Just Different

I'm sitting in front of the computer but I'm just thinking, so I thought I'd jot my thought down, no particular reason, just because...I apologize in advance for the meandering and incohesiveness this post will take.

I love Joel. He sometimes surprises me how awesome he is. And no, that isn't meant to be a put down in any shape, way or form. He is a good daddy that loves his kids, but then sometimes he just blows me away how awesome he is. Like tonight, he did a simple but totally awesome FHE lesson. He does that. I usually get more complicated with the lesson, with print outs and games, but then Joel does it his own way and it is just so, so, well, perfect.

When Jack was first born, and even admittedly still now, it was sometimes hard for me when Joel didn't do things with the kids in a way that I would have done them or how I think they should be done. Like how to discipline, or how to soothe a child. Or even how to play (more what constitutes play). (This was a realization for me because I never considered myself controlling or inflexible, wanting things just-so.) I spend every waking moment with the kids, and of course, I do things the way I do them because I think it is right way to do them, and of course since I do it a hundred times a day, the kids being my only 'job', my most important one at that, I must be better at them. Better is not even the right word for it. They are my department. It is what I studied in school. They are what I devote my entire day to, day in, day out. I guess I felt that I knew what I was talking about and somehow my opinions were more correct. How I do things is the 'norm' and the correct way of doing them. He just comes in and just ruins our routine. But I've come to understand that doing it differently is not better or worse, just different. And that's okay. Just different. I have my strong points, but so does Joel. He sure does a lot of things in the parenting department (and well, to be honest, every other department I can think of) better than me. He can blow me away of how brilliantly he handles a situation or comes up with the most creative, perfect, solution - things I totally would never think of myself. And I've found that I don't know it all. (Gasp!) That is precisely why there are two of us, so we can learn from and play off of each other.

Joel, thank you for being an great dad to our kids. Thank you for taking time to teach them how to work and do the things you can do. I learn so much from you.

Little Miss Sunshine

(First fishing trip, March 2010)

I've been wanting to write about Sage for a long time. I was planning to do it when Sage turned 18 months back in January, but it never happened. And now, she is 21 months, and I feel that I've been neglecting to document her achievements and how much we utterly adore her.

This girl has really grown up and is the cutest, funniest, most independent beautiful girl. She is a talker and has SOOOOO many words. She has nice manners, always saying thank you. She is very clear about what she wants and doesn't want. She wants to do EVERYTHING herself, and gets mad when you try to help, yet isn''t afraid to ask for help. She still wants to do everything that Jack is doing, but definitely has her own independent thoughts. She is a girly girl that loves animals, babies, bags, clothes, shoes, and loves to to be adored. At the same time, she is a tough girl, loves playing in the dirt, jumping in puddles, working with tools and on cars, and is able to stand up for herself. I love that she is not a push-over.

The fact that she HAS to be sleeping with her arms around at least 4 stuffed animals makes me laugh. I love that the faster she tries to run, the more her hips shake and arms flail, but her speed doesn't change one bit over her normal walking speed. I love her sweet little voice saying "Ew gross" and her voice even makes whining sound cute (though not less annoying). I love that she dresses herself, usually getting Jack's clothes to put on (Jack says he's fine with that). I'm just totally in-love with this gorgeous girl, with the peaches-and-cream complexion, gigantic dimples, and striking eyes.

Sage, you make me melt. I love you.

Angel Baby

(click collage to see Charlotte at 4 weeks pictures in larger scale)

Angel baby strikes again...She went to bed at 9:30 last night, woke up at 5:30 (yes you read right, 5:30) to eat, and slept until 9:00. I did go in every 10 mins to make sure she was still breathing and the baby monitor was working. Wowzers! This is the first day that I haven't taken a nap.

First Scripture in Primary

The Flip Side

In the past week we have experienced the not-so-fun side of our lifestyle choice. We have had 3 turkey chicks, one chicken chick and one chicken die. Finding them made my stomach churn. Not so sure I'm tough enough to be a real country girl.

Singing Mishaps

(Easter 2010)

My mom and I have a shared trait, that is now obvious that Jack has inherited...

As much as I enjoy music, I have such a hard time understanding the words that are being sung. I ALWAYS hear the wrong words that lead for funny interpretations of the song. You only realize your mistake when you are singing your heart out and the person sitting next to you gives you the strangest look...Jack's has started small, we'll see if he grows out of it, but it just makes me giggle.

I Am A Child Of God: "Feed me, guide me..."

Baptism song: "Jesus came to John the Baptist...And was baptized by a virgin..."

Embarrasing Admittance

If you have seen me today, I'm sorry that I looked like a stick in the mud - I was! Now, please don't laugh (but if you do, your in good company.)

It has happened only a handful of times in my life...the first being in 7th or 8th grade when we were living in Australia. I called my mom to take me home early and all the teachers and office people who saw me tried hard not to laugh in my face. When my mom came she didn't even try to hide her laughter. Even yesterday when I called my mom to tell her, she again burst out in hysterics. Mind you, it is very funny to see me, but it is painful.

What is it you ask? I can't move my neck. It is stuck. Moving it hurts bad. So I have to turn my entire body around to see next to me. Thankfully this time it got stuck in an upright position. Yes, it doesn't always...For some reason or another I get muscle spasms in my neck. There is a technical name for what happens, but I don't recall. This started Friday night, but today was by far the worst day. It goes away after a few days (or up to a few weeks, I've heard).

So if I looked a little awkward and have a sour look on my face, please don't take it personally. Give me a few days... :)

1 week old

So, I'm a little behind. But I think I have a good excuse :)

Here is little Charly, when she was 1 week old, which was a few weeks ago...Charly is an angel baby. She is a good sleeper, very content, a good eater, is gorgeous, and we could not be any more blessed. I really just want to hold her and kiss her constantly. And so I do :) And she loves to cuddle back, so we make a good team.

Jack and Sage are both still so sweet to her. They love to hold her, and whisper sweet nothings into her ear. (Don't get me wrong, they totally are testing the boundaries, and then some, to make sure the rules are still the same even though the family dynamics are different. A lot of tears, defiance, and my temper raging, but it is hard to write about it now, seeing that it has been a WONDERFUL morning.)

Charlotte, my little peanut, it has almost been 3 weeks into it, but, girl, you are a very welcome part of our family. My heart and eyes are brimming with love and overwhelming emotion. I am blessed.