"I love my Sewing Club" -Kyanne

Rachel and I had a sewing day with the girls a few weeks back, we started quilting pillows. It was "sew" much fun that we thought we'd start a Little Girls Sewing Club. We've only met twice but it's been a blast and the girls are really good. I was hoping their projects would look more like a 4 year old made them, but no such luck their too talented. Here's some cute photos (thanks Jaq).

"Your so Dead!" Famous last words?

I thought it was so cute that Kitty kept jumping on the rim of the tub to see the kids, until she fell in. And, here we have Meggie joining the kids for an afternoon swim?

"YOUR SO DEAD": The Movie

Missing that boy...

It's been 6 long days without my favorite pal. He's been in Hawaii all week, just bumming it. A board, fresh fruit and a rented car and he's been happy as a clam. From the sounds of it he's spent just about 98% of everyday in the waves, no surprise right.

The first few days without him were okay, and the house was uncharacteristically clean because I don't have his cute face distracting me, but the extra laughs and the silver lining to my day is missing. I realize how much more I laugh when he's around, how lighthearted I feel, and how come on weekdays, 4pm rolls around and I start counting down the minutes till he gets home to play with us.




This week I'm counting sleeps, I hate counting sleeps! Aimless post, just wanted to say I'm missing that cute boy, come home already!

*FYI: I just didn't want to go. He tried really hard to get me to come, but it's just too long and far away from my babies, especially on 12 hours notice. But, I'm so glad he got to go, he could use a break about now.

"My Hero(es). . ."

About 3 weeks ago I called a repairman for my fridge. He was an older gent who had recently decided to venture out on his own.

I'll skip all the boring details but, 4 visits later, the frig is working, and I'm out:

• $600.00 bucks ( I could have just bought a new one),
  
• 2 grocery trips to the store,
  
• have to repair wet drywall/water damage downstairs in Bridge's bedroom
  
• and worst of all have to replace the wood floor in the kitchen (Estimated $5000.00 to fix) due to water damage from the fridge.
  

Awhhh. . . . After he left I was pretty bummed so I called Rachel. She was amazing. At best I was hoping for a good amount of sympathy but instead she actually called him up posing as my big sister and let him know that he not only should refund the $600.00 but also fix my floor at a reduced rate. He must have caught a glimpse of her inner tigeress because he didn't really argue much.

But, as the day went on he kept calling me, and I was nervous he was going to show up at my house if I didn't answer. So, I called my friend Stacy's husband who's a police officer and just a good guy, to ask his opinion. He came right over, assessed the damage and called the repairman up posing as my very stern brother and asked how he planned to remedy the situation. Way to go big brother and sis because the guy ended up apologizing and not making me pay for the 3 xtra visits after all. I am so glad, but more just in awe of my good friends. It was so sweet, I was so nervous especially with Jess gone until Monday, I kind of knew I was being taken for a ride but I was to chicken to do anything about it. But, lucky for me I've got some rad surrogate siblings.

Meg's Wedding Pix. A Bridal Beauty

They look way better on Amber's Holts blog. CLICK HERE to see more.

Summer time strategy for: "I'm bored"

WARNING: Very possible boring post ahead. I wanted to write all the details and my ideas out for future reference and anyone who is also looking for summer ideas.

The kids and I have been doing "Summer Play School". I get to play teacher (I've loved this game since I was 5) and we learn through playing. We only do it on the days we don't have other things on the go, and it's been super fun for all of us.

We start off with circle time, where we practice polite good mornings, read or tell stories, play creativity games like:"What if" (what if Ky was a puppy, what if we lived under the water etc.) and sing various songs. Some of my Favorites:

• -Here we are together at our Summertime Play School (it's a mouth full and the kids think it's so funny when I add in Kitty).
• -All time fav: 5 little Monkey's swingin in a tree... teasin' Mr. Allegator "can't catch me!"
• -I had a little Turtle her name was Tiny Fin...
• Going on a Bear Hunt, Wheels on the Bus
• Zoom! We're going to the Moon!
• 1, 2 Buckle My Shoe, 1,2,3,4,5 once I caught a fish alive... 6,7,8,9,10 then I let him go again.
• "There were ten in the bed and the littlest said, "Roll over, Roll over! They all rolled over and one fell out, he gave a little scream and he gave a little shout! Please remember to tie a knot in your pajamas, single beds were only made for 9!" (I learned them song from Mo when Ky was just a wee little thing, and I think it's so funny, it makes me smile just to sing).
• (Finger play) Two little Dickie Birds, sitting on a wall...
• Wake up little Bunny! Hop! Hop! Hop!
  

