We are having a great time this summer, and there are photos and video clips to prove it! Now, just when you will be seeing them is a whole different matter. (We'll try, I promise!)
Anthony had his BlackBerry video recorder rolling today as the kids played at Layton Park after dinner. Daddy was home, and the weekend was here, and so off we went!
First, they fed the ducks and geese/swans? (How can you tell them apart?? ). They did, anyway, till Daddy ran out of quarters (bird feed vending machine on hand.. how.. handy) .. and then for a bit more when some fellow park-goers shared some of the rolls they had brought.
Next, we made the trek across the grassy expanse while kicking balls and throwing the frisbee. My little babies just aren't anymore! They are little troopers, marching along, playing right along side their big bro.
And, to finish it off, the playground! Slides, swings, and a merry-go-round. It was hard to tell at first if the twins liked spinning around on that thing - no smiles, but no crying, either.. hmm. Just stunned silence. It was a first for them. And, to tell ya the truth, a first for Monkey, too, I am pretty sure. One of the video clips catches me saying "no smiles" about the babies, and that big 5 year old boy piped up, "I am smiling!" He stayed on there for quite a while with the big kids spinning up faster and faster. I thought it might make him sick! Nope. He did not want to leave.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words... well, I don't think I came close to a thousand, but when the pictures are uploaded, they will tell the story a lot better than I just did.
Tomorrow, we are heading to the Ogden Ice Sheet for a free two hours on the ice! The twins are going to play with their buddies, Trent and Marisa, while we borrow their big sis, Audrey, to come with us. She just happens to be Monkey's best friend! And to make it even better, we are meeting my sis, bro in law, and nieces there. Ellyana (Ellie) is Monkey's favorite cousin and best buddy for life. With those three, we will have a 4 year old, a 5 year old, and a girl just a month away from turning 6. Watch for pictures to follow! I am just a little bit excited. Iceskating has been my favorite pasttime since I was about 8. Having a January birthday, my birthday wish for years was/has continued to be to go iceskating with my family. When I turned 16, a whole gang of girlfriends joined me on the ice. I have wanted to introduce Monkey to this "sport" for about two years now.. so I hope he enjoys it!
Saturday, August 1
Wednesday, June 3
My hero - Marjorie Hinckley, and other thoughts
Okay, just checked off another MMB blog to visit, and found something inspirational over at Homespun Light . FANTASTIC blog, with lots of children's reading suggestions and resources, etc.. But the quote I will share here is by my personal hero and person I would most like to meet (that will have to happen in Heaven, rest in peace).
Marjorie Hinckley said, "I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor's children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."
Me, too. I want that - I want to BE that - and I have A LOT of work to do to even come close. Heaven help me become who only Heaven knows I can. Here am I, Lord, send me.
Time to sign off for today, and go get started. Amor es Servicio - Love is Service, and Service is Love. Family, first. Second, Cub Scouts (my church calling). Third, all else within my small circle of influence, and even those who appear to be beyond it.
Monkey is aparently coming down with a sore throat - no fun - and it taking an unusual nap at the moment. I was planning on taking the three munchkins to Cub Scouts, so Anthony could keep at his work day, but with this angry red back of the throat I see, wonder Dad has adjusted his schedule to be here with all three. What a man, love him whole heaps plus some. Thank Heaven for my wonderful best friend, sweetheart, handyman husband (you should see the garden gate he built!) daddy to my trio, he is everything to me. I hope you read this, love.
Marjorie Hinckley said, "I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor's children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."
Me, too. I want that - I want to BE that - and I have A LOT of work to do to even come close. Heaven help me become who only Heaven knows I can. Here am I, Lord, send me.
Time to sign off for today, and go get started. Amor es Servicio - Love is Service, and Service is Love. Family, first. Second, Cub Scouts (my church calling). Third, all else within my small circle of influence, and even those who appear to be beyond it.
Monkey is aparently coming down with a sore throat - no fun - and it taking an unusual nap at the moment. I was planning on taking the three munchkins to Cub Scouts, so Anthony could keep at his work day, but with this angry red back of the throat I see, wonder Dad has adjusted his schedule to be here with all three. What a man, love him whole heaps plus some. Thank Heaven for my wonderful best friend, sweetheart, handyman husband (you should see the garden gate he built!) daddy to my trio, he is everything to me. I hope you read this, love.
Mormon Mommy Blogs, and General Conference Book Club
I have been playing over at MMB - Mormon Mommy Blogs, a place I highly reccommend. They have a list of blogs nominated for the June Blog Spotlight - so far I have only visited 2, and I love them both! Ameliorate me, and Diapers and Divinity. So, the blogging mom at D & D has this General Conference Book Club online, each week taking a different conference talk. I am so psyched to join in! She has a cute little button I can put on my blog... well, at least, I COULD, if I knew how. Help, anyone?
In the mean time, check this out! http://diapersanddivinity.com/gcbc/
Happy reading!
Oh, and I will post pics of Monkey's 5th Birthday party soon. Meanwhile, gotta get some plans solidified for Cub Scouts this afternoon. We are going to work on The Flag achievements, how to raise, lower, and fold our flag. Got the flagpole .. now just gotta make sure we have a flag!
Later!
In the mean time, check this out! http://diapersanddivinity.com/gcbc/
Happy reading!
Oh, and I will post pics of Monkey's 5th Birthday party soon. Meanwhile, gotta get some plans solidified for Cub Scouts this afternoon. We are going to work on The Flag achievements, how to raise, lower, and fold our flag. Got the flagpole .. now just gotta make sure we have a flag!
