I went to my first blogging get together thingy of my life on Thursday night. I'm so glad I did. I've always been hesitant to actually meet some of the people I've developed relationships with online because it takes it to a new level of friendship and I'm never sure if I'm ready for that commitment. Well, I'm so glad I went.
This was a meeting for a new(ish) website called Mormon Women. I've been aware of it for some time now, but hadn't gotten the spirit of it until last week. I had so many great thoughts and feelings come to me as I participated in the meeting. The goal of the site is to provide a place for women and men who are unfamiliar with the Church to find a place on the internet where women are sharing positive experiences they have in their lives and in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There are plenty of places for curious people to find negative information and experiences -- this site is seeking to make a place that will be easily found on search engines and allow people to catch a glimpse of the lives Mormon women lead.
I would recommend visiting the site. I'd also recommend submitting your own stories and experiences to the administrators.
To my friends who are not LDS, might I still invite you to visit the site? I think it's so neat to see what many women are experiencing. It's so inspiring to me to connect and realize that our faiths may have differences, but we are so very much the same.
This is a really terrific site and I'm excited to be a small part of it...even in just spreading the word about it!
27 July 2009
23 July 2009
Bringing me Joy Today
In the form of dancing children (and mom)...
NOT in the form of the stupid hour and a half I wasted trying to figure out how to put an audio clip on this dumb thing.
These are the three songs being listened to/sung/danced to on a continuous loop right now:
NOT in the form of the stupid hour and a half I wasted trying to figure out how to put an audio clip on this dumb thing.
These are the three songs being listened to/sung/danced to on a continuous loop right now:
22 July 2009
Pool Party at Trudy's!
To celebrate Brigham's 3 week post-op mark, we had a fun afternoon at Trudy's swimming our guts out. I love when you can just kill an afternoon doing such a fun, relaxing thing. Trudy had us over (okay, we invited ourselves) to play in their above ground pool. Angie H. and her boys came, too. I'm getting so sad because Angie and Rick move in just a few short weeks. It's been such a great friendship and I will miss them very much.
So, we partied like it was 1999 and played for over 3 hours in the pool. Trudy has the funnest pool -- it's wide, probably 6 ft. or more, yeah, definitely more, and only about 2 1/2 ft. deep. The kids love it so much because they can play and touch the bottom and run around or float or swim.
Nate & Joe were awesome and played with the kids the entire afternoon -- Jared ended up getting home from work, too, about a half hour before we left. I love them for being so great with the kids. It's beginning to freak me out, though, how grown up and buff they're getting. We've only lived here just a few short years, but they've gone from kids to serious hotties lately! They'll love that their old neighbor lady just said that, I'm sure.
So, pics for the day...
Most of the gang here...Lily, Trevor, Chloe, Ethan, Brigham
The girls loved splashing Nate.
Cannon wasn't thrilled about the pool at first, but warmed up to it after I got in with him. And I'm thinking I'm in serious need of a haircut -- got a little mullet mushroom thing going on here.
Oooh, she's just edible. She was in the pool probably 90% of the time. And she and Ethan seemed to have a blast playing together today.
Brigham was trying to throw grapes into Joe's mouth. He finally decided the most effective way was to get really close and hand it to him.
See what I mean? Joe! Trevor loved being jumped on the trampoline. Ethan and Lily loved watching the stunts.
And Nate! When did you guys get this old and cute?! The big tube was a huge hit. The kids loved being pushed from one side of the pool to the other in it. Chloe, however, did not love being pushed into the side of the trampoline by it.
Cannon & Joe -- Family Twins. They love each other.
That's Cannon laughing at Joe...and showing off his awesome belly.
We got to see Chalisa W. and her kids. Angie came over after work -- or AdamandAngie as she's now becoming known. Angie, congratulations!!!!
Trudy thought she was taking a picture of Chloe, but it was on the video mode. So, heeeeeere's Chloe!
Not counting the near drownings of Brigham (Hello! You just survived open heart surgery...You Will NOT Drown, do you hear me?????!!!) and Trevor, it was a perfect afternoon. Thanks for coming with, Ang. And Trudy and boys, THANK YOU!!!
