Kids Update

A little update on what the kids have been up to these past few months (these pictures are from the fall, obviously. My sister took them, and they're precious! They haven't changed much since then, except that Georgia's hair is about 3 inches longer. I'll post more current pictures soon.)



Gibson is doing really well in preschool, and is growing up to be a really handsome little guy. He is, for the most part, an incredibly easy-going and happy little boy. He turned 5 in January, and can't wait for kindergarten. It's hard to believe that we're there already! We discovered today that he doesn't really like needles - here's how: I had an appointment today to get a shot in my shoulder. My grandpa came, along with Gibson. The doctor came in and did the shot, and when he left I noticed Gibson was laying on the floor.

Me: Gibson, let's get going.
Gibson: No, I just want to lay down. (I pull him up and make him stand)
Nurse: Hey buddy, you look really pale. Do you want a drink of water?
Gibson: No, I'm ok (eyes roll back and he passes out on the floor!)
Everyone around: Holy crap! He totally passed out! Ensuing laughter.

He came to pretty quickly, then went out to the lobby where he proceeded to throw up.

Gibson: Blaaaat (that's the sound of him puking)
Me: Are you ok?
Gibson: Now THAT feels better. (eyes roll back and he passes out in the chair)

My grandpa picked up his limp little body and carried him out with his arm around his stomach, his body flopping over. Another throw up in the parking lot. Set him in the car, and try to make him understand that he CANNOT throw up in the car! He slept in the car, and about 15 minutes later he woke up, good as new, and said that he really didn't like that doctor and he never wants to go there again!

So that's the funny story of the day. I wanted to make sure to write that one down!

As for what else he's up to, he loves monster trucks and robots, is learning to play the Wii, still loves to draw and read, and just have a good time with his family. His best buddy is my grandpa, and he loves every minute he gets to spend with him. He also loves playing with our dog, Oscar. He hates long sleeves, and likes his hair to look like a T-Rex, whatever that means. He is very compassionate, and has an extremely tender heart. We joke that to discipline Gibson you just have to give him the stink-eye, but with Georgia you have to pull out the big guns and really get in her face. They are SOOO different!! Speaking of our little princess (of darkness!)...



Georgia is HILARIOUS. And I was totally kidding about the princess of darkness thing. She has a personality as big as her hair, and lets everyone know it. She loves playing with dolls, pushing dolls in the stroller, feeding dolls, changing doll diapers, putting dolls down for naps, giving dolls baths...notice a trend? She also loves talking on the phone (which is usually a calculator, block, or other rectangular device). Mostly she talks to "Goppa," my grandpa Gary. Typical conversation:

Ning Ning! Hey Goppa. Sup? Yo-kay? Good. Oh Goppa. Uh funny. Uh happen? Yo-kay? I kiss it. Mwah! Ok goppa. Yuh-you. See yater. Bye Goppa. Ning Ning!

And so it goes, over and over and over again with only slight variation. Because she's the little mommy, she is very bossy. I wonder where she gets the idea that mommies are bossy? But she's sweet as candy and gives the best kisses. She can count to 10, and sings the first and last parts of the alphabet. The whole H-S thing continues to illude her. She loves "rocking out" in the car with the music up loud, jumping, wearing jewelry and "peppess" (princess) shoes, hitting Gibson, and standing in front of the TV just to be annoying.

So that's a little bit of an update on the kids! More to come at some point, I'm sure!

Update

Happy New Year! Since my last post, not much has happened and yet so much at the same time. On the job note, Lu will be going back to Sprint next week in their retail division. This has been a hard thing for me to swallow, and I'll tell you why -- 2-1/2 years ago, Lu decided to leave Sprint after 4 years of working there because they made it clear to him that he was not going to be promoted out of his sales rep position because he was "too valuable where he was." That was really discouraging, so when a manager position came up at AT&T he jumped on it. We knew we had done the right thing and made the right move. Then a year later, he was laid off and moved over to Qwest. Again, right thing/right move. Then a year later, laid off again. Darn corporate downsizing!! Anyhoo, we are right back to where we left off at Sprint, albeit one rung lower on the ladder since he is only going to be a rep and not a lead. So for a while I was a little upset that we worked so hard to get away from Sprint and into a company that would provide opportunities for advancement only to end up back at Sprint!! But I've been praying a lot and at this point I know that this is exactly where Lu needs (and wants) to be. It's a significant drop in pay, but he'll be happy and that's what is most important right now since the last couple of years have been pretty miserable. We are just really grateful that the opportunity came up - it was really random and definitely meant to be! (side story - we went to Costco for a hot dog and ran into a girl Lu used to work with at the Orem Sprint store. she is now the manager in Orem, and asked what Lu was up to. Lu told her about the job situation, she said "wow, crazy timing, we are hiring in January, if you want the job it's yours. random for 2 reasons - #1 she lives in Orem and was only in American Fork because she was picking up her son's friend, and #2 both of our families had a hankering for a hot dog on the same night at the same time!!)

