Chatterbox

Christmas on our own terms

2011-12-03T17:58:00.000-08:00

I love Christmas. I love celebrating Christ’s birth, the greatest gift to the world, the reading of Luke 2 and acting out the Nativity. I also love everything secular and worldly about Christmas. I love the Ho Ho Ho, the red and green, Santa, and presents. I’ve always had a hard time fitting in as much of each aspect as I’d like to, and as a result (especially as a parent) Christmas has become less about Christ, less about holly and jolly, and more about stress. The other things I don’t like about Christmas is how completely anti-climactic (Is that really spelled right? I spell checked it, but it seems wrong.) Christmas day is. The morning is exciting, but the rest of the day seems so boring after all the anticipation. Then New Year’s comes along, and New Year’s Eve is fun, but New Year’s Day is meh. I usually set new goals that despite my initial enthusiasm, kind of get forgotten.

No More.

I’m very fortunate to have a family that completely supports me in all my flights of whimsy. (Or perhaps I’m just a very good sales person, because one way or another they are all 100% ~~in compliance~~ enthusiastic and excited about the new schedule of events which is as follows:

December 1-24 - the normal preparation for Christmas. We're planning on copying my sister's idea of reading a different scripture prophesying the birth and coming of Christ. We're also doing an advent calendar of Christmas stories, and a stocking advent calendar with treats or Christmas activities or ornaments.

Our stocking advent calendar all the stockings are made from old clothing and such.

In the corner is our story advent calendar. It was made with a mirror frame (The kids broke the mirror) and then 25 pieces of 12x12 scrapbook paper. But now I need to add 5 more. Luckily I haven't fastened it yet. Oh, and I made the stockings here from sweaters. I still need to embellish them.

December 24-25, Christmas: A Celebration of Christ

These days will include the Nativity, the reading of Luke 2, the singing of any/all Christmas songs about the precious child born in Bethlehem, Savior of the World, and possibly the Messiah. All of it. We’ll also participate in some sort of service, and possibly spend time with extended family. No gifts, with the possible exception of something Christ related. The evening of the 25^th may culminate in a formal or very simple dinner followed by a family testimony meeting. I also really like the idea I got from my cousin about setting goals based on the scripture. Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. So we’ll introduce this verse to the family to use as a guideline for setting goals over the next week.

December 26-29

Finish preparing everything needed for a holly jolly commercial Christmas. (At a very merry 50-75% off! ;) ) The other bonus is that all the kids will be home from school and can participate in all the fun cooking, songs, stories, and all that other fun stuff about getting ready for Christmas. This will also be a time for reflection and planning for goals for the coming year.

December 30

Essi Day. It will be so nice for her to celebrate her birthday BEFORE everyone else gets presents, instead of just on the tail end of Christmas.

December 31

Party. Time. All the fun of New Year’s Eve + staying up until midnight playing games and having fun + fireworks + the treats of Christmas and finger foods + the anticipation of Santa coming in the morning. It would also be fun to share all our favorite memories and blessings from the closing year.

January 1

A celebration of everything new… and Santa. The coming of the New Year, new presents, and new goals. Do our traditional breakfast of Green Eggs and Ham, and cherry cream cheese crescent rolls, fruit, etc. Open presents. Take naps. Have a fun family council where we all share our new goals. I love goals. I love the growth and the excitement that comes with setting and accomplishing new goals. I love the idea of having a bigger holiday celebrating goal making and starting.

This was our first picture of our first attempt at Chritmas pictures this year. From this, it went downhill fast. We'll retry later.

Merry Christmas!

Family Hierarchy

2010-11-12T07:48:00.000-08:00

Last night Jerrod was telling me how much he loved Helam's admiration for him. Helam thinks his dad is quite awesome. I was expressing to Jerrod some examples of how true Helam's adoration, and I asked little man, "Helam, who's the KING?" Helam looks up at both of us, grins, and knowingly replies, "Mama's da King-Ding-Ding." So there you have it. Hahaha. Smart boy.

Dangerous

2010-10-11T16:01:00.000-07:00

Helam's quite an adventurous boy, and I frequently find myself warning him that what he's doing is dangerous. (His pronunciation of the word is pretty awesome.) He's learned a new trick though, when I tell him he's doing something dangerous he'll look at me with a twinkle in his eye and say, "Gonna give Mama a kiss." Then he starts doing kissy sounds as he comes over to me, gives me a big kiss, then goes back to what he was doing and says, "I dangewous." Little stinker.

Summer lovin'

2010-07-07T18:19:00.000-07:00

Tonight we spent a few hours in the park as a family. With dad. On a weeknight. During the summer. Do you have any idea how HUGE that is?!?

(Not to mention that this is one of the most relaxing park trips ever for me. HE played with the kids, I sat and read a book. Amazing.)

I'm loving it.
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2010-06-18T13:31:00.001-07:00

I just got done reclaiming my onion patch. It was so exciting to see them actually coming out of the ground! They were hidden so well though. The entire row was covered in weeds, now it just has onion sprigs coming up. Very satisfying. (Although something bit my behind. Ouch.)

The kids are helping too. They get $2.00 for each 6 gallon food storage bucket they fill up with weeds. We both think we're getting a steal. Unfortunately, we've got enough weeds for them to each make a small fortune.

Oh, and my farmer's tan is coming in marvelously, though calling it a tan is being quite generous. It's more of a farmer's burn, freckle line, and extra dry peeling skin. Super super sexy.
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Maybe they're on to something!

2010-06-07T07:56:00.000-07:00

My kids just asked me to stay in bed a little longer so they could finish getting their chores done! (Or maybe I'm still dreaming?) Ah. If I really thought it would really work, I'd think this was a brilliant plan! I'm willing to do my part though. Let's do it every morning! Haha.
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Sockie?

2010-06-04T13:46:00.001-07:00

I told him that to go outside he needed more clothes, so he found a "sockie" to go with his shoes.
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Outside?

2010-06-04T13:43:00.001-07:00

Helam was putting his shoes on saying, "Outside?" He's now begging at the door.
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Mermaid Modesty

2010-06-04T10:24:00.001-07:00

I was thrilled when Essi came to me today to show me how she made her mermaid more modest! (She was pretty skanky before) Essi used a broken part of a green balloon and it's a seaweed shirt. I'm glad modesty is becoming important to Essi, because she's my girl who's been pretty interested in what she thinks is "fashionable" which isn't always the most modest. She'll pull her shirt off her shoulders or tie it in a way that her stomach shows. I don't know where she gets it from, but I'm glad that our talks on showing reverence for our body, and dressing modestly are sticking somewhere.
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May the fourth be with you.

2010-05-04T08:56:00.001-07:00

So today is National Star Wars Day. May the 4th be with you. haha. Okay, it's cheesy. I know. This May 4th, Star Wars has a new HUGE fan. Helam watched episode 1 with his dad last Saturday.

He. Loved. It.

For a movie to hold his interest for even a few minutes, it must have cars, robots, tools, or an annoying dancing dinosaur. Star Wars delivered in a big way. They even have the annoying dinosaur in the form of Jar Jar Binks. (I wished he'd die in the first 10 minutes of the show, but Essi thinks he's funny, so that softens me to him. A little.)

Helam stayed in the room the WHOLE time, every time the scene changed, he'd say, "WHOA!" in his really husky voice. His eyes were SO big. In a very short time he mastered the word "Pace Sip" and he'd continually say it with reverence. He had a toy sword that automatically became a light saber and has had light saber sound effects since. (On a side note, WHO teaches boys these things? I still swear they come with their own sound effect chip in their brain.) He'd lay on his stomach and happily kick his feet. I haven't seen him in such bliss. He kept going right up right to the tv, he'd turn with excitement shining from his eyes look at us, his huge round head blocking the screen. I didn't mind. I wasn't watching the movie, I was watching him.

The Book of Mormon/Youtube Challenge

2010-05-03T07:03:00.001-07:00

I know some have heard about this, but if you haven't, here's a link with more information.

Facebook page

In summary, today they are trying to get Elder Holland's talk to page 1 of Youtube for a day or something, how you can help is by watching the video, linking it, favoriting it, liking it, commenting, etc. I guess multiple views are good too. Anyway, here's the link to the video.

Testimony of the Book of Mormon

Teetotaling, or Back on the Wagon.

2010-04-26T19:04:00.000-07:00

I ain’t never shoutin’ “uncle” to you or nobody, ‘cuz I ain’t never down!
Come on, Molly, you’re tuckered. Why don’t you quit?
Sure, I’m tuckered and I might give out, but I won’t give in! How can anybody say that I’m down? Look. I’m thinking. I’m thinking very hard how to break through. Maybe here, maybe there, maybe no place. But, there’ll come a time when nuthin’, nor nobody wants me down like I wants me up! Up where the people are, up where the talkin’ is, up where the jokes goin’ on.
Now, looky here, I am important to me! Ain’t no bottom to no pile! I mean much more to me than I mean to anybody I ever knew! Certainly more than I mean to any sideways, yassy-hampers like you guys! Go ahead, break my arm… me say “uncle”…hooo! Doesn’t make a bit o’ difference for you to keep sayin’ I’m down ‘til I say so, too!
D’ya ever try steppin’ on a piss ant? Well, there’s one now. Jump ‘im, stump ‘im! Thinkin’ you got ‘im? Thinkin’ he’s quit? He don’t think so. There he goes! And you can be positive sure I’m as good as any piss ant that ever lived!
Oh, I hate that word “down”! But, I love that word “up”! ‘Cuz “up” means “hope” an’ that’s jus’ what I got! Hope!

-The Unsinkable Molly Brown

So for my sugar thing I did awesome. Then, since I was invincible, and had kicked my sugar habit, I'd allow myself 2 days of eating whatever sugary things I wanted. Those 2 days turned into 13. I ate a lot of sugar. A lot. I can't pretend I didn't enjoy it. I did. I figured, hey I can do this in moderation! I can't. I felt like junk. I wasn't in control anymore. The sugar was stronger than I.

Today was day 1 again with no sugar. I didn't think one could do so much sugar damage in 2 weeks, or that I'd have to go through such severe sugar detox again. It ~~sucks.~~ isn't fun. I have a headache ~~from he...~~ that is really bad. I've been sharp with my kids. (Even Helam! *sniff.* On a side note, HOW do you keep an 18 month old from constantly sticking his flipping hands down his pants?!?) My brain is fuzzy. I'm really grumpy. I want more sugar.

I am stronger though. I'll keep it up, realizing that I can't allow myself to do this again. It's kind of empowering going into hand to hand combat with such a powerful foe. Unfortunately, today it's dealt some powerful blows. I didn't give in though, so does that mean I'm winning? For today at least?

On again, Off again.

2010-04-22T20:44:00.000-07:00

May I present "Nirvana." For Menstruating Woman.

I had this bad boy tonight after my homemade Cafe Rio Pork Barbacoa salad. (It has been accurately described as Food Mecca.) The dressing is good too. Helam climbed on the table and was eating it with a spoon. What you can't see with this cupcake is that it is really a brownie. With cherries. And cream cheese. And milk and white chocolate chips. It was really good.

As for the giving up sugar thing, I agree with Scarlet when she said, "I can't think about that right now. If I do, I'll go crazy. I'll think about that tomorrow."

Silver Linings

2010-03-29T15:07:00.000-07:00

While we were at the dentist this morning, my tire went flat. At least it was after the appointment, AND we were in town close to the tire place, and NO cavities!! (-Though there was discussion of Sariah's impending orthodontia.)

When we went to get it filled, we found we were way overdue for new tires, AND an oil change. We've known this for a while, but at least we found out at a time when we could afford it (Though grudgingly. Seriously. Who wants to pay that much money for something as boring as tires?!) and that we were able to do it before we had a tire blow or something.

While we waited for the car to get fixed we went for a walk. (How awesome that the stroller was in the van!) It was cold and none of my kids had coats. At least it wasn't raining! (Or let's be real, we're in Rexburg, it could easily have been snowing.)

While we were walking a bird pooped. On. My. Hand. I'm not seeing a huge silver lining there, (at least it wasn't my head?) but I'm incredibly grateful for baby wipes. However, I am NOT grateful for sippy cups. A few minutes after that "fowl" incident I discovered that Helam's stupid sippy cup leaked all over my phone effectively destroying it. (Di-thanks for letting me use you as an emergency contact. My phone let me see that you said yes, but not reply. I'm glad you said yes, because I'd already put you.)

When we got home, it was 4. Helam, who usually naps at 11, went down for a late nap. (SO overdue.) I was supposed to get to spend my afternoon sorting and folding laundry, doing dishes, and rewinding the fishing line that Helam spread all over the house and organizing my craft room. That's really not happening. Neither is dinner.

Luckily, in about an hour I have a husband coming home who I hope has a lot of energy because he hasn't had to look for a lot of silver linings, while dragging "a multitude of blessings" (3) around town while getting pooped on today.

In other good news... before the dentist appointment, I got both the big bathrooms cleaned, scrubbed, and beautiful. (Baseboards too!) As I was getting ready to go, I tried on one of my old "skinny shirts" (that used to be way to small for me) and my skinny pants (Not to be confused EVER with skinny jeans, though they were jeans.) Both have now become my "fat clothes."

Silhouettes

2010-03-28T21:06:00.000-07:00

This was my project today! I'm pretty happy with how this turned out!
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Welcome Spring!!

2010-03-20T15:30:00.000-07:00

I've longed for it's arrival. I'd seen the signs of it's coming. My kids are starting to smell like outside. It must be SPRING!!! I'm a little more than excited. (A Lot.) I can finally come out of hibernation and it seems like everything is starting anew. Love it. Today we spent the day working in our garden. Our garden. We've never had a garden. We've moved every April and August (plus some) for the past 7 years. It's exhilarating! It's also nice to get to do "Spring Cleaning" instead of "Spring Packing." It's exciting that we actually get to stay in our newly cleaned and fresh (it will be;) ) house, and not just clean it to move out! Lalalala!

Yay.

Infestation!!!

2010-03-17T23:06:00.000-07:00

Our house has been infiltrated! We've got green footprints coming out from the heater vents...

Some more coming from the bathroom sink and all over the toilet, and I'm not sure what they did to turn the water green. There were tracks going to the kitchen and throughout the refrigerator, leaving adhesive symbols of luck and fortune on all of our food. In the girls bathroom upstairs it looks like there were a couple of them walking all over the counter. (More green toilet water.)

Luckily, they seem friendly! Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I can't think of a catchy title but I wanted to show off a bit!

2010-03-17T15:45:00.000-07:00

I've never gotten into the whole scrapbooking/homemade card thing. Well, I've sort of gotten into it, in that I've purchased piles of papers, letters, stickers, flowers, glue, etc. I've yet to complete a single page. So I'm pretty proud of my latest project where I actually used scrapbooking materials and completed a project. (I'd be a lot more proud had I used up some of what I'd already had, but instead I bought some new stuff, but let's pretend that part didn't happen.) This was my first attempt and I'm pretty happy with the results. I also enjoyed making it which I suppose is a really really good thing, as when I was buying "just a few" new things, I found a "really good deal" on smaller notebooks, (I love notebooks and basically anything made of paper.) and bought a lot. I figured they'd make great homemade gifts... Hmm. Well, at least one is done, and the recipient will love it! (It's Essi.)

Before

This is a cute little writing book we got for Essi. Each page has a place at the top for a picture, and the bottom it is lined for beginning writers. Very fun. But not quite fun enough.

After

Much more appealing for my budding writer! (Unfortunately, the notebook was not as appealing as the Wii that Essi is now grounded from after failing to shower me with adequate gratitude, praise, wonder and excitement.)

I Heart Cauliflower!!

2010-03-07T19:10:00.000-08:00

I feel like I've just been given one of the greatest cheat codes in the game of life. I guess it's not up on the same level as you know, knowing who I am, where I came from, and where I'm going, but for a girl like me who (really) loves carbs and has been ~~cursed~~ blessed with a body that doesn't... It's pretty darn close.

The secret is Cauliflower. I guess you can make some pretty great mashed faux-tatoes with it, as well as use it (somehow) for a fake lasagna, or easily imitate rice. Tonight I made cauliflower crust pizza, and I know there is someone out there who loves me and cares about me and I believe he created this magnificent vegetable just to show that. Can I just say, it was awesome?!? (I guess I could, but I usually like to ramble on a bit, so I won't leave it at that.)

I admit, I was a little (lot) skeptical before I started. I LOVE pizza, and some kooky knock off by a veggie loving, low carb eating, wannabe cook I truthfully conceded probably would not do it for me. However, I'm trying to become a veggie loving, lower carb eating cook, so I figured, even if it wasn't super great, but I could imagine I was eating pizza, it would still be worth it.

My efforts were rewarded. It tasted abso-flipping-lutely amazing. My entire family loved it, and it was fun to see how much cauliflower my 5 year old was putting down. It tasted really bready, and definitely carby, but it wasn't. Normally when I try healthier versions of recipes, I walk away feeling like I "kind of" had what I was craving, but still crave it and want the real thing. After this I felt like I had just had real pizza, and felt a little guilty knowing that somehow I'd probably just gone over my carb limit for the month. It was great. Another bonus, it's really filling. I made 1 cookie sheet of pizza (by quadrupling the recipe I'll post below) and normally our family could probably eat 2 pizza sheets. By the time it was half gone, we were all so stuffed, wanting to eat more, but unable. (So now we have left overs!)

Anyway, because I love you all, I'm going to share the recipe. (Or you can just google cauliflower pizza crust, but to save you the time, here it is. 1 caveat - it is not low fat.)

1 cup cooked, riced cauliflower*
1 egg
1 cup mozzarella cheese

(I added some Garlic powder, some Oregano, (just sprinkled in enough for it to smell good) salt, (just enough for the plain cauliflower to taste kind of yummy) and Parmesan cheese (maybe between 1/4 cup and 1/2 cup for the 4X recipe?))

**pizza or alfredo sauce

(On half I used Hunt's all natural garlic, basil, and oregano sauce, pretty low carb, and decent pizza sauce flavor without having to add anything. For the other half, I mixed some cream cheese, some heavy whipping cream, and some pesto sauce. It was good.)

toppings (make sure meats are cooked)
mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick spray. (Very important. We didn't grease for the bread sticks that I tried to make. Yeah. Don't forget to spray.)

In a medium bowl, combine (seasoned) cauliflower, egg and mozzarella. Press evenly on the pan.

Bake at 450 degrees for 12-15 minutes (15-20 minutes if you double the recipe).

Remove the pan from the oven. To the crust, add sauce, then toppings and cheese.

Place under a broiler (grill for the Europeans) at high heat just until cheese is melted **.

Nutritional Information for the entire crust:
calories: 434, fat: 25 g, carbohydrates: 8 (net), 13 if counting all, fiber: 5 g, protein: 41 g.

Final tip, expect it to taste pretty bad and weird, then when you taste it, you'll be like, "Nuh-UH! This is NOT cauliflower!" Let me know if you try it and what you thought!

Coming up this week (hopefully) ~~funeral~~ cheesy faux-tatoes!

Wii love He-Man!

2010-02-17T10:16:00.000-08:00

Helam's Youtube video link.

He-Man thinks he's the Wii champ, and whenever anyone else is playing, he has to too, and he gets quite into it.

Quick update..

2010-02-17T10:06:00.000-08:00

So as of today I've lost 23.6 lbs, and I'm down a pant size. (But I still don't think it really shows much.) I don't know how much longer I can or will hold out. I think I'll edit my sugar goals to allowing myself sugar 1-2 days/month, and then I think even if I completely gorge on those 1-2 days, I'll still be doing SO much better than if I allow it all the time, and I'll probably stick to my goals longer if I know that I'm not saying goodbye forever, but we'll see. I think I'm going to try to hold out through at least Easter, maybe pretend it's Lent or something. Anyway, thanks for all the support!

