Ahhh...let's finish this thing...
15. That my boys have each other. I remarked to Alex that they are both better having each other. Love that they are such friends.
16. My amazing friends. I had a super lovely baby shower tonight. Wonderful company, generous gifts, yummy food...all adding up to my being pretty lucky...and more sinking in of the idea of a little girl. Yikes!
17. Today was Karren's funeral. I'm grateful I knew her.
18. For the lesson I taught. I wasn't in any kind of mood for it (thanks to a couple "you're giant" comments from strangers the previous day), but because it forced me to stop thinking about myself. It also reminded me to recommit to daily prayer and scripture study.
19. That my boys LOVE Family Home Evening. LOVE. They "lead the music" in hilarious fashion and lately Hamilton is "teaching" the lesson.
20. Work is in full swing for our bathroom remodel. Exciting!
21. The magic of Disneyland snow. Alex got off work early, so we headed to Disneyland. It was a fun time together (including Beckett's first roller coaster ride!) and ended with the perfect magic of the "snow."
22. Mimi's Cafe that made all our Thanksgiving sides (hooray...no stress!), Alex for brining and bbq-ing an amazing turkey, and my mom's dinner roll recipe--I'm getting better at it!
23. Black Friday shopping with Alex. :)
24. Friends. I've been friends with Jen almost since I've moved here. So glad we're still friends...marriages and babies later :).
25. Christmastime! Decorated the house today (not without a little contention)...love seeing the decorations another year. I like the mix of old and new, mine and Alex's, ours, my mom's...We were sure to get things up early this year because I'm planning on taking everything down the 26th. Kind of depressing, but there's a newborn (and c-section) on the way the next day!
26. Preschool. I kinda missed it. Think Hamilton did too. :)
27. Being able to help a friend.
28. Watching my boys play on the playground.
29. Got to see an ultrasound of the baby with JUST Alex. Cannot believe this actually worked out...his work and finding babysitting created about a 10% chance this would happen. We could see her little face SO well! Chubby cheeks. We just cannot wait to meet her!
30. Doing errands with just one kid. It's pretty amazing what you can get done and how little yelling you do. :)
Monday, December 3, 2012
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Gratitude: Part 2
Day 9: On Fridays, Beckett and I have a "Mommy and Me" class together while Hamilton is in preschool. I'm grateful for the chance to focus on little Beckett. Without the class, I'd be taking advantage of my "one kid" status to do errands or clean or something equally forgettable and unimportant compared to being just Beckett's mommy. He forgoes crafting in favor of playing with toys. Fine by me, but Miss Joan might not love it :). It's also pretty cool to have a kid actually participate in "snack time." Cutie Becks is usually late to singing time because he's still eating. :) Love this sweetie.
Day 10: I'm grateful for my calling in our ward. Today was our annual "Craft Day." I am generally stressed and overwhelmed...and this year have pronounced to many that it is my last "Craft Day" to be in charge of. That said, being in the Relief Society presidency has allowed me to get to know more amazing sisters in our ward and become more quick to think of others than myself.
Day 11: What other church has (essentially) free two-hour daycare? And that particular daycare teaches your kids songs and the first lessons of the Gospel? And then you are thus allowed to hear your own lessons, get your own reminders about how you should be living your life? Sundays are stressful in many ways (his calling and choir keep Alex at church from 9:15-5:00), but I wouldn't trade them in for just a run-of-the-mill weekend day.
Day 12: A woman in the ward who was diagnosed with terminal cancer 2-3 years ago passed away today. Far too young, only in her sixties. I had already begun getting to know her better through various church activities, but this diagnosis made me feel even more a connection with her and her family. Empathy. I'm grateful she got to live so fully and actively post-diagnosis. A true example. I'm grateful that she and I could speak candidly about test results and "living by the numbers." I'm grateful that she got to see a daughter get married and see grandbabies born. What makes this world mortal and hard is difficult to be grateful for. "Unfair" doesn't even quite cover it. But I guess I'm grateful that somehow my faith in the Gospel prevents me from being too angry too often. And I know that when I am feeling more negative, it usually means I am drifting farther from the spirit than I should, which actually brings me to Day 13....
Day 13: I'm grateful for temple recommend interviews. These interviews only happen every two years now, but I appreciate the opportunity to answer direct questions about my testimony and obedience. As I drove to the stake center this night, I was feeling the exact opposite of spiritual. I think the combination of a friend passing away and being pregnant made me start getting a little angry about this whole mortality business. I don't often feel this way, but I'm occasionally overwhelmed by how unfair it is not to have a mom here. I'm not one for close female friendships, so there's no one to call when I'm happy or frustrated...no one to really love my babies like I know my mom would. My dad only partly belongs to his own kids nowadays, so there's that loss as well. And because Alex never met my mom, I feel like he doesn't recognize or understand the loss. How could he? That empty spot has always been there...how can I fully explain how BIG that emptiness is? How much I..and my whole little family...is missing without her here? I realize this is very selfish thinking, and I should be more grateful that my mom was so totally amazing and that I got her as long as I did.
After I parked the car, I sat there for a moment...telling myself not to start crying and not to be so angry. I also began wondering if I could really answer all the questions in the affirmative.
