Blackout Bliss

Yesterday was a super crazy, busy day. I had Activity Days that I was getting ready for and then the actual activity. Straight from the activity we had to pick Matt up from the train station, rush home to scarf down dinner, and then I had Relief Society and Matt had an Elders Quorum meeting. Poor Kalianna just got dragged all over the place! We finally got home for the evening around 8:30 p.m. Bedtime is typically 9:00. So we were all in Kalianna's room, playing together, and we had just started getting her ready for bed, when the power went out. Kalianna thought it was hysterical and started crawling/stumbling all over the place, running into things and laughing. We waited for the power to come back on. And we waited. And we waited. Finally, Matt called the power company, who said it would be back on around 1:00 a.m. Awesome! So we got some flashlights and finished putting the little one to bed, who because of all the excitement, didn't get to sleep until quarter to ten. Matt had homework to work on, but without power, he was out of luck. I was going to work on some writing and get some things done around the house, all of which needed the use of electricity. And working out was out of the question, since P90X requires the use of a TV. So you know what we did instead? We snuggled on our balcony, and watched the storm outside. We just talked and snuggled and talked some more. It turned into such a fun evening together! Without any distractions, and not being able to get the things done we had planned on, we both relaxed and enjoyed being together instead. We just might have to turn our power off more often!

Humidity and Highlights

Kalianna and I just got back from a trip to Atlanta, for Bryan and Ricci's reception out there. It was a fun trip, but we were sad Matt couldn't join us. I loved being on the east coast again, it's so gorgeous out there! So many things reminded me of Virginia! And, call me crazy, but I actually enjoy humidity. It's thick, it's warm, and it's like being wrapped in nature's blanket every time you step outside. Plus Kalianna's hair was so curly out there, it was super cute! I could give you a play-by-play of each day, but instead I'll just tell you the highlights from the trip:

Wednesday -

We left in several different groups (thanks to frequent flyer miles). Kalianna and I flew with my dad, Kristine and Ian. She did quite well on the airplane, considering it was a four hour flight. Thanks to Grandpa's magic touch, she slept most of the ride. After landing in Atlanta, Bryan and Ricci took us to her mom's house for a yummy dinner. We visited and then crashed at the hotel.

Thursday -

We slept in, since we were still on Utah time and my roomie (Theresa) didn't get in until after 2:00 am. We went swimming at the hotel pool and then we went to Stone Mountain, Georgia. For those of you who are 30 rock fans, no I didn't see Kenneth or any of his family. And yes, I did look. We walked around a plantation, visited the petting zoo, and then went on an awesome hike up the mountain. Which is literally pure stone. Thank goodness there were lots of strong men willing to help carry my baby (who slept most of the way up) otherwise, I don't think I would have made it! The hike was straight up this rock mountain, the closest thing I can compare it to is hiking Delicate Arch in Moab. Such a fun hike though! I really enjoyed it! (thanks to P90X, I had more stamina and strength). Then a bunch of us staked out a spot on the grass for the laser show. When they started playing some music over the speakers, Kalianna started dancing! That night after dark, we watched a laser show they do on the side of the mountain. Fun music, and fun show, but Kalianna did Not appreciate the noise. She was trying to sleep and they had the audacity to shoot off fireworks! So rude! I was finally able to get her calm again, and I put her blanket around her head to muffle the sound. After that, she was gone!

One of my favorite pictures from the whole trip! Can you tell how much grandpa loves this little girl?

All those lovely black holes at the top of the mountain is where lightening has struck. Glad we weren't hiking this in the rain!

Friday -

We went to the Georgia Aquarium with my parents, Theresa, and Brent. Everyone else hung out at the hotel, by the pool. It was a pretty nice aquarium. Most of the tanks were the entire wall, so you could stand right next to the different fish and watch them swim by you. Kalianna loved being able to see everything so close! The best part of the aquarium was when we went to see the penguins. You could crawl through this little tunnel and then pop your head up one of the holes in the middle of the penguin habitat. So you are literally right next to the penguins! The only thing separating you is a clear plastic bubble thing. By this point, Kalianna was getting hungry and tired, so she was a bit cranky. But I made her crawl into the tunnel with me (so mean!). She screamed and screamed until it was our turn to stand up. The second we did, she stopped screaming. She was face to face with a penguin! It tapped on the plastic and Kalianna put her hand up, so it looked like the penguin was tapping her hand. Seriously, the coolest thing ever! She was ecstatic! Then, sadly, we had to give someone else a turn and the screaming ensued until she had a chicken nugget in her mouth. After the aquarium, we went next door to The World of Coke. Did you know coke was invented in Georgia? I didn't either. But cool! My mom and Theresa worshiped the statue of the inventor, before we actually went in. It was fun to walk around and see all the memorabilia, learn more about how and when it was invented, and see the Coca-Cola polar bear! The best part was the tasting room, where you could taste drinks from all over the world. Some were quite nasty. One thing I learned, is when everyone makes a big deal about trying a certain drink, whatever you do, DON'T TRY IT! Nastiest thing I have ever put in my mouth! I think my taste buds are still angry. But they forgave me slightly when we spent a good deal of time at the Coke station drinking cup after cup of cherry, vanilla, and regular coke. We were so much fun to be around that night! When we got back to the hotel, my siblings who had stayed behind surprised Theresa for her birthday. They had filled our hotel room with balloons and short-sheeted our bed (as we found out later that night). Kalianna loved those balloons! The next morning, first thing she did was go in the front room and play with them again. Even when they popped in her face, she went back for more. Such a tough kid! Then later that night we all went to Ricci's mom's house again for a BBQ with her family. We were supposed to have a pool party too, but it started raining. That night, Theresa, Brent, Logan, and I all played games after everyone else went to bed. We laughed a lot! Which I'm willing to bet had something to do with all that coke.

