Picture Tag

My friend Samantha tagged me. Here are the rules: You have to answer the questions with a Google image search. NO using your own pictures. You can't use any words to describe anything either (unless they are a part of the picture). Here goes:

Favorite Color:

Favorite Animal: Bad Habit: Where I live: Favorite Author (right now):

My job:

Favorite Hobbies:

Favorite Food:

Favorite Treat:

Favorite Places to be:

Now I tag Amy H., Erin P., Brookie, Krystal, and Devo (don't let me down, bro).

Bear with Me

I am well aware that I am more obsessed with my baby's hair than perhaps any other mother in the history of time, but bear with me here...

French Braids at 9 months old!

French Braids!!

I took both Maddie and Isaac to the Dr. a little over a week ago and I've been meaning to post their stats:

Maddie

Height: 26.75 inches (23rd percentile)

Weight: 17 lbs., 2 oz. (20th percentile)

Isaac

Height: 34 inches (40th percentile)

Weight: 27.2 lbs. (40th percentile)

One of my sisters tagged me a little while back (and I never turn down a tag---it's like a triple-dog-dare only much more important), so here's some more info about my kids that you may or may not already know (let's face it, this is a total "baby blog" and if you read it then you already know most of this stuff).

1. Full name: Madelyn Ruth

2. Birth: June 7, 2008 (6/7/08---pretty sweet b-day, huh? Future hubby has no good excuse for forgetting that one)

3. Stats: 8lbs, 10 oz. 20.5 inches long

4. Nicknames: Maddie Moo, Princesa

5. Favorite foods: Anything we put in front of her, but most especially guacamole, hummus, puffs, yogurt, and cheese. Oh, and anything sweet.

6. Least favorite foods: we haven't discovered anything that she's unwilling to eat (yet).

7. Favorite Toys: Anything Isaac is playing with, especially his car garage, sippy cup, and tooth brush (no wonder they're both sick today).

8. Favorite Color: Since she can't really tell me what her favorite color is I will just assume that it's pink.

9. Favorite animal: No idea--birds maybe because she likes to point at things in the sky?

10. Favorite Game: peek-a-boo and waving bye-bye with her dad.

11. Favorite movie: A little too young to say---Cars, maybe, since that's the only one she's seen?

12. Loves: Being outside. Standing up and climbing on top of everything. Eating. The swings and slide at the park. Pulling all the books off the book shelf and leaving them in a pile on the floor. Attention from anyone and everyone.

13. Hates: Being away from the action. She hardly ever cries when she takes her early afternoon nap because Isaac is with her, but she almost always bursts into tears for the late afternoon nap because she's by herself and hates to be left out.

1. Full name: Isaac Mitchell

2. Birth: March 10, 2007 (his b-day is my half b-day, and vice-versa---also pretty sweet)

3. Stats: 5lbs, 15 oz. 18.5 inches long

4. Nicknames: Ike, Chancho, Bubba

5. Favorite foods: Quesadillas, pizza, ketchup, ice cream, and especially CHOCOLATE

6. Least favorite foods: anything that's "a lidda bit hot"

7. Favorite Toys: Cars, tractors, fire engines, airplanes, or anything else that "goes"

8. Favorite Color: orange

9. Favorite animal: birds, dogs, horses, and even ladybugs

10. Favorite Game: Racing his cars

11. Favorite movie: Cars or any Baby Einstein video

12. Loves: Being outside. Climbing on top of EVERYTHING. The swings and slide at the park. When his dad comes home from school. Cooking with his mama. Eating chocolate.

13. Hates: Not being able to do things like a "big boy."

More Random Details

I have been pressured by Sara to share with the blogosphere 25 random facts about myself. I imagine most will be short and sweet, but here it goes.

1-I have flown over the Atlantic Ocean (NY to Milan) and the Pacific (LA to New Zealand) and still have never been inside an airplane restroom.

2-While doing my undergrad work I earned credit from SLCC, Weber State, UVSC, BYU (language test), CEU, and I took a non-credit MCAT course at the U of U. Needless to say I hate it when work or school requires me to gather up my transcripts.