Later!
Thursday, April 9
After pictures, missionaries, Easter, oh my!
Monkey's personal playground :DThis sits just to the side of our home, within our fully fenced in yard. Ah, bliss is not worrying about passing cars while my son lives his dream life out of doors at much of the waking day as possible! Even Bear Cub has learned to climb up the ladder and go down the slide all by himself! (With Zoo Keeper Mom hovering close behind, of course!)
Bear Cub and Cuddle Bug's romping roomYes, you see right. We have one crib, and one pack 'n play. They have reached the point of being too big and rowdy to sleep in the crib together. We have been debating whether we can hold out long enough to move straight to toddler beds.. but we are just not that close! Anyone out there have a spare crib we could borrow for the summer? Pretty please? I feel bad for the twin who gets the pack 'n play, so I at least make sure to rotate them fairly for naps and bedtime.
Monkey's VERY OWN room!
My beach-front property, and favorite room in the house.
I love lighthouses, can ya tell? Monkey and I have a similar aspiration; to get to sleep in a lighthouse someday. He happens to love Pete's Dragon as much as I do, where the love of lighthouses started for the both of us, just about 25 years apart.
I did not have any good shots of our living room taken at the time I uploaded this batch of pictures on to the computer. I have since taken them, but now I cannot find the power cord to connect the camera to the computer! Technical difficulties. Living room yet to come. Maybe I will wait to post that room till we actually have our pictures hung and my nicknacks placed. Who KNOWS how long out that will be. No holding of breath allowed!
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Missionaries
Now, onto another subject all together. This week has been very eventful, in the good way! I tend to use that phrase in a 'trying to not sound so pessimistic but slightly sarcastic' kind of way.. but this time, I really mean it positively! I digress.
Anthony's youngest brother arrived home from his two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Indonesia on tuesday, and we were there in the airport to greet him. I have previously only been on the arriving end of such an occasion. It was just as exciting to be on the waiting end. (Well, almost!) Uncle Ashton looked amazingly different since the last time we saw him, as he had lost 80, yes, EIGHTY lbs. since we last saw him! And, since we learned we were expecting again the day after he entered the MTC, it was the twins' first opportunity to meet him. It was a joyous occasion. Then, we all headed back to the home in West Jordan for an overnighter. The next day, everyone had taken off work to spend the entire day with the new arrival. We had a blast. We got home late wednesday night, that being last night. Tomorrow, as soon as Anthony gets home from work, we are taking our bags, filling the van, and heading back down for another three days/two nights with the Park family, celebrating my personal favorite holiday, Easter.
My lil bro Nate's mission papers were submitted to the Stake President this last sunday, so our family is about to be blessed with another uncle serving for the next two years. It is a blessing to be able to write and support a servant of the Lord - and especially touching to read of their experiences, trials and triumphs, and see the hand of the Lord in molding them into who He needs them to be for the people they are called to not only serve, but love unconditionally.
I myself served an 18 month mission to Guatemala City Central. Nine years ago, on February 9th, I began my missionary service, and my life was changed for the good, changed forever. I took residence in The Land of Eternal Spring among the chapines, (Guatemalans), and they took a permanent residence in my heart in the process. This topic is worth a post all it's own, so, I will file that away for a future day.
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Easter Saturday/Sunday
Ever since I was young, I always remember celebrating "Easter Saturday" with the baskets and egg hunts and all, and then having a spiritual celebration of the Savior's resurrection on Easter Sunday. It is a tradition I have brought into my own zoo, er, home. Monkey is at an age that I am really excited to share both aspects of this wonderful holiday with him.
Let me share with you what we use Easter Sunday morning. When I was a young teen, we had a church activity to create an egg carton full of plastic easter eggs - each one of the dozen containing a small scroll with a verse of scripture on it, and a token item to represent it. I was thrilled to find it again just before my parents moved out of my childhood home. Halelujah! The eggs are numbered 1-12, and the story is told as you open each one in succession. One holds three dimes - the thirty pieces of silver which bought betrayal. One holds a tiny cross made of tooth picks and wire. One holds a stone - representing the one rolled away from the door of the tomb by heavenly messengers. And the last, the best, the wonder of it all - the 12th one, of course, is empty. What beauty is found in that emptiness. The Empty tomb is the most absolutely breath-taking scene this world has ever or will ever produce. Matched only by the humble birth, and the yet-to-be glorious reunion of this Earth with her King.
Yes, I love Easter. :D
Do share with me how YOUR family brings the reason for this season into the hearts and minds of your family! I would love to read all the wonderful things you do, as well.
Goodnight, blogosphere!
Parenthood readiness test
How To Know Whether or Not You Are Ready to Be a Parent
Mess Test:
Smear peanut butter on the sofa and curtains. Now rub your hands in the wet flowerbed and rub on the walls. Cover the stains with crayons. Place a fish stick behind the couch and leave it there all summer.
Toy Test:
Obtain a 55-gallon box of Legos. (If Legos are not available, you may substitute roofing tacks or broken bottles.) Have a friend spread them all over the house. Put on a blindfold. Try to walk to the bathroom or kitchen. Do not scream. (this could wake a child at night.) Grocery Store Test:
Borrow one or two small animals (goats are best) and take them with you as you shop at the grocery store. Always keep them in sight and pay for anything they eat or damage.
Dressing Test:
Obtain one live octopus. Stuff into a small net bag making sure that all arms stay inside.
