Mikasa May Be Calling

Here are the finished products from our night at Color Me Mine.

Here is John's masterpiece

I love the Astronaut inside!

And my work of art.

Pleasant Surprise

Last week we got a call from Janelle (John's sister) letting us know that she would be in town over the weekend for a brother-in-law's wedding and asked if we would be able to baby-sit her daughter Caitlyn. My response was a giddy, "yes yes yes yes yes!"

The last time we saw them was at Christmas. We couldn't believe how much Caitlyn had grown since then. She is so adorable and such a good baby. She was cooing up a storm and all smiles! After the wedding Lance and Janelle joined the party. John grilled up some yummy hambergers to go with our pasta salad and watermelon lunch, then we just relaxed the rest of the afternoon enjoying the good company.

We loved spending time with the Mocks...come back soon you guys.

Mythbusters

My husband is great! I loved his blag (a term coined by my friend Julie meaning a blog that contains bragging = blag). To answer some of your questions, all of John's 26 things about are based in truth. Allow me to elaborate his embellishments.

1. I was recruited by UCLA but it didn't go through.
2. I was asked to be Belle at d-land
3. I really did go up and try to accept and award in Elementary school. In my defense Miguel and LeeElle sound a lot alike through a PA system. And besides I was a good student it wasn't uncommon for me to receive an award. I just can't believe my teacher (who chooses the student to give the award to) let me walk all the way up. The worst part was when the principal looked at me and then said (in the Mic.) "LeeElle you didn't get an award". Begin the walk of shame to my seat in the back.
4. I don't want to attend ladies lunch groups and eat sandwiches cut into triangles. I prefer fruit and fine cheese thank you very much.
5. Yes I can sing the music man song.
6. That should do for now.


Thank you all for your phone calls, texts, visits, and comments. I had a wonderful birthday. It was a restful day. I decided not to worry about anything on my to-do like clean my house, file papers, errands etc. Instead I chilled all day. I went to the library then two bookstores, walked around TJ Max, talked with friends and other birthday well wishers, got a manicure & pedicure, and then went out on a hot date.

My hot date was to Color Me Mine. It's an adorable store where you pick out a piece of pottery then paint it yourself. John and I both painted bowls. John painted an awesome space ship on the front of his bowl and an astronaut on the inside. I really wish I could show you our mad skills. After spending 3 hours there, hey it takes time to create a work of art, we picked up some yummy burritos and headed home to watch Lars and the Real Girl. Loved it! It was quirky, heart warming and entertaining. The premise makes you raise an eyebrow but honestly there wasn't a swear word or bad scene in it (at least not to my memory). Ryan Gosling did a fantastic job! I would recommend it.

As Old as Her Tongue and a Bit Older than Her Teeth: A Pragmatic Approach to LeeElle's Birthday - By John Tullis

One's birthday is the day that one should get the gift one has been wanting all year. LeeElle is always telling me I should blog. I always tell her that I would really like to, and then I laugh. But I decided it could make a good birthday present. If there is one thing I've learned while being married, it is that you should withhold from your spouse the things they really want, just until they want it so badly that they can't take it anymore, and then give it to them as a gift on a special occasion. Your spouse will think you are so thoughtful.

Last year on my birthday LeeElle posted 26 things about me. It is my turn to return the favor by telling you about LeeElle and things that are important to her. LeeElle really loves me. I am probably the most important thing/person in her life. I am tall and have blue eyes. I am finishing my second year of law school and it has been a lot of work. I like to play guitar and write songs and play in a band. (LeeElle may have posted some of this information already, but since it's her birthday we shoud humor her and learn more about what she loves). This year I made a goal to be more charming. I think that the most important characteristic of a charming person is his or her ability to wink. Once I am able to properly wink I will be thoroughly charming. Here is the latest in my winking progress.

Quick Note. My first attempt at blogging almost became my last attempt when my computer froze and I realized I hadn't saved what I had written. Because I love LeeElle I still would have posted, but I probably never would have ventured into the blogging world again. Thank blog for autosave. Now back to my winking progress.

Here I am preparing for the wink. You can see on my face it's going to be a good one.

