.

I am going to try to start using my camera again. Like, with the real 50 mm lens. My phone camera sucks, and I suck at documenting Ellis' everyday life. Sigh. This weather gets me everytime.

This post didn't mean anything. Sorry.

2011-12-02T11:54:00.001-07:00

What we will be watching this Sunday night. Anyone is welcome to come watch the painful awkwardness with us.
I hope you all learn a lesson from this clip.
*warning, clip contains the words intercourse and foreplay*

post edit:
sorry if the video doesn't show up, it was working, and now i can't tell if it is... if you want to see, look up "virgin diaries" on youtube or something.

Go ahead

2011-12-01T20:54:00.000-07:00

fall in love with this cover. her collarbone. his cheeks.
do you think they used to love each other? how awesome/weird/cray would that be to record this song with your ex?! it would be so spectacularly touchy-feely!

but srsly, i love them.

2011-11-30T09:09:00.000-07:00

Hello all of you hundreds and hundreds of readers!

We have not been up to much since Thanksgiving. Damon went back to school yesterday and Ellis and I whined about it for a while before we went to smell Christmas trees at Lowe's.

Also, last night I went to see Breaking Dawn with my frans... It was horribly awesome and awesomely horrible.

The soundtrack though, was pretty good. One day I might buy it.

Also, I go home to Texas in like 12 days, which is going to be awesome. We bought Ellis a tent to sleep in during our travels, so I really hope he digs that.

That's about all for us, nothing exciting at all.

Also, Ellis and his Uncle Jake. Exact same age, face, and hair. Weird?

Last of all

2011-11-25T21:19:00.001-07:00

and most importantly, I am thankful for the gospel.

(I just cannot blog anymore every day. I meant to end this yesterday, obviously, but I am never really good at timing)

10 years ago (in a few days) I made the best decision of my life. I told Derek I was going to be a Mormon too, after him and his friends wouldn't stop bragging about wake boarding at youth activities.

I can't express how grateful I am to him, that he took it seriously, that he recognized a missionary opportunity and ran with it. And set up my first meeting with the missionaries for the next day. I am grateful to all the wonderful people who supported me, loved me, and taught me, and stood by as I grew my testimony.

You don't realize, when you join this religion, that it is a completee lifestyle. It's not a Sunday-only kind of religion. The kid where you go to church and pray and wear nice clothes and profess your testimony and then go home and take off your dress and along with it, your professions to do good, to live the gospel, to follow Christ, and to give that to others. It is so so so much more. It is sometimes a lot of work. Nobody in y church is paid to keep the church running. My friend is the Sunday school teacher. Another plays the organ or piano for each church meeting. Another works the nursery so that little kids can have a place to learn the gospel and eat snacks and be happy while their parents attend their classes. My bishop is a 30-something year old father of 4 young kids, with a full time job. After that he spends countless hours each week counseling, and running our congregation. My husband paid his own way to drop college and life for 2 years to learn a new language and share the gospel in a foreign country, and some of my nieces and nephews are now doing the same. And it's like that all the way up to the apostles and prophet of the church. It can be a lot of work.

But it is so worth it. To grow every day, to learn of God, to share that with others.

I am so thankful for those who gave it to me. It turned my life around and answered any question I had, erased any doubt. I don't ever worry about what happens after I die, or if my family will be together in heaven, or if friends or family I lose in mortality will live again.

Because I know.

I know that Jesus is the Christ, and that my Heavenly Father created me. And that he sent me to earth to endure trials and learn and live the way I should, and to help others. And I know that when I die, I will have a place to go, and I will have my husband and children and family with me. I know that families can be together forever.

I also know that my Heavenly father loves me, and hears me. That I can pray to him any time and get answers or comfort and love. He knows you too, I promise. And He is ready to listen to anything you want to tell Him-He knows what you are going through, and He loves you.
I know that He has placed the Church on the earth, with the priesthood and it's powers, I have seen that priesthood in action, I have felt it bless and change my life. I know that Thomas Monson is a prophet of God, and that God still speaks to us in these days- He didn't intend on limited revelation, and I am grateful for that, because life is so much different than it was when His Son was on the earth. I know that Christ atoned for my sins, and made it so that I could gain eternal life, be freed from sin, and renew covenants. And I am grateful for the temple, that I was able to be married there. It wasn't easy, being married without my family there, and I so wish they had been in that beautiful room with me. But I know that I had to, I have to be sealed to Damon, have to have my children sealed to me. I am also grateful that my wonderful family supports me in that and other decisions. They are my rock, and I am grateful for everything they have given me.

I hope you all know how grateful I am for YOU! And I hope you remember to give a prayer of thanks for the blessings in your life. Sometimes they are easy to forget about, in the day-on, day-out... But they are always there, if you stop and think about them.

I think I need a few days off from blogging. I have 2 more days with Damon out of school, and we have some partying to do!!

peace and blessin's, peace an blessin's!

thanksgiving day.

2011-11-24T12:25:00.001-07:00

I am so thankful for my family, our family... My parents who raised me and loved me and were and are always there for me. The ones I love coming home to visit and who drive all the way to Iowa to see us. My mom who taught me love and who gives herself to anybody and everybody who needs her. My dad who is so kind and the perfect example of a father that I looked for in my spouse. And for all the times he let me call him crying in the middle of the night after on particularly ridiculous and overly-drawn out breakup. My stepmom Pam who gave me a baby brother, always can answer my cooking questions, and always has a positive attitude. And my stepdad John (definitely the best I've had!) for loving my mom, being so nice and easy going, and accepting, and just being the nicest guy and best person I could have ever hoped for for my mom.

Also for my siblings. All 12 of them. My sister who fought with me all growing up and then became my best friend in Utah. I miss living nearby, so we could go spend money we didn't have and drink coke at crappy Chinese food places. Or travel around China with.

My little brother, who was the most exciting thing that happened to me in college. I remember the first time I held him in the kitchen in our house in Round Rock, and he makes me laugh all the time. Says the funniest things and can be the nicest 5 year old you'll ever know.

And my 10 Demars siblings- Shelley, Jenna, David, Heidi, Melinda, Sean, Todd, Heather, Sharee, and Tyler.... The funnest and loudest group of people ever! They love to work hard and play hard, and I'm trying to keep up! One day I'll love building cabins on holidays and playing volleyball during every family get together. Until that day, I'm grateful they still think I'm a-ok the way I am. And all of their spouses, some of whom get me just like my biological siblings. Dave, James, Sheryl, Rick, Brent, Heather, Gabe, Brad, and now Jill! What a crazy huge family. I'm not going to list the 45 or whatever nieces and nephews. But I love them too.

And my beautiful grandparents, who I love and those of whom I miss so much. I know where they are, and I know I will see them again. Andy my grandma Fayne and Oma, for still knowing how to party hard!

Obviously I can't list all my amazing aunts and uncles and cousins and their babies that I love so much! I love my Franke and Salinas family, I couldn't have asked for a better family to be born into.

l;.
99999 (this is a message from Ellis)

Also, I'm grateful for all of my friends, who are also my family, who I love so much and who have been there for me through it all. I can't wait till we get our summer beach house like we always talked about, with our kids and husbands and our babies eating popsicles and eventually falling in love and marrying each other.

I am so grateful for the amazing people Heavenly Father knew I'd need in this life. I'm grateful that you all give me and my family so much. I wish I could hug and smooch all of you today, but I'll be too full and fat, and hopefully you will too!

23

2011-11-23T21:53:00.000-07:00

Today I am thankful for Damon.

I searched high and low for my husband. I dated guys that were no good for me, for too long, and I knew it. I got my hear broken and always wondered if there was really going to be somebody for me, or if there was, if he'd be like all the others and I'd just have to settle if I wanted a family...

I don't think I got lucky, I think I just got reminded. That Heavenly Father knows me, knows my needs/wants, and knows my life. He knows me because I am His child, and because this life of mine is a tiny page of an endless book, one that He wrote.

I was reminded that He was in charge because he sent me somebody who I needed, and who I in return could fulfill.

Somebody who didn't want to change me, who knew that I (along with everything else) had a few downfalls. More than a few maybe. But he knew that and he wanted me and them and we make it work well.

Better than well sometimes, worse than well every once in a while, but we always get back to good.

He is the best man I could have ever dreamed of. He is patient and kind and loving to me always, which I never really comprehend. I don't know how he does it. But I know I love him, forever and every part of him.

And I appreciate that he lets me be me, even if it's not always ideal.

I love this guy.

twenty something.

2011-11-22T22:17:00.000-07:00

i obviously have an issue knowing what day it is.

today, i am thankful for ellis.
the little ginger that made me a mom, that teaches me everyday what love is. that helps me learn selflessnes in a whole new shocking way- there isn't room to be selfish when you have a baby, kid, teen, adult child. from waking up early, having a little octopus stuck to your legs all day, remembering to feed him and not yourself, never getting a minute to yourself unless he is sleeping, thinking about his welfare before your own. it is astonishing, really.

he is the sweetest, funniest little boy.

i don't know how i'll be able to give him away.

to nursery at church at 18 months
to kindergarten
do driving and dating at 17
to college
to a mission
to a wife.

i am so glad he will always be mine. i guess i will share him a little, here and there.

21

2011-11-21T20:32:00.000-07:00

for this.

Oh, now it's 20...

2011-11-20T20:28:00.000-07:00

Whew! Today I am thankful that Ellis slept till 8 O'CLOCK!!! That hasn't happened ever! Granted, he went down an hour later. But still... Maybe I should start keeping him up till closer to 9 so I can sleep a little later?
hmmm

Sorry no pics today, but I have a really cute video on my phone that I will load here tomorrow.

20 ... right?

2011-11-19T21:54:00.000-07:00

Today I am grateful for Stake Conference.

Stake conference is where the whole stake (which is like, a large area... our stake covers all of the Des Moines metro, and also most of the small surrounding towns, and includes about 10 wards, or congregations. Our stake probably totals close to 2000 people) gets together and we all have kind of a church meeting together, we hear from the stake presidency, usually the area mission's president, maybe the temple president, etc. Tonight was the adult session (which basically means adults plus all the babies under 18 months who are too young to go to nursery), and our main speaker was an area authority. He ended up mostly doing a question/answer type thing, which is always fun to do. People come up with great questions, some of the ones I remember, were:

How do we shield our families and make our home a safe place in such a changing world?
Who will receive the glory of God?
As a mother, how can I not feel overwhelmed and are there areas that I should most focus on when teaching my children so that I am not only giving half effort in many areas that may not be as important as others?

It was all great, but one quote I remembered without even writing down, and even wrestling Ellis out in the hall, was
"If this life is it, then life is unfair!"
I feel so lucky to know that this mortal existence is only a snapshot of my eternal person and life.

I wish I could share all the things I heard, but honestly, I was only able to take notes on my phone for a little bit before being distracted by Ellis.

I do remember the first few speakers talking about invitations. Inviting others to come unto Christ and the gospel, and also the invitation for me, from the Spirit, to receive Him into my life and to live the gospel as well I can.

