Grateful Sunday

This Sunday, I'm grateful for:

• my parents, who taught me so much, including the idea that the world is a very small place and a very big place at the same time. My mom took this beautiful picture in England last fall. (Buckland, Mom?)
• Audrey and Parker, who always want to learn about interesting things, and who both plan on being scientists when they grow up. (In addition to being a cowgirl and a superhero, respectively.)
  
• my garage, which keeps us from having to get cold and/or wet when I want to go somewhere. And the fact that we're "organized" enough to fit both of our cars into it.
• the delicious baby smell of my sweet little Miles. It's kind of like a mix of warm sugar cookies and strawberries. yum.
  
• family history, which, although time-consuming and frustrating, is also a very peaceful and fulfilling hobby.
• my hair, which I have actually liked lately.
• a little bit of sunshine and blue skies today. After about 4 or 5 days of clouds and cold, dreary rain, I was beginning to think I suffered from a touch of S.A.D.
  
• my health and the health of my family.
• peaceful Sunday afternoons.

Some goals for this week:

1. Implement weekly chore/housekeeping chart created last week, which means tomorrow, I'm cleaning bathrooms. bleh.
   
2. Cook something new for dinner.
3. Bring a treat to the neighbors, since my friend (the mom) just had surgery and dad is in charge of the food this week.
4. Make new blankie for Parker.
   

Your Life, Your Story

Since this subject seems to interest a couple of you, I thought I'd post some thoughts about personal histories in a new post. Not that I'm an expert or anything, but I do have some thoughts. Lindy asked what the difference is between a journal and a personal history. A journal is a daily, personal record of occurrences, experiences, and reflections. It is kept on a regular basis (ideally), and therefore chronicles your everyday life and how you feel about it.

A personal history, though, is more like an autobiography. It is written from a point of view of recollection. For example, mine could start out, "I was born eighteen days late, the first daughter of David and Lauren P*, of Villa Park, California."

Here's a good definition: "a person's own biography, or written account of his or her life, distinguished from the journal or diary by being a connected narrative, and from memoirs by dealing less with with contemporary events and personalities."

Basically, it tells the story of your life. You ought to include details such as when and where you were born, who your parents were, what you loved to do as a child, what you liked to do with your friends in highschool, how you met your spouse, what you studied in college and why, when your children were born and how you chose their names, etc. The trick is to make it interesting to read.

If you've ever had the experience of losing someone close to you, you'll understand that after they are gone, you suddenly have many questions you wish you could have asked them, whether it's about their life, what they remember about certain times in history, or simply the name of their high school. All of these things can lead you to other people who may have known them and have memories of them as well. I've had that experience on a number of occasions now, and it is quite frustrating and saddening. Neal and I, for example, conducted an oral interview of the woman who helped care for him when he was a child. She has led an extremely interesting life, but unfortunately, is illiterate and not capable of creating her own history. She's not even sure how old she is, but she remembers incredible events from her childhood and funny stories about Neal and his siblings that we have now recorded onto a tape. I remember my dad doing the same thing with my great-grandmother when I was a child. Conducting oral interviews like that is a great way to get to know someone and bring their memories to the surface.

I guess it all comes down to understanding the eternal nature of your family and your ancestors, and how you fit into the family tree, something I feel deeply about. I hope that by recording my own life story, even if it's only the beginning of it now, I will alleviate any frustration for anyone after I'm gone. This may seem like a somber idea, but I feel that it's really quite important.

Like I said before, this is obviously a huge undertaking, and not something I plan on finishing anytime soon, but I'd like to get a sort of rough draft going, so that when I have more time, I can go in and fill in details and memories as they come to me.

This website has good information to get you started. They're trying to sell you something, too, though.

Here is another website with some good ideas and articles about writing personal histories.

Here are some suggestions to help you get going on what to write, some prompts, if you will.

Here is a book written by a member of the LDS church, called How to Write Your Personal History.

New Pursuit

One of my new year's resolutions this year was to get back into my family history research. Since Miles was born, it's been way on the back burner. But, as part of that resolution, I've decided to start writing down my personal history. In the past several years, I've discovered a passion within me for all things family history, and how I wish I had, at the very least, a synopsis of the lives of any or all of my ancestors. I've gathered little pieces of some of their lives from new-found relatives and old and new research. I've gleaned details about my more recent ancestors from those who still remember them, but how wonderful it would be to have something in their own hand to read!

I hope that one day, my story will be valuable to someone, even if it's only my own children. I already have journals which piece together my life over the years, but I'm more interested in recording the memories I have of my childhood, my family, my upbringing, etc., from this point in my life. This is obviously a life-long pursuit, and my story won't be very long, since I'm not even 30 yet (hehee), but I might as well start now, while my brain is fresh and full. (I'm not counting my blog.)

