Day 25

What's in Your Purse?

I just have a diaper bag these days, and it's got tons of stuff! Diapers, wipes, nursing cover and wallet are things that are constants. Other than that, there are some pens, toys and snacks usually. Also usually my cell phone and camera. I used to try and have gum or lip stuff in there, but Brenna found out about both of those, so I no longer bother with them. Also, usually a water bottle or two. Maybe one day in the distant future I can go back to having just a small purse! I bet that will feel nice, not leaving the house with nearly everything but the kitchen sink! I like to be prepared though, and I get really stressed if I don't feel like I have everything I might need when I'm out. That doesn't stop the forgetfulness though, and I still find myself digging for things that are forgotten at home quite often!

Oh, and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Day 24

A Photo of Something That Means a Lot to Me

I have always been a member of the LDS church, and it really does mean a lot in my life. It has made me who I am, and I am grateful to have the church in my life! I know that I can always do better at emulating the teachings of the church, and in doing the little things in my daily life, but the good news is that I can always continue to try harder to be better!

On a sort of related side note, Jeremy has decided that his new personal motto, and possibly our family motto (he wants me to create an art piece of some sort for the wall, so I'm excited to try that project) is "More Faith, Less Fear". I like it, and so that is what we will try and do in our family!

Day 23

15 Facts About Me

Ooo I should have looked ahead so I could be thinking of things!!

1. I LOVE the color Yellow

2. I lived on our family farm for the first year or two of my life

3. I have over 100 first cousins (including aunts and uncles). Having a Smith, Peterson, Fairbanks and Paxman in your name in southern Alberta will do that do a person!

4. I would rather be cold than hot

5. I don't like cheese or chocolate, except for very specific exceptions

6. I love roller coasters and thrill rides

7. I sang in my highschool choir for all three years

8. I love eating out

9. I love being a mom, and hope I can do a good job

10. I am not a very neat person, and am constantly trying to change that about myself!

11. I had to take my drivers test 4 times before I passed

12. I always wanted to be 5'11" tall

13. I am proud of where my life has taken me and where I'm at generally

14. I am always trying to be better and stay happier

15. I am frustrated with how insecure I feel a lot of the time, but I am occasionally impressed by the headway I make in being more confident. I hate how much of the insecurity I feel is based on physical things as well.

That is boring and a little heavy towards the end I guess, but I'm sort of in a hurry, so it'll have to do!

Day 22

This is supposed to be a letter to someone who has hurt me recently, but since I can't think of someone to write it about, and even if I could I probably wouldn't write it anyway, I am instead going to show you what we did while my parents were here! We had a lot of fun and I especially enjoyed seeing my parents every day (like it should be)! We also had some time with Jeremy's family with a family wedding and a day at the fair, and it was a good time all around! I have so many pictures to share! I will have to put a lot of them on facebook, but there will still be a lot here too!

I made this letter M after lots of staring and help and input from my mom. I swear I can't do crafts without moral support! haha I think it turned out nice though!

My parents took us to the fair, and we had fun. Brenna LOVED the pony ride that Grandma and Grandpa put her on. I was sure she would freak out once she figured out she had to sit, but she didn't. Then I thought once it started moving for sure, but she had so much fun! As a matter of fact, it might have been the only time that day at the fair that she smiled! haha
I got to touch Steve Nash, so you can't beat that! We look good, don't you think? He's the same height as Jeremy too, so it just felt natural ;) haha
This is a good example of Brenna's lack of smiles this day. She loves dinosaurs, but she was tired and not in a good mood most of the time at the fair. She eventually fell asleep right in grandpa's arms, so we cut our day short and headed home.
I tried to dress Mason cowboy-ish for the fair... I guess that's not really a thing here. For the Calgary Stampede everybody gets all cowboyed up! Just for fun when we went back yesterday I dressed to the nines in my cowboy outfit and everyone thought I was weird. Hey, you gotta get what use you can out of a sweet cowboy hat!
Jeremy's cousin got married an we went to the wedding! Then we went out for lunch with Jared and Sylvia at the Rainforest Cafe. Fun experience, but not a huge desire to go back.

