9 inches later...

So I needed a change badly and finally decided what I wanted. Last night my good friend Allison chopped off nine inches of my hair into a choppy A line bob. I also decided to go back to a blondie with strawberry highlights. I hate having pictures taken of myself so ignore my sad face, I truly am thrilled. I still think it's much cuter in person. Do you like?

8 Years Ago

It's been eight years ago today that I made a decision that would change my entire world. At my high of 260 lbs life in my world was far from glamorous. I felt the only good thing I had going for me was my boyfriend Jason who saw beyond the fat and accepted me. I missed out on so much due to my weight.

Eight years ago today I under gastric bypass and transformed into who I am today. Last night I as I sat watching Ruby on the style network I reflected back on the old me. I could relate so much to Ruby and her weight battle. Although I have come so far there are days I feel like the old me. Extra skin will always remain with me which makes clothes shopping very difficult especially during the summer. My body image will likely always haunt me yet when I see how far I have come I can't help but smile. I am so glad I made that decision eight years ago. Although very difficult it has definitely been worth it.

Before pictures

After

This is my Chinese wedding dress. I never imagined wearing something like this just a few years after my surgery. I felt so beautiful!

9 Years Ago...

9 years ago today at 3 am I stood in the rain on my Mother's front porch in the rain watching a handsome man walking my way. Little did I know that my life would never be the same again. Yup it's been 9 years today since Jason and I first laid eyes on each other. I feel incredibly lucky.

Happy Anniversary Jas, I love ya!

Lucky me!

Jason and I a few years ago on a getaway, hopefully we will be able

to do this again very soon.

Always a Ham

It's snowing, I'm sick and am trying to get prepped for my upcoming Stampin' UP! classes. It's not been the greatest day until Irecieved a few e-mails from my Aunt Sheila. It's crazy how a few old pictures can bring a smile to your face and make you giggle until your sides hurt. Those who know me best have heard I was quite the ham as a child and loved to be photographed or video taped. Here for a few fun pictures of me as a little girl. Thanks Aunt Sheila!

Me with my cousin Jesica goofing off, we had many fun times together.

Easter morning with my cousins Jesica and Spencer,

what is up with that pose and those shoes?

Just me... don't you love those eyes?

25 random things about me

Not much to blog about lately just busy spring cleaning, getting ready to eventually move as well as prepping for my upcoming Stampin' UP! classes. I did however decide while I was posting my random list on Facebook I might as well add it here. If you decide to do the same please let me know I would love to read your list.

Here are my 25 random or not so random things about me.

1-When I was little my dream was to be a teacher or ice cream LADY when I grew up.

2-I refuse to see a movie without popcorn regardless of how full I am off of dinner. Usually the choice of a theatre will be decided by how good their popcorn is.

3-I lost both my father and brother before my tenth birthday.

4-I HATE DOGS!!! I have been terrified of them since I was a baby.

5-I love bread, good chocolate and Diet Coke and could live off those alone I would however be happy to live without candy with no hesitation.

6-I read the obituaries daily… I am kind of obsessed with death I suppose probably due to number 3.

7-I love public speaking and had a full ride scholarship in college for it.

8-I am shy and hate stamping in front of others especially demoing products, I know it does not seem to mix well with number 7.

9- I love my unique name but hate when it’s misspelled or mispronounced. There is an E on the end people its Shar…. E. Aggg some other people’s children. =)

10- I have a difficult time filling out a form in order. For example paying bills this morning I would write February, then my name, then back to the 9, then down to the total, then up to the person it goes to. How annoying I know but I can’t stop.

11-I play the piano and the violin and can’t wait to own a piano of my own one day.

12- I love dates and remember many of them whether it’s a birthday of an old friend or the day I got engaged, had my first kiss with Jason etc… I love dates.

13-I like writing out To Do lists and crossing things off. If I do something that wasn’t on my list, then I add it and cross it off. My friend Natalie always knows that Mondays are my large to do list days so don’t ask me to play.

