Trophies

This is Miss Lilly, all dressed up for Christmas :) I can't believe how grown up she looks! She'll be old enough for the youngest class in Primary at church (Sunday school for the 4 to 11 year olds) so it was her last week in nursery today. She continues to surprise us, amaze us, challenge us and baffle us, why change now?!? Anyway, in Brownsburg, there is a town cemetery that we pass almost every time we are in the car and the other day Miss Lilly noticed it and said, "Mom, look at all those trophies!". At first I explained what a cemetery was and that they were headstones - not trophies, but as I thought about it, they kind of are trophies -- trophies for living!

Thankful . . .

This Christmas I am thankful. Thankful for three healthy children, an employed husband, a new neighborhood, a new job, new friends, a comfortable home, a knowledge of our Savior and his birth and many, many, many unseen and unheard blessings! These blessings included: sugar happy children, decorating candy houses, a bored - and thus creative 6 year old who came up with the idea of decorating boxes into cars to whittle the hours away while waiting for Santa, and an ever willing husband to help, play and clean up!

Thankful for fuzzy, warm, easy to cuddle pjs and kids!

I am thankful for the things that I don't realize are blessing my life, for the way things seem to work out, even when they seem to go all wrong, for the people and their actions, that make life wonderful, for the little things, the simple things that make us smile and remember what is most important, for the things I desperately want, but don't have and the things I don't want, but seem to have plenty of. For the challenge that life presents and the triumph that can come when we try our best. I am thankful . . .

Christmas Trees

Apparently we live very close to several Christmas Tree Farms. Yeah! So, we started a new tradition - yesterday we piled into the car and went to cut down our own Christmas tree. The kids have been begging for one since we moved in. Thank heavens we had hats, gloves, coats and winter supplies, because it was freezing cold! Not sure if I've ever been that cold before - Indiana wind is horrible! Anyway, it was great fun, the kids had a blast and we got a freshly cut Christmas tree for our new house and a fresh wreath too. The kids got to see Santa and had hot chocolate to warm up while Dad got the tree shaken, and put up on the car. We spent the evening decorating and it turned out pretty good. How many days 'til Christmas?!?!?

HOME!

Someday my life will be back to normal, and I'll know where the camera is, there will be time to sit down and just surf, maybe even update my blog or actually look at somebody else's, there will be dinner in the oven instead of sandwiches again - lately it's make your own, cause mom is busy finding the silverware, the windows will have more than butcher paper to cover them and people won't be able to look through our house, there will be an actual living room with furniture to sit on and you'll be able to find Sunday clothes without digging through three boxes to find the shirt, belt and tie. Oh, and the fridge will have more than an empty milk jug and the pantry will have more than 2 boxes and cans of random food from the old house! Can you hear it in my voice yet?!?!? I LOVE MOVING!!!! Yes, it is a joyous, wonderful experience. I think we are finally getting things into semi-permanent places - although that could change with Big D's ever increasing ability to get into, on top of and through things. Between a badly sprained ankle (J.D.), and bad 24 hour flu (J.D. yesterday and me two weeks ago), a very sore neck (me), an absolutely wonderful Thanksgiving and reunion with a missioary brother, a very long trip in the car - one that we won't be repeating anytime soon, and a beautiful home in a great neighborhood it has been a long month! When we got to Wyoming, we stayed in a "Little America". Miss Lilly was so impressed that she cried when we left, saying, "But I want to live here - this is our new house!" But, we really are home now and together looking forward to Christmas. What a wonderful time of year to remember a little family with a less than ideal situation who managed to bring the world an incredible blessing found in our Savior, who can bring peace and joy into the hearts of all who turn to Him, even in less than ideal situations. May we be blessed with it always! Merry Christmas!

