Chris and I have been doing better overall taking turns letting the other sleep in (really, we should just go to bed earlier!). The other morning this is what I woke up to. Chris had experimented with a homemade peach-raspberry-strawberry syrup which was delicious. I don't even prefer pancakes, but this definitely made them worth eating! I am so lucky to have a good husband who takes such good care of me (and my stomach)!
3.19.2009
Yummy Breakfast
Chris and I have been doing better overall taking turns letting the other sleep in (really, we should just go to bed earlier!). The other morning this is what I woke up to. Chris had experimented with a homemade peach-raspberry-strawberry syrup which was delicious. I don't even prefer pancakes, but this definitely made them worth eating! I am so lucky to have a good husband who takes such good care of me (and my stomach)!
3.14.2009
Rex Lee 5K
Rex Lee Run was today--I'll add captions later but here are the pics! We had a great time and it was so fun to have so many family members there.
Little Chef
Of course when Mom was wearing an apron to keep her newly-purchased white shirt clean (which I can't even blame my dirtiness on my kids as much as I'd like to!) that of course meant Ian wanted to wear one...which meant Cooper suddenly thought it was cool...luckily Ian got over the trend fairly quickly and "allowed" Coop to take a turn. Too cute!
Coop loves the fridge farm (and I know plenty of moms who can't stand this toy...for some reason I like it...)
Home is What You Make It
Since Chris accepted the position with the district court and we know we will be in Provo at least another 1 1/2 years (or so) I feel like I am finally settling in for "good". I have often struggled with being content and not wishing to be in the next stage of life, but as I have mentioned before, I have not felt this tendency very much, which has been a huge blessing in my life. It also has helped me to reflect on "wants" and "needs" which is why we will be staying in our same apartment during Chris' upcoming clerkship. Some people may wonder how we can still stand to be in an apartment; of course I would LOVE to own a house and be able to decorate and have a backyard for my boys to play in (and a garage for my oldest boy to play in!) but in the meantime I can honestly say I am happily living in our "home" for now. Even though we never intended on being in this apartment as long as we have been (it will be 5 years this August) I think we are finally starting to put some "permanency" into it; though we can't paint the walls, my latest projects have been decorating and rearranging. I have a long list of decor to add to rooms and other projects to complete. I said to Chris tonight that I think we are really making things ours.
I also really liked this post on a BYU blog I recently came across about de-cluttering, as well as this quote: “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful" (William Morris). It has made me think about what we have in our home, the feelings and atmosphere we are trying to create and what we can do (or not do) to have the type of home that fits our personalities, goals and most importantly, somewhere where the Spirit can reside.
Our latest project has been one that I have dragged my feet on and flat out refusing to even consider. Then suddenly one day I had a change of heart, I rearranged our bedroom and as of tonight (a big thanks to Kevin/relief for Julane for giving us the tank and gravel!) this is now what we see from our bed:
Lights on/lights off...
Which actually fits perfect in our room since we are going to decorate it with kind of a beach theme (hibiscus flower patterns, palm trees, etc). Not tacky, minimally and tastefully. Just enough to add some "fun" to the room. I will post more pictures as we do more decorating. Right now we are looking for a neat big beach poster to put in a big frame over our bed. That and we will be introducing African dwarf frogs and a variety of fish to their new tank over the next few weeks. Chris is excited for me to "decorate" the fish tank as well (we already have a really cool hammock/palm trees to start). And I think he is right, this could be a really fun family project and I think it adds even more to the atmosphere we are trying to create in OUR home!
Chris cleaning out the tank to get it ready. The boys know we are getting it but we are pretty sure they will be pretty stoked when they wake up in the morning. I am sure their next question will be (at least Ian since he can verbalize it) will be: Where's the fish? We took the boys to a pet store the other night with Grandie and Cooper was so excited to see all the animals, especially the fish. I guess that might have been what pushed me over the edge...it's amazing what mothers will do when they think they think they can bring a little added joy to their children's (and husband's) lives.
I also really liked this post on a BYU blog I recently came across about de-cluttering, as well as this quote: “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful" (William Morris). It has made me think about what we have in our home, the feelings and atmosphere we are trying to create and what we can do (or not do) to have the type of home that fits our personalities, goals and most importantly, somewhere where the Spirit can reside.
Our latest project has been one that I have dragged my feet on and flat out refusing to even consider. Then suddenly one day I had a change of heart, I rearranged our bedroom and as of tonight (a big thanks to Kevin/relief for Julane for giving us the tank and gravel!) this is now what we see from our bed:
Lights on/lights off...
