Just us and the cousins!

I have had these on our camera or a few weeks now and thought we should post them. Here are some pictures of the girls with their cousins.

The girls just adored Bella!

It is fun to see them with their cousins because they are the only ones they actually look related to. The girls look a lot like Brian and the Bergstrom cousins look a lot like their dad. And out of all the siblings Brian and his oldest brother they look the most alike. Anyways it is fun. I don't look like anyone but them so it is nice for me too see them not have to be like that all the time!

my poor neglected blog!

usually I am good at posting at least a little note or something but lately I haven't even gotten out of bed. Reason: Thyroid problems. For most people the slight change in your TSH levels (thyroid hormone levels basically) doesn't effect them much. NOT ME! Over the last 3 to 4 weeks the symptoms have become crazy. I set a record in amount of weight gained WHILE exercising and counting calories... thank you thyroid disease for these attractive 25 pounds! Yeah 25 pounds in about 4 weeks. Crazy isn't it... it's like being pregnant all over again. Luckily it has stabilized and I am dealing with it my own way.... Grey's anatomy reruns on TBS and the eliptical machine.

Then you have the inability to get out of bed which probably is caused by the depression. Only those who have this lovely thyroid disease understand this. You know you are fine and that life is good but you feel like there is a two ton weight keeping you down. You cry over the most random things and get upset and offended easily. Actually it is a lot like PMS or better yet pregnancy. I actually haven't felt this bad since I was first pregnant with Layla. But thanks to my trusty IUD i wish would be out by now I am NOT PREGNANT just at an awkward hormonal imbalance. YEAH!!!

I knew there was a problem when I did the laundry the other day and when I turned around to see the girls had gotten out my clean, folded, put away dish towels I started to sob. Not a great moment locked in my bathroom in tears over unfolded dish towels. That was the last straw in there is something wrong with Marilee.

Anyways yesterday I went to my parent family doctor and had my labs run and just knowing that the doctors jaw dropped at the first symptom of weight gain not to mention the depression, sleepless nights, irritability, mood swings, temperature sensitivity, dry itchy skin, and fatigue he was concerned! Yeah for actually feeling like someone else thinks "this is not normal".

This is why I haven't blogged. Mostly because I haven't done anything. I just am surviving the best I can. Now hopefully the doctor will call today or tomorrow with the test results, adjust the meds and then I will good to go and begin feeling like myself again soon. But we will see.

The girls posts and updates are coming soon but for now I will post a few more "stories" and videos of our life to tide you all over!

Stories!!!!

Okay so while you listen to Isa's crazy story I want you to note her arm shaking in the air. This is what she does when she tells us any story. Every dinner she spends with her hand in the air shaking around while she tells us who knows what. This will be important when I do her post because as I tell stories you should picture this shaking hand in your mind to get the full effect and laughter. Anyways enjoy just a minute of my everyday life!

Also note that this voice she is speaking in is not her normal voice but her story voice. It makes it hard to understand her. But when she is mad at you she is sure to be as clear as day. gotta love kids!

Mini me!

Here is a video just to make you laugh. I was cooking dinner yesterday when I heard the girls playing in the bathroom. When I went in to check on them I found this...

Layla is simply my little shadow. Here are the girls playing beauty shop. Note layla putting the hair tie into her mouth before putting it into Isa's hair. I am not sure if she even knows why she does it or if she simply thinks "well mom does it and this is her job so it must be the way you do it!" Gotta love girls!

Brian Brian oh my sweet Brian!

So Brian hates when I talk about him and really would rather just put one line in here and call it good. But because I LOVE to make him turn that perfect Brian shade of red I think I will go on and on about him what do you think?

This is us exactly 12 years ago... aren't we cute!

