It's getting a whole lot girl-ier up in here.
Oh yes. It is.
I know, I can't believe it either.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
A New Day!!
So apparently I needed a week off.
Hi.
My little brother, Caleb, came home from his two year mission for the LDS church in Brazil today.
These are all the grandkids wearing matching shirts waiting at the airport. Oliver is indeed in the picture, you just can't see him.
Excuse the absolute garbage photo, we had a photag there but obviously don't have those pictures yet. Someone smudged my phone. Sigh.
It was SURREAL to see him after two full years. But oh so good. He's still Caleb, just more... ya know? Missions have an incredible way of sort of maturing a person.
It was amazing to have all the siblings together for a few hours before a sister hoped a plane to see her husband.
Family is such blessing. Sibling are like nothing else in this world, and I am so very grateful for a whole gaggle of them.
In other news, stay tuned for tomorrow night. We have our fetal well-being ultrasound, and we're hoping for a peek at what type of baby. So, if we get a look, I'll let you know.
Good night friends.
Hi.
My little brother, Caleb, came home from his two year mission for the LDS church in Brazil today.
These are all the grandkids wearing matching shirts waiting at the airport. Oliver is indeed in the picture, you just can't see him.
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| From March 2012 |
It was SURREAL to see him after two full years. But oh so good. He's still Caleb, just more... ya know? Missions have an incredible way of sort of maturing a person.
It was amazing to have all the siblings together for a few hours before a sister hoped a plane to see her husband.
Family is such blessing. Sibling are like nothing else in this world, and I am so very grateful for a whole gaggle of them.
In other news, stay tuned for tomorrow night. We have our fetal well-being ultrasound, and we're hoping for a peek at what type of baby. So, if we get a look, I'll let you know.
Good night friends.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
There is Beauty All Around
Yesterday was a good day. Spring was pretending to be here (I say this tonight, as snow is swirling hither thither and yon). The boys wanted fresh air and dirt. I wanted a distraction and some fresh air myself. So out we went.
I sat on a piece of cardboard to keep my bum dry and let them run. And splash and dig.
It felt so good, to watch my children play, to feel thankful for my blessings so very fully, right then, in the moment.
It was beautiful.
This baby is obsessed with basketball or "bahball" as my sweet boy says.
Why we needed Oliver's tongue in this picture, I do not know.
Henry is currently in love with this milk jug.
Spencer found a popsicle mold and smuggled it into the back yard.
This is my new favorite picture.
"Hey guys, let's build something." And so they did.
I sat on a piece of cardboard to keep my bum dry and let them run. And splash and dig.
It felt so good, to watch my children play, to feel thankful for my blessings so very fully, right then, in the moment.
It was beautiful.
This baby is obsessed with basketball or "bahball" as my sweet boy says.
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| From March 2012 |
Why we needed Oliver's tongue in this picture, I do not know.
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| From March 2012 |
Henry is currently in love with this milk jug.
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| From March 2012 |
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| From March 2012 |
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| From March 2012 |
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| From March 2012 |
Monday, March 5, 2012
You are Not Alone
I am hesitant to write this because it isn't my story.
But, I am haunted and sad and I feel like I MUST. So I will.
A roommate and friend from college lost her 15 month old baby this weekend in an accident. Just an every day bonk on the head. And then he was gone.
I can't grasp the pain, sorrow and all the other things she, her husband and family must be feeling.
And I can't even TRY. The reality that she is feeling it is so hard to think about and to bare that I cry just if it flits passed my consciousness.
But in all this, the Savior is with them. It's evident in the way she is handling it. I am amazed. I am in awe. And I'm so thankful for a Father in Heaven who is ever mindful of His children.
I've never been one to blame God for bad things. No, I don't believe that's how it works. He sends us to earth, a place where choices can be made, where science and biology exist. Basically, where CRAP happens. Yes, sometimes I believe He intervenes and sometimes, (most times) He lets it all play out. He loves us as perfectly as God can. He is the perfect parent. He lets us struggle and learn and grow and complain to Him.
And so, we accept the sorrow with the joy.
My friend has demonstrated this so perfectly that I can't help but look on in utter amazement. She and her husband are grieving, deeply. But they are not alone. And they know it.
