tweezerman

edit: a friend of mine once posted on her blog asking which one product in our "tool box" we couldn't live without. at the time nothing stood out but yesterday when i lost my tweezers momentarily, i had the thought that if i were stuck on a deserted island, i'd really need these. so i thought i'd share it with you.
one of my favorite tools that i'd hate to live without.

if an amazing pair of tweezers doesn't excite you, you must be lucky and hairless enough to not have to bother with such details. consider yourself fortunate. either that or you like the uni-brow look.

go buy yours today at any beauty supply store. you'll be out $20
but they're SO worth all 2,000 pennies!
trust me.

NARNIA

the happy bickerin' beaver couple

my sweet friend amy and my dear micah

the beavers and a couple of narnians
(jaden and addison)

mr. beaver and aslan

saturday night fans

in friday's audience were my mom and grandma, kip, scott and shell, let the record show that westin in all his 17 year old glory came to support his family along w/ ashlyn, morganne and of course my dedicated shawnee. saturday afternoon included dave, bradon and my dad. micah had a whole slew of work friends, too!

being part of this was such an incredible experience. micah thought it would fun to go to auditions w/ jaden...little did he know he'd score the part of mr. beaver--he had the judges at hello. micah and jaden had a blast and we're still on a high a week later! it was A LOT of work but SO worth it.

an incredibly talented lady in our ward owns a theater and was asked to do this production with our stake. it was so well done--i was blown away! the lion, the witch and the wardrobe was selected based on the parallels c.s. lewis draws in the story to the atonement of jesus christ. it was powerful indeed. i'd really like to get the music from the show on cd. it was so good and will always be sentimental. i leave you with the theme song:

now, the real adventure starts
a challenge that will truly test
the best that's in your hearts.
find the courage within
and then begin
to make the world right again,
to make the world right.

worldly men will say to compromise
that visions of a better world
are fairy tales and lies
they may mock you with scorn,
still, you were born
to make the world right again
to make the world right.
...

for if faith stays alive
hope can survive
to make the world right again
to make the world right again
to make the world right

--Ted Drachman

this is why micah doesn't do our grocery shopping:

his excuse: 0 g of trans fat (see the blue square.)
i can't pass up cookie dough staring at me in the fridge.
and i eat way more cookie dough than i would cookies.
and guess what i saw at costco? this same tub multiplied by 3!!
note to self: do not send him to costco alone.

Procrastinating...

instead of writing/preparing the CSMP 2008. (children's sacrament meeting presentation)

it feels like a term paper looming over my head. it's been a long time since i've experienced those feelings. starting is always the hardest part for me. i could use some encouragement. just please don't say, "you're just starting."

1st grade. new school...

on our way

feeling a little nervous

more at ease

and there is another jaden m. n. in his class?!

(we talked about how he might need to initiate play with other kids since he's new and kids sometimes have a hard time noticing the new kids when they're busy)

this is his report:
he asked a group of 3 kids if he could play tether ball with them. since it was 2 on 1 he thought he could even the teams out. they said no. it broke my heart. i can't even explain the sadness this brought my soul. when i told micah this evening he said, "i want to go play tether ball with him!"

he wrote a note to a boy in his class asking him if he wanted to play with him. the kid wouldn't accept his note. my heart is in pieces. jaden sneaked (snuke?) the note into his backpack. today, the boy thanked him for the note and said he would like to play. but they didn't.

he tried. he'll have to try again and again. it builds character right? right?!

nie thursday and friday

thursday:

• from the grill: salmon w/ soy sauce and ginger glaze, fresh asparagus, red pepper and pineapple
  
• passion....'nuff said
  

friday:

• yoga
  
• made a conscience effort to appreciate my time with my children all week (admired my baby in my arms during each feeding, read "one more book," laid down with them upon each request, etc.)

asher, 10 months--LOVE those curls!

