Mixed Bag

I am very much aware of the fact that our household consists of small accomplishments, little discoveries, and quiet triumphs, as compared with the world at large.  But to me, they are worth documenting.  I rejoice in my stay-at-home mom opportunity, and feel so grateful for such tiny moments.

Ezra, for example, is potty-training!  Our first two days were a complete disaster, and I was on the verge of giving up, but then on day three, it clicked.  He has a near perfect track record (about ten days in), and most of the time initiates the visits to the bathroom.  It feels so wonderful to change just one set of diapers!

Ezra has also started to love saying prayers.  For at least six months, he has absolutely refused to say a prayer, or be reverent for prayer time, but in the last week as finally had a breakthrough.  Now at prayer time, he often jumps right in to offer the prayer if no one else is quick enough, he usually folds his arms, bows his head, and expresses a number of thoughtful "thank yous".  Yesterday we were headed to his cousin's house for a birthday party.  Ezra volunteered to say the prayer and began it in this way: "Dear Heavenly Father, We thank thee for Gabriel and the toys at his house." 

Daily life as a mommy is a grand experiment in connecting with my children, but I do often feel quiet promptings to change or adjust as needed.  Recently, I felt prompted to emphasize the importance of loving one another.  A wise prophet-king in the Book of Mormon offered this simple, timeless counsel to parents: "teach them to love one another, and to serve one another" (Mosiah 4:15).  With that scripture in mind, I have started singing the hymn "Love One Another", based on the Savior's own words from the book of John.  The result has truly humbled me; listen to those little promptings!  I sing this song every day, and without fail, every day the Spirit touches us, and we all choose to be a little more kind.  Literally every time I sing the song, Ezra will hug his sister, or pass her a toy he took, or tell her he loves her.  I feel more calm, and my patience is rekindled.  Maren seems less clingy on me and less edgy around Ezra.  Little miracles!

Our vegetable garden has been tremendously productive.  We have more fresh garden tomatoes than we know how to use.  Last week I packed up bags of tomatoes for four of our neighbors, and we still had a 14-cup bowl filled to the brim left over.  Our favorite has been the yellow pear tomato, which might as well be candy to me.  The lovely lemon yellow 3" fruit is hardy and prolific.  One plant has given us at least 30 tomatoes every week for the last month.  The kale in our garden is quite a marvel: no pest problems, no bolting from summer heat, no leaf spots, no fungus, just stanch, hardy neat-and-tidy rows that have grown without wavering since May.  I cut it back to use in my cooking, and two days later, you can't even tell it was cut.

My personal gospel study has been focused for many weeks on a simple one-liner from the most recent General Conference.  I have read, and re-read the message from Elder Donald Hallstrom, and find so much encouragement and hope in his counsel.  His talk was actually addressed to the men in the priesthood session, but his words are universal.  Here is one of my favorite parts: "...Who we are is not who we can become. We meet here tonight in the name of Jesus Christ. We meet with the confidence that His Atonement gives every one of us—no matter our weaknesses, our frailties, our addictions—the ability to change. We meet with the hope that our future, no matter our history, can be better." 

I think about that last statement a lot.  I can change!  I can do better!  The future is bright!  Motivated by that idea, I have tried to help Ezra consider a more positive spin to his words.  As he grows and learns more, he will often come to me in frustration, and burst out, "Mommy, I can't."  I have been trying to encourage him (and counsel myself at the same time) to say instead, "I can, with some help."  And, then he does--with a little help.  I know this idea was a prompting from the Spirit too, because it feels like the relationship we have with our Father in Heaven.  He wants us to be agents, to act independently, to feel confident in our abilities, but He also is so willing and able to help.

A few pictures from August:

The elusive family picture...pretty good for a tripod/timer/no photographer attempt!

We found this field of sunflowers by our house--beautiful.

An example of our abundant tomato crop, and an anxious tomato consumer

Happy girl!

Maren's Birthday Party!

 Here are a few pictures from Maren's one-year birthday party.  I made her a pumpkin spice cake with whipping cream "icing".  At first all she did was lick the cream like a puppy, but did eventually get excited and grab the entire slab of cake. 

Nimbly taste-testing the cake.

This is good Mom!

No little bites here--dig right in!

Hooray for cake!

Tired Daddy became Ezra's creative opportunity!

He calls it Dad with Balloons, no. 1. 