After singing we chit chat a bit about what we're going to do for play school today. Then we do a fun craft involving our theme, work from workbooks for Ky, playdough, paint, baking, something messy. Then there is game/active outside time:

• London Bridges where we capture the unsuspecting party,
  
• CARS (they are cars racing each other but with various car problems- flat tire, wind sheild wippers won't shut off, car stuck in reverse)
  
• Mother May I (where we practice being polite and obedient, hooray for Mom!)
  
• Green light, Red light Gone Creative (- walk like ice cream cone, bee, puppy, cloud, Giant etc.
• Duck duck goose (which really is just chase mom in a circle, but fun either way),
• Fishing for metal clips using a magnetic lure
  
• Baseball
• Catch with softies
• Sidewalk coloring
• Bucket Ball (throw ball or stuffies into different buckets, baskets etc.)
  
• Obstacle course with chalk (walk the skinny bridge (line), hop in the lake (circle), swim (along the squiggley line), tip toe through the bear forest (on the dots) etc.
  
• Hot potato
• Showtime on the Trampolene
• Build a Rocket Ship, Boat out of card board boxes and tape. Then paint the next day.
• Drama. Act out the book we read for reading time.
  
• Summer Carnival (set up blocks to knock over and win a prize (get real prizes from $1 store) balance beam, relay race, bob for apples, face painting, have kids help make decor and -invite friends)
• wash the van
• Make our own summer tent with a white sheet and spray bottles with tempra paint in them mixed with water.
  
• Silly Bigger or Better Scavenger Hunt
• Start a rock collection or nature collection
• Musical Chairs
• Dance Party
• Bug Hunting
• Bobbing for Apple
• Racing
• Hop Scotch
• Hot or Cold
• Marco Polo!

Lots of good ideas here: http://preschoolplanner101.blogspot.com/ http://www.preschoolexpress.com/game_station07/outdoor_math_jun07.shtml http://preschoolmama.com/index.php/2008/03/02/preschool-memory-activity/ http://www.mormonchic.com/mommy/summertime_activities.asp

Specific Day Theme and Craft Ideas to come!

Oh, What do you do in the Summer Time? Traditions? Do tell.

What do you guys do for summer? Any traditions, good ideas? A good friend of mine does what she calls "Pioneer School" where she "orchestrate activities, chores, play days, reading, and school work to keep them entertained and on track so they aren't idle and bored for the summer." Sounds good to me. Another friend is preparing for "Theme Days" such as Hawian day, backwards day, fire safety day. I thought that sounded pretty good too.

Kyanne and I are doing a parented sewing class with 6 other moms and little girls, but I'm still looking for more ideas. Please comment away, anything you've heard of or do.

Meggie's Music and Dance Wedding!

I am surprised that it has been nearly a month since I have last posted. June has just flown by, especially with Meggie's sweet wedding and all the preps going into it. Her wedding day was just about as perfect as they come. She was as pretty as a picture, not to mention the whimsical feathery hair piece I got to make using an old silver piece of Grandma Bridge's :)

She got married in the Cardston Alberta Temple. As she entered the sealing room where all her close friends and family surrounded her, she was already weeping. And, then there was Jorge with one big grin from ear to ear next to his sweet teary wife. I'm not sure there was a dry eye in the room, even the temple sealer got choked up.


After they were sealed they got to look into the mirror in front of them, and with the mirrors behind them they could see their happy reflection go on forever, representing their marriage that would last through out this life and all Eternity.

I can remember also doing this with a very young looking 21 year old Jess, he looked even younger then. There I stood in my puffy wedding gown, clasping hands with my favorite person and now husband. My face was a wreck as I had just balled my little head off, but still it was just one of those magic moments that seems to stand still in my memory, mascara streaks and all.

After the wedding we had a super family dinner program, that included: An outrageous dance from Aunt Helen in her full on disco suit, an appearance from OK-Go compliments of me, Jilly, Kesh, and Trever, a sweet little dance from Ky and Olivia with Bridgey looking debonar in the middle of the two twirling girls, a dance from Mo and her sisters and some professional Peruvian Dancer to boot!