• filled the pool (and water balloons) and watched them play and play and play

nienie tuesday and wednesday

tuesday:
whole wheat pancakes for dinner with fresh strawberries and 100% maple syrup.

today, i'm baking pumpkin chocolate chip cookies (in my apron!) and maybe i'll get some pictures of it.

recipe as requested:
from phoebe
1 c sugar, 1c shortening, 1c canned pumpkin (small can), 1 egg, 1t vanilla
2c flour, 1t baking powder, 1/2 t baking soda, 1t cinnamon, 1/2 t nutmeg, 1/2 t salt
1c chocolate chips, bake @ 350 for 10 min., makes 4-5 dozen

on a side note:
today i asked beckam if he could count in spanish.
his response:
"no, but i can count in swahili."
("swahili, huh? do you know where they speak swahili?")
"in africa!"

nienie

it was in a conversation between darlybird and phoebe that i first heard the word "blog." that was about two years ago and once i started reading, i was hooked (though it took me a while to come around and start my own). i think it was on the topic of the walmart shirts on darlybirds blog that i first clicked on cjane in the comments and discovered cjane enjoy it. then later, again on darlybird a comment from nienie piqued my interest and i found her. then i learned they were sisters! it's a small blogging world afterall. but then a good friend from home emailed and said he found my blog and had started one himself. on his was a link to his wife kelly's and soon i had this great network of inspiring and entertaining blogs I read regularly. it was funny the day nienie showed up on kelly's blog and i learned they were long lost VT friends. then, the godparents to her children show up on our cousins blog. a small, small blogging world.

that nienie though. she is so interesting and entertaining. her romantic view of life kept me coming back again and again for my dose of nie. reading the nieniedialogues is like watching a sitcom (think "the donna reed show" or "leave it to beaver" starring ms. june cleaver) but in real life. it's fascinating really. and sometimes a little hard. because she has 4 little children: ages 6, 5, 3 and 2 (i think) and she makes it all look so EASY and FUN and BEAUTIFUL and HAPPY and ROMANTIC and HEALTHY and CREATIVE and CLEAN and...you see what i'm saying? but i've learned things from her. and i'm still learning things from her even now while she's away. she finds JOY and HAPPINESS in her home. at home. with the laundry, with the cooking, with the cleaning, with the children, with her crafting. what brings her the most (the most.) satisfaction and enjoyment are within the walls of her home. she doesn't look for it elsewhere. if you've chosen to stay home with your children, that's a good lesson i think. and sometimes it can be hard. i want my children and my family to know and always remember the joy and happiness they bring me every day. if you clicked on her link you know that she and her husband were in a private plane crash on august 16th and both suffered severe burns. they are in a burned unit and will be there for awhile. our hearts ache for them. they are all in our prayers. please keep them in yours and visit cjane enjoy it (and you will enjoy it, i'm sure) for more details, updates and ways to donate to their recovery.

and in honor of nie, domestic goddess, i'm celebrating by doing something nie-ish every day for let's say a week. maybe more. and i'll keep you posted:

monday:
fresh baked bread and this veggie pasta (and FHE)

if you have a breadmaker, you should make this bread. thank you kelly.
i used the express setting. perfect, delicious and ready in 1 hr.!

from the mouth of jaden

jaden wanted to stay outside and play on the play equipment while I took beckam inside to preschool. when i told him i'd rather he came in with me just to be safe he reminded me that i'd let him stay out there last week with addison. i said "yes, because you had a buddy with you." his response (said with such conviction and confidence):

"mom, i always have a buddy with me. you know jesus and them."

it made me laugh out loud. so cute.

keepin it real

i just sent this email to my brother and thought i might share this snipit from it.

