Miles was here . . .

This is why our bird hates us.

today . . .

. . . I'm feeling like one lucky girl. Because on this day, thirty-three years ago, my darling husband was born. As our life is suddenly taking on a faster pace, I've never been prouder to hang on his arm.

Happy Birthday Neal!

just go to bed

I stay up way too late. For the new year, I resolved to go to bed earlier. 10:30 at the latest. Miles seems to move his wake-up time up 10 minutes a week (6.15 this week), and my ability to take my precious Tuesday naps has started to dwindle for various reasons. And I'm tired!

So last night, at 11:25, when I gave Neal a congratulatory kiss for beating World 7 on Super Mario DS, and realized that I still had laundry to move and Audrey's lunch to make, I wondered what had happened to my night?!

When do you get things done? When do you cuddle with your husband, watch your favorite shows, or just chill out & read a book, let alone get the laundry folded & the kitchen cleaned up?


What time do you go to bed?

image of pretty bed found here

my plane didn't crash

I'm back home, in mama-mode and so glad to be here. Lots of fun was had in Arizona. Here's what we accomplished:

• some spy-teching of a prospective practice location
  
• a cute dress purchased
• liquids confiscated at the airport (I haven't done carry-on in a while)
  
• lots of Stella kisses and smiles
• even more Mabel & Oliver giggles
• two romantic movies viewed (& Meet the Press with Mike)
• my first solo plane trip since I was a girl engaged, 10 years ago
• 200+ pages of my book read, in one sitting (that never happens)
• several glasses of fresh orange juice from the backyard trees consumed
  
• quiet nights and lazy mornings spent in Stephanie's beautiful guest room
• lots of sunshine and good talks with my sister
• a couple of tearful (on my end) phone calls with my kids

Now that I'm back, I'm having serious emotional issues with the fact that my kids have to grow up. Sometimes I wish I could just hug them close for hours at a time, rub their soft arms, squish their warm little hands, and enjoy their slow breathing and quick heart beats. But they have other things to do, snacks to find, balls to bounce. Miles' babyhood is fading fast, and it's so difficult! Somebody remind me of all the good things about having big kids instead of babies!

Oh, and look how delicious this little person is.

sabotage

It turns out that Parker is the one having the most trouble with my leave-taking. He was telling me this morning that he could just come with me, he already knew what clothes he would bring. Then we were planning some morning errands and he said,

"Mama, if we go to McDonald's and CVS, would you miss your flight?"

Me: "No, it's not until this afternoon. Why, do you want me to miss my flight?"

Parker: "Ya."

Meanwhile, I'm having a hard time finishing my packing because Parker keeps begging me, with a forlorn look on his face, to come hug him on the couch. Poor dude.

Steph, we better have a serious good time (or we could just stare at Stella).

a short list

I'm preparing myself physically and emotionally to take a trip away this weekend. I'm going to see Stephanie and her family, and I'm really excited, but it's taking some prep work, of course. Mama being gone for 3 days is going to throw a wrench in the schedule (not that we really have a schedule). My primary class is covered, the laundry is done. Neal shouldn't have to go to the store. Audrey and Parker will be fine, they're easy-peasy. But the baby . . . I worry. I keep trying to remind Neal of things, like,

--"don't forget to change Miles' diapers. Even if he hasn't pooped, you still have to change him every once in a while," or
--"just kind of carry him around a lot like I do. He just needs physical closeness and hugging," (not that Neal can leave him alone even if he tried, but sometimes he just needs to be held instead of showered with kisses and tickles), or
--"don't wipe his nose too hard, it's kind of red. Maybe put some Aquaphor on it at night. And don't forget, he needs socks."

Neal keeps assuring me, "I KNOW how to take care of a baby. He'll be fine!"

Ok, ok. I know. It's me I'm worried about! (I have recurring nightmarish thoughts of my plane going down and my children left motherless. Tell me I'm not crazy please!)

When I'm preparing for a trip, I often take to list-making, not normally something I'm passionate about. So I made up a list for Neal of the foods Miles will/can eat. None of my kids are good eaters, and Miles is included. Three bites and he's done, so it's a challenge. Anyone out there with a baby around 18-months-old have any sure-bets in the food department? We need something new. . .

Next, I have to decide what shoes to bring. Oh, this is so hard . . .


ps. read angela's post today, romney fans. love it!

little boy hands

these days, they're very busy with locks & keys, zippers & buckles . . .

Grateful Sunday

Today, I'm grateful that:

• the science fair is over, and that Audrey did indeed do at least 90% of her project. Which is why we're glad it's over. It was a lot of work for those little hands to write that whole poster! And it's also hard to be the one sitting there telling her to make her Ts bigger or to center the word better. Nag nag nag, Mama.
• our internet service is up and running after two whole days without. It's tragic how much we rely on it. We resisted the urge to stop at FedEx Kinko's to check our respective email.
  
