Paris Day 1: A story of rainment and grief.

The long red coat, that I received from Jess for Christmas is sadly still sitting in my front hall closet, instead of keeping me toasty warm in this very windy city. It is even more sad than it appears as I have imagined a romantic picture of Jess and I snuggling, possibly even… smoochy-smooing in front of the Eiffel tower in long, cozy, wool coats, ever since I learned about the trip.

And so, today’s afternoon was spent purusing the Rue’s for a coat, possibly long and elegant, possibly anything remotely warm. It was nearly a fruitless search as it is March, but in the end: success was savored.

After a lot of strong coaxing from a weary husband to a pouty wife (it’s hard to spend $$$ on a coat I may never wear again. Paris Value Village, anyone?), I walked away a warm woman.

Love Struck in Paris. . .

It’s no secret that I love:
all things romantic, charming, and adorable.

Like the darling Navy Blue, Peter Pan collared, Sping coat I found today down a crowded little street in the Paris. With it’s impracticle, yet very cute, quarter length sleeves, and two rows of little white, leather covered buttons gracing the front of it’s dark blue canvas, it was:

Love at first sight.

Soon followed by a heartbreaking glance at the un-romantic, un-adorable pricetag: 400.00 Euros. I’m tempted to Haggle, Bargin, and Plead for a sale, just to recall the only words I speak are Pardon, and Bounsouir.

And so, the Outerwear Love of my life, remains on the body of an ungrateful, smirking, store window maniquin instead.

Jess, the Eiffle Tower, and Freshly baked bread make my heart go Pitter-Patter.

Guess where I am right now??? Anyone???

....The Calgary Airport! The most magical place on earth of course. Actually, I am here and on my way to one of the most magical places... more romantic places on Earth, with my really hot, freckle faced, Husband.

PARIs.

Oh-Aurevoir! I'll be back next Wed. :)

My Brain is being sucked out thru my nose...

Well, not really, but I can totally relate to this funny article I came across about the Brain Fog that all mom's become more than acquainted with pre and post baby. Oh, save me I feel that Brain Fog this week, and no, sadly there is no lil' bun in the oven to account for it.

I'm just here in Kalispell, helping my very cute mom get her very full house unpacked along with three very energetic, overly neglected, underly-nutritioned, well bribed, Treehouse watching, Pip Squeaks. It's been a train ride with more motion sickness than vistas at the moment but I know in the end "it will have been worth it", right??

Right!! Onward, Heave! Ho! How's that for a Fabulous Attitude!

In the mean time here's a funny quote from this amusing article. For the full story Click Here.

“My brain was sucked out around the time I was passing the placenta… So this new study in the British Journal of Psychology that contends that scientists “found no evidence of persistent cognitive deterioration being associated with pregnancy or motherhood” is really cramping my style. They’ve even gone so far as to tell the BBC that ” obstetricians, family doctors, and midwives may need to use the findings from this study to promote the fact that ‘placenta brain’ is not inevitable…First they steal my name for it, and now they’re stealing the whole excuse away from me?”

"Lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven,"

Last nights Family Home Evening Lesson was on Giving. Seems simple, but in the world of 3 little tater tots it's more complicated than it sounds. For the youngest (Fin 2, Bridge 3) the lesson was a bit dry and maybe too long, but for Kyanne it was special. You could just see her wheels turning as she listened intently. We talked about how the Savior spent his life serving others and that He has told us that service brings happiness, especially when your grouchy or having a bad day.

"The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." John 13: 15-16

At the end of the lesson I asked the kids if they would like to send our extra family money for the month of Febuary to the people in Haiti. We talked about what this would mean for our family this month and for the people the money could help.

The kids happily agreed, and then Kyanne softly asked, "Would it be okay if I sent my 3 American Toothfairy dollars also?" I know how much these magical dollars mean to her, aside from her pony Rosie they are most prized possesion.

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:"
-Matt 6: 19-20

The Tooth Fairy came! .... just barely.

