Thursday, March 31, 2011
Worth Reading Before Conference
This blog post, while a few years old, was the perfect thing for me to read just before conference. I hope you take a few minutes to check it out and read it too. I don't think you'll be disappointed. Happy Conference Weekend, y'all!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Jon Stewart on Libya
Would you all be shocked to know I do not support the US intervening in Libya? If you have read my political stances for any length of time you probably wouldn't be shocked. I think the Daily Show does a pretty good job of summing up why it is US foreign policy is so frustrating to me. This clip is extremely entertaining although extremely sad because we are talking about real people here, with real war going on. I still laughed out loud but felt kind of bad about it. Anyway, I think it's a worthwhile 7 minutes to recommend to you. I never want you to feel deprived of my political opinion, and The Daily Show can do it in a much more captivating way than I can.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Some Practical Advice
No, I am not giving advice, just asking, in advance, because I know I'll need it. I got over 8 hours of sleep last night, and have actually had a lot of great sleep lately. Pregnancy just makes you tired, ya know, so it is 3 pm and I am crashing. I really wanted to take a nap this afternoon, but Adie never naps during the day anymore. She is 4 and often can take care of herself and not get into too much trouble, but she still tends to play in the bathroom far too often and find potions and lotions she shouldn't. I feel like I can't go rest because, if I do, that will be the day she does something really dangerous or destructive.
Now, I can deal with that all right now. If I don't get a nap, I'll just go to bed a little earlier tonight and probably will be a-okay tomorrow. However, when baby #3 arrives I know there will likely be months on end where I get 5 hours of sleep each night, after being awoken multiple times in between those meager hours. I feel like a train wreck during the newborn stage (anyone who's talked to me about babies for more than 2 minutes knows it's really not my favorite stage at all). I really envy those people who can deal so well with sleep deprivation. It really almost sends me over the edge every time. Thinking about it right now, when I am so groggy, just makes me depressed. I hate feeling like a crazy woman and sleep deprivation makes me feel that way, so out of control and wishing I could leave and come back when my baby sleeps through the night.
I know when we have #3 some things might be easier. Adie will be old enough to help and she can also play with Chase so hopefully he won't get into as much mischief as Adie did when Chase was born. I don't have as much anxiety overall because I've already done it 2 times. But...not getting sleep just really frustrates me. Adie won't be napping in the afternoon so those precious days I had when Chase was born, when both Adie and Chase napped at the same time, and I could sneak in some extra sleep won't happen. I know I could throw on a movie for Adie and go take a nap if the baby and Chase sleep at the same time, but I still just don't trust that Adie will be safe and stay out of trouble. I will probably be so sleep-deprived that if I can take a nap, it will be a pretty deep sleep and I wouldn't be able to hear those little noises that tell me when I should go check on Adie during her quiet time. She always manages to get into the most trouble during that time.
Anyway, for those of you with multiple children, or those whose children were spaced out so that afternoon naps no longer existed for your older children when a newborn came, how did you deal with sleep deprivation? How do you sneak in a little extra sleep during those rough newborn days? Maybe I can implement some things in our routine now to make it an easier transition once the baby arrives. Adie will be doing a joy school a couple of times a week for 2.5 hours in the morning, but that isn't when Chase naps, so it's not likely I'll have much of a reprieve from some other child awake all the time during the day. Any advice from experienced folk, or people who just have good ideas, experienced or not, would be much appreciated because "if ye are prepared ye shall not fear". Right now, I have some fear :)
Now, I can deal with that all right now. If I don't get a nap, I'll just go to bed a little earlier tonight and probably will be a-okay tomorrow. However, when baby #3 arrives I know there will likely be months on end where I get 5 hours of sleep each night, after being awoken multiple times in between those meager hours. I feel like a train wreck during the newborn stage (anyone who's talked to me about babies for more than 2 minutes knows it's really not my favorite stage at all). I really envy those people who can deal so well with sleep deprivation. It really almost sends me over the edge every time. Thinking about it right now, when I am so groggy, just makes me depressed. I hate feeling like a crazy woman and sleep deprivation makes me feel that way, so out of control and wishing I could leave and come back when my baby sleeps through the night.
