Jake & Dani

Are you vulnerable?

2012-01-25T11:11:00.000-08:00

This video? Soo good. Yes, it's 20 minutes. However, by the end I was wishing it was 2 hours.

Gosh, this slapped me in the face. I am terrified of being vulnerable. Aren't we all? So i'm adding one more to the list this year: Embrace vulnerability. Jump in and just do it.

Watch the video. But until you do, here's a taste test:

You can't numb the hard feelings, without numbing the good stuff. When we numb those, we numb joy - We numb happiness.

my job is not to teach my kids to be perfect, my job is to teach them that "you're imperfect, and you're wired for struggle, but you are worthy of love and belonging."

(Thanks Missy)

"Carpe a couple of Kairoses a day."

2012-01-19T21:44:00.000-08:00

Found this article from a friend on Facebook (Thanks Jen!). It was wonderful. I love being grateful for the good in my life, especially the little girl who has brought the most incredible goodness to my life. But I love the reminder that if every second of every day I don't feel grateful, that's okay too. Read to the end because that's where it really gets good.

Go here. I will wait.

Did you laugh out loud at the part about the liking the kid who was peeing in the corner? Me too - And I totally started tearing up when she talked about how time stands still in those "Karios" moments. I am lucky to have quite a few of those moments most days. Maybe that's just because I only have one kid, and she hasn't quite hit full-blown terrible two status. Maybe we still have it pretty easy (don't mention that to me at 2-3 in the morning.. it won't go over very well). Either that or I haven't gotten over the shock of what an incredible little girl Jake and I have been blessed with.

Hm, it feels a little ironic that I am ending a post discussing the fact that it's okay to not be constantly in a state of perfect gratefulness by saying how grateful I am. Oh well. It was a good effort.

Now go "carper a couple of Kairoses a day." Because we are all doing the very best we can, and I would say our best is pretty darn good.

It's heeerrrree!

2012-01-12T09:31:00.000-08:00

It's here! It's here! It's here!

Season 6 premiere of 30 Rock is finally here and really happening!

I really want to be able to convey in words my excitement, but it just isn't possible. It's got to be done in a 30 Rock clip:

What the whaaat? Happy 6th-season-premiere day everyone! It's heeerrreee!

I won't give up

2012-01-11T20:15:00.000-08:00

Mmmmmmmm. I just came across this gem - it's like a good home-cooked comfort meal for your ears. But without the overfull feeling at the end.

Bee-u-tiful. And so very deserving of being my 300th post.

Here's to 300 more!

Twins

2012-01-10T07:00:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wondered what I would look like as a mother of twins? I'll show ya:

Miss Hadi (16 months) and the Ryker man (10 months)

My uterus hurts just thinking about it.

A Fresh Start

2012-01-08T20:57:00.000-08:00

The view from my parent's deck.

This year I resolve to:

Read 25 books.

Meditate - Specifically mindfulness meditation.

Use the envelope system for every check.

Yoga once a week - Misc. workout once a week.

Judge less.

Love deeper.

Forgive more.

~~Wash my make up off every night.~~ Let's not kid ourselves here.

2012 is looking to be an incredible year. I can just feel it.

Saving more of that green stuff.

2012-01-03T13:44:00.000-08:00

Let's sit down and talk honest here for a few minutes. Honest like "money-honest." We don't make a lot of money. Jake works hard full-time and goes to school, while I am a full-time mom to our miss Hadi. I am graduated, so we are paying on my student loans without having the added income of me working. Sometimes thats tough. Sometimes I feel like I should find work, but I know that right now my place is to be with Hadley. So we have to get creative most months to make our life fit into the paycheck that we get. Some months are better than others, and some months we are better than others. But in an effort to remind myself to be better with money as we start off this new year, here is a list of the things we do to help make our money go a little bit further:

Freezer cooking: My favorite way to buy groceries is to buy them all at the beginning of the month. I sit down and plan 12-15 meals, and then buy enough to make double of all of them. Then I have one big (or 2 sorta big) freezer cooking days when I buckle down and cook/put together as many meals as I can and freeze them to use throughout the month. Saves me a ton of money, a ton of time cooking during the month, and I have no wasted produce at the end of the month. Win-win-win. Most months I can get our months worth of groceries for under 125. And cheaper than that if I can buy the meat on sale.

Less meat, more veggies: Jake is a lover of meat, and I like it myself, so I can't go all vegetarian. It just doesn't work with our family. But I have found that if I cut the meat in half (sometimes even less than that) and double the veggies, the meal tastes just as good - if not better- and we are then eating healthier and saving money. Win-win.

Drink water! This one is not a sacrifice for me, because water is my most favorite drink. I have hated soda/carbonation since I was little, so not getting drinks when we go out isn't a problem for me (We are working on getting Jake there...). But we sure save a whole lot of money just from me not getting drinks and choosing water instead. Plus, it's healthier!

Do it myself- Pinterest has made this one much easier. I try and make as many things myself rather than going out and buying it new. I usually like the end result better, and it cuts out a bunch of unnecessary money. And then I get the pleasure of seeing something I made with my hands, and also teaching my kids different skills.

DIY Laundry Soap: This goes along with the previous one, but making our own laundry soap saves so much money. My sister and I make up two batches at a time and it lasts us months. And since we don't have to buy the ingredients each time we make it, sometimes it's totally free when we do. I love it. Smells good, cleans well - what more do could you need?

Cloth Diapers: We are still using them, and still loving them. I love not having to worry about buying diapers each month. I stress about enough things, so it's nice to check a few things off the list. Next step is combining this and the "do it myself" and make my own cloth diapers. Now to find the time to do it...

Buy it used: KSL is a lifesaver for this one. And I also love shopping at kid-to-kid and Plato's Closet when it comes to clothes. I've gotten into a habit of always checking those types of places before going and spending full price on something because you can generally just as get for half the price. And if I am going to buy it new, I try and go for the clearance first. Also, have you ever bought used books off of Amazon? Because you can get them for a penny. $0.01! Plus shipping of course, but still, 3.99 for a 12 dollar book? I'll take it.

Home Sweet Home: We live in an older apartment, in a not so "pretty" neighborhood. We have ugly off-white walls, a blue counter top, and a kitchen floor that never looks clean no matter how hard you scrub it. Sure, there are plenty of things I would change about where we live, but we get an amazing deal on it and we are able to save so much money out of our budget because of it. We have learned to be happy with things that aren't the newest and best because we have seen how happy we can be with it. I can't wait to one day own a home and live in a beautiful neighborhood, but I also want to have the experience to teach our kids that newer isn't always better.

Date nights at home: We are terrible at having weekly date nights. Monthly ones, even. There just usually isn't the extra money to allow it and so we have to get creative about the time we spend at home. I prefer it this way though, to be honest. Going out once in a while is wonderful (and needed), but I love just sitting down and watching a show on Netflix, or playing board games once Hadley is in bed. I don't have the stress of wondering the whole time if Hadley is okay/is she being good for them?/is she eating anything other than cheese? Less pressure, more relaxing. Also, this website also has awesome ideas for dates to plan at home, for free or cheap!

The Envelope System- Using cash, and knowing exactly where all your money is going. Dave Ramsey people, check.him.out. You won't be sorry.

Pay tithing: Giving back in gratitude for what I have been given just makes sense to me. We have never had a month where we have paid tithing and not had things work out. We've got a Heavenly Father watching our backs, thats for sure.

Give thanks for what you have when you feel like you want more: It's easy for me to get caught up in all the things we want, on top of the things that we need. We see friends who seem to have so much more than we do, and we want to be the same. But I am quickly humbled when I take a step back and realize how very, very, very much we have been blessed. Our time will come, but for now, we just got to take it one grateful and faith-filled step at a time.

What about you? What tips do you have on how to save money?

Christmas Highlights

2011-12-31T12:10:00.000-08:00

Goodness. I can't believe Christmas has come and gone! I feel like I am on a fast moving train and I still haven't gotten off. We've been running around like crazy and it's been wonderful. But one of these days I am going to need to breathe! Jake is lucky enough to be able to take off Christmas until January 3rd, and me and Hadi have loved having him around. I wonder what she is going to do with suddenly Dad isn't there in the mornings with us?

Back to Christmas. Ours was wonderful and I hope yours was too. It was a little chaotic, but good. We spent Christmas Eve with Jakes family (of course I was too busy with Hadi that I don't have any pictures, darn it.) and had a great time with them. She is the first grandbaby/niece on his side so she got a very spoiled Elmo christmas. It's cute to see how much they all adore her. What wasn't cute probably was watching me scarf down the deep fried Turkey his Dad made. That stuff was good.

Christmas day was with my family up at my Mom and Dad's. We started some new traditions now that we have Hadi, and I am so excited to keep adding to them as she gets older. We had a million pictures throughout the day, so I will try to post the highlights.. Although don't get too mad when the highlights end up being like 13 pictures.

My gorgeous locket from Jake. He got it here and the inside reads "be right here." I am obsessed.

Elmo slippers

Elmo drum from Uncle Nick

Christmas p.j.'s

Mine and Hadi's presents

traditional picture on the stairs. And even though Madi is in New York, we still got her in the picture with us.

Justin Bieber toothbrushes!

Missy opening her presents via Google Plus

You are allowed to disagree, but I'm pretty sure this was about the cutest thing in the world. Elmo jammies, belle dress up, and elmo back pack. Sometimes I can't even handle her cuteness.

Ryker and Buzz

Jake with his surprise autographed Austin Collie jersey

Play kitchen from Grandma and Grandpa

Someone got into the Barbie makeup...

*Happy Holidays!*

19 Books {Update: 20 Books!}

2011-12-31T11:36:00.000-08:00

My goal this year was to read 50 books - I made it to 19. Plus the 3 that I am in the middle of.. So lets count those as 1 whole book. Which means we can then pretend I made it to 20. I say that is pretty good considering the fact that a) I haven't read a book for pleasure (besides listening to Harry Potter, of course) since who even knows when - thanks to school, and b) I have had a mobile child that doesn't like me to pay attention to anything but her for about 3/4 of the year. Pretty darn good. This was such a fun goal and I am excited to see what my total is this next year. Maybe I will lower it and shoot for 25.. And to keep with tradition, here are the last 4 books I have read:

Tattoos on the Heart

By Gregory Boyle

This book deserves it's own post. It needs it's own post. I think this was one of the best books I read this year, if not ever. It was incredible and I will be reading it again. It's stories told by a "pastor working in a neighborhood with the highest concentration of murderous gang activity in Los Angeles." I have never been taught more about "loving thy neighbor" or becoming more Christlike in a book (besides the scriptures, ha) than I have in this one. Please do yourself a favor and check it out.

