rainy rainy day

 source

Today started a little too early.

Granted, it was initially my fault. My alarm went off at 5:10am, and like the dutiful person I am, I heeded the call to get up and exercise before the kiddos awoke. If only I hadn't gone to bed way too late last night.

But just as I had the laptop set up with my workout video poised and my kettlebell in hand, Jeremy opened the door to let me know Ginny was screaming and Raymond was awake. Could I help?

Of course.

So while getting up before the sun was voluntary, it wasn't the start I had envisioned. Such is life.

But it has created one of those days when you look at the clock at 9:30am, while feeding your kids their second breakfast of the day, watching the rain go streaking down the window, and wonder how you will fill the hours between then at 5:35pm when Dad comes home.

We've read books, played horsie (aka ride mom's back), colored, kicked the soccerball around the toy room, played with the play food, the play dough, and our lunches. Raymond went on a four-wheeling ride with Grandpa. I swept the upstairs, have washed the diapers, exercised (a little her and a little there with the kids underfoot), and showered. We played more with the toy food, read more books, and Raymond slipped out for an unauthorized skip in the rain.

All by 12:13pm.

Finally (it feels like) it's naptime, and I'm procrastinating my scripture study and potential nap, to ask you a very important question:

What are your favorite things to do on a rainy day?

Because I feel like I'm running out of ideas. Of course we can always make muffins (something we do just about every other day anyway), color some more. Or paint if I'm feeling ambitious. Or read more books. But my brain stops there. Any suggestions? 

Thanks! 

Oh be wise

So tomorrow I am going to get my wisdom teeth out. Yes, you read that right. It didn't happen in high school or before I served a mission. I'm 28 years old and just now getting my wisdom teeth out.

I only have two, you see (up top). And every time I've had teeth x-rays in the last fifteen years I was told they were going no where. So not to worry about it.

Well, about two months ago I started to worry when I could feel one of them coming in. Yep, that's always a fun discovery. And that pretty much was the deciding factor against going to California this summer. Sad but true.

Anyhow, tomorrow is the big day. And I am a wee bit nervous. I just wish the dentist (yep, dentist, not oral surgeon... ah the joys of not having dental insurance...) could put me out for it. But maybe I'll give laughing gas a whirl for the first time instead. (Which, honestly, also makes me feel nervous... and very vulnerable.)

I keep hoping that I'm one of the lucky ones that doesn't get a totally swollen face. That my life is back to normal in 24 hours or so.  And that Raymond and Ginny decide to take record breaking naps for the remainder of the week.

But there is already some ice cream in the freezer just in case that doesn't happen. Wish me luck.

This summer

I've been doing a lot of reflection and introspection lately.

Big changes are ahead... the second move of the summer, school starting, the kiddos sharing a room, a chance of pace, new friends, new goals.

I never miss a chance to set a new goal or two.  And so I'm up to my elbows in working out just what I envision all these chances will bring. How I can (purposefully) grow in the process of it all.

Let's just say that I am excited. I feel like we are about to make a big leap in life. That we are standing on the edge, so to speak, with the anticipation of the thrill of what's just ahead.

But at the same time I find myself trying to dig in my heels a little harder and hang on a little tighter to these long summer days and the carefree-ness of our current circumstances. I try to push Raymond a little higher on the swing, chase grasshoppers with a little more gusto, and overall smile more at the little pleasures of having "daddy" around more.

I feel like this is the last summer of our lives.

Never again will Jeremy work a manual-labor weekends-to-himself kind of job. Never again will time off be automatic and carefree. After this it's all school and work and more school and then work, work, work for the rest of his life. You know what I mean?

This is it. And so far, it has been just about right. Lazy and busy and fun and quiet all at once.

I know that someday we'll have more money to do to things with, more children to enjoy the fun with, more toys or gadgets or games. But for now, I wouldn't trade this gem of a summer for any of it.

The weekend

I think I'm still recovering from what was The 4th 2011. The crowds started coming the Wednesday before and the last car-load headed out the Tuesday after. At the peak there were 23 people in this house. It was a party.

I may or may not have finally finished washing all the towels.

