HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

TODAY is my brother Luke's birthday. I am the oldest and he is child #3. He was the cute smiley baby that everyone loved. I remember him rolling around on the floor and Matt and I dancing to Mickey Mouse records while Luke laughed. I remember that moment. It was a happy one for me and hopefully for that smiley baby too.
I hope today is another happy day for my brother. With that being said, I suppose I should put up a few pictures of Princess' birthday. She turned 11 on the 11th.
It was her golden birthday!
RHM decided to plant his face in the cake and ice-cream.
We all did. It is turning into a messy tradition. The boys start it every time by eating cake without a fork. It is fun, but did I mention messy?
THIS FACE was even more fun. This is all Princess wanted. She was happy. SO HAPPY!

Lunch with Amber

FROM AN ALMOST 3 YEAR OLD'S
PERSPECTIVE

me and Amber

Self portrait!

My friend Amber came from Texas for business. She used to live near me. I used to babysit her girls. I love and miss those girls. And Amber, too!

Thanks Sweetie for photographing lunch. You have an artistic eye and really captured the lunch.

Friends with kids in Haiti

I don't know if I can express my appreciation of life. There are a lot of thoughts going on in my head. Still not sure what to type about this wonderful family.

My friends, Larry and Corrie, are not just friends. They are wonderful, life long friends. They are friends from college. They are probably our only "couple" friends, meaning Travis likes Larry and I like Corrie, and we all like each other. These are the only people (besides family) that we have ever considered raising our children in the event that Travis and I die. (Too morbid? Sorry.) I love these people. I love this family.

Issac, Ava and Trey
(they adopted these 2 gorgeous boys from Haiti years ago)

My friends, Larry and Corrie, have 3 girls that they adopted in Haiti, but were waiting for paper work to leave for the U.S. when the earthquake hit. These 3 girls survived and so did the rest of the kids in the orphanage, but the building is gone. Much of Haiti is destroyed. This breaks my heart. My heart truly aches for Haiti. Truly.

Starra, Benita, Josette

The amazing thing is that Larry went to Haiti with a medical team and returned with his 3 girls. This picture was taken in November of 2008. It takes a LONG time (or a lot of bribes) to get the paper work for visas to get out of the country. This earthquake is really speeding up this process and I am SO HAPPY that they have their girls.

Here is the need. Larry and Corrie are going back for 70 more kids that have families in the US. If you can help please go HERE. THANK you so much for anything you can do! The rest of the story is that Corrie is a board member for this orphanage. This family is truly giving all the time to Haiti, so I hope you can help, even just a little bit.
Every donation helps.
Thank you.

Cousin Kari

My cousin from Utah came into town for a conference and stayed an extra day to spend with us!
We went to Saguaro Ranch Park in Glendale.
We saw peacocks (pictured above), chickens, peahens, roosters, and cats.
We got out of the house at the perfect time on this rainy day. It cleared up just in time to walk around.
The kids kept asking, "Why are we here?" We had to explain that Cousin Kari was only in town for one day and she LOVES architecture (rain or no rain - we were getting out! We tried to hike that morning, but alas the rain made us turn around and make a huge breakfast!). It was fun to get out of the house. I think we would have been lazy and stayed inside all day if it wasn't for her visit. So THANKS Kari!

The 3 oldest kids are in this shot!
(Kari took the pic)

Later that day, we went bowling. Sweetie LOVED it. She is the best cheerleader I have.

Great form Princess!

Kari and me. Come again, anytime!

Happy 11th Birthday Princess!

I remember the day you were born. Your birth was my only C-section. You had a perfectly round head and came out SCREAMING and your skin was a beautiful shade of pink.
You were the girl our family needed. You brought dolls, dishes, and a play kitchen into our house (apartment at the time). You brought balance to our lives. You were born with many talents.
But most recently, you have proven your talent to hit!

Play ball, Princess and have a great birthday too!

So far so good!

Potty Training is a success! (so far)

I never really potty trained a kid before. I always waited for my kids to do it themselves. Don't know why I decided to "help" my Sweetie along in the process, but it worked. I have had a few friends ask what I did, so I thought I would share. If you are not in the mood for potty talk, I would skip this post. :)

It started on December 30th. I went to breakfast with a few friends from school and one of them told me what she did when she potty trained her children. Her kids are now 11 and 6 years old, so I have no idea how she remembered, but she gave me great advice and encouragement.

