Friday, July 31, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
What's in a Name?
Watching the news:
Kinley: Gasp!! Oh no! He has the germ! He has the invisible enemy that Louis Pasteur was trying to cure!
Mommy: Who does? What?
Kinley: He does! He has... DIABETES!
Mommy: Mmm, you mean Rabies, not Diabetes.
Kinley: Oh.
Kinley: Gasp!! Oh no! He has the germ! He has the invisible enemy that Louis Pasteur was trying to cure!
Mommy: Who does? What?
Kinley: He does! He has... DIABETES!
Mommy: Mmm, you mean Rabies, not Diabetes.
Kinley: Oh.
Why Didn't I Think of That?
Tanner: Mommy, my shirt is inside-out. Can you make it inside-in?
Kids are so smart. Of course the opposite of "inside-out" should be "inside-in"! I think I'm going to say that from now on...
Kids are so smart. Of course the opposite of "inside-out" should be "inside-in"! I think I'm going to say that from now on...
The Silver Plates
Our little cousin Annabelle gave us a fantastic idea for an activity! We have been talking a lot lately about how much work went into keeping the brass and golden plates. How time consuming and difficult it must have been to carve the scriptures/prophecies into the plates by hand, etc.
So.... we made our own silver plates out of tin foil and cardboard!
Annabelle was kind enough to provide us with some "scriptures" to transcribe and then to "translate". With her Mommy's permission, I've posted it here if you want to pilfer the idea yourself. Just click to enlarge and copy.
Thanks so much for this, Annabelle! I've been looking forward to doing this for a long time and the kids just loved it, especially Kinley. Hugs to you, sweetie!
So.... we made our own silver plates out of tin foil and cardboard!
Annabelle was kind enough to provide us with some "scriptures" to transcribe and then to "translate". With her Mommy's permission, I've posted it here if you want to pilfer the idea yourself. Just click to enlarge and copy.
Thanks so much for this, Annabelle! I've been looking forward to doing this for a long time and the kids just loved it, especially Kinley. Hugs to you, sweetie!
Sweet Baby Crew
HONK!
Honk if you just kissed the computer screen!
This is Crew going down for a nap in his swing. He sleeps all night in his crib and currently takes all of his naps in the kitchen, swinging. I'll transition him once we move, but I'm not in the mood to rock the boat just now... er, the swing.
My favorite morning sound is the contented finger slurping down the hall. No crying, no fussing, no whimpering unless it takes me a really long time to figure out that he's really awake. Just the occasional "are you going to come get me, or what" grunt, and always the slurping. Slurp, slurp... Without that hilarious sound, I honestly wouldn't even know he was up sometimes! I still am not quite sure how long he does this before he's loud enough to alert me!
Honk if you just kissed the computer screen!
This is Crew going down for a nap in his swing. He sleeps all night in his crib and currently takes all of his naps in the kitchen, swinging. I'll transition him once we move, but I'm not in the mood to rock the boat just now... er, the swing.
My favorite morning sound is the contented finger slurping down the hall. No crying, no fussing, no whimpering unless it takes me a really long time to figure out that he's really awake. Just the occasional "are you going to come get me, or what" grunt, and always the slurping. Slurp, slurp... Without that hilarious sound, I honestly wouldn't even know he was up sometimes! I still am not quite sure how long he does this before he's loud enough to alert me!
It's so much more pleasant than how Tanner and Kinley used to wake me up at this age...
Just One of the Kids
Crew woke up from a nap in his swing while I was otherwise occupied. Kinley took him out of his swing without interrupting me (which was kinda sweet), and when I went downstairs I found a perfectly content Crew... laying down on a blanket in front of the television, happy as can be, completely mesmerized by the Disney Channel.
Ugh. Cute, but horrifying.
---------
In other sibling inclusion news... the following is a conversation we had over the weekend. Keep in mind that Kinley packs Crew around the house as though she doesn't notice that he's almost half her size:
Mommy: Kinley!! Bring him back here right now! Crew doesn't need to go to the basement with you! Go play without him!
