Thursday Thoughts

This is a (very poor) picture of Isaiah receiving his Religious Square Knot Scouting Award. I was so pleased to see him earn it. That is our Bishop, Bishop Dimond presenting it to him.

Days keep passing away... Lately I have had so many thought flying through my mind. I don't know if I ever have time for them to fully develop before something interrupts them. I was reading through the blog of one of my classmates from Malad, Tricia, and and she has one day a week where she just writes random thoughts that she's had. I kind of like that idea... whether or not I'll be as diligent as she is on doing it weekly... hmmm, don't put money one it. So here goes my first "Thursday Thoughts" Maybe next week it'll be Tuesday. Maybe Friday. Maybe I'll forget all together.

~I am really not a scheduler, planner, or organizer.

~My children will probably grow up to be procrastinators, and spontaneous, and not responsible planners.

~There are some good things about being spontaneous

~I noticed after proofreading this entry how there seems to be a really obvious void where I am ignoring the bad things about not being organized.

~I like the color yellow. It makes me happy. I think this started a little over a year ago, when it became Cori's favorite color, and I was always noticing yellow things to point out to her. She's moved on past her yellow phase. I haven't.

~Some days I get discouraged because I have 20 pounds to lose to get back to my pre-child-bearing weight. Some days I get frustrated that I can't exercise like it did before I broke my ankle. Some days I wonder if Heavenly Father guided me to that waterfall cliff that fateful day last June when I broke my ankle, because he knew exercise and weight loss was nearing obsession with me, and may have been taking precedence over my sweet children. Every single day, I HAD to burn at least 3000 calories. But was I ever making sure I HAD to read to my children?

~I am excited for school to be out so there is less running around. It will probably take me less than 24 hours to miss school days.

~I hope to have a successful schedule for my children to follow during the summer, so they can keep up with learning, reading, and daily jobs. I worry I won't be able to execute this. (See first thought.)

~People complain too much. And it's usually the people who don't really have much to complain about.

~I love my kids, and their welfare is always on my mind. Some times it weighs very heavily on my mind, and I'm often searching for the best method to handle each of them. It is discouraging when I can't find a good direction or solution for their individual needs.

~I think it is absolutely crazy that I can buy a whole new printer, ink included, for cheaper than the cost of replacing ink cartridges. It seems so wrong to throw a perfectly functioning printer in the garbage- but it is what it is.

~Do all kids think they know more than their adult counterparts?

~I'm excited for summer fun!

When I woke up this morning at 6 I was really thirsty, so I went to get a drink. Tman and India were on my bed sleeping (Truman had woken up really sad sometime in the night and Cameron brought him into us, and India woke up to eat about the time Cameron left for work, so I was sleeping in between the two of them for an hour or so.) As I left I looked at them and thought, "Do I dare leave them alone, what if Truman wakes up..." They were pretty far apart on the bed, so I didn't think he would roll over on her or anything, and of course I was just going to get a drink, so I went for it. After i got the drink i had to go to the bathroom. Isaiah was in the bath, so I went , downstairs. Of course while I'm down there I thought I'd hurry and put a load in the wash. As I'm coming up the stairs finally I hear the baby screaming. I run back to the room picturing Truman trying to pick her up or something. But he's sound asleep. With his fat leg lopped over her face/neck. Flop. I can just imagine India's shock at being awaken by such a thing. It must have happened right then, because Truman didn't even have a chance to wake up. I picked her up and patted her, and she calmed down for me pretty quick. That's my funny story of the day.


Ok, I really need to get a camera that is not a cell camera. My cell camera is a pretty good one, it's 7 mega pixal, and the first digital one we bought before Isaiah was born was a 3 mp. But it is hard to get a clear shot with this one... the flash makes the pic to bright sometimes, and if either the people you are photographing or your hand moves even a tiny bit... it's blurry. Like this super cute one of India smiling. Blurry. Oh, well... she's still cute!




Truman really loves our bird, Ronaldo. It's a good thing he does, so he gets some attention and love. The bird. Not Truman. He get's lots of attention and love. I love the second picture the most. He is turning his head to give the bird a kiss.




I think Cori was jealous of the attention Truman was getting with the bird and the pictures I was taking of them, so she wanted me to take some of her. I got some better ones of the bird, but her expression in this one is my favorite, so I put this one up.



