Winter Doldrums

Yuck. This is the time of year that I really start to dislike things. Call it cabin fever, or something. It just seems like everything suddenly becomes old, shabby, dirty and boring. Maybe it's seasonal affective disorder.

I love all the seasons for different reasons. I don't really have a favorite. But, you know that feeling you get when you're tired of something? That's what I have BIG TIME. I love winter, the crisp clean white snow, fireside memories, Christmas, the freshness and sharp bite to the air, winter comfort food. But, along about March I get the blahs. Hate the snow, which is now dirty gray, the dead brown grass poking through, the pollution in the air that makes you cough, let down of the holiday season gone by, cold that gets into your bones and makes you hurt worse, the smell of dirt and decay, and the heavy food that makes you long for summer salads and lemonade.
I love spring for the new green plants poking through, daffodils and crocuses, tulips and hyacinths. Baby animals, Easter, trees coming back to life, warm rain, airing out the house and working in my garden and feeling the soil and smelling the new earth. I love summer for the bright blue skies, long days, green growing things, fresh tomatoes off the vine, barbecues, fireworks and fresh mowed grass. I love fall for the harvest, fire colors in the trees and across the mountain sides, canning fruits, apple pie with fresh apples, new school supplies, the smell of crayons.
Now, I long for spring. I find myself anxiously surveying my flower beds, willing the crocus to peek through. I get excited that the limbs of the trees have buds and growth. I want to see the "Daffydowndillies" coming up, see the grass spotted with green shoots. I want to see the roses unfurl their leaves, the daisies start to poke through. I want to see the baby chicks, the new calves at the farm by Mom and Dad's, taste the strawberries, plant the peas and pole beans. I want blue skies without the smog, to see the mountains without the haze, to take my kids to the park and let them run wild in the fresh air. I want to smell the lilacs, the lilies of the valley. Sigh.

Life is wild and crazy, par for the golf course of our mortal probation, I suppose. The kids got the cold crap for a few weeks. Sam had to get five freakin' cavities filled. Thank goodness for sedation dentistry. Jake passed with flying colors, no "holes", yay! He's still is into everything. Miley is crawling, pulling up on things. We had to remove the bassinet out of her play yard and drop her mattress in her crib. Here's some pictures of her, I can't believe how fast she's growing up!

There are some changes coming for us, but I can't go into detail right now. Suffice it to say they are good changes, so don't worry. (And no, no new little Fords on the horizon, do ya think I'm nuts?!?)

HEY EVERYBODEEE!

Sorry, I was channeling Grover there for a minute.
Hey out there, all my wonderful, handsome, beautiful, kind, funny sweet friends and family, PLEASE PLEASE add your name to the Followers over there...on the side...look...that's it...no up...yeah right there! We would REALLY LOVE IT if you would so we can see that we're not just doing this for our health! You don't have to be a blogger, just add in anonymously, okay? That way we can know who's actually blog stalking us! Thank you thank you! (I'll make you cookies ;-)!)

Happy Birthday Jake!

A little while ago we celebrated Jacob's third birthday! Wow! Time goes so fast, it seems not very long ago he was the scrawny little baby we brought home on a cold winter's day. He was four weeks early, the day after my doctor said "Nothing's happening." (Yeah, right.) I guess he was just in too much of a hurry to be with Sam, and he's more than made up for the 15 months they spent on opposite sides of heaven! He is truly a joy most days, an outright pill others, but he's always charming, sweet and continuously amazing! I asked him some questions this year to document his likes and dislikes and these are the answers he gave (Jakeisms included):

Favorite color: "orrige but sometimes green"
Favorite food: "hot dog hot dog hot diggity dog! oh, anna pizza, yeah!"
Favorite TV show: "Ferb!" (Phineas and Ferb on Disney)
Favorite movie: "ummmm, diggers and trains." (He got some DVDs of construction vehicles and trains for his birthday)
Favorite snack: "Candy"
Favorite game "Shekers" (Checkers) and "Superharolds" (Superheroes)
Favorite friend: "Sam and Brookin"
Favorite toy: "Sam's red truck" and "Workbench"
Favorite story: "Birdie finds the Mom" (Are you my Mother?)
Favorite school activity: "Painting"
Favorite primary song: "Snowman song"
Favorite thing to do: "Go outside" and "baths"

Dislikes: getting up early, bedtime, haircuts, icky dinners, picking up toys, listening, sharing, being told no.

