I AM Watching. . .

So my kids have taken to demanding "Mommy watch" several times a day. Sometimes I hope they can't tell that I am really watching them with the eyes in the back of my head and not the front! Most times they can tell when I am just appeasing them with a mechanical response like that. But I am watching! I love witnessing Alaina's gentle touch with Matthew. I don't have many pictures of that, they are such covert and fleeting moments. I do see Matt's squint eyed, crinkle nosed, cheesie grins. I get lost in wonder and amazement so often when I watch Alaina 'read' a book after only hearing it one time, and getting it almost word perfect. And even Matt's mischevious endeavors, although often deserving of a wack on the bum, don't escape my humored attention.
I am watching their awareness of the world around them grow, and mature, and deepen. I am watching the tender, selfless side of Matthew blossom. And I am watching freckles pop up almost over night across the bridges of both of their noses. I see Alaina learning how sing the primary songs. . . delighting in the joy it brings her when she can get Matt to sing along, and on rare occasions she can even get Daddy to join in!

I am watching my life grow up right in front of me. Older, wiser, more beautiful and more stunning every second of the day. So while they can't always accuse me of not watching, the misdemeanor I am more guilty of is not reveling in these kind of moments more often. I thank God every day for the joy and the light and complete satisfaction I find in these two!

Belated Happy Birthday

Most things seem to be of the 'belated' sort lately, and while we didn't actually celebrate her birthday late, I am tardy in sharing the festivities. So here goes.

I must admit I have taken to cake making. I know that the day should be all about her, but I use it as an excuse to do something I like too. . . I stole this idea from familyfun.com and it turned out so cute, even though I can't claim any creative genius. Alaina orginally wanted a butterfly cake, but changed her mind to princess one. I inserted her a bit lopsided, but it was effective nonetheless!

Alaina enjoyed aunts and uncles, grandma's and grandpa's and even a little brother at her party. She got all the things she wanted and even a few surprises! This year seemed to be the year of the pj's though. But she loves to wear a different pair ever night! Seems her fashion sense does not sleep as she is very particular about what she wears to bed even.

I can't believe that she is already four. This fall she will be heading to preschool, both an anticipated event for me (what with an ever increasing work load, and another baby on the way), and a sad one as well. I sometimes worry, and especially lately, that I haven't been available enough for her. Even though I am at home. I can't count how many times I have replied with a "Not right now", or "In a mintute", or "When Matthew is taking a nap" to her requests for a story, or a puzzle, or a manicure.

She is so much the light of my life. I hope that in spite of the time I have to spend at my desk or in front of the computer, that she knows she is everything to me. And on this her 4th birthday, the hug and kiss I got from her appeased that longing for me. And she was surrounded by people who love her most, and know her best. She was happy, and excited and that is what a birthday is all about - the magic of it all, the feeling that you really are the most important person in the world. I hope that wonder and magic was something she experienced.

I love my Mom

Just came across this picture I took of Alaina and my Mom (Nanna). I love it. And I love my mom. She doesn't know how much, I am sure of it. But she is a wonderful lady, so much love, so much to give. I thank the Lord each day that she is mine!

I Am So Excited

So I bought one of these:

And I can't wait to get it! I think I have discovered why so many people are addicted to Ebay! Got an awesome deal and an awesome rush as I watched the minutes, then seconds quickly tick away - - then quickly jab in my bid and cross my fingers that I hadn't waited to long and the bidding had closed or I had bid too soon and someone out bid me. But now I can almost hear the quiet "chirping" of my very own Cricut as it makes it's way to my little home!

My Favorite Holiday: Thankhallomasear

Well it is time to catch up. Lets see what kind of job I can do. I think the pictures will help jog my memory, as well as communicate much more than I ever could through words. Our family had a

nice Thanksgiving with my parents, the only baking or cooking required of me was an apple pie. I usually LOVE baking home made apple pies, they are my favorite, but this year I resorted to allowing good ol' "Marie" offer up her best efforts. I still think mine are better, but this was more convenient this year. Dad's parents, Nanna and Grandpa came to enjoy the feast with us, it is TRADITION to celebrate my little sister's birthday with them in tandem with Thanksgiving! Just ask Kaycie. And aside from a head knotting car accident in the back yard it was a holiday without much incident. Alaina and Great Grandpa Dahl were putting on a circus act. Alaina precariously perched atop the clown car, with Grandpa gunning it behind her! She lost her balance and whacked the floor. Ah, the fun! She was fine, and bounced right back! After a few moments of icing, she insisted on returning to the show, only this time volunteering the lead role of car top passenger to Matthew!

Halloween was a much anticipated and enthusiastically embraced celebration by Alaina! She couldn't wait to don the make-up and the princess tiara! And I believe she was the most beautiful princess to be found amid the trick-or-treaters found hunting for candy in the church parking lot!

