Seeing the Silver Lining

I know this sounds dumb but I totally watch the price of oil per barrel. Last Friday it was below $39 per barrel. WHAWHO!! I have been loving having gas so cheap and I can't wait to see it go down further. I was so excited when I gassed up in Ceder City for $1.37 that I took a picture of the sign with my phone and sent it to people.

Lost Talents

I have been thinking alot about the piano lately. I gave this up along time ago. I wasn't very good (especially compared to Christina) and I hated being nagged about it all the time. I also hated wasting everyones time because I was too lazy to practice. I wish I could play though. But not by practicing but by having it magically ingrained to my system.

Shape Up or Ship Out

Anyone have any good packing or moving suggestions? I have only moved from NV to the "hood" to here. I'm not good at this. I need help.

Way Late Halloween Pictures

So I am over a month late. Oooppss

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Comeau Family would like to wish all of our family and friends a wonderful Thanksgiving! We are so grateful for all our family and friends and all the wonderful blessings we have.

Lifting the Cone of Silence

At the end of October, Benjy came home from work one day and dropped the first bombshell of many. He felt like he needed to get out of construction completely. He said that something was nagging him and he just wasn’t happy anymore. We spent the rest of the night and weekend talking, praying, and me bawling my guts out most of the time. Even though no decisions were made, we did decide that Benjy’s instincts to find something else were correct. We decided on a few options but nothing for sure. A few weeks later the 2^nd bomb went off. Benjy had been laid off again. He wasn’t given a reason and he has no idea what happened or why and didn’t even know it was coming. Obviously Benjy’s instincts are much more in tune than mine are. Who would have thought this would ever happen again?

Well, just before Benjy was laid off he decided to test with Metro again (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department). Since he no longer had a job the timing was perfect. He tested at the beginning of this month and passed his written and physical exams and also passed his oral board. He is scheduled to take his psych tests, background interview, and polygraph the week of December 8^th. Yeah! We are actually really excited and really and truly feel like this is what we are supposed to be doing.

Just before we came back from Vegas, I got a call from our land lord. We have been politely asked to vacate our apartment no later than December 13^th. They need to do some remodeling and plumbing work and it can be done while the apartment is in use. So basically, WE ARE BEING KICKED OUT OF UTAH. What are the odds? Benjy’s recruiting officer thinks that if Benjy passes everything, he will be in the February academy. This means we need an apartment for two months. People don’t like to give 2 month leases. Thankfully Benjy’s parents offered to let us stay with them and we have accepted. Yes, we are moving to Delta. The move date is December 5^th. We are of course nervous about this but incredibly grateful.

So here is the run down…Benjy got fired…Now we are trying to get on with Metro…We have been evicted…Benjy’s parents have opened their basement up as a homeless shelter for us.

Esther-this is probably your phone call. Sorry man

Andrea P and Kristy- Since you guys are related to Powel Family Trust, even though we still love you guys, thanks for making us homeless (JK!)

Mandy-Nope, I still haven’t left Benjy yet :)

To everyone else-Sorry this is probably chuck full of grammatical errors. By the way we figure the next bomb to drop is to have our car break. We would much rather have it conveniently stolen so at least we don't have to make payments on it. I just saying...if you want to help and all. (Horschman's- which casino is vegas did you park at :) )

Updates

So here is what we have been up to lately.

Rees took his first steps on October 14th. He is now up to several steps when he feels like it. He mostly takes a couple of steps and then gets down so he can crawl faster. He is SO FAST when he crawls. We seriously have a difficult time catching him sometimes. He is standing really well. It is really strange for me to come into the room and see him just standing there all by himself just looking around. Rees has also popped out his third tooth. The pediatrician told me that the longer it takes for babies' teeth to come in, the healthier they are. This has been comforting but holy cow they are coming in slowly. Rees had a good first Halloween. He was a skeleton. He looked so cute!

We have been staying pretty active. With in the last two weeks we have driven the Alpine Loop, spent some time up American Fork Canyon, taken Rees to Cabelas, gone to Gardener's Village, and been to a few friend parties. We are having so much fun. Now we are looking forward to the holidays!

