My Nephew, The Genius

Tanner Rowlett was the first baby born into our family that made me an aunt. He's pretty much the coolest kid ever, and smart---no, that's practically an insult---the kid is a friggin' genius.

For example... He is in first grade now, and already can message people on the computer. Here is an email he sent me last spring (he was only five):

we wil kam

He was answering my email about his family coming to Baby Animal Days up in Logan, UT (best day of the year). Just today, I got onto facebook and who messages me but TANNER! It made me feel so special because he is just so cool. I priveledge you with a snippet from our conversation:

Tanner: at skool this morning I foold one of my frinds with a nook nook joke

Me: You did, huh? How did the joke go?

Tanner: nook nook

Me: Who’s there?

Tanner: inarupting cow

Me: interrupting cow who?

Tanner: moo!!!

Would you look at that sentance structure? He could probably skip a grade, I bet. He only ended our conversation to go do his homework, which is the awesomest thing in the world. He already has good study habits. Kudos to you, Tanner. We can't wait til you come out here so we can see all of your missing teeth!

What do you do on Snowy days?

Blog, of course. What else, besides read other people's blogs til your eyes turn red?

Here are some quick updates:

Tim and I have been working for the past couple months while rooming with mi madre (who has been kind enough to let us lodge here until we have the moolahs to move out). Things are moving along nicely and the only thing I feel without is the presence of our sweet little...

Chloe. This picture is a testament to how much Chloe loves AC. We were able to take a whole bunch of these types of pictures throughout that 30 minute drive since she hardly took her nose from the vent. She is two now, and despite our efforts, continues to bark at the sound of any "bing." Never try watching game shows with her. She doesn't know the difference between a doorbell and a buzzer.

One of the best parts about living back in Manassas is being so close to family. How can you not love these faces?

My Life is Average

Jen, why did you show me this website? I've wasted a whole evening.

But it was worth it.


Today, I was in a store pretending to be a mannequin. I saw a little girl running around as her mom tried to leave, yelling, "I haven't said goodbye to everyone!" She proceeded to run down the line of mannequins, hugging them all. When she got to me, I hugged her back. I've never heard anyone scream so hard. MLIA


http://mylifeisaverage.com

Yay I'm an Auntie Again!!

Last night, I stayed up far too late playing a grueling game of Settlers of Katan with family, woke up still drowsy, worked my job feeling confused and very...small..., came home exhausted, thinking about all the things I still had to do that day, blah blah blah, sorrow and personal anguish and me me me.

Then Laura called. My mom was adament about me reading her blog. Laura never calls about us reading her blogs but whatever, I LOVE seeing new baby Lijah pictures. So I pulled it up, got to the bottom and

BAM! I'm an auntie again! Yay Laura! Yay Tony! Yay Elijah! You're gonna have a baby!!!!!

I can't believe you beat me to the punch AGAIN, haha!

Best news ever to brighten up a dull Monday, I tell you.

We love you guys!

Life in the Fast Lane

I've started a new job down in Warrenton this week; another temp to hire position. There are a couple of things I want to say about it, and they are all good!

1) No traffic-I head down 29 and wave to everyone on the opposite side of the road...so long, suckaaaas.

2) The people- They are so nice and smiley, have good senses of humor, and understand when I screw up the printer or computer (yes, I've already done both--today was my second day).

3) The work- Challenging, yet satisfying. It's like trying to solve a puzzle every day, and I looooove puzzles.

4) The kitchen- Food shouldn't be so important to me, but it is, and it deserves to have some space. This kitchen is fully equipped with 2 refridgerators, a microwave, dishwasher, icemaker, silverware, a couple vending machines (snacks and sodas), a tv that actually works and is on during lunch hours, mugs, glasses, a water cooler thingy, recycling bins, comfy chairs, numerous tables, BOOTHS, etc etc etc!

5) The building- I love walking through it. It's classy. Stone floors, dark wood, sleek metal handles and railings, but best of all, big 'ole windows to let in the natural light from outside.

6) My desk- I have a full on desk, people. I can put whatever I want on it, and organize it however I like. Never had that before. It's quite nice.

Just a couple things about that. Yay for new jobs that we like!