Turning 30 has been interesting. In some ways I feel like I've been planning a trip to Hawaii for 30 years, dreaming of the beauty and blissfulness of it all, saving all my money to get there, having traveled across the US to catch my flight, flying across the ocean for days and then upon my arrival discovering it's nothing like I expected but more like.......the Mojave Dessert (sorry Sandee). Being a mom is a much, much, much harder job than I ever imagined!! (I was much better at it before I had kids, dang it.) With trying to provide them w/ all the fun and enriching experiences I want them to have comes the reality that they have their own little developing personalities that sometimes get in the way of the "fun and enriching" along w/the incessant housework and meal preparation (a lifetime more of these two things seems absurd)--Oh, it can be such a challenge for a perfectionist such as myself. Of course there are many rewarding "moments" but there are so many other moments that feel much less than rewarding. I'm so thankful for my incredibly supportive and loving husband who gets me through those other moments and is always standing by to listen, encourage and cheer me on when I feel like the biggest loser. Anyway, I'm always striving to find the joy in each day instead of looking in the future because I have a funny suspicion that I'll look back one day and long for today. Life is funny that way.

I think Gordon B. Hinkley said it well:
"Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he has been robbed. The fact is that most putts don't drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to be just ordinary people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration, most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is just like an old time rail journey. . .delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders and jolts interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride."
Thanks Sue.

how's that for a blog update.

i've never posted more than once in a day and today i'm going for 3. i'm doing it while I can, my record for frequency hasn't been great lately.

i just wanted to share the reward system we've been using that's actually worked for us (i mean that i have been consistent about) because it's easy. with summer time and all maybe it would work for you, too.
do not judge my artistic ability. i'm just posting the picture. is it self-explanatory enough? the little pictures are ideas of how they can earn tickets. only recently did i start writing chores on the tickets (after reading this) and i love it! the tickets taped under their name are those that have chores written on them. things like: make your bed, take out mom's bathroom trash, put a a new bag in mom's trash can, water the plants in pots in front, put away your laundry, read a book to mom, etc. otherwise, the tickets are just awarded at my discretion (and not awarded at all if they're asked for--I'm mean). like if they go to bed really good, if i see good problem solving or teamwork, if they help without being asked, etc. and i know you're not supposed to take away a reward they've earned and mostly i don't but i have a few times.

and here are the only pictures i've taken recently (i'll do better):

face crayons are awesome. and they love to do it themselves. it started off like this:

papa smurfa dog

letting my kids just be kids sometimes helps me feel like a good mom (and some days, I need all the help i can get). and it usually involves getting messy. tomorrow i'm going to let them finger paint with shaving cream on a cookie sheet (thanks carrie). i'm forever grateful for woodland parent nursery school and teacher debbie. it would've been worth living in davis for 3 years even if that was the only thing we did there! it's scary to think what i'd be like as a mother without that foundation. as a parent, i worked there 2-3 times a month and had parent education classes 2x a month. it was invaluable. i'm sure i could use a refresher but at least i had the experience for 2 years!! i heart teacher debbie and the things she taught me about preschoolers and how to help them "talk it over," to use their imagination and get messy and how potty talk is okay when they're alone in the bathroom. they'll learn to read soon enough...like in kindergarten.

yummy, quick and easy pasta

sun-dried (or grape) tomatoes
fresh asparagus (cut into 3rds)
artichoke hearts
red pepper
portabella mushroom, sliced
garlic, pressed
sea salt
topped with capers

serve over whole wheat penne pasta

seriously. that's it. and it's SO delicious!!

summer lovin', having a blast

and no pictures to prove it. how disappointing I know.
so this is our first month of summer regurgitated
(if any body reading has any photos to prove where we've been and what we've been up to, please send them my way. I've been a major slacker in the photo dept.).
I'll try to make this short.

we pulled jaden out of school a week early because disneyland is way more fun than any end of the year party (and you all know about my disneyland rules, don't you? rule #1: I don't go during the summer and especially not during summer break) we had plans to meet the hatch's (friends from BYUH, live in WA) there and as luck would have it, when the kearns (also friends from BYUH, live in UT) called to wish micah happy birthday, we found out that they were going to be at the happiest place on earth the very same days as us--what are the chances?!