Anyone else's tooth fairy just barely make it? A sad and disappointed Ky woke me at 7am to tell me the tooth fairy hadn't come yet... surprising I know. I was so surprised I woke Jess just to tell him the news. Luckily while Ky was snuggling with me, the magic fairy made it to 125 Prestwick Mews. Phew! Three Magical American Dollars later we had a very happy 5 year old.

3 dollars was definitely more than I ever got from the toothfairy, but Ky did loose two teeth similtaneously. I know the toothfairy sees a lot of teeth but two with some leftover skin attaching them in the middle? That's impressive. At any rate I was super impressed with Ky's bravery the night before, when her and I tried for a really FUN solid hour to get her two bottom teeth out. In the end she said I could use dental floss to yank them! A brave soul that one is.

Of course when they came out full force, BLOODY, and landing on her arm, Bravery quckly was replaced by shock and disgust. I laughed my head off, it really was a super fun night!

Here's some awesome shots of the priceless moment I'll always remember.

Nurse Meggie... "Practically a Doctor".

Way to go Meggie! While it's disappointing that you willingly have been kicked out of the Cool Kids Club: Larsen Drop-outs, at least we can celebrate having another Nurse ("Practically a Doctor") in the fam. All that hard work, worry and dessert cereal paid off.

Larsen Trivia: When Mo went to Nursing school she stayed in all women dorms, graduated in cute little nursing dresses, complete with nursing cap. And, was chosen by her class to be their valedictorian and asked to MC the previous year's grad, which I was surprised to learn she hated doing and still to this day hates public speaking.

"I...I.. fell... really."

Yesterday at the Ky's bus stop I could just see the women there wondering... she fell?
Yes. Glamerous, I know. I've always been clumsy and now I've got the face to match.

Even as I was putting on those very cute, very impractical knee high boots, I thought better of it, but in the end Fashion won over Function and ended in 6 stitches.

Jess said when I hobbled into the house he thought I had surely been in a car wreck for all the blood. Which is still frozen, bright red in a trail leading to my front door.

Jess was great, he jumped up threw me a cloth, belted out orders, "Pressure! Hospital! now!" The drive was fast and painful with a lot of family singing.

Singing. That's has always been my keep calm strategy. During child birth some women, do Lamaze, or meditate. . . I belt out the primary songs. The lovely pitch and volume, naturally vary according to pain levels. Jess dutifully holds my hand and unbashfully sings along. The doctors and nursing staff politely go about business as though a woman crooning away during transistion is super normal.

"I looked out the window and what did I see..." "Awhhh!" 2 big breaths and "Popcorn, popping on the apricot tree."

Recycling Sweaters into Stockings

Oh, how I love thee let me count the ways. . .

Kitty. My sweet little pup. She's a snuggler, a playful, tender heart, and an inspiration. We can all learn a thing or two, or three, from Man's Best Friend. When you come home, at any hour mind you, they wake up, waggle their tail, and chase you around. They're so easy to forgive, even when you've just rubbed their nose in the wet spot on your carpet, followed by a good dose of lemon juice to the mouth, and a "You Naughty Puppy!" before tossing the little thing out in the snow. But, never holding a grudge they'll run right back in and give you a snuggle. Oh, how I love my puppy and tonight I just had to tell someone. So, there you have it someone's, that little Kitty is keeper!

Giving in to Temptation.

I don't know what's so alluring about frozen poles, frosty windows, or cold metal spoons, but there's definitely something.

Today, that natively born Californian gave in, and was surprised by the consequence. Ky stuck her tongue to the window of the school bus, and in -24 degree weather you can guess what happened. When I laughed, she very seriously said,

"it was not funny, mom. My tongue was bleeding!"

Sad, but still a little funny...

"Have I seen his hand in my life today?"

Early Onset AAADD... KNOW THE SYMPTOMS

I just got this from my Mom in Law, I cracks me up, it's Me! I'm only 29, I must have Early Onset. Can anyone relate?


Recently, I was diagnosed with A.A.A.D.D. -

Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder.

This is how it manifests:

I decide to water my garden .

As I turn on the hose in the driveway,

I look over at my car and decide it needs washing.

As I start toward the garage,

I notice mail on the porch table that

I brought up from the mail box earlier.

