Been a LOOOONG while!

Wow, where to even begin. {I must warn you, TONS of pictures! I have you get you caught up right!?} Yes, we are still alive and thriving! Just been WAY too busy for our own good. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years.. all were great! Here is a re-cap of what has been going on:

Thanksgiving was awesome! We spent the "feast" with my parents this year. {We rotate every year to make it fair.} Christmas.. wow, what a blast!! Maddy got her Barbie House and Barbies that she wanted for Christmas. When you would ask her what she wanted she would say "Ummmmm I want a Barbie House..... ummmm some Barbies, mmm some ponies, annnnnnd a pony house. And that's it!" As you can imagine she had that look of deep thinking, it was adorable!




A group of my Highschool friends have decided to do a get-together once a month. We just recently decided on the name... Sophisticated Mama's! How might we have come up with the name you might ask? Have you ever seen The Wedding Singer? There is a part when Jimmie Moore is performing "Ladies Night" in it it goes "Romantic Lady , single baby, Mm sophisticated mama, Come on you disco lady yeah." Lindsay was actually the one to come up with it.. it was so funny when she "re-inacted it" We thought, even though we definitely aren't single, all of us happily married... we are definitely Sophisticated Mama's! I have pictures from November & December's Ladies Nights. {December was Ugly Sweater Night}

{Warning, some of these pictures were taken late at night..}




New Year came and 2010 got off to a pretty good start for us! Spent lots of time getting our house back into order. We took a "break" during the Holiday's in having it up on the market. Needless to say it helped! we have already had more people look in the past few weeks than we have had in Months! We have had an offer on it, and I am sad to say that we had to decline it. I hate it!! I wish someone would just come upright and buy it. The people wanted us to do a lease option to buy. It really sounded like a good plan, and we were about ready to accept it, but then realized the $4,000 grant to build a new house, was no longer available. We were counting on that so that it could help with a down payment. We realized there was no way we could come up with $7K in 3 months while the house was being built. If the grant would have been available, we could have easily saved up the $3,000. After lots of prayers, and days making myself sick about it.. we both know it was a good decision. Right now we are focusing on getting more a down payment saved up so we can be ready for the next offer! I figure now, I figure we are just going to make the house the way we want it. I wasn't wanting to put TOO much work into it if we were just going to sell it, but it looks like we will be here for a while longer-so this is some of the things we have done!





Maddy has been in preschool and loving every minute of it. We just got her "mid-year" report card, check-plus on everything! {which is the highest you can get.} She is only 3 1/2 but going on 17. She is complete girl through and through. Her personality is surely showing through: Drama, Princess, goofiness, you name it! She has grown up so fast, and I can't believe she will be 4 in June!! Where did all this time go?? Here are some pics of her throughout last year:




Sam, still working for Utah County Health Department {Hence the reason for wanting to move!!} He is doing well! We both have started weight watchers first part of January. He has lost 9 lbs so far! I'm proud of you Honey!

Me, well I am alive and here! I am still working for Intermountain Healthcare's Recruitment part of HR. I have decided that I need to make time this year to keep up my blog up. They say it is a form of journaling. Since I suck at keeping a personal journal this will have to do! I started weight watchers with Sam, and have done pretty well. I weighed in this morning and I lost another 1.6 lbs. Making that a total of 11. something lbs! Slowly but surely it is coming off.. hooray!
We actually got back from Las Vegas this past Monday. Can I just say I honestly do NOT remember it being that dirty of a city. I mean dirty as in people basically handing you pornography as you are walking down the street! We walked {about 12 miles mind you!} down the strip, and they have these people that slap cards and then try to hand them to you. Well if take a look at what they are trying to hand you, {I highly suggest you DON'T!!} It is of women. This guy tried to slip on to Sam as we were walking past, and Sam was like "DUDE, I am with my family, NO!" The air is just gross from all the smoke. Here I am trying to be a good mom and shield my child from all this crap! Mind you there are some fun things to do there. The Mandalay Bay has a Shark Aquarium.. absolutely SOO COOL! My pictures didn't turn out so well because you walk through a few tunnels that are surrounded by water. I highly recommend it! The Mirage has a really cool Seigfried & Roy's Secret Garden. A Tiger & Dolphin Refuge. That was awesome! Maddy LOVES Dolphins as it is, so she really enjoyed it. Another thing Maddy enjoyed was Circus Circus's Trapeze Artists! We actually stayed at Circus Circus and let me tell you.. DO NOT stay in the Skyrise Towers. Umm let's just say we got in about Midnight, got our keys, the room was NOT cleaned. Beds weren't made, beer bottles, porn, and drug paraphernalia on the night stand. It was utterly disgusting! Obviously we complained and got upgraded to an amazing Room! They had recently remodeled their West Tower, and that is where they sent us free of charge. Knowing what I know about the other room.. I am SO glad it wasn't cleaned!! I don't think I will stay there again!! Anyway, here are some pictures from our trip!



