MaxMomma

ULGH....

2011-10-16T16:10:00.000-07:00

HELP! I am having blogger trouble. I have tried about 20 times now to change my blog background/template with "thecutestblogontheblock"...it is now TOTALLY messed up. So much so, that I am considering making a new blog and ditching this one.

I want to post about our move, Glenn's job at Dreamworks, and all the decorating and anxiety... but, I think it will have to wait until this looks functional. Any tips are very welcome!

Previsualizing the new space

2011-10-03T23:04:00.001-07:00

Jonas, Darling

2011-09-22T16:36:00.001-07:00

I know a lot of mothers feel the miracle of creation when they hold their newborns in their arms, but for me I get that rush when I start to hear the wheels turning in their own heads. I LOVE to hear what they are thinking about; what their creativity generates; what their hearts long for.

Jonas is in this stage. Naturally, I am feeling head over feet in love with him for it~ So, I have to take a moment to jot some of it down.

*Jonas is such a little lover. He will take my chin in his hands and say "Mom, you are a good girl, and dad is a good boy." "I love your heart." and "Mom, I'm proud of you too for buckling your seat belt- we're proud of each other!", "Mom, Ali IS a princess!"

*He has really been contemplating the toilet lately as he's been in there. "Mom, the toilet has a hole? And a tank? Is that how the potty doesn't get on the floor?"

Other deep questions have been looming in his head as he's on there, like "Mom, do I have bones? Do my eyes have bones?" (He's been on a real bones kick lately. We have an awesome book with 3D diagrams of the body's systems that I think is beginning to answer his questions.)

*He loves to randomly ask, "Mom, can I listen to your heart?" often this is preceded by a statement like "Mom, you have beautiful eyes", or the "Mom, I love your heart" line again. Melts me every time though. Smooth little man, I am so worried when he begins to date... he may have to be 21.

*Carpooling Max to school also gets Jonas thinking. He usually sparks up when he sees the "Bubble Van" each morning, but today he was in solemn thought. "I wish my clothes had a parachute in them" was what he eventually shared. He is SO Glenn's son.

*He's finally settling into being a lefty. Glenn will be ecstatic. When Jonas showed some potential to be left-handed, he recommended we tie his right hand behind his back :). Looks like we won't have to take such drastic measures after all!

*Jonas longs to paint, eat snacks, climb and jump, and play with the forbidden bricks in the backyard. He is so genuinely thrilled by the little things (again, like his dad). The other day as I made his lunch, I turned to him and pointed to my eye, then made a heart out of my hands, then pointed to him. He literally squealed with delight- he thinks making a heart out of your hands is the best thing since marshmallows.

*Lately, Jonas has been having nightmares. Poor guy came in beside-himself-bawling into our room last night about some bad guys doing something.

A couple of weeks ago he had a recurring dream where a light would come and take him away, he'd cry because he missed us and it would bring him back. Sometimes it takes him away and we "aren't anymore". He came into my room one morning, climbed into bed with me and said, "Mom, what are the two eyes that look like this (poked his finger on the pillow twice to indicate two dots) that look through the rectangle?" Anyone else think this is freaky? I hate to admit that he gets the tendency towards nightmares from me...

*Nutella, Ali, Max, and Rio Orton are his best friends. Well, and the color blue.

I LOVE this little man.

Alison Kim

2011-08-01T16:35:00.001-07:00

I'm looking through my files for a pic of Jonas and Ali for Nursery next week. I ran across this one and love it. I remember seeing how CUTE she was that day and wanting a picture together. It is really nice to have a daughter, and I am REALLY fond of this girl!

Also ran across these shots... the day she suddenly decided to take out (and re-line) the garbage all on her own! I love this girl and her spunk!

Some pictures

2011-07-26T11:13:00.000-07:00

From Grandma's internment. Love this sweet family of mine.

Max is 6!

2011-07-26T09:57:00.000-07:00

Today Max is SIX! It has been such an honor to be this little man's mother. He's brilliant, oh-so-kind hearted, trusting, obedient, creative & engineering well beyond his years (or mine!), loving, fun & funny, insightful, and full of faith. He brightens all of our days around here and we wouldn't trade him for the world! Happy birthday my darling Max!

Max wanted a Pokemon party this year, so these were the invites.

Glenn did the drawing of Max as a Pokemon trainer :)...

Family Love

2011-07-22T23:56:00.001-07:00

I've begun a daily journal that has been wonderful for me personally, but it has left me a little lack-luster on my blogging.

I'm going to put Grandma's passing in the journal category and let it suffice to say here that my Grandma was one of my favorite angels on earth and now I have to get used to letting her be an angel on the other side. I miss her already, love her completely, and want to carry her grace/devotion/compassion forward to her great-great grandchildren. Love you dearly Grandma.

Funny thing about being home for a funeral is that it never quite feels like the moment to pull out a camera. So, I have no pictures of the Tanners. Gratefully Aunt Steph took some I will have to steal.

I did take lots of the Harmons, on the other hand. It was WONDERFUL to see everyone- and Tom and Karen made us feel more than at home. My grandma used to tell me- "Kristen, you know who has the best Mother-in-Law? You do." She was right. Actually, I got both bests- mother and father-in law. They made what could have been a stressful trip back home (that was rather ill-planned on our part since it was pretty last minute), a sweet and joyful time. Glenn's parents are also angels.

Jonas' last moments with his left middle finger nail... yep, tragedy was about to strike.

These two want to be BYU college roommates- I love that thought!

Love Grandpa and his garden

Ali loved the birds behind Grandma and Grandpa Harmon's

He's still got it!

Jonas threw up right before company came over... Murphey's Law.

Someday they will all be missionaries and I will adore looking back on this!

One of my two new wonderful nephews! I wish this shot had captured his big smile- he smiles all the time!

Little Revamp

2011-07-22T23:41:00.000-07:00

Today was the big day we put the crib away and built a new toddler bed. I can't tell you how much I appreciated that Max's reaction was that this looked great... I was pretty worried the boys were going to recognize this as the estrogen encroaching coup that it is.

Jonas....

2011-07-20T09:14:00.000-07:00

Enough Said.

VISITORS!

2011-06-29T12:56:00.001-07:00

We have had AWESOME visitors these past couple of weeks. Heidi, my best friend since I was 4, came to visit with her beautiful baby, Abigail. Heidi was an angel- always loving my children, doing my dishes, and serving in any way she could think of. I loved her visit, but saying good-bye made me cry as I realized how desperately I wished we lived closer. I keep hoping that our paths land us as next door neighbors one day.

Bottega Louie visit!

Sweet baby- just woke up and getting oriented in her mama's arms.

Bonding over delicious fancy food. Abigail is eating edible gold flakes here :)

We love that little baby finger testing the waters!

Around the house...

Watching the gardeners. We loved how they were lined up by height!

So adorable!

It's the little moments, like seeing all the girls brush their teeth in the hall, that are my favorite

Abigail LOVED the trampoline, and the balls. It was darling to see Max dote on her and try to be so gentle. "Abigail, do you want to go on the tramp with just me?" he asked her one morning.

I love Jonas' face in this one- he loved Heidi (well, they all did). She left them with the 'Little Red Box' song... if you don't know it, ask me and I'll teach you. This simple little song is magic.

(Doesn't Ali look old here?)

Next we had Michael and Danielle (our brother and sister-in-law) visit us for literally only 24 hours. I had worried it wouldn't be enough time to feel like we had even said hello. I don't know what magic it was, but it felt like we had more time together- and it was heaven! I love this family so much- their children are dear, and parents just the same. Maybe next time we can steal them for longer!

We set the kids up to eat under the tramp in their "fort"... they loved it and we half-wished we could eat under there too!

Who could not adore them?

At one moment in the day, I decided to grab the camera and document what everyone was doing... this is what I got:

Jordan and Megan helping make cookie pies

Max and Tommy creating with Legos

Christian with oh-so-many options

Jonas pretending to be a puppy waiting for me to notice him and adopt him. If I had a dog, I probably would end up feeding him hot dogs. Spot on there, Jonas.

Babies happily eating their crackers (until I learned that sweet Rhea doesn't eat her crackers whole, so I basically could have choked a baby here... gratefully, awesome Jordan caught it before it was trouble!)

I like food

2011-06-28T08:26:00.000-07:00

Started Weight Watchers yesterday. Due to poor planning, by the end of the day I was hungry, tired, and quite cranky. The whole house knew it was time to walk on egg shells (which they did quite nicely). This morning as I headed out for a run, Jonas stopped me at the door with those delicious blue eyes (the only snack I'll get for awhile) and said with a grin, "Mom, I love you soooo much. And I like it when you eat food." Ha!

Rule of Life #1: A fed woman is a happy woman.

Seven years later and I like him even more...

2011-06-24T17:11:00.001-07:00

Here's to our 7th! Glenn took over this year (even though it was my year to plan) because my plate had more than I could humanly coordinate. Bless him. When he offered to take over on the planning I could hardly contain jumping for joy!

This year was our copper anniversary. I love what Glenn came up with to celebrate- wonderful dinner at PF Chang's, folder full of random journal entries from the past seven years gathered by "his team", and ending the evening on the beach with seven copper pennies dated 2004-2010. He had originally planned on tossing them into a romantic fountain, but the fountains were closed for the night, so we headed out to the ocean. We stood on the beach chatting about the events and lessons from each specific year, then tossed each penny with what we took away from that year in our hearts and minds. It was perfect.

The best part at the beach (aside from scanning the perimeter ever two minutes to be sure we weren't going to be attacked... highly unlikely in our end of town, but you never know! The dark ocean at night is a mixture of exciting and scary) was that after we had finished talking about our first year of marriage, I lifted my hand to toss in our 2004 penny and accidentally dropped it in the sand! We laughed and laughed at the irony and Glenn didn't miss a beat- he grabbed a piece of wood and said "Here, toss this in, it doesn't matter what it is!". After his careful work to find a perfect 2004 penny! He wasn't even bothered... We found the penny a second later, but I loved it because it shows Glenn's ability to stand back from the situation, look at the big picture and what really matters. He's much better at that than I am.

My other favorite part of the evening was the feeling that settled in about five minutes after we sat down at the restaurant. The feeling of not being responsible for anything AND being with my best friend. That feeling makes me giddy- as Glenn can attest. I think people at nearby tables must think I am drunk, because I start to laugh a lot and hard when it hits! I love it and I'm so grateful for those times and memories with Glenn. He really is my favorite.