Feeding Test:
Obtain a large plastic milk jug. Fill halfway with water. Suspend from the ceiling with a stout cord. Start the jug swinging. Try to insert spoonfuls of soggy cereal (such as Fruit Loops or Cheerios) into the mouth of the jug, while pretending to be an airplane. Now dump the contents of the jug on the floor.
Night Test:
Prepare by obtaining a small cloth bag and fill it with 8 -12 pounds of sand. Soak it thoroughly in water. At 8:00 PM begin to waltz and hum with the bag until 9:00 PM. Lay down your bag and set your alarm for 10:00 PM. Get up, pick up your bag, and sing every song you have ever heard. Make up about a dozen more and sing these too until 4:00 AM. Set alarm for 5:00 AM. Get up and make breakfast. Keep this up for 5 years. Look cheerful.
Physical Test:
Go to the nearest drug store. Set your wallet on the counter. Ask the clerk to help himself. Now proceed to the nearest food store. Go to the head office and arrange for your paycheck to be directly deposited to the store. Purchase a newspaper. Go home and read it quietly for the last time.
Final Assignment:
Find a couple who already has a small child. Lecture them on how they can improve their discipline, patience, tolerance, toilet training, and child's table manners. Suggest many ways they can improve. Emphasize to them that they should never allow their children to run riot. Enjoy this experience. It will be the last time you will have all the answers.
And if after all this you realize there can be nothing better,
then you're ready! ~ Author Unknown
P.S. from me, Zoo Keeper Mom, who occasionally goes by the name of Heather - Stay tuned! The next post will be the long awaited for AFTER PICTURES of our home! Yes, we have only lived here for 40 days, but your patience is about to be rewarded!
Mess Test:
Smear peanut butter on the sofa and curtains. Now rub your hands in the wet flowerbed and rub on the walls. Cover the stains with crayons. Place a fish stick behind the couch and leave it there all summer.
Toy Test:
Obtain a 55-gallon box of Legos. (If Legos are not available, you may substitute roofing tacks or broken bottles.) Have a friend spread them all over the house. Put on a blindfold. Try to walk to the bathroom or kitchen. Do not scream. (this could wake a child at night.) Grocery Store Test:
Borrow one or two small animals (goats are best) and take them with you as you shop at the grocery store. Always keep them in sight and pay for anything they eat or damage.
Dressing Test:
Obtain one live octopus. Stuff into a small net bag making sure that all arms stay inside.
Feeding Test:
Obtain a large plastic milk jug. Fill halfway with water. Suspend from the ceiling with a stout cord. Start the jug swinging. Try to insert spoonfuls of soggy cereal (such as Fruit Loops or Cheerios) into the mouth of the jug, while pretending to be an airplane. Now dump the contents of the jug on the floor.
Night Test:
Prepare by obtaining a small cloth bag and fill it with 8 -12 pounds of sand. Soak it thoroughly in water. At 8:00 PM begin to waltz and hum with the bag until 9:00 PM. Lay down your bag and set your alarm for 10:00 PM. Get up, pick up your bag, and sing every song you have ever heard. Make up about a dozen more and sing these too until 4:00 AM. Set alarm for 5:00 AM. Get up and make breakfast. Keep this up for 5 years. Look cheerful.
Physical Test:
Go to the nearest drug store. Set your wallet on the counter. Ask the clerk to help himself. Now proceed to the nearest food store. Go to the head office and arrange for your paycheck to be directly deposited to the store. Purchase a newspaper. Go home and read it quietly for the last time.
Final Assignment:
Find a couple who already has a small child. Lecture them on how they can improve their discipline, patience, tolerance, toilet training, and child's table manners. Suggest many ways they can improve. Emphasize to them that they should never allow their children to run riot. Enjoy this experience. It will be the last time you will have all the answers.
And if after all this you realize there can be nothing better,
then you're ready! ~ Author Unknown
P.S. from me, Zoo Keeper Mom, who occasionally goes by the name of Heather - Stay tuned! The next post will be the long awaited for AFTER PICTURES of our home! Yes, we have only lived here for 40 days, but your patience is about to be rewarded!
Monday, March 30
Saturday, March 28
Before Pictures
Stay tuned for some after pictures! (I have most of them taken, I just am missing a few shots.) If all goes according to plan, I will have them posted before the day is over tomorrow!
Friday, March 27
Life's Little Moments, and springtime musings
LITTLE DROPS OF WATER, LITTLE GRAINS OF SAND,
MAKE THE MIGHTY OCEAN AND THE PLEASANT LAND.
THUS THE LITTLE MOMENTS, HUMBLE THOUGH THEY BE,
MAKE THE MIGHTY AGES OF ETERNITY
What are some of my life's little moments recently?
~Tonight I read my oldest the picture book Stuart Little for his bedtime story, while balancing the twins on my lap.
~This afternoon, while outside getting my excericize in (jump-roping), I saw our neighbors outside- the mom and two little kids, so I ran in and got Monkey to put on his shoes, and down the street we went to say hello. We ended up visiting for about 20 minutes, till we came back to our yard and let the kids play on our swingset/slide and with the hotwheels cars, etc.. I think we are going to be fast friends, Kim and I.
~ Anthony gave me a fantastic kiss just out of the blue this afternoon, as I passed by his "office" for working from home - aka the kitchen table. :D I mean, wow! (If you read this, I know you will blush! I love getting my husband to blush - it comes so easily, even when it is just the two of us around.
