The Little Things I'll Forget

There is likely no moment more sad to me than when my older girls ask me what they were like when they were toddlers like Fisher and Quincy. I can remember little bits and pieces to tell them, a cute phrase, a funny habit, but nothing really tangible or significant. And my heart bleeds. I pour my heart and soul into raising these little ones and I'm already forgetting. And they will too. Let that me a reason for all of us to be more dedicated journal-writers!!!!

Fisher is HILARIOUS right now. I wish I could bottle his little personality up in a jar and put it on a shelf. He is so delighted by things, and has such a funny little sense of humor. This year, he called Christmas "Chrikris." We thought it was funny. He talked incessantly about Santa, his reindeer, the sleigh, and the North Pole. He found a little maze sheet with the North Pole at the end and was convinced it was a map. He walked around showing it to everyone, weaving his finger through the maze and proudly concluding, "And that's how you get to the North Pole." One day, he even told me he was going to the North Pole himself and asked when we could leave.

Fisher is also pretty good at giving cute little prayers. All summer he prayed that we could go to Idaho to see Kathy and Paul. Once we went, he started praying that we could go swim at my friend Jamie's house. The other day he said thank you for Jesus Smith. So funny. And quite efficient really, he covered the two big guys with one name.

Quincy is pretty astute and intuitive. And it cracks me up to see the things she picks up on. We've been to see my Papa Ace quite a bit lately and she somehow surmised that he is sad. So now, whenever she talks to him or about him, she says Papa Ace Sad. As if it's his name. She also know where he lives. Everytime we drive down University Avenue, she points to Jamestown and shouts Papa Ace house! As I teach Fisher his alphabet, she picks up on the sounds just as quickly as he does. Same with counting.

My children also liven up our sacrament meetings, which does not have a lot of children. After each closing prayer, they loudly shout, "Time for Nursery!" After a musical number last week, Loryn forgot herself for a moment and clapped out loud. Then, she was so embarrased, she started to laugh, which made her snort. I got at least 20 comments afterward.

Traditions!

Every year, we think we don't have any traditions. And then we start doing them and realize we do!

Somehow, I managed to NOT get a picture of any of the fun things we've been doing, but here's a quick synopsis. By the way, this is for our family journaling purposes. Not to flaunt the fact that we have had tons of fun with tons of family and friends. We realize we're especially blessed that way.

* Celebrated mommy's birthday for three nights in a row.

*Took around homemade cake bites for neighbor gifts and laughed as our kids took them to our neighbors' doors.

* Hosted the Fisher Family Christmas Party.

* Enjoyed having cousins Taylor and Laura stay for two nights with their cute baby Peyton.

* Mommy had a Ladies' Night Out with all her high school friends in Salt Lake.

* Made Christmas cookies with the cousins at Grandma Ross's and then went sledding for hours across the street at the park.

* Went to see the Spanish Fork Festival of Lights with all the cousins bundled up in the back of a pick up truck, followed by cookies, hot chocolate and sleepovers.

*Celebrated Christmas as our little family for one night at the Riverwoods mall.

* Ate Christmas Eve dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Fisher's house with Papa Ace. Sang Christmas carols with Jeffrey afterward.

*Watched the kids try to overcome the obstacle of dad's "booby trap" he made to prevent them from getting up the stairs to their presents on Christmas morning.

* Opened presents Christmas morning with both sets of grandparents there to watch. A yummy breakfast afterward with the Fishers at our house.

*Had Christmas Day lunch at the Ross's. Opened presents from the cousins gift exchange, watched the family slideshow mommy makes every year, and played games at the church.

The Holiday Rush

I'll be the first to admit that I LOVE being surrounded my so many people at the holiday season. I LOVE having the reason and the means to be busy at the Christmas season. I would really have it no other way. Having said that, however, I felt completely pooped by preparing for this holiday season. Perhaps I was much more inefficient than in years passed, or perhaps I am suffering the holiday blues that I've never understood, or perhaps there is just simply too much to do and not enough time to do it in. I am favoring the latter.

Between school programs, weddings, church programs, teaching lessons, birthdays, homemade neighbor gifts, family gifts, friends from out of town, house guests, taking food to EVERYTHING, and LOT of time consuming and ill-timed projects, I found myself becoming grouchy and frustrated. While all of these things are extremely good and I wouldn't trade ANY of them, perhaps I will learn my lesson for next year-- simplify.

But then, when all is said and done, you see the sweet smiles and feel the spirit of Christmas on that day. And it's all worth it. God bless us every one!

