Thanksgiving

It's already a week in December but I haven't yet wrote my list of thanks for this year. We had a nice dinner with family and it gave me time to contemplate(whatever, I never have time to contemplate!) about the things I am most grateful for. What tops my list is an amazing husband who has worked very hard to meet his goals this year. I have always admired his patience, thoughtfulness and compassion. Though the Christmas holidays means very slow work, he continues to offer his services to those in need. I admire his courage to start a business all on his own, and press through the setbacks that have only made him a better businessman.
I am grateful for my little kiddies, I can never quite figure out what I did to deserve these handfuls of happiness. Malia is a firecracker and a sweetness all in one. She dislocated a tendon in her elbow the other day and had to wear a splint for a week- I thought, not so bad, it just might slow her down a bit- and I am perfectly OK with that. Ah, but no - she quickly adapted and found she could climb up onto anything just as well.
Speaking of which, today she had climbed up onto the counter and just as I turned to notice her I saw her fall and sickly realized I couldn't get there in time to catch her. Little Morgan who had been standing close, instinctively opened his arms and caught her.
My heart was grateful that Morgan was there to do something for Malia that I couldn't do.
I marveled at his ability to act at a moments notice, prepared for anything, I suppose. And for that I thanked him.
His remark? "Thanks for teaching me to catch mom!"
And that makes it all worth it.
Later tonight, he lost his first tooth! I kept asking if I could pull it out(it had some serious dangle). But again he proved his manhood and pulled it out himself. So then came the story of the tooth fairy coming to take the tooth so she can use it to build her castles(so I've been told ) and always leaves payment. Morgan really wanted to keep his first tooth so I changed the story and told him the fairy doesn't actually take the first tooth anyway because it's just too small. She will however, still come and leave a congratulations gift and hope you will consider her services in the future.
It worked, and he went to bed an hour early because he said he really needed a good night's rest.

I am also grateful for family who are examples to me, for a mom who knows I need breaks. Malia was thrilled to spend the day with Gramma Ruth drawing and getting her little nails painted for the first time. Then she pooped on the carpet. Sorry Mom! But she is doing good to go in the toilet most times.

The End

Pictures: With christmas comes boxes and hours of creative madness.

Carson made an entire fruit man -head to toe with the fruits and veggies from Bountiful Baskets

Halloween 2010

More Summer pics

Disney World 2010

I had no idea how fun this would be- I had my doubts- but there is something about Disney that can pull the inner child right out of you. Yes it was magical, and delightful and all those wonderful things. Maybe because we went in the off season when there weren't any crowds!

I thought the kids would be crazy, but they stared in awe, I thought they'd grow tired and complain but they eagerly anticipated each new ride or event. They were thrilled with the one toy I said they could pick out(believe me, it was hard not to want to buy a lot more). We loved every minute of it, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and my personal favorite, Siesta beach.

Morgan had a moment where he looked a bit down. When asked what was wrong he simply replied, "Why didn't they wait for me." I said, "What do you mean?" "Well, why didn't they wait till I grew up so I could help build all this?" I told him they are always building and when he grows up he can apply to work there if he wants. He replied, "They will for sure pick me, I can draw good, build good, I know music well and have a good imagination. I am perfect for this place!" Yes that is for sure, it's what I wanted to do but now he can do it.

At one point he said, "Is this for real?" he then pinched himself and excidedly exclaimed, "It is!"

Carson loved animal kingdom. one word: Permagrin! He couldn't get enough of the animals and knew them all. His favorite were the bats. He loves bats. Not sure why. He also loved the dinosaurs and made sure I got plenty of pictures of him riding them. We went on the dinosaur ride, I had no idea it was going to be soo scary. I thought for sure I had scarred him for life even though I held his ears and eyes closed the whole time. But when we got out, the first thing he said was, "I EARNED MY COURAGE!" (He was going to be the Lion from Wizard of Oz and I mentioned earlier he needed to do something to earn his courage badge like the lion). Everyone around us congratulated him for going on it.

Malia liked the little things, her favorite is definitly Tinkerbell and Jessie. She was very quiet and observant. I ended up buying a stroller at walmart and carseat-- didn't want to pack mine but soon found out how expensive it is to rent those. Malia was quite content in her new little rides. Her favorite event was probably the beach as well. We saw pelicans, tiny fish, sea snakes, sand dollars and a manatee swam by, I nearly swam right into it, I seriously would have had a heart attack out in the middle of the ocean.

It was a fun trip, I had never been as a child and I am glad the kids got to go. Hopefully it will fuel their imaginations, light up some magical ideas and create some fantastic memories.

