Tagged!

Thanks for tagging me Katie! It's been so fun getting to know more about your cool self. Here's some things about me.

A. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.
B. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

10 Years Ago: Probably hating life studying for finals and dreading seeing a special someone leave on a mission.

5 Things on my To-Do List today:

1- Drink more fluids?
2- Rest.
3- take a shower
4- Try not to be sick. We've all had the flu around here (Luke too), hence the lack of posts!
5- Look at the mess that has become my house. Dream about the time when I'll feel like doing anything about it.

Things I would do if I were a billionaire:

I'd move closer to family and buy a nice home, send my kiddos to good schools, & travel.

3 of my bad habits:

1- I used to bite my fingernails. It's too gross! I've pretty much gotten over this habit. When I went to dental hygiene school I didn't dare bite 'em because I had them in people's mouths all day. Yucky! But, sometimes (usually during a scary movie) I'll find myself going in for a nibble.
2- I don't keep in touch with friends as well as I should (or as I would like). I've had so many awesome friends and many times I just lose their info or whatever. The internet, I'm so happy to say, has made this a lot easier and I can't believe all the friends I've re-connected with just the past couple of weeks! So FUN! Dude, I love all you gals! Thanks for reading my blog and caring to keep in touch!
3- I need to learn to BUDGET!

5 places I have lived:

1- West Valley, UT
2- Kanab, UT
3- Provo, UT
4- St. George, UT
5- Logan, UT
---Now, Waynesville, Missouri for all you people praying I was going to get out of Utah sometime in my life. I'm praying I'll be moving back!

5 jobs I have had:

1- Jordan Valley School-Special Education aide
2- Rockin V Cafe-waitress
3- Dental Assistant
4- Dental Hygienist
5- Mom, the best yet!

5 things people don't know about me:

1- I can quilt. It's true. I made a quilt once with my mom. It's really beautiful. I'll post a picture of it sometime soon.
2- I have an innie. It didn't even become a weird outtie when I was pregnant.
3- I had a crush on a college professor of mine. Now, I've never told anyone that!
4- I loath taking out the trash. This is why Jared does it!
5- I love smelling my kid. The good smells, not the bad.

Okay, that was sort of hard especially that last section. Well, now I'm going to tag Maegan, Adam (because he desperately needs something to blog about), Torrie, Amy, and Melissa because she rocks as a VT partner.

Dos, Deux, Zwei, Due, Ni, Duas, два

In any language, just to let everyone know, we're expecting child number 2! This baby will most likely come by C-section also, scheduled for September 25th.


Okay, sorry about psyching everyone out. No, we're not having twins, but with babies this close together, they may as well be. Lots of love to everyone!

9-Months Old

One Growing Boy

Yesterday, Luke got to visit Dr. Michailova for his 9-month well-baby check. He's doing great! He weighed in at 18 pounds and 29 inches. He's a light-weight, at only the 15th percentile for his weight. Luke is tall for his age, however, in the 75th percentile. It's so fun to see him progressing so well.

On another note, we're in a yucky storm again. I'm longing for Hawaii right about now. My Mom and Dad are there now, and I'm extremely envious. In my opinion, Hawaii is ALWAYS a good idea!

Sing . . . Sing a Song

We've been going to a community choir on Tuesday nights. The group meets in a church in Iberia and we have been working on an Easter program called "His Last Days." It's fun to be singing with a group again. Even though we're small in numbers, we are strong and the emotion is there.

The only downside is the drive. Both Jared and I have gotten sick on that twisty Highway 17! Melissa, I don't know how you do it everyday driving that road!

V-day

Happy Valentine's Day. Okay, so having the missionaries over is not anyone's idea of a romantic evening, but I had such a fun time. I burst out laughing when Elder J started playing his water goblet. You know, think Miss Congeniality. So, for about an hour, we tried different pitches, playing "songs" (okay so we never really got that), and, the coolest in my opinion, playing while someone is filling your glass with water. If you ever want to try this, my water glasses are GREAT! I got a couple clips and photos I'll post up later. I hope you all had a wonderful day of love full of kisses, hugs, and handshakes (from the elders ;).

Confessions of a Mommy Blogger"

Too funny. Too true. Read this.

Temple or Bust

We had dedicated last Saturday to attend the St. Louis temple. Everything was arranged with our friends, Emily and Ben. They would watch Luke and their 4-month-old, Kate, while we did a session. Then, we'd swap spots, and we'd watch the babies while they went through.