Matthew on the other hand, could have cared less. But isn't that boys for you? He finally agreed to wear some 'sporty' pj's and go as an athlete. Albeit a sleepy athlete. He spent a good half of the ghoulish game on the sidelines of the candy court, asleep in the car. But when he finally deemed himself ready to join the game, he showed true trick or treating prowess, and while lugging his over-stuffed pumpkin full of candy around, managed to still find ways to torment his sister along the way!
And here is to Christmas. I must sadly admit that the cheer around here was a bit drear. Alaina had to do a tremendous amount of cajoling to get her dad to even put any Christmas lights. Finally he acquiesced, and correctly assumed the role of apologetic father. He let Alaina climb upon the ladder, perch precariously atop it as she quite confidently (much to my chagrin) strung strands of starry lights through hooks hung there last year. She was proud of her work and to this day they are still hanging on the house. (I know we sound lazy and louse, but we really have been overwhelmingly occupied with so many things of late.) I must thank my sweet daughter though for reminding me what the season really is all about! It didn't take long after the boxes came out of their hiding place in the attic, dusty and dried out from the summer heat, to reignite the warmth of the season in this miserly mamma! I even pulled out the dreaded, clinging, obnoxious angel hair snow. And by the end of the night, I loved how it looked so much that I was contemplating going out to get more! I practiced restraint however! And Matthew must have observed that restraint, as he only managed to break one ornament. I knew better than to put those pretty glass balls, bright red and green, on the branches. But Alaina was adamant and Matthew was determined. Determined to see how far he could throw one, and how many pieces one could shatter into. It was rather impressive, from ominous wind up to fateful demise upon the tile. Red glass shattered to the four corners of the house, lighting up the air with glittering magic. Christmas Pixie dust laced household fixtures, a testament to the wonder of the season. And as I bent over to vacuum the shards of Christmas ornament I couldn't help but hide a silent smile at the sheer joy my little boy expressed over the magic of his mighty arm and a little red christmas ball!

And the New Year has come and gone. . .without much incident. Except we did find out that our baby on the way, whom we were already calling Leilani, is in reality a boy. Alaina was devastated, who wants another brother? She is still pretty adamant that after the little boy comes out of mommy's tummy, a little sister will follow. Perhaps she is right, although probably not on the same time-table she has in mind. I admit I was looking forward to purples, and pinks, little ribbons in the hair and such. But for many reasons, after my initial let down, I am glad it will be another boy.

Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

This entry is really more about my birthday than feeling blue. . . but the sentiment expressed the essence of my epiphony this year. So I included it. I came to the conspicuous conclusion that often when things don't seem to go right for me, it is invariably due the fact that I am neglecting certain obvious and necessary things in my life; like breathing for instance! Too often i like to look outward for the cause of my grief, my discomfort, and my frustration, when it all to frequently stems from myself. So go figure. I'm a little slow, but this coming year I have decided that I will try to remember to "breathe" a bit more!

So for the fun stuff. My birthday. Happened a while ago, but I am not counting down or back the days to my birthday anymore. Just another day, for the most part, but a day to make excuses for special treats. This year's treat was a fun day at the BYU/SDSU football game in San Diego. But not before a mad dash to the San Diego Zoo, where we jumped aboard the sky tram in a scramble to see the polar bears and the snow that was delivered just for them to play in. We sprinted back to the tram and out to the car, grabbed a lightening fast lunch at Chipotle, and made it to the game in time for kick off. Despite threatening dark skys and sporadic showers, we had a ton of fun and frozen feet. Matthew honed in on the puddles that could be found scattered throughout the stadium, and within 5 minutes had succeeded in soaking himself and any unfortunate, although amused, passers-by! And while he provided some side entertainment for several spectators, Alaina was more intrigued by the fancy footwork and theatrics of the cheer squad. (I offer a silent plea for forgiveness, but she does have her agency). She loved the pom-poms, and everytime San Diego scored a touch down they would shoot off the cannons and fireworks. Since that fanfare was only afforded to the home team, she was a lone San Diego patriot among many devoted Cougars! After the game, which saw not a single droplet of rain, we headed to El Torrito with some good friends for dinner. So my day was an enjoyable one. Probably one of the better birthdays in a long while.

And, upon returning home that evening, I had some warm color in my face . The day had awarded me plenty of time to breathe, eliminating the bluish tint that had started to appear there.

Turkey Trot Times

Yeah, I probably looked like a turkey doing something similar to a trot! But the results are in and I got 8th in my age group. My time was one of my worst, but I finished! Amy did awesome as always. She is such a stud! And while I have been resting she has continued to pound the pavement. . .well the treadmill! But she is the one who should get the praise. Even when no one is looking she is still going strong. Never has been one of my strong points.

After countless miles of running we ran our first official race. The first of several in a series they run here in Yuma. Since that race I haven't run a single day, maybe once or twice, and the next race is tomorrow. I don't know if I will run or not. The gun goes of at 8:30am and I have to be at a Primary Quarterly Activity at 10 am. So it is either go stinky and sweaty, or don't run. I am torn. I guess I will let you know!