Funny Seeing You Here...

My mom got this picture from a friend of hers in Virginia. Sorry, but this one is only funny to the Mormon crowd. Can you imagine running into these two at your church meeting. What would you say? I seriously want to hear your ideas!

Sick Little One, and a Great Movie

This is how Nora has felt for the last two days. Poor thing has not kept ANYTHING down. I feel so bad for her. She was just laying there and didn't want me to move her so I took a picture. I went to change the laundry (her sickness has resulted in multiple loads) and when I came back I saw this...

What a sweetie. I took her up to bed and she slept for almost 3 hours.

Here she is today. She still can't keep anything down, but is content to watch High School Musical 2 and Gullah Gullah Island. (I record it off of Noggin at like 2:00am) Did any of your kids ever watch that? It's really cute and I wish I was able to live that way...always with my kids in a gorgeous natural environment...singing songs and being happy. I know, I know, it's just a show, but it inspires me.

Anyway, having Nora sick got me thinking. I was able yesterday to hold her, comfort her, bathe her (3 times) without rushing. I realized that I was never able to do that with my other 2 year olds that were sick. I always had a newborn and after Ella I also had a 3 year old who was getting into things and needed help. The sick one would get cleaned up, swaddled in a blanket and plopped on the couch while I ran to the next child demanding attention.

Yesterday, I didn't worry about if the kids were using every pillow, blanket and toy in the house to make a fort. They were old enough to amuse themselves and let me take care of her. I cherished that chance. It was so fulfilling to me. It did however make me feel bad for my other kids. It's one of the down sides to having them so close. I know there are so many good things too, but this is one time when I wonder if spacing them a little more would have been better for them...and me. Oh well, I guess it's like I try to tell Ella about being the oldest (she hates it), there are pro's and con's. I'm happy our family turned out the way it did. I'm hoping to really take hold of these moments more than I have in the past.

One fun thing that we did this weekend while Paul was out of town was sleepovers. We have a no sleepover rule (with friends) at our house, so we have to come up with alternatives. Ella slept over in my bed the first two nights, and then the boys got to have a sleepover in her room last night. It was so cute to see them all excited about it. Sometimes is just the ordinary things that can be so much fun. That brings me to this...

Because of the sick little girl, I had to cancel my plans to go out with a friend. I was so bummed because Paul had been out of town and I was really needing some time. Instead, I popped some popcorn, got all the blankets and pillows and we watched one of my favorite movies. I loved the old Charlotte's web, but the new one just has so many fabulous things about it.

The music is unbelievable. My kids fall asleep to the soundtrack almost every night. It tells the story of the movie without words so beautifully.

The scenery is so gorgeous. It makes me want to go and live on a farm every spring, summer, and fall.

I also LOVE the yellow dress Fern wears at the end with red ribbons in her hair. So classic and cute.

Favorite quotes from the movie:

"There is a name for her condition...It's called a childhood phase, and sadly, it's something she'll grow out of."

"I'm not so sure being in the same place is the same as being friends."

"Maybe children are just better listeners than we are."

"It says terrific just as clear as day, T-E-double R-I-F-I-C. I mean, can you imagine a spider being able to spell that? I don't think I could spell that until the 10th grade."

"Once a promise is made, it needs to be kept."

And last but not least, the song at the end of the movie by one of my all time favorites Sarah McLachlan, Ordinary Miracle:

It’s not that unusual
When everything is beautiful.
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.

The sky knows when its time to snow,
Don’t need to teach a seed to grow.
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.

Life is like a gift they say
Wrapped up for you everyday;
Open up and find a way
To give some of your own.

Isn’t it remarkable?
Like every time a rain drop falls,
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.

Birds in winter have their fling
But always make it home by spring.
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.

When you wake up everyday
Please don’t throw your dreams away;
Hold them close to your heart
Cause we’re all a part
Of the ordinary miracle.
Ordinary miracle

Do you want to see a miracle?
ohh ohh ohh, ohhh ohh ohh...

It seems so exceptional
That things just work out after all.
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.

Sun comes up and shines so bright
And disappears again at night.
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.
ohh ohh ohh, ohh ohhh ohh...
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.

It all made having to stay home with my sweeties worth it. Great reminders of the ordinary miracles I see everyday!!

1/3 Life Crisis?! Or Should We Say - Epiphany?

So, I 've been getting down a bit lately on how I'm doing in life. I seem to be always thinking that I'm not the person I thought I'd be, or want to be. I mean, here I am, an adult (no denying it when your near mid-30's with 4 kids) and there is so much I need to learn and master. I have so much I want to accomplish, things I want to instill in my kids, and I want to enjoy the journey.