Leaves

Isn't it just the way life happens - as a kid I loved leaves! Especially in the fall when they turned all different colors and fell to the ground. Then, you could outline houses on the ground (floor plan style) and play house in them, or pile them up and jump in them, or just to hear them crunch as you walk through them, make wax paper books to save them . . . Ironically, the trees in my parents yard didn't produce much in the way of leaves as a child - enough to get some play in, but oh, my - look at them now! I think my parents could fill a few swimming pools with leaves each fall! There are so many! My kids got to help Grandpa with the last of the raking them up this year - and enjoyed some good piles and jumping into them. What a fabulous time of year . . . Fall!

Moving On

I did it. I said goodbye to the mountains (they were absolutely gorgeous yesterday!), I said goodbye to many dear and wonderful friends and I said good bye to our house -our 1st house! I wasn't sure I was going to be able to do it and I think my children wondered if I would ever stop crying as we drove to Grandma's yesterday. I don't think I've cried that much over something material . . . ever! It isn't so much the actual house, as the friend, neighbors, memories and love that we felt there. What a wonderful blessing it has been. As we were driving out of the neighborhood for the last time yesterday I turned to Master S and asked him if there was anything else he wanted to do one last time. He thought about it for a minute and then said, "Say goodbye to everyone". So, we rolled down our windows (in true Yorgason fashion) and yelled goodbye to our whole neighborhood. I'm sure the neighbors on that particular street were a little confused, but we did it. Kind of a final gesture to a neighborhood that we have loved so much. On to Grandma's for a few weeks, an uncle coming home from a mission and Thanksgiving dinner - yum! And then, cross you fingers - our new house in Indiana. There have been several times in the last week when I've wondered if getting this house is really going to happen, but then I think about what is the worst thing that can happen with the house there and I remember, no matter what happens, our family will still be together and we will still be moving forward with what we have felt so strongly needed to happen -- isn't that all that really matters?!? Faith - its a mighty and difficult thing to have, but produces such incredible results and blessings when we use it. May our many friends we've left know that we love them and think of them and that you will always be close to our hearts!

Packing

Just trying to find the "element of fun" in packing today! Big D is moving incredibly fast now - and is unpacking about as fast as I can pack. Can't wait until we are officially unpacking, he'll be so helpful!

Trick or Treat

Halloween

It's Halloween! The kids woke up crazy and I can't wait for J.D. to get home! All in all, they've been really good, but I think the prospects of getting candy and dressing up for school are just putting them a litte over the top today :) Can you blame them?!? The costumes turned out great - I hope Master S' survives the school day - bring on the candy . . . Happy Halloween!

Choices . . .

Oh, the dilemma of choice. I guess I should be grateful that we have one! These are the two final homes after looking at probably 30 in the past month between our first trip and J.D.'s trip there right now. Both are beautiful, and both have positives and negatives. He is going to make an offer this afternoon and now is when I really would like to be there :) I'll post the final decision when we know more about the status of the offer!

World Discovery

Lately Miss Lilly has been asking me some interesting questions.

"Are there monsters in this world?"
"Are there elephants in this world?"
"Are there witches in this world?"
"Are there dinosaurs in this world?"
"Are there tigers in this world?"

For awhile I just thought it was cute, but I'm realizing that this girl is doing some serious thinking. She is trying to organize and categorize all the things she gets read to about and sees on television into real OR pretend. That is a huge thing to accomplish - especially at three. And it is amazing to me that my answers are always accepted and she never asks again. She totally trusts that I know whether there are princesses, or dragons, or monsters or animals or unicorns . . . her mind is a never resting trap of information! Plus, what does "in this world mean"?!?! Does she know about another world??? Something interesting to think about . . .

SMASHING PUMPKINS

No, this is not a post about music -- just 6 year old boys and their fascination will all things gooey, especially if it is inside a large container that can be smashed into the ground! Master S came home from school with a pumpkin yesterday. He and his class went on a field trip to Hee Haw Farms and these are a few of the highlights, in Master S' words(*):

Mom: "How was lunch?"
*We ate lunch with wasps and hornets (apparently he ended up eating in the bus with a couple of girls who "are really nice and didn't want me to eat by myself" because he didn't like the wasps - leave it to Master S to find a way to eat with the girls!)

