tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70091272999770944982012-01-19T14:08:28.873-07:00Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.comBlogger841100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-90179131591197540442011-12-07T19:27:00.015-07:002011-12-08T10:10:12.041-07:00

Betsy's preschool put on the original Christmas story, modified slightly to accomodate a more modest cast size of four. Then the angel's relunctance won out, leaving us with only three. All the same, it was super; is there anything like watching your children play make-believe?Joseph entered first. That cutie in the background was our shy little angel who took the day off. I think even

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-35678258156519324572011-11-09T08:09:00.007-07:002011-11-19T09:24:56.787-07:00

So I might have a small obsession with phone apps. Yes. And because not only am I obsessed, but I believe I can be so dang helpful to everybody else, I'll disclose my favorites. Which, I should mention, are free. Everybody knows I'm a cheapskate, so you probably already guessed that, but still. Consider yourself informed. 1. Voice Recorder (by Google) I know most phones come with this app

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-41715883855526461592011-11-08T14:41:00.011-07:002011-11-08T16:26:15.809-07:00

A couple of months ago, Scott told me I needed to get the girls out of his hair so he could tackle remodeling the bathroom.Ahem. Finishing the remodeling that started a year ago. Possibly two. With things like this, it's best for the marriage if I don't really keep track. (For the record, he is even more kind. He never keeps track of how much laundry or cleaning he does. That's how I know I

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-69607428635410448052011-05-14T21:06:00.006-06:002011-05-14T22:16:29.488-06:00

When the girls were sent home from the ER on April 5, I thought it meant everything must be more or less okay. By that evening, my natropath took one look at them and insisted we travel immediately to Primary Children's Hospital. Even though we'd pass easily half a dozen other hospitals on our way, he said that's where they'd need to be. He was right.Within an hour of our arrival, Avie was

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-44030362182802206382011-01-03T20:53:00.000-07:002011-01-03T21:43:29.308-07:00

Yes, yes, yes. We're still alive. If this blog is pretty much your only source of Shea news, you're in sorry shape. (That is why I own a phone. Blogs are all about time wasting.)I hardly know where to begin. Scott began his real-life career more than a little while back -- when Avie was just a few weeks old. That's right, he's a real-life transportation engineer! He loves driving his sporty,

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-67917252923040845842010-07-30T16:03:00.002-06:002010-07-30T16:07:46.652-06:00

4 minutes 29 seconds that will leave you laughing for the next 24 hours.

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-38756225494283475422010-05-27T16:03:00.008-06:002010-05-31T21:14:08.643-06:00

Perhaps I will finish her baby blanket before Avie goes to college. Assuming I ever get a working sewing machine.Wore long pants on Memorial Day. In Utah. What the heck?!?Whenever Betsy gets a time-out she now insists on "loves and kisses." I cannot fathom that someday when she's in trouble all she'll want is a quick retort.Collard Greens: Nobody cooks 'em, 'cause nobody eats 'em.Avie

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-58770184302093939102010-05-15T20:46:00.013-06:002010-05-15T23:55:25.884-06:00

It's a Saturday night and Scott is getting anxious. He'd like his wife back, and I have every intention of complying. Just ...not yet. I've been wanting to post these pictures all afternoon. The house is finally quiet -- me typing away and the baby rocker are the only sounds to be heard -- and I'm not going to give up the opportunity.Avie has become a super-smiley baby -- like, looks you

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-3370814446402789632010-05-04T18:31:00.008-06:002010-05-14T10:18:43.241-06:00

She's here! In all her tiny IUGR glory, our little girl has arrived! Determining her status as a high-risk baby and the ultrasounds, NSTs, prayers, fasts, and eventual induction that followed afterward is probably another post for another day. It can be summed up by saying we assumed she was already an awful lot like her mother -- maybe a bit high maintenance?Turns out she's just as delightful

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-87454323241562207312010-03-27T20:20:00.005-06:002010-03-27T21:49:48.816-06:00

Tonight: So, Scott's at work and I'm trying to get Betsy to finish her toast by bribing her with canned peaches. (Um, very, very gross ones. In case you wondered.) She tells me she's "done eating toast," and, before I can even ask, she's followed up with, "It's all gone." She starts rapid-firing the "It's-all-gone" phrase, then becomes abruptly silent as I approach her chair.I guess she still

