2015 started off with a bang! Nana Turney generously gifted us with a staycation. We checked into the Marriott Grand Chateau on New Years Eve. We were all so excited to welcome in the new year with yummy treats, an unbeatable view, and fireworks right outside our window. We woke up New Years day and roamed Las Vegas Blvd. more famously known as "The Strip" and immediately regretted it. The strip is no place for children. Or Mommy's and Daddy's. Adam and I took the kids to UNLV to show them around our old stomping grounds and reminisce. We watched some movies in the hotel and bathed the stench of the strip off ourselves. It was a magnificent trip!
The weather was unseasonably warm, even for Las Vegas, which meant lots of scooter rides, trips to the park, and walks. We also went to the library, Chuck E. Cheese, etc. Sam and I got to go up to Utah, where we celebrated baby Jack, our soon to be nephew/cousin.
Hannah: Hannah is now a CTR 5. Speaking of primary, Hannah gave a talk on patience and it was absolutely amazing. Adam kept saying, "How did she learn to read?!?" Ummm...I taught her! Several people have told me this month how smart Hannah is when answering questions in primary. Someone called her doctrinally solid, and very deep.
Hannah was happy to be back at school. She has lots of friends and it's so fun watching her grow up to be a person. She loves to create art and work on projects, which means lots of gifts for Mommy.
Paige: We couldn't believe that Paige was old enough for primary! She was so excited and kept calling herself our "big primary girl." Unfortunately, the hype leading up to primary wasn't what Paige had in mind, and she's had a difficult time staying in class ever since, opting instead to come with me to relief society. I have no doubt that one day soon Paige will be ready and she'll do great.
A new month meant that Paige got to host preschool again at her house. She loves class, she loves her friends, but most of all she loves Tessa the travelling bear. Paige was sick the week we got Tessa, so she was lucky enough to cuddle and get comforted by Tessa Bear.
Paige also got to on a field trip to California Pizza Kitchen. She loves CPK and had a blast making her own pizza.
Sam: Sam continues to grow and learn new tricks on the daily. This month he got two new teeth bringing the total to six and he loves to use them to bite Mommy while he's nursing. Ouch! Sam gave us quite the scare when he got sick in late January, and there is nothing worse than caring for a sick child, but he pulled through like a champ. Sam started sleeping through the night, pulling himself up in a standing position, and roaming freely around the house. Everyone enjoyed him at Lindsey's shower. He has the best disposition and the BEST machine gun laugh.
From Facebook:
Three maintenance guys knocked on our door in the middle of Melissa's shower to let us know it was leaking on the room below us. Now we are waiting for them to finish repairing it.
— with Melissa Marsden Turney atMarriott's Grand Chateau.
The Turneys took a trip down memory lane this afternoon. We took our kids to UNLV and walked around campus. So many good memories. So many feels. Love the good ole CEB!
Yesterday
Adam and I took our kids down to the strip to walk around. We've never done that, and we probably never will again--Ha! It was beyond gross down there (we've taken them to Bellagio, and I'll take them to events, but never just walk around sight seeing).
I love living in Las Vegas for many reasons: the many parks, the museum, the libraries, the water park, Red Rock, international food everywhere, endless opportunities for high quality entertainment, and I've never lived in a place where the members of the LDS church are so faithful and united...but I can't stand "the strip." Sin City is not for me, and I'm grateful that even though it is a very short distance away it is a whole world away from my family.
#imsoold #becomingmymother #smokegetsinyoureyes#latterdaysaintsinsincity
Date night! Cheesecake Factory for dinner, then a movie at home. The Hundred Foot Journey was an incredible movie!
Our vacation is all booked and paid for. I'm getting SO excited to go on this trip. Looking forward to meeting
Lindsey Patten in person, and spending some much needed quality time with
Adam Turney. One of the best parts? We'll be taking a train from D.C. To Orlando... So I'll literally be taking a train to Hogwarts. Amazing.
