November

This November we went to Disneyland for Mikayla's birthday! Of course, it was awesome. We got there on Saturday night. We were planning on going to the beach on Sunday and then go to our hotel that night (Grand California) so she could wake up, walk a few steps and we'd surprise her with Disneyland! No waiting, no fuss, just "Happy Birthday! We're in Disneyland!". Well, Joel and I had a little miscommunication when it came to packing. I packed everything, he loaded it...but well, unfortunately, one of the bags got left behind...the bag with all of the kids clothes in it...oops! So, we went shopping, then to the beach, then to the mall, and then to our hotel.

While we were at the beach they were having a memorial of sorts for a surfer who had passed away. It was called a paddle out. It was actually quite touching, I sort of felt as though I were intruding on something sacred.

Then, of course, we went to Wahoo's!

The morning of Mikayla's birthday I went and got some balloons, a cupcake and her presents from the car. It was so fun to see her face light up! Then we walked out to the park. This trip she was actually able to go on Splash Mountain (which she loved!) and Space mountain (which she did not love...at all), rocky mountain railroad, and of course we all went on Pirate's...a few times. She met Mickey, Pluto, Rose, Tinkerbell, and my favorite: Goofy!

Halloween

I'm So Excited To Get Married!

There's a new credit card commercial that ends up with the dad finding out that they're expecting triplets. Well, after seeing this, Mikayla turns to me, wide eyed, and asks "Why does she have three babies?!"
"Well, that's how many babies Heavenly Father gave her." I replied.
"I want three babies!" She said with the biggest smile.
"Well, when you're my age you can have babies...."
"Okay, mom"
"After highschool..."
"Okay, mom."
"and you have to get married first!"
Then she shrugged her shoulders in excitement and started doing a little dance. It looked almost as if she was running in place.
"I'm so excited to get married!!" she squeaked.
I couldn't help but laugh and then I told her to go tell that to her daddy!

On a completely unrelated note, today we went to the park. We didn't have time to eat breakfast, so I brought along the trusty granola bar. Well, when Hunter talks...if you can call it that because most of the time it's just a bunch of gibberish. BUT apparently he's been holding out on me because after I had opened the granola bar and tried to give it to him, he said as clear as day, "No. I don't want it." and shook his head.

Taco Festival

It's the little things that make life fun. Little things like Taco Festivals! Joel was working right down the street from where it was going to be, so he scored some free tickets. Then when we got there we tried tacos from 10 different places. Surprisingly, the fancy tacos were nasty. My favorite one was from Ticos. Alas, my all time favorite taco place Guedo's, was not there (so sad). They have the best chicken tacos...in my opinion.

Then we went right next door to the Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall. Went shopping, walked around, and then went to the best little kids corner I've ever seen. It's small, but not very busy with a big pirate ship, house, castle, and tree house complete with it's own little bathroom and drinking fountain and it's fenced in! No escapees!

It was such a nice weekend with the family. Can't wait to do something like that again.

Zombie Prom

This year for my birthday, I decided to have a zombie Prom! We played some old school tunes (reminded me of going to Junior High dances and Stake dances-the only difference is that there were kids at this one!).

The kids did a pretty good job of staying in the nursery at first...until they figured out what was going on down the hall...then they came to party! It was cute to see the little guys break dancing and jumping around, and cuter still to see all the daddy's dancing with their daughters. So fun!!

(My sister was taking the pics...soooooo, that explains why she's in all of them!!)

When is a negative a positive?

Hunter has had a trying couple of weeks. He's been waking up at 1, then I when I finally get him back to sleep, he wakes up again. I repeat the process for about an hour.

Then in addition to this, both of my children seem to be taking lessons out of the "101 Ways to Whine" book and they are driving me crazy. Well, last night we went through his new routine (I'm wondering if it's night terrors?) so this morning I was t.i.r.e.d. but I had an offer I couldn't refuse- the chance to go to Ikea with a friend (so fun, even if I was dragging myself through the store, it was worth it), but after a little while Hunter started crying, pulling hair, he wouldn't eat anything, and he would whine about everything. This of course just added to my energy crisis. Then when we were leaving my friend's house, Mikayla had a meltdown. I got Hunter to bed, gave Mikayla a bath, and tried to lay down. Just opening my eyes at this point seemed to take more energy than I had. Of course it didn't last long and when Hunter got up he was back to whining and Mikayla was pretending she didn't know what it meant when mommy said "No"...I was so incredibly frustrated at this point (I may or may not have thrown a toy doll, making her head fall off). I try to be patient and not yell or spank too often, but they make it so hard sometimes! So, I decided to try something new: I put her in a "cold" shower (it's pretty much impossible to get a cold shower in AZ right now), she hated it-effective. Well, Hunter saw, started crying, so I put him in. He loved it. He was laughing and having so much fun.

I don't know if you've been around Hunter when he laughs, but it is soo contagious! Soon we were all giggling. I took him out, dried them off and grabbed my camera. We laughed and played and posed for the camera. It ended up being a really fun, silly experience. Instead of getting upset, we were able to turn their energy (and my lack of energy) into something fun and lasting.