Of the value of journal keeping, President Spencer W. Kimball (of the LDS Church) wrote:

“A journal is the literature of superiority. Each individual can become superior in his own humble life.

“What could you do better for your children and your children’s children than to record the story of your life, your triumphs over adversity, your recovery after a fall, your progress when all seemed black, your rejoicing when you had finally achieved?

“Some of what you write may be humdrum dates and places, but there will also be rich passages that will be quoted by your posterity” (“The Angels May Quote from It,” New Era, Oct. 1975, p. 5. Emphasis added).

Why don't you start your personal history, too?

A Little Pat on the Back

I've accomplished all three of my goals for the week, and it's only Wednesday! They weren't difficult goals, of course, but I like to start small.

Goal #1: Finish The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan. It was a wonderful read, I recommend it highly! Here are two of my favorite excerpts:

"And then I realized what the first word must have been: ma, the sound of a baby smacking its lips in search of her mother's breast. For a long time, that was the only word the baby needed. Ma, ma, ma. Then the mother decided that was her name and she began to speak, too. She taught the baby to be careful: sky, fire, tiger. A mother is always the beginning. She is how things begin."

"These are the women who shaped her life, who are in her bones. They caused her to question whether the order and disorder of her life were due to fate or luck, self-determination or the actions of others. They taught her to worry. But she has also learned that these warnings were passed down, not simply to scare her, but to force her to avoid their footsteps, to hope for something better."

On to Three Junes, by Julia Glass, my next pick. Anyone read it?

Goal #2: A new post on one of the Family History Blogs I created. A very rewarding and fun goal to complete. Check out what I posted about my beautiful great-grandmother here!

Goal #3: My housework schedule, complete and ready to go for our delayed Family Home Evening tonight. Some little people are getting some jobs around here, once and for all. Charlotte led me to some good information online. Here's a chart with some ideas for jobs for kids at the appropriate ages, and here is an FHE lesson on responsibility. (After you click, you need to scroll down to see both pages.) Here are some cute chore charts.

I Get the News I Need on the Weather Report . . .

Texas is crazy for many reasons. This week, it's the weather. On Sunday afternoon, it was 75 degrees, with 92% humidity. (Yes, we live nearer to the equator than you do.) The kids were getting themselves psyched up for our trip to Hawaii in June, and put on their new swimsuits to play outside.

By tonight, we're supposed to have ice on the roads and, as the weatherman put it, "ice falling out of the sky." The high will be around 34. You can tell this doesn't happen around here too often, since the news people don't even know what to call cold weather.
Parker's preschool was cancelled today. It's just "too cold" to make a 3-year-old go outside!

Quotes of the Day VIII

Miles woke me up far too ealy this morning. Doesn't he know it's a holiday? Sigh, well, there's not a whole lot to do in our dark, quiet house, so here is another installment in the "Quotes of the Day" series.

Audrey has learned about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at school last week, in honor of his birthday today. We were listening to the Curious George soundtrack in the car, and there is a song on it in which the singer says, "I can change the world, with my own two hands," to which Parker always responds:

He can't really change the world all by himself!
This time, Audrey said, "Yes he can! Martin Luther King did!"

Another car conversation: On Sunday morning, it was really foggy around our neighborhood. As we drive to church, we pass by some beautiful green fields that are quite pretty, all misty and magical-looking. Audrey said,
"One day, when I have a horse, I want to go for a walk and ride my horse into the mist over there," all dreamy and wistful she was.
Parker quickly added, in typical 3-year-old boy gruffness, "Ya, and I'll ride my X-men scooter!"

There goes that pretty picture. :)

Grateful Sunday

I've decided to do a gratitude post each Sunday, to start the week off in a good mood, and to help me stay aware of just how wonderful this life of mine is turning out to be. This week, I'm grateful for:

• being able to sit next to Neal in Sunday School for the first time in THREE years.
  
• only bringing 2 bags to church with me, instead of 3. (I was released from Primary today.)
  
• the philosophy at our house that eating out one night each weekend is totally allowed.
• Audrey and Parker, who are the best of friends and forgive each other (and me) very easily.
  
• Miles, who happens to look really cute in cargo pants.
• my blogs.
• Girl Scout cookies. I ordered seven boxes yesterday.
  
• my washing machine, without which I would be even more bogged down by laundry. (Can you imagine hand washing loads and loads every week? I don't know how moms of the past did it.)
• our credit cards, which have served us well, but which are now permanently out of our wallets.
• my smart, handsome husband, who works really hard and doesn't complain, even when he has to work on Saturdays.
  

