Reasons to SMILE

Mom:
*Figured out how to strap Nathan into the bike trailer (thanks Jana), and the weather has allowed me several refreshing mid-morning rides.
*Free ice cream, salad, and French bread w/ purchase of lasagna at Kohlers!
Dad:
*Sand dunes Scout Camp this weekend.
*Discovered that mowing the lawn every 3 weeks looks just as good as mowing weekly in the fall!
Will:
*Convinced Mom to sign me up for the Lego club which means I get an AWESOME magazine in the mail
*Has earned 107 “Rindy bucks” so far since the last time the classroom store was open
Caroline:
*Came home with smarties because it was a classmate’s birthday. Today, another bday, but even better…M&Ms!
*Found 3 Dora books and Knuffle Bunny Too at the Library all in the same trip.
Desirée:
*Fire Station field trip, and they gave out big gold STICKERS.
*(This one happened over 3 months ago but she still reminds us every time we drive by) “I went to Liberty Land on my birthday and I didn’t have to do any chores, I just can play, play, play!”
Nathan:
*Good milk, enough sleep, a clean diaper, and a little company.
*That’s all it takes!

Angels Among Us

"Meet Brandon Mull, author of Fablehaven. Thursday, Sept. 18th at 7pm at the Pleasant Grove Library."
I saw the sign on the door of Sego Lily Elementary and promptly added the event to our family calendar. William has already devoured the book Fablehaven and is currently sinking his teeth into the sequel, Rise of the Evening Star. He comes home from school and begs to go lay on his bed and read more. At the park I have to require that he bike 5 laps before he can read another chapter. (we go to the park for a physically active time) In the van we have had to keep the lights on during long evening trips because he can't bear to put it down and rest. At this very moment I am sure that John is on the boat trying to get him to tube and he is saying "Hang on, I've got to finish this part." He took the book to the lake this afternoon. Needless to say, the creative characters of these books have captured this son of ours, and Mr. Mull is satisfying his NEED to READ!

I had planned a trip to Price the weekend of CHS Homecoming and figured that it would work perfectly to attend Will's 6pm soccer game, hit the book signing at 7pm and be off to my hometown by at least 8. WRONG! We pulled up to the library that evening and from the number of nonexistent parking stalls I could quickly see that this would not be as slick a stop as I had anticipated. We finally found a spot and walked toward the crowd. Brandon Mull had just finished his presentation (of which I was unaware) and there was a line formed of fans waiting to meet him. Many spectators were still seated, and I assumed that they were simply lingering after the speech or letting their kids go wait in line while they relaxed. Come to find out those seated were waiting to be called up for their turn to JOIN the line. It was THAT crowded. Amidst the running around of 2 rambunctious daughters and while hauling around a very inhibiting infant car seat I began to explain to Will that we would probably not be able to brave the crowds and stay to meet this hero of his. He first tried to come up with some solutions, then tried begging that we just wait. Next came the puppy dog eyes and his chin started to quiver. I had been the one to build this up for him so much- because of my own library junkieness, and now I was telling him that we would have to turn around and walk out when Brandon Mull was only one room and FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY patrons away!
"But I wanted to get a poster." Will explained to me as a final attempt at convincing me to stay. A nearby Mom suggested he go check with the library staff at the front desk to see if they had any extra. Because of my heavy car seat and buzzing entourage of children, and because we were in a hurry to get on the road, I directed Will to run up around the building and inquire about a poster or bookmark. By the time I gathered myself and made it to the circulation desk myself, I saw something that made my heart melt. A sweet, brown haired librarian was leaning over so as to be able to hear Will's shakey voice better as he recited to her his name and telephone number. Apparently her warmness and helpful sincerity dispelled any guidelines about stranger danger. Obviously there were no more unclaimed posters in the library. But she wasn't about to tell that to this little boy and leave him hanging, library book clutched to his chest and tears streaming down under his fogged up glasses. "I'll see if I can find one after the event is over. And if not, I have some friends at Deseret Book." She looked up at me and smiled as she uttered these hope filled sentences to my little boy. I thanked her, and we went on our way discussing how glad we were that all hope was not lost. On the way out Will asked if he could just SEE Brandon Mull- so I pointed to the door where those who had just met him were exiting and said, "Go peek in there." Will did more than just peek. He weaseled past the door guard and decided that he'd see if anyone told him he couldn't just join right in at the back of that room's line, only about 20 people long. When I noticed what he'd done, I apologetically squeezed myself through the door and right past Brandon Mull to go gather my desperate Fablehaven fan. This sent him over the top. Coming so close with no success had crushed him. On the way to the van he threw quite a fit. When we got in he opened his book and escaped the situation his well meaning but despicably disappointing mother had caused.
I got on the website the next morning and discovered that, after an appearance in Sandy, Brandon Mull was on his way to book signings in Texas for the rest of the month. Hmm. I thought. Maybe he'll at least end up with a poster. I wasn't going to bring it up again for fear that life may get in the way of this sweet librarian's intentions resulting in no memorabilia for Will. Boy was I wrong. When we got back home we heard the sweetest voice saying this on our answering machine. "This message is for William. This is Linda at the P.G. Library. I just wanted him to know that I did find a poster for him and if it's OK I could drop it by this weekend. " I still have the machine saved so that I can listen to it when I need my faith in humanity restored :)
She came, she delivered, and William now has this huge poster right above his favorite reading spot in his bedroom. It was addressed personally to him, by the author himself, at ten minutes after midnight.


