Best Friends

Last night, the girls really wanted to sleep in the same room... on the same bed. ("with their blankets") Jes's bed is one that my parents made for me when I was little, and then my older sister used it growing up. It is a four post bed with a high headboard and foot board, and sides that come up about 2 inches- so it is very hard to fall off. We read the girls books and sang them songs and left the girls laying next to each other in the bed. I thought for sure that I would need to go move Kelsi into the portacrib we had set up in Jessica's room- but she slept there all night. When I went to check on the girls before we went to bed, Jes was cuddled up to Kelsi with her head on her chest. In addition, last night was one of the first nights in a long time that Jes did not get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom and crawl into bed with us.

Jes moved before I could get a picture, but here is what I did get.

25 Random Things about me

I filled out a questionnaire about my husband on facebook, (I included it below) and decided I should probably finally fill something out about me as well. It was fun, but kind of hard. Here it is.

1. I have been to 26 countries.
2. I learned to crochet when I was 10- I actually took lessons.
3. I'm scared of having 3 kids (and hence-no I am not pregnant).
4. I lived in Saudi Arabia for 2 1/2 years and loved it.
5. I like to keep in touch with friends- I always have ever since I was young and moving around a lot (although I'm not the best at it- sorry)
6. I pronounce "sorry" with a long "o" (according to my husband)- I get it from my Mom.
7. I am a generalist- I like to get pretty good at a lot of things, but not super good at any one thing. It's weird- sometime I sabotage myself.
8. I am training for a Sprint Triathlon and loving it- It is my first time training for any sport. I especially love the biking and the swimming, but I am really nervous about the running. I need to get over it. :) But I did by new running shoes today that should help my ankles.
9. I didn't want to meet my husband at BYU- too "cliche-ish," so instead I met him in a Single's Ward at home- that is so much better. :)
10. I play the trumpet and I played in the BYU marching band and Pep Band for 2 years. (We got to go to a bowl game, and the NCAA's- which was super fun)
11. I love to cook. This love started before I was in Kindergarten.
12. I missed the kindergarten deadline by 1 month, so I stayed home with my mom for another year to "kiss and paint." I LOVED being old for my grade, and am worried about if I should put Jessica in school and have her be the youngest and littlest. (she had a late July birthday and she is tiny)
13. I used to love fun and crazy socks, but ever since I have been pregnant and had kids, I really have something against Polyester against my skin.
14. I am anti-Kraft. I never thought I liked BBQ sauce until I decided I didn't like Kraft BBQ sauce. I don't particularly like their dressings, either. I like Bull's Eye and KC Masterpiece or Ken's dressings
15. I am a Home Ec. Major. My freshmen year I was surrounded by people who were "Physics majors and knew forever that is what they wanted to do"- or all kinds of majors. I didn't want to "major" in anything- just get a lot of minors. (see #7) I finally decided to think about what I was good at and loved doing. After getting over the stigma of a Home Ec. major- I declared it and absolutely LOVED it.
15. I LOVE teaching- in any genre or age group.
17. I really need to go to bed instead of fill this out. :)
18. I don't facebook that much. Most people blog, or facebook, or scrapbook, or make home videos, or journal- I (see #7) do a little of everything- just none of them super well. :)
19. I suffered from a major guilt complex in junior high and early high school. I am mostly over it, but sometimes it still gets me.
20. I am innately a morning person, but you would never know it because my husband is a night person so I stay up too late to get up early. I do love early morning when I am rested and up, though. (Hence- I really need to go to bed).
21. I love to read cookbooks
22. I love to read period.
23. I am starting to get really interested in photography.
24. I have kept my teaching license current.
25. I absolutely love the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Hubby

So Holly shared this and I wanted to try it. It was my first "note" in facebook. Maybe because it is not about me... :)

Here's a chance to see how well you really know your husband/wife. Cut, paste and fill in the answers, then forward . . . you know what to do. The real challenge is to send it to your Husband/Wife/Fiance to see how right you really are. Change "he/his" to "her/hers" throughout the questions.