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-6516149592775927202010-03-15T21:20:00.002-06:002010-03-15T21:29:12.527-06:00

As I am wont to remind you, this blog really is here for memory. Remembering what this moment in time was like, many trips-round-the-sun later, when it's all hazy with that rosy glow things get after a few years.Not that things are terribly negative, mind you, but it's the haze that bugs me. I want to remember with clarity, precision. I want to remember so vividly that I feel I could slip back

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-30943492685078176892010-02-12T16:56:00.006-07:002010-02-12T19:24:31.390-07:00

Because I try to stay active on the PCOS board soulcysters -- and occasionally a fellow cyster follows me over to my blog -- I thought I'd share a review of my acupuncturist that I wrote for her today. Most people have an "if you've seen one, you've seen them all" attitude to alternative medicine practitioners, and it always makes me sad. After all, if I'd stuck around with my first

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-59438824645811863332010-02-01T16:57:00.002-07:002010-02-01T18:31:02.523-07:00

Well, I meant to post this back in mid-January, but I confess I wanted a cute picture to accompany it. But with my computer, downloading, editing, and uploading a photo can take just about all the patience I have, which is less than fair to Betsy. So, although photoless, I'm finally getting around to letting you all into the newest aspect of her world: sentences.Her progress delights me, but

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-68083568751675063672010-01-26T16:02:00.003-07:002010-01-26T16:11:18.999-07:00

(It gets me every time -- increasingly so the older Betsy grows.)

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-75662619205149342462010-01-19T23:46:00.010-07:002010-01-26T00:09:20.241-07:00

Does anyone remember the one part of my probably-very-boring-post a while back where I said I loved family history, and loved getting to know these people, but what I wouldn't give for a picture? Well, as Betsy would say, Ta-da! I'm telling you, these ancestors of mine really know how to come through for a girl. It might not be the highest quality, but it's mine. They are mine.

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-37180639288372838142010-01-19T23:38:00.002-07:002010-01-19T23:41:33.752-07:00

I spent a great part of 2009 mentally working through a bunch of emotional junk related to my miscarriage, or more accurately, my miscarriage and my fertility struggles. From time to time, I'd try holding down conversations about it. While others nodded their heads and politely chimed in at the right times, I was left still alone, wondering if anybody ever really got that same feeling I did. This

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-87708001147358407522010-01-16T13:15:00.005-07:002010-01-16T14:12:45.660-07:00

I'm pretty down-to-earth. Others might call it pessimistic, but I say my outlook is just a good dose of honesty and reality. Given this Mickellian outlook, I think I've handled this current time of under-employment most admirably. That doesn't mean I haven't occasionally whined -- let's be honest -- but those pouting sessions are due to shallow impatience. I just haven't felt that profound

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-65632528352273884222010-01-09T14:30:00.009-07:002010-01-09T20:53:21.825-07:00

Besides passing the time being pregnant, (!) I also occasionally do stuff. Sometimes cook. Sometimes clean. Sometimes visit old cemeteries and talk to headstones. That's what I did in Seattle, where some of them were related to me. Well, the headstone itself wasn't related, but it was about as close as I could get. Wanted to get.The information we unearthed (figuratively speaking... oh,

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-47323668249859901122010-01-07T22:53:00.003-07:002010-01-07T23:07:58.557-07:00

Christmas this year typified years past in many respects: same sweet house, full of family; same looooong drive there, this time with a few more pit stops than usual; and same guest room we managed to secure last time, because we were then pregnant with Betsy. (What with beds being so rare, being pregnant is totally the way to go.) So, being the careful planners we are, and knowing we'd be up

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-37719127811178516352009-12-18T20:08:00.022-07:002009-12-18T20:48:19.595-07:00

There's two things on our Christmas list we just can't afford this year. While that's probably true every year, I seem to have become obsessive lately. I search Craigslist & E-bay daily, hoping for someone out there to cut a girl some slack, but so far it's all been in vain. I'm hopeful we'll get both of these items in good time, but for now we just keep coveting. (And in the mean time, if

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-10755895315818000422009-12-16T21:46:00.005-07:002009-12-18T19:24:43.846-07:00

I planned to give this as a framed print to Kate, my sister, for Christmas. (She's the one planting the kiss on my cutie.) Do you think she'll like it? Or no, because you can't see her face? (If not, I included an alternate photo, but I don't like it quite as much.) I'd really like some frank feedback.

