DC DIVA

BIG

2012-01-11T11:52:00.001-05:00

It’s a New Year for the calendar.

It’s a New Year for me.

Guess what party people? This year is going to be big. BIG, I tell you.

My birthday way quiet. Nice. Memorable. Harley took me on a dinner date to B. Smith’s at Union Station. It was lovely. There was live music and they played Happy Birthday! Harley shared a romantic love letter including 32 reasons, divided into 8 categories with 4 subheadings, he loves me. That part was great.

Then he broke the news he won't finish his research by August, and he'll need another year to complete his PhD. That part wasn’t so great. Bad timing. Can you think of better news to share with a Birthday Diva ON her Birthday Dinner Date? There were tears -- even though I've been bracing for this inevitable more time needed – I cried. I blame (partly) the planner in me who has hopes and dreams and schedules and Someday expectations. Later there was a fight (spanning many issues) in front of the Capitol. It was a good one. But then we talked. And talked. And apologized. And it will be okay. Seven years in grad school living on loans a million miles away from family isn't so bad, right? All is well. Another year it is, DC. Another year.

And this year? 2012, #32 is going to be one for the history books. Did I say big earlier? Epic.

First, have I mentioned I have an iPhone? Happy Birthday to me! It, of course, is life changing and makes everything accessible, convenient, and REAL TIME. Future people, I've arrived.

Second, my best friend arrives in a few hours. My parents come at the end of the month. We hosted Cheryl & Co. for Christmas and Kirk & Kaija for New Year’s. Visitors are an excellent way to start the year.

Then there are the real biggies this year’s gonna rock our socks. She's having a baby in April. I'm gaining a nephew.

She's getting married in June. I'm gaining a brother-in-law.

He's getting married in June (yes, I said June again). I'm gaining a sister-in-law.

Oh and we're having a baby in early July. (Guess who's gonna be GI-NOR-MOUS at two family weddings??? 9 months pregnant, on a plane, waddling the weddings, on a plane again. Yeah. Please pray now I don't deliver mid cross country flight.) I'm gaining weight. I’m also gaining excitement. Soft, snuggly, tiny, sweet, new baby excitement.

See? Who needs graduation and a job? 2012, 32. Epic.

18 Mooze Months

2012-01-06T17:26:00.002-05:00

Max turned 18 months last week. 18 months is a big deal to me. I meant to have a big Max 18 month photo shoot. I still want to, but we’re having camera issues, so a random assortment over the last few months and instagram highlights is what we get for now.

My Mooze at exactly 18 months old. A note on his nicknames: Harley started calling him The Great Great Maximoozi, saying it was his magician’s name. It shortened to Maximoozi and then to just Mooze. Harley has now moved on to calling him Mooze-a-licious Def. (Think this.) His rapper name.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: 12-18 months is hard. My mother-in-law says it’s her least favorite stage because they are all body and no brains. I think it’s also one of the cutest stages physically speaking, which I believe the good Lord planned so you don’t kill them. I rejoice when my kids turn 18 months. Partly because we’ve (mostly) passed through the Troubs stage, and mostly because they go to nursery. Last Sunday Max went to nursery. He walked in like he owned the place. No sweat.

Anderson giving Max a pep talk (that he didn’t need): “Max, you go to nursery now and I go to primary. It’s good Max, because I’m a big boy and you’re in nursery. But you will have fun in there. They are nice.”

The two pictures I snapped after church. Oh I had great intentions… but this is all I got. Let’s recall the gem I caught of Anderson’s nursery debut.

Anderson rarely got sick. Still rarely does. Max, on the other hand, has had a cold since October. He’s on his second double ear infection and last night fell to his first head wound. We were thisclose to going to urgent care for a stitch or two, but in the end decided he’d be okay healing on his own. Let’s not forget his surgery at 8 months. What is it about the second kid? (Yes, Anderson accidentally pushed him into that fall. I guess that’s part of it.)

Max is trouble. Max is a handful. Every day I tell him, “Max, if you weren’t so cute I would sell you to the neighbors!” Anderson has picked up on this and says it to Max too and it’s hilarious. But Max is also delightful, especially lately. I have days where I’m on this Max high and I can’t get enough of him, his chubs, his kisses, his determined head nods and his snuggles. He’s so big and yet still so my baby. I feel very tender towards him right now. I could just drink him up. Gulp, gulp, gulp! Inhale every bit of his smoothy sweetness. Suuuuck it in!

November 2011 Christmas Morning 2011

Now for my traditional 18 month old word cloud. Yeah, I think I’m going to make this a thing.

climber TROUBLE big belly delightful pointer TOUGH nodder ADORES ANDERSON cuddler pudgy car dancer 10 words a dozen signs music lover SUPER MOOZE! hair puller playful long lashes crazy pooper super napper great hair screamer semi-picky eater validation seeker big smiler loud hummer 27 lb 10 oz (75%) 33 1/2 in (80%) toothbrush lover double cowlick SOLID milk & juice fan big waver HAPPY demanding sweet tooth social chip junkie Scout lover dog identifier toaster cheerleader light seeker boot fetcher chubs baby lovER impatient car rider Baby Einstein fan church terror phone obsessed belly-button finder funny wrestler so fast banana, berry & yogurt eater bath lover sweet wet kisser jumper toy lover silly water baby grunter noisy beautiful eyes LOVE so big

I love you with all my heart my sweet sweet Mooze! I’m so happy you’re in our family.

Decemberings

2011-12-23T13:28:00.001-05:00

We’re not going home for Christmas this year. And it’s okay. Really, it is. (Except when I think about it too much.)

We’ve been having all kinds of local Christmas fun.

We visited Santa twice. I’m not sure what was up with this one at Harley’s work party. He was a little sketch. And a lot hatless. But he gave the kids real gifts!

Anderson and I made these. Yep. Christmas craftastic right here people. Thanks Kelle for the idea. (Are you reading Enjoying the Small Things yet? Give yourself the gift of following her. Best decision you’ll make all year.)

I’ve been losing stuff lately. It’s ridiculous. My watch, (no, I’m not one of those people who can just look at her phone) items of clothing, and key Christmas presents. It’s becoming a real problem.

We’ve all been sick and spent a lot of time in our sweats and pjs. Even in public. We don’t let it bother us.

My baby had it the worst. Double ear infection and difficulty breathing. It broke my heart. He had to go on a nebulizer for five days. At first he HATED it. Child torture, it was. But then, overnight, he decided to cooperatively wear it, patiently keep it on for 10 whole minutes 2-3 times a day and not make one bit of fuss.

Trooper.

A movie and big brother joining him helped Max’s Mask Time. (Say that 5 times fast.)

These moments melt me.

We rewarded Max with special treats.

Hello peppermint milkshake. You were a fun holiday discovery.

Allison and Hannah visited and we had such a great time! Okay, that was technically Octoberings/Novemberings, but still worth sharing a few pictures. For the whole shebang, go here.

We were the cast of Despicable Me for Halloween. Gru and his minions.

We’ve been pulling some big fat triggers on the home decor gun lately. BAM! The dining room and living room are coming together. Just in time to put on Christmas brunch and dinner. I finally have a dining room table! BAM! And really cool statement chairs. BAM, BAM!! Yes, they’ll have you talking, or at least me blogging. Soon… in the new year.

Michael Buble Christmas is making my holiday. Manheim Steamroller, on the other hand, is not. In fact, I get stressed out every time I hear this song. I feel the heart attack coming and have to change the station.

We’re fixing to host 11 visitors in four groupings over the next 34 days. Wahoo! Today is the long overdue deep cleaning day. Boooo.

This is what it needs to look like. This is what it looked like 3 weeks ago. This is not what it looks like now.

Merry Christmas all.

Note: Apparently I’ve been using my ipod touch for pictures a lot this month. Maybe it’s because I finally got on instagram (yay! follow me! w2kdiva, so fun!). Maybe it’s because our camera lens jammed and is now useless. (I get sick just thinking about it. Elves are working hard to fix this one. Cheryl, so glad you’re coming today because we have to rely on your camera all weekend, mkay?) Maybe I’m just practicing for my hopeful upgrade come birthday time…

Thankful

2011-12-02T18:04:00.001-05:00

It’s been ten years since I’ve had a non-working Thanksgiving holiday with my family.

That’s a long time. If I think about it too much I get depressed, lonely and homesick. This year someone asked me what one food item makes me feel like home on Thanksgiving, and I didn’t have an answer. I don’t know what my family makes on Thanksgiving. It’s been so long I don’t remember.

We made these Thanksgiving weekend. Not a family recipe, but a Whoops! Creation. Rice Krispie Treats with Honey Nut Cheerios instead of Rice Krispies. The Whoops! came because were out of Rice Krispies. I don’t recommend the swap.

We are fortunate to have great friends, who are like family, who take us in to feast and celebrate with them. Thanks to the Manns we weren’t eating pizza on Thanksgiving. In fact, we ate like Kings.

One good thing about being on your own for the holidays is you get to start your own traditions. Growing up we wrote things we were thankful for on construction paper feathers all month long and stuck them in a wooden turkey. We’d sit as a family and read them aloud on Thanksgiving night. I loved this tradition and finally recreated it this year with my own family.

We don’t have a wooden turkey. Someday. For now we used tape and the sliding glass door in the dining room, which actually created a beautiful colored effect every day when the sun hit just right.

We had too many feathers for our turkey’s small body. Next year we’ll have to make him bigger. What a nice problem.

Max is grateful for his recently discovered belly button.

I am grateful for Max’s recently defined funny faces. Especially his fishy face.

Anderson totally got the Thankful Turkey. Some days he came to me more than a dozen times rattling off everything he could think of that made him thankful, or as he said, made him “thank you.” It made me happy. I want to raise grateful children. I want to create a home where counting blessings is a daily practice. I want my children to know how blessed we are.

And blessed we are.

Two months ago we had a health scare. October 6th 2011 was one of the worst days of my life. It started with Harley having appendicitis. During the appendectomy, the doctor discovered a lesion on Harley’s liver. The doctor believed it was cancer. Turns out it’s a hemangioma, a harmless cluster of blood vessels. It’s nothing. It’s like a birthmark. But until the biopsy results defined that nothingness, we treaded through life bracing for the worst. For six awful days and five long nights we feared we were facing cancer. Again.

Scary looking, right?

There’s a whole dramatic story that goes along with the appendectomy. It includes Harley walking six blocks keeled over in pain to get to our car to drive himself to the emergency room, Anderson running a temperature of 103.5 that morning, me feeling absolutely torn in two: wanting so badly to be with Harley in the ER but not daring ask anyone to take my sick, potentially contagious, kid. It was awful. I felt so alone. I don’t think I’ve ever wished more for my far away family. Eventually, I got help with my kids and made it to the emergency room. There wasn’t enough time to arrange a Priesthood blessing before Harley went into surgery, but there was just enough time for the two of us to pray. Then we talked to the doctors, then he went into surgery, then I waited. I felt okay because it was a routine appendectomy and I was with him, right where I should be. Everything was going to be just fine. But when the doctor came out of surgery I could tell something wasn’t right. He showed me the above picture of Harley’s liver and told me he was having it biopsied because he didn’t think it looked good. That’s when I lost it. I cried, openly, noisily, in a public waiting room, all alone, surrounded by strangers. Three women I didn’t know came to my side and hugged me. They talked to me, sat with me. They were from out of town. Their southern accents were friendly and their bright pink lipstick endearing. I was happy they brought me some comfort but at the same time I was awkward because I’m pathetically crying to complete strangers.