Whew! I think that is all.. more to come as more events unravel!

Happy Halloween!

What a day.. we sure had fun... well until Bedtime when Maddy was sick and puking all night! Other than that it was a delight. Madilyn last minute decided she didn't want to be a Bee.. she wanted to be Belle. So we proceeded to whip a Belle costume together in about 20 minutes. It was too hard, since she got a Belle costume earlier this year in Disneyland. We did her hair.. and wala!! There was Belle!
Maddy and her friend Savannah made beautiful princesses! They went out despite the cold and had a great time. Grandpa was the greatest to take Maddy out with Me. I think he had just as much fun. I must say she came home with a TON of candy. More than I would like in my house! It is hard to believe that October is now officially over, and it is NOVEMBER!! Now it is time to think of Thanksgiving.. Black Friday Shopping {Which by the way I am COMPLETELY Excited about!!!!} Oh and how could I forget...... New Moon!! Yea, I am one of the crazies that will be heading out Friday November 20th to see it! However I am completely excited to go. My friend Candis is doing a Werewolf Breakfast {for Dinner hehe} and fun New Moon festivities. Then come 2:00am... we will be watching the movie! Can I just say.. I have high hopes it will be better than Twilight.. or so I hope! Either way it will be fun to try and pull and all nighter again... well at least try to. haha. Then comes good old Christmas.. can you believe it is only 54 days away!? Man, time flies, it seems like we just did this! Eh oh well, I love this time of year! Well I hope everyone had a great Halloween, enjoy the pics!

Big Slacker!

Alright, I know, I am the BIGGEST slacker when it comes to blogging. Lots of things have happened since my latest post. I know what you are thinking... pumpkins, fall, isn't that a little TOO soon!? Well, I have to say, that Fall is one of my most FAVORITE times of the year. I absolutely LOVE IT! THe colors, the smells, the warm sweaters, leaves changing, *sigh* it is perfect! So i thought I would get started early. ( I even have my house partially decorated! ha!) Where to begin. WEll, first off, Sam had surgery on his leg Friday July 31st, to remove a vericose (sp?) vein. All was well, he was taking great advantage of being laid up! lol Then Monday rolls around for his checkup appointment, and they found a blood clot. Well needless to say that was a kicker. Maybe I should rewind a day or two. Saturday (the day after his surgery) I got in the car ready to go over to my parents house, and wa'la... the "check engine" light comes on in the Jeeo. Now as you all know, that jeep has been more trouble than I would like to admit. HOWEVER, it was doing well for the time being, until that moment. I just wanted to cry!.. and I did. Then Monday taking the Jeep in to be looked at, my mom taking me back home so I could get Sam to his follow-up apointment to find out the blood clot. The Dr put him on blood thinners (coumadin) and Lovenox shots to help thin the blood. Can i just say.. OUCH! Sam's stomach after that first week looked like a battlefield. I felt so bad for him! He was a trooper I must say, he ended up giving himself the shots not only once, but twice a day! So on the way home from the Dr's already stressed about the blood clot, and Jeep. We get a phone call of some people wanting to look at the Jeep. We were completely honest in saying it was in the shop, but we were getting it fixed. Once we found out it was just a sensor, we called them back and they drove all the way from Cedar City to look at it! After a drive.. they loved it! Took it home that night. I was COMPLETELY shocked and excited. Grateful for the timing because that left us with one car, Sam on bedrest/home from work for the next week. That next Friday we were on crunch time finding a vehicle. The Doc had given Sam the "okay" to walk around and do normal things, just not to "over do it." Sam went out looking for a vehicle. I had attempted several times during the week with my dad to look at some vehicles, with no luck. I must say, I am VERY proud of Sam, he found our new car for us! A 2006 Black Saturn VUE. LOVED it! I really wanted a 3rd row, but decided that where we are at in our lives now, one child.. why did we need it. I was just trying to plan for the future, but we love it!
Secondly Maddy Started pre-school!! I had called about a month back, and they said they were full. I was really bummed! Madilyn is extrememly smart for her age. (No I am not just saying that because I am her mom, she really really is!) I am amazed at the things she says and does at 3!! I really felt like she needed to be challenged. Well over Labor Day weekend, we were headed down for my cousin Sheri Ann's wedding, and I got a phone call from Jolene. They had an opening. I was so excited! Of course, so was Maddy. She get's to go to school like the other kids at her Daycare. Her first day was the best! I took a break from busy work, and dropped her off. She had the BIGGEST grin on her face when I said goodbye. It made me cry! I can't believe she is already old enough to be in preschool. Then in a short 2 years, she will be in school. It makes me incredibly sad!! She has had so much fun, and thanks to my mom for dropping her off and picking her back up again. (Thanks Mom you are the best!) I need to find a more permanet fix, but for now, it works. :]
Lastly.. well that is about it! We are just keeping busy between work, dance, church callings etc. Yes, we still have our house on the market.... gr! haha We now have lowered it to $165K. So if you know of anyone looking for a house, send them our way! I have been busy with painting the upstairs, and we finished the basement a few months back. (Pictures to come) Now all we have to do is wait, and put our trust in the Lord that he knows best. In the meantime Maddy keeps on saying "Mommy, I really really want a new house in Lehi by James and Chomper." and I keep on torchering myself by looking at all the cute homes for sale! Our new kick.. is building a new home with Salisbury homes. It would be awesome! *sigh* well all in due time. Right now, we are trying to enjoy life to the fullest. Being happy and content where we are. Our goal.. to be in a house by Christmas.. that would be the best gift! Sorry for this being so long and boring.. hopefully some new exciting things will happen in the next little bit!!