Here I am mid wink. I apologize now to all the husbands whose wives leave them because of this photo. Now that I've become so charming its almost impossible to turn it off or even tone it down. For the final stage of the wink please scroll back up to the above photo; I'm not a blog wiz so I am having some difficulty adding photos and moving them around.

This is me when I was a winking novice, and obviously much less charming. That seems like so long ago. I can't even remember the date that picture was taken.

So there it is. Happy birthday Lelly. I think everyone can agree that we know and understand you a lot better than we used to.

I guess to wrap this up I could add 26 things about LeeElle.

1. She has a beautiful singing voice
2. She can sight read piano music like nobody's business
3. She knows all the words to the Music Man song "Ya Got Trouble" (and many other songs from musicals, but that is the most impressive. Ask her to sing it next time you see her. Or call her and ask her to sing it. For now let this pique your interest)
   
   
4. She is a blogoholic (If only I could find where she keeps her blogohol....)
5. She is a college professor
6. She is part of a genetics research team
7. She is very patient
8. She is very good with children, as demonstrated by how well she has raised me
9. She is an amazing sign language interpreter (that's what I'm told anyway; by people other than her)
10. Her dream is for me to make a lot of money so that she can spend her days in women's lunch groups eating small sandwiches cut into triangles
11. She once set a goal to get her body weight down to 7lbs. She gave up when she realized her head alone weighs about 15lbs, give or take.
12. If you ever need an opinion, she's your girl.
13. She has the most amazing dance skillz I have ever seen (you know its true because I never use a "z" in the place of an "s" unless I am serious). Ask her to dance to Outkast sometime, you won't be disapointed.
14. She was once asked to be Belle at Disneyland, but turned it down because they were only going to pay her $75,000 a year.
15. She is very competitive, interestingly enough she is more competitive when playing air hockey than any other sport.
16. She played waterpolo in highschool and was scouted by UCLA but decided not to go because they only offered her a full ride scholarship and $75,000 a year. (I've heard of starving students but come on UCLA)
17. Because she didn't go to UCLA she ended up at BYU where we met. Thank you UCLA for being so stingy.
18. She is able to talk more than anyone I have ever met
19. She has recently become a voracious reader, which gives her more to talk about.
20. She loves dessert and even has a dessert stomach so that if her regular stomach becomes full she still has room for dessert.
21. She has been asked to model 3 times in her life (she's only accepted once).
22. She was funny when I met her and has become increasingly so.
23. She loves the beach/swimming/being in the water; for her it is not a vacation unless she gets to bring her bathing suit.
24. One time at a school assembly she went to the front to get an award when she heard her name read. When she got to the front there was no award for her; turns out they had called Miguel, not LeeElle.
25. Her birthday is shared with the day in 1901 when New York became the first U.S. state to require automobile license plates. (She also shares a birthday with Renee Zellweger, her arch nemesis.)
26. She makes me the happiest boy in the world.

Happy Birthday LeeElle. Now everyone do the right thing and leave a comment for her telling her how great you think she is.

The Right Stuff

( Joey, Jonathn, Donny, Jordan, & Danny)

After a long love affair with Jonathan I think I'm going to leave him for Joey-oh baby!

Have you heard the news? New Kids On the Block are getting back together. When I was younger I LOVED them. I had all their tapes, a t-shirt, a pillow case, and a poster of my boy friend Jonathan taped up to the underside of the top bunk (so I could look at him before I went to sleep and when I woke up). I was obsessed. And now I am considering going to see them-how lame is that!

I think all these reunion tours are pretty ridiculous and NKOTB are no exception. I think it's funny actually the thought of them getting back together signing oh-oh-oh-oh-o while swinging their legs from side to side and holding their belt buckles. Isn't' their old fan base in their 20's -30's? Have they been gone long enough to be having a reunion tour?

So anyone up for a concert?

