Wednesday, September 30, 2009

A few of my favorite things (in no particular order)

Tillamook anything. I love, love, love Tillamook cheese. It's a little more expensive, but completely worth it. Look for it in your local grocery store. Also check out your store for Tillamook yogurt and ice cream. You'll be glad you did (if you find it, if not then you'll be sad and I will feel sad for you).
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That I get to cuddle and kiss Tyler every night. I love him.
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Blue (Bleu?) Cheese. I have a small container of it in my fridge and I just want to take it out and eat the whole thing. Nope, not on a salad or a burger or a steak. Just the cheese itself. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. I can't get enough. *and, really, which is it? Blue or Bleu? I've seen it both ways on different packaging. Bleu sounds much fancier.*
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Kelly has started to say her prayers (i.e. repeat the last few words in each sentence we whisper to her). She thinks that means she should do that for every prayer, even if the prayer giver doesn't know that she'll be repeating them. My favorite thing is that this has resulted in Max unintentionally "helping" Kelly with many prayers. It makes Max feel pretty big. He loves it and so do I.
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Max teaching Kelly new words. Especially when we're in the car. Max will say, "Mom, listen to this word. Kelly, say...." and she'll repeat as many words as he asks her to.
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We went to the mall on Monday night. We walked by several stores to get to Mrs. Fields for an overpriced chocolate chip cookie (seriously? $1.64 for one cookie?!). One of those stores was Victoria's Secret. Max looked and said, "Hey! Let's go in that pink store!" :) Not today or any day with your mother present, little man. I can just imagine the very loud, entertaining conversation I would have in that store with my curious son...I'll pass, brother.
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My baby maniac daughter. She's a baby doll lover (mauler?). I can't forget to throw one in the car when we're running errands or it can result in weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth (NOT my favorite). A baby often squishes in her high chair with her and is force-fed pancakes, waffles and the like. I love to listen to her conversations with them. Except the other day when she came and told me that her baby was "in trouble". That's what I tell Kelly when Max is throwing a fit on time-out and she's super worried about her sad brother, "He's okay, Kelly, he's just in trouble right now." But it's okay for her babies to be "in trouble" sometimes, right? Maybe I should use a different phrase.
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The other day Kelly got really upset about something (can't remember what?) and started to go a little crazy with the tears. Oh, the drama! She went away and hid herself in the curtains, still crying. She had been playing with Max and I on the floor. Max watched her walk away and then said, "I'll go talk to her." He went over and gently leaned down until they were eye level and in his sweetest of voices let her know everything was okay and there was nothing to be sad about. After just a minute of his sweet talkin' she happily followed him back to play. Oh, my sweet boy! He also takes her shoes off when we get home and puts them away in the closet. She loves that, as does this pregnant momma since it saves me from bending over. Kelly will come in the door, plop herself on the step where they sit to take shoes off, stick her foot out to Max, and say "Shoes!" with a big smile on her face. They are such good friends (almost) all the time.
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My phone-loving daughter. Everything is a phone and she's always calling either "Jack" (her cousin) or "Dad". She repeats over and over again, "Oh, I know. Yeah, I know." I need to listen to myself next time I'm on the phone; I must say that a lot?
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Fall. Yep, I got over my sad fall feelings and am in love with the season once again. Tomorrow we'll decorate for Halloween. The trip to the pumpkin patch is on the calendar. I'm going to be picking apples from our tree soon and making applesauce. Apple cider is sounding mighty good tonight. I love the nip in the air and how Kelly's voice sounds saying, "It's told (cold)!" every time we go outside.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Word to the Wise

You shouldn't tell a growing pregnant lady that she is the Earth. She might take it to mean that you think she's as big as the whole earth, which won't do much for her self-esteem and might make her think twice before she eats that bowl of cereal before she goes to bed (which, you should know, is this pregnant lady's one true need). The only way you can pull off such a comment to such a growing pregnant lady is if you are a cute 3-year-old boy whom said pregnant lady adores. Then she will probably know that there was no malice in such a comment. In fact, she might decide that it really means she is your whole world and you couldn't survive without her.

