Christmas Recap

In all of the excitement surrounding Christmas Day yesterday, I didn't get around to posting some photos and talking a little bit about our Christmas Eve celebration.

One of my very favorite traditions is dressing up every year to act out the Nativity on Christmas Eve. This year we had an especially yummy turkey dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Pete's house with Rob's sister's family and then picked characters and put on costumes. All that are present participate in the Nativity and then we sing carols (such a treat to have married into a very musical and talented family) before diving into dessert.

I am noticing that every year Hewitt is especially happy to take part (and makes the cutest shepherd ever):


Burke was quite serious during the production, but eventually cracked a smile...
Here is my handsome Wise Man (I just love my mother-in-law's costumes) with "Joseph":

Tosh was an especially wiggly Baby Jesus (as pictured here with cousin "Mary") and was soon replaced by a Cabbage Patch doll...
I played a Wise Man, but have certainly spent a lot of time thinking about Mary this year and what she must have been feeling and thinking about the great responsibility (and physical burden) placed upon her.
We had a such a wonderful and special Christmas. I love this time of year as I feel that I personally take more time to think (and teach my children) about the Savior and his miraculous birth, life, and resurrection. I hope that the spirit and peace of this season can continue with all of us throughout the coming year.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

What Santa brought us...

Yes, I've been crying all morning...Merry Christmas.

A holiday first

So I made the realization today that I have completed all of my Christmas shopping this year without EVER personally stepping foot in a store! Seriously, not one store. This was made possible due to the following:

1. Amazon.com. They have free shipping on so many items and I love that Rob and I can shop for the kids together (without getting a babysitter) and it is delivered right to our front door.

2. My parents, who were willing to pick up a rather large item for our boys in my Dad's truck. Again, this was delivered directly to our home one evening after the kids were in bed (thanks, Dad).

3. My decision to forego doing "neighborhood" Christmas gifts this year. I'm going to give Valentine gifts instead. Why not? I send out Valentines instead of Christmas cards and figure that my neighbors may enjoy knowing that they are cared for and loved at other times of the year besides Christmas.

4. Some friends that held a holiday boutique at my next door neighbor's house. Can't get much more convenient than walking next door to do some shopping.

5. A neighborhood boy selling items door to door for a school fundraiser. Okay, this is the most convenient and it's for a good cause, right?

6. Other on-line retailers that ship directly to my family members so I don't have to wrap the gift or go to the post office (a definite plus).

7. My husband, who works across the street from Walmart and was able to pick up some "last minute" stocking stuffer items. This saves making an extra trip and let's face it, I'm not a fan of shopping in general much less at Walmart in December.

All the talk I hear about nasty holiday traffic, rude shoppers and children asking for everything they see in the store--avoided completely. I doubt this will ever happen again, but it did make for a much more relaxed and simplified December.

Baby Pete

We had our ultrasound yesterday. Everything looks great with the baby and the tear that caused my hemorrhage back in week 12 has completely healed!

So, we were able to get a couple of profile photos which leaves me these last few days before Christmas to continue to speculate...

is it a boy or a girl?

So, what do you think? (see poll on side bar and cast your vote if you wish)

Christmas Tag

I haven't gotten around to doing some recent "tags" lately, but thought that I would respond to this one...tis the season after all.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both, depending on the shape and size of the gift. Growing up, my oldest brother would wrap everything in the exact shape as the actual gift so it was completely obvious what the present was. It was pretty funny, but I'd rather be surprised, thanks.

2. Real tree or artificial? I prefer real, but my husband is much too frugal to buy a real tree every year (it took some convincing that we actually needed a tree at all--the compromise was to get a fakie).

3. When do you put up the tree? Early December--never in November.

4. When do you take the tree down? No set time, but before New Year's Day.

5. Do you like eggnog? Yes!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? A"Madame Alexander" baby doll.

7. Hardest person to buy for? My parents--they seem to already have everything.

8. Easiest person/people to buy for? My boys.

9. Do you have a nativity set? Yes! I have a glass nativity set from Norway (it is probably one of my most treasured possessions), a darling set from South Africa that my parents gave me, and a Fisher-Price set that my children LOVE.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? I started doing Valentines instead of Christmas cards about 5 years ago...one less thing to think about it December. But, yes I do mail them.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I honestly can't think of anything...

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and "It's a Wonderful Life."

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Early to mid December--and 90% of it is online!

14. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? I love the big dinners (we usually have turkey on Christmas Eve and ham on Christmas Day). I also enjoy all the yummy treats, but wish I didn't!

16. Lights on the tree? Yes.

17. Favorite Christmas song? The First Noel and White Christmas (but I love them all).

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? There's no place like home on Christmas morning.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Yes.

20. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? Christmas Morning. Maybe jammies on Christmas Eve though.

21. Most annoying thing about this time of year? When I can't find what I want online (or when the price suddenly goes up in December)--such is the life of a procrastinator.

22. Favorite ornament theme or color? Our tree is a collaboration of all sorts of things, but I am partial to snowmen and so you will find plenty of them on my tree. I also have some special ornaments from my childhood and love homemade things from my kids.

23. What do you want for Christmas this year? Umm, a little GIRL! (Seriously, don't get me wrong though, I will be thrilled with a little boy).

Thanks for the tag (Laundry Queen). Consider yourself tagged if you would like to play too.

Is it December already?

So I'm having a hard time getting back into blogging mode (my focus still aimed at getting back into the daily routine)... My boys have been sick this past week with Fifth's disease (fever, cold and rash) and now a stomach bug--never fun. The boys were all so healthy while I was so sick which was a huge blessing. Hopefully we will all be feeling healthy soon so we can actually all leave the house together again as a family (what a concept!).