1. He's sitting in front of the TV, what is on the TV screen?
BYU Football, Jazz game, CNN or HGTV House Hunters (if I am watching, too)

2. You're out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on his salad?
Ranch or sometimes Thousand Island

3. What's one food he doesn't like?
He likes most things, but he is not a huge fan of tomatoes

4. You go out to eat and have a drink. What does he order?
Raspberry or Strawberry Lemonade

5. Where did he go to high school?
Alta High School, Sandy, UT

6. What size shoe does he wear?
I think 10.5-11

7. If he was to collect anything, what would it be?
Music

8. What is his favorite type of sandwich?
DJ's super duper amazing sandwiches (with cheese cookies)

9. What would he eat every day if he could?
chocolate milk and cheese and ham tortillas (microwaved- but I am converting him to the toaster oven)

10. What is his favorite cereal?
Marshmallow Mateys

11. What would he never wear?
Biker shorts

12. What is his favorite sports team?
BYU football

13. Who did he vote for?
He wrote in Mitt Romney

14. Who is his best friend?
Me of course!

15. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn't do?
Collect so much "junk" for all of my hobbies. He is actually very supportive, just not when it comes time to move everything across country.

16. What is his heritage?
Scandinavian (Sven's son)

17. It's his Birthday, what kind of cake do you bake?
Peach Cobbler

18. Did he play sports in high school?
Wrestled and Track

19. What could he spend hours doing?
Listening to music, reading Cougar blue, playing the guitar

20. What is one unique talent he has?
He is AMAZING at playing with kids and making up games to engage them (or me) in.

What's in a word- by a 3 year old

"swimming soups"
"obstervations"
"joggles" (goggles)
"that's digusticing"
"sitches" (Kelsi got stitches- another post)

So I've banished myself from blogging...

...At least while the girls are awake.



This hasn't been our best week...- Thankfully this week was not normal.

I don't check blogs that often, or for long periods of time, but over the past week or two, when I have happened to glance at a blog--- bad things have happened. It has just been a weird week. I think with this new playmate Jessica has found (Kelsi), she is re-testing all of the rules, such as no coloring in library books (if Kelsi does it, that means I can, too), cutting things with scissors besides paper at the table (such as her adorable striped tights). Then, after being banned from scissors for a week after the last one, the next day she found a pair of scissors somehow and cut a lock of Kelsi's hair (not her own thankfully- Kelsi doesn't have that much to lose) and various other things. (Not all of this was while blogging- just anytime I take 2 minutes to do something for me- like enjoy my lunch.) Grrrrr.

We have also started going outside again and she is re-testing all of the outdoor rules as well, such as not running down the hill (our court has a huge hill on one side that is the bane of all the mothers), pushing (only once thankfully)- just testing. She knows what the consequences are, (time-out on the stairs) she is just making sure I am watching and she still knows what to expect. With pushing though, she was really sweet and stood up for her sister. The little girl she pushed (sorry btw), a few minutes later pushed Kelsi (it is amazing how the pecking order works) and Jes ran over and said "no pushing!" (didn't push her again- yea) and then comforted Kelsi who was crying. It was really sweet and the little girl is super sweet, too.

Then Friday night we were getting all ready to have a fun family night of homemade pizza and a movie when Kelsi came to me crying with a can stuck on her hand. I had opened a can of beans for lunch and left the lid barely attached so I could drain it and thrown it away. (Never do that btw- I have learned my lesson) Kelsi found the can, stuck her hand in and had the "raccoon" syndrome where she couldn't get it out. I was VERY carefully trying to maneuver her hand so I could get it out when she panicked and YANKED it out- slicing her finger thoroughly. We looked at it, got a bandaid on it and it stopped bleeding. We were debating whether we should take her to the InstaCare (while Jes was getting all excited and set to watch the movie) when we took her bandaid off. It started bleeding profusely and was a mangled mess. We decided DJ would handle the stitches better, and I needed positive one on one time with Jes so he took Kelsi. The nurses were great and she handled it so well. I think she was still in shock at the InstaCare because after they cleaned it, she was squeezing it and laughing when the blood came out. Gross, huh. She only cried/screamed- what is the word inbetween- when they gave her a shot to numb the stitching. It is hard to tell whether she got 4 or 5 stitches from the looks of it. She is such a trooper. Whenever we change her bandaid, she sits so still, holds her hand out and watches. She is such a sweet girl.
And as an update- this week so far is going better.

A picture

So apparently I did get a picture of the make-up incident. (see below a few posts) "How do I look mom?"

