Memories are Precious

I've done the rounds, so I guess I got this tag from...everyone!!

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Book Tag

Awesome Tag!! I love anything to do with books!

1. Pick up the nearest book.
2. Open to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag three people, and acknowledge who tagged you.

My nearest book was In the Ruins (the second to last book in a series I've been reading).

The 6th sentence is: Their eyes stung and their noses ran from the constant irritation of falling ash and blowing grit.
The 7th sentence is: Yet the patter of ash fall eased by the time Fortunatus sighed and turned to Rosvita.
And the 8th: "What if she is not coming back, Sister?"

I tag: Sarah H., Mom and Dad M., and Abby!
I was tagged by Stephanie

Friends and Family Tag

Rules of this Tag:
1. Answer the questions about the list of friends and/or family on your blog.
2. If you don’t have 18 names answer the question about the next name that you have not had a question for on your list.
3. Tag 5 people.

--When did you first meet the 1st person on your list?
Like Melinda, I met Cousin Abby a long time ago, but I'm not nearly as sure of the date as she is.

--What do you like about the blog of the 3rd person on your list?
I love how often Ashley includes Joseph in her pictures and posts. I don't always get Josh's name in, let alone his picture. Way to go, Ashley!!

--What do you like best about the 5th and 6th people on your list?
Several years ago, now, I had the opportunity to spend several days in the home of Uncle Ken and his family. It was great to hang out with my cousins, but I particularly remember the peaceful feeling, the warmth of the spirit that settled on their house, all the time.
Esther and I had many memories together growing up (our moms being so close and all), and I've always loved how energetic she is; and how she focuses the energy into accomplishing the goals she sets.

--How long have you known the 9th person on your list?
Oooh, I haven't actually met Jessica. She's Josh's only first cousin, and she lives too far away to visit, so I'm afraid I'm not aquainted with her at all.

--What impresses you about the 11th and 12th people on your list?
Kathy has an amazing talent at the piano, and her voice is devine! She's also impressed me with her strength in dealing with the grief of losing a loved one.
Melinda, oh, the things I could tell!! Mel doesn't just impress me, no, she astounds me with her good cheer, upbeat attitude, and smiling disposition. She and I had our moments growing up, but she's always been the one to see the bright side first.

--What is a memory you have with the 16th person on your list?
Way back when I was a snotty teenager, I went to visit Melinda at BYU Idaho. Because there was a shortage of beds, I spent the night at Rachel and Brandon's house. It was just after Jenna was born, and Rachel and I went upstairs to tidy up her new bedroom. I remember organizing tiny pink dresses in the slightly triangular room, and sighing over the perfect crib and teddy bears. Rachel told me my chance would come, and we went back downstairs to bake cookies.

--Say something nice about the 18th person on your list.
In one of the more recent posts, I have to say I am sooo JEALOUS of how great Sarah F. looks in her pregnancy. I didn't look that good (thus the reason there are no pictures of me during that time). They say a women is most beautiful when she's pregnant, and Sarah is the perfect example.


I think I'm out of people to tag, OH NO!
Just in case, I'll tag:
Abby
Grandma and Grandpa
Sarah H.
and
Mom and Dad M.

Memior Tag

Rules:
1. Write your own six-word memoir.

2. Post it on your blog and include a visual illustration if you’d like.

3. Link to the person who tagged you in your post.

4. Tag three (choice is yours) more blogs with links.

5. Remember to leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play.

LaNita

Reader
Wife
Mother
Tired
Happy
Sore

Okay....
I tag Sarah H. , Mom M., and Rachel.

I like this, and I just had to try it for myself. Good call, Calista!!

HowManyOfMe.com

There are 3 people with my name in the U.S.A. http://howmanyofme.com">How many have your name?

There are 4,557 people in the U.S. with the first name Lanita.
Statistically the 2762nd most popular first name.
More than 99.9 percent of people with the first name Lanita are female.
There are 227,850 people in the U.S. with the last name ********.
Statistically the 116th most popular last name.

