Harry's Hat

My brother's family traveled the world together last year. As one can imagine, Christmas presents were a little more unique than other years. They gave all the men and boys great hats from Bolivia. Harry frequently puts his on and in his state of two-year-old "mine-ness" he yells, "MINE HAT!" Last week, he put it on and came up to me and said, "Mine hat - pictures." Ok, what photo crazy mom wouldn't drop whatever she was doing and snap away at the cute little guy. So here's the photoshoot. He was being quite the ham. I do realize these moments are few and far between, but I'll take 'em whenever I can get 'em.

One more...

"Mom, I am so tired, I'm sweaty."

...pause...

"Should you write that one down?"

The Wisdom of a 5-year-old

Today during a lunchtime drive Luke said to Jon and me, "Mount Brushmoore is a mountain that has four prophets' heads carved into it."

I love that kid.

New Job

Just over seven years ago, Jon started his professional life of working "straight commission." We were engaged at the time and he started a job at Honda of Orem as a salesman while he finished his last year of school at the "U." Car sales present a rather horrible schedule with basically no days off and long weekend hours. There were many Christmas Eve's and 4th of July's when he went in and actually sold cars. Who buys a car on th 4th of July is beyond me, but I digress.

Two years later, he left to go work with a friend of his in another industry - also commission-based. He worked for a big company and learned essential skills and life-lessons for his next endeavor. After nearly two years there, he landed at a small company with another friend and quickly became the number one salesman there and eventually a partner in a new account.

It's always interesting to see how careers and life events evolve. For the last few months, I have been feeling a change coming. I wasn't sure what it would be, but I prayed it would be for the best. A few weeks ago at my old lady monday night volleyball, an old friend (the same guy who originally got him in his current industry) approached Jon about a possible professional opportunity. He had left the big company after five years and had a great job for Jon at his new place. Things went so smoothly - we went to the temple on a tuesday, a call for a meeting with his friend came the following day and that friday was the last day at his job.

It was really nice having last week to recuperate from all the craziness thats been going on in our heads. We also got a lot of sping cleaning done in the house and had some fun with the boys. After two days at the new job, Jon is excited and exhausted. He is a team leader, in charge of several guys and he faces new responsibilities being over a team. In the past, he has just had to worry about number one and conducted his business however he felt it necessary to keep the family finances afloat. We're anxious for him to settle into a rhythm and to find the best ways to motivate and gain the other guys' trust while helping them be successful. It's a change, for all of us, but a step in the right direction - a promotion if you will. However, life as we know it continues to be "straight commission" but what else have we known?

Lens update

Not that anyone is really interested, but I called the photo repair place today and posed as my sister checking in on her lens (We bought it from her so the warranty is still in her name.) and there is actually some good news to report. They said it should be done in a WEEK! Let's just hope Nikon sends it back when they say. Who knew 1-3 weeks could turn into 5? Oh well, it's getting covered by the warranty and that saves about 100 bucks. I have decided that I need another lens as soon as I can justify buying one. I've even found the one I want. Someday....

Weekly Top 5 - by Luke

Here we go!

1. My grey Buzz Light Year
2. TMNT (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)
3. Playing with my friends
4. Watching my shows
5. Playing "wrestle."

I'm getting OLD

I don't have any great pictures from the last few days of having Daddy home and that is largely due to the dumbness that happened to me Wednesday night. Also, I still don't have my Nikon back and I am not sure I will ever see it again. Not to mention, we're still having winter storm warnings here in MAY. Will Spring ever arrive?

As for the dumbness afore mentioned, it was the tournament night of our old lady volleyball league we play in annually, and yours truly busted up her arm. Actually it's my left shoulder - I either strained or tore my rotator cuff. I'm not sure how it happened or exactly when, but I couldn't move it when I got home that night and it only got worse. I still have almost no range of motion and I feel like quite the invalid.

I went to the doctor yesterday and he gave me some meds to get through the pain - the same prescription I never filled when I had Harry, because I'm too "tough" for pain pills. Yeah, I'm pretty much counting down the eight hours between doses this time and it only takes off the edge. If things don't get better in the next week or so, we'll do an MRI and see a surgeon. I'm hoping (and pretty sure) it's just a strain. Mind over matter, right?