{I love this picture, he's actually making puppy noises...that sound like kitty cat noises. Too cute}

Redecorating and A Baby Shower!

Some people have asked me where the heck I've gone...well...

First, I've been trying to redo my living room. We bought a new couch and I refinished this buffet table and picture that hangs above it (it's the declaration of Independence):


I can't find the right curtains (they've always been so hard for me to find!) I want something vintage and fun...and not too grandma-ish. Any tips on where to find some sweet curtains?

~*~

Then I hosted my friend's baby shower. She didn't want it to be too frilly so we decided to have a purple and green baby shower.

I love working with my friend Lucinda. If I have an idea she can really make it come to life! I asked her if she could make a banner and things to hang from the chandelier and voila! She went above and beyond- it looked spectacular!


And of course Hunter and I had a cold to top it all off...Needless to say, it's been a pretty busy week!

Mothering

Some people seem to have all of the answers when it comes to being a mother and parenting...they see what you are doing and think, or rather know, that they can do it better. We turn to books, to parents, to friends; we fear what others will think if we do something they don't approve of..as if the way we choose to raise our children effects them personally. Schooling, discipline, nutrition....it's all a personal choice. I often forget this, but when I went to a friend's blog she was sharing this video- such a nice reminder that although advice is good, nothing can replace a mother's love and intuition.

Mothering Authentically from Amelia Maness-Gilliland on Vimeo.

Preschool

Apprehensive. Yes, that would definitely be the word I'd use to describe how Mikayla was on her first day of preschool. She looked a little nervous and not exactly sure of what, exactly, it was that she would be doing here with all of these other kids. Joyschool? hmmm...not quite what she remembered. Primary? No...that's not it either..

But Miss Marni was so nice that she soon warmed up to the idea (after all, a lady this nice certainly couldn't have any devious plans in store for her....right?)

Then she felt totally at ease and more than happy when they started studying the ants crawling on the sidewalk...that's my girl!

Excited, she was more than happy to leave me behind for a new adventure. I love you baby girl!! You're growing up way too fast, but at least you're not too old for a huge hug when I came to pick you up (with a happy meal waiting on your seat, of course, with a little dolly as the toy!). I'm so sorry that I forgot to pack your show and tell item and that you had to share your backpack and that the other kids didn't like it, but miss Marni did...=(...next time we'll remember!!

Pride and Prejudice

Tonight as I sat watching my absolute favorite movie, Pride and Prejudice, I found myself becoming extremely jealous. Oh, not for the reason in which I'm sure you're thinking- I'm not jealous of Elizabeth Bennett in having Mr. Darcy, for I believe that I have my own (in his own right). Sure, mine might get tired, frustrated, and he might tease me a little too much- but he loves me and finds joy in my happiness. I can't ask for anything more. (I would like to see Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy after 10 years of marriage, infertility issues, and two children without all of his money!)

No, you see, I like to walk (this ties in, I promise). When I was little, my mom and I used to go on walks all throughout the desert. When I was angry or upset, my dad would put his arm around me and we would walk and talk. Then as I got older, if my parents weren't always available or if they themselves were the object of my frustrations, I found solace in roaming the desert by myself. I loved the freedom of the peace and quiet, of solitude. My thoughts always seemed to be clearer. However, if I could have my choice- the desert would not be my ideal location for taking thses walks (in case you haven't noticed, there are wicked things such as scorpions and snakes slithering around. And while beautiful in it's own way, it is hot and rocky. If you get caught up in your thoughts, you could just as easily get caught up in sticker bushes or if you tend to be clumsy, you could very easily fall...those of you who know me, know that I am exactly that: clumsy). However, I also hate pine trees. I would hate to walk in a forest alone where scary things could be lurking in the darkness of the shadows.

This said, as I watched Elizabeth walk through acres of beautiful lush green grass and rolling hills (it seemed as if she could and did walk for miles this way) I became incredibly jealous. If I could live anywhere-that would be where I would want to live. Give me a place that has that kind of beautiful scenery, where I could walk where ever I could and still be close enough to shopping and entertainment, and I would be the happiest girl. All of the petty things we worry about now- who has the nicest house, car, clothes- wouldn't be as much of an issue. I'd like to think that it would be somehow simpler in a place like that. I don't think that I felt this way when I was younger. However, now as I get older, I realize that while it's good to have dreams, you shouldn't put all of your energy into thinking about them. It's not just me I have to think about now. My husband has a job here. He has family here. We have a home here. It makes me a little sad to realize (and as I get older I do have to realize and accept reality) that I will never call such a place home. I will take what I'm blessed with and make the most of it. I do have a lot to be thankful for and I do love and appreciate all that my husband does for me.

It's also funny to note that I get a little sad whenever I watch Winnie the Pooh (or my Friend's Tigger and Pooh) for the same reason. Oh, how I wish I could live there!