16 more days...

til Ironman!!

I'm so excited and scared all at the same time!

I've been watching all kinds of Ironman videos on Youtube to get pumped, and this one is my favorite so far.

I cried.

I will do this!!

off to a bad start~

It's possible. Especially considering the tragedies that have already occurred this year.

1. Gwen came up to me crying January 1, asking me to pull a sliver out of her finger. No problem. I do have a couple of super human traits, and my eyesight happens to be one of them. I can read street signs way before anybody else in the car can! I pride myself on my 20/10 vision (I can see at 20 feet what "normal" people see at 10 feet). So then why in the world couldn't I get my eyes to focus on the itty bitty little sliver in Gwen's finger?!?!?! Face it Kristin, your vision is not what it used to be. (my other super human trait is that I have incredible sense of smell. Unfortunately, this is often to my own demise. Breath, B.O., stinky diaper, cup of old chocolate milk in your kid's room, you name it, I smell it so strong!! I'd never want to be married to someone with a good sniffer. I'm sorry Ryan. Last night Ryan took out the pipes under the kitchen sink so we could clean them out since the drain was so slow. I literally puked while trying to clean out the pipes. So Ryan had to take over. Awful I tell you.)

2. This morning I found my FIRST GRAY HAIR!!!!!!! Seriously, did this have to happen two days after I came to grips with my eyes? I'm aging faster than a banana. Why did I think it wouldn't happen to me? I don't know, but it's not cool. Not cool.

Been busy!

I've been out of commission. Scrambling to get things done before the end of the semester. That's right the END of the semester!!! Today is my last day of classes and then the dread of finals. This is always about the time that I'm tempted to just drop out of law school. Not really. But kind of. ;)

Ryan started a new job, the Taylors were in town for Thanksgiving week, and my washing machine broke. That's something I've taken for granted. When was the last time you hauled off eight loads of laundry down to the laundromat? Me? Saturday and the Saturday before. But my new one is super sexy, and it comes tomorrow!!!

Also, remember a couple of posts ago when I was running like crazy? I did the Nike Women's marathon, then five days later Ragnar Las Vegas, and then the following weekend the Red Mountain Half Marathon. It was a lot of running. Well wouldn't you know it, my crappy osteoporosis bones didn't love it. I tried to run hard for the half, but after four miles, couldn't keep up my pace because of the pain. Why? oh, just another stress fracture. This one in my left FEMUR!!! Yep, the biggest bone in your body. While stress fractures to the femur are not nearly as common as other bones, it's almost always because of endurance running.

That means it's time for a break. And while it's hard to come to grips with the fact that I won't be running the new course for PF Changs Rock and Roll 1/2 Marathon this year (tear), I can at least still ride my bike and swim. And I really need to be serious about resting and getting healthy because I'm signed up for this:
IRONMAN ARIZONA 2012!!!!!!

I'm so excited, and scared, but mostly excited!!
So excuse my absence from posting again, but I'm going to buckle down and study and hope to not fail out of law school.

you may be disappointed in me

when you learn that I'm prejudiced.

I am. I'm sorry about that. But today on my way to school, I saw this guy, and I totally judged him without even knowing him.

But I saw his "Pink Cabaret" hat and the little silver testicles hanging from the back of his motorcycle, and I decided this is not a gentlemen I'd want to invite over to play Yatzee with my family.

I'll bet he has some good qualities, but he's not advertising them as well as he is his less than admirable qualities.

General Conference Weekend

Oh, how I LOVE General Conference weekend. It's a time to stay home and listen to inspired words. I always recommit to trying harder to be a better wife, mother, member of the community, and to try to live a life of service and charity.

It's also nice because we don't have to go to church on Sunday. Not that I don't like going to church, but I can do so much while watching/listening to conference...in my pajamas! For instance I cleaned off my atrocious desk. Really, my desk was so bad from late nights studying and snacking, the kids playing on my computer, sewing scraps, coloring, cords, etc.