Unbearable Lightness

By Portia De Rossi

This one is also up there on my favorites of this year. It was a little haunting to read from the mind of someone with an eating disorder like hers. But it was so good to remind myself how twisted your way of thinking can become. It forced me back onto a track of a more healthy attitude towards food, exercise, and body image. Loved it.

The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands

By Dr. Laura Schelssinger

I put off reading this book for years because the title bugged me. I was kind of annoyed that it said "husbands" instead of "spouses." But after about the 3rd or 4th recommendation I decided to get it. It taught great principles of becoming more selfless in your marriage and having respect for one another. I really, really liked it actually. I think it's one to read multiple times.

Divergent

By Veronica Roth

I just finished this one today! Talk about last minute. But it was so good! I was hooked from the beginning till the end and I can't wait for the next book to come out. It's another one of those dystopian society books that are becoming so popular, but it was different enough from the others that I wasn't bugged by it.

There you have it. 19 (plus 3 half) books. I am actually proud of myself for sticking with this goal for the whole year. And it makes me more excited for the books I will read next year!

**Update**
Turns out I forgot a book, so I did actually read 20! Ye-ah! The one I forgot was:

The Book Thief
By Markus Zusak

The fact that I forgot about it is not an indicator of what I thought about the book. It was wonderful and I enjoyed it from beginning to end. I loved that it is written different than any other book I have read. The book is written from Death's perspective during the Holocaust. Check it out!

Happy Happy Burfday

2011-12-30T13:35:00.000-08:00

Guess who has a birthday today??

This girl! And that girl. Both girls, in fact. I'm lucky every year to share my birthday with that lady. We all took a trip to Build-a-bear so that, naturally, Hadley could get a present for my birthday. Sounds about right.

Birthday Girl

Brin and "Barbie"

Pressy and "Bunny"

Ryker and his "Buzz buzz"

Hadi's Boxer puppy

So far my presents have been money for clothes, a mystery present from Jake that hasn't arrived in the mail yet, a Signing Time instructors kit from my parents, and this gem from Missy:

I could not love 30 rock more. She knows me too well. The funny thing was that I had already made plans to make her the exact same thing for her birthday in May. Ha. And guess what? She's still getting it.

Tonight will be filled with Eclair cake via my wonderful mom, cupcakes and a "Tangled" tower via Kira (thats why 2 birthday in one day is so great - double the dessert!), some Skype with Madi, and little Hadley who possible has hand foot and mouth disease - again. That girl has good timing, I will give her that.

Hope you all have a great day, in honor of my 24th Birthday! I give you full permission to celebrate, so go eat lots of calories - Better yet, come eat them with me!

Christmas Magic

2011-12-23T21:14:00.000-08:00

Christmas time is so magical - especially when you get to watch someone experience it all for the first time. So simple, but so great. Whatever you may celebrate, I hope it's a happy one. Ours is already off to a great start!

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-12-23T21:00:00.000-08:00

Wrong holiday, I know. I sort of needed to get these up before Christmas though before all the craziness starts. Christmas Eve, Christmas, my birthday AND New Years. Holy freak. So yah... excuse the pictures from November.

We continued our annual tradition of going to the zoo on Thanksgiving and this year was one of my favorite years (besides the one where I got engaged of course.) These things are just so much more fun with a kid who is old enough to get excited. I love it. My camera battery, however, thought otherwise so it died early on in the trip. Oh well, we got a few:

Ha, 4 pictures before we even got into the zoo and one of the inside. Great documentation. Also can we talk about how Hadley has gloves on that are about the size of a 12 year olds hands? Yeah.. At least her hands are warm. And we made up for it by getting sucked into buying her a monkey from the overly-priced zoo shop at the end of the trip because "it was soooo cute" and "hadley lovvvveedd the monkeys!" (my argument to Jake on why she needed to have it). She's a first kid though, it kind of comes with the territory, right?

Hope your thanksgiving was wonderful and got documented a little sooner than ours did.

Happy Holidays

2011-12-17T14:55:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays from us to you and yours!

This is as good of a christmas card as you are gonna get from us. Maybe one year, but I wouldn't get your hopes too high up there.

Mon Voyage en Europe

2011-12-14T17:44:00.000-08:00

Did you know I've been to Europe? Best graduation present ever (Thanks Mom & Dad). This all happened pre-blog time so the pictures never made it anywhere near here. But I recently came across one of the memory cards I used over there and got all excited and wanted to post a few of the highlights. And by "a few" I mean 18. Join me down memory lane, won't you?

Notre Dame

Look at that cute lil' guy

Eiffel Tower view

Le tour d'eiffel

Anyone who serves potato wedges is a friend in my book

My aunt Jan and I (did you know I was named after her? Yep - Danica Jan) outside La Louvre

Florence, Italy. My first site of Gelato. Love at first site.

Italy - Gorgeous, no?

The Colosseum

You cannot wear swimsuit/underwear things in The Vatican.

The uncovered city of Pompeii underneath Mt. Vesuvius. The was my favorite part of the entire trip

Pompeii - someone's house

Pompeii

another cute little guy

On the way to the airport in Italy.

*Sigh* I can't wait to go back someday with Jake.

At the end of the memory card I found some other oldies - Look high tiny Brinley is! Gah, I can't believe she was ever really that small.

And look how little we are! Haha and how sad and lonely Madi looks. She was photo bombing before it was cool.

A Note

2011-12-05T11:43:00.001-08:00

sicko baby

A note to my miss Hadi:

The past day and night you've had some sort of weird flu bug which has resulted in you barfing - and mostly on me it seems. The first time it went straight down my shirt. Like, a few drops on the floor, and the rest of everything in your stomach caught right down in my bra. Yum. And I am fine with it because I'm your mom and your my baby and it's totally cool. No hard feelings. But I just want you to know, that in the future, when you are a teenager and you are all moody and telling me how I never do anything for you and how I have ruined your life (which, lets face it, it's going to happen because that is just how teenagers are), we are both going to sit down and remember the time when I caught your barf in my shirt, and I was fine with it. And then you will say something to the effect of "you are right mom, you haven't ruined my life. You are the best mom in the world. I am sorry for barfing down your shirt. Now let me go make you some popcorn (because I really, really love popcorn)." And all will be well in the Rugg household.

Make you work work, make you work.

2011-12-03T13:18:00.001-08:00

We make this girl earn her living here at this house.

None of that free room and board nonsense around here. Don't worry though, I am not that mean of a mom. I got her a "hadley-size" broom for Christmas so that it is easier for her to hold. I call that good parenting right there.

Waters Run Deep

2011-12-03T00:31:00.001-08:00

Ever wonder what I do at 1:30 in the morning? Normally it consists of as much sleep as I can possibly shove into my life. But tonight happened a little different. Take a stroll over to Madi's blog for a taste of what we have been up to.

Oh happy times! Reminiscing on your childhood through music for like 4 hours can never be a bad thing. What would your childhood sound like? Here is mine. Treat yourself to it, because it.is.good.

2011-12-02T16:22:00.001-08:00

Jake, the other morning at too-early a.m., leans over and kisses the top of my forehead and says:

Jake: "They're coming to cut your arm off."

Me: "Whaa?"

Jake: "They are going to amputate it."

Me: "What? That's what you dreamed?"

Jake: "Hm? Yeah.." *snoooorre*

What the what?

Thanksgiving wrap-up

2011-11-30T11:09:00.001-08:00

via

I can tell that we are gonna be friends.

2011-11-27T20:43:00.001-08:00

This makes my heart happy.

happy.happy.happy.

I am thankful for Google+

2011-11-25T17:43:00.001-08:00

Because where else can you do cool things like this?

I hope you all are having a fantastic Thanksgiving weekend - We definitely are.

Happy Thanksgiving to You

2011-11-24T08:00:00.000-08:00

Three Thanksgivings ago Jake and I went to the Hogle Zoo as boyfriend/girlfriend and left as fiances. Crazy that is has already been three years. And yet at the same time I can't believe that in only 3 years we have managed to meet, date, get married, and have the best little babe we could ever have asked for. I would have to say that this girl has a whole lot to be thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all! I hope it is full of family, fun, food, and turkey-induced comas.

StumbleUpon

2011-11-15T08:17:00.001-08:00

I found out about this website today called StumbleUpon. It takes you to a bunch of different websites based on your "likes." For example, this morning when I was on it it took my to a couple crafting websites, and then to an adorable collection of lots and lots of puppy dogs. This thing already knows me so well.

If you sign up though and get 5 friends to sign up, you get a $10 amazon gift card FREE! Free people! That screams Christmas shopping to me. So I am mainly blogging about this so that I can buy Christmas presents with the gift card, BUT it turns out I think I will actually use this website. I forgot to mention above that it brought me to this website where you draw a stickman and this whole story to go along with it - What the cool?!

Take a look at it! It's free to sign up and it takes like 30 seconds literally. So. Easy.

Click here to sign up.

“Because She Is a Mother”

2011-11-06T20:32:00.000-08:00

I came across this beautiful talk by Elder Holland while reading a twin blog that I love. I couldn't help but be extremely moved by it. It's easy when it comes to raising kids to get discouraged and feel like you simply can't do it anymore. You keep moving, of course, because there is no other choice, but the drive and the strength seem non-existent. 5-6 months of straight teething will do that to you. I've also found myself at times feeling frustrated that my work as a stay-at-home-mom is not as important because I am not bringing in money and there are plenty of days I can't even keep my house in order. Please don't misunderstand me - I am so grateful for this blessing of having Hadley in my life. I would not trade what I have for anything in the world, and I mean that will all my heart. But sometimes, through the ups and the downs, the downs can be a little deep and the climb back up is pretty steep. So I am grateful for beautiful and inspiring words like these that give the the strength and renewed outlook that I need to continue giving this all I've got. Because no matter how discouraged I get, I can remember that this is God's work. What an awesome truth that is.

It only took me about 5-10 minutes to read it. Please take some time and see what stands out to you - It is a fantastic self-esteem boost.

Click here for the talk.

The Heart of Life

2011-11-02T20:50:00.000-07:00

"Pain throws your heart to the ground

Love turns the whole thing around

No it won't all go the way it should

But I know the heart of life is good."

via

Halloween 2011

2011-11-01T21:42:00.000-07:00

It's throwing me off a bit that it is already November. November, people! That month everyone rushes through putting up their christmas lights and listening to holdays tunes waaaaayy too early - and before you know it it's Christmas and I am 24. Holy freak. I shall just accept it and move on, what else can you do? Focus on the past and look at Halloween pictures, that's what.

