Why Summer is Better Than Blogging

(Kelly found it)

After a very rainy June, (which oddly, I didn't mind most of the time. It made for some really cozy days.) I am ready for sunshine and ...

walks through the neighborhood after dinner

the ice cream man

fresh summer air

swimming at the McCaleb Club House

s'mores

family reunions

barbeque's with friends

fireworks

green grass

tan lines

shorts and flip flops

being outside

mom dates

family vacations

the beach

fresh berries

pedicures

pic-nics

the park

pic-nics at the park

homemade jam

pretty flowers

popsicles- or Snowasis in Alpine (I highly recommend the red raspberry + mango)

sidewalk chalk

blowing bubbles

ice cold water

peanut butter and jelly sandwiches

cool summer nights

let's see ... what else?

Life Unscripted

This is what we do on a rainy Saturday, when we're quarantined in the house due to an outbreak of swin flu in the neighborhood.

Happy Father's Day 2009

(Dad and Jack 2006/photo by Katie Moss)

"The father is always a Republican toward his son, and his mother's always a Democrat." -- Robert Frost

"A father is a banker provided by nature." -- French Proverb

"I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection." -- Sigmund Freud

"My father didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it." -- Clarence Budington Kelland

"Small boy's definition of Father's Day: It's just like Mother's Day only you don't spend so much." -- Unknown

"By the time a man realizes that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he's wrong." -- Charles Wadsworth

To my dad, my fathers in law, my brothers, and brothers in law, and especially my husband. . . Happy Father's Day and I love you! Thanks for being amazing dads and grandpas!

Martha's Chicken Tostadas

I found this recipe the other night while flipping through Kelly's MASS collection of MS Everyday Food magazines. BUT, I didn't write down the recipe. (Dang it.)

So, while I was at the grocery store today, I tried to remember what I needed. And 15 minutes before 5pm, I tried to remember how to make it- not thinking it might be online somewhere.

But after dinner was over, when it was ALL GONE, and even the little boys had asked for seconds, AND Aaron asked "do you have that written down somewhere?", I decided I should probably make sure it's handy since we'll be eating it once a week for the rest of our lives. It was so good!


What I did different (since I didn't write it down):
no bell peppers
fresh, diced tomatoes
canned corn (don't judge)
chopped (as opposed to sliced) onions
black beans
lemon juice
garlic
low carb-whole wheat flour tortillas

and next time, we're adding avacado. Try it!

You'll love it!

Fifteen

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

One thing you have to know about Maddy- she has the softest voice in the land. And yet it doesn't keep her from comedy. This was the video she submitted for her Lone Peak Sophomore Student Council interview. She didn't end up winning- but it's not keeping her from running again next year. Read on for more reasons WE LOVE MADDY!


My Maddy is fifteen today. Fifteen years old. On the cusp of womanhood, and yet in some ways, already there.

There is a quote often used in adoption families, but I kind of like it for our family situation, too.

Not of my flesh, nor of my bone
But still miraculously my own
Never forget for a single minute,
You didn't grow under my heart, but in it.


Sometimes, she feels like a little sister. Sometimes I call her "Abby". And I often find my borrowed clothes wadded up on her closet floor. One morning before school, after I had just had Maxwell, and was in shock over the lack of sleep my body was experiencing (seriously, no one prepared me for that), she came over to my side of the bed and asked me if I could help her with her hair. She was all of 8 years old at the time. And in my sleepy-shocked-comatose state, I said "just go have mom do it."

And then realized, I AM THE MOM. A literal wake up call.

But she has been the best little sister/bonus-daughter/friend I could have ever asked for or dreamed of. She is my shopping buddy, my second opinion, the second mother of the family, my laundry folder helper, my "let's get out of the house on Saturday" chum, and our in-house comedienne. Seriously, I didn't know she had it in her, but she is one of the funniest people I know.

And she isn't afraid to try anything. And she is friends with everyone. And she is the most easy going girl (and easy going + girl rarely ever go together in a sentence) I know.

Happy Birthday Maddy. I love you so, so, so much!

Graduation 101

So-ooooooooooooo happy about graduation. So, so, so HAPPY!

To future graduate families, make sure you bring some reading material (Kelly), crossword puzzles (Grandpa), plenty of entertaining apps on the i-touch (Aaron and Maddy), and snacks (thanks Cally).

It was a LONG night. And he was almost last. There is no such thing as alphabetical order at high school graduation, which is interesting since you spend your entire life in school being seated and organized according to your last name.

We are so proud of you, Parker! Congratulations on all of your hard work and dedication! We know you are capable of great things!