Weekend Update

This past weekend was great except for the record breaking heat. On Saturday I went and interpreted at the L.A. temple. It was the "Deaf Day in the Temple"-very cool. I left a little early so we could drive down to south Orange County to visit Kevin, Sarah, and Simon who were visiting Sarah's parents. I drove our old 2004 Saturn Saturday morning because I forgot to fill up the Accord with gas and man was I sorry. The Saturns AC isn't working so well anymore which hasn't been a problem but like I said it was a record breaking day-93 degrees in El Segundo. That wasn't the highest temp. but keep in mind we live two blocks from the beach so most of the residents here don't have AC in their house because there is a breeze 363 days out of the year however Saturday was not one of them. Anyhow back to the Saturn, as I was driving home (windows down and sunroof open) I felt a drop of moisture slide from my inner elbow toward my funny bone. Seeing as there wasn't a cloud in the sky I was a little confused were this condensation came from, it was then I realized it was sweat, how gross! I don't sweat/glisten/glow a lot. Truly I rarely have drops of perspiration falling from my body and now to experience elbow sweat. That is all the motivation I need to get the AC up and running in that car. I guess that's the consequense for being to lazy to fill up the Accord.

Sunday was actually a day of rest for us! It is so rare that one or both of us do not have meetings, choir, home teaching etc. We read, made a tasty meal, went for a drive, and took a walk down to the beach. The water was unbelievably blue and clear. We finished the day off with some game playing at the Adams. I need more Sundays like this.

From Chelise

A-Attached or single: Attached

B- Best Friend: John

C-Cake or Pie: yummy cake

D-Day of Choice: Saturday or Sunday

E- Essential Item: chapstick and neutrogena hand lotion

F- Favorite Color: it varies because I like them all

G- Gummi Bears or Worms: neither, but if I must choose I'd say sour worms

H- Hometown: Disneyheim, CA

I- Indulgence(s): Food (well really specialty drinks) Baskin Robbins chocolate blast w/ Gold Medal Ribbon ice cream, Hot Vanilla or Pure Vanilla from the Coffee Bean and going to Target.

J- January or July: JULY!

K-Kids: are great!

L-Life is incomplete without: Family and Friends

M- Marriage Date: November 20, 2004

N- Number of Siblings: 3 sisters, 2 brothers

O- Oranges or Apples: apples with caramel

P- Phobias or Fears: Bees, Snakes, and flying rubber bands

Q- Quote: I heart Mark Twain...

I have a higher and grander standard of principle than George Washington. he could not lie; I can, but I won't. -Mark Twain

R- Reason To Smile: I have a new job that I love!!

S- Season: Spring and Fall

T- Tag Six: if you want to...do it.

U- Unknown Fact About Me: What's left to tell? I'm an open book

V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animal: me like meat.

W- Worst Habit: Now that I've stopped biting my nails (3 mo. so far!) I have none;)

X- X-Rays or Ultrasounds: whatev

Y- Your Favorite Food: Dessert

Z- Zodiac: Taurus

Oh What a Night!

Last Christmas our dear family friend and former neighbor Debbie bought us tickets to go see Jersey Boys as a family. We are huge Franky Valli fans! Every time I hear his songs I think of music blasting while doing our Saturday chores. They had sold out their LA performances so she got the tickets for Vegas! Unfortunately it landed on conference weekend.

We woke up at 4:15 am on Saturday to meet Kerilynn and Cory (who we carpooled with). Our plans were to meet at 5 am so we could make it to LV in time to watch conference at a stake center however we all weren't in the car til 6...and then there was a request for breakfast in Baker at Bob's Big Boy. I didn't even know they still existed.

Cory, LeeElle, Bob, John, & Kerilynn

We notice Bob and John had similar hair do's going on

By the time we made it to Vegas it was 10:30-so we missed conference. I was bummed.

We decided to walk around and wait for the rest of the fam. to arrive. We went to the Coke shop and had our own little international soda taste test. There were 16 soda's from different countries. Cory was the moderator

They have a ton of coke paraphernalia

The soda's



The Beverly from Italy tasted awful-bleck! It seriously tasted like Robitussin with carbonation. My personal favorite was the Smart Apple from China. I love the Chinese names...Smart Apple and Smart Watermelon. Most of the fruit ones were pretty good but there were a few that were gross. I'm not a fan of ginger soda, it makes your throat burn, I don't know how my grandma drinks that stuff!