Truman still likes to pretend he's the baby from time to time, and laying in the swing is just one of the ways he likes to do that. He is so cute and sweet, I don't have the heart to get mad at him. Even though he is the size of an average 4-yr-old. It's amazing it hasn't broken, but so far it's holding up. One day he tried to lay in it when the baby was already in it. Luckily Ali saw him and was able to stop him in time. Truman has been a truly good boy since the baby was born. He has never hurt her (on purpose... I don't think he understands his fat body would've squashed the baby in the swing.) Sometimes when I'm holding or nursing her, he wants me so he'll climb up and share my lap with her, but he never tries to push her off. He just smiles at her sweetly, and says her name, or "baby" and pats or rubs her head, or gives her a soft little kiss. It melts my heart every time. Cori was good with Truman, too but she was 3 1/2. Isaiah was so rough with Ali we could never leave them alone for a second. I think Truman is one of the sweetest little guys on the planet.


India is most definitely the strongest baby we have had. She was lifting her head up off my shoulder completely the day she was born. I think she must have been doing calisthenics in my belly. The first time we laid her on the floor right after we brought her home, she pushed her shoulder and head all the way up off the floor. She was like less than week old. Maybe she has some supergirl in her. Probably. This picture above she was only 2 or 3 weeks old or so, and look at her hold her head up.


I like this picture. This is Cameron and all three of his girls on the day we brought India home from the hospital.


This one is pretty good too. A little blurry again, but they were jumping around like crazy. They were having a 'go-crazy-with-Dad-night' a few days after India was born, I love how I captured Cameron's agony as one of the kids jumped on him roughly. The kids have so much fun that night, they have been begging to do it again, but I don't think Cameron has recovered yet.



My pictures are out of order, but what can ya do... file a complaint? Here is Ali at the hospital with India the day she was born. She is a good sister. To the baby and Truman. Isaiah and Cori? Well... maybe someday.


This is Truman the day after his birthday, on the way to Ewan's baptism. Isn't he handsome? And cute, falling asleep with his collection of trains in hand/lap.



I love this one, too.... After Ewan's baptism we went to visit Tamber's family. On the drive back, Cori was asleep by the time we got on the freeway. Isaiah made it halfway home, but fell asleep too. Isn't that just sweet? Isaiah is a very good brother. To Cori and Truman. Ali is too close to his age or something, and the baby is too little I guess. Again, maybe someday he'll be a good brother to all of them. I know siblings squabble, so I'll just be grateful it's not worse than it is, and that all the older ones are really good with the younger ones. At least I get some tender moments, and a few good photos to prove they happened.

Ali and Truman's birthdays

Train museum, Ogden



I snapped this when we were laying down playing. Truman is so much fun.



Easter Sunday girls... the boys weren't interested in posing.



We had a birthday week at our house this week. A busy week to boot, as all spring weeks are. Every week goes like this. Monday, Isaiah has soccer game (sometimes in Kaysville, sometimes as far as Ogden.) Tuesday, Ali has softball game and Isiaiah has scouts, Wednsday, Isaiah has soccer practice. Thursday, Ali has softball game and every other week also Activity days. Friday, Isaiah has Soccer game. Oh- and somewhere between 330 and 830 if we are not in any of those places... splash in homework and jobs and dinner and diaper changes... So with a birthday on Monday, and one on Friday... busy busy week. For Ali's birthday, she didn't want to go to the soccer game north of Ogden in Farr West, so she stayed with Robyn at our house and watched a movie she'd been wanting to see. The last few minutes of Isaiah's game was FREEZING. It was windy and then light rain turned to light hail, which turned almost violent within one or two minutes. Anyway we got drenched by the time the game was over and we ran to the parking lot. I'm glad Truman stayed home with Ali and Robyn. So we got home and Ali was able to open her presents and blow out candles. She was very happy she got just what she wanted... the books she asked for and a couple different kinds of invisible ink pens (the kind that show up under black light, which she also received.)



Ok, before I move onto Tmas birthday, I have to write down something funny I just heard on tv (one of the shows I watch when I can... Bones- the dialog is often quite clever.)
~Honesty is clearly the downfall of civilization; Civility, Propriety, and Manners are it's redeemers.
Ok, it is funnier after watching the whole episode unfold as the characters are experimenting with extreme honesty amongst each other.
Now moving on beyond the less relevant things that are on my mind.