"Parting is such sweet sorrow!" or "Breaking up is hard to do."

2010-01-26T10:33:00.000-08:00

I've started a new diet. Again. (But it's not really a diet. Isn't that what they're all supposed to say?) It's strict. This is my 3rd day following it, and I plan to follow it very strictly for the next 39 days, then re-evaluate where I stand. Basically I'm allowed to eat chicken, a piece of celery, and for desert a small piece of cardboard. Per day. (The cardboard is actually quite divine.) Okay it's not that bad, and actually with my new best friends basil and garlic, it's going better than I thought. Today my mind feels more clear, and my body feels lighter. My reflection in the mirror hasn't changed a smidge, but I feel 40 lbs lighter, so it seems like a step in the right direction. (Just don't bring cookies over!)

Yesterday was not as cheerful. Yesterday was day 2 with no sugar. Sugar has been ~~my drug of choice~~ a constant friend and companion for me. I missed my dear friend fiercely and the breakup was one of my toughest ever! Sugar was such a loyal companion. She helped me through trials, and kissed away my tears, celebrated with me when things were terrific and consoled me when things weren't. She always knew exactly what I needed and provided just that in every situation.

Our first days apart I felt as though I were cast into a scary world with no one to hold my hand. I was feeling emotions and feelings that I haven't had to deal with ~~since the last time I gave up sugar.~~ for a long time. I was feeling such amazing anger (I'm never angry.) and abandonment, and confusion. It honestly felt like every aspect of my life was going to just fall apart. Like Anne of Green Gables, I was in the "depths of despair." I also had a really bad headache. In the evening I longed to dive into Helam's bowl of macaroni with a longing that would rival that in any lusty novel. (You think Edward wanted Bella's blood. ha. He had nothing on this. lol.)

~~By this point my family didn't want to be around me any more than I wanted to be around them and their sugar eating selves so I ran away.~~ So to keep my ~~kitchen intact~~ resolve strong I went to the library. Alone. I enjoyed my time at the library and got only books for me - all fiction books and strictly ~~to take my mind off food.~~ for enjoyment. As I got to the check out kiosk and put my books on the table I realized they were all sugar. Books with the intellectual nutritional value of maybe "Sweet Valley High" back in the day. I realized I was trading one form of sugar and no value consumption for another. I'm going to be okay with that for a while. Hopefully soon I'll be able to stand on my own two feet and walk without my crutches. (HOW do normal people DO it?!) For now, baby steps, and apparently a fluff transfer from my body to my brain.

Poop or Chocolate?

2010-01-12T10:02:00.000-08:00

I think one of my favorite movie scenes ever is from Baby Mama. (You can see it HERE from 1:20-1:27) This kid comes out with brown all over his hands, the mom sees him and asks a couple of times, "Is that Chocolate or Poop?" then she licks the hand and says, "It's Chocolate." and the childless sister responds, "WHAT if that had been poop?!"

Now that the holidays are over, I keep finding stray brown fingerprints and little hand marks all over my walls, tables, cupboards, refrigerator, etc. Luckily, it's all chocolate. I hope I've found it all, but I'm pretty sure I haven't.

(These are the culprits.)

The Woman I Am.

2010-01-08T16:42:00.000-08:00

I found this picture and poem and it touched my heart and soul. First off, in the picture, the mom isn't tall and slender and gorgeous. The kids remind me of my own, close in age and the same gender. I want to frame this. The poem touched me because it describes me so perfectly. After reading it, I realized that I really am okay with who I am and where I am. I'm really grateful to be me and to see the person I'm turning into. Am I everything and everyone I hoped I would be, no. In some ways, I think it would be good to remember those goals and dreams, and still make some of them happen. In other ways, who I am is better than who I dreamed I'd be. I think with the "Woman I Am" holding hands with "The Girl That I Used To Be," I can become a truly fantastic me. (And so can everyone else. ;) )

Lest We Forget

She came tonight as I sat alone

The girl that I used to be. . .

And she gazed at me with her earnest eye

And questioned reproachfully:

"Have you forgotten the many plans

And hopes that I had for you?

The great career, the splendid fame

All the wonderful things to do?"

"Where is the mansion of stately height

With all of its gardens rare?

The silken robes that I dreamed for you

And the jewels in your hair?"

And as she spoke, I was very sad,

For I wanted her pleased with me . . .

This slender girl from the shadowy past

The girl that I used to be.

So gently arising, I took her hand,

And guided her up the stair

Where peacefully sleeping, my babies lay

So innocent, sweet and fair.

And I told her that these are my only gems,

And precious they are to me,

That silken robe is my motherhood

Of costly simplicity.

And my mansion of stately height is love,

And the only career I know

Is serving each day in these sheltering walls

For the dear ones who come and go.

And as I spoke to my shadowy guest,

She smiled through her tears at me,

And I saw that the woman that I am now

Pleased the girl that I used to be.

—Anonymous

"Getting It"

2010-01-07T13:24:00.001-08:00

A special privilege in motherhood is witnessing that moment when your child "gets it." You can almost see a spark. There is a metamorphosis when all of the sudden there is understanding, they've learned something new, and will never to return to their previous state. That's very exciting.

Homeschooling

2010-01-05T08:14:00.001-08:00

I've had so many people ask me about homeschooling lately that I thought I'd just put some of my thoughts here. (At 9:30, in my pajamas, hanging out with my kids who are also still in their pajamas, the day after most kids started school again after a beautiful vacation time home with their family.)

First let me start off saying, I was never EVER going to be a homeschooling mom. I had SO many things I thought were not great about it, most based on stereotypes. I also don't think that homeschooling is the only or best option for all children at all times and in all situations. I feel that mother's are uniquely qualified to know intuitively what is best for their children, and if they act on the feelings they are given, will be doing what that child need at the time they need it. Sariah (our oldest and so far only "school aged" child) has been in charter school, public school and homeschool. Each has their own set of pros and cons, and I won't be listing all of those here, I'll just share some of my favorite things about homeschooling and some of maybe the struggles I've personally had with it. I'll try to keep it short(ish), but I think we all know how successful I won't be at that.

Some of my favorite things:
Sleeping in. Seriously. An extra 30 minute to an hour of sleep in the morning makes a HUGE difference for me and my kids. It's also nice to not start our days looking for that paper we were supposed to sign, or finish up that last bit of homework and rush her out to school with both of us a bit frazzled and remind her to, "Have a great day!"

Seeing the best of my children. When Sariah was going to school, I feel like we didn't really get to see each other at our best. Most of our interactions were when we were still tired and grumpy in the morning (we both really need our sleep) and then she'd go to school and finally be awake enough to be in a great mood. Then she'd have a pretty great day, and about the time she'd start getting tired and grumpy again is when school gets over, when she'd come home and have a little sister and homework to deal with, and I'd be tired and grumpy and have to help her get her homework done. We never really fought with each other, but I think being tired and the stress of the requirements to be both punctual and successful at school kept us from enjoying being together as much as we could have. In contrast, now mornings start when we want to wake up, we usually stay in pajamas until something compelling requires us to dress, and our days are full of learning, fun, and family. I can see that she is a lot happier and more confident which brings me to one of my next favorite things.

Confidence, Creativity, and Contentment Let me start this out by saying my daughter is AWESOME. She seriously is so talented in SO many areas it's kind of unjustly disgusting. lol. She has an amazing singing voice. She is very creative, and her artistic abilities blow my mind. She is so great at such a young age. She writes really fun and funny stories, makes neat little gifts for people, and is able to come up with a lot of ways to entertain her younger brother and sister who absolutely adore her. Another thing I noticed a couple weeks ago was how confident she is. She got to sing a solo of Silent Night at our ward Christmas party. (That alone, awesome. So brave.) She started singing in a key that was VERY high. At first I felt so bad for her, and was just kind of expecting it to go bad. She went through the first verse (really high) and NAILED every note. Except 1 near the end. When she cracked instead of getting upset or embarrassed she just grinned her crooked grin and kept going. She did the next 2 verses in a more reasonable key and it was really nice to hear what an extensive vocal range she had. After she was done, she just kind of laughed about it, and explained to me what she was thinking when she realized how high she started, and told me about how happy she was with her performance. She also told me about how one of the other girls her age was bossing her around in the bathroom at the church and how she stood up for herself, and they were still friends afterwards, but she wasn't about to stop her own happiness because this other girl told her to. I was SO happy for her and couldn't help but contrast that to the version of her I knew when she was going to school. Without going to far into it, dealing with other little girls is hard. It's amazing how young girl drama starts. I also noticed her comparing herself to others and she would usually compare others best qualities with her own shortcomings. (Doesn't that sound familiar? I still struggle so much with this even today.) Now she is a confident girl who really thinks of herself as amazing and able to do anything, but also thinks of others the same way.

Curriculum I think one of the most fun things about homeschooling is the various and vast world of curriculum. Whatever you can dream of, it's out there. I love being able to use teaching tools and styles that I enjoy and that work best for my kids. I like being able to time things in a way that fits with my kids. Sariah made the 4th grade deadline by about 2 1/2 weeks. Had I not been induced a little early, she could be in 3rd grade. For most subjects it doesn't matter a bit, for example, she was light years ahead of her peers in reading. For math, I find that about 4 months made a HUGE difference. Some of the stuff that she was just beating herself up over, and feeling like a failure because she wasn't "getting it" was the same stuff she was laughing about how easy it was just a few months later (after a break). Kids learn at different times and speeds and it's unfair to expect them to all learn the same stuff on the same timetable, making those who don't learn as quick feel like failures when it is NOT the child who is a failure, but the system of teaching them. (I've got more on that, but not right now. ha.) I also LOVE being able to quickly go over the topics that are boring for both of us. (Because seriously. WHO needs a 2 week module on penguins?!) We make sure they get the pertinent information, and move on. Sometimes it takes weeks, sometimes a couple minutes while we're setting the table. I also love that when something so thoroughly captures their interest, we can spend the whole day on it, or longer. (Because I'm not 100% confident in my own abilities yet, a really easy option is to print out the grade curriculum standards for your state (or one with higher standards) and make a checklist, and check things off when they learn them. Then you can be confident they aren't "falling behind" if that is important to you. Right now it's still important to me.) There are SO many resources out there and so much support for homeschoolers that I find a bigger problem is sorting through all the mountains of available awesomeness and choose what is best and most pertinent to our child or family at that time.

Some of the best advice given to me about homeschooling was, "There are as many ways to homeschool as there are families who do it." Whatever works best for your family is the "right" way to homeschool.

3 of my favorite websites about homeschooling are

lovetolearn.net which is a great website that helps you discover what you personally want out of homeschooling, and how to go about doing it. I felt like it kind of gave me the reigns and the permission to homeschool my way.

ldshomeschoolinginca.org There is a lot of information about homeschooling, some LDS quotes about homeschooling, but my favorite part of this website is the link for Virtual Field Trips. Very very cool. Lots and lots of links to lots and lots of cool places that you can visit without having to put the kids in the car and drive anywhere. (SO my kind of field trip.)

schoolofabraham.com This website has a lot of links to stuff for a more classical education. It also has a lot of other lds quotes and links. When I visit this website, I truly feel like I'm in a partnership with God in the raising of my children, and I often find the links to answers or inspiration I need in that sacred calling.

For us, it was a matter of choosing between "good, better, and best." I love what Elder Dallin H Oaks said in his October 2007 General Conference address, "We should begin by recognizing the reality that just because something is good is not a sufficient reason for doing it. The number of good things we can do far exceeds the time available to accomplish them. Some things are better than good, and these are the things that should command priority attention in our lives."......"We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families." That's what it really boils down to. My favorite thing about homeschooling.

FAMILY With homeschooling, I feel I have the freedom to do what is best for my family. When we were doing the traditional schooling system, I felt like our lives, our family, and in truth our existence revolved around the school schedule. We didn't have time to spend time enjoying each other, playing together, learning together and loving together, because we were so busy getting to school on time, getting homework done for school the next day, and getting the kids bathed and to bed on time so that they could be ready for the next day of school. Though it does work for some people, it was not a "best" for us. Homeschooling has allowed us the freedom to center our lives around Christ and the Family.

Resolutions

2010-01-01T20:13:00.000-08:00

I really love New Years! It's like a fresh piece of paper just waiting for me to write on it! What magic will I create when my ink touches the parchment? I love the anticipation and every year I'm convinced that this will be the year where I will become skinny, I will probably learn a new language, I will read and reread any and all the classics, maybe write a bestseller of my own, and I'll start and most likely perfect a new creative skill and either draw pictures of all my friends and or their children for nice personal gifts, start calligraphy and make sweet sentimental gifts for people, I have my card box full to write personalized thank you cards to basically everyone I come in contact with from the person who spoke on Sunday to the grocer who was friendly. I completely fall in love with the person I can become in less than a year's time. Seriously, I could be awesome.

I think part of the excitement is that I really could do all these things. I think seeing my inner potential is exhilarating and frightening. The part that fills me with melancholy is that I never end up doing these things. They somehow fall by the wayside, and go to the land of lost dreams and intentions and possibilities. The loss of these possibilities stings a bit.

My whole life I've been blessed to be surrounded by absolutely amazing people to whom I would never measure up. I've always felt that if I could do something awesome, someone would recognize the something special inside of me, and somehow some of their magic would wear off on me and somehow suddenly I would transform into someone as awesome as basically everyone around me.

I think what needs to happen is I need to see the absolutely amazing in myself. This year I need to find a way to reconnect with me, and establish a relationship with the Giver of life and light. I need to come to a point where what matters to Him is what matters most to me. I need to accept myself and my family when I feel others don't, and be okay with that. I need to realize that I am enough and finally realize that I am someone special. I think I have an amazing talent for seeing the great in everyone around me but myself. I can see how the gospel and the Atonement and prayer and the Holy Ghost etc. will work for anyone except me. I am blessed and grateful to have a firm testimony in the Savior, the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith and the restored gospel, I just don't have a testimony of my value to any of it, or anything really, and this year, that is what I need to improve.

Anyway, so that is that. If you have any insights or experiences on how to go about actually doing that, I'd really love to hear them either in comments or in a personal email to tenisewertman at gmail dot com.

On second thought, maybe that bestselling novel isn't such a bad idea...

Welcome!

2009-09-22T20:39:00.000-07:00

Today is the first official day of Autumn.

Hooray!!!

First let me admit that I had a beautiful wonderful awesome summer, filled with many magical experiences with some amazing people (3 of whom I'm blessed to call my children) and I will miss this summer deeply. Sniff. Sniff. I mourn it's loss. ...

K. Now moving on...

I. love. Autumn! It's my favorite season all the way! I love it when that first bite of fall touches the air, when those last days of summer seem to linger until suddenly the first nips of pink kiss your nose and cheeks, and Heaven starts to produce one of it's most glorious masterpieces. I get weak in the knees at the thought of pencils, plaid and pumpkins. I relish the coziness of apples, cinnamon sticks, flannel and *sweaters*!! I start feel as though there is nothing better than a used book boutique and the anticipation of getting comfortable with an old copy of something classic. Potpourri, thick candles, and large wreaths start to seem strangely appealing. I love it when the ground is dressed in an exciting layer of reds, yellows and brown and every step I take is rewarded with a delightful crunch. Autumn awakens the nostalgia in me. I feel drawn to old black and white photos, my mother's old recipes, and reminiscing with people who are dear to me.

I also like that once daylight savings time hits, I can get away with putting my kids to bed an hour earlier.

So sweet

2009-09-09T02:20:00.000-07:00

The girls made me breakfast in bed. They did it completely on their own from idea to execution. It was oatmeal, toast and orange juice along with a Thank You card. Sariah wrote the message, "Thank you for being such a greaght mom." Then Essi colored the picture Sariah colored. On the top of the oatmeal Sariah sculpted an oatmeal rose. I think what touched me the most and was the most special was that for that one morning they were working as a team and I was able to wake up to them happy and united in the spirit of service instead of to their normal squabbling.

Smelly kids...

2009-08-24T20:44:00.000-07:00

I love the smell of sunscreen on kids. That smell embodies so much of everything wonderful about summer. I love smelling it while snuggling my young ones right before an early bedtime and after an exciting day that leaves them happily exhausted.

All little girls are princesses... Perhaps.

2009-08-23T09:49:00.000-07:00

As I was pinning up Essi's hair this morning she said she felt like a princess and asked if she was one. "Of course." I replied. "All little girls are princesses. You are a child of God, and he's a king, so that makes you a princess."

Essi looked and me unconvinced and responded with a question. "Do princesses go to the bathroom?" (Yes...) "Well do princesses poop?"

Me: Of course they do.
Essi: Um, I don't THINK so. Because they never show it on movies.

So there you have it.

If you're happy and you know it...

2009-08-11T15:37:00.000-07:00

Helam learned how to clap yesterday. Jerrod was working with him on giving five, and I thought I'd add to that with clapping. The boy's a champ. Now every time I say YAY! He'll stop what he's doing and clap. He's still learning to get his hands to connect, so it's sometimes a bit slow. It's been really funny. Today, he's hurt himself a couple times and was crying, (10 months is a tough age) but if I say, "Yay!" he starts clapping even while crying.

Mother knows best.

2009-08-11T14:58:00.000-07:00

10 years ago today I moved to Utah. I had the strongest feeling that that is where I needed to be. My mom said, "It's probably your future children calling to you." I rolled my eyes, and laughed it off.

9 years ago today I was having labor induced with Sariah.

Maybe she was right.

Overheard on the playground

2009-08-03T20:07:00.000-07:00

We were at the park, Sariah was hanging out on top of the monkey bars with a couple of friends. They were talking about whatever it is that pre-teen girls talk about these days. I overheard one girl say, "Your mom is (something indiscernible.)" Then Sariah replied, "Yeah. I like her." As she said that she looked over at me with her eyes glowing. She looked so happy and so proud to have me as her mom.

It was a good day.

She doesn't know I heard her.

Kids corner

2009-07-13T20:24:00.000-07:00

Kids: whine, fight, scream

Dad: (car stopping) This car is not moving until you kids stop fighting, make up, love each other, and are best friends.

Sariah: That will NEVER happen! We'll be here forever. That's like as bad as kissing a BOY!

Essi: Kissing a boy isn't as bad! It's more like kissing a tree on the hard brown part.

A huge truckload of... Well... You know...

2009-06-30T17:40:00.000-07:00

Hahahaha! I was looking through my pictures and ran across this beauty that was snapped from our front porch in Idaho. I really liked where we lived, we were surrounded by an empty field, the kids could go out and play, without me having to worry about them running into a road or anything else. It was a wonderful, simple, beautiful life.

It was interrupted.

From February through April, this truck drove down our little lane, and dumped fertilizer into that field. 4-5 loads a day 4-5 days a week.

It was lovely.

In the winter, it wasn't so so bad, my kids wanted to go climb the mountains in the field, I told them no, and everything (minus the scenery) was okay.

Springtime changed things.

Have you ever experienced an Idaho Springtime? It starts in February, sort of. We'll get a nice day, that warms things up just enough to make things really really slushy. Just when all the beautiful white snow is covered in grey and or mud, it gets cold and freezes again. Then the springtime cycle of sunshine and snow starts.

(It continues until June.)

What this meant for us was, a lovely sunny day where our yard smelled bad. REALLY BAD!! Every time we went out and there was any kind of thaw, you couldn't help thinking the mud you were stepping in HAD to be something else. My kids constantly thought Helam's diaper was bad, and I was convinced that our tires had to be covered in it.

