It's a GIRL!

Yep folks...it's true! Our #2 child is a girl!

This is what immediately came to my mind...

(well, close...but not really)

Pink and bows, and blankets with ruffles, and jewelry, and nail polish, and girls nights out, and dresses with tights, and well...you get the idea.

I think this is what immediately came to Troy's mind...

Money. And maybe ages 12-18.

We are both thrilled to know she is a healthy baby so far. Now just wish us luck in raising a girl. :)

Please don't be scared...

With Halloween just around the corner, I thought I would do a Monday Memories post of past Halloween costumes. You know, just to get the creative juices flowin'.

As I looked through my archives, I noticed that in 2 of the 4 pictures I am dressed as a burlesque man. Please don't be scared after my lesbian post. It is really not what you think...REALLY! You believe me, right Troy?

I am not always an avid Halloweener. In fact, some years go by and I don't even put on a costume. However, I do LOVE wearing wigs. Give me a good wig and I'll think of something to do with it. Even if it does require some embellished chest/facial hair.

What was your best costume ever?


Retro Basketball Pros


Washed-up Baywatch Babes (don't worry that we went to the ward party in these outfits)


Drunken Sailor (and my friend, who I convinced to be Mr. Clean)


Marge and Homer Simpson

Morning Walk

I looked out the window this morning and saw a glorious sunrise. I quickly dressed and fed Jack so we could take off for a walk to the lake. Of course I packed my camera to experiment with photographing light.

Disclaimer: I know about 3% of what there is to know about photography, but I like to experiment.

These two pictures were taken at the same time of day (7am). With different camera settings, they turned out COMPLETELY different. I love the darker one because it captures the amazing sun rays.

Just ME and my Flatbed Ford!

Yo ladies, check out my new wheels.


Hey, meet me at the tailgate party!

Don't worry mom...I'll be back by midnight.

what do 72-hour kits have to do with dieting?

They are both easy to put off until another day!


I've often wondered what kind of dramatic event it would take for me to commit myself to a lifestyle of healthy eating. One where I never deviate from brown rice, wheat bread, lean proteins, veggies and fruit, antioxidants and vigorous daily exercise.

Will I be 250 pounds with 50% body fat before turn down the artichoke dip at BJ's?

Will I be playing with Jack at the park and have to sit down after 3 pushes on the swing because I had one-too-many Wendy's frosties?

Would I refrain from chocolate chip cookies if my doctor came to me and said I have two weeks to live because my cholesterol is sky-high?


Who knows? Procrastination seems to be my middle name.

BUT just this once in my life, I have been inspired to take action on something I've been putting off for a LONG time. Thanks to a few earthquakes, and some motivated friends, I decided to get together a basic 72-hour kit for our family before the big disaster strikes and my warnings are over.

So heck, I may be portly when the big quake hits, but I will not be unprepared! And judging from the tuna salad and fruit cups in our kits, we may even shed a few pounds in 72-hours time!

Martha's Done it Again

If you have a lot of money (I don't), and you are itching to have a Halloween party (I'm not)...then take a look at these party MUST HAVES by Martha.

Boxed-up Finger Invitations


Beverage Labels


Flag Food Toppers


Bat Garland


Test Tube Party Favors


And if you DO decide to throw a party, then just make sure I'm invited!

Put down all your current reads...

If you are not reading about Pioneer Woman's torrid love affair with Marlboro Man right now, you are missing out. It blows Edward out of the water, as far as I'm concerned. She is on Part VII of the romance...be sure to start at the beginning!

Family Fun Day

Since most of our Saturdays are consumed with household chores, we decided to start making it a priority to have a "Family Saturday" a few times a month by completing our chores during the weekdays.

This weekend we decided to head down to Balboa Park in San Diego. During the month of September, the Fleet Science Museum has FREE admission for children, and they have this one exhibit called KID CITY, geared toward ages 0-6. I wasn't sure if Jack would like it, but boy was I wrong. We had to sneak him out of there to avoid any incident of a tantrum!

