Tina's Opinions

The Genius in concert!

2009-09-09T14:02:00.000-07:00

Come if you can! It will be awesome!

Back by popular demand. . .

2009-04-28T08:41:00.000-07:00

Belly shots. Like I told my friend yesterday, it was fun sharing belly shots until I started getting ginormous. It's not so much fun now. But I'll post a few. And I think it's funny that the people requesting them are the ones that see me on an almost daily basis! So you know that I'm now resembling Ginormica from Monsters vs Aliens.

I don't know the dates on the first two. Sometime between the last photo and today.
Okay, I look really goofy in this one.
This is me this morning at 35 weeks.
I like the flash in front of my face. It disguises my extra chins that I've recently acquired.

And here are some bonus photos. The first two are the guitar cake that The Genius and Little Man T made for the Blue and Gold banquet back in February.
Okay, this isn't the best photo of the three of them, but it's funny. Little Lady D's hair is half done and Little Man A has an awesome look on his face. Sweet!
These are from Little Man T's birthday, just a few days ago. I love the faces he's making at his uncle. When singing "Happy Birthday", Uncle Genius (he's The Genius's brother and pretty smart too) likes to sing with a lot of . . .umm. . .gusto. Little Man T didn't know what to think. It was hilarious!
Best picture ever.Yeah, I know the cake is lame. It's what he asked for and I'm really pregnant!

A conversation with Little Lady D

2009-04-22T14:38:00.000-07:00

Tina: Little Lady D, what do you want for lunch?
Little Lady D: Pizza, pepperoni pizza.
T: Do you want it hot or cold?
LLD: I want one hot and two cold.
T: There is only one piece of pizza. Do you want it hot or cold?
LLD: You can cut it into three pieces and do one hot and two cold.
T: I'm not cutting up one piece of pizza, do you want it hot or cold?
LLD: Cut it into two pieces and I want one hot and one cold.
T: Fine.
I then cut one thin slice of pizza into two even thinner pieces and give one to her cold and warm the other one up.

Seriously?

Some pictures

2009-02-15T18:42:00.000-08:00

To update you all real fast and me and the family, a few photos:

Apparently, this kid has a talent for Trash Talking his Dad. As in, "Bet you can't do this song on 'Expert', like I can." He's usually right.

The Genius tries, he really does. But the kid has a talent. And more time to practice.

She turned five. Who does she think she is?

He turned seven. Who does he think he is?

And for Sheri, here's a "Watch the Belly Grow" series:

About 18 weeks

About 23 weeks

Earlier today (about 25 weeks)

And just cuz it's so freaking cute:

Look who's famous!

2008-12-08T18:52:00.001-08:00

Little Lady D, that's who! She's a model for MollyGear, a totally cool company that makes designer scripture bags and totes. I know I'm biased, but isn't she so pretty? And seriously, the shirt is awesome too!

I have to tell you guys how awesome MollyGear is. My super cool sister in law started the company and their products are cool and hip and nothing like you'd buy at Deseret Book; very distinctive and original. Here's a picture of my bag that I got a few years ago. It's totally me (obviously, because it's green, right?)

Here's the inside:

Cool, huh? The best part is that Molly Gear just came out with a totally cool new Tote. It's perfect for carrying all your stuff to church (manual, scriptures, snack for kids, snack for you, extra tithing envelopes for all the extra tithing I'm paying. Oh wait. . .) And they are in great fabrics; incredibly cute! If I knew how to do a super cool link that said "Click here" and could make it clickable, I would do that. But I'm lame, so here's a super long link. Check it out!

http://mollygear.com/catalog/category/mollygear-tote

Don't forget to look at their "Ugly Scripture Bag" contest. There are some real sweet bags on there!

I'm a TV star!

2008-07-15T12:25:00.000-07:00

Okay, not really, but my friend Amy is! She was the guest host last week on a local TV show called Good Things Utah. I'm not a fan of the show, but it was really fun to go and see it live, because my friend was so freaking awesome! She's really a natural, they should hire her, for realsies. Here's a photo of the ladies who host the show (Amy's the second from the right) and standing behind is a group of friends that went to cheer for Amy.

And is anybody interested in being PTA president at my kids' school next year? Cuz I'm not.