Well, the other day I was pondering (in the tub - great place to ponder by the way) and I realized that if you think about it...I'm quite possibly only about 1/3 into my life. Yes, you never know, and I'm not saying that I'll live to 99, but it really helped me think of the possibilities. I have so much to look forward too, and a lot of time to become who I want to be. This epiphany didn't make me think "hey there is so much time, now I'm going to slack off." It was the complete opposite. It made me motivated to do all I can RIGHT NOW! Why did I think that who I am is defined by what I've done at age 33? I'm finally realizing that it ain't over 'till the fat lady sings! Perhaps you have all realized this and I'm just a bit slow on the uptake, but it has really put a spring to my step.

I've already said how much I enjoyed Oprah's interview last week with Maria Shriver. I keep thinking about it because she was saying so many of the things that I have been thinking about with this "epiphany". One quote that stuck with me was this:

"I feel that I'm in transition. I'm becoming who I want to be," she says. "By the time I had four children, I thought it would be done. … [But] the idea that I'm not done—that I still have possibilities, that I still don't know what I'm going to be when I grow up—is liberating."

Just focusing on the fact that each day I can work to improve the things that I need to has made look more positively at each day.

Another thing I wanted to document here is something that my mother said recently to my sister Heather. Heather and I struggle with the fact that we are not enough like our mother. She was so patient, happy, AND productive. She truly enjoyed having all her little kids around. We are always asking: "How did you do it?" "How did you keep the household going while really teaching, playing with, and enjoying the kids?" Her answer was simple brilliance - much like my mother herself. She said,

"I just figured that unless there was a good reason to say no, the answer might as well be yes."

How true is that? She wasn't trying to be philosophical in any way. That is just how she works. I need help with that in a bad bad way. I tend to get too worked up about the little things, IE. messes, time demands, messes, noise, messes, schedules, etc. I never remember my mom being rushed, or frantic. I feel like that's all my kids see. I get short with them, and tend to not want them to "help" because it's easier to do it myself. I completely lose sight of what my real "job" is, and that is to teach, nurture, exemplify, and foster in my kids all the things I want them to learn and know to become the best people they can be. I spend way too much time on the household, and not near enough in the nurturing.

That is going to change.

I'm not going to let the house go downhill, but I need to let go of things that aren't helping me in my job. I need to delegate other things. I guess I just really need to hunker down and decide what is best for us! It may be very different from what other families choose to do, but it needs to be right for us, and I need to take advantage of this short time I have at home with my kids. More and more I see that they will be grown and gone before I know it. I am starting to feel the urgency.

I know this is a lot of rambling, but it is things I've been thinking a lot about lately. There is a great book out there that talks a lot about slowing down for your kids. It's called "Mitten Strings For God - Reflections for Mothers in a Hurry" by Katrina Kenison. You can click HERE to get a preview of the first 20 pages or so of the book. Of course I recommend you get yourself a copy and put it on your nightstand next to your copy of "Gift From the Sea" by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. I posted about that one HERE.

The other thing that Maria Shriver said on that show that really struck me was this:

"I have learned now to dial it back, to try to work to just be with my children, to actually look at who they are individually," she says. "I have found a new gentleness and kindness in myself, for myself and for others."

You may not know, but my personal word for the year is GENTLE. I loved how she used that word in this quote because it is exactly what I am striving for. If you care, you can read my post about that word HERE.

Now when I grab a doorknob in the house and it's a sticky grimy mess, I am going to try to remember to appreciate that I have these wonderfully active kids that get their hands into things. If the house is a mess because we have been spending time together, I'm going to be grateful. If it takes twice as long to cook/clean because I had four little helpers, I am going to enjoy every minute. (that's the goal at least) It's all about perspective right?

Europe - Nov 2007

I'm so embarrassed that it is almost May and I am just now getting to posting about our trip to Europe...in NOVEMBER! I actually did a slide show right when we got home, but lost track of the editing process and then wondered if people really cared about ALL those photos. Now of course I'm kicking myself because I've forgotten little details that I'm sure I would have recorded if I'd done it right away. Oh well, better late than never. Here it goes!