Go ahead and tuck that bit of advice away. You can thank me later.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Happy Day!

I have a friend. Janet is her name. I met her at Ricks College and loved her instantly. She's tall, beautiful, super witty and smart. I was at college with my best friend, Kelly, and Janet (and Val, Janet's roommate) quickly became our next-door besties. And so they would remain for our two years at Ricks. I'm talking BEST friends. You can't understand how funny these girls were and how much fun we had together. Our second year we really wanted to all be roommates, but Janet and I were both called to serve as RS Presidents in the same ward so we worked another next-door situation instead. I loved serving with Janet that year! I always thought that the girls in my RS must be jealous of all of the girls who got to be in Janet's RS...because I wanted to be in her RS. Janet is SO fun and full of ideas and life. She is one of those people with more talent than you think should be possible in one person. She can do ANYTHING and do it so well. Janet is a lifter; I don't know that it's possible to come away from a conversation with Janet and not feel like you are a great person and want to be better. Isn't that a great combination? Usually it's either/or. She has at least a hundred people who feel like they are one of her very best friends - because they are, or at least she is for them - and hundreds more who would consider her a very close friend. Janet is so real and beautiful and learns from each trial that she is handed.
After Ricks we kept in close contact. I was outside of the temple and at her reception (not sealing since I received my endowments the following day) to her most perfect match. She wrote to me on my mission. I climbed in bed once between her and her husband (why did I feel comfortable enough to do that?! Because Janet makes you feel that comfortable...thanks for being a good sport, Aaron). Janet was a great listening ear while she was married, had kids, was going to BYU...she listened to all of my dating drama (trauma?). She was particularly supportive when I called freaking out that I had quit my job, was moving away from my family and everything I knew to go to Provo to be close to the man I now call husband, but whom I had not even determined really wanted to marry me. I don't think she knows what a difference that phone call made for me. I don't remember exactly what she said, but I do remember how calm and at peace I felt after I talked to her. Janet made sacrifices to be there for my wedding; it was not a convenient time (who gets married three days after Christmas on a Tuesday?!) or time in their life, but she convinced her husband to spend his birthday coming to the temple to see me sealed and hanging at my reception that night. She has put me at ease before each of my children were born. She has been a cheerleader and one of my most important friends for 10 years. She now lives in Vegas and loves it so hopefully that's where she'll stay so that I can see her as often as I see my family. Recently the four of us besties got together again and had the BEST time (the above pictures were stolen from Janet's blog). I am extremely grateful to have Janet in my life. Today she turns 30. I hope you have the happiest birthday, Janet Lee. I love and appreciate you more than I can say!

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Fall?

I love fall...usually. I am usually really excited about the cooler weather, apple cider, pumpkin picking, Halloween, Thanksgiving travels, and especially Christmas. Usually. Fall is what sets all of these wonderful things in motion and I embrace it. Usually. For some reason I feel this inner resistance this year, and it's strong. I feel my heart resisting the change. I want to hold on to the warm, longer days. So good thing our Creator ordered up an 85 degree day for me today! I really appreciate that. I think we might try to take the kayaks out tonight, possibly for the last time.

This may seem silly, but I have really been looking into my soul as to why I feel this huge resistance. After all, progression of seasons will bring me closer to all of those fall and winter celebrations and joys, plus holding this new babe in my arms. But I think that may be part of it. I am nervous about being a mom of 3. Everyone says how hard 3 is. The other part is that next week Tyler is starting his for real schedule that he'll be keeping with school for the next two years. Part of me doesn't want to know how hard it's going to be having him gone. Last week was a taste (although the schedule was different) and then he was called into work on Sunday and I went to Church solo. By Sunday night I was feeling pretty lonely. I kept telling myself that there are women who do much more solo work and that I should buck up...but it didn't work. I'm not used to it yet. The kids have been really great, we've had a lot of fun together and done some fun projects around the house to keep us busy. There is so much to be happy about; my heart just feels a little heavy still. I think some serious prayer (possibly a blessing?) is in order.