People told us, "Soon the piles would dry out and the smell will be gone."

They had not thought it through.

Because in Idaho, NOTHING dries out until June. So, we'd have a sunny smelly wet day, followed by a freezing snowy day. This would freeze the moisture in the piles, and they would stay frozen until the next sunny day, where the piles were on a gradual defrost.

For 3 months.

Then we moved.

I still kind of miss that place!

1-2-3 Ugly!

2009-06-06T19:43:00.000-07:00

This is one of our favorite games! Armed with camera, mom counts 1-2-3 Ugly! Then the kids quickly make an "ugly face" for the picture. It's really fun, and usually has us rolling by the time we're done, and it's fun to catch some of the kids finer faces. So without further adieu...

1-2-3...

Ugly!

(Complete with snot and eye allergy goop!)

1-2-3 MONSTER!

1-2-3 Silly!

1-2-3 You have to go to real school tomorrow!

1-2-3 You smell a Diaper!

(The picture was a bit late and they were starting their after shoot laughing.)

1-2-3 Diva or Princess!

1-2-3 One more crazy and make it good!

Puyallup Fair (a month late)

2009-05-15T12:13:00.000-07:00

I just got all my phone photos transferred to computer, so I'm finally writing about this! We went on April 16, the day before one of the kids rides toppled. We had such a great time, and even though I grew up in the heart of Eastern Idaho State Fair territory, I've definitely found a new favorite. The fair grounds were immaculate, all the display areas were really clean too. They had artists performing pottery making, and other forms of art. There was a huge building with free kids activities. The kids got to make spring hats, potato people (you'd expect that in Idaho, but we found it in Washington, go figure!), bookmarks, and shakers. There were other craft booths, but we didn't go there. The coolest area by far was the reptile area. The kids got to see all sorts of wonderfully horrible creatures, and got to pet a few too!

Sariah used her own money and paid to do a bungee jump thing. It was on a trampoline, and she was harnessed to bungee cords. She got to jump so high, and was doing back flips like crazy. She loved it. I wish it would have been light enough when she did that for me to get a picture.

Cute and Crawling

2009-04-28T17:11:00.000-07:00

Today I was watching this little guy roll and crawl around. He was so cute just being his little pint sized self. Then he looked up at me and flashed his contagious smile, and my heart swelled. As I smiled back, I hoped with all my soul to never forget this moment, watching him crawl around, his gummy grin, and the warmth of his spirit. Being a mother is such a rich privilege. I'm so grateful for my kids, and that I can share each day of my life with them.

Tulip Fields

2009-04-28T15:38:00.000-07:00

We went to Skagit Valley's Tulip festival last Monday. It was a beautiful drive, (It seems that they all are in the Northwest.) and a really lovely day. We went to one of the tulip fields, and then we went to a park, and then down to the water front, and walked around the old town main street that was full of cute little shops. We ended the day with homemade ice cream. It was such a delicious day.

You can see all the different colors of tulips behind the kids. I love how Helam is half the size of Sariah!
I really love this little munchkin.

He loves being in the dirt or grass.

We're still working on the thumb thing.

I really liked this one!

Tooth Fairy

2009-04-28T15:07:00.001-07:00

Saturday night Sariah lost her other front tooth! (Finally!) Her permanent two front teeth were growing in behind her baby ones, and pushed her baby ones so they were sticking straight out. We're all glad that they are gone.

Anyway, last night the tooth fairy finally made it over here. Perhaps she didn't know we'd moved to Washington, or perhaps she didn't have cash and didn't want to go get it. Who knows. (Sariah does.)

This morning after Sariah checked under her pillow and found her cash, Essi frumped out of the room and pouted, "She's ALWAYS leaving stuff for her!!" Then Essi looked under her pillow to see if maybe Santa had come and left something for her. No such luck.

I've gotta say that the tooth fairy is much more generous now than she was when I was a kid. I remember when I got my first 4 teeth pulled, I got a quarter per tooth, and I was pretty stoked. That was a whole buck! When my daughter got her four teeth pulled, she ended up with 20, and a toy! (The day before someone was bragging to her that the tooth fairy brought her 2 dollars per tooth, so we took the low road. haha.)

What did your tooth fairy bring, and what will your kids tooth fairy bring?

Skinny Pants...

2009-03-05T19:24:00.001-08:00

There was a reason these went away in the 80's.
They were really bad then.
They still are.
You may think you are the exception to this rule.
You aren't.
Especially if you're a guy.

I found my camera cord!

2009-03-02T16:05:00.000-08:00

Here are my yummy little Valentines!

(And that's a wrap!)

Learning and Growing

2009-03-02T15:28:00.000-08:00

Today Essi learned how to use a mouse on the computer, and started learning to write her name. She has also finally conceded that the Billy Joel lyrics are, "You're the Piano Man." instead of "you're da ghetto man."

Sad really.

(This picture was taken two weeks before the fan incident.)

Oh, and if you have kids learning letters or beginner readers, Starfall.com is a great free website!

Essi: Parts 1 and 2

2009-02-25T22:45:00.000-08:00

I've been meaning to do a little birthday post about Essi. Her birthday was on the 30th. Of December. In that post I was going to talk about what a sweet little fairy princess she is, weaving in details of her humor, about how much she loved her family, and how we love her. This is not that post.

Part 1

On Friday the 13th, we got to take her to the E.R. She's been more than anyone else in our family, combined, over our entire lives. In this episode, our daring princess journeys to the forbidden lands of the top bunk and suffers tragic consequences when she meets the ceiling fan.

Our brave princess was not upset by the ceiling fan though. Her sister however was, and started screaming for mom. Queen Mom (okay, so I had to toss the title in there) was also upset by the incident, and the blood gushing from the eye of the princess. (I thought she'd lost it.) We washed her bleeding face and body, and throughout all that, the only thing that upset her was that I had blood on my arm. (Not the fact that the blood on my arm was there because it was gushing from her face..)

We take her to the ER and she got some medicine squirted up her nose. (Which she screamed about because it tasted bad.) Then it sort of relaxed her, but not as much as talking about Valentine's Day did. (Such a romantic.) As soon as the stitches were done, the medicine kicked in. All the sudden she was VERY loopy. We asked her if she was in Happy Land, and she slurred, "No, I'm in Fairyland." It was quite funny.

Part 2

Essi got her stitches removed today. Wowza. The girl screamed more in the 20 minutes (It should have been 2.) it took to do that than I did when I had Helam. Anytime the poor doctor got near her she freaked. She didn't hesitate at all to scream out everything he was doing wrong. The little mule about kicked him several times. He was a good sport about all of it though.

If she were sad and scared, it would have been one thing, but she was just spit and spunk and vinegar, so it was actually kind of funny.

Then later in the car, she felt her stitch free sore and said, "Hey! I have a pretty face again!" so she was happy after all. (My vain little darling. I wonder if I'd mentioned the benefits to her beauty if she would have cooperated better. Who knows.)

But yikes, you don't mess with that one.

The opposite of her would be Sariah who at that age sat fully alert through 8 fillings and a baby root canal (in one sitting) and obeyed everything mom and the dentist said. (I swear she brushes.)

II

2009-02-25T22:32:00.000-08:00

For the title, does that look like a pause symbol, because that's what it's meant to be. That's what I'll have to do with my blog for a while. Sad, I know. (Though really, that's the state it's been in for a while.)

I have so many things to post about, and I fully intend to. Maybe in June. My life should settle down by then. (Does anything ever really settle down?) Also, my camera cord is lost, which is such a shame, because I have the yummiest Valentine's pictures of my kids.

I'm husbandless again, temporarily. He's in Phoenix kicking off some preseasons. So that adds excitement by itself. It makes some things a lot more difficult. Especially with a baby. (And don't get me started on Sacrament Meeting..) Though there are some benefits... Hogging the whole bed, not making fancy dinners, and one less person to do laundry for...

But for the next 5 1/2 weeks I'll be extremely busy. I have to get all (or most all) of our house sorted and packed up for our next move (which will be in the end of April/beginning of May. To Seattle!!!!!) after which we'll most likely move to Canada for the next 2 years. ("Two years?" you ask... "In the same place?" Surely I jest.. Well, that's the plan. Tentatively) All of that needs to be finished in the week between Conference and Easter. So, the comments for this post is actually a sign up sheet to help. Just kidding. Actually, even if you offered, I'd probably say no, so no need for a guilt trip. (Unless you want to take my kids...)

In those same 5 1/2 weeks, I need to teach Sariah and have a record of teaching Sariah an entire school year's worth of curriculum. She went back to public school this year, and then (after begging and tears) we pulled her back out, and I joined a really great program where you actually work with a teacher, and they provide the curriculum you want, so it's "technically" a public school, but you are teaching your child at home. Anyway, since we joined late, we've got until June to do everything for a year. But, since I want to have the portfolio finished and signed off before we move, and before the end of year tests, I have 6 weeks. (Luckily, we've already covered most of the 3rd grade education standards, so we're in decent shape, but my overachieving side of my brain says geeky things like, "We should make clay models of the inner workings of the ear and/or body!" and "Ooh, we could enter that Reading Rainbow book contest with the story she's writing." The sensible part of my brain says, "Seriously, just do it like they did it in high school, show her a movie and let her take a test." So hopefully (in the next couple hours) those sides will find middle ground.

My mind will not find middle ground however, if I keep stressing about taxes. My husband, bless his heart, (which according to my cousin means I'm going to say something bad. She's right.) hasn't kept the best expense or mileage records, which means I have to dig up that info to the best of my abilities, knowing that I'm missing out on huge deductions because I can't find proof, and I don't want to fudge it. Then there's the obvious other downside, we'll have to pay them.

Toss in a couple dentist appointments, orthodontists, chiropractors, grocery shopping, cleaning, stories, library, a pinewood derby, feeling guilty for not serving everyone in our ward (ours is the most service oriented ward I've ever been in, they are seriously amazing, and I really don't feel like I've contributed nearly enough) and having to drive an hour to Blackfoot every time I want to pick up Jerrod's checks, I'm entirely too busy for my liking.

Oh, and I just found out that our 10 year high school reunion is in July. So really, I shouldn't be doing anything for the next 4-5 months other than working out 8 hours a day and sipping supplements. I'm kidding. Sort of.

Quick Update

2009-02-12T14:52:00.001-08:00

Things are good here. Jerrod has been gone working for about 3 weeks, so I've been single mommin' it. I realize that it's not really single momming, as he's working and providing the income, but it's been me and the kids for the past few weeks.

It's going surprisingly well. First let me say I really REALLY love Jerrod, and I think he's awesome and I like him being at home with the family. Besides a brief (COLD) stint where our propane ran out (I now know how to check it), and a pretty nasty trip to the dump, things are kind of great. It's kind of nice to be on my own schedule, doing things when and how I want to, and what I want to nearly all the time. Also, even though "he's the clean one" I have to say, our house has been pret-ty clean while he's been gone. I'm just sayin'...

But, I do miss him, and I hope he can come home this weekend for Valentine's Day and his birthday. After a short visit, he'll probably be gone most of the time on and off for the next 2 months. So, does anyone want to hook up for some girl time? (Umm... with my kids?)

Alma 5...

2009-01-30T22:14:00.000-08:00

Alma 5: 14,19

"...Have ye received his image in your countenances?"

"...I say unto you, can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances?"

In my life I've been blessed to know some people who truly fit this description, and if they were asked the question, there would be no answer other than a resounding "YES!"

I feel it has been such a blessing for me to have the opportunity to meet them, learn from them, and through their love, kindness, and example I feel that just by being around them, I feel closer to my Savior. I want to try a little harder, and be a little better, and smile a lot more.

One such person is Steve Larsen, and his wife Sue. Steve passed away today, and my heart is just broken for their family. They are such amazing people - all of them. One of the nicest, happiest families I've ever had the privilege of knowing, though we didn't know them all that long, or all that well. I often think of their family, and their children when raising my own, and try to raise mine in a way that they can become like them. Steve was also an amazing Sunday School teacher. I would always leave his class so excited to learn more about the joyful gospel of Jesus Christ. Whenever we were blessed to be in his presence, there was always such a wonderful spirit of love, and happiness, and the promise of a laugh at the slightest provocation.

We always left feeling better about ourselves and everything and everyone else.

I'm so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ, and that this birth we call death does not permanently separate us from those we love, and that the end of this mortal state is not the end of family, friendship and love.

Anyway, I just wanted to take a moment to remember a man who has been such a great example to our family, and thank him and his family for the lives they've lived. We truly love you.

A tough time...

2009-01-29T23:42:00.000-08:00

So as part of my new years resolutions, and in trying to bring myself up to a higher level, I'm having a hard time figuring out what I want to write about these days.

Normally, I like to be somewhat sarcastic, saying things I don't mean while laughing on the inside. Stuff like, "I didn't read scriptures today, but I read Twilight so it should be okay." Totally not true, but it makes me laugh to say it and write it, and I assume everyone knows I'm being facetious. I also talk like this in real life. But in being around other people over the past couple months, I realize that a lot of people don't get that I'm "joking." I can't tell them, because that would completely ruin the hilarity of my statement. Kind of like laughing at your own joke. Plus then they feel uncomfortable for not realizing it was a joke. So then I have to listen to their ideas about how Twilight really isn't on the same level as the scriptures, and I have to convince them I know that.

So that was a tangent, and I'm not really sure where it came from. Anyway, part of my goals for myself is to become more reverent, less "light-minded," (currently the only part of me that can be accused of being "light" well, also my skin tone.) (And there I go with more light minded stuff.)

As I've been working on this, I find myself thinking, "I'm SO blogging about this." then having these nagging second thoughts, realizing that it probably doesn't fall into 2 of the 3 categories that any comment should fall into. Nice, Necessary, True. So, I'm left with no blog fodder.

(But I really wanted to write about my seeing Twilight in the theater last week. It was much better than my previous viewing. But my favorite part was when Edward unbuttoned his shirt to show Bella what he looks like in the sunlight. My husband shouts, "Ow Ow!" I about lost it. Granted he was triple dog dared, but it was so funny. Hmm. Maybe you had to be there. Or really, if you just know my husband, and how not the "Ow Ow"-ing type he is, you might kind of get the idea.)

Then the other problem I have now is that a lot of my thoughts are turned inward and upward. So I kind of like keeping them to myself.

Actually, writing this was good for me. Now I realize that I still have lots of stuff I can write about. Mainly, I just have some really hot gossip that I've really been wanting to share, and it keeps building up every week. So instead of thinking what I can write about, I'm thinking of how much fun it would be to write about what I can't. (Now I really want to write about that/those/them. But, I guess if it were about me, I wouldn't want someone to write it, and if it were about you, you wouldn't want me to write it either.) And no one wants to hear my ideas on politics, religion or education. (Okay being facetious again..)

I should go to bed. This is already really long and I'm rambling again.. Chatterbox.

Update on the Shells

2009-01-20T23:17:00.000-08:00

Well, we decided not to put shells out for our kids. Instead, we put shells out with our kids, then we sat on beach chairs and watched other people get really excited about them.

No we didn't. We didn't do anything with the shells. But, the kids found a bunch of real shells, from Mexico, that I do not remember unpacking. I have no idea where those are, but I bet they'll stink. They're in a ziplock bag somewhere. Anyway, they had fun. Our trip was good. ish. I'm not up to writing about it yet, but I will say that driving on the back roads of Mexico sort of lost-ish in a rental car until 1:30 in the morning would make a really good horrible movie. I also learned that "tope" while it's supposed to mean something like maximum speed or whatever, it really means really big mean speed bumps. Lots of them.

Anyway, we're back, we've mostly recovered, then we had Jerrod's mom come visit, and that was fun.

Now we're getting ready for Jerrod to go to work in Reno for the next few months.

After all that stuff settles down, and I get done unpacking, I'll write about the rest of the trip, and Christmas and Essi's birthday.

I really should go find those shells.

Hypothetical Question

2009-01-08T22:34:00.000-08:00

So lets say we've got some friends who are going to Cancun. Let's say they are bringing their kids who are 4 and 8. These same kids are WAY excited to look for shells on the beach. How horrible would it be if their parents were to go to the dollar store, and get one of those big buckets of shells and starfish, and if the same parents were to surreptitiously drop said shells on the beach for their kids to find?

Of course this wouldn't be us. We are all about experiencing the nature indigenous to the area we'll be visiting, and of course I'm thrilled to let my kids bring home a big smelly bucket of seashell and beer bottle fragments, because I remember the joy it brought me as a child. (It did not however bring my mother the same joy. She found my wadded up grocery sack full of shells hidden in the "hiding place" compartment in our van about 2 weeks after we got back from CA. Then I used (and possibly ruined) one of her pots to try to boil the awful stench from my beloved shell fragments. She didn't like that either.)

Anyway, good idea? Bad idea? Or would this be like the whole Santa let down?

(We may not really do this... But I am considering it... If I get peer pressured into it, I'll totally succumb. Is this odd that this is a total moral dilemma for me, yet I have no compunctions telling those dead sea salt potion sellers at the mall that I've already got all their stuff (I don't.) and I've had bad reactions to it?)

I'd have loved to have found a sand dollar and a star fish as a kid. If I found out my parents put them there, I'm sure I would have laughed about it later. Maybe?

But it might be difficult trying to explain to my 3rd grader that it isn't really that good of an idea to give one of her "cool shells from Mexico" to all her classmates who she wants to bring souvenirs for. (Or maybe it would be a good idea! $1.06 divided by 26 = $0.o40769... per student...)

Is Your Mama a Llama?

2009-01-02T22:36:00.000-08:00

Adult content, well sort of... You've been warned.

So tonight we were at Barnes and Noble. We were about to head out the door when I glimpsed a book about someone who'd lost 200 lbs, and so I was flipping through it. (Still loving how the second you walk into the bookstore in January the big front display so kindly reminds you of the damage done over the holidays. (or last 10 years.)) Anyway, so as I was flipping through the book, Jerrod tells a bored Essi that she could look through one of the clearance books from a big bin of books. I hear in the background, "This would be a perfect Essi book." Then a couple seconds later, "Actually, this is NOT an Essi book." I turn around to see what she was looking at, and Jerrod is putting back a book called "The Llama Sutra. Getting Wild in the Wild Kingdom."

Okay, gasp..snort... ah~hahahahahaha!!!

Then Jerrod's explanation, "All I saw out of the far corner of my eye were two cute fuzzy bears! Then after she was looking at it, I saw the word Sutra, and was wondering where I'd heard that before." He was thinking it looked like a kids book on the cover.

Anyway, apparently it is a book, with a whole bunch of animal um.. pictures, that my (just barely) 4 year old thought was quite fascinating.

(I'm still trying to decide whether or not it was appropriate to post this, and if I don't get any comments, I'll probably worry that I am some kind of weird pervy parent because I thought it was funny. It's really not that bad. Essi just thought they were animals who were friends with each other.)

The Cold Hard Bitter Truth...

2009-01-01T13:12:00.001-08:00

So today Sariah (my 8 year old) found out about Santa Claus. We've been asking ourselves when the right time was to tell her, but not really finding any answers. Ever since she was old enough to understand "Santa" we've told her that mom and dad are Santa, she just never believed us. We would still do the whole Santa thing, and pretend we didn't know where stuff came from, but I just couldn't get around telling her that he was real, when he wasn't. So she was getting a lot of mixed signals.