Jeep

Hey so, I am doing my own add on here.. hope ya don't mind! (Spread the word) We are selling our 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo [want to upgrade and get a 7 seater :)] Here are the details:
Blue 1999 Grand Cherokee Laredo. This is a great SUV. We need a 7 seater though. The AWD/4WD makes this great in the snow and off road. Even though it's a V-8, it gets 20 mpg on the highway.
Dark Blue Exterior, Charcoal Interior, 5 Passenger Seating, Luggage Rack, Dual Front Air Bags, Rear Defroster, Privacy Glass, Power Windows/Locks, Cassette Player, AM/FM Radio, CD Player, Air Conditioning, Tilt Steering Wheel, Cruise Control, Interior Wood Trim, Digital Compass, Trip Odometer, and Tow Package. Newer radiator and brakes (within one year). New battery. BRAND NEW ALL TERAIN TIRES!
I have changed the oil every 3,000 miles and have done all the "little things" that others may have neglected. It runs & drives great!
Call us if you know anyone that is interested or email! Sam is probably the best to call about it, he knows more about car stuff! 801.897.5690 or email samuel_marsden@hotmail.com maili_marsden@hotmail.com (801.897.5689)

Random Pics of Maddy

You have to love the randomness of my child.. she says and does the funniest things. I absolutely love this age!


She Fell asleep standing up by the couch! lol



I love her piggies!



Cheesy Grin... :] Nice Boots of Mom's!



Just cute..



This one I was trying to catch her with her leotard
over her head.. she came running in with it on, and
OF COURSE the camera wasn't right on hand.. oh
well got the cute grin!

Madilyn's First Dance Recital!

Madilyn's first Dance recital was yesterday.. she was SO stinking cute!! My cousin Marcee is her dance teacher, and just absolutely loves her. [Actually tonight she was taking my little dress shoe socks (the footie ones) and putting them ontop of her tights pretending to have "dance shoes like Marcee." She was taking her barbies, dolls, stuffed animals anything she could find and making them her students. lol it was SO funny. I couldnt help but laugh to myself. She did a lot better than I thought she would, even though she was a little off-beat, but what can you expect from a 3 year old! :] I love it! Her outfit was quite cute, and they danced to "Do you believe in Magic." I think all the girls (Kiara, Kayli, and Bryten) did a wonderful job!!
If I can get videos to work on here.. I will add the one we took of her. Enjoy!

A LOT of Catching up to do

Yes, yes, I know I have been quite the slacker when it comes to blogging. Life gets one TOO many steps a head of you... I think I am back on track.. hopefully!! A LOT has happened since the last time I have blogged. The biggest thing is that my little Maddy has turned 3!! Cannot believe how time flies by. We had an "Under the Sea" party with Ariel and all. She had lots of fun with her little friends and cousins. Maddy is in LOVE with her tricycle that Grandpa, Grandma Sellers and uncle Jeffy gave her! Chef Sam did a great job at cooking for the BBQ. We almost didnt get to do the party because of all this JUNE RAIN! I cannot believe that it is STILL raining... however, I am not ungrateful! I am so thankful for it! (Secretly I LOVE the rain!!!) It makes everything so green.. love it! I am thankful that we haven't had to water our lawn in seriously like 2 1/2 weeks! and it looks like we will make it 3 with this next storm coming through.. Definitely a change, but a great change!
Not only did Maddy have a birthday, but Sam and I did too! Both were great, but according to my cousin Will, after a certain number of Birthdays, you don't get any more! :] Not too much is going on, just working, and trying to keep up with life! Ella is doing great (that is our dog for all who don't know) she is LOVING being outside!! However, she digs in my flower pots and eats my plants.. not so good. But she is still a cute little puppy!