Just for fun....

I was just looking through my pictures and I done seen this picture and it made me laugh. Oh the memories! This was the day that Aidan was blessed. Brian was so nervous that he walked to the front of the congregation holding Aidan like this. He was just so nervous! Everyone around me made me laugh because everyone else was laughing at him. Comments such as "that daddy's very nervous" and "has he never held his child" rang through....I am still laughing at this very moment. Too funny! I think that me looking at this picture and getting all nostalgic has a lot to do with Aidan's first birthday being next week. Wow! How time flies...

Happy Birthday Kellie!!!

Just wanted to wish my little sister a very happy birthday. She is getting kind of old so I won't mention what year she was born. When we were kids I used to tease her about many different things....I won't list them but I bet she can think of some...bonk! on your head! :) I hope that she has a fun filled happy and enjoyable day with her family. Just remember that the Larson clan loves ya..... XOXOXOXXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Happy Anniversary

So for an absolutely fantastic picture of my grandparents you should check out my sister's blog. My Bob and Virgie have been married for 58 years today. They were married in Idaho in 1951. Grandpa was almost 21 and Grandma had just turned 18. They dated for about 6 months and got married. As the story goes when Grandpa asked Great Grandpa Whitesides' permission to marry Grandma he responded...yes, just get her out of those jeans. Well 58 years later....as the joke goes....she is still wearing those jeans. But now instead of it being taboo for a young lady to wear jeans, everyone wears jeans.

I am so blessed to call these people my grandparents. They have and do so much for me and my family. I don't think that our little world could function without them. They help keep the Larson family a well oiled machine. Thanks to them for everything. I still can't believe it....58 years! Well Brian and I are almost to our 2nd anniversary. I hope that one day we can celebrate such a milestone. I love you Bob and Virgie!

Happy Birthday Grandpa Jeff!!

We just wanted to take a minute and wish Brian's dad, Aidan Grandpa Jeff a very happy birthday. We love you!!

Raspberries...

Tonight as I lay in bed trying to get my little Aidan to sleep I realized something. Aidan is quiet a little comedian. He would lay ever so comfortably in the crook of my arm and then he would start laughing. He would roll over and then he did it. He gave me a raspberry. Right in the crook of my arm he got me all slobbery and he laughed soon after he finished. At this point I was laughing at both the situation and the fact that he thought it was so funny that he laughed at himself. What a little cheeseball! He then preceded to do more raspberries on my arm and Brian's. But the super funny part. When he noticed that there was slobber on our arms he would shake his head no and rub his feet on our arms to wipe it off. Then he realized that it was on his feet and he laughed and laughed and laughed. And then the whole thing would begin again. What a silly little boy I have! I thought it was so classic that I needed to share with everyone. Aidan is a comedian.

Happy Birthday Virgie

Today is my Virgie's birthday. My grandma is the absolute best grandma anyone could ask for. She is also the very best great grandma to my son. She is always spending time with him and spoiling him and just having the adorable bonding time. I love that she lives so close to me. Aidan and I can walk to her house in about 10 minutes. I love it!

Once again Happy Birthday to you Virgie!!!!! I won't tell anyone how old she is...but she is of great grandma age. I love you Virgie!

Inauguration Day

Aidan and I have been watching the coverage on television. I was unable to give it my undivided attention. Aidan was in need of his own attention. As I stated before in an earlier blog, only time can tell what good can be done. Only time can tell if all of the hoopala and talk will result in something that can live up to the hype.

I don't remember ever being able to watch an inauguration so this one was a totally new experience for me. I am without words for what I am seeing and hearing. I am just lost in the event. Michelle is wearing and beautiful yellow dress. As I watch her she is very pretty. I just don't understand why her dress isn't longer. That is just a personal preference. Such long legs. I am always more comfortable is dresses that go mid-calf. I am curious if it would be just as pretty as it is now. OH! how my mind wanders and stays stuck on such silly details.

In my brief conclusion I would just like to say I am just as hopeful as the next citizen that our new President can do good. President Obama you are in my prayers and I hope that you are able to do what you have said that you would. I hope that because you are now in charge of my beloved nation and its citizens that the populations spirits can stay positive and hopeful. I hope that the tides of changes are coming soon and not at the expense of future generations.

