Consider Yourself SERVED!

I've mentioned my dear friend, Janet, before. She's one of my very favorite people on this earth, and one of my most important friends. Well, she has a very fun,witty, and inspiring blog (you'd be wise to become a regular reader), and on this blog she is holding her very first giveaway. To enter you must submit, or post, a story about a time when an act of service someone offered changed or effected you. Go here for all of the details on how to participate...and I really think you should. It's nice to go over these experiences in your mind, but writing it down makes you feel warm all over. It doesn't hurt that you may also win a really sweet prize by participating. Be sure to spread the word about this fun and inspiring giveaway. I can't wait to read your stories! You can read mine below...

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It was one of those days. I was heavy with child (8 1/2 months) and so tired. I know that I've mentioned my pregnancy rash on here before, but I don't think you KNOW how bad it was. I'd had two other babes and being 9 months pregnant is uncomfortable enough. Add a rash all over your belly, arms, and legs that your doctor can do nothing about...ugh. The rash would wake me up in the middle of the night because it itched so bad! I don't wish it on anyone; to say it was miserable doesn't quite cut it. My husband had just started another quarter at school (working on an MBA at night after a full day's work) and that meant I was flying solo at least two full days a week. My patience was very thin those last few weeks of pregnancy. My poor kids. I felt totally overwhelmed...and big...and weepy...and guilty for not being patient enough. Suffice it to say, I was feeling very fragile.

This particular evening I HAD to get out of the house. It was raining (surprise! rain in Washington in January!) and generally I would avoid going places under such conditions because I was trying not to carry Kelly into stores anymore and the girl's little legs can only carry her so fast. I'm sure whatever errand it was could have waited, but I couldn't. I needed some distraction, something to break up a long evening without my husband. My kids were not at their best - how could they be with such a mess of a mom?

We headed to Target, made our purchases, and headed out to the van. I unloaded our goods and then lifted Max out of the cart and put him in his seat. When I walked around the back of the van to get Kelly out of the cart, the cart wasn't there! My little girl was about ten or fifteen feet away in a runaway cart! A lady had to slam on her brakes to keep from hitting my little runaway. I dashed after Kelly in all of my huge-bellied glory, with my heart racing and my stomach in my toes. I grabbed the cart and turned to wave at the lady who had slammed on her brakes to say "sorry and thank you", but when I did, I was met with the most disgusted look she could muster and a disapproving shake of her head. I wanted to sit down and sob. What did she think - that I had pushed my child across the parking lot for a fun ride? I felt like she was saying with that look and shake of her head, "Here she is about to have another and she can't even keep it together with the ones she has." And that is exactly how I had been feeling. I wanted to chase after her and explain, or yell at her for being so insensitive to someone who obviously had her hands full. Mostly, I just wanted to cry for a long, long time. I decided I would go home, get the kids to bed, and do just that.

I had just gotten Kelly out of the cart and was strapping her into her seat, trying my best to keep the tears that were stinging the corners of my eyes from falling, when a lady with very kind eyes approached me. With a sweet smile she said, "It looks like you have your hands full. Can I take your cart for you?" Suddenly I felt a huge weight lift from my chest; physically, I felt it. I don't know that she was prepared for the gratitude that came spilling out of my mouth, eyes, smile, arms, legs, rash-ridden belly...I was oozing gratitude for this lady and her sweet smile. Oh, I needed that smile. Suddenly I felt like I didn't have to do everything on my own, and that was HUGE. I think that I thanked her 4 or 5 times in the time that it took for her to take hold of the cart and walk toward the cart return.

It changed how that day ended for me - instead of going home and sobbing, I felt lighter than I had in weeks. I was able to laugh it off and even change my feelings toward the disgusted woman in her car *. This experience made me vow to always be aware of what I can DO to help others. I know that one day I'll have a free hand or two to help a mom in need...and I will be sure to do it every time. We just never know how much a small act of service can impact a person. I will forever be grateful for the woman with the kind eyes and smile who returned my cart at Target.

*I have to add that I don't blame that lady in the car for her rudeness; she was probably just scared to death that she'd almost hit a little girl in a runaway cart and reacted out of fear. At least that's what I choose to believe :)*

another random post...get excited!

He smiles! All of the time now. Just when you think you can't love them anymore, they go and do a thing like that. And, no, I couldn't post just ONE picture. There are so many phases of his smile and I wanted to record them all.

If this hasn't put you on Everett Overload, I have a really short video clip of the little man in action below....mostly for the fam, let's be honest. Not everyone will think his gurgling and cooing and smiling and sneezing are as adorable as I do. Hard to believe, but I know it's true.

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Ever watched The Wonder Pets? Annoying show, really, (are they on a mission to singlehandedly encourage the world to consume more celery? It's a little weird) but it gave my kids a cute song to sing when they are working together to get a job done. The other day we were all walking into the church for our (okay, my) bi-weekly exercise class. I had my weights, a diaper bag, and Everett in hand, so I asked the kids to carry my mat. They teamed up, one on each end, and sang the entire way in, "What's gonna work? TEAMwork!" over and over and over and over again. And over again. You get the picture. It was really cute because their voices are just so darn adorable. Why can't those little voices stay like that forever?

