~2009 yEaR iN rEviEw~

i have grown {{SO MUCH}} this year its honestly FREAKY. 2009 highlights for my journaling~

• BECAME A MOM!!! None of you can understand the heighth of my love & understanding now bc your life is trivial. Even if you have kids you don't have TWINS so my love is different, and even if you have twins, they aren't as new or cute as mine. Shared my kickA birth story in part 1, part 2, part 3.

• Delt w/ ginorm decisions such as weather to circumcize Tridger's weenie, boobie v. bottle, vaccinations, and even got back in the nuzzling saddle.
  

• Wrote the kids a darling letter including all there milestones up to one month and then persavered when they got H1 AND N1!
  

• Ruth made everyone go on a field trip instead of a vaycay but then I still survived DC and being all urban and made some of the BEST friends EVER!!!

• Not to make this about any one besides ME, but you guys let your frownsmile lights shine, the MoMatchelors got dates, and Emily won a darling makeover contest and adopted a sweet little baby.
  

• Showered the good people of the internet with advice such as how to tell when a relationship is over, tips for engaged people (part 1 AND part 2), getting skinny and making babies, being pre-engaged and then getting the spark back in your marriage.

• Shared 25 things about me and we TOTALLY e-bonded plus I gave you like 12 more ways to enter stuff thru tweeting and facebooking and vinyling and following so forth, and also I thought up some stellar names for shoppes.

• Couponed the crap out of everything {JUST for the challenge NOT bc I'm poor) and got oober into social media.

• GIRLS TRIP to NYC!!!!! AND things got REALLY crazy when I considered cutting my hair! Eeeeek!
  

• Struggled w/ infertility for a few weeks, then stopped trying and just saw what happened for a few weeks, and then decided not to try so I wouldn't be fat this summer. Speaking of, HCG!
  

• i took a fake brake from blogging for two days and it was really cleansing, i hollow-threatened to go private and got a TON of attention which was validating, and when the haters came out and you validated me i felt cuter then ever {there emails shared HERE AND HERE}
  

BEST YEAR EVER!
I also got alot more spiritual. Thanx for the memories! {{{{GROUP HUG}}}}}}}}

wth

Remember how JJWT's brother Spencer married frumpy Ruth in the dead of winter last year and I knew from day 1 they would be total wierdos?

Well not to judge, but they just had they're anniversary and not even kidding, they gave each other like a cow in another country or something instead of presents.

christmas RECAP!

You know that thing you hinted to your hubby like CRAZY for and sent him the link to in October and wanted soooo bad for Christmas but he got you lotion you hate instead and your trying not to let it ruin your holiday???


You know that thing?


I got two of whatever it was you wanted so bad!!!

So fun!

guys??

Thanks for reading. Seriously.

Merry Christmas!

oUr fAmiLy nEwsLeTtEr "09

Dear freinds and family,

So greatful to tell you about our year!

Jordan/Jason/Wes/Taylor {JJWT} is best daddy/hubby ever and smartest in his law/biz/med/dental school class and gets killer grades and is sooo exited to graduate in spring so he can win provider of the year award! He lifts and runs and bikes and his bball team won in the whole 17 stake region and all the wive's made t-shirts they wore to the finals AND he studies all day AND he even made dinner once, how did TAMNers get sooo lucky??

Tiffany/Amber/Megan/Nicole {TAMN} spent this year blogging her brains out, growing up tons as she transitioned from Joanns to Etsy and from lipgloss to lipSTICK and from PB to VINTAGE and from 5Ks to 10Ks of which she did a ton and she is now officially off diet coke again and handmakes everything in they're home that's not Anthro! Being in law/biz/med/dental school is so hard but so worth it. She lurves being a SAHM and going to the gym and her zero training, oops, "self taught" photog biz is BOOMING {email to schedule!} and she can't wait to share a new opportunity w/ you at her home party next weekend plz bring check or cash!

There two adorable twin's birthed naturally in March, Alivyiah TreCole and Tridger Kaegrin, are such a total joy! Alivyiah is a total princess and Tridger is all boy! It's been challenging to adjust to their 7 PM - 8 AM sleeping schedules but we did it! They started crawling three months earlier then your kids ever did and can sign way more words than anyone in any of they're 8 playgroups! So greatful they are finally being challenged in the gifted pre-pre-school the mom's in our neighborhood run. Love taking pics of them in buckets, cowboy boots, train tracks and other bizarre props and then editing it so there eyes glow in the dark!

Living in DC this summer for our internship was such a growing experience only getting to come home every 2 weeks and meeting tons of diverse couples excactly like us in every way! Way hard being away from our McMansion but so fun to come home and redecorate to represent how urban we got! Between redecorating, hair appts, girls trips to NYC, tons of fam Pal trips and cruises galorre, it has been a cRaZy year but we feel SO blessed in our ability to conspicuously consume! Love you guys!

