Gingerbread Lane

Tonight we went over to our friends home for a little Christmas time fun. We made gingerbread houses and somehow or another it because a competition. I, of course, was off to a wonderful start with my house nearly assembled before anyone even got their frosting out. This prideful attitude became the downfall to my gingerbread house making. I don't think my partner, Isa, even noticed or cared what was going on around her. She had handfuls of candy along with tubs of frosting to keep her busy.

Anyways after getting a little boastful my house fell to pieces. Not just once but 12 times, until I decided to take my house in a new direction. For probably an hour I was no where close to being able to compete with the professionals at my side. So here are a few photos of our homes. I have labeled them for voting purposes. On the side of our blog is the poll where you can vote on which home is your favorite. I am not sure if there will be a prize other than gloating rights for the next year but we will see. Anyways the poll is to the right and we are taking votes until new years.

HOME #1





HOME #2





HOME #3

Kansas City Christmas

In case you are wondering if we are ever going to post here we are but are behind. I hate posting pictures without editing out the boogers, drool, scars, and all the other parts of kids that take away from their pretty faces. But I will post pictures and stories soon. We are just finishing up Christmas shopping by daring the icy KC roads and the crazy shoppers. There are tons of good stories to come.

We will be posting our Christmas Letter Here and our Family pictures for all to see instead of sending out cards this year.

Santa isn't sick anymore!

Monday night we were planning to go to the school to see Santa and get out picture taken. Every year Santa comes to the school, you bring your own camera, and you take your picture! It is really the best. So we were all ready to go when we found out he came LAST week not THIS week. It broke my heart to have to explain to the girls that they wouldn't see Santa. Isa did alright but poor Layla just fell apart. You could see the sadness sweep over her face as we tried to explain why he couldn't make it. HE WAS SICK! I really thought that this was one thing she could understand but instead it just made her even more upset. So we went out to dinner to try to ease the pain. That night Isa offered to say the prayer and it went a little something like this...

Heabenly Bather,

Thank you for today. Bess Santa that he feel better and we tan tell him what presents to bing us for christmas. Bess that his tummy is better and he not sick anymore. Bess all da dings. Bess mommy and daddy and Layla and sophie and Jesus Christ. Bess all my friends. In da name Jesus Christ. AMEN!

This was Isa's little prayer pretty much word for word on Monday night. She was so upset that Santa Clause was sick and she wasn't able to see him, we wanted to make sure he was okay. This little kid really makes me teary eyes at least once a day. 

After being completely and utterly depressed for a day the girls agreed to go with me to our ward party. I really hate going to things by myself without Brian but he had to work and we all needed to get out of the house. So we packed up and headed to the church. We sat down at a table and then waited for everything to start. After eating for a while they announced that santa was coming to the church to see all the kids. These are the faces of to kids who just found out Santa isn't sick anymore!

I am not sure but I think they are excited how about you!

They requested that everyone sing Jingle Bells Santa would know when we were all ready for him. The girls sang just about as heartfelt as any person as ever sung. I almost got teary eyed watching their little faces light up when they saw him arrive. I was glad for once I had my camera and got it all on tape. So for your viewing pleasure here is out night!

In this one Layla is totally star struck she can't stop staring at Santa!

 

This is Layla explaining to santa that she want a singing puppy like the one she saw at Walmart. 

And this is Isa trying to decide what she really wants for Christmas.

All in all it was a great night... if only daddy could have come it would have been perfect!

A day with Isa

As most of you know I am taking a few classes this semester to finish up my associates. One of the classes I am taking is Infant and Toddler Development. It is kind of a fluff class but all in all it is nice to get out of the house every once in a while and learn something new about kids. 

For one of our class assignments we had to observe a toddler in class. So I brought Isa with me to class. She had such a great time in her own quiet world playing with blocks. She was so reserved and shy it was funny. After class we went out for pizza just the two of us. Then little Isa came out of her shell. She talked nonstop the whole time at Craigo's. She would smile and wave at everyone. She did her own little pizza dance and sang songs on the top of her lungs. 

It was so nice to just spend time with her because she really is always with her sister. I forget what great kids they are on their own and how much fun we can have with it is just two of us. I really need to take more time to have one on one time with each!

Anyways here is picture of my cute happy to be alone with mom- Isa!

Just For Carson

The girls love their friend Carson and ask at least twice a week to watch his singing and dancing videos. So we thought that we would post videos just for him to see the girls! So Carson these are just for you... miss you!

And now one of the two girls together!

Family Pictures!

Here are my favorite family pictures we had taken two weeks ago!

We are going to send out little Christmas letters of sorts which picture should we use?

Family Pictures to come!!!

I just thought that I would let everyone know that my friend took our family pictures this past week and soon we will have a few to share. It was so nice of her to help us out and she did an amazing job. She used to be our next door neighbor, then I have been working with her in my calling, and now she will be moving and will greatly be missed. Anyways we will update more later I am trying to catch up with school and it isn't going well... why did I take an online class???