We also hit up the M&M factory and decided to kill some time watching their 3-D movie. Word to the Wise-it's not worth your time, luckily it was free, the 3-D glasses didn't help de-blur the film much but we looked good in them!

On the strip

After stuffing ourselves at the delicious Rio buffet we made our way to the Palazzo to see...

We got there a half our early to get our seats. When we arrived there was a problem with the tickets. They said we were in row B-B. There was no row B-B. And the row Debbie had purchased tickets for (first row in the back balcony) had people in it. hmmm. The supervisor was called and explained they would figure out what was going on. The Seven o'clock start time was quickly approaching and the theater was filling up and we were still standing in the aisle seat-less. The show started so we stood by the door trying to watch the play but it wasn't really working. Finally the manager came back and apologetically explained that they had double booked the seats. She then said they had 12 seats throughout the theater so if we would split up we could still see the show and then after she would "take care of the rest". **Note: it was opening weekend of the play and the casino/hotel isn't completely open so they're new at this** We then set off to our seats. John and I were some of the last to go. We followed the usher to the orchestra level and proceeded down the stairs and we just kept going and going and going and going. He stopped at second row center! If there had been a pit orchestra we would have been sitting on the 4th and 5th chair violinists laps, respectfully. Pretty good seats eh? At intermission I made sure to find the rest of the family to rub in our seats. After gloating we decided to switch places with my brother Collin, who loves Franky Valli, and Cory. We all were on the orchestra level and had good seats so it wasn't that bad.

After the play the manager apologized more and then reimbursed Debbie for 4 tickets and then gave us 12 tickets to be redeemed at any time for any show at the Palazzo or Venitian (Jersey Boys, Phantom of the Opera, Wayne Brady, and Blue Man Group are the current shows). Not bad. So we missed the first 15 min. or so but we all got better seats and have free tickets to come back! We then took our picture in front of the sign and as we were taking the last photo some random guys came and stood in the picture with us. They just so happened to be cast members! It was a really fun night!

Overall I really liked the play. The only downside was the amount of swearing. I don't know if it's Italians or people from New Jersey, maybe it's both but they love to swear. The profanities were a bit excessive, OK, they were way over the top. But the songs were great, the actors did a fantastic job, they actually played the instruments-very impressive! I loved the way the told the story and set it up. Thank you Debbie we had a great time! So when's our next trip?

Happy Birthday!

My cousin Terina is 30! Here's the picture I never posted because I look horrible it-cest la vie! (there's my horrible french in honor of you TJ). I hope you have a great day. I'm not even going to try to compete with Shelly's post...who could?

Ahh the memories...

• When we did the Roger Rabbit in the middle of the street in front of your old house.
• Going to your Dads company party and drinking sooo much soda. Then when it was time to leave we took one or two for the road and quickly downed them. Bad Idea. Especially because your Dad wouldn't pull over and we nearly pee'd our pants.
• The camping trip you and Dawnette came on with my family. We played slug bug, they had one big open shower, I fell in quick sand, and you had a perm.

good times.

It's Not Summer Yet

Last night as John and I were laying in bed I felt his foot brush over my leg and then I heard...

John: "Is that your leg or a sock?"
LeeElle: "My leg!"
John: "I thought I felt ridges"

Maybe I should shave more often.

Wordless Wednesday

Day Trip

John was on spring break last week and being the gem he is he went into school everyday so we could carpool. Needless to say it was not his ideal way to spend his week off school so on Saturday we decided to hike around Griffith Park and go the observatory. Our hike started out along this beautiful stream covered with 26 different kinds of ferns. It was nice and cool because of the tree coverage but that didn't last for long. Soon we were hiking up a steep hill with a ton of switchbacks in 90 degree weather and no foliage for shade. It was at that moment that I came to realize even more so than before of what horrible shape I am in. I was huffing and puffing like no body's business having to stop to catch my breath and get a drink way more often than I care to admit. I normally will persevere through or say to myself, "If John stops then I'll stop." But John didn't stop so I had to stop him. It was pathetic! We FINALLY reached the top of the hill where I practically ran into the observatory knowing that the AC in there was waiting for me.

