Last week, as Andrew and I were discussing BYU's impressive back-to-back shut out wins, I enthusiastically asked Isaac if he wanted to play football for BYU when he got older.
Isaac's resigned and less-than-enthusiastic response: "Sure Mom, I'll play. Just sign me up for wherever."
Okay. GO COUGS!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Henry's Excellent Bedtime Adventure(s)
Our Henry is the funniest kid. We never know what to expect from him. I would love, just once, to get inside his head and figure out what makes this boy tick. I would love to be able to comprehend where he gets his ideas. He is an amazing blend of mischievious and angelic, cunning and naive, and exasperating and hilarious. When he's awake, he's a force to reckoned with (just last week he painted his legs with White-out) but after he's gone to bed he still has some pretty funny ideas. We never know what we're going to get when we go in and check on him after he's fallen asleep.
One night this summer, I found him sound asleep on his bed wearing a Patagonia fleece and his green flip-flops. It was that same night at 2:00am, that he came and woke me up to let me know that he had lost one of those flip-flops. No matter what I said or what kind of logic I used, he would not go back to sleep until the shoe had been found and was back on his foot.
Another night, I found him asleep wearing six (yes, six) shirts. He had his pajama top, a polo shirt, a soccer jersey, a t-shirt, and long-sleeved t-shirt and finally and t-shirt that was so small, he couldn't pull over his head, so he'd fallen asleep with his face poking out the neck hole.
A couple of nights ago, Andrew went in and found Henry asleep with a balloon tied to his binky. Henry had the binky held firmly in his mouth as the balloon floated a few feet overhead. And while I'm talking about binkies, let me just say that yes, I am embarrassed and ashamed that my three-year-old still has a binky - but when we have tried to get rid of it, he ends up just stealing Peter's during the course of the night. So, I guess he gets to hold on to it for awhile.
For the past two nights, I have awakened to find Henry asleep on the floor of my room right next to my bed. At some point during the night unbeknownst to me, he had moved his blanket, pillow, stuffed animal, backpack and binky into my room and had put himself to bed in there.
Anyway, we never know what to expect from Henry. We have found him in bed with his lamp lying next to him (fortunately turned off and unplugged.) We have found him in bed with his suffed animals on his bed all wearing his underpants. We have found him in bed with Peter sometimes asleep and sometimes covered in diaper rash cream. And we have found him curled up asleep on his floor.
The amazing thing is, no matter how much mischief he was into before he fell asleep, when I go in his room and see him lying there asleep amid the spoils of his adventures, my heart melts and a smile spreads across my face. It is in those moments that my heart is so full of gratitude for this funny little boy that it feels like my heart may burst.
So, here's to my three-year-old boy. I will love him and treasure him and enjoy the days that his adventures are small and relatively sweet and kept within the confines of his bedroom after dark.
One night this summer, I found him sound asleep on his bed wearing a Patagonia fleece and his green flip-flops. It was that same night at 2:00am, that he came and woke me up to let me know that he had lost one of those flip-flops. No matter what I said or what kind of logic I used, he would not go back to sleep until the shoe had been found and was back on his foot.
Another night, I found him asleep wearing six (yes, six) shirts. He had his pajama top, a polo shirt, a soccer jersey, a t-shirt, and long-sleeved t-shirt and finally and t-shirt that was so small, he couldn't pull over his head, so he'd fallen asleep with his face poking out the neck hole.
A couple of nights ago, Andrew went in and found Henry asleep with a balloon tied to his binky. Henry had the binky held firmly in his mouth as the balloon floated a few feet overhead. And while I'm talking about binkies, let me just say that yes, I am embarrassed and ashamed that my three-year-old still has a binky - but when we have tried to get rid of it, he ends up just stealing Peter's during the course of the night. So, I guess he gets to hold on to it for awhile. For the past two nights, I have awakened to find Henry asleep on the floor of my room right next to my bed. At some point during the night unbeknownst to me, he had moved his blanket, pillow, stuffed animal, backpack and binky into my room and had put himself to bed in there. Anyway, we never know what to expect from Henry. We have found him in bed with his lamp lying next to him (fortunately turned off and unplugged.) We have found him in bed with his suffed animals on his bed all wearing his underpants. We have found him in bed with Peter sometimes asleep and sometimes covered in diaper rash cream. And we have found him curled up asleep on his floor.