When I was a kid, I believed Santa was real until probably at least 6th grade or Jr. High. I got into big embarrassing arguments with people defending his reality. (He gave me make-up, and my dad would never allow it. Explain that!!) I would get into the same arguments defending the reality of God and Christ. In my mind, I knew that "Santa" with the red hat and clothes wasn't necessarily real, but I'd concocted an elaborate theory where Jesus was really the one who left presents in our stockings. So when I'd somehow found out the truth, it made me really question the reality of God as well. I've never gotten over the sting of this betrayal, and have a hard time with faith and trust still. To this day I still cry at least once every Christmas season when I "remember" (for lack of a better word) that Santa isn't real. Ever since I had Sariah, I was trying to figure out what to do to save her the same agony. Obviously, I never found that answer.

So Sariah found out today. I'd been kind of hinting to her all month, figuring that when she was ready to find out, she would, and until she was ready, she'd keep explaining it away in her mind. Today we were talking about exchanging something, and Jerrod was asking me about the receipt, and she was like, "But that's from Santa." I said actually it's not. I put that out with the other "Santa" stuff. But that's from me. Then she kept asking questions, and I kept letting her come to her own conclusions. I think this was the worst parenting moment to date. I want to cry. I feel so terrible for her. She is just devastated. She kept looking for some shred of evidence that it was really Santa who left her her gifts.

Sariah: But Dad's not COOL enough to be Santa.
Me: Is mom?
Sariah: Yeah. So did you pick out the presents?
Me: Do you think I did?
Sariah: Well, you didn't get us presents this year, because you said they were all going to be from Santa, but you wouldn't let me look in the back of the car after shopping, was that because they were Santa presents?
Me: Is that what you think?

Then she got all teary, and everything she said just broke my heart because I could see that hers was broken.

Defiantly she says, while choking back tears, "I'm not sitting on Santa's lap next year."

"So is all the cool stuff I believed in not true?" "No Easter Bunny, No Tooth Fairy.." "The only cool powerful thing left is Jesus."

I tried pointing out that now she can be one of the "Secret Keepers" and that next Christmas she can stay up later and help put stuff in everyone's stockings, then explaining that the "Spirit of Santa" is real, and doing nice things for people, etc... "I don't really want to be a secret keeper," then more tears that the whole time she was trying not to let escape. (and I'll be the first to admit, the "Spirit of Santa" seems like quite a let down from the myth.)

It's so sad and I can't stop crying for her. I'm so glad she had this one last magical Christmas before finding out. My heart is just bleeding for her right now, and I don't know what I can do to take away the hurt. I guess we just keep hugging each other and crying together.

I still don't know what to do with Santa for my younger children. Do I take away their time of life where they can believe? Take away the magic that is Santa Claus? Or do I let them experience the pain and betrayal that finding out the truth brings? I want to always be honest with my kids, I've never told them that Santa "is" real, but is not telling them the whole truth the same as telling them a lie?

Anyway, I'm interested in your input.

(And I will soon post a bunch of posts with Christmas pictures, and joy, and humor. Maybe.)

Merry Christmas!!

2008-12-19T19:09:00.000-08:00

I'll be offline for a week or so, so I wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas! I hope you all eat lots of chocolate, get/give the perfect gift, and that somehow the true meaning of Christmas can touch each and every one of you in your lives this season. My wish for all of us is that we can do something that will mean something to someone this season. Thank you all for being part of my life, and letting me be a part of yours! Thanks for your comments. (And just because I'm away doesn't mean I won't get them, they come to my email, which comes to my phone... and they really mean so much to me, so if you want to give a gift from the heart.... *blatant hint*) I'm excited to get to know you all better in the New Year!

Well, I've got to go finish packing, so Merry Christmas to all and to all a Goodnight.

Random Christmas pictures.

2008-12-17T23:59:00.000-08:00

Okay, so this post is because I do not know how to resize pictures in my Windows picture whatever. So here are a ton of pictures that I want to use for our family's Christmas Songbook. (Notice the pictures of me that I'm saving for posterity are of me from last Christmas, when I was 50 lbs lighter! :D ) So, here are random pictures of Christmas' past and present... I'll explain some of them, just because I really like these.

***Edited to add...Well, the ones I wanted to add the most just are not coming up for some reason. Very VERY irritating. They are the ones from a Christmas Carol. There is a great one of Jerrod and I kissing that I wanted to put on a page with a song about mistletoe. That picture was what inspired this (and the next 2) posts of pictures. So now I think I'll end up just printing the songs with no pictures. But I'll leave these up here for now, and hopefully get those Christmas Carol pictures up sometime. Merry Christmas!

Isn't this sweet? This is Sariah in 1st grade. She's holding a small nutcracker, and I think she looks as precious as can be! In the background is her stocking that my Grandma Fife knitted for her! (or crocheted.) My great grandma used to make those for all of us, and I was so thrilled to get a matching stocking for Sariah from my grandma. Now I just need to convince one of my sisters that they want to learn how to do that.

Apparently I did something, and Christmas pictures continued... Vintage edition

2008-12-17T23:56:00.000-08:00

So apparently I did something with my last post when I was centering something that centered every post on my blog. Weird. But, I have no time to fix it now. I still have presents to make, stuff to pack and a photos to resave from my blog, because I don't know how to resize them. I'm starting to think it would have been easier to just google "How to resize your pictures.." But now I'm too invested, so I'll carry on.

(I fixed the centered thing..)

Sariah in kindergarten with colored cookie dough.

Helam

My cute girls

I love Essi. She has so much exuberance for everything in life. She's such a great example. She's a nut.

Another one with Helam and Santa. Doesn't it look like they're both taking a nap?

I love babies and Santa!

My Grandma reading to my girls a few years ago. Isn't she beautiful? This is the grandma whose home we'll be visiting for Christmas! I'm so excited!

This is (I believe) my Aunt Kathy. I just seriously love this picture and I think it's one of the greatest Christmas pictures ever!

Another great Christmas picture! My aunts.. Julie and Sharla!

I love this picture. My dad is the little boy, I think that the other two are Julie and Sharla, but I can't tell which is which. I think Julie is in the igloo. Then in back this is embarrassing, but the picture is too blurry that I can't tell if it's my grandma or grandpa! (Or someone else entirely!) My dad (the little boy on your left) later built an awesome igloo like this with his kids. (Me.)

Isn't this adorable? My dad is the little boy in the red hat.

Julie, Sharla, my Dad, half of my Grandma

My dad, Sharla, Julie My grandma most likely made the dresses behind the girls.

For some reason I can't write under this next picture which is of my cousin, and my brothers, Ammon and Daniel. We loved these blocks growing up, and played with them whenever we went to my grandparents. Now my kids play with them!

Random Christmas Pictures continued...

2008-12-17T23:28:00.000-08:00

A picture I drew of my girls and Christ back when they were the age shown in this picture.

My little guy with Santa, there are a bunch of slight variations of basically the same picture. This is because I'm a mom, and I think that these are all so adorable, I can't pick a favorite of my identical pictures, and I can't bear to only save the cropped versions.

This is the first year we've been able to get Essi to willingly see Santa. I guess something about a creepy guy in a red suit wasn't doing it for her. So this year we explained that he was like a grandpa, he was offering her candy, we were offering her candy, then we went to cold hard cash. She got a dollar for this picture. Do you love how her she's still kind of leaning away from him? Right after this, she warmed right up to him and wouldn't leave him alone the rest of the night. Luckily, there weren't many kids, and this Santa was really REALLY fantastic.

Kids Corner

2008-12-12T23:05:00.000-08:00

My 3 year old to a fussing Helam in a sing-song coochie coochie coo baby talk voice:

"I'm sorry I don't have breasts for you. I'm sorry. I'm sorry I don't have breasts.." then she looks up at me and says in third person, "He really wishes Essi had breasts."

A Quick Gush..

2008-12-11T17:26:00.000-08:00

So, I'm totally in love. A simple 6 yard strip of jersey knit has brought me more joy and happiness than anything ever.

~Well, maybe I'm exaggerating a little, but it's right up there with Chocolate, Butterflies, and my right arm.~

Have you heard of "Moby Wraps?" All they are are a strip of fabric that's 5-6 yards long by 20-36 inches wide. They are A-freaking-MAZING!! So is this website that tells you how to make one yourself with lots of pictures and fabric suggestions. I can tell you how to make the wrap in one sentence. "Go buy 5 - 6 yards of fabric, cut in in half lengthwise." Viola. It's a wrap. (Well, actually, 2 wraps.) I made mine in like 2 minutes at Jo-Ann's Fabric Tuesday night.

Mine are brown, so I totally look like a Jedi wearing one, and since Tuesday, I've been wearing it constantly. (Pretty much I only take it off to sleep and shower.) It is so wonderful though, I finally feel like myself again! Over the past couple days when we've been out running errands, it's been as easy as not having a baby! (Maybe because the force is with me.) I love having his little self snuggled right next to me. I LOVE being able to use both hands. I'm loving not lugging around those blasted carrier car seats.

My back feels SO much better these past couple days since I've had this. I've been able to do dishes, laundry, and clean out a junk room. (Though my new ability to do those things should probably remain secret...) Right now I'm typing this with my little man strapped to my belly watching me type. (Earlier today I was cutting fabric and sewing.) He's happy, and I can use both hands!!

I'm convinced that this is the best thing EVER for new moms, and that they should give them out at the hospital to help prevent a myriad of problems from back pain to post-partum depression.

We went to the mall Tuesday night, and I was stopped by just about every woman there (pregnant ladies, young moms, old moms, grandmas) to ask where I got this and how it works. Everyone either wanted one or knew someone who would.

Here are the instructions for how to tie the wrap.

Anyway, thanks for letting me gush and if you've got babies or toddlers, go check out the clearance section of your favorite fabric store!!

How NOT to watch Twilight...

2008-12-03T14:57:00.000-08:00

So, I've read all the Twilight books. I was introduced to them a couple summers ago and really liked them. I'm not sure why I liked them, because I can see the same flaws in them that everyone mentions. I'm not in love with Edward, or Jacob. (Actually, DH has some of Edward's qualities, so a lot of the book(s) reminded me of him. Of course, he also has some of Napoleon Dynamite's qualities, so yeah.. moving on...) Anyway, I really like them. When I started reading them, I didn't know they were a big deal. I hid the outer cover when I was reading them at a family reunion, (making it look like a nice old classic book, and making me look intelligent for reading it. Everyone probably thought I was reading Emerson or Thoreau.. Quite impressive disguise if I do say so myself...) and when Jerrod told one of his cousins I was reading a Vampire book, I did a fantastic job of looking shocked and embarrassed and denied it completely. Then when he mentioned Werewolves, we were all having a nice laugh because of course I wouldn't really be reading a book about that. Um.. Yeah.

So when I found out they were popular, I was pretty disappointed. Really disappointed. I think I wanted to share it with my friends etc., but I didn't want the whole world to know about my Forks, Bella, Charlie, Carlisle, Esme, Alice, Emmett, Edward, and Jacob. That disappointment rapidly disappeared when I realized that because of Twilight's popularity, they were making a movie!!

So back in January, when they announced the cast members, I was telling everyone I knew about it with as much (probably more) enthusiasm as I was telling them we were pregnant. (Hey, I was sick, and that was then, now that he's here, Helam is TOTALLY better than Edward. Any day.)

So throughout the summer, I'd watch like every update on the official Twilight website, looking for updates on both the book and the movie. I didn't go to the midnight book release, but I got it the next day. I was REALLY looking forward to the movie, and to watching it with my husband. (Who was probably as excited as (if not more excited than) me to see it.)

I turned down an opportunity to get tickets to watch it on the sold out release day (He's good at making the right connections..) and wanted to postpone it until it wouldn't be so crowded, and we could go with our baby.

Thanksgiving weekend. We are at my parents house, joking about Twilight. (I like it, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy a good joke at it's expense.) Then my dad decides to show us how cool he is, and how unlike the rest of EVERYONE, he doesn't have to wait until it comes out on dvd to watch it on his computer. Without me realizing what he was doing, he spends about a half hour looking for it, finds it then tells us that Twilight was on tv. I didn't want to be rude, so I went down and was watching it with him. So, the version that he had (cough...illegally..cough...though the website says that if the owner of the copyright contacts them they'll take it down :eyesrolling: ) was made to be compatible with a computer screen. Not a 52 inch screen. It looked like a really old bad home video, like when in movies they show really old home videos that the movie characters are watching. It was horrible quality.

Add to that my movie watching companions. My dad. My 13 year old brother. My husband and baby (who admittedly would have been with me no matter where I watched it.) Not another drop of estrogen in the room. We were laughing at all the wrong parts, and I don't think it's possible to really enjoy Twilight with some guys who haven't read the book, so they don't know what's going on, and why Alice is so adorable, and any of the back story with Mike Newton. (Who was also adorable.) They just didn't get it. Then it timed out after 72 minutes, and we had to wait 54 to see the rest of it. During that time, I got upset because Jerrod was doing homework, so as a matter of principle, I had to keep fuming at him throughout the rest of the movie. The second part of the movie we watched on kitchen chairs at the table.

Anyway, my advice. Don't download free movies online. Watch Twilight in the theater. (I'm still planning to.) When you do, either watch it with your husband (who loves either Twilight, or you, or both) or a bunch of girls. Not with a bunch of vampire illiterate men.

On the bright side, right after that, we found a bunch of old school Strawberry Shortcake shows on YouTube. And as evidence that I am raising my girls correctly, they loved those SO much more than the new version.

So, did you see Twilight? Like it?

The kid has got NO taste!

2008-12-02T23:58:00.000-08:00

So since Helam was born, I've lusted after and have wanted to get him the Graco Sweetpeace Soothing Center. If you don't know what this is, it is like the Lexus of baby swings, or better. Seriously, it's the most awesome piece of baby equipment I've ever seen. The way it rocks your baby is more like how a mom rocks a baby, and there are at least 4 different ways to do it, you can use your carseat instead, it vibrates, you can plug in an mp3 player, there are a ton of cool sound settings, that actually sound really good.

So, we finally cracked, gave in, and splurged and bought one. I love it. It is everything they say it is and more. The fabric of the seat is AMAZING, when I turned on the music, I thought I was listening to a gentle relaxing classical cd. When I put my baby in it all snuggled up (he was already asleep) I was very soothed watching the hypnotic sway of the swing. I was so thrilled to have the best for my baby.

He hates it. Whenever I put him in it asleep, he'd wake up pretty soon after. If I put him in it for just a few minutes to shower or go to the bathroom, he'd cry the whole time. Even with the stinking soothing sounds on.

My baby does NOT understand how to properly be soothed.

I think he thought he was fine using mom, dad, or Sariah as a soothing center.

Anyway, we pulled out his swing we'd originally got him, from the BYUI bulletin board for a cool 20 bucks. This one is a tacky blue with fish and bubbles all over it, and a mobile that Helam is absolutely in love with. We stuck him back in there and he looked just as happy as any baby has ever looked in a swing. He seemed to think he was home at last.

While I'm disappointed that he seems to be deficient in the "knowledge of proper baby soothing" department, I'm thrilled that he's excelling in the "If you can get the same dang thing for 20 dollars instead of 190, get the freaking cheap one!" department. (Which reminds me I need to do a separate blog about Essi.. who hasn't mastered that one yet.) So, we took it back and totally got our money back. Sweet.

Thanksgiving ~ We're thankful for....

2008-11-26T13:06:00.000-08:00

I saw this on another blog, and loved it so I'm unashamedly copying them. Also, an apology to everyone who's "tagged" me.. I'll totally get on those sometime soon(ish.)

Things we're grateful/thankful for. (These are the answers that I got when I asked people in our family what they were thankful for.)

Dad
1 That I'm married to you.
2 Helam, and his splendid chubbiness.
3 Sariah, and the time I can spend writing music with her.
4 Essi, and how she's such a silly little sunshine, and how she mispronounces her plurals and tenses. (ie. saw=seeded bought = buyded)
5 That our van is paid off.
6 For the internet and technology. (Yes.. he loves technology.. But not as much as me you see... Always and forever... ha ha ha.. )
7 The Scriptures and how I feel when I read them
8 Prayer
9 My testimony.
10 The songs and music that I'm inspired to write.
Bonus: the Temple, especially the one in Rexburg.

Mom

1 Sariah. I love how excited she is to learn anything and everything.
2 Esther. How tempestuous she is. When she's happy, a sunnier disposition you could not find. But when she's mad... Whoa. I think she's inherited some of that Scottish Fife girl ~~fiery temper~~ passion. I actually really love that about her.
3 Helam. Actually, everything about his sweet soft self. I especially love how unconditionally he loves me. In his eyes I'm perfect and everything about me is just right. The love he has for me helps me love myself.
4 The fact that that what I wrote about Helam could also be written about Jerrod. (well, not the sweet soft part... He's more Edwardian.. you know.. chiseled marble.. ;) ) I'm truly blessed to have him for my husband and best friend.
5 Blogging, and especially when people comment. (Thank You!!!) It's (sadly) some of the only adult interaction I get.
6 Scriptures.
7 Our ward.
8 That our family has grown so close and that we've been able to experience so much through all our moves.
9 My brothers and sisters and sister in law and mom and dad and other extended family.
10 The Gospel of Jesus Christ and that family will extend beyond the grave.

Sariah (8)
1 Books.
2 That I get to go to my grandma's house for Thanksgiving.
3 My parents.
4 That my mom's such a great cook. (No I didn't pay her, but I'll be giving her an extra slice of pie for that one! ;) )
5 Christmas
6 Friends
7 My room
8 That my mom didn't make me go to school today.
9 All the nature
10 The trash on the ground that my mom lets me keep. (That's another blog post entirely.)
Bonus: that Jesus will come again, and for the beautiful world that Jesus made, and that I can play the piano

Essi (3)
1 Sariah loves me
2 Jesus is still alive now
3 That I have grandpa's and dad's and aunt's. (I'm assuming she means all her relatives, and I don't know what she means with the plural dad thing. ha ha!)
4 That I have a mom
5 That we have food to eat
6 Toys
7 Helam
8 That Christmas is coming
9 The dragon we got from the library
10 I love you
Bonus:
11 That I have a mouth, and that you have a mouth.
12 That we have paper towels
13 For Essi

Helam (7 weeks)
1 My soft soft soft (oh so soft) and cushioned mommy.
2 The sweet nectar that seems to flow from my mom.
3 The not so sweet nectar that comes in the formula canisters from Sam's Club.
4 My dad, especially when he changes my not so pleasant diapers, he's a pro.
5 My swing
6My mom.
7 Mobiles. But, I still can't figure out where the toys go in the time between when they dance out of my line of vision and reappear minutes later... Still working on that one.
8 That my mom lets me sleep on her, and doesn't get mad that I puke down her shirt at least once a day.
9 My doggy bed that my mom brilliantly thought would make a great co-sleeper.
10 Ummm... My mom.

What are you thankful for this year?

Kids Corner

2008-11-13T17:51:00.000-08:00

Sariah: "Today at school I was talking Pig Latin so well that someone asked if I was born in Pig Latin."

Second-Hand, First-Rate Christmas

2008-11-10T15:08:00.000-08:00

***First let me say (that even though I sound like a total and complete Scrooge in the following post) how excited I am for Christmas this year. On November 1 I realized Halloween was over, and the Christmas Season had begun. (Though it seems I was behind most shopping centers.) I know some people don't like to start it until after Thanksgiving, but for me Christmas and Thanksgiving go hand and hand. I think Thanksgiving is an integral part of Christmas and doesn't end in November. Plus, one month is definitely not long enough for Christmas music. We get to go to Utah to spend Christmas with my grandparents this year, and I'm really excited about that as well. We have lots of family down there that I'm hoping to be able to see while we're there.***

So amongst our Christmas plans, Jerrod and I were talking about how there really isn't anything we or our kids want or need this year. (Well, ~~I do really like/want~~ Helam really wants the "Sweetpeace" Newborn Soothing Center... so maybe erase the "want," and just stick with the "need this year" part..) But we still wanted to do the whole year presents under the tree for the kids thing.