Unfortunately, we didn't get the memo that the temple was closed for repairs due to a water pipe rupture. Emily had even called the temple on Thursday to ask if they had a room where we could watch the children. The sister at the temple said that there was a room but neglected to mention that the temple was closed, had been closed for two weeks, and would be closed for another week.


Oh well, we still had a good time. Luke loved the Science Center, which is geared to small people (ok, a little older than Luke). He stared, wide-eyed, at all the mirrors, life-sized robotic dinosaurs, etc. Even us bigger people enjoyed the interactive exhibits, except that the place was so crowded we didn't get to pause at our favorite stations, such as those about the human body.


After the Science Center, we went to the Olive Garden. Since we lack this or basically any other restaurant options close to home, we were thrilled to eat there.

Past, Present and Future

20 years ago...
1. I was playing house under our grand piano
2. I met Elizabeth, BFF!
3. my sisters had all moved away from home

10 years ago...
1. I was getting ready to graduate High School
2. I was very nervous about starting BYU
3. getting a car for my birthday seemed like a long-shot

5 years ago...
1. I was working my tush off in Dental Hygiene school
2. I was offered a DH job in Oakland, CA
3. My love-life was pretty non-existent

3 years ago...
1. I connected with my sweetheart online, (we'd meet face-to-face, date, get engaged and marry later that year)
2. I was working in Kanab, UT and living with my parents
3. I spent too much money shopping ebay

1 year ago...
1. I was told I had to go on bed-rest for my pregnancy
2. I was drinking a gallon of water every day
3. I could tell you most TV shows and their channels

So far this year...
1. I've gotten in better shape
2. I have been experimenting with some different, fun recipes
3. I have had more fun with my baby. He's getting bigger and it's fun watching him learn new things.

Yesterday...
1. I tackled the laundry
2. I sang beautiful music
3. I became nauseous

Today...
1. I slept in (thanks Luke)
2. I talked with all my sisters, and mom
3. I am upset with WalMart (they've stopped carrying a favorite item)

Tomorrow...
1. I'm going to cook for my Honey and the missionaries (it's one of our fav's last day)
2. I'm going to try to be romantic
3. I'll burn a compilation CD

In the next year...
1. We'll probably move to ???
2. We'll have a new little one (due October 4)
3. I'll be a better wife, mother, and friend and ...

Little boys grow up when we're not looking

I like to check out blogs that I just happen to come across. I "lurk." This poem comes from another blog that I follow. I love this thought:

When he grows up, I don't think he'll recall how, on a sapphire morning in the Fall, dust bunnies tumbled up and down the stair, and smudges lined the woodwork here and there, While he and I ran hand in hand together carefree, into the bright October weather. I hope my son looks back upon today and sees a parent who had time to play whether the work was done, or it was not, who realized chores are sometimes best forgot. There will be years ahead for cleaning house and cooking, but little boys grow up when we're not looking.
by Ear Paffrath

He's a Photoshop man!

I have Jared to thank for our cool new header. I said that I wanted to put up a header that looked a little like a blackboard with some pictures. Well, this morning I find this awesome creation in Photoshop and I'm thrilled. Thanks, Jared! Love ya!

On a lighter note...

New pictures are up of Luke at...
picasaweb.google.com/bernotski
Hope you like 'em!

Romney SuspENDING

If the Republican Party no longer represents what I believe, where do I go from here? There is no other party that even comes close. Is there no hope for those of us who firmly support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America and the conservative values which have been the bedrock of American culture?
Here's Romney's parting speech. So eloquent I want to cry my eyes out.

"To all of you, thank you for caring enough about the future of America to show up, stand up and speak up for conservative principles.

"As I said to you last year, conservative principles are needed now more than ever. We face a new generation of challenges, challenges which threaten our prosperity, our security and our future. I am convinced that unless America changes course, we will become the France of the 21st century – still a great nation, but no longer the leader of the world, no longer the superpower. And to me, that is unthinkable. Simon Peres, in a visit to Boston, was asked what he thought about the war in Iraq. 'First,' he said, 'I must put something in context. America is unique in the history of the world. In the history of the world, whenever there has been conflict, the nation that wins takes land from the nation that loses. One nation in history, and this during the last century, laid down hundreds of thousands of lives and took no land. No land from Germany, no land from Japan, no land from Korea. America is unique in the sacrifice it has made for liberty, for itself and for freedom loving people around the world.' The best ally peace has ever known, and will ever know, is a strong America.

