Friday night, Doug and I enjoyed a doube date with daughters, Katelyn and Hannah, to see the traveling Broadway production of "Beauty and the Beast."
Almost ten years ago, some generous friends gave us tickets to see this show. Doug and I took Katelyn, and without any preconceived expectations, we were blown away! The actors were excellent, the costumes were clever, the dancing and special effects were magical. And the lines we had memorized from the Disney movie were susprisingly hilarious when delivered live! It remained at the top of my list of favorite Broadway shows I've seen.
So, when I saw it was returning to Salt Lake City this year, I had to buy some tickets!
Katelyn was super excited because she remembers seeing it last time, and because she is playing Madame LaGrande Bouche in her school's production of the same show this Spring. Hannah was super excited because she got to wear her Belle dress, and I did my best to give her Belle's hairdo.
We headed downtown and looked for someplace close to the theater to eat. Katelyn was craving Chinese, and Hannah would have been happy with a hamburger. But we ended up at Benihana. We figured it would be more memorable than any of our other options. The food was good, and the chef was better. Being able to sit down at a restaurant with your children and enjoy a nice meal is the best!
After our dinner show, we walked half a block South to the theater, just in time to sit down and enjoy the show.
Hannah got to sit next to her friend Jayde--also in her own Belle dress--and one of the best parts of the show was seeing those two little blondies squeeze each other, with huge grins on their faces, during the thrill of the final scene.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Monday, March 19, 2012
Epiphany
- a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.
I keep coming back to this blog, wishing I had something cute or endearing or comical to share....and coming up with writer's block again and again.
I guess I had better just accept and admit that some posts need to be bittersweet.
This has been a tough winter. Weather-wise, it has been mild. I don't know if there's any cause&effect, or just a correlation (Sarah!), but health-wise, this winter has been wild! We've been struck with everything from colds and coughs that linger, to stomach issues, to strep throat, to cavities (I think Olivia has had 6 worked on now!!!) and other dental issues (Emily's got some major oral surgery scheduled soon),.... The list goes on and gets much worse, believe it or not. But there are good things happening, too. Katelyn got her braces off, and Hannah finally let her top tooth fall out, and they both look awesome! We are grateful to have generally healthy bodies and minds.
Doug keeps working at a mad pace. As he says, it's like "sipping from the fire hose." Doing the taxes this year has been much more stressful than ever before. And yet, we're so grateful for his employment and he and I are both glad that he enjoys what he does.
I've been looking back at what I posted two or three years ago, and feeling nostalgic for some of those times, when my girls were so much younger. A couple of years makes such a huge difference in the life of a child! I miss the way things once were, and yet I sit at the dinner table and soak in the people and conversation around my table, and I think I wouldn't change a thing. It gives me such a feeling of joy sometimes!
Lately I have become more keenly aware of the opposites in my life, and how much richer my life is because of them.
When Adam and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit, and were being cast out of the Garden of Eden, scriptures record that God told Eve, "I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children." And to Adam, he said, "cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow thou shalt eat of it all the days of thy life."
I had always sensed shame for Adam and Eve (and for all man, including myself) in those verses, believing that God was angry at their disobedience, and doling out a wrathful punishment. But recently I was struck with this realization: God was not expressing his displeasure at all. He was teaching Adam and Eve in that moment, and I imagine he did so with tenderness and love. Adam and Eve knew that as a result of eating the fruit, they would progress in mortality. They would begin their own family. I bet that, as hard as it was to leave the garden, it was very exciting to anticipate their new, more grown-up life. Eve probably anticipated her role as a mother with incredible joy. Adam probably looked forward to new challenges.
Yet God wanted to remind Adam and Eve that, because they had eaten the fruit, they would know all sorts of extremes: not just the joy, but also the sorrow.
This was both a blessing and a curse. Only when we experience the difficult, trying times, can we really appreciate and feel the joy in the good times. Sorrow, sweat, and trial are not punishments--certainly not punishments from God. They are a necessary part of reality. And the bitter helps us seek and savor the sweet.
I keep coming back to this blog, wishing I had something cute or endearing or comical to share....and coming up with writer's block again and again.
I guess I had better just accept and admit that some posts need to be bittersweet.
This has been a tough winter. Weather-wise, it has been mild. I don't know if there's any cause&effect, or just a correlation (Sarah!), but health-wise, this winter has been wild! We've been struck with everything from colds and coughs that linger, to stomach issues, to strep throat, to cavities (I think Olivia has had 6 worked on now!!!) and other dental issues (Emily's got some major oral surgery scheduled soon),.... The list goes on and gets much worse, believe it or not. But there are good things happening, too. Katelyn got her braces off, and Hannah finally let her top tooth fall out, and they both look awesome! We are grateful to have generally healthy bodies and minds.
Doug keeps working at a mad pace. As he says, it's like "sipping from the fire hose." Doing the taxes this year has been much more stressful than ever before. And yet, we're so grateful for his employment and he and I are both glad that he enjoys what he does.
I've been looking back at what I posted two or three years ago, and feeling nostalgic for some of those times, when my girls were so much younger. A couple of years makes such a huge difference in the life of a child! I miss the way things once were, and yet I sit at the dinner table and soak in the people and conversation around my table, and I think I wouldn't change a thing. It gives me such a feeling of joy sometimes!
Lately I have become more keenly aware of the opposites in my life, and how much richer my life is because of them.
