Our Big Announcement (for real)

Little Heidi is finally here!!!

Arriving on April 9th she weighed 7 pounds 5.5 ounces and was 21 1/2 inches long.
She has dark brown peach fuzz,
long blond eyelashes,
gorgeous pink lips,
and two adorable dimples.
She smells like the best thing on earth,
looks peaceful as and angel,
and smiles when she hears her Papa's voice!!!
Welcome home Heidi!

why...

Why do mothers tell their children not to climb up the slide???
Isn't that the point of the playground: physical and social development? Believe me, they'll figure it out!

Why do salesmen not understand the word 'no'?
Isn't that the very first word a person really learns (after mama and papa)?

Why doesn't anybody trust my checks, just because they are out of state?
Are there not enough honest people out there?

Why am I most thirsty at night? right before bed?
Its not like I don't have to wake up to pee every two hours already anyway!!

Why do my children not hear me??
If at first you don't succeed...do it like your mother told you!

Why do I not have it all together? Like everyone else around me?

Why am I up at 11:20 writing a grumpy post on my blog?

...turns out, leprechauns are real after all...

We decided to make playdough today. I had fun mixing the colors in while Keagan couldn't get over the fact that he didn't know that we could make our own playdough. It was fabulous. We played for about an hour and a half. I made a rainbow and after making several striped caterpillars and a fish Keagan decided that he wanted to make a rainbow too. He spent most of the time shaving the top off of his rainbow because "all the rainbows he'd ever seen were not round like mine but actually quite flat." So I finish my rainbow, complete with a pot of gold at the end, take a picture for the fun of it and then the phone rang so of course I waddle over and answer the phone. Seriously when I got back the pot of gold had disappeared and Keagan and Kaleb were still seriously intent on what they were doing. I looked around everywhere before I finally asked one of them if they had taken it. I casually said "Well humm...I guess leprechauns are real after all." (WRONG thing to say.) A series of what's and why's pursued for about 20 minutes along with intense measures to guard his own treasure chest of gold. Keagan even took it with him to the bathroom just to make sure that it would not get stolen. When all was said and done and the playdough was safe in the refrigerator, Keagan had convinced himself that leprechauns live in our carpet and are trying to decide what to buy with the gold... Oh how I love this 4 year old mind!!! Kaleb was, well, oblivious to the whole stolen gold scandal. He was too involved with his own projects...

pLaYdOuGh

In a large saucepan, mix together

3 cups Flour

1 1/2 cups Salt

3 cups Water

2 TB vegetable oil

1 TB Cream of Tartar

Food coloring or unsweetened Kool-Aid pkg for color.

Cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until the dough pulls away from the sides of the pan and gets too thick to stir (about 10-15 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool until it can be handled. Place on counter or wax paper and knead several times until smooth. Store in an air-tight container.

Handsomeness...

I hope that you all had a happy, happy Valentines Day!! I've heard a few people now comment on how much they think it's a silly holiday. The only thing silly about it is all the ridiculous and unnecessary commercialism. Me? I love any day specifically set aside to dote on the people I love...
His Handsomeness: My Valentine and his two special sidekicks...

Here are the valentines we made for the boys' primary classes...(note to the wise: 'assume nothing!' I thought making 14 kangaroos would leave me with several left overs...of course there were 15 kids in the nursery on Sunday!) And here's a big shout to Aunt Kalli! Thanks for bringing this decadent goodness over to us on our first Valentines Day together. Its our Valentines tradition! Thanks! We love you!!!

...On the top of a high mountain...

My weekend through the eyes of my husband (I found this in an email that Beau wrote to his missionaries)--way too good not to share :

"So there we were on the top of a high mountain… don’t ask how we got there because it is tough to say. I didn’t have skis on but Keagan did. Shaunalee was too pregnant so she didn’t either, but Kaleb did.

We took Keagan & Kaleb on their first ski trip this week. I thought they would go wreck a few times get frustrated then cry, so we could go watch BYU get massacred by the running rebels. My plan failed miserably. You know when you went snowboarding and the little kids would fly by on their skis. That was Keagan and Kaleb. We were on the bunny hills with the rope pull. Keagan figured it out right away.