He also talked about a good way to study scriptures, what he does... he keeps a journal with specific questions that he is looking for answers to. Anything from how to get through trials, to how to deal with specific problems, how to have the Spirit with you at all times, etc... Anyways, he keeps those questions in his journal and keeps adding to them, and searches the scriptures for those answers (I would guess using the bible dictionary, index, topical guide, etc) and writes what he finds under topic headings so that he can go back and look at them.

Sorry if this is not really something you are interested in, sometimes blogging is a way for me to journal or keep things I am trying to remember...

I'm grateful for the gospel and those who share with and teach me, helping me grow and progress.

18

2011-11-18T17:07:00.000-07:00

Today I am grateful for Michelle, our trusty photographer (she did our engagements/wedding, and my sister's as well), and for how talented she is. I love these photos so much, and can't wait till the next time we can have her take our family pictures...

17

2011-11-17T21:06:00.001-07:00

pictures like these.

Ellis never falls asleep in our arms, or sleeps on us, or even just lays on us for more than a couple seconds. It was great while it lasted, though!

16

2011-11-16T20:36:00.000-07:00

Today I am grateful for a camera that I love and the ability to take pictures whenever I want. I love being able to capture memories to look back on and to send to our family that are far far far away from little old Iowa...

Here are a few from today.

The morning started out so clean...

He loves his bottles...

Jeez mom, you think it's time to clean the mirror?

Bowtie pasta for the little gentleman.

Ellis' new thing: Crazy Face.

am i on 15?

2011-11-15T21:39:00.000-07:00

truth of being a stay at home mom to a baby: most of the time, you don't know what day it is. when your kid doesn't have sports or school or appointments or even playdates (more complex than 'every wednesday morning', that is), you don't have any reason to check the date.

so anyways.
after today, i am grateful for trader joes...

they have such great food... today we picked up:

1001-days smoked gouda. yum, it's going to go great with the pears i got.

peppermint joe-joes!!
and chocolate covered peppermint joe-joes!!!

joe-joes are trader joe's oreo kinda cookie. during the holidays, they put peppermint in the cream, and also make chocolate covered ones with little peppermint candy crushies on them. they are sooooo good!

if you don't have a tj's near you, i am very sorry.
they keep telling me they are building 4 stores in texas (each big city) but it's not showing on their website... hopefully soon though!

sorry, no pics...
except this awesome one!!!

14 or 15 or something

2011-11-15T09:33:00.000-07:00

i didn't post yesterday! i forgot, and then i remembered, but it was like10 or something, and i was all.... aaahhhhh, i forgot to blog! and then i went to bed.

it's hard blogging every day for a month!

i'm grateful for good music.
and some of the songs i could listen to over and over and over and over... but especially right now:

but especially right now:

13

2011-11-13T20:16:00.000-07:00

i think, i don't really know what day it is...

today i am grateful that we get to spend time together as a family on sunday. it's the day that damon has to study the least (usually only a couple hours) and usually the day that he lets me sleep in (heaven!). we have so much fun going to church together and coming home and watching a movie or making dinner. a nice, lazy day.

i think it's ellis' favorite day too.

also, for those of you who were worried so, about how i got sick a few times this week, don't worry, i figured it out! tonight i was getting everything together to make cornbread.... and when i got the milk out and looked at the expiration date, just curious, i saw a "08-26-11" stamped on it. we've been drinking 2 1/2 week old milk. and using it in our cooking. including drinking it with breakfast this morning and mixing it in macaroni tonight. i feel disgusted and sick just thinking about it. i will probably have another middle of the night bout of nausea/other unmentionable but predictable symptom that will wake me and send me to the bathroom. awesome.

11 and 12

2011-11-12T21:33:00.000-07:00

oops, we were up late (almost 10!) last night, and i forgot to post!

yesterday, i was definitely grateful for our wonderful friends here in des moines, we have met some wonderful people out here who make it easier to be away from family and familiar places.
last night we had over 3 other couples and their kids, had some pizza and ice cream, and just enjoyed a fun friday night.

today, we got up and drove to omaha to go to the temple. we were running a little late and had to drop off ellis with our bishop and his wife at a church a little bit away where they were doing childwatch for us... we raced back to the temple and rushed in, handed over our recommends and... damon's was expired by 1 week. i was so bummed. damon ended up sitting out in the car for the 2 hours while i did a session. it was wonderful still though, and fun to be there with some of our ward friends.... and now we know that damon for sure needs to get a new recommend before we head out for christmas and are near temples during the break.

so today, i am grateful for the temple, and the opportunity i have to go to such a beautiful place. i sure miss when we lived in provo/orem and the temple was just a couple miles away. but it's always worth the drive, no matter how far. i am grateful for the blessings the temple has brougt to my life, for greater understanding of the gospel, and most importantly, being sealed to damon for eternity, and having ellis and our future children sealed to us for the same. it's the greatest blessing i have.

i love this video. it is a simple explanation of mormon temples, even defended by those of other religions, including a very catholic dean of divinity at harvard. it is always so nice to hear those in other religions defending my church's practices, even touting them as the very essence of christianity. not seeing eye to eye does not always have to equal misunderstanding and attacks....

10

2011-11-10T20:35:00.000-07:00

Today I am grateful for new babies. There are so many right now! Everybody I know who was due this month has already delivered! What the- why didn't I get to go into labor a couple of weeks early? Or even on time?? And I think they all had super fast deliveries, especially for first babies. Lucky girls! I am so jealous they are loving on those little newborns!

I'm so grateful that I myself got to do that just some months ago (wait, over 8? seriously?), it was the coolest thing I've ever done.

ahh, memories...

I think I'll be like Michelle Duggar and do it 20 times.

I wish I could hold each one of them- little Henry and Carly and Owen... And, the Daybook baby? That counts too right? And Jeni, who is having her baby tomorrow, little Landon....

Can't wait to do it again... eh, eh?

Also, I am grateful that we have a central vac in this apartment. Not because we use it. (does anybody use those??? they seem like more of a hassle than a normal vacuum?) Because it entertains Ellis for at least 20 minutes straight. We have one central vac port that is right above one of those door stop spring things that makes the huge noise when you flick it? Yeah, that one is like heaven to him. Here he is playing with the dining room one while we ate dinner:

9

2011-11-09T20:18:00.001-07:00

I am grateful that I get to be home with this little dude all day. Some days, the minutes seem to drag on and on, and he whines and doesn't entertain himself, etc. Other days, he's perfectly pleasant. Usually, it's a pretty even mix.

Either way, I know I wouldn't be able to hand him over to strangers, or anyone else, for that matter, to care for him, and go off to work anywhere without thinking of him all day. I know it works well for some people, but it wouldn't for me. I'm so glad I can be home taking care of him, he's so fun to be with! He is getting such a funny little personality. He knows how to dance (shake his head when he hears music), and I'm trying to teach him how to high-five (uh, he's getting there) and he likes to shriek and make pretty funny noises and slap me while I carry him, which he thinks is hilarious. And he has started being able to push himself up from laying down into a sitting position (this is quite a feat since he doesn't actually crawl yet- not on his hands and knees, he just pulls himself everywhere with his arms), loves to play the guitar, August Rush-style, and loves eating all kinds of food.

I love being able to see him grow and learn and discover new things. He is just little treat.

8

2011-11-09T07:09:00.000-07:00

a few hours late.
i was sick yesterday, maybe a little food poisoning? i don't know but i haaattte being sick! i only get sick once or twice a year, because i'm lucky and because Heavenly Father knows i can't handle it. he gives that burden to stronger people.

anyways, yesterday, i was grateful that damon came home from school early to watch ellis all evening and take care of me and buy a ton of gatorade and club crackers. mmmm, club crackers. those things are so good. normal people lose weight when they are sick like i was yesterday, but not me, cause i eat about a whole box of club crackers every time.

i just did the math using the side of the box, and a whole box of club crackers has 2240 calories. awesome. and 288 carbs.

anyways. that was yesterday, and the reason i missed posting.

also, this is our living room right now at this very moment:

piles of cheerios, toys everywhere, a cup, papers, and an ipod cord (ellis loves cords, of course), and the guitar he likes playing these days. one day i'll turn into a good housewife and be cleaner. i don't think it's going to be today though.

My turn !!

2011-11-07T08:13:00.005-07:00

I think it's obvious what I am grateful for, but I will say it for the whole world to know again. I'm grateful for Tara saying YES!!!!!!

Two years ago today Tara succumbed to my flattery and charm and said yes to marrying me. I'm not sure how I did it in hind sight, but I locked her down and she's mine for good. I can't imagine what life would be like without her. She drives me to be a better person, study harder, be kinder, and much more. I can't remember how life was ever happy before I met her becaubse every day with her is on an entirely different level of awesome than before I met her. She is the bee's knees, the cat's pajamas, and she is all of those other phrases of compliments that I don't understand the meaning as well. I love you Tara and i always will. I couldn't ask for a better mother to my child (and future children), or a better eternal companion. I look forward to eternity because I know I'll be next to you.

Damon

6

2011-11-06T20:59:00.000-07:00

Today at our house, we are thankful for a good dinner.
Creamy Pesto Pasta with Salmon.

Yum.
Plus, it only takes about 10 minutes.
I combined Pioneer Woman's
Pasta with Cream Sauce
with this recipe:
Salmon Pesto Pasta

it was so good, Ellis loved it too! We buy our salmon in the big bag at Costco, it's so easy and each fillet is packaged individually.

I'm also grateful for the wonderful friends we have made here in Des Moines. I just love getting together with them, especially on a Sunday night.

I'm grateful for this awesome video I watched this morning. The Church is really stepping up it's video productions, this one is awesome. Plus this guy's voice is smooth like buddah.

5

2011-11-05T21:09:00.001-06:00

Today I am grateful for how much Ellis loves taking baths. He starts getting kinda whiney sometimes in the evening, around 7, so we just plop him in the sink and bam! Happy again. He likes splashing water all over the floor, reaching for the dirty dishes in the other side of the sink, and banging a plastic shovel on the microwave.
Sorry these are so blurry, I took them tonight with my phone. I need to get out of that habit.

4

2011-11-04T20:16:00.000-06:00

Today I am thankful that our friend from the ward (one of Damon's scouts) came over to watch Ellis so Damon and I could go on a date. It was fun to get out and know that Ellis wasn't missing us at all!

Second, I am so so sosososososososooooo grateful for this video. If you never watch another video on my blog, watch this one. Not for those who have recently given birth or have other incontinence issues. Also for those who are in a quiet work cubicle. Or chronic snorters.

#3

2011-11-03T21:30:00.000-06:00

Today I am grateful that Ellis took 2 good naps.

And that Damon got home early.

And that I saw Michelle at Costco and got some girl talk in the middle of a busy isle right by a candy sample with our 2 huge carts. Everyone else can just go around!

