Randomness...

I just wanted to share some pictures for those that are far away and those (mom) that have asked for a kiddie update!

What Happened? "I brote my clabacole."

We were shopping at Joann's and Kaia fell out of the shopping cart! Ronan was in the seat and Kaia was in the basket. I was going super slow (browsing speed) and she just fell head first out of the cart! I didn't even know it was happening until I saw a lady running toward my cart with her arms stretched out. Crazy! So after a trip to the local urgent care, then the E.R., we have a sling and an ace bandage. For FOUR WEEKS!!! I'm sure it will be fun.

PPM Blog

Hey check out my new Pamper Party Massage blog!

http://pamperpartymassage.blogspot.com/

Loving Hands Unlimited

What a great place! My R.S. president kept telling me and others about the great food bank she volunteers at. I was a bit nervous to try it but boy am I glad I did! They are open to the general public only one day a week. It's called their sponsor day, which means, those who go that day give a minimum $50 donation and you get to go shop. I got roughly $200 worth of food and other items. Amazing!

Kaia's First Day of Ballet

Monday was Kaia's first day of dance class. I think she is a natural and I'm betting she will do well with it. She has a super sweet teacher and the school has the same feel as the school I went to so for so many years, which is nice. I'm looking forward to the recitals, costumes, and years of dance! We also went out to eat at TGIF's afterwards to mark the occasion. It was a special day for Kaia and mom and dad were hungry.

PPM Summer Newsletter

Yes, this is late but better late than never I always say!

Can you believe Summer is already almost gone? Check out my Pamper Party Massage Summer Newsletter for summer safety tips and great massage specials!

http://www.pamperpartymassage.com/summernewsletter.html

Remembering Riley

Our sweet little girl would have been two today. We so wish that we would have had the opportunity to know her better but we do know that she is about the Lord's work and that we will see her again someday. As a family, we went to the Temple grounds this evening to remember Riley and remind ourselves that we are a forever family. The grounds were beautiful and quiet since it was a Monday night and it was closed. Our little family was the only one around. It really added to the peace, beauty, and special family time. It was a wonderful day and I'm so glad we know what we know about the gospel and the opportunity we have to be a forever family.

Kaia's First Day of Pre-school

Kaia started pre-school today! She was very excited this morning until she realized that she was still tired. Little does she know that there will be many, many, many more days like that in her future. LOL She is a part of a pre-school coop program with some other kids from church. All of the moms will take turns teaching and assisting the classes two times each week. Today, when we got home I asked her what she learned today and she was full of great information. They learned about the letter "C". I was amazed at what all she retained from her first day. She told me that "cat" and "car" were "C" words. She showed me how to make a little c and a big C with her fingers. She also told me how they sung Hickory Dickory Dock. She did a worksheet but we won't get to see that until after her second day of class. I'm really excited for her and think we'll have a good year, especially since we have 2 or 3 moms that are teachers in the group and I'm pretty sure the rest of us all have higher education degrees so the kids should do pretty well and learn a lot this year.

12 Surprising Signs You’ll Live To 100

I came across this very interesting article. I've only got 3 out of the twelve so I guess I better get working on it! LOL

12 surprising signs you’ll live to 100...

Extroverts, runners are more likely to become centenarians.

1. You're the life of the party

2. You run for 40 minutes a day

3. You like raspberries in your oatmeal

4. You feel 13 years younger than you are

5. You embrace techie trends

6. You started menopause after age 52

7. You make every calorie count

8. You had a baby later in life

9. Your pulse beats 15 times in 15 seconds

10. You don't snore

11. You have a (relatively) flat belly after menopause

12. You get your blood tested for vitamin D levels

For the full article go here:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32272813/ns/health-aging/?ns=health-aging

Next Step For Ronan

OK, I was totally amazed when Ronan started crawling before his 7 month mark and only a month later he has decided he wants to stand... ALREADY! Yesterday, I caught him trying to make his way along the couch while hanging on. I guess walking isn't to far away. Although, he's probably gonna have to work some of the chunk off of those chunky little legs before walking. I figure that gives me at least two months. Right? I am so in trouble with my oh so cute little over achiever.