Kinley: Oh, but Mommy, we can't! Tanner and I are having a tumbling competition and we need Crew to be the judge! Whoever can make him smile the most is the winner!
Ugh. Cute, but horrifying.
---------
In other sibling inclusion news... the following is a conversation we had over the weekend. Keep in mind that Kinley packs Crew around the house as though she doesn't notice that he's almost half her size:
Mommy: Kinley!! Bring him back here right now! Crew doesn't need to go to the basement with you! Go play without him!
Kinley: Oh, but Mommy, we can't! Tanner and I are having a tumbling competition and we need Crew to be the judge! Whoever can make him smile the most is the winner!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Bee Sting Information
I got this in my email box from my sister Heather and decided to post it. I wish I had done so before our little neighbor was stung by a wasp the other day! If it's true, what a great tidbit to know! Have any of you ever tried this before? Does this really work?
Bee Sting Information
"This information may be something to remember, as this season will soon be here again...
It might be wise to carry a penny in your pocket while working in the yard.......... BEE STINGS! A couple of weeks ago, I was stung by both a bee and hornet while working in the garden. My arm swelled up, so I went to the doctor. The clinic gave me cream and an antihistamine. The next day the swelling was getting progressively worse, so I went to my regular doctor. The arm was Infected and needed an antibiotic.The doctor told me - " The next time you get stung, put a penny on the bite for 15 minutes". That night, my niece was stung by two bees. I looked at the bite and it had already started to swell. So, I taped a penny to her arm for 15 minutes. The next morning, there was no sign of a bite. We decided that she just wasn't allergic to the sting ... Soon, I was gardening outside. I got stung again, twice by a hornet on my left hand. I thought, here I go again to the doctor for another antibiotic. I promptly got my money out and taped two pennies to my bites, then sat and sulked for 15 minutes. The penny took the sting out of the bite immediately. In the meantime the hornets were attacking, and my friend was stung on the thumb. Again the penny. The next morning I could only see the spot where the hornet had stung me. No redness, no swelling. My friend's sting was the same; couldn't even tell where she had been stung. She got stung again a few days later upon her back---cutting the grass! And the penny worked once again. Wanted to share this marvelous information in case you experience the same problem. We need to keep a stock of pennies on hand. The doctor said that the copper in the penny counteracts the bite. It definitely works!"
Bee Sting Information
"This information may be something to remember, as this season will soon be here again...
It might be wise to carry a penny in your pocket while working in the yard.......... BEE STINGS! A couple of weeks ago, I was stung by both a bee and hornet while working in the garden. My arm swelled up, so I went to the doctor. The clinic gave me cream and an antihistamine. The next day the swelling was getting progressively worse, so I went to my regular doctor. The arm was Infected and needed an antibiotic.The doctor told me - " The next time you get stung, put a penny on the bite for 15 minutes". That night, my niece was stung by two bees. I looked at the bite and it had already started to swell. So, I taped a penny to her arm for 15 minutes. The next morning, there was no sign of a bite. We decided that she just wasn't allergic to the sting ... Soon, I was gardening outside. I got stung again, twice by a hornet on my left hand. I thought, here I go again to the doctor for another antibiotic. I promptly got my money out and taped two pennies to my bites, then sat and sulked for 15 minutes. The penny took the sting out of the bite immediately. In the meantime the hornets were attacking, and my friend was stung on the thumb. Again the penny. The next morning I could only see the spot where the hornet had stung me. No redness, no swelling. My friend's sting was the same; couldn't even tell where she had been stung. She got stung again a few days later upon her back---cutting the grass! And the penny worked once again. Wanted to share this marvelous information in case you experience the same problem. We need to keep a stock of pennies on hand. The doctor said that the copper in the penny counteracts the bite. It definitely works!"