So, we partied like it was 1999 and played for over 3 hours in the pool. Trudy has the funnest pool -- it's wide, probably 6 ft. or more, yeah, definitely more, and only about 2 1/2 ft. deep. The kids love it so much because they can play and touch the bottom and run around or float or swim.
Nate & Joe were awesome and played with the kids the entire afternoon -- Jared ended up getting home from work, too, about a half hour before we left. I love them for being so great with the kids. It's beginning to freak me out, though, how grown up and buff they're getting. We've only lived here just a few short years, but they've gone from kids to serious hotties lately! They'll love that their old neighbor lady just said that, I'm sure.
So, pics for the day...
Most of the gang here...Lily, Trevor, Chloe, Ethan, Brigham
The girls loved splashing Nate.
Cannon wasn't thrilled about the pool at first, but warmed up to it after I got in with him. And I'm thinking I'm in serious need of a haircut -- got a little mullet mushroom thing going on here.
Oooh, she's just edible. She was in the pool probably 90% of the time. And she and Ethan seemed to have a blast playing together today.
Brigham was trying to throw grapes into Joe's mouth. He finally decided the most effective way was to get really close and hand it to him.
See what I mean? Joe! Trevor loved being jumped on the trampoline. Ethan and Lily loved watching the stunts.
And Nate! When did you guys get this old and cute?! The big tube was a huge hit. The kids loved being pushed from one side of the pool to the other in it. Chloe, however, did not love being pushed into the side of the trampoline by it.
Cannon & Joe -- Family Twins. They love each other.
That's Cannon laughing at Joe...and showing off his awesome belly.
We got to see Chalisa W. and her kids. Angie came over after work -- or AdamandAngie as she's now becoming known. Angie, congratulations!!!!Trudy thought she was taking a picture of Chloe, but it was on the video mode. So, heeeeeere's Chloe!
Not counting the near drownings of Brigham (Hello! You just survived open heart surgery...You Will NOT Drown, do you hear me?????!!!) and Trevor, it was a perfect afternoon. Thanks for coming with, Ang. And Trudy and boys, THANK YOU!!!
There Are Some Things That Just Shouldn't Be Blogged About
At least according to Stanton...Me? I'm an open book.
Like today for instance:
This is what my laundry pile looked like mere moments ago (although the picture was taken last night...BEFORE I stayed up until 2:45 am reading a fun new book the sister of a friend had published recently. It's a great read, I'd definitely recommend it, by the way.)...
Where were we? Oh, yes, things that shouldn't be blogged about. I think admitting to staying up past 2:00 am could qualify; so could these pictures:
And while we're at it, how about this little tidbit: It's noon and Brigham is still in the diaper he wore to bed last night. Yep. But hey, he dressed himself, so who's complaining?
In other totally blog-worthy news: Chloe went the whole night in underwear! No wet bed! She asked me yesterday if she could try and surprise! I said "Yes." I'm glad I did. She was so excited to come upstairs this morning. Maybe she's turning a corner.
Listen, I'm not into revisionist history. I'm here for the good the bad and the ugly. You get a little of all three today and it's only noon. Ooh, but there's more good in store this afternoon: swimming at Trudy's! The kids are way excited. And they're playing nicely together (all 3!). Wonder of wonders.
Like today for instance:
This is what my laundry pile looked like mere moments ago (although the picture was taken last night...BEFORE I stayed up until 2:45 am reading a fun new book the sister of a friend had published recently. It's a great read, I'd definitely recommend it, by the way.)...
Where were we? Oh, yes, things that shouldn't be blogged about. I think admitting to staying up past 2:00 am could qualify; so could these pictures:
And while we're at it, how about this little tidbit: It's noon and Brigham is still in the diaper he wore to bed last night. Yep. But hey, he dressed himself, so who's complaining?
In other totally blog-worthy news: Chloe went the whole night in underwear! No wet bed! She asked me yesterday if she could try and surprise! I said "Yes." I'm glad I did. She was so excited to come upstairs this morning. Maybe she's turning a corner.
Listen, I'm not into revisionist history. I'm here for the good the bad and the ugly. You get a little of all three today and it's only noon. Ooh, but there's more good in store this afternoon: swimming at Trudy's! The kids are way excited. And they're playing nicely together (all 3!). Wonder of wonders.