It is the cutest place! They have a pretend grocery store complete with carts, fake food, conveyor belts, and scales. There is also a block area, an experimental air station, miniature play houses, computer station (for older kids), and a jungle gym.
It is perfect for a 1-3 year old, but I still think 4 and 5 year olds would find something to do. And who can beat FREE?!?!




Judging from these pictures, I think it's safe to say that Jack had a great time!













After grabbing a basket of nachos for the pregnant lady, we sat out on the grass and had a picnic. They have this HUGE fountain that everybody plays in. I felt a little "white trash" swimming in the fountain, but it seemed like the thing to do. So, we stripped off Jack's clothes and let him run wild. Actually, we found this little stream for him to play in. The fountain was a little too deep. It was a great day! I can't wait to go back and take some pictures by some of the amazing architecture!

Ladies...time for a "Friday Fieldtrip" with the kiddos! Let me know if you're interested. OC friends are welcome too!

Tick, Tock....Time's up!

Last call for anyone who wants to make a clock at my clock party Saturday night, September 22nd. These would make great Christmas gifts for the inlaws! If you are interested, leave me a comment, or send me an e-mail alidegraff@yahoo.com.

For more information, go to: www.ticktockcollection.com

Comes in 4 different colors
You can add your family name and establishment date
They are BIG...2 feet!

Molding into a Mother...

One year ago, I knew that Troy and I were in for a surprise with the arrival of our firstborn. We had been living the married life with no kids for four years - enjoying trips to Costa Rica, lazy days at the beach, after-work dinner dates, movies, a double income with few restrictions, and late nights with friends. It was a blast! Freedom at its finest.

I think back to conversations about how we were "ready" to have kids. "Ready" to start our little family. "Ready" for an adventure of a lifetime. Not at all realizing what the word "ready" entailed!

Now, a year later, a year wiser, and the mom of an adorable little son, I am quickly coming to realize that being "ready" to be a parent does not really exist. Everyday, as a mom, is proof to me that I couldn't have prepared myself for this job. Instead, I am trying to learn as the challenges approach me until I can feel like a bona fide, skilled mother. Here are some things my journey has taught me so far:

1. PATIENCE (or lack thereof) - I always thought of myself as a patient person, but come to find out, my fuse if kind of short (ok...really short). When you are a mom, your patience is tested everyday. Your test may come in the form of a temper tantrum, the sound of splashing from the bathroom as you are trying to get out the door for the day, a big, bomby blowout diaper at Disneyland, or a nap cut short by an hour. Whatever the test may be, I have learned to ask myself "Which way am I going to let this affect me? I can blow up in rage and frustration, or I can bite my lower lip and move on quietly?" Then I just pray for strength to choose the latter.

2. HUMILITY - Come to find out, motherhood requires a great deal of humility. Prayer is essential! It was a low point for me to admit that I did not have the human strength to be the next "Mother Teresa" or to win the National trophy for "Mother of the Year". But when I pray, I know that God is helping me be MY best as a mom.

Humility is also important when embarrassment strikes. CASE IN POINT: Today at Michaels Craft store, I let Jack hold a bottle of blue tempera paint, sealed tightly in a plastic bottle. As I was perusing the ribbon selection, he throws the bottle down in a fit of anger and in slow motion the blue paint splatters down 7 feet of the aisle. With paint up my pant leg and splattered across multiple shelves of ribbon, I stood frozen in the aisle wondering what to do. Panicked, I pulled out my baby wipes and began cleaning (well, smearing) the paint. I looked up and saw an employee. Timidly, I apologized and asked for a mop. Luckily she told me not to worry about it, and she would take care of it. Mmm...humble pie for me.

3. I NEED FRIENDS - what would I do without my advice lines? During the day, when Troy is busy at work, it is so good to know that I can call up any friend for advice. Many times I just need positive affirmations that I am not totally screwing up. Is this normal? Am I being too hard on him? What are the symptoms of an ear infection? Is this just a phase? Can we have a playdate?