And this weekend has literally changed me. I can't be the same person I ever was before. Earth life is so fleeting, so quick. And I find that I am terribly aware of it now. I can't care about the stupid little frustrations like I did before Saturday. They are NOT important.
What is important is that we love, we live, we care for those we can with the best in us. And when we fail (of course we fail) we can pray and try again. God is just that merciful, there is always always redemption. And He carries us when the earthly life we volunteered for becomes too much. Too painful. He reminds us, that we are not alone. Through comfort and peace we feel, through the service of other people, and sometimes through the literal support of angels.
I am so grateful for that knowledge, that in this beautiful, terrible, blessed life, no matter what trials come, we are not alone. The Savior who has borne our griefs and knows us better than we know ourselves stands at the ready to buoy us up. He has been there, He has done that. He knows.
He knows.
Say a prayer for my friend and her family today if you get a chance. Send up a prayer that they'll be carried and comforted in this time of unspeakable challenge and trial.
Thanks friend. Thank you.
But, I am haunted and sad and I feel like I MUST. So I will.
A roommate and friend from college lost her 15 month old baby this weekend in an accident. Just an every day bonk on the head. And then he was gone.
I can't grasp the pain, sorrow and all the other things she, her husband and family must be feeling.
And I can't even TRY. The reality that she is feeling it is so hard to think about and to bare that I cry just if it flits passed my consciousness.
But in all this, the Savior is with them. It's evident in the way she is handling it. I am amazed. I am in awe. And I'm so thankful for a Father in Heaven who is ever mindful of His children.
I've never been one to blame God for bad things. No, I don't believe that's how it works. He sends us to earth, a place where choices can be made, where science and biology exist. Basically, where CRAP happens. Yes, sometimes I believe He intervenes and sometimes, (most times) He lets it all play out. He loves us as perfectly as God can. He is the perfect parent. He lets us struggle and learn and grow and complain to Him.
And so, we accept the sorrow with the joy.
My friend has demonstrated this so perfectly that I can't help but look on in utter amazement. She and her husband are grieving, deeply. But they are not alone. And they know it.
And this weekend has literally changed me. I can't be the same person I ever was before. Earth life is so fleeting, so quick. And I find that I am terribly aware of it now. I can't care about the stupid little frustrations like I did before Saturday. They are NOT important.
What is important is that we love, we live, we care for those we can with the best in us. And when we fail (of course we fail) we can pray and try again. God is just that merciful, there is always always redemption. And He carries us when the earthly life we volunteered for becomes too much. Too painful. He reminds us, that we are not alone. Through comfort and peace we feel, through the service of other people, and sometimes through the literal support of angels.
I am so grateful for that knowledge, that in this beautiful, terrible, blessed life, no matter what trials come, we are not alone. The Savior who has borne our griefs and knows us better than we know ourselves stands at the ready to buoy us up. He has been there, He has done that. He knows.
He knows.
Say a prayer for my friend and her family today if you get a chance. Send up a prayer that they'll be carried and comforted in this time of unspeakable challenge and trial.
Thanks friend. Thank you.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Because I needed ONE MORE THING
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| From February 2012 |
And by "taking up" I mean, I bought all the stuff, and I have YouTube.
It's going AWESOME. I've gotten as far as what is referred to as "casting on." This is different than casting I have done in the theater. This involves string and a pointy stick. Just one.
But that part is done and now I'm supposed to use TWO needles. I don't QUITE understand the YouTube on this point, so if I could ever EVER convince Ez that bedtime is HAPPY time, maybe just maybe I could figure it out?
And did you know there is "English" knitting and "Continental" knitting? What the heck?
I just want to do cute things with yarn!
Sewing is wonderful, I really do enjoy it. But it's not a "pick it for a 5 minutes" type of hobby. It takes great prep and time, and resources. I feel like knitting could be something I just pick up, knit (OR PURL????) a row, lay it down, and come back later, ya know? Sort of a hobby on the go. My current hobby on the go is checking the Facebook on my phone.... not terribly fulfilling ifyouknowwhatImean.
So, wish me luck, friends, I'm off to knit (OR PURL?)!
Monday, February 27, 2012
And We're Back!
Some of you noticed this weekend the good old blog was suddenly set to "private."
But it's not now.