we stopped in bakersfield on our way down to celebrate micah's birthday again. there was swimming, a water slide, climbing wall, golf cart, trampoline, basketball, lots of food, including brownies and homemade ice cream, friends and family--the perfect recipe for a great time!! THANK YOU to everyone who was there and contributed!!

next we headed to the oc for our week-o-fun. we logged about 30 hrs. at disneyland and ca adventure with three perfectly well-behaved kids and lots of time spent (though not enough) with some of our favorite friends and their adorable kiddos. we enjoyed an evening out with the maughans at the melting pot to celebrate all of our birthdays. another dining highlight included a trip to the cheesecake factory (have you ever been? the menu is like 50 pages long. there was no way I could make a decision so I asked the waitress to pick for me)---Yummmmy! lots of time was spent poolside soaking up the sun--fabulous!!

then it was back to bakersfield for my surprise birthday week celebration. micah organized a-party-a-day. each day included lunch, dinner and babysitting. perfect. yes! some days included shopping sprees w/ muy, muy cute clothes, other days just included shopping minus the spree. there were manicures, pedicures, perfume, jewelry, new sunglasses, CUPCAKES from the cutest little cupcakery, candles, b&bw goodies, flowers, balloons, cash and cards---whoa, what a week! it made turning 30 worth it (I was apprehensive). then I had to leave my throne and return to reality but not for too long.

I brought my three nephews home with me and we loved every minute of the 9 days of camp cousins (my favorite part was having the coolest, most responsible 15 year old nephew here with me--he was the greatest help). this was during that weird heat wave so we enjoyed lots of beach days. with kippy joining us for some of that time, I even had one beach day w/ the big boys while asher hung out at home with her (why don't we live closer to family? this question seems to keep coming up). we had two more overnight guests during that week along w/ a visit from papa dave to retrieve the boys and return them to my sister.

then there were 4 days to regroup before jenny came for a visit, which included yet another birthday surprise (thanks to micah for coordinating). a trip to san francisco w/ her to visit erin sans big boys. we left friday and had a fabulous girls weekend in the city. I'm happy to report there were no broken car windows and our gps is safe. asher was a complete angel and endured a late night at the theatre, restaurants and more shopping. he got lots of attention for his sweet smiles and perfect disposition--it was such a treat! and perhaps a little deceiving to my two best ladies: one is only 3 months away from motherhood and the other maybe 3 years. asher made it look a little too romantic. I returned home to cute kids, a hot husband, clean house and folded laundry--what more could I ask for?!

so now we're trying to catch up from all the fun. and I'm thinking another trip to bako is only 4 days away (micah goes back to the oc for a week and I'm a whimp). I hope the blog neglect improves but I can't make any promises.
we are the family of perpetual motion.

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOLLY DEAR!

Happy days will come to you all year.
If I had a wish then it would be . . .

That you would come home tomorrow back to me! (and bring my boys too, and that you had a great week visiting family and friends, and that you know how much I love you, and appreciate you, and adore you, and think you're cool, and that you would continue to teach our boys the wonderful way you do, and that you know what a great example you are to me, our children, your friends, you primary kids, and strangers, that you always remember how much you are loved as a mom, wife, daughter, sister, grand daughter, niece, friend and everything-in-law, that you will continue finding joy in everyday life, that your fantastically strong testimony will continue to grow, that your brilliant light will always shine, that you will have time to yourself, that you will feel the support from your husband that you deserve, that you will laugh so hard that you almost pee your pants (and snort), and worth repeating . . . that you know how much I love, appreciate and adore you!)

happy, happy birthday

micah dear
(and grandma and britney)

thank you for all the phone calls and emails for happy birthday wishes!
micah and the boys went mountain biking while I made party preparations.

then we partied on our new patio! it was a very lovely evening.
we're so lucky to meet such great friends wherever we go.
he's accomplished a lot in his 30 years!!
here are just 30 things i love about him:

1. if he wants to accomplish something, he will. and he'll do it well.
   