~ Bear Cub (the twin older by 6 minutes) loves reading books. Just in the last few days, he has started picking one up and walking over to me when I am sitting on their bedroom floor, playing with them. He turns his back toward me and backs up into my lap, and sits down. It is just so cute. LOVE that kiddo.
~ The twins were sitting in thier highchairs, the mealtime winding down, and they just started playing with each other, kind of a peek-a-boo, and reaching out to each other, leaning out to see each other, and then ducking their heads in, and just giggling their little heads off. It is so fun to see them relating to each other as best buds.
~ This last wednesday, Anthony was working from home, and I was vaguely aware of the alarm clock reading 9 a.m. at one point. Next thing I knew, I was rolling out of bed at 10:48 a.m.! I woke to find my boys happily playing together, and Anthony working at his laptop. I asked him why he let me steep in so long, and he just said, "I did not see any reason to wake you up!" It sure felt good to get to sleep in. Then, thursday night was a really rough one. Bug (twin B) woke up crying at 3 a.m., so I went and scooped him up before he could wake up Bear Cub. I rocked him standing up for a while till he stopped crying, but was not quite ready to lay him down and start the screaming over again, so I laid down on the loveseat with him, and fell asleep holding him to my chest. I woke up when I heard Bear Cub start crying, so I went and laid down Bug, and scooped up the next baby and repeated the whole process. When I finally laid down the last baby, and went to bed, it was 4:30 a.m.! That afternoon, I got the little one's down for their naps, set Monkey up with a movie, and went and laid down - thinking that if I were lucky, I would get a 30 minute nap in before the babies woke up. Instead I woke up 2 hours later, and went looking for my family. I opened up the babies room door, and saw Anthony laying there, with all the boys piled on top of him, all laughing.
What a blessed wife and mother I am. What a fantastic husband and father we have!
Our new yard has rose bushes lining one side fence line, and lilac bushes lining the other side fence line. I cannot wait to see them all in bloom! This is my favorite time of year - Spring, life and light, Easter, and General Conference for my church, as well! What a beautiful thing to see all the world be born anew, just like our Savior was resurrected. I was thinking about it - Christ gave his life on the cross for us, atoned for our sins with his precious blood, and on the third day, rose from the dead. But, that is not the whole story. The clarion call of Easter is not "He rose" but "He is Risen!" He lives today! What joyous words! He lives who once was dead. He lives, my Savior, Lord and King. I will find the words to my favorite Easter hymns and post them later. :)
MAKE THE MIGHTY OCEAN AND THE PLEASANT LAND.
THUS THE LITTLE MOMENTS, HUMBLE THOUGH THEY BE,
MAKE THE MIGHTY AGES OF ETERNITY
What are some of my life's little moments recently?
~Tonight I read my oldest the picture book Stuart Little for his bedtime story, while balancing the twins on my lap.
~This afternoon, while outside getting my excericize in (jump-roping), I saw our neighbors outside- the mom and two little kids, so I ran in and got Monkey to put on his shoes, and down the street we went to say hello. We ended up visiting for about 20 minutes, till we came back to our yard and let the kids play on our swingset/slide and with the hotwheels cars, etc.. I think we are going to be fast friends, Kim and I.
~ Anthony gave me a fantastic kiss just out of the blue this afternoon, as I passed by his "office" for working from home - aka the kitchen table. :D I mean, wow! (If you read this, I know you will blush! I love getting my husband to blush - it comes so easily, even when it is just the two of us around.
~ Bear Cub (the twin older by 6 minutes) loves reading books. Just in the last few days, he has started picking one up and walking over to me when I am sitting on their bedroom floor, playing with them. He turns his back toward me and backs up into my lap, and sits down. It is just so cute. LOVE that kiddo.
~ The twins were sitting in thier highchairs, the mealtime winding down, and they just started playing with each other, kind of a peek-a-boo, and reaching out to each other, leaning out to see each other, and then ducking their heads in, and just giggling their little heads off. It is so fun to see them relating to each other as best buds.
~ This last wednesday, Anthony was working from home, and I was vaguely aware of the alarm clock reading 9 a.m. at one point. Next thing I knew, I was rolling out of bed at 10:48 a.m.! I woke to find my boys happily playing together, and Anthony working at his laptop. I asked him why he let me steep in so long, and he just said, "I did not see any reason to wake you up!" It sure felt good to get to sleep in. Then, thursday night was a really rough one. Bug (twin B) woke up crying at 3 a.m., so I went and scooped him up before he could wake up Bear Cub. I rocked him standing up for a while till he stopped crying, but was not quite ready to lay him down and start the screaming over again, so I laid down on the loveseat with him, and fell asleep holding him to my chest. I woke up when I heard Bear Cub start crying, so I went and laid down Bug, and scooped up the next baby and repeated the whole process. When I finally laid down the last baby, and went to bed, it was 4:30 a.m.! That afternoon, I got the little one's down for their naps, set Monkey up with a movie, and went and laid down - thinking that if I were lucky, I would get a 30 minute nap in before the babies woke up. Instead I woke up 2 hours later, and went looking for my family. I opened up the babies room door, and saw Anthony laying there, with all the boys piled on top of him, all laughing.
What a blessed wife and mother I am. What a fantastic husband and father we have!