"And that is why we must rise to the occasion, as we have always done before, to confront the challenges ahead. Perhaps the most fundamental of these is the attack on the American culture.

"Over the years, my business has taken me to many countries. I have been struck by the enormous differences in the wealth and well-being of people of different nations. I have read a number of scholarly explanations for the disparities. I found the most convincing was that written by David Landes, a professor emeritus from Harvard University. I presume he's a liberal – I guess that's redundant. His work traces the coming and going of great civilizations throughout history. After hundreds of pages of analysis, he concludes with this:

"If we learn anything from the history of economic development, it is that culture makes all the difference. Culture makes all the difference.

"What is it about American culture that has led us to become the most powerful nation in the history of the world? We believe in hard work and education. We love opportunity: almost all of us are immigrants or descendants of immigrants who came here for opportunity – opportunity is in our DNA. Americans love God, and those who don't have faith, typically believe in something greater than themselves – a 'Purpose Driven Life.' And we sacrifice everything we have, even our lives, for our families, our freedoms and our country. The values and beliefs of the free American people are the source of our nation's strength and they always will be.

"The threat to our culture comes from within. The 1960's welfare programs created a culture of poverty. Some think we won that battle when we reformed welfare, but the liberals haven't given up. At every turn, they try to substitute government largesse for individual responsibility. They fight to strip work requirements from welfare, to put more people on Medicaid, and to remove more and more people from having to pay any income tax whatsoever. Dependency is death to initiative, risk-taking and opportunity. Dependency is a culture-killing drug. We have got to fight it like the poison it is.

"The attack on faith and religion is no less relentless. And tolerance for ography – even celebration of it – and ual promiscuity, combined with the twisted incentives of government welfare programs have led to today's grim realities: 68% of African American children are born out-of-wedlock, 45% of Hispanic children, and 25% of White children. How much harder it is for these children to succeed in school and in life. A nation built on the principles of the Founding Fathers cannot long stand when its children are raised without fathers in the home.

"The development of a child is enhanced by having a mother and father. Such a family is the ideal for the future of the child and for the strength of a nation. I wonder how it is that unelected judges, like some in my state of Massachusetts, are so unaware of this reality, so oblivious to the millennia of recorded history. It is time for the people of America to fortify marriage through Constitutional amendment, so that liberal judges cannot continue to attack it.

"Europe is facing a demographic disaster. That is the inevitable product of weakened faith in the Creator, failed families, disrespect for the sanctity of human life and eroded morality. Some reason that culture is merely an accessory to America's vitality; we know that it is the source of our strength. And we are not dissuaded by the snickers and knowing glances when we stand up for family values, and morality, and culture. We will always be honored to stand on principle and to stand for principle.

"The attack on our culture is not our sole challenge. We face economic competition unlike anything we have ever known before. China and Asia are emerging from centuries of poverty. Their people are plentiful, innovative and ambitious. If we do not change course, Asia or China will pass us by as the economic superpower, just as we passed England and France during the last century. The prosperity and security of our children and grandchildren depend on us.

"Our prosperity and security also depend on finally acting to become energy secure. Oil producing states like Russia and Venezuela, Saudi Arabia and Iran are siphoning over $400 billion per year from our economy – that's almost what we spend annually for defense. It is past time for us to invest in energy technology, nuclear power, clean coal, liquid coal, renewable sources and energy efficiency. America must never be held hostage by the likes of Putin, Chavez, and Ahmadinejad.

"And our economy is also burdened by the inexorable ramping of government spending. Don't focus on the pork alone – even though it is indeed irritating and shameful. Look at the entitlements. They make up 60% of federal spending today. By the end of the next President's second term, they will total 70%. Any conservative plan for the future has to include entitlement reform that solves the problem, not just acknowledges it.

"Most politicians don't seem to understand the connection between our ability to compete and our national wealth, and the wealth of our families. They act as if money just happens – that it's just there. But every dollar represents a good or service produced in the private sector. Depress the private sector and you depress the well-being of Americans.

