Yesterday Seuao and I went to visit with his orthopedist about fixing his ACL. As we were leaving, we ran in to these guys...
The title of this post is SO perfect for the girl who has a movie quote for EVERYTHING! Today my sister Mary turns 30!
You will never find a more loyal or genuine friend than Mary. She has been a source of so much support to me in so many ways. Although we are polar opposites music-wise, we can totally enjoy a sappy chic flick together! Add something "brown" (i.e. chocolate), or "gorp-y", and we're golden!
Mary is a care-taker. She has done that for me so many times, from organizing my house after my wedding, throwing me amazing showers, to Sunday dinners, to last-minute babysitting, I know Mary is someone I can depend on.
One thing I have learned though is to NOT keep a secret from this girl! She will forever be suspicious of me being pregnant! All I can say is that it's payback for the THOUSANDS of bad pictures she has taken of me!
I love that Mary always has some sort of 80's or early 90's tune going on in her head. I love that when she's playing "Pounce" she talks to herself! I love seeing her kiss and cuddle her sweet baby. Her "heart of stone" balances out my "instant tears" perfectly.
Mary, on your birthday I hope you know how much you are loved!!!!
Welcome to your thirties!
I keep waiting to write about this weekend until I scan in some pictures of Jodi and Hillary, but since that's realistically not going to happen, I decided this will have to do...
The three of us all served our missions in Ireland. Jodi first served with Hillary, then came out to Galway where she served with me. A few months later, I moved to Limerick and after that, Hillary came to Limerick and we were companions there.
One of the few pleasures you get to experience as a missionary in Ireland (since there isn't a whole lot of teaching and baptizing out there) is the CHOCOLATE! Jodi found Chomp bars and brought them along as a surprise for us to enjoy. Aaahhhh, the memories that came back! The flat we lived in in Galway was right next door to a little shop. We would stack up our 10p (like 10 cents) and every day (ok, sometimes twice or three times a day) we would hop into the shop and buy a Chomp bar!
But, I digress...
My weekend with these girls was WONDERFUL! Actually it was really only about 24 hours, but it was exactly, perfectly what I needed. We left Friday evening, and after a tour of Hilly's house that she's building (incredible!), and stop at Walmart, we made it to Hilly's family's cabin up past Evanston. It was amazing! I'm bummed I didn't pull my camera out, but take my word for it - it was beautiful. It was surrounded by aspens. Hilly said they frequently get moose wandering through. The house was so comfortable and utterly relaxing.
We had no agenda - we just sat around and visited and read and took breaks to eat, visited some more, read some more, more breaks to eat... You get the idea!
I did learn a few things while we were there:
I love you girls! Thanks for the perfect get-away. Like I said, I already can't wait for the next one!
"And now I know it's hard!"
My night last night:
So, I just sit down - Tessa is back asleep, but stirring. Seuao's watching something or other on tv, and Tessa starts to fuss. I look at him with the "are you going to get her?" look... And it begins....
Apparently I don't understand what hard work is.
I know my husband has a difficult job. I know he works long hours and it's a physically demanding job. That's why I usually don't mind typical evenings like last night - I don't get bothered by taking care of him and our family.
I do get frustrated when I have spent literally every minute of the evening taking care of him and our kids and our home, to have it all completely discredited because I have an office job during the day.
I'm not one who usually needs validation. That's not why I'm writing this - I don't get my feelings hurt easily. Last night I did though.
After our "discussion" Seuao went to bed. Tessa wanted nothing to do with sleep, so I was up with her until about 11:45. Guess who woke up at 4:30 this morning? And guess who had to get up with her? She still doesn't feel good and fussed and cried unless I was holding her until about 7:00 a.m., 15 minutes before we're supposed to leave.
Seuao and his 7 hours of sleep went off to work this morning, and I still felt bad. Part of it is that I don't feel good either and am on antibiotics. But I'm sure most of it is the perpetual lack of sleep I'm suffering from.
However, tonight after work, I am heading up into the mountains with two of my favorite girl friends to GET AWAY!!!!!!! We have been talking about this for about a month or so, and all babies are staying home with daddies! The timing couldn't be more perfect - maybe Seuao will be reminded how much work it really is to take care of these kids. I know he won't be trying to juggle laundry, dishes and house stuff too - taking care of the kids will be the extent of his duties, but that's ok.
I'm going to get some of the breathing room that I desperately need. I know when I come back tomorrow I'll be prepared to be a better wife and mother, so I don't feel bad at all for leaving. But, I'll admit - I am also looking forward to hearing how much "hard work" it was to take care of these kids!
Tonight is my "Old Ladies" night. Except there will be one less....