3-I fear any and all animals or insects. Last year I thought I saw a possum along the walk way to our apartment and I waited for about 3 minutes after he/she crossed until I knew the coast was clear. This fear has been around since childhood but was cemented when my little bro and I watched a national geographic about snake-eating spiders that could jump like 15 feet.

4-My mom tells me that growing up I could entertain myself for hours. She says that I used to stare at myself in the mirror pretending that I was He-Man. I remember being able to throw a ball against the wall or on the roof or shoot a basketball around for hours on end. While I enjoy the company of people I am usually very happy being by myself as well.

5-I can't believe that I am growing up. I am approaching 29 and have 2 kids. I can remember being the age of some of my nieces and nephews, and going to visit our grandparents. It didn't seem all that long ago.

6-I never thought that I would marry a girl from Kaysville, Utah and live in a bilingual home. Although I tease Sara all the time about the "experiment" she is performing on our kids, I am grateful for her determination in teaching them.

7-I have a single hair that grows on my arm that is almost 4 inches long. I made Sara measure it for me last week.

8-Growing up I used to dig out my own ingrown toenails, but never thought that it was the budding of a career to be.

9-I am trying to convince Sara to let me work for the Army and move to Germany after graduation. I haven't made much headway yet.

10-Before school got too crazy I was an MSNBC junkie. My interest in world affairs has surpassed my interest in sports. It was a big step for me. They are both distant interests compared to my wife and kids.

11-I once got in trouble for sitting in our front yard and throwing rocks at cars. Since then I have been a pretty good kid.

12-The only thing I knew about Des Moines, Iowa before we moved here was----nothing.

13-Even though I am one of the most cautious drivers I know, I have been in 2 accidents with other cars and have had about 4 incidents with stationary objects (One resulting in a totaled car).

14-I have not thrown up since the 8th grade.

15-I am a little worried that this post will be completely uninteresting on what has become more or less Sara's blog.

16-There was a stretch of time that Sara and I attended way too many untimely funerals. It makes me appreciate life and my family's good health.

17-Sometimes I get a little preoccupied with thinking about the future. I have read about many different cities in the US because I know that we will be moving fairly soon, but I don't have any idea where we will be.

18-I never thought I would find somebody that is as great as Sara. Most of you know how amazing she is, but really you don't know the half of it.

19-The best job I have had yet is being a Dad. I love my kids. Worse job--sorting dvds according to the alphabet in a warehouse (5 of the best years of my life).

20-Many people think that I have a receding hairline, but it receded in Jr. high and has held it's ground ever since.

21-I have a hard time spending money, which is a good thing because we don't really have any to spend.

22-I would rather eat grass than dance in public.

23-About twice a week I wonder if I made the right career choice. Anyone who knows me knows that I would have those same thoughts no matter the choice I made.

24-I like to play racquetball and am disappointed in the opportunities available here in Des Moines.

25-If I had to do everything over again, I would go out of my way to be nicer to others and try to be a little more outgoing. That being said I am glad I don't have to do anything over again and I am extremely happy with my life.

I would apologize, but if you were bored and kept reading until here then the fault probably lies with you. I tag absolutely nobody, because I am against all this tagging business.

Thanks to Sara for pressuring me into this, it was interesting for me to do.

25 Random Facts

My friend Amy tagged me on Facebook, but since I don't exactly know how to work Facebook very well (I just check out other peoples profiles and pictures now and then), I thought I would respond here on the blog. I love reading these kinds of things about other people but am slightly hesitant to do one myself.

Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write 25 random things, facts, habits or goals about you.

I don't know if I can think of 25 interesting things to write about myself but I'm willing to try.

Plus, Ryan is studying late tonight and the kids are in bed so here goes...