2. he's really in love with me.
3. he's the best at everything he does
4. he sang in choir in hs
5. he played football in hs
6. he performed in two school plays
7. he played soccer through hs (and college and grad school)
   
8. he was our homecoming king
   
9. he plays with his boys
   
10. he's HANDSOME!
11. i've known him since he was 12 and he's always impressed me
12. he's romantic but not cheesy
    
13. one night he was waiting outside for me to get to his house sitting on the hood of his car playing "when you say nothing at all" on his guitar and singing along.
14. he plays the guitar, ukulele and can play any song by ear on the piano
    
15. my sister got him a ukulele in hawaii. he learned "somewhere over the rainbow" and called her to play and sing for her as a Thank You
16. he loves MY family. every one of them.
17. he's super smart and knows the answers to all my questions
18. he took me to hawaii for two fabulous years
19. and we didn't have to pay for it because he's so stinkin smart (they paid him)
20. he always supports me in everything i do
21. he's my best friend and has been for 18 years
22. he's incredibly humble
23. he's such a great sport and is always game. always for anything!
    
24. he makes me feel beautiful everyday...usually when i feel it the least
25. he loves to cook and help me in the kitchen
26. he cleans up the kitchen
27. he cleans bathrooms to my standard of clean
28. he takes care of all his kids, all at once, all by himself and keeps the house in order
29. he's my hero. really!
30. he let's me warm my cold feet on him in bed

BONUS: he makes cute babiesi really love you man!

honesty IS the best policy

jaden came home from school today reluctant to give me his daily report. it went something like this: "mom, if I'm honest, will I still get in big trouble?" "I don't know jaden." "mom, I don't know is not an answer--that's what you always say." "well, I can tell you you'll get into less trouble for being honest" (hoping that I can keep my word). "I got sent to the office." (1st time.) "why?" "for climbing on a pile of dirt." (me feeling a huge sigh of relief--I can deal with climbing dirt piles). here's a quick summary: jaden and two friends were on their way back to class from the bathroom and spotted a pile of dirt. wheels in heads start turning. boys succumb. one boy starts dragging other boy, best friend of jaden, through the dirt. just as jaden steps up to defend friend, they are discovered ("that's the bad part, I didn't even get to help him.") and sent to the office. here's my favorite part: "we were going to blame everything on [the dirt draggerer] but I realized that wasn't honest. and I said a prayer and asked Heavenly Father to forgive me for planning that. Ms. [office lady] let me go back to class first for being honest. I got my name on the board plus a check so I didn't get my star. I told my teacher she should give me three checks and call you." she didn't. but he still gets a star in my book. there are two principles I hope my kids learn in their life (okay a lot more really but there are two I seem always to go back to):

1. Accept responsibility for your actions. along with the consequence.
   
2. If you don't like something, figure out a way to change it. Be a PROBLEM SOLVER! don't stay on an unsatisfying path.
   

intertwined through this story are other not so fabulous choices like his newly acquired skill of climbing OVER the bathroom stalls, which he perfected on aforementioned bathroom trip but hey, you choose your battles. boys will be boys. dirt hill and stall climbing I'll take when it comes with integrity any day.

to our Mothers

mimi, mimi, mimi
you really make me happy
when you smile and say hello,
especially in warm july
thank you, thank you, thank you
for money and the hot cocoa.

grandma kip, grandma kip, grandma kip
when you served your mission,
how did it make you feel when you were
on your second and when you came home?
thank you for the visits when I came into
your room (even when you were on the phone)
and for the delicious porridge you always made
for me.

grandma doris, grandma doris when you die,
we will all cry, cry, cry!
But while you're still alive, A-live,
we will always chat.
thank you, thank you, thank you for giving us
candy and coming to all my parties and whenever
someone comes you come, too. We Thank You!

