Back to real life

Here we are, after Christmas. Back to work, house cleaning, finding new places for things, recovering from illnesses, etc...,. We were lucky enough to visit family in California for Christmas. Shem was absolutely set on making the trip out, and so I washed every piece of loose clothing in the house, wrapped gifts and cleaned and filled up the car to get ready to go. It is about a 16 hour trip. We made it out in 15 hours and back in 21. The trip out was a little happier out as we had planned a little better and didn't have a terribly cramped car and Shem was even able to occupy himself all the way through Arizona (a long time) with a sign that kept appearing on the side of the road advertising, "Shush Yaz". I think it was some sort of Indian market, but all the way Shem would say things like, "If you don't like it, SHUSH YAZ" and laugh uncontrollably every time. I would cringe every time I saw the sign, and I'm not quite sure why it was advertised so much!!
Christmas was a blast and due to new Internet policies, I am unable to share much of what went on. JK
Lots of highlights and a very few low lights, but an overall success.
We have discovered this year the wonder of;
1. Webkinz, ok, now I know I'm arriving late to this party, but what the heck, my kids LOVE these gifts from aunt Meg and haven't stopped playing with them since they got them.
2. New sheets that rival the clouds of heaven I am sure.
3. Dehydrated hash browns from Costco that Shem won't stop making for our breakfast burritos. They are good.
Again, I have to share my sheer confusion with some of the trends I witnessed.
I guess the new thing in California is to wear teeny tiny shorts (think Farah Faucet) with Uggs and a scarf. If you're really cool you can top that with a Russian hat of fur??!! Ok, maybe it's just me but all the while I'm labeled with a huge ??
I had also forgotten the way you can never understand a single person in the drive through of a fast food place and not for the reasons you would think. Static over the speaker, no. Everyone speaks a mix of what can only be described as Japanese Russian. I ask for chicken for the kids and I hear, "fjsoeif jsoie einvels lien tenders?" I look in horror at the speaker in front of me and remember why I hated going to fast food while I lived there. I try to stifle a laugh and then she says it again and I can barely choke out a yes and hope it works. I tell ya what.
Ok, now for the really good parts.
We spent the nights playing trivial pursuit which is my idea of a great time (nerd). I loved it. I have a CRAZY gift card to Barnes & Noble thanks to Dave and my kids and husband have all of their favorites too.
Time to think resolutions which means I must revisit mine from last year to update how I did. Uh oh.

STOP!!!

As of a few minutes ago, Ireland took her first steps. She was holding daddy's fingers when he abruptly shook her hands loose and she was on her own and took about three steps. I couldn't believe she would really want to do that on her own, so I tried over and over again, and she just keeps it up three, four, and even five steps. She is very unsteady, but walking back and forth to daddy and me and even stops halfway to wave her hands in the air and that's when the panic seems to enter her eyes for just a second. It seems she realizes what she's doing only halfway through...then it passes and she keeps going. Her standing unsupported is enough to make me well up, and then add some steps and I'm a gonner.
She'll be nine months next week.

Christmas means

I found myself thinking this morning that there are a few times each year when things matter a little more than usual. Christmas is always one of those times. I find that I cannot read my scriptures without choking up. Reading to my children and getting words and phrases out in broken sobs makes them pay a little bit closer attention. I like that they notice. I don't like that I look like a mental case.

At the end of each year it's nice to look back. This year it feels like I'm on the last leg of a race with that finish line in sight. My legs are cramping up and I'm out of breath, and wondering if it wouldn't have been better to wait in the car, but here I am almost there.

It's been a wonderful, horrible year.

Some years are like that.

For now, I'll focus on the positive and say that the highlight of this year was our new addition. She is wonderful. Already pulling herself up on things and walking while holding on to one or both of our hands. She is 8 months old (soon to be 9 months).

I am so thankful for a Savior who I know loves me just as much as anyone ever could. It's strange for me to think that anyone could extend the mercies that He does just when we need them. I know that prayers are always answered, and a lot of times, I know they are answered through other people. I am thankful for the wisdom He gives each and every leader of our church and anyone who desires it. (sometimes I fall short in this department). During Christmas, let us all remember that Christ is the reason we are all here. He is the reason we try to be better than our best selves. He is the reason we look out for each other, and the reason we are all one family put here to help each other reach our full potential. As we go about our day I pray that we might all see the person our Heavenly Father intended us to be. Remember that we are all loved by Him and that we all have a right to be treated as royalty. We are members of the highest kingdom there is.

Really?