This is round two at the fair. Above, Brenna loved the big slide, and below, Jeremy won Mason and Brenna stuffed animals, here's Mason and his monkey!

One night while my parents were here Brenna kept getting out of bed, opening her door, and the sleeping right here. She did it two or three times! Crazy girl. Never cried or anything!

My mom also helped (ok, she mostly did it!) cut out a quilt! I really needed her to show me how, and so I guess now I'm on my own with it! I have never quilted before, so I am excited, and nervous! We also made some kleenex ghosts with Brenna and hung them in the house.

I loved having my parents visit. It is so nice to see them, but always a tough when we have to part ways again. I hope that I can sneak up there to see them sometime this winter. Flights are way too expensive these days, especially now that Brenna costs the same as me, but hopefully we can figure something out! The weather was pretty nice here though, so I can't complain about that this time of year. I'm excited for it to cool down just a bit more so that I can lounge in hoodies and pants... for me, nothing can beat that!

Day 21

A Photo of Something That Makes me Happy

I have just had a very wonderful week with my mom and dad visiting. I was initially planning to write this about that week and how much my parents and family make me happy. But then I saw my husband sitting there on the couch and smiled. We just had a very nice day at the fair, and I enjoyed going on some scary rides with him, and watching him win some stuffed animals for the kids. I love him very much, and he makes me very happy. He makes me laugh, and he works hard to give us the life we want to have one day. He is very handsome, and he can be very sweet when he wants to be. :) Love you babe!

**And I have to throw in these two goof balls, who also make me very happy.... a little crazy, but at least I'll be a happy crazy person!**

**One more note, my parents and siblings also make me very happy, and I am so grateful for the fun week we had. I can't wait to see family again, and you make me very happy too! Thank you for everything! Love you!**

Day 20

The Meaning of My Blog Name

My blog is named "Kiss the Cook's" because ... when we got married, someone gave us a hot pad that said "Kiss the Cook's", and I thought that they had got it custom made for us and that it was so thoughtful and funny, and I proudly displayed it as a decoration in our kitchen for over a year. Then when we moved into our home, we drove by a restaurant one day called Kiss the Cook, and I was baffled! Jeremy explained to me that it's actually sort of a common saying or phrase or whatever, and it just so happens to make funny sense with the last name Cook... Who knew! Anyway, so I guess that's why my blog is called that... it makes me smile!

Day 19

A Photo of Your Family

Wow, this is the latest picture I have of us as a family! Mason is less than 3 months in the picture, and he is now almost 9 months old. That is sad! Well, at least now we know what we need to get done soon! Any tips on convincing Jeremy that family photos is worth the expense? I think we need some and I know just the girl! Anyway, instead, I will just post some pictures from the last couple of weeks! We've been busy with Grandma and Grandpa here, and having some fun! Here are some highlights!

Day 18

Most Embarrassing Moment

Wow, tough question. There are SOOOO many to choose from. I am trying to recall details of a more recent one, but I will have to ask someone who was ther

e to refresh my memory. I'll have to stick with an older one for now.

I was probably like 15 or maybe even younger. I was a bit of an awkward kid...

I know, it's hard to believe with how smooth and accomplished I've turned out, but you'll have to trust me (Ok, in the picture I'm probably 13, but you get the idea). Anyway, I was in Costco in the states with my family and another family, and I was sort of trying to make a good impression on a boy in the other family. We were all eating hot dogs in the food court area, and the kids were sort of off away from the adults. Anyway, long story short, we were all finally talking and joking and that was exciting for me, but then I jumped up to sit on what I was leaning against, only it turned out it was a trash can. A huge Costco trash can. It fell over, and so did I. It was a long time ago, but it was embarrassing, and I'm glad it was a long time ago. And I'm glad I'm not an awkward teenager anymore! I'd much rather be an awkward adult!

Day 17

Something You Crave A Lot

I am doing this one before 18 because I want to upload some pictures from the other day for the actual day 17, but I don't have time right now! So, lately, actually not so much anymore, but for the past like 3 weeks I have been really craving salad! It has been awesome! How about having a craving something guilt-free!! I was going through lettuce at a mad pace for a few weeks, and I loved it. NOW unfortunately I'm slipping back into craving loads of junk, so I hope the salad fairy comes here again! I liked that. It's better than the chips and sugar fairies that frequent my thoughts at other times! At least I only very rarely hear from the chocolate fairy... she doesn't bother me unless I'm pregnant.

