Two crazy things from this week.
First I find out on Tuesday that my second grade teacher, Cindy Pesek, was killed by her nephew. She was such a kind, loving, generous and charitable person. I wish she was still around, continuing to make the world a better place to live in for others.
Then I found out that my friend and former roommate passed away this morning. She's had multiple brain tumors and this last one they couldn't get rid of. Amy loved everybody and always tried to make the best of every situation she found herself in. She worked hard and always thought of others. Even when she was thinking of herself, she made sure that it was in a way that made things better for those around her.
I was truly blessed by these women in my life. I can only hope to measure up to the standard they set in their service and acts of charity.
To the rest of the people that I know: please stick around for a little longer. As much as I like knowing that there are others on the other side of the veil that I know and love, I'd really like it if I could see you over here for a while longer. Ok? ok. Thanks.
Here's to hoping something else crazy doesn't happen tomorrow so that I can post about really fun things because the heavy things aren't crowding them out. :)
But the heavy things... it's nice the eternal perspective they put on life.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Thursday, November 10, 2011
What is going on?!
Just thought I'd post.
I am SO BUSY. Lame, huh?
My good friend is on hospitalized bedrest at 24 weeks gestation and they aren't letting her out for at least another two weeks. So this last week I've had an excuse for not posting so much. Between my kids, arranging meals, meetings, babysitting, finding babysitters, running errands, running to and from preschool andtaking naps not doing as much housework as I need to, I am exhausted.
And Brian's been on a business trip all week. So while it's been hard, I'm counting my brother's car breaking down and being stuck in Utah another week as a blessing. Because it's been so fabulous to have somebody who can tend the boys while they nap so that I can get to my church things and visit my friend on short notice.
Have I mentioned on here before that last February they called me as the Activity Counselor in the Relief Society Presidency? My feelings on this are: it must have been inspired, because Lorie (pres) doesn't seem crazy. Additional feelings are: I was prepared for this last year, without the blessings that have come with this calling I would not have made it through this last year with my sanity intact, I needed the interaction with my ward, and I am so thankful that the Lord is mindful of me.
The Lord truly knows what I can handle and I have learned even more that I can make it through the challenges in this life if I turn to Him and allow His guidance and support. He has given me so much support and I know that there are people in my life who are amazing blessings to me. (Including my bed-rest-ed friend, which is why I've been more stressed :) They have been positive forces for good and have helped me stand up and get going. I know that I can make hard decisions and that even when it seems crazy that a decision I make could be the right one, He will send the Holy Ghost to comfort me and let me know that it is right, for now or for long-term or whatever, but that it was correct.
I am so blessed.
Hopefully the boys know that I won't always be so busy with things that aren't with them. Sean's been a little clingy, but I'll make up for it this weekend with lots of fun things. Tomorrow I'm planning on some craft projects for fall that we can hang up as decoration. I'll post a picture when it's done - hopefully it's as cute as I think it will be.
I am SO BUSY. Lame, huh?
My good friend is on hospitalized bedrest at 24 weeks gestation and they aren't letting her out for at least another two weeks. So this last week I've had an excuse for not posting so much. Between my kids, arranging meals, meetings, babysitting, finding babysitters, running errands, running to and from preschool and
And Brian's been on a business trip all week. So while it's been hard, I'm counting my brother's car breaking down and being stuck in Utah another week as a blessing. Because it's been so fabulous to have somebody who can tend the boys while they nap so that I can get to my church things and visit my friend on short notice.
Have I mentioned on here before that last February they called me as the Activity Counselor in the Relief Society Presidency? My feelings on this are: it must have been inspired, because Lorie (pres) doesn't seem crazy. Additional feelings are: I was prepared for this last year, without the blessings that have come with this calling I would not have made it through this last year with my sanity intact, I needed the interaction with my ward, and I am so thankful that the Lord is mindful of me.
The Lord truly knows what I can handle and I have learned even more that I can make it through the challenges in this life if I turn to Him and allow His guidance and support. He has given me so much support and I know that there are people in my life who are amazing blessings to me. (Including my bed-rest-ed friend, which is why I've been more stressed :) They have been positive forces for good and have helped me stand up and get going. I know that I can make hard decisions and that even when it seems crazy that a decision I make could be the right one, He will send the Holy Ghost to comfort me and let me know that it is right, for now or for long-term or whatever, but that it was correct.
I am so blessed.
Hopefully the boys know that I won't always be so busy with things that aren't with them. Sean's been a little clingy, but I'll make up for it this weekend with lots of fun things. Tomorrow I'm planning on some craft projects for fall that we can hang up as decoration. I'll post a picture when it's done - hopefully it's as cute as I think it will be.
Friday, October 28, 2011
For fun
A blog friend has this meme and I just thought I'd fill it out for fun.
Hi! Paragraph: I am Tay, mid-20s in Utah. There's my husband Brian and the two little boys, Sean and Alan. We like to have fun.
History paragraph: Brian and I met at BYU. He graduated in 2006 and I in 2008. My graduation was shortly followed by the birth of Sean. Before all that I mainly just played and worked and learned and enjoyed life as much as I could.
***Questions: There are 20 random questions listed below. Pick at least five, but up to twelve you’d like the answer the most. (I prefer that you include #4 and #12, but I’m not the boss of you.
) You can do it in any order.
1. What’s your favorite part of motherhood? My favorite part is when the boys are sleeping and peeking in at them in their angelic state and remember why I became a mom in the first place. Second favorite is how much they learn in a short period of time; I have a love/hate relationship with the feeling of 'I can't believe he understands that.'
2. What part of motherhood would you subcontract out if you could? Dealing with post-vacation/family-get-togethers drama from the boys. It's when they realize that I'm boring in my structured ways. :)
3. Brag for a minute. Do it. What are a few things that you’re pretty good at? I do some good crochet work and I'd like to say that I have good fashion taste (and sometimes dress in spite of it...). But I am fantastic at reading. Really. It's my best and favorite talent.
4. What’s something you don’t usually want people to know about you, but that they need to know if they’re going to be your friend? I am friends with most everybody. I don't care if two people don't like each other, they can both be my friend and I will never tolerate or participate in talking bad about that other person. There are, of course, people I have a hard time swallowing or just plain don't like, but I don't have to think about them if I don't want to. I prefer to think about what I DO like in people and if you have a problem with that, then I guess we aren't as good of friends as I thought. (Harsh?) In addition, I don't care if my friend is friends with somebody I don't want to be around. I try to play fair that way.
5. What parts of your testimony are you the most sure of? I am the most sure of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as a foundation to happiness and peace. I know that when I pray to my Heavenly Father that the peace I am searching for will come. I know that the Holy Ghost is real and gives comfort and aids in answering questions I have. The Gospel is the most sure and constant thing in my life; it's what gives me hope, allows me to love more fully, gives my life more depth and understanding and lifts me up when I turn to it when hope seems distant.
6. Let’s say you’re dying in your sleep tonight. What would you eat for your last meal? I would go to all of my favorite restaurants and eat my favorite things off of the menu. Who cares about indigestion or gaining weight? It's my last night! I would also eat everything off the dessert menus that I'd been wanting to try and hadn't for some silly reason. It sounds gluttonous, but I'd make sure that I had people around me that I love and I would share with them.
7. If your life had a theme song, what would it be and why? Right now, it's "Keep Your Head Up" by Andy Grammer. Life has a way of throwing a whole lotta crap at you sometimes, but you can still be happy through it and not get uptight and/or bitter about it.
8. If you could make a pie chart (graph) of your thoughts during the last week or so, what would take up most of the space? The eternal nature of things. I want to better understand the nature of the sealing power and what will happen in some relationship. In addition, I have experienced a lot of things pertaining to eternity over the last couple of weeks. The death of a friend's baby, the temple marriage of my cousin, the death of another friend's father, remembering another friend's stillborn who came and left a year ago, and still muddling through the tumultuous divorce of my parents. It's been heavy around here, but we've been doing really well. Promise.
Hi! Paragraph: I am Tay, mid-20s in Utah. There's my husband Brian and the two little boys, Sean and Alan. We like to have fun.
History paragraph: Brian and I met at BYU. He graduated in 2006 and I in 2008. My graduation was shortly followed by the birth of Sean. Before all that I mainly just played and worked and learned and enjoyed life as much as I could.
***Questions: There are 20 random questions listed below. Pick at least five, but up to twelve you’d like the answer the most. (I prefer that you include #4 and #12, but I’m not the boss of you.