Here is an (incomplete) list of some of the goings-on

• Jeanine made (almost all of) a new skirt
• Lindsey sewed eight (darling) patriotic bags for the kiddos
• seven adults hiked/swam the Black Hole (while three (sometimes four) adults watched eight kids under six)
• Ginny cut two teeth and learned to crawl (!!)
• unfathomable amounts of food was consumed... at least 8 bags of chips, 30 enchiladas, 3 packages of brats, 2 huge cases of strawberries (made into three delicious pies), a couple of dutch ovens of chicken wings, a few dozen cake pops... the list goes on
• Grandpa spent a solid two hours giving rides on his four wheeler
• Lindsey took family pictures for us and Jason and Cansas
• We actually went to the parade early and were able to sit and see it (rather than stand at the back)!
• Mark and Debbie reported on their trip to Jerusalem with a full table to Jerusalem food (hello homemade pita bread, let's be life-long friends) and a slide show
• Endless entertainment on laptops, ipads, and the DVD player for children of all ages
• Countless drink runs
• And occasional sleeping

Like I said, it was a party. I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed not having to drive anywhere or live out of a suitcase for this family gathering. It was incentive for us to buy a big ole house someday so people will come to us again. Alas. Someday.

Well that's one thing to check off the list

We have housing!

Seriously, friends, the housing hunting we've been doing for the last two or three weeks has been a wee bit stressful. Our three main criteria have all the appearances of being doable:

1. As close as stinkin possible to the law school (since we only have one car and the goal was for me to have it 100% of the (day) time, Jeremy thus needs to have a doable commute via trax or the bus. You'd be surprised how fast (er, slow) a 2 mile commute equals 20+ minutes on a bus)
2. washer / dryer hookups (since, you know, we have two kids and do cloth diapers. There will be no dropping of quarters for our laundry for three years. No sir.)
3. Cheap, cheap, cheapest. The goal was under $800. This turned our ideal of a three bedroom into a two. And my wishes for new carpets and updated appliances out the door. Alas. 

You'd be surprised how impossible this has seemed as we've looked and looked and looked. But somehow what we got fits all three criteria.

1. According to google maps it is a three minute walk to the law school. I think it's closer than the nearest parking lot (seriously). This means Jeremy will be home for all three meals most days. And helping to get the kids to bed before running back to the library will not be stressful. Happiness.
2. There are hook ups (albeit in a shared laundry room with the upstairs tenants (we are in a basement), we won't have to pay for it)
3. It's cheaper than we hoped for. Ok so there isn't even a garbage disposal (not to mention a dishwasher) and we will have the carpets cleaned (if the management company doesn't do that automatically)... but the rent is so SO in our price range, that maybe life won't be so stressful.

See here for some pictures. Not so inviting looking in these (although the outside is darling)... but at least it's not cinderblock. And a slash or two of red will brighten it right up, I think.

HOORAY!

And so

life goes on and on.

But it sure is happier when wearing a baby muumuu. Here is my latest Ginny creation. I cut down Lier's Raglan dress pattern and added the ruffle. I adore it.

So far I've made two. Only twenty more to go. Because who wants to wear anything but a muumuu in the summertime?

To Do List:

• Make at least two more muumuus for Ginny Bug
• Make more red, white, and blue crape paper garlands.
• Make another skirt for me. Because I like wearing skirts. (So far I've made this skirt twice and every time I wear one I think: why don't I have twenty of these? The last one I made matches Ginny's dress above).
• Make a market skirt for my niece Bentley (her mom is taking our family pictures as a trade. I would do anything for someone else to take pictures instead of me. And since I've been wanting to make this little skirt for awhile now, this is a win win for me!)
• Make Raymond a 4th of July tie.
• Find housing in Salt Lake. 
• Kiss baby cheeks.

All in all, I think I can handle it.

Five things that are making me happy

I am really bummed today. As in, fighting tears all day, sad.

Today my little sister, Paige, graduates from high school. And I don't get to be there. Or hang out with all my family that is congregated for the occasion. (Again.) Or go to California at all this summer, for that matter.

And I'm unendingly sad about it.

But I know I need to buck up and get over it and move on with life.

So in an effort to be cheerful in all things, here is my list today of five things that are making me happy. Because I can choose to be happy.