It's been a great seven years full of babies, growing children, challenging college years, getting real jobs, tons of callings (mainly for Glenn), worrying about finances, relaxing about finances, then worrying again as we support five on one income, family trips and outings, laughing, crying, Cosby episodes, Dick Van Dyke Episodes, a lot of chocolate chip cookies & brownies, haircuts at home that take an hour, sleep deprivation, date nights, and work, work, and work-- all of it has taught me that Glenn is an even better husband and father than I had even suspected that afternoon in the temple as I cried with joy to get him forever. Seven pennies later, I feel like one lucky girl.

I just came across these and had to post them...

2011-06-17T15:41:00.000-07:00

These were from almost five months ago when Jonas' haircut went awry. He lurched back when the sound of the clippers scared him. You can see it was pretty hopeless and we had to turn to a professional (Angie!) for help. It came out short, but he was super cute! I miss his curls though... it has all come back straight.

Anniversary Ideas....

2011-06-17T12:13:00.000-07:00

This morning I got an email inviting me to write our story of how we fell in love and some anniversary ideas for a newly started blog (http://texasisforlovers2.blogspot.com). I've only been able to complete the second half of the invitation, but thought I'd post it here since I went through the work :)...

Fun Anniversary ideas:

*Writing on the mirror- you can do it with any white board marker and it easily wipes off!

*Finding a favorite movie theme. We love Pixar's "UP!", so one year I themed our anniversary around it. I bought the supplies for camping and set up camp in our back yard. Inside the tent I placed an "Our Adventure Book" that I had made, similar to the one in the movie. So fun to look back over our adventures and plan our new ones.

*Surprise drop-offs. Glenn has had neighbors deliver his surprises throughout the day while he is at work. The one pictured here with the balloons was from last year (our 6th, the candy Anniversary). All through the day I received puzzles and word jumbles and emails to give me clues as to where we were going that night. It turned out to be a swanky place on an old cruise liner-- Sir Winston's on the Queen Mary. LOTS of fun.

*Experiences together. This year we are hoping to get out to do some sea kayaking together for a couple of hours. Other fun experiences from years past: renting a car and cruising around town meeting up with friends; going to a hotel for a night (we picked one that was cheap and later learned it was famous as a 'haunted hotel'. We didn't know that until afterwards, but both had an eerie feeling the whole time we were there!); a date at the local pier riding the roller coasters and ferris wheels (prepare to feel like an adult when surrounded by a lot of teens still 'finding themselves'!); going out for just dessert at a super fancy places- all the fun at a much reduced price!

*Each anniversary I like to throw on my wedding dress and take a picture with Glenn and the kids. I figure it is a fun way to mark the passing of time (and keep me accountable for my waistline!).

* Memory Books: We have found we like the quality and pricing from blurb.com. They now even have a feature to make your blog into a book: http://www.blurb.com/create/book/blogbook. We try yearly to take our journal and blog entries and add our best photos to remember our happenings that year. We call it our "Marriage Insurance" because on the hard days we can whip them out and remember the big picture and all the happy times that extend beyond the immediate stress.

*Treat messages. This year I tried a giant cookie (it's the size of a pie) with a banner in it to start off the day... I think we all liked that one!

My Morning Conversation with Jonas...

2011-06-17T09:01:00.000-07:00

(Looking through some old pictures)

Me: Jonas, look- here you weren't even born yet!

Jonas: I was in your tummy drinking you?

Me (Laughing): Well, yeah, kind of!

Jonas: Oh, I know- you were like a cow, and I get drink from you.

Me: HA! Yeah, kind of. See you were in my tummy and you grew from very small to big and then you came out.

Jonas: I went in your leg? (He might have said 'out your leg')

Me (deciding we'd covered enough this morning): Well, um... want to go play a game?

Sometimes I Remember Who I Am!

2011-05-31T10:44:00.000-07:00

My last post was about feeling that I have forgotten how to relax and have fun. This week had two very fun experiences to help me feel that again. (I sat on that entry for a week and didn't want to post it because I was worried that it made it sound like I don't appreciate being a wife and mother- and I really, really do. It is just that I feel I've grown a bit too serious.)

First, we had an AWESOME (yes, truly AWESOME) girl's date out to a gorgeous restaurant/cafe called Bottega Loius. Oooooh. Lovely. This is what a girl can dream about... high ceilings, crown molding, gold leafing, and gorgeous desserts as far as the eye can see. Top this off with some of my favorite company and we are in business for relaxing and fun! Heidi, we are DEFINITELY going here!

Some of the ladies ordering... it was so hard to choose!

The second thing from this week was our marvelous Memorial Day. We met up with our friends the Jeffords in their amazing house that makes me forget about California's tiny living spaces. You know how sometimes you will make a friend and you know you were obviously destined to be friends? Well, that is Suzy. I love her. I love that her texts will make me laugh from my gut out loud (Heidi, it's really a cackle) and I'm so glad she is back in my life after a year of thinking she had moved back to Texas. It is one of Heavenly Father's kindest tender mercies to have given me inspiring and wonderful friends- I have been blessed with more than I ever deserve and I am immensely grateful to add Suzy to this list!

I'm sure we overstayed our welcome (we stayed for 5 1/2 hours!), but it was just so hard to leave.

Such beautiful women- Suzy and her daughter Darby

Ali's diaper soaked up half the kiddie pool!

Slip n' slide!

Brandon and Suzy

Fun times!

(*I'm sure you don't need me to tell you this, but those are just IBC Rootbeers on the table)

Lots of water- pools, fights, balloons, games (even prizes!)

Ali and Juliette. Ali went through six outfits (literally!) going back to the pool. She loved it!

Sometimes I Forget Who I Am...

2011-05-27T11:15:00.000-07:00

I just came in from hearing a CD play in the car of some of my favorite songs from college.

Dangerous.

Subliminal reminders of feeling very alive-- spontaneity, freedom, power, efficiency, playfulness...

In so many, many ways this mini-van driving, bottom wiping, emotionally eating mother has forgotten the girl that really lives inside of me. My days are spent reminding little boys to go to the bathroom, hand sanitizing, sandwich making, and bill paying- and somewhere along those lines I forgot that I was once a fun person. I once knew how to talk about something other than nap schedules and pediatrician appointments. Once...

So much of my days are spent worrying about keeping my kids from drowning, and my nights continuously checking to see that my kids are still breathing- and it shocks me to remember that I once drove a sports car that broke down every week, got several speeding tickets, hung out with guitar buddies, and was quite a flirt (don't misinterpret that for flousy). And today I stood back and looked at myself and saw something had slipped from me that I don't like that I let go.

I think I've let go of my fun side.

Obviously, I'm not going to stop paying bills or cleaning house here. I am a HUGE believer in being responsible, living the gospel as 100% as possible, being a wife and mother full of devotion and fidelity. But- I am finally believing Glenn is right that it would be good for me to get some hobbies. Somehow my responsible side has left me as something I call "Motherly Fearful". And I don't like that has left me feeling serious almost all of the time.

So, first on the list- I signed up for a Zumba class (Akk! So fun! Glenn and I agreed it was okay as long as there are no men in the class :)... I'm not shaking my hips around any men, thank you very much.).

Next- well, that's what I'm working on. I know there aren't a lot of people who read my blog, but if you do, you are most likely a mother as well and I would LOVE to know how you keep in touch with your fun side. I know it involves creativity, creating, and a healthy step away from the kids on occasion (hard for me to do). I would love any suggestions...

I know it goes without saying that I would never change that I am a wife and mother- every day I feel joy in what I do... I just need help loosening up a bit :).

STEVENSONS!

2011-05-13T10:55:00.001-07:00

We got to have our dear friends the Stevensons over two weekends ago. We really wish we had had more time with them (like a month!), but we were thrilled to get what we could.

We loved that our kids played like they had known each other for ages...

On Sunday we got to have a group dinner with Eric's family, who I love! Seriously, I wish we could have had the whole evening together. We threw a fun Birthday party for Heidi in there and I learned that I had made two major mistakes in that meal: red pasta sauce, and red velvet cake. Those two enemies kept me from holding still long enough to get in good conversations with these people I love so much! Hostesses, be warned! Still, it was wonderful to see everyone again.

The beautiful Birthday girl Heidi

Eric's mom and Kristen

(we were both born on December 9th! Pretty cool- I'd share a birthday and name with her any day!)

We miss you guys already and hope you are coming back SOOOOOON!

The Flip Side...

2011-05-10T12:10:00.000-07:00

I was chatting with my good friend Shauna yesterday about the other side of motherhood (you know the screaming at the top of their lungs in Sprouts while they nearly knock over an entire row of glass salad dressings?). The part that we don't write sentimental blogs about around Mother's Day. It is at her suggestion that I write this entry.

In the shower I have lots of conversations. My latest one involves sitting next to Lady Gaga on a plane and striking up a conversation about our lives. I think it is my form of therapy to myself to explain why I choose mothering over more 'worldly' paths (never mind that I know practically nothing about Lady Gaga!). I tell her that I'm so glad to be a mother. That it's a balance between thinking you are are going to go crazy to getting the sweetest payoffs and loving what your life definition is. Like the insane stress that accompanies having dinner guests (which we do one to two times a week)- you desperately try to make a beautiful full meal and dessert, during the kids "fall apart and fight" hours of the day, alone (because your husband is lucky to get home at the same time company arrives), trying to have a spotless house, and pretending that there will come a moment that you can try to spruce yourself up a bit too (this seems to rarely come to fruition).

As the moments get closer to dinner time and my efforts more intense, I remember I have to create a whole separate meal for my children because they subsist on literally five dishes (did I really go through all that work to hear shrieking and bawling at the dinner table because of green objects on their plates?). About this time, I usually turn to see Alison sitting on the table pushing the plate settings off, or dumping full glasses of water. It is at this moment that I vow to myself that I am never feeding the missionaries again or that I am making Glenn try this magic act alone sometime to appreciate what he is putting me through (I laugh at this because Glenn is not the one who invites our dinner guests over, so it is totally illogical!).

But then you fast forward ten minutes. We are in the arms of friends (or handshakes to missionaries), chatting and smiling, eating a good meal together, children quiet as they eat their grilled cheese sandwiches and looking forward to dessert, and I am happy. I totally rescind my former vow and tell myself that I couldn't stand life without dear friends (this is true, I am an extrovert to the core).

This is just like motherhood to me. I get to the point where the screaming, testing the limits, laundry, or chronic sickness*, etc. threaten to make me want to pack a suitcase-- but then Max will hug me in a way only a little boy who truly loves and needs his mother knows how, or Ali will start saying new words and initiating games and I marvel at her intelligence, or I feel like the smartest mom in the world because I found out that I can get Jonas to do anything by blowing in his ears to make sure his "listening ears" are ready. And suddenly I know that the work and forced growth (often due to public humiliation!) are something that really give me the most definition and joy in the world. And I remember that "I get to be big because they are small" for only a short season more.

