This morning, Corban was closely examining the latest set of sonogram pictures of Kaylee. I have showed him the black-and-white pictures several times before tracing the white outlines of Kaylee's face and explaining that it was a picture of Kaylee in Momma's tummy.
He's a smart kid, and I know he understands a lot more than most three-year-olds do, but I never quite know how much. I mean, I still have to explain ultrasound pictures to my 65-year-old dad (then again, I have to explain a lot to my dad. :O) ).
Back to Corban. Without looking up, still scrutinizing the pictures Corban asked, "So, Mom... is Kaylee black?"
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Did I mention that we have a cat? ... and FLASHBACK buzz cuts.
I know I have, but I needed a title. Anyway, as far as pictures with Saja and Corban, this is my all-time favorite. It's old; I took it with my phone back in June '07. Saja's big and fat now. Corban is big too... but not fat... in fact, it's sad how much he's looking like a little boy and not like a toddler anymore. *sigh* It's a good thing we have pictures to remind us of what he looked like because he changes EVERYDAY.
On a side note, the haircut. I buzzed Corban hair that year because he already lets off SOOO much body heat (he sweats playing the Wii... then again, who doesn't? Seriously, if you don't, you're doing it wrong!), AND he's got the thickest hair I have ever seen on a child. Those two characteristics placed on a person living in AZ would make you think that he's a glutton for punishment. Poor kid.
Honestly though, he would fall asleep in our bed and when Logan would go to move him to his crib there would be a pool of sweat where Corban's head was. Logan always had to sleep on a towel!
Corban wasn't bothered by the cut as it was happening, I had cut his hair before. But then, he came running out to the living room where we have old-70's, floor-to-ceiling, porn mirrors and when Corban saw himself he stopped dead in his tracks. Slowly, he brought his hand to the top of his head as though he wasn't sure that was his reflection he was seeing. "Corban," Logan asked, "where's your hair?!" Corban turned slowly to look at Logan and then moved his hand from the top of his head and pointed to his eyebrows as if to say, "That's all that's left!"
My mom flipped and said that I was not allowed to do that to her grandson ever again. I do. I just make sure that I do it in time to have a good grow out period before he sees Grandma again. :O)
Saturday, January 3, 2009
CORRECTION!!
I need to make a correction... The whole bank robbery thing... not necessarily an indication that we live in the hood... LANI DOES!! HAHA Lani lives in the HOOD!!
Okay, we do too... but that particular story isn't a very good example of such. :O)
Thanks Tawnya. :O)
Okay, we do too... but that particular story isn't a very good example of such. :O)
Thanks Tawnya. :O)
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Christmas 2008
Since it's New Years Eve, I should probably hurry and put a post in about Christmas!
This year was special because it was Jody's first Christmas since being released from prison. Didn't know I had a brother in prison? Where have YOU been? Wait... didn't know I had an older brother?! Yeah, I've heard that too. Yes, I have an older brother, Joseph... who we call Jody, even though it's a girl's name and he probably got beat up for it in prison, and he goes by "Joe" now, but I will forever call him Jody. And yes, he was in prison. He was in WA State Pen from 2002 (while I was on my mission) and just got out September 2008. Did I not put up a post about that?! ... I just checked. I did make a post about us being in WA, but I didn't mention that we were there because Jody was getting out and I came up to see him. Oops. I actually do remember that... I sat down a couple of times to blog, but was never really in the mood... you know?
Anyway, as I was saying, It was his first year out, and he was in Alaska for the Christmas before my mission, so this is the first Christmas that all five Stocking children have been home since 2000. It was a pretty full house... or at least a lot more than my parents are used to.
It was a lot of fun though. We played a lot of card games, did some sledding, watched movies, swapped gifts, AND... had family portraits done! Annette Olivieri did them, she's fabulous. I'll post them once we get them at the end of January or so... or a link if she puts them on her sight.
Mom and Dad got a Wii for Christmas, so that has been fun. The boys, old and young, have been playing, and Corban has been able to hold his own. It's been great fun! Mom also got a Wii fit. After seeing it I'm considering saving up my spending money to get one after Kaylee is born to help me get back into shape! We'll see. :O)
Our one downer about this trip is that everyone has been sick! Not all at once... we've all been taking turns. It's been that stomach bug that knocks you out cold for 24 hours and then takes a bit for your tummy to recover from. Mom got it before we came, and Jill had it the day we flew in. It made its rounds, affecting some of us worse than others. Fortunately the three of us dodged the bullet. Logan didn't get it at all, and Corban and I just wrestled with tender tummies for a day or so, but weren't bedridden or puking.
