MY SCARY MOMENT!!

I am not afraid of the dark, not afraid to be alone, not afraid of strange people... Bottom line is, I am not a fraidy cat! Let me preface... Lance went out of town for work, only one night, and I was more than welcoming my free time to do as I please! I went to Provo for my old wards' Halloween party, which was A LOT of fun, (other than Janne constantly reminding me that it's nice to see meat on my bones, and then later proceeding to tell me I finally have a "big backyard" meaning a big REAR END!!) Anyways, I drive home, put the boys to bed, and begin my reading!

10:30 rolls around, I double check my doors and toddle off to my bed, where Braydon is sawing logs, I promised him he could sleep with me, (leave me alone, he's not too big)!!

So I fall asleep easily, but a few hours later, (sorry I'm being long winded here) I woke with a jolt! I had this scary, eery feeling... thinking that it's just because Lance was gone, and I was psyching myself out I just ran to check what time it was on the kitchen stove, 3:30 in the morning... then I just stop, dead in my tracks to see my front door is wide open, I knew it was locked... KNEW IT. I did it myself, and my front door is ALWAYS locked. I swear I stood staring at the door for what seemed like forever... I knew there was someone in my house... or had been in my house, my initial thought is, I needed to check on the baby, make sure he was okay... but then I thought should I call Ben Bean, should I call 911.... I was SO SCARED.... SHAKY SCARED!! All the sudden I hear a noise.... in the front yard... I cautiously walked over to the door, and peeked out... THERE WAS CARTER!!! In his glow in the dark, dinosaur feety jammies just standing in the front yard... I was like, "carter...." he was just standing there, he looked freaky!! As I finally took a breath, I ran over and grabbed him, but I cried too! For sure I was prompted to wake up, to bring my little toddler back in the house! So was he sleepwalking?? I don't know... it was weird, and it was so odd how he was just standing outside! So what do I do?? Lock him in his room at night?? That's so sad... but if I must... I MUST!

Time to Catch Up!

Alrighty, let's recap our last week, shall we? I would say it was a normal week, lots of experimental cooking, and chilling at home. It's funny I am not much of a baker, cook, or anything of that sort... I mean, I cook to make the essentials like dinner and breakfast but let's be honest, Lance is the chef of the family.... UNTIL NOW!! I don't know what it is about this house, but I love cooking now! Really, I DO! Before I moved here, I would have never experimented Grandmas noodles, or homemade muffins! But now, my friends... IT'S ON!! It also explains the 10 pounds that I have put on as well, (I don't want to talk about it!!!). By Friday I was getting pretty antsy to get out, and have some fun, and my beautiful friend Janne' told me she and her 2 year old son were going to see High School Musical 3, now never being a fan myself... (Janne' is a tad freakish about the whole thing, and you should see how giddy she was during the movie), anyways, I just wanted to see her and spend time with her, I also knew that my little Braydon deserved a fun day off from school, (I don't want to hear anyones negativity on this particular choice I made.) And Brayd loves the High School Musicals'!! So I took Braydon, and Carter to Provo Towne Center to watch Zac Efron at his best!! It was so fun spending the day and the rest of the evening in Provo with all our old neighbors and friends! The movie was actually really good, and I am not going to lie to any of you... I foresee a HSM3 soundtrack in my near future!!

Okay but then on Saturday, Lance was home, and I was itching to go out and play and have fun, the day was so amazingly pretty to me! Low and behold Ben Bean calls us to go out and go boating! Look I know that it sounds crazy, and when I first asked Lance if we could go he, "poo, pooed" the idea, kinda being a little wussy about the whole thing, until I pulled out the card where I say, "We always do what you want to do, and the water is my passion"! It worked and an hour later, parkas in hand, beanies on our heads, we were on our way to Utah Lake with Ben and the Bean triplets! We tried this new thing that I haven't done before, it's actually surfing behind the boat, and it is SO RAD!! This summer I was able to do a ton of boating and wake boarding, and kinda turned my nose up to this new trend, but now that I have tried it, I'M HOOKED!! I had a wet suit on, but when my face would hit the water, I truly felt like hundreds of needles were poking my face, and stinging me! Our toes and fingers became instantly numb.... But was it worth it??? YUP!! Even Lance at the end of the day said, "I feel foolish for being so negative."