However, once I was inside and hearing the questions, I, of course, had no answers to give other than the ones that would renew my temple recommend. Because even though so much of this life is hard and I have questions and problems...I do have faith in this Gospel and in the Church. I left the building with so much of my anger dissipated and feeling so much lighter.
Day 14: Right now I'm working on putting together a book filled with photos and memories of Alan. I'm thinking mostly of my boys (and Alan's other nieces and nephews) as I do this, wanting them to have something concrete to turn to when they're wondering about who Uncle Alan is. I'm grateful that as I'm compiling it, I am learning more about who he is. It's a mixed blessing, as I am, of course, also reminded what we're missing and how young he was.
***The next days will be more positive...I promise!***
Day 10: I'm grateful for my calling in our ward. Today was our annual "Craft Day." I am generally stressed and overwhelmed...and this year have pronounced to many that it is my last "Craft Day" to be in charge of. That said, being in the Relief Society presidency has allowed me to get to know more amazing sisters in our ward and become more quick to think of others than myself.
Day 11: What other church has (essentially) free two-hour daycare? And that particular daycare teaches your kids songs and the first lessons of the Gospel? And then you are thus allowed to hear your own lessons, get your own reminders about how you should be living your life? Sundays are stressful in many ways (his calling and choir keep Alex at church from 9:15-5:00), but I wouldn't trade them in for just a run-of-the-mill weekend day.
Day 12: A woman in the ward who was diagnosed with terminal cancer 2-3 years ago passed away today. Far too young, only in her sixties. I had already begun getting to know her better through various church activities, but this diagnosis made me feel even more a connection with her and her family. Empathy. I'm grateful she got to live so fully and actively post-diagnosis. A true example. I'm grateful that she and I could speak candidly about test results and "living by the numbers." I'm grateful that she got to see a daughter get married and see grandbabies born. What makes this world mortal and hard is difficult to be grateful for. "Unfair" doesn't even quite cover it. But I guess I'm grateful that somehow my faith in the Gospel prevents me from being too angry too often. And I know that when I am feeling more negative, it usually means I am drifting farther from the spirit than I should, which actually brings me to Day 13....
Day 13: I'm grateful for temple recommend interviews. These interviews only happen every two years now, but I appreciate the opportunity to answer direct questions about my testimony and obedience. As I drove to the stake center this night, I was feeling the exact opposite of spiritual. I think the combination of a friend passing away and being pregnant made me start getting a little angry about this whole mortality business. I don't often feel this way, but I'm occasionally overwhelmed by how unfair it is not to have a mom here. I'm not one for close female friendships, so there's no one to call when I'm happy or frustrated...no one to really love my babies like I know my mom would. My dad only partly belongs to his own kids nowadays, so there's that loss as well. And because Alex never met my mom, I feel like he doesn't recognize or understand the loss. How could he? That empty spot has always been there...how can I fully explain how BIG that emptiness is? How much I..and my whole little family...is missing without her here? I realize this is very selfish thinking, and I should be more grateful that my mom was so totally amazing and that I got her as long as I did.
After I parked the car, I sat there for a moment...telling myself not to start crying and not to be so angry. I also began wondering if I could really answer all the questions in the affirmative.
However, once I was inside and hearing the questions, I, of course, had no answers to give other than the ones that would renew my temple recommend. Because even though so much of this life is hard and I have questions and problems...I do have faith in this Gospel and in the Church. I left the building with so much of my anger dissipated and feeling so much lighter.
Day 14: Right now I'm working on putting together a book filled with photos and memories of Alan. I'm thinking mostly of my boys (and Alan's other nieces and nephews) as I do this, wanting them to have something concrete to turn to when they're wondering about who Uncle Alan is. I'm grateful that as I'm compiling it, I am learning more about who he is. It's a mixed blessing, as I am, of course, also reminded what we're missing and how young he was.
***The next days will be more positive...I promise!***
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Gratitude
Last year I did a gratitude journal for November. I felt like I got a lot out of it. And here we are November 8th! I guess I'm grateful for being busy?? Let's play catch-up...
Day 1: I am grateful for family Disneyland days. We had breakfast with the characters and then spent the whole day together, riding rides, enjoying parades, and just being together. Hamilton was especially grateful to go on big kid rides with his daddy. I, consequently, appreciated time with just Beckett and that the day was so pleasant. Summer heat has been interminable around here, which makes this preggo lady pretty grumpy.
We're so spoiled to have these Disney passes we can use often.
Day 2: I am grateful for kids that do GREAT on long car drives. We drove down to San Diego for a pre-baby family getaway and The Color Run. The drive should take less than two hours, but between bathroom/food stops and TCR packet pick-up, we were in the car a long time. Beckett slept for a portion, and Hamilton was happy to read books and enjoy some imaginative play. We only busted out electronic devices when Alex and I were sorting and stuffing 23 TCR bags (leaving the boys stuck in the car).
Day 3: I am grateful for The Color Run's success. My brother had an idea in the midst of a really trying time, and it's pretty incredible to see that idea flourish. His story could be a movie, seriously. There is still some heart-sickening drama associated with it, but overall it is confirmation of my brother's creativity, race director experience, and quickly growing business acumen. I'm so proud of him...and so glad it looks like he will physically and mentally survive this gruelling first year.
