THE MUHLESTEINS

Halloween 2011

2011-11-01T19:16:00.000-06:00

I know that it isn't the greatest picture, but we haven't replaced our stolen camera yet.

We spent the evening visiting MaBoyce and watching sports.

Benson didn't really like the Hot Dog too much,

but he did manage to pose for one picture.

**When the cousins would ask when Benson would be here we would tell them that he'd be here before Halloween and his costume was going to be a hot dog and they would all laugh and say how silly that was. Near the end they would tell me that Benson would be here before Halloween and he'd be a hot dog then giggle. It was fun to see how excited they were for their new cousin!**

Two Weeks Old

2011-10-18T17:58:00.000-06:00

Benson has been such a blessing to our home! It's amazing how much joy and love this little bundle can bring. He already is looking at us and seems to reconigize his name. He really enjoys seeing his cousins and doesn't mind the noise they bring (or the pokes and prodes that they supply). He really loves Scott and is a complete Daddy's boy already. He must really love me too 'cause he already sleeps for 5-6 hours a night and he really doesn't cry. All in all he's a pretty laid back baby. He really enjoys music of all sorts. Scott was introducing him to Queen the other day and Benson actually moved his arms to the beat. I'm thinking that with his long long fingers and he's love of music we are going to need to invest in a piano and some lessons.
His stats at his two week appointment were okay, we are a little worried about his weight, but I think he just has Scott's metabolism and won't gain a lot of weight.
Weight: 6 lbs 15 oz 8%
Height: 21 59%
Head: 35 13%

2011-10-04T17:37:00.000-06:00

Introducing...

Born Oct 4th at 1:20 pm.

Weighed 7 lbs 2.5 oz and was 21.5 in long.

Big Belly Photo Shoot

2011-10-01T20:15:00.000-06:00

My cousin Kari took some awesome pictures of my big belly. She really had some fun ideas and it was great to spend some time with her. Check out her website here.

Pregnancy Update

2011-08-24T11:08:00.000-06:00

I know that I really have been M.I.A. the last little bit, things have been a little crazy but I wanted to write down a few pregnancy thoughts before it's over.

I really never understood why pregnant women thought they looked like whales... I totally understand it now! It's been really hard to have this big belly after working so hard to lose as much weight as I have. I know that it's a good thing, but I still have a hard time and I don't feel pretty at all. Also the lovely pregnant skin, hair, and nails that all the books list as plus for this time apparently skipped me. I'm a walking greasy hairy zittie mess. Doesn't help with the whole pretty feeling either. Scott's been great and sends me to get a pedi or even gives me one himself if he has time. He really has been the most supportive and helpful hubby ever, when he's not working lol.

One the plus side I love how wonderful it feels to have BB moving around and growing inside me. I love how excited he gets when he hears church music. He enjoys all music, but loves it when it's singing time at church. I love how happy Scott gets when he gets to "play" with BB. It's really funny, but BB actually calms down for Scott. I keep telling Scott that it's a good thing and will come in really handy when he's actually here, but Scott wants to poke and play instead. He really can't wait to when he can feed BB his bottle and is a little bummed that it's going to be a little while before he can. It's also been fun watching Scott finish BB's crib, he's taking such care to make sure it's just right and will be safe for BB. When we went to register for our baby shower, before we could scan anything Scott had to look its reviews and make sure it was "good enough and safe enough". I love how much he already is taking care of BB and loves him. It's been a really blessing to see Scott step into the whole "Dad" role and I can't wait to watch him when he actually gets to hold his little one.

We have been taking a ton of baby classes and have a few more to take still, but it's really helped us both feel better about a few things. Scott's all over installing the car seat properly and I've had to convince him that putting it two months early is stretching it (he gets to this week though and is giddy)! We both are still unsure about giving BB a bath, but we have diaper changing and swaddling down pat. We are in a Lamaze class and I'm not sure the teacher likes us since we keep laughing (Scott makes the funniest faces when we are doing our breathing).

We are getting it down though, after all we have about 5 more weeks to go and have to get it.

FIVE. WEEKS. LEFT.