I decide to go through the mail before I wash the car.

I lay my car keys on the table,

put the junk mail in the garbage can under the table,

and notice that the can is full.

So, I decide to put the bills back

on the table and take out the garbage first.

But then I think,

since I'm going to be near the mailbox

when I take out the garbage anyway,

I may as well pay the bills first.

I take my check book off the table,

and see that there is only one check left.

My extra checks are in my desk in the study,

so I go inside the house to my desk where

I find the can of Pepsi I'd been drinking.

I'm going to look for my checks,

but first I need to push the Pepsi aside

so that I don't accidentally knock it over.

The Pepsi is getting warm,

and I decide to put it in the refrigerator to keep it cold..

As I head toward the kitchen with the Pepsi,

a vase of flowers on the counter

catches my eye--they need water.

I put the Pepsi on the counter and

discover my reading glasses that

I've been searching for all morning.

I decide I better put them back on my desk,

but first I'm going to water the flowers.

I set the glasses back down on the counter,

fill a container with water and suddenly spot the TV remote.

Someone left it on the kitchen table.

I realize that tonight when we go to watch TV,

I'll be looking for the remote,

but I won't remember that it's on the kitchen table,

so I decide to put it back in the den where it belongs,

but first I'll water the flowers.

I pour some water in the flowers,

but quite a bit of it spills on the floor.

So, I set the remote back on the table,

get some towels and wipe up the spill.

Then, I head down the hall trying to

remember what I was planning to do.

At the end of the day:

the car isn't washed

the bills aren't paid

there is a warm can of

Pepsi sitting on the counter

the flowers don't have enough water,

there is still only 1 check in my check book,

I can't find the remote,

I can't find my glasses,

and I don't remember what I did with the car keys.

Then, when I try to figure out why nothing got done today,

I'm really baffled because I know I was busy all day,

and I'm really tired.

I realize this is a serious problem,

and I'll try to get some help for it,

but first I'll check my e-mail....

Larsen's "Title of Liberty"

I am so excited about my Family Home Evening tonight, I have to share.

A cute fam shod in President's Choice Aluminum Foil (Shield, Helmet, Sword).
Flag: A Polka-dotted pillow case.
Pole: Old witches broom for a flag.
Fabric Markers.
Bible and Book of Mormon

Today while I was studying I had a strong feeling that our family would be blessed by having a defined GOAL, and a STRATEGY to get there.

As a family we are studying the heroic stories of Captain Moroni, Helaman and the Stripling Warriors (Awesome stories, especially the 2060 brave young boys, fighting for the freedom of their families and attributing their strength and faith to their Mothers who taught them about God. READ it HERE.)

Truthfully, I never really enjoyed these stories like I do now that I am not only reading but, explaining the stories verse by verse to the kids (ages 3 and 5). The other day Ky came up to me and handed me a drawing explaining it was an "epistle" from her to me.

And so, tonight for Family Home Evening we are going to "Strategize" just like all the great Captains of the Bible and Book of Mormon do in war. With Satan waging a war against all of us, including my sweet little ones I feel like it's time that they help mommy in the battle to fortify our family (Family Prayer/Scripture study, and Family Home Evening). They are diligent warriors in the fight for clean teeth, always reminding me even when I'm too tired and wish they would forget just this once and go to bed, teeth unbrushed and all, but they don't forget much at their age. So, what better way to help our family remember the little things that matter most.

In conference Elder Bednar told a story about raising his kids and trying to do the small things. He said things didn't always go as planned, instead there was a lot of:

"He touched me", "She looked at me" and "Dad, He's breathing my air!"

I loved this story because it really hits home, so much of what we try for doesn't go as planned. Elder Bednar goes on to say, if he asked his grown boys what they remember most about family prayer, scriptures, and family night it would probably be that the CONSISTENCY of always doing it. I can see how this would be such a invaluable lesson. And, I want my children to be able to fall back on knowing how to be consistent in living the gospel too, especially later in trying times when they are on their own.

Happy Birthday Stac.