Brian is still working hard at his job and does enjoy the wealth of knowledge he is getting there. He never grew up in the inner city and is really behind the times with the lingo and such. I am so proud of him because no matter where he is and what he is doing he stands up for his beliefs. He works with guys who have more baby mama's then they can handle and work more hours to be away from home. Then you have Brian mister Idaho shy mormon. I love it. He is growing more confident each month as he attempts to share the gospel. And our lives are blessed by his hard work. It might not be a dream job but really in this economy we are luck he has a job. There is such a problem with job loss out here in KC that even the bishops and stake presidents have been without work for over a year. It is humbling if nothing else!

But for the happy side of Brian he is all set and waiting for interviews which hopefully will be rolling around here soon. He did talk to the Air Force Recruiter and is a shoe in for the scholarship once he picks a school. That is a great relief for the both of us.

His birthday this year was crazy but we found time to show him we love him!

He is still the same old Brian who enjoys his 360 and spends his free time checking out the latest game. However I am so very impressed with his thriftiness these days and hasn't spent any money on games in over a year. He trades them around or gets them from the Library. Speaking of Library that has been a new family love. It is amazing to be in a big city where they carry every book and you can get pretty much any movie, game, or cd you want. Brian has been flying through books since we got here. I wouldn't put it past him to think he is reaching 100 for a year because seriously he will finish in a day or two. And unlike me where that means I have not actually paid attention to my children he can finish a 500 page book in an hour. It is insane and makes me wonder how in the world we ended up together.

Oh well... I am currently filling in for his friend Gary as I play through the new super mario bros Wii. I am having fun and it is nice to just sit back back and be kids sometimes.

Just so you know I am about to get really sappy! So if you want to end here it might be a good idea.

These two are definitely daddy's little girls!

Brian and I just celebrated our 6 year anniversary and our 13th valentines day. It is amazing to have watched the man I love find in himself that same amazing man. He is truly my best friend and my whole world. We have the best life simply because we have each other. We know each other better then we know ourselves and together we get through anything and everything. He makes me want to be a better mother, a better wife, and better friend. His shy smile brightens my world! And he is hands down the best dad in the world. He plays barbie more than me by far and is the prince the girls rely on. And the best thing is he is never embarrassed to be dressed up as a prince for a tea party, playing with barbies and dressing them up, or singing along with the girls to the latest Barbie movie. The girls and I love him because he enjoys what we do simply because he gets to spend more time with us. I hope one day we have a boy so he can have someone to enjoy the stuff he does with him but for now he is the best father to daughters ever!

This is most recent picture of us together... not the best but hey layla took it so we are happy we both got our heads in the photo!

Love you honey! After 12 and a half years you are still the one to take my breath away when you walk into the room!

Marilee Michele

I thought I would start with the most dull in the family which of course is the janitor behind the scene of the dramatic play we call life. This year has been one full of joys, sadness, challenges, and lots of personal growth. All in all it has been a good year but just one with lots of changes.

I have decided that no matter how broken my body might be and truely loves to torture me with the expanding and deflating belly I can come to count on, I AM GOING TO LEARN TO RUN. Running is not high on my to do list but you know I am going to become a grown up and running is what grown ups do.

(Before I start I thought I would put a picture... grown ups take trips and I took my first! Here I am can you tell I am enjoying myself?)

Actually now would be a good time to share my check list of grown up things I am trying out. In no particular order