When I left my grandma on my visit to San Diego last week, that is what struck me. This really ends sometime. Her days are becoming desperately few due to terminal cancer. Her children and husband love and gather around her- and they are the ones who make the dinners for her now. I asked her favorite part in life and she said "Being a mother. I loved being a mother. And Earl always made life nice." She glanced at my sleeping Grandpa and said "I knew if I married Earl, he would always love me and think I was wonderful even if I was awful." She wasn't awful, but she was right about Grandpa.

And so I tell Lady Gaga this stuff while the Ali cries at the shower door and tries to climb in.

*Not the real serious stuff, just every cold, flu, etc. My kids pick up everything- I may be one of those mothers who actually makes their kids sick by hand washing and sanitizing too much. Mercy, that just seems an ironic cruelty doesn't it? The more you try, the more often they'll get sick anyway? All I know is my diligence doesn't seem to spare us any bug.

Mother's Day

2011-05-08T19:55:00.000-07:00

Self timer shot :)... We were so excited they were all smiling!

Sweet Max made me breakfast since Glenn was out of town this morning. Epic amounts of Fruity Cheerios!

Awesome Carl Bloch book I wanted!

I love these people.

I love this time of their little lives where I get to be big because they are small.

I love to hear them giggle and talk to each other, or play "Tron" and build forts.

I love that when Max had to choose one word to describe me he picked "Funny".

I love that Ali tries to dress herself.

I love that Jonas is king of pretend.

I love that Glenn made me dinner and jello with sprite- and even changed the really bad diapers- to make it a great Mother's Day.

I love that each year my heart evolves a little more into a mother's heart- to learn to love what I do*, and especially who I get to do it for.

I'm grateful I had a mom who did this for me and lots of others who helped mother me so kindly.

These are blessed and sweet days.

*Maybe excluding the dishes and laundry... I hope to one day love those.

I love my Grandma... and Grandpa, and Aunts

2011-05-08T18:29:00.000-07:00

I got to visit my Grandma and family in San Diego last weekend. It was pure heaven. There are a lot of emotions I feel with these photos. They are all good emotions, but I'm just not ready to be elaborating on them for now. I hope you had a great Mother's Day!

P.S. Aren't these people the coolest?! So glad this lasts beyond the grave.

Easter... mingled with revenge.

2011-04-26T10:00:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful Easter with two of our dear friends- The Libertors and Ortons. It was so nice to have it feel like a holiday with people to share it with. It is hard to share some of our other friends with their in-town families on holidays... priorities, right?

Ortons!

(Rio and Belize are two of Max and Jonas' best friends.

We love Shauna and Brannon, so it works out well!)

Libertors!

(They have four kids- these three beautiful girls and a little boy also named Max)

Easter morning brought a teething Ali who didn't care much for baskets....

Until she learned they have candy!

The boys were elated to find baskets

I had to question why I had included stamps for a three year old...

(Ali followed suit after she saw the cool trick her brother had discovered. I should have taken a picture before cleaning her.)

We had a "lovely" (that means our kids were running everywhere) family home evening on the Savior's last week. I was so happy that it pulled together when we sat them down to see one of the Easter Mormon Messages (I LOVE the Mormon Messages- they are so powerful and full of the spirit!). Other Easter fun included making chocolate egg nests, visiting Wilderness park, and an Easter Egg Hunt (with the large bunny you see pictured above. It's like a small dog, it's awesome.)

Now for the revenge :).... bwa ha ha.

While our darling ward youth headed out to Mormon Prom, we went for a date to the Santa Monica Pier to ride ferris wheels and roller coasters. But when we returned... we did this:

I honestly think this is the first time I have ever toilet papered anyone. But we included balloons and Hershey Kisses to make it fun. Plus their parents helped :). You may recall we were TP'd twice the other week. This was Perpetrator #1's house. We'll have to get the energy up to get Perpetrator #2's house another weekend.

In other news, Glenn did a fun act for our Ward Talent Show. He did a live upside-down speed painting of one of the ward members. He was entertaining as can be to watch (I won't comment on the 80's rock music selection that apparently most of the Elder's Quorum feels the same bizarre adoration for...) and I was very impressed with his work. You can see it here:

It was a big hit!

Speaking of talents, Max submitted photos of his lego creations to the Lego magazine and got a letter back saying it may appear in next month's magazine (we can't tell if it is a form letter or not. They did an awesome job on it and Max felt as special as can be!)

2011-04-13T09:04:00.000-07:00

Here are a few random things from life lately.

I came home from working out to find this... Glenn asking me to our Mormon Youth Prom.

This is my "be a total excited dork" pose. I hope you enjoyed it.

(If you don't know whether that caption was meant for the picture above or below... yes to both.)

This, my friends, is a surprise ball egg. If you haven't had the pleasure of being introduced before, allow me: here

Cute prizes inside. I was so impressed that this was a mini view finder.

As you flipped the tiny pages it was a kissing animation :).

Love surprise balls.

Never fear, our master plan to sign up to chaperon the Mormon Youth Prom and really be having a mini-party ourselves was totally foiled. They didn't need any more chaperons (that word looks like it needs an 'e' but spell check denies it.). Maybe the flip book should have shown us holding hands on the couch in pajamas watching Dick Van Dyke reruns instead...

Actually, I only kid, Glenn's staying true to his invitation and we're heading out for some fun that night.

Around General Conference I made 72 hours kits for the kids

They loved them and felt like superheroes...

But they wouldn't make it ten feet with those babies on their backs. Alas.

We got toilet papered. Twice. Ward Youth.

It's an expression of love. I hope.

Maybe we should toilet paper them on the night of prom.

I won't delve into the nasty things, like pink eye's reign of terror this past week (probably a gift from Chuck E. Cheese or McDonald's playplace during Spring Break). Does anyone else think pink eye is brutal psychological warfare? I end up bleaching and washing and rubbing acholing everything I can imagine over and over again in an attempt to keep it from spreading and taking a second round. Not to mention the constant scrub down my kids keep getting. It makes me very near the line of crazy.

Some February Happenings

2011-02-28T21:19:00.000-08:00

If you know Glenn well, you know he is happiest when he is creating. I really should post more about his projects- I'll include a few of them here. First, Glenn and Max made a homemade pinata... it was adorable and inevitable. We had two HUGE pinata's in our garage all week for a ward party- and Murphey's Law, the kids got sick with the flu and couldn't go to bash in the pinatas they had been dreaming of all week. So, Glenn came up with this plan. As you can see on his face, it went over well :). He's a fun one.

Jonas got Croup with a flu this week, so Glenn had to stay back with him from church on Sunday. I came home to find this:

This month we also went to a new shop in LA that a friend of Glenn's opened called Q Pop. Glenn was asked to do a piece for an art exhibit for the place. This is what he did (on scratchboard! Those thin black lines were what was left unetched- isn't that cool?!):

Good Ol' throwback to Space Odyssey

Outside Q Pop.

Our camera promptly died as soon as we got in there, so this is all the evidence we've got.

And while we're on the topic of Glenn's art, a few weeks ago he did this water color of my grandparent's house:

Actually, I think all his art is fun. If you want to see some more of his work (including the closing trailer for Matthew Perry's new show Mr. Sunshine) you can go to his art blog: http://glennart.blogspot.com/

If Glenn's not creating something, his next preference is to be on the move, so we went to a place called Adventureland next to Knott's Berry Farm the other day. Lots of fun for our age kiddos. Well, if you exclude the small rollercaoster that apparently scared them quite a bit... see below.

Isn't this classic?! I asked Max how it had gone and he answered,

"I closed my eyes and didn't say anything!"

Yes, that is Glenn recording the whole experience with the camera pointed towards them. I hope we can post that clip- it's hilarious! Also, Glenn's knees were in severe pain. I wonder why...

Handsome knight on his steed.

All too happy to be brushing goats with the provided scrub brushes!

She's growing up, eh?

Chicken chasing. I think he gets this craving from his Uncle Trevor who is bound and determined to catch a seagull on one of his visits out here.

Note I am trying to hold on to Max and secure Jonas with my legs across the seat. Jonas kept saying "Hold tight, hold tight!" but Max was insistent he needed me right next to him.

Well, it's not a perfect shot, but we're all looking forward and that was better than the rest of my options...

And finally, Valentine's Day. This year I had a fun plan for Glenn at work, but he took the day off (even better!), so my plans had to be changed to an at-home version of this:

This shot reminds me of that old early reader book "Fun with Gum" about the dog who had strung gum all over the house. Glenn had to follow the string to find his gifts throughout the house. It was a fun change from our norm. At the very end he got a tennis racket so we headed out with the kids in tow to play at a local court. You can imagine how efficient that game proved to be.

We headed out to the beach later in the day (after a donut run, if my memory serves correctly). I think we probably take several donut runs a month, so they all get a bit jumbled!

Max has his Dad's gene for wanting to create... this is what he spent Valentine's Day morning making :). I love the way his brain works!

Birthday Boy!

2011-01-18T12:22:00.000-08:00

If you haven't already heard me lament, we had to cut his hair short when a haircut went awry!

Always best to wear a black shirt when making fondant...

Glenn's cake carving skills at work.

Yeah, let's be honest- Glenn is responsible for the rest of what happened to make it look like this:

She likes capes :)

I keep checking blogger to see if my friends have posted something new... since I am guilty of not posting too, I'll take a minute to put something up! Here's a post I am late in delivering:

Jonas just turned three- a major change for a boy who spends literally half of his day telling me "Mom, I'm two." It was quite the day of celebration since it landed on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day this year- we were together as a whole family all day! We finally went to the dreaded Chuck E. Cheese (exhausting for a germaphobe like myself!) and made him a Little Einstein's rocket cake. As for gifts, Jonas is a totally different breed than Max. Max can tell you who gave him exactly what- and on what occasion- going back for years. Jonas barely took note that he got a new scooter and soccer kit. I highly doubt he even remembers they were birthday presents at all! Oh well.

Jonas deserved a good birthday- he is such a treat in our family: cuddler, sports man, Up Dawg keeper, button lover, heights jumper, sweets devourer, scanty eater, little brother, big brother- he plays many roles in our house. I have been loving his current transition into a little man while still maintaining his lengthy afternoon nap. There is nothing quite like having him cuddle on my lap, then randomly look up and say "Mom, I like you." His language is in that darling young place, so he'll talk about "yours hands" and "Mom, me need that" and "Thank you sister princess". His little freckled cheeks and blue eyes run out after me anytime the front door opens (which is a lot when you calculate taking out dirty diapers, laundry in the garage, and half my pantry on the garage shelves). No one is allowed to leave the house without a warm good-bye from Jonas (and if you do, I have a little boy bawling on my lap for a good 15 minutes crying your name!). He loves people and balls (he loves to play throwing games as often as he can rope someone... meaning me... into them)- and I think he is delightful. Jonas Earl Harmon, we love you!