) You can do it in any order.1. What’s your favorite part of motherhood? My favorite part is when the boys are sleeping and peeking in at them in their angelic state and remember why I became a mom in the first place. Second favorite is how much they learn in a short period of time; I have a love/hate relationship with the feeling of 'I can't believe he understands that.'
2. What part of motherhood would you subcontract out if you could? Dealing with post-vacation/family-get-togethers drama from the boys. It's when they realize that I'm boring in my structured ways. :)
3. Brag for a minute. Do it. What are a few things that you’re pretty good at? I do some good crochet work and I'd like to say that I have good fashion taste (and sometimes dress in spite of it...). But I am fantastic at reading. Really. It's my best and favorite talent.
4. What’s something you don’t usually want people to know about you, but that they need to know if they’re going to be your friend? I am friends with most everybody. I don't care if two people don't like each other, they can both be my friend and I will never tolerate or participate in talking bad about that other person. There are, of course, people I have a hard time swallowing or just plain don't like, but I don't have to think about them if I don't want to. I prefer to think about what I DO like in people and if you have a problem with that, then I guess we aren't as good of friends as I thought. (Harsh?) In addition, I don't care if my friend is friends with somebody I don't want to be around. I try to play fair that way.
5. What parts of your testimony are you the most sure of? I am the most sure of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as a foundation to happiness and peace. I know that when I pray to my Heavenly Father that the peace I am searching for will come. I know that the Holy Ghost is real and gives comfort and aids in answering questions I have. The Gospel is the most sure and constant thing in my life; it's what gives me hope, allows me to love more fully, gives my life more depth and understanding and lifts me up when I turn to it when hope seems distant.
6. Let’s say you’re dying in your sleep tonight. What would you eat for your last meal? I would go to all of my favorite restaurants and eat my favorite things off of the menu. Who cares about indigestion or gaining weight? It's my last night! I would also eat everything off the dessert menus that I'd been wanting to try and hadn't for some silly reason. It sounds gluttonous, but I'd make sure that I had people around me that I love and I would share with them.
7. If your life had a theme song, what would it be and why? Right now, it's "Keep Your Head Up" by Andy Grammer. Life has a way of throwing a whole lotta crap at you sometimes, but you can still be happy through it and not get uptight and/or bitter about it.
8. If you could make a pie chart (graph) of your thoughts during the last week or so, what would take up most of the space? The eternal nature of things. I want to better understand the nature of the sealing power and what will happen in some relationship. In addition, I have experienced a lot of things pertaining to eternity over the last couple of weeks. The death of a friend's baby, the temple marriage of my cousin, the death of another friend's father, remembering another friend's stillborn who came and left a year ago, and still muddling through the tumultuous divorce of my parents. It's been heavy around here, but we've been doing really well. Promise.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Blue Eyes
Today while waiting with the boys, I interacted with a woman who kept staring at my boys' eyes. "I love how big they are," she said with sincerity and admiration. I felt the compliment completely and am still touched by it. I guess I needed to hear something kind from a stranger today.
And now I can't stop looking at their beautiful eyes and thanking God that I get to look into them every day despite my mistakes and shortcomings.
Thank you, new acquaintance. And thank you President Uchtdorf. The best way to find happy things is to look around you, even recognizing the background of things you see everyday as that thing to bring you a bit more joy.
And now I can't stop looking at their beautiful eyes and thanking God that I get to look into them every day despite my mistakes and shortcomings.
Thank you, new acquaintance. And thank you President Uchtdorf. The best way to find happy things is to look around you, even recognizing the background of things you see everyday as that thing to bring you a bit more joy.
Sean at 6 months
Alan at 7 months
And as a side note from a mother's love, they also have amazing eyelashes. And Al, that dimple kills me. Stop it already.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Today I asked Sean some questions. Here it is:
What kid of food do you like to eat?
"My favrit food, eat PIZZA."
What sport do you like to play?
"Golfing. And... I like... bakoball. And I like bakoball and golf. And I like spiderman backpack."
What's your favorite show to watch?
"Um, Dragon. And... Handy Manny. Please I watch Handy Manny." (Dragon is How To Train Your Dragon)
What is your favorite color?
"Um, the table. White. Guess what, it's white."
"I like tools and I like no tools. Two tools!" (I don't know why he said this.)
What do you want to do when you grow up?
"Play with Daddy!"
What is your favorite snack to eat?
"I like to eat some heatbutter and sandwich! Heatabutter and honey!" (Peanutbutter and honey is his sandwich of choice)
What food don't you like?
"I don't like, like FOOD."
What do you like to do with Daddy?
"I like to WORKS with Daddy."
Why do you want to go to work with Daddy?
"Cuz I do."
What is at Daddy's work that you like?
"Candies."
Is that why you want to go?
"Yeah."
What is your favorite work to do at school?
"ABCs." (We do a Montessori Preschool and they call the activities 'work')
What did you learn at school today?
"I learn ABCs." (These are his typical answers to these questions.)
What is your favorite song to sing?
"Uh, just Child of God."
What is your favorite toy to play with?
"The train."
Tell me why
"*laughing* But it is."
When you were little, what did you do?
"I hit."
What do you like to do with Alan?
"Uh, I just do work with Alan."
Who's your favorite person?
*points to me*
I laugh and say 'That's right.'
His response: "Daddy is at work. Daddy is a person, you are a mudder. But you are a mudder, mom! But you are a mudder!" (Apparently he's trying to say that I am a person and also not a person.)
I decided to end the interview there before he told me what he really thinks of me.
What kid of food do you like to eat?
"My favrit food, eat PIZZA."
What sport do you like to play?
"Golfing. And... I like... bakoball. And I like bakoball and golf. And I like spiderman backpack."
What's your favorite show to watch?
"Um, Dragon. And... Handy Manny. Please I watch Handy Manny." (Dragon is How To Train Your Dragon)
What is your favorite color?
"Um, the table. White. Guess what, it's white."
"I like tools and I like no tools. Two tools!" (I don't know why he said this.)
What do you want to do when you grow up?
"Play with Daddy!"
What is your favorite snack to eat?
"I like to eat some heatbutter and sandwich! Heatabutter and honey!" (Peanutbutter and honey is his sandwich of choice)
What food don't you like?
"I don't like, like FOOD."
What do you like to do with Daddy?
"I like to WORKS with Daddy."
Why do you want to go to work with Daddy?
"Cuz I do."
What is at Daddy's work that you like?
"Candies."
Is that why you want to go?
"Yeah."
What is your favorite work to do at school?
"ABCs." (We do a Montessori Preschool and they call the activities 'work')
What did you learn at school today?
"I learn ABCs." (These are his typical answers to these questions.)
What is your favorite song to sing?
"Uh, just Child of God."
What is your favorite toy to play with?
"The train."
Tell me why
"*laughing* But it is."
When you were little, what did you do?
"I hit."
What do you like to do with Alan?
"Uh, I just do work with Alan."
Who's your favorite person?
*points to me*
I laugh and say 'That's right.'
His response: "Daddy is at work. Daddy is a person, you are a mudder. But you are a mudder, mom! But you are a mudder!" (Apparently he's trying to say that I am a person and also not a person.)
I decided to end the interview there before he told me what he really thinks of me.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Wow. I haven't posted since July? Really? Strange.
Well let's go month by month and talk about the awesomeness that ensued.
July - I had a good birthday. Climbing up the ladder to 30 is always a fun concept to think about and I'm tired of the years passing by so quickly. But then again it's fun to feel like my birthday is always about to be celebrated. Right? Anyway. We also went up to Idaho for a sweet family reunion. Alan consumed a large amount of dairy the first night and then proceeded to puke all night followed by some really awesome diaper changes for the next couple of days. Definitely an allergy there. Poor kid. Sean had lots of fun and both boys were fantastically dirty by the time we got home. I loved it. It was so nice to see Grandma Avery and her remaining living sisters and all of their kids and grand-kids that came. There was a lot of people. The cabin in Idaho is kind of a place of nostalgia and calm - I always come back home refreshed and ready for civilization. And a kitchen where your brother-in-law didn't just kill a mouse. With an eight-foot-long 2x4. It was exciting. Pioneer Day was cool. Actually, I don't remember what we did. Brian was probably working. I also called my grandma because it was her birthday that day. This is a novel thing for me - I'm terrible at calling people on their birthday. Then we celebrated my Muncle Matt's birthday! He and my auntie were up in Utah and a whole bunch of people went to Tucano's to celebrate. I had never been there before. Verdict: Good experience. I got plenty of the meats that I wanted (yum!) and lots of cheese bread (which I almost let Alan eat because I'm really awesome at reading placards of what the foods were) and various other deliciousness from the salad bar. This is definitely a place I don't want to frequent more that once or maybe twice a year. Too much food. Good good good food. I didn't eat for the rest of the day.
