I'm going thru Olympic withdrawal today. I have watched it faithfully everyday for two weeks. Today, I turned on my TV excepting to see swimming or beach volleyball and all I got was Regis and Kelly! I know I am a little pyschotic when it comes to the Olympics but after working on an Olympics for three years...it gets in your blood. I cried as soon as Opening Ceremonies started. I was tempted to get my torch out and run around the neighborhood but Justin threatened divorce if I did that.



I'm afraid I got Easton hooked on it as well. Maybe he is my shot at a coveted gold medal. He watched every event with me and got mad when the "big swim" or the "big race" went to a commercial. We watched equestrian, diving, trampoline...seriously when would you ever watch this stuff. I really want him to be Michael Phelps for Halloween but I think running around in a speedo in October is probably not a good idea for the little guy. He even knows the NBC theme song for the Olympics. I know...I have gone overboard but it only happens every two years!



I don't know what it is about the Olympics that I love so much. I think I admire the athletes for working that hard to achieve their goals. And the amount of focus they can have. How they stick to their goals no matter what life brings. But then it is absolutely heartbreaking to watch those that fail. I get very inspired when I watch to get in shape and I'm excited for our baby to come so that I can start working out again. Justin and I decided that we are going to run a half marathon in April. (I've done a marathon and it was torture so now I'm hoping the half-marathon will not be as bad). I'm about sick of the big old belly! My Olympic experience was just so incredible and I think that is why I am fanatic about it. I know what goes on behind the scenes and the amount of work that goes into creating the Games. I would have loved to be an Olympic athlete. That and being on Broadway are two of my biggest dreams. So maybe I can steer Easton in that direction...not towards Broadway...but the Olympics. What pressure this kid has got on him!



Anyways...that is my tribute to the Olympics. I think Chris Collingsworth (announcer for NBC) said it best when he said if the world can get along for two weeks why can't we do it for three weeks and then four and so on. I think that is what is so neat about the Olympics and the spirit behind it. It doesn't matter what religion you are or what your politics are...you are simply cheering each other on and wanting to see people succeed. How often does that happen? I guess only every two years.



Some pics from my Olympic Experience!

Me and John (The Choreographer of our show and Broadway performer!) This is our Olympic "Prom" picture.

Me and Sheri the night before Opening Ceremonies. I think it was midnight and we went over the Gateway after work because the staff could get a picture with the torch.

Welcoming the Olympic medal winners to Olympic Medals Plaza.

This was the night after Closing Ceremonies and our little group convinced the Choreographer to let us perform in the opening number. That is me in the middle with the yellow hat doing the dance to get the crowd warmed up. We had so much fun!

Happy Birthday Justin! So today my wonderful hubby turns the big 3-0! And he is excited about it...not! He keeps telling me he's 29. Listen, it's bad enough that I'm still a year older than him, so I'm glad he is in the 30s with me now. Happy Birthday Honey. I guess I could write 30 things I love about you but my readers might start gagging. Instead I'll write down a few of things that make you special!

• Incredible father. Justin has a knack for being a dad. I was very nervous when we first had Easton. I had no idea what I was doing and was scared to death about taking care of a newborn. Justin was an old pro at the whole thing though. I'm so glad I had him with me because he makes me a better mom. Even though sometimes I feel left out because he and Easton are the best of buds, I'm so grateful how much he treasures our little man.
• Hopeless romantic. Usually the wife is the romantic but I have to confess...I'm not. But my Justin makes up for that. He is always telling me sweet things and complimenting me...even when my belly is sticking out so far that I can't see my feet! I know I'm spoiled rotten to have a husband who is not afraid to be cute with me. I don't deserve it!
• Hard worker. The kid never stops. He has completely gutted and remodeled three houses over the course of our four year marriage. Throw on top of that working, going to school and church callings. Now we have added his flying to the mix. I don't know how he has the energy. In our first year a marriage, I would try and help out on some of the remodeling projects and I would be deadmeat three hours into it! Not only is he still finishing up some things in our house but he is helping the neighbors. I will think he is outside doing something and come to find out he is down the street building a sprinkler system for one our older neighbors. He is a work horse! He never stops working.
• Easy-going. Justin is pretty laid back and I on the other hand am not. I always have to have a plan of attack. Somehow we balance each other out. I can get pretty worked up and Justin knows exactly how to calm me down. He is very positive and that has helped me to not worry so much about things and keep on plugging away and things will work themselves out. He is always in a good mood which is a blessing because that rubs off on me and reminds me to keep it together!
• Hot! I'm going to say it. My husband is hot. I remember the first time we met each other and I didn't even get ready for our date because I was so over being set up. I opened the door and thought "oh crap...why didn't I take more time getting ready". I remember calling my mom that night and telling her that Justin was "adorable". The only downside to have a good looking husband is that he gets checked out everywhere we go. Stay back ladies! I remember at my high school reunion I was in the bathroom and I heard some girls talking about how hot my husband was. They didn't know I was in there and I was about ready to come out and have a throw-down! J/K. It was kind of funny...who would of thought the nerdy redhead,who had no idea how to do her hair in high school, would land a hottie.

I'm probably embarassing Justin too much by now so I'll stop for now but there is a ton more on my list. Anyways...Happy Birthday babe and thanks for everything!

So I know there are a lot of blogs out there where mom's try and show the good side of your kids. How they are perfect little angels who never do anything wrong and how they have the perfect mom...well, this isn't one of those blogs. I'm here to tell you that Easton was in rare form on Sunday. We woke up on a good note and usually he is pretty good in church. If he does have a temper tantrum, we give him his blanket and lay him down and that seems to do the trick. Well, this past Sunday, Justin was asked to help pass the sacrament. So halfway through, Easton realized Justin was over on the other side of the meeting and tried to make a run for it. I grabbed him just before he escaped out of the bench but that was all it took to set him off. He started failing his arms and screaming. I tried to pick him up but he likes to kick and I have to protect the baby bump so I ended up dragging the kid out of the meeting. Well of course once we got outside he thought it was play time but I made him sit in a classroom which made him even more mad. Then he saw the gym and tried to go run in there so he could "shoot the ball". I finally got him calmed down and we attempted to re-enter the meeting. Things went okay for about 5 minutes and then we had another meltdown. This time Justin tried to pick him up to take him out but ended up just having to grab him by the back of the pants to avoid getting hit or kicked. By this time the entire congregration had their attention turned toward the antics that were going on our bench. Justin had to take him out a couple more times after that. The look Easton gets on his face is classic. He basically looks like the devil and you know you better cover your face because he is going to hit you or start screaming. Did I mention what a good mom I am? I can't control my kid! With a few minutes left in the meeting, Easton got upset again and took his toy truck and threw it against the wall. The stake president had been watching us the entire meeting and he just started laughing. After the meeting was over, Easton grabbed his blanket and headed off to nursery like it was no big deal. Justin and I sat there in shock. We were completely worn out. Apparently everyone else thought it was pretty funny because that was all I heard the rest of the day of how funny our kid was. I'm hear to say that on most days is cute and funny but that was not one of them!