We took the boys to Chuck E Cheese for his birthday, which they just loved. Can't say the same for the grown-ups, but hey, the kids had a good time and we got to make some memories besides. After that we came home and had presents and cake. I made the cake to look like a dirt pile with some construction trucks in it, I thought it turned out pretty well!

Happy Birthday Bug! We love you!

Growing up

This Sunday Sam gave his first talk in Primary! I can't believe how big he is getting! He was so excited to talk in the microphone and he did awesome! Craig helped him write out a few lines about being a spirit child of Heavenly Father . Sam got right up in Primary and with only a little prompting he said his talk. I am so proud of him! Here's what he said:

"I have a Heavenly Father. I lived with him before I came to earth. I can read about Him in the scriptures. I can pray to Him. He blesses me. I love Him and He loves me."

It seems only yesterday that he was just a little guy. Now he talks about things like skateboards and tells me how a clock works. I hear conversations between Sam and Jake and I just have to chuckle at their reasoning and topics. Then Sam will say something incredibly profound to me and I'll think "Where'd you learn that? I didn't teach you that." Kids are amazing. Do you ever get the feeling that your children are older than you? My mom has always said that about my brothers and I, and my dad gave me a birthday card once that jokingly counted all those pre-mortal years. (Happy 1,678,976,457 th birthday!) I feel that way about my boys. Sometimes for a brief moment I see the men they will become. Sometimes for a brief moment I glimpse a soul that is eons older and wiser and purer than mine. I can only hope and pray that I can teach them what is right and that they will know success in life.

In other happenings the kids have yet another case of the sniffles, and Miley is FINALLY starting to like solids. She ate all her cereal, applesauce and sweet potatoes at dinner. She even likes meat, which I cut and tear into tiny tidbits for her. (I don't like the puree baby meats-yeecch!) Nilla wafers are her favorite to munch on with her two teeth. So life as usual!

Season's Greetings and New Year Wishes

Happy 2009, everyone!

We've had a busy holiday season, and I must say, while it's always sad to see those Christmas lights lose their sparkle and luster, it is a bit a a relief to return to the normalcy of every day life. The house is slowly being put back together, bedtime is once again routine, and we are adjusting to the new year.

My birthday was before Christmas and I had a very nice one. We went to eat at MacCools and then Craig and I got to go out (just the two of us) to finish the shopping. I was so happy to spend time with him I didn't mind battling the stores and the crowds, or when I slipped in Walmart's parking lot and bruised my patella (kneecap) and compressed a nerve. Too bad it wasn't anything lasting, or I'd own the company (joking!). But it was fun to be a couple for a awhile. My favorite birthdays are the quiet ones where it's me and family.

We had a great Christmas! The kids had a ball at the Ford Christmas party on the 23 rd when Santa came and passed out some gifts and took each child on his knee. Sam and Jake were sooo excited to see him. Their little faces just lit up. It was pretty funny, too, when Santa asked Jake what he wanted for Christmas and Jake looked at him and said "presents" in a tone that was like, well duh! It was touching that when Santa left Jake ran back to him, threw his arms around him and said thank you and told Santa how much he loved him. (awww.) We went to my Auntie Katrina's house on Christmas Eve where the kids got to spend time with Grandma-great and my extended family. We enjoyed the white elephant exchange and the company of good people. Christmas Eve the boys set out cookies and milk for Santa with a few carrots for the reindeer. Christmas morning was full of surprises! We had fun visiting family and exchanging gifts across the board.