Sloopy BattyNose
MY NEW NAME IS IN THE TITLE. DON'T LAUGH UNTIL YOU FIND OUT WHAT YOUR NEW NAME IS.

We all need a little stress-reliever! Sometimes when you have a stressful day or week, you need some silliness to break up the day. Here is a dose of humor...

A. Follow the instructions to find your new name.

B. Once you have your new name, post it as the title of your post. Include the instructions so everyone can play along! The following is excerpted from a children's book, Captain Underpants And the Perilous Plot Professor Poopypants by Dave Pilkey, in which the evil Professor forces everyone to assume new names...

So:1. Use the third letter of your first name to determine your New first name:

a = snickle

b = doombah

c = goober

d = cheesey

e = crusty

f = greasy

g = dumbo

h = farcus

i = dorky

j =doofus

k = funky

l = boobie

m = sleezy

n = sloopy

o = fluffy

p = stinky

q = slimy

r = dorfus

s = snooty

t = tootsie

u = dipsy

v = sneezy

w = liver

x = skippy

y = dinky

z = zippy

2. Use the second letter of your last name to determine the first half of your new last name:

a = dippin

b = feather

c = batty

d = burger

e = chicken

f = barffy

g = lizard

h = waffle

i = farkle

j = monkey

k = flippin

l = fricken

m = bubble

n = rhino

o = potty

p = hamster

q = buckle

r = gizzard

s = lickin

t = snickle

u = chuckle

v = pickle

w = hubble

x = dingle

y = gorilla

z = girdle

3. Use the third letter of your last name to determine the second half of your new last name:

a = butt

b = boob

c = face

d = nose

e = hump

f = breath

g = pants

h = shorts

i = lips

j = honker

k = head

l = tush

m = chunks

n = dunkin

o = brains

p = biscuits

q = toes

r = doodle

s = fanny

t = sniffer

u = sprinkles

v = frack

w = squirt

x = humperdinck

y = hiney

z = juice

Thus, for example, George W. Bush's new name is: Fluffy Chucklefanny.Now when you POST THIS...use your new name as the title. And remember that children laugh an average of 146 times a day; adults laugh an average of 4 times a day. Put more laughter in your day.

When I first saw this one Melinda's blog, I really needed the lift. The last couple of days have been a little rough because Josh was chosen to go to Pheonix (very short notice), and now he's been gone for two days, and there's still 19 left. My only option is to keep as busy as possible, because whenever I have a spare moment to sit still and think, my thoughts stray to Josh's face, Josh's voice, and my peace is shattered. I try hard not to think about him, but then I feel kinda guilty that I'm not, so I do, and then...ugh, it's just a vicious love cycle.

Anyway, I've spent the last several hours at Sarah H.'s house, letting her cheer me up, and letting Dallas play with Josilyn. We laughed and talked, ate some dinner, and had chocolate cheesecake smothered in whipped topping. It's really great that I have her here, closeby; someone I can turn to when I need that little bit of a lift.

[sigh]

All that's left is to go to bed tired, dream not at all, and snuggle up with Dallas for breakfast.

Food Tag

I've finally gotten around to this tag, and I've had some laughs at some of the other stuff I've read from other people.
7 things about me and food....

1. I love potatoes!! Baked, mashed, hashbrowns, sliced and fried, potato skins, in casssaroles. I love potatoes!!
2. I like the flavor onion lends to dishes when sauteed or otherwise cooked, but I can't stand them raw.
3. Although I disliked them immensely when I was younger, I have gained quite a fondness for mushrooms. My favorite way to eat them is stuffed with mozzerella cheese over the top, yummmm.
4. I'm in the same boat as Melinda with raw meats. The smell of them makes me wish to throw it all away and become a vegitarian.
5. Jell-o, oh yeah.
6. One of my favorite things is chicken, I love it, it's texture and flavor, mmmm, it makes me hungry just thinkin' about it
7. Having a toddler, I have grown rather fond of Goldfish, Teddy Grahams.