Collecting tomorrows leaves empty yesterdays

Yep, I'm here. I have just been to busy having fun to blog. Maybe I'll get to it later :)

Craziness

As a few of you know, I have been going through an early mid-life crisis. I have recently decided that is actually an identity crisis. I have been married almost 4 years, have a kid, and feel like a frumpy, boring, old person. These are not bad things but the first two are awesome life accomplishments. Having said that, here is the problem...I haven't even made it to 24 yet but I feel like I skipped my 20's and went right into my 30's ( I think I might have willed these feelings upon myself. I specifically remember before getting married and getting pregnant that this might happen to me. I thought I talked myself off the ledge then but I guess not). My sense of style, adventure, and youth has vanished. I have tried to come up with a couple of different schemes to fix this problem but none of them have worked out. And I hate to say this but Christina, you looking fabulous all the time is not helping my self esteem (even in your scrubs you look cute)! jk (about the sounding rude part, not the looking fab part). I have been able to come up with a couple of things that kind of helped. 1) SHOPPING!! I have rarely shopped with out being given a gift card since I left for college. Now I need to make up for some serious loss of time. 2)Exercise. I don't have much time to do it but it sure helps with my energy level. 3) Getting beautified. Getting my hair done and all that girly stuff sure can make me feel a million times better. My next step in re-finding myself is going to getting back into hobbies. I haven't quite figured out how I am going to do that yet but the wheels are in motion!

Blessings

Let’s face it, life is hard. I know this sounds really self absorbed but I feel like our life has been much more difficult that it should be for our age and social standing. For the first time in a long time, I am happy to report the feeling of peace has finally made it back into our lives. The constant head ache is finally going away. I have been feeling so blessed lately. Though my fears and troubles are still there, I feel so much stronger and competent. Basically, I just wanted to verbally say that I recognize my blessings and I am so, so, so grateful for them.

I wish I could do more for others. I wish peace and happiness on everyone. Please let me know if there is something I can do for you.

I'm home!

I spent the last 10 days at my parent's house and it was super busy but really fun! We made it home just in time for Hayden's game on Friday (btw-Hayden is an awesome football player. In one of his games he caught two interceptions and threw several touch down passes.) and basically didn't slow down the whole time. It was so great to be home for a while. Even though I have come to love Utah I still get very homesick. I miss all my family (everyone but one uncle lives there. I miss being around family), I miss my friends, I miss the mesa, I miss how crazy busy it is down there, I just miss it all.

Thanks for letting me come home Mom and Dad.

P.S. There were about 6 or 7 people I never made it to visit. I am sorry! I will be home for Christmas. Let's try again then.

P.S.S. I would love to share some pictures but I busted my camera while I was there so they all turned out retarded. Sorry

Van Gogh

( sorry, it won't load right side up)

Today Rees got to spend some time with our buddies Joe and Alanna (thanks again guys!). While he was there he created his first masterpiece! I have been working with Rees on trying to actually put the crayons onto the paper but Alanna made the magic happen. The longer I have thought about his picture, the more I can't believe that he is old enough to color. WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE?!?!? Even though I am in shock, I am still so proud of my little boy. I love him so much!

Happy Birthday Grandpa Comeau

Happy Birthday Grandpa! We had a birthday party for Grandpa Comeau's 60th birthday and it was so fun. It was fun to have Heather, Vincent, Gabe, and Isabelle there with us. We miss not having more family around so we were happy they came.

The Scene
The People

The Forest Fire
The Lingering Smoke From the Fire
The Kiddies Turn

Awe...

Look Celeste! Aren't you guys such a cute little couple?

Just wanted to say congratulations to the Hathaways! We are still so excited for you guys. Now, if you could just get you guys to move down here, then the real fun will could begin...

Reeses Pieces

Rees has a cord fetish. In an effort to divert his attention, we found this short rubbery tie to give him instead. He LOVES it. He constantly is carrying it around in his mouth like a little puppy. It totally cracks us up. The only bad part is that when he does take it out of his mouth, he is usually swinging the slobbery thing around. Yep, the spit goes a flying (usually on me).