Harley was released from the hospital the next day and we were left to sit around and wait for the biopsy results. He couldn’t do much, including lift the kids, which prove hardest on Mr. K, who’s quite the fan of his daddy.

Anderson understood “Dad’s tummy has owies” and tried to comfort Max.

For six days we waited. Harley healed, didn’t lift kids, dealt with his sore body and we waited more. Bad results would change our lives, so our lives kind of went on hold while we waited. Meantime, something else was happening: Appreciation. Have you ever lied awake at night and listened to your husband breathe and been so grateful he’s breathing? I hadn’t, but that week I did. I would lie awake at night worrying, crying, praying, fearing, worst-case scenario planning. When you have a scare like that you look at everything differently. You realize how fragile life is. You see how good you’ve got it and you didn’t even know it.

And really, we’ve got it good.

That week every time I went to get Max out of his crib I hesitated, squatted on his floor and played peak-a-boo with him instead of immediately lifting him out. This was partly to stall that moment where he’d walk to Harley and be devastated when Harley wouldn’t pick him up and partly because I wanted to enjoy this beautiful child, this gift that was mine to love and appreciate that I didn’t love and appreciate quite as much the week before.

We went on a family walk around our neighborhood that Sunday. Usually Sundays end with me assessing what I got done the week before, planning the week ahead and feeling anxious about the productivity levels of both weeks. But that Sunday, no task mattered. I hadn’t looked at my To Do list since Friday (highly unusual) because the To Do list was the least of my worries. Things like buying a lunchbox for Anderson, figuring out Halloween costumes, getting our luggage fixed, scheduling a hair appointment, wrapping birthday gifts, redeeming Visa points all seemed ridiculous ways to spend my time. The only thing that mattered that day was taking a leisurely walk with the three people I love most.

The weather was perfect. It was a 76 degree fall day you want to bottle up and bust out again, oh, say, this time of year. Harley and I walked and talked. Max squealed at dogs from the stroller. We stopped and let him “ohhhhhh” over each one. We met some neighbors. We didn’t know any of our neighbors until that day. Why did it take us more than a year living here to stop our busy lives and talk to them? Anderson rode his tricycle. We’re working on important street crossing safety skills like “this way, that way, this way again.” He likes to ride way ahead of us, but he knows the rule: he has to be able to see us. His feet work so hard, pedaling fast, speeding ahead. His breath gets heavy and his face beams with pride. Then he stops, dismounts, cups his hands around his eyes and looks for us. Then it comes, “Mom! Dad! I can SEE you! I am SAFE!” He hops on again. It’s a simple little pattern he’d done a dozen times, but that day, I adored it more.

His number is 3. Lest you ever forget.

You know what a crisis does? It changes your perspective. In our case it was only a potential crisis. Eventually we got the call. Benign. The doctor was wrong. No cancer. All was well. Life was no longer on hold. We could move forward, most immediately with an anniversary trip that now meant much more. Our lives would not change. After Harley completely healed, which he has now, we wouldn’t have any reason to think of the entire ordeal. Yet my outlook had shifted permanently. Had the results been malignant it would have been as though someone yanked the rug out from under us. Everything would have changed and we would be flat on our backs in real trouble. That didn’t happen. He doesn’t have cancer. The rug was not yanked. This was just a tug. A tug of our rug. Still, it was enough to stop me, to test my footing, to jostle my world and my view of it. It was enough to halt my To Do list. It was enough to give me a cause to pause and a reason to realize what is important.

I wouldn’t wish this trial on anyone and I hope I never repeat it. Yet I’m grateful for the cause to pause. I’m grateful for the tug of our rug. It left me stronger and more aware. It left me more grateful and more focused. Appreciation anew settled in and I committed to strive harder to not take for granted my daily blessings.

That week, Harley and I kept saying we want to squelcher our babies with love and kisses and say, “Do you KNOW how beautiful you ARE? Do you??!”

My blessings are everywhere. In fact, the six days of waiting had blessings. We had incredible experiences. Beautiful, personal epiphanies and the tenderest of mercies. Oh how this trial was laced with tender mercies! Small ones that probably seem silly to anyone else and big ones that I will hold sacred in my heart forever. How the Lord knows us and how He rescues us and shows us His love in our time of need, when we need Him most. How comforting to know He has a plan for us.

Today was a bad day. In fact, it’s the rotten cherry on top of a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week. The hundred little things that have gone wrong, gone missing, gone broken, gone disappointed this week don’t hold a candle to cancer, but they get me down and I struggle. I could write a whole post about why I’m bugged/annoyed/grumpy/discouraged this week. In fact, I was going to, but then I decided to instead finish a post of gratitude I started a month ago. This post. Counting my blessings and expressing my appreciation help me get over my blues. I refocus. I reprioritize. I remember that tug of our rug. I appreciate anew. I realize how great I’ve got it. I have so many things to be grateful for. More than I could ever express on this blog. Little gratitudes…

I’m not the only one with new rain boots. And I’m not the only one grateful for them. Love does not begin to cover how the boys feel about their boots. Hooray!

And huge gratitudes.

Life is good. Life is fabulous. We are thankful. Whole piles of feathers worth.

Speaking of gratitude, hello and amen!

I Think I’ll Go to Boston

2011-11-21T23:08:00.001-05:00

Harley and I marked eight years of marriage on September 27th. To celebrate we planned a getaway to Boston. We’d never been. We’d always wanted to go. We’d heard fantastic things. We had all kinds of hopes and dreams and expectations for this time alone together.

Guess what? Boston did not disappoint.

One of the best things we did: walk the Charles River at sunset.

But first things first. First we ditched the kiddos. Cheryl was crazy kind to not only take them for a long weekend but also to meet me halfway from Pittsburgh to pick them up at 11pm. Who does that?

Goodbye my sweet babies!

I have THE BEST sister.

Then I got my hair done. Pretty much whenever I have any kind of free babysitting, I’m taking care of important things. Like highlights. Little did I know I was ticketed for speeding TWICE on that errand. Thanks speed cams, thanks.

Is this color worth two speeding tickets to you? Yeah, I didn’t think so either.

Kids gone, hair done and blissfully unaware of my speeding tickets, we had just one more crucial stop before we hit the road.

Some people might dread an eight-hour road trip, but for us, it’s half the fun. Without kids it was nothing but our music, our treats and our casual conversation. Sometimes it’s our best way to reconnect.

One of our main hopes was to find Fall in all her New England glory. We planned the trip to coincide with peak color changes.

We found her.

I learned I love mums. So happy. So fall. So fun to say.

We toured Harvard. Harvard was lovely. Harvard was smart. Oh, and Haaaahhh-vard is for Jessie Spano. (I couldn’t get it out of my head all day.)

We kicked it on campus, acting all Dead Poets. Except we laid on grass instead of standing on desks. We’re rebellious like that. This is what you see when you stretch out on Harvard Yard in the middle of October.

With my glasses and Harley’s hand pose we totally pull off ivy league, right? Riiiiiight.

We shared two of the best almond croissants I’ve ever had in my life. I’ve have some amazing almond croissants in my day. I LOVE them. This one took the cake.

We wandered around MIT and marveled at the funky architecture.

Little known facts about us: Harley applied to MIT. I was thisclose to applying to Emerson. We both may not have gone to BYU, and instead both gone to schools in Boston. What different lives we would have led. Maybe we would have met. Maybe not. A little mind boggling to think about our lives the other way. Or any other way.

Hello non alma maters.

We saw Blue Man Group. It was mildly entertaining and mediumly disappointing. These guys aren’t messing around with that name. Definitely very blue. I’m grateful for a partner who, independently of me, chooses a theatrical performance over a ball game when we visit a big city. I know I have a rare find there. I’m sure Fenway Park is awesome and all, but we share other priorities.

Priorities like bald blue men.

Harley may love theater, but he does not know 1980’s television (outside Star Trek). The man honestly didn’t have a clue when I started singing “Where Everybody Knows Your Name” as we passed the Cheers bar. He was also lost entirely by my Saved by the Bell reference at Harvard. Seriously, where was he that decade? So you know, like with any spouse, you win some, you lose some.

We strolled the Freedom Trail and hung out at Faneuil Hall. Rich history intersects with festive marketplace. I like it.

Can we talk about my boots for a quick minute? I love them. They are comfortable, stylish and the color makes me happy. Today, a random dude at the mall called them sexy. Feet down, my best purchase of the season. Hope you’re not sick of them because I’m going to wear these puppies out.

This may be Harley’s 2032 presidential campaign tagline. You saw it here first friends.

Can we spend another minute on Boston’s food? There was more than life-altering almond croissants. Like the best clam chowder EVER. And lobster rolls the size of my arm. And my first cannoli, which I actually thought was overrated, but the rest was taste bud heaven. Not pictured: the biggest Italian dinner of my life and our fancy seafood feast at Turner Fisheries.

We did a little scenic-inspired photo shoot, which I gotta tell you, is a totally different experience when it doesn’t involve children.

We stumbled upon beauty in all forms.

Late at night, curled up in our hotel room, we watched Lost.

Oh Sayid! Here we thought you’d actually died this time. Again.

We visited the Boston temple. It’s beautiful.

We stopped in Windsor, Connecticut to see our dear old friends, the Maddens. Also beautiful.

Eight years baby. Five of them in the East. It was high time we experienced Beantown. This trip was due.

And this trip delivered.

If you didn’t get my title reference then you don’t know me and you don’t even care.

Lost & Found

2011-11-08T13:48:00.001-05:00

I’ve got three kids this week.

You’ve always wondered if three kids could fit in the back of my car, right? Me too! Well, now we know. They can, friends. Oh, they can.

One of them is sick and missing her mommy (who’s off experiencing NYC for the first time!).

One of them is recovering from a cold which means he’s like Saran Wrap on my body. He’s also incredibly jealous of the attention I’m giving Hannah. He chokeholds my knees and shrieks his disapproval at me. Sweet. And headache-inducing.

Dear mothers of twins everywhere: How do you do it?

Sometimes he gives me a break. Like now while he’s dumping cereal all over the floor.

The other one is doing his happy dance because we are now proud owners of Cars 2. Thanks Grandma. You’re timing was perfect.

The Clingers need me, so I’m going to keep this short, but there are some things I just have to share with the internets.

#1. I’m behind on this blog and I don’t like it. So much to share! October was big. Allison announced she’s having a baby! Harley had an emergency appendectomy (that turned out to be much more involved). Lisa announced she’s engaged. Here we are skyping as she and soon to be BIL Austin share the happy news.

Harley and I went to Boston without our kids and it was awesome. I went to Pittsburgh to pick up our kids who were with Cheryl and her boys and it was chaotic as always but great as always. Then Allison and Hannah came to visit and serious Halloween mayhem ensued. Seven parties in five days and a pumpkin patch to boot. Then we hosted preschool and toured the Hillary out of DC with three kids and a double stroller with a bad wheel. I got really tired. I hope to blog about all of this. It’s hard having so much fun and being so behind.

#2. Harley and I finished Lost. Six seasons in 2.5 months. I don’t want to add it up, but I can tell you that’s an intense amount of TV viewing. We thought there were five seasons and we thought we were almost finished, then Harley learned there were six. When he broke the news to me I didn’t know whether to rejoice, “Yes! I LOVE these people and can’t bear to think they were about to leave my life!” or feel defeated, “I thought we were almost finished. I thought I was so close to having my life back.” I’m still sorting out how I feel about the finale, but the more I think about it the more I think I liked it. It would help if I had someone to analyze it with. When we finished all Harley could say was “Huh. I’m going to bed.” He went straight to sleep and I was left alone with my questions. And my tears. I know I LOVED the series as a whole. Superb acting, great characters, highly entertaining story. Overall too much supernatural stuff for my liking, but overall fantastic.