I WILL love fall this year. Even though the calendar says it starts today, it may not officially begin in my heart until next week.

**Does Max know I am having a pity-party for one? During the writing of this post, Max asks, "Mom, what if we didn't have a house?" That spurred a conversation about how hard it would be and listed off all of the things we wouldn't have, the comforts we wouldn't enjoy, if we were without a home. Thanks, little man, for the reminder.**

Saturday, September 19, 2009

My child's prayer

Max's prayer tonight went just like this:

"Heavenly Father, thank you for the construction workers that they could build this house. I am also grateful for my mom and dad. I don't want them to die. Thank you for the construction workers. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

Good thing children are so close to heaven; I am sure that prayer will reach the Man in charge and Tyler and I will be around for a long time to come. Oh, and those construction workers will have a few extra blessings coming their way as well.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

I am a student's wife


Tyler started today! He'll be in the MBA program at the University of Washington (UW-Tacoma) for the next two years, mostly at night. Right now he's doing a 4-day, all day course.

As I mentioned on an earlier post, I thought I'd avoided being married to a student. I swooped in and married the love of my life just as he was finishing his Masters in Mechanical Engineering at BYU. I felt a little jipped to have missed out on the struggling student years to be honest, but was advised by many friends to just count my blessings. Now, this isn't going to be quite the same since Tyler will still be working at his job where he's paid well. But previously his school experience did not include a full-time job, a wife, and 2 1/2 children. So this is all new for all of us. We'll figure out how to juggle it all, I'm sure. It will just take some adjustments and patience.

Last night I asked him if he was nervous about starting school. Ummm...

"Why would I be nervous?"

"Because I would be."

"What is there to be nervous about?"

Obviously this isn't his first rodeo.

I felt a little emotional about sending him off to school last night as I insisted upon and then packed a nice little lunch for him today. I wrote his name with a heart on the bag and then wrote cheesy messages on each baggie, envisioning him sitting at a table with other smart folks, opening his homemade lunch with his homemade notes. But he called during his lunch break and informed me that he had gone to check on the car, making sure he was parked in a spot with no time limit, instead of fulfilling my wishes. Bummer.

I am really proud of Tyler. I am proud to be married to someone who always wants to better himself and who is not content with mediocre. I know he will do well. I just hope that I will do well, being the supportive wife who misses the time she's used to spending with her best friend. I'm sure that I won't be sad on graduation day! Proud, but not sad. Here we go!

Friday, September 11, 2009

BOY....

are we excited to be welcoming another little man to the family!

**Top name choices for Max: Coconut and Garage**

Tuesday, September 08, 2009

A Father's Curse or Prophecy?

A month ago when I was in Vegas I was talking to my Dad about my ultrasound appointment. He was joking with me and said, "I bet you won't be able to find out what it is." I said, "Whatever, Dad." He just likes to get my goat and I wasn't falling for it. However, since then I've thought several times, 'Maybe we won't be able to find out...that would drive me crazy!'

So last night I'm talking to my dad on the phone and tell him that today is my ultrasound appointment and then I tell him that I've thought several times about what he said about not being able to find out the gender and it has me a little worried. He likes that. So he steps it up and says, "I bet there will be a power outage or something. Or the person will be in a hurry to go out on a smoke break and won't take time to tell you what it is." I told him, "Okay, Dad, stop. That's enough! You're so mean." Just what he wanted, to get me riled. He laughed, I laughed and we went on to talk about something else.

Today my appointment was at 12:45. I ran errands with the kids this morning, got Max all hyped to see the baby on the ultrasound, came home to feed them lunch and got a phone call just as I walked in the door. "Hi, Danalin, this is Tamara from Group Health Ultrasound. Ummm...our ultrasound machine broke this morning. I'm really sorry. I'm going to have to reschedule your appointment." *Which will now be this Friday at 2:30 p.m.*

My second phone call, after I called Ty to make sure he didn't leave work, was to my dad's cell phone. I left a message and told him that I held him completely responsible. Tonight when he called back I asked, "What do you have to say for yourself?" He said, "I'd say that I'm pretty prophetic."