And I'm grateful that my cousin Jenny had her baby boy, Owen, today. I don't know what candy all these girls were eating that they all went into labor weeks early, but I need to know so that I can store it up for next time. I can't wait to see more pictures of him, and hopefully see him at Christmas time!

random picture from hard drive, i think he is about 3 months old in this one...

#2

2011-11-02T23:15:00.000-06:00

holy cow, i did not realize it was already midnight.

today i was thankful for Sandy letting me come over and helping me finish my apron. you guys, it's the cutest thing ever. but i am not sure if i can post a picture cause i might give it away (sadface)

i am also thankful that ellis will eat anything i put in front of him. and sometimes i try to get him to like some of my old child time favorites, kinda. yesterday he had is first mac-n-cheese. but it was the real stuff- made with gouda and cheddar, but with gluten free pasta (why not?). he loved it. also, today i bought some organic spaghettio type soup. awesome? yes.

also, i am grateful that i got to go to the grocery store alone tonight. that is my most relaxing favorite thing ever. it also allowed me to have some chocky chocky milk milk. we were so out of sauce for like, daaaaays! mmm.

and, i'm grateful that michelle took this picture of ellis at the dmu party. and that she brought her real camera, not her phone camera like slacker moms (me)

Thankful November

2011-11-02T07:26:00.000-06:00

I have seen a few other peeps doing a whole month of thank you posts, and I thought it would be fun to try it. Though I am notorious for not finishing things, so we'll see how it goes- I already missed the first day! How rude.

But yesterday was wonderful, so it's not hard to think of what I was grateful for yesterday!

Yesterday, I was grateful that my Best Friend Ever had a beautiful baby boy (in only 5 hours! jealous!). Kami named him Henry, and he is just gorgeous, I am dying to be in Utah right now. I can't wait till I can see him and squeeze him.

I was also grateful that Ellis was so good during our shopping trips, especially the 2 to two different targets to check out their clearance Halloween stuff, and gratefull for the cute little Monster Potato Head guy that I got for only $4.

I am definitely so grateful to Sand Ledbetter for helping me make an apron at our enrichment activity last night! It was so fun yet time consuming, and she was so patient in showing me how to use her machine and also offering to have me over to show me how to use my own (and finish my apron) on Friday.

There was my November 1, I hope you all had a great day too

In Honor of Kristi

2011-11-01T14:00:00.000-06:00

in honor of her being 24 years and 1 week old, i present, a slew of photographic wonder.

my favorite picture of her ever.

followed closely by:

she sat on cheetos in her car the whole drive to the temple...

woop woop!

she loves fajitas...

and she's a part time model.

this was the time i flew into china and she immediately wanted to go to a tex mex restaurant in beijing.

in the tallest building in shanghai...

the worst city ever, where everything went wrong.

the time we decided the italian restaurant at the top of the Ritz Carlton in Shanghai was just fancy enough for us in our sweaters.

a little DI treasure hunting...

she loved that map (and now, thanks to pintrest, i wish i'd kept that)

cheesy sister photos.

HAPPY (1 week late) BIRTHDAY TO THE BEST SISTER I COULD HAVE ASKED FOR! I can't wait till the next time we can go explore a foreign country together.

Halloween and a little goodie

2011-10-31T13:16:00.000-06:00

We dressed up as Baby Einstein and his nerds for Halloween (the DMU Halloween party and our ward's Trunk or Treat) and I think we all pull the look off nicely.

and something better than what you are probably seeing on the news today:

Ellis, 8 months

2011-10-27T08:21:00.000-06:00

We took these after I did some family pictures for some ward friends, We only got a couple, cause it was kinda cold and we were in a hurry to go get some chinese food!
But he's pretty photogenic.

Also, I'm not really one for cheesy songs, but this one is pretty sweet and so is the video. I love the message too.

"The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude."
--Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Come What May, and Love It", Ensign, Nov 2008, 26–28

Forever Lazy.

2011-10-24T20:50:00.003-06:00

I WANT

I want one. and a lazy day to go with it, please.

pics from a cell

2011-10-24T11:06:00.001-06:00

here are some pictures from the last week taken from my phone!

about 20 minutes after the crybaby video from last post, go figure.

med students listening to heart sounds on the dummy simulator. about as nerdy as it sounds.

damon, who doesn't drink soda, came home with this last thursday night. i don't even drink 52 ozers! he had a test the next day and studied all but 2 hours that night.

and then later friday we went on a date! ellis and damon loooove their fro-yo!

at church yesterday, working on our carni skills while staying hydrated!

in other news this past week, our oven broke, ellis is closer to actual crawling (right now he gets around by doing a sort of butterfly stroke across the floor), damon keeps rockin' the school stuff, and i am making big plans for thanksgiving/christmas season... and missing utah.

they don't tell you

2011-10-19T21:33:00.000-06:00

they tell you how tired/pukey/swollen/fat you'll get when you are pregnant.
they tell you how horrid the pain during birth is.
they tell you how you'll never sleep again, never have me time, never do your hair, never wear clean clothes.
they tell you how much you'll love the little crying thing.
they tell you that you'll take a billion pictures and think he's the greatest thing since the crock pot.
they tell you you'll never be the same.

they don't tell you you'll never be the same.
you'll never have another worry-free day.
you'll have the worst anxiety of your life- bank robberies, rear endings, leaving your baby in the car, kidnapping, peanuts! those nasty peanuts! don't even mention honey! the quickest exit of the grocery store in case a suicide gunman enters- can i hide with my baby in a trash can? what will i do to keep him quiet? what if we get stuck in a snowstorm in our car for 11 days? what will i diaper him with?
you'll never be able to cook a decent dinner in peace again.
you'll never walk through target quietly and blissfully again. if, on the off chance, your baby isn't with you, you will be paying bills on your phone, looking for something for said baby, hurrying through to get back home to him, texting whoever has him to send you a picture of him...
you will beg for your baby to crawl, get into stuff, anything, just to stay occupied. unplugged cords? fine playthings. you said you'd never do that. you said the same thing about mickey mouse clubhouse.
you'll get more ridiculous unsolicited advice/glances/scowls than you could have imagined.
you'll forget the last time you took a shower. or you won't care.
this isn't even to mention all the weird things that will happen to your body. don't even get me started on that.

they don't tell you how hard it is. how hard it is to wonder if he's so whiney because it's something you are doing? not giving him enough attention? spoiling him? comforting him too quickly? not quick enough? is he hungry or overfed? tired? sleep too much?

why
won't
he
just
be
satisfied
playing on the kitchen floor with the 15 cooking utensils and 10 pieces of tupperware i scattered for him to play with. not to mention the mound of cheerios. (there is another mound of puffs on the living room floor. those damn puffs, they are so mildly tasty to budding taste buds)

i was supposed to bring soup for the 'feed the students' junk at damon's school tonight. last time, they ran out of food. this time they IMPLORED us all to make tons of food.

i made about 4 quarts of chicken and rice soup (pioneer woman).

it took me the whole day, because Ellis screamed from the kitchen floor. fine when i pick him up. i set him back down with new toys. scream. pick up. happy. set down. scream. repeat repeat rinse and repeat.

finally i just let him cry. in the meantime i eat 5 cookies. drink chocolate milk. decide i am going to sonic. eat chocolate covered power berries (whatever those are, trader joes).

they just don't tell you how frustrating some days will be.

he's asleep in his crib and he looks so cute, it's like labor- you instantly forget the screaming and the pain and annoyance and hard work and huffing and puffing. you want to do it instantly again.

i consider pulling him out of his crib to hold him, his cute little breath blowing on me.

only about 4 people even ate my stupid soup. i have all of it in my fridge.

those stupid feed the student dinners. i'll never cook for one again.

they don't tell you you'll have 'one of those days' more often than you anticipate. and that you'll go to bed ready and willing to do it all over, excited to see his face in the morning, sure of yourself that tomorrow is going to be such a great day.

ah, the juxtaposition that they just never tell you.

A little Utah wedding

2011-10-18T20:11:00.005-06:00

This last week, we flew to Utah (into Provo! AWESOME!!!) for Tyler (Damon's little bro) and Jill's wedding. It was so nice to go back to Provo, eat at all our old haunts, hang out with Kristi and see Jenn and Kami, and spend some good time with the Demars clan (they just keep growing!). I even got to meet my sister-in-law, Sara, whom I hadn't met yet (at our wedding, only Damon's siblings and one of their spouses were able to come), and her youngest baby, Hayes.

It was the first time that the Demars' were all in the temple together- parents, children, and their children's spouses. (and even one of our 45 nieces and nephews- she is leaving on a mission next month!) It was so wonderful to be together in the temple, to witness such a beautiful sealing, and to take a bajillion pictures.

Ellis, all dressed up in his cardi, ready for a matrimonial party!

Sean and Damon switch kids, waiting for Tyler and Jill to come out of the temple

Damon gets SOMEBODY to sleep...

This one, on the other hand, takes no naps the ENTIRE day...

Luckily he stayed pretty much this happy, till about 7:45 at night.

The new husband and wife!

Isn't her dress so pretty?

Aren't those flowers so pretty? They think so too...

Ellis and his grampy Ted. They actually look a ton alike.

Levi, handin' out his business cards... And Janelle in her sassy pencil skirt

Oh boy...

The Demars family, including 6 of the grandchildren (Eden, Hilary, Taylor, Finley, Hayes, Ellis).

Damon and his siblings and parents

Linda, Ellis, Joe

This is Ellis slobbering all over Joe's face.

Jenna and James

Brand and Sharee and Finnley. Finley. I can never remember how many n's

Heidi and Rick

me and mine

The much anticipated Demars family wedding songs...

Ellis was basically the star of the show... as usual.

The Demars Family, before the reception (I stole this from my SIL Heather, thanks Heather!), I'm pretty sure the email said we could wear navy or cream... But I either was the only one who felt like cream, or I misread the email...

Trying on hats at BYU, I think I'll get him this for Christmas. maybe his head will be a little bigger.

Kristi's child, Rooster. Ellis loved this cat. I think I've never seen a more smashed face.

Just pictures

2011-10-10T20:50:00.001-06:00

A few from a couple of weeks ago (some of them from when we were in Texas back in August)

I need to upload and go through our pictures from this weekend and the last week or so, I will try to do that tomorrow, but I wanted to post a few. This little dude is getting so big and funny... He's close to crawling, and he's very vocal! He is so sweet, we sure are having fun with him!

He turned 6 months old in Texas, so we had a little hotel room photo shoot in Fredricksburg right before Opa's funeral...

6.5 months, learning to sit up... as you can see, it wasn't going well...

A little better at it now!

Just hanging out with dad, playing the guitar, enthusiastically.

Happy Happy Birthday Kami Dear!

2011-10-02T20:32:00.000-06:00

On October 2nd, a small handful of years ago, the greatest girl I know was born.

She is my best friend, and I miss her painfully. She is having a baby boy next month and I so wish I could be there to love on her and that baby. She's been with me through thick and thin, seen mean and bad sides of me, and is the kindest most loving friend ever. She is so understanding, and I am so grateful that I found her!