I know when we have #3 some things might be easier. Adie will be old enough to help and she can also play with Chase so hopefully he won't get into as much mischief as Adie did when Chase was born. I don't have as much anxiety overall because I've already done it 2 times. But...not getting sleep just really frustrates me. Adie won't be napping in the afternoon so those precious days I had when Chase was born, when both Adie and Chase napped at the same time, and I could sneak in some extra sleep won't happen. I know I could throw on a movie for Adie and go take a nap if the baby and Chase sleep at the same time, but I still just don't trust that Adie will be safe and stay out of trouble. I will probably be so sleep-deprived that if I can take a nap, it will be a pretty deep sleep and I wouldn't be able to hear those little noises that tell me when I should go check on Adie during her quiet time. She always manages to get into the most trouble during that time.
Anyway, for those of you with multiple children, or those whose children were spaced out so that afternoon naps no longer existed for your older children when a newborn came, how did you deal with sleep deprivation? How do you sneak in a little extra sleep during those rough newborn days? Maybe I can implement some things in our routine now to make it an easier transition once the baby arrives. Adie will be doing a joy school a couple of times a week for 2.5 hours in the morning, but that isn't when Chase naps, so it's not likely I'll have much of a reprieve from some other child awake all the time during the day. Any advice from experienced folk, or people who just have good ideas, experienced or not, would be much appreciated because "if ye are prepared ye shall not fear". Right now, I have some fear :)
Monday, March 14, 2011
Viva Las Vegas!
Brett and I just got back from a short, kidless (yes!) trip to Vegas to watch BYU play in the Mountain West Conference Tournament. It's kind of humorous to me that we've lived here in Southern AZ for almost 2.5 years and have already traveled to Vegas, specifically to Vegas not just through it, 3 times. We don't even really like the place that much! However, it does have basketball tournaments, cheap hotels and is half way between us and family and friends in UT so it is a natural place to go, I suppose.
Even though I don't love Vegas overall, we had such a wonderful time. We met up with some UT friends, the Squires, and attended 6 basketball games, walked the strip, ate out a lot and saw the Phantom of the Opera at the Venetian. We also attempted to sleep in, which only partially worked. However, I did get a couple of morning naps in. We haven't gone many places without our kids, well, we had never left Chase overnight, and had only done it a couple of times before with Adie, so this was kind of a treat, especially since in August our brood increases to 3 (I don't think I've mentioned that here before so there's the official blog announcement). It was nice to have a relaxed schedule and not have to worry about taking care of anyone but ourselves, but we are happy to be home with the kids. A big thanks goes out to our friends, the Hoenes, for taking our children so we could party.
We only took a small handful of pictures, but here's a few.
Shopping at H&M. The horses are for you, Kim!
There's Jimmer right after his amazing performance against New Mexico. For those of you who don't follow college basketball, he scored 52 points that night and they finally beat New Mexico this year. It was such a fun game to watch.
Brett and I after the New Mexico game. Although Brett doesn't look super happy there, I can guarantee you, he was about as happy as he ever gets at the end of that game.
My cousin, Daniel, was also down there to watch the cougars so we got to meet up for a few minutes, which was a lot of fun.
Our little group after the last game of the tournament. We saw so much good basketball. It was a blast! BYU lost to San Diego State, which was a bummer, but not completely unsurprising. BYU was tired and it's hard to beat that good of a team 3 times in one season. The only 2 losses SDSU had the whole season were to BYU, so I guess they were out to prove themselves.
Here we are just before seeing Phantom. I've never seen it before, not even the movie. I've been saving myself for the actual play. I loved the music, but I already knew I would. I can't say it's my favorite story though. I think I would be fine if I never saw it again, but I am glad I got the opportunity to go though.
Before Phantom, we went to Claim Jumper for dinner and were too stuffed to eat the motherload chocolate cake, so we saved it for after the show. Here we are eating in the car at midnight. Ah, to be young again!
It was a fun getaway. Brett and I don't have a whole lot of overlapping hobbies, but watching college football and basketball is something we both thoroughly enjoy and I love that we can get into it together.