D.I. Donations
How many times have you been making your D.I. Donation piles and you pull some item of clothing out of it because it's not "good enough" for the D.I.? Maybe it has stains? Maybe it has holes in places that make it unusable? Maybe you think it is so shamefully out of fashion that no one would want it anyway and it's worthless?
And you throw it in the trash instead.
One thing I learned at Youth Conference last year is that no item of clothing is unusable. The workers sort through bins of clothing and find the usable and sellable clothes.
Those items that are stained, have holes in them, or are otherwise deemed unusable, are cut up into rags. These rags are then sold in bulk to various agencies who have use for them; the money received from these particular sales are used to purchase new supplies for the humanitarian service division of the Church. Things like baby pins for the newborn kits or cotton for the layette gowns. It's an amazing process they have going on! Nothing is wasted!
So, don't throw any clothes into the trash! Send them to the D.I. instead!
And you throw it in the trash instead.
One thing I learned at Youth Conference last year is that no item of clothing is unusable. The workers sort through bins of clothing and find the usable and sellable clothes.
Those items that are stained, have holes in them, or are otherwise deemed unusable, are cut up into rags. These rags are then sold in bulk to various agencies who have use for them; the money received from these particular sales are used to purchase new supplies for the humanitarian service division of the Church. Things like baby pins for the newborn kits or cotton for the layette gowns. It's an amazing process they have going on! Nothing is wasted!
So, don't throw any clothes into the trash! Send them to the D.I. instead!
Orange BBQ Chicken Kabobs
This easy, tasty chicken recipe requires no marinading time! It was so easy and so flavorful!
Orange BBQ Chicken Kabobs
- Cut chicken into kabob-sized chunks and put on skewers.
- Mix equal parts BBQ sauce and orange juice concentrate. (I mixed two batches just to make sure there was no raw chicken cross contamination.)
- Spoon generous amount over kabobs
- Place on grill and cook for 10 minutes
- Flip over with tongs and brush remaining sauce onto kabobs. Grill for additional 5-10 minutes until chicken is thoroughly cooked.
Victory
I have conquered the cherry tomato plant. I have forced it, quite against its will, to bring forth fruit. There will be no living with my arrogance now.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
The Consequences of Winning
Kinley: I think it's better to lose a race than to win one.
Mommy: Really? Why is that?
Kinley: Well, when Lightning McQueen won the race, he had to go off and be with the Dinoco company. If he had lost, maybe he would have been able to spend more time with his family. I'd rather lose a race and spend time with my family than win and not be able to.
Awww.....
Mommy: Really? Why is that?
Kinley: Well, when Lightning McQueen won the race, he had to go off and be with the Dinoco company. If he had lost, maybe he would have been able to spend more time with his family. I'd rather lose a race and spend time with my family than win and not be able to.
Awww.....
Um, Not Exactly...
While watching the President's address:
Kinley: Leukemia? Is that a really big kiwi?
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Kinley's Moment
While Crew was attempting to laugh at Kinley's funny faces...
Kinley: Look! He's trying so hard to laugh at me! Sigh.... this is a beautiful moment!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
The Galleria of Jewelry
While inspecting my wedding ring, it having fairly recently returned to my shrinking ring finger:
Kinley: Did Daddy go to Jared?
Kinley: Did Daddy go to Jared?
Monday, July 20, 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Anxiety
I've been in kind of a weird mental place lately. This upcoming move has really brought a lot of things to the surface. Things that, frankly, I'd rather stuff than confront.
I've been spending a lot more time at the cemetery, knowing that our visits will be fewer and farther between when we move. It really is a beautiful, peaceful, happy place. The kids ride bikes and we take long walks, trying to piece together some of the stories we find. It's reaffirming to remember that everybody dies sooner or later. And it's so exciting to know that this life is just a stepping stone into a grand continuation beyond the veil.