Allergen-free snacks for pre-school...

My friend Dawn came up with this list for one of her boys when he was in preschool. The parents would sign up to bring in a snack that started with the letter of the day. Because of her son's allergies, she had to bring a snack for him everyday. I thought this was awesome and great to share for preschools and Primary/nursery classes.

A - apples, apricots, asparagus
B - bananas, bread, broccoil
C - carrots, crackers
D - dots
E - eggplant
F - fruit snacks
G - grapes, green beans, graham crackers
H - ham
I - icee
J - jell-o, jelly beans
K - ketchup, kumquat, kiwi
L - lemon, lemonheads
M - mangoes, muffins, melon
N - nectarines
O - oreos, oranges, olives
P - pineapple, pears, peaches, pretzels, plums, pringles, peas
Q -
R - rice, raisins
S - smarties, strawberries, sweettarts
T - turkey, taffy, tangerine (some taffy has egg whites in it, so read the ingredients)
U -
V - vienna sausages
W - wheaties, watermelon, worms
X -
Y - yams
Z - zours, zucchini

Is Fabric Softener Safe?

I've been wondering about this since I'm about ready to purchase a new bottle of fabric softener and I suspect that's why my washer smells. Also, I don't know if I'm willing to totally give up on a laundry specific product and use vinegar to soften my clothes. Years ago, I was told something about the dangers of the chemicals in fabric softener from someone who was working in a chemical manufacturing plant. They were told that they should never come into contact with a particular chemical, a main ingredient in fabric softener, because it was highly toxic. That freaked me out and I didn't use fabric softener for years but finally gave in to the sweet smell and static free feel of chemically softened clothes.

So... I started surfing and came across a bunch of interesting links but thought this was the most easy read: http://www.grinningplanet.com/2004/04-29/stop-static-cling-fabric-softener-article.htm I also came across a line of safe/eco friendly products which are available at your local grocery store or online: http://www.ecos.com/ If you can afford it, Melaleuca products are great but some can be a bit pricey. http://www.melaleuca.com/ps/index.cfm You do however, get what you pay for. I still have floor cleaner from them that I purchased a couple of years ago. Come to think of it, I'm almost finally out of my all purpose cleaner so maybe I'll give Earth Friendly Products' all purpose cleaner a try too!

I'm excited to try these products and looking forward to trying the laundry products, especially on the kids' clothes!

Nature's Child Baby Sling Contest

Here's the link to enter:

http://www.thenatureschild.com/win_summer_baby_essentials_s/128.htm

The Bucket List

This post just needed a picture!

Each "completed" experience has an asterisk next to it. Why are my experiences mostly random and unimportant? Makes one think about the things we spend our time doing!

1. Started your own blog *
2. Slept under the stars *
3. Played in a band * (Does my junior high marching band count?)
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower *
6. Given more than you can afford to a charity *
7. Been to Disneyland *
8. Climbed a mountain *
9. Held a praying mantis *
10. Sang a solo *
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning *
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables *
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train * (If you call sleeping in coach, sleeping!)
21. Had a pillow fight *
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you weren't ill *
24. Built a snow fort *
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping *
27. Run a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse *
30. Watched a sunrise or a sunset *
31. Hit a home run *
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagra Falls in person *
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied *
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing *
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant *
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight *
46. Been transported by ambulance *
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Cistine Chapel in person
50. Been on television
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling *
52. Kissed in the rain *
53. Played in the mud *
54. Gone to a drive-in theater *
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business *
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason *
64. Donated blood, platelets, or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter *
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy *
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square *
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job *
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle *
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person *
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car *
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper *
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox *
89. Saved someone's life * (Only because I recommended that they go see a doctor.)
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous *
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one *
94. Had a baby *
95. Been to the Alamo
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit *
98. Owned a cell phone *
99. Been stung by a bee *
100. Totally copied a post from someone's blog to your own * (What am I doing right now?)

