Tag . . . ur kids

8 Things about Araleigh!

1. I was named after no one. My parents couldn't agree on a name and my mom heard of the name Aralyn and messed around and came up with Araleigh . . then threw it out there one day not really thinking . . . and my dad said . . "Thats the only one I like, thats it!" So thats how I got my name.

2. I had a TON of hair when I was born. My mom could put it in a ponytail on top at 4 wks.

3. I LOVE bananas- which was pretty much the only word I would say since I was 10 months, grapes, ANYTHING pasta and my 2 blankies.

4. I love to dance, whenever music comes on . . . I shake my groove thing! I also LOVE stuffed animals. I walk around and hug and kiss them all day. I love to talk on the phone, I have officially mastered "hi" and "bye"! Balls are also a fav- which makes daddy so proud!

5. I love my daddy, I will follow him where ever he goes. I have become his shadow!

6. I was born in Sandy, Utah and it took 10 hours of labor in the hospital to get me here.

7. I will not eat anything green. When my mom mixes peas or green beans into my food . . . I pick all of them out and throw them. I have done this since I have eaten solids.

8. I HATE car rides or being in my carseat . . unless I have a movie playing.

All litte excited about Twilight!

Okay, so I am a little bit OVERJOYED that they are making a movie . . .and here is the official Cullen Cast! I have to admit, I had a MUCH dreamier Edward in mind. But my imagination went really wild when reading these books . .. . . so my expectations were REALLY high. Although I think he will be great, cuz he was awesome in Harry Potter . . . . I hope that he meets up to my level of what he should be. I am really excited and can't wait for the new book and this movie to come out. I will probably be one of those camping out at the theaters to get tickets . . . . anyways there are move pictures on Stephenie Meyers website. (Thanks Lacee for bringing this to my attention!!)

Daddy's Girl

So I just thought I would write this down because it was such a cute thing that Araleigh did. So yesterday, since we have all been so sick . . . especially me . . I haven't exactly been mother of the year to my munchkin. I unfortunately have gotten the worst of this bug . . .which I am very grateful that it wasn't Araleigh that got the worst of it. She is actually feeling a ton better today and her nose has stopped running! Anyways, so yesterday Cory was so kinda to let me sleep in until 8:30 because I have been so sick . . . and Araleigh had kept us up the whole night before. Anyways, so I was laying on the couch and Cory told Araleigh bye because he was leaving to go to work. So Araleigh got up . . . went in her room and grabbed her coat and went and waited at the door. It was the cutest thing I have ever seen. Cory was crushed when he had to shut the door on her . . . and she was devastated. I never really comprehended how much of a daddy's girl she truly is . . . but for some really weird reason she just wants to be with him whenever he is home. She is his little shadow. Sometimes I get a little jelous of this . . . because I will always be the bad guy . . . since I am the one at home with her . . . . telling her no all day! Anyways, just thought I'd share that cute little info with you. . . cuz I thought it was adorable!

Oh Joyful Flu

So this flu season has literally taken a toll on our family. We just got the horrible bug, starting with Cory. He was pretty much floored starting Sunday and Monday. Then of course he had to pass it on to his family, so me and Araleigh got hit with it yesterday. . and we are still pretty much down today. We have a horrible cold, running fevers, and are all nauseated. This is the first time I have ever seen Araleigh have no energy and just lay on the couch. All I know is that I really hate being sick and hope that the flu season goes away quickly. Which I wouldn't mind if the snow went away with it. Gosh, it seems like this has been the longest winter ever. I will be so happy when Spring hits and the flowers start blooming again! Well, thats my thoughts for the day!

Past, Present. Future

20 Years Ago...1988

1. I was 3 so I obviously can't remember alot.

2.I remember playing all of the time on our wood pile in the back yard. I always played with the neighborhood kids.
3. I remember having to go to daycare a lot. One morning my mom thought my dad was taking me and he thought she did. So I was left home all alone and scared to death when I woke up. I remember freaking out and my mom calling and me answering and then her freaking out. Thats really all I remember about this age.
4. Oh yeah, I was also a Brownie Girl Scout. I was probably a little older . . but I was in scouts with some of my friends and loved it. The cookies were the best . . . . and still are!

10 Years Ago...1998

1. I was 13 and in Jr. High. This is when my friends and I started being little hoodlums. We thought we were cool and started liking boys a little too much.
2. Started dating a lot . . even though I shouldn't have.
3. My niece, Brynne and nephew, Trevan, were born. This was like the best thing that happened to me that year! I absolutely was obsessed with babies and never was really around them until my sisters had their babies. It was the best thing ever. I did so much babysitting that summer . . and to this day love them just as much if not more than I did when they were born!!
4. Went on a trip with Marcy, her mom and moms' husband to Oregon . . . down the Oregon coast then down to Cali through the Redwoods. It was the first big trip I ever had and it was a blast.. it was also the first time I ever saw lesbians. ahaha. Kinda funny I remember that. We were in San Fransisco and two girls were making out on the side of the street and we couldn't stop staring. ahaha
5. Summer of 8th grade year me and my friends (Marcy, Ashley, and Desi) went to concerts A LOT and we got to meet this boy band backstage called "no authority" we were such obsessed teen boppers! We were in love with every boy band out there and this backstage pass was like the highlight of our lives!!
6. Started to get into trouble a bit with some friends that I chose. That was in 7th grade. But I quickly kicked that habit and went with my better friends whom I still love to this day! :)
7. First time ever being obsessed with a boy younger than me. Me and my friends were like obsessed with a Harper kid. I can't even remember his name ahahaha. Boys were just such an infatuation to us.
8. First real boyfriend, Sal- that was on and off forever.