Day 4: I am grateful for my new nephews. We got to attend the blessing of Parker today. He seems as sweet as his brother (lucky Karen!). We also added Gavin to the family after some unexpected complications. And then there's Baby Hank whom I got to meet for the first time this last week. He is chubby, adorable, and sweet...exactly the baby Heidi and Travis needed!
Day 5: I am grateful for the chance to be a "preschool helper." It's a chance for me to see Hamilton outside our normal day-to-day routine. It's like I see him with new eyes...watching his concentration as he practices his cutting or how he plays with the other kids. He is so, so great, and I am lucky to have him. It's somehow easier to forget this at home...I guess because I get caught up in getting housework and other projects done, rather than just soaking up being a mom.
Day 6: I am grateful for the friends I have in our ward. They are smart, generous, funny, and kind. I got to enjoy their company at Jasmine's baby shower this night. I guess I should also say I'm grateful to be able to vote! :)
Day 7: I am grateful for Alex's board game nights. It's important for me to be "just Kate" sometimes, so I know Alex must feel the same. He definitely deserves a break from father, husband, and attorney!
Day 8: I am grateful for the truthfulness of 2 Corinthians 1:3-4...
3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of amercies, and the God of all bcomfort;
Day 1: I am grateful for family Disneyland days. We had breakfast with the characters and then spent the whole day together, riding rides, enjoying parades, and just being together. Hamilton was especially grateful to go on big kid rides with his daddy. I, consequently, appreciated time with just Beckett and that the day was so pleasant. Summer heat has been interminable around here, which makes this preggo lady pretty grumpy.
We're so spoiled to have these Disney passes we can use often.
Day 2: I am grateful for kids that do GREAT on long car drives. We drove down to San Diego for a pre-baby family getaway and The Color Run. The drive should take less than two hours, but between bathroom/food stops and TCR packet pick-up, we were in the car a long time. Beckett slept for a portion, and Hamilton was happy to read books and enjoy some imaginative play. We only busted out electronic devices when Alex and I were sorting and stuffing 23 TCR bags (leaving the boys stuck in the car).
Day 3: I am grateful for The Color Run's success. My brother had an idea in the midst of a really trying time, and it's pretty incredible to see that idea flourish. His story could be a movie, seriously. There is still some heart-sickening drama associated with it, but overall it is confirmation of my brother's creativity, race director experience, and quickly growing business acumen. I'm so proud of him...and so glad it looks like he will physically and mentally survive this gruelling first year.
Day 4: I am grateful for my new nephews. We got to attend the blessing of Parker today. He seems as sweet as his brother (lucky Karen!). We also added Gavin to the family after some unexpected complications. And then there's Baby Hank whom I got to meet for the first time this last week. He is chubby, adorable, and sweet...exactly the baby Heidi and Travis needed!
Day 5: I am grateful for the chance to be a "preschool helper." It's a chance for me to see Hamilton outside our normal day-to-day routine. It's like I see him with new eyes...watching his concentration as he practices his cutting or how he plays with the other kids. He is so, so great, and I am lucky to have him. It's somehow easier to forget this at home...I guess because I get caught up in getting housework and other projects done, rather than just soaking up being a mom.
Day 6: I am grateful for the friends I have in our ward. They are smart, generous, funny, and kind. I got to enjoy their company at Jasmine's baby shower this night. I guess I should also say I'm grateful to be able to vote! :)
Day 7: I am grateful for Alex's board game nights. It's important for me to be "just Kate" sometimes, so I know Alex must feel the same. He definitely deserves a break from father, husband, and attorney!
Day 8: I am grateful for the truthfulness of 2 Corinthians 1:3-4...
3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of amercies, and the God of all bcomfort;
4 Who comforteth us in all our atribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the bcomfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Week in Review: August 27th-31st
So, much of this week is a blur to me, and there are hardly any photos, so I figure it was a pretty normal, uneventful week in general. There are, however, some highlights.
On Friday, Alex was supposed to get off work early, so we, of course, thought, "Disneyland!" He did NOT get off early, but we went anyway...leaving the house at about the boys' bedtime. Totally irresponsible, for sure. Ah, well. Carpe diem, etc.
On the way there, Hamilton drew the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse for Beckett. Adorable, right? Hamilton was so disinterested in coloring and drawing for so long, and now he's suddenly interested. Unfortunately, he's overly frustrated sometimes, not being able to draw something exactly how he wants it. The poor little guy drew two dozen "heads" before declaring "a circle" impossible, thus abandoning his attempted family portrait. :( So, when he does complete a drawing, we are super ready with praise!
Did I mention that we started our Disney evening at bedtime? We left 10:30-ish...boys didn't make it to the car awake.
Earlier in the summer, Hamilton became obsessed with the idea of getting the Imaginext Tiger Castle. Seizing the opportunity, we made a sticker chart he needed to complete to earn it. There are 75 stickers there! So, it took awhile. But he was pretty darn happy when he made it. :) When his friend came over the other day, Hamilton was "showing him around" and pointed at the castle, exclaiming, "Look what I earned!" So, I'm feeling pretty happy about that lesson. We're actually on a 2nd reward chart, but his motivation isn't too high, sadly.