The amazing thing is, no matter how much mischief he was into before he fell asleep, when I go in his room and see him lying there asleep amid the spoils of his adventures, my heart melts and a smile spreads across my face. It is in those moments that my heart is so full of gratitude for this funny little boy that it feels like my heart may burst.
So, here's to my three-year-old boy. I will love him and treasure him and enjoy the days that his adventures are small and relatively sweet and kept within the confines of his bedroom after dark.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Liza & Brady's Wedding
A few weeks ago, Andrew's sister Elizabeth got married. (Yes, for the past ten years she and I have shared a name, but that wasn't the only reason I was thrilled when she got married.) Elizabeth is a lovely person - she is beautiful and artistic beyond belief. She is smart and compassionate and fun and athletic and driven. We all knew it would take someone pretty outstanding to catch her heart.
Well, almost a year ago, Brady came along and from the beginning, I think most of us knew that he was the one. The thing I love about Brady and Liza together, is the influence they have on each other. Like all great couples, they bring out the best in each other and others feel comfortable just being around them. Brady is handsome and smart and thoughtful and generous. He is the perfect compliment to all the great things that Elizabeth is. And even with all the wonderful qualities Elizabeth has on her own, with Brady, they are even better.
The reception (or I should say "PARTY", to avoid any negative connotations) was at Andrew's parent's house up Little Cottonwood Canyon. Countless hours were spent this summer getting the house and yard ready for such a great event. To say all the hard work paid off would be a gross understatement. It was a beautiful night. Family we haven't seen in ages was in town for the wedding and it was great being able to reconnect with them. Elizabeth looked stunning. Brady was beaming. And the entire day was perfect and magical. What a brilliant way to start off what guarantees to be a long and happy marriage.
Well, almost a year ago, Brady came along and from the beginning, I think most of us knew that he was the one. The thing I love about Brady and Liza together, is the influence they have on each other. Like all great couples, they bring out the best in each other and others feel comfortable just being around them. Brady is handsome and smart and thoughtful and generous. He is the perfect compliment to all the great things that Elizabeth is. And even with all the wonderful qualities Elizabeth has on her own, with Brady, they are even better.
The reception (or I should say "PARTY", to avoid any negative connotations) was at Andrew's parent's house up Little Cottonwood Canyon. Countless hours were spent this summer getting the house and yard ready for such a great event. To say all the hard work paid off would be a gross understatement. It was a beautiful night. Family we haven't seen in ages was in town for the wedding and it was great being able to reconnect with them. Elizabeth looked stunning. Brady was beaming. And the entire day was perfect and magical. What a brilliant way to start off what guarantees to be a long and happy marriage.
We wish Brady and Elizabeth the best! We love you guys.
Liza dancing with the nieces and nephew.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Happy Birthday Baby Emmy!!
Eighteen years ago, I was a pretty typical freshman just starting BYU. I was living in the dorms, taking American Heritage and getting used to being a tiny fish in a huge pond. What made me somewhat atypical (even at BYU) was that my cute mom, (bless her heart), was nine-plus months pregnant, ready to give birth to her eigth child.
Because I was so mature for my age (not really), and probably because I was old enough to be this baby's mother, my mom invited me to come to the hospital and witness the birth of my youngest sibling. My mom was due on September 1st, my dad's 48th birthday - so every morning, I would call home from BYU and ask my mom if she thought today would be the day. For some reason, my mom's doctor kept her waiting around until September 12th, when he finally agreed to induce her. (Twelve days overdue with your eigth baby - are you kidding me!?)
Well, eighteen years ago today, I drove from BYU up to Cottonwood Hospital to witness the birth of my sister, Emily. It was an amazing experience. As soon as she was born and they had cut the cord, the doctor handed her right to me. I was the first to inspect her fingers and toes and her little nose and swollen eyes. She was perfect and I was smitten.
East High's Biggest (smallest) Fan
From the time she was a baby, she has been a total sports fan. When she was tiny, she would put on baseball hats to watch baseball games and football helmets to watch football games. (With five older brothers there was always plenty of sports paraphanalia lying around.) She never went to one of our brother's football games without wearing a jersey and she's always been a total athlete herself - golf, tennis, soccer, skiing and basketball - she can do it all, and she can do it really well.
Emily & Abby June 2001
Emily is such a fun aunt to my kids. When Abby was born she came back to Washington with my mom so she could be the first to meet her niece. All my kids love her, and she is so cute with them. She is also a great example to my kids. She works hard in school. She has so many good friends and she really strives to make good choices. I am so grateful for that example.We all love Emily. She is a wonderful sister and despite our age difference, she is a dear friend.
