My older sister, Amber, had a major stroke this past Sunday morning. She is in ICU and we aren't sure what her recovery will look like.
Amber is 38 years old (18 months older than me) and has 7 children ranging in age from 13 to 2.
We are holding a special fast for her beginning this evening after dinner through tomorrow. Please feel free to join in if you are able to.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Friday, November 23, 2012
Unconditional
Today Justin came in to my bedroom as I was sitting on the edge of my bed. Yes, I was reading a web page on my phone. He sat next to me and had a sly grin on his face. I put my phone to the side and put my arm around him.
"What's up, Buddy?"
He laid back horizontally on the bed and said, "Mom, you know how for the past five years I have been trying to think of the word to describe how much I love you?"
"Yes, I remember." It's true, he really has been searching for just the right word.
"Well, I found it! Unconditional. I even did a happy dance when I found it!"
Tears sprang to my eyes.
"Thank you so much, Justin! That is the nicest thing to ever tell your Mom."
I gave him a hug.
"That is how I feel about you, too."
He smiled and said, "I know."
Best. Feeling. Ever.
"What's up, Buddy?"
He laid back horizontally on the bed and said, "Mom, you know how for the past five years I have been trying to think of the word to describe how much I love you?"
"Yes, I remember." It's true, he really has been searching for just the right word.
"Well, I found it! Unconditional. I even did a happy dance when I found it!"
Tears sprang to my eyes.
"Thank you so much, Justin! That is the nicest thing to ever tell your Mom."
I gave him a hug.
"That is how I feel about you, too."
He smiled and said, "I know."
Best. Feeling. Ever.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
While you were traveling...
"Say cheese! Get a picture! "(While pointing her play phone at me)
I said daddy is on a trip. "Daddy go camping!"
"Need Dad!" Crying over and over as I am trying to get her ready for bed.
I said daddy is on a trip. "Daddy go camping!"
"Need Dad!" Crying over and over as I am trying to get her ready for bed.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Happy Birthday to our 2-year-old Allie!
Wow! I can hardly believe Allie is 2 years old already! Amazing how time has flown by. We celebrated her 2nd birthday with several firsts for the majority of our family. The biggest one is that we finished our first 5k race! Intel sponsored a family 5k/10k at the Hillsboro Stadium Complex.
The boys had swimming lessons in the morning at the Harewood Pool over at the old Jackson School House near our old neighborhood. Afterwards, we hurried over to the Intel campus for a tour bus ride to the stadium. Tyler called it an "airplane bus" because he was in awe over the nice seats, overhead storage and rear bathroom. It was fun to see the boys so amazed with their first luxury bus ride.
At the stadium, we lined up at the starting line and waited for our turn to take off. We had such a great time. We jogged a little, walked together and then Travis ran ahead with the boys as I followed behind with Allie sleeping in the stroller. My favorite part was walking hand-in-hand with my two boys in either side of me and Travis pushing Allie in front of us. That moment is frozen in my heart.
Allie and I crossed the finish line to the cheering of our biggest fans. What a wonderful birthday present for our sweet girl!
After a BBQ lunch, Allie tried her first snow cone. Of course she loved it! But to ride the bus again back to our car was the icing on her cake. She sure loves buses.
Since it was hot outside, we decided to go out for frozen yogurt instead of birthday cake at home. The kids loved their first visit to Twist. I think Allie loved the gummy bears on top best!
We swung by our new favorite Chinese restaurant, Joy Wok, on our way home.
Here are some cute things she does:
Sings "Happy Birthday to (fill-in-the-blank)" starting with family members and ending with happy birthday to the soccer ball and the backyard.
Points out the "Mommy" dog, "Allie" dog, etc., whenever she sees a mommy and a baby animal or human.
"Where Mommy go?" "Right here!". (Giggles). "Allie go?" "Right here!" (Giggles)
We love our sweet Allie!
The boys had swimming lessons in the morning at the Harewood Pool over at the old Jackson School House near our old neighborhood. Afterwards, we hurried over to the Intel campus for a tour bus ride to the stadium. Tyler called it an "airplane bus" because he was in awe over the nice seats, overhead storage and rear bathroom. It was fun to see the boys so amazed with their first luxury bus ride.