Xterra Beaver Creek 2010

So this was my first Real Xterra and have have to say I loved it---doing triathlons keeps me balanced, healthy and motivated. I have been really working on eating healthier mostly because my doctor said I was hypoglycemic, and had some other issues all of which he said I would have the rest of my life. I questioned him and said there has to be a fix to these ailments, especially the glucose intolerance. His reply? "Ask Larry Miller about that." I love my doctor but I was determined to prove him wrong. It has been about four years and I no longer have any of these problems anymore. It is really the truth that diet and exercise (and prayer) has everything to do with it, along with stress managment. I have come to believe that it is all about the body's delicate balance, the PH more specifically. A body that is too acidic will be sick alot. To balance an acidic body is merely feeding it with alkaline foods--vegatables. I also replace milk and energy drinks with coconut water, and drink a spinach smoothie at least four times a week, plus a few supplements like turmeric. I also hugely downsized my intake of sugar and cereals. So doing all this has given me more energy to train for a triathlon.

The Beaver Creek Xterra was a blast! I felt ready enough and made us a crazy pre-race spinach drink with lots of ingredients that most people probably wouldn't touch. I wanted to do the race w/out alot of caffiene or sugar. I had no cramping and adequate energy, though in a race like that energy is never in abundance. I was feeling great the whole race, happy to be doing something I had written in my goal book. To me it racing can be such a spiritual experience, in more ways than one. It's the preparation, the test of self and God reliance, and the feeling of accomplishment. It's downright addicting. I came in 17th overall-- It was a nice race and a fun trip- I'd love to do it again next year. Wes' wasn't so lucky, his derailure on his bike broke and came in late. Always next year though!

Bear Lake 2010

Our annual Family Bear Lake trip- The weather was pretty tempermental but beautiful, which made the water beautiful as well. Morgan rode on the tube with daddy and also Michael and Abigail. Even though he had a life jacket on, it was relieving to know that he had learned to swim just weeks before. Carson loves the bats that come out at night, Malia loves the sand, Wes loves the wakeboarding and I love going running or swimming in the morning with a house full of babysitters:) ps- the picture is of Michael on the tube, not morgan, haha!

summer fun at pineview 2010

One of our favorite little weekend spots- the kids love the beach and the kayaks while Wes and I take turns doing a swim to train for the Xterra races. We caught a lizard there once and that's all it took to hook the kids-

Also fourth of July pics-Parade and also we had a family bar-b-que, then Andy set up an outdoor movie. After that we did fireworks then watched the Davis high fireworks from our backyard. It was more exciting to watch little Malia's face - it was like a permagrin, only a permaOOh!

summer 2010

To recap an entire summer in so many words seems so intimidating yet if I don't do it now, I never will. I already feel the guilt of not keeping a better journal or scrapbook of some sort for the kids, but till then this blog will have to do.

For the most part, this summer was filled with friends, family, camping, a trip to Florida, Bear Lake, soccer games, trampolines, etc.

Morgan: Started soccer,(I admit I loved buying his first pair of little cleats) his team did ok, they were a rather mellow group of towheads--probably the nicest team of the bunch.

He also celebrated his 6th birthday, requested a science party- not my area but it was fun to experiment.

He ADORES Malia, he sings her songs, teaches her how to build things and protects her from everything.

Carson: wants to be a search and rescue doctor when he grows up. and a vet. Spent his summer climbing, jumping and he still runs like an animal on all fours now and then. His random sayings still make me laugh, only when I try to repeat them it's just not as funny.

Malia: Little daredevil, extremely flxibe, double joited, loves to "Jump High" and is pleasant when things are going her way--otherwise it's run for cover. Her first word was bike, if I didn't take her for a bike ride, she would find my helmet and say "bike!" until we went. She finds a way to get what she wants. She will drag chairs over to the counter climb up and dump whatever she finds all over the floor. If she wakes up before I do, she comes over to my bed and will kiss my face and if I still don't wake, she'll yell, "Wake up Mama!"

And she has to pick out her shoes or she won't wear them. Otherwise she is the sweetest little prize that ever strutted her little toosh into my life.

rain rain

It's may, it's raining, and I'd love to be here, in this hammock, in the sun with my sweetie.

Mother's Day

Any day that requires me to stop just for second and contemplate how I am doing as a mother is a day that brings some apprehension. Sure, it's nice to have a 'day' but then again I find myself taking inventory on all the things I could do so much better as a mother. Nonetheless, I am appreciative for all the mothers around me who, in one way or another, have inspired me to be (or at least try to be)a better mother. I feel a deep gratitude for my little place in the lives of three beautiful spirits who like it or not, have been placed in my care.