Hill Aerospace Museum

Jordan wanted to go and visit the museum on Sunday, she had never been. So Harrison, Aidan, Jordan, Grandpa and myself all carpooled over to Roy to see the history. I took my camera, but none of the pictures came out very good. I refer you to Jordan's blog because I have hopes that she will be posting the photos soon. :) We only walked around the hangers because it was cold and I was a gimp. Harrison got me a wheel chair and pushed me around and Jordan pushed Aidan around in the stroller. I enjoyed going. I always enjoying going to the museum. But this time was different it was Aidan's first visit. And I delight to say that he seemed to enjoy it as much as I do. Whenever he saw a big plane he would point and go "OHHHH". Just this last week he has started to point and it was fitting that he would point to things so beautiful. Then towards the end we let Aidan walk around and explore. He would run around and be in absolute awe of everything he saw. I loved it.

Nearly done....what a weekend!

Before I start saying anything or recounting anything I want to be sure and let some people know how much I appreciate them for everything that they have done for the Larson family this last little while. We have been blessed with some amazing family and friends. You can always be reminded of how much you are loved if people come and help you move. No one enjoys moving. And no one enjoys being asked to help someone else move. The following people have been life savers! Matthew and Courtney. Steven, Megan, Zoe, and Lincoln. Then we have Stephanie and Amy. Suzie and Bob and Virgie. Harrison, Jordan and and little Armga.

I really don't know where to start. This weekend was our moving weekend. We have been slowly moving over as many boxes and other little things as often as possible. We have been doing this for the last two weeks. A good portion of random boxes where already done before the weekend started. I was trying my hardest to make it so that this weekend could be productive without being so tiring. I hope it worked. We decided to do a load on Thursday evening. We had bought carpet and it needed to be placed in our room. Then we brought over some boxes. Then on Friday after Brian got home from work we started taking over more random items. I always knew we owned stuff...just not that much stuff. I keep rationalizing that a household requires a lot of stuff...but I just want to get rid of a bunch stuff. Silly I know, but still a thought. The McFadden's came over and helped and then so did Matt and Courtney. I am so grateful for them doing that. During all this I realized just how weird I can be...see earlier blog.

Then after a long night of doing that stuff we returned to our apartment to finish getting stuff ready for Saturday morning and the final haul. I woke up Saturday morning about 730. I got in the shower and got Aidan ready for the day. All the while I am trying to wake up my seriously exhausted husband up. People were coming over at 930 and at 9 he still wasn't awake. Well I got so mad because we had sooo much to do that I began to scurry around the house. I was frustrated and mad and ....ouch! What the.....! In the middle of all of my anger I didn't realize that a weight had been put in my way of travel and I with barefoot ran into. I heard a crack, as did my sleeping husband for he woke up to what had happened. I held my breath and then I stood up tall and tried to stretch out my toes to help it relax. I heard another crack as something was horribly wrong. At this point I say a dirty word and hobble over to sit down. Just a stubbed toe I conclude and hold my breath and grab a hold of it and yank on my toe...the one that is already swelling. I hear another crack and this one is so painful that I instantly realize it wasn't jammed or stubbed, but broken and I am yanking on it! My entire foot hurts like hell at this point and I am near tears. Needless to say....I was completely and totally useless on my moving day. So thank you to those who came and worked hard. I feel really bad that I didn't help on my moving day but I hope everyone understands. Stairs suck! And everything has stairs, our apartment, Suzie's house.

Because of my amazing friends and family and especially Brian. Everything is now officially out of the apartment. Our new family sleeping and relaxing area (everything we need is in an area about 400 square feet) is a disaster but it is slowly becoming livable.

My right foot or toe (the one next to the pinky toe) is currently purple and slightly bent at the top (distorted and everything). The top of my foot is bruised and blue with hints of yellow. It is shaped into a upside down triangle and covers about 3/4 of the top of my foot. I would take a picture but the camera is away from me and I can't bring myself to hobble around and find it.

In other news Aidan is still transitioning. He is slightly distracted because of all the activities happening today. But aside from the fact that he hates his new bath tub...he will be fine.

Is anxiety contagious or hereditary?