Even though I don't love Vegas overall, we had such a wonderful time. We met up with some UT friends, the Squires, and attended 6 basketball games, walked the strip, ate out a lot and saw the Phantom of the Opera at the Venetian. We also attempted to sleep in, which only partially worked. However, I did get a couple of morning naps in. We haven't gone many places without our kids, well, we had never left Chase overnight, and had only done it a couple of times before with Adie, so this was kind of a treat, especially since in August our brood increases to 3 (I don't think I've mentioned that here before so there's the official blog announcement). It was nice to have a relaxed schedule and not have to worry about taking care of anyone but ourselves, but we are happy to be home with the kids. A big thanks goes out to our friends, the Hoenes, for taking our children so we could party.
We only took a small handful of pictures, but here's a few.
Shopping at H&M. The horses are for you, Kim!
There's Jimmer right after his amazing performance against New Mexico. For those of you who don't follow college basketball, he scored 52 points that night and they finally beat New Mexico this year. It was such a fun game to watch.
Brett and I after the New Mexico game. Although Brett doesn't look super happy there, I can guarantee you, he was about as happy as he ever gets at the end of that game.
My cousin, Daniel, was also down there to watch the cougars so we got to meet up for a few minutes, which was a lot of fun.
Our little group after the last game of the tournament. We saw so much good basketball. It was a blast! BYU lost to San Diego State, which was a bummer, but not completely unsurprising. BYU was tired and it's hard to beat that good of a team 3 times in one season. The only 2 losses SDSU had the whole season were to BYU, so I guess they were out to prove themselves.
Here we are just before seeing Phantom. I've never seen it before, not even the movie. I've been saving myself for the actual play. I loved the music, but I already knew I would. I can't say it's my favorite story though. I think I would be fine if I never saw it again, but I am glad I got the opportunity to go though.
Before Phantom, we went to Claim Jumper for dinner and were too stuffed to eat the motherload chocolate cake, so we saved it for after the show. Here we are eating in the car at midnight. Ah, to be young again!It was a fun getaway. Brett and I don't have a whole lot of overlapping hobbies, but watching college football and basketball is something we both thoroughly enjoy and I love that we can get into it together.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Projects
I am not so much a project-doer. Ok, that's not true. I take on a lot of projects, but I finish very few of them. This is not something I am proud of. Obviously, I need to work on my follow through, but usually the projects I don't finish are things in the sewing / crafting category. They aren't things that are essential to our everyday life, so when I get bored of them or too overwhelmed with other things they get shoved in our guest bedroom and forgotten about until I get the urge to reorganize. I have a whole guest bedroom full of unfinished crafting / sewing projects. It makes me feel pretty inadequate when stacked against every one of my sisters-in-law who are all crafty (yes, even you, Diana, with your recent foray into crocheting) and finish their projects. Not only do they finish their projects, they turn out really nice. If I actually finish a craft project it's likely to be something I use for one holiday or something and the next time I pull it out I realize how not cute it turned out. Chalk up another craft project that was a waste of time and money. I might as well just pay a visit to Home Goods next time around. I have just starting declaring myself a non-project person.
Enter working on our backyard (also known as the large dirt pile). Our backyard is a major work-in-progress, as in a year and a half in the making so far (and we aren't done). Brett did a masterful job on our patio, and we stacked up a good-sized cinderblock enclosure some time ago, filled it with some dirt and started a garden. The next spring we planted trees, which was a huge ordeal with the cement, I mean dirt, we had to dig through for holes. Then, it got hot so we didn't want to work outside because we live in Southern Arizona, people. Then, it was football season and our weekends consisted of watching...college football. Then, it was the holidays and we were gone for another 6 weeks. Now, it's beautiful weather and there are no excuses. It's time to actually finish a project! We've been working on the backyard for the last few weeks, and guess what, folks, I have found it's a project I don't mind doing or finishing. In fact, I'd spend all day out there if I could figure out how to install the irrigation myself (which is the next thing on our list) and I didn't need to feed my children, do dishes and laundry, run kids to preschool, etc.
First, we moved our garden. It was large and took up space that we might want to fill in with some sort of grass / turf when we feel like making the investment. This was no small task, especially shoveling the dirt from the old garden to the new. Good thing we didn't have to move it far. The kids had a blast playing on the dirt pile and I really didn't mind taking an hour or so a day to let them while I shoveled.
And, after a week of shoveling and faces full of dirt, here is our new, moved garden (good thing we dry stacked the first time). I am loving it, and I love the space it opened up for us. Chase runs over there everyday. I think he appreciates the extra space.