• Wash my face every night before I go to bed and then wash in the morning before putting on fresh makeup. Most of the time I am known to be sporting yesterday's face with a fresh coat of mascara. But grown up ladies in movies sit looking into the mirror cleaning their faces examining all the wrinkles. I am going to become one of those women but hopefully my dwindling youth and hispanic heritage will help keep those wrinkles away for at least another 5 years!
• Like I said before running. Grown ups stay healthy by going to the gym and running. I have a clubhouse gym just down the sidewalk so me and my fancy new shoes are going to see what kind of crazy trouble we can get into. I foresee many morning attempting to get out of bed only to find myself moaning and groaning but if it is what grown ups to I am going to try it out.
• Read books. Most of my friends read and some of them read tons. I like to read but I just never take the time. So I am coupling it with another goal of taking more baths. Now don't get me wrong I shower and clean myself often. A bath is not for hygeine purposes, it is for that relaxation and break from parental responsibilities. Now if you are like me so far I have not had a bath that did not involve a lengthy conversation with my children. The last one went like this, "Mom?" "Yes Isa." "Are you taking a bath?" "No Isa I am taking a nap, of course I am taking a bath." "Are you stinky?" "Well I hope not anymore." "Are you trying to hide from us." "No I am just taking quiet time." "Oh is this how you feel better and not so crazy." "Yes Isa that is just what I am doing." "Good you stay in there a long time and I will get food for me and Layla. don't get out till you are all nice and happy. See you when Dad gets home." Seeing this conversation happened at 10 am I worry how my children see me. But oh well they still smile when I walk into a room so I must not be totally screwing up right?!! Anyways I am enjoying reading in my hot bubble bath at least a few times a week.... yeah for taking time for myself!!!
• I am crafting a ton more. I am enjoying learning to make things that will help make those I love happy. I have found that grown ups tend to do things for others when they need to uplift themselves. And not that I am down but things are so up in the air that doing things for others just helps me forget myself. So I am creating and baking up a storm here.
• Lastly I am getting my house all organized. When I think of grown ups I think about the soccar mom that does everything. She holds a calling, does homeschooling, shuttles kids around to activities, is always happy and seems to get more done in a day then there are hours to do. I am no soccar mom but I am getting my house organized and set so that at least I know what has been and needs to be done. I have cleaning lists and meal plans for at least two weeks. I have the girls doing chores and earning an allowance for their hard work. It isn't perfect but it is a start!

(This is me at 4pm still in pj's but I am happy. The girls and I are telling stories to each other and we are cuddling. It is the best part of my day!)

Anyways for me personally I am learning to like Kansas City. Mostly because I have my mom here. We haven't lived close since I was living at home in high school. I have grown up a lot since then and now she really is my best friend. At first when I moved here it was hard because I realized that my life is on a much different course then my siblings that live here. It is hard at times to feel like I don't fit in because I am "a good mormon". But after much prayer and the help from the Lord I have figured out that now is the time I can really become a missionary in my own family. So no matter how odd I might be at times I am myself the crazy stay at home mom who sometimes thinks she is insane but loves every minute I am with my family. I don't want much in life just happy children and a husband who is proud of himself at least half as much as I am of him.

Of course I still dream of a house where I don't have drunken neighbors above me partying until 6 am but really that isn't that big a deal. I would settle for a tiny little home the size of my apartment as long as it was mine! And I still want a second car but really it is more a nessesity in a city as big as ours.

But I am happy. I spend most of my day just hanging out with the girls. We color, play, and cuddle and no matter how many fights I break up there is always a moment each day that makes me so proud to be their mother. And really isn't that what this life is for? So there is my update! I know boring but most of you already know that so I don't feel bad.

(Just another photo of my grown up trip!)

(plus it is in Broulim's which I do miss SO MUCH!!!)

Big town grocery stores are overrated!

Last I am so happy to say that I have the most wonderful family and amazing friends. I am so blessing and I hope that everyone knows how much they mean to me.

Updates updates get while they're hot!

Okay so my best buddy Kristi has been doing a post about everyone in the family with a little update and seeing she is my best bud she want mind that I am completely stealing the idea. I figure that way we get everyone filled in. For family and friends of Brian and I you can actually hear about us adults! And for the rest that really just think our kids are so stinking cute you have to hear their updates I will post one of each and then their super secret little girls only club update!

So I will get some photos and videos together now that I am almost down to 1 computer! I only have about 15GB left to transfer over or backup on discs! Yeah for a new pretty computer though that loads faster than you can even speak the words!!!!

