General Conference is totally my very favorite. I've always watched as many sessions as I possibly could, (a fewyears ago I had to work, I even snuck into the office and listened by internet broadcast to hear who the new apostle was...) When I lived with Mal, we would do something different for every session-attend one, watch at the building, with friends, at home, and our favorite-on a blanket at the park with a stereo and lunch. Anyway, it's been difficult for me lately to really get to focus on Conference, because of my beautiful, short-attention-spanned, energetic, demanding little girls. I was very lucky this weekend to be able to be with lots of family who helped spread the load and got to really listen to most of it. (Thanks SO much families-I always appreciate the help you give loving my little girlies!) Here are just a few of the messages that really stuck out for me and my family unit.
-Slow Down! Simplify! Jeff and I had some very specific questions that were neatly and strongly answered with this idea.
-How to bring the Spirit into the home more. I have had a very difficult time setting any kind of schedule for scriptures, prayers, even FHE sometimes, with the schedules of babies, graveyard shift dad, and completely erratic shift mom. There were lots of suggestions.
-Finally, follow the prophet. Did you not hear this in almost every single talk? Jeff and I debated about whether something tough may be coming soon, or if just too little people actually put their trust in the prophet. Anyway, I firmly vow to listen to all he has to say. (Sidenote: I adore President Monson!)
That is all. Carry on. :)
Monday, October 4, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
International Peace Gardens
For one of our recent FHE's, we went and took a walk around the Peace Gardens. If you haven't been there (and can) you should definitely go. It was built for the Olympics and I think it's impressive. It's just a park, but it is huge and divided into various countries. We love going there and just taking our time strolling through.
Cutie!
My sweeties.
Hanging out.
Her third love.
Hazy double slide!
Yeah, she's... cupping... the mermaid.
She just reached over and picked a gorgeous flower... then ate it!
"Soft."
Aww!!
-
Playing-that girl has an endless reservoir of energy!
Cutie!
My sweeties.
Hanging out.
Her third love.
Hazy double slide!
Yeah, she's... cupping... the mermaid.
She just reached over and picked a gorgeous flower... then ate it!
"Soft."
Aww!!-
Playing-that girl has an endless reservoir of energy!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Be Well Utah
The University Hospital hosts a wellness fair every year, and though I wanted to go, we were very pleasantly surprised at how much fun we all had. We had SO much food and actually had to leave before we did all we wanted. There were cooking demonstrations, a billion health food samples, fitness classes, lunch, raffles, toys/activities/samples/gifts at every booth, balloon artists, recipes and of course, tons of great information.
Mommy and Amie twinners!
Ready to go!
She's got all the gear a dolly mommy needs.
Showing off her pretty bracelet, who's beads change color in the sun-reminding us to put on sunblock!
Brushing a little pony!! She loved this.
Mommy and Amie twinners!
Ready to go!
She's got all the gear a dolly mommy needs.
Showing off her pretty bracelet, who's beads change color in the sun-reminding us to put on sunblock!
Brushing a little pony!! She loved this.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Beautiful Book Babies at Barbecues
We had a Saturday a while back where we had a Police BBQ during lunch and a Ward BBQ at dinner. (That's a lotta hot dog for one day!) During lunch at Jordan Park, a freak torrential rainstorm broke out! I got soaked, and Amie was none-too-happy, but Dad and baby were safely waiting under the pavilion for us to get their food.
PMAA
There are lots of story times around here, so we try to go as much as we can (which is not near enough.) They even have "Book Baby" which is meant for little little ones. We go and hear stories, play with bubbles (the fave) and Amie gets to sing lots of the songs she already knows from Nursery. This is one of my favorite free things to do with the girls (if only it wasn't at 10 am!)
This is after the BB at the Anderson-Foothill Library-she was sure Clifford was for riding. She took him everywhere!
These are in "the Attic" at the City Library downtown. She and this monster were playing nigh night on the stairs (this is currently her favorite game.) Of all the cute little stuffed animals in the attic, she picked this green monster to mother and love!!
Random cuties from home and other places:
Alisa usually needs lots of help falling asleep, but every now and then, you look down and...
Amelie found mommy's makeup. :) You can't see so well, but she's even got eye shadow! Boofull!
Just SOOO close to crawling. She moves around a bunch but it isn't exactly intentional.
This was at the Provo hospital. She was amazingly good for being there about 12 hours.
Gramma love!
Choco face at Gma's.
No name for that face.
PMAA
Ward
There are lots of story times around here, so we try to go as much as we can (which is not near enough.) They even have "Book Baby" which is meant for little little ones. We go and hear stories, play with bubbles (the fave) and Amie gets to sing lots of the songs she already knows from Nursery. This is one of my favorite free things to do with the girls (if only it wasn't at 10 am!)
