image diary 03.28.2011 (all of the pictures of Eden in this post make me laugh)

spring break 2011- extended

As soon as our AZ Spring break was over, we loaded up and headed to Nevada to enjoy the Spring weather there. It dumped snow the entire week of our visit. We got to see lots of my Grandma Bettie. Cori and I got to attend a dinner event with our financial planner (my dad) and one of the company's primo fund managers. We had FHE with some friends from highschool/college and I went to lunch with an old friend whom I haven't caught up with in ages.

Ah, Springtime in the Sierras. Grace and Grant loved being outside in the snow with the dogs. We also took them bowling which was great fun. Especially after we were able to convince Grant that he couldn't drop kick the bowling ball. The children went with Grammie Marla to her workouts all week. And I was able to drop in on a spin class, which was more fun than I was expecting.

Cori, Dad and I did a lot of skiing. Heavenly has officially declared this its biggest winter ever. They've had over 500 inches (60 ft) of snow. All the storms made for great snow conditions though the skiing conditions were a little rough. (Cold, windy, but worth it) There was just so much snow. Cori spent most of his time on the mountain laughing like a little kid.

With the weather being so stormy, I was starting to worry that we wouldn't get Grace and Grant up the mountain. We want them to learn, but we don't want them to hate it. Fortunately, our last afternoon there, the sun came out and we were on! Gracie is skiing better on her own, and Grant was surprisingly adventurous. We will send them to ski school next year, so I'm really glad we got to spend that afternoon with them. I'm also glad their snow clothes from last year still (kinda) fit.

They were both sad when it was time to go home. Hence this pouty face from Grant. Always leave them wanting more, as my dad would say.

spring break 2011

Spring break was two weeks ago. I just love this little week off. We went on a morning hike with some friends. We went swimming a few times. Later in the week we got to hang out with friends who were visiting PHX for their spring break. Cori and J. grew up as next door neighbors and best buds. We sure love getting together with J., Jan and their crew. With them we went to a spring training game. We cooked out and lit up the fire pit for s'mores. We wore our swim suites to the zoo and played in the splash pads. The week was lovely and hot.

Salix, Grace, Grant, Talon, and Fisher

Blessings

We are in Gardnerville for the next week. It is always so good to be home. Last week in Phoenix we hit temps in the 90's. We enjoyed a lovely Spring break that had us in our swimsuits almost every day. Then I packed up pants, long sleeve shirts, and sweaters that had already been retired for the year for our trek to the Sierras. It has been snowing ever since we got here. There will be some fine skiing this week my friends! This week I am also grateful for:

• Friends, old and new. A few weeks ago, I got to attend a baptism of the eldest son of a very old friend of mine. We were girlfriends in CA decades ago and it was so wonderful to see her, her cute family and so many of her brothers and sisters. ( Holla, Memory!) Last week, Cori's life-long friend was Spring breaking in PHX with his family and we got to hang out with them for a couple days. I always love coming to my home ward and catching up with old friends. People make me so happy.
• My parents' piano This piano feels like home to my fingers and my heart.
• Freedom that comes from living the gospel. Obedience to the commandments of God brings peace and happiness. And I am eternally grateful that it is not my job to judge, just to try my best to love and serve.

Kauai- booked! The 7 week countdown begins...

image via travellingwish.com

sisters

Cori snapped this picture of Eden with his cell phone when we were on our hike the other day. It reminded me of another picture, of another baby girl (at almost the same age) in the same sweater and a similar hat...

Gracie at Yellowstone 2006 - 8.5 months

inside my scriptures

We recently got the scriptures put on our phones. It has been really great for me as I haven't taken my scriptures or any manuals to church for months. By the time I have the diaper bag, whatever music books I'm using that day, and Eden in her carrier, I simply cannot carry one more thing through our crowded halls. That plus the fact that I am usually holding Eden during Sunday school makes having all my scriptures and manuals in the palm of my hand a miraculous convenience. The digital books have all kinds of neat features too- you can highlight, book mark, and have multiple pages/books open simultaneously.

