Well here goes....

Yes its me Mandy updating the blog.. I know its crazy its been way to long but I cant sleep and my heart is full.

At this time in my life I feel so grateful for all of the many things that I have been blessed with in this life. Sometimes I feel like I get caught up in the little things and forget how i have been given so much. As I have been watching my kids grow older and interact more with each other over the last few months, i feel so grateful for their joyous spirits and their health. I love them more than life itself and more than i love myself. When I was growing up as a teenager I was never the type of girl that wanted a bunch of kids. I think I always knew I would be a mother, but was sure what that would intell. Now that I have these beautiful children I cant imagine my life without them. They make me laugh and want to scream everyday. I have been so blessed with these wonderful spirits and I feel like it is my duty in life to guide them, teach them everything I can.

My little Laynie is such a mirror of my personality that it crazy. She is just as sassy and stubborn as me. She is very smart for her age and cant wait to start school. We have been doing preschool with her at home to save money and she looks forward to it and catches on quickly. She is still enjoying doing her ballet but I am going to look into putting her into a more advanced class than the rec center b/c she loves it so much.


My little love bug Peyton is such a mommys boy that i love it most of the time but other times its a lot harder to get things done. He is very sensitive for a boy but loves to play rough with his toys and sissy. We are starting to potty train and he is doing so well with number 1! He makes me laugh so much because of all the funny things he says and does. He has his daddys happy go lucky personality but looks just like his mommy:)

Matt continues to amaze me all the time. Im so lucky to have a husband who tries to spoil me rotten by giving me my way. He loves my unconditionally all the time even at times where I have not loved myself. I had asked him on easter why did you pick me and he told me that it was because I was hot but I was humble..haha that was not the only reason but what a good guy. He really is my soul mate, and i know we were meant for each other. He was trying to get on with the highway patrol and did all the testing and did well but it has been put on hold with the state having such a big budget shortage. I was so proud of him for trying to better his situation though. I hope that it will eventually work out but for now he is going to try to start taking some classes at the college again.


I also feel the need to talk about my baby sis Haley. I want her to know how proud I am of her. She is such a special friend to me. I love both of my sisters but Haley has grown up so much in the last year and is such a talented young lady. I know she has been having a hard time lately but I also know she will get through it.

My Mom makes my life right now possible because she helps me watch the kids at night after working all day herself which I know is not easy. She is a good grandma to my kids and I know that when they are older they will appreciate being so close with their nanny. I love my family and I am grateful for their love and support that they give.

Now to the hard part where I am going to talk about me. For some reason tonight I feel a little bit emmotional. I have been having a hard time lately for lots of reasons but been trying to keep a positive outlook. I am for sure in denial about turing 28 partly because I cant believe im this old, and it makes me scared because if times goes by this fast I dont want my life to pass my by. Our house is still in limbo as we are now in a lawsuit against Bank of America, which still keeps me up at night. I hope and pray that everything works out the way its supposed to but its so hard to not know. I am still trying to loose my 10 lbs that has taken up residency but its so hard to stay focused. I am still doing makeup which I love. I am finally doing something I am so passionate about,I feel like I have learned so much. I hope to keep continuing to get better so that I can work for myself one day doing free lance makeup artistry. For now I will keep putting in my time even though the schedule can get a little crazy. Last sunday I was able to go to church after missing 3 weeks b/c I had to work and my heart was so full because I knew that was where i needed to be. When I work on sundays I am almost angry because I want to be at church with my family. My co-workers nicknamed me Mandy the Mormon. They like to poke fun at me but I try not to let it bother me. It has definetly been an adjustment working here but my attitude is to try and be an example to those around me and it has been. So many people have walked up to me and asked why I am so different than the people I work with and my response is that I just have different morals and beliefs. They are shocked but they respect me for it. I enjoyed last weeks conference so much and I feel like so many things are what I needed to hear. I often stress about the small things in life when they dont matter. I know I am blessed. I know I am loved. Yes there are things that could be better... but there are always things that could be worse.

