NOT TO BRAG OR ANYTHING...

BUT, I made the most wonderful lasagna last night. Truly, it was delicious! It wasn't all sloppy or anything. I think that's mainly due to the fact that I didn't use spaghetti sauce- I made my own, well, sort of, it was the recipe's with a few secret touches.

Also, we still have four fish and Leah has a new best friend. I know fish and friends in the same sentence? But it's true. The pleco. that we name Pablo has been renamed to Problem. Leah just mixes up the letters, but it's so cute I can't correct her. And what's the big deal anyway? We have a Problem fish, although he's doing a lovely job keeping that tank nice and clean. Cute little guy.

Other news on the home front: Matt officially left Zion's Bank this last Wednesday and after two business days off returned to work this morning for Utah First Credit Union. Woo Hoo! This also leaves us with no health insurance until June (scary for me). I know, probably nothing will happen. But if it does I am going to be so irritated.

Matt graduates on Friday! Yeah!

I just went to have the safety and emissions tests done for the Jeep and found out (via big fat REJECTION stamp) that it is leaking something or other (I can't remember) and can't pass. Ugh, now we have to get it fixed. Ugh, now we have to pay some ridiculous amount to a mechanic. Ugh, why couldn't Good Ole' Jeepy just pass? I guess I deserve this though, she is 2 month's overdue on her registration. I just never think about doing it at the right time. Ridiculous, I know.

I don't think anything else is going on. I would like to put a little note into cyberspace congratulating my brother and his wife on the arrival of their second child. She was born Friday, April 25 and her pictures are just adorable. We can't see her because they live in Sacramento, but we are definitely there in spirit. Oh and she doesn't have a name yet... as far as I know. I think they should name her Melanie. After all I was 8 lbs. 2 oz. and she is 8 lbs. 3 oz. And I was Baby Girl McGee for a long time too. Well, that's what the government thought anyway.

WE LOVE YOU BABY GIRL MCGEE!

Post Script

Oh and we also got a new fish. We figured we're doing so well with the other three that it was time to put in a Plecostomus. Our tank is in desperate need of some algae removal and this is the easiest way to do that- Pleco's are basically scum suckers. They nose around on the bottom and sides of tanks (and anywhere else they can get) eating all the gunk that comes around. Lovely, I know.

Our little guy's name is Pablo, thanks Aaron and Nicole AND Portrey Family, and he is an Albino Bushy Nose Plecostomus. I've decided not to post pictures of him because I think he's sort of gross looking with his pink eyes and bushy nose and all. We'll keep you posted on how he's thriving in his new environment.

My 2 Year Old

All throughout Leah's birthday and the day before I had a hard time not remembering what I was doing this time two years ago. I know what I was wearing, I know what I was doing most of the time and I know exactly how I felt. SCARED TO DEATH! But in the end Leah was born at 8:43 AM on Easter Morning. I remember Matt saying she was the best easter present ever.

The first year was a big year for us. It was clear I had A LOT to learn about parenting. I was now embarking on being Full-Time Mom and not working outside the home. This was a big change for me. I'm so glad Matt and I made the choice for me to stay home. It's wonderful being around for ALL of Leah's milestones and for the little things that aren't necessarily named milestones, but still just as important. When Leah was 6 months old we moved from Taylorsville over to our current apartment in Holladay. Matt changed positions with Zion's... again and we bought a new car. Here is Leah on her 1st birthday.

Leah's second year brought with it more wonderful time as well. Her vocabulary is astounding to us. Leah is an incredible mimic and you can tell that when she is mimicking you she is trying to comprehend what she's saying or doing. Leah has also developed quite the adoration for Dora the Explorer. I think I can accredit Dora for Leah being able to say, "Hola" and "Delicioso!" Oh and backpack.

This is a picture of Leah on her birthday trying to tell me that she is 5 years old instead of 2. We celebrated Leah's 2nd birthday at home with just the three of us. It was wonderful! She has so much character and animation in that tiny little body and it was fun to see her opening her presents and really being interested in them. What a difference from her 1 year birthday and even this last Christmas. We had celebrated her birthday with Matt's family the previous Sunday and will celebrate with my family next Friday. On the McGee side we get to celebrate Leah's birthday with her cousin Maddie (9 yrs.) who's birthday is on April 13 and we are so excited about this. Every year I got to celebrate my birthday with my brother, Tyler (his birthday was the day after mine) and I always felt so special because of it.

Some special gifts that Leah received are the balloon and flowers that Matt brought home for her. She was so excited to see and play with the balloon and every time she held the flowers she would say, "Smell? Smell?" Which is what she says when something smells good.

Leah also got some coloring books, markers, bubbles, LOTS of clothes, and some more books. In this household we can always do with good books. Matt's mom gave Leah a book that was a blast from the past for me. The book: THE MONSTER AT THE END OF THIS BOOK. I remember reading this book ALL the time when I was little. I absolutely loved this book. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it. Seriously good book!

