The Book of Zerns the Younger

Happy 4th of July!

2010-07-05T10:59:00.003-04:00

We had a great 4th of July weekend in sunny Florida, even though the sun was MIA. Adam and I took our cutie pies to Epcot on Saturday and had a blast! We did the Nemo ride, Kim Possible, the Imagination ride, watched this LAME movie on the Circle of Life (men are bad, sherpas are better), and we rode Spaceship Earth. It was just fun to be together and not have to hurry and get home so Adam could do homework.

Sunday of course was the actual 4th, and we had a wonderful sacrament meeting filled with testimonies about our great country. We are truly blessed to live in the United States! We had dinner with my parents and grandparents, which is always so nice. We missed Will, Andrew, and the Sullivan crew, but we know they are also enjoying the blessings of our great nation (although Andrew won't actually be in America for awhile to enjoy its luxuries). Yea for America, and the freedom we have to watch AWESOME movies about vampires, werewolves, and love triangles (yes, my hubby and I saw Eclipse together Friday night and loved it:)!!!

Long Live the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave!

New Wheels

2010-05-02T20:30:00.005-04:00

Yes, it's official: I drive a soccer mom minivan. I love it! It's a 2008 Kia Sedona, with 36k miles on it, plus a great warranty. No huge bells and whistles on it, but for us it is heaven. Our air conditioner in the previous car we owned stopped really working long ago, and we only had a tape deck. Our old car had windows that were either bolted into place or were kept in place by a rubber door stopper. We now get SUPER cold air, a CD player, and windows that roll down! I have to admit, I will miss the stares at the drive thru when I'd open my door to pay and get our food instead of rolling down my windows, but I think I can deal with it. Thank you IRS for your goodwill, and thank you to all the rich for giving us such a nice tax return. I promise I'm not a socialist.

The Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy!

2010-04-05T21:13:00.006-04:00

Two mythical creatures at our house in one weekend! The Easter Bunny came and left Emma and Sadie all sorts of goodies. Emma wanted a Flamingo Littlest Pet Shop, and Sadie just wanted CANDY, and luckily that Easter Bunny knew what she was doing! She even left bunny ears for the girls, which were a big hit.

Today, after literally WEEKS of wiggling, Emma's first tooth finally fell out! She was absolutely certain it would only fall out after she turned five, but luckily it decided to come out early. Perhaps it was because her crazy mother tickled her until she let me wiggle it for her last night(Emma was adamant that no one touch her tooth), or maybe it was just time. She was eating a banana and drinking some milk when she just spit it out! She is so big! How can she be this big already????

A Day in the Life of Sarah

2010-03-07T18:26:00.009-05:00

I was looking through our pictures tonight and noticed how many "around the house" pictures we have, so I decided it was time for a blog about our day-to-day insanity.

Emma and Sadie are two extremely emotional, high-strung, energetic girls. They have very active imaginations. Emma loves to pretend she's an animal, the weirder the better. She was home sick from school a few days ago, and no matter how hard I try to make her "rest," all I can get Emma to do is slow down long enough to color. She decided she needed bird wings and a bird tail. This is what she came up with:

Yes, the wings are on her stomach, and that is a toy thermometer in her pants. The worst part of the ordeal was that Sadie was later found with the same thermometer in her mouth. Yum.

Sadie was feeling rather adventurous herself that day, and decided that she should hide in part of their little play table:

Yes, that is a huge booger in her nose. Contrary to popular belief, I do wipe my children's noses. It just happens to be sporadic, and only when we are going out in public.

Dodger, our Jack Russell, apparently had decided he'd had enough. His days are full of chasing squirrels that he will never catch in our backyard, although there is one squirrel out there with no tail left. (You do the math.) I'd have wanted to end it after watching our shenanigans too:

My sentiments exactly Dodger.

After a hard day, I like to cuddle up with a good book and cast a few spells in my Wizard Blue Snuggie, compliments of my hilarious bro Robert and sis Rachel. Eat your heart out Hermione Granger.For those concerned: I really am not completely crazy--I've never attempted a spell, and I do wipe my kids noses occasionally. The snuggie explains itself--why would I want to move my hand out from under my blanket when I can wear a bathrobe backwards and cast spells? However, if I ever take it to any sporting event and find myself surrounded by other snuggie clad fans, or if they ever invent a snappy "hood" to go with it, I will know that I've unwittingly stumbled into a cult, and my love affair with the snuggie will be over.

May your March be full of laughs and LOTS of naps!

Holidays Holidays!

2010-01-24T10:16:00.012-05:00

To all those that happen to peruse this blog once in a while, let me apologize for the lack of updates. However, we've had some pretty good reasons for staying too busy to blog! The biggest reason our lives have been crazy is that we bought our first house back in October! We absolutely LOVE our fixer upper, and have been working tirelessly fixing it up. The biggest projects were the floors and painting the entire interior. Now that everything is livable, I'm doing my best to decorate it, but that is just going to have to happen a little at a time!