We had extra cinderblock and decided to build a little sandbox in the other corner of the yard. We had one of those small plastic ones, but it was too small and close to the patio. Half of the sand kept ending up on the patio. We hope this new, improved sandbox will alleviate the traveling sand problem. The kids are loving it. Adie can spend a loooong time in there :)
Here is just a bonus picture of our first almond blossom! It was taken a few days ago and more have started to bud. It's going to be so beautiful in the next few weeks. I also have seen a few very small buds forming on our asian pear tree. Yay for spring! Now, let's just hope all our citrus survived the especially frosty nights we've had this year.
I planted our garden a few days ago. Next on our list in finishing the backyard irrigation so I don't have to water our plants and trees by hand, yay! Then, we'll get some rock to fill in all the rest of the dirt areas. Finally, we'll stain the cinderblock a more pleasing color. Then, the backyard will feel complete. Finally! In the not-so-distant future we hope to add some grass substance (we're leaning toward the fake stuff) over where the garden used to be and adding a few shrubs and some potted plants here and there. I look forward to it all. It's so fun for me to be outside working on the yard.
Enter working on our backyard (also known as the large dirt pile). Our backyard is a major work-in-progress, as in a year and a half in the making so far (and we aren't done). Brett did a masterful job on our patio, and we stacked up a good-sized cinderblock enclosure some time ago, filled it with some dirt and started a garden. The next spring we planted trees, which was a huge ordeal with the cement, I mean dirt, we had to dig through for holes. Then, it got hot so we didn't want to work outside because we live in Southern Arizona, people. Then, it was football season and our weekends consisted of watching...college football. Then, it was the holidays and we were gone for another 6 weeks. Now, it's beautiful weather and there are no excuses. It's time to actually finish a project! We've been working on the backyard for the last few weeks, and guess what, folks, I have found it's a project I don't mind doing or finishing. In fact, I'd spend all day out there if I could figure out how to install the irrigation myself (which is the next thing on our list) and I didn't need to feed my children, do dishes and laundry, run kids to preschool, etc.
First, we moved our garden. It was large and took up space that we might want to fill in with some sort of grass / turf when we feel like making the investment. This was no small task, especially shoveling the dirt from the old garden to the new. Good thing we didn't have to move it far. The kids had a blast playing on the dirt pile and I really didn't mind taking an hour or so a day to let them while I shoveled.
And, after a week of shoveling and faces full of dirt, here is our new, moved garden (good thing we dry stacked the first time). I am loving it, and I love the space it opened up for us. Chase runs over there everyday. I think he appreciates the extra space.
We had extra cinderblock and decided to build a little sandbox in the other corner of the yard. We had one of those small plastic ones, but it was too small and close to the patio. Half of the sand kept ending up on the patio. We hope this new, improved sandbox will alleviate the traveling sand problem. The kids are loving it. Adie can spend a loooong time in there :)
Here is just a bonus picture of our first almond blossom! It was taken a few days ago and more have started to bud. It's going to be so beautiful in the next few weeks. I also have seen a few very small buds forming on our asian pear tree. Yay for spring! Now, let's just hope all our citrus survived the especially frosty nights we've had this year.
I planted our garden a few days ago. Next on our list in finishing the backyard irrigation so I don't have to water our plants and trees by hand, yay! Then, we'll get some rock to fill in all the rest of the dirt areas. Finally, we'll stain the cinderblock a more pleasing color. Then, the backyard will feel complete. Finally! In the not-so-distant future we hope to add some grass substance (we're leaning toward the fake stuff) over where the garden used to be and adding a few shrubs and some potted plants here and there. I look forward to it all. It's so fun for me to be outside working on the yard.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Four
Adie turned four just over a week ago. Hello! How did she grow up so fast? I swear it wasn't long ago I was typing away at my desk at Novell, having very little clue my water broke and that's why I was feeling so many contractions when I was only 37 weeks along. That little girl sneaked up on us a few weeks earlier than we'd expected but what a fun adventure she's taken us on since. I wouldn't trade it for the world. I stole a little idea from a friend down here, thanks Kali. In her family, every four years each child could have a big, drop-off the kids kind of party. All the other years, you have something low-key - cake and ice cream with nearby family and friends. Since I'm just not the big elaborate birthday party type mom (sorry, my children) I really loved this idea. I can handle a big shindig every four years for each child. Well, this year, the first big shindig arrived.