It was by far the wedding program with the most music and dance, and just as it should have been for Meggie who loves it more than the rest of us combined. I tried to give the tribute to the bride with Jess but had trouble getting out my silly jokes amid my tears.

Then the reception was filled with Salsa, Merange, Swing dancing, Break dancing among others. It was a riot. Ky danced the night away, finally dropping into bed around 10pm.

Pictures to come, I just wanted to jot down the story while it was still fresh in my mind.

The Monster Mommy again! (sigh)

Tonight the Mommy Monster reared her wrinkly hagard face and scared the kids not to mention the cute dad who really hadn't done a thing wrong. As I threw the book of stories about Jesus at Jess and stomped up stairs to feed the baby like a martyr there was a little part of me asking "How old are you?" Toddler? Preschooler at best. I did eventually apologize for being so weird, and tonight as I opened up Marjorie Hinckley's book called "Glimpses" I turned to this:

"There is something about spirituality that is central to the life of a woman .

I do not mean the kind of spirituality that only takes you to church on Sunday. Sitting in church will not necessarily make you into a Christian anymore than sitting in a garage will make you into a car. I am talking about the kind of spirituality that makes you behave like a child of God.

I am talking about the kind of spirituality that makes you loving an grateful, and forgiving, and patient, and gentle, and longsuffering iwth that roommate who drops her clothes on the closet floor and who never, no never, does her share of the cooking and cleaning and who beat you to the boyfriend.

I am talking about the kind of spirituality that compels you to get in touch with your Heavenly Father every single day of your life."

She was talking to a younger group of women, but the principle is the same. I behaved badly tonight and just after I had there was a moment where I was back in control and knew I was sorely in the wrong, but I still choose to stomp up those last few stairs, instead of modeling good behavior for our kids and choosing their feelings over my own.

We have a new rule in our family. I can't remember if I've already talked about this or not. Anyhow, it's called something really fancy: "RULE #1" and it's to be kind and respectful to everyone in our family. It's been great for me, for when I lose my temper, I stop, tell the kids I broke our family rule, apologize and start again in a more respectful way.

Truth be told I started doing this a few weeks ago, and it really was having a good influence on me and the kids (Jess is already good at being patient and kind) but, this week I forgot all about it. So, I vow to start again this week, I love what Sister Hinckley said about being "longsuffering, gentle, and patient" even when people's actions don't necessarily merit it. I'm excited to work on this during this new week. When Mommy's happy it brings a happy spirit in the home, I know this. So, get away Mommy Monster, you've been banished!

Hold a true friend with both your hands. - Nigerian Proverb

They say the Lord answers prayers through other people.

This has been so true in my life. When I was young there was only me, my mom, and my brother Chris for family. Occasionally there was my grandma around but that was the extent of our immediate and extended family. So, you can imagine how grateful I was my for "Aunts" who were really just my mom's childhood friends.

When my mom was 13 her mom left her and her brother in a motel down by the beach (Santa Monica, Ca) and never returned. After a month or so the motel manager regretfully asked the two kids (ages 11 and 13) to leave. From there my mom became really close with a group of about 8 other kids who also had no family and together they formed their own family. For awhile they just lived together under the Santa Monica pier and did what they could to get money and support themselves and their younger siblings. My mom said she used to stand on the boardwalk and tell people she lost her lunch money, and some times she'd get caught and someone would say, "didn't I see you here yesterday?"

She tells these stories fondly because while she didn't have a traditional family she had been blessed with wonderful friends, the forever kind. These friends still keep in touch and have been a support to one another over the years much like a family. She says the Lord answered her prayers through good friends.

I too feel like Heavenly Father has been mindful of me and answered some of my most tender prayers through a good friend. As a child I was blessed with friends who loved me and took me in when I needed a safe place. And, as I got older I had friends who not only shared their homes and families with me, but their faith too. And, it changed the path of my life forever. There have been many times when I have wondered where my life would have ended up had I not have met these great friends in highschool and their parents who took me into their homes like I was one of the family.

In college, my friends were more like sisters. They taught me who I was and who I wanted to become. Getting to BYU was no small thing. There was hurdle after hurdle, followed by miracle after miracle. I assumed these miracles took place because the Lord really wanted me to break the pattern in my family and be the first to get an education, but now I think it had more to do with meeting these wonderful girls who changed my life and who I am forever. They taught me about love and charity, about the Savior and being a daughter of God. Without those experiences I wouldn't be the mother or wife I am. I'm so thankful for the Lords hand in my life, carefully guiding me and for these wonderful people I've met along the way.