20 July 2009
Why I Loved Today
It's been great to have the girls back. Driving home, it just felt good to have all of them being loud in the backseat. Of course, roses haven't been blooming beneath our feet as I thought for sure they would be after such an experience as we've had. After about 3.7 seconds of being home, the kids were bickering and whining and ignoring and being all together a bunch of stinkers. I couldn't help but think to myself, "Geesh, weren't you guys changed by this experience?" No, they weren't, and that's a good thing. It's exactly what we wanted: for Brig's surgery to happen before any of the kids would have huge memories of it. We got what we wanted...and all the consequences associated with it.
Yesterday (Sunday) was suckish. We were all exhausted and ornery and yes, there was church, too, which is a serious pain in the behind during this phase of life...especially after a month and a half of not being there together. Anyway, we resolved that today would be a better day and it was. Here are a few reasons why:
Chloe ran into the kitchen to have me come and see the amazing thing Cannon was doing...I have to admit, it was amazing and darned cute.
Then, I had serious flashbacks of my childhood as we picked peas and beans from the garden and then podded and snapped them (and ATE them) on the front porch.
We unpacked the girls' suitcases (when did they get home again??), played, and did other things I don't quite remember until Stanton came home.
After he got home, we wrastled Brigham down on the counter top and snipped his last stitch. I know, that shouldn't qualify as part of "why I loved today," but it does. Why? Well, because it brought out some cute personality traits in the girls. One, Chloe immediately grabbed the camera so she could document the whole thing (the following pictures are courtesy of her). Two, Lily climbed up on the bar and, after discovering that covering her ears to muffle Brigham's screams wasn't doing much good, came over next to him and whispered, "It's okay, Bud, I'm here. You're doing great."
I do realize this was no occassion for smiling...and I have no excuse for why Stanton and I are.
Cannon didn't like the screaming and crying and no attention being paid to him...thus the puffy eyes.
As a reward for Brigham's toughness, we ate popsicles on the porch. Cannon loved his.
Do we seriously look this enormous to our kids?
Stanton took the kids to pick the few peas we had missed and they sat in the shade of the very tall corn rows to munch them while I reheated Olive Garden leftovers from Saturday night. After that very easy dinner, we had Family Home Evening. It was one of those fly by the seat of your pants ones that we have...well...every week if I'm being honest. Thankfully there was a little scripture chase type thing in the Friend about the pioneers, so Voila! lesson...
Some of my favorite moments from FHE included:
1) Lily announcing that we would be singing "Here comes the Ox Hole" for our opening song.
2) Chloe having a meltdown (about I forget what) and stomping out of the room with a very loud "Aaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! Plllbbbbb. (I'm having a hard time phoneticizing that sound...it's that classic stick your tounge out sound...). For whatever reason, it just tickled our funny bones and we couldn't help but laugh out loud. Of course, that didn't help things with our very socially aware child, but it was better for us than yelling at her, which is the usual response.
3) Cannon kneeling and folding his arms when we said it was time for the closing prayer. I think he was the only one who actually did fold his arms and kneel for the prayer; if I recall correctly, Chloe was sulking on the couch by then, Brigham was possibly fighting a dragon?, and Lily might have been kneeling...I forget.
This was after FHE, but he was willing to perform again, so we got a picture.
4) Root Beer floats and everyone happy again.
Cannon is standing up for several seconds at a time now and has taken a few steps here and there, too. Every day he gets more interested in walking. I love walking babies. Love. them.
Speaking of love; I love this picture.
We ended the night with baths (Brigham's first real bath since surgery!), a couple of stories, and one round of dancing to "Snowy Peaks" (Old Dominion for those who prefer the "real" name [and please forgive the lip sync video -- it's the best I could find on ye olde YouTube]). It's the kids' favorite favorite favorite song to dance to ever. It's our iTunes #1 most played song by a mile. I think it's registered at over 200 times? Yeah, we love this song.
Loving Today.
Oh, how about some more gratuitous-showing-off-of-the-kids video? I'm loving these clips from Chloe--it's fun to see her perspective and what's interesting to her. And she's not too shabby...if I do say so myself.