The Night Before Christmas (Eve)

December 23rd was one of those bittersweet days. Inevitably, we remember the birthday of our best friend, Dan, who passed away four years ago. This year, my Dan attended a foreclosure sale (not on our house by the way) and then took a state mortgage test (which he passed!) So, a victory following defeat. Bittersweet.

Either way, we felt the need to dust ourselves off and celebrate. We took the kids to the Riverwoods mall. Amid a light snow, there was Santa, carolers, lights, and a busy bustle of shoppers. The kids loved a jaunt through the new specialty toy store there too. We topped it all off with a family dinner out. It was a wonderful evening, and we enjoyed the opportunity to celebrate with just our little family before the upcoming holiday.

32

Last week I celebrated my 32nd birthday. On that day, however, I hosted my entire extended family at my house. So I got to celebrate for a couple days beforehand just to compensate! You'd be sick to know how spoiled I get on my birthday. I'm just too lucky to have so many good poeple to love me! On Saturday, Dan took me to dinner. On Saturday, my sweet mother made us dinner and the kids made me a cake. On Monday, my mom watched my kids so I could clean and cook for my family Christmas party. That afternoon, my sisters in law brought me lunch. That night, I enjoyed the opportunity of being together with all my aunts, uncles, cousins, and my 92-year-old Papa. The next day, my sweet friends from my neighborhood brought me lunch. All in all, a wonderful birthday weekend.

I have to say, though, as my birthday so closely coincides with the beginning of a new year, it is an added impetus to reflect, review, and renew. And I've been doing a lot of that. I felt like I really let a lot of things "slide" this year. While all are healthy, happy, and well accounted for, I know that I really wasn't up to par. I spent most of the year feeling like I was running a day late and a dollar short. And then I spent the rest of the time beating myself about it. And nobody benefitted from that! So here's to 33 and 2011 being the year of my greatness!! Or something like that.

Piano Recital

Taylor has been taking piano lessons for about six months and is doing really well. She had her first "recital" this weekend to an adoring audience of family and friends. Her cousins are taught by their grandmother, so they were kind enough to include us in one of their "at-home" recitals. She did a wonderful job and everyone was impressed with how far she's come in such a short time!I think music lessons are a necessary evil and rite of childhood. All children should be made to yell at their mothers for making them practice. All mothers should be made to yell at their children to practice more. It's just the way things are. Because eventually they'll grow up and thank you that they're able to play, right? Even despite the ranting and raving, I can tell that Taylor is pleased with and proud of her new found talent. She will just never give me the satisfaction of overtly enjoying it!

Ski Bunny

If you're lucky enough to live 15 minutes away from a benevolent ski resort, you get to go skiing with your school class. Last week, the entire fourth grade at our school went to Sundance for ski lessons. Taylor was super excited to ski her first time. She was a little disheartened when they were limited to the tow rope. But thanks to my parents, she'll have a few more lessons to really test her abilities!

Loryn's Skating Lessons

My parents were so kind to treat Loryn to ice skating lessons for the last several weeks. She is in heaven. I think it's an absolute hoot to watch those knobby little legs wobble around out there like a baby colt. But she has come a long way and is absolutely loving it. As a proverbial "middle child" she doesn't get to do much just by herself, so this was really something special for her.

Fa La La La

We started off December with a bang thanks to my mom. She personally ushered in the Christmas season with a trip to see the NYC Rockettes Christmas show in Salt Lake, the Festival of Trees, and BYU's Christmas Around the World. Whew! I know, she's amazing. We had a wonderful time being submerged in the lights, sounds, smells, and spirit of Christmas. And I couldn't help but thinking back to the days when my own Grandma Laynie would do the same things for me. Don't we just love grandmas?

Thankful

Thanksgiving has come and gone. We had a wonderful dinner with my family. And then I hosted my mom's entire family at my house the next day. Thanksgiving and Christmas offer plenty of time to reflect on one's blessings. And I have so much to be grateful for . . .

*Four beautiful, healthy, bright children who are in a stage of life that is full of discovery, excitement, and unadulterated love (most of the time.) And the true blessing of being able to stay at home with them to be their full-time mom.

*A husband that is consistently and unfailingly supportive, loyal, hard-working, honorable, and optimistic. I am one of the lucky few who really, truly married her best friend.

* Employment. Yes, that's what I said. The past couple of years have been kind of a nightmare in that department. But it's made us both realize how much we had. And still have, for that matter. And I am grateful that Dan is still working with his dad and has already begun another job.

* My health. I couldn't be more physcically unfit, but I am so grateful for a strong and healthy body that allows for me to care for my family.

*Two parents who worry about me than I worry about myself. They are constantly thinking up ways to help out, supplement, and provide. Ice skating lessons, skiing lessons, standing weekly babysitting appointments, the list could go on and on and on.

