Friday, April 17, 2009
I have got to get better with the camera!
I just realized that we went to UT for Easter and I don't have a single picture of it. And Adam rode MY motorcycle for the first time and did awesome! And there was an Easter egg hunt in the snow! We went to Zion's park - BEAUTIFUL! All picture-worthy activities, and I am such a slacker.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
The Best Birthday Gift EVER!
April 7th, 2009: My 29th (I mean, 38th ;D) birthday. My thoughts today have been super happy ones, as I have spent the morning cleaning house and reflecting on birthdays in the past 38 years. I have never had an unhappy one. My parents made sure the day was special by giving birth to me on my brother's birthday - and we shared some crazy birthday times. Lots of fun.
And my husband has NEVER once forgotten my birthday, in fact, he goes overboard to make sure I have a great day. I love him for that - he always gets it right. This morning, he got up with our early-morning Seminary daughter, just so I could sleep in. Now THAT was sacrifice!
But the best birthday ever was the year I turned 23. Chad and I lived in a palatial (to us - it had two levels!) two-bedroom apartment. We were both winding up our BYU years - I was looking forward to graduating with my Bachelors degree on April 17. We were pregnant with our first, and the baby wasn't due until April 26th. Perfect planning - right after graduation, but before our health insurance ran out!
That April 7th, Chad woke me up, excited like a little boy. He had the day all planned out. We went to classes, then drove up to Salt Lake to attend a concert - an acapella mens group - on the U. of U. campus. We went out to eat at a burger place (my choice - I spent that pregnancy craving hamburgers and fries!) and we took a bit too long eating. Chad had purchased my gift (an emerald ring - a very big deal for us and the main reason he was so excited) and we took a long time over that gifting. We had to RUN to get to the venue before the concert started. Being huge with child, I couldn't run very fast, but we got there in time. It was a great concert, and I really enjoyed it. But on the way out, I felt mighty uncomfortable and even the security guard asked me if I was feeling ok. We got home, and I didn't sleep that whole night. I was just uncomfortable...so I had a nice hot bath and felt a little better. The next day, I had to meet with a Writing Fellow who was helping me edit my thesis. We sat down in a private room at the Harold B. Lee Library on BYU campus, and just as we started going over the paper, my water broke. I didn't say a word. We had only covered about 5 pages of the 100+ page thesis, but I had to get him out of there so I could assess the damage! Poor guy, he must have thought I was crazy when I insisted that I thought I could handle the rest of it on my own, thank you very much. As soon as he left, I tied my jacket around my waist and waddled off to the bathroom, wet to my knees. The best part was when I was using the public phone in the library to call the doctor and then Chad. There was a guy studying in the room and I watched as he eavesdropped on my conversation. His jaw literally dropped! He wished me luck on my delivery, as I tip-toed out of the room and across campus, then down the stairs by the Smith Fieldhouse to my car. I was afraid the baby would fall out.
Needless to say, Megan didn't fall out. In fact, I labored for about 12 more hours and she was born right after midnight on April 9th. 17 days early, 6 lbs 9 oz of perfection. I fell in love with her immediately! It was magical. I could not have asked for a better birthday gift. I had to go back to school to take finals with an inflatable donut to sit on, and Chad sitting out in the lounge with my little baby girl so I could nurse her between exams. I didn't study a bit for those finals. I am sure I probably failed a few. But I got A's and B's that semester anyway. (Only at BYU!) I walked at my graduation - right across the stage, collected my diploma, and then right up into the stands to get my baby. I was crazy about that little tiny girl! And I still am! Every year, Megan tells me how sorry she is that I have to worry about making HER birthday special during my birthday. But I don't mind. She is worth every moment. And those memories of her birth day are some of my favorites!
And my husband has NEVER once forgotten my birthday, in fact, he goes overboard to make sure I have a great day. I love him for that - he always gets it right. This morning, he got up with our early-morning Seminary daughter, just so I could sleep in. Now THAT was sacrifice!
But the best birthday ever was the year I turned 23. Chad and I lived in a palatial (to us - it had two levels!) two-bedroom apartment. We were both winding up our BYU years - I was looking forward to graduating with my Bachelors degree on April 17. We were pregnant with our first, and the baby wasn't due until April 26th. Perfect planning - right after graduation, but before our health insurance ran out!