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-22584114818971669422009-12-16T19:17:00.007-07:002009-12-18T19:24:08.635-07:00

Betsy seems to be maturing by leaps and bounds this week -- at least in certain areas. I'm quite certain she'll be carrying her "silky" off to college, but that's not a battle I'm willing to fight quite yet. She's still young enough for one, isn't she?The main area of growth is her language. She's got a great vocabulary, but many multisyllabic words were just a bit much for her. And there's

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-5537077148026573022009-12-14T19:20:00.009-07:002009-12-14T20:18:50.630-07:00

Due to an undeniable urge to do anything but clean the kitchen, I blog. Whether anything substantial comes of it is doubtful. body {background-image: url("http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo169/simplyyoursdesign/romance.jpg"); background-position: center; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; }Scott and I spent some time watching Julie and Julia a few nights ago, and I'm

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-84960158269604179382009-12-07T20:36:00.005-07:002009-12-07T20:56:23.365-07:00

body {background-image: url("http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo169/simplyyoursdesign/romance.jpg"); background-position: center; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; }I never served a mission. However, Scott and I have been ward missionaries/WMLs in two wards for what comes out to be one-third of our marriage. Throughout that time, I've come to believe most heartily

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-12579090924451739212009-12-07T10:12:00.004-07:002009-12-07T15:00:23.740-07:00

Well, the house is decorated for Christmas. This year I even let Scott do it before Thanksgiving -- quite a concession, but it came about so easily and naturally you never would have known it. And it happened so quickly! I went out to run some errand and voila! I returned to the most charming little home. ...We are very lucky to have the home we do; it suits our needs so well and is beyond

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-54119173550901337372009-12-03T09:40:00.007-07:002009-12-07T15:00:53.289-07:00

body {background-image: url("http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo169/simplyyoursdesign/romance.jpg"); background-position: center; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; }I have invested far too much time contemplating what I do/don't want this blog to be. Because of it, no entry ever felt just right to me. My mind just never fully wrapped itself around this identity, of

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-85159879536178328372009-11-23T20:32:00.009-07:002009-12-07T15:01:32.896-07:00

The past couple of weeks I've kept thinking to myself there was something I promised someone I'd post, but I couldn't remember for the life of me what it was! It finally hit me today, and so I must apologize to Penny for my delay. She currently exists back in the pre-FB days and so I told her we'd post here.Oh -- and kudos to Jessi of Creative Juice Photography! I had an absolute blast with her

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-38119811380547801552009-11-05T13:30:00.002-07:002009-11-05T13:41:57.486-07:00

body {background-image: url("http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo169/simplyyoursdesign/romance.jpg"); background-position: center; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; }At seven years old, I had a favorite phone company. I am proud to say it was MCI. Square One TV was "brought to [my] television by generous funding from MCI, because they care[d] about the future." The

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-57885225023678536392009-10-31T21:43:00.003-06:002009-10-31T21:50:22.485-06:00

body {background-image: url("http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo169/simplyyoursdesign/romance.jpg"); background-position: center; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; }I can give. I can totally make cookies and casseroles; I can take pictures and babysit. But I can't handle the feeling of knowing how big I "owe" someone. The irony is, as we all know, that when you

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-78926943690374352092009-10-12T22:34:00.001-06:002009-10-12T22:34:44.335-06:00

body {background-image: url("http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo169/simplyyoursdesign/romance.jpg"); background-position: center; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; }Yeah, so, about the whole picking-up-wherever-I-want business. I guess that means I should mention...1. Scott's graduation: It was marvelous. Pictures to come.2. Visit by the Weed clan: Also, quite

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-61292193768857527372009-10-04T18:37:00.003-06:002009-10-04T18:56:51.711-06:00

body {background-image: url("http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo169/simplyyoursdesign/romance.jpg"); background-position: center; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; }Dedicated to my cute wife!For those of you who do not know our story, I will give you a brief synopsis of how we met. My family moved into the same ward that Mickelle's family attended. The year was 1994,

Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05348929242932321565noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-48815265059751808562009-09-11T21:46:00.001-06:002009-09-11T21:47:37.755-06:00

body {background-image: url("http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo169/simplyyoursdesign/romance.jpg"); background-position: center; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; }Sometimes you wait so long to post you don't want to deal with telling everybody everything that's happened.