*Wasps is a funny word -- isn't it mom? and so is hornet!

Mom: "Was there a tractor?"
*We went on a hay ride - but I lost my hat (his new colts snow hat) while we were riding, and we had to go back and find it and it had dust all over it, so we slapped it against my pants and this big cloud of dust came out (as I'm noticing dirt smears all over his pants).

Mom: "Were there any animals?"
*Yeah, there was this huge pig -- he was so big!

Mom: "What was your favorite part?"
*The corn maze -- I did it all by myself.
Mom: "How did you find your way?"
*Mom, of course I just followed the signs!

*There was this huge slide with, like, 19 steps and I climbed all the way to the top. But, I got a little scared on step 19. But I went down all by myself and a towel. (This is a huge accomplishment for him, considering we've been working on heights a lot -- something that has been really hard for him since he was little).

He obviously had a great time. He got to choose a pupmkin at the farm and brought it home in his backpack and immeadiately he wanted to roll it down the driveway. Our driveway is famous on the street for having the best angle - in the winter when it is snowing and icy it is awful, but it makes a great snow slide, car racing track and bike accelerator for all the kids. It is something I will miss in the summer, but definately not in the winter!!! Since we'd already picked out pumpkins as a family, this was an extra and I thought, what's it going to hurt? Little did I know it would bring out all the 6 year old boys in the nieghborhood! And pretty soon we had boys rolling pumpkins, small, medium and large down our driveway. And you know what that led too --- smashing pumpkins on the sidewalk and then "ooooh", and "ahhhh" and "awesome!", "cool", "let's do that again!!!" Well, needless to say I had to put my foot down or I think the whole street would have ended up with smashed pumpkins for Halloween. There were so many seeds -- the new owners of the house may end up with some surprise pumpkin plants in the front yard next spring! I love the curiousity and delighted instrest of 6 year old boys!!!!

How much do I trust JD?

Well, we are about to find out . . . JD left for Indianapolis today for a short trip to find and put an offer on a home there . . . without me! Yes, this decision was made with my full knowledge and cooperation, although at this point I'm desperately wishing I'd flown out with him today! I think it is more because I'm stuck with three kids by myself and looking at house work and a family room full of boxes that need to be filled and really just wanting to sit in front of HGTV and check out for a few days, than it is that I need to be in Indy. I know this sounds crazy, but I really do fully trust JD with this decision (not sure I can say that about all decisions, but this one for sure) - in fact, I think he'll probably make a better decision without me there. He has such a tendency to see what I want (whether we need it or not) and do everything within his power, or even not in his power, to get it for me - so it is better that he make this decision based on the logical facts of what we need for our family and what we can afford, as well as, what feels right, without me muddying the waters! All the homes he's looking at tomorrow have photos on the web to look at, which we've looked at together and discussed at length - what did we ever do without the Internet?!?! Plus, he is armed with a camera and computer, so after his marathon afternoon tomorrow he can send me more pictures if need be. I can't wait until we have a destination - an address to look forward to. It will make things all the more real for me and make packing all that more imperative! Motivation - its a wonderful thing!

Witches

So, Miss Lilly and I sat down to draw today. I drew a witch, because it's October and Miss Lilly decided to draw one too. So, this is her witch :) broom and hat included! I love it, Master S has never had the patience to draw, until this year. I think it has something to do with a perfectionistic tendency - hmmmm, wonder who he gets that from! I worried for a while that he wasn't creative, but he is definitely creative, just in a different way. And, he is artistic too, he is just very particular about his drawings, paintings, etc. and gets frustrated easily - but this is getting better too, as he discovers more in school and is realizing that things don't have to be perfect to be good. Miss Lilly is so free in her artistic expression and is so accepting of herself and confident in her abilities. She never questions herself -- wonder if that is a three year old thing that she'll grow out of or if it is part of who she is? Sometimes I just look at my kids and wonder -- they are so incredible -- where did they come from??!?!