A couple of goals for the week:

1. Finish The Bonesetter's Daughter
2. Publish a post on my Parker family history blog
3. Make a weekly housework cleaning/chore schedule
   

Wordless Wednesday: Camera Straps, Yum!

Can't Wait to get this Framed!

In 2003, my friend, Annie, took some beautiful pictures of my kids. My mom's friend, Rhonda, a very talented artist and all-around admirable woman, paints gorgeous portraits in watercolor. She painted one of Audrey and we received it from my parents for Christmas.

Audrey, 2 1/2, in 2003. These are the pictures I lent to Rhonda as inspiration.

And here's the painting! I love it! Isn't it beautiful? I can't wait to get it framed and hang it in my house! What a priceless treasure.

Thank you, Rhonda! (Your note's in the mail.)

Here's one of teeny Parker (7 months old) from the same day. How cute is that. Just had to give him equal time. :)

It's the little things . . .

Just had to acknowledge all the little things I'm grateful for today, and how they all add up to make me feel so blessed on a beautiful day like today. I hope it doesn't seem like I'm bragging again, but seriously, we're all so blessed. So I'm just going to go ahead and recognize it.

Today, I'm grateful:

• for the kids in our ward's primary, who sang their hearts out for me today (sort of), my last day as their chorister (hurray).
• that two weeks after Christmas, we have the most gorgeous sunny day to enjoy (I love Texas in the wintertime!)
  
• that I finally felt well enough to get all the Christmas stuff put away
• for a brand new year (and only one more summer in H-town)
  
• that I'm pretty much living my dream life
• that my kids are so great, in so many ways
• that my husband is worthy, responsible, and respected by me and many others
• that I can easily will myself out of feeling bad about life by looking on the bright side
• that I come from pretty much the most awesome family ever
• that we have food on our table, clothes in our closets, and gas in our car
• that we now get to go to church at 9 o'clock instead of 1
• that I have a normal, non-holiday, non-travelling, regular old week ahead of me
• for perspective, which I'm trying to cultivate
• that I am loved beyond measure by my Heavenly Father, who for some reason, sees fit to bless me with these and infinitely more blessings every day.

Life is Good. Don't forget it.

No real reason . . .

I just like to look at him.

Thank you!

I'm a woman of action. I went out and got Quicken tonight. My tummy feels better and I'm so excited to be organized!

Thanks for your input!

Moo-la

I took it upon myself to make a resolution for Neal and me this year. We're going to get on top of our finances and get organized. I tell myself this every year after tithing settlement is over, but this time, I mean it. When we were newlyweds, I was really good about keeping track of our expenses on Quicken, but that was so long ago, and Quicken is probably so old-fashioned. I'm coming to you for advice.

Do you use a money-tracking software program that you would recommend (Money, Quicken, etc.)?

We don't really have a concrete budget since our income is different week-to-week, but we need to keep better account of our accounts! I just wish I had a way of keeping track that was user-friendly. What do you use? Leave a brief comment, if you would, and help me out a little bit.

Our Trip, Part Two: The Rest of It

Ok, it wasn't THAT bad. I don't want to give the impression that our trip was ruined by Parker's sickness, because it most certainly was not. I just happen to have a gnawing fear of the stomach flu, and it had struck. Poor little Parker had a bad night. He and Neal both had to shower and wash everything they were wearing, and were quarantined to a corner of Charlotte's house until the clothes were dry. We headed back to Sundance a bit earlier than we wanted to, and Neal, sacrificing his own health, stayed by Parker's side the rest of the trip.

On Saturday, we just generally hung out around the house, trying not to talk about playing in the snow. My mom and I did a little window shopping down at the resort (where I purchased nothing, since the average pricetag for any one item in Sundance is $180).

Sunday morning, we went to church in Provo with Lincoln and Mimi. Mom took care of Parker back at the house, where he took a warm bath and slept for hours.

After church, we went to dinner at Lincoln and Mimi's adorable condo, where they treated us to the result of hours of hard work: Korean Bulgogi, which we quickly scarfed down, and even some Miso soup for Audrey. Thanks guys for all that food and good company. We felt so honored to sit at your special tables and eat your delicious food!

By Monday morning, it was time to head back to the airport for the long journey home. I know everyone has a pretty yucky travel story. Steph told me one yesterday, and I know Charlotte has had her fair share. Now last year, we had a bad trip home from Christmas, too. Neal and Audrey had contracted the flu, and I'm talkin' influenza here, not just a bad cold. Neal was too sick to be the "dad carrying the suitcases all through the airports," and since it was left to weak little me, we had no fun. This time was no different. We flew to Las Vegas for a layover and an airline change, which we were kind of nervous about. We had to switch from Delta to Continental and just hope our luggage made it. Neal had started to feel sick by this time, but still had to carry Parker everywhere. We tried to even get one of those car thingies to drive us to our gate, but they don't have those in the Vegas airport. We considered a wheelchair, then determined that Audrey would have to push it since I was loaded down with the luggage. And a baby. Neal stuck it out and we just walked. Every time Parker sat down, he fell asleep. He had absolutely no energy, poor little dude.