5 Favorite Things

My 5 favorite things are....
1. Dallas, he's my whole life wrapped up in a very energetic bundle.
2. Josh, my partner, my love, my breadwinner:)
3. Gardening, I love flowers! If only it would heat up...
4. Warm cake and ice cream
5. A good book.

I'm tagging.....
Mom and Annette, 'cuz I think they're the only ones left.

Name Game

My turn, my turn!!!

1.YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car)

Fred Silverado

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie)

Chocolate Oatmeal Raisin

3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name)

LMCD

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)

Green Dog

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)

Reid Edwards

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first)

MCDLA

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink)

The Purple Milk

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)

Donald Jack

9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy)

Burberry Sixletts

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother & father’s middle names)

Ann Eugene

11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter)

Kessler Kadoka

12. SPY NAME/BOND GIRL: (your favorite season/holiday, flower)

Summer Rose

13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”)

Kiwi Socksie

14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree)

Apple Aspen

15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”)

The Arguing Storm Tour

I liked this one a lot!!!

I Been Tagged...

A. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning


B. Each player answers the questions about themselves


C. At the end of the post, the player tags 4 people and posts their names, then goes to their blog and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they are tagged


10 years ago I was . . .

Trying to get used to the idea that my oldest sister had just gotten married.


5 things on my to do list today . . .

1. Update my family on Dallas' recovery

2. Do those darn dishes

3. Take all the trash out to the dumpster

4. Make Josh's favorite meatloaf

5. Have fun with Sarah in town


4 Things I would do if I became a billionare...

-Get out of debt

-Travel around the country in an RV

-Set up funds for college

-Give lots away to medical research


3 of my bad habits are. . .

1. reading when there's too much else to do

2. sleeping in way too late

3. leaving clothes in the washer


5 places I have lived...

-Edwards, CA

-Nampa, ID

-Ellsworth, SD

-Yukon, OK

-Guthrie, OK


5 jobs I have had...

1. Dishwasher at Quick-Wok

2. Server at JJ North's

3. Teacher at a daycare

4. Deli-girl

5. Donut pusher at Walmart


4 Things most people don't know about me...

-I really do own some pink clothes

-I spent hours as a teenager teaching myself to have better handwriting, because my mom told me once that she couldn't read what I'd wriitten.

-I have kept every single piece of jewlry ever given to me.

-I'm not afraid of becoming my mother



OK, now who's it?
You have been tagged. . .

Calista

Sarah Hare

Esther

Michelle

Okay here are the tags I promised to post, enjoy!

4 Jobs You've Had:
1. MOMMY
2. Dishwasher
3. Donut girl (walmart)
4. Teacher (daycare)

4 Places I've Lived:

1. EAFB, CA
2. Kuna, ID
3. EAFB, SD
4. Guthrie, OK

4 T.V. Shows You Love to Watch

1. Law and Order
2. CSI
3. CMT
4. House

4 Places You've Been on Vacation

1. Disneyland
2. Texas
3. Mount Rushmore
4. Florida

4 Websites You Visit Daily

1. Yahoo!
2. Google
3. Blogger
4. MSN

4 of Your Favorite Foods:

1. Chocolate (duh)
2. Roast beef and potatoes
3. BBQ
4. Sticky Chicken

4 Places I'd Rather Be:

1. In a hot tub
2. With my parents in UT
3. In bed
4. Cold Stone

And another one...

