I have been called a whore to my face by a stranger. I have had a friend call my husband and tell him that his wife cheated on him. I have had people look at me, look at my husband, and then my child, and shake their head. I have had more people in my life become people I wouldn't mind seeing ever again, due to the way they view my family. Honestly, it doesn't bother me that they call or say these things to me. What bothers me is the reason they say it. They look at my white husband, my white self, and a black child, and all the sudden they see RACE!
Tonight we went to dinner with my little sister Kate and her boyfriend Art. Art was an extremely nice guy, very polite, and looked at my little sister with adoration. Kate seemed thrilled to have him next to her and they seemed very happy! So, what does this have to do with my previous paragraph? Art is half Spanish, half Mexican.
My little sister married a man who has roots from Spain, is Spanish, and has the last name Gallegos. My little sister is now a Gallegos.
Again, where is this all going? Right here. My family is fortunate to have different races joining our family. We have Spanish and African American now, I love it! My brother said to me on Sunday while we were eating breakfast, "Hopefully when our kids are older, race won't even be a topic. Everyone will be so intertwined, nobody will see color." I thought, what a great goal.
However, as I was sitting at dinner tonight with my sister and her boyfriend, we had a few discussions on race and concerns. It made me realize that race is still a factor for so many people. People hear the word Hispanic, Mexican, Spanish, African American, Black, Indian, Iranian, etc. and automatically will put a label on that person. It bothers me, it bothers me A LOT!
If you want to put a label on someone, fine...put the label on them. But do it for a reason other than the color of their skin or their heritage. Make them a person FIRST! Make a label on them for who they are and how they treat others, not because they have family from Haiti, Mexico, or New York. It truly is so upsetting to me to hear there are people, even within my own family, who are not accepting of people due to RACE!
Life is short, and goes by real fast! I have learned it is to short to determine you are or aren't going to like someone due to color. It is to short to look at someone and make a judgment on them based simply on their heritage. It is to short to decide you don't want to interact with someone based on their RACE!
If people do decide to base someone strictly on another persons race, shame on them! Shame on them for not opening their heart to see what so many different cultures have to offer them. Shame on them for being so judgmental and feeling they are superior to another because they are not the same RACE! Shame on them for missing an opportunity to spend some time with amazing people and missing out just because their skin color doesn't match their own.
For those of you who are accepting, thank you! It is so fun to have a transracial family, and we can not imagine our life any other way. We love having different races within our family, and happily welcome whoever is willing to join this wild bunch of ours, no matter what RACE they may be!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Such A Great Weekend!
This has been an incredible weekend. the weather was AMAZING, the friends were INCREDIBLE, the get-away was MUCHLY needed, and the two days off were just NOT long enough!
Friday afternoon Dustin, Carter and I headed to Logan to have some time with friends. Our friends, Doug, Brein, Jameson, and London, have kind of had a rough few weeks. So, we wanted to get up there and make dinner for them. My in-laws had gone out of town for a concert, so we had their home to ourselves!
Dustin cooked an amazing dinner. We ate steaks, asparagus, broccoli, salad, and bread. It was delicious. We drank some margaritas and then decided to get some of the toys out. We ended up on the dirt bikes and in the dune-buggy and just went around the house. It was so fun and the weather was perfect. We spent a couple hours outside and just enjoyed the riding.
After that, the Beazer children were pooped, and they headed home. We had offered hot-tubbing but Brein and kids were ready to call it after the day they had. They left and we cleaned up and decided we still were going toget in the hot-tub. Doug ended up texting me and we invited him back up for some soaking, and he agreed. So, he came back up and we got in the tub. We had a great time just talking. It was so nice to spend some adult time with friends and just have adult conversations.
Saturday morning Dustin, Carter and I joined my Aunt Tammy for breakfast at Angies...it is my favorite place for breakfast in the world! It was so nice to sit and talk with her and let her play with Peanut. We were enjoying one anothers company so much we decided to head to a park and continue the play. Carter went down the slide, played with sticks, threw seeds, and blew bubbles. The temperature was great and it was so nice to spend some time outside.
