I've been trying to find time to sit down and write an actual blog post for a few days now.
It's not that I don't have things to write about; I do and in mass quantities. I have a lot to be thankful about right now and more things keep coming in to keep my spirits up and positive while I feel like the size of a house. Ha.
Instead, I give you this list of "10 Things to help make a Happier Marriage" from the book Happiness for Two: 75 Secrets for Finding More Joy Together by Amy Stoddard.

1. Write each other's New Year's resolutions. If written, prods weren't nags.
2. Begin each encounter with a smile.
3. It feels good to look good.
4. Write love notes.
5. Give the gift of eye contact.
6. Grumpiness is contagious. Being more mindful of mood could ward off secondhand blues.
7. Try not to interrupt.
8. Generous compliments lighten the heart.
9. Control your tone.
10. Celebrate more.

Try it!

Yeah, I know... not as "real" as I had hoped either

When was your first kiss?
Um, well, it was this boy named Dan at summer camp..... strangely enough, it was pretty crappy. Shortly thereafter, I started dating my now-husband and our first kiss was much more memorable.
Who's your celebrity crush?
I have a sincere girl-crush on Angelina Jolie, Natalie Portman, Kate Hudson, and Gwen Stefani. However, if we are talking about man-candy, Owen Wilson, Johnny Depp, Jonathon Rhys Meyers, and the quintissential Brad Pitt take the cake.
What's the girl fashion trend that confuses you?
Right now, it would be these scarves. I think they make people look like banditos! All they need is a donkey and some cocaine.
What's the girlie movie you secretly love?
50 First Dates is my all-time guilty pleasure. I have probably seen it over a thousand times (not an exaggeration... just ask Shark Fin) and can quote the entire thing. MY FAVE FOR REALZZZZ.
What's your TV guilty pleasure?
My love for Gossip Girl is well known already, but I also heart watching both The Biggest Loser and SuperNanny. Oh and Two and a Half Men on My TV Z!
Who would play you in the movie version of your life?
Natalie Portman. She's got my nose! (And unlike my twin, Winona Ryder, she does not have a theft problem!)
What's your dream job?
Pediatric or oncology nurse. Really awesome and creative stay-at-home-mom/wife. Radio City Rockette (I would need rhythm for that).
If you could trade places with anyone in the world for one day, who would it be?
Hrm. Alessandra Ambrosio for sure.
Who in your family are you closest to?
My sister-in-law...... and probably, my mom by default. <---- she's more observant than she lets on!
What's your favorite Web site?
My iGoogle page. Or this or this. Or this. OOOH! Or this! Since I am whipping my husband and my father-in-law's bootays in our league!
What's the fast food you can't live without?
Any fountain soda from any fast-food place (usually McDonald's is the most reliable) or a chocolate milkshake from Hardee's (definately don't taste like a fast-food milkshake). Everything else, I'll pass on.
What's your worst habit?
I am a scab-picker. Gah. So juvenile. But, it's true. Since childhood, I have this disgusting unneccesary love with picking my scabs off and watching the blood come out. Gah. So awful.... not to mention now I have a crap-ton of scars.
What's the last song you listened to on your iPod?
Wow that was a while ago. I believe, though, it was "Rhiannon" by Fleetwood Mac, which is ironic. :)
What's the last thing you bought?
See my fast-food confession AND a slurpee at 11:15am today.
What did you dream about last night?
I dreamt, like I have for a few nights in a row now, dreamt that I tried to breastfeed Baby R and it didn't work out and she was tiny and starting to shrink as I held her, the more I tried to force her to nurse, so I started screaming for "FORMULA!!!! NOW!" and the nurses wouldn't give it to me. So I ran through the naval hospital, buns flpping out the back of my gown, clutching Baby R, and got outside, where coveniently nextdoor was a store with a big flashing sign called "Formula R Us" and I busted through the door, screaming, "my baby needs food!"
TRAUMATIC.
How much money is in your wallet right now?
I just gave my last $3 in cash to a co-worker for a Boss' Day flower arrangement.
Fill in the blank: When I was 17, I was ____________.
Hrm. Angst-ridden and had burgundy hair-ed. :)

NieNie Link!

Real blog post for today is coming....... in the meantime, here is a link to one of my favourite NieNie blogs:

On Being Proud - Originally Posted 9/15/05

Again, things I love

This post on Segullah about big families.

I realize that I am not LDS. I realize that I was raised for most (if not all of my life) to think that LDS-ers are CRAZY!RADICALS! that wear magical underwear, believe that God is going to give them a PLANET after they die, and only have valid marriages if they are married in the temple.
WHATEVERRRRR.

No longer care about all that.

Why? Because of these two LDS wimmenses and their blogs, I have new affection for their LDS outlook on marriage, family commitment, etc.

CJane and her amazing sister, NieNie

(Read 'em one day when you have a lot of time and a big mug of apple cider. Believe me, you won't be able to stop!)

Shopping Website I Love

Shabby Apple


Now, I haven't ordered anything from them yet...... but the dresses are sooooooo loverly I may not be able to wait until after Baby R is born to order something.


We will see....

RIP Paul Newman

Seriously, the hottest "classic" actor out there.

A great obituary article is here.

Things I am thankful for......

(......at this particular moment. )

1. This blog. Why? Because I am overwhelmed every post I read from c jane. Despite everything her family has been going through since this in August, despite the fact that she has an INFANT and is caring for three out of her sister's four kids, despite all of that and the day to day workings of her own life, she is optimistic, writes beautifully about her hopes/fears/memories/struggles/etc. She has such incredible FAITH in our Heavenly Father and his plans for her, her sister's family, and how they are all intertwined. They are able to daily surprise me with their unending strength, positivity, and love that I really really hope and pray that Shark Fin and I are able to emulate even a fraction of what they do.... that our little tribe grows up with as deep of connections to eachother as c jane and her sisters have, as all their kids have.
2. It's finally FALL in Virginia. Thank goodness. It's my favourite season of the year, probably because to me, it's the time when the earth looks most like a rich oil painting. All the gorgeous deep colours, the full moons, the crisp breezes... not to mention pumpkins, apples and apple cider, corn stalks, hay rides, crunchy leaves under your feet. *sigh* BEAUTIFUL. (as a side note on the apples, I made this recipe from the September issue of Everyday with Rachael Ray magazine and yes, it was just as tasty [and EASY!] as it sounds!).
3. Our church and the relationships that continue to bloom there. I know I have struggled, complained even, often recently about living here in Virginia. So far away from the people and places I am familiar with (I would say we but Shark Fin has a way of just going with the flow that I both find annoying and am envious of), being pregnant with our first baby and missing them all terribly, feeling out of place still in the place we have lived for 2 years! Gah. It sucks, sometimes. But then, we have this amazing church - incredibly inspriring, passionate, ON FIRE - and we have so many people we know through church. They want to see us prosper, to see us thrive and do big things. They have faith in what we are capable of, even when we don't. They are always there, to pray with us and for us. I just have to make more of an effort to rely on them for the things they are so willing to provide for us - support, prayer, coversation even. I'm resolving to do that.
4. Shark Fin. I know, how cliche.... but really, I couldn't have created a better husband, soulmate, life companion, keeper of my heart if I had tried. God really did make him just for me.

I think four is good for right now. :) What are YOU thankful for?