When Adam and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit, and were being cast out of the Garden of Eden, scriptures record that God told Eve, "I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children." And to Adam, he said, "cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow thou shalt eat of it all the days of thy life."
I had always sensed shame for Adam and Eve (and for all man, including myself) in those verses, believing that God was angry at their disobedience, and doling out a wrathful punishment. But recently I was struck with this realization: God was not expressing his displeasure at all. He was teaching Adam and Eve in that moment, and I imagine he did so with tenderness and love. Adam and Eve knew that as a result of eating the fruit, they would progress in mortality. They would begin their own family. I bet that, as hard as it was to leave the garden, it was very exciting to anticipate their new, more grown-up life. Eve probably anticipated her role as a mother with incredible joy. Adam probably looked forward to new challenges.
Yet God wanted to remind Adam and Eve that, because they had eaten the fruit, they would know all sorts of extremes: not just the joy, but also the sorrow.
This was both a blessing and a curse. Only when we experience the difficult, trying times, can we really appreciate and feel the joy in the good times. Sorrow, sweat, and trial are not punishments--certainly not punishments from God. They are a necessary part of reality. And the bitter helps us seek and savor the sweet.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
This & That
I've sort of followed through on my goal to get out of pajamas. I've moved up to sweats. ;)
It has been a mild winter (not much snow), but it's still winter (cold and ugly), and I'm getting so excited for March--just because it's that much closer to Spring, which is that much closer to Summer!
Today Olivia and I went to Target, and she picked out a package of fake nails. I figure that's four bucks that I could have spent on a Happy Meal, and this is less fattening, more lasting entertainment.
Katelyn is getting better at driving. Showing off turned out to be the ice breaker. For the first couple of months, it took lots of cajoling to get her behind the wheel for a spin around the block. But then one day, a friend walked home from school with her and dared her to drive him the rest of the way home to his house. So she (we) did. Then, after he showed up for an after-school ride about 3 more times, I told Katelyn this was not cool anymore. Let him bum a ride off somebody else! Anyway, it was a good way to get her more comfortable behind the wheel. And I think I'm a pretty chill Mom when Katelyn is driving, if I do say so myself. (She doesn't like it when I laugh, but I tell her it's better than if I screamed, right?)
Emily has gotten more, not less, obsessed with horses after a year-and-a-half of volunteering at Courage Reins (a nearby therapeutic riding stable). She spends one or two afternoons a week, plus most of her Saturdays there. I think it's 99% a wonderful thing that she's doing. The 1% I dislike is the smell of her boots when I pick her up from that place--P.U.!!!
Lauren recently participated in her school's story telling festival. She wants to do this every year, and it is somewhat puzzling to me, because memorizing is not her strong suit. But I guess that tells you just how much she enjoys performing for an audience--especially if she can get them to laugh. I am really proud of Lauren for doing this. First of all, she works really hard to memorize and practice her story, with voices and feeling and all that. Secondly, it is intimidating to be in the spotlight, no matter what you're doing. Even Lauren must feel a little bit nervous about that. So I'm really proud of her for doing it anyway.
Hannah lost one of her top teeth in California on January 1st. The other one is loose, but not that loose. So while her first permanent top tooth grows in, I can see that she's never going to have that big gummy gap. Instead, we've had a couple of months of snaggle tooth grins from her, and that's pretty cute too.
Doug has made a deal with his friend Ryan. They both have weight loss goals, and whoever loses their weight first gets to have the other guy mow his lawn this summer. I sure hope Doug wins, because Ryan has a big yard, and we don't have a riding mower. I guess that would be a fitting consequence. If Doug doesn't meet his weight loss goal soon, he'll probably lose it by mowing Ryan's big lawn with our old push mower all summer long.
It has been a mild winter (not much snow), but it's still winter (cold and ugly), and I'm getting so excited for March--just because it's that much closer to Spring, which is that much closer to Summer!
Today Olivia and I went to Target, and she picked out a package of fake nails. I figure that's four bucks that I could have spent on a Happy Meal, and this is less fattening, more lasting entertainment.
Katelyn is getting better at driving. Showing off turned out to be the ice breaker. For the first couple of months, it took lots of cajoling to get her behind the wheel for a spin around the block. But then one day, a friend walked home from school with her and dared her to drive him the rest of the way home to his house. So she (we) did. Then, after he showed up for an after-school ride about 3 more times, I told Katelyn this was not cool anymore. Let him bum a ride off somebody else! Anyway, it was a good way to get her more comfortable behind the wheel. And I think I'm a pretty chill Mom when Katelyn is driving, if I do say so myself. (She doesn't like it when I laugh, but I tell her it's better than if I screamed, right?)
Emily has gotten more, not less, obsessed with horses after a year-and-a-half of volunteering at Courage Reins (a nearby therapeutic riding stable). She spends one or two afternoons a week, plus most of her Saturdays there. I think it's 99% a wonderful thing that she's doing. The 1% I dislike is the smell of her boots when I pick her up from that place--P.U.!!!
Lauren recently participated in her school's story telling festival. She wants to do this every year, and it is somewhat puzzling to me, because memorizing is not her strong suit. But I guess that tells you just how much she enjoys performing for an audience--especially if she can get them to laugh. I am really proud of Lauren for doing this. First of all, she works really hard to memorize and practice her story, with voices and feeling and all that. Secondly, it is intimidating to be in the spotlight, no matter what you're doing. Even Lauren must feel a little bit nervous about that. So I'm really proud of her for doing it anyway.