This year Jake was Ron, I was Hermione, and Hadley was Hedwig. Hadley's we actually put effort into, while me and Jake's were kinda thrown together at the last minute. And I see that tradition continuing on into the future...

Hadi with the pumpkins we never carved... woops

Her costume wasn't done in time for the ward party so she borrowed Brinley and Presley's old costume and went as a bug. And I can't get enough to this picture :)

She thinks I am crazy - I'm sure of it.

Cousins! Can you guess who didn't want her picture taken?

Sadly this is like the only picture we got in our costumes together. Jake had a sweater that he wore on top of that and then Hadley had ears. Oh well. At least you know I wasn't lying when I said we dressed up.

Her trick-or-treating loot

Disco Hedwig :)

Happy Halloween!

Same-ers

2011-10-31T10:04:00.000-07:00

Awww.. we are twinners. Although her feet still fall under the "adorable" category, while mine most definitely have graduated into a different category.

Who could not love baby shoes and baby feet? And don't even think of trying to tell me that they are technically "toddler feet." Because they are not. She is still a BABY dang it.

Cheezy Blasters

2011-10-25T10:14:00.000-07:00

Because we aren't feeling great over here at the Rugg household. And because it's too great not to post it. Happy Tuesday you all:

You're welcome.

Better Together: Updated

2011-10-24T11:02:00.000-07:00

Just a few to add to the list from last time:

Monk & Psych
Shawn & Gus

Liz & Jack

Kenneth & Television
Jenna & Tracy

Missy & Cream Cheese

Hadley & Elmo

Brinley & Justin Bieber

Toddlers & Footed Jammies

Kitties & Social Media

Tuna fish & Saltines

Missy & Pantelones

Our Little Family & Mornings in Bed

Blerg & Blammo

Me & Sleep (we aren't actually together, but we would be "better together")

Ikea & Mac & Cheese with Fries

Late Nights & Netflix

Chips & Salsa

Mango Salsa Chicken & "Popcorn Rice"

MACU (Mountain America Credit Union) & Teller Totals

Crazy Cat Lady & Glen Jim

"Art" & his Dalmatian Earrings

No ID guy & The picture of his baby he cant see

Taco Amigo & Peach Shakes

French Fries & Life

Wasted Time & Pinterest

Taco Salad & Catalina Dressing

Piper & Leo

Grandpa & "Can I kiss your face?"

"What do you always remember" & "I love you"

Mom & Essential Oils

Dad & Drumming

Jake & Reeses Peanut Butter Cups

Jake & "Thats what she said"

Pressy & "Cheeser face"

"Harry & Potter"

Now, your turn. What did I miss?

Oldie, but goodie

2011-10-21T12:17:00.000-07:00

I just found this picture of Jake and his friend Matt in high school:

hahahah... look at how adorable they are. Them and their gang signs. Oh how I wish I would have known him in high school.

My baby, the yogi

2011-10-21T07:51:00.000-07:00

I think my deep love for yoga must have transferred over in utero. How else would you explain this?

Happy {late} Birthday Pressy!

2011-10-20T07:41:00.000-07:00

Presley's Birthday was August 27th. It's October. Just go with it.

This sweet girl turned two and we were so excited to spend the day with her. We went to the ZOO! And we all know how excited I get about that place. I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Because its the ZOO. And because of the birthday thing.

Have you seen the new Dino exhibit they've got going on? I thought it was fantastic - especially the ones that spray water on you. But as you can tell by the next picture, Presley didn't agree.

Loving the monkeys

Brinley being a gorilla

ohhhh noooo :) If you only knew how many times I had to convince her that the dinosaur wasn't real and that it wasn't going to eat her if she put her head in its mouth.. Which explains the nervous/scared giggling.

Rough life..

Birthday party time!:

Yah, that is Presley's present. Hadley spent more time with that thing than Presley even got the chance to.

"Why did you stop pushing me?" followed by sobs of "daaad is noott pushhing meeee"

We hope you had a great birthday Miss Pressy - We love you SO much and we are so happy you are in our family!

How to change your life, in 4 lines.

2011-10-18T18:38:00.000-07:00

My dad sent me this great article today titled "How I changed my life, in 4 lines." You see, I am not fantastic with change, but thats nothing new right? Who is? I kind of tend to get overwhelmed. Certain things always get to me - like bills. Bills are the worrrrrst. - Other things creep up on me all I can do to function is to push them aside to the tiniest teensiest part of my brain where I can pretend to not think about them. Turns out by doing that, bills don't get paid, I eat whole cakes without thinking about it, and no one ever gets called back. Ever. It's not a very functional way of doing things.

This article was a wondeful reminder of how to slowly and surely bring about the change you want to see in your life. Go read it! It's short and sweet and to the point. You don't have time to? Okay, fine. The 4 main steps it outlines are:

1. Start very small.

2. Do only one change at a time.

3. Be present and enjoy the activity (don't focus on results).

4. Be grateful for every step you take

Simple. But could be life-changing I think. I think I shall put it on my mirror. Or no, Hadley's head. I see that waayyy more than the mirror.

Thanks Dad :)

13 Months

2011-10-18T14:22:00.001-07:00

Food Choppers

2011-10-17T16:09:00.000-07:00

Do you ever find yourself dreading making your little one a sandwich, simply because you don't want to rip in into pieces getting peanut butter-jelly mixture all over your hands? Or have melted, greasy, cheesy whatever strung all across your fingers? Me too. But look no further! I have the answer. And it's a good one.

For only one payment of whatever your local Walmart charges, you can now own this wonderful new invention of mine:

"Food Choppers"

Simply hold your sandwhich/quesadilla/etc. in your hand, and with the other, use the Food Choppers to easily cut the food into little squares without getting your hand the least bit dirty. Blammo! Then go and brag to everyone you know about how genius you are, and no one else will care. Except for me - because I think it is pretty dang genius.

First Piggy's

2011-10-16T20:09:00.000-07:00

We hit a big milestone today. Miss Hadi has been quite behind and lacking in the hair department compared to the other little girls in our ward. And the fact that she wants nothing touching her head (she rips bows off and chucks them) contributes to a lot of old men asking whether she is a boy or a girl. Well watch out! This little lady has finally got piggy tails.

Not much, but it's a start, right?

Perfectly Unperfected

2011-10-13T11:07:00.000-07:00

"You cannot be a healthy person, let alone hope for healthy children, if you sigh and moan every time you encounter your own image, eat a cookie, or see an airbrushed model on a billboard. Even if it amounts to wholesale pretending, go pretend. Walk around pretending to be a woman who likes her body… Because every step toward self-love you take, and every inch of confidence you give someone’s daughter, makes the world a better place….

You are imperfect, permanently and inevitably flawed. And you are beautiful."

Found here

Picture Vomit

2011-10-11T08:58:00.000-07:00

Kind of like word vomit (mean girls?), but with pictures. I need to be better about getting my cell phone pictures off more often but oh well. Here are a billion pictures that didn't have anywhere else to go.

She didn't want the bandaid on there anymore... So she took matters into her own..mouth.

Hadi and cousin Ryker

I came in the room to see her "reading" the family picture book I made her

Those dang cupcakes..

Hadi and Ryker - 6 months apart and weigh the exact same

@ the

Matt & Jake with JJ and Hadley

Trying to squueeeeze by

MACU! Love these guys

Hadi and Pressy - these two adore each other :)

Hadi and Papa G

Grandma and Grandpa Rugg

Doesn't Hadley have great looking grandparents??

It's the little things..

2011-10-08T19:58:00.000-07:00

Have you noticed that the best times/memories happen without being planned? It always seems that the times when you actually plan out something out-of-this-world-creative-and-fantastic, you have such high hopes and expectations for it that it ends up falling short of what you had envisioned. I am always trying to think of fun things for Hadley to do, or focused on bigger and better things that sometimes I forget how great the little day-to-day stuff is. Take the other day for example: I was washing dishes that had been crowding my counters, sink and stove for much to long, when Hadley woke up from her nap. Dang it. Kid awake = no chores getting done. Turns out though she wanted to help (maybe she was sick of looking at the mountain-high pile of dishes too?). I knew saying no would have resulted in a not so fun meltdown, so I figured what the heck?

We could not have had a more fun afternoon. Even when she repeatedly tried to drink the soapy water, and started sucking on the rag that had been sitting in the sink for as long as the dishes had (go ahead and throw up), we still managed to make it out very happy. And I was even able to wash the rest of the dishes - Blammo! Points to me.

Also, today when I was going out to get the mail, Hadley freaked about seeing the outside world and wanted nothing more than to run around on the freezing cold, wet, sidewalk and grass. So, what the heck. We did. And yah, her jammies were completely soaked and black, and her extremities were practically frozen off. But you should have seen the look of pride and joy on her face as her little footed feet walked all around the apartment complex sidewalk and all throughout the grass. Pure joy.

Those are the things I never want to forget.

2011-09-28T13:56:00.000-07:00

Humbled. Grateful. Emotional.

I am so blessed.

Picky Picky

2011-09-27T12:37:00.000-07:00

This is directed at that picky-eating husband of mine,

I would like my baby back. You know, the one who would eat pretty much anything in front of her even if it was cat barf or dog food? You know, the one who didn't fake my gag reflex whenever a black bean/olive/turkey/mashed potatoes/veggies/chicken/etc touched her tongue? She was here a week ago - happily eating whatever she found, and this week? No where to be seen. Just a very cute little girl with an amazing ability to refuse any and all types of food. Please bring her back.

And yes, I am blaming all of this on your picky-eating childhood habits.

slump.

2011-09-26T09:32:00.000-07:00

I'm in a slump. blahh.. I hate feeling like this. Overwhelmed by every little thing. Bills are too much, cleaning is too much, and thinking about scouts just about does me in. And the more that gets added to the list of things to think about, the more I retract and don't think about it. Not a very functional way of getting things done, I can tell you that.

pinned

I am grateful, however, to have something like this. To know that if we will stop and take the time to listen, we will receive the comfort we need. To be told things like this:

"Sisters, wherever you are, whatever the circumstances may be, you are not forgotten. No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you. In fact, He loves you, with an infinite love."

To remind me that I am not forgotten. That my weaknesses will one day be made my strengths. That I don't need a "golden ticket" to have peace and happiness in my life right now. And that although I am not perfect, neither is anyone else around me - no matter how put together they may seem. Things will look up, as long as I don't forget the "why" of what I believe. I cannot wait for conference weekend this coming week - I am in need of some great uplifting.

The last one, I promise.

2011-09-25T14:54:00.000-07:00

Alright, let's finish this last birthday post and be done with it. Maybe then I can get myself back into some good ol' regular blogging. We'll see..

