The Price is Wrong, Biatch!!

This weekend Matt & I went with most of his siblings & Susie to LA to support Ryan in his life-long dream of going on The Price is Right. We scrambled to round up 15 people (thank you, Brittany) so that we didn't have to sleep out on the street all night to get in, but even with a guaranteed group ticket, we were there from noon to four before we even got in the door. It was really fun though. Not something I need to repeat, but fun. I wish I could get tickets to something I care about though, SYTYCD or American Idol. Drew Carey looked awful in real life, but was way more funny than I thought he would be. Matt's brother Steven actually was the one who got called up, it was fun that one of us did. We all had awesome shirts and a lot of fun, but it's always fun when we're with his family. They are slightly crazy though, I must say. In a good way. I love how they say what's on their minds & forgive quickly & keep the fun going. They really help each other (and me) be better people.
Matt & I flew down on Friday night & stayed in a fancy schmancy hotel in Santa Monica for a few nights before we met up with the fam. I ate lots of cupcakes of course, and we found a pizza place that we visited both for dinner & breakfast the next day, it was that good.
Probably the best part about the weekend was coming home to a house that was fully tile-d & cabinet-ed! Just waiting on the laminate & the countertops now!!! Yay!!! I gotta tell ya, it's be MUCH more tough than I thought, being out of our home. Home is big. Big deal. It's like a fifth member of the family. Not having Charlie is also big. No bueno. She's been kinda struggling, too. She's got an ear infection, a staph infection and someone has been gnawing on the tips of her poor little ears, and those are infected too. 150 dollars to the vet later & I still can't even take care of her, someone else is doing it. I'm so grateful for them, but I HATE HATE HATE HATE that it's not me. I was bawling more than just a little when I took her back. (Laura, do you want to take her for a week or two until we're back in the house? Kidding. (but only kinda.))
I just pray that the non-carpeted house & the new air filters & the Zyrtec & the cleaned air ducts & not letting Sawyer sleep with Charlie will be enough to allow us to keep her.
It's always tough coming home from a trip without Sawyer, she always acts out for a few days until we establish the rules again. (Which is frustrating, because Kierstin said that Sawyer was awesomely obedient & lovely for her.) Anyway today sucked, and all I could think was that it would be so much easier if I had a few more kids by now. Siblings to play with seem get you some more time to get things done. But I don't know, is that true? Or maybe it just makes for more disciplining & cleaning up after people. Breaking up fights & all that. Anyway, mothers of more than one, what do you think? Not that it matters, I don't have any other kids at the time, so what's the point of wishing I did?
Also I'd like you to know that Jimmy Fallon is the only late night host I have ever not hated. But now it's time for me to go to bed. Good night.

i heart santa monica

Escapism is my forte

Seriously, I know I'm spoiled. I am so lucky to be able to take a little trip off to paradise pretty much anytime I deem necessary. Between Susie's St. George condo & the "cab-mansion" above Oakley, it's good to be a Davis. In the beginning of this rapidly ending month we call June, Sawyer & I set off to the cabin with a select group of awesome people: my parents (who will probably request to be buried at the cabin), my good friend Emily & her daughter Talley & newborn boy Drayden, and the lovely Laura & Kort. Bubbuh (Laura's amazingly beautiful & sweet dog), Charlie & Jasmine (Kierstin's wiener dog I was babysitting) also joined us for a few days of hiking, reading, discussing reading, fighting over the baby & eating good food. I am so grateful for such awesome friends who although they didn't know each other at all, are just the type of people who I knew would be awesome friends by the time we were done. Thank you guys, it was just what I needed. I honestly was kinda dreading the trip, because I thought I'd be too anxious about the house and all that goes along with it to relax, but it was perfect! Laura & Kort arrived right as I was trying to put Sawyer down (WAY past her bedtime) and were instantly in love with one another, jumping all over the Love Sac and giggling hysterically. The kids played beautifully with each other all week, and the mommas were able to have some great talks and reads. The best thing about it was seeing how Sawyer reacted to being with Charlie all week; obviously she loved being with her buddy again, but it was nice to know that we can handle these allergies without getting rid of Charlie. Zyrtec in the morning, wash hands after petting, don't have carpet & don't let the dog sleep on Sawyer's bed, and everything is gravy. My parents were awesome, it was so much fun to see them together up there again, to see how patient they were with all the kids, but particularly Kortland who has more energy than a hive of bees, and wanted to go on a hike or look for bugs or build a fire with my dad every second he could. And for those who I invited (albeit last minute) who couldn't come, maybe you need to be reevaluating your priorities, huh? Just kidding, work is important. lame.

Crafty time with Grandma

Jasmine standing guard over Drayden.

Mom & Dad enjoying the tin foil covered fruits of their labors.