Hannah lost one of her top teeth in California on January 1st. The other one is loose, but not that loose. So while her first permanent top tooth grows in, I can see that she's never going to have that big gummy gap. Instead, we've had a couple of months of snaggle tooth grins from her, and that's pretty cute too.
Doug has made a deal with his friend Ryan. They both have weight loss goals, and whoever loses their weight first gets to have the other guy mow his lawn this summer. I sure hope Doug wins, because Ryan has a big yard, and we don't have a riding mower. I guess that would be a fitting consequence. If Doug doesn't meet his weight loss goal soon, he'll probably lose it by mowing Ryan's big lawn with our old push mower all summer long.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Time to Get Dressed
January is always a mellow month for me. I think it should be called "Pajamuary" because I spend more hours of the day than usual in my pajamas during this first cold month of the year. It's dark earlier in the evening, which leads me to get ready for bed earlier, and in the morning I get going later in the day, since usually I have nowhere to go and no desire to venture outside.
I love my flannel pj's, but I'm also looking forward to the end of this month and the beginning of one month closer to Spring.
Maybe I need to set a goal for myself: to get dressed.
I love my flannel pj's, but I'm also looking forward to the end of this month and the beginning of one month closer to Spring.
Maybe I need to set a goal for myself: to get dressed.
Friday, January 27, 2012
LLLVWG
Would you like to know more about Livwig?
The first ever LLLVWG - Larson Ladies Las Vegas Weekend Getaway - or Livwig, for short - took place MLKJr weekend 2012.
Just a month before the scheduled event, it was looking like it would be a skimpy turn-out. But then, just days before it was to begin, 9 of the 10 invited guests had committed to come. I'm sure our hostess, Sara, was scrambling and maybe just a tiny bit stressed with the last-minute planning, but she didn't appear to break a sweat. She hosted us all at her home, and magically transformed her husband Thayne (hereafter known as T-Butler) into a very accommodating Guest Services Co-Coordinator. Their cute little girls, Sage and Calla, probably got sick of the extra tickles and hugs I gave them, but they made excellent stand-ins when I was missing my own girlies at home!
Everyone arrived on schedule Friday afternoon, and after settling in, we kicked off the weekend with some Cafe Rio. Yum. That night we caught up with some candid conversation, but I might have been the party pooper who went to bed first. I hate to miss anything, but I also hate to start drooling on Sara's couch pillows mid-conversation. Besides, we had an early morning ahead of us!
Most of us got up bright and early Saturday morning, sampled Sara's impressive Continental Breakfast, and headed straight to the park for Boot Camp. Sara, six months pregnant, must have gotten a good laugh when the first round of Boot Camp exercises kicked my butt, and I surrendered and decided to just walk the pathway around the park for the next 50 minutes. (But I was not alone!) Someday I would love to be in tip-top physical condition, and be able to keep up with the pregnant ladies (and other athletes) in their workout.
After a little more breakfast and freshening up, it was time to hit the nail salon for pedicures. Ahhh, now this is more my speed!
With our piggies polished, we were ready to do some outlet shopping. Once again, I'm totally digging this agenda. Shopping made us hungry for lunch at Panera, and that made us tired for a nap.
But after nap time, there was a little excitement--Melaina, the only sister-in-law who couldn't make it to LLLVWG, was actually going to join us! Picture time!!
Sara tried to introduce us to some Las Vegas culture that night, with a little trip to the Strip. We had high hopes for the Food Truck fare we had heard would be there, but we weren't quite prepared for the long lines. We wimped out, headed back to Sara's house with some really yummy thin-crust pizza, dropped by Yogurtland for dessert (that place did live up to expectations!), and then laughed ourselves silly with a game called "The Game of Things." Questions about lessons learned too late, irritating things about men, and what you should never say to your mother were incredibly educational! A really great party/get-to-know-you game that I might need to add to my own game closet now.
Sunday was low-key, with some sleeping in, some presents (an un-birthday party for all of us, and a baby shower for Sara - about to have her first boy - and Corinne - about to have her first baby, a girl), and some goodbyes.
That night, I once again fell asleep while the others were watching a chick flick. Sara warned us not to even pack our party pooper pants, but I was just so wiped out from all the fun!
Monday morning, we experienced one more Las Vegas treat: a $5 breakfast buffet at a nearby casino! We came late enough and stayed long enough to top off our omelettes and french toast and bacon with a couple slices of pie. Hoo-boy!
Then it was time to head home.
The first ever LLLVWG - Larson Ladies Las Vegas Weekend Getaway - or Livwig, for short - took place MLKJr weekend 2012.
Just a month before the scheduled event, it was looking like it would be a skimpy turn-out. But then, just days before it was to begin, 9 of the 10 invited guests had committed to come. I'm sure our hostess, Sara, was scrambling and maybe just a tiny bit stressed with the last-minute planning, but she didn't appear to break a sweat. She hosted us all at her home, and magically transformed her husband Thayne (hereafter known as T-Butler) into a very accommodating Guest Services Co-Coordinator. Their cute little girls, Sage and Calla, probably got sick of the extra tickles and hugs I gave them, but they made excellent stand-ins when I was missing my own girlies at home!
Everyone arrived on schedule Friday afternoon, and after settling in, we kicked off the weekend with some Cafe Rio. Yum. That night we caught up with some candid conversation, but I might have been the party pooper who went to bed first. I hate to miss anything, but I also hate to start drooling on Sara's couch pillows mid-conversation. Besides, we had an early morning ahead of us!