Letter for the masses

My dear readers,

So instead of blogging about my many adventures in the world I am setting up our new computer. This is both time consuming and fun. it takes forever to get everything transfered over however when you go to turn on your computer and it loads in 30 seconds and is ready to run it puts a smile on my face.

Hold tight and tonight if I get it set up I will blog blog blog about my wonderful life you know you are so dying to read about. However last night I stayed up late with my cutie pie husband so sleep might need to take over first. We will see but stay tuned for several funny pictures, videos, and stories about our many many guests these past weeks!

Love always,

Mare

Welcome to Marilee week in the OP 1st ward

Okay to somehow I have been so tired and lazy that I have not put up much of a fight to not get sucked into doing things I hate. Anyways I am going to be one teaching my primary children on sunday, only after speaking in sacrament meeting, which will happen after I sing the night before at a ward party. And I am not singing just anything but a Love Ballad I have yet to figure out. And all this was organized in just a few moments of confusion. Oh yeah for me and my big debut to our ward. Hopefully at least after this one or two people might know who I am right? Maybe just maybe I could get a friend out of this..... you think??? 

Things to look forward to new parents....

For those of you in the same boat as my good friend Denise exhausted from the never ending baby needs of a newborn and you think to yourself I can't wait until they grow up, oh just wait THIS is what you have to look forward to. 

You think "Oh they left a book out" and open the door to find 

THIS LOVELY FORMERLY CLEAN ROOM!!!! 

The best part is they haven't been playing in here for over 6 hours. HOW DID YOU MISS IT? 

This is the joy of preschoolers.... they are BUSY, BUSY BUSY and leave a trail so you know where they have been and what they have been up to!

Final facelift!

I think after a few weeks with messing with my html code I finally got it all worked out. There are still a few odds and ends I might mess with later but I am happy to report that this blog is finally done and I am moving on to other projects on my want to learn list! What do you think of the final product?

Blogging to blog

You ever just feel like talking to someone and look around and realize that you are surrounded only by tiny people who never seem to listen unless the word treat or present come out? 

Well that is me all day long. And this is why I blog. I actually write pretty well with correct grammar and what not but when I blog it is just my everyday voice nothing fancy. So for those who might read this and think I am uneducated no no I am just lazy. I type fast and most of the time I don't reread my posts. If there are too many mistakes my husband kindly fixes them for me later when we reads. 

Anyways back to my blogging tangent.... I blog about the most random stuff and today I want to blog about hair. Anyone out there have split ends and hate them? I do! I have finally found a few fixes but am still searching for a cure! Currently my hair is long, long, so very long and gets all tangeled up when I sleep. Not to mention that the shaft by my scalp gets oily whilst my ends are all dried up! Oh the joys of long hair. I have tried using the best shampoo and have found a few I LOVE!!!! 

The first one is Brocato Cloud 9 Shampoo. 

Next I love Matrix's newer line Biolage fortethérapie. The Strengthing Shampoo is great!

Then I got a really good leave in conditioner to use before I dry my hair. Sexy Hair Soy Tri-Wheat leave in conditioner!

Next big step is to protect your hair from heat. For me I always let my hair air dry 90% before I blow dry it. If I am worried about volume I hit the scalp when it is still damp with my head upside down and then let the rest dry by it's self. Then when it comes to curling irons and flat irons you must use a heat protectant. I love a couple of them so here they are. 

Matrix Sleek Look has a great Thermal Protector for those straight looks!

CHI 44 Iron Guard, Thermal Protection Spray

And Last I have found myself following my own professional advice and getting my hair trimmed every 6 to 8 weeks. For those keeping a current hair style you may need to cut 1/2 to 1 inch depending on how fast your hair grows. For those growing their hair out you want to cut an 1/8 to 1/2 inch depending on your damage. The better you take care of your hair everyday the longer it will get faster because it will not get those dang split ends. 

