My Soft, Warm, Cuddly....Trike

Some love to sleep with their blankie; some, a teddy bear. And yet others prefer their tricyle....

Needless to say, not a whole lot of napping was happening in this bed today.

My Very Own McDreamy

I love SCRUBS. No ironing AND I think Randy looks studly in them. Well, actually, I think he'd look good in a paper sack; he takes good care of himself, and I appreciate it.

Josh ate his first helping of rice cereal today. He got the hang of it pretty quick. He rolled it around his tongue, and most of it made it into his tummy. Good job, Joshers!!

I Like Cindy's Style

Two Christmases ago, we were finally able to buy a new sofa from our savings and Christmas money we received. I love denim. I don't know why, I just do. I love the comfortable, lived-in, shabby-chic look, so I searched high and low for a denim sofa. I mean I looked everywhere, and I found nothing but microfiber, microfiber, and more microfiber. I hate microfiber. I think it's a nasty material and I can't wait for it to go out of style. The only way I was going to get a denim sofa was to have it custom made, and that was way over my Wal-Mart budget.

So I found the next best thing, the couch I now have, and actually, I love it more than the denim. It's 100% nylon, it's plush, and lovely, and very comfortable, and did I mention that I love it? It's very cleanable and I never worry about spit-up, chocolate, apple juice, snot, or pen-it all cleans off with water and a little soap. And it was within our budget.

Now, I'm not going to get into the trials and tribulations that I had when ordering my new couch, but I will say that it took
ONE YEAR AND THREE MONTHS
before I finally got the couch that is now sitting in my living room. It was a nightmare, but now it's resolved, and life is good.

So I was watching TV tonight, and Cindy Crawford (whom I idolize, but that's a different blog story) has a new furniture line at RC WILLEY, of all places!! I couldn't believe it when I saw it.....









Oh well, all's well that ends well. And besides, it's 100% cotton and can only be cleaned with a water-free dry cleaning solvent ( I looked it up)-totally not practical with kids. But one day, I will have a denim sofa in my house, regardless if it's in style or not. I will also have furniture in blue toille (another material I'm obsessed with). Oh, and I want buttercream walls with white crown moldings. Not all in the same room. This is my time to dream, remember?

Here is my beautiful couch:

Trials are Trials

"Oh, things will get better," is something you've probably heard a thousand times in your life when you're going through some sort of trial, big or small. I think it's just part of our human nature to attempt to minimize a trial for someone else, in order to make sense of it.

I recently read an article in the Ensign, and it has given me new perspective:

"Although I am far from perfect at putting this principle into action, I have learned that the greatest gift we can give someone who is suffering isn’t advice about how things will get better, how we should be grateful it isn’t worse, or how we need to have faith. Sometimes the things we say in our efforts to help actually come across as judgmental or trivialize the depth of sorrow the person is experiencing. The greatest gift I ever received in a time of pain came in the form of a sweet roommate who shared the pain with me, dividing it up between the two of us so it would be easier for me to carry."

Since I've read this article, I've noticed that I do this all the time, and it really bugs me that I do it. In fact, just yesterday, I was talking to a friend-her husband will be leaving for 11 weeks for Air Force training, and I said to her, "Well, at least he'll be safe, he won't be in Iraq." It's true, he will be safe, but that doesn't take the trial away-her husband will still be gone for 3 months!

I'm learning that trials are trials, and they're hard and something that must be endured, and I can be a good friend by being compassionate and not trying to fix it. I'm also learning through the example of my dear friends that you can still be happy when going through trials; something I'm also trying to learn.

Every day, from here to there....

Today is gone. Today was fun.

Tomorrow is another one.

Every day, from here to there,

funny things are everywhere.

-Dr. Seuss

Andrew: "Mama, I want gorilla pudding." Translation: Vanilla pudding

Dad: "Josh is cooing and cawing and letting out happiness."

Mom: "Eat your string cheese, Andrew."
Andrew: "No, mom, it's snakes!"
Mom: "Ok, then, eat your snakes."
Andrew: "No, it's cheese!"
(whatever, just eat it)

Note to self:
Allow an extra 5 minutes for getting ready in the morning: So Andrew can flip the bathroom lightswitch off, giggle and run away, and I can turn the light back on; repeat about 20 times.

