postpartum vs "the mood".

The other day, Dan was in "the mood."

He didn't have to say it, it was in the air, and I could sense it.

Panicked, I took the necessary 3 steps to protect my postpartum self:

1) I passed gas as loud as I could,

2) freshened my breath by eating a smelly bag of shrimp chips

3) and insisted on fixing Dan's uneven haircut that I rushed weeks before.

He got the message.

A more charming approach than roaring  N! O!

A woman's got to do what a woman's got to do.

If you couldn't tell, we're not perfect :)

Just for the record of an event that we may laugh at or learn from in the future:

Last night Dan came home from the grocery store with TONS of food.  "I have plans for dinners!"  he exclaimed.

Just then, Genny opened the fridge.  "Mmmmmmm," she salivated as she pulled out the queso fresco.

"Don't eat that!  I have plans for it!"

"I just want a sliver!"

"You ________"  ( I will not repeat what he said, for EVERY woman on the planet would scowl at him forever, and evermore.)

"I can't believe you said that, you ____!  you big ____!" and with those fighting words, Genny took the block of cheese and threw it out into the dumpster.  She then returned home and proceeded to read her scriptures in attempt to calm her spicy spirit.

THE END

P.S.  He DID apologize, and I am yet to apologize to him.

The Hunger Games: who are you?

***WARNING.  IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE HUNGER GAMES AND YOU WANT TO, 

DO NOT READ THIS POST***

Tonight as I was folding laundry, Dan was going "snap, snap, snap" with the camera in the kitchen.  Why?  He is so proud of his homemade artisan bread.  I asked him, "Are you really taking pictures of the bread you just made?!?! "  Yes, yes, he was. 

Then I got to thinking.  I'm Katniss and Dan is Peetah.  Dan liked me way more than I liked him when we first started dating.  At BYU, I hunted for work to stay alive, and Dan stayed indoors to get good grades and had a food allowance.  I'm a survivor.  I am also mean.  Dan is gentle, Dan bakes bread.  Dan sometimes says that he can't live without me, and I just don't know how to respond to such a comment.  So, yeah, I'm Katniss and Dan is Peetah.  And somehow, we made it together and we love each other most of the time ;)

(Dan just said, "You're not Katniss...you're not striving to keep me alive!" eh? hehehe.)

For the record, Dan would be an excellent stay-at-home dad

For the record, Dan would be an excellent stay-at-home dad.

I think he's a better stay-at-home dad than I am a stay-at-home mom.

This is why.

making pizza at Dan's apt when we were engaged

For our very first date, Dan made me 

Tai curry with tofu.

that's right.

When I was doing my internship and Dan was not quite hired for work, he made stuff like

GRANOLA

sandwiches for lunch

AND LASAGNA with HOMEMADE NOODLES

Yesterday Dan stayed home with Elena because she was sick and I needed to do my pre-hire paperwork.

I come home to what?

TWO WARM LOAVES OF WHOLE WHEAT BREAD!

The night before that you know what Dan made?

a tube of chocolate chip cookie dough.  

A couple of nights before that, you know what I found him doing?

SEARCHING ON-LINE FOR A DEAL ON A KITCHEN-AID MIXER.

I just know that if I were the one going to work,

I'd come home to a home-cooked delight.

Every night.

WHAT A STUD.

Poor guy---

I feel bad for him because he comes home and sometimes he doesn't get what I would get 

if I were him and he were me.

I'll set goals to be better!

broken car and overalls

This morning we filled the car up with Dan, me, Elena, and two loads of laundry.  I was about to take Dan to work and then continue en route to my friend Jorelle's house to do laundry while watch movies.  The plan was not executed due to the car not running.  As I suggested the auto repair just a block away, Dan looked at me SOOOO offensively.  Whoops, how could I forget that Dan would put on his Idahoan git-up n git fixin'? ;)

As I am typing, Dan is outside in nothing but his infamous overalls.  That's what them Idahoans wear when they do dirty work.  The first time I witnessed such a foreign display was when Dan and I first really met and mingled.  It was Fall of 2006.  We ran into each other on campus.  Remember?  Dan was wearing slacks, a white shirt and a bow tie.  Then we ran into each other off campus near the house I was living in.  I invited him to come over and help my roommates paint our kitchen.  Little did I know that he was going to change into not'n but them overalls.  I shook my head in disbelief while a couple of roommates said, "AWWWEEE!".  Oh them Idahoans.  They be odd comp'ny.  Haven't you ever heard of just wearing an old t-shirt and jeans? :)

Love,
normal girl from Los Angeles ;)

P.S.  Dan just fixed the car (1 1/2 hours later) and is now off to work.  Hurrah!

