Christy's yearbook extravaganza

1950...Classic beauty or class clown?

1964...Geek or Chic?

1966...This look is actually quite cute I think, maybe a little less volume all around, but overall this is my favorite hair-do.

1978...I look like a white Diana Ross!

1982...This hair do is swallowing my face! The girls must have used it as some sort of umbrella when it rained...hmm...mushrooms anyone?


1990...ohhh those AMAZING mile-high bangs! ...I don't miss those at all!

1994...Perm crazy era! Looks like the fashion in Utah right now...

Tag...I'm it!

Well I was tagged last week by my best friend, and this tag was really fun to do because it gave me a chance to ponder these things:

Share three of your joys, fears, goals, current obsessions, regrets & facts about yourself... Then, tag five more people & leave a comment on their blog, so they'll know!


JOYS-
1. Being with my family and friends
2. Having a conversation with Madi and hearing her cute little voice.
3. Learning new things


FEARS-
1. Losing someone
2. Offending someone
3. Not returning with honor to live with my Heavenly Father

GOALS-
1. Continue to increase my testimony everyday
2. Learn to sing better and sing somewhere, sometime with my husband
3. Run a marathon


CURRENT OBSESSIONS-
1. Well it's probably pretty obvious...blogging
2. Reading...I have read 8 books in the last month!
3. Vaccumming. I know this is a weird one, but the carpet is a dark green color and everything shows on it, so I am constantly vaccumming!


REGRETS-

1. Sometimes failing to be a better mom everday
2. Wasting time and energy holding a dumb grudge when I never have to...
3. There are probably A LOT more, but my brain is coming up blank!


FACTS-
1. I don't like it when people are really late
2. I love greenbeans!
3. I love to learn about and help people

**I know I am supposed to tag five people, but I will just leave this one open to anyone that wants to do it! SO...Can't wait to read everyones!

Sunsets

I sometimes find myself in the evenings looking out the window wating for the sun to set. I love watching the sun set. I love seeing all the bright colors and images changing right before my eyes! I would love to have a house someday with a big porch wrapping around the house, where I could be with my family and watch the sun rise and set. I could seriously watch it for hours, if it lasted that long. (Even when looking at these pictures, I just can't help but stare at them in awe, so I wanted to share them with you). It is so peaceful and it's like my life comes to a stop momentarily, and even though the sky is still moving and continuing to turn different shades of pinks, reds and blues; I am not busy worrying about cleaning my house, paying bills, or wiping kids noses. It makes me forget all my responsibilities and minor problems for a brief while and I am lost in the beauty of the sunset; pondering the amazing world which we are so blessed to live in. It's just beautiful and it's another reminder to me how grateful I am for all the blessings Heavenly Father has given me.

Progress is good...even if it's a little, right?

Madi has always been a bit shy, ok maybe "a bit" is quite an understatement, or maybe introverted is a better word to describe her. She has come a long way though, considering that usually anywhere we'd go...the doctor's office, the store, PLAY group, wherever she didn't know anyone, she would literary freak out, crying and clutching onto my legs so hard, as if I were going to feed her to the sharks! And believe me, during those frustrating moments I thought I could! ;) Do any of you EVER feel that way? I understand that many kids act that way, it's just part of childhood to be shy and hold back because of the unknown. I have seen many kids that way around strangers and some quite the opposite and both can be challenging! But this issue has always been a major challenge for me. She is doing better, for which I am so grateful! But she still has her moments, and although I have been through it countless times, I never seem fully ready for it. I just don't understand it, when she "freaks out" and possibly never will but I have learned to try not to draw attention to it. This is a challenge and makes me feel that my child and I come from two totally different planets. I love to talk as most of you would confirm. I will talk to anyone that will talk back or even those that don't. I am one of those so called people that talk in the line at the grocery store to everyone around me... I know, embarrassing right? So in my attempt to get Madi involved in more social settings where she could get to know other girls and maybe talk...even if it's a little; I decided to try my luck with putting her in tap/ballet lessons. (I know some of you haven't heard her talk much until recently).

Ryan and I have been talking about dance class for the last month with her, pumping her up for it. And all day long the day before dance, I talked her ear off about all the fun things she would be learning, her nice teachers, new friends, etc...

-

Come morning we find out that one of my friends from our old ward, Kara, and her daughter, Sadie will be in the same class together! Yet, before signing Madi up, I came into this with no expectations. (Which is really hard for me to do. I always put all this emotional energy into things thinking, oh this will be so fun for Madi, and she will have the greatest time and just love it! Always having high expectations....I haven't learned this lesson apparently, because the so called activities that I always think Madi will love, ends up being the battle of the century and I come away feeling drained and irritated that she didn't join in on the fun.) So before my thoughts could get carried away into thinking this will be great, I had to remember that I came into this really having no expectations other then just getting to the dance class on time and dressed!

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So on the drive there, I continued my drilling on the events that would most likely take place; in an effort that it might help her but she seemed as calm or maybe just as oblivious as ever. I on the other hand, was feeling hesitant and nervous, the drilling was probably for my own sake, praying that she wouldn't put on a whole spectacle of screaming and hanging onto my legs for dear life.