Earlier in the week I had my 20+ week ultrasound. We had gone to "First Look" when I was 16 weeks, but--despite the "I'm 100% positive; I've never been wrong in 9 years"--I still didn't quite believe it. We're having a girl. A girl. Whose due date is my mom's birthday. Holy smokes. I have so much to write about with the prospect of having a daughter (a daughter?!?!!), but I think I'll save most of it for after she's born. But here she is...everything looking healthy...
Facebook:
On Friday, Alex was supposed to get off work early, so we, of course, thought, "Disneyland!" He did NOT get off early, but we went anyway...leaving the house at about the boys' bedtime. Totally irresponsible, for sure. Ah, well. Carpe diem, etc.
On the way there, Hamilton drew the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse for Beckett. Adorable, right? Hamilton was so disinterested in coloring and drawing for so long, and now he's suddenly interested. Unfortunately, he's overly frustrated sometimes, not being able to draw something exactly how he wants it. The poor little guy drew two dozen "heads" before declaring "a circle" impossible, thus abandoning his attempted family portrait. :( So, when he does complete a drawing, we are super ready with praise!
Did I mention that we started our Disney evening at bedtime? We left 10:30-ish...boys didn't make it to the car awake.
Earlier in the week I had my 20+ week ultrasound. We had gone to "First Look" when I was 16 weeks, but--despite the "I'm 100% positive; I've never been wrong in 9 years"--I still didn't quite believe it. We're having a girl. A girl. Whose due date is my mom's birthday. Holy smokes. I have so much to write about with the prospect of having a daughter (a daughter?!?!!), but I think I'll save most of it for after she's born. But here she is...everything looking healthy...
Facebook:
- In case any of you were curious: 1. Yes, a Nerf dart shot directly into your eye is quite painful and 2. Yes, that particular act will destroy any remaining zen leftover from your non-kid weekend.
- Grocery store check-out line wisdom of the day: "They'd be better if they were little girls. But the little one is pretty cute."
- Me: what should we name this baby?
H: Lydia
Me: cute name, but we already have a Lydia [my one and only niece].
H: ok. Frankenstein. - I'm not sure what the "mom merit badge" situation is, but I just cleaned up the biggest, grossest "code V" ever. Of course, epic fail on needing to simultaneously answer all of H's questions (both vomit and Halloween costume related).
- Generally dislike FB political posts, but please allow me a "Nicely done, Mr. Romney."
- Last day :(. But here's to a new phase of motherhood and housewifery...and (hopefully--gulp) 6am workouts. — at Spectrum Clubs. [Ah, yes. Gave up the gym this week. As the kids were getting older, it was starting to be more a burden/selfish. I'll definitely miss it--and the boys will too--but I'm also looking forward to more open schedules for us to play and do things together...and housework and making dinner).
- The original plan was to arrive by 5. #bedtimeisforpansies #nodemandingclientcrampsourstyle — at Disneyland Resort. [our "check-in" at Disneyland on Friday]
Monday, September 24, 2012
Week in Review: 8/20-8/26
Monday, August 20th
The summer Disneyland blackout is over! The awful day I had in June there is a fading memory! So, yeah...we joined our friends The Smiths (no...not the band, but wouldn't it be awesome to have a pic of you, Morrissey, and Mickey?). One of Hamilton's great joys is going on rides by himself or with just a buddy. He isn't allowed to do this on many rides, but when he has the chance...he takes it!
Another of Hamilton's great joys is Splash Mountain. So, going to Disneyland with a too-short brother and pregnant mommy is kind of a bummer. Luckily, Julia was up for taking the big boys on it. The little dudes and I visited some 100 Acre Woods characters and went on Winnie the Pooh, which is (conveniently) one of Beckett's favorites. Colin is not pictured with the characters because he preferred to wave from a safer distance.
Carsland! Well, I'm glad the seemingly endless construction is over, but I'm not 100% sold on this part of the park. Although, I realize that hot weather and crowds make my opinion slightly unfair. The tractor ride, I must admit, is pretty darn fun...much cooler than it looks.
Luigi's Tires is ho-hum, but a lot of the ride is in an air conditioned building. Yea!
Stop. We interrupt this Disneyland day to announce the birth of Snyder nephew #3!! Henry Travis Snyder. Hank for short. Everything went really well, and I absolutely cannot wait to meet this boy. I adore his older brothers, and word on the street is that this one is a big sweetie pie.
We ended our day in the late afternoon...too darn hot and crowded. Julia always lets her kids get a treat on the way out. My boys opted for root beer floats (total fans since national Root Beer Float Day). I got two not wanting to deal with sharing, but not thinking they'd drink it all. Um, they did. Sidenote: This was our new double jogger's debut at Disneyland. Sooooo much nicer than the Sit 'n' Stand, which had become a bootcamp-level-workout.