At the stadium, we lined up at the starting line and waited for our turn to take off. We had such a great time. We jogged a little, walked together and then Travis ran ahead with the boys as I followed behind with Allie sleeping in the stroller. My favorite part was walking hand-in-hand with my two boys in either side of me and Travis pushing Allie in front of us. That moment is frozen in my heart.
Allie and I crossed the finish line to the cheering of our biggest fans. What a wonderful birthday present for our sweet girl!
After a BBQ lunch, Allie tried her first snow cone. Of course she loved it! But to ride the bus again back to our car was the icing on her cake. She sure loves buses.
Since it was hot outside, we decided to go out for frozen yogurt instead of birthday cake at home. The kids loved their first visit to Twist. I think Allie loved the gummy bears on top best!
We swung by our new favorite Chinese restaurant, Joy Wok, on our way home.
Here are some cute things she does:
Sings "Happy Birthday to (fill-in-the-blank)" starting with family members and ending with happy birthday to the soccer ball and the backyard.
Points out the "Mommy" dog, "Allie" dog, etc., whenever she sees a mommy and a baby animal or human.
"Where Mommy go?" "Right here!". (Giggles). "Allie go?" "Right here!" (Giggles)
We love our sweet Allie!
Sunday, July 29, 2012
One more month to go...I can't believe it!
A month's worth of cuteness all packaged up in one blog post. I'm sure we are barely scratching the surface, really. Allie is our spunky, happy 23-month-old girl! Here are the first things that jumped out in my memory of this past week:
Tonight I counted out loud to bore her to sleep...she only made it to 150! Ha!
Allie loves to dance to and can sing along with "Dynamite" by Tao Cruise and "The Weekend Whip" by The Fold.
Likes to request the song "Twinkle Bells" at bedtime. (Jingle Bells)
She wants Daddy to put her to bed at night and sing to her. She cried today when I tried to do it. Yes, I feel so loved.
Allie loves dresses, necklaces, purses and shoes. She's all girl!
The other day I was painting my toenails. She was so curious and kept asking, "Mommy doing?" When I said I was painting my toenails pink, she immediately sat down and scooted her toes next to mine. Adorable! I know what this girl is getting for her birthday!
Daily, she gets all decked out in my slip-on shoes and any purse, lunch box or backpack (Ideally all three!). She goes around saying "Bye! See you! Have fun!" to everyone. I ask her where she is going and she replies, "Go truck!" She's on her way! Now heaven help us when she learns to open the door to the garage. Ha!
When I sign "I love you!", she copies the sign and we tough finger tips. Melts me!
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Allie 22 Months
Things we love about our Allie-Girl:
• She sings along with me as I sing "ABCs", "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" and "Goodnight, Baby". She gets most of the main words. It is my favorite thing to be holding her with her head resting on my shoulder as we sing. Usually it happens as I am walking with her at nap time.
• Sometimes she tells me "I wuv ooo" as she tries to do the sign language along with it. I spend the rest if the day as a puddle on the ground.
• She wants to do what her brothers do: Climb the tree, ride the scooter, hold the neighbor's dog's leash, talk on the phone, sit on the bar stool (but I don't let her), take a bath, play (destroy) Monopoly, ride in the truck with dad and eat a popsicle.
• She was excited to wake up yesterday at Kohl's. "Clothes!" She loved to watch me try on a dress. She said, "Mommy, dress, dance!"
• She loves Sundays so we can go to "Church, song!" Whenever we drive on the freeway, she thinks we are headed to church. Our building is about 15 minutes away by way of the highway.
• Nothing is more fun than chasing or being chased by her brothers.
• She is a great picnic hostess for her toy characters and animals.
• She refuses to sit in her high-chair or wear a bib. I love that. But, I have learned to pick my battles with my determined daughter.
• She waves "Hi!" to people when we are out in public.
• She wants to ride in Dad's truck instead of Mom's minivan. I feel so cool now!
• She always wants to wear a dress or skirt if given a choice. Her big brothers don't even care what they wear. lol!
• She sings along with me as I sing "ABCs", "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" and "Goodnight, Baby". She gets most of the main words. It is my favorite thing to be holding her with her head resting on my shoulder as we sing. Usually it happens as I am walking with her at nap time.