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Decor and Girls

This is for my sister. We just redecorated and I wanted to show Kelley. Sabrina took these AWESOME pictures (not that I straightened them before the picture) and she printed them as part of the photo session we won. We got the square frame at IKEA (thanks Marne) and the other frames at JoAnn's. JoAnns also cut the square mat to size. (We printed it as a 16x20" and then cut it down to 16 x 16"). DJ helped me pick out the fabric and I made the pillows. The wall we faux finished a year ago, and then this year (on the same day incidentally) we painted the side walls solid greed. Something about Martin Luther King Day for remodeling.
This is why I am procrastinating putting my girls in the same room. I have a feeling Jes would spend every night in the crib. As of now, they just love to PLAY in there.
Annette (my Mother-in-law) gave the girls these dresses for Christmas, and then the matching coats for Valentine's day. Matching coats had not occurred to me, but I LOVE them!!! Jes was so excited that she and Kelsi looked the same- same black tights, poofy slips, dresses, and coats to boot!
Here is just a super sweet picture of Jes. (Note- as I was typing this, I kept feeling like I should check on Kelsi. I finally did and I found her in her room with the door closed and a bag of marshmallows from the preschool box. Silly girl)
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Kelsi!

Kelsi has a fascination with shoes-- as do most kids this age. She is not particular about who's shoes, whether Daddy's or the Doll's.

This is our Living room toy basket. The toys are all over the living room of course! It doubles as a bathtub, boat or apparently reading corner.
This is a hat I made for Kelsi and we both love it!


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To all those Primary Music Leaders out there...

Yesterday, DJ was playing with Jessica and she said "Daddy, let's play primary." He said okay. She picked up a stack of papers, held them up and sang "I say goodbye and I choke." Then she moved that sheet to the back and held up the stack again and sang "Try to walk away and I stumble..." She shuffled the sheets again and sang "Tho I try to hide it, it's clear" (shuffle) "My world crumbles when you are not here."

So to all those Primary music leaders who work so hard on their flip charts, the Sunbeams are watching.

Here is the song- DJ has been listening to it a lot lately- hence Jes quoting it.
"I try" by Ben Taylor

"I've got to start listening to those quiet nagging doubts..."

Well, at least the girls are starting to play together... Sunday was the best of times and the worst of times. DJ had meetings, church, helped at Primary Children's (our ward helps staff the Sacrament Meeting periodically) and home taught from 8:00 Sunday morning to about 4:30.

The girls were FANTASTIC during church. They sat by themselves on the bench for the first part, then played with toys, read books, entertained themselves pretty well with a little help from me. Even though I was sitting by myself with the girls, I was able to listen and get so much out of the meeting. The last speaker spoke about President Monson's talk "Finding Joy in the Journey" from the last October conference. It is such a good talk and something I needed to hear this week. (I recommend that everyone read Pres. Monson's talk- It pertains so well to mom's) Both talks Sunday were SOOOO good, and they really hit home, especially this week.... I needed them. So it was great that the girls were so good so that I could listen and get so much out of the talks. (Thanks Tee and Pres. Hutchinson).

They were both so good in Primary, too. I had brought Kelsi with me since she had a runny nose and she sat on a chair beside Jessica just like all the big kids- except when a strange man (ie Sunbeam teacher) sat next to her. She looked up at him, looked back at me sitting behind her, then looked forward and her lip started to tremble and she fell apart. It was really cute. She then sat beside me until DJ got back and took her to Elder's Quorum.

After church DJ had another meeting, and when he got home (he is normally not this busy) for a short break at 3:00, I happened to be sitting at the computer reading blogs for about 6 minutes taking a respite. He asked where the girls were and I said in the back room playing. After a few moments, I thought I should go check on them. (Hence the blog title -from Calvin and Hobbes). I went in Kelsi's room and the girls had my bag of Mary Kay make-up and EVERY single thing was open- all mascara, lipstick, foundation, lipgloss, powder, other mascara and lipgloss.... Both girls jumped up- Jes had make-up all over her face ("How do I look, Mommy?") AAAAAAHHHHH! (On a really nice area rug, by the way) The miracle, is that they only got a teeny teeny amount on the carpet, which came out. The bad thing is they squoze out (is that a word) at least a third of a brand new thing of foundation- but onto paper. No- I didn't get a picture. So much for my moment of respite.