IAN SOMERHALDER, ELIZABETH MITCHELL, JOSH HOLLOWAY, JOHN TERRY, MATTHEW FOX, EVANGELINE LILLY, EMILIE DE RAVIN (OBSCURED), HENRY IAN CUSICK, SONYA WALGER" border="0" alt="LOST - "The End" - One of the most critically-acclaimed and groundbreaking shows of the past decade concludes in this "Lost" Series Finale Event. The battle lines are drawn as Locke puts his plan into action, which could finally liberate him from the island, on "Lost," SUNDAY, MAY 23 (9:00-11:30 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/MARIO PEREZ)
IAN SOMERHALDER, ELIZABETH MITCHELL, JOSH HOLLOWAY, JOHN TERRY, MATTHEW FOX, EVANGELINE LILLY, EMILIE DE RAVIN (OBSCURED), HENRY IAN CUSICK, SONYA WALGER" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UVuDDIQ71tM/Trl5ZELz70I/AAAAAAAAYcg/e8tu__E32A4/lost-finale_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="856" height="573"> I have burning questions. Important ones. Like why did Kate change out of her little black party dress? WHY?!

I will now stop talking about a show everyone else stopped talking about a year and a half ago.

#3. I made an announcement last February. I said I was done traveling to Utah for awhile. I dropped this bomb secure in the fact I had two trips booked home that summer, but after that… then I was serious. Unless someone died, got married or bought me a ticket, it was over until Summer 2012, when we graduate, blow this pricey popsicle stand called grad school and move Whoknowswhere. I told everyone if they wanted to see us they could come to us. Guess what? My little plan worked! My sister just visited (and her kid is still here)! My parents are coming! My in-laws are talking about coming! My best friend is coming! Oh and Lisa’s getting married so we’ll be going back soonish. Queen of Schlep re-crowns to Queen of Why Yes, Stay with Us! Looking forward to it.

#4. We got a free flat screen. Harley went dumpster diving (he does this) in our neighbor’s trash and this is what he found.

A $6 part on eBay later and it works! Do you realize what this means? Next time we start an old TV hit series we can watch it on a small flat screen like the rest of 2004! Future people, we are catching up.

Someday

2011-10-04T11:56:00.005-04:00

One year ago we moved out of the ghetto, Bladensburg, and back to the good side of town, Gaithersburg. Actually it was exactly one year, one month and one day ago. (Yes, I’ve been drafting various pieces of this post for a long time.) That move meant much more for our family than a change of address. I’m still unquestionably grateful and happy about our move into The Dream Townhouse.

From this:

Sketchy.

To this:

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

From this:

The guest room which was also the front room which was also the family room which was also the living room which was also the office which was also the playroom. On this particular day it was also the staging room during the move. I do not miss those broken blinds.

Our 2nd guest room. Yeah, if we had more than 2 guests, the 3rd slept in our closet. On the floor. How is that flag shirt still in existence?

To this:

It’s still an Aerobed, but now you get an entire basement to yourself.

You also get your own bathroom. (We have FOUR of them.) When Max decides to share it.

From this:

Max had no bedroom. He had the hallway.

To this:

From this:

Our play space: a metal door and patch of filthy carpet.

To this:

Multiple areas to play and create. Ignore Anderson’s colorful outfit. He’s into dressing himself and some days I just go with it.

From this:

Coffee table was the only place to climb.

To this:

5 sets of stairs that fit hoards of cousins and plants.

An entirely empty room. Perfect for racing and playing.

Or painting.

You get the idea. We’ve stepped up. Pretty sure when Beyonce wrote “Upgrade U” she was singing about us.

Did I mention we have four bathrooms? (We came from ONE.) Sometimes Anderson forgets and relieves himself in the front yard. Guess you can take the family out of the ghetto, but… Yeah.

Let the record show, I was not home when this happened.

We have a hundred small things we’ve never had before that make the big difference.

A fireplace.

A laundry room! A washer/dryer! A washer-dryer IN a laundry room! I used to walk down four flights of stairs and slide quarters into a machine EVERY WEEK. I still can’t get over this luxury. I think about it every time I do laundry (and that’s a lot). Turns out this picture, from Easter, is the only one I have of this room. Anderson’s basket was hiding in the dryer, because guess what, The Bunny is lovin’ our W/D too. More pictures will come as this is the next room I’m organizing. Speaking of organizing…

Pantry, closets, display walls and storage. So much storage. And build-in shelving!

We have a backyard. A backyard, complete with a shed (more storage!) and a swing, that begs for besties and popsicles, ginourmous snowmen and hunts for eggs.

We have a deck. A deck that came with a table and canopy and inherited a grill and a garden.

We have a front yard. A front yard that inspires Harley to weed wack AND be WT about it.

We have to do townhouse responsibility things. Like clear our gutters of leaves. Can you spot Harley’s head way up on top? I watched him, that fall day last year, as he scaled our house and dangled from the roof. Then I took pictures and mentally prepared myself to raise two children alone.

We’ve also got two playgrounds, one park and two pools within walking distance. And we have a ceiling fan. I love ceiling fans!

I’m doing things I never had space to do, like host preschool.

Last week we colored cards and crafted caterpillars and charted and counted and climbed and crawled and got cold and made cotton ball clouds! We ate carrots and cucumbers. We covered crowns and collected cars and contemplated the calendar. We crouched and cheered and clapped and cha-cha-ed to “C is for Cookie.” Any guess what our letter was? I LOVE the letter C! So many fun options!

When we used to entertain it looked like this:

Standing room only at our humble gathering after Max’s baby blessing.

Now it looks like this:

Still not gobs of seating but oh what an improvement!

We threw together a little General Conference brunch and viewing party, just last weekend. This was my favorite.

Yet another use of our empty room. Perfect projection wall.

A year ago we were dealing with mice during the day and listening to gunshots at night. Our sleep was interrupted regularly by our neighbors’ pounding base, disturbing arguments, puppy training, and worse. Our town’s crime stats were more than frightening. People thought I was dramatic (me? never!) when I’d say we lived in the ghetto. Then they’d visit. Then they’d agree. For those who never had the pleasure of seeing us in da ‘hood, here it is.

I took these pictures two years ago. Anderson and I would go on a daily walk around the neighborhood and this is what we would see. There were a few sidewalks but usually we were strollin’ on the street. I actually drafted a blog post about our ‘hood back in the day but got paranoid somehow a neighbor would find it. I didn’t want to make any enemies, so I let this post sit. For two years.

In all fairness, not once were we victims of any crime. We kept our car clubbed, our doors locked and tried to avoid going out at night. Harley carried around a fake wallet full of fake cards. His real wallet, constructed of duct tape, held real cards. The fake was his big plan in case he got mugged. The neighbors were mostly nice to us. Everyone knew us, probably because we stood out as the only white people in the area. They kept me informed on which corners the prostitutes worked and which houses sold drugs. Cops were always parked on our street. I was never sure whether this should make me feel safe because they are present or nervous because they needed to be.

Harley’s brand new bike was stolen right after we moved in. Maybe it ended up here. Oh yeah, so we were victims of one crime. Oh, and someone stole our doormat. Two crimes.

Bladensburg Annual “Night Out” Party

Harley and I used to play the “Someday” game. You state that thing you really want in life. You preface it with “Someday…” and follow it with a sigh and a hopeful smile. Someday we won’t lug groceries up three flights of stairs. Someday we won’t sleep to a soundtrack of crime. Someday we’ll have a playroom, a yard, a deck and a pantry. Someday we’ll feel safe at night. Someday we’ll have a master bathroom. Someday our baby won’t sleep in a hallway. Someday we'll have a basement. Someday our front door will open to the outside, not a stairway.

Now I see this when I open my front door.

Someday we won’t worry about hammering after 7pm or walking too loudly. Someday guests won’t sleep in our living room/office/front room. Someday we’ll have storage and space. Someday we’ll be in a strong ward. Little did we know, our ward back then was one month away from being dissolved.

Then came the chance to move. We jumped at it. It was incredibly challenging to find The Dream Townhouse. Five times we were thisclose, only to have everything fall apart. Twice we spotted red flags and bailed. Three times we were rejected. Our backgrounds, bank accounts, and references were meticulously scrutinized. Who knew it was so hard just to rent? In the end it was worth it. We found it, signed a lease, packed and moved in 3 1/2 days, which was 2 days after we were supposed to move. Bless The Dream Townhouse and the miraculous path that led us to it.

I will never forget those first few days in The Dream Townhouse. I missed calls because my cell phone was on another floor and I couldn’t hear it. For the first time in my mommyhood, I actually needed a baby monitor. Anderson, who was used to having the length of a coffee table to roll cars and play, ran laps around the dining room, kitchen and living room. Harley came home one day, and I had no idea because I couldn’t hear him. When I wrote down our new address on paperwork, I left that “apartment” section blank. Anderson shadowed me all day because it made him nervous if he couldn’t see or hear me at all times. In seven years we’d never had more than a two-bedroom apartment. The 3-level Dream Townhouse felt like a mansion.

I woke up in our new master bedroom the morning after we moved. I rolled over and saw light pouring through our big window. I was overwhelmed.

We have the most beautiful view! Trees, green, forest as far as you can see. Right there. In our backyard! I just stared out the window and I had this moment. You know the kind. The remember this forever experience, the “Aha!” Oprah moment, the stop you in your tracks epiphany. The kind you always think back on.

I realized our Someday was here.

Funny how that Someday works. In hindsight, it’s arrival didn’t take as long or seem as hard to get as I thought it would. Someday kind of snuck up on me. But it had arrived. Or we had arrived to it. It and everything about it made me oh so happy and grateful. Safety, storage, space, ceiling fan. So happy. Wanting it for seven years. So grateful. I’m glad we wanted and wished and, in some ways, struggled for so long. It makes me appreciate living in Someday so much more. In fact, I appreciate it so much, I’m still talking about it a year later. (Clearly.)

I spent that first morning on our back swing with my mother-in-law. The one who flew out just to help us move and, with my sister-in-law, deep cleaned my entire ghetto apartment without me. I told her we’d just moved into our Someday. She told me I would never regret the decision to rent The Dream Townhouse. I sat, swinging, and looked at the lush green forest behind our fence and held my baby and watched my toddler bang sticks and I knew she was right. And she was.

Our townhouse is far from perfect. We have no garage. No grass. We have no real “yard” if you want to get technical. Our kitchen is small and our appliances are old. The water pressure is a strong trickle resulting in long unsatisfying showers. Our monthly rent is more than we paid for an entire semester of college education. We share walls with neighbors. The beautiful forest plagues us with garbage attacking raccoons. It’s about six miles further from Harley’s lab than he and his bike would like. But right now, it’s perfect for us. We still play the “Someday” game. Someday (hopefully soon) we’ll have a dining room table and readily kiss our big empty room goodbye. Someday we’ll actually OWN a home. Imagine! Someday Harley will graduate and have a real full-time job. Someday we’ll lay down roots somewhere and stay longer than two years. Someday we’ll have two cars. Someday we won't have student loans. Someday we’ll have side yards in addition to a real front and back yard. Someday, someday, someday. Sigh, hopeful smile. We will always play Someday. But for now, we gratefully recognize that some of Someday is right here today. It’s much more than we’ve ever had. That makes us feel like we’re living the dream, baby! And for that, we’re still so thankful to call this place home. A year, a month and a day later.