Tuesday, August 21st
Nana Linda sent the boys a fun package: A Lightening McQueen tent and a game. Hooray for entertaining the boys! :)
Wednesday, August 22nd
Our last official Beach Day with our ward friends. No pics, as sometimes I enjoy the freedom of NOT having my phone or camera with me. We spent 3 hours there, and it's easy to see the result of playing hard in the sun. I am so, so glad we took advantage of the beach this summer! It was great for me and the boys. We should try and squeeze in a few more trips, as long as this hot weather (which I actually HATE and am SO sick of) continues.
I saw this vanity plate and just HAD to snap a photo. Ridiculous. I naturally posted it on Facebook with the caption "My Subaru's license plate says, 'OK Wife.'"
Thursday, August 23rd
Today Alex's dad and Dale came over for lunch, and then took our boys up to Clovis for the weekend. Wait. What?? You had a whole weekend to yourselves?? Yep. I was pretty darn reticent about the whole idea. The last time their car pulled away with my progeny, it was Hamilton about 10 minutes after we came home from the hospital with Beckett. It was traumatic for lots of reasons, and I hated it. However, I'm really glad we agreed to it. The boys had a total blast and were returned safe and sound. I enjoyed some productive time painting the nursery, and Alex and I went out every night. That was my goal. Remember before kids how you'd sometimes say, "Nah, let's stay in and just watch a movie." Well, guess what? Post-kids that's your only option 98% of the time. So, while the boys were gone, I was determined to seize the day.
It was really weird driving around with an empty backseat.
The first night we spent a few hours at Disneyland. Why not??
Far from my best score...but look! We're on a ride together?!
Friday, August 24th
Alex's brother and his wife were in town to go to Disneyland and wanted to get together. They were nice enough to drive up for dinner with their little guy Gavin. After dinner, we went to The Expendables, Again, why not?
Saturday, August 25th
The morning was spent at a memorial service for a member of our ward, Leo Partridge. He was 100 and an amazing example of testimony and kindness. I'm glad we got to take him to church once or twice and visit him at his home. He's a wonderful man, and the service made me admire him even more.
We did a little bit of work around the house in the afternoon, but nothing too crazy. We even watched an episode of Bones while we ate lunch. Why? Because we could.
In the evening, we went out to a great French place near downtown. I could have licked the foie gras right out of its little jar. Yum.
Sunday, August 26th
Alex and I drove to the other side of the Grapevine to pick up our monkeys. Another lovely space of time visiting just the two of us. I highly recommend a weekend at home without your kids...even more than a "getaway," it helped remind you what it is to be a couple...what you were before kids and what you'll be after kids. I am a pretty big fan of Alex, but it's really easy to get stuck in "mom-dad" mode and forget your super fan status.
We were happy to see the boys and hear about their adventures: water park, zoo, hot tub. I could only tell Beckett missed me because for the next few days he was not stoked about getting left anywhere without me. Kind of satisfying as a mom :).
Facebook
The summer Disneyland blackout is over! The awful day I had in June there is a fading memory! So, yeah...we joined our friends The Smiths (no...not the band, but wouldn't it be awesome to have a pic of you, Morrissey, and Mickey?). One of Hamilton's great joys is going on rides by himself or with just a buddy. He isn't allowed to do this on many rides, but when he has the chance...he takes it!
Another of Hamilton's great joys is Splash Mountain. So, going to Disneyland with a too-short brother and pregnant mommy is kind of a bummer. Luckily, Julia was up for taking the big boys on it. The little dudes and I visited some 100 Acre Woods characters and went on Winnie the Pooh, which is (conveniently) one of Beckett's favorites. Colin is not pictured with the characters because he preferred to wave from a safer distance.
Carsland! Well, I'm glad the seemingly endless construction is over, but I'm not 100% sold on this part of the park. Although, I realize that hot weather and crowds make my opinion slightly unfair. The tractor ride, I must admit, is pretty darn fun...much cooler than it looks.
Luigi's Tires is ho-hum, but a lot of the ride is in an air conditioned building. Yea!
Stop. We interrupt this Disneyland day to announce the birth of Snyder nephew #3!! Henry Travis Snyder. Hank for short. Everything went really well, and I absolutely cannot wait to meet this boy. I adore his older brothers, and word on the street is that this one is a big sweetie pie.
We ended our day in the late afternoon...too darn hot and crowded. Julia always lets her kids get a treat on the way out. My boys opted for root beer floats (total fans since national Root Beer Float Day). I got two not wanting to deal with sharing, but not thinking they'd drink it all. Um, they did. Sidenote: This was our new double jogger's debut at Disneyland. Sooooo much nicer than the Sit 'n' Stand, which had become a bootcamp-level-workout.
Tuesday, August 21st
Nana Linda sent the boys a fun package: A Lightening McQueen tent and a game. Hooray for entertaining the boys! :)
Wednesday, August 22nd
Our last official Beach Day with our ward friends. No pics, as sometimes I enjoy the freedom of NOT having my phone or camera with me. We spent 3 hours there, and it's easy to see the result of playing hard in the sun. I am so, so glad we took advantage of the beach this summer! It was great for me and the boys. We should try and squeeze in a few more trips, as long as this hot weather (which I actually HATE and am SO sick of) continues.