Some pics of us and her through the years... an overload of pictures

(Don't worry Kami, I'm leaving out the ones from our bathtub drinking/cosmo/bubble bath nights. and the hot tubs...)

the first weeks of our friendship... stealing toilet paper from DT for our apartment. yeah. you heard me.

She's always willing to try new things, even if she doesn't really want to. And even if your face gets stained.

She is supportive of missionary work.

She is a party animal! (remember when we had the same pj pants?)

She came to see me in Texas! and loves playground equipment.

She is VERY flexible. She should have been a ballerina.

She is my shining light.

She loves twister... Especially the moveable kind.

And shiny lipgloss...

She took me all over Seattle...

She loves fancy restaurant bathrooms that have mouthwash...

And wheatgrass shots!

This was when we were reunited after the first time she left me (to go do an internship at Disney for a semester)

She loves visiting Austin

She is willing to help wherever needed!

She loves cows. And names everything Howie.

I cried the day she got married.

No really, it was traumatic for me.

I just really didn't want to let go.

But she accidentally tossed me the bouquet so I wouldn't be lonely long

She is very artistic.

She loves to climb things, even mountains...

And she believes that cleanliness is next to Godliness.

She's got a little gangsta in her...

She's the greatest friend ever!

She is spontaneous and fun, especially in supermarkets!

She is the best person to get 64 oz cokes with and watch movies with flavor popcorn. Every night of sophomore year. on our 13-inch tv.

She likes to try new things.

She is glamorous.

She likes to take spontaneous roadtrips to boring places like Wendover.

She is always really really excited!

She is just so pretty.

There is a picture overload of a lifetime. Kami, I hope your birthday is so wonderful, I can't wait to take you out to celebrate next week! Thanks for being born and finding me, you are more of a friend than I deserve!

A Conference Call

2011-10-02T13:52:00.001-06:00

This conference I have been watching eager for guidance...

This is not easy to do with a 7 month old who loves to hear himself scream.

(Ellis 'watching' conference yesterday and today)

I just wonder if I am progressing well enough, I know I am not doing as much as I should to be growing spiritually, and I need guidance on how to get back into that. It's funny the things that fall to the wayside when you start getting busy with a child, usually the things that you need most to guide you in raising and loving that little being.

I've made some goals to help me move back into the direction that I've wandered from just a tad... I need to read the Book of Mormon again. It's been too long since I've read it cover to cover, and too long since I last started it in hopes of finishing.

"Scriptures are like packets of light, that illuminate our minds, and give place to guidance and inspiration from upon high. They can become the key to open the channel of communion with Father in heaven and His son Jesus Christ. The scriptures provide the strength of authority to our declarations when they are cited correctly. they can become stalwart friends that are not limited by geography or calendar. They are always available when needed. Their use provides a foundation of truth that can be awakened by the Holy Ghost. Learnign and pondering, searching and memorizing scriptures is like filling a filing cabinet with friends, values and truth that can be called upon at any time and anywhere in the world. ... To memorize a scripture is to forge a new friendship... like discovering a new individual who can help in time of need give inspiration and comfort and be a source of motivation for needed change."
-Elder Richard G Scott (saturday morning session)

It's time for me to make time for the most important things. And for me right now that includes setting aside time for daily scripture study. I am hoping to finish the Book of Mormon in the month of October... If I can spend time during my day wandering around the internet, I can devote more of that time to reading this most important book. If you would care to join me, let me know! I will try to be posting about my reading every few days at the bottom of regular posts, or in posts on their own, letting you know blessings that are entering my life specifically from this undertaking. I know they will come, because they are promised.

“Without reservation I promise you that if each of you will observe this simple program, regardless of how many times you previously may have read the Book of Mormon, there will come into your lives and into your homes an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments, and a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God”
-President Gordon B Hinckley

I could use those blessings in my life...

If you would like to read the Book of Mormon and want a copy to keep, I would love to send you one, no strings attached! Email me at tarasalinas@gmail.com if so!

"Its appeal is as timeless as truth, as universal as mankind. It is the only book that contains within its covers a promise that by divine power the reader may know with certainty of its truth." -President Gordon B Hinckley

Want to see on of my favorite parts of Conference so far this weekend? You can skip to 2:40 in this.

the Provo Tabernacle (I used to live with Jenn about a block and a half away from the tabernacle)

last spring

a painting found in the tabernacle

new temple artist rendering:

Conference Weekend!!!

2011-09-30T12:24:00.001-06:00

Oh, I love October General Conference. It comes at the perfect time- fall, it's nice and crisp outside (ok, it's 67, but that's a little bit cool), the smell of firewood is so close, we can just stay in and eat and eat and prepare for winter and prepare to make ourselves better people.

This conference I have BIG plans. Listening to all 4 sessions. Taking Ellis out during Priesthood session Saturday night for a little date while Damon is learning all the good stuff. Baking biscuits and the blackberry jam we buy from the Amish folks that is to DIIIIIIEEE for... And Paula Deen's cinnamon rolls the next morning... And PW's springy shells for dinner, nothing is better in the fall than a good casserole with in-season veggies. yummmm...

But of course, the best part of the weekend, is being spiritually nourished. Awaiting talks and counsel and inspiration from the best men and women for the job. Listening to talks from my favorite speakers (Holland, and Uchtdorf), though of course they are all perfect. And you? You should listen/watch too! You don't have to be a Mormon for this stuff to apply to you? Do you have a family? Kids? Are you single? Are you worried, scared, nervous, sad, unsure, questioning??? Do you wonder how to get through the day, through the trials you have, through these changing times? Do you want to make things better in your job, your marriage, your friendships, your family relations, your health? Do you just want to hear beautiful stories and wonderful suggestions? Then this is for you? You can watch on TV (Tivo it and watch later, and over and over!), on the internet live streaming, listen to it, read it later, whatever you want! You will be amazed at how it seems they are speaking directly to you and to your situation and to your heart/needs/desires!

Me? I have a big ol' lists of questions to listen for answers... How do I be a better wife? How can I be more patient and loving to those around me? How to I be a more creative and inspirational mother? How can I better motivate myself to read scriptures daily and feel the spirit during that study time? How can I better recognize spiritual promptings? And so much more...

If you would like some guidance on preparing for conference and the blessings it can bring, take a look at this message from President Uchtdorf.

And then, tune in! Sessions will be held at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. (11 and 3, for those in the central time zone), both Saturday and Sunday. You can also watch the sessions at a meetinghouse near you! Check out http://mormon.org/worship/ to find one.
Online: Conference.lds.org
TV: if you have cable it will be broadcast on the BYUTV channel...

Gilty

2011-09-26T21:02:00.000-06:00

Just a few amazing things on Gilt Groupe today.... that I'm lusting over... Anybody have like, an inheritance sitting around that they want to donate to a good cause?

Emu Australia Elrancho boot $99 (reg $179)

Azaara Large Teardrop Earrings $98 ($255)

Azaara Rose Quartz Teardrop Ring $248 ($775)

Antonio Maurizi Leather Cap Toe Oxfords... for Damon, cause I'm thoughtful. $229 ($678)

Safavieh Dolan Sideboard $299 ($716)

Safavieh Charles George Armchair $449 ($895)

Safavieh Ken Armchair $249 ($630)

Dolce & Gabbana Boy's Leather Jacket $377 ($685)

Garden Gnome Halloween Outfit $20 ($35)

Fergusen Copeland Dawson Side Chair $650 ($2847)

Such good deals right???????? One day...

(ps, if you want a gilt invite, let me know... they really do have great deals on normal stuff (especially clothing and kids clothing) all the time- I got a $190 pair of Paige Premium Denim maternity jeans for $56 last year...

Moments

2011-09-25T14:56:00.000-06:00

from our last 7 days...
it's been a busy week!

Damon had tests, I had a couple of job interviews, Ellis and I did lots of grocery shopping, I helped put together a dinner for 300 women at church (it went down last night and turned out awesome) with a few other girls from church, and Ellis grew a tooth!

We've been using a lot of stain remover...

Being too tired to stay awake during church...

Or too distracted to pay attention

enjoying baby spaghetti (piccolini pasta and organic tomato sauce)

hanging out in the kitchen

Really though, it was a little too busy this week for my tastes... I mean, we didn't even get to go to the farmer's market!

Last sunday after church we had the missionaries over for dinner

Monday Ellis and I ran errands most of the day and Damon had choir so he came home a little later

Tuesday, more errands, I went and applied at a couple of retail stores, Damon played volleyball at night

Wednesday, we went shopping at a few stores for the huge dinner last night, and then had mutual in the evening

Thursday I remember going to about 3 stores, poor Ellis was in the car seat a lot.

Friday was more planning and shopping, I had an interview in the evening and Damon had an MRI

Saturday ALL DAY was picking up food, cutting up lettuce, organizing, setting out, feeding, eating, all day love dinner affair.

And lots of other things that I can't even remember, but I do know that just now, Damon and I were doing the dishes trying to remember the last time we ate dinner here, together...

Today, church is over, Ellis is napping, Damon is studying..

I think next week I'll try to keep things a little quieter... A little more time with Ellis, working that tooth up and out all the way, staring out on the back patio, trying new foods... And hopefully more time with Damon, maybe even a date night this Friday? Maybe...

Don't forget to slow down a little, and remember the moments that matter!

We're back!!!

2011-09-20T13:31:00.001-06:00

Oh my gosh, dudes, internet is SOOOO fast when you pay for it from a good company! We got quest and after waiting almost 2 WEEKS to be able to instal (they were backed up), here we are with some blazin' fast nets!!! It's amazing. Totally worth $30 a month.

Anyway, so here I am, back to all 4 of you readers! Mom- what's up??? Dad- How's it going homes? Jenn- I get to see you in 3 weeks! Michelle- I get to see you tomorrow morning!

So, Ellis is being like the most awesome/exhausting baby ever lately. He's so funny and laughs at the weirdest stuff (Black Eyed Peas songs) and also whine's like a coyote whenever I walk away from him (to cook, to clean something, to go to the bathroom...) so it's like, the polar oposites all in one little dude.

He is almost 7 months old- how the heck does that even make sense??? We took him for his 6 month appointment a couple weeks ago and I'd say, he is the best baby ever. At 6 months he

weighed 16 pounds. I know, right?
was something like 26 inches long.
(90% for height, 19% for weight, wonder where he got that from...)

and that's about it... haha, he didn't sit up, crawl, anything... We are proud to say he now sits up now, for a minute or two before he topples over. I'm totally fine with him not being mobile though, cause that is the day I will have to move cords, unpack, clean even more than I do now (srsly, I vacuum at least once a day), and chase him around.