I'm actually getting much better and I went to physical therapy today. I just don't know how I feel about this body getting so old all the sudden. I'm only 32- isn't that supposed to be the new 22?

I do have to say a huge thanks to my sweet hubby. He has really been a rockstar with this little injury. I only changed one diaper yesterday and he has pretty much taken over the boys this week. Wonder what I'll do when he goes back to work...

Fun with Daddy

Jon is starting a new job (wahoo!) on Monday so he took the week off to spend with us and get stuff done around the house. We've really been focusing on some projects around the house and decided today was the day for some fun with the boys. After lunch we went to the park by our house and played baseball and soccer. Here are some pictures from our little outing.

Luke actually got pretty good at hitting - still needs practice, but a lot less goofy than when we started!
Harry saw a "forest" and took off running to play in the trees.

After a little hitting practice, it was soccer time. I think Luke is much more natural with soccer than baseball, but what do I know, it's one sport I never played!
Posing with his cool ball. All that's missing is the uniform.
Luke took this of us. Not bad eh? It was a fun day.

Harry's Top Two

My sister mentioned to me that I haven't done this for awhile and while I think Little Einsteins still ranks at or near the top, I think Harry now has a couple more favorites he would like to share:

1. His brown slip-on Old Navy shoes (he wears them anytime he is awake and would wear them to bed if we'd let him, but seriously the kid's feet STINK!)

2. Bubbles bubbles bubbles. We've gone through the Walmart sixpack since last Monday!

Luke's Weekly Top Five

Here they are...almost all different today. BTW - this is his "serious" Burnout face.

1. Playing Burnout with Dad

2. Playing Mario Galaxy

3. Doing my chores

4. Doing everything Mom asks me to do

5. Playing MegaManX with Uncle Steve

Think he's had enough video games this week? And I do LOVE that he threw out the two about doing his stuff and minding me. Nice touch, little buddy.

While I am at it....

I saw this on a friend's blog and decided WHY NOT?!
Apparently my personality type is - The Inspirer

You love being around people, and you are deeply committed to your friends. You are also unconventional, irreverent, and unimpressed by authority and rules. Incredibly perceptive, you can usually sense if someone has hidden motives. You use lots of colorful language and expressions. You're quite the storyteller!In love, you are quite the charmer. And you are definitely willing to risk your heart.You often don't follow through with your flirting or professed feelings. And you do break a lot of hearts.At work, you are driven but not a workaholic. You just always seem to enjoy what you do.You would make an excellent entrepreneur, politician, or journalist.How you see yourself: compassionate, unselfish, and understanding.
When other people don't get you, they see you as: gushy, emotional, and unfocused.

What's Your Personality Type?

Tagged....Again

I know I just did this a few days ago, and ironically my friend Rachel tagged me the same day. I thought it would be fun to do hers too. And then, like another dear friend of mine, I think I will retire from the tagging world. ;) Rachel's had a special draw to me because it's all about 8's and that's my number. 8 is GREAT! Here goes:

8 things I am passionate about:
1. My family
2. The Church
3. My friends
4. The young women I work with
5. getting/staying fit
6. Photography
7. Making the house nice for my family
8. Disneyland

8 songs I can listen to and never get sick of:
1. Melodramma - Andrea Bocelli
2. Music Sounds Better with You - Stardust
3. The Way I Am - Ingrid Michaelson (also her "Keep Breathing" - LOVE IT)
4. Apologize - OneRepublic
5. List of Demands (it's that song on the Nike Sparq Training commercials - great running song)
6. Thank You - Dido
7. Anything by Sting
8. Anything by Coldplay

The past 8 books I have read:
1. Book of Mormon
2. Twilight
3. New Moon
4. Eclipse
5. Sink Reflections - Marla Cilley
6. Harry Potter book 7—J.K. Rowling
7. God Wants a Powerful People - Sherri Dew
8. East of Eden- John Steinbeck (currently reading)

8 things I often say:
1. PLEASE would you just GO TO SLEEP?! (you know how my kids sleep)
2. All I want is respect, do you know what that means?
3. Why am I so tired?
4. What should I make for dinner?
5. Hey buddy! (Luke's daily greeting.)
6. How many points do you think this has?
7. Please close the fridge. (to Luke and often self-directed)
8. I love you.