• Sometimes she tells me "I wuv ooo" as she tries to do the sign language along with it. I spend the rest if the day as a puddle on the ground.
• She wants to do what her brothers do: Climb the tree, ride the scooter, hold the neighbor's dog's leash, talk on the phone, sit on the bar stool (but I don't let her), take a bath, play (destroy) Monopoly, ride in the truck with dad and eat a popsicle.
• She was excited to wake up yesterday at Kohl's. "Clothes!" She loved to watch me try on a dress. She said, "Mommy, dress, dance!"
• She loves Sundays so we can go to "Church, song!" Whenever we drive on the freeway, she thinks we are headed to church. Our building is about 15 minutes away by way of the highway.
• Nothing is more fun than chasing or being chased by her brothers.
• She is a great picnic hostess for her toy characters and animals.
• She refuses to sit in her high-chair or wear a bib. I love that. But, I have learned to pick my battles with my determined daughter.
• She waves "Hi!" to people when we are out in public.
• She wants to ride in Dad's truck instead of Mom's minivan. I feel so cool now!
• She always wants to wear a dress or skirt if given a choice. Her big brothers don't even care what they wear. lol!
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Last Day 2
I can hardly believe the school year is over already! We have had a wild year with lots of changes. The boys have been so amazing and have adapted to our new life here in our new neighborhood. They both love their new school and adore their new teachers. I realized that I hadn't taken a picture of them with their teachers. Justin was in 4th grade with Mr. Lester. Tyler was in 1st grade with Mrs. Schroeder. Allie is just happy to be here. She is just that kind of girl. So, here are our big last-day-of-school hoopla pictures:
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Welcome Summer!
The kids raced through our last day of school "finish line" this afternoon with their neighborhood friends. It is a fun, little tradition my kids won't forget any time soon.
It was fun to chat with our new neighbors and the kids had fun riding their scooters and bikes. Of course we ended up at the park! The perfect celebration!!
It was fun to chat with our new neighbors and the kids had fun riding their scooters and bikes. Of course we ended up at the park! The perfect celebration!!
Monday, May 28, 2012
Allie 21 Months
Here are Allie's up-to-the-minute top 10:
1. Allie loves to yell "Run!" and run around the island in our kitchen waiting for someone to chase her or to pop out in front of her to catch her.
2. She repeats whatever she is excited about with everyone's name in our family:
"Allie shoes, Daddy shoes, Justin shoes, Tyler shoes, Gram-pa shoes, Mommy shoes!"
3. She loves to go swinging at the park and still cries and says, "Swing all done!" over and over when it is time to come inside.
4. I don't worry about her climbing on the furnitureanymore for the most part.
5. Allie got her own big container of popcorn tonight while we watched "The Lion King" as a family. She stayed in a low squat on the floor the whole time happily eating her popcorn. That girl has some serious balance!
6. She loves to look at books and have us read to her. Favorites are "Katy Duck" and "Green Hat, Blue Hat".
7. Favorite foods: bread, yogurt, bananas, frozen peas, popcorn and pretzels. She loves to play with her play food, too.
8. She is learning the ABC's and I catch her singing the song sometimes. "j,k,o-o-o-o-p,q,r,s..."
9. Whenever Allie is wearing anyone's sunglasses, the boys make rap music noises and Allie dances as they chant, "I'm a cool girl!"
10. Allie likes to dance to the music on Travis' iPhone. She loves to watch Curious George ("Monkey show!") and Martha Speaks ("Doggy Show!")
We sure do love this girl!
1. Allie loves to yell "Run!" and run around the island in our kitchen waiting for someone to chase her or to pop out in front of her to catch her.
2. She repeats whatever she is excited about with everyone's name in our family:
"Allie shoes, Daddy shoes, Justin shoes, Tyler shoes, Gram-pa shoes, Mommy shoes!"
3. She loves to go swinging at the park and still cries and says, "Swing all done!" over and over when it is time to come inside.
4. I don't worry about her climbing on the furniture
5. Allie got her own big container of popcorn tonight while we watched "The Lion King" as a family. She stayed in a low squat on the floor the whole time happily eating her popcorn. That girl has some serious balance!