We then went back to the in-laws and I took a nap, Dustin kicked it around the house, and Carter fell asleep. We then began getting ready and cleaning up the house. We were going out with Doug and Brein and leaving the babies home with a sitter.
We decided to go to the India House in Logan for some Indian Food. It was so nice to continue adult conversations. I have to also admit how nice it was to not to have to ask for a high chair, it doesn't happen much anymore these days. We talked about jobs, kids, friends, school, etc. and had a wonderful time.
We were going to try to go to a movie, but happened to miss the shows in Logan, so headed back to Brigham City. However, we missed the showtimes there as well. So, we went for a drive. We ended up on a mountain to do some climbing. It was a lot of fun and the view was absolutely gorgeous. I was so sad not to have my camera. After we went to a restaurant and had some coffee and cake. It was delicious and so much fun.
It was then time to go back to the children and wrap up the night. Carter did pretty good for the sitter, and as we were leaving he kept saying, "Me play." He loved playing with London and Jameson as much as we loved playing with Doug and Brein.
Today I had breakfast with my brother and his bride, and then spent some time with a dear friend of mine. I wrapped up our evening with dinner at my Mom and Garry. The weather was incredibly beautiful again today and I just couldn't get enough. When we got home I noticed my tree out front was in bloom and absolutely gorgeous.
It was such a great reminder that spring is here and summer is shortly around the corner. 
Friday afternoon Dustin, Carter and I headed to Logan to have some time with friends. Our friends, Doug, Brein, Jameson, and London, have kind of had a rough few weeks. So, we wanted to get up there and make dinner for them. My in-laws had gone out of town for a concert, so we had their home to ourselves!
Dustin cooked an amazing dinner. We ate steaks, asparagus, broccoli, salad, and bread. It was delicious. We drank some margaritas and then decided to get some of the toys out. We ended up on the dirt bikes and in the dune-buggy and just went around the house. It was so fun and the weather was perfect. We spent a couple hours outside and just enjoyed the riding.
After that, the Beazer children were pooped, and they headed home. We had offered hot-tubbing but Brein and kids were ready to call it after the day they had. They left and we cleaned up and decided we still were going toget in the hot-tub. Doug ended up texting me and we invited him back up for some soaking, and he agreed. So, he came back up and we got in the tub. We had a great time just talking. It was so nice to spend some adult time with friends and just have adult conversations.
Saturday morning Dustin, Carter and I joined my Aunt Tammy for breakfast at Angies...it is my favorite place for breakfast in the world! It was so nice to sit and talk with her and let her play with Peanut. We were enjoying one anothers company so much we decided to head to a park and continue the play. Carter went down the slide, played with sticks, threw seeds, and blew bubbles. The temperature was great and it was so nice to spend some time outside.
We then went back to the in-laws and I took a nap, Dustin kicked it around the house, and Carter fell asleep. We then began getting ready and cleaning up the house. We were going out with Doug and Brein and leaving the babies home with a sitter.
We decided to go to the India House in Logan for some Indian Food. It was so nice to continue adult conversations. I have to also admit how nice it was to not to have to ask for a high chair, it doesn't happen much anymore these days. We talked about jobs, kids, friends, school, etc. and had a wonderful time.
We were going to try to go to a movie, but happened to miss the shows in Logan, so headed back to Brigham City. However, we missed the showtimes there as well. So, we went for a drive. We ended up on a mountain to do some climbing. It was a lot of fun and the view was absolutely gorgeous. I was so sad not to have my camera. After we went to a restaurant and had some coffee and cake. It was delicious and so much fun.
It was then time to go back to the children and wrap up the night. Carter did pretty good for the sitter, and as we were leaving he kept saying, "Me play." He loved playing with London and Jameson as much as we loved playing with Doug and Brein.
