Expectations

Everyone has expectations, even if at times we are unaware of them. At times, those expectations are spot on.  As a mother of girls, I assumed my female children would enjoy girly play and meeting princesses.  This has been confirmed with my little ladies in Disney and our recent adventure to Princess Amerah storytime at the library.  They were in heaven. 

Sometimes things exceed our expectations.  For example, I was fully prepared to be proud and a bit teary when our adorable Katelee graduated from preschool.  Here she is at her program. 



She sang her heart out.  I'm pretty sure she was the only one the audience could hear for many of the songs.  We were all beaming and so excited the graduate didn't forget to talk to the little people that helped her reach this accomplishment!


I have also learned that mostly, you have to expect the unexpected.  I suppose I expected that after 2 kids, I would have much of this parenting thing down when the third came along...but, then I also was aware that each child is incredibly different.  They are unique in temperment, interests, quirks and growth.  I expected Brenna to be an individual, but I didn't expect her to be HER!  I fully expect to see one of my children on tv...


but, I am concerned it may be on a program similiar to the current "My Strange Addiction"  (for those of you who haven't viewed this, these people have odd addictions-bathing in bleach, eating couch stuffing, eating comet, etc).  Brenna may be spotlighted by those producers.  She eats crayons, dirt, dog food and most recently plastic bowls.  Yes, bowls.  I expected to have to discipline her in her toddlerhood and find her in precarious situations.  I didn't expect to say things like, "Brenna, get your head out of the toliet!"  Tonight, I walked by the bathroom to see this little gem swishing her hair and face in the commode.  Oh my nastiness.  And I didn't expect to turn into a parent that takes pictures of their kids in gross situations, but look, I snapped a post potty water shot, right before she was thrown into the bath....


I am going to try to find that balance with expecting high standards and excellence from my kids while not assuming I know what is coming, because obviously I don't!

Happy Decade to Us!

Yesterday was a pretty big milestone-10 years of marriage!  This year we are all about 'counting' things as our anniversary gift/celebration.  We decided to 'count' our weekend getaway last month as our anniversary trip.  We are also 'counting' some new furniture as our gift.  We are really crossing our fingers and hoping he qualifies for his big President's Club trip this summer because this is what we really want to apply to our anniversary counting list.  So, sell baby sell...Italy would be amazing!

 Of course with each year, you reflect on your accomplishments, think back about how happy we were that day walked out of the temple, excited for our future.  I see these pictures and am impressed with our growth-as individuals, yes,  but mostly as a couple and family.  Obviously the members we have added to our family is our greatest joy.    We were in love for sure 10 years ago, but I think we can add appreciation and strength to our bonding qualities.  We work for our relationship.  I know many people that marriage comes easy for....that is not exactly us! 

 We are two very different people, with often times opposing parenting styles, contrasting opinions and stubborn streaks.  But, when it comes down to it, we are committed and unified.  We've experienced highs and lows, but definitely the good outweighs the bad!  I wanted to give Dave something special to let him know how amazing he is to me.  I made a calendar book with a memory we've shared or quality about him printed on every single day.  At first, the thought of making hundreds of good uplifting days seemed daunting, but as I got going, I realized that I have so much to say.  The good is so easy to find when you are looking for it.  I think that is what makes a strong marriage and that is what I want to focus on as a partner. 

 Tomorrow we get to spend the entire day together-shop, movie, dinner, and our annual tradition of doing sealings in the temple around our anniversary date.  I am so glad we found each other, made the decision to get hitched and that we made promises in the temple that keep us on a path of happiness, if we keep our end of the bargain.  Here's to another decade of memories, family, laughter, and for many decades more!

Visitors

Last month, Dave's parents came to Utah to family history work.  They dedicated an entire month to this project and we were certainly happy about that.  While they didn't stay with us (Dave's aunt lives only 5 min away from us and has basement that becomes a small hotel for visitors!), we got to bask in their presence all month!  We loved it.  Dave and I also got to go away for the weekend with a rewards trip to Colorado that earned at work.  Grandma and Grandpa were here, so they kids got to hang out with them all weekend.  Unfortunately, this one
 
was up all night right before we left with a nasty flu bug.  I was feeling guilt leaving her to Grandma M, but I was reassured she would be fine.  Of course, Brenna was in great hands, I had no doubt.  She kindly shared her bug with Grandma, but Grandma never complains.  She is a hero.  While we were in Colorado, the kids also got a visit from Dave's brother Brian.  Brian took them all over to fun activities-soccer,
the Aquarium, and Airborne.
 Finishing up our month of family visits we got to see Dave's brother, Brent and his family as they drove through Utah on their way to California.  They are moving from Virginia to the West Coast.  We were so happy to spend time with Max and Karly, who are so close to Grant and Katelee's ages.  While these kids have only met once before, you would never have guessed it.  They played like they were BFF's.  I am thinking, California is a much better locale for us to get these cousins acquainted better.  I prepped Grant and Katelee that they were going to see their cousins and they were shocked that they are the same age.  They thought cousins are mostly older people-that's what happens when you are on the tail end of grandkids on both sides!  I ran up a few times to check on the kids playing.

