Classic

I love this. 

So typical of what happens around here. 

I love watching my children interact when they are getting along.

It is one of the most rewarding things to watch.

But as they are learning how to interact appropriately, we often have mishaps.

This is one classic example.

My favorite part: "Sthoor-wee" (sorry).

And then the hug.

Sometimes he gets so excited and gets a little physical.

That little body is filled with all sorts of energy--not to mention strength.

Memory Loss

Time, they say, is a good healer. And it is true. 

Time is a good healer because memories fade and emotions grow faint.

And time can be a real blessing.

But what about the moments I never want to forget?

Moments--right now--that will soon be a memory.

Sometimes I don't want time to allow memories to fade and emotions to grow faint.

I want to remember my children's faces:

Henry's guilty, yet innocent face,

Maggie's closed-eye smiles and her cough-laugh.

I want to remember my children's interactions:

Maggie's smile when she sees Henry in the morning or after a nap,

Henry saying, "Maggie!" with a smile and offering a hug.

I want to remember my children's developments:
Henry learning new words and phrases,
Maggie saying, "Mamamamama" with a fish face.

I want to remember moments with Brendon,
When we laugh at the new things our children say and do,
When we smile at each other while watching our children.

I don't want time to take these memories.

I don't want time to take these emotions.

I don't want to forget.

Today & This Month

Today we stayed home all day.

I fed Sister and folded laundry before Henry woke up.

Henry didn't want to go on a walk, so I ran on the treadmill while he watched a movie and Sister napped.

We ate together and played before afternoon naps.

I cleaned and read while the children were napping.

It was a peaceful two hours.

After naps, we killed a dozen flies in our house (after leaving the doors open to let in a cool breeze).

The kids went on a short basket ride together.

Dad was awake so we played with him for a little while before he left for work.

Dad is working night shifts, so we don't see him much these days.

We miss him. 

Only three days left of this rotation.

After Dad left, we played in our backyard.

We threw the ball on the roof (Henry's latest favorite game).

Henry squished a few of the hundreds of beetles (no exaggeration) in our tree and laughed when I yelled, "Eww!"

Maggie played in the Bumbo contently and smiled at me when I talked with her.

We came in for dinner. 

Henry hates dinner these days and so I'm pretty sure he went to bed hungry tonight.

I wouldn't let him eat a pancake or cheese or pears until he had a bite of soup. 

And he never took a bite.

{today's photos}

{sister was this excited during the entire basket ride}

{squish, squish...complete with bug guts on finger}

{laughing at mom's reaction...opposite effect of what was intended...boys}

{love this face...it melts my heart}

Despite Dad being occupied with residency, we've had a good month.

I have been reminded that putting Henry to bed is quality time with him, not a chore.

I have been reminded that I should seize the opportunity for one-on-one moments with Maggie.

I have been reminded that Brendon needs a break, too.

I've been cherishing small moments with my children:

moments when I squeeze and kiss them,

moments when we laugh together,

moments when we are all together, playing.

I've been thinking a lot about who I am and who I want to become.

I've been assessing what I do with my time and how to use it better.

I've been more contemplative and more willing to change.

Yes, it has been a good month.

Mamma & Pappa

After a month of being a part from their grandchildren, my parents came out for a visit. We were so happy to see them and spend time with them. When my parents first arrived, my mom mentioned she felt bad that Henry doesn't understand that they don't live up the street from us any longer and neither she or my dad can come visit him often. At first I shrugged it off, thinking he really doesn't know he can miss them, but after our time with them and seeing just how happy Henry was the entire time they were here, I came to the conclusion that Henry does miss them just like they miss him.

Our week was pretty low key, but we tried to get out and show them all the shopping Lubbock has to offer. We also went to the park, discovered more fun at the Science Spectrum Museum, went out to eat, and played a game of Spades. We talked a lot, ate dinners at home together, and my parents helped me keep the house clean. Most importantly, we played and played and played with Henry and Maggie. They were two happy children! And I think my parents were really happy, too.

While at the Science Spectrum Museum, Henry wanted only Mamma and Pappa to follow him as he showed them the "bish" (fish), "nake" (snake), and the "sa-sore" (dinosaur). Anytime I offered my hand, he refused and went looking for his grandparents. Maggie, at one point, just sat and stared at her grandma who was pushing her and then fell to sleep.

(Henry didn't like that his head shape was warped in the mirror with grandpa)

While sitting at home watching a movie, grandma got a bloody nose. Sensing something was wrong, Henry was so sweet and repeatedly gave grandma a hug and kiss while saying, "sthoo-wee" (sorry).

Time went quickly and, before we knew it, it was time for Mamma and Pappa to leave. The following two mornings, Henry called out for "Pappa" from his crib and looked in the living room in hopes to see his grandparents. Henry loved running around the house with Pappa, drinking (soda) pop, laughing at funny clips with the boys, reading books with grandpa, and couldn't have been happier with all the attention he received from both of his loving grandparents.

