I Have a Four-Year-Old?!

Caleb and his friend Kai

Spiderman Cake

Letting the balloons go as Caleb runs up the stairs

Caleb, Savanna, James, and Griffin

Posing for mom after the candle was already blown out...

I wish I had half his excitement for anything in life.

This car flips!

Batman

Scrubs

When I was sixteen or so, my cousin Robbie came out to visit me in Tennessee. Among our many crazy antics, we went shopping at Goodwill (or Salvation Army, I can't remember which). There we found matching scrub bottoms. Some of the most comfortable pajama pants I have ever worn, and yes they are very worn (as are Robbie's, I've seen them).

So to give a little more background to the next part of the story: When Savanna was 5 weeks old, she started being more fussy than normal and inconsolable. After taking her temperature and calling the doctor, he recommended we take her to the Emergency Room (it was Saturday evening, and no chance of getting an appointment). And when small babies have temperatures that high, the doctors don't take any chances. To make a long story short, after all the testing and X-rays, they were concerned that she was a very sick kid. So they decided to keep her for at least two days to let the bacteria incubate to know if it was meningitis. And as I was still nursing (and even if I wasn't), I stayed with her.

Okay, so just as an aside, the next room had a tiny baby too, hooked up to all kinds of machines, and he never had visitors. It just broke my heart, and strengthened my resolve to stay with my baby until she was better.

So that first night, Bryan went home to be with Caleb, and I was left to sleep on those super-comfortable hospital couch-beds (note the sarcasm), with no extra clothes or toiletries.

The next day, Bryan brought some clothes, pajamas, shampoo, toothpaste, etc. And of all the pairs of pajama pants I owned (I had at least 20), he brought me the scrub pants and matching t-shirt. The same colors the University used, and the same colors all the university hospital workers used. I was so embarrassed, and couldn't figure out why Bryan would choose the worst possible option!

It wasn't too big a deal, until one of the doctors came in, and the first thing he asked me was if I worked there (at the hospital). Sheepishly, I blamed my husband for my wardrobe.

I guess my pride was hurt, because he probably thought I was housecleaning or kitchen aid. And I would rather people mistake me for a nurse or doctor. Especially after all the new residents came in to take a look at my kid, and they were just a couple years older than I was.

Well, the end of the story was that after starting Savanna on antibiotics as soon as we got to the ER, and spending three days and three nights in the Children's Hospital, we finally went home with a diagnosis of pneumonia. And we were grateful that it was only pneumonia.

Pizza, Dishcloths, and So Much More

So, I've been in a blogging rut. Not because I've run out of things to say (not sure that will ever happen). But mainly because I'm not sure what my readers want to read. Do you really want to hear about my kids when your kids are so much cuter (go ahead, you just keep thinking that...)? And do you really want to hear about me chasing them around all day? And aren't you getting sick of all my whining about how life is so hard? Thus, my rut.

I realize that I am only one of six-billion people, and that my life isn't more interesting than the next. However, if you are reading my blog, that means you are interested enough to take the time.

So, I declare this rut ended. I will still try not to overwhelm you with too many posts, but I will let you in on my random thoughts.

And the two I have today only indirectly involve my children.

Number One: I admit it. I am guilty. I bought a pizza tonight for dinner. I spent way too much money, it isn't healthy (although I could try to justify my way out of that one), and I ate too much. Shame on me. But I do justify myself that we haven't eaten out in a long time, so it's not so bad. And I justify my actions because Bryan had to stay at work and monitor dinner, and I hate (nay, detest) making dinner (with a 20-ish lb. weight attached to my leg) for only myself to enjoy. Not that I make dinner only for myself, I just don't get a lot of gratitude from the hungry mouths I feed.

Number Two: I am paranoid about dishcloths. Both the washcloths and the towels. Once they are clean, I am fine. But once they are dirty, I won't use them again until they are clean. So, I used about 6 towels and 7 washcloths (at least) today. Maybe my paranoia comes from smelling too many moldy cloths. And nothing is worse than using one, and then your hands smell like moldy cloths. So I probably add a whole extra load of laundry each week to my already out of control heap. Silly me, but I don't think I'll change it.

And Number Three (I know I only said 2, but the last one reminds me of something you should know): When you wash your laundry, you should start the water, add the soap, let it dissolve, then add your clothes. Otherwise you end up with holes in your clothes. So remember, water, soap, then clothes.

Summer Fun!

Bryan has finished up his cycle of Admissions and is now doing Social Work at the nursing home.

I have two more voice students, and potentially one more.

Caleb is still amazing us with how well he reads and writes, and he is starting to learn simple math. Smart kid!!!

Savanna's language development is starting to explode! She is learning at least one new word every day. My favorites are stinky (gee-ky), shhhh!, and stop (dop!).

We've been staying busy, trying to do something fun every afternoon. Sometimes it's fun for the kids, sometimes it's fun for me. Either way, we are getting through the dreaded hours of 2 to 5 much more easily.