So Hadley's birthday party was a little bit insane. I decide early on that I am no party planner and that I was just going to keep it super simple so that I wasn't stressed out with details like place cards and dessert tables for my little one year old. I know others can do it, but I get overwhelmed by the thought of it. So I decided on Elmo cupcakes, and finger painting for the kids. Thats IT. easy right? ohhh ho ho no. I was a wreck leading up to it, but that is mostly the cupcakes fault. I don't want to relive the nightmare, but lets just say that everything that could go wrong, did. including the frosting back exploding all over finished cupcakes, and my fridge leaking water on the cupcakes overnight. Yah. I don't want to think about it anymore.

Luckily, by the end of it all I could have cared less what they looked like and just wanted to get it over with. Which is probably why I don't have a "finished product" picture. Oh well. The actual party was great and Hadley had a good time - which is all that matters. I'm really glad we ended up doing her party after her actual birthday thought. Because if I would have been that stressed out and upset on her actual birthday, I would have been pretty bummed that I missed out on enjoying that special day with her. So I guess the lesson is actual birthday=as low key as possible. Then go crazy if you so desire for the party.

Hadley's painting

Wearing all her bows at once.. Thanks Steph!

She didn't really appreciate jake holding her back from the cupcake..

Jake stuffed all the wrapping papers down their shirts

Happy Birthday {again} to Miss Hadipug -- Hope you loved your birthday week!

Happy Birthday!

2011-09-20T10:38:00.000-07:00

Remember how I said I would be done with these birthday posts last week? Yah, I lied. Sorry about that. I got so burnt out from the birthday festivities/emotional breakdowns/everything going wrong that I just sort of took a break. Whoops. But I am back and I am going to finish this burfday stuff if it's the last thing I do before I take a nap. So, Where were we. Hadley's birthday. Okay.

Her actual birthday was wonderful - really. Jake stayed home from work and we just got to hang out all day and stare at our little one year old. We stayed extra long in bed while she crawled around on us - I think that right there is one of the best things about being a parent - The in-the-morning-hang-out-time-in-bed. I seriously can't get enough of it. We ate breakfast (Hadley got hers on the red plate, of course),

Then after naps headed over to Farm Country and let Hadley love her life for a little bit being surrounded by animals. I wish I could explain to you how much she loves animals. I don't think it's possible though, you just have to see it. Come on over, we'll show ya. But for now I will just put up an insane amount of pictures...

hadley's cousins who came

and her friend Kate

Stuck in jail

"all done" with that picture

Whew. Are you tired yet? Just so you know I only put up some of the pictures we took. Yah, kind of ridiculous. But don't worry! We are only half way through the day. Now you now why I was so tired.

So after naps, we went to dinner, then back to our place for cake and ice cream. I will try to keep the pictures to a minimum. But it IS Hadley's first birthday.. so...

You ready?

Grandpa doing the famous "kiss your face"

the dinner crew minu brett and hannah

Love that cheeser face

She LOVES this cart. Can you tell that Presley does too?

Saying thank for you her presents..

more kisses

kisses on skpe for aunt missy

The cake

The aftermath.. There was way too much leftover and I am too embarassed to say how much of it I ate

Love that girl :)

Well there you go - Hadipug is officially one, and becoming more and more like a toddler every day. It really is so much fun to watch her coming into her personality and being able to interact more. Does it stress you out a bit to know that this wasn't even her party? Yah, sorry. We still have one more "birthday" post to do. But I don't want to think about that so for now I am just going pretend I am done and you all can recover from all those pictures. We will tackle the party another day...

The Past Year

2011-09-12T22:57:00.000-07:00

Looking back over the past year, I think that tiny little newborn-turned toddler has taught me a thing or two...

Birth - September 2010

- Having a baby has made me an emotional basket case. But gosh, do I love it more than life itself.

2 weeks

- Being a stay at home mom was something I was born to do. Not because its easy for me or that I am super good at it (ha ha ha), I just know this is what I am supposed to be doing right now in my life. And I wouldn't trade it for the world. Gordon B. Hinckley said it best when he said "women who make a house a home make a far greater contribution to society than those who command large armies or stand at the head of impressive corporations." And that is not because commanding armies or managing businesses are not important - they are. But everything starts in the home. People begin to become who they are in the home. And that is where my greatest priorities lie - in my home. Does this mean that those who are not stay at home mom's are not doing their best? Absolutely not. And just because you are one does not make you better than those who aren't.

1 Month

- Its kind of important to get dressed and leave your house once in a while. Maybe if I would have left my house more than like, twice, that first month I wouldn't have been so emotional? Maybe.

2 Months

-Hold your baby as much as you can. You cannot spoil a newborn and they need to be with you.
Babywearing makes a more confident baby - not a more dependent/clingy one.

3 Months

-The dishes and laundry can always be done later. But the time to play with and snuggle your baby will pass. Read books and sing songs without watching the clock. Make time to play without worrying what people will think about the state of your house. Take advantage of those "little moments" because that is what makes up the majority of our lives, and they pass all too quickly.

3 Months

-When the baby is sleeping, mama should be sleeping. Especially when baby is up 12 times a night. I didn't do this enough. Oh how I long for sleep...

4 Months

-Learn to be in tune with your baby. Your baby was sent to you for a reason and you are entitled to inspiration on how to raise that baby. Don't get too hung up on everyone else's advice and what so and so's baby is doing right now. Trust your gut.

5 Months

- On the other hand, don't be afraid to take others advice sometimes. Doing so won't make you less of a mom or mean that you don't know what you are doing. Just make sure it's something you feel good about.

6 Months

-You can function on a lot less sleep than you think you can.

-Babies have a certain outfit that they will have blowouts in every.single.time. you put them in it. Just stop putting them in it.

7 months

-It's not how the baby gets here that matters - - its the love that you give him or her once they are here that does.

8 months

- Keep things simple. Todays world is so full of e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. Ways to make your child smarter - toys that flash, sing and dance for your entertainment - movies that teach your child for you - How to improve "this" and how to get rid of "that"... Sometimes it is pretty intimidating to raise a kid in this world and try to keep up with all that is out there. But do you ever notice how a kid will spend 30 seconds playing with that "brain-enhancing" toy you just bought, but then carry your keys or chapstick around for hours? I've just learned that simpler is better. And for some reason I find myself applying this in all areas of raising miss Hadley. When I am faced with a dilemma or a question, my mind automatically thinks "well how did people used to do it? before they had ____?" Usually that gets me the answer I am looking for and helps me to keep a "back to the basics" way of thinking.
- I can't have my newborn baby in a crib. I just can't do it. I think its some weird thing in my DNA.. because it feels physically impossible.

9 Months

-We, as women, are pretty darn judgmental and I wish we would stop comparing ourselves to everyone else. Take breastfeeding for example. I love it - I really really do. I hope to breastfeed everyone of my children, and I don't plan on stopping at a year. And I really think that it is the best option out there if it is an option. But that doesn't mean that if a mom gives her baby formula she is less of a mom. It doesn't mean that I am a better mom because I do nurse my baby. We need to stop beating ourselves and other people up just because they're lives are different than ours.

10 months

- Cloth diapering is so much better than I ever thought it would be
- Always, always, always carry a second outfit, even after the "blow out" stage has passed. Because the one time you don't, you will need one.

11 months

- Families are so incredibly important and vital to our children and our society. This year has taught me, more than ever, how important the role of a mother and father are.

Almost 12 months

We have a walker

2011-09-12T12:00:00.000-07:00

For Presley's 2nd birthday she got a fun cart from ikea that you can walk with and put stuff in. To say it was a hit is a bit of an understatement. I think Hadley played with it for over an hour? And it wasn't even her present (don't tell her but she is getting the same thing for her birthday to) but she wouldn't let it go. Then she started walking and we all sort of freaked out a little bit. But in the past 2 weeks, this:

Walking with the cart from danica rugg on Vimeo.

Has turned into this:

:) This whole mom thing is too great.

This Girl

2011-09-12T10:22:00.000-07:00

This girl used to fit in those jammies when she was all of 6 lbs 14 oz.. And tomorrow she will be one. I'm apologizing now - get ready for a whole weeks worth of posts related to her birthday and me not coping with life. And lots and lots of mom feelings. Oh get ready for the mom feelings. And if you have had enough and feel like you are up to your ears in baby pictures/me blabbing over and over about my crazy mom emotions, it's probably best if you just take a week off from this blog. Tune back in when my tears are fewer, the shock has worn off and the party remains have been all cleaned up. Don't worry, I won't be offended. I just can't help myself!

Dancing in the rain

2011-09-11T21:25:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't love a good rainstorm? We took full advantage of ours - filled it with babies, mamas, grandmas, aunts, cousins, music, and a whole lotta dancing. But with a dance partner who looks like that, how could I not?

Spread Goodness

2011-09-11T09:32:00.000-07:00

10 years ago today I remember where I was and what was happening around me. I remember sitting in French class watching and waiting to see what would happen next. I remember them telling us if we needed to leave class, they had school counselors we could talk to. I remember not believing that it was real. It wasn't until I saw the pictures/footage of people jumping out of the building that I got that sick feeling in the bottom of my stomach knowing that it was all real. I still get that feeling every time I see a picture or video of that. It's still hard to believe that something like that happened in my lifetime, and its hard to see what the world is coming to.

But then I remember that just two days after the 9 year anniversary, the most beautiful thing that has happened in my life occurred: my baby was born. Nothing is a truer testament of hope, faith and love in this world today for me than that event. It reminds me that through all of these dark, evil, and terrible times we see unfolding around us, there will ALWAYS be good. And the good is getting stronger just like the bad is. Even on a day like this, when its hard to see past what really happened and all that was lost, there is still beauty in today. And if we can't see it, maybe we need to be the ones to make it.

While never forgetting what happened, I hope we can not dwell on all that was lost, but rather go out and put some goodness back in the world. And lets spread it as far as we possibly can.

Tuesday Morning

2011-09-06T10:55:00.000-07:00

Good morning, I have just been initiated into toddlerhood. Last night Hadley feel asleep in the highchair, and this morning she ate half a crayon. I am pretty sure she is trying to tell me something about her getting older and I am doing my best to not listen one bit.

babeh with a cold. bleck.

I do have a Labor Day weekend post all planned out in my head, but my miss Hadipug is once again a Hadipug, with snot bubbles the size of catterpillars coming out of her nose. So my hands are a little preoccupied with boogie wipes. For now, my random thoughts will have to do.

These are the things that have been pre-occupying my mind the past few days:

"Our lives are made in these small hours, these little wonders, these twists and turns of fate. Time falls away, but these small hours, these small hours still remain."