Need feedback: Does anyone give their kids an allowance? What are some ideas for money making chores for a five year old? I want to teach Hannah about saving her own money, and money choices but I REALLY want to make her work for it. Example: she's not going to get paid to make her bed or put her laundry away or pick up after herself, etc. because she's already supposed to do that, but if she vacuums she could earn some $$.
It's a beautiful, 70 degrees spring day in Las Vegas! I'm at the park with my kids. We fed ducks, now they are riding scooters around the park. Next, we'll be heading for ice cream. I'm not sure how I feel about this, since it's January 8th.
Paige is always really sad when Hannah isn't around. She just said, "Mom will you play neighbor with me? I'm alonely."
Hannah is crying herself to sleep because there is only one chapter left in the book we are reading together (Ivy + Bean) and I told her she has to wait until tomorrow. I feel like a monster.
Paige keeps getting out of bed claiming she needs to go potty or get a drink. We heard her on the stairs and Adam turned to me and said, "your turn," but Paige had other ideas. Looking at her daddy with big brown eyes she said, "I want you to read me this funny story. Daddy, will you read me this story?"
He never stood a chance. What a softy. I love them both.
None of you care but.... I got six straight uninterrupted blissful hours of sleep last night for the first time in over a year. Naturally the first thing I did was wake up my baby to make sure he wasn't dead, because rationality and all.
In an effort to be a more supportive wife I'm letting
Adam Turney teach me about football. The following happened this morning:
Me: So do the points matter like they do in quidditch?
Adam:...
Me: So let's say Gryffindor loses to Slytherin by a hundred points and Ravenclaw loses to Slytherin by two hundred points-
Adam: (Stares at me)
Me: Do you get what I'm saying.
Adam: ....(rethinking his life choices) They just win or lose.
Top ten controversial things I've posted on Facebook:
10. My religious beliefs.
9. Feelings about being a stay at home mom.
1-8. Vaccination.
This morning after Sam's bath he looked so adorable with his cubby little body I took a couple of naked bum pictures of him, which the girls thought was hilarious. As I was looking through my phone tonight I discovered a series of pictures taken in my closet approximately five minutes after I'd taken Sam's pictures in which the naughty big sister (instigator) took photos of a naughty little sister (willing accomplice) full on mooning the camera. I love being a mom.
When I got out my American Girl dolls for Paige to look at yesterday I failed to realize how obsessed she'd become. She couldn't fall asleep last night thinking of Samantha, and when she woke up at 5:20 this morning she came in begging me to get her out. I told her to go back to bed, but she came in at least two more times before 6:30 (at which time her clock turned green telling her it was ok to get out of her room) and then she came in my room, pulled back my blankets, and opened my blinds. What.have.i.done.
Yesterday Hannah came home concerned that her friend was upset with her and they were no longer going to be friends. She said she needed to color a picture for her and give her candy to apologize (the offence remains unclear). She drew a picture and filled a zip-lock bag with tootsie rolls (because nothing says "I'm sorry" like arts/crafts and left over Halloween candy). She returned home with a picture and a Twinkie from the friend. Apparently the unwritten rules of friendship are clear and binding in kindergarten.
Enjoying a good book while waiting to board a plane to Salt Lake.
Just kidding. I'm sweating like I just ran through 17 miles of airport while struggling with my seven month old, his stroller, two carry on bags, and a partridge in a pear tree.
I should have known my travel plans were a bust when
Kim and I kept missing the signs for the correct terminal, and we had to loop around three times to find my airline. I should have realized it was a bad omen when I found myself in the wrong gate (D12 instead of E15... I read my boarding pass wrong) and had to rush back and forth across the airport to make it on time. I started figuring out that the universe was working against me when my phone was stolen on the airplane, s
o I was not surprised in the least bit when I discovered I had the wrong luggage and my luggage was in Boise Idaho.
