Ever Had A Bad Day???

This is how I feel today.

Really, I shouldn't complain here because to be honest- I never have bad days! I guess that's why today stinks. Everything has piled up!

Technically, it started last night. I started getting a sore throat and could not for the life of me beat Bowser's Castle on Mario Brothers 3 (the old school one). Finally got too frustrated and turned it off!

This morning, I woke up feeling like total poop. Achy, sore throat, mucous drainage, headache, the whole shabang. Yesterday, I switched my shift at work so that I could work the afternoon instead of the morning. I did that because I had an appointment with my OB/ GYN for a dysfunctional IUD and too many CC's of fluid in my left ovary, along with a simple cyst. (Nice.)

Derek, being a sweet husband, wakes up and feeds the baby and lets me sleep. I overslept. I had only a little while until my doctor's appointment and still had a bunch of things to do. Sweet Derek ironed my scrubs and helped me get ready. I leave a little late. I am circling the doctor's building and could not find a place to park. It's located down town where there are parking garages and paid entries and too much traffic. Blah. Tried calling the doctor's office and kept getting the automated system. Sometimes you just want to talk to a REAL PERSON... Finally found the parking garage and went to press the button for a ticket. Couldn't reach it. Had to put my car in park, unbuckle, open the door and get my ticket. I'm holding up cars behind me. When I shut the door, I somehow managed to shut my hair in the door. I find a parking space and get to the stairs. I go up. And up. And up. Only to find dead ends and about 10 floors more above me. So I go down. And down again. I see another 5 floors or so below me. So I go back up. Only to open the door of the stairs and see my car right in front of me. Square one. Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (This is the general area where bad words floated around in my head.)

Exasperated, I asked a lady in the parking garage where the devil the elevators are. She pointed me in the right direction. I hit the "up" button and waited forever!!!! Hello!!! Of 4 elevators you would think at least ONE was going UP! Finally made it up and got to the doctor's office. I signed in and the girl cannot find my name anywhere on the schedule. I'm thinking, "Oh please. Do not let this day get worse..." I told her that my boss is a doctor and referred me to this physician. She tells me she'll work it out and call me in a second. I told her I spoke with a girl named Katherine.

Katherine calls me up. Says, "I'm sorry, but you made the appointment with another doctor here, not the one you say you did." I was confused. I told her that I had specifically asked if this doctor was accepting new patients and she had told me yes. I let her know that I had a pending appointment with a different physician and if I had known all of this, I'd have kept my other appointment. *Sigh* She proceeded to go over our conversation again, except there was just one problem. I had never had that conversation with her! She must have confused me with another patient she spoke with yesterday so I told her never mind and that I'd just go. Tears in my eyes and frustrated as heck, I made the trek back down the elevator, through the parking garage and to my car. The worst part? I was there for 5 minutes and still had to pay for parking!!!!!

I get home to find the door locked. I use my key and the other deadbolt is locked. I knock. No answer. I knock louder. No answer. I freaking beat the door down and Derek comes to it, wet and naked. Haha. He was in the shower and couldn't hear me knock until I pounded the heck out of it! For a while, I thought I was going to get stuck outside until he finished his shower and could hear me knock.

So now I'm in bed, feelin poopy and hope that tomorrow is a better day! I'm glad I've got my sweet boys to take care of me, though. Maybe all I need is a little TLC and I'll feel awesome tomorrow.

Family Time!

My friend made an awesome post about the members of her family so I'm copying that! (Thanks Emme!)

THE SIKORAS:

Dad


Dad and I are a lot alike, and though I probably never would have wanted to admit that in the past- it's true! We never got along until I was out of the house. We both have a strong personality at times and don't show emotion particularly well. My dad is extremely smart, almost like a walking encyclopedia. Ask him anything about anything and if he doesn't know the answer, he could probably find out really quickly! He has always been such a hard worker for our family- making sacrifices that I'm not sure other husbands and fathers would make for their families. He is very sweet and genuine- never afraid of how someone might judge him. If he doesn't think something is funny, he won't laugh. (Haha). He has loosened up tremendously over the past few years and he is just so funny. I remember one day we were shopping at the mall as a family and I heard him singing "My Humps". I could not believe it. He is so proud of his grandbaby and is the best dad ever. He gives wonderful advice and comfort in time of need. I love him and I'm so glad he's my dad!

Mom


Mom and I are also alike in a lot of ways, except she is a much better person than I am! She is very loving and kind. I am amazed every single time I go out with her somewhere because people flock to her like pigeons to a piece of food. She gets all kinds of strangers laughing and talking to her and being so bubbly and friendly. If I tried to make conversation with someone, I'd be afraid they wouldn't respond well. She is never afraid of that. She just goes on being nice to everyone. She has always been a huge source of comfort for me, giving compliments and treating us well as kids and adults. I've never wondered if my mom loves me. I know she does! She loves to play the devil's advocate, though! : ) She loves Titan and Derek and Garrett like they are all her own kids. (And I guess, in a way they are!) She is not a nosy mom (or mother-in-law to Derek) and is very good about letting everyone solve life's problems on their own unless they really need some advice. I can sit and chit chat (and eat) with her all day. I love her! She is great and I'm so happy to be her daughter!

