Two Months

Jan 18

Brooke...

7lbs 14 oz

 Erica...
7lbs 3oz

I have one baby with acid reflux, and the other addicted to her binki and the moments are rare that they're both asleep at the same time and the big kids are playing nicely somewhere, but I'll take those moments when they come. This week I went for a walk/jog around the block by myself! That was a miracle. My goals everyday are to do one load of laundry from start to finish (much easier than one big laundry day), do some sort of exercise (squats while holding a screaming baby count), read scriptures (or listen to them on the ipod), and make sure the bottles are washed (no choice on that one). So far I have only failed on the laundry one day. And I've been really liberal on what I consider exercise. Last night I wanted to smash something against the wall I was so tired, but a prayer and babies sleeping from 10-3 sure helped. We have had mild colds, but we need lots of prayers that nobody gets the flu. We have tried to stay away from people which makes for a lot of stir crazy days, but it's better than sick babies!  Ryan has been a huge help to me, but he goes back to work more starting tomorrow, so we'll see how that goes. Mostly, I just spend most of the day in awe that I have four kids and I have no clue how to take care of them all, but we are starting to see progress with everything so I have hope that we will figure it all out soon!

Even Though...

Even though...
...we are back from Utah, we still don't want to go back to our everyday lives.
...we had a wonderful time seeing lots of old friends, we are so saddened by the circumstances.
...we are sad, we are so grateful for the powerful testimonies borne at Wes' funeral.
...it was sad to leave our kiddos, we are so grateful to our friends for watching them
...we have relived so many memories, we are anxious to read more
...we know there are so many willing to help, we are hoping to find more
...we will be back soon, we still want to be up there more
...we believe in the promise of eternal families, we mourn the temporary separation of the greatest family we have ever known.
...we are grieving, we are counting our many, many blessings.

"If in the presence of certain people you are lifted to nobler heights, you are in good company." Ezra Taft Benson

29 and Counting

Despite my dislike of things that are cliche, I have made my bucket list of 30 things to do before I turn 30. I have been working on the list for awhile, and it was surprisingly hard to come up with 30 (realistic) things I wanted to do. So, more for my sake than anyone else's, is the list...

30 by 30

1.Have a baby if possible (that is a big if)
2. Read Thomas Monson’s biography
3. Write one chapter of a book (to be completed at some point in my life)
4. Go on a cruise
5. Read Great Expectations
6. Go to Disneyland with Michelle (I'm so glad we made that happen, friends!)
7. Visit at least 2 friends I haven't in a long time
8. Have lessons at FHE consistently
9.  Lose at least 5 lbs.
10. Take at least one picture a week *
11. Drive to UT by myself (others can be there, I just have to do the driving)
12. Watch 10 classic movies I haven't seen (any suggestions?)
       Casablanca, To Kill A Mockingbird, Singing in the Rain,
13. Participate in an official race (probably a 5K)
14. Bring gifts to the NICU
15. Do Karaoke
16. Eat Escargot
17. Swim with Dolphins
18. Beat Ryan in Monopoly
19. Make a new friend
20. Finish my painting project
21. Finish my kid’s first year scrapbook
22. Try a new food
23. Learn to cook something new
24. Practice the piano and learn one song by memory (Twinkle Twinkle counts)
25. Update all blogs once a month
26. Start a garden (Pray for my bell pepper plant)
27. Call a family member once a week (my mom doesn't count)
28. Go horseback riding
29. Complete my mormon.org profile
30. Give away a Book of Mormon
*Aaron noticed I didn't have a number 10 originally. I told him he could pick one for me. But then I remembered what  #10 was supposed to be. So I am going to have 
31. Participate in an Eagle Scout project

Not Often

I don't talk about church stuff very often on this blog. But I should. Because our LDS faith really is the foundation of everything we do and are as a family. But there are special moments that surpass the normalcy that is our church. Yesterday we had one of those moments. We were able to participate in the sealing of some friends of ours. Sealings in the temple are marriages beyond earthly bounds. And it was extra special because of their sweet son who got to be a part of this special day. Congrats you guys!