At A Glance:

Height: 3' 2"

Weight: 32 lbs

Favorite Sweets: "beans".... jelly beans, Dum Dums, frosting, cookie dough- on and on!

Favorite foods: chicken nuggets, ketchup, cheese, yogurt, peanut butter... actually this list is depressingly scarce, so we are going to stop there before I break into tears about it again.

Favorite activities: anything involving throwing or hitting a ball, painting, cuddling, crawling into our bed at approximately 3:45 each morning, singing, watching TV (yes, he loves it)

Favorite Shows: Bubble Guppies, Team Umi Zoomie, Little Einsteins, Phineas and Ferb

Friends: Rio and Belize, Ian and Lucah (Ian and 'Mooska'), Vance (this is Max's friend, but Jonas has now staunchly claimed him as his own), Uncle Trevor (Jonas randomly talks about Uncle Trevor here and Uncle Trevor there. He loves his Uncle.)

Cruisin'

2011-01-18T10:22:00.001-08:00

Our vessel

A friend to greet us... Oh mints! Are you hungry Love? Because I sure am! (sorry, our little joke, despite seeming implications- it is a clean one.)

My hair looked like this every morning- and Glenn still loves me. Bless him. Has anyone else thought their hair was quite difficult to deal with on their cruise?

Legal Tender Mercies

Dinner time. We loved the molten-lava chocolate cakes for dessert.

Avalon harbor, Catalina. Charming.

At the beginning of the bike ride. I probably shouldn't confess that I hid behind a truck to change my clothes mid bike-ride, but I did! Uphill for 25 minutes tends to get warm!

Glenn after kayaking- he is so cute. It is hard for me to explain why this picture charms me so much. I just see my good, loving Glenn getting ready again after sea kayaking together. He was so fun to kayak with, I kept trying to make it an opportunity to follow his lead, and he really just let me lead anyway- all the while propelling us to the front of the pack without trying. He's a natural.

We were in a two man kayak....

Our ship made us laugh! We really felt stuck in 1994 (even though it was built in 1998)- the decor, the cheesy background music, the uniforms. It felt good to hear some modern tunes when we got home.

Wow, it actually looks more modern in the pics...

I look a little too soulful about our stingray there. This is when we came back to change for dinner when we arrived and saw it was apparently a formal attire night... so much for our jeans to dinner!

Mexico!

I hate this picture- it caught me mid-movement and makes me look so arrogant. But Glenn loves it- how smug I look, how eager the man in the background looks... Heidi, I especially put this one up for you.

We made this towel dog (yes, it's a dog) following the towel folding class.

Well, we actually did it- we left the children. This was our first vacation since we've been married and it was A LOT of fun! More than anything- it was a blast to be with my best friend with no interruptions for four whole days. Everything else was just secondary to that. But, it was wonderful to not have to cook, or do dishes, or even make the bed for a few days :). By the end, we were both REALLY ready to do some good solid work... which was good because our kids require nothing less!

The highlight of the trip was definitely Catalina- we rented bikes and rode up to a botanical garden, sea kayaked for a couple hours with a guide (we LOVED this! Glenn is an awesome kayaker), ate gelato in the sunshine, and did some shopping (I found pineapple soap! Who could not love that?!). Perfect day. I was exhausted by 9:30 and went to bed. Unfortunately, I woke up at 2 am fully refreshed and unable to sleep any longer. So, what to do? Order room service, watch a movie, and laugh together. Nice.

Maybe we should go to bed at 9:30 more often.

Mexico was fun, but a little less than we expected (Catalina was a little more than we expected, so it evened out). We went to La Buffadora (a blowhole) and did some flea market style shopping. It was quite fun to barter. Out of character for me, but I got into it fast. Both Glenn and I felt that if we didn't haggle, we really weren't having the true Mexican experience :). Funny how walking away not needing the product is always the best bartering strategy!

We had a competition going with one of the ladies on the bus as to who could get the best deal of the day. She had got a man down from $85 to $10, and I thought she was the winner until a lady let me have some tortillas for free (I offered to pay)- and I was declared the new winner. Free apparently trumps all other deals!

The last day on the boat was wonderful- there were no excursions, just boat time. We woke up, worked out in the gym and at the jogging track on the top deck, then grabbed breakfast. I ate sparingly because of the next thing on our list- a body evaluation at the spa. It was really cool actually- we learned our personal fat/lean mass numbers, resting metabolism, true BMI, etc. We both loved it, but were not surprised when it was followed by a "buy our detox program for $500/pp per month for three months" pitch. Anyone out there in the blog world vouch for this sea algae bath method of detoxing? I have to admit we had a good laugh over it in the end (and obviously did not buy it, no pun intended).

The rest of the day let us actually read (and finish!) the books we had brought along to read- a true luxury for both of us-, catch a comedy show and a bit of a towel folding seminar, and miniature golf. It was just all around enjoyable.

Friday morning found us really ready to see the kids again. Sara picked us up and I think we were both happy to see each other! Sara had been fabulous with the kids all week and even made it through the water heater breaking... Murphey's Law that the landlord fixed it five minutes after we arrived. Sweet Sara had been boiling water for the kids to take baths. As if mothering three kids alone wasn't easy enough for the week! She was an angel!

So, there it was- a lovely rejuvenating cruise that left us ready to hit the ground running (back to the boat, that is!). I only tease. We'll cruise again, but not for awhile. For now we'll keep enjoying the trips to Wilderness park, Cuddling to Disney movies, and dispelling child melt-downs. Life is good!

Christmas!

2010-12-31T20:50:00.001-08:00

Christmas morning- 18 people... wonderful!

Pre-opening

Aren't they cute?

Malachi introducing Ali to tea parties

Yummy Christmas elves!

Camille's family- they were wonderful!

Montana, Shyanne, and Trev

Santa had just entered the house :). Priceless of Max.

I was having so much fun helping the kids, I almost forgot to unwrap my own presents

This is one of my all-time favorite pictures of my big brother. Malachi wasn't too sure about Santa at first.

Santa won them over :)

Guillermo's first time on Santa's lap!

Stud.

Santa and Mrs. Claus couldn't get over how handsome he was! "Does he even have freckles?"- Mrs. Claus

Dad in the dancing Christmas hat- it was awesome! It was the price he had to pay at about midnight to get us to get off his couch, which happened to be his bed for the night.

Fun to have a shot together

This was the best Christmas tree in the house ;)

She is just stinking cute! She thought the tree garlands were necklaces and tried wearing them all.

We had a lovely visit up to my brother and sister-in-law's in Oregon for Christmas. Camille has a great talent for decorating, and Cory for building/assembling/electrician work, so every room in their home looks like it could be a spread for Crate and Barrel. It was beautiful! I wish I had taken shots of the house along with the people... now it hits me...

On Christmas Eve we had a fun visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Max was shocked and thrilled (see picture above)! Santa even came bearing gifts for everyone at the party- neighbors included! Sweet treat for all of us:).

It was so nice to be together with my whole family for Christmas. Camille's whole family were there too and they were LOVELY. I wish we had had more time together. This may be the last time I commute for Christmas (it is getting rough with a family of five to pack Christmas in a suitcase!), but it was a Christmas we will always remember.

Movember

2010-12-06T17:15:00.000-08:00

Yes, Glenn joined in the Movember fun! He said it was itchy, got significantly less kissing all month, and kindly shaved it off before our family picture- but he does look handsome both bearded and shaved. I can't say I have any affinity for the handle-bar mustache, or any 'stache' for that matter. He has a creepy resemblance to my 4th grade teacher with a mustache. Shiver. He'll get no kissing with one of those.

And I got my haircut before we went. So needed! The gal who did it is wonderful! No more hair to my waist for awhile...

Ali is ONE!

2010-11-12T10:22:00.000-08:00

Birthday Morning!

About a year ago!

SWEETNESS!

All too soon that cake is going to have sixteen candles on it...

It may have been a small group, but it was lively!

Ali likes savory over sweet, so she really didn't even touch her cake. We tried.

Loving having Grandpa here!

She loved her presents- particularly the play jewelry. She loves to feel like a big girl!

Isn't she wonderful? Ali has brightened our lives so much this last year. She is bold, full of life and intelligence, confident, loving, beautiful, and GOOD. Soon we'll post her first year video (or a portion of it- it runs almost ten minutes long) and those of you out-of-town can get a taste of her personality. I am quite sure Ali will grow up to be fully engaging and charming. She certainly gets to rule the roost around here anytime she wants! I guess that's the advantage of being the only little princess in the house :).

A few notes on Ali:

*She gets punchy when she is tired. REALLY punchy.

*She LOVES to dance in my arms while I sing Disney Princess songs. LOVES it.

*Ali wants to do anything she sees me do- cook, clean the couch, do laundry- everything.

*Anytime water starts running for a bath or shower, Ali bee-lines it to try to hop in.

*She is 'The Great Communicator' in our house. She has been able to make her wishes clear almost since birth. She started nodding yes to answer questions and indicate what she wanted for food by six months old, but even as as a newborn you could tell what she wanted- i.e. don't tickle the head, but the arms and legs are good.

*She has traded out her dark haired mohawk for light brown/blonde curls.

*Ali likes to be strong and has a feisty streak of independence in her. She has been holding her own head up since she came home from the hospital... quite apropos.

We love our little girl! Thanks for joining our family our sweet Alison Kim!

Halloween

2010-11-12T09:50:00.000-08:00

What my boys will do on a Saturday morning...

Loved the ward trunk-or treat

Coffin brownies as part of Sunday's dinner

The kids Halloween dinner (the eyeballs are watermelon balls)

Max told Glenn what he wanted for a jack-o-lantern, so Glenn drew it on the pumpkin and Max carved it out. When did he grow into a real little man? As you can tell, Glenn LOVES it.

That really is Max in his costume, Glenn did some photoshop magic

Ali was a bat because she had fangs :)

I am quickly learning Halloween is right up there with Christmas for Glenn on Holidays. If only he had time to carry out all of his grand designs- we'd have a spook alley, maze, animated dinosaur roaming yard for Halloween. Alas, we have three children and limited time (not to mention this year Halloween fell on Sunday so we celebrated early), so Glenn's scheming takes quite the hit. Still, he had some real winners this year. Check out the Popeye Pumkin... make that PRIZE WINNING Popeye Pumpkin (Won a contest over at Sony. People loved it!). Glenn had him reaching for a can of Spinach. The Monster had sucker eyeballs for trick-or-treaters to take out. We didn't get so many this year, did you?