So, I just realized by looking at my camera that I have not taken one photo since the beginning of October. My sis-in-law took this darling photo of my "baby" at a family dinner I missed a while back and I think it is a must-post (thanks Camera Queen). Tosh looks so old to me here (even with the ice cream around his mouth). I guess I need to get out of the habit of referring to him as "the baby." Tosh is so fun right now. He repeats almost everything we ask him to (something our other two boys didn't do at this age) and he is making tons of animal sounds, car sound effects, etc. He has learned to jump up and down and tries to jump off of everything (yes, the couch, the bed, etc.). He has also taken to trying to say and do everything that Hewitt does. Here is the happy and handsome handful:I've gotten lots of questions about the gender of this baby and whether I've had the ultrasound yet. Well, my ultrasound is next week and we've decided to have the technician write the gender down in a card that we will seal and open as a family on Christmas morning! I believe that both sets of grandparents will be joining us for Christmas breakfast and for the occasion. I can tell you that I am more excited for Christmas this year than any other of my life. Our boys are so excited to find out if they are getting another brother or a sister...and I can't think of a better Christmas gift.

Top of the world

Those who know me well may know that I was obsessed with Karen Carpenter as a kid. I would play our Carpenters records over and over and would try my best to sing like Karen (Karen remains one of my favorites of all time). I can't help but admit that I have her rather cheesy but loved, "Top of the World" song in my head today.


To rewind my week a bit, the PICC line came out of my arm a little sooner than planned as I started having some problems last Thursday and it was pulled due to concern of an infection (lovely). I was nervous about being taken off of the TPC and my medication so "cold turkey," but had been doing so much better last week that I thought I'd be able to handle it without ending back up in the hospital to have a new line put in. Friday was pretty rough (vomiting, etc.), but I woke on Saturday morning to a miracle: I felt good! It was strange to actually have a desire to get out of bed and venture out of my bedroom. The timing couldn't have been better as Rob and I had tickets to Coldplay for Saturday night. We had purchased these tickets last summer (a not normal splurge for us) and were planning to go to the concert together to celebrate Rob's birthday. Obviously as the date of the concert was approaching and my health was still not great I was planning to have to miss it, but was thrilled to actually feel good enough to go. Luckily I had an isle seat and was able to see the stage just fine while I was sitting down even with everyone else standing up. The show was so awesome and it was just wonderful to go out to dinner and to a concert with Rob and feel like a wife/normal person for the first time in a long long time.


Yesterday I went to church for the first time since September and today I was actually showered with my hair done and scrubbing the kitchen sink by 8:30am. I have done normal mom things like cut the kids fingernails and toenails (way overdue) and have basically enjoyed just being around my kids and feeling like myself (with the addition of a big tummy that just all of a sudden popped out this week).

I feel especially grateful this week (ironic that it is Thanksgiving week) for the big and little blessings that seem to have new meaning to me. I feel so happy and blessed today and just want to express my appreciation and my gratitude for life, health, love, family and friends.

Month in review

Does anyone even check this blog anymore? I finally forced myself to leave my bedroom today and so I thought I'd give a very brief update of the past month, picking up from when I last wrote...

I survived Rob's 10-day trip to Costa Rica thanks to my parents. What a blessing to have my mother taking care of me (as well as the kids) as she handled some pretty messy situations better than anyone else could have. While Rob was away, I ended up in the ER due to a hemorrhage. An ultrasound showed that the baby was doing fine so we are very thankful that we did not lose the baby as we thought may happen. I stayed in the hospital for a few days because of the bleeding and the continued hyperemesis (extreme vomiting).

Until last week, I was on a constant IV drip, but because I have lost over 10% of my body weight (I'm now feeling grateful I had that extra 10 pounds that I usually lose before getting pregnant again) they have put me on TPN which is a bag of fluid that has protein, calories, vitamins, etc. My body didn't handle this too well at first, but I've had a couple of "better" days this week and so I'm hoping to be turning the corner and finally on the rebound! My goal is to be "functioning normally" in the next couple of weeks (by 18 weeks).

Words can't express how grateful I am for the help with my children, meals brought in, notes sent, calls received, and for the prayers said on our behalf. Rob and I both feel overwhelmed at the service rendered to our family and we thank and love you.

Beyond saltine crackers

I thought I'd take a minute or two to give a little update on my life lately. I haven't gotten on a computer for over two weeks and it has been strange and kind of lonely. I'm writing this from my bed on Rob's laptop. Be warned that this post is fairly personal and certainly not what I would normally choose to post about. Also, please believe that I don't write this to request any sympathy, help, or anything like that...I just sort of feel like I have dropped off the face of the earth and know that some of you would like to know what has been going on here. So here goes:


Well, I have not been able to keep any food down for about 13 days now--including fluids. After going in to get IV fluids last Thursday, Friday and again on Monday, they decided to put a PICC line in my arm (a catheter that goes from my arm into the vein just above my heart). I was really nervous about this procedure and tried to avoid it as long as possible, but was assured that it was safer than getting stuck repeatedly for IVs. I got the PICC line done at the hospital last Thursday and a nurse came to my home that evening to teach me how to give myself medication and IVs directly through this line, enabling me to treat myself at home on a daily basis. Obviously the IV fluids are helping to keep me hydrated, although I am still struggling to keep anything down (sips of Gatorade, ice chips, Popsicles, etc.) . I have lost the desire to eat and the thought of food is pretty disgusting in general (even ice cream, can you believe it?) My body is exhausted and my neck, throat, stomach, etc. are so sore from vomiting regularly. I'm starting to find a little blood in my vomit which I'm told is normal given the circumstances...but hopefully things will improve sooner than later.