Our new yard has rose bushes lining one side fence line, and lilac bushes lining the other side fence line. I cannot wait to see them all in bloom! This is my favorite time of year - Spring, life and light, Easter, and General Conference for my church, as well! What a beautiful thing to see all the world be born anew, just like our Savior was resurrected. I was thinking about it - Christ gave his life on the cross for us, atoned for our sins with his precious blood, and on the third day, rose from the dead. But, that is not the whole story. The clarion call of Easter is not "He rose" but "He is Risen!" He lives today! What joyous words! He lives who once was dead. He lives, my Savior, Lord and King. I will find the words to my favorite Easter hymns and post them later. :)
Tuesday, March 24
Preschool fun on St. Patrick's Day
I am taking Monkey (who will be 5 in May! wow!) to his old preschool in Ogden just once a week now that we live in Layton. The idea is to take him on thursdays, when they have show and tell, and most of the special guests or fun days. (I can do the letter instruction just fine at home that takes place on tuesdays and wednesdays.) But the week of Saint Patrick's, I took him in on Tues the 17th, so he could be a part of their green fun. They each were asked to bring an edible green treat to explore together (what does it look/feel/taste/sound like) and Matthew was thrilled to take baby dill pickles. :) He wore his green Hippity Hop Preschool t-shirt, like the rest of his class. We did not do anything special at home, so thank goodness for preschool!
Monday, March 23
Would I do it over? Would I do anything differently?
My good (very good) friend, over at Stephen Family Insane Assylum, made a post - the one under the link - a while back, which really got me thinking. Below are the results!
If I had a fairy godmother suddenly appear, and ask if I would like her to work her magic, reversing time, and giving me some kind of cinderella experience, the ball, the gown, the prince included.. or whatever other "perfect life" I could dream up.. would I take the offer?
Or would I choose the life I have lived?
For your reading pleasure (ha!), here are the highlights of my life.
Choosing not to go on a single solitary date (solo or group-oriented) till I had turned 16, per wise counsel of my parents and the prophet and leader of my LDS faith. Staying single long enough to serve a mission for my church (age 21). Turning away a good man I truly admired who wanted to marry me because I knew I had a greater desire to serve said mission, than to be with him. Leaving for Guatemala for 18 months, away from everyone I had ever met so I could tell the humble people there about Christ's love for them, and his church that has been restored to the earth. Refraining from even calling my mother and family to talk, except the approved twice a year - Christmas and Mother's day. Choosing for my best and life-long friend, Anthony, when I knew I had a few other options, and maintaining my chastity till after we were married for time and all eternity in the Holy Temple in Salt Lake City, UT. Being only 9 mo. 10 days when I become a mom. nursing that child till the day I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder - he was 7 1/2 months old. Bringing twins into the world after going without bipolar meds for the entire pregnancy, going back on them after they were born which meant I could not nurse them... Living in tiny little basement apartments for the first 5 1/2 years of our married lives, quiting my elem ed. student teaching (even 12 credits shy of my bachelor's degree) to go back to being a full-time mommy again (after missing Monkey's first crawl on my 1st day of it- I only lasted 4 till I had my decision made...) Moving away from neighbors and fellow church goers that I loved, to move here to Layton...
There is no way I could do it better on purpose than the Lord has done for me with a much higher purpose.
Here is a quote that sums that up. "Doing what the Lord has outlined as right, in the end, will always lead to the best outcomes!" I am pretty sure it is by Richard G. Scott, member of the Quorum of the 12 apostles for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But, if it was not him, it was one of the other 12.
GOTTA GO! I am putting on dinner for my grandmother and uncle tonight, in addition to my sweet lil fam, and they are due any minute!
If I had a fairy godmother suddenly appear, and ask if I would like her to work her magic, reversing time, and giving me some kind of cinderella experience, the ball, the gown, the prince included.. or whatever other "perfect life" I could dream up.. would I take the offer?
Or would I choose the life I have lived?
For your reading pleasure (ha!), here are the highlights of my life.
Choosing not to go on a single solitary date (solo or group-oriented) till I had turned 16, per wise counsel of my parents and the prophet and leader of my LDS faith. Staying single long enough to serve a mission for my church (age 21). Turning away a good man I truly admired who wanted to marry me because I knew I had a greater desire to serve said mission, than to be with him. Leaving for Guatemala for 18 months, away from everyone I had ever met so I could tell the humble people there about Christ's love for them, and his church that has been restored to the earth. Refraining from even calling my mother and family to talk, except the approved twice a year - Christmas and Mother's day. Choosing for my best and life-long friend, Anthony, when I knew I had a few other options, and maintaining my chastity till after we were married for time and all eternity in the Holy Temple in Salt Lake City, UT. Being only 9 mo. 10 days when I become a mom. nursing that child till the day I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder - he was 7 1/2 months old. Bringing twins into the world after going without bipolar meds for the entire pregnancy, going back on them after they were born which meant I could not nurse them... Living in tiny little basement apartments for the first 5 1/2 years of our married lives, quiting my elem ed. student teaching (even 12 credits shy of my bachelor's degree) to go back to being a full-time mommy again (after missing Monkey's first crawl on my 1st day of it- I only lasted 4 till I had my decision made...) Moving away from neighbors and fellow church goers that I loved, to move here to Layton...
There is no way I could do it better on purpose than the Lord has done for me with a much higher purpose.
Here is a quote that sums that up. "Doing what the Lord has outlined as right, in the end, will always lead to the best outcomes!" I am pretty sure it is by Richard G. Scott, member of the Quorum of the 12 apostles for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But, if it was not him, it was one of the other 12.
GOTTA GO! I am putting on dinner for my grandmother and uncle tonight, in addition to my sweet lil fam, and they are due any minute!
Saturday, March 21
Guaranteed to be our shortest post HENCEFORTH and FOREVER!
Guess what I did yesterday? Yep, you guessed it.