* A beautiful home. Who knows how long we'll be here, but I know that whether it's here or there, I will always have a roof over my head and the opportunity of living in a beautiful, safe, supportive community.

* My freedom and all the opportunities, ammenities, and experiences that go with it.

* The gospel. I've always taken the amazing knowledge that I've had for granted perhaps. But what a wonderful blessing to be able to know for myself and teach my children that their lives have meaning, purpose, and direction.

*My education, talents, abilities.

* Friends that I have known since I was a little girl and who continue to my kindred spirits. They know me inside out, backwards and forwards and love me still. And new friends too. I am surrounded by really wonderful people.

*In-laws. It's quite a miracle to marry into a family that accepts you, loves you, and offers such amazing help and support. I am so grateful to have gained so many brothers and sisters, and an additional set of parents that are so good to me.

* Indoor plumbing and heating. My father-in-law's stories of getting pecked by chickens on his way to the outhouse make me especially grateful.

* Who I am, where I'm at, what I have, what I've done. No one's life is perfect, especially not mine. But I can't think of one person who I'd trade with. Not one.

Sunday Morning Muffins

Breakfast has been a battle with my kids forever (I wonder where they get that from?). My girls won't eat cereal. And they hate almost all other breakfast foods. Any food that one of them likes, the others don't. The one thing they can agree on is lemon poppyseed muffins. So we have them every Sunday morning, without fail. And if any of you have any other suggestions, send them my way.

Jameson

This is my baby brother, Jameson. He has been nagging me to update my blog for the last six weeks that I've been MIA. So, dear brother and faithful blog reader, this is for you.

Jameson was born under truly inspired and miraculous circumstances, and his life has continued to be an against-the-odds fight since. Eight years his senior, we have always been in different phases of life. As a result, he has often born the brunt of my teenage angst or my frazzled motherhood.

The three of us siblings are all as different as night and day. But I have learned and grown from these differences and deeply appreciate them. I am so proud of Jameson. He has more fight and strength in him than he gives himself credit for. He is strong where I am weak. He has the sensitivity, passion, humor, and intensity that I have never had. And he'll quickly remind you that he's the "good looking" one in the family too. Amen to that.

I have admired the way he has bounced back from trials and challenges and continues to persist. And I know that he has great things ahead of him.

P.S. And I can't say enough how lucky I am that my kids have an uncle to wrestle with them, give them swirlies, and chase them around the house. They love their Uncle "Mint."

So Cute

I have about a thousand other things to catch up on this blog. But, in the meantime, is this not the cutest picture you have ever seen? Quincy was my reluctant model yesterday as I was taking pictures of my mother-in-law's new hats. But she snuck in a couple smiles here and there! Want to see more pictures of my kids in cute hats? madhatterknits.blogspot.com

A Moment

The day after Halloween, Dan and I attended the funeral of my sister-in-law's special needs brother, Thad. Thad's skull had not formed completely before birth, leaving his head and face misshapen. He was not expected to live more than a few days, but he lived for 33 years. He had an unusually small body and never learned to walk or speak. He was fully dependent on his family for his basic needs. His wonderful parents and nine siblings were devoted to him. His funeral was lovely and as each member of Thad's family spoke, I couldn't help but think of this guy . . .

As my sister-in-law told about inflicting her wrath upon those who dared make fun of her brother, I chuckled out loud. How many times did I stare back at the kids who stared at Jeffrey? As Thad's nine brothers and sisters spoke about the honor, blessings, and privilege of serving their brother, their feelings resonated with my own. As they spoke about the wonderful example and testimony of their parents, I echoed.

I have never heard my parents refer to Jeffrey as a burden. Never. I have never heard them refer to Jeffrey as anything other than one of Heavenly Father's choicest spirits sent to live in our family. I was raised to believe that Jeffrey was an angel among us. They will never know what it means to be empty nesters. They will never enjoy a leisurely and quiet retirement, complete with golf and travel. And they know that. But they have never said it. My parents are amazing and they do it all very quietly, with no show, no call for applause or recognition.

So, while Jeffrey's limitations and challenges are extremely different than Thad's were, I could relate whole-heartedly to the sentiments shared in his funeral. And I sat their with a permanent lump in my throat.

Jeffrey was born when I was four and a half, so I can't really remember life without him. For eight years, he was all I knew of a sibling, so I didn't really expect anything else. He was and is my brother, and I can't imagine life without him. Certainly the blessings of being raised with Jeffrey outweigh any inconvenience. I have learned much of patience, tolerance, service, and gratitude that I would not have otherwise. Every time I am with him, he gives me perspective, grounds me, humbles me. Lest you think otherwise, life with him is not idyllic. He's bossy, he frets, he's anxious and OCD, he doesn't like my food or my house . . . but I love him desperately. And even if I had the chance, I don't know that I would change it. Because he has changed me.

