Thursday, April 12, 2012
Happy Easter!
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
MiddleMarch
I was playing the piano for singing time in Primary (which is a great gig, if you can get it) and I was just drowned in The Comforter as the junior Primary kids (ages 3-7) sang "Choose the Right" and "I Am a Child of God" with all the joyful noise they could muster. It was AMAZING and I blinked back tears as I played. "Let wisdom mark the way before; in its light, choose the right, and God will bless you evermore" and "Lead me, guide me, walk beside me"--reminded me of THIS: "I will go before your face; I will be on your right hand and your left, and mine angels round about you to bear you up." I knew that those words were true for those precious babies, for me, and for my Dad. It's all good.
***
ANYHOOOO...here's what else we have done this month.
The month began with Dr. Seuss' birthday
We read our favorite Seuss books all week...this one is MY favorite!!
"I meant what I said
and I said what I meant
An elephant's faithful,
100 per cent!"
Speaking of elephants, true to her Atkins-diet-since-birth nature, Heidi demanded green eggs and ham with NO CRUST ( aka scrambled eggs) for our Seuss Birthday dinner.
This is blurry evidence that Addie & James also celebrated.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Mad Handsome Men
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Eleven
Dear Hubs,
It’s been a month since our 11th anniversary, but you know how crazy the past month or two has been, so I don’t have to explain why I’m a month late wishing you a Happy Anniversary, right?
I’ve just been thinking about how when we got married, it was a huge act of faith, since I didn’t know you very well. Luckily, I’d learned to stop leaning to my own understanding and go with my gut most of the time, so I said YES. Best. Idea. EVER. I remember when we were engaged I told you that you were the first person I’d dated whom I liked more and more everyday rather than less and less (granted this has a lot to do with youthful idealism I was finally shedding at 29, but I digress…). I realize now, looking back on 11 years together that I was right, but I had NO IDEA how wonderful you are.
I had no idea what a wretched pregnant person I would be. I had no idea what kind of emotional rollercoasters our extended families and our children would send us on. I had no idea that that the world would change in an instant 7 months after our wedding, and with it the economy, our career paths, and all our future plans. I had no idea that I would swap my health for four wonderful kids and that I would have to lean on you so very much.
Fortunately, God DID know all that. He gave me you—my “helpmeet-and-exceed,” my rock, my constant, hilarious friend.
I knew you were good with kids, but I had no idea you’d almost be a better mom than I am. I love that you love our kids, that you can’t think of anything more fun than being with us, planning memories and experiences for us, being kind and calm when I am losing my patience, and being firm when I’m ready to cave. I feel so lucky that we are your only real hobby and priority. I love that you never ignore us for a TV show or a game or work. I love how excited you get about surprises. I love that you spend a little time with each kid every night and you’re happy to do it because, as you remind me regularly, “Soon they won’t want to talk and snuggle, and then they’ll be gone. I’ve gotta take every opportunity!” Best dad ever.
I knew you were tech-savvy and a handy man, but I had no idea that you could fix or build ANYTHING. I love that you built our house and half the furniture in it. I love that when I have a vision for the house, you find a way to make it happen. I love that, even on our tight budget, you are clever enough to find a way to give our family every comfort—organized craft supplies, more room to play wii, air conditioning, a functioning dryer for almost free, a convenient kitchen garden, a place to store bikes, a faster computer for free, a fast way to scan slides and store memories, spectacular family vacations on very little money, just to name a few. I had no idea you were such a genius, but I LOVE IT.
I knew you were a kind and gentle person, but I had no idea the depths of your patience. Nor did I imagine how incredibly silly you could be. As I mentioned before, we have been through the ringer in ways we could never have foreseen. I am not proud of the ways I dealt with the disappointments. But you never stooped to fighting or blaming or kicking against the pricks. You keep your eye on the prize, step over the mess, and keep on truckin’. Thank you for not engaging when I pick a fight. Thank you for forgiving me for being nutty as a fruitcake and still letting me raise our kids and run our home. You’re rubbing off on me, you know. I don’t know if it’s showing yet, but I do feel much more peaceful than a decade ago. And that’s mostly because you’ve shown me that every little thing is indeed gonna be all right.
Thank you for saving me from myself. I love you more everyday, still. I’m so glad I married you — good call.
Monday, March 05, 2012
February in the rear-view mirror
Niles can eat neatly through his whole meal, and then, in one crazy head shake, he can make a cereal mask and be reeeeeally messy.
See?
I snapped this pic because I just love this view. It's just a few blocks southwest of my house (one of the few ways out of my neighborhood) and this hill is also part of my 3-4 mile walks. I love when there is snow on the big mountains and when there are cows in the field.
***
The Friday after the Wednesday I drove to Idaho and back, I chaperoned an all-day field trip with Addie's class to the Museum of the Rockies and the Bozeman Symphony. I was so dang tired, but it was really fun.
Addie & Dakota exploring dino bones
Saturday 2/11, we went to Bozeman. Rich, Niles and I went to Costco while Mike took the 3 other kids to the symphony matinee. These pix of Niles are while we were waiting for them to come out.
We sent the hair to Beautiful Lengths, which makes wigs for women with cancer at little or no cost to the patient. We chose them rather than Locks of Love this time because of minor controversy, although I think both are a good cause. I estimate I lost at least a third of my hair postpartum, and I don't recognize what's left as human hair, so I couldn't help wishing there were such a thing as hair transplants, especially between mothers and daughters. Cuz really, how fair is it that I lose what little hair I had because I gave these girls LIFE, and they get flowing manes of Barbie hair? Not very, I say! (kidding)
Yeah, Auntie Laura came to visit with Cousin Jared over Feb 24-25th. We had such a fun time--she even brought us matching jammies!--but we didn't take pictures together. Shucks. I love when she comes, and so do the kids. Now we just need to get our other punk sister to get her booty up here--Aunt Lisa, Niles said he won't smile again until you get here! Is school out yet? ;)
FAMILY LETTER 07.28.19
Dear Loved Ones, We have just ...