Day 16

Your Celebrity Crush

I have been avoiding this one because I don't know. I mostly just like actors who seem like good people, not necessarily based on looks. Also if they make good movies that I can watch. I'll just do a quick list of the ones that come to mind. Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Nicolas Cage, John Travolta, Ryan Reynolds, Matthew McConaughey, Josh Duhamel, Shia Labeouf... I don' t know, I like a lot of actors, but I don't want to kiss any of them! haha

My parents are visiting, and I couldn't be happier! We have some fun things planned the next few days, and I am having so much fun watching Brenna play with her grandparents and Mason give them big gummy smiles (still no teeth!!). Tomorrow we are going to the state fair, and Saturday we might go swimming or playing in water fountains or something fun like that! Love my family! Miss my siblings.... love you guys! See you soon Devin!

Oh yah, and Happy Half-Birthday to ME! haha

Day 15

Something You Don't Leave Your House Without

This one is easy. My diaper bag! Or, as Jeremy calls it, The Black Hole. It's true, it can be hard to find things in there. I almost never leave the house without the diaper bag. It will be nice when the day comes where I don't have a whole butt load of things to cart around with me, but for now, I love my diaper bag. I got a new one when I had Mason (Thanks Steve and Shannon!) and I love it. It's big enough to hold everything I need, sturdy, and good looking. I try to keep it somewhat organized, but when I'm in a rush and a bunch of stuff gets stuffed in there last minute, it does take me a while to get it back to a decent state!

Day 14

A TV Show I'm Currently Addicted To

Well, I think that I watch a little too much TV because I enjoy quite a few shows that I like to watch every week. Right now The one I especially like is probably Castle. This was a new show last season and we watched it, and I'm so glad it's back! Jeremy and I watch it ever week and we both really like it. I am getting a little tiny bit antsy for the detective and Castle to hook up, but hopefully soon they'll both ditch their current "significant others" and face the facts! Here are some other shows we watch at our house (don't judge me!)

The Event (brand new)

Glee (sort of)

The Apprentice

The Office

Criminal Minds (sort of)

Desperate Housewives

And when they are on

The Bachelor (or any derivative)

Day 13

My Favorite Musician and Why

I really like Carrie Underwood, and also Taylor Swift. They are impressive young ladies. Carrie Underwood because she's gorgeous, and her voice is amazing and I'd sort of like to be her, and Taylor Swift because she writes songs like nothing and is very grounded and down to earth, especially considering how quickly she became famous! Both very talented, and I like almost all of their songs!

So yesterday I heard some tiny kitten meows in our backyard, so I took Brenna out there to find them. I found them way on the side of our house behind a jungle of bushes that I usually would never have trudged through for fear of scorpions landing on my head, but those kittens sounded so cute! So we played with them for a few minutes, then we put them back so their mommy could feed them. A little while later Brenna wanted to go outside, and I was hesitant, but since she wasn't wearing shoes, and the kittens were sooo far back there in the jungle anyway, I figured even if she wanted to go get them she wouldn't be able to. I was wrong. Less than a minute after I let her outside she comes up to the door triumphantly holding the two kittens. Crazy girl! I had to constantly be stopping her from going outside the whole rest of the day, and now I'm just hoping the kittens don't start meowing so that she is reminded! They are so cute though, and I wish I had taken a picture of Brenna back there bringing the two kittens out. It was cute to see how gentle she was being with them, and she really wants to keep them for pets. Too bad kittens turn into cats!

Day 12

A Photograph of the Town You Live In

This is near the new Cardinal's stadium, which is down the street 2 miles from our house. I think this is my favorite part of Glendale. It has the hockey stadium, football stadium, lots of restaurants, a movie theatre, and what we use most is just the water fountains (not the ones in the picture) that Brenna can play in on warm Arizona nights! One of my favorite evening activities is going to the water fountains, getting some Coldstone, which is right beside the fountains, and then sitting out in the warm evening air watching Brenna have fun in the water! Soon Mason will join the fun I guess! That will be fun too! Actually the weather has just turned perfect for an evening like this, and we might just do that with my parents this weekend while they are visiting!