And He Still Loves Me

(photo by KM)

Yesterday before church, I sat on my closet floor.

Me: I'm not going to church today.

Aaron: Okay, you don't have to.

Me: Are you going to tell Shannon, "Mandee couldn't come to church today because she didn't have anything to wear." ?

Aaron: No, I'll tell her that you couldn't come to church today because even though your testimony is strong, your wardrobe is not.

And that is how we began the day of our 8th anniversary. With him reminding me that I not only married a patient man with a great sense of humor, but that I married the perfect man for me.

This last week has been crazy, emotional, trying, stressful, happy, exciting, and. . . did I say emotional? And just now, I chased my 2 year old around the house with a drawn out measuring tape whipping against the walls, and him yelling, "I do it, I do it!". So the crazy continues.

But I had a moment last week- it was the day of Aaron's 42nd birthday, and I sat with Charlie and Jack in the Costco food court after a record breaking visit to get Morton's Tri Tip (to die for if you haven't tried it) and some milk. As a reward for being so good and helpful, I bought Charlie a cheese pizza, Jack got a "churrio", and I indulged in a fat free chocolate + vanilla swirl. (And it was soooooo good, that swirl.) But in a silent moment, when we all had food in our mouths, I looked at those little faces, enjoying the parts of their father that I see in them. And I had never been so happy to celebrate their dad's birthday- for without him, I would not have them.

So even in the middle of crazy- when I can't find anything to wear, trying to keep our two-year old from damaging the house, and feeling flawed more than ever, I love the man that I married. I love him so much.

And there is no one else in this world that I would rather be with.

Happy Eighth to us.

For The Teacher

School is almost out. . . and we are counting the down the days- sometimes 2 or 3 times a day.

As Maxwell's way of saying "thank you for teaching me simple equations in Kindergarten", (seriously), I think we'll choose one of these two options;

From: Creature Comforts- my new favorite.

From: Three Wheels Design + Paper- another favorite.

Wishes

source

Charlie calls these "wishes".

As in, "we have lots of wishes, huh mom", while playing in the backyard.

And I think that is worth remembering.

About "The Incident"

I LOVE Jack Shepard. (But not as much as I love my husband.)

I am DYING over last night's episode of LOST. I think I will spend the next 7 months rewatching every episode, and last night's finale- I've already watched it twice. And I have to admit that I am more than a little bit sad about it ending next year. Like really, really, super, super sad.

So many questions; Crazy Man, Jacob, Locke, Sayid, Claire (I have to know what happened to Claire), Richard "Ageless" Alpert, the big footed statue, Dr. Chang. . . Sun + Jin, Jack, Kate, Sawyer, Hurley, Miles. . . Ilana- ILANA!

So, so, so many questions. I don't know how they're going to wrap it all up in 16 episodes.

p.s. do you watch Fringe, too. How great was that finale!

p.s.s. if you don't watch either of these shows, you should.

Graduation Day

I can't believe it's just weeks away. Our first child is graduating. I use the phrase "our first child" loosely-

a) he's Aaron's first child, and my oldest bonus child.

b) Parker has never considered himself a child- he's been an adult for as long as I have known him- age 8.

In the last few weeks I've been getting emails about Graduation Announcements from my favorite stationary carriers. Thank you. But, I really needed to know about these products last fall. I know there is something special about using the traditional graduation announcement with your high school logo and mascot . . . which is what we ordered. But I really liked these.

All found at Minted.

Because We Love You...

from sarahjanestudios

To all of the mother's in our lives, and especially my own- we love you and wish you a relaxing Mothers Day. Thanks for all that you do for all of us!

p.s. As an early Mothers Day gift, Jack took a sprinkler pipe to my tulips- (think batting practice), and then handed me the buds. Because he's thoughtful like that.

p.s.s. If you haven't already cried your eyes out today, please visit here and here. Precious, sweet... and then more precious-ness.

Darlybird Mother's Day Giveaway Winner

random.org chose #9 who is Summer!

You can read why she is so deserving here. Warning- their story will break your heart, and make you cry.

Congratulations Summer! And know that I have a heart full of respect, admiration, and HOPE for you!

And a special thanks to Rachel and her Darlybird shop for sharing her collection of CUTE!

p.s. you can use the code DARLYMAMA for 20% your Mother's Day purchase. No minimum! Happy shopping!

Last Minute Mother's Day Gifts- Darlybird Giveaway

I've never met Rachel of Darlybird fame, but I seem to know a handful of people (all from different parts of my life) who know her. So that automatically makes us friends, right? Sometimes, it's strange what a small little world we live in.