Truman's birthday was pretty fun for all of us. We all got on the Front Runner train, and rode up to the Ogden station, where they also have a train museum. (TRAIN! train! Train! TRAIN! Tracks! TrAiNS!) The kids looked at and climbed on the display train engines they had, then we went home and Truman opened his presents (Trains!), then he blew out the candles on his train birthday cake (Trains!) Then he played with his new trains.



I think this if a first for me to have a child SO obsessed with any one thing, He eats with his trains, he sleeps with his trains, he cries hysterically during his bath because he can't bathe with them. It's been like this for a few months now. A month or so ago we discovered Disney channel has a new cartoon, and I knew immediately Tman would love it. Chuggington, It's the song that we can never stop singing, It's the only show he will sit down for more than a few minutes for. Isaiah liked cars, and he liked trains... but nothing to this extent. It's been fun for us to experience such a passion. His whole body actually stiffens with excitement when he sees a real train, as he is yelling, train! TRAIN! Oh mah goodness! Train!

It's Tuesday, so Isaiah is at scouts now, and Ali has to be at her softball game shortly... so gotta go!

Miracles happen, Tara Blogs....

I know, I know... worlds worst blogger. Good thing only one family is halfway 'round the world and really depends on our blog for information and entertainment... That makes fewer disappointed people in my blogging achievements. To Christine and her lovely family.. Sorry! I know you have been in Qatar and are starving for information about the most awesome family in the world. I apologize for being so selfish!
So any day now little girl Dryg will be born. If she is like the rest of her siblings she won't come early and I will go into the hospital Tuesday evening to begin a more natural inducement procedure. I guess instead of pumping the oxytocin into my blood to start the contractions, the Dr. plans on putting a hormone cream on my cervix (I forgot what it's called, but apparently it's the hormone that naturally starts the dilation and labor process) I don't know much about it, I just take my Dr.'s word for it that it's a good way to go. Apparently it's a slower process, that's why you go in the evening before, you get the cream applied then you "sleep" in the hospital overnight while it slowly starts to work. I am sure I won't sleep well, but I'm 9 months prego, and wouldn't sleep well at a 5 star hotel either. I'd be awake every 20 minutes to turn like a pig on a spit, or to go pee, or to sit up because I can't breathe... you know the usual "-) According to Ali I won't have to worry about that because she has a very special feeling that my water is going to break tonight, and I will be having the baby. But she had also had that feeling two days ago, so her fortune telling skills are in question.
Hmm... I haven't blogged since September. It's hard to know what to write, because of course so much has happened. I guess that's why I should be writing all along, right? Haha. Oh, well... I have my facebook updates to go on. That's not exactly prime family history material, but better than nothing, right? My last update was,

I've decided Cameron is uniquely qualified to author a book entitled, "1001 things you should never say to your pregnant wife. Ever."

That tells you something doesn't it? Five pregnancies in, and Cameron still hasn't figured out any form of etiquette or decorum, haha. I remember with Truman when I had reached my ultimate fatness level (I maxed out around 210, I think?) He would say things about my size without considering how it would crush my hormonal soul... Like I was trying to walk across the walmart parking lot and people were being so inconsiderate to the poor prego woman, esp. one guy almost pulled out in front of me. Cameron's response was, "You should have let him hit you... that would have taught him." Haha. I can't remember all of them- one of them involved the correlation of me to a moose. I don't know- you get the idea. I was sickest of all with Isaiah, I think, although I had morning sickness with all of them. Cameron's best of all statements came a the height of said sickness when he declared all the sickness was in my head. He really meant it when he said it, and it genuinely pissed me off immeasurably... So after that colossal emotional fracas, it became funny to him. Not really ever so much to me, but that didn't stop him from saying it over and over every time I got nauseous or threw up with subsequent pregnancies. According to Cameron, insensitive pregnancy jokes never get old... I had felt pretty good for the last couple months until a week or so ago. I can tell it's the end, because it's all catching up to me. I am super duper tired. I swear I could sleep all day. And so many foods are making me sick again. Anyway, on one of my heartburny- super- tired days, I had been laying down or napping most of the evening I had already been frustrated I couldn't get the energy to get my normal stuff done... and Cameron in his ever so understanding and kind manner said to me, "Whatever happened to the nesting period, you've been laying down all day?" Haha. Again. So I think I really am going to make him write that book. Then I can at least get something out of his insensitivity... I'm sure it would be a best seller- top of everyone's baby shower wish list. Hee Hee.

