One of the mysteries of life...solved!

Photo taken March 2008

Think back to all of the times you've turned to your significant other and asked, "How does this look?" "Does this look o.k.?" Or the infamous, "Does this make me look fat?" Now think about the poor guy...is there ever a right answer? Can you imagine the stress the poor guy is under?! Today, Emma came up with a way around this lose-lose situation.

Amy was kind enough to watch Emma while I went to the DMV to get my driver's license and car license. (Yep...more nice people in this wonderful state!) Emma and Wyatt played dress-up. Once Emma was dressed in her finery, she asked Wyatt, "Wyatt, do I look pretty or prettier?" What a great question! There's no wrong answer because, either way, you still look pretty! Give the guy a break and give it a try!

I say "A boom chica boom"

Today's post from here made me think of our trip to the grocery store this morning. Last year, Ryan's teacher was wonderful! That's her with Emma in June of this year. (The photos of her and Ryan together are on our old computer, which brought up the black screen of death one day). She was not much taller than some of the kids and had a very quiet voice. But, oh, from the very first day, she was amazing. I'd sit out in the pod area and work on projects and the classroom was so quite. She was somehow able to have so much fun with the kids, but still encourage them to work in a controlled environment. Anyway, one day the three 1st-grade classes were meeting in the pod to practice their songs together. The other teachers were leading until it came to "Boom Chica Boom." They asked Miss C to come up and lead the kids. I'd never seen her do this or heard the song, so I stopped working and watched. It was priceless. She started by wiping off her lipstick. I wasn't sure where it was going. She turned a little red as she's a bit shy. Then, in a strong sure voice she led them in the song. She'd say "I say a boom chica-boom" and the kids would repeat it back to her with oh so much feeling. Then, it was "I say a boom chicka rocka chicka rocka chica boom." (Believe me, it'll get stuck in your head!). Then she said it like she was underwater (ah, that explains the lipstick coming off as she had to scrunch up her face with her hands). It was hilarious to watch! I love it when someone is willing to put their personal comfort aside to help a child have a good time.

Where's this story going? I thought I mentioned the trip to the grocery store this morning?! So, Emma and I were at Fred Meyers picking up a few things. She was (very carefully and as safely as possible) standing on the end of the cart while I steered (very slowly and carefully) down the aisles. For some reason that song came into my head. I started to sing it out loud and immediately Emma joined in. It was so much fun! We went about our shopping singing "Chica Boom" in nice soft voices but with the biggest smiles on our faces.

Thanks, Miss C! You are missed...

Dear Lucas,

Last night as I was working in the office, Emma sat beside me and "wrote" a letter to her best friend (now 350 miles away). I stopped what I was doing and typed as she spoke...

Dear Lucas: You're the best friend I've ever had in my life. You don't know where to come to see me. I'll keep my house good and make sure no monsters are in my house. Don't worry. I'm still here for you. I know that you would like to be over here. I know because dear Lucas is what I best need. What I need is you...I do. Lucas loves me a whole lot and I love him a lot. -Emma

You can't always change the situation...

Photo taken this summer in La Grande

...but you can always change your attitude!

Growing up, and still today, this was one of my dad's favorite lines. He used to say it to me all the time! I cringe as I think back and remember the daggers that would shoot out of my eyes when I'd hear it. Because, really, who wants to hear that?!

I love my family very much, but they were driving me bonkers last night. Ryan waited until we were two feet from his bed before telling me that he was hungry. Emma decided that she was thirsty. I had one on each side of me and this is what bounced back and forth in my brain (don't forget to add the whine when you read this...) "I'm hungry!!" I'm thirsty!!" "I'm hungry!!" "I'm thirsty!!" Aaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!! That's what I wanted to say. The frustration must have been evident because, once they were in bed, I heard Emma call from her room, "Mommy, are you upset with Ryan?" "Yes, Emma, I'm frustrated with him" "Mommy, that's not a nice word, and it shouldn't be said in our house!" Thanks, dear three-year-old daughter.

So, they went to bed (without a snack and just a tiny sip of water) and seemed to survive quite nicely until morning. Meanwhile, I went downstairs and finished cleaning the kitchen, folded and put away the laundry, washed another load, matched Bob's shirts for the next day, etc. I muttered inside my head as I worked...I have a great knack for that, which just makes my mood just that much more lovely. Oh, what a way to end a day.

Tonight, after the kids were freshly bathed and smelling wonderfully (especially Ryan; he used 1/2 a bottle of shampoo!), we sat together in the rocking chair to read. Emma picked out two books and Ryan grabbed book 12 of "The Secret of Droon" series. We read Emma's first...one about what to do when a monster yells at you and another about a princess that lives in a pigsty. Once those were done, Emma snuggled a bit closer and we started on chapter 5 of Droon. By the end of chapter 5, I heard the tell-tale sound that means Emma is asleep...the slurp as her thumb starts to slip out of her mouth and she tries to get it back in. Ryan and I decided to keep reading....and reading...and reading...by the time we reached chapter 9, we decided that we might as well finish the book.