My friend, Linda Jackson passed away a few weeks ago. I knew she hadn't been feeling well the last couple of times I had seen her. And the last couple of months, she hasn't felt well enough to come. And still, it felt so unexpected and sudden.
Linda was 60 years old. She was an elementary school teacher, and I have never met a teacher who spoke with more love for her kids than Linda. She always had funny stories to share and loved these kids as if they were her own. Linda and I would always talk about the Jazz. She had season tickets and heaven help the other "old ladies" if there was a Jazz game happening during our evening! Oh, and if it also happens to be the American Idol finals, you could count on some ruffled feathers! (Personally, I'll stick with the Jazz game!)
I am so grateful for each of these "old ladies" and the chance I have to know them. Linda, you have a special place in my heart, and I will truly miss you.
Since Tessa has been born, I can count on one hand the number of times I have attended church in my own ward. Between sick kids, being out of town, Stake & General Conferences, etc. etc. etc. we just haven't been there.
Seuao found out on Saturday that he was going to have to go in to work Sunday morning, so I would be solo at church. Now, the thought of dealing with Lily alone at church is enough to reconsider the whole thing, but adding Tessa to the mix really had me scared!
I stocked the diaper bag with fruit snacks, lollipops, sippy cups, bottles, teddy grahams, goldfish crackers, toys and books, hoping that we would have enough to see us through the 3 hours ahead. Truthfully, I was dreading it. But, I knew it was where we should be...
So, after only a couple of tears and struggling with some VERY ANNOYING shoes that don't fit right, we made it to church only 7 minutes late! (For 9:00 a.m. church, that is quite an achievement!) We went into the nursery. Lily hesitated when we walked in, but quickly started playing with the other kids. The last few times I have taken her into nursery in Logan she has been so clingy and fussy and didn't want to have anything to do with it. I was so surprised how adjusted she seemed to be yesterday! She played with the kids, sang the songs and even helped clean up! I had to slip out to change Tessa, and on my way back in, the nursery leader told me she was doing great, and that I really didn't need to stay unless I wanted to, but Lily was just fine!
Yahoo!!!
I took Tessa and we went to Sunday School. The teacher had the class involved quite a bit, and I can't remember what the context was, but he said something along the lines of "I look forward each and every week to come here and spend time among friends. Not only are we neighbors and ward members, we are friends."
Among friends.
I looked around the room and felt so much respect, love and gratitude for the people I was surrounded by. During Sacrament Meeting I found myself situated with our amazing home teacher's family in front of us, my next door neighbors sharing our bench, and my visiting teacher behind me. I was quite literally surrounded by people who care about me and my family.
The thought again came to me, "among friends."
I thought of Lily, who I know felt the same way that morning entering nursery. Her fears at peace and her spirit warmed. She, too was among friends.
We were where we needed to be that morning. We were both, Lily and I, reminded of those who love us, and whom we love. We felt the spirit of support and caring from so many. We were among friends.
My old college friend (old as in dear.... not old as in OLD :) ) Steph made this dress. She has a booth of all kinds of crafties at the Farmers Market in Logan. The first time I saw the dress, I LOVED it! I was still pregnant at the time, and it looked a little big, and a little PINK! I wasn't sure if it would work as a blessing dress, so I didn't end up getting it.
It's a long walk up the hill with a reluctant Lily (note the dangling purple legs!)
Get ready.....
Get Set....
GO!!!!!! 
Phew! We made it!!!
Mmmmm..... Yummy snow!!!
Thanks for letting us tag along (and for the pictures)!!!!!!
Our family Christmas party was the weekend before Christmas. That left me 3 days really to get everything done. Needless to say, those three nights I totalled about 8 hours of sleep. By the time Christmas Eve came, I was running on pure adrenaline (and a package of No-Doze in my purse just in case the drowsies set in on the drive!)
Other than Rebecca, all of us, and all of our kids stayed at the folk's house in Logan. We stayed up late (kinda late - we all were pooped) and played games. It was so fun to wake up Christmas morning and let Lily go through her stocking. She got a stuffed Elmo, a couple of Elmo Christmas books (she's on a major Elmo kick), some "fishies" (goldfish crackers) and a gummy Life Saver book. (Yeah - still wearing the half of her clothes from the day before.... SCRAPPY!!!!)
We did a "Kid's Christmas" in the morning for all of the kiddos. Lily and Noah were the most into it.
Lily's special chair painted just for her by her Granny!
Tessa got a Bumbo - the gift I didn't know I - uh... SHE - wanted! WE LOVE IT!!!!!!
(Can you say SCRAPPY!?!?)