So bottom line... It was a great week! I'm still having a hard time about the move, and coming to Draper, but it's where I am supposed to be, I know it in my heart of hearts!

All About Braydon.....

I just want to post about Braydon today, I am overwhelmed by my love for this little guy, I guess he's pretty much a big boy now, but he still snuggles me, and kisses and hugs me all the time!! He's so awesome!

When I think of Braydon here are some words that describe him best:

Funny, fun, energetic, smarty, witty, smarty pants, awesome big brother, amazing friend, sensitive, caring, loving, spiritual, confident, talented... one of my best friends ever!!

Braydon is such a bright spot in my life! He makes me laugh all the time, and he makes me so proud to be his mom.

The missionaries have been coming to see us on a regular basis now, and tonight we set a date for Braydons' baptism. It will be November 8th, as long as we can make all of our meetings with them, and nothing crazy comes up again!! I will make sure it happens on the 8th though, and I am so excited he finally gets to have this experience. He is such a spiritual giant! I feel like although he keeps me on my toes quite a bit, this is something that he will always be strong in! I feel it so much! He is a great example to me, and to his brother, Carter.

I love you Braydon, and I thank you for choosing me!!!

Love,
Mom

Hunny, (I know it's spelled honey)...

There's Hunny, he is so pretty!

Carter giving Hunny tons of love...

I just yelled at Carter for hurting Hunny!

For all of you who haven't seen Hunny!

Ya Win Some, Ya Lose Some!!

Can we as women talk for a sec?? What is it about sports, especially your significant others' favorite sports team that causes a man to become an emotional wreck?? I have not really seen this side of Lance before, but really that's because the Cougars have been a winning team for the last few years, (maybe that's why this loss has caused him to lose his cool!!). Last night was not a great night for my spouse, he was angry, sad, and really just downright DISTRAUGHT over this loss. I must admit, I did not know how to handle this situation. Not only was he short, snippety and cranky throughout the game, (at one point he was lying on the bathroom floor listening to the game on the radio, hands over face...), it lasted until THIS MORNING!! If I didn't know any better, I would have thought that some evil being took over sweet little Lances' mind and body!It was upsetting to see this side of Lance! A couple of times I wanted to slap him upside the head and tell him, "honey, IT'S JUST A GAME!!" But I wouldn't have dared!!!! Truth be told, you do learn something new about the person you are with, ALL THE TIME! I will tell you ladies though, I did get a text today from Lance that said, "I'm sorry for being cranky and mean last night, but the Cougars made me so sad"!! Braydon told me this morning that I am lucky I will be out of town for the BYU/UofU game on the 22 of November! Even Braydon is nervous!!! Cross your fingers girls, for the Cougars shall not let Lance down again!!!

For My Family... You know who you are...

Look very closely... what is it?? Is it spaghetti? Is it macaroni??? Or is it... GRANDMAS HOMEMADE CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP! Okay, grandma didn't make it, but it is her recipe, and I called her about a bazillion times to get tips and tricks on how to make it! I ended up making it twice, once for my family, then today I made it for Mindys' family as they are SICK, SICK, SICK! Anyways, it turned out pretty good! I must say I am happy that I attempted it, and will continue to make it as one of our favorite fall and wintery dishes!

It's funny how sentimental I got over noodles!! But really I did, I walked down memory lane thinking how every Thanksgiving I could only hope and pray that I would walk out the door with a mason jar full of leftover chicken noodle soup... some years we got it, some years we just weren't the lucky ones! I was thinking about the hussle and bussle of Thanksgiving also, with Mom and Suzy in deep contemplation over which store to hit first.... would it be Walmart or Fred Meyer... well... Fred Meyer did serve coffee and donuts!! I remember when mom would walk in and try to hide the presents... POORLY!! I swear she did not give my snooping abilities enough credit for I always found the hidden treasures!! (I am the same way today, ask Lance). Anyways, I remember the year I was able to go with them for the first time, Mindy, Suzy and I, all shopping and Suzy wanted the Walmart T.V. so I went to go get it, and they were off to different departments, as It is more effecient to split up!! Anywho... back to the T.V. so I grabbed one off the pile, I believe it was a 19" or so, but there I was the biggest smile on my face at 5:00 A.M. bringing my Aunt back her T.V. that she went to Walmart for... As most everyone knows Walmart is packed, I mean WALL TO WALL people when it's the Day After Thankgiving Sale... Sooooo I was carrying this GINORMOUS box, frequently bumping into people, but one woman did not think that I was funny, nor was she feeling the Christmas spirit, and she proceded to call me the, "B" Word!! I stopped dead in my tracks, and turned around with box in hand, I gleefully wished her a MERRY CHRISTMAS! I think it's so funny that she said that to me! Lighten up lady!! Anyways so many memories... sorry it went on so long! I love you all!!