Not sure I can handle the wait, but at the same time I'm not sure I'm ready for the changes. It's hit hard recently that this is the last time it's just Scottie and I for the rest of our lives, strike that, FOR THE REST OF FOREVER. That's a big change and it breaks my heart just a little bit and scares me a ton. But this is why we are here, to experience all things and to find joy. Expanding our family has been the best feeling and the special experiences we've already had have brought us such joy. I know that it's not all roses and butterflies raising kids, but I know this is part of the Lord's plan for us and we can do this. Now if I can just get through this summer heat....

2011-03-21T12:06:00.000-06:00

We would like to introduce to you our little peanut.

He/She will be making their appearance the beginning of October.

Sorry the picture is horrible, but we promise there is a baby in there!!

BYU Date Night

2010-08-31T18:03:00.001-06:00

I'm a wife who gets it, well usually. When I received an email from the Cougar Club saying there was going to be a BYU Date Night this year I just knew I had to get us there no matter what and I'm glad we did! We had such a blast!

We were able to meet some of the players who were trying out for the team or were red shirting for the year; some of the coaches talked to us about the plans for this coming year, their approaches as a coach, and why their area was the most important lol and answer some of our questions; have a wandering tour of the stadium and locker room; and hear from Coach Mendenhall.

As you can see from the pictures we were rained on most of the night and lighting did strike the stadium once, but it was such a fun night! They fed us really well and even had some of the players do a talent show for us!!

We can't wait for next year!

Thee Man BRONCO MENDENHALL

Meeting The Voice of the Cougars, Greg Wrubell

Trying some gear in the locker room

Sooooo GIDDY!

One of the coaches walking us through the big play against Oklahoma from last year.

Playing Catch Up AGAIN!!!

2010-06-28T06:55:00.000-06:00

We are Alive!

We've just been a little busy that's all.

I surprised Scott with a quick trip to our favorite NYC

(went there instead of my class reunion Ü)

Scott's been working and working and working.

We've done a lot of extended family activities

(some pictures to come in the next week or so)

Harvey and I have taken almost daily naps outside in the sun

(some pictures and his viewpoint of it coming soon on his page)

The garden is growing and I can't wait to eat it!

Scott has been working quite a bit.

I've had fun babysitting my cute nephews and trying to teach them the "twist".

We've been reading the Percy Jackson series.

Harvey has discovered he can sleep on Scott's pillow after he's left to work

(no picture of it, he gets camera shy that early in the morning)

Have I mentioned Scott's been at work a bit?

We just got back from camping for the weekend.

(yet again look for some pictures and Harvey's viewpoint on his page soon)

I've been listing to the Twilight Saga soundtracks, 60's Frat Party & Michael Buble.

Scott still likes to listen to his old man music, but now on vinyl.

(We've found a lot of "goodies" for him at the DI!)

But yeah we are alive, I promise!

2010-05-10T11:44:00.000-06:00

The first time I woke up today was to say goodbye to Mr. Scottie Hottie and to make his breakfast before went to work. I kissed goodbye and handed him his morning smoothie watched him drive away and promptly crawled back into my comfy and warm bed. Sorry but 4 am is way to early in the morning for me and no one wants to see me that early, in fact no one wants to see me at all the day that I do get up at 4 am.
Don't get me wrong, I think it's great that some people can get up before the sun, and those that enjoy it I say more power to them. I just prefer to waking up with the warm sunshine on my face, birds tweeting outside, and the newspaper on the porch. I seem to function better when that happens, it's like my batteries are being recharged in the morning sun before I get up and at it.

Just to set the record straight I do know what it means to get up before the crack of dawn. I use to attend early morning seminary during my high school years. During my freshman and sophomore years we were living in Illinois and had to drive 30 minutes to get to the ward building where classes were held. We would eat doughnuts and learn the gospel. It was definitely a highlight in my bleak teenage life. After class was over the bunch of us would head off to three different high schools, but we all had a lift in our step and smile on our face. It was important to learn the gospel, but it was just as important to see each other each day and know that we weren't alone in our beliefs. We moved my junior and senior to Arizona where get again it seminary was only offered as early morning. We were lucky and the drive was only 15 minutes or so to the ward building, there wasn't nearly as much doughnuts to be had, and there was a ton of us! I loved watching all of us walk across the street to the high school, it looked like there was 200 or 300 hundred of us (and there just might have been!) and it was always a morning boost to see.
I would actually wake up at 4 am for five or six years after graduating, only to roll over and fall back asleep. Now it takes all I have to get up at the normal 5 am to see Mr. Scottie off (and then back to bed still). It must be the comfy comforter that I have now days, it just seems to call me back into it's warm embrace until the sun calls out to me to come see her!