Debunking Mom's germ myths . . .

Today Miss Lilly and Big D were playing around in her room, when Miss Lilly ran into our bedroom to announce a new discovery,
"Mom, guess what?"
"Big D put my sippy cup in his mouth and tried to drink it!"
Me: "Really?!"
"Yeah, he got my germs"
"And he didn't even get sick!"
Amazing - just goes to show that if it doesn't happen immediately, there is no consequence for a 3 year old! And, what does mom know?!?!

Uncle Karl's Birthday Party

We decided to have a celebration, considering we won't be around for another one after this year. Karl is close by, at BYU and the kids absolutely adore having him come for dinner. We offered to take him out to dinner for his birthday, but he wanted me to cook :) That made me feel great - maybe I actually come close to mom's cooking these days -- or he is just a long ways from home and even a poor substitue will do -- I'll take the complement either way! He loves cars, so we thought we'd make a car cake too. Turned out great and the kids had a great time!

Fall is here!

Took pictures of the kids picking out pumpkins -- and a few of the yard we are leaving behind :( I told J.D. - moving wouldn't be so bad if I wasn't so attached to the things I've loved and cared for in our yard and our home - and spent enormous amounts of time tending, worrying and freting about. You just wish that the next owner will love and take care of things the same way you did -- probably not going to happen, but it is a hope! The leaves on our tree in the backyard, are beautiful this year! We had a great harvest from our garden - lots of small pumpkins, gourds and a HUGE sunflower.

MOVING!!!

We have an offer on the house! And all of a sudden there is so much to do and think about and decide and I don't have the capacity in my brain to figure it all out. Calculus, as hard as it was, was nothing compared to this! We will be closing in a few weeks and we've got a moving truck to figure out, school's to figure out, a house to find, put an offer in and close on, food storage to use up, the logistics of who needs to be where, when and how and on top of that the holidays are looming in the all to near future! Maybe we'll just put a big bow on our house and call it a Christmas this year! If there aren't any posts for awhile, just know that I'm busy and eventually will get back to normal life -- what is normal life again? It's been so long . . .

Miss Lilly loves her brothers - of course she really doesn't have much of a choice, being the only sister in the house, but she certainly lives up to that expectation, giving everyone lots of loves and motherly advice - even her mother and father at that. And both Master S and Big D love her for it, although enduring the claustrophobic, smothering can be a little too much every once in awhile. Big D generally tells her this by pulling out big clumps of hair - interestingly enough, it doesn't even get her to cry let alone scream, unlike combing gently through her hair. I find it incredible that it's the lack of control (she wants to brush her hair by herself) and personal desire (to not brush her hair at all, ever) that elicits that screaming response every morning. Hmmmm - maybe I should have Big D comb her hair!

Speaking of growing -

So, Big D isn't the only one that has grown this year :) Master S is quickly sprouting too - all new jeans for him this fall. Everything was at least a few inches short this year. His sunflower has gotten HUGE too. Amazing how something so big can be supported by a stalk seemingly so small in comparison.

On the move . . .