ABC's of You

Let me just say this: Leah's Birthday Celebration post will be coming shortly. I just have to download the pictures.

A- Attached or single: Attached- and I like it that way
B- Best Restaurant: I think Bonsai. We just love tepanyaki style dining.
C-Cake or Pie: For sure pie- frozen peach pie is my favorite. Cake is just dry and gunky.
D- Day of Choice: Tuesday
E- Essential Item: I don't get this one... essential? Like shelter? I pick shelter, or water, or something like that.
F- Favorite Color: Blue blue blue
G- Gummi Bears or Gummi Worms: Yuck, I don't like either- at all!
H- Hometown: Murray, Utah
I- Indulgence(s): Cookie dough
J- January or July: How could I not answer July? It's my birthday month!
K- Kids: Leah just turned two
L-Life is incomplete without: something to work towards
M- Marriage Date: September 18, 2004
N- Number of Siblings: I have 2 brothers and 4 sisters
O- Oranges or Apples: Another toughie, I love them both but apples aren't as messy to eat. So probably apples, but only if they are of the Granny Apple Smith variety.
P- Phobias or Fears: Dying during childbirth. But I made it through once alright so I'm on the right track.
Q- Quote(s): "The Lord doesn't send thunder when a still small voice is enough." Neal A. Maxwell
R- Reason To Smile: Leah.
S- Season: Spring- I have a hard time deciding between spring and fall. I love the colors in both of them and they both smell wonderful.
T- Tag Three: Marci Hansen, Karey Crain, and Matt
U- Unknown Fact About Me: I just did a tag a while back about 7 unknown things... please refer to that post
V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animal: I do enjoy a good steak every now and again. I think lately, though, I have been more into fish, yummy crab legs.
W- Worst Habit: I can hold a mean grudge :)
X- X-Rays or Ultrasounds: November 29, 2005
Y- Your Favorite Food: Super Shells, more commonly known as Stuffed Shells
Z: Zodiac: Cancer

The Switch

Thanks to a well placed comment I realized I left out some vital information on Matt's career change.

Matt is not leaving Zion's to be a stay at home dad, much to my dismay. As 'fun' as it would be to have him around ALL the time (we don't get along too well after too much time home together) his paychecks will now be signed by Utah First Credit Union. A credit union, you say? Yes! Matt has made the jump from banking to credit union-ing. After years and years of bank higher-ups preaching the evil doings that can only be brought on by credit unions, Matt has joined the Other Side.

On a lighter note, Matt accepted a position as a branch manager for UFCU and will start April 28. The timing is splendid as he will graduate from college May 2. It's really nice because now we feel like his graduation is not only getting him out of school but really moving on to something new. Up until this job his graduation was just an end to his escapades at the University of Utah (yes, he and I are still ashamed of the fact that his diploma will read red). He'd still have been at Zion's doing what he was doing before. Now we feel like he is graduating TO something. It's really very exciting.

As I mentioned in my previous post, Matt has dabbled in many things during his time at the bank. One of those positions was branch management. He moved on from that position after a year or so to try his hand at commercial lending, which is what he has been doing for the past 1 1/2 years in one way or another. A few months ago he realized that he really enjoyed managing and has been wanting to go back to it. This job sort of appeared out of nowhere. Matt's dad found a listing in the newspaper (who looks for a job in newspapers anymore? I thought that's why we had the internet) and emailed it to Matt one day. He submitted his resume and didn't think anything of it. A few weeks later he had a phone interview, one week after that another phone interview, a few days after that he met the HR guy face to face at the proposed branch and after a couple more interviews the rest is history. Utah First needs to place three managers: they are building two new branches (at The Quarry in Sandy and The District in Riverton) and have one existing branch in American Fork that they need to fill as well. So, while Matt is training and learning the Credit Union way of life they'll decide which branch will best fit him.

We've been very impressed with how they've handled everything in trying to get Matt over there. Matt and I are so excited to start this new part of our life and can't wait to see what will happen in the future. So congratulations, Matt!

Today's Blog

Here is a summary of what's been happening at our household.

*I haven't been blogging recently because last week we had the opportunity to babysit my cute nephew Logan for a whole 6 days (including nights and everything in between). He's the youngest member of the McGee Clan at only 6 months old and he sure is adorable. So I got to be a mom of two for a while and it was a great experience. I now realize how challenging it is to run errands with an infant carrier and a 2 year old. I often found myself thinking, "Do I really need to get this done before Matt gets home?" I know all you moms with two or more kids out there are laughing at my inexperience. We really did have a good time though. I felt like Logan was a part of our family. Except blond. And he has the most adorable dimples. That kid smiles at you and you just can't help but smile back. How was Leah with all this? Glad you asked. She was great. Leah really wanted to be involved with feeding him, playing with him, and holding him. There were times I picked up a little bit of jealousy but Leah ended up being content sharing my lap with Logan. I nicknamed myself Mom-Free (like Pepsi-Free). I was good, but not as good as the original. On Friday, when we dropped Logan off he was so happy to be back in his house with his siblings and familiar settings. He was such a trooper.