Gotta Love 'Em

2010-11-12T09:40:00.000-08:00

Max has been home sick with Pneumonia this week. Jonas was also vomiting and has an ear infection, but that is just a side note I mention for pity. Since our kids have been stuck at home for so long, they are having to get pretty creative for entertainment- and have seen a lot of episodes of Phineas and Ferb. For those who are familiar with the show, you'll appreciate this:

Evil Shoot-inator, complete with illustrated instructions.

Ali's Birthday!

2010-11-01T08:33:00.000-07:00

Max Speaks

2010-10-17T16:06:00.000-07:00

Max really did not want to practice his little primary talk that we had hastily written this morning (on note cards!). We had chatted about the content over breakfast and printed up some of Glenn's tiny talk pictures for the occasion. I am going to now give you the whole of Max's talk (this will be important later):

I can show my love for Jesus Christ by sharing the gospel. I can help them know:
1. Jesus Christ is our Savior.
2. We can pray & Heavenly Father hears us & helps us.
3. The Book of Mormon is true.
4. Families can be sealed together forever in the temple.
5. God gave us prophets . Today President Monson is God's prophet to the world.

Well, Glenn went in about 10 minutes before Max's talk to see if he'd like to practice, and he refused- adamantly. He also insisted he could do it himself. At talk time, Max went up, Glenn stood by him and held up the pictures- and Max SIGHT READ his talk (he's been in kindergarten for less than 2 months)!!! He did a great job and only needed help on about 6 or 7 words!

But, the story doesn't end there. By item number 3 in the talk, Max began to dance around a lot. Glenn asked him if he needed to go to the bathroom. He waited a second, then said into the microphone, "No, it calmed down." A few words later Max said he did have to go, so he dashed off the podium. Glenn quickly said "In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen-" and followed him out.

Glenn was cheering Max on as he went about how fantastic he had been and Max wasted no time going to the bathroom and hurrying back to the primary room just in time to see a little boy get up to say the closing prayer. Max called out "But I didn't get to finish!" And that sweet Primary president let him go back up to the mic, where he picked up at the EXACT word he had left off on and finished reading the rest of his talk! Awesome. Stellar little finisher of a boy.

When Glenn told him how amazing he was, he just said "It was easy!" Glenn told him that was right- Choosing the right is easy.

Blessing

2010-10-14T10:29:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I had such a nice gift. It would have been my mom's 55th birthday, so I thought it would be a nice time to go see her memorial brick at Wayfarer's Chapel here. I was planning on bringing the kids, but my good friend Shauna kept them for me.

The whole drive out to the chapel was overcast and gloomy, but I was still excited to have some thinking time without the kids. As I rounded the bend to the chapel, I saw the clouds had all broken around the chapel and it was sunny and beautiful there. It was lovely. I sat without anyone around on a bench for 30 UNINTERRUPTED (when does that ever happen in our lives?) minutes- watching the waves roll in and break near the cliffs, packs of humming birds flying through and playing, and smelling the fresh air while running my fingers over a leaf on a vine that was beginning to change red for fall (a treasure around here where you don't see many signs of the change of seasons). In the background, the church bells would occasionally chime- reminding me of my childhood trips to my grandparents house with their old grandfather's clock.

It was perfect- even heavenly time. I was able to think about mom's cinnamon gum, diet cokes, FHP days, decorating for holidays, and yearly denial of being able to get the gift you really wanted for Christmas (this was the sure sign we were actually going to get what we wanted!). Just lovely. Just right.

Happy 55th Birthday Mom- thanks for sharing your gifts with me. Love you!

Glimpses

2010-10-07T16:54:00.001-07:00

Well, Blogger is being weird about these pics, so I will just make a few notes down here. We've had our wonderful Brother and Sister-in-law visit, Max watching hours of General Conference (this was awesome), Ali in her bat costume for Halloween (which is really a dog costume from Target!), slaved on hair bands Ali won't wear, and Jonas waking up with wild hair-dos.

A Report

2010-10-07T09:50:00.000-07:00

About the same time I started my Apron Experiment, I got a mosquito bite right on my inner ankle where my shoes rub. It's placement was irritating, but unavoidable. This week has taught me that the internet is similar.

An honest, unromantic take on my week, and it's results:

-I realized how much work it takes to remove one habit without replacing it with another (junk food was tempting to insert when I wanted a computer break, so I started a food journal to keep me reporting... that lasted a day). By day two I bought a TIME magazine on Mother Teresa for me to insert when I just needed to have a little break.

-I am a cranky soul when I work form 5:45 am to 10 pm straight without any sort of relief. I felt much too much like Cinderella. I mistook no computer time for meaning no recreational time. That was a mistake that I evolved out of over the week.

-I have achieved a greater ability to hear my children and postpone my craving to use the computer.

-Sometimes it is really good to use the computer. There are a lot of essential things that happen here. I know because I fell behind on a lot of them this week!

- I surprisingly did not find I was able to accomplish more or have more time with my children. Life is just super busy- if it is not one thing, it is another. I think it will just always be rough to get everything done as I try to run this household of five.

I have really decided it is all about balance. This week I am trying to focus not as much on staying off the computer as trying to have some meaningful time with each child each day.

By the way, it's actually quite fun to wear an apron all day- have you ever tried it? You feel a bit like Mary Poppins.

This Week I'll Wear an Apron

2010-09-29T10:00:00.000-07:00

Recurring. Distractions. Daily. Glenn showed me an article last month about technology and its effects on our brains. Turns out that each time we get a text, email, etc. a bit of Dopamine is released in our brains (yes, that feel good chemical that some drugs also release). I have begun wondering if that is the reason I feel like I am finishing what I have to do so I can get back to the computer and what I 'want' to do. Funny thing is that not much of what I do here is that important. At all. I pay some bills and budget, but most of the time I am checking emails, blogs, or Facebook.

This last Saturday's General Relief Society Conference mentioned 'overcoming distractions' as one of our challenges. That keeps coming back to mind as I come back to the computer.

So, this week I begin a little challenge... I'd call it an experiment, but I get more moxie if I call it a challenge. I'm turning off the computer and putting on an apron. I'll allow myself 30 minutes on the computer in the morning before kids are up, and 45 at night when they are back in bed. The rest of the day is about trying to be '100% in the room' for my family and home- literally wearing an apron to remind me (except when we go out in public!).

I officially begin in the morning (Thursday) when I get back from my run. We'll see how this goes...

We, I mean HE, did it!

2010-09-08T14:44:00.001-07:00

Our little man was fantastic! His teacher seems wonderful (poor woman has 30 kindergarteners for 5 hours a day!), and he made new friends easily. He's a big kid- it's official!

Disney Magic

2010-09-05T21:37:00.001-07:00

Well, I've given in... and learned I really like it. Last week, I felt like I wanted some family down time as we ended our Sunday (EXTREMELY unusual that we didn't have plans or company that night)-- so I suggested we have a family Disney movie night. We usually don't have TV on Sundays to help set it aside as a day to the Lord, but it felt okay, so I went for it. Turns out, this is absolute magic.

Cinderella has never been so fun as when you have your darling little boys giggling about the mice, daughter cooing at the screen, and handsome husband cuddling the group on the couch with a big smile. Add on the movie snacks (Max was delighted!)... and you have a perfect evening. Honestly, one of those magic moments you dream about when you are a little girl planning your future family.

Well, this Sunday I intentionally kept the evening free again to try the magic one more time- and viola! Turns out Aladdin had us all captivated and cuddling for the second Sunday in a row. We discussed what we learned at the end... tell the truth.... and I feel completely satisfied with our break from TV fasting on Sundays.

I think we have found a new tradition. As Glenn said, it is like rediscovering these movies when we watch them with our delighted children. So many fun options coming up- Lion King, 101 Dalmatians, Jungle Book, Sword in the Stone, Tarzan... I'm looking forward to the fun ahead.

As a post script here- I've included some pics of Ali from this morning... isn't she adorable? She just learned to crawl this week and it has left her happy, cuddly, exhausted, and napping. Could I be happier? She is now 10 months old and SO BEAUTIFUL. Her top teeth seem to be coming in out of order (he he! It's going to be pretty cute for awhile until the middle ones grow in!). I was a little concerned about it at first, but now think it totally adds to her charm. She continues brilliant and charming.

To the MAX...

2010-08-25T09:36:00.000-07:00

I have begun that excited anticipation coupled with mourning that accompanies sending your first-born to Kindergarten. Max is so very ready- reading, doing math, loving being with other kids- all of it. But I realize I am losing the one who shares creative thoughts with me during the day, expresses gratitude, even shares some of the work load. When Max was about Jonas' age, we'd sing him to sleep with the "Mighty, Mighty Max" song where I would make up verses about how fantastic he was and the things we had done that day. It is hard to pass off some of those verses to someone else. It is hard to not know all of his comings and goings.

But I have confidence in my boy. He already talks about not liking "words that Harmons don't say", and has practiced making introductions to new friends and inviting them to play (this is adorable, by the way). He has become more flexible than I ever would have imagined. He is more adventurous than I ever would have imagined. He continues to be very aware of himself and his emotions. I am going to miss him for five hours a day, but he is going to love it. I can't imagine what it is going to be like to send him off to college or a mission...

Since Max has been blowing my motherly mind lately, I thought I'd share some of him in pictures.

His Art

His Goodness

His Mind

This is a memorial brick for my mom at Wayfarer's Chapel here. Max read the whole thing without trouble, except the word 'laugh'. He said "This is a funny word". No pun intended.

This is a lego set he got for his birthday (thanks Grandpa and Uncle Trevor!). It is for 7-12 year olds. He built the three sets himself using the instructions. He can focus easily for over an hour on this without looking up. Once he has built something though, he takes it apart and starts creating his own intricate creatures from the pieces.

He really does blow my mind.

Happy Candy Anniversary

2010-06-24T13:57:00.000-07:00

June 17th marked our 6th Anniversary and this year it was Glenn's year to do the planning. He was simply darling about it... From making breakfast and agreeing to take quick shots in my wedding dress for our anniversary (see bucket list), to sending encrypted notes with balloons and candy (leading me to emails of puzzles and cross-words)- he made it a wonderful time! We capped off the day at Sir Winston's (swanky!) on the top deck of the Queen Mary*. Glenn had made reservations, so they knew it was our anniversary. Hence, they greeted us by name and led us to one of their best tables. After a delicious dinner and chocolate soufflé, they treated us to that beautiful dessert you see in the pictures. It was a romantic, sweet, intimate atmosphere- absolutely perfect for an anniversary! Thanks for spoiling me Glenn- this is an anniversary I will not forget!