(CATCH UP POST)

Stacy's Birthday. We showed up at the YMCA to surprise her after Porter's swim lesson. She said when she walked out and saw us from a far, she thought, weird. There's a bunch of my friends, all dressed up for someones birthday, I must not have got the memo. Little did she know it was for her birthday! A week late.

It was a fun night, well -minus the really crude comedy show we endured for all of 10 mins. Leaving was more than awkward since we had already ordered dinner for 10 people, you could hear a pin drop let alone 10 people meandering through crowded tables to leave. But in the end we moved the party to the Cheesecake cafe and laughed our heads off while we consumed our weekly caloric intake all in one slice.

Stacy is one the most rad friends I have. She's so adventurous, and her interests are as diverse as they are many. She takes a course at the college like history or anthropology just about every semester, is an advid cutural arts/theatre enthusiast, and is currently learning to sew. This summer she moved to Utah with her 2 children and husband for the month of August. . . just for fun. Her talents include sewing pajama bottoms and bags. . . and yes, more bags, button collecting, balloon animal artistry, and chatting (with exception during SYTYCD when we take vow of silence). Stacy aspires to be in a Hollywood movie, possibly live in the States, and be my next door neighbor, where we will happily wear our pj's till noon, and watch Regis and Kelly over bubble tea. Her sincere love for people and appreciation of their quirks is one of my favorite things about her.

She knows how to laugh out loud and is always up for a last minute party, (unless she's out with her Old Lady's Club). She's a night owl, gets up at the crack of noon when possible, loves sappy movies, attending the Cinema and still claims the "Little Princess" to be her all time favorite. But, most of all, like Diana of Aveonlea, she is a Kindred Spirit and a true Bosom Friend.

(This picture below is telling a story of: Me, a nail, and an angry
can of spray paint, 5 mins before I had to leave for the party.)

The Ky Funnies.

Ky: "I can't wait to read the new Unicorn book with you!!"

Ky's first grade dress.

Mom: "Actually, I didn't buy it because it talked about some bad things" (the dad leaves his wife and kids)

Ky: (noddling her head) "Like Mud?"

Another Ky funny. Last week I got a call from a friend who's daughter rides home on the bus with Ky. I guess this little girl came home worried that "Ky and her family didn't have food or a house because her family is so poor." When her mom asked why she thought this she said, "Kyanne said her family gives all their money to the kids in Africa. Do we have to do that mom?"

Wish I could take credit for this generous idea, but it's all Ky's. While we are trying to help her school raise money for a school house in Africa, we still have food of our own. Her imagination has been doing overtime this week.

She also came home from school on Friday after the field trip and told me her teacher didn't let her go because she didn't receive her permission form. After having called the school and left 3 messages last week to ensure they received the permission form, and finally talking to Ky's teacher that morning who said she had received it, I was livid.

I did what any over reacting Mother Bear would do, I called and wrote a "I mean this in the nicest way possible" email to the teacher. But, lo and behold this too was only due to Ky's imagination, she had attended the field trip. Awh, I only felt like a semi-idiot when the teacher called me back very confused.

Being CREATIVE. .. especially as a Mom.

This message speaks directly to my heart. I struggle and worry often as to whether the time I spend creating (sewing, crafting, blogging) is of value or if I should be doing something more important with my free time. I keep going back and forth between giving in to my crazy love for sewing or stopping it all together to pursue what I think are loftier goals. Watching this video
helps me realize there is value in all sorts of creation.

And, for those who see the subject (creating) and think it doesn't apply to them, because they don't paint, draw, sew, craft, play an instrument, or other ways the world views "creativity" it does. From where I stand I see that imagination and creativity permeating every part of our lives. Jess is a really talented artist, husband, and businessman all due to his imagination and ability to create. My mom is extremely creative in how she cares for people and helps them over come problems in their life.

And, one of the most creative people I know is a mom my age and a dear friend. Some ways she has inspired me with her constant creativity are through:

-Amazing family home evening lessons to teach her children on a weekly basis. She really puts tons of effort and planning into creating these. And, has a whole cabinet full of the different lessons and all the stuff that go along with them. (ie. Lesson: Putting on the whole armor of God. Activity: Having kids shoot Velcro darts at a unarmored Velcro body where they of course stuck, and then shoot that same body with all it's laminated and cutely colored armor on, where it won't stick. I was there for that lesson it was a riot! She also gave the dads aluminum foil to make "real" custom fit armor for the kids.) That takes major amounts of creative energy.