There is a Beluga whale swimming right in front of us, and she is more interested in this girl's backpack. Lol!

I'm pointing out which otter I want to take home. They were so cute!

Saturday -

We got up and went swimming and enjoyed the sun! So wonderful! This was the only day that Kalianna got a nap in her crib at the hotel. I use the term 'crib' loosely. It was really a cage. Has anyone ever used a hotel-provided crib before? They are so cool! They can be doubled as a dog cage too! =) While she slept, everyone went to lunch and brought us food back. That evening was the ring ceremony/reception at Ricci's bishop's house. His house and yard were huge! Everything was beautiful! We got to meet lots of people and Kalianna got to eat lots of food (red velvet cake=yum!). The tables were all set up around the outside of their swimming pool. At least 3 kids went in by the end of the night. But hey, it was hot, the water was cool, and I totally would have followed them in if I hadn't been wearing a white shirt! Kalianna didn't seem to enjoy the humidity as much as I did, so we spent the majority of the evening inside, watching their wedding video and chatting with people in there. We did make it out to the garden briefly, so Kristine could take some pictures of us. And Kalianna found a soccer ball to chase (her daddy would have been so proud!) That night we had to say all our good-byes to Ricci's family (which was sad, cause we like them).

Sunday -

Had to get up bright and early at 4:45 am to make our plane. Yuck! We were so tired! Kalianna had a rougher time on the flight home, but she still did pretty well, all things considering. We finally made it home! We were both super happy to see Matt, Sobaka, and Kutse again! Then I crashed for a much-needed nap. It was a short, fun trip! But it feels good to be home again too!

(And those were just the highlights!)

My Little Monkey

I'm beginning to wonder if the nickname "Monkey" has started giving Kalianna a complex. Does she indeed think she is a real monkey? She loves this little monkey doll, and carries it around with her everywhere. In fact, she is more mothering with her baby monkey than she is with any of her human baby dolls (which she prefers to throw).

She will only take a few steps on her own, preferring to move about on all fours. And she is constantly climbing things, in order to get higher and higher. She will move toys to climb them, to get to other things to climb. If we had a vine in our house, I can guarantee you she'd be swinging from it!

She loves to eat food (surprisingly preferring spaghetti over bananas).

But she loves to throw it even more. Good thing she's wearing a diaper, so we don't have to worry about her throwing the same stuff monkeys in the zoo do!

Kalianna is starting to hate clothes. She realizes monkeys don't need to wear clothing, so why should she? Getting dressed cuts into her playing time, and you've never seen a happier girl than when she is moving around, freely, in nothing but a diaper. And her limbs keep getting longer and longer! Making it difficult to keep her in clothes, much to her delight.

The most worrisome monkey-trait we have noticed lately, however, is she has started to bare her teeth. Whenever she gets really excited over a toy or her blankie, or whenever mommy turns on the camera, out come the pearly whites.

I just hope she doesn't actually grow a tail. Cutting holes in all her pants would be a nightmare!

Book Cover Contest - Update

I would really love to design a book cover for my book The Princess Sisters, but unfortunately have absolutely no artistic abilities. That is why I am coming to you! I know many of you are very artistic, or have a husband, brother, or next door neighbor's uncle who is. All you have to do is design, draw, or photograph a cover for me. The contest will run until June 26th. The winner's artwork will be displayed prominently on my blog, along with their name, for some free marketing. The winner will also receive a $20 gift certificate to the restaurant of their choice. For rules and to enter the contest, please leave a comment with your e-mail address or e-mail me directly at pinkstacy@gmail.com

For an added bonus, if you put a link to my contest on your blog, on facebook, or e-mail it to your friends who might be interested (and then tell me about it), you will be entered in a drawing to win a free game! Zigity is made by the same creators of Cranium, and it's a lot of fun! So pass the word along! Cause who doesn't love free stuff?