Most of us got up bright and early Saturday morning, sampled Sara's impressive Continental Breakfast, and headed straight to the park for Boot Camp. Sara, six months pregnant, must have gotten a good laugh when the first round of Boot Camp exercises kicked my butt, and I surrendered and decided to just walk the pathway around the park for the next 50 minutes. (But I was not alone!) Someday I would love to be in tip-top physical condition, and be able to keep up with the pregnant ladies (and other athletes) in their workout.
After a little more breakfast and freshening up, it was time to hit the nail salon for pedicures. Ahhh, now this is more my speed!
With our piggies polished, we were ready to do some outlet shopping. Once again, I'm totally digging this agenda. Shopping made us hungry for lunch at Panera, and that made us tired for a nap.
But after nap time, there was a little excitement--Melaina, the only sister-in-law who couldn't make it to LLLVWG, was actually going to join us! Picture time!!
 |
| I can't handle boot camp, but I can make a pyramid! |
 |
| My mom will love this. Here we are in age order of our husbands (not necessarily ourselves--we'll never tell!). So from oldest to youngest, Left to Right, Back Row: Scott's wife Kaelyn, Brad's wife Kristine, Doug's wife Me, Thayne's wife Sara, Clay's wife Amy, Bruce's wife Melaina, Clark's wife Liesel, Steve's wife Breanne, and Mark's wife Corinne. Front Row: Momma Suzanne |
Sara tried to introduce us to some Las Vegas culture that night, with a little trip to the Strip. We had high hopes for the Food Truck fare we had heard would be there, but we weren't quite prepared for the long lines. We wimped out, headed back to Sara's house with some really yummy thin-crust pizza, dropped by Yogurtland for dessert (that place did live up to expectations!), and then laughed ourselves silly with a game called "The Game of Things." Questions about lessons learned too late, irritating things about men, and what you should never say to your mother were incredibly educational! A really great party/get-to-know-you game that I might need to add to my own game closet now.
Sunday was low-key, with some sleeping in, some presents (an un-birthday party for all of us, and a baby shower for Sara - about to have her first boy - and Corinne - about to have her first baby, a girl), and some goodbyes.
That night, I once again fell asleep while the others were watching a chick flick. Sara warned us not to even pack our party pooper pants, but I was just so wiped out from all the fun!
Monday morning, we experienced one more Las Vegas treat: a $5 breakfast buffet at a nearby casino! We came late enough and stayed long enough to top off our omelettes and french toast and bacon with a couple slices of pie. Hoo-boy!
Then it was time to head home.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
A Faint Pulse
This blog isn't dead, it's just mostly dead.
Quick recap:
Christmas was not white. In fact, we've had hardly any snow this winter! We had our biggest snowfall last night, and I didn't even lift a shovel, because I knew that it would melt away today--and it did! I'm quite pleased about that.
Most of our Christmas gifts were electronic this year. Surprised? We got a new Wii system, and now all the old games are like new gifts, because it's been so long since we've used them. Our favorite new game, though, is Just Dance 3. Well, it's everybody except Doug's favorite. He's not a big fan of dancing in front of people, even when those people are his own children. I'm sort of baffled by that.
Katelyn now has her own phone. I was still a little nervous about taking that leap, but honestly, the "Kids' Shared Cell Phone" had already become 99% Katelyn's.
Emily loves her iPod Touch.
Doug is happy to be able to hook his iPod into his car stereo now.
And I am learning, very slowly, to use my new iPhone. Someone like me should not have such fancy technology. It's kind of a shame to let it go to waste! Probably my favorite thing about it is the nice camera I carry around in my purse now. But I don't know how to get the pictures off my phone and into this blog yet. So that's a bummer.
If it weren't for the younger girls, our Christmas morning would have been pretty dull. Call me old-fashioned, but I find it more magical to see American Girl dolls under the tree than a bunch of fancy new gadgets.
Two days after Christmas, we celebrated Lauren's 10th birthday. She had a breakfast party, with all her friends in pajamas.
The following day, we all headed to California. Katelyn left early in the morning, on a bus, with the high school band. The rest of us took a flight that afternoon and beat her to California by hours! The highlights of this trip included seeing Katelyn march down Main Street in a Disneyland parade; watching the AFHS Band's field show in the Tournament of Roses Bandfest; and visiting family. Lowlights were unfortunately abundant, and included: diahrrea at Disneyland; puking in cabs and airports; and a towed rental car just when we should have been turning it in and catching a flight home.
After that crazy trip, I was just a little bit anxious about our next trip: less than 24 hours after coming home from California, Doug and I left the girls home with Grandma L. and went to Key West, Florida. Doug had a work conference, and I planned to spend evenings with him, and my days all alone, sleeping, reading, and soaking up some sunshine.
California should have clued me in. I should have expected the worst. But I didn't.
I did not expect to be cold in Key West. But I was. The daytime high when we arrived was 57 degrees. Don't worry, it did eventually warm up. And I did spend plenty of time reading and sleeping. The day we left, Florida was lovely and warm!
But I was so happy to come back to the cold, just because I was missing my kids, my home, and even my routine!