August - I had a brief respite and then we went full-on into the Gudmundson Family Reunion. It started with a Clair & Zelta Gudmundson family Reunion at the park. There was fried chicken and millions of kids and lots of chatting with the adults. Very enjoyable. Then for the next week it was all of Brian's siblings and their kids with few naps and late bedtimes. We visited and ate and played and just plain exhausted ourselves. And then the day after the reunion ended we helped Brian's parents pack and clean their house. And then the next day Brian and I cleaned our house so that they could comfortably stay with us. They're going on a mission to Texas next month and have rented out their house. Sean has liked having them here, and I think Alan has, too. Then they went a-visiting out-of-state kids. Sean and Al and I then had a few adventures at Thanksgiving Point and letting the house get really messy. I was experimenting with my emotional/mental state and solutions for it and it really wasn't a good idea. I had no patience with anybody or anything. It didn't help that I was preparing for a a ward activity (5k/fun run/fun walk + breakfast! it went wonderfully) and then a lesson in Relief Society. That was a crazy 2.5 weeks. I am very glad it's over. And I learned my lesson to not plan a giant activity for the week before I give a lesson. Duh, Tay.
September so far... - Sean started preschool. Oh my land. I can't believe everything that he's learned in just two weeks. His sentences are more structured, his thoughts are more easily articulated and I swear he's grown an inch. Alan went three nights in a row last week of sleeping in four-hour shifts. It was beautiful. He has since stopped, though seems to be working back to that blessed preferred schedule. I am very tired. That's what happens when you get spoiled for a few days and then jerked back into reality. My parent-in-laws are back here for a few more days and then will be switching where they stay more until they leave next month. I am concurrently learning Spanish with my MIL as she is listening to her CD from the Missionary Training Center. :) It's a nice refresher. My lesson went well though I feel like it was disconnected. Oh well. It seemed to get across to the ladies what I intended it to.
And meanwhile, Brian has been working the European shift. 2AM until 10AM. It's been really, um, something. Nice to play with him all summer, but I think we'll all be glad to get back to a normal schedule. He works downstairs until around 8 and then he goes into the office until 12 (I am not sure why he stays that long, but I think it's so that he can stay on top of his actual job and keep up with what's going on there, and various meetings that are held). But tomorrow is his last day of that nonsense! Woohoo!
Well let's go month by month and talk about the awesomeness that ensued.
July - I had a good birthday. Climbing up the ladder to 30 is always a fun concept to think about and I'm tired of the years passing by so quickly. But then again it's fun to feel like my birthday is always about to be celebrated. Right? Anyway. We also went up to Idaho for a sweet family reunion. Alan consumed a large amount of dairy the first night and then proceeded to puke all night followed by some really awesome diaper changes for the next couple of days. Definitely an allergy there. Poor kid. Sean had lots of fun and both boys were fantastically dirty by the time we got home. I loved it. It was so nice to see Grandma Avery and her remaining living sisters and all of their kids and grand-kids that came. There was a lot of people. The cabin in Idaho is kind of a place of nostalgia and calm - I always come back home refreshed and ready for civilization. And a kitchen where your brother-in-law didn't just kill a mouse. With an eight-foot-long 2x4. It was exciting. Pioneer Day was cool. Actually, I don't remember what we did. Brian was probably working. I also called my grandma because it was her birthday that day. This is a novel thing for me - I'm terrible at calling people on their birthday. Then we celebrated my Muncle Matt's birthday! He and my auntie were up in Utah and a whole bunch of people went to Tucano's to celebrate. I had never been there before. Verdict: Good experience. I got plenty of the meats that I wanted (yum!) and lots of cheese bread (which I almost let Alan eat because I'm really awesome at reading placards of what the foods were) and various other deliciousness from the salad bar. This is definitely a place I don't want to frequent more that once or maybe twice a year. Too much food. Good good good food. I didn't eat for the rest of the day.
August - I had a brief respite and then we went full-on into the Gudmundson Family Reunion. It started with a Clair & Zelta Gudmundson family Reunion at the park. There was fried chicken and millions of kids and lots of chatting with the adults. Very enjoyable. Then for the next week it was all of Brian's siblings and their kids with few naps and late bedtimes. We visited and ate and played and just plain exhausted ourselves. And then the day after the reunion ended we helped Brian's parents pack and clean their house. And then the next day Brian and I cleaned our house so that they could comfortably stay with us. They're going on a mission to Texas next month and have rented out their house. Sean has liked having them here, and I think Alan has, too. Then they went a-visiting out-of-state kids. Sean and Al and I then had a few adventures at Thanksgiving Point and letting the house get really messy. I was experimenting with my emotional/mental state and solutions for it and it really wasn't a good idea. I had no patience with anybody or anything. It didn't help that I was preparing for a a ward activity (5k/fun run/fun walk + breakfast! it went wonderfully) and then a lesson in Relief Society. That was a crazy 2.5 weeks. I am very glad it's over. And I learned my lesson to not plan a giant activity for the week before I give a lesson. Duh, Tay.
September so far... - Sean started preschool. Oh my land. I can't believe everything that he's learned in just two weeks. His sentences are more structured, his thoughts are more easily articulated and I swear he's grown an inch. Alan went three nights in a row last week of sleeping in four-hour shifts. It was beautiful. He has since stopped, though seems to be working back to that blessed preferred schedule. I am very tired. That's what happens when you get spoiled for a few days and then jerked back into reality. My parent-in-laws are back here for a few more days and then will be switching where they stay more until they leave next month. I am concurrently learning Spanish with my MIL as she is listening to her CD from the Missionary Training Center. :) It's a nice refresher. My lesson went well though I feel like it was disconnected. Oh well. It seemed to get across to the ladies what I intended it to.
And meanwhile, Brian has been working the European shift. 2AM until 10AM. It's been really, um, something. Nice to play with him all summer, but I think we'll all be glad to get back to a normal schedule. He works downstairs until around 8 and then he goes into the office until 12 (I am not sure why he stays that long, but I think it's so that he can stay on top of his actual job and keep up with what's going on there, and various meetings that are held). But tomorrow is his last day of that nonsense! Woohoo!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Coconut
All this time I've been without milk products (mostly), I have found that my FAVORITE replacement for ice cream has been coconut milk ice cream. Specifically the SO Delicious brand.
And today I discovered the frozen dessert bars. It's an ice cream sandwich, but oh so much more amazing.
Oh, no, I don't plan to share.
And today I discovered the frozen dessert bars. It's an ice cream sandwich, but oh so much more amazing.
Oh, no, I don't plan to share.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Just so you all know
His love of life is amazing and he sure keeps us busy.
Monday, June 27, 2011
5K #1
Well, I ran it! And I didn't die. Good news, no?
But I ran up the hill towards the temple because it's ridiculously steep and I'm a little bitter that it was even part of the course. My achilles tendons JUST stopped aching today.
Somehow I need to keep running because I have another one on Monday morning. Brian is currently on the European shift (2-10AM) so I'm going to have to recruit the neighbors to come listen for when Alan starts crying so he can stay asleep.
Somehow he is going to run said Monday-morning-race with me. He totally procrastinated getting ready for it and now he's not only unprepared, but will be totally sleep-deprived. We are going to make quite the pair. If we wind up sticking together the whole race it will be awesome if we don't run into each other because we're running with our eyes closed.
Back to last Saturday. The race was totally worth it. It was perfect weather, I passed tons of people (which is why I started in the back - it made me feel really good about myself), and I finished at 36:58, making an 11:56 pace. I am totally satisfied with this. I've had to take a lot of breaks in training due to ankle issues, sleep deprivation and laziness. In April I was running 15 minute paces, so this is fantastic, IMO. Maybe if I hadn't walked up the hill that only crazy people ran up I would have done better. Or maybe I would have passed out into the water station. Who knows?
And to my Brother-In-Laws who are running a marathon in August, don't even ask. I will not be joining you. Three miles was plenty for me, thankyouverymuch. Maybe next year I will do a 10K, but don't hold your breath for that either.