Sorry you lost your job. :(


{heart}
TAMNers, JJWTkins, Tridger and Alivyiah

update!

Sorry I haven't blogged in FOREVER how EMBARASSING! Way stressful trying to find the time bc i'm way to busy elfing myself, plus today was my turn to conduct the pre-pre-school for the under a year kids in our ward/neighborhood {same thing} and Alivyiah & Tridger & all they're darling friends had a great time and learned tons about Christmas bc seriously, LOVE CRAFTS and can I just say,

Funnest activity ever! Honestly putting the lesson together was SO hard but SO worth it, we spelt each of the kids name in wood letters and then just glittered the crap out of them, super nice that two of the MiaMaids who it's break so I didn't even have to check them out this time came to watch the kids while the other mom's and me worked on the preschool project so each little darling could go home with that precious memory and the knowlege that glue and glitter IS christmas.

So magical.

dear santa,

{part 1 of alot}

I've been reallllly good this year, making the twins cute daily, being a hot wife, uplifting other's thru my blog and being a true giver of advice and judgement. Just stick to the list and every one will be happy.

As always plz include a gift reciept.

{heart},
TAMNers

ugh

So after my 10 mile run this morning I was blog stocking and between sips of diet coke {bad i know}, honestly my heart about broke.

Did you know some people still only have two columns on they're blogs?

How would you even function, seriously?

Sad.

winning beginning

GUYS I HAVE A TON TO TELL YOU FROM THE BEST WEEKEND EVER!! But first did you win?? Prolly not {frownsmile} but still worth checking right??

drummmmmrollll..................

• The VIP hair treatment from Cultures Salon goes to klod who said, "Love you TAMN, your the funnest and tiniest person I ever knew."
• The adorable watch band and face from Which Watch Designs goes to to Dani Grigs who said "my life would be so much better if you would just pick me."
• The $100 GC to Baby Coverz to Em who said "Merry Christmas to me! 1 month old babe wants a girly baby coverz!! She told me so."
• Delicious cake bites from The Sweet Tooth Fairy to Kamie who said "Thinking positive winning thoughts.....again."
• A darling Plan Toy from Tender Cargo goes to Erin who said "I could defiantly use anything on this list. Awesome blossom!"
• The $50 GC from Sassy Scoops to Chrystie who said "Tamn, it is sooooo my turn to win!! Not to use my whiney voice or anything, but I have entered the last like zillion giveaways and I haven't won ANYTHING yet! I am starting to doubt my own specialness! Please don't let that happen anymore!"
• The darling ready-made outfit from Oh So Sassy is for Camille who said "Oh TAMNers please, pretty, pretty, please with a cherry on top? I heart your blog and wish I were as sassy and cute as you!"
• The cute Bugle Boy dress from Shabby Apple to Kim who said "Seriously, my frumpy self could use any of these."
• T-shirt of your choice from MY DARLING SELF to Maursupial who said "Oh Darling TAMN!! Please Please Please pick me I need your help so desperately."

SQUEEEEEEE!!! Winners, plz email me at seriouslysoblessed at yahoo dot com w/ your contact info and put what you won in the subject line and HAPPY HOLIDAY'S!

Everyone else, chillax with a diet coke {or diet DP if your feeling unique} and just click refresh til the next post bc as you may have noticed the holidays make me reallllllly deep.

guys guide to perfect wife gifts

Hey everyone. It's me, JJWT. I'm pretty busy with law/biz/med/dental school. It's intense. Other guys always ask me for advice. Probably bc I'm ripped and also bc my wife brags about me tons. With holidays coming up, guys need all the help they can get. When wife is happy life is happy. That's so true TAMN stenciled it on the wall between my weights and gun case. I figured I'd share a couple tips. You're welcome.

• Hit the gym. The best gift you can give your wife is a hot husband. When my pecs bounce she goes nuts. Seriously.

• Whatever you buy, make sure it's full price. Sales look good, but don't do it. Trust me. If you didn't pay full price, women can smell it. Don't ask how or why. it's a fact of life.

• Jewelry. Girls love stuff with meaning. So, make up whatever it's supposed to mean before you give it to her. This saves tons of time and helps you seem deep.

• Clothes. Buying her clothes is dumb. Gift cards are better. It's how girls work. Let her shop her head off. If you pick something out yourself, you'll be sorry. If you insist on buying her stuff (but trust me bro, don't), always buy a couple sizes too small. Girls love that. The only exception to this rule is bras.

• For reasons we'll never understand, redbox and pizza is unacceptable. I don't know why either, but they flip out every time. Even if they say it's okay, it's not. Seriously.

• Spa stuff. This is tough. She probably wants a pedicure. However, she could lose it if she thinks you're hinting that her feet are gross. Same with salon stuff. She'll be all "You hate my hair don't you?" or "Are you saying I need a facial bc I'm zitty?" If possible, do a general GC for pampering. This you can always spin as less "Revamp those nasty toes" and more "You deserve a break, angel wife."