I am very grateful that this trial, although certainly the greatest physical challenge of my life, is only temporary (obviously others I know of are dealing with much greater challenges and my heart goes out to them). This situation has also been very challenging for me emotionally because I am not able to care for my other children (I miss them so much!) and this is the worst feeling as a mother! I have really had to rely on the mercy of my husband, parents, friends, and neighbors for help with just about everything right now. I am so blessed to have such an incredible support system and really have so much to be thankful for (and I do think of these blessings when I'm not thinking about how I feel like I am dying, ha ha!).


To add to my stress (and mental drama), my husband who never really has to travel for work is flying to Costa Rica tonight and will be there until the 31st. This trip has been freaking me out from the second I learned about it. I'm not the most independent person to begin with and I feel like I need Rob now more than ever... Gratefully, my mother (a Saint) is willing to come and stay here and take care of my children, my house, and me while Rob is away. Thanks in advance, Mom! As my mom said to me earlier this week, we all need help at one point or another and I will have a lifetime ahead of me of serving others and trying to repay all of the help that I have received (if that's possible). I obviously have no idea of what to expect in the coming weeks, but I'm hoping for the best and trying to stay positive. Thanks for reading.

My Hewitt is four today!

We love you, Hewie-doo!
Happy Birthday!

And now you know (if you didn't already)

So I had another hilarious and completely unrealistic celebrity dream last night (no, not the Jonas Brothers). This time it was a "Miss" Janet Jackson on the phone asking me to be in one of her new music videos--to be filmed at a beach location, specifically.
I was very flattered by the call, and really wanted to be in the video, but felt that I needed to confess to Miss Jackson, "I don't think I'd feel comfortable wearing a swimsuit on camera...I'm pregnant you see, and I swear that I'm already showing!" She was very understanding and assured me that I wouldn't be asked to wear anything that I wasn't comfortable with.

Morning dawns. I am laughing about my dream (and again the self-flattery). Then the wave of nausea hits as well as the truth: I will never be in a music video, and I am indeed pregnant.

So the cat's out of the bag. Baby Pete (#4) will join our family this spring.

There are several feelings associated with this pregnancy. First, of course we are happy and obviously I'm thinking pink. Admittedly, there is a little guilt over the fact that so many of my friends (and many of my favorite people in general) are struggling to conceive and it breaks my heart. There are also the normal emotions of feeling overwhelmed, overjoyed, and...plain old sick and tired (literally).

My pregnancies have all gone very much the same: Nausea, lots of vomiting, IVs at the ER to get hydrated, weeks spent in bed or on the couch at the mercy of my poor husband and friends and family that have been so kind as to bring me meals, clean my floors, take my kids for a few hours, etc. etc. Midway through each pregnancy, I've started feeling a bit more "normal" although I continue taking nausea medication during the entire duration of the pregnancy and have continued to vomit even days AFTER each baby is born. Now, I write by way of history. I know that many women have it WAY worse, and I truly do feel blessed to be able to have healthy babies.

Because my current sense of smell is magnetized by about 100% , it makes tasks such as changing diapers, sorting and changing laundry, opening the refrigerator, cooking, and doing dirty dishes very challenging. Well, yesterday as I lounged on my couch looking at my messy, stinky kitchen, I had an epiphany! I went upstairs and found the nose plug that has been sitting in a jewelry box for the past eight years (I bought this to do a spoof on synchronized swimming for a work thing during the Sydney Olympics).
(Sorry, no photo of me actually wearing the nose plug. Rest assured, it's a lovely image.)

So, I kept the little nose plug in my pocket all day, and pulled it out to use during all of the difficult and stinky moments of my day. I am happy to report that things went much better than usual! Yes, I think I've just found my new best friend.

As is

Another blog post idea brought to you by my favorite kind of anchovy (janeannechovy): Take a picture of yourself right now. Don’t change your clothes. Don’t fix your hair. Just take a picture. Post that picture with no editing. (Except maybe to get the image size down to something reasonable. Don’t go posting an eight megapixel image.) Include these instructions.

So here I am. Wet hair, no makeup (or even lotion yet for that matter), wearing a hand-me-down sweatshirt, a semi-forced smile, and eating vanilla ice cream before noon...

Another day, another urgent care visit

My parents were kind enough to watch my younger boys today so I could go to the doctor. I was gone for about an hour and a half (lots of waiting - always a party). When I returned to their home, I was quickly informed that while my Dad and Hewitt were out for a walk, Hewitt tripped on the sidewalk and split his chin open. Umm, deja vu? (For those of who may not read my blog regularly, Tosh fell and split his chin open in July).

I asked my mom if any of her neighbors were nurses, and we quickly found a kind grandmotherly RN who gave us a second opinion: "Yes. Needs stitches."

I should mention that my brother Mark was also at my parents' house when I arrived. He is in town on business and was stopping by for a short visit so we all could have lunch together. So, with Rob 30 min. away, I dragged my poor brother along for the thrilling adventure to Urgent Care. Hewitt was absolutely fine (no crying) until we walked in the door. He screamed the entire time we were there (walking down the hall, waiting for the nurse, waiting for the doctor, etc.). The doctor tried to explain the entire procedure to Hewitt and kept reiterating that "holding completely still will make things go a lot easier." My brother and I were finally able to convince the doctor that reasoning may not be very effective with this particular child, and that we were probably better off just holding him down and getting it over with as soon as possible. Besides my almost fainting (had to get on my knees a couple of times), Hewitt wetting his pants (to his defense, he did warn us that he had to go), and one stitch that had to be re-stitched, everything went as good as can be expected. I'm never prepared to hear a child scream such things as , "Mom, help me, I'm scared!" These moments are dreadful and sad. I would always rather be sick or hurt than one of my kids. About halfway through the procedure, I had the thought to start counting and that seemed to calm Hewitt down and distract him some. We counted to 100 and he said, "I want to count again, and count faster!"