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This morning when the kids woke up I was nursing Everett in my bed, so I told them to go ahead downstairs and I would be down in a minute. When I came downstairs, Max had his rain boots on and Kelly was wearing a pair of snow boots over her footie pj's. They were standing in front of the door to the garage with their hands behind their backs and smiles on their faces. I saw as their hands dashed behind their backs that they were holding graham crackers they'd gotten from the garage shelves. (By the way, Max totally thinks I have magic eyes and can see through anything....a belief I totally encourage.) I told them I saw what they had and Max just said, "We LOVE graham crackers!" I so wish I had a picture of their little boot-wearing selves.

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I've found an I'll-watch-your-kids-while-you-run-if-you-watch-mine friend. I've been able to run every day except Tuesday this week. It's getting a little easier. The bod is willing and getting stronger; now I need to work on my mental game and stop giving myself the "you just had a baby"out when it's feeling hard and I want to walk. I didn't walk at all today and I thought I was pretty rad. You should see some of the hills around here - you MIGHT agree with my "rad" assessment.

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As I type this, my studly husby is in the backyard rebuilding our deck to make our super cool backyard even cooler....errrr...to make our postage stamp of a backyard look a little bigger. It's gonna be awesome. I'll be posting pictures of the finished product very soon. I know, I know, you can hardly contain your excitement. Well, try. And have a great weekend!

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The Ev Man's video debut on the blog....

Kid Conversations

The other day Kelly woke up from her nap and Max got so excited. Here is the conversation that followed the sound of her door opening:

Max: (in the voice he reserves for sweetness and babies, yells up the stairs) Hi, Kelly! You're awake!

Kelly: It's your SISTER!

Max: I know! We're so glad you're awake! Did you have a good nap? Kelly, I'm so glad you're awake! I'm going to come and get you...

He ran up the stairs and escorted her down to the living room. :)

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Several weeks ago Max came into my room at 6:45 a.m. (with a new pair of pj pants because he didn't quite get his other ones pulled down in time in the bathroom...so proud that he changed his pants himself! And in the dark no less.) Everett was just waking up to be fed. After he was fed, we all snuggled in my bed for a bit and I said how much fun it was to snuggle with my two boys early in the morning. We had this conversation:

Max: "Do you know why we're awake?"

Me: "Why?"

Max:"Because we love to snuggle."

Me:"Oh yeah? That's why you woke up - to snuggle?"

Max:"Yeah. I see you and Dad snuggling and I see how THAT works out. So then I want to snuggle too. I love to snuggle!"

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This isn't a conversation, but I wanted to add it in here anyway. A while ago I taught Kelly eskimo and butterfly kisses. She's a fan. She often asks for them when I'm putting her down for a nap. I love putting her down for a nap because that's one-on-one time that I can count on with her every day. I treasure it. Anyway, the past few times that she's requested an eskimo kiss she's said, "Can I have a hippo kiss?" I will never correct her on that; it makes my heart way too happy!

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I'm such a fan of these little people I get to raise!

Joys

Ty forgot his marketing textbook at school last Wednesday. He really needed it to study with that weekend for his final the following Monday. So instead of him taking a two-hour trip (an hour there and back) solo, he decided to make a family day of it. After we got his book, we headed to the children's museum in Tacoma and spent a few hours there. The museum was the perfect size for our little people and we all had a great time. I'm sure Everett felt the joy while he was zonked in the bjorn on my chest. I know I've mentioned this before, but I love how easy babies are to schlep around at this age.
Everett's eyelashes are taking off! I think his are longer than either of the other two's lashes were at this age...? Hard to remember, though. Suffice it to say, they're gonna be luscious.

Our dude is becoming a regular smiler, although I have yet to capture his biggest grins. These are a few of his almost-smiles.

And don't you think he just has smiley eyes? He looks like he's on the verge of a smile so often. They're either smiley eyes or bug eyes when they're open. :) Love this first picture.
Kelly The Family Photog caught this cutest Everett expression. We always smile when she asks us to (well, Everett doesn't just yet...but he did this time because he's such a good brother) but never expect the picture to actually turn out. I don't love this one of me, but thought I could take one for the team so that you can see my little man's cute face. Pure joy!

I'm having such a great week with my kids. There are for sure moments of frustration and fits and sassiness, but overall we have such a fun time together. I love their personalities and Max and I get the giggles together a lot lately. I can't help but laugh when he is laughing...even at inappropriate times, like during prayer.

The sun is out today and there is sunshine in my soul! Hope your day is just as good.

A Blessed Event

We were so lucky to have my parents here this weekend! They came into town for Everett's baby blessing. We had two glorious days of sunshine, one cool and overcast day, and today we had snow (didn't stick..in fact, the sun is out now). It was a perfect weekend - thanks, Mom and Dad for coming. We love you so very, very much. You totally rock as grandparents (and parents too)!