Which actually fits perfect in our room since we are going to decorate it with kind of a beach theme (hibiscus flower patterns, palm trees, etc). Not tacky, minimally and tastefully. Just enough to add some "fun" to the room. I will post more pictures as we do more decorating. Right now we are looking for a neat big beach poster to put in a big frame over our bed. That and we will be introducing African dwarf frogs and a variety of fish to their new tank over the next few weeks. Chris is excited for me to "decorate" the fish tank as well (we already have a really cool hammock/palm trees to start). And I think he is right, this could be a really fun family project and I think it adds even more to the atmosphere we are trying to create in OUR home!
Chris cleaning out the tank to get it ready. The boys know we are getting it but we are pretty sure they will be pretty stoked when they wake up in the morning. I am sure their next question will be (at least Ian since he can verbalize it) will be: Where's the fish? We took the boys to a pet store the other night with Grandie and Cooper was so excited to see all the animals, especially the fish. I guess that might have been what pushed me over the edge...it's amazing what mothers will do when they think they think they can bring a little added joy to their children's (and husband's) lives.
3.12.2009
LDS Church's Statement on "Big Love"
The following link to the Church's statement, as well as the video are beautiful representations of our beliefs in temples and an amazing portrayal of how well the Church responds to possible criticisms; I think we can all learn a lot from this, as it seems like this truly is the way our Savior would want us to act, respond and teach others about the truths of the restoried gospel. This is from the LDS Church's home page:
"Visit the Newsroom to read the Church’s official statement Church’s official statement on an upcoming episode of HBO’s Big Love that is said to depict temple ceremonies. If you would like to learn more, watch the video below that explains why we build temples."
"Visit the Newsroom to read the Church’s official statement Church’s official statement on an upcoming episode of HBO’s Big Love that is said to depict temple ceremonies. If you would like to learn more, watch the video below that explains why we build temples."
Yay for Running!
We are so excited for the Rex Lee Run this Saturday! We are doing the 5K, along with a bunch of our family members.
We'll for sure post pictures after the race. Today I went to the law school and went with Chris and the boys to a presentation by Prof. Tom Lee (son of Rex Lee) and Dean Hansen who knew Rex Lee back in the early days of the law school. It is inspiring every time I hear about this great man. Prof. Lee quote a scripture, Doctrine and Covenants 58:27 " Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;" He talked about how Rex Lee was an example of this, that he never intended to be the founding Dean of the J. Reuben Clark Law School or the president of BYU, or even the Solicitor General, but he was always anxiously engaged in looking for causes to be involved in, and as a result he led a full, energetic, enthusiastic life. He loved people and people felt loved by him. I am grateful for the legacy and inspiration Rex Lee is to me. It helps me to consider how I can be anxiously engaged and live my life in such a way to do great things within my sphere of influence. Also, I love that Rex Lee started running in his late 30's! That makes me feel like I can continue to make running an important part of our family. Prof. Lee said Rex Lee probably ran 12 marathons and because of his enthusiasm for running, all 5 of Prof. Lee's sister, his brother, himself and his mother have been runners. He said they used to go on Saturday morning runs as a family. I love that! And I love to see a wonderful example of the opportunities we have for good, to influence and to love and live life to its fullest.
This is before the July 4th 5K we did in Vegas; Chris' first. I promise it's addicting and so much fun to be with so many people who love to run (or hate it but still do it!) You can still register for the run: http://rexleerun.byu.edu/index.php
This is after the 5K our stake does twice a year (this was last October). I ran with the boys in the jogger. Luckily my knee has been doing better since then though I still am wearing the dang knee brace since it is still tender.
We'll for sure post pictures after the race. Today I went to the law school and went with Chris and the boys to a presentation by Prof. Tom Lee (son of Rex Lee) and Dean Hansen who knew Rex Lee back in the early days of the law school. It is inspiring every time I hear about this great man. Prof. Lee quote a scripture, Doctrine and Covenants 58:27 " Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;" He talked about how Rex Lee was an example of this, that he never intended to be the founding Dean of the J. Reuben Clark Law School or the president of BYU, or even the Solicitor General, but he was always anxiously engaged in looking for causes to be involved in, and as a result he led a full, energetic, enthusiastic life. He loved people and people felt loved by him. I am grateful for the legacy and inspiration Rex Lee is to me. It helps me to consider how I can be anxiously engaged and live my life in such a way to do great things within my sphere of influence. Also, I love that Rex Lee started running in his late 30's! That makes me feel like I can continue to make running an important part of our family. Prof. Lee said Rex Lee probably ran 12 marathons and because of his enthusiasm for running, all 5 of Prof. Lee's sister, his brother, himself and his mother have been runners. He said they used to go on Saturday morning runs as a family. I love that! And I love to see a wonderful example of the opportunities we have for good, to influence and to love and live life to its fullest.