4. WORRY WART - I kinda knew this before I was a mom, but now I really know that I am a worry wart. Things keep me up at night. Like after the earthquake, all I could think about was the positioning of Jack's crib. Was it away from hazards? Did we fasten his pictures to the wall with screws and chains? What if his glass closet doors shattered all over him? The list goes on and on. I am not sure that this motherhood thing will ever allow me a restful night's sleep.

5. CONTROL FREAK - I want things my way or the highway. yeah. Try telling that to a one year old! I have a hard time giving in. Every time I 'give in' to something Jack wants, I hear this little boy voice in my ears saying, "Ha, ha...I won!" I need to relax. Choose my battles, right?

6. SUPPORTIVE HUSBAND - I learned that I married the right man. I am so grateful to have Troy as a spouse and a dad to Jack. He is the BEST! After I've had a long day with Jack, Troy comes home from his stressful day of work and takes Jack for a walk, or plays with him so that I can get dinner on. He is very involved in his life, and I love that. My hat goes off to single mothers. It is a job for a SAINT!

Wow...this is a long, boring post. Sorry. In conclusion I would like to give praises to all the mothers who do their job well. You are inspirations to me.

Shake, Rattle and Roll.....

OK. Now I'm nervous. We just felt our 5th earthquake in the last week and a half. This morning at 4:30 am a 3.7 magnitude quake woke us from bed, then at 7:15 am another little shaker happened. I am starting to give 72-hour kits, food storage, and shoes under my bed a second thought. (None of which we have, by the way)

Is there a big quake in the making for So. California? Eeeeekkkk!

Flashback Friday

"When Troy was Married to a Lesbian"

all pride has officially flown out the window for this flashback!



You see, back in 2002, I was eating at Cafe Rio in Provo when my dear friend Jenna walked in with a new, stylish, short pixie haircut. I was in awe at her beauty and style, neglecting to consider the fact that Jenna, no matter what the style or color, ALWAYS looks smashing! I am pretty sure she could pull off a jet black she-mullet and still look ravishing!

At any rate, I decided that I was going to try a pixie cut for myself. The result...disastrous!

A few days after the butch, troy and I met my family for a cruise to Mexico. Upon first sight of my 3 brothers they immediately started pointing and laughing, then followed up with comments like, "Hi Allen" and "What were you thinking?" and "You really need to stop listening to Indigo Girls". The topic was not dropped after that. The jokes continued for the entire week. The icing on the cake was when I was up at the snack bar and a she-man started picking up on me. She had brown hair, cut in a mullet (of course) and was wearing long jean shorts with a (probably softball) t-shirt on with the sleeves cut off. All my brothers and Troy sat from afar and laughed it up, while I was left to escape my lesbian lover.

Needless to say, I have not tried the pixie cut again. So there you have it!

The day Sheena came to town...

I know that each of you, at one time or another, has been a blog-stalker. This is when you regularly look at someone's blog who you don't really know, but find their life fascinating. Admit it. Maybe some of you are stalking me. Time to come clean, and here's why...

I am a blog-stalker too. I stalked my friend Sheena's blog for a good, long time...admiring her photos, reading her witty accounts on life, and laughing at her "bad hair" posts. Well in time, I decided to leave a comment on her blog. And that's where it all began. Since then, we've been cyber buddies.

Believe it or not, Sheena came to California to visit Ryan and Kelly (my neighbors). So, we decided to unite in person to become real friends vs. computer pen pals. It was very exciting to meet for the first time...I was even a little bit nervous. We shared nice conversation over lemon crumb cake and then documented the event for, what else, but our BLOGS!

Just like long-lost pals. Oh hee-hee-he, ha-ha-ha....


I thought I heard, "SHOW ME SEXY"...oops...guess not!


Move over girls - Aren't I the guest of honor here?