**On April 11 our fish turned one month old. For those of you who have been holding your breath for us, our fish are still alive. I'm fairly certain this is nothing short of a miracle. Also, Matt gave his notice to Zion's Bank that he will be leaving their employ in two weeks. Matt started out as a teller for Zion's Bank soon after he returned from his mission. He's held numerous positions at branches spanning from Draper out to West Jordan and up to Downtown SLC, and a few more in between. To Zion's Bank: we thank you for your education and experience.

***Saturday Matt asked me if I thought he could pull of a buzz cut. I immediately and emphatically answered, "No." Call me crazy but I wasn't about to buzz his hair and find out that he had a lopsided head or something. Well, he continued the rest of the night mentioning the more positive points of buzzing his hair. Each point I didn't care to hear about and stayed resolute with my original judgment. Saturday night, I'd heard enough and said, "Fine, ask you brother to bring his clippers and we'll do it at your parents house tomorrow night." Sunday night we finished dinner played a few rounds of Pinochle and out came the clippers. Now Matt was getting a little gun shy. I guess he only wanted it when he knew that I would be the voice of reason to talk him off the ledge. I told him he should do it and buzz buzz went the clippers.

Oh and as far as the lopsided thing goes, his head turned out to be shaped quite nicely.

TAGGED

I've been tagged. 7 THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT ME. I think 7 is a tall order because I think most people know most things about me. But I'll try:

1. I'm a published poet. Sort of. In fifth grade I wrote a poem entitled The Daisy. It was submitted by my fifth grade teacher and published in a magazine called... something... I don't remember, but it was an actual national magazine that was publishing elementary poems for that issue.

2. I was operated on when I was three years old for a Pediatric Melanoma in my cheek. Seriously, I still have the scar. I used to be totally self-conscious about it (up until a few years ago) but have since let it go. My freckles cover it up pretty well anyway.

3. I have Murphy's Toe. I know a lot of people have this, but I do too. For those of you who don't know what Murphy's Toe is, it is when the second toe is longer than the first. Oh, and my toes are long and skinny; my sister and I call them Cheeto Toes.

4. My favorite article of clothing is a polo style T-Shirt. These shirts are the most comfortable things to wear, in my opinion.

5. I pace whenever I talk on the phone. Now, most of my family can claim this trait as well. I think it is a law that our bodies CANNOT NOT pace while we are on the phone. In fact, I've heard that everyone in family who does this has a pattern to their pacing as well. Mine is around the dividing wall in our apartment. I think the best exercise I ever get is when I'm on the phone. It's literally a CONSTANT pacing.

6. I am fascinated by writing people's names. If there is a dull moment and a pen and paper around I am usually writing names. Anyone's name. Of course my family is my favorite to write; but I will end up with future children's names, friends, people that we're with at the time, celebrities, general authorities, etc. One time in my 8th grade Spanish class I wrote my entire extended families names. Including: aunts, uncles, cousins, and my cousins children. Any family out there knows what a daunting task that could have been for a 13 year old in 1997. I want to say the list was around 50 people long? I even had it broken down into families and listed by age.

7. I missed out on a trip to New York with my Madrigals choir my senior year. Well, we all missed out on it. Our chorister had us all lined up for this huge show and tour in New York (singing in St. James Cathedral, Radio City Music Hall, Carnegie Hall, and other places). We had received the approval and raised all the money to fund the entire trip.

One of the big things we were doing was singing with a bunch of other school from all around the nation in quite a few performances. It was supposed to be a Christian program. When the 'powers that be' found out that we were a school from Utah they kicked us out because they thought we were all LDS and didn't think the LDS religion was Christian.

It was a huge disappointment for us that year. But Channel 2 (or was it 4) News found out about it and interviewed us all, well not me because I wasn't 18, and made it known that we were a public school with faiths of all kind in attendance. Of course, they still didn't let us in. Bummer.

***Now I tag Tracy P, Sarah C, Stephanie B, and Lisa M***

VFTW

THIS IS A VENT. TURN BACK NOW IF YOU YOU LIKE AMERICAN IDOL'S KRISTY LEE COOK.

It's official: the Vote For The Worst campaign is being held in the camp of Kristy Lee Cook. I do not like this girl. And now that I know she is getting the VFTW vote I know why she is sticking around; well, that and the male fanbase.

This girl is like a cockroach. She keeps getting voted bottom three but we can't seem to take her out. Her songs stink, her voice, is mediocre, and she is continually making fun of the fact that she is still on the show. Anyone remember how in one of the Top 24 weeks, Kristy Lee said, "I'd just like to make it to the Top 10!" She has made other comments to that effect and with her antics of last night... I mean, come on. KRISTY'S SEAT?!?!? Just put her out of her misery. I think Kristy knows that she isn't as talented as the other contestants and it's just a matter of time.

Yuck, get her off the stage.