I was glad that I dragged my brother along for the support. While there I had a flashback of falling off of our swing set when I was three; Mark carried me up our back stairs and inside to my mom and I ended up with eight stitches of my own. I also remember screaming and crying at the hospital and wishing my mom could make all the nurses and doctors go away.

It took Hewitt about an hour to be his happy self again (as is consistent with his personality; it usually takes him about an hour to cool off after getting really upset). Grandma provided his favorite ice cream (and my brother's and my favorite fried chicken for lunch) and sure enough, Hewitt's cute and devilish smile has returned...

Inquiring minds want to know...

Janeannechovy (sis-in-law) and Stephanie (next door neighbor) tagged me with a similar meme. One was to list six unspectacular things about me and the other is six unspectacular quirks... so take your pick if you want to play along.

Six unspectacular things (or quirks) about me:

1. I seem to lose things a lot: keys, credit card, my WEDDING RING (been missing for a while now, sniff, sniff).
2. I am not much of an organizer, although I'm good at cleaning. I don't even own a label maker! (My parents are both extremely organized...does this skip a generation or something?).
3. I get motion sickness, especially when driving in the mountains (and get very sick when I'm pregnant- I swear that these things must be linked).
4. I have a Human Development degree (Family Sci. from BYU...I would totally do something different now).
5. I rarely try a new recipe yet have plenty of recipe books and magazines.
6. I am a "homebody" and would rather play games, watch a movie, or curl up with a good book than go shopping (I'm not a shopper) or out to a party, etc.

Meme terms & conditions:
Link the person who tagged you.
Mention the rules on your blog.
List 6 unspectacular things about you.
Tag 6 other bloggers by linking them.

I tag Amy, Tara, Chelsea, Sheralyn, Jenni, and Angie

I heart the '80s

If you still happen to have one of these...

it makes a great library bag.

If I could text this I would

Was it 12 or 13 years ago when I was first introduced to the on-line world? My first memories of using e-mail were actually to keep in touch with a guy I had gone out with a couple of times who went to Utah State. Our long-distance "relationship" (if I could even call it that) was short-lived and ended soon after I got an e-mail on a Friday afternoon telling me that he was "too tired" and just didn't feel like driving from Logan to Provo to visit me that night.

Rob and I relied on e-mail as a way to communicate before my mission. Obviously, I would've much preferred a phone call, but back then (that sounds like I'm ancient) long distant calls were expensive and people were still wearing pagers around campus instead of cell phones. Pagers - seriously, that makes me laugh to remember!

How things have changed, huh? E-mail is probably the way I communicate most - I'm still not "cool" enough to have converted to the world of texting, but I certainly enjoy my share of on-line chats and written messages (hi, who doesn't like a blog comment?).

Anyone reading this has obviously met up with the blogging world. Prior to my joining blogger, I was introduced to (and rejected) MySpace. No offense to MySpace, or any of you that use it, but it was just so not me, and made me feel really uncomfortable...(do I want to make friends with these scantily clothed strangers?)

Just this summer I joined Facebook and was almost stunned at the people I could track down (and the people who could find me) in a matter of minutes... I don't mean this in a bad way (really), but it was sort of like turning over a rock and being a little shocked at what you found under there. I also must mention how entertained I was at several of the "friend requests" that I received from people that I clearly did not know. A lot of these people had 500, 600 something friends, so I'm thinking they just wanted the "most popular" award, and weren't really so concerned with making my acquaintance...

Facebook--a little odd, but I'm getting used to you. Still, a good way to keep track of people from high school, college, girls from my old Brownie troop (4 real), and that person that you think looks a little familiar, but you just can't seem to place...

Now, just yesterday I discovered Goodreads. I really am interested in what people are reading and could really use some good book recommendations from friends.Yet, it's another profile to fill out, photo to post, more comments to make and another on-line something else to spend my "free time" doing...which reminds me,

Is anyone else running out of free time?

I laugh at how little I really pick up a phone these days. I actually set up a dinner appointment with a friend yesterday through facebook--they now have an instant messenger thing... I was on-line there for about one minute when a little message appeared out of nowhere and a live little "hello" popped up to greet me. This is all very convenient, don't get me wrong. We now have a good friend coming to dinner tomorrow which probably wouldn't have happened otherwise.

It is also interesting that much of our "big news" these days such as weddings, births, deaths and other announcements are discovered and read about on-line. Not to mention that probably 80% of our family business is conducted on here as well. Come to think of it, while I'm at it, I'll save myself a few e-mails, calls and messages to relay the following:

Patti, I still don't know if they sell boxes of peaches at the Farmers Market (at Thanksgiving Point)--I think it may take a phone call (reason for the delay). Anyone?

Todd, I still don't know where you should visit in Norway. I was going to ask a Norwegian woman in my ward, but again, that will require a phone call since I don't know her e-mail address. BTW, are you guys coming for Christmas, or what?

Does anyone around here know what the hot lunch choices are at school tomorrow? Burke would like to know. Thanks.

Summer nights

Rob got home from work earlier than usual on Friday so we took the kids to the Gardens at Thanksgiving Point. I forgot to grab a map and so we just wandered around and Rob and I dreamed of what it would be like to have a big yard with mature trees, tons of flowers and other interesting plants...maybe someday (our little yard has been enough work as it is!). Burke was "hot and tired" and so to keep him entertained we told him to keep a lookout for the "Secret Garden" which I have heard about, but we never saw any signs for. Later, after leaving and getting a description from Rob's sister, we realized that we never found the "Secret Garden." I thought Burke would be disappointed, but he said, "Good. That way it's still a secret!"