1. I have always wanted a really big family with a lot of children...at least six. I don't think I will reach that goal, but I figure two is a good place to start and any others would just be a wonderful bonus.
2. Ryan almost didn't ask me out for a fourth date because on our third date I pressured him into singing kareoke. He hates kareoke. To think I almost altered my fate over a Sarah McLaughlin song.
3. I got married the same day as my sister, Brooke, who is 18 months younger than I am. We had back to back marriage ceremonies in the Salt Lake Temple and then a double reception afterward. My dad called it the social event of the season. And it was, people, it really was.
4. I love how Maddie gets so excited when anyone gives her even a little bit of attention. Today a friend came to our door and smiled and said hello to Maddie and she just started squealing uncontrollably and bouncing up and down in my arms. It is hard to imagine a more easy-going, happy baby than Maddie (though I realize I'm biased). I don't know what we ever did without her. Ryan and I often talk about how we feel sorry for any future children we might have because it is hard to think about them being easier to take care of than she is and it will be hard not to compare them to her. We feel a little sorry for ourselves as well because we have really gotten used to how easy she is. Number three will certainly be a shock.
5. I had the chance to do a study abroad for a month in Ecuador. I stood with one leg in the northern hemisphere and one leg in the southern hemisphere as I straddled the equator, so I guess you could say I've been in two places at once (name that movie).
6. I worry too much what others think of me. I am working on getting over that and worrying more about what they think of themselves when they are with me.
7. I have come to the conclusion that regular exercise has saved me thousands of dollars in psychiatric bills. It is total therapy for me and keeps me (somewhat) sane.
8. I love to listen to Isaac sing, especially in Spanish. Today I took him to the doctor and he was singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" while the nurse was examining his ears. It was adorable.
9. When the time comes I think I will be ready and willing to move anywhere with Ryan and our family for his residency and beyond. I'm sure that wherever we go will be a fun adventure.
10. I love living in Iowa. I think it's been really good for our family and for my own personal growth as well. The winters are long and harsh, but I still think the fall and spring are so spectacular that they make up for it. Plus, I have met some of the greatest people in the world here--truly lifelong friends.
11. I check on my kids every night before I go to bed just to make sure they are still breathing.
12. I see more of my mother in myself and my actions every day and I am proud of that.
13. Choosing to serve a mission for the LDS Church was the second-best life decision I have ever made.
14. Marrying Ryan was the first.
15. I love Indian food, especially naan. There is no such thing as too much naan.
16. I am slightly obsessed with reading parenting books. Two of my favorites are Love and Logic for Early Childhood and On Becoming Babywise.
17. I have wanted to grow up and be a school teacher since I was 5 years old. After getting my degree in Elementary education, I interviewed countless times throughout the summer and worried that I wouldn't get hired anywhere before school started. I was finally offered my dream job as a bilingual Spanish teacher in a second grade classroom just a few days before school started. I ended up teaching for 5 years before Isaac was born. I loved it and I want to go back some day. The only job I love more is staying at home with Isaac and Madelyn.
18. I was almost 27 when I married Ryan. There were many days where I thought I would never meet the right person and get married. It was really hard at times, but looking back, I wouldn't change a thing. My life worked out much better than it could have had I planned it myself.
19. I am married to one of the wittiest men alive. He may seem shy and reserved, but once you get to know him, he can pull out some zingers. No one makes me laugh as much as he does.
20. I got my head stuck between a desk and the desk chair once. I'm still not quite sure how it happened, but it was really traumatic and ultimately very embarrassing. My family still teases me about it to this day.
21. I love to cook with Isaac because he samples every ingredient. That boy knows what baking soda, flour, and lemon juice taste like. I am trying to teach him proper cooking etiquette. It's not working very well.
22. I am either a conservative liberal or a liberal conservative, but I don't claim either party as my own and probably never will, much to my father's disappointment.
23. I think "Everybody Loves Raymond" is one of the funniest t.v. shows ever written.
24. I played in a community soccer league for 3 years and only ever scored one goal. One lousy goal! That's when I decided I should stick to sports that required less coordination, like running.
25. A long time ago my dad gave me some advice. He told me this: "The most important thing in life, the only thing that really matters in the end, is how you treat others." While I fail often, I really try to live by this advice. And he's right. In the end, it is the only thing that really matters.

I tag YOU---(yes, YOU, person reading this blog). I dare you to do it, it's harder than you think but kind of fun.

Tag You're It

I was tagged by my sister...Question and Answer: Answer the following questions with ONE word answers and one word only!Then pass it on..

Sorry I just couldn't do some of them in only one word. I did the best I could...