Jord


Jordan is truly awesome. I've never met a guy so willing to admit his faults and humble himself on a whim. He has always been such a great older brother to me and a wonderful example. When I was about to enter middle school, he made a map of the school for me and told me where the bullies hang out and that if I ever need him, to let him know. I looked at him like he was crazy, but realized that he loves and cares about me and I've never doubted it! One day, a boy in high school tried to pick a fight with me (I know, right?). He slammed me up against the lockers and I went and told Jordan. Jordan and his posse laid the smack down. However, I do recall a time in high school where Jordan tried to throw pieces of his sliced cheese down a girl's pants because her butt crack was showing so bad. He is just so funny. His laugh is contagious, his smile is infectious and it cracks me up how petite he is. He has a great singing voice and he can sell a car like nobody's business. I love him and I'm so glad he's my brother!

Sher & Garrett


I have no idea why this is the only normal picture of you guys I have. Haha. Sorry!

Sheridan is great. We used to lay in each other's beds and trade off giving each other back tickles or back scratches for 2 minutes at a time. I remember one time I was sad I got dumped, so I asked if she'd come onto my top bunk and lay by me and I chatted with her about my sadness. Afterwards, I told her I think I had bad breath and she said, "Yeah. You do." Haha. She listened to me for forever and never said a word about it! She would always let me borrow her clothes, but when she asked if she could borrow mine, I would either say no or tell her that she better not get a stain on it. I makes me feel so bad to think about how I'd say that, because ironically enough- she'd return my clothes in perfect condition and I'd get a stain on hers. : ( She has always been more than a sister to me- she's been a best friend. Another great thing about Sheridan is that she really doesn't live life with regrets. I asked her about it once and she said she just doesn't regret stuff. I thought that was interesting and I realized that she learns from her mistakes and moves on, instead of sits around sulking in sadness. She has thick skin and that's what makes her such a strong person. I have a lot to learn from her! I love her and I'm so glad she's my sister!

Garrett is fun- he likes to pick on people every now and then, but he definitely keeps us laughing. He has a very sweet spirit, but thick skin also like Sheridan and is a very strong person. He is doing the most honorable thing right now and that is being a mechanic in the military- making money for his family and serving his country at the same time. It is very fun having a sister who is married to my husband's brother. Makes life fun and easy! I love Garrett and am so glad he's my brother-in-law!

Colin


Colin is such a great little brother. He was always the strongest spirited of all of his friends and has always done the funniest things. In almost every picture you see of him when he was about 5, he is holding up a peace sign for some reason. He used to love to wear my mom's high heels when he was a little toddler tooting around the house. He was always the roundest one of the 4 of us and was often picked on for it. Finally, when Jordan came home from his mission, he came home to 6 ft. 2 inch Colin and no more chub! I love that. I feel like Heavenly Father made him sprout to make all of us learn our lesson about making him feel bad all those years! He has had his struggles, but I'm so grateful to have him as my brother and hope that he knows how much we love him and are glad he is a Sikora : ) I love him and I'm so glad he's my brother!

THE HARGROVES:

Art



This is Art and his mother, Barbara. Art is the best father-in-law a girl could ask for. He and my dad have very similar qualities. And they are both geniuses! When Titan sees Art, his face lights up and he gets so happy to see him. Art is very patient and kind, always willing to give people the benefit of the doubt. When I first went down to Snowflake to visit Derek, Art was a little standoffish and scared me a bit (it was probably his goal to do this- haha). And now that I know him, I know he was an awesome father to his kids and is an awesome grandfather. I love Art and I'm so glad he's my father-in-law!

Karen


Karen is such a wonderful mother-in-law. She is always cooking up good meals when we go over, holding Titan and having good chats with us before we all head to bed. She isn't your typical mother-in-law, which I am so grateful for! She is tough! She coaches Volleyball at the high school in Snowflake and is a P.E. teacher. She is never intrusive, but always there for us when we need her! She'll do anything for anybody and is very genuine. She loves her family very much, and I am so impressed that she still spends so much time with her sisters and brother and their families. Her family reminds me a lot of my mom's family and they always make you feel so warm and welcome. I love that! I love Karen and I'm so glad she's my mother-in-law!