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-11722747334259407702009-07-14T22:19:00.005-06:002009-07-22T09:43:33.401-06:00

I like this picture. Not for any technical skill it does or does not have, but because my haircut looks acceptable in it. This rarely happens.I like this picture. Not because of how I look -- obviously. But it tells a story, and that's rather wonderful.I like this picture. It reminds me of how I feel when I'm in rurality. All the colors and textures and feelings of the place are fresh.

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-55404153680108755342009-06-27T19:54:00.009-06:002011-11-20T10:46:07.912-07:00

Betsy has grown into a full-fledged girl, now, with one of her favorite words "shus, shus," -- being repeated endlessly. Already she's far more of a fashionista than her mother... I knew it would happen some day, but really?!? Already?!? She's also been known to bring me bows she wants in her hair, or clothes she'd like to wear. (Trouble is, she's usually already dressed!) At least once a

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-28425028007822766472009-06-12T21:59:00.008-06:002009-06-12T22:33:49.952-06:00

Who? Whom? Why did I always miss out on the really good English teachers?When you live across the street from both the police and fire stations, sirens are an everyday part of life. From time to time, Liz, Jenny, Erin, Annie, or myself would usually ask one another if we'd been woken up on this day or that by the sirens. A conversation would then ensure about joining the real world, where the

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-28107785521160356012009-06-03T09:00:00.005-06:002009-06-03T09:40:00.254-06:00

In passing the other day, my mom mentioned how talented a couple of my cousins are in communication. My (weak and silly) inner-Kell threw a minor (but very mature) tantrum over this conversation.I was a speechie through all of high school. I placed at our 5A state competition in Oratory, took 2nd at Districts and thus qualified for Nationals, and placed in numerous other competitions. I'm

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-7569699832535306052009-05-26T23:06:00.010-06:002009-05-26T23:34:13.306-06:00

Every once in a while, I get a flicker of a more grown-up version of Betsy, a version that employs a full set of teeth and doesn't have the "boo" tacked on to the end of her name. Those moments are a melding of delight and ...nostalgia? For the present? Can you have nostalgia for the present? Never mind.She loves animals. I'd imagine most every kid does, but Betsy seems a bit obsessive. It

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-34543913515395265632009-05-21T09:56:00.004-06:002009-05-21T18:03:01.201-06:00

I am not a woman with a vocabulary. I used to be, once. But alas, fifth grade sucked it from me - or so I tell myself. So what exactly is that emotion on his face? It's love -- but there's got to be a more precise description than that, right? Do help me out. Whatever it is, I like it.

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-47713406756680050122009-05-09T21:26:00.008-06:002009-05-09T23:07:23.304-06:00

...Because of her. Her smiles, her words, her changes ...her naps.Don't you think Betsy looks just like me in one of these pictures? Isn't one of them is just SCREAMING "Costantino baby" at the top of its little lungs? So piercingly you want to beg for mercy? Okay, maybe not that loudly. But still.Guess which one.Hint: I may have provided a hint.**

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-61568478198931049812009-05-07T11:47:00.008-06:002009-05-07T12:29:31.115-06:00

I am not, shall we say, a seamstress. Or a sewing woman of any kind. (I originally typed "sewer woman." For the record, I'm not one of those, either.)But Scott is a Christmas Man. He and his thousands of Christmas lights, his special Christmas flatware, his dozens of Christmas storybooks, his Sunday Christmas sing-alongs -- yes, Christmas is a big deal 'round these parts.Which is why I gave

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-14404785644571462172009-04-30T15:36:00.004-06:002009-04-30T15:39:24.995-06:00

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-11442826267731380202009-04-29T22:10:00.005-06:002009-04-29T22:20:31.806-06:00

Chatty baby that we have, Betsy is saying a whole slew of words I haven't blogged about. (It would get boring. For you guys, anyway.) For the sake of journaling, I'll quickly mention them here: Katie, Poppa, gigi, dah (dog), cracker (dah-dah), and Jesus (se-suh). I might have forgotten a few, but you get the idea.Now. There is a word in her vocabulary that probably shouldn't be there: tittie