1. Where is your cell phone? unknown

2. Where is your significant other? school

3. Your hair color? brown

4. Your mother? charitable

5. Your father? Mr.Lucky

6. Your favorite thing? Family

7. Your dream last night? none

8. Your dream/goal? doctorate

9. The room you’re in? bedroom

10. Your hobby? sewing

11. Your fear? Losing

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? casita

13. Where were you last night? Home

14. What you’re not? sweating

15. One of your wish-list items? boots

16. Where you grew up? Kaysville/SanDiego

17. The last thing you did? phone

18. What are you wearing? jeans

19. Your TV? off

20. Your pet? Ryan :)

21. Your computer? Dinosaur

22. Your mood? Feliz

23. Missing someone? many

24. Your car? minivan

25. Something you’re not wearing? earrings

26. Favorite store? Costco

27. Your summer? tooshort

28. Love someone? muchisimo

29. Your favorite color? pink/brown/green

30. When is the last time you laughed? Today

31. Last time you cried? Utah

I tag YOU.

Crazy Eights

My friend Amy tagged me. Here goes...

Eight TV shows I like to watch:

1. The Office
2. Biggest Loser
3. Lost
4. Cash Cab
5. American Idol
6. Today Show
7. Nightly News
8. Sunday Morning

Eight restaurants where I like to eat:

1. Red Iguana
2. Cafe Rio
3. Zuppas
4. In-n-Out Burger (thanks for reminding me how much I miss this one, Amy!)
5. Cool Basil
6. Subway (How can you beat the $5 foot long?)
7. Thai Siam
8. Sweet Tomatoes

Eight things that happened today:

1. woke up
2. exercised
3. fed my kiddos
4. changed diapers/got children dressed
5. sewed Maddie some new leg warmers
6. ate soup for lunch
7. comforted little Isaac after he fell while playing at a friend's house and got the biggest goose egg of his little boy life
8. checked my email

Eight things I'm looking forward to:

1. Cooking club tomorrow (are you coming??)
2. The Halloween party at Ryan's school on Wednesday
3. Trick-or-Treating on Thursday (they do it on the 30th here in Iowa---not sure why)
4. Trunk-or-Treat at the church on Friday (can you tell I love Halloween?)
5. Thanksgiving
6. Christmas
7. Kandis's visit to Iowa next month
8. Seeing our family in less than two months!

Eight things on my wish list:

1. Being able to make it home for Christmas
2. cookie sheets (the midwest humidity has made all of mine rust)
3. memory card for the camera
4. a yard with a swing set
5. a date with my hubby (hopefully next week!)
6. a garage (Iowa winters can be brutal when you have to scrape the 3 inch ice off the wind shield...even though Ryan does this for me...I just hate to see him suffer in the cold, it's really hard on me)
7. Cafe Rio Pork Salad
8. Being able to make it home for Christmas

Eight people I tag:

1. Corey Ellen
2. Lisa
3. Shauni
4. Krystal
5. Shannon
6. Liz G.
7. Laura
8. Aupreille

Kid Tag

My friend, Lisa, tagged me. I have to write 5 things about each of my kids that others might not know. I'm sure some of you already know these things---my life, especially when it comes to my kids, is sort of an open book. I've included some pictures to make it more interesting. And I tag my sisters (both blood and law)---and Brookie, Homer counts.

Isaac:

Isaac loves ketchup. He will eat almost anything if he can dip it in ketchup. In this picture he's eating a pear dipped in ketchup. Yummm!

Lately Isaac is obsessed with watching home videos of himself. He calls these videos "Baby Isaac," and some of the first words out of his mouth in the morning are usually "Watch Baby Isaac?" Isaac loves to help me cook. If he hears me cooking in the kitchen, he'll usually stop whatever he's doing and run in the kitchen, yelling "Bumbo! Bumbo!" (he always sits in his Bumbo chair on the counter top to help). He's actually getting really good at helping me and loves to taste test whatever we're making. Isaac loves the swings at the park. He calls them "weee weeees" because that's what he says whenever he swings on them. As much as Isaac smothers his little sister, he adores her. The other day he found an empty bottle in my diaper bag (he loves to empty everything out whenever he can) and he ran over to Maddie (who was rolling around on the floor) and tried to feed her. He kept saying "Mammie leche! Mammie leche!" Granted, there was nothing in the bottle, but it's the thought that counts, right?

I can't imagine what our family would be like without Isaac in it.