So once it was cleared off, I was able to see my sewing machine and have a work space. So I attacked my mending pile, and I was a mending machine! I took care of three pairs of pants, a pair of shorts, and a race shirt.

Exhibit A: Drake's pants. The kids school dress code forbids pants with holes or tears. Too bad Drake has a special talent for putting holes in his knees. There were actually three pairs of pants that needed knee patches, but they had sat there for so long that two of them didn't even fit anymore! Well since these were some of Drakes favorites, I put a nice pirate canon patch on his knee. He loves it!

Then I did a pair of pants of mine and Ryan's.

Exhibit B: Some of my favorite denim knee length shorts. These were in high rotation until Ryan and I decided to go on a double date with Jake and Kaylani. They're so wild, they got us on a mechanical bull that bucked so hard, and I squeezed so tight that I ripped my shorts! Um how long ago was that?? I don't even remember. But now I have another pair of shorts!

Exhibit C: My San Diego Marathon tech-t. It really bugs me when you get your race shirt (especially for a marathon! come on, I worked hard for this shirt!) and you ordered a small, and sure the tag says small, but it's HUGE. So I dissemble the shirt and put it back together again in my size. Now I have a work out shirt that I'm not swimming in.

Also, do you see that back on the counter there? I also made a healthy pumpkin bread today too! And I'll even share my recipe:

PUMPKIN BREAD that's not terrible for you:

1 C Wheat flour

1 t Baking Powder

1/2 t Baking Soda

1/2 t Salt

1 t Cinnamon

1/2 t of each: Ginger, Nutmeg, Ground Cloves

1 1/4 C Pumpkin Puree

1/2 C Raw Sugar

1/2 C Brown Sugar

1/2 C Water

1 C Apple Sauce

1 Egg

2 Egg Whites

1/2 - 1 C Chopped Pecans (pronounced pee-cans thankyouverymuch)

You know how it goes from there, mix your wets in a bowl and your dries in a bowl and then stir together. Throw in a long bread pan and bake at 350º for about 1 hour, 15 min.

Okay, now back to studying. I have a Family Law mid-term this week. :( Oh well, at least next week is October break! San Francisco here we come!

The Book of Mormon

I have so much to update, and I promise I will get to it.

But first, I can't shake the feeling any longer, and I just had to post this...

I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

We have the Book of Mormon as another testament of Jesus Christ.

This means we believe both the Bible and the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.

These books together have brought me comfort in trials, and replaced fear with faith.

They can do the same for you.

bday wish list

I'm turning 30. That's right, the big three oh. I've heard it's all down hill from there, but I refuse to let that be true (that'd be really sad if it were true). I mean come on! Thirty's nothing. I'm still young.... right????? (crickets chirping) Whatev. I have two little ones, they keep me young. I'm in college, that makes me feel young. (Actually it makes me realize how OLD I am compared to the young partying college crowd) Okay, anyways thirty is some sort of milestone right?? And while I had planned to be on a cruise or something like that when I hit it, that's not how it's going to work out. You see Ryan is currently studying for the bar. That means all work, no play. Oh well, hopefully we'll get to celebrate when the bar is over at the end of July.

So for the KRISTIN'S BIRTHDAY WISHLIST 2011:

1. Yellow is my favorite color.

Ever.

It always has been too. Even when I was little and yellow was not cool. And when kids would ask me what my favorite color was, I'd reply yellow, and then they'd say, "ewww, yellow is the color of pee!" I still loved it then! Well look at this darling Williams Sonoma tablecloth.

That'd be perfect on my kitchen table with my tacky United States place mats on top!

(only at dinner time, besides, Ryan and I know our states like that!)