I'll never forget how loved I felt on my wedding day when I was surrounded by my 10 bridesmaids, 8 of which had traveled over 15 hours to be there with me, standing in as my family.

Now again the Lord has filled my life with good friends. The kind that make you better for having been in their association. I feel so blessed for knowing these women, for their patient friendship, for their example of motherhood, but most of all for their unconditional love.

I was reading a talk given by Sherri Dew (CLICK HERE) about the influence of women on the world. It's a beautiful talk, and I couldn't help but reflect upon the good women that have influenced my life.
I'm so thankful for these earthly angels who have helped me along my way and I'm thankful to the Lord for answering my prayers, sometimes even before I know what to ask.

Sewing: Apron dresses

Skateboarding: A family affair.

I'm so excited warm weather is finally here. The winter was brutal this year. Jess made us a super fun ramp to play on out back.

Friday night we had a dinner date with the kids at the Mckenzie skateboard park. The kids loved it, they dropped in on the 5foot tall ramp with their dad and I was brave and tried the little ramp in the middle, but ended up laid out on my back.

" Please bless and Thank-you for my Little Mermaid Jammie Dress..."

(Newest creation. Just made it out of an old Disney bed sheet,
right along with dinner yesterday,
That's how easy serging is, I'm loving it.)

I can't decide if it's bad or not that I write down alot of the kids prayers. I don't really think so, but hopefully I'm not offending anyone who feels otherwise. I figure they make Heavenly Father chuckle too, they're so innocent and sweet. Anyhow today part of Ky lunch prayer included thanks for each individual jammie dress she owns.


"Thank you that I can have a new Little Mermaid jammy dress, and not just one old one, because now I have two. . . oh, I mean three, thank you for my Strawberry Shortcake jammie dress too."

Bridgey: "Look at this cutest beetle, I got! (meanwhile squishing sad beetle) Oh, my gosh, she's so cute Mom!" (Is that my child or what?)

Conversation in the Van:
Ky: Baby dinosaurs are so cute.
B: No they're just naughty. They pinch and pinch and pinch you.
(I'll spare you the repeat of this conversation another 10 times, but it just delights my heart to watch these 'big' kids sit and have their own conversations and debates all day long.)

Remarkable

"Life is a gift wrapped up for you everyday."

It is remarkable.

Today when I woke to unwrap my day. I found that I had accidentally published a post about my sad week, and the first thing I could thing I could think was "unpublish!" and just as I was about to do that I saw that there were already comments. So, I read them instead, and they warmed my heart and made me cry. Then as the day wore on I recieved phone calls of concern and while it kind of embarrasses me mostly it just makes me count my many blessings.

I'm so blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life. Today was better. Thanks everyone. My heart is full.

Paxil & a Hovering Cloud

The dark cloud that seems to shade my path this week is relentless. I have woken in a grouchy mood more days than not this week, and today as I was saying my morning prayers I felt so bad for being so grouchy when life is so beautiful. So, I sat counting my blessings and recognizing how perfect things are and still this dark cloud follows above my head. And, so I realize I must still have need for the Paxil that I am desparately trying to get off.

I have been Post Partum with each baby, and it gets worse each time. After Fin, it was more a breathing problem than anything. When she was about 3 months old I starting having panic attacks several times a day. And, it wasn't until she was about 5 months that I dragged myself down to see a doctor and he perscribed Paxil. It was like Heaven! Within 5 days I could feel a difference. It was a very real, physical change. I no longer got as many panic attacks and the ones I still got were not nearly as unmanagable as before. Before I would do things like hide in my closet with the lights off, and bury my head in my knees until it would stop. More than once I have hidden under a laundry basket, and even though I can still see through the slats it seems to help.

A few weeks ago I forgot the medicine for a few days and felt find, so I thought I'd try stopping the Paxil altogher in one shot. Baaaadddd idea! I got super sick. So, now I am trying to wean slowly, but I keep waking up with what I call "Angry Throat" and my question is: is this due to the need for more medicine or is this simple a side effect of coming off it?

Sewing and the Janome 1100dx

I'm super excited to introduce you all to the new love of my life. She's 1 foot tall and about 2 blessed pounds: Janome 1100dx (She came pre-named). She's a beaut, and fits in with her Kenmore cousin perfectly.