Big D will be 8 months next week and suddenly I'm wondering where the time has gone?!? The last several months have been so full of extra-ordinary stresses in life that I haven't realized how quickly he was growing . . . literally! He is 21 lbs. 3 oz. as of yesterday at the Dr.'s office. We are doing monthly visits for a few months just to keep track of his head growth. Apparently, his head is way off the charts - keep in mind his body is on the top of the charts, so I wasn't too surprised, but the Dr. wants to keep tabs on him and watch his head - so I'm all for it :) especially knowing that moving is imminent (as soon as the house sells, which could be a while in this crazy market) and we don't have insurance let alone a Dr. in Indiana yet. I keep saying, "Have you seen his Dad's head?" everytime I see Dr. Cox - "can't find a Cubs hat to fit him" :) I love you J.D., big head and all -- just means there is a big brain in there! But, needless to say when Big D started scooting around the house the other day I was kind of dumbfounded. I wanted to scream . . . "Already!?!" and "Please, just a few more months of blissful stationary play!!!". But, to no avail - he is scooting into corners left and right now and finding himself precariously perched near stairs - you just can't avoid them in this house! So, onto the eyes in the back of my head stage and the ears that can pick apart any sound to discover the mess and/or danger the moving baby is in and if it deserves immediate attention. Wish me luck and lots of patience! Thank heavens for Miss Lilly and her extra set of eyes and motherly influences!

Silly Lilly

Miss Lilly's imagination running wild -- the last few days she has not been herself, literally. The converstation in the morning usually does something like this,
"Good morning, Miss Lilly!"
"I'm not Miss Lilly -"
"Oh? Who are you today?"
And then she answers something silly like . . .
Super Dog Lilly
Cinderella Elly
Isty, Bitsy Spidey
Princessy
Notice how they all end with the 'y, ee' sound. She loves to pretend - what a great imagination. Can't get enough of it!!!

Bless yous

Miss Lilly: "I'm having too many bless yous."
Flora Mom: "What?"
Miss Lilly: "Bless yous, I need a kleenex"
Flora Mom: "Bless yous? Oh - sneezes?!"
Miss Lilly: "Yes, Bless yous"

Moving!

Today, J.D. flew out to Indianapolis for a conference for his new job! Yeah! He actually started a few weeks ago, working from home and will continue to do so for at least a few more weeks. He is really enjoying the work and I'm really enjoying him working :) I'm still doing at least 24 hours a week at the hospital, but it is purely for benefits at this point, so getting called off is welcomed, encouraged, even prayed for!!! The house is officially on the market - there is a FOR SALE sign in the front yard now and I'm trying to remain optimistic. The market is down here as it is everywhere else, so we are anxious about selling. Plus, I'm going to miss our neighborhood -- there are so many kids, and so many great neighbors. I'm going to miss the endless summer BBQs with the neighbors, the kids running from yard to yard and the gorgeous view of the mountains. Indiana definately doesn't have any mountains! Hopefully we can get into a home in Indiana before the holidays. We were worried about the kids' reaction to moving, but Master S is actually very excited. He keeps saying to me, "Mom, Indiana is going to be great. We are going to have twice as many friends!". And Miss Lilly is convivced that by moving she will get the princess room - "all by myself" she says -- I think Master S is hoping for that too. Bunking with her for the last few months has not been his favorite thing. So begins the endless cleaning, picking up and putting away, so the house is presentable at all times - is that even possible with three children!?!?

Together . . .

I think we underestimate the effects we have on others, purely from our personal energy and presence. I truly believe that our mere presence, for good or for bad can change emotions, situations and experiences into things they never would have been otherwise, if we are willing to use it. I've learned a lot about this over the last several years working as a nurse, in difficult and as well as joyful circumstances, but I had an experience yesterday with Big D that really put it into perspective. Master S came home from school for seconds and then was off to play with the neighborhood . . . and Miss Lilly passed out (in other words took a rare, but blissfully wonderful nap) while watching a cartoons yesterday afternoon, which left Big D with just his mom and dad for entertainment. Bummer! He was a mess! He screamed and cried, he refused to eat, he was just beside himself - there was nothing we could do that humored him for long before he was distraught again. We thought maybe it was teeth - or over tired and just did what we could to appease him until dinner. As I called Master S in and woke Miss Lilly up to eat together, Big D's whole person changed. He was delightfully happy - was talking his little jibber jabber to everyone at the table and was just generally fascinated with life again. Being together as a family has an energy and motivation that can come from nothing else, and our children have personalities and influences on each other that can only be defined by experiencing them. Just another confirmation of the fact that we are here for a reason and usually it is to help each other, just by being ourselves!