So, ~~instead of wasting money on junk that the kids will forget 3 weeks after Christmas, and as a brilliant plan to stay out of Toys'R'Us as well as the snow and slush this year~~ in an effort to be fiscally responsible, and as our little part to "go green," we've decided that this year Christmas will be recycled. We have a garage full of ~~junk~~ cool stuff that has just been packed up and moved from place to place, a lot of which has not been unpacked for a year or more, or used at all, or used 1-2 times, or we've just plain old forgotten we have it. (Actually, while writing this, I just remembered a violin that we bought for Sariah 1 1/2 years ago, right before moving to Newport News that she's never gotten the opportunity to use. Guess what she's getting?) Also, we have boxes and buckets of toys that have been packed up and stored and forgotten that we already know the kids love and will love to see again. (I'll be happy to get rid of the toys I would not love to see again...) I figure if we feed them lots of sugar, and have the Christmas lights really really bright, and the music quite loud, they may not realize that these are the same presents from last year.

I know at first this idea seems somewhat ~~tacky~~ unique, but I'm actually quite excited about it. There are so many benefits, and the more I think about it, the more the idea makes sense, and the more excited I'm getting. This also gives us a great opportunity to clean through our stuff in storage. I'm so excited to get this stuff sorted and eliminated, and this way I can listen to Christmas songs while doing it, and sorting through old boxes should hold a lot of the same excitement that Christmas shopping does, with none of the money spending guilt!

***A lot of the excitement in this post is from when I initially wrote this a couple days ago, while excited to go on a date with Jerrod, and I may or may not have partaken of a beverage containing caffeine, so now editing in the light of a new day, tired and sober, some of the initial excitement has worn off.. but this is still how we're doing Christmas this year. (Though Santa may bring a couple new things for the kids and Jerrod.)***

When we were newly(er) married we had a similar Christmas. We had no money. Seriously, none. I'm guessing less than 100 in the bank and an unpaid electric bill. I'm pretty sure everything that was actually purchased by us that year came from the dollar store or was really really cheap to order from the the Distribution Center. (Their free pamphlets and booklets.)

Anyway, when we got married, Jerrod's mom brought a bunch of suitcases and boxes of Jerrod's stuff that he'd left at home for him. After 2 years, he'd still not gone through it. So that Christmas, I went through it, and among the ~~old love notes, and papers detailing (exaggerating) the beauty and virtues of previous girlfriends~~ mission journals, and his old comic villain drawings (which were actually pretty good) there was all sorts of interesting stuff. So that year for Christmas, he got his old baseball card collection he hadn't seen in years, some old Opera videos, mission pictures, his old high school letter stuff, and for the life of me I can't remember what else. Yeah, he'd seen it all before, but he got all teary eyed, and loved it. It also made the underside of our tree look quite nice with all that stuff wrapped up. It was a very sweet Christmas.

My little treats...

2008-10-31T14:25:00.000-07:00

All these pictures are basically the same, but I love the progression of the pictures. Especially poor Helam. He started out great, and the first picture is actually the best.

Still good, but starting to scrunch, and you can't see his shirt...

So done. I love Sariah's and Essi's face in this one. Sariah's still trying to smile, Essi's wondering what the heck we're doing still trying to get pictures.

Helam's done, Essi's done, Sariah's still trying..

Okay, last shot.. The girls did great. Poor Helam.

2 week update

2008-10-23T23:02:00.000-07:00

Well, on the lighter side, my little man is just over two weeks now. On Monday at his check-up he was up to 10 lbs 4 oz. He's my hungry little piggy.

(Also, he may have been a little constipated, so that may have added a bit. Later that night he'd have been nowhere close.)

On the diapering subject,

(I love how when parents have a baby it's totally okay to talk about poop and puke, and we think it's all cute calling it "presents" and "spit-up" etc. I don't get why it's okay, but that doesn't stop me from doing it, and now I'm blogging about it. If he were any older he'd be mortified. Actually, I take that back, my three year old would be delighted to share all her details. Anyway..)

I have to brag about how blessed I've been in this area. I have not had to change 1 poopy diaper since Sunday the 11th.

(But that one was a doozy and it was my first little boy with a pistol, on a changing table at church, pee all over the stall, other stuff coming out faster than I could grab wipes, while trying to shield the waterworks extravaganza. I did clean up any mess, and I sensibly stayed home the next week. Luckily, I did have another outfit (for him) a lesson I learned from my cousin over 8 years ago when we ran into her at the mall for her little ones first pictures. They ended up being really cute naked or diaper baby pictures, but I learned my lesson, so there's a tip for you.)

Anyway, yeah. Jerrod has gotten that privilege. Somehow little man knows how to time it to spare momma that unpleasant task. So actually, I've been double blessed, a baby with great timing, and a husband awesome enough to change diapers! Or maybe he's only so willing because that's the only time I'll let him hold the baby! haha.. kidding.. slightly...

(Now that I've admitted that though, I'll probably get like 5 in a row while he's in class.)

Jerrod's been incredibly awesome throughout all of this. He's totally kept the house from falling apart. I've maybe unloaded the dishwasher once since Helam was born, also not many times the month before. He keeps telling me not to worry about it, and just to enjoy my baby. How sweet is that? He's also helped Sariah with homework, and has gotten the girls breakfast for them for the past two weeks.

(Actually, I think it's all part of a big conspiracy. He wants to have more kids. Lots more. I think he's hoping I'll love these newborn days so much that I'll forget what pregnancy and labor is like, and I'll willingly consent to more. There's a reason that Essi is almost 4 years older than Helam, and I still wasn't ready to get pregnant when we found out I was with Helam. Don't tell Jerrod, but it's kind of working. So, it's either that or he's just a truly wonderful husband, or maybe a combination. But he really is wonderful. Thanks Babe.)

Well that wasn't much of an update, and I'm not even posting more pictures yet. I know. Lame. I just don't want to go get the camera right now, I'm still holding my sleeping baby. But, I will post some, soon.

Thank you to everyone who has sent well wishes, posted comments, and everything else. Sorry I haven't been able to thank you all individually. But, thank you. It means so much to me.

Now while he's still asleep, I need to decide whether to...

A) Sleep. I'll need it as he's always up between 11:00 and 3:30.

B) Shower. I stink like baby barf, and it's been a while.

C) Wash his quilt. It, and his other boy blanket are covered in aforementioned baby barf, and he's currently wrapped up in his sister's fuzzy pink blanket.

D) Dang-it. None of the above. He just woke up while typing out C for his previously mentioned in A routine.

(Oh, and to you who won the predictions contest, you'll get your prizes before my next baby I promise. If you know who you are (by looking at the comment page) and you don't live locally, please email me your address.)

Babymoon...

2008-10-23T22:19:00.000-07:00

I don't usually do mushy posts, but I'm in love, and it's still so new and exciting, that I'm going to indulge myself.

He's in my favorite position right now with his little arms folded beneath him while he sleeps on my chest, with my cheek on his head. I love his contented coos, his little delicate puffs of breath, and his little shuddering sighs. I frequently find myself with teary eyes wishing there was some way to forever preserve every detail of him at this perfect age. I love each tiny wrinkle, each delicate eyelash, his tiny little fingers, his oh-so-soft cheeks, and silky hair. He does a little kissy lip thing when he breaks from eating, and this adorable happy, full of gratitude, life is wonderful, pursed, but stretched lips smile that could make me do anything. I'd love to see that every day for the rest of my life. I love his little newborn cry, and how immediately it turns to contentment when he gets back to mom. I love his helpless snuggling and how wonderful it is to fall asleep with a sleeping baby snuggled close.

I'm convinced that the unconditional love for and from a fragile newborn is a gift and perhaps a glimmer of the love of our Father in Heaven, and our Savior. It also makes me wonder about our mother there, and the love she must have for us. I feel so truly humbled, and so full of gratitude to have this little blessing and tender mercy in my life. Though it's passing too quickly, and as fleeting as it is, I love the blessing of being able to share this season of our lives together.

Welcome Helam!

2008-10-08T13:59:00.000-07:00

Helam joined our family at 12:48 pm MST. He was born at home (assisted by midwives who were gold) after 7 hrs and 20 minutes of active labor. He was 9 lbs, 11 oz. Head and chest measured 15 inches, and he was 21 1/2 inches long. He's so perfect, and we're so happy to have him here. (Though I wish he'd do most of his sleeping from 2-8 am instead of pm..)

A cool little thing about his birthday is that I predicted the 7th about a week before he was born (though I really REALLY wanted it to be earlier.) All of the members of our family have our birthday's on the same weekday every year. So this year, all of our birthday's are on a Tuesday, next year, we'll all have birthdays on Wednesday. So, now his birthday fits in with our family. Odd huh?

Now for the pictures.

Not even 2 hours old.

Dad and the girls.

Does dad look tired? He is.

Already a thumb-sucker. Heaven help us.

Our homebirth story

2008-10-07T22:34:00.000-07:00

(This was written over the course of many days, so if it says "this morning" or "yesterday" or whatever, that's why. Then I backdated the posting time, so it wouldn't be the top post until I decide I want to post again.)

The Prize

Stats again, October 7th, 12:48 pm 9 lbs 11 oz, 21 1/2 long 15 inch head and chest.

We had Helam at home assisted by midwives who were absolutely amazing!! I'd been having prodromal (pre labor) labor for over a week and a half, every night thinking that the baby would be on his way soon. The day before, I was so incredibly unbelievably cranky, so I hoped that meant that he'd come soon.

The morning of the 7th, around 5:30 Essi climbed into bed with us, I felt something pop, and went to the bathroom and had bloody show. Immediately I was having contractions 4 minutes apart, so I was in active labor, but early active labor. I snuggled on the couch with Essi and timed them for about a half hour, then I called to Jerrod and told him I thought I was in labor for real this time, then Sariah woke up and we told her that the baby would probably be there today or the next. We called a sister in our ward (an angel, actually, it was her birthday too, but we didn't know that until afterward) to watch our kids, and she came and got them just as the midwives arrived (around 7ish.. I think.) They took my stats (blood pressure, pulse, baby's heartrate, etc. and I got in the tub.

Things progressed fast, so we thought. They were sure I was in transition around 9:00-9:30. I was kind of happy because I thought I was going to have a really quick labor. Around that time I remember asking if she thought we'd have him before noon, and she seemed to think that he'd definitely be here by then, and probably within the hour. Up until transition, things were pretty good. Not comfortable, but manageable. During "transition," things started hurting a lot more than they had and I remember with each contraction getting really upset at myself, and at labor because I wasn't feeling the "urge to push" which is supposed to come at the end of transition, which is supposed to be the shortest part of labor.

Then I went through a few more hours of transition, and I think those may have been the worst of my life. I kept trying to relax through the contractions, and surrender to the "waves." I didn't do so well with that. lol. I remember thinking (during a contraction) of some(guy) author's words that labor didn't hurt, it was just the anticipation of pain yadda yadda yadda that made it seem like it hurt. I'd like to toss a fork at him. I'm very grateful my kids were not in the house, as we'd originally planned. (They were just going to be in another room with Aunt Trista.) Normally, I'm so not a screamer, and I have a really high pain tolerance, but I was screaming worse than anything you'd see on a horror movie in the middle of each contraction. I'm really embarrassed about how much I screamed. I also sounded like a cow a few times. Luckily we're surrounded by a cow pasture, so they probably just thought it was one of their own. ( A lot of them have been having calves lately, but I've never heard them, I think they handled it better than I did.) There's also an elementary school pretty close, and I'm hoping those poor kids at recess didn't hear me. I think I'd make a horrible scientologist. (Aren't they supposed to stay silent the whole time?) I probably scarred my baby for life. Anyway, it was pretty horrible. I have no idea what would have happened if I were screaming like that in a hospital. I probably would have never gotten to that point, as I would have begged for drugs, and an epidural, and or general anesthesia before we got to that point. But, let's pretend I didn't, and some poor girl was coming in to be induced to have her first baby and heard me. That would have been pretty traumatic. lol.

During labor, I loved being able to move around as I wished. Throughout the process, I was on the bed for a while, (biting my pillow snarling like a feral rabid beast) standing up in the bathroom a while, doing squats through the contractions, sitting backwards on the toilet, and in the tub (I'm grateful we have a big jetted one here) for a while. It was really amazing because I really felt like at each point, I absolutely had to be where I was at each different part of labor, and I loved being able to move around like that, I can't imagine any part of labor being done in a different location than I was at when I did it. So that was awesome, and one of the things I liked about birthing at home.

Jerrod was amazing throughout the whole thing. Completely awesome. I felt so bad, because I yelled at him quite a lot during those hours. Almost every time he'd talk, I'd tell him to shut up, I'd start a contraction then yell, "Don't touch me!!" followed by, "Why aren't you pushing on my back?! Touch me Jerrod, touch me!!" Then if he'd move his hands in slightly the wrong way, I'd yell like he was completely insane, "What are you DOING?!?" Then my contraction would stop, and I'd start blubbering apologies, telling him how sorry I was, and that I shouldn't yell at him. I remember mentioning a vasectomy being a really good idea as well. Then, he needed to pee, and poor guy, that just was NOT an option. He'd whisper, "Hon, I need to go to the bathroom." I'd reply in despair, "You can't!!" or "Too bad, hold it." The midwives thought it was funny, because they've heard that at many many births. Finally, one of them took over rubbing my back for maybe 20 seconds, so he could go, and it wasn't a big deal at all, and I'm really grateful they found a way to let him go, because it was still a couple hours after that before Helam came.

My midwives were absolute gold, and were able to help walk me through the contractions, gently suggesting through each one that I relax my hips, and bottom, and stomach and vaginal area, and think of it opening up, and helping me breath through the contractions instead of scream through them. They were amazing. I can't even describe how much it helped to have them there helping me like that. At that point I was sitting on the toilet seat backwards. I was there for probably at least an hour, I was backwards, and Jerrod was on a chair behind me supporting me.

After being on the toilet for a while, I wanted to get back in the tub. They drained a lot of it, and filled it so it would be the right temperature again, I got back in and about 1-2 contractions later, my water broke again or something. (It had broke earlier I'd thought, and they say it's normal for there to be two, or that before was my fore waters or something.) There was a pop, then I felt a gush of fluid go between my legs, even though I was in the tub. Then maybe one contraction later, I felt the baby's head shoot through some opening, on it's own, into my vaginal area. That was one of the best feelings EVER!! I knew what it was, and that I was almost done! I could have sang!! The midwives weren't aware it was there, and were continuing to say "relax your legs, relax your bottom." I was thinking, "No way! This baby is coming OUT!!" lol Jerrod saw me smile at this point and wondered what was going on. So I started pushing him out. They saw I wasn't relaxing but didn't realize I was pushing, and said to relax, I finally said, "he's coming," and put my hand on his head, that was already partway out. (I didn't want to tell them before because I didn't want them to yell at me to push (like in each of my hospital births.) I also didn't want them to tell me not to push.) When they saw the head, everyone was quite surprised and excited. They suggested I push slowly, and not let him rush out, to prevent tearing. (Can I just say how much I loved that?!? Both times in the hospital, they were yelling at me to push like if I didn't hurry and push the baby out, it would die or something. Then they'd always cut me. I've always hated that part.)

So I was slowly and gently pushing him out not during a contraction, and Jerrod was feeling his face, I remember him saying, the nose is almost out, I can feel the mouth, etc. That was neat. I pushed the head out, they checked for a cord around the neck, it wasn't there, and then they said all I needed to do was push the shoulders out. I was kind of expecting them to just fall out after the head. I did a practice push, realized it would take a little more than I wanted to do, and asked if I could switch to my hands and knees. They said yes, so with baby's head out, and body inside, I went from my back to my hands and knees in the bathtub. DH said they were quite impressed that I wanted to do that, and that I could do that. He also said it was very interesting and funny when I turned because all the sudden, the baby was facing up so there's my backside, with a chubby little face sticking out. That strikes me as really funny for some reason. Once I was on my hands and knees, it was one push and his shoulders, and the rest of his body slid out, into Jerrod's hands. They were saying how great he was, I was just thrilled to finally be done. I rolled back over, and took my sweet sweet baby. This was our biggest baby ever, and my first with no tearing or cuts! (Also the only one that came early, and I wasn't induced with.) The total pushing time was only 3 minutes or less, so that was awesome.

A few minutes later, the placenta came out, they cut the cord, yadda yadda, and it was done. His apgars were 10 and 10, he was doing so great. He was all pink and perfect, doing everything he should!

Then it was done! It was so normal, it was weird. I remember saying to Jerrod, "We just had a homebirth." It seemed so weird to me that it was over, and though I didn't expect anything to go wrong, it just seemed strange how natural it all seemed. But, I'm still kind of having a hard time realizing that this huge event is over. Going to the hospital to have a baby seems like such a grand event, and it divides things nicely into a before, during, and after. So in the past, I'd go to the hospital and come out with a baby, this time I went to the bathroom, and came out with a baby, so that is different, and a little weird to wrap my head around, but nice.

After the delivery, it looked like I was losing more blood than the midwives wanted me to, so they had some stuff they gave to fix that, and then I was fine. Then we rinsed me and the baby off, (clean-up was so easy, all the mess was in the tub.) and went and snuggled in our bed. I was so thrilled to have our little guy, and to not be pregnant anymore. (For a while I wasn't sure which I was happier about.)

Anyway, it was perfect. I loved a lot of doing it in a homebirth setting. During labor and right after, I figured if I ever did it again, it would only be under general anesthesia, but a day later, it seems as though it was totally doable. It was amazing. Oh, and if you've actually read this whole thing, you're amazing too! lol! Now, almost a week later, and with Helam already growing too fast, I'm wondering how soon we can do it again. (Someone please remind me how horrible pregnancy and labor is/was, because this little guy is making me think it was all worth it.)

Things that I really liked about midwives, and having him at home:
No vaginal exams. (Unless I wanted them, and um, I didn't.)
No stirrups.
No iv.
Not being stuck in a bed.
No monitors, except the midwives checking his heartrate when they needed to.
Not having to drive to the hospital in labor. (I cannot even imagine having to do that, (with my others I was induced,) and I have so much admiration and/or sympathy for women who have done that.)
Being able (and encouraged) to drink during labor. (Even being offered food, but that idea was laughable.)
No catheter.

This was such a neat experience for us. Since this birth, my mind has been focused a lot on the Atonement. It really feels like the whole labor process is so intertwined with the Atonement, and this experience has deepened my appreciation for that. I remember at times the utter reliance I felt, and I feel like there is still so much there to ponder.

Predictions...

2008-09-29T11:10:00.000-07:00

So, I'm still pregnant. I think I will be forever. Or for at least another 2-4 weeks. It shouldn't be a big deal, as I'm not actually due until the 11th. (Also, Saturday night I had the worst contraction, and it hurt so bad I'm kind of happy to leave him in here until next March, to avoid that kind of pain again.)

But, I kind of need to get him out.

1- I'm bigger than I've ever been in my life. (Well, it feels that way, but I did actually weigh more at the end (2 weeks overdue) with Essi. But, I started this pregnancy 20+ lbs lighter, so it feels like more.)

2- I really want to meet this little guy.

3- Heartburn sucks. There's no other way around it.

4- He's felt like he was going to fall out since early June.

5- I had a dream (back in July) that seemed very real, and was similar to a previous experience that turned out to be real, telling me that this little guy would come sometime between the 22-29. (Of I assumed September. If my dream meant October, I think I'd like an epidural now just to get me to the 29th of October.)

