my four year old

When we moved here 2 years ago, Ana was 4. Preschool really wasn't even on my radar. I wanted Ana home, and I am so glad I did that, even though occasionally she tells me she feels "left out" because she didn't ever go to preschool.

Jack is a different kid, though. He still gets a little anxious upon separation. And at weird times, too. Like when I drop him off at primary one random week. I knew that full-day kindergarten would be a huge adjustment for him, so we felt like he needed some preschool time. And luckily for us, he got into the preschool at Ana's school, so it works out nicely. For a while he was nervous about it, but over the summer he got more and more excited for his first day.

The day I left for Utah I dropped him off for his first day of Preschool. He goes 3 days a week for a few hours in the afternoon. It is working out well, and he loves it.




He acted like he knew what he was doing right away, and he still is very excited for preschool days.

A couple weeks ago for church, Ana begged me to let Jack wear this suit of Dave's. It is still a little big, but it made me realize how big my little boy is getting.




I do have to say, Jack is definitely 4. He is starting to be a little defiant, and gets pretty upset when he doesn't get his way. Another reason why preschool will be good for him.

Though I send him to preschool because it is what is right for him, I am enjoying my quiet time while the kids are at school and Katie is napping. It is just what I need to feel like I am on top of things. Or at least not quiet so far behind.

my eternal family

The last week has been filled with busy-ness. Katie and I flew home last Friday for my Grandpa's funeral. So between finding a flight and arranging rides and child care for the older two and packing and being gone I haven't had much computer time.

I was actually excited to go. It was the first time all of my siblings were together since my wedding over 7 years ago. It was wonderful to be with all of them together and we had a wonderful time chatting and joking and talking and laughing and staying up way too late.

The funeral was really nice. Poppy lived a full life and had a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He will be missed by his posterity, of which there are many, (13 children, 74 grandchildren) but we are glad he is reunited with his wife and one of his daughters.

Dave's Mom and Dad came down from Rupert and picked me up at the airport on Friday night. We stayed in Salt Lake that night and spent the day with them in downtown Salt Lake. I love Dave's parents and it was wonderful to see them.





Saturday night was spent at the hotel. Dave's sister Janet stopped by and we had a wonderful visit, and then one of my sisters came and we chatted it up. My dad had spent the day Saturday doing a bike race, so my parents didn't make it to the hotel until Sunday morning. We went to a sacrament meeting, hung out at the hotel, then headed to Morgan for the viewing. The viewing was packed with cousins and aunts and uncles, some of which I haven't seen for a long time.

Cousins!!! I love these girls.

Sunday night was spent swimming, chatting, painting toenails and having a marvelous time with the fam at the hotel. I love my sisters and my brother. I think they are awesome.

Monday was the funeral and luncheon with time to catch up with some cousins. 65 of Poppy's grandchildren were in attendance. It was incredible to be there together. Of course we had to snap a family photo. (Props to whoever can guess age order. )

Katie and I took a red-eye Monday night back home. She was stellar for all the flights. Mostly because of the 4 total legs she slept through 3 of them. The other one was only an hour so it was doable. She was ready to come home though. She saw a picture of Jack and Ana and got so excited that after that she kept bringing me shoes and pointing to the door.





It was wonderful to go, and it is great to be back. Hopefully we can get together before another 7 years go by. Or another funeral. I am so grateful that families can be together forever!

sweet is the peace the gospel brings

When we moved away, we made a stopped by my Grandpa's house in Utah. He was approaching his 90th birthday then. We visited for a bit with him and my aunt (my 2nd mom). As we drove away, heading for Vermont, I shed tears for Poppy because I knew it would be the last time in a long, long time.

Last night, at the age of 92, Poppy passed away.

He was a man of incredible faith and fortitude. Even in his last few days, he used his lucid moments to bear his testimony.

He is now reunited with his beautiful wife who died 10 years ago.

I've been thinking about Poppy today.

I've thought about every time I saw him he grabbed my hand really, really tight and said,

"Said Aaron to Moses,
'Let's cut off their noses.'
Said Moses to Aaron,
'They're better for wearin'. "

I thought about a few years ago when he told me his favorite hymn was "Have I done any good in the world today." And how he recited those words every evening and tried to live by that.

I thought about all the stories of incredible, miraculous faith he told at family reunions.

I thought about how much I loved spending time at their house, and seeing his beautiful flower garden.


Poppy will be missed. I am so glad for eternal families, and the "peace the gospel brings."

end of summer

The last day of August. I find myself wishing I could push on the brakes and keep summer here. This summer has been so perfect that I am sad to see it go. And though the fall here is beautiful and wonderful, the summer has been divine.

Last weekend I was itching to do one more summer outing, so we loaded up the kids in search of a swimming hole. Vermont is full of them, and the one we found a great one less than an hour away.



Jack taught Katie the art of throwing rocks.



The day before school started we held our 2nd annual school fashion show and back to school night. The kids really looked forward to it and it was a really great night.




Now we are back into a routine, which is great. And the whining in the house has significantly reduced, which is awesome. I am still not sure if I am ready for cooler weather, or for my boy to start preschool, but I'm sure I will get used to it.

how did she get so big?

(Ana's first day of first grade.)

days run together

early mornings. breakfast. dishes.

a trip to the park.

white dandelion wishes.



deep breaths. repetition.

always serving another.

children play and whine.