Here's what I did:

1. I started counting down the days before we started potty training. "5 more days until NO MORE DIAPERS! YEAH!" "4 days until you wear big girl underwear!" "3 days 'til you get to go potty on the toilet! YEAH! Such a big girl!" "2 days 'til we get to throw away all of the diapers. NO MORE DIAPERS!" "1 day 'til you get a chocolate for sitting on the potty!"
2. You should note that Sweetie would often respond with tears or screams to these positive count down comments. Seriously. I kept thinking, maybe she isn't ready, but then I thought maybe I don't want to give up the diapers either. I mean diapers are easier. No need to find a bathroom while at the store. No need to schedule shopping around potty training. No! I can do this. I can potty train her. I almost had to talk myself into following through with the count down. I didn't want her to figure out that I liked diapers too!
3. The morning the POTTY TRAINING begins, I had Sweetie go around the house and throw every new diaper in the trash. She did it. She still had her night time diaper on as she threw the clean unused diapers in the trash. It was a fun event. She was proud of herself. I just kept saying. "YEAH! NO MORE DIAPERS!"
   
4. Then we went into the bathroom to take off her LAST diaper and try to sit on the potty. At this point she started crying, "No, no, no." I didn't make her, but then I started to show her the REWARDS for sitting on the potty.
   
5. Some use jelly beans, we used M 'n Ms. Every time she sat on the potty she would get one chocolate after she washed her hands of course.
   
6. After she calmed down, she picked out Dora underwear to wear for the replacement "diaper". She really likes her underwear. I have 2 kinds, Dora and Elmo. She picks which kind she wants to wear. It is important for Sweetie to feel like she has a choice.
   
7. She had NEVER actually pee-ed on the potty before this day, but she had practiced lots. She knew how to pull her pants up and down, how to put the seat down and how to flush and wash her hands. On this first day, she pee-ed in the toilet on the 3rd time sitting! YIPPEE! She got a sticker chart for each time she actually used the toilet and didn't just sit there. She got a chocolate too! We later determined to give her 2 stickers for poop in the toilet.

Well I think that is it!

• Count down to the big day!
• Keep it positive! YOU can do it and so can your toddler.
  
• Let the child throw away any unused diapers in the house. NO MORE DIAPERS!
• Encourage her to sit on the toilet. We bought her favorite drinks (OJ and Sprite, separately but they are good together too) and had lots of water "tea parties" with her Christmas tea set. Having a full bladder makes it easy to get them to the potty.
  
• Jelly beans or Mn M's - for sitting on the potty. I must admit to reading her a book or two while she sat, before she understood what was supposed to happen on the potty. I would recommend being more prepared than I was and getting books about the subject from the library.
  
• Give her a choice of underwear to put on.
• Stickers or other reward for going potty! If Sweetie stayed dry before lunch, like she did the first day, I took her to the store. Sweetie loves to go places and run errands. It was fun for her to use the Safeway potty 3 times while we went to the store. Fun for her and a lesson in patience for me.

So far, we are using pull ups at night. Sweetie doesn't take naps any more, so I don't have to worry about that, but if she did - I would use a pull up.

The only funny story that I have happened on Friday. I left her with a friend and went to volunteer at the school and go to the dentist. My poor, poor friend. I still can't believe I left Sweetie on day 5 of potty training. On day 4, she had made it all day in one underwear, so I thought it would be fine. Well, Sweetie left a "log" on the back porch near the door for my friend. UGH! I guess I should be glad she pulled down her pants, but mostly I am grossed out and embarrassed. I feel bad that my friend had to clean that up.


Oh! One more funny thing as long as we are talking poop. Sweetie clogged the tiny, nursery toilet with too much toilet paper after going like a big girl at church. I had to go find a plunger in the janitor's closet and fix the problem. She was just breaking the toilet in, Sweetie style. Now we know it works! I still can't believe I was walking around church with a plunger. :)


Today at church, no accidents and she went by herself. She really is doing great. I think we are doing great. Ask me again in 2 weeks. So far, no more diapers! Pull ups, that is another story. Good luck to everyone in their potty training adventures!

