Oh! Christmas Tree

Does it get any better? Maybe a fireplace somewhere in there to keep those tootsies warm, but this is pretty nice. It is even just as wonderful watching her enjoy it. Merry Christmas!

The 100 year snow!

I have witnessed the hundred year rain in St. George, Utah that sent houses plummeting into a river, taking out bridges, see people confined to their neighborhoods because all the roads were shut down and flooded to get in and out. Now in Maryland I am witnessing the hundred year snow. Yup! Here we are about to get more snow that they have seen since 1927.

Now before you all start worry about us and sending my family and I out in your prayers let me explain something about us Easterners or at least us Marylanders. We would be what you would consider a little snow-hyper. Meaning we see snow or forecast snow and freak out. Whether it be one flake of a thousand our immediate thought is what is going to be shut down or what should be. How many days will I have to hull up in my house and do I have enough food. Usually if it comes on a weekend our first question will be: So do we have to go to church this week? Usually our snow accumulation is not usually more than half a foot (usually less) and is gone within a day. So when they announced 14-20 inches of snow over a day and half everyone lost their heads here. It sort of reminded me of Y2K. Between the radio stations talking about it all day and the stores being jammed packed up until midnight last night it is craziness. So 14-20 inches here is almost like dooms day but to some of you it just might make you laugh. I'm sure you have seen much more.

Since coming here Chris and I have become a little snow-soft. Well actually Chris has always been snow-soft he grew up in St. George where one time when I was working down there as a waitress it started to snow and half...I'm not kidding....half the restaurant, including workers, emptied out to see the small drizzle of snowflakes coming down. But me, I grew up in North Ogden where the Greatest Snow on Earth was just over the mountain from me. I was never afraid to drive in it or afraid I might die in it or never make it to the grocery store again. That's why when yesterday morning Chris woke me up and told me he thought we should head to the store ASAP to get our grocery shopping done before everyone else did I didn't see the rush. So we head out to good old Wal-mart to find it packed-at eight in the morning. I am pretty sure it was packed all day until I returned again at 10 o'clock to pick up some gift wrap so I had something to do on my snow day. I thought it would die down by then so when I walked in and saw all the check out lines full with each line stacked with people reaching halfway to the back of the store I said "never mind" and left. I then remembered our first winter here and the first snow fall. I think it had only dusted the ground that time but I remembered watching the news and looking at all the school closures all over the different counties. I was shocked. As compared to living in Utah when I was in High School and there were almost blizzard conditions, sideways snow and everything, my sister, brother, and I watched the morning news anxiously waiting for our school to be called out to tell us we had a snow day. I thought there was no way they would make us go-it was ridiculous out there. It never came. Every other school was let out but good old Weber. And we braved that day in the snow making the trek up the big hill to school, freezing away as we made our way to seminary and finally home again.

It is a stark contrast to the feelings of panic that go out here. Today they were having all 4-wheel drive vehicles call in so they could arrange rides for all the doctors and hospital workers to make it to work. Crazy! So this morning I felt silly going out to the car to go on a little joy ride just to see the snow and relish in it, but I was also excited. Excited to build our first snow man with Kate and make a real snow angel. I have told her about them and we have pretended to make one before but now we get to actually do it. That was the first thing she asked me if we could do when I told her it was going to snow. Snow is cold and wet and makes me very irritable when I'm done with it because I am usually both of those. But some of my most fond childhood memories took place out in that frozen water. I feel sad to think my children won't get to experience nearly half as many as I did. Not to mention youth trips going tubing up at North Fork or on top of the Pass! Good times.

Now you can see how truly snow-soft we are. Yup! We swept off our front porch today. Not quite as effective mind you as a shovel. Usually our HOA has a company come out and do it for us but I guess they didn't want to go outside either. Happy snow day and stay warm!

That is what you get....

This is what you get when your brother is almost 24lbs and 11 months old. Baby confusion. When you want to still hold and love on him like he is a baby. You get awkward attempts at holding him and often enough someone ends up crying. Whether it is Carter crying because he is falling off, uncomfortable, or Kate starts to shove him off because he is getting heavy or Kate crying usually because she can't (or he won't let her) snuggle him like a real baby.

Kate asks me more now than she ever did when he was at a more practical age to hold Carter. She still says "Can I hold the baby?" BABY! What baby? All I see is a big baby boy trying to keep up with his sister. And at 24 lbs. he is doing a good job. But I just shrug my shoulders and say "Sure you can try but remember last time...."