In this day and age does anyone really get dish washing fluid and dishwasher detergent mixed up?

Now we've all heard the horror stories, your mom, my mom, his mom etc, etc, etc....,

Well, I don't know why it's hard, but Shem decided he would help me out and load the dishwasher and start it before we left for church today. Imagine my surprise when he stops me at the door when we get home today and says panicking, "Don't go into the kitchen!"

I think he actually thought I might be angry when he should really know me better than that! An accident of soap and water?! Now as a self acknowledged germ freak, this is an accident I can handle. I don't even mind cleaning up. Love you Shem!

For the record he was horrified and said I was banned from using the phone for the next five hours, but I wonder if he really doesn't think of the blog? Better than the phone I say, after all, it comes with pictures.

Trip to Cali

I made there and back!

On a Plane!!

Okay, so maybe it's a bad sign when the flight attendants surround you at the end of a flight and ceremoniously hand you a coloring book and your wings for, "being such a good girl," but I take it as a milestone of my very own.

Job well done I say. I only called attention to myself by begging a flight attendant to sit next to me as long as she could and crying for short periods of time on occasion. My poor husband and battered ego, but it's done and what a trip it was. Shem ended up coming with me at the very last minute possible and we had a good trip all in all. We got to see his Mom and other family, and I got to be in a dear friends wedding (who was beautiful, by the way). The weather was awesome and even though it was fast and very unexpected, it was great.

On our final night, we even were able to visit with some great friends. Who else can make a dinner for 6 in the blink of an eye and homemade cookies at a moments notice??...My poo cookie Julie (of course there's a reason for the name). Thanks guys for remembering us and making us feel so welcome.

Impromtu Party

Wow, Just a little late, but you know what they say...

Landon had a birthday. Can you believe he is 10 years old. His birthday officially fell on November 6, the day before I flew out to California, but he surprised us all when after his last soccer game on the Saturday before he asked sheepishly, "Can we just have my birthday today and drive up to Chuck E. Cheese?" I told him that meant no family would be able to make it and probably no friends either and he said that was fine. He just wanted to be with his family. I told him I would call and see if Dad was going to have an early day or not and then we would see. They ended up playing their best soccer game ever and beating a team that had gone undefeated all season. Landon even used his head when a ball got kicked too high. You could see he was beaming when he was able to make that play and the crowd gave an unexpected cheer of excitement to see the smallest kid on the team (he plays with kids two years older than himself) tuck his chin down and jump up to give the ball a slam in the direction of the goal. It was later that he said, "that kinda hurt."

Shem did end up getting off early and we headed up to Springs to have a Cheesy Birthday and we had a blast. Dad felt a little bad for him and called a couple friends to see if they wouldn't mind the hike and we were surprised when one took us up on our offer and at SUCH late notice (Thanks Brian!). It turned out to be a great day and Landon had a blast. Of course, he got his favorite dinner and dessert on his actual birthday too and the ever impressive Uncle Dave landed his annual card in our mailbox on the exact day as well. Thanks Dave! You should know that money burns a hole in that kids pocket worse than I've ever seen. He conned grandma into taking him to the store the minute she got here and he had to tell me all about his purchases which he shared with his sisters. What a nice boy.

He was in heaven

Chuck E. Cheese

Birthday Lasagna

Uncle Dave who always remember him

Grandma

What kid could ask for more?? Not this one.

Love you Bug

Do I miss it?

What do I like about California:
1. Friends!!
2. Great weather
3. The promise of good surf tomorrow
4. The eighty year old woman on the street in a blue fancy dress cut just above the knee with no nylons, uggs, and a fuzzy winter coat.


Not so much:
1. You shouldn't really be able to smell the air (personal opinion)
2. The picketers outside our church building this morning


What do I love about California:
1.PAT
This morning on the way to church she was especially anxious about walking in with the whole family and sitting in our regular front two rows. She realizes we are cutting it close, and so decides to call Seth to give him some instruction...Here is the side of the conversation we heard.
"SETH!"
"Seth, I don't have time for this!" (rolling her eyes)
pause
"Are you at church?"
pause
"As soon as you get there, you get our pews!"
pause
"I MEAN save us some seats!"
pause
"Seth, cut the crap!"
extra long pause
"Oh, I'm sorry sir."

Yeah, wrong number.
After she hangs up, Brian begins to wonder if he should call the man back to apologize and say that his mother-in-law somehow got loose while we were visiting her at the psych ward and managed to snag his phone and make some calls. AH, never a dull moment. However, it makes you wonder if the man is wondering which church we attend.