We have news: in the form of another gift, Craig accepted the Patient Care Coordinator position at Orchard Cove the week of Christmas. He is relieved to get out of the wound care aspect of nursing. He is great at it, of course, but he was getting tired of the monotony and problems associated with noncompliance and other things. (Ask him about it in person sometime.) That and he does not want to continue in wound care, as his interests lie in other areas of nursing practice. The PCC position is what he had to vacate last April, but now he's going back and we feel that this will be a good move for our family, as his hours will be regular once again to help with the child care issues. He's excited to return to the OC, where he loved the staff (and they loved him) and now there's a new director which will make life that much easier. I am grateful for the blessings given us through the trials of last year that was associated with SDCH and all the rigmarole we went through.

We had a great New Year's celebration with Craig's family playing bingo and setting off party poppers. It's such a gift to have such an awesome family to spend time with. I count my sisters-in-law at some of my closest friends. They are such wonderful women and a great example to me. (And those other inlaws and outlaws aren't half bad, neither!)

The snow keeps falling here, and we keep plugging along. Our goals for 2009 have been set which include more regular scripture study and more regular exercise. Sam has done remarkably well with potty training this past month and hasn't had any number two accidents for over a month now. He continues to work on the other part. We're tentatively thinking about a vacation this year and have told him that he needs to be in big boy shorts all the time in order to go (yes I have stooped to bribery and manipulation--show me one parent who never has!) so he tries hard every day. I think he just gets so busy he doesn't remember until "uh-oh!" Jake is turning three soon and continually amazes me with how much trouble he can cause. But he's my little sweetie and is so loving and funny it makes all the frustration worthwhile. Last Sunday he tied his blankie around his shoulders and was a "Superharold" flying around. (That's Jake for Super Hero.) Then he ate a "haggamer" (hamburger) for dinner. He still hasn't quite decided what kind of birthday party he wants, but it's down to digger trucks or dinosaurs. Miley is rolling all over the place, gets so excited for her toys and is now getting on her knees and trying to crawl. I've heard "mum mum" several times when she's unhappy and wants to be picked up, so I think we may have heard her first word! Wow! She is getting sooo big!

Phew! Now that's done. Please please please everyone, leave us comments or register with the follower we've posted to our blog! We're starting to think no one reads this anymore. The recipe is updated too, a posting to mark our commitment to a healthier lifestyle, so check it out!

Holi-DAZE and Hi-Jinks

Hey everybody! It's been so busy around here I don't know where to begin. The year is winding down and so time seems to be going faster and faster! Yikes!

Merry Christmas!

We had an awesome thanksgiving with my family and enjoyed the deep fried turkey! (Thanks, Pam and Gregg!) Craig made his famous parsley stuffing (the recipe goes back 6 generations) and we enjoyed the start of the holiday season. We were plenty busy planning and executing the ward Christmas party, so now that's done (thank heaven) and now we're focusing on this upcoming week of birthdays, parties and of course, Christmas! A bout of viral bronchitis got a strong hold of Craig and I the first of this month which we're working on getting over. It sure put a crimp in the "Let's get the shopping done before the big rush" plans.

Miley cut her first tooth, is now rolling all over the floor and her bed and play yard. We started her back on the solids slowly and so far bananas, sweet potatoes and oatmeal are "oookkkaaayy", but she seems to like Grammy's mashed taters and jello QUITE a bit. (She was throwing up after every cereal feeding before so the pediatrician told us to wait until she was 6 months to try again.) She's even started doing a "kiss kiss" game and trying to kiss everyone! So cute!

