What is this wet stuff falling from above?

Some have said it is rain. I barely remember it. We had two storms over the last two days. What a relief. I love summer rain storms. Barefooted, running around, standing in the gutters. My kids were inside and heard the rain on the roof. They grabbed their umbrellas and binoculars (to look for more clouds) and headed out front. It was a warm rain.

Eli grabbed his butterfly nets and he and our neighbor were catching debris in the gutter. That would have been cool when I was their age, but now, it was a little gross.

The next day we had another little storm. Eli and Caroline once again grabbed their umbrellas. My neighbor and I stood underneath our garage while his daughter played with my kids in the rain. Dave came out with a large umbrella, to which Eli pronounced "I have a great idea..." and went running back into our house. This was the great idea: An umbrella hut. Emma added to our 4 or five umbrellas with some of her own.

I need to learn to think like a kid again.

My whole life, the story went like this...

I was born July 21st, which is during the Days of '47 Rodeo. My dad was the chairman of this rodeo for two years and on the committee for many others. The story goes that my mom and I had to wait at the hospital until after the 24th of July(Pioneer Day) so my dad could ride in the parade. All this time I thought that it was because he was in charge, the chairman.
Last week, the Pioneer Days Committee was honoring past chairs and queens (yes, lots of big hats and hair) and I went with my dad to the dinner before the rodeo. Each chair has a stone on a wall with the year(s) they were in charge. Imagine my astonishment when the years listed for my dad were NOT the year I was born. I asked him about it, he said he was on the committee that year and HAD to be in the parade. This is going to take years of therapy to work out! My dad is the one not wearing a hat or huge buckle.

We stayed for a bit of the rodeo. It brought back so many memories. I went every year until I was 15 and have gone a couple of times since. I remember being with my little brother and walking around all the pens with animals. Then hearing the clanging of the broncos that were about to get ridden. Watching these cowboys strutting around, watching the rodeo queens with bright pink lipstick on. Yeah, it sounds hokey, but as a child it was so fun to pretend to be the cowgirl, wanting to be one of the little girls that rode around the barrels, never the one in turquoise wranglers and rhinestones though. Dirt, manure, cotton candy. This year I just watched and thought "Why would you ever subject your body to such pain and jerking?" Their brains must be bounced back and forth like a ping pong ball in their skulls. And I have always hated knowing that the reasons the horses were bucking like that was because they are uncomfortable and pissed. My favorite part was always when the parachuters would come flying down from their plane. This time, there were three. The first had a trail of smoke after him. The second one had our state flag attached to his body and right when he landed, grabbed it up so it wouldn't touch the ground. The third jumper had the flag of the United States of America. It was huge and beautiful trailing behind this person. Everyone stood up. I always get choked up when this type of situation happens, especially when we sing the national anthem. In any case, what this flag represents makes me proud to live where I do.

Let me paint you a picture

"Oh My Goodness". I must say this all the time because Caroline has made this her new catchphrase. We have been trying to introduce the idea of potty training to her. She likes the idea, but only the idea. So today while at Target, "Oh my goodness!" I hear. I find Caroline with a package of princess undies. There is one for everyday of the week. We bought them. Fast forward to this afternoon, after a quick shower (too hot outside) I put her diaper on her and then go to attend to her little brother. The she comes downstairs with a turquoise bow in her hair, a white tank top on, her diaper with six pairs of undies on. And of course on her feet, her Zoe slippers. I don't dare put the picture on the blog, to protect the innocent, but here is a small snap of it.

Really I am trying to avoid my motherly duties. The kids are sitting right next to me playing on Disney.com on the laptop. I just need to check out for a minute. Dave has been on a 55 mile bike ride for the last few days and I am looking forward to his return any minute. I am coasting. So I will document a few more things.

These are all pictures of my children's foreheads. What do all have in common? My children are all born with major cowlicks. They get stronger with age. Even Caroline with long hair has one that is prominent. Joey's is just in the beginning stages.

Another random thought to put off making dinner. I bought a Bumbo for Joey today. These are the funniest little seats. I think Joey will like it. He holds his head up really well, and I think he wants to be up and looking at the kids where the action is. We'll see, it may end up being a waste of money. Has anyone else used one of these?

This one of my favorite pics of Eli. He doesn't always photograph well, meaning it doesn't ever show how he really looks. He is the cutest kid. I have probably snapped at him one too many times today, so now that I have had my time out, I will go and be a better mama.

Flashback Friday

I'm running this from another blog I read. I thought it was a fun idea, I think we all should do it. All one of us who read this. Post a picture every Friday, of you, that is pre-1985. This is me when I am 2. Caroline is two and I don't think she looks like this.

