Going Private...

So, a couple of changes are happening on the Alleman blog. First of all, you may have noticed I changed the background. Not necessarily my choice--I just went to my blog this morning and the background was blank. I think the one I was using expired or something, not sure. I like this background better anyway because it reminds me of California and Brazil, two things which have been on my mind a lot lately. I hope you like it :)

Secondly, I've been debating making this blog private for awhile now...especially since I get at least one random comment in Chinese for every post I make (and always from different people, not people I know, and they're often somewhat judgmental in tone), and it's really starting to get on my nerves. I don't like the idea of random people reading about my family, so we're going private. I'll invite everyone that I know normally reads this blog, but there may be some of you who read but don't comment. If you want to be invited, please either leave a comment or send me an email. Thanks for understanding--hopefully this doesn't deter anyone from reading about us in the future!

Note: Unless you are family or you and I email regularly, assume that I do not have your email address and thus cannot invite you. You can either email me (carinamenina at gmail) or leave a comment with your email address in it (I won't publish it so as to protect your privacy). Thank you!

It's Friday

My apologies about being sporadic with the blog posting lately. A few things going on in our lives right now:

Cody has his LAST CLASS/FINAL for his AS degree tomorrow morning! He is so ready to be done and we're excited to have our Saturdays back (he's had a Saturday class every semester since last August). He's had a few interviews here and there, but no job offers yet. We're praying something comes soon.

I actually just finished a round of interviews with my job--I needed to hire two new afternoon assistants. There were so many good applicants! I had a hard time narrowing it down, but finally made a decision, and both of them will start in the next couple of weeks. I wish we didn't have to let student employees go once they graduate. I'm enjoying my job, and I'm glad that it pays (some of) the bills.

Joshua is talking more and more, and it thrills us to no end. Some of his favorite phrases these days are: "Are you ready to race?" (imagine a high voice going even higher toward the end of the sentence), "I think it's funny," and "I did it!" Oh, and "Thank you, thank you" as he bows to the right and to the left. He sings along with us to his favorite songs, such as ABCs, Teach Me to Walk in the Light (ah walk-a light), I am a Child of God (chy-da God), and I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus (wike Jesus). He loves to help clean up--when he wants to--and is becoming more aware of bodily functions...I think potty training might be coming up sooner than we think. He gets a kick out of nursery and spending time with his aunties, and he loves having daddy home during the day for the time being. I can't believe he's growing up so fast.

I hope to post pictures/videos soon. Hope you and your family are happy!

Scuff Mark Bug

A recent text conversation with my sister Brianne (she was watching Joshua at her apartment while Cody had a job interview):

Brianne: Joshua just had a mini freak out… He thought there was a bug on my kitchen floor when really it’s just a scuff mark from shoes, of which there are many on my floor. He was hiding in a corner and wanted me to kill it, and he wouldn’t believe me that it wasn’t a bug…he finally left the kitchen but he keeps talking about it =P

Carina: Hahaha…wow. Where did this fear come from? Silly kid!

B: He was telling me to get a shoe, so I did, and I kept hitting the spot where he pointed it out (there was nothing there, but he wouldn’t go near it)… Eventually I had to switch back and forth between “there’s no bug” and “it’s gone, I killed it” to get him to leave the kitchen =P

C: Hehehehe…oh, wow. I sure do love that kid =P

B: What a silly pants.

C: Quite. I thought little boys were supposed to love bugs.

B: Yeah, I dunno. He was occasionally shrieking , and started to cry when I left the room to get the shoe he wanted… Heaven forbid I leave him alone in the room with a scuff mark bug… =P

C: Ahahaha…I shouldn’t laugh at my son’s fears, but wow…haha

B: Hahaha well the spot was kinda big ish, so that could have contributed to his fear. Has he ever shown fear or anything like that before? Or do you or Cody do so around him? =P

C: He is currently afraid of ants…wouldn’t even walk on our front lawn on Saturday, even though I didn’t see any ants around. We don’t get bugs much around here, so it seems to have come out of nowhere…

B: Interesting. Perhaps he saw Arachnophobia on tv. =P

Just a brief glimpse into the current life and fears of Joshua Logan Alleman.

Farewell, little Kia...

Anybody remember the oil change fiasco we had a year and a half ago? Well, ever since then, our little Kia has been sitting out in front of our house, gathering dust. I don't know why we let it go for so long, but we finally put it up on www.ksl.com on Sunday night. Less than 24 hours later, it's been sold! Hooray!

It was kinda weird to say goodbye to that car...it holds so many memories for me. First of all, it used to be my brother Dana's car, and I remember taking a road trip in that car, along with my brother Kendall, his wife Shelly, and my sister Kirsti, from San Francisco down the PCH. This was right after Dana's wedding. Then, while I was on my mission, my sister Kirsti and I decided to buy it from Dana, and we shared it for the 2005-2006 school year while we were roommates. Cody and I had a lot of dates in that car. We drove to the temple to get married in it, took our honeymoon in it, eventually brought Joshua home from the hospital in it...you get the idea.

But anyway, it's gone now, so we are moving on. Here's to you, little Kia Sephia!!!

Master Builder

We keep finding these little block cities all over the place. I wonder if someone wants to become an architect or something someday...He's so proud of his creation!
And he's not just stacking blocks, either. The other day, I heard him get into the fridge. By the time I got there, I found this little tower (the yeast, sliced cheese, and mayo just above his head):
He laid the ice cream toppings in between the breads, too. Apparently everything has to be "just so" with him... And here's a random picture we took this morning while Daddy was in class. Sorry about my hair being all wonky.
I sure do love that kid!

Kinda disturbing, yet so very adorable

I saw this commercial on one of those "Top 20 commericals of such-and-such year" kind of shows, and it was brought to my attention again today...isn't it awesome? Enjoy! :)

These are kinda cute...

When I first saw these, I wasn't too impressed. It just seemed somewhat frivolous. But the more I see them advertised, the more they've grown on me. I'm not sure how much more expensive they are than regular diapers, but I'm kinda curious as to how they'd look on Joshua...if I do end up getting a package, I'll be sure to post a pic!