  The girls were dressing up and singing.  They were good...I walk by the boys room while they were great, I have to say it stunk.  Boys smell worse than girls.


 It was proven to me that night!  We were so happy to have family here and think that these visits should happen more often!

Spring in our Step

Spring brings colors and a seemingly fresh scent everywhere you go.  We enjoyed the pastels at Easter, along with the smell of chocolates and our Easter dinner with family.  I remember when I was a little girl, my mom would do our Easter egg hunt with the real eggs we dyed.  Those left a smell after a few weeks when they weren't discovered, that's for sure!  Our plastic eggs give no clues as to their location, and if  we find a stray or undiscovered treasure, we don't have to rush it to the garbage can!
 Easter Sunday is always special, and it didn't disappoint  
this year. We had a meaningful day discussing why we celebrate Easter and how important it is to remember why we do.   Here are the kiddos ready for church. 


Last weekend, Dave ran his fourth half marathon.  He was running a quicker pace than any of his other races, but he got a cramp and had to walk it out.  Even with cramping up, he tied his best time, so we are proud.  He brought an aroma to our spring of hard work...I just don't like to get to close to that springy smell!  Grant and Katelee ran the kids marathon and had red faces as they crossed the finish line.  They were so proud, as were we, of course. 

I feel like I am adding to the spring scents, but not in a pleasingly aromatic way.  Last week, I was covered in Brenna's puke, this week, I have cleaned up her poop off my floor multiple times.  In fact, just a minute ago, I walked by her door as she is supposed to be having quiet time and there was a faint odor.  This was unnerving as it had been quiet for a good 10 min, where I am used to her banging on the door exclaiming, "Let me out mom!  I happy!"  Sure enough, as I opened the door she was caught red handed...or brown handed, and brown armed and brown legged. She had yet again, attempted to change her own dirty diaper.  Have I tried pull-ups, potty training, diapers on backwards?  Yes to all those.  We've washed up, but I can't seem to feel clean. Maybe the kitchen sink explosion has something to do with it...our disposal was backed up (not a good idea to dump a huge spinach salad down the drain), and I thought I could take the pipes apart and get the blockage cleared.  Well, yes I could...only my little bowl for the draining,  wasn't prepared for the spray of green water flowing all over.  The water reached from under the sink to the pantry.  I'm not sure why I think I am a plumber at times, but hey, I saved myself a service call.  So, if you happen to be around me and you catch a whiff of "new car,"  I've decided to insert the car fresheners to the insides of my clothes.  It's for the good of all. 

What a Difference a Day (or Night!) makes...

There are moments in our lives that change us. It may be when we are introduced to someone new, when someone we know is no longer with us, when something is diagnosed, when a choice is made, but a moment or day that alters the path we thought we were on. I have thought a lot about this recently. Challenges and heartaches that are not foreseen seem to smack us in the face and our reality becomes different. We can't go back and remake a decision, but there are things we can hopefully prevent from happening again. I am learning this in my day to day sojourn and I would like to now apply this to a certain two year old. It's time to discuss Brenna.

Brenna came to us with a lot of spunk and ambition. Hanging from chandeliers and walking at 8 months is no small feat. While it is not uncommon for a child to climb out of their crib, I was unprepared for the distress it would cause in my day without my restful slumber. Little B has mastered the art of crib entry and exit and as of late would swing open her door in the middle of the night (say 2am) and insist on staying up for hours. We were frustrated and exhausted and debated on a crib tent, a door cover, etc. Last week, I just switched out our door handle from the bathroom with her bedroom handle. Now I can lock her in. The first days were rough. She would use her little fist and pound against the door saying, "Knock, Knock. Out momma." She stubbornly refused to re-enter the crib, but sat in her baby shopping cart until I would release her from her room. As I type this, she is slumbering away peacefully. So, I think our efforts have paid off. I laid her down after reading her favorite book, and she said, "Knock Knock, momma. Stay in bed." That's her way of retelling how last week went. She had said the first phrase, and she has my answer drilled in her brain. What a difference in our happiness a night of rest makes!

She has grown up a lot this month, her language switch has flipped on and we are fully conversing now. My niece claims that while she was babysitting Brenna, Brenna wrote her numbers 1-5. She has yet to repeat that (well, for me, at least!); but with Brenna, I don't know that I can put anything past her! Next step: potty training.

I wanted to get a picture of Brenna when she jumped in Katelee's bath with her clothes on, and then Katelee made this disturbing face. It's an image I may not get out of my brain, ever!