She has mastered a few holds. Notice this one she manages to hold him down with her arm wrapped around his head. This way he CAN'T get up. She has accepted that instead of holding him like a real little baby she can just hold his head and not all of him. That is a whole lot of boy for one little girl.

We now however have settled for a relaxing laying hold. He just lays across her and I prop him up. This way he isn't too heavy for her and he's comfortable. Even still this is a compromise for Carter. He just doesn't like it. Poor Kate. She just going to have to settle for a fun little brother who adores all she does and loves to follow her around everywhere. Who will do and play almost anything with her that he can.

Just love 'em!

Create

This video is old, but every time I watch it I am moved. It runs so deep and touches on so many levels.

Click on Create

I have to be honest. Lately my kids have been breaking my heart. They are growing up so fast I don't feel like I can keep up with them.

Being back home is nice. We are getting back into the swing of things. Our days are now filled with joy school, teething, breathing treatments (still), Daddy time, tea parties, crawling practice (with a little bit of walking/standing), and enjoying the fall weather.

We are having some good days and some very apparent bad days but we love spending time together especially when dad is around. He is the center of our universe and nothing is complete until he walks in the door. We are so glad we have him!

What can I say?....

Yesterday Kate and Carter were playing together. Carter tried to sneak away Kate's toys as he laid on the ground while she played. She repeatedly tried to tell him "No this is my toy" after a few tries I walked in the room to try to help out with the problem when upon my arrival I see Kate smack Carter upside the head. He didn't cry but she still had to go to time out because that is what happens when we hit. She sat there and I was near by when the following conversation took place with Kate and herself:

Kate #1: Why are you on time out?

Kate #2: Because I hit Carter.

Kate #1: DO WE HIT?

Kate #2: No we don't hit Carter even if he takes toys.

Kate #1: That's right. You need to apologize....

She sure gave herself a good talking to. This is almost exactly how our conversations go when ever she is put in time out. I guess I can start letting her take over the time outs. She is so precious. She is always surprising me with her whit and brightness. Three is such a fun age!

To Wear the Glove or Not to....That is the Qestion

It doesn't get much better than this. You can't find this sort of dedication in your average Joe. The worst (& Best!) part is she knows that. We miss you hun! Love You!

There are many ways to heal. Sometimes it takes good doctors who know how to perform certain maneuvers to save a life...thank heaven for those. Sometimes it takes just a very strategically placed band-aid with a little bit of neo-ointment that is always topped off with a kiss. Then there are other times when laughter and good, loving people around you is what you need to heal. When it seems like nothing else is working sometimes laughter and love can heal that tender spot that nothing else can reach.

Right now I feel like my eyes have been pried open and I have learned. Maybe sometimes I wished it wouldn't be so hard or painful to learn, but all good wisdom that we take in helps us for the better. Sometimes in life we learn through our own personal tragedy and sometimes we learn through others. I have seen so many wonderful women in my life suffer. Some I know well and some I only know through others, but my heart has felt close to them, and their suffering I have shared. Even if just a tiny morsel of it. I have stood in amazement at the capacity of good that abides in all of them and also the strength that has been available to them through our Heavenly Father. This life isn't easy but it is made easier by having good loving people around us. We are blessed with family to lean on in times of need. Luckily though if you are like me and don't come from a normal family dynamic or live thousands of miles away from them there are friends that we can adopt as family. Some of my closest friends have now become sisters to me. Not second or third sisters, but sisters.

I have learned over these past few months as I have watched these good women battle through it all that there are ups and downs. That every good person out there when faced with affliction falters. They have their down days and their ups. I've learned it isn't about being up all the time it is about when you fall down getting back up and sticking it out the best you can. Putting your shoulder back to the wheel and "pushing along". I don't mean to be preachy I simply mean to share something I believe in, because I know I have had times when I have felt my best wasn't good enough because it wasn't perfect....well that is okay because I know it never will be but better yet it doesn't have to be! I can just do my best...sigh...that bring relief.

Thanks to all those wonderful women who keep going even when faced with what seems like insurmountable obstacles that completely overwhelm you at times. I love you and think of you always. I am so thankful for your example, friendship, and love.

Just wanted to start out with something to melt your heart. AWWWH! Aren't they cute. Okay on to the updating.

I am going to be the first to admit. I have been slacking. With lots of good excuses but lets face it excuses are just like opinions-everyone has one and they all stink.