So everyone arrives and there are about 10 girls in the class. However, before class starts someone "freaks out," AND guess what??!!

----

It wasn't my child!!!!

Hooray!

Of course I did feel terrible for the grandmother as her granddaugter was the one freaking out, but can you imagine my excitement, as it wasn't my child this time!

As we were getting ready to leave, I turned to my friend, Kara and said, "Well, at least she didn't freak out."

I was unaware that Madi was paying any attention to me. A moment later she looked up at me with a seriousness in her eyes and a confirmation in her voice and said, "Yeah, at least I didn't freak out."

-

oops.

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So although Madi didn't dance, (no expectation) at least she quietly sat down with the rest of the class, and when the class started dancing, she again, quietly watched. A few times I had to go in there with her, but overall it was a great experience! I know some of you might be thinking, but she didn't do anything?? But for my child being with strangers for an extended period of time without freaking out, this is progress!

We go again next week, and I am really trying hard not to expect anything more, but really, it can only get better from here, right? Or is that too much to expect?! ;)

Happy Birthday Nathaniel Keith Hodges!

Well folks, it is time once again for me, Ryan, to completely humiliate my other brother. Nathan is 11 months younger than me and, although inferior in most every way, he is a way better artist and musician!
When Nate was born in the little rural town of Blackfoot, Idaho, the doctors and medical staff had never seen any baby quite so cute. Above is a picture taken of him moments after he was born. Although the cuteness wore off at an alarming rate, he still has just about the same haircut and slightly less hair on the arms.

Nate and Sean show off their opposable thumbs (Nate's got opposable toes too.)

We learned very early on that Nate was the artist of the family. While Iwas drawing stick men and Sean was drooling all over himself, Nate was creating visual masterpieces. I'd like to take credit for his abilities, seeing as how without the constant daily abuse I wreaked upon him, he never would have turned within himself and found his hidden talent. They say that most artists are slightly disturbed. I like to think I had a hand in that. Here are a few of my favorites! This first one appears to be a self-portrait:

And here's a picture of Nate's legs on an oven mitt (?!?)

Another of our favorite things to do when we were youngsters was play with our piles of legos and create sweet spaceships or submarines. Whatever we were interested in we created with our legos. Of course, Nate would always build these amazing lego planes or ships that seriously could have been sold as real lego kits. I always ran over to Nate to show him what I had built with my legos, but when I saw what he had built, I would hide my below-par lego failure behind my back and take it back to the drawing board.

Nate got married back in 2004 to the greatest sister-in-law I could have ever hoped for! Erin is an amazing girl and is perfect for Nate. She even lets him play drums in the basement and rock out on his guitar and his bass. I hear that she can crank it out too!

What a cute couple! (Erin isn't really cross-eyed. She's beautiful. And Nate can do this cool trick with his eyes where they flicker back and forth super fast and it really trips you out.)

Nate is a fantastic brother. He is a blast to be around and so funny! I don't think I know many people that have a bigger heart or a greater amount of patience than him. He works very hard and is one of those people that doesn't really even have to try to excel at things. He is very sensitive to the needs of others. I can't believe that he's 29!

Here's to my bro Nate!

Hooray

Nate likes to carry flowers with him wherever he goes. Sean, on the other hand, is always the bride's maid, never the bride...

SIX years

Happy Anniversary Babe!!! Wedding day...August 31, 2002

Nov 2005

May 2006

Nov 2007

March 2008

In our SIX years of marriage we have…

-Survived 4 years of college together… (We still have the hardest two years ahead! But it will be worth it!)

-Moved ten times, lived in 5 apartments, 4 houses, and 1 condo in three different states...phew!

-Made many great friends along the way

-Had several U-haul trucks break down on us while moving. (Don’t ever go with U-haul! Chances are, you will get one of the trucks that broke down on us!)

-Accumulated more stuff than we could have thought possible (we started with a few suitcases full of stuff, and now we have enough to fill our whole house!)

-Had three of our siblings get married, and we have one nephew. (We are waiting for more!)

-Bought 4 cars and sold 2

-Blown a head-gasket in our car (word from the wise: check your oil in your car EVERYTIME you go on a trip!)

-Had more random jobs that we can count.

-Went through two pregnancies with the added bonus of throwing up over 500 times! But we have two beautiful girls!

-Had a few great arguments where we both ended up laughing till we cried! (We are both terrible debaters)

-Mastered the Settlers of Catan board-game…anyone up to playing a game?

- Been blessed far more than we deserve.

-Made many wonderful memories.

-More love for each other!

Two blue-eyed, pocka-dotted pals...

Whenever the girls are watching a movie, many times I will find Madi and Avery on the couch or sitting on the floor holding each other one way or another. Madi either has her arm securely around Avery's neck or holding her hand. These moments really make it all worth it! To see them getting along and loving on each other!

Come on in, the door is open BUT excuse the mess!