Growing pains . . .

So, Big D is loving food! He is eating it three times a day now - and loving every bite. He especially loves to handle the food himself, which is proving to be very messy, but Master S and Miss Lilly love to laugh at him as he tries to bring his hand to his mouth and in the process gets it ALL OVER . . . they think its hilarious. I'm trying to come to grips with the fact that I was so anxious to get him to this spot and now I'm going to be dealing with clean up for a very long time. Oh, well - what is motherhood about, if is doesn't involve some kind of beautiful mess to clean up at least several times a day. Someday my house will be clean again . . . and the floor will no longer be sticky, and I'll be very bored and lonely!
Master S planted a sunflower seed in his kindergarten class last spring. He brought it home in the classic Dixie cup and once it started to sprout we decided to put it outside. Right after we planted it, a big rain storm blew through and we thought we'd lost it, when we found it lying flat on the ground, but it perked up and amazingly is twice as big as Master S. Maybe we should be planting more sunflowers in this dry, rocky desert of ours!

All grown up?!?

Saturday morning, I was up feeding Big D his morning cereal and Master S came down to join us. He wanted some breakfast, but I'd told him he would have to wait until I was done feeding Big D. The next thing I knew, he had a bowl, a spoon (take a look -- it is a serving spoon ;), a large amount of cereal and was even pouring the milk (another huge helping - but hey, he did it himself!) and amazingly enough, no spills! I think he even ate all of the cereal. Amazing how you can live with your kids and still not realize they are old enough to do things like that until they do them right before your eyes. He is wearing a watch now too -- and is constantly keeping me updated on the time - especially if it involves time waiting to play the wii!

This is Big D eating breakfast - such a wonderfully happy kid! I love his smiles. We got to go to the Jazz festival in Deer Valley this weekend - it was so beautiful and great music! So nice to get away - I worried so much about the kids and the 16 year old I asked to babysit, but when I got home she said, "They were great -- you know I only babysit for a few families in the ward -- your kids are always good!" Yeah! Hopefully we can keep it that way!

Boings and Three year olds

So, if you ever had any doubts as to the true nature and personality of Miss Lilly, I don't know that it can be defined much better than these two pictures! I was doing her hair the other morning, trying to find a new way to keep it out of her face and she asked,
"Mommy, can you put Boings in my hair?"
"Boings? . . . "
And in an effort to avoid an explanation that I wouldn't understand and would inevitably get wrong when I tried to follow it, I said,
"SURE!"
And this is what we ended up with. It actually is pretty cute on her, and I'm figuring out how to pin them with clips so that they stay in all day. Not only does it keep it out of her face better than anything else we've tried, it also gives her this great curly pieces at the end of the day that really doing go, "Boing" when you pull them.
Miss Lilly is certainly hitting the "throw up your hands and wonder what in the heck you are doing as a parent, three-year old stage"! She knows exactly how to push our buttons and can throw tantrums that put Master S into an emotional state that would make you think we'd left him behind at a gas station and forgotten him. Some days I just don't know what to do with her . . . they are usually the days that I've been at work for the greater portion of awake time, which I'm sure has nothing to do with it (sarcasm heavily implied here!). Consistency is difficult when I'm home, let alone when her Dad is in charge, who by the way - Miss Lilly is very aware of him being tightly woven around her little finger :) She certainly is Daddy's little girl . . . can't wait for 16 to hit. Kind of scary how you can see a 16-year old looking out at you in that second picture!

Giraffes, Dogs and real FOOD!

