Our (Not SO) Cowardly Lion

Back in October, on her way out the door, Ashlyn mentioned to me that she was going to be late coming home from school because she was going to try out for the school play that day.

I put on a smile and told her she'd do great and to break a leg. Inside I panicked a little bit, said a little prayer that she would have a good experience and prepped for the pep talk if she got cut.

Well, this girl is much braver than her mother and must have done just fine, because she made the play and got a super fun role, the Cowardly Lion.

Man Oh Man--did this girl eat up the role! It was so fun to see her loving something so much after lots of time and hard work. She genuinely made me laugh with her delivery of some great lines, and stayed in character the entire time she was on stage. So fun!

One of the funnest things about this whole experience was the day she came home to say she got her part and immediately went down the list of all her grandparents, aunts & uncles and even her primary teacher whom she loves so much and called them immediately to tell them about it and pencil in the date on their calendars! What a lucky, loved girl. Here's a few that could stay for photo opps after...

Been busy sprucing up the joint

Since we got a chunk of our student loans paid off, we decided to focus on some projects around the house that we've been putting on hold. (And by we, I mean mostly hired people that know what they are doing!)

We got the yard fenced in and a little more manicured. It looks great and has been so nice to send the kids out back with so much less worry of them running off to who-know's-where (although I do miss being able to just pick the kids up and over the chain-link fence when ever they want to play with the Poulson's!)

We needed to put in some new interior doors, and figured while we had a finish carpenter here, why not spruce up the kitchen. Hey...why not?!? Here's some before shots (actually, right after the crown molding went up...)

And the After shots:

Although I loved the red walls, I think the new scheme makes the space feel bigger. It's been fun to get back into the kitchen and really enjoy being in there! We did a few other projects and love making our home "ours".

Wait...I still have a blog?!?

So here's a few photos to remind me of the great, crazy summer we had.

Surprise!

We decided to plan a surprise trip with the kids (minus poor Bree) and somehow, they'd gotten us to spill the beans.

We were going to Nebraska to pick corn!

We talked about it non-stop, and the kids were mustering up their excitement for what was sure to be a lame trip. The day we were flying out, I dropped Bree off at my mom's (since a one-year-old wouldn't be much help in the fields), and Ali started crying saying she wanted to stay at grandma's house. Can you say backfire?!?

We got to our hotel pretty late without the kids catching on to our scheming ways and Casey couldn't wait a second longer. We gave them their assignments in the field for the next day, which were really their tickets to get them into...

Brilliant parenting 101:

"Surprise! We're going to Disneyland in the morning! Now try not to be too excited, and go to bed...."

Cali 2010

Mother's Day - "The Gift of an Ordinary Day" by Katrina Kenison

So, I DARE you to watch this and not tear up. I am such a boob. But I love the message and it hit me like a 2x4 between the eyes.

Maybe it's because I am getting "the look" from my oldest when I sing or start doing my thing to the music in the car (or mercy me, out in public).

Maybe it's that I have to do most of the hanging on with her limp-ish grip during the hand-holdage.

Or maybe it's because I got a hug and a kiss on the cheek last week when I volunteered in her classroom, and wondered to myself "...is that the last time she'll do that in school?" and I hated that I had to even let that cross my mind.

Suddenly, I don't walk on water. Nuts...

We're half way to adulthood with Ash and the time is screaming by. It truly is the sweet, ordinary days that make motherhood so rewarding and worth it. Good reminder to relax a little and not get so wound up about the things that really don't matter in life.

I feel like it's my mantra that I constatnly have to remind myself. ENJOY this stage of life--whatever the stage may be. Relish the good and weather the tough spots. Don't ever wish any of it away. Life is good & FULL.

And ALWAYS say yes when they request to snuggle.

The Beauty of Living...Slowly

Found this post in my inbox this morning and it spoke to me...

The Beauty of Living...Slowly

There is real beauty to taking life slowly. Sure, I’m a productive nut — I love checklists, getting lots of things done, and ending my day feeling like my energy was spent on something worthwhile. I don’t admire laziness. And it’s a lot of physical and emotional work to run a family and household, so very rarely do I enjoy the luxury of an afternoon with my feet propped up.

But there is a sweetness missed when we spend more time running errands than we do chatting with our neighbors, enjoying an impromptu lunch date with a friend, or watching our kids play at a park with newly-made “best friends.”

Here are a few ways we can all slow down today.