Day 11

What's in My Makeup Bag

Well, my makeup bag is small, and full almost completely of things I have never used. I have not ever really caught on to makeup. The things I have are mostly a result of my mother's efforts to remedy that situation, but alas, to no avail. Occasionally I bust open the bag and try really hard to use a bunch of stuff, but I always end up washing it all up and just using mascara since I don't know what I'm doing. Eye liner is something that I think looks really nice on people for a special occasion, but I CANNOT get it right! So, long story short, in my life, getting "done up" means putting on mascara and a nice shirt with jeans and spending more than 5 minutes on my hair (sometimes). Luckily, that's the way Jeremy likes it. Usually I'm fine with that too, but there are times when I wish I knew how to really get done up and look special! I seem to always be the "makeover" friend though, which I always think is fun, so I don't mind!

Day 10

A Photo of Your Favorite Place to Eat

This is my new favorite place to eat. I've only been there two times, but man is it delicious! They have soup in these bread bowls that's to die for, and their pizzas are really good too. Perhaps what they're most known for though (besides maybe alcohol, I wouldn't know) are their Pizookies. Mmmmmmm... I think I am going to take my parents here when they come to visit this week so they can taste the amazing food! Maybe we can do it to celebrate my mom's birthday (even though it's not for almost another month) and get a free pizookie too! My mouth is watering!

Day 9

A Photo of the Last Thing I Purchased

Well, this one is easy! Yesterday my sister-in-law Sylvia and I went to McDonalds in the afternoon so the kids could play, and I bought a large pop while we were there! Very fascinating. And incase you were wondering, it was diet Dr. Pepper inside! Mmmmmm so refreshing.

Day 8

Song that Describes My Mood

I don't really have a great one, but out of frustration I will pick "Leave Me Alone" by the Veronicas. Don't worry, it's not you.

On this topic though, wouldn't it be awesome if your life was a musical! I totally wish mine was! How fun would that be? REALLY FUN!

Day 7

Your Dream Wedding

I couldn't really think of anything good to write about this, because I already had my wedding, and it was pretty good! There are maybe a few things I'd change if I could go back, but, since I can't, that seems sort of pointless anyway! So I am changing todays as well.

Day 6

Things I'd Like to Improve On

I have been thinking about this a lot lately. I don't know exactly what's brought it about, but I am glad for it! I've been trying harder to be better, and that's never a bad thing! So, I'll just make a quick list.

Better housekeeper

Teach Brenna more

Read scriptures more regularly

Have better self-image

Have kinder words and thoughts

Make meal plans (this is so hit or miss with me! One week on, one off...)

Stay in budget always

Complain less

Have more self control!

Ok, that is a good list to start with. I think that I have slipped into easy rather than progression lately, and I need to get on top of things and move toward the person I want to be! So that's my goal, I will start right now and clean the living room and kitchen up so that tomorrow I can start on top! **This would be so much easier if I wasn't fighting the urge to curl up and continue reading the Mockingjay book that I finally got my hands on!!**

Brenna singing+Mason crawling

Ok, I know this might be a little much with this daily blogging thing, but I had to share this video of the kids. Mostly the Brenna singing part. Honestly, this doesn't even do it justice. Just before I got the camera out she was holding her fists in front of her like a mic and belting into them. I was laughing pretty hard! Crazy children! Gotta love times like this!

**I know it's long, I couldn't decide what to cut!**

Day 6

A Photo of an Animal I'd Love to Keep as a Pet...

I will give you hints.

- It has 4 legs

- It has lots of hair

- It doesn't meow or bark or growl or hiss

- It is too large to keep inside

- It eats oats and grass

- It can be ridden

- It's...... hopefully you've guessed by now..........

A HORSE!!!