More of The Dream Townhouse: Tour de Jour: Basement, Tour de Jour: Master Bedroom, Tour de Jour: Travel Wall, Tour de Jour: Anderson’s Big Boy Room, Tour de Jour: Max’s Nursery

Another Reason Utah is Amazing

2011-09-22T11:26:00.001-04:00

Our friends (of The Team variety) put on this event the night before the Holy War. It was for charity and for fun. 3975 people showed up and they broke the world record for largest dodgeball game.

How awesome are our friends? Check out their company here.

Too bad the Cougs couldn’t catch balls so well on game night. We’re still mourning that one over here.

Here’s what they did with some of the 750 leftover balls.

That’s right, a ball pit in the CEO’s office.

Dave, Ben, (and families) we sure miss you guys. We hope you never grow up.

P.S. This is just disgusting.

The Space Between

2011-09-20T16:02:00.001-04:00

Between the Codycoma and the family reFLUion we spent some quality time with my family in Utah.

This is how we got there. Without Harley. Remember that one magical time it was the other way around?

This is what we did.

This is the cousin just Max’s age. They get along so well.

Except when they don’t. Which is usually Max and his hair obsession's fault.

These are (some of) the people we saw and loved. This was Anderson’s last time seeing kid’s best friend, Skeeter. Skeeter died last week. Oh we loved that dog.

This is the wedding I was lucky enough to attend. I always miss the family weddings. I was thrilled to be in town for my cousin Mary Jane’s. Sadly Harley was battling the Terrible Awful Flu and missed it.

This is me and Anderson tearing up the dance floor. Also known as doing our favorite City of Joseph dance move.

And this is me and my Mooze. His cuteness overwhelms me these days. But not that particular day as he was TROUBLE at that wedding.

This is the view from my parents’ backyard.

I fell in love with Utah all over again on this trip. It may be because I probably won’t go back for a long time, and I felt the finality. Utah must have known because she showed me her best side. The mountains were so majestic and so right there. In the backyard. So accessible! The sky was SO blue. I don’t remember it being that blue before. Parts of Utah were really green too. When did the state get that colorful? The best part was being able to sit outside and breathe in the fresh, cool mountain air without choking in humidity and getting attacked by bugs. Evenings outdoors, meals on the deck and playing in the backyard could not be more pleasant. As I mentioned in the last post, Harley and I had the opportunity to drive around Provo for three hours in the middle of the night. All we did, besides promise Max the world if he would just go the freak to sleep, was talk about how awesome P-town is and how great our memories are. We fantasized about visiting Utah someday – in secret – and doing everything we love with zero obligations or timelines. We’d eat at all our favorite restaurants: Cafe Rio, Cucina Toscana, The Pie, L&T Wrap, Burgers Supreme, Market Street Grill, Rumbi, Ottavios, Silver Fork. I’d shop at all those niche Mormon places: Shabby Apple, Mod Bod, Down East, Tai Pan Trading, the Costco that sells pictures of the temple. The places that, ironically, I don’t have in the shopping mecca of DC. We recognized all the sweet spots that make Utah so fabulous: Park City, Sundance, Lake Powell, Moab, Big Cottonwood Canyon (specifically Brighton), Provo Canyon, Zions, Cedar City… BYU! We agreed we’d spend an entire day (not just the few hours we’re usually able to squeeze in) reacquainting ourselves with BYU and Provo. It’s changed so much. We’d ski. And hike. And visit new temples. Anyway. We just love Utah. We love it independently of all our loved ones living there, which of course we can’t ignore, which just makes us love it more. Not that Utah doesn’t have its downsides. And we’re happy in Maryland. But we just really appreciated Utah for what it is this time around.

Finally, these are the new tricks Anderson mastered. I love Anderson’s logic at the end of the first video.

And that, my friends, is me all caught up on my summer travels.

Family ReFLUnion

2011-09-19T18:49:00.001-04:00

For the first time in nine years my mother-in-law’s extended family reunited last month. 30 people under two roofs for seven days in Springville, Utah (a last minute location change from campgrounds in Sun Valley, Idaho). It was supposed to be a week full of stuff like this:

Instead, it was a week dominated by this:

Everybody got sick. When I say everybody I mean EVERYbody. When we made the above chart five people were still going strong, but by the end the Terrible Awful Flu (which turned out to be the Norovirus) beat EVERYBODY. Except 10 year old Deacon. We don’t know how he did it, and we all covet his immune system. This Terrible Awful was just that. I’ll spare you the disgusting details, but tell you all the crippling ones. This thing was so highly contagious and moved so quickly, 90% of the family was down by Thursday. The other 10% consisted of those who’d already had it and were on the up swing and Deacon, The Immortal One. Harley’s grandparent’s 60th wedding anniversary party, complete with a magician and balloon artist, had to be cancelled.

The cake that never got eaten.

The Terrible Awful didn’t just ruin an anniversary party. It was so destructive it ended the entire reunion two days early, changed departure plans, caused people to miss flights and sent one cousin to Urgent Care. Guess who brought the Terrible Awful to the party? We did. How terrible awful do we feel?

Anderson got it first, the week before, while I was in Cody. My poor mom had to clean it up out of her brand new car, then off my aunt's couch. Max caught it five days later. I was throwing up 48 hours after that. I’ll go ahead and tell you now that when I get the stomach flu I get a bit dramatic. Like, lying half-naked on the bathroom floor asking my mom if I’m going to die, kind of dramatic. Her response, by the way: “Yeah, but not tonight.” It probably has something to do with the fact (that I’m a drama queen) that I’ve only thrown up twice since 1990. That’s right, two times in 21 years. Both times have been in the last two years, and both times I have been away from home and without Harley. He has yet to see this most extreme and highly sexy show in my repertoire. Maybe we should keep it that way. Anyway, we thought the Terrible Awful was over, except for those few lucky duck cousins and sisters on my side of the family who fell victim after me, but then Harley arrived in Utah, somehow caught it and unknowingly brought it to the reunion where it reared its dirty little head on day 2. Relatives of all ages were not impressed with Harley, you know the guy who’s supposed to be studying virology and immunology.

Poor Dalen got sick around 3:00AM. Harley had to clean it up. Guess that’s our punishment.

Other than living on top of each other (and some of us had never met) while feeling like death and hugging toilets, it was great! I’m being serious. We had some wonderful, healthy moments.

Jan Hellewell (Harley’s grandma) with her sister Bonnie Kay and two daughters, Lynda and Debby. These ladies crack each other up and it’s fun to watch.

We spent a morning at BYU. (Side note, the Bean Life Science Museum is awesome for kids!) We ate at the Cougareat, which is always a highlight for me because not only do I get to indulge in all my favorite BYU treats (hello L&T wraps, chocolate covered cinnamon bears and Rice Krispie treats the size of my head), but I get to reminisce the glory days. And we always run into someone we know. This time just as I was saying to my brother-in-law, “It’s official. I’m too old. This will be the time we won’t run into anyone,” I see two girls waving at me. Well, sweet mother of Abraham Lincoln! It was Jen & Tami from my freshman ward.

Maybe you can see it on my face, but this wasn’t just any run-in. This run-in had can’t-believe-this crazy all over it. Tami and I have kept in touch over the years (we actually know each other from our City of Joseph Pageant days in Nauvoo Illinois, long before freshman year), but I hadn’t seen her for, what, six years? She had been living in Ohio and was about to move to Maryland, of all places. In fact, she and her family had stayed at my house in Gaithersburg the week before while house hunting! I was already west so sadly, I missed her. I had no idea she was headed to Utah next. She and Jen were driving back from southern Utah after a reunion with their freshman floor girlfriends, kind of like the ones I have. That day was not our family reunion’s originally scheduled BYU day, but there we were and there they were. All just dropping in for Cougar grub at the same time on the same day. I don’t see Tami in my own house in MD, but I run into her on BYU campus in UT. Makes sense.

My favorite activity of the family reunion was our Scenic Lift Ride at Sundance. I forget what a gem Sundance is. It had been too long since I’d been there without snow on the ground and wow, it’s just beautiful. The whole family piled on a dozen ski lifts and enjoyed the most peaceful, lovely view of the backside of Timp.

Anderson riding with Grandma & Jeddie. You can’t see it but Jeddie was pumping him full of Mountain Dew. He turned back mid-ride and shouted to us, “Mom, I’m drinking Mountain Dew! Is Jeddie busted?” When we told him yes, he said, “Ah man. Sorry Jeddie, you’re busted.” Then he kicked it back again.

It’s a good thing I didn’t really comprehend what we were doing until we were 50+ feet in the air with a measly metal bar and gaping spaces separating Max from my lap and Max from the rocky mountain. Normally Max would have been a squirm worm giving me a killer workout trying to wrestle him to safety. Instead, he was very docile and sat perfectly still. This was thanks to exhaustion after the all-nighter he’d pulled. Seriously, the kid went down at 5:30am. At one point, to avoid waking up the whole house, we threw him in the car and drove around Provo for three hours begging him to fall asleep, which he never did. We’d never pulled that parenting trick. Good to know it doesn’t work.

Oh sweet Max. His sleep shenanigans were in full force every night that week. Maybe Jeddie spiked his sippy cup…

Despite sickness, very little sleep and a good dose of drama no family reunion would be complete without, we really did have a good time. It’s all props to the peeps. The Hellewells just keep it moving, keep ‘em laughing and keep it low-key. It’s like the HELLEWELL family motto is: “Hell! Oh well.”

The more I think about it, my true favorite activity was the late nights spent talking (and crying) with Katie (SIL) and Debby (MIL). I love those women.

I love them all.

Milk & Cookies

2011-09-16T15:07:00.001-04:00

My dear friend Ligia is having her second child, a baby boy! Last summer, when I was pregnant with Max, she taught me an important life lesson I will never forget: every baby deserves to be celebrated. First babies, last babies, middle babies, new gender babies. It’s a baby, it calls for a celebration (even if it’s a small one).

Last Saturday we celebrated Ligia’s baby.

I threw her a Milk & Cookies Shower. It had been almost two years since I’d thrown a theme party. (Sad, I know.) And I have to say, I loved it! I forget how much I enjoy party planning and party hosting. I admit, without shame, I ripped the theme, and 50% of my supplies and ideas off other people. I delegated the game, the Pom Pom making and half of the cookie baking. That’s probably why I loved it so much. Other people’s ideas, skills, time, talent and baked goods. But I take full credit for alllll the simple little signs that took me an embarrassingly long amount of time to make.

This was the scene in Montgomery County 48 hours before the shower, which was supposed to be outside.

Courtesy our friend Jon Morgan who shot this flash flood near Seneca Creek, just a few miles from our home.

It had been pouring for almost two weeks straight, leaving zero time for Harley to whip the Garden of Eden turned Ugly Jungle into shape. But then, on Friday, the sun came out and shined all weekend, leaving us just enough time to feel guilty that our yard still looked awful but no longer able to blame it on, “it never stopped raining.”

The morning of the party Harley and I worked hard to get, at very least the deck, in presentable format. Still, it was far from hosting quality and provided too easy a view of our mess of a backyard below, so I made a game time decision to use my deck as my last resort instead of my first. Fortunately it worked. I had 17 seats (most of which I borrowed the day before). 17 people showed up. Phew!

This was the scene inside my house 24 hours before the party.

I would like to forever and always document here on the blogosphere that I baked 16 dozen cookies. Four varieties. None were magazine cover pretty, but all were edible. Yes, I would like a medal.