Let's go back in order of facebook posts and that will be my way of updating our life. Before that the post was,

I don't know how, but Cameron has 5 kids including our 22month old watching a Brazilian soap opera...

Yes, Cameron is Gay. Haha, I'm getting you back Cameron, for all your insensitive remarks. But it is true, he is addicted to a Brazilian soap opera, pardon, a "novella" called Araguaia. He gets up like at 4 in the morning every day before work, so he can watch it. I can't criticize too much since the facebook entry before that was,

So, of all the ridiculous aspects of the new Rafe Imposter plot on Days, the silliest was all the construction noise they were trying so hard to cover up in the weeks leading up to the switch. Pshaw, as if Stefano Dimera doesn't already have at least one secret prison in the basement of Dimera Mansion.

I've watched days of our lives off and on over the years since I was like in grade school...but I am a girl, hee hee.

The two posts before that were,

Wake me up on the 23, I'm hibernating until the baby is born.

and

Some days the same noise level as normal is just too much, eh?

Just goes to illustrate what I was saying about I'm tired and 'done' with this pregnancy.

That goes back to about the 8th of February, and that is all I can sit tonight, so now I only have five or so months to make up for, Christine. Hope this is better than nothing!

PS Cameron and I just got in a huge fight because he feels like I am trash talking him on our blog, and he is a man that doesn't have to 'take that lying down'... so he will apparently be writing a follow up blog entry trashing me, if you are lucky it will involve some sort of reference to my relationship with my mother, which is always his go-to "below the belt" shot. So you may get lucky and get two blog entries this week, Christine.

Look at me I'm doing a blog entry~! Nothing much new, except that I can wear a pair of shoes, and I can walk. Yay for that. Truman is exploding with words and sounds, it's so much fun. Cori is so grown up, going to pre- school. She is in school almost as long as Isaiah and Ali... well a couple hours less, but longer than kindergarten will be. She has a lot of fun there, and I hope it is really good for her. Isaiah and Ali are back in the groove of things at school. Ali had her first procrastination event last night... we were up until 10:30 finishing an animal pop-up book for science. She is so related to me. (but if she asks, I never put things off until the last minute, k?) I finally met the kids teachers this week. Their back to school night was the week before school, and we were out of town. And I just really didn't want to go into the school on crutches, so I put it off. They are both really nice. It's funny, because Isaiah's teacher is Ali's math teacher, and Isaiah last years teacher is Ali's science teacher- so I know almost all their teachers. I just have to meet a couple more. Their charter school moves them around for different subjects, which I like. In cases like math, it allows them to be grouped into skill levels so they can progress quicker, (or get the help they need if they are not up with their grade level) It makes it much better for kids like mine who get bored if they are not challenged. My kids complain a lot about the dress code, but I just really like certain things about the setup of it all. I feel they are learning a lot more about a larger variety of subjects. Anyway...
Isaiah is on a competition soccer team this year. It's his first year doing comp, so they put him on the "B" team. I think they got off to a rough start, with not enough kids, a coach that really only wanted to coach the "A" team, and a few other problems. They finally got some coaches that want the team, although Isaiah got off to a bad start with them (he was apparently goofing off at practice and leading the other kids to do the same. ) So he hasn't seen as much playing time in the games we are used to. But I think things are turning a corner. I hope. It's so hard to tell with Isaiah. He is very talented and fast, and when he tries- he's good. But when he is discouraged (because he's not playing the position he wants, or their team is losing...) he doesn't try. I keep hoping this is a phase he will outgrow. In any case, he is trying harder, and doing better. So I'm finally starting to feel like the cost and time comp soccer requires will be worth it. He almost scored a goal at the game Monday, and that was awesome!
Ali apparently had a play at school last week that I found out about the day after it happened. I don't think it was a big production meant for parents, but it was fun for her. They did Pocahontas , and Ali played the part of Pocahontas. I remember when she went through her Pocahontas phase. She is still probably more like her than any other disney gal.
Anyway, Truman is trying to destroy the printer while I type, so I better go distract him.
Ok, your turn, Christine.

