Don't Judge Me :)

There's only a week left week of Christmas and....

I just barely got my tree and decorations up at the first of this week…ooops.

Just so you know I am usually the first person to put the tree up…usually before Thanksgiving, but somehow this year it didn’t happen until pretty much just now. Don’t ask me to explain why because I honestly can’t. But it is up and that is all that counts. I am a bit regretful that I didn’t just take a couple of hours earlier this month or last month to put it up because I could seriously sit here for hours looking at the pretty lights. Oh, and also, this is the first year that our house doesn’t look like a gingerbread house on the outside. We decided that it wasn’t worth Tyler risking his life…especially since he will be a daddy in a few short months.


But, just because it took me this long to decorate doesn’t mean that I’m not excited for the holiday…I even went to what many of you would consider a “dorky” Christmas sing-along at the Energy Solutions Center with a couple of coworkers…..SO FUN!!!!!!!!!! Singing Christmas songs will definitely put you in the mood. I’ve actually been singing them since right after Halloween. I’m not kidding when I say, that it was the ONLY music on the radio that didn’t make me sick to my stomach in my first trimester. I am the type of person that loves pretty much all music, but it was the Christmas music that kept me from losing my lunch and kept those happy nutrients down for little baby Hodson to enjoy.

Ummmmm……..I don’t know what else to write, so here’s a way funny video that I'm sure a lot of you have seen (and ps I am not trying to advertise for Budweiser):

Now, to finish shopping......

Oreos drenched in milk!

Um....so I am the type of person who can take on:
--2 jobs (30+ hrs/wk)
--full-time school
--a busy church calling
--cleaning a house
--and a husband

...all with usually 5-6 hours of sleep.

Now, I'm down to the following:
--kinda 2 jobs (less then 20 hrs/wk)
--2 online classes
--a piece of cake calling that requires little to no extra effort
--somewhat keeping the house in order
--and hopefully paying enough attention to my husband so that he knows he's still loved

...all with about 10+ hours of sleep...with random power naps throughout the day.

It's amazing to me how much energy I don't have these days...thus, also the lack of posting to this website I call bloggaboo.
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Well.......These are some things that I would have made into seperate posts over the last couple of weeks, but now you get them all in one helping and condensed:


1. 11-21-08 Kari and Rob's wedding was such a beautiful day! I am so happy for them! It was a long day, but I thoroughly enjoyed myself. The ceremony was beautiful, the weather was perfect, the luncheon was so nummy, and the line to congratulate the couple was horendous (in a good way)...I loved seeing old friends and acquaintances that I haven't seen in forever. The following is a slideshow with pictures from my Aunt Rhonda's camera. Thanks Rhonda, for taking these!:

(ok...I'm getting tired, so I'll post these sometime tomorrow or Wednesday...Here's 3)








2. THANKS to everyone for the congratulations on here and Facebook...Ty and I feel really blessed to have so many good people in our lives. This is a picture that I wanted to post a long time ago, but couldn't. Remember the picture of Ty sewing on the sewing machine? Well, this is the little number that he created:

3. 11-29-08 I went to Twilight. I suprisingly enjoyed it and am a bit anxious now for the next movie. Tyler was off-the-wall excited that he did not have to sit through the movie...although I'm sure he would've if no one else could've gone. This is a pic of us in front of the movie poster...except for the guy taking the picture cut off Edward's big forehead:

4. 12-02-08 I was sad to hear of Elder Wirthlin's passing, but then I heard that he was 91 and his wife had died a couple years ago, and so sadness turned to hapiness thinking of the reunion with his lovely wife. Almost immediatley after hearing of his death I kinda wondered what the last thing he left us with last conference was...so I read this talk, "Come What May, and Love it". It talks about how we can react to adversity, sorrow, and hard times. I recommend reading this short little talk...what a great man with some great wisdom. I liked this quote from the talk...and definitley need to take it to heart:

"The next time you're tempted to groan, you might try to laugh instead.
It will extend your life and make the lives of all those around you more
enjoyable."

Ok, that is all. Happy last minute Christmas shopping to you all!

Thankful for----The 2nd Trimester!!!!