Sometimes, I do wonder if I missed the memo for that seminar. You know the one where they tell you how to maintain composure at the end of the day when you have a headache, or whateverache, and are halfway through making dinner and realize the baby has ejected substance running down her leg, so you run down to change and bathe her, when suddenly you hear the clip clop of little goat hooves running through the kitchen and your four year old squealing with delight chasing after them. So while running back upstairs to catch the goats and holding your toddler like a football, you notice your five year old up on the counter cutting zucchini and putting it in the salsa. Yes, he is careful with a knife, but seriously.

Oh, and when you're feeding baby goats with a bottle and your baby's in your lap, try to pay enough attention as not to accidentally put the goat's bottle in your baby's mouth. crap!

I mentioned this to my Dad who just laughed and said, "well they're all kids anyway."

Yes, sometimes I need a time out, and I know it could always be worse. I am just glad for hot showers and a bathroom door that locks.

There are definitely the good days too. The ones where my kids discover they really are magic- or just have to show me how high they can jump, how fast they can run, or just how hard they can hug. Then off they run to school, turning only to blow kisses-and it might as well be my heart running down the sidewalk with a backpack on.

I have learned that motherhood can be a difficult job, but with it comes a salary of unmeasurable value.

Happy Mother's Day to all those wonderful mother's out there who continually brighten the path of those who are following.

and this is how i feel today

I drew this a while ago but today felt a bit like i had boulders on my shoulders.   The weight's there, but also little angels who help carry the burden.  Sometimes the angels are my kids (and sometimes the kids are the boulders!:)  and sometimes the angels are the friends and family around me. Needless to say, the trek continues, and lovely is the way when it's through the wildflowers.

And now just an update of the month of April.
April was a month of firsts somewhat.  In list form, here it goes.

1.  It was my first time attending General Conference at the conference center on Sunday morning, and I was blown away by the 

sheer magnitude of 

it all.  To hear 20,000 people singing at once is an experience on top of hearing the president of the church and apostles speak.  One of the photographers took our pictures and Sara thinks we will be in the Ensign if we all think it--(according to the law of attraction--...hmm)

2.  My sister Jenn surprised us by flying in from Florida  for Sara's birthday and we got to spend the entire weekend together.

3.  Malia has picked up walking and hasn't stopped 

since.  We also found out she likes to sleep upright like her uncle Andy. 

4.  Wes, who never sees a doctor, found himself in emergency laproscopic surgery for what the doctors thought was a closed loop valve in his intestines (blocked off) but turned out it was really just inflammed at the ilium, possible crohns but not sure.  He can't lift anything, including Malia for 2 weeks.   He is doing better thanks to prayers and good neighbors!

5.  I learned how to use a spin trimmer, scares me to death but I did it, because Wes isn't quite able at the moment.

6. I ran a half marathon, though I have done a few before, this one was a wee bit harder only because my ipod wouldn't work, and since I'm used to running with music, it was a mental challenge trying to push myself and keep my mind off the pain. I am already planning another but I think I will stick to triathlons and bike races, that is where my passion lies.

7.  I went and had a pedicure done and holy cow why haven't i gotton one before i dont know.  The best part was the foot massage-- although having toes I actually like to look at is nice too!

8. made snow forts one day and bike ride the next

9.  Babysitting pygmy goats this week for my sister and they are seriously cuddlier than puppies, and you feed them with a bottle, and they are so tough, they are such perfect little pets and I have decided we need an animal.

10.   Carson has suddenly developed a love for drawing and will go spend a good hour or two in the office drawing animals.   That's my boy

11.  I am expanding the garden.  Vinegar kills grass like a charm.  It also kills everything else.

12.  First time on a full-suspension mountain bike.  I admit I love hardtails but peer pressure sank it's little teeth into my decision and I think I like the new cushy ride!

14.  First time I've heard this quote and I love it:

Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude. -Denis Waitley

I 've realized I blog a lot more when my blog is set on private, so that's where it's going.  I think I have everyone's email I had before, now you will just need to sign in.   If not let me know.

Time got away from me and Christmas activity overwhelmed my blogging mind.

So instead of trying to catch up all at once, I will try to do it little by little.  

Here is malia on her first birthday.   If I had to define joy, I'd draw her face.  She fills my heart to the brim with happiness.  Thanks for coming to us Malia!