Romance

Romance-- What does that mean anyway?

Today as Dan was telling me on the phone that he "looooooooooves (me) and miiiiiiiiiiiiiiisses (me)"  (good grief, haha), I came to the following conclusion about us and romance.

Dan and I are romantic in our own odd ways.  I like watching romance movies.  They make me smile.  Dan doesn't.  He thinks it's unrealistic and only leads to a hard hit of reality later.  However, he is a gushy lovey dovey talker/snuggler.  I can't do that.  He likes to snuggle and hold hands.  I only like to do that sometimes, and definitely not so much in public. (Is this confusing or what?) 

I pointed this out to Dan today and he said, "It's a good balance.  If we were both gushy at the same time and in the same way, we wouldn't be very productive.  We would be looking into each others eyes all day long saying sweet nothings and not get anything done." 

Good point.

Hysterically doubting, the night before the wedding

On August 16th 2007, close to 10pm, my panicked mom called from the church building and needed help finishing with the reception decor.  So I gathered a small group.  Dan debated on going because he normally didn't do well after less-than-optimal sleep AND we were going to get married in the temple that very next morning.  I let him choose.  I didn't make it a big deal.  He chose to stay and sleep.  So off I went with the help.

After an hour or so of helping my mom, I started to doubt:  I gave him the choice, but why didn't he choose to help me out?  Do I not matter?  I'm part of next day's event too you know!  Is this what our marriage is going to be like?  Me, handling all unscheduled situations because Dan needs his beauty sleep? Is he not going to be there in the middle of the night when I need him?  When we have children?  When I need a helping hand?  Is sleep more important than ME?  Than US?  Than OUR FAMILY?!!!

We still got married the next day.

This early morning at 12:40am, Elena wakes up crying and I go to see what the matter is.  Turns out she is laying in VOMIT, and continues to vomit on me after I pick her up.  Oh no, what on earth did I give her to eat that day?  I call for Dan, "Elena is throwing up!"

1)Dan comes.
2)He scrubs the vomit off the carpet and crib while I calm the baby.
3)He comforts the baby as I shower the vomit off my body.
4)He helps me bath and dress the sickling.
5)And he cradles her until he is no longer needed.

So.... maybe I was a little hysterical the night before the wedding.

Good thing I decided to marry him after all. :)

Quirky

Thesaurus

Adj.

1.

quirky - informal terms; strikingly unconventional far-out, offbeat, way-out, kinky unconventional - not conventional or conformist; "unconventional life styles"

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2008 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

---

quirky

adjective odd, unusual, eccentric, idiosyncratic, curious, peculiar, unpredictable, rum (Brit. slang), singular, fanciful, whimsical, capricious, offbeat, out there (slang) We've developed a reputation for being quite quirky and original.

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

So I finally filled my frames in with pictures after 4 months.  Hurray!  As I was peering at them through the camera, I ended up focusing on my feet, which brought back memories.  (PS.  Dan is currently not here to defend himself)

Once upon a time, there was a girl named Genny and a boy named Dan.  They were "a pair".  Dating, if you will.  One afternoon while lounging on the couch, Genny decided to start a conversation about quirkiness.  She went on to tell Dan how she thought he was quirky when she first met him.

Could you blame her?  Their first real encounter was on BYU campus; Genny was walking through the Talmage building and was stopped by Dan, who was dressed in black slacks, a white dress shirt, a bow tie, and had his hair parted down the middle!  This was normal for him. Very quirky.

Back to the lounging on the couch scene.  So Genny asked Dan, "Is there anything you thought was quirky about me?"  (First off, why on earth did Genny even ask this question?  She just set herself up for a ride.  Also, keep in mind that maaaaybe Dan didn't understand the definition of the word quirky.)

quirky #1: Genny's feet

He didn't think they were very attractive.  They look "different".  The second toe is really long.  They were (and still are) sandpaper-like-rough to the touch.  So they aren't very feminine, OKAAY!  Genny was sooooooo offended.  Maybe more insecure.  She thought, does he value my feet over my face?  Why do I even wear make-up?  What about my eyes?  Isn't that what people look at?  My FEET!?!?!?!  I can't change my feet!  Who cares about feet?!  Oh, he just went below the belt. 

quirky #2: Genny's name.  GENNY.  He never thought he'd date a girl named Genny.

and quirky #3: Genny's pinky finger.  He thought that her pinky finger looked really short compared to her ring finger.