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-85308845802461733852009-04-27T20:24:00.006-06:002009-04-27T21:08:42.785-06:00

Okay, I'll admit: the title totally sounds wordy, pretentious, and overdone.But it's an awfully important issue, and one that gets very little attention. Now, I'm probably preaching to the choir, knowing my (verrrrrrrry small) readership as I do, but I'd like to mention a few things about subfertility, a term I much prefer to infertility. It seems much more accurate - and hopeful. These are

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-47607785490142985702009-04-16T22:40:00.006-06:002009-04-16T23:35:26.621-06:00

Showy blog posts and Christmas cards are not my favorite thing. And that's probably putting it mildly. (Not to worry; I'm talking in generalities here. Not about you.)However, I am Scott's biggest cheerleader. It's what I signed up to do, and I take that part of the job pretty seriously. If he is to believe he can do great things, it will be because I had to tell him so a half-million times.

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-76580895392250514972009-04-14T11:27:00.003-06:002009-04-14T11:43:17.232-06:00

It's not the most thrilling of subjects, but I thought I'd mention that I have a job now. A legitimate work-from-home job. I do not make 20k per month. Nor are we retiring to an exotic island.But I did make $18 in about 45 minutes yesterday. That's usually the exception to the rule -- I average about $12/hour. Still, that's not too shabby.I call existing clients of a specific dentist's

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-76830231577776817612009-04-03T08:30:00.005-06:002009-04-03T08:40:06.801-06:00

(Betsy approaches me with a banana peel retrieved from the kitchen trash can.)"Mother, I've been evaluating your work, and I really can't understand this obsession of yours with throwing things away. Take this banana peel I've brought to you. Perfectly good. Great for a teething baby like myself; wonderful texture, lovely smell -- and divine taste. Why on earth would we dispose of it?(Leaves

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-81736996152121765522009-03-30T13:22:00.005-06:002009-03-30T13:34:20.316-06:00

Lest you think everything is cute chatter and adoreable walking around here, I thought I'd let you in on the mayhem that also rules our home.Scott went to Zacatecas, Mexico for a week to optimize their roads with a BYU group. Betsy was more clingy than usual with him gone, and would flip out while I tried to shower. Eventually, I started bringing in all sorts of toys and non-toys that I thought

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-23683643461479053992009-03-21T09:51:00.010-06:002009-03-23T10:12:32.873-06:00

body {background-image: url("http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo169/simplyyoursdesign/romance.jpg"); background-position: center; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; }How does the time get away so fast? My little girl's hair lies down. On its own. Without the gallons of hairspray. Little light-socket Betsy is gone... I can't say I'm devestated -- it always drove me

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-54638227105640389772009-03-17T22:46:00.005-06:002009-03-21T12:50:35.823-06:00

body {background-image: url("http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo169/simplyyoursdesign/romance.jpg"); background-position: center; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; }So, in the evenings, when I should be busy with productivity, sometimes I enter blog giveaways. Eventually I'd have to win. Right? I mean, I taught ratios, I know all about them. At least enough to pass

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-24804873354328738052009-02-27T12:49:00.005-07:002009-02-27T16:30:50.676-07:00

Okay, so I threw this together between midnight and 2:00 a.m. the day before yesterday. Just call me "Uber-Prepared-Super-Mom." Cause that would be fitting.Really. Fitting.Don't worry; I plan on passing out the invitations AT the party.So if you're reading this -- guess what -- you're invited! And I'm making tasty treats. So you might as well stop by for those. (In fact, I don't even care

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-87562165879775799042009-02-24T20:51:00.001-07:002009-02-24T20:52:31.083-07:00

So go get one. On me. Cause nobody but nobody is quite as nice as Mickelle. Right.

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-48979636057491095672009-02-14T22:20:00.006-07:002009-02-15T19:54:11.392-07:00

Mickelle and I have an awesome tradition, given to us from the Muldowneys. Every year it becomes a big guessing game as to what you are going to do for an anniversary or for Valentine's day. Instead of having two people try to plan "surprises" or special things, we trade off. Last year I was responsible for our 5th anniversary, this year I have Velentine's day. Having this arrangement, one person

Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05348929242932321565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-83188477041811898492009-02-11T11:58:00.004-07:002009-02-11T22:24:29.754-07:00

body {background-image: url("http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo169/simplyyoursdesign/romance.jpg"); background-position: center; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; }In an attempt to romanticize my blog for the holidays, I've lost everybody's blog addresses! ...I think I've got about 60% of them back, but my memory is spotty these days and I just know I'm missing some!