 It was nice to know that our kids were having a special day of their own: they got to go to Lake Mead with Gpa to feed the fish. Rachel kept saying this guy was a fireman. ??? Guess you have to be 2 to make that connection.

Dress Ups and Mother's Day

This is our new favorite past time:

I can't tell you how funny it is to see Adam come out of the room and exclaim, "I'm a princess!" And then proceed to twirl and curtsy. And then when his crown falls off he frets, "My crown!" and has to replace it as quickly as possible.
I have been thinking about this a lot. About when it doesn't become okay to exclaim proudly, "I'm a princess!" or, "I'm a Mother." Because that's what I am. And some days it feels like I am "dressing up". That it's not real and that I can "play" my way through the day and think it's good enough. But really, I can't let my crown slip and fall off. I need to wear it proudly. I learned that lesson this week when I thought it would be okay to indulge a little bit. I spent too much time on myself. The result? A colored on wall that I had to paint afterward. (Note: some indulgence is fine--I just knew I was taking it too far).
Today I have really enjoyed my chance to step back from my role and let Ryan take the reigns. He has done a good job. And I have been able to channel some of my creative energy that has been building up for too long. But tomorrow-I am anxious to push up my sleeves and get to work. To do what I know I was made to do and to do it well. And if I do that long enough, maybe I won't feel like I'm "dressing up" anymore. And that my kids will be able to grow up and say, "she knew she was a mother"

Happy Mother's Day!

Add One More-But it will be worth it

My friend started a new blog: Trust in our Savior. Yes, it's marketed toward those of us who didn't get our children here exactly the way we wanted, but I firmly believe it will benefit everyone. So add it to your readers and your facebook page and everything else that you do.  Happy Reading!

Potpouri

• The sanctuary came through! Disneyland sent us our confirmation email. I guess it was meant to be.
• We need prayers to find our camera.
• We need prayers to find our fax machine cord.
• We are officially living in our new house.
• It's an official mess.
• Yes, we found tenets for our old house.
  
• Yes, we like them.
• No, the rent doesn't cover the mortgage, but close enough.
• We just spent a week in St. Louis with all my family: everyone from Gma Jones to Gracie dog.
  
• No, our kids did not love the dog. They got used to her.
• We went to the arch, zoo, butterfly house, park, movies, shopping, etc.
• No, they are not afraid of heights. or roaches.
  
• James counted all of the babies words. final count 37ish
• Tate taught them how to jump off the couch which they do even without a safety net.
• Annette taught them magic and ping pong.
• Davis pretty much ignored them.
• Josie stole their toys.
• Josie won March Madness.
• We need prayers to find our drill charger
• We need prayers to find appliances that work.
• No, we haven't been to our new ward yet.
  
• We still like our old one.
• Yes, the kids are still living on central time.
• Yes, I ignore them when they wake up at 6am
• Ryan did a magic show last night at his grandpa's retirement home.
• Yes, it took about 10 minutes for the volunteers to reach the front of the room.
• We had a couple of easter egg hunts.
  
• Yes, our kids loved it.
• No, they do not like peeps.
  
• They do like breakfast.
• I need to go give them some.
• We need prayers for sanity.
• We need to send thank you notes to all our friends who have helped us.
• We need to send our new address to everyone who wants it.
• No, I don't foresee those two things happening anytime soon.
• No, we didn't finish painting.
• I don't foresee us finishing soon.
• We need to watch conference since we couldn't hear among lots of cousins.
• Too bad you can't get it on Netflix.
• We need to take more pictures and record more of the funny moments in life.
• Can I hire someone to do that?
• note to family: I think I may have found the web cam so we can skype.
• note to all: our phone numbers are the same, so you know where to find us.
• now I really need to go.
• should I spend the day unpacking?
• or should I hide out at Target?
• I'll let you know...
• actually, probably not.
  