P.S. Thanks for laughing with me. My favorite part of the whole night was just getting to sit at the table and laugh together. Sweet times.

*A huge cruise liner built in the 1930's that is slightly larger than the Titanic.

If there is something you wanted, now is the time to ask...

2010-06-02T14:47:00.000-07:00

Dear Husband,

If there is something you wanted, now is the time to ask.

Perhaps it is because our first born told me this morning that I am the best part of his world and he learned to talk to me like that from you. Maybe it is because you just took the boys for the weekend to let me see my best friend and her baby-- and never complained once. Maybe it's because when you called me while I was with her you complimented my cackle laugh instead of quickly trying to get off the phone. Perhaps it is because you had the house spotless when I came back. Or per chance it is because you give me magic kisses that protect me from getting 'frozen' by the boys when I am trying to make dinner.

Maybe it is that you listen, talk, and laugh with me. Or the sparkle you get in your eye during tickle fights (yes, I know you are not really fighting back, but it makes me feel strong anyway). It's perhaps that you still open the doors and drive because I like you to. Or maybe it is that you let me pick out the flavors at Yogurtland. It is quite possibly that you take pictures of me and photoshop them to look like I am on the red carpet. And it is certainly that you have kept your word and not posted on the internet the psuedo Pantene commercial you made. Or it could be the way you are beaming as much as Max when you read Calvin and Hobbes together. I think it has a lot to do with your camping in the backyard with your little boys and making S'mores and playing board games.

Whatever it is, today I know I'm the luckiest and the best part of my world is you too. So thank you for marrying me six years ago, sticking it through three kids (and even more, three pregnancies). You are my sunshine, so go ahead and ask, now would be a good time!

Family Photos

2010-05-17T11:37:00.000-07:00

Well, the addition of yet another child to our family (I think our family crest will be the rabbit) has left me with what I consider to be a very serious problem... getting a good family photo. I just got an email from my aunt asking for one for a family book.... argh! If only we had a good one! Here, unfortunately, are my only options... Not in love with any of them... Your vote?

First Braid!

2010-05-16T23:01:00.000-07:00

Isn't that a precious face?!

Spontaneity?

2010-04-28T14:03:00.001-07:00

I posed the question on Facebook- "Does it count as Spontaneous if it took me 12 hours to decide?"

In truth, it took me a lot longer- and I didn't decide until the very last minute at that. What created such a quandary-- Disneyland or no Disneyland? That was the question.

For those who don't know- I am very conscious about spending money. I wouldn't say I'm cheap, because I'm not- I am always just accounting what we are spending, where, and if it could be better used somewhere else. So, spending $250 on a one day adventure to Disneyland is a big decision for me... and I wavered back and forth in making it. But, I have no regrets about our final decision- it was a great day (yes, I'd even say $250 worth).

Three friend families with us, downpour for an hour, baby in tow, riding Indiana Jones with just Glenn, fireworks, train rides, and Jedi trainings... it was perfect. I'm glad I have Glenn who has a lot more spontaneity left in him than me to take our troupe of five out on these adventures. I'll get my moxy back someday when there is a little less of nursing, diapers, and naptimes. Until then, my spontaneous "whims" will probably continue to take a week of preparations!

Dad and his boys preparing for take-off. Cute crew!

Ah! This has been a long-held dream of mine for Glenn and I to get to ride Indiana Jones together! Loved it.

M&M

Rain, rain go away, come again some other day....

Post rain, she is still smilin'!

End of the day train ride, post fireworks... very tired, but happy kids!

Pretty in Pigtails

2010-04-28T13:05:00.000-07:00

I mentioned in a previous post how adorable Ali is in pigtails. It is one of my favorite things on earth. Now, I'd like to share with you:

Up Dawg

2010-04-28T12:06:00.000-07:00

*Sniff, sniff*

"Do you smell Updog?"

"What's updog?"

"Not much, what's up with you?"

Yesterday we made a change we have been dreading for six months. We now have a kids room for three. Ali was outgrowing her bassinet and Jonas kept crawling into our bed at 2 am anyway, so we decided to just go for it.

A little redecorating and a quick trip to Ikea and- Viola! Playing on the "You are now Top Dog" theme (hence dog PJ's and new stuffed animal)- we actually got Jonas to sleep in the top bunk last night surprisingly easily. I asked Jonas what he wanted to name his new dog and "Up" was all he said- hence, "Up Dog" was born.

Max was eager to get a shot with his new stuffed animal as well- a pillow pet Panda from Disneyland he has named Cool. "When he talks it sounds like crunching and he likes to eat marshmallows and blackberries, that's why he's black and white." (Max)

Jonas reminds me so much of a 'Wild Thing' with his shaggy hair and new techniques for bending the rules, which made it apropos when he begged to get into his Tiger outfit today. Fitting. Charming. Darling growing little man.

These kids are growing too fast for me now. I really haven't felt that before, but now time seems to have picked up to a gallop after being at a slow trot for years. I am hoping there is a way of bringing the horse back down to a walk now, but have the feeling we are beyond that point.

In any event, I am loving it. Loving the little men running around with cars, swords, or Bionicles in hand. Loving the fake shaving in the bathroom that inevitably means a wet bathroom and change of clothes. Loving the magic of bubbles and brilliance of a four-year-old mind. Loving a baby who gives kisses, wants to grab, eat, and gnaw. I'm not in a hurry for these days to end.

May it be a little longer that Max dreams of winning a yellow cat stuffed animal to name Sun at a carnival because "I'm really good at games, Mom." and Jonas begs for marshmallows when he knows he should be eating real food.

Long live the golden years.

A Few New Pics

2010-03-22T11:18:00.001-07:00

Oh so sweet! She is truly fun to be with each day- so much fun and so little work!

Max is growing so big each day- this is a really fun time with him. I am trying to revel in the precious few days I have left before he is in kindergarten.

Yes, that impish grin does have a bright mind, mischievous curiosity, and sweet heart behind it. I love this little boy's two's.

Just thought you needed to see this one...

This is my Aunt Alison whom Ali is named after. I am such a fan of both of these ladies!

What a crew!

Having three kids four-years-old and under has left me with little time for blogging, so these posts will be few and far between and annoyingly long. My apologies up front.

What to say about Ali... our happy little angel sleeps through the night, is physically strong, is teething hard, has the most adorable dimples and looks darling in pigtails! She is very fond of her mother, which makes me feel unduly important- and I love it! Ali prefers words over sound effects (unlike the boys) and definitely has a preference for the words "pretty, perfect, beautiful, princess, and angel". We can already tell she is immensely bright and all girl (she already loves jewelry). It sums up Ali's personality in the fact that when she wakes up, she is smiling before she can even open her eyes. She is an absolutely idyllic baby.

Jonas is so very two and ADORABLE. Don't leave him alone for long or else you will have a good mess to clean up. He loves both following and teasing his big brother (they are actually good buddies these days) and will repeat almost anything you say. Jonas knows his letters and numbers now, but won't perform in unless he feels like it! I love his sense of humor, hugs, and how he'll pat the couch next to him and say "Seat, seat" for us to cuddle while we read or watch kid's shows. He adores the baby and explodes with "Cute! Cute!" anytime she is in site. I think we are finally over his fetish of touching her eyes... Jumping, climbing, pouring water, eating treats, and blowing bubbles are Jonas' favorite pastimes.

Max is four and a half and has just been through one of his transitions. It usually happens twice a year that we'll go through a stage with Max where we just don't know how to help him through his stubbornness (he is immensely aware of what he wants and how he has envisioned things happening). Then, without warning, he emerges a new soul- stronger, sweeter, and more wonderful than he was before the difficult transition time. I am beginning to think of it as his chrysalis times. The butterfly that emerges always stuns me. Max thinks and feels very deeply and his insights and comparisons are often more mature than I expect from a four year old. He is such a beautiful soul with a strong faith in prayer and self-awareness that is sobering. His art and reading are exploding, and I love his creativity in building. His current passions involve Bionicles, Bakugans, Legos, and Zhu Zhu pets. He LOVES earning quarters for toys. To Max, funny is king. He giggles and giggles at the words: goulash, snurp, Aggle/klaggle/flaggle- etc. and adores when Glenn reads him books because he makes funny mistakes (The Very Stinky Caterpillar, etc). The opposite game ("Don't go put on your pajamas") is a real stand-by for us with him right now, and usually works like a charm, though I am convinced we will pay later for using this reverse psychology. He LOVES being tickled- I remember hating being tickled as a kid, so this one stumps me. I will always feel a strong connection to Max because he teaches me so much, makes me reach a little harder, and bestows such gifts.

Glenn and I are happy but pining for some more time as a couple. By the time the kids are in bed, we sit on the couch literally in pain from exhaustion. He sweetly still rubs my feet each night and we incorporate frozen yogurt and Biggest Loser into each week. Glenn has been amazing at getting up at 5 and running to the beach and doing the stairs five times before coming home. I am still trying to find the time and energy to go running regularly- it was so nice during Christmas break when Glenn was home, so my only option to go running wasn't at 6 am. I am hoping to do exercise videos during their naptime- but I am barely able to get the house clean and my small scripture study in then- I can't imagine having to shower and get ready again too. Moms- any tips?

Thank you

2010-02-23T12:51:00.000-08:00

***I got these pics from my Uncle's album. Blogger is treating them oddly. Click on the picture if you want to see the full image (it is only showing you half)***

Dad's 60th Birthday Party- James Bond style, Hale Center Theater, PF Chang's, Characature artist. Camille, you're a rock star.

My incredible Aunt Ali for whom Ali is named (Ali means Noble and Kind, by the way)

This past weekend we took on the crazy task of driving to Utah just in time to throw a baby shower for my best friend of 24 years, celebrate my father's 60th birthday, and bless little Alison with an open house afterwards. If I have ever felt richer or happier, I don't know when it was.

This is one of those moments in life where I honestly feel that even if I never received one blessing more in my life, I'd have still been given more than my fair share- unbelievable family, incredible friends. Around them I am the happiest I know how to feel. I just had a weekend packed SO FULL of being with all those people I love and adore back in Utah that I am reminded of the promise that "their joy will be full". What makes this even sweeter is that as we return to California, I am so excited to see my California family that I am not hurting at the separation. I feel twice blessed. Literally, I can never remember feeling happier. I keep saying that since Ali has been born, but I feel it over and over. May the Lord know of my gratitude and willingness to do what He may ask of me for His great generosity.