Ok, so that takes care of the job update. Christmas was great, the kids had a ball. Our camera is broken however, so we don't have any pictures until we get together with other family members and see if they got some of the kids. It was a really simple Christmas, but we got some amazing gifts nonetheless. We got patio sets, dishes, movie gift cards, an awesome cookbook for me, tools for Lu, and the kids of course got spoiled beyond necessity. It was fun to eat and play and rest over the long weekend.

I am really excited for the new year. It's a new opportunity to make myself a better person, mom, wife, sister, daughter, and friend. It's a chance to learn new things, master old things, find discipline, joy, hope, laughter, and strengthen my testimony. I can eat better, exercise better, love better, sleep better. Speak nicer, look nicer, be nicer. Be more productive, be more organized, be more helpful. Focus on the bright side, focus on the Savior, focus on learning new things every day. The last year was challenging, and no doubt 2010 will bring new challenges. But I'm optimistic about what the future will bring, and look forward to putting as much time between me and 2009 as possible!! Good luck to you all in your resolutions! Bye for now!

Here I Am

It's been a long time, I know. And I've had several of you ask where I've been for such a long time! Truth is, I've sat down at least a dozen times to post something, but words just haven't come. It's not that there's nothing going on, it's just that I haven't been in the best state of mind lately. Let me explain, without sounding like I'm griping or at all ungrateful for the life that I live...

The bottom line is that I'm tired and overwhelmed and a little bit defeated. The past few months have been difficult for a lot of different reasons, with work and bills and other obligations. Lu found out last week that he's being laid off as of tomorrow (the 12th). Work is hard right now because I really miss my kids and I hate that I have to work to make ends meet. I feel like we work so hard with nothing to show for it (I'm speaking in worldly terms here - in the terms that matter, we are richly blessed). There are certain things that are just out of reach, and frankly - I'm bitter. I'm bitter that I have to put my kids in daycare and every day I see women dropping hundreds of dollars on Botox. I'm bitter that Lu works his butt off every day so his supervisors can play golf and he's the one that's dealt the short stick. In some ways I know that things happen for a reason, and I know that everything works out - I do. But right now the journey is, let's say, a little harder than I prefer.

That being said, I am SO grateful for the healing power of the Atonement. Even though I obviously have some feelings that I need to work through, there is still a peace that I feel when I pray for comfort, guidance, and sometimes just the strength to make it through the day. Our challenges are so unique, and I recognize the heat of the refiner's fire. I'm getting quite used to it actually. Sometimes I wish I could just learn what it is that I'm supposed to learn already and be done with it. Other times I see clearly the path that I'm taking and I'm okay with it.

Even in all of the financial/employment turmoil that we find ourselves in, we have a lot to be grateful for. I have found a lot of joy in my life despite some of the challenges and disappointments, and I've been blessed with amazing family and friends. I guess if I'm going to be stuck in this rut for the rest of my life I will at least be in good company!

I'm sorry for the lapse in communication. As you can tell, I've been working on a few things that still need some thought, prayer, repentance, and a little bit of surrender. Over the next little while I'll post some pictures and tidbits about the kids (they are growing so fast!) and all of their shenanigans. I've been keeping up with all of your blogs, however, and it's fun to see all that you've been doing. So many pregnancies! Crazy! I'm really jealous. Anyway, don't think less of me for my bad attitude. I'm working on it, I promise!

We HAVE Been Up to Something...

I've just been too lazy to post anything lately! So, here's a rundown of the past month and all that happened, and a few pictures, too!