By the way, I'm not sleeping in to all hours of the day, I'm usually up between 7:30 and 8:30, whenever the sun is coming in our window.

I am NOT that OLD!

2010-05-07T11:49:00.001-06:00

I'm struggling with the whole

"I can't be old enough to have a Ten. Year. High. School. Reunion. PERIOD."

I just finished my bio for my high school's ten year reunion.

I of course have know about it for months now, but I've been procrastinating and sweating over what I should write the whole time.

I only scrambled something together today because it was due today.

Really what do you write in those things?

I haven't cure cancer, discovered a new animal, been on tv, dated a star,

made lots of money or flown to the moon.

I can't think of one thing that is worth "bragging" about

besides marrying Mr. Scottie Hottie- and no one there knows him so they don't know how amazing he is and how lucky I am.

I did make an announcement in my bio that I should have mentioned here first though.
At least you'll all know before the bio-book is prinited!

Scott and I are going to adopt!

If you know or hear of anyone or anything please direct them our way.
We are just starting to get the paperwork and money stuff figured out,

but it's HAPPENING!

2010-05-06T11:41:00.004-06:00

Yestereday was a big day for us personally.

It was just three years ago that Scott took me to the lovely Manti Temple be sealed together as a forever family.

It has been such a blessing to know that we are stuck together and that we have to work out our differences and celebrate each others joys, because well sometimes forever is a long time.

I just can't imagine my life with out Mr. Scottie Hottie and I'm ~~glad~~ gratful he loved me enough to it a priority to take me to the temple.

If you would like to know more about the LDS temples and our belief of eternal familes please click here and here.

Also please watch this video about an amazing woman. I have been touched by her spirit so many times and this video is well amazing. I love how she shares her views of what's important, what beautiful is, and the joys of motherhood. I hope you enjoy!

If you would like to read more about her and her families journey please click on the "I read NieNie" link on the right hand column.

P.S. Can anyone help me out? I'm trying to get my main column expanded so stuff like this can fit and so that the spacing I type when I am writing is the same when I publish... If this makes any sense or if you think you can help please leave me a comment!!! Thanks a bunch.

2010-05-04T21:34:00.000-06:00

IT'S SPRING TIME!!!

Finally, it's been a weird season with rain, snow, and freezing temps.

Our colorful and bright flowers are out blooming, the fragrant lilacs are teasing me and the scrumptious peas are sprouting up.

The robins are out catching big juicy worms and yummy babies are everywhere.

We are celebrating by going to Logan's Garden Market,

if any of you are up this way you should check it out!

2010-03-01T17:48:00.000-07:00

I love being a woman!

I'm having such a blast not working "for the man" and serving "my man".

I've been able to have dinner ready for Scott BEFORE he goes to school, a clean house to relax in,

fun dates or activities for us to do, and

I've put on mascara almost everyday to top it off!

I've been taking a cake decorating class that is taught by the cute lady that made my wedding cake and

I've also started taking a sewing class from a really fun lady in my Mom's ward.

I'm almost done with the cake decorating class and it's been real fun. I've learned how to properly frost a cake, some cool piping borders and some really pretty flowers.

I will be completely honest, I can't make the flowers look real like others in the class, but they do have a charm to them!

Tomorrow is my final class and I'll post some pictures of my final cake.

The sewing class is fun, I'm already over my head though!

I'm very intimidated by all the fancy tools, fabrics, and foreign vocabulary that comes with sewing.

I can't decided if my first project should be a skirt or an apron (I love aprons!!).

Other than that I've been trying to organize and run our household, playing with my nephews and reading a lot.

What have you been up to lately? Has the spring cleaning bug hit your house?

(He hasn't visited us yet, but I'm sure he'll be over soon!)