Hey, that reminds me of...

Do you ever have moments when something you say or do reminds you of a TV show, song, or movie? Or is that just how my brain works? Because I have to use serious restraint sometimes to prevent myself from screaming, "Monkey, monkey, underpants!" at someone who tells me their brain is a mess sometimes.

I am convinced that any event or conversation in life can be related back to either Friends or Gilmore Girls.

Yesterday, Matt was telling me about a math problem he had to do, using a pivot, and I screamed, "Pivot!" like a mental patient.

And in my family, when someone says, "You look happy." It's not an uncommon response to hear, "Did you do something slutty?"

Sorry, it's a little bit longer video, but I couldn't find a shorter one. Still entertaining though!

I've also noticed that we adapt these shows into our lives. Matt and I often like to try and scare each other by screaming, "Danger!" as the other person comes out of the bathroom, or around a corner.

And whenever there's a lull in conversation, my friend Errin and I always fill it with, "Oy with the poodles already!"

Sadly, however, both of these shows are no longer on the air. (Moment of silence, please).

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Now our favorite show to quote, that is currently on the air, is My Boys. Have you seen this show? Some of the best one-liners ever! The wit and humor is fantastic!

My brain is chock-full of funny quotes, so next time I blurt something out and you have no idea what I'm talking about, just sit there and smile. (you only need to watch to minute 1:09 to see what I mean)

I Am Writer, Hear Me Roar

About six months ago, after a yummy Chinese dinner, I opened my fortune cookie to find this:

That was about the time I was still pursuing my novel, but not working on it as much as I would have liked. So I taped this fortune to my computer, and there it has rested ever since. I look at it every day as I finished my book, and now as I continue to edit, edit, edit. Someday I will be a published author. Not so I can become rich and famous, or so people will know my name. But because it is my dream! I want to see my ideas in print. I want to hold a book I imagined in my hands, and see others gain joy from reading my words.

As I continue down this bumpy road, (it is HARD to get published!) I have been absorbing as much information as I can. Trying to make myself a better writer, as well as learn techniques for getting agents to notice you. Because one thing I have learned from my journey is you need an agent. In today's publication world, it's almost impossible to find a publisher to even look at your work, unless it was given to them by an agent. That is, unless I want to write for a specific publisher, like Deseret Book or Covenant. Unfortunately, my book is not strictly LDS fiction, so I want it to reach a broader audience. Hey, if you're gonna dream, dream big right? So I have this Writer's Market book back from when I was trying to get a children's book published (it is even HARDER to get a children's book published!) And I found some agents through that, but the book is from 2006. So Saturday I decided to go to the bookstore and purchase this:

It has tons of tips and advice for writers before, during, and after submitting their work. Plus it has a list of hundreds of agencies who are accepting new clients, as well as their specific guidelines for sending in your query letter or manuscript. I have to admit, reading all the articles became a little discouraging. But I will prevail! One of the tips I learned is you need to get your name out there, if you want to be a successful writer. So it suggested starting a blog (woo-hoo! I'm doing one thing right!) and also be on facebook (yes! another gold star for me!) Because JK Rowlings and Stephenie Meyers are few and far between. Rarely does a new author's name spread like wildfire. Most agents are looking for people who are already marketing themselves, because who is going to buy a book from a new author they've never heard of? So I come to you and ask (maybe even beg a little) that if you enjoy my blog and my writing, then please tell your friends. Because apparently what I am lacking is more fans.

Mother's Day

So these are out of order, but I don't really care. I keep forgetting to blog about Mother's Day! We had stake conference the week before, so Mother's Day was a fast sunday for us this year. I have to admit, I was kind of cranky about the idea. We usually have a yummy brunch in relief society, so I didn't like the idea of not getting our food this year! (you have to understand, I love food!) But it ended up being a really nice day! First, Matt got up with Kalianna and let me sleep in. (my next favorite thing, after food) Church ended up being really, really nice. Having Mother's Day on a fast Sunday turned into a fantastic idea! The testimonies were all really wonderful, and the spirit was really strong. Then Matt took Kalianna to elder's quorum with him so I could enjoy the relief society lesson (isn't he sweet?). After church, I took the three kids on a walk in the warm sunshine, while Matt made dessert for my parent's house later that night. I had an interesting moment that day while getting ready for our walk. Kalianna had a poopy diaper, so I was changing her. I briefly had the thought, "I shouldn't have to do this, it's Mother's Day!" But then I quickly recovered and realized, "What better way to celebrate Mother's Day than by being a mom?!" That afternoon, we went to Matt's parent's house for dinner. He grilled the steaks, while his sister, Miranda, made all the sides. Dinner was super yummy! Then we went over to my parent's house for O' Henry bars for dessert. It was such a wonderful Mother's Day! I hope everyone else had a wonderful day as well!