I saw this vanity plate and just HAD to snap a photo. Ridiculous. I naturally posted it on Facebook with the caption "My Subaru's license plate says, 'OK Wife.'"
Thursday, August 23rd
Today Alex's dad and Dale came over for lunch, and then took our boys up to Clovis for the weekend. Wait. What?? You had a whole weekend to yourselves?? Yep. I was pretty darn reticent about the whole idea. The last time their car pulled away with my progeny, it was Hamilton about 10 minutes after we came home from the hospital with Beckett. It was traumatic for lots of reasons, and I hated it. However, I'm really glad we agreed to it. The boys had a total blast and were returned safe and sound. I enjoyed some productive time painting the nursery, and Alex and I went out every night. That was my goal. Remember before kids how you'd sometimes say, "Nah, let's stay in and just watch a movie." Well, guess what? Post-kids that's your only option 98% of the time. So, while the boys were gone, I was determined to seize the day.
It was really weird driving around with an empty backseat.
The first night we spent a few hours at Disneyland. Why not??
Far from my best score...but look! We're on a ride together?!
Friday, August 24th
Alex's brother and his wife were in town to go to Disneyland and wanted to get together. They were nice enough to drive up for dinner with their little guy Gavin. After dinner, we went to The Expendables, Again, why not?
Saturday, August 25th
The morning was spent at a memorial service for a member of our ward, Leo Partridge. He was 100 and an amazing example of testimony and kindness. I'm glad we got to take him to church once or twice and visit him at his home. He's a wonderful man, and the service made me admire him even more.
We did a little bit of work around the house in the afternoon, but nothing too crazy. We even watched an episode of Bones while we ate lunch. Why? Because we could.
In the evening, we went out to a great French place near downtown. I could have licked the foie gras right out of its little jar. Yum.
Sunday, August 26th
Alex and I drove to the other side of the Grapevine to pick up our monkeys. Another lovely space of time visiting just the two of us. I highly recommend a weekend at home without your kids...even more than a "getaway," it helped remind you what it is to be a couple...what you were before kids and what you'll be after kids. I am a pretty big fan of Alex, but it's really easy to get stuck in "mom-dad" mode and forget your super fan status.
We were happy to see the boys and hear about their adventures: water park, zoo, hot tub. I could only tell Beckett missed me because for the next few days he was not stoked about getting left anywhere without me. Kind of satisfying as a mom :).
- Any advice for regular bad dreams? H (4.5) has been waking up in the middle of the night fairly regularly and refusing to go back to his bed. This morning I found him asleep on a pile of "to be donated" clothes. :( Spiders are the theme.
- Me: I know you'll have a good time with Grandpa and Gammie, but I'm really going to miss you.
Hamilton (with appropriate dismissive hand gesture): don't even worry about it. We'll be fine. - Is feeling pretty weird without her sidekicks. [It's true...I think I paced around my house for like 20 minutes after they left before I convinced myself I could just hop in the car and do an errand.]
- With my original sidekick :) — at Disney California Adventure.
- Watching Lance Armstrong win those Tours is one of my favorite sports memories. Remember when that bag caught his bike? Or when he off-roaded to avoid a crash? Or that rainy time trial? Or even just knowing it was July when Phil Liggett's and Paul Sherwin's voices echoed through the house? And it all meant a little more because Lance started winning when cancer crept into our family. It's probably wrong and many will disagree, but I'm not letting any decision by the USADA change those experiences for me. Watching stages together on a tiny TV in Travis' and Heidi's BYU apartment or waking up early & chatting on the phone during live coverage WAS pure. And always will be.
- Why painting kind of sucks: 3 hours to prep/cut-in/do corners, then just 90 minutes to paint roller the whole stinking room. Baby's worth it, of course. :)
- I did some serious research last night and have concluded that the most watchable action hero actors are Jason Statham and Bruce Willis. You're welcome.
- Third date night in a row :) so spoiled...time with Alex and amazing food. — at Church & State.
- Dear couch cushions, Haven't the last couple days been been nice? You know, lounging around undisturbed? Well, I'm off to pick up the boys now. The floor's vacuumed and ready for you...
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Update for the Week of August 17th
Catch-up, catch-up. Here we go....
Monday, August 13th
This is the day my friend Megan watched my boys for 6+ hours, so I could make some headway in the room best known as what-now-needs-to-be-a-cute-nursery-not-a-dumping-ground. I was so excited about the progress made, I blogged about it already. The downside to the day is that Beckett was one sad little boy. He did NOT like seeing me leave again with Hamilton and Megan's older boys to go to swim lessons. He's more of a mommy's boy than Hamilon, that's for sure.
Hamilton did a great job this summer with his swimming lessons. I signed him up for two sessions. By the last one, he was swimming around without help...so much so that I couldn't believe it was really him! After this day's swim lessons and being fully reunited with Becks, I took them for an ice cream cone at McDonald's. Yeah....right before dinner. Sometimes moms need to break the rules.