Tosh and Burke, "cool" in the shade

I love this little face

The men in my life

Wiggly boys (enough with the pictures, mom!)

We ended our lovely evening with pizza, root beer floats and lots of books before bed. A near-perfect conclusion to any summer day.

Note to self

Things I always want to remember:

1. How expressive Burke is when talking or telling a story. He uses his hands when he talks more than anyone I know. He is very sensitive and gets teary when he sees someone else getting teary...he is very compassionate.

2. That Hewitt hums when he is happy (classical music, the Indiana Jones theme song, etc.) and the way he hugs and loves his "Hippo" (and little brother)...

3. The way Tosh swings his right arm like crazy when he is running and that infectious laugh of his. Does this little guy really have to grow up?

I was just thinking this afternoon about how my happiness seems to be so connected to how my boys are feeling. I'll never forget something my mother once told me - it was when Burke was just a week or two old and he was crying and crying and I couldn't figure out what was wrong or how to console him. I was crying as well and told my mom that I was so miserable and hurting because he was so sad. She told me "you're only as happy as your saddest child," and that would continue to be true even when they are grown. I've thought a lot about this comment recently and took the time to be thankful today that my children are generally happy...and healthy. I recognize that life will only get busier and more complex as it goes on, and I just want to soak up this simple (but never easy or boring) time as a mother of young boys.

Tri, tri again

So our "hot date" for the weekend was waking up before 6:00am this morning to do a little triathlon. As a side note, ironically Hewitt had a horrible night last night and we were up several times with him (poor Rob spent a sleepless hour or two on Hewitt's floor trying to get him to go back to sleep). All three of our kids are usually great sleepers so that was sort of unfortunate that this would happen on the one night we were trying to get a good night's sleep...

Anyway, Rob and I completed the "super sprint" distance (the shortest) and had a really good time. Our friends, the "Ice Cream Pirates" put this on and it was a small, friendly, friends & family affair. As expected, Rob did a lot of "waiting around" for me. I wasn't too far behind him most of the time and I liked the challenge of trying to keep up with his pace. You'll be pleased to learn that I finished in first place in the women's division...of course, I also finished in last place as I was the only woman doing the super sprint distance, so I felt a little lame accepting my prize water bottle:What really mattered today was that we had fun (thanks Jake and Manon) and it makes me want to keep up the swimming, biking, and running because I feel a lot better when I'm doing these things regularly! I have never been much of an athlete, but three years ago (just prior to my 3oth birthday) I decided to challenge myself and I registered for the Ogden Valley Triathlon. This was my first competitive athletic event ever, and I did the "sprint" distance which was about a 750 meter swim (in Pineview reservoir), a 18 mile bike and a 5K (about 3 miles) run. I spent about three months training for this event (and lost about 20 pounds in the process). I have never been a good swimmer and am honestly afraid of open water, but I did it (!) and it was probably the greatest physical challenge of my life (seriously right up there with natural childbirth--maybe even harder?).

(Me with Burke just after finishing the race...boy, Burke looks little!)

I think it's interesting because as I get older I find that there are certain things I want to accomplish that I've never imagined ever even appealing to me (like triathlons and natural childbirth, for example). I think my point is that there is something truly satisfying about achieving a goal that seems out of reach or impossible.

Now, bring on the ice cream!

Today (for lack of a better title...I'm tired and I've got nothing, people)

My mother has mentioned (more than once) that I haven't blogged in a while... It's been a busy couple of weeks. I've been "training" for a mini-triathlon that I'm doing on Saturday morning (I talked Rob in to doing it with me...of course, he has not "trained" a bit, but I imagine that it will push me harder just trying to keep up with him). I've also been reading books like crazy (I'm currently reading Sarah's Quilt, follow-up to These Is My Words) and so I've been slow at getting to my blog.

I took the boys to Thanksgiving Point today. We've been there a couple of times this summer (the boys love it and seem to never get enough) so we decided to go ahead and get a yearly membership. Today we visited the farm and the kids were thoroughly entertained. The two highlights were playing in the little "jail" which is simply a kid size room with some bars in it, and the pony ride. I didn't know how Tosh would react on the ride, but he loved it of course (he absolutely loves animals; most of his first words have been animal names and sounds). He had the proudest little look on his face during the entire ride. This photo isn't the greatest, but you can see here that Tosh recently got his first hair cut (it's still plenty curly on the top):

Hewitt and Burke loved the pony ride as well. Tonight, while Burke was getting into bed he said, "Mom, I liked the pony ride today, but next time I want to ride a horse...not a draft horse though, just a horse. Probably a Mustang."

Earlier today, we were discussing the fact that it is almost September and Burke said, "Boy, 2008 is sure flying by a lot faster than the other years!" Love the "six-year-old" perspective.

So, I just overheard Rob telling his brother over the phone that (while I was out doing my visiting teaching) the boys were all outside tonight in the backyard, and Hewitt came out holding two of our big kitchen knives! Rob told him that they are just for Moms and Dads to use (after freaking out a little?) and Hewitt said, "I just wanted to play with the cutters! They look like swords." Yikes! Interesting that I heard about this just because I happened to walk into the room while Rob was on the phone...was he planning to tell me this one? Seriously, boys.

Just call me "Marge"

So I've had Laryngitis this week. Unfortunately, I seem to get this every year or so--Rob calls it my "Marge Simpson" voice. It's starting to get a little better although I could barely speak at all at the beginning of the week. After whispering to my kids for an hour or so on Monday morning, Hewitt (whispering back) finally asked, "Who is sleeping, Mommy?" My voice doesn't hurt, but this is an inconvenient time to be "sick" as I'm supposed to be singing a solo (yes, in my role as "Fairy Godmother") this weekend and it usually takes a good couple of weeks for my singing voice to get back to normal after this... I imagine that the "Stake Roadshow" audience won't be too critical should my voice crack mid-solo (no rotten tomatoes or booing at any rate--I hope).