Lemons

Obviously, babies are not supposed to have citrus. While we were in Delta, we were out side having dinner on the patio. Papa Comeau had barbecued salmon so there were lemons on the table. Rees was freaking out because he wanted a lemon. Finally we gave him one thinking that after one lick he would be done. NOPE! He loved them. He did have a delayed reaction. After several sucks, he made the lemon face. The funny part was that after he finished with the lemon face, he went right back to sucking on the lemon. The poor kid had a cow when we took it from him.

FMI (For My Info) and your's cause I know you care!

Rees FINALLY cut his first tooth last Sunday. It took a couple of day before I actually got to see it (man that kid has amazing jaw control) but I definitely found it on Sunday. What a nice little surprise for my finger to find. Rees also climbed his first full flight of stairs tonight at Grandma Comeau's house. I totally didn't know he could even climb stairs. Another surprise for me but much less painful. Other than that we have just had a fun week full of lots of friends. It has been so nice to get out so often and be surrounded by such fun people. We are so blessed to be surrounded by such great people. Thanks guys!

Fun Times

Rees recently recieved a slinky from a birthday party. We commonly find Rees looking like this since the party. I can't decide if he is doing this because he thinks it is funny or because he doesn't know what else to do with it. This isn't the thing he can do lately. His little bag of tricks now includes giving high five's, buzzing his lips with his fingers (I can't think of how else to explain it), flushing the toilet while I am in the shower about five times, and standing on his head. He will be crawling around and then suddenly stop to put his head down and survey the scene from an upside down perspective. He also thinks it is funny to get into trouble. He has an obsession with the television buttons. Every time he pushes one of the buttons, he gets his hand slapped. Well the other day, I walked into the living room just as he was reaching up for the buttons. Oh course I gave a stern warning of, "Rees! Don't touch that button or I am going to slap you hand!" I guess he thought this was a game because he flashed a huge grin, turned on the television, and then started to get down to crawl away as fast as he could. By the time I set down the stuff I was carrying and made it to him, he had already crawled about five feet aways at light speed and was laughing his little head off. It was so funny that I almost let the punishment slide (that was until I had a vision of him doing the same thing when he was two and then the need to nip the problem in bud came screaming back.) I am sure my parents are laughing right now at the work I have cut out for me. I am also guessing they are getting a warm fuzzy feeling knowing that my payback is well on its way. Haha, very funny

Cousins

Rees got to meet his cousin Isabelle today. Me, Benjy, Rees, Heather, and Isabelle all went to the Cheesecake Factory for lunch so we could meet Izzy. She is such a cutie!! And we have to admit, since she sleep through lunch, she wins the better behaved baby award. Rees had a grand ole time with Izzy. I think he was a little ticked off that we wouldn't let him mall her. Maybe next time kiddo.First meeting
"Hugs"
Rees' new trick. We believe in teaching good table manner early.

P.S. We had Brownie Sundae cheesecake. I just thought everyone would want to know :)

Time has been erased!

I feel jipped. My memory card just went to pot and I lost the last two-three weeks of pictures and videos I had taken. And there were some great pictures on there too! Technology is so amazing and so helpful but it sure ticks me off sometimes.

The Mini Dog

While I was going through my pictures, I found these. They are a little bit older but are to cute to leave out. Grandma Comeau has this little toy dog that walks around and yaps. Rees LOVES it. As the dog moved around, Rees had to stay directly in front of it at all times. I guess this means that when we get a house someday, Benjy will win the "let's get a dog" argument.



While I was going through my pictures, I found these. They are a little bit older but are to cute to leave out. Grandma Comeau has this little toy dog that walks around and yaps. Rees LOVES it. As the dog moved around, Rees had to stay directly in front of it at all times. I guess this means that when we get a house someday, Benjy will win the "let's get a dog" argument.

Father-Son Bonding Time

For Benjy's big "thank you" from me, I got him his dream gun. (ya, I know. I am still rolling my eyes) Benjy has been talking about getting a SKS for the last several years. He found one on KSL for a pretty reasonable price so I went and got it for him as a surprise. The gun came covered and packed in cosmolene (it is kind of like oil and Vaseline mixed together) so Benjy has spent HOURS cleaning it. Once the gun is completely disassembled (and not a second before because I am a freak), Rees likes to perch himself next to Dad and play with the extra cleaning rod. He will sit there and jabber away and swing the rod around like a baton. Why do we even stress about this kid having toys?