• I have such supportive friends. Kelly, knowing how nervous I must be getting things together for the famous Design Mom blog this past week, sent me a colorful pick-me-up jar of gum balls, and wished me well in posting. A fabulous surprise from a great girl. Thanks, Kelly! (And thanks from my kids, too.)
• Stephanie & Natalie, my technical support team this week, sacrificed time with their husbands and children to lend me their photoshoppin' skillz.
• I'm living this tremendously blessed life and that opportunities are coming our way.
• I'm married to Neal, the incredibly brilliant and capable reason for all the opportunities.
• my Heavenly Father finds reasons to bless us, despite our nagging and stubborn unworthiness. We're so loved.
  

giving me trouble

Miles and I are having one of those days. Can I just tell you?

First, he woke up at 5:twentysomething for no apparent reason and would not, could not go back to sleep. I looked forward all morning to his first nap, which was sure to be a long one. We took Parker to preschool, came home and I snuggled him up in his bed and he slept.

For 22 minutes. I snuggled him some more (snuggled myself back into my bed, since I hadn't even fallen asleep yet {I nap, too}), and he slept.

For 6 minutes.

He woke up, and a few minutes later, and somehow sneaked the last chocolate chip cookie into those grubby little hands, only to eat 3/4 of it and offer me the last sweaty piece.

So anyway, I'm tired.

In other news, I'm guest blogging at Design Mom next week, and it's majorly stressing me out. I'm really excited, but have major doubts about my ability and my ideas. Plus, I have got to get a good picture of myself taken for my little bio post. Unfortunately, the only person with enough muscle to wield out hefty camera is gone during daylight hours.

Does anyone want to come over and play? Obviously, I'm needing someone to talk to. I think I'll reward myself for this stressful day by eating lunch out. Yes, good idea.

In still other news, Audrey's really pretty.

Skater Kids

They skate ALL afternoon.

They're sore, they're bruised, but they LOVE it.

Grateful Sunday

Today, I'm grateful for:

• church services at 11:00. It's so nice not to set an alarm for Sunday morning. We let Miles do the waking. What time you say? Oh, 6:20.
• my husband, the scientist, who has majorly helped Audrey with her science project this weekend. (Topic: Why do clownfish and anemones live together?) She had to write her abstract on the poster tonight. Do I know what an abstract is supposed to contain? No. Does Neal? Yes.
• my silly primary class, which happens to include my own little girl. They had me in stitches today during our lesson.
  
• our decision to forego the scary roller rink last night, and Neal's idea to let the kids down easy by getting them their own roller skates. Ya, Christmas all over again. Seriously.

Picture Explanation: Our community has a "Snow Blast" every year. They put snow on a big hill, provide sleds, bring in a few bounce houses, some funnel cakes, etc. It was 74 degrees, so the snow didn't last long. Still, super fun when you're 4 and 6.

That was quick.

Ok, we have a winner. It's KATE!! Hooray for Kate! You guessed correctly, and the very first guess! We got this Hot Air Balloon kit at the Discovery Store a while ago and wrapped it up for Christmas. It was totally fun, but the day was a bit too windy for the balloon to actually float away. We had to hang onto it the whole time, but we did get it to fill up! With the hair dryer. :)

Ok Kate, email me your shipping address (flowerchain@gmail.com). Feel free to pick a charm or earrings from my store. Let me know which one you want. Or I have a bunch of others if none of those catches your eye.

Contest

We're playing a little game here today. K? K.

You venture a guess as to what in the world Parker is doing with a hair dryer on the driveway.

The winner gets a free prize in the mail. It's gonna come from here.

Hints:
1. The hair dryer IS plugged in.
2. It has to do with a family Christmas gift.
3. A very lofty gift, indeed.

Have a guess? Comment below, & make sure your name is on your comment.

The contest is already over. See above for the winner!

Over the weekend . . .

Miles had his first haircut. We had to trim the fluff in the back. :(

before

after

Audrey learned to ride a two-wheeler!

And Parker got a gash in his head.

We had to take a picture so Parker could see it. Lucky you, I'm posting it, too. :) I'm just grateful that Neal was home for all of this to happen. He manned the haircutting shears, taught Audrey to ride, and administered first aid to poor Parker.
(Check out the blood stains on his shirt. Those were on my carpet, too.) Fun times.

New Year's

I hope everyone had a safe New Year's Eve.

We had fun with our friends, the Rossis and the Lelands, both of whom have newish blogs!

Highlights of the evening:
Neal hit a boar with his car on the way to dinner, where we ate a pig that Jared had killed. Very appropriate. Then Jared showed us yucky pictures of it (thanks Jared). We took our minds off the meat by eating some delicious pie, played a close game of Outburst while the kids watched a movie, and lit some illegal fireworks. Unfortch, we didn't make it to our friends the Simmons' party. Because somebody threw up. The littlest somebody. :(

Here are some fun pictures:

Today we're going to the park and riding bikes. Have a great holiday!