14-As my friend Haylee put it so well… I am also addicted to the Internet (blogging, email, facebook). I can't go more than a few hours without feeling this overwhelming need to check all three "just in case" I have a message or a new post to read. I also check it in the same order each time....slightly OCD. I was scolded by my old boss and co-workers for checking my work e-mail account from home. I just had to though.

15-I miss clogging from my youth and would love to get back into a clogging group.

16-I love impromptu speaking and often have dreams of being called up on stage out of the audience by Shelly Gardner to speak at convention. WOW wouldn’t that be a dream come true. I also love speaking in church. It’s better if I have little time to prepare.

17- I love to cook and bake. Really I love anything to do with food but creating something in the kitchen really makes me happy.

18-If I could add two talents to my list it would be Gymnastics and Cake decorating. I guess I’ll keep dreaming.

19-I met my hubby online and couldn’t be happier. Probably doesn’t shock you after reading number 14.

20-I am closer to my niece in age then I am to my sister. Call me Great Aunt Sharie… crazy huh? Yup my niece has a daughter.

21- I have never been to Hawaii or on a cruise but dream of going one day.

22-I have to have all of my empty hangers at the end of the closet and go crazy if they aren’t. Lucky my husband has finally figured this one out.

23- I have never smoked or drank unless you call the sip of alcohol I was accidentally served at a restaurant once. I guess having a history in my family of health problems due the two have leered me away from ever adding them to my list of addictions (DT and Chocolate).

24- I am a hopeless romantic in all aspects.

25- I cherish my friendships and love to do little things to make my friends smile whether it’s making them a gift or offering a sincere compliment. I have amazing beautiful friends, I feel so blessed!!

Kids say the darnest things or wait is that me?

It's the little things in life I love to remember. So I was talking to Jason a few days ago about some of the strange things I say. Not wanting to forgot them I thought I record a few.

While dating Jason we were watching a movie one night. It was a getting a bit late and I was tired when I muttered...

" When you say goodbye to me with q-tips it makes me sad."

Just as soon as I finished my sentence I asked him if I had said what I thought I had said. His response was Yes, I think it's time for me to go.

"I'm making pice and rasta tonight for dinner." This is what I told Natalie S. at work one day when explaining the type of Rice a Roni I was going to make. I was pregnant and a bit crazy so I often mixed my letters up. She still teases me for it.

A few weeks ago I was getting ready for bed and grabbed the chapstick off my nightstand. As I put it on my lips I knew something was a tad bit different.

" This chapstick is the same only different" I told Jason. Wow was his response ya that makes a lot of sense.

So it was strawberry instead of cherry... you totally understand what I was saying, right? We all know that kids say the darnest things but what about you? Am I the only one who's lights are are but no one's home?

On a side note Alex's two teeth are making their way in and life is looking a bit brighter around here.

5 years today & 911

Strange title huh? Well first off today is Jason and I's 5 year wedding anniversary. I feel very grateful to have my best friend by my side each day. I couldn't ask for a better husband and father. Last night ( I guess 3 am is this morning) I lay in bed with Jason and Alex. I remembered back to our wedding day and the beginning of our life together. I didn't know what the future would hold but I knew it was bound to be great. Now we have the cutest son anyone could ask for. I feel extremely blessed! Happy Anniversary sweetie!

One of our many engagement photos

Speaking of cute sons... here is a small recap of my day yesterday. So I talk to my mom on the cordless, after hanging up I let Alex play with the phone. This is nothing new I just make sure I watch him so that he doesn't call anyone. Well I guess I wasn't watching well enough. He made a quick call then dropped the phone. He was getting grumpy so I knew it was nap time. I took him upstairs, tucked him in then hung out on the computer for a few minutes before going up to shower. While sitting there I hear my doorbell ring. This is nothing new since we often get solicitors at our door. I couldn't see who it was so I didn't bother answering it. Then I heard a loud banging on my door and looked out again to find a Draper Cop on my doorstep looking up at the windows. Being dressed in less than appropriate attired I ran upstairs and threw on some clothes and went downstairs to get the door. The cop was looking around my house as I greeted him with a terrified look on my face.