Opening presents was a group effort.  Luckily, Maren was accommodating.

Little musical instruments for my rhythm girl.

Happy Birthday Maren!

Big Girl

My baby girl is one!  Earlier this week I looked again at her just-born pictures, and I can't believe how quickly she grew from a tiny, helpless newborn to my energetic, giggly roaming little miss.  Maren is so fascinated and fun and full of personality; everything is new and thrilling to her.

She is a speedy crawler, goes up and down stairs in a flash (actually she slides down the stairs now), and walks along and with anyone that will hold still long enough.  Maren is much more adventurous in her physical mobility than Ezra was--climbing, reaching, rolling, and sliding.  I have also seen a fair bit of ballerina pointe technique; she has some strong little tiptoes!  She eats exclusively table food, and drinks from a sippy cup.  I have been trying to introduce cow's milk, but a sip or two is all I can get from her.  Mom's milk and water are still her beverages of choice.   

Maren is a feisty little sister.  She snatches Ezra's matchbox cars when he isn't looking, she steals Bear and lays on him, and has her own slew of "I'm not happy with you" responses to Ezra's teasing.  At other times, she giggles uncontrollably with Ezra, especially when he playfully chases her or (gently!) wrestles with her.  She loves playing in-and-out games and peek-a-boo with me.  Any activity with a ball is an instant hit.  Rearranging the lower kitchen cupboards is a daily ritual. 

She adores being outside, and has already eaten her fair share of dirt, rocks, and grass...and a ladybug.  She loves the park and does a full-body spasm of excitement at the sight of swings or slides.  It is so fitting that Maren's fourth word (after dada, momma, and Eh-da) is "weeeeee!"  She  is my go-go girl, and any kind of motion is her thing.  Sitting still is a challenge; being contained in a pew for sacrament meeting is an incredible frustration.  She usually gets to know all of our pew neighbors behind, in front, and to the side before the meeting is over.   

My little miss has some serious rhythm!  She bobs her head, wiggles her bum, and waves her arms at any and all music--at home, in the grocery store, in the car, at church, or even the annoying little ditty played from the ice cream truck  We sing most everyday at our house, and as soon as I say the words, "Let's sing a song,"  Maren starts to move and vocalize with me.  She seems to already have a sense of tapping to a beat as well.   

Books are beginning to be a bigger interest, especially books with photos of animals.  Maren is particularly enamored with dogs.  She doesn't have any favorite toys or strong attachments, but she does enjoy a snuggling with a blanket at bedtime now.

My Sister

My sister got married earlier this month.  My sister!  Molly was the perfect bride.  She was all composure, and grace, and beauty.  Her wedding was everything she is: sophisticated, classic, elegant, refined, thoughtful, lovely.  My new brother-in-law, John, is a perfect gentleman, so kind, steady, and adoring.  They deserve each other in every wonderful way!

Molly and John had a formal wedding dinner the night before the temple sealing, and a reception the night of the sealing.  The sealing in the Salt Lake Temple, though, was the highlight for me.

After the fact, someone said that we started late, that we were behind schedule in the temple.  Who knew?  I was completely oblivious.  I didn't have a watch or a cell phone, and time seems to melt away in the temple.  There was no where else in the world I wanted to be at that moment than in the temple with a much loved sister and her new sweetheart.  I remember feeling so completely at peace, very much in that moment, with no other distractions.  I remember loving the quiet time to sit next to my own sweetheart with the luxury of holding his hand and admiring the details of a beautiful room.  I remember reviewing my own covenants, and rejoicing in the blessing of making eternal commitments with God.  I remember listening intently, watching closely, and breathing deeply.

What a privilege to witness the beginning of their new life.  Congratulations!  I love you!     

Summer Fun: A Picture Post

I thought this was cute to show Ezra and Maren's comparative heights.
They love watching the big kids ride scooters and bikes up and down our street.

A little boy's dream come true!
Up close and personal with a real fire truck!

Ezra and crew on a construction project in the jungle.
Give this little boy dirt and diggers and he is perfectly content!

Riding the "train" with all his little friends.
(**Note: Bear is the well-loved fifth member of our family, and Fuzzy Bear, the darker fuzzy guy near Ezra, I have been informed, is Bear's favorite cousin.)

