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Saturday, December 31, 2005

New Years Eve 1994

Everyone,

It was 11 years ago today that Juice and I met. Our church was having a youth dance. It was going to be my first one ever (you're not allowed to go until you're 14). All of my friends had been going to them all summer and I wanted to see what the fuss was about. I was obsessive about writing in my journal at the time so I know exactly what was going on that day.

I was mad at my friend Jordan because he didn't want to go with me to the dance. I really liked Jordan but he was not Mormon and I don't think he really wanted to go to a Mormon dance. Andrew had to drive me to the stake center (which was just up the road) and we were late. As always. As I walked in, all of my friends were there and hanging out in a big circle. Kristie ran up to me to tell me that Deborah had brought some boys that we didn't know. That was a big thing since these dances are organized by stakes (a group of congregations in the same area, if you will) and you can only dance with the same boys so many times. Apparently. I didn't know, being a virgin stake dancer at the time. Kristie and I walked up to the circle, introductions were made and a slow song started. Juice turned to me and said, "You're tall. Want to dance?" Of course I said yes and was probably happy I was tall for the first time in a long time.

Through the course of the evening, Juice and I danced almost all of the slow songs. Much to the chagrin of Deborah (the girl he came with) and Melanie and Kristie (who had major crushes on him). Juice and I also played on the giant twister board that they had set up in another room of the church. The end game came down to me and Juice, and he beat me only because I was very embarrassed about so close to him. He gave me the candy he won in front of everyone. I remember offering some to Melanie and she hissed "NO! He gave it to you! Keep it all!" I think I still have a wrapper of the starbursts taped in my journal. He danced the last two dances with me. Kristie (being a very good friend at the time) gave him my number because I was too shy to do it myself.

Little did I know that Juice did like me because I was tall, and pretty. But did he like me enough to remember my name from that night? No. He had to call around and ask who I was before he could use my number. In Juice's journal, he mentions me as the "pretty tall girl I danced most of the night with" and that's it.

He did call me a few days later and we got together with friends and played Pictionary in my basement. Juice and I soundly beat Melanie and Max (his best friend, also at the dance that night) and we even slaughtered them at Charades. I think we hung out once more and then didn't see each other until September that year. I was still in junior high and he went to high school.

My 10th grade year I don't remember hanging out with him very much. I liked him a lot, but so did a lot of other girls. At the beginning of my junior year, he asked me to Homecoming [see above picture] (my first date!) and hung out every day after that. Okay, not EVERY day, but it was close. We were off and on dating until he went on his mission. I wrote him in Germany, and didn't see him until a few months after he got back. We were both at BYU by then (my junior year again) and within 2 weeks of school starting, we were looking at rings together.

We were engaged on Nov 2, and 10 months later, married on Aug 4, 2001. We've been married 4 years now and I still love to watch him walk in a room. He's a wonderful husband, a fantastic father and my best friend.
We still love being together. It's nice!

Safire and Juice

Thursday, December 29, 2005

Getting ready to come

Everyone,

We are planning our big trip to Utah in a little less than a week. We've traveled with Butterfly a few times, but she has always been pretty little. I'm a little nervous that she'll freak out on the plane or just be cranky the whole time. I sure hope that we will be flying with understanding people. I called the airlines yesterday to tell them about Butterfly. Apparently you can't sit in the rows directly in front or behind the exit row if you have a lap child. Who knew? So our seats were re-arranged and they said the flights were not too full. I hope we get a row all to oursevles. It would make life much easier.

Just thinking of all the things we need to bring with us. We will probably bring her door jam bouncer because she loves it so much and it's easy to transport. Also, her new blocks she loves, a few other toys, clothes and that's probably it. I will buy diapers and wipes in Utah. And spoons. I think I'll buy spoons there too. Not that she is eating off of spoons every day but then my mom can use them with the other grand kids that come along. I wonder if there's a high chair we could borrow from someone. I remember my Nana having one, or maybe Aunt Pat has one still? If not, she'll live without one for a week.

We have a full schedule planned of visiting people, and seeing new things. New houses seem to be on the rise in our group of friends so that's a must see. Also, Butterfly still needs to see one of her Great Grandma's on my side (Great Grandpa died when I was about 12 weeks pregnant). And my other side is having a huge family picture with all 32 of us. Should be fun.

We're really looking forward to going.

Safire

Wednesday, December 28, 2005

Christmas


Everyone,

Butterfly's first Christmas was fantastic. Low key, except for the wonderful cold we all got. Juice was pretty out of it on Christmas Eve, and Butterfly has been battling it since. Can we say cranky girl? BUT, we had a great time on Christmas. Very calm and relaxing. We went to church, went home, and played with our toys. We were still opening presents at around 6pm that night. It was like an all day present spree! Very fun. Butterfly loved the bows and the paper. Juice loved all of his sword stuff, and I enjoyed my baking pans. Soot LOVED Juice's new Robo Raptor.

Safire, Juice, Butterfly, and Soot

Thursday, December 22, 2005

More decorating ideas...