In visiting with sweet Linda Bethers we learned that she is the author of the retelling of the story Christmas Oranges which was published as a picture book in 2002. She will actually be at the PG library presenting the story on Nov. 13th.

Today when Caroline wrecked during the Stake 5K I caught up to her and sat on the ground to comfort her. I wiped a few tears and wondered if I should encourage her to get back on her bike or offer her a spot in the double stroller. Not a minute later a woman on her bike came past and saw our predicament. Low and behold, she had put in her bike trailer that morning a box of band aids. Any Mom knows what kind of get up and go power that can give to a skinned 5 year old. "She rescued us!" I told Caroline. "We can finish the race!" We thanked our kind runningmate and continued on 'til we had passed the balloons marking the finish line and arrived at the monstrous chocolate chip muffin table. A happy ending indeed.

Thinking back on the redheaded woman I will call the "Band aid Biker" and on our friend "Linda the Librarian", I had the impression that there truly are angels among us. I was reminded of one of my favorite quotes by Spencer W. Kimball...
"God does notice us, and he watches over us. But usually it is through another person that he attends to our needs. Therefore it is vital that we serve one another."

Recovered

The six week check-up, the 2 month immunizations, the blessing day have now all passed us by. I know I am just giving the gals who spoof Utah Valley Moms’ blogs more material when I say this- BUT- Nathan has made me understand the meaning of the phrase “bundle of joy.” His full nights of sleeping and open mouthed smiles really have added happiness to our lives and we feel seriously, so blessed.

Nevertheless, when I look at all of the women around me at the end of their pregnancies (5 in our ward) I remember. I remember the aching back, the insanely frequent bathroom breaks, the varicose veins, the contracting, then MORE afterbirth contracting, the owies associated with nursing at first, and all of the other painful details about pregnancy, labor, delivery, and brand new babies. I remember and I am glad that around here we are for the most part …RECOVERED.

So in honor of our recovery, I share the story of an atypical (for me) household project I completed this summer. The pink tea party table…RECOVERED.

It was the weekend of May 30-31st. I was thirty six weeks along and wearing the gray gouchos with the silver jewel studded crocs about every day. You ALL know crocs are PERFECT for pregnancy. John had embarked on the Stake Encampment and I was determined to have a good attitude about my week of waddling around after the kids without him. A new project was the perfect thing to pass the time. The girls’ tea party table was sagging and decomposing in the middle, the plastic covering sliced up in several different spots. Wouldn’t my husband be surprised to see what his skillful and handy wife had completed upon his return! I was so excited about taking this on alone, that I didn’t even ask his advice on any of it (mistake #1). If I did I knew he would tell me that he could just take care of it when he got back. He takes care of most things involving power tools at our house-

Not this time.

I hauled the table to a workable spot and turned it over.
“ Just put that drill in reverse, remove the screws, staple the new vinyl in place, and reattach the like new table top back onto the frame. Wa la!” I thought. (mistake #2) The table top was attached with more than just screws. There were some L shaped bracket thingeys binding the top to the frame. Didn’t know what to call them, but they looked like a pretty basic part. Still doable.
I also needed a sturdy top. Although I knew John probably could have located a piece of scrap lumber 2 by 2 feet, I was doing this on my own so I hauled all 3 (plus1- I really WAS also HAULING the fourth) to Home Depot, put the table frame in a cart, and walked in to the store. Every step hurt by evening time but this was a quest worth the pain!