We're Still Here

Blogs to come:

Weekend adventures in AZ
Weekend adventures in LV rain
Wednesday adventures at the Golden Nugget
New Year's Resolutions fulfilled
My magnificent husband: his latest antics, and latest birthday
My trouble making twosome: I'm sure they've done something cute and blog worthy

I won't wait for pictures to be emailed to me before I post--but they would be appreciated (hint, hint-you know who you are)

In the meantime, since this is a month of LOVE:

I have been in LOVE with my husband. In LOVE with my kiddos, and in LOVE with my life of late!

Back to New Years: The Resolutions

Amy:

1. Serve More (be available to people)

2. Be Creative (home decor, scrapbook, cooking, etc)

3. Study (scriptures, good books, new hobbies)

4. Acknowledge birthdays better
5. Maintain my stance against updating my Facebook status

What others have chosen for me: (A dangerous New Year's Eve past time)
1. Hike Angels Landing
2. Play the slots
3. Visit Utah friends again soon

2009 resolution: Have More Fun--I give myself a 6/10

Ryan:
I haven't asked his permission to post his, but I can say that you will be seeing more of his writing on here, more of him at church, and possibly less of him in the wee hours of the morning.

2009 resolutions: Loud wolf whistling, and profession magician. I give him an 8/10

A Need

Right now I feel the need to blog. My kids are napping which means I should be cleaning, washing, showering, wrapping, baking, mailing, working, etc. etc.

But instead I am reflecting. On this post, and this post. And on the Christmas 2 years ago in which we discovered that we would finally be bringing life into the world. We didn't even know then it would be two lives. And how even though we have the same traditions and still work ourselves to death over letters, decor, presents, 12 days, light seeing, parties, baking, and family just like everyone else-that now it seems to have just a bit more of a purpose. A bit more permanence. We are not only enjoying a Christmas season...we are embedding Christ into our family. At least that is the goal. And even when we fall short (read-get angry, make ourselves exhausted and sick, yell at our sick children), the purpose is still there. He is still there. He is the center of it all. And He is the reason that even though I am overwhelmed at keeping up with it all-I can have hope-because it's not all up to me.

Enough

This week we have had Enough.

Enough of:

• Death in the family (GREAT Aunt)
• Stupid Cameras that decide they can't download pictures
• Runny Noses
• Medicine
• Crying
• Laundry
• Dishes
• Upset Brackets (dang Michigan!)
• Lethargic babies (imagine picture of Adam asleep on the floor surrounded by toys)
• Being Sick (have a I mentioned that already)
• extra passionate political rants (Love you Ry :))
• Mischief (imagine pic of both kids surrounded by candy that they got into when I wasn't looking-they didn't eat it, they just like the wrappers)

This week we hope to get more of the stuff that you can't ever get enough of:

• Imagine pic of Rachel smiling at her Aunt Jill
• Imagine pic of Adam snuggling with Ryan
• Imagine life with the best husband and the best kids EVER!

Big Changes

Lots of changes...but not a lot of pictures...sorry...

1. Thanks to the influence of a certain friend (you know who you are) we spent about a week moving all of our furniture around. Nothing is in the same place it was when we moved in. But now we have room for these:

that's right...Adam and Rachel now have their own space so I don't have to wonder if they're crying because they are kicking each other in the head. (They probably could have stayed in the same crib longer, but I couldn't stand letting the pretty pink bedding go to waste any longer).

2. Now if I hear them cry I can only assume it is because of a different pain...like getting teeth! Adam has one fully grown in and another peeking out. I was dreading this milestone but it came and went without trouble and his grin is just as cute as ever!

Not all changes are about the kids...

3. I wasn't online for a few days because the back lighting on the screen of my comp broke, so now I have a new computer! (not really; it just feels like it)

4. My brother might kill me for this, but for the first time in about 7 years I have bangs! They are different than the "o so popular curl in the middle of your forehead ones" (thank goodness) and it took me a few days to get used to having them but now they're great! (once again-sorry no pictures...I'm not sure I'm that brave yet).

I'm happy to report that January has been a productive month! (at least compared to last year when I had bronchitis and was sick and pregnant--I won't say when we took our Christmas decor down but it certainly wasn't in January)...

Here's to a low key February!

