Cruise 2009

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I cannot believe I haven't yet posted about our cruise in January. So, this slideshow will have to do! It was a first cruise for most of us and we had a blast. We went with three of my siblings and their spouses. Guess who is who!!

We ported out of Tampa and visited Belize, Roatan (an island of Honduras), Cozumel, and Grand Cayman. It was awesome and I have the best family!

Lipgloss Dilemma

I wish...

...I was a ballerina.

No joke.

In my next life...

Oh...and Degas...literally makes my heart burn.

I want to go to Paris and see it all again.

Nora Jayne is 3

Yes, I no longer have a two year old in the house. I'm not taking it well. Last night as I lay down in bed by Nora, read her a book, snuggled by her side, and kissed her goodnight...I realized that it may be the last time I kiss a two year old child (of mine) goodnight...and it made me sad.

We love this little munchkin so much. She is FULL of personality, life, and energy. I'm still not sure how all of that fits into her 26 pound body, but boy has she got it?! This girl has got her ideas about life and nothing is going to stop her. Ella often comments that Nora acts like she is 16. She does...and it's funny...for now.Case in point. She is obsessed with High School Musical 1, 2, and 3. She knows all the songs and often talks about Troy, Gabriella, and Sharpay as if they are her friends. I've even heard a random 'hey wildcat' come out of her mouth. I know...

I wrote about Nora's birth story last year HERE, so I'll just highlight some things about Nora right now.
Nora is a girly girl. This is new for me as I wasn't a girly girl, and neither is Ella. In some ways it's a lot of fun. She loves to wear Ella's old dance costume and change her clothes a few times a day. She always carries a purse and is forever in search of lip gloss.
Nora is trying to give up her naps. It's not going well. First of all...I won't let her. So, if she spends all of nap time up in her room playing we usually end up getting one of the above scenarios. The last one is at a restaurant. Of course the purse is nestled tightly next to her.
We seem to have found a pretty good remedy for the nap situation. She still LOVES her cozy. So, it now must sit on the top shelf of her closet until it's sleepy time. This provides much needed incentive for her to stay in bed. If she gets out...cozy goes back up on the shelf. So far she is back to napping regularly.
I had to include the above two pictures of Nora and her best friend Natalie. I know these pictures are awful in the full sun, but if you know anything about these two, then you know they are movers and shakers. I have to take what I can get. I have so much fun watching these girls together. They are like two peas in a pod. They both are isty bitsy things with BIG personality. As you can see they love purses, fun, and just being together. I've never seen 2/3 year olds play so well together. I often hear giggling, and scurrying when they are together and it just makes me smile. They remind me of the 'who's in whoville' with their munchkin voices and cute little faces. They truly love and adore each other...and I love them too!
Miss Nora is full of surprises and I can't wait to see what her three year old year will bring. She is such a precious addition to our family and I can't imagine life without her.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NORA JAYNE!!! We sure love you.

Please...make it stop!

Okay, I'm usually down with quirky, edgy, artsy artists and their authentic style. Here...I'm not buyin' it. I guess I'm one of the only ones, but I can't stand this guy. Seriously. I'm not sure how much longer I can keep watching idol if they keep talking about how he's the next big thing. I guess I'm officially old. Luckily tonight Simon had my back and said EXACTLY what I was thinking. Let's hope that America sends this guy back to Broadway and any other side shows he came from. He's creepy...and I'm done.

The birthday gods smiled down on me!

My favorite band of all time released their 12th studio album today.

I'm listening to it right now.

It's a good birthday.

U2 - No Line On The Horizon

Happy B-day to me...and apparently...to YOU!!

Yes, it's my birthday...and I'll give if I want too! Got this great idea (and most of the witty wording) from my fab friend Jenny. So, I figured today was a perfect day for me to give gifts. Giving is always so much more fun that receiving.

The deal:
The first 5 people to respond to this post will receive something made by me. To you! It will be my choice and made especially for you. Just so we’re on the same page, here are . . .

The details:
No guarantees you will feel absolute true love, but possibly happiness, fervor, or chocolate.
What I create will be just for you.
It will be done sometime this year.
You have no clue what it will be… it may be a story. Maybe poetry. (Pray it's not either of those.) I may draw or paint something (that too may be scary). It will most likely be a piece of jewelry, or something involving fabric. But I may bake something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you! That’s for sure.