Once inside we looked at the new exhibits ( it just opened after being closed for improvements for 6 years). They were really cool and user friendly and one of the best parts is the observatory is FREE! It's a beautiful place with amazing architecture. We hope to go back at night sometime soon.

Here is one of the really cool telescopes they use

And the two of us with the Hollywood sign in the background. It's not a flattering picture but whatcha gonna do?

It was a nice day with not so nice air quality...that must have been the cause for the huffing and puffing right? We had a blast and I'm determined to get in better shape so we can take advantage of all the amazing hikes GP has to offer. You know LA gets a bad name often but there really are a lot of things to do that are free, outdoors, educating, and enjoyable right around the corner, you just have to look.

And Runnin' Runnin'

On Saturday John and I volunteered for the annual El Segundo Run for Education. It's a 5K race around town and we were in charge of traffic control on part of the course. Not only did we get awesome yellow shirts that say VOLUNTEER on the back but we also had a great spot to do some people watching. Most of the participants came ready to run. They had their running shoes, a t-shirt, some sort of comfortable short, and an Ipod. Then there were the few who didn't get the memo. Some of my personal favorites include...

• The gentleman running in khaki shorts and a polo. It looked like he had been walking down Main St. and saw all these people running and thought why not join them?



• The teenage girl in her All*Stars, leggings, lace bottom tank top, and coordinating shirt strolling with a large purse on her shoulder. I guess you should accessorize every outfit.



• And then of course the woman who carried her small vanity dog the whole way. I don't think that's what they mean when thy say to walk your dog.

A Long Awaited Announcement

I GOT A NEW JOB!! I'm on a genetic research team at UCLA's Institute for Neuroscience Science and Human Behavior. Doesn't that sound fancy? My job title is research assistant/interpreter. I'm so excited to be working on this project, it's such a wonderful opportunity and the team is fantastic! Another great thing about it is it's a part time position with full time benefits not to mention it's much closer to home than my current full time job. The project ends in August of 2009 which is perfect timing because John graduates in May of 09! I don't mind working at all in fact I think I will always work a little here or there interpreting and teaching but I do look forward to the day when I no longer have to work full time and be the bread winner.

I'm not quitting Sorenson but going part time there as well. I will still teach at El Camino College too. So I will basically be working three part time jobs, I'll make the same amount of money but work a few hours less-good deal if you ask me.

Ever since we moved back to CA I've been looking, applying, and praying for jobs. Promising opportunities would come up and for one reason or another it didn't work out, the position was too far away (like Sacramento) or it didn't offer benefits yadda yadda yadda. With every prayer I would get a strong feeling that everything would work out. After a year and a half of praying and fasting that I would find a new job I started getting disappointed and frustrated. I felt like my prayers weren't' being heard. And then this came along. I'm reminded of the Garth Brooks song Unanswered Prayers. The chorus goes like this...

Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
Remember when you're talking to the man upstairs
And just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean he don't care
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers

Heavenly Father really does know what's best for me and though I was discouraged that all of the other jobs didn't work out I am now grateful because this one is perfect in so many ways. Ever since I found out I got it I've been saying prayers all the time thanking Heavenly Father and reminding myself how important it is to be faithful and steadfast in all that we do and to trust the Lord because he is omnipotent and in being so knows my needs and wants. We are truly blessed.

OKINET

Common errors in the English language...

All intensive purposes-wrong
For all intents and purposes- right

I could care less -wrong
I couldn't care less - right
When I hear people say I could care less the brat inside of me wants to respond, "Ok, then care less"


Don't worry I too have been a victim of hear say (hear something then saying it)

When I was growing up we had this piece of furniture called an OKINET (pronounced o key net). You know that big wood thing that holds the TV/stereo/videos/the basket with the flower arrangement courtesy of homemaking/a picture of two? Yeah that thing. So about a year and a half ago I suggested to John that we buy a new okinet. the convo went something like this...

L: I think we should get a new okinet
J: A what?
L: An okinet.
J: What is an okinet?
L: You know...like an entertainment center, an okinet.
J: I've never heard of an okinet before?
L: My family has an okinet.
J: Is it maybe an oak unit?
L: Hmmm, that probably makes more sense seeing as how it is a unit made of oak.