It should be noted (and was by
Megan Christensen) that I didn't cry or swear during any stretch of this ridiculous day.
Good thing my parents were there to rescue me, driving back to the airport to return the wrong bag, picking up diapers, buying me dinner, providing me with the necessities, and then literally tucking me into bed. Thanks
Tim and
Margie.
Related question: does anyone have an old phone they are selling for a good price?
I just spent an hour and a half on the phone with
Adam Turney. I was in bed in my sisters old room talking at midnight in the dark feeling like we were back in college and dating again.
My brother and sister-in-law announced they were having their first baby two weeks before my sweet Granma passed away. I knew then that I'd need to learn how to knit, so that I could carry on her tradition of knitting a blankie for her great grandchildren. It's been a very healing experience. I feel closer to her, and I know she's proud of me. I also feel close to our baby Jack, and can't wait to kiss him all over his sweet face! I love him already.
Sam's latest trick is to wave every time he walks in or out of a room and say "Buh Buh Buh." It kills me every.time. It's a miracle that no matter how many times I go through these "firsts" with my kids I find them amazing and brilliant.
Me six years ago: Cute! My sweet baby pulled herself up in her crib! What a smart, strong, wonderful girl!
Me this morning: No. No no no no no no no no no no no no no. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!
Adam sold something to a guy on Craigslist and when he came in he asked what ward we were in. At first I was startled. How did he know we were LDS?!? It must have been the giant painting of the Salt Lake temple. Or maybe the framed print of the Bountiful temple. Although it could have been the Proclamation to the Family we have hanging up. It could also have been the Las Vegas temple hanging in our kitchen. Or maybe it was the artwork of the Sacred Grove. If it wasn't that the three kids were a dead giveaway.
#Mormonsbelike
What a hassle. I ordered three photo books last night from Shutterfly and they charged the wrong account. I just spent the first two hours of my day on the phone with Shutterfly and Wells Fargo to try to sort everything out. Because the wrong account was charged the account was overdrawn and I had to file claims and send various emails showing both parties that I'd only authorized the first account to be charged. It STILL isn't resolved after two hours, and probably won't be for another 48 hours to one week.
The silver lining? Shutterfly acknowledged that the mistake was theirs, and they are giving me my order for free!
Paige is very sick this morning. All of my plans flew out the window, and now I'm cuddling on the couch watching movies with my kids. We just watched A Little Princess (one of my childhood favorites) and all three of us girls cried at the end. I hate sick days, but I'm grateful that I have the freedom to drop everything and cuddle on the couch with a sick three year old.
My face when I receive correspondence from one of my favorite authors of all time. (Yes, you all knew I was a nerd who reads too much but I also write to authors when their works leave me truly stunned). This is not a form letter, she addresses things I actually said to her. It was lovely! I feel like Hazel Grace Lancaster without the touch of cancer. Thank you, Kate Morton!
I posted a picture yesterday but I wanted to write down the full story. Yesterday I received a letter from one of my favorite living authors, Kate Morton. I'd written to her in August 2012 and sort of forgot all about it since I'd never heard back. Zoom forward two and a half years later I finally get a response. She'd explained my letter was "hidden but not forgotten" in a box in her study. She then went on to thank me for my kind words, etc.
As I was getting ready for bed I realized that while I've had all her books on my bookshelf she's had my letter in a box in her study. It made me feel all warm inside.
If you haven't read any of Kate Morton's novels you should, immediately.
Last night I had a dream.
In the dream I went to church. The outside of the building was the same and when I walked into the chapel nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
Within the first fifteen minutes the ward clerk came around serving coffee and tea "for those who were not comfortable with the word of wisdom."
A little while later I noticed the sacred hymns were replaced with rock music "for those who wanted to have more fun at church."
In Sunday school it was decided that we'd no longer learn about the doctrine of eternal marriage and families because it made people feel excluded and was not politically correct.