1. I am sewing again! After a six month break, I've busted out my machine (as of last week) and am sewing up a storm. I've made three skirts for Ginny, one for me, and have a Ginny dress in the making (as in, the pattern and such are in the making). I've also been making yoyos for Paige's quilt. And I've remade three (or four?) of Jeremy's ties into Raymond ties for church. Creativity breeds happiness.
2. I've joined pinterest. Just today I've been working through the details and adding pins to my boards. Most notably my "Salt Lake Options" board in which I've added the many different houses and apartments in SL that I've looked at in the past two days. Sigh. Finding housing is stressful! (But this portion of the post is supposed to be happy... so I'll stop there!)
3. I've exercised five or six days a week for three and half weeks now! I feel so dang good about life when I'm exercising. I alternate daily between the elliptical and a kettlebell workout. It's a great mix of aerobic and cardio.
4. I've successful convinced Jeremy to watch movies with me like Persuasion and North and South. And low and behold he enjoys them. Seriously opens up all sorts of movie-watching possibilities around here! (And isn't it happy that we get to bum off my in-law's Netflix all summer? Yes. Very happy.)
5. Summer weather is finally (FINALLY!) here to stay (or so it seems). Blue skies, hot sun, cool breezes. I love summertime.

And because this picture has been making me happy for a few days now: here is Miss Virginia in her new (made by Mama) all pink ruffle skirt. It's seriously darling on her (much cuter in person than in the picture)... but who can resist being happy with that little face looking up at you?

The Birthday Boy

Well.

So Raymond turned two last week (Sunday, June 5th, to be exact). It was over and out a happy happy day.

We started out (early) with presents and and abundance of balloons (boon! He loves boons.) Raymond's room is right off the basement "living room" here at Jeremy's parent's house. So right as he walked out of his room he walked right into the festivities.

Raymond loves horses (horsies!), so we gave him an enormous horse coloring book (he also loves coloring), and the soccer ball on the floor. 

He also loves (LOVES) all things Sesame Street, most especially Elmo, related. So waiting for him was some Elmo juice (Elmo was on the front). Oh and he loves juice. Can you see how he's fiddling with his fingers while I open the juices for him.  What I love most about this picture, however is Ginny. She was a bit out of it still. Oh how I love that little face!

Yea. Mom got the juice open. He drank all four in about thirty minutes. You get to do those sort of things on your birthday.

My parents gave him toy dishes and food (that velcros together so you can cut it. So cool, and definitely a hit with the birthday boy).

We spent the morning before church playing with toys (bubbles also came from gma and gpa T. and were never ending fun). We had waffles (still a favorite) for breakfast.

After church we busted out the Elmo cupcakes.

Ok so they didn't turn out perfect. But not bad. The black icing was running at first (and I couldn't figure out why). The red frosting was really only dark pink. But they tasted good! And Raymond immediately knew they were Elmo.

We did blow out a #2 candle... but didn't get it on film. Sorry.

But they sure were tasty. I think he only ate one on his birthday... but all week long he ate "Elmo tate" and was happy happy boy. (Note: Raymond usually will have nothing to do with sitting in a high chair any more... but was willing to do anything we asked in order to get that Elmo cake.)

Since it was just us on his birthday (Jeremy's parents were out of town), it was pretty low key. We talked to the Torgerson crowd (my family) who were all together in Vegas for my nephew's blessing. And we drove all over Blanding to look at the horsies. Something Raymond loves to do.

We've taken quite a few family drives to look for horses in the last few weeks. We also know where to find piggies, sheep, a llama, and cows. Just in case horses aren't out and eating.

All in all, it was such a quiet, fun day. I'm pretty sure they sang to him in nursery. And we told Happy Birthday all day long.