I did not move much growing up. I can remember doing it twice. Then I went on a mission and well...you move so much you just don't unpack your suitcase. I never utilized what few closets and dressers we were given. What was the point? So packing and moving and the whole transition thing became very easy for me. When I returned from my mission I never really let myself get too comfortable in any one spot because I was single and free. At any given time I could leave and start anew if I wanted. I lived with very little furnishings and very little everything. I could be a minimalist. I went nearly a year without sleeping on a bed! Why buy something big enough to fit into my small rented rooms when I was going to need a descent piece of furniture soon enough? Only recently have I allowed myself to expand my minimalist tendencies. I married a wonderful man that has a lot of stuff! While Brian was growing up they moved something like 18 times. The longest his family has lived in one place is five years and it is there current house. That being said he has a lot of stuff but he is able to pack quickly, not necessarily in the most organized and efficient manner, but it works for him so...so be it. We have been taking our time packing a little here and there and we have been taking loads over to Aunt Suzie's house. We have bought a piece of carpet to put down on the ground of our living space. Harrison and Jordan are on there way up here to help. Thank you! Matt and Courtney have also been big helps. So I should not feel anxious. Everything is really coming together wonderfully. The theater and Stephanie and Grandma Wilson have given us lots of boxes and they are greatly appreciated. Why this feeling? It feels so right and then my heart starts to panic. During every major change or stressful event my body and mind wants to just shut down and sleep. Crazy huh! I remember I almost slept through high school graduation. I just sat down and began to dream the most realistic dream ever, with a few embellishments. Those embellishments would wake me up. I am struggling to fight back the headaches and dreariness. The headaches only come around when I start to think of the move. Odd I am....

Well the last week Aidan has been acting strange. I thought I was because he just needing more sleep so I resolved to reinstate a bedtime and let him cry it out. It has gone relatively smooth. Aidan cries a bit and then he sleeps for 14 hours and then plays for two hours and then naps for 3 hours and then falls asleep somewhere about 7-9PM. I was thinking that this is fabulous. Then I had this morning. Aidan and I went out into our more than dismantled living room and I tried to put on Blue's Clues so I could get a couple more boxes packed. Aidan freaked out. Screaming. Lashing out. Hitting me. Wanting me to hold him. Pushing me away all at the same time. I tried to give him a bath....he absolute most favorite thing to do...he usually gets two a day he loves them so much. Oh no he just freaked out. Aidan has never had such a melt down. I finally got him out of the tub and into the crib...a mandatory nap. He instantly closed his eyes super tight like he wanted everything to disappear.

I retreated to the bedroom to contemplate the situation. I truly believe that even though I am okay with the move and feel good about it, my anxiety must have radiated more than I thought it was. Aidan is showing just how much like me he is everyday. He just slept for 15 hours straight. Is it possible that he needed more sleep, sure he's a growing boy. But I just want to close my eyes and make the chaos calm and normal too. If I could disappear into a slumber I would. He is also perfectly fine at Grandma's house. We need to finish this move as soon as possible. Two days may be too long. I want to finish for the well being of Aidan sanity. I am so happy that Jordan is coming up to entertain him. That will help so much.

Happy Birthday Ann!

Just wanted to be sure and let our Ann know that we wish her a very Happy Birthday. We love you. Can't wait to play tonight.



Ann with Aidan just moments after his arrival. :)

The greatest Bob and Virgie ever!

They don't have the capabilities to really take the time to read this but I just wanted to take a moment and thank my Bob and Virgie for all that they do for us. They are so wonderful! They have saved Brian and I many a time when we have needed babysitters. But more than anything we love that they are able to watch Aidan while I go to my pretend job. I feel very confident that he is getting attention and love while I am gone. And the thing that is most important for me is that even though he is little when that terrible day comes when they have left us, he will have a special bond with them. I always loved playing at there house and being babysat when I was little. I learned so much from both of them, I want Aidan to have that same feeling. I want him to have memories of their love. Thanks to them for all that they do.

Calling all volunteers...

We have decided to move in with Suzie this weekend. We decided this because we want Harrison and Jordan to come and visit and because it is a long weekend for everyone. Brian has been taking over loads to Suzie's house. We still have some more...not a lot but some all the same. Mostly the furniture is left. If anyone is willing to stop by and help it would be greatly appreciated. We plan to do some on Sunday (I know its bad!) and the rest on Monday morning. Monday morning is Martin Luther King Day. So if anyone wants to come over and help that would be fabulous. You can call my cell phone or Brian's for more information. Thanks everyone!

