Things That Must Go V

It has been awhile since the last list, which I would like to contribute to my being at peace with the world, but probably has more to do with my laziness.

1. Saturday Rain: It seems like it has rained or snowed for the last month+ on the weekends. My garden and lawn need some serious attention and I have not been able to give it to them.

2. Birthday Greetings 1.0: I have two sites that I check daily Facebook, and SisterShare (a relief society site,) and on both sites it seems that everyone has been having a birthday recently. Now I don't have anything against birthday's or my friends and associates, but the greetings are getting a bit overwhelming. On sister share, any time someone wishes someone else a happy birthday it takes up the whole message board and other posts are not shown. But what is even worse is when someone doesn't get a b-day greeting at all. Then the whole thing becomes a popularity contest, like during the Oscar's In Memoriam segment when the really famous actors get a lot of claps, and older forgotten actors get silence. Everyone feels awkward, or should. It is a good thing gone wrong. So I don't really have an answer, you may get a greeting from me you may not, but hopefully you know if I like you or not and if I do you know I want you to have a lovely Birthday.

3. Birthday Greetings 2.0: I am really lazy on facebook and I am really annoyed at the dozens of requests that I get daily for redundant things. Now I do like taking silly quizzes and stuff, but I find it odd that I seem to be alerted to every one's birthday without signing up for anything and yet facebook wants me to jump through several pages to alert every single person of my birthday. TOO MUCH WORK. Again you know if I want you to have a happy day and I think I know you want me to have on too. May 6th. That's the day.

4. N.A.S.A.: It seems like there has been an increase in the past few years in the number of shuttles they send up to do stuff up there. How much is this costing us? Really? People complain about bailouts, Iraq, other government spending, why aren't' people complaining about NASA? What have they really done for us lately? Yeah the moon was cool and a worthy use of money for many reasons, but that was 1969 people. We are not even close to getting to Mars and if we were we already know there ain't nothing there. Now I am fine with the government launching satellites for defense and communication, but I really feel that everything else should move to the private sector. Let rich nerds figure out warp engines and stuff and then get back in the game. Lets not go anywhere unless there is a good reason to go, i.e. air, water, really cool aliens. I don't want another penny of my money going to repairing a toilet on the international space station so some guy can study to effect of zero gravity on worms.

Hmm this may be my first list without a complaint pertaining to Max's cartoons. I think were making progress.

I need a vacation

I am usually happy to be living in Arkansas. It is the most lovely of states, particularly right now as everything is that lime green spring color. We have just the right mix of city and country, and the people are wonderful. But I need me some family babysitters near by. My parents are the closest at 13 hours away! That's no good. Jeff and I have not been away from Max together (for more then 6 hours) ever. I am not asking for a week here, just a night or two before baby number two comes along. This is truly the one drawback of not living in Utah. (Although frankly if everyone were smart they would move out here, it's way better.) Oh well. That's enough griping. As for good news, I am finally feeling better. Wahoo. I still have one or two bad nights a week, but for the most part it seems like the sickness is behind me. I have also come to terms with the possibility that I might actually have a girl, (we find out in early May.) I want another boy, a playmate for Max, mostly because I don't want to deal with all the drama of girls. I also feel that I won't have any self control when it comes to buying dresses and bows and well have to declare bankruptcy within a few years. One thing that has made me more accepting of the possibility of a girl is that Jeff and I have decided upon a name. It feels totally right and makes me almost excited. If we have a girl she will be named Mae/May Maureen Larkin. As you can see we are not sure how we want to spell Mae/May. But either way doesn't Mae/May and Max go so well together? It has always been my favorite month since my birthday is in May and that is usually when school gets out. It also happens to be the middle name of my best friend and sister Krista (Mae). So really it just fits. Maureen was Jeff and my boss at the BYU Bookstore. But really she was more then that to both of us. She is a good friend whom we always see when we are in Utah and we are so glad to know her. Now I suppose something could happened between now and September to change our minds, but it really does seem like the right fit. Please feel free to participate in the survey as to the Mae/May debate.

It must be spring

Well the past few weeks have ushered in a new round of babies. I would like to congratulate all my friends on their new arrivals. My cousin Katie Jo and her daughter Maci Jo, my college friend Amanda and her son Tristan, my Arkansas friend Darcie and her daughter Reagen, my girlfriend Jill and her daughter Shirley (whom I got to hold and she is so small and huggably soft!) And finally this morning Jeff's coworker and good friend Scott and his wife Aileen had their daughter Mikayla three months early this morning. Mom is doing well and baby is breathing on her own. Lots of prayers going their way. I hope I haven't forgotten anyone. These are all in the last month people! I am way behind in baby gifts. This brings the 2009 total to 9, yikes!

