Perspective

Our happiness in life has a lot to do with perspective, I believe. My Dad tried to drill this principle into my head from a young age. "Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond to it," he'd quote. Well, our family has been sick this week, and from my perspective I would have to say that four sick kids plus one sick mom isn't the greatest combination...

I couldn't help but notice the contrast of having my older two kids stay home sick from school:

Child #1 spent one day at home and complained about being bored (or hungry, or thirsty) for the majority of the time. There was "nothing to do" even though I offered up what seemed like 20-some good suggestions. I love this child dearly so I don't want to be misunderstood, but let's just say that both of us were very happy when he was able to return to school the next day.

By contrast, child #2 spent two days sick at home. This one just naturally fills his time on his own with little instruction from me. A little reading, a lot of book making, a little playing in the toy room with little brother, back to a little reading, etc. He wasn't very happy when bedtime rolled around last night. I overheard him tell his dad the following, "But we just have the greatest house ever and it makes me want to keep playing!" Ha, ha. Talk about perspective!

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I've made the decision to retire this blog. When I started "pete pages" a couple years ago, I did it with the hopes that I would have something witty to share with a public (and often anonymous) audience. My perspective has changed, and I find that in reality I don't have many witty thoughts to share, and I've become more interested in keeping a personal history of sorts in a more private setting.

Feel free to ask for an invite to my private blog "sweet petes" if you are interested (and haven't already been invited). This has really been a great outlet for me; thanks for reading!

Beat the heat

Swimming has been a lifesaver this summer! I wanted to post a couple of photos that Rob's sister took last week (you can see lots more great photos on her blog).

Goggles ready, go:

And a sweet one of Livvy with her favorite things (Bunny and her fingers).

Independence

I'm starting to think that when you live in the Phoenix area, seasonal depression hits in July instead of December...

Church today resembled a ghost town. I had heard about how most people leave the state this month, but I did not realize that they weren't exaggerating! I haven't been in a congregation that small since my mission.

I spent much of my day reminding myself that it was a holiday. Holidays just don't seem the same when we live far away from family. No big BBQ or gathering with extended family for us today. I vowed that next year at this time we will be heading north to gather with family and friends, and to get away from this heat!

My mood started to swing when we sat down to dinner for our own informal 4th of July feast, featuring some summer favorites (BBQ chicken, cilantro rice, watermelon, tossed salad, and even s'mores for dessert...).

Even better, was the company. Always an entertaining (and awfully cute) crowd.
These little crazies know just how to help cure the summertime blues...

(photo and original necklace courtesy of Hewitt)

Mid-life musings, Part II

Back in December, I wrote a little ditty about aging. If you didn't catch Part I, you can read it here: http://petepages.blogspot.com/2009/12/mid-life-musings.html

So, six months later and it's all said and done. I am 35 years old.

It is sort of weird to reach the age that you once coined as "old." Obviously, I would never say, nor do I really think that 35 is old (or 40 or 50 or 60 even...). What is it about the number 35 for me though? It might have something to do with all of the paperwork I've filled out at various doctors' offices over the years, "Are you over 35? Check yes or no."

Maybe it's the fact that turning 35 happened to come at the exact stage of my life when the baby years are ending. I mean they really are. My "baby" has magically transformed from infant to toddler in a flash. She is currently mastering walking, first words (says the cutest "uh-oh" you can imagine), making her opinion known, and climbing like a monkey!

I love babies, and I have loved being a Baby Momma. But this stage can't, nor is it meant to last forever, no matter how many kids you think you can handle or are blessed with. The fact of the matter is, babies grow up to be kids, and I feel very blessed and completely content with our four (in case you were wondering).

A few months back, I decided to give myself a gift for my 35th birthday...a healthier and happier me. I set some strict goals for myself and even decided to go without dessert/sugar (no ice cream, cake etc.) for about three months. This actually made for a grouchier me for a few days, but it got easier. I've also started exercising 6 days a week (running three miles, three times a week, and doing weights and pilates the other days). Honestly, I've reached the point where I recognize that being active (and healthy) is a lifestyle choice that I want to continue. This process isn't something that happens overnight, or certainly all at once. I laugh at how hard it is some days to go one mile, but it's always worth it.

I set a lofty goal for myself that I thought was possible to reach by my birthday, and came within ONE pound (I was almost wishing for a touch of the flu to get me there- JUST KIDDING)! I celebrated the victory with my favorite cake and ice cream (couldn't even finish my bowl), and got back on the treadmill the next day.

So here's to 35! And to making healthier choices, to taking one day at a time, and feeling better than I did at 25.

A raw and somewhat fuzzy self-portrait that I just took (no make-up, no editing). I've decided to grow out my bangs again. Rob told me that he prefers this look, and I think I'm with him even if it means exposing a few more wrinkles on my forehead...

Really, Tosh?

We're fast approaching "birthday month" around here. Yes, three of our four kids celebrate birthdays in May. Well, I wouldn't need a calendar to know that Tosh's third birthday is just around the corner. I can tell that he is almost three because he is getting to be more of a challenge in many ways. "Terrible twos?" More like "terrible threes" I think. At least this is my experience as a mother of three boys.

In general, Tosh is climbing every pantry, every closet, every counter, and every you-name-it to get into things that he knows he shouldn't. Some of his recent discoveries and accomplishments just this week include:

Stacking up a bunch of pillows so he could climb on top of the counter in the master bathroom to get into the medicine cabinet (I don't really keep any medicine in there). He took my deodorant out and "drew" all over the leather furniture in our loft.

He also discovered an almost-new bottle of fingernail polish remover and dumped the entire contents on the carpet in the master bedroom.

He emptied the entire contents of a new bottle of saline nasal spray--spraying his brothers and the entire play room.

He colored on about 5 different walls upstairs, the tile floor, and granite counters...thank heaven for Magic Erasers!

He throws food, dumps drinks on purpose, loves "potty talk" (this is a new one), taking off his clothes, and making messes in general.

Really, Tosh? Give me a break already!

Wow, this post makes it look I am never around! The thing is that I am usually standing right next to him when these things happen, or just away for a couple of moments!

Just tonight at dinner he grabbed a white kitchen towel and dipped it into the ketchup on his plate (making a big mess of course).

Never before have I envied the superpowers of "Elastigirl" (the mom on the "Incredibles") as much as I have lately. Generally I can see these instances coming, but just can't get there in time to prevent the mess.

(Seriously moms out there, wouldn't these stretchy arms be so helpful?)


It was quiet for a few minutes this afternoon so I went to check on Tosh and found him like this on his brother's bed (I had to sneak away to grab my camera and sneak back in):


Even though this one can be a real handful at times, he is awfully sweet and such a funny and happy kid.

Poolside

Happy Easter!

We enjoyed a nice and quiet (if you can really ever call it quiet) Easter at home this year. We even got to watch "church on TV" since our worldwide General Conference was this weekend. Even though we didn't get dressed up in new Easter clothes, I still did what I attempt to do every year: Get a decent photo of the kids. It goes about the same every year...and you can see for yourself. Look familiar to anyone else?

Happy Easter!