I think it was the third time he actually cruised right up to the top the only problem was he forgot to let go. Everybody watching was yelling to him to let go, but he just kept holding on until he got close lined by a cable at the top. Everyone laughed except for Keagan. It was pretty awesome. When I picked him up, I realized why he didn’t let go. His beanie was pulled down to his nose. 10 stitches later he was ready to go again.
Kaleb on the other hand tried the rope pull once and face planted. After that he made me carry him up the hill. Then, he would plow snow to the bottom.


To the least, by the end of the day I was tired and frustrated but not because of Keagan and Kaleb...but because BYU decided not to play basketball on Saturday. They just came to watch. It was pretty pathetic. I was watching the score on my phone.

The part about the stitches wasn’t true, but it was a really good close line. Brindi would have laughed a lot. I’ll tell Shaunalee to send some ski pictures.

Kaleb has had a week long bout with the diarrhea. Shaunalee and the boys eat lunch with me every Friday. After we ate lunch, Shaunalee dropped me off at work and was getting back on the Freeway when she hears an explosion right behind her. She looked back and Kaleb had blown up. Poop everywhere. She thinks well there’s nothing I can do right now, so she continues to merge onto the freeway. About the time she gets on the Freeway, Kaleb starts Puking his guts up. Keagan couldn’t stand it any longer, so he throws up as well.

I am so glad I wasn’t there. I would have been traumatized for life. Times like that make me really glad that I drive a ’94 Toyota Camry. We haven’t driven it since. We actually drove it off a dock and parked it in the Columbia River. We are going to go try to drive it out in a week or two when the stink is gone. True Story except for the part about driving the car into the Columbia River. I’m just glad Shaunalee hasn’t had the little girl yet. Imagine 3 kids in the back seat puking their guts up.

Love Sometimes,

BEAU"

...and that pretty much sums it up. Sorry no explosion pictures. I will say that I figured out how to completely disassemble Kaleb's carseat for some serious cleaning--and that I was extremely sore after bending over to push Kaleb up the bunny hill twenty (+?) times (don't try to picture that). Anyway, I was reminded how much I LOVE LOVE LOVE to ski and can't wait to get back on the slopes (if there's any snow left after the baby arrives)!

young love, already??

Keagan and I were walking down the hall to his class door this morning and as we approached we saw a little girl popping in and out of the classroom. I asked Keagan to go hang up his coat and as he turned to go the little girl put her hands on her cheeks and said:

"Ohhhh, he's soooooo handsome!"

The teacher shooed her back into the classroom. Keagan was oblivious to the whole thing, but then we see her peeking out the door again to see if he's coming (hands still on her cheeks).
I've always thought he was cute, I just didn't think this would start so soon...

To Infinity and BEYOND INSANITY!!

I don't really like Halloween but somehow I made the mistake of asking my sons what they wanted to be. Kaleb didn't really understand, but when Keagan enthusiastically told me that he wanted to be Buzz Lightyear Kaleb absolutely agreed... yeah, that's exactly what I thought...how on earth do you make a Buzz Lightyear costume--let alone TWO???

Well, I'll tell you...

3 diaper boxes
3 rolls of colored duct tape
12 plastic cups
2 playdough lids
3 smidges of paint
2 pairs of white gloves
1 hour on photoshop
1 pair of purple tights
lots of LOVE
& an insane amount of insanity!!!






By the time we took pictures Kaleb had had enough with his cuffs and gloves. I think that if I ever see another Buzz Lightyear it will be too soon. (Actually I can't wait for Toy Story 3!!! Wahoo!!!) We went to the Anchorage symphony for Halloween. It was a really fun concert and afterward there was trick-or-treating on the 4 levels of the concert hall. The best part of the whole thing was watching Keagan's face as other little boys oooooed and awwwwed, tried pushing his buttons and then would say "Dad, LOOK! It's Buzz Lightyear!"
I'm so glad it's nOVEmbeR!

motherhood is...

To have your heart reset when you turn on the car because the radio blares full blast, the windsheild wipers screech on and the hazard lights are clicking.

To watch crackers dipped in water and savored like manna from heaven.

To rediscover fingerpainting, gelatin, and the magic of...measuring cups.