Kaia Conquered The Potty!!!

Yep, that's right! Kaia finally did it! She conquered her fear of pooping on the potty!!! We are so proud of her and so happy to finally be done with diapers, well... Kaia diapers anyway. She is now an official "Big Girl".

It was a long battle. We bought her a training potty when she turned two so... yes, that was an entire year ago. It's a talking Elmo potty and I hate it. If you don't already have a little potty stay away from that one cuz it will drive you crazy. Anyway, Elmo just sat and sat and sat EMPTY for the longest time. When we finally moved into our apartment we started with the potty again and she was doing great until she pooped. It freaked her out. I don't understand why so don't ask. Then Ronan was born and peeing on the potty went out the window as well. We decided the healthiest thing was not to push her and just wait until she was ready. She was very happy and content to go in her diaper and then come ask for a diaper change. Let me tell you how that got old fast.

She finally expressed and interest in going pee on the potty again so I started putting panties on her during the day. She did great! One night, almost two weeks ago, she said she needed a diaper so she could go poop. I had had it! I told her that if she knew she needed to go poop then she better go sit on the potty because she wasn't getting a diaper. She begged me for a diaper and I said nope. She begged some more, I held my ground, didn't give her the diaper, and walked away. She was mad, then sad, and then she relented and went and sat on the potty. She was so proud to show me what she had done. Then she tells me that she likes going poop on the potty now because she is a big girl and she wants a Barbie. We got her the Barbie and even an extra set of clothes but this is how Barbie spends most of her days...

Sunbathing in the nude???

All it took was a little tough love and the right incentive. I really, really, LOVE Barbie! Barbie has only gone into time-out twice for intentional pooping and hasn't been back in yet. OK... She's been in time-out another time but that's because Kaia thought it would be fun to gnaw on poor defenseless Barbie's foot.

PPM Spring Newsletter

Can you believe it's already spring?  Check out my Pamper Party Massage Spring Newsletter for easy spring cleaning tips, cleaning recipes, and great massage specials!

http://www.pamperpartymassage.com/springnewsletter.html

WAL-MART: The High Cost of Low Price

I was folding laundry today and didn't feel like watching just whatever was on TV so I looked through the "On Demand Movies" (Comcast) in the Movieplex section. Anyway, I came across a documentary about Walmart and was just shocked by what I saw. I'm thinking that I should rethink my shopping habits! If you have cable or satellite with a free movies section located in your on demand section you should be able to find it. I think COX and Comcast are very similar if not the same in that way. Or you can go online to http://www.walmartmovie.com/ There are u-tube links below the movie trailer that you can link to and watch it for free on you computer. All I can say is WOW! While I was watching, I heard/saw references about Walmart that I know to be true because I was in the area at the time of the occurrence. Such as the shooting at the Glendale, AZ Walmart and the Plainfield, IL protest of Walmart. Ironically enough, Walmart just headed down the street just outside the boundaries to Shorewood, where my parents live to "set up camp". In the movie, I saw where this is a common practice by Walmart. As far as just moving down the road, to the next town, or etc. Crazy!

Who else has seen this movie? What did you think?

Ronan... Birth Announcement

Smoking Is NOT Very Glamorous...

I have been feeling a bit frustrated with my apartment lately. Am I being ungrateful for the roof over my head? I don't know about that but I am really worried about my children, especially Ronan. The neighbors below us smoke and it comes into our apartment. The bathrooms and laundry rooms are the worst by far but it still gets into the rest of the apartment, our clothes, our towels, etc... It's so gross to get out of the shower and put your face into a smokey towel. Yuck!