1. Instead of three Most Important Things on our list today, make it just one. Or none, even.

2. Forget the dishes in the sink, and say yes to our kids’ insistent request to play with them.

3. Call up a friend, and see if she’s up for bringing herself and her kids over to hang out for the afternoon.

4. Drag a chair out onto your front porch, watch your kids play in the yard, and see if you can strike up a conversation with a neighbor. Who knows, you may make a new friend.

5. Do something easy for dinner tonight — sandwiches or salad will work just fine. If it’s nice outside, make dinner a picnic.

Photo by Daniel Lobo

6. Call an old friend, just to say hi.

7. Turn up the music and dance in your living room with your children. My kids love this, and it takes 15 minutes.

8. Get out the crafts and work on a project that’s been on your list forever.

9. Go on a leisurely walk. Have no agenda.

10. Have an afternoon movie special with your kids after their naps or quiet times. Popcorn is optional but definitely a fun bonus.

11. Treat your kids to an unscheduled drive to a favorite local spot, such as a park, a museum, or a friend’s house.
Photo by Guilio Bernardi

12. Read a novel.

13. Do what you’d normally do with your kids — read books, sculpt play-doh, help with homework — but do it outside on a blanket.

Don’t stress too much about getting a lot done everyday. It’s something I have to remind myself near daily, but I’ve truly seen the value of a slow lifestyle from the different non-Western cultures where I’ve lived.

We sure like to be productive. But that’s not the only important thing in life.

Southbound

Much as we've enjoyed this.....

It was time to head south and catch some sun! Even if it mean enduring this for 5 hours....

Look--there's the sun!!

Got some swimming, hiking, playing at parks, relaxing and just plain old soaking in the sun packed into an all-to-quick-break. Thanks, mom & dad I. for the fun!

The unexpected

Wait...wha? The holidays already came and went and we're half way through January?!?

Our Christmas was wonderful--all the great traditions, parties, family members from near and far and just loved being all together with no school, work, responsibilities and new toys!

But it was the unexpected things that really brought the focus for me...

The shot below is probably a little bit more what reality looks like. One kid giving the "up-the-nostril-shot" look, one with his eyes half shut, one not paying attention and saying cheese to the opposite side of the room, and the littlest one having a major melt-down. Yes--THIS is reality--OUR reality and it shows personality, frustration, love and happiness all in one simple shot.

It's un-posed, raw and as real as it gets.
Unexpected #1:
On December 22nd, I noticed that Tink's ear looked a little, well, pushed out. Like Dopey from Snow White. I cocked my head from side to side, just to make sure I hadn't put her pigtails in cockamaimy-ed. She'd had a fever that started the night before, but we figured it was your run-of-the-mill kind of virus. I mentioned it to Casey and he called the peds office and we got her right in. Poor little thing got sent to Primary's for a visit to the ER, an unsedated CT scan, and won herself a stay in the hospital with IV antibiotics. Somehow she got an ear infection that decided to spread into her skull and threatens to go to the brain without some potent medicine to ward it off!

Does anything bring your focus into view quicker than when a loved one is sick or suffering? I looked around the hospital at all of the truly sick children and their families & was impressed by their stamina, courage and will. I counted the many blessings I could hold within my embrace--all 5 of them. I didn't care about the presents, or the parties, or the lame distractions that I can get so caught up in without even realizing it. I got to nuzzle up close to Tink and just breathe her in, and thank Heavenly Father for blessing me so abundantly with each child in my care, for my dear husband and each loved one in my life.


Unexpected #2:

Of all the holday decorations I have, these were my favorites of 2009:

This created memories and a jumping board for ideas of real family time together.

This olive wood set reminds me of my time in the Holy Land, but this year in particular, I found it "staged" differently everyday. It was fun to listen to Tink reenact the Nativity Story in her own little way.

And I think I choked on my drink when one time, I overheard her putting the baby in time out.

There he is.

On the side.

In time out.

Classic.

Have you ever heard the song, "I Cry the Day that I Take the Tree Down"? I really didn't mind taking all of the decorations down. But I still can't bring myself to take down the Christmas Cards from family and friends. What is wrong with me?!?

It's a reminder of enjoying the past memories with those we don't see often & catch up on their lives. It helps me appreciate and enjoy those that are in my life now. These relationships are what matter most to me and THAT is how I can carry the spirit of Christmas with me throughout the year.

Here's to a grand 2010!!!