8 things that attract me to a friend:
1. You can go awhile without talking and when you do it's like no time passed.
2. Good listener AND talker
3. Shares interests/beliefs
4. Not gossip-ish
5. FUN
6. Positive, not always grumpy and negative - I think Swog called this a "Debbie Downer" from SNL!
7. Similar parenting style
8. Isn't afraid to ask me for help - what are friends for, right?

8 random things about me:
1. I polish my granite like 5 times a day...
2. ...but I HATE doing dishes.
3. I love the smell of fresh-cut grass.
4. I never had allergies until after I moved back to Utah from San Fran.
5. I gave myself my middle name when I was little and got it legally for my 17th birthday.
6. I'm really good at doing the laundry, but not so good at folding it and getting it put away.
7. I still try to read my scriptures in Russian, although my speaking is getting SO bad.
8. I am all about inertia - once I get moving, I get so much more done.

8 things I want to do before I die:
1. Go to Europe and Tahiti with Jon (two separate trips of course!)
2. Have a baby girl
3. Support missionaries that can't afford to go
4. Finish my yard (or at least start)
5. Go to all my kids' temple sealings
6. Serve a mission with Jon
7. Own a second home in St. George or somewhere else that isn't a freezing tundra
8. Write my personal history

8 things I have learned this past year:
1. Change can be hard, but it can also be good.
2. I really do love having Ikea here as much as I thought I would.
3. Building your third house is no easier than building your first.
4. There is always time to do the housework but the kids are only little once.
5. Now that Mom is retired - I'm really learning Photoshop.
6. Rockband is a totally acceptable date night for me and Jon.
7. Digital scrapbooking is FUN and rewarding.
8. Working in Young Women is more than a Sunday/Tuesday job.

The 8 people I want to do the 8's:
All the girls in the new neighborhood...(Amy, Angi, Cherry, Danielle, Elissa, Gina, Jessica)

Bubbles in the Wind

Harry has been addicted to bubbles for the last week or so, and I decided not to do my "Jon's coming home soon" house blitz tonight and appease the little guy. We went out front to blow bubbles. I'm still without my good camera (2-3 MORE weeks ugh), so the boys were being quite photogenic - let's face it - they won't ever do this when I have my Nikon.

We had fun and the spring winds made it all the more fun. After bubbles we played the boys' version of hide-and-seek, which basically consists of them counting really fast (Harry pretends to count.) and then finding me.
We got a little sidetracked in our games when we found Hopper - the grasshopper.

Cake Decorating 101

Last night for YW, we had the class over to learn how to decorate cakes. The 18th was Steph's sweet sixteen and Lexi's was actually yesterday, so we thought it would be a fun activity. Whitley was our resident pro and taught us some tips, but we made the frosting a little too soft for anything to hold. The girls did such a cute job and I am having so much fun with a bigger class. The girls wouldn't really let me take pictures of them, so I had to settle for their finished products. Soon, they will be used to Sister F. and her camera!

Tagged...

Jon's cuz Ashley tagged me...I wondered how long I could float under the blog tagging radar.

Post these rules on your blog.
Answer these questions about yourself on your blog.
List:
3 joys
3 fears
3 goals
3 current obsessions/collections
3 random/surprising facts

Tag five people at the end of your post by leaving their names. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Here goes...
3 Joys - Jon, Luke and Harry
3 Fears- My kids getting seriously sick or hurt, getting fat, failure
3 Goals - Yard done by July, Follow my schedule for an ENTIRE week, lose 15 pounds
3 Obsessions/Collections - digtal scrapbooking stuff, photography, P90X (yep we're gettin' in SHAPE!)
3 Random/Surprising Facts - my running shoes are pink, I love to work in the yard - in fact I prefer it over any housework! I play "expert" on Rockband.

And I tag my sis Amy, Megan (you knew it), Swog, Emily and Kate.