Here's my newest project. It was so fun to design, vintage fabrics and the only thing matching is the the non-matching. I'm guessing there are many that will say, "Oh... cute, it's a Stephanie dress" rather than just "Oh, cute!" But, I'm in love anyhow. Does the stripe fabric look familiar? Your grandma probably still has one of these old sheets hanging around.

Puppy Princess Dress-up

Princesses: Kyanne, Chloe,
and Kitty.

Here's Ky and Chloe having a "Friend's Party". This included dress ups, tropical drinks, and a puppy who doubled as a princess/baby or both. I found them singing her "I am a child of God" when it was her bedtime, and trying to force the poor thing into a basket half her size, all the while looking fab in a princess dress.






Below, is my 17 year old sister, Kayla, and my sweet mom, Lorrie along with some other goofy pictures I found in Photo Booth.

An Endearing picture of my pouchy belly.

Ky gave me my Mother's Day present early and I love love love it!! Yes, 3 "loves" it's that cute. It's a book she made at preschool. Here's a snipit:

Who can guess which one is "Mommy"? Anyone at all? That's right, I'm the one pregnant with twins! Sadly there are no twins let alone a single baby in there. That my friends, is what we like to affectionately refer to as a "Pouchy Belly".

My mom always said, "the women in our family have pretty, long, legs and pouchy bellies, which are better for carrying babies in." As though they were somehow better than the non-pouchy tummys of the world. Either way I believed her and I too cheerfully pass along this wives tale to my innocent children. And, so Kyanne draws her mommys pouchy tumkin with family pride. We also have big feet, but I can't seem to come up with one good lie as to why it's ideal to have big honkin feet.

This weeks edition of: SHE SAID... HE SAID...

RESPECT
K:"Your the best mom in the whole world. I will never be respectful to parents again. Never ever."

PRAYER
K:"Please bless these sweet children, BRidge and Fin (she took herself out) and we thank thee that I can be so kind to them..."

WEDDING DAY
K:"Who's going to drive me to the temple on my wedding day?"
M:"Mom and Dad will"
K:"Oh, mom! You and dad can't both drive at the same time, you won't fit!"

BRIDGEY'S QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
B: "Look, I put heart stickers on the wall for Daddy. He's going to be so Happy with Bridgey Bear!"

Insults and Accusations

My husbands partner and one of our dearest friends, John, recently commented on what a "sanguine couple" Jess and I are. That sounded like a compliment until I heard he used his observations of our chronically messy home to backup his theory.

As I contemplated this I realized deep down I view myself as a as a cleaning perfectionist like my mother, but in actuality Johns right, I've only inherited half of my mother's over zealous cleaning trait: the mental half.

I practically obsess about a tidy house. I nag and complain with the best of wives, but that's about where it ends. I almost feel liberated as I write this next line:

I am a terrible house keeper, and not that fabulous of a homemaker in general. While I probably own a more extensive collection of organizational/cleaning books than the public library, my laundry continues to threaten take over and the pizza shop knows me by name. But, I think I can be okay with, I think.

Now I have theories. I think somewhere deep in my subconscious I have some morphed unrealistic ideal of a homemaker and "good" mother. This an ideal that matches up with my core beliefs or values and yet it seems to influences my very self concept. Leaving me with guilt and grouchy feelings that often cause everyone else grief as well.

I met with a physiologist recently who asked me to go home and reevaluate my ideals and goals and see if they match up with what I really believe to be truth. Everyone should do this every now and then, to make sure they're heading on the path they mean to be on.

I won't give up on trying to be a better homemaker for my sweet family who needs clean clothes and nutritious meals, but instead recognize where these things fall on my priority list. I've been trying to remember my morning prayers and ask what would be most important for me to spend my efforts doing that day.

Time and time again I feel the most important things, are things that will encourage feelings of love, and joy for our family. This sometimes includes cleaning and errands but even then my focus is on keeping the Spirit, and having joyful moments with the kids. I realize when my goals of a well run home are first on my priority list, everything seems get out of sorts. It's not that those activities are a problem, but rather my goals. I can do those activites with the goal of helping my family feel my love, and hopefully through this feel and recognize Heavenly Father's love for them as well and the way I feel at the end of a day is drastically different than how I feel when my goal is a show ready home. Especially because that's really not possible with these little rascals at my heels all day There's a reason there are not children in those show homes! :)

I love writing out my thoughts, it helps me put things into even better perspective. Writing things down also helps me remember but, nothing helps me remember to put this lesson into action as asking the Lord what he would have me do with my day each morning, if only I could remember to do that everyday! :) Maybe I need a prayer rock at the foot of my bed, so I stub my toe.