I have loved Darlybird for a long time, though. Rachel has a knack for carefully choosing really fun, and really cute gifts and novelties- almost all of which would make a perfect Mother's Day gift.

Since we're a little late in the game this week, and Mother's Day is on SUNDAY, this will be a quick giveaway. Its starts right now, and ends Thursday at midnight. You might not receive it before Mother's Day, but if you win, think of it as a belated gift of appreciation to yourself, or your mom, or your mother-in-law!

To enter, go to the Darlybird website, and then come back and tell us what your favorite Darly item is.

Thousands will enter (not really) but only 1 person will win (that part is true)...

vintage sophia earrings

vintage keiko bracelet (my personal favorite)

Darlybird Bag O' Goodies
(A bag of specially selected items by Rachel, some of which have never been listed, some that are extremely limited edition, and all of it really cool stuff!) And if you are still looking for that perfect gift for your Mom- it's not too late to shop Darlybird!

Free Pearls At Goldsmith Jewelers

Tell your husband to print this coupon, and take it to Goldsmith Jewelers for a free strand of Freshwater Pearls. (Hint, hint for Mother's Day!)

Or you can take it down there yourself, and pick up some earrings, too! I'm thinking this is a great way to replace the fake set my fat baby ruined.

Thanks for the info Jyl!

Zuriick Jack Jack On Sale Now

1. The Jack Jack in Black is 40% off at Zuriick.

2. You can get a free pair of sunglasses if you are one of the first 200 people to place an order from Zuriick.com. . . began May 1st.

3. I love it when my cool brothers like my kids and name shoes after them.

4. Jack Jack really does play Wii Star Wars- like he knows what he is doing, and he is obsessed with it. He is 2 1/2. Aaron finally had to take the Wii to work with him during the day. It's that bad.

5. #4 obviously makes me Mother of the Year. In my defense, Jack can also count to 15.

8 Things List

Laura tagged me. But since my life is an open book, and boring- here is a condensed list.

8 Things.

1. If you come to my door before noon, don't expect me to be showered or my kids to be dressed. The earliest we can get ourselves together is 10AM for any appointment, and that requires major effort and minimal expectations with clothing and hair.

2. We live in our house. It will never be immaculate.

3. My top 3 favorite shows right now are Fringe, LOST (are you dying over last night's episode?), and all the rest.

4. An old boss' boss once told me that because I am a short, quiet, brunette that I come off as a snob- and that I should smile more and be more friendly and outgoing. Sometimes I remember that advice. But mostly, it made me not like her.

5. As an explanation to number #4- I was born with a naturally crusty expression. Botox helps with that. I hope.

6. I would happily trade houses with someone in Newport Beach right this very minute- anyone?

7. I quit drinking diet coke- again. It had been 3 weeks, and today I indulged. I feel sick.

8. I know I was supposed to have a giveaway this week, but I'm taking a break. Next week, I promise.

My Favorite J. Crew Mom

In honor of Mother's Day, J. Crew is featuring drawings from their corporate kids. This one was my favorite. A black dress, pearls. . . even Mr. Sunshine himself is digging that J. Crew mom.

I would probably look that happy, too, if I had a J. Crew employee discount- (sigh) someday. . .

Race For The Cure- SLC, May 9th

Aaron's step-mom is currently fighting the battle of breast cancer. (I hope I don't get into trouble for sharing that.) My Gramma is a breast cancer survivor, and when I was in junior high, my mom had a double mastectomy due to a breast cancer scare. Turned out not to be cancer, and that was a HUGE blessing for all of us.

So, when we read about the Susan G. Koman Race For The Cure in Salt Lake City on May 9th, Aaron and I both agreed that it was a cause we needed to support.

Plus, we are chubby and out of shape, and this would force us to do something about it. You know, since a 5K is . . . so . . . anyway. . .




I actually tried to talk Aaron into doing "Sleep In For The Cure" because that is brilliant, and I am lazy. He said no.

Dear Lizzie Ladies Luncheon Winner

is Brooke. . .

who kindly invited me to go along with her if she won! But don't worry, I won't hold you to that! However, I do wish you a great time with your bestest friends in Dear Lizzie heaven. Enjoy a mint brownie for me!


I have to admit, these giveaway's require more of me than I thought they would. I love reading your comments, and the anticipation just about kills me. But they've been fun, and I hope you have been able to enjoy the talents of these amazing women, and maybe even picked up a little something for yourself.

I have one more giveaway to end the month of April- and it's awesome! Make sure you stop by Monday to check it out!