We got to our gate, changed Miles' diaper, and Audrey and I left to look for some food. I swear I asked Audrey every 45 seconds if she was feeling okay. She was, thankfully. Unfortunately, I was so scared of getting sick, that I forewent Ruby's (!) in favor of a soft pretzel. I didn't want Ruby's to be my last meal before you-know-what. Little did I know that while I was off getting us nourishment, Neal was having me paged 5 times in the airport, asking me to return to the gate immediately. I didn't hear a single word of any of those pages. (So sorry, Neal!)

Turns out Parker had completely lost his cookies all over the place back at the gate and the flight was almost completely boarded. (Way early, by the way, I was watching my watch.) By the time I got back to the gate, there was Parker, in Neal's sweatshirt and no shoes, looking as pathetic as can be. Neal, in his panic at the sight of Parker's stomach contents, and the already-boarding flight, had stuffed all of our belongings into the diaper bag (with his spit-uppy hands), so all of Miles' toys for the flight were now contaminated. We apologized to the attendant for the mess (which he said was no big deal, because, of course, he didn't have to clean it up!) and got on the plane. Las Vegas to Houston: a little over 3 hours. Parker did fine, mostly slept on Neal's lap, while Audrey, Miles and I passed the time watching "The Lake House" with no sound. Way fun.

We arrived in Houston, to the most retarded airport in the whole world, I am now convinced. It took us a good hour-and-a-half to find our luggage (which actually made it!), board the train, find our car and get on the road, only to have Miles scream bloody murder the whole way. Of course. The good news is that Parker ate a bagel and some gatorade after his bath, and so far, so good. He's going to be okay. His little hip bones are sticking out and his eyes look bigger than ever, but he's over the worst of it.

We had such a fun trip, but have (once again) vowed to never travel at the holidays again. We are not sickly people, but we ALWAYS come home sick and beat and mad at the world for all traveling on the same day as we did.

Last night I fell victim to the horrible, terrible, very life-interrupting vomiting virus. I'm now a bowl-totin' member of the feeling-really-yucky-club. Thank heavens for my perfect husband, who happened to have the morning off and let me sleep until 11, with short interruptions for baby-feeding, of course.

I was really nervous to send Audrey to school today, I'm just sure she's going to get it any minute. Neal went and checked on her at lunch and she says she's still fine.

Wish us luck the rest of the week. 3 of us down, 2 to go.

Our Trip, Part One: The Postcard Part

We had such a fun time during our visit to Utah. We started out the trip with a very event-free flight with our angelic children. We landed in SLC, only to be greeted by what seemed like the entire population of Utah in the baggage claim. If you've never been to Utah, everyone who lives there is about 25-years-old, has about 4.5 kids, and they all look vaguely familiar. Is it just me? Seriously. No offense. :)

We headed up to my parents' home in Sundance, where we were greeted by gorgeous Mt. Timpanogos, my lovely mom, waiting eagerly to hold Miles and hug the other two, and by my little sister, Julianne, all decked out in an apron, making gingerbread men. It was like a postcard. The kids immediately put on the snow gear and headed outside with my dad to build a snowman and have other snow-related fun.

Miles stayed inside and hugged his fans.

The next day, Neal managed to find his old snowboarding stuff in the closet full of snow clothes, and hit the slopes with Julianne and my dad. The kids and I stayed at the house, they sledded, I videotaped, and we got to see my brother, Lincoln, and his wife, Mimi.

Mimi and Lincoln played with the kids in the "triangle room" (a fun little play room with all sorts of little places to hide and play) for hours. Thanks, guys!

Dinner at the Foundry Grill (delish) was followed by a little Office-viewing, a lot of hot chocolate, and some good times in front of the pellet stove.

On Friday afternoon, we drove up to see Neal's sisters, Charlotte and Georgia, who have both settled in Salt Lake City. Charlotte made us dinner, we played some games, the girls shared gifts, Oliver charmed, and Parker was kind of mellow.


little Oliver H.

We were very impressed by Charlotte and Tyler's house (soon to be featured on HGTV), and Parker was so impressed with Georgia's friend, John, that he, immediately upon meeting him, threw up at his feet.

And here ends the postcard-perfect portion of our trip to Utah.

But, as Georgia said, "It wouldn't be Christmas if somebody didn't throw up."

Poor little Parker is still not feeling well, and it's Tuesday. The rest of us have a foreboding sense of yuckiness in our tummies.

Part Two tomorrow