Picture of Jesus

Kids conversation this morning at the table:

Ky: Bridge do you love me.
Bridge: Yes I love you.
Ky: Well some people love me and some people don't.
Bridge: I love you Kyanne.
Ky: Bridgey, I'm drawing a picture of Jesus.
Bridge: Jesus? I love Jesus! He's my favorite.
Ky: He has two eyes, and a mouth...

(They are precious little ones. I feel so blessed to be able to spend so much time with them each day.)

Another Edition of "He Said, She said. . ."

The "He said... She said..." Series started as a way to keep a running list of memorable phrases I have priveledge to during the day. Here's this weeks.

Bridgey (exact quote): "Mom! I'm going to have the Biggest Boy Part, when I'm big like my dad!" (Lately he and Ky have this thing about having the "biggest" or being the "fastest", it's driving me a little nuts, but at this moment it was pure humor.

"Look, I pop Kitty in the eye" followed by a poke, poke, to the puppy's eyeball.

A disheartened Bridgey cry followed by "I have toilet paper stuck to my bum"

What do you want to name your puppy? "Kitty!"


Kyanne: after we got the dog, she asked if we could "keep her forever, even when we go to Heaven and live with Heavenly Father and Jesus?"

And, last night, she just blew me away when I asked her if she knew who Satan was during my family home evening lesson. Her answer was so amazing and detailed that I asked her to stand up and teach that part of the lesson for me. I was floored. Thanks primary (church) leaders and teachers. What a wonderful blessing you are to us and our little ones.

Hearing her detailed response helped me realize how much she does listen and take in. I feel so encouraged and responsible to really take the time to be teaching her these important things that will help her through life. It made me think of this scripture in Proverbs.

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
Proverbs 22:6

Welcoming a new edition. . .

As if life wasn't chaotic enough it, we decided to throw a puppy into the mix for good measure! It was Jess's choice really, Baby or Puppy? He opted for Puppy. And, as it turned out we got the best of the best. Her name is Blue Kitty (she's Bridgey's puppy, so he got to name her) and she's 1 year old this month. She's potty trained, knows commands, sleeps through the night, registered and has all her shots! It's like we skipped the puppy stage, but she's still the size of a puppy and as playful as one too. She's a little Fur Ball of Heaven.

Welcoming little "Blue Kitty"

Night Terrors

"Waaaaaaa-" come the gut wrenching crys from downstairs. Assuming the worst (bunk bed fall, broken limb) I bolt down the stairs to find Bridgey thrashing around at the edge of his bed, eyes open, and in hysterics. Assuming he'd had a bad dream, I try to hold him and say, "it's okay Honey, Mommy's here" but this just prompts a new bout of cries, "Mom, mom, MOm!" still no recognition that I'm right there trying to calm his wriggling body.

It's pretty terrifying to say the least. I've read all abou them online but, it still seems so sad and I have a hard time not trying to comfort him, despite the online advice. Has anyone else dealt with this?

Winter Recap; The variety Pak

Here's my cheaty catch up post for all the posts I meant to write but didn't this Winter.

Most memorable events of Winter 2008/09:
With a just over a million-plus hours and alot of gut wrenching hard work Jess got his Private Equity Group really moving this winter. Lucky for us he hired two assistants for help at the office, and can be home a lot more. But still we found time to have fun as a family, and a couple and I'm really looking forward to this Spring when there will be even more time.

With all the time inside this xtra snowy winter, Bridgey discovered games! He loves them all. He also is head over heels for any four legged friend he happens upon. Horses, dogs, kittys, they all elicit this excited, high pitched "Ooohhhhh", it can make even the grouchiest mommy smile. And, lucky for me he's still my Mama's boy. Which gets a little tricky with Fin being a Mama's girl. In the end, I spend a lot of time in the reading chair with 3 little ones shoving and squirming to be closer to mom. On the one hand it drives me to distraction and on the other, I'm kind of flattered.
Fin started talking right at about 12 months. Saying words such as "Up, down", "Please", "Uh-oh", "I love you", and of course "Uh-oh Bum!" She just toddles after her brother and sister, and keeps up surprisingly well. Bridgey and her go at it every few min. and I'm so thankful that I have Ky who helps keep the peace. Fin's favorite toys right now are purses and dolls. She gets a high pitched squeal when she see's dolls or real babies, it's so cute, since she herself is still just a baby.
Bridgey and Ky have became the best of friends. If they spend a few hours apart the reunion is momentuous. Hugs, Kisses, and "I missed you"'s all over the place. Nothing quite warms my heart like witnessing the love between my little ones.