2. Beach Cruiser.

I had a super cute one with that Ryan got me for mother's day five years ago! And guess what? This is awful, you might not want to read.... it got stolen along with my two seater bike trailer for the kids.... right off my back porch!!! I shed a tear or two, and now I can't help but take an extra close look at every Phat Customs pink beach cruiser I see. It had three gears and a cute white basket, and oh I loved it!! So I'd love to have another. Because when the kids want to go out and ride bikes, I feel impractical jumping onto my road bike that doesn't even have pedals! Plus I take one pedal stroke and I'm to the next house while Drake's still spinning away on his bike. So a cruiser would be ideal for those family bike rides. Hopefully this curiser will be a cute color (seafoam green, robin egg blue, or yellow, etc.), have more than one gear, and have a bell! This one (I'm sorry the pic is tiny) is from Wal Mart! And look at the cool seat thing on the front. Can you just imagine Gwen sitting on the front holding on for dear life?

3. This Martha Stewart Cake Plate.

I LOVE that it's square and black and white. I do enjoy collecting cake stands. They make me happy. Even if not yellow. :)

4. Yellow pumps.

These would be my choice, but at $135, the next are more likely

These babies will only run you $30 at Charlotte Russe.

5. Marc Jacobs Lola.

This is my new favorite perfume. I got a sample a while ago that I have been rationing! I'm almost out, so either I need some more samples ;) or for my sweetie to get me this perfume. Isn't the bottle cute?

6. A MODEST tankini, like this one from Lime Ricki.

My tankini's I think I've got from before I was married! The one I wear the most has elastic rotting in it. I like this one because it doesn't have a plunging neckline and the top is long. Plus the hot green ruffle at the bottom is rad.

7. This Coach bag is from the new KRISTIN line!

I'm dead serious. The line is Kristin. Not Kristen. It's meant to be. I think it even said 30th Anniversary Kristin bags. Okay it didn't, but it might as well have. I mean come on! I turn 30 the same season as the Kristin Coach line?? MFEO.

8. Sport sunglasses.

Okay, this one is a legitimate need. If you haven't noticed from some of my race pictures, I run and ride in big ol' cheap sunglasses. They're more like a windshield. That's all good and fine, until I tried on some nice athletic sunglasses. Oh man, now I know what I'm missing! And how much easier my activities would be with a nice pair of Oakleys instead of some Target frames. (no offense Target, I still love you!!!) They are so stinkin' light, with arms that just hold your head without SQUEEZING it. No more having to keep pushing heavy sunglasses up my sweaty nose, or worse when I just have to resort to mouth breathing because my classes have slid down and just pinched my nose closed.

So I really like these - the Necessity. They're a little more stylie than the next ones...

but these ones, the Forsake, are supposed to be the ULTIMATE sport glasses for women. They're also really cute for sport glasses. (I'm not an idiot, I know sport glasses for women are usually hideous)

Okay, there you have it. My dream list for my thirtieth.

16 more days of life in my twenties.

Yurbuds

Okay, so I have a lot to catch up on on the blog. Summer, swimming, vacation, etc. But here's what's on my mind right now:

That's right. Yurbuds. Last week while at the expo for the Rock and Roll San Diego Marathon, we saw the Yurbuds booth. I had heard about these earlier from an email, and the claim is that these ear buds will NOT fall out of your ears while running, or whatever it is that you might be doing. I was intrigued since I CAN NOT keep earbuds in my ears! They fall out for sure! I have to get the over the ear kind that will still work their way off my ears since my ears are basically just skin, no cartilage. (not really but they are so soft and floppy they can't support the over the ear kind for an extended period of time!) I've even resorted to taping earbuds in my ears with packing tape when I'm in a crunch. It works, but usually hairs get in the way, and when I remove the tape it's painful. :)

Okay, so back to the Yurbuds, I got the email, was super interested, but was skeptical since I've tried A LOT of earbud/headphones, and have had no success. That coupled with the fact that these aren't the cheapest out there (cost + shipping), I was too cheap to buy them.

Enter SD Marathon Expo.