Everyone,

Thanks Aunt Lisa for this link. Again, make sure your speakers are on.

Safire

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Wait a second...



I thought that crawling was supposed to come before this. She can stand! With help! And she pulls herself up on stuff now. I'm still waiting for the crawling.

Safire

Friday, December 16, 2005

Here's a decorating idea for you Mom!

But I think Dad might kill him self with the lights. Still...worth a look. Make sure your speakers are on!

Safire

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Make a Memory

Everyone,

Got this from my friend Deanna so I thought it would be fun!

If you read this, if your eyes are passing over this right now, even if we don't speak often, please post a comment with a completely made-up and fictional memory of you and me.

It can be anything you want--good or bad--BUT IT HAS TO BE FAKE.

Everyone play along now! :)

Safire

7 month update

Everyone,

Butterfly turned 7 months old on Saturday. It occurred to me that she is now closer to being a year old than she is a newborn. Seriously, does time go this fast all the time?!

She is still not sleeping great. BUT, 2 nights ago she slept from about 11:30pm till 7:30am straight! *angels singing* She didn't repeat it last night but slept better. She is also starting to sleep longer during her naps. Instead of 20 minute power naps, she's asleep for at least an hour, sometimes 2. All I can say about the sleeping thing is that it better get better. I am SO tired. I've considered asking Juice for a hotel room for a few nights for Christmas and letting him deal with screaming child at night. The plan is to start her crying herself to sleep in her own room this weekend. I feel like such a mean parent by doing it but seriously, it's got to happen.

She has 3 teeth. 2 on the bottom, and one on top. The top one keeps coming in and out of sight. It's like peek-a-boo with teeth! I thought I saw the companion top tooth last night so maybe since they are coming through, she'll start to sleep again.

She weighs 22 lbs, 6 oz and didn't grow an inch this month. Of course, I could be wrong in my measuring (they are much better at it at the doctor's office). Her head grew 1/4th of an inch so she is growing.

Her favorite things right now is her door jam bouncer, and the puppy. She is wild about the dog. It's so funny to see her in her bouncer trying to jump towards the puppy and squealing.

In other news: JUICE'S LAST FINAL EVER IS TONIGHT! We are so excited. Pray that he'll pass this class so he can graduate in May. So many possibilities open up with this final final. :) We can't wait!

Until next time,
Safire, Juice, Butterfly, and Soot

Sunday, December 11, 2005

Christmas Cards

Everyone,

After reading a Christmas card update from a friend (you know the type, we did this and that, Merry Christmas) I asked Juice what he would put in a Christmas card from us. (since we didn't do a letter) He said the following:

Remember that pregnancy? It resulted in a baby. A girl. In May. I'm still working and I'll be done with school on Tuesday. Safire quit her job in May when the baby come and is now staying home with her. Butterfly (the baby) is growing and doing all the baby things, including not sleeping. Merry Christmas.

Mine would have been a little more...descriptive.

Merry Christmas everyone! 2005 has been a big year for us. Juice is happily working for Lockheed Martin and will finish with his Masters Degree in Aerospace Engineering this month. We had a baby girl in May and named her Butterfly (as I'm sure most of you know.) I quit my job to stay home with her and fill my days with playing, eating, sleeping and all the fun things 7 month olds can do. Merry Christmas!

I'm sure Butterfly's would have been different.

Christmas? What's Christmas? Ohhh...a toy! Does it taste good. Or can I bounce with it? I love to wake up at night and hate to be alone. Hi everyone! Hi puppy!

And Soot's...

This is the time of year big person 1 and 2 put up lights and it gets cold. I love the cold air because it lets me bark at things I normally don't hear. It's great!

We hope everyone enjoys our virtual Christmas card!

Juice, Safire, Butterfly and Soot

Monday, December 05, 2005

So. Tired.

Everyone,

Please, someone take Butterfly out of her misery. Poor thing is teething. Again. Last time she got teeth (around Halloween) she was up for 2 or 3 nights in a row crying every hour on the hour and we got no sleep. But then the teeth showed up and she slept through the night for a week! Ahhh...sleep. She got 2 cute bottom teeth out of the deal and we got a break from the sleepless nights.

Now, her top teeth are coming in. She has not been sleeping for days (make that 4 and counting) and I'm ready to pull my ears off by about 3 am. There is only so much crying I can take. The past couple of nights we have regressed to her sleeping in bed with us because then she will sleep for 2, maybe 3 hours at a time. And I'm willing to take those 2 or 3 hours for myself.

Of course, her sleeping in bed with us means that I'm huddled on one side of the bed, Juice is huddled on his side and Baby Girl is lengthwise spread eagle in the middle. Hey, at least she's sleeping, right? Right?!

Her top right tooth broke through last night. I was so excited and hoping that I might get the few nights of sleeping through the night like we got last time. No such luck. I guess we have to wait till the top left one comes through. It better not take more than a few more days or I will go insane. (and break down big sobbing tears for MY mommy)

Pray for us,
Safire and Juice

PS- The dog seems to be the only one who sleeps. If I lock myself up in a cage at night, can I get some sleep too?