I daily think that these are the golden years of my life. Since Ali's birth, I have been trying to cherish each one of these days so I can remember them when the seasons change and there are other tasks at hand besides those I am blessed to have now. Ali continues to be pure sunshine- all smiles, sleeping through the night, and so bright behind those eyes.

***I wish I had photos of the shower and blessing open house! We were so busy doing, I forgot to capture it in pictures- DANG!***

It is a different day than when I originally wrote this entry, and while less sentimental, I thought I'd share a few other thoughts/stories from the trip.

Cory and Camille transformed the entire upstairs of my Dad's house for his birthday. It's incredible.
My mother and father-in-law were absolute saints, making the whole weekend not only possible, but happy.
The kids got sick on our trip. 4:30 am on the way back, Jonas started throwing up all over. "Oh crap!" is all he had to say! Poor kid, cute little raspy voice. Good thing I don't use stronger language... Jonas picks it up fast! I was so grateful to be with our brother and sister-in-law to break up our trip. Just wish we'd had more time together (when my kids aren't vomiting all over!) The day after we got back to CA, I spent the night in the ER with Max who was having breathing issues from a virus he caught.
We left my wedding ring in Utah to add two little princess diamonds for Ali (we add onto the ring for each child to show they're adding to the richness of our family and marriage- it is a tradition from my parents).

I think that is the end of this random post. I better post it now or it will pile up with the rest of my well-intentioned posts in "drafts"!

Bucket List

2010-01-13T09:14:00.000-08:00

I have yet to have time to blog about Thanksgiving, but Glenn made the turkey ENTIRELY by himself... and it was delicious! It was a wonderful day- Glenn's parents drove all the way from Utah, making it a perfect holiday.

Yes, it's true- her hair does that entirely on its own!

At the good suggestion of a friend, I have decided to blog what I know of my bucket list. Yes, we watched the movie on ClearPlay this year and I have to confess, I got a lot out of it. This is not meant as my deepest excavation of my soul, simply the things that come to me as my heart's desires that I have had for a few years. So here is what I know of my ever changing, ever growing bucket list:

1. Find a four leaf clover. * Heaven gave me one just last week, so I can check this one off.
2. Get over my stage fright. My plan is to sing or play guitar on stage at some point to do this... it will take years as I currently haven't put my voice or guitar through a good workout for years.
3. Make a perfect chocolate chip cookie (yes Melissa, this was added after reading your blog).
4. Talk less and listen more. I have a great deal to learn from other people's experiences- I want to listen more.
6. Learn to wear color and like it. I currently have a very black wardrobe.

7. Drive a sports car on the Audubon.

8. Come to my own. Hard to explain this one, but I know what I mean by it.

9. To actually forget after forgiving!

10. Run a half marathon with Glenn. Full marathon if Top of Utah.

11. Wear my wedding dress on every anniversary (pregnancies excluded, should there be any more).

12. Eat gelato with Glenn in Italy.

13. Serve a mission with Glenn. If not, work on the temple work for my ancestors.

14. Write a song & lyrics (this is NOT correlated with performing on stage).

15. Publish a children's book with Glenn.

16. Get a Master's degree.

17. Be a room mother once for each of my children during their elementary years.

18. Have at least one pet.

19. Find a hobby (this will sound quite lame to those reading, but I have yet to find a hobby I can do with children. They think my guitar time is the time I watch what they can do on the guitar).
20. Go to the Smithsonian(s).
21. Go on a cruise (we're doing this one at the end of the year!)

22. Be sure people know how I feel about them while the sun shines on the day- not on death's door or in the extremes of life. People shouldn't have to wait until those times to know they are the most important part of this mortal experience to me.

What's on yours?

Mio Nonno

2010-01-06T09:17:00.001-08:00

This is a drawing I did of my Granddad when he was in his early 20's. His 90th birthday is coming up and he's the healthiest, wittiest ol' guy I know. He's a huge inspiration.

A few Pictures... stories later!

2010-01-06T08:38:00.001-08:00

I'll be back...

2010-01-02T16:14:00.000-08:00

Christmas was a bit out of control. I'll be back soon... I hope. Yes, those are wrapped presents. I'm still exhausted. Next year we'll simplify. Merry belated Christmas to all and a very Happy New Year!

A La Emily

2009-12-17T18:08:00.001-08:00

Floral headbands- the flower can also be detached and worn independently.

Last week my cousin-in-law, Emily, had a wonderful week of craft idea postings. They were a LOT of fun, and I thought I'd go ahead and try this one as a Christmas gift for my Young Women. I am so happy with how thy turned out! It took me days of leaving this project out on my counter to use every spare minute to finish a craft while raising three kids, but I did it! Thanks Emily!

For anyone who'd like to see her blog, here's the address: emilys-little-world.blogspot.com. She is wonderfully fun, talented, and insightful. I am quite a fan.

Is this not good for the heart?

2009-12-11T16:16:00.001-08:00

A brief moment...

2009-11-18T12:42:00.001-08:00

I have a rare moment of quiet in the house with all three kids napping. I will hurry with this entry, as I don't think this will last long!

So, here is Ali's birth story. Ali was due Oct. 24th, but decided not to arrive. I just kept pleading that my little girl would not come on Halloween... just seemed so unromantic. So, inevitably, my water broke on Halloween. It was mellow, so I wasn't even sure to believe that it had happened. Glenn was in the middle of some fun Halloween projects he'd been dreaming about for the past month (faux-arm-coffin costume, and maze for the front yard) and the kids still needed to go trick or treating, so I decided to post-pone going to the hospital until the festivities of the day were over (I would have done otherwise if I were having contractions, but I wasn't).

Word spread FAST around my ward and neighborhood of my potentially impending labor, so we were surrounded by support, babysitting offers, congratulations, and pampering (the neighborhood women wouldn't let me carry Jonas around as I took the boys trick-or-treating; they were so sweet!).

After the boys were in bed, we headed off to the hospital and confirmed my water had broken, earning me the ticket to stay the night. Labor didn't progress much through the night, so they put me on pitocin by 6 am- a little too vigorously, I might add. Increasing the pitocin levels the maximum possible every 15 minutes, they had me doubled over with contractions in no time and by 9:30 am, I asked for the epidural. A little over an hour later, Ali was ready to make her entrance into the world. Unfortunately, my OB was not ready to catch her. With three other eminent deliveries/c-sections, we were put on the back burner for over an hour. When the Dr. did arrive, Alison Kim Harmon was born in two pushes at 12:16 pm on November 1st (All Saint's Day). 7 lbs. 5 oz. and 20 1/2 in. Perfect.

Our first reaction was to her hair! Long brown hair?! This didn't fit our typical baby mold! And her mouth was so petite for our genes... If I hadn't seen her born, I would have some doubts this gorgeous baby was really mine to keep. But, to my great joy- she is ours through and through! They placed her on me immediately following her birth and I loved that she laid there quietly listening to my voice and seeming quite content. I kept asking them if that was okay or if she should be crying. Apparently, it was no problem... and the crying ensued shortly after they took her away. I was so pleased with how perfect she was, touched by how sweet she was, and overcome by how new from heaven she was. Ali is an angel.

Since her arrival, we have fallen very in love with this baby. The boys kiss and love her. Glenn and I ooh and ahh over her beauty and features (and those smiles they claim are from gas bubbles). And we do lots of walking as she goes through the discomfort of having this little body adjust to being on its own in this world.

For me, this recovery has been the hardest. I also am still a bit overwhelmed by how to take care of three and me (and Glenn! You're importannt too Baby!). I have been immensely grateful as neighbors, friends, and ward members have brought dinner. We have been so loved and cared for here, we really feel we have had the blessing of family away from family. From meals to phone calls and drop-ins to check up on us, we have been anything but alone. For five days we also had a post-partum doula (compliments of the brilliant and generous Camille- who also supplied weeks worth of groceries to our door!) who was worth her weight in gold. Doula Elaine was phenomenal! Thanks to her, I am caught up on laundry, dishes, and my boys did not feel neglected. Glenn and I even got to go for walks on those days- an hour at the beach can be so rejuvenating! Thank you to everyone who have been angels in our lives during this great blessing that also happens to be a HUGE transition, lots of work, and plenty of physical pain :). You have been Heaven-sent and we have been thanking Him for you in our prayers by name.

I cannot finish this entry without talking about Glenn. Boy, am I a lucky (blessed!) woman to have him. When the first signs of labor were coming, he was excited to just drop everything he'd been working so hard on and take me to the hospital! For a man who loves projects, he made it clear that I came first. He was a perfect support at the hospital and fell instantly in love with Ali. I love to see my Glenn with his daughter in his arms. He kind of gets this "lost in adoration" look as he walks her and she falls to sleep. He patiently and lovingly endures my moaning about the pain I am going through. He wonderfully comes home from a long day at work and immediately picks up playing with the boys then doing the bedtime routine. He gives and gives and gives. I know I am blessed to have him and look forward to the time I can give more to him.

Well, I pushed my luck to get this long of an entry here in writing in the quiet of the house. I am even more fortunate if you have stuck it through to read all of this! Thanks all for making our life sweet and caring for those crazy Harmons in Califrnia.

Just Like Heaven

2009-11-15T18:38:00.001-08:00

Its fun to see my girl holding my girl. :)

2009-11-09T06:44:00.000-08:00

2009-11-03T12:06:00.000-08:00

These pictures are going to just keep on coming.

A very cool cookie basket came today from Aunt Vicki and Uncle Joe, thanks guys! We love you, too!

Just can't get over all that hair. We'll have to take lost of pictures before it all gets rubbed off.

Look at that HAIR!

2009-11-02T17:22:00.001-08:00

We're used to baldies!!

Exclusive Photos

2009-11-01T20:08:00.001-08:00

Hey there, Glenn here. Just a quick note - both Mom and Baby are doing GREAT. Alison was born at 12:16 and weighs 8 lbs and 5 oz. We had great nurses and the delivery went as well as anyone could hope. We're very happy that shes here.

Hopefully Kristen will come back in here and fill in the gaps. She's a great writer.

You can't see it too well here, but she has a lot of hair! More pictures to come soon.

Bella Bambina Shower

2009-10-26T16:55:00.001-07:00

This is Karalea

Oh, this post is so overdue! Two weeks ago, a good friend from our ward threw the most beautiful baby shower for Little Ali and me. She is a woman of immense talent and capacity, but even I was overwhelmed by the results of her work.