I was guessing our neighbors had called the cops on us because we had left Alex cry ( scream) himself to sleep between 4-4:30 that morning after nothing else would work. Well come to find out that wasn't the case. My dear sweet baby had made a call to 911 and then left the phone off the hook. The cop said he was getting very worried when he wasn't able to reach anyone. I apologized up and down and then went back inside to call Jason with my story. Let's just say Alex will NOT be using the phone again anytime soon. I finally can say I understand how you feel Mollie. ;)

My cousin Jes took this photo a while back. Isn't it so precious? To think this boy could cause his mother so much trauma.

Another year Older & Wiser ( not sure about that part) too!

So yesterday April 28th I turned the big 28. It seems so old to me.. didn't I just graduate from High School? I guess not! I remember last year being miserable, so pregnant and just begging to get my baby here. I didn't feel well but Jason had planned a surprise birthday party so he was bound to get me out of the house. It was an awesome birthday!

This year my birthday was great as well. It was filled with tons of activities which spread out over the weekend. Here is a recap of our busy weekend.

Friday- I made a batch of tortilla dough so I could play with my birthday present my sister bought me. It's a homemade tortilla maker, it's super cool, anyone want to have a dinner date? Later on my friend Cami took me to Joy Luck for my birthday lunch and then we went scrapbooking shopping at AMM before their final day. Jason and I headed to Babies R Us that night to shop for presents for Alex's 1st birthday. It's so fun to shop for toys.

Saturday- I woke up early so I left bug with Jason and headed out to a few yard sales in my neighborhood ( nothing good). Then I went over to the Creating Keepsakes 75% off warehouse sale. It's nice because their headquarters is only 2 miles from my house. The crowd was crazy!! I grabbed the freebies ( a box set, a handwriting book and mini albums valued over 60 bucks) and then I joined the mad women grabbing all the fabulous deals. It wasn't until I saw the ginormous line that I decided I could live without the stuff especially after going to the scrapbook expo the week before. I took my freebies and left. I did all my errands and then headed up to get ready. Jillian and Clay were nice enough to come down to watch Alex while Jason and I had a date for my birthday.

We went to lunch at my favorite place Hagermann's ( yummy) and the got a couples massage. I am embarrassed to say that I got a massage gift certificate from my good friends Natalie and Beth for my b-day last year. Better late then never right it expired on Sunday and we used it just in time on Saturday. Thanks girls, it was AWESOME!! I am still not used to some strange man massaging me naked but I got over it quick. =0) After our massage we hit the Verizon store to buy me a new phone ( lipstick red) and to Zurchers for party supplies for Alex's birthday party. It was nice to get away and know that our baby was in good hands. Thanks Clay and Jill!

Sunday- We headed to gateway to shop and have lunch with my in-laws for my birthday. We went to California Pizza kitchen. As usual it was tasty! My in-laws bought me some PJs and turbie twists for my b-day. Jason and I as a joint gift received a GPS just in time for our trip to California. They spoil us! Thanks Al, Judy and Alanna. We then did a little shopping and ended the day with Ben's cookies. The weather was so nice, it was great to get outside.

Monday- My Birthday!! After a long night with a migraine and Alex not sleeping I let my boys sleep in while I got up and checked my e-mail. I received lots of birthday cards, text messages and phone calls oh and a few people signing to me =) ( thanks to everyone who wished me a Happy Birthday, it means allot to me). Jason, Alex and I met my Mom for lunch at the Cheesecake factory ( super tasty). My mom gave me a new shirt, bag and gift certificate to Target. Thanks Mom, I love ya! My Mom headed back to work and we headed over to the mall for some shopping. We had a few gift certificates we haven't used up so we bought more stuff for Alex of course. Lots of fun stuff for his birthday. Later that night we went out to get bug some diapers, dinner at a new Italian place, not so good) hit See's chocolates for dessert and came home to hang out the rest of the night.

It was great birthday!!

Random Facts & Thoughts

I'm slacking again at blogging, I have been busy with spring cleaning and projects galore. Last weekend Jason went to Moab with the boys while Alex and I entertained ourselves with the scrapbook expo, work lunch reunions, best friend late night dates, treats, movies and scrapping. Alex was a trooper keeping me company. All and all it was a pretty good weekend!