First night....success

Last night I fought the urge to spoil Aidan and let him stay up past his bedtime and sleep with us. It was a very weird night. After 75 minutes of screaming (what a persistent little one!) he finally gave up. It was the longest 75 minutes of my life. I thought Brian was going to cave a couple of times but we didn't and he fell asleep, finally. He woke up twice in the middle of the night 1230 and 2AM. Brian and I both woke up and talked to each other, but we didn't do it. We didn't go back in there. I was concerned that he would get hungry but Brian told me that no child has starved to death from not eating every six hours. He would survive until the morning. Well Aidan did. And when I went to wake him up at 9AM Aidan was oh so pleasant. He had even found the bottle that I had given him when he laid down. Aidan was fine and he survived his first night. I just hope that I can make him do it every night. Brian and I are having a hard time about consistently obeying the child's bedtime. So easy to ignore when you are having fun at someone's house.

Thanks for the support Cami. Brian and I read your comments every time we wanted to go and rescue our abandoned child.

Mickey, Kate and Tom!

Call me silly. Brian and I are movie and entertainment people. We watch the awards shows as often as allowed. Tonight we watched the Golden Globes and I enjoyed them. I agreed with many of the choices. I usually get upset at silly parts or ridiculous choices for winners. But Kate Winslet won two awards. She is always nominated for everything she does and never wins. It is looking like this year will be different for her. The winner for best actor was Mickey Rourke. Not much to say because I haven't seen the movie but...good for him. He is always critically acclaimed but always ignored because he is nothing even close to leading man material (charasmatic, attractive...etc). All he really has is acting talent. I wish in the industry that was all that it took. But look at Sean Penn, Don Cheadle and others. You need to be everything or more of the superficial to get awards. So in a nut shell. Just my own little congrats to Mickey Rourke and Kate Winslet. It makes me excited to actually with Oscars.

One major upset. One that I would have never agreed with in years past. Tom Cruise was nominated for his supporting role in Tropic Thunder. It was the funniest thing that I have ever seen in my life...especially for Tom Cruise. He actually pulled it off. Sorry Tom. Maybe next year Ben Stiller will write, produce, director and cast another movie and allow you to be involved and you can get good reviews again. Hmmmm....here's to hoping for you!

One hour fifteen minutes....

Who is the boss? The parent or the child? I thought that I always was the boss until tonight. Aidan has been ignoring his bed time, and his bed. All he wants to do is stay up late and sleep with mommy and daddy. We have tried but I realized recently that I am a sucker. Brian and I have agreed on a 9 PM bedtime. If it were any earlier Brian would not get to see Aidan except on the weekends. So tonight at 9PM I put him in his bed. He just quit crying moments ago. It was so hard to listen to him scream for so long. I hope that this will get easier. I hope that I am doing the right thing. I have been so scared lately because so much is going on in our lives that maybe he was feeling scared and confused. We are moving this weekend. We have been packing and preparing for this move for about three weeks. Every room in the house has changed dramatically in those three weeks. Everything in boxes. Boxes being shifted around. I just hope this was the right timing to get aggressive on his bed time.

Friday Night Date

Because it was needed and because it is now a goal for 2009, Brian and I had our first date of the year. I was very excited for this opportunity. It was not just that we went out, we do that often. It wasn't just dinner, I eat that every night. Part of our goal for 2009 was to go out on two dates a month. Sounds easy right? We have noticed that we just get too boring and then hate it after wards. Takeout and a rental movie is fun, but it should not count as the only kind of dates that we go on. So this year we decided to change that and this is how.

Brian was able to find a babysitter for Aidan (thanks Grandma Pat!). And then we talked about what we wanted to do. We still have a boring streak in us but being our first date of '09 we decided to got slow. I made sure that I spiced it up for Brian...I did my hair. I don't do it very often anymore. I am such a slacker. But my hair goes to my waist and can take up to 90 minutes just to make it presentable. I have talked it over with Brian and he does not think that I will be happy if I cut it, so for now I will just make due with the 90 minute hair style. But back to the story. We had a nice quant dinner at Olive Garden. I never appreciated a quiet relaxing dinner until I quit having them. After a brief 45 minutes of dinner Brian and I retired to our house to get some last minute moving stuff done. And then his mom brought Aidan home around ten. We still have a lot to learn about dating...but as far as I am concerned tonight was fabulous.