Today I had breakfast with my brother and his bride, and then spent some time with a dear friend of mine. I wrapped up our evening with dinner at my Mom and Garry. The weather was incredibly beautiful again today and I just couldn't get enough. When we got home I noticed my tree out front was in bloom and absolutely gorgeous.
It was such a great reminder that spring is here and summer is shortly around the corner. 
Monday, April 12, 2010
Ask Me Anything
I have a friend who is doing this, and I think it sounds like fun. So, I decided I want to try it. You can ask me anything. It is anonymous and I won't know who it came from, but I will respond. That way if you have ever had a desire to ask me a random question, but may thought it was weird or didn't dare, here is your chance! Click on the link and let me know!
http://formspring.me/ldbuggs82
http://formspring.me/ldbuggs82
Friday, April 9, 2010
Oh How I LOVE Them!
I know this is going to sound a little cheesie, but I am going to write an interesting fact about myself...I LOVE PEDICURES! Like LOVE, LOVE, LOVE pedicures.
I feel every woman should have her toes painted. I don't know why, but I believe it is because I HATE feet. I think feet are terribly ugly and there is no such thing as "pretty feet." So, when your toes are painted, it makes them a little "pretty."
I love bright colors on my toes. If it is spring or summer I always have to have some outrageously LOUD color on my toes. I LOVE IT! I love flip-flops and I love my toes painted!
So, yesterday I called my mom, after noticing my toes were horrifying and I had flip-flops on, and said it was time for a pedi. I then called my older sister, and after having to threaten homicide of one sister, who's name I will not mention, but starts with a "S" and ends with "tacy", and pulling only the top part of her teeth, she FINALLY agreed to go!
It is so nice to sit, be a little pampered, and talk with my mom and sis. We talk about boys, work, ourselves, shopping, kids, etc. It is so nice to have a little time to just unwind. We get our toes painted, feet rubbed, and back massaged! It is 45 minutes of paradise.
So, here is what our toes look like now! Oh, THANK HEAVEN FOR PEDICURES!
I feel every woman should have her toes painted. I don't know why, but I believe it is because I HATE feet. I think feet are terribly ugly and there is no such thing as "pretty feet." So, when your toes are painted, it makes them a little "pretty."
I love bright colors on my toes. If it is spring or summer I always have to have some outrageously LOUD color on my toes. I LOVE IT! I love flip-flops and I love my toes painted!
So, yesterday I called my mom, after noticing my toes were horrifying and I had flip-flops on, and said it was time for a pedi. I then called my older sister, and after having to threaten homicide of one sister, who's name I will not mention, but starts with a "S" and ends with "tacy", and pulling only the top part of her teeth, she FINALLY agreed to go!
It is so nice to sit, be a little pampered, and talk with my mom and sis. We talk about boys, work, ourselves, shopping, kids, etc. It is so nice to have a little time to just unwind. We get our toes painted, feet rubbed, and back massaged! It is 45 minutes of paradise.
So, here is what our toes look like now! Oh, THANK HEAVEN FOR PEDICURES!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Easter 2010
Our Easter turned out to be a very nice Easter. We were able to spend time with most of our family and kept a very busy weekend. Saturday Carter and I went to NeeNers and Grandpas for egg dying with Aunt Stacy, Uncle Bri, Coli Kai, and Audi Lou! The boys were so much fun.
They were incredibly busy and turned out to be so much fun! Carter LOVED coloring his egg blue, which turned his hand VERY blue. 
He was so fun to watch; when he finally noticed his hand he gasped, "uhhhhhhhhh, han...blue!"
NeeNer's and Grandpa then gave the boys a Diva cupcake, and I threw Carter into the sink to wash the baby. It was so fun!
Dustin and I finished Easter Bunny shopping Saturday afternoon, and it all came together perfectly! As I said on an earlier post, we decided to do a fishing theme Easter. We found a perfect size fishing pole, sunglasses, thermostat, tackle box, goldfish crackers, bobbers, weights, a lure, and then of course candy!
