Our Little Doctor...

"Angel"'s new favorite game is playing "Doctor". She is quite good at it, if I do say so myself. The other night she was 'doctoring' Daddy. She looked in his eyes, ears, mouth and nose with her little otoscope and said "Everything looks good!" Then she pulled out her stethoscope and listened to his heart. She seemed to have a distant look on her face and suddenly jumped up, VERY excited, and said, "The baby is almost ready to come out!" with her mouth wide open. Daddy could not stop laughing. She sure is clever!

Stop and think....

An article by Shawni Eyre (daughter of Richard and Linda Eyre, mother of 5):

"The other day I finally got myself (and my two at-home-during-the-day kids) to the mall for some post-Christmas returns and exchanges. It wasn't fun. The girls were doing all kinds of acrobatics on the stroller and poor Claire had hurt her knee on the trampoline the day before and kept whining that she couldn't walk. So as I carried her through the mall in one arm while trying to contort my other arm enough to successfully maneuver my stroller laden with bags and a chunky baby, I noticed a mother with a new little baby...maybe a month old. He was fussy and she was trying to comfort him while maneuvering her stroller too. Oh I wanted to just ask her if I could hold him and snuggle him for a little bit. I wished I had my old Baby Bjorn to hand over to her. I could never go to the mall without it when I had babies that little. And then the thought of having my tiny snuggling babies right next to me while I did my daily tasks started eating at me. How they looked when they were sleeping, how they smelled, how they sighed in their sleep, and yes, even their sweet little newborn cries. Baby hunger crept in. "How could those days have passed so quickly??!" I asked myself in awe as I looked at my own crying "baby" and her whimpering sister side-kick.

And then a thought struck me. A few years from now I'll be roaming the mall and all my kids will be in school. I know, I know, it will be nice. It'll seem so free and strange in a good way. But, at that moment in the mall this week I realized that on that day in the future when I'm wandering the mall all fancy-free, there's no doubt I'll run into my double self from this week. She'll be wrestling with her toddlers with a frustrated look on her face, assuring them that they're almost done with the errands of the day. And oh will I ever wish I could go back, at least for a little while, and slow life down while I snuggle those kids up and kiss their chubby cheeks off. I'll try to envision them as their little selves climbing on me and whining and needy, and I'll probably tear up a little just like I am right now because I'll miss those little people. I know the bigger form of my little people will we wonderful. I can't wait to "meet" them and grow with them. But I just realized this week, once again, how much I need to cherish this time, right now, right here...snotty noses, whiny faces, dramatics and all that craziness in one great big package in a bow. Because when I blink they'll be all grown up."

My Life in a BOX

I saw this 'word cloud' idea on a friend's blog and decided to give it a go (you can try it here). So, there you have it. Kinda neat.

Menu Plan Monday

Monday: soft tacos (by Jon - DELICIOUS!!!) and green salad
Tuesday: Black bean chili (bumped from last week) and cornbread
Wednesday: pork chops, red potatoes, steamed cabbage
Thursday: clam chowder
Friday: dinner out (celebrating Jon's spring break!!!)

I am trying to incorporate more beans into our diet, primarily for health reasons but also to help with the medical student budget plan...but I am in DESPERATE need for bean recipes! Any suggestions would be MUCH appreciated.

Creativity, SNEAKY creativity...

Our darling daughter was uninterested in the delicious chicken pot pie her daddy made for dinner this evening. We insisted that she eat at least a couple of bites before excusing her from the table, as she has a tendency to declare "starvation" when going to bed if she doesn't have dinner. She was taking her own sweet time so the rest of us had excused ourselves from the table and were working on the dishes, bedtime preparations, etc when she announced, "I'm Done!"
Her father looked over to see her sitting in front of an empty plate which, just a few short moments previous, had been untouched. He was pleasantly surprised and smug that we must be doing something right as parents when he suddenly saw her holding, somewhat coyly, something in her hand, seemingly trying to conceal it. He opened her hand to find the sock she had been wearing.... but instead of hanging flaccid and empty it was stuffed like a stocking on Christmas morning. We had a good laugh and proceeded to fill her plate with a fresh batch of pot pie (and, of course, emptied her stocking.) She eventually cleaned off her plate.

Now, I've heard of tucking food under one's plate, feeding it to the household pet, and even putting it up one's nose (ask my husband!!) to avoid having to eat it. But a sock? That's a new one. Does anyone have any similarly devious stories to share? :)

WELCOME SPRING!!!

Hooray! The weather here has finally made it higher than 30 degrees and I couldn't be happier. I don't know which feeling is stronger: my excitement to go running and take the kids to the park/zoo/long walks/etc and banish the "cabin fever" they've been having, or relief that I no longer have to wear out my back shoveling the parking lot and sidewalks in front and back of our building (ah, the joys of property management...). Needless to say, I couldn't be happier! I now realize why people institute "spring cleaning" - I just have so much energy and excitement about spring!!! woohoo!!

So, without further ado, I bid you, WINTER, adieu with these final snowy pictures...stay tuned for some pictures of SPRING to come soon!

Well Put!..with a correction

I just read this and thought it was worth repeating. Perhaps you've already read it, but if not, it's worth a few moments of your time....

MICROSOFT FOUNDER, NFL OWNER PAUL ALLEN SPEAKS OUT
Paul Allen is the owner of the Seattle Seahawks, the team who played the Pittsburgh Steelers for the Super Bowl. He is also the owner of the Portland Trail Blazers NBA basketball team and is co-partner with Bill Gates in Microsoft. He wrote this editorial in the Santa Clarita, California newspaper, 2006.

The letter to the editor (quoted below) by one Paul Allen was indeed published on the opinion page of the Santa Clarita Valley (California) Signal on 24 November 2000. Within five months, someone had re-typed the letter (because the Signal didn't then publish letters to the editor on its web site) and started it circulating on the Internet via e-mail forwards (most of which erroneously stated that it had first been published on 25 April 2002). However, the Paul Allen who wrote this piece was not (as claimed in the example above) the Paul Allen who co-founded Microsoft with Bill Gates (and regularly ranks high on lists of the world's wealthiest people) — he was simply a local resident with the same name.

"I have heard and seen enough! I have lived in the West all my life. I have worked around them. They have worked for me and I for them. When I was young, I dated their daughters. When I got married they came to my wedding. Now that I have daughters of my own, some of their boys have dated my daughters. I would be privileged if one of them were to be my son-in-law. I'm talking about the Mormons.

They are some of the most honest, hardworking people I have ever known. They are spiritual, probably more than most other so-called religious people I have encountered. They study the Bible and teach from it as much as any Christian church ever has.

They serve their religion without pay in every conceivable capacity. Not one of their leaders, teachers, counselors, Bishops or music directors receive one dime for the hours of labor they put in. The Mormons have a non-paid ministry - a fact that is not generally known.

I have heard many times from the pulpits of others how evil and non-Christian they are and that they will not go to heaven. I decided recently to attend one of their services near my home to see for myself. What a surprise! What I heard and saw was just the opposite from what the religious ministers of the day were telling me. I found a very simple service with no fanfare. I found a people with a great sense of humor and a well-balanced spiritual side. There was no loud music. Just a simple service, with the members themselves giving the several short sermons.