So instead of all my lame excuses I decided to post an really long blog...here you go Holly. I hope it can hold you over until this week. I know they are cute and I would miss them too if I didn't get to see them everyday.

We took a trip out to California to have a small family reunion with Chris' family-we missed you Dave and Michelle. It was nice to have the family together and figure it had been at least 3 years since that many of us had been together. This is Kate with her cousin Kendell they haven't seen each other since Kate was 9 months old. Kendell lives in Hawaii so we don't make it there-ever!...someday though. This is Kate on her first official ride with no parental supervision, at least within 5 feet. I was nervous she would freak out. I was so glad Kendell was there otherwise she would have been all alone.

We went to Knot's Berry Farm while in Cali. It was my first time and it was really fun.

Just Checking....

We had such a fun time with the West family. It is funny though out of all the things we did I think one of the funnest things (and I have heard others agree) was just sit around in our mom and dad's room and talk. It was nice just being together.

This is us enjoying the waves. We were so bummed we forgot our swimming suits this day. The waves were huge. I love, love, love the ocean!

Then we took a trip up the road to "The Happiest Place On Earth". This was our first time going to Disneyland with kids. It is much different. Chris and I had season passes when we were first married and since we only lived a few ours away we would jet down to Cali every now and then to get away. We would have a blast and just go, go, go. Those of you who have kids know that doesn't fly. You are still constantly going but at a much slower pace. Seriously I would wake up at 7:00 am and not stop doing something until 12:00 or 1:00 am. It was so much fun. There is something different about getting to watch your kids have fun.

Watching the light in Kate's eyes when she would see something exciting or scary. It was a new kind of enjoyment for me. I loved it.

Minnie was the first character we met. Kate just laid her head right on her head. She loved it.

Then we met Mickey. Notice how she cuddles up to him again.

Main Street view.

Notice the legs hanging out on the side of the picture. This was only half way through the first day. Disneyland isn't for the weak.

Kate with Grandpa Dave in front of Sleeping Beauty's castle.

These are my favorite all time pictures. Grandma wanted to take Kate on her first ride so Chris and I could go on some. She was kicking and screaming and just wouldn't go so she took Carter instead. This just shows his personality. He is always up for a good time. As long as he is fed that is.

Mom and Kate

Aunt Julie and Kate

Family pic-Carter always gives the characters the stare down.

Disneyland

More to come.....

What a women!

Despite what most of you might think I haven't disappeared off the face of the earth. Our computer has been in the shop-Best Buy- what feels like for ages and the we have been jet setting across the country to visit family and also the most magical place on earth-Disneyland. More to come on all of that but first I wanted to update some of you on the goings on of my sister. I know some of you I left hanging during a very frantic moment and since have wanted to update you and explain.

My sister Melynda was in a bike accident about two months ago. It was pretty bad and she crushed a bunch of cartilage in her hip. Since then she has had many complications which eventually lead to a stroke on the 4th of July. She is now recovering the best she can. She is still in wheel chair in part because of her previous injury and because she is on so many blood thinners to ward of future strokes that she can't walk around. She is working learning to speak and using her right arm again and is hanging in there. She has a long road of recovery and has already been through a lot. She is such a tough lady and admire her for her strength. I was lucky to take a trip out to see her and spend some time with her. Thanks for all the thoughts, prayers, and support. They have helped. Lately she has been talking about how grateful she is even for the little things. Life has a funny way of helping us slow down and appreciate what we have been given. The other night she called and sang "Happy Birthday" to me on the phone-I cried. She could sing it completely clear and sound just like her old self. No studders or long pauses. (I guess singing uses a different part of your brain than normal speech.) So we joked that she is now going to communicate in song from now on. Her husband is excited because he is thinking she won't be able to yell at him anymore but I told her I sure we could find some to songs suite her purposes when needed. Thank heaven for small blessings.

Beautiful Babies and Breathing Treatments

Bless this little guys heart. This kid has been through so much these past 4 1/2 months I can't believe it. Chris has it in his mind that he is going to be sick for the rest of his life.

He caught a cold three weeks ago and things were going along fine. As good as a runny, stuffy nose can be. Then about a week later I was holding him in my arms and I could feel the vibration in his lungs and noticed that he was panting when he breathed. I was really unsure but called the doctor anyway. Sure enough he has bronciolitis again. Poor guy. The funniest part was going to the doctor and having the nurse comment on how strange he is. She was there trying to count his breathing, because it was so rapid, and all the while he is just laughing, talking and smiling at her. She said it was strange because most babies when they are that ill are fussy and grumpy. She called him a "happy wheezer". That's my guy. That isn't the first time a doctor has told us that they have been thrown off diagnosing him because he is so happy and doesn't act very sick at all. What a lucky mom I am.