I hope one day I do have a horse. I mean, is there anything more beautiful? I have always loved horses, and as a child I would take any chance to ride them or just stand by the fence feeding them grass from where they couldn't reach. I totally wish I was a cowgirl. It has been almost exactly 4 years since I last rode a horse, and that is way too long. Jeremy has only ridden one once in his life though, when he was a kid, so I don't think he's as excited to get back in the saddle as I am. I REALLY want to have a horse of my own one day, in my fairy tale future when we live on a little property where I can keep it and ride it around a bit.

My dad is going to laugh that I think I'm a cowgirl at all, but I was born on a farm and so it's pretty much ingrained in my nature. Everytime I see a movie or something where someone is riding a horse and just running, or a western where everyone rode them around, I am a little jealous!

So that's my perfect pet! I would love to go riding sometime soon again too, incase anybody has a horse they've been keeping from me!

Day 5

How Important You Think Education Is...

Ok, I didn't really read through this list very well before committing to it, and really, who wants to hear about this... It's important, really important. The End.

So instead I will do a little update on my family. I'll start with the youngest. Mason is a little motor man already, and I'm not ready! He is standing up on anything that will hold him, or even things that won't. He is falling a lot and stressing me out big time! My baby is growing up too fast, and he is going to get hurt! He is so handsome and cute though and I love him so much! He is a very important part of our family. He is even sleeping a bit better than before, which is VERY nice!

Mason now

Brenna then.

So handsome!

Brenna.... Brenna, Brenna, Brenna... haha she is cute as ever, and lively as ever! She loves her brother, but she wants to play too rough with him most of the time. She is always busy and loves "helping" mommy in the kitchen, or doing laundry. We are learning out letters, and she's pretty good at them now. She can also count to 10 pretty consistently. Potty training... I'm giving up. It's been so long now, and I can't do it anymore. This evening I realized, after her 5th accident of the day, that I can't do it anymore. I'm such a grumpy mom after a day like that and she is frustrated too. I honestly don't know what else to do about it, so I think we've decided to use pull-ups now, and still try, but I will be less upset about accidents because they won't be on my carpet!

Here is the good picture of us walking to the park

More the usual state of things! haha actually they did awesome the whole way there. I was impressed.

Jeremy is working hard and also doing some stake athletics and his calling as scout master. He is staying really busy and I am grateful that work and church are the reasons. Sometimes it's hard on me having him so busy, but weekends are great, and I try and get away once a week to do grocery shopping by myself!

Day 4

Your Favorite Photograph of Your Best Friend

Alright, this was a hard one because I don't want to leave anyone out! Here are the pictures I could find, but I am so grateful for all of my friends, near and far. Here are a couple of pictures, and then a list so as not to forget any!

These are my cousins, Kaleigh and Kristen. Growing up was a lot more fun because of these girls. I love you both and think about you lots! Can't wait for the next Smith reunion so we can hang out like old times! (Thanks for doing my hair this night Kristen... maybe for old times sake you can give me another makeover! haha)

My husband! Ok, we were only dating here, but I love him and he is my bestest best friend ever!

"The girls"! Ok, I am missing Fallon in this picture, and LeeAnna too. These girls are amazing. I am sad we are all spread out so far now, but grateful for blogs and things to stay up to date! I have so many amazing memories and ... Love you all!

Ok, I couldn't find the perfect picture, but my siblings, and my parents. Particularily my mom and sisters, but Devin and Dad count too. I am so blessed to have a family who I can count as my closest friends. I hope that I am always able to have a best friend relationship with my sisters while they are dating and schooling and stuff even though I'm so far away! Love you all! (mom, my gift to you is not putting a picture up, because I think it will mean the most to you. haha even though I think you're beautiful all the time! Love you!)

These are my Arizona friends. I want to say a quick thank you to you girls who make this place feel a bit more friendly and like home to me. I am so grateful that I moved into your ward and that you have been so welcoming. I really do love you all and hope you know how much your friendship means to me. Even you who moved away, but I'm still a little mad at your ditching me! ;) Oh yah, and there's some that aren't in the picture, I love you too!

I also have to count my sister-in-law Sylvia who is a lifesaver too. I have been blessed with good friends, and I hope I can be a good friend too! THANK YOU FOR BEING A GOOD FRIEND TO ME! Love you all!