They urge their youth to be morally clean and live a good life. They teach the gospel of Christ, as they understand it. The name of their church is "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. Does that sound like a non-Christian church to you? I asked them many questions about what they teach and why. I got answers that in most cases were from the New Testament. Their ideas and doctrines did not seem too far fetched for my understanding. When I read their "Book of Mormon" I was also very surprised to find just the opposite from what I had been told I would find. Then I went to another church's pastor to ask him some of the same questions about doctrine. To my surprise, when he found out that I was in some way investigating the Mormons, he became hostile. He referred to them as a non-Christian cult. I received what sounded to me like evil propaganda against those people. He stated bluntly that they were not Christian and that they did not fit into the Christian mold. He also told me that they don't really believe the Bible. He gave me a pile of anti-Mormon literature. He began to rant that the Mormons were not telling me the truth about what they stand for. He didn't want to hear anything good about them.

At first I was surprised and then again, I wasn't. I began to wonder. I have never known of a cult that supports the Boy Scouts of America. According to the Boy Scouts, over a third of all the Boy Scout troops in the United States are Mormon. What cult do you know of that has a welfare system second to none in this country?

They have farms, canneries and cattle ranches to help take care of the unfortunate ones who might be down and out and in need of a little help. The Mormon Church has donated millions to welfare causes around the world without a word of credit. They have donated thousands to help rebuild Baptist churches that were burned a few years ago. They have donated tons of medical supplies to countries ravaged by earthquakes. You never see them on TV begging for money.

What cult do you know that instills in its members to obey the law, pay their taxes, serve in the military if asked and be a good Christian by living high moral standards? Did you know that hundreds of thousands of Mormon youth get up before high school starts in the morning to attend a religious training class?

They have basketball and softball leagues and supervised youth dances every month. They are recruited by the FBI, the State Department and every police department in the country, because they are trustworthy. They are taught not to drink nor take drugs. They are in the Secret Service - those who protect the President. They serve in high leadership positions from both parties in Congress and in the US Senate, and have been governors of several states other than Utah. They serve with distinction and honor.

If you have Mormons living near, you will probably find them to be your best friends and neighbors. They are Christians who try to live what they preach. They are not perfect and they are the first to admit this. I have known some of them who could not live their religion, just like many of us.

The rhetoric which is spread around against them is nothing more than evil propaganda founded in untruths. (Others) had successfully demonized them to the point that the general public has no idea what they actually believe and teach. If you really want to know the truth, go see for yourself. You also will be surprised. When I first moved here some 25 years ago there were five Mormon wards in Santa Clarita. Now there are 15. They must be doing something right."

To learn more about what us "Mormons" REALLY believe, click here.

This Week

Has it really been a whole week since I posted? Wow? Shameful. I guess such is evidence that things have been even busier than normal this past week. I started a new job 2 weeks ago and, while I am very much enjoying it, am still adjusting to the schedule. This means that, in addition to managing apartments, I am now working 3 part-time jobs for a combined total of 50 hours a week. Yikes! I feel like a college student again. :) For the most part, it is working out and I know things will be winding down within a few months, but it has been slightly crazy lately. Fortunately I have a very supportive husband - partially because he is just naturally wonderful and supportive in everything I do, and partially because he recognizes that my crazy hours are footing the bill for his ever-increasing medical tuition. :) The great thing, though, is that my newest job allows me to bring my little sweethearts with me and spend some quality time with them while I'm working. It is wonderful and I am loving it. A bit busy at times, but so worth it to be able to be with them and still provide for the family.

Another new 'development' is that I've been trying to be more structured in the time I spend with the kids. We had toyed with the idea of putting "Angel" in preschool but decided against it because I really just want more time with her. Instead, I got a big book of ideas for preschool topics, lessons, activities, etc. and have been trying to implement them. It has been AWESOME!! "Grins'" attention span is all of about 30 seconds but "Angel" is happy to sit and listen to me as long as I can talk/read/etc. She is absolutely loving it!!

This past week we discussed the Human Body, Winter and Snow. It was so much fun! We traced our bodies in chalk on the sidewalk, talked about differences in our bodies ("Mommy has a BIG bum, I have a SMALL bum" made me feel great, let me tell you!), and did activities with our bodies such as noises, movements and shapes. It is just amazing what kids will come up with sometimes! We also spent a day on snow and winter, since I am HOPING that winter is drawing to a close and we are entering SPRING! I've just been reading the Eyre's "Values Parenting" book and have decided to start incorporating Values in our 'lessons' as well. And because I am already writing down my menu plan for the week, I figure I'll just add my planned activities too and just turn this post into my own little weekly planner. So, if you're bored, check back later for exciting posts. Or, if you have any great ideas, feel free to share! :) Have a great week!

Menu Plan:

Sunday - Soup (Artichoke/Asiago soup and Butternut Squash soup), crusty bread, green salad
Monday - spring rolls, rice, steamed broccoli
Tuesday - soft tacos (black beans, refried beans, rice, lettuce, tomatoes, avocado), pear/blue cheese salad
Wednesday - clam chowder, wheat rolls, corn
Thursday - margarita pizza (from Costco), green salad, fruit salad
Friday - left overs
Saturday - chicken pot pie, steamed baby carrots


Lesson Plan:

Value of the Month: Respect
Monday - Hands & Fingers (sign language, play-doh, fingerprints)
Tuesday - Letter U (Mom's group preschool)
Wednesday - Hands & Fingers (finger painting, handprints, guessing tactile objects while blindfolded)
Thursday - Legs & Feet (3-legged race, dancing, picking up objects with toes)
Friday - Legs & Feet (painting with our feet, jumping, skipping, animal footprint game)

Menu Plan Sunday

Trying to get a jump on the week, so here goes:

Monday - Spinach and crab quiche, cherry tomatoes (bumped from 2 wks ago, still haven't made it yet!)
Tuesday - Spaghetti Pie, green beans
Wednesday - Brown Rice Chicken Bake, cabbage
Thursday - Black bean soup, steamed baby carrots
Friday - Mom's at work - Left overs
Saturday - Homemade Veggie Pizza

I'm also trying to start planning lunches in advance in an effort to make shopping easier and so I won't have to wonder every day "what should we have for lunch today?"
I'm trying to get a little more creative, because I think my kids are probably tired of quesadillas, soups and sandwiches for lunch.

Here's what we have this week:

Monday - cold cut sandwiches, bananas & carrots
Tuesday - mini pizzas (english muffin, tomato sauce, cheese & veggies), grapes
Wednesday - mini quiches, pears, cherry tomatoes
Thursday - left over spaghetti pie, apples, carrots
Friday - chicken salad and crackers, grapes & celery
Saturday - sandwiches, veggies

As you can see, I am definitely hurting for finger food ideas. Any thoughts or suggestions would be great!!!:)

Happy Valentine's Day!

(This is our hands on our wedding day, 6 1/2 years ago! I remember that day as though it were yesterday!)

In my earlier (SINGLE) days, I thought Valentine's Day was for the birds! Since I met Jon, though, it has become my most favorite holiday. He takes it to the next level and showers me with love and thoughtful gifts for the two weeks leading up to V-day - he's come up with the "Fourteen Days of Valentines" or something like it. He is good to me all year long but it is always fun to see what he comes up with this time of year. This year has been spectacular and I'm sad to see it draw to a close, but it has been fun! I hope yours will be full of love and laughter with those you hold dear, whether you're married, single, or somewhere in between.

"Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love." —Hamilton Wright Mabie

A Real-Life "Fairy Tale Romance"

I just read the most lovely description of a 'fairy tale' romance and decided I have to write it down, so I can reflect on it often and hopefully pattern my own marriage and family after it:

"Ruth Wright Faust, the widow of President James E. Faust of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died Sunday morning at her home surrounded by her family of causes incident to age. She was 86. Her death comes exactly six months after her husband died.

"Surely his almost storybook romance is among the sweetest in the annals of the church," Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, said at President Faust's funeral. "Ruth Faust adored James E. Faust—everything he did and said, every act or deed or gesture melted her. He felt the same way about her, and they were 'melted.'"

