Time Out for Women

If you live anywhere remotely close to where the Time Out For Women tour travels, GO. It's put on by Deseret Book and was simply the most uplifting, perfect thing to do on a weekend.

I found Shawni's blog through Clover Lane. I read both religiously. Shawni was on the TOFW tour and from there, I called my friend Karen and got us signed up for Salt Lake. I wasn't totally sure what I was signing up for, but it was a weekend away. Somehow I got to where I needed to be when I needed to be there and gave my heart the perfect boost.

I feel pretty cool standing here next to Shawni. But you know what? She's just a regular person. An incredible mom, but just one of us. We walked ourselves right up front during a break and felt like we were talking to an old friend.
The theme was "Infinite Hope." Something I've been lacking these days. I'm not totally sure, but I think it's a combination of sleep deprivation, my messy house, my lists that are never finished, knowing what's behind the cupboards and drawers that need fixing, finding/making time to work out, my bad attitude and being impatient with a husband who really doesn't deserve it, eating bad in September and then October and now November, mothering a 2 1/2-year-old who absolutely has his own agenda and on and on.... All those things that aren't good enough that I beat myself up over. Silly things, really, but the day in and day out has been getting to me. I'm fairly positive the day before I left for this conference I dragged Gavin down the hall by his arms to time out thinking to myself This can't be right. Certainly I'm doing this wrong. Good thing for him (and everyone!) I was getting my 'time out' the very next day.

Hilary Weeks sang between every speaker. I LOVE her. Her personality is cute and funny. I think we would be good friends if I lived in Lehi. Her songs are amazing and cheesy as it sounds, speak to my soul. She was wonderful. Wonderful, wonderful.
Karen and I stayed at a hotel and slept until 8:00am. We hardly knew what to do with ourselves. I thought that at least a speaker or two would be less than stellar so we could slip out and go shopping. But neither of us wanted to leave. I was eating it up. Every word. I took copious notes and was reminded of a few things:

• comparing ourselves to others is the path to misery
• in regards to grace: Christ doesn't make up the difference...he makes ALL the difference
• my best is good enough
• keep your hopes up. What's the worst that could happen?
• being a mother is like being pecked to death by ducks. BUT the time goes quickly and I need to enjoy in the doing rather than the getting it done

I came back uplifted, refreshed, and ready to do better. What more could my husband and sons ask for than a mom with a charged battery?

Check out the 2011 tour dates now - you won't want to miss it. Nie will be there.

Cougar Fans

I graduated from BYU. I can count on one hand - and maybe not even need all of the fingers - how many BYU football games I have watched. Brian, on the other hand, is fairly interested and always loves to watch the BYU game when he gets the chance.
He is not, however, quite the superfan that this gentleman is. But close.
Our friends and neighbors, Aaron and Angie Evans, know of Brian's love for BYU football and thought we would be the perfect guests for the next home game. We had a great time driving down and spending the afternoon with them. Little did we know the treatment we'd be in for...

We had tickets on the 50 yard line, 20 rows up. Included with our tickets was admission to the "Hospitality Tent." Who knew such a thing existed? We went in and had free dinner, drinks, treats - whatever we wanted. It was crazy. The people in this tent know how to live it up during the game, and we were happy to join them.

Under our seats were individual coolers with two water bottles, king-sized Kit Kats and coupons for free drinks and ice cream or doughnuts. For half-time, we went back to the tent for popcorn and hotdogs. More chocolate fountain dipping. Yikes. We could not believe the food. I don't think we ate for the rest of the day.

This doughnut was literally 18 inches long. Brian took a few bites and gave it to those dudes behind us.
After this, how will we ever attend another game as common folk?

Seven Month McKay

Dear McKay,

This has been such a great month. We have had so much fun with you! I do miss the little baby days, but there is something wonderful about you getting bigger and figuring things out - like sleeping! You consistently sleep 12 hours a night. Your naps are so much better. Gone are the days (usually) of the 45 minute naps.

You are such a snuggly baby. You love to be held. During the day I can leave you in your jumper or in the highchair and you'll play by yourself with toys for awhile. By the evening, you just want hugs.

