Visitors

This last week has marked the beginning of many visits which have been much looked forward to. It started last Wednesday when my Dad was able to fit us into his business trip. He came in the afternoon and bummed around with me and Grace, and then treated all of us to our favorite Hawaiian grill for dinner. Then he graciously took care of Grace so that Cori and I could get away to enjoy a romantic Valentine's evening at... the church! Wednesday is our mutual night, and our callings keep us there. It was a treat not having to keep a youth activity together while chasing Gracie all over the church. And, Cori had brought flowers home and even got me some key lime pie (a favorite) to enjoy that night. So our Valentine evening was special despite our other obligations. Dad stayed until 8 AM sharp the next morning, and had to hit the road.


Our sorrow at his departure was short lived as we then welcomed my sister Sara that very evening. This was the best treat for me. We spent the holiday weekend hitting all our favorite sites. Friday we blissfully passed the day at Disneyland. Saturday we hit the Getty Museum. Sunday, Sara helped with Grace during the 3 hour block. Usually, Cori and I both teach that hour, and so giving Grace what she needs (especially when her nap is 1 1/2 hours overdue) gets distracting and tricky. It was a blessing having Sara there. And Monday, we braved the holiday crowd at the California Science Center. One 3D Imax, Star Wars Exhibit and McDonald's lunch later we had had our fill and headed to the pier for a family photo shoot (Sara has skills) and seafood. Thanks Sara, for all the help, the fun, and the great pics!

Sara and Grace at the Magic Kingdom

Grace waving during the parade. Always a Princess.

Sara and Grace atop the Getty

At the Science Center. That's USC behind

Gracie chasing birds on the Pier

One of Sara's fabu portraits. More to come...

Sometimes, we feel a little isolated out here away from our family and loved ones. So we are excited and grateful for our upcoming visitor itinerary. At the end of March we will welcome Cori's parents, Ray and Sandy. In April my London buddy Jessika has tickets to come out. May will bring my life long friend Jessica to us-- hopefully around her birthday so we can party like its 1999. And Cori's brother's family, Damien, Danielle and kids, are looking at spending the 4th of July with us. So much fun.

Here Comes the Sun

Well, just figuratively speaking. Truth is, its been rainy and cloudy lately, but the sun is still shining on our little family. The 5th of February brought not only the defeat of the Bears, but the stomach flu to all three of us. Gracie was over it by Tues. Cori was feeling about 80% by Tues. but still a little funny until this last weekend. And I was wasted all week long. Hence my sabbatical from life at large which has resulted in an empty fridge, mountains of laundry, and no blogs.

However, as is so often the case with life, we've had little miracles and great moments packed into the mix. Example #1: Sunday afternoon we were paid a visit by some neighbors from a different building. Their son had found my wallet in the parking garage, and they returned it to me before I even realized it was missing. Example #2: As a few of you had preemptively suggested, the trip to Paris is on. We bought all the tickets to get me and Grace to Utah and back, and to get me to Paris and back. Cori and I have been researching and emailing, and will be nailing down the lodging arrangements tonight. We are so excited. Example #3: I haven't been able to stomach being in the kitchen. So, out of love, (and partially for survival's sake) Cori really pulled more than his fair share around here. He cooked and cleaned for us all weekend long. And he took the lion's share of Gracie duty.

I'm on the mend now, and feeling much better. Grace and I trekked to the gym this morning, and I feel a surge of energy welling up to attack my neglected house chores. Home life doesn't slow down for anyone or anything. This morning, there was an unusually large crowd in my favorite TKB class. The instructor asked, "How many of you are here because you have the day off?" I shared a smile with another stay at home mom I've become friends with. A day off? Maybe in 25 years.

Disneyland

The happiest place on Earth



My family lived in Southern California for the first 13 11/12 years of my life. My grandparents, with whom we spent a lot of time, lived in Orange County. Naturally, Disneyland had great presence in my childhood. We didn't go often. But it was always there waiting for us. In the perfect grown-up world I created for myself as a kid, I would have a season pass to the Magic Kingdom and I and my husband would go there just to hold hands down Main Street and to steal kisses in line for Space Mountain.

Somehow, I find myself living in this dreamworld where I have an annual pass, and Cori and I go just to hold hands down Main Street and to steal kisses wherever. This is real Magic folks. Cori has had some crazy weeks at work lately, and we had been seeing each other over our morning and evening prayers and meals. So we were both looking forward to getting a sitter and being out. We went to California Adventure Park first -it closes early- and tried some new rides that we aren't able to do with Gracie in tow. Ca Adv. is a lot of fun, but nothing compares to the original. The rest of the evening was spent at Disneyland. We went on Space Mountain, watched the new fireworks show, and got a Mickey Mouse Pretzel. We decided to wait out the mass post-fireworks-show-exodus in the gift shops. We like to pull out our imaginary millionaire wallets and go shopping for souvenirs. We picked out a crystal Cinderella slipper for our curio cabinet (I'll write about our curio soon), a multi-thousand dollar framed animation cell for Gracie's room, and a painting inspired by Pirates for our future library.The evening, topped off with a milkshake purchased at Carl's Jr. on the way home, was date night perfection.

Report Card

For me, accountability is the task master of motivators. Knowing this about myself, I want to give a little monthly report on how I'm doing with my goals for the year. Although I'm still excited about the new year, I'm hoping this ritual will help me keep on track in future months when the resolutions are usually collecting dust. So this is an exercise for myself that you can read if you like.

Spiritual- Thanks to Stake Conference, the visit to the Temple was programed into the schedule. The plan to move my scripture study to the morning was a little harder than I foresaw. I forgot how insistent Gracie can become when I'm giving undivided attention to something other than her. So I'll have to work more diligent on this next month. Visiting teaching and my lesson preparations went well too.

Educational- I read The Alchemist and began my book for Feb. I love trying new recipes each week. That goal has been easy to keep. Still no plans for that Spanish class...

Physical- Although we haven't managed to have a salad night every Monday, we've had at least one every week. I haven't reached my weight goal yet, but slow and steady wins the race, right? And working out is my little break, so no problems there.

Financial- I managed to put away twice my goal amount for the anticipated DSLR. And no progress yet on the credit front line.

Other- Gracie and I have made a nice park routine. So my goal to have her outside more is going well. Cori and I have done pretty well with our date night plans too. Getting a sitter has proven to be the biggest issue with this goal. But, even if its grilling steaks and a trip to blockbuster, I just love having him all to myself.

Plenty of room for improvement, but all in all, I think January was a good start. Here's looking at February.