Ruth Wright Faust was born April 11, 1921, in the Millcreek area of Salt Lake City, the sixth of eight children of Elmer Wright and Elizabeth Hamilton Wright.

She met her husband-to-be while they were students at Granite High, but the two did not date until President Faust returned from his mission in Brazil and after he was called into military service in 1942.

The former classmates finally reunited when Sister Faust was working for her husband-to-be's uncle at the time in the fingerprint bureau at the state Capitol.

"Uncle Jim, I am sure, influenced his nephew, Jim, to pay him a visit at the office in order for him to become better acquainted with me and to see if he wanted to ask me for a date," she said. "I must have passed the test because I was invited to the Faust home for Sunday dinner for some of Father Faust's famous dutch oven chicken."

The meal must have worked. The pair later married in the Salt Lake Temple on April 21, 1943, while President Faust was on a brief military leave before a long journey in the Pacific.

The Fausts shared a deep love admired by both church leaders and their five children.

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve once said, "Theirs is an absolute model of a beautiful marriage."

"My dad has always made it very clear how much he loves my mother and respects womanhood," daughter Lisa said in a 1995 church magazine article. "He has always treated her with a sweet tenderness."

Granddaughter Nicole recalled his reaction at Christmastime 1994, when the family gathered to watch President Faust open a portrait of his wife they had urged her to have taken as a gift for his office. As he unwrapped it "he pumped his fist in the air as he let out a Portuguese expression meaning 'wonderful!' Then family members became absolutely silent as he continued to look at the picture, and then he began to shake as tears rolled down his cheeks. He was so touched he couldn't speak."

It was his love for his wife, Ruth, and their family that held sway in his heart.

"With all my heart I want to thank Ruth Wright Faust for letting me share her life and giving me the hope that we can share eternity together," President Faust said in 1973 when he was called as an assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve. "She is more than a wife and a sweetheart because she has become part of my very being."

President Faust's most troubling concern during the last few weeks of his life was leaving his wife, Elder Holland said at his funeral. "As stillness finally settled over him the hardest thing for him was saying goodbye to Ruth."

"They were partners in life," President Thomas S. Monson said at President Faust's funeral. "They will be partners through all eternity."

Ode to the Colorectal Surgeon

Perhaps it is that fact that my 3-year-old has suddenly discovered "potty humor" - or the fact that working in the field of medicine has corrupted me - but whatever the reason, I found this HILARIOUS!!! Warning: if you are offended by 'potty humor' (literally) you may not want to click the following link. I personally laughed my head off and was not offended - take that for what it's worth.

My Wonderful Husband

Can I just take a moment to express my deep and sincere love and appreciation for this incredible man? It may sound odd, but whenever I think of how blessed I am to have Jon in my life, I think of the song from the Sound of Music, "I Must Have Done Something Good" - it may sound cliche, but I honestly feel that I just do not deserve such an incredible person to be my partner in life and my companion throughout eternity. I think back to our courtship when I had "cold feet" so to speak, and was hesistant to marry him because my heart and mind were full of fears and doubts. How funny it now seems that I was so nervous about marrying such a wonderful man! I think it's because I hadn't yet had a chance to experience just how wonderful he was (and is). Now, seven short years later, I have grown to love him more deeply than I ever dreamed was possible. I admire his integrity. I respect his very keen sense of honesty. I appreciate his strong sense of devotion to God, to me, and to our family. I am so grateful for his ability to remain firm and unwavering - he truly has been "my rock" in so many ways. I so appreciate his patience and compassion. I love what a loving, fun and involved 'papi' he is; I could not have dreamed of a better father for my children! I admire his intelligence, his talent for developing SO many skills, and how he is able to juggle SO many things at once! This man truly amazes me. I just feel so fortunate and so blessed to know that he is the one upon which I can always depend, the one who will remain by my side through 'thick and thin', the one with which I will laugh and cry, the one with loving arms to hold me and a shoulder on which to cry, the one I will be able to walk hand in hand with throughout my days, the father of my children and my partner in parenting, my best friend, my love - the one with whom I will spend eternity. I love you, Jon!!!!

Menu Plan Monday.....er, Tuesday

A blogger friend of mine (visit her blog here) introduced me to the concept of "Menu Plan Monday" - where women (and men, I'm sure) plan their menus for the week as part of the 'quest to become organized' (a quest which seems to me to be neverending...). Anyway, I thought I'd give it a try, so here goes:

Monday - COSTCO chicken bakes and pizza (healthy, I know, but it is a rare splurge!!)
Tuesday - Red Lentil Soup, Crusty Bread, Steamed Broccoli, Blueberries
Wednesday - Baked Potatoes with cheese and broccoli, Sausage, Strawberries
Thursday - Spinach Crab Quiche, Cherry tomatoes, Grapes
Friday - Soup bar (brocolli cheese, zuppa toscana, sweet corn chowder)
Saturday - leftovers
Sunday - extended Buchanan Family Birthday Potluck

Wish me luck!!! :)

Since I don't have enough blogging friends of my own to do a swap (nor do I really have the time/energy/motivation), but I do enjoy a swap every now and then, I thought I would post about one a fellow blogger, Erica Grover, is putting on (to see her blog, click here. If you have never heard of a swap, it's basically a bunch of people swapping names (the "hostess" if you will assigns the partners and coordinates it all) and then sending one another little packages. Just a fun way for us adults to get some of our own holiday cheer since we're usually the ones GIVING (I know, I know, "tis better to give than to receive...", but you have to admit, it IS still fun to receive!) I don't participate in swaps very often but what I love about this swap is that she says "focus more on the simple and creative than on monetary value." Being the wife of a med student, that, to me, is key! :) So, I thought I'd spread the word in case anyone out there is interested. Click here for more details and to sign up. Happy Swapping!

Tribute to a Wonderful Man

Today, Gordon B. Hinckley, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, peacefully returned to the presence of our Father in Heaven. I am sure he was warmly greeted by his wife Marjorie and countless others whose lives he touched while on this earth.

I have never been at such a loss for words as when I try to describe what this man has meant to me over the past 12 years since he was named Prophet. He was a man of such incredible faith, integrity, compassion, energy, and strength. He shared his faith freely, his love unconditionally, and his every energy serving others. He was powerful yet humble, firm yet loving, strong yet gentle. And, though serving as prophet to the some 13 million LDS people, he was also revered and respected by many others not of our faith.

His words of wisdom and love offered me untold strength, encouragement and hope during my somewhat tumultuous adolescent years. I loved the way he made me want to be better, just by being himself. The first time I was in his actual presence was as a Sophomore at BYU-Hawaii, when he came to a conference in Oct 1999. Though I was more than a stone's-throw from him, the feeling I felt when he entered the room was undeniable, and one I will not forget. It amazed me that one man could fill an entire auditorium with his spirit, without even saying a word.

Not much more can be said by someone so weak in writing as I, but this I do know; that Gordon B. Hinckley was/is a man of immeasurable strength, virtue and integrity. A man whose single life was one of the greatest forces for good this world has ever known. A man who has touched more hearts and lives than sands upon the shore. A man who was and will remain a Prophet of God. Thank you, President Hinckley, for your years of service, your love, your optimism, your strength. You will be deeply missed.

Happy Birthday Makea Rose!

