As Sweet As It Gets

I found this poem by Clay.
A treasure.

Better Late Than Never?

We’re now just getting our neighbour gifts out….

Ah well.

When My Heart Takes a Picture

I came home late last night from a Relief Society Activity. The kids were all in bed so I quickly changed into my pajamas and jumped on the couch to snuggle with Ryan - and Burn Notice. Popcorn and hot chocolate soon joined us.

It wasn't long after when Ryan was called away to assist someone with a blessing. I stayed on the couch and finished the episode. About 40 minutes later, I decided to go back to bed. Shortly after lying down, I could feel my body twitching. With or without Ryan, sleep was coming.

As if right on cue, right before I completely fell asleep, I could hear Olivia crying. Olivia's crying turned into Henry waking up and rolling around. I laid down by them for a few moments. I could hear someone else in the bathroom.

Olivia had fallen back to sleep, but Henry was still tossing a bit. I snuck back to my room and Lucy followed complaining about her stomach. I rubbed some oils on and sent her back down stairs, just in time for Henry to come waltzing into our room - ready for a new day.

I texted Ryan - kids fussing/crying. Please come home.

I brought Henry to bed with me, but laying down was clearly not what he wanted to do. Thankfully, I heard the door.

Ryan came in quickly, changed and took Henry. From my sleepy eyes, I watched the silhouette of my husband and son leaving our room.

My heart took a picture.

Just like it did when we became parents for the first time. Rylee was just days old and in the middle of the night, Ryan so exhausted grabbed a burp cloth, swaddled our babe, and gently carried her back to our bed to snuggle her on his chest.

Yesterday morning, as I was visiting teaching, my friend was talking about the difficulty that Sundays brought when her children were young and how she would bring her Ensign to the mother's lounge so she could get something out of being a church. I thought about that and then thought about my dear husband. I rarely felt like that at church. My husband handled our children so much better at church than I did/do. More often than not, he had our young ones with him in his classes. He still does.

I've told him several times that if I could make as much money as he does, that he would be so much better staying at home than I am. He has that nurturing bone that I wonder some days if I have at all. (I remember coming home from a Women's Conference and our house was bursting at the seams with children. Not only where their children everywhere, but Ryan thought it would be fun to have them decorate cupcakes! The kids loved it and I stood there in awe at the amazing-ness of my husband.)

He is amazing. And, there's nothing like when my heart takes a picture that I thank my lucky stars to have him.

She’s In!

Our new dining table that is.

After a lot of sanding,  staining, and polyurethane-ing, she’s finally joined us inside.

For $140 off of Craigslist, she went from:

to

Ta-da.  A fabulous square table to seat all 8 of us. YAY!

(well, Henry still hangs from the table in his seat…and we only got 7 chairs with the table…but we fit!)

And So It Begins

It has begun.
I could tell a couple weeks ago that something was up when Rylee would tell me that her friends were getting love notes.
She wasn't acting jealous, but I think she was subtly trying to bring something up.
I played it cool and reacted casually.

Last Thursday, Rylee was lingering while I was making dinner.
I made small talk to she if she would open up - I knew she wanted to talk.
Finally, she asked how old I was when I first liked a boy.
There it was.

I smiled and looked at her.
She was a little embarrassed, but I asked who he was.
She told me his name and showed me his picture in last year's yearbook.
Cute kid.

Right after school, I got a text from Rylee.
He asked me to be his girlfriend! What do I do?? Help me!
(Me) Your mom says your too young.
I know! What do I do!!!

We exchanged texts while she informs me that her friends already told him yes.
Here comes Mama Bear.
Tell your friends to stop!

It's a good thing Ryan had been included in the texts because I could feel myself losing my cool.
This surprised me.
But more surprisingly, Ryan coolly and calmly says
Just tell him you're not ready for a boyfriend (but then, of course, adds) and that your Dad will ground you forever.
Okay. That works.

Now to schedule The talk.
I've been afraid of this.
I thought I had more time.

Any advice?
Blah.

Don't Tell His Dad . . .

While waiting for Kaycee at the dentist, we put 'lips' on Lucy and Olivia.

Henry didn't want to feel left out . . . it's not like it's nail polish!

The Best Way

Henry Christmas morning.

We enjoyed a wonderful Christmas out in Utah this year. I am always impressed with how much thought and effort go into everything my parents prepare. From meals to gifts to costumes for our ever growing Nativity cast. I’m kicking myself that I didn’t pull my camera out more, but we had such a great time. The holiday weekend we ate, we visited, we played games, volleyball (for the Championship of the World!) and we even had a talent show this year.