Amazing web filter!!!

BYU-Idaho has just put up the link to a web filter. It is so easy to use and just blocks the stuff we DO NOT NEED. I have used other filters and it makes simple things like checking blogs, getting on facebook, and looking at gaming sites more of a stress then a relief. This is so simple and lets me do everything I want with out the worry of the trash coming into my home. Here is the link to the school page where you can read up and then down load the program. And in case I didn't say it before it is great and FREE!!!!
INTERNET FILTER

NEW BLOG

A Place to Call My Own is my new personal blog. It is for all my thoughts on things other than kids. I love to write and somehow over the years have stopped. So if you want to just sit back and laugh, smile, cry, sigh, and all the many other emotions of women than go there.  The address is easy to remember it is just my first and middle name! (For those who don't know my middle name is michele, and yes only one L).

Layla turns 4!!!

The Birthday Girl opening presents!

The CAKE!!! (I am so proud!)

THE SLUMBER PARTY!!!

My Little Singers

These two little ones crack me up when they sing... they have to out sing each other. And incase you can't tell Isa is winning lately! This is about how loud she sang last sunday in their primary program. I couldn't help but cry, laugh, and hide behind her while she sang. They really shouldn't have the mom's come up... we get too dang emotional!

Halloween Part 2

I am so slow these days at posting. I start the post first thing in the morning and it takes about 2 days to finish! Anyways here are so belated pictures of our Halloween night!

YEAH for PROP 8

In case you hadn't heard Prop 8 Passed in California yesterday. It is interesting that when we were faced with the challenge of picking a new president and the world is watching the history of this country change the Lord lets us have his freedom. However when the very core of his plan is being destroyed her steps in and tells us what to vote. I will support the president that we were all free to elect knowing the Lord will guide us if we will let him. I am happy that when the Lord stepped in and told us what to do we followed through and therefor he is still with us. So let's all celebrate FAMILY!

Fitness Goal!

I am taking Health and Wellness this semester with Brian and I am learning a lot in this class that I probably already new but it is finally registering. My new goal is to cut/burn 3500 a week thus loosing 1 lb each week. I am going to burn 300 calories a day more than usual. 

This is going to happen from standing instead of sitting, walking more steps each day, and building muscle so that each thing I do in my everyday life helps me burn MORE. 

(Standing and marching in place while I fold my 10 loads of laundry is really going to help!)

Then I am just cutting out 200 calories from my diet. This might be one less cookie, no soda, 40 calorie wheat bread instead of white, skipping the cheese or cutting the condiments. It doesn't take much to cut 200 calories a day.

(You don't have to eat a lot less you just eat a lot better!)

Hopefully this will help me reach my goal even if it takes a while. I have been over weight for 4 years so what is a couple months longer to finally fit into those skinny jeans!

I VOTED!

Today was a great day because for the third time I was able to go vote in the Presidential elections. I am glad that I live in Idaho where it only takes about 5 minutes to get in line and then cast your vote. However it would be nice to still live in Missouri one the big battleground states that can make a difference in the way things sway. But I will be joining millions of people tonight closing their eyes and crossing their fingers as they announce the numbers. 

 And to top it off last week I had to renew my licence so it wasn't expired for my vote and it ended up looking....

AMAZING!!!

I have always had the typical pathetic mugshot for a license but not now! Most days I sit around in sweats and think to myself "when did I last shower!" But I am happy to see I still clean up well! Thanks for my little vain moment every women needs it every once in a while right?!

Mom's Special Day

Every Year my Parents do something special for me on October 30. It is the day they flew out to Dallas Texas to pick me up from my foster parents and bring me home to my family. After 26 years they still remember to make it just a little extra special for me. So after dropping Nana off at the airport we went out for lunch and shopping. We went to a little restaurant 5 in Dinner in Idaho falls and then off to Kohl's. It was fun to spend this special day with my own daughters! Here are a few cute pictures from our lunch!

Halloween

It was wonderful for the Bergstrom Family this year! The girls were princesses of course! Here are a few pictures of the girls all dressed up ready to head out for a night of fun!

For all of us that are guilty of blog stalking just for the fun of it !

Today I was somehow tagged just for blog stalking. So for all those that are reading this post with or without my knowledge you are now tagged as well. I know you are probably thinking that I don't know you are reading so you don't have to fill it out. That is fine but from now on when you look at my blog you are going to think to yourself... does she know I read this and didn't try out the tag?  So to keep from having a guilty conscience I am completing MY tag!

Church calling you would HATE to have-

Fellowshipping, I know it is easy but I am SO SHY! (For those of you that secretly read my blog cause you are too shy to admit it... trust me I'm more shy, I just usually pretend I am not to avoid an anxiety attack!)

Saying you say the most often-

What the heck? - somehow my family always keeps me in a constant state of shock! 