We are thrilled to announce that we are pregnant...with a baby!!!! Tyler is going to be a daddy, I'm going to be a mommy, and yes we are a little overwhelmed, but so excited and grateful for this blessing.

Technically the 2nd trimester isn't for 2 more days, but some of you know how hard of a time I have keeping secrets.

This is something that we have been wanting and praying for for a long time. We just feel so lucky and can't wait for little baby Hodson to get here...June 12thish. A summer baby :)

Turkey day is sneaking up!

Happenings at the Hodson Household

I haven't blogged in a while. It's not even that I've been that busy, but I just enjoy reading everyone else's blogs and then run out of time/energy to post to our blog. But this is what's been going on in a nutshell:

*We have never stayed home on Halloween night. This year we decided to stay home so we could see just how many trick-or-treaters we would get...we got ZERO. I was really sad and disappointed, but I think I'm just used to my parent's house where they get a ton.

*Starbucks has REALLY GOOD hot cocoa!

*We voted! I voted for the people that I thought would do the best job...Tyler voted straight Republican. He is anti-democrat, but I think he has come to a realization that even though our next president is a democrat he will give him a chance to prove himself. If Obama messes up though, I do not want to be around to hear the rantings of both Tyler and my Dad.

*Rusty knows that the Christmas season is approaching. His squeaky toy shaped like a Christmas bulb was brought out for the first time in about 10 months by himself. (ps the picture is not of Roo)

*Tyler helped in the slaughtering of the beef that his Grandpa raises...His Grandpa and Grandma are very generous in sharing so we have all sorts of beef year round. Tyler's fancy for beef, however, hasn't been there for the last few weeks.

*Kari gets married on Friday!!! We went through the temple on Saturday night. I love going through with someone who has never been before. You seem to see the endowment session in a fresh light. Here's a couple of her bridals (just proofs) that I liked:

... (VISIT: http://scottstudio.com/)

...Oh, and a picture of the shower Tanya and I threw her:

*I bought some really cute Croc-slippers that are super warm for only $10...and found them at RiteAid of all places.

*We recommend the movie "Eagle Eye"...but not if you're looking for something that could totally happen. This movie is a bit far fetched, but really entertaining. It has the guy in it from Transformers and is action-packed the whole way through.

*A favorite thing to eat right now are Clementines!

*My Mom bought me some more card-making books. I now have an entire library of books and magazines on the cutest scrapbooked cards you have ever seen. I also have the whole scrapbooking supply section of Joanne's in my storage. Now I just need to actually make some. I'll post some when I get around to this crafty thing that I've really been wanting to do!

*I am really enjoying my calling. It's a bit exhausting by the end of the 3-hour block, but we have some of the most adorable kids in our ward! It's so fun!!

*A couple of weeks ago I went to Body Worlds with my co-workers. Truthfully it wasn't exactly worth the money spent, or waiting in line for an hour...but I did learn a lot so I guess that is what it was worth. My favorite part is the same as my friend Katie...with all of the different stages of the fetus. I kinda had mixed feelings about seeing something that sadly didn't live, but at the same time found it so fascinating.

*Tyler has left me :( ..................just for the week to go to Dayton Ohio of all places. He has training for work.

THE END!

3 Best Friends Right Now...and My Cuddle Buddy

Best Friends =

Cuddle Buddy =

A Few Pictures to Appease:

Giddy-up!!....Rusty's Halloween costume that he hates. Poor baby doggy!

............see how annoyed he looks in this pic above.............

A couple of Kari & Rob's engagements. These are proof's, but I absolutley love the work this guy does. To view more of Scott Sumner's work go to: http://scottstudio.com/ I think Kari & Rob make an adorable couple!!!

And....Next season on "Dancing with the Stars":

Don't forget to vote for your favorite :)

I think I'm gonna cry!...

I'm just so happy!!!!...look at today on MSN:

Finally, under $3.00!! 2 years ago this wouldn't have been so happy, but for today it is GREAT!

And look at what the lowest gas price is in the USA today:

WOWZER! I'm out, see you in Oklahoma.

Grocery shopping at Walmart is not and never will be fun!