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-59596960910685699272009-02-10T19:27:00.003-07:002009-02-10T20:04:58.432-07:00

Valentine's is certainly a fitting excuse to shower Scott with adoration, but this guy has my heart every day, and he really deserves to know it.Scott, you have always been a dream boat. And girls could see that in you. You always took care of me while we were dating; you constantly re-arranged your schedule so you could always spend every minute with me; you always had surprises up your sleeve

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-43658796084724066582009-01-31T11:59:00.008-07:002009-01-31T12:31:36.180-07:00

So, my dad wanted me to upload some wedding photos for my grandma -- they're getting and filling a digital picture frame for her birthday -- and this was totally the easiest way to get it done.

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-90298183879869242732009-01-16T09:42:00.010-07:002009-01-16T13:13:19.918-07:00

While our girl still isn't walking -- thankfully -- she is all over the house. Crawling is still a wonderful pastime, but it's mainly used to get to some place where she can stand up and cruise around.She loves all sorts of foods again -- well, any kind of adult food. We had a stint where only cheerios would do. Her personality and growth is really showing through -- not only does she want

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-90069643026386865402008-12-20T13:18:00.001-07:002008-12-20T13:18:39.873-07:00

This is beautiful! How have I not heard of it before?

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-85198750999190326722008-12-09T22:54:00.010-07:002008-12-10T01:08:02.376-07:00

I came across a date today, and I don't remember it exactly, but it was in the year 1859.  (Hey, do you remember every date you see?)  So, that's 140 years ago.  Which made me do some thinking.  What was life like in 1859?  Wikipedia says we had a grand total of 33 states.  Right there -- that says a lot.  Abolition was the hot topic; the Civil War would break out two years later.Now, that might

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-90257441757362635642008-12-04T20:00:00.003-07:002008-12-04T20:43:14.104-07:00

Well, Betsy continues to know no bounds to her tricks. Over Thanksgiving, her greatest joy was clapping. Smiling and clapping. Clapping and smiling. Granted, she's been clapping now for several weeks, but apparently, there's much more to clap about at Memaw and Poppa's than there is in boring old Provo. Pretty dang adorable, I have to say. Actually, she loved crawling, too, but that's been

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-50351423496773654732008-11-21T11:43:00.002-07:002008-11-21T12:25:28.511-07:00

Seven Random Memories:1. The $5 dates with Scott: Every Tuesday, Movies 8 went to $.50 each, and Doc's pizza buffet was 2 for $4. We saw more crummy movies and enjoyed every second of it. He held my hand so tight the whole movie, I was afraid my whole arm would turn purple. Whenever we could, we'd convince the Weeds to come with us.2. Right after I finished my last day of teaching, Scott and I

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-42254958152247118232008-10-23T14:32:00.008-06:002008-10-23T17:42:46.384-06:00

Breastfeeding is a time for Betsy and me to find each other again through the dinners, the dishes, the playmates, and the toys. But, really, you can only gaze lovingly into her sweet eyes for so long. So, she snuggles and nurses, and ...I get to read. Thus, the re- discovery of the public library some 7 months ago. During my last visit, this book caught my eye.Books like Born To Buy usually

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-16518317682603823502008-10-16T17:33:00.004-06:002008-10-16T17:41:05.392-06:00

Six and seven months is a darling age. The world is so exciting -- so full of adventure. The babbling, the smiles, the happily exploring any floor she's left on. I just can't get enough of it.My favorite thing right now is how social Betsy is. Absolutely social. When I take her on errands with me, she's thrilled to see new things and watch. But the minute she sees someone get very close to

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-73613271392060317282008-09-27T14:35:00.011-06:002008-10-02T14:47:34.860-06:00

Like most women, I've wanted to form a consistent, regular exercise routine (five days a week) ever since... well, probably high school. The closest I came was the summer in college where Tera and I used to do Tae-bo in Kevin's living room when everyone was gone. That's another story. But every valiant exercise attempt lasted no more than a week or two. If I was lucky.It was never a question of