Summer Vacation (aka One Day at a Time)

2008-07-03T18:39:00.000-07:00

The last day of school was in May. So we've been doing summer vacation for about a month now. I was really afraid at first, but I do have to say (and am probably jinxing myself as I say it) it's going very well! We have a set schedule of events and it keeps us really busy. Monday is park day, Tuesday is movie day, Wednesday is water day, Thursday is field trip day, and Friday is mom passes out from exhaustion day. We've managed to have some fun and avoid major sunburn for the most part. Today we went to a museum, which I thought was pretty cool. Little Man T decided that the only thing he wanted to accomplish at the museum was to push every button in the entire place. Lofty goal, huh? After the museum, we went to a local shopping center and played in the fountain. My brother-in-law thinks it's a white trash thing to do, but my kids think it's fun. Who am I to stop them from a good time? Here's a photo of the three of them (my boys are in the matching shirts) with a friend.
And I know it's not the best quality; I took it on my phone. Unlike many smart moms who take cameras with them at all times to catch their offspring looking adorable at any given moment, I choose to leave mine at home, knowing someday my children will ask why there are no photos of them anywhere.

I'm a member of the "No Cavity Club"!

2008-05-27T16:05:00.000-07:00

And it's the first time--EVER--in my entire life that I have been. Woo hoo for me!

That's funny, I don't remember asking for Kathy Griffin bangs. . .

2008-03-15T11:32:00.000-07:00

I went to get my hair cut last Tuesday. I was uber excited because it's been since November and I was looking shaggy and a little fried on the ends. I'm one of those weird people who love having my hair cut, but I almost always hate the way the person styles my hair (the exception is my little sister; she always makes me look better than I usually do). The guy who cut my hair was really great and took a long time cutting and styling, but when I looked, I was shocked (and a little afraid) that he had given me Kathy Griffin bangs. Besides all the obvious reasons of not wanting to look like Kathy Griffin, the bangs looked just stupid on me. Scary is that The Genius actually liked it. But every time I looked in the mirror, I burst into laughter. It was not okay. So I think it looks okay right now (I've kind of been able to sweep them to the side), but I'll be glad when they grow out a tad.

Which would you rather look like?

Neither? Yeah, me too. :p

It's only a practice. . .

2008-02-22T12:09:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I went to Little Man T's school to help in the computer lab. I volunteer every week on Thursday afternoons at 2:00. Yesterday, I had to leave quickly because "lockdown" practice was starting at 2:30 and if I didn't get out before it started, I had to stay for the duration. You should have seen me hustle out. But it makes me incredibly sad that my little guy has to practice a "lockdown" scenario in case anyone shows up in the school with a gun. They've been instructed to turn off the lights, and hide as best as they can where nobody would be able to see them if somebody looked through the window on the door. Then they're instructed to be completely silent until they're told it's okay to talk/make noise. It freaks me out hearing about it; I can't help but wonder what it does to some of the kids in there. Little Man T seems to take it in stride and actually doesn't seem to think twice about it, so I guess that's a good thing. It's just that I remember having to do earthquake and fire drills in elementary school and that doesn't seem nearly as frightening as preparing to hide in case somebody comes into the school with the intent to harm you for no reason. I guess it's kind of good that he doesn't know the difference, but I do and it makes me sad.

"This is a fire alarm. Please evacuate the building."

2008-01-08T14:43:00.000-08:00

Some of you have already heard this story. But it's so good, I have to keep sharing it. Over and over and over again.

Yesterday I had an appointment for my "annual exam" at the woman doctor. It's horrible, it's humiliating, it's the worst. You think it can't possibly get worse, but I found out that it can indeed.

I get to the office and the nurse weighs me. Already off to a bad start. Then we go into the exam room and she tells me to take everything off. Yes men (if there are any men reading; I don't think there are), everything. Then she hands me the robe thingy with like 75 strings that you cannot possibly figure out how to tie without a masters in something. Anyway, she leaves and I do what she says. I'm down to nothing and my knee highs (worn purposely because even in a building, when you're wearing nothing, it's cold). I'm sitting on the exam table reading an old People magazine when I hear, "This is a fire alarm. Please evacuate the building". I figure they wouldn't pull a joke in a doctor's office, jumped off the table, run for my clothes and start getting dressed. I only got interrupted by two nurses and I hope they got an eyeful, because they deserved it.

The first thing I did when I got outside? Called the genius so he could get a good laugh too. I can't keep good stuff like this to myself. It's just not right.

The socks of fame:

They're cute, huh? Too bad my leg's so chubby. :P

Everyone, all together now. . .

2007-12-16T19:46:00.000-08:00

. . .say, "Awww, how sweet".

