Caught Red Handed

Name: Macie Lee

Age: personally believes she's at least 4 years old

Occupation: Busy body

Crime: The suspect was found sitting on the floor surrounded by an open make-up bag. She was attempting to apply eyeshadow on her right cheek when caught. Approximately 1 minute earlier it is suspected that eyeliner was applied to the opposite cheek. Suspect is now in custody. It is anticipated that the suspect may get off easy with this one, seeing as how it is only a first offense. However, we'll have our eyes on her.

It's kind of hard to see the makeup because of the bright flash and the eyeshadow was a light olive color. I was glad the make-up was only only her face, none on her clothes or the floor.

Celebrity Crap

WARNING: I am getting on my soap box now.

I think television was a great invention and serves some good purposes. But oh how I despise it! I spend most days without watching any tv, except for breakfast time when Macie and I watch The Backyardigans together. I actually really like that show. The characters use their imaginations while playing in the backyard to go on different adventures and learn all sorts of things. Macie loves all the music and has picked up on their great dance moves. I really like this show.

Now let's talk about why I despise the television. I HATE turning it on only to see scantily clad women, profanity, extreme violence, and celebrity crap among other things. How did all this bad stuff end up on even the basic television channels??? My friends LeMira and Elisa both recently brought up Laura Ingrahm's interview on the Today Show regarding the prevalence of pornography in the media. I totally agree with her regarding this issue.

Not to re-post what has already been said about this issue, but instead I do want to go further and add my thoughts. I can't stand how much time is spent on celebrity "issues." WHO THE HECK CARES?!? I sure don't. I don't want to know who is dating who, cheating on whoever, in or out of rehab, pregnant, getting too fat or too skinny, blah blah blah. And the worst part is that these issues are actually discussed on news channels. It makes me very angry. I think time is precious and I don't want to waste it watching garbage that doesn't matter. When I sit down to catch a top news story or flip through the channels (which is rare as it is!) I most definitely do not want to see anything about celebrities. Living in Vegas makes it really hard to avoid. I turn on the radio in the car only to hear dj's talking about who was at what party at what casino and what happened and blah blah blah. Get over it!!! What makes their lives so fascinating that it cripples our society? I do mean that by the way. Whatever a celebrity is doing, wearing, going, buying, etc. becomes popular for everyone else. How can that be? I really, really, REALLY don't want to see Macie (or any other young child) 10 years down the road watching these things and thinking that they are even remotely acceptable. Can you tell I have strong feelings about this? I think I just might.

Strut Your Stuff!

My toddler is better at walking in heels than I am.

Nursery Woes

Macie is a very good eater. She isn't one of those kids that will eat anything, but she is willing to give most things a try. I try to feed her good foods with natural ingredients and low sugar. I am actually pickier about what goes into her body than mine. I guess I know I'm not as good as I should be, but I'm trying to teach Macie how to eat healthy. She very rarely eats any treats, and when she does it's because someone else gave it to her. I can't recall her having had any candy yet, and I hope it stays that way!

Macie will be 18 months on the 20th of this month, allowing her to go to nursery on Sundays. I know most people are excited about this, but I am a little apprehensive. While visiting my parents' ward I took Macie into nursery during the last half hour of church when she was starting to get pretty restless. She was thrilled to watch other kids her size running around playing with toys. The last Sunday we were there it was snack time. Macie sat up to the table just like all the other "big kids" with a smile on her face. I gasped when I saw the leaders pull out the snacks. Each child was given a cup of kool-aid, creme-filled sandwich cookies, and cheetos puffs. WHAT?!? I didn't think it would be too polite, or Macie would be too happy, if I decided to leave right then so I observed instead. Macie stared at the food for a few seconds, because she didn't recognize it I'm sure, watched the other kids eating, then daintily took a small bite of her cookie. Her face said it all and that cookie was gone as fast as she could chew. And the leaders kept giving the kids more! Macie was the last child to leave the table because I'm sure she wasn't used to eating so much of anything so sweet and thought it was wonderful. I just could not believe the leaders were serving junk food that was so obviously bad for the kids. Why not a healthy snack or AT LEAST something with half the sugar? When I was nursery leader the kids had pretzels, cheerios, goldfish, and water. What happened to that???

A True Hero

My family has some excellent news...my mom is in complete remission!!! I can't tell you how excited I am. My parents met with the doctors in SLC yesterday to find out the results from her bone marrow test. My stomach was in knots all day while I waited for a phone call. Of course we hoped and expected the results to be good, but there is always a chance for a problem. Luckily the doctors think she is doing remarkably well and there is absolutely no sign of leukemic cells or Myelodysplastic Syndrome.

My mom's journey to recovery still continues. She is still at risk for developing chronic graft vs. host disease and has a supressed immune system. She still must avoid crowds and contact with other people who may be sick. Once she makes it to 3 years from the transplant date wothout a relapse she will be considered cured. We strongly believe that she will survive this experience and live a long, long life.

Thank you to everyone that has expressed concern and kept us in your thoughts and prayers. My mom is a true hero to me for all that she has been through. Fighting for your life takes a strong will and determination. My mom endured it all without complaint and has been a wonderful example to everyone. 22 months ago she was initially diagnosed with acute leukemia and struck with disappointing odds. To be where she is today is truely a miracle.

This was taken when my mom came through Vegas on her way home about 3 weeks ago with Macie and Gus, my nephew.

Say What?

I'm still staying with my parents and am really getting a kick out of my 15 year old sister. This is a true conversation we had:

Miranda: Guess what! Josh took me driving around the neighborhood and I almost hit a deer and a bat. It was crazy!

Me: What kind of bat was it?

Miranda: What are you talking about? I don't know.

Me: You know, maybe it was a ding bat or something.

Miranda: Oh yeah, I think it looked like a ding bat to me.

Hilarious! This one happened yesterday:

Miranda: (in reference to her friend she wasn't allowed to go out with) Well, she's gonna be in Carson City.

Me: So what, you'll be in Genoa.

Miranda: No, I'll just be in Rome! (She was being an angry teenager at this point.)

Me: Well have you ever been incognito?

Miranda: What? No...wait where is that? Mom, where is Cognito?

I really crack myself up. Oh the life and times of a clueless teenager!