Conversation around the dinner table

Earlier today at church, Agent J was set apart as the 1st counselor in the Deacon's quorum. As the Deacon quorum president was set apart, the Bishop gave us a little instruction about the keys of the priesthood. It was a great learning experience for all.
So later, at home around the dinner table Agent J shared his new calling with his siblings. We discussed how Alex, another boy in the class, is the new Deacon's President and the responsibility that he has is great. We discussed how Agent J needs to support this new president, especially as the 1st counselor.

RHM at this point, looked up from his plate of spaghetti and green beans and said,
"Who does 'Agent J' need to support?"

Travis and I together said,
"The new Deacon's quorum president."
We were rather frustrated he wasn't listening after going around the table and telling everyone what we learned at church. We always start with the youngest, which would be RHM, because Sweetie doesn't talk too much yet. So we had listened to RHM, Princess, and it was Agent J's turn. The younger kids are having side conversations and it is hard to hear Agent J speak.

RHM,
"Who is the new president?"
At this point, I wish my 3rd child would pay closer attention. He knows this young man and his family. I really thought this would be a learning experience.

Travis,
"Alex is the new President of the Deacon's quorum."

RHM,
"Oh. Well, I am the President of green beans. So there."
So much for the learning experience.

January - brrrrr!

So, my family in St. Louis and Kansas and Indiana are having lots of
snow,
snow days,
and bitterly cold weather.
Well, today while they are having fun playing in the snow and enjoying their children being home for an extended "Winter Break", Sweetie was playing in the treehouse wearing this (look up) playing dolls and eating good 'n plenty with my piano students.

Just wanted to share the weather in AZ.

Play group (minus 3)

Sweetie has playgroup once a week... This week we were missing a few friends, but Sweetie had fun with one very photogenic friend. It looks like we started with breakfast, but this was our snack AFTER we played. I figured if I put the pictures of the cereal first, the people who glance at this post and don't read it won't notice that I am a bad mom that feds children sugar cereals anytime of day. Cereal is always a winner.
We decided to play the marble works game from Discovery Toys. I got this set a few Christmases ago for the oldest two kids. This is a toy that has lasted through the years.
These pre-pre schoolers loved it!I had to build it, but they had fun playing with it and tearing it down. I had fun playing with my Sweetie today!

Potty Training Statistics -
day1

• times she sat on the potty: 3 at Safeway, 3 at the school during pick up, 2 times at carpool houses and about 25 times at home
  
• changed her underwear 5 times
  
• successful potty time - 4 times
• poop in underwear - 2 times
  

day2

• times she sat on the potty: 10 times at home, 1 time at Safeway
  
• changed her underwear 2 times
  
• successful potty time - 5 times
• poop in tub - 1 times
  

day3 - Today.

• times she sat on the potty: not sure, she did it by herself lots!
• changed underwear 3 times
• successful potty times - 7
• poop in toilet - 1 time!!!
  

What's the buzz?

On Mondays, I pick up the 1st graders at 2:15pm. Yesterday, we had a little bee incident. I swear this bee followed us from the pick up zone to the van. The bee got stuck in the window of one of the sliding doors. The bee would buzz from the bottom of the window to the top, from the side to the other side, but couldn't get past the window lip to get clear to the outdoors.
Keep in mind I have 4 - 1st graders and a 2 yr old screaming in the back of the van. At this point in telling the story, I am wondering if any of these kids are allergic to bees, but at the time I just wanted them to sit down and (dare I say it) - SHUT UP! Sorry. That is a kid version of a "bad word" in our house, but it is what I wanted.

Before driving away from the school parking lot, everyone thought the bee finally escaped from the inside of the van - SO we took off to bring the kids home (Keep in mind that Sweetie's first day of potty training was this day as well - layers to the event - it is never dull here). As I pulled out of the parking lot, I heard a BUZZ! I turned off the music and asked the kids to be quiet - then BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!
All at once,

• 4 - 1st graders all SCREAMED!
  
• RHM unbuckled and jumped in the back of the van.
• Sweetie just looked at them like they were crazy.
  
• I pulled over on the street and turned my flashers on.

I got out of the van and walked over to the other side. I was looking for a paper to help the bee out of the car, when I realized I was getting yelled at by a female security guard in a golf cart.

Guard "It is not advisable that you park here!"