Happy Birthday Harrison

I just wanted to give a little Happy Birthday shout out to my little brother Harrison who is celebrating his.... um... 23rd birthday. Yeah I think that's right. I hope you took at least the second job off so that you could relaxing and party a bit. Be good you are so wonderful.

Harrison preforming a one act show of Wizard of Oz at the last Armga family reunion. Love ya brother!

Twlight Update!!!

This is for all of the Twilight followers out there. I just read that they just announced that Taylor Lautner will be returning as Jacob Black for the sequel. The decision was made because of all of the fan feedback and because Taylor has gained 19 pounds of straight muscle and is prepared to get at least 10 more pounds before filming starts in March. WOW! You go mongrel!! For more info...www.people.com

Resolutions/Goals 2009

So I finally have decided that my Resolution/Goal list for 2009 is done. So this is just so that I can have it here, in print to reference throughout the year. I have made lists for me as a person, a wife and a mother.

My resolutions 2009

Get healthy, feel better and be ore aware of my health.
Math 1010...finish and pass it already!
Pay a full tithe
Be active in church
Read the Book of Mormon
Graduate!!!
Be more crafty
More family time (immediate and extended)
Be more spiritual...daily not just on Sundays

Mommy resolutions 2009

Help Aidan with speech, motor skills, and conservation
Be very involved...not overbearing
Numbers, colors, alphabet, and nursery rhymes
Read scriptures nightly with Aidan
Read nightly with Aidan (more than just scriptures)
Preparing for Potty Training

Wife Resolutions 2009

Pay a full tithe
Active in church
Two dates a month
Read New Testament
Get married...in the temple

Basic 2009 Goals

Vacation to Las Vegas Motorspeedway in March
Vacation to Redfish in July
Vacation to DC/ NY in Aug
Visit St. George three times (Races in Mar, Baby Armga in Jun and ???)

Shop around and decide on a...
Couch
House
Television
Treadmill

Events to pay attention to...
Aidan's 1st Birthday
Anniversary
Honeymoon (Aug...see above)
Baby Armga in June
Temple sealing in August
Redfish Lake (and associated projects)

Help Brian complete 2 successful semesters at WSU!

Some don't do resolutions or goals because they don't accomplish them. I can honestly say that I have been doing goals and resolutions for about nine years now and I have a pretty good track record. If you pay attention, think about them, and want them bad enough you can accomplish them.

Good luck on your own...

08 in Review

My Two Favorite Board Games

I love this game! This is my number one favorite game of all time. I love all of the versions of Trivial Pursuit that I have played. And there have been many. I married into the right family for this game. Brian's father Jeff, collects Trivial Pursuit games. Every year for Christmas he gets a new one. I love being able to play this game along with him and his family. Yeah for Trivial Pursuit!
I also love this game! This is my number two. Brian and I were able to purchase the Diamond edition for Christmas...thanks Jacob! I remember hating this game growing up, but the more I play it the more I love it. Brian play a game of Scrabble almost every night before bed. It helps to calm us down and relax. I know that we are weird but you already knew that!

Happy New Year 2009!

Just wanted to take a minute and wish everyone a very happy new year. Last night we had so of our close friends come over and play games and watch the ball drop. It was a lot of fun and we say thank you to those who came over. I heard once in the mission field that however you bring in the new year and who you do it with is indicative of how you will spend the rest of the year. We were surrounded by family and had a great time. I look forward to 2009. So many things are scheduled to happen and I can't wait. May you ponder deeply your Resolutions/Goals for 2009 and may you have the will power and strength to fulfill them. I will post my list tomorrow. It still needs some tweaking.

When in doubt remember that the Larson's love you and think of you daily. (And that is so true because if you can read this then I have stalked your blog today and everyday as well...:)) Be strong and true and have a kick ass 2009! Your year is what you make of it... maybe Aidan will get a sibling? Good thing there is 365 days to decide that one.