Sitting there, all snuggled in with the smell of clean, one child asleep and the other enthralled with the power of a story, I was so content. Forgotten were the times that day that they had frustrated me, the times that I had to tell them more than once to do something...remembered were the times they each turned to me and told me they loved me, the spontaneous hugs, the feel of that tiny hand in mine as we walked to pick up Ryan, the way that they both still fit in my lap (although one side gets a bit more squished than the other). As we put Emma in bed and Ryan asked for a snack (yep, right before bed again), the situation was the same. But, the attitude was different. Life's too short for a child's last thoughts before sleep to be of a "frustrated"mommy. They need to be of peace and love.

Recent projects...

Cute little bag made from scrapbook paper. Directions are here

Apron and tea towel set; Christmas gift for someone special.

Disney on Ice

The dragon from "Mulan"

Mickey's band

Bruce and Dorie from "Finding Nemo"

Me and Ryan

Bob and Emmalee

Mom gave the kids an early Christmas present of tickets to Disney on Ice. They were supposed to go on Thursday evening with Mom and Dad. However, when they got there, they discovered that the show was postponed due to a problem with the ice. They rescheduled it for last night. Unfortuntely, Mom and Dad weren't able to take them. Bob and I took them and had a wonderful time. Emma was enthralled. Surprisingly, her favorites were Buzz and Woody from "Toy Story." I thought for sure that it would be all of the Disney princesses. Here's just a few photos. It was hard to get good photos, but we managed to get a few.

A little visitor...

We had a cute little visitor this weekend. Adam, Jamee and Clara stopped by to say hi. Clara was enthralled with the piano. Strangely enough, she didn't pound on it. She played quietly and with just one or two notes at a time. Such a cutie! We love it when they visit!

Mom and Dad spent the weekend, too. However, I didn't take any photos! Can hardly believe it myself. It was a nice weekend, though.

Today I'm thankful...

...for these little feet. They'll follow me anywhere, but are also always ready to blaze their own path. They'll lead us to the nearest curb, the nearest wish-flower, the nearest puppy, the nearest mud puddle. They are never afraid to dance...especially when someone's watching. They are never afraid to squeeze in between my legs as we sit in the rocking chair reading...just to warm up a little bit. They rarely walk, but prefer to jump, hop, skip or run. They used to be the length of my thumb, but now they seem oh, so big. I hope that they keep this little girl on a straight course, that they help her to walk strong, to help support others when they need it and to go the extra mile.

The guest bedroom awaits...

... our very special guests. Tomorrow, Mom and (hopefully) Dad are coming up to spend a few days. Mom's birthday is on the 9th (if you see her, tell her Happy 29th Birthday!!). We have tickets for Disney on Ice for Thursday evening, and Mom and I are going scrapbooking on Friday afternoon and evening. Thanks, Bob, for watching the kids! Saturday, we've got some running around to do...the Holidays Bazaars have begun!

When we first moved in, we had only seen the house once. So, the furniture was just put where we thought it would work best. Right near the entrance to the house is a room with French doors. We originally had our computer in this room and alot of the kids toys. The futon was upstairs sharing a room with my scrapbooking supplies. Both sets of parents stayed in the upstairs room this summer, and I don't think that they enjoyed it all that much. The windows do not open for fresh air and it was a bit crowded with my scrapbooking table. I also didn't like to see the computer, CDs and all of our bills and papers laying around when I walked by the room downstairs. So, I (easily) convinced my sweet husband that we should take apart the computer desk (again) and put it upstairs in the scrapbooking room. We moved the futon downstairs. I love how it is now. Upstairs, we have my scrapbooking, the computer and a table for the kids to work on all in one room out of sight of visitors. Downstairs, the futon is normally put up as a couch and we call it the family room. It has my scrapbooks, cookbooks, some of the kids' games, my favorite rocking chair (thanks, Holli!) and plenty of room for the kids to wrestle with Daddy. When we have company, I think that it will be a nice room with a lot more space and windows that open!

Off to clean the rest of the house...

Yesterday I was thankful...

...that we can all move like this! Here's a shot from last night's game (thanks, Bob, for the photo). The youngest of us is 30, but we all are still able to dig in with the best of them! On the front is me, Carl and Shelly. Back row is Max, Amanda, and Conrad. Sitting patiently on the bench waiting their turn are Heidi, Greg, and Amy. Out for the season due to injury but so helpful with support and coaching is Eric. Go Team! So far, we're 2-0.