We had some...uh... technical difficulties? Technical being some perfectly lovely individual took his anger about an article I wrote elsewhere out on this here blog. (Who knew that "10 Essentials for Newborns" would piss so many people off?)
Anyway, I deleted the comment (and my not nice response) and then turned my blog to private while I decided how to handle my new friend.
So now, Anonymous comments are NO LONGER ALLOWED. I didn't even really worry about it in the past, but this guy, he took it too far (if you're reading, Anon, I got your email too! Your point was made, thanks ever ever so much!)
I also realized that in my own personal-this-is-my-blog-and-I'll-do- what-I-want-opinion, anonymous is obnoxious.
If you have something to say and it's so bad that you can't say it with at least a FAKE name attached, then guess what? I don't want to hear it.
People sometimes use the internets as their own personal dumping ground for their own issues and emotions. This is totally allowed, of course, but it isn't always kind.
So, I tend to believe that if you wouldn't say it to someone's face, then you probably shouldn't say it to them at all.
I love that you come here to read and hopefully find some entertainment dear friends. I'm sorry to those that emailed about the whole, "Uh where did your blog go?"!
No worries. I'm still here, rambling away as usual.
LOVE YOU! Kisses! Muah!
But it's not now.
We had some...uh... technical difficulties? Technical being some perfectly lovely individual took his anger about an article I wrote elsewhere out on this here blog. (Who knew that "10 Essentials for Newborns" would piss so many people off?)
Anyway, I deleted the comment (and my not nice response) and then turned my blog to private while I decided how to handle my new friend.
So now, Anonymous comments are NO LONGER ALLOWED. I didn't even really worry about it in the past, but this guy, he took it too far (if you're reading, Anon, I got your email too! Your point was made, thanks ever ever so much!)
I also realized that in my own personal-this-is-my-blog-and-I'll-do- what-I-want-opinion, anonymous is obnoxious.
If you have something to say and it's so bad that you can't say it with at least a FAKE name attached, then guess what? I don't want to hear it.
People sometimes use the internets as their own personal dumping ground for their own issues and emotions. This is totally allowed, of course, but it isn't always kind.
So, I tend to believe that if you wouldn't say it to someone's face, then you probably shouldn't say it to them at all.
I love that you come here to read and hopefully find some entertainment dear friends. I'm sorry to those that emailed about the whole, "Uh where did your blog go?"!
No worries. I'm still here, rambling away as usual.
LOVE YOU! Kisses! Muah!
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Shared Custody
We have a shared custody arrangement at our house. Of this:
Can you see what it is?
It's a clock. Not just any clock. A BATMAN clock.
And my boys like to fight over it.
So, in the spirit of "love at home," we switch off nights. It's super fun, resetting the clock after unplugging it and moving it from Henry's and Oliver's back to Spencer's. And vice versa.
Funny boys.
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| From February 2012 |
It's a clock. Not just any clock. A BATMAN clock.
And my boys like to fight over it.
So, in the spirit of "love at home," we switch off nights. It's super fun, resetting the clock after unplugging it and moving it from Henry's and Oliver's back to Spencer's. And vice versa.
Funny boys.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Just a Moment
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| From February 2012 |
Today, I was sewing Oliver's pants. At the moment he discovered HIS pants were in progress, my little guy stripped the pants he WAS wearing right off. He ran around in his undies (UNDIES!!!!!) the entire time I was sewing.
There was a moment, while I was seam-ripping the waist band out (I sewed it in backwards. Goodness, I fool myself into thinking I can sew, but the reality is, I have no ever completely a project without first screwing it up) and I had a moment.
The big boys were gleefully not not loudly or obnoxiously playing downstairs in the classroom. Ezra was enjoying a late afternoon nap. Oliver was sitting in his underwear (UNDERWEAR!) on the table, "helping" me. Derek was home, working on his computer. It was a moment.
Everyone was happy. No one was screaming, scolding, crying or pooping.
It was just a moment.
But it was beautiful.
The nicest thing was I realized it was a moment. Often I miss the good moments purely by accident. But today. Today I caught it.
It was nice.
Monday, February 20, 2012
An Ultimate Mom-Blog Post
Scenes from Potty Training:
There is only ONE way for me to potty train my children: In one day.