Before I could get back into the swing of things, however, I had to pack for one more trip. This time, I left Doug and the girls at home, and headed to Las Vegas for a weekend with the in-laws. Sounds strange, I know, but believe it or not, I had the lowest expectations for this trip, and it was probably the most relaxing and enjoyable of all three! It was really a treasure to spend a couple of days with my eight sisters-in-law and my mother-in-law, and to get to know each other and bond better as ourselves, without kids & husbands attached.
Speaking of attached....I wish this little post had some pictures attached, but my laptop is mysteriously dead (more dead than this blog is), so I can't upload anything from my real camera without too much effort; and like I said, I haven't yet figured out my phone.
If this blog wasn't dead before, after this lame post, it really might be. Sorry!
Quick recap:
Christmas was not white. In fact, we've had hardly any snow this winter! We had our biggest snowfall last night, and I didn't even lift a shovel, because I knew that it would melt away today--and it did! I'm quite pleased about that.
Most of our Christmas gifts were electronic this year. Surprised? We got a new Wii system, and now all the old games are like new gifts, because it's been so long since we've used them. Our favorite new game, though, is Just Dance 3. Well, it's everybody except Doug's favorite. He's not a big fan of dancing in front of people, even when those people are his own children. I'm sort of baffled by that.
Katelyn now has her own phone. I was still a little nervous about taking that leap, but honestly, the "Kids' Shared Cell Phone" had already become 99% Katelyn's.
Emily loves her iPod Touch.
Doug is happy to be able to hook his iPod into his car stereo now.
And I am learning, very slowly, to use my new iPhone. Someone like me should not have such fancy technology. It's kind of a shame to let it go to waste! Probably my favorite thing about it is the nice camera I carry around in my purse now. But I don't know how to get the pictures off my phone and into this blog yet. So that's a bummer.
If it weren't for the younger girls, our Christmas morning would have been pretty dull. Call me old-fashioned, but I find it more magical to see American Girl dolls under the tree than a bunch of fancy new gadgets.
Two days after Christmas, we celebrated Lauren's 10th birthday. She had a breakfast party, with all her friends in pajamas.
The following day, we all headed to California. Katelyn left early in the morning, on a bus, with the high school band. The rest of us took a flight that afternoon and beat her to California by hours! The highlights of this trip included seeing Katelyn march down Main Street in a Disneyland parade; watching the AFHS Band's field show in the Tournament of Roses Bandfest; and visiting family. Lowlights were unfortunately abundant, and included: diahrrea at Disneyland; puking in cabs and airports; and a towed rental car just when we should have been turning it in and catching a flight home.
After that crazy trip, I was just a little bit anxious about our next trip: less than 24 hours after coming home from California, Doug and I left the girls home with Grandma L. and went to Key West, Florida. Doug had a work conference, and I planned to spend evenings with him, and my days all alone, sleeping, reading, and soaking up some sunshine.
California should have clued me in. I should have expected the worst. But I didn't.
I did not expect to be cold in Key West. But I was. The daytime high when we arrived was 57 degrees. Don't worry, it did eventually warm up. And I did spend plenty of time reading and sleeping. The day we left, Florida was lovely and warm!
But I was so happy to come back to the cold, just because I was missing my kids, my home, and even my routine!
Before I could get back into the swing of things, however, I had to pack for one more trip. This time, I left Doug and the girls at home, and headed to Las Vegas for a weekend with the in-laws. Sounds strange, I know, but believe it or not, I had the lowest expectations for this trip, and it was probably the most relaxing and enjoyable of all three! It was really a treasure to spend a couple of days with my eight sisters-in-law and my mother-in-law, and to get to know each other and bond better as ourselves, without kids & husbands attached.
Speaking of attached....I wish this little post had some pictures attached, but my laptop is mysteriously dead (more dead than this blog is), so I can't upload anything from my real camera without too much effort; and like I said, I haven't yet figured out my phone.
If this blog wasn't dead before, after this lame post, it really might be. Sorry!
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Candy Houses
Building graham cracker houses has been a Christmas tradition my mother-in-law started long ago, and it has been carried on by most of her sons' families every year. For me, this has never been an eagerly anticipated holiday activity. It takes a lot of time, makes a lot of mess, and wastes a lot of candy! Plus, I hate having my kitchen counter occupied by the candy houses for days at this busy baking season!
Until now.
Until now.
I tried out a new recipe for icing that made all the difference! We made our houses in less than two hours, start to finish. No need to spend hours holding pieces in place waiting for the icing to harden. This stuff is like superglue! It made the building process easy, and the decorating more fun. This year, making our candy houses was a fun activity, not terribly messy, and enjoyed by every single one of us. Even Olivia. Especially Doug.
Here's the recipe:
Beat 3 egg whites + 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar, until stiff. Gradually add 1 pound powdered sugar.
That's it.
I made it in my Bosch mixer, and it took no time at all. Then I scooped it into Wilton disposable decorating bags. I doubled the recipe and we had enough for each of us to have our own icing bag, with enough icing to finish a small house.
Now I'm actually looking forward to doing this again next year! However, Doug likes to remind me that whenever I'm looking forward to something, it never seems to live up to my anticipation. So maybe it was my bad attitude (combined with the magic icing!) that made this year so surprisingly pleasant! Also, it may be a glimpse of what life is like once you move out of the baby/toddler stage into the "family with older kids" stage. That could definitely have something to do with it!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
What is it?
There are seven wrapped gifts sitting under our Christmas tree already--one for each of us. Olivia looks at them frequently. Today she asked me what is inside her present. I told her it's a surprise. She asked, "Is the surprise stuff?" I nodded my head yes. She replied, "Oh, cuz I thought it was things."