Maddie:

Maddie is our little angel. Lately we have been practicing sitting up, and she does quite well for a few seconds. Then, she slowly starts to sink lower and lower until her chin is almost touching the ground and her legs are straight out in front of her, smiling the whole time. With her leg warmers on, I think she looks like a yoga instructor in that position. Most people know that Maddie was named after my mom, Madelyn. She was also named after Ryan's grandmother, Ruth. I know she will be proud to have their names someday. Maddie and I are officially sharing hair clips (the one she is wearing in the picture is one I have owned and worn myself for years). Maddie insists on holding her own bottle every morning when I feed her. Gotta love that morning bed head! I have never seen so much slobber in my life as I do coming from Maddie's mouth! I think it's because she smiles so much. We love to watch her personality shine. She really is our little angel.

The ABCs of Me

Lisa tagged me the other day so here goes:

ABC's of you. Each player then tags 6 people and posts their names.

A- Attached or single: Very much attached.

B- Best Friend: Ryan is my best friend but Isaac is a close second.

C-Cake or Pie: Pie, especially with ice cream on top!

D- Day of Choice: Sundays because our family gets to be together all day.

E- Essential Item: chapstick, and a diaper bag when I'm on the go.

F- Favorite Color: I can never decide, but pink right now in honor of baby #2

G- Gummi Bears or Worms: worms all the way--they're bigger so there's more gummy to enjoy!

H- Hometown: Kaysville, Utah

I- Indulgence(s): Ice cream or pretty much anything sweet. As of late it has been Ryan's orange julius supreme. I ask him to make them all the time.

J- January or July: July all the way. January always seems like a downer because it's cold and Christmas is over (sorry, Allie, I know it's your birth month and all).

K-Kids: Isaac--11 months (almost) and baby #2---126 days left until birth.

L-Life is incomplete without: My wonderful family and my faith.

M- Marriage Date: June 29, 2005.

N- Number of Siblings: 1 brother and 3 sisters (not to mention 4 sisters-in-law and 5 brothers-in-law)

O- Oranges or Apples: I pretty much love any fruit you put in front of me.

P- Phobias or Fears: The idea of something bad happening to my family, and icy freeways in Iowa (the two went hand-in-hand a couple of weeks ago but luckily everything turned out ok).

Q- Quote(s): "Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal in life is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he's been robbed. The fact is that most putts don't drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to be just people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual tolerance, and most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is like an old-time rail journey - delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally with beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank God for letting you have the ride." (President Hinckley quoted someone else who said this, I just don't remember who it was!)

R- Reason To Smile: Isaac's laugh, even though he fakes it sometimes (it's still my favorite sound); Ryan and I got to go on a date tonight; we have another little bambina on the way :)

S- Season: I love Spring because everything comes to life again. Summer and Fall are great, too. Winter is nice until Christmas, then I just want it to be over! That's why January is so long and bleak.

T- Tag 6: "Life on the Bayou", "And then there were Four", "Nobody puts Baby in a Corner", "Stale Buns", "Roundy Rage", and "Me Myself and I".

U- Unknown Fact About Me: I have a fake tooth; when I floss I have to floss all the way underneath it. I used to freak my third-graders out with it on Halloween.

V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animal: Somewhere in the middle.

W- Worst Habit: Where do I begin? I have an addiction to reading other people's blogs. I am sort of obsessed. If there were a blog addiction recovery program I might have to sign up.

X- X-Rays or Ultrasounds: Ultrasounds, although I do hate that gel they put on your stomach.

Y- Your Favorite Food: The list is way too long--pad thai, Indian food, almost any kind of salad, Cafe Rio anything, fruit, fruit, fruit, ice cream, and almost anything else that is sweet. I'll stop there.

Z: Zodiac: Virgo.

High Fives

My sister tagged me (again), so here are a few things about me you may or may not know:

5 Things I was doing 10 years ago:

1. - Going to school at Weber State.
2. - Missing my sister who was on a mission in Argentina.
3. - Recently returning from a rockin' trip to Las Vegas with some high school friends (can you believe that was 10 years ago, Sally?)
4. - Working for a billboard company in order to have money to pay my college tuition.
5. - Trying to decide whether or not to apply for the Elementary Education program at Weber.