Things I love lately

I have been making some things, my mom has been doing some others, and selling them on this great site Etsy. I love to look at this site. It is a site for all things handmade. There are some weird things, well weird to me, and then there are things that are so beautiful. Yesterday, I decided I would finally buy a print I have been eyeing for about a year. I want to collect them all, there is just a peacefulness and vulnerability to her work.

This one is called Gentleness White and it is going in Caroline's room. Isn't it beautiful. It is from a store called belleandboo. I am enamored with this woman's talent. I will add more to it, but want to have some restraint.

Want to see more? Here are a few more things that I have fallen in love with this week.

<--by bliss

northstarjewelry --->

<--bumblebeedesigns

aliciabock--->



<---smallthreads

I could look at this site for hours. And there are some unusual things. Like this and this

but there is something for everyone. And I like to see what is being made. So, if you really want the day glo doll for your birthday, it is on Etsy, buy it before someone else does.

Gilmore Girls scenes

So I have a void in my life. It isn't really affecting me now, but come the fall, it will be painful. I am addicted to Gilmore Girls. I love the quick pace, the pop culture references, the interaction between all the weird yet lovable Stars Hollow residents. The coffee, I don't like it, but if I hung out there, with them, I'm sure I could drink Diet Coke all day with them. I love Luke, I can't stand Dean, I love Rory with Jess. I even really like Logan. I can't get enough of the whole show. Luckily, reruns abound on The Family Channel. It drives my husband crazy, I think with jealousy. I especially love Lorelai. She makes funny faces, says funny things. A friend of mine, who watches tv dvd's while she runs, got hooked on this show a couple of years ago. She said it made her not want to run, but sit on her couch, drink coffee and eat things like donuts, pizza rolls and nachos- all at once!

Sadly, the CW decided to cancel it after a 7th season. Everyone was reporting that it would be back for one more season, a shortened one, but one more. And yes, the last season wasn't as good as the previous 6, but it was still better than most of the shows on TV. Then, Wednesday, May 16th, it was officially silenced forever, except in syndication.

I know that a certain relative of mine will make fun of me for this post, but he will admit it is one of the best shows ever to be on the airwaves. And he probably, come the fall, be a little slower in his step, a little hunched in the shoulders, come Tuesday nights.

What would summer be without water?

It is HOT!! The kids change into their suits at least twice a day to go out and get wet. They end up getting wet even when they aren't in their suits. Caroline likes to "water" my garden, but she just ends ups carving our mud with water.

****Caroline just walked in here and said "Happy Birthday Mama! Bye!" and walked back out. It isn't my birthday.****

Caroline came out of her room with her slippers and sunglasses on wanting a popsicle, so her dad gave her one and let her eat it in the living room!

Eli got a slip and slide for his birthday, we use it everyday and now our lawn looks like it is dead!

Caroline has only worn shorts or pants 3 times since summer began and that was to bed, she only did that because her favorite nightgown was being washed. Dresses all the time for this one. Dresses that end up covered in mud.

Eli can't just smile at the camera, he has to pull a face or do the football player pose - you know the one where their chin is up, thick necked, looking tough? I erase them all, yuck!

My first red tomato. Each year I say I will only plant three plants. Each year I plant 6 or more and then there are the volunteers from years past. But I love them and I love to make salsa.

Oh, I hate snails! What do they do for your garden? Does anyone know? They are eating everything! So I am killing them. I don't feel really bad about it either.

Before I had Joey, I planted rows and rows of peas, a few different kinds in a few different locations. The only location that did well, and always does well was the East garden.

The kids love to pick and eat them, I don't think that they realize they are healthy. They are now kaput, but they were really good. I am going to plant some more in the fall, I've heard that sometimes that works. Has anyone had any experience with this?

Those who surround us

I have really good friends. I have different sets of friends. The usual sets: highschool friends, college friends, study abroad friends, neighborhood friends. I have close friends from all different groups and am lucky for that. In particular, I have a group of friends that started in 1994, the week before college began, and sorority rush. From there, this set of friends has materialized. There has been a time where some of the friendships were stronger or weaker, but always loyalty and support.

In 2002, my friend Ash had William on the 1st of Nov, I had Caroline on the 3rd, six weeks later Lizzie (or LizE) had Ellie and Luke, six weeks later Cori had Jonah, six weeks later (or so) Julie had Max, followed by Tracy having Jane that summer. So, each year we try to take pics of the kids all together, in groups. We have all the older kids (pre-2002/3) and the 2 year olds, now we have a new crop coming, with 4 already here.

The newbies, the 2-bies and the oldies.