I Wanna Be a Rock Star

For Jeff's birthday this year he got Rock Band. He was thrilled and I was happy to get him something he enjoys so much (with the help of the fantastic Kasey!) The unexpected consequence of this is Max's reaction. We knew he liked music, he is always drumming with sticks, pots, pans, anything really. He sings little songs to himself and when we would go to any store where they had Rock Band/ Guitar Hero stations he would cry if we didn't stop and cry when we left. But we were in no way prepared for the obsession that is Max and Rock Band. The first words he used to utter when he woke up were usually Dada or blanket or some other little noise, now all he says is "Want Rock Band." I truly must hear this at least 10-20 times a day. We have had a difficult hiding it from him. He know there are not many places where it can be and will search diligently. It is not that we don't want him to play, it is just not all day long every day. Before Rock Band he had an attention span of about 5 min. to any show, but Rock Band can last for hours (not kidding!!!) This boy loves his guitar and drums. He know when to start drumming on a song, and when to stop. He is obsessed. Were not quite sure how to proceed. Right now we only let him play when we want to play, but the consequence is constant whining. I am so glad that we have Rock Band, cause it really makes my boys happy, we just need to learn how to live with it.

Emily and Steve or Jeff and Emily?

I have finally overcome some laziness and added some blogs to my list that I have been a fan of for quite some time. They are friends out here in Arkansas and I enjoy getting their updates, especially now that I have been home sick so much. I have chosen to list the blogs by family name in most cases, to make it easier to know who it is to the reader. I think first names are a bit vague. Where there are first names, I have omitted the last name by the person's request or they are single (not that that's a crime, but it seemed funny to list a family of one.) I appreciate the effort people go to when coming up with clever names for their blogs, but if someone clicks on their blog then they'll see the name eventually. If anyone is annoyed by this or has a request then please let me know, I am more then willing to change. I get a kick out of how my blog is listed on friends blogs. One friend has me listed as Emily and Steve, I am not sure if she is referring to my Dad or thinks that Jeff's name is Steve. The only one that really bothers me, is one where Jeff is listed first! Jeff and Emily. Now this is a totally stupid thing to be bugged about, but seriously it is like pulling teeth to get him to even read a post, I certainly don't think he should get top billing. Totally stupid of me, yes, but how I feel none the less. I would rather be Emily and Steve, then Jeff and Emily

Grrrrr

So I wasn't planning on changing my blog, I actually really liked the last one; but while trying to add the baby ticker, I deleted it. I am actually quite bummed, I really liked the bird on the last one but I can't remember where I got it. So this new background may not be with us for long.

Come on Everybody Ride the Train

My parents never cease to suprise me with their varied interests. From cattle raising to modern art. From gourmet cooking to Steven Segal movies, these guys love everything. During a suprise visit this weekend, we decided to attend the local model train show. Last Christmas my mother got a model train for her Department 56 Village and she has become quite the enthusiast since. I assumed that when we got there Max would be the most enthralled by the trains, but while his interest was mild at best, my mother and father were walking around chatting it up and scouring for deals and steals. It was very bizzare, shocking almost how they could get so hooked in three months. Very cute though. The rest of the trip was nice but short. It has been awhile since we have gathered. We saw them last July in Utah and then it was almost a year before that. They hadn't seen my home since 2006. The really rewarding parts were how quickly Max became attached to my dad. It took him about ten min before he was competely in love with the big guy. He spent much of the weekend giving his grandpa hugs and kisses. It was also nice that my parents like what Jeff and I have done to the house. When it comes to interior design, I hold my parents opinion in the highest esteem, I mean it is what they do for a living, so it was a good boost to my self esteem. (it should probably be confessed that it helped that my taste in art is very similiar to my mothers.) And the very best part of the trip was that my mommy made me two loafs of honey oatmeal bread!!!! Oh yeah this stuff is gold. Jeff isn't even allowed to look at it; I have forbidden him. I must make this last, because I have forbidden myself from making it because I don't want to be so fat I need a crane to get me out of bed. I am more excited about this then the pie that is also in my fridge. Yup the weekend visit was short but an excellent one none the less.