There is lots more I could say but I will save it so it doesnt take me so long to blog again.

Groundhog Day Update

Sometimes life feels like the movie Groundhog Day! The same cycle of events, same frustrations, same highs, and the same lows. Get up, eat breakfast, run errands, eat lunch, go to work, come home, sleep, do it again! Along with days seeming the same, I'm at fault most of the time. I'm such a routine person! For example, when I go to a restaurant I always seem to get the same thing even though I'll sit and look at the menu for 20 minutes. I'll ask the waiter questions about the menu, even get suggestions, then still order what I knew I was going to in the first place.



The only thing that seems to denote time is seeing Laynie & Peyton grow and get brains of their own. Laynie is so funny these days. The other day she told me, "Dad, that's a hoopdee!" She loves learning and loves to write her letters. I'll just write down some words and she will copy them and ask what each one means. Laynie will be starting school this year after her 5th Birthday in May. As for Peyton he is just as funny! He's a little sensitive and cries very easy, but also gets pretty angry sometimes. He likes to battle Laynie all day and take all the toys she is playing with. He loves to eat and can really put it down just like his daddy. He does have the Sims tastebuds which are just as sensitive (P&B and J, oranges, chocolate milk, donuts). He will be turning 2 next month in April. Potty training has started, which is the biggest task to accomplish. He will sit and do a pee, but poops, they can't seem to make it there yet.


Mandy and I have been together now for over 8 years. I love my wife to death! She helps me so much and I love her more and more everyday. It seems like yesterday that we were married. She helps and supports me and our family in so many ways. She just celebrated her 28th birthday. We had some cupcakes, played some Rockband, and had a great time hanging out with family.

Although much of the days blend together, its the little moments that suprise and help you realize a few new things. Like in the movie Groundhog Day, if you get it right it will all be worth it!

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Merry Christmas

So I guess after about 4 months I can finally update this..
So since it is xmas eve and my kids are asleep and my hubby is at work gives me some time to reflect on the past year and think about the true meaning of christmas. I know that I have said over and over what a hard year it has been, probably the hardest of the whole time we have been married.. BUT we made it through and we still have each other and our health and all the many blessings that we are able to enjoy each day.
I love this time of year most of all because it gives me a chance to give to those who are not as fortunate and that is the best feeling of all. What a different feeling christmas has as a parent when you are the one doing all the giving. Makes me especially grateful for all I have been blessed with over the years. I hope that this Christmas season will bring us closer to the lord and to each other.
Happy holidays to all of you, may your season be bright!

What's going on...

It's been forever since we have posted anything on here, probably due to both of us turning to Facebook, but for those of you who don't, I thought I would update you on what we have been up to. Mandy has been working at Macy doing Make-up and working crazy hours. It hasn't been all that she was hoping it would be, but she is continuing to look for better opportunities. In the meantime, if you need any suggestions on cosmetic products, she's your go-to girl. I on the other hand I have been dealing with some change at work. We have new management in Guest Services and they are taking the department in a new direction. I'm keeping optimistic and hope that things will get better, but we will have to wait and see. I've learned a lot as a manager and it will be difficult to not have the same role I've had for the past two years. Valet Managers will no longer exist and the new role will be Guest Service Managers who will uniformly run both bells and valet. I hope to continue to be an asset to the company I've spent 7+ years at, even though my role as a valet runner will be more limited. I've recently applied for NHP and I'm currently in background. It is a long process and should be since the responsibilities are great. I also continue to bug Mandy about going back to college. It is hard to find time, with our schedules being so crazy, and our kids already spending so much time at Mom & Dad's house. Mandy and I have also been trying to work with our lender on a loan modification. This process has been a long and stressful one. After 1 1/2 years of calling and faxing paperwork we are hopefully finding the end. I hope and pray the result will be positive since we love our home. Laynie is getting bigger and bossier everyday. She is still quite the toon-aholic and is a total girly-girl. The other day I was playing around with her and she yelled back, "Your gonna mess up my hair!" On the other hand your have Peyton, who is in to everything and has already developed quite the temper. He climbs up onto everything and when you tell him to get down or stop what he's doing he has a evil smirk on his face. He goes on to the next drawer or the next night light to rip out. He has started to talk a lot more and has become a little parrot. Our family is blessed and even with the changes going on we are happy. We are lucky we have such a great supportive family to lean on. Thanks for all the help and love you give us.