Matchbox cars in the mulch: a favorite activity

Yes, my children love watermelon this much.
Yes, they ate all those pieces themselves.
And yes, they asked for more.

Rocking out to "Miss Razzle Dazzle".
They both bob, clap, tap, and wiggle for this fun song. 

"Hi Mom!"

Little Miss on her favorite set of wheels.
She has mastered the backward scoot, and is so proud of herself!

Blessings

Recently Dallin and I were helping Ezra think of his blessings so he could remember to include them in his prayers.  We used the five senses to help prompt him to think of things on his own.  For example, "Can you think of something you are grateful for that you can hear?"

He came up with this list (in priority order):

1. Firetrucks (hear)
2. Ice cream (taste)
3. Bear (touch)
4. Family (see)
5. Peanut butter (smell) 

I am glad we made it on his list!  Firetrucks and ice cream are mentioned regularly now in his prayers. Cute kid!  I am counting my blessings too; we have felt some extra tender mercies lately. 

Right now we are down a car.  Dallin's 250K+ mile commuter car has more problems than are worth fixing, and is, frankly, no longer safe for driving at speeds over 35 mph.  We determined that it could possibly be a good car for an expert mechanic who was looking for a cheap fixer-upper project, so we took a number of photos, added a very detailed write-up about its maintenance history, and posted the car on Craig's list for sale.  Imagine our surprise, and delight,when three interested buyers contacted us within hours of the posting.  Less than 24 hours later, the car was sold--not for much, but enough to exceed our expectations and help us feel very blessed.

Being a one-car family could be much more difficult, but we have been blessed yet again.  Dallin works at a company about 45 minutes from our house.  Our bishop happens to work at the company next door, and is part of a van-pool sponsored by his company.  Dallin found out about the van-pool, was permitted to join, and has been enjoying a much less stressful commute.  But that isn't the end of the story, Dallin has also been hoping/trying/wanting to exercise more than his sit-in-a-cube-all-day job allows.  The van-pool picks up at a grocery store about 15 minutes from our house, which happens to be very well networked with sidewalks and bike-paths, such that Dallin can now ride his bike to and from the pick-up/drop-off site, and get some nice exercise at the same time.  Blessings!

Maren had two nasty ear infections earlier in the month, and was prescribed Amoxicillin as treatment.  Despite having medicine that should have helped her ear infections, she seemed to be more agitated, not less.  She woke up most every night with a fever, and was a restless, fussy sleeper.  About five days into the medicine, I noticed some spotting across her nose, forehead, cheeks, neck, and shoulders.  I thought it might be a heat rash, or a reaction to a new type of baby shampoo.  The next morning, her entire face was blotchy red, and puffy.  The rash had expanded to her chest and back.  I attributed it to a food allergy, and we went to see the doctor.  My pediatrician feels--though Maren has not had an official allergy test--that she is allergic to penicillin.  (Interestingly enough, I just learned that both my parents are allergic to the drug, as well.)  Unfortunately for Maren, the rash got much worse before it got better.  Last weekend she was a puffy, red, itchy mess from head to toe.  I am counting my blessings that she was never in distress, that it didn't affect her breathing, and that we made it through the weekend without an ER visit.  The rash is gone now, and miraculously, so are her ear infections, so she didn't have to start a new type of medicine.  Blessings!                

Maren's Growing Ways

Maren is 10.5 months now and her personality is showing more and more.  She has become more clear about her likes and dislikes at meal time, for instance.  She used to be my eat-anything-and-everything girl, but her tongue is much more discerning now.  She prefers table food cut in baby bites, and when she gets tired of it, she flings it off the tray.  We have had a lot of flinging and not so much happy eating lately.  Her two favorite menu items are: cooked, scrambled egg yolk and semi-frozen blueberries and blackberries.  Aside from those two standbys, she also likes pureed green beans.  Unlike Ezra, she still allows me to spoon-feed her for part of the meal.

Maren isn't very verbal yet.  She has two words: da-da (which means daddy), and Eh-da (which means Ezra).  Big brother is at the center of her world and she calls to him constantly.  The funny thing is, Maren has already picked up on intonation of words, and Eh-da can be spoken sweetly, or screamed in frustration, such as when big brother grabs her toy for the fifth time.  Poor girl, she has been poked, pushed, sat on, mashed, hit, rolled over, and squished by Ezra since the day we brought her home from the hospital.  Their relationship is iffy most days.  So, for better or for worse, little Miss Maren already knows how to express her displeasure, and can turn on a dime from pleased to perturbed.  I would say that she is feisty, and perhaps a little short-tempered.