Now to the little details. Thanks to Heather for making the Pom Poms and picking up the balloons!

Instead of a shower guest book (why would you want or need that anyway?), I had guests sign a message inside a hardbound children’s book. Some of my favorite baby gifts are the books our loved ones signed. They are twice as rewarding to read to my children. And we read the inscriptions. Every time.

One of the best elements of this shower was the favors: milk bottle shaped sugar cookies. My friend Brittanie made them. Aren’t they perfect? Check out her cute biz here.

“C is for cookie. That’s good enough for me…” We had 10 different kinds of cookies. Dozens and dozens of each variety. We’re still eating cookies over here and I’ve shared them at two other parties.

Eat your heart out Cookie Monster.

Dear Mindy, This picture is just for you. What is wrong with my Stacy cookies? Love, Not Martha.

I was so pleased with the way the Milk Station turned out. Maybe because I love milk. Maybe because I scored (read “borrowed”) 24 glass milk bottles from Brittanie who got them in Amish Country. Maybe because this table had all my favorite details and my favorite sign. Maybe because those bright blue and white flowers make me smile. Maybe because of all of it.

The shower was fun! I loved the idea of a simple, back to basics theme. Ashley organized a “Celebrity Baby Names” game, which was right up Ligia’s alley. We ate our weight in cookies and Ligia opened presents. Each guest got to ask Ligia one question about her pregnancy, hopes, fears, parenting style, etc. as she opened her gift. I enjoyed that part the most. I love a shower where I get to know the guest of honor better and really celebrate HER... and her baby.

A little blurry but isn’t she pretty? Such a cute prego.

Because she is such a big part of my life I have to point out the stake primary president Marianne. Green skirt front left on the end. I serve as her 2nd counselor. I am learning SO MUCH from this woman!

Mari, Ligia, me & Heather. Mari brought 3 dozen cookies even though she just had twins a month ago! She, Heather and Ashley (sadly, not pictured) were huge helps and I couldn’t have accomplished the cuteness without them!

Congrats Ligia! I look forward to meeting your little Mister McQueen soon.

Everyday I’m Shuffling

2011-09-07T17:51:00.001-04:00

Max is walking. (When he’s in the mood. His default mode of transportation is speed crawling.) But more importantly, he’s shuffling.

Codycoma

2011-09-06T18:13:00.001-04:00

Wanna know why I’m the luckiest person on the planet? Because these girls are my best friends.Jessica, Mindy, Anna. We really laugh like that.

We have “Comas” (kid-free, husband-free girl vacays that involve so much R&R you feel like you’re in a coma) together every other summer. Our first was two years ago in California. This summer we went to Cody, Wyoming, Jessica’s beloved home town.

It started with an 8-hour road trip from Denver to Cody with Anna and Mindy. Eight hours of uninterrupted, quality girl talk interspersed with food, treats, music and car dancing. I could have gone for 80.For me, it ended that way too. Anna hopped on a plane in Cody, but Mindy and I drove back to Denver together. Again, road trip + best friend – kids = bliss! Bonus: I got to spend an extra day in Denver with Mindy and her cute family.

The beginning and end were great and oh-so-therapeutic. The middle? The actual Coma? We all know how the West was won (well, maybe I didn’t exactly know but thanks to Cody’s Buffalo Bill Museum I do now), but a Codycoma… that’s how the West was fun.

It wouldn’t be a Coma without hair experiments, spoils from Jessica and punchy-ness around 2AM.

We started a new activity that one can only hope becomes a tradition: abusing the photo booth app. Behold the abuse:

My favorite moment came while listening to live music at The Silver Dollar Bar. I watched each of my best friends shine in her own way and was reminded of just how amazing each is. I was touched when Mindy, in all her thoughtfulness, stopped me outside a boutique, read me and just took care of me. Just when I needed it, just how I needed it. Many times there is no one who knows me better than her. I sat in awe and with pride listening to Jessica sing, laugh and work the crowd. She’s fabulous with music, people and fun. It had been too long since I’d sat back and enjoyed her unique gifts. I was inspired to follow my dreams as I watched Anna identify the unique story of Cody, then quietly, confidently and seemingly effortlessly capture it on film. (The old school kind. She’s legit like that.) Anna impresses and inspires me with just about everything she does. See (one aspect of) her talent here. These three separate friend observations happened within 15 minutes. And I sat there, taking it all in. Under the summer sun, sipping my Coke, while the sum of it all nearly brought me to tears. What did I do to deserve such talented, beautiful, good-to-me friends?

I met Jessica 13 years ago, our first day at BYU. I met Mindy and Anna 10 1/2 years ago during our semester abroad in London. As I flew to Denver to begin the Codycoma I couldn’t help but think about my flight to London more than a decade ago. Jessica was serving an LDS mission. We didn’t know it yet, but Mindy, Anna and I were about to begin countless adventures abroad. We all came home and lived together in Provo. In a way that flight to London was the start of the four of us, which led to best friendships in every possible combination, which eventually resulted in these Comas. I’m happy we make the efforts and sacrifices to keep in touch and nourish our friendships. It’s not easy, especially since we’re spread across the country right now. But it’s worth it. I’m grateful for both the individual and collective roles these girls play in my life.

I am truly blessed to know them. They have shaped me and influenced my world forever. Our friendships are not without fault. Over the years our dynamics have shifted, changed and evolved. We’ve had our share of fights, misunderstandings, hurt feelings, rough patches and more. But we always remain a key part of each other’s lives. And my how we’ve grown and strengthened through it all. Love you girls!

Mindy’s Codycoma account here and here. Anna’s Codycoma account here.

Where’d ya go August?

2011-09-01T16:03:00.002-04:00

Yikes stripes. It’s been awhile blog peeps.

We had a busy, awesome summer. We were gone a lot. 41/92 days to be exact. Most recently to Salt Lake, Denver, Cody, Springville and Salt Lake again. No wonder I haven’t blogged and no wonder catching up is a bit overwhelming.

I just want to join them. Can you blame me?

But we’re back. We’ve been back for 2+ weeks. It doesn’t feel that long. For some reason this re-entry was rough. We’re slowly getting a grip on reality, and I want to get a grip on blogging because, well, I miss you guys.

So good things are coming. Meantime I have thoughts running races around my noggin I have to share.

1. You may have heard, DC experienced an earthquake and hurricane in one week. Both were kind of much ado about nothing in our ‘hood, but great catastrophe stories we’ll share forever. That’s the best case disaster. No damage, no injuries or deaths but a life experience you can add to your “yep, I’ve been through that” list. Hurricane Irene knocked out our power for a spell and provided a stormy soundtrack to sleep to, but that’s about it. However, she was a big deal in Ocean City, MD. I’m proud to say Fox 5 News was all over the storm. I beamed as I watched my old weather producer, Tucker Barnes (no relation) get slammed with seafoam in every reporter’s dream live shot. The one where you’re so captivating, and the story is so incredibly visual viewers cannot tear themselves away. Then it becomes an internet sensation. Then David Letterman picks it up. Go Tucker!

2. I feel like the last two weeks of my life have been lost. Partly because of the rough re-entry but mostly because Harley and I started LOST. I know, we’re so hip. We may start texting soon. Starting LOST was simultaneously the best and worst decision of the month. Best decision because we love it. And Sawyer is hot. And funny. And I learned my nephew, who turns one TODAY!, was named after him. You gotta admit, both these studs are pretty great looking.

Worst decision because oh my word it is ruining our lives. We’re exhausted. We’re highly unproductive (which I hate). We’re up until 2AM because we just. can’t. stop, then we’re worthless the next day until the evening when we suddenly have bounds of watching power energy and repeat the cycle. Vicious cycle. We’re eating more treats than usual because, well, we’re camped out with a laptop for hours on end. Plus when the characters are hungry I’m hungry and they’re hungry a lot. Life ruining all around. This was not a great time for us to get into this show as we have a lot of important daytime stuff going on. Then again, when do you ever have 100+ hours lying around with nothing better to do than get addicted to an old TV series? And we are addicted so no turning back. We’re one season down, six to go. At this rate we’ll finish by Thanksgiving. That overwhelms me and excites me all at once. See? Best and worst.

By the way, if you are watching LOST and experience your first earthquake you will undoubtedly think polar bears, wild boars and/or The Smoke Monster itself are running through your kitchen long before the possibility of earthquake crosses your mind. Just sayin.

3. LUVS diapers are terrible. Cirque Du Soleil is amazing. Twix Ice Cream bars taste like Snickers Ice Cream bars at first, but then they’re different. And delicious. And the perfect treat at 1AM while watching people starve.

That is all for now. Peace.

Tour de Jour: Basement

2011-07-15T15:39:00.003-04:00

Go ahead and get some food. You’re gonna be here awhile.

It’s important you know I actually finished my basement six weeks ago. Promise. I photographed it a month ago. This post has been a loooong time coming friends.

I had this magical, surreal 2 1/2 days all by myself in early June. That’s right. I was home alone.

Remember Home Alone?

Harley and I were about to go to Alaska and needed to drop the kids off with his parents in Idaho. We believe in equal airplane parenting opportunity, so when I suggested (half jokingly) that Harley fly out ahead of me with the kids, then meet me for the cruise, he agreed. He’s great like that, right? He’d get a few days, including his Dad’s and sister’s birthdays, with his family, then a road trip with my dad, sister and brother-in-law to Seattle where we would all board the ship. So he flew alone, with two kids and an unexpected three hour layover in Denver. No one slept. They got in at 1am Boise time (3am on their bodies). Anderson had an accident on the plane.

I felt bad for Harley. I also felt a bit glad for Harley to be experiencing this. Just a little bit.

I looked forward to my Me Weekend for months. I had big, huge plans to get SO. MUCH. DONE. I made lists, I scheduled appointments, I counted down the days until this much needed 60 Hours of Productivity began. I was as excited to be home alone for 2 1/2 days as I was to go on the cruise.

But then the time came to take all my boys to the airport. Max was extra kissable that morning. I’d nursed him for the last time the day before. He was only 11 months old, and I was about to be separated from him for 11 days. ELEVEN DAYS. That’s an eternity in baby minutes.

And then there was Anderson. Driving to the airport I told Anderson how much I’d miss him. He told me, “Don’t be sad Mom. I can’t stay home. I have to go visit Jeddie and Grandma. But don’t worry Mom. I will come back. I love you! It will all be okay Mom. I promise.” So glad I have him to keep me strong.

So I dropped them off. My three favorite people in the whole world. I kissed them goodbye, put them on an airplane and drove away to begin the Weekend I’d Always Wanted. Instantly I missed them. Right away I was lonely.

Fortunately, a trip to Nordstrom all by myself cured my brief bout of loneliness.

My weekend was amazing! I shopped! I ran all kinds of errands and found so many things I’ve been looking for for months! I ate lunch in the mall food court all by myself while reading a book. I cleaned my house. I talked to my best friend. I slept in until 11am! I ate another lunch by myself while watching my favorite shows on Hulu. MY HOUSE STAYED CLEAN!!! I got a mani/pedi. I went to a Bunco party. I ran in and out of Target, and purchased 13 items, in less than 10 minutes. I sorted and stored the kids’ winter wardrobes. I went to a baby shower. I went to the library. I had my eyebrows threaded (I'm a fan). I made returns at Costco. I called people. I went to the pool with a friend. I ordered photos, picked them up and framed them. I packed for only myself, by myself. I accomplished only about half the items on my dream to do list, but that’s okay. I know I’ll never really get it all done. But I did get done what would have taken me months because I didn’t have two little shadows. I stayed so busy I wasn’t too lonely. And best of all I FINISHED MY BASEMENT!!!!!