A Cool Lunch

Although it was barely in the 50's today, the boys insisted on eating lunch in the backyard. I took their sandwiches and and drinks out and then took a phonecall inside. While I was chatting with my friend, I looked out the window to check on the boys and to my surprise they both had their arms folded and heads down and Luke was saying the blessing over the food. I guess some things we do regularly actually do get through!

Top 5 - Luke

Is it Monday again already? Here they are:

5. Karate

4. I heart NY shirt from Grandma Kathy

3. M & M football from Grandma Kathy

2. Barnyard

1. Super Mario

First Utah County Ride of the Year

Last Sunday, when it was actually over 40 degrees, we took the boys for a little post-church "please go to sleep" drive up to Alpine to check out the bike trail we like to frequent. I was pleasantly surprised to see none of the white stuff and the trails looked really dry. There were tons of bikers up there and we got the itch to go riding this week. As the week flew by, we realized today was the only day we could fit it in, so Jon took a long lunch and we went up to Lambert Park. I do have the best "laurels" who are willing to watch the kids on a whim like today. Thanks Whit.

The winds were threatening to end our ride before it began as we drove up the highway, but as soon as we got on the trail, the temperature was 71 degrees and the winds died down significantly. When they did blow, I like to think they helped me up the mountain. I need all the help I can get.

On that note...I'm still getting used to my clipless, but it was so wonderful to get out in nature, and get a little workout. Yes, I did fall, but we're chalking this one up as my first real crash since I got my bike. (Unlike St. George where it was pure inexperience with my shoes.) I took a corner too fast and laid the bike down into some brush and scrub oak. No major injuries, but I do think until I am better or less reckless on the downs, maybe I should consider riding in long sleeves and pants! Maybe I should pad my knees and hips too. Jon would be so proud to ride with the biggest dork on the mountain.

Unfortunately, the temperatures are already plummeting and tomorrow is supposed to be back in the forties, so our next ride may be awhile. But our little lunch date was perfect for today.

Random Thoughts

I just realized the last few posts were just all about me, me, me, me, me and that kinda makes me feel a little self-absorbed, so I thought I would share some funny things about the boys today.

Luke has clearly been watching too much TV when this kind of quote pops out, "Mom, (about a Pepcid AC commercial) that's how you show your stomach you really love it."

Harry was blowing bubbles at the park while chanting "Wots...and..wots...of BUBBles."

Also at the park, we were saying how cool it would be to have a park so close like the houses near it, and Luke said, "Well that's ok, because soon we will have our own park in our back yard, with swings, and slides, and teeter-totters, you know real park stuff." Or...it'll just be grass and flowerbeds and trees, but kinda like all that cool park stuff, little buddy.

And the last one isn't a quote, but a strange habit Harry has developed. Some of you may know of his peeling of our slate tile in the entry, and into the mouth it goes. Yep, he eats the floor - perhaps he is lacking iron in his diet, or something. Anyway, the newest addition to my little "pika" child's addiction is dirt clods. Yep, it's like a cookie, and he actually chose one over a real cookie I offered him.

So there you go, a little humor for the day. Happy weekend!

My Look-a-Likes...

Thought this was funny. I don't really see an 83% resemblance to Katie Holmes, do you?

Things that Make Me Happy

One of the things that makes me happy is finding fun and unique fonts on the web. Sure I could purchase some killer fonts from a variety of websites, but the bargain hunter in me just gets tickled when I find 'em for free. My mom and I were perusing dafont.com and found this little gem. It's called Scary Monsters and it has been a source of some fabulous coloring pages for the boys. Color, shading, and tinting by my mom. I just smile every time I see this.

Happy Mother's Day to Me!

A Mother's Day retreat in April? Actually this was for last year...Jon gave me a gift certificate and has been trying to get me to use it for the last 11 months. I finally found some time to do it and I spent two and a half hours at the Sego Lily Day Spa yesterday. It was wonderful and as a major novice in the world of "spa," I think the treatments I chose were perfect.