Ky has grown into such a nurturing, peaceful little Mommy at age 4. She watches the kids for me several times a day. Of course I'm just up a floor or down a floor tending to something else, but her help is invaluable. She knows when to come get me and when she can handle the situations with Bridge and Fin herself. She encourages Fin and Bridge to be more kind to one another by her example of kindness and I couldn't ask for a more precious first child. Heavenly Father really blessed my life when He sent me Ky first.

Kyanne has really loved preschool. Yesterday she just started writing letters out of the blue. I didn't even know she could recognize those letters, let alone write them. I try practicing letters with her but she seemed unintrested, until yesterday when she just busted out 6 letters all on her own. Her teacher says she likes to talk more than any of the other kids. Her stories are long and detailed, I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

This winter we went to Golden for the weekend with some other families. The kids had a blast staying in the log cabins, and taking skiing lessons up at Kicking Horse. The boys snowboarded all day, while the moms and baby's tried to stay warm and entertained in the Lodge. It was a dream I've heard Jess talk about for years. And, I really look forward to getting our own cabin so we can spend even more time together playing as a family and playing with friends in the snowy mountains.
We also spent two weeks at Grandma and Grandpa Larsen's house in Raymond while the basement was being developed at home. It was really fun. I was surprised at how much fun I had away from home with 3 small kids. After a few days the kids really settled in and they just couldn't get enough of their grandparents. Towards the end I could tell our visit was really interupting Mo's sleep, as the kids all get up in the night and she has a hard time falling back asleep once woken. So I thought it best to make up a reason to return home early, even though our house was still in a shambles do to renos. But, Dick saw through my secret plan and called me on it.

Meggie got engaged! And, I'm really excited to welcome Jorge into the family. He fits wonderfully and he's her perfect match. She just got her sparkily ring this week and her dress a week or so before that. It's been super fun watching them from the start, and now planning the wedding! Hooray for Tia and Tio Cano. Here's Meg trying on my Wedding dress her real dress is loads prettier.



















Jess bought a second snowmobile and the Kids are crazy about it. Ky told Heavenly Father how much she loved Daddy's new snow-mo-ble in her prayers tonight. Here's some pictures of the kiddos with dad.
I'm attending sewing classes taught by this wonderful semstress and friend in our ward, Marna. She's pretty hard core, and quite honest about our progress :). But it's wonderful because we really are learning quickly. I've never found a hobby I loved more or tried harder to master than sewing.
And, best of all this Winter, I feel like I've gain real friends again. I guess I just took it for granted always having been blessed with good friends. But, when I got married we moved Huntington Beach and being head over heels as I was for Jess, I didn't really take the time to make real friends, and after we had Ky we just kept moving around and I never felt settled enough to put in the effort. But, since moving to Calgary I've been blessed with so many good friends and I my heart is full. It just makes life complete. Women need friends. I love my Jess and three little ones but as perfect as they are they can't replace good girlfriends.
And, I have to add that I love the ward we are in. I've never really understood the meaning of a "ward family" until now. Today I gave a talk at church and just bombed! Really, I'm not trying to be humble, it was pretty all over the place, and still I felt happy afterwards. So, the secret is out, I'm a terrible public speaker.

With life being so happy, I have a naggy thought warning me to not get comfortable, as I must be due for a big heartache. But, 7 years later I'm still waiting. Each year my love for my babies and sweet Jess deepen and my gratitude for my blessings increase. I think it is because of the peace the gospel has brought into my life, I can be still. Knowing the Lord has a plan, brings me hope, even in hopeless situations.

As I have this thought that life is so good disaster must be around the corner, I realize we've been having disasters all along. And, because we have the hope of Heavenly Father's constant love and help, we may be sad or weary but we do not despair or fall into to hopelessness, and I'm so thankful for this. I just read a great talk by one of our church leaders on maintaining Hope. For anyone who has the time, it's such an inspiring read. Here's the LINK.