She is now crawling in the traditional hand-arm/bent knee fashion, but if she gets excited or needs to get somewhere fast, she reverts to her body flop.  She pulls herself up to anything and anyone that will hold still long enough.  She loves standing at the bottom of stairs, but hasn't yet figured out how to climb.  She loves playing the piano.  She loves balls, and has a strange habit of holding small balls with both hands up against her chest.  We have discovered that it is very comforting to her, and will often calm her cries, especially when she rides in the car.  Perhaps it is some sort of tactile/sensory connection?  It works, so we keep a lot of little balls around the house.

Maren loves being outside.  She is fascinated by rabbits and birds.  She adores riding in the baby backpack carrier.  She is perfectly still and content in the backpack on walks, but will often thrash, cry, and get frustrated when buckled into the stroller.  The phrase "go swing?" always brings a little excited smile to her face; she and Ezra both could swing for 30 minutes or more and never want a change.   

Maren is super wiggly and sitting for books and pictures is not her preference.  She has no real attachment to any doll, toy, or activity.  She is a very snugly, and giggles when we nuzzle noses.  We are learning body parts and gets a kick out of stuffing numerous fingers in my nose and mouth.  She plays peek-a-boo and "so big!" with me.  She loves the "dump it out" concept and can make quick work of pencil boxes, laundry baskets, and toy buckets.

Her hair is long and curly and her eyes are still a gorgeous clear blue.  She has been sad, restless, and uncomfortable lately and may be teething, have an ear infection, or tummy problems--or maybe a little of all three.  She wakes up in the middle of the night often for no apparent reason, and she and I spend the wee-small hours of the morning walking the house.  I am hoping my giggly girl returns soon!  She has such a great smile!

Long Time Coming

Our backyard is still a work-in-progress, but one corner of the yard has had a major makeover since we moved in last summer.  It is always encouraging to "see how far you've come", so these pictures are as much about a beautiful new garden as they are positive motivation for the work yet to do.

Our backyard at move-in had dead grass and happy weeds, several overgrown shrubs, a large cottonwood tree, rocks, rocks, rocks, and an old raised garden box full of weeds and old rabbit warrens.  (Apparently I never took a picture of the backyard looking to the right, but you get the idea). 

I decided to put the vegetable garden in the upper right hand corner of the yard.  Clearing the area was a long process of hauling rock, cutting down trees and shrubs, removing roots, and tearing apart the old garden box.

After months of removal with shovel, hoe, and pick-axe, we started to see some serious progress when it was time to till!

New garden beds looking like ancient burial mounds, with the pathways excavated.

We added compost to the garden beds, and built a fence around the perimeter.  In theory, the fence is to keep the rabbits out and help Ezra not to trample small plants accidentally. 

We built a cedar gate, and set the gate posts in concrete.  We mulched the pathways, added a small pave-stone pad at the gate entrance, and planted the spring vegetables from seed.  Summer vegetables were added in late May as transplants.  We also planted lavender, sage, chives, mint, lemon thyme, and rosemary in two little pots, and some long-blooming perennials to attract pollinators in a big pot.  

Spring vegetables were planted in the back half of both beds, summer vegetables in the front half of both beds.  From back to front, here is the spinach, cilantro, romaine lettuce, kale, and Swiss chard looking awesome.

This pea variety called Snowbird matured in 58 days and is shown here covered with pods.  I think we picked at least 3 cups all at once.

The garden has transitioned now to the summer vegetables, and spring crops are starting to wilt a little in the hot sun.  The cilantro and spinach have all gone to seed and are essentially done for the season.  As of last weekend the zucchini and squash plants were in a holding pattern, and hardly growing.  In the last few days, they have jumped in size and are flowering and starting to produce fruit.  The tomato plants are very happy too. 

Let's Try Again

This morning Ezra asked me an interesting question, "Why do you make mistakes mommy?" 

After a surprised chuckle at his astuteness, we had a nice talk about how people are imperfect and mistakes are normal.  And, then we had a beautiful discussion about how Jesus Christ is the only perfect person, and He shows us by example how to live.  I bore my testimony to him that because of Jesus mistakes don't have to be endings, but opportunities to keep trying. 