At the very end of the race, I could see the balloon arch at the finish as I entered the final, forever-long stretch. I wanted so badly to walk again. I was a little discouraged by the half-marathon-ers passing me in their 4-minute mile pace. But then I thought of my little Sean and how he'd been asking me "you going running, mom?" every time I left the house without him. He was starting to ask if he could come with me. I couldn't make myself look like a liar in his eyes - I had to finish running. I didn't know where in the final stretch they would be, but there was no way he was going to see me walk. Even though he's three and only really cared about drinking my chocolate milk and eating my french toast afterward, he saw me do a hard thing. And that is what I wanted for him - to know that mom won't take the easy way out when it comes to hard things.
But I ran up the hill towards the temple because it's ridiculously steep and I'm a little bitter that it was even part of the course. My achilles tendons JUST stopped aching today.
Somehow I need to keep running because I have another one on Monday morning. Brian is currently on the European shift (2-10AM) so I'm going to have to recruit the neighbors to come listen for when Alan starts crying so he can stay asleep.
Somehow he is going to run said Monday-morning-race with me. He totally procrastinated getting ready for it and now he's not only unprepared, but will be totally sleep-deprived. We are going to make quite the pair. If we wind up sticking together the whole race it will be awesome if we don't run into each other because we're running with our eyes closed.
Back to last Saturday. The race was totally worth it. It was perfect weather, I passed tons of people (which is why I started in the back - it made me feel really good about myself), and I finished at 36:58, making an 11:56 pace. I am totally satisfied with this. I've had to take a lot of breaks in training due to ankle issues, sleep deprivation and laziness. In April I was running 15 minute paces, so this is fantastic, IMO. Maybe if I hadn't walked up the hill that only crazy people ran up I would have done better. Or maybe I would have passed out into the water station. Who knows?
And to my Brother-In-Laws who are running a marathon in August, don't even ask. I will not be joining you. Three miles was plenty for me, thankyouverymuch. Maybe next year I will do a 10K, but don't hold your breath for that either.
At the very end of the race, I could see the balloon arch at the finish as I entered the final, forever-long stretch. I wanted so badly to walk again. I was a little discouraged by the half-marathon-ers passing me in their 4-minute mile pace. But then I thought of my little Sean and how he'd been asking me "you going running, mom?" every time I left the house without him. He was starting to ask if he could come with me. I couldn't make myself look like a liar in his eyes - I had to finish running. I didn't know where in the final stretch they would be, but there was no way he was going to see me walk. Even though he's three and only really cared about drinking my chocolate milk and eating my french toast afterward, he saw me do a hard thing. And that is what I wanted for him - to know that mom won't take the easy way out when it comes to hard things.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
kids n stuff
Sean's conversation with himself while playing with a toy car. Further background: it has doors that open and he calls it a police car (it's actually a convertible, go figure). I tried to differentiate between the different personalities in the conversation:
"hey honey
I on my bed. yes. i open my door. i opened up my door. yes?
I get up. Hey, come and open my door.
*thud*
hey come in! get out of the car? hey i got ..uh... oh. uh.. i come? Uhhh no. Hey I crash!
What? You crash? What you crash.
Yeah. I drive drive drive crashing into it.
You crash into it?
Yes, over there.
Where where where? I don't see it.
I riding to sean's house. It's police car over there. It's a police car at sean's house. Sean's house?
I not home. Not home. I go to a hotel.
A hotel! A big hotel. Big giant hotel, huh. *whispers* wow!"
I can't wait until he starts repeating conversations Brian and I have. He's already starting to ask questions about things he overhears (which has been making us more careful about our topics and words of choice). And today he kept saying to his bike helmet "stupid helmet" over and over. I think I may have said "stupid helmet" yesterday when I accidentally kicked it while walking through the kitchen. I guess it could have been worse, but I was in a good mood so none of the swears popped out that would have had my mood been foul. :) I'll count my blessings.
Potty training is going well. We have good days and bad days, and I will admit that the bad days are usually my fault. And then today he peed on the floor, but then pooped in the potty. I'm still trying to make sense out of that one.
Alan produces more crumbs than any other child I know. He is at least 4x messier than Sean ever was, but that's ok. I enjoy his curiosity, even if that means a lot more clean-up.
And what makes the bad days worth it? Moments like just now when Sean ran into Alan's room, hearing the baby playing in his crib, and excitedly saying "I miss you" over and over. And finding Al's stash of binkies under the crib and playing with him with them. Almost makes up for the daily witching hours of 4-6 PM. Almost.
"hey honey
I on my bed. yes. i open my door. i opened up my door. yes?
I get up. Hey, come and open my door.
*thud*
hey come in! get out of the car? hey i got ..uh... oh. uh.. i come? Uhhh no. Hey I crash!
What? You crash? What you crash.
Yeah. I drive drive drive crashing into it.
You crash into it?
Yes, over there.
Where where where? I don't see it.
I riding to sean's house. It's police car over there. It's a police car at sean's house. Sean's house?
I not home. Not home. I go to a hotel.
A hotel! A big hotel. Big giant hotel, huh. *whispers* wow!"
I can't wait until he starts repeating conversations Brian and I have. He's already starting to ask questions about things he overhears (which has been making us more careful about our topics and words of choice). And today he kept saying to his bike helmet "stupid helmet" over and over. I think I may have said "stupid helmet" yesterday when I accidentally kicked it while walking through the kitchen. I guess it could have been worse, but I was in a good mood so none of the swears popped out that would have had my mood been foul. :) I'll count my blessings.
Potty training is going well. We have good days and bad days, and I will admit that the bad days are usually my fault. And then today he peed on the floor, but then pooped in the potty. I'm still trying to make sense out of that one.
Alan produces more crumbs than any other child I know. He is at least 4x messier than Sean ever was, but that's ok. I enjoy his curiosity, even if that means a lot more clean-up.
And what makes the bad days worth it? Moments like just now when Sean ran into Alan's room, hearing the baby playing in his crib, and excitedly saying "I miss you" over and over. And finding Al's stash of binkies under the crib and playing with him with them. Almost makes up for the daily witching hours of 4-6 PM. Almost.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Running 2.0
I took some time off because I caught a stomach virus followed by a cold. But to be honest, it was really just the stomach virus that got me down and VERY reluctant to run. And that's all I'm going to say about that.
And then today, in an act of insanity, I signed up for the American Fork Canyon 10k/5k (I am doing the 5k) (it benefits the cancer center). It's on June 24th.
But wait! It gets Crazier! I then signed myself up for the Freedom Festival 5k thing. It's early in the morning of the 4th of July.
Yes! A week apart! I figured I should have a practice run for charity and then push myself the next week in a harder one (uphill during the last stretch? Yes.).
And is this all?
NO!! Of course it isn't!
I also signed Brian up to do the Freedom Festival one with me! More craziness! And excited punctuation!
But seriously, don't worry. I didn't just sign him up. I asked him first and then he was noncommittal and told me to decide for him. So of course he got the ol' sign-up-a-roo done by this loving little wifey.
And I'm starting to wonder why I didn't start doing this before. I mean, a shirt, swag bags, and FOOD AT THE END? Psh, I was crazy not to. I would run further for food than 3.12 miles. Especially food that I didn't have to prepare or clean up after. The end.
(I'm still getting headaches from running. Is this because blood is finally flowing correctly to my brain? Does it mean that my short-term memory will come back?)
And then today, in an act of insanity, I signed up for the American Fork Canyon 10k/5k (I am doing the 5k) (it benefits the cancer center). It's on June 24th.
But wait! It gets Crazier! I then signed myself up for the Freedom Festival 5k thing. It's early in the morning of the 4th of July.
Yes! A week apart! I figured I should have a practice run for charity and then push myself the next week in a harder one (uphill during the last stretch? Yes.).
And is this all?
NO!! Of course it isn't!
I also signed Brian up to do the Freedom Festival one with me! More craziness! And excited punctuation!
But seriously, don't worry. I didn't just sign him up. I asked him first and then he was noncommittal and told me to decide for him. So of course he got the ol' sign-up-a-roo done by this loving little wifey.
And I'm starting to wonder why I didn't start doing this before. I mean, a shirt, swag bags, and FOOD AT THE END? Psh, I was crazy not to. I would run further for food than 3.12 miles. Especially food that I didn't have to prepare or clean up after. The end.
(I'm still getting headaches from running. Is this because blood is finally flowing correctly to my brain? Does it mean that my short-term memory will come back?)
Monday, April 18, 2011
um, "running"
Day One: Sorry Debs, I started without you. Today was a not-good day in Mothering Land what with teeth coming in from all directions and children. It didn't help that the past few days have been a part of Party Weekend (Brian's birthday!). And today i was very tired.