Exciting News..

Well since it has been forever again since I blogged I figured I would update this. Since the last time I blogged so much exciting things have happened. I started my new job in the middle of August at Macys Fashion show at Impulse Cosmetics. So Im doing makeup and also selling makeup which is fun but the schedule has definetly be an adjustment for me. Ive never really been a night person and sometimes the babysitting is interesting. I mostly work at night and then on the weekends its always different. I was under the impression that I would not be working every Sunday so Im still working on that part and hopefully get that figured out soon so I dont have to always rely on people switching shifts with me.
We are holding our grand opening next weekend so that should be lots of fun because I have booked lots of friends that I dont get to see all the time. I love doing makeovers but after that weekend I might be burned out for a few days because I have to do atleast 25 appointments for 2 days. Anyhow enough about that....

I cant believe how big my little man is getting. In just 2 weeks he will be going to nursery!!! Yes I am counting because the last few months have been rough trying to get him to last during church. He is walking and getting in to everything and already says so much. He is just a snuggly sensitive guy which I love. I especially love when he see's me he wants to give me the biggest hug. I hope that part lasts.



Laynie has always been mature for her age but the things she says lately truely amaze me. She is such a smart girl and makes me so proud of her. She can write her name and count to 10 and so many other things. She loves playing with her brother and friends. She is such a good sister and that makes me so happy.


The other exciting news is that in just a few days my Matt is going to be 30!!! Holy cow where did the time go, its crazy to think that we have been together going on 8 years. I dont think it has hit him yet, but that is good because I think the two of us are very young at heart. He is my best friend and my eternal companion and Im so glad and thankful for him. We always have so much fun together, laughing and raising our family, and Im glad to say that after so many years. He is a good husband and a good father. He has been currently talking about a career change and I support him in whatever he chooses. I have planned a cute little date for us to go and celebrate which should be fun because we havent been on a date in 4 months!! I love you more and more each year babe!! and even though you are losing some of your hair you are still hot to me! Happy BIRTHDAY !!!

Now Announcing!!!

Baby Brielle Elizabeth Swallia born 7/27/2009 6lbs 11oz and what an adorable healthy baby girl. My sister Rachel did great and she is going to be a great mom. Im so excited for them and this little girl is going to be spoiled and cute! I was trying to get my sister to go into this nesting mode last week by making her do laundry and we did some shopping and some other stuff and what do ya know... she went into labor!
Congrats you guys!



So Im not sure if anyone even reads this blog anymore but I guess thats not why Im doing it but here is a little update on what we have been doing lately. I am planning on starting my new job in the new next few weeks doing what I love. So Im super excited about that. I had an interview at MAC which has been a dream of myne to work there but it didnt work out but life goes on and this other job will be just as good.
I have been trying to just enjoy my time at home with the kids but sometimes it definetly is hard. My kids are getting so big and getting a mind of their own. They like to play with each other most of the time and they are the cutest little kids. Peyton is talking so much and walking ang gets into everything!! Laynie just loves dress up and playing with her friends and swimming.
Matt joined a hockey league a few months ago and is enjoying one of his nights off playing with the guys. He is just trying to figure out what direction he should go in with his career so he has some thinking to do.
Lots of things in our life right now are still up in the air but we are still being blessed and life is good!