** Sorry for the amount of "I love you"'s and mushy-ness of this post, I just really do appreciate my friends!**

Day 3

Perfect First Date:

I don't know what my idea of a perfect first date is... there are so many options. Something fun, with a group, and where you get to do some getting to know you rather than just sitting, watching a movie or something.

Jeremy and I actually had a pretty awesome first date as far as first dates go. We went (with all of his roommates and their dates) to the ice caves near Rexburg to hike. We hiked up to the caves, then we went in as far as we dared. Since Jeremy and I had never met before, this was a fun way to get to know someone. Jeremy later told me how impressed he had been that I was willing to go into the cave so deep since it was pretty claustrophobic. We had to slide through a few places on our tummies just to fit through, and I'm not going to lie, I was a little scared, but I couldn't wimp out!

We had a lot of fun, and on the way down is when he held my hand for the first time! I know, he's such a fast mover! We had gotten separated and he was somehow at the very front of the pack and I was stuck at the back, so he came back and grabbed my hand, and we ran down the rest of the hike hand in hand, way in front of everybody else. Then when we got to the bottom, we waited, somewhat awkwardly (remember, we didn't know anything about eachother!). After that we all drove back to Rexburg and had dinner at a mexican place (bleck! but once again, who is going to impolite on a first date, not me!). Jeremy found out about some of my weird eating habits and he and his roommate an my roommate (they were on the date together too) heckled me about that for a bit, then we went home! It was a lot of fun, and I think it's a great idea for a first date!

Day 2

Favorite Movie

It's hard to choose between How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, and Shanghai Noon. Both movies are hilarious and I have watched them each many times. There are many others that I love as well, but these two are always on the favorites list! My favorite part of How to Lose a Guy is when she visits his apartment during poker night and pulls out all of the stops. I am always laughing out loud at that part. Especially when she throws the veggie tray while saying "You think I'm some sort of CRAZY PERSON!" bahaha

Shanghai Noon has my uncle in it, which is why I saw it in the first place. He is a stunt man and at the beginning during the train fight, he is the guy that flies off the train into a mud pond. Also a few other stunts, but I can never find him in the others. Anyway, we went to see that movie because of him, and I thought it would be lame, but I loved it! So funny! Owen Wilson and Jackie Chan are a match made in heaven!

Day 1

My favorite song.

I don't have radio in my car, so I don't know a lot of the new popular songs these days. One of the newer songs I really like is Michael Buble's song Haven't Met You Yet. Unfortunately that song is apparently pretty overplayed, so most people who have radios in the car are tired of it. I have so many favorite songs it's impossible to pick one. I'd need one for every different type of music. One song that always brings back good memories though is "Ballroom Blitz".

My dad LOVES oldies, and as a result, all of us kids now has an appreciation for the music of his generation. I remember one time in particular that I had a friend in the car from school and my dad had one of his CD's in. I was at first a little embarassed by his loud singing and dancing, (I was probably like 13 years old) and then this song came on. I almost forgot my friend was in the backseat because my dad and I got so into singing and dancing. Especially the first part.

dad: You ready Steve?

me: uh huh

dad: Andy?

me: Yah

dad: Mic

me: Ok

together: Alright fellas, lets GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Then wild drumming and craziness ensues.

Anyway, when the song was over and I looked back my friend was staring in bewilderment. After my dad got out of the car though she admitted that it was fun to watch and that my dad and I must be close and she liked that. Everytime I hear that song that scenario plays through my head though and I smile! I do have a goofy dad who I love and am glad for our relationship too!

So there, bet ya didn't think I could make that into some long post with a weird story!

30 Days of Blogging

Alright, well I've had some spare time in the evenings lately since Jeremy is working late a lot and also has many after work responsibilities ... ANYWAY, my cousin Kristen is doing this 30 day blog challenge, and I thought I'd do it too, just for fun! So, I will do the first one tonight and hopefully ever day (or as close as possible) for 30 days I'll write another blog about the topic for that day. It will probably be boring for most, but oh well, this is the best list I could find, so I will give it a try! Join in, I promise to read yours if you read mine!