To my sweet and darling Makea,

A most heartfelt "Happy Birthday!" to you, my love! I can't believe that you are 3 years old. Can it really be 3 years since first we met, face to face? I simply cannot remember a time in my life when I did not know you and love you with all my heart and soul. It doesn't seem possible that 3 short years ago we had not yet met. Today you are three and your father and I are amazed at how you have transformed from a small baby into such a big girl! Your personality is in full force now. You are very confident and sure of yourself, but careful and cautious when in a large group or around strangers (something for which I am very grateful!). You are incredibly sensitive to how others are feeling and extremely compassionate when they are sad. You will try anything in an effort to cheer someone up or alleviate someone’s pain. You relate very well with others and make friends easily. You are highly curious about the world around you, and want to learn as much as you can, particularly about the human body, the geography, and how to speak Sign Language, German and Spanish. You are really enjoying preschool with your friends Nina, Emily, Kalli and Meg. You know all of your letters by sight and sound and have just surprised me by writing some: A, H, M and I, completely on your own! You are toilet-trained (hooray!) and sleeping through the night, for the most part (double hooray!!) I love everything about you, but probably my favorite characteristic of yours is how sweet and sensitive you are. If Kai, Papi or I ever get hurt, frustrated, or even look the least bit sad, you are the first one to jump up and give comfort, usually in the way of kisses and reassuring words.

I love you, my sweet girl!

My Two Little Miracles...

As you may know, our family has had the wonderful opportunity of being involved with the Ronald McDonald House Charities for the past 6 years. Briefly, the Ronald McDonald House Charity is an organization offering a "home away from home" for the families of sick children. It is an AMAZING organization which helps SO many people...please check out their website and think of a way you can pitch in this year! (OK, done with my little plug...)

Over the years, we have grown close to many of the families that have come and gone and our hearts have truly been touched by their spirits. Makea has grown quite fond of a few of them, and still asks about them from time to time. Today, in fact, I asked who she would like to invite over for a birthday party, and she named two girls (unrelated) she met here, both of whom moved back home several months ago when, tragically, their baby brothers died. But they continue to hold special places in her young little heart. Because of our involvement in the house, we experience tragedy on a somewhat regular basis. If my memory is correct, we had 5 deaths last year alone. Keep in mind, these are all YOUNG CHILDREN. Simply devastating to watch what they and their families go through! Because we see it so often, I sometimes find myself 'dulled' to the challenges these families are facing. Sometimes my role here seems more of a 'job' and less of a service. I complain that people are too messy (one of my roles is housekeeping), too demanding, too time-consuming, etc. But then I am reminded of what these families are facing, and I stop in my tracks and realize how blessed I am to be on the GIVING end, rather than the receiving in this case!

This evening, I met a sweet young woman carrying a 2 week old baby. As we spoke, I learned that she has several other children, one of whom has leukemia which has recently relapsed. As a result she spends all day at the hospital, trying to care for both her newborn baby AND her sick child. Her remaining children are missing her at their home hundreds of miles away and will only see her periodically during her 7-12 month (or longer) stay here. As I spoke with this woman, my heart began breaking for her and her sweet family. It was all I could do to hold back the tears until she left. I immediately fell to my knees and thanked the Lord for the health of my children, my husband, and myself. Then I ran to my children and smothered them with loved. What a miracle the gift of HEALTH truly is!

And so I ask of you, dear reader; please pray for this family, and the many others in similar situations. May we each pause to take a moment to be grateful for the many things we may so easily take for granted, and live to make each day count!

Oh, what a Beautiful Morning, Oh, what a Beautiful Day!

Today marked our first day of MORNING church and what a MARVELOUS sabbath it was! In 2007, this is how my typical Sunday went:

6:00 am - kids wake up, Jon takes them on a morning walk for an hour or two (depending on the weather) while I catch a few extra zzzzzs.
8:30 am - eat breakfast as a family.
9:00 - shower, dress.
9:30 - lounge around, listening to MoTab and Music and the Spoken Word.
10:30 - Jon leaves for meetings (he is the 1st Counselor in our Ward's Bishopric), and thus begins my day as a "single parent".
11:00 - Try to coax the kids into eating something for lunch, though they are usually not yet hungry enough.
11:15 - begin dressing for church (and then try to keep myself and the children somewhat presentable ie - clothes are pressed (?) and food-free, Makea's hair is still done and not yet pulled out as somehow always seems to manage to happen as we are out the door)
12:10 - make sure the diaper bag is packed with plenty of things to eat and do (and a few thing for the kids too, haha).
12:15 - walk to church.
12:30 - arrive at church, secure the back row and set out the programs.
1:00 - sit in sacrament meeting ALONE with a 1 and 2 year old who have not eaten lunch and for whom it is undoubtedly naptime, and attempt to keep both kids in the pew, somewhat quiet and prevent tantrums/outbursts/fights, while Jon looks helplessly on from the stand. Oh, and amidst all that I am supposed to try to LISTEN to the talks. (and feel the Spirit? huh?)
4:00 - return home with 2 VERY tired children, try to get something on the table for dinner while trying NOT to let them nap as it would push back their bedtime.
5:00 - Dinner.
5:30 - baths.
6:00 - bedtime (one good thing about no naps is the EARLY bedtime!).
If we are lucky, Jon will get home in time to say goodnight, but usually he is stuck at the church until later.

So, 2008 is definitely looking up! This was our day today:
6:00 am - kids up, Jon and I try to coax them into snuggling with us since they were both up half the night screaming...but they insist on getting UP!
6:30 - breakfast.
7:00 - Jon leaves for meetings.
7:15 - I shower and dress 2 happy, energetic children.
We are out the door by 8:15 and at church in time to set out the programs and get a seat.
9-12 - Church with 2 HAPPY, RESTED children is SO much better than church during naptime! (Granted, sacrament meeting is now at the end of the block, much to my chagrin, so the kids are getting sleepy, but the right snacks can keep them going until noon!)
12:30 - Home, Lunch, Naps.
1:30 - Jon comes home and we try to sneak in a nap before the kids wake up.
2:00 - Kids wake up, and we have ALL KINDS OF FAMILY TIME - listen to music, snuggle, watch a church movie, build a snowman (not an every-Sunday occurrence, but this is the first time all season we had snowman-feasible snow, so we HAD to take advantage), hot cocoa, more snuggles, card games.

AH, I LOVE family time! Thank you, 9am church!!!!

LOVE MY KIDDOS!

Can I just express how MUCH I love my cute little babes?! They are just TOO sweet, TOO adorable, TOO lovable. I ask myself daily what I did to deserve such wonderful children. The past week has been a dream. Sometimes, being home with them full time can be draining, tedious and frustrating. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I have occasionally found myself reminiscing on the 'good ole days' when I could sleep for 8 hours uninterrupted, actually KEEP the house clean, and I didn't spend half of my day cleaning up bodily excrement (too much detail?) or breaking up fights. The past week or so, though, has seriously been amazing. My children have been SHARING and PLAYING TOGETHER and GETTING ALONG, with almost no intervention from me. They have been eating what I put in front of them (even the healthy things!) They have been HAPPY and SNUGGLY without being overly clingy. I have been enjoying my time with them IMMENSELY, even more than usual (which is hard to beat!) Why the sudden change? I don't know. Maybe it's the fact that they have their own rooms and are sleeping better. Maybe it's all the new Christmas toys. Maybe it's just the New Year bringing me a fresh, new perspective. But whatever the reason, I am just so grateful for such a wonderful family. My heart has never been so full. I love being a mom!

A Very Happy Un-Birthday to You!