“Press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.” 2 Nephi 31:20.

Awesome Website, check it out.

CLICK HERE FOR FAMILY FUN BLOG

I love the ideas on this site. Super simple and fun for the whole family.
Snow painting with squirt bottles, and using old fruit drink mixes for scrach and sniff paintings! Cute ideas for Easter Holidays.

Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive that is youer than you.

Like most my life this post is also late. So, Happy 31st Birthday Christy. You must know how loved you are, but if not you can look at these sweet pictures, of people gathered just for you. Happy Birthday.

. . . .(When she first walked up. "Surprise!")

Here is a super rad Birthday Hat, straight out of the 40s literally -minus the little stuft bird. I don't want to make everyone else feel bad, but I'm pretty sure it was her favorite gift. See, even Cathy wishes she had one (maybe for your bday).

Curse-ed Electronics!

Dying;// at death's door, done for, doomed, fated, giving up the ghost, moribund, on last leg, one foot in the grave;

It's like a parade of dying electronics. First went the freezer, then the flat screen tv (via Bridgey's help), dishwasher, deep freeze, camera (also via Bridgey's help), vaccumn, crock pot, stupid vonage phone, my sad little van, even my mixer started to catch fire while in use. It's an epidemic, virally contagious.

Good news is we get to get all new replacements. This week I replaced the phone, vacumn, and dishwasher. And, the dishwasher I replaced myself. It hasn't even leaked, or caught fire yet, I'm pretty proud.

The Luck of the Irish. . . and $1000.00

(My lucky St. Patty's Day: I won a $1000.00 gift card for Home Depot today. Isn't that crazy? The Fedx man came to my door this morning with a certified letter. Assuming it was a bill my first words were "Oh, no". To which the delivery man said, "maybe it's a check". "Yeah right" thought my brain, but my mouth smiled politely and closed the door. As it turns out the day I decided to submit my receit online to be entered in to win, I did!)

I can't wait to start shopping. I'm leaning mostly towards carpet in the living room, but then I could always buy 1,000 one dollar items instead, or 10 100.00 items, or 20 50.00 items, awh the endless possibilities!

I have always loved St. Patricks day. When I was 6, I saw my first real leprechaun. It flew across Mrs. Snows 1st grade classroom during story time. He had been writing us letters in green pen all week. Telling us if we were good for Mrs. Snow he would come visit us on St. Patricks day, and he kept his word. Just after lunch a flash of green light flew across the room, and all 20 kids flew after it. Until finally, Mrs. Snow snuck up and caught him in a glass jar. And, do you know what that little green man did? He turned right into a peanut shaped refrigerator magne before any of us could see what he really looked like. It was pretty disappointing when you were expecting to see a round minature person with a miniature green suit and cute red beard, but at least he left us his pot of gold which turned out to be exactly enough pennies for each child in the class.

Of course I couldn't wait to get home and tell my mom that I met a real leprechaun. She says I wouldn't stop talking about it for weeks, so she felt obligated to sit me down and have a "talk". Whenever my mom needed to have a "talk", it made my stomach turn even at age 6. In this "talk" she told me that Santa and Leprechauns weren't real. Double Whammy. I told her "I didn't care about Santa, but she was wrong about Leprechauns" and ran to my room crying. She says she still regrets that "talk" to this day. I think a bit of me does too. What's so wrong with believing in childhood magic as a little person. It's so fun.

Today I spent the better part of the morning educating my little children about Irish folk lore via youtube. We watched a few leprechaun cartoons and then got dressed in all green, and delivered cookies to the people at dad's office in our fabulously festive outfits. The kids are napping at the moment and I'm about to go catch a leprechaun for them to recatch tonight and set up a near by pot of gold (Reese's chocolates). I can't wait, I love this holiday!

Baby's Juice.

About a month ago Ky brought up something about her "Baby's Milk". (When she was 2 and I was nursing Bridge she became really interested in that part of the body that she called: "Baby's Milk". Jess and I thought it was funny, so we just went with it. We especially liked the term when she undressed a maniquen and then shouted across the store, "Mom she has Baby's Milk too!")

Anyhow, this is a two part story. Part one:
After Ky brought up her baby's milk Bridge decided he had some too but his were called: "Baby's Juice".

Part two of the story took place yesterday when he pointed at my droopy tummy and said, "Mommy's Baby's Juice". His honesty was funny and sad all in one!