This is before the July 4th 5K we did in Vegas; Chris' first. I promise it's addicting and so much fun to be with so many people who love to run (or hate it but still do it!) You can still register for the run: http://rexleerun.byu.edu/index.php
This is after the 5K our stake does twice a year (this was last October). I ran with the boys in the jogger. Luckily my knee has been doing better since then though I still am wearing the dang knee brace since it is still tender.
2008 Christmas Card
Most of you probably got this in the mail at Christmastime (if not you can send us your address so we can make sure you get one this year :) ) We have a ball writing our letter and making this picture every year. I am hoping to get the full version of Photoshop Elements soon (hint, hint, my birthday is coming up) so I can do stuff like this more often. I loved being on yearbook in high school and have never been a fan of paper scrapbooking so this seems to be right up my alley. I love seeing what a great year we had in 2008 and it is so fun to already see all the fun memories and experiences we will have for 2009's Christmas card come December.
3.04.2009
Bragging Rights
I doubted Chris would post this himself, so I figured as his wife this type of thing is my prerogative. Ever since we ran the 5K in Las Vegas last summer we have been looking forward to doing more with our running. I am proud to say that Chris especially is keeping this going. He has been going to the indoor track 2-3 times a week since the start of the year. His goal is to run at least 100 times during 2009 (I think he is up 15 right now). I am extremely proud of him, his efforts and progress. The above picture is his first under 30 minute 3-mile run! He has been doing awesome! He is actually out for a run as I type this.We are looking forward to the Rex Lee 5K next Saturday. We have races planned for the upcoming months as well. I am grateful Chris is trying so hard to stay in shape and push himself to achieve goals he may not have ever considered before. Keep running!
Making Friends
Wow, so really I am discovering tons of drafts that I never posted during my hiatus from blogging (heck, I'm still on the hiatus but figure I can slowly post stuff when I care to, right?) Anyways, this is Ian making friends with another little boy at the park last fall. He was having fun throwing the ball to him. It's cute to see how much Ian likes to play with other children; he recently said, "I like making friends." We are trying to encourage him in his interactions so that hopefully he doesn't struggle as much as Chris and I have socially! He has a lot to learn (but what 3 year old has it all down yet?) about sharing and expressing feelings more appropriately, but he is such a sweetheart with a big heart and good intentions.
2.08.2009
Hit Me Baby, One More Time
So, you see that big board up there at the top of our blog? Yeah, that one. It is about nine inches square and about 3/8ths of an inch thick. There is one just like it hanging up a few inches above our headboard. It says something pithy about cherishing the past and living in the present. Anydangway, I had two dreams last night. In one, I got to drive a Nissan GT-R and I raced a guy in an Aston Martin One-77. It was a sweet, sweet dream, other than that the GT-R was green. I hate green cars. Oh, and the oh-so-gorgeous Aston somehow morphed into a Mitsuoka Orochi. Eeeew.
I digress. The second dream was that someone hit me between the eyes with a board. It hurt. A lot. Strangely. I woke up this morning with a little scratch and a lump just above my nose and the board was missing from on the wall. We didn't start to put the pieces together until an hour and a half later, when Jenny awoke to the smell of fresh blueberry waffles, sausage and eggs and discovered that she was spooning the pithy board on her side of the bed.
Now, for most of the day, we have been too busy to really discuss it, but as Jenny and I have been getting ready for bed, I have been razzing her about beating me up in my sleep twice now (she chipped my tooth within the first three months we were married). Her response? "Look, all we know is that you had a dream that someone whacked you with a board, that you have a bump on your head and that the board was on my side of the bed. That proves nothing!" You know what I say to that? GUILTY, GUILTY, GUILTY! :)
I digress. The second dream was that someone hit me between the eyes with a board. It hurt. A lot. Strangely. I woke up this morning with a little scratch and a lump just above my nose and the board was missing from on the wall. We didn't start to put the pieces together until an hour and a half later, when Jenny awoke to the smell of fresh blueberry waffles, sausage and eggs and discovered that she was spooning the pithy board on her side of the bed.
Now, for most of the day, we have been too busy to really discuss it, but as Jenny and I have been getting ready for bed, I have been razzing her about beating me up in my sleep twice now (she chipped my tooth within the first three months we were married). Her response? "Look, all we know is that you had a dream that someone whacked you with a board, that you have a bump on your head and that the board was on my side of the bed. That proves nothing!" You know what I say to that? GUILTY, GUILTY, GUILTY! :)
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