In the past couple of weeks...

On October 5th my sister Kari got engaged to Robert Bruderer. They have been dating for the past couple of years and make an awesome pair. They're getting married in the SL temple on the 21st of November which is really close, but great for planning purposes because everyone like the photographer and such, are free. We love them and are excited for them! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

It's Fall! This is my favorite time of year!! Beautiful colors, cute sweater and jacket weather, perfect temperatures, etc etc etc



This is Tyler's newest purchase...Let me just tell you that Tyler is my "Joe the Mechanic". If for whatever reason he ever loses his job, he has a trade/skill that he can fall back on and make a decent living. A couple of years ago he bought 2 snowmobiles for just under $400.00. He worked hard and got them in working condition and had some fun with them and in the past couple of weeks got $1000.00 EACH for them on KSL. He then used that money to put towards this newer one.

(Please ignore our old couches on our back porch, we plan on sending them to the DI this week, unless anyone could use some extra couches...we really aren't pack rats).

The weekend before last, we went to visit my Grandparents in St. George. In the past few years they have become snowbirds and have a 2nd home down there and live in Tremonton in the hot summer. It was fun to just hang out with them and also we went to Zion's National Park, the place where Ty and I went on our honeymoon. Unfortunately it was rainy and cold down there, but we all still had a good time.

Grandma and Grandpa Robbins

A Perfect Horseshoe game...HAHA

Mom & Dad

Pretty even in the rain

Wild Turkeys...aka Thanksgiving dinner

A couple of Tuesdays ago Ty took me to the Weezer concert. I LOVE THEM. And now that I've seen them in concert I LOVE THEM even more. This band was introduced to me by my friend Gina back in 2002ish, and I am a fan! It has always been somewhat of a dream to go to their concert, but they haven't been to Utah for a while. Well, right when we found out that they were coming to Utah was right around my Birthday, so it was a VERY Happy Late Birthday for me!!




This past Friday, we carried out our long-standing tradition (4 years) and carved pumpkins with some of Ty's friends. It was a good time!

And Finally...
I don't have to drive to Farmington anymore!!! LDS Family Services is now located in Layton, Utah. We had the dedication on Wednesday night. Our facility includes us, the distribution center, the DI, the employment office, the bishop storehouse, and the home storage place. It's the first of its kind anywhere and pretty cool, so if any of you would like to see it come and visit me! We all were expecting President Monson, so the place was packed, but at the last minute Bishop H. David Burton came. I was touched by his comments and was so glad that I went to this special meeting.

Can't Wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This comes out on the same day that my sister is getting MARRIED!!!!!, so I will be seeing it on the day after (the 22nd)...more on Kari's engagement later :)

(push pause on the music player...and yes,...go ahead and watch it over and over again.)

If this picture offends you II

I posted a funny picture a while back of a guy in a Walmart bag. This one is cuter and perfect for this time of year:

And...........

One of my professors read us this article this morning. It's kind of interesting that this article was written almost exactly 9 years ago. I bolded the parts that I thought were interesting...

Fannie Mae Eases Credit To Aid Mortgage Lending

By
STEVEN A. HOLMES
Published: September 30, 1999 - New York Times

In a move that could help increase home ownership rates among minorities
and low-income consumers, the Fannie Mae Corporation is easing the credit
requirements on loans that it will purchase from banks and other lenders.

The action, which will begin as a pilot program involving 24 banks in 15 markets -- including the New York metropolitan region -- will encourage those banks to extend home mortgages to individuals whose credit is generally not good enough to qualify for conventional loans. Fannie Mae officials say they hope to make it a nationwide program by next spring.

Fannie Mae, the nation's biggest underwriter of home mortgages, has been under increasing pressure from the Clinton Administration to expand mortgage loans among low and moderate income people and felt pressure from stock holders to maintain its phenomenal growth in profits.

In addition, banks, thrift institutions and mortgage companies have been pressing Fannie Mae to help them make more loans to so-called subprime borrowers. These borrowers whose incomes, credit ratings and savings are not good enough to qualify for conventional loans, can only get loans from finance companies that charge much higher interest rates -- anywhere from three to four percentage points higher than
conventional loans.