To have dinner made, the laundry done, and the house clean...but never simultaneously. (Believe me, I've tried...it's one or one of the others.)

To dread that the next 15 years will go to fast.

To dread that the next 15 years will go to slow.

To finally have a GMO, MSG, FD&C, HFCS, and partially hydrogenated oil FREE pantry!

To clean the target in the bathroom.

To wonder if my children are getting enough of this and that or too much of that and this.

To cut your foot on sharp gravel while holding your braless chest from bouncing into tommorow as you run down the street chasing the garbage man's truck to question why his driver once again refused to take your garbage.

To have no appetite... whatsoever.

To scrub the bathtub spotless so that it's worthy to clean precious dirty little hands and feet...

To have an emergency evacuation of the tub and then to scrub it again. *sigh*

To envy those perusing the non-fiction adult section of the library.

To envy other mothers who can check out more than three items (waiting for proof of residence).

To roll down a long grassy hill and watch the clouds spinning at the bottom.

To wonder if another car seat will even fit in my car.

To feel like its a miracle that there is even something edible on the dinner table.

To see hidden disappointment in the eyes of your spouse when he wades through the toys and sees that the kitchen he shined last night did not stay clean.

To be SO homesick my heart literally hurts.

To spend a week building Halloween costumes that will only be worn for a mere three hours.

To keep on keepin' on...and lovin' it.

The Announcement '42'

we're moving.

yes, you're thinking, "they just barely moved!" you're right, in fact, I just finished unpacking and feel that my house and daily routine is somewhat organized which is record for me because this usually takes three or more months for me to accomplish after a move.

from my understanding the children of Israel moved 42 times in about as many years before they reached their promised land.

It must be in the blood...either that or I still have some serious lessons to learn! !)

we're moving back to
the lower 48!

washington state.

my excitement cannot be expressed in words!

...Home Organization...

Last night I taught my lesson about home organization...(see previous post). My teaching partner couldn't make it so I taught alone.

What I imagined myself presenting (a step by step guide to a perfectly orderly and organized home) and what my research dictated as a curriculum were very, very different. In fact, I wonder if the class still should have been called "home organization" at all; however, I feel like I taught what was supposed to be said, and more importantly what I needed to learn. Here are some of the main points:

Organization is a lifestyle, not an event.


Organization does not equal PERFECTION.

Perfection paralyzes me. If I imagine that I can't do a job perfectly from the beginning, I either don't do it, or I seriously procrastinate the project.

The savior was a perfect man. Why? Because he didn't observe his own "idea" of perfection; his only desire was to do the will of the Father; "an eye single to the glory of God"--in every situation. I had to ask myself, "is my vision of 'a house of order' the same as Heavenly Father's vision of my 'house of order?' In asking this question I first only found more questions...

(If you want to read an inspiring story read this...it's short: Three Bricklayers and a Sage:) http://mickandangela.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!BA3AB7D0CA6428D0!2577.entry


Do I see the daily of work in the home as "a necessary evil" that gets in the way of "important" family activities and should be done as quickly and with as little effort as possible to get on with real living?

or

Am I motivated to have a clean house, clean clothes, mowed lawn, shining windows, clean dishes and weeded flowerbeds, (etc.) by a sense of duty, pride, efficiency or daily accomplishment?

OR

Do I see the work in the home as an opportunity rather than a burden and understand the sacred meaning of everyday activities as a stewardship from God where I discover sacred (and often hidden) times and places where healthy, enduring family relationships are created? (These questions and the above story were adapted from Shirley R. Klein, and E. Jeffrey Hill, "Creating Home as a Sacred Center", Brigham Young University)

I have to admit, until recently I saw the work in the home as a burden and imagined the perfect day at home one in which I had no responsibilities to fill--like a vacation, like life in the garden of Eden...


"However, back to Eden is not onward to Zion. Adam and Eve entered mortality to do what they could not do in the Garden: to gain salvation by bringing forth, sustaining, and nourishing life. As they worked together in this stewardship, with an eye single to the glory of God, a deep and caring relationship would grow out of their shared daily experience." --Kathleen Slaugh Bahr, Family Work, BYU Magazine, Spring 2000. (Thanks so much Toni for this amazing article.) http://magazine.byu.edu/?act=view&a=151 ...and is this not the point of mortality? to gain salvation and to develop deep and caring relationships?