- Rob Thomas "Little Wonders"

"Oh baby don't you know that time will do the talking, years will do the walking, I'll just find a comfy spot and wait it out. Time will do the talking, years will do the walking, time will tell you baby what you can't hear now."

- Patty Griffin "Time Will Do The Talking"

And since we are going with a theme of song lyrics here, I stumbled across this song this morning and immediately felt humbled and grateful. Go have yourself a listen.

I want to go to there

2011-09-03T13:03:00.000-07:00

An hour watching 30 rock clips on you tube is an hour well spent in my opinion.

Now off to finish cleaning my house. Happy Saturday!

blerg.

2011-09-01T21:51:00.000-07:00

*Sigh...* Where has my desire to blog gone? Out the window pretty much. nothing.to.say these days. Sometimes I feel like all I do on here is talk about miss Hadipug, but then I step back and realize: What else is there? That sweet thang is my life. And no complaints here. The mr. and I can't get enough of that baby.

in thirteen days I will have a one year old *brainfrizzlinginshockanddenial* I won't let myself think too much about it though because then my crazy mom hormones kick in and I think of what it will be like to walk in her room the morning of her birthday and realize that she is one. ONE. my heart is breaking, literally. And yet she has never been in a funner stage than she is now.

I want to resemble this girl - minus the pregnant part. Oh how I do not wish to be pregnant at this moment.. although I am strangely excited by the thought of birth again - Crazy? Psychotic? yes. I would like to, right now, start up a fund where all of you donate beautiful clothes for me to wear and then I will take pretty pictures in them and pretend I am a fashion blogger. Ha! Heavy emphasis on the pretend part. However, if we are going off of what my "clothing" pinterest board says, I am a very well dressed person, thank you very much.

My brain is powering off. I making sense my brain is? Huh? blerg. Time to shut it down folks, time to shut. it. down. Here's to the freakin' weekend.

Nope. Cuz it's only Thursday.

Oh Brinley..

2011-08-18T20:42:00.000-07:00

Tonight I was sitting on the couch with my 4 year old niece, Brinley, reading a People's magazine. As I turned the page, I noticed a picture of a male celebrity running with his shirt off. Brin cocked her head to the side, pointed to the shirtless man and said "so, Dani, yay or nay?"

{Insert my shocked expression}

{Insert my desperate attempt not to fall over laughing}

I couldn't think of a single thing to say... So I just turned the page.

And there goes a half a thing of wipes...

2011-08-15T08:38:00.000-07:00

"No mom, see? I got these for you"

Sweet, isn't she? All in the name of a good time.

You are beautiful, and you are enough.

2011-08-14T10:29:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about this subject for a while now.. Mostly because it's effects are everywhere around me, and I now have more than just myself to worry about it affecting.

All over on Pinterest (I promise I'm not trying to point fingers or attack anyone with this) I see people's
"Inspiration" boards filled with pictures of skinny, super fit woman with comments like "I wish I looked like this" or "One day..." I know that I think the same thing sometimes when I look at all of those pictures. But a few years back I went to a lecture at my school for extra credit, and it completely changed the way I view things. Thank goodness too. Now looking back I can see that I was headed in a pretty scary direction with the way I was thinking. I still have the same thoughts sometimes, but I can at least recognize them for what they are instead of believing them. It breaks my heart to hear/see so many girls and so many of my friends constantly comparing their bodies to what they think is ideal, and hating themselves for not having achieved that. I just want to scream that the "ideal" just isn't possible! And it is not worth the time, energy, or self-destruction trying to get there. Now I am not saying eating healthier and a good workout are not good things. Because they are - and I think most of us agree that we could all be a little better about that. But there is a very big difference between doing those things to be skinny/perfect, and doing those things to be healthy. Believe me - doing them to be HEALTHY will change the way you view your workouts and also yourself.

I stumbled across these two videos today and I'm so glad I did - both of these were showed in the lecture I went to and I am happy to have them where I can find them.

Now that I have Hadley, all of this hits me 10 times harder. I don't want her to hate her body like I have. I don't want her to go through high school constantly looking at every girl thinking "man if I could just get rid of my love handles, I would look like her and then I would be happy." Or even worse, expecting other people to think the same things about themselves. I know she will have her own struggles and that she will be bombarded with the same images and false information that I was - and probably more. But I just want to do everything that I possibly can to ensure that she knows that I think she is already perfect exactly how she is. Because she is. Obsessing about weight and looks (this includes all of us who think we are not good enough because we don't wear the most fashionable things) will only leave you in a place filled with doubt, guilt, and sadness. Not to mention more obsessing. I don't want that for my daughter. I don't want that for my friends. And I don't want that for me. Please - try and love yourself for the way you are now. Today when you look in the mirror, instead of looking straight to your "trouble spots" and acknowledging first what is wrong with you, tell yourself you are beautiful. Find one thing that you can love about yourself. And if you can't do that - tell yourself that you are beautiful and that you are enough over and over until you can find something. Because there is something there that is beautiful - and ALL of us ARE enough. So don't forget it.

Vampire Baby

2011-08-10T18:28:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago, Hadley got her eye teeth in before her front two teeth (don't ask how much fun that was). Ever since she has been "miss vampire." I was worried we wouldn't get a picture of them before the front two came in, so my sister snapped a few of her today while she was eating.

Look at those fangs! Too cute, I say.

Happy not-so-wordless-wednesday to you all!

Housesitting

2011-08-07T21:54:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, while my family went up to Idaho, we stayed at their place to watch the animals. It was fun pretending that we actually had a house - and that crazy, insane party we threw was fun too (what mom and dad? You read this blog? We didn't throw any parties...).

Hadley very much enjoyed herself chasing after the cats all day and getting licked all over by the dogs. That girl was in heaven. I randomly snapped a few photos over the weekend, and now that I look back at them, I am sort of noticing a pattern... See if you can spot it.

Sort of obsessed, that one. Oh and lets not forget when she ate dog food, cat food, AND cat barf. I'm throwing up just thinking about it.

We are happy to be back in our king size bed.. but I think miss Hadipug is going to miss those 4 happy animal faces when she wakes up tomorrow morning.

This is necessary

2011-08-05T09:05:00.000-07:00

Do you pin? Oh heavens. You need to. If you don't/are too lazy to check it out/don't know what i'm talking about, here is an idea of what you are missing:

Funny things like these:

Food you would sell your soul for:

Things to put in my home:

Inspiration:

Animals I just want to shnuggle:

And lets not forget all the Harry Potter gems you will find:

Yup. It doesn't get better than this people. There is so much happiness to be found - get a pinterest. Add me. Let's get this thing started.

All That Fluff

2011-08-04T08:59:00.000-07:00

I decided to start a second blog that is simply for cloth diapering. I will probably be posting quite a bit of giveaway information in order to get entries to win diapers and I figured a lot of you might get annoyed of that. I also put our routine and the laundry soap that I use on the diapers. I will probably update it from time to time if i get more diapers that i like, if i get brave and try making my own, etc. Check it out if you want. Or, like, whatever.

All That Fluff

Thirsties

2011-08-03T06:59:00.000-07:00

One of the cloth diapers I have are from the company Thirsties - And I love it. We have a cover with a prefold from them, but they carry a couple different kinds of diapers. Every thursday they do a giveaway, and this time its two pocket diapers! yaaaaaaaaaaaaay *insert me getting really excited* Go check it out - today is the last day to enter.

I know it's sad how excited I get over cloth diapers - just go with it.

Houdini

2011-08-01T10:24:00.001-07:00

Allow me to bring your mood level up a few notches..

Go ahead - just try and not dance a little.

Who doesn't love a yard sale?

2011-07-29T08:41:00.000-07:00

I have this thing with yard sales. This piece of my heart that is for them. Something about getting a little gem for so cheap just gives me the warm fuzzies.

Do you want the warm fuzzies too?

You can get them double time - by helping out this wonderful, adorable family who are saving up to bring another little one into their family, and also by finding a great deal on something you'll love!

Tomorrow.

87 East Center St, Spanish Fork, Utah.

8-1ish

Be there.

We were in NY..

2011-07-26T21:35:00.000-07:00

Via Skype, of course.

But for now, I would say that is just as good as actually being at that Yankees game.

2011-07-24T12:12:00.000-07:00

"All of us, single or married, are eternally part of some family -- someway, somewhere, somehow-- and much of our joy in life comes as we correctly recognize and properly develop those family relationships. We come to this earth charged with a mission: to learn to love and serve one another. To best accomplish this, God has placed us in families, for he knows that is where we can best learn to overcome selfishness and pride and to sacrifice for others and to make happiness and helpfulness and humility and love the very essence of our character."

- John H. Groberg

2011-07-20T21:14:00.000-07:00

Still a little sad its over, don't you think?

HP and HP

2011-07-20T11:31:00.000-07:00

10 months old and she's already making fantastic choices on her reading material. I have no doubts about the success of this child in the future.

36 to go...

2011-07-18T08:45:00.000-07:00

At the rate I'm going, there is a good chance I won't make 50 books this year - seeing as how we are already over half way through the year haha.. Oh well. I'm really enjoying reading/listening to all these book regardless of what number I get to

Nurture Shock -- By Po Bronson & Ashley Merryman

This book was fantastic. I really can't say enough good about it or reccommend it enough. I have too much I want to say about it so I will follow this up with a post of it's own. It deserves it. But until then - read it!!

The King of Attolia -- By Megan Whalen Turner

Third book in this series, loved it!

The Help -- By Kathryn Stockett

This book is being recommended by people left and right, and I am no exception. I listened to this on on audio and I highly recommend it that why if you have the opportunity. It really helped to distinguish the characters. I loved it so much and I can't wait for the movie later on this year.

The Poisonwood Bible -- By Barbara Kingsolver

I was a little surprised by how much I liked this one. It was a tough read but since I listened to it on audio I think it helped a lot. I think if I would have read the text instead I would have had a hard time paying attention and understanding what was going on. Thats what I love so much about audio books - it completely brings the story to life in such a different way. It makes cleaning and doing chores a whole lot more interesting :) But I loved the characters in this book. My favorite was Adah, one of the twins in the family. Everyone thinks she is slow and doesn't understand much, but since the book takes place in each of the characters voices (the mom and all the daughters), you get to see her view of the world and how she sees things. I loved it.

Inside Out -- By Maria V. Snyder

I liked this one okay. It definitely wasn't my favorite out of all the ones I have read so far but it kept my attention enough to finish it. It had a couple of fun twists but it just wasn't my favorite. I think one of my problems was the main character, Trella, kinda bugged a little bit. I dunno, we'll see if I get around to reading the sequel.