Tuesday, August 14th
We "borrowed" or "stole" Wesley from his mom (my sister-in-law Karen) after having lunch all together. After arriving home, I successfully put Wesley and Beckett down for naps and felt a little more confident in my ability to have three kids. After naps, we played in the water outside, even having Megan's youngest join us for a bit. How much do I love our front yard? It's close enough to a playroom/family room to make life a bit easier.
I bought this swimsuit for Beckett recently, and I could take pictures of him in it all day long.
Cousins! The three boys truly like each other, which makes me truly happy. Those relationships are super important to me. If only Luke and Miles lived closer! :(
Wednesday, August 15th
Wesley spent the night, and only got a sad face for a moment asking, "Mommy? Mommy?" This, of course, means, we can steal him again and give Karen, now mom to baby Parker, a break. I texted Karen this photo in response to her asking how things were going. The boys are dressed and ready to head to the Aquarium!
It took awhile for Wesley to want to get out of the stroller. So different from my crazies.
Hamilton's current favorite fish: the giant sea bass. We once came to the aquarium for a couple hours and spent all our time here...with a quick lunch somewhere in the middle.
The boys and a sea lion.
It looks like we broke into the penguin exhibit, but it's a photo opp with fake birds/background...I swear!
By this time Wesley is fully cool without the safety/comfort of the stroller and happily and excitedly touched rays with my boys.
Lunch! The Diet Dr Pepper is mine. And, yes, Hamilton's lunch is fries. And Wesley's (mostly) as well, to be honest. Ah, well.
Cheese!
I returned to my car in the parking garage to discover this little treat. There's a double white line in between spaces, so I'm less over than it looks. But thanks to that sweet parking job by the sedan, I got to haul my pregnant self in from the passenger side...in a skirt. Kinda funny.
As we were leaving the Aquarium, I suddenly stopped at the gift store, realizing that's how aunts are different than moms...souvenirs. I tried a couple things on him, but Wesley was fully and adorably smitten with this penguin. My boys (no, I didn't leave them out) chose a Shark Attack game. Naturally. We managed to keep Wesley awake on the drive back to his home...couldn't have Karen miss out on enjoying his naptime! The boys still ask regularly when he's coming back.
Thursday, August 16th
We enjoyed our usual beach day. I can hardly see my phone in the bright sun, so imagine my joy upon seeing that I managed to take this awesome photo. Man, I am crazy about these boys of mine!
Post-beach nap. I have about a billion pics of Beckett napping. They are irresistible. Why not ones of Hamilton? WAY too light of a sleeper...I never dared risk it! Lately, Becks is saying "no" to naps because he's a "big boy." But he's asleep about 5 minutes after his defiant explanation. I call your bluff, little dude!
Friday, August 17th
I decided we needed to implement a new family tradition: Monthly Friday Night Movies. This night we had pizza, watermelon, and root beer floats picnic style on the living room floor while watching The Empire Strikes Back. Hamilton asked questions pretty much non-stop. Jedis need to know stuff. :)
Facebook for the Week
Monday, August 13th
This is the day my friend Megan watched my boys for 6+ hours, so I could make some headway in the room best known as what-now-needs-to-be-a-cute-nursery-not-a-dumping-ground. I was so excited about the progress made, I blogged about it already. The downside to the day is that Beckett was one sad little boy. He did NOT like seeing me leave again with Hamilton and Megan's older boys to go to swim lessons. He's more of a mommy's boy than Hamilon, that's for sure.
Hamilton did a great job this summer with his swimming lessons. I signed him up for two sessions. By the last one, he was swimming around without help...so much so that I couldn't believe it was really him! After this day's swim lessons and being fully reunited with Becks, I took them for an ice cream cone at McDonald's. Yeah....right before dinner. Sometimes moms need to break the rules.
Tuesday, August 14th
We "borrowed" or "stole" Wesley from his mom (my sister-in-law Karen) after having lunch all together. After arriving home, I successfully put Wesley and Beckett down for naps and felt a little more confident in my ability to have three kids. After naps, we played in the water outside, even having Megan's youngest join us for a bit. How much do I love our front yard? It's close enough to a playroom/family room to make life a bit easier.
I bought this swimsuit for Beckett recently, and I could take pictures of him in it all day long.
Cousins! The three boys truly like each other, which makes me truly happy. Those relationships are super important to me. If only Luke and Miles lived closer! :(
Wednesday, August 15th
Wesley spent the night, and only got a sad face for a moment asking, "Mommy? Mommy?" This, of course, means, we can steal him again and give Karen, now mom to baby Parker, a break. I texted Karen this photo in response to her asking how things were going. The boys are dressed and ready to head to the Aquarium!
It took awhile for Wesley to want to get out of the stroller. So different from my crazies.
Hamilton's current favorite fish: the giant sea bass. We once came to the aquarium for a couple hours and spent all our time here...with a quick lunch somewhere in the middle.
The boys and a sea lion.
It looks like we broke into the penguin exhibit, but it's a photo opp with fake birds/background...I swear!
By this time Wesley is fully cool without the safety/comfort of the stroller and happily and excitedly touched rays with my boys.
Lunch! The Diet Dr Pepper is mine. And, yes, Hamilton's lunch is fries. And Wesley's (mostly) as well, to be honest. Ah, well.
Cheese!