Get to Know My Sweetheart
What is his name? Josh
How long have you been together? 2 1/2
How long did you date? 5 years, off and on
How old his he? 21
Who eats more? Me
Who said "I love you" first? He did, way back in 7th grade
Who is taller? Josh, just by a few inches
Who is smarter? Him
Who does the laundry? I do, for the sake of my wardrobe
Who pays the bills? He does
Who sleeps on the right side? We switch back and forth everytime the bed moves, he likes being close to the door.
Who mows the lawn? We both ride the mower
Who cooks dinner? I do
Who drives? He does, mostly, unless he's too tired (not often)
Who is more stubborn? That one's a toss up
Who kissed who first? Josh kissed me first when we first started dating, but when he showed up after a few years absence I kissed him first.
Who asked who out first? He asked me
Who proposed? Josh, down by the creek on a sunny afternoon
Who is more sensitive? I am
Who has more siblings? Me (I have 5, Josh has 1)
Who wears the pants in the family? We both do, just on different subjects

I tag whoever wants to share their story!

Christmas Tag
Because traditions are important, we decided that Josh should also include his family’s traditions, to show how we’ve combined and changed things around. So we’ll start off with his:
-Visiting Grandparents Christmas Eve, and opening the gifts their gifts.
-Looking forward to Dad coming home (he was and still is a long-haul truck driver)
-Picking out gifts for everyone (there was just the two of us kids and mom and dad)
Now for mine:
-Watching and waiting for Santa, falling asleep before he arrived nearly every time
-Picking out and setting up the real tree, lights put on by Brad (being the pickiest) and ornaments arranged by all
-Singing carols accompanied by Melinda or Wes on the piano
-Putting up lights on the house
-Caroling to the neighbors on Christmas Eve
-Helping Mom set out all of her decorations
-Guessing what could possibly be in the biggest package under the tree
-Trying to pick out our Christmas Pjs, and never getting it right
-Reading Christmas stories by the light of the tree
-Tacking up the newly-arrived cards all over the entryway
-Winding Rudolph’s nose…just once
-Gingerbread houses
-Making candy, cookies, and yummy foods
-Eating with as much family as can get there for a Christmas lunch at Grandma’s
Of all the things I remember about Christmas, I probably best recall all the laughter, the excitement, and the not-so-subtle efforts at trying to get whoever had your name to tell you what you were getting, and failing. I remember the feeling of coming home everyday, and the difference it made to just walk in the door. At Christmas the feeling was particularly strong, but it was always there, just the same.
Our combined and mixed-up traditions now are:
-Decorating the tree together
-Listening to the most annoying Redneck Christmas songs we can find
-I make candy, Josh and Dallas eat it
-Gingerbread houses
-Going to Grandma and Grandpa McDonald’s house for Christmas Eve, and opening their gifts
-Christmas stories
-Watching all our Christmas movies
-Eggnog…..mmmmmmmmmmm
Although we’ve already set some of traditions in stone, some are ones we just haven’t managed to implement yet (ie. Christmas lights on the house). We’re hoping to add to our traditions, just like we want to add to our family. But whether our traditions stay the same, or change with each passing year, we will always keep the meaning close in our hearts, and the love we have for each other and our family will always be a tangible presence in our home.
Merry Christmas, everyone!