• Vacations. First, call it a vaycay. I don't get why. Just do. She'll think it's cute you pay attention to her lingo. Second, you can probably get it for free with credit card points. TAMN racks up enough on my AmEx we get a free cruise every year. Do NOT let her know it's free. Tell her you had to work late for a month to pay for it. This is a great time to watch the R-rated movies she flips out about or else play Xbox.

• In case of backfire: if she hates what you got her, don't panic. Twist whatever she screamed at you into something seductive. For example, she yells, "I am not wearing that in public!" You smile and say, "I never intended you to, baby." Pec flexing ensues.
  

This advice is subject to change and may not apply if your wife is ticked. That's your problem, not mine.

Happy holidays. Later.

(you can also see these tips in the November/December 2009 issue of Wasatch Woman Magazine)

reason for the season

today i saw the saddest thing and it reminded me of that country song, you know, the one about Christmas.

There was this girl my age at the store and guess what she was wearing?

SHOES.

IT'S DECEMBER.

So sad. It was like she didn't even know it's cute boot weather.

holy HAUL-idays!

Uh oh! I noticed at the ward Christmas party that, after your karaoke solo, you had three sugar cookies. Ew. Thanx to my "sponsorz" may I present a gIvEaWaY that will sooth your troubled tum-tum and make it so you hardly feel the spanx you have to wear the rest of the month to hold everything in.

Here's what you can win this time:

• The hottest hair ever from Cultures Salon! If you're Zionic, you can win a 4-step Haircolor Service at their salon {including products to maintain your hair at home}, but if your NOT Zionic, they'll send you a hair repair kit you can do at home!
  

• How about an interchangeable watch from Which Watch Designs?? A darling watch face AND band of your choice will babe you up in zero time and make everyone else at playgroup feel bad about themselves.

• A $100 GC to Baby Coverz! Carseat covers, changing pads, nursing covers, you name it. Cute cute cute cute cute cute cute. You better believe my baby girl Alivyiah is decked out in all this stuff and way more.
  

• Delicious cake bites from The Sweet Tooth Fairy! Did you know that besides they're Provo shop, they are opening a new location next month in Draper?? So soon we can get darling treats on BOTH sides of the pt of the moun(t)ain.

• Any Plan Toy up to $25 from Tender Cargo! I don't know about YOU'RE kids but MY kids only play with natural wooden stuff...between movies. Anyways, you can also get free shipping from both Tender Cargo and The Nurture Center with the code SSBshopper2009.

• A $50 GC from Sassy Scoops to any of the places they've reviewed! No, this is NOT a kitty litter site you guys!! It's a blog by a group of ladies that review places for Zion locals to eat and shop and play and so forth. Get the scoop on local museums, restaurants, boutiques, everything awesome. Fer fun!
  

• Any ready-made outfit of your choice from Oh So Sassy. Remember them and how they have DIY kits so they do most of the work and you do the bragging?? Plus the first TEN orders who mention TAMN get a free sassy hat. I would make my own hats and sell them on etsy except I'm busy blogging.

• A Bugle Boy dress from Shabby Apple. Freak everyone out at your holliday party's with your hotness.

• Annnnnd, finally, a t-shirt of your choice from ME! Back by popular demand thanx to those of you e-pounding my e-door down, there are only a handful of these left in just a couple sizes so if you want to give yourself one for Christmas HURRY.

To enter, just leave a comment on this post {one per person plz} before midnite on Friday Dec 11 {mountain time} so you'll have time to get your goods before Christmas. Winners will be chosen at random so TELL THE UNIVERSE WHAT YOU WANT AND SEE IF IT SENDS IT TO YOU! Check back to see if you won since I won't go find you bc I have gossiping to do and elaborate neighbor gifts to create.

If you are interested in advertising and being part of a future giveaway, fill free to email me at seriouslysoblessed at yahoo {dot} com or contact me here.

SiNgLe mOm!!!

~~fiNaLs tImE '09~~

School is sooo hard!! We are in the throws of studying for law/biz/med/dental school finals, he is such a studying champ, seriously, I could never learn all that stuff and if I tried to my brian would honestly burst. Soooo greatful I'm not a boy!


Anyways, bc SweetieNugget is so busy w/ finals I am such a single mom right now! :( Can you even imagine?? Except that I have a spousie to give me emotional, financial, and moral support and I don't work or have to arrange slash juggle slash pay for child care or worry about the future, ever. But other than that, sometimes he's gone ALL DAY so I am a TOTAL SINGLE PARENT since I have to drive myself places. You guys, yesterday when Glamma watched the twins, after All My Children and thrifting I even had to buy my own cupcake and had no one to take a polaroid of me pointing at it. Sad!


So all single mom's out there, I totally get you for the next week or so. Us wives club gals are totally getting pedis when finals are over bc not getting attention when other people are working hard is seriously exhausting and we deserve it.

in case you didn't know

my fave place to touch up my mascara is on the freeway.