That April 7th, Chad woke me up, excited like a little boy. He had the day all planned out. We went to classes, then drove up to Salt Lake to attend a concert - an acapella mens group - on the U. of U. campus. We went out to eat at a burger place (my choice - I spent that pregnancy craving hamburgers and fries!) and we took a bit too long eating. Chad had purchased my gift (an emerald ring - a very big deal for us and the main reason he was so excited) and we took a long time over that gifting. We had to RUN to get to the venue before the concert started. Being huge with child, I couldn't run very fast, but we got there in time. It was a great concert, and I really enjoyed it. But on the way out, I felt mighty uncomfortable and even the security guard asked me if I was feeling ok. We got home, and I didn't sleep that whole night. I was just uncomfortable...so I had a nice hot bath and felt a little better. The next day, I had to meet with a Writing Fellow who was helping me edit my thesis. We sat down in a private room at the Harold B. Lee Library on BYU campus, and just as we started going over the paper, my water broke. I didn't say a word. We had only covered about 5 pages of the 100+ page thesis, but I had to get him out of there so I could assess the damage! Poor guy, he must have thought I was crazy when I insisted that I thought I could handle the rest of it on my own, thank you very much. As soon as he left, I tied my jacket around my waist and waddled off to the bathroom, wet to my knees. The best part was when I was using the public phone in the library to call the doctor and then Chad. There was a guy studying in the room and I watched as he eavesdropped on my conversation. His jaw literally dropped! He wished me luck on my delivery, as I tip-toed out of the room and across campus, then down the stairs by the Smith Fieldhouse to my car. I was afraid the baby would fall out.
Needless to say, Megan didn't fall out. In fact, I labored for about 12 more hours and she was born right after midnight on April 9th. 17 days early, 6 lbs 9 oz of perfection. I fell in love with her immediately! It was magical. I could not have asked for a better birthday gift. I had to go back to school to take finals with an inflatable donut to sit on, and Chad sitting out in the lounge with my little baby girl so I could nurse her between exams. I didn't study a bit for those finals. I am sure I probably failed a few. But I got A's and B's that semester anyway. (Only at BYU!) I walked at my graduation - right across the stage, collected my diploma, and then right up into the stands to get my baby. I was crazy about that little tiny girl! And I still am! Every year, Megan tells me how sorry she is that I have to worry about making HER birthday special during my birthday. But I don't mind. She is worth every moment. And those memories of her birth day are some of my favorites!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
I Love Cub Scouts (especially mine)
Here's what Sam has been up to lately at Cubs:
Top: For April Fool's Day, the Cubs gathered at Tracy Weymouth's house and made "dessert for dinner and dinner for dessert" (meatloaf cupcakes frosted with pink mashed potatoes and faux grilled cheese sandwiches made from poundcake and orange frosting) Delicious and so clever!
Bottom: Pinewood Derby - Sam won FIRST PLACE!!! A first for Chad, and long-awaited! Don't ask how much time he put into the tricked out car. Such a juvenile...but Sam was thrilled! He slept with the trophy that night, and took it to school with him the next morning so he could show it off. Cub Scouting is the best!
Top: For April Fool's Day, the Cubs gathered at Tracy Weymouth's house and made "dessert for dinner and dinner for dessert" (meatloaf cupcakes frosted with pink mashed potatoes and faux grilled cheese sandwiches made from poundcake and orange frosting) Delicious and so clever!
Bottom: Pinewood Derby - Sam won FIRST PLACE!!! A first for Chad, and long-awaited! Don't ask how much time he put into the tricked out car. Such a juvenile...but Sam was thrilled! He slept with the trophy that night, and took it to school with him the next morning so he could show it off. Cub Scouting is the best!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Another typical "Laura moment"
So I decided to take the opportunity of a semi-not-too-terribly-busy weekend and holiday Monday to go off on a little private getaway for some personal rejuvination. Yes, alone. No kids, no Chad - just me. The last time I had time off from the family was when Adam was a baby and I went to Mexico on a sisters' reunion...but actually, since I took Adam with me, that doesn't really count. So, suffice to say - it has been a very long time. It was kind of last minute, but sometimes those are the best ones. Anyway, I headed north and spent some time on the beach and then checked into a smallish hotel somewhere between Ventura and Santa Barbara. I bought a book, lay on the sand, and proceeded to relax. It was heaven. It lasted about 10 minutes. Then I had to get my phone out and start text-messaging Megan with instructions and questions. I think I spent more time on the phone than I did relaxing. I managed to stay gone overnight, but this morning I woke up with a fever, stuffy nose, very sore throat, and an upset stomach, and I just decided I wanted to go home and be sick in my own bed. So much for my great escape! Story of my life.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Mama Pride
I know pride is not a virtue, but I think it's ok when it's your kids that you are proud of. My kids have been making me kind of happy lately, and I figured I had better write about it before frustration crowds the pride out.