Another fabulous Christmas.

We rang in the New Year when the East coast did…meaning we all ended up in bed before midnight. In fact, I think I fell asleep at about 11:45. So close. I must be getting old.

New Years Day, after attending just Sacrament Meeting, we drove up to Sandy up to Sunset Gardens to visit Baby Honey’s grave. She doesn’t have her own grave stone yet, but after four years this was the first time we’d been back. I didn’t know what to expect, but thankfully I think with time, I was ready.

Ryan and I agreed that this was the perfect place for a family picture. All together. We will treasure those tender moments.

On our way back to my parents, we decided to stop by the place where it all began, back in 2000.

The Jordan River Temple

Our first visit back since our wedding (apparently we aren’t this area very much…) and unfortunately, the gates were locked. I was happy to snap a few photos though and the kids seemed happy to see the temple their parents were married in.

This day was the best way we could have started this new year.

Watermelon in December

We were at Costco the other day, when Olivia spied some watermelon. As huge fans of it at our house, I decided to overlook the ridiculous price (it is December) and grant Olivia her request.

Without a skipping a beat, we cut up the watermelon as soon as we got home. I was afraid it wouldn't taste as sweet as it does in the summer , but was pleasantly surprised how delicious it tasted. (Was it actually sweet, or was it because it was December and we were eating watermelon..?)


Watermelon in December = Happiness.

Speaking of happiness, can you believe it's Christmas this weekend? Here we go!

We've been visiting with great friends and and looking forward to spending time with family. Is there anything better? Holidays + Family = Perfection.

Sunshine and lovely weather also make happy. We had the best snowy day two days ago. The morning sky was overcast as the clouds threatened snow. By early afternoon it was snowing. It was beautiful. We watched outside as we sat in our cozy home with not a place we had to be.

With kids home on break, I've found my patience to be fairly thin. Shocking, I know ;). But when we can calm down and relax and little more, I sure enjoy watching them interact. All at different levels of learning, but growing and striving. You know what's weird? Henry is our oldest child without being pregnant again. It feels so strange, but so liberating at the same time. He's our baby. (And he certainly milks it!) The thought of our family feeling complete makes me sublimely happy.

And a bit off topic, but still makes me very happy, this little chair. More than the chair though, this fabric. I love it. It certainly makes me happy.

This Little Boy

(Henry - 16 mos.)

There are adventures with Henry almost everyday. He's certainly one to keep me on my toes.
This little guy is a toilet dunking, binky swishing, toilet brush dragging, midnight escaping, vent dropping, head bonking, monkey climbing, top tooth grinning, tooth brushing, dish turning, Christmas ball throwing, stick jabbing, cell phone chucking, fruit snack eating, diaper digging, sister hugging, sister shoving, happy Happy HAPPY little boy.

And we love him to pieces.

Bringing in the Christmas Cheer

Winter has come.

With frigid temperatures (not unusual for Colorado, but about a month early, brrr) and snow, help make it feel Christmas-y.

Sunday night, we pulled out our tree and began the festivities. However, when half the lights didn’t light up on our pre-lit tree, we met a serious GRUMPELSTILTSKIN. Me. I had to stop as I started getting after the kids. One may think this wouldn’t have bothered them, but I was so grouchy.

The kids still danced around and started dressing the tree- obviously understanding the Spirit of Christmas more than their mother. I had to take a time-out.

My mom happened to call me the next day and I expressed my woes (my lifeless, lightless tree) to her. She informed of a sweet little gadget that could make my troubles disappear. The following day I went and made my purchase.

While it brought a few branches back to life (yay!), I still didn’t have the patience to replace about 100 little bulbs. Instead, I wimped out and just strung another set of lights around the remaining branches. As magically as the tree looked all lit up, my mood was incredibly better as well.

Just yesterday, I (re)decorated the tree and pulled out most of our Christmas décor. It’s amazing how much my mood has lifted and how the Spirit of Christmas is filling our home.

In fact, just this morning:

Kaycee: Mom, you don’t look old. Lucy chiming in: yeah, you don’t look old. Me: oh yeah? (who said anything about old?? where’s this coming from??) Kaycee: you just look like an older sister. Me: Thanks…

I smiled. Is this because I turn 31 in less than 24 hours…? or are we trying to butter up Mom for Christmas….

Either way, I guess I’ll be happy looking like the ‘older sister’ (in my children's eyes) and enjoy bringing in the Christmas cheer.