Not sure how I "lost" my voice to begin with. Maybe it's all the cheering I've been doing each night watching the Olympics (that and the staying up way too late). I've had a few moments when I've literally jumped off my couch and jumped up and down in celebration. My kids have really enjoyed watching the games as well. Hewitt will randomly ask if he can watch the "bow-gimpics" and tonight when I asked Burke if he was ready to read he said, "Mom, I can read a book anytime, but can't watch the Olympics in China everyday!" Burke has been very interested in China--even long before the games. He often talks about wanting to visit there and asks me lots of questions about the culture in China. I keep thinking that maybe he'll serve a mission there. Wouldn't that be something?

Besides the Olympics, we've tried to keep busy this week with various outings. Burke is already off-track and has started swimming lessons again, and I'm trying to keep the kids busy (visiting various neighborhood parks, Thanksgiving Point, and Grandma and Grandpa's house) as Rob is out of town for work (frowny face). I woke up during the night last night to Hewitt calling my name (I have trained him to call for his father and this usually works). He had woken up on his own to go to the bathroom and called for me because he needed help getting soap while he was washing his hands. This was probably the happiest "night waking" I have ever experienced with a child. I told him today how happy I was that he got up on his own to go to the bathroom (he's been dry every night for a few weeks now) and added, "You are such a big boy, Hewitt." He responded by saying, "I don't want to be a big boy. I want to be a toddler boy!"

In my dreams

I've had some unusual dreams lately...the night before last I dreamed that a fire started in my kitchen and I was forced to make the decision on whether or not I should try to put it out (it was spreading quickly) or if I should just run upstairs and pull my sleeping children out of the house before it got worse--knowing that our house was going to burn to the ground. Obviously I woke up very worried and relieved that this was only a dream.

I laughed in contrast this morning when I awoke remembering my dream from last night. I was somewhere (can't remember where) and saw one of the "Jonas Brothers." Let me say right now that I know NOTHING about this boy band, besides the fact that they are really brothers. Truthfully, I have fast-forwarded over every performance they have done on TV (during American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance), and I doubt that I've ever heard any of their songs... Anyway, one of the Jonas Brothers (I wouldn't know which one, or any of their names for that matter) approached me in my dream and asked me out on a date. I am laughing so hard over this: my mind's subconscious attempt at flattery.

I'm getting more aware of the fact that I'm getting older, even though my brain is still in denial. I recognize that although 33 isn't old, it certainly isn't 18. Just to prove my point, a few weeks ago I was at a planning meeting for an upcoming "roadshow" that our church is doing. We have been assigned the story of "Cinderella" and we were discussing the script and the cast. I was asked to play a part in the show, and was expecting the person asking me to say the part of Cinderella, but they asked me to play the part of the "Fairy Godmother." It was one of those moments when you realize, wow. I guess I'm looking older than I feel. At least I have my dreams to keep me young--and delusional.

Photo Mosaic Meme

I got this fun meme from my sister-in-law and thought that I'd play along...

Here's what you do if you want to play:
Type your answer to each of the questions below into a Flickr search. Using only the first page, choose your favorite image, then copy and paste each of the URL’s into the mosaic maker (3 columns, 4 rows).

The questions:
1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What high school did you attend?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. Favorite drink?
7. Dream vacation?
8. Favorite dessert?
9. What do you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. One word to describe you.
12. Your Flickr name (I don't have an interesting user name so I went with my childhood nickname instead...and yes, I say "childhood" nickname because my brothers know better than to call me this now).

Wanna guess my answers before you read them? I wish I could list my answers upside down like they do on the back of cereal boxes and in magazines, but I don't have the time to figure out how to do that...oh, well.

Answers:
1. Tamsen (there is actually a car dealership in Germany called "Tamsen") 2. fresh fruit 3. Ft. Collins High School (my school was very old and very cool looking) 4. blue 5. Brad Pitt 6. strawberry lemonade 7. European coast 8. ice-cream 9. happy (the inside of that mug reads, "and they lived happily ever after...") 10. family 11. this was a hard one, but I finally went with "consistent." I think I'm a pretty consistent person (for better or for worse...) 12. "Fats" (I was a skinny kid)

My gang

I enjoyed a fun little gathering today with several friends from my hometown. I've known all these women since I was in elementary school. Some of them were here visiting from Colorado and others live here in Utah now. It was really special because even though I have talked to many of these friends on the phone and via e-mail, I have not seen some of them in person for 11 years or so. At one point while everyone was here, we had a total of 26 children in my house (and Burke was even at school)! The kids played well together and we had a fun time catching up with each other (and eating, of course). I have such great memories of singing and performing together and just simply growing up with all of these wonderful ladies. They still feel like my sisters.

Rise and Shout

My mom and I had a "girls' night" out last night. Did we shop? No. Chick flick? No. Try out a new restaurant? No. We spent our evening at LaVell Edwards Stadium with 500 other female Cougar fans. La Vell Edwards himself (I think I almost fooled my Dad into thinking LaVell was there...this is just a photo of a painting hanging in the Cougar Club)

We took a tour of the locker room and press boxes, heard from several of the coaches and players and had a great time in general. I've always joked that my mom "bleeds blue" and so this was fun to go to with her and to spend time visiting. I wouldn't consider myself a huge football fan compared to some, but I did make the trip to Vegas when I was going BYU to watch BYU play Wyoming for the Championship game and had a blast. I also can't deny the fact that I get teary when the players and cheerleaders run onto the field at the beginning of each game...what can I say? The leaky eye trait runs in my "blue" blood too.