Later, after DJ got home for good, I was at the computer again enjoying a quiet moment to myself, thinking how nice it was that DJ was playing with the girls to give me a break. Someone called and I was talking on the phone and walked back and saw him on his computer on the bed... Then I had to figure out where the girls were. I heard giggling behind the bathroom door and opened it a crack- All I could see was toothpaste and toilet paper EVERYWHERE. But they were having such a grand time together. DJ said he heard Jes say "No Kelsi, no more" followed by squeals of delight and laughter. They had put every roll of toilet paper we owned in the bathtub and were taking a "toilet paper bath." They had also smeared toothpaste all over the mirror and carpet and on the edges of every roll of TP. Aren't we so excited to have toothpaste smeared toilet paper for the next 6 months. (I had just stocked up from Costco, too.) Silly girls. Again, alas no picture.

But at least they are playing together. :)

Quotes by Jessica

Here are a few of my favorite quotes:

"Mommy- can you count to oneteen?"

Look at the wittle ants! Shall we jump on them?

At about 2 ½ I was in feeding Kelsi at 7:00 am when I heard Jes get up and go open the fridge. She yelled out "Mommy...? Do you want a hot dog?... Do you want it with mustard? ... Or dip dip...? (still yelling) Or mustard AND dip dip?

We were writing a letter to Santa in preschool and she drew 4 squiggly lines on the paper and said "I wrote 4 letters to Santa!!!

The difference between boys and girls. DJ wanted to teach Jessica how to catch. He looked around for something to toss to her and grabbed a beanie baby. Jessica fell apart. "MY BABY! She was SLEEPING!"

Jessica- "Mommy, when you were little like me, I was your Fairy Grandmother."

What is your name? "Jes." What is your last name? pause. "icca"

Discussing the owie on her toe- to bandaid or not to bandaid... Jessica "So air will make my owied feel better?
Okay, I will put it in my air then." Then she proceeded to try to put her toe in her ear.

She handed me something to cut and I accidentally nipped her finger. "It's okay Mommy, you didn't mean to hurt me."

I told Jessica the story of Noah and the Ark. She said "Mommy, will you tell me that story again, but this time with me and Pyper as the Prophet?" (She loves to insert names into fairy tales- especially Jack and the Beanstalk. That is how I get her to sit through braiding her hair.)

Sometimes when we have an owie, we use "squeezers."

More to come later!

Fun times with the girls

It is amazing how much easier your life gets as your kids just get a little older. :) 3 1/2 and 19 months are such great ages. Especially compared to a newborn and a 2 year old. That is not the best combination. :) We have had such a fun time this week just playing together. The girls still disagree of course, but they are starting to play together a little bit and I am excited to see how their friendship develops.



This week I really wanted to have a fun day with them and I planned a few things the night before. We had a blast painting (crayola washable paints are the best) and posing for Valentine's cards. Happy Valentine's Day! (a little early)





Here are some updates on the girls of ages and stages. Jessica loves her preschool and her friends in the court. Some of her best friends range from her age to 1 1/2 years older and younger. She informed us the other day that all of her best friends were big girls. We asked what about Jonah? She said- okay- big girls and big boys. What about Duncan (age 2) "He's a big boy" What about mommy? "She's a big girl..." and so on. Her favorite toys at the moment are her dollhouse she got for her birthday from Grandma Nettie, and her train. She also loves anything she can personify as a "Jessica, Mommy, Daddy, Kelsi, Pyper, Autumn, Noelle, Grace... and whoever else she can think of at the moment. She is delightful, insightful and funny as all get out. I am going to try to figure out how to add quotes. I think I will just paste them to the end of this post.



Kelsi is at such a fun age. It throws me how little hair she has because she seems so much younger, but she is really getting older and has a ton of personality. Right this moment she is trying to put a onesie on over her clothes- she has started to get interested in putting clothes on (and off), trying on shoes of all sizes (see the doll shoe below), and dressing up in beads and jewels and tutus. She is also really starting to pick up on saying words and communicating. Jes started speaking earlier and so it has been interesting- I have had to be a bit more creative communicating with Kelsi. It astonishes me how much she understands, though- and the past few weeks she has started talking quite a bit more. I finally figured out to ask her "which" thing she wanted and having her point. Such as "If you want food, go to your highchair or if you want to go to sleep, go to your crib." I will also have her point to the juice or milk or water to see what she wants to drink. Now she is starting to talk a lot more which is so helpful and reduces the frustrated screeching. :) She has such an adorable smile and a mischievous grin. She makes me laugh all of the time. Plus, she is so ticklish I just can't help myself. :)

Kelsi specifically went and got the stool from the bathroom and set it down. Then she picked up the doll shoe, sat down and spent the next several minutes trying to put it on her foot. Funny girl. :) It is only about 1 1/2 inches long.