For a couple of weeks, I searched and searched and searched online for the perfect recipe for home organization that went along with the gospel themes of family work….and here is what I learned:

“The eternal principles that govern family work will be uncovered by each of us according to our personal time line of discovery.”

--Kathleen Slaugh Bahr, Family Work, BYU Magazine, Spring 2000.

There is no recipe for home organization!! It’s a personal thing and something that has to be discovered by you!

"In the latter days there will be a people so pure...that God will manifest himself, not only in their temple...but when they retire to their [homes], behold each [home] will be lighted up by the glory of God, a pillar of flaming fire by night." -Orson Pratt, Journal of discourses, 16, 36.

There is NO possible way that I could have told that class everything that I have gained and learned from preparing to teach it. I did tell them that I have gained a deep and stirring testimony of the sacred nature of family (read: household) work and organization--that it is not an obligation but a privilege and quite possibly a literal means to salvation!

Today was a WONDERFUL day! Kaleb helped me sweep the floor and Keagan followed us with the mop. We washed the windows and cleared and wiped the table. Keagan sorted the silverware while I unloaded the dishwasher. We played the "monster vacuum" game, and while Kaleb loaded the dryer, Keagan loaded the washer. I was never rushed. Never once did I feel guilty telling the boys that I couldn't come to them because "I was busy." I didn't have to, we were busy together, side by side, and it was LIBERATING, FUN and FULFILLING!

"Until we feel about family work the way we want our children to feel about it, we will teach them nothing. If we dislike this work, they will know it. If we do not really consider it our work, they will know it. If we wish to hurry and get it out of the way or if we wish we were doing it alone so it could better meet our standards, they will know it. [...] If we wish to change our family habits on this matter, we must first change our own minds and hearts."

...and so that is what my class was about. I felt like I could never possibly find enough ideas and specific suggestions about home organization to meet the needs of 20 different women in 20 different stages of life with 20 different sizes of families. I just hope they walked away with 1 new fresh perspective about it.

our first fast sunday in this ward...
I bear my testimony in sacrament meeting...
after the meeting Beau and I are cornered by two classy ladies...
they ask me to teach at the Super Saturday...
about HOME ORGANIZATION...
Beau literally starts laughing...
later, at home, I say..."how on earth am I going to teach for 45 minutes about home organization?!"...
Beau says..."just tell them what I do"

HELP please. if you have ANY ideas, good sources, talks, books, suggestions, websites, articles, people "in the know", I would love to have ANY help with this...

at this point, I am considering flying my mother 3600 miles up here so she can tell them what she does...

there's no pressure involved here, my team teacher is just a member of the Alaskan State House of Representatives!

help.

for the love of grass and football

Anchorage has fabulous green grassy parks! It has been so fun for us to go to the park and RUN through the grass and roll down grassy hills! I realize this might sound crazy, but in southeast Alaska...no grass...at least not enough to lose your breath running from one end to the other. Baseball fields? dirt. Soccer fields? dirt. Parks? dirt. So, I am LOVING grass right now and Keagan and Kaleb are discovering it really for the first time!

Anyway...we spent Thursday and Friday at the park. When we got home on Friday, Keagan laid down on the bed and was OUT! I started making dinner. Kaleb kept whining for food so I grabbed a box of cereal and gave it to him. When I turned around ....


So Beau came home and we decided to just let them sleep....OF COURSE at 4 am they were both up and revving to go so I put on Curious George for them and I wake up a while later and hear: "Kaleb, no more chocolate!" So Beau calls to Keagan and tells him to come in the room. We hear Keagan tiptoe into the bathroom and wash his hands. He comes climbing on the bed with chocolate smeared all over his face...


and Beau said, "Keagan, what are you guys doing in there?" And Keagan breaks a HUGE smile and says, "Eating chocolate! " (Beau had sent me to the grocery store that night with a list that I didn't read until I got to the grocery store: 50' cable, game treats including: candy, root beer, ice cream, chips etc. Let me just say that we haven't had anything like this for a long while so I got some Riesen's and root beer which I left on the counter for the BYU game. I do have to add that I will probably never buy game food again because Beau did not eat one thing! (he was too upset the entire 4 quarters.)) what a day.