This is after the BB at the Anderson-Foothill Library-she was sure Clifford was for riding. She took him everywhere!
These are in "the Attic" at the City Library downtown. She and this monster were playing nigh night on the stairs (this is currently her favorite game.) Of all the cute little stuffed animals in the attic, she picked this green monster to mother and love!!
Random cuties from home and other places:
Alisa usually needs lots of help falling asleep, but every now and then, you look down and...
Amelie found mommy's makeup. :) You can't see so well, but she's even got eye shadow! Boofull!
Just SOOO close to crawling. She moves around a bunch but it isn't exactly intentional.
This was at the Provo hospital. She was amazingly good for being there about 12 hours.
Gramma love!
Choco face at Gma's.
No name for that face.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Family Updates
There's nothing special about today to go for updates, but I felt that need to chronicle in me, so here goes. (I kinda skipped Alisa's 6 month apt. update :/ )
At Alisa's appointment, she was in the 70's for her height, but only the 40's (?) for weight (I lost the exact numbers.) Her head size jumped up to the 80's, though!! We thought she'd be safe, but guess not. (Amie's now off the chart for head size... poor girls.) So, she is definitely gonna taller than her older sis and is currently still real skinny despite the fact that she eats like a pig! This little thing will eat anything in sight-and tries to on every given occasion. She gets 3 regular meals of baby food/cereal a day, plus all her regular bottles and now we're adding in at least 2 snacks, and she still acts like she's always starving! Now that she's no longer fighting reflux and spit up, she is quite a happy baby! Of course, she is also just entering the separation anxiety phase, though, so we'll see how long that lasts. Really, though, she's very mid mannered and pleasant and has the best smiles. My favorite is that when you're holding her and have a mutual smile moment, she burrows her face into your shoulder or chest in a snuggle, all bashful-like. She got her first tooth (bottom front right) just this Wednesday, as well as her first real movement that could be classified as crawling. She seems to have forgotten it, but is always turning, rocking, doing push ups, etc, so it'll be no time. She thinks she has to pull up on everything, too. Walking won't be too far behind, I'd wager!
Amelie has been all over the place lately-she has comfortably moved into her terrible two's. It's so strange because she LOVES other kids, especially Lisie, but will out of nowhere steal their toy and say "mine!" or even occasionally hit them. We've started doing timeouts, and they are actually fairly effective with her. The first one we did with her just broke her heart. We followed it with a discussion (toddler-sized) and lots of loves. She likes to draw on EVERYTHING, especially herself and walls, and eats all the day long. She's still in mid-low percentiles for her size.
She has become a little parrot/mirror, too, repeating words we don't necessarily want her to learn, like crap (thanks grandma!) and freak (that was me) and stupid (dad.) I was sweeping today, and of course she wanted to "help" so when I was done I handed over the broom, and the first thing she did was look at me and say "move. move. move!" I guess she does it just like mommy, huh?
We have contemplated potty training, and have given it a few weak attempts. We go back and forth all the time about whether or not she's ready. It's probably more about mom and dad committing to watch her well enough to get her to the potty. Soon!
My favorites are things I've mentioned before, but they're only getting better. She is a singer and a dancer!! She croons along to almost anything and now encourages us (strongly) to join her in her dancing. Amie goes absolutely gaga over anything Disney princess, and my new #1 is when she comes up to me and says "Oh, mommy' boofull." or Pwetty or Coot. She also can't be bothered to ride in a shopping cart or stroller. She thinks she is so big. She's really great though, about holding my hand in the street and helping push. I really can't believe how big she IS getting, though, but what else is new?
Here's a little parents update, haven't done that for awhile.
Don't know if I mentioned that Jeff and I got new callings a few months back. He became the Sunday School President and loves it! He gets to teach auxiliary classes (like Temple Prep right now) and I always come join them cause I've got VIP privileges. I was called to be Ward Choir director. It's a love-hate relationship. I love choir itself and I love being able to go to adult meetings again, but I'm not the most gifted director there is. (If you've been in any of the many wards where I was some sort of chorister, you can attest, and that's easier!) It's strange to think I used to want to do that with my life (although I think it would be easier with a group that was on the same general musicianship level, unlike ward choir.) Now I just wish I could be IN a choir for my life. Anyone wanna pay me for that? Anyway, I think I am improving a little, but it's a good opportunity for all the reasons aforementioned-musical and otherwise.
As far as work, Jeff's back to graves this month. He's happy. I'm not what I'd call "happy" but it'll at least be a little easier now that I'm not fighting stay-up-all-night-newborn fatigue.