On Sunday a few weeks ago, the kids were having a 'moment' which is very normal since we have church at 9am and then a whole day for Master S and Miss Lilly to spend together playing - or something similar to it, if you call taunting, poking, and teasing play?! Sunday is strictly a family day at our house - without the wii none the less, which means there are some pretty amazing brother -sister play arrangements that usually end with someone wrestling with someone else, and it isn't Master S and Big D. Miss Lilly can wrestle with the best of them and actually usually pins Master S when it really counts, leaving Master S in an emotional state that you can only imagine. Anyway, it was a usual Sunday and we decided to pull out the markers and paper for a distraction until dinner and this is what they produced. Both are pictures of giraffes - the top is Master S' creation, the bottom Miss Lilly's (I think her picture actually ended up being a picture of herself looking at the giraffes?!?). I thought they were great - loved the hair on the red 'girl' one, as Master S put it :)
Big D and his dog - we initially took the kids before he was born to get an animal for him, since Master S has a dog (Scooter) and Miss Lilly an elephant (Elly), and the kids chose a monkey. Well, it didn't take long to discover that not only was Miss Lilly swiping the monkey to play dolls with, but Big D really wasn't into it. We soon realized that he couldn't get enough of Master S' dog, 'scooter'. So, we found 'Spots' at IHOP and he and Big D are inseparable - not only is the dog is favorite wrestling partner, but he is his sleeping companion and snuggler that seems to make even the most horrible moments better. (We really don't do that much wrestling around here -- but how else do you describe a boy and his dog? or the loving moments of a brother pulling his sister's hair and her in turn dog piling on his back?)
Yes, we are sitting up! Hooray! Although still a little tipsy, but he loves to be up with the kids and feel like he's more a part of life here, crazy as it may be. And we had a break through with the rice cereal and eating - yeah! I found these things called 'mum, mums' at walmart and he loves them. Plus, he must have had a switch flip in the night because he can't get enough of the cereal and fruit. After two LONG months we are finally convinced that maybe the stuff isn't so bad.
This week is the week of decisions - J.D. has a couple of great offers for work! We are excited, but one would require moving out of state . . . and we are anxiously trying to decide if that is where we want to be and need to be!?!? Not that we've ever been tied to our current residence, especially with no close family here - but, I guess it is just the idea of leaving our comfort zone. It's what we've known for 10 years and its hard to imagine leaving it. Oh, the agony of decision making!

Brothers and a Sister

Master S and Big D are really hitting it off lately. Big D loves to see Master S - and hear his voice and Master S loves to make Big D smile and laugh. They are already enjoying a little bit of wrestling on the floor together! I think we are noticing how much they like each other because Master S is now in school all day -- and it is a long day without him!!! Miss Lilly is happier doing her own thing most of the time, but I am amazed at how much I miss him just being around the house. I feel so out of control of his world these days - its a very odd feeling, something I'm going to have to get used to. I think Big D is missing him too. His squeal when Master S walks in the door after school is one of my favorite sounds. I love the pictures of them in the kitchen, looking at each other, Big D mimicking Master S already! I keep telling Master S that he's got to be a good example, because he's got a brother and sister watching. I finally had some success with Big D eating solids tonight. I'd cut up a peach for myself and Big D was begging for it, so I let him suck on it for a minute and then when he liked it I ground it up for him and he actually ate it! So, his first official food is peaches - I know that goes against all doctor recommended 1st foods, but he hates everything else, so I thought, why not!?! If it gets him to eat more solid food, great. We are on formula now, so I need everything I can get to stretch the formula out . . . stress got the better of me with the milk thing. Oh, well -- 6 months is the best yet :) I'm counting it as a huge success! Here is a picture of Master S' first day of school.

Working Mom . . . exhausted Dad!