5 months

I have typed and erased 3 posts already. It's because life is pretty normal and boring around here and there's not much to say...but I consider that a huge blessing!

So just a quick update for posterity's sake:

Adam:

• has slept through the night twice in a row


• smiles a lot


• loves musical toys


• is a mama's boy who has to be held a lot


• is just over 12 lbs and growing by the minute


• loves baths and hates diaper changes
• sucks his thumb and fingers

Rachel:

• sleeps a lot (if I just had her I would never be tired)


• is content and happy most of the day


• loves to swing


• only screams when we put her to bed at night for a few minutes


• loves to be talked to


• is just over 10 lbs (she grows long, not out)


• is ignored more often than I would like because of her demanding brother

And now what really matters; Here are some pictures:

or not, because I have tried 5x to post them and it hasn't worked. The ones on the sidebar are going to have to be good enough.

One Baby Would be So Easy

These are words that have been expressed several times in the last month. not that we diminish anyone who has one baby...we know it is a lot of sleepless nights and hard work. I can't even imagine what it would be like to also have a toddler or such running around. But just in case anyone wants to know what it's like to have two:

• Even though you get pretty good at recognizing their cries, every once in awhile it surprises you that it's really Adam and not Rachel


• When you have one, it is easy to decide who to help. With two, it is a toss up. Already this morning I have gotten Rachel's milk out 4x, only to put it back. Adam has been fed first twice now while she slumbers.
• Luckily, Ryan allows me to sleep pretty soundly for a few hours at night. But I am always anticipating when it is time to get up. I had a minor outpatient procedure last week. When the nurse called my name to wake me up, I put my arms out and thought, "Is it my turn? Okay-I'm getting up." When I opened my eyes to the hospital room I admit I was a little disappointed not to be greeted by a cute baby.


• I pray for Ryan to wake up/come home so he can hold a screaming baby. But wait-that means that I still am holding a screaming baby.


• You use one bottle to prop up a second bottle to feed one while you hold another.


• We write names on bottles, but we have long since given up on gender. It is not unusual to see Adam in a pink blanket, or Rachel with a blue binki. So far we have avoided Adam in a dress, but just give us time..


• When I am holding one, I miss the other terribly (even though I am secretly praying they will sleep longer)


• When I am holding both (and pumping at the same time) I sure wonder how on earth I got here and what I did to deserve such greatness.

So even though we have given up:

• sleep


• showers


• food


• hygiene of any kind


• shopping


• leaving the house


• being alone


• clean clothes


• clean house


• hobbies


• communication with the outside world,

We have gained:

• major multi tasking skills


• armfuls of love


• Adam's smile


• Rachel's eyes


• a changing table full of diapers


• lots of little laundry


• lots of tears of happiness, sadness, and frustration


• lots of bottles, and binkis-everywhere (except where on earth do binkis go? I swear I just bought 20 of them and they're all gone)


• fear and hope for the future


• a lot more stress


• the ability to accept help (a little bit more)


• germ-o-phobia (seriously-I am nuts!)


• a love of Dr. Pepper (shh-don't tell)
• the inability to express just exactly what it's like...

In other words: We have a family. And we love it (most of the time) :)

I have a lot to live up to

So my mom left today. Almost for good. She is coming back when we bless the kids, but that trip will be more for fun than to be my slave. Ryan and I searched our brains for a gift or a token or something to say thank you, but nothing would be good enough. And it's not just because of what my mom does-because lots of moms come to help their daughters with new babies-it's because of who she is. It's because every part of her is a mother. She doesn't have any other function or purpose (well she does-she just doesn't focus on them).

This is just a taste of what she does:

In May she came out here and not only helped me furnish my house with every baby contraption I would need, she then went to Salt Lake with me and threw my friend and I a lovely shower.

In June she was the first person I called when I thought I was in labor (not even Ryan knew how badly I was hurting) and she was the one I was on the phone with when my water broke (although I sure wish it was the doctor). She was the one that helped me breathe on a very scary car ride to the hospital so Ryan could focus on driving oh so skillfully through red lights. I give her all the credit for Adam not being born in the car.
She was the one that booked a flight, packed a suitcase, made a steak dinner and was at the airport all while I was still numb from my spinal. She was also at the hospital that first night almost before I had even visited my kids.
She was the one that stayed for 3 weeks helping me recover from my c-section- helping me shower, get dressed, eat, pump, buy groceries, cook, drive, clean, and help with a second baby shower.