Feels Like Home

Randy and I often joke that the only reason why we go to church each Sunday is because of our stake callings. We go to sacrament meeting, Randy leaves right after the sacrament is passed so he can get his calling done before I drop Josh off to him so I can go to my meeting. We both usually miss Sunday School and Relief Society/Elder's Quorum and then we go home...and sometimes we ask, "What's the point?!" There have also been times where I've had more than one meeting and I miss taking the sacrament altogether. Yes, I could wait until the last ward meets at 1 PM, but I'm just not that righteous, there's no way I'm staying at church for more than 5 hours!

When I drive down Foothill, I look at the big Lutheran church with the pretty stained-glass windows, and think, "I bet the people there are very nice, too. They pay their clergy; all I'd have to do is show up! I wonder if I'd feel the Spirit there, too. I bet I would! No more pressure to do family history work, visiting teaching, missionary work, going to Institute or Enrichment Night or the temple, or reading my Ensign from cover to cover."

Are you worried about me yet? Well, here is why I love the LDS church:

It doesn't matter what building of our church you go into, they all smell the same, I can't even describe it, it smells like family if that makes any sense; it's a comforting feeling every time I enter the building.

I love the sounds-of children crying or throwing tantrums, of laughter, of well-wishers, of uplifting messages; it feels like home. When my mom was baptized, she was all glowing and happy; this made the biggest impression on me-to see my mom happy. I went to church with her one day, and to be honest, I wasn't too impressed. I remember sitting in sacrament meeting-there was a guy sitting a few rows ahead of me who was reading a lesson manual, obviously making last-minute preparations, a woman flipping through her planner, and the noise! How could anyone concentrate will all those kids! It seemed like noone was paying attention to the speakers. But now, almost 10 years later, I love the sweet buzz you hear during sacrament meeting-it reminds me that life is full and good. I have a very hard time concentrating and listening to the speakers when I'm wrestling with two kids, but I feel the Spirit every time.

I love seeing families together at church, and this is where I get a lot of my education on how to be a mom. I love how the church encourages us to accept our God-given roles: Women are to nurture their children; Men preside in love and righteousness, provide, and protect.

And I love my calling. I am surrounded by amazing people that truly live by the Spirit each and every day. I've seen many tiny, little miracles happen in our stake, by small and simple ways.

Now, can I count this as family history work because this is kind of a journal entry, and as missionary work because my blog is available for the world to see? Thanks.

4-Month Checkup

Josh had his 4-month checkup today:

He's 15 lb. 15 oz. (70%) and 25.5 in. (76%). Dr. Allred doesn't think his teeth are coming any time soon....so back to the drawing board. Such a cute little guy, but man!, he's a fussy critter.


I love his big, round, bald head. I kiss it about 50 million times a day. Mmmmm! Scrumptious!

My Cousin, My Friend

I don't know exactly what these two are doing with their left hand....but they sure did have a great time taking a bath; and it only took 3 towels to soak up the water from the bathroom floor.

Andrew's cousin Peter spent the night with us on Tuesday, they even slept in the same room-we did our usual bedtime routine, then turned off the light and closed the door. Andrew and Pete proceeded to talk and giggle for over an hour before finally falling asleep-it was the cutest thing listening to their silliness. I've decided we need to adopt Peter, he kept Andrew entertained for a solid 24 hours. It probably helps that Peter is a very well-behaved 2-year-old. (Cristi & Wade: You should feel proud)

Kids These Days Grow Up Way Too Fast

Case in point:
Joshua has four, count them FOUR, teeth coming in!!!! He'll be four months tomorrow!! What in the world? Well, at least there's a reason for his fussy, needy, sleep-deprived state.

Joshers laughed for the first time today while I was blowing raspberries on his big belly....absolutely, completely, totally adorable.

5 Things About Me

At the request of my sort-of cousin, here are five things about me you may not already know...

1. I love Tuesday nights: Randy is usually gone studying or working and Josh is in bed. I let Andrew stay up, we pop some popcorn, and watch American Idol. Andrew and I are popcorn addicts; my favorite is Jolly Time Kettle Mania.

2. I love to shop, and unfortunately, I have expensive taste. My favorite store is Banana Republic.

3. I was baptized and became a member of the LDS church when I was 19, it has changed my life and who I am today.

4. I'm a HUGE Dr. Laura fan, I've been listening to her for over 10 years, and I listen to her just about everyday. I love her wisdom and advice. Something she said today: "Happy husbands don't complain." She motivates me to be a better wife and mom.