By the time Brian got home, I had just had up to my eyeballs and was done. So as soon as the kids were shut in their rooms, I knew I needed to get Out to Anywhere. I then dressed down, swiped his phone, put on some tunes (WEEZER is Awesome) and got Out with my Couch to 5K lady. (I think the lady voice is Australian. She sounds just like you, Sel. Which is probably the best part of the experience.)
And now I'm home, cooled down (Running Terminology) and stretched. My left big toe hurts as well as my head and my chest feels like it's full of cement (my sports bra might be a little too small - did any of you see THAT coming? I mean really).
All I can think of in my head is: I Hate Running. And I only "ran" 8 minutes out of 32. I do not like it here or there, I do not like it anywhere. My last minute I was just hoping that death would or would not come (not sure I knew which would be preferable) and I was glad that there were families around playing with their kids just in case I collapsed onto the ground. Because, you know, they were totally watching me. . . because I'm awesome. . . and stuff. (If they were watching me, it was because I was trying to pace myself by singing along to the Weezer, trying to get out "We .. ah... al.*wheeze& ..hon... drugssss, yeah *gasp*" Awesome.)
Maybe tomorrow I will be glad I ran tonight.
And no, family, I don't think the Turkey Trot is an option this year - I believe we're down in AZ for Christmas again, but who really knows with how life goes? If I'll be there, I'll let you know.
By the time Brian got home, I had just had up to my eyeballs and was done. So as soon as the kids were shut in their rooms, I knew I needed to get Out to Anywhere. I then dressed down, swiped his phone, put on some tunes (WEEZER is Awesome) and got Out with my Couch to 5K lady. (I think the lady voice is Australian. She sounds just like you, Sel. Which is probably the best part of the experience.)
And now I'm home, cooled down (Running Terminology) and stretched. My left big toe hurts as well as my head and my chest feels like it's full of cement (my sports bra might be a little too small - did any of you see THAT coming? I mean really).
All I can think of in my head is: I Hate Running. And I only "ran" 8 minutes out of 32. I do not like it here or there, I do not like it anywhere. My last minute I was just hoping that death would or would not come (not sure I knew which would be preferable) and I was glad that there were families around playing with their kids just in case I collapsed onto the ground. Because, you know, they were totally watching me. . . because I'm awesome. . . and stuff. (If they were watching me, it was because I was trying to pace myself by singing along to the Weezer, trying to get out "We .. ah... al.*wheeze& ..hon... drugssss, yeah *gasp*" Awesome.)
Maybe tomorrow I will be glad I ran tonight.
And no, family, I don't think the Turkey Trot is an option this year - I believe we're down in AZ for Christmas again, but who really knows with how life goes? If I'll be there, I'll let you know.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Say what?
The weather is getting nice and we're finally not sick anymore! (knock on wood) So guess what that means. . .
I am beginning my training for a 5K.
What, you ask. Tay? Doing an event that requires effort and physical exertion? And running?!
Yes, I know. It's hugely shocking even to myself. Especially since I am very very self-conscious about my running abilities. I am very slow. It happens when you have slow reflexes and short legs. So I'm not training to do at all well at a 5K, just going for it because I know it will be good for me. And of course to show my two-year old that mommy meets her goals.
Plus I made Brian buy the Couch to 5K app on his phone and it would be a complete waste of money not to use it. And, quite frankly, I don't want to hear any griping or whatnot from him if I don't use it. :) (love you honey)
I am beginning my training for a 5K.
What, you ask. Tay? Doing an event that requires effort and physical exertion? And running?!
Yes, I know. It's hugely shocking even to myself. Especially since I am very very self-conscious about my running abilities. I am very slow. It happens when you have slow reflexes and short legs. So I'm not training to do at all well at a 5K, just going for it because I know it will be good for me. And of course to show my two-year old that mommy meets her goals.
Plus I made Brian buy the Couch to 5K app on his phone and it would be a complete waste of money not to use it. And, quite frankly, I don't want to hear any griping or whatnot from him if I don't use it. :) (love you honey)
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Lift
So, if you're wanting to see pictures of the boys, they are on my facebook page under photos. If we aren't facebook friends and you want to see them, let me know and we'll work something out. :)
On Friday, Brian had corrective eye surgery, otherwise known as Lasik. So this weekend has been full of eye drops and resting (for him). I am still so grateful that we were able to drop the kids off with Brian's brother's family and that they were even willing to help out for the rest of the day. It was a huge stress relief and the reason why I survived this weekend. Sean is in a very needy stage of life and so is Alan, and to not have Brian able to help out like he usually does has been difficult. (I for sure try not to take his help for granted - I know how lucky and blessed I am.)
And I wish I could say that I was lovely and delightful about it all weekend, dutifully fulfilling every wish and need Brian had or could have without a single complaint or bitter-ish thought. But I can't. Well, I could lie, but what a pointless thing to lie about. We've all (except Brian) been sick with something nasty that just won't go away. So with coughing and whiny-ness and general waking up all night with the baby, I hit my breaking point a couple of times. Even my anxieties started rearing their ugly head despite my effective medication.
Then today during General Conference there was a talk about trials. And how this life is about how well we meet our challenges and that when we are trying to meet them in a way to bring us closer to God, that he will not leave us to do it alone. When we turn to Him and rely on the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can make it through anything we encounter in this life.
I already knew this, but it was a very good time to have that reminder. And I was thankful that the boys were actually contented during this talk - I must have really needed to hear it. :) It was a good thing I had it to reference later because my patience continued to be worn thin.
I just love the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for the hope it brings to my life, for the truth it speaks. And that it helps with the mundane trivialities of life, making the small and hard things, as well as the huge and very difficult things, easier to bear.
On Friday, Brian had corrective eye surgery, otherwise known as Lasik. So this weekend has been full of eye drops and resting (for him). I am still so grateful that we were able to drop the kids off with Brian's brother's family and that they were even willing to help out for the rest of the day. It was a huge stress relief and the reason why I survived this weekend. Sean is in a very needy stage of life and so is Alan, and to not have Brian able to help out like he usually does has been difficult. (I for sure try not to take his help for granted - I know how lucky and blessed I am.)
And I wish I could say that I was lovely and delightful about it all weekend, dutifully fulfilling every wish and need Brian had or could have without a single complaint or bitter-ish thought. But I can't. Well, I could lie, but what a pointless thing to lie about. We've all (except Brian) been sick with something nasty that just won't go away. So with coughing and whiny-ness and general waking up all night with the baby, I hit my breaking point a couple of times. Even my anxieties started rearing their ugly head despite my effective medication.
Then today during General Conference there was a talk about trials. And how this life is about how well we meet our challenges and that when we are trying to meet them in a way to bring us closer to God, that he will not leave us to do it alone. When we turn to Him and rely on the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can make it through anything we encounter in this life.
I already knew this, but it was a very good time to have that reminder. And I was thankful that the boys were actually contented during this talk - I must have really needed to hear it. :) It was a good thing I had it to reference later because my patience continued to be worn thin.
I just love the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for the hope it brings to my life, for the truth it speaks. And that it helps with the mundane trivialities of life, making the small and hard things, as well as the huge and very difficult things, easier to bear.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
The Biebs
Today I was looking at the Daily Deals at Target and I found something that I just KNOW you've been wanting and looking for:
http://www.target.com/Justin-Bieber-Singing-Doll-Lonely/dp/B004437O26/ref=sc_qi_detaillink
Never say never - you may just pray that he'll never let you go with that voice of his. And you know you want to admire that hair all day.
http://www.target.com/Justin-Bieber-Singing-Doll-Lonely/dp/B004437O26/ref=sc_qi_detaillink
Never say never - you may just pray that he'll never let you go with that voice of his. And you know you want to admire that hair all day.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Progress.
We got the new camera! It will be so nice to have such a fast shutter speed. These boys just don't have time to hold still. I've been snapping pictures like crazy and I hope to get up a couple sometime this weekend. As soon as Brian sets things up on the computer. And shows me how easy it is to work it all.
I've been trying a new approach to parenting with Alan. He's been fighting this whole 'sleep' thing for a long time now. We had a terrible time the last couple of weeks. And then in my google searches of desperation I came across a website that changed my outlook. I don't even know what I typed into the search engine. I'm just grateful I found it.
All twelve features are found in my adorable little boy. Everything written just spoke to me. I researched further in Dr Sears' website and the more I learned about a high needs baby, the more I realized that my approach was wrong for Alan. I was too tense and anxious about things and he was feeding off of my vibes and becoming the same way. Naptime was a fight. He woke up every two hours at night. I'm not going to do everything the man recommends, as obviously everybody is not textbook-exact in their needs. But it was a huge moment of enlightening.