Before and After

Last year when Isaiah was in 2nd grade, I had to read one of the books he read to make up a test for him (It was too new for the school to have a test on file, and he wanted credit for it.) The books are super popular, the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. I thought it was pretty dang funny, especially the part with that picture above. In the beginning of the book, Greg- the first year middle schooler- tells about his Mom, how she's joined the gym, and bought a whole new workout uniform and gear. His Dad snapped a picture of it the day she bought it all, but then she never went to the gym. Then the one day he forgot his backpack in the car, is the day she decides to go- so she shows up in his class in her spiffy workout gear, holding his backpack- embarrassing him thoroughly. Well that was the only time she went to the gym, and a couple months later the dad gets the photo in the mail. Since the lab sent doubles, he thought he'd be clever, and put them both up on the fridge, one labled, "Before" and one "After." That was so me last summer. When I joined the gym in may or June a few weeks or a month after having Truman, I declared I would not be Greg's Mom. Alas, I was... I think I made it there 3 or 4 times, before deciding naps were much more important. When I made my new goals in January... I didn't tell anyone, and I certainly wasn't going to jinx myself by taking a "Before" picture. But I was really very determined. I just decided... 25 pounds from each of my last kids = 200ish pounds, and I just can't weigh 200 pounds for the rest of my life. Even though I'm like 7 pounds from reaching my original goal, I still feel like I'm not quite there- where I want to be, but at least there is the ability to distinguish between "Before" and "After," right? (Sorry, no "After" Picture yet.)

Tidbits

This is last Saturday at the Hogle Zoo Carousel. We went with some friends to celebrate Ali's birthday. (She's eight- unbelievable!)

The girls in their spring/Easter dresses. Christine... you need some girls.

Here's some of the funny things Cori has said lately...

"Someday I'm going to be a good mom, that doesn't spank children...."
"Mom! You scared my guts out!"
"I want to be a mom just like you, except not just like you, like Cori. I want to be a 'me mom.' "

A month or so ago, Cori was sitting/laying like this in church- she made it almost until the end of sacrament awake. (She said something to me a minute or two before the closing song.) After when I was gathering up our belongings someone nearby was chuckling and pointing at her. I said, "is she asleep?" And when I went on that side of her this is what I saw. It was precious and funny. Everyone got a kick out of her.

On Sunday, which was actually Ali's birthday- after church everyone except Isaiah and I was already in the van to head to Robyn's, when I saw Ali's new white skirt on her floor in her room. I yelled at her from the door to come back and hang it up so it didn't get dirty and ruined. Her Dad tried to plead her case to get a pass on her birthday, but I said no, it's white, come hang it up. By the time Ali had come inside, Isaiah had slipped into Ali's room and hung it up for her. Moments like that are so special to me. I mean, really... The moments when the same kids who are crazy, hyper, silly, naughty, moody, defiant, squabbley, teasey...everything except purely kind- show that deep down, a truly good person is growing inside of them. Those are the moments that make me a truly happy Mom.



The other night, before it turned freezing again (I mean, come on- snow in May? Get on with it, Spring!) The moon was near full, and the evening was warm and clear. I knew Truman would LOVE to be outside, looking at the moon, and the trees, so I took him out for a walk. He did love it. He stared at the trees, and the moon, and the street lights. He happily touched the branches of low trees, and his head followed passing cars. It was a one year old's dream- to get out of the cooped up house. When we were coming back onto our property, a neighbors family was passing our house. We chatted for a little while, and when they went on their way, saying goodbye and waving, Truman waved his fat little hand and said, "Ba. Ba. Ba." Does it ever get old? The wonder of a baby's new accomplishments? I wouldn't know, but I suppose it's like a drug to me, a familiar high that comes every so often when they let go for the first time, and stand unassisted. Or when you see the light in their eyes and you know they understand you. Or when they copy the sound you are making, "Ma, Ma, Ma." Who would ever have know a single uttered syllable, and a hand movement could make me so utterly thrilled.

Disneyland here I (we) come...