And he loves eating. Along with nursing, he eats squash and green beans and bananas, sweet potatoes and toast with apple butter, pasta with tomato sauce, chicken noodle soup, and today, her for real ate like more than a half a can of Wolfgang Puck Organic Garden Vegetable soup. We are doing baby-led weaning (which actually isn't weaning at all, more like baby-led solids) which means that instead of pureed baby food, I mostly give him pieces of food so he learns to chew instead of just swallow, and also so he controls the amount he eats, not me. It is a messy endeavor but he is learning quickly and loves feeding himself. I mix fruit baby foods with oatmeal for him for breakfast, but generally don't give him any other jar baby food. Which is fine by me cause they are kinda a pain, I don't know how their veggies and fruits are grown (I stick to organic food for Ellis and am trying to switch Damon and I slowly too). It works well for us, and I feel good about cooking Ellis' food myself or giving him more healthy prepared foods.

As far as Damon and I, well, Damon is busy, and I'm not so much. Every day I wake up and start brainstorming ideas of what I can do to get out of the house. Usually it's Target. (did ANYBODY get any good Missoni stuff???) To look for this comforter:

No luck. The only Missoni stuff they still had were a few little girls' capes and a couple pairs of tights that I didn't like. Bummer.

Other than that exciting stuff, not too much is going on. But friends, it's so good to be back!

Here's a little video for you!

weeks and weeks

2011-09-13T12:35:00.000-06:00

It's been that long since I've really been a good little blogger... It's also how long we've been without internet... Also, our phones barely get reception in our new apartment (I'm usually on roaming in here) so even using our phones to tether is not working well. Aaaaannnd, I bought internet from the Quest people, but apparently they are so overloaded that our install date isn't till the 20th!!! Even though we are installing it ourselves!! It is beyond ridiculous. But just you wait... I got plenty of stuff coming!

Summer is fading away here. Yesterday it got up to 90, but tomorrow, the high is only 58... My kind of weather!!! Fall is the most glorious beautiful spiritual season of all, and I can't wait for it! The apple orchards are opening and the farmer's markets have so much good stuff. I'm determined to find the best apple cider for my honey-pie and the best pumpkin for Ellis to paint for Halloween...

So I promise I'll be back, in just days, DAYS people!!

Until then, here's a little gem for you!

7 days.

2011-08-31T17:44:00.000-06:00

In 7 days, you can fly 2 flights, see your parents, talk to your grandfather for the last time, see family you haven't seen since Christmas, see somebody slip from this life to the next, run errands and help arrange, travel to other towns, visit a cemetery you haven't been to in years, attend a viewing, rosary, funeral, graveside service, luncheon, and fly 2 flights and be back home.

How can such big things happen in 7 little days?

I'm glad Ellis and I got to go home, it was a good week, in spite of the sadness. The thing that brings strength to me in times like this, is the gospel. I couldn't survive life's trials without it.

I have a wonderful, strong family, that sticks together and triumphs during trial. I couldn't ask for a better family and I know that they are going to be able to keep going and know in their hearts that our Opa is happy, and that he had a wonderful life.

Some days, things are just hard. But because of the Savior, they will get better.

Distance makes the Heart grow fonder

2011-08-23T09:06:00.005-06:00

Due to recent mishaps I am left alone at home again. Tara is down in the motherland of Texas visiting her grandpa who is not feeling the greatest these days. I have the wonderful opportunity of packing up the entire house and moving it to our non-mice infested condo. I will be able to all the noise in the world to my hearts content because I won't need to worry about waking up Ellis. It only takes five minutes of separation from Tara to miss her, and just a glimpse is enough to remind me how lucky I am. I love you Tara and I hope you and Ellis have fun for his 6 month birthday tomorrow.

Just a productive morning naptime

2011-08-17T10:46:00.001-06:00

a practice cake... just for play.

a spice cake cut in half, layered with organic apple butter

Marshmallow fondant (recipe on allrecipes.com) warming up- it had been in the fridge overnight

and a hobby lobby flower...

(i tried to paint it with some shimmering bronze cake powder i'd gotten, but i did it wet instead of dry thinking it would be easier- i think dry would have been better though. it also has a thin layer of a quick buttercream frosting- also on allrecipes.com, to help the fondant stick to the cake)

2011-08-16T17:33:00.002-06:00

Derek and Stephany, sitting in a tree...

2011-08-15T21:01:00.001-06:00

I got to go to gorgeous San Francisco this weekend for Derek's wedding... I'm sad I didn't get to be there longer, to get to know his sweet bride, Stephany better, but I left Ellis and Damon back in Iowa, and it was hard to be away from them!!

I had a great time, and loved getting to see so many old friends from home that I've missed so much. The temple sealing was beautiful, and we ate some great food, had some fun dancing at the awesome reception, and just had a grand ol' time!

I didn't take a camera (I'm the most slacker photographer ever) so these are all from my phone, and therefore, not wonderful...

The little lovebirds

First Dance

It was the most perfect weather, and the Oakland temple is amazing!

Probably the best backyard I've ever seen...

The crazy dance party... this was the least amount of people on it the whole night- a party full of dancin' fools!

the dancing...

I'm so happy for and proud of Derek for finding such a lovely girl- I can't wait till I can hang out with them somewhere in Utah or Texas or California so I can get to know Stephany more.

(I have some video, but the internet is so slow, I'll try to keep working on it...)

((oh, and dad, i'll post some awesome pictures of ellis tomorrow morning when he naps, don't worry!))

2011-08-10T21:26:00.000-06:00

if you didn't watch that video, i'm super disappointed in you. like a lot. it's only 3 minutes and twenty something seconds.

fall wishlist...

2011-08-10T13:51:00.002-06:00

oh, how i love shopping online (you know, without actually buying stuff...), I have such a huge list in this little noggin... it's fun to dream. Ellis is at the bottom of the post, but I know you really want to see all the clothes I'm in love with.

@Zara... why isn't there one anywhere near me??? at least let me shop online!!

yup. bell bottoms. @Zara

@Zara

Lace @Zara

@Zara

dreamy... @JCrew

@JCrew... it's time. time to own a pencil skirt.

both @JCrew

aaaahhh, the new pair of hudson baby boots I'm gonna buy when (when!?!?!?!) I finally get back to my wedding weight. yeah, super pricey, but if I could pay $170 to instantly lose another 20 pounds, I'd for sure do that. Actually I'd pay twice that. So maybe I should get 2 new pairs of jeans. Right Damon?

oh, you came here to see Ellis?

His Iowa pride shirt!

big ol' bottle of prune juice. he's having a rough couple of days...

Sorry it's on its side...

2011-08-03T17:44:00.002-06:00

I just can't ever remember which way to hold my phone to get the video right-side-up!
Untitled from tara demars on Vimeo.

Indianola's Balloon Classic

2011-08-03T12:00:00.000-06:00

We went to this last year, but just in the morning, we heard about it and drove over and watched the pilots trying to throw bean bags onto ground targets... This year we planned on going in the evening, to see the night glow and watch the balloons try to tip over an outhouse. It was so fun, and beautiful out there! it was in the rolling fields and was a perfect evening. The balloons all flew in and landed and then would blast their fire every little bit at dusk, and a band was playing... it was perfect! Damon took pictures with his camera (I did too, but only with a 50 ml lens and not too many since Ellis wasn't interested in the photography aspect of the whole thing), so maybe I'll post some of those later, but here are the pictures from my phone...

Bean Blankies

2011-07-29T21:48:00.001-06:00

2fer

2011-07-26T16:34:00.002-06:00

2 posts in 1 day!!! This one is too cute to keep to ourselves... Ellis' new favorite thing is screaming...

Untitled from tara demars on Vimeo.

$1000

2011-07-26T11:54:00.000-06:00

Things I would literally pay $1000 for right this second. Like, I'll drive right to the bank and pull out 10 hundos.

For Ellis to go back to taking real naps. no more of these 20-45 minute sissy naps.

For a desire (at all? any???) to work out and stop eating the cookie dough in the fridge.

For my towels and clothes and baby's clothes to not smell like smoke from the guy downstairs.

For the internet to just wooooorrrrkk when Damon and I are trying to watch a netflix movie.

Well, that's about it. it can't all really be too bad with this life I have...

There is always, hope.
"To all who suffer, to all who feel discouraged, worried or lonely, I say with love, and deep concern for you: Never give in! Never surrender! Never allow despair to overcome your spirit." -Dieter F. Uchtdorf

2011-07-26T08:33:00.003-06:00

This is my two bits to the blog.

I don't think there is need to say more.

-Damon-

We made it!

2011-07-20T20:40:00.002-06:00

Well, Ellis and I survived Damon's first day back at school! (Damon did fine too)... I was sad that Damon was leaving, especially since Ellis had grown so accustomed to having him around- waking up and starting at him/grabbing his face, being bounced around by him all day, his funny faces.... I was scared Ellis would feel a big "waaah wuuuuuhhhh" inside when he woke up and it was just me on one side and a pillow on his other. (When Ellis wakes up to nurse, usually between 6 and 7, I usually just bring him into our bed since our room is darker, and he sleeps another 4 hours or so in bed with us)

10 a.m... snug as a bug in a bed.

Well, I'm glad to say I must not have dissapointed him too much. I made sure to be next to him when he woke up and he was all smiles as usual. We stayed busy going to playgroup, and the dollar store, before we retreated back to our cool dark apartment to escape the 110+ degree heat index outside. He napped well. We rolled around on the floor. He played with all his jungle friends on his jumperoo...

And when the blessed moment came that Damon walked through the door, he was happy as a little clam.

So was I.

(sorry i haven't been updating much... we don't have internet at this apartment, but i finally got an app to use my phone as a tether, so woohoo, it's slow but it works... so i definitely will try to be better at blogging more! also, blogger is having a rough time with pictures, sorry this one only had 1)

Spokompton

2011-07-13T21:04:00.000-06:00

Here are lots of pictures from our trip to Washington to visit Damon's family. We had a great time, going from the house to the cabin to Deer Lake, the shooting range to Tri-cities and back and all over again...

So here you gooooooo, lots of pictures! and all out of order!! some of them even sideways!!!

like this one: Damon playing the piano with Ellis!

Ellis' first swim (the water was a perfect 80 degrees... about as warm as outside)

Our first fun in Washington was a stay up at Shelly's cabin on Deer Lake- we ate the hugest ice cream ever that had about 15 scoops of ice cream and sat outside eating french toast and rode 4-wheelers and went for a long walk around the lake, it was awesome! And not too shabby of a view to wake up to...

4-wheeling around Deer Lake

Ellis and yet another girlfriend, I don't know what he was trying to show her though...

Ellis and one of his many naps on the boat, squeezed between the seat and I.

Damon and little Damon up at the shooting range...

Mason flinging, Tyler launching, Damon and Ted skeet shooting...

Mason and Damon and the assault rifle (that thing is loud!)

At the family cabin on Hayden, Damon and Ellis out for a run...

Uncle Tyler and Ellis

Just a dip in the pool... Ellis was fascinated.

Still in awe!

Jean and Fin on the boat

I love it when it looks like his whole face takes up only a third of his big ol' noggin.

Tyler at the barbie, cookin' up for a family dinner (the only thing you can really feed 60 people at once is bbq)

Those are hungry peeps!