At this point, Genny thought, This relationship can't go on. 

But it did.  

And they got married.

Quirky and all.

The end!

(Boise, ID wedding reception.  Dan teaching my dad and I how to tie a bow-tie.)

Happy Father's Day! Elena's sleeping again!

Happy Father's Day!  Fathers sure are important.

"By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families...In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners."
(The Family, A Proclamation to the World)

Referring to the picture below:
Cheesy?  Yes.  But, hey, he loved it.  Thanks, you know who, for the cute idea!

Dan happily made his own Father's Day dinner with his new pizza peel, and I happily allowed him to make us dinner on his special day.  hehe.   (He likes his dough chewy.  I make it soft)

Elena's sleeping through most of the night!  What changed?  We put her in the living room.  Why?  Could it be that HER PARENTS are waking her up all through the night?  We're not sure, but she sure sleeps better away from us.  I'll blame Dan's occassional snoring.  Dan'll blame me for my occassional sleep talking.

I pushed a button, and might not live much longer

Who can get mad at this face? (Actually I'm sure many can.  sooorry)

(Picture at BYU - March 2008)

Today I might not live much longer.  I lent out Dan's baby without his permission.  No, not Elena.  His road bike.  It's his baby because he takes such nurturing care of it.  The borrower is extremely responsible I tell you!  But still, a part of me knew that this wouldn't end well.

So.... though the bike may survive, I may not.  Though the bike may enjoy the fresh air, I may never again.  Let us all take a moment to mourn.

I broke the news via email.  When I read his response, I imagined his face looking like this:

It's my fault--we all know what buttons not to push-- and I almost knew it when I PUSHED THE BUTTON.  A small button--I say small because Dan really isn't a materialistic kind of guy.  He's just got a "baby" or two.  (Have you ever heard Elder and Sister Holland's dual talk at a BYU devotional in 1985? It's about marriage, and there's a part about "buttons".  If you haven't, watch it here.  It's AWESOME.)

So folks, goodbye.  (I don't think he's thaaaat mad, but we'll see.)
Much love.  Genny.

So Dan got a little upset with me last night

So Dan got a little upset with me last night right before bed.  I did-- I snapped at him.  It wasn't the right thing to do.  So Dan went into the room to go to bed.  When I finally decided to join him, I turned the bedroom door nob and---huh?  eh?  What is blocking the door?  Is it Dan?  I pushed with all my might, just enough to wedge myself through.  The room was dark, and I didn't want to turn on the light to wake Elena.  So I climbed into bed.  I nudged Dan.  Nothing.  Dan layed there, sprawled across like a dead something or other.

Daniel?  Daniel?  I'm sorry.

You were meeeeeean.

I'm sorry, I was tired and wanted to finish what I was doing.

You were meeeeeean.  

Soooooooooorry.
Sorry for what?
Sorry for snapping at you.  I shouldn't have done it.

(A hundred "sorries" and kisses on the cheek later, and he forgave me.)

The next morning, I opened my eyes and-- bwahahaha!!!  I put Dan's creation in its original state for the full effect.  This is definitely a better way to deal with anger than other ways I suppose.  I'm glad that he doesn't yell at me or beat me. :)

Companionship Inventory

The other day, the two missionaries assigned to our ward asked Dan if we do the following activities:

1) Companionship Study.
Yes, we do.  We try to read daily from the scriptures, Preach My Gospel, or Conference Talks.  It doesn't always happen, but we try to do this as a companionship.

2) Companionship Inventory. 
Hmmmm.  No.  The last time we did that was when we separately served as full-time missionaries for the church.  The label comes from the mission.  It is done every week at the end of the planning session.  It's a way that you can communicate each other's strengths and "areas of improvement".  (In some ways, it helps prevent bottled up feelings and major blow-ups!)