I am officially crazy, and have signed up for my first half marathon... I'm not sure if I am more excited, nervous, or just scared. Right now I'm only running just under 3 miles, and so I haven't started a half marathon training schedule. I hope to be at three miles next week and when I get comfortable with that, I guess that's when I'll start it. I want Cameron to run it with me, and if we can get someone to go with us to watch the kids while we run, he probably will. The kids are of course excited. It has nothing to do with Disneyland. They motives are pure, and they just want to go to support their mama in her endeavors. (ha! ;-) ) Anyway, I hope I survive it... I'll write more later I guess!
(BTW, not that I ever posted my intentions or my goals, but at the end of January I made a goal to loose a little over 50 pounds by the end of May, to reach 150 lbs- I weighed between 140 and 150 before kids, and again between Ali and Cori, but gained and didn't lose 25 pounds with each of my last two babies... So the update is I have lost about 45 pounds, with 9 to go to hit 150. Yay, me! I feel like I will probably keep trying to loose another 5-10 after that, because I still have too much belly fat- so I'll have to see if my willpower can hold up. Now that Cameron is back to working 2 jobs, I can't get back to the gym until Truman starts walking- our gym doesn't have a "day care" but a "kids play area" I guess the running training will be a good thing!)

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Kids and Biking

This was a few weeks ago at the Living Planet Aquarium in Sandy or Draper. We met Tamber's family there, and Ali was so happy to see Jessica. The kids all enjoyed it. Cori thought she was old enough to just take off and wander by herself at one point, so I had a heart attack while we all searched for a good 25 minutes until one of the staff finally found her.


After we went to a McDonnalds, where Isaiah took Trumy to the top of his first playplace. It was love hate relationship. He alternated the crying with the laughing all the way up.


After, when it was time to go, Ali attacked Jessica... She is her best friend and Ali did NOT want to leave her!

This is what our car often looks like when we get home from a trip or even just a day at Robyns house. So sweet and innocent when they're sleeping, eh?

When we went to the store a week or two ago, I was dramatically sobbing about how big Isaiah was, and how he used to be the little one that rode in the cute little shopping carts, and now he's so big... so he runs over and hops in with a big grin.

Every time the weather teases us with a warm day, the clouds and snow or cold rain roll back in. this was one of the almost warm days that we were able to to out to a park. Cori and Trumy and I had a nice little picnic at castle park, and we played around for a half hour or so- then it was too cold. I want summer!

Swinging was both their favorite, but Cori also made a cute little friend she ran around with for a while.

We had 3 kids with cavities, cori only had 1- it was her first, and she hated getting it done, even with the meds. Ali had the most, she had 6 0r 7- so they decided it would be easiest to give her a shot for her to sleep, so they could do them all in one day. I don't think we'll ever do that again. I didn't like it at all. Not only was she super stoned and loopy for an hour or two after, she was sick and puking ALL day long. She was miserable.

Trumy is our second little vampire baby. Cori's side top teeth came in first too. I think it's awfully cute- hard to get a good pic. All these pics come from my phone, because it is what I always have with me, but obviously not the best quality.

This is my favorite... Trumes love to look at water in creeks and rivers, and really enjoys robyn's house. Cameron dipped him down so he could touch the water, and he LOVED it. He was so happy... splashing and giggling. Every time Cameron would bring him back up, he would cry to go back down again.



Here's a video, you can kind of hear his giggling between all the splashing!

Trumes had a poo explosion while we were working in Robyn's yard, and after I cleaned him, he happily crawled up the stairs naked to the bath. He loves the stairs so much, he got to the top, went back down, and crawled up again (twice) before continuing on to the bath. Kathy was scandalized.



I am stupid, and forgot on my phone I can't turn it when I'm videoing, so if you want to look at this (poor quality) clip of Cori and Truman going on a wheelbarrow ride, you'll just have to tilt your head.



We are so proud of Isaiah... The kids didn't take gymnastics from November to March, because we just didn't have the money. And 2 weeks after they're back, he is doing his back handsprings, and almost his back whip! By the time I videoed him this day, he was tired, and only landed one on his feet, but he can do it. On Wednsday's lesson- he did a round off 2 back handsprings in a row. It's really something to watch him get the big long body up in the air like that! on the side you can see Ali practicing a little too. She is still getting better and better at her back handsprings, and almost can land her whip and tuck.