I was so excited to put it together, we went back to my mom's house and while Dustin made dinner I put the basket together. It turned out PERFECT! I was so excited. 
Dustin, Carter and I then dyed another 18 eggs together so Dustin could be a part of it with Carter.
It was so much fun, and the colors turned out amazing the second round. It was so fun and Carter LOVED doing it. 
Easter morning we woke up, got dressed and went to my mom's. There we ate a very nice breakfast and then had an Easter egg hunt.
The outside eggs were the one's the Easter Bunny hid, the inside eggs were from NeeNer's and Grandpa. It snowed Easter morning, but by the time we were ready to hunt, it was not bad at all.
Carter really enjoyed the hunt. At the beginning he was so good at putting the eggs into the carton, without much damage.
However, about eight eggs into it, he learned they could be thrown. So, he would throw the egg, say one of the following, "Shoot...Oh, Man....Wooooooo.....GIGGLE, GIGGLE," and then would go pick up the poor egg and do it again. 
It was so fun to watch him. He is without a doubt 100% little man.
The next stop was Uncle Nathan's.
Nathan is family for us, so we always try to make sure we get to attend the Roll Family parties, because we just kind of belong there. While we were there the kids were able to jump in a bounce house, eat more food, and participate in an Easter egg hunt. 
When we are at the Roll family parties, there is probably between 50-60 people there and it is pure,constant,enjoyable chaos.
The final stop was Aunt Mandy's to have Easter dinner with the Adam's Family. We enjoyed turkey, mashed potatoes, asparagus, rolls, and strawberry shortcake. It was so nice to get together as a family and spend time together.
My sister-in-law has been deployed since February and leaves again tomorrow. So, we were grateful to be able to spend some time with her. Carter was once again spoiled. Marlene gave Carter a NASCAR Easter Basket, GranGran and Papa gave him a bag of candy, and a bat.
Easter was so nice and truly so great to be able to spend some time with all of our families. We are so blessed to have so many people to spend the holidays with. Carter truly makes the holidays the BEST! He is such a delightful little man!
They were incredibly busy and turned out to be so much fun! Carter LOVED coloring his egg blue, which turned his hand VERY blue. 
He was so fun to watch; when he finally noticed his hand he gasped, "uhhhhhhhhh, han...blue!"
NeeNer's and Grandpa then gave the boys a Diva cupcake, and I threw Carter into the sink to wash the baby. It was so fun!
Dustin and I finished Easter Bunny shopping Saturday afternoon, and it all came together perfectly! As I said on an earlier post, we decided to do a fishing theme Easter. We found a perfect size fishing pole, sunglasses, thermostat, tackle box, goldfish crackers, bobbers, weights, a lure, and then of course candy!
I was so excited to put it together, we went back to my mom's house and while Dustin made dinner I put the basket together. It turned out PERFECT! I was so excited. 
Dustin, Carter and I then dyed another 18 eggs together so Dustin could be a part of it with Carter.
It was so much fun, and the colors turned out amazing the second round. It was so fun and Carter LOVED doing it. 
Easter morning we woke up, got dressed and went to my mom's. There we ate a very nice breakfast and then had an Easter egg hunt.
The outside eggs were the one's the Easter Bunny hid, the inside eggs were from NeeNer's and Grandpa. It snowed Easter morning, but by the time we were ready to hunt, it was not bad at all. Carter really enjoyed the hunt. At the beginning he was so good at putting the eggs into the carton, without much damage.
However, about eight eggs into it, he learned they could be thrown. So, he would throw the egg, say one of the following, "Shoot...Oh, Man....Wooooooo.....GIGGLE, GIGGLE," and then would go pick up the poor egg and do it again. 
It was so fun to watch him. He is without a doubt 100% little man.
The next stop was Uncle Nathan's.
Nathan is family for us, so we always try to make sure we get to attend the Roll Family parties, because we just kind of belong there. While we were there the kids were able to jump in a bounce house, eat more food, and participate in an Easter egg hunt. 
