Quote for the day

I get a few magazines delivered to my house and I end up trying to hurry and read through them so I can toss them out and avoid them sitting on my counter, or my table and just cluttering up my world. Anyway, I had a Parenting magazine lingering around so I sat down today to hurry and read so I could throw it in the recycle. Anyway, there was an article called The Secrets of Happy Families. It was a great article, just what I needed to hear and there was one spot that just stuck a chord in me. It said:

"Days are long, but years are short. On some weekends, getting from Saturday afternoon to Sunday night just takes forever, but kindergarten flies by. It's important to memorialize what's happening and embrace what you have right now."

That is so important for me to remember during this whirlwind of a time in my life. With 3 under 3 I tend to just try to truck on by through my days, wish for something better, or look forward to an event in the future. My little ones will only be little for a moment and I want to cherish each moment, each heartache, each accomplishment, and each milestone. Sometimes my life is a bit mundane but that's ok. I'm right here doing what I should be doing. I get to be with my little ones and help guide them and teach them to grow to be children of God. It is a priviledge and a blessing and I am extremely lucky.

Facebook sell-out

Ugh - I have been anti-Facebook and I just joined. I can't believe I did it. I'm not sure why I've been so anti-Facebook, but it probably stems from me not wanting to have one more thing to check, one more thing to think about, or maybe not wanting people to be able to "find" me. I live in my little bubble and it is quite nice. But...I'm a woman after a bargain or a free item and a lot of companies will do freebies or giveaways via Facebook. Therefore, I joined. Yuck.

Who's this?

The twins have these little Handy Manny toys that they were given when Oliver was born. They were playing with them in the tub the other morning. Charlie held up Handy Manny and said "Dadda" pointing to the toy. I said, "Oh, that's Daddy?" I get it. He is wearing a red hat and Brandt is always wearing his Utah hat and he's holding a hammer, typical for Brandt. He then held up the creepy ice cream guy. I said, "Who's that?" "Momma." Great, I'm an old man with a comb-over. Thanks.

Random update

I don't have a particular subject to blog about, just know that I needed to update my "journal". I seem to be quite busy, with what, not sure, but I feel busy. Brandt has been busy with a few side jobs which always adds to the craziness and has jumped back on the O/T list at work. That means he will work for the post office for 9-10 hours 6 days a week and when he gets home, he is out in the garage trying to get a little bit done on his projects. So, he's tired, I'm tired, we're all tired. A couple weeks ago I attempted to make bread for the first time ever. Slowly but surely I will become domesticated. I ground my wheat and everything. It is quite a workout - I probably should bake bread more often just for that reason alone. It turned out ok. Not in love with it, but ok. With the few sunny, warm days we had last week I busted out the twins's new scooters. Brandt had gone to the store earlier in the day for something and he picked up a bike helmet. They only had one that he liked, so we only had one for the boys. Dylan adopted it. He wore that helmet non-stop for a few days. He cracks me up. One morning we went for a walk around our neighborhood and he had to wear it. We made it half-way around our circle and he wanted it off. We took it off and I asked him if he wanted me to carry it and he said no and promptly just put the helmet under his arm and marched on. This little guy is still adorable. I am just whooped over him and I think the feeling is mutual. He is such a momma's boy. I just look over his way and he gets all gitty and smiley. Love it and trying to memorize this moment cause I know it is temporary. And if you're crazy, you find time to make 3 dollar flowers for your bestie that is turning 30. If you can do math, she's turning 30, it takes 3 dollar bills to make one flower, which means I should make 10 flowers if I want to give her 30 one-dollar bills. I made 6 flowers and gave up. Way too time-consuming so we were creative with the remaining dollars. Turned out way cute. Then, to go with the craziness, you decide to make the trek 200+ miles to her home to celebrate her birthday so you pick up another fellow crazy and drive for 3 hours, hang out for 3 hours (sneak in a photo-op), then drive back for another 3 hours. Nuts. I didn't sleep much that night and Brandt and I went to the Jazz game last night so we got home late which means not enough sleep this week. I'm tired and it's been snowing all day, yuck. That's all I have to say.