I FOUND THE SILVERWARE!
If you buy it, they will come. heh. {shakes head %) }
I FOUND THE SILVERWARE!
If you buy it, they will come. heh. {shakes head %) }
Thursday, March 19
Bumps in the road
Well, we have been residents of Layton for 18 days now. I am not ready to post pictures (SORRY, oh impatient ones!), but wanted to blog about our time here anyway. The day before moving day, Anthony was here at the house, finishing up some painting, when a utility guy came to investigate a smell of gas. He tightened up a leaky in the water heater, fixing that problem, and then decided to take a look at the furnace. He gave us a lovely "welcome home" gift - a red tag! He shut us down! We had no heat, so after a long hard day of packing, moving, cleaning, unpacking and organizing, we headed to West Jordan where we could sleep warm and comfortable. But not before I cleverly locked us out of the apartment! I needed to go pick up kids from my AWESOME friend Jami who kept them well and whole for me for hours, and Anthony told me to not lock the deadbolt to the front door, because he only had the key to the knob. Well, somehow, I did EXACTLY what he told me not to do! I discovered this when I came back to pick up pajamas and church clothes for Anthony and I. (I was at least smart enough to have packed these and other essentials for THE KIDS in a bag held aside of all the moving chaos.) So, for the entire weekend, Anthony had just a dirty t-shirt and pair of shorts to wear. I luckily snuck into a store just before midnight to buy something to sleep in.
On monday, Anthony was able to break into our house, and get the furnace fixed and turned back on, so we moved in. (All our stuff was here waiting for us.) My mom had helped me focus on unpacking and organizing my kitchen on Saturday evening, so that was a comfort. We were unable to locate the box containing our silverware, however. We bought a 36 pack of plasticware, sure that we would find that elusive box. Days went by. I begun to save, wash, and reuse the plasticware! My sweet friends Shelly and Shanda kindly packed the silverware Saturday, and wrote in crayon "silverware" across the top! I saw them do it! I knew what size and shape of box to look for, and was sure it would turn up! In the corner of the living room buried? Nope, we looked. In one of the bedrooms mixed in? Nope, we looked. In one of our two sheds out back? Nope, we looked! Could it be riding around in one of the vehicles of the people who helped us move?
Well guess what finally happened! Two days ago, we.... no, we did not find it, we bought new silverware!
These have just been some of our funny memory-making bumps in the road.... but it is a great road. We love it here. Monkey got a sunburn today from playing outside on his swingset and playhouse. He would eat and sleep out there, too, if I would let him! Even Bear Cub has learned a new and scary trick - he climbed up the steps and went down the slide all by himself! I have to watch him like a hawk! (And hope that while I am, his twin isn't into something even more dangerous!)
I really will work on getting pictures taken and posted... but even getting the computer set up and internet service activated did not happen till yesterday... It will all come in time. Like finding the silverware. Ha!
On monday, Anthony was able to break into our house, and get the furnace fixed and turned back on, so we moved in. (All our stuff was here waiting for us.) My mom had helped me focus on unpacking and organizing my kitchen on Saturday evening, so that was a comfort. We were unable to locate the box containing our silverware, however. We bought a 36 pack of plasticware, sure that we would find that elusive box. Days went by. I begun to save, wash, and reuse the plasticware! My sweet friends Shelly and Shanda kindly packed the silverware Saturday, and wrote in crayon "silverware" across the top! I saw them do it! I knew what size and shape of box to look for, and was sure it would turn up! In the corner of the living room buried? Nope, we looked. In one of the bedrooms mixed in? Nope, we looked. In one of our two sheds out back? Nope, we looked! Could it be riding around in one of the vehicles of the people who helped us move?
Well guess what finally happened! Two days ago, we.... no, we did not find it, we bought new silverware!
These have just been some of our funny memory-making bumps in the road.... but it is a great road. We love it here. Monkey got a sunburn today from playing outside on his swingset and playhouse. He would eat and sleep out there, too, if I would let him! Even Bear Cub has learned a new and scary trick - he climbed up the steps and went down the slide all by himself! I have to watch him like a hawk! (And hope that while I am, his twin isn't into something even more dangerous!)
I really will work on getting pictures taken and posted... but even getting the computer set up and internet service activated did not happen till yesterday... It will all come in time. Like finding the silverware. Ha!
Tuesday, February 17
Making a house a home
Tomorrow we close on the house. We have made some fun purchases in preparation for moving in. We are doing a lighthouse theme in the bathroom that I am very excited about. So, we have a cool shower curtain, border for the walls, and a soap dispenser done in cream and country blue and maroon lighthouses. LOVE it! AND, after checking out a handful of places, and coming away frustrated, Anthony and I finally found a couch and love seat that we BOTH like! The coloring is caled Gypsie Seaspray... not that that tells you much.. It is a fairly pale blue-green with 4 way cute accent pillows with a pattern of circles in brown, khaki and the blue-green. I will take pictures of our home, before (empty and before painting) and after shots. Yep, I am definitely getting excited. Home ownership will have some new stresses and responsibilities, I know, but I am loving the feeling of joy it is already bringing me. :D
Now, for a weather report..