Were you wondering when I was going to get back to the point of the post? Sorry, I just had to relive the glory that was that Weekend of Happiness. G.L.O.R.Y.

I wish I’d taken official basement “before” shots. I came across these on my landlord’s website the other day, and they pretty much show what we moved in to. A big empty space with white walls and great built-in shelving. Except those curtains. They weren’t here when we moved in.

I found one of our pictures that gives a good visual of the clutter we lived in “before.” See that pile of ish stacked in the back corner? We lived with that. For months. This picture was taken during preschool in February. (The kids were doing an obstacle course, going UP and UNDER, for the letter “U.”) We moved in September! I didn’t organize it all until the spring! I can’t believe I lived like that either. I’m kind of a completely commitment or definite denial girl. I’m in “not doing the basement yet mode” and it all just sits there –FOR MONTHS (was I really that busy?) -- and somehow it doesn’t drive me crazy, even though now looking back it totally does… and totally did, OR I’m “here we go, 100% doing the basement mode.” Off or on. All or nothing. I don’t know half-way.

The basement has bead board, which I love, and felt was wasted against the stark white walls. We painted them “warm flannel gray.” It made all the difference and I’m very happy with it.

I struggled for a long time with furniture placement. Mindy, decorator extraordinaire, had the great idea for a living room style set up with toys as furniture. Train table instead of coffee table. Puzzle mat (which we snagged from our neighbor’s trash pile! Don’t worry, I thorough scrubbed it.) instead of a rug. Ball bin (Ikea) instead of an end table. Bean bag instead of a pillow. Okay, confession: the bean bag is actually strategically covering the rips in the couch we had to duct tape together. This couch is just a little ghetto. But it is a fold out! And IT WAS FREE!! I should also mention the horse and activity table were free hand-me-downs. The entertainment center was a DI fix-up my mom gave us when we were first married. And the TV? It’s all the way from Harley’s pre-me college days. It’s the only TV in our house. Harley and I never watch it. It’s solely for shows for the kids. This is a perfect example of that “sometimes ghetto” part of my life. Maybe one day we’ll have one of dem der big fancy flat screen Teeee-Veeees. Not to get crazy or anything, but maybe we’ll spring for DVR. Or even cable! Maybe. Someday.

We love the train table (Costco, Christmas gift from grandparents). We love the storage drawers built into the train table.

Below is the “Art Wall.” I commissioned Anderson to do some art for me. I bought colored frames at Ikea for $1.99 each. Let’s just go ahead and do the big fat Ikea shout out now. So much of this basement is thanks to the fabulousness that is Ikea.

I had this vision for what to put in these old white Pottery Barn frames on the ends. I wanted a picture of each kid, holding the first letter of his name. One day we set out for the park to accomplish it and it worked! With the exception of a few minor, picky things, they turned out just how I wanted. That never happens! His art bookended by my art. The “Art Wall.”

More A&M Letter Photo Shoot here.

Next to the “Art Wall” is the “Story Wall.” The bulletin board I’ve had since junior high. We keep repurposing it with new pictures to tell our family story. Underneath you’ll find the story of The Very Hungry Caterpillar. It’s one of our favorites. I found the cute reusable wall appliqués at Target. Many thanks to Robyn, who suggested I use the wall stickers to tell the story. I had planned to scatter them randomly all over the wall, just like they showed on the box, because I have a hard time thinking, well, outside the box. Bonus thanks to Mindy who suggested I curve the stickers like a caterpillar! Love it! I guess we should make a habit of cuddling up on that couch and readings books to make it truly the “Story Wall.” I think we will.

Below is the view of the basement after entering from the stairs. You could call this our “Business Wall.” Anderson’s movie watching and my computer time is serious business people. See the sliding doors? That’s right, walk-out basement. To a fenced backyard. With a swing. And a big water-proof shed. And Harley’s Garden of Eden. And stairs up to a deck, which has two gates so I can lock my littles up or down. And it all backs up to gorgeous woods. The only thing we’re missing is grass. Well, and a yard. That toy chest to the left of the desk? I got a screaming deal on it years ago. TJ Maxx. $16.

This is My Desk. My happy place. Someday I will paint that old (free) desk we’ve been hauling around for years. Meantime I can’t part with it because it’s huge and has great big drawers! Storage boxes=Ikea. Picture frames=Ikea. Block “W”=$1 at Michaels. My big splurge was the potted grass from Crate & Barrel for $11.

I look at this picture framed on my shelf every day, and it reminds me both to be creative and to cherish those faces.

And this, my friends, is my favorite wall of all. The “Fun Wall.” Also known as the “Create Wall” or the “Let’s Play! Wall.”

Let’s take it piece by piece, shall we?

I highly recommend this easel, with whiteboard on the back and drawing paper roll on the bottom. The Easter Bunny scored it for $15 at Ikea. The silver tins are courtesy Ikea’s kitchen section. They’re meant for kitchen utensils, but why, when you can use them for art utensils?

Cheryl made us three ABC boards. It’s scrapbook paper pinned to Styrofoam squares. Just today I got inspired and pinned polka dot ribbon around the edges.

Updated with ribbon:

Remember my wood pile? I bought this shelf at a garage sale for $10 and painted it green. The bulletin board was a hand-me-down and displays some of Anderson’s preschool projects. Bins and buckets=Ikea & Target. LOVE the number buckets! Mindy gifted them to me when Max was born. They’re so cute AND Anderson knows which toys belong in which number. Genius. The black shelves we bought at Walmart years ago. The vintage Radio Flyer scooter that you see in the bottom right corner (better shot in next pic) we picked up for $3 at a yard sale.

Below is my other happy place. My other desk. We purchased it at Ikea, and painted the legs red, when we first moved to DC. The firt desk is for being organized and getting stuff done. This one is for being creative. I wanted this basement to be a place of play and creativity. I create here, while my boys create and play all around me. Creative juices freely flowing all over this space as we all art it up together. Isn’t that a beautiful dream? I’ll let you know when it actually happens. The red phone is fake. Well, it’s real but we don’t pay for landline service, so it’s just an old phone (spray painted) for looks to impress you.

How amazing is the fabulous board?????!!!!! Robyn, who runs her own vinyl business, MADE IT FOR ME! I told her what I wanted, and she magically brought it to life. GUSH! It’s my favorite thing in the whole basement, and simply looking at it reminds me I love my life. Robyn usually makes vinyl prints that go directly on the wall, but I told her I’m not leaving this behind! So she put it on a board for me. FABULOUS!!! Love it!! Can’t get over it!! The white cubby I bought on clearance at Target and intended to put it on the desk as an organizer. Then I had the great idea to hang it! Harley was awesome figuring out exactly how to do that and wah-lah! Just look at all those scrapbook supplies I never use! The red mailbox sorter (spray painted) we’ve had since we got married and now serves as a home for coupons, envelopes and best of all… my “idea board.” I post pictures, clippings, magazine pages, etc. that inspire me. Like Pintrest (which, let’s friends!), but in real life. The polka dot bucket? A utensil caddy (Ross) I’m using for craft supplies. This desk almost makes you think I’m crafty, right? Secret: I’m not. Oh and that pink box on the desk reads “Drama Queen” and therefore, of course, holds buttons. Whatever, go with it.

My IDEAS. Dontcha be stealing ‘em now.

The “Wet Bar Wall.” I’m sure this was intended for entertaining, but I’m using it as an extension for more for crafting. I’m reeeaaaally putting pressure on myself to start creating stuff, aren’t I?

Ikea magazine rack holds construction paper and coloring books. The boxes (the blue and orange of which I won at Bunco) and basket hold beads, stickers and Play-doh. Again, I use a utensil caddy (Target) for Anderson’s art supplies. Clearly I think this idea is genius and I have Allison to thank for it. Can you tell by now I love to spell words with wooden blocks? The blue “seasons tree” is my favorite preschool project of the year.

How about these plants in a wagon? These are LIVE plants people. I do not have my husband’s green thumb. I kill. But somehow, for a whole month now, I’ve managed to keep these alive. Hooray! I got the vintage wagon at a yard sale for a few bucks. I got the fabulous idea to use it as a plant holder from Mindy. I am not good at having original or amazing ideas. I am, however, very good at stealing original or amazing ideas. To Mindy, Mom, Robyn, Cheryl & Ali: look what you’ve done! My basement is fabulous and I thank you!

Because you know I didn’t consider myself done with the basement until these bad boys were organized, here’s a look inside:

Yes, you are beholding a cupboard dedicated entirely to carding, wrapping, gifting and shipping. (Wrapping paper stored separately.)

Why hello there under the stairs storage. I love you. We’ve NEVER had you. Makes sense seeing as we’ve never had stairs. You complete me. Love, OCD.

Those two bags on the second shelf are my church bags. Stake bag (I serve in the stake these days), ward bag. Ready to grab, along with that striped cloth Activity Book hanging on the right, and go every week.

So there it is. My fabulous basement! I am 100% happy with the way it turned out. It was worth the almost full year it took to complete it. I should mention the rest of our basement includes a half bathroom, big laundry room/storage area with more built-in shelving (!!!) and built-in peg board, and water closet with even more storage space. Saying we LOVE it down here doesn’t quite cover it. We LIVE down here, especially in the summer when you cool down by half a degree with each descending step. I’ve held back on beating that dead horse the whole post, but I know some of you are waiting for it, so it’s time I declare again: WE LOVE OUR DREAM TOWNHOUSE!

More Tour de Jour here.

A Capitol Fourth

2011-07-12T20:52:00.003-04:00

The day after Max’s birthday my grandparents arrived. The day my grandparents left I went to Scout Camp, which we’re not really going to talk about other than to say it involved wasp stings and lots of complaining (from the boys too). The day camp ended our Independence Day weekend festivities began. Last year we didn’t see a single firework. This year we set out to see some of the best. We live in the nation’s capital and while it is WORK to get downtown on a holiday it’s worth it. Every time.

But first, we swam. I came home from camp Saturday and was one hot mess, so we kicked off the party at the neighborhood pool. We took no pictures, but we went back last weekend and took these. I figure these won’t merit their own blog post, so I’ll throw them in with the 4th. Pretty much the same suits, smiles and swimming action right?

We’ve finally convinced Anderson to wear his “magic jacket.” Makes everyone feel safer.

Wanna see a really big baby gut? Wanna nibble on that baby gut? I do.

Anderson is all confidence without the magic jacket in the kiddie pool.

Monday morning we hit the Montgomery Village town parade. We ran into some ward peeps and enjoyed their Otter Pops.

We grilled hamburgers for lunch, rested a bit, then loaded up and headed out. And by loaded up I mean packed just about everything we own. Double stroller, two kids, two camping chairs, half a dozen water bottles, one backpack, one diaper bag, three Frisbees, two umbrellas, one kite, one camera, one blanket, one bag of food and one bucket of fried chicken. I’m tired all over again.

Kids got sleepy.

We finally arrived downtown, walked all the way around the Capitol, waded through security and then fought billions (felt that way) of people for a spot.

Then our friends, Eric & Krysta, arrived and we moved to their more comfortable grassy spot.

Kids got silly.

Especially playing with “Crazy Uncle Eric.”