The weather has been record breaking. I don't remember seeing this much snow since at least '88. Actually, '96 (or so) was really bad too, but for some reason I don't remember it. Storms have nearly shut down the Pacific Northwest from travel in and out. The four of us, Logan, Corban, Ben, and I were stuck in SLC for 9 hours or so waiting to get out. It wasn't as bad as it sounds, definitely not as bad as it could've been. We were waiting for a plane to come in from Chicago, which wasn't going to happen because the midwest and east were just as bad off as we were. Instead of bringing in another plane though, we waited for that plane, and once it finally came in, we were stuck because it brought the storm along with it. Another CHS alum Emily Davidson, who was also one of Ben's piano students, was also there with us, waiting on the same flight. So, between the four of us there were plenty to watch carryon luggage, go get food, and walk around with Corban to make the day longer than desired, but very manageable. Dad had also read that things could be bad and therefor put some extra money into Ben's account to help feed us all.
Good times have been had by all. The weather's warmed up a bit, aside from a few days of ice, things have been quite nice. Roads are back to being clear and we've been able to get out and about.
I was able to have dinner with some high school friends; it was definitely fun to catch up with them.
We're here until Jan 11. So, hopefully we'll continue to win our battle against illness and ice and be able to make some more memories.
This year was special because it was Jody's first Christmas since being released from prison. Didn't know I had a brother in prison? Where have YOU been? Wait... didn't know I had an older brother?! Yeah, I've heard that too. Yes, I have an older brother, Joseph... who we call Jody, even though it's a girl's name and he probably got beat up for it in prison, and he goes by "Joe" now, but I will forever call him Jody. And yes, he was in prison. He was in WA State Pen from 2002 (while I was on my mission) and just got out September 2008. Did I not put up a post about that?! ... I just checked. I did make a post about us being in WA, but I didn't mention that we were there because Jody was getting out and I came up to see him. Oops. I actually do remember that... I sat down a couple of times to blog, but was never really in the mood... you know?
Anyway, as I was saying, It was his first year out, and he was in Alaska for the Christmas before my mission, so this is the first Christmas that all five Stocking children have been home since 2000. It was a pretty full house... or at least a lot more than my parents are used to.
It was a lot of fun though. We played a lot of card games, did some sledding, watched movies, swapped gifts, AND... had family portraits done! Annette Olivieri did them, she's fabulous. I'll post them once we get them at the end of January or so... or a link if she puts them on her sight.
Mom and Dad got a Wii for Christmas, so that has been fun. The boys, old and young, have been playing, and Corban has been able to hold his own. It's been great fun! Mom also got a Wii fit. After seeing it I'm considering saving up my spending money to get one after Kaylee is born to help me get back into shape! We'll see. :O)
Our one downer about this trip is that everyone has been sick! Not all at once... we've all been taking turns. It's been that stomach bug that knocks you out cold for 24 hours and then takes a bit for your tummy to recover from. Mom got it before we came, and Jill had it the day we flew in. It made its rounds, affecting some of us worse than others. Fortunately the three of us dodged the bullet. Logan didn't get it at all, and Corban and I just wrestled with tender tummies for a day or so, but weren't bedridden or puking.
The weather has been record breaking. I don't remember seeing this much snow since at least '88. Actually, '96 (or so) was really bad too, but for some reason I don't remember it. Storms have nearly shut down the Pacific Northwest from travel in and out. The four of us, Logan, Corban, Ben, and I were stuck in SLC for 9 hours or so waiting to get out. It wasn't as bad as it sounds, definitely not as bad as it could've been. We were waiting for a plane to come in from Chicago, which wasn't going to happen because the midwest and east were just as bad off as we were. Instead of bringing in another plane though, we waited for that plane, and once it finally came in, we were stuck because it brought the storm along with it. Another CHS alum Emily Davidson, who was also one of Ben's piano students, was also there with us, waiting on the same flight. So, between the four of us there were plenty to watch carryon luggage, go get food, and walk around with Corban to make the day longer than desired, but very manageable. Dad had also read that things could be bad and therefor put some extra money into Ben's account to help feed us all.