The Prince of Peace. . .

2007-12-10T22:08:00.000-08:00

. . .but not here.

Earlier tonight, I decided to talk to my kids about Jesus' birth. Awesome, huh? Kick off the Christmas season, teach my kids some important things about the Savior, all that good stuff. I passed out the Fisher Price Little People Nativity pieces to the kids so they could place them in the correct spot by the stable as I read the story. Everything was going well until Little Lady D screamed that she wanted Mary and chucked an angel across the room. She got sent to her room, where she continued to scream about Mary for several minutes.

Silent night? Not in this house.

They all look so innocent, don't they?

Eight years?

2007-04-26T10:36:00.000-07:00

Today is Little Man T's birthday. I can't believe he's already eight. Here are a few photos of him for your viewing pleasure. :)

Skipping many years, because it's taking FOREVER to figure out how to post these. :)

Happy birthday Kiddo!

Don't tell me this isn't diet!

2007-04-16T15:47:00.000-07:00

One of my proudest parenting moments (picture to side):
One of my best traits is my loyalty. Loyalty to family, loyalty to friends, but most of all, loyalty to Pepsi. It's legendary. If I go to a restaurant that serves Coke, I take my own Pepsi. I LOVE PEPSI. So today I went to a drive through to get my happy drink. I drive away and take a huge swig. DIET! Does this body look like it needs diet? Don't answer that. So I drove back through (yes, I am that lazy) and told the girl, "I think you gave me diet", to which she replied, "No I didn't." I drove to a parking spot, totally mad because I had to drag my kids in and this was no longer convenient, but I paid for a Pepsi and I was going to get one!

I walk in and the employees are running Pepsi through the lines. Yep, they had hooked up the regular Pepsi to the diet spout and the diet to the regular Pepsi. DID I FREAKING TELL YOU THAT YOU GAVE ME DIET?

I think they should give me free Pepsi for life.

The cutest little Cub Scout ever. . .

2007-04-11T15:17:00.000-07:00

How freaking cute is this kid? Even though Little Man T doesn't turn eight until later this month, he was able to start attending Cub Scouts starting today. I still need to sew on his pack number and buy him a bright yellow neckerchief, but he was so excited to put on his shirt! He also lost another tooth yesterday (he's now lost six). Man, he's growing up and it's making me sad. :) Okay, not really. But it means I'm getting old, doesn't it?

This is the beat you can't touch

2007-01-01T22:18:00.000-08:00

I don't know why I titled this post like that, but I thought of it and it made me laugh.

Can I say how glad I am that Christmas vacation is officially over? I mean, I'm seriously doing the happy dance! Little Man T goes back to school and hopefully life with start having some normalcy again!

We did have a good time over the holidays. The kids were spoiled beyond belief and we had a fun time seeing lots of family. Little Man T got a Star Wars video game and he and his brother haven't stopped playing it for eight days straight. I'm a bad mom, because I let them play for eight days straight.

Little Lady D turned three yesterday. It is fun to see her grow up, but it makes me a little sad too. Where has time gone? Am I really that old? Don't answer that! I'll post a pic of the birthday festivities later. She looked really cute!

Oh, oh, oh, Wednesday is my last day working! I quit to dedicate more time to being a mom (LOL!) I was also recently called to be a leader in our ward's Young Women's program. Stop laughing. We'll see how that goes. So far, they girls just stare at me like I'm an idiot. Which I am, but I don't appreciate that much.

Okay, just a quicky update. My shift if over. Jiggity jig!

Oh, and a shout out to my old roommate and friend Julia! I'm thinking of you and praying that all goes well! Lots of virtual hugs to you! :)

Dare I Dream?

2006-10-06T19:46:00.000-07:00

That my youngest child, a 2.5 year old girl is actually potty trained? Am I actually done with diapers after almost 7.5 years? Can it be true?

Little Lady D has been doing extremely well using the washroom. I am thrilled, but slightly sad. That sounds kind of creepy, because who likes diapers, right? But she's my baby and it's one of the last "baby" things we're phasing out of. She still has a pacifier, and we need to get rid of that before she's doomed to a life of headgear in her teens, but so far, she's been very resistant to it. She loves her bubba more than words can say.

In other news, Little Man A got his toe stuck in an automatic door yesterday at the grocery store. Lots of blood, screams, and tears were involved. He's fine. Little Man T is doing well at school and has consistently got 100% on all of spelling tests. He's smarter than I am. Sad but true. What a kid!