I took several photos (mostly for my Dad and brother), here are a few:

Me in the locker room (isn't it nice that they usually separate showers into stalls for women?)

Mom and Me with Harvey Unga

Mom with Bronco Mendenhall

Sitting in the middle of the field where all the magic happens...Game one's in 29 days, get ready!

The truth (don't tell Virginia...)

Seems that I have fallen off of the blog wagon. I've been trying to pack a lot into these final days of "summer" as Burke already started school this week. Yesterday was his first full day of first grade. I made him his favorite breakfast of scrambled eggs with cheese, toast, half a grapefruit and some orange juice. I kept my back turned as I made the eggs so he wouldn't see me crying. I also cried while walking him to school, watching him stand in line and then again when I walked home. It really wasn't as horrible as it sounds but I kept seeing other moms getting teary and then it would all start up again. The great news is that he is loving school and everything about it (he likes his "funny" teacher, eating lunch at school, recess, etc.). When he came home yesterday he walked in the door and said, "I have one thing to say: School Rocks!" Yes, Burke is growing up. He's always been "beyond his years" in some ways. He is a very deep thinker and asks so many questions every day. I love this about him and hope that his curiosity for life in general will always be a part of who he is. Part of our nightly bedtime routine is to visit (just the two of us) after his personal prayers. He tells me his favorite things of the day and he usually has a few questions and we visit about whatever is on his mind. Lately he has been asking lots of questions about Santa Claus. Yes, I know that it's July, but for some reason he has had Santa on the brain. He has mentioned several times that he's not sure what to believe because some kids believe in Santa and others believe that it is parents who give the presents. He asked about this again last week and so I finally asked Burke, "Well, what do you want to believe?" I fully expected him to say that he wants to believe in Santa, but his answer sort of surprised me. "I want to believe the truth," he said. I let it be and told him we would continue discussing this another time.

On Monday, for Family Home Evening, we discussed Priesthood blessings and talked about fathers' blessings in particular. Rob asked Burke if he would like a father's blessing as he would be starting a new school year the next day and we talked about how that had been a family tradition that we both grew up with. Burke declined the offer and was pretty stubborn about the whole thing. I gave him more background thinking he didn't really understand what it was (and that it wouldn't hurt) and even showed him pictures (paintings) of Christ blessing people when he was on the earth and explained that "giving blessings is something that Jesus established when he was on the earth and Dad has this same priesthood authority today." He refused again and so I told him that he had his agency and could make his own choice on the matter, but that it was disappointing to me that he wouldn't want this special blessing. His words broke my heart when he said, "Mom, I just don't believe it." I've pondered this statement for the past two days and finally sat down with him tonight and told him "the truth" about Santa Claus. I told him that this is a special tradition and that it's fun to believe in the magic of Santa and that he could still pretend to believe and also to never tell other kids (or his younger brothers) that he isn't real. I then told him that the things we have taught him about Heavenly Father and Jesus and His gospel are real and that I know these things to be true with my whole heart. He was pretty quiet and just nodded like he understood. I don't think that I can think of anything more important to me than raising my boys to love the Lord and the truth. Maybe this next Christmas will be extra special with a child old enough to focus on the true meaning of Christmas... I can only hope.

Firsts

Well, there is a first time for everything. Miracle of miracles, Hewitt got "caught being reverent" in church today. He also said the opening prayer in Primary and was very excited about it and did a good job. He continues to say sweet and funny things and is really growing up lately. When he said his personal prayers before going to bed on Friday night he said, "Heavenly Father, please have Jesus help me."

Here is Hewitt proudly holding his "CBR (Caught Being Reverent)" shield:

In this photo Hewitt is standing in front of our Rose of Sharon tree that just got its first blooms over the weekend...I've been anxiously waiting for this "first" for a few weeks now.

SYTYCD

Quick commentary for you "SYTYCD" fans. I thought that the stars were aligned for two numbers tonight. Can hip hop really get any better than Twitch and Comfort dancing to a Dave Scott number? Also, interesting that Will and Katee (my top two without question now) were dancing together on that Desmond Richardson piece...seriously amazing dancing there that I can't imagine any other couple even touching. Why, oh why did I quit those ballet lessons when I was six years old?

Memory Game

I've seen this latest "blog game" on a couple of different blogs now and I've decided to play along...

Rules:
1. Leave a comment on my blog of a memory that you and I have had together (it doesn't matter if you know me a little or a lot, just anything that you remember).

2. Re-post these instructions on your blog. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Ouch

We experienced yet another unfortunate parenting moment yesterday. We had all been playing outside last night and when it was time for bed, we brought the boys in to bathe/shower and Rob took Tosh in the shower with him. Tosh loves water and even though we usually bathe him, he was having a blast in the shower and loves the water on his face. Rob put Tosh down and when they were about to get out Tosh slipped, fell, and split his chin open on the base of the door.

I called our good friend Tom who is an EMT/firefighter and he came right over. Poor Tom has gotten calls from me before, like once around midnight when Rob passed out in our bathroom, and on another occasion he removed Rob's stitches (due to a soccer injury) on our kitchen table. Tom took a look at Tosh and said that it needed stitches and he also recommended that Rob and I should either go to the hospital together or that just Rob should take him in. Since I had the choice experience of going by myself when we had to have Hewitt's forehead glued shut, I decided that at 8:30 on a Friday night I would stay and put our older kids down and let Rob take him in.

Judging by Rob's description of the experience, it's probably good that I wasn't there. Poor Tosh had to have six stitches and he was such a little fighter on the table. Rob said that by the end he sort of gave up fighting and completely stopped crying altogether. Tosh was exhausted and when they got home he fell asleep in my arms as I carried him up to bed. He was a little fussy this morning, and I don't blame him. I'd love to think that this is our last injury, but with three boys I fear that it won't be. My friend Erin once told me something like, "The main job of a mother of boys is just keeping them alive!" This is certainly on the top of my to-do list every day.

