Memories...

Here’s how it goes :
1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I have had together. It doesn’t matter if you knew me a little or a lot—just anything you remember...or don't remember...fabricated memories are a plus.
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. If you leave a memory about me, I’ll assume you’re playing the game and I’ll come to your blog and leave one about you.

We took the kids to the playground on Saturday. Drew was on call, so we stayed close to home and the trip got cut short when he had to go back to work. We're just so happy we get to see him at all! ENT Home Call is way better than when he was on Surgery in-house call.

Elena is contemplating wether or not to take her feet off the platform. As the day went on there was no more hesitation. She's as crazy as her brother.


I'm surprised we haven't had to go to the Emergency Room since Lucas started walking. Look at this crazy kid.

One of those weeks

My head has been somewhere else this week. I can't seem to get a thing done, and when it seems that nothing else can contribute to my stress level -- this happens:

You may wonder what this is. This is burnt macaroni and cheese. I haven't burned mac-n-cheese since I was 8 years old. Even then, I don't think it was really burnt. I am not a novice cook, some have even complimented my abilities in the kitchen. This, however, even I could not disguise and feed to the kids. I was trying to do fifty things at once and completely spaced out the burning food on the stove. I had to laugh.

Live and learn. Even an experienced multi-tasker has her days. (p.s. the pot survived the ordeal unscathed. Yay for All-Clad!)

Oh yeah...

So much for #3 on my list of milestones last week. We spent pretty much all of Sacrament meeting out in the hallway with Lucas this week. Who would have thought that rationing his raisins would have led to the greatest meltdown of all time?

The Unfortunate Part of Life

Life is short if looked at on the eternal time frame. There is never enough time, especially if we don't make it. There are endless conversations I would have enjoyed to have with my grandfather, but sadly I didn't have time. There were planty of opportunities, but I didn't take them. I would have loved to find out more about his life growing up on the farm, his WWII experiences, how he fell in love with my grandma, what it was like to raise six girls and two boys in a three bedroom, 1 1/2 bath house, how did he get to be so smart and kind, and so on.

He passed away this Sunday, interestingly enough he was preparing to leave this world as I was giving a YW lesson on temples and preparing to gain exaltation and entering the presence of the Lord. He had been in a nursing home for a year. He was no longer physically or mentally able to carry on my wishlist of conversations. He was, however, able to recognize the love and joy of his great-grandchildren and he smiled anytime they visited. He was an absolutely amazing man who lived an extraordinary life.

As happy as I am that my grandpa now has the physical freedom that he has longed for, I am of course selfishly sad for those of us who are left. I am grateful to know that he will no longer be hinderd by a broken body. I am just so grateful for the knowledge that I have of the Plan of Happiness that will allow us to return to Heavenly Father and be together as a family. I have no doubt that my family who have not grabbed onto the gospel in this life, will gladly accept it in the next. (Note: If you are reading this and do not know what I am talking about, let me know and we'll chat)

The old cliche rings true. Life is short, take advantage of the time you have with those you love. But know that this is not the end. I am so grateful to know that my grandpa and I will have all of eternity to have my so desired conversations.

Quick little bits

Where does time go? I just wanted to post a few quick updates on what the kids are up to. My parents are after me to post more pics, so I will when I get an extra minute, but this will have to suffice.

Major milestone #1 - Elena is officially potty-trained. We needed to get on the ball for preschool in the fall, so one day I took off her diaper and we've only had a few accidents since. She is good about telling me when she needs to use the bathroom - even when we're away from home. She has also gotten used to the idea that before we go anywhere or do much she needs to use the bathroom. She still wears a diaper for naps (stays dry but why chance it) and at bed, but I see sleep potty training as a seperate process and worthy of its own milestone marker.

Major milestone #2 - Lucas joined us at the big table last night for dinner. It was fun to have him join us. Lucas is using a fork and spoon on his own.

#3 - Lucas sat through sacrament meeting for the 1st time. It took a lot of raisins and a sippy cup, but he made it. We also had to bring out the binky. We're trying to get rid of the pacifier during the day, but I figure Church is an exception. Small steps.


Yesterday we went to play at a friend's house and she went to set up this huge inflatable bounce toy and giant water slide, but there was a hole in it. So we settled for a slip-n-slide. Unfortunately, the setup of that resulted in three rips that made it unusable. Then there was the 4 foot snake in the yard that Elena ran into. That pretty much sealed the deal. We ended up having a great time playing in the kiddie pool safe on the deck.

Monday, Monday

We're back in beatiful West Virginia! It is good to be home, but I sure miss the extra hands around to help with the kids. The kids were excited to see their dad and he was so happy to see them. I can't blame him, the kids are getting to be such fun and crazy little monkeys.
Our trip back to West Virginia was long to say the least. We left Fargo at 5:30 am CST and arrived home at 8:00 pm EST. A total of five hours in the car and four+ on the airplane makes for a rough day. The last thing I needed was a critical passenger on the last flight, but that's what I got. The lady behind us felt the need less than five minutes after boarding to let me know that the noise Lucas was making was annoying, twice. I gave her a brief piece of my mind and proceeded to tear up quietly to myself for the rest of the flight. I usually get sympathetic looks and comments and very generous offerings of help; never have I had anyone be as audacious to tell me, an obviously stressed out mother of small children traveling solo, that her kids are annoying. Whatever, vent session over.

Drew had a busy week at work, but when the weekend came we were able to really get some good time in together. We had a nice 4th celebration with some friends, we took the kids to the pool, we had another party Sunday, Lucas made it through all of church on Sunday, and so on. It was great.
Then comes Monday morning. My least favorite for the typical reasons, but it also is extra hard because this is the morning that I have to sit down with Elena and explain that Daddy had to go back to work. She usually cries about how much she misses him and asks if he's coming home soon. We all know the answer to that. We go through this every morning, but Mondays are especially hard. But who likes Mondays anyway?