In anticipation of her upcoming birthday (just a couple of weeks away!), Makea was contemplating gifts she would like - it was difficult for her to come up with many ideas since she was so abundantly showered with them at Christmas - but she managed to name one or two. As we sat and discussed it, she decided to think of gifts she'd like to give OTHERS for THEIR birthdays (ever the sweetheart that she is!). This is what she came up with:

Let me first preface this by saying that Jon and I have recently given up our bedroom in order to get a better night's sleep. Sound confusing? Let me elaborate. What it comes down to is this: we have a 2 bedroom apt and 2 children who were consistently waking one another up at night. We tried many different 'solutions', none of which seemed to work. One day we realized it has been about 3 years since we have actually had a good night's sleep, uninterupted, so a lightbulb came on and we decided to separate them at night. Initially, we put a toddler bed in our room for Makea - but that didn't seem to help her sleep better, and it meant there was no room left to walk, so that didn't last long. We finally resigned ourselves to getting rid of our bed and getting a futon in the living room for us. Now, each child has their own room = both are sleeping through the night (knock on wood!) = our backs are slightly sore but = happy, well-rested parents (so to speak). Are we crazy? Maybe. But sleep deprivation can certainly do that to you!

Anyhow, bearing that in mind, we will now return to Makea's Birthday Gift List:

For Kainoa's birthday, he needs his OWN play kitchen because he really likes playing with mine. For Papi we will get a new gate for the office (we put a child gate up so the kids can't get into the computer room and wreak havoc on the electronics - but Jon hates stepping over it so she wants to get him one that opens and shuts). I finally asked, "What does Mommy need for her birthday?" to which she replied "A bedroom!" Wow! Is this kid perceptive or what?

Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!

No, I didn't sneeze. What I meant was HAPPY NEW YEAR (Hawaiian Style)! Or if you'd rather, ¡Prospero Aňo Felicidad! (Spanish), freues neu Jahr (German), Xin nian kuai le (Chinese) or שנה טובה (Hebrew).

Anyway you say it, I hope 2008 will be all you are hoping for.

2007 was a year our family - and in particular, our children - grew closer. Kai began walking and talking, and, as a result, became Makea's little protege/pet/plaything. It has been precious, amusing, and occasionally frightening but we have loved witnessing the evolution of their "siblinghood"/alliance. We don't pretend to know all of what 2008 will hold for our family, but we anticipate at least the following highlights:

~ Makea finally sleeping through the night (any time now!)
~ Makea turning 3! (Jan)
~ Jon passing his boards (June)
~ Jon beginning Clinical Rotations (July)
~ Kai turning 2! (Aug)
~ Our family continuing in love, health and happiness

We wouldn't mind if any of the following events were to occur:

~ Kai potty-training himself before the age of 2
~ A comfortably spacious home falling into our laps (so to speak)
~ Becoming independently wealthy (we would even settle for a lump sum to finance med school)
~ Jon miraculously completing medical school early (actually, I am, for the most part, 'enjoying the journey' of med school - but this is Jon's "wish")

May 2008 be more prosperous, more peaceful, and more joy-filled for you and your family than ever before is our sincere wish for you!

With love, The Buchanans

Kickin' it in Kamas

Thanks to our AWESOME bro and sis, Aaron and Niesha, we had the amazing opportunity to have an incredibly fun and relaxing weekend these past few days! Niesha's family has an incredible cabin up in the mountains and we got to spend time as a family with A & N, our sweet niece Aspyn and some friends. We snowmobiled (the highlight of the trip!), ate good food, played games, watched movies, played in the snow, and just lounged around, enjoying good conversation and one another's company. It was a MUCH-needed break from the "busy-ness" of the holidays before Jon returns to school in a few days. We LOVED it. Our sentiments were echoed by Makea when she asked "Can we please stay here and live here?!!" We had such a great time we decided we will definitely be getting ourselves a cabin - and snowmobiles - in the future! (Perhaps not the immediate future....)

BTW - This was a first time snowmobiling for all of us! The kids were a bit apprehensive at first (as, I must admit, was I) but we all warmed up quickly - in fact Makea actually drove one BY HERSELF, a phenomenal expression of courage on her part! Unfortunately our camera was not working while we were up there so I don't have any pics of us snowmobiling but here are some of our cuties in the snow!

The Gift of Music

I have always been passionate about music. To me, music is the voice of the soul. It can invoke peace and serenity more quickly than words alone ever could. It can lift the unbearable burden, calm the sailor in the eye of the storm and mend the heart which was considered beyond repair.

Music has played a significant part in my own life for as long as I can remember. My mother's soothing voice often lulled me to sleep in song. Through orchestra and choir, I met some of my dearest friends with whom I share fond memories, and who still hold special places within my heart. And it is through choir and a love of music that I met my love and eternal companion, Jon.

Fortunately we share this passion for music so it has been a high priority to make music a part of our daily lives and our family. I was so excited to get an IPOD this year for Christmas (thank you, Love!) For the past several days I have had a very difficult time putting it down and, as a result, have been enjoying my own music SO much (over the past 3 years, I've mostly been listening to Primary Songs, Nursery Rhyme Songs and Raffi...) While I LOVE jammin' with my kids, it has been so refreshing to hear some of MY favorites for a change! Maybe you all are better at it than I, but I would highly encourage all you moms to take the opportunity to listen to at least one MOMMY song each day. It is amazing what it can do for you!

Some thoughts to ponder:

"Let us sing a new song, not with our lips, but with our lives." ~St. Augustine
"We are the music makers. We are the dreamers of the dreams." ~Arthur O'Shaughnessy
"And those who were seen dancing were thought to be mad by those who
could not hear the music." ~Friedrich Nietzsche
"I think a life in music is a life beautifully spent." ~Luciano Pavarotti

Some of my latest favorites:
Click here, here and here. What are some of your favorites?

Oh, give me a HOME where my kiddos can roam

There are certain things about apartment dwelling that I LOVE. The fact that I only have about 900 square feet to keep clean is probably at the top. Having 4 washers and dryers to use simultaneously is certainly up there too. Of course, not having to foot the bill for any repairs is huge as well, especially for the finances of a medical student family! But, may I also share some of my not-so-favorite aspects of apartments? 1)No room 2)Noisy upstairs neighbors 3)NO room 4)No yard 5)NO ROOM!!!!! I believe I have mentioned before that messy house= unhappy mommy, but sometimes it is next to impossible not to have a messy house when there is nowhere to put things. They say the key to keeping a tidy house is "A place for everything and everything in its place"...well, what if you don't HAVE a place for everyhing? Literally?! Our apartment seemed more than sufficient when it was just Jon and I - we don't have THAT much stuff! But 2 adults + 1 growing, active boy + 1 active, growing girl = CLUTTER! Children add a whole new dimension to the accumulation of THINGS: there is the ever-changing wardrobe (I just bought Kai those pants last week, how can they already be above his ankles!?)...the ever-changing interest in toys (just lie there and look at the mobile, it's fun, I promise.)...and the ever-present need to have TWO of certain constantly fought-over toys (Kids! Share! Take turns!) Furthermore, there is the "PACKRAT" in my genes which forces me to hang onto baby clothes, toys and other necessities "in case we need them again" (which will most likely be the case in the not-too-distant (but not-too-near!) future. With nothing more than a 4'x4' room for storage, we have really had to get creative with our storage system!

So, knowing that this apartment will be our "Home" for the next 2 1/2 years and trying to make the best of it, I am now in "De-clutter" mode. Today we got rid of a queen bed, toddler bed, a computer desk, a sofa and a love-seat, not to mention bags of books, toys and clothes. When the Christmas tree finally comes down (Jon likes to leave it up till New Years, much to my chagrin!), we will have all KINDS of room, where the kids can actually run and play (and I can keep the clutter under control - at least, in theory!) I couldn't be more excited!