Megan: Last night, Megan got a Coach's Award at her HS JV Soccer team banquet. The coaches chose Megan for this award because of her attitude - they said that she took their criticism well and immediately went back out on the field and fixed her mistakes. I love that she got an award for attitude - a good attitude will take her a long way in life!
Adam: Scored 104% on the last THREE Science tests (and there is no way he could have cheated, as I made sure to keep the book with me, and I don't have the answers for science tests). Adam also is kicking it with guitar - he can play a ton of songs and practices every day. He also joined our community track team, and ran the 100m and the 200m last week. He wasn't the fastest runner, but he did cut 3 seconds off his time and finished 3rd. But my favorite part is how he is getting along with the guys on the team. He has been practicing his social skills and is really improving!
Sam: Has been picking out his own clothes for school every morning for about a month now and has been picking weather-appropriate AND matching clothes! (ok, they may not match perfectly, but at least they don't clash. And he wears his cub scout uniform at least once a week too...) Also, hasn't forgotten to brush his teeth. These may sound like small things, but they help me considerably in the mornings! Sam is just such a positive kid. Talk about a good attitude! He needs an award too.
Sophie: Has been doing better with her nail-biting, with the help of the nasty-tasting nail polish. She was also very brave when she got her Kindergarten shots on Tuesday.
Chad: (he counts!) Has started learning "Stairway to Heaven" on his guitar. He might be able to play me a song soon!
Megan: Last night, Megan got a Coach's Award at her HS JV Soccer team banquet. The coaches chose Megan for this award because of her attitude - they said that she took their criticism well and immediately went back out on the field and fixed her mistakes. I love that she got an award for attitude - a good attitude will take her a long way in life!
Adam: Scored 104% on the last THREE Science tests (and there is no way he could have cheated, as I made sure to keep the book with me, and I don't have the answers for science tests). Adam also is kicking it with guitar - he can play a ton of songs and practices every day. He also joined our community track team, and ran the 100m and the 200m last week. He wasn't the fastest runner, but he did cut 3 seconds off his time and finished 3rd. But my favorite part is how he is getting along with the guys on the team. He has been practicing his social skills and is really improving!
Sam: Has been picking out his own clothes for school every morning for about a month now and has been picking weather-appropriate AND matching clothes! (ok, they may not match perfectly, but at least they don't clash. And he wears his cub scout uniform at least once a week too...) Also, hasn't forgotten to brush his teeth. These may sound like small things, but they help me considerably in the mornings! Sam is just such a positive kid. Talk about a good attitude! He needs an award too.
Sophie: Has been doing better with her nail-biting, with the help of the nasty-tasting nail polish. She was also very brave when she got her Kindergarten shots on Tuesday.
Chad: (he counts!) Has started learning "Stairway to Heaven" on his guitar. He might be able to play me a song soon!
Monday, March 9, 2009
I am so stoned!
But not in the traditional way...haha, sorry! I am just shaking my head because after having a kidney stone when I was 19, micro-calcifications (read: tiny stones) in my glorious ta-ta's, and my gallbladder out in Dec. because it was full of stones, now I am feeling the pain of having stones in my salivary glands, of all places! And nobody knows what causes all of this stonification...but if the pain doesn't go away soon, I just might have to get traditionally stoned!
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Being an organized person is exhausting!
So far, in my quest to get organized, I have cleaned out and rearranged my: pantry, kitchen, recipes, daughters' room and closet (THAT was a job!), playroom (including all the DVDs), and laundry room. Which are all great accomplishments and I am so glad I did it...but now it has been long enough that the first rooms I organized are starting to get disorganized again. Feeling a little discouraged at the never-ending messiness. And I think I have raised a bunch of slobs.
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