HAPPY 18th BIRTHDAY DEAR EMILY! WE LOVE YOU!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Remembering 9/11
This morning we woke up and noticed that the local scout troop had put an American flag in our yard to commemorate September 11th. As the kids asked us question about the events of that day, it brought back a flood of memories from that tragic day seven years ago.
At the time, Andrew and I were living in Arlington, Virginia and Abby was only three months old. The morning of September 11th, was a beautiful day: the sky was blue, the air had a touch of fall, it seemed flawless. I was in our little apartment with Abby less than two miles away from the Pentagon, when I heard a plane fly overhead. I remember thinking, that the plane sounded like it flying really low, but didn't think too much about it. A few seconds later, I heard and FELT a big boom but couldn't figure out where it had been coming from. I went in our bedroom to see if something had fallen off our shelf but nothing seemed out of place.
Within minutes of hearing that loud noise, my friend Steph called me and asked if I had the TV on. I didn't, so she gave me a quick run-down of the mornings events. I immediately turned on the TV and watched in absolute shock as they descibed the horrific events of the morning. I will never forget watching as the World Trade Center Towers collapsed as Katie Couric and Matt Lauer were describing the morning's events. At first, Katie and Matt were oblivious to the crumbling towers behind them, and I remember screaming at the TV, "The towers are falling! The towers are falling!" I remember sitting there watching in disbelief as the stories and scenes unfolded.
Andrew was in his third year of medical school and was doing his Pediatric rotation at Arlington Hospital. He was on-call that day, which meant I wouldn't see him until the afternoon of the next day. My family was in Salt Lake and I felt very alone in dealing with this event. I remember going outside, and the sky was the most gorgeous blue and there was that glorious feeling of fall in the air. It all seemed so ironic - that such a tragedy could occur on such an amazing day. It was crazy.
I ended up going to Steph's house and for the next several hours, she and I sat there with our babies, our eyes glued to the TV. Meanwhile, at Arlington Hospital where Andrew was, the entire hospital prepared for the worst. All the medical staff in the hospital prepared themselves to care for the wounded masses who might be brought from the Pentagon. As Andrew describes it, it was on that day, seeing those doctors ready for anything that might come through the door, that he decided he wanted to be an ER doctor.
Later that evening, after spending the day on Steph's couch, I went home to our little apartment. I hated that Andrew wasn't there - and wouldn't be home until the next day. As I got ready to go to bed, I put Abby in bed next to me. As I cuddled and loved and snuggled my sweet girl, I wondered what kind of world she had just been born into. There wasn't much I could do except cry a little and hold her a little tighter and pray a little harder. That night, it was enough.
At the time, Andrew and I were living in Arlington, Virginia and Abby was only three months old. The morning of September 11th, was a beautiful day: the sky was blue, the air had a touch of fall, it seemed flawless. I was in our little apartment with Abby less than two miles away from the Pentagon, when I heard a plane fly overhead. I remember thinking, that the plane sounded like it flying really low, but didn't think too much about it. A few seconds later, I heard and FELT a big boom but couldn't figure out where it had been coming from. I went in our bedroom to see if something had fallen off our shelf but nothing seemed out of place.
Within minutes of hearing that loud noise, my friend Steph called me and asked if I had the TV on. I didn't, so she gave me a quick run-down of the mornings events. I immediately turned on the TV and watched in absolute shock as they descibed the horrific events of the morning. I will never forget watching as the World Trade Center Towers collapsed as Katie Couric and Matt Lauer were describing the morning's events. At first, Katie and Matt were oblivious to the crumbling towers behind them, and I remember screaming at the TV, "The towers are falling! The towers are falling!" I remember sitting there watching in disbelief as the stories and scenes unfolded.
Andrew was in his third year of medical school and was doing his Pediatric rotation at Arlington Hospital. He was on-call that day, which meant I wouldn't see him until the afternoon of the next day. My family was in Salt Lake and I felt very alone in dealing with this event. I remember going outside, and the sky was the most gorgeous blue and there was that glorious feeling of fall in the air. It all seemed so ironic - that such a tragedy could occur on such an amazing day. It was crazy.
I ended up going to Steph's house and for the next several hours, she and I sat there with our babies, our eyes glued to the TV. Meanwhile, at Arlington Hospital where Andrew was, the entire hospital prepared for the worst. All the medical staff in the hospital prepared themselves to care for the wounded masses who might be brought from the Pentagon. As Andrew describes it, it was on that day, seeing those doctors ready for anything that might come through the door, that he decided he wanted to be an ER doctor.