P.S. Just so everyone knows your hair has a maximum length! Most people can grow hair to their butts but some can't get it past their shoulders. 

Anyways so these are my split end fighting tools! And if you can don't wash your hair more then every other day max! This is most important for long hair. The idea of brushing your hair a 1000 strokes a day is because you want your natural oil to keep your hair healthy so don't wash out that good stuff too much. It might seem gross but any professional will agree that too much washing will dry out and damage your hair fast! 

And this ends my hair care tangent of the day!

For Kristi

After reading Kristi Clews hilarious status on facebook i thought I would leave her a nice story to let her know she is not alone. And for all of you out there that have not had one of those motherly moments when you think to yourself "did I just say that" here is a good one. 

For those who don't know my family is REALLY CLUMSY. It drives me crazy. Everyone and I mean everyone (brian is the worst) seems to knock over things, bump into people, and break things without realizing what is going on. The other day was a classic case of clumsiness that went awry. The girls were at the table eating lunch when layla goes on this tangent over some princess something or other. She starts flinging her arms around like a wild woman and of course knocks over a full glass of milk ALL OVER ISA. the poor thing was soaked! I was fuming mad and to top it off layla goes and says, "well that happens, I am just clumsy. Oh sorry!"

 I looked at her eating her breakfast with no care to how wet and upset her sister was and .... (note this is not one of my finest moments and for all those that think I am a good mom that may change after continuing but know this is not normal behavior and i am taking steps to prevent such rash behavior) .... I picked up her glass of milk and sad "what" and poured it on her lap. The look on her face was priceless, complete and total shock that goes along with the thought "what in the world just happened?" she then ran off to her room and I went to apologize and calm my soaking children. She started to yell at me over and over about how mean I am and how I am not clumsy like her but i did it on purpose and I am always on Isa's side and on and on and on so I got yet again fed up and told her "I am sorry Layla that was a horrible thing for mom to do but i just thought for once you should get a piece of your own medicine." She then preceded to scream....."I DON'T WANT ANY MEDICINE YOU CAN'T DO IT I WON'T TAKE ANY DON'T DO IT!!!!!" And at that point I just laughed held her in my arms and then changed her into dry clothes.

I am happy to report that we seem to be friends still and we have not had any more blow ups. But just so everyone knows I am normally more controlled but for one moment I found myself having an out of body moment thinking "What in the world just happened!"

I can't move....

Your back ever hurt so bad that breathing hurts? 

Currently I can not move more than it takes to type a letter at a time on the computer.

It's almost 3 right and my husband will be home to help me out of the coma of pain with a back rub and some slight adjusting right?

Just my kid or does yours do it too?

The girls are.... well... to put it nicely.... OCD. Here is why I think this,

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

Exhibit C 

Exhibit D

Exhibit E

Exhibit F

Exhibit G

The other day i was cooking dinner and when i turned to put something in the fridge I noticed a small boot with a purse shoved inside it just hanging out with another purse. When i looked down the hall my jaw dropped and I thought to myself, "Should I be concerned or is this normal?" Does anyone else have children with this strange need to line things up? Sometimes it is cute other times just plain weird. This time it was found all over the house so i just had to document it for further study....!!!!!

babies continued

Kristi you hit it right on the head. It seems that every friend I know falls into one of three categories.... just had a baby, pregnant, or trying. And for those trying it is torture to watch all these newborns around you. I on the other hand am not pregnant for those wondering. I am not trying incase you were thinking that now. 

But for those who haven't talked to me in a while you might find it a shocker that I WANT to be. i wish i was any of those three categories. Lucky for me I have a wonderful friend who needs me as much as I need her. She lives just down the street and is a first time mom to a beautiful baby girl. And I need to hold a baby, smell them and feel confident in myself as I help her with all the challenges that face a new mother. I need this because I need to believe in myself that we can do three. It seems like just yesterday that Isa was a newborn and I thought never again can i go through the heart ache of having a premature baby. I can't do the pain of watching them from outside the plastic incubator knowing they are struggling and all I can do it stand by and pray. but as the years have passed I have learned a great deal. 