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Discovery Gateway Museum

We wanted to do something fun as a family. In Connecticut, they had awesome museum passes where you could check them out and visit various museums for free, including children's museums. I heard about a similar thing here. In the Salt Lake County Library system, you can go at the beginning of the month and get a pass (once every 6 months) that lets you into the Discovery Gateway, Red Butte Gardens, the Utah Natural History Museum, and the Museum of fine arts. We went one morning to the Discovery Gateway. We had a good time. (It was cool, but we were spoiled with Connecticut's Kidcity.) You have to call around to a few libraries to find out who still has passes.












We had a really good time just PLAYING.

New Camera

So we ended up getting a new camera for Christmas. After much debate and research, we ended up getting (or keeping) the Canon SD790 IS. DJ had picked it up for me before Christmas, but then we were debating on either waiting and getting one later, or which camera to get... I finally concluded that what I really want is an SLR camera, but since I can't afford that now, and I don't dare with the HORRIBLE luck we have with electronics, we chose this camera (with a Best Buy 2 year protection plan) and I am excited. So the first thing I want to try posting is a video from the camera- its not the best resolution because it is a camera, not a video camera, but I hear it is a lot easier to post from.

Away in a Manger

The highlight of our Christmas decorations each year has always been my family's nativity scene. My parents bought the pieces when they were living in Germany 29 years ago and each year we have loved putting it together piece by piece. Each piece is made out or a rubbery resin so aside from bite marks, they are pretty indestructible, which make them perfect for kids. After my senior year of high school, my mom and I went on a month long trip to Europe, just the two of us. One stop was the Italian town of Lucca, close to the factory where these Fontanini figures are made. We went to the store where they were sold, and were devastated to find out that a collector had come the day before and cleaned them out. We were lamenting our bad luck and trying to salvage one Nativity set with the pieces that were left when the young storekeeper came to us and said "Here is a catalog- I need to make a trip to the factory anyway. Just let me know what pieces you want and how many and I will go today." We poured over the catalog drooling. My mom added a few pieces to her set, as well as selecting pieces for a set for each of my two sisters. I also chose all of the pieces I wanted for my set- I had been saving up for this for a while (and other purchases on our trip...) Buying them from this store was a FRACTION of the cost you can buy them for in the States. He left for the factory and we killed time exploring the Piazza and he came back with all of the figures and wrapped them up individually for us. It was soooo nice of him. This is the Piazza in Lucca.
That next Christmas, it was my family's off year for Christmas and so it was just my parents and I for Christmas Eve and morning (my mom reschedules Christmas to be the 25th and 26th on her off year). My Dad built a German mountain farmhouse for all of our Nativities to match the one he built growing up. He gave me mine Christmas morning (before my sisters got there) and I got to spend all morning setting up my nativity. It was actually a very sweet Christmas morning before all the hustle and bustle of sisters and nephews that night. Each year, I really enjoy arranging the Nativity in our home. There is no baby in the manger because he has not been born yet. Here is this year's rendition.





Each year we always include a joke- something out of place. Do you see anything? (you can't see the crackerjacks box on the balcony...- so that doesn't count.

Free giveaway

My sister is starting up a bow business and is doing a free giveaway on her blog. Check it out. Here is her Etsy store!

Free photo book

Another free photo book

Here is a free photobook giveaway. I don't know much about the company, but I figured I'd pass on the info. I found out from my sister. I put together my photobook from Snapfish, and LOVE it, and now another new (to me) company is offering the same thing to simplemom readers.

simplemom is also giving away an additional 5 photobooks, any size or style. Read all about the giveaway here.

Hurry, the deadline is tonight for the additional giveaways...

Family Pictures

A few weeks ago I won a photo shoot from my friend Sabrina. The pictures turned out great, especially since we picked the only frigid day in October to take them. :) Thanks Sabrina!







This picture epitomizes my life as a mom. Anyone else feel that way? :)






What sweet little girls. Thanks again Sabrina.