The kids ran around the aisles while I talked to several orangely aproned employees about the L shaped bracket thingeys I needed. I also asked about fiberglass vs. wood. A kind Polynesian man was helpful but pointed out to me a big ol’ kink in my swift and slik one night project plan. Those brackets were secured with a special upholstery tool and it was unlikely they could be removed without mutilating them. Oh, and Home Depot didn’t carry anything that would work as a replacement for the brackets either. Humph.

I noted the price on the pre-cut OSB board, returned it to its spot, and walked out of there let down and frazzled. By the time I reached the van, I WAS SOBBING, AND SOBBING over my own incapabilities, and missing my burley, get-it-done, construction worker husband. I drove straight home and hit the sack without him.

I left the table in the van hoping that if I took the table to Price when I went I could find some help there. I asked my Dad, who gave me his ideas, asked John’s Mom, who gave me hers. But we spent our time together on outings and fun like McDonalds and DinoMine Park while the disassembled table sat and sat.

Then just before it was time for us to take off, my mother in law suggested we go visit Grandpa Echer . Maybe, she said, he would even be able to find a piece of wood or something to help me out. THIS is where experience and knowledge took over.

“ Those are set in with pop rivets. You’ll need a pop rivet tool to re-attatch them. I’ve got one out in the garage. Or better yet, why don’t we just take some flat headed bolts and put them in through the top so that they will go through the one side of the brackets and hold firm that way.”

I felt like little orphan Annie being clothed and entertained by the expert staff of Daddy Warbucks. A disabled widow watching a bunch of boy scouts mow and edge her lawn. I couldn’t do it, but Grandpa Echer could!!! And he was!!! Woo Hoo! First we drove around town shopping for a piece of wood the right size. I had to be careful about price as I knew that it would be silly to spend more that the fifteen dollars that the table was worth. The cost of time was of course not taken into consideration. I was already about three hours in, and we were just getting started!

We found some wood and some bolts, Grandpa got out his GRINDER which was what we used to remove the pop rivets from the original decaying particle board that we used for a pattern to draw dots on the new board showing where the bolts should go. My mother in law even got in on the grinder action. She grew up watching her Dad work in his cabinet shop. Next he used his table saw to round the edges of the table top. I stood there with a HUGE grin on my face very happy and very impressed at his skill and unselfishness.

Even though it was 8:00 pm by the time we hit JoAnnes in Orem and we hadn’t eaten dinner , I just HAD to stop with the kids and pick out our fabric. We found something from the discount rack ($15 project limit) with some plastic to go over it. We took a bathroom break, then I felt like we barely made it back out to the van without my water breaking but we returned home ok. I don’t remember whether I stayed up late that night finishing the project or whether I got up early the next morning to do so. But I am oh so happy that, thanks to support of family and friends, both the tea party table and I are now fully RECOVERED!

John was proud, he took my picture shortly after getting home. I think I made him.

Desiree, Oh Desirée

Here she is! Tell me you didn't smile and sigh "ohhhh" upon seeing this post :) This was the shot that convinced me to fully splurge on a bigger portrait package when Desi turned 3. Her little nails were painted, her dress pressed, and her hair complete with "curley curls."

If you know the Neil Diamond song written for a gal named Desiree, you'll understand why I have altered the lyrics to fit my pretty, delightful little girl. She excitedly jumps around and dances to the song whenever it is played. Yes, we like Neil. But no, we didn't name both of our girls after songs of his on purpose. By the way, William is feeling jipped- does anyone know a good William song- or Nathan for that matter??

I wish I could activate the character that puts an accent mark above the second to last E in her name. Anyway, here goes- It helps if you can hum the tune in your head while reading.

It was July the 6th

On that Summer's day

When I became a Mom

To a new little girl named Desiree

And she came to me

Just like the morning sun.

With her gentle touch

We were sure she was such an amazing one.

Oh, so much fun!

Desiree, Oh Desiree

In you I've found

Such a beautiful sound.

Oh, your loving song.

Keep singin' it your whole life long.

Remember Desiree, Oh Desiree

Holding you how I knew

That your sweet love would fill

My whole world with light.

In your eyes such a warming sight.

Oh Desiree you make it right.

Idols LIVE!