-And, last year around Christmas their family had a dinner patterned after a dinner the Savior would have had when he was on the earth, including sitting on the floor, unleavened bread, figs and olives with her little kids and husband around Christmas time. Not to mention the annual Christmas Talent show.

.-Darling Kid Parties: ie. A 5 year olds movie party, where all the little girls got to where boas, star glasses and walk down the red carpet (red dollar store table cloth). Complete with a concession stand ran by dad, real paper money, and lots of treats! Another one was a cute Pirate party where the kids got to walk a ballet bar which was the Plank of course to get their party treats.

-And, her wealth of knowledge if full of creative ways to motivate, teach and impact her children. Like a jar in her pantry with fun ideas to ward off boredom. Another idea I've adopted and has worked great for us is: "Morning Cards". I laminated cards with pictures of a made bed, toys box, toothbrush/hair brush, a child saying prayers etc. And, instead of telling the kids over and over, did you do....this, this, and this? I just ask them to do all their cards. The sweetest part of that has been walking in on them saying their morning prayers, they still only pray out loud and it's so sweet to see your 3 year old praying all by himself.

This friend has just been an inspiration to me by how much time and imagination she invests into creating experiences for her family that enhance and make her home a wonderful place. I always thought being a mom was a pretty repetitive and predictable job, but I've learned it can be as fun and exciting as you want it to be.

"Daddy wore a Diaper?"

I was telling a friend this story and didn't realize Ky was listening. Yes. Daddy wore a diaper. Coming home from Raymond Sunday night in hopes of getting Bridgey who was 'tummy sick' to wear one of his baby sisters diapers on the 3 hour drive home. Of course our first line of defense was a candy bribe and when it didn't work and I was out of ideas, daddy came to the rescue. He really took one for the team when he offered to drop his drawers and put one on himself. Bridge was stoked.

It just goes to show the power of : "Everybodys' doin' it".

Reminicent of that first year... Livin' on Love

The first year I was married, all I could see was Jess. My sun rose and fell around that 6 foot 3" freckled boy. When we moved to Huntington and got real adult jobs I was just shocked that we were expected to spend 9 and 10 hours away from each other everyday, year after year, all in the name of: Work. I could hardly stand it. Night after night we'd lay on our popped air mattress in our one room studio apartment and wonder if anyone else was really this happy and this lucky.

We moved to Huntington Beach the summer of 2002 with $30.00 to our name. No jobs, no food, no electricity. However we did have running water, an apartment paid up for the month, a 1970's Crown Victoria, and a surf board, what more did we need.
"Livin' on Love" was more than a song to us that first year of life.

But, we thought it was fabulous! With no frig, and no money, we ate a lot of .99 cent hamburgers, and I happily gained the newlywed 19 in just under 90 days. This sticks out in my mind because our California wedding reception was three months after we got married, and no, I did not fit that pretty white dress!



But, life was grand. We ate a lot of hamburgers, .25 Homerun Pies, and cereal by candle light, we bought ice for the foam cooler every morning, played at the beach and surfed everyday. Our bed was a $20.00 blow mattress that popped soon after we moved in.


After that first month, this cute young girl living above us came and dropped off a grocery gift card for $150.00. We were so thankful. With tears in my eyes I asked her how she knew, and she casually said, "Oh, I saw your car." What! Who says that? It still makes me chuckle. Where I come from, if you are rollin in something with 4 wheels, you are stoked! So, it made me laugh every time people giggled or pointed at our awesome car in Orange County, it's a strange place all it's own.

After a few weeks Jess was hired by Yakaty Yak in Newport, we got electricity, internet and I finally found a job on the 23 floor of Deutsche Bank. Life began.

That year was: magical, that's the only way I can describe it. We were so charmed and delighted by everything that came our way, especially each other.