Caterpeg

Yesterday Keagan called Grandpa to see if he had been on the tractor. Grandpa told us that he hadn't been on the tractor he'd been on the caterpillar....

Keagan just wants to make it clear that Grandpa's got nothin' up on him!

The other day on our walk I couldn't chase down the boys before they were all over this fancy construction equipment in some random yard. The owner came out and told us that we needed to take it because they were going to take it to the thrift store anyway...so we drove it home! (That's what I get for swearing that I would never have a yard cluttered with plastic outdoor children's play things.)

THE BIG 27

HAPPY 27th BIRTHDAY NIKKI!!!! Okay, I wish that I could say that this was my original idea, but it's not. Two years ago on my 25th birthday Nikki wrote a blog about the 25 things she liked about me and now I get to return the favor +2 !!! So I hope that you're out on the town with Brenden and Collin having a wonderful birthday!

(Just as a note, I stole a few pictures from her blog. Don't judge. This one above is one of my favorite because it looks like she should be on the cover of Lancome (she's on the right). And in no particular order...

1 Nikki always says that when we met I came up and gave her a big hug. What she doesn't know is that I'm sure that I was a lot more nervous than she was; I mean, we're talking about the oldest brother's girlfriend--there was serious pressure involved! I had to coach myself out of my room. I went down stairs and said hello and gave her a hug. I knew instantly that she was different from all the rest because she didn't try to impress 'the little sisters' she was just very genuine, well spoken, and put together. I realized right away that Brenden better not let go of her.

2 Speaking of put together...Nikki always looks classy! (of course, I can understand this because I think it's kind of a pre-requisite to standing next to Brenden. He always looks classy. Or maybe just by standing by him it transcends over? Hmmmm.) No seriously, she does. Please note the gorgeous picture below...in a corn field, with a baby...yep, still gorgeous, still classy! I need lessons (and I'm sure all of my blog readers ((all 4 of you)) would agree!)

3 While Brenden and Nikki were dating we decided to hike the Grand Canyon to Havasupi. It was a really hard hike! I don't know if Nikki is 100lbs, but I think her pack weighed just as much as she did (see photo below). Everyone else had hiked it before so we knew what to expect and how far it was and she just kept smiling! I know it wasn't easy for her (not that it was easy for me either) but I really was impressed that she was so enthusiastic about giving her all in something that she found intimidating.

4 She is always up for an adventure!

5 Nikki is both interesting and fun to talk to! When she first came up to the house I was so inspired by her boldness (at least it was bold for me). She was not shy at all and would start up conversations with everyone. This was so unusual and impressive to me. I love talking to her--speaking of which...it's time.

6 We’ve all met people who know everything and just like to listen to themselves…this is the opposite of Nikki. She is a fabulous listener and makes you feel like she has been waiting all day to hear what you say…

7 AND she is willing to learn from other people. She is very open-minded and that’s a great quality!

8 Another thing I admire about Nikki is her enthusiastic testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Nikki was baptized into the church about a year before she met Brenden (I'm guestimating here). She learned about the church through a co-worker. First of all, I completely admire anyone who is converted to the church because it means two things: 1. that they are willing to learn from someone else and 2. they are searching for truth. (Speaking of this I just read a biography by John A. Widtsoe of his mother life, he said, "...truth is neither comprehended nor accepted unless the man desires to know the truth and values it above all else.") Anyway, if you've ever spoken to Nikki about the gospel, you will see that she just glows!

9 Okay, this one is not really one of mine, but I heard it from at least three people and I live in Alaska, so that will tell you how impressive this is. Nikki gave a fireside to the youth of the Taylor Stake and from what I understand it was absolutely incredible. “You could have heard a pin drop in there.” “She did the most incredible job.” “I’m so glad my son was there.” She is a great speaker.

10 Also, talk about determination, if Nikki wants to do something, she figures out how. For instance, she was the first Saline to have a blog and not only that, she figured out how to design her own blog page. She also sat down and made her own wedding video--which I might add is better than a lot that I have seen.