Love,

Melanie

Moms Never Get Sick... Oh Wait They DO!!!

Yup! That's ME!! Aren't I a sight for sore eyes??!!! Here is why I feel it is vitally important to post this blog.... As my previous post said, Carter was sick with the flu it lasted for 24 hours, and it was an utter mess, any mom with a toddler knows how bad the flu can really be! Well, after Carter was better then Daddy got it... so here I was making homemade tomato soup taking care of my hubby doing whatever he needed... and also gloating, literally bragging that moms don't get sick. I mean really... WE DON'T!! (Almost Never). I was telling Lance how lucky us moms were because it is our primary responsibility to care for our family and others, and that we don't have time to mess around, and fall ill! JUST KIDDING!!! Big mistake I made, at exactly 12:44 A.M. I was vomiting in the toilet and retching and feeling it in every part of my body! As I quietly went tiptoeing back to bed... not to disturb Lance of course.... I hear small bouts of snickering!! My husband was laughing at me!! THANKS LANCE!! I must admit though sick or not, I laughed too. It was and is pretty funny! Needless to say I spent the next 24 hours just like that picture above, wrapped up on the couch why my hubby took care of the boys... Gotta love him, he was great!! Anyways Braydon got it the following day, but now were all on the mend, and pretty well back in order! Just thought I would share this funny story with my friends and family!

Love,

Melanie

SNOWSTORM, Using the Fireplace for the First Time, Caramel Apple Making, BYU watching, REDSOX rooting..... What a day!

My caramel apples were a hit!!! Sorry Bonnie, but you were on vacation....
We lit our fire for the first time... So cozy!
Can you see the snow?? I cannot even believe this!!!!
Maria this is for you, I love my kitchen the most, and you wanted to see a pic of the house! What a day today was... Yesterday Carter was super sick, projectile puking at his best! So today he woke up, and climbed in bed with us, he snuggled til like 9:00... He was obviously still sick, but no vomit today! The back of our house is lined with windows, and I immediately saw the snow flurries.... YUP, huge snow flakes slowly coming down. I couldn't resist staring and being mesmerized by the beauty. Carter and I stayed in our jammies why Lance did our grocery shopping for us, we needed all the comfort food you can imagine on a snow day... plus everything to make the neighbors our "gourmet" caramel apples. We then watched the cougars play, we all love them... except poor jaded Braydon who loves U of U. I am not really sure what's wrong with him!! I made apples all day long, and loved every minute of hanging with my family why we stayed in our comfy clothes.... I wont lie, I wore the BYU jersey to support our boys!

We used our fireplace for the first time since we moved here, and we loved it! What is it about the flickering light that causes romance in the air??!!! I LOVE IT!!

I am reading Twilight again because Lance just told me that I could fly out and see Maria, and go watch the movie with her in Washington... Can I tell you how much this made the movie that much greater for me!!?? I miss you so much Mia! I am having a small crush on Edward, but I know what happens in book two, so I will forever be team Jacob!!

We are currently watching the Redsox and Rays, the score is Redsox 6, Rays 8... SCARY! We love our Redsox so much, and are so badly wanting to see them in the world series!

Tomorrow I go to church for the 2nd time since I have lived here, and Bonnie went on vacation! Does she not know how needy I am?? Why would she leave me right now??!!! I'm not going to lie, if Carter is still at all weak or ill.... MOM IS STAYING HOME!! Stay tuned for an update on this! Happy Fall everyone, I hope you enjoy the season!!

My Hidden Spicerack....