He seemed satisfied with my answer, and then repeated to me a statement we use often in our home, "Mommy, we can always try again."  What a glorious truth!  I probably say it every day: "Let's try again!"  How sweet the blessing of repentance!  How sweet the blessing of a merciful Savior who offered His life as a sacrifice for each of us!  Because of Him, we can try again.  We can always try again. 

Curb Appeal

We have lived in our lovely first home for almost a year now (!!), and have made some awesome improvements.  Here is a little picture history of how our front yard has improved:

When we moved in last summer, we had the ugliest yard in the neighborhood.  We inherited a completely dead lawn, happy weeds, overgrown shrubs, root-suckering wild roses, dying aspens, and more rocks than sense.

Job # 1 was to remove the clump of dying aspens and a small misshapen, storm-damaged honeylocust.

Job # 2 remove the overgrown shrubs, web of aspen roots, and rocks, and rocks, and more rocks.  We also hired a contractor to build a railing along our front porch. 

Next, we hired a landscape contracting company to install a sprinkler system and build a small stacked-stone planter bed in front of the porch.  To save money, we installed the plants ourselves.  We chose one small ornamental tree (weeping red Japanese Maple), one semi-evergreen shrub good for fragrant early spring flowers, and three partial-sun tolerant perennials.  We also applied fescue/bluegrass seed blend to the soil.

 

Finally, we installed drip/spray emitter heads for the plants in the raised bed, added a dozen more perennials for additional color and interest, and mulched it all.  In early May, our roof was damaged in a hail storm, and required a complete roof replacement.  Two days ago, we had a new 30-year roof installed.  The plants are happy, the grass is starting to come up, the irrigation system works, and we have some serious curb appeal now.

I will

Last year, I was a Sunday School teacher for youth ages 14-15 at my church.  I loved the calling, and I still miss it.  Occasionally, I go to the lds youth link on the church's main website to keep current with that age group.  Among so many awesome resources, there is a nice compilation of uplifting music that can be downloaded.  I was especially touched today by a song I found called I Will by Hilary Weeks.

In this song, Hilary Weeks says simply, "In a world where so many will not, I will."    

Isn't it a beautiful thing to have the opportunity to choose?  I can choose to obey, I can choose to be strong, I can choose to follow the Prophet, I can choose to have courage, I can choose to listen.  And in these final days before the Second Coming of the Savior, I can choose to part of the hastening of the work.

I have felt recently the need to do my work as a mother more completely.  I may not always love all the daily routine things about being a mom, but I love teaching the gospel to my children.  I will teach with power.  I will bear testimony of the Savior Jesus Chirst.  I will help my children know that repentance is real.  I will prepare them to make covenants with their Father in Heaven.  I will create a home environment where the spirit can be felt.

I will.

Family Visit!

Ezra, Maren, and I are just back from a two-week visit with my parents.  It was a lovely time for all, but I think Ezra especially benefited.  My five siblings who live near my parents were all able to visit both weekends we were in town.  I feel so grateful that my children are so loved by my family!  My sisters are so affectionate and cuddly.  They are warm and attentive, and more than willing to read stories, go on walks, play with cars, and listen to my animated little boy.  My brother Aaron is an awesome uncle too.  He is silly, fun-loving, and a big tease.  He and Ezra engaged in a good bit of playful banter whenever they got together.

 Grandpa taught Ezra how to play Marble-works.  They worked on the sprinklers together, they played at the park together, they watched movies together.  Grandpa, Ezra, Maren, and I took a road trip to northern Utah and had a picnic in front of the Brigham City Temple and Tabernacle.

Grandma was always available for Ezra.  She dressed, bathed, tickled, cuddled, fed, and loved my little sweetie.  She took Ezra on outings, read him stories, tucked him in bed, taught him, played with him, encouraged him, and made him feel special.  Grandma and Ezra rode a Ferris wheel together, they had chocolate-vanilla swirl ice cream cones together, they worked on home improvement projects together.

Ezra and Aunt Kristen snuggles

Ezra telling Aunt Emily all about bulldozers.

Ezra and Uncle Aaron helping Grandma open her Mother's Day presents.

Brigham City picnic with Grandpa

All the sisters and Miss Maren.

Grandma and Maren--all smiles.

Family picture plus Molly's fiance (!!) John