10 months going on 16 years

Friday evening we went to a birthday BBQ for one of Rees' little buddies. It was alot of fun to eat amazing food and chat with friends while all of our kids malled each other. Rees got to have his first driving lesson. He had a grand old time. I think his favorite part was watching everyone honk the horn for him. He even figured out how to turn the wheel and open the side door. Pretty soon he realized that the bikes were much more fun to watch. Funny kid.

Trucks

My son's love for trucks has officially begun. He doesn't get to see very many but he does get to see the garbage truck. The kid doesn't even blink while the garbage truck is doing it's job. Today he even pointed at it when it was done. Cute!

I (heart)...

--Army Men (the little toys)--

You can get about 100 army men for about a dollar and they provide hours of entertainment in almost any atmosphere for a 10 month old. Since they are smaller and light, they are super easy to carry around. Another bonus, they don’t take batteries (a.k.a. noiseless!). When Benjy bought these army men, I honestly thought he was nuts. I now feel like Benjy has earned the right to pick out all Rees’ toys

--Cleaning Wipes--

I have now figured out why the more rich population have cleaner houses then the people in the ghetto. Wealthier people can either afford house cleaners or cleaning wipes for faster “in between” cleaning. For the first two and a half years of our married we did not own a mop. This made washing the floors a more delayed process. I now have a mop and wash the floor every one to two weeks. I recently got a coupon for a free can of Lysol bathroom wipes. Need less to say, our bathroom has been much cleaner with much less work on my end.

--Rachel Ray--

Everything the woman uses in her kitchen goes on my list of “someday I will own…” The weird part is that I hate all the orange and puke green stuff she has on the show and yet I still want it. By the way, do you think she throws salt over her should when she is cooking at home?

--Fall--

I love the holidays, I love the weather, I love the colors, I love the shopping sales, I love the feeling of new beginnings, etc.

--Nap Time--

Enough said.

Trash-The-Dress

The other day our buddies Joe and Alanna were over here hanging out with us. Since I am quite the Lady Chatterly, we discussed a wide varied of topics. One of these topics was Alanna’s wedding pictures. If you haven’t seen them, you should. They are FABULOUS! Anyways, Alanna was telling me how she couldn’t wait her do a “trash-the-dress” photo session. The first time she mentioned it I just thought I had misheard her and didn’t think much of it. Then later, she mentioned it again. Wait, trash-the-dress? Could that possibly be what it sounds like? What dress? What the heck is going on? Alanna very kindly enlightened me. HOLY SMOKES! It looks so fun! If I still fit into my wedding dress and if I didn’t think my mom would murder me in my sleep, I would totally do this! I have always felt bad that Benjy and I didn’t get any “artistic” pictures when we got married. These pictures are the epitome of being artistic. Aren’t they cool? Maybe I couldn't handle being lit on fire but the theory is still cool.

Shower Time

When people think about having a baby, most people imagine quiet evenings rocking their baby to sleep while your little one nuzzles close. While there are moments like this, most are pretty much at the opposite end of the spectrum. Most people don’t spend much time considering the sleepless nights and your ears ringing from the never ending crying. On top of that, no one thinks about doing the simple everyday things that are affected by having an infant. For instance, what do you do with your baby when your car needs to be cleaned out and it is freezing butt cold outside (a.k.a. not baby weather)? Or when you would like to play a board game with your friends? How about having a shower in peace? This is my latest dilemma. Most people just put their kids into the shower with them. I can’t do this for two reasons. 1) Rees has fairly bad eczema so the doctor recommended not bathing him more than twice a week to help prevent his skin from over drying. 2) Rees will not stay at the back of the tub while I shower. He insists on being right under me which results in him drowning in the shower stream but still refusing to sit back. Because of these reasons, Rees usually gets the boot at shower time. Playing with toys on the floor isn’t good enough for him either. He insists on standing at the tub, flinging the curtain back as hard as he can, trying to touch the water, and squawking at the top of his lungs during the WHOLE shower. While I am in the shower, it really ticks me off. Looking back, it is really cute and endearing. Looking back, I think it is a bonding moment. I love the little guy.