Don't even think about it? -my kids are testing the waters to see who is boss right now!

One day I will... - I will be the first to admit that I talk big and do little!

Saying you hate to hear other people say-

'Sup, sitch, buggin', tight  - Look in the mirror dude, you are white! These are saying but words I hear all the time in Idaho. Unless I am mistaken there aren't 'real gangsters in Rexburg?!?

Most rotten thing you did today-

Spanked my kids for not taking a nap while threatening them their Nana won't come home until they sleep! - don't worry I got mine they didn't nap AT ALL!

Explain the fourth picture in the fourth folder on your computer-

This is a picture of my lifetime friend Julianne! I went to her reception in Idaho Falls to see her in her newlywed bliss! LOVE HER!

A picture you have of people you don't know-

These are the abs that I will someday have. I don't know this lady but she is my secret hope for the future!

Secret dream-

Try out for American Idol, I really want to try but and afraid they will tell me I suck!

Favorite place to spend money-

Kohl's... it is really the only place that I find stuff that is CUTE AND FITS!

Personal indulgence-

Nail polish! Every time I go to West Coast Beauty Supply I pick up a new O.P.I. color. It is my little $4.25 spurge! Nail polish always looks good no matter your size, weight, or ability to be stylist!

Least Favorite Celebrity-

Verne Troyer- little person or not he is offensive Tila Tequila, Flavor Flav, pretty much all MTV reality tv stars

Girl crush-

Selma 

Jessica

3 goals, 1 long term, 1 day to day, 1 silly-

Exercise 5X a week and like it, Find that special moment that makes me love being a mom, Donate my hair to locks of love just to grow it out all over again!

3 things you collect or obsess over-

Hair products- I love to try everything new and get those little dollar samples

Jeans- I spend hours finding the right pair of jeans. I always have to get at least two different opinions before I buy them.

Home Decor from Hobby Lobby! Anyone that shops there knows they are addicted too!

Alright so if you finished reading this post you are tagged and better reply!

Tagged Again

One of my friends tagged me and since I am lazy I thought I would fill out the questions I haven't answered and then put the POST where I answered the rest!

5 Snacks I Enjoy:
1. Ice cream (this would be a good reason I had to have my gall bladder out!)
2. Hot tamales (MY FAVORITE!)

3. Chips and Salsa ( I am hispanic!)

4. Cinammon Popcorn

5. Cookies and Milk 

Think I have a sugar tooth maybe?!?

My 8's

8 Favorite TV shows I love to watch

1. Criminal Minds

2. The Office

3. One Tree Hill

4. Heroes

5. John and Kate Plus 8

6. Everybody Loves Raymond

7. The Cleaner

8. Lost

8 Things I did yesterday:
1. Went to the doctor to check stitches
2. Watched kids play at McDonald's

3. Ate solid food!!!!

4. Put on pants other than pj's

5. Wore a bra (don't get me wrong I usually do, it just rubs my stitches right now)

6. Pulled out dinner for my family

7. Laid on my side for a whole hour!!!!

8. Read a part of Breaking Dawn (finally!)

8 Favorite places to eat:
1. Manny's

2. Figlio's

3. Houston's

4. Hulahan's

5. Panda Express

6. Craigo's

7.  Chili's

8. Cafe Rio

8 Things I am looking forward t0:
1.  Eating real food everyday

2.  Christmas

3.  Summer

4.  Being able to stretch without pain

5.  Kids that clean their own rooms without being asked

6.  Brian GRADUATING

7.  Talking to my friend Denise

8.  SLEEP (isn't this what every parent looks forward to!)

8 Things on my Wish List:
1.  Making money for life not just to pay off debt

2.  My own home with 3 bedrooms minimum

3.  My own garden 

4.  2 cars

5. Travel to the world

6. Learning photography

7. A BOY (NOT NOW but one day!)

8.  Fitting into my skinny jeans

8 People I tag:
1. Kristi Clews

2.  Stacey Coons

3. Jenni Warner

4. Julianne Weaver

5.  Cindy Fullmer

6.  Sarah Southcott

7. Christina Bergstrom

8. Owen Family

The obsession continues

Layla and Isa love being princesses and are totally in love with dressing up. Thanks to Nana they have even more outfits to wear. Here is just a sneak peak into their fashion show to come!

It's worth it right?!?

Heading into surgery!!!

After waking up all finished!

I HATE IV's !

Well the surgery went well and I am at home comfy on my couch trying to recover. After having two c-sections you would think this would be a breeze but it isn't. I hardly have a voice thanks to the parametic student who learned how to put in a breathing tub on me.... I am rubbed raw. And than The are 4 insitions on my stomach that itch like crazy. The large insition of course is right on my diaphram so every deep breath, cough, laugh, or hiccup are near death painful. But after drinking broth and juice for a couple days it is nice to finally have a piece of bread and that must mean I am always through the worst of it. All in all I am glad I had this done I just wish their was a much less painful way!