Ralph Lauren models can't be stopped.

Mom and Dad Marcum

We just got back home from another trip to Rexburg.  This one caught us by surprise.  Chris's dad had a kind of pre-heart attack this week and had to have bypass surgery.  Quadruple bypass turned into five bypasses.  The whole family gathered together.  We fasted and prayed.  There was a game of Phase 10,  swapping of favorite YouTube videos and watching Greta roll all over the surgical waiting room, all to pass the time.  After many, many hours--the surgery was complete and successful.  I think everyone let out a sigh of relief and thankfulness.  It was so touching to see all of Chris's brothers and his sister there.  In a day's notice, they were all there.  That's what a family is all about.  "Dad" was moved from the ICU today, but will be in the hospital a few more days.   It will be a long recovery, but I have a feeling he will be making an amazing comeback very soon.  Ralph Lauren models can't be stopped (I always tell him he could work for them, hehe).

Now that heart disease officially runs in Chris's family (Chris's grandparents had to have the surgery, too), I asked his dad today in the hospital what can I do to protect Chris.  He told Chris to lay off the fried foods, especially potato chips, to exercise, and watch his cholesterol.  What a wake-up call.  I was so proud of Chris for not pulling into a fast-food place on the way home.  I can tell he is really taking his dad serious and that eases some of my worries.

I love this family.  I am so blessed to have BOTH of the best families on earth. 

I spent over $10,000 in the last year.

ON RENT!  Whoa, I feel sick about that.  I am never going to see that money again.  When I found out about that, I started thinking about how nice it would be to buy our own place and stop this renting business.  Chris, of course, agreed whole-heartedly.  So the process has begun.

Last night we saw five homes that I never want to see again.  Ever.  They looked decent online, but they smelled and the neighbor's yard was trashy.  I know that this is just our first home.  This isn't our dream home, but there are some things that I don't want to compromise.

We need at least 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.  I want a closet in the master bedroom that can fit both of our clothes.  (Chris currently uses the closet in the nursery as his.  Both of our closets are tiny.)  I want to live in a good neighborhood.  That was the most disappointing thing about last night.  I welcome a house that needs work.  I would love a good fixer-upper IF it was in a friendly, safe and clean neighborhood.  It all comes down to the kitchen and square footage with Chris.  We would both love to live closer to Chris's work in Provo, but... Provo!?  I don't know if there is a nice, affordable, safe place there.  All five homes that we looked at last night were in Provo and I was depressed after seeing them.  Blah.

Then there is always the option of a townhouse.  We can get a newer and more updated place for the money, but is it a good investment?  There is so much we have to learn.  We hope to be in a new place by December.  We love our apartment, it's PERFECT, but it keeps stealing our money and is never going to give it back.  Hmph.

Photoshoot

I have four sisters, I know all about photoshoots.  Everytime we are all together, which sadly isn't as often anymore, we spend a couple hours getting ready.  I usually do everyone's hair, Krissy helps with the eyebrows and makeup and we all swap clothes for the big photoshoot.  My mom takes the pictures in every pose and setting possible and then we spend the next hour huddled around Andi's computer editing.  Ah, it is delightful.  It is a main event that we all look forward to.  

You can imagine how excited I was when Brandon, Chris's brother, asked if he could take pictures of Greta.  "Ahh!! Of course!"  The getting ready process wasn't quite as extravagant.  I have to wait 5 minutes before any event to put Greta in her outfit or she'll spit up all over it. (Yes, she still spits up constantly.)   I put a little bow in her hair and she was ready to go.  The girl is a natural.  Brandon brought over some professional lighting and got all set up.  Greta spit up on the backdrop that he brought, so we just stuck with the surroundings in place.  She sat up on her own so well and smiled for the camera.  Brandon got a lot of cute shots of her, but these are just a couple of my favorite.  Thanks, Brandon!  Here's to many more photoshoots.

Sleep 2.0

Last night, after 20 months of marriage, we switched sides in bed.  The idea originated because I didn't want to sleep next to the open window anymore.  After one night, I am hooked!  I slept so well last night. Turns out, I like the other side of the bed.

Greta also has a new way of sleeping....

And it must be working for her, too, because she slept until 9 am this morning.  She needed lots of rest.  She has had a very rough week of hardly any sleep at all due to a cold and cough and right ear infection.  She's been teary-eyed and cranky all week.  It has been hard on all of us.  Coming home from our trip, we weren't feeling well, and by the end of this week, I am completely drained.  I hated that she wasn't feeling well and I wish she could understand that rest would feel the best.  Unfortunately, sleeping on your back adds a lot of pressure to your ears.  She would scream when she laid in her crib because her ear was hurting so bad.  After awhile, she learned to keep this position pictured above.  Now, after a couple days of antibiotics and ibuprofen, she seems to be doing a little better...with one very nasty side effect:

A Non-Greta Post

 Something has to be said.  It has really been bothering me lately.  I would say I HATE , but I don't say hate, so I very much dislike...even ABHOR when I am leaving a comment on someone's blog and I have to put in the word verification.  Those things are never words and they make them all swirled and very close to real words.  In fact, sometimes I think, "Oh, I know that word ----" I type it in, like no problem and then it turns out being not correct because they wanted me to look closer and notice that it is not the real word I was thinking it was...it was just a made-up sorta thing.  Why?  Just make it a real word, right?