Monday, November 28, 2011
MesmerEYES'd
Seven years ago this chubby, bright-eyed baby entered the world
and proceeded to take it all in.
She sees the world as her oyster. Not such a bad view.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET AND SASSY HANNAH!
and proceeded to take it all in.
She sees the world as her oyster. Not such a bad view.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET AND SASSY HANNAH!
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Grandma
I lucked out in the grandparent department! I got the best!
It is bizarre to comprehend that none of my grandparents are still living. Grandma James was the last to go, the day before Thanksgiving, and althought I'm actually relieved for her (no more loneliness and dementia), I'm feeling nostalgic and grieving the loss of my childhood.
Grandma's house was not large, and yet, there was always room for everyone to be comfortable there. It was a reflection of her devotion to her family. There were pictures of her children, grandchildren, sisters and brothers, and in-laws hanging in almost every room of the main floor. In her bedroom, small frames and collages. In the family room, a large framed family photo. In the kitchen, an entire wall-size bulletin board hung with pictures of each and every one of her children and grandchildren, updated regularly.
Every bit of storage space was dedicated to those she loved. In the small kitchen cupboard/pantry, there was Jell-o, Junket, and always a box of Twix--which probably helped make that my favorite candy bar! The limited counter space was ruled by sweets to share: a variety of freshly baked cookies next to the stove, and candy dishes (always full) under the china cupboard. The back door closet was stocked with several kinds of soda pop. The hall closet hosted the "sugar cereals". Her fridge held goodies like Knox Blocks and squeaky cheese, and the freezer was packed full of cake rolls and popsicles.
Grandma's kitchen was her canvas. Everything she created there was superb. Her cookies were renowned, her donuts (made especially at Halloween) were heavenly, and her meals were comforting to the soul. Even when I follow her recipes, I can't seem to capture the magical perfection of Grandma's cooking or baking. I remember a time she stayed with us in California while Mom & Dad were traveling. One rainy winter Saturday, Grandpa took us kids out to play, and when we returned, Grandma had lunch ready: grilled tuna sandwiches and hot chocolate. That lunch filled me with warmth and contentment. Sunday mornings, waking up at Grandma's house, my senses were overloaded: Music and the Spoken Word on Grandma's kitchen t.v.; pies already cooling on the counter; and bacon, sausage, eggs, and pancakes being served up on the table. Sundays were good days at Grandma's house.
Across the hall from the kitchen was another closet, with a hanging lightbulb and pull chain, where Grandma kept her purse, and more candy and stamps, always at the ready to send a care package. The hallway cupboard was stacked with coloring books and crayons for the grandkids. Even her bathroom cupboard wasn't off limits. As a girl I loved to explore that cupboard for nail polish and perfumes that she always allowed me to use. In her small bedroom, where the double bed stretched nearly wall-to-wall, Grandma dedicated her bottom dresser drawer to a collection of Avon trinkets and other gifts, ready to give.
The thrill of Christmas started early in our house, as soon as the JC Penney Christmas catalog arrived in the mailbox. Every year, Grandma would give each grandchild a $25 allowance, and we could pick anything out of that catalog, and Grandma would order it for us, wrap it, and send it along with a package of sweets.
Every major holiday was heralded by a brown UPS package from Grandma. Easter, Halloween, and even St. Patrick's Day prompted a package from Grandma, filled with homemade, brightly frosted sugar cookies, and packed with popcorn. Anybody's birthday was everybody's birthday. A birthday package included a gift for everyone. As a young girl, I would get a small toy for my brother and sisters' birthdays, or, as I grew up, I came to expect a package of Mambas, wrapped in a $2.00 bill, wrapped in white tissue paper, and finished off with my name typed on a white sticker label.
Grandma didn't write much by hand. She had a typewriter in the spare bedroom, and she used it often. The sound of hammering metal typewriter keys will always remind me of Grandma (not that anyone hears that sound anymore).
Grandma's basement was a wonderful toyland: Dress-ups, dolls, tea sets, board games, musical instruments, books and Mad magazines, even a first generation Nintendo! Also in the basement was an extra fridge and shelves full of preserved foods, plus stacks of Tupperware, ready to send home cookies and left-overs after family gatherings.
I can't think of anything Grandma owned that she wasn't willing and ready to relinquish to her children and grandchildren.
In fact, I got so accustomed to the idea that everything in grandma's house (and especially her basement) was for the use and pleasure of myself, that I got myself into a bit of mishcief one time. When I was a teenager, I had two of my close friends visit me at Grandm'ahouse one summer when we all happened to be in Utah at the same time. Looking to entertain ourselves in the basement toy room, we found some clothes zipped up in a portable closet. Being silly, we decided to dress up and take pictures of ourselves acting goofy in the backyard. Grandma must have seen us through the kitchen window--wearing her winter dresses, which she had stored for the season in the basement. When we came back in the house, we realized our mistake by the look on her face (and quickly returned the dresses to their hangers), but Grandma held her tongue. She didn't chastise, and she didn't hold a grudge. There was no passive-agressive retribution. In Grandma's eyes, we could almost do no wrong.