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-80124980936302545402008-09-04T11:13:00.007-06:002008-09-04T19:04:05.006-06:00

Well, I can't believe I'm posting here again already! Three posts in September and we're only on day #4. Sheesh. I need to back off.So, a few nights ago I'm in our back bedroom. It's about 9:30 at night; Betsy's in my arms and I'm just getting ready to put her in her crib when all heck breaks loose just outside our window. For those who know our house, it's the little parking area between

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-41594816893758298712008-09-02T14:44:00.011-06:002008-09-02T22:20:30.192-06:00

I need a new hairstyle, I think. Not looking for anything drastically different; just something more independent. I want a hairstyle that isn't so needy. This "Curl me, or I'll look like a wet noodle" stuff has got to go. I do not allow hair to give me ultimatums. So, here's the criteria:Hairstyle must be able to look attractive without curls. Some days, 10 minutes is all I have to

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-86782545420551268162008-09-01T10:01:00.007-06:002008-09-02T17:38:31.193-06:00

By way of late anniversary celebration, I wanted to tell you a few things about Scotty that make me swoon.Scott is a man that takes care of his wife. Whenever I ask, and often times even when I don’t, he just save the day by whisking my precious (but noisy) daughter away for an afternoon walk. Or evening walk. Or midnight walk.He writes Marcus a letter every single week. It’s always positive, it’

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-37188762665434364552008-08-20T12:39:00.004-06:002008-08-22T14:39:10.653-06:00

Five years has always been a big deal to both of us. Somewhere, we'd heard statistics saying that if you make it to your fifth anniversary the chances of divorce decrease by some huge percentage. So we'd looked at each other and said we'd celebrate that one big. (Also the 10 year, because that one dropped it even further.)It was perfect. I knew it would be. Scott's been working on our

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-72803988222680373072008-08-20T11:55:00.007-06:002008-08-20T12:38:38.433-06:00

When you get this far behind in blogging, the idea of catching up is positively frightening.We took two camping trips with Nick this month; both were wonderful. But the better scenery was definitely Zion's and Bryce. And it makes it feel like you're really camping when it's 3 days, two nights. Overnighters are just a tease, don't you think?The two daredevils hiked Angel's Landing; Betsy and I

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-24512041269377198172008-07-30T12:23:00.007-06:002008-11-13T02:01:49.256-07:00

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-66523088706939016602008-07-09T21:44:00.004-06:002008-11-13T02:01:49.519-07:00

Warning: You might not like this entry. I'm sure I'll disagree with a few people. But we can still be friends, right?So, you know the scripture in 2 Nephi that says that the Devil leadeth us "carefully down to Hell"? I believe that applies to our media. The storylines of modern theater, movies, and music not only reflect our culture but drive it.So Scott and I rent "Definitely, Maybe."

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-22600478274803076532008-07-05T10:07:00.003-06:002008-07-05T10:22:01.080-06:00

Most beautiful moment of the day: Kate painting Betsy's fingernails and toenails a pink that matched her cute "Adore" onesie. Most awkward moment: That would have to be the mayor of Kaysville trying to get everyone to sing "Happy Birthday to America." It didn't work.Most anticipated moment: Fireworks finale. And, let me say, it was a bit of a let down.Most debated moment: How many of the

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-15389059653267617342008-06-24T16:17:00.005-06:002008-11-13T02:01:49.850-07:00

Marcus' farewell talk totally rocked. He was constantly shifting between NT and BOM scriptures and linking them together so well. He is ridiculously ready to go. My favorite part of his talk:My parents have been living examples of faith. And not just faith in the Lord. They showed incredible faith in me, even when I didn't have much in myself. Back when I was still thinking about whether or

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-64776180312464194882008-06-17T11:06:00.002-06:002008-11-13T02:01:50.123-07:00

So, it's the weekend before Marcus' farewell. It's a delicious, summery Saturday night, and the Costantino fam decides to go see a flick or two at the drive-in. Dad is grilling hot dogs to take, Marcus is playing with the babe, and Mickelle is whining that both films are totally guy movies that she's not too interested in. (The Hulk?!? Seriously.)So, Mom looks out the sliding glass doors and

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-35625621582638671862008-06-10T17:41:00.009-06:002008-11-13T02:01:51.224-07:00

I took photos for Missy yesterday and, since photo quality is lost through e-mails, I thought I'd post them here for her to see.