I returned to my car in the parking garage to discover this little treat. There's a double white line in between spaces, so I'm less over than it looks. But thanks to that sweet parking job by the sedan, I got to haul my pregnant self in from the passenger side...in a skirt. Kinda funny.
As we were leaving the Aquarium, I suddenly stopped at the gift store, realizing that's how aunts are different than moms...souvenirs. I tried a couple things on him, but Wesley was fully and adorably smitten with this penguin. My boys (no, I didn't leave them out) chose a Shark Attack game. Naturally. We managed to keep Wesley awake on the drive back to his home...couldn't have Karen miss out on enjoying his naptime! The boys still ask regularly when he's coming back.
Thursday, August 16th
We enjoyed our usual beach day. I can hardly see my phone in the bright sun, so imagine my joy upon seeing that I managed to take this awesome photo. Man, I am crazy about these boys of mine!
Post-beach nap. I have about a billion pics of Beckett napping. They are irresistible. Why not ones of Hamilton? WAY too light of a sleeper...I never dared risk it! Lately, Becks is saying "no" to naps because he's a "big boy." But he's asleep about 5 minutes after his defiant explanation. I call your bluff, little dude!
I decided we needed to implement a new family tradition: Monthly Friday Night Movies. This night we had pizza, watermelon, and root beer floats picnic style on the living room floor while watching The Empire Strikes Back. Hamilton asked questions pretty much non-stop. Jedis need to know stuff. :)
Facebook for the Week
- Quote of the day: "America's Got Talent is a beacon of hope." *sigh* I miss the Olympics.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Friday Wrap-Up: August 10th
Did you know that there is such a thing as "National Root Beer Float Day"? Well, there is. And because I consider myself a true patriot (and a daughter of a root beer lover), I HAD to celebrate. How's this for the boys' dinner? Super healthy, right? Best mom ever! :)
They were both smitten with root beer floats (genetics, I'm guessing). I admit it...sometimes it's pretty fun to introduce your kids to something fun and tasty. We work on veggies and fruit too...I swear!
I'm not sure how many "Beckett Sleeping" photos I've taken, but they could probably justify a full album. He's definitely my sweet boy, and him sleeping increases his sweetness by about 50%...so, off the charts.
We busted out the "whale shark pool" this week. I used a sponge to clean the bottom before filling it. Turns out baby pool + sponges = happily playing boys for about an hour.
Hamilton is "swapping the decks" here. :)
Our adventure for Wednesday was going to South Coast Botanical Gardens. I'd purchased a "Groupon" for an annual pass months ago and figured it was about time to cash it in. We went with friends, and the boys spent almost an hour climbing a tree and finding "lucky beans." Pretty nice for the mommies. Here are the boys in the children's garden...where plants and figures correspond with nursery rhymes.
Old Navy was having a crazy $10 jean sale, so I took advantage...Hamilton is both growing and putting holes in his pant knees. While there, I "accidentally" bought jammies for Beckett. Totally unnecessary purchase, but my boy loves Batman and deserves some "non-hand-me-down" items once in a while.
Thursday was beach day. A lot of friends showed up, which means I got to chit chat, and the boys had lots of people to play with. At the beginning of the summer, my friend Mackenzie made all the little kids into "mer-people." Ever since then, the boys have me do that for them whenever we're at the beach. It's pretty fun to just get in there, dig in the sand, and play with your kids.
On Friday, we "borrowed" my nephew Wesley for a couple hours. His mom is having a baby soon, and I'm hoping to be somewhat helpful and steal him on other occasions post-baby. She's due really soon, so I thought we'd better get a practice run in pre-baby. We headed down the freeway to the Discovery Science Center. Wesley was pretty shy and cautious at first (those kids exist?!?!), but then we found a submarine slide, and all was well.
Sitting on dinosaur toes.
Cheese!
Show-off.
On Saturday, I got to cross something that's been on my "to do" list since I've moved here: bike up the Strand to Santa Monica. Round trip, it was about 26 miles. People have asked if we'd been training, which mostly makes me laugh. I wore my Rainbow sandals. Does that tell you anything about the "chill level" of this ride? We had a really nice time: beautiful coast, crazies in Venice, yummy Thai lunch, and nice conversation. Yes, it lasted about 4 hours longer than we led our hubbies to believe, but it was SO nice to be out and about together sans kids on a lovely Saturday.
Facebook Statuses:
- Dishes in the sink and time for dinner, but I'd rather just watch these two enjoy a $12 pool and a couple sponges. That's cool, right?
- The guy bagging our Costco purchases overheard us having our usual "who's turn to be in charge of the receipt" discussion and had the cashier print out an extra one. Might seem like a lame status update, but it was a welcome miracle at the end of the day. :)
- Favorite Olympic story and race: David Rudisha. Wow.
- Celebrating Alex belonging to us again! (we couldn't afford his billing rates) — at The Cheesecake Factory. [He pretty much disappeared for 2 weeks.]
- The downside to living near the beach is we don't have a/c. Yuck. The upside, clearly, is we live near the beach. Biked down and back to Santa Monica today with nice ocean breezes and good friends. I'm a lucky girl (with a really nice husband who spent the day with the boys).
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