Later that evening, after spending the day on Steph's couch, I went home to our little apartment. I hated that Andrew wasn't there - and wouldn't be home until the next day. As I got ready to go to bed, I put Abby in bed next to me. As I cuddled and loved and snuggled my sweet girl, I wondered what kind of world she had just been born into. There wasn't much I could do except cry a little and hold her a little tighter and pray a little harder. That night, it was enough.
The Sunday after 9/11 we took Abby to see the Pentagon firsthand.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Jumpin' Jack Flash
Peter has more energy than anyone I have ever seen. Instead of sleeping, he jumps. Thank goodness he is a good napper, but when we put him down to bed at night he pops up to his favorite spot in his crib and becomes a human piston. When he's tired, he still jumps but just jumps grumpily. It makes it pretty hard to put Henry to sleep in the bed across the room when you've got a shrieking, laughing, panting whack-a-mole a few feet away.
Lately I have gone in later to find him finally asleep, having pulled off his pajama bottoms and thrown them accross the room. Last night I caught the act on tape. I was trying to just capture his jumping so we could work on his technique for Olympic Trampolining, when I witnessed his new trick. Notice his hands never leave the handles of his pogo-stick. Flawless execution.
.... And then of course the exhilerating feeling of freedom.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Back to School
After an amazing summer - a really fun, relaxing, Olympic-filled summer - I wasn't sure I was ready to send the kids to school. But, now a few weeks into it, I realize that as much as I love the lazy pace of summer, the staying up late and the sleeping-in, the slow mornings and the long afternoons, I also really love being back on a schedule.
I love being forced out of bed (at the unearthly hour of 7:30 am) and getting kids out the door and my day started by 9:00. I love having earlier dinners and getting kids tucked in by 8:00-ish and I love the routine that comes with kids being back in school.
And, so I present, our back to school report:
Abby started second grade and loves it. She has discovered the Magic Treehouse series this year and reads two of those books every night. She can't get enough of them! She is back to habla-ing Espanol half her day and seems to be understanding everything she hears. We are looking forward to a great year.
Isaac started Kindergarten this year. He started school a week after Abby - and that week was the longest of his life. When the first day of school finally arrived, there was a little apprehension, but he has embraced life as a Kindergartener and loves going to school everyday. I think his favorite thing is that he is able to walk home with Abby and her friends at the end of the day.
Henry started preschool this year and loves it. I was getting a little nervous about him when, by the second week of August, he still wasn't toilet-trained. Luckily he rallied and got it figured out and was able to start preschool on time.
As for me, I am enjoying having the kids in school and I am relishing my afternoons when Abby and Isaac are in school and Henry and Peter are asleep and I have my afternoons to myself. I should be doing something really productive, but so far, I have been pretty lazy. Being able to curl up on the couch and read a good book or a magazine, is just too tempting to pass up. Luckily, after a couple of blissful hours, school is over and the kids come home to jolt me out of my fantasy life and back to reality - which isn't a bad place to be either.
I love being forced out of bed (at the unearthly hour of 7:30 am) and getting kids out the door and my day started by 9:00. I love having earlier dinners and getting kids tucked in by 8:00-ish and I love the routine that comes with kids being back in school.
And, so I present, our back to school report:
Abby started second grade and loves it. She has discovered the Magic Treehouse series this year and reads two of those books every night. She can't get enough of them! She is back to habla-ing Espanol half her day and seems to be understanding everything she hears. We are looking forward to a great year.
Isaac started Kindergarten this year. He started school a week after Abby - and that week was the longest of his life. When the first day of school finally arrived, there was a little apprehension, but he has embraced life as a Kindergartener and loves going to school everyday. I think his favorite thing is that he is able to walk home with Abby and her friends at the end of the day. Henry started preschool this year and loves it. I was getting a little nervous about him when, by the second week of August, he still wasn't toilet-trained. Luckily he rallied and got it figured out and was able to start preschool on time.
As for me, I am enjoying having the kids in school and I am relishing my afternoons when Abby and Isaac are in school and Henry and Peter are asleep and I have my afternoons to myself. I should be doing something really productive, but so far, I have been pretty lazy. Being able to curl up on the couch and read a good book or a magazine, is just too tempting to pass up. Luckily, after a couple of blissful hours, school is over and the kids come home to jolt me out of my fantasy life and back to reality - which isn't a bad place to be either.
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