I worked a TON over the main summer months and then hadn't worked for weeks. It was nice to have a little break, but now I'd be happy for a break from the house again. :) I'm still enjoying my job, loving that I get to keep my skills oiled without having to leave my babies. I do know, however, that even though I don't want a full time job, I won't stay forever in a PRN job, it's not my style. I like to get to know the people (patients people) I work with-I work better that way, and as it stands now I rarely know even a few things about a few patients I treat in any given day. It's tough in it's own way, but at least it allows me to leave their problems behind me at the end of the day. This job has also taught me a lot about myself. I thought that whole discovery phase was about over with school, but not even close. I have had to deal with many surprise trials whilst counseling others about coping, etc. and it is a constant reminder to me about living a balanced life. One that I am very grateful for. It's my secret, I get paid to live a little self therapy.
At Alisa's appointment, she was in the 70's for her height, but only the 40's (?) for weight (I lost the exact numbers.) Her head size jumped up to the 80's, though!! We thought she'd be safe, but guess not. (Amie's now off the chart for head size... poor girls.) So, she is definitely gonna taller than her older sis and is currently still real skinny despite the fact that she eats like a pig! This little thing will eat anything in sight-and tries to on every given occasion. She gets 3 regular meals of baby food/cereal a day, plus all her regular bottles and now we're adding in at least 2 snacks, and she still acts like she's always starving! Now that she's no longer fighting reflux and spit up, she is quite a happy baby! Of course, she is also just entering the separation anxiety phase, though, so we'll see how long that lasts. Really, though, she's very mid mannered and pleasant and has the best smiles. My favorite is that when you're holding her and have a mutual smile moment, she burrows her face into your shoulder or chest in a snuggle, all bashful-like. She got her first tooth (bottom front right) just this Wednesday, as well as her first real movement that could be classified as crawling. She seems to have forgotten it, but is always turning, rocking, doing push ups, etc, so it'll be no time. She thinks she has to pull up on everything, too. Walking won't be too far behind, I'd wager!
Amelie has been all over the place lately-she has comfortably moved into her terrible two's. It's so strange because she LOVES other kids, especially Lisie, but will out of nowhere steal their toy and say "mine!" or even occasionally hit them. We've started doing timeouts, and they are actually fairly effective with her. The first one we did with her just broke her heart. We followed it with a discussion (toddler-sized) and lots of loves. She likes to draw on EVERYTHING, especially herself and walls, and eats all the day long. She's still in mid-low percentiles for her size.
She has become a little parrot/mirror, too, repeating words we don't necessarily want her to learn, like crap (thanks grandma!) and freak (that was me) and stupid (dad.) I was sweeping today, and of course she wanted to "help" so when I was done I handed over the broom, and the first thing she did was look at me and say "move. move. move!" I guess she does it just like mommy, huh?
We have contemplated potty training, and have given it a few weak attempts. We go back and forth all the time about whether or not she's ready. It's probably more about mom and dad committing to watch her well enough to get her to the potty. Soon!
My favorites are things I've mentioned before, but they're only getting better. She is a singer and a dancer!! She croons along to almost anything and now encourages us (strongly) to join her in her dancing. Amie goes absolutely gaga over anything Disney princess, and my new #1 is when she comes up to me and says "Oh, mommy' boofull." or Pwetty or Coot. She also can't be bothered to ride in a shopping cart or stroller. She thinks she is so big. She's really great though, about holding my hand in the street and helping push. I really can't believe how big she IS getting, though, but what else is new?
Here's a little parents update, haven't done that for awhile.
Don't know if I mentioned that Jeff and I got new callings a few months back. He became the Sunday School President and loves it! He gets to teach auxiliary classes (like Temple Prep right now) and I always come join them cause I've got VIP privileges. I was called to be Ward Choir director. It's a love-hate relationship. I love choir itself and I love being able to go to adult meetings again, but I'm not the most gifted director there is. (If you've been in any of the many wards where I was some sort of chorister, you can attest, and that's easier!) It's strange to think I used to want to do that with my life (although I think it would be easier with a group that was on the same general musicianship level, unlike ward choir.) Now I just wish I could be IN a choir for my life. Anyone wanna pay me for that? Anyway, I think I am improving a little, but it's a good opportunity for all the reasons aforementioned-musical and otherwise.
As far as work, Jeff's back to graves this month. He's happy. I'm not what I'd call "happy" but it'll at least be a little easier now that I'm not fighting stay-up-all-night-newborn fatigue.