6- Everyday he's in there, he's getting bigger. The bigger he gets, the bigger his head gets, and guess who gets to push that thing out...

Anyway, I thought it would be fun to let you vote on this.. When would be the best time for this guy to come? What are your predictions? Whoever guesses the closest wins!

So, please vote. Even if you are a lurker, or if you've never commented, please do.

1~When will he come? (Date and time.)

***If you are closest you will win Either a cheap calendar or a cheap watch. (Think dollar store.)

2~How big will he be?

***You'll win a Big Hunk candy bar. (If they still make those.)

3~How long will labor be?

***You'll win a Magic Eraser.

***disclaimer*** It may be a month or longer before you get your prize. Also, only people in the states will be mailed a prize. (the 48 states...)

Some random facts to help you make your decision

*With both previous babies, I've been induced.

*Sariah on her due date, and Esther 2 weeks late.

*Sariah's labor was 24 1/2 hours on pitocin with an epidural.

*Essi's labor was 6 hours with pitocin with an epidural that did not work at all. (I'm still wondering where it all went..)

*This time we will not be being induced. (So, no pitocin speeding things up, or helping things along.) Unless there's some sort of major medical emergency, this will be a 100% au natural birth.

*Sariah was 9 lbs.

*Esther was 9 lbs 5 oz.

*I was 9 lbs 5 oz.

*There is the forementioned dream with the dates predicting the 22-29.

Anyway, so vote away!

Babies and Roses

2008-09-23T19:08:00.000-07:00

"What's in a name?" asks Juliet, who continues with, "That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet."

As we've been considering baby names, I've come to fully and 100% agree with Anne (with an "E") Shirley's thoughts,

"I read in a book once that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, but I've never been able to believe it. I don't believe a rose WOULD be as nice if it was called a thistle or a skunk cabbage."

But, I'm also wondering if the diaper of a Horace/Eustace/Herman/Melvin would smell any different than the diaper of a Aiden/Caden/Braden/Haden/Jaden/Raiden..

Also, I've decided it's a lot harder to pick a boy's name than a girl's name. It seems like no matter what the girls name, the girl can make it her own. (Apple?) But, with some boy names, you really can only do so much, or a bunch of other boys have the name, or for a lot of really great boy names, they've morphed into girl names. I'd feel so bad giving my boy a name, and him coming home from school telling me that he has five other kids in class with the same name, and they're all girls. Poor guy. So, then you have to start making up names, or going with really weird stuff. Anyway, off that soapbox.

Over the course of our baby name discussions, we've had several suggestions that were funny to me.

The first one came from my husband, a few minutes after we found out we were pregnant.

Jerrod: If it's a boy, we could name him Jacob, and then for a middle name we could name him after my dad, and use Edward.
Me: You are suggesting that we name our baby Jacob Edward?" Then I started laughing. He didn't get what was so funny. Then I told him we can't because millions of obsessed Twilight fans would be using the same two names for the next 5 years.

Then, after reading from the Book of Mormon one day, Sariah comes out, and says, "I really, REALLY wish that Kishkumen was a good guy, because he has SUCH a COOL name!" I just laughed as I imagined raising a son named Kishkumen.

Other names that have been suggested by my children (for a boy) in all seriousness are;

From Essi we have Rainbow Brite, Ace, and Prince Charming.

Some of Sariah's contributions are, Crusader, Destroyer, Skywalker, Jedi, (which I actually kind of like..) and Anakin.

There were a lot more, but I don't remember them.

So, what will our little guy be named? Well we have finally settled on what he will be named, (Unless it changes... lol.) but it's remaining a secret. Mainly because if someone doesn't like the name, I want it to be his name before they have a chance to warn me not to use it, then if they don't like it, the only two options are to either be rude and tell us they don't like the name we've given our precious child, or keep their comments to themselves. (Which really are the same options that they had before, it's just some people don't see it that way.)

A clue for those who do want to know or guess, both the first and middle name can be found in the book of Mosiah. If you already know or have been told one of the names, you don't get to guess.

Also, comment and tell me what you love or hate about your name, people with names that have given them grief, or just funny name stories.

Sariah's baptism

2008-09-23T17:41:00.000-07:00

Sariah got baptized on September 13, 2008. She was baptized in the Blackfoot Northwest Stake Center. Normally there are a bunch of kids baptized the same day and in one meeting, but because we were in the middle of moving, we were lucky enough that they made an exception for us, and Sariah got her own private baptism. The only people who were there were our family, my parents and most of my brothers and sisters, and my Grandma and Grandpa Fife, Brother Packer who presided, and Sister Lot who played the piano. So, it was really small and intimate. Trista gave a talk, then Sariah was baptized, and then while she was changing back into dry clothes, everyone there wrote little notes with their testimonies, or thoughts for Sariah, that we will put together in a book for her. Then she got confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and after her confirmation, she got the opportunity to speak, and bear her own little testimony. It was so nice, and I can't imagine it going better.

Here's a link for more baptism pictures.

Family update and travelogue

2008-09-23T17:00:00.000-07:00

Well, we're back in Idaho. Everything with our move went incredibly smooth. I feel like we were being blessed every step of the way. I was able to get enough of our apartment packed myself before Jerrod was done with work on August 30, that we were able to move out on Sept. 1, as we'd hoped. That was a pretty big miracle in and of itself. I'm still so grateful that that part is over!

Our trip went as good as any cross country trip could go at 8+ months pregnant. Things went really well. (My only problem was that my ankles swelled to about 3 times their normal size. It was SO crazy to look at them.) We were able to take a detour that allowed us to see Jerrod's biological father and grandparents for the first time since we've been married, and they got to meet the kids. It was a really nice trip. I was a little sulky about the whole thing, because I was thinking it was going to add 5 hours to our trip. After feeling sorry for myself for a while because I didn't want the drive, and I didn't want to meet people for the first time as huge as I currently am, I felt good about the trip. Then my angel sister, who just got back from her mission, called and said that she was going to Utah, and could pick up our other car (that Jerrod's co-workers drove there so Jerrod and I could drive home in the same vehicle (another huge blessing..) and drive it back to Idaho! That was SO awesome for us, and it ended up making our trip the same distance, or possibly an hour shorter than it would have been without the detour. :) It was great. It was nice visiting with Jerrod's "other" family. The children's great grandparents were delighted by our kids (which made me like them.. Basically, if you like my kids, I like you. lol.) and they spoiled them with presents and lots of candy. I think these were some of the first people that I've seen gush over my kids to the extent that Jerrod and I do! So that was fun.

Jerrod, Grandma June, Sariah, Grandpa Larry, Esther

Sariah, Grandpa Don, Esther

Also, our detour through Chadron allowed us to see what we thought was the best road sign ever, so we turned around and took a picture of it.

A while later, we saw one better, but I told Jerrod that he'd better not go take a picture of it, because I wanted to get home. Luckily google images provided a picture!

Then when we got to Idaho, everything worked out perfect for us to move into our house immediately, and with my dad's help, and a fantastic husband, we got all our stuff moved from our storage unit and to our home in one day!! I was expecting that to take at least several trips over the course of the month. So, that was another HUGE blessing.

Then with a bunch of other stuff, everything went more perfect than we could have possibly planned. We were able to get Jerrod enrolled in school, and Sariah's baptism planned and done better than I'd hoped. (I'll do another blog with pictures from that..) I met my midwives that I'd talked to on the phone throughout my pregnancy, and I absolutely LOVE them! I'm so excited that we'd decided to go with them, I'd felt good about it before, but after meeting them, I'm just thrilled. The only thing that would be better is if our baby would come. But, actually, I think he's waiting for us to buy him a carseat, so hopefully, this week that should happen.

So anyway, we're doing really really good. We're settled in, we have a fabulous ward, possibly our favorite that we've ever been in. (It seems like we say that everytime we get in a new ward though.)

Belly pictures...

2008-09-16T17:31:00.000-07:00

Here are what will probably be the last belly pictures this pregnancy. These were taken at 36 1/2 weeks. I am so excited for this pregnancy to be over and to meet our little guy. Also, a disclaimer incase any of you see me in real life. I made my daughter take like 20 pictures of me. I picked the two where I look the smallest to post on here. I'll keep the others for posterity, or just to hopefully guilt the little guy later.. Whatever, but I'd just hate for you to get the wrong idea and say I look small on here, and then be speechless and embarrassed in real life. In real life, I'm huge. Really really huge. Huge in a way that makes me look really tiny to myself in these pictures. Fair warning.

I thought I did a pretty good job looking serene in these pictures. I was going for the "Oh I'm so blessed to have this wonderful blessing inside of me, and I'm not hating every second of it." look. Between pictures, I was growling at my kids to "stand here, not there, don't get in the picture, hold the camera the other way, oh, ow, another stupid contraction, Essi, keep your pants on, we have to leave soon." Then, like a mother who's voice changes when the phone rings in the middle of yelling at her kids, I'd put on my serene face. I think it turned out quite well.

Oh, and I'm kind of ticked because yesterday, I ripped a hole in these pants. They were probably my favorite maternity pants ever. So, this baby really had better come soon, I've only got one (ugly) pair of maternity pants now!

Some time away..

2008-08-27T12:00:00.000-07:00

This may be my last post for a while, or it may not. I'm not sure when our internet here will actually be cut off, or how much time I'll have before we actually move.

We're finally packing up, and just about finished with the summer! This is the last week for Jerrod, (YAY!!) and we're hoping to be heading back to Idaho on Monday! That's if I actually get packed this week while Jerrod is gone working. Unfortunately, either our baby or my body seems to have other plans for me, so the packing is slow going.

This summer has been good for us. Though not quite as good as we'd hoped, but we should have sufficient for our needs while Jerrod's back in school this year, so that is a huge blessing. We're really hoping this is our last summer doing this job, but we've hoped that several times, so we'll see.

So hopefully next Monday, we'll load up our van to start our trek west. Once we get to Idaho I have a way too long to do list, and way too little time to accomplish everything that needs to be done. We're hoping to arrive back by the 6th. My due date is one month 4 days later. After getting to Idaho we still need to~

*Get a locksmith to let us into our storage unit. (Thanks hun for putting that key "somewhere safe..")
*Get the key, and move into our new place.
*Set up utilities, and internet.
*Set up the kids bed, possibly buy new mattresses..
*Buy a bed for mom and dad.
*Get rid of as much stuff from our storage unit as possible, so we never have to move it again.
*Meet with our Idaho midwife (for the first time.) and then subsequent weekly visits.
*Buy everything needed for a new baby, as we'd just gotten rid of our baby stuff a couple months before finding out another was on it's way. I don't even remember what all you need? Diapers, wipes, onesies? (We do have a crib and some clothes..)
*Plan and arrange everything for Sariah's baptism on the 13th of September. (Everyone's invited. It's at my parent's stake center. If you need more information, give me a call.)
*Get her special baptism gifts.
*Get Jerrod started in school, and his new job.
*Get enough groceries to make and freeze as many meals as possible before the baby comes.
*Get the house clean.

So, as you can see, by the end of September, we'll be completely out of energy and money.

Luckily, my babies (and my body) in the past haven't been ready for early arrivals. (Sariah was induced early, Essi was induced 2 weeks late.) So, hopefully this baby waits to come. (I can't believe I just said that! I've been ready for this baby to come since I found out he was going to back in February. It's not been a pretty pregnancy.)

So.. Half of me (Probably my physical half.) is hoping that this little man makes his debut in time to become a Virgo rather than a Libra, or worse, a Scorpio. (A Virgo would have him a little more than 2 weeks early, Scorpio would have him a little less than 2 weeks late..) I don't really care what his sign is, I'm just anxious to be able to walk again, sleep on my stomach, and feel like my body is mine again. (Though I'm expecting that to take a while after the baby.) The other half (the half that's read about preterm risks, and the other logical parts of me, so maybe not quite half...) thinks it would be great to wait. Then I'll have more time to finish my to do list.

So, I'd love your well wishes and prayers. Also, a word of advice. Never move within 5 months before or after having a baby. It stinks.

Childhood Dream Come True!

2008-08-23T19:21:00.000-07:00

Peaches 'n Cream. Barbie.

Can I just say that I've wanted one of these since I was like 5. I thought "Peaches n Cream" Barbie was the best. I loved her dreamy peach dress, and her shimmery bodice, and the cool versatile stole, that you can use in 8 (at least) different ways, her big mother of a ring, and matching earrings. The girls who had peaches n cream barbie were THE coolest. I think my grandma had this one, or maybe my cool cousins. Or I could have just dreamed it. Anyway, she was always my favorite.

Tonight my wonderful husband brought me home a Peaches n Cream Barbie. He got it from a man he worked with, his wife (now deceased) collected Barbies. He told Jerrod to grab one for both of his girls, but he being the sweet husband that he is, got one for me instead! (And I, still having that 6 year old girl inside of me, really don't plan on letting my kids play with her.) It is still in the box unopened. I can't decide whether to keep it unopened, or get her out, and show the girls how cool she is. But, If I let them play with her, it'll only take about 10 minutes for her to be naked and headless.

So, should I play with her, or keep her in the box and worship her?

Oh, and does anyone have a vintage Optimus Prime laying around that I can get for Jerrod? LOL!

Trista ~ Willkommen daheim in den Staaten!!!

2008-08-20T16:59:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow my sweet sister returns from her 18 month mission in Austria/Germany! I'm so excited to see her again! (But, totally bummed that for me it won't be for another 3 weeks or so, even though she has a layover at the airport SO close to my house!!) Anyway, welcome home Trista!!

***That's what my title is basically supposed to say, Welcome home to the States.. But, I'm not entirely sure if my translation is anywhere near correct. That's just what the German/English translation gave me. But, I wouldn't go around saying it just in case.

Well this just ticks me off. Okay... sort of.

2008-08-15T17:06:00.000-07:00

At the same time, it really just sort of makes me laugh. Hard.

~From Mosiah Chapter 4~

"16...ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish."

"17 Perhaps thou shalt say: The man has brought upon himself his misery; therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto him of my food, nor impart unto him of my substance that he may not suffer, for his punishments are just—"

"19 For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind?"

So, a few weeks ago, we'd gone out to dinner as a family, and were feeling quite blessed. As we got to the stoplight at the end of the exit ramp (heading home) there was a homeless man on the corner with a cardboard sign, saying he was a veteran, he was homeless and hungry, and would work for food. As we didn't have food to give him, (which is what we normally try to do, so the money doesn't get spent on alcohol or something.. I know, judgemental..) we decided to give him money. He looked like he hadn't had a shower for a long while, he had a long beard, and to make the scene even more tragic, he had a tracheotomy. Jerrod was feeling somewhat generous, so handed him a larger bill. (Well, more than a couple ones, and less than 20.) He thanked us through the hole in his neck, I teared up (I'm pregnant. I do that a lot.) and we were on our way. I wished we could do more for the guy, but drove away feeling good in a "offer up your substance for are we not all beggars" kind of way.

So fast forward. Jerrod was getting home from work one night, and saw a guy looking a lot like this same guy coming into our luxury gated apartment complex. (Not bragging, his company's paying for it, and apparently the apartment's advertising committee and I have differing views on luxury. But, they are still pretty nice, and cost more than what they're worth.) So he sees this guy coming in, and wonders if he's sneaking in or something. Then as he's talking to a couple guys in his office, he finds out that there is an apartment here where 4 of those guys are roommates. They pool their money together, and work the corner in shifts! Mr. Tracheotomy is one of them. They were telling Jerrod's co-workers that they're upset if they don't make 30 bucks an hour! (So, I guess if things don't work out with Jerrod's job, it's good to know we've got a fall-back. I bet with his winning smile, and rugged good looks, he could make more. Especially with women in their 40's-60's, they love him. But that's another blog post entirely.)

Half of me is thinking, "Grrr." The other half is laughing hysterically. I guess it's just my gullibility, and my tendency to think that everything is just as it's portrayed. I like to think the most innocent thoughts possible about everyone. Jerrod often laughs at me for doing this. (For example, he assures me that it's highly unlikely that ABC's Bachelors and Bachelorettes are just staying up all night eating Oreo's and playing Scrabble in the Fantasy Suites. I no longer know what to think, though come to think of it, I've never seen an Oreo package or a Scrabble board, but who knows what they can do with all this fancy schmancy video editing these days. I also have a hard time believing that married movie stars are kissing "for real" other people on screen. I always try to see how it's staged. After seeing some nasty tongue on screen while super sleuthing, I've had to concede on that one. Ga-RoSS!!) So anyway, I of course thought this poor man really was homeless. I felt so bad for him, I was wondering where the closest homeless shelter was, and if he'd really have enough for some meals, etc. etc. I am glad to find out however that he did indeed have somewhere to sleep that night. (Rolling eyes.) I just hadn't realized how close it would be to us, we could have given him a ride home.

So, what I've learned from this is that I'm far too gullible. So if anyone has some nice Arizona oceanfront, apparently I'm in the market.

I do feel that King Benjamin was on to something, and I would do the same thing over again. I know that in so many ways, I too am a beggar, and I'm grateful that the Lord sees fit to shower his mercies and blessings continually upon me. Truly.

But still.

Retraction

2008-08-13T16:37:00.000-07:00

A retraction is a public statement, either in print, or by verbal statement that is made to correct a previously made statement that was incorrect, invalid, or in error. The intent of a public retraction is to correct any incorrect information.

The term retraction carries stronger connotation than the term correction. An alteration that changes the main point of the original statement is generally referred to as a retraction while an alteration that leaves the main point of a statement intact is usually referred to simply as a correction.

Anyway, all that stuff I was saying about how fantastic my kids are/were... Um, yeah. Forget it. They're just like everyone else's. Sometimes they are fantastic, and I was sort of starting to like it and get used to it... Other days, um, yeah. How long until I can justify sending them to bed? And HOW does a bedroom get so messy just 2 days after I helped completely clean it?!?

Happy Birthday Sariah!!

2008-08-11T18:23:00.000-07:00

Eight years ago, on August 12, 2000, at 7:27 am, (after 24 1/2 hours of labor) you joined our family. Ever since that first moment of birth we've been amazed at this "old soul" who'd joined our family. You've always been our little grown up, right after birth, instead of crying, but still fully aware, you just kind of grunted your hello to us. Even as a baby, you'd sit quietly during Sacrament meeting, would let me spend hours doing your hair, started sleeping through the night very early on, and your favorite music was "Rejoice Greatly" from Handel's Messiah.

You've continued to be a very easy kid to take care of. Sometimes I feel like you're more of a parent to me, reminding me to do what we both know is right.

I'm so excited for you that you are turning 8!!! You are such an amazing kid! There are so many things I love about you, and so many ways you impress, and inspire me every day.

I LOVE...

*That you hate Hannah Montana!

*That you love bugs and slime as much as you love princess dresses and dancing.

*How you are such a great big sister to Essi, you're so patient with her, and you do such a great job in including her in everything. She's lucky to have you for a big sister, and she's right to adore you.

*How you always want to do the right thing. I love how even if there's something you'd rather do, you'll choose what you know is right, without needing any reasons other than you know it's right.

*That you willingly do chores, and jobs around the house.

*That you're a little bookworm and that you consider books friends.

*That you can read books way beyond your years, and understand them and discuss them.

*That you've got great taste in music!

*That you try to obey even when you sometimes don't want to.

*That you go to bed when I tell you to.

*How you share your stuff with Essi.

*That you'll read Essi stories.

*How you'll "mother" Essi when I'm not around, or even if I just need a nap.

*How you're always inventing things.

*All your "crafts."

*How great of an artist you are.

*How you love to learn anything new.