I WAS THERE! If you've read the papers, you know that we Jazz fans stayed true to our reputation of being LOUD. Several of the singers commented on Utah's beauty (mountains) and on how loud it was in the E-Center. David Archuleta could hardly get a word in because the energetic cheering went on and on. We all just couldn't believe it was really him! All that gifted talentedness wrapped up in such a cute kid singing to you in the same room is pretty energizing. He gave many thanks for all the support, and put all he had into the performance as usual. He was overwhelmingly wiping tears away on his jacket sleeve by the end of the last song.

"Stand By Me" is a classic that he does so well...

For a while during the concert, I focused on trying to snap some good shots of the stars, especially when they came closer to our side of the arena. I had taken a few of Brooke White and others but knew they were far enough away that the quality wouldn't be too awesome. I did get a smiling one of David Archuleta walking toward us.

Later I decided to just hold my camera out and start snapping while look at David Cook directly instead of through a lens so that I could feel the emotion of the moment better. I didn't realize that the camera was still in video mode, so I got a good little clip of him singing with some of the ceiling at the end (oops).

THANKS MOM!!! What a great and unforgettable birthday present!

Fruitcake

I need to admit that I have been a little bit of a fruitcake concerning finances lately.
First of all, I let the Wal-Mart photographer convince me to settle for a portrait that I didn't love for my $7.99 package deal. This lead to me dishing out an unmentionable amount for the smallest package they offered (which, come to find out, is NOT as small as it was under the prior company's management). Plus I had to buy a six dollar black and white enhancement.
Justification: Desi looks BEAUTIFUL! And- I can't count how many sessions at Wal-Mart I have walked out of with plenty of great pictures for only 7.99, or less. But this splurge still had its bittersweet impact.

Next, I decided to try and preserve some of my youth after turning 30 by buying a pair of flip flops to replace the crocks that my cool younger siblings have deemed unfashionable. I had my sights set on a certain pair which didn't end up being as comfortable as I would have hoped. But there on the rack at Famous Footwear were hanging some brown "Rocket Dogs." I had never before heard of this brand but I am pretty sure it is hip. I tried them on and they felt SO COMFEY (for flip flops) So I CONSIDERED spending $39.99 for these things. No, I did not buy them- but I SERIOUSLY considered it. This is not like me.

Then yesterday, good old Petersen Produce knocked on my door with their delicious fresh crop of apples, oranges, and grapefruit. It was at a bit of a hectic point in the day as I was on the phone and in the middle of doing several other things. He kept handing me samples and assuming I was going to buy, and I did. FOURTY FOUR dollars for a three month supply. I like to try to eat healthy, and I like to encourage my kids to do the same. And I don't like yucky produce. This is YUMMY produce- which were my reasons for buying. When John got home and inquired about the overload of fugis in the front room, I was sheepishly quoting things to him like, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away, honey!" :) He was really nice about it, and said that he would take fruit for lunch more, but the conversation later that evening did turn to how our economy is shakey right now, and how things are costing so much more... I think he may have been throwing hints for his wife to turn back to her thrifty, financially prudent ways. So as I was FILLING my refrigerator drawer up with fruit and hauling the rest of the box down to cold storage I realized that it may be unrealistic for our family to use it all up before the peak of freshness has passed. I also realized that I think I must have convinced that good ol' salesman to sell me just half a box last year. Thus, if anyone is interested in splitting 10 or 20 dollars worth of this bounteous harvest with me, please call!
P.S. He said that the apples are $1.29 per lb. which is comprable to , or cheaper than supermarket price. I am not sure on the oranges, but overall it averages out to about a dollar per pound of fruit.

"You Can't Spoil a Newborn"

But can you spoil his mother? I have been so well taken care of for the past 11 days that I am starting to wonder! I would like to say a great big THANK YOU to everyone who has called, visited, brought dinner, given gifts, entertained kids, taken care of R.S. business, etc. etc, etc. I feel and see blessings being poured out upon us through you.

Here is my sweet Mom enjoying her fourth grandbaby. This was inbetween trips to the park, bathroom cleaning, dish washing, and reading stories with the kids.

My mother-in law just left without me being able to snap a photo of her with Nathan:( I guess I could take a shot of the full freezer, the sparkling tile floor, the empty hampers, the non-existent mending pile, the freshly baked banana bread, or the happy kids who are now playing with their Grandma toys. These are some of the ways she has shown us her love and support.

Maybe the best spoiling of all is this super snuggly, sleepy baby boy of mine! :)