Bossypants -- By Tina Fey

LOVED.THIS.BOOK. I love Tina Fey even more now and it made me want to watch 30 Rock a billion more times through. Only complaint was it wasn't long enough. I only had 5 hours and 33 blessed minutes of audio book before it was over... *sigh...*

Thank You Harry Potter

2011-07-15T17:47:00.000-07:00

via

After seeing the last Harry Potter movie, I can’t believe it’s over! The past months, and especially weeks, have been filled with pictures, quotes, blog posts and memories all about “The boy who lived” and this magical story coming to an end. I am no exception. I had mixed emotions about the premiere of this last movie simply because I couldn’t handle the thought that all this was finally going to be over. It may sound silly but Harry Potter was so much more to me than just a book about a magical world and good defeating evil. Harry Potter, to those of us who “believed” was a tangible, magical world that existed all around us. From the very beginning when we first went to Hogwarts with all the first years, to then returning every year with new adventures and rules to break, to the very end, it was something real and magical with lessons that we actually learned from.

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Harry, Ron and Hermione taught what the true meaning of friendship is and how to count on those around us in the worst of times. Dumbledore taught us that love is what sets us a part and makes us special, and that we are lucky to have it on our side. It is what makes all the difference in the end, whether we can love or not. Dobby taught us all that no matter who we are – we are all equal and we decide which side we will serve. He also taught us how to be a friend. We learned from Harry’s parents, Serius, Dumbledore, and everyone else who died that those we love, who pass on, never really leave us and are always there watching out for us. Fred and George showed us to never take ourselves too seriously, and that laughter is one of the greatest helps when spirits are low. Voldermort showed us how easily an obsession with power can lead us down a terrible path. Wonderful Hagrid demonstrated so well how to be loyal and care about those around you – human or animal. Nevil reminded all of us that no matter how scared we may be at times – we are brave. We choose who we want to be and we don’t have to live according to the labels of those around us. And what matters in the end, whether we live or die, is that we stood up for our friends and what we believed in. Luna taught to be yourself, because there is nothing more strange, or more beautiful than that. And Snape – oh Snape. He was the perfect example of true love and bravery in the face of the greatest evil.

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How can all of that not be real? Surely just because the last movie has been made, it does not mean that all of this must be forgotten. This magical world that we’ve been apart of inside our heads and hearts doesn’t have to stop being. Our childhood can live on because we can carry it with us and give it from generation to generation. And that right there is what makes this day not so sad – because I have those moments to look forward to with my children, while we are reading before bed, and they are begging me to read just one more chapter. They too might hope one day that their own Hogwarts letter will come, or wonder if each owl they see might belong to a wizard somewhere. Will they wonder over and over till the end which side Snape is really on?. Will they gasp like I did when they find our who Ron’s rat really is? Or will they cry when Dumbledore and Dobby die just like I did? That is something I cannot wait to find out.

Luckily I have Jim Dales voice to bring the characters and book to life at the click of a button. And while I re-live these stories over and over, I will take pride in the fact that I was a part of the start of something that never has been before, and never will be again.

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Thanks for everything Harry Potter – Until next time around.

More, please

2011-07-14T14:55:00.000-07:00

Hadley can sign! Can I say that if she can only sign one word? I say yes. So there.

A few months ago she started doing a sign similar to "milk" to mean "more" or "i want that thank you very much." (That is the first part of the video where she is eating the banana). I was freeeeeeeaaakking out. So much that Hadley probably would have said "Mom, get a grip of yourself" if she could have talked. And then just the other day I was feeding her some food and she did the real sign - the real thing! I was freaking out. again. probably not as much as the first time but I was still uber excited. In case care to, take a peek!

Signing "more" from danica rugg on Vimeo.

A Note to Remember

2011-07-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

"Pretty pretty please, if you ever, ever feel, like you're nothing, you are perfect to me." -Pink

10 month old birthday

To Hadley and any future babies that may join our family,

No matter where life takes you - good or bad, up or down, no matter who you love or who doesn't love you back, through success and failure - Please, please believe me when I say that to me & your dad, you are perfect. We love you more than you can ever imagine and we will always be eternally grateful for the place you hold in this family.

We Use Cloth Diapers

2011-07-13T13:38:00.000-07:00

Something has happened to me that I never thought possible. I never even imagined it to be possible because it was that ridiculous. I am sort of obsessed with cloth diapering..

Whaaaaaaa, you say?

Well, it all started like this.

All my life if someone mentioned cloth diapers i thought "gross.ew.sick. what is wrong with you? that is disgusting.. are you mental. do you really want poop all over you." etc - you get the picture. Then some people I knew considered it. Then I read some blog posts, which resulted in reading alot of blog posts. Then I considered it. And that folks, right there, is where is all started getting pretty crazy, pretty fast. I was intrigued. There is an entire cloth diapering community that I never even knew about. And it is Awesome. Jake gave me money for mothers day to spend on some diapers so that I could try it out and see what I thought. I thought, and thought, and thought about it for a very long time because there are so.many.options. In the end, I found some cheap ones off of ebay from a company in China and I figured if I didn't end up liking then I hadn't really spent that much money, so oh well. But they came, I tried them, and fell in love.

Fell in love with a diaper? Isn't that a little dramatic? Probably. But it's true. I think they are fantastic! Heres why:

1. They are adorable (pictures will come, hold your horses)

2. You really do save money with them. I think you can save alot of money on diapers by using generic brands, but you still save lots of money by doing cloth. You make an initial investment, and then you never have to worry about whether you have diapers to last you the rest of the month/week/day. I think by the time I finish getting my diaper stash (I want to get a few more and try out a few more kinds) I will have spent around $200. Thats it. for the rest of the time Hadley is in diapers. Can you imagine if I would have started when she was brand new and only spent that much TOTAL? so great.

3. They help out the environment, and we could all help out a little more in that department. It makes me feel good that I am trying to help keep diapers from piling up for hundreds of years in landfills.

4. They give me this irrational warm fuzzy feeling. I'm crazy, I know.

5. They are SO much easier than I thought they would be. allow me to explain.

My routine in disposables for a wet diaper:

1. take off diaper

2. fold it up

3. put new diaper on

4. throw diaper away

Simple, right?

My routine in cloth for a wet diaper:

1.take off diaper

2. set diaper aside/take insert out depending on the kind of diaper

3. put new diaper on

4. throw diaper in wet bag

Same thing. But I know what you are thinking - What about the poop, right?

My routine in disposables for a poopy diaper:

1. take off diaper

2. wipe baby bum

3. stash wipes in diaper

4. put on new diaper

5. throw diaper away

My routine in cloth for a poopy diaper:

1. take off diaper

2. spray with wipe solution - use cloth wipe to wipe baby bum

3. stash wipes in diaper

4. put on new diaper

5. flush liner with poop on it down the toilet

6. throw diaper in wet bag

Seriously - one more step? So.easy. And honestly the routine of everything flows perfectly with everything else I have going on. I keep the diapers in my wet bag (it is waterproof and keeps the smell in) and then, at the end of about two days, I unzip the bag and toss it in the wash without even unloading the diapers. Everyones wash cycle is different, but I do a hot cycle with detergent (you only need about 1/3 of what you use on your normal laundry. too much detergent will cause buildup and your diapers wont be as absorbent), a cold cycle with detergent, and then i usually do a quick cold rinse to make sure all the detergent is out. I do this usually at night or first thing in the morning and then I take it all out and line dry it in the sun. Less money spent on electricity, diapers last longer, AND any stains leftover are bleached by the sun. I love it. Then once everything is dry it takes about 3-5 minutes to re-stuff the liners in the pocket diapers so that they are ready to go. It's honestly no more work than doing normal laundry.

some of the diapers, inserts, and wet bag hanging out to dry

Now, since this post is already ridiculously long, lets make it longer and show you what kinds of diapers we use around here.

Like I said earlier, there are SO many options in cloth diapering. But it's great because different kinds work for different people! For a great summary of different kinds of diapers, check out this girls posts on cloth diapering her twins. she gives some great info. As for us, right now we have pocket diapers with microfiber inserts, and covers with prefolds.

the different kinds we have

Pockets:

I have this brand that i found on ebay -I think its called GrapeApple- and I decided on these because they were so cheap. I got 10 with 10 inserts for about 53 dollars (and free shipping) which makes them about 5 dollars a diaper. And compared to 20 dollars a diaper, they seemed pretty appealing. So far I've loved them. No leaks, no problems. I'm sure there are better quality ones that I might like better, but I can't miss what I've never had, right? I also recently bought some Cuteybaby's while they were at Costco, and so far they have worked awesome too. I've been using them at night because they seem to be pretty absorbent. Only downside is the rise in the back is a little low, and I worry about the velcro not holding up. So far no problems though.

This picture, and the ones above it, are Hadley in the GrapeApple brand of pocket diapers.

cuteybaby

some of the other prints from cuteybaby

Cover:

Right now I am trying out my thirsties Duowrap cover with the prefold they sent and I really like it! I love this route because The wraps are about 13 dollars on amazon, and you can get a good prefold for 1-2 dollars. Cheap! Whats even better about this is as long as its only a "wet" diaper, you can dump the prefold in the wetbag, and re-use the cover. Even more money saved! I am currently saving up my Swagbuck Amazon gift cards (so that I don't have to use any of my own money) and I plan on getting some more covers and prefolds to add to my stash.

Thirsties wrap

Etc.

I am now using liners and love them. You don't have to use them, you just have to "knock" the poop off into the toilet before it goes into your wet bag. *before you start solid foods, if your baby is still breastfeeding 100% of the time, you don't have to do anything with the poopy diapers. Breastmilk poop is water completely water soluble and will just magically wash away* I was fine with doing this, but the liners are cheap (I got mine- 100 for about 6 bucks. Although I used my Swagbucks, so it was only a dollar) and they make the cleanup so much quicker. You simply lay the liner on top of everything before putting the diaper on, and then when you change the diaper, throw it in the toilet and flush!

There are certain laundry soaps you can't use with cloth diapers, so many people have to use special kinds for theirs. Luckily, I make my own, and you can use it on the diapers. Cheap and extremely effective. When I wash the diapers I put some drops of tea tree oil in the water just as a disinfectant.

We are, at this point, cloth diapering about 90% of the time. I was using disposables at night, and then for babysitting or in emergencies. But now that I have the Cuteybabys, I use those at night and cut down on the disposables we need to have on hand. We still have 2 boxes of diapers left and hopefully we wont have to buy any more. I will use out our size 3 box for times when we need to leave her with a babysitter or if for some reason we are going somewhere where we need to use them? And then I will just trade the other box in for a size 4 and that will hopefully last us through any emergencies!