It's the most wonderful time of the year. . .

2006-09-06T22:05:00.000-07:00

Since I blog so infrequently, it may seem that no time has passed at all, but it has been three months and the kids are back in school. Woo hoo! I'm totally doing the happy dance. Go Tina, go Tina, it's your birthday!

In other exciting news, oldest kid has lost his top front teeth. He looks adorable, almost as adorable as he was as an infant. I'll post pics when I'm not on my work computer.

This week has been waaaaay too long. . .

2006-06-23T13:36:00.000-07:00

Monday:
Swim lessons, play group, arts and crafts class, work
Tuesday:
Swim lessons, help friend pack, work
Wednesday:
Swim lessons, primary activity, work
Thursday:
Swim lessons, couple of hours at water park, work
Friday:
Swim lessons, shop at mall, go to Grandma's

I must have looked as frazzled and exhausted as I feltl, because my MIL took the boys for a few hours so I could put the princess down for a nap. I was going to take a nap, but decided to blog instead. Duh. I'm now going to run a few loads of laundry and pass out.

Isn't my life glamourous? ;)

Me no likey strict budget

2006-06-16T17:23:00.000-07:00

So we have to get a new roof. No really, we have to. Every time it rains, we get a little sprinkle (okay, it's a torrential downpour) inside our home and the buckets on the floor make awesome decor.

Let me start by saying that I've never been good with money. Well, maybe my first year in college I was okay, but I've never been a saver and I love to spend. Honestly, I don't care what I'm buying, I just love to spend. I went to buy allergy medicine for my hottie husband today and it sent a chill up my spine (for multiple reasons, but anyhow. . .)

My husband the genius has put me on a super strict budget. And when I say strict, I mean strict. It's not exactly the envelope method, but a close cousin. I have four envelopes in my (overpriced) purse. Each has a dollar amount and a category name on it ("Groceries & Supplies", "Clothes", "Eating Out & Entertainment", and "Other"). Each time I make a purchase (using my debit card), I have to put in the amount I've spent and deduct it from the total. I get new envelopes every two weeks with a replenishment of funds. We've been doing this for three weeks now (it's been torture, sheer torture), and at first it was kind of fun, a challenge, if you will. Now, it sucks. I'm halfway through a pay period and I'm seriously over budget in two catergories: "Groceries & Supplies" and "Eating Out & Entertainment". I will say, however, that the eating out overage is NOT my fault. My husband tipped some lady at Applebee's $9 on a $31 bill (that's 26.5% for all of you wondering). He (the math genius, for real) stated that he was "frazzled" because of our three kids and "couldn't figure it out". I'm not buying it. He was hoping to kill the budget.

We've never had a budget before. We've also never had a huge savings. And we did start our marriage out in a lot of debt (I don't recommend that). So I think it's important. But I think he's being a bit harsh. Hello, $37.50 every two weeks on "Eating Out & Entertainment"? That's just freaking stingy!

I'm trying to decide if I want rain in my house during every rainstorm or dinner out every night. It's a tough decision and I'm not willing to make it right now. . .

But I don't want school to be over. . .

2006-05-25T12:19:00.000-07:00

That's not my son saying that; he's more than ready for school to be over. It's me saying that. I'm not exactly known for my stellar organization skillz, and school gives structure to our days that really help us. I'm seriously not looking forward to days of nothing (yes, I'm sick that way!) I have signed up the three kiddos for swimming lessons, but that will end soon enough and we'll have nothing to do and kids whining at me that they're booorrreeedd. It makes me want to cringe just thinking about it!

Am I the only one that will be doing a countdown to the start of school on the last day of school? Probably. . .

My Husband is a Genius

2006-05-22T21:53:00.000-07:00

We were eating dinner tonight and my husband reminded me of a web page he created for me after the birth of our first child over seven years ago. He called it tinasopinions.com and it contained my opinions about everything. I have a lot of opinions, but it was full of them and they were all correct. Most of them were rants about my first experience giving birth (the hospital sucked, so don't give birth at Mountain View Hospital in Payson, UT) and various products baby products that sucked as well. The one I hated the most was the Playtex electric pump. It sucked, figuratively and literally.

Anyway, my husband pointed out that tinasopinions.com was a forerunner to blogs. He thought of it seven years ago, and didn't run with it! Damn, we could be rich, couldn't we?

So come back often and read my opinions. They are plentiful and always right.