5 Years Ago...2003

1. Graduated from high school.

2. Moved to Boise to nanny for my sister.

3. This was a real up and down stage for Cory and I. We couldn't figure out what we wanted and I think we played a lot of games with each other. It was an emotional time for us I think cuz it was when we had to decide whether we were going to get married someday . . . or break up.

4. Moved to Pocatello with the girls to go to ISU. This was probably the most fun and changing experience for me. I learned a lot about myself and my friends. We went through a lot . . . but we had too much fun doing it!!
5. Cory asked me to marry him. We knew we were going to get married since August but he officially proposed on my birthday in Nov.
6. Had a job at JCPennys in Poki and HATED IT! I liked the girls I worked with but my bosses were SCARY MEAN!
7. Got my first car!! woot woot! My little blue booger (98 Fort Escort). lol I loved that car . . . because it was my own. It took a lot to talk my dad into letting me have a car. He is weird like that. But I did live 2 hours from home . . . how could I not have a car . . . .DUH.

3 Years Ago...2005

1. Lived in Utah. We actually lived in Orem and then moved to Draper, Ut at the end.

2. Was in Dental Lab Tech school. I graduated in July and found a job in Sandy at Arrowhead. Which I loved my job there!! Thankfully.
3. Started trying to have a baby. This was the start of an emotional ride for us. It took a lot of drugs and many painful procedures to get our little one here. I am praying that I won't have to repeat these steps for our next one . . but I have found that I will probably have to.
4. Found out I am Insulin Resistant. Which sucks cuz I am suppose to be on a diabetic diet . . which is everything I love taken out from my diet. So I don't take care of myself very well here.
5. My grandmother became very ill and moved in with my parents. Only to lead to her death the summer of 06. Which was devastating to our family.

1 Year Ago...2007

1. Araleigh was 3 months old and the light of our lives!

2. We decided to move home to Idaho. After moving from draper back to Orem for 6 months . . we started house hunting in Idaho Falls.
3. Cory accepted the job to come run our Diabetic Supply company from here and we closed on our house in Febuary.
4. Learned a quick 101 lesson about fixing up a house in a week. I will tell you, painting an entire house, refinishing cabinets, new carpet, and new countertops . . . everything. In a matter of 5 days - with a 3 month old baby and not much help. It was a miracle I got it done enough to move in!
5. My family started falling apart. This has been hard on me. Many fights and hurtful things happened this year between my immediate family, which has broke us all up. It has been an emotional and hard time for us . . . and I hope that someday we will all come back together again.
6. We took our first big family trip. Last summer we went to Washington to Cory's home town to visit his sister, Lacey. We had a total blast. Cory always loves going to see his sister . . he always has. He keeps bugging me right now to go up, but we can never afford big trips. It was a lot of fun and especially for me . . cuz I got to see where he grew up and where all his little milestones of his troubled youth came to be.
7. In December I had the incredible privilege to stand in for my grandmother as her proxy and witness my aunt and my mother being sealed to my grandma and grandpa. It was such an incredible experience for me and I am so happy that I was worthy to go do the ordinance. I will never forget the feeling I had as they were sealed and the blessings were poured out to their family.
8. Araleigh started walking and she turned one. Actually almost every milestone happened in 2007 for her.
9. Was called to be the Beehive adviser in the Young Womens. I actually became the full time Sunday teacher . . . so I teach every Sunday. I am very grateful for this calling and I love the girls! They are Great Babysitters!! :)
10. Cory's brother Bryce left on his mission.

So Far This Year...

1. We bought a new jeep, and sold our old one

2. Rexburg Temple . . this was a great experience to be able to go through the dedication and actually through the tour with many of my family members that can't normally go to the temple. It was truly a great experience.
3. Started reading the BOM again. Trying to Hinckley Challenge. I hope I can make it!

Yesterday I...

1. Didn't do a lot!

2. I did laundry and cleaned
3. hung out with my sister and her family. They came over all day and the kids played.

4. Cooked dinner for everyone then made cookies.
5. Read the BOM tried to catch up . . . I have fallen behind a bit on my pages.
6. Watched the Unit . . LOVE IT!

Today...

1. Are going to the in-laws for dinner. Araleigh hasn't seen them for a while.
2. Went to church and taught my lesson.
3. Cory got sick, I hope I don't get it!
4. Watched the Unit!!
5. Blogged, obviously

Tomorrow...

1. Probably work a little.
2. Finish folding laundry
3. Cook dinner

This Year I hope Too...