The highlights were:

• a picnic outside *Max had to wear shades because we Washingtonians are sun wimps*

• the kids played outside with Papa Dan - they even rid the world of a few slugs with some table salt
• shopping with my mom...loved it!
• primary activity *Max recited the 3rd Article of Faith for the talent show portion of the activity*
• Waterfront Park with Grammy
• Papa added a light outside so that when the weather is nice the kids will be able to play in the sandbox into the wee hours of the morning...errr...just late into the night, we won't go to bed without getting our kids out of the sandbox, I promise
• Easter Egg Hunt, courtesy of Papa & Grammy since Max and Kell will miss out on the hunt with the cousins

• Max and Kelly putting on a show with the glow-in-the-dark sword and flower from the Easter Egg Hunt

• just chillin' with the grandparents

• eating really good food courtesy of the parents
• making apple donuts with my dad *and then he had us take them to people in our ward as a thank you from him for taking care of my little family since he can't be here to do it all the time - such a thoughtful man*
• my mom crocheting a blanket just for Kelly's doll
• I got to go on my first run post-baby while my parents watched the kids! I loved running again...I'll be honest, though, it was a little tough. I did run all of the hills which was a small personal victory :)

And of course, the highlight of highlights:

• Everett's Blessing!

My mom crochets a blessing blanket for each grandchild

And now for a few unrelated pictures:

Here is one more sweet picture of my sweet babe, just for fun...I sure like him!

I told you that I felt like a poser in the world of long hair...so I cut it off - what do you think?

This n' That

I forgot to include these pictures in Kelly's birthday post. Max helped me decorate while Kelly was sleeping. I think he did a pretty fabulous job! "But, Mom, how can I help? You have to give me some low ones." *Note the streamers hung from the bookcase to the chair and from the sliding door to the entertainment center - he was feelin' pretty darn creative and proud!*

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Everett is 4 1/2 weeks of deliciousness. He is so on the verge of smiling at us, I just know it. I get in his face all day long to show him how it's done (and because I just like being close to his little face), but so far he only smiles at things like the sliding glass door and the ceiling fan. He's chunking up nicely. My parents are coming on Thursday and the little dude will be blessed at Church on Sunday. We can't wait for them to come!

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The other day Everett and I were hanging out on the floor and I set a book with bright colors nearby for him to gaze at. Max asked what I was doing and I told him that babies like to look at things that are bright and colorful. So he and Kelly set out to thoroughly entertain the babe. This became Everett's 'castle'.

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Kelly is our resident photographer - every family needs one.

Usually the pictures are of the carpet or her toes (she really has a thing for her toes), but every once in a while we get a few gems...

Dana's Fitness History

(like anyone's really interested, but I feel like writing this anyway...)

I was fairly fit when I wed my husby 5 years ago...or at least thin-ish. He thought I was hot. :) We immediately moved to Upstate New York in the middle of winter. The huge winter coats combined with the comfort of newlywedism brought more than a few extra pounds. 7 months later marked the beginning of my pregnancy with our firstborn. 8 months later I was sitting on a couch with my husby, watching the Biggest Loser - two of the contestants (a husband and wife) went home before the finale and ran in a triathlon. "If they can do it, so can we," we said. I wanted to get in shape between babies. So the following summer, just after that firstborn turned one, we ran our first triathlon, side-by-side. Then just 8 weeks later, we finished another. But two weeks before that triathlon we found out that baby #2 was on her way (not a surprise...they've all been planned...we like 'em close).

Before babe #2 was born I knew that I needed another goal, so I signed up for another tri that I would run 4 months post-baby. I did that and decided that since I was a really slow swimmer and not so fast on a bike, I should just run. I could run. So I signed up for a half-marathon that I would run 4 months after the tri. That went well and the goal was for an eventual full marathon, but I was already halfway there with the training and decided to go for it. So 7 weeks after the half, I crazily ran in my first (only?) marathon. Then I took a break. I needed a break. Babe #3 was on his way shortly thereafter.

Babe #3, as sweet and worth it as he is, has padded my hips and thighs and belly and arms and face and fingers and toes. So a few months before his birth I made a few 'get back in shape between babies' decisions. The first is that I'll be running in the Rock 'n Roll Seattle half marathon in June. The second is that I'm putting together a team for a Ragnar Relay in July. I knew that with the post-baby exhaustion I would need a kick in the pants to get back in shape; I knew that I would want nothing more than to sit on my nicely padded bottom for months. So signing up for these non-refundable races scares me into shape. That's why I do it. Not because I'm hard-core, I'm scared.

I've been good about taking it easy-ish since the little man was born and think that 5 weeks is long enough. I'm going on my first run this weekend...because June will be here soon and I need some of this padding gone for those post-race pictures! Why-oh-why did I sign up for these races? Ugh. I'm nervous, people. And that's exactly why I shell out the nonrefundable $85 before I really think it through.