2010-01-19T21:29:00.000-07:00

This morning the power was out for about an hour.

it. ruined. my. day.

yes i am a spoiled rotten stinker, i fully admit it

for the record and full admission, i cried a tear when it went out
and shouted for joy when it came back on

no shower (and well a shower is my "me space")

not enough hot water to do any cleaning, let alone power to vacuum

no lights

no music

no opening the fridge or freezer

it was an eye opener

we need a generator

i am dependent on electricity

i need that hot water for a shower

i need to clean (and i really do!)

i need light in my house

i need music playing

i need to open my fridge for no apparent reason
(or to make my shopping list for when the power is on again)

it's not a want, a thing i like (okay i love it) it's a strong NEED...

i can't imagine what other women through history and those today who live without

they are stronger than me

i respect them

i love them

i want to hug each and everyone of them

i don't want to be them!

i like being spoiled

Journal Writings

2010-01-07T16:41:00.000-07:00

I'm starting to keep a journal again. . . and this time I'll stick to it!!

I have had the opportunity to read a few of our ancestor's journals and while they where fun to read, they left me wondering more about the person and what their thoughts and feelings regarding the events they wrote about where.

This time I've approached it thinking about what I would want the person reading my journal to know about me, what I thought, what I was going through, what I believed in. In the past I'd try to write down everything I did that day, and well sometime's reliving my day was to exhausting.

I found a really cute journal on etsy (my favorite place to window shop!). I love it, it's really girly and fancy looking (so not me, but it is!) and one of the best parts is that it is filled with unlined (is that a word?!?) paper!!

I love opening the pages and not having to confine my thoughts to pre planned lines, it almost limits my ablities to think. I love the endless possiblities each new fresh page offers and I love going back and looking at the finished page. I look at them and see me.

I've started to doodle in it, I've written down recipes, meal menus, schedules, and cleaning ideas. I've also written down my hopes and dreams, uplifting quotes and spiritual thoughts along with the trials and blessings in my life. Of course there are stories of the day, what silly thing I did (like when I left the sink filling up with water to grab the broom... not thinking I just started to sweep and before I knew it soapy water was spilling over the sink; at least it was easier to mop that day- true story) or cute things my Scottie says (like when he said that he needed a mom hug from my mom) and I can't forget the fun things Harvey does either (like when he ran circles for a good five minutes the other day and plop down dizzy)!

Hopefully whoever gets to ready my journal will have a good laugh at least!

Bird is the Word.... Name that Cartoon!!

2010-01-05T21:14:00.001-07:00

So I've decided to make my 2010 a year with a purpose. I've been thinking about a word that I'll focus on this coming year and I've been torn between two. They basically have the same meaning, but they don't... Anyways, my word for the year is going to be

"Discover"

I choose this one for many reasons, but it all boiled down to:

I want to discover what my divine role really is, what my calling in life is.

Scott and I have been talking for a couple of months about me becoming a house wife.

I received a blessing earlier in December for when I was taking out my wisdom tooth

(yes I'm 27 and hadn't done it yet- I still have 3 more to go too!) and out of the blue I was told it was time to be home. So that's what I'm going to do. I've handed in my notice and once I've trained my replacement I'm going to take this time to discover what makes me tick, my talents, how to run a house, help us become more self reliant and stuff like that.

I can't wait to discover what joys come with being a stay at home wife!!

2009 in Review

2010-01-02T21:03:00.000-07:00

Wow it's crazy to think that it's already 2010! I remember thinking during the 1990's and 2000's that it would be so weird to be writing 2010.

I'm don't sure why but it just was (and is!).

This last year has been a roller coaster for us!

The biggest "stories" of 2009 have to be:

1) Scott losing his job

2) Harvey having a life or death situation

3) Scott starting school full time again

4) Taking a fun trip with the Penrod's to Mount Rushmore

5) The passing of Grandma Bott

6) Moving from our apartment (finally finished... I just have to unpack now :/ )

7) Scott getting hired at Proctor & Gamble

8) The many changes in my job and job description

9) The announcement of a Brigham City Temple!

I actually managed that without looking in my past posts, not bad huh!!

We've been really grateful for the challenges and opportunities that we had in 2009 and we are looking for a great 2010!!