5 month old love

I love you, my little five-month old.

I love your huge, open-mouthed smile that never ends.

 

I love your chubby thighs and the rolls hidden by your diaper.

 

I love that one big curl on top of your head.

 

I love your brown, brown, brown eyes.

 

I love your little voice when you are talking to yourself in the mirror.

 

I love that you love oatmeal and bananas.  I do too!

 

I love that you try so hard to crawl.  It will come, don't worry.

 

I love having you.  I am gonna keep you forever.

Our tropical vacation in paradise.

 Psyche.  We just got back from our vacation to Rexburg.  We now vacation to Rexburg--wow.  We came home a day early so that we can have tomorrow to vacation from our vacation.  If you need a vacation from vacation, then usually something didn't go exactly as planned.  It's true: 9 days in Rexburg is just too long.  And if our minds couldn't figure that out, by day 5 our bodies started rejecting the place.  We have all arrived home ill.

But before the runny noses, stuffed noses, coughs, sore throats and headaches set in (and a little bit after all that set in) we enjoyed the rodeo, sharing a full-sized bed (maybe just I enjoyed being so close), eating out at Rexburg's new chinese restaurant that's NOT Fong's and IS delicious, a little jamba juice, seeing my sister from Mexico, laughing hysterically to the tune of Jim Gaffigan, seeing my incredibly pregnant sister ready to pop (don't miss that feeling), visiting my oldest sister in the middle of nowhere (hello Arco, Idaho), my nephew's baptism, hot-tubbing, game boards, bocce, family pictures, shopping, the Bar J Ranch in Jacksonhole, and 4 hours of Chris's family reunion before we all felt too sick to go on.

Traveling takes a lot, nay, TOO MUCH now.  It's stressful, especially on Greta.  She hasn't slept for a week and neither have I.  Chris got some shut-eye thanks to NyQuil.  Overall, it was great to see some family but I am happy to be back home. Isn't that always the way?  I am in no hurry to pack our bags again.  I am at peace in my king-sized bed with my Papa Murphy's deLite pizza and my baby sleeping in her own room. *crossing fingers on the sleeping part.*

Pictures, you say? Mmmkay.

Chris launching me on the trampoline in Arco, Id

Aunt Andi and Greta

Andi and Jules at the Rodeo

Just one of our family pictures Andi took. We are so grateful for her talent.

Greta and Chris chilling on the 4th in Arco, Id. Love those lips, Greta....and Chris. *wink*

Greta wants to eat EVERYTHING that anyone else is eating.  Pizza is a no-brainer.

Just a couple of lovebirds on Independence Day.

Mom, Jules, Chris and a very excited Greta at the rodeo.

Jules, Patty, Andi and Greta.  Girls out shopping.

Clockwise from Left:  Krissy, Julie, Andi, Patty. (Vicky couldn't come)

Words from a Groupie.

Today I felt like I went back in time 3 or 4 years.  I haven't been shopping in years.  Literally.  The last time I can remember shopping for clothes was pre-mission, and even then, I was shopping for mission clothes.  This morning, Greta and I went to the mall.  We shopped Gap clearance and I got some new clothes for Chris and I.  I got Chris a pair of shorts and two shirts and I got a jacket, a shirt and and cami.  That's six things for $50.  I am not a coupon shopper, but shoot--I love a good Gap sale. After shopping, we (Greta and I) met Chris for lunch at Five Guys.  Lots of people have told us that we have to try this place out and we are so glad we finally did.  We LOVED it.  The menu was so simple and easy to choose from and the burgers and fries were delicious.  We'll be repeat customers for sure.  Chris and I haven't met for lunch since we lived in Rexburg.  It was such a treat. 

But tonight was the real specialty.  Matt stayed home with Greta while Chris and I went down to Provo where Chris played a show at Sammy's Cafe with his friend, Cory Belliston.  Chris and Cory have been playing together for years but Cory recently moved to California, so it has been a little while.  While they were doing their sound check and practicing they both repeatedly said how much they missed playing together. Standing there, without my baby, surrounded by college students, watching a total hunk play his djembe--  brought me back years.  Chris is so hot when he drums.  They did great. 

"Good Love"- a John Mayer cover


"Pretty Things"- a Tony Lucca cover


It was a perfect beginning to a 10 day vacation together. *grin!*

I had a baby and lost my mind.

Actually, it started when I was still pregnant with Greta, but has gotten progressively worse.  I definitely never know what day it is, but sadly, sometimes I don't know what YEAR it is.  I can't remember if I'm 23, 24 or 25.  I have no idea how old Chris is and sometimes I think his birthday is October 23rd, when it is really October 13th...right honey?  I have resorted to using a calculator for even simple addition, and math used to be my specialty.  I'll walk into another room and forget why I am in there.  I'll look everywhere for Greta's binky and find it in my hand.  Two days ago, I got home and my cell phone was on top of the car.  I started listening to Justin Bieber.  Chris has to explain things to me a minimum of three times.  I started stuttering like when I was 9 again.  I have to stop, breathe and restart my sentences often.  I refrigerate toys, keys and Greta's laundry. Just thought I'd warn ya.

(Patty and Julie losing their minds)

...Or maybe I started losing it back in '02...