Gorgeous, amazing kids piggin out.

Anyone who will make out with my overly-affectionate dog is alright by me.

I miss her....

....like you wouldn't believe. Please hurry & get fixed, house, so our family can be together again.

Is there a reason you aren't watching this show?

I am a newly converted HUGE fan of So You Think You Can Dance. The things these people can do are pretty much in the superhuman category. Wednesday & Thursdays are my new favorite days. Philip & Jason are my picks for winners, I can't decide quite yet, it's still too early, but here's a bit of Philip & his mad skills.
Please enjoy cuz it's impossible not to.

I think it's gonna be worth it...

... all this flood crap. We have to replace all our living room, dining room & family room furniture, and since most of it was gifts from Susie that were needing to be replaced soon anyway, we're kinda cleaning up on this whole deal. Last night we went to RC Willey and found a bunch of stuff we love. This dining table is pretty much ridiculous. It is soooo gorgeous. You can't really see it in this picture, but there is the most lovely ironwork footrest on the base. I am not getting those ornate chairs, but rather these retardedly comfy ones.

This is the leather sectional we are pretty sure on for upstairs. We wanted leather so that a) Charlie wouldn't want to hop up on it and b) if she does, her hair won't imbed itself in the leather like it would upholstery. It's kinda sexy & very comfy. I don't like those nailheads they use in nearly every leather couch, but this one doesn't have as many as most do, so it doesn't bug me.
We ordered a sectional like this, ours is bigger though and has a chaise & what they call a "cuddler". It's very aptly named. But this is the color we're getting. I love it, it'll be in the basement, replacing the beloved Mammoth. Trust me, we're okay with not getting the Mammoth again, this one is delightful! And that's what we've been up to. Well, that & choosing tile (amazing!) and engineered hardwood flooring for upstairs. I'm super excited to get back in that place & I am pretty sure we're going to throw a freaking fun welcome home party for our near & dear ones who have been so supportive & nice to put up with us & our complaining.

I am easily entertained

I have no problem admitting that. I loved Twilight the first time I saw it. I loved Wolverine too. There's also a lesser known little flick called "The Pest" with John Leguziamo that is easily the most annoying movie of all time, and guess who ADORES it? Yup, me. All I ask from a movie is that it take me out of reality for a minute, and my imagination is pretty good, so I can actually really enjoy a cheaply produced shoddy excuse for a movie adaptation. And I am really excited for this.

I don't care if you think I'm dumb or easily entertained, because I am.

Not the dumb part, the easily entertained part. Just so we're clear.
but I must point out that in this trailer it's funny how Jake first doesn't have a shirt on, then he does. Amazing.

so I have yet another amazing friend...

...Laura Dugovic. Not only does she make a seriously mean pancake, write a touching, hilarious & thought-provoking blog (oftentimes in the same post), but she's also hot as hell, an amazing mom & wifey, has adorable style, is debt free (RAD!) and rescues animals, and is also my personal Mrs. Congeniality, but she is also a hugely ridiculous humanitarian. She is one of those crazy people who actually think they can make a difference, and does. Trust me, you wish you knew her. Check out the newest coolest thing on her Serve Utah blog. Seriously, do it. Do it now. Open your iTunes account and open your heart & join the ranks of those crazy people who think they can make a difference. It'll take you ten seconds. Way less time than you waste reading my blog. WAY less.

A Very Merry Ex-Birthday to You!

Today is my ex-husbands birthday. I'm pretty sure he's turning thirty today. This is the only picture I have left of him. I kept it because I want to make sure that my kids know that when I say "you marry who you date; don't date him if you don't wanna marry him," that I know what I'm talking about. I don't know when exactly I'll tell them about him, but when I do, I want to have a visual aide.
It's taken a long time, but I can finally say honestly that I wish him well. Happy Birthday, Jared. Thank you for making the decision to divorce you very easy to make. I'm so grateful for the things I learned by hitting rock bottom & clawing my way back to where I belong. I'm so grateful that now I can look back at our 9-month marriage and not feel resentful or victimized. I never should have gone on a second date with you. That was my fault, and it opened the doors for the next few years of manipulation, abuse, confusion and drama. That time shaped & changed me, and I cannot regret it because it was part of the path to now. It taught me about the atonement and about the unconditional love of my Savior & Father in Heaven. I wouldn't trade that for anything. Matt always jokes that my family loves him so much because compared to Jared, anyone would look great, but that is only kind of true. I think my family loves him so much because they can see that he was worth it. But honestly, they have no idea just how worth it Matt is. I'd go through Jared-hell over & over again just for the hope that someone like Matt was on the other side. So Happy Birthday, Jared, and again, thank you. Thank you for being a part of my path to now. Because now kicks ass.