Tagged

"The first part is to tell the top three things that made you want to love him for the rest of time, and the second is to tell what you've learned about him since that keeps it alive for you."
I have finally gotten brave enough to take on the challenge Calista gave us. So here it goes.
1. His Honesty This is actually a double-edged sword, because while he is always straight with me, telling me the ablsolute truth, as he knows it, he tends a little to be too honest sometimes. I'm afraid I've been surprised by his family and our friends a couple of times when he has told them something I'd wanted to keep to myself for a while, but hadn't told Josh I wanted it kept private. While he's a little quieter than I am in laying out his opinions, he is no less blunt when the occasion calls for it, and not in the least afraid of offending someone if he thinks something needs to be said.
2. He's a Rock From the very beginning (going all the way back to Junior High), Josh has always been someone to lean on when there is trouble, or at least no tissues. He is willing to let you cry, rave, scream even, knowing you need to let it out, and then not say anything about why you were upset or angry. I always know that when I need him, I have only to call, that he'll be there for me as fast as is humanly possible. He is steady, dependable, and I used to think those were boring traits in a man, but now I cannot think of anything more comforting than a person you can count on 100%.
3. I'm not sure what to call this one, it's many different words, I think. When he started calling me again from South Dakota, I didn't know what to think. I knew my feelings for him were mixed, all jumbled up in a closet where I didn't really want to look. But the only thing he asked was that he be allowed to talk to me, and tell me he loved me at the end of the conversation. He didn't ask me to answer in kind, just that he be allowed to say it. (Persistance?) As the conversations grew less stilted, less awkward, I became accustomed to hearing him say it. With that came a curiosity of how much he loved me, and he started expressing everything he felt in his heart. (Devotion?) After he arrived in Idaho for my graduation, he told me he didn't want to let me go, to leave without taking me with him. I tried, unsuccessfully, to put him off, to give myself some room to think. He didn't let me, only wrapped me up in his love, as if to ward off any doubts I might have. (Protective?) I don't know how to put it all into words, but I love every part of him, so much I sometimes feel a physical ache with it all. When he asked me to marry him, there was no little voice in my head that said "Whoa, girl! Stop and think about this. It's going too fast, you need to take a minute and look at the big picture." I simply said the only thing that could have made me the happiest person on earth. And here I am today, never regretting a single moment of it all.
1. He is Humble Josh is willing and able to admit he was in the wrong when presented with facts, or opinions, from both sides that do, in fact, prove him wrong. He doesn't get offended at being incorrect, just accepts it and moves on. Knowing when to give ground is just as important as knowing what to do with it when you've won it. He has proven this to me many times, over the last couple years, as we've faced hardships that would break some marriages, and we're still here.
2. His sense of Duty When we were first married, I remember being struck by how handsome he looked in his BDUs and his dress blues. Looking back on it, it wasn't just the outfit, but an attitude he took on as well. He knew when he put that uniform on he was representing the United States Air Force, and he knew that everything he did would be seen, not as an individual citizen, but as part of the military that protected us from tyranny. He knew what was expected of him, and he intended to exceed those expectations, go above and beyond, because his work was his passion. Since then, we have gone our seperate ways from the military, but that same attitude of representation, to wherever he works, is present, almost tangible, when I see him step into the kitchen in his uniform.
3. His love for Dallas and Me I knew when I married him, that Josh loved me. I thought I knew what love was, how it made you feel, how to make everything work so that love would still be most important. But I soon learned that love isn't something you can put on your weekly check-list of things to do, along with the shopping, the laundry, and the (ick!) dishes. Josh loved me so completely that it didn't take long for me not to think about how much or how little we had, I didn't need to worry if we loved each other enough to overcome obstacles that may land in our path. He took it all out of my hands by simply letting his love surround me, completely and efficiently smothering fears and doubts. I knew there was no way I could love anyone more than I loved Josh, I knew it with such intensity that I stumbled when that knowledge was shattered by my love for Dallas. Throughout my pregnancy, I don't remember Josh being all gooey about feeling the baby move, or listening to his heartbeat. But I clearly recall seeing him in the hospital, holding that tiny bundle and looking as if his heart would break. Since then, I have pictures to show for his love and protection of Dallas, my favorites are the ones of them sleeping together: Dallas snug against Josh's side, and Josh's arm holding him close, is if to never let go. Over the last year I have seen Josh's reservations about becoming a daddy fall away as he gets sillier with Dallas every day. It's interesting to see that I've fallen to second place, as well: if I go to wake Josh in the morning, I can shake and holler and rip the covers off, and never get more than a sleepy mumer, followed by a snore. But then Dallas will all but jump out of my arms, yelling "dada", and Josh's eyes will pop open as he catches the little monkey before getting a bloody nose as Dallas falls on top of him to give him a kiss.
I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful, loving husband. I don't know what I would do without him, and I thank my Heavenly Father everyday for giving him to me.
(P.S. Thibe sibex ibis ibamibazibing!!!)