11 Which brings me to her creativity...which if you haven't seen her blog, you need to! On thing that stands out is that she created a scavanger hunt for Brenden’s 30^th birthday that took him all over the valley to places that represented moments and accomplishments in his lilfe! It was unreal! She also loves to scrapbook and design and well, be creative....

12 Which reminds me of her calling. This girl magnifies her calling. Nikki takes all of her callings so very seriously...let's face it, some don't. She made these frames for a Young Women in Excellence night and personalized each one to the girl it was for. (see photo above)...need I say more? No, really, I can tell by the way that she talks about her young women that she really, truly loves them, which is what all callings are really about.

13 And speaking of love, I really appreciate how much Nikki loves her nephews! I love that she is so interested in them and that she'll sit down and do puzzles or play with them and really talk to them (even when they don't quite respond).

14 Nikki graduated from ASU with a degree of English, so it was no surprise that Nikki is very well read and loves to read…

15 Another thing I totally admire about Nikki is that she is not a waiter, she doesn’t wait for answers to fall out of the sky, if she is worried or curious about something she digs and asks and researches until she finds what she’s looking for—the mark of an intelligent person and a great mother!

16 …and she (with a small contribution from Brenden) gave Keagan and Kaleb someone to play with at Saline gatherings! Finally, a cousin, and a boy even! Wahoo!

17 Also Nikki has always made me feel like I am the best mom—and I really appreciate that she was my cheer squad! Now that she has Collin, I am sure that I will be calling her for advice!

18 And speaking of a motherhood, I could write about this all day. When she was pregnant with Collin, Nikki did everything she possibly could to make sure everything was going well in there for that little guy. She is one of the most researched pregnant woman I have ever met…

18 …AND she was determined to have a NATURAL birth because of all the research that she did she found the best natural birthing process that would be the most positive for the baby, learned everything about it, and stayed positive about the birthing process. (She will probably want me to say that her water broke and time ran out which required medical intervention; NEVERTHELESS, it didn’t phase her philosophy of natural birthing practice!)

19 From what I understand, there were also some nursing issues following the delivery that took a long time to resolve, and I just have to say “Kudos” for getting through that! (I realize that some people just don’t make milk) but it just shows how determined a mother she is to persevere and keep trying even when it could have been so much easier to stop.

20 Nikki is also frugal. She decorated Collin’s entire room with about $136.00—and it is so adorable, she even made him a rag quilt and modge podged his name for the wall.

21 Another thing is that I have never…nope never…seen her mad. Sometimes I get so mad (read hungry) that I won’t talk to people (yes, I’m ashamed), but I have never ever seen Nikki mad. One time when everyone was home her pajamas disappeared and all she did was raise her eyebrows. I envy this quality of keeping a positive attitude about all things!

22 Also, I really respect that she has not fallen victim to the “entitlement syndrome” of this generation (yes, that’s my own term). I tribute her dad, Ray, for the excellent parent that he was to Nikki to raise such a competent individual who thinks for herself and who thinks about others…

23 She does think about others! Nikki is very thoughtful and always aware of what’s going on in whatever situation she is in and goes out of her way to make others comfortable.

24 Nikki also appreciates the arts! Need I say more?

25 And almost finally, Nikki is one of the most entertaining writers I have ever met on a blog and I’m not kidding—its her knack and she needs her own column! At first, this was my personal opinion but I have met several people (who she may not even know) who have told me that they check and read her blog because it is so entertaining! If you need more proof just check out her blog sometime (link is on the left) and plan on spending a while catching up if you’ve missed any because you’ll be glued.

26 One thing I really, really appreciate most about Nikki is that she loves our family and she fits in so well! It might sound silly, but she has really impacted the cohesion of our family and she’s become one of us. What more can I say? Everybody loves being around Nikki!!!

27 So basically, I just wanted to let Nikki know that I really admire her (and her character), probably because I find that she and I think very much the same way and we share a lot of the same interests…and we share a family! I really miss being around Nikki and I’m so blessed that Brenden found her, and I hope that she has

The Most Fabulous (x 27) Birthday ever!

"sensational"

Alright. Lately one of my favorite things is taking the boys to the park and playing candid camera. I happened to capture this series of shots perfectly. Kaleb's expressions completely tell the story. Good thing I had a dry pair of shorts in the car. Whew.