Any tips for LIVING IN CONFINED SPACES? I would LOVE to hear them! :)

Cleaning Up, Moving On

Ahhh. Now that Christmas is over, I am anxious to take down the Christmas tree and decorations, find new places on the shelves for the christmas presents which have 'joined' our household, and de-clutter!!! I love the holiday season - don't get me wrong. I love the warm, cozy ambiance of our house at Christmas - the aroma of Christmas candles wafting through the air, the glow of the yule log candles and lights on the tree, the nativity scene on the hearth (or piano, as the case may be...), etc. etc. But, for some reason, once the holiday is over, the decorations no longer seem 'cozy' but just become 'clutter' to me and I simply cannot rest until they are packed away and out of sight! Christmas always seems to bring such clutter - decorations, treats, new toys and things...argh! Fortunately though, de-cluttering, organizing and cleaning are honestly 3 of my FAVORITE things to do. Seriously. It is just SO refreshing. And so, ladies and gentlemen, let the fun begin!!!!

Merry Christmas, from our family to yours!

(oops - forgot to publish this yesterday - so it's a day late. but still worth reading.)

"Christmas is more than trees and twinkling lights, more than toys and gifts and baubles of a hundred varieties. It is love. It is the love of the Son of God for all mankind. It reaches out beyond our power to comprehend. It is magnificent and beautiful. It is peace. It is the peace which comforts, which sustains, which blesses all who accept it. It is faith. It is faith in His wondrous ways and message...Our joy in this season is because He came to the world." ~President Gordon B. Hinckley

May you and yours find love, peace, faith and joy this holiday season!

Love, the Buchanans

Home at Last!

Today was my last day of work before the holidays! I can finally sit home with my kids, drink hot cocoa, eat bon bons and watch Christmas specials on TV. OK, maybe it will go something more like: shoveling the walks, the fast and furious wrapping of the Christmas presents while the kids are playing or in bed, cleaning the house which always seems to get away from me when I am working, shoveling the walks, making our last neighbor treats, caroling and delivering said treats, trying to fit in Lights at Temple Square, family Christmas party, Ronald McDonald House over the weekend, singing at church, and did I mention shoveling the walks? (Can you tell I LOVE shoveling? At least it's exercise AND it's productive - I love killing two birds with one stone, so that is something!) Whew! At least I have the Christmas shopping done - but I do still need to wrap, wrap and wrap! Who needs sleep at Christmas time anyway?

Throw the Yule Log On, Uncle John!*

(*For those of you unfamiliar with this "classic" yet unconventional Christmas Carol, please click here for a sample. One of my favorites!)

Tonight began our family YULE LOG tradition. For lack of time (and because it may bore some of my readers) I won't get into the history behind the Yule Log tradition, but you can learn more about it here if you are so inclined. Suffice it to say, it is one of my favorite Christmas traditions, implemented during my childhood by my sweet mother, and one Jon and I have carried on in our own little family these past 6 years.

Here's a little rundown on how it goes in our house:

Evening 1 (tonight)-Jon's Special Night: We begin with Jon's favorite Christmas Song (for the record, he chose "Silent Night"). He then gets to light his candle on the yule log. Next we go around the room and each tell something we love about Jon. (Makea's was "because he lit the candle" - talk about short-term memory :) Kai's was "pa-pa!") Then Jon gives each of us a gift he has personally made or selected for us individually (ie - he gave Makea a book about a Daddy and daughter's conversation about how much they love one another). The evening finishes with Jon opening a gift - an ornament representing a highlight of the year (this year he got a runner, symbolizing his first marathon). We close by singing another Christmas hymn, family prayer, and blowing out the candle.

This is repeated each night thereafter - Sarah on Friday, Makea on Saturday and Kainoa on Sunday. Then, Christmas Eve, we light a candle for Jesus, paying tribute to Him for His birth, His life and His sacrifice for us. We then take a few moments to ponder on a gift we can offer to Him - some way in which we can better ourselves and, by doing so, please and honor Him. We then open one last present (Christmas pajamas), drink hot cocoa, eat our Yule Log Cake, and sing Christmas hymns by the light of the candles.

Other traditions we still hope to get to this year (better hurry - time is running out!): caroling party, Zoo lights, Lights on Temple Square, acting out the Nativity.

What are some of your favorite Holiday Traditions?

Don't Spoil the Surprise!

Realizing there are just 2 days before my courier transports all of our Stout family's Christmas presents to Oregon, I decided (with just a smidge of panic) that we ought to get wrapping! (Until now I have left things unwrapped, as I have two very avid unwrappers at my house and thought it best to save myself from frustration and my children from punishment, not to mention sparing the lives of several trees in the process...). I asked Makea if she would like to help me wrap while her brother napped. She was, of course, delighted to assist, but quickly realized there were no presents for HER in the mix. "Are there any presents for ME for Christmas?" she asked, with not a small amount of worry. "Of course," I replied, "but I will have to wrap those later, when you aren't with me, so I won't spoil the surprise!" A hint of understanding crossed her furrowed brow and I thought we had resolved the issue. I then tried to explain that GIVING is even better than RECEIVING, because of how much joy we experience with giving. Moments later, I left the room to get supplies, and returned seconds later to find her missing (if you can actually FIND someone MISSING...is that grammatically correct?) I called out to her and heard a tiny voice coming from behind the armoire..."I'm right here, Mom. Just hiding." was her reply. "From what?" I asked. "From the surprise." I was still confused until she explained, "I'm hiding so you can wrap my Christmas presents."

Apparently, the "giving is better than receiving" bit has yet to sink in!

Christmas with the Mo-Tab and King's Singers

Jon and I had the wonderful opportunity to enjoy Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Orchestra at Temple Square, Bells on Temple Square and the King's Singers this past weekend at their Annual Christmas Concert. And let me tell you, we were NOT disappointed!

The set up was spectacular - a little Christmas village - and the lighting was amazing. The music was INCREDIBLE (of course!!! The MoTab, Orchestra and Bells never disappoint!) And perhaps the main highlight of the evening was, quite naturally, the King's Singers!
Previously, Jon and I had only ever heard recordings of them, so to experience them live was a special treat! They are AMAZING! I must say that, if Jon were not my one and only love, I would have been swooning over the youngest King's Singer, Chris (pictured second from the right...can you believe he joined them at the ripe old age of 26?! Incredible!) But since I do love Jon, and mostly because he was sitting next to me, I was careful to keep my swooning to a minimum! But we both enjoyed their incredible music, and they complemented the MoTab and orchestra well! Another highlight I simply loved was the University of Utah dance team - they danced to a few numbers, but my favorite was the Twelve Days of Christmas - they had one dancer dressed as a partridge who came out as they were singing the first day, two depicting turtle doves that came out second, and so on. It was simply spectacular, something I have never seen before, and I loved it!

All in all, it was a WONDERFUL evening! Special thanks to our sister-in-law, Amy, a member of the Orchestra at Temple Square, for providing the tickets for us, and to my brother Daniel who entertained our children - and then put them to bed - both difficult feats! - while we were gone! We love you guys!

TV, or NoTV....That is the Question

One of my biggest battles as a mother is an inner one - that of television utilization. For some reason, lately I have felt as though I am drowning in housework - laundry piling up, dirty dishes in the sink, the floor needs vacuuming/sweeping/mopping 2 minutes after I do it, etc, etc, etc. While my home is never 100% immaculate, I usually feel as though I can stay on top of it, for the most part anyway. But lately, whether it's been my heavier work schedule, my tending another toddler in addition to my own 2, or simply the added activities/responsibilities/excitement of the holidays, it seems my house hasn't been clean (for longer than an hour) for over a week! And everyone knows that, in our house, dirty house = unhappy mommy.