People have asked how I feel about "leaving Dex" when we move. Ever since his headstone was placed, I've found myself being very protective of him and his earthly tribute. In anxious moments, I make Justin promise that our visits to his grave will be frequent. In stronger moments, I feel fine moving away because he has reminded us on so many occasions and in so many ways that he is not there. Kinley feels sure that he joins us for family scripture study. Tanner asked at dinner the other night if Jesus was going to drive Dex to our house in a car so that he can live with our family again.
I find myself up a lot at night. Sometimes it's because the Tiny Prince has unswaddled himself and wakes up thinking it's snack time. Other times I am just up, thinking about the future and mentally solving potential catastrophes unnecessarily.
I don't consider myself a pessimist by nature, but this last year has been pretty overwhelming in a lot of ways and apparently it's affecting my psyche. It was a year ago that we found out that we were expecting twins. It's been one... "adventure" after another since then. Now that life seems to be leveling out, I find myself terrified to let down my crisis-guard.
Justin's job situation has finally stabilized and I'm absolutely in love with our house-to-be (which we closed on Thursday, yay!) My children are healthy, things are really mellowing out; it's almost like things are too good to be true and I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop, anticipating another major disaster.
I just can't seem to embrace the possibility that maybe my "Nauvoo period" is starting. I've been running on adrenaline and faith for so long that I can't figure out how to turn off my crisis-radar. I check to make sure Justin and the kids are breathing all night long; every time we get on the freeway I think "this could be the end of us. All it takes is one mistake." I went through a similar experience after we came out of the 7 months of cornea surgeries following the Great Candyland Incident. It took a long time to stop bracing for looming disaster. This feels very similar... only more intense.
Blech. This grieving thing is really icky sometimes.
I've been spending a lot more time at the cemetery, knowing that our visits will be fewer and farther between when we move. It really is a beautiful, peaceful, happy place. The kids ride bikes and we take long walks, trying to piece together some of the stories we find. It's reaffirming to remember that everybody dies sooner or later. And it's so exciting to know that this life is just a stepping stone into a grand continuation beyond the veil.
People have asked how I feel about "leaving Dex" when we move. Ever since his headstone was placed, I've found myself being very protective of him and his earthly tribute. In anxious moments, I make Justin promise that our visits to his grave will be frequent. In stronger moments, I feel fine moving away because he has reminded us on so many occasions and in so many ways that he is not there. Kinley feels sure that he joins us for family scripture study. Tanner asked at dinner the other night if Jesus was going to drive Dex to our house in a car so that he can live with our family again.
I find myself up a lot at night. Sometimes it's because the Tiny Prince has unswaddled himself and wakes up thinking it's snack time. Other times I am just up, thinking about the future and mentally solving potential catastrophes unnecessarily.
I don't consider myself a pessimist by nature, but this last year has been pretty overwhelming in a lot of ways and apparently it's affecting my psyche. It was a year ago that we found out that we were expecting twins. It's been one... "adventure" after another since then. Now that life seems to be leveling out, I find myself terrified to let down my crisis-guard.
Justin's job situation has finally stabilized and I'm absolutely in love with our house-to-be (which we closed on Thursday, yay!) My children are healthy, things are really mellowing out; it's almost like things are too good to be true and I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop, anticipating another major disaster.
I just can't seem to embrace the possibility that maybe my "Nauvoo period" is starting. I've been running on adrenaline and faith for so long that I can't figure out how to turn off my crisis-radar. I check to make sure Justin and the kids are breathing all night long; every time we get on the freeway I think "this could be the end of us. All it takes is one mistake." I went through a similar experience after we came out of the 7 months of cornea surgeries following the Great Candyland Incident. It took a long time to stop bracing for looming disaster. This feels very similar... only more intense.
Blech. This grieving thing is really icky sometimes.
Beans and Cheese
Kinley has worked for many months to fill up her "bean jar" by doing chores, fulfilling special assignments, and being helpful and kind. Her reward of choice was a family trip to Chuck E. Cheese! We're very proud of her accomplishment and it was so much fun to celebrate her success together!
Here she is with the Big Cheese himself.