Karalea interviews those she is throwing a party for in advance, so as to cater it directly to their liking! It is incredible. After our hour of chatting, she put all the puzzle pieces together to create an Italian Modern baby shower. Check out these photos. It was beyond Martha Stewart. As a matter of fact, I am quite sure we could get Karalea a consultation position for her show.

All the food was AMAZING and immensely home-made/hand-crafted: minnestrone soup, three kinds of homemade bread, amazing pasta dishes, Italian sodas, fancy cheese and spreads for crackers, grapes, and salads. Dessert consisted of home-made Italian pear gelato (my favorite!), chocolate dipped phylo cookies, and Tiramisu. It was incredible and I pigged out (why not, eh? It's not like you can tell the difference on this stomach?!) like there was no tomorrow.

The decorations were just as incredible. Karalea hand-cut all the pieces for that gorgeous banner and sweet Mandy strung it together. She picked all the colors according to my favorites... can you believe this?! The ribbons and flowers were amazing. This really felt from beginning to end like a true celebration of this feminine soul coming into the world and the momma carrying her. We even played games- 'match the celebrity to their birth name' and 'guess the number of diapers' (Thank you Mandy!). I was completely set up with outfits, frozen dinners, books, stuffed animals, supplies, diapers, and yes- even a video baby monitor for this little one! We were thoroughly spoiled. I hope to pass this generosity on to other young moms as time goes by. Thank you everyone!

To top off this perfect occasion- my Young Women were there. This was such a treat, as my YW make my heart SO happy! You cannot help but feel joy in the presence of these girls. I am so lucky to get to serve with the Mia Maids and can never get over how I love all of the YW. They really are a special generation. Again, this meant Karalea pulled off the incredible by feeding a large group- and never a word of complaint! She just kept encouraging me to invite anyone, everyone I wanted. What a gem.

Baby Shower Thank You Card

2009-10-10T11:30:00.001-07:00

Today...

2009-09-30T15:12:00.000-07:00

This may be a post I am embarrassed about later, but let me tell you about today. In truth, it is pretty typical for me, and I know for many of you too (you have whoppers to sure beat mine, I know). So, forgive me for having some innate need to record this for me to remember later when I feel the "golden years" have passed all too quickly.

Last night, the boys got up at 12:00, 3:00, 4:00, and 5:00 am. Hence, I didn't notice my own insomnia. I am trying to forsake my beloved chocolate as it gives me almost instant, intense, LONG LASTING heartburn (acidic pain right below my lungs). This (forsaking chocolate) makes the morning a little harder, I'll be honest.

When I finally climbed out of bed, it was to get the kids ready for Max to go to pre-school. Jonas grabbed my darkest lipstick and took off with it. I found him minutes later covered in red and the bathroom floor bearing the evidence of his activities. I am truly indebted to the generous angels that kept it off my carpet and walls. We were a few minutes (okay 12) late to pre-school, and then headed out to my Dr.'s office in search of my lost cell phone- and were met with success! Again, thank you angels.

For the remainder of Max's time at pre-school, I took Jonas to a big sale at our local Kohl's. I thought it would be easy to find a couple items and be on my way. Ha. After 35 minutes in line, it would have taken another 45 to get up to a counter, at which point Max would have been sold by the pre-school to traveling gypsies with the assumption that his mother had completely abandoned him. So, an hour and a half wasted and fruitless, I went to be on time for the pick-up.

Max had a great day at school, which always warms a mother's heart. I got the boys home (yes, Jonas was hitting and flinging himself around at this point in my arms), fed them lunch, and put them to bed. Post-nap revealed both had pooped. One had a diaper, one did not. Oh joy. Bath. Laundry.

The boys are now in the playroom together with their love-hate relationship going on. Max totally annoyed at the annihilation of his carefully planned train worlds by Jonas, and Jonas thrilled for an activity that seems to be breeding such high response rates.

I have spent the afternoon on the phone with insurance companies, pediatric dentist offices, and Glenn. I am planning another venture out into public where I literally cannot pass a soul without a LOT of staring (it is a crazy scene here in CA to have a 4-yr.-old, 20-mo.-old, and about to pop with yet ANOTHER child). I hear comments all around me. I like to pretend this is what it must feel like to be a pop star in public. This is probably the closest I'll ever get.

Trying to be patient with stuttering, a watermelon on my bladder, screaming, heartburn (can a few chocolate chips really do this?!), wasted food, and not getting my husband home until 9:30. Absolutely loving hearing Jonas try to pray, Max memorizing scriptures, seeing my boys soaking wet in the bathtub playing together happily, baby girl shoes from Melissa, Max showing me his Lego creations with such pride, and my boys' beautiful hearts. Loving the renewed feeling that "this is a price to be paid for blessings and the Lord accepts my sacrifice" as Glenn told me in a blessing last night.

I guess these are golden days after all and I will miss them. I think the biggest trick for me is to truly enjoy them today before missing them tomorrow.

Your thoughts please...

2009-09-22T12:54:00.000-07:00

I just finished watching a TED lecture and quite enjoyed the summary statements made at the end. The speaker asked:

"Why are we here?"
"What shall we do about it as long as we are here?"

He gave two quotes, the first from Ludwig Vichtenstein: "I'm not sure why we are here, but I am pretty sure it is not to enjoy ourselves!"

The second is from W.H. Auden, "We are here on earth to help others. What the others are here for, I've no idea."

I'm taking a few minutes to gather my thoughts on the matter, as I think it is something for which I really should have a clearly defined self-mantra.

What are your thoughts?

What do you do with the heat and no AC?

2009-09-03T15:18:00.000-07:00

Drink plenty of water

Take your boys to the beach- a lot.

Throw fish chunks at other fish... surprised Max had no problem with this.

Find a partner in crime- it helps if one can steer while the other pedals

Eat lots of ice cream... calories and fat don't count when it is hot. At least they better not...

Summer fun!

2009-08-10T13:42:00.000-07:00

He wanted race cars... I attempted.

Happy 4th little man! We adore you- your polite ways, love for making us laugh, and unending interest in trains and cars. You delight us and we are so proud of you!

Apparently the chalk sticks to the cement, and kids!

Max playing with Audrey... this makes him SO happy!

Feeling the baby kick. Max LOVES to feel Ali kick. He knows his sister loves him already. Jonas on the other hand, pushes any baby doll as far away from him as possible and is quite disgruntled with whatever is going on here...

When you can't be in the ocean, you might as well play in the sprinklers.

Probably laughing at the story of the Argentine hairless dog who looked like it had ringworm...

Ward and Glenn in the waves... we love to see our husbands play together.

I have been taking mental pictures all summer of these two playing in the ocean. They are some of my dearest treasures. Thanks to Heidi, I now have an actual picture for the rest of the world to see these two buddies in the water. Max will get toppled by waves, stand up and say "Dad, let's go swimming again!"

Heidi and I heading out in the waves. I, with my belly, and Heidi in a shirt and khakis!

Poking at sand crabs. Jonas has now decided the ocean is worth touching if it leaves behind sand mud and crabs after each wave passes. It is kind of hard to let him forego his fear of the sea- it was fun to have him cuddle up into my arms and fall asleep there as he made me sing him lullabyes.

Chalk, boogie boarding, birthday cake, playing in sprinklers, and time with friends- our first summer by the sea has been wonderful. My days are spent with the windows and french doors wide open to let in the sea breeze. The fruit has been heavenly and corn on the cob a treat.

We were thrilled to steal Heidi and Ward for a couple of days post their Argentina adventures. I knew I had made the right choice for my BNHFF when Heidi turned to me on the beach and said "You want to go in and get totally wet?" She wasn't wearing a swimsuit and I am a big pregnant woman, but together we had a BLAST boogie boarding. Thanks Heidi. You are a treasure.

Thanks for the moments that have helped me keep my sanity with this pregnancy through the summer- walk on the beach and dessert with Karalea, trampoline and sprinkler time for the kids with Melissa, TED lectures online, anytime with my young women, the donut runs with Glenn... you have made the days sweet.

My Board....

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As requested- a pic of my board... She is a long board with three fins and came with an ankle band (life saver!). She is a foam top which is great for safety, beginners, and not having to wax your board. I don't know whether I'll be able to get on her past my belly, but we're sure going to try soon. And if not, you can guarantee this is one of my first activities post-baby come October!

Riff Raff, Street Rat, I Don't Buy That

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Yes, all day today as I have gazed at my children, that song from Aladdin has run though my mind. I guess it is true. It's time for my boys to get a little trim up.

Still, they are iconic boyhood in action. Popsicle stains on shirts, black eye, hair too long and curling, nails that should have been cut last week when mom tried until she gave up, sweat with lots of dirt attached.

Wish me luck- these paupers don't turn into princes without a fight. They hate hair and nail cuts, but sure love the bath. I believe soaked and exhausted I will come out conqueror tonight. It's okay, I'm up for the challenge- I'm feeling spunky. I returned from Oregon to find my husband had bought me a surfboard (thanks to Karalea!). Suddenly I can do anything.

(Post-bath, haircut, nail cuts...)

THANK YOU FOR THE FAMILY PIC!!!!

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Our dear family photographer rounded us up for a family pic while we were home and I am so glad he did! Thank you to both Scott and Shawna for going through all the trouble to do this- we had a wonderful weekend with everyone and it makes me smile every time I see this pic just thinking about it.

I'm so lucky to have married into this great family!

FAMILY PIC

(Sorry, you'll have to click on the link to see it, I don't know how to get it on my site from someone else's)

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FAMILY REUNION #1

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We just had a great family reunion on my side in the Tetons (we also had one with Glenn's side that we are awaiting pics from.. I'll blog soon). GREAT FUN: rented cabins for a week, kayaking, family dinners, lots of catching up, tram to the top of a mountain to a quaint waffle house, playing with cousins in dirt and bugs, lots of mosquitoes, games at night, family dance off, Vespa rides, and hot chocolate. Perfect times. Max was a riot with his cousins- particularly Sawyer. I saw the real little man come out in him as they ran through dirt, played with flashlights, hopped on motorcycles, and Max even played in a cold lake! (He hates playing in water, so this was huge!) We adored having Marianne with us too- as always, life is better with Marianne around.

And for really big news... My neice was born on July fourth in a cabin right there in the Tetons! Congrats Cory and Camille on a gorgeous little bundle of joy! We're so glad you are both safe and healthy and I can't wait to hold her. Camille, you are a strong Lady! We're so excited she is here and part of the family.

I don't really know how to use Picassa, so I think you'll just need to look over the pics in these four separate posts to get the idea. If you come away thinking it looks like fun- you got the picture!

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