*How excited you are every time you discover or learn something.

*How you always want to make presents or art for people.

*Your ideas to make money.

*Your ideas to "go green."

*Your missionary ideas, and how you encourage mom and dad to do more.

*How you try to see the best in people.

*How quick you are to forgive.

*How you'll seem so grown up and mature one minute, and then remind me that you are still a sweet innocent loving little girl the next.

*How you make me want to be a better person, and a better mom.

*How your thinking and ideals are far beyond those of most 8 year olds. You want to change the world, and I believe you will, one person at a time, just by being yourself.

Thank you for being our daughter. We love you so much, and we're so proud of you. We're so lucky to have you as part of our family, and we feel so blessed. I hope you have a fantastic birthday, and that 8 is a great year for you! Thank you for being you Sariah. I love you.

Why do they have to grow up?

2008-08-07T14:55:00.000-07:00

Like a lot of moms, I've had that lament, and with each clothing size I tearfully pack up the clothing that will never fit my child again. I felt like with each item I was packing away my memories, not a ratty old jumper, or church dress.

As my oldest approaches her eighth birthday, I've discovered one of the reasons why our children growing up is truly a magnificent thing. (Also, why having a girl first is such a blessing.) As kids age, they start to get useful!! Who knew?

I remember we used to accuse my mom of having so many kids so she could have slaves. At the time it seemed plausible, looking back, it's laughable. There's no WAY my mom (or any mom) would have gone through what she did with us, for the minimal (very very minimal) amount of chores we did, which would have been infinitely easier for her to finish herself, in a fraction of the time, and with MUCH less headache. But, she wanted us to learn to work. She was a good mom.

Anyway, I've had a vastly different experience. My eldest seems to have a delightful defect in her makeup which makes her even more fantastic. I'd like to take this moment to brag. (Also to gloat that she's apparently missed the "parent's curse" where they say in a moment of rage, usually with clenched teeth "I hope you have a child just. like. you!") Anyway, Sariah seems to think that obedience is expected of her, and that helping around the house is just part of being a family. Then after I thank her for her help, she'll turn around and thank me for being such a great mom, and tell me how much she loves being a part of our family. So yeah. Brag. Brag. Brag, and more Brag.

(Before you get too jealous, I'm fearing that Essi will more than make up for the parent's curse (to the 10th power), and it's already quite obvious that these two children do not have the same tendencies when it comes to obedience and helpfulness. Also, she's at a phase where she's telling me a couple times a day that she doesn't like me, and that I'm "da wurst mom in da wurld!!" Yeah. 3 going on 13..)

Back to my brag blog. I have not had to do the dishes more than twice (if that) in the last three weeks. On top of that, I only have to ask her once to do it, and then they are done. Sometimes, I'll forget I've asked her to do them, and then I'll come back into the kitchen and she's already finished. (This is the opposite of how I was as a child. My poor mom would have to ask us over and over all day long if we'd done whatever chore we were supposed to have done that day, and we would have never started. (Except for Trista, she'd do it.) But, my mom was the queen of follow up. For weeks sometimes, and we couldn't play with friends till we were done. (I didn't play with friends much as a kid.))

Not only have I not done the dishes, I've only made maybe 3 of the last 50 peanut butter sandwiches that have been made in our home. She'll also lovingly make lunches for her dad, a chore I quit about the time he and I got married, and I'm happily gifting to her. (Hey, he's happy, she's happy, and I don't have to do it! It's a great thing... unless she decides to pull a prank on him for teasing her about her crush on Indiana Jones... but that's another blog entry altogether.) She'll clean her room, find Essi's socks, and she's recently started vacuuming. Granted, she's eight, and she doesn't do as well as would be expected for BYU cleaning checks, by Nancy the Nazi, (We probably shouldn't have called her that.) but hey, it's good enough, and I'm not the one doing it.

Can I just say that this is FAN-TAS-TIC!?!? It is!! This totally makes up for them growing out of the cute 2T outfits! I'm loving this growing up thing. I'm really looking forward to the day where I no longer have to change diapers, cart kids around like they're glued to my hip, or worse ~ in those (heavy) carseats, buckling them up and unbuckling them every time they get into the car, loading them into grocery carts, or finding my three year old hiding in the middle of a rack of clothing when I didn't put her in a grocery cart.

As we're having another baby in October, and he most likely won't be our last, (after all, I've got to breed myself some more slaves) I've still got a while before we're out of that stage. But, I'm thinking, as my older kids get older, maybe I can pawn off a bunch of those other non-fun jobs on them, and just spend time cuddling the sweet baby! Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha!! (So, part of me feels guilty for thinking this way, a bigger part of me feels guilty for admitting I've had these thoughts..., and a bigger part of me still is really excited about the possibilities!)

Anyway, so yeah. Cherish your kids, love them while they're young, it's such a short time, and so brief, and you'll miss them when they've all grown up. At the same time, you can also enjoy the fact that kids growing up isn't as bad as it seemed!

People really do this!?!?! Um, Gross!!!

2008-07-30T18:02:00.000-07:00

So, before continuing, this is going to be gross. Probably more disgusting for the guys, but it's pretty nasty for girls too. (How often is something more gross for a man than a woman.) So, you've been warned, this is gross, and possibly/probably borderline offensive. You don't have to read it. But, I know (because I've read warnings like this on blogs, right before the really good topics) that now that I've said that, even if you weren't interested before, now you are. I should have titled this, "Our day at the park," and had pictures of my kids on swings. Then you wouldn't be so curious about what this is about. But, seriously, it is gross. And it'll probably be long, because this is a topic with which I have issues.

When you're pregnant, you get lots of questions, some that seem normal, some that seem a little too personal, and that you'd rather not answer. "Do you know if it's a boy or girl?" (yes) "Do you have a name?" (yes) "Do you plan to breastfeed?"(if I can) "Do you plan on circumcision?" (definitely not if it's a girl..) Anyway, lots of questions. So, the other day on my "mommy board" the topic of placenta came up. I've never actually seen any of mine, and I'm fine if I live my life never seeing a placenta. So, imagine my surprise when I was asked (in earnest) if I planned to save and eat my placenta.

I admit lately I've been thinking a lot about what I want to eat right after having the baby, and in the few days after having him. (Why does it seem like so much of my thinking revolves around eating... hmm.. that'll have to be another blog entry.) The things I had in mind were cinnamon rolls, I thought I could start rolling the dough in early labor, and by the time I'd had the baby, they'd be done rising, and someone could toss them in the oven and bring me some. I also had a few fantasies about Bajio, Great Harvest Bread, and the Chinese restaraunt in Blackfoot that is the only place I'll get sweet and sour chicken. I also remembered my sweet brother who brought me pretzels covered, no - drenched, in caramel and dipped in chocolate right after I had Essi. That was so nice. What more can you ask for right after pushing a baby out? It was before he was married, and after he left, I told my husband, "He's definitely ready to get married." (I think I'll love you forever for that Ammon! What'll I do this time while you're in Switzerland?)

Anyway, NO!!! Even with all that thinking about my first post partum meal, eating my placenta never crossed my mind. (And I consider myself somewhat open minded. I'm all for natural healing, homebirth, etc. I think if that's what you want, it's great! But this seemed just a little over the line to me. It seemed so revolting that I was amazed anyone had thought of it. It seemed too close to cannibalism to me, though according to wikipedia that is debatable. You'll have to decide for yourself. Oh, and I guess it's considered a great form of protein by some vegans.)

Anyway, apparently, it's very beneficial for a new mother. A quick google later, I'd learned "Eating the placenta can curb postpartum depression, replenish nutrients, increase milk production, and slow postpartum hemmorrhage." "Eating the placenta enables the mother to "reclaim" vitamins and put them to use in her own body."

I guess the biggest benefit though is helping through post partum depression and baby blues. I submit that it could not possibly be as effective as a big box of chocolate truffles, maybe some fudge, cordial cherries, toffee, and perhaps some sugar cookies. I guess it's good my last baby was born right after Christmas. This one will luckily come in the fall, so I'm planning a nice post-partum depression first aid kit of zucchini bread, pumpkin bread and/or cookies, banana chocolate chip bread and cinnamon rolls. Also some hot chocolate and the above mentioned truffles. Then I'll start my post-partum weight loss efforts. (groan.) You know, I think that's the cause of post partum depression right there. You have the baby and look down, and not only are you bleeding (no one told me about that) but you are left with something that is not your body. I think that would send even the most emotionally secure woman into a case of post partum something. Then you have a baby that you don't know exactly how to take care of, big old heavy, full, and painful breasts, that somehow you're supposed to feed your baby with... Toss in several nights with no sleep.. But, I digress. (I always seem to do that when I start talking about food. hmm.. But, back on topic, notice I didn't at all mention that I would even consider turning to placenta in those dire situations.)

So back on the placenta topic. In the same google, I found a TON of placenta recipes. Who knew?!? There was placenta lasagna, placenta spaghetti, placenta roast, placenta stew, and placenta smoothies. Umm... barf!! (And who'd want to cook right after having a baby anyway.)

Anyway, it was while I was doing this that I started talking to my little brother on google talk. I thought it was a funny conversation, so I'm sharing it. (Without his permission.. I hope you don't mind Daniel!)

daniel: Lol. And what are you up to?

Tenise: You don't want to know.

daniel: Ok.

Tenise: But, I'm going to tell you anyway. I was asked if I planned to eat my placenta. I've been researching it, and it's revolting, and there are tons of recipes online for placenta smoothies, lasagna, burgers, stew etc. It's so gross. Anyway, the answer to the question of whether or not I'll be eating it is a resounding NO!!!

daniel: Why not. It's a part of you and your son Maybe you should frame it in his room Or make it a key chain

(okay sassy pants... let's see how you like this turned on you!)

Tenise: In some cultures, it's tradition that the family eats it. If you wanted to come over for a celebratory dinner after his birth, I'm sure we could whip you up a smoothie or a burger...

(me waiting for him to be gagging with me...)

daniel: Can I have both? Maybe wait for the next kid

(What?!? I knew he was kidding, but seriously, this is gross!!)

Tenise: Some people do save it. Others do paintings with it. I guess there are lots of things you can do with it. But, I think you just can't legally throw it away. My kids are big, and usually bigger kids have bigger placentas... we could probably get both for you.

daniel: Nice. Seriously you can't throw it away?

Tenise: I read that legally, you can't throw it away in the normal sense. (Most people in the US never even see their placenta, so it's not an issue.) The most normal thing I've read to do with it is bury it, then a year later, plant a tree over it. But, I seriously doubt that anyone would know if someone threw away placenta. And if they did find out, I really can't imagine them trying to locate who did it. It's just something I'd prefer not to even think about. With my first two, I never even saw the placenta. Anyway, fun that you're going canooing!

daniel.fife: What did mom do?

(Me lighting up and seeing my opening... Two can play at this game...)

Tenise: Well......... The only time we had real meat in lasagna was after each baby...

(Which is entirely true. My mom always used alternate forms of meat while we were growing up. We had lentil lasagna, and spaghetti, and instead of meat loaf wheat loaf... After a baby, the relief society (Women's organization) would always bring dinner, but little brothers with no babies probably wouldn't link that together! )

daniel: Ok now you grossed me out! Haha

(FINALLY! You'd have thought the word placenta would have done it.)

daniel: The rest of the times it was just lentils. No wonder dad wanted so many kids!

Tenise: I thought about the lentil thing!

Tenise: It was Sis. M's lasagna though, so we were fine. No, usually the hospital just does something to them, and they disappear. Unless you specifically ask for it or something.

daniel: Ahh

daniel: Lol. Sadly one can't forget such scarring memories

Tenise: Yeah.. But, after all those placenta recipes, lentils are sounding pretty amazing.

daniel: Haha. I don't know. I actually saw lentils at an Indian restaraunt. I passed

Tenise: Funny. I've used lentils in soups. I never thought I would, but they aren't bad. I like them now. But, I don't use them that frequently, and not as a main dish.

daniel: Ooh. Disgusting

Tenise: Yeah, coming from my brother who was asking for placenta smoothies and burgers a couple minutes ago.

daniel: I bet you make your kids swallow oatmeal and 6 grain too!

(Ha ha ha ha ha! You've got to love a brother who is more grossed out by lentils, oatmeal, and six grain cereal than eating his sister's placenta! LOL! I knew he was kidding, but that just was too funny to me.)

Well, now I forgot where I was going with this whole blog entry. (Blame the pregnancy brain...) But, to answer the question, No, I don't think I'll be partaking of that particular delicacy.

Tag...

2008-07-27T17:12:00.000-07:00

I usually just ignore the tag things, but when someone tags you by name, you really have to do it. But, honestly, after doing it, it was kind of fun, and it is truly flattering that someone would tag me by name!

Rules: list 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 goals, 3 current obsessions, and three random facts about yourself. Tag 5 people at the end.

3 Joys-
~ Taking a bath, taking a nap, or even just going to the bathroom uninterrupted by kids
~ My kids, husband, family
~ baklava, brownies, cheesecake, cinnamon rolls, cookies, etc. Especially when I have a dream where I eat too much of these things, and I'm feeling all guilty about it, then I wake up and realize that I didn't really consume all those calories, but I still got to experience all the joy that comes with consuming those calories, that really is the best feeling... (Does anyone else have these dreams?)

3 Fears-
~ Not knowing where we'll be living in a month, and then having a baby the next month
~ Losing one of my kids (physically or spiritually)
~ Not knowing what career path we'll be on for the next while...

But, I do know that faith casteth out all fears, so we're working on that part of it, and trusting that the rest will sort of take care of itself..

3 Goals-
~ Packing, finding housing, driving cross-country, and moving into our (mystery) house alone with my two and a half kids, and figuring out when/where Sariah will get baptized in September... (Maybe that should go up in the fears section.)
~ Staying under the 60 lb mark this pregnancy. (Yeah, it's sad.. I know. I still can't figure out why I don't have 53 lb. babies. Oh, maybe it's #3 in the joys list)
~ Staying in the same house (or even state) for over a year

3 Current obsessions-
~ Finding housing
~ Blogging, and blog stalking
~ Pregnancy and Childbirth and little blue onesies

3 Random facts about me-
~ We've lived (as in had an apartment or a house) in 13 states since we've been married. We've only been married almost 9 years.
~ Didn't go on a date with my husband or kiss him until after we were engaged. (From meeting him to marrying him was only 2 months and 1 week.)
~ At night I have to turn my pillow over several times, so I can have my head touching the cold side of the pillow. (It asked for random facts...)

That's it!

I tag Ammon, Diana, (yes both of you separately) Sherian, Brittany W. and Amber W.

Also, (since I'm only allowed 5) anyone else who reads this and feels that I'm subconsciously tagging you, I am. But please leave me a comment so I know to go read yours!

(So that could be people like Heidi, Jenny, Rachelle, Andrea, Tara, Dana etc.)

"RIP" and "Would you like fries with that?"

2008-07-25T11:25:00.000-07:00

Today I was googling "cemetery plot selection." Not something I think about regularly, but I was curious as to the sales pitch for cemetery plots. It turned up basically what you'd expect.

"Deciding where your body will spend the rest of time is not a decision to be taken for granted."

"One of the benefits of having a large family plot is that relatives can visit many graves at once without having to travel to multiple locations. Some people also enjoy the idea that, even though they might have lived far apart during life, they will spend all of eternity next to one another."

"A cemetery plot with a view of a wooded area or pond will be far more expensive than one in the middle of a cemetery. You might also find that cemeteries that are connected with churches are more expensive."

Kind of weird. I admit it. But lately I've become quite obsessed with cemetery placement.

On the corner of Mt. Zion Blvd and Mt. Zion Rd. in Morrow, Georgia (Here in Georgia, we don't waste street names. They've also got Mt. Zion Pkwy branching off these two roads.) there is a cemetery that is clearly the results of a planning and zoning meeting gone very wrong.

Right in the southeast corner of this busy intersection, less than a half mile from the freeway entrance you'll find a cemetery. Right next to the cemetery, is a McDonalds. So, you've got all these lovely cemetery plots, and then a small (maybe navel high) stone wall, and on the other side is a McDonalds. The "drive-thru" runs between the cemetery wall and the restaraunt. Then on the restaraunt, they have windows from ground to the roof of the part holding the play structure for the kids, and painted on those windows is a quite ghastly painting of Ronald McDonald, larger than life watching over your nearest and dearest.

From the first time I saw this, I thought it was appalling, yet hysterical. You have to know that that is not what was envisioned when these people selected their final resting place. I doubt I've ever imagined the phrase "rolling over in their graves" more appropriately.

Everything about this was (to me) wrong (but funny) on just SO many levels, and it just leads to SO many questions, and I just imagine so many scenarios going on here.

Who gave the okay to zone/build a McDonalds there?

Why isn't the fence higher?

Why is the painting of Ronald McDonald so garish?

Why not plant some more trees?

What do the family members who have relations buried there think?

Do they go to McDonalds after visiting?

I wonder if the people buried there ever went to a McDonalds?

Do any kids go visit the cemetery and not ask for a happy meal?

What about the people going to McDonalds? I know a lot of people are creeped out by cemeteries.

Is it not weird to them to be going through a drive-thru seeing the tops of angel wings and elaborate crucifixes over the top of the wall? Does it remind them of their mortality, and what will happen sooner than later if they get too many BigMacs? I think it would be bad for business. I know if they build a McDonalds next to where I'm buried I'm going to do everything in my power to go back and haunt it. (Think the pearl lady on Fiddler on the Roof.) Bwa-ha-ha!

Well, me, being me, I told Jerrod, "I'm SO blogging about this." So I finally went to get the picture. After getting all my errands done, at about a quarter to five, so rush hour, and I pull over on the side of the road to get some pictures of this. After snapping a couple, I hoped I had some good enough to share. As I got back into the car, remembering that I'd promised the kids we'd go swimming as soon as we were done, I realized I'd be in no mood to cook, so (being the reverent person I am, showing respect for all those who'd gone before, and had been laid to rest on the corner of Mt.Zion Rd/Blvd yadda yadda yadda) of course we went to McDonalds afterward.

Actually, fries sound really good right now! (commercial jingle..) ba da ba ba baa... I'm lovin' it.

Oh Baby!

2008-07-23T18:09:00.000-07:00

Our little stinker was less than cooperative. He wouldn't get into any very great positions, so out of the 14 pictures taken, there are only 3-4 that are even okay. I guess the little guy is a sweet little snuggler, and just loves to snuggle the placenta. That's where he's been for all 3 ultrasounds. I guess he's just a sweetheart, but with what I'm doing for him, you'd think he'd at least let me get some good pictures. For the price of these things, I was expecting glamour shots, maybe some cartwheels, (which I know he's capable of, I've felt them!) or at the very least sign language for "I love you mom!" Oh well, in traditional mama style, I've forgiven him, and here are the pictures that did turn out all right.

Here he is smiling...

Another smiling picture

Here he pulled his foot up and was poking himself in the eye with his toe. (Actually, Essi was doing this the other day too...)

Both feet up now.

It's raining, It's pouring...

2008-07-20T12:18:00.000-07:00

Today during Sacrament meeting the Stake high councilman was speaking. It was pretty quiet when Essi starts singing a little too loud, "It's raining, it's pouring, the old man is BOR-ING!!" Jerrod's (and my own) eyes bugged, as we realized what she'd sang, and we both started laughing, (quietly of course) trying to get her to stop. We explained how that wasn't reverent, but I think the message was kind of lost on her, as we were both trying not to laugh the whole time.

For the record, I do think that she thought those were the real words, and not trying to insult the speaker who really wasn't old, or as boring as many.