Lost and found

Last night Rob and I had the opportunity to go up to Girl's Camp. We brought dessert up with us and were able to visit with the girls and leaders and be part of their testimony meeting. The girls in our ward are awesome and I am always impressed at how friendly, loving and kind they are to each other (and to me). I have not been up to a Girl's Camp since my own 4th year of camp which I'm thinking was when I was 15...so not really that long ago (you can't hear me, but I'm clearing my throat right now).

About 30-40 min. before we were to walk out the door, I fed my older boys a snack at our kitchen table and was running around the house getting things ready to leave. You know, the normal things like setting out pajamas for the boys, changing my outfit, cleaning up the kitchen, etc. I started the dishwasher and was talking to Burke about where we were going and that we'd be back late after he was asleep. We'd been talking for a while when I asked, "Where is Hewitt?" I started calling for him and did not hear a response so I continued calling his name. I assumed that he would either be in his room playing or down in our basement playing but could not find him either place. I have never not been able to find Hewitt after a minute or two (c'mom, I mean our house isn't that big--how many places are there to look for a child?). I checked our yard, the cul-de-sac, some other yards and still could not find him. I was starting to panic internally and kept asking Burke questions like, "When did he leave the table? Did you see where he went? Did you hear one of the doors open?" Burke who was very matter-of-fact about the whole thing was in return asking me questions like, "Do you think Hewitt was kidnapped? Do you think that Hewitt found a secret trap door in our house?" and so on...

After doing what I felt was a thorough searching job I called for help. When my next-door-neighbor answered the phone, I completely broke down and said, "I can't find Hewitt!" She responded immediately and checked all of the backyards in our cul-de-sac (interestingly, no other immediate neighbors were home) and made several phone calls. I dialed another number and when a man answered I couldn't remember who I had called and said, "Is this Rob?" It was our ward's Elders Quorum President/husband to one of my best friends. At this point with others searching the neighborhood, I finally dropped to my knees and told Burke that we needed to pray. We said a prayer and I instantly felt a calm feeling and the reassurance that Hewitt was fine. I was very grateful for the peace I was feeling, but still could not account for my three-year-old! I called Rob (who was already on his way home), and again searched every closet, our van, the garbage and recycling bins, and every toy box, bench, and place that I could think of. I stepped outside and saw that Rob's sister (babysitting for us once again), Rob, and our Relief Society President (another great friend) were all pulling up to our house at the same time. I completely broke down when I saw these people and once again said, "I've lost Hewitt." Rob ran into the house and started yelling Hewitt's name and heard a faint, "What?"

Hewitt had been hiding for about 25-30 minutes in the far back corner of my walk-in closet behind all of our covered, long hanging items like formal dresses, winter coats, and my big full slip from my wedding. I had "looked" in this closet several times, but did not physically move the clothing as I did not think that he would be hiding on purpose. My recently potty-trained boy had hid because he had had an "accident" in his underwear. I can only assume that when he heard me calling and yelling for him that he thought he was in trouble? Accidents have been rare, and this of course brings up the point of "have I ever made him feel bad about having an accident before?" Of course I hugged and held him, and while I got him all cleaned up I told him that it's OK to have an accident, but that I was very worried about him and that he always needs to answer when I call for him.

I bore my testimony at camp last night and mentioned how grateful I am for prayer and for the comfort and peace that it can bring. How would I ever survive motherhood without prayer? I am so thankful for safe, healthy children and also for such great neighbors and friends (thanks so much guys!) who were so quick to respond and help me yesterday.

Prone to drama

It could be said that I was a dramatic child, teenager, and young adult. Is it a wonder that I sought out the stage and spotlight? I would try to entertain my family, friends, college roommates, etc. with my various stories and I must have found some thrilling element to my "soap opera-like" experiences and sometimes complicated dating and friendship woes.

These days, I try to avoid social "drama" and even though my life is pretty darn simple, uncomplicated, and arguably boring, I very much like it and now find myself trying to be somewhat of a peacemaker when sticky or uncomfortable social situations arise...

We just returned home from a family reunion and I ask, "Is it possible to get 28 people (or however many make up a fairly large group) living together in cramped, non-AC quarters and not experience a little drama?" I'm sure that most families, and I'm specifically talking about extended family groups including in-laws (or out-laws, if you prefer) know what I'm talking about here. I just hope that even with differing views, opinions, and various life experiences, we are able to keep looking for the good in each other and make the effort to improve relationships and give each other the benefit of the doubt.

In preparation for this reunion, I pretty much appointed myself (and one of Rob's sisters) to be the "activities committee" and we came up with a fairly thorough itinerary of fun events including plenty of planned group activities and lots of free-time as well. Sooo, not only am I prone to drama, but I'm very prone to taking charge at an event (sorry guys, this has got to drive my in-laws crazy). I think that I quite possibly have a deep-rooted desire to be "Julie" on "The Love Boat."

Julie McCoy, Cruise Director on...

In getting back to the reunion, I enjoyed plenty of moments. At the top of the list include watching Burke's reaction to seeing a fireworks show for the first time, a shopping outing with all the adult girls, and an entertaining and lighthearted "Little Known Talent Show" (for my talent I actually pulled out an old western costume covered in sequins and fringe that I wore almost 20 years ago and clogged!). The kids/cousins had a great time with each other and enjoyed playing pool, games in the yard and swimming. I didn't take many photos, but did get some good ones including a cute shot of the three babies in the baby pool. Aren't they such cuties?