Say Thanks Personally

2009-11-18T06:00:00.001-07:00

One thing that I'm trying to do this year is send out personal thanks cards to my close friends and family thanking them for all they do for me. To be honest I'm struggling with this since I am in the middle of moving, but I'm really making an effort. I'm sending them out via snail mail and on cute stationary. In my little mind there is very few things in the world that are better than a card sent snail mail.

So take a moment and send out a thanks to those that you love the most.

If you need some cute stationary check these guys out.

Center Piece Idea

2009-11-17T06:32:00.002-07:00

My Mom and sister made these cute candy corn planters a few years ago for Halloween decorations.

I thought that this year I'd make them, but I'd change it up a bit so I could leave it out longer.

So instead of a candy corn pattern I'm going to use an indian corn pattern.

These are way easy to make.

1) First draw the lines around the pot separating the color sections.

2) Tape off the bottom section, the biggest tip I can share is to rip off little pieces of tape and line them up round the pot.

3) Paint the bottom brown and let dry.

4) Repeat with the orange and white sections.

These planters come in various sizes and can be used many different ways. I'm going to use the smaller ones as votives, some mediums as candy holders and I'll put some produce and leaves into others for decorations, and the larger ones I'm going to put some dark red mums in and stick outside.

Party Time

2009-11-16T01:31:00.002-07:00

With just enough time before the holiday season starts, you can quickly throw together thee

party of this Thanksgiving Season...

Enter PIE NIGHT...

This yummy event is held every year on the night before Thanksgiving at my parent's house.

Anyone and everyone we have know, knows somebody we know, or just saw a lot of cars and wanted to see what was happening is invited.

All you have to do is bring a pie.

A cake just doesn't cut it (trust me I've tried).

Any pie will do, homemade or store bought.

Chocolate, Pecan, Pumpkin, Key Lime, Lemon Meringue, Molasses, Chocolate Pecan, Apple,

Cherry, Rhubarb, Hawaiian Punch, Raspberry, Peanut Butter, Banana Cream, Snickers,

Alaskan Baked, Peach, Minced Meat, Chocolate Cream, Strawberry, White Chocolate,

Coconut Cream, Jello, Silk Chocolate, Mixed Berry, Blueberry, Huckleberry,

Apple Cranberry, Cream Cheese, Golden Raisin, Sweet Potato, Sour Cream Pear, and MORE

grace our kitchen table and countertops.

There's some beverages to wash them down and nothing else.

The door is constantly opening and closing with more friends coming in (and more PIE).

Conversation flow, new friendships are made and old friendships are renewed.

Memories are shared and new ones are made.

It's a perfect time way to start the whole holiday season,

the best way to start getting those celebration juices flowing so you can survive the coming month.

12 days 'til Thanksgiving

2009-11-15T14:18:00.000-07:00

Today during our family council I asked Scott if I could start a new family tradition.

Being the cute man he his he agreed with out even knowing what it was he was getting himself into.

Silly Man should have learned by now!

Luck was on his side for once though.

And now I would like to introduce you to our new family tradition......

Starting today we write at least one thing that we are thankful for on a piece of paper and put them in a jar.

Each day it has to be something different.

On Thanksgiving (or maybe after Pie Night) we sit down and read them out loud together.

Cheesy I know, and you probably already do something like this, but I'm looking forward to it.

When we actually have some little rugrats running around I'm planning on cutting out feathers from some construction paper that they can write/draw the things they are thankful for

and letting them tape them to a turkey cut out. It doubles as decorations for the holidays!

That actually sounds a bit more exciting, maybe I'll start it that way this year....

Tomorrow, Tomorrow, I'll Love Ya Tomorrow, You're Only A Day Away!

2009-11-14T00:00:00.004-07:00

Okay, so I more than likely butchered the lyrics and as I typed them I did sing them off key... but what a title! Tomorrow begins the Eleven Days 'Til Pie Night (which I promise to tell you about and maybe even invite you to at a later date). More importantly it's the beginning of the Twelve Days 'Til Thanksgiving. Keep looking back over the next twelve days for quick and cheap ideas to celebrate and enjoy your Thanksgiving Holidays. I'm also going to post each and every day about things I'm truly grateful in my life.

See you tomorrow at the same Bat Time!