We were ready to let my parents move in for a month or more, but life goes on for the two of them at home. So we said our good-byes. We are planning another visit in the near future and for now, visits will have to suffice. But, oh, how we love them. And how they love us. 

Twenty-seven

Today I turned twenty-seven.

I woke up and said, "This is going to be a good day. Today is a special day."

Hours later I thought, "This is going to be a fun day. Today is special."

Today I played with my children.

I made an honest effort to do things that make Henry happy.

Henry and I laughed together a lot today. He's at a fun, funny stage.

Today I ate dinner with my family.

I laughed with Henry while Maggie cried (she does not like carrots).

Brendon and I talked while we cleaned the kitchen together.

Today was mostly like any other day, except for the flowers, the cake, and the birthday wishes.

I had moments filled with frustration and moments filled with joy.

My family and I did what we usually do together.

Today was a good day. A fun day. A special day.

Today I had an epiphany, realizing every day can be a good day. A fun day.

Today I turned twenty-seven. Today I learned every day really is special.

 

Living in Lubbock

Lubbock is, in three words: warm, windy, and welcoming. While getting acclimated to our new area, we have been so grateful for the wonderful people living here who have extended a hand of friendship through service, a friendly hello, dinners, and invitations to play. Moving is never an easy thing to do, but this has been a smooth transition.

When people said, "Lubbock isn't the prettiest place," they were right. When a friend drove through and called to say, "The freeway is the highest point in the city," he was right. And when people said, "You will love it here," they were right. Well, I can't say I'm smitten with the place, but it will grow on me. I can already tell.


So far our favorite places in Lubbock are our backyard pool, the Science Spectrum Museum, TJ Maxx, the Lubbock Temple, the parks, and our house. We still have a lot to explore but have already found things to do to keep us busy. And keeping busy is what will help me get through these next three busy years sanely.


Our backyard pool has already provided hours of entertainment. We are loving the backyard patio, the sidewalk chalk, our kiddie cars and scooters, and the room to play. The backyard is basically dirt right now, but Henry could care less.

The Science Spectrum Museum had a mini zoo where I ventured to take the kids (by myself...my first big event alone with two kids). Henry's favorite thing was the fake dinosaurs that are always at the museum. He loves "sa-sores" with all his little heart. We got a pass to the museum and will be playing there often. The museum teaches a lot about science (think Phsyical Science 100 from BYU in all its' glory) and has everything from bubbles and balls to cars and trains to dinosaurs and fish. We've spent six hours there and haven't played with everything yet. 

The shopping in Lubbock is great. You name it, we have it (except for Costco). And the kids' clothing clearance racks are not picked over, leaving me with a great selection.

The Lubbock Temple is beautiful. The temple parking lot is our church parking lot. Henry pointed to the gold Angel Moroni on top and exclaimed, "Je-Jus (Jesus)!" He must carry some heavenly knowledge from before his birth, because we have not taught him about the gold statue on top of the temple. I'm not sure how he knew it was a religious being. Today, while leaving the church, Henry was crying (tantrum tears). All of a sudden, he stops crying, waves at the statue and says, "Mye Je-Jus (bye Jesus), mye Je-Jus." Too cute.

Our home is perfect for us. I love the size, the cinder-block, one-roomed basement (aka: the play room), our good-sized family room, the big backyard, and the bedrooms. The kitchen is small but doable. Brendon loves the two-car garage and the five minute commute to work. Our neighborhood is safe enough to run around, but our sheriff neighbor warned us to keep our garage closed due to burglaries in the area. All in all, we love the house.


Lubbock is proving to be a good fit for us for this time of our lives and we are anxious to meet more people and make good friends.

Seven Months

{one hundred percent girl}

She loves to talk. 

She loves companionship.  

She loves to snuggle.

{content}

"She is such a good baby," people say. 

She is in no rush for physical development (crawling or rolling over the full 360 degrees).

She smiles often and laughs when she's in the right mood. 

{tough}

She smiles when brother comes around. 

She takes a lot of what he dishes out.

"When she's crying, that means stop," I tell Henry. And when I pick her up, she is all better.

{silly}
She taps her left foot--especially while in her bumbo--when she's bored.
She has a shimmy dance move that she is really good at.
She makes herself cough and starts to laugh.

{loving}

Her snuggles are priceless. 

She has an apparent love for people with the excitement she shows on her face.

Her eyes tell me she loves me when I take the time to notice. 

{patient}

She is a second child.

She talks/moans to keep herself company.

She can wait for food.

{lover of the outdoors}

Like her brother, whenever she's crying, I can take her outside and she's happy.

Although tired, she will stay awake while taking a ride in the stroller outdoors.

Always content to play outside with brother.

{beautiful}
She is peaceful, calm, and pure.
She lights up a room with her open-mouthed smiles and smiley, squinty eyes.
She is our "bald beauty" with blue eyes and a sweet, gorgeous face.

{good baby}

Good sleeper: often wakes up during the night, but only once.

Good eater: stays focused while nursing and is eating solids well.

See {content}, {tough}, {loving}, and {patient}.

{We adore and love you, Maggie!}