I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The fine print (which is actually the same size, but whatever):
You must re-post this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on their blog. When you get your lovely homemade goods from me, post a picture on your blog so I know my love arrived without a hitch.

Before you type in your name I think that you should know a few things.
#1. Do I care if you actually follow the rules? No...but Karma will.
#2. Do I care if we know each other? No, but you will be subject to my taste!
#3. I love this idea.

Max is 5

I know I've been talking a lot about Max lately, but there sure is a lot to say. This is one great kid and we are so glad he is ours.

Today is Maxwell Paul's 5th birthday and he couldn't be more ready. He has been waiting for more than a year to be 5. Maybe that's why he now tries to tell everyone he is six. He has grown up so much this past year and continues to amaze me with his awareness of people and circumstances around him. He is more than ready to start kindergarten in the fall.

I decided that since I related Nora's birth story in her birthday post last year that I might take the time this year to document the other kids birth stories.
Max was due on March 1st, but after being VERY late with Jack I was ready to wait. I had an appointment on the morning of March 2nd and told the midwife that he better be born 'today' or wait for two days. My birthday is the 3rd (tomorrow) and I figured no kid wants to share their birthday with their Mom. So, if I could help it I was going to try to hold out. The midwife checked me and said that I was more than ready to have this baby and that he could come anytime. We decided to strip the membranes and see if he would come that day.

By the time I was in the car to go home I knew he was on his way. I was in the middle of my Masters program at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse at the time and still had access to the Campus child care center where Ella and Jack would go when I was in class. I quickly picked up Ella and Jack from the campus child center where they were playing and ran home to get them lunch. Since this was kid #3 I didn't feel the need to hurry to the hospital and/or panic in any way. I was more concerned that Ella and Jack got their naps. Yes...I am the nap nazi.
Ella and Jack pretending there are babies in their tummies like me!

After getting them home and in bed I called my friend Adri to see if I could drop the kids off at her house after they woke up from their nap. I told her I was pretty sure I was in labor, but didn't want to hang at the hospital longer than needed. I knew I was going to have the baby naturally and would rather get some things done at home that have to wait in a cold hospital room.

Once the kids woke up I called Adri back to make sure she had already gotten home from picking up her kids at the bus stop. She told me that she felt better about coming to pick me up because she didn't want me to suddenly go into hard labor while driving the kids to her house. So, she came and got us at about 4:00pm. She dropped me off at the hospital and took the kids to her house. Paul was at the hospital because that's where he works. I'm a very non-drama person, so I figured I'd just page him when I got there...no need to trouble him before he is needed.
They checked me into the hospital at 4:15pm and they wheeled me up to the delivery room. I hate that by the way...I'm perfectly able to walk, but once you sign that paper they are responsible...and they wouldn't let me...grrrrr. Anyway, I got up to the room, they hook up the monitor and check me out. I was dilated to a 7 and the midwife went to check to see if the birthing tub was available. Yes, I wanted to do a water birth. I was so excited and ready for that. Of course, the hospital only has two. One was being used, and the other was in a room where they were re-doing the floors. That meant no water for me. I was disappointed. So, they let me just sit in the tub in the room I was in until it was time to deliver.

As the midwife was checking on the tub I paged Paul. He was in a surgery, so one of the O.R. nurses called me back to see what I needed. I told her what was going on and told her to have him come up to the 5th floor. 20 minutes later I was at 9 centimeters and the midwife wanted to break my water. I knew what that would mean...when my water breaks that means a baby is coming right away. I told her not to break it until Paul got there. So...I paged him again. The nurse called again and told me that Paul said he would probably be done with the surgery in 20 minutes or so. It was at this point that I got a little demanding. I told her that this baby would be here by then and she better get him up here ASAP!! Luckily, Paul was only assisting another Dr. and wasn't the primary surgeon. So, I guess she went into the room and whispered to him. The other Dr. looked up and said, "is your wife in labor?" Paul hadn't told him because he never wants to inconvenience people. When he admitted that I was, the other Dr. said, "well, what are you doing here? GO!" Typical Paul...
Paul, Max, and the pager.