"That's exactly what happens with high taxes, over-regulation, tort windfalls, mandates, and overfed, over-spending government. Did you see that today, government workers make more money than people who work in the private sector? Can you imagine what happens to an economy where the best opportunities are for bureaucrats?

"It's high time to lower taxes, including corporate taxes, to take a weed-whacker to government regulations, to reform entitlements, and to stand up to the increasingly voracious appetite of the unions in our government.

"And finally, let's consider the greatest challenge facing America – and facing the entire civilized world: the threat of violent, radical Jihad. In one wing of the world of Islam, there is a conviction that all governments should be destroyed and replaced by a religious caliphate. These Jihadists will battle any form of democracy. To them, democracy is blasphemous for it says that citizens, not God shape the law. They find the idea of human equality to be offensive. They hate everything we believe about freedom just as we hate everything they believe about radical Jihad.

"To battle this threat, we have sent the most courageous and brave soldiers in the world. But their numbers have been depleted by the Clinton years when troops were reduced by 500,000, when 80 ships were retired from the Navy, and when our human intelligence was slashed by 25%. We were told that we were getting a peace dividend. We got the dividend, but we didn't get the peace. In the face of evil in radical Jihad and given the inevitable military ambitions of China, we must act to rebuild our military might – raise military spending to 4% of our GDP, purchase the most modern armament, re-shape our fighting forces for the asymmetric demands we now face, and give the veterans the care they deserve.

"Soon, the face of liberalism in America will have a new name. Whether it is Barack or Hillary, the result would be the same if they were to win the Presidency. The opponents of American culture would push the throttle, devising new justifications for judges to depart from the Constitution. Economic neophytes would layer heavier and heavier burdens on employers and families, slowing our economy and opening the way for foreign competition to further erode our lead.

"Even though we face an uphill fight, I know that many in this room are fully behind my campaign. You are with me all the way to the convention. Fight on, just like Ronald Reagan did in 1976. But there is an important difference from 1976: today, we are a nation at war.

"And Barack and Hillary have made their intentions clear regarding Iraq and the war on terror. They would retreat and declare defeat. And the consequence of that would be devastating. It would mean attacks on America, launched from safe havens that make Afghanistan under the Taliban look like child's play. About this, I have no doubt.

"I disagree with Senator McCain on a number of issues, as you know. But I agree with him on doing whatever it takes to be successful in Iraq, on finding and executing Osama bin Laden, and on eliminating Al Qaeda and terror. If I fight on in my campaign, all the way to the convention, I would forestall the launch of a national campaign and make it more likely that Senator Clinton or Obama would win. And in this time of war, I simply cannot let my campaign, be a part of aiding a surrender to terror.

"This is not an easy decision for me. I hate to lose. My family, my friends and our supporters – many of you right here in this room – have given a great deal to get me where I have a shot at becoming President. If this were only about me, I would go on. But I entered this race because I love America, and because I love America, I feel I must now stand aside, for our party and for our country.

"I will continue to stand for conservative principles. I will fight alongside you for all the things we believe in. And one of those things is that we cannot allow the next President of the United States to retreat in the face evil extremism.

"It is the common task of each generation – and the burden of liberty – to preserve this country, expand its freedoms and renew its spirit so that its noble past is prologue to its glorious future.

"To this task, accepting this burden, we are all dedicated, and I firmly believe, by the providence of the Almighty, that we will succeed beyond our fondest hope. America must remain, as it has always been, the hope of the Earth.

"Thank you, and God bless America."

New Blog Anyone?

Doddlebug Designs is up and coming! Check out Judi's designs by following the link and be sure to enter her giveaway for your own custom designed blog! http://www.doodlebugwebdesigns.com/

New First Presidency

My goodness! I thought that I would be sad to see a new presidency called. After President Hinckley, I believed that it would be hard to see someone new take his place. But, after seeing the news conference where President Monson, President Eyring, and President Uchtdorf were announced as the new first presidency of the church, I feel the spirit witness that they are called of God and they are the right men for these positions. What an enormous burden for them. I only pray that Heavenly Father will uphold and sustain them.

What's sleep?

That's the question I've been asking since the baby was born, but now, I'm happy to say, I have had a full night's sleep. Yes, last night Luke didn't wake up once! Hallelujah!

First Teeth

Luke got his first teeth Monday night (January 29). Two at once! He had two little tops poking up on Tuesday morning. No wonder he was so fussy that night.