I am a child...

Becky (the friendliest flight attendant in the sky) has had a few Salt Lake overnights so we've stolen her from her hotel downtown to do a few excursions. We went to the church museum's exhibit, I am a Child of God, on our last adventure. So sweet. Noah was the perfect age to enjoy it. They had several fun activities but he loved the nursery where you take care of the babies that just came down from heaven best. I am loving watching his pretend play, it brings out his tender, sweet side. He always names his babies Clara Jane. Those two are becoming quite the buddies. They squeal back and forth to each other in their car seats. Clara always wakes before Noah and crawls right over to his room to find him.

my winter comforts

a warm bed
Our master bedroom is over the garage and seems to be a good ten degrees colder then the rest of the house. I beg Josh to make snow angels to warm up the sheets before I hop in. Clara is still up 2/3 times a night (I know she's 10 months, that's a whole other post). Getting out from those warm covers can be painful. A warm bed also makes me think snuggle time with the whole family...nothing better.

TLC and HGTV
Josh points out how amazing it is that after a crazy day of chasing kids, I will tuck them in and fall on to the couch and for a break turn on John and Kate plus Eight to watch the tantrums and cries of strangers children. I admit it is bit bazaar but there is some comfort in it. He even gave me their book for Christmas. (Which embarrassed me a little but I didn't hesitate to read and was really inspired by the deep faith they have.)

4 wheel drive
I hate driving in the snow and I have labeled our street Snowville instead of Coalville. There have been storms where our street will have 8 inches of snow and a mile down the hill a mere trace. Our Pilot has given me peace and comfort through many a storm.

There was a time during college I drove a Mercury Tracer. (Remember I was a California girl going to BYU) The car had this snowflake button on the dash. I was so grateful it had that snow feature that I drove with a little more confidence every time I pushed it in. One day I had my sister (I think) in the car who was like, "why are you turning on your AC on, it's freezing! Oops.

food
soups, breads, sweets. Basically all things baked, or creamy that hide nicely under layers of sweaters or sweats (another comfort). Unfortunately these do not fall in line with my New Year's goals. They are sorely missed and not forgotten.

happy highlights of 2008

What a year! I feel like time flies twice as fast having two kids. I'm going to dive right in, no particular order.



1. clara jane

I carried her for nine months in the womb and have since carried her nine sweet months from her birth on March 21st. She has been attached on my hip (or chest) day and night. Just in the last week or so her mobility and confidence has led her to explore beyond my arms reach. Instead of what I thought would be cheers, I have felt a little sadness. I guess that is true mothering...loving, nurturing, and letting them take those steps on their own.

2. the french laundry

Back in June I was invited by a former student's family to go to Napa Valley and enjoy a nine course meal at the top restaurant in the country. It was a way to say thank you to all the teachers Anna had in elementary school. I was flattered by the invitation, Josh and I looked up the restaurant online, were completely giddy but I didn't consider it (clara was only a few months, and we live in Utah). Josh swooped in with perfect perspective and totally made it happen. It was an amazing, once in a lifetime experience, start to finish. It was so wonderful to visit with my old friends, student and colleagues. Stepping back in to that special time of life made me appreciate the opportunities I was able to have before kids and the gratitude I have to be home with my own now and hopefully bring a little magic to them every now and again.

3. noah takes a ride

I sent Josh to the store to buy noah (then just 2 yrs. old) a scooter. I had in mind a three wheel scooter with a big deck, and a picture of elmo on it. Josh came out with a red razor. yes, like the one your 10 year old might ride...heavy, two wheels, narrow sharp edge deck, that's the one. My little Noah, (who still is in a crib that he lines with police cars and firetrucks to protect him, sleeps with the light on, door open, and is terrified to be swung upside down) jumped right on and never looked back. He is this agile, tricked out rider, for whom (as his mother) I feel this horrible sense of pride and fear.