A few fun facts about Raymond:

• He loves TV (much to my disappointment). Elmo and Mickey Mouse make him most happy. (I pick Mickey Mouse if at all possible).
• He loves all animals.
• He loves people. He is so good for other people (like in nursery and this last Sunday when we spoke in church and had him sit with the neighbors). He's as much a ham as he ever was
• He loves to talk. He will repeat (or try anyway) anything you ask him too. He seriously learns new words every day.
• He loves his numbers. He can count (mostly on his own) up to about 14 (although he things 11 is 7 and will often go back to 8 after he says 11. It's pretty cute. We've got to get it on film).
• He loves reading books still (even though that TV is so enticing). 
• He loves peanut butter, eggs (eggies), hot dogs, strawberries, raisins, and yogurt (to name a few). And any kind of "treat" he can weasel out of us. He most definitely has a sweet tooth. He's pretty brave and will try most things (and like them! Like artichokes. What two year old likes artichokes?)
• He loves to investigate "ouchies" on himself or anyone else. He'll remember where someone's ouchie is (even months later) and point and look at it as long as you'll let him.
• He loves to be outside.
• He knows how to throw a pretty good tantrum.
• He still loves his blankets (all five or so of them) and will tote them all over the house.

Oh and seriously, he's adorable. I know I'm his mom and all, but he's a cute kid.

Happy Birthday, Raymond!

Happy Half Birthday

to Ginny Bug!

I can hardly believe this beautiful girl is already six months old (as of Monday!).  There are so many things I love about her growing self.

(As a side note, I just love this age. The newborn stage is a tender time, but I love me a baby that is rolling and moving and smiling. Every day feels like a milestone, and I love it.)

First off, if you can't tell from the fuzzy, poor-quality picture above, Ginny is a by-and-large very happy girl. She has the most beautiful smile. She lights up with a little attention from just about anyone. But probably attention from Dad is the happiest.

Gosh and golly, she loves to watch her dad. Most preferable is for Mom to hold her so she can follow his every move around the room, eager for each glance or smile he gives her.

Next to Dad, Raymond is the next light in her life. A week or so ago the two of them discovered each other. They sat across from each other laughing, making faces, and all-together amused with the other's company. I about burst with the happiness of it.

Miss Virginia is also very happy when she is outside soaking up some sun, and when she is eating. Wowsa, food is fun. She laps up with eagerness just about anything that comes at her on a spoon. And she has the rolls and dimples to prove it.

Seriously this girl is a little (er, not so little) butterball. Hello, I hope her soft squishiness will stay forever. I can't kiss and squeeze her cheeks, dimpled elbows, and chubby legs enough. I am constantly astounded that we are moving up to yet another size.

As far as latest (or current) milestones, she rolls every which way, scoots to reach toys (already!), almost sits on her own, eats (rice cereal, bananas, sweet potatoes, green beans, peas, applesauce, and little puffs), and occasionally sleeps for six hours at a stretch during the night (but is in her bed for at least twelve hours a night with a couple feedings in there). And I'm guessing she's pretty close to cutting a tooth or two (judging from the amount of drool, gumming, and fussiness that sometimes surfaces.)

Oh, and she's blonde. My dark-haired baby lost just about every last brunette lock she as born with (see) and is slowly growing a whole new head of of soft very-blonde fluff. I'm still trying to get used to it!

Happy half birthday, Baby Girl. We sure love you.

A lesser known fact

about me is that I hate (that's a strong word) using lotion.

Really, I can't stand the sliminess of if. Or how I can't open a door after lathering up without leaving a grease mark on the handle. Or how I can't open anything, for that matter, because I can't get a good enough grip to twist that lid.

Silly, huh?

Just the other day, however, I noticed another woman's hands and thought, they are so soft. And supple. And not cracked. Wow. that's novel. I won't lie, I was a wee bit jealous.

The downside to not liking lotion is having constantly dry hands. Particularly when you live in Utah, perhaps the driest place on this planet. My hands (at this very moment) are so dry and rough I think I am permanently damaging my uniquely-mine finger prints. Really and truly my fingers snag on just about everything. My hair. Raymond's Sunday tie. Ginny's soft baby cheeks. Then they crack and bleed.

It's embarrassing, actually.  I need to get over this, don't you think? I need start consistently using lotion.

Because not just my hands are suffering here. I am one dry, flaky mess all over. (Was that too graphic?)

I've mastered the art of washing my hands (which I do approximately fifty billion times a day... and which is probably contributing greatly to my rough hand, dry skin problem), so I need to at least dabble in the art of using lotion.

Any recommendations? Something I can get at the grocery store but that's not a bottle of grease?