We arrived in France at around 11:00am Paris time and met up with Paul's parents, and three of his brothers and their spouses who were already there. We had a quick lunch near the Sacre-Coeur. We then headed as quickly as we could to the Muse d'Orsay, and the Louvre. Of course I have NO pictures of either of these things, but I must say the the Muse d'Orsay blew the Louvre out of the water. I have said before that I'm no art expert, but I know what I like. And I LOVE Van Gogh, Renoir, Monet, Manet, Degas, Manet, and Cezanne. It was a complete feast for the eyes. It's not as overwhelming as the Louvre, and for a novice like me there were so many "familiar" pieces that made it so interesting. Unfortunately due to a strike by city workers while we were there they closed the museum early and I left feeling like I wanted much more. We headed over to the Louvre and hit the highlights. I had been to Paris 8 years ago for just one day. It was fun to see it again with Paul this time and take it in a bit more. We got some Crepes and called it a night after that. The next day we woke early, rented cars and headed to...

NORMANDY

Probably my most favorite place in France was Normandy. I cannot describe the spirit and feeling that is there. I was so taken back by the history and events that took place in such a beautiful landscape. I really feel like every American should visit there and understand what real sacrifice is.

View from the cemetery of Omaha beach.


In the cemetery.

The grounds and light were just so beautiful that it was nice to just walk around.

There are still remnants of the floating bridges and artificial harbor that was built in the days following D-Day.

There was this great little town near Normandy called Bayeux. We had to take advantage of all the quaint French architecture and pose for some pics.

Here is some pics of all the girls, and all the boys.

Bayeux had THE BEST baguettes EVER! I could die at how scrumptious the ham and cheese baguettes I had in this town were. If I could have bought a dozen to take home I would have. The french really do have a corner on that market. Why can't you find that taste here?

The next day we woke early again and caught the chunnel to London. I had to laugh, because when I was over that way 8 years before I had spent 5 days in London, and taken the chunnel to Paris for a day!

This was taken on the way back to France, hence the worn out faces!

I LOVE LONDON!! Seriously I would love to go back for a week. It was cold, but I just love all that there is to do and see there. Quick highlights:

Tower of London. We were late and didn't get to spend enough time here. I LOVE all the history there.

Buckingham Palace.

Really, don't waste your time waiting for the changing of the guard. It's very anticlimactic. There are too many people there anyway!

This officer/guard was much more entertaining to watch.

Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.

The London Eye

Tower Bridge

It was a whirlwind day with other highlights including eating at Wagamama, and getting totally ripped off by the dollar vs. Pound currency exchange. Whaddaya do?

The next day we headed to Versailles! This was a lot of fun. I was blown away by the size of the Palace, and how these people lived. Wacky if you ask me! The gardens were massive, and I really want to go back and see them in the summer time.

We had to get a little romantic looking out toward the massive gardens.

Here we are on a pause in our tour of the palace.

One of the funny things is that most every one's favorite place was the cottage of Marie Antoinette. It was of course much more humble than the palace, but had so much more character.

We made it back to Paris in time to freeze to death waiting to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower. It took FOREVER and I must admit made me a little nauseous. If your budget is tight when you visit France, I'd suggest taking in the view from the bottom.

The next day we parted ways with Paul's parents and his brother Dave and wife Ashley. They stayed in France for another day or two and we headed to Rome, Italy with his other brother Steve, his wife Quinn, and another brother Ryan and his wife Sue. ROME WAS AMAZING! I seriously loved every minute of it. OK, not when the owner of the apartment we were renting couldn't speak English and was yelling at us in Italian because she needed our whole payment in advance in cash before we could stay there. Thank goodness for cell phones, and translators.

About the apartment we rented...

Excuse the extremely unflattering picture of me, but we had to show what we saw out the window of the apartment. Yup! That's the Pantheon...right out the window. It was awesome!

Here we are waiting for the landlord. How crazy is that? I will definitely look into apartment rentals again on a trip like this. It was so great to be able to come back at the end of the day and not head to our separate hotel rooms. It really gave an authentic feel to the whole trip too.

One of the best things about Rome is that we walked EVERYWHERE! It was fairly easy to navigate and nothing was very far away. The first day we hit the Colosseum, the Forum, Trevi Fountain, the Spanish steps, and even more I'm sure.

We laughed at "Caesar" taking a smoke break.

We ate our fair share of Gelatto!

On our last full day there we went to the Vatican. WOW! I could not get enough of that place. We were lucky to find a GREAT tour guide from Seattle, WA who took us through the museums before entering the Sistine Chapel. I loved seeing all of that work by Michelangelo with my own eyes. TRULY FASCINATING!

If I would have been on top of it and posted about this right after we got home I'm sure I'd have a lot more to say. I can say though that I LOVE traveling and learning about the world outside my little shell. It can be uncomfortable being in a foreign land, but it is an adventure. The best part about the whole trip was being with these great people: