Happy Birthday Luke!

Seven years ago, our lives changed. We became parents to one of the sweetest, most thoughtful little boys ever. He's always been a little unconventional - flipping breech in my 39th week of pregnancy, causing me to start down the road of c-sections. He had some of the funniest tricks I've ever seen with a baby, like his rolled tongue smile and his silly kissy face. He still has such a silly sense of humor.

Although he does drive me bonkers sometimes, I wouldn't trade anything for my sweet little man. For tradition sake, here are seven things I love about my little Lukester:

1. His seven-year-old toothless smile is SO contagious and genuine. Nothing makes him flash it more than getting to see his cousins.

2. I love his deep blue denim eyes. All three of my boys got their dad's blue eyes and I love it. Luke's are the bluest right now, and it's possible to get lost in them!

3. I love how thoughtful Luke can be. Lately, it's been all about him more, but when he is thinking of others, I don't think there is anyone sweeter.

4. He is a GREAT big brother. He shares his cool toys with Harry and always makes Z giggle. Each morning Z gets his little Luke fix and it makes us all happy.

5. Luke is super smart. He loves to read and he remembers EVERYTHING, which reminds me a lot of his cousin Dax. He loves learning random facts...ask him what pi is sometime.

6. I know I'm going to jinx myself for this one, but I love that Luke is FINALLY a good sleeper.

7. Finally, I love Luke's thirst for the Gospel. He is always asking questions about what is right and why we believe the way we do. He loves family home evening, reading scriptures, and always remembers to pray for his Uncle Steve on his mission. He'll be a great missionary someday - too soon for me I'm sure!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUKE! We love you SO much!

Daily Checklist

I couldn't sleep last night, and my brain wouldn't shut down, so I mentally compiled my daily checklist. It varies a little day to day, but I think this is a good sample of a day for me. I thought it might be funny to look back on in ten years and see what I tried to accomplish each day (in no particular order)...Maybe by then I will have mastered one of these!

Laundry - wash, fold AND put away- so much for mondays being my laundry day - it takes me all week!
Play hide and seek with Harry - yep everyday.
Dishes
Tidy kitchen (wednesday is the scour the kitchen day)
Tidy bathrooms (tuesdays are my usual cleaning day.)
Read with Luke
Help Luke with homework
Check email and FB - and a few blogs
Update my blog (3x week)
Read scriptures
Look at/think about next YW lesson/make handouts
Touch base with mom, amy, and a few friends
Workout
Play tug-o-war with the dog
Vaccuum one room
Kiss my kids
Celebrate life

Is my day similar to yours?

Get In Shape Update 1

Did pretty well...could have done better. Down two pounds, feeling a little less crazy with the house and life in general, had a fun FHE and helped Harry with his talk for Primary Sunday. He did a great job and was too cute. Luke gave the opening prayer and I realized his voice is GREAT over the mic. He'll be a good little speaker.

Things are good. Better this week...

The Middle Child

Whenever I do a little shoot with Baby Z, Harry always wants a picture taken. I should post a series of the shots of Harry from the many various times I've set up my "natural light studio" in the kitchen! I do love this sweet little face.

wow.

So I just have to vent for one second and I rarely do that here on my blog. But I posted a funny useless fact on FB today and a "friend" of mine spent THREE comments' worth to show that my "fact" was wrong. Is it just me or does that bug anyone else?

I just LOVE the people who always have to be right. Obviously I don't care if the fact was myth or not, I just thought it was funny. Shame on me.

Thank you, I feel much better now.

Mr. One Year Old

Hoops

Luke is playing city league basketball in the Kindergarten/1st grade division and is having a blast. Thanks to my dad for coming to both games so far, my sanity is still intact. The other two boys are a little restless, and that's a gross understatement. As for the skill level of these little critters, I just have to remind myself it's not an idicator of any future atheltic abilities. Fun is definitely the main objective.

There was a little camp for the kids over Christmas break and coaches and players from the Utah Flash coached the kiddos. As we were walking out, Luke told me, "My coach this year is Mark Madsen and my team is the Utah Flash." I cracked up that he thought Mark MadDog Madsen, former Stanford and LA Lakers star and coach of the Flash was his little city league coach!

Here are a few shots I took the first day. My ISO was bumped up to 2000 at least, since the florescent lighting there was so incredibly awesome.

Quote of the Day - Harrison Age 4

"Mom, Ivy and I are the King and Queen of Ancient Egypt. Um and oh yeah, we have mummy dogs."

GET IN SHAPE 2010

Every new year, and countless times throughout the year, I start a new fitness routine, diet, detox - you name it. I also have recurring goals regarding the temple, journal/blog, scripture study, and family home evening. Then there's the part of me that feels extreme guilt for not growing my mind intellectually as I feel like each baby I have zaps a fraction of my once-bright mind. . I start lots of books each year and try to learn something new once in awhile. And don't even get me started on my housekeeping routines. It's simply time to change all this.

For the last couple months, I have been feeling the need to REALLY get in shape. And as athletically minded as I am, I don't just mean physically. Yes, it is important to be healthy and I believe our spirits need strong bodies to accomplish all the things required of us. Of course I want to be back in a size 6-8 and not be so self conscious at my uncle's pool or on my sister's boat in the summertime. But being physcially in shape is just a part of it. I'm feeling just as flabby and soft spiritually and intellectually. Those areas really need a workout in my life - and I include the house, although I'm not really sure what it fits under, it needs to be part of my "new routine."

So for 2010, my motto is "GET IN SHAPE." As with everything in my life, it's a work in progress. Last night Jon and I sat down and wrote goals for each part. The plan is to review those goals together every week and check up on each other. We committed to each other to do something each day to improve in each area - even if that just means for the intellectual side, that we look up a new word that day, or spiritually that we read a couple verses of the Book of Mormon together, or physically, twenty minutes on the eliptical, a little weights, or even a few extra trips up and down the stairs.

The hardest part for me is it's never a quick fix. It's a process and I need to accept that it will take some time to change old habits and to see results. Each area takes a little more focus, a little more effort and at the end of the year, I think it will all be a lot better. It's going to be a great year, and it really is the year for me and my little family to GET IN SHAPE.

I don't really have a ton to say - I am rediculously behind in this blog and haven't updated the photography blog forever, but I just felt the need to touch base with the old bloggity blog. We had a fantastic holiday break with both sides of the family, lots of games, fun, family and yummy food. I definitely did my part in the national weight gain that occurs every December and I have many plans and great intentions all starting next week.

I have been sick basically since the marathon birthday week that happens in our family right before Christmas. I wore myself down before Harry's party and paid the price for the last few weeks and completely missed all the wonderful holiday smells with the coldish-sinus junk that seems to go around all winter. I did finally get on an antibiotic this week and am starting to realize my sense of smell has almost returned. In a lot of ways, as a mom, I kinda miss not being able to smell. O well.

I have all kinds of resolutions and plans for 2010, so stay tuned for '09 updates, blog changes, a new photog/cards website, and a regular fitness report.(My theme for 2010 is "GET IN SHAPE - physically, intellectually, spiritually, etc...") I need to be accountable to someone...maybe the blog will work! I have a TON going on this week, so my new year really begins on the 10th. See you then!

HAPPY 2010!

Hope everyone had a marvelous holiday season. Welcome 2010 - what do you have in store for us this year?!