Welcome friends! I hope you have been feeling at home with the Hodges...haha... cuz you are about to see another side of us. That's right! Here are the rules: No cleaning, no straightening, no wiping kids noses....go take pictures right now! (Thanks Angela for the tag...not! haha! jk, this could be somewhat fun...except I did it a little bit different...;)

I love going to the parade of homes and seeing the many different design styles and decorations in each home, so it will be fun for me seeing your homes, those of you that want to do this tag...

But first, you get an inside peek at what our home looks like from day to day! Lucky you. (Again, these pictures can be somewhat frightening... for a warning, see previous post). And those of you that live here in Pocatello have already seen most of our home, so you can ignore this post if you wish! Now, on the tour we go, of our lovely abode. ;)

I thought I woud first start with the downstairs and work my way up... this is the kids play room, and as you can see it's a mess! I only get around to cleaning and organizing it once or twice a month, too bad it wasn't clean for the pictures now!

And that piece of metal over on the side of the wall, well that's something I used to run on...(notice the past tense)...it' been awhile! I guess this is a good reminder to get on and get working out!

This is my craft room...looooove it! Yes I know, I am spoiled! I love that I can work on something and come back to it when I have time later, and I don't have to clean it up each time! Yet, it can be a bad thing, because I won't ever want to give it up!

On the main level is the kitchen, all I have to say is, I guess I should be cleaning it rather than blogging. Oops!
Our bedroom...(look Mom, I made the bed!!) ok, ok so I might have cheated on thie picture...I just had to make the bed! We always had to make the bed every morning growing up, which is great and all, but after moving out of the house, I went through a rebellious period of not ever wanting to make another bed again! Of course that's really realistic! Now I am trying to get back into the habit, because it is nice to have the bed made...yes mom, you were right...sigh...again. :)


This is where most of the fun happens!My kids...goofy, messy and cute!

This is the attic or the girls room. I absolutely love their room!

This is the reading area...no toys allowed. Ryan and I both love reading, so this is a perfect, quite spot where we can instill that in our kids!And last but not least, this is the spare room, next to the living room. This is where all the studying, jamming out on the piano, and blog creating is done...whoohoo! So there you have it. You just got the hollywood tour of our home...don't you feel better?

There are two bathrooms...but you can learn A LOT about a person from their bathrooms, and well, I don't want you guys knowing that much about us. haha!

Thanks for stopping by! Can't wait to see some of your homes! (And I better see more people doing this tag than the last tag!)

Apology...

Well it is a good thing I put up a warning the other day about my blog! Only then, was I just joking around about the images you might find, but as I got on this afternoon I shocked to hear that one of the songs I had added to my playlist had an inappropriate swear word. It was obviously the wrong version of the song by James Blunt, You're Beautiful. He is rather Blunt in that version!! Anyway, it's a beautiful song but I am not one that takes to swearing lightly, it's just not cool in my opinion, so I hope I didn't offend anyone if they had heard that song while on my blog, and if you had, then I hope you accept my apology!!!

Warning Labels

Have you noticed there are warning labels on virtually everything?! And I mean everything! Toilet paper even comes with a warning label! I mean come on, I think we all know what toilet paper is used for and how to use it! It just doesn't make sense to me that there are people out in the world that are really that ...well, how do I put this nicely...dumb. We live in a world that is a major sue-happy-place and anything without a warning about the possible dangers (or almost impossible dangers-only those "dumb" people can make possible), the product could impose on someone, the company could be sued! I am not talking about people in third-world countires that have never seen or even heard of some of the technologies that we so easily have access to, I am talking about the people right here in our own country. I don't mean to be negative either, but when I hear stories of people suing because they dropped their own coffee cup on themselves or because they tripped on the sidewalk and are suing whoever owns the sidewalk, I just shake my head and think...dumb, dumb, dumb...I mean why is it, that we let people get away with stuff like that?! If I was on a jury where someone was suing over something so trivial, I would want to say, "You mean to tell me, YOU want money, because YOU tripped, and spilled YOUR coffee, on YOUR lap?! Yet, YOU are wasting MY time to sit here and listen to this! I trip every day of my life, and that is MY own fault but you want ME to give YOU money for it?!?! YOU are dumb and crazy!" haha! Yet, in a positive light, I guess in a way I am grateful that there are those "dumb" people out there, because without them, some of us wouldn't have professions...judges, lawyers, stenographers, writers and the list goes on and on....

So with warning labels in mind, I want to make sure I add a warning to those viewing my blog:

Any pictures that I have previously posted on my blog or that I will post in the future may contain images that may be considered disturbing to some viewers. In some instances pictures may cause:

night terrors,

sleep deprivation and grogginess,
sudden convulsions or nausea,

foaming of the mouth,

loss of or increase in appetite,

aggression or feeling agitated,

identity confusion,

Feeling depressed or incompetent,

bulging of the eyes,

and/or sporatic screaming.

(Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. If these symptoms or any other symptoms occur please seek immediate medical attention. This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. If sudden panic attack occurs, please cover both hands over face like this. Thank you.) You have now been warned, so you can't sue me! haha! jk!

***And one last warning, mostly to myself...

Thanks for the warning.