I got to try them. It took them a while to try different sizes to fit my strange ear bud rejecting ears, but success!!!! We got some, and both wore them the next day at the marathon with no problems at all. No pain. No falling out of the ears. Just us and our tunes!!

If you have problems with ear buds while you run, you have to try these!

They have a money back guarantee.

And there you have it. My Yurbud testimonial!

in love

I went to the mall today. For the first time this semester. So it's been a whiiiiile!

And oh man, I wish I didn't know what I've been missing!

I might be kinda nerdy, but I dream of cute tablecloths. This William Sonoma tablescape took my breath away. So fresh, so spring, so cute! I always say, someday, I will have an amazing collection of dishes, tabelcloths, placemats and napkins. (and somewhere to keep them!!) But until then, I'll dream.

Saturday morning

The kids have soccer games every Saturday morning. I figured I'd run out to their fields and meet them there. On my way, I passed some garage sales, so naturally I had to stop and look real quick. One table had some magazines they were selling, and right on top was a Maxim. Really? You're selling your USED Maxim. Gross. So while I was on one side of the table, a guy on the other side starts thumbing through it. I said "NAUGHTY" in a I caught you kind of voice. And although I'm pretty sure he didn't speak English, he got the idea. Girls don't like porn. He sheepishly smiled at me as he closed it and I continued on my run.

I'm so retro

I've aged myself. Yesterday I was talking to a friend at school about how I'd do my reading while watching "Must See TV". As the words were coming out of my mouth, I realized I hadn't heard it called that in a long time. I remember being in highschool and every Thursday night we'd go to Jasmyn's house for must see tv. You know, Friends, Seinfeld, Will and Grace, all those good shows. I could tell that he hadn't heard of NBC's Thursday night shows called Must See TV. Wow, didn't realize things have changed so much.

Also, tomorrow Ryan and I are doing the Retro Run, where you're supposed to dress retro. Okay, does that mean 'fros, bell bottoms, tie dye and peace signs?? No! They specified 80s! The 80's are retro now!

I have to face it, I'm getting old. The other day I heard a friend had to explain to her daughter what camera film is. Weird.

While I'm on a tangent, I'll take this time to inform those who might not know, when you say "et cetera" (etc.) the T is before the C! I'm currently in a training and the trainer keeps saying "excetera", and it's not giving her much credibility. Okay, now I'm going to start paying attention to her.

lovers day

Well, I checked my phone, and unfortunately I only got two pictures from Valentine's Day. But they're good ones!

Here I was so excited to see this young man exiting the light rail on his way to school. He made my day even better (and mind you I woke up to my Valentine giving me a watch and perfume!!). This gentleman is probably about 6'3", but maybe you wouldn't have guessed by his 18" legs!! I mean his femur is almost non existent! His bum sits on top of his knees. Oh, wait, maybe his pants are just falling down? Anyhow, this made me happy.

Next up: Valentine pizza for my Valentines. Drake especially. He will poo poo just about everything I make, except for pizza and cookies. This was so yummy. If you can, never make pizza unless you use fresh mozzarella. It makes such a difference!

Okay, now back to school work.

It's that time of year again!

VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!

It's my favorite! Everything is just so cute, and it's so nice to celebrate your love for your friends and family.

But also, V-day candy.

I can't complain about being able to buy a bag of Tootsie Pops that are ALL cherry flavored. I mean that's my favorite flavor!!

I'm currently on bag 4. I eat 3-4 everyday at school. My tongue pays a price, but it's worth it.

Also, the cinnamon hearts! They're like super soft cinnamon bears, but even better. $1 a bag at Fry's. Also, on bag #4.

But these are my favorite!!

That may be a picture of cinnamon imperials, but that's not what I'm talking about. These are about the size of a quarter, and thick. I don't remember the brand, but you can get them at William's Sonoma this time of year, $12/bag, and again, sooo worth it!! They just melt in your mouth and have the BEST spicy cinnamon flavor to them.