When we are at the Roll family parties, there is probably between 50-60 people there and it is pure,constant,enjoyable chaos.The final stop was Aunt Mandy's to have Easter dinner with the Adam's Family. We enjoyed turkey, mashed potatoes, asparagus, rolls, and strawberry shortcake. It was so nice to get together as a family and spend time together.
My sister-in-law has been deployed since February and leaves again tomorrow. So, we were grateful to be able to spend some time with her. Carter was once again spoiled. Marlene gave Carter a NASCAR Easter Basket, GranGran and Papa gave him a bag of candy, and a bat.
Easter was so nice and truly so great to be able to spend some time with all of our families. We are so blessed to have so many people to spend the holidays with. Carter truly makes the holidays the BEST! He is such a delightful little man!
Saturday, April 3, 2010
California Sun
After a series of events, I decided it was time to get away. Luckily, I have some amazing sisters who understood, and wanted to get involved. About two weeks ago, I through out to my older sister to go to California. Not knowing she had even considered it, she called me a few days later and said we were going!
On March 26, the day we were robbed, Stacy and I packed ourselves and three children, under the age of three, and headed to Southern California to see our little sister, "Fat!" (I call her Fat because she is so far from it...and she calls me "Pit." Reversed psychology!)
The drive was long. I dealt with the robbery during that time, we had to make more stops because of the kids, and due to having to work in the morning, we got off late, which made it a late night. We pulled into Joc and Chris's house about 10:30 Friday night. BLAH!
Saturday was very enjoyable. Chris and Joc had put together an Easter egg hunt for the boys, and they were spoiled. They got enough candy to last the entire trip, plus some, bubbles, whistles, and more. The boys loved it! It took Carter a minute to catch on to putting the egg in the basket but once he did, it happened much faster!
After the hunt, we piled into Stacy's car and went to the park. There we played with kites, swings, slides, and dinosaurs. The weather was a little cool, but not to shabby. At that point anything was better than Salt Lake City!
That night we had a campfire in the backyard. Jocelyn had pledged to participate in "Earth Hour," so we turned all electronics off and went outside. We enjoyed s'mores, stories, and a campfire. By the time the hour had passed, we were all exhausted and headed for bed.
Sunday we went to Santa Monica. I LOVE Santa Monica. The drive is peaceful, the company was good, and I LOVE SANTA MONICA!!! Once we got to the ocean, I could literally feel myself start to relax and find my zen.
I so needed to spend a day at the beach with the water and the sand. For some reason it makes me feel more grounded. 
Carter loved the beach. He loved the sand, the water, the rocks, the birds, the people, he loved it all!
I shouldn't be surprised at all, both Mom and Dad find great serenity when we are at the beach, it is only natural for our child to be the same way. Colin and Carter played in the sand. Stac and I tried to get them to build a sandcastle but they would knock it over every time. 
After a long afternoon, soaking up the sun, it was time to go home. I truly could have spent another week there and not be ready to come back!
Sunday evening we just made dinner and called it a night pretty quick. Again, another day in the sun and three kids, we were wiped out!
Monday was a day for the sisters and kids, poor Chris had to work. We went to In N' Out Burger, which is one of my favorite places, then took the kids to another park. We ate lunch in 80 degree weather and soaked up every ounce of it.
We then set the boys free in the park to do as they pleased. We were hoping they would use lots of energy knowing we would be driving the entire next day.
Once we got back, we watched, "New Moon," and then made dinner, packed, cleaned, showered, and got ready for an early morning.
Tuesday morning Stacy and I were up by 5 and left Jocelyn's at 6:12 Utah time. The kids slept for the first two hours, HEAVEN, and then were able to stay very mellow. So...we didn't stop until Mesquite, which is exact half way point from J's house. We were there by 11:00 am! AWESOME!