I worked a TON over the main summer months and then hadn't worked for weeks. It was nice to have a little break, but now I'd be happy for a break from the house again. :) I'm still enjoying my job, loving that I get to keep my skills oiled without having to leave my babies. I do know, however, that even though I don't want a full time job, I won't stay forever in a PRN job, it's not my style. I like to get to know the people (patients people) I work with-I work better that way, and as it stands now I rarely know even a few things about a few patients I treat in any given day. It's tough in it's own way, but at least it allows me to leave their problems behind me at the end of the day. This job has also taught me a lot about myself. I thought that whole discovery phase was about over with school, but not even close. I have had to deal with many surprise trials whilst counseling others about coping, etc. and it is a constant reminder to me about living a balanced life. One that I am very grateful for. It's my secret, I get paid to live a little self therapy.
Random pictures I never posted
Haha! Baby food mustache.
Mommy daughter closeup!
Daddy can't pretend to sleep.
She's proud of her rice mess.
Talking her baby for a stroll through the yard.I'm sure in love with my cuties!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Seaside-Day 5 and drive home
Wednesday, our last full day, we polished off all the leftovers we had and swam at our resort. It was actually pretty chill temperatures the whole time we were there, but our condo was a huge U surrounding the pool, and the water was super heated, so it was still pretty good. We also rented a surrey that evening (one of those bike-car-dealies) to have a last cruise around town. It was a lot of work of course, pedaling for the full hour, but it was fun, and even the girlies enjoyed it for almost the entire time. There was a kid basket seat in the front for them, and even though we had the employee take a picture of us all in it, I found out later that the memory card had been knocked out of place (when we dropped it while riding the surrey :/) and it didn't save. it made me sad-it was super cute. We had dinner at my favorite place overall, Pudgy's. The name sounded pretty lax to me, but it ended up being one of the swankiest places we ate. Oh yes, plus we got ice cream that night. Jeff wanted it the entire trip.
The babes in the surrey.
Now, if that's not the cutest thing you've ever seen...
...then, THAT is! She LOVED that ice cream cone-she's got her tongue out and everything!
Family photo on the beach.
Double first-time-on-the-real-swings event.
Amelie wanted to capture her own memories of the occasion... interesting...
My failed attempt at a timer photo. I twisted my ankle running in the sand, then couldn't get up on the tall swing. :(
Hmm.
We left mid day the next day after packing up and had a pretty uneventful drive home (except that we kept getting in trouble because we kept forgetting that in Oregon, you can't pump your own gas. Big time annoying.) We got home around 3:30 a.m and were happy to be home. Seaside was really a beautiful place, wonderfully lazy and a great time! We'd love to go back (but it may be forever, as there are always new places we want to explore!)
Phew!
The babes in the surrey.
Now, if that's not the cutest thing you've ever seen...
...then, THAT is! She LOVED that ice cream cone-she's got her tongue out and everything!
Family photo on the beach.
Double first-time-on-the-real-swings event.
Amelie wanted to capture her own memories of the occasion... interesting...
My failed attempt at a timer photo. I twisted my ankle running in the sand, then couldn't get up on the tall swing. :(
Hmm.We left mid day the next day after packing up and had a pretty uneventful drive home (except that we kept getting in trouble because we kept forgetting that in Oregon, you can't pump your own gas. Big time annoying.) We got home around 3:30 a.m and were happy to be home. Seaside was really a beautiful place, wonderfully lazy and a great time! We'd love to go back (but it may be forever, as there are always new places we want to explore!)
Phew!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Seaside-Day 4
Tuesday, We got up to go to Cannon Beach and Haystack rock, which ended up being awesome! And terrible. It turns out, we parked literally on the opposite side of town from HR, but didn't know it at first and decided to just walk the beach. We played in the sand for quite some time before making the trek, each holding a baby. It was definitely a desert mirage-we walked and walked, but it never seemed to get any closer. We eventually got there and it was another one of our highlights! It was just some crazy giant rock that came up out of the middle of the beach, and for some reason, attracted and supported all sorts of sea life, including puffins and sea gulls. It was very cool to see up close. The walk back, though, was agonizing. We figured we actually trudged 3 or 4 miles through deep, soft sand, holding unhappy babies. Boo. We went back and window shopped a little, as well as took Amie on the carousel. She acted scared at first, and would not let me move an inch away from her, but LOVED it and nearly threw a royal fit when we didn't go again. We ate at McKeown's that day, which was probably my fave, and Norma's that night (fresh seafood!)
l
Look how big that thing is!
Alisa was being so incredibly good and happy at dinner, that I had to take a picture, even though my flash wouldn't work.
The carousel. Not that you'll see us. Even though there was nobody around, did that stop the woman from plopping her kid RIGHT in front of us? We were really cramped, both trying to hold our kids. Still fun, though.
l
Look how big that thing is!
Alisa was being so incredibly good and happy at dinner, that I had to take a picture, even though my flash wouldn't work.
The carousel. Not that you'll see us. Even though there was nobody around, did that stop the woman from plopping her kid RIGHT in front of us? We were really cramped, both trying to hold our kids. Still fun, though.
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