I did the "Ultimate Body Cure" (An invigorating cucumber scrub, cucumber face mask, aromatherapy scalp massage and hair treatment with a 30 minute full body massage) and the "Detoxifying Foot Bath" (Re-balance and re-energize as this revolutionary treatment stimulates your entire body through your feet's 4000 pores). They were great, especially the massage for the silly mom who finds herself falling down the stairs more than she cares to admit. The foot detox was admitedly a little gross. Here's some info from a website I found:

"During the 30 minute session the Aqua Detox system creates millions of ions that enter your body through the feet and begin to neutralize tissue acid wastes. This enables the body to rebalance its natural electrical energy system. " The water turns some nasty colors depending on what parts of your body hold toxins - mine was mostly orange, which is joints - no surprise. Honestly, I'm not so sure the skin can excrete toxins and that ions can enter your feet and do all that, but it was interesting and relaxing to have a half-hour footbath nonetheless.

My favorite part of the whole experience was relaxing in the meditation room and steam room before and after my treatments. There were no little voices beckoning me to do things for them, no dirty diapers to change, no meals to make or clean up, and for the afternoon, all the unfinished projects I have at home just disappeared. Thank you sweetie for such a relaxing afternoon!

Spring Break

I thought I would be a super fun mom this week since Luke doesn't have school or karate and I have to say the weather has really dampened (no pun intended) my spirits. I have the best of intentions every morning and some days we have gotten as far as to play a few games together or read a couple books.

I feel bad that one of the two fun things we have done for Spring Break actually happened last week. Luke and Jade had a make up Karate class on Saturday since they don't have lessons this week. My sister tooks some fantastic pictures you can check out on her blog. It was extra fun because the dads and my folks got to come.

We did have a playgroup at the neighbor's house yesterday, originally planned for the park and tornado-speed winds thwarted that. It was a good release of energy for the boys and I got to know some of our neighbors better. There really are some great people moving in this area. It was some much needed adult time with some cool ladies and moms all needing the same thing.

I guess it is only wednesday and there are a few good days left to make the most of the week. If only the sun would shine I would feel a lot better. And I'm sure it doesn't help that I called the photo place to check on my lens today and they haven't even looked at it yet. I'm next in line though, so sometime next week when the tech gets back in town, he'll look at it. Then, if it needs any parts, it'll be another 2-3 weeks. I am sad, but time will pass quickly, especially if I work on being that fun mom and making the most of Spring Break.

Weekly Five by Luke

Here they are for the week. The picture was a little Photoshop fun with the Lukester last week.

1. Playing pbskids.com

2. Karate

3. Playing with my friends

4. Going to school

5. Super Mario Galaxy

Real Salt Lake has a New Fan

Our ex-pro soccer player/accountant gave us tickets to the Real Salt Lake game tonight so Jon took Luke. Unfortunately, we crossed wires on the camera, so I don't have any great shots of RSL's newest 5-year-old fan. To be perfectly honest, I'm sure Dad and Luke were relieved to get away from camera happy Mom! They had a blast and I think the whole family will be going to some future games - my vote is David Beckham and the LA Galaxy. Need I say more? Maybe Sporty Spice will even be there. And if you were interested, RSL beat DC United 4-zip.

While Luke was enjoying his cotton candy and Bug Juice, learning the game of soccer, Harry and I had some fun of our own at Cabela's and Ikea. Could I have chosen two more different stores?! We looked at ALL the animals at Cabela's and he said hi to everything; he especially liked the elk. When we looked at the fish, I put him on the ledge by the tank and a BIG yucky fish came and swam eye-to-eye with him and he freaked out. So I spent twenty more minutes in the aquarium trying to convince him these are nice fishies and they won't eat him.

Ikea was much easier. We just wandered. I love that place and I always get inspired to do something artistic, fun, and modern in my house. My wish list is ever growing and it's fun to just go hang out there. We shared a hot dog and a soda and as we walked out, Harry said, "Bye IKEA, luv you." He's definitely my little buddy!