Alan is not going to react the way Sean did to things. With Sean I could put him is his crib and he'd fall asleep. With Alan I'm finding that we have to have a wind-down time before I should even attempt putting him down for a nap. Brian can't rough house with him and then put him in bed. Rough trial last night, it went so well. He had no trouble falling asleep. Fantastic!
Now, I'm not saying that all of our sleep troubles are behind us, but I have found myself completely accepting of his moods. If he is done playing, I pick him up. As soon as he acts fussy, I put him to bed. I don't refuse him the comfort he needs even if it's inconvenient. And so far today, things have been going SO SO SO much better.
Then again Sean is at my in-laws' house today, which is allowing Alan to not get overstimulated.
I really hope this works.
I've been trying a new approach to parenting with Alan. He's been fighting this whole 'sleep' thing for a long time now. We had a terrible time the last couple of weeks. And then in my google searches of desperation I came across a website that changed my outlook. I don't even know what I typed into the search engine. I'm just grateful I found it.
All twelve features are found in my adorable little boy. Everything written just spoke to me. I researched further in Dr Sears' website and the more I learned about a high needs baby, the more I realized that my approach was wrong for Alan. I was too tense and anxious about things and he was feeding off of my vibes and becoming the same way. Naptime was a fight. He woke up every two hours at night. I'm not going to do everything the man recommends, as obviously everybody is not textbook-exact in their needs. But it was a huge moment of enlightening.
Alan is not going to react the way Sean did to things. With Sean I could put him is his crib and he'd fall asleep. With Alan I'm finding that we have to have a wind-down time before I should even attempt putting him down for a nap. Brian can't rough house with him and then put him in bed. Rough trial last night, it went so well. He had no trouble falling asleep. Fantastic!
Now, I'm not saying that all of our sleep troubles are behind us, but I have found myself completely accepting of his moods. If he is done playing, I pick him up. As soon as he acts fussy, I put him to bed. I don't refuse him the comfort he needs even if it's inconvenient. And so far today, things have been going SO SO SO much better.
Then again Sean is at my in-laws' house today, which is allowing Alan to not get overstimulated.
I really hope this works.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
I have failed at blogging. I have a few drafts written up but I can't decide if I should publish them due to their sensitive and very personal nature. I might make another blog for that stuff so I can just get it out there and people who want to read it can, and also in an effort to reach out to others going through the same thing as myself.
We ordered a DSLR camera so I'm thinking that pictures will be taken more often and maybe even shared on here. It will be nice to have pictures that aren't blurry of my two very active boys. I don't think they hold still until they pass out in their beds at night. (Except Alan, he's not much for sleeping. Ever.)
In recent weeks I've been called at the 2nd Counselor in the Relief Society Presidency of my ward. So far it's been going well. I like the ladies I will be working with and it will be nice to get to know more people. I'm especially excited to have more opportunity to serve the people around me, to better know their needs and be able to fulfill some of them. Some things are overwhelming to me, but mostly I see this as exciting and a good way to keep busy and social.
There's been a lot of tumultuous family stuff going on lately. Many much drama. I think it has gotten out of control on one side, but I guess somebody's got to be making a crappy thing even more crappy. It's too bad this somebody can't handle keeping me out of it when it has nothing to do with me. Stoopid. Someday I'll expound, I just don't feel like it right now. Maybe in a couple of weeks.
Sean has been putting together awesome sentences and speaking what he's thinking and peed in the bathtub this morning. He decided it would be awesome to strip down, plug the drain and 'get 'em the waters out.' It was a proud moment for him and then when I got home from my meeting he demanded ice cream, forgetting that ice cream comes after potty use, not bathtub use. He is also obsessed with wearing these cowboy boots he got from Aunt Christi everywhere - even though they're at least three sizes too big. I think it's cute, until he demands that he get into his carseat by himself with them on. It just does not work.
Alan can now roll over easily and turn his body around, though the latter is not yet on purpose and sometimes he becomes angry that he is no longer facing his toys. He doesn't like to sit through sacrament meeting or Relief Society, or even Sunday School, but he does seem to LOVE going to priesthood meetings with Brian. A little too much. Brian had to take him out today because he kept doing happy squeals and screams. And he's really loud.
While down in Arizona I went to a track meet my sister was running in. She does hurdles. I think she's pretty good. Anyway, she got tired during the long race and fell. My mom told me to take a picture of her on the ground and I naturally declined since I would have been mortified to have that documented of myself (I fall a lot) (without hurdles). But It got me in trouble. Apparently Jordo loves things like that documented. How was I supposed to know? Whatever. Oh, she also got asked to Prom while I was there. How fun is that?! I finally got to participate in fun things from her high school career. We'll be going down again soon, but I don't think it will be when school is still in session. Maybe next year.
And this month I seem to be going overbudget everywhere I look. I don't know what's coming over me. It's out of control and driving me nuts. And yes, it's barely the middle of the month. Hopefully I'll keep my resolve to do better. I think Brian would appreciate that. I think the spending has a lot to do with refusing to buy things that have anything in it I don't recognize in the ingredients. It gets expensive in the snack area and I've been too tired to make things myself. I guess that's how it goes.
We ordered a DSLR camera so I'm thinking that pictures will be taken more often and maybe even shared on here. It will be nice to have pictures that aren't blurry of my two very active boys. I don't think they hold still until they pass out in their beds at night. (Except Alan, he's not much for sleeping. Ever.)
In recent weeks I've been called at the 2nd Counselor in the Relief Society Presidency of my ward. So far it's been going well. I like the ladies I will be working with and it will be nice to get to know more people. I'm especially excited to have more opportunity to serve the people around me, to better know their needs and be able to fulfill some of them. Some things are overwhelming to me, but mostly I see this as exciting and a good way to keep busy and social.
There's been a lot of tumultuous family stuff going on lately. Many much drama. I think it has gotten out of control on one side, but I guess somebody's got to be making a crappy thing even more crappy. It's too bad this somebody can't handle keeping me out of it when it has nothing to do with me. Stoopid. Someday I'll expound, I just don't feel like it right now. Maybe in a couple of weeks.
Sean has been putting together awesome sentences and speaking what he's thinking and peed in the bathtub this morning. He decided it would be awesome to strip down, plug the drain and 'get 'em the waters out.' It was a proud moment for him and then when I got home from my meeting he demanded ice cream, forgetting that ice cream comes after potty use, not bathtub use. He is also obsessed with wearing these cowboy boots he got from Aunt Christi everywhere - even though they're at least three sizes too big. I think it's cute, until he demands that he get into his carseat by himself with them on. It just does not work.
Alan can now roll over easily and turn his body around, though the latter is not yet on purpose and sometimes he becomes angry that he is no longer facing his toys. He doesn't like to sit through sacrament meeting or Relief Society, or even Sunday School, but he does seem to LOVE going to priesthood meetings with Brian. A little too much. Brian had to take him out today because he kept doing happy squeals and screams. And he's really loud.
While down in Arizona I went to a track meet my sister was running in. She does hurdles. I think she's pretty good. Anyway, she got tired during the long race and fell. My mom told me to take a picture of her on the ground and I naturally declined since I would have been mortified to have that documented of myself (I fall a lot) (without hurdles). But It got me in trouble. Apparently Jordo loves things like that documented. How was I supposed to know? Whatever. Oh, she also got asked to Prom while I was there. How fun is that?! I finally got to participate in fun things from her high school career. We'll be going down again soon, but I don't think it will be when school is still in session. Maybe next year.
And this month I seem to be going overbudget everywhere I look. I don't know what's coming over me. It's out of control and driving me nuts. And yes, it's barely the middle of the month. Hopefully I'll keep my resolve to do better. I think Brian would appreciate that. I think the spending has a lot to do with refusing to buy things that have anything in it I don't recognize in the ingredients. It gets expensive in the snack area and I've been too tired to make things myself. I guess that's how it goes.
Monday, February 14, 2011
V-Day
Happy Valentine's Day to you all!
I love that this traditional holiday has nothing to do with either Saint it's named after. I also love that the tradition of card-giving began in the Victorian Era. And, as with all Saint-days, has always been celebrated with a feast.
So we're going with tradition this year. Handmade cards and yummy dinner for two (that I'm making), and an avoidance of discussing both St Valentines. I don't expect the poetry those Victorians would spout off left and right, but isn't it nice to have an evening that society expects you to spend with your love?