What a ham, and with little fuzzies in his neck from the bib, how precious.

Linda and Ellis, sittin' in a tree...

Happy Birthday Ted!

Yeah, he's scared.

Joe and Taylor, about to go something... repelling I guess...

Damon took some good shots of the fireworks on the lake

This one was cool...

Till it turned to this.

Me and my baby boyfriend, watching my baby daddy wakeboard.

Damon

Now, back to Taylor and Joe repelling.

Ok, I guess that's the end! We had a great time and are still trying to get Ellis back on his lovely old sleep-aholic schedule... He just had so much fun he's still waiting for the next big activity. Hey, kid, hows about some grocery shopping tomorrow?

A Name and A Blessing

2011-07-05T14:13:00.000-06:00

Sunday was Ellis' blessing day. I thought I'd write a little about it since my family in Texas and many of our friends weren't able to attend (here in Washington).

We blessed Ellis at the house, and most of the family was here for it, except the few that were out of town. It was wonderful to be surrounded by such love for our little man. Ellis rocked the white tux given to us by Tara and Byron, and he just looked snazzy.

Some of our friends and family may not quite understand what this blessing business is all about. In the LDS Church we do not baptize babies. Baptism is a sacred and important responsibility, one which should only be given to those who are ready to carry it. In the church, children are baptized, if they chose to be, at 8 years old- an age of accountability. To be baptized, one must have faith, and also repent of sins. We don't believe that young children are sinners. Look at this face:

I don't believe that if something were to happen to that little boy, and he were taken from this earth early, that Heavenly Father would turn him away, that he would be cast down, simply because he wasn't baptized. ["And I also beheld that all children who die before they arrive at the years of accountability are saved in the celestial kingdom of heaven" D&C 137:10] My child and no other child is tainted by original sin- he is a child of God, even created after His own image. Until Ellis is accountable for his actions, and can be tempted, he has no need to be baptized. When he is of the age to be able to take on the responsibility of not only bearing Christ's name (being baptized a Christian), but avoiding temptation and sin, then he will be baptized, should he chose so.

And so, Ellis was given a name (his name, Ellis Michael Demars, was 'announced' during the blessing - though everyone already knew it- and it was recorded onto the records of the church) and a blessing. The blessing part of the ordinance is where Damon, surrounded by his male family members, those holding the Melchizedek Priesthood, spoke a blessing onto Ellis. I did not write it down, but it was beautiful. I remember some specific parts, including

A blessing for Ellis to know of the love that his Savior has for him

For him to know of the support and love that his parents have for him

That he will be physically healthy and able to do all this which he desires to do

That he will serve a mission

That he will wisely chose a wife and be sealed to her in the temple

That he will care for his siblings and always be a good example to others.

The blessing was very spiritual, especially seeing my little boy surrounded by his older cousins, uncles, grandfather, family friends, and father, all worthy priesthood holders. I can't wait for the day that he himself will be able to hold the priesthood and bless the lives of others with it.

Here are a couple more pictures from the day

With his uncle Tyler

With his Daddy

(babies are usually blessed in church within the first 2 months after they are born- since we were in Spokane and had so much family, we did it at Damon's parents' home- there were over 60 people there. also they had to keep Ellis entertained and happy during the blessing, usually babies are young enough to just sleep through it, but Ellis babbled during the beginning before he probably was fixated on all the men's faces around him.)

Right before the Blessing

4 months??

2011-06-22T21:36:00.000-06:00

errrr....

Ellis had his 4 month appointment yesterday (shots- booo!)
He weighed in at 13 lbs and 5 oz (my dreams of having a fat baby have flown out the window. it just ain't happenin'... he got his dad's genes)
I can't remember how tall- I think around 25 inches... sounds about right.
I just remember that he was in the 90th % for height and the 30th for weight.
But he is super smart and is doing everything a 4 moth old should be (smiling, laughing, following objects, grabbing things, rolling and lifting up on his arms, and reading in english, french, and latin.

What a cutie.

(the high today was only 64 and pretty windy, that's why we dressed him warmer, for a walk... in the same clothes we brought him home in... )

Something for all

2011-06-17T22:10:00.000-06:00

If you are a parent (especially of an infant or toddler) or grandparent, friend, neighbor, anything involved with kids or pools, I think this is something to promote... I first read about ISR (Infant Swimming Resource) on Babble and was intrigued at the thought of a swimming baby (as young as 6 months!), but it turned out to be much more important that just the novelty of a baby with pool savvy.

It amazes me that people build pools without fences around them, but they do. And any parent knows that in just a half a second of turning your head, your child can be out of your sight and doing something that could have devestating consequences.

Now that it's summer time, pools and lakes and beaches are everywhere, and everyone is packing up the kids to take a dip... Make sure your littlest ones are prepared for even the slightest chance! There are no ISR instructors within 50 miles of us, but you can bet that as soon as I find one or get certified myself, Ellis will be taking these classes.

watching these videos made me tear up every time, I just can't imagine a baby falling in a pool without anyone around to save him; these babies have been given the ability to save themselves when in such a situation, and as odd as it seems, I think that is worth everything...

You can find out more about ISR and find an instructor HERE

2011-06-14T15:56:00.000-06:00

iI ...

Untitled from tara demars on Vimeo.

We're home!!!

2011-06-09T15:44:00.001-06:00

Yay! We made it back to WDM about an hour ago...

What did I miss the most?
Memory foam.
Ellis' swing.
my Pintrest "Pin it" button (guess I should set up the phone app...)

We had a great time in Texas visiting family, friends, and some good restaurants!

Also, I got a new phone!!! Texas gave me a white Evo for my birthday, woohoo! Not only does this mean I have a phone that doesn't break down every other week leaving me stranded, but I also have a camera with me everywhere- 8 mp baby!! So there should be many more pics to come here on this ol' bloggy log... Here are just a couple from the trip (well, the end of it, since I got my phone 4 days before we left...), I'll try to put some more up, but the phone is telling me the files are too large.... But I do have a cute video of Ellis' new favorite game, so I need to try to upload it somehow...

Visiting his great-great Oma

Just hanging out in Fredricksburg, goin' through the shops on Main

Damon and my mom's chicks.

Me and Dude at the airport- he's a champion traveler, makes all these friends. He spent more than half of the last (of our 4) flight today being held by some old guy who practically wanted to steal him.

(uh, i don't know how to flip these around??? sorry, next time i'll try to load them right)

It's my birthday!!!!

2011-06-04T09:38:00.000-06:00

Ok ya'll, in case you haven't heard I am one year older now and I would never tell my age, mainly because I forget sometimes myself. I look so HOT at my age and I can't even help it. I could possibly be the luckiest girl in the world. Not only am I sweet, sensitive, loving, caring, the best mother in the whole world, but I have a wonderful husband and the cutest son in the world!!!

In case you haven't figured it out by now, this is damon. To be honest I am the luckiest person in the whole world, because some how I convinced the best girl in the world to marry me. Tara Nicole reminds me every day why I fell in love with her when I watch her take care of Ellis. She is patient with him and he smiles from the bottom of his heart every time she walks in the room. (He gets that from me) I make sure Tara knows every day how much I love her. She knows everything about me, all of my flaws and weaknesses and she still loves me. I love you Tara and I look forward to spend eternity with you!!!!

tonight

2011-05-25T22:28:00.000-06:00

Ellis is asleep, Damon is paying basketball.

I'm on Pintrest (surprise surprise) listening to Adele's album. For real, where was this album back when I needed it like 3 or 4 or 6 or 7 years ago? She's a lovely genious, and if you haven't listened to her, I highly suggest it. Especially if you are going through a breakup- it'll make it worth it.

This one was my father-daughter dance song...

And this one, I just know it, it speaks to my heart. I remember these days (I'm glad I never have to go back to them and feel these feelings ever again) (song starts at 1:07, but isn't her intro just heartbreaking and familiar?)

on a completely different note...

I've been thinking lately about accountability. Why? Lots of reasons. But mostly because of the way I feel about my physical self. I'm struggling with losing the last 10 lbs of pregnancy weight... and then the 20 lbs that I'd gained in our first 4 months of marriage on top of that. I have been all over the charts when it comes to weight in the last 2 years, but I started out at about 113, my pretty stable healthy weight pre-marriage. That's what I stayed at from about my freshman year (I lost weight, somehow, no freshman 15 there) till Damon and I married. Like I said, in the few months after that (and I guess, after I started taking birth control), I packed on almost 20 pounds. And then I got pregnant... and gained another 35. I topped the scale at 41 weeks at 170, and was devastated that I was so far out of control. Yeah, I was pregnant, but I never should have been in that range, not for how tall (uh, short) I am. I have major issues when it comes to eating healthy and laying off... soda. I didn't grow up eating vegetables, my mom was a single working mom and it was hard enough as it was without adding in lots of time for cooking and experiencing new and healthy food. And those habits stuck with me as I grew and left for college, where I mostly lived off of carbs and dr. pepper... Those kind of refined starches and sugars are hard for a body to give up. Especially when you have a job you hate, or go through a breakup, or don't have time for anythig... But all of that is really excuses.

I'm putting a lot of really personal stuff out here, but like I said, I've been thinking about accountability. I have no reason to be accountable to anyone but myself. But when I keep things to myself, I rarely push myself. Sometimes you have to let others in on your struggles, even just putting it out there is the push you need to make change. So that's what I'm doing. I'm sitting right now at 145 (last time I checked, almost 2 weeks ago), which is 30 pounds more than where I need to be. What a number. A number I never thought I'd be stuck with. It's hard to tell everyone that number, but maybe putting it out there is what I need to really get me going.

How do you stay healthy? Better yet, how do you GET healthy? Without going on ridiculous fad diets, taking supplements or hormones that are 99% marketing gimmick and health risks themselves, without falling off the wagon? How do you make a lifestyle change, and do it to where you can take your family along with you (especially when that family is a babe that depends on you for his own nourishment, and a man that doesn't have a lick to lose?) I want to be healthy, and it makes me sick to think of the things I put in my body more for Ellis' sake than my own. I don't want my baby getting chemicals and toxins because of the junk I eat. And I want to be around and always ready for whatever he needs from me.

I need to step it up. Not make excuses. Get started and stay motivated.

I look at pictures of myself a lot (more than anyone can and not feel embarrassed about it), and it pains me to see what I was, how little I appreciated it, and what I've become now. But it serves as motivation to know that I can be that again, that I wasn't even healthy then, not even eating right then never exercising, and so how great could it be if I really did things right???

My friend Catherine (over there in those linkies, and she also sang one of my wedding songs!) lost an amazing 50 pounds, and is a total inspiration to me. She did it the good ol' fashion way- exercising, eating well, and it think, working on soul and heart at the same time. She's an awesome girl, one whom I miss dearly, but am glad to always have to look up to, or look to when I need insight.

I don't quite know how to end this post (uh, how did I get here from where I started writing, haha?), but I'm just putting this all out on the line for everyone to see. Will you be my inspiration? =) For now, this scripture is what I will be trying to live more closely to. I'll keep searching and trying out new ways to become and stay healthier, for myself and my little family.