It is SNOWING like CRAZY out there! I was getting ready to take the twins to their 15 month well-child check-up, when my mom called and warned me just how nasty the roads are out there. On her HW-89 drive from Kaysville to Uintah, she say more than a handful of cars stuck in the drifts, and everyone was having a tough time getting up the hills. I quickly called off the appt, and settled in for a cozy evening in. When ZooKeeper Dad got home, he announced that he was off to shovel the driveway. Sweet music to Monkey's ears! He has his own little snow shovel, and thinks that using it is a wonderful privilege. In fact, a week or two ago, he asked his daddy if they could go and shovel the driveway, and ZKDad answered that there was no more snow on it. So then, Monkey asks, "Well, can we go shovel the grass?" Yep, he loves it that much. Well, today gave him is fill. a ZKDad estimates that there is 9-12 inches of the white stuff out there! Maria, if you are reading this in sunny Hawaii right now, count your blessings, and know I am thinking of you right now!
That's all folks, for now.
Now, for a weather report..
It is SNOWING like CRAZY out there! I was getting ready to take the twins to their 15 month well-child check-up, when my mom called and warned me just how nasty the roads are out there. On her HW-89 drive from Kaysville to Uintah, she say more than a handful of cars stuck in the drifts, and everyone was having a tough time getting up the hills. I quickly called off the appt, and settled in for a cozy evening in. When ZooKeeper Dad got home, he announced that he was off to shovel the driveway. Sweet music to Monkey's ears! He has his own little snow shovel, and thinks that using it is a wonderful privilege. In fact, a week or two ago, he asked his daddy if they could go and shovel the driveway, and ZKDad answered that there was no more snow on it. So then, Monkey asks, "Well, can we go shovel the grass?" Yep, he loves it that much. Well, today gave him is fill. a ZKDad estimates that there is 9-12 inches of the white stuff out there! Maria, if you are reading this in sunny Hawaii right now, count your blessings, and know I am thinking of you right now!
That's all folks, for now.
Sunday, January 25
We are buying our first home!
Zoo Keeper Dad got a promotion at the beginning of December, and since then, we have been looking for a home. Well, we finally found the one that feels right! It is in Layton, and will allow Monkey to have his own room, plus a great yard to play in. (fully fenced in! swing set and "fort" platform! garden area! Two nice big storage sheds!) It has a kitchen with gorgeous tile countertops and flooring, lovely hardwood flooring in the living room and hall, and a good sized room for the twins, as well as a roomy place for the zoo keepers to hide once in a while!
We are so excited.... except for when we think about bidding farewell to all of the wonderful friends we have made in our current ward. We have babysat each other's kids in a free exchange of services, had a blast playing sports at the church on thursday nights, kids all playing together in a side room while we ran around the gym after volleyballs and basketballs.. (just not at the same time!)
I admire so many sweet sisters here.. do you know who you are? Tami, I loved you from the first day I met you. I remember you coming over to my house to talk about my new calling as Primary Music leader. I think you are an awesome mother, and such a fun personality ... I love being around you, and have not done it enough! Shelly, I still remember you writing your name and number for me in my church notebook, in crayon, and in parenthesis, writing (Audrey's mom). I could never have known then just how intertwined our lives would become.. what with Monkey choosing Audrey as his best friend, and then being invited to send him to the same preschool - I am grateful for that referral, as it has been a great place for him to start to "grow up". Not to mention our hubby's working together, thanks to Ben's referral! Goodness, we owe your family a lot! We have appreciated the invitations to dinner and game-nights. Appreciation also goes out to Ben for not complaining when you've received a late-night request for assistance with priesthood blessings. Jenny and Joey - you have both been so great to us, and we are glad to call you friends. There are few as thoughtful and giving as you are, Jenny. I know Anthony admires you, Joey, and has loved serving with you in E.Q. (Jenny, be sure to pass that along.) Curtis and Elise, you have been great get to know through church and choir and babysitting and sports. It is so nice to still see you on Thursday nights.. and we are thinking of doing the same!
We have fantastic neighbors in Heather and Josh next door. Monkey loves having Lil over, or getting to go to your house for a while. We have loved the sweet homemade gifts that have come over the years.
Man, we have lived here for almost 4 years! Our hearts have taken root. I hope we can find friendships like these again in a new home.
Zoo Keeper Dad is out of town for business for a week, and here I am , typing out all of my thoughts, and avoiding going to bed. Goes without saying that I miss him. Wherever he goes, my heart goes with him. He won it from me almost 6 years ago, and I never plan on taking it back. In exchange, I carry his. It is worth more to me than all the riches of the world. I cannot believe what cute kids he has given me! Watching them, especially Bug, it is like getting to watch ZKD grow up! (you should see his baby pictures!
Guess I'd better sign out and get some sleep, because the critters will be getting up in the morning whether I feel like it or not!
Hasta la proxima vez,
Zoo Keeper Mom
We are so excited.... except for when we think about bidding farewell to all of the wonderful friends we have made in our current ward. We have babysat each other's kids in a free exchange of services, had a blast playing sports at the church on thursday nights, kids all playing together in a side room while we ran around the gym after volleyballs and basketballs.. (just not at the same time!)
I admire so many sweet sisters here.. do you know who you are? Tami, I loved you from the first day I met you. I remember you coming over to my house to talk about my new calling as Primary Music leader. I think you are an awesome mother, and such a fun personality ... I love being around you, and have not done it enough! Shelly, I still remember you writing your name and number for me in my church notebook, in crayon, and in parenthesis, writing (Audrey's mom). I could never have known then just how intertwined our lives would become.. what with Monkey choosing Audrey as his best friend, and then being invited to send him to the same preschool - I am grateful for that referral, as it has been a great place for him to start to "grow up". Not to mention our hubby's working together, thanks to Ben's referral! Goodness, we owe your family a lot! We have appreciated the invitations to dinner and game-nights. Appreciation also goes out to Ben for not complaining when you've received a late-night request for assistance with priesthood blessings. Jenny and Joey - you have both been so great to us, and we are glad to call you friends. There are few as thoughtful and giving as you are, Jenny. I know Anthony admires you, Joey, and has loved serving with you in E.Q. (Jenny, be sure to pass that along.) Curtis and Elise, you have been great get to know through church and choir and babysitting and sports. It is so nice to still see you on Thursday nights.. and we are thinking of doing the same!