Not too mention all of the holidays! Halloween came and went....

Then Sadie turned one......

Then Thanksgiving........

And of course Christmas!

We hope everyone has had a wonderful Holiday season, and we'll be doing our best to keep our blog a little more up to date!

Tribute

2009-09-08T15:51:00.005-04:00

Two years ago today I married the most wonderful man in the world. I know that's a pretty intense claim to make, but for me, he is. Adam Carter Zern is the best husband any girl could have, and I'll prove it.

Reason #1-He laughs all the time. No matter how angry he should get, or frustrated he might get, Adam's most frequent reaction to the unexpected is a good laugh. When I get crazy and accuse him of silly things like forgetting where we live (I swear he has sometimes), he just laughs and smiles his gorgeous smile.

Reason #2-He always wants to make me happy. Whether it's a Saturday morning donut run when he doesn't even eat them, or walking around the mall with the kids so I can shop, my sweetheart does it with a smile. He knows I'm a perfectionist and a worrier, and so he takes the role of being more laidback and carefree--mostly for my benefit. Without him to calm me down, I'd never able to just relax and enjoy life.

Reason #3-He's a romantic. Adam likes to believe in love, and that it will never fail. He brings me flowers, writes me little love notes, and watches sappy movies with me. He loves to reminisce about our wedding day and how it was one of the happiest days of his life. He's the most ultimate romantic because he married me for eternity--nothing is more romantic than that.

Reason #4-He's an awesome dad. He loves my Emma as if she were his own. She loves Sadie with such tenderness and patience. He understands how important our little ones are, and I know he'd die protecting them.

The most important reason of all--He loves the Savior and his Gospel. Adam is the most faithful and spiritual man I know. He lives the commandments and always listens to the counsel of his priesthood leaders. He knows his scriptures and diligently studies them. He honors his Temple Covenants, and strives to be there often. He magnifies his calling and honors his priesthood.

Two years ago today was the happiest day of my life, because the most amazing man in the world decided he loved me enough to take me to the Temple to be married. This wonderful, handsome, smart, and fun-loving man decided I was who he wanted to spend eternity with. ME! Silly, neurotic, obsessive me! I'll forever be grateful to him for falling in love with me. The Lord has blessed me with far more than I deserve. I am most definitely the luckiest and most blessed woman in the world. I love you my sweet Adam!

School Days

2009-08-26T15:13:00.003-04:00

What a day! Emma was so excited to go to her first day of PreK that she kept asking me, "Is it time to go yet? Come on, Mom, let's go!" She didn't hesitate when I dropped her off, and was just as excited when I picked her up--I very good sign, and a huge comfort to her mother :). She told me she had such a fun day: she played on the playground, painted a picture, had a snack, met new friends (although she couldn't name any of them), and just had a great day. She was definitely tuckered out, and I made sure we went through HickMcDondalds on our way home for a treat (Emma came up with that name, couldn't tell you how). Anyway, she's so big and so outgoing! I love my little Preschooler!

Holy Sardines, Batman!

2009-07-28T11:36:00.000-04:00

2009-07-28T11:19:00.003-04:00

If I could put time in a bottle...

2009-06-12T09:03:00.013-04:00

Time flies when you're having fun! Sadie is almost 7 months old now! Emma is 4! How can I have a 4 year old??

Emma just had her dance recital. She did such a great job, I was actually a little surprised at how well she did! She even let me put some mascara on those long, gorgeous lashes of hers. Sadie was so jealous--she loved watching her big sister dance onstage. Two wild and crazy women! I can't even imagine when I have two teenage girls...

Sadie has 7 teeth now! She doesn't really like any baby food that isn't mixed with oatmeal, except for sweet potatoes for some reason. She "gags" when she doesn't like things I feed her! What a little drama queen. She has major Mommy and Daddy attachment. She pitches a fit if she sees that we're not holding her--How dare we let other people hold our little diva?

Adam recently started at Rollins College, getting his bachelors in Organizational Communications. He still works full time for a specialty pharmacy, and has almost hit the three year mark for being ward mission leader!

I have recently been called to be in the Young Womens Presidency in our ward--Just in time for Girls Camp of course! I love my calling, and I'm actually very excited to go to Girls Camp--who'd of thought?

Life stays busy here in the humid south, but it is truly the happiest time of our lives. We are so blessed!

Happy Days

2009-04-05T20:22:00.004-04:00

What a wonderful time of blessings! Adam's 24th birthday is this week, we're working on buying a house, Adam is going back to school, Sadie is weened and eating rice cereal, and Emma sat through an entire session of Conference at the chapel--what is there NOT to be happy about? We are very, very blessed. I love my hubby and my babies, and I'm so glad to live in a beautiful sunny place. Andrew should be getting his mission call this week! We'll be sure to let everyone know where he'll be going. Have a fabulous Easter!