So he has been on a regiment of 5 breathing treatments a day and then two other medicines, one being for an ear infections that I had no idea he had-like I said happy baby. Needless to say it has become an all consuming thing. That and our simultaneous potty training that is going on things are crazy.

Every time I would sit down to give him a treatment I would try to read something or be multitasking in some sort of way and it just hasn't been going well. Since he has just learned how to use all these new things-like hands-he doesn't want to hold still for anything. Finally one night I was sitting there with him and I was trying to read the paper while I gave him his treatment and he was wiggling and making it really difficult to do. Then I just started looking at him and realized how much he had changed, and how much he looked like my husband and how at that moment I was the one out everyone that he wanted to share his smile with. I felt humbled. Humbled to be a mom and get to preserve and love this baby. I realized then how fast it all is going and I wish I could slow it down. I learned to enjoy what used to feel like a chore and turned it into my time to just sit and stare or play with my little boy. I have come to treasure this time because I have much more limited time to do it than I did with Kate. It seemed like with Kate I could sit around and look at her all day and try to memorize her face and I still can't remember it all that well. Now I realize in a small way his sickness has been a huge blessing to me. Now I have learned to take time and look at these beautiful babies that I have been given. Funny how something that started out difficult and made me pressed for time now has taught me the true value of time well spent.

5 Years!...are we there yet?

Hello to the .blogspot.com world. This is my first attempt at blogging, so remember, patience is a virtue. Be kind to me in your comments. If your not, I will hunt you down and claim it is in the interest of "National Security."
May 11, 2004; St. George, Utah; local time: 10:40. That was when this little carpool to exaltation started. Today is Laurin and mines 5 year anniversary. She is always nagging me to try and blog, mainly because my mother is always nagging her to blog. I guess that happens when you live half a continent away. (just joking mom) How else are you going to see the 2 cutest grandkids! Anyways, I thought what better of a topic to blog about than how great of a wife I have. She does so much for me and my little posse. She is the ringmaster in this circus we call a family.
I am not a very good writer, so it is hard to put on paper (I guess technically it is a screen) all that she does for us. Most importantly she makes me feel like I can do anything for her. She is the best. I just wanted to let other people know how great she is but I guess if you are reading this, then you obviously know that anywaysHere is another reason she is so great, look what she gave me. As you might be able to tell, Kate is watching a movie now.

When we went to Ocean City we went mini-golfing. Laurin posted that. What she didn't post was that she got her hole-in-one. I honestly think that she has gotten at least one hole-in-one every time we have ever gone mini-golfing. NO JOKE!! She has only beaten me once though. The game is not to the swift, but he who endures to the end(or has the least amount of strokes.)

For those of you who follow our President closely know he was in Turkey a few weeks back. He went to this gigantic museum that is 1500 years old. The Notre Dame Cathedral towers could fit inside of it. I was there too...working. Anyways, if anyone saw the press photos, Mr. Obama stood right in front of this spot. He was there about an hour after I took this photo. I was still there of course, just...working. I just wanted to put this in here to make everyone go "oooooo" and "aahhhhh". Not to bad of a business trip, eh?

Well, that's all from my end. Maybe we can try this again sometime.

Ocean City

Chris, Kate, Carter and I took a little weekend vacation down to Ocean City, MD. It is the ideal beach bum town you would imagine in California. We had a really good time the only down fall was that it rained most of the time. I guess that is what you might expect towards the end of March. We were jus glad to get away together.

We went mini golfing. This Kate checking out the moving eel. She wasn't too sure about it at first. It was moving back and forth and made her really nervous at first but her dad always has a way of making scary things fun. After he talked to her I was finally able to talk her into taking a picture with it.

While she was standing there smiling for her picture it came back around and hit her in back and she freaked her out. She thought it was attacking her. I happend to snap the picture at this exact moment. She was really scared but Chris and I being the "horrible" parents we are we laughed-just a little though. That was the end of our pictures with the

eel.

My baby and I at lunch. He is so sweet.

Carter after his first swim in the pool. He had a ton of fun but he got cold really fast so he had to get out and come chill with me on the lounge chairs.

There is more to come....