4. santa cruz

We rented a beach house for two weeks in August. Josh woke early and carried his surfboard down to all his old surf spots. He is a long boarder which makes for a more friendly crew on the water. He was even given a name by one of the old timers, "Utah." I see a lot more surf trips in our future. The boardwalk was another fun night. I know I sound silly but I felt true joy as I watched Noah's pure fun in riding the carnival rides. He was so happy! We were also so lucky to have visits from family on both sides able to enjoy the home with us.

5. markets down, rates down, and josh up

If you have the chance to come north on I-15 from Provo to SLC,just as you crest the point of the mountain, look to your right. There on the billboard is my husband advertising his mortgage company. He did a loan for the owner of the billboard and voila! - his face in lights. The last 6 weeks have been so crazy with rates in the 4's. Josh is so busy. I know it is a good thing, I just need to take the kids on drives on I-15 to tell goodnight to dad.

6.home for the holidays

I love where I grew up. I didn't realize it was a small town until I went to college. I was pulled over twice for driving with my lights off. (Provo was so well lit, and where I lived you put your lights on to see the road) My roommates also laughed when I started a story of "I went into town with my mom" like I was some hillbilly driving into town to get supplies. This Christmas I was reminded again of those roots when we all drove 4-wheelers and a bush hog on our 5 acre property. My sister (in-law) labeled her pict. on facebook "a redneck Christmas". I can fully embrace it all from cutting down the fresh Christmas tree at a friends farm, caroling at Gagons and Evers, to having the well freeze and water stop right as the shampoo was all lathered in good. It really was happy times, clara learned to wave, and noah had fun playing with his cousins and Aunt Beck.

My year in review took about a year to do (and for you to read.)

Happy New Year!

family pictures

I couldn't resist sharing just a few of the family pictures we had done a while ago. Noah had just turned three and Clara six months. They will be cherished for years to come. (thanks diana!)

my little craft project

I threw together a bow holder for an enrichment activity and was a little disappointed how my originals turned out. I had bought a few extra supplies, and with that, I began tweaking it into something I really like. Ten holders later I am looking to start a little business (well or just sell a few on etsy). I am hoping to sell them at the Beehive Bazaar in Provo to see what the response is, but it might not happen.
Anyways, I thought I'd put it out there for some friendly feedback (since only dear friends and family read my blog). Feel free to anonymously answer what works or doesn't. (They are 5 x 7's mixed media--paper collage, paint on canvas or wood. )

never too young for a family work day

Josh has been Mr. Handyman the last few Saturdays. (light fixtures, fixing roof shingles, mowing leaves, christmas lights...about 4 strands) Josh always finds a way for Noah to help. Nothing makes Noah happier. When ever they finish a project they take a moment (or two) to admire their hard work. I don't know who feels more proud me, or them. Not to be left out Clara Jane helped fold clean clothes and was an excellent cheerleader for my mundane chores. Can't wait until it's Josh and I in the cheerleader rolls. At what age does that happen?

a santa dilema

Harmon's has been a safe grocery store...free cookies - no toys.That makes for happy, incident free shopping for Noah and mommy alike. This week they rolled out the special Christmas inventory and things changed. They had a huge stack of firetrucks and police cars (Noah's favorites) for double what they're worth (they cost$16.84) right near the register. After much negotiation, Noah tearfully handed over the car to the cashier for a sticker. She gave him helpful advice to write a letter to Santa and ask him for it. Noah was so excited with that prospect and did just that when we got home. Now with six weeks until Christmas I don't know if he (or I) can make it. Here is just a glimpse of (his side of the) conversation that has happened a hundred times the last few days.

"Santa come tonight"
"not yet"
"Christmas eve's tonight?"
"Santa bought my police car from Harmon's?"
"takes a long time?"
"not yet?"
"elf and Santa are wrapping my police car from Harmon's now?"
"Santa come in three minutes?"
"mom, call Santa, bring my police car from Harmon's, right now"
"please?"
"police car door not open, tell Santa"
"not yet?"
"in one minute?"

I brought out a calendar. Talked about what has to happen before then. Talked about how Santa gets choose what he brings and that the letter was just one idea. I want to keep the joy and magic burning in my sweet three year old's eyes. What's the next move?