Valentine's Day in Retrospect

2009-02-22T16:48:00.002-05:00

This is our Christmas picture that Adam and I did at our own private studio (meaning our house, in our rocking chair). It turned out really well actually-Sadie screamed off and on the entire time, and this is LITERALLY the last picture that we took. Emma did wonderfully, she is quite the little model. These are our two little loves. Belated Happy Valentine's Day!

She's here and she's WILD

2009-02-08T19:20:00.003-05:00

Well, seeing as how there is a picture of Sadie JoLee on here, you've all probably guessed that pregnancy didn't last forever. We're alive and well, and Sadie is a dollface! She can be quite the stinker--she has a terrible temper--but sometimes a girl just wants what she wants when she wants it! I don't think I can blame her--I'm also a woman who knows what she wants when she wants it. Anyway, life is good. Sadie was born November 21, 2008 after a nice 12 hour labor. Emma is a fabulous big sister, it is the sweetest thing to watch how much Emma loves her sissy. I just love love LOVE my girls! And of course my eunuch cat and my sweet husband :).

The Blessed End!

2008-11-17T20:16:00.003-05:00

Well, I'm officially 39 weeks and feeling every bit of it. The doctors have me scheduled to be induced on Friday Nov.21st, which happens to be Grandpa Buddy's birthday! I keep praying for Sadie to come earlier because A) I'm miserable B)Everything hurts C)I have heartburn when I drink water and D)Can't you tell I'm not having fun anymore :)? We shall just have to see what this stubborn little stinker decides to do. This picture is of me at 36 weeks when I thought I was tired of being huge--Now I KNOW I'm tired of it:).

2008-11-02T19:44:00.002-05:00

Well, the Zern Family Rides again. Halloween was quite a day - Adam and I stayed up for hours the night before putting the finishing touches on his homemade Batman outfit. He won the best costume award at his work, so we like to refer to it as the award winning costume. Emma was the best Catwoman around, and for those of you who are wondering exactly what fat pregnant Sarah was (36 weeks!), I was the Bat Signal. Just for the record, Adam was all about posing for pictures--He was very proud.

The Cat Beggars

2008-10-06T20:58:00.001-04:00

2008-10-06T20:47:00.002-04:00

I know I know, I'm the worst blogger ever. In my defense, I don't have the internet right now, and being 33 weeks pregnant doesn't help either. Adam almost got a cat this weekend. They were giving away kittens at the Flea Market, and to be honest with you, the fact that 'flea' is in the name of the place where these cats were gives you a pretty good idea of their condition. A few of them looked sooo tiny I'm sure they were on their last legs. I was a good wife and didn't cringe in disgust from these helpless wormy creatures, although when my husband asked my opinion, I hinted that there are lots of cats that need to be rescued at the Animal Shelter that have had their shots. Plus, those at the Animal Shelter are destined for demise if they are not adopted. These cats, if they made it past infancy, would more than likely be ferrel and mean, or die of some form of disease that they no doubt contracted at the very ethnic flea market. In any case, we didn't leave with a cat, although both Adam and Emma at some point or other threw their arms around my neck and gave me the sad eyes. I assured them that if they were both very good, did their chores, and saved all their pennies, they most definitely could earn a kitten. (Not to mention a new CHILD here in the next few weeks) Pray that the cat we get is not sick, dying, or dead. WE LOVE YOU ALL!

2008-07-08T09:39:00.002-04:00

It has come to my attention that some are concerned that this blog will contain blatant exaggerations of the truth, resulting in the defamation of those blogged about. I would like to clarify that although there may be slight, let me repeat SLIGHT, exaggerations of the truth, they are only done to convey the true tone/feeling/expression of those being defamed. If you don't like code talk, Adam is worried that he's going to sound like a complete bozo on this blog. To be honest with you, he just might. And you know what? That's okay, because I married him because he could be a bozo. C'mon, a girl always likes a man who can make her laugh, right?

2008-07-03T18:29:00.004-04:00

Who wouldn't want another little girl?!

2008-07-03T18:18:00.003-04:00

Well, it's official--IT'S A GIRL! Even though we asked the ultrasound tech multiple times to make sure there really was no male equipment there, it appears that was because this is another little girly. Poor Adam. I've decided that we're going to have to get him some sort of male pet so he doesn't feel outnumbered. Of course Adam's first reaction was "That's all right--As soon as we get this one out, we'll just try again." Uh, sorry bud, the Lord would probably just smite you with all girls with that attitude :). No, actually Adam is actually very excited, and we all feel like there are definitely little boy Zerns just waiting to be born. The baby's name is all ready pretty set: we love the name Sadie Jo. (Sadie because we love the name, Jo for my dad, as well as Johnston and Jowers.) Twenty more weeks to go (oh heavens that sounds like forever--probably because it is :) Emma is very excited that this is baby Sadie, although it took her awhile to start calling her Sadie, because Adam had her (and I) thinking it was a little boy, which he insisted would have the middle name/nickname of "Rocky." Oh jeez.

2008-06-27T09:08:00.000-04:00

For all those dying to be involved in all the Zern family gossip, this is the site for you. Stay tuned for the official first blog!