So, I'm picking up lots of extra time at work and switched over so I can get benefits until J.D. has a new gig going (that is a job!). Which means that we are switching rolls for awhile. I am always very busy at work and exhausted when I get home. IMC had 600 babies born in July and even more are expected in August, so the maternity unit, where I usually end up is always hopping! It is great because I get to take care of new moms, and babies - ooh and aah over how darling they are and help moms to feel good about themselves, learn the tricks to breastfeeding and embrace the new challenge in their lives with excitement. It is great! Although I still love to be in the Newborn ICU - that is my favorite place. I enjoy what I do, but when I work maternity I'm always a little more nervous because I still feel so new at it and I don't want to miss anything important - you know, like a hemorrhage or a medication (the doses are so much bigger for moms compared to babies)! I had to prepare some training for ward council at church and I told J. D. I was more nervous for work than giving the training . . . which is saying something for me! And because I'm working a lot of 8 hour shifts (NBICU does mostly 12 hour shifts) I'm in maternity more often and as a result a little more on edge with stress. I'm feeling very grateful that I have that ability to do this though -- it will make a big difference as J.D. is looking and interviewing and will help us keep benefits and stay afloat. I am so grateful for sticking with this nurse thing and having the ability to help us through the rough spots. I'm finding that juggling all the mom stuff and working more is proving to be an incredible task. I honestly don't know how the single moms I know do it! It is a tiresome job with no break in sight and I have an understanding for that, that I never would have had before this. Somethings are just not important anymore and I'm quickly realizing what should be the priorities. It makes me reflect on other times in my life where I felt sorry for myself because I didn't get the time to do frivolous things that I thought I deserved, and realize how different my perspective is now. There are lots of things that are fun and enjoyable, but only the most important things in life will bring us real and lasting joy -- like talking to your 1st grader about his first day at school and watching his eyes light up when he talks about three recesses! Or, playing with a 3-year old making play-dough pizza and painting beautiful princesses with our fingers. And especially rocking a baby to sleep and feeling the weight of his little body and easy breathing, watching his peaceful face and realizing how dependant his is on you and how much he loves you, just because you are you! J.D. on the other hand is learning the crazy, non-stop, insane, child -managing ropes of being at home with three kids! I think he's decided that he would definitely prefer to be working - that is at a job outside of the home, because motherhood is work! :)I caught this pic of him and Miss Lilly yesterday, after I got home from work. It pretty much defines how he feels after a day with the kids (and Miss Lilly too)! I think he is very grateful to have Master S in school all day - one less crazy to keep track of. He has a lot of potential job ops this week -- interview tomorrow and some more recruiters to call back. Looking forward to the end of this roller-coaster, one day at a time ride!

Endless Summer Days . . . and Nights!

One of the great things about living in Utah is that you get to set off fireworks twice in July - once for the 4th, and if you didn't get it quite right or didn't get all the festive activities you wanted crammed into the day, you can do it all again on the 24th! With J.D. home this week, we are focusing on the positive and doing some stuff that we haven't had the chance to do this year. And considering our track record this summer, we've not been able to do much, so we are cramming as much summer into this week as possible - swimming in the kiddie pool everyday, playing at the park, having BBQ's on the grill, having picnics on the grass, working in the yard, roasting marshmallows for smores on the grill, having water gun & water balloon fights and watching the neighbors set off some pretty fantastic illegal fireworks. The kids have been up so late every night this week - I'm afraid of what will happen next week when Master S has to get up for school on Tuesday morning at 7:30am -- oh, who am I kidding, what will I do when I have to get up that early?! And be functional?! So, these are some pics of Miss Lilly and Master S enjoying the sweetness of an endless summer night - eating smores!

And here is me on my birthday, eating a fat free fare . . . having no gall bladder has its interesting issues! Low fat is good - so I guess that weight loss I've been putting off, is happening sooner rather than later! Hopefully eating will get back to normal soon - it is supposed to, although I've heard rumors from others that some things will never be the same as far as digestion is concerned! Big D loved the fire and the cake - he loves to be at the table with the family, just wish I could convince him that eating from a spoon is a good thing too. Any suggestions on getting him to eat rice cereal? - he is just fighting it!!!