My little Missionary, and the 4th of July

2008-07-15T11:46:00.001-07:00

Well, I'm late posting 4th of July pictures, sorry, also, here's a story that started on the 4th of July. (Sorry, it's long, but good.) Oh, and the pictures really have nothing to do with the story, except that they all took place on the same day.

For the 4th we went to Nash Farms Battlefield. (For historical background go to http://www.henrycountybattlefield.com/index.html )

They had a lot of fun things set up for the kids, like facepainting, inflatables, pony rides, food, etc. They also had a building where they were doing Colonial Dancing. It also had seats, and large fans, so that was the favorite place for pregnant mamma.

We were sitting in there, and the kids were eating "Pull & Peel" licorice that we'd previously picked up for the fireworks at Target. A girl came and asked us where we found it,so she could go buy some, so we just shared with her. She started talking to the kids, and when she asked Sariah her name, Sariah replied, "I'm Sariah, and I finished reading the Book of Mormon before I was 8. I also have a loose tooth."

I was more than a bit embarrassed at first. But, the girl was way nice, and started asking Sariah why she'd read the Book of Mormon, if it was for school, etc. Sariah said, "No, I just wanted to read it before I get baptized." Being in the Bible Belt, I was worried she was going to start arguing about it with her. But then she replied, "I've always wanted to get a copy of the Book of Mormon."

WOW! Really?!? That's not something I hear often, and I guess I'd never thought anyone wouldn't know where to get a copy if they wanted one.

She told us about how she'd been stranded in Utah at one point, and how the church had helped her get home, and had given her some food for the trip, and she'd always wanted to learn more.

Well, we could help her there! So we started talking about it and she was really interested. We didn't have any Pass-Along cards (kicking self) or a copy of the Book of Mormon. But, we figured we'd get her number. Then a guy came up and quietly said to me, "I heard you talking about the church." Oh no, I thought, now we're going to get the bible belt lectures. Then he asked "What ward are you in?" I was so shocked, I had to think a minute. (We've only been there just over a month.) It turns out we were in the same ward, and this brother had just recently been called to be the ward missionary leader! So we introduced him to Shannon, and we got Shannon's phone number, then left it in his hands basically. We said good-bye to Shannon, and headed over for the fireworks.

We'd kind of put the incident out of mind, then this Sunday (the 13th) the ward mission leader came up to DH with tears in his eyes, and told him that Shannon has had all the discussions, and is getting baptized!! How cool is that?

Anyway, we're obviously pretty excited. We don't know when the baptism is, but I'm just so grateful for the example that Sariah has set for me to be willing to talk about the Book of Mormon to anyone.

More 4th pictures

2008-07-15T11:34:00.001-07:00

All in all, it was a fun day. Sariah's pony's name was Pineapple, Essi's was Buckwheat. They were both realy pleased with their face painting. I loved the little heart cherry on the top of Essi's ice cream cone (on her face.) It was a total accident, the lady's elbow slipped, she was getting something to fix it, but I was like, "No! Leave it!" There was a fun little petting zoo. (Little as in there was a lamb and two donkeys.) It was just a really fun day.

Miracles and the Book of Mormon

2008-07-07T13:07:00.000-07:00

I'd heard a quote years ago saying, ~in essence~ "If you need a miracle in your life, complete the Book of Mormon in 30 days." We are in need of a few miracles right now, so I thought I'd try it. (Finding that actual quote would be a miracle, I can't remember who what or when it was said, or anything about it..)

So, last Monday, on June 30, I started the Book of Mormon again for the first time in too long. The plan was to read 20 pages a day. (I also found a reading chart online outlining what chapters to read each day.) http://www.themormonchannel.net/tmc/readbom30.html

I'm happy to say that so far I've exceeded my intentions.

So, today it has been one week, and miracles are coming. Granted, they are not the miracle that I originally wanted. (It was financial.) Instead, it's been a deeper more profound miracle that has taken place inside of me. We still have the financial needs that we had before I started, (though we've had a couple small financial miracles so far as well) but the feelings that I was having about these concerns have changed. I was so incredibly worried about where we will be living in the fall, how we will be able to afford deposit/first/last months rent, stuff we need to prepare for the baby, (who's due a month after the summer ends) and just getting back to Idaho (just me and the kids at first) 8 months pregnant is a bit frightening in and of itself.

As I've read and studied the Book of Mormon, these worries and fears have been taken from me. I still don't know how we will be provided for, but there is a profound peace that tells me that all will be well. I've felt the love of my Heavenly Father, and have felt of his love in a way that I haven't allowed myself in a long time. I'm so grateful for the tender mercies of a loving Father who is always waiting for us with open arms. I'm grateful for the comfort that He has given, and the rest from the worries that have been consuming me body and spirit for many months. It's been so nice to just rest in the peace that He has provided.

I'm so thankful for the Book of Mormon and the miracle that it is. It's truly an amazing book, and I'm happy to report that it doesn't even take 30 days for the miracles of the Book of Mormon to manifest themselves in our lives.

This makes no sense.

2008-06-28T10:23:00.000-07:00

The how far along are you question drives me nuts. It is impossible to answer!

I just got my "weekly update" on my pregnancy and it says,

"Week By Week - Week Number 25 -

You're now seven months pregnant! Find out what what's in store this week for you and your growing baby."

Okay, I've still got three and a half months left!! I'm SO not 7 months pregnant!

But, when people ask I'm sure as heck going to tell them I am. Then maybe they'll stop with the "You're so huge!" comments.

Is it any wonder our brain stops functioning correctly when we're pregnant. Before you're pregnant, math makes sense! There is always a right answer! 2+2 always equals 4. There is harmony in the mathematical universe. As soon as you're pregnant, the harmonic mathematical universe flies out the window, leaving you in a hormonal mathematical universe where all of the sudden 40 weeks equals 9 months, and you're technically pregnant 2 weeks before you really are, and at 25 weeks, you are 7 months pregnant, and you've still got 3 1/2 (of your 9) months to go!??!

Completely bizzare.

Anyway, I'm using that as my reason for putting the miracle whip in the pantry and the peanut butter in the refrigerator.

(For my somewhat related kid funny, (that's actually incredibly gross) Sariah likes peanut butter and miracle whip sandwiches. She says it makes it taste like Reses, and that she'd like to sell these sandwiches at a shop somewhere.)

Where are all the spoons?

2008-06-26T18:17:00.002-07:00

We've been noticing that our spoons have been disappearing. I had been wondering if I just hadn't packed as many as I thought I had, or if maybe the kids had been bringing them into their room. (My other secret suspicion was that Jerrod had been bringing bowls of cereal to sales meeting with him, and leaving the spoons in his car.) We went through the house and car, I couldn't find any, so I'd just assumed that we didn't have as many as I thought we had out here in Georgia with us.

Then a few nights ago, after dinner, I asked Essi to put her dishes in the sink. She was sweet and grabbed her sister's plate and fork as well. Then she came back for the bowls and spoons, and as she was putting them in the sink, we heard in a sweet little sing-song voice, "Bowls in the sink, spoons in the trash!" Jerrod and I both looked at each other, our eyes got huge, and we both just busted up laughing. We went and looked in the trash, and the spoons were in there, as well as the forks. So, apparently, we have less forks than we started out this summer with too.

Now when Essi puts her dishes in the sink, she always reminds me, "I remember! Spoons in the SINK!!"

Blog Stalking...

2008-06-23T13:07:00.000-07:00

Okay, (Well, first an unrelated observation, I seem to start all my blogs with "Okay," then I start talking. What an interesting quirk. What amazing self discoveries that come from blogging. What an amazing form of therapy. I think also the sheer amount of posts that I've put up over the past few days illustrates how much I need this therapy. There's just something SO cool about posting on a blog. It gives me the opportunity to form (somewhat) adult thoughts, and feel like I am actually talking to grown-ups, when really, I am at home with kids all day, every day. It's very nice.)

Now, what I was originally going to say.

Now that I've entered the world of blogging, I've become quite obsessed with finding other peoples blogs. I'm feeling kind of like a creepy stalker, typing in the names of friends and family, and all their kids names (complete with alternate spellings, in case I got it wrong) hoping that they have a blog, and I can spy on their lives! Then, when I find blogs of people I know, I go through all the blogs they have on their blog lists, and find more people.

I love reading about these people, and their lives, but I suppose I'm wondering about blog etiquette. Do I say hi, and let these people know I'm reading, and enjoying hearing about their lives? Do I just silently observe, and know all this stuff about people from reading then when I run into them and ask, "How're you doing?" pretend I don't already know? Is this like eavesdropping on coversations not meant for you, or is it fair game because it's posted on the internet?

A lot of these people are people that I only know, or have known on a very casual basis, sometimes not much more than their name and where they're from. But, I'm really excited about reading about them, and getting to know them better, even if I didn't really know them before. Is it still okay to read these blogs? What about commenting?

Well, now you know. I'm stalking you. If you see your name on my "Blog's I Like" list, well, I like yours! lol! (I suppose if you really don't want me there, you can block me, and I'll completely understand.) If you have a blog, and it's not on my list, I probably don't know about it yet. Please send me your links! I love to read about how everyone is doing!

(Wow, blogs are a great confessional too!)

Tact or "Talking to Pregnant Women 101"

2008-06-22T19:35:00.000-07:00

Okay, being pregnant, I'm frequently getting asked how far along I am. This is a fine question for any pregnant woman. (But, PLEASE, do NOT ask unless you are 110% sure she is pregnant.) What is not fine however is when she tells you she's still got a ways to go, to look down with wide eyes at her belly, and say any of the following comments.

(The following are purely hypothetical ramblings, illustrating nothing that has happened to myself. Purely hypothetical.)

"Oh! Are you having twins?"
"So, do you have big babies then?"
"Wow! You're big! My daughter is tiny and she's due next month."
"That is ONE BIG BABY!!!"

Saying those things to a non-pregnant person would be considered incredibly rude. Saying them to a pregnant woman is not any more polite. Though the pregnant body is a miraculous life producing wonder, it simply does not produce whatever hormone or brain connection necessary to deal with peoples tactless comments. All pregnant women are very aware of how their body looks, and probably compare their belly to every other woman they see. They know it may be that they've sent their husbands out at midnight for ice cream too many times, but even if that is the case, it's really none of your business! They know how big they are, and they don't need you pointing out anything.

Any of these comments may get you a polite smile, and a courteous nod. What the (hypothetical) woman may be saying inside is "Bite me." Quite possibly she's making a list of any real or imagined flaws you may have, simply to make her overly hormonal self feel a tiny bit better. Perhaps she's vowing to never go to church again, because every time she does, someone tells her how big she is. If she's tired that day, or if her feet hurt, and her ankles are swollen, or she's feeling just a bit emotional, she may be trying to find the closest exit to get to where no one can see her so she can cry.

Again, all that was totally hypothetical.

Now, for a true story. When I was pregnant with my last baby, I got huge fast. (A phenomenon being duplicated with baby #3) By two months, I was in maternity clothes. I was frequently getting told how big I was. Between all the "You're so huge!" comments, there was one person (one of my high school best friends moms ~ who I will love for the rest of eternity) who kept telling me, "You REALLY don't look big. For how far along you are, you're small. No, you're not too big at all. You look just right." She was the shining beacon in that pregnancy. Was she right, no. I was huge. My body gets really big, and makes really big babies. That's just how it is. But, this one person made me feel like I was okay just how I was, and that it was fine for my body to be big, it was building a baby. She was my pregnancy angel, and I'd like to thank her for her kindness, her example, and for the wisdom she had regarding how to talk to pregnant women.

Growing up, my father used to tell us to only speak when we have something to say that is a combination of the following;

1 - Nice
2 - Necessary
3 - True

If it's not at least 2 of the 3 things, don't say it. (But, you can blog about it....)

It?

2008-06-21T17:59:00.000-07:00

Okay, I found this funny... But, maybe it's not really as funny as I think it is. When I set my cursor arrow over the picture of Jerrod and myself, it says "Dad and Mom" in a little white box. When I leave the arrow over the picture of our girls, it says, "Our Girls." When I leave it on the ultrasound picture of our baby, it says, "It\" I assume it has something to do with the titles of the pictures, and the ' in the "It's a boy!" one ends what it shows when you scroll over it.

I just thought it was funny that the cursor was calling our little guy an "It."

That's all.

Family Member Updates!

2008-06-21T08:15:00.000-07:00

So.... What we're all up to. I'll start with the kids, because they're FAR more interesting than Jerrod and myself.

Esther ~ Essi ~ is 3 years old now. Daily, she'll remind me that her birthday is in December, and she'll be 12. She was quite upset to learn that she'd really only be 4. I guess Sariah had somehow given her the mistaken impression that she'd be older. Along with the "My birthday is in December." comments, she'll also tell me daily about what she wants for her party, who she wants to be there (everybuddy) and what kind of cake she wants. Jasmine, Polly Pocket, Giselle, Princess, Petshop. I keep telling her that she doesn't have to make up her mind yet, and she can tell me in December.

Her life's ambition at this point is to "Get married in the temple, to a missionary" so she can "kiss on the LIPS!!" For some reason, the idea is quite thrilling to her. When I asked her what she'd do if he had bad breath, she replied, "Oh, Don't worry. I can fix that, I'll take care of it." lol! Okay, well, it's all okay then! Now, if through the teen years, she can continue thinking that she needs to wait to be married to kiss, we'll be doing pretty good!

She adores her big sister Sariah, except when she doesn't. Several times a day, she'll give Sariah a big hug, and say, "I love you Sariah, you're the best sister in the whole world! No one could ask for a better sister dan you!" I think, "Oh, how sweet! They love each other SO much," as a tear comes to my eye. 5 minutes later, "Sariah, you're the annoyingest sister in the whole world." Sigh.

Sariah~ Now 7 years old, and she is my little bookworm. Sariah is almost constantly found snuggled somewhere with a blanket on her lap, and a book in her hands. This summer, she's already read, "The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe," the three "Fablehaven" books, a bunch of the American Girl books, (at least 7, but don't ask me which ones they were.) all her A Beka reading curriculum books, and a couple other shorter books. (Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary) She's also devoured several "How things work" type books and has learned about all sorts of stuff, from bugs, to quicksand. I love that I can have her read books to Essi now! They both love it, and if I'm lucky, I can take a nap while they do it! Thank heaven for libraries!!

Her biggest book accomplishment this year is that she completed the entire Book of Mormon on her own!! It took her just under 5 months, of daily persistent reading. (Well, minus the week where she figured she could just pretend to read, and say she'd read and get on to playing. lol! But, then she realized that it was her goal, and she didn't have to do it if she didn't want to, but she wanted to, so she did it.) She started at the very end of January, with the goal to finish by her baptism the first week in September. She finished early, on June 20, 2007. GO SARIAH!!

Her other big thing this summer is "crafts." Any piece of trash in our house is that gets thrown away is mourned with, "But, mom!! I could use that for one of my CRAFTS!!!" Our apartment is full of pictures, puppets, pop-ups, etc. etc. and we've only been here two months! Oy Vey! Fortunately, I mean, unfortunately, most of these will disappear, or get lost when we move back to Idaho at the end of September.

This last year we homeschooled Sariah, and that turned out to be a really good thing. She's been much happier this year, and has been able to move at a perfect pace for her, and with our moving, it's been great to be able to pick up where we left off before each move.

Mom ~ Me ~ I'm 27 now. I'm staying home with mt chiclets. I enjoy libraries, bookstores, and reading. (I'm realizing it's a LOT easier to talk about the kids, than it is to talk about myself. I'm also realizing I need to develop more interests, hobbies and passions. Yikes.) Okay, well... Next..

Jerrod ~ Dad ~ Dad is working with APX Alarm again this summer. It's going well, and he's on track to do at least as well as he did last year. (But, fingers and toes crossed that he'll do better! Prayers please!) He's planning on going back to school part time in Idaho and starting a new job with a debt managing company. (More on that later, much later, like September or October.) He's a wonderful dad, and the kids adore him. Essi will come tell me a few times a week, "Dad's got a new wife. It's Essi." They love Sundays where they get to be with him the whole day. The favorite game of dad and the kids is "The Sleeping Troll" game. This was inspired one Sunday, when dad just wanted a nap, but the kids wanted to play. So dad got to half-sleep on the couch, and the object of the game was for the kids to come kiss him on the cheeck and get away before he could grab them and tickle them. He's sweet, and loves the kids. We couldn't ask for a better dad (or husband.)

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Now, for a general update on our family. This last year has been crazy. In April of last year, we moved from Oregon to Virginia (Norfolk) to work again with APX (though we swore to ourselves it was our last year the year before!) Then we decided to extend in Las Vegas. That didn't go as well as we'd hoped, so he transferred to Salt Lake for three more weeks. Then we moved to Blackfoot. (My hometown) We lived there from October to the beginning of March, and really loved it. It was quite surprising because I'd always sworn that we'd NEVER live in Idaho, especially not Blackfoot! lol! But, we all loved it. It was fun for the kids to live so close to Grandma and Grandpa, and their aunts and uncles (some just a couple years older than they are.) Then at the beginning of March, we moved to Arizona for a month, and we are now just south of Atlanta until the end of August/first of September, when we'll be moving to the Rexburg area for Jerrod to go back to school. APX has been a unique opportunity, and it's been really good for us. But, I think we're ready to be done. If things go well this fall/winter/spring with Jerrod's new job, we won't have to move for the summer!! But, I think even if we have to do this a few more years, we'll just keep renting a house in Idaho even while we're gone for the summer so we don't have to do all the packing that we've been doing, and we can know who we'll be living by when we get back, what the ward will be like, and start building some stability. (What's that?)

Other family updates. In October, we had Felix, a foreign exchange student from Germany, come live with us. That was a neat experience. We all loved him, and the kids really enjoyed having a "big brother." In January, we got to go sledding a few times with Grandpa and aunts and uncles, and that was a blast! At the end of January, Jerrod and I got to go on our first cruise! It was all paid for by APX, and it was with a lot of the people that Jerrod has worked with over the years. It was really fun, though for some reason, I kept getting incredibly emotional. We went to an art auction, and when the auctioneer was describing the work of this (completely obsure, I've never heard of, and don't even remember who it was) artist, I was just weeping with emotion. Very strange. Also, when our dinner table was pirated, that brought forth fresh tears, even though it really was NOT a big deal. I'm not a teary person, so that was all very very weird for me. We got back from our cruise, and I had bronchitis. We went to the doctor, and found out through a routine screening before getting an x-ray, that I am pregnant! Wow! That was a shocker. (But, it explained the emotional breakdowns I'd been having.) We'd needed fertility treatment before, and were planning to use it again in a few months. The timing is a bit of a challenge, but we're excited to be welcoming our first baby boy to our family in early October!

So, that's what's happening/happened with us for now! (Well, and for the last while) All my posts won't be this long! Promise!

Quote/Conversation of the Week: Stepmothers. (After reading Snow White)

Mom: So, does a stepmother sound like a fun idea?
Essi: I'd want Daddy to marry Aunt TRISTA!!
Mom: Aunt Trista? Well, she probably wouldn't be an evil stepmother.
Essi: No, I'll find a prettier wife who won't throw FORKS at Daddy!
Mom: (laughing) One who won't throw forks at daddy? (wondering where ESSI got this from) Well, that's probably a good idea. We don't want daddy getting forks thrown at him. (Really funny if you know the history)
Sariah: I could probably marry dad, and then I could take care of Essi.
Essi: No, I'LL marry dad!
Mom: How about if I just stay alive..

First Post

2008-06-21T07:40:00.000-07:00

My first attempt at blogging... I love checking out other peoples blogs, and seeing where/what they are up to, so I figured it was time to start one for our family.