When I started my first year at BYU, I was so thrilled to be living close enough to make it to Sunday dinners and special occasions at Grandma's house. I never left those events empty handed. Grandma usually sent me off with a container of cookies. And once or twice, I came home from classes to find a container of Grandma's cookies on the doorstep of my apartment. (At first, I couldn't solve the mystery of how Grandma got those cookies to my doorstep. But I believe that happened when her brother, Merlin, visited her. He lived in Orem at the time, so when he headed home from a visit, she would ask him to deliver cookies from her to me, "next door" in Provo.)
After I married Doug, Grandma often sent us (him) home with her banana chocolate chip cookies. He had mentioned to her once how fond he was of that variety, and she never forgot his compliment.
Growing up two states away from my grandparents felt like a true disadvantage. I always wished to live closer and have them more available all the time. After being away from Utah for several months at a time, I can recall closing my eyes and trying hard to remember the exact color of my Grandma's hair, and the sound of her voice, the feel of her skin. Now I find myself far away from her again. In the last two weeks of her life, knowing that she was leaving soon, I treasured the moments I was able to spend with her.
The day before Grandma passed, I spent the afternoon with her, while Mom took Aunt Janice out for her birthday lunch. While Olivia watched a movie in the other room, I lay down on the bed next to my sleeping Grandma, held her hand, and just stared at her, knowing that soon I would struggle to remember exactly what she looked like in person, taking in her soft cheeks and her soft white hair and the soft skin of her hands. When Grandma opened her eyes, turned her head towards me, and smiled, she actually glowed. I hope to never forget that scene.
It's hard to accept that my childhood is really over. But somehow, this week, I seem to have heard that door click softly closed. Even with five children of my own, I still refused to believe that I was really grown up. Grandma's passing puts time and life into perspective.
Moving forward, I hope to create for my children the type of family life that Grandma exemplified. What greater gift could I give them?
June 12, 2016
One more story I must record.
When Grandpa passed away, Grandma never really acknowledged his passing--whether that was conscious denial or dementia, I can't say for sure. One summer evening, maybe a year or two after Grandpa's death, I felt drawn to Grandma's assisted living apartment for a visit. I left my children and Doug at home, and made the drive to Bountiful, stopping to buy a boquet of flowers. The summer evening was still warm and sunny when I arrived, but it was close to 8:00, and when I entered Grandma's apartment, I found that she had already been tucked into bed for the night. Grandma's hearing aids were off, and she hadn't heard me come in. I watched her sleeping for a minute, and I didn't want to wake her, so I quietly found a vase and sat on the floor in her main room, arranging the flowers and leaving a note. While I was at this task, I heard Grandma's sleepy voice call from the bedroom:
"Dad? Is that you?" {"Dad" is what she called Grandpa, her husband.} I didn't answer, assuming she was talking in her sleep. She continued: "Make sure you get you something to eat..." and then she drifted back to sleep. It brought me to tears. Dementia made Grandma's waking words and behaviors sometimes unpredictable and unlike herself during the last several years of her life, but in that moment, it was obvious that the Grandma I had always known was still alive, even if sometimes hidden. Still worrying about her loved ones, and wanting to take care of them. Such a precious memory for me!
It is bizarre to comprehend that none of my grandparents are still living. Grandma James was the last to go, the day before Thanksgiving, and althought I'm actually relieved for her (no more loneliness and dementia), I'm feeling nostalgic and grieving the loss of my childhood.
Grandma's house was not large, and yet, there was always room for everyone to be comfortable there. It was a reflection of her devotion to her family. There were pictures of her children, grandchildren, sisters and brothers, and in-laws hanging in almost every room of the main floor. In her bedroom, small frames and collages. In the family room, a large framed family photo. In the kitchen, an entire wall-size bulletin board hung with pictures of each and every one of her children and grandchildren, updated regularly.
Every bit of storage space was dedicated to those she loved. In the small kitchen cupboard/pantry, there was Jell-o, Junket, and always a box of Twix--which probably helped make that my favorite candy bar! The limited counter space was ruled by sweets to share: a variety of freshly baked cookies next to the stove, and candy dishes (always full) under the china cupboard. The back door closet was stocked with several kinds of soda pop. The hall closet hosted the "sugar cereals". Her fridge held goodies like Knox Blocks and squeaky cheese, and the freezer was packed full of cake rolls and popsicles.
Grandma's kitchen was her canvas. Everything she created there was superb. Her cookies were renowned, her donuts (made especially at Halloween) were heavenly, and her meals were comforting to the soul. Even when I follow her recipes, I can't seem to capture the magical perfection of Grandma's cooking or baking. I remember a time she stayed with us in California while Mom & Dad were traveling. One rainy winter Saturday, Grandpa took us kids out to play, and when we returned, Grandma had lunch ready: grilled tuna sandwiches and hot chocolate. That lunch filled me with warmth and contentment. Sunday mornings, waking up at Grandma's house, my senses were overloaded: Music and the Spoken Word on Grandma's kitchen t.v.; pies already cooling on the counter; and bacon, sausage, eggs, and pancakes being served up on the table. Sundays were good days at Grandma's house.
Across the hall from the kitchen was another closet, with a hanging lightbulb and pull chain, where Grandma kept her purse, and more candy and stamps, always at the ready to send a care package. The hallway cupboard was stacked with coloring books and crayons for the grandkids. Even her bathroom cupboard wasn't off limits. As a girl I loved to explore that cupboard for nail polish and perfumes that she always allowed me to use. In her small bedroom, where the double bed stretched nearly wall-to-wall, Grandma dedicated her bottom dresser drawer to a collection of Avon trinkets and other gifts, ready to give.