But then, she doesn't get to go home and enjoy herself. She goes to visit my brother and tend my 2 yr. old nephew for a week. Then-she still doesn't really get a rest because her calling as RS president keeps her busy for the remaining weeks my kids are at the hospital.
And then- when the doctor tells me that I get to take Adam home-my first phone call was to Ryan-followed ever so closely to my mom. She had her plane ticket within 10 minutes. She was there just in time for us to take him home. And then when the kid decided to have a problem and stay at the last minute-she never complained once that she came too early-even when that meant being separated from my dad on their 35th anniversary, or dealing with a toothache because of a missed dentist appointment.

For 2 weeks she once again did all the things that I couldn't do-cook, clean, laundry, feed babies, go without sleep, etc. etc. And once again does she get to go home and rest? No-she goes to CA and not only attends my cousin's wedding-she does all the floral arrangements for it including adding flowers to the cake and helps decorate the yard and house for the reception. Ryan and I were left to handle things on our own-and I'll admit I was counting the minutes until she came back!

After the wedding, she comes back here for 1 more week of being a grandmother. And even when I have gotten more sleep than her, she still insists on taking the babies and sending me to bed. And I have to admit I took advantage-on a few occasions I secretly wished A or R would cry harder to wake her up!

And now she is on a flight home. But is she going to be able to rest now? No-she is immediately leaving for Detroit to go to my nephew's baptism. And I know she will put just as much effort into helping and loving that family as she does mine.

And then she will have just a few more weeks before she is back here to help me get ready for the many out of town guests that will be coming for the baby blessing.

Will she be able to rest after that? Maybe, just maybe. But somehow I doubt it. Because of who she is. Because when she is not being a mother or a grandmother, she is being a RS pres, a neighbor, a daughter, and a friend. Somehow she doesn't think she gets very much done in a day. But I know better. I know that when people tell me that I have a great mom that they don't know the half of it.
And I know that when I say that my mom is my best friend-that doesn't cover enough either.
So I can't even come close to saying Thank You. All I can do is try to be the kind of mom that you have always been-someone who always puts her kids first no matter what. But I know that I won't be able to do nearly as good of a job. Because I have already failed. I already have put myself before my kids plenty of times. And while I know that they will forgive me and we will be fine without you- we sure would be better off with you here and we sure hope you know that we will never forget what you have done for us this summer-and my whole life.
And tomorrow when I wake up and you're not here and I call you on the phone and cry-it won't just be because I am tired. It won't just be because I need you to feed or change a screaming kid. It won't just be because I have laundry to fold again. It will be because even if you never helped at all-I would still need you.

Due Today

Well, as you can see from my "creepy" baby counter, that my kids should be born today. Instead, I have one chubby boy weighing in at 7.4 at home, and one petite (6.3) and particular little girl in the hospital. Although she has everyone wrapped around her finger, all the nurses agree that it is time for her to come home. However, she still needs a few more days to work on eating...so we'll see. Between the two of them I am close enough to my due date. I wonder if that counter does negative numbers.
Thanks to grandparents, we have been able to get more sleep than I thought, but the term "sleep like a baby" definitely does not describe Adam. Sleep like a grizzly bear might be more appropriate. However, he is cute enough that by morning all is forgiven:

Random Thoughts

1. What I Know...

It's been 6 weeks. 6 very long weeks. So long I don't remember anything or anyone that happened before June 15, 2008. I've been in a foggy sleep deprived stance and I can barely put one foot in front of the other some days. But I can't complain. Not just because, "it could be worse", or that the babies are doing so well, or because I have a good attitude. I can't complain because of what I know. And what I know is that I have been led and prepared to this very point in life, and no matter how tired I get-I cannot deny that I know and knew:

• -I would have a hard time having children
• -that "this is not a punishment"
• -that I would have to endure fertility treatments several times
• -that the result would end in heartache at first
• -that by "next Mother's Day I wouldn't have to worry about it anymore"
• -that even though I wanted to give up, that we needed to give God "one more chance"
• -that I would get pregnant this time
• -that I would have twins
• -that they would be a boy and a girl
• -that I would have some scares, but in the end everything would work out
• -that I needed to "be prepared"
• -that they would come early
• -that they will be okay--but life won't be getting any easier from here on out!