While it seems en vogue to dislike this day because of Hallmark and flower companies and singledom, I have realized that it's ok to celebrate it however you like. Just so long as you make it about another person and not yourself. Because that's what love is really about.
Though chocolate is always nice, too.
I love that this traditional holiday has nothing to do with either Saint it's named after. I also love that the tradition of card-giving began in the Victorian Era. And, as with all Saint-days, has always been celebrated with a feast.
So we're going with tradition this year. Handmade cards and yummy dinner for two (that I'm making), and an avoidance of discussing both St Valentines. I don't expect the poetry those Victorians would spout off left and right, but isn't it nice to have an evening that society expects you to spend with your love?
While it seems en vogue to dislike this day because of Hallmark and flower companies and singledom, I have realized that it's ok to celebrate it however you like. Just so long as you make it about another person and not yourself. Because that's what love is really about.
Though chocolate is always nice, too.
Friday, February 11, 2011
A Direction
So I've been wandering around aimlessly on this blog for about three years now and I think I've finally come to a realization that I need a purpose. I need structure. And I can now say that I feel as though a good direction has come to me.
I will now be writing about whatever I want, whatever I'm feeling, observations I've made. It's a place for my words to come out and express thoughts I'm having. A place for pieces to come together and help my life make a little more sense. And sometimes it might even be a place for Brian to write some random nonsense when he feels I've been a little too biased about something or when he wants to tease me.
I will still have pictures and other such things about my kids and husband, but I'm terrible at uploading pictures. So who knows how often they'll come. Maybe if I figure out Brian's iPhone I'll get more up that way, or if I can somehow con him into doing it for me without him insisting that I learn how to do it.
And I think I'll start labeling stuff. I may as well add organization to this place. Though I will likely not go back and label old posts. We'll see what happens.
I will now be writing about whatever I want, whatever I'm feeling, observations I've made. It's a place for my words to come out and express thoughts I'm having. A place for pieces to come together and help my life make a little more sense. And sometimes it might even be a place for Brian to write some random nonsense when he feels I've been a little too biased about something or when he wants to tease me.
I will still have pictures and other such things about my kids and husband, but I'm terrible at uploading pictures. So who knows how often they'll come. Maybe if I figure out Brian's iPhone I'll get more up that way, or if I can somehow con him into doing it for me without him insisting that I learn how to do it.
And I think I'll start labeling stuff. I may as well add organization to this place. Though I will likely not go back and label old posts. We'll see what happens.
Monday, February 7, 2011
As promised
Here is our crazy two-year old.
Here is what he looks like normally - he's always in a silly mood.
Some things we've been hearing from him lately are: 'NO - Sean do it.' 'I push button it' 'fi-were cruck' 'puttin the pants back on' 'mamaw' 'pampaw' 'al-LAN' 'galola bars' and lots of statements he ends with 'huh' because we have to acknowledge everything he says and maybe even agree with it. 'it's Seaner's blanket, huh' or 'that'sa code (cold), huh' are a couple of examples. He loves to identify colors and count to five and wrestle with Alan and Daddy. I have to be careful not to sit on the floor or he thinks that I want to rough him up as well. He's rougher than I am, so I like not getting hurt.
And here is the baby Alan:
He's a lot of fun. Even more so now that I've discover that he's lactose-intolerant and is sensitive to bananas. It's nice to ingest some dairy so long as it's lactose free. This picture is from the 27th of January, so please know that he's gotten chunkier since then. Not huge, but definitely more solid than Sean ever was. Alan is starting to roll over, but mostly just to his side and not all of the way over. He seems to be ok with that. He loves constant interaction and is good at taking naps. Sean is his favorite person and Alan get positively giddy when Sean shows him attention. He also loves to wrestle with Daddy, which is fun for me to watch.
I love my boys. We're having lots of crazy times, but it's worth them making me nuts when they sit and cuddle me or smile in reaction to my playing with them. I might get stuck watching lots of sports for the rest of my life, but their interests are worth my time and involvement. Though I can't wait until the little ones entertain each other in-between little fights.
Here is what he looks like normally - he's always in a silly mood.
Some things we've been hearing from him lately are: 'NO - Sean do it.' 'I push button it' 'fi-were cruck' 'puttin the pants back on' 'mamaw' 'pampaw' 'al-LAN' 'galola bars' and lots of statements he ends with 'huh' because we have to acknowledge everything he says and maybe even agree with it. 'it's Seaner's blanket, huh' or 'that'sa code (cold), huh' are a couple of examples. He loves to identify colors and count to five and wrestle with Alan and Daddy. I have to be careful not to sit on the floor or he thinks that I want to rough him up as well. He's rougher than I am, so I like not getting hurt.
And here is the baby Alan:
He's a lot of fun. Even more so now that I've discover that he's lactose-intolerant and is sensitive to bananas. It's nice to ingest some dairy so long as it's lactose free. This picture is from the 27th of January, so please know that he's gotten chunkier since then. Not huge, but definitely more solid than Sean ever was. Alan is starting to roll over, but mostly just to his side and not all of the way over. He seems to be ok with that. He loves constant interaction and is good at taking naps. Sean is his favorite person and Alan get positively giddy when Sean shows him attention. He also loves to wrestle with Daddy, which is fun for me to watch.I love my boys. We're having lots of crazy times, but it's worth them making me nuts when they sit and cuddle me or smile in reaction to my playing with them. I might get stuck watching lots of sports for the rest of my life, but their interests are worth my time and involvement. Though I can't wait until the little ones entertain each other in-between little fights.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Hoping for Better
Monday was a Bad Day. I unexpectedly found myself in a situation where I had to explain to someone where they stood with me. I thought I did it as kindly as I could, as their standing is not in a good place, but I feared they would take the conversation ill. And they did. But not the whole conversation, just certain parts. Parts that I feel weren't emphasized. I wasn't trying to dissolve any relationship with them, just step back and figure it all out and keep my kids in healthy environments. And on top of it, Brian was in DC for work. Luckily I could call somebody familiar with the situation and regain a sense of okay-ness before bed.
Tuesday started out as a Good Day. I did the dishes, decluttered the kitchen counters, and got some laundry washed and dried. Alan took two good naps and one short one. Sean behaved himself during quiet time. My wonderful father- and mother-in-law came over and talked to me and played with the children - and even tidied for me. It was lovely and nice to talk to adults in person. Then that evening I found out that the person from the day before picked out parts of our conversation and shared them with another. Parts that, taken out of context as they were, could damage a relationship with the person shared with, someone I love very much. Fortunately they talked to me about what was told to them and we got it straightened out. It could have been so devastating.
So, I don't tell you this for your pity. I share this for those who know the situation well enough and would like to know how I feel about it. So they can know that there is more to the story, that it's personal and I'm still figuring out everything. I also share this for words of advice and maybe even quotes about making hard decisions during difficult times. And maybe also because I don't want others who don't know the situation completely to think ill of me.
I feel good, sad and hopeful about my decision and my reasons behind it, which are many and apparently ever-growing.
My next post will be a happy one and full of my chunky baby and crazy tw0-year old.
Tuesday started out as a Good Day. I did the dishes, decluttered the kitchen counters, and got some laundry washed and dried. Alan took two good naps and one short one. Sean behaved himself during quiet time. My wonderful father- and mother-in-law came over and talked to me and played with the children - and even tidied for me. It was lovely and nice to talk to adults in person. Then that evening I found out that the person from the day before picked out parts of our conversation and shared them with another. Parts that, taken out of context as they were, could damage a relationship with the person shared with, someone I love very much. Fortunately they talked to me about what was told to them and we got it straightened out. It could have been so devastating.
So, I don't tell you this for your pity. I share this for those who know the situation well enough and would like to know how I feel about it. So they can know that there is more to the story, that it's personal and I'm still figuring out everything. I also share this for words of advice and maybe even quotes about making hard decisions during difficult times. And maybe also because I don't want others who don't know the situation completely to think ill of me.
I feel good, sad and hopeful about my decision and my reasons behind it, which are many and apparently ever-growing.
My next post will be a happy one and full of my chunky baby and crazy tw0-year old.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Settling into the new year
This year I made zero New Year's Resolutions. Actually I have never made any, so this year has been no different than other years in that aspect. But it turns out that trying to improve myself and my life has been something that has swooped down upon me and overcome most other options.