5 Things on my To-Do List Today:

1. - Plan my RS lesson.
2. - Read Eclipse, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and Mastering ESL and Bilingual Methods.
3. - Apply for my Iowa state teaching license (which seems to be an impossible feat).
4. - Cut Ryan's hair.
5. - Eat some pumpkin ice cream with Oreos (again).

5 Songs I know the Lyrics To:

1. - The entire Wicked soundtrack (hey, even Ryan and his brother are in-the-closet fans)
2. - Cuando Me Miras Asi by Cristian Castro
3. - My Stupid Mouth by John Mayer
4. - Everything by Michael Buble (my favorite song right now)
5. - Bubbly by Colbie Caillat (my other favorite song right now)

5 Things I Would Do if I Had One Million Dollars:

1. - Tithing and charity of course.
2. - Pay for Ryan to get through school.
3. - Buy a rockin' house with enough room for people to come and visit (and give them plane tickets so they would).
4. - Get myself a stellar Canon camera like Becky has and sign up for a Photoshop class.
5. - Put some of it away so we could start up our own practice if we want when Ryan is finished with school.

5 Things I Will Never Wear Again:

1. - M.C. Hammer Pants
2. - claw bangs
3. - braided belts
4. - tapered pants (they just don't look good with the Roundy thunder thighs)
5. - banana clips in my hair

5 Favorite Toys:

1. - my ipod nano
2. - my cell phone (it's how I stay connected with my family)
3. - Ryan's laptop (it's the other way I stay connected with my family--you're reading this, aren't you?)
4. - Isaac's exersaucer (it keeps him entertained when I can't)
5. - Isaac himself--he's the most fun of all to play with

5 People I’m Tagging: (ok, so I couldn't decide on just 5)

1. - Kyra
2. - Kelly
3. - Ashley
4. - Lisa
5. - Lynn
6. - Devin
7. -Krystal
8. -Becky
9. Shannon
10. Mary-Ann
11. Sally
12. Kandis
13. Andrea (if time permits, of course)
14. Brookie (as soon as she gets her blog set up)
15. Ryan (it's a stretch but we'll see if he loves me enough)

Or just whoever wants to!

Tagged

My sister, Allie, tagged me the other day, and she wrote, "If you love me, you'll do it." Because I do, in fact, love her, here it is:

• Jobs I've held...

• E.H. Handbinding
• Pizza Hut
• Impact Imaging
• CitiBank
• Elementary School Teacher (my second-favorite)
• Mother (my favorite)

Movies I can watch over and over...

• Pride and Prejudice
• A Walk to Remember (Cheesy, I know)
• Sense and Sensibility
• Napoleon Dynamite

My guilty pleasures...

• Chocolate
• Ice Cream
• Buying too many clothes
• Watching The Office

Places I've Lived...

• Utah
• San Diego
• Dominican Republic
• Iowa

Shows I enjoy...

• The Office (see "guilty pleasures")
• Lost
• American Idol (I especially enjoy watching it with Mary-Ann)

What were the first things you thought of when you saw your significant other for the first time?...

• What is that cute boy doing sitting on my couch?
• Why can't I have a home teacher who looks like that?
• I sure wish I didn't have a toothbrush hanging out of my mouth right now.
• I wonder how I could get a guy like that to ask me out...

Places I've been on vacation...

• Washington D.C.
• Florida
• Park City
• Las Vegas
• Does Iowa count?

Favorite Foods...

• Sushi
• Thai Food
• Cafe Rio pork salad
• See "Guilty Pleasures"

Websites I visit daily...

• Gmail.com
• Slickdeals.net
• AmericaFirstCreditUnion.com
• Tons of blogs (Ryan is convinced I have an addiction because I read people's blogs whom I've never met--I tell him that it's how I stay connected as a S.A.H.M.).

Body parts I have injured...

• No broken bones for me, but I think childbirth should count for something, don't you?

Awards I have won...

• This is quite embarrassing because the only thing I can think of is "Student of the Month" at Casa De Oro Elementary school (which was a very high honor at the time)

Nicknames I've been called...

• Sar-bear
• princess
• Mamacita

Tag, you're it!!!

• Andrea

• Sally

• Kandis

• Krystal

If you love me, you'll do it!!!!!!