In closing...

Sorry this post was insanely long. Congrats if you are actually still reading this! (which I am assuming not many are). I just wanted to get it out there that I.love.cloth.diapering. Really and truly. If you are even considering it - Just try it. The worst thing that can happen is that you keep them on hand in case you run out of disposables and don't get paid for a week. And if you really hate them, wash em in some bleach and sell the suckers! Lots of people are interested in used cloth diapers. But really, give it a shot. I love it so much more than I thought I would and I am glad I jumped in and tried it.

And now, I'm gonna go crash like this little one and take a well needed nap (that is if that little one will actually go to sleep...)
Night, all!

Mobile Uploads

2011-07-12T10:20:00.000-07:00

I've had most of these sitting on my phone for a while, so I thought I would get them on here in case something happened to my phone. and by that I mean in case all of Hadley's slobber on my phone ruins it.

Cute, no? Have a great Tuesday!

Cow Appreciation Day

2011-07-08T19:29:00.000-07:00

At Chick-fil-a today if you dressed up like a cow you got free food! We couldn't not go - free food? Chick-fil-a? Yah right - it was a must. So we dressed up the kiddos and went. What's even greater is that I got a free meal and Hadley got a free kids meal... which means I got a free meal and I got a free kids meal. Ahh the joys of having a little baby :)

I didn't get great pictures since Hadley didn't think having paper attached to her body and on her headband was the greatest idea, so she put an end to that pretty quick. But oh well, you get the picture, right? Adorable.

Cousins - Presley and Brinley

Those ears lasted about 4 1/2 seconds, if that.

I promise I was wearing black cow spots (you can see one popping out of Hadley's shoulder)and a sign but Hadley ripped them off while ripping the sign at about the same time. So we gave up and just took the picture.

*Oh and you Deaf Studies kids will appreciate this. While we were at the mall we ran into Matt Snarr (one of my old professors) and I had a quick convo with him. Brinley was standing by me and looked really confused while we were signing. She asked afterwards why we were doing "that" and I explained her that he was Deaf and Deaf people use sign language. She thought for a minute, the said "Oh, cuz he talked to all of you (my classmates), so now he's Deaf? :) Oh the mind of a 4 year old.*

Fourth of July {Part 2}

2011-07-08T17:36:00.000-07:00

Our 2nd celebration on the actual 4th of July was just as wonderful as part 1. We started out (by getting a FULL NIGHTS SLEEP! don't worry, it didn't last. But we got a couple nights of SLEEP! Oh glorious sleep..) with a quick trip up to Jakes parents house, then followed up with a BBQ at my parent's get-together. It is so nice to spend holidays with family - nothing better. Also, the aerial fireworks being legalized was the best thing ever to happen to our 4th of July experience. My parents live up on top of a hill and you can literally see the entire Utah Valley. Which means we had a 30 minute huge fire work show all over the valley that cost us nothing. Yup - so great.

Now, once again, cue the roll of more pictures than I should ever put in one post:

Drivin to the Rugg's

Dad let her drive down the road - don't report us please :)

Cousin lovin - I love how much these girls love each other

My dad's mom, Hadley, and my dad. If you only knew how rare this is to actually get my grandma in a picture..

Hadley and Ryker - these two are only 6 months apart. I can't wait for them to be just a tiny bit bigger cuz they are gonna have SO much fun! (if Hadley will stop stealing Ryker's toys from him...)

Fun with Grandpa - these girls adore their grandpa!

Getting ready for fireworks...

Our fireworks show :)

All in all, we had a great 4th of July weekend - Hope your was equally fabulous!

Fourth of July {Part 1}

2011-07-03T22:16:00.000-07:00

I love when the 4th falls around/on a weekend. You get to ~~eat~~ celebrate for like 3 days straight! We started off our 3-day celebrations on Saturday by hiking to Stewart Falls and then BBQing with Katie and ben before the Stadium of Fire fireworks

Cue the massive amounts of pictures...

Me and Jake initials :) I think its been 2 years since we carved them?

So.Much.Snow. I have never seen so much snow up there

Can you believe all that snow?? In JULY?

Our hiking buddies - Kyle, Shanell and Bentley

Waiting for fireworks..

Katie & Ben

Watching fireworks with Dad

Take 1 and take 2... Oh the man I married... :)

Everything turned out great! Now for the real 4th of July...

{Last} Saturday Fun

2011-07-03T21:52:00.001-07:00

Like I already said in the previous post, I'm a little behind on posting this. But at least I'm doing it, right?

One of the fun things about being a parent or hanging out with little kids is you get to experience a ton of "firsts" with them. It's not like this with any other person in your life. Sure, when you get married, your spouse will get to try things that you have done your whole life, that are completely new to them. But you probably won't be with them the first time they walk, or say their first word, or eat solid food for the first time (and if you are, thats a little weird... just sayin). But with little kids you can - and its awesome. Last saturday we took Hadley swimming for her first time. I don't think there are words in the English language to explain how much she loved it. She is a pretty intense little person when she loves something - and she loved swimming. We will definitely be going back!

After we had dinner with some of my friends from working at MACU - I love getting together with those guys. We had so much fun working together and I miss all the emails and jokes every day. I don't miss the job, but I miss the people. Katie is like an aunt to Hadley. Seriously, I think Hadley has more clothes that Katie has bought for her than me and Jake have. I'm so grateful to live so close to such great friends - friends and family are where it's at!

Katie's husband, Ben, feeding Hadley his cake - So generous :)

Eli & Hadley

"Aunt" Katie

Anyone notice a theme in all these pictures? We pretty much never take a picture without Hadley in it anymore. Ha.. Oh well. She's much more fun to look at than us!

Bean Museum

2011-07-03T21:52:00.000-07:00

This seems like it was forever ago but I have been so lazy about posting pictures. It takes so dang long to upload them all and then figure out which ones actually worked/we don't look crazy in... But Hadley is actually asleep and Jake is gone so I'm running out of excuses.

About a month ago we went with our friends Matt, Courtney and their little guy JJ to the Bean Museum. If you've never been or never heard of it you probably aren't from Provo or didn't grow up here. I feel like its one of those places every provo family has been to on multiple occasions. All it is is free museum with a bunch of dead, stuffed animals - Perfect for kids and parents. Hadley LOVEs it. When we get to the top room there are just tons of animals heads (deer, moose, antelope, hippos, etc) one right after the other and it's like her dream come true. She shrieks down the whole isle - wanna see?

Bean Museum from danica rugg on Vimeo.

Cute right?

Daddy - Daughter

The Cheshire's

The Dads

Yah, we're those kinds of parents. Don't report us please..

Me & Hadipug

We had fun, and so did the kiddos - which was the point. Thanks to Matt and Courtney for inviting us!

Farm Country

2011-07-03T21:50:00.000-07:00

If you have little kids and you live here in Utah - Go to Farm Country at Thanksgiving Point! We had a blast and its only 5 dollars per adult, and then kids under 3 are free. Miss Hadley has a slight obsession with animals so this was heaven for her. Pony rides, cows, big and little tiny goats (oooooo so cute - wish I would have gotten a picture..), chickens, llamas, ducks - You get the picture right?

So great. Go. Now. Or come with us next time we go!

Where's Hadley?

2011-07-03T21:27:00.000-07:00

Now that Hadley can crawl and get around better, a whole new world has opened to us. A world where I walk into a room where I left her sitting in the middle and suddenly she is no where to be found. This was the case just the other day - I walked in a had a mini heart attack when I couldn't see or hear her. Then I heard giggling and when I looked next to me at the bookshelf this is what I saw:

She somehow managed to roll underneath there and was happily watching Elmo with her head barely sticking out. What would we do without this little girl??

One Year

2011-07-03T08:43:00.000-07:00

What a difference one year can make - don't you think?

More of what we've been up to will come later, when I actually have a second to sit and upload that many photos...

Crawling!

2011-06-30T12:29:00.000-07:00

Hadley finally crawled! After weeks of being oh so close she finally did it - apparently all it took was cantelope and make up brushes. Sheesh, who knew? I'm mad I didn't get her first couple time doing it because she crawled a lot further and didn't fall down. Oh well, this will have to do.

First Crawls from danica rugg on Vimeo.

Im giddy. and kind of freaking out. and so excited! Who knew crawling could be this exciting?

Now I am off to baby proof my entire house because, as you might have been able to tell from the video, I haven't done a single thing.

I looked out the window and what did I see?

2011-06-25T07:56:00.001-07:00

New York city looking back at me!

Skype is the best. And so is missy.

Go Team Witt!

2011-06-23T14:49:00.000-07:00

Our neighbors, and good friends, the Calls are helping to host an AWESOME online auction this weekend. They are raising money for a very deserving couple who have been through one IVF cycle to bring a baby into their family, and are struggling for the money to try again. Go check it out! Seriously, there is some GOOD stuff on there (But don't take the cloth diaper cover, I want that!), so go check it out! The bidding starts TOMORROW at 9 - So don't miss out.

Someone gets a chance at the greatest happiness + you get some killer deals on awesome things = greatest.thing.ever.

Happy Fathers Day

2011-06-19T16:35:00.000-07:00

Happy Fathers Day to the best Dad's around:

Mine

His

Hadley's

Hadley and I couldn't ask for anyone better!

Say Thank You

2011-06-19T15:56:00.000-07:00

"Never let a day go by without saying thank you to someone or something - and especially to your Heavenly Father. After all, he is our source of good cheer."

- Marjorie Pay Hinkley

A Mother's Prayer

2011-06-17T11:25:00.000-07:00

A Mother's Prayer For Her Child - By Tina Fey

I love this. There is something about it that makes me want to smile/cry/nod my head vigorously all at the same time. Boy, did being a mom change the way I think.

*it does swear a few times - just a fair warning*

“First, Lord: No tattoos. May neither Chinese symbol for truth nor Winnie-the-Pooh holding the FSU logo stain her tender haunches.

May she be Beautiful but not Damaged, for it’s the Damage that draws the creepy soccer coach’s eye, not the Beauty.

When the Crystal Meth is offered, may she remember the parents who cut her grapes in half And stick with Beer.

Guide her, protect her when crossing the street, stepping onto boats, swimming in the ocean, swimming in pools, walking near pools, standing on the subway platform, crossing 86th Street, stepping off of boats, using mall restrooms, getting on and off escalators, driving on country roads while arguing, leaning on large windows, walking in parking lots, riding Ferris wheels, roller-coasters, log flumes, or anything called “Hell Drop,” “Tower of Torture,” or “The Death Spiral Rock ‘N Zero G Roll featuring Aerosmith,” and standing on any kind of balcony ever, anywhere, at any age.