My mom had been saying OAK UNIT all this time while I was hearing okinet.

Yes I went through 24 years of my life referring to entertainment centers as okinets. My family is still laughing at me.

a picture of our okinet taken during Thanksgiving

Weekend Trip

We had a great time in AZ. We left Thursday night and came back yesterday-too short! While we there we.....

Met this little guy.

Simon Castelton Curtis

He is so precious! I loved every minute with him...oh yeah, his parents were there too-they're alright I guess;)

John, Kevin, Sarah (who looks amazing for just having a baby BTW), and Simey

John looks like he's posing-he's not however he is very handsome.

John and Simon bar-jonas

It's no secret that John is not a baby enthusiast. Give them a few months when they're a little more interactive and he's all about them. He does have some valid points-

1. Babies look like tiny wrinkly old men when they're first born
2. They are kinda boring in the beginning all they do is eat, sleep, and poop
3. See #1 & #2

He did however warm up to Simon (some encouraging was required) he actually held Simon because HE wanted to, was able to pick him up out of the swing, was able to hold him in more than one position, AND walked/stood up while holding him. He liked it all so much he thought he'd give nursing a try...

Don't worry Simon is not under there. My husband is so good at hiding his hooters. (That's the name of that contraption, I'm not trying to be offensive)

John, Kirk (who carpooled with us), David, & Kevin

The boys went to a spring training game and had a blast apparently many touchdowns were scored or was it baskets. (that was straight from John and Kevin's mouths, we all know that I have more sports knowledge in my pinky than the two of them. but hey, it was about the company not the activity) Meanwhile I did this....

Please forgive the scary eyes.

Again I loved, loved, loved doting on sweet Simon and I'm thinking I'd like one of my own, I'm going to look into the details of it all. It was great seeing Sarah and Kevin and David and Kirk and John too:)

Easy on the Eyes

I am a LOST fan.
I think he is dreamy...

I'm waiting for the twist in the plot when we find out the this guy (who I also think is dreamy) is Jack's real dad...

Beautiful, simply beautiful. Do you think they look alike?

My New Obsession

After neglecting my blog this week I have forced myself to update you all with what we've been up to.

Here my current obsession...

I am loving hot chocolate with this Torani's sugar free caramel flavoring! It is soothing to my sore throat and is a highlight of my evening!

Wednesday night we had a missionary activity for mutual. A few members of the ward came in and talked about their mission, John was one of the presenters and he did a great job! He wore his MC Hammer pants hoping to score some cool points with the youth, OK so there really some traditional garb from southern Brazil, although the young women were loving the leather boots. It was a great activity and I think the youth enjoyed it.

On Saturday I went to a birthday party for this cutie patootie...

This is my friend Shannon's son Mateo. I can not believe he is one! I remember holding him in the hospital when he was born and that was like 5 months ago-or so I thought. Happy b-day Teo!

Now for an update on a goal I've set for myself about 10 thousand times...to stop biting my nails. I've bitten my nails ever since I was little. I've always had to keep short for water polo so instead of wasting time to get the nail clippers from their little bag in the drawer under all the other crap at the end of the hall it was easier to bite them. However biting caused many a hang nail or rough edge that would get caught on things-so annoying. So a few weeks ago I recommitted myself and decided to do it. My reward for letting them grow out would be a manicure. I am proud to report that it has been almost a month since I've chomped away at my fingers! 21 days to break a habit right?

blurry picture of my smooth edged nails!

Where Have All the Girl Scouts Gone?

the ultimate cookie

Q: How is it that girl scout cookie season has arrived and I am without my beloved Samoas. Hello I've been to the grocery store, so, where are you little brownies?

Oh wait, maybe it's because by the time I get to the grocery store it's 10 o'clock on Saturday night. I'm just saying if there are girl scouts out there I am committed to buying at least 2 boxes of Samoas and a box of Tag-a-longs (for John).

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post script: Shout out to my mom who hooked me up with a box of Samoas last night. Ask and ye shall receive!