Yesterday (Sunday) was suckish. We were all exhausted and ornery and yes, there was church, too, which is a serious pain in the behind during this phase of life...especially after a month and a half of not being there together. Anyway, we resolved that today would be a better day and it was. Here are a few reasons why:
Chloe ran into the kitchen to have me come and see the amazing thing Cannon was doing...I have to admit, it was amazing and darned cute.
Then, I had serious flashbacks of my childhood as we picked peas and beans from the garden and then podded and snapped them (and ATE them) on the front porch.
We unpacked the girls' suitcases (when did they get home again??), played, and did other things I don't quite remember until Stanton came home.
After he got home, we wrastled Brigham down on the counter top and snipped his last stitch. I know, that shouldn't qualify as part of "why I loved today," but it does. Why? Well, because it brought out some cute personality traits in the girls. One, Chloe immediately grabbed the camera so she could document the whole thing (the following pictures are courtesy of her). Two, Lily climbed up on the bar and, after discovering that covering her ears to muffle Brigham's screams wasn't doing much good, came over next to him and whispered, "It's okay, Bud, I'm here. You're doing great."
I do realize this was no occassion for smiling...and I have no excuse for why Stanton and I are.
Cannon didn't like the screaming and crying and no attention being paid to him...thus the puffy eyes.As a reward for Brigham's toughness, we ate popsicles on the porch. Cannon loved his.
Do we seriously look this enormous to our kids?Stanton took the kids to pick the few peas we had missed and they sat in the shade of the very tall corn rows to munch them while I reheated Olive Garden leftovers from Saturday night. After that very easy dinner, we had Family Home Evening. It was one of those fly by the seat of your pants ones that we have...well...every week if I'm being honest. Thankfully there was a little scripture chase type thing in the Friend about the pioneers, so Voila! lesson...
Some of my favorite moments from FHE included:
1) Lily announcing that we would be singing "Here comes the Ox Hole" for our opening song.
2) Chloe having a meltdown (about I forget what) and stomping out of the room with a very loud "Aaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! Plllbbbbb. (I'm having a hard time phoneticizing that sound...it's that classic stick your tounge out sound...). For whatever reason, it just tickled our funny bones and we couldn't help but laugh out loud. Of course, that didn't help things with our very socially aware child, but it was better for us than yelling at her, which is the usual response.
3) Cannon kneeling and folding his arms when we said it was time for the closing prayer. I think he was the only one who actually did fold his arms and kneel for the prayer; if I recall correctly, Chloe was sulking on the couch by then, Brigham was possibly fighting a dragon?, and Lily might have been kneeling...I forget.
This was after FHE, but he was willing to perform again, so we got a picture.4) Root Beer floats and everyone happy again.
Cannon is standing up for several seconds at a time now and has taken a few steps here and there, too. Every day he gets more interested in walking. I love walking babies. Love. them.Speaking of love; I love this picture.
We ended the night with baths (Brigham's first real bath since surgery!), a couple of stories, and one round of dancing to "Snowy Peaks" (Old Dominion for those who prefer the "real" name [and please forgive the lip sync video -- it's the best I could find on ye olde YouTube]). It's the kids' favorite favorite favorite song to dance to ever. It's our iTunes #1 most played song by a mile. I think it's registered at over 200 times? Yeah, we love this song.
Loving Today.
Oh, how about some more gratuitous-showing-off-of-the-kids video? I'm loving these clips from Chloe--it's fun to see her perspective and what's interesting to her. And she's not too shabby...if I do say so myself.
16 July 2009
Firsts...