Here is the Rig Jason rode in on his trip to Moab. This is our buddy Shane with his Pinz ( hope I spelled that one right). Looks like a lot of fun huh, NOT!

Now I am busy planning my birthday ( the big 28 is coming quick), Alex's birthday, my sister's birthday, our 5th wedding anniversary,Mother's day and our California vacation. WOWZERS... all of these are within the next few weeks. Each has something I must get done.

Thanks for all your comments, it's fun to see who is reading my blog although I know not everyone is posting... same cities keep popping up with no one to claim them. =) I finally ordered my print from the contest and the CD with rights to all the photos. Alex didn't win anything however of course I think he should have. Funny thing is we were sandwiched in the line by two of the winners, both little girls.

I was tagged a few weeks ago and have put off writing this post but today is the day. Here are 6 Random facts about me and 6 about bug.


6 Random Facts About Me
I was tagged by Laura

Here are the rules:
A: Each player lists 6 facts/habits about themselves

B: At the end of the post, the player then tags 6 people and posts their names; then goes to their blogs, leaves them a comment letting them know that they have been tagged and invites them to read your blog.


Mom 1- I do not fill out forms or checks in order. For some reason I can not fill out a form/check in order. For example I will write part of the date, skip to my name, back to half of the amount, over to who it is for, back to finishing the date etc. until I am done. I have tried to break this horrible, annoying and very strange habit but I can't.

Alex 1- He is a binky hog. If he has one binky and finds another he will switch them out as though they are different flavors. One for the hand and one for the mouth and switch.


Mom 2- I am obsessed with death. I am sure this comes from the amount of death I have dealt with in my life. A few examples I read the obits daily, I remember death dates for my family and random people. If I see an accident or a news story dealing with death or someone hurting I grieve for the people involved.


Alex 2-He sleeps in the strangest positions whether it's sitting up with his head against the crib railing, his butt in the air, squished in a corner. Whatever is uncomfortable is how you will find him.



Mom 3- My food can't touch! I am one who has to have a separate bowl for my fruit or salad. Only certain foods can touch otherwise there must be a very definite line between my foods such as my salad cannot touch the tators and gravy. If they touch, I don't eat them.

Alex 3- He loves loves pot roast and veggies. He could eat it for every meal if I let him. His legs kick in excitement whenever he sees me getting him food from the crock pot. I have made a roast a week just to please him.


Mom 4- Dirty dishes in a sink of water make me sick. I can have a 100 dirty plates separately sitting on my counter and be fine but put dirty plates stacked in a sink of dish water and I hurl. If Jason stacks the dishes, he must do them. I can't bear to reach my hand in and dish them out... just thinking of it makes me sick.

Alex 4- He has a thing for girls even at age one. He picks the little girls out of a crowd and knows how to flirt. A few weeks ago we were out to eat and Jason put his hand in front of Alex's face to block his view so he would quit staring at this family of three little girls. He learned to look around the hand and finally got mad and moved it out of his view. What a boy!



Mom 5- I have horrible motion sickness. Talking about, seeing or being on any fair rides makes me sick. It has gotten so bad that just pushing Alex in the swing can get to me.

Alex 5-He loves to share. This strange because most kids don't. For now he loves to share his binkies, food, toys whatever. He's a sweetheart!



Mom 6-I get a high from public speaking. The bigger the crowd the better. I could be pulled from a church congregation to speak and love it. Strange thing I hate meeting people for the first time one on one or demoing stamping... go figure. Most people's top fear is my nature high and landed me a full ride scholarship in speech and debate in college. Do you need me to speak somewhere?

Alex 6- His hair turns heads. It doesn't matter where we go we are constantly stopped by people, old and young telling us not just that Alex is cute but the number one comment... I love the hair! Some might find it a bit wild but Mom loves it and that's all that matters, right?

I tag-Jesica, Hayley, Janea, Niki, Mollie, Elicia, Both Emily's ( a few more the six I know)

Here are a few pictures from last night. Gotta love a man in his robe.

Mommy attacking Alex with kisses, it's the norm around here

Not a fan of hats or hoodies, I love torturing him to try

and get them off his head, mean mom