Okay! Let me really fast tell you all about my hidden spice rack that I have just recently been aquainted with, and how I accidentally stumbled upon it... I was dusting my cabinets and I felt one of them underneath the stovetop wiggle a little. I was ticked at first and as I fidgeted with it..... TADA, low and behold it pulled all the way out to expose a SPICE RACK!! I was sooo happy and proceeded to call anyone and everyone to share this information with.... YESSSS!!!

May I brag.....????

Well Here he is, my baby boy Carter, who is all grown up... To me, this picture is Carter!

Lance calls him GQ in this one...

This last one also says Carter to me too, isn't he so cute you guys!!??? Here is the deal with Carter, he is CURIOUS!! I think it's a nicely put way of saying a pain in my BOOTY!! I love him, think he is one of the most amazing human beings on earth, but really... he is destructive, tells me no all the time, mischevious, BUSY, into every freaking thing... I chase him around all day long... is it wrong of me to go, "ahhh, once he is in bed for the night?" Is it wrong that he actually goes and puts his nose in the corner before I even tell him to?? He just does it right after he knows he ticks me off! I don't get it!! He knows it's wrong, but obviously the temptation is more than he can handle, for it is worth the minute in the corner! Poor baby Carter puts his nose in the corner more than a little guy should!

Really though, he is the cutest, sweetest thing I have been introduced to. I swear I'm not even kidding, Heavenly Father knew that he had to give him a huge cute factor to outweigh the, "curiousity" in him. No matter what though, I can't thank him enough for choosing us to be his parents, Thank you Carter, we love you!!

The move continued....

The other day I was blogging away, having a tiny pity party about how badly I miss my neighborhood and my old house.... Boy oh boy, I spoke too soon! Later that night we had outdoor movie night at Bonnie Beans' house... Yup that's her name Bonnie Bean... her husbands' name is ben, you got it, BEN AND BONNIE BEAN! She has triplet boys, that although they look nothing alike I can't get them straight for the life of me!! That's okay, to them, I am Braydons mom, or Carters mom. Anyways back to Bonnie... She has made yams for my husband, given Carter a couple coats, (she has triplets, remember) and every time she goes to the market she is kind enough to ask if I need anything! I LOVE BONNIE!

Needless to say, I am loving it here more and more everyday! I live in the mountains, for those of you who know me, all know that the mountains suit me, and give me the serenity and peace that I crave. Although it is nothing like Reese Estates in Provo, I am beginning to see that there really truly are great people everywhere. I still miss Provo, but Janne' came over today, walked down the hill, and took some gorgeous pictures of baby Carter... Who by the way is almost 2!!!

The missionaries have been coming over to our house, they are actually here to visit with Braydon once a week. The first time we went to church a little girl said, "I know who you are, you're the boy who's nine and not baptized" Braydon told me he stood right up, and told here, "I'M GONNA GET BAPTIZED SOON!" Good job Braydon!! But of course as his mother I felt a twinge of guilt because I have put it off for so long! I am not justifying anything, I didn't want to do it when we were inactive, it just didn't feel right! But here we are, and I am so excited to get the ball rolling, and soon Brayd will be a member of the church. He is such an awesome kid!

Well I still need to post pictures... and I will soon, very soon! I have yet to tell you about Hunny, our siamese kitten I bought for 5 bucks at a garage sale, Carter named him by saying, "hunny" every time he sees him. He loves him, pulls his tail, holds him incessentaly and only thrown him off the balcony once! (sorry Hunny). I also haven't told you about the hidden spice rack that I found in my cabinets here at the new house.... TODAY WAS A GOOD DAY!!!

The big move....

As some of you, or all of you know.... the Strossers' have left the building! I miss it terribly! Braydon loves it, he has a friend that moved in the week we did that is in his new class, so he is happy with that! Our house is beautiful, nestled up in the mountains, and the view is stunning. We have found all the neighbors to be kind and gracious, but there is nothing like being home in Provo. I miss my Young Women, and Janne, and well EVERYONE!! I miss the fact that Carter could walk out the door and in a matter of minutes collect cookies and treats from all the neighbors! He goes next door all the time at this house, only to return empty handed. I know that's how the real life is...

I will post more pictures of the house, and the amazing views! We love and miss everyone, but we also are so looking forward to this new chapter in our lives!!

Livin' La Vida Loca