We have fantastic neighbors in Heather and Josh next door. Monkey loves having Lil over, or getting to go to your house for a while. We have loved the sweet homemade gifts that have come over the years.
Man, we have lived here for almost 4 years! Our hearts have taken root. I hope we can find friendships like these again in a new home.
Zoo Keeper Dad is out of town for business for a week, and here I am , typing out all of my thoughts, and avoiding going to bed. Goes without saying that I miss him. Wherever he goes, my heart goes with him. He won it from me almost 6 years ago, and I never plan on taking it back. In exchange, I carry his. It is worth more to me than all the riches of the world. I cannot believe what cute kids he has given me! Watching them, especially Bug, it is like getting to watch ZKD grow up! (you should see his baby pictures!
Guess I'd better sign out and get some sleep, because the critters will be getting up in the morning whether I feel like it or not!
Hasta la proxima vez,
Zoo Keeper Mom
Friday, January 2
Happy Holidays!
Let me take a minute to wipe off the layer of dust that has accumulated on this poor neglected blog. I have decided that I am a procrastinating perfectionist. I don't post because I am not ready to create a "masterpiece" of words, wit, and perfect pictures to back up the story. Dumb. Casual void-of-photos posts are better than no posts at all!
In the spirit of safety, our children will be unnamed on this blog, so the 4 year old redheaded big brother will be referred to as Monkey. Twin One (older by a whopping 6 minutes) the one with the hair with personality, super long eyelashes and big round eyes that are simply pieces of heaven is Bear Cub (sometimes he is a grizzly bear.. sometimes a cuddly teddy bear..) Twin Two - the one with lighter blonde and nicely tamed hair and a smile that just melts your heart is Bug. Sometimes he is a stink bug, but almost always a cuddle bug.
The twins turned ONE YEAR OLD on Nov. 15th. A great time was had by all at the Park Grandparents place, including a miniature cake for each birthday boy, one of Winnie the Pooh, and one of Tigger. Frosting everywhere! What a party!
We had a wonderful thanksgiving, and then Christmas was here before we knew it! We spent Christmas eve with my side of the family.. first at mom & dads.. where the boys got adorable pj's (superman for our 4 year old monkey, and two batmans - all caped and ready for super-heroing. Then we headed next door for the Sawyer Family chrismas eve dinner and gift exchange. After that, it was a drive to the airport with Aunt Kimmie in tow, headed to NY for the holidays, and arriving at the Park Grandparents for a slumber party. Christmas morning began with a call home from the missionary, my husband's brother serving in Indonesia. Talking to him was great, but Monkey just about died, waiting for the call to be over so he could start opening presents. Santa was good to him, giving him both the Bow and Arrows AND the guitar he'd been wishing for. Mom, Dad, and grandparents did a good job showering the kiddos with gifts too.
A week or so before Christmas, my good friend Jeanine, and her mom treated all my boys to a trip to the Teddy Bear Stuffin' Factory in Layton Hills Mall. Monkey picked out a horse that he named Zipper. We found the perfect Teddy for Bear Cub - and the first moment he laid eyes on it, he broke into a huge grin and pulled him into a hug! Bug loves his Puppy almost as much. These buddies have come right at the right time for the twins -- something to latch onto while weaning off their bottles. And latch on, they have! We don't do naptime or bedtime without them! For the twins- their new buddies are definately their favorite Christmas gifts.
That is all for now, from this tired Zoo Keeper Mom.. all the animals are asleep, and maybe I should be, too! Tune in next time: I will gather some of the best pics from their birthday party!
In the spirit of safety, our children will be unnamed on this blog, so the 4 year old redheaded big brother will be referred to as Monkey. Twin One (older by a whopping 6 minutes) the one with the hair with personality, super long eyelashes and big round eyes that are simply pieces of heaven is Bear Cub (sometimes he is a grizzly bear.. sometimes a cuddly teddy bear..) Twin Two - the one with lighter blonde and nicely tamed hair and a smile that just melts your heart is Bug. Sometimes he is a stink bug, but almost always a cuddle bug.
The twins turned ONE YEAR OLD on Nov. 15th. A great time was had by all at the Park Grandparents place, including a miniature cake for each birthday boy, one of Winnie the Pooh, and one of Tigger. Frosting everywhere! What a party!
A week or so before Christmas, my good friend Jeanine, and her mom treated all my boys to a trip to the Teddy Bear Stuffin' Factory in Layton Hills Mall. Monkey picked out a horse that he named Zipper. We found the perfect Teddy for Bear Cub - and the first moment he laid eyes on it, he broke into a huge grin and pulled him into a hug! Bug loves his Puppy almost as much. These buddies have come right at the right time for the twins -- something to latch onto while weaning off their bottles. And latch on, they have! We don't do naptime or bedtime without them! For the twins- their new buddies are definately their favorite Christmas gifts.
That is all for now, from this tired Zoo Keeper Mom.. all the animals are asleep, and maybe I should be, too! Tune in next time: I will gather some of the best pics from their birthday party!
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