And now for some pictures:

They're getting along?!

Who loves Mommy? I do!

During the prayer.

Amen. Yay! I folded my arms during the prayer!

This girl won't leave barrettes or ponytails in her hair. Any suggestions? Any favorite brands or stores to buy hair accessories?

Martha Washington

My little ray of sunshine

Exhibit A: 18 month swimsuit, doesn't fit 17.5 month-old.
Exhibit B: Why can't I be cute with fat thighs?

Exhibit C: Back side of thighs (again, I ask, why don't these look good on me!?)
Exhibit D: full diaper

Exhibit E: Buddha Belly

And if you can believe it, Caleb was even bigger than Savanna at 18 months. Now look at him!

Dear Mothers With Young Children,

I always wanted to be a mother, and I thought it would be natural for me to step into that role. It hasn't been as easy or natural for me as I had hoped.

So, I have a few questions for you:

1. You make it seem so easy. Do you really have it all together?
2. What do you do, or tell yourself, that helps you enjoy being a mother?
3. What kinds of things do you do to entertain your kids?
4. What kinds of things do you to do entertain yourself?
5. Do you ever get bored with your kids' activities?
6. How do you use your talents and/or degrees?
7. How do you schedule your time?

When my first child was born, it was easy. When my second child was born, it was fairly easy. When my first child became a preschooler and my second child became a toddler, life got harder. Now I find myself struggling to maintain my identity, enjoy my children, and enjoy my talents and hobbies.

I think I'm a good parent, and I love my children, I just really would like advice on how to enjoy young motherhood. Because, at least for me, it's hard. And I don't want to look back on this time and wish I had done it differently.

Sincerely,
Brianne

Celebrate Good Times, Come On!

So Friday we spontaneously decided to drive to Eugene, Oregon to watch Bryan's sister Michelle run in the Olympic Trials. Yay, Michelle!. We also got to watch some of Bryan's old teammates run, one of which made the Olympic team! Yay, Josh! What better way to celebrate Independence Day than at the USA Olympic Trials? However, I was somewhat disappointed with the lack of patriotism at the event. They guy who sang The National Anthem was sub-par, people weren't wearing enough Red White and Blue, and scalping tickets was a little too expensive (not to mention they were going to charge full price for Caleb and Savanna). So Bryan got into the stadium for $60, while I stayed outside with two tired, past-their-bedtime, cranky kids. Not that I'm complaining, because there was plenty to do. There was materialism everywhere you looked, all kinds of vendors trying to exploit Track and Field enthusiasts, and there were two big screens where we could watch the races live. We even checked out the potties (outhouses)! Once it got dark, we were hoping for a Stadium of Fire of sorts. Alas, the fireworks did not even compare, and we kept the kids up super late for Caleb to say, "I wanna go home!" Sad, huh? Why couldn't they at least have tried with the fireworks?

Saturday morning we swam in the hotel pool with Bryan's parents and Michelle, so at least the kids got to do one fun thing just for them.

Then we made the trek home. When we were getting close, Caleb started getting whiny, nye unto temper tantrum-y. So I said, "Hey, everyone! I need to make a really special fruit salad when we get home, and I need some help. Is there anyone who will volunteer?" Silence. "Caleb, do you think Savanna could help?" "No, she would spill." "Do you think Daddy could help?" "No, he would spill too." "Hmm... then who can help me?" "I don't know." "Wait, Caleb, do you think you would spill?" "No..." "Oh! Then will you help me?" Quietly, "If you say please..."

And that is how we avoided the looming tantrum.

Our God

In 2003 to 2004, I was in the BYU Concert Choir. We sang a piece that has touched me like nothing else can (and perhaps only those of you who experienced it can really understand.) But I forgot the words and couldn't distinguish them from the archival CD. So I found the composer's email (a BYU alum) and asked for him to tell me where I could purchase a copy or if he could send me the words. He said the music is due to be published (you better believe I'm buying it!), but not for a while, so he sent me the words. Thank you Dwight Bigler for your amazing talent for composing music. Thank you, Edward Grubb for writing the amazing poetry Mr. Bigler used in his piece. And thank you to anyone who can offer hints on how to post an audio file for all to hear...

Our God

Our God to whom we turn
When weary with illusion,
Whose stars serenely burn
Above this earth's confusion
Thine is the mighty plan,
The steadfast order sure
In which the world began,
Endures, and will endure.

Thou art Thyself the truth,
Though we who fain would find Thee,
Have tried, with thoughts uncouth,
In feeble words to bind Thee,
It is because Thou art
We're driven to the quest;
Till truth from falsehood part,
Our souls can find no rest.

Thou hidden fount of love,
Of peace, and truth, and beauty,
Inspire us from above
With joy and strength for duty.
May Thy fresh light arise
Within each clouded heart,
And give us open eyes
To see Thou as Thou art.