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So when Cameron and I were dating, he took me snowboarding. I'd never been. Not even skiing. But he faithfully promised he'd teach me. We went with a couple of his buddies, and Cam and I headed to the 'bunny slopes.' After 5 or 10 minutes or so, he was bored. He said... "I think you've got the basics, you need to go on a little bigger hill." I looked scared, but he assured me it wouldn't be a big deal. Next thing you know, I'm in the lift with him- headed to the top of the Brighton mountainside. I swear we just kept going up for EVER. I was so scared. How was I possibly going to survive the way down? Well, he helped me off the lift, and we went down the first hill. I fell 15 times probably. He waited at the bottom. Impatiently. I understood- he loves snowboarding. When I finally got down to where he was, I said- "I'm going to fall 1000 times on my way down, whether you're here or not... Why don't you just head down and have fun." He said, "Are you sure? (0.5 second pause) OK, bye!" I had fun still and although I thought I wouldn't survive, I did. He wasn't at the bottom when I finally reached it, so I just got back on the lift and headed up alone again. and again. All day- for hours. He never bothered to check on me, just hung with his buddies all day. A couple guys I rode up with were really nice and cute, they couldn't believe Cameron just ditched me. I should have gone home with them. ;-) But anyway, we all had fun in the end.

My point in telling this story? 10 years later, I finally give in and let Cameron buy me a mountain bike. I've always hated bike riding- I don't know why. But I have been trying to get back in shape, going to the gym every day so my before and after picture don't look the same, right? Cameron thought biking would be a good activity for me, and I finally agreed. So Wednesday Robyn needed our help moving the remains of 3 giant pine trees. I was glad to do it, because Cameron was too lazy to watch Truman so I could go to the gym that morning, and I still had a calorie burn to hit. After a few hours of that, it was about 6pm, and Cameron said-"Let's just go on a "little" bike ride." After my snowboarding story, can you guess where this is heading? Well, he didn't abandon me on a mountain top this time, but that little bike ride? Half way up a mountain, two hours, across the canyon two cities later... yeah. About 15 minutes in, when the trail got so narrow it was crumbling down the 100 yard steep drop off as I rode, I knew I was going to get more than I bargained for. Mud puddles, gravel pits, sandy slopes, huge rocks and holes, up and down up and down...

Cameron snapped this pic of me with his phone on our ride.

But crazy enough... I totally loved it. I guess it's because in the last couple months I've been constantly pushing myself at the gym or wherever I'm getting my workout in... I've learned to actually enjoy the challenge instead of hating it.

So of course Cameron is totally stoked- I told him I had to get a helmet, because I know the chances of me crashing are well above the 50% range! So he went to the bike store today and bought me some awesome accessories for my bike. He wants me to love it, because it's always been one of his favorite activities. All these 10 years I've said to myself I need to just learn to like if for his sake, but just dreaded getting into it, because like I said it was always my least favorite. I would much rather play baseball, basketball, soccer, hike... but biking was always his thing.

Anyway, I'll let you know if I survive the next ride...

The great news, the good news and bad-but-not awful news, but mainly good news, YAY!

So, really? It's been almost a month since I made a blog entry? How does time go by that fast? Yikes. Well first the great news...
Truman's heart has healed all the way! His 3 month follow up appointment since he had the issues, turned out a clean bill of health. We are so blessed to have such a sweet beautiful boy, and we are so grateful he was able to come through everything okay.
Now onto the good news...
Cameron got a job, yay! He'd not been jobless completely, but since March of last year, he has only worked part time, or temporary full time.
The bad news...
His dream job fell through. The Portuguese job he tested highest- and was was recommended for was just completely eliminated. Cameron loves Portuguese, and was looking forward to doing a job he really loved. It's not so bad, because the job that came through is the same job, just with Spanish instead of Portuguese, and possibly some day- either someone in the Portuguese position will retire, or the old slot will be reopened- and he'll be in the perfect place to slide into it.
So his temporary orders end April 10, for his stateside deployment with his National Guard Unit, and his orders in Ogden for his new job start April 11. The stars aligned themselves for us, or more realistically our children's humble little prayers were answered.

***Editors note*** After Cameron read this blog entry, he informed me I misunderstood him, and the bad news is not bad news really. They are hiring him on as a Spanish linguist, calling him a Spanish linguist, but having him do the Portuguese job he so wanted to do. This will not be permanent, but for at least a year he'll get to work in his favorite language, and then possibly he'll be switched to an official Portuguese position, or if that doesn't work out- he'll do Spanish... Hard to say, but we're so happy he is getting the opportunity to do work he loves, at a place he enjoys!