Good times have been had by all. The weather's warmed up a bit, aside from a few days of ice, things have been quite nice. Roads are back to being clear and we've been able to get out and about.
I was able to have dinner with some high school friends; it was definitely fun to catch up with them.
We're here until Jan 11. So, hopefully we'll continue to win our battle against illness and ice and be able to make some more memories.
Corban's confusion
Corban's a pretty quick kid, but even he needs to have his facts set straight every once in a while. These last few weeks have been one of those times.
Months ago I told Corban about President Hinckley dying and he understood that AMAZINGLY well. Then, just a few weeks ago, I told him about Sydney dying, and aside from thinking that Sydney took Saja with him, he seemed to get that pretty well, too. When I told him about Grandpa Jorgensen, he seemed to understand, but then, in his prayer that night he prayed, without prompting, for Grandpa Jorgensen to get better. I thought that it was out of habit, we had been praying for that for over a month. But in the weeks that followed, he still prayed to bless both Grandma AND Grandpa Jorgensen.
Corban didn't come up with me to the funeral, and because of weather we haven't been down to see Grandma Jorgensen this trip, so he hasn't been around to see that Grandpa's not here anymore.
Today, Corban approached the issue. While in the bathtub he commented on how big he was getting, specifically that the water was deep, but that he was big enough that it wasn't deep on him. "I'm big, Momma! Like you and Dadddy! And Grandma and Grandpa Smiff! And Grandma and Grandpa Stocking! And Grandma and Grandpa Jorgensen!" Then, he paused and with a slightly puzzled look, he asked, "Is Grandpa Jorgensen dead?"
"Yes, Honey, he is. He lives with Jesus and President Hinckley now."
"And Sydney?"
"Yes, and Sydney."
"Oh... ok. ... Then who is not feelin so good?" (That's Corban's expression for sick.)
"Well, Grandpa Jorgensen was not feelin so good, but then he died."
"Oh!" Click! "What about Kogi?"
"Kogi didn't die, Baby; he just went to live at a new home."
"Oh. So, Pezzdent Hinck-wy and Sydney, and Gampa Jogunsun live with Jesus, but not Kogi?"
"Right, Kogi lives somewhere else."
"Oh. Okay!"
Months ago I told Corban about President Hinckley dying and he understood that AMAZINGLY well. Then, just a few weeks ago, I told him about Sydney dying, and aside from thinking that Sydney took Saja with him, he seemed to get that pretty well, too. When I told him about Grandpa Jorgensen, he seemed to understand, but then, in his prayer that night he prayed, without prompting, for Grandpa Jorgensen to get better. I thought that it was out of habit, we had been praying for that for over a month. But in the weeks that followed, he still prayed to bless both Grandma AND Grandpa Jorgensen.
Corban didn't come up with me to the funeral, and because of weather we haven't been down to see Grandma Jorgensen this trip, so he hasn't been around to see that Grandpa's not here anymore.
Today, Corban approached the issue. While in the bathtub he commented on how big he was getting, specifically that the water was deep, but that he was big enough that it wasn't deep on him. "I'm big, Momma! Like you and Dadddy! And Grandma and Grandpa Smiff! And Grandma and Grandpa Stocking! And Grandma and Grandpa Jorgensen!" Then, he paused and with a slightly puzzled look, he asked, "Is Grandpa Jorgensen dead?"
"Yes, Honey, he is. He lives with Jesus and President Hinckley now."
"And Sydney?"
"Yes, and Sydney."
"Oh... ok. ... Then who is not feelin so good?" (That's Corban's expression for sick.)
"Well, Grandpa Jorgensen was not feelin so good, but then he died."
"Oh!" Click! "What about Kogi?"
"Kogi didn't die, Baby; he just went to live at a new home."
"Oh. So, Pezzdent Hinck-wy and Sydney, and Gampa Jogunsun live with Jesus, but not Kogi?"
"Right, Kogi lives somewhere else."
"Oh. Okay!"
Notable exits...
As the year takes its final bow, I thought for journal purposes I should mention two others who have left our family. The first to go was Sydney, our in-laws' cat. He was ... about 300 years old. He was totally turned off by Corban and left hair EVERYWHERE. But other than that, he was a good cat. In fact, he and Saja are the reasons that for a short period of time I thought I may actually be a cat person... I'm not... they're just two cool cats.