''Fannie Mae has expanded home ownership for millions of families in the 1990's by reducing down payment requirements,'' said Franklin D. Raines, Fannie Mae's chairman and chief executive officer. ''Yet there remain too many borrowers whose credit is just a notch below what our underwriting has required who have been relegated to paying significantly higher mortgage rates in the so-called subprime market.''

Demographic information on these borrowers is sketchy. But at least one study indicates that 18 percent of the loans in the subprime market went to black borrowers, compared to 5 per cent of loans in the conventional loan market.

In moving, even tentatively, into this new area of lending, Fannie Mae is taking on
significantly more risk, which may not pose any difficulties during flush economic times. But the government-subsidized corporation may run into trouble in an economic downturn, prompting a government rescue similar to that of the savings and loan industry in the 1980's.

''From the perspective of many people, including me, this is another thrift industry growing up around us,'' said Peter Wallison a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. ''If they fail, the government will have to step up and bail them out the way it stepped up and bailed out the thrift industry.''

Under Fannie Mae's pilot program, consumers who qualify can secure a mortgage with an interest rate one percentage point above that of a conventional, 30-year fixed rate mortgage of less than $240,000 -- a rate that currently averages about 7.76 per cent. If the borrower makes his or her monthly payments on time for two years, the one percentage point premium is dropped.

Fannie Mae, the nation's biggest underwriter of home mortgages, does not lend money directly to consumers. Instead, it purchases loans that banks make on what is called the secondary market. By expanding the type of loans that it will buy, Fannie Mae is hoping to spur banks to make more loans to people with less-than-stellar credit ratings.

Fannie Mae officials stress that the new mortgages will be extended to all potential borrowers who can qualify for a mortgage. But they add that the move is intended in part to increase the number of minority and low income home owners who tend to have worse credit ratings than non-Hispanic whites.

Home ownership has, in fact, exploded among minorities during the economic boom of the 1990's. The number of mortgages extended to Hispanic applicants jumped by 87.2 per cent from 1993 to 1998, according to Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies. During that same period the number of African Americans who got mortgages to buy a home increased by 71.9 per cent and the number of Asian Americans by 46.3 per cent.

Hola Octubre!!

Not much as been going on these last couple of weeks. Just mostly school and work.

However, we are SO EXCITED for Halloween!!!!...Because we get to carve pumpkins!

And eat Candy Corn

And watch scary movies!

And isn't this just the most adorable baby costume in the world?

I have decided to stop drinking soda pop. I am 4 days into it and feeling fabulous. After chatting with a co-worker, I had forgotten about an article that I had read saying that sugar ages you among other things. A little never hurt anyone, but I probably drink a little much, so I am going to see how long I can go without this scrumptiousness.

And look...Tyler is a domestic diva. Isn't this picture great :) !

Dork!

You can call me a dork for 2 reasons:
1. I like the show, Dancing with the Stars...and
2. I like the show, Keeping up with the Kardashians

Well, Kim Kardashian is on the new season of Dancing with the Stars. Sadly I don't think I'll have much time to watch, but that's what Youtube is for right?
(Don't forget to pause the music player).

HOT Momma!

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday to my FABULOUS MOTHER!

Happy Birthday to you.

Today is my Mom's Birthday. I won't tell you how old she is turning in fear that she might kill me. But she is old! jk... My Mom has had somewhat of a hard past year health wise. In and out of chemo and in and out of the ER is no way to spend life. We are all hoping that this year is 100% better for her so that she can enjoy life. Her main love (after me of course) is on her blog:

http://sunshineyellow-stitches.blogspot.com/

Isn't she amazing?? She has tried to pass this love of sewing down to me, but so far I have not taken to it....well, this year to my Mom, I promise to make an effort to get some of the many projects done that I've started...with your help of course.

Mom, Happy Birthday!! I love you! You are an amazing women and Mom! I hope that this year is wonderful!! Thank you for always believing in me and loving me unconditionally. LOVE Sara.

The Real Rusty Roo (Roofus) Hodson

Roofus the cat

Roo (aka Kanga's baby)

The Real Rusty Roo