By the time we got to relief society we were all in our street clothes talking about the latest words of wisdom from Oprah, because to talk about the doctrine of Christ did not sit well with everyone.
I was very distraught throughout the whole thing but I wasn't sure why. At the end of my dream the bishop got up to close the meeting and he looked at me and said, "We gave the people what they wanted. Now we are just like everybody else."
It helped me become acutely aware that when we protest and boycott the law and the principles of the gospel, we forfeit the spirit and the blessings associated with the law.
It made me think of Elder Holland's talk The Cost and Blessings of Discipleship. Particularly this part:
"Sadly enough, my young friends, it is a characteristic of our age that if people want any gods at all, they want them to be gods who do not demand much, comfortable gods, smooth gods who not only don’t rock the boat but don’t even row it, gods who pat us on the head, make us giggle, then tell us to run along and pick marigolds.
"Talk about man creating God in his own image! Sometimes--and this seems the greatest irony of all--these folks invoke the name of Jesus as one who was this kind of “comfortable” God. Really? He who said not only should we not break commandments, but we should not even think about breaking them. And if we do think about breaking them, we have already broken them in our heart. Does that sound like “comfortable” doctrine, easy on the ear and popular down at the village love-in?"
Hannah gave a talk in primary about patience. She used the example of waiting to eat the marshmallow and Adam and Paige demonstrated patience by not eating the marshmallows (well, Paige was patient...Adam ate it right away) until Hannah's talk was finished. She read her whole talk almost all by herself.
So much for the beautiful butter cake I made last night. Thanks, Paige.
Thanks to this discovery, and the discovery that Hannah ate half the dinner rolls from last night and then threw the left overs in the garbage when she was done eating them I've decided to take a break from making dinners this week. This week, the girls, with the help of Adam, have now been given the task of planning, preparing, and serving the meals for the week so they can understand what it feels like to be the mom.
Crazy morning. Last night Sam had a bad fever and woke up with a fever of 101. We got it under control but his temperature went up again and again we got it back down. I was teaching preschool this morning and had the baby monitor on. About thirty minutes into preschool I could hear Sam struggling to take a full breath on the monitor. At first I thought he was just coughing but when I went to check on him he was grayish and his lips were blue. I rushed him downstairs and started doing a breathing treatment immediately. Hannah held him and gave him the medicine while I called Adam at school and begged him to come home and get Sam to a doctor, since A) I didn't have the car and B) I had a whole preschool at my house. Fortunately Adam works less than a mile away and has awesome, supportive administrators who didn't even question him and told him to go right away. The breathing treatment helped Sam a lot (the color returned to his face) and Adam is at the doctor with him right now. Scary stuff. I don't even know if I handled it correctly because I was so flustered but I'm SO BEYOND grateful for our superman Daddy!
My husband makes me laugh everyday. And sometimes he does something so funny he leaves me laughing out loud by myself with tears rolling down my cheeks and I can't catch my breath. I married a good man.
Being a stay-at-home mom isn't always easy or ideal but it's weeks like this that make me extremely grateful I get to do what I love. 1) Sam has been sick and I get to keep him home and snuggle with him and not have to worry about any other responsibilities. 2) I get to teach preschool at my house to this group of lovelies every six weeks and they are the sweetest! This week we learned about the five senses and the letter R!
Adam was telling me about how Super Bowl tickets are thousands of dollars. I expressed that I can't fathom spending that kind of money on an event and
Adam said, "Imagine J.K. Rowling and the entire cast of Harry Potter were on a panel and they were going against the entire cast of Gilmore Girls."
Ummm still no, but thanks for trying to speak my language.
Thinking of my best friend Rosalie today. Three years ago Elle Carmella Mastaler passed away before she had the chance to be born, and her mother courageously said goodbye. Tulips came to represent Elle, and every time I see one I think of her, and her mother. Rosalie posted this picture a few days ago, and I wanted to post it today, so I could honor the memory of Elle. "Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don't come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come." Jeffery R. Holland