As I mentioned, Sydney was 9000 years old, and so Logan's parents finally decided to have him put down, that whole "quality of life" bit... including my mother-in-law's, who was having to clean up after Sydney who could no longer control his bladder or bowels and still cannot get the smell out of her drapes when Sydney decided he had to reclaim his territory.
I wasn't sure if Corban would notice that Sydney was gone or not, so I figured I would just tell him. I said very plainly that Sydney had died. Corban's eyes got wide and half scared he asked, "What about Saja?!" "No, Honey. Saja is fine; he's still alive." "Oh, so just his friend died?" "Yeah, Baby, just his friend." Then, with his head bowed into his hands, Corban shook his head and said, "Oh, that is not so good..."
Our second exit was not so tragic, though just as intent
ional. We found a new home for Kogi, our dachshund. He was a good dog, and very intelligent, but was just not getting the attention he needed. He wanted to play, but his play was too rough for Corban, and I didn't have the energy for him.
Logan was amazingly patient with the dog. Kogi's cabin fever had lead him to chew through the power cord of Logan's laptop, and through one of the Wii nunchucks. I could hardly get mad at Kogi because I knew it wasn't a habitual-chewing issue, it was a bored-out-of-my-doggie-mind issue. To try even moreso Logan's patience, every morning when Logan's alarm went off, the dog would hear it as well, and would start barking if Logan didn't show up in a timely manner to let him out (he was crate trained). Despite all this, Logan always said that the dog decision was up to me, whether or not he stayed or went. And, I must add, that it was never an "I hate this dog, but I'm not going to force you to get rid of him" tone. It was very "I don't know the difference, so you choose." I had no idea how much patience this was taking of Logan until Finals Week. I woke up early to study, and for the first time since we got the dog, I was awake to see the morning routine, including the dogs demands to go in and out, or play, or hide-and-seek with the cat, or whatever. I could hardly stand it... granted, it was morning, and I don't do mornings, but yeah... it was not fun.
At that point I was on the fence, wondering which was more selfish, keeping him and not paying attention to him, or just getting rid of him and not trying harder to be a better owner. I came to a few conclusions. #1, this is totally not fair to Logan who didn't want the dog in the first place. #2, if I'm going to put more effort into something in my life, it's probably... no not probably... it's not going to be the dog. Sorry, Kogi... it's just not. and #3, it's not fair to the dog to have to sit and wait for me to make a decision about his future.
So, we found him a new home... sounds so much better than "we got rid of him," huh? Whatever you want to call it... that's what we did. I put a notice up on Craigslist and had a TON of requests. I finally decided on a twenty-something girl from Scotsdale. I've heard from her since and she is very happy with Kogi, and vice versa.
Kogi left right before we came up to WA, so we haven't had a great chance to adjust to life without him. I did find myself heading to his crate to let him out when we got home from the store, and walking to the back door when it seemed like the house was a bit to quiet. I'm sure Logan's happy, but he hasn't mentioned it. Corban is happy with Saja, and not terribly bothered by Kogi's leaving.
One sure thing that I have realized from this experience is that next time we get a dog, I need more committment. When we got Kogi, I said we would do so on a trial basis. With that already in mind, everytime something bad happened, I was ready to Craigslist, even if the issue was more my fault than the dog's. Really, it's something that needs to be put into any comittment. That whole "anything worth doing is worth doing well" bit. Or what I tend to say, "If you're going to half-ass it, don't even bother." It's a good thing Logan and I didn't go into marriage with that attitude, I don't know who would've been on the street first! I'm sure my mom, and a great many, if not all, of my teachers would love to bring my schooling up, but don't even bother. I know... I'm a smart kid who hates school... and yet I'm still there... or rather, that's why I'm still there... but whatever.
Okay, I'll stop rambling.
As I mentioned, Sydney was 9000 years old, and so Logan's parents finally decided to have him put down, that whole "quality of life" bit... including my mother-in-law's, who was having to clean up after Sydney who could no longer control his bladder or bowels and still cannot get the smell out of her drapes when Sydney decided he had to reclaim his territory.
I wasn't sure if Corban would notice that Sydney was gone or not, so I figured I would just tell him. I said very plainly that Sydney had died. Corban's eyes got wide and half scared he asked, "What about Saja?!" "No, Honey. Saja is fine; he's still alive." "Oh, so just his friend died?" "Yeah, Baby, just his friend." Then, with his head bowed into his hands, Corban shook his head and said, "Oh, that is not so good..."