These two pictures crack me up... The first one is Isaiah's turn to read the scriptures... Ali was really listening, and cuddled up to him soaking it in. I thought it was really sweet and unusual (they weren't bickering) Then came Ali's turn. Ahhh, so much for Isaiah listening... He's always been an early sleeper.

Praying people in the house

I was close to getting a good dependable full time job now it is possible that it won't happen I feel like it is teetering on the edge. Anyone who follows this blog and prays and wishes us well please make a request to Allah, Buddah, Heavenly Father, The Great Spirit, Elvis whoever you pray to please put in a good word for us.

Maybe Tomorrow

Last August we were able to take a trip to San Jose, for a mini-reunion of the Dryg family. I think all seven of Great Grandma Dryg's kids were there, but we were among only 2 or three grandchildren to go. With the exception of Uncle Fred, and Great Grandma Bertha Dryg, our kids and I had never met any other Drygs in person. Now we feel like there really is actual other Drygs out there... they're not just myths. Right before we left, Bertha (98 years old) said, "It's a good thing we did this this year. I'm 100 years old, and that's long enough. I won't be here this time next year." I don't know if that was an old wise woman's premonition, or just chance... but she passed away a couple weeks ago. Isaiah and Ali had visited her in Michigan a few years ago, but we are glad Cori and Truman got a chance to meet her.

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Cute Truman

Isaiah and Cori at the zoo, on the giant elephant statue

In San Jose at the ebay park

At Layton City Park, feeding the ducks

Truman in St George, enjoying weather with no snow.

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I've been sulking a bit over my inability to do "everything." Kids, homework, housework, church calling, house fix-up/redo projects, scrapbook, (what's that?) exercise, organize, play with kids, read to kids, do projects with kids... and of course blog. Sometimes instead of everything, I feel like I'm getting nothing done. Then there's Christine in Qatar... 4 kids, foreign country, husband working a lot... blogs all the time, and in the blogs are details of her doing everything I need to do. Granted she does have a few more interesting things to write about- with so many new experiences they are having. Some days I feel like if I were to blog more often, it would go like this:

Isaiah and I got into another fight. I grounded him. He said I was mean. Ali ran around the house making fairy beds and another messy project I never saw (but I saw the mess) Cori screamed every 32 minutes, sometimes more- depending on how often her sister and brother teased her. Truman is cute. He pooped a lot today. He's still spitting up, maybe by the time he's 2 he'll stop. I cleaned the kitchen. The kids dirtied the kitchen. I cleaned the bathroom. Isaiah peed all over the toilet, and the girls got water and bath toys everywhere. (EVERYWHERE.) We were 5 minutes late for school again today. Sigh. Maybe tomorrow.

The Inn at Temple Square

These pictures were taken by Cody Anderson, who worked at the Inn's restaurant, Passages, right before the Inn was closed and demolished. I cried 214 times looking at them- Cameron and I met and were married here. A good portion of our courtship took place within the lobby. Cameron was the night audit desk clerk, and I would often stay after ... and play chess, scrabble, scatergories, or take-down (wrestling) into the wee hours of the night. We were married in the Brunswick Room, the banquet room facing South Temple Street on July 27, 2000. This album is dedicated to any who worked at, stayed at, was married in, or had special functions like weddings and anniversaries within the beautiful walls, before they were destroyed. Okay, now I'm crying again.

My boys...

I was downstairs working on the computer and I heard my cute buns cry upstairs... I came up and found him in this position, stuck. It was so funny, and he was a good sport to stay there while I went to find my cell phone and camera. He was happy as long as I was there talking to him, but that couldn't be too comfortable.

We just got back from a little vacation to Utah's Dixie, my dear-ol-St George. It was beautiful, warm, and super fun. We could actually see the sky, a beautiful bright blue. No inversion. Warm enough to play at the park without jackets or even shoes. The kids all had a fun time. Truman got to swing for the first time at a park, while Isaiah walked on top of the monkey bars. Isaiah is so stinking big, and my heart is wringing as I realize Truman is growing even faster than Isaiah. It's true... Time really does speed up as life goes on.