For all that I still love and prefer my scriptures. I have had the same set since my first year of college. My Dad took me to Deseret Book and we picked them out. I wanted ones that didn't have any tabs so as to learn my way around them better. It often brings back lovely memories to see my maiden name embossed on the covers. ( I loved being missionary) The pages are worn and filled with notes, little memories, dates, and insights from years of religion classes, missionary meetings and studies. I filled the blank pages in the front and back of my Book of Mormon with quotes. They aren't just quotes that I thought sounded nice. They were quotes that I internalized and used to change myself. What follows are just a few of the collection. I can think of an experience to go along with each.

There is no substitute for experience.

Joseph Smith

Divine aide will attend all those who humbly seek it.

President Thomas Monson

I am only an average man. But, by George, I work harder than the average man.

Teddie Roosevelt

How merciful when our yesterdays no longer hold our tomorrows hostage.

Elder Neal Maxwell

The trial of all trials is no trials.

Elder Christensen

A thought is inspiration until proven otherwise.

Joseph Smith

Though it be long, the work is complete and finished in my mind... and it rarely differs on paper from what it was in my imagination.

Mozart

Tax your talents and the Lord will make you equal to your decisions.

President Thomas Monson

Never has anyone offered so much to so many in so few words as when Jesus said, "Here am I, send me."

Elder Neal Maxwell

We should not read merely just to say we have read. {regarding the scriptures}

Joseph F. Smith

Not one of us is less treasured or cherished of God than another... He loves each one of us - insecurities, anxieties, self image, and all... He cheers on every runner, calling out that the race is against sin, not against each other.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

You can become what you ought to be.

President Hinckley

What I think, feel, and say about others in their absence will affect how I act in their presence.

Doug Barrett

We're not going to be judged by what we've done, we'll be judge by what we've become.

Elder Dallin Oaks

When you choose to follow Christ, you choose to be changed.

President Benson

If you're not changing you're not living the gospel.

Bro. Searl (MTC teacher)

We came through with the absolute knowledge that God lives for we became aquainted with him in our extremities.

Man who crossed the plains with the Martin Handcart Co.

dudes

This morning, we went to the Old McDonald Ranch in Scottsdale where Grace and Grant took a ride on Ol' Mesa. Grace had a perma-grin going the entire time we were there. Grant was quietly thrilled being up on that saddle solo. They also got to practice lassoing and they fed some bunnies and goats.

By the way, it was feels a little too much like summer today out in the sun. Eden got hot and sweaty in the stroller. As I rubbed her down with wet wipes to cool her off, I realized that we are going to have a very uneventful summer. We still have 35* worth of rising mercury to cover before Eden's 1st birthday, and it is so hard taking babies out in the heat. It is okay by me, actually. I don't need much of an excuse to not make plans and hang out at home! In the meantime, we'll take advantage of as many days like today we can.

of shiners and whiners

Grant made a full-on face plant off of his bike earlier this week. His right cheek turned into a big lumpy bruise which seeped up into his eyes. (The bruise is just barely visible in this picture.) He spent maybe 5 minutes whining about the actual injury. He then spent the rest of the day and into the next whining about the placement of the bandaid. He wanted it just so, wanted to put it on by himself, didn't care if it was hanging over his lip (during dinner), wanted to sleep with it on his face... And then he cried for about an hour after we finally took the bandage off. 3-year-olds! But seriously, this guy whines. so. much. The pouting and tear filled stand-offs were getting to be a bit much. As in, we were spending entire days where the only communication he made was through whines, pouts, and tears.

I've been working on giving more one-on-one time and immediate attention to him. I've also been dedicating more time to consequences for behavior, good and bad. The special attention seems to be helping. He is more cheerful and agreeable, and his grumpy spells are shorter lived.

I am grateful that I get to be around my children all the time. In quite moments thinking about them, I've been encouraged to pay close attention to their behavior now so that I can know what to do when they are teenagers. So, here are a few notes for future me:

• Grant doesn't ask for attention or approval the way Grace does. It is still important to him! Look for opportunities to give it.
• When he pushes you away, give him some space and quiet time. Forcing conversation/confrontation will only encourage him to dig in his heals and not say anything to you - for a long time.
• He is more likely to talk and/or say sorry when you are hugging him. (This may not be the case for teen-aged Grant. But try.)
• Be crystal clear about boundaries, and hold fast to consequences. Even with those brown eyes and dimples of his.

defense!