Couples Tag

Couple TAG from Celeste

What is his name: Benjy (a.k.a. Benj, Love, Punk, Babe, and when he is pushing my buttons, Benjamin)

What is her name: Ashley (a.k.a. Cuddlebug)

How long have you been together: I have known Benjy for 5 yrs, married 3 1/2 yrs and will continue to be together for eternity

How long did you date: A year

How old is he: 27 (but can act like he is anywhere from 4-50 yrs old depending on the activity)

How old is she: 23

Who eats more: We are pretty equal. As a matter of fact, we don't share food otherwise we get mad at the other person for eating to much.

Who said I love you first: I don't remember. At first I felt bad about not remembering but it turns out that Benjy doesn't remember either. We decided what happens in the end is far more important that what happened in the beginning.

Who is taller: With out any shoes on we are both exactly 5'10". When you add girl shoes to the mix, I tower over the poor guy.

Who sings better: We don't sing.

Who is smarter: Benjy has a much broader range of knowledge than I do. The guy knows something about almost everything. He actually did REALLY, REALLY well in college too (except for when we were dating, then we both failed miserably).

Who does the laundry: That would be me. Benjy does end up rotating the laundry a bunch though. I forget to move it.

Who pays the bills: Me. The running joke between Benjy and I is that when I wise up and leave the guy (remember, we are just joking) I will get everything because Benjy has no idea where I have stashed money .

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed: Well, we do it a little bit differently. Right or left isn't what we go by. Benjy will always sleep the closest to the door where ever we are sleeping. He says this is the rule so he can protect me in the night.

Who mows the lawn: Don't know yet. We don't have a lawn. Some day we will have a huge one and I will have a blast watching Benjy mow it.

Who cooks the dinner: Me. Benjy would starve with out me. No matter what he thinks, the guy couldn't live on cold cereal for very long.

Who drives: Usually Benjy.

Who is more stubborn: Equally as stubborn but usually we trade off. Yep, it makes some situations a doozy.

Who kissed who first: Benjy kissed me the first time and I initiated the first re-kiss. We dated twice with a big(well, I guess not that big but big enough for us to have other boyfriends/girlfriends) gap in between.

Who proposed: Benjy did.

Who has more friends: We are pretty equal. We like everybody.

Who is more sensitive: Me. Definately me.

I would like to tag Meka and Duane, Lara and Neil, and Mari and Tyson.

Bridal Veil Falls

We had some gorgeous weather this weekend. We had the perfect summer storm going on so we decided to take a drive up the canyon. My cousin Laura also moved to Provo over the weekend so we picked her and Christina up and took them with us. We stopped at Bridal Veil to see if the storm had added any water to the falls. It was so pretty but much colder than I had anticipated. Sorry the pictures are dark. It was so dark from the storm that you could barely see.

Laura, Chris, and Rees

Me and my Hubby

Chris, Rees' other mother :)

Laura's first time seeing Bridal Veil

Telephonophobia

While I was in high school I spent many, many nights on the phone with many different people. I LOVED talking on the phone. But then something happened. I realized how quickly (quickly might be an understatement. Lets say light speed for more accuracy) I could talk and that made me uncomfortable. In an effort to slow down my constant ramblings, the speed shifted into stuttering. I think my subconscious treated the stuttering as verbal speed bumps. The problem is that instead of the speed bumps slowing me down, it just broke my verbal axel and ripped it right out from under the car. I still can not stop talking fast and now stutter on top of that which makes me a complete spas. All of this has made me rather introverted (I know, this is a complete shock to anyone I grew up with) socially and makes talking on the phone nearly impossible for me. I have decided I would rather go knock on the door of some one in the neighborhood rather than call.

The greatest gift given to me as of late…text messaging. (I discussed with Mari at Wal-Mart so I know I am not the only one who thinks this way) Unfortunately, I still talk about 10 million miles a minute and stutter more than ever. Help.