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-91990887825059456862008-06-06T17:18:00.010-06:002008-11-13T02:01:52.379-07:00

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-44834142968034044472008-05-24T09:52:00.007-06:002008-11-13T02:01:52.632-07:00

There remains only one week of school left in my career as a teacher.I mean, who's to say I won't ever go back to teaching? There were so many students I just fell head-over-heels for. So many lessons I loved teaching. So many books I loved submerging into with my students.But, you know what gets me -- what really sucked my enthusiasm? Feeling like a failure after the endless hours of hard

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-4818275696332893642008-05-18T08:50:00.011-06:002008-11-13T02:01:52.778-07:00

When it comes to parenting -- well, maybe when it comes to more than just that -- I like to see things done naturally. That is to say, the way they've been done for thousands of years in thousands of places up until someone in America decided technology could improve God's design.For instance, sleepingwith your baby. I was reading the wikipedia article, "Co-sleeping is standard practice in

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-19628577984565912262008-05-12T16:00:00.003-06:002008-05-12T16:08:17.871-06:00

Playing Mr. Mom is about what I expected it to be. It gets a little scary when I am running back and forth from home to Mickelle's school to pick up milk, but so far Betsy has been a good sport about it. Mickelle gets the "Monday Morning Blues" about Sunday night at 5pm. It is a bit of a weird feeling knowing that I do not have a set time to wake up the next day or a huge list of things to do

Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05348929242932321565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-62682318880835669152008-05-11T09:03:00.011-06:002008-11-13T02:01:53.648-07:00

Kids grow up so fast these days.Seeing Scott graduate was quite the cause for celebration. Another cause for celebration is the fact that I think this is the first post-pregnancy photo in which I am finally accepting of how I look. I'm not DONE losing weight, but at least in this photo most of my chin fat is gone.Of course you're thinking to yourself, "I knew that Mary Elizabeth was a cute girl,

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-15451739482188020802008-05-07T22:39:00.004-06:002008-05-07T23:20:40.393-06:00

For our entire marriage, we've always had callings together. In Cedar, it was ward missionaries. In our Provo apartment, it was teaching gospel doctrine. In our current ward, it was gospel doctrine and then ward missionaries with Scott as the WML. We had it pretty sweet, and even though we were nearing our "year mark" at which they give you a new calling, I wasn't too worried. That just

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-15304250692920107982008-04-29T11:09:00.002-06:002008-04-29T13:55:48.240-06:00

Is there an engineer in the house? A Civil Engineer? (Enough of the rude ones, as Poppa said.)There's just nothing quite like seeing your husband in those graduation robes. Especially with freshly-cut hair. I wanted to think it was the end of late-night studying, of heinous math teachers with harsh Asian accents, of the endless juggling between homework, tests, marriage, family, work, fixing

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-74820536005470747032008-04-22T23:44:00.002-06:002008-11-13T02:01:53.875-07:00

A week ago Scott finished up his beginning bowling class. They spent the last few weeks in a double-elimination tournament, and guess who turned out champ?That's right. My sexy husband. Betsy and I were both there to cheer him on. I think it made him a little nervous, but his competitor even bowled a turkey in his last few frames and still didn't catch up.The prize was 100 Grand. Too bad it

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-81053823290382953302008-04-22T23:22:00.006-06:002008-11-13T02:01:53.997-07:00

I just can't believe how fast time seems to fly with Betsy. When talking about mothering, my own mom used to always say, "The years go by so fast, but man, the days are long."I never doubted it, mind you. But now, watching her grow, my heart breaks daily. She smiled for the first time a few weeks ago. Smiled. It melted my heart. It should melt a mother's heart. And it simultaneously broke

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009127299977094498.post-6397116638648369632008-04-22T11:37:00.000-06:002008-11-13T02:01:54.138-07:00

We love carrying Betsy in her sling -- and most of the time, she really gets a kick out of it, too. Now that she's getting older (almost 2 months!) she likes seeing a little bit more of the world. But, as you can tell from the picture, gazing up at Daddy is still a favorite pastime.The cliche "when Momma ain't happy, nobody's happy" is only half true. Scott was stressed to no end over the FE a

Mickellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13008729418779179065noreply@blogger.com1