The thrill of Christmas started early in our house, as soon as the JC Penney Christmas catalog arrived in the mailbox. Every year, Grandma would give each grandchild a $25 allowance, and we could pick anything out of that catalog, and Grandma would order it for us, wrap it, and send it along with a package of sweets.
Every major holiday was heralded by a brown UPS package from Grandma. Easter, Halloween, and even St. Patrick's Day prompted a package from Grandma, filled with homemade, brightly frosted sugar cookies, and packed with popcorn. Anybody's birthday was everybody's birthday. A birthday package included a gift for everyone. As a young girl, I would get a small toy for my brother and sisters' birthdays, or, as I grew up, I came to expect a package of Mambas, wrapped in a $2.00 bill, wrapped in white tissue paper, and finished off with my name typed on a white sticker label.
Grandma didn't write much by hand. She had a typewriter in the spare bedroom, and she used it often. The sound of hammering metal typewriter keys will always remind me of Grandma (not that anyone hears that sound anymore).
Grandma's basement was a wonderful toyland: Dress-ups, dolls, tea sets, board games, musical instruments, books and Mad magazines, even a first generation Nintendo! Also in the basement was an extra fridge and shelves full of preserved foods, plus stacks of Tupperware, ready to send home cookies and left-overs after family gatherings.
I can't think of anything Grandma owned that she wasn't willing and ready to relinquish to her children and grandchildren.
In fact, I got so accustomed to the idea that everything in grandma's house (and especially her basement) was for the use and pleasure of myself, that I got myself into a bit of mishcief one time. When I was a teenager, I had two of my close friends visit me at Grandm'ahouse one summer when we all happened to be in Utah at the same time. Looking to entertain ourselves in the basement toy room, we found some clothes zipped up in a portable closet. Being silly, we decided to dress up and take pictures of ourselves acting goofy in the backyard. Grandma must have seen us through the kitchen window--wearing her winter dresses, which she had stored for the season in the basement. When we came back in the house, we realized our mistake by the look on her face (and quickly returned the dresses to their hangers), but Grandma held her tongue. She didn't chastise, and she didn't hold a grudge. There was no passive-agressive retribution. In Grandma's eyes, we could almost do no wrong.
When I started my first year at BYU, I was so thrilled to be living close enough to make it to Sunday dinners and special occasions at Grandma's house. I never left those events empty handed. Grandma usually sent me off with a container of cookies. And once or twice, I came home from classes to find a container of Grandma's cookies on the doorstep of my apartment. (At first, I couldn't solve the mystery of how Grandma got those cookies to my doorstep. But I believe that happened when her brother, Merlin, visited her. He lived in Orem at the time, so when he headed home from a visit, she would ask him to deliver cookies from her to me, "next door" in Provo.)
After I married Doug, Grandma often sent us (him) home with her banana chocolate chip cookies. He had mentioned to her once how fond he was of that variety, and she never forgot his compliment.
Growing up two states away from my grandparents felt like a true disadvantage. I always wished to live closer and have them more available all the time. After being away from Utah for several months at a time, I can recall closing my eyes and trying hard to remember the exact color of my Grandma's hair, and the sound of her voice, the feel of her skin. Now I find myself far away from her again. In the last two weeks of her life, knowing that she was leaving soon, I treasured the moments I was able to spend with her.
The day before Grandma passed, I spent the afternoon with her, while Mom took Aunt Janice out for her birthday lunch. While Olivia watched a movie in the other room, I lay down on the bed next to my sleeping Grandma, held her hand, and just stared at her, knowing that soon I would struggle to remember exactly what she looked like in person, taking in her soft cheeks and her soft white hair and the soft skin of her hands. When Grandma opened her eyes, turned her head towards me, and smiled, she actually glowed. I hope to never forget that scene.
It's hard to accept that my childhood is really over. But somehow, this week, I seem to have heard that door click softly closed. Even with five children of my own, I still refused to believe that I was really grown up. Grandma's passing puts time and life into perspective.
Moving forward, I hope to create for my children the type of family life that Grandma exemplified. What greater gift could I give them?
June 12, 2016
One more story I must record.
When Grandpa passed away, Grandma never really acknowledged his passing--whether that was conscious denial or dementia, I can't say for sure. One summer evening, maybe a year or two after Grandpa's death, I felt drawn to Grandma's assisted living apartment for a visit. I left my children and Doug at home, and made the drive to Bountiful, stopping to buy a boquet of flowers. The summer evening was still warm and sunny when I arrived, but it was close to 8:00, and when I entered Grandma's apartment, I found that she had already been tucked into bed for the night. Grandma's hearing aids were off, and she hadn't heard me come in. I watched her sleeping for a minute, and I didn't want to wake her, so I quietly found a vase and sat on the floor in her main room, arranging the flowers and leaving a note. While I was at this task, I heard Grandma's sleepy voice call from the bedroom:
"Dad? Is that you?" {"Dad" is what she called Grandpa, her husband.} I didn't answer, assuming she was talking in her sleep. She continued: "Make sure you get you something to eat..." and then she drifted back to sleep. It brought me to tears. Dementia made Grandma's waking words and behaviors sometimes unpredictable and unlike herself during the last several years of her life, but in that moment, it was obvious that the Grandma I had always known was still alive, even if sometimes hidden. Still worrying about her loved ones, and wanting to take care of them. Such a precious memory for me!
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