P.S. This does not mean I don't want anyone calling me. PLEASE DO! I need all the practice possible. Besides, I really like talking to adults once in awhile. Rees just doesn't give me the reactions I am looking for :)

When I Hear Laughter...

Most parents tell me that they can tell their kids are getting into trouble when it gets quiet. I can tell my little tike is getting into trouble when he starts laughing. I was getting ready for the day when I realized Rees was laughing. I turned my head to see him spinning the toilet paper of the roll just as fast as he could (using both hands) and just laughing his head off. I got about half way through re-rolling the toilet paper when I figured I had better take a picture. I put Rees in the hall way and hurried for the camera. By the time I had gotten back (about 30 seconds later) Rees has done it again! I tell you what, this kid is pretty cute but is totally giving me a run for my money. What scares me is thinking about how the messes will be getting bigger as he is getting bigger. I am sure it looks like I don't watch him very well but he is seriously at my side every second of the day. Except for 30 mins, when he is taking his nap. Yep, no sleep and he still has more energy than me.

Radio Flyer

When Benjy was a kid, he had a red wagon. Apparently he loved this wagon alot. As time went on the wagon didn't hold up. Benjy's mom pitched the poor thing and Benjy has never gotten over it. To try and fix the trauma Benjy felt over loosing his wagon Benjy's mom bought him (but really for Rees) a new wagon. Rees LOVED it. Benjy and Rees put it together by themselves and Rees could barely wait for it to be finished. He Kept climbing on and in everything (even the box the wagon came in). I think Grandma Comeau has officially been forgiven now.


Benjy giving me the "no girls allowed" face

Oh boy was he excited

Mama's Little Helper

When Benjy and I got married, we of course didn't have very much furniture. We didn't have a kitchen table or any chairs. Luckily Benjy's Mom has lent us her mother's first table and we slowly bought 2 folding chairs and were given another 2 folding chairs for Christmas about a year later. So for 3 and a half years we have had folding chairs and Grandma Weber's ancient table. We have always planned on replacing them but it has never worked out. I have recently decided that since we are no longer students the folding chairs are no longer acceptable. I have spent lots of time rummaging through yard sales (which are not very good in Utah County. It is hard to find a good deal when EVERYONE is the area is trying to find a good deal or get as much as they can for something) and D.I.s I have finally and slowly acquired four chairs. The thought has been to refinish them in different colors with a black table. Sounds crazy but it actually looks awesome (Thanks for the idea Mandy :). Well sanding has been very difficult because my "little supervisor" won't give me any space or stop trying to eat the sand paper. So here are some pictures of him trying to be helpful.



Aren't we such a cute couple?

Yep, I am a slacker. Sorry this took so long.

Rules: Name 5 random things about yourself, then tag 5 people. Make sure you comment on their blog to let them know they have been tagged!
Plus - If you want, add a random picture.. kinda makes it more fun!

The guy on the left is chalk drawing on the sidewalk, the guy on the right is the artist. Cool, huh?


1. I am the cleanest messy person you will ever meet. I actually keep stuff really clean (you know, in the aspect of using cleaners, getting rid of germs, etc) but I am incredibly untidy.

2. I LOVE my birthday. Seriously, I usually start a count down to my birthday around September. Yep, crazy since my birthday is in November.

3. I am a planning freak. I have everything written out, decisions are made based on the easiest manner of execution, plans are made early, the whole nine yards. I think I get this from my mom. When we would go on vacations, she would have a Trip Binder. It had everything broken down into days, budgeted to the hilt, maps, mileage logs, brochures, everything you could think of. I do this to but with almost everything. My laptop is LOADED with spreadsheets to keep me organized.

4. Before Rees was born, I would watch movies like "Starsky and Hutch" and "Saraha" at least once a week. The dumber the movie, the better. They are my go-to-movies when I want to watch something but don't necessarily want to get emotionally involved.

5. I LOVE to play games. I could play card games and board games all night long. Some of my favorites are NERTZ, Settlers of Catan, and all the Rummies.

I would like to tag Esther J., Sami C., Mandi B., Cassidy (soon to be Cassidy T.), and Lindsey T. Have fun girls!