(this is my new buddy and such a beautiful perfect baby)

I have learned that I am smarter than doctors when it comes to my body. I know when to slow down and put me first. I know when to listen to that inner concern that tells me that there is something more going on inside. After 8 years of struggling with severe abdominal pain that 5 doctors knew was just IBS I demanded more tests. and Low and behold they found that my gall bladder had about 5% activity and basically had died and was the cause of all my stomach grief. 

(don't I look so happy to be getting it out... funny to be so happy about surgery!)

So this time in my life I am taking care of me. I am trying to remember what it is like to put myself first. I need to know that I can do whatever the lord has in store for my family. And I know that somewhere there is another addition to our family. I know we have more in store than just the joys of having to very close daughters who laugh and fight every few seconds. I hope that this new addition is coming sometime in the for seeable future. But either way i prepare. 

But watching all those with babies and not knowing how it will go with the next one... it's  hard. 

(This is me right after layla was born.... lucky to have made it through the day and still be kicking.... just the photo and the size of me is scary not to mention the complications that brought about this giant version of myself!)

I find myself curled into my husband's shoulder sobbing at how much we missed with the girls. 

I am thankful to all those new mothers (like you denise) that let me share in this brand new time with your little ones. I never held a newborn less than a few days old until my niece a few weeks ago. It is hard to watch others holding, feeding, and sleeping in the same room with their babies just moments after they are born. I pray the Lord blesses me with that opportunity with my own child. But just incase that is part of this mortalities struggles I am basking in the joys of those babies around me. (secretly praying I get my chance too).

(Who can look at this and not want one really! Thanks for sharing your baby Denise and Steven it helps me more than you know!)

So for all those out there whatever your lot my be that do not have that baby you so desire know you are not alone. Nothing causes such an ache then that need to be a mother. We all have our struggles but man i think that makes at least the top five is hardships of this life. Anyways I am done because really this topic is a hard one and I have a day to begin!

Babies babies babies

has anyone else noticed that everyone you know is getting pregnant of having a baby? really everyone!

Once upon a time....

there lived a beautiful energetic girl named Mare. She had the best life ever. She was married to the man of her dreams and had two beautiful quiet, clean children. Then one day they decided to take a journey to the far of land of OZ. There reconnected with many kind and friendly faces but still didn't quite feel at home. After months of struggling through this strange new land they were paced with the greatest task ever.... they must survive with little to no sleep, whining children who have no friends, and a mere 3 waking hours as a family. Will they survive the journey? Will they make it to the emerald city? Will they make friends alone the way? Will they ever get that magical sleep in the flowers? Will the wicked witch of the midwest winter get the best of them?

...... Tale to be continued!

Miss Isa

This is my baby, Isabel Tenay. She is three going on 30. She truely believes that she is bigger than me when we come head to head. She never backs down. No matter how much layla drives her nuts she never comes to get me first, She can handle it. Though this attitude drives me nuts most of the time she makes up for it each morning and night.

Last night for instance she went to bed like an angel. About two minutes later we hear her door creek open. This happens at around 8:15. I climbed into my bed at 10:30 after assuring myself that I would not have to give her just one more kiss so she will sleep good. I don't know how you get mad at this face when all they want to do is give you a hug and tell you they love you.(even if it has been over 2 hours since they were suppose to be asleep)

In the morning is this the princess I wake up to 90% of the time. she climbs into bed and cuddles up to me until I wake up enough to turn on a movie she has chosen to watch. I usually go back to sleep for the length of a cartoon and then my day begins. I would write more but little Isa has requested that I play barbie in the next room and has slowly creeped in looking at me while those big wanting eyes. Like I said who can resist!

P.S. Layla will get a post soon!