• Georgia got her first in-salon haircut, at an adorable little place called Cookie Cutters. Before the cut, her hair was looking pretty shaggy. The funny part was that the top was so heavy it was hanging stick-straight - but the bottom was growing in super curly! The trick was to even it out a little...the end result is pretty cute! Sorry some of the pictures didn't get rotated before I attached them!

• We went to the Air Show up at Hill Air Force Base with Jake, Jenell, Jerik and Jackson. We had a great time, and the kids LOVED the planes! The motorcycle Gibson is standing in front of is the Air Force Chopper that was featured on TLC's American Chopper. He was SO excited! He loves motorcycles! Too bad Lu wasn't there to see it!

• Gibson got all signed up for pre-kindergarten at American Legacy Academy, and is so excited!


• Lu's nephew Ephraim got married to a cute girl named Jen. It was the first time in a long time that we had a chance to visit with Lu's family, and we had a really good time.


• I got to go to the Manti Pageant with my mom and grandparents. We spent the night there and had a great time driving around and visiting for 2 days! The last time I was on a trip with those three was in high school and we went to DisneyWorld. I hadn't seen the pageant since college, and it was amazing. It was also the first time I'd been back to Manti since Lu and I got married there!

• Lu and I celebrated our 7th Anniversary on July 6th!
  
• The kids and I spent some quality time with Grandpa Gary and Grandma Arloa at Cabela's, where we got some stinkin' cute pictures of them.

• I started working 2 days a week in the office, so the kids are hanging out at Jenell's house. She's been taking tons of pictures of the kids, but I'll have to post those when I get them from her.


• I spent three days with the Young Women at Youth Conference. Lu got to take 2 days off of work to spend with the kids while I was gone, and they had lots of fun. I had fun, too, of course!

Laundry Day Collection

I am always amazed and amused at the things that come out of the laundry. I don't clean out pockets, but that is something I may consider doing after this week's haul. After our usual 6 loads of laundry, here is what I found (I'm guessing that most of it came from Gibson's pockets - little boys find such enviable treasures!)...




2 large rocks, a plastic egg (what?! that's so weird), 6 small rocks, a spring, a weird white clip of some sort, a peach pit, a black bead, 4 beans, and 45 cents. Not bad!

Grave Robbers

Let me preface this post by telling you that I LOVE living by the cemetery. If I didn't have the knowledge of the Atonement and live in a place where the bulk of the people buried here have that same knowledge, I don't think I would enjoy it quite as much. But it is a truly peaceful and joyful place to be.

I love seeing families gather together and pay tribute to their loved ones. I especially love the funerals of public servants and military personnel. We have had 2 soldiers that died in Iraq buried there - one of them had a processional for over a mile up to the cemetery and hundreds of people gathered on the sidewalks and raised their hands to their hearts as his casket was driven up the street draped in the American flag. Scouts in full uniform from several stakes lined the road on both sides and held flags. It seemed like the entire city was silent - it is one of the most reverent experiences I have ever had. And when a former fire chief was buried, 2 of the fire trucks extended their ladders and came together to form an arch over the entrance of the cemetery - SO cool! Anyway, the cemetery is a beautiful place, and you really can't complain about noisy neighbors!

So, this may sound creepy but I assure you - it's not. Each Memorial Day, thousands of flowers are placed on graves by family members. A week later, the city cleans up all of the flowers and puts them in garbage bags to take to the dump. Anyone that knows about it can go there and pick up some of the bags and keep whatever is inside! I have gone over there for the past 3 years to gather mums for my yard. This year we picked up 6 huge bags and divided the booty between myself, my mom and sister, and 3 of my neighbors. It's always fun(ny) to drive through the cemetery and pick out the perfect bags. This year we got some really good things!

Here is my portion of the haul from this year's venture...



Most of the flowers in my yard have come from the cemetery, especially the mums. They come back bigger every year! Here is one of them from last year...



So if you still think it's creepy, just think of us as less "grave-robber" and more "dumpster-diver." It's better than throwing them in the garbage, right?!

Wet 'N' Wild

Gibson LOVES getting wet in the sprinkler. By sprinkler I mean me holding the hose and squirting him. The drinking pictures are my favorite!!