Love

The sweetest thing happened this morning. I was tied up pumping and Oliver had scooted over to our big push-truck. Charlie was playing with it and I don't know if he ran over O's hand or just took it away and Oliver started sobbing. He has used up all his "umph" and didn't have it in him to scoot back over to me and just laid his head down to cry. Dylan hopped right up, ran into his room, and brought out his two snuggy-toys and blankey to give to Oliver. He knows that when you're sad, those items make it all better. So sweet not only because of the brotherly love, but sweet coming from Dylan. He's not one to show much compassion, especially toward his brothers, so this just tore at my heart-strings. I'm so lucky to have these boys. They are so wonderful and I love them so very much!

Death & Regret

This past Saturday we went to the funeral of our dear family friend. She was a wonderful woman whom my mother sort of adopted into our family. She's taken on the title of "Auntie Linda" and always was around for major holidays and family events. She s.p.o.i.l.e.d our kids and loved them as if they were her own. She went pretty suddenly, and unexpectedly and because of that I do have one small regret. It's nothing big, but it is lingering in the back of my mind. For Valentine's Day she went in with my mom and gave my twinners backpacks with a little car inside. I spaced that they were from Linda, too, so when I saw her the last time, I didn't tell her thank you. After I had left she asked my mom if the twins liked the bags and my mom told her they did. I had taken pictures of the twins with their backpacks on and had the intent of sending her a thank you in the mail with the pictures. Time got away from me and I never got it done. I know she knew we were grateful but it was a little thing that I knew would mean a lot to her.

My grandma died when I was in high school. I was probably 16 or 17 years old. Everytime I went to visit her she liked me to play the piano for her. Because I was 16 and had my car, I would visit occasionally. Prior to her dying, I had the intention of stopping by one day and playing for her. She died before I got around to it. I still feel bad that I never got over to her house and was too caught up in being a teenager.

I know that everyone dies. I know that those that I love know I love them. I think it is the little bit of perfection in myself that makes me have these moments of doubt and insecurity sneak in and make me feel bad for not doing enough. I need to do two things. 1. I need to not procrastinate those things that I want to do and just get it done and 2. I need to be a little kinder to myself and be happy with just doing the best I can. That's all we can do, the best we can.

I'm grateful the last few weeks I've had to reflect on this subject. I am grateful that I know the plan of my Heavenly Father and that not only I, but everyone, can return to live with him again. I love that I know that we will see our loved ones again after they've passed from this life. I love that I know that there is happiness for those that leave and perhaps even better circumstances ahead. I'm grateful to my parents for teaching me these truths and for a husband that also shares my same beliefs. How blessed I am that I know this with my whole being. How blessed I am that I have such wonderful people around me. There should be no saddness and regret. I have things pretty good and I need to remember that. Even when it's easier to just cry and feel sorry for myself. Things are good.

Ode to Spring

Dear Spring,
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

1. I love the way you smell. I don't know what "that" smell is, but I love it. I love the fresh air, I love the grass clippings, I love flowers.
2. I love the warmth. I love that I don't have to put on a coat to go outside. If I run out to get the mail without shoes my feet aren't freezing.
3. I love the sunlight - well into the evening. I don't so much like that the sun beats into my boy's room window so it doesn't feel like night to them, but the rest of it is a.o.k.
4. I love that you can run around outside and if you fall down on the grass (my kids, not me) their bums aren't wet from the snow.
5. I love that you can clean your windows and they actually stay clean for more than a day (unless the sprinklers need adjusting).
6. I love that we get to plant a garden and enjoy the fresh veggies and not have to buy them at the grocery store.
7. I love that I can turn off my heater/air conditioning and conserve a little moolah & energy.

Oh there are many more ways I love thee...but we'll keep it at that. Here's to you Spring! Thank you for coming back this year.