2009-11-11T12:49:00.001-07:00

Dear Mr. Fall Season,

     I would like to take a moment to say thanks for all your hard work. I know that you want to get home to the kids and the misses, but instead you've been working tiresomely ensuring a fun and well spent season for all.

     I have been enjoying the lovely "Indian Summer", the lovely bright vibrant colors on the leaves on the trees and on the ground. My favorite hot apple cider tastes the best when I'm all curled up next to my Mr. Scottie Hottie in our big chair by the window talking about our day. I've really enjoyed the extra time we've had watching the leaves shake in the wind and fall gentle to the ground. It's really made my short walk to work lots of fun also! I hope that I'm never too old to enjoy the satisfaction one gets when they feel leaves crinkle under their feet, hear the magic crinkle twinkle and even smell the earthly scent that only freshly crunched leaves have. Our little Harvey has been digging up a storm both in and out doors. He must love the crunching noise too! It's really cute to watch him at the park while he chases a leaf and eats it. He really loves the big leaves and has to have them placed around him just so.

     But all that enjoyment aside, how much longer are you planning on working this year? I am really starting to yearn for the colder weather. There's something magical in Mr. Winter Season's work that just captivates me. I'm missing the hopeful and sweet smell in the air that tells you of an incoming snow fall. I'm ready to fall completely and desperately in love with snowmen and snow angels. I'm ready to dance with Mr. Scottie Hottie in a pink night with snow falling all around us. I'm ready to see the trees take their yearly naps and to just stop and enjoy the majestic and simplistic beauty of the grays, whites, silvers, and blues of winter. I'm ready to start making hot chocolate with mint crisp ice cream mixed in it.

     What? You haven't tried it? Trust me, your first date night off surprise the misses! Grab a classic romance or holiday movie, pop some salty corn, mix up some creamy hot chocolate and add a scoop of minty ice cream. Kick the kids out, send them to bed, or sell them to the travelling circus and cuddle on the couch with Mrs. Fall. She'll love it, and she might even forgive you for work so late! But first you need to head home. So, please finish out you work, tie up the loose ends and take a well deserved vacation. I'll look forward to seeing you again, but please not until next year.

Sincerely Yours,

Mr. Scottie Hottie's Wife

"You're more fun as a blonde" Whispered Scottie Hottie

2009-11-03T19:40:00.003-07:00

Apparently I've been boring for the past two years....

I thought that I was funny, a regular crack up in fact!

Though I do think that he has a point.

I have been going natural. I enjoyed my healthy hair.
I loved how long it was.

I was accepting and loving what the good Lord had given me.

Last week I just did it. I made the call, sold my soul.

I was going blonde again.

Camille worked her amazing hair magic, spun me around and

There was Me,

Looking back at me.

I immediately smiled, I think I even said the word "Buddy"

Pink's "Get the Party Started"raced through my mind.

I didn't realize that I had misplaced myself

But I had.

How does one lose themselves?

I did get lost in Ikea once, but that was fun.

I think that I started worrying about

Work

Money

Scott's School Work

Family

I stopped worrying about

ME.

I was a total MESS.

So today I vow to

get my hair dyed every month, even if I can't afford milk that month

spend 30 minutes in the morning doing something I want to

paint my toe nails hot colors

does something special for Scottie Hottie weekly

get all dolled up for Date Night

NEVER leave my house without mascara on.

I hope and pray that doing these things will help me to

ENJOY being a house goddess

APPRECIATE making the bed

FIND PLEASURE in cleaning

DESIRE to cook Scottie Hottie yummy and healthy meals.

What I am wondering is does anyone else lose themselves in life?

What was your aha moment?

What have you done to prevent it again?

Free, Kid Toys, and MADE IN THE USA!!

2009-10-13T12:03:00.000-06:00

So one of my FAVORITE blogs is giving away an amazing gift certificate to a store called Ompa!

This adorable toys from this store are character free and loaded with possiblities! They encourage growth, both physically, emotionally, and socially. They offer ORGANIC toys, toys that are MADE IN THE USA (and also Europe... but hey it's not China!), and even furniture.

They toys are way cute too and I want to skip work and play with all of them!

Check out I Never Grew Up for the chance to win the gift certificate. If you win please send me Cone Sorting from Plan Toys since I was the one who should have won!

Just kidding, well sort-of Ü.