But when Dan suggested that we do one this morning, I asked.... WHY?  Don't we communicate?  If you had a problem, wouldn't you tell me?
Dan agreed.  Yes, we communicate.  But Dan thought that this would be less threatening.  Apparently I am threatening sometimes.  (can you imagine that?)  So, we gave it a try. 

1) Prayer
2) Dan: (starting with the positive).  Genny, you are beautiful and smart.  Now....................... (Wow, that was a quick positive and BAM!  It made me laugh.  That had nothing to do with my character, but whatever.  I'm not going to go into my areas of improvement.  Don't worry, it wasn't that bad). 
3) Genny: You are a really nice guy.  I've never doubted that characteristic about you.  (Dan blushed and said he felt warm and fuzzy inside.  Then I petitioned for an area of improvement...)
4) The End.  (I hate to admit this, but it turned out to be a productive and positive experience.  The funny thing is that we already knew what the other person would say, because we've said it a billion times...)

Now I don't know if we are going to continue this on a weekly basis.  It just seems weird to me.  If we do, I for some reason don't want to call it companionship inventory.  I don't know why, I just don't.  Gee thanks Elders for bringing this up :) hehehe

I may not have listened to DARWIN (look at Elena's leg), but I'll still keep Dan.

Darwin essentially said that the key to survive and reproduce more successfully is to pick a mate with reproductive advantages.  Now I'm not going to say that Dan doesn't have physical strengths.  He will be the reason if we have tall and effortlessly lean children.  He is definitely very smart.  He is pretty athletic.  He can have really poofy hair (a fun trait).  He is good looking.  (cute picture of him as a teen->->->)

But, when he's sick, he is sick as a dog.  Dan gets the man cold.  If you don't remember what the man cold is, click HERE and HERE.

I have some great traits as well.  Pretty, I think.  I'm smart enough to survive.  Athletic as well.  If our kids are a little rolly polly, it's because of me, and that's just fine--I'll last longer in a famine.  Curves are cool, women!!!!  I pride myself in the fact that I have an amazing immune system.  I heal quick.  So I'm going to blame Dan as the carrier of the following trait.


Yesterday, my Visiting Teaching Companion and I visited Leah.  Leah is a new convert.  Her husband is getting baptized soon!  Their kids love going to church.  This is wonderful.  They live in a house full of cats and dogs.  Fur everywhere.  Everywhere!  EVERYWHERE!!!  Leah wanted to hold Elena.  Leah put Elena on the carpet.  This is what happened to one of Elena's thighs:




Now, hopefully, Elena was just overexposed???  But if she is allergic to pet dander (dogs maybe?) I'm going to blame Dan.  Yes, Dan had a pet cat.  No, I don't believe he himself has allergies.  I don't either!!!  But I'm still going to blame him.  Oh Darwin....

I still love Dan.  Dan has other great traits.  He is loving, patient (that's obvious, right?) and a great father.  So we'll keep Dan.  This is Dan feeding Elena some mashed potatoes.

Chao.

Happy 2nd Anniversary!!

Ok, so, so much has happened. We now have an addition to our family for a little while--Lisa! (Ok, not the baby yet). But yes, Lisa is now living with us before she finds a place to stay. Today she asked me (Genny) "Isn't it y'all's anniversary? My eyes opened wide, and said, "What day is it?". I then ran to our wedding invitation, and yes, realized that today is our 2 year anniversary.

So last year, both Dan and I forgot, so there was no embarrassment. Today, after realizing that today was the day, I decided to see how Dan would feel if I remembered and he forgot....hehehehe. I know, I am evil!

So I baked him PB cookies (cause PB is his favorite), and propped up a card next to our wedding invitation. Look and see! (The baby diaper cake was something my friend won, and she let me have it...that's pretty cool looking, so I added it to the display):

Daniel just arrived home from work,

confused as to why he was being photographed:


This is him being led into the dining room, just peeking...
is he still confused? I think so:


He sees the cookies, the "I love you".... but does he still know?
I don't think so. He thinks "Oooh, What a nice gesture..." :



He looks at the frame, pulls out the card, and thinks
"Uh oh". Look at that guilt on his face!!!!


He reads the card. I let him know that I "cared about him",
and said, "Don't worry, I forgot too!"


He doesn't know what face to pull at this point.
Guilt? Relief? Probably both :)


Don't worry. We are still happily married. Happy Anniversary! :