Sam and Jake have been in fine form. I think we entertain lots of people at work with our tales of the twin terrors. Last year, Jake bit a light directly off the Christmas tree. So far this year, no light bulbs down the gullet, but plenty of redecorating the tree, reattaching the noses of elves, rewashing clothing that he's sprayed with windex, febreeze or goo gone or a combination of the three, painting the kitchen floor with butter, clogging the bathroom sink with toilet paper, playing blizzard with a box of lucky charms, climbing the pantry shelves, dragging the car jack into the snow in the front yard and extending it up so he can jump off it into the snow drifts, taping over all the nicks and dings in the walls with scotch tape, falling asleep with his apples, and generally living up to his nickname of Jake the Quake. I had my first real lost kid scare at Smiths when he wandered off and I couldn't find him. A store employee found him 10 minutes later up at the front pushing a Rug doctor back and forth. This was after he took a Dora doll off a shelf and opened it so guess who had to buy the thing? Yay me. We were only there for pharmacy refills, too. He officially passed up Sam in the weight department and is now nearly 35 pounds, approximately 2 pounds heavier than his older brother.

Sam is doing well on his potty training (finally!) and has no has no BM accidents for a week. He still needs reminding to use the potty throughout the day for the other way, but takes himself whenever he needs to go. He's even telling me now, "I need privacy" when he goes into the bathroom. He's pretty proud of himself for being a bog boy. We got him the movie Wall-E for a congrats gift after his first true success and now he is definitely obsessed with Wall-E. We see it at least once a day and he has a Wall-E and EVE action figure. He LOVES robots now and plays like he's a robot when he helps me around the house. He's a pretty good "handy helper" with shoveling snow, too.

I love the Christmas season but I am having a tough time getting into the spirit this year. I guess I need to slow down a bit and enjoy it more. It's just hard because I keep thinking about everything I need to do everyday. Hopefully after this week I can spend some time doing the holiday stuff and feeling more of the joy. Craig is a great guy and a wonderful husband who has made such a great effort in helping with the decorating and getting ready for things. We haven't had many chances for date nights since Miley was born so is was so great to get a chance to go out and enjoy each other's company last weekend while doing some shopping sans children. I will post again in the coming days to let you know if I actually got it all done!

Counting Blessings: Gramma Great!

My wonderful grandmother came with my mom to watch the kids last Thursday while I worked. She came to see Miley and the boys since she hadn't seen them since we blessed Miley the beginning of August. I have so many special memories of her! She watched me when I was a little girl, and I have many, many childhood memories of the times spent at her home. Some of my fondest memories include: sitting on her lap and reading stories and singing the songs her mother taught her, making bread and eating it warm with lots of clover honey, picnics under the cherry tree, picking raspberries, going to the dress rehearsals of Ballet West and the Utah Symphony, making dolly clothes, banana milkshakes, and sitting by her as she played the hymns on the piano. She tells me every time she sees me about how she cherishes her memories of me...I want her to know how grateful I am to her for all my memories, and how she helped raise me and make me the person I am. My old gray granny is an elect lady! (That's what she calls herself--old gray granny!)

Our mothers, grandmothers and all our relatives are gifts, whether our relationships are tightly bonded or not. Each person in my life has touched me and helped shape me into who I am today. I am grateful for my ancestors and all their experiences.

Craig has wonderful memories of his grandparents, all of whom have now passed on. He shares many great stories about them that I love to hear. I am excited to share these with our children too. I was blessed to know and care for Craig's grandmother before we were married. She was a great lady, and one of my favorite patients.

My grandmother is in her nineties now, she's a little slower, a little more hard of hearing, but I love spending time with her and I loved seeing my kids with her. The boys couldn't wait to show her things and tell her all about their toys and stuff. Miss Miley was perfectly content to sit on her lap and look at her. She gave her a big smile first thing and there was a look in her eyes like "There you are! I know you!" I cherish these times because I don't know how many more moments like these there will be.

I am counting my blessings. Gramma-Great-Gramma is a blessing! (That's what Jake calls her, too cute!)

"Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."