We *think* Chloe will be ending her cycle soon, so within the next couple saturdays, I'm going to try to make it down to Richmond and get her babymaker disabled. Thanks to my seester, I have finally found a place that is reasonably priced and will do the job. Maybe while I'm down there, I can visit my family (Rob, Jo, Abby, I'm lookin at you! Whaddya say?). Tim will probably not be able to go because he works Saturdays til 2, so... He needs to get on here and talk about his job! He's been having a blast there!

Love you all!

Old Jobs

Once upon a time, I worked for an insurance company. Two weeks later, I get a call from the temp agency saying that day was my last day AFTER I had left the office and was on my way home. Apparently, I wasn't "catching on" like they'd hoped. My temp agency friend told me not to take it personally, that this kind of thing just happens sometimes, but this is the first job I've ever been fired from. Can it be considered firing when I was still working with the temp agency? Anyway, it's okay since I didn't really like working there anyway, but I am racking my brains trying to think of what I did or didn't do that made me not "catch on." Whatever it was, at least this firing explains why no one was talking to me today. But that just hurts my feelings...

I guess I am taking it personally...

New Jobs

Yesterday at Tim's new job, he went to a kickboxing class, helped a child feel more comfortable in a new strange environment, led the orange team in a yellow belts vs. orange belts shouting/kicking contest, and was the fastest kicker in the whole adult class by miles (I knew he wasn't staying off that foot).

Yesterday at my new job, I scanned more files, shredded paper, answered the phone 3 times, got told I talk too much (caked in sarcasm from my boss), and endured the lingering stink pouring from the bathroom where my desk sits the closest to (thanks again, boss).

Is there a significant difference of fun-ness here, or is it just me?

It was kind of fun making secret grossed-out faces after my boss laid a dookie and left the door wide open like he was gracing the whole room with his triumph. No hand wash. No fan on. Are you making a grossed-out face now?

That's What Happens When You're Horsing Around...

Earlier today, Tim and I were walking from our car into the Rook's house. Being the clumsy guy he is, he bumped into me pretty good. "Sorry," he said. I giggled. Then he did it bigger, knocking me toward the shruberries. "Sorry," he said again (though I could tell he was not so sorry that time by the smirk on his face). I bumped him back. "Oopsie." He shoved me harder. "Whoops." I smacked his butt as hard as I could. "Sorry."

Then, he wrenched his arm back in a fake an elbow strike to my face, not realizing how close behind him I was. CRUNCH.

He HIT me in the NOSE!!! Of course I cried. Actually, I think I screamed right at contact. What can I say? I'm one tough cookie. Blood was pouring out of my nose. I could feel it sliding down my fingers, dripping onto my hand. Tim led me into the house, apologizing like crazy. When we walked into the house, Dana was the first to ask, "What's wrong with Mary?" Tim answered, "I hit her in the nose." "Good job," she remarked. If I wasn't being such a cry-baby, I would've chuckled.

Everything was fine, of course. The blood stopped after like five minutes, and I finally calmed down. The Rooks assured me this would not be the first time something like this would occur. "This boy is a walking accident waiting to happen," they said. "It's true," Tim answered.

I would've disagreed with them if Tim hadn'tve just broken his foot AGAIN last week while in Martial Arts class. He, of course, refused crutches and won't even wear the sandal/cast/boot thingy to help his foot not move so much. All he does is wear an ace bandage around the top of his foot every day under his sock and shoe, and tries to stay off of it (that is what he says, but I'm sure he gets a couple good kicks in during practice).

A couple blogs ago, I talked about how I was just waiting to get into a car accident since bad things happen in threes. So now, I don't have to worry about that, I guess.

Dog days

Two days after Chloe's initial pup-sitting at the Rooks house, she started her doggie time of the month (or rather, couple months). Very regrettable indeed, and we are extremely sorry. Especially since she has to wear one of these:
A doggie diaper! While she is used to Tim and I putting it on for her since this is her 3rd time going through this (blechh), poor Paul had to wrestle her into a corner while she wriggled, no doubt thinking it was a fun game.

Yes, I know we need to get her fixed, give her the Bob Barker treatment, but that costs a pretty penny most times, so it is on our list of things to take care of. So, for the next 1 1/2 - 2 months, Chloe will be sporting a rewashable jean accessory while indoors. We've learned to remove it before we open the door to the outside, not out of shame, but if we don't, she will soil her diaper with the wrong substances. That was a funny day when THAT happened.

Word of the Day

Alacrity--1. Cheerful willingness; eagerness.
2. Speed or quickness; celerity.


Sentance usage: Let's all be more alacritous to each other.