"be kind to your brother."


or "No screaming."

said a thousand times.

playing dolls and cars.

singing nursery rhymes.


waiting til 5:00.

daaddy's home! then dinner.

Race up the stairs!

See who is the winner.


Bedtime stories and snuggles.

and one last song.

the days run together.

the days are long.


cooler days.

the leaves, then snow fall.

tulips bloom. summer sun.

suddenly, leaves change and fall.


another year gone again.

load the bus. shed a few tears.

long may be the days.

but short are the years.

things i will never understand

I will never understand how Ana's room can go from clean to complete disaster in less than a day.

I will never understand how the kids manage to get sticky blue toothpaste all over the bathroom and themselves during teeth-brushing time.

I will never understand how 45 minute quiet time is absolute torture, and yet at bedtime, when the children are supposed to go to sleep, they stay awake playing for hours.

I will never understand how my baby can grow to a toddler overnight.



I will never understand why they think saying "the s-word" is an acceptable alternative to saying "stupid."

I will never understand how summer went so quickly and it is time to start school again.

(unrelated picture of Jack playing chef.)

...the days are long, but the years are short. ...

where have i been?

Maine, mostly. We went over the weekend. I have also been trying to get stuff ready for school to start. We are so ready. I have a 6 year old who has a bit of an attitude lately that I can't seem to curb. So, the usual stuff.

I also managed to repaint a desk. In analyzing my house-work techniques I have noticed a common theme: piles. There are piles of junk mail and piles of real mail and piles of pictures the kids color and piles of stuff to take upstairs and piles and piles and piles. Junk attracts junk, they say.

But I didn't really have anywhere to PUT any of these things. So I just piled them up. Finally I think to myself that I needed a central place. ONE place to put all these piles. One place that is easy to clean and keep organized, instead of stacking it up on my piano and mantle and dining room table.

Then we spotted a free little desk by the side of the road. It needed some easy fix-ups and a coat of paint, but it was in pretty good shape so we brought it home.



Tada!


Of course, it only looks like this every few days when I clean off all the piles. Dave saw the piles and asked if the desk was serving its purpose covered in junk. "Yes!" I said. He looked a little skeptical, but it is keeping the piles off my piano and table and stereo and stairs, and being in a small space means it is easier to clean off, and I do it more often. Plus the drawers are super organized and I can always find a pen and a piece of paper and the tape and my calendar markers and other office supplies. So, I love the little desk. And it cost me a grand total of $0.

More on Maine tomorrow or the next day. We'll see.

don't blink

I am freaking out you guys.

Want to know why?

Because I blinked.

And somehow this:

(June 2011)

(August 2011)

Became this:

(July 2012)

(August 2012)

How did this happen? And when?

Ana is (almost) a first grader! Katie is practically a toddler!

Time is going by way too fast. How can this be when the days seem so long? This winter I had a habit of telling Jack, "I want you to stay 3 forever." He responded by laughing and insisting he had to turn 4. He was right. I still wish that. I loved him at 3.

But I love him at 4 and Ana at 6 and Katie at 1.

As I was looking through old pictures today I thought to myself, "I wish I could go back 6 months and see them again." But then I realized that I would then have to re-live the last 6 months and I don't really want to do that. They have been hard on me emotionally. We are back to a happy place now.

I just need to stop blinking!

because i know the grandmas miss these kids

I uploaded a bunch of videos yesterday. We'll ignore the fact that I got totally sad because I realized that my kids won't stay little forever and that they are growing up right before my eyes. My kids rock people, and I love these kids more than anything and I am so glad I am their mother.


For your viewing pleasure...

on a sunday afternoon:




Jack's primary talk:




Katie going down the slide:

one year

Our little Katie-Koo is 1!!

And she is adorable.

Everyone in our family adores her. Ana and Jack still do not leave her alone and she has her Daddy wrapped around that little finger of hers.

I love her too.

She is very excited about being one! Or maybe just about sliding, which she loves.


We celebrated in the usual fashion.

Presents:







And of course, CAKE!


Tidbits:

*Her first consistent word is "tickle" which she always says while tickling herself on the tummy.
*She also says Dada, hi, hug, uh-oh, Mama, and thank you
*She isn't a great eater. She only tolerates me spoon feeding her for about 5 minutes, but doesn't really want to eat anything else either. She will eat all types of fruit, carrots and sweet potatoes and yogurt and cheese. That's about it. Oh, and scrambled eggs, which are probably her favorite.
*She isn't a great sleeper. She nurses to sleep most of the time. Most days she falls asleep in the car and naps in her car seat. She wakes up around 6:30, takes only 1 nap, (which usually lasts 1.5 to 2 hours) and goes to sleep after 8.
*She is a wonderful smiler and giggler. Her whole face lights up.
*She loves to clap and wave and high five and grab my glasses off my face.
*She holds her hand out when she wants something you have. Your food, your drink, your toy, etc.
*While outside (which we do a lot) she spends her time sliding and eating dirt.

And one more thing:

She's walking! She took a couple steps after church one day and by Wednesday she was walking all over. This video is from last Wednesday at the kids' swim lessons, and she is a lot more steady than this already.



Happy Birthday, Baby girl. We love ya!