You be the judge. :)

Sunday, September 06, 2009

A Little Slow on the Uptake

I am 20 weeks pregnant. I feel this little person kick and move all the time...Ty felt it for the first time last week too! I am out of many "regular" clothes and have moved into much roomier ones. On Tuesday we'll have our ultrasound and *hopefully* find out the gender of this little babe. So why is it that it is just now starting to hit me that I am going to have another baby?! A little slow on the uptake, folks.

Wednesday, September 02, 2009

Where the Heart Is

I had a hard adjustment coming back from Vegas this time. I had missed Ty terribly and so that part of being home was great...but then I was missing my family like crazy. I was wondering why in the world we'd decided to move to the very northwest corner of the U.S., so many hours from very fun cousins and siblings and grandparents. I was home, but I was homesick for my family. It took me several days and some tears and prayers. I think the prayers totally worked because I have had several things remind me the past few weeks just how much I LOVE where I live. Here are two of the big reasons *I won't blame you a bit if it makes you want to put your house on the market and start looking for homes and a new life on the Kitsap Peninsula...I know of a few homes for sale*:

Blackberries.
They grow wild here. Many people think they are a nuisance. I guess I would too if they were taking over my yard. But they're not so I am free to love, love, love them. There are tons of bushes at the bottom of my street amidst the trees. We have picked a huge bowl full of blackberries three times since we got back. One was the night we returned so that Tyler the Great could make us some dutch oven blackberry cobbler. Oh my. The next was so that we could have some to munch. The kids love them. We give Max a bowl while we're picking, but only about 5 make them in. The rest go straight to the belly. Kelly pops them as fast as she can, no bowl pretense necessary. Not super clean right off the bush like that, but my kids are still alive. Today I picked a bowl full for this purpose:
Blackberry Freezer Jam

So fast and easy. I invited a few friends over to teach them how *they opted for strawberry, so I scored a few jars of that as well* and within about an hour we were all done. Now we get to enjoy the fruits of our labors *pun totally intended* for quite some time. That is, if I can refrain from giving too many away like I did last year, which I probably won't. So we'll enjoy it for a few months. :)

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Water. Beautiful, little bodies of water everywhere. Water and gorgeous trees.

Ty had a surprise for us when we got home from our trip. There, in our family room, was a huge, inflatable kayak! What?! We'd talked about getting a kayak someday. Turns out this sweet lady at work had two kayaks she'd never even opened sitting in her garage and asked Tyler if he wanted them. Umm...yeah! I thought at first that maybe it was kind of cheesy to have inflatable kayaks. But apparantly they are well-known and well-used around these parts. Plus it's pretty awesome for storage in our humble abode. And PERFECT for our little family. We took our trusty kayaks out on their maiden voyage last week for Family Home Evening. Our nearest lake is a 2-minute drive - Island Lake. It was beautiful, peaceful, and a super fun way to hang with my fam! Plus seeing these lakes from the middle instead of the shore is pretty amazing.


Tonight Ty got home from work, we chilled for a bit, had dinner, then packed the kayaks into the car and headed to a different lake - Wildcat Lake. About a 15-minute drive from home. Pure beauty. No pictures of tonight's kayak adventure, but suffice it to say that it was even a little more beautiful than the last. The sun was just setting, the lake was still, the Olympic mountains were towering in the distance. Ahhhh. We have a new love.

These little people love it too. Kelly can't go 5 minutes without serenading me from the back of the boat; I love it. I would periodically ask if she was okay back there and got an "Uh-Huh!" everytime. Not so cute when I write it, but you'd just have to hear the way it sounds in her little voice. Love her. Max really wanted to try kissing between kayaks tonight, but I forgot. I just now remembered. Next time. Both kiddos love to play in the shallow area of the lake at the end of each trip. That's probably their favorite part right now, but they do get a kick out of putting on the life jackets and paddling out.
Here they are hangin' by a tree while Dad straps the kayaks to the roof of the car...both looking and smiling at the same time. It's a miracle!
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I am so happy to be HOME.