Mamaw, Mamaw, Mamaw,
do you like us to watch your scooby-doos?

I like that we have grandmas, especially ones
like all of you!!

Love jaden and beckam
(actually written by jaden and beckam)

FRB

asher's new blanket.

handmade by auntie pek.we LOVE it.
THANK YOU so much!!

aren't the colors
FANTASTIC!!
we call it the funky retro blanket (frb).
wasn't that it, Pek?

Perpetual Motion

A photo update

MARCH

she (being Sister Grandma Kippy) returns from africa!!
and meets asher for the first time.
we spent some time in the oc where the family reunited.
we hung out in newport and got to see a production of Savior of the World,
featuring staten as a temple boy and brian as captain moroni.
Grandpa turned 90!

asher sits. good boy.beckam rides on two wheels!jaden takes a limo
APRIL
asher grabs a bowl of curry off the table and gets burns on his hand and foot.
he only cried for about 5 min. total!

after the blisters popped it looked much worse.
super sad but it's completely healed after 10 days.
co-op kids washing dishes--one of my favorite childhood activities.

micah leaves us for 9 days and heads back to the oc for work
(staying in a fancy shmancy hotel oh and takes a tour of the natural history museum, visits the body world exhibit twice, has dinners with friends, plays in a soccer game, sees wicked and gets to meet our newest nephew Cayman Nilsson Maughan).
I call for back-up.
mom and grandma come for 3 days and then dad and sandy for 4!
Thank goodness for family--what a huge help to have them here with me!!
Thank You
then this happens on day 2:

and it was my fault.

I'm thankful for good insurance who says once I pay $500, they'll pay for the rest on both cars--and I'm sure the rest will be substantial. there's no good story. I was just backing up in my cul-de-sac, trying to avoid the car on my right and hit the one on my left. sadly, I didn't hear anything until I crunched my door real good. thankfully, just the side of their bumper took all the beating. I'm thankful that my husband's response was "I'm so sorry. I can understand how that could've happened." (and that he was off living it up in the oc. maybe that made him a little more sympathetic.) I'm thankful no people were involved, especially my children. and I'm thankful my mom and grandma were here to cheer me up!
the rest of the week was smooth. it included lots of good take-out, a clean house, my laundry being done, projects being completed and an early birthday present for micah and I:
our first grill and patio set!!

it was a great week but we're ready for the daddy to be back.

don't ever forget it

beckam is a little torn. some days, he can't get over how big he's grown and will just
marvel at his height, strength and ability. he awakes so proud of how
much he grew in the night. a lot of his confidence as of late has come from his new
found skill of riding on TWO wheels. his bike has become his constant companion.
thankfully it's small and can travel easily with us. if only bike riding were allowed in
nursery, that would be another problem solved--until then we suffer through sunday.
but these are the moments I treasure:
today we were sitting on the couch together reading books before naptime
and in the middle of it and completely out of the blue, beckam says so sincerely,
"mom, I don't ever want to grow big. I don't ever want to grow so
big that you can't hold me anymore." so we made a deal. I'll just keep holding
him no matter how big he grows. even when he grows "really BIG," he promised.
beckam has been heard to pray, "Heavenly Father,
please bless that I don't grow too big so mommy can't hold me anymore."
the funny thing is that today I wasn't even holding him but he was enjoying the moment and the feeling--and so it was his realization that he didn't ever want to lose it.
it's a feeling I'm so familiar with as a mother. those moments with
my boys that I treasure and never want to lose. when I say, "beckam, please don't
grow up. don't grow so big that I can't hold you anymore." or "come here Jaden,
let me just hold you. I have to keep holding you as much as I can because one day
it will be the last day I hold you and I won't even know it and then you'll be too big.

more updates to come...