Finally the show began. Let’s talk about the concert for a minute. A Capitol 4th is the DC 4th of July concert that is broadcast live on PBS every year. This year’s line up included Jordin Sparks, Steve Martin, Little Richard, the cast of Broadway’s Million Dollar Quartet, Kelli O’Hara, Josh Groban and Matthew Morrison. Did you catch the significance of those last two? My all time favorite Glee moment features Matthew Morrison talking about Josh Groban and what you ought to do if you don’t know who he is. In fact, this scene has sparked a bit of a catch phrase around these parts. Whenever we receive bad news or are dreading something it’s, “Oh Cheryl you’re stuck with two babies and no diapers in the Chicago airport overnight on a cot? (true story) Kill yourself!” We all thought we were so funny and overdramatic, just like Sandy in Glee, until one day I announced we were out of milk and Anderson said, “Oh Mom, kill yourself.” Better stop saying that one.

ANYway, do you think Josh & Matthew put it together? First that classic scene and two years later they’re sharing a stage in DC? No, just me? Well, I enjoyed the connection and their performances.

As I mentioned, the whole experience was a lot of work. It was hot. It was sweaty. It was exhausting. We paid for the adventure July 5th when our kids were beyond tired and cranky. (Didn’t help that Max had his 1 year check up with shots early the next morning.) But we were there! In Washington DC! Sitting in front of the Capitol enjoying a live concert and watching fireworks! Celebrating America! There’s just something about being there. Watching the strangers, young and old, around you get up and shake what their mama gave them to the banjo of Steve Martin’s bluegrass band. Seeing families laugh and play cards while they wait for the show to begin. Eating your chicken and drinking your Coke outside on a blanket. Listening to the National Symphony Orchestra accompany fireworks with “1812 Overture.” Rolling your eyes because you brought way more than you needed EXCEPT wipes. Heck, we didn’t even fly the kite, but wipes? We could have really used more of those. Riding home for 2 hours on the metro sweaty armpit to sweaty armpit with a bunch of people you don’t know. It’s just so American. And I love it. We won’t live here forever and so far we’re averaging tackling downtown on the 4th every other year. This was our 3rd time in 5 years. We’ve done it in rain by the Washington Monument civilian style. We’ve done it in good weather on the Capitol balcony VIP style. We’ve made mistakes. We’ve learned. This year we ended up being in a less than ideal spot for fireworks -- and for the concert if you care about actually seeing anything (really Eric, we don’t blame you) -- but oh we could hear the orchestra play! And it was beautiful. And by the time we leave DC we just might get all of it right.

Season Set: Summer 2011

2011-07-11T14:01:00.002-04:00

‘Bout time, right?

I have really enjoyed this creative project. Four seasons. Four season sets. It’s made our kitchen a little happier. See Fall, Winter & Spring.

Now the question is, do I continue the project with new pictures for a Season Set II or do I reuse what I’ve already shot and love? Stretch myself or simplify my life? Seems I ask myself this question in one form or another every day.

Speaking of stretching myself, the construction on this blog is almost over! (I think.) We have the bugs worked out! (Fingers crossed.) I hope my new layout allows for easier viewing of bigger pictures. Still keeping things fabulous with Fabulous Right Now, it’s just in a different place. Can’t tell you how much I enjoy that part of my blog. My little way of constantly counting my blessings and appreciating greatness all around me. So FRN is up and going strong. As before, expect three new items (sometimes more!) with every post. It’s moved to the right hand side, so find it there, followed by a whole lot of other fabulousness.

GG & GQ: My Heroes

2011-07-10T15:30:00.001-04:00

**DC Diva is undergoing a bit of construction. Good changes coming to this bloggy blog. Sorry if things are a bit skiddywampus in the meantime.

My grandparents came to see us. It sounds so simple when you put it that way, but this 4 day, 3 night visit was so much more. My Grandma Jean is 81. My Grandpa Queed is 82. They have traveled the world. They have toured DC, but it was decades ago, when my dad was a senior in high school. This time they made a three-week cross-country road trip to visit family and friends and to track down their ancestors’ towns and landmarks. They started in St. Louis where they witnessed their youngest grandchild get baptized. A week later they were visiting me, their oldest grandchild. Along the way they went on a bit of a wild goose chase, the kinds my grandpa is famous for, to find the seminary building of Jacob Weiler, my grandpa’s great grandpa. They carried his autobiography and pictures with them as they traveled. They know so much about him and they love learning more. My heart stirred as I made the connection: Jacob Weiler is my grandpa’s great grandpa. My grandpa is a proud great grandpa to these two. Circle of life.

To say their visit was wonderful and meaningful and unforgettable just doesn’t do it justice. I’ve always adored these people who have played ever-present and unfailing roles in my life. I have many wonderful memories with them over the last 31 years. I started as their ONE grandchild. 31 years later, the group has grown a bit.

Family reunion August 2009. If my calculations are correct we’ve gained 7 people since then. 3 (1 baby, 2 finances) are on the way.

When I’m with Grandma and Grandpa their attention is divided about 50 ways. There is NO ONE I know better at making you feel like you’re not getting 1/50 of her attention than Grandma. She acknowledges, she inquires, she gushes and she makes feel loved every one of us, one at a time, every time. The best part about Grandma is you know she means it too.

Last week the attention was divided like this.

Just our little family. With them. I can’t express how speical that was. I wasn’t prepared for just how special it would be. I did not expect to be touched time and time again by the moments we shared. I did not expect to be so ready and eager to delve into their life stories and secrets. I was not prepared to have my love and admiration for them grow deeper and stronger. Yet it happened, in unexpected moments, now turned precious memories, like these:

Grandma

*Grandma calling Anderson a “fine boy.” Grandma sitting on the edge of our aerobed (where they accommodatingly slept without a single complaint) offering outstretched arms to Max saying, “Let’s get acquainted.”

*Pausing in the metro and really taking note of her beautiful blue eyes, then having the thought that my niece, Hannah Jean (named after Grandma), has the same eyes.

*Catching her settle down on my couch to thumb through my beloved art book. The one featuring Impressionism. The one I bought here in London when I was 21. The one that always sits on my coffee table. The one I’ve never seen anyone pick up and read.

*Hearing she cried when Harley took them to see the DC temple. The last time they were here construction on the temple was just beginning.

*Learning from her, as she impressively named and described every flower we saw.

*Wandering the National Art Gallery with her as she told me of the art she’s seen and the places she’s seen it. Knowing, all the sudden, where I get my love of fine art. From her. Of course.

*Being surprised when she belly laughed as we showed her that video of Harley spinning Anderson until he crashes into the wall followed by Harley laughing like a maniac. (I’d link to it, but we took it down after getting hate mail.) I expected her to get upset. Instead I don’t think I’ve ever seen her laugh so hard.

*Going room by room, touring my entire house, with her ohhhhing and ahhhing every step of the way. She is the BEST gusher and with Grandma it’s 100% sincere.

*Sharing her secrets: she usually skips lunch, she not only removes sheets when a guest in someone’s home, but washes and replaces them, and her beautiful skin is thanks to genetics (here’s hoping!), soap and a simple moisturizer. And of course her lists. She keeps lists of birthdays she remembers, books she reads, meal plans she puts together (alone, for dozens of people), everything. Thanks for that list passion too, Grandma.

Beautiful!

*Noticing she changed clothes, dressing up just a bit, before we went out to dinner. Diva.

*Telling me there is “very little I don’t like.” She was talking about food, but I think it’s true of everything on this earth. The woman appreciates and finds beauty in all things. Some of her favorites: corn on the cob, Sudoku, and Gilmore Girls.

*Speaking of one of my all time favorite shows, my kids call her GG, which was her idea, for Great Grandma. This visit, as we casually pushed Max along in the stroller, walking through my neighborhood, we decided it should also stand for Gilmore Girls.

*Confessing to me no one but my dad (her 1st) was a planned pregnancy. I love it when I reach that point when my older relatives become my peers. It’s like one minutes I’m being directed to the kids table at Thanksgiving, and the next we’re just girlfriends, talking about family planning. I recently arrived to that point with my aunt as well. Rite of passage people. Embrace it.

*Discovering she taught Max how to slide down the stairs. She will deny this, giving him all credit. But she was there, first witness, alerting me, so she gets the points in my book.

*Listening to her list her current callings (3), then talk about her tennis schedule (still plays weekly), her hair styling regimen, her regular travels to St. George to golf and relax, then on to her social calendar. And I know she’s squeezing in countless family ball games, concerts, birthday parties, graduations and more inbetween. What I don’t know is how.

*Hearing her say this trip was because I invited her. I don’t know if I entirely believe her, but I love that she tells me that.

*That perfect moment, walking home side by side from the swimming pool, when she told me she thinks I’m “practically perfect in every way. Just like Mary Poppins.”

Grandpa:

*All the times he referenced Facebook. Truly impressive.

*The way he was just as happy to have a “day at sea” (the kind where you chill and stay close to home base) as he was to be out on a “death march” (the kind I take you on when you come visit me and see DC).

My death march face. Actually it’s my “Hey stranger you’re pushing the wrong button” face caught mid-sentence.

*Hearing Anderson call him “GQ,” because he’s Grandpa Queed and because well, just look at him. Handsome.

*Watching his face take on identical expressions to the ones I’ve seen on my dad’s face. Identical.

*His deep interest in maps. Always studying one. Highlighting, orienting, making notes of where he’s been and where he’s going.

*When he knew all about the two Utah men featured in the Capitol, long before the tour guide identified them. Utah boy. Born and raised.

*Watching him teach Anderson how to pump. Crucial life skill. I will always remember where he learned it. I should add Grandma taught him to “let the cat die out,” which means to go limp, no pumping, and wait until the swing slowly stops swinging. Who knew?

*That moment in my kitchen when he exclaimed “You bet!” I don’t know what I had asked him but I do know that’s EXACTLY how my Dad says it.

*The way he carried around his own digital camera, snapping pictures and showing me all the places they’d been before they got to me.

*Watching his kindess to strangers. On the metro, at the Capitol, at the restaurant. He is gracious and warm.

*When he told me he wanted to take us to dinner and it “didn’t have to be Wendy’s fast food.”

*The way he chuckled to himself after telling me my 8-year-old cousin Emily calls him “Coconuthead.”

*This.

*The way he grabs my arm, jostles it a little and smiles after he teases me.

*Noticing everywhere we went he explores. The park, the museum, the woods behind our home. He has to case the joint.

*The day he and Max unintentionally matched.

*Discussing that goal we share, to visit every state in the nation. He told me his story of finally making it to his last state, North Dakota, with no purpose other than he’d never been.

*The way he agreed with me when I remarked how beautiful Grandma is.

*His unexpected chillness when my poor time management caused us to miss a tour. “We’re just here to spend time with you and your kids,” he told me. He meant it.

*Telling me they’re going to slow down and not travel as much. Minutes later plans of a Caribbean cruise and vacation in Hawaii were discussed.

*His insistence at taking turns when it came to pushing my 100 lb worth of kids, bags, ish and then some in a stroller all over the national mall. Together, we even lifted the load up and down stairs!

Big kids.

Heavy stroller.

Pretty sure we wore him out.

*Hearing he and Grandma went to Great Falls after leaving my place. I was going to take them there, but we ran out of time. He believed me it was worth seeing, so he took a little detour on the way out of town, and went on his own.

We toured museums, monuments and the Capitol. We played in the park and in the pool. We grilled hamburgers on our deck and went out for Mexican food. We sat in my dark basement listening to Harley teach his online BYU-Idaho class, something my Grandma insisted we do. Every night we stayed up until midnight, or later, eating ice cream and talking. That was the highlight fo me. We talked about the Church, their 3-year mission in Jamaica, their longtime buddy from high school Elder Ballard, their favorite and least favorite callings, and scouting. We talked about our family, their friends and my friends. We talked about teeth, skin, surgeries and scars. We talked about their world travels. They told me they don’t have much left on their Bucket List. What a wonderful thing to be able to say.