I almost didn't go to church today-but I'm glad I did because it gave me a chance to ponder the great blessing of personal revelation. And I am so grateful for these and the countless other examples of how the Lord speaks to our minds and even if we miss it the first time around, we can look back and recognize how very carefully we are led. Even though these last four years have presented me with some of the "hardest things I'll ever have to do" I know that I was prepared and guided from a very young age. And I know that is how God loves us.

2. Like Family

Ryan and I heard several times going in to the whole NICU experience that the people there become like your family. I scoffed at this because I couldn't really believe that I would want a stranger to come to know my kids that well. But I have to say that I am finally a believer. And it's not just the nurses either. The other moms and dads have become a regular part of our hospital visit. We connect while scrubbing our hands over birth weights and oxygen levels, air temperature and mls of milk. When T got moved into his crib we rejoiced. When B had to stop feedings our heart sank. When we see the B family we count our blessings and we are careful not to brag about our kid's progress when we hear the mom say, "It's been 3 months, did you know that?" When the other monitors in the room beep, we check to make sure the nurses have noticed. And when someone goes home, it brings the rest of us so much hope. Ryan and I are slow to consider people heroes. But I think we both agree that these people who come in day after day to make sure that these little ones are well taken care of most certainly deserve the title. And I don't include us in that statement. To me I have learned more from them than I ever could imagine. I don't know the name of the woman with twin girls that I talk to everyday, but I do know what she believes. "Prayer can do amazing things," she says. Yes, it certainly can.

3. The First Lecture

In my spare time a few days ago, I picked up a copy of the book, "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch. If you don't know, he was a professor who was asked to give a last lecture which I guess is a common occurrence in academia. You get to say what you would want to tell people in case it's your last chance. Well, in his case it really was his last chance. He died of cancer 2 days ago (coincidentally the day I started reading this). Some of what he had to say is related to his field and didn't mean much to me, but the rest of it I think can and should have a profound impact on the rest of us. You can look up the lecture and watch it on You Tube. I'm too lazy to include a link...anyway...

it got me thinking that I would want to create a "First Lecture". I'm not close to dying (I hope) but I definitely want my kids to have a legacy of me, and I hope that I can let them know what is important to me from the very beginning. I hope that I don't let "things" get in the way of truly showing them who we are as parents, and why we do what we do.

Things like self-esteem. Randy talks about his football coach and how hard he was. This is what he has to say about him:

"There's a lot of talk these days about giving children self-esteem. It's
not something you can give; it's something they have to build. Coach Graham
worked in a no-coddling zone. Self-esteem? He knew there was really only one way to teach kids how to develop it: You give them something they can't do, they
work hard until they find they can do it, and you just keep repeating the
process."

There are other bits of wisdom from this lecture that I have found enjoyable. I haven't finished it yet. But I've read enough to have thought all day about what I would want to write about if it were me. And I think that (at least in this moment) the most important thing I want my children and others to know is how happy we are being married to each other. That the only reason our family works is because "marriage is ordained of God" and we do our best to make each other happy. And I know that if we can continue to do this, there isn't much else to worry about.

So those are my thoughts today. Thanks for bearing with me. I know it's not that eloquent but I wanted to get it all down before I lost the motivation.

Oh, and Happy Birthday Royce!

Not Good Enough

I've wanted to write about the events of December, but I haven't quite found words that are good enough to describe them.

Nothing is good enough to explain the traditional Live Nativity pageant that is one of the only redeeming things keeping us in Las Vegas. This year was even better because we got there early enough to pet the miniature horses, sheep, donkeys, and goats. And because it wasn't too crowded, or cold. And I was watching a 2 year old which made the boring parts go by quickly.