Jeremy & Rikki, Mylee & Kynlee



Jeremy is so fun. He always has a new remote control toy or something crazy every time we see him. He is very smart, like the rest of the Hargroves, and loves to hang out with the family. I know Derek gets so excited to see Jeremy and it would be his dream come true if our families were ever neighbors. Derek did say that Jeremy ruined his life as a child, which resulted in Derek attempting to suffocate Jeremy with a plastic bag over his head before Karen came in and took it from him. (Whew!) Jeremy is a hard worker and has a great sense of humor. We really enjoy going over to Jeremy and Rikki's house.

Rikki is the best. She is a very classy person who will tell it like it is and I love that. She is such a calm mother (I hope I can be that someday!) and is very good to her family. She can bake the most incredible cakes, too. Like- worthy of being on The Cake Boss type cakes! She rarely charges anyone for them since they are usually either friends or family. (She is a saint.) She can whip out a quilt in a matter of hours...the type of quilt that would take any other person a month to make! And she can do all of this without taking a class or anything. The girl has skills. And she's very fun to sit around and chat with.

Mylee and Kynlee... I met Kynlee when she was a week old or so, so I don't know her well yet, but she sure is a sweet baby! Mylee is a crack up, I love that girl. She is almost 3, going on 15. She and Jeremy recently came to visit us in El Paso and when I came out into the living room, she was sitting next to Jeremy on the couch. I said, "Hi, Mylee!" and she said, "Hi." then patted Jeremy's leg and said, "This my dad. Jerr-mee". She is a witty little girl. I love them and I'm so glad they're my in-laws/nieces!

Trent


Trent keeps us laughing all the time. I am always so proud to say that I have a 12 year old brother-in-law. Most people in their mid-twenties can't say that! He, like Mylee, is very witty- always saying the funniest things. He does awesome on his spelling tests and loves all the same subjects in school as I did. (He also hates all of the same subjects in school that I did. That a boy.) He can down 3 plates of anything before you take your first bite. He loves to ride his four-wheeler and go to the Swap Meet on Saturdays. He likes to send instant messages on Facebook whenever you log on- so it's nice to know what he's up to and chat for a while! He can kick your butt at Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader on the Wii and loves El Cupido's, which is the restaurant his uncle Mark started many years back. He is a bunch of fun- I love him and I'm so glad he's my brother-in-law!


I love my family!

It's already November?

It almost seems like I have teleported myself here. I cannot believe it's been almost a year since we had Titan. Time has flown by! Just last week we had our 2 year anniversary. Derek and I have known each other for 5 1/2 years already! And I am still loving every minute. This past weekend, we were able to go to an Eastern Arizona College Student Council Reunion. Councils from the last 25 years were invited, it was amazing! There was one guy there who was the President in 1987! Here's a little preview of the last couple of events we've had...

Colin and Derek were carving some pretty sweet pumpkins for Halloween...


But Lilly's was the best!



Derek and I had an amazing anniversary. I had to work a half day, but when I came home, he dropped Titan off with grandma and took me to get sushi at our favorite place. Then we had Little Caesar's by candlelight and finished the night with some Ben & Jerry's of course.


Last Thursday, we wrapped little Titan up and toted him to the big High School Homecoming football game: Coronado vs. Franklin. It was crazy!


I got to see my buddy and former roommate, Jenny, while we were at our EAC reunion! It was a blast- I'm so glad she went! She and I were President and Vice President for the year 2006-2007.


And this is her adorable little baby, Brightyn. Isn't she so cute? And well behaved, I might add!


Jenny snapped a picture of us in front of the famous clock tower.


We stopped by the house of some of our favorite people!!! The Wakefields. They have 6 girls (one was asleep while we took the picture) and they are all so awesome!


Brightyn was the star of the show at the football game. She does this hilarious face where she squints her eyes really tight when you ask her to make her squinter face. She had everybody cracking up. (This obviously isn't the squinter face, but she looks so cute here!)


The picture is a little blurry, but there is a girl in the front on the left with long hair and I am sitting right behind her!


Derek is such an awesome sport. He was a die-hard EAC fan with me.



When our trip was all over and we were headed out of town, we got a picture in front of the new (gorgeous) Gila Valley Temple.






We had the best time together. We always do. We have Mom, Dad and Sheridan to thank for watching Titan overnight while we had a little getaway. Titan loves those guys!

And I have Derek to thank for this wonderful life I live. Ever since I met him for the very first time, my life would never be the same. He is my best friend and...my everything, really. If I was stranded on an island for the rest of my life... as long as we had each other we would enjoy ourselves every single day until we died. And even after we died we'd have fun! : ) I'm so blessed to have such awesome friends and family. So if you're one of them (which you obviously are if you're reading this!), then thank you! Thank you for being so important to me.

Love,

Lauren

Happy Halloween!

This year we went as The Flintstones! So here we are: Fred, Wilma and Dino. Hope your Halloween was as fun as ours!