Brigham had his first time out since being home today. It was at bedtime and he was exhausted and had really lost his ability to put cause and effect together. I had given him the option of taking his medicine first or getting his jammies from downstairs. He chose jammies but then didn't follow through. I had patience for a while and then got less and less patient as the minutes rolled by. I ended up threatening to put his new John Deere toys in the garbage. He cried, but still didn't go get his jammies. It was then that I should have realized he was just too exhausted to make choices. Instead, I continued to offer choices (time out or get jammies, get jammies or your screwdriver goes in the garbage, etc.). He continued to choose jammies, but just wouldn't actually go down and get them. His screwdriver ended up in the garbage and he spent 2 minutes in time out. After it was over, I hugged him tight and walked him to the bottom of the stairs and waited while he ran to his closet and grabbed his jammies. It took all of about 2 minutes. I should have done it from the start. I worry that all of this attention and toys and no sisters around to challenge him and hello he just had open heart surgery -- that all of this is going to make him act spoiled and stubborn. Tonight after he went to bed (without incident, by the way), I had to remind myself just what he has endured over the last two and a half weeks. I sat down and read through the posts and looked at the pictures and watched the videos and just cried. It seems almost unbelievable that Brigham experienced that event. Seriously. I could hardly believe my eyes as I looked at those initial pictures of him just out of surgery. It seems like a dream. I'm so glad I kept a record or I may not ever believe it happened.
We go get the girls tomorrow and I am so excited. Tonight was a good reminder, though, of how quick I am to expect the unreasonable and lose my patience. I need to pray harder for the Spirit to be with me -- that I will remember how precious and little and perfect my kids are and that they are all doing something amazing every day.
We go get the girls tomorrow and I am so excited. Tonight was a good reminder, though, of how quick I am to expect the unreasonable and lose my patience. I need to pray harder for the Spirit to be with me -- that I will remember how precious and little and perfect my kids are and that they are all doing something amazing every day.
Favorite New Toy
best. toy. ever. A remote control John Deere tractor and a John Deere
tool belt.
Heard from Brigham a lot over the past 24 hours:
"Nuffin' wuns yike a Deere."
"It's time to woyk on our John Deere tactor."
"Mom, where's my Deere?"
We're Back!
Brig and I got in on Monday night. He was a champ on the flight. He didn't sleep a wink of the entire 5 hour flight, but he entertained himself watching Cars on my phone and playing with his magnetic horses.
Our days back have been spent playing, getting unpacked, doing laundry, visiting Stanton's office, and receiving lots and lots of presents! Brigham is loving that last one.
We got our little Cannon back on Tuesday and, ooooh, it was so good to love him and squeeze him.
I pick up the girls on Friday. They're having a blast at a music camp in Rupert. They're staying with 9 of their cousins, my two sisters, and my mom. I'm missing them like CRAZY. I am so excited to pick them up tomorrow...Brigham is, too! He keeps asking where the "gyuws" are.
Brig's energy level is improving exponentially every day. He's really back to about 99% at this point. It's incredible to witness!
Our days back have been spent playing, getting unpacked, doing laundry, visiting Stanton's office, and receiving lots and lots of presents! Brigham is loving that last one.
We got our little Cannon back on Tuesday and, ooooh, it was so good to love him and squeeze him.
I pick up the girls on Friday. They're having a blast at a music camp in Rupert. They're staying with 9 of their cousins, my two sisters, and my mom. I'm missing them like CRAZY. I am so excited to pick them up tomorrow...Brigham is, too! He keeps asking where the "gyuws" are.
Brig's energy level is improving exponentially every day. He's really back to about 99% at this point. It's incredible to witness!
13 July 2009
12 July 2009
12 July 2009
Thought I'd get a few thoughts down before we head up to Rachel H. F.'s ward for church.
It was hard to say goodbye to Stanton yesterday. Having these two weeks together to experience this time with Brigham has been so neat. We've grown closer and I am missing him very much. He got to see my little Cannon yesterday and my heart was so sad! I miss that little person! We got on gmail chat yesterday and talked that way and I just filled up inside seeing Cannon and Stanton together. Two people I love very much.
I've had a ball with Brigham. We packed yesterday pretty darned full.
We got up at 4:30 (having gone to bed after 10:00) to take Stanton to the airport then came back to the hotel and slept until about 8:00. We snuggled and watched PBSKids for a while.
We went to breakfast at McDonald's and ran into TJ Maxx to grab a shirt for me -- I sent the shirt that goes with my skirt for church home with Stanton. Oops. Well, I can't go to TJ Maxx and just get a shirt...I ended up with a few other things and some things for the kids and.....a bag to bring them home in because I didn't have room in my suitcase! It was a good thing, though, because I wanted to bring some little souvenieres home for the kids and wouldn't have had room for those either.