Lead her away from Acting but not all the way to Finance. Something where she can make her own hours but still feel intellectually fulfilled and get outside sometimes And not have to wear high heels. What would that be, Lord? Architecture? Midwifery? Golf course design? I’m asking You, because if I knew, I’d be doing it, Youdammit.

May she play the Drums to the fiery rhythm of her Own Heart with the sinewy strength of her Own Arms, so she need Not Lie With Drummers.

Grant her a Rough Patch from twelve to seventeen.Let her draw horses and be interested in Barbies for much too long, For childhood is short – a Tiger Flower blooming Magenta for one day – And adulthood is long and dry-humping in cars will wait.

O Lord, break the Internet forever, that she may be spared the misspelled invective of her peers And the online marketing campaign for Rape Hostel V: Girls Just Wanna Get Stabbed.

And when she one day turns on me and calls me a Bitch in front of Hollister, Give me the strength, Lord, to yank her directly into a cab in front of her friends, For I will not have that Shit. I will not have it.

And should she choose to be a Mother one day, be my eyes, Lord, that I may see her, lying on a blanket on the floor at 4:50 A.M., all-at-once exhausted, bored, and in love with the little creature whose poop is leaking up its back. “My mother did this for me once,”she will realize as she cleans feces off her baby’s neck. “My mother did this for me.” And the delayed gratitude will wash over her as it does each generation and she will make a Mental Note to call me. And she will forget. But I’ll know, because I peeped it with Your God eyes.

Amen.”

-Tina Fey

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kitty lovin

2011-06-16T17:19:00.000-07:00

If you know me, you know I love kitties. and cats. i don't discriminate based on age.

via

I wish I could somehow explain to you how happy pictures like this make me.

What? you think I follow cat boards on Pinterest? Well, I do. and I'm proud of it.

9 Months

2011-06-13T22:24:00.000-07:00

It's still hard to believe this girl has been here as long as she was inside me. Happy 9 months to the Hadipug! The best, most incredible, and hardest months of my life so far. Gosh I am lucky - even when she is crying in the middle of the night, how lucky I am to groggily stumble into her room and see her on her tummy, kicking her legs, with her face anxiously awaiting me to pick her up (I assure you I am not that optimistic about things in the moment at every 1-2 hour intervals... Just something about the time passing so quickly makes me all annoyingly emotional and sentimental).

Since I am obviously not one of those mom's who is good enough to diligently document their baby's month-to-month accomplishments (ha.. I think the last one was like, 3 months old?), I figured I would give you 9 facts about Hadley on her 9 month birthday:

1. She can sit, stand (with help) roll, but thankfully can't crawl quite yet.

2. She isn't scared of hardly anything - the bigger the animal or the higher in the air Jake can get her the better.

3. She's a toy hoarder - she thinks that every toy placed in front of her must somehow ALL fit in her hands/mouth at once. This is especially true of bath toys

4. She LOVEs this book. I mention the name and her face lights up - And I am pretty sure she has a crush on the nightmare at the end because she gets all excited when we get to that page and she starts caressing his face and cooing - its pretty adorable.

4. There are very few things that Elmo's World cannot fix. We have watched "Families, Mail, and Bath Time" literally more times that I can count and she still shrieks and giggles every.time.we.watch.it. Me and Jake sing the songs like they are over played lady gaga songs.

5. She is a total mama's girl for all things comfort (I think she would nurse on and off all day if I let her) - but instantly knows its playtime whenever dad walks in. She tries smile and play with him AND nurse at the same time. Best of both worlds I guess?

6. She gives the best grins and flat mouth smiles - All frustrations literally melt away when she flashes one of those.

7. She has a love affair with the light hanging above our stairs (one day I will put a picture of it on here). We say good morning to it EVERY morning and you should see the smile it gets from her. She then will watch it the entire way down the stairs. I'm afraid we might have to take it with us ~~if we ever~~ when we move.

8. She will put anything soft (clothes, wipes, diapers, blankets, etc) over her face and kick and shriek excitedly until you play peek-a-boo with her

9. You can always tell her excitement level by her eyebrows and legs

*And a bonus.. She is the "hadipug" because she used to be the "hadibug" but when she was about 4-5 months old she got a cold and sounded exactly like a pug for weeks. So Brett (my brother in law) started calling her "hadipug" and it has just stuck. {ps, Happy Birthday B-nig!} Or in Presley's case (my almost 2 year old niece) - its "Haaa Puuhhhh" :)

isn't that face to die for?

Hadley and her cousins Ryker, Brinley and Presley

Pictures courtesy of Madi Waters

In a funk.

2011-06-12T21:14:00.000-07:00

By a lucky fluke I made it to sacrament meeting today at church. Hadley's sleep has been off today (no, like, more than normal if thats possible) and so she was going down for her nap right at 11 when church starts. I figured it just wasn't going to happen today since I wasn't even dressed yet. But for some reason I decided I wanted to rush and just at least try to get there for the sacrament. I walked in right at the sacrament was over but I figured since Hadley was asleep and Jake had all that under control at home I would just stay and enjoy a rare meeting without holding a baby. I'm so glad I stayed.

Our friends, The Call's, were speaking and they, of course, both gave wonderful talks and said some things I really needed to hear. You see, I've been in a funk lately. And I don't even like that word so the fact that I said it is saying something. Ew- such a weird word. Anyways - I've been having a issue with the whole church and Sunday thing. Ever since being pregnant/having a baby/my life kinda turning upside-down, I haven't made it to a whole lot of church meetings for all sorts of reasons that I won't bore you with. And when I wasn't there I was justifying and telling myself that it was fine because of {insert long list of excuses}. I got a little bitter and started thinking that everyone was judging me for not being there (i guarantee no one even noticed or cared, that is just my personality for ya) and I started getting upset. I was mad that I was supposed to be at church just because "that is what you do on Sundays," or that me not being there for all three meetings (or even one) meant to myself and other people that I was a "bad mormon." Again, no one ever said anything like this to me, but I made it up to be that way in my head. Well, back to the original story, Kristin was speaking about keeping the Sabbath day holy and she said something that made me think. She said that she was doing those things because her Heavenly Father deserved it. He deserved to have a day where she set aside the time to remember him and respect that day by doing/not doing various things. I realized that my being or not being at church has nothing to do with anyone else or their opinions of me. It all comes down to doing it out of my respect and love for my Heavenly Father and the fact that he deserves that from me after all he has done for me. I can read my scriptures/serve those around me/everything else out of respect and love for him, not to prove anything to anyone else. My faith and my relationship with God is just that - mine. Its such a simple and beautiful concept, but it's one I tend to forget.

So here's to getting things back on track - and shoving all those bad thoughts and feelings out the window. Happy Sunday all.

i {heart} books

2011-06-01T15:22:00.001-07:00

"I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves"

--Anna Quindlen

We're Good Parents

2011-06-01T06:28:00.000-07:00

Untitled from danica rugg on Vimeo.

Secrets Secrets Are So Fun

2011-05-30T11:43:00.000-07:00

I have a bunch of other little posts I keep meaning to do - But most of them are solely about Hadley and I a m trying to give you all a break from baby-overload. I seriously could write posts for days about that girl - so you are welcome for refraining.

Now on to what todays post is really about:

Missy is BACK(for a week and a half)!

We have been planning this surprise for a month now and finally it happened. Me, Jake and Hadley picked Madi up from the airport yesterday morning and then brought her back to our place to wait until it was time to show up at my parents for dinner. She snuck in the back and hung out in her room waiting for everyone to get there so we could carry out our plan. It was pure CIA/Secret Agent style. We got everyone there and had missy call us on skype from down in her bedroom so that everyone would think she was still in New York. Then while we were singing "Happy Birthday" to her, Jake snuck down with Hadley to Madi's bedroom. After the singing was over, Madi casually said "Guys, guess who came to visit me??" and then grabbed Hadley from Jake and sat her on her lap. Funniest.thing.ever. No one got it! they thought it was a doll or some cool technology. I could explain the rest of what happened, but here is a video that Brett took of the whole thing:

Untitled from danica rugg on Vimeo.

Pretty great right? Needless to say, yesterday was a pretty great day at the Waters house :)

Here are a few more pictures from the airport:

Waiting...

She's here!

WELCOME HOME MISSY!

This is it.

2011-05-26T12:19:00.000-07:00

Today's the day.

The BIG one.

The one we've all been waiting for.

are you ready??

2 hour premier tonight - i.can.not.wait.

Our Saturday looked a little something like this:

2011-05-23T10:00:00.000-07:00

That same saturday that was so unlucky for jake (broken thumb, remember?) turned out to be fantastic for Hadley. She loves animals and in one whole day she met 3 cows, 2 horses, a bunny, a duck, and about 5 different dogs/puppies - talk about the best day ever! I could explain it all, but no one really wants that. Let's just experience it together:

Jake before and after his thumb broke

Watching daddy play

Trying to pet the baby cow

More cows...

That horse put Hadley's whole foot in her mouth, and throughout the entire experience she never once took that avocado skin out of her mouth. That girl likes her food!

I wish I had pictures of the bunny, duck and the dogs but... yah.. didn't happen. Maybe next time :)

hadipug the bath monster

2011-05-21T19:49:00.000-07:00

This little girl is getting too big and I just don't think I am capable of handling this. Where did the last 8 months go?

Happy Birthday!

2011-05-19T21:38:00.000-07:00

On May 19th, 1991, Madison Paige Waters came into this world (although her birth certificate would say otherwise...) a brand spankin new baby. Fast forward 20 years, and today she turned 20! the big 2-0! It's too bad she is in New York because if she would have been here instead of on skype, we would have had the coolest, bestest, most awesome party ever! I'm positive of it. But I guess for now skype will have to do - and at least it lets us do cool things like this:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MISSY!

and in honor of your birthday, i present: Birthday cat

Broken

2011-05-19T21:05:00.000-07:00

Thumb = Broken

Broken thumb = flag football's fault = dumb

Thumb = Dumb

...Okay so I only put that last one because it rhymed...

But, yes, Jake's thumb is broken. A couple weeks ago at flag football someone on the other team rushed him (is that even the right terminology?), knocked his thumb and broke off a piece of his bone. Kind of extreme, don't you think? But that's how we do it in team Get Some - Go big or go home!

So we went big - then went to the insta-care - and then went home. And now Jake's got a cast for about a month or so. I guess it was only a matter of time before he broke something :)

2011-05-15T20:12:00.001-07:00

"May I have that book please?"