5. I have a B.S. degree in Psychology, which is pretty much useless unless you go to graduate school. Unless it's a necessity, I probably won't continue my education. I'll be happy as a clam if I can just live out my days raising children and keeping busy with my future grandchildren.

Growing By The Millisecond

I'm starting to think the second child grows at a faster rate than the first. I can't believe Joshua is almost 4 months old! Here's what he's up to these days:

• He's a smily baby


• He coos, squawks, squeals and is beginning to put "ah" and "goo" together


• We're still up to our eyeballs in spit-up, but thanks to our good friends Reglan, Prevacid, and Enfamil AR-he's comfortable and pain-free


• He sleeps through the night (most nights), we're still working on the naps


• He loves, loves, loves bath time-it's fun to watch him kick his chubby little legs with excitement


• He loves to eat and takes in 30-32 oz. a day. It's fun having a chunker, but sometimes I worry we'll have to send him to Fat Camp when he's 12.


• He can roll onto his side


• We made a compromise: The swing at naps; Bassinet at night


• He can reach and grab for objects

The Joys of Living In Student Housing

Yes, it would be nice to have a place for my towels, to be able to paint the walls, or to not have to hike a mile to bring in the groceries or check the mail. But there are some advantages to living the student life:

• Randy is within walking distance to the medical school and hospitals, and can be home for dinner most nights (sometimes even when he's on call)


• Annually, maintenance comes in to clean my oven, wax the kitchen floor, shampoo the carpets, and clean my shower-how sweet is that?!!


• We've invested in some door stops, so we can prop our front doors open while our children run in and out of each other's apartments


• There's always someone to talk to and friends to be made-we're all in this together

The unfortunate part of living the student life: Eventually we move away. This time each year, we have to say goodbye to our beloved friends who are moving on to bigger and better. I think this year is going to be especially rough, I'll be saying goodbye to so many that I've truly grown to love.

Happy Easter!!

The Easter Bunny made it to our house this year and left a little something....

And it's a good thing the Easter Bunny took a picture of the basket before he put it in Andrew's room. We woke up to find Andrew in his bed, happy as can be...we'll be cleaning up grass for the next two weeks, I'm sure.

Andrew's Favorite Pastime

"STOP TORMENTING YOUR BROTHER!" or "ANDREW, HE DOESN'T LIKE THAT!" are common phrases used in our home. Andrew loves his brother to pieces, literally, and often shows his brotherly love in less than gentle ways. When Josh is playing on his play mat, Andrew will scoot under and hit the toys so hard they're spinning every which way-to a 3 1/2 month old, it must feel like total chaos. Andrew will get right up to Josh's face, forehead to forehead, and say, "Hi, Baby Brother!" When Josh is in his bouncer or car seat, Andrew will bounce/rock him as hard as he can-Josh gets a little nervous every time his big brother comes around.

Andrew also looks out for his baby brother. When Josh is crying, he'll bring him his beloved blankie or one of his toys. Often when I pick Josh up, goldfish crackers will fall from his lap-big brother likes to share his snacks, too.

Easter Bunny Sightings

The Easter Bunny has been sighted, and he's on his way.....







After all of these years, he still has some "hop" left in him.

And it takes one secure Bunny to pull off this women's velour leisure set.

I'm not going to mention any names, but someone was afraid of the Easter Bunny....

The Hunt

Andrew has the Easter-Egg hunting thing down. He was all business: Dad held the basket while he marched along and collected the eggs.

I think he had fun hunting for the eggs, but the best part of his day, hands down, was Great Grandma & Grandpa's never ending supply of POPSICLES!! No lunch (we tried), lots of candy, and 6 or 7 popsicles makes for one happy boy.

Hangin' with the Fam

I love Randy's family and the many get-togethers we have year-round. Lewis is on leave for 15 days, which made this Easter especially wonderful. This is what it's all about...

You can see the pictures better if you go to "Slideshow."

I Know It's Been A Good Day

......when my house is a wreck. I haven't quite figured out how to keep my house clean and have a fun day at the same time. It's impossible! I've been trying to break Joshua from his swing this week. It's been frustrating to say the least. So today I decided to heck with it. We went to Park City, I shopped and bought a new outfit. Andrew got to play at the park. Josh, well, he ate, slept & pooped. We came home to unmade beds, laundry that still needed to be put away, toys all over the place, and a sink full of dishes. It was a great day. I managed to get the house in order and food on the table before Randy got home....mischief managed.