Our second exit was not so tragic, though just as intent
ional. We found a new home for Kogi, our dachshund. He was a good dog, and very intelligent, but was just not getting the attention he needed. He wanted to play, but his play was too rough for Corban, and I didn't have the energy for him.Logan was amazingly patient with the dog. Kogi's cabin fever had lead him to chew through the power cord of Logan's laptop, and through one of the Wii nunchucks. I could hardly get mad at Kogi because I knew it wasn't a habitual-chewing issue, it was a bored-out-of-my-doggie-mind issue. To try even moreso Logan's patience, every morning when Logan's alarm went off, the dog would hear it as well, and would start barking if Logan didn't show up in a timely manner to let him out (he was crate trained). Despite all this, Logan always said that the dog decision was up to me, whether or not he stayed or went. And, I must add, that it was never an "I hate this dog, but I'm not going to force you to get rid of him" tone. It was very "I don't know the difference, so you choose." I had no idea how much patience this was taking of Logan until Finals Week. I woke up early to study, and for the first time since we got the dog, I was awake to see the morning routine, including the dogs demands to go in and out, or play, or hide-and-seek with the cat, or whatever. I could hardly stand it... granted, it was morning, and I don't do mornings, but yeah... it was not fun.
At that point I was on the fence, wondering which was more selfish, keeping him and not paying attention to him, or just getting rid of him and not trying harder to be a better owner. I came to a few conclusions. #1, this is totally not fair to Logan who didn't want the dog in the first place. #2, if I'm going to put more effort into something in my life, it's probably... no not probably... it's not going to be the dog. Sorry, Kogi... it's just not. and #3, it's not fair to the dog to have to sit and wait for me to make a decision about his future.
So, we found him a new home... sounds so much better than "we got rid of him," huh? Whatever you want to call it... that's what we did. I put a notice up on Craigslist and had a TON of requests. I finally decided on a twenty-something girl from Scotsdale. I've heard from her since and she is very happy with Kogi, and vice versa.
Kogi left right before we came up to WA, so we haven't had a great chance to adjust to life without him. I did find myself heading to his crate to let him out when we got home from the store, and walking to the back door when it seemed like the house was a bit to quiet. I'm sure Logan's happy, but he hasn't mentioned it. Corban is happy with Saja, and not terribly bothered by Kogi's leaving.
One sure thing that I have realized from this experience is that next time we get a dog, I need more committment. When we got Kogi, I said we would do so on a trial basis. With that already in mind, everytime something bad happened, I was ready to Craigslist, even if the issue was more my fault than the dog's. Really, it's something that needs to be put into any comittment. That whole "anything worth doing is worth doing well" bit. Or what I tend to say, "If you're going to half-ass it, don't even bother." It's a good thing Logan and I didn't go into marriage with that attitude, I don't know who would've been on the street first! I'm sure my mom, and a great many, if not all, of my teachers would love to bring my schooling up, but don't even bother. I know... I'm a smart kid who hates school... and yet I'm still there... or rather, that's why I'm still there... but whatever.
Okay, I'll stop rambling.
Did I mention that we live in the hood?!
So, while here in WA, I realized I had a credit card payment due at Wells Fargo. I closed down my WF checking account and ever since have had to make my payments either through the mail or by walking into the branch. Since I didn't have my payment slip and such here, and the nearest WF branch in in the Tri-Cities (40 miles away), I called up Lani Ayers back in Mesa and asked her if she would mind running down and making a payment for me. "No problem, but I just put Noah down; do you mind if we take a nap first?" "Yeah, no big deal." I gave her my account info and the address to the closest WF to her.
An hour later, she called me and said, "Hey could you give me another address?"
"Yeah, is that one gone or something?"
"Well, sort of... it just got robbed..."
"WHAT?!"
"There's a big ol' van and about 6 cop cars out there... I'm guessing I shouldn't go in."
"Uh, yeah... probably not." I gave her the next closest address and she went there and sure enough security was trippled and were very skeptical of anyone who walked in.
Lani's assumption was confirmed by the teller when she answered Lani's "How are you?" with "We're good, but the WF down the street got robbed about an hour ago, so security is up everywhere else."
Lani has decided that whenever she thinks she should leave the house, she'll take a nap first. Those who know her though, know that this is not a knew idea, but now, it's a justified one. :O)
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