Paul arrived a few minutes later and got nervous when he realized that I wouldn't be delivering in the water. He never liked the idea of it anyway, but he knew that's what I had planned on and that the water calms me. He kept asking me if I really wanted to do it without drugs, and was more nervous about it than I was. It was funny...even then...at that moment...it made me laugh. I was fine with it and new it would be okay.
The midwife broke the water and sure enough, minutes later, at about 5:30pm, our little Maxwell Paul was born at a whopping 9 lbs 10 oz. I knew he was going to be big. Jack was a 10 pounder as well, and I felt huge. It was the greatest experience and even now I get a little emotional thinking I may never give birth to another child. I'm one of those weirdo's that loves the giving birth process...even naturally. I can do without the pregnancy thing, but the birthing experience is amazing.
After enjoying the baby for an hour or so Paul left to go pick up the kids at the Ruby's house and get them dinner and to bed. I felt it a personal victory to have only inconvenienced them for 2 1/2 hours while I had a baby. I, like Paul, hate inconveniencing people...but love to be inconvenienced to help people out...go figure! Luckily, Grammy (my Mom) was able to come out to help on the very day I came home from the hospital. It was great.
Our family has been so blessed by having Max in it. I feel so humbled and grateful to be his mother. I can't wait to see what the future hold for this wonderful boy.
WE LOVE YOU MAX!!!

CREATE

I may have found my word for 2010...we will have to see. I never thought a man could so completely understand my need to CREATE. I LOVE MY CHURCH...and the GOSPEL it teaches me.

Trains and Santa

This is how desperate I am to get the picture from Paul's last post off the top of my blog! I've mentioned that I'm behind on blogging and I really am determined to get caught up...so bear with me.
These cuties and I all went one night with some friends on a tour of some houses that are decked out in model trains. I know...who knew that this was a HUGE obsession with some people. There is a local club that puts our their trains for a few nights around the holidays so the public can come and see/enjoy. I was BLOWN AWAY at the amount of time/money/acreage spent on this hobby. Their wives must be very understanding...or have worked some kind of a deal that makes it tolerable.
The above two pictures are of a two car garage at one of the houses. It is completely filled with train parts, sets, materials. Paul has NO room to complain about my two tackle boxes of jewelry items after seeing this. Seriously, the pictures do not do it justice.
This is a view looking back into that two car garage. I think they said that one acre of land on this lot was used for model train tracks. I'm glad we were able to enjoy it, but...weird!!
The kids did have a great time looking at all the trains and decor.
I had to keep little hands away from some of them, but all in all the kids did great.
The best part was that at one of the houses they had Santa and the Mrs! Being the stellar parent I am I hadn't even thought of taking the kids to see Santa. Perfect opportunity to document the 2008 Santa visit! Above is sweet Nora who could have asked for the moon and these two would have brought it to her personally.

Ella was choosing her words carefully while trying to diplomatically ask pointed questions about the reality of Santa.
Max was just silly as usual...and made Santa laugh...a lot.
Jack tends to turn into a shy guy in situations like these. He was so cute and humble up there on Santa's lap. Santa MADE me sit on his lap and tell him what I wanted for Christmas. It had been a while, but it all came back to me. Lucky for me I have everything I want...and more!

Show Low AZ October 2008

We have been so lucky to be able to go and spend some time at my cousins cabin up in the mountains. In October we were so glad we got to go WITH them. They are some of my favorite people and want to pick their brains on everything from parenting, to accounting, to church. Their six kids are amazing and my kids keep asking when we can go up again. Here are just a few of the highlights.
They introduced us to the candy bar game which was a hit. Now there's a great way to get kids quickly around the table to participate in games/activities!
There were flag football games.
After the flag football it just became a 'tackle Paul' game.
Here are some of the cute kids at the table. Don't ask me where Ella is getting the gang signs from?
The other angle.
On the golf course, Jack was in charge of cleaning the balls. He took his job very seriously.
Good thing Paul doesn't take his golf game too seriously.
I loved watching this kid run from the balcony...the kid's got skills.
Perspective shot from the cabin balcony.
Daddy and his girls. Boy does he love them?! Oh, and the feeling is mutual.
Me and my crazy good boys. I love these guys to death!
All the girls together.
We were there during October General Conference. The kids favorite thing to do while listening to the talks is play Conference bingo. Yes...it's the m&m's that gets them excited. Hey - whatever works!
Oh, and I can't fail to mention the family/game center they have there. It's the only chance a 4 year old has of living this pipe dream!