We fed, pottied, and ran with the three kids, piled them back up in the car, and continued North. We just kept driving, we were all anxious to be home, and the kids were doing fairly well! Second stop, Fillmore. Stacy and I decided this would be our final stop, and jokingly said this was going to be a 20 minute stop...MAX. Turns out we pottied all three kids in 12 minutes, was back on the road within 15. AMAZING!
We were back to this great city of Salt by 4:30. We drove into a wind storm and it snowed the next day...Made California seem like the perfect place to reside.
I am so grateful we did this trip. It was so needed and enjoyed! A BIG shout out to my sisters for being there with me, when Lord knows I needed them! I LOVE YOU GUYS!
On March 26, the day we were robbed, Stacy and I packed ourselves and three children, under the age of three, and headed to Southern California to see our little sister, "Fat!" (I call her Fat because she is so far from it...and she calls me "Pit." Reversed psychology!)
The drive was long. I dealt with the robbery during that time, we had to make more stops because of the kids, and due to having to work in the morning, we got off late, which made it a late night. We pulled into Joc and Chris's house about 10:30 Friday night. BLAH!
Saturday was very enjoyable. Chris and Joc had put together an Easter egg hunt for the boys, and they were spoiled. They got enough candy to last the entire trip, plus some, bubbles, whistles, and more. The boys loved it! It took Carter a minute to catch on to putting the egg in the basket but once he did, it happened much faster!
After the hunt, we piled into Stacy's car and went to the park. There we played with kites, swings, slides, and dinosaurs. The weather was a little cool, but not to shabby. At that point anything was better than Salt Lake City!
That night we had a campfire in the backyard. Jocelyn had pledged to participate in "Earth Hour," so we turned all electronics off and went outside. We enjoyed s'mores, stories, and a campfire. By the time the hour had passed, we were all exhausted and headed for bed.
Sunday we went to Santa Monica. I LOVE Santa Monica. The drive is peaceful, the company was good, and I LOVE SANTA MONICA!!! Once we got to the ocean, I could literally feel myself start to relax and find my zen.
I so needed to spend a day at the beach with the water and the sand. For some reason it makes me feel more grounded. 
Carter loved the beach. He loved the sand, the water, the rocks, the birds, the people, he loved it all!
I shouldn't be surprised at all, both Mom and Dad find great serenity when we are at the beach, it is only natural for our child to be the same way. Colin and Carter played in the sand. Stac and I tried to get them to build a sandcastle but they would knock it over every time. 
After a long afternoon, soaking up the sun, it was time to go home. I truly could have spent another week there and not be ready to come back!
Sunday evening we just made dinner and called it a night pretty quick. Again, another day in the sun and three kids, we were wiped out!Monday was a day for the sisters and kids, poor Chris had to work. We went to In N' Out Burger, which is one of my favorite places, then took the kids to another park. We ate lunch in 80 degree weather and soaked up every ounce of it.
We then set the boys free in the park to do as they pleased. We were hoping they would use lots of energy knowing we would be driving the entire next day.
Once we got back, we watched, "New Moon," and then made dinner, packed, cleaned, showered, and got ready for an early morning.
Tuesday morning Stacy and I were up by 5 and left Jocelyn's at 6:12 Utah time. The kids slept for the first two hours, HEAVEN, and then were able to stay very mellow. So...we didn't stop until Mesquite, which is exact half way point from J's house. We were there by 11:00 am! AWESOME!
We fed, pottied, and ran with the three kids, piled them back up in the car, and continued North. We just kept driving, we were all anxious to be home, and the kids were doing fairly well! Second stop, Fillmore. Stacy and I decided this would be our final stop, and jokingly said this was going to be a 20 minute stop...MAX. Turns out we pottied all three kids in 12 minutes, was back on the road within 15. AMAZING!
We were back to this great city of Salt by 4:30. We drove into a wind storm and it snowed the next day...Made California seem like the perfect place to reside.
I am so grateful we did this trip. It was so needed and enjoyed! A BIG shout out to my sisters for being there with me, when Lord knows I needed them! I LOVE YOU GUYS!
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