6. She loves to look at books and have us read to her. Favorites are "Katy Duck" and "Green Hat, Blue Hat".
7. Favorite foods: bread, yogurt, bananas, frozen peas, popcorn and pretzels. She loves to play with her play food, too.
8. She is learning the ABC's and I catch her singing the song sometimes. "j,k,o-o-o-o-p,q,r,s..."
9. Whenever Allie is wearing anyone's sunglasses, the boys make rap music noises and Allie dances as they chant, "I'm a cool girl!"
10. Allie likes to dance to the music on Travis' iPhone. She loves to watch Curious George ("Monkey show!") and Martha Speaks ("Doggy Show!")
We sure do love this girl!
Friday, May 4, 2012
A little bit of this and that
I can wear earrings again!!! Allie doesn't yank them out anymore. But she does still have her eye on my accessories. Last Sunday she just HAD to wear my necklace to church because I was wearing one too. I let her because it did match her dress. It hung to her knees! Ha! Ha!
Peppermint essential oil is the ticket to no more ants! Seriously! A few weeks ago Justin discovered ants all over the floor of the kids bathroom. Must have been 50 of them...10 minutes later, no more ants! I mixed 15 drops of oil in a spray bottle with a cup of water. Just sprayed it around the baseboards since they aren't calked and I assumed that was how they got in. Then I sprayed in the door threshold for good measure. So easy and smelled amazing like a candy cane.
The next week they appeared downstairs in the kitchen. I did the same thing but it took a few days and some wadded up paper towels soaked in the spray and stuffed along the edges of the dishwasher and oven. No more ants in the kitchen either! Oh, I am thrilled! Anybody want a candy cane?
We just watched Captain America the other night and I'm looking forward to seeing The Avengers.
I am a weed-pulling machine! Just in case you were wondering. I noticed we have some sort of hole-digging, tunnel-creating rodent in our yard. And I'm pretty sure that's a not good thing. Yep. Oh boy.
Speaking of church. (Was I?) I just got a calling in our new ward...1st Counselor in Primary. My boys are so excited to have me in Primary with them. I am looking forward to it, too! I will be over activity days, nursery, nursing home sacrament visits and music. I will be teaching a sharing time lesson to all the children under 12 once or twice a month, conducting the meeting when it is my turn, planning activities for the entire group of kids and making sure the separate age-group classes are running smoothly each Sunday. Piece of cake, right? I'm ready to jump in!
Popcorn and orange juice is calling my name. You, too?
Travis is has been running almost every day now. He is doing such a great job! I am amazed how he can run up and down all these hills in our neighborhood. He is my superman!
Peppermint essential oil is the ticket to no more ants! Seriously! A few weeks ago Justin discovered ants all over the floor of the kids bathroom. Must have been 50 of them...10 minutes later, no more ants! I mixed 15 drops of oil in a spray bottle with a cup of water. Just sprayed it around the baseboards since they aren't calked and I assumed that was how they got in. Then I sprayed in the door threshold for good measure. So easy and smelled amazing like a candy cane.
The next week they appeared downstairs in the kitchen. I did the same thing but it took a few days and some wadded up paper towels soaked in the spray and stuffed along the edges of the dishwasher and oven. No more ants in the kitchen either! Oh, I am thrilled! Anybody want a candy cane?
We just watched Captain America the other night and I'm looking forward to seeing The Avengers.
I am a weed-pulling machine! Just in case you were wondering. I noticed we have some sort of hole-digging, tunnel-creating rodent in our yard. And I'm pretty sure that's a not good thing. Yep. Oh boy.
Speaking of church. (Was I?) I just got a calling in our new ward...1st Counselor in Primary. My boys are so excited to have me in Primary with them. I am looking forward to it, too! I will be over activity days, nursery, nursing home sacrament visits and music. I will be teaching a sharing time lesson to all the children under 12 once or twice a month, conducting the meeting when it is my turn, planning activities for the entire group of kids and making sure the separate age-group classes are running smoothly each Sunday. Piece of cake, right? I'm ready to jump in!
Popcorn and orange juice is calling my name. You, too?
Travis is has been running almost every day now. He is doing such a great job! I am amazed how he can run up and down all these hills in our neighborhood. He is my superman!
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