At this point I realize that I parked in the street (off to the side, but still in the street) in front of Honeywell. I wonder if she thinks I am a threat to be parking near her company. That makes me laugh. Out loud.
Me, "I have a bee stuck in my car and 5 screaming kids, so unless you want to help me, I will park here 'til the bee is out of my car."

Guard, "You should park in a parking lot and not the street." as she drives off.

Now, I realize that she would NOT allow me to park in the Honeywell parking lot and obviously isn't going to help me, so I choose to ignore her and continue looking for a piece of paper as I think of unkind names to call the guard under my breath (I am only human). I found a toddler board book and decided that it would work. I got the bee out of the car, the 1st graders buckled again, and then checked Sweetie's big girl underwear (dry, phew!), now I started down the road to drop off the carpool kids.

It was a funny event. The kids may have been screaming, but they talked about this buzzing bee all the way home. I think they screamed with joy OR maybe they were seeking attention for screaming the loudest among their peers. Whatever the case, my 2 yr old just looked at these "big" kids like they were nuts!

Side note - Sweetie decided that she needed to go to the bathroom at each house we stopped at for the carpool. I don't think she actually did anything but sit there, but she was having fun practicing. I don't know if she did anything, because she wouldn't let me in.
Sweetie, "I do it, by myself!" as she slammed the door shut.

Happy New Year!

This was a Blue Moon going behind the mountains in the morning. I know it looks yellow, but Grandpa Clift tells me it is a Blue Moon. I would like to tell you this is what I did to start the NEW YEAR the "right" way, but this picture is from the morning of Dec. 31st. But still, hiking is something I love and I have been able to hike a lot over the past 2 weeks. I love it.
As I think about bringing in the New Year, I must admit that I have reflected on this past year.

I really don't want to bore you with pictures and reviews of the WHOLE 2009, but I do want to express my thanks for the lessons learned. The Saturday before Easter in 2009 Travis was in a church basketball accident and broke his back in 8 places. He was lucky and healed in 6 weeks and was back at work in 2 weeks. His accident made me appreciate my husband and all he does for our little family. I love him more than I knew. He is amazing at being a father, provider, best friend, and husband. I don't want to have that life lesson again. Glad we were able to get through that trial.

Two highlights of the year that stand out are my brother, Luke's wedding in May and our surprise of the year was our get away to Hawaii in July all in the name of "business". The wedding was awesome because I was able to gather with ALL of my family at one point. It was just nice. Hawaii was a total surprise and a luxury. Looking back I see that I am/was spoiled, but at the time I was feeling lonely and friendless - then Hawaii made everything better. Getting away with Travis was a blessing and truly some of the best nights of my life.

Then I think back about more of 2009. My oldest received the priesthood and my home changed from that blessing. Agent J is truly a worthy priesthood holder and I am proud to call him my son. I think about my husband's side of the family. We started the year with a baptism in January in Utah, Oldest receiving the priesthood in June, and a baby blessing in November. Great year of family growth.

I also think about the hard times. My sister in law is going through a divorce. That may seem like just news to you, but it effects me in many ways. There is lots more to say here, but that is for another post. She is in my thoughts and prayers daily.

I think about 2009 and my selfish times. I think about the times I lost a friend, because of a move or because of a verbal fight - whatever the reason, I think about those friends. I wonder how to move forward and not make the same mistake twice. I wonder how to emotionally move forward without hanging on to the past. Those are lessons I think I will need to explore the rest of my life (sadly).

And finally, I think about my life. I love being a mother, wife, and piano teacher. But I find myself yearning for more. I was the VAPO President for 1/2 of this past year, now I am just a homeroom mom - which is all I said I wanted, yet I long to be more. At church, I went from being the cubmaster, to being a Sunday School teacher, to being the Relief Society pianist. Yet again, I find myself wanting more. I feel something deep in my bones that I can do more. That I am meant to do more. I just don't know what that "more" is. Fulfillment for me happens when working with others. I am not fulfilled at the end of 2009 at school or at church, so this 2010 is my chance to find fulfillment is something else. Is it home? Maybe. But to be honest, I think I am fulfilled at home. I want more. Is it wrong for me to want more than a happy family? Is it wrong to think I can keep a happy family and DO more? Is it going back to school for my masters? Gosh, I hope not. Is it finding a charity or volunteer service where I feel like I am contributing to society? I really, REALLY hope so.

Here's hoping for fulfillment in 2010. For you, too!