I just may have to make a trip out to the mall tomorrow!

So in closing, I love V-day candy, and who needs new year resolutions anyway?!

just an average day

at ASU!!

You might have to click on the picture to see that this guy's rear is entirely out of his pants! Pure boxer butt hanging out. But here's the best part. As they're passing me, (and there are several people around to hear this too) he says to her, "I can't wait to do you!"
Lovely.

Mixing it up

Okay, so the Ramblings of a Punk Rock Princess thing is way too old. I mean I never talk music on this blog, I'm so out of the loop with that anyway. I think the last show I went to was Owl City last year!? I just don't have time anymore. That should be the name of my blog! I don't have time anymore. Like right now, I'm wasting time blogging when I should be writing a memo about what constitutes "knowing possession" and "conspiracy". But to be honest, I'd rather chew my arm off. Well, only if I could grow another one back. Instead I'll just change up the blog and go to sleep. Good night!

some advice from Mama Kristin

I can call myself that because I'm an "older"student. You know, not 22 like most of my fellow 1Ls.

Hhh hhmm. While in class don't twirl your hair. In the midst of your hair twirling, your professor might think you're raising you hand and then call on you. Then in your .3 second internal debate, the thought of trying to just start talking while trying to think of what the question even was might win over just telling your professor that you weren't raising your hand, but just twirling your hair like a ditz. But now it's too late. You started talking, and as these words are coming out of your mouth, you'll realize that what you're saying isn't what your professor even asked, and you're just totally wrong. So no hair twirling please.

bomb!!

Let me save you $20. Don't go see the new Alice in Wonderland. It stinks. The kids got bored and lost interest, but they were still scared of some really scary/creepy parts. So not a good one for the babes...and the adults. Ryan and I both gave it two thumbs down.

Happy Arizona Day!!

Did you know Arizona's birthday is on Valentine's day? When I was in Elementary school every Valentine's day we would have the Arizona man come and we'd have an assembly where we'd watch slide shows and sing songs about Arizona.

But it wasn't until I came home from my first year at college that I really appreciated Arizona's beauty. I suddenly loved the sage brush and saguaros. I love Arizona! In 2012, it will be Arizona's 100th birthday, and we're going to have a huge party!

So you can be in the know about AZ:

• Arizona became the 48th state on February 14, 1912.
• The bola tie is the official state neckwear.
• Turquoise is the official state gemstone.
• The original London Bridge was shipped stone-by-stone and reconstructed in Lake Havasu City.
• Located in Fountain Hills is a fountain believed to be the tallest in the world.
• At one time camels were used to transport goods across Arizona.
• The amount of copper on the roof of the Capitol building is equivalent to 4,800,000 pennies.
• In Arizona, it is against the law for donkeys to sleep in bathtubs.
• In AZ, it is unlawful to refuse a person a glass of water.
• Any misdemeanor committed while wearing a red mask is considered a felony.
• The world's largest solar telescope is located at Kitts Peak National Observatory in the city of Sells.
• The Grand Canyon is 227 miles long, 1 mile deep, and has an average width of 10 miles.
• There is a possible 25 years in prison for cutting down a cactus.
• The hottest recorded day in Phoenix was June 26, 1990, when the temperature hit 122 degrees.
• The sun shines in southern Arizona 85% of the time, which is considerably more sunshine than Florida or Hawaii.
• In World War II, many Navajos enlisted as secret agents. Our enemies could never understand the Navajo language to learn our military secrets. (woowoot!)

donuts and candy

Well, the Pioneer Woman inspired me to make these today.

Tawnya came over and helped and we were just delighted at how they turned out. I LOVE homemade donuts. I'm just going to try not to think about the number of donuts/calories I've consumed today!