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| From February 2012 |
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| From February 2012 |
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| From February 2012 |
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| From February 2012 |
There is only ONE way for me to potty train my children: In one day.
I know there are LOTS of methods, and that's exactly as it should be. Because there are lots of different kids in the world.
But in my life? I can't handle weeks and weeks of on again off again.
Nope.
It's all or nothing.
And as of today, I'm three for three in the "all" category.
Oliver did it. He did fabulously. He was SO proud. And the one real accident he had upset him so much that it broke my heart a little.
And then we partied HARD with his uncle and aunt and grandparents. Pizza, cupcakes, presents. It's as good as birthday.
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| From February 2012 |
My big, smart boy.
Friday, February 17, 2012
I have a visual brain...
I have been itching to sew lately. I have a basket full of mending that is in desperate need of attention. but that's not fun.
I bought this awesome book months ago, but never got to try anything out. We moved, the Holidays and on and on.
I finally got to a project this week!! I am so proud. There was a time when a simple sewing project did NOT take two weeks preparation and contemplation. That time is not now.
ANYWAY. I got the "Treasure Pocket Pants" all cut out and went to "STEP ONE". I read it.
I said, "WHA??"
I read it again. "With RIGHT sides together...."
People. I am NOT a novice. I can literally sew pretty much anything. I mean, I have done A LOT of sewing in my time.
And STEP ONE of the FIRST project I attempted in this book full of beautiful clothes that I want to make, and I am stumped.
I tried several different ways it COULD be explaining it, to no avail.
Derek wan't home to explain it to me.
(When my visual brain fails to understand written instructions, I turn to the pictorials to explain it to me. These particular pictorials were NOT helping and it seemed that the crucial point of confusion did not HAVE a picture. That is when I typically make Derek read it to me and explain it.)
I angrily packed up and grumped. I was stuck on STEP ONE.
Grrr.
I puzzled it over the next 24 hours. I could NOT make sense of this stupid step. The frustration was I KNEW if I could get that step out of the way, I would be golden.
Finally, I forgave the book for making me furious. I got everything out and tried. Again.
And I FINALLY FIGURED IT OUT! I had been doing it backwards.
Sheesh,.
THEN I sewed the legs on wrong. Twice.
Then I sewed the front and the back to one another in the wrong place.
I eventually got it all worked out into a pair of actually wearable pants.
Henry likes them. He got the first draft because he's been needing a new pair of pants anyway. He had a couple of jealous brothers at the unveiling. I now have three more pairs to make.
Best get going. At least I know I can get past the dreaded STEP ONE now.
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| From February 2012 |
I finally got to a project this week!! I am so proud. There was a time when a simple sewing project did NOT take two weeks preparation and contemplation. That time is not now.
 |
| From February 2012 |
ANYWAY. I got the "Treasure Pocket Pants" all cut out and went to "STEP ONE". I read it.
I said, "WHA??"
I read it again. "With RIGHT sides together...."
People. I am NOT a novice. I can literally sew pretty much anything. I mean, I have done A LOT of sewing in my time.
And STEP ONE of the FIRST project I attempted in this book full of beautiful clothes that I want to make, and I am stumped.
I tried several different ways it COULD be explaining it, to no avail.
Derek wan't home to explain it to me.
(When my visual brain fails to understand written instructions, I turn to the pictorials to explain it to me. These particular pictorials were NOT helping and it seemed that the crucial point of confusion did not HAVE a picture. That is when I typically make Derek read it to me and explain it.)
I angrily packed up and grumped. I was stuck on STEP ONE.
Grrr.
I puzzled it over the next 24 hours. I could NOT make sense of this stupid step. The frustration was I KNEW if I could get that step out of the way, I would be golden.
Finally, I forgave the book for making me furious. I got everything out and tried. Again.
And I FINALLY FIGURED IT OUT! I had been doing it backwards.
Sheesh,.
THEN I sewed the legs on wrong. Twice.
Then I sewed the front and the back to one another in the wrong place.
I eventually got it all worked out into a pair of actually wearable pants.
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| From February 2012 |
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| From February 2012 |
Henry likes them. He got the first draft because he's been needing a new pair of pants anyway. He had a couple of jealous brothers at the unveiling. I now have three more pairs to make.
Best get going. At least I know I can get past the dreaded STEP ONE now.
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