Anyway.......after TJ Maxx, we headed down to the New England Aquarium. Brigham was so tired from his short night that he fell asleep before getting there. I let him sleep for a bit and then woke him up so we could get to the Aquarium. The line was so long. The "Tall Ships" were in town and it was a Saturday, which equalled a very busy Long Wharf. Brigham wanted to be held the whole time we were in line and I was happy to do it. My arms were getting very tired by the time we got to the ticket booth, though, and I somehow convinced him to sit in his stroller. He was good to do that the rest of the time. Inside, we saw penguins (he LOVED the penguins), seals, every fish you can imagine and a couple of sharks that scared the bejeebies out of him (and I have to admit they scared me, too). We spent a good 2 hours in there and had a ball. The ocean and ocean life always make me a bit uncomfortable and I was surprised at my own reaction to many of the exhibits. We both enjoyed it a lot, though, and it was fun to spend the time with him. He was glued to most of the tanks and yelping with joy over everything he saw. I want to take each of my kids individually to a place like that so I can enjoy their reactions instead of counting heads and moving everyone along so that somebody doesn't get lost. The one on one was really fun.
After the Aquarium, we walked over to the Feneuil Hall marketplace. Stanton and I had gone there on our Honeymoon cruise, but I don't think I realized then what it was. It was very neat and so fun to walk around. Again, there were a gazillion people, but we still had a great time. We ran up to Gap Kids and got Brigham some new pajamas because the zipper on the footy ones I brought was hurting his chest. It was something I hadn't even considered when packing. He picked out Pirate Monkey ones and Dinosaur ones.
It was hard to say goodbye to Stanton yesterday. Having these two weeks together to experience this time with Brigham has been so neat. We've grown closer and I am missing him very much. He got to see my little Cannon yesterday and my heart was so sad! I miss that little person! We got on gmail chat yesterday and talked that way and I just filled up inside seeing Cannon and Stanton together. Two people I love very much.
I've had a ball with Brigham. We packed yesterday pretty darned full.
We got up at 4:30 (having gone to bed after 10:00) to take Stanton to the airport then came back to the hotel and slept until about 8:00. We snuggled and watched PBSKids for a while.
We went to breakfast at McDonald's and ran into TJ Maxx to grab a shirt for me -- I sent the shirt that goes with my skirt for church home with Stanton. Oops. Well, I can't go to TJ Maxx and just get a shirt...I ended up with a few other things and some things for the kids and.....a bag to bring them home in because I didn't have room in my suitcase! It was a good thing, though, because I wanted to bring some little souvenieres home for the kids and wouldn't have had room for those either.
Anyway.......after TJ Maxx, we headed down to the New England Aquarium. Brigham was so tired from his short night that he fell asleep before getting there. I let him sleep for a bit and then woke him up so we could get to the Aquarium. The line was so long. The "Tall Ships" were in town and it was a Saturday, which equalled a very busy Long Wharf. Brigham wanted to be held the whole time we were in line and I was happy to do it. My arms were getting very tired by the time we got to the ticket booth, though, and I somehow convinced him to sit in his stroller. He was good to do that the rest of the time. Inside, we saw penguins (he LOVED the penguins), seals, every fish you can imagine and a couple of sharks that scared the bejeebies out of him (and I have to admit they scared me, too). We spent a good 2 hours in there and had a ball. The ocean and ocean life always make me a bit uncomfortable and I was surprised at my own reaction to many of the exhibits. We both enjoyed it a lot, though, and it was fun to spend the time with him. He was glued to most of the tanks and yelping with joy over everything he saw. I want to take each of my kids individually to a place like that so I can enjoy their reactions instead of counting heads and moving everyone along so that somebody doesn't get lost. The one on one was really fun.
After the Aquarium, we walked over to the Feneuil Hall marketplace. Stanton and I had gone there on our Honeymoon cruise, but I don't think I realized then what it was. It was very neat and so fun to walk around. Again, there were a gazillion people, but we still had a great time. We ran up to Gap Kids and got Brigham some new pajamas because the zipper on the footy ones I brought was hurting his chest. It was something I hadn't even considered when packing. He picked out Pirate Monkey ones and Dinosaur ones.
11 July 2009
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