Halloween

My girls each dressed up as flappers this year (even though they had no idea what a flapper was and kept forgetting the name of their costume!) Loryn's costume is actually the exact one that I wore in elementary school, handmade by my very own mother! Fisher was thrilled to be a fireman as that is his latest obsession. And Quincy refused to dress up and so we resorted to the age-old tactic of cross dressing.

Earlier in the week, the youth in our ward hosted a Halloween carnival for the primary kids. Since I'm an advisor, I was in charge of the face painting booth and was also "forced" to dress up in 80's attire and perform "Beat It" as a sequel to last year's "Thriller" performance. It was an all-time personal low.
On Saturday morning, we hosted a Halloween party for the whole Ross clan at our house. We had donut-on-a-string eating contests, cake walks, and all kinds of fun. We felt so lucky to have Mike and Lesa and their kids in town that weekend (even though it was unfortunate circumstances that brought them).

Just as the prime trick-or-treating hours neared, the clouds opened and it began to pour. We waited out the storm at Grandma and Grandpa Fisher's. As soon as the rain slowed to a trickle, we bundled up for some great trick-or-treating. My kids thought this notion of free candy was simply wonderful and couldn't get enough. Loryn and Katie were running from house to house so quickly we couldn't keep up. Fisher and Quincy were hilarious and completely adorable. A real highlight of the year.

Fisher at the Zoo

Loryn at the Zoo

Mommy

You know, to be a mom, you have to be willing to sacrifice a little pride. Like looking abnormally frumpy and out of fashion most of the time. And toting around large bags like a pack horse. And making some really strange faces. When I saw these pictures of myself at the zoo, I gasped audibly. And the first thought that came into my head was, "When did I start looking like that?" But, what do you do, I'm a mom. So, even though I'm seriously considering some ridiculously drastic diet and a wardrobe makeover, when all is said and done. . . I'm a mom and I sure do look the part.

Zoo with Megan

In honor of Quincy's birthday and her love for animals, Megan and I took the kids to the zoo last weekend. We had a wonderful time and I was sooo appreciative for Megan's help and her camera!

As we drove to Salt Lake in a complete downpour, we were a little discouraged and almost changed our plans. But a few minutes into our zoo adventure, the rain stopped and the sun came out. It ended up being a cool and beautiful autumn day at the zoo. The leaves were gorgeous and we had the zoo almost completely to ourselves.

To the kids' delight, we had a peacock join us for lunch. And we narrowly missed the next storm by just few seconds. The clouds burst right as we pulled out of the parking lot. All in all, it was a blessed day. And I was glad to able to share it with my kids and one of my bestest friends. (even though she ended up breaking her foot in the process! sorry megs)

By some strange twist of fate, some of the women that would make the greatest mothers in the world are not yet mothers themselves. To these women in my life, I would like to offer my deepest respect, honor, admiration, and gratitude. You are tremendous examples and blessings in my life. Megan is one of these great women. She will make an incredible mother someday. In the meantime, I reap the enivable benefits of her being the greatest auntie to my kids.

And boy, do they love her!

Puntin Patch

Today for my turn doing preschool, I opted to take the kids to Pumpkin Land. It was Quincy's birthday, so I thought we should do something fun. The kids loved all the big pumpkins, the animals, the toys, and the light alley. It just wouldn't be autumn officially without a trip to Pumpkin Land. Fisher thought the corn maze was heaven! He was dashing all over the place and the rest of struggled just to keep up. Like everything is lately, he thought it was "super awesome cool dude."

My Baby

My baby turned two this week. As Quincy is our last little one, there is something sad about bidding farewell to that chapter in our lives. Since the day she was born, Quincy was my little koala bear, always clinging to me. She is very sweet and holds a very special place in my heart. I will treasure these pictures that a friend took of us without our knowing one day at Seven Peaks. It epitomizes the very special time in my life when I could be a a mother to a baby, a time that is quickly drawing to a close.

Butterfly in the Sky

Our Auntie Tiffy orders caterpillars every year for her second grade class. And every year we go to see them in their various stages. Today, we got to see the butterflies before she releases them tomorrow. I have to thank the butterflies for being so willing to cooperate with all my photo ops.

Word of the Day

Quincy's word (and obsession) of the day: pottits . . . or pockets.

Apples with Aunties

On Saturday, Megan and Tiffany suprised us by showing up at our doorstep with all the fixings to make homemade apple crisp. And who I am to shut down homemade baked goods? The kids love helping their aunties cook, so they pitched right in.