Tanner had never been to this magical wonderland and thought it was fantastic.
Daddy and Crew, chillin'.
Pose? Kinley? Nah....
Sadly, watching her do what she needed to do to reach the peddles on this game reminded me a lot of her mother's Driver's Ed reality...
Say "Chuck E. Cheese!!"
Kinley has a new bean jar now and is saving to get her ears pierced next. Oy, oy, oy! Tanner is trying to earn his own beans for Thomas the Train equipment (his new "thing").
Here she is with the Big Cheese himself.
Tanner had never been to this magical wonderland and thought it was fantastic.
Daddy and Crew, chillin'.
Pose? Kinley? Nah....
Sadly, watching her do what she needed to do to reach the peddles on this game reminded me a lot of her mother's Driver's Ed reality...
Say "Chuck E. Cheese!!"
Kinley has a new bean jar now and is saving to get her ears pierced next. Oy, oy, oy! Tanner is trying to earn his own beans for Thomas the Train equipment (his new "thing").
Friday, July 17, 2009
The Negotiators
Daddy: Tanner, you can have ice cream after you eat three more grapes.
Tanner: Can I just chew three more grapes and spit them back out?
--------------
Mommy: Kids, we have two options. We can sit here on the bed forever and Daddy will be frustrated when he gets home because the house is a mess; or we can all work together really fast to get it clean and Daddy will be super happy with us. What do you think we should do?
Kinley: Mmm.... I have another option. How about Tanner and I play with Crew on the bed and you run around really fast and do all the cleaning by yourself. How about that? I choose option three! I'm still being helpful, you know.
Mommy: No.
Tanner: Can I just chew three more grapes and spit them back out?
--------------
Mommy: Kids, we have two options. We can sit here on the bed forever and Daddy will be frustrated when he gets home because the house is a mess; or we can all work together really fast to get it clean and Daddy will be super happy with us. What do you think we should do?
Kinley: Mmm.... I have another option. How about Tanner and I play with Crew on the bed and you run around really fast and do all the cleaning by yourself. How about that? I choose option three! I'm still being helpful, you know.
Mommy: No.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Someone Loves His Sister
I really have runts for kids. Look how fast the Tiny Prince is catching up to his "big" sister?
They sure do love each other.
They sure do love each other.
Sprinkler Fun
Nothing says "summer fun" like running through sprinklers with friends. 
I'm cold, I'm grouchy, but I'm still cute.
I'm cold, I'm grouchy, but I'm still cute.
Toast in My Heart
The children made a little popsicle stick paddle/sign that says "I feel good inside when I keep the commandments". (Feel free to click on it to enlarge and swipe)
On one side is a little heart, on the other side is a simple drawing of a set of Moses tablets. Apparently, the stone tablets didn't look exactly like "commandments" or scriptures, but Tanner knows that he is supposed to draw parallels from his activities and he's a pro at seeking out symbolism where he can find it:
Mommy: This says 'I feel good inside when I keep the commandments'.
Tanner: Yeah, and it says, 'you have toast in your heart!!
On one side is a little heart, on the other side is a simple drawing of a set of Moses tablets. Apparently, the stone tablets didn't look exactly like "commandments" or scriptures, but Tanner knows that he is supposed to draw parallels from his activities and he's a pro at seeking out symbolism where he can find it:
Mommy: This says 'I feel good inside when I keep the commandments'.
Tanner: Yeah, and it says, 'you have toast in your heart!!
Monday, July 13, 2009
Gimme S'more!
At the family get-together this weekend, the kids had their first s'more experience.
Kinley "kind of" liked it.
Tanner loved it and wanted another "chocolate, marshmallow sandwich"!
I'll confess that this might be my own first s'more. It was better than I expected.
Kinley "kind of" liked it.
Tanner loved it and wanted another "chocolate, marshmallow sandwich"!
I'll confess that this might be my own first s'more. It was better than I expected.
He Laughs!!