In the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet from the LDS Church, comes the statement:
“The Lord has commanded you to take good care of your body. To do this, observe the Word of Wisdom, found in Doctrine and Covenants 89. Eat nutritious food, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep. When you do all these things, you remain free from harmful addictions and have control over your life. You gain the blessings of a healthy body, an alert mind, and the guidance of the Holy Ghost."

For now, this scripture is what I will be trying to live more closely to. I'll keep searching and trying out new ways to become and stay healthier, for myself and my little family.

(see? I'm not crazy... me in my "healthier" days)

(ahh, if I'd known then where I'd be now... I probably wouldn't have worried so much about always covering up by the pool...)

Our Wednesday...

2011-05-19T12:42:00.000-06:00

A pretty typical Wednesday for us. Except the whole wake-up-at-5:30 thing... Ellis usually stays in bed till 6:30, but I guess he was just excited to get the day started early!

5:35 wake up, time to eat!! we are both preeeettty tired, see?

5:50 thank goodness he always goes back down for a couple of hours

9:40 after i got to go down for another few hours (almost 4, woohoo!) it's time to get up and ready

9:45 cause nobody likes to wake up hungry!

9:50 while he nurses i check email and chat with Kami

10:10 we have to get dressed!!!

10:20 he eats his bumbo/stares in the mirror while i put on makeup

10:40 we're off to playgroup!

10:45 we get to the park, which is awesome and green and shady! hang out with friends, Ellis nurses and takes a nap while i get some social interaction!

12:15 of course i forget to take pictures of our little trip to the grocery store! Ellis smiled in the cart the whole time!

12:45 Ellis nurses again, then we hang out on the couch, playing with toys and watching 16 and pregnant, haha.

1:10 time for a little swing time/naptime. Ellis loves to watch himself in the mirror

1:20 Ellis is asleep, so I survey the damage in my room: pile of clothes for Salv Army (love that place)

Ellis' room- we have been trying to go through all the clothe's we have

re-organizing the dresser...

1:40 i realize i should eat before he wakes up, so here's to my first meal of the day (don't worry, i think i had a sierra mist at the grocery store...

4:10, long naps make for a happy baby wake-up

4:15, after a diaper change and some foods, a good burp is always nice...

4:17 more playtime with mr. owl, hanging out waiting for dad to come home...

5:10 he's home!!!

5:15 some people play while other people make dinner...

5:40 dinner time for the big people! pork chops with blueberry compote and couscous... i don't know, Rachel Ray told me to.

6:05 we are usually rushing to eat dinner before Mutual but somehow we have oodles of time left over today... so we play by the window!!

6:50 off to Mutual! Damon is with the scouts while Ellis and I are with the young women, making friendship bracelets and cards!!! (of course, forgot camera)

9:00 after getting home and nursing, now it's time for a bath! but first we spent 10 minutes trying to make Ellis laugh.

9:10 bath time is happy time!

9:25 first a bottle (trying to get him used to it) and then nursing...

9:40 getting zippered in!

9:41 goodnight dude!

9:55, time to help damon practice being a doctor. We go through 2 (almost half hour each) mock checkups...

i only agree to such things if i can eat ice cream with the blackberry jam we got at the farmer's market

11:25 after pumping (ah, glamorous motherhood) and talking with Mandee on the phone (about possible upcoming trips!!!??!?) , it's finally bedtime!

There you have it, a typical day in the Demars home...

little latino lover

2011-05-17T11:15:00.000-06:00

here's about a million photos of the little dude...

he loves to sit up on the couch and play with his owl...

he also likes to help dad study...

he's drooling up a storm lately

we wore matching chambray to church- now we just need to get dad a shirt too!

I'm princess.

2011-05-13T18:40:00.000-06:00

Guys, guess what? I was featured over at Fun Cheap Or Free by the Queen herself! I posted some of my baby tips from last week... FCF is a great blog if you are looking for cost-cutting tips, coupons, recipes, etc etc etc!!!

Seriously, they list coups they find, and put them for us all to see and enjoy. Last week they posted a coupon for Ulta - it was $5 off a $10 purchase. Well I like mascara from there (almost as much as the pricey clinique stuff, but I don't buy it cause it's still $10 a pop- I've started just using the grocery store stuff that's about $4 a tube) and I know sometimes it's on sale buy one get one free. Sure enough, it was, so I used the coupon I found on FCF and got 2 mascaras for $5! Instead of $20. At $2.50 each, they were even way cheaper than the cheap grocery store stuff! Woohoo!

So go check the blog out, check out the list of retail coupons before you go shopping, or find a new recipe!

the kind of parents

2011-05-10T17:35:00.001-06:00

i hope we'll be???

3 sundays

2011-05-09T07:23:00.001-06:00

Easter Sunday

Last Sunday (and his new favorite way to sleep, arched into a C)

Mother's Day

blissfull

super excited!

Mothering.

2011-05-07T16:00:00.000-06:00

it's funny, back in the day, when i thought of my future mother's days i thought of awesome gifts, jewels and flowers and toys... i have one friend who gets a new dress every mother's day, which i think is fun, but having no income and all, probably will have to wait a few10years... maybe then, in a decade or so, i'd pick these:

this ring was on gilt.com a month or 2 back, and it's been floating around my head ever since. i can't even find the designer though, sad huh? i found this one picture on the net after googling for 20 minutes. isn't it gorgeous? bonus, amethyst is ellis' birthstone.

well, that's obvious. anthro, one day...

ah, a new phone... one can dream right? of a phone that doesn't freeze and shut off multiple times a day, or stop working completely for days at a time... can't wait till i can get this 'lil whitie... maybe i'll actually take more picture for this here blog...

and now that i'm a mother, all i'd like is to be able to sleep in and not make dinner. though some hand picked flowers are always nice (damon brought home some lilac he lifted from somebody's yard on the way home, isn't he the best?)

Happy Mothers Day! To the mom who loved me, the stepmom who gave me a brother, and the mom-in-law who raised the greatest guy in the world...

and the little dude that made me one.

I must, I must...

2011-05-05T13:53:00.003-06:00

increase my son's girth. you know, at Ellis' 2 month appointment, he weight 11.6 pounds. that's good and all (just over the 50th% and he happened to be 23" which was 75th%) but you know, i always wanted me a chubby bubby. and then what happens? Ellis' girlfriend whom was born also on that fateful Thursday (my sun was born on a Thursday! isn't that the best day of the week? anticipation of the weekend much?) went and weight 16 pounds at HER 2 month appointment. that is just not supposed to happen.

and do you know that so many people are preggers right now? 3 of my sweet cousins, and 2 bffs, and 2 of my cute past roomates ,both of which always have the best tans and hair, and maybe you who are reading this? and i'm super jealous, of course, because that is my job in life, being jealous of those who are going to get to be pregnant right now and give birth before i do again! oh, the life of you. but you know, there are some things about being pregnant that i feel like i got a pretty good grip on. and here are some notes about it:

1. register for everything under the sun. mostly at places like target or walmart where you can register for things OTHER than baby stuff (cause really, you don't need all that much to take care of the little dudes) such as clothes and stacks and home storage and furniture and whatever else your heart desires. cause you get a discount on EVERYTHING on your registry! Wheat thins? Check. Dr. Pepper for milk production? Check. Nursing bras that make you go ooooh? Check and check. candy cause once he's born that's all you'll want to eat? add that too! nobody told me this till it was waaay too late and i couldn't add more stuff on account of the discount only works for stuff on your registry RIGHT NOW!

2. speaking of the discount... change the due date you put on that there registry to a month BEFORE you are due. then you get that handy dandy discount and you can shop for the stuff you need before the baby comes (trust me, walking in the 2 weeks after baby debuts is not something you want to do much of) and after your shower when you get all the goodies that you love (but trust me, aren't on your registry. we got super cool gifts, and had 2 fun showers, but only got one thing that we registered for).

3. things you really don't need... bottle sanitizing anything- dishwasher. wipe warmers- they dry up wipes pronto. diaper genies- refills are expensive and they are a pain to empty- we bought vanilla scented trashbags and a small can for the baby's room- and just throw out diapers with the trash, which is often. a diaper bag- i searched high and low for one i wanted and could afford. and i don't even use it. especially nursing, at this point all i need is a diaper or two and a small pack of wipes, which are fine in my purse and way easier to carry. a stockpile of diapers right away- i wish we hadn't bought huge boxes of huggies and kirklands diapers from costco... cause i hate huggies. so i've either had to exchange or grin and bear it. if i could do it over, i'd buy gift cards to places that sell bulk diapers- diapers.com, costco, walmart, whatever. and then see what i like and buy them AFTER baby is born. you leave the hospital with plenty of diapers (if you are smarties like us and hide the pack in your room after using one or two diapers, and then ask for another, repeat repeat repeat till you have a nice stockpile- it'll last you a bit) and bonus, add diapers to your registry and get them at 10% off! (diapers.com is a great place to get discounted diapers too- i think they do 30% off your diapers for your first 3 months of memberhip- which is free).

4. things you really do need... different kinds of pacifiers. the hospital will give you a few soothies. i don't know many babies who like them long. ellis takes nuks, kinda. i hear mams are great. basically, register for one set of each, and then see what baby likes, if any. a moby wrap or ergo type carrier. i made my own moby wrap for half the price- all it is is a 6 yard long piece of stretchy fabric, and mine works perfectly plus you get 2 since bolts of fabric are folded in half width wise. we use this thing all the time, and especially in the beginning, Ellis loved to be in the wrap against us and would sleep and sleep and sleep (perfect if you need to do some housework). I traveled from Texas to Iowa with him in it the whole time through the airports and planes- he slept the entire time. an ergo won't kill your back, they are awesome and go on sale half price every couple of months on babysteals.com (we got ours there for $57). also, swaddling stuff. we swaddled till about a month then ellis was breaking out of every blanket but woke himself up if he wasn't swaddled... enter the swaddlepod- genious! babylegs! we love babylegs! they are little leg warmers and Ellis wears them most days- no pants on and off during diaper changes, plus, i think they are just too cute. they also go on sale often on babysteals.com. a wubanub. sounds ridiculous, but if your babe is like mine and pops that paci out of his mouth every 2 seconds (really not fun when you are trying to get him to sleep, or in the car when you're driving and he's screaming) this thing will weight it down a little and it's something for him to hold onto. they are about 15 smackers online, so i made my own- have an old beanie baby around? just break off the paci "handle" and sew a few rounds of thread through the paci hole onto the mouth of the beanie baby- works perfect!

5. something i didn't know about till way too late: Babies R Us does this great trade-in event probably twice a year (you could call and ask when) where you bring in an old carseat/crib/other big ticket item and get 25% off a new one! so you could go dig a free old carseat off craigslist, or a friend, or pay $10 for one at a garage sale, and trade it in for the discount (which can be a lot when, like us, your carseat is $190 or your crib is a couple hundred). maybe your mom has your old drop-side crib (which are like, banned now) and you want a sparkly new thang for your baby, go for it! i so wish i'd known about this...