We used her recipe, and followed it pretty close up until we saw the directions had you refrigerate the dough for 8 hours. We wanted to eat them today so we just let them rise an extra time like making bread. Also, the dough was REALLY soft, so we added about an extra cup of flour! They turned out pretty good if I do say so myself.

< With Valentine's Day approaching, we have been enjoying ourselves some delicious V-Day candy!! The Gobstopper HeartBreakers are my personal fav. We've been munching these for about the past month, but I haven't been able to find them at the stores for the last week and a half! Come on retailers, keep the stuff stocked until the holiday's here!
And Dots of course has their Valentine Dots out! The flavors are Cherry Vanilla, and Passionfruit Vanilla. The Cherry were better, and I still found myself eating them like how I eat my Candy Corn. I bite off the color and toss the white part.

And lastly, HAS ANYONE SEEN CINNAMON BEARS FOR SALE ANYWHERE? I've been craving these since Christmas, and I can't find them anywhere! I've checked Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens, Fry's and Bashas, and apparently these are off the market! Oh BYU Bookstore, why do you have to be so far away? Right now I'd be buying the Cinnamon Lips that you have out for V-Day!

mommy venting

I have another blog that is mostly for the grandmas to read and stay on top of my kids. I have it private just to protect my kids and so I can really journal our family life. Well this post I thought I'd share to comfort any of you who might be having one of "those" days.

I realized last night as I was talking about Drake, that some of this stuff isn't on the blog. Like how his new favorite lunch item is a hot dog. ANd he doesn't like it cut, he wants it whole. But then he totally plays with it and rubs it all over his face and neck. Yesterday he told me he needed another one. So I got them out to start cooking him another hotdog and then he yells, "JUST KIDDING!!" and it rolls out of his shirt.

Also yesterday I was on the computer when I heard Barb who lives across the street come in and say Hello. I got up and she was with Drake. She said she watched him climb up the side gate, flip the latch up and swing the gate open, hop down and take off. She brought him back.

Also yesterday I mowed the lawn (which took an hour and a half!!!). THe lawn was so thick and in some places 2 feet high from all the rain we've had. I have blisters on my hands today from pushing the mower. Well Gwen was crying while I was mowing it because of the "flowers" (weeds) that had grown, I was mowing down. So she was out there trying to pick the flowers before I could mow them and Drake was chasing after me saying "you bad mom!" and trying to hit me or throw clumps of grass at me!! What a PUNK!!!! Seriously, can I send him away?

Then today I was cleaning my room and Drake asked if he could have an icecream sandwich. I said no and he starts yelling at me at the top of his lungs that he wants one and only quiets down once I tell him I said no because we were going to go get frozen yogurt later. Ten minutes later I heard his bedroom door close and I thought that was odd. SO I went out and in the kitchen I saw his ladder in front of the fridge and the freezer door was wide open. I checked, and the icecream sandwich was missing. So I went in his room and called his name. I didn't see him but heard russsling in the closet. I opened the closet door and found him eating an icecream sandwich. We had a talk about disobeying, and I"m sure it went in one ear and out the other. He drives me crazy!!! He disobeys 95% of the time!!!!

Like also yesterday we were going to get in the car to take Gwen to her singing class (she came home singing California Sun and it was sooo cute!!) but I couldn't find my keys. Oh that was because Drake had taken my keys to get into my car and go through my purse (huge no no that he ALWAYS is doing), eat all my gum, and turn on all the possible options and lights in the car. And he did the same thing like four days ago!

Also, Gwen's been hard. Like today I spanked her little bare bum so hard and felt really bad. But she was refusing to get out of bed, and then once she was out, refused to put on clothes and get ready for school! And her bum was bare because of course BOTH kids peed their beds AGAIN last night, so she had taken off her wet pants and underwear sometime in the night.

And on top of all this I wake up with pink eye today!

Yesterday on Facebook, Julie Kenney posted "Sometimes I don't like being a mom" And today I couldn't agree more. Good to know others can feel that way too.