Hallelujah, the Tiny Prince has laughed at last! At 5+ months adjusted, we have been waiting for this moment for a while (the usual window is 1-4 months). Grandma B. had him laughing up a storm over the weekend. Justin and I were so happy; I'm such a boob that I cried! We haven't been able to get him to do it again, but he did it! He did it! 
In other medical news, we went to the neurologist on Friday morning and got a thumbs up. He's doing great! We'll see the whole neonatal follow-up team again in November.
In other medical news, we went to the neurologist on Friday morning and got a thumbs up. He's doing great! We'll see the whole neonatal follow-up team again in November.
The Hunter Visit
This is a picture of Tiny Crew with DeAnna back in December, around 2 pounds.
And here he was last week with Miss DeAnna, now over 12 pounds!
DeAnna brought her father, "Grandpa Hunter", for a visit. He has been in very poor health for a long time and this is the first time he has been able to see Baby Crew in person. It was so nice to have you here! Thank you so much for coming!
And here he was last week with Miss DeAnna, now over 12 pounds!
DeAnna brought her father, "Grandpa Hunter", for a visit. He has been in very poor health for a long time and this is the first time he has been able to see Baby Crew in person. It was so nice to have you here! Thank you so much for coming!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Pool Perverts
The Veteran's Pool no longer allows picture-taking of anyone or anything, for any reason.
What?
I thought I must have misunderstood, so I asked a life guard. Apparently, some pervert took some pictures of kids swimming at the pool and posted them on the internet. Now cameras are banned forever.
I'm sad that I can't record my children's merry-making in the splash pool, but I'm more sad that there are sickos out there who make everything so complicated and dangerous.
What?
I thought I must have misunderstood, so I asked a life guard. Apparently, some pervert took some pictures of kids swimming at the pool and posted them on the internet. Now cameras are banned forever.
I'm sad that I can't record my children's merry-making in the splash pool, but I'm more sad that there are sickos out there who make everything so complicated and dangerous.
Monday, July 6, 2009
The Detour
FYI, the overpass to the freeway is closed for a week.
I learned this while coming home from Staples after swim lessons. There was a helpful "detour" sign and I was feelin' lucky and adventuresome, my pragmatism always looking for alternative routes home.
I'll be a a little more skeptical next time.
Their official detour took me on a 15-minute tour of Utah County's back country (ooh, see the sheep!) and then landed me on 400 north in Springville!!
I was so mad. So I thought I'd blog it for my neighbors to spare them the pain of their own curiosity.
I learned this while coming home from Staples after swim lessons. There was a helpful "detour" sign and I was feelin' lucky and adventuresome, my pragmatism always looking for alternative routes home.
I'll be a a little more skeptical next time.
Their official detour took me on a 15-minute tour of Utah County's back country (ooh, see the sheep!) and then landed me on 400 north in Springville!!
I was so mad. So I thought I'd blog it for my neighbors to spare them the pain of their own curiosity.
Lingering Misconceptions
Kinley: Mommy, I've noticed that you are drinking a lot of water lately. A LOT of water. I don't think you should drink so much.
Mommy: Why? Drinking lots of water is really healthy for you. We should all drink more water.
Kinley: Water is good for us, I know. But I don't want you to explode again like you did when the babies were born! That was such a mess!
Mommy: Why? Drinking lots of water is really healthy for you. We should all drink more water.
Kinley: Water is good for us, I know. But I don't want you to explode again like you did when the babies were born! That was such a mess!
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Rice, Rice, Baby
Crew has had his first non-milk, non-pedialyte, non-intravenous fluid meal!
He did really well, better than I really expected. I tell ya, sometimes the Tiny Prince thinks he really is eight months old. While I can't declare with perfect certainty that he is my most successful first meal eater (though I do think that's the case), I can tell you that he is the first child of mine that opened his mouth wide like a hippo the first time he saw the spoon coming his direction. He is his mama's son.
He ate one tablespoon of rice cereal plus water. He lost interest by the last few bites, but he finished it!
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