6. best thing i ever did, after Ellis was about a month old: move him to his own crib/room. we had him in a bassinet next to the bed till then and we were feeding every 2 hours. well that gets old pretty fast, and after a month i felt like he would be ok to go longer stretches without eating so we sent him packing. the first night, he slept 5 hours, ate and then another 4 hours. it. was. awesome. turns out i was getting him up to feed him when he really didn't need to feed. babies make a ton of little noises and movements in their sleep, and i was picking him up at every one, thinking he was waking hungry. wrong. when he was in the other room, i only heard him when he really was waking up hungry and crying, not all the little junk in between. after a month of sleeping in his own crib, he'd gone up to 9 hours sleeping a night (then wakes up to eat and usually sleeps another 2 or 3 hours in his swing). sleeping through the night i think would happen faster for people if their babies weren't so close to them at night... just a guess though.

7. also, you get tons of samples when you are pregnant- including lots of formula and formula coupons. we got 2 full cans and some bottles of liquid formula, and while i breastfeed exclusively, they are great for our food storage, in case of emergency or even if a friend is over and runs out of formula, or if for some reason Ellis has to start supplimenting or switch to formula all the way. you get lots and lots of coupons, so save them up and use them during sales, like BRU sales when they do $5 giftcards when you buy formula, etc, and start saving up those for other purchases!!

whew, that's a lot of info, and there's way more of it every which way on the internet. i'm super happy for all you pregnant ladies, and i love talking pregnancy and birth and now motherhood, if anyone ever wants to chat!

Happy Cinco De Mayo folks!!! Ellis and I are about to start making our Mexican dinner- PW's tequila lime chicken, mexican rice, black beans, mexican soda, and Pandora's Cinco De Mayo party station!

2011-04-28T19:21:00.000-06:00

you just make these kinds of faces/noises with this kid.

it just happens.

Conversations with a 2 month old from tara demars on Vimeo.

Isn't he looking into your soul?

2011-04-26T09:23:00.000-06:00

This face, I am the luckiest person alive, to get to look at this face all day...

he is so magical, i wish i could bottle him up and hand him out to solve world problems and stuff.

also, my boobies are on the internet. can i say boobies on here?

well i already did. you see, nat the fat rat challenged us nursing mamas to

nurse free.

and i did. well, i'll be honest, because of this rain, we didn't get out much, so the only public appearance i got was in the nursing room at church on sunday. but it was oh-so-nice to not wear that nursing cover (which i love cause it's so cute and my awesome bro-in-law made it for me) and to get to see my boy's face.

i also nursed in front of people without it. namely some friends who came over and one of my visiting teachees...

it's much better to go free, to give my baby what he needs and wants when he needs and wants, and not have to duck into a bathroom, or a basement, or cover him up with a blanket so he gets heat rash and just plain doesn't eat/like it.

i encourage all y'all who are nursing to try it. it's liberating to (discreetly) nurse free! you don't even have to show everyone your girls, but you just wait and see how much better it is!

wanna see the post that is my internet debut?

well ok then.

Easter/Damon Weekend...

2011-04-25T07:27:00.001-06:00

We had a fun eventful weekend- it was our friend Michelle's and Damon's birthdays Saturday, and then Easter, so we spend the whole dang thing playing and partying!

Friday night we went to Michelle's birthday dinner and had great food and lots of fun with our friends, we love birthday parties! Best part? All the adults down in the basement eating/talking, and down comes one of the 3 little girls there with one of Michelle's gifts- opened! The 3 little sneaks were found up in the living room, each opening one of Michelle's presents...

Saturday, yours truly made my babe breakfast in bed- cornbread? Yeah, that's what he wanted. So mama made. Cornbread and strawberries and whipped cream (by hand, not from the store!) and maple syrup that I had from back in the days where I used to do the master cleanse and not appreciate the rockin' body that I already had and now just look longingly back on.... Anyways, there was that, and then we decided to go to the most ghetto-est mall in Des Moines, called Southridge. or Southtown. I don't know. Basically it's this poor sad mall where all the real stores except VS and B&BW and Sears have moved out of. But there happens to be a church. And a thrift store. And a store with gas station food (incidentally, my kinda store!) and an Animal Rescue League, and also a Reptile Rescue (which. was. AWESOME and I almost adopted a king snake but didn't on account of Damon wouldn't let me.) and some weird kinda middle eastern store. And about a bazillion mall walkers and a carrousel. Magical, right? After that we jetted over to Des Moine's own Tasty Taco and enjoyed, wondered at, their interesting take on the flour taco. And then we hit up the salvation army where we found like 19 pairs of little wheels that you can attach to any pair of shoes and have yourselves a grand time.

We came home and had some cooking disasters in which we forgot that cookie dough expands and then starts fires and also the holes fell out of our cookies.

On Easter Sunday, we all got dressed and tried to take a family picture... didn't work to well. We had church, which was great, the talks were awesome! And then we came home and made a ton of mashed potatoes for our dinner with friends. And attempted some more pictures. We aren't great at pictures, as you can see.

His Sacred Name - An Easter Declaration

2011-04-24T20:24:00.000-06:00

The Sink Bath

2011-04-20T13:05:00.001-06:00

and the aftermath...

Friday 5 pm

2011-04-17T15:34:00.001-06:00

Here's what it looked like at our place at 5 pm Friday...

mama needed her a dr. pepper.

Damon's new morning study area, and the root beer for our home made pizza

Damon's face when he gets home...

guess who didn't do any dishes. and had macaroni for lunch...

for real, we fill a trash can a day. we need a bigger one. ice cream maker still out, 5 days later...

baby taking a nap arched into his favorite weird contortion.

he heard us talking about him...

happy samsung.

exciting stuff huh? apparently i do a whole not of not-housework all day long... mostly i just do this:

2011-04-13T13:15:00.003-06:00

there you have it.

so.

2011-04-12T14:09:00.002-06:00

i have this suuuuuuuuuuper funnycute picture of ellis falling face first over the front of the boppy. but this here blog just told me i'm out of picture space. for real? that happens? apparently now i have to "buy" internet space.

like it's limited or running low or something.

so.

there you go. i guess i'll have to buy some of that web that's floating around in the flipping air, for crying out loud. just so i can show you the funny picture.

good thing i won $5 2 nights ago by betting Damon that ... actually i don't remember what the bet was, it was something on tv... i think it might have been something from Pawn Stars, since we are obsessed with that show and i want Ellis' nickname/ our one day future dog's name to be Chumlee. anyways. i won $5. we like to bet each other money since we are super poor and we have it to throw around. as if i don't just spend money when i feel so inclined.

i'm trying to stop though.

back to the picture. i'll be buying some space on the internet machine and putting it up in a while. i have to think about this though.

really.

9:15 pm what???

2011-04-10T20:32:00.001-06:00

sometimes you're coming home from a walk to the grocery store with your deli meats and your jones sodas and you happen upon a lovely scene, something like this:

and your heart goes 'pitter patter pitter patter i NEED THAT!"

and an hour or so later, you convince your husband to go back and get it for you (aka you drive the car with the dresser half in the drunk half out, while he walks behind the car holding the back end of the dresser, through the apartment complex, home) and your irish neighbor to help him carry it up and then you go to home depot and get all your stuffs with happy visions of

in your head... or something like it... or any entertainment center type thing in general, to get rid of this yucko-ness...

so even though some huge storm is supposed to come in and it's dark and there are bugs everywhere and landing in the paint, you want it done tonight! here it is taken apart, kinda can get an idea of how it looked. like crap.

and here it is all done. i may take the top 2 drawers out and just have them be open shelves for the dvd player and maybe movies, but i haven't decided yet... still better than before. and for a total cost of $7 after paint and a foam brush, it was worth it.

(sorry for the crappy pictures, i took them on the computer cause i'm lazy.)

we had some peeps over tonight and made strawberry gelato and key lime ice cream, yum! here are a couple of pics...

damon and his frans and their babiez

ellis and his girlfriend to the left share the same bday. and ellis' gf to the right is 4 months older than him. wonder which one he'll pick...

Damon and Ellis hanging out

isn't he so cute? we think so...

Conference 4/11

2011-04-07T16:08:00.000-06:00

Did you have a favorite conference talk? I had 2. Here's one of them:

Elder Bednar's "The Spirit of Revelation"

I especially liked this part:

"I have talked with many individuals who question the strength of their personal testimony and underestimate their spiritual capacity because they do not receive frequent, miraculous, or strong impressions. Perhaps as we consider the experiences of Joseph in the Sacred Grove, of Saul on the road to Damascus, and of Alma the Younger, we come to believe something is wrong with or lacking in us if we fall short in our lives of these well-known and spiritually striking examples. If you have had similar thoughts or doubts, please know that you are quite normal. Just keep pressing forward obediently and with faith in the Savior. As you do so, you “cannot go amiss” (D&C 80:3)."

we are Famiy.

2011-04-04T17:03:00.000-06:00

here are some pictures Kristi took of us 3 in our orchard. yes, ours. funniest moment of the whole thing, when we first got to the orchard and were looking for a good 'aisle' and damon pointed out the deer down near the end. kristi goes, 'oh, those are deer? i thought they were tree stumps!' and then when damon was like, 'for reals?', she was all, 'i couldn't see them, ok? i have astigmatism!!!'. and it was funny. maybe you had to be there...

we didn't plan this whole thing very well- like, we didn't bring any clothes for pictures. Ellis had nothing super cute/non animal covered to wear, i luckily did plenty of shopping while in utah and had a shirt and jeans that almost fit better (except see how baggy they are under my knees? how disappointing)and could borrow a cardigan from Kristi. and also luckily, Damon and Morgan are like the same size: lanky. so Damon wore Morgan's shirt. and black church shoes. haha. oh well, can't have it all. next time we'll do better.

ellis was not very happy at the time. and doesn't damon look like such a manly mountain man??? like he's gonna go all ax on us and start chopping down those apple trees.

So Many Posts!!!

2011-04-01T14:49:00.001-06:00

Here's a little video so our fam can see Ellis and hear him 'talk' a little. I'll try to take some more later on, he gets in good moods where he smiles a lot and coos, and it is so fun...

Ellis 5 weeks 1 day from tara demars on Vimeo.

also, I went to take a picture of us together and raised his hand to wave at the camera- and this is what I got! my little rebel.

(why does my eye look so big and weird?)

Conference Weekend

2011-04-01T09:45:00.000-06:00

It's General Conference weekend!

Can't wait to "sit at the feet" of a Prophet and Apostles, and learn more about the gospel, be inspired to make positive life changes, and be spiritually fed.

Having a living prophet on the earth today brings me and mine such peace and happiness, and as much as we know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet, we know that Joseph Smith was a prophet, and that he restored the gospel to Earth in this dispensation.

Have some time? Want to be uplifted? This is a wonderful film, and a great tribute to a great man.