First I found out through one of my favorite blogs that if I read 5 or 6 pages of the Book of Mormon every day (starting a few days ago), I will finish it by Easter. That sounded like a worthy goal. So I've been doing that and it feels good to be reading with a purpose. And while studying it out slowly is amazing and revelatory, reading it more quickly also provides insight I don't normally notice.
Then I challenged my sister to a no-sugar, see-who-can-go-the-longest-without-it competition, the non-winner (see:loser) buying lunch for the winner. It's been since Monday (four days ago) and I've been doing awesome. Except for my constant need for a really good chocolate cake or homemade brownies with ice cream. I feel like I'm not necessarily craving the taste or the sugar, but rather the texture of the former and the flavor explosion of the latter. And the lovely way that dessert fills up the empty parts of my stomach after dinner. But I really like that my pants are really getting to be too big. Too bad I just (like, a month ago) went through all of my clothes and got rid of all the smaller ones. That's a little annoying. Oh well. There are worse things.
And when I stopped eating sugar, that night is when Alan started getting real sleep. Instead of waking up every two, two and a half hours, he went to four or four and a half hours. Bliss! And then I found that bananas affect him ill as well. It's crazy how much better sleep is going for us all!
In addition to no sugar, I've been eliminating most all processed foods and foods that are really not good for you no matter what person or machine made them. I even bought brown rice, quinoa and israeli couscous. I think this will go well.
Then the visiting teaching lesson this month pushed me towards the part of its message that discussed the diversity among women in Relief Society, that the diversity makes us stronger in unity because of the charity we need towards each other to function at our fullest strength. I realized that I need to further extend my charitable feelings to people I've been holding back on for one reason or another. Is it enough to know that I would help them in crisis? Do I extend myself enough to know when the crisis is there? Those are questions that I need to answer for myself. (I'm hoping the answer is yes, but uh, yeah.)
I think my next goal will be to read through the entire Bible this summer. And that would be the only worthy reason I can think of to get an e-reader. But then again, principles are at stake and carrying a Bible around is not the worst thing in the world.
First I found out through one of my favorite blogs that if I read 5 or 6 pages of the Book of Mormon every day (starting a few days ago), I will finish it by Easter. That sounded like a worthy goal. So I've been doing that and it feels good to be reading with a purpose. And while studying it out slowly is amazing and revelatory, reading it more quickly also provides insight I don't normally notice.
Then I challenged my sister to a no-sugar, see-who-can-go-the-longest-without-it competition, the non-winner (see:loser) buying lunch for the winner. It's been since Monday (four days ago) and I've been doing awesome. Except for my constant need for a really good chocolate cake or homemade brownies with ice cream. I feel like I'm not necessarily craving the taste or the sugar, but rather the texture of the former and the flavor explosion of the latter. And the lovely way that dessert fills up the empty parts of my stomach after dinner. But I really like that my pants are really getting to be too big. Too bad I just (like, a month ago) went through all of my clothes and got rid of all the smaller ones. That's a little annoying. Oh well. There are worse things.
And when I stopped eating sugar, that night is when Alan started getting real sleep. Instead of waking up every two, two and a half hours, he went to four or four and a half hours. Bliss! And then I found that bananas affect him ill as well. It's crazy how much better sleep is going for us all!
In addition to no sugar, I've been eliminating most all processed foods and foods that are really not good for you no matter what person or machine made them. I even bought brown rice, quinoa and israeli couscous. I think this will go well.
Then the visiting teaching lesson this month pushed me towards the part of its message that discussed the diversity among women in Relief Society, that the diversity makes us stronger in unity because of the charity we need towards each other to function at our fullest strength. I realized that I need to further extend my charitable feelings to people I've been holding back on for one reason or another. Is it enough to know that I would help them in crisis? Do I extend myself enough to know when the crisis is there? Those are questions that I need to answer for myself. (I'm hoping the answer is yes, but uh, yeah.)
I think my next goal will be to read through the entire Bible this summer. And that would be the only worthy reason I can think of to get an e-reader. But then again, principles are at stake and carrying a Bible around is not the worst thing in the world.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Bullets
- Alan has this intense need to rub his face into whatever he's laying on when he's on his stomach. He also has been teething (why?!) so then he ends up resting his head in his baby drool and maybe snot. He must like having a damp head.
- Sean is convinced that if he yells "HEY MORE-NANG!" ("good morning") at the top of his lungs, I will suddenly think it's time for him to get up when I've just tucked him in for naptime. Nice try little buddy.
- I bought kefir last night at the store to see what it was like. It's like yogurt, but drinkable. And it's 99% lactose free (at least the one i bought is), so we're seeing if Alan's dairy problem is actually a lactose problem. It's so good. But I'm still a little nervous to drink it because it's called "kefir" which rhymes with "heifer" and that bothers me a bit.
- I also got lactose free milk. Please let this experiment work!
- My in-laws are way nice. As fun as it would be to live away from all family, I don't know that I could do it for very long. I find that I am extraordinarily needy and they don't seem to mind.
- I got really jealous and sad when talking to my mom the other evening and hearing that all of my siblings and their significant others were over for dinner. It kills me sometimes.
- We got a real giggle from Alan and I promptly forgave him for not sleeping more. I may have un-forgiven him that night.
- When asked his name, Sean responds with "Seaners" and I love it!
- After weeks and weeks of non-stop everything, I took this last week off.
- I can now see why moms hire nannies. It's not so they can go to work or go out with their friends - it's so cooking and cleaning actually happen at some point in the day, as well as a shower. Seriously people.
- I got a new chair for Sean to lounge in for his room. As soon as I set it up my rocking chair will be free for me to use with the baby! Unless there is a revolt and I get to use the new chair.
- I'm worried about my friend whose house may have been flooded in Australia. You ok, Sel? DID YOU SAVE THE ANNE BOOKS?! (Because they are obviously your most important possession.)
Monday, January 3, 2011
Little review
Sitting here in Mesa, listening to Sean eat cereal, I started reflecting on 2010. It was an interesting year.
We started out calmly and happily. Then we found out we were expecting a baby and morning sickness kicked in. In the spring, family difficulties and HOA drama ensued. Allergies added severe headaches into the mix and Sean and I spent a lot of time upstairs while the house was allowed to get out of control. We all three had our birthdays during this time and Alan gave us a couple of scares. Both times I went in for an ultrasound to find out that nothing was wrong. But it was nice to see him in such a tiny form. We went to Washington and visited family that we love and constantly miss. Our a/c went out and Steven moved into our house. Steven met Melissa and they were engaged by the end of summer. Fall was full of wedding preparations, being hugely pregnant, having a baby, and thanks-giving (in both forms). Then Steven & Melissa got married and we've ended the year the same as we started - visiting our family in Mesa.
There was disappointment when I couldn't do all the fun things with Sean that I'd wanted to before Alan came, like going to the zoo and playing at the park every day and things of that nature, but he seems to have survived and remained happy. There was also a lot of heartache as I watched others around me go through very hard trials, much harder things in comparison to my own (in my opinion).
This year I found gratitude, gained a little humility, increased my understanding of those around me, recognized the blessings of good health when I had it, realized that I could get out of bed and do housework when I am tired, and discovered a need within myself to do my best in all things.
All things considered, this has been a really great year. We are happy, healthy, and feeling very blessed.
We started out calmly and happily. Then we found out we were expecting a baby and morning sickness kicked in. In the spring, family difficulties and HOA drama ensued. Allergies added severe headaches into the mix and Sean and I spent a lot of time upstairs while the house was allowed to get out of control. We all three had our birthdays during this time and Alan gave us a couple of scares. Both times I went in for an ultrasound to find out that nothing was wrong. But it was nice to see him in such a tiny form. We went to Washington and visited family that we love and constantly miss. Our a/c went out and Steven moved into our house. Steven met Melissa and they were engaged by the end of summer. Fall was full of wedding preparations, being hugely pregnant, having a baby, and thanks-giving (in both forms). Then Steven & Melissa got married and we've ended the year the same as we started - visiting our family in Mesa.
There was disappointment when I couldn't do all the fun things with Sean that I'd wanted to before Alan came, like going to the zoo and playing at the park every day and things of that nature, but he seems to have survived and remained happy. There was also a lot of heartache as I watched others around me go through very hard trials, much harder things in comparison to my own (in my opinion).
This year I found gratitude, gained a little humility, increased my understanding of those around me, recognized the blessings of good health when I had it, realized that I could get out of bed and do housework when I am tired, and discovered a need within myself to do my best in all things.
All things considered, this has been a really great year. We are happy, healthy, and feeling very blessed.
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