It's Been Too Long

So I was waiting to update this with more wedding pics, but it took so long last time that I just haven't done it. Ergo (Sp?) this post. Tim and I have both gotten new jobs! Tim's working as an instructor of Tang Su Do in Potomac for a company called Kicks Karate. The people there work very hard and are very positive instructors, so it's wonderful. On his first day there, he took a free kickboxing class while on the clock. Sweeeeeet. My job is working in an insurance office scanning and assigning old files into the computer since the office is trying to go paperless. I sit in a gray box for hours going through people's lives, wondering why the percentage of divorces is only 50% when everyone I read through has gotten a divorce. It's also quite shocking how many people have DWIs on their record. Did no one take DARE in elementary school? People are crazy, and so are their lives.

Our life is crazy right now. With Tim attending school and going to work, me working and our hours conflicting every day (I leave at 7am, Tim gets home at 10pm), we miss each other a lot during the day, but we're so busy, the week passes by quickly, and then it is Friday. Yay for Fridays! This is a three-day weekend, too.

Coming up soon: an article about Chloe in heat
an article about Tim's foot breaking
an article about Lizzie quotes

Oh, here's one Lizzie quote to spice up your life. My mom had put Lizzie into the tub with some measuring cups to play with while the rest of us were working on dinner and putting together a table. At one point, Deb-Deb says someone needs to check on Lizzie. Well, we were all doing stuff, so Jen just yells out, "Liiiiizzziiieeeeeeeee!" We hear this little voice yell out, "I'm in the baaaaaath!"

So. Funny.

Love you all!

The Long Awaited...Wedding Pictures!!

Okay. Before we begin this journey of the most glorious day of mine and Tim's life, let me ask the population of avid bloggers: is there any way to move pictures around easier then click and drag over and over to get it in the spot you want? If so, please enlighten me. I swear I have carpal tunnel. And yes, I had to look that up to spell it.

Tim and I had the best day together on our wedding day. Just remembering how happy I was builds my self-esteem and boosts my energy. Here is a picture of us coming out of the temple where no one was to greet us but our confused photographer and friend, Jean Allen. "Was that it?" she asked when we first exited the temple doors. "Was that you guys walking out?"

I nodded and smiled.

"Go back and do it again!" She pulled out her camera, ready this time. Tim and I laughed and turned around to redo our temple exit.

Our very very dear friends, the Petersens.

When I first saw this picture, I got really confused. Is that us in 20 years?

The precious little girls.

Dad Rowlett...

Newlyweds with the Evans...

Newlyweds with the Koens...

With the Utah Rowletts...

Curly-heads...

Me and Mom Rowlett

Doesn't she look just like her grandpa? Plus some hair...?

Ah, what would I have done without this girl??? Ashley, thanks again for all your beauticious help. Yes, I made up that word.

Dad Rook delivering the flowers. Hardcore.

Mama Rook helping with assigned bouquets and such...

This picture is out of chronological order, I couldn't move it up to where I wanted it. Ah well. Here's us with my seester and Maid of Honor, Ju-Ju.

The pinning of the boutineers/corsages...

My peety hair.

Me and Lindsay!!!!

It was a hot day, and Tanner always knows where the cool spots are.

More temple pics...

Me with all my bridesmaids and now, my sisters!!

Bride, Groom, Bridesmaids, Groomsmen, and Tanner (cuz he's just that cool).

Me and my sissys.

The groomsmen (minus two-one was taking a heinous exam, the other was on his way).

These are some of my favorite pics. The groomsmen...

Look out, GQ.

We had to get one of these pictures.


The dads...

The moms...

Me, Hubby, and my new brothers and sisters...
Maid of Honor and Best Man


Groom and Best Man, and Brothers!

All the family. Okay, really look at these, though. Check out Tanner with the Jetta key. Watch for the flower on top of Ju-Ju's head, Dad Rook's expressions....etc etc etc. Here is the only nice one.

Here's where we start celebrating family.

The Rook Family


The Rowlett Family

Oh Dad...

Oh...us.

My peety flowers.


Okay, I didn't get many chances to sit down during the day, and boy were my feet already tired. Jean was kind enough to capture a picture of me taking a moment of rest and contemplation. That was probably the only time I was ever alone that entire day.

Everyone left for the luncheon and Tim and I stayed for more pictures.


And to finish off, some cool work with colors....

And that's the morning. Our day at the temple.