You are learning new tricks. You can now roll both directions. You don't do it to get anywhere, but you'll go back and forth. You are learning to sit up but are still not quite steady enough to do that on your own. You are grabbing and grasping things well and are learning to put your puff snacks into your mouth. Your first two teeth just barely broke through this week. I was right last week about that when you were super ornery. Gavin can't call you toothless anymore.

You love bouncing, jumping, singing, and dancing. Any movements by anyone make you laugh out loud. You are SO ticklish - even more than before, I think. You think Gavin is super funny. He loves you and is less irritated by your babbles. You squeal and coo and scream. It's just part of the background noise at our house now.

I stopped nursing you this past month and you made the transition well. I don't think you were getting enough, so it probably was a welcome change for you. And yes, you decided to like a binky! I don't know if it was the switch to the bottle or the teething or what...but hallelujah! You'll take it. You are a good little eater. You love fruits, oatmeal, squash and sweet potatoes the best. The jury is still out on the green things.

Physically, everyone thinks you look just like Gavin, but I see someone different in there. I especially love your full lips and your perfectly round head. You are definitely your own little person.

Time is passing quickly and I really do love you more and more. You are the sweetest little thing. I want to remember these days forever, because I know they'll be gone before I know it.

Love,

Mom

Halloween 2010

I am officially converted. Fall is my new favorite. I used to hate Halloween. Hate. It's better now that I'm not teaching and don't have to control the 5th grade masses and pure craziness that was so opposite of everything I was as a teacher. Believe it or not, there was lots of structure and routine. There is nothing structured or routine about Halloween at an elementary school, so it kind of threw me into a tizzy.

However, I've since changed my tune and have quite enjoyed the past week with my own kiddos.

First up: pumpkin carving. Gavin thought this was great. You can't see it, but his handy work is on the side of the pumpkin. We let him decorate with pen instead of a knife. Safer.

Gavin as the cowboy.
SO ready for trick-or-treating. "I'm so excited, mom!"
McKay as the nice dragon.
And CUTE dragon.

Dad as the cowboy's dad. He's all about the pie tin belt buckles. And he rocked the handlebar 'stache.
We went out with our friends, the Jense's. Ayda and the boys are good friends.
The day was perfect and then by 4:00 it was starting to look ugly. I was dead set on trick-or-treating. We had waited all month! Who knew if the storm would blow over or what, so around 5:30 we headed out. One group of kids had come to our house and there was one other family out with us. I was surprised that more were not out, but as the rain kept coming harder and harder, I understood why. We were soaked. I took one picture because I was trying to keep everything dry. After about 8 houses, we called it a night. Look at Ayda's dress in this picture.
The brim on Gavin's hat was flat by the time we got home. We hurried home and got dry and then served our "Happy Halloweiner" hotdogs from our garage. A big hit. Next year Brian wants a big banner. I think I'll get going on that early. We're already thinking about our costumes for next year. We've got big plans. The weather better cooperate...

Two Words

Potty Training.

a.k.a. Don't plan to leave the house EVER

The boots? Part of his Halloween getup. He hasn't worn pants in days.


Passing the time.
"Are you kidding me, mom? Not right now." He's already embarrassed of me. We have a picture of Brian like this on our wedding video. I'm sure he'll want to use this for his own.

Stats: (So I remember for the next kid just how long this took...)

Two weeks down. Lots of success peeing. Only two poops - still scared about that. Six or seven accidents?? LOTS of work for mom. He's a smart boy - he's getting it. Now I just need to get to the point where I can take him out on longer errands and be able to take care of McKay at the same time. Tricky.

But that's a cute bum.

Brothers

These guys are getting to be good friends. Gavin is increasingly aware of McKay and what he needs. They sit by each other like old pals.
I often look over and they are holding hands. I love moments like that.
McKay is getting SO SO fun. He's had a great month - lots of new tricks. I really do love him more and more every day. I'm pretty sure he loves me too.

Gavin is hot and cold. I either want to squeeze him and eat him for breakfast, lunch, and dinner or give him up for adoption. I haven't found middle ground with him. Is there middle ground with a two-year-old? Two days last week were adoption days. Maybe three. On the other days, I feasted on my little men.