Sleepy I love you's

Jon is working late tonight and I just returned home from a fabulous stake young women's training to two very sleepy boys -thanks to Grandpa, for watching and wearing them out. I think this was the most successful bedtime in our little family's history. The boys were itching to get upstairs and into their jammies, Luke had already visited the bathroom, and within seconds of getting upstairs, both boys were changed and standing by the sink waiting to brush their teeth. They both cooperated for prayers and didn't even ask for the usual stories or songs. They did find one thing, however, to keep themselves awake for a few more minutes - would you ever expect my kids to not fight sleep? Seriously. Anyway, they kept saying "I love you" and "I love you too" to each other and to me what felt like hundreds of times. Finally, Harry was starting to teeter on the verge of consciousness, and as he drifted, a faint "I uh you too, mama n yukie" was his last utterance. I kissed him on the forehead, and he smiled a little peaceful smile that told me tomorrow will be a better day and if the boys didn't learn anything from me today, at least they know I love them.

Photobooth Phun

My mom has been keeping a secret for years and today she finally told us. As PC people, we're not so Mac-literate. I try, but I cant find it in me to switch. So today she tells us this secret - Apparently, Mac's come with this fun little software called Photobooth. We played with it for a while, and here are some of the highlights. We had a load of laughs and we found out what Luke would look like without those lucious lips.

Thanks for sharing, Mom, although I do see as a teacher of commercial art why you kept this a secret for so long and disabled it on all your lab computers!

MY CEREAL!

How is it that a 2-year-old already knows how to successfully tease his mom? Harry was cracking me up the other day with his bowl of corn pops. He has developed quite a complex about anyone touching his food so I have learned to never sneak even a taste to avoid the wrath of the Harry Monster. I gave him a bowl of cereal and he kept offering me a piece and as soon as I held out my hand to take it, he would eat it and laugh his impish little giggle and yell, "MY CEREAL!" As you can see in the pictures, he was also cracking himself up.

Luke's Weekly Five

1. My Spiderman Backpack

2. Playing with friends

3. Going with Mom to visit my cousins

4. Vanilla yogurt

5. Chicken noodle soup

Guess I know what I am making for dinner tonight!

New First Presidency

It was amazing to participate in the Solemn Assembly today as we sustained our new prophet, President Thomas S. Monson and the new First Presidency. I stood in my kitchen and raised my hand with the rest of the sisters of the Church and then again with the entire membership. I felt a surge of power as I knew millions of other members of the church were doing exactly what I was, and at the same time.

BYU Alumni Day

My Dad played tight end for the Cougars 1963-67 and this year he invited the boys to Alumni Day at BYU. Luke was very excited and insisted he wear his Denver Broncos sweatshirt because he wants to play for them like Grandpa. I did have to explain to him that he will have to play college ball first and BYU is a great place to play. I ended up going to part of the festivities and it was fun wandering around the field and the stadium. I even ran into some old friends who played while I was at the "Y."
Luke and Grandpa stayed to watch the team practice and Jon (yep, my Ute came), Harry and I met them for a BBQ last night. During practice, Luke ran to the top of the stadium twice. (He slept GREAT last night btw.) At the BBQ, Luke was very shy, but he met some players past and present. He even met LaVell Edwards, who told Luke that Grandpa played for him in high school. It was a lot of fun and we really enjoyed seeing Grandpa in his element.

My camera woes

Today was a sad day. I carefully packed up my lens and sent it to get fixed - it'll be gone for two to three weeks. And unfortunately, I'm not good enough at the photography thing to justify owning more than one lens, so my camera is rendered useless for awhile.

On Easter we noticed it was acting funny and we finally realized the lens wouldn't auto-focus and unless it was set to manual focus, it wouldn't even take pictures. I'm not so great at manual anything yet on that sucker, so needless to say, it's been a little rough. Hopefully whatever it is will fall under the warranty, and I'm just hoping we get it back in time for the tulip festival at Thanksgiving Point. Then I will hopefully be able to post some nice spring joy.

Karate

I've been meaning to post some pictures from karate and I finally took some on Monday. Luke goes with his cousin Jade and they have so much fun. They love being Little Ninjas and I am actually pleasantly surprised how much they pay attention to the instructors and not just to each other! My lens is having issues, so the focus isn't super.
Harry really wants to do karate too. He says, "pease mama karate."