Fortuitously, a couple of months before Adie's big day a groupon for a Build-a-Bear party sprang up. Since the coupon was to be used right around the time of Adie's birthday, I snatched one of those puppies right up. Then, I went aboutcoercing introducing Adie to the idea of doing a party at Build-a-Bear. She didn't even know what the store was, but I talked a good talk and she was easily persuaded (which is good, since I already had the groupon). We also made a teddy bear cake and had a picnic at the park after Build-a-Bear. Everything went so smoothly. The kids were all so well-behaved. I am told they love the bears they made. The groupon made it all extremely affordable, especially when each child went home with their own Build-a-Bear. Even without the groupon though, it really is not that pricey if you don't invite a really large group or allow them to soup up their bears too much, (but sure, you can make it big-time expensive and elaborate if that's your preference). For the 3 - 5 year old age range in attendance, what we did was perfect. In a nutshell, I'd highly recommend a Build-a-Bear party. Adie had a blast. The hardest part was narrowing down the list of people to invite. I have a hard time with that. I want to include everyone and I knew for this it needed to be a smaller group for her age. Anyway, that was all way too much detail for the average reader, but just trying to record it all for posterity.
Adie received all sorts of fun things from her friends, her grandparents and we got her a play kitchen with some food, pots and pans, etc., which she (and Chase) love and play with constantly. It's about time she got one. She might have been one of the only three to four-year-old girl we know without one. Anyway, four has been good to Adie so far. We were happy to have a fun celebration for her.
Here is the cake-making process. Adie and Chase were enthralled with watching the cakes bake. I think they watched them bake for about 10 minutes. Who knew what kind of entertainment an oven light can offer? Adie also helped me make the frosting and frost the cake while sporting her pj's and tutu. Classic! I think the cake turned out pretty cute. Yes, I didn't frost the sides. That got me into trouble last year, so I didn't even bother this time around. I think it still looks good and Adie was satisfied, so I am happy.
Adie's birthday morning consisted of hanging out in pj's, opening some gifts, loving her new kitchen. (Yes, the thing should have been assembled, but mom and dad were just too pooped the night before to tackle it). Chase was still sporting his mullet at the time (which has since been taken care of) and trying to steal Adie's candy.
All the Build-a-Bear excitement is captured here, even me shaking my thing, doing the hokey pokey with the kids. Isn't it an adorable little group of kiddos?
Finally, a picnic and cake at the park. I think playing on the playground together was really just as fun as Build-a-Bear.
Thanks to everyone who made Adie's day special, and thank you, Adie, for being an adorable light in our lives. We love you!
Fortuitously, a couple of months before Adie's big day a groupon for a Build-a-Bear party sprang up. Since the coupon was to be used right around the time of Adie's birthday, I snatched one of those puppies right up. Then, I went about
Adie received all sorts of fun things from her friends, her grandparents and we got her a play kitchen with some food, pots and pans, etc., which she (and Chase) love and play with constantly. It's about time she got one. She might have been one of the only three to four-year-old girl we know without one. Anyway, four has been good to Adie so far. We were happy to have a fun celebration for her.
Here is the cake-making process. Adie and Chase were enthralled with watching the cakes bake. I think they watched them bake for about 10 minutes. Who knew what kind of entertainment an oven light can offer? Adie also helped me make the frosting and frost the cake while sporting her pj's and tutu. Classic! I think the cake turned out pretty cute. Yes, I didn't frost the sides. That got me into trouble last year, so I didn't even bother this time around. I think it still looks good and Adie was satisfied, so I am happy.
Adie's birthday morning consisted of hanging out in pj's, opening some gifts, loving her new kitchen. (Yes, the thing should have been assembled, but mom and dad were just too pooped the night before to tackle it). Chase was still sporting his mullet at the time (which has since been taken care of) and trying to steal Adie's candy.
All the Build-a-Bear excitement is captured here, even me shaking my thing, doing the hokey pokey with the kids. Isn't it an adorable little group of kiddos?
Finally, a picnic and cake at the park. I think playing on the playground together was really just as fun as Build-a-Bear.Thanks to everyone who made Adie's day special, and thank you, Adie, for being an adorable light in our lives. We love you!
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