My mom has said, when you have good friends and they have kids, you love their kids. I have found this is true. When I have playdates with these kids, who I have known since they were born, I find that it is easy to have these kids over. Maybe because I am friends with their moms and we obviously have things in common, or because their children know that their moms are such good friends, they feel more comfortable playing at one another's houses. I think that we have similiar parenting skills, not identical, but similiar. It probably helps that we all have the same belief systems. But mostly I think that you love your friend, you love their child. My children know how much my friends mean to me. My friends know how much my children mean to me, even when I am at my wit's end. Maybe that translates a little into how our children feel about eachother's children and the parents. In any case, when we call get together, big kids, little kids, infants, husbands, I am not stressed. The kids will have fun together. They may have a tussle here or there, but they work it out, and I am not uncomfortable if another parent needs to step in and discipline my child some. I also know that they are all looking out for one another. I know that my friends love my kids. When I am sick, or just had a new child, and someone offers to take my kids for the day, I usually decline. Except with these friends. I know that they can look past the bad, behavior or the state of my house. They will nurture my neglected children, they will love them and make them feel safe. I hope they know that I will do the same for them.

I don't have any sisters. Sisters-in-law (who are all amazing), but no sisters. I think that the relationship I have with each of these women fills that gap for me. Each offers me different things, but they all give me guidance, support, honesty, empathy, history and another adult to love my child.

Mom

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

A few things that make you so wonderful

1. People celebrate your birthday with lots of fireworks, which you hate, but everyone else thinks is cool.

2. You think your grandkids are the best kids ever.
3. All my friends look up to you and admire you.

4. My kids always want to go to Oma's house.

5. Without you, there wouldn't be me, no Dave, no Eli, Caroline, Joey, none of the great things that make up my life.

6. You are way too capable for the average person, it is inspiring.

7. You are a hard worker.

8. You are compassionate.

9. You are innovative.

10. You can do many things, but math isn't one of them, so your perfection isn't too overwhelming.

11. You are detail-oriented.

12. I would be lucky and famous if I was 1/20th as artistic and talent as you.

13. You love me and like me.

14. You say the word "lovely".

15. You married Dad.

16. Your laugh.

17. Your mom.
18. That you are the type of person who has the type of friend who loves you so much that she wakes up early on a holiday to put 60 stars with your attributes on your lawn with a bouquet of flowers so that you can wake up to it on your birthday.

19. You make beautiful gifts.



20. You have painted Caroline's room in a way that is so beautiful and special, we can never move.




21. You are an amazingly special and needed person in my life.

A day for blessings

We had such a day yesterday. We blessed Joey. Dave's parents and youngest sister Lauren came into town last week for the occasion. We have spent the week with them up in Deer Valley (thank you, it was good to spend so much time with you guys!) coming back on Saturday to spruce up the house a bit and get ready for the blessing and get together after. Dave's other sister, Missy, and her family were driving up from Houston, leaving Friday. It was iffy at best for them to make it to the blessing, or even Utah, before Monday. But Matt really wanted to participate in the blessing and they drove straight through. Thanks Matt.

We were surrounded by loved ones. Dave did a great job, very emotional for all of us. Joey, who normally isn't the most content of children, smiled through the whole thing.

We had a brunch after at our house, waffles, fruit, oj. It was great to be able to spend time with family and friends. Three people in particular, Ben, Linds and Josie. Ben and Linds were best friends with my little brother Joe, who our Joey was named after. The have continued to be close friends of mine. I don't know that they know how much this means to me. They are only in town for a little while before they move to Trenton, NJ so Ben can wear a uniform. He has always wanted one. Their daughter Josie has got to be one of the most adorable babies I have ever seen. She is always smiling. I don't know how she can be so beautiful and feminine and still look like her dad, who isn't feminine and beautiful but ever so handsome.

We loved having everyone spend the day with us. Having Dave's parents and sister up for the week was great for us and for our kids to spend time with them.
Of course, my family was there. Mom and Dad, Sam, Melissa and Gavin, thanks for all the support. My cousins, who are like my brothers and sisters, my aunt and uncle. It was good to spend time with all of them. Oh, I am getting sappy!

Speaking of sap:

Overnight Waffles

Make 4-6 servings

Time: 8 hours, or more, largely unattended

1/2 t instant yeast

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 T sugar

1/2 t salt

2 cups milk

8 T (1 stick) butter, MELTED AND COOLED

1/2 t vanilla extract (optional)

Canola or other neutral oil for brushing on waffle iron

2 eggs

1. Before going to bed, combine the dry ingredients and stir in the milk, then the butter and vanilla. The mixture will be loose. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside overnight at room temp.

2. Brush the waffle iron lightly with oil and preheat it. Separate the eggs and stirr the yolks into the batter. Beat the whites until they hold soft peaks. Stir them gently into the batter.

3. Spread a ladleful or so of batter onto the waffle iron adn bake until the waffle is done, usually 3 to 5 minutes, depending on your iron. Serve immediately or keep warm for a few minutes in a low oven.