Nothing is good enough to tell about the fun or tenderness of our "special sleepover" with friends Dylann (2) and Coby (7mos.) Dylann was so excited for her "nap at Amy's house" that she sat in bed without sleeping for almost an hour. And it was probably the only time I will see Ryan willing to get up in the night 4 times and make a bottle, and suck snot out of a baby's nose. I'd like to think he will be happy to do that for our kids, but he really likes this one. Our kids really might take 2nd place.

Nothing is good enough to describe our fun ward Christmas party, or how great it was for my musically challenged husband to fill in the tenor part of Silent Night to help a less active family. And how "proud" I was of my young women who helped serve food, and went without when it became clear there would be a shortage of roast beast.

And finally, nothing is good enough to match the great words spoken at our stake Relief Society meeting held last night. There is nothing like a fireside all about the sacredness of motherhood to bring tears to your eyes, and your heart knit close to astounding women I am lucky enough to benefit from everyday.

Nothing is good enough, but perhaps this comes close to helping those of you who are struggling with Christmas To Do lists, and guilt trips:

"Simplify, make a plan, stay focused on the ultimate goal, move forward one step at a time and stop trying to be all things to all people and just be yourself, a daughter of a loving Heavenly Father, with all your faults, weaknesses and strengths."

This is What You Get

When I'm banned from blogging about anything interesting...

you are mediumauqamarine #66CDAA

Your dominant hues are cyan and green. Although you definately strive to be logical you care about people and know there's a time and place for thinking emotionally. Your head rules most things but your heart rules others, and getting them to meet in the middle takes a lot of your energy some days. Your saturation level is medium - You're not the most decisive go-getter, but you can get a job done when it's required of you. You probably don't think the world can change for you and don't want to spend too much effort trying to force it. Your outlook on life is brighter than most people's. You like the idea of influencing things for the better and find hope in situations where others might give up. You're not exactly a bouncy sunshine but things in your world generally look up.

the spacefem.com html color quiz

So, what do you think? Is it me?

On Priorities

Although I have been sad not to see many new blog posts, or new emails, or voice mail messages-I have been happy knowing the reason for this depletion. I have been happy knowing that everyone has been spending time with friends and family across the country gorging themselves with food. (my fav this year were the sweet potatoes). And so-I just wanted to say "Way to go, everyone!" for having your priorities in line.

According to Ryan, my priorities should be:
1. Melinda (YW counselor)
2. Insurance (you can't live w/o insurance)
3. Ryan

If I'm ever having a bad day, or am feeling badly about myself (so you know, every other day) Ryan will say, "Is Melinda happy with you?"

And somehow, that makes everything okay. So if your first priority is not your church calling-I would say to you-step it up people! :)

However, these days I am told that my priority needs to be on the Christmas letter, so I have been told no more blogging about funny things! That means no picture of the tree yet either (sorry Aaron). It also means that I can't talk about Thanksgiving much, or our one day trip to Disneyland, but I highly doubt Ry will include these highlights in the letter, so here is the best of my Thanksgiving:

• The flights to and from St. Louis (A group, no one in between us, the perfect amount and sleep and books to read)
• Watching Kevin and Eric play ping pong (very similar to Dwight and Mose)
• Cooking with Emma (and knowing that she was filling my spot in the kitchen)
• Eating Jenny's Pumpkin Crisp for breakfast
• Sitting next to Annette during Enchanted and laughing together
• Watching James play the 50 cent piece game, and Simon Says, and Charades
• Tate calling Eric-Ryan and Ryan-Eric. And falling asleep on me.
• Davis dancing and his grinning spells in between falling and crying.
• Mom and Dad watching and admiring us all (cause you know-we're perfect)
• Uncle Ryan keeping all of the kids entertained so the adults could have some sort of a conversation.

And no, we didn't take any pictures of the week (other than the hundreds of family ones we posed for and were tortured with) but as you probably can guess-pictures were not our top priority.