1. Finish the Book Of Mormon

2. Spend time with our families

3. Have enough money to go on a family vacation. We our really wanting to go to Nauvoo, but I don't think it will happen.

4. Lose weight...I say that all the time though. Someday I will do it.

5. Start adding to the family ;)

6. Be more optimistic and enjoy the simpler things in life!

Now I Tag.... whoever wants to do this!

My Hubby

What is his name? James Cory Arnold

How long have you been married? 4 years on April 2nd

How long did you date? Since Sophomore year in H.S. so . . . 3.5 years before we got married

How old is he? 23

How old ar you? 23

Who eats more sweets? I'd say we are pretty even. But if there is ice cream or cookies anywhere around . . . Cory will eat it all . . he LOVES ice cream.

Who said I love you first? Honestly, I can't even remember it was so long ago. . but I think that it was him . . because I had just come out of a relationship that was a very emotional thing for me . . so I was hesitant about throwing that word around.

Who is taller? He is 6'0'' I am 5'3''

Who can sing better? Definitely me. I don't like to sing . . . but Cory CANNOT hit a note. Its pretty dang funny when he tries tho!

Who is smarter? Depends on the subject. I am better at figuring things out and book work. But he is really good at like memorizing and computers. So maybe we are even. Although, I do have to say . . . if common sense is involved in this question . . . he's a total blonde! :)

Who does the laundry? I do, and I absolutely LOATHE it. I HATE folding clothes more than cleaning toilets! (unless is like a public restroom of course!)

Who does the dishes? Mostly I do. Cory will help me once in a while if I ask him to.


Who pays the bills? I do, although I wish it was more of a mutual thing . . . cuz then he'd feel the stress of bills in reality once in a while.

His gulity pleasures? Computer games (ugh), ice cream, Loft House Sugar Cookies and baseball. I think baseball will always be is first love.

Who mows the lawn? Funny thing that is asked here. I HATE mowing the lawn . . probably because I was forced to do it when I was younger. So I NEVER do this. . . but neither does Cory very often, which I am not sure why. Kinda funny . . . he'll only do it when some ELSE comments on our growing jungle thats in our yard!

Besides you, who is his best friend? Dustin and Brock

Who cooks dinner? I do

Who drives? He does, by force. He wishes I would drive more . . . but I really don't like driving either. So he does it . .

Who is more stubborn? Definitely me. No Question!

Who kissed who first? He kissed me, it was on New Years right after midnight. We were in my driveway and he just walked up and grabbed me and laid one on me. It was a bit of a shock . . because we had been kinda dating for like a month and a half. So I guess he just wouldn't wait anymore!

Who asked who out first? Cory asked me out. He actually took me out for the first time with another friend for my 16th birthday. He found out my boyfriend at the time wasn't gonna take me out so he decided to.

What was your first date? Well, our first "official" date besides my birthday dinner was doubled with Cole and his girlfriend at the time and went to a movie.

Who proposed? He did. He actually asked me informally first over an email. lol. Kinda a funny story cuz I thought he was cheating on me so I broke up with him and I was living in Boise at the time and he freaked out and told me he wanted to get married. Apparently it worked. He officially asked me on my birthday 3 months later at the Idaho Falls Temple. I totally knew he was going to do it too. . . cuz his brother put the ring in my car on accident . . lol Never a surprise in my life.

Who has more siblings? He does, he has 5 other siblings. I only
have 3.

Who wears the pants? I would say me most of the time. I get pretty stubborn sometimes and he just kinda gives up . . . cuz I can stand my own.

What is your favorite thing about him? He's a good father and he is always making people laugh . . . mostly not on purpose cuz he is a bit of a blonde . . . but his personality is what won me over.

Hinckley Challenge

So I have been getting nonstop emails about the Hinckley Challenge that has been going around since the passing of our sweet prophet. So I have taken the opportunity to challenge myself to do it! The challenge is to read the Book of Mormon in 97 days. How old he was when he died. My progress will be tracked on my sidebar. For those of you who would like to join . . . the link to do it is below! We started on Feb. 4 and it will go til May 10th! Good luck if you decide to do it! Wish me luck too. I struggle in this area because of my lack of interest in reading! :)

www.hinckleychallenge.com


President Gordon B. Hinckley on the Book of Mormon
"I take in my hand the Book of Mormon. I read its words. I have read Joseph Smith's explanation of how it came to be. To the unbelieving it is a story difficult to accept, and critics for generations have worn out their lives writing books intended to refute that story and to offer other explanations than the one given by Joseph the Prophet. But to the open-minded, this critical writing has only stimulated them to dig deeper; and the more deeply they dig, the greater the accumulation of evidence for the validity of Joseph Smith's story. Still, as has been demonstrated for a hundred and fifty years, the truth of the Book of Mormon will not be determined by literary analysis or by scientific research, although these continue to be reassuring. The truth about the origins of the Book of Mormon will be determined today and tomorrow, as it has been throughout the yesterdays, by reading the book in a spirit of reverence and respect and prayer."
( "Praise to the Man," Ensign, Aug. 1983, 4)