Whenever my family talks about my grandparents my mom has the same thing to say regarding her in-laws, “Aren’t they amazing?” They are. They are just amazing. It goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway: I want to be just like them when I grow up. Minus the golf. It’s just not my thing. They know it and they’re cool with it. (I think.) It meant the world to me to have these two role models in my home, my city, my world for a few days. Their stories, experiences and most importantly examples shape me. You say it to me in every card you’ve ever sent me, Grandma and Grandpa, and now I’ll say it to you: I love you SO much and I am SO proud of you.

Happy Birthday Max

2011-07-07T15:40:00.001-04:00

This little guy turned one last week.

I’ll go ahead and say it right here, right now. He is officially Troubs.

The day was sad for me and I’ve now better defined what I was feeling. Stressed and tired. Overwhelmed by my kids and overwhelmed by a busy summer. Ungrateful, selfish and pathetic that a fun-packed summer and only two – really great – kids is enough to, at times, send me over the edge of exhaustion. Sentimental my baby is growing up. Confused about exactly what to do about my baby growing up. Missing Grandpa Bud and thinking about everything that was happening one year ago. Lonely we don’t have family with us to celebrate Max. Guilty I wasn’t doing more to make his big day special. I wasn’t doing more because I just didn’t have it in me, and I didn’t see the point if it was just us. That made me feel more guilty and more lonely. I know Max doesn’t know or care it’s his birthday, but I know and care. I haven’t done for Max, in general, everything I wish I had time and energy to do. Most days I’m okay with that because I know it’s just the way busy life with multiple children is. Other days it gets to me. If I could pause life for a week I would spend it catching up. On organizing, blogging, and all things (baby book, calendar, video, etc.) Max.

When my Mom called to wish Max a happy birthday, I unloaded on her. She suggested a lot of my feelings probably stemmed from lack of sleep, my new calling in the stake primary presidency and the upcoming scout camp we were in charge of. That’s for dang sure.

I set out to do a few small fun things that day but just about everything misfired. Balloons we’d set flying high with helium the night before were deflated by morning. Thanks new $20 Target helium tank.

What kind of lame balloons hold helium for less than 12 hours? The free ones included with the tank, I guess.

We wanted to go to the park but the weather was crappy. I tried to get Anderson to help me wrap a few small gifts while Max napped, but he just fought me about wanting to play with them. I went to make a cake and realized we had no eggs.

We went to Costco for eggs. Anderson picked on Max the whole time. We ended up having lunch there. We went to the park right before dinner. I couldn’t get my camera to fully cooperate.

We just love Costco lunch.

We blew up a second set of balloons, which lasted just long enough for a photo shoot and cake. In case there was any doubt I’ll go ahead and confirm it: Max. loves. balloons.

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Max had sushi (from Costco) for dinner followed by a #1 cake. After we lit the candle his little hand went to grab the flame and I screamed for him to stop. I startled him so much he cried through the whole birthday song. Cried, cried, cried.

He calmed down once he realized eating cake with sugary frosting hand over fist is glorious. And messy.

I know all Max wants for his birthday is to be loved. I know everything anyone does for a 1-year-old’s birthday is for them, not for their kid. I know it’s okay because my Mom, who thinks kids’ birthdays are “stressful because you have to orchestrate them,” once completely skipped then faked my brother’s birthday. Months after the date, she put a cake in front of him, grabbed an old toy, told him to smile and snapped a picture. She’s pretty much the best mom I know so I guess we’re doing okay.

At the end of the day, birthday or unbirthday, it’s these faces that matter. And Max’s little face was pretty happy.

Swing Through Utah? Don’t Mind If I Do.

2011-07-03T21:22:00.001-04:00

After our Alaskan cruise the boys and I spent a quick few days in Utah. The boys started in Idaho, where as I mentioned, they were in excellent care.

After a looong road trip with waaaay too many people from Jerome to Sandy we enjoyed 3 1/2 days in Utah.

We boated. And by boated I mean we took a spin around the neighborhood while riding in the boat. Next time the USS Neversail will be registered and ready to go, right Captain Mikey?

The kids played together a lot and fortunately, everyone got along really well.

This is what it looks like when Papa babysits.

Sometimes Anderson uses force to get his attention.

I dined with Divas. There were six of us! Two live in Utah. FOUR just happened to be in town at the same time. Only in Utah.

We attempted family pictures. This is the best shot we got of the grandkids with grandparents.

Group shot turned out a bit better.

I’m sure you feel you didn’t see nearly enough of our Alaska pics here, so I’m giving you one more opportunity. Ali & I spent my last day in Utah putting together this vacation video. (Cheryl wrangled kids and Tom and Lisa were busy being busy with their busy lives.) That night we all gathered for a delicious meal my mom whipped up, which turned into a last minute celebration of Tom’s birthday and Father’s Day. We presented this little ditty to my parents as a surprise thank you for an awesome trip. They liked it. And now I have it documented on the blog for family history sake. (Which, of course, is the real reason I’m posting it as I’m very certain you DID get your fill of pics!)

Untitled from Jonathan Snow on Vimeo.

One

2011-06-27T17:12:00.002-04:00

One year ago today.

He still snuggles me. Just like this. Thankfully now his face is fatter and mine is slimmer.

Some 365 days later…

More here.

In honor of ONE I’ve only fully cried ONE time today. This is impressive, considering I’m super weepy. I feel so differently about Max turning one than Anderson turning one. I could blame it on a lot of things. My mom got an earful of those things this afternoon, but still, I can’t quite identify my feelings today.

Any one else out there spent their 2nd child’s 1st birthday bawling?

I love, love, LOVE you Maximuso! Happy Birthday my sweet baby.

Here’s to Alaska

2011-06-22T11:32:00.002-04:00

(John Denver anybody?)

Have you ever had one of those family vacations that was just magical? The kind where everyone gets along, shares, laughs and thoroughly enjoys each other? My family had one of those vacations two weeks ago. We took a 7-day cruise through beautiful Alaska. No kiddos. Just the 10 of us: adult children, spouses and Mom & Dad. Was this our first vacation ever where no one disagreed and there was NO drama? I think so. And it was just magical. My family members are my friends, and I recognize how special that is. All was not perfect, (see lowlights) but most problems happened before or after the actual vacation and in hindsight, they just made things more memorable. Right, Dad?

Highlights:

Being home alone for 2.5 days before the cruise while Harley traveled with the kids to my in-laws. Also my 6 hour flight to Seattle all alone.

Views from a mountain top in Ketchikan.

Harley winning an Elvis impersonation contest and being awarded a bottle of champagne.

The food and the ample time and freedom to enjoy it. Favorites: salmon, sushi, lobster, chips & guac and swan shaped cream puffs.

Family book club: The Hunger Games.

Allison’s schedule.

Watching cute old people dance.

Napping poolside.

Sailing through Tracy Arm Fjord. Beautiful!

Hiking to Mendenhall Glacier. Then jumping for joy.

Whale watching in Juneau.

One perfectly warm afternoon spent in the sun.

Lots of family gaming.

Surprising my mom by showing up to dinner wearing a bridesmaid dress (my aunt’s) from her wedding.

Great family discussions over pleasantly drawn-out, multi-course meals.

Zumba class with about 50 women and my dad. Sadly no pictures.

Sailing on the lovely Sapphire Princess.

Shopping in Skagway.

Watching my dad debate whether or not to approach Mike Huckabee (yep, he was on our boat), decide to do it, walk all the way up to him, then chicken out. For the record, my dad isn’t really a fan, but he wanted to wish him well. Also for the record, later in the week my dad successfully approached Huckabee.

Dancing with my sisters.

Cheryl teaching me and Lisa a Body Jam routine around midnight in the dance club, then Cheryl not batting an eyelash as 5 total strangers joined in.

Poolside pizza.

Days at sea. My family loves these. On vacation and at home.

Dressing fancy.

Alaskan wildlife.

Getting tight with one of the ship’s entertainers: a ventriloquist from Lancaster County who just happened to be on my flight. He also happened to be a Mennonite. Fascinating guy. He and his wife make a (good) living traveling the country with a bunch of dummies sharing Biblical messages. I couldn’t get enough of his peculiar life story.

Victoria, Victoria, Victoria. Peacocks roaming, flowers blooming, waves lapping… I LOVED this gorgeous British Columbia capital!

Virgin strawberry daiquiris and the pool boy (Tom) who kept them coming.

“Team Mikey” winning the ship’s group game “Majority Rules” and being awarded lame prizes.

Seattle! Seattle is so great!

Unlimited, uninterrupted time with Harley.

Knowing my kiddos were in excellent hands, which spoiled them rotten, down in Jerome, Idaho.

And the number one highlight: belly laughing with my family. Time and time again.

Leapfrog outside the Governor's Mansion in British Columbia.

Can you spot the creeper above?

Lowlights

Not packing appropriately for cold weather, wind and hikes.

Cheryl & I humiliating ourselves singing the wrong karaoke songs in the wrong keys.

Packing waaaay too many people and bags into one car.

Road tripping from Jerome, ID to Sandy, UT with four kids 3 and under.

Locking the keys in the car at a gas station in Washington state.

Running out of gas in Idaho.

But let’s end on a highlight picture. Fabulous vacation! I love my family!

Remember Easter?

2011-06-04T20:06:00.001-04:00

“Jesus died and it was really bad. But then he got fixed and saved the day.” -Easter according to Anderson

Easter 2011 festivities for us included egg dying for FHE, egg hunting in Philadelphia and fancy dinner, baskets and more hunting with Uncle Tom (not pictured below but I wrote all about him here) in Maryland.

See look.

Egg hunting with our dear friends the Smiths during our birthday trip to Philly.

Savanna, Max, Anderson, & Makenna. Savanna LOVED Max. It was darling.

I bought these great shirts at H&M. Then I bought these great ties at The Children’s Place. Then I put them together. I’m still trying to decide if this was fashion fab or fashion fail.

My Easter Bunny used to hide my basket in the same place. Silly rabbit.

The swing is for Max, but Anderson insisted on breaking it in.

The weekend ended with Anderson throwing a crazy one man dance party.

Thanks for humoring me while I catch up a bit. Good, fresh stuff coming. Promise.

Uncle Tom

2011-05-25T15:40:00.002-04:00

My brother had an internship with Potomac Advocates in DC. He moved here in January (on my birthday!) and left earlier this month. It was awfully nice having family here for four months. My kids love Uncle Tom.

We had great times touring museums, visiting the zoo and celebrating holidays together.

Waiting for Tom

Spotting the sloth bear

I’ve decided I really like birds. Especially this one. Go ahead and blow this bad boy up. So intricate. So gorgeous.

Love me some orange flamingos too!

Tom is always a huge help pushing the stroller. He’s having a great time, even though his face doesn’t show it.

It was special to have a family member party with us on Anderson’s 3rd birthday.

Tom and his girlfriend joined us for Easter. The Bunny put Tom and Carrie to work hiding eggs.

On his last night in DC, Tom had a sleepover with Anderson. Anderson was so excited to have a bunk mate and talked to Tom for a long time before they fell asleep. Come on, you don’t actually sleep at a sleepover, right?

And, Tom babysat for us twice during his four month stint out here. That was awesome. Thanks Tom!

P.S. Harley’s garden is insanely amazing! He’s planted over 90 things. Also amazing: our new grill handed down from ward peeps preparing to move.