My day was spent on the phone with our local county health department, the EPA, and the local chapter of The American Lung Association. I talked with some really great people but unfortunately there is nothing in the nations clean air act that protects someone in my situation. It doesn't even protect someone who has purchased an apartment, condo, or townhouse. Is there something wrong with this picture or am I just being "insensitive" to the rights of the smoker? I went so far as to call some other apartment complexes to see if they had any non-smoking buildings and one gal told me that according to some right to housing act, they are not allowed to ask if someone smokes or not because it would be discrimination. I was totally appalled to say the least. Why is it that more and more, the laws protect those who would directly or indirectly cause harm to another person? Darn liberals!

So here we are, stuck in the one year lease from Hell. It is truly awful and I'm so afraid for the health of my family. I'm totally allergic to cigarette smoke but I'm a big girl and I can take it but what about my babies? It just isn't fair. Well, I'm not going to stop or give up on this one because it just isn't right. I will be calling my local elected officials tomorrow to see if we can get the ball rolling a little faster on legislation for people in my situation. Fortunately, I have already made some allies with a gal at the health department and a man from the EPA. Anyway, I'm at a loss. Has anyone been in this situation before? What did you do? I'm thinking of purchasing a couple of those portable in home air purifiers/filters. Any suggestions on a good brand?

p.s. Who else is old like me and remembers this poster from grade school?

Happy Birthday Kaia

Happy 3rd Birthday Sweetie!

Pamper Party Massage... Colorado Style

FYI to my Colorado friends and family. I'm getting the ground work done so I can set up "shop" here in CO. Please pass my info. along to everyone you know so I'll have an excuse to get out of the house/earn some money for a new purse, or shoes, or etc. Thanks!

Here's the link to my business website:

http://www.pamperpartymassage.com/

Here's the link to my Winter Newsletter with Coupons & Specials:

www.pamperpartymassage.com/winternewsletter

Ronan Campbell Monson

Our little boy has arrived! It was a very LOOONG labor for Jen but Troy was a great coach and Grandma and Grandpa Shewmaker were here to help keep Kaia "occupied". Ronan came into the world just before 11pm on the 29th of December. He weighed 8 Pounds & 1.5 Ounces. It was an induced labor, we wanted the tax deduction, but Jen doesn't think she wants to do that again if she doesn't have to. OUCH! After being at 1 cm for hours, she jumped from a 3 to a 7 in the matter of an hour. The contractions were knee crumbling and the anesthesiologist wasn't getting there fast enough. The epidural took the edge off but Jen still felt most of the delivery process. Otherwise, mom and baby are doing well. Ronan is so precious and Jen is really glad to have her body to herself again!

Christmas 2008

It was so fun to be around family for Christmas this year! It was a miracle we were able to give Kaia such a great Christmas. There was more than one "Santa" that came to our house and old things that are new to someone else make great gifts for the pure in heart. I gave her (passed down) two storybooks that were mine when I was a little girl and Troy and I both had Beanie Babies that were just sitting in a box collecting dust. I felt almost bad that we had to resort to such measures but in the end, she loved those particular gifts just as much as if they were new. Those old storybooks were a real treasure which I'm sure she'll appreciate as she grows to understand that they were mine when I was little like her.

We attended our ward Christmas party even though we didn't know anyone yet. It was sort of weird but the Primary had an AWESOME activity for the kids. They decorated little graham cracker houses, dressed up and did the nativity, and got to sit on Santa's lap.

We had fun spending Christmas Eve with close friends and family. My sister-in-law Angie's family invited us to dinner and to a Christmas Eve devotional that her and all of her family members attend each year. It was a nice way to celebrate and remember the reason for the season.

Christmas morning was of course full of presents and breakfast at Trav and Allie's. We had tons of great food and it was nice for Troy to get to spend Christmas morning with two of his three brothers. Then it was off to the Whitmill's (Angie's parents) again for a wonderfully delicious Christmas dinner. I was so full by the end of the day I felt like I needed a wheelchair!

When all was said and done, we had a really wonderful Christmas. We made some new friends, spent quality time with family and close friends, and had reason to rejoice!

Job Update

Check back soon for completed post!

Air Force vs. BYU

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*** Kaia's 1st Taste of Snow ***

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