As I've struggled to get on top of things this past week, I have been SO tempted, on more than one occasion, to plop my kids in front of the television. After all, there are so many educational shows which teach children the alphabet, social skills, creativity, and even Spanish, I rationalize in my head. Then my mind recalls the statement by the American Academy of Pediatrics that children under the age of 2 should NEVER watch television, and guilt, shame and doubt about my ability to raise my children fill my mind. Still, what is a woman to do when faced with 8 loads of laundry waiting to be folded, a sink full of dishes needing to be washed, a floor desperately in need of cleaning, and only an hour before dinner is to be served...all while trying to divert the attention of three toddlers from herself into their own self-directed play (and keep them from killing one another)???

I am reminded of the poem "Handprints on the Wall":

One day as I was picking
the toys up off the floor
I noticed a small hand print
on the wall beside the floor.

I knew that it was something
that I'd seen most every day
but this time when I saw it there
I wanted it to stay.

Then tears welled up inside my eyes,
I knew it wouldn't last
for every grandma knows,
her grandchildren grow up way too fast.

Just then I put my chores aside
and held my grandchildren tight.
I sang to them sweet lullabies
and rocked into the night.

Sometimes we take for granted
all those things that seem so small.
Like one of God's great treasures.....
a small handprint on the wall."

When this thought crosses my mind, I want nothing more than to sit with my children and read them story after story, build castles and towers, play dress-up and make-believe, and spend every waking moment with them. But then I return to reality and remember that dinner will not magically appear on the table and that, if I let my house get too bad, the state of Utah will come remove my children from me.

So, to my previous question...TV or No TV? This past week, I must admit, I have caved. I let Kai and Kea watch 30 minutes of Barney Monday, 30 minutes of Superwhy Wednesday, and 30 minutes of Little Einsteins today. Will this ruin them? I can't say. But I do know that the laundry is folded, the dishes are done, and the floors are clean (at least for know). And, as my kids will tell you, CLEAN HOUSE = HAPPY MOMMY.

I'd love to hear your opinions/ideas/what has worked for you...

Silent Night, Oh-Lee Night

Along the theme of my last post comes another "Say What?" moment. I apologize for the redundancy of the theme but find I must record little laughs like this lest I forget them later.

This evening at dinner, as is our family tradition, we sang a song together before our blessing on the food. Makea requested "Silent Night." We have sung this many times as a family, but only in the pre-dinner quiet could I fully appreciate her own little version of this classic Christmas song. Here is what I heard, in a sweet and dainty voice, from across the dinner table:

"Silent Night, Oh-lee night. All is cold, all is right. Round yawn verge in mother and child. Holy instrument so tender and mild. Sleep in Heavenly Pee, Sleep in Heavenly Pee."

She looked up at me so sweetly and with such innocence while finishing this song that I had to muster every ounce of self control in my being to hold back the laughter and instead, take her in my arms and tell her how beautifully she sings. This is truly how she believes the song goes, and perhaps tomorrow we will discuss the word "PEACE" and what it means....but for tonight, I can only imagine her thoughts of the sweet baby Jesus, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger, wearing a wet diaper. She does, after all, know babies, and this must make perfect sense in her sweet little 2-year-old mind.

Ah, the innocence of children.

On a similar topic (and Krista, I hope you don't mind me posting this - if so, email me and I'll remove it...) please click here and scroll down to the post "Santa, Urine for a Surprise." You will NOT be disappointed!

Say What?

Lately, Makea is constantly asking me to repeat myself several times. When I say something she will almost invariably ask "What?" sometimes as many as four or five times! I noticed my patience shortening and my level of irritation rising at this as it happened more frequently, but I did not want to discourage her curiosity, so I began asking her "What do YOU think I just said?" Prior to me turning the question back around to her, I had assumed she was simply 'tuning me out' which is why she demanded repetition....but upon hearing her responses I've come to realize that she is truly TRYING to listen, but can't always make sense of what she hears. Here are just a few examples of recent conversations:

~ Makea wanted to bring her nutcracker doll to the dinner table. Given our rule of 'no toys at the table' we couldn't allow it, but Jon said "Why don't you sit him over there and he can watch us eat?" "What?" (Jon repeats himself) "What?!" (Jon asks what she thinks he said) "You want him to sit there so he can watch DISNEY???"

~ A Christmas CD of ours has a song with the lyrics "...He was the baby Jesus, O My Lord..." I was singing along the other day when Makea asked "What?" I told her I was singing the song and asked her to sing along. She belted out, in perfect pitch and meter, "He was the baby Jesus, on my nose, He was the baby Jesus, on my nose." I couldn't stop laughing and realized why she had been confused!

The song incident reminded me of similar elements of confusion in my own childhood, (although none quite so comical), mostly relating to songs. For instance:

I was confused at what being a Child of God had to do with having gray knees, and wondered what I had done wrong that my knees looked normal. (Translation: "I am a Child of God, and so my needs are great...")

I wondered where Joseph got a lemon sack in which to carry things, and what exactly a lemon sack was for that matter. (Translation: "...[Joseph] carried bread and goat cheese in a little linen sack.")

Of course, if you don't think any of these are funny, you may appreciate Kevin James on the King of Queens when he tells his wife about a Neil Diamond song about a "Hip Reverend". When she asks him what he's talking about, he sings "...Reverend blue jeans, babe..." (Translation: Forever in Blue Jeans).

Anyone out there have any of their own "Say What?" experiences? I'd love to hear them!

Happy St. Nikolaus Day!

Today being St. Nikolaus Day, I thought it appropriate I share some specifics of our recent visits to see Santa Clause and Father Christmas this past week.

Prior to our visit with Santa at Trolley Square, I spoke with Makea about how kind and generous S.C. is - how he bestows gifts on everyone, and how he especially loves children. In previous years we have not been able to get her near him because of her fear of strangers, but this year she said "He is my friend. I'd like to sit on his lap and talk to him!" When we first saw him, she was slightly apprehensive and clung to my leg for a minute or two. But as soon as he beckoned for her to come, she walked (with me) up to see him and actually sat on his lap! (much to my surprise!) He asked the age old question, "And what would you like for Christmas this year?" to which she quickly replied, "FOOD!" I could have died! Santa looked quite puzzled and said, "Well, yes, everyone needs that - but is there anything else?" I was mortified, envisioning Santa picturing me as some sort of twisted vagabond woman, taking my children around to beg for food to support my drug habit or something of that sort...so I quickly explained that, while we were Christmas shopping, she saw a set of wooden play food that can be cut, and she fell in love and wanted it then and there....I told her that perhaps she could ask for it for Christmas. But, for a brief moment, I felt like a beggar mother. Ah, the humiliation children can bring.

I told so many people about the incident and had some great laughs...to which Makea was obviously attentive. For in our visit with Father Christmas a few nights later, when questioned as to what she would like, she explicitly told him of the food she'd seen (in nearly my exact words) so as to leave no confusion this time that she is actually asking for a TOY and not the bare necessities of life!

Following our visit with Father Christmas, she questioned me about whether there are actually TWO Santas. I replied that there was only one and asked her why. "That Santa we just saw was a bit different than the one at the mall, Mommy. They were not the same man!" Was the response. I quickly gave the "Santa's Helpers all around the world" lecture which seemed to satisfy her, but I came to the realization then and there that we will not be able to pull the wool over her eyes for long! Santa, at our house, is going to have to be well thought out and perfectly executed if we are to maintain the 'magic' of Christmas, at least in the gift-giving sense! If there is anyone out there with secrets or tips on this, let me know! This is really the first year I've had to worry about this, so I am certainly an amateur at this point!

The Magic, the Meaning, the Miracle of Christmas

As much as I enjoyed our little Holiday Excursion at Trolley Square this past weekend (see previous post), last night takes the cake for our Christmas Tradition, at least so far this year, and it's going to be tough to beat!

I had the privilege of taking Kea and Kai to the Candlelight Christmas at This Is The Place Heritage Park. It truly was spectacular! We began with a delicious dinner at the Old Deseret Hospital (my kids downed the sweet and sour meatballs like I've never seen before. And, despite the large assortment of desserts available, Kai would only touch the chocolate truffles...simply turned his nose up at the tarts, cheesecakes, brownies and cookies! I had no idea he had such exquisite taste!) Following dinner, we took a train ride around the park. First stop - Hunstman Hotel, featuring a live band playing folk music. Makea and I danced our hearts out and the look on her face was priceless, she was simply filled with delight! Next stop, Father Christmas. This man was the "Real Deal" if I do say so myself...very kind, soft-spoken, gentle, and patient with the children. Treated all of us mothers as his children too which was very endearing. He played his part beautifully and the kids, of course, loved him. Next we stopped by the Old Brigham Young home for some hot cider, stories from Brigham, and live harp music.

Our last train stop was the highlight of our trip by far, and brings tears to my eyes even as I type this. We walked down a candle lit path to a lowly stable. Makea was simply mystified at where we were going and couldn't wait to see what it was! We first saw the donkey (Konkey, Konkey! yelled Kai as we approached) and I saw a hint of understanding creep into her eyes at what this was all about. Next we saw sheep and goats (to which Kai shouted ah-ah-ah-ah-ah - his own little version of a sheep baaa). We finally came to the live nativity, where Joseph watched as Mary lulled a sweet baby Jesus to sleep. The look on Makea's face was undeniable - awe, reverence and complete adoration for the Savior all wrapped into one. She actually knelt down in front of them, completely unprompted, and seemed to be mesmerized by the sight of Him. She spoke not a word but gazed up at them for several minutes, wrapped up in the moment, drinking it all in. I sat there with tears in my eyes as I witnessed my beautiful daughter experiencing the true meaning of Christmas. It was truly miraculous; a moment written on my heart forever.

If you are going to be in Utah this season, I highly recommend a trip to the This is the Place Heritage Park. You will be so glad you did!

A Trolley Square Christmas

This past weekend (December 1st to be exact) I had the pleasure of taking my 2 little sweethearts to the historic Trolley Square Mall to start the 'holiday tradition' ball rolling, so to speak. The holiday spirit was in the air - literally - even before we awakened that morning.... when we arose we were delighted to find a beautiful blanket of freshly fallen snow on the ground (and more coming throughout the day.) The kids enjoyed the morning frolicking in the snow while I volunteered at the Festival of Trees. Then, after lunch and naps, the REAL festivities kicked off with a visit with Santa and Mrs. Clause (more on that later), followed by milk and donuts (yum!). As we were walking through the mall Makea spotted Pottery Barn Kids so of course we had to stop for an hour to play (after all, what would Christmas be without a visit to the toystore?!). Then we headed outside for wassail and roasted chestnuts, and finished the evening off with a horse-drawn carriage ride. It was the perfect way to start this wonderful holiday season! MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!! I love this time of year!

The Love of a Child

After I had Makea, I honestly didn't really feel a desire to have any more children. I felt as though I could never love anyone as much as I loved her, and felt that my heart was so full that I didn't have any more room to love another. When I discovered I was pregnant again, I was surprised and, initially, worried. I didn't want Makea to miss out on any of my love or attention. As Kai has grown, however, I have been so grateful he has come to our family! I watch the two of them interact with one another and am amazed at the adoration and love they are developing for each other! I realize that even more important than giving Makea ALL of my love and attention, is giving her a sibling; someone who will always be there for her, no matter what. A ready playmate. A confidant. Someone for her to love unconditionally. Someone who will love her back, unconditionally. Someone to be her best friend throughout the years. Someone with a shoulder to cry on. Someone to hold her hand. This is more than I ever could have given her on my own. I'm so glad Kai joined our family!

Makea-isms

At least three times a day, my sweet little Makea is says something that has me in stitches!

Case in point.

This morning, she was (as she is often prone to do) pestering her little brother. She LOVES to playfully taunt and tease him. (Being an older sister myself, I must admit, I do somewhat understand her point of view. :) ) As he became increasingly perplexed, however, I called to her, "Makea, what are you doing to Kai-Kai?" To which, in her sweetest, loveliest voice she replied, "I'm driving him crazy!"

Second came later this afternoon as we were playing in her bedroom. But first, a bit of background. Several times a day Makea will ask, "Mommy, how do you say _______ (insert just about any word you can think of, from "Noah's ark" to "spoon" to "hilarious") in Spanish and in Sign Language?" Apparently our bright little inquisitor is set on being tri-lingual. So, with that in mind....this afternoon, out of the blue, she said (insert "Eureka" and a light bulb) "I know how to say Kainoa in Spanish!" "Really?" I mused, "How?". Her reply: "Kai-kee-koo-koo-noa!" This had me rolling for about 10 minutes.

Finally, this evening, we were driving by Modern Display, a store which specializes in decorations of the holiday variety. Last week they added a gigantic christmas tree with a larger-than-life Santa which illuminates at night. This evening as we drove past, Makea suddently, bursting with excitement, shouted "Mommy and Papi! Santa is LIGHTING UP!!!" I saw tears streaming down Jon's face, he could not withhold his laughter!

Ah, I love my children! I can only imagine what Kai will come up with when his English becomes more audible/discernible!

Aren't They Adorable?

I know that, as their mother, I am slightly biased. Still, I can't help but look at these two and want to just eat them up!

This particular shot is one of my favorites because it's one of the only pictures in which I've been able to capture both of them with natural - and happy - expressions. During a typical 'kodak moment' when both kids are looking especially adorable (or doing something despicable that I simply have to catch on tape...) I will run to grab my camera, only to return and snap shots of one or both of them crying, pulling their sibling's hair, or scrunching up their face in a smile that looks more like a cringe. So, in this moment, when they were bathing in the kitchen sink after Makea had persistently begged to do so for over a week, I actually caught them both "in the moment" so as to capture the expressions of theirs I so love. (By the way, you can click on the picture to enlarge it so you can more fully appreciate their expressions.) It doesn't happen very often, but despite that, they always manage to look cute whatever their facial expression or frame of mind. :)

BLOGGING HIATUS

You'll notice that, interestingly, my blogging stopped with the birth of my second child. This is no coincidence. My children are the light of my life, the apples of my eye, my pride and my joy. Because of this, I want to spend every waking moment with them (every moment THEY are awake, that is!). When I just had Makea, her naptimes and bedtimes were my "me time" - an opportunity for me to read, study, meditate, clean....and blog (or at least, get online - I must admit I've never really been an avid blogger.) Since the birth of my sweet Kai, however, I have experienced very few moments when both of my children were sleeping - take today, for example: Kai went down for his nap at noon so I read Makea a couple of books, gave her a little snuggle, and left the room, hoping she would nap. After nearly two hours of begging, pleading, demanding, bribing, etc, she ended up screaming, thereby awakening her little brother from his peaceful slumber. Approximately 3 minutes later she fell asleep for her nap and I was left with a happy, well-rested, nonetheless energetic Kai who was of course vying for my attention. Not a chance he was going to let me sit down at the computer...never mind clean, shower, prepare